bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Screening of Some Botanicals for Eco-friendly Control of Cucurbit Fruit Fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae) Infestation in Experimental Cucumber Field
Authors: Sultana MS , Azad MAK , Islam MS 
Published: July 2022

Cucurbit fruit fly (Bactrocera cucurbitae) is the major pest of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), which severely damage the cucumber production. This study was carried to evaluate the efficacy of fourteen botanicals such as Chili (Capsicum frutescens), Garlic (Allium sativum), Onion (Allium cepa), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Carrot leaves(Daucuscarota subsp. Sativus), Bitter gourd (Momordic acharantia), young Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), Mahogany seed (Swietenia macrophylla), Eucalyptus leaves (Eucalyptus globulus), Black plum leaves (Syzygium cumini), Jackfruit leaves (Artocarpus heterophyllus), Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica), Black pepper (Piper nigrum) and Garden croton leaves (Codiaeum variegatum) to control the cucurbit fruit fly infestation in experimental cucumber (Green Rohini F1 Hybrid Cucumber) field during March 15, 2021– May 14, 2021. This study observed a less number of cucurbit fruit fly attack on cucumber fruits in Ginger treatment. In this treatment, only 7.06% fruits were infested by cucurbit fruit fly. The Ginger treatment reduced 14.17 times fruit fly infestation compare to control. However, a high number of cucurbit fruit fly infestations were found in Bitter gourd, young Tomato, Mahogany and Garden croton treatments. Cucurbit fruit fly infestation was low (12.50%) in Neem treatment. This treatment showed best performance on cucumber size (cm) and yield (gm). The lowest yield was found in Bitter gourd treatment. The Neem treatment kept about 3.54 times better performance in respect to cucumber yield than that of control treatment. Therefore, Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) extracts can be used as bio-pesticide for eco-friendly control of cucurbit fruit fly infestation in cucumber field.
Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 13(1&2): 38-42, 2020
Potentiality of Banana and Pumpkin Fruits Residues as a Cheap Source of Valuable Nutrients
Authors: Mahmud MR , Hossain MS , Shuvo SD , Reza MSA , Abedin MZ 
Published: July 2022

Banana peel and pumpkin seeds are under-utilized by-products or wastes of the household and food processing industry but these could be rich in valuable nutritive compounds. Having a scientific database on the chemical and proximate analysis of the plants cultivated in the particular region would be helpful to the food product manufacturer, educator, researcher, public health personnel, policymaker, and population under food stress. Literature indicates that the nutritional and chemical composition of these under-utilized materials has not been characterized previously. The present study was designed to examine the nutritional, antioxidants, vitamin C, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of peels and seeds flour of selected fruits. Nutritional analysis reveals that the peel flour of Musa acuminata is rich in crude fiber 14.13%, carbohydrate 60.38%, and seed flour of Cucurbita maxima is rich in protein 30.05%, fat 43.81%, dietary fiber 13.81%. BPF showed more antioxidant activity (86.8%), total phenolic and flavonoid content than PSF, which is rich in vitamin C content (9.23 mg/100gm). Industrial by-products can be processed into value-added products such as flour that is more easily stored for further uses. By-product flour can easily include in food formulations due to its excellent nutritional qualities. Optimization of its use is beneficial in terms of nutritional and economical points of view.
Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 13(1&2): 87-93, 2020
Sanitation Pattern and its Impact on Child in Relation to their Diarrheal Disease of two Upazilla under Satkhira District
Authors: Huda N , Islam MA , Hasan M , Hossain MR 
Published: July 2022

The sanitation pattern is not so good in rural areas of Bangladesh. About 2.2 million children died of diarrhea disease around the world and these deaths represent approximately 15% of all child deaths under the age of five in developing countries. For this study, two rural areas of Satkhira District of Bangladesh were selected. The information was collected from households that had children under 5 years old. The majority of the locals are illiterate and impoverished. They have a low income and are not well aware of sanitation and children’s diarrhea. Most people use tubewell water for drinking purposes and others use ponds, rivers and hand pump water for domestic purposes. Water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions reduce diarrheal disease on average by between one-quarter and one-third. New sanitary solutions are required, and the process of acquiring latrines and sewers must be facilitated and supported both legislatively and financially. Public authorities must continue to be responsible for the provision of water that is free of fecal contaminants. In the private domain, hygiene promotion should focus on the elimination of human stools from the domestic environment. We should ensure safe sanitation, clean water and a hygienic environment for children and their survival.
Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 13(1&2): 100-109, 2020
Diagnostic and Prognostic Value Analysis of miR-206 in Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis
Authors: Li Dancen , Pan Jingjun 
Published: July 2022

