bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trend and treatment outcomes of latent tuberculosis infection among migrant persons in Japan: analysis of Japan Tuberculosis Surveillance data
Authors: Kawatsu Lisa , Uchimura Kazuhiro , Ohkado Akihiro 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among migrant population has become a critical issue for many low TB burden countries. Evidence regarding effectiveness of LTBI programs are limited, however, partly because of paucity of national data on treatment outcomes for LTBI. In Japan, notification of LTBI is mandatory, and its treatment outcome is reported as part of Japan’s national TB surveillance system. We thus conducted a detailed analysis of LTBI among foreign-born persons, to update the epidemiological trend of newly notified LTBI between 2007 and 2018, and, to examine the treatment regimen and outcome of those notified in 2016 and 2017, focusing specifically on the potential risk factors for lost to follow-up.
Methods
We analyzed the data of newly notified LTBI patients to examine the overall trend of notification and by age groups and modes of detection between 2007 and 2018, and the cohort data for treatment regimen and outcomes of foreign-born persons notified with LTBI in 2016 and 2017. Potential reasons for lost to follow-up were explored, and logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify risk factors. Comparisons were made with the Japan-born patients where appropriate.
Results
Both the number and proportion of LTBI among foreign-born persons have been constantly increasing, reaching 963 cases in 2018. Analysis of cohort data indicated that the proportion of those on shorter regimen was higher among the foreign- than Japan-born patients (5.5% vs. 1.8%, p < 0.001). The proportion of those who have been lost to follow-up and transferred outside of Japan combined was higher among the foreign- than Japan-born patients (12.0% vs, 8.2%, p < 0.001). Risk factors for lost to follow-up were being employed on a temporal basis, and job status unknown (adjusted odds ratios 3.11 and 4.09, 95% confidence intervals 1.34–7.26 and 1.60-10.48, respectively).
Conclusions
Migrant population face greater risk of interrupting LTBI treatment, and interventions to improve adherence are a critical component of programmatic management of LTBI. Further studies are needed to explore the cultural and socioeconomic situation in which foreign-born persons undergo LTBI treatment in Japan.
Evaluation of hepatic fibrosis in HIV/HCV Co-infected individuals in Yaoundé, Cameroon: Usefulness of APRI score in resource-constrained settings
Authors: Dobseu Rodolphe Steven , Nanfack Aubin Joseph , Kowo Mathurin , Ambada Georgia , Kamgaing Rachel Simo , Chenwi Collins , Fainguem Nadine , Ka’e Aude , Ngangoum Eric , Sosso Samuel Martin , Tchiegang Clergé , Ndjolo Alexis 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
HIV infection exacerbates the prognosis of HCV infection, with a faster progression of hepatitis. Hepatic fibrosis is the major disruption of the hepatic tissue architecture characterized by anarchic deposition and excess of the extracellular matrix. The objective of this study was to evaluate hepatic fibrosis in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals as compared to HCV mono-infected.
Methods
A total of 97 participants (mean age 60.2 ± 14.3 years and 0.76 male/female sex ratio) was enrolled in a study conducted in Yaoundé, Cameroon from November 2018 to January 2019. Liver fibrosis was assessed by the APRI score (Aspartate Aminotransferase or AST/Platelet Ratio Index) which identifies the stage of fibrosis classified by the Metavir system (F0 to F4). CD4 counts and plasmatic HIV viral load of HIV/HCV co-infected individuals were determined and the correlation between hepatic fibrosis and immuno-virological status established. Statistical analysis was done using Microsoft Excel 2016 and EpiInfo7 software.
