bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The clinical characteristics and outcome of cryptococcal meningitis with AIDS in a tertiary hospital in China: An observational cohort study
Authors: Wu Liang , Xiao Jiang , Song Yangzi , Gao Guiju , Zhao Hongxin 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background Despite the profound impact of antiretroviral therapy in the control of AIDS mortality, central nervous system opportunistic infections remains a significant burden in AIDS patients. This retrospective study aims to elucidate the clinical characteristics, outcome and risk factors of cryptococcal meningitis (CM) poor prognosis in AIDS patients from a tertiary hospital in China.Methods Clinical data from 128 patients admitted in Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University from November 2008 to November 2017 was collected. The cohort was stratified based on treatment outcome (effective 79%, and ineffective 21%), and Multivariate Logistic regression analysis used to identify risk factors of poor disease prognosis.Results Age, incidence of cerebral infarction, the proportion of consciousness disorder, and fasting plasma glucose was higher in the ineffective treatment group than the effective treatment group. The duration of treatment in the induction period of the ineffective group was significantly shorter than that of the effective group. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that the occurrence of cerebral hernia and consciousness disorder were risk factors for the prognosis of AIDS patients with CM infection, while the duration of treatment in the induction period was a indicative of a better prognosis in AIDS with CM infection complications. Finally, shunt decompression therapy correlated with a better disease outcome. Conclusions This retrospective study exposes the main risk factors associated with worse disease prognosis in AIDS patients with CM infection complications.
REV3L gene variants rs1002481, rs462779, and rs465646 lead to increased susceptibility towards non-small cell lung cancer in the population of Jammu and Kashmir.
Authors: Jamwal Rajeshwer Singh , Mahajan Nikita , Bhat Gh. Rasool , Bhat Amrita , Sharma Bhanu , Shah Ruchi , Sharma Minerva , Verma Sonali , Bakshi Divya , Sharma Rahul , Abrol Deepak , Bhat Audesh , Kumar Rakesh 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most prevalent type of lung cancer accounting for 80–85% of all lung cancer cases. Various genetic studies have tried to reveal the association of REV3L (Protein reversion less 3-like) gene mutations with cancer, including lung cancer but no such study has been carried out in the population of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).Methods: Four selected REV3L single nucleotide variants were genotyped using the TaqMan allele discrimination assay in 550 subjects (203 NSCLC patients and 347 healthy controls). The association of variants was evaluated by logistic regression.Results: Out of the four REV3L variants genotyped, we found rs1002481, rs462779, and rs465646 significantly associated with NSCLC risk with an Odds Ratio (OR) of 3.5 (1.98–6.3 at 95% CI ), p-value = 0.00002; OR = 4.4 (1.8–10.4 at 95% CI ), p-value = 0.00075; and OR = 2.4 (1.47–4.008 at 95% CI ), p-value = 0.00053, respectively. The analysis of rs465646/rs462779/rs1002481 haplotypic combinations revealed a significant association of AGT, AGA, GGT, and AAA haplotypes with NSCLC. Conclusion: The analysed data suggest a strong association of variants rs1002481, rs462779, rs465646 with NSCLC. This association is indicative of a potential role of mutations in the REV3L gene as risk factor for the development of NSCLC in the studied population. Although a first report from any Indian population, these variants have been previously reported to be associated with lung and colorectal cancers in different world populations. These data along with the analysed data supports the notation that these variants can be used as potential prognostic biomarker.