Introduction: To investigate the expression level of miR-206 in serum of patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (CAS) and estimate the value of miR-206 in the diagnosis and prognosis of asymptomatic CAS.Methods: A total of 206 individuals enrolled in this study, including 105 CAS patients and 101 controls. RT-qPCR technology was applied to measure the relative level of miR-206, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient was performed to analyze the relationship between carotid artery stenosis degree and miR-206 level. An ROC curve was drawn to assess the diagnostic value of miR-206 in asymptomatic CAS. The 5-year prognosis of asymptomatic CAS patients was tested using multivariate Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival curve.Results: MiR-206 expression was reduced in asymptomatic CAS patients. The AUC of the ROC curve of miR-206 was 0.939, with a sensitivity of 86.70% and a specificity of 86.14%. The amount of CAS gradually increased with the decrease of miR-206 level. Seven-teen patients in the low miR-206 expression group developed CIEs, and 3 patients in the high miR-206 expression group developed CIEs during the 5-year follow-up. miR-206 and the amount of CAS were independent factors for the occurrence of CIEs within 5 years in asymptomatic CAS patients.Conclusion: Serum miR-206 has high diagnostic accuracy for asymptomatic CAS and has predictive value for the incidence of CIEs in patients within 5 years.
A Personalized Management Approach of OHSS: Development of a Multiphase Prediction Model and Smartphone-Based App
Authors: Cao Mingzhu , Liu Zhi , Lin Yanshan , Luo Yiqun , Li Sichen , Huang Qing , Liu Haiying , Liu Jianqiao 
Published: July 2022

ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop multiphase big-data-based prediction models of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and a smartphone app for risk calculation and patients’ self-monitoring.MethodsMultiphase prediction models were developed from a retrospective cohort database of 21,566 women from January 2017 to December 2020 with controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). There were 17,445 women included in the final data analysis. Women were randomly assigned to either training cohort (n = 12,211) or validation cohort (n = 5,234). Their baseline clinical characteristics, COS-related characteristics, and embryo information were evaluated. The prediction models were divided into four phases: 1) prior to COS, 2) on the day of ovulation trigger, 3) after oocyte retrieval, and 4) prior to embryo transfer. The multiphase prediction models were built with stepwise regression and confirmed with LASSO regression. Internal validations were performed using the validation cohort and were assessed by discrimination and calibration, as well as clinical decision curves. A smartphone-based app “OHSS monitor” was constructed as part of the built-in app of the IVF-aid platform. The app had three modules, risk prediction module, symptom monitoring module, and treatment monitoring module.ResultsThe multiphase prediction models were developed with acceptable distinguishing ability to identify OHSS at-risk patients. The C-statistics of the first, second, third, and fourth phases in the training cohort were 0.628 (95% CI 0.598–0.658), 0.715 (95% CI 0.688–0.742), 0.792 (95% CI 0.770–0.815), and 0.814 (95% CI 0.793–0.834), respectively. The calibration plot showed the agreement of predictive and observed risks of OHSS, especially at the third- and fourth-phase prediction models in both training and validation cohorts. The net clinical benefits of the multiphase prediction models were also confirmed with a clinical decision curve. A smartphone-based app was constructed as a risk calculator based on the multiphase prediction models, and also as a self-monitoring tool for patients at risk.ConclusionsWe have built multiphase prediction models based on big data and constructed a user-friendly smartphone-based app for the personalized management of women at risk of moderate/severe OHSS. The multiphase prediction models and user-friendly app can be readily used in clinical practice for clinical decision-support and self-management of patients.
Pan-Cancer Analysis of OLFML2B Expression and Its Association With Prognosis and Immune Infiltration
Authors: Hu Pengbo , Zhang Xiuyuan , Li Yiming , Xu Liang , Qiu Hong 
Published: July 2022

