bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Burden of Fatigue among Adults Living with HIV/AIDS Attending Antiretroviral Therapy in Ethiopia
Authors: Gebreyesus Tsiwaye , Belay Addisalem , Berhe Gebretsadik , Haile Gebremedhin 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Fatigue is one of the most common and devastating Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) - related symptoms, with a varying prevalence in different study areas. In Ethiopia, there is a paucity of information on the magnitude and factors associated with fatigue among HIV/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients. This may lead to under-diagnosis and eventually under-management of the symptom. Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with fatigue among adults living with HIV/AIDS attending antiretroviral therapy at health facilities of Mekelle city, Tigray, North Ethiopia, 2019. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 609 HIV/AIDS patients who were selected by using a systematic random sampling method. Data were collected by using interviewer administered structured questionnaire. Level of fatigue was measured by Fatigue Severity Scale. Results: The prevalence of fatigue was found to be 51.7%. The factors associated with fatigue were: Parity [AOR= 2.01; 95% CI: 1.09-3.71], CD4 count 200-499 cells/mm3 [AOR= 2.81; 95% CI: 1.58-4.99], anemia [AOR= 4.90 95% CI: 2.40-9.97], co-morbidities [AOR= 3.65; 95% CI: 1.71-7.78], depression [AOR= 3.68 95% CI: 1.99-6.79], not being physically active [AOR= 3.20 95% CI: 1.50-6.81], clinical stage II or IV HIV [AOR= 3.11; 95% CI: 1.51-6.40] and [AOR= 4.08; 95% CI: 1.37-12.14], respectively. Conclusion: The finding of this study revealed that fatigue is a common health problem among adult People Living with HIV (PLHIV). Factors associated with fatigue included: Parity, CD4 count 200-499 cells/mm3, Clinical Stage II or IV HIV, anemia, co-morbidities, depression, and not being physically active. The health care service needs to address the predisposing factors by provision integrated care including timely detection and treatment of comorbidities, mental health problems, and promote physical activity to slow down disease progression and then reduce exposure to fatigue. Keywords: Fatigue, HIV/AIDS, Associated factors, Prevalence, Ethiopia
The independent indicators for differentiating renal cell carcinoma from renal angiomyolipoma by contrast-enhanced ultrasound
Authors: Cao Hongli , Fang Liang , Chen Lin , Zhan Jia , Diao Xuehong , Liu Yingchun , Lu Chen , Zhang Zhengwang , Chen Yue 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: The value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in differentiating between renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and angiomyolipoma (AML) was analyzed. The purpose of this study was to identify the independent indicators of CEUS for predicting RCC.
Methods: A total of 172 renal tumors (150 RCCs, 22 AMLs) in 165 patients underwent conventional ultrasound (CUS) and CEUS examinations before radical or partial nephrectomy, and the features on CUS and CEUS were analyzed.
Results: There were significant differences in echogenicity, blood flow signals in color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), peak intensity, homogeneity of enhancement, wash in, wash out, and perilesional rim-like enhancement between RCC and AML ( P <0.05 for all). Multivariate analysis indicated that perilesional rim-like enhancement ( P =0.035, odds ratio [OR]=9.907, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.169-83.971) and fast wash out ( P =0.001, OR =9.755, 95%[CI]: 2.497-38.115) were independent indicators for predicting RCC. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for perilesional rim-like enhancement was 0.838 (95% CI:0.774-0.890) with 76.7% sensitivity and 90.9% specificity, while the AUC of fast wash out was 0.833 (95% CI:0.768-0.885) with 74.7% sensitivity and 81.8% specificity.
Conclusions: This study indicated that CEUS has value in differentiating RCC and AML. Present perilesional rim-like enhancement and fast wash out may be important indicators for predicting RCC.