Relationship between medial meniscus extrusion and cartilage measurements in the knee by fully automatic three-dimensional MRI analysis
Authors: Aoki Hayato , Ozeki Nobutake , Katano Hisako , Hyodo Akinobu , Miura Yugo , Matsuda Junpei , Takanashi Kimiko , Suzuki Kenji , Masumoto Jun , Okanouchi Noriya , Fujiwara Takeo , Sekiya Ichiro 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
BackgroundWe developed a fully automatic three-dimensional knee MRI analysis software that can quantify meniscus extrusion and cartilage measurements, including the projected cartilage area ratio (PCAR), which represents the ratio of the subject’s actual cartilage area to their ideal cartilage area. We also collected 3D MRI knee data from 561 volunteers (aged 30–79 years) from the “Kanagawa Knee Study.” Our purposes were to verify the accuracy of the software for automatic cartilage and meniscus segmentation using knee MRI and to examine the relationship between medial meniscus extrusion measurements and cartilage measurements from Kanagawa Knee Study data.MethodsWe constructed a neural network for the software by randomly choosing 10 healthy volunteers and 103 patients with knee pain. We validated the algorithm by randomly selecting 108 of these 113 subjects for training, and determined Dice similarity coefficients from five other subjects. We constructed a neural network using all data (113 subjects) for training. Cartilage thickness, cartilage volume, and PCAR in the medial femoral, lateral femoral, medial tibial, and lateral tibial regions were quantified by using the trained software on Kanagawa Knee Study data and their relationship with subject height was investigated. We also quantified the medial meniscus coverage ratio (MMCR), defined as the ratio of the overlapping area between the medial meniscus area and the medial tibial cartilage area to the medial tibial cartilage area. Finally, we examined the relationship between MMCR and PCAR at middle central medial tibial (mcMT) subregion located in the center of nine subregions in the medial tibial cartilage.ResultsDice similarity coefficients for cartilage and meniscus were both approximately 0.9. The femoral and tibial cartilage thickness and volume at each region correlated with height, but PCAR did not correlate with height in most settings. PCAR at the mcMT was significantly correlated with MMCR.ConclusionsOur software showed high segmentation accuracy for the knee cartilage and meniscus. PCAR was more useful than cartilage thickness or volume since it was less affected by height. A relationship was observed between the medial tibial cartilage measurements and the medial meniscus extrusion measurement in our cross-sectional study.Trial registration: UMIN, UMIN000032826; 1 September 2018,https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000037299
Genetic diversity of circumsporozoite protein in Plasmodium knowlesi isolates from Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Chong Eric Tzyy Jiann , Neoh Joveen Wan Fen , Lau Tiek Ying , Lim Yvonne Ai-Lian , Chai Hwa Chia , Chua Kek Heng , Lee Ping Chin 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Understanding the genetic diversity of candidate genes for malaria vaccines such as circumsporozoite protein (csp) may enhance the development of vaccines for treating Plasmodium knowlesi. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the genetic diversity of non-repeat regions of csp in P. knowlesi from Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia. Methods: A total of 46 csp genes were subjected to polymerase chain reaction amplification. The genes were obtained from P. knowlesi isolates collected from different divisions of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, and Peninsular Malaysia. The targeted gene fragments were cloned into a commercial vector and sequenced, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed while incorporating 168 csp sequences retrieved from the GenBank database. The genetic diversity and natural evolution of the csp sequences were analysed using MEGA6 and DnaSP ver. 5.10.01. A genealogical network of the csp haplotypes was generated using NETWORK ver. 4.6.1.3. Results: The phylogenetic analysis revealed indistinguishable clusters of P. knowlesi isolates across different geographic regions, including Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia. Nucleotide analysis showed that the csp non-repeat regions of zoonotic P. knowlesi isolates obtained in this study underwent purifying selection with population expansion, which was supported by extensive haplotype sharing observed between humans and macaques. Novel variations were observed in the C-terminal non-repeat region of csp. Conclusions: The csp non-repeat regions are relatively conserved and there is no distinct cluster of P. knowlesi isolates from Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia. Distinctive variation data obtained in the C-terminal non-repeat region of csp could be beneficial for the design and development of vaccines to treat P. knowlesi.