Results
A high proportion (63.6%) of HIV/HCV co-infected participants had an abnormal AST level: 73.6 ± 45.8 IU/L as compared to 58.5 ± 39.3 IU/L (59.3%) among HCV mono-infected participants. The frequency of thrombocytopenia was 63.6% with a mean platelet count of 137 ± 50 × 103 IU/L in HIV/HCV co-infected participants as compared to 176 ± 67 × 103 IU/L in HCV mono-infected participants (38.4%). The progression of hepatic fibrosis in participants with clinically significant fibrosis: F2, F3 and F4 was higher among HIV/HCV co-infected and the mean APRI score was 1.7 ± 1.4 versus 1 ± 0.8 among HCV mono-infected (26.7%). All participants (100%) with detectable HIV viral load had clinically significant fibrosis compared to 33.4% in those with undetectable HIV viral load (p = 0.55). Only 42.9% participants with CD4 > 500 cells/µL had clinically significant fibrosis (p = 0.72) while 100% participants with CD4 < 200 cells/µL had clinically significant fibrosis (p = 0.58).
Conclusions
A high level of AST combined with thrombocytopenia (APRI score > 1.5) is an indicator of hepatic fibrosis in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals. Because of its non-invasive and less costly nature, the APRI score can be a suitable biomarker to monitor hepatic fibrosis in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals in resource constrained settings.
Obesity is a Risk Factor for Epidural Lipomatosis: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Bi , Yuan Haifeng , Hu Lihong , Saad Muhammad 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Many studies have investigated the relationship between spinal epidural lipomatosis and obesity, no meta-analysis of studies have provided definitive evidence. To summarize the evidence of associations between obesity factors and spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) and to evaluate the strength and validity of these associations. Methods: Electronic databases such as Wiley Online Library, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library were searched and manual retrieval of references, the time limit was from the establishment of the database to May 2020. The included literature was case-control studies that reported body mass index (BMI) and SEL correlation, and excluded any primary and secondary tumors or other compression diseases in the spinal canal. Methodological quality evaluations of the included studies were assessed using the bias risk assessment tool recommended by the Cochrane Guidelines. The RevMan 5.3 software was used for meta-analysis. Results: Finally, ten studies were included for systematic review, all of which were observational studies with mixed bias risk. These studies involved 1,541 patients, with an average age of 54.9 to 73.6 years, and 60.2 percent of the participants were male. The sample sizes for the included studies ranged from 28 to 398. The results of meta-analysis showed that high BMI was one of the factors affecting SEL. All reviews had a high risk of bias, and the most common source of bias was that there was no strict unified case diagnosis standard between researches, and some studies (four items) did not clearly describe the confounders that they controlled. Conclusions: We suggest that physicians should consider obesity as a factor leading to SEL, and to control body mass index actively should be considered as the preferred treatment strategy before surgical intervention is conducted.
Transcriptomes Analysis Reveals Novel Insight Into the Molecular Mechanisms of Somatic Embryogenesis in Hevea Brasiliensis
Authors: Wang Ying , Li Hui-Liang , Zhou Yong-Kai , Guo Dong , Zhu Jia-Hong , Peng Shiqing 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background
Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a promising technology for plant vegetative propagation, which has an important role in tree breeding. Though rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) SE has been founded, few late SE-related genes had been identified and the molecular regulation mechanisms of late SE still not well understood.
Results
In this study, the transcriptomes of embryogenic calluses (EC), primary embryo (PE), cotyledonary embryo (CE), abnormal embryo (AE), mature cotyledonary embryo (MCE) and withered abnormal embryo (WAE) were analyzed. A total of 887,852,416 clean reads were generated, more than 85.92% of the clean reads were mapped to the rubber tree genome. The de novo assembly generated 36937 unigenes. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the pairwise comparisons of CE vs. AE and MCE vs. WAE, respectively. The specific common DEGs mainly involved in phytohormones signaling pathway, biosynthesis of phenylpropanoid and starch and sucrose metabolism. Among them, hormone signal transduction related genes were significantly enriched, especially the auxin signaling factors (AUX-like1, GH3.1, SAUR32-like, IAA9-like, IAA14-like, IAA27-like, IAA28-like and ARF5-like). The transcript factors including WRKY40, WRKY70, MYBS3-like, MYB1R1-like, AIL6 and bHLH93-like were characterized as molecular markers for rubber tree late SE. CML13, CML36, CAM-7, SERK1 and LEAD-29-like were related to rubber tree late SE. In addition, histone modification had crucial roles during rubber tree late SE.
Conclusions
This study provides important information to elucidate the molecular regulation during rubber tree late SE.
Dusp6 Depletion Enhances Gut Barrier Integrity and Microbiota Eubiosis Against Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice
Authors: Chang Cherng-Shyang , Liao Yi-Chu , Huang Chih-Ting , Lin Chiao-Mei , Cheung Chantal Hoi Yin , Ruan Jhen-Wei , Yu Wen-Hsuan , Tsai Yi-Ting , Juan Hsueh-Fen , Huang Hsuan-Cheng , Chan Hong-Lin , Liao Yu-Chieh , Su Yu-Wen , Tan Tse-Hua , KAO CHENG-YUAN 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Leaky gut and microbiota dysbiosis have been linked to many chronic inflammatory diseases. Strengthening the gut epithelial barrier is a novel but overlooked strategy for management of gut microbiota-associated illnesses. Results: Using the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced gut barrier injury-based colitis model, we found that DSS-induced weight loss, rectal bleeding, and colonic epithelium damage were ameliorated in dual-specificity phosphatase 6 (Dusp6)-deficient mice. These protective effects could be attributed to the enhanced colon barrier integrity conferred by Dusp6-deficiency. Consistently, DUSP6 mutation in Caco-2 cells elevated transepithelial electrical resistance, enhanced tight-junctions, and increased expression of microvilli-associated genes. DUSP6-deficient Caco-2 cells also showed increased mitochondrial oxygen consumption accompanied by altered glucose metabolism and decreased glycolysis. Remarkably, our microbiome analysis found that Dusp6-deficient mice harbored fewer pathobionts and facultative anaerobes and more obligate anaerobes than wild-type mice after DSS treatment. Our cohousing and fecal microbiota transplantation experiments demonstrated that the gut/fecal microbiota derived from Dusp6-deficient mice also conferred protection against colitis.Conclusion: We have thus identified Dusp6 deficiency as beneficial in enhancing gut barrier integrity, elevating epithelial phosphoxidation, and maintaining the gut microbiota eubiosis necessary to protect against colitis.
Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 pneumonia in Zhejiang province, China: a description of early stage
Authors: Gong Caixia , Ma Cheng , Li Shumin , Yang Yunmei , Zhang Qin 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThe outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus since December, 2019, has now causing nearly 75 thousand confirmed cases in China (until paper preparing). This epidemic has posed significant threats to international health and the economy. Zhejiang province, which once had the 2nd most accumulative cases among all provinces, has now dropped to top No.5 (until paper preparing). It had a high discharge rates (43.86%) from hospital and the lowest death rate among all top 5 epidemic provinces, this drew our attention to the epidemiological, clinical characteristics and local government engagement of this region.MethodsIn this study, we included all confirmed cases of COVID-19 pneumonia in Zhejiang province from Jan 21 to Feb 11, 2020. All data come from cases issued by Zhejiang provincial health commission.ResultsUntil Feb 11, 2020, 1143 cases were confirmed in Zhejiang province. We analysed the cases growth information in Zhejiang province and age, gender, severe cases percent, the source of the patients, the time of disease onset to confirm and the clinical symptoms of the patients. We also compared the clinical symptoms of elders and the young.ConclusionsThe patients in Zhejiang province had no age and gender preference, and the average time of disease onset to confirm was 5.9 days. The clinical symptoms were mainly fever, cough and weakness, similarly with before reported. The difference between elders and younger are not significant. Until paper preparing, Zhejiang province has very high discharge rate and low death rate, low cases increase rate in China.
