bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the VETSCAN IMAGYST: an in-clinic canine and feline fecal parasite detection system integrated with a deep learning algorithm
Authors: Nagamori Yoko , Hall Sedlak Ruth , DeRosa Andrew , Pullins Aleah , Cree Travis , Loenser Michael , Larson Benjamin S. , Smith Richard Boyd , Goldstein Richard 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Fecal examination is an important component of routine companion animal wellness exams. Sensitivity and specificity of fecal examinations, however, are influenced by sample preparation methodologies and the level of training and experience of personnel who read fecal slides. The VETSCAN IMAGYST system consists of three components: a sample preparation device, a commercially available scanner, and an analysis software. The VETSCAN IMAGYST automated scanner and cloud-based, deep learning algorithm, locates, classifies, and identifies parasite eggs found on fecal microscopic slides. The main study objectives were (i) to qualitatively evaluate the capabilities of the VETSCAN IMAGYST screening system and (ii) to assess and compare the performance of the VETSCAN IMAGYST fecal preparation methods to conventional fecal flotation techniques.

Methods
To assess the capabilities of VETSCAN IMAGYST screening components, fecal slides were prepared by the VETSCAN IMAGYST centrifugal and passive flotation techniques with 100 pre-screened fecal samples collected from dogs and cats and examined by both the algorithm and parasitologists. To determine the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the VETSCAN IMAGYST sample preparation techniques, fecal flotation slides were prepared by four different techniques (VETSCAN IMAGYST centrifugal and passive flotations, conventional centrifugal flotation, and passive flotation using OVASSAY® Plus) and examined by parasitologists. Additionally, required sample preparation and scanning times were estimated on a subset of samples to evaluate VETSCAN IMAGYST ease-of-use.

Results
The algorithm performance of the VETSCAN IMAGYST closely matched that of the parasitologists, with Pearsonʼs correlation coefficient (r) ranging from 0.83–0.99 across four taxa of parasites, Ancylostoma, Toxocara, Trichuris and Taeniidae. Both VETSCAN IMAGYST centrifugal and passive flotation methods correlated well with conventional preparation methods on all targeted parasites (diagnostic sensitivity of 75.8–100%, specificity of 91.8–100%, qualitative agreement between methods of 93.8–94.5%). Sample preparation, slide scan and image analysis were completed within 10–14 min by VETSCAN IMAGYST centrifugal and passive flotations, respectively.

Conclusions
The VETSCAN IMAGYST scanning system with the VETSCAN IMAGYST sample preparation methods demonstrated a qualitative match in comparison to the results of parasitologists’ examinations with conventional fecal flotation techniques. The VETSCAN IMAGYST is an easy-to-use, next generation qualitative and possibly quantitative diagnostic platform that brings expert clinical results into the hands of veterinary clinics.
Initiating guideline-concordant gout treatment improves arterial endothelial function and reduces intercritical inflammation: a prospective observational study
Authors: Toprover Michael , Shah Binita , Oh Cheongeun , Igel Talia F. , Romero Aaron Garza , Pike Virginia C. , Curovic Fatmira , Bang Daisy , Lazaro Deana , Krasnokutsky Svetlana , Katz Stuart D. , Pillinger Michael H. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Patients with gout have arterial dysfunction and systemic inflammation, even during intercritical episodes, which may be markers of future adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We conducted a prospective observational study to assess whether initiating guideline-concordant gout therapy with colchicine and a urate-lowering xanthine oxidase inhibitor (XOI) improves arterial function and reduces inflammation.

Methods
Thirty-eight untreated gout patients meeting American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for gout and ACR guidelines for initiating urate-lowering therapy (ULT) received colchicine (0.6 mg twice daily, or once daily for tolerance) and an XOI (allopurinol or febuxostat) titrated to ACR guideline-defined serum urate (sU) target. Treatment was begun during intercritical periods. The initiation of colchicine and XOI was staggered to permit assessment of a potential independent effect of colchicine. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and nitrate-mediated dilation (NMD) assessed endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent (smooth muscle) arterial responsiveness, respectively. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), IL-1β, IL-6, myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentrations, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) assessed systemic inflammation.

Results
Four weeks after achieving target sU concentration on colchicine plus an XOI, FMD was significantly improved (58% increase, p = 0.03). hsCRP, ESR, IL-1β, and IL-6 also all significantly improved (30%, 27%, 19.5%, and 18.8% decrease respectively; all p ≤ 0.03). Prior to addition of XOI, treatment with colchicine alone resulted in smaller numerical improvements in FMD, hsCRP, and ESR (20.7%, 8.9%, 13% reductions, respectively; all non-significant), but not IL-1β or IL-6. MPO and NMD did not change with therapy. We observed a moderate inverse correlation between hsCRP concentration and FMD responsiveness (R = − 0.41, p = 0.01). Subgroup analyses demonstrated improvement in FMD after achieving target sU concentration in patients without but not with established cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities, particularly hypertension and hyperlipidemia.

Conclusions
Initiating guideline-concordant gout treatment reduces intercritical systemic inflammation and improves endothelial-dependent arterial function, particularly in patients without established cardiovascular comorbidities.
LINE-1 ORF1p does not determine substrate preference for human/orangutan SVA and gibbon LAVA
Authors: Damert Annette 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Non-autonomous VNTR (Variable Number of Tandem Repeats) composite retrotransposons – SVA (SINE-R-VNTR-Alu) and LAVA (L1-Alu-VNTR-Alu) – are specific to hominoid primates. SVA expanded in great apes, LAVA in gibbon. Both SVA and LAVA have been shown to be mobilized by the autonomous LINE-1 (L1)-encoded protein machinery in a cell-based assay in trans. The efficiency of human SVA retrotransposition in vitro has, however, been considerably lower than would be expected based on recent pedigree-based in vivo estimates. The VNTR composite elements across hominoids – gibbon LAVA, orangutan SVA_A descendants and hominine SVA_D descendants – display characteristic structures of the 5′ Alu-like domain and the VNTR. Different partner L1 subfamilies are currently active in each of the lineages. The possibility that the lineage-specific types of VNTR composites evolved in response to evolutionary changes in their autonomous partners, particularly in the nucleic acid binding L1 ORF1-encoded protein, has not been addressed.

Results
Here I report the identification and functional characterization of a highly active human SVA element using an improved mneo retrotransposition reporter cassette. The modified cassette (mneoM) minimizes splicing between the VNTR of human SVAs and the neomycin phosphotransferase stop codon. SVA deletion analysis provides evidence that key elements determining its mobilization efficiency reside in the VNTR and 5′ hexameric repeats. Simultaneous removal of the 5′ hexameric repeats and part of the VNTR has an additive negative effect on mobilization rates. Taking advantage of the modified reporter cassette that facilitates robust cross-species comparison of SVA/LAVA retrotransposition, I show that the ORF1-encoded proteins of the L1 subfamilies currently active in gibbon, orangutan and human do not display substrate preference for gibbon LAVA versus orangutan SVA versus human SVA. Finally, I demonstrate that an orangutan-derived ORF1p supports only limited retrotransposition of SVA/LAVA in trans, despite being fully functional in L1 mobilization in cis.

Conclusions
Overall, the analysis confirms SVA as a highly active human retrotransposon and preferred substrate of the L1-encoded protein machinery. Based on the results obtained in human cells coevolution of L1 ORF1p and VNTR composites does not appear very likely. The changes in orangutan L1 ORF1p that markedly reduce its mobilization capacity in trans might explain the different SVA insertion rates in the orangutan and hominine lineages, respectively.
High sustained viral response among HCV genotype 3 patients with advanced liver fibrosis: real-world data of HCV elimination program in Georgia
Authors: Butsashvili Maia , Gvinjilia Lia , Kamkamidze George , Metreveli David , Dvali Shorena , Rukhadze Tamar , Gamkrelidze Amiran , Nasrullah Muazzam , Shadaker Shaun , Morgan Juliette , Averhoff Francisco 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Objective
In 2015, Georgia launched HCV elimination program. Initially, patients with advanced liver disease were treated with sofosbuvir-based regimen—the only DAA available for all genotypes. Purpose of the study was assessing real-world data of treatment outcome among patients with HCV GEN3 and advanced liver fibrosis with sofosbuvir-based regimens.

