bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of spermidine on germination of Salix spp. after storage under controlled conditions
Authors: Wawrzyniak Mikołaj K. , Ley-López Juan Manuel , Kijowska-Oberc Joanna , Chmielarz Paweł , Ratajczak Ewelina 
Published: June 2022

Willows produce fast germinating and short-lived seeds, difficult to store in the long-term under controlled conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of storage of three Salix spp. at controlled temperatures (3°, −10°, −196 °C). We also analyzed the effect of spermidine (Spd) as an antioxidant factor in desiccated seeds. Collected seeds were either desiccated or hydrated to obtain 10 levels of moisture content (between app. 4% and 2%) and subjected to storage at temperatures 3°, −10°, or −196 °C (liquid nitrogen; LN). After two months, seeds were germinated on the light at 20 °C. Seeds desiccated below a safe range of moisture content were further tested and germinated on filter paper with additions of 0.25 mM Spd solution. After 7 days seedlings were examined for hydrogen peroxide content (H2O2) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Fresh seeds of three Salix species: Persian willow (S. aegyptiaca L.), heartleaf willow (S. cordata Michx.) and crack willow (S. ×fragilis L.) were successfully stored at temperature −10° and −196 °C for two months. After cryopreservation seed of S. aegyptiaca, S. cordata, and S. ×fragilis germinated without viability loss in moisture content ranging from 4.4–15.9%, 6.4–18.5%, and 7.1–11.5% respectively. The addition of Spd during germination of desiccated seed did not affect germination capacity. However, seedlings of S. aegyptiaca had lower hydrogen peroxide content in comparison with control (germination on water). Seedlings of S. cordata showed an increase in hydrogen peroxide content in control after storing in LN. In seedlings of Crack willow Spd increased hydrogen peroxide content. Seeds of tested species differ in response to storage conditions. Salix seeds can be stored successfully for two months at −10° or −196 °C without losing viability in the safe range of moisture content. Storing at 3 °C can be used for storage in the narrower range of seeds’ moisture content, however, seedlings stored at this temperature produce a higher level of reactive oxygen species. Germinating seeds in Spd did not increase their germination, however in S. aegyptiaca and S. cordata decreased hydrogen peroxide content
Demonstration of a ring-core few-mode erbium-doped fiber for mode gain equalization based on layered doping
Authors: Zhao Qi , Pei Li , Zheng Jingjing , Wang Jianshuai , Xie Yuheng , Li Jing , Ning Tigang 
Published: June 2022

A ring-core few-mode erbium-doped fiber (FM-EDF) with step refractive index is designed and proposed to realize the modal gain equalization of the amplifier. The layered-doping method is used to reduce the mode gain difference (DMG), and the doping radius and doping concentration are adjusted to obtain the best FM-EDF structure. When it is applied to the few-mode erbium-doped fiber amplifier (FM-EDFA), the DMG at 1550 nm is less than 0.44 dB. The gains of each mode in the entire C-band are greater than 16 dB. To further improve the gain equalization characteristics of the designed fiber, the DMG can be reduced to 0.03 dB by adding trenches at appropriate positions on the basis of the same core structure. The tolerances in the optical fiber manufacturing process are considered to verify the reliability of the FM-EDFA performance. The doping radius and doping concentration are changed by

±

15

%

based on the precise value to consider the tolerances in the fiber manufacturing process to verify the reliability of the FM-EDFA performance. Generally speaking, doping radius changes have a greater impact on DMG, so higher production accuracy is required. To explore the experimental structure and procedures of FM-EDFA, a preliminary experiment is carried out. The experimental results obtained have great reference significance for subsequent experiments. The characteristics of the FM-EDFA, such as all-fiber and low DMG, are difficult to implement by other methods.
Tunable mechanical-mode coupling based on nanobeam-double optomechanical cavities
Authors: Xu Qiancheng , Cui Kaiyu , Wu Ning , Feng Xue , Liu Fang , Zhang Wei , Huang Yidong 
Published: June 2022

Tunable coupled mechanical resonators with nonequilibrium dynamic phenomena have attracted considerable attention in quantum simulations, quantum computations, and non-Hermitian systems. In this study, we propose tunable mechanical-mode coupling based on nanobeam-double optomechanical cavities. The excited optical mode interacts with both symmetric and antisymmetric mechanical supermodes and mediates coupling at a frequency of approximately 4.96 GHz. The mechanical-mode coupling is tuned through both optical spring and gain effects, and the reduced coupled frequency difference in non-Hermitian parameter space is observed. These results benefit research on the microscopic mechanical parity–time symmetry for topology and on-chip high-sensitivity sensors.
The safety of co-administration of Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and influenza vaccines
Authors: Villanueva Paola , Wadia Ushma , Crawford Nigel W. , Messina Nicole L. , Kollmann Tobias R. , Lucas Michaela , Manning Laurens , Richmond Peter , Pittet Laure F. , Curtis Nigel 
Published: June 2022

Background
With the emergence of novel vaccines and new applications for older vaccines, co-administration is increasingly likely. The immunomodulatory effects of BCG could theoretically alter the reactogenicity of co-administered vaccines. Using active surveillance in a randomised controlled trial, we aimed to determine whether co-administration of BCG vaccination changes the safety profile of influenza vaccination.

Methods
Participants who received influenza vaccine alone (Influenza group) were compared with those who also received BCG-Denmark vaccine in the contralateral arm (Influenza+BCG group). Data on the influenza vaccination site were collected using serial questionnaires and active follow-up for 3 months post vaccination.

Results
Of 1351 participants in the Influenza+BCG group and 1418 participants in the Influenza group, 2615 (94%) provided influenza vaccine safety data. There was no significant difference in the proportion of participants with any local adverse reaction between the Influenza+BCG group and the Influenza group (918/1293 [71.0%] versus (906/1322 [68.5%], p = 0.17). The proportion of participants reporting any pain, erythema and tenderness at the influenza vaccination site were similar in both groups. Swelling was less frequent (81/1293 [6.3%] versus 119/1322 (9.0%), p = 0.01) and the maximal diameter of erythema was smaller (mean 1.8 cm [SD 2.0] versus 3.0 cm [SD 2.5], p<0.001) in the Influenza+BCG group. Sixteen participants reported serious adverse events: 9 participants in the Influenza+BCG group and 7 in the Influenza group.

Conclusions
Adverse events following influenza vaccination are not increased when BCG is co-administered.
Discrimination and mental health in the minority sexual population: Cross-sectional analysis of the first peruvian virtual survey
Authors: Soriano-Moreno David R. , Saldaña-Cabanillas David , Vasquez-Yeng Luigy , Valencia-Huamani Javier Antonio , Alave-Rosas Jorge Luis , Soriano Anderson N. 
Published: June 2022

ObjectiveThis study sought to evaluate the association between discrimination and having mental health problems in the past 12 months in the sexual minority population in Peru.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a secondary database corresponding to the first LGBTI survey in Peru in 2017. We included adults who self-identified their sexual orientation as gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, or asexual/others. Both the exposure and dependent variables were self-reported by the participants. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to determine the association by calculating adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).ResultsOut of 9760 respondents, more than two-thirds of the participants reported having been discriminated against or having experienced violence at some time in their lives (70.3%) and one-fourth reported having mental health problems (23.8%). In the multivariable regression model, the prevalence of mental health problems in the last 12 months was 72% higher for the group of individuals who experienced discrimination when compared with the group that did not experience discrimination (APR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.57–1.88). The association was stronger among who self-identified lesbians (APR = 2.08, 95% CI 1.65–2.64).ConclusionThe prevalence of mental health problems and discrimination was high in this population. In addition, we found a statistically significant association between discrimination and the occurrence of mental health problems in the last 12 months.
Correlation between genetic and environmental risk factors for age-related macular degeneration in Brazilian patients
Authors: Rim Priscila H. H. , de Vasconcellos José Paulo C. , de Melo Mônica B. , Medina Flavio M. C. , Sacconi Daniela P. D. , Lana Tamires P. , Hirata Fabio E. , Magna Luis A. , Marques-de-Faria Antonia P. 
Published: June 2022

Purpose
To analyze the correlations between age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and genetic and environmental risk factors for in a Brazilian population.

Design
Cross-sectional study with a control group.

Methods
We collected data on 236 participants 50 years of age or older (141 with AMD and 95 controls without the disease). Data was obtained using a questionnaire and included information on demographics, ocular and medical history, family history of AMD, lifestyle, and smoking and drinking habits. Genetic evaluations included direct sequencing for the LOC387715 (rs10490924) variant, as well as PCR and enzymatic digestion for the CFH Y402H (rs1061170) and HTRA1 (rs11200638) variants. We performed a risk assessment of environmental risk factors and genetic variants associated with AMD and determined correlations between AMD and the data collected using multiple linear regression analysis.

Results
Of the 141 AMD cases, 99 (70%) had advanced AMD in at least one eye (57% neovascular AMD and 13% geographic atrophy), and 42 (30%) had not-advanced AMD. Family history of AMD (OR: 6.58; 95% CI: 1.94–22.31), presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (OR: 2.39; 95% CI: 1.08–5.28), low physical activity level (OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 0.82–2.37), and high serum cholesterol (OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 0.84–2.65) were associated with an increased risk for AMD. There was a significant association between CVD and incidence of advanced AMD (OR: 2.29; 95% CI 0.81–6.44). The OR for the risk allele of the LOC387715 gene, the CFH gene and the HTRA1 gene were 2.21 (95% CI: 1.47–3.35), 2.27 (95% CI: 1.52–3.37), and 2.76 (95% CI: 1.89–4.03), respectively. In the stepwise multiple linear regression analyses, the HTRA1 and CFH risk alleles, family history of AMD, the LOC387715 risk allele, and CVD were associated with an increased risk of AMD for a total of 25.6% contribution to the AMD phenotype.

Conclusions
The analysis correlating environmental and genetic risk factors such as family history of AMD, and CVD and the variants of HTRA1, CFH, and LOC387715 genes showed an expressive contribution for the development of AMD among this admixed population.
Cancer patients’ satisfaction with telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Paige Samantha R. , Campbell-Salome Gemme , Alpert Jordan , Markham Merry Jennifer , Murphy Martina , Heffron Eve , Harle Chris , Yue Sijia , Xue Wei , Bylund Carma L. 
Published: June 2022

Objective
To examine factors associated with cancer patients’ satisfaction using telehealth during COVID-19, including video conferencing platforms and secure messaging systems.

Method
Patients with cancer participated in a cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted with patients with cancer. The survey included questions about satisfaction with video-conferencing and secure messaging platforms to interact with clinicians during the COVID-19 pandemic. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine predictors of satisfaction for each telehealth platform.

Results
Participants generally reported positive satisfaction with each telehealth platform. Both platforms were commonly used to review medical results and discuss symptoms or treatment. Participants identifying as a man were most satisfied with their video-conferencing session, especially if they had a comfortable place to sit. Patients were more satisfied with secure messaging because they could ask a question without scheduling an appointment.

Discussion
When strategically used together, video-conferencing platforms and secure messaging may increase patient satisfaction in cancer care during the remainder of the pandemic and beyond. Attention must be paid to optimizing factors that promote satisfaction for each telehealth platform.
Psychological distress reported by healthcare workers in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Altwaijri Yasmin , Bilal Lisa , Almeharish Amani , BinMuammar Abdulrahman , DeVol Edward , Hyder Sanaa , Naseem Mohammad Talal , Alfattani Areej , AlShehri Abdussalam Ali , Almatrafi Rami 
Published: June 2022

