bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The reliability of the health related quality of life questionnaire PedsQL 3.0 cancer module in a sample of Swedish children
Authors: Sand Peter , Kleiberg Anna Nilsson , Kljajić Marizela , Lannering Birgitta 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) is a modular instrument, designed to integrate generic and disease specific measures, and includes both self- and proxy-reports. The aim of the study was to assess the reliability and limited validity of the Swedish version of the disease specific Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 3.0 Cancer Module Scales (PedsQL 3.0), in a sample of Swedish children diagnosed with cancer.MethodA total of 94 families at The Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital, Sahlgrenska University participated in the study. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 Generic Core Scales (PedsQL 4.0) and the PedsQL 3.0 were administered to 63 children (aged 5–18 years) with cancer and to 94 parents of children with cancer aged 2–18 years.ResultsThe internal consistency of the PedsQL 3.0, reached or exceeded Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.70 for both -self- and proxy-reports. The PedsQL 4.0 and PedsQL 3.0 were highly correlated (r = 0.94 for proxy-reports and r = 0.91 for self-reports), indicating convergent validity.ConclusionPedsQL 3.0 Cancer Module Scales can be used as a valuable tool for measuring cancer-specific HRQOL in child populations, both in research and in clinical practice.
Trends and determinants of condomless sex in gonorrhoea patients diagnosed in France through the sentinel surveillance network ResIST, 2005–2014
Authors:   Referents for the Regional Offices of the French National Public Health Agency (Santé Publique France), Itodo Oche Adam , Viriot Delphine , Velter Annie , Leon Lucie , Dupin Nicolas , Bercot Beatrice , Goubard Agathe , Lassau François , Fouere Sébastien , Martinet Pervenche , Tosini William , Florence Sophie , Lot Florence , Ndeikoundam Ngangro Ndeindo 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Gonorrhoea is increasing in France since its resurgence in the late 1990’s. Understanding trends of condomless sex is a requirement to tailor prevention toward most exposed individuals. This study aims to analyse trends and determinants of condomless penetrative sex (PS) in MSM and heterosexuals diagnosed with gonorrhoea in France.

Methods
A standardized self-administered questionnaire filled by 3453 patients was used to monitor condomless sex through the sentinel surveillance network ResIST between 2005 and 2014. Trends were used to describe consistent condom use for penetrative sex (PS). A logistic regression model analysed patients’ characteristics associated with condomless PS.

Results
Between 2005 and 2014, condomless PS increased regardless of sexual orientation. Condomless PS was particularly common among HIV positive men who have sex with men (MSM (65%)). People living in metropolitan regions outside Paris area (adjusted odds-ratio (AOR) [95% CI] =1.33[1.12–1.58]) were more likely to engage in condomless PS. Conversely, MSM (AOR [95% CI] =0.21 [0.16–0.29]), HIV seronegative patients (AOR [95% CI] =0.68 [0.51–0.89]), patients diagnosed in hospital (AOR [95% CI] = 0.66 [0.45–0.97]) and multi-partners (≥ 10 partners, AOR [95% CI] = 0.54 [0.40–0.74]) were more likely to use condoms.