Results
Totally 1525 genotype 3 patients were eligible for analysis; most (72.6%) were aged > 45 years, majority were males (95.1%), and all (100%) had advanced liver disease (F3 or F4 by METAVIR score based on elastography). Of those who received sofosbuvir/ribavirin (SOF/RBV) for 24 weeks, 79.3% achieved SVR, while 96.5% who received sofosbuvir/pegylated interferon/ribavirin (SOF/PEG/RBV) for 12 weeks achieved SVR (p < 0.01). Among patients with liver cirrhosis (defined as F4) overall cure rate was 85.7% as opposed to 96.4% for those with F3. Females were more likely to be cured (98.7% vs 89.7%; OR = 8.54). Patients aged 31–45 years had higher likelihood of achieving SVR compared to patients aged 46-60 years (95.7% vs 87.4%; OR = 0.32,). Independent predictors of SVR were treatment with SOF/PEG/RBV (aOR = 6.72) and lower fibrosis stage (F3) (aOR = 4.18). Real-world experience among HCV GEN3 patients with advanced liver fibrosis and treated by sofosbuvir regimen w/o PEGIFN, demonstrated overall high SVR rate.
Characterization of yellow root cassava and food products: investigation of cyanide and β-carotene concentrations
Authors: Odoemelam Chiemela S. , Percival Benita , Ahmad Zeeshan , Chang Ming-Wei , Scholey Dawn , Burton Emily , Okafor Polycarp N. , Wilson Philippe B. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Objective
Cyanide is a highly toxic compound, and the consumption of products containing cyanide is a significant public health concern. Conversely, β-carotene possesses essential nutritional attributes for human health, therefore the characterisation and quantification of both compounds in food products is fundamental. Herein, cyanide and β-carotene levels in two flours produced from the roots of two varieties of cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz), namely UMUCASS-38(TMS 01/1371) and NR-8082, and their associated food products were detected and quantified.

Results
The cyanide content of NR-8082 and UMUCASS-38 flours was determined at 18.01 ± 0.01 ppm and 17.02 ± 0.02 ppm (mean ± SD), respectively. These flours contained significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the residual cyanide levels determined in the cookies and cake produced therefrom with levels of 10.00 ± 0.00 ppm and 7.10 ± 0.14 ppm (mean ± SD), respectively. The levels of β-carotene determined in both the cake and cookie samples varied significantly (p < 0.05). The highest levels of β-carotene at 6.53 ± 0.02 µg/g (mean ± SD) were determined in raw roots of UMUCASS-38. While NR-8082 levels of β-carotene were less than UMUCASS-38 at 1.12 ± 0.02 µg/g (mean ± SD). Processing the roots into flour reduced the β-carotene content to 4.78 ± 0.01 µg/g and 0.76 ± 0.02 µg/g (mean ± SD) in UMUCASS-38 and NR-8082 flours, respectively. Cookies and cake produced from flour derived from the UMUCASS-38 variety had (mean ± SD) 2.15 ± 0.01 µg/g and 2.84 ± 0.04 µg/g of β-carotene, respectively.
Functional conservation of mitochondrial RNA levels despite divergent mtDNA organization
Authors: Held James P. , Patel Maulik R. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Objective
Mitochondria-encoded ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes in humans are expressed at a higher rate than protein coding genes of the mitochondria. The organization of the human mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) is amenable to differential expression of rRNAs as the rRNA encoding genes lie in tandem immediately downstream of the promoter-containing region. However, mtDNA is not organized in the same way as humans in all metazoans. In the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, the rRNA genes are on opposite sides of the mtDNA molecule and there are no obvious promoter sequences specific to the rRNA genes. Thus, we asked whether rRNA levels are higher relative to mRNAs in mitochondria of C. elegans as they are in humans.

