bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of community-wide, mass drug administration on aggregation of soil-transmitted helminth infection in human host populations
Authors: Werkman Marleen , Wright James E. , Truscott James E. , Oswald William E. , Halliday Katherine E. , Papaiakovou Marina , Farrell Sam H. , Pullan Rachel L. , Anderson Roy M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundSoil-transmitted helminths (STH) are intestinal parasites estimated to infect over 1.5 billion people. Current treatment programmes are aimed at morbidity control through school-based deworming programmes (targeting school-aged children, SAC) and treating women of reproductive age (WRA), as these two groups are believed to record the highest morbidity. More recently, however, the potential for interrupting transmission by treating entire communities has been receiving greater emphasis and the feasibility of such programmes are now under investigation in randomised clinical trials through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation funded DeWorm3 studies. Helminth parasites are known to be highly aggregated within human populations, with a small minority of individuals harbouring most worms. Empirical evidence from the TUMIKIA project in Kenya suggests that aggregation may increase significantly after anthelminthic treatment.MethodsA stochastic, age-structured, individual-based simulation model of parasite transmission is employed to better understand the factors that might induce this pattern. A simple probabilistic model based on compounded negative binomial distributions caused by age-dependencies in both treatment coverage and exposure to infection is also employed to further this understanding.ResultsBoth approaches confirm helminth aggregation is likely to increase post-mass drug administration as measured by a decrease in the value of the negative binomial aggregation parameter,k. Simple analytical models of distribution compounding describe the observed patterns well.ConclusionsThe helminth aggregation that was observed in the field was replicated with our stochastic individual-based model. Further work is required to generalise the probabilistic model to take account of the respective sensitivities of different diagnostics on the presence or absence of infection.
Environmental and biotic factors affecting freshwater snail intermediate hosts in the Ethiopian Rift Valley region
Authors: Olkeba Beekam Kebede , Boets Pieter , Mereta Seid Tiku , Yeshigeta Mesfin , Akessa Geremew Muleta , Ambelu Argaw , Goethals Peter L. M. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundKnowledge of the distribution and habitat preference of freshwater snail intermediate hosts can provide information to initiate and set-up effective snail control programmes. However, there is limited research conducted on the factors driving the occurrence and abundance of freshwater snail intermediate hosts in the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Hence, in this study, we investigated how environmental and biotic factors influence the occurrence and abundance of the snail intermediate hosts in Ethiopian Rift Valley region.MethodsData on freshwater snails, physico-chemical water quality parameters, physical characteristics of habitat, predators and competitors, and anthropogenic activity variables were collected from 174 sampling sites during the wet season of 2017 and 2018. Generalized linear models were used to identify the main environmental and biotic factors affecting the occurrence and abundance of the snail species.ResultsIt was found thatBulinus globosus(31.7%) was the most abundant snail species followed byLymnaea natalensis(21.6%),Lymnaea truncatula(15.1%) andBiomphalaria pfeifferi(14.6%). Generalized linear models indicated that physico-chemical parameters (water temperature, turbidity, chlorophyll-a, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, nitrate and ammonia), physical habitat characteristics (water depth, canopy cover, macrophyte cover and substrate type) and biotic factors (abundance of predators and competitors) were found to be the main variables determining the occurrence and abundance of snail species in the Ethiopian Rift Valley region. In terms of anthropogenic activities, human settlement, farming, bathing and swimming, clothes washing, grazing, drainage of land, car washing, boating, fishing and silviculture were also important variables determining the occurrence and abundance of snail species in the region.ConclusionsThe findings reported herein suggest that integrated snail control strategies should be considered to control snailsviaprotection of water bodies from disturbance by anthropogenic activities. In this way, it is possible to reduce the concentration of organic matter and dissolved ions in aquatic ecosystems which are conducive for the presence of snails.
Young blood plasma reduces Alzheimer’s disease-like brain pathologies and ameliorates cognitive impairment in 3×Tg-AD mice
Authors: Zhao Ying , Qian Ran , Zhang Jin , Liu Fei , Iqbal Khalid , Dai Chun-Ling , Gong Cheng-Xin 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Recent studies indicated that circulatory factors in blood plasma from young animals can reactivate neurogenesis, restