bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Relationship of Nursing Home Price and Quality of Life
Authors: Raes Sarah , Vandepitte Sophie , De Smedt Delphine , Wynendaele Herlinde , DeJonghe Yannai , Trybou Jeroen 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Knowledge about the relationship between the residents’ Quality Of Life (QOL) and the nursing home price is currently lacking. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship between 11 dimensions of QOL and nursing homes price in Flemish nursing homes.Methods: The data used in this cross-sectional study were collected by the Flemish government from years 2014 to 2017 and originates from 659 Flemish nursing homes. From 2014 to 2016, data on the QOL of 21,756 residents was assessed with the InterRAI instrument. This instrument contains 11 QOL dimensions. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the research question.Results: The multiple linear regressions indicated that a 10 euro increase in the daily nursing home price is associated with a significant decrease (P < 0.001) of 0.1 in 5 dimensions of QOL (access to services, comfort and environment, food and meals, respect, and safety and security). Hence, our results indicate that the association between price and QOL is very small. When conducting a subgroup analysis based on ownership type, the earlier found results remained only statistically significant for private nursing homes.Conclusion: Our findings show that nursing home price is of limited importance with respect to resident QOL. Contrary to popular belief, our study demonstrates a limited negative effect of price on QOL. Further research that includes other indicators of QOL is needed to allow policymakers and nursing home managers to improve nursing home residents’ QOL.
Medicinal Dietary Plants of the Yi in Mile, Yunnan, China
Authors: Sun Jingxian , Xiong Yong , Li Yanhong , Yang Qingsong , Chen Yijian , Jiang Mengyuan , Li Yukui , Li Hongrui , Bi Zizhen , Huang Xiangzhong , Lu Shugang 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: The Yi is the largest ethnic group in Yunnan Province (China), with a population of five millions. The Yi people tend to live in mountainous areas, and their culture includes a unique dietary system for treating and protecting people against illnesses. Medicinal plants occupy an essential place in the Yi diet because they play a key role in health and the prevention and treatment of diseases. However, few studies have addressed these medicinal dietary plants and their importance in the Yi’s daily lives. The aim of this study was to (1) investigate the medicinal dietary plants used by the Yi in Mile City, (2) document the traditional knowledge held about these plants, (3) identify species with important cultural significance to the Yi in Mile City, and (4) analyze the special preparation methods and consumption habits of these plants. Methods: Field investigations were performed in six villages in Mile City, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, from July 2017 to May 2018. Information was collected using direct observation, semi -structured interviews, key informant interviews, individual discussions and focus group discussions. The use -value (UV) and frequency of utilization index (FUI) of these plants were analyzed. Plant samples and voucher specimens were collected for taxonomic identification.Results: This study documented 124 species belonging to 62 families and 102 genera. These plants included: angiosperms (117 spp.), gymnosperms (3), pteridophytes (2), lichens (1), and fungi (1). The 20 species with the highest UV were noted as being particularly important to the Yi people’s daily life in Mile City. The primary medicinal preparation method for plants recorded in the study was decoction. The most commonly used plant parts were fruits and roots. The most frequently used edible parts were fruits, and the most frequently used medicinal parts were roots. The medicinal parts were used to treat diseases such as rheumatism, oedemas, kidney deficiency, spleen deficiency, gastritis, parasites and so on. Conclusion: A wide variety of medicinal dietary plants are used by the Yi people in Mile City. Those plants, which have both rich nutritional and medicinal value, occupy an essential part of the Yi dietary and medicine culture. Ethnobotanical surveys of medicinal dietary plants provide a theoretical reference for the conservation and sustainable use of the plant resources and could contribute to the protection of the Yi food culture and traditional medicine in Mile City. In addition, this information provides a sound basis for developing and using Yi ethnic medicine and health products.
Phase II Multicenter Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial on the Efficacy of Intra-articular Injection of Autologous Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Platelet Rich Plasma for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Lamo-Espinosa José María , Blanco Juan F. , Sánchez Mikel , Moreno Victoria , Granero-Moltó Froilán , Sánchez-Guijo Fermín , Crespo-Cullel Íñigo , Mora Gonzalo , Vicente Diego Delgado San , Pompei-Fernández Orlando , Aquerreta Jesús Dámaso , Núñez-Córdoba Jorge María , Vitoria María , Valentí-Azcárate Andrés , Andreu Enrique J. , Cañizo María del Consuelo del , Valentí-Nin Juan Ramón , Prósper Felipe 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background

Mesenchymal stromal cells are a safe and promising option to treat knee osteoarthritis as previously demonstrated in different clinical trials. However, their efficacy, optimal dose and addition of adjuvants must be determined. Here, we evaluated the clinical effects of a dose of 100x10 6 bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) in combination with Platelet Rich Plasma (PRGF ® ) as adjuvant in a randomized clinical trial.