Key words: Renal cell carcinoma; angiomyolipoma; contrast-enhanced ultrasound; ultrasonography
Comparative cytological and transcriptome analysis reveals high pollen fertility and upregulation of environmentally sensitive genic male sterility genes in neo-tetraploid rice
Authors: Wu Jinwen , Chen Yuanmou , Lin Hong , Chen Yang , Yu Hang , Lu Zijun , Li Xiang , Zhou Hai , Chen Zhixiong , Liu Xiangdong 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Autotetraploid rice is a useful germplasm for polyploid rice breeding; however, low seed setting is a major hindrance for the utilization of autotetraploid rice. Our previous study demonstrated that neo-tetraploid rice have great yield potential, which is thought to be one effective way to overcome the low fertility of autotetraploid rice. However, there is little known about the cause of high pollen fertility in neo-tetraploid rice. Here, we employed cytology and RNA-seq to study the molecular genetic mechanism of high pollen fertility in neo-tetraploid rice.
Results: Cytological observations indicate that H1 displayed high pollen fertility (95.62%), lower percentage of pollen mother cells（PMCs）abnormalities, and stable chromosome configurations during the pollen development process compared with its two parents. RNA-seq analysis detected 1479 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in neo-tetraploid rice compared with its two parents. Of these DEGs, 433 were annotated as pollen fertility-related genes, and 240 (~55.4%) exhibited significant upregulation in neo-tetraploid rice compared with its two parents, including nine cloned genes ( TMS5 , CSA etc.) that were validated by qRT-PCR and had been demonstrated to be pollen fertility-related genes. We further selected TMS5 as a candidate gene and analysed its phenotype in neo-tetraploid rice using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique. Significant variations have been detected in phenotypic charts, pollen development process and expression level in H1 and TMS5 knockout lines.
Conclusion: Our finding provides strong evidence for the regulatory mechanisms of neo-tetraploid rice, and upregulation of pollen fertility-related genes should be associated with high fertility. Moreover, knockout of environmentally sensitive genic male sterility genes in the present study provide the new useful germplasm for polyploidy rice breeding.
Long Acting Reversible Contraception use and associated factors among postpartum women in Hossana Town, Southern Ethiopia: cross sectional study
Authors: Woldu Biruktawit Fekade , Ermolo Tadesse Lelago , Lemu Lidiya Gutema , Gejo Negeso Gebeyehu 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: In low and middle-income countries, 95% of postpartum women want to avoid a pregnancy for 2 years, but 70% are not using contraception. Delay in use of contraception by couples during postpartum period can result in many unwanted pregnancies. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) is ideal for postpartum women. Therefore this study aimed at assessing the prevalence and factors associated with LARC use among postpartum women. Methods: Facility based cross sectional study was conducted from July 23-Aug 25, 2018. Systematic random sampling technique was employed to recruit a total of 381 women in extended postpartum period visiting Child Immunization service in hosanna health institutions. Pretested structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 20. Binary and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done. The presence and strength of association was determined using AOR with its 95% CI. Variables with P value less than 0.05 were considered as statistical significant. Results: The prevalence of LARC use was 36.5% (95%CI (33.05-39.95)). The main reason for not using LARC was fear of side effect and false information. Previous use of LARC (AOR=3.3, 95%CI (1.7-6.5)) and have ever discussed with health providers on LARC (AOR=2.5, 95%CI (1.1-5.74)) were found to be significantly associated with LARC use. Conclusions: The utilization of LARC among postpartum women was found to be higher than other studies in Ethiopia. Increase women’s access to realistic information on LARC, mainly on IUCD need to be emphasized to enhance its uptake.
“When my mother called to say that the time of cutting had arrived, I escaped to Belgium with my daughter”: Identifying turning points in the change of attitudes towards the practice of Female Genital Mutilation among migrant women in Belgium
Authors: Agboli Afi A. , Richard Fabienne , Aujoulat Isabelle 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Female Genital Mutilation remains a public health concern with negative consequences on women’s health. It is a harmful practice and recognized in international discourses on public health as a form of gender-based violence of which women are not only victims but also perpetrators. The practice of FGM remains a social norm which is difficult to change because of its deep roots in tradition and how it is embedded in the patriarchal system. However, some women succeeded in changing their attitudes towards it and speak out against it. This study identifies and describes turning points defined as significant and critical events in the lives of the women, that create changes towards the practice of FGM. Methods: We conducted an inductive qualitative study based on the life story approach, where we interviewed 15 women with FGM. During the interviews, the turning points that gave them the courage to change were identified together with the research participants. The analysis drew on lifeline reconstructions and thematic analysis. Results: Six common turning points relating to a change in attitude towards FGM were identified: turning points related to (i) encounters with health professionals, (ii) education, (iii) social interactions with other cultures and their own culture, (iv) experiences of motherhood, (v) repeated pain during sexual or reproductive activity, and (vi) witnessing some harmful consequences of FGM towards loved ones. Conclusion: The turning points identified challenged the understanding of what it means to be a ‘member’ of the community in a patriarchal system, a ‘normal woman’ according to the community and what it means to be a ‘good mother’. Besides, the turning points found were expressed together with some issues related to emotional responses and coming to terms with conflicts of loyalty, which we see as possible common mechanisms to explain the change experienced by the women in our sample.
Genome-wide association studies for methane emission and ruminal volatile fatty acids using Holstein cattle sequence data
Authors: Sarghale Ali Jalil , Shahrebabak Mohammad Moradi , Shahrebabak Hossein Moradi , Javaremi Ardeshir Nejati , Saatchi Mahdi , Khansefid Majid , Miar Younes 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Methane emission by ruminants has contributed considerably to the global warming and understanding the genomic architecture of methane production may help the livestock producers to reduce the methane emission from the livestock production system. The goal of our study was to identify genomic regions affecting the predicted methane emission (PME) from volatile fatty acids (VFAs) indicators and VFA traits using imputed whole-genome sequence data in Iranian Holstein cattle. Results: Based on the significant-association threshold (p < 5 × 10−8), 33 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected for PME per kg milk (n=2), PME per kg fat (n=14), and valeric acid (n=17). Besides, 69 genes were identified for valeric acid (n=18), PME per kg milk (n=4) and PME per kg fat (n=47) that were located within 1 Mb of significant SNPs. Based on the gene ontology (GO) term analysis, six promising candidate genes were significantly clustered in organelle organization (GO:0004984, p = 3.9 × 10-2) for valeric acid, and 17 candidate genes significantly clustered in olfactory receptors activity (GO:0004984, p = 4 × 10-10) for PME traits. Annotation results revealed 31 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for milk yield and its components, body weight, and residual feed intake within 1 Mb of significant SNPs. Conclusions: Our results identified 33 SNPs associated with PME and valeric acid traits, as well as 17 olfactory receptors activity genes for PME traits related to food preference and feed intake. Identified SNPs in this study were close to 31 QTLs for milk yield and its components, body weight, and residual feed intake traits. In addition, these traits had high correlations with PME trait. Overall, our findings suggest that marker-assisted and genomic selection could be used to improve the difficult and expensive-to-measure phenotypes such as PME. Moreover, prediction of methane emission by VFA indicators could be useful for increasing the size of the reference population required in genome-wide association studies and genomic selection.
Community health volunteers’ contribution to Tuberculosis patients notified to National Tuberculosis program in Kenya
Authors: Abongo Tabitha , Ulo Benson , Karanja Sarah 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background

Contact investigation is important in finding contacts who have Tuberculosis (TB) disease so that they can be given treatment and stop further transmission. The main objective of this study was to assess the contribution of community health volunteers (CHVs) to the number of TB patients notified to the National program in Kenya. The specific objectives were to establish the total number of households of TB index cases visited by CHVs for contact screening, identify the total number of household members screened for TB and establish the number of persons referred for further TB investigation and the number identified with TB.