Background: The function of olfactomedin-like 2B (OLFML2B), as a member of the olfactomedin domain-containing protein family, remains ambiguous, especially in tumors. The current study explores the possible correlation between OLFML2B, prognosis, and immune infiltration in pan-cancer.Methods: We applied a number of bioinformatics techniques to probe the prospective function of OLFML2B, consisting of its association with prognosis, clinicopathology, alteration, GSEA, tumor microenvironment (TME), immune-associated genes, immune infiltration, tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and drug sensitivity in several cancer types. qPCR and immunohistochemistry were used to identify OLFML2B expression in LIHC cell lines and liver cancer tissues.Results: We discovered that OLFML2B was overexpressed in 14 cancers and positively related to several cancer type prognoses. The expression of OLFML2B was further validated in the LIHC cell lines. OLFML2B expression was bound up with TMB in 13 cancers, MSI in 10 cancers, and TME in almost all cancers. Furthermore, OLFML2B was highly co-expressed with genes encoding immune activators and immune suppressors. We further found that OLFML2B played a role in infiltrating different types of immune cells, such as macrophages and cancer-associated fibroblasts. OLFML2B may influence various cancer and immune-related pathways, such as the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, ECM–receptor interaction, focal adhesion, and leukocyte transendothelial migration. In addition, OLFML2B may increase drug resistance of binimetinib, cobimentinib, and trametinib.Conclusion: Our outcomes reveal that OLFML2B may act as a prognostic marker and a potential target in immunotherapy for diverse tumors due to its oncogenesis function and immune infiltration.
Three Variants Affecting Exon 1 of Ectodysplasin A Cause X-Linked Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia: Clinical and Molecular Characteristics
Authors: Wang Yupei , Zhang Chuan , Zhou Bingbo , Hui Ling , Zheng Lei , Chen Xue , Wang Shifan , Yang Lan , Hao Shengju , Zhang Qinghua 
Published: July 2022

Background: Ectodysplasin A (EDA) variations are major pathogenic factors for hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED), the most common form of ectodermal dysplasia (ED), characterized by hypotrichosis, hypohidrosis, hypodontia, and other oral features.Methods: Molecular genetic defects in three HED families were detected by whole-exome sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing or multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. The effect of splicing variant was further verified by EDA minigene in vitro analysis. De novo deletion was confirmed by chromosomal microarray analysis.Results: Three variants (c.396 + 1 G &gt; C, c.171-173 del GTT, and exon 1 deletion) were identified, all affecting exon 1 of the EDA gene. Variants c.396 + 1 G &gt; C and c.171-173 del GTT were first identified. Minigene analysis of the splicing variant (c.396 + 1 G &gt; C) displayed a prolonged EDA-A1 transcript containing extra 699 bp at the start of intron 1, representing a functional cryptic splice site formation in vitro. Combining the results of chromosomal microarray analysis and whole-exome sequencing, the deletion variant was over 87 kb. Three variants were predicted to affect protein function to differing degrees, and were responsible for X-linked HED with varying phenotype.Conclusion: Investigating the clinical and molecular characteristics of these variations broadens our understanding of EDA gene variants, supporting clinical diagnosis, genetic counseling, and prenatal diagnosis of HED.
Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Blood Donors in the Capital City of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Implications for Blood Transfusion Safety
Authors: Gemechu Gizachew , Abagez Woldearegay Erku , Alemayehu Dawit Hailu , Tesfaye Abebech , Tadesse Demewoz , Kinfu Abiy , Mihret Adane , Mulu Andargachew 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundOccult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) remains a potential threat to blood safety in developing countries. Nevertheless, there is no data available on the magnitude of occult hepatitis among blood donors in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the magnitude of OBI among blood donors in Ethiopia.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to determine the magnitude of OBI and associated risk factors among blood donors at the National Blood Bank, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsA total of 973 HBsAg-negative plasma samples were tested for anti-HBc antibody using an ELISA and viral DNA using automated ABBOTT real-time PCR. Along with plasma samples, demographic data were retrieved from the database with respect to donors. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed for the analysis of data by SPSS 20. p-values less than 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.ResultsOf the total of 973 study participants, 445 (45.7%) were female with a mean age of 26.5 years. A total of 144 (14.8%) blood samples were anti-HBc antibody reactive. Four (0.41% of all samples, and 2.8% of anti-HBc-positive samples) samples were confirmed to have OBI by DNA detection. The mean viral load among the confirmed OBI samples was 31 IU/ml with ±12 SD, suggesting true occult hepatitis BV infections. Age was found to be a risk factor for anti-core positivity and was statically significant at p = 0.0001.ConclusionAbout four out of 1,000 blood donors screened negative with HBsAg had occult HBV infection. This shows that there could be a risk of HBV transmission through blood transfusion in Ethiopia. Therefore, there is a need for further investigation and action to revise the existing blood screening strategy by including anti-HBc and HBV nucleic acid testing.
Omicron Booster in Ancestral Strain Vaccinated Mice Augments Protective Immunities Against Both Delta and Omicron Variants
Authors: Jia Liqiu , Zhou Yang , Li Shaoshuai , Zhang Yifan , Yan Dongmei , Wang Wanhai , Zhang Wenhong , Wan Yanmin , Qiu Chao 
Published: July 2022

