bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of surgery via the single anterior and single posterior approaches for treatment of thoracic spinal tuberculosis
Authors: Liu Haiping , Luo Jing , Wang Xiaodong , Dong Xiaohua , Hao Dingjun 
Published: January 2020

Objective The type of surgical treatment that should be adopted for thoracic tuberculosis (TB) remains controversial. This study was performed to compare the clinical efficacy of surgery via the single anterior and single posterior approaches for treatment of thoracic spinal TB. Methods Seventy-eight patients with thoracic TB undergoing surgical treatment were divided into two groups on the basis of the surgical methods employed: Group A (single anterior debridement + bone graft fusion and internal fixation) and Group B (single posterior debridement + bone graft fusion and internal fixation). Results of clinical and imaging examinations were analysed and compared between the two groups. Results The surgical duration and mean hospital stay were significantly longer and the perioperative bleeding volume was significantly higher in Group A than B. At the last follow-up, changes in the American Spinal Injury Association grade showed no obvious differences between the two groups. Before and after the surgery and at the last follow-up, no significant differences were detected in the Cobb angle change or correction rate between the two groups. Conclusion Surgery via the single anterior and single posterior approaches achieved good clinical efficacy in the treatment of thoracic spinal TB.
Gender-related differences in patients treated with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor medication for diabetic macular oedema
Authors: Schiefelbein Johannes , Müller Michael , Kern Christoph , Herold Tina , Liegl Raffael , Fasler Katrin , Jeliazkova Diana , Priglinger Siegfried , Kortuem Karsten Ulrich 
Published: January 2020

Background: Diabetes prevalence is constantly rising, involving the eyes with damage including development of diabetic macular oedema. Since 2012, intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor medication is available for diabetic macular oedema treatment. Endocrinological studies have shown that fewer women are affected by diabetes. However, when affected, they exhibit more severe diabetic complications than men. We have investigated gender-related differences in diabetic macular oedema and outcome in an ophthalmological tertiary referral hospital. Methods: We included 88 patients (54 males and 34 females) with 112 eyes (68 male and 44 female) having clinically significant diabetic macular oedema, treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor medication. A 1 year follow-up was performed in all patients (visual acuity and optical coherence tomography). Previous retinal surgery was an exclusion criterion, as were other retinal pathologies. Results: The mean visual acuity and mean central retinal thickness at baseline were 0.53 logMAR (male 0.49 and female 0.595) and 469 μm (male 452 μm and female: 494 μm), respectively. After 360 days, mean visual acuity changed by −0.07 (±0.36) logMAR (male −0.11 and female +0.01) and mean central retinal thickness changed by −119 μm (male −113 μm and female −127 μm). For visual acuity, a significant difference was noted at baseline ( p = 0.02) and at 1 year ( p < 0.001). Males received 5.6 injections and females received 5.68 injections in 1 year. Conclusion: Our study showed that female patients with diabetic macular oedema were diagnosed with and treated for diabetic macular oedema at a stage when visual acuity and optical coherence tomography were worse than those in their male counterparts. This gender difference could not be reduced, despite similar numbers of injections. Female diabetic patients should therefore be assessed early for ophthalmological pathologies.
Seroepidemiological patterns and predictors of hepatitis B, C and HIV viruses among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic of Atat Hospital, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Bafa Temesgen Abera , Egata Andamlak Dendir 
Published: January 2020

