bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Salicylic acid ameliorates cytotoxicity and genotoxicity induced by metribuzin (herbicides) in model Allium cepa plant
Authors: Fatma Firdos , Ahmad Farhan , Kamal Aisha , Pandey Ashutosh 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Ideal herbicides are used to shield crop plants from weed competition without harming the non-target plants. Metribuzin is a selective triazinone herbicide applied to control broadleaf weeds, grasses, sedges. But application of metribuzin is reported to damage non-target plants besides controlling the weed emergence. The present study investigated the possible ameliorative role of salicylic acid in protecting plants from herbicide toxicity. Metribuzin treatment caused a significant decrease in root length, number of root tips and ultimately in mitotic index along with induction of different types of chromosomal abnormalities in the meristematic cells of Allium cepa roots. Exogenously salicylic acid treatment resulted in significant increase in root length, number of root tips and mitotic index and also resulted in significant reduction in chromosomal abnormalities. These results exemplify the ameliorative effect of salicylic acid under stress conditions and reveal that it is effective in alleviating the toxic stress of herbicide metribuzin at different concentrations.
Seismic Performance and Assessment of RC Framed Structure with Geometric Irregularities
Authors: MEHTA VIKAS , CHEY MIN Ho 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Over the few decades, irregularly shaped structures are famous in modern times because of their architectural significance. Symmetrical plan structures often exist, although irregular plan structure is practiced in developing nations. This study investigates the effect of geometric irregularity in reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures under seismic zone IV by using the software STAAD Pro. Moreover, the time displacement on the nodes from where the geometric irregularity starts has been analyzed. Three types of 8-Storey’s frame models were considered for the dynamic behaviors, i.e., models M1, M2, and M3. Model M3 is geometrically regular in the x-y-plane, and geometric regularity is interrupted in models M1(less disturbed) and M2 (more disturbed) in the identical plane. The results showed that the time displacement is more geometrically more irregular structures. The time-frequency increases in each mode, which means the higher method has a higher frequency and more in a more geometrically rare form. The irregularity of the structures' geometricity is reflected in the irregularity shape factor (ISF). According to the finding, the rough geometrical shape significantly impacts the dynamic response of the building, and ISF of 0.26 (M2) and 0.24 (M1) greatly varies with frequency, period, velocity, acceleration, and displacements.
Luminosity distribution of fast radio bursts from CHIME/FRB Catalog 1 by the updated Macquart relation
Authors: Cui Xianghan , Zhang Chengmin , Li Di , Zhang Jianwei , Peng Bo , Zhu Weiwei , Strom Richard , Wang Shuangqiang , Wang Na , Wu Qingdong , Wang Dehua , Yang Yiyan 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are extremely strong radio flares lasting several milliseconds and come from unidentified objects at cosmological distances, most of which are only seen once.Based on recently published data in the CHIME/FRB Catalog 1 in the frequency bands 400-800 MHz, we analyze 226 apparently singular FRBs with low dispersion measure (DM) and find that the distribution of their luminosity follows a lognormal form according to statistical tests.In our luminosity measurement, the FRB distance is estimated by using the Macquart relation which was obtained for 8 localized FRBs, and we find it still applicable for 18 sources after adding the latest 10 new localized FRBs.In addition, we test the validity of the luminosity distribution up to the Macquart relation and find that the lognormal form feature decreases as the uncertainty increases.Moreover, we compare the luminosity of these apparent non-repeaters with that of the previously observed 10 repeating FRBs also at low DM, noting that they belong to different lognormal distributions with the mean luminosity of non-repeaters being two times greater than that of repeaters.Therefore, from the two different lognormal distributions, different mechanisms for FRBs can be implied.
OCT Biomarkers Related to Subthreshold Micropulse Laser Treatment Effect in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
Authors: Zheng Fang , He Jingliang , Su Zhitao , Liu Ye , Xu Yufeng , Liu Lei , Ye Panpan 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: To identify the OCT biomarkers related to the anatomical outcomes in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) after subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) treatment.Methods: Patients with CSCR underwent SML were enrolled in this retrospective study. Only patients who underwent enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) examination before and after SML were selected. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether subretinal fluid (SRF) absorbed or not after SML. Group 1 was the SRF resolved group, and Group 2 was the SRF non-resolved group. Factors including age and gender, duration of symptoms, CSCR history, the height of SRF at baseline, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) /inner choroid alterations, as well as subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) of the affected eye and the fellow eye before and after SML were recorded and compared between two groups. Longitudinal change of SFCT of a subgroup of patients were analyzed. Results: A total of 58 eyes of 58 patients were involved in this study. SRF of 31 eyes got completely absorbed, and SRF of 27 eyes was retained after SML. Logistic regression analysis revealed baseline SFCT of the affected eye (OR=1.007, 95% CI: 1.001-1.012, P=0.019) and RPE/inner choroid alterations (OR=25.229, 95% CI: 2.890-220.281, P=0.004) were correlated with SML efficacy. Thirty-three eyes of 33 patients were enrolled in the subgroup analysis. A significant difference of SFCT changes between two groups were demonstrated (P=0.001). The difference of SFCT between baseline and three months after SML was also related to SRF resolution (OR=0.952, 95% CI: 0.915-0.990, P=0.014). Conclusion: Baseline SFCT, change of SFCT after treatment, and RPE/inner choroid alterations were the OCT biomarkers related to SRF resolution after SML treatment.
