bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Asymptomatic carriage of Plasmodium falciparum by individuals with variant blood groups and haemoglobin genotypes in southern Ghana
Authors: Acquah Festus K. , Donu Dickson , Bredu Dorcas , Eyia-Ampah Sophia , Amponsah Jones A. , Quartey Joseph , Obboh Evans K. , Mawuli Bernice A. , Amoah Linda E. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe ABO and the Rhesus blood group systems, as well as various abnormal haemoglobin (Hb) variants (haemoglobinopathies) are known to influence malaria parasite carriage and disease severity in individuals living in malaria endemic areas. This study identified the blood group and Hb variant distribution andPlasmodium falciparuminfection status of afebrile individuals living in southern Ghana.MethodsAfebrile participants were recruited from Obom (358) in the Greater Accra Region and Ewim (100) and Simiw (329) in the Central Region of Ghana. Venous blood (1 ml) was collected into EDTA vacutainer tubes. Three 20 μl drops of blood were used for blood group analysis using the tile method. Another 500 μl aliquot was used for the qualitative sickling test using sodium metabisulphite and haemoglobin electrophoresis. Genomic DNA was extracted from 100 μl of whole blood and used inP. falciparumspecies-specific PCR.ResultsThe most abundant blood group and abnormal haemoglobin variant in both sites was blood group O + (47.4%) and HbAS (15.8%). A total of 13 (1.7%) of the participants had full haemoglobinopathies (SS, SC and CC), whilst 196 (25.4%) were carriers (AS and AC). Although there was a significantly higher prevalence of sickling positive participants from the Central Region, genotyping identified a similar prevalence of each of the abnormal haemoglobin genes in both sites. Asymptomatic parasite carriage estimated by PCR was 40.9% in the Central Region and 41.8% in the Greater Accra Region.ConclusionsAsymptomatic carriage ofP. falciparumparasite in the study population was not associated with any particular blood group variant or haemoglobin genotype.
Factor V Leiden 1691G > A mutation and the risk of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL): systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Eslami Mohammad Masoud , khalili Majid , Soufizomorrod Mina , Abroun Saeid , Razi Bahman 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundAlthough numerous replication case-control studies have attempted to determine the association between Factor V Leiden (FVL) 1691G > A mutation and susceptibility to Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), there have been confliction among the results of various ethnic groups. To address this limitation, here we implemented first meta-analysis to provide with consistent conclusion of the association between FVL 1691G > A mutation and RPL risk.MethodsAfter a systematic literature search, pooled odds ratio (OR) and their corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to evaluate the strength of the association. Additionally, meta-regression analyses were performed to find potential source of heterogeneity.ResultsIn this meta-analysis, 62 studies, containing 10,410 cases and 9406 controls, were included in quantitative analysis. Overall population analysis revealed a significant positive association in the dominant (OR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.84–2.50,P < 0.001), over-dominant (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.61–2.19,P < 0.001), allelic (OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.79–2.35,P < 0.001), and heterozygote (OR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.68–2.30,P < 0.001) models. Moreover, a significant association of dominant (OR = 3.04, 95% CI = 2.04–4.54,P < 0.001), over-dominant (OR = 2.65, 95% CI = 1.74–4.05,P < 0.001), and heterozygote (OR = 2.67, 95% CI = 1.81–4.22,P < 0.001) models was found in the Iranian population. The subgroup analysis indicated strong significant association in Asian, European, Africa population, and case-control studies but not in South Americans and cohort studies.ConclusionThe FVL 1691G > A mutation and the risk of RPL confers a genetic contributing factor in increasing the risk of RPL, particularly in Iranians, except for South Americans.
Within-family plasticity of nervous system architecture in Syllidae (Annelida, Errantia)
Authors: Schmidbaur Hannah , Schwaha Thomas , Franzkoch Rico , Purschke Günter , Steiner Gerhard 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
The ground pattern underlying the nervous system of the last common ancestor in annelids was long thought to be settled, consisting of a dorsal brain, circumoesophageal connectives and a subepithelial, ladder-like ventral nerve cord with segmental ganglia connected by paired connectives. With the advent of immunocytochemical stainings and confocal laser scanning microscopy, it becomes evident that its architecture is extremely diverse, which makes the reconstruction of a ground pattern in annelida challenging. Whereas the nervous systems of many different families has already been described, only very few studies looked at the diversity of nervous systems within such clades to give a closer estimate on how plastic the annelid nervous system really is. So far, little is known on syllid nervous system architecture, one of the largest and most diverse groups of marine annelids.