Methods

A phase II, multicenter, randomized clinical trial with active control was conducted. Sixty patients diagnosed with knee OA were randomly assigned to 3 weekly doses of PRGF ® or intraarticular administration of 100x10 6 cultured autologous BM-MSCs plus PRGF ® . Patients were followed up for 12 months, and pain and function were assessed using VAS and WOMAC and by measuring the knee range of motion range. X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging analyses were performed to analyze joint damage.

Results

No adverse effects were reported after BM-MSC administration or during follow-up. According to VAS, the mean value (SD) for PRGF ® and BM-MSC with PRGF ® went from 5 (1.8) to 4.5 (2.2) (p=0.389) and from 5.3 (1.9) to 3.5 (2.5) (p=0.01), respectively at 12 months.. In WOMAC, the mean (SD) baseline and 12-month overall WOMAC scores in patients treated with PRGF ® was 31.9 (16.2) and 22.3 (15.8) respectively (p=0.002) while that for patients treated with BM-MSC plus PRGF ® was 33.4 (18.7) and 23.0 (16.6) (p=0.053). Although between groups statistically significances have been not detected, only patients being treated with BM-MSC plus PRGF ® could be considered as a OA treatment responders following OARSI criteria. X-ray and MRI (WORMS protocol) revealed no changes in knee joint space width or joint damage.