Transprofessional Clinical Practice Improves Medical Students’ Attitudes Towards Team Collaboration
Authors: Ganjitsuda Kazunori , Tagawa Masami , Saiki Takuya , Kikukawa Makoto , Takamura Akiteru , Okazaki Hitoaki , Matsuyama Yasushi , Moriya Rika , Chiba Hiroki , Takagi Yasushi , Setoyama Hitoshi , Tomihara Kazuya 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background Collaborative work between multiple health professions provides high quality health services and results in optimum outcomes, and interprofessional education is known as an effective strategy for improving attitudes towards interprofessional work. However, it has been repeatedly reported that physicians have poor attitudes towards collaboration with other health professionals, and how medical trainees develop their collaborative attitude during undergraduate education has not been examined in detail. The aim of this study was to investigate how medical trainees’ collaborative attitude changes and whether educational intervention modifies this process.Methods This was a cross-sectional study targeting first- (just after admission), fourth- (pre-clinical) and sixth- (prior to graduation) year medical students in seven medical schools in Japan, second-year residents in four medical school hospitals, and doctors in one university. A survey using the Japanese version of the Jefferson Scale of Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Collaboration was conducted from 2016 to 2017. The average score of each group, institution and gender, and the relationship between scores and length of teamwork courses and clinical clerkship were analyzed.Results A total of 2504 (response rate 83.0%) responses were received. The average scores of first-, fourth- and sixth-year medical students, residents, and doctors were 110.1, 105.8, 105.6, 102.4, and 107.0, respectively. A three-way analysis of variance of students’ scores showed that learning year, institution, gender, and the interaction between institution and learning year were significant variables. Scores of female students were significantly higher than those of male students.The length of interprofessional education courses in preclinical years was significantly correlated with scores among fourth-year students, but not sixth-year medical students. The length of clinical clerkship was significantly correlated with scores among sixth-year medical students.Conclusion Collaborative attitude towards teamwork was low among advanced year medical students and residents. Clinical practice with multiple professions in long-term clinical clerkship, which was classified as transprofessional education, might be the most effective intervention for improving attitudes towards collaboration among medical students.
Investigation of the benefit of PVC in high resolution PET as a post and within reconstruction method for FDG brain data
Authors: Raptis Evangelos , Parkes Laura , Anton-Rodriguez Jose , Carter Stephen , Herholz Karl , Matthews Julian 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Purpose: The combination of positron emission tomography (PET) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may enable novel research in the field of dementia. MR data is commonly used in the analysis of PET data for dementia due to its anatomical information and good soft tissue contrast. PET image reconstruction is currently performed independently of MRI data and the images typically suffer from low resolution, poor signal-to-noise ratio and count dependent bias, due to random error in acquired data and the reconstruction process which is ill conditioned. The aim of this research is to investigate the benefit of using anatomical information from MR data within PET image reconstruction, applied to dementia research. Methods: Real PET and MRI patient data of 5 FDG scans of a healthy elderly volunteers, were used in order to create realistic ground truth images of the distribution of matter and activity for these individuals. These ground truth images underwent a Monte-Carlo simulation using SimSET, in order to generate simulated raw data of the high research resolution tomograph (HRRT) PET scanner. The simulations were validated by comparing the reconstructed images to real HRRT data and focusing on image resolution. A comparison of partial volume correction (PVC) of PET data applied within image reconstruction with the conventional approach of applying it post-reconstruction was conducted with typical count levels in order to evaluate the hypothesis that there would be benefit of applying PVC within image reconstruction. Results: Results showed a little improvement in the recovered activity values is seen when using Lucy-Richardson deconvolution both post and within the image reconstruction. Similarly the use of RM modelling showed little benefit. Differences were observed when using Rousset PVC, with larger differences observed when interleaved with reconstruction. Generally the used of Rousset PVC within reconstruction resulted in a decrease in the bias (average error) for large cortical regions, but an increase in bias was observed for small regions and there were apparent region specific and patient specific variations in the observed bias. Conclusions: The benefit of applying PVC as a reconstruction based method showed to be minimal. A region specific bias was observed for most of the reconstruction methods, either applied within or post image reconstruction. Further work is needed to evaluate the benefit of applying PVC methods for high resolution scanners.