IntroductionFew studies have considered the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). We estimated the prevalence and severity of psychological distress and characterized predisposing risk factors among HCWs in KSA during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional online survey of 1,985 HCWs from 6 hospitals across the country designated with caring for COVID-19 patients between April 16 and June 21, 2020. Our data analysis was performed using logistic regressions. Ordered logistic regressions were also performed using forward stepwise model selection to explore the effects of risk factors on psychological distress.ResultsThe prevalence of psychological distress reported by HCWs in KSA was high, ranging from mild-moderate to severe in severity. Younger HCWs, women, those in contact with COVID-19 patients, and those who either had loved ones affected or who were themselves affected by COVID-19 were the most at-risk of psychological distress. Risk factors such as insomnia, loneliness, fear of transmission, and separation from loved ones most significantly predicted elevated levels of distress among HCWs.ConclusionsIncreasing psychological distress was commonly reported by HCWs during the early months of COVID-19 pandemic in KSA. Public health policy makers and mental health professionals must give special attention to risk factors that predispose HCWs in KSA to psychological distress.
Translating a theory-based positive deviance approach into an applied tool: Mitigating barriers among health professionals (HPs) regarding infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines
Authors: Cohen Ricky , Gesser-Edelsburg Anat , Singhal Arvind , Benenson Shmuel , Moses Allon E. 
Published: June 2022

Background
Although a wide range of intervention programs and methods have been implemented to increase health professionals’ (HPs) adherence with infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines and decrease the incidence of healthcare associated infections (HAIs), a significant discrepancy remains between the guidelines and their implementation in practice.

Objectives
This study proposes an applied tool based on the integrated theoretical framework of the positive deviance (PD) approach for developing more effective interventions to mitigate this discrepancy.

Methods
A qualitative study guided by the PD approach based on data from two sources: (1) in-depth archival analysis of systematic review articles, and (2) integration and synthesis of findings based on an extensive empirical study we conducted, involving 250 HPs (nurses, physicians, support staff and cleaning staff) from three governmental hospitals in Israel, over 35 months (January 2017 to November 2020).

Results
The barriers faced by HPs were classified into four main categories: (1) individual-motivational, (2) social-cultural, (3) organizational, and (4) work environment and resource-centered. For each barrier, we constructed a set of questions based on the PD approach. For each question, we adapted and applied methodological tools (e.g., in-depth interviews, focus groups, social network maps, video clips and simulations) to help solve the problem.

Conclusion
Translating a theory-based approach into an applied tool that offers step-by-step actions can help researchers and practitioners adopt and implement the approach within intervention programs to mitigate barriers.
CI-SpliceAI—Improving machine learning predictions of disease causing splicing variants using curated alternative splice sites
Authors: Strauch Yaron , Lord Jenny , Niranjan Mahesan , Baralle Diana 
Published: June 2022

Background
It is estimated that up to 50% of all disease causing variants disrupt splicing. Due to its complexity, our ability to predict which variants disrupt splicing is limited, meaning missed diagnoses for patients. The emergence of machine learning for targeted medicine holds great potential to improve prediction of splice disrupting variants. The recently published SpliceAI algorithm utilises deep neural networks and has been reported to have a greater accuracy than other commonly used methods.

Methods and findings
The original SpliceAI was trained on splice sites included in primary isoforms combined with novel junctions observed in GTEx data, which might introduce noise and de-correlate the machine learning input with its output. Limiting the data to only validated and manual annotated primary and alternatively spliced GENCODE sites in training may improve predictive abilities. All of these gene isoforms were collapsed (aggregated into one pseudo-isoform) and the SpliceAI architecture was retrained (CI-SpliceAI). Predictive performance on a newly curated dataset of 1,316 functionally validated variants from the literature was compared with the original SpliceAI, alongside MMSplice, MaxEntScan, and SQUIRLS. Both SpliceAI algorithms outperformed the other methods, with the original SpliceAI achieving an accuracy of ∼91%, and CI-SpliceAI showing an improvement at ∼92% overall. Predictive accuracy increased in the majority of curated variants.

Conclusions
We show that including only manually annotated alternatively spliced sites in training data improves prediction of clinically relevant variants, and highlight avenues for further performance improvements.
Association of atherogenic indices with C-reactive protein and risk factors to assess cardiovascular risk in rheumatoid arthritis patient at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa
Authors: Dessie Gashaw 
Published: June 2022

Background
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune systemic chronic inflammatory disorder, which is characterized by joint stiffness, damage, and destruction of bone. In RA patients, the risk of cardiovascular disease is increased by 2–3 folds as compared to the general population. The major burden of RA is the development of cardiovascular diseases, including congestive heart failure, stroke, and myocardial infarction.

Objectives
Assessment of the association of atherogenic indices with C-reactive protein to evaluate CVD risk was one of the purposes of this study. In addition, the association of atherogenic indices with elevated levels of cardiovascular risk factors (LDL-C and TG) was another aim of this study.

Methods
The preferred study design for this study was a hospital based comparative cross-sectional study method. Data were cleaned, coded, and entered into Epi Data version 4.6 software, and exported to SPSS version 20 for further analysis of atherogenic indices, C-reactive protein, and risk factors. The comparison of atherogenic indices and other variables among the case and control groups was estimated by the independent t-test statistical analysis method. All variables with a p-value less than 0.2 during binary linear regression analysis were selected for multinomial logistic regression analysis. The association of atherogenic indices with C-reactive protein and risk factors was computed using multiple logistic regressions. The data were presented using tables and figures for clarification of the study.

Results
The levels of atherogenic indices were computed for both RA patients and the control group. The values of atherogenic indices were significantly associated with cardiovascular risk factor (CRP ≥ 2mg/L). Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and TC/HDL-C ratio had a statistically significant association with an elevated levels of triglycerides (P<0.01). The TC/HDL-Cratio value of the patient had 2.38 folds more likely to have an elevated low density lipoprotein level. In addition, AIP of RA patients had 57.51 and 23.65 folds more to have elevated low density lipoprotein and triglycerides respectively.

Conclusions
The result of this study showed that TC/HDL-C, LDL/HDL-C ratio values, and atherogenic index of plasma had a statistically significant association with elevated level of low density lipoprotein and triglycerides. In addition to this, they have a statistically significant association with the level of C-reactive protein. There was a highly significant statistical association between atherogenic indices, elevated low density lipoprotein, and triglycerides values. Therefore, the result of this finding confirmed that atherogenic indices have a potential role in the prediction and management of CVD risk in RA patients.
Prediction of various blood group systems using Korean whole-genome sequencing data
Authors: Hyun Jungwon , Oh Sujin , Hong Yun Ji , Park Kyoung Un 
Published: June 2022

AimsThis study established blood group analysis methods using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data and conducted blood group analyses to determine the domestic allele frequency using public data from the Korean whole sequence analysis of the Korean Reference Genome Project conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).Materials and methodsWe analyzed the differences between the human reference sequences (hg19) and the conventional reference cDNA sequences of blood group genes using the Clustal Omega website, and established blood group analysis methods using WGS data for 41 genes, including 39 blood group genes involved in 36 blood group antigens, as well as theGATA1andKLF1genes, which are erythrocyte-specific transcription factor genes. Using CLC genomics Workbench 11.0 (Qiagen, Aarhus, Denmark), variant analysis was performed on these 41 genes in 250 Korean WGS data sets, and each blood group’s genotype was predicted. The frequencies for major alleles were also investigated and compared with data from the Korean rare blood program (KRBP) and the Erythrogene database (East Asian and all races).ResultsAmong the 41 blood group-related genes, hg19 showed variants in the following genes compared to the conventional reference cDNA:GYPA,RHD,RHCE,FUT3,ACKR1,SLC14A1,ART4,CR1, andGCNT2. Among 250 WGS data sets from the Korean Reference Genome Project, 70.6 variants were analyzed in 205 samples; 45 data samples were excluded due to having no variants. In particular, theFUT3,GNCT2,B3GALNT1,CR1, andACHEgenes contained numerous variants, with averages of 21.1, 13.9, 13.4, 9.6, and 7.0, respectively. Except for some blood groups, such as ABO and Lewis, for which it was difficult to predict the alleles using only WGS data, most alleles were successfully predicted in most blood groups. A comparison of allele frequencies showed no significant differences compared to the KRBP data, but there were differences compared to the Erythrogene data for the Lutheran, Kell, Duffy, Yt, Scianna, Landsteiner-Wiener, and Cromer blood group systems. Numerous minor blood group systems that were not available in the KRBP data were also included in this study.ConclusionsWe successfully established and performed blood group analysis using Korean public WGS data. It is expected that blood group analysis using WGS data will be performed more frequently in the future and will contribute to domestic data on blood group allele frequency and eventually the supply of safe blood products.