A booster vaccination is called for constraining the evolving epidemic of SARS-CoV-2. However, the necessity of a new COVID-19 vaccine is currently unclear. To compare the effect of an Omicron-matched S DNA vaccine and an ancestral S DNA vaccine in boosting cross-reactive immunities, we firstly immunized mice with two-dose of a DNA vaccine encoding the spike protein of the ancestral Wuhan strain. Then the mice were boosted with DNA vaccines encoding spike proteins of either the Wuhan strain or the Omicron variant. Specific antibody and T cell responses were measured at 4 weeks post boost. Our data showed that the Omicron-matched vaccine efficiently boosted RBD binding antibody and neutralizing antibody responses against both the Delta and the Omicron variants. Of note, antibody responses against the Omicron variant elicited by the Omicron-matched vaccine were much stronger than those induced by the ancestral S DNA vaccine. Meanwhile, CD8+ T cell responses against both the ancestral Wuhan strain and the Omicron strain also tended to be higher in mice boosted by the Omicron-matched vaccine than those in mice boosted with the ancestral S DNA vaccine, albeit no significant difference was observed. Our findings suggest that an Omicron-matched vaccine is preferred for boosting cross-protective immunities.
A Meta-Analysis on Vitamin D Supplementation and Asthma Treatment
Authors: Liu Meiqi , Wang Jun , Sun Xinrong 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundVitamin D, as an immunomodulator, may be related to the therapeutic effect of asthma patients, but the research in this area is still controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to analyze the role of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of asthma patients.Materials and MethodsRandomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) of vitamin D supplementation in asthma were searched in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library. Primary outcomes were forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), asthma exacerbations, Asthma Control Test scores (ACT scores), and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO).ResultsA total of 10 RCTs were included, including 1,349 patients. Vitamin D supplementation didn’t affect the ACT scores (SMD = 0.04, 95% CI = −0.13 to 0.21, P = 0.87), FEV1 (SMD = 0.04, 95% CI = −0.35 to 0.43, P &lt; 0.01) and FENO (SMD = −0.01, 95% CI = −0.22 to 0.20, P = 0.27), but reduced the rate of asthma exacerbations (RR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.41 to 0.88, P &lt; 0.01), especially in subgroups of children (RR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.30 to 0.70, P = 0.83) and follow up time less than 6 months (RR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.32 to 0.63, P = 0.95). Additionally, though there was only one study included in the subgroup, it significantly enhanced FEV1 at the last visit for patients whose FEV1 baseline value was less than 70% (SMD = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.47 to 1.41).ConclusionVitamin D supplementation can reduce asthma exacerbations, especially in children, and within 6 months of follow up time. In addition, vitamin D has a positive effect on improving FEV1 of patients whose FEV1 baseline value is less than 70%, but more RCTs are still needed to support this conclusion.Systematic Review Registration[https://inplasy.com], identifier [10.37766/inplasy20 22.6.0049].
Effects of Quercetin Glycoside Supplementation Combined With Low-Intensity Resistance Training on Muscle Quantity and Stiffness: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
Authors: Otsuka Yuta , Miyamoto Naokazu , Nagai Akitoshi , Izumo Takayuki , Nakai Masaaki , Fukuda Masahiro , Arimitsu Takuma , Yamada Yosuke , Hashimoto Takeshi 
Published: July 2022