High frequency of Nichols-like strains and increased levels of macrolide resistance in Treponema pallidum isolates from Buenos Aires, Argentina
Authors: Morando Nicolas , Vrbová Eliška , Melgar Asunta , Rabinovich Roberto Daniel , Šmajs David , Pando María A. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Globally, 94% of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (TPA) clinical isolates belong to the SS14-like group and 6% to the Nichols-like group, with a prevalence of macrolide resistance of 90%. Our goal was to determine whether local TPA strain distribution and macrolide resistance frequency have changed significantly since our last report, which revealed that Argentina had a high frequency of Nichols-like strains (27%) and low levels of macrolide resistance (14%). Swab samples from patients with suspected syphilis were collected during 2015-2019 and loci TP0136, TP0548, TP0705 were sequenced in order to perform multilocus sequence typing. Strains were classified as Nichols-like or SS14-like. The presence of macrolide resistance-associated mutations was determined by examination of the 23S rDNA gene sequence. Of 46 typable samples, 37.0% were classified as Nichols-like and 63.0% as SS14-like. Macrolide resistance prevalence was 45.7%. Seven allelic profiles were found, five were SS14-like and two were Nichols-like. The frequency of Nichols-like strains increased between studies (26.8% vs. 37.0%, p=0.36). A dramatic increase was found in the frequency of macrolide resistant isolates between studies (14.3% vs. 45.7%, p=0.005). Our results are in agreement with international tendencies and underscore the need to pursue further TPA molecular typing studies in South America.
Spatiotemporal Pattern of Periodic Rhythms in Delayed Van der Pol Oscillators for the CPG-based Locomotion of Snake-like Robot
Authors: Xu Jian , Song Zigen , Huang Xiaojun 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
This is the further research on the DHCO (delayed half-center oscillato) neural system presented in our previous paper (Song, Z., Xu, J. Self-/mutual-symmetric rhythms and their coexistence in a delayed half-center oscillator of the CPG neural system. Nonlinear Dyn (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11071-022-07222-y), which is used to construct the CPG (central pattern generator) neural system to control the snake robot. In this paper, we construct a CPG (central pattern generator) neural network system to control locomotion of snake-like robot with pitch-yaw connecting configuration by using the delay-coupling Van der Pol (VDP) oscillators. To this end, we firstly give an improved model of the VDP oscillator to adjust amplitude and frequency of periodic rhythm. Employing mutually coupled delay, two VDP oscillators are connected to produce an HCO (half-center oscillator) module with time delay that is called as a DHCO (delayed HCO) model. Based on the analysis of Hopf bifurcation, periodic rhythm and spatiotemporal patterns of the DHCO are illustrated in different regions of parameters. The DHCO module presents periodic rhythms with synchronous and anti-synchronous patterns, which is used to control the joint actuators combined in the snake-like robot with pitch-yaw connecting configuration. To realize the snake-like robotic locomotion, based on the DHCO modules, we construct a chain-type of the CPG neural system combined with a new unidirectional delay in which phase difference can be regulated. Numerical simulations are illustrated that the CPG neural system can control snake-like robot to move with serpentine, rectilinear, and side-winding patterns in the forward and backward directions.
Postnatal women’s breastfeeding belief, practices, and support during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross–sectional comparative study across five countries.