The predictive value of D-dimer test for venous thromboembolism during puerperium in women age 35 or older：A prospective cohort study
Authors: Hu Wen , Xu Dong , Li Juan , Chen Cheng , Chen Yuan , Xi Fangfang , Zhou Feifei , Guo Xiaohan , Zhao Baihui , Luo Qiong 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of the D-dimer level for venous thromboembolism (VTE) events during puerperium of women age at 35 years or older, as well as to identify other risk factors associated with the occurrence of VTE.Methods: It was a prospective observational cohort study, from January 2014 to December 2018, which involved 12451 women age 35 or older who delivered at least 28 weeks of gestation at Women’s Hospital of Zhejiang University, School of Medicine. The maternal and fetal demographic characteristics, pregnancy complications, imaging finding and results of laboratory test within postpartum 24 hours including D-dimer level, platelet counts and fibrinogen level were collected for analyses.Results: 30(2.4‰) women were identified as VTE, including 1 pulmonary embolism event and 29 deep venous thrombosis events. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested the best cutoff point for D-dimer level within postpartum 24 hours of women age 35 or older was 5.545 mg/L, with a specificity of 70.0% and a sensitivity of 75.4%. Besides, there was no statistical correlation between platelet counts and VTE, as well as between fibrinogen level and VTE. On multivariate analysis, D-dimer≥5.50 mg/L (OR=5.874, 95%CI: 2.678-12.886) and emergency cesarean section (OR=11.965, 95%CI: 2.732-52.401) were independently associated with VTE in puerperium of women age 35 or older.Conclusions: We concluded that D-dimer≥5.50 mg/L was an independent predictor of VTE in puerperium with maternal age 35 or older and D-dimer testing was a necessary examination for perinatal women.
Transcriptome analysis identifies genes involved in the somatic embryogenesis of Eucalyptus
Authors: Xiao Yufei , Li Junji , Zhang Ye , Zhang Xiaoning , Liu Hailong , Qin Zihai , Chen Bowen 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Eucalyptus, a highly diverse genus of the Myrtaceae family, is the most widely planted hardwood in the world due to its increasing importance for fiber and energy. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is one large-scale method to provide commercial use of the vegetative propagation of Eucalyptus and dedifferentiation is a key step for plant cells to become meristematic. However, little is known about the molecular changes during the Eucalyptus SE.Results: We compared the transcriptome profiles of the differentiated and dedifferentiated tissues of two Eucalyptus species – E. camaldulensis (high embryogenetic potential) and E. grandis x urophylla (low embryogenetic potential). Initially, we identified 18,777 to 20,240 genes in all samples. Compared to the differentiated tissues, we identified 9,229 and 8,989 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the dedifferentiated tissues of E. camaldulensis and E. grandis x urophylla, respectively, and 2,687 up-regulated and 2,581 down-regulated genes shared. Next, we identified 2,003 up-regulated and 1,958 down-regulated genes only in E. camaldulensis, including 6 somatic embryogenesis receptor kinase, 17 ethylene, 12 auxin, 83 ribosomal protein, 28 zinc finger protein, 10 heat shock protein, 9 histone, 122 cell wall related and 98 transcription factor genes. Genes from other families like ABA, arabinogalactan protein and late embryogenesis abundant protein were also found to be specifically dysregulated in the dedifferentiation process of E. camaldulensis. Further, we identified 48,447 variants (SNPs and small indels) specific to E. camaldulensis, including 13,434 exonic variants from 4,723 genes (e.g., annexin, GN, ARF and AP2-like ethylene-responsive transcription factor). qRT-PCR was used to confirm the gene expression patterns in both E. camaldulensis and E. grandis x urophylla. Conclusions: This is the first time to study the somatic embryogenesis of Eucalyptus using transcriptome sequencing. It will improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of somatic embryogenesis and dedifferentiation in Eucalyptus. Our results provide a valuable resource for future studies in the field of Eucalyptus and will benefit the Eucalyptus breeding program.
