bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preoperative clinical factors and visual outcomes following orbital decompression with dysthyroid optic neuropathy
Authors: Tagami Mizuki , Honda Shigeru , Azumi Atsushi 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: To investigate preoperative clinical factors and visual outcomes of Japanese patients with dysthyroid optic neuropathy (DON) after urgent orbital decompression.Methods: This retrospective, observational case series study investigated 44 patients who exhibited several preoperative clinical factors that might be associated with the need for urgent orbital decompression due to DON. Additionally, the visual acuity of DON patients was compared between the patients preoperatively and at 1 and 6 months postoperatively.Results: All 44 patients received steroid and with or without radiation therapy, with 27 patients able to avoid undergoing urgent surgery. However, the remaining 17 patients required urgent orbital decompression following a lack of response to the therapy. None of the patients who initially avoided surgery required additional surgery for DON. Factors significantly associated with the need for urgent orbital decompression surgery included: female gender, older age, long disease duration, unilateral significant DON, history of resistance to pulsed steroid therapy, unstable thyroid function, high TRAb(Thyrotrophin receptor antibody )value, poor visual acuity, presence of central diplopia, and presence of corneal problems (P<0.05 each). The results also showed that postoperative visual outcomes of surgery for DON were acceptable.Conclusion: This study revealed several preoperative clinical factors for DON that appear to be associated with the need for urgent orbital decompression surgery in Japanese patients.
Identification of subclinical tuberculosis in household contacts. The relevance of tuberculosis exposure scores and contact investigations.
Authors: Bekken Gry Klouman , Ritz Christian , Selvam Sumithra , Nelson Jesuraj , Hesseling Anneke C , Doherty Timothy Mark , Grewal Harleen MS , Vaz Mario , Jenum Synne 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: The goal of tuberculosis elimination put forward in the End TB Strategy prioritizes diagnosis and treatment of incipient and subclinical TB, recently defined by key stakeholders as “asymptomatic, early pre-clinical disease during which pathology evolves” . Regarded as indicative of a high risk of TB progression, considerable efforts have been made to identify these cases through exploration of biomarkers. The present study aimed to evaluate simple scoring systems for TB exposure as screening tools for subclinical TB, the only identifiable of the incipient and subclinical disease states, in a contact investigation (CI) setting of low HIV-prevalence.
Methods: Nested within a large prospective study in household contacts (HHCs) of smear positive pulmonary TB cases in South-India conducted 2010-2012, we assessed 1) the association between the Tuberculosis Contact Score (TCS) and the Infectivity Score, with established tools for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection, corrected for established TB risk factors, and 2) the capability of the TB exposure scores to identify subclinical TB defined by Mtb- culture positivity in sputum or gastric aspirate (subjects <5 years) specimen.
Results: Of 525 HHCs, 29 were Mtb -culture positive and 96.6% of these asymptomatic. The TCS and the Infectivity Score associated with positive Tuberculin Skin Test and QuantiFeron TB-Gold In-tube assay (QFT) results in multivariate analyses (TCS: OR TST 1.16, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.33; OR QFT 1.33 95%CI: 1.16, 1.51. Infectivity Score: OR TST 1.39, 95%CI: 1.10, 1.76; OR QFT 1.41 95%CI: 1.16, 1.71). The Infectivity Score showed a moderate capability to identify subclinical TB (AUC of 0.61, 95%CI: 0.52, 0.70).
Conclusions: Although our results did not identify an easily applicable screening tool for subclinical TB, the present study indicates that focusing on TB-related symptoms in CI settings may be of limited value for early identification of HHCs with high risk for TB progression.
Vigorous cool room treadmill training to improve walking ability in people with Multiple Sclerosis who use ambulatory assistive devices: A feasibility study.
Authors: Devasahayam Augustine J , Chaves Arthur R , Lasisi Wendy O , Curtis Marie E , Wadden Katie P , Kelly Liam P , Pretty Ryan , Chen Alice , Wallack Elizabeth M , Newell Caitlin J , Williams John B , Kenny Hannah , Downer Matthew B , McCarthy Jason , Moore Craig S , Ploughman Michelle 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Aerobic training has the potential to restore function, stimulate brain repair, and reduce inflammation in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, disability, fatigue, and heat sensitivity are major barriers to exercise for people with MS. We aimed to determine the feasibility of conducting vigorous harness-supported treadmill training in a room cooled to 16°C (10 weeks; 3times/week) and examine the longer-term effects on markers of function, brain repair, and inflammation among those using ambulatory aids.

Methods: Ten participants (9 females) aged 29 to 74 years with an Expanded Disability Status Scale ranging from 6 to 7 underwent training (40 to 65% heart rate reserve) starting at 80% self-selected walking speed. Feasibility of conducting vigorous training was assessed using a checklist, which included attendance rates, number of missed appointments, reasons for not attending, adverse events, safety hazards during training, reasons for dropout, tolerance to training load, subjective reporting of symptom worsening during and after exercise, and physiological responses to exercise. Functional outcomes were assessed before, after, and 3 months after training. Walking ability was measured using Timed 25 Foot Walk test and on an instrumented walkway at both fast and self-selected speeds. Fatigue was measured using fatigue/energy/vitality sub-scale of 36-Item Short-Form (SF-36) Health Survey, Fatigue Severity Scale, modified Fatigue Impact Scale. Aerobic fitness (maximal oxygen consumption) was measured using maximal graded exercise test (GXT). Quality-of-life was measured using SF-36 Health Survey. Serum levels of neurotrophin (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and cytokine (interleukin-6) were assessed before and after GXT.

Results: Eight of the ten participants completed training (attendance rates >80%). No adverse events were observed. Fast walking speed (cm/s), gait quality (double-support (%)) while walking at self-selected speed, fatigue (modified Fatigue Impact Scale), fitness (maximal workload achieved during GXT), and quality-of-life (physical functioning sub-scale of SF-36) improved significantly after training, and improvements were sustained after 3-months. Improvements in fitness (maximal respiratory exchange ratio and maximal oxygen consumption during GXT) were associated with increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor and decreased interleukin-6.

Conclusion: Vigorous cool room training is feasible and can potentially improve walking, fatigue, fitness, and quality-of-life among people with moderate to severe MS-related disability.
Characterization of the Gh4CL gene family reveals a role of Gh4CL7 in drought tolerance
Authors: Sun Shichao , Xiong Xianpeng , Zhang Xiaoli , Feng Hongjie , Zhu Qianhao , Sun Jie , Li Yanjun 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background The function of 4-coumarate-CoA ligases (4CL) under abiotic stresses have been studied in plants, however, limite is known about the upland cotton 4CL genes and their roles in response to drought stress.Results In this study, we performed genome-wide identification of the 4CL genes in G. hirsutum and investigated the expression profiles of the identified genes in various cotton tissues and in response to stress conditions with an aim to identify 4CL gene(s) associated with drought tolerance. We identified 34 putative 4CL genes in G. hirsutum that were clustered into three classes. Genes of the same class usually share a similar gene structure and motif composition. Many cis -elements related to stress and phytohormone responses were found in the promoters of the Gh4CL genes. Of the 34 Gh4CL genes, 26 were induced by at least one abiotic stress and 10 were up-regulated under the PEG simulated drought stress conditions, including Gh4CL7 . Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in cotton and overexpression (OE) in Arabidopsis thaliana were applied to investigate the biological function of Gh4CL7 in drought tolerance. The Gh4CL7 -silencing cotton plants showed more sensitive to drought stress, probably due to decreased relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content and antioxidative enzyme activity, increased stomatal aperture, and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). Arabidopsis lines overexpressing Gh4CL7 , however, were more tolerant to drought treatment, which was associated with improved antioxidative enzyme activity, reduced accumulation of MDA and H 2 O 2 and up-regulated stress-related genes under the drought stress conditions. In addition, compared to their respective controls, the Gh4CL7 -silencing cotton plants and the Gh4CL7- overexpressing Arabidopsis lines had a lower and higher lignin content, respectively. Taken together, these results demonstrated that Gh4CL7 could positively respond to drought stress and therefore might be a candidate gene for improvement of drought tolerance in cotton.Conclusion We comprehensively identified 4CL family genes in upland cotton and provide valuable information on the evolutionary relationship. Gh4CL7 gene is involved in lignin biosynthesis and play a positively role in reponsing drought stress.
Management of Constipation in Long-term Care Hospitals and its Ward Manager and Organization Factors
Authors: Takaoka Manami , Igarashi Ayumi , Futami Asako , Yamamoto-Mitani Noriko 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background

Studies examining organizational factors that may influence constipation management in long-term care (LTC) hospitals are lacking. This study aimed to clarify the practice of constipation management in LTC hospitals and to explore its factors, including ward manager’s perception, organizational climate, and constipation assessment.Methods

In this cross-sectional questionnaire survey of ward managers and staff nurses working in LTC wards, we determined daily assessment and practices regarding constipation management. We also conducted multivariate analyses to examine factors related to constipation management.Results

There was a 20% response rate to the questionnaire. Nearly all LTC wards routinely assessed bowel movement frequency; other assessments were infrequent. Laxatives were used, but the use of dietary fiber and probiotic products was implemented in only 20%–30% of wards. The implementation of non-pharmacological management and adequate use of stimulant laxatives were positively associated with the ward manager’s belief and knowledge, organizational climate, the existence of nursing records for constipation assessment, planned nursing care for constipation, and organized conferences and in-hospital study sessions on constipation management.Conclusion

Areas to improve constipation management in LTC hospitals include altering the ward manager’s perception, improving hospital’s organizational climate, and introducing standardized assessment/care planning systems.
IgG antibody response against Anopheles salivary gland proteins in asymptomatic Plasmodium infections in Narino, Colombia
Authors: Montiel Jehidys , Carbal Luisa Fernanda , Tobón-Castaño Alberto , Vásquez Gissella M. , Fisher Michael L. , Londono Berlin L. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background The humoral immune response against Anopheles salivary glands proteins in the vertebrate host can reflect the intensity of exposure to Anopheles bites and the risk of Plasmodium infection. In Colombia, the identification of exposure biomarkers is necessary due to the several Anopheles species circulating. The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk of malaria infection by measuring antibody responses against salivary glands extracts from Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) albimanus and Anopheles (Nys.) darlingi and also against the gSG6-P1 peptide of Anopheles gambiae in people residing in a malaria endemic area in the Colombian Pacific coast. Methods Dried blood spots samples were eluted to measure the IgG antibodies against salivary gland extracts of An. albimanusstrains STECLA (STE) and Cartagena (CTG) and An. darlingi and the gSG6-P1 peptide by ELISA in uninfected people and microscopic and submicroscopic Plasmodium carriers from the Colombia Pacific Coast. A multiple linear mixed regression model, Spearman correlation, and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to analyse IgG data. Results Significant differences in specific IgG levels were detected between infected and uninfected groups for salivary glands extracts from An. albimanus and for gSG6-P1, also IgG response to CTG and gSG6-P1 peptide were positively associated with the IgG response to Plasmodium falciparum in the mixed model. Conclusion The CTG and STE An. albimanus salivary glands extracts are a potential source of new Anopheles salivary biomarkers to identify exposure to the main malaria vector and to calculate risk of disease in the Colombian Pacific coast. Also, the gSG6-P1 peptide has the potential to quantify human exposure to the subgenus Anopheles vectors in the same area.
Substance P Induces Sympathetic Immune Response in the Contralateral Eye after the First Eye Cataract Surgery in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Gong Xianhui , Ren Yueping , Pan Wenjie , Zheng Jingwei , Fang Xiuxiu , Cai Junyong , Song E 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Substance P (SP) is a nociceptive tachykinin which regulates the immune inflammatory reactions including monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) production. Sequential second-eye cataract surgery often suffer more pain than the first one partly because of the MCP-1 increase in aquous humor (AH). This study aims to illustrate whether SP involved in the sympathetic inflammatory responses in the contralateral eye in patients with or wihtout type 2 diabetes. Methods: This prospective randomized clinical study included 51 cataract patients (22 with diabetes and 29 without), and bilateral sequential cataract surgeries were conducted with 1-day or 1-week interval randomly. More than 100 µl AH was obtained before surgery and stored for later magnetic Luminex assays to detect interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-1ra,IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, MCP-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, spinal macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-1a), interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), and regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted (RANTES), as well as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for SP. Results: Among the 4 groups with 1-day or 1-week interval of the 51 cataract patients with or without diabetes, no significant differences were found in age, sex distribution, the R/L ration of the first surgery eye, or the lens nucleus hardness (P ≥ 0.802). Over 100 µl AH samples were collected safely in all the cases without intraoperative complications. SP and MCP-1 levels were both increased significantly in the second eye of the diabetic patients with 1-day and 1-week interval ( P ≤ 0.040). The SP increase in the second eye of the diabetic patients were significantly higher than that of the patients without diabetes ( P ≤ 0.030) both in the groups with 1-day and 1-week interval. And the MCP-1 increase was significantly higher in the diabetic patients in the group with 1-week interval (P = 0.042). Conclusions: Substance P and MCP-1 productions elevated in the AH of the contralateral eye after the first-eye cataract surgery in diabetic patients, indicating that SP and MCP-1 were involved in the sympathetic inflammatory responses. Diabetic patients are susceptible to noninfectious inflammation after cataract surgery, and perceive more pain in the second-eye phacoemulsification.
Effects of STIP1 and GLCCI1 polymorphisms on the risk of childhood asthma and inhaled corticosteroid response in Chinese asthmatic children
Authors: Huang Juan , Hu Xiaolei , Zheng Xiangrong , Kuang Jian , Liu Chentao , Wang Xia , Tang Yongjun 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Asthma is a common chronic lung disease in children. We aimed to determine the associations between stress-induced phosphoprotein 1 (STIP1) and glucocorticoid-induced transcript 1 (GLCCI1) polymorphisms and susceptibility of childhood asthma and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) response in children. Methods: A total of 263 Chinese Han asthmatic children were recruited from the Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. Pulmonary function tests were performed before the treatment and 3 months after the treatment. 150 non-asthmatic children were recruited. Each participant's DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood and Method of MassARRAY was used to genotype the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Results: STIP1 rs2236647 wild-type homozygote (CC) was associated with increased asthma risk of children (OR=1.858，95% CI：1.205-2.864), but not associated with the onset age of asthma and ICS response. GLCCI1 rs37969, rs37972 and rs37973 polymorphisms were not associated with the risk of childhood asthma. However, rs37969 mutant genotypes (TT/GT) were significantly associated with increased risk of early onset asthma (OR=2.254, 95% CI: 1.068-4.757) and less improvement in PD20 (p = 0.028). We also found significant associations between rs37969, rs37972 and rs37973 mutant genotypes and less improvement in maximal midexpiratory flow (MMEF) after ICS treatment for 3 months (p=0.036, p=0.010 and p=0.003, respectively). Conclusions: STIP1 rs2236647 was associated with asthma risk of children. GLCCI1 rs37969 mutant genotypes were associated with increased asthma risk of early onset and less improvement in airway hyper-responsiveness. GLCCI1 rs37969, rs37972 and rs37973 polymorphisms might be associated with pulmonary function in childhood asthma patients after ICS treatment.