Results
Using droplet digital PCR, we discovered that steady-state mitochondrial rRNA transcript levels are approximately 120 times higher than the levels of mitochondrial mRNAs. These data demonstrate that despite the lack of conservation in mitochondrial genome organization, a high mitochondrial rRNA-to-mRNA ratio is a conserved feature of metazoans.
The role of DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Ahmed Sanabil Ali Hassan , Ansari Suraiya Anjum , Mensah-Brown Eric P. K. , Emerald Bright Starling 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic condition characterised by β cell dysfunction and persistent hyperglycaemia. The disorder can be due to the absence of adequate pancreatic insulin production or a weak cellular response to insulin signalling. Among the three types of DM, namely, type 1 DM (T1DM), type 2 DM (T2DM), and gestational DM (GDM); T2DM accounts for almost 90% of diabetes cases worldwide.Epigenetic traits are stably heritable phenotypes that result from certain changes that affect gene function without altering the gene sequence. While epigenetic traits are considered reversible modifications, they can be inherited mitotically and meiotically. In addition, epigenetic traits can randomly arise in response to environmental factors or certain genetic mutations or lesions, such as those affecting the enzymes that catalyse the epigenetic modification. In this review, we focus on the role of DNA methylation, a type of epigenetic modification, in the pathogenesis of T2DM.
Bilateral ovarian edema with unilateral ovarian leiomyoma and double inferior vena cava: a case report
Authors: Shrestha Suraj , Homagain Sushan , Kandel Suraj , Jha Pooja , Gurung Geeta 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Ovarian edema, ovarian leiomyoma, and double inferior vena cava are all rare clinical entities. The coexistence of all these entities has not been yet reported in the literature.

Case presentation
We report a case of a 25-year-old nulliparous tamang woman with all these rare clinical entities, who presented with a complaint of right-sided lower abdominal pain. After examination and investigation, an ovarian tumor was suspected and laparotomy was performed during which bilateral ovarian edema with a solid tumor on the left side was identified and left salpingo-oophorectomy was done preserving her right ovary. A histopathological examination confirmed the clinical findings.

Conclusions
As ovarian edema is a rare entity, due to lack of clinical suspicion it is often overdiagnosed as a malignant tumor leading to radical surgery with subsequent loss of hormonal function and early infertility. A high degree of clinical suspicion during the intraoperative period is helpful for diagnosis to avoid unnecessary oophorectomy and infertility.
Salient context-based semantic matching for information retrieval
Authors: Qi Yuanyuan , Zhang Jiayue , Xu Weiran , Guo Jun 
Published: July 2020

AbstractNeural networks provide new possibilities to uncover semantic relationships between words by involving contextual information, and further a way to learn the matching pattern from document-query word contextual similarity matrix, which has brought promising results in IR. However, most neural IR methods rely on the conventional word-word matching framework for finding a relevant document for a query. Its effect is limited due to the wide gap between the lengths of query and document. To address this problem, we propose a salient context-based semantic matching (SCSM) method to build a bridge between query and document. Our method locates the most relevant context in the document using a shifting window with adapted length and then calculates the relevance score within it as the representation of the document. We define the notion of contextual salience and the corresponding measures to calculate the relevance of a context to a given query, in which the interaction between the query and the context is modeled by semantic similarity. Experiments on various collections from TREC show the effectiveness of our model as compared to the state-of-the-art methods.
Local solvability and stability of the inverse problem for the non-self-adjoint Sturm–Liouville operator
Authors: Bondarenko Natalia P. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe consider the non-self-adjoint Sturm–Liouville operator on a finite interval. The inverse spectral problem is studied, which consists in recovering this operator from its eigenvalues and generalized weight numbers. We prove local solvability and stability of this inverse problem, relying on the method of spectral mappings. Possible splitting of multiple eigenvalues is taken into account.
On a strong-singular fractional differential equation
Authors: Baleanu Dumitru , Ghafarnezhad Khadijeh , Rezapour Shahram , Shabibi Mehdi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIt is important we try to solve complicate differential equations specially strong singular ones. We investigate the existence of solutions for a strong-singular fractional boundary value problem under some conditions. In this way, we provide a new technique for our study. We provide an example to illustrate our main result.
Dynamics of a delayed SIR model for the transmission of PRRSV among a swine population
Authors: Zou Junchen , Upadhyay Ranjit Kumar , Pratap A. , Zhang Zizhen 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to propose a delayed susceptible-infectious-recovered (SIR) model for the transmission of porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) among a swine population, including the latent period delay of the virus and the time delay due to the period the infectious swines need to recover. By taking different combinations of the two delays as the bifurcation parameter, local stability of the disease-present equilibrium and the existence of Hopf bifurcation are analyzed. Sufficient conditions for global stability of the disease-present equilibrium are derived by constructing a suitable Lyapunov function. Directly afterwards, properties of the Hopf bifurcation such as direction and stability are studied with the aid of the normal form theory and center manifold theorem. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to justify the validity of the derived theoretical results.
The 2017 global point prevalence survey of antimicrobial consumption and resistance in Canadian hospitals
Authors: Frenette Charles , Sperlea David , German Greg J. , Afra Kevin , Boswell Jennifer , Chang Sandra , Goossens Herman , Grant Jennifer , Lefebvre Marie-Astrid , McGeer Allison , Mertz Dominic , Science Michelle , Versporten Ann , Thirion Daniel J. G. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Patient-level surveillance (indication, appropriate choice, dosing, route, duration) of antimicrobial use in Canadian hospitals is needed to reduce antimicrobial overuse and misuse. Patient-level surveillance has not been performed on a national level in Canada. The Global Point Prevalence Survey of Antimicrobial Consumption and Resistance (Global-PPS) is an international collaborative to monitor antimicrobial use and resistance in hospitals worldwide. Global-PPS locally documents on a single day patient-level antimicrobial prescribing practices. This article presents the results of the 2017 Global-PPS in Canadian hospitals with established antimicrobial stewardship programs.