Conclusions
These findings highlight a decreasing use of condom in MSM and heterosexuals diagnosed with gonorrhoea. Prevention strategies should take in account drivers of condomless sex in a context of uncontrolled STI epidemics.
Global health education in medical schools (GHEMS): a national, collaborative study of medical curricula
Authors:   InciSioN UK Collaborative
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundGlobal health is the study, research, and practice of medicine focused on improving health and achieving health equity for all persons worldwide. International and national bodies stipulate that global health be integrated into medical school curricula. However, there is a global paucity of data evaluating the state of global health teaching in medical schools. This study aimed to evaluate the extent of global health teaching activities at United Kingdom (UK) medical schools.MethodsA national, cross-sectional study assessing all timetabled teachings sessions within UK medical courses for global health content during the academic year 2018/19. Global health content was evaluated against a comprehensive list of global health learning outcomes for medical students.ResultsData from 39 medical courses representing 86% (30/36) of eligible medical schools was collected. Typically, medical courses reported timetabled teaching covering over three-quarters of all global health learning outcomes. However, a wide degree of variation existed among granular global health learning objectives covered within the different medical courses. On average, each learning outcome had a 79% [95% CI: 73, 83%] probability of being included in course curricula. There were a number of learning outcomes that had a lower probability, such as ‘access to surgeons with the necessary skills and equipment in different countries’ (36%) [95% CI: 21, 53%], ‘future impact of climate change on health and healthcare systems’ (67%) [95% CI: 50, 81%], and ‘role of the WHO’ (54%) [95% CI: 28, 60%].ConclusionsThis study served as the first national assessment of global health education and curricula within UK medical schools. Through a formalised assessment of teaching events produced by medical schools around the country, we were able to capture a national picture of global health education, including the strengths of global health prioritisation in the UK, as well as areas for improvement. Overall, it appears broad-level global health themes are widely discussed; however, the granularities of key, emerging areas of concern are omitted by curricula. In particular, gaps persist relating to international healthcare systems, multilateral global health agencies such as the WHO, global surgery, climate change and more.
Permeability of the windows of the brain: feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of the circumventricular organs
Authors: Verheggen Inge C. M. , de Jong Joost J. A. , van Boxtel Martin P. J. , Postma Alida A. , Verhey Frans R. J. , Jansen Jacobus F. A. , Backes Walter H. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Circumventricular organs (CVOs) are small structures without a blood–brain barrier surrounding the brain ventricles that serve homeostasic functions and facilitate communication between the blood, cerebrospinal fluid and brain. Secretory CVOs release peptides and sensory CVOs regulate signal transmission. However, pathogens may enter the brain through the CVOs and trigger neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. We investigated the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI to assess the CVO permeability characteristics in vivo, and expected significant contrast uptake in these regions, due to blood–brain barrier absence.

Methods
Twenty healthy, middle-aged to older males underwent brain DCE MRI. Pharmacokinetic modeling was applied to contrast concentration time-courses of CVOs, and in reference to white and gray matter. We investigated whether a significant and positive transfer from blood to brain could be measured in the CVOs, and whether this differed between secretory and sensory CVOs or from normal-appearing brain matter.

Results
In both the secretory and sensory CVOs, the transfer constants were significantly positive, and all secretory CVOs had significantly higher transfer than each sensory CVO. The transfer constants in both the secretory and sensory CVOs were higher than in the white and gray matter.

Conclusions
Current measurements confirm the often-held assumption of highly permeable CVOs, of which the secretory types have the strongest blood-to-brain transfer. The current study suggests that DCE MRI could be a promising technique to further assess the function of the CVOs and how pathogens can potentially enter the brain via these structures.
Trial registration: Netherlands Trial Register number: NL6358, date of registration: 2017-03-24
The reliability, validity and factorial structure of the Swahili version of the 7-item generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7) among adults living with HIV from Kilifi, Kenya
Authors: Nyongesa Moses K. , Mwangi Paul , Koot Hans M. , Cuijpers Pim , Newton Charles R. J. C. , Abubakar Amina 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundGeneralized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is under-investigated in people living with HIV/AIDS from sub-Saharan Africa. In part, this is due to paucity of culturally appropriate measures for GAD which are psychometrically robust. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability, factorial structure, and validity of Swahili version of the 7-item GAD questionnaire (GAD-7) among adults living with HIV.Study designDescriptive cross-sectional study.Methods450 adults receiving comprehensive care from an HIV specialized clinic in Kilifi County, coastal Kenya, were consecutively recruited. Swahili versions of GAD-7, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and a 12-item HIV stigma scale were administered alongside measures of psychosocial and health-related characteristics. Internal consistency, test–retest reliability, factorial structure, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of Swahili GAD-7 were examined using Cronbach’s alpha (α), intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Pearson’s correlation, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), respectively.ResultsInternal consistency of Swahili GAD-7 was good,α = 0.82 (95%CI0.78, 0.85). Its test–retest reliability (2 weeks apart) was acceptable, ICC = 0.70 (95%CI0.55, 0.81). A confirmatory analysis of a one-factor solution indicated an excellent fit to the hypothesized structure (RMSEA = 0.00 [95% confidence interval 0.00, 0.05], CFI = 1.00, TLI = 1.00). Multi-group CFA substantiated factorial invariance for sex and age for the one-factor structure of Swahili GAD-7. Scores of GAD-7, Swahili version, significantly correlated with those of PHQ-9 (r = 0.73; p < 0.001)and the HIV stigma scale (r = 0.36; p < 0.001)suggesting good convergent validity. Statistically significant differences were observed between participants on first-line antiretroviral therapy compared to those on second-line treatment(F [1, 441] = 5.55, p = 0.02)indicative of good discriminant validity of Swahili GAD-7.ConclusionGAD-7 Swahili version retained its original unidimensional latent structure with good psychometric properties among adults living with HIV from Kilifi, Kenya. It can be used to identify symptoms of GAD in similar research settings. However, to confidently identify those in need of mental health treatment or referral services in HIV primary care clinics, more research on the validity of Swahili GAD-7 is needed especially its discriminant validity and diagnostic accuracy at different cut-off scores.
Host phylogeny matters: Examining sources of variation in infection risk by blood parasites across a tropical montane bird community in India
Authors: Gupta Pooja , Vishnudas C. K. , Robin V. V. , Dharmarajan Guha 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundIdentifying patterns and drivers of infection risk among host communities is crucial to elucidate disease dynamics and predict infectious disease risk in wildlife populations. Blood parasites of the generaPlasmodiumandHaemoproteusare a diverse group of vector-borne protozoan parasites that affect bird populations globally. Despite their widespread distribution and exceptional diversity, factors underlying haemosporidian infection risk in wild bird communities remain poorly understood. While some studies have examined variation in avian haemosporidian risk, researchers have primarily focused on host ecological traits without considering host phylogenetic relationships. In this study, we employ a phylogenetically informed approach to examine the association between host ecological traits and haemosporidian infection risk in endemic bird communities in the Western Ghats Sky Islands.MethodsWe used parasite sequence data based on partial mitochondrial cytochromebgene, that was amplified from genomic DNA extracted from 1177 birds (28 species) across the Western Ghats to assess infection of birds with haemosporidian parasites. We employed a Bayesian phylogenetic mixed effect modelling approach to test whether haemosporidian infection risk was affected by seven species-specific and four individual-level ecological predictors. We also examined the effect of host phylogenetic relationships on the observed patterns of variation in haemosporidian infection risk by estimating phylogenetic signal.ResultsOur study shows that host ecological traits and host phylogeny differentially influence infection risk byPlasmodium(generalist parasite) andHaemoproteus(specialist parasite). ForPlasmodium, we found that sociality, sexual dimorphism and foraging strata were important ecological predictors. ForHaemoproteus, patterns of infection risk among host species were associated with sociality, species elevation and individual body condition. Interestingly, variance in infection risk explained by host phylogeny was higher forHaemoproteusparasites compared toPlasmodium.ConclusionsOur study highlights that while host ecological traits promoting parasite exposure and host susceptibility are important determinants of infection risk, host phylogeny also contributes substantially to predicting patterns of haemosporidian infection risk in multi-host communities. Importantly, infection risk is driven by joint contributions of host ecology and host phylogeny and studying these effects together could increase our ability to better understand the drivers of infection risk and predict future disease threats.Graphical abstract
Identification of the subtypes of gastric cancer based on DNA methylation and the prediction of prognosis
Authors: Li Tengda , Chen Xin , Gu Mingli , Deng Anmei , Qian Cheng 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Gastric cancer (GC) is a digestive system cancer with a high mortality rate globally. Previous experiences and studies have provided clinicians with ample evidence to diagnose and treat patients with reasonable therapeutic options. However, there remains a need for sensitive biomarkers that can provide clues for early diagnosis and prognosis assessment.

Results
We found 610 independent prognosis-related 5′-cytosine-phosphate-guanine-3′ (CpG) sites (P < 0.05) among 21,121 sites in the training samples. We divided the GC samples into seven clusters based on the selected 610 sites. Cluster 6 had relatively higher methylation levels and high survival rates than the other six clusters. A prognostic risk model was constructed using the significantly altered CpG sites in cluster 6 (P < 0.05). This model could distinguish high-risk GC patients from low-risk groups efficiently with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.92. Risk assessment showed that the high-risk patients had poorer prognosis than the low-risk patients. The methylation levels of the selected sites in the established model decreased as the risk scores increased. This model had been validated in testing group and its effectiveness was confirmed. Corresponding genes of the independent prognosis-associated CpGs were identified, they were enriched in several pathways such as pathways in cancer and gastric cancer. Among all of the genes, the transcript level of transforming growth factor β2 (TGFβ2) was changed in different tumor stages, T categories, grades, and patients’ survival states, and up-regulated in patients with GC compared with the normal. It was included in the pathways as pathways in cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma or gastric cancer. The methylation site located on the promoter of TGFβ2 was cg11976166.

Conclusions
This is the first study to separate GC into different molecular subtypes based on the CpG sites using a large number of samples. We constructed an effective prognosis risk model that can identify high-risk GC patients. The key CpGs sites or their corresponding genes such as TGFβ2 identified in this research can provide new clues that will enable gastroenterologists to make diagnosis or personalized prognosis assessments and better understand this disease.
Research on aircraft route planning optimization problem with multi-constraints and dual-targets
Authors: Zhang Qianyu , Ding Xianfeng , Zhou Jingyu , Nie Yi 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
As the core technology in the field of aircraft, the route planning has attracted much attention. However, due to the complexity of the structure and performance constraints of the aircraft, the route planning algorithm does not have well universality, so it cannot be used in a complex environment. In the paper, a multi-constraints and dual-targets aircraft route planning model was established for the real-time requirements of space flight, the dynamic changes of flight environment with time, the accuracy requirements of positioning errors in the safety area, and the minimum turning radius constraints. Based on the directed graph and dynamic programming ideas, the model simulation and model validation were carried out with the data of F question in the “16th Graduate Mathematical Modeling Contest”. The results showed that the optimal path length obtained in data set 1 was 124.61 km, the number of corrections was 11 times, the solution time was 2.3768 seconds, the optimal path length obtained in data set 2 was 110.00 km, and the number of corrections was 12 times. The solution time was 0.0168 seconds. Multi-constraints and dual-targets aircraft route planning model can plan the flight path of the aircraft intuitively and timely, which confirmed the effectiveness of the model.
Pseudomonas species isolated via high-throughput screening significantly protect cotton plants against verticillium wilt
Authors: Tao Xiaoyuan , Zhang Hailin , Gao Mengtao , Li Menglin , Zhao Ting , Guan Xueying 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Verticillium wilt (VW) caused by Verticillium dahliae is a devastating soil-borne disease that causes severe yield losses in cotton and other major crops worldwide. Here we conducted a high-throughput screening of isolates recovered from 886 plant rhizosphere samples taken from the three main cotton-producing areas of China. Fifteen isolates distributed in different genera of bacteria that showed inhibitory activity against V. dahliae were screened out. Of these, two Pseudomonas strains, P. protegens XY2F4 and P. donghuensis 22G5, showed significant inhibitory action against V. dahliae. Additional comparative genomic analyses and phenotypical assays confirmed that P. protegens XY2F4 and P. donghuensis 22G5 were the strains most efficient at protecting cotton plants against VW due to specific biological control products they produced. Importantly, we identified a significant efficacy of the natural tropolone compound 7-hydroxytropolone (7-HT) against VW. By phenotypical assay using the wild-type 22G5 and its mutant strain in 7-HT production, we revealed that the 7-HT produced by P. donghuensis is the major substance protecting cotton against VW. This study reveals that Pseudomonas specifically has gene clusters that allow the production of effective antipathogenic metabolites that can now be used as new agents in the biocontrol of VW.
Significant transcriptomic changes are associated with differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into neural progenitor-like cells in the presence of bFGF and EGF
Authors: Khan Amir Ali , Huat Tee Jong , Al Mutery Abdullah , El-Serafi Ahmed Taher , Kacem Hassen Hadj , Abdallah Sallam Hasan , Reza Muhammed Faruque , Abdullah Jafri Malin , Jaafar Hasnan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Introduction
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from bone marrow have different developmental origins, including neural crest. MSCs can differentiate into neural progenitor-like cells (NPCs) under the influence of bFGF and EGF. NPCs can terminally differentiate into neurons that express beta-III-tubulin and elicit action potential. The main aim of the study was to identify key genetic markers involved in differentiation of MSCs into NPCs through transcriptomic analysis.