Methods

This was a retrospective desk review of project reports submitted to Amref Health Africa in Kenya by the sub recipients implementing activities in the 33 counties with Case Notification Rate (CNR) of less 175/100,000 and Treatment Success Rate (TRS) of less than 88% as per the National strategic plan 2015-2018. Data for this study covered a time period between January and December 2016. Data on the notified TB patients was obtained from the National Tuberculosis Information Basic Unit (TIBU). The study population included all the TB index cases whose households were visited by CHVs for contact screening. Data was analyzed descriptively.

Results

CHVs visited a total of 26,307 TB patients in their households for contact screening. A total of 44,617 household members were screened for TB with 43,012 (96.40%) coming from households of bacteriologically confirmed TB patients and 1,606 (3.60%) from households of children under 5 years. The proportion of the persons referred in relation to number screened was 19.6% for those over 5 years and 21.9% from under 5 years with almost the same percentages for male and female at 19.2% and 19.7% respectively

Conclusions

This study showed that in the 33 counties of Global Fund TB project implementation the percentage of TB cases identified through tracing of contacts improved from 6% to 10% while the percentage of notified TB cases; all forms contributed through community referrals improved from 4% to 8%. CHVs play an effective role in household contact screening and referrals for identification of TB.
A selective p38α/β MAPKs inhibitor alleviates neuropathology and cognitive impairment, and modulates microglia function in 5XFAD mouse
Authors: Gee Min Sung , Son Seung Hwan , Jeon Seung Ho , Do Jimin , Kim Namkwon , Ju Yeon-Joo , Lee Soo Jin , Chung Eun Kyoung , Inn Kyung-Soo , Kim Nam-Jung , Lee Jong Kil 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Chronic neuroinflammation, aggressive amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition, neuronal cell loss, and cognitive impairment are pathological presentations of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Therefore, resolution of neuroinflammation and inhibition of Aβ-driven pathology have been suggested to be important strategies for AD therapy. Previous efforts to prevent AD progression have identified p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) as a promising target for AD therapy. Recent studies showed pharmacological inhibition of p38α MAPK improved memory impairment in AD mouse models. Methods: In this study, we used an AD mouse model, 5XFAD, to explore the therapeutic potential of NJK14047 which is a novel, selective p38α/β MAPKs inhibitor. The mice were injected with 2.5 mg/kg NJK14047 or vehicle every other day for 3 months. Morris water maze task and histological imaging analysis were performed. Protein and mRNA expression levels were measured using immunoblotting and qRT-PCR, respectively. In vitro studies were conducted to measure the cytotoxicity of microglia- and astrocyte-conditioned medium on primary neurons using the MTT assay and TUNEL assay. Results: NJK14047 treatment downregulated phospho-p38 MAPK levels, decreased the amount of Aβ deposits, and reduced spatial learning memory loss in 9-month-old 5XFAD mice. While the pro-inflammatory conditions were decreased, the expression of alternatively activated microglial markers and microglial phagocytic receptors was increased. Furthermore, NJK14047 treatment reduced the number of degenerating neurons labeled with Fluoro-jade B in the brains of 5XFAD mice. The neuroprotective effect of NJK14047 was further confirmed by in vitro studies. Conclusion: Taken together, a selective p38α/β MAPKs inhibitor NJK14047 successfully showed therapeutic effects for AD in 5XFAD mice. Based on our data, p38 MAPKs inhibition is a potential strategy for AD therapy, suggesting NJK14047 as one of the promising candidates for AD therapeutics targeting p38 MAPKs. Keywords : Alzheimer’s disease, Amyloid-β, P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, Kinase inhibitor, Microglia