Authors: Coca Kelly Pereira , Lee Eun Young , Chien Li-Yin , Souza Ana Carolina de Prima , Kittikul Punpawee , Hong Seo Ah , Chang Yan-Shing 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Breastfeeding is known to have many benefits and breast milk contains antibodies to protect infants against childhood illnesses, morbidity, and death. Women with COVID-19 had a lot of concerns and doubts about the safety of breastfeeding for their babies, and breastfeeding support may impact breastfeeding practice. This study aim to compare breastfeeding belief, practice, and contact methods with healthcare professionals for receiving postnatal feeding support during the COVID-19 pandemic in five countries: Brazil, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and United Kingdom. Methods: A multi-country cross-sectional study was conducted with postnatal women in five countries. Women who were up to 6 months postpartum were invited to an online self-administered questionnaire Survey Forms about their transmission and preventive measures belief towards breastfeeding, infant feeding practices, and experiences of postnatal infant feeding support received, between July to November 2021. Student’s t-tests or one-way analysis of variance tests were performed to determine significant relations of the mean belief scores.Results: A total of 3,253 eligible response were received. The mean of the belief score were significantly different among countries (p<.0001). Women in Brazil and the UK had a higher rate of breastfeeding at breast (90.7% and 85.4% respectively) compared to the three countries in Asia (p<0.0001), while feeding with expressed breastmilk in Thailand (59.9%), Taiwan (52.6%) and South Korea (50.4%) was higher than the others (p<0.0001). Brazil and UK mothers (16.0, SD= 2.1 and 14.5, SD= 1.9, respectively) had a higher mean score of belief towards breastfeeding during the COVID-19 than the others. Those results were inversely associated with breastfeeding but positively formula feeding practice. Postnatal feeding support during the COVID-19 pandemic was mainly provided by healthcare professionals (67.1%) and peers/family by face to face personal contact (51.6%) in all countries.Conclusion: There are some differences in belief towards breastfeeding during the COVID-19 in Asian countries. A positive breastfeeding belief was associated with infant feeding at breast practice. Women from all countries received postpartum infant feeding support from health professions and peers/family through in personal contacts. Government needs to emphasize and disseminates the importance of breastfeeding safety, especially in Asian countries.
Development of shortened HIV-related stigma scales for young people living with HIV and young people affected by HIV in India
Authors: Marbaniang Ivan , Borse Rohidas , Sangle Shashikala , Kinikar Aarti , Chavan Amol , Nimkar Smita , Suryavanshi Nishi , Mave Vidya 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: HIV-related stigma is associated with poor quality of life and poor healthcare-seeking behaviours in Young People Living with HIV (YPLHIV) and Young People Affected by HIV (YPAHIV). India has an estimated 120,000 YPLHIV and 4 million YPAHIV, but efforts to measure HIV-related stigma in them are sparse, impeded by the lack of appropriate measuring instruments. Here, we describe the development of the Pune HIV-Stigma Scale (PHSS) and modified-PHSS to measure HIV-related stigma among YPLHIV and YPAHIV, respectively, in India. Methods: Data from a mental health study for YPLHIV and YPAHIV, conducted at Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Government Medical College & Sassoon General Hospitals, Pune, India, between August 2018 and June 2021 were used. Findings from multiple confirmatory factor analyses (fit to previously published scales) and cognitive interviews were used to develop the 12-item PHSS with four subscales (personalized stigma, disclosure concerns, negative self-image, concern about public attitudes). The modified-PHSS was developed by confirming the structure of the PHSS for YPAHIV. Convergent validity with Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) and UCLA Loneliness scales was assessed using Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Results: Median ages of YPLHIV (n=124) and YPAHIV (n= 93) were 19 years (IQR: 15-25); 52% of YPLHIV and 44% of YPAHIV were male. Model fit indices were good for both PHSS (χ2 =65.0, df =48, p-value: 0.052; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA): 0.054; comparative fit index (CLI): 0.980; Tucker-Lewis index (TLI): 0.972; and standardized root mean square residual (SRMR): 0.067) and modified-PHSS (χ2 = 56.9, df =48, p-value: 0.176; RMSEA: 0.045; CLI: 0.983; TFI: 0.976, and SRMR:0.078). Spearman’s correlation coefficients indicated low to moderate convergent validity (ρ: 0.03 – 0.52) across different subscales of the PHSS and modified-PHSS. Cronbach’s alpha for the PHSS was 0.82 and for the modified-PHSS 0.81. Conclusion: We developed the first scales to measure HIV-related stigma among YPLHIV and YPAHIV in India. These concise scales can facilitate measurement of HIV-related stigma more frequently in research studies. We recommend that they be tested in different Indian languages.
Robotic resection of ectopic mediastinal parathyroid adenoma with intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring: A case report
Authors: Iijima Yoshihito , Ishikawa Masahito , Iwai Shun , Yamagata Aika , Kishimoto Kazuhiro , Motono Nozomu , Uramoto Hidetaka 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism is a disease caused by the secretion of excess parathyroid hormone (PTH) due to the enlargement of the parathyroid gland. Ectopic parathyroid glands exist in the mediastinum in approximately 1%-2% of cases, which is relatively rare. Intraoperative monitoring of serum PTH level is important to assess whether the source of hyperparathyroidism has been eliminated. Case presentation: A 53-year-old asymptomatic woman was diagnosed with ectopic mediastinal parathyroid adenoma. A three-port robotic partial resection of the thymus containing the tumor was attempted, but bleeding from a swollen pericardial diaphragmatic vein led to the addition of an assist port along the way. The PTH level was measured intraoperatively. After confirming that the 15-min PTH level after removal of the tumor was less than 50% of the baseline value, the operation was completed. The tumor was positive for PTH and was diagnosed as an ectopic mediastinal parathyroid adenoma. Some small ectopic parathyroid gland tissues were observed in other parts of the thymic tissue. Serum calcium and PTH levels were decreased and normalized.Conclusions: We report the usefulness of robotic resection for ectopic mediastinal parathyroid adenoma with PTH monitoring. However, histopathologically, small parathyroid gland tissues may remain in the surrounding thymus. Hense, we believe that a strict follow-up is required for parathyroid function in the future.
