bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Different Drugs in Treating Urinary Schistosomiasis: Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis
Authors: Fang Huilong , Guo Xuli , Tang Chuwei , Chen Fuchun , Badr Ahmed , Luo Feng , Wang Junjie 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Praziquantel is the current pillar for morbidity control of schistosomiasis. Artesunate and its derivatives, widely used for malaria treatment, also display antischistosomal activities. This review compares the efficacy of three drugs, namely praziquantel (PZQ), artesunate, and metrifonate in urinary schistosomiasis. Methods: Databases were searched for articles comparing the effectiveness of any of the three drugs to other medications or controls in urinary schistosomiasis in children aged 18 or less. Stata software was opted to generate the network meta-analysis. Efficacy (Cure rate and egg reduction rate) was the main outcome measure. Pairwise and network meta-analysis were used to report Odds Ratios (ORs) with either 95% confidence interval (CI) for direct comparisons or 95% credible intervals (CrI) for indirect comparisons. Results: The SUCRA plot for cure rate revealed that PZQ (SUCRA= 40.4%) was the fourth effective drug after albendazole 400mg (SUCRA= 71.5), metrifonate 5 mg (SUCRA= 62.2%), and metrifonate 10 mg (SUCRA= 59.7). PZQ was only superior to metrifonate 7.5 mg. ORs were PZQ 40 mg (OR 0.48; 95% CI -3.55 to 4.51; p-value 0.816), artesunate 6 mg (OR 0.06; 95% CI -5.67 to 5.79; p-value 0.983), metrifonate 5 mg (OR -1.65; 95% CI -7.52 to 4.21; p-value 0.581), metrifonate 10 mg (OR -1.76; 95% CI -8.86 to 5.34; p-value 0.628), and metrifonate 7.5 mg (OR -2.40; 95% CI -9.78 to 4.98; p-value 0.524). A similar plot for egg reduction rate showed an exclusive superiority of PZQ 40 mg (SUCRA= 94.4%), followed by metrifonate 10mg (SUCRA= 82.3%) and niridazole 25mg plus metrifonate 10mg (SUCRA= 48.6%). Conclusions: Our network analysis revealed that PZQ 40 mg was the most efficient drug in reducing egg count, whereas albendazole 400mg showed the highest cure rates.
Medical cannabis for the reduction of opioid dosage in the treatment of non-cancer chronic pain: A systematic review
Authors: Okusanya Babasola , Asaolu Ibitola O. , Ehiri John E. , Kimaru Linda Jepkoeach , Okechukwu Abidemi , Rosales Cecilia 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Medical cannabis (MC) is currently being used as an adjunct to opiates given its analgesic effects and potential to reduce opiate addiction. This review assessed if MC used in combination with opioids to treat non-cancer chronic pain would reduce opioid dosage.
TgROP18 Targets IL20RB for Host Defence Related-STAT3 Activation During T. gondii Infection
Authors: Kong Ling , Jiang Dan , He Cheng , Xia Jing , We Haixia , Zhou Lijuan , Peng Hong-Juan 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic protozoan infecting almost one third of the world’s population. T. gondii rhoptry protein 18 (TgROP18) is a key virulence factor determining parasite’s acute virulence and secreted into host cells during infection. We previously identified the interaction of TgROP18 and host cell immune-related receptor protein IL20RB, and observed the activation of STAT3 in human keratinocytes (HaCaT) cells infected by the rop16 knockout RH strain, though TgROP16 is regarded responsible for host STAT3 activation during T. gondii invasion. Therefore, we hypothesize TgROP18 can activate host STAT3 through binding to IL20RB.Methods: CRISPR-CAS9 technology was used to generate the ROP16 and ROP8 double knockout RH strain, RH-∆rop16∆rop18. SDS-PAGE and western blot was used to detect STAT3 activation in different T. gondii tachyzoites infected, recombinant ROP18 or IL-20 treated HaCaT cells with high endogenous IL20RB expression. FRET and Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) was used to detect the protein-protein interaction. Results: We observed that TgROP18 was involved in a synergic activation of host JAK/STAT3 pathway together with TgROP16 in human HaCaT cells infected with T. gondii or treated with recombinant TgROP18 protein, stimulating host proinflammatory immune responses such as expression of TNF-a. The effect of recombinant ROP18 on STAT3 phosphorylation was presented in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, TgROP18 was identified to target IL20RB on its extracellular domain. When we treated different cell lines with the recombinant ROP18, STAT3 phosphorylation could only be observed in the cells with endogenous IL20RB expression, such as HaCaT cells. Conclusions: These findings indicated that TgROP18-IL20RB interaction was involved in STAT3 activation upon T. gondii invasion, which is associated with host cell defence.
The predictive value of PI-RADS v2 score in high-grade prostate cancer: a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Chen Song , Yang Yun , Peng Tianchen , Yu Xi , Deng Haiqing , Guo Zhongqiang 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: To explore the predictive value of PI-RADS v2 in high-grade prostate cancer and establish a prediction model combined with prostate cancer related biomarkers. Material and Methods: A total of 316 patients with newly discovered prostate cancer at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University and Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from December 2017 to August 2019 were enrolled in this study. The clinic information as age, tPSA, fPSA, prostate volume, Gleason score and PI-RADS v2 score have been collected. Univariate analysis was performed based on every variable to investigate the risk factors of high-grade prostate cancer. ROC curves were generated for the risk factors to distinguish the cut-off point. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the independent risk factors of high-grade prostate cancer. Nomogram prediction model was generated based on multivariate logistic regression analysis. The calibration curve, ROC curve, leave-one-out cross validation and independent external validation were performed to evaluate the discriminative ability, accuracy and stability of the nomogram prediction model. Results: Of 316 patients, a total of 187 patients were diagnosed as high-grade prostate cancer. Univariate analysis showed tPSA, fPSA, prostate volume, PSAD and PI-RADS v2 score were significantly different between the high- and low-grade prostate cancer patients. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed only tPSA, prostate volume and PI-RADS v2 score were the independent risk factors of high-grade prostate cancer. The nomogram could predict the probability of high-grade prostate cancer, with a sensitivity of 79.4% and a specificity of 77.6%. The calibration curve displayed good agreement of the predicted probability with the actual observed probability. AUC of the ROC curve was 0.840 (0.797-0.884). Leave-one-out cross validation indicated the nomogram prediction model could classify 81.4% cases accurately. External data validation was performed with a sensitivity of 80.6% and a specificity of 77.3%, the Kappa value was 0.5755. Conclusions: PI-RADS v2 score had the value in predicting high-grade prostate cancer, the nomogram prediction model may help early diagnose the high risk prostate cancer.
Anlotinib suppresses MLL-rearranged acute myeloid leukemia cell growth through inhibiting SETD1A/AKT-mediated DNA damage response
Authors: Chen Jinzhu , Feng Juan , Fang Zhihong , Ye Jing , Chen Qinwei , Chen Qiuling , Chen Kai , Xiong Xiaoming , Pu Xuan , Li Guoweo , Song Haihan , Xu Bing 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Leukemias driven by chromosomal translocation of the mixed-lineage leukemia gene (MLL) are highly prevalent in hematological malignancy. The poor survival rate and lack of an effective targeted therapy for patients with MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) leukemias emphasize an urgent need for improved knowledge and novel therapeutic approaches for these malignancies. In this study, we investigated the potential effectiveness and mechanism of Anlotinib, a novel receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in MLL-r acute myeloid leukemia(AML). Methods: MLL-r AML cell lines were treated with different concentration of Anlotinib, then cell viability, apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed. Next, the anti-leukemia effect of Anlotinib was further evaluated in vivo in a xenograft model of AML-carrying MLL-rearrangement. Finally, we performed RNA-seq analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and western bolting to explore the underlying mechanism of the anti-leukemia effect of Anlotinib. Results: Our findings revealed that Anlotinib significantly suppresses the growth, promotes robust apoptosis and induces G2/M arrest in MLL-r AML cells. Moreover, Anlotinib effectively inhibited the growth of MLL-r AML cells in a xenograft murine model. In mechanism, we find that the inhibitive role of Anlotinib in MLL-r AML could be largely attributed to the dysfunction of DNA damage and repair. Furthermore, we confirmed that Anlotinib impaired DNA damage response via inhibiting SETD1A and AKT.
Quantitative CT-based Structural Alterations of Segmental Airways in Cement Dust-Exposed Subjects
Authors: Kim Taewoo , Cho Hyun Bin , Kim Woo Jin , Lee Chang Hyun , Chae Kum Ju , Choi So-Hyun , Lee Kyeong Eun , Bak So Hyeon , Kwon Sung Ok , Jin Gong Yong , Choi Jiwoong , Park Eun-Kee , Lin Ching-Long , Hoffman Eric A , Choi Sanghun 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Dust exposure has been reported as a risk factor of pulmonary disease, leading to alterations of segmental airways and parenchymal lungs. This study aims to investigate alterations of quantitative computed tomography (QCT)-based airway structural and functional metrics due to cement-dust exposure.Methods To reduce confounding factors, subjects with normal spirometry without asthma and pneumonia histories were only selected, and a propensity score matching was applied to match age, sex, height, and smoking status. Thus, from a larger data set (N=609), only 46 cement dust-exposed subjects were compared with 184 non-cement dust-exposed subjects. QCT imaging metrics of airway hydraulic diameter ( D h ), wall thickness (WT), and bifurcation angle ( θ ) were extracted at total lung capacity (TLC) and functional residual capacity (FRC), along with their deformation ratios between TLC and FRC.Results In TLC scan, dust-exposed subjects showed a decrease of D h (airway narrowing) especially at lower-lobes ( p <0.05), an increase of WT (wall thickening) at all segmental airways ( p <0.05), and an alteration of θ at most of the central airways ( p <0.001) compared with non-dust-exposed subjects. Furthermore, dust-exposed subjects had smaller deformation ratios of WT at the segmental airways ( p <0.05) and θ at the right main bronchi and left main bronchi ( p <0.001), indicating airway stiffness.Conclusions Dust-exposed subjects with normal spirometry demonstrated airway narrowing at lower-lobes, wall thickening at all segmental airways, a different bifurcation angle at central airways, and a loss of airway wall elasticity at lower-lobes. The airway structural alterations may indicate different airway pathophysiology due to cement dusts.
An 8- year-old Behcet Disease girl initially presenting with bilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis
Authors: Jari Mohsen , Mohammadi Taiebeh , Taheri Ensieh 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Behçet disease(BD) is a polygenic and chronic autoinflamatory multisystem vasculitis. Acute optic neuritis has been rarely reported in patients with BD, especially in children.Case presentation :We reported an 8-year-old girl with suddenly visual loss and color vision impairment.The patient has a history of recurrent oral aphthous ulcers, genital ulcers and chronic abdominal pain.On ophthalmic examination, anterior and posterior chambers and funduscopy of both eyes were normal.The results of laboratory tests for infectious and rheumatic diseases were normal. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and the result of cerebrospinal fluid analysis for oligoclonal bands autoantibodies were normal too. Pathergy skin test and human leukocyte antigen ( HLA) B5 and HLA-B51 were positive.The patient was recognized as a case of BD-related bilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis and was treated by corticosteroid , azathioprine, colchicine and infliximab.Conclusion: Retrobulbar optic neuritis may be first manifestation of BD.
A packaged intervention to improve viral load monitoring within a deeply rural health district of South Africa
Authors: Brijkumar Jaysingh , Johnson Brent , Zhao Yuan , Edwards Alex , Moodley Pravi , Pathan Khairoonisa , Pillay Selvan , Castro Kenneth , Sunpath Henry , Kuritzkes Dan , Moosa Yunus , Marconi Vincent 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province of South Africa has the highest prevalence of HIV infection in the world. Viral load (VL) testing is a crucial tool for clinical and programmatic monitoring. Within uMkhanyakude district, VL suppression rates were 91% among patients with VL data; however, VL performance rates averaged only 38·7%. The objective of this study was to determine if enhanced clinic processes and community outreach could improve VL monitoring within this district. Methods: A packaged intervention was implemented at three rural clinics in the setting of the KZN HIV AIDS Drug Resistance Surveillance Study. This included file hygiene, outreach, a VL register and documentation revisions. Chart audits were used to assess fidelity. Outcome measures included percentage VL performed and suppressed. Each rural clinic was matched with a peri-urban clinic for comparison before and after the start of each phase of the intervention. Monthly sample proportions were modelled using quasi-likelihood regression methods for over-dispersed binomial data.Results: Mkuze and Jozini clinics increased VL performance overall from 33·9% and 35·3% to 75·8% and 72·4%, respectively which was significantly greater than the increases in the comparison clinics (RR 1·86 and 1·68, p<0·01). VL suppression rates similarly increased overall by 39·3% and 36·2% (RR 1·84 and 1·70, p<0·01). The Chart Intervention phase showed significant increases in fidelity 16 months after implementation.Conclusions: The packaged intervention improved VL performance and suppression rates overall but was significant in Mkuze and Jozini. Larger sustained efforts will be needed to have a similar impact throughout the province.
Complicated hospitalization due to influenza: Results from the Global Hospital Influenza Network for the 2017–2018 season
Authors: Lina Bruno , Georges Alexandre , Burtseva Elena , Nunes Marta C. , Andrew Melissa K. , McNeil Shelly A. , Ruiz-Palacios Guillermo M. , Feng Luzhao , Kyncl Jan , Vanhems Philippe , Ortiz Justin R. , Paget John , Reiner Robert C. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Since 2011, the Global Influenza Hospital Surveillance Network (GIHSN) has used active surveillance to prospectively collect epidemiological and virological data on patients hospitalized with influenza virus infection. Here, we describe influenza virus strain circulation in the GIHSN participant countries during 2017–2018 season and examine factors associated with complicated hospitalization among patients admitted with laboratory-confirmed influenza illness.Methods: Patients at hospitals participating in the GIHSN admitted <48 h with symptoms consistent with influenza infection and ≤7 days of symptom onset were eligible. Enrolled patients were tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to confirm influenza virus infection. “Complicated hospitalization” was defined as a need for mechanical ventilation, admission to an intensive care unit, or in-hospital death. In each of three age strata (<15, 15 to <65, and ≥65 years), factors associated with complicated hospitalization in influenza-positive patients were identified by mixed effects logistic regression and those associated with length of hospital stay using a linear mixed-effects regression model.Results: The study included 12,803 hospitalized patients at 14 coordinating sites in 13 countries, of which 4,306 (34%) tested positive for influenza. Influenza viruses B/Yamagata, A/H3N2, and A/H1N1pdm09 strains dominated and cocirculated, although the dominant strains varied between sites. Complicated hospitalization occurred in 10.6% of influenza-positive patients. Factors independently associated with complicated hospitalization in influenza-positive patients included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (15 to <65 years and ≥65 years), diabetes (15 to <65 years), male sex (15 to <65 years), hospitalization during the last 12 months (15 to <65 years), and current smoking (≥65 years). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (15 to <65 years), diabetes (15 to <65 years), and hospitalization during the last 12 months (<15 years) were independently associated with a longer hospital stay. The proportion of patients with complicated influenza and the length of hospital stay did not differ between influenza A and B.Conclusions: Complicated hospitalizations occurred in over 10% of patients hospitalized with influenza virus infection. Factors commonly associated with complicated or longer hospitalization differed by age group but commonly included COPD, diabetes, and hospitalization during the last 12 months.
Risk factors associated with the detection of pulmonary emphysema in older asymptomatic respiratory subjects
Authors: Buendia-Roldan Ivette , Palma-Lopez Alexia , Chan-Padilla Danaireth , Herrera Iliana , Maldonado Mariel , Fernandez-Plata Rosario , Martinez-Briseño David , Mejia Mayra , Selman Moises 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Several lung structural and functional abnormalities may occur associated withaging, including emphysema. In this study, we evaluated the frequency and risk factors associated with emphysema in respiratory asymptomatic individuals enrolled in our Lung Aging Program. From a cohort of 687 subjects, we found by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) 29 individuals (4%) withemphysematous changes that were compared with 87 controls (3:1) randomly selected from the same cohort. Methods: This was atransversal, observational, case-control study where we examined demographics and functional characteristics, as well as telomere length and serum Klotho concentration, two conditions that have been associated with aging and some aging-associated diseases including emphysema. Results: Individuals with subclinical pulmonary emphysema were older (72 ± 9 versus 67 ± 6 years), and primarily smoker males with low body mass index. Despite that they were asymptomatic, two of them exhibited a decrease of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV 1 ),with a lower FEV 1 /FVC suggesting airway obstruction. Cigarette smoking (OR=5.43, CI95% 1.8-16.7), family history of lung disease (OR=4.32, CI95% 1.0-19.0) and lower body mass index (OR 7.22, CI95% 1.2-3.5)were risk factors for the development of lung emphysematous changes. No association was found with telomere length and Klotho serum concentration. Conclusion: Our findings reveal that a small but important percentage of olderpeople without respiratory symptoms, present pulmonary emphysema and indicate that smoking exposure and genetic background may contribute as etiological factors.
Large-scale production of recombinant miraculin protein in transgenic carrot callus supension cultures using air-lift bioreactors
Authors: Park Yun-Ji , Han Jong-Eun , Lee Hyoshin , Jung Yu-Jin , Murthy Hoskatte Niranjana , Park So-Young 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Miraculin, derived from the miracle fruit ( Synsepalum dulcificum ), is a taste-regulating protein that interacts with human sweet-taste receptors and transforms sourness into sweet taste. Since miracle fruit is cultivated in West Africa, mass production of miraculin is limited by regional and seasonal constraints. Here, we investigated mass production of recombinant miraculin in carrot ( Daucus carota L.) callus cultures using an air-lift bioreactor. To increase miraculin expression, the oxidative stress-inducible SWAP2 promoter was used to drive the expression of miraculin gene under various stress treatments. An 8 h treatment of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and salt (NaCl) increased the expression of miraculin gene by 5-fold compared with the untreated control. On the other hand, abscisic acid, salicylic acid, and methyl jasmonate treatments showed no significant impact on miraculin gene expression compared with the control. This shows that since H 2 O 2 and NaCl treatments induce oxidative stress, they activate the SWPA2 promoter and consequently up-regulate miraculin gene expression. Thus, the results of this study provide a foundation for industrial-scale production of recombinant miraculin protein using transgenic carrot cells as a heterologous host.
Comparative vascular safety of basal long-acting insulin analogue versus intermediate-acting human insulin in real-world patients with type 2 diabetes: a nationwide population-based cohort study
Authors: Yang Chun-Ting , Li Kuan-Ying , Yang Chen-Yi , Ou Huang-Tz , Kuo Shihchen 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Little is known about the comparative vascular safety of basal insulin (intermediate-acting human insulin [IAHI] or long-acting insulin analogue [LAIA]) in type 2 diabetes. We sought to examine the vascular and hypoglycemic effects associated with IAHI versus LAIA in real-world patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: We conducted a nationwide population-based, retrospective cohort study using Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database to include patients with type 2 diabetes who stably used an IAHI (N=11,521) or LAIA (N=37,651) in the period 2004-2012. A rigorous three-step matching algorithm that considered the initiation date of basal insulin, previous exposure of antidiabetic treatments, comorbidities, diabetes severity and complications, and concomitant medications was applied to achieve the between-group comparability. Study outcomes, including composite cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), composite microvascular diseases (MVDs), and hypoglycemia, were assessed up to the end of 2013. Results: Baseline patient characteristics were balanced with the application of the matching scheme. Compared with LAIA, the use of IAHI was associated with greater risks of composite CVDs (adjusted hazard ratio: 1,79; 95% confidence interval: 1.20-2.67) and hospitalized hypoglycemia (1.82; 1.51-2.20), but a lower risk of composite MVDs (0.88; 0.84-0.91). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses showed a consistent trend of results with that in the primary analyses. Conclusions: The use of a basal insulin with IAHI versus LAIA among patients with type 2 diabetes in usual practice may be associated with a lower risk of MVDs, and strategies should be optimized for minimizing the risks of hypoglycemia and CVDs in this population.