Education Level as a Predictor of Survival in Patients with Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Xu Limei , Wang Xiuju , Pan Xueyi , Wang Xiaotao , Wang Qing , Wu Bingyi , Cai Jiahui , Zhao Ying , Chen Lijuan , Li Wuping , Li Juan 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Disparities in multiple myeloma (MM) prognosis based on sociodemographic factors may exist. We investigated whether education level at diagnosis influenced Chinese MM patient outcomes.Methods We performed a multicenter retrospective analysis of data from 773 MM patients across 9 centers in China from 2006 to 2019. Sociodemographic and clinical factors at diagnosis and treatment regimens were recorded, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results Overall, 69.21% of patients had low education levels. Patients with low education levels differed from those with high education levels in that they were more likely to be older, and a higher proportion lived in rural areas, were unemployed, had lower annual incomes and lacked insurance. Additionally, compared to patients with high education levels, patients with low education levels had a higher proportion of international staging system (ISS) stage III classification and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and underwent transplantation less often. Patients with high education levels had better progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) than did patients with low education levels (67.50±8.10 versus 30.60±1.64 months; 122.27±0 versus 55.83±3.55 months, log-rank test, p<0.001; respectively). In the multivariable analysis, patients with high education levels had lower relapse and mortality rates than did those with low education level in terms of PFS and OS (hazard ratio (HR)=0.50 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.34-0.72], p<0.001; HR=0.31 [0.18-0.53], p<0.001, respectively). Conclusions Low education levels may independently predict poor survival in MM patients in China. To reduce healthcare disparities for universal healthcare reform, it is critical to improve citizens’ education levels.
Evaluating the gene flow from East to West among various populations of Rajasthan, India
Authors: Kumawat R K , Shrivastava Pankaj , Shrivastava Divya , Mathur G K , Dixit Shivani , Chaubey Gyaneshwer 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: The genetic landscape of South Asia is distinctive, where there is a preponderance of social-cultural and genetic variability. Rajasthan is a state located in the north-western part of India and it has been cited as a major route of human migration since ancient times. The present study was conducted to find out the genetic affinity of Rajasthani population with the population living in its east and the west. In particular, we compared them with the population of Pakistan which shares the common geographical boundary with the Rajasthan while also having a look at their inter and intra population affinities with the population belonging to other Indian states. We investigated the genetic structure and population parameters of Rajasthani populations obtained for twenty polymorphic autosomal STR loci from 669 unrelated individuals belonging to its three population groups including Mina, Gujjar and the mixed population of Rajasthan.Results: The studied populations showed a wide range of genetic diversity and besides the genetic structure of the studied populations, it was found that the average heterozygosity value was highest among the populations of Rajasthan, possibly, because of gene flow from different directions.Conclusion: Various statistical analyses suggested that the Rajasthani populations had a higher affinity with the North Indian populations rather than with the Pakistani population.
Plasma amino acid levels in individuals with bacterial pneumonia and healthy controls
Authors: IKEDA HIDEKI 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Amino acids play an important role in immune responses and as neurotransmitters. During the course of a bacterial pneumonia (BP) episode, from the onset to the recovery phase, immune responses dramatically change, as does the metabolism of amino acids, a concept referred to as immuno-nutrition. We investigated the differences in plasma amino acid levels between the acute and recovery phases in individuals with BP and healthy controls. Methods: Two groups of participants were recruited: Healthy adults aged over 60 years who had undergone a medical health examination and patients, admitted to hospital with BP. Samples were collected on Day 0 (the day of admission for patients with BP) and Day 7. Results: A total of 93 healthy adults and 60 patients with BP participated in the study. Of those with BP, 43 had their amino acids measured on Day 7. Patients with BP had markedly decreased plasma levels of 12 amino acids on Day 0. Histidine and tryptophan remained low, while aspartic acid, asparagine, ornithine, proline, and threonine were higher on Day 7 in both males and females. Phenylalanine increased at Day 0 and Day7, and returned to normal range at the post-recovery period. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the host response against bacterial infection changed the plasma amino acid levels. Amino acid levels on Day 7 (representing convalescence) continued to display an amino acid profile distinct from that observed in healthy individuals. Based on these findings, providing amino acids to patients with BP should be modified depending on stage of BP from the perspective of immuno-nutrition.