Method
Total RNA was isolated from MSCs and MSCs-derived NPCs followed by cDNA library construction for transcriptomic analysis. Sample libraries that passed the quality and quantity assessments were subjected to high throughput mRNA sequencing using NextSeq®500. Differential gene expression analysis was performed using the DESeq2 R package with MSC samples being a reference group. The expression of eight differentially regulated genes was counter validated using real-time PCR.

Results
In total, of the 3,252 differentially regulated genes between MSCs and NPCs with two or more folds, 1,771 were upregulated genes, whereas 1,481 were downregulated in NPCs. Amongst these differential genes, 104 transcription factors were upregulated, and 45 were downregulated in NPCs. Neurogenesis related genes were upregulated in NPCs and the main non-redundant gene ontology (GO) terms enriched in NPCs were the autonomic nervous system, cell surface receptor signalling pathways), extracellular structure organisation, and programmed cell death. The main non-redundant GO terms enriched in MSCs included cytoskeleton organisation cytoskeleton structural constituent, mitotic cell cycle), and the mitotic cell cycle process Gene set enrichment analysis also confirmed cell cycle regulated pathways as well as Biocarta integrin pathway were upregulated in MSCs. Transcription factors enrichment analysis by ChEA3 revealed Foxs1 and HEYL, amongst the top five transcription factors, inhibits and enhances, respectively, the NPCs differentiation of MSCs.

Conclusions
The vast differences in the transcriptomic profiles between NPCs and MSCs revealed a set of markers that can identify the differentiation stage of NPCs as well as provide new targets to enhance MSCs differentiation into NPCs.
Genomics of asthma, allergy and chronic rhinosinusitis: novel concepts and relevance in airway mucosa
Authors: Laulajainen-Hongisto Anu , Lyly Annina , Hanif Tanzeela , Dhaygude Kishor , Kankainen Matti , Renkonen Risto , Donner Kati , Mattila Pirkko , Jartti Tuomas , Bousquet Jean , Kauppi Paula , Toppila-Salmi Sanna 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGenome wide association studies (GWASs) have revealed several airway disease-associated risk loci. Their role in the onset of asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR) or chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), however, is not yet fully understood. The aim of this review is to evaluate the airway relevance of loci and genes identified in GWAS studies. GWASs were searched from databases, and a list of loci associating significantly (p < 10–8) with asthma, AR and CRS was created. This yielded a total of 267 significantly asthma/AR–associated loci from 31 GWASs. No significant CRS -associated loci were found in this search. A total of 170 protein coding genes were connected to these loci. Of these, 76/170 (44%) showed bronchial epithelial protein expression in stained microscopic figures of Human Protein Atlas (HPA), and 61/170 (36%) had a literature report of having airway epithelial function. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotation analyses were performed, and 19 functional protein categories were found as significantly (p < 0.05) enriched among these genes. These were related to cytokine production, cell activation and adaptive immune response, and all were strongly connected in network analysis. We also identified 15 protein pathways that were significantly (p < 0.05) enriched in these genes, related to T-helper cell differentiation, virus infection, JAK-STAT signaling pathway, and asthma. A third of GWAS-level risk loci genes of asthma or AR seemed to have airway epithelial functions according to our database and literature searches. In addition, many of the risk loci genes were immunity related. Some risk loci genes also related to metabolism, neuro-musculoskeletal or other functions. Functions overlapped and formed a strong network in our pathway analyses and are worth future studies of biomarker and therapeutics.