ObjectiveAging of skeletal muscle is characterized not only by a decrease of muscle quantity but also by changes in muscle quality, such as an increase in muscle stiffness. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of supplementation with quercetin glycosides (QGs), well-known polyphenolic flavonoids, combined with resistance exercise on muscle quantity and stiffness.Materials and MethodsA randomized, controlled trial was conducted in community-dwelling, Japanese people aged 50–74 years who were randomly allocated to exercise with placebo or 200 or 500 mg of QG supplementation. All participants performed low-intensity resistance training mainly targeting thigh muscles with 40% of 1-repetition maximum, 3 days per week for 24 weeks. Muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), lean mass, and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle stiffness were measured before and after the 24-week intervention.ResultsForty-eight subjects completed the 24-week intervention. There were no significant group × time interactions in thigh CSA for primary outcome, as well as lean mass. VL muscle stiffness in the stretched position was significantly lower in both the 200 mg and 500 mg QG groups than in the placebo group after the 24-week intervention (p &lt; 0.05). No significant correlation was observed between changes of VL muscle CSA and stiffness during the 24-week intervention.ConclusionQuercetin glycoside supplementation combined with low-intensity resistance exercise improved passive muscle stiffness independently of muscle quantity.Clinical Trial Registration[www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/], identifier [UMIN000037633].
Pre-Procedural Anxiety and Associated Factors Among Women Seeking for Cervical Cancer Screening Services in Shenzhen, China: Does Past Screening Experience Matter?
Authors: Lin Wei , Huang Weikang , Mei Chaofan , Zhong Chuyan , Zhu Leilei , Liu Peiyi , Yuan Shixin , Liu Zhihua , Wang Yueyun 
Published: July 2022

BackgroundResearch gaps exist in addressing the psychological harm related to the cervical cancer screening. Anxiety is the most common distress driven by the screening procedures, which may be affected by past screening experience (PSE) but with uncertainty. This study aimed to evaluate the pre-procedural anxiety in cervical cancer screening and to identify the influence attributed to PSE.MethodsA cross-sectional survey targeted women seeking for cervical cancer screening services was conducted from June 5th to December 31st, 2020 in Shenzhen. The 20-item state anxiety scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) was applied to measure pre-procedural anxiety, in which a score of 40 or higher was regarded with anxiety symptom. Logistic regression models were established to explore potential associated factors of pre-procedural anxiety both for women with and without PSE.ResultsOverall, 3,651 women were enrolled, in which 36.1% had never been screened and the remaining 63.9% had been screened at least once before. Women without PSE demonstrated more prevalent pre-procedural anxiety (74.5% vs. 67.8%, P &lt;0.001) than their experienced counterparts. Among women without PSE, having heard of cervical cancer screening was associated with a lower likelihood of pre-procedural anxiety (OR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.25~0.56). Among experienced women, participating three or more times screening was negatively associated with anxiety symptom (OR: 0.67, 95%CI: 0.53~0.84), however, both receiving screening within three years (OR: 1.58, 95%CI: 1.27~1.97) and unknowing previous screening results (OR: 1.42, 95%CI: 1.11~1.82) increased the susceptibility of pre-procedural anxiety.ConclusionsWomen participating in cervical cancer screening commonly present pre-procedural anxiety. The association between PSE and pre-procedural anxiety may be influenced by past screening times, interval, and results. Psychological counseling according to women’s PSE before cervical cancer screening is warranted of necessity.