Clinical warning of hemophagocytic syndrome caused by Epstein-Barr virus
Authors: Shi Jinjin , Chu Chu , Yu Min , Zhang Dandan , Li Yuqin , Fan Yujie , Yu Yixue , Luo Yali , Zhou Wei-fang 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to compare the clinical features and laboratory tests of infectious mononucleosis (IM) and hemophagocytic syndrome (HLH) caused by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in 1-3-year-old children and to explore the risk factor of HLH caused by EBV (EBV-HLH).Methods: The clinical data of 92 children with EBV infection admitted in our hospital from 2011 to 2019 were collected; 61 cases were diagnosed as EBV-IM, and 31 cases were diagnosed as EBV-HLH. The subjects’ clinical manifestations and laboratory tests were analyzed retrospectively.Results: Compared with EBV-IM patients, EBV-HLH patients had longer durations of fever, both before hospitalization and overall, and a higher probability of hepatomegaly. The levels of ALT, AST, LDH, TG, SF, D-Dimer and the plasma EBV DNA load of EBV-HLH patients were significantly higher than those of EBV-IM patients. The absolute values of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, NK, and CD3-CD19+ cells and IgA and IgM levels of EBV-HLH patients were significantly lower than those of EBV-IM patients. The plasma EBV DNA load was positively correlated with the PT, TT, α-HBDH, AST, LDH, CK, Scr, BUN, UA, TG, and CRP levels in EBV-HLH patients, and the plasma EBV DNA load was positively correlated with the D-Dimer level in the EBV-IM patients. Among the 10 different potential markers, at the cut-off point of 1721.500 µg/L, the sensitivity and specificity of D-Dimer was 88.90% and 90.20%, respectively.Conclusion: The D-Dimer level may be a good prognostic indicator of EBV-HLH caused by EBV.
Associations between pre-pregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain and preterm birth: a cohort study in Wuhan, China
Authors: Guo Yiyang , Xiong Chao , Zhou Aifen , Hu Ronghua , Yang Rong , Du Yukai 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background Preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Methods This cohort study aims to investigate the associations between pre-pregnancy BMI, total gestational weight gain (GWG), and the GWG during early pregnancy with PTB utilizing data of 83,096 Chinese women from the Wuhan Maternal and Children Healthcare Information Tracking System in China. Results Women who were underweight, overweight or obese before pregnancy had an higher overall risk of PTB compared with the normal group. Women who with a total GWG below the IOM recommendation had an increased risk of PTB compared to women who had GWG within the recommendation, whereas increased weekly early pregnancy GWG had a significant impact on the increasing risk of PTB. When stratified by subtypes of PTB, pre-pregnancy underweight was associated with higher risk of spontaneous PTB, and pre-pregnancy overweight /obese increased the risk of both spontaneous PTB and medically indicated PTB. Women with total GWG below the IOM recommendation had elevated risk for spontaneous PTB and PROM, and women with GWG above the recommendation had decreased risk for all three subtypes of PTB, whereas risk for the three subtypes of PTB increased along with increasing weekly GWG of early pregnancy. Conclusions Maternal underweight, overweight/obesity, total GWG, and GWG during early pregnancy should be considered in combination to reduce the risk of PTB, women should modify their weight gains during pregnancy according to the results.
Incidence and predictors of diabetic ketoacidosis among children with diabetes in West and East Gojjam zone referral hospitals Northern Ethiopia, 2019
Authors: assefa birtukan , Zeleke Haymanot , Murugan Rajalakshmi , Wondwossen Kalkidan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Recurrent diabetic ketoacidosis in patients with known diabetes mellitus remains a relevant problem in pediatrics with an incidence of 1–10% per patient. Children may die because of cerebral edema and had a significant mortality (24%) and morbidity (35%).Objective: We assessed the incidence and predictors of diabetic ketoacidosis among diabetes children at East and West Gojjam zone referral hospitals, North West Ethiopia, 2019. Methods: An institution-based retrospective follow up study was conducted on children who were registered from January 1, 2014, to January 1, 2019. Epi data version 3.1 & Stata 14 were used for data entering and analysis respectively.Result: Out of 354 children included in the study, 207 (58.5%) developed diabetic ketoacidosis. The overall incidence rate of diabetic ketoacidosis was 2.27/100 children/month of observation. Age <5 years (AHR: 3.52, 95% CI (2.25, 5.49), non-adherence (AHR: 1.54, 95% CI (1.11, 2.14), inappropriate insulin storage (AHR: 1.36, 95% CI (1.008, 1.85), presence of upper respiratory tract infections during diabetic ketoacidosis diagnose (AHR: 2.22, 95% CI (1.11, 4.45) and preceding gastroenteritis (AHR: 2.18, 95% CI (1.07, 4.44) were significant predictors. Conclusion: Age < 5 years old, non-adherence, inappropriate insulin placement at home, preceding gastroenteritis, and presence of upper respiratory tract infections at the time of diabetic ketoacidosis development were significant predictors. Hence, assessing and close monitoring as well as strengthened diabetic education should be given for the above predictors.
Flexor Hallucis Longus Hypertrophy Secondary to Achilles Tendon Tendinopathy: An MRI-based Case-Control Study
Authors: Wirth Stephan , Andronic Octavian , Aregger Fabian , Jungwirth-Weinberger Anna , Jentzsch Thorsten , Hecker Andreas 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to outline an indirect sign of advanced Achilles tendinopathy on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), based on the hypothesis that these patients would present with secondary hypertrophy of the flexor hallucis longus muscle (FHL).Methods: MRI scans of Achilles tendon were analyzed retrospectively in two cohorts. The study group consisted of consecutive patients presenting with clinical signs of Achilles tendinopathy and no previous surgeries, whilst the control group were patients that had an MRI due to other reasons and no signs of tendinopathy. Two parameters from two muscle bellies were measured and compared on axial MRI scans 4 to 5 cm above the ankle joint line at the level of greatest thickness: area and diameter of the triceps surae (TS) and of the FHL muscle. Ratios (FHL/TS) were calculated for area (Ar) and diameter (Dm) measurements. Interobserver agreement was analyzed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was created for both ratios to assess potential cut-off points to differentiate between the groups.Results: A total of 60 patients for each study group were included. Both ratios, Ar(FHL/TS) and Dm(FHL/TS) showed significant higher values in the tendinopathy group (p<0.001). There were strong to very strong intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC=0.75-0.93). A diameter ratio Dm (FHL/TS) of 2.0 or higher had a sensitivity of 49% and specificity of 90% for concomitant Achilles tendinopathy.Conclusion: In our patient cohort, FHL hypertrophy was observed in patients with Achilles tendinopathy as a possible compensatory mechanism. Measuring a diameter ratio Dm(FHL/TS) of 2.0 or higher on an axial MRI, may be indicative as an indirect sign of functional deterioration of the Achilles tendon.
Reamputation in patients with diabetic-related minor amputations who underwent physical therapy during their hospitalization. A single-facility retrospective cohort study
Authors: Imaoka Shinsuke , Sato Koji , Furukawa Masahide , Okita Minoru , Higashi Toshio 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background: Diabetic foot lesions are a major cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations; they can interfere with daily life, reduce physical function and lower a patient’s quality of life. Physical therapy is necessary to prevent such social disadvantage. Patients at high risk of reamputation may require physical therapy to prevent reamputation. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the factors that influence re-amputation in patients with minor amputations who were treated with physical therapy during their hospitalization.Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 245 consecutive hospitalized patients who presented to our Wound Care Center between January 2015 and February 2018 and received physical therapy after a minor amputation. Participants were identified from admission records (to surgical and physical therapy units) stored in the electronic medical records. We examined reamputations that occurred in the ipsilateral lower extremity during the 1-year post-discharge outpatient period. The maximum follow-up period was１year. We used Cox proportional hazards analysis to examine factors affecting the risk of reamputation.Results: Of the 129 patients enrolled, 42 patients (32.5%) underwent reamputations during an average observation period of 6.2 months (range, 2.1 to 10.9 months). The factors associated with reamputation were a requirement for hemodialysis, ankle dorsiflexion angle, and ambulation Functional Independence Measure score.Conclusions: We identified a requirement for hemodialysis, ankle dorsiflexion angle, and functional independence measure (FIM) ambulation as the factors associated with reamputation in patients with diabetes who had undergone minor amputation. In the future, developing a physical therapy program that focuses on these factors could help reduce reamputations.