Comparison of retrograde intrarenal stone surgery with and without a ureteral access sheath using Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1) levels: A prospective randomized study
Authors: ECER Gökhan , SÖNMEZ Mehmet Giray , AYDIN Arif , TOPÇU Cemile , ALALAM Haider Nihad Izaddin , Güven Selçuk , BALASAR Mehmet 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
ObjectiveTo compare patients who underwent retrograde intrarenal surgery with and without a ureteral access sheath (UAS) by using Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1) levels. We also examined the difference in kidney damage between standard and dual lumen UAS.MethodsSixty patients diagnosed with kidney stones and scheduled for RIRS were randomized into three groups: RIRS without UAS (Group 1), 11Fr/13Fr Boston scientific NavigatorTM UAS (Group 2), and 11Fr/13Fr dual lumen ClearPetraTM (Group 3). Data were prospectively collected in consecutive patients. Urine KIM-1/Cr levels were measured preoperatively, at postoperative 4 hours, and on a postoperative day 14. Stone size, location, number, pre-and postoperative stent use, operation time, stone-free rate (SFR), post-ureteroscopic lesion scale (PULS) grade, hospitalization duration, and complications were recorded.ResultsThere was no significant difference in demographical parameters and preoperative KIM-1/Cr levels among the groups. Postoperative 4th-hour urine KIM-1/Cr levels were higher in patients without UAS than patients with UAS (1.86, 0.67, 0.63 Group 1,2,3 respectively). In comparing group 1 with groups 2 and 3 separately, Group 1 had a statistically significantly higher value than both groups (p=0.002, p=0.001, respectively). According to UAS type, there was no significant difference between groups 2 and 3. ConclusionThe use of UAS during RIRS has been shown to reduce kidney injury in the evaluation with KIM-1. Different UAS types on kidney injury and which one can protect the kidneys more during the procedure; will be elucidated by prospective randomized studies involving larger patient groups and UAS types.
Escherichia coli cell factories with altered chromosomal replication strategies exhibit accelerated growth and rapid biomass production
Authors: Yang Hee Jin , Kim Kitae , Kwon Soon-Kyeong , Kim Jihyun F. 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Generally, bacteria have a circular genome with a single replication origin for each replicon, whereas archaea and eukaryotes can have multiple replication origins in each chromosome. In Escherichia coli, bidirectional DNA replication is initiated at the origin of replication (oriC) and arrested at the 10 termination sites (terA–J).
Results
We constructed E. coli derivatives with additional or ectopic replication origins to demonstrate the relationship between DNA replication and cell physiology. The cultures of E. coli derivatives with multiple replication origins contained an increased fraction of replicating cells and the cells varied in size. Without the original oriC, E. coli derivatives with double ectopic replication origins manifested impaired growth irrespective of growth conditions and enhanced cell size, and exhibited excessive and asynchronous replication initiation. The generation time of an E. coli strain with three replication origins decreased in a minimal medium supplemented with glucose as the sole carbon source. As well as the cell growth, the introduction of additional replication origins promoted increased biomass production.
Conclusion
Balanced cell growth and physiological stability of E. coli under rapid growth condition are affected by changes in the position and number of replication origins. Additionally, we show that, for the first time to our knowledge, introduction of replication initiation sites to the chromosome promotes cell growth and increases protein production.
Calcium defeating strategy for metal stress in some submerged hydrophytes growing in aquaponics
Authors: Fouad Mai Sayed 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The present work is a fetching trial providing promising insights about calcium. Calcium plays a crucial role in plant nutrition; moreover Calcium ions (Ca2+) show a versatile propensity in plant structure and function. Introducing heavy metals especially Cadmium to plant interrupts many biotic processes which ultimately lead to plant death. Herein, from submerged hydrophytes, Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum and Najas marina are examined to evaluate their tolerance against metal stress. All of them are subjected to a mixture containing different doses of cadmium with fixed doses of lead and nickel in hydroponic culture for one week. All of inspected species exhibit analogous response regarding calcium elevation level. The observed positive correlation between Cd and Ca is attributed to invigorating role of calcium in plant resistance. Calcium is incorporated in plant defense strategy to both environmental and hormonal signals. The involvement of calcium in reducing metal uptake particularly Cd influx and translocation, controlling signal transduction and alleviating oxidative damages in plant explains the reasons beyond the transit cytosolic calcium increase in all selected species.