Results
The position of the brain, the circumoesophageal connectives, the stomatogastric nervous system, the longitudinal nerves that traverse each segment and the innervation of appendages are relatively uniform within the clade. Both the number of connectives within the ventral nerve cord and the number of segmental nerves, which in earlier studies were used to infer phylogenetic relationships and to reconstruct an annelid ground pattern, are highly diverse and differ between genera or even within a given genus. Differences in the distribution of somata of the brain, the nuchal innervation and its associated cell bodies were found between Syllinae and Exogoninae and may be subfamily-specific.

Conclusions
The nervous system morphology of syllids very likely depends on the taxon-specific ecological requirements. Thus, it is not surprising that in a clade, which occupies such diverse niches as the Annelida, we find similar patterns in phylogenetically widely separated species in similar niches and a high degree of modularity within a family. Only standardized protocols and staining methods can lead to comparable results, but so far different approaches have been taken to describe annelid nervous systems, making homologization of certain structures difficult. This study provides the first thorough description of the nervous system in the family Syllidae, allowing more detailed comparisons between annelid families in the future.
Review: pathophysiology of intracranial hypertension and noninvasive intracranial pressure monitoring
Authors: Canac Nicolas , Jalaleddini Kian , Thorpe Samuel G. , Thibeault Corey M. , Hamilton Robert B. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractMeasurement of intracranial pressure (ICP) is crucial in the management of many neurological conditions. However, due to the invasiveness, high cost, and required expertise of available ICP monitoring techniques, many patients who could benefit from ICP monitoring do not receive it. As a result, there has been a substantial effort to explore and develop novel noninvasive ICP monitoring techniques to improve the overall clinical care of patients who may be suffering from ICP disorders. This review attempts to summarize the general pathophysiology of ICP, discuss the importance and current state of ICP monitoring, and describe the many methods that have been proposed for noninvasive ICP monitoring. These noninvasive methods can be broken down into four major categories: fluid dynamic, otic, ophthalmic, and electrophysiologic. Each category is discussed in detail along with its associated techniques and their advantages, disadvantages, and reported accuracy. A particular emphasis in this review will be dedicated to methods based on the use of transcranial Doppler ultrasound. At present, it appears that the available noninvasive methods are either not sufficiently accurate, reliable, or robust enough for widespread clinical adoption or require additional independent validation. However, several methods appear promising and through additional study and clinical validation, could eventually make their way into clinical practice.
Oncologic outcomes of pre- versus post-operative radiation in Resectable soft tissue sarcoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Xinmiao , Zhang Lihua , Yang Xiaojing , Yu Weiwei , Fu Jie 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Postoperative radiation therapy for soft tissue sarcomas demonstrated good local recurrence-free survival rates and survival outcomes. However, the results remained controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the role of preoperative and postoperative radiation therapy for the treatment of resectable soft tissue sarcomas.

Methods
The electronic database PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE were performed from inception till 30 November, 2019. The effect of preoperative versus postoperative radiation therapy on resectable soft tissue sarcomas was compared and then assessed.

Results
A total of 15 studies with 12,813 patients were included, and most of these had acceptable quality scores. Of these, 10 studies reported data on local recurrence. The pooled results indicated no significant differences between preoperative radiotherapy and postoperative radiotherapy groups for local recurrence, with a risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.84 (95%CI = 0.58–1.21). No difference was observed in the overall survival and distant metastasis between the two groups. According to the pooled results, preoperative radiotherapy group showed a significant risk for complications (RR = 2.11, 95%CI = 1.36–3.27).

Conclusions
The postoperative radiation therapy does not increase the local recurrence, overall survival, and distant metastasis, but might result in lowering complications.
Clinical, pathological, imaging, and genetic characterization in a Taiwanese cohort with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy
Authors: Liang Wen-Chen , Jong Yuh-Jyh , Wang Chien-Hua , Wang Chen-Hua , Tian Xia , Chen Wan-Zi , Kan Tzu-Min , Minami Narihiro , Nishino Ichizo , Wong Lee-Jun C. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) is a genetically heterogeneous, hereditary disease characterized by limb-girdle weakness and histologically dystrophic changes. The prevalence of each subtype of LGMD varies among different ethnic populations. This study for the first time analyzed the phenotypes and genotypes in Taiwanese patients with LGMD in a referral center for neuromuscular diseases (NMDs).