Misoprostol administered sublingually at a dose of 12.5 µg versus vaginally at a dose of 25 µg for the induction of full-term labour: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gattas Daniele Sofia de Moraes Barros , de Amorim Melania MR , Feitosa Francisco EL , Junior José R da Silva , Ribeiro Lívia CG , Souza Gustavo FA , Souza Alex S Rolland 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Labor induction is defined as any procedure that stimulates uterine contractions before labor begins spontaneously. The vaginal and oral routes of administration of misoprostol are those most used for the induction of labor in routine practice, with the recommended dose being 25 μg. Nevertheless, the sublingual route may reduce the number of vaginal examinations required, increasing patient comfort and lowering the risk of maternal and fetal infection. This study aimed to compare the frequency of tachysystole when misoprostol is administered sublingually at the dose of 12.5μg versus vaginally at a dose of 25μg to induce labor in a full-term pregnancy with a live fetus. Methods : A randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind clinical trial was conducted at two maternity hospitals in northeastern Brazil. Two hundred patients with a full-term pregnancy, a live fetus, Bishop score ≤6 and an indication for induction of labor were included. Following randomization, one group received 12.5μg misoprostol sublingually and a vaginal placebo, while the other group received a sublingual placebo and 25μg misoprostol vaginally. The primary outcome was the frequency of tachysystole. Student’s t-test, the chi-square test of association and Fisher’s exact test were used, as appropriate. Risk ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: The frequency of tachysystole was lower in the group using 12.5μg misoprostol sublingually compared to the group using 25μg misoprostol vaginally (RR=0.15; 95%CI: 0.02-0.97; p=0.002). Failure to achieve vaginal delivery within 12 and 24 hours was similar in both groups. Sublingual administration was preferred to vaginal administration by women in both groups; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The effectiveness of labor induction with low-dose sublingual misoprostol was similar to that achieved with vaginal administration of the recommended dose; however, the rate of tachysystole was lower in the sublingual group, and this route of administration may prove a safe alternative.
Treatment success and mortality among adults with tuberculosis in rural eastern Uganda: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Izudi Jonathan , Tamwesigire Imelda K. , Bajunirwe Francis 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Successful treatment of tuberculosis leads to clinical and public health benefits such as reduction in transmission, complications, and mortality among patients. However, data are limited on treatment outcomes and the associated factors among persons with bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary (BC-PTB) in rural areas of high tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) burden countries such as Uganda. We investigated factors associated with successful treatment of tuberculosis and mortality among adult persons with BC-PTB in rural eastern Uganda.Methods We constructed a retrospective cohort of patients with BC-PTB from a routine tuberculosis clinic database in eastern Uganda. We performed bivariate and multivariate analysis. Using a 5% level of significance, we used the modified Poisson regression analysis to determine factors independently associated with treatment success and mortality.Results We retrieved 1,123 patient records. Of these, 477(42.5%) had a cure, 323 (28.0%) had treatment completion, 17(1.5%) had failed treatment, 81(7.2%) had died, 89(7.9%) were lost to follow-up, and 136(12.1%) had missing treatment outcome. Overall, 800 (81.1%) of the 987 persons with BC-PTB that had an outcome, were successfully treated. Successful treatment of tuberculosis was less likely to occur among those with HIV infection (Adjusted risk ratio (aRR), 0.88; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 0.82-0.95), older than 50 years (aRR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.81-0.97), or male (aRR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.87-0.98). Mortality was associated with HIV infection (aRR, 4.48; 95% CI, 2.95-6.79), older than 50 years (aRR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.74-4.92), year of enrollment into treatment from 2015 (aRR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.66-0.97), and Community-Based Directly Observed Therapy Short Course (aRR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.13-0.50).Conclusions Treatment success rate among adult persons with BC-PTB in rural eastern Uganda is suboptimal and mortality is high. HIV infection and older age reduce the chance of successful treatment of tuberculosis, and increase risk of mortality. Older and HIV infected persons with BC-PTB will require special consideration to optimize treatment success and reduce risk of mortality.