Conclusions

Treatment with BM-MSC associated with PRGF ® was shown to be a viable therapeutic option for osteoarthritis of the knee, with clinical improvement at the end of follow-up. Further phase III clinical trials would be necessary to confirm the efficacy.
Population structure and geographical segregation of Cryptosporidium parvum IId subtypes in cattle in China
Authors: Zhang Zhenjie , Hu Suhui , Zhao Wentao , Guo Yaqiong , Li Na , Zheng Zezhong , Zhang Longxian , Kvac Martin , Xiao Lihua , Feng Yaoyu 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Cryptosporidium parvum is a zoonotic pathogen worldwide. Extensive genetic diversity and complex population structures exist in C. parvum in different geographical regions and hosts. Unlike the IIa subtype family, which is responsible for most zoonotic C. parvum infections in industrialized countries, IId is identified as the dominant subtype family in farm animals, rodents and humans in China. Thus far, the population genetic characteristics of IId subtypes in calves in China are not clear.Methods: In the present study, 46 C. parvum isolates from dairy and beef cattle in six provinces and regions in China were characterized using sequence analysis of eight genetic loci, including msc6-7, rpgr, msc6-5, dz-hrgp, chom3t, hsp70, mucin1 and gp60. They belonged to three IId subtypes in the gp60 gene, including IIdA20G1 (n = 17), IIdA19G1 (n = 24) and IIdA15G1 (n = 5). The data generated were analyzed for population genetic structures of C. parvum using DnaSP and LIAN and subpopulation structures using STRUCTURE, RAxML, Arlequin, GENALEX and Network.Results: Seventeen multilocus genotypes were identified. The results of linkage disequilibrium analysis indicated the presence of an epidemic genetic structure in the C. parvum IId population. When isolates of various geographical areas were treated as individual subpopulations, maximum likelihood inference of phylogeny, pairwise genetic distance analysis, substructure analysis, principal components analysis and network analysis all provided evidence for geographical segregation of subpopulations in Heilongjiang, Hebei and Xinjiang. In contrast, isolates from Guangdong, Shanghai and Jiangsu were genetically similar to each other.Conclusions: Data from the multilocus analysis have revealed a much higher genetic diversity of C. parvum than gp60 sequence analysis. Despite an epidemic population structure, there is an apparent geographical segregation in C. parvum subpopulations within China.
Development of a double-recombinant antibody sandwich ELISA for quantitative detection of epsilon toxoid concentration in inactivated Clostridium perfringens vaccines
Authors: Alibeiki Maryam , Golchin Mehdi , Tabatabaei Mohammad 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Epsilon toxin (ETX) causes a commonly fatal enterotoxemia in domestic animals. Also, ETX causes serious economic losses to animal husbandry. In this study, we selected several clones against ETX using repertoires displayed on filamentous phage. Anti-ETX specific clones were enriched by binding to immobilized antigen, followed by elution and re-propagation of phage. After multiple rounds of binding selection, ELISA analysis showed that most isolated clones had high affinity and specificity for ETX.Results: Two recombinant monoclonal antibodies against ETX were isolated by phage display technology. B1 phage VH antibody isolated from DAb library and G2 soluble scFv antibody isolated from Tomlinson I+J libraries have been applied as the capture and detection antibodies for developing an ETX sandwich ELISA test, respectively.Conclusions: Designed ETX sandwich ELISA could be a valuable tool for quantitative detection of ETX in inactivated commercial vaccines against enterotoxemia.
Oxidative stress mediates the apoptosis and epigenetic modification of the Bcl-2 promoter via DNMT1 in a cigarette smoke-induced emphysema model
Authors: Zeng Huihui , Li Tiao , He Xue , Cai Shan , Luo Hong , Chen Ping , Chen Yan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Emphysema is a crucial pathological characteristic of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Oxidative stress, apoptosis and epigenetic mechanisms contribute to the pathogenesis of emphysema. However, an attempt to accurately identify whether these mechanisms interact with each other and how they are triggered has never been conducted.Method: The total reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, pulmonary apoptosis and B-cell lymphoma/ leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) expression, an apoptosis regulator, were detected in samples from COPD