Results
We enrolled 102 patients clinically suspected of having LGMD who underwent muscle biopsy with subsequent genetic analysis in the previous 10 years. On the basis of different pathological categories, we performed sequencing of target genes or panel for NMDs and then identified patients with type 1B, 1E, 2A, 2B, 2D, 2I, 2G, 2 N, and 2Q. The 1B patients with LMNA mutation presented with mild limb-girdle weakness but no conduction defect at the time. All 1E patients with DES mutation exhibited predominantly proximal weakness along with distal weakness. In our cohort, 2B and 2I were the most frequent forms of LGMD; several common or founder mutations were identified, including c.1097_1099delACA (p.Asn366del) in DES, homozygous c.101G > T (p.Arg34Leu) in SGCA, homozygous c.26_33dup (p.Glu12Argfs*20) in TCAP, c.545A > G (p.Tyr182Cys), and c.948delC (p.Cys317Alafs*111) in FKRP. Clinically, the prevalence of dilated cardiomyopathy in our patients with LGMD2I aged > 18 years was 100%, much higher than that in European cohorts. The only patient with LGMD2Q with PLEC mutation did not exhibit skin lesions or gastrointestinal abnormalities but had mild facial weakness. Muscle imaging of LGMD1E and 2G revealed a more uniform involvement than did other LGMD types.

Conclusion
Our study revealed that detailed clinical manifestation together with muscle pathology and imaging remain critical in guiding further molecular analyses and are crucial for establishing genotype–phenotype correlations. We also determined the common mutations and prevalence for different subtypes of LGMD in our cohort, which could be useful when providing specific care and personalized therapy to patients with LGMD.
The mystery of the COVID toes – turning evidence‐based medicine on its head
Authors: Bristow Ivan R. , Borthwick Alan M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe recent and rapid emergence of COVID‐19 infection has led to a flood of publications describing all aspects of the disease and its presentation. The appearance of chilblain‐like lesions, in children and young adults has particularly caught the attention of healthcare professionals with an interest in the foot. With such a novel infection, demand for information is high at a time when evidence is scarce. Consequently, there has been a renaissance in the publication of case studies. This type of research, previously relegated from many mainstream journals, as a low level source of evidence, has permitted the rapid reporting, publication and dissemination of much needed clinical data which can be used as a foundation to inform further research and investigations about a new global infection.
Effects of soy milk consumption on gut microbiota, inflammatory markers, and disease severity in patients with ulcerative colitis: a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Sadeghi Omid , Milajerdi Alireza , Siadat Seyed Davar , Keshavarz Seyed Ali , Sima Ali Reza , Vahedi Homayoon , Adibi Peyman , Esmaillzadeh Ahmad 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Several strategies are recommended to alleviate clinical symptoms of ulcerative colitis (UC). Soy milk may affect UC through its anti-inflammatory properties. However, no study has examined the effects of soy milk consumption on gut microbiota and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with UC. The current study will be done to examine the effects of soy milk consumption on UC symptoms, inflammation, and gut microbiota in patients with UC.

Methods
This study is a randomized clinical trial, in which thirty patients with mild to moderate severity of UC will be randomly allocated to receive either 250 mL/day soy milk plus routine treatments (n = 15) or only routine treatments (n = 15) for 4 weeks. Assessment of anthropometric measures and biochemical indicators including serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) will be done at the study baseline and end of trial. In addition, the quantity of butyrate-producing bacteria including Clostridium cluster IV, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and Roseburia spp.; prebiotic bacteria including Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacteria spp.; and mucus-degrading bacteria including Akkermansia muciniphila, Bacteroides fragilis, and Ruminococcus spp., as well as calprotectin and lactoferrin levels, will be explored in fecal samples. Also, the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio which is of significant relevance in human gut microbiota composition will be assessed.

Discussion
Altered gut microbiota has been reported as an important contributing factor to inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Soy milk contains several components such as phytoestrogens with potential anti-inflammatory properties. This product might affect gut microbiota through its protein and fiber content. Therefore, soy milk might beneficially affect systemic inflammation, gut microbiota, and then clinical symptoms in patients with UC.