Methods
Hospitals part of the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program were invited to participate. Surveys could be performed any time in the 2017 calendar year. All in-patient wards in each hospital were surveyed by a physician, pharmacist or nurse with infectious disease training.

Results
Fourteen Canadian hospitals participated in the survey. Of 4118 patients, 1400 patients (34.0%) received a total of 2041 antimicrobials. Overall, 73.1% (n = 1493) of antimicrobials were for therapeutic use, 14.2% (n = 288) were for medical prophylaxis, 8.3% (n = 170) were for surgical prophylaxis, 1.8% (n = 37) were for other reasons, and 0.2% (n = 3) were used as prokinetic agents. Only 2.5% (n = 50) were for unknown reasons. For antimicrobials for therapeutic use, 29.9% of patients were treated for lower respiratory tract (343/1147), 10.5% for intra-abdominal (120/1147), 9.3% for skin and soft tissue (107/1147) and 7.5% for gastro-intestinal (86/1147) infections.

Conclusions
Standardized methodology amongst Global-PPSs allows the comparison of our results to the 2015 Global-PPS. The prevalence of antimicrobial use on medical, surgical, and intensive care wards are similar to those previously observed in North America. Indication of antimicrobials has not been previously reported on such a large scale in Canadian hospitals. This report serves as a comparison for further point prevalence surveys that are currently underway. It will be used for identifying opportunities and benchmarking in antibiotic stewardship.
A population-base survey on knowledge, attitude and awareness of the general public on antibiotic use and resistance
Authors: Effah Clement Yaw , Amoah Adwoa Nyantakyiwaa , Liu Hong , Agboyibor Clement , Miao Lijun , Wang Jing , Wu Yongjun 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Objectives
This study was designed to assess the awareness and knowledge of antibiotic usage and antibiotic resistance among the general public in the Cape Coast metropolis of Ghana. It also tries to decipher whether the level of education and the professional status of an individual has a positive association with the level of knowledge on antibiotic resistance.

Methods
A population-base survey involving members of the public was conducted from August to November 2019. A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data from 632 respondents. Data were analyzed through SPSS v.21 using Chi square statistics and multivariate regression. Differences in knowledge were evaluated using ANOVA and the assumption of equal variance was tested with Levene statistics.

Results
The response rate was 74.3%. Lower educational status group had a greater knowledge level (39.7%) on antibiotic resistance. Despite the high score, the lowest educational status group, (M = 1.82, SD = 0.769), middle educational status group (M = 1.98, SD = 0.748), and the high educational status group (M = 1.88, SD = 0.773) were not significantly different from each other with regard to their general knowledge level on antibiotic resistance (P < 0.05). The study revealed that, working in the healthcare sector is a major contributor to the level of knowledge on antibiotic resistance.

Conclusion
Given the scale of the issue on antibiotic resistance and the fact that attempts to resolve it will involve efforts on the part of all, it is important that the public is aware of the importance of the issue of antibiotic resistance, its implications and what they can do to address it. The level of knowledge among respondents with lower educational status should be enough evidence to introduce more educational campaigns on antibiotic resistance.