Bt cotton seed purity in Burkina Faso: Status and lessons learnt
Authors: Bourgou Larbouga , Kargougou Ester , Sawadogo Mahamadou , Fok Michel 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
BackgroundSince the commercial release of Bt cotton the issue of seed purity in producers' fields has been little addressed and in an unbalanced way when it was. It is well documented that the loss of purity in conventional seeds has endangered the continuation of organic cotton production. However, studies are rare on the purity of Bt-cotton seeds despite its implications on the effectiveness and sustainability of their use.This paper compensates for the mentioned lack of literature by analyzing data collected in 2015 in Burkina Faso, namely results of ELISA tests on samples of seeds from 646 fields grown with conventional or Bt varieties. ResultsAccording to the conservative criteria retained to declare the presence of Bt gene (more than 10% and 90% of controlled seeds for conventional and Bt variety, respectively), seed purity was very questionable for both types of varieties. For the conventional variety, the presence of Bt gene was observed on 63.6 and 59.3% of samples for Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab, respectively. Only 29.3% of samples corresponded to pure conventional seeds while 52.2% were double Bt seeds. Conversely, for the Bt variety, the presence of Bt gene was observed on 59.6 and 53.6% of samples for Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab, respectively. Actually BG2 seeds with both Bt genes were found in 40.4% of samples against 27.2% of samples of actually conventional seeds while the remaining of 32.4% of samples corresponded to single Bt gene seeds.Two factors affected the severe lack of seed purity. As regard to conventional seeds, it clearly resulted from a phenomenon of contamination, indicative of a failure in adjusting the seed production scheme to the use of Bt-cotton. With regard to the Bt variety, the lack of purity of the original seeds provided to Burkina Faso accounted and should even be the major factor.The observed lack of seed purity is a threat to the initiative of organic cotton production, albeit a very minor production mode in the country. It also calls upon the effectiveness and furthermore the sustainability of Bt cotton to control target pests. ConclusionOur results show the extent of purity loss when no especial attention is paid to the preservation of seed purity. Pure conventional seeds could totally vanish while Bt seeds become a combination of seeds of various types encompassing or not the expected Bt genes.Any country willing to embark the use of Bt cotton, or to resume this use like Burkina Faso, must previously adjust its seed production scheme and enforce its operation. This is a condition to preserve pure seeds both to enable the launch or the continuation of identity-cotton production and to ensure a sustainable effectiveness of Bt-cotton. The mentioned condition implies that seed purity must be checked and the related information shared.
Serotyping of sub-Saharan Africa Salmonella Strains Isolated from Different Sources Using Multiplex PCR and Capillary Electrophoresis Analysis and whole Genome Sequencing
Authors: Kagambèga Assèta , Hiott Lari M. , Boyle David S. , McMillan Elizabeth A. , Haukka Kaisa , Sharma Poonam , Gupta Sushim K. , Ramadan Hazem , Cho Sohyun , Humayoun Shaheen B. , Woodley Tiffanie A. , Barro Nicolas , Jackson Charlene R. , Frye Jonathan G. 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
BackgroundSalmonella enterica remains a leading cause of food-borne diseases worldwide. Serotype information is important in food safety and public health activities to reduce the burden of salmonellosis. In the current study, two methods were used to determine serotypes of 225 clinical, environmental, food and veterinary isolates of Salmonella from Burkina Faso. First, Salmonella Multiplex Assay for Rapid Typing (SMART) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to determine the serovars of the S. enterica isolates. Second, serovar prediction based on whole genome sequencing (WGS) data was performed using SeqSero 2.0.ResultsAmong the 225 Salmonella isolates, serotypes for 48 (21.33%) isolates were identified based on comparison to a panel of representative SMART codes previously determined for the 50 most common serovars in the United States. One hundred and seventy-six new SMART codes were developed for common and uncommon serotypes. Serotypes for a total of 205 (91.1%) isolates were identified using SeqSero 2.0 for serovar prediction based on WGS data.ConclusionWe determined that SeqSero 2.0 was more comprehensive for identifying Salmonella serotypes from Burkina Faso than SMART PCR.