Trial registration
Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (www.irct.ir) IRCT20181205041859N1. Registered on 27 January 2019.
Transposable element abundance correlates with mode of transmission in microsporidian parasites
Authors: de Albuquerque Nathalia Rammé Medeiros , Ebert Dieter , Haag Karen Luisa 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe extreme genome reduction and physiological simplicity of some microsporidia has been attributed to their intracellular, obligate parasitic lifestyle. Although not all microsporidian genomes are small (size range from about 2 to 50 MB), it is suggested that the size of their genomes has been streamlined by natural selection. We explore the hypothesis that vertical transmission in microsporidia produces population bottlenecks, and thus reduces the effectiveness of natural selection. Here we compare the transposable element (TE) content of 47 microsporidian genomes, and show that genome size is positively correlated with the amount of TEs, and that species that experience vertical transmission have larger genomes with higher proportion of TEs. Our findings are consistent with earlier studies inferring that nonadaptive processes play an important role in microsporidian evolution.
Asthma increases the risk of herpes zoster: a nested case–control study using a national sample cohort
Authors: Kim So Young , Oh Dong Jun , Choi Hyo Geun 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to complement previous studies on the risk of herpes zoster in the asthmatic adult population.MethodsThe Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service—National Sample Cohort (HIRA-NSC) from 2002 through 2013 was used. A total of 64,152 participants with herpes zoster were matched for age, sex, income, region of residence, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia with 239,780 participants who were included as a control group. In both the herpes zoster and control groups, previous history of asthma were investigated. The crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of asthma for herpes zoster were analyzed using unconditional logistic regression analysis. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to age and sex.ResultsApproximately 16.2% (9728/59,945) and 12.8% (30,752/239,780) of participants in the herpes zoster and control groups, respectively, had a previous history of asthma (P < 0.001). The herpes zoster group demonstrated a 1.32-times higher odds of asthma than the control group (95% CI 1.28–1.35, P < 0.001). The increased odds of asthma in the herpes zoster group persisted in all the age and sex subgroups.ConclusionsThe odds for asthma were higher in the herpes zoster group.
Extensor indicis transfer versus palmaris longus transplantation in reconstruction of extensor pollicis longus tendon: a protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Meiwandi Abdulwares , Kaptanis Sarantos , Papadakis Marios 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
This review will provide an overview of published data comparing transposition of the extensor indicis pollicis (EIP) tendon and palmaris longus (PL) tendon grafting in thumb extension reconstruction following loss of the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon function. We will consider all studies comparing EIP and PL utilized to reconstruct thumb extension after injury/rupture of the EPL tendon. Only studies published in the English and German literature will be included. A systematic literature research will be performed across relevant health databases including the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar using the following keywords: ((extensor pollicis longus) OR EPL) AND ((extensor indicis) OR EIP OR (tendon transposition)) AND ((palmaris longus) OR (free tendon graft) OR (tendon transplantation)). Central tendencies will be reported in terms of means and standard deviations where necessary. If not reported, the standard deviation will be calculated from the standard error of the mean. Risk ratios will be calculated where possible. All calculations will be performed with a 95% confidence interval. Statistical significance will be set at P < 0.05. Adjusted effect estimates will be analyzed in preference to the unadjusted estimates, using inverse-variance weighted average. Pooled estimates will only be presented after consideration of both clinical and methodological heterogeneity of included studies. The review will be reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement.

Systematic review registration
The protocol was registered on PROSPERO CRD42019135735: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=135735
Economic evaluation of the direct cost resulting from childhood poisoning in Morocco: micro-costing analysis
Authors: Benabdellah Fatima Zohra , Soulaymani Abdelmajid , Mokhtari Abdelrhani , Soulaymani-Bencheikh Rachida , Khadmaoui Abderrazzak , Hami Hinde 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
The analysis of the economic burden for childhood poisoning has great value in Morocco where there still exists a paucity of information on the subject. The objective of this study was to explore the economic costs of unintentional and intentional poisoning in children in the region of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Morocco.

Methods
A prospective study of children younger than 15 years with a poisoning diagnosis conducted between March and July 2016 in the Children’s University Hospital of Rabat, Morocco. The source of data for this study was questionnaire that collected information on the costs, the epidemiological and the socio-economic characteristics of childhood poisoning.

Results
Eighty-seven patients were interviewed during the study period (39 females and 48 males). The majority of poisoning cases (98.85%) were accidental and 1.15% were intentional. Drugs, snake bites and scorpion stings, carbon monoxide, food, plants, household products, illegal drugs, pesticides, petroleum and industrial chemicals products were caused the poisoning. Of all the hospitalized patients, 77 (88.5%) were admitted to the emergency department and 5 (5.7%) were admitted to the intensive care unit. The average direct medical costs and the average direct non-medical costs of providing poison treatment were USD 127 and USD 30 per child, respectively. Total average direct cost of USD 157 (127 + 30) represented 60% of the national minimum wage per month in Morocco. Total direct medical costs accounted for 80%, as against 20% direct non-medical costs. The mean ± SD length of stay (LOS) for children with poisoning was 2.15 ± 1.87 days with a range variated between 0 day and 10 days.

Conclusions
Overall, this study confirms that the costs of childhood poisoning are not negligible costs in Morocco. Therefore, the prevalence and the costs of childhood poisoning can be reduced by monitoring an open communication between parents, the Poison Control Centre of Morocco (MPCC) and physicians in order to increase the vigilance of parents against the risks related to unintentional poisoning that can be prevented with more awareness.