patients. Bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) was conducted to observe the alterations in the methylation of the Bcl-2 promoter in specimens. The dysregulation of DNA methyltransferase enzyme 1 (DNMT1), a vital DNA methyltransferase enzyme, in the lungs of patients was confirmed through western blotting. To find out interactions between oxidative stress and DNA methylation in emphysema, mouse models were built with antioxidant treatment and DNMT1 silencing, and were examined with the pulmonary apoptosis, Bcl-2 and DNMT1 expression, and epigenetic alterations of Bcl-2.Results: Higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and pulmonary apoptosis were observed in COPD patients than in healthy controls. Downregulated Bcl-2 expression with increased promoter methylation and DNMT1 protein expression was found in COPD patients. Antioxidant treatment reduced the level of ROS and dysregulation of DNMT1 expression and emphysematous progression in the smoking models. Following DNMT1 blockage, smoking models showed improved lung function, pulmonary apoptosis, emphysematous progression, and increased Bcl-2 protein expression with less promoter methylation than emphysema mice.Conclusion: Cigarette-induced oxidative stress mediates pulmonary apoptosis and hypermethylation of the Bcl-2 promoter in emphysema models through DNMT1.
What is the impact of rural-to-urban migration on exclusive breastfeeding: a population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Yin Xiaohan , Zhao Chen , Yang YuMei , Shi HuiFeng , Wu TianChen , Xie JiaLei , Niu JieQiong , Wang XiaoLi , Fang Jin 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Breastfeeding is a well-established and recommended intervention for better development of infants. In China, less than one third of infants are exclusive breastfed at 6 months of age. Maternal rural-to-urban migration contributes to these low rates of breastfeeding practices. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of breastfeeding practices and associated factors among rural-to-urban migrant children and local children with infants aged 0-12 months in China, 2018.Methods: Data were collected from a population-based cross-sectional survey in 2018 that included 6995 infants from 8 urban areas in China with available measures of breastfeeding. The prevalence of breastfeeding practices was calculated by maternal floating status and logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between them, after adjusting for social-demographic characteristics, mother-infant health information and supportive information. For exclusive breastfeeding, we calculated the prevalence and its association with maternal rural-to-urban migration, stratified by maternal education level, maternal resident place and maternal ethnicity, respectively. Results: The overall prevalence of ever breastfeeding, predominant breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding and age-appropriate breastfeeding was 97.51%, 29.84%, 59.89% and 45.07%, respectively. Rural-to-urban migrant children were less likely to be exclusively breastfed compared to local children (AOR=0.81, 95% CI 0.68, 0.95). Stratified by different social-demographic variables, a negative association between exclusive breastfeeding and rural-to-urban migration was only found in the group with high education level, in the group living in metropolis and in the group of minorities, respectively. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of breastfeeding practices was low in both rural-to-urban migrant children and local children. Besides common strategies, special approaches should be provided for migrants with high education, living in metropolis and being minorities.
Dietary mannose supplementation in phosphomannomutase 2 deficiency (PMM2-CDG)
Authors: Taday Roman , Grüneberg Marianne , DuChesne Ingrid , Reunert Janine , Marquardt Thorsten 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
PMM2-CDG (CDG-Ia) is the most frequent N-glycosylation disorder. While supplying mannose to PMM2-deficient fibroblasts corrects the altered N-glycosylation in vitro, short term therapeutic approaches with mannose supplementation in PMM2-CDG patients have been unsuccessful. Mannose found no further mention in the design of a potential therapy for PMM2-CDG in the past years, as it applies as ineffective. This retrospective study analyzes the first long term mannose supplementation in 20 PMM2-CDG patients. Mannose was given at a total of 1-2 g mannose/kg b.w./d divided into 5 single doses over a mean time of 60,7 months. Protein glycosylation, blood mannose concentration and clinical presentation were monitored in everyday clinical practice.

