bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An outbreak of norovirus-related acute gastroenteritis associated with delivery food in Guangzhou, southern China
Authors: Lu Ying , Ma Mengmeng , Wang Hui , Wang Dahu , Chen Chun , Jing Qinlong , Geng Jinmei , Li Tiegang , Zhang Zhoubin , Yang Zhicong 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
A large number of students at a school located in Guangzhou city developed a sudden onset of symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. In order to control the outbreak, an epidemiological investigation was conducted to determine the causative agent, sources, role of transmission and risk factors of the infections.Methods
The study population consisted of probable cases and confirmed cases. An active search was conducted for cases among all students, teachers and other staff members. A case control study was carried out using online standardised questionnaires. Data were obtained regarding demographic characteristics, gastrointestinal symptoms, personal hygiene habits, history of contact with a person with diarrhea and/or vomiting and dining place in the past 3 days. Rectal swabs or stool samples of the cases, food handlers and environmental smear swab samples were collected to detect potential intestinal viruses and bacteria. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.
Results
A total of 157 individuals fit the definition of a probable case, including 46 with laboratory-confirmed norovirus infection between March 8 and March 22, 2018. The proportion of the students who had eaten delivery food three days before the onset of disease in the case group was 2.69 times that in the control group (95%CI: 1.88-3.85). Intake of take-out food three days before, exposure to similar cases 72 hours before onset and case in the same dormitory were risk factors. A total of 20 rectal swab samples from students, 10 rectal swabs from food handlers and 2 environmental swab samples of out-campus restaurant were tested positive for norovirus (GⅡ, genogroup Ⅱ strain ).
Conclusions
The outbreak of norovirus infectious diarrhea was determined. Food handling practices carries potential risk of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks due to a lack of surveillance and supervision. More attention should be paid to the monitoring and supervision of food handlers to reduce the incidence of norovirus-related acute gastroenteritis associated with delivery food.
Accessibility of basic paediatric emergency care in Malawi: analysis of a national facility census
Authors: Johansson Emily White , Lindsjo Cecilia , Weiss Daniel , Nsona Humphreys , Selling Katarina Ekholm , Lufesi Norman , Hildenwall Helena 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background
Emergency care is among the weakest parts of health systems in low-income countries with both quality and accessibility constraints. Previous studies estimated accessibility to surgical or emergency care based on population travel times to nearest hospital with no assessment of hospital readiness to provide such care. We analysed a Malawi national facility census with comprehensive inventory audits and geocoded facility locations to identify hospitals equipped to provide basic paediatric emergency care with estimated travel times to these hospitals from non-equipped facilities and in relation to Malawi’s population distribution.
Methods
We analysed a Malawi national facility census in 2013-2014 to identify hospitals equipped to manage critically ill children according to an extended version of WHO Emergency Triage, Assessment and Treatment (ETAT) guidelines. These guidelines include 25 components including staff, transport, equipment, diagnostics, medications, fluids, feeds and consumables that defined an emergency-equipped hospital in our study. We estimated travel times to emergency-equipped hospitals from non-equipped facilities and relative to population distributions using geocoded facility locations and an established accessibility mapping approach using global road network datasets from OpenStreetMap and Google.
Results
Four (3.5%, 95% CI: 1.3-8.9) of 116 Malawi hospitals were emergency-equipped. Least available items were nasogastric tubes in 34.5% of hospitals (95% CI: 26.4-43.6), blood typing services (40.4%, 95% CI: 31.9-49.6), micro nebulizers (50.9%, 95% CI: 41.9-60.0), and radiology (54.2%, 95% CI: 45.1-63.0). Nationally, the median travel time from non-equipped facilities to the nearest emergency-equipped hospital was 73 minutes (95% CI: 67-77) ranging 1-507 minutes. Approximately one-quarter (27%) of Malawians lived over 120 minutes from an emergency-equipped hospital with significantly better accessibility in Central than North and South regions (16% vs. 38% and 35%, p<0.001).
Conclusions
There are unacceptable deficiencies in accessibility of basic paediatric emergency care in Malawi. Reliable supply chains for essential drugs and commodities are needed, particularly nasogastric tubes, asthma drugs and blood, along with improved capacity for time-sensitive referral. Further child mortality reductions will require substantial investments to expand basic paediatric emergency care into all Malawi hospitals for better managing critically ill children at highest mortality risk.
Identiﬁcation and application of piwi-interacting RNAs from seminal plasma exosome in Cynoglossus semilaevis
Authors: Bao baolong , Zhang Bo , zhao Na , Jia Lei , Che Jinyuan , He Xiaoxu , Liu Kefeng 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have been linked to epigenetic and post-transcriptional gene silencing of retrotransposons in germ line cells, particularly in spermatogenesis. Moreover, exosomic piRNAs are promising biomarkers for disease diagnosis and physiological status indication. To determine whether piRNAs from fish germ line cells have similar features, seminal plasma exosomes from half-smooth tongue sole, Cynoglossus semilaevis, were identified, and their small RNAs were sequenced and analysed. We used C. semilaevis because of its commercial value and its sexual dimorphism, particularly the sex reversed ''pseudo-males'' who have a female karyotype, produce sperm, and copulate with normal females to produce viable offspring. We identiﬁed six signature piRNAs as biomarkers in seminal plasma exosomes from males and pseudo-male C. semilaevis. Bioinformatic analysis showed that all six signatures were sex-related, and four were DNA methylation-related and transposition-related piRNAs. Their expression proﬁles were veriﬁed using real-time quantitative PCR. The expression of the signature piRNAs was markedly higher in males than in pseudo-males. The signature piRNAs could be exploited as male-specific biomarkers in this fish. Exosomes are important mediators of vesicle transport, and the piRNAs in exosomes might play an important role in cell communication and signal pathway regulation. These signatures provide an effective tool to explore the regulatory mechanism of sex development in C. semilaevis and may provide guidance for future research on the function of piRNAs in the generative mechanism of sex reversed ''pseudo-males'' in C. semilaevis.
Deaths from surgical conditions in malawi A randomised cross-sectional nationwide household survey
Authors: Varela Carlos Gomes , Young Sven , Groen Reinou , Banza Leonard Ngoe , Mkandawire Nyengo , Moen Bente Elisabeth , Viste Asgaut 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Back ground The prevalence of untreated surgical conditions in Malawi has been estimated at 35% with 24% of the deaths associated with untreated surgical conditions. In SSA, the primary emphasis for health research has been on communicable diseases, and relatively little is known about deaths from surgical conditions in most middle- to low-, income African countries, including Malawi. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap by quantifying and describing the deaths from surgical conditions in Malawi. Methods To access the deaths associated with surgical conditions in Malawi, a randomised multi-stage cross-sectional national household survey was carried out using the Surgeons Overseas Assessment of Surgical Need (SOSAS) tool. Randomisation was done on 48 233 settlements, using 50 villages from each district as data collection sites. Two to four household were randomly selected from each village. Two members of each selected household were interviewed. 1487 households were involved in the survey. Data collection was done using an electronic questionnaire. Results The total number of reported deaths from all causes was 616 in the 1479 households, ranging from 0 to 9 dead household members. Further data related to the deaths were available for 558 persons, with 294 (52.7%) males and 259 (46.4%) females. A total of 13 women died during pregnancy (5% of deceased women). Non-surgical conditions accounted for 408 (73.5%) of all the total deaths. Symptoms such as body swelling, abdominal distension and injuries were among the common associations of deaths: (6.0%, 5.3% and 4.6%). Almost half of the deaths occurred at home (234 persons - 41.9%) while 288 (51.6%) died at a health facility. Thirty persons died on their way to a health facility. Seventy-two persons (12.9%) who died had sought care from a traditional herbalist prior to attending a health facility. Conclusion In Malawi, body swelling, abdominal distension and injuries were the main conditions reported to be related to surgical causes of death. These occurred while the patients were either waiting at home or at health centre. Some patients initially consult a traditional herbalist prior to seeking modern health care. This delayed the possibility of timely surgical intervention.
Effect of Normal Range Serum Thyrotrophin Levels on Bone Mineral Density of post-menopausal women and older men
Authors: Liu Jingfang , Qin Liping , Fu Songbo , Tang Xulei , Ma Lihua , Wang Binli , Li Yujuan , Wu Dan , Sun Weiming , Niu Ying , JIng Gaojing 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The authors have withdrawn this preprint from Research Square
The effect of an organic rumen-protected fat supplement on performance, metabolic status, and health of dairy cows
Authors: Manriquez Diego , Chen Liang , Melendez Pedro , Pinedo Pablo 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background Negative energy balance during the transition period is a concern for both conventional and certified organic dairy systems. During early lactation, supplemental strategies are used to cope with nutrient deficiencies that are associated with impaired health, production, and reproduction. As organic certified dairies in the United States face restricted access to dietary supplements, the evaluation of products especially formulated for organic production is needed. Our objective was to assess the effect of supplementing 0.45 kg/d of an organic rumen-protected fat (RPF) on health, metabolic status, and productive and reproductive performance of organic certified Holstein cows from 1 to 150 days in milk (DIM). Two-hundred and two cows were enrolled in a randomized blocked controlled trial conducted from January to July, 2017 in a certified organic dairy located in Northern Colorado (USA). Two groups were randomly assigned to be individually supplemented with organic RPF (ORG; n = 100) or control pellets (CON; n = 102) once per day, in addition to the total mixed ration (TMR). Outcomes of interest included disease occurrence, culling, mortality, serum concentration of glucose and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), milk yield (kg/d) and milk components, resumption of cyclicity, time-to-first artificial insemination (AI), conception at first AI, and conception within 150 DIM. Results A significant effect for the inclusion of RPF was found in daily milk yield; RPF supplemented cows had greater milk yield (1.6 kg/d) compared to CON cows up to 150 DIM (P = 0.03). During grazing, multiparous (MP) ORG cows had greater milk yield compared to MP CON cows, whereas no effect was found in primiparous (PP) cows. Health outcomes, serum metabolite concentrations, and reproductive performance were not affected by the inclusion of RPF. Body condition loss was smaller in the ORG group up to 80 DIM; however, there was no effect on body condition during the grazing season and in the overall study period. Conclusions These results indicate that supplementation of RPF increased daily milk yield and prevented body condition loss during transition. However, RPF supplementation did not affect health, serum metabolite concentration, milk components, and reproductive outcomes.
Eosinophilia and Risk of Incident End Stage Kidney Disease
Authors: Tariq Anam , Okamato Keisuke , Tariq Azka , Rosenberg Avi Z. , Soliman Karim , Ploth David W. , Atta Mohamed G. , McMahon Blaithin A. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background Eosinophils in kidney disease are poorly understood and are often incidental findings on kidney biopsy. Eosinophilia in blood and renal biopsy tissue is associated with a host of immune and non-immune kidney diseases. The significance of eosinophilia in renal diseases has not been well addressed. We evaluated the presence of peripheral eosinophilia (>4% of blood leukocytes) with biopsy tissue eosinophilia and their association with end-stage-kidney-disease (ESKD). Methods A nested case-control (2:1) of patients who underwent kidney biopsies at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Medical University of South Carolina from 2004-2018 were included in the study. From the 616 eligible patients, 178 patients were identified through the registry of kidney biopsies as 18 years or older without missing biopsy reports or hematology results. Controls (n=154) had no ESKD at the time of case (n=24) designation and assembled using incident density sampling and matched on age and sex. The association of peripheral eosinophilia (>4% of peripheral blood leukocytes) with the risk of progression to ESKD was evaluated using conditional logistic model after adjusting for clinical demographics. Results Among 178 patients, 65 (37%) had peripheral eosinophilia and 113 (63%) had no eosinophilia. Compared to patients without eosinophilia, patients with peripheral eosinophilia were notably male and had a higher serum creatinine at the time of their biopsy. Peripheral eosinophilia was associated with higher risk of ESKD (OR 15.9 [1.9, 134.7]) adjusted for patient demographics including hypertension, proteinuria and eGFR at the time of kidney biopsy. Peripheral eosinophilia had a significant linear association with kidney tissue eosinophils, 22 (standard deviation [SD] 20) per high power field (hpf) in 4-10% peripheral eosinophilia, 19 (SD 18) per hpf in >10% eosinophilia and 3 (SD 7) per hpf in no eosinophilia (P <0.001). Conclusions Peripheral eosinophilia is an independent predictor of tissue eosinophilia and subsequent progression to ESKD. Peripheral eosinophilia may be an early biomarker for underlying inflammation and disease, but further studies to investigate this clinical association are warranted.
Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD), as Diagnosed by Non-Contact Infrared Meibography, in Dogs with Ocular Surface Disorders (OSD): A Retrospective Study.
Authors: Viñas Marta , Maggio Federica , D’Anna Nunzio , Rabozzi Roberto , Peruccio Claudio 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background:Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is one of the possible conditions underlying ocular surface disorders (OSD). Prevalence of MGD in dogs affected by OSD has not yet been reported. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of MGD among OSD canine patients, which had been assessed by non-contact infrared meibography and interferometry, and to identify MGD associated factors that might guide its diagnosis. Medical records of canine patients examined for OSD between 2016 and 2019 were reviewed. The frequency of MGD was evaluated within different categories (skull conformation, gender, eye and STT-1). The putative MGD risk factors and frequency of MGD within grades of interferometry were evaluated in a regression analysis model and reported as odd ratios (ORs).
Results:One hundred fifty eyes from 81 dogs with OSD were included with median age 75 months (range 3-192) and female representation with 52%. MGD was present in 70% of the examined eyes. MGD risk was higher in males ORadj= 3.015 (95% CI: 1.395 - 6.514) (P= 0.005) and older patients ORadj= 1.207 (95% CI: 1.081 - 1.348) (P= 0.001). No significant differences were found between left and right eyes (P= 0.66) or between the two types of skull conformation (P= 0.477) and MGD presence. MGD was associated to the lowest lipid layer (LL) thickness, as assessed by interferometry (grade 0) OR= 16.00 (95% CI: 2.104 - 121.68) (P< 0.001). STT values were not significantly associated with the presence of MGD (P > 0.05).
Conclusions:MGD is a common underlying pathology in OSD. Being male and higher age are risk factors for MGD. An interferometry grade 0 may guide OSD diagnosis towards MGD.
Impact of chemotherapy cycles and intervals on outcomes of nonspinal Ewing sarcoma in adults: a real-world experience
Authors: Zhang Jianjun , Huang Yujing , Sun Yuanjue , He Aina , Zhou Yan , Hu Haiyan , Yao Yang , Shen Zan 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Adult Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a rare disease, the optimal treatment model is unknown. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze treatment-related prognostic factors of nonspinal ES in Chinese adults. Methods: 81 patients treated between January 2005 and December 2017 were included in the present study. 33 (40.7%) presented with metastatic disease at diagnosis. 8 patients were submitted to primary surgery followed by chemotherapy, while 73 patients received chemotherapy before and after surgery and/or local radiotherapy. The chemotherapy regimen included 8-17 cycles of vincristine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (VDC) alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide (IE) every 3 weeks. Clinical outcomes and safety were analyzed. Results: VDC/IE chemotherapy was well tolerated in adult patients with ES. Multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that chemotherapy of at least 12 cycles was a favorable independent prognostic factor of event-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.558; 95% confidence interval, 0.323-0.965; P = 0.037) and overall survival (hazard ratio, 0.424; 95% confidence interval, 0.240-0.748; P = 0.003). Similarly, a low frequency of chemotherapy delays was an independent prognostic factor of improved OS (hazard ratio, 0.438; 95% confidence interval, 0.217-0.887; P = 0.022). Conclusion: Our study suggests that adults with ES should be treated with an aggressive multidisciplinary approach, intensive chemotherapy with adequate cycles and appropriate intervals can be recommended in this group.
Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards rabies and associated factors among household heads in Mekelle city, Ethiopia
Authors: Hagos Weldegerima Gebremedhin , Muchie Kindie Fentahun , Gebru Goyitom Gebremedhn , Mezgebe Gebreamlak Gebremariam , Reda Kebede Ambaye , Dachew Berihun Assefa 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Rabies has a worldwide distribution in continental regions of Africa, Asia and the Latin America. Globally, the case fatality rate is 100% once a clinical sign is developed. Poor public awareness towards rabies is one of the major obstacles in any prevention and control scheme of the diseases. The study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about rabies and associated factors among household heads in Mekelle city, Northern Ethiopia, 2016. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from October to November 2016 with a total of 633 study participants. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire and entered to EPI-Info 3.5.4 and coded, cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 20 software. Bi variable and multivariable analysis was done to identify factors associated with knowledge, attitude and practice about rabies. Variables having p< 0.05 was considered as statistically significant at 95%CI. Results: Of 633 study participants, 357 (56.4%) were females and 239 (37.8%) were 18-35 years old. Among the study participants, 56.1% (95%CI=52.2, 59.9), 56.2% (95%CI=52.4, 60.1) and 61.3% (95%CI=57.5, 65.1) had good level of knowledge, attitude and practice on the prevention and control of rabies respectively. Being female (AOR=1.50, 95%CI=1.05, 2.13), dog owner (AOR=1.68, 95%CI=1.17, 2.41) and participants who had training on rabies (AOR=2.22, 95%CI=1.53, 3.21) were found to have good knowledge. Married participants (AOR=2.19, 95%CI=1.16, 4.16), participants who owned dog (AOR=2.64, 95%CI=1.80, 3.86) and those encountered dog bite (AOR=2.24, 95%CI=1.23, 4.10) were found to have positive attitude towards rabies. Similarly, dog ownership (AOR=11.85, 95%CI=7.16, 19.6) was found to be associated with good practice. Conclusion: This study showed that more than half of the respondents had good knowledge, attitude and practice about the prevention and control of rabies. Key words: Attitude, Knowledge, Practice, House hold, Rabies
Molecular evolution and expression of opsin genes in Hydra vulgaris
Authors: Munoz Aide Macias , Murad Rabi , Mortazavi Ali 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: The evolution of opsin genes is of great interest because it can provide insight into the evolution of light detection and vision. An interesting group in which to study opsins is Cnidaria because it is a basal phylum sister to Bilateria with much visual diversity within the phylum. Hydra vulgaris (H. vulgaris) is a cnidarian with a plethora of genomic resources to characterize the opsin gene family. This eyeless cnidarian has a behavioral reaction to light, but it remains unknown which of its many opsins functions in light detection. Here, we used phylogenetics and RNA-seq to investigate the molecular evolution of opsin genes and their expression in H. vulgaris. We explored where opsin genes are located relative to each other in an improved genome assembly and where they belong in a cnidarian opsin phylogenetic tree. In addition, we used RNA-seq data from different tissues of the H. vulgaris adult body and different time points during regeneration and budding stages to gain insight into their potential functions. Results: We identified 45 opsin genes in H. vulgaris, many of which were located near each other suggesting evolution by tandem duplications. Our phylogenetic tree of cnidarian opsin genes supported previous claims that they are evolving by lineage-specific duplications. We identified two H. vulgaris genes (HvOpA1 and HvOpB1) that fall outside of the two commonly determined Hydra groups; these genes possibly have a function in nematocytes and mucous gland cells respectively. We also found opsin genes that have similar expression patterns to phototransduction genes in H. vulgaris. We propose a H. vulgaris phototransduction cascade that has components of both ciliary and rhabdomeric cascades. Conclusions: This extensive study provides an in-depth look at the molecular evolution and expression of H. vulgarisopsin genes. The expression data that we have quantified can be used as a springboard for additional studies looking into the specific function of opsin genes in this species. Our phylogeny and expression data are valuable to investigations of opsin gene evolution and cnidarian biology.