Introduction: Viral hepatitis is a serious blood-borne and sexually transmitted systemic communicable disease affecting the liver. Commonly, it is caused by hepatitis B and C viruses. HIV infection has been one of the largest public health challenges that can also be transmitted vertically. Objective: To determine seroepidemiological patterns and predictors of hepatitis B, C and HIV viruses among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic at Atat Hospital, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 222 pregnant women from May to July, 2017. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics and predicators of hepatitis B, C and HIV infections through face-to-face interview. Venous blood sample of 5 mL was collected from study participants, and serum was tested for HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV using rapid test kits and further confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of hepatitis and HIV infections. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The overall seroprevalence of hepatitis B, C and HIV infections were 4.5%, 1.8% and 2.7%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the prevalence of hepatitis B virus infections was significantly higher among patients having history of poly-sexual practices (adjusted odds ratio = 11.31; 95% confidence interval = 1.24–28.69, p = 0.003), history of abortion (adjusted odds ratio = 8.64; 95% confidence interval = 5.5–30.36, p = 0.034), home delivery by traditional birth attendants (adjusted odds ratio = 9.06; 95% confidence interval = 2.01–13.36, p = 0.005) and blood transfusion (adjusted odds ratio = 18.1; 95% confidence interval = 2.63–114.24, p = 0.001). HIV co-infection was present in 40% and 100% of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus positive pregnant women, respectively. All hepatitis C virus positive women had a history of ear piercing, abortion and home delivery. Conclusion: Hepatitis B, C and HIV were all uncommon infections in this population, with hepatitis B virus the most common. All hepatitis C virus positive pregnant women were co-infected with HIV. Significant association was found between hepatitis B virus infection and predictors. Therefore, continuous screening of pregnant women for hepatitis B and C infections should be performed.
Sentiment analysis of real-world migraine tweets for population research
Authors: Deng Hao , Wang Qiushi , Turner Dana P , Sexton Katherine E , Burns Sara M , Eikermann Matthias , Liu Dianbo , Cheng Dan , Houle Timothy T 
Published: January 2020

Background: Migraine is a highly prevalent disorder that is typically episodic in nature. Social network data reflecting personal commentary on everyday life patterns, including those interrupted by migraine, represent a unique window into the real-life experience of those willing to share them. The experience of a migraine attack might be captured by twitter text data, and this information might be used to complement our current knowledge of activity in the general population and even lead to enhanced prediction. Objective: To characterize tweets reporting migraine activity and to explore their social-behavior features as foundation for further investigations. Methods: A longitudinal cohort study utilizing 1 month of Twitter data from November to December 2014 was conducted. Tweets containing the word “migraine” were extracted, preprocessed, and managed using natural language processing (NLP) techniques. User behavior profiles including tweeting frequencies, high-frequency words, and sentimental presentations were reported and analyzed. Results: During the observation period, 98,622 tweets were captured from 77,335 different users. The overall sentiment of tweets was slightly negative for expressive tweets but neutral for informative tweets. Among posted negative expressive tweets, we found a strong tendency that high-frequent expressions were those with the extreme sentiment, and profanity was common. Conclusions: Twitter users with migraine showed distinct sentimental patterns while suffering from disease onsets exemplified by posting tweets with extreme negative sentiments.
Guanfacine treatment improves ADHD phenotypes of impulsivity and hyperactivity in a neurofibromatosis type 1 mouse model
Authors: Lukkes J. L. , Drozd H. P. , Fitz S. D. , Molosh A. I. , Clapp D. W. , Shekhar A. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder with a mutation in one copy of the neurofibromin gene (NF1+/−). Even though approximately 40–60% of children with NF1 meet the criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), very few preclinical studies, if any, have investigated alterations in impulsivity and risk-taking behavior. Mice with deletion of a single NF1 gene (Nf1+/−) recapitulate many of the phenotypes of NF1 patients.

Methods
We compared wild-type (WT) and Nf1+/− mouse strains to investigate differences in impulsivity and hyperactivity using the delay discounting task (DDT), cliff avoidance reaction (CAR) test, and open field. We also investigated whether treatment with the clinically effective alpha-2A adrenergic receptor agonist, guanfacine (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.), would reverse deficits observed in behavioral inhibition.

Results
Nf1+/− mice chose a higher percentage of smaller rewards when both 10- and 20-s delays were administered compared to WT mice, suggesting Nf1+/− mice are more impulsive. When treated with guanfacine (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.), Nf1+/− mice exhibited decreased impulsive choice by waiting for the larger, delayed reward. Nf1+/− mice also exhibited deficits in behavioral inhibition compared to WT mice in the CAR test by repetitively entering the outer edge of the platform where they risk falling. Treatment with guanfacine ameliorated these deficits. In addition, Nf1+/− mice exhibited hyperactivity as increased distance was traveled compared to WT controls in the open field. This hyperactivity in Nf1+/− mice was reduced with guanfacine pre-treatment.

Conclusions
Overall, our study confirms that Nf1+/− mice exhibit deficits in behavioral inhibition in multiple contexts, a key feature of ADHD, and can be used as a model system to identify alterations in neural circuitry associated with symptoms of ADHD in children with NF1.
Genomic dissection of maternal, additive and non-additive genetic effects for growth and carcass traits in Nile tilapia
Authors: Joshi Rajesh , Meuwissen Theo H. E. , Woolliams John A. , Gjøen Hans M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe availability of both pedigree and genomic sources of information for animal breeding and genetics has created new challenges in understanding how they can be best used and interpreted. This study estimated genetic variance components based on genomic information and compared these to the variance components estimated from pedigree alone in a population generated to estimate non-additive genetic variance. Furthermore, the study examined the impact of the assumptions of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) on estimates of genetic variance components. For the first time, the magnitude of inbreeding depression for important commercial traits in Nile tilapia was estimated by using genomic data.ResultsThe study estimated the non-additive genetic variance in a Nile tilapia population of full-sib families and, when present, it was almost entirely represented by additive-by-additive epistatic variance, although in pedigree studies this non-additive variance is commonly assumed to arise from dominance. For body depth (BD) and body weight at harvest (BWH), the proportion of additive-by-additive epistatic to phenotypic variance was estimated to be 0.15 and 0.17 using genomic data (P < 0.05). In addition, with genomic data, the maternal variance (P < 0.05) for BD, BWH, body length (BL) and fillet weight (FW) explained approximately 10% of the phenotypic variances, which was comparable to pedigree-based estimates. The study also showed the detrimental effects of inbreeding on commercial traits of tilapia, which was estimated to reduce trait values by 1.1, 0.9, 0.4 and 0.3% per 1% increase in the individual homozygosity for FW, BWH, BD and BL, respectively. The presence of inbreeding depression but lack of dominance variance was consistent with an infinitesimal dominance model for the traits.ConclusionsThe benefit of including non-additive genetic effects for genetic evaluations in tilapia breeding schemes is not evident from these findings, but the observed inbreeding depression points to a role for reciprocal recurrent selection. Commercially, this conclusion will depend on the scheme’s operational costs and resources. The creation of maternal lines in Tilapia breeding schemes may be a possibility if the variation associated with maternal effects is heritable.
PRAP: Pan Resistome analysis pipeline
Authors: He Yichen , Zhou Xiujuan , Chen Ziyan , Deng Xiangyu , Gehring Andrew , Ou Hongyu , Zhang Lida , Shi Xianming 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) can spread among pathogens via horizontal gene transfer, resulting in imparities in their distribution even within the same species. Therefore, a pan-genome approach to analyzing resistomes is necessary for thoroughly characterizing patterns of ARGs distribution within particular pathogen populations. Software tools are readily available for either ARGs identification or pan-genome analysis, but few exist to combine the two functions.

Results
We developed Pan Resistome Analysis Pipeline (PRAP) for the rapid identification of antibiotic resistance genes from various formats of whole genome sequences based on the CARD or ResFinder databases. Detailed annotations were used to analyze pan-resistome features and characterize distributions of ARGs. The contribution of different alleles to antibiotic resistance was predicted by a random forest classifier. Results of analysis were presented in browsable files along with a variety of visualization options. We demonstrated the performance of PRAP by analyzing the genomes of 26 Salmonella enterica isolates from Shanghai, China.

Conclusions
PRAP was effective for identifying ARGs and visualizing pan-resistome features, therefore facilitating pan-genomic investigation of ARGs. This tool has the ability to further excavate potential relationships between antibiotic resistance genes and their phenotypic traits.
Copper-induced concomitant increases in photosynthesis, respiration, and C, N and S assimilation revealed by transcriptomic analyses in Ulva compressa (Chlorophyta)
Authors: Laporte Daniel , Rodríguez Felipe , González Alberto , Zúñiga Antonio , Castro-Nallar Eduardo , Sáez Claudio A. , Moenne Alejandra 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe marine algaUlva compressais the dominant species in copper-polluted coastal areas in northern Chile. It has been shown that the alga tolerates micromolar concentrations of copper and accumulates copper at the intracellular level. Transcriptomic analyses were performed using total RNA of the alga cultivated with 10 μ M copper for 0, 1, 3 and 5 days using RNA-seq in order to identify processes involved in copper tolerance.ResultsThe levels of transcripts encoding proteins belonging to Light Harvesting Complex II (LHCII), photosystem II (PSII), cytochrome b6f, PSI, LHCI, ATP synthase and proteins involved in repair of PSII and protection of PSI were increased in the alga cultivated with copper. In addition, the level of transcripts encoding proteins of mitochondrial electron transport chain, ATP synthase, and enzymes involved in C, N and S assimilation were also enhanced. The higher percentages of increase in the level of transcripts were mainly observed at days 3 and 5. In contrast, transcripts involved protein synthesis and degradation, signal transduction, and replication and DNA repair, were decreased. In addition, net photosynthesis and respiration increased in the alga cultivated with copper, mainly at days 1 to 3. Furthermore, the activities of enzymes involved in C, N and S assimilation, rubisco, glutamine synthase and cysteine synthase, respectively, were also increased, mainly at days 1 and 3.ConclusionsThe marine algaU. compressatolerates copper excess through a concomitant increase in expression of proteins involved in photosynthesis, respiration, and C, N and S assimilation, which represents an exceptional mechanism of copper tolerance.
Liver injury monitoring, fibrosis staging and inflammation grading using T1rho magnetic resonance imaging: an experimental study in rats with carbon tetrachloride intoxication
Authors: Xie Shuangshuang , Qi Hanxiong , Li Qing , Zhang Kun , Zhang Longjiang , Cheng Yue , Shen Wen 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
To investigate the merit of T1rho relaxation for the evaluation of liver fibrosis, inflammatory activity, and liver injury monitoring in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced rat model.

Methods
Model rats from CCl4-induced liver fibrosis (fibrosis group: n = 41; regression group: n = 20) and control (n = 11) groups underwent black blood T1rho magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (MRI). Injection of CCl4 was done twice weekly for up to 12 weeks in the fibrosis group and for up to 6 weeks in the regression group. MR scanning time points were at baseline and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks after CCl4 injection in the fibrosis group and at baseline and at 2, 4, 6 (CCl4 withdrawal), 7, 8, 10 and 12 weeks in the regression group.

Results
In the fibrosis group, liver T1rho values increased gradually within week 8 and then decreased. In the regression group, T1rho values dropped gradually after the withdrawal of CCl4 and fell below those at baseline. The T1rho values at S0 were lower than those at any other stage (all P < 0.05). The T1rho values at G0 were significantly lower than those at any other grade, and G1 was lower than G2 (all P < 0.01). The T1rho values mildly correlated with fibrosis stages (r = 0.362) and moderately correlated with grades of inflammation (r = 0.568). The T1rho values of rats with the same inflammation grades showed no significant difference among different fibrosis stages, and the T1rho values at S3 showed a significant difference among different grades of inflammation (P = 0.024). Inflammation grade was an independent variable associated with T1rho values (P < 0.001).

Conclusion
T1rho MRI can be used to monitor CCl4-induced liver injury, and inflammatory activity had a greater impact on liver T1rho values than fibrosis.
Ureaplasma urealyticum disseminated multifocal abscesses in an immunocompromised adult patient: a case report
Authors: Diaz Pallares Carolina , Griener Thomas , Vaughan Stephen 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Ureaplasma urealyticum is a fastidious bacteria which lacks a cell wall. Extragenital infections are rare in immunocompetent adults. There are few literature reports of perinephric abscess. We present a case of non-resolving multifocal “culture-negative” abscesses in a hypogammaglobulinemic adult female due to U. urealyticum.

Case presentation
66-year-old female with a one-week history of fever, malaise and new right hip and leg pain. Past medical history was notable for chronic pancytopenia secondary to in remission B cell follicular lymphoma, ESRD on intermittent hemodialysis with bilateral nephrostomy tubes and Crohn’s. CT abdomen/pelvis revealed a small left perinephric hematoma and proximal right femur fluid collection. Persistent right thigh pain led to additional ultrasound with anterior thigh collection and CT revealed an irregular rim-enhancing fluid collection in the left posterior pararenal space. Antimicrobial therapy included ertapenem and vancomycin followed by meropenem, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, daptomycin and metronidazole in setting of persistent culture-negative results and clinical deterioration. Following detection of U. urealyticum by 16S rDNA PCR in both left pararenal and right trochanteric bursa abscesses doxycycline was started. Despite this, the patient died four days later.

Conclusions
Disseminated infection by U. urealyticum has been documented in immunocompromised adult patients with few reports of perinephric abscess. We propose that ascending genitourinary route led to perinephric abscess. The multiple disseminated fluid collections make it highly suspicious for hematogenous spread given the lack of radiographic enhancement to suggest contiguous spread. Diagnosis and treatment of U. urealyticum-disseminated infection is extremely challenging as culture is laborious and not routinely performed. Furthermore, the lack of cell wall renders beta-lactams and vancomycin ineffective and therefore requirement for “atypical” coverage. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to prevent further complications and death.
How to estimate glomerular filtration rate in sub-Saharan Africa: design and methods of the African Research into Kidney Diseases (ARK) study
Authors: Kalyesubula Robert , Fabian June , Nakanga Wisdom , Newton Robert , Ssebunnya Billy , Prynn Josephine , George Jaya , Wade Alisha N. , Seeley Janet , Nitsch Dorothea , Hansen Christian , Nyirenda Moffat , Smeeth Liam , Naicker Saraladevi , Crampin Amelia C. , Tomlinson Laurie A. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide with disproportionate effects in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The optimal methods to estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and therefore to determine the presence of CKD in SSA are uncertain. We plan to measure iohexol excretion to accurately determine GFR in Malawi, South Africa and Uganda. We will then assess the performance of existing equations to estimate GFR and determine whether a modified equation can better improve estimation of GFR in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods
The African Research on Kidney Disease (ARK) study is a three-country study embedded within existing cohorts. We seek to enrol 3000 adults > 18 years based on baseline serum creatinine. Study procedures include questionnaires on socio-demographics and established risk factors for kidney disease along with anthropometry, body composition, blood pressure, blood chemistry and urine microscopy and albuminuria. We will measure GFR (mGFR) by plasma clearance of iohexol at 120, 180 and 240 min. We will compare eGFR determined by established equations with mGFR using Bland-Altman plots. We will use regression methods to estimate GFR and compare the newly derived model with existing equations.

Discussion
Through the ARK study, we aim to establish the optimal approach to estimate GFR in SSA. The study has the advantage of drawing participants from three countries, which will increase the applicability of the findings across the region. It is also embedded within established cohorts that have longitudinal information and serial measures that can be used to characterize kidney disease over a period of time. This will help to overcome the limitations of previous research, including small numbers, selected population sub-groups, and lack of data on proteinuria.
The ARK collaboration provides an opportunity for close working partnerships across different centres, using standardized protocols and measurements, and shared bio-repositories. We plan to build on the collaboration for this study for future work on kidney disease in sub-Saharan Africa, and welcome additional partners from across the continent.