Results
After a mean time period of more than 1 year the majority of patients showed significant improvements in protein glycosylation.

Conclusion
Long-term dietary D-mannose supplementation shows biological effects in PMM2-CDG, an inherited disorder of mannose metabolism. It improves glycosylation in the majority of patients and could become the first cornerstone in the treatment of this disease.
Utility of ultra-sensitive qPCR to detect Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections under different transmission intensities
Authors: Gruenberg Maria , Moniz Clara Antunes , Hofmann Natalie E. , Koepfli Cristian , Robinson Leanne J. , Nate ELma , Monteiro Wuelton Marcelo , Melo Gisely Cardoso , Kuehn Andrea , Siqueira Andre M. , Nguitragool Wang , Bassat Quique , Lacerda Marcus , Sattabongkot Jetsumon Prachumsri , Mueller Ivo , Felger Ingrid 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background The use of molecular diagnostics has revealed an unexpectedly large number of asymptomatic low-density malaria infections in many malaria endemic areas. This study compared the gains in parasite prevalence obtained by the use of ultra-sensitive (us)-qPCR as compared to standard qPCR in cross sectional surveys conducted in Thailand, Brazil and Papua New Guinea (PNG). The compared assays differed in the copy number of qPCR targets in the parasite genome. Methods Plasmodium falciparum ( Pf ) and Plasmodium vivax ( Pv ) parasites were quantified by qPCR amplifying the low-copy Pf_ and Pv _18S rRNA genes or the multi-copy targets Pf _varATS and Pv _mtCOX1. Cross-sectional surveys at the three study sites included 2252 participants of all ages and represented different transmission intensities. Results In the two low-transmission areas, P. falciparum positivity was 1.3% (10/773) (Thailand) and 0.8% (5/651) (Brazil) using standard Pf _18S rRNA qPCR. In these two countries, P. falciparum positivity by Pf_ varATS us-qPCR increased to 1.9% (15/773) and 1.7% (11/651). In PNG, an area with moderate transmission intensity, P. falciparum positivity significantly increased from 8.6% (71/828) by standard qPCR to 12.2% (101/828) by us-qPCR. The proportions of P. falciparum infections not detected by standard qPCR were 33%, 55% and 30% in Thailand, Brazil and PNG. Plasmodium vivax was the predominating species in Thailand and Brazil, with 3.9% (30/773) and 4.9% (32/651) positivity by Pv _18S rRNA qPCR. In PNG, P. vivax positivity was similar to P. falciparum , at 8.0% (66/828). Use of Pv _mtCOX1 us-qPCR led to a significant increase in positivity to 5.1% (39/773), 6.4% (42/651) and 11.5% (95/828) in Thailand, Brazil, and PNG. The proportions of P. vivax infections missed by standard qPCR were similar at all three sites, with 23%, 24% and 31% in Thailand, Brazil and PNG. Conclusion The proportional gains in the detection of P. falciparum and P. vivax infections by ultra-sensitive diagnostic assays were substantial at all three study sites. Thus, us-qPCR yields more precise prevalence estimates for both P. falciparum and P. vivax at all studied levels of endemicity and represents a significant diagnostic improvement. Improving sensitivity in P. vivax surveillance by us-qPCR is of particular benefit, because the additionally detected P. vivax infections signal the potential presence of hypnozoites and subsequent risk of relapse and further transmission.
Peritumoral ductular reaction can be a prognostic factor for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Shen Zhenyang , Xiao Jingbo , Wang Junjun , Lu Lungen , Wan Xinjian , Cai Xiaobo 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Peritumoral ductular reaction (DR) was reported to be related to the prognosis of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. Non-mucin-producing intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) which may be derived from small bile duct cells or liver progenitor cells (LPCs) was known to us. However, whether peritumoral DR is also related to non-mucin-producing ICCs remains to be investigated. Methods: Forty-seven patients with non-mucin-producing ICC were eventually included in the study and clinicopathological variables were collected. Immunohistochemical analysis and immunofluorescence staining for cytokeratin 19, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and α-smooth muscle actin were performed in tumor and peritumor liver tissues.Results: A significant correlation existed between peritumoral DR and local inflammation and fibrosis. (r = 0.357, 95% CI, 0.037-0.557; P = 0.008 and r = 0.742, 95% CI, 0.580-0.849; P < 0.001, respectively). Patients with obvious peritumoral DR had high recurrence rate (81.8% vs 56.0%, P = 0.058) and poor overall and disease-free survival time (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively) comparing with mild peritumoral DR. Compared with the mild peritumoral DR group, the proliferation activity of LPCs/ cholangiocytes was higher in obvious peritumoral DR, which, however, was not statistically significant. (0.43±0.29 vs 0.28±0.31, P = 0.172). Furthermore, the correlation analysis showed that the DR grade was positively related to the portal/septalα-SMA level (r = 0.359, P = 0.001).Conclusions: Peritumoral DR was associated with local inflammation and fibrosis. Patients with non-mucin-producing ICC having obvious peritumoral DR had a poor prognosis. Peritumoral DR could be a prognostic factor for ICC. However, the mechanism should be further investigated.
&nbsp;A Urine-Based Exosomal Gene Expression Test Stratifies Risk of High-Grade Prostate Cancer in Men with Prior Negative Prostate Biopsy Undergoing Repeat Biopsy
Authors: McKiernan James , Noerholm Mikkel , Tadigotla Vasisht , Kumar Sonia , Torkler Phillipp , Sant Grannum , Alter Jason , Donovan Michael J , Skog Johan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Initial prostate biopsy often fails to identify prostate cancer resulting in patient anxiety, especially when clinical features such as prostate specific antigen (PSA) remain elevated, leading to the need for repeat biopsies. Prostate biomarker tests, such as the ExoDx™ Prostate(IntelliScore), or EPI test, have been shown to provide individualized risk assessment of clinically significant prostate cancer at initial biopsy; however, the performance in the repeat biopsy setting is not well established. Methods: As part of a previous prospective clinical validation study evaluating the performance of the EPI test, we collected first-catch, non-DRE urine samples across 22 sites from men with at least one prior negative biopsy scheduled to undergo a repeat prostate biopsy to rule out prostate cancer. All men were 50 years or older with a PSA 2-10ng/mL. Exosomal mRNA was extracted and expression of three genomic markers, PCA3, ERG and SPDEF was measured. The resulting EPI score was correlated with biopsy results. Results: 229 men with a prior negative biopsy underwent repeat biopsies. ExoDx Prostate demonstrated good performance ruling out high-grade (Grade group 2, GG2, or higher) prostate cancer (HGPCa) using the previously validated 15.6 cut point in the initial biopsy setting. The EPI test yielded an NPV of 92% independent of other clinical features and would have avoided 26% of unnecessary biopsies while missing only five patients with HGPCa (2.1%). Furthermore, the EPI test provided additional information at a cut-point of 20 and 29.6 with an NPV of 94%, potentially delaying 35% and 61% of unnecessary biopsies, respectively. AUC curves and Net Health Benefit Analyses demonstrated superior performance of ExoDx Prostate over PSA and clinical only risk calculators, i.e. ERSPC.Conclusions: The EPI test provided good performance using the 15.6 cut-point for ruling out HGPCa / GG2 or higher in men undergoing a repeat prostate biopsy with a PSA of 2-10ng/ml. Furthermore, the test utilizes gene expression data independent of clinical features to predict the likelihood of HGPCa / GG2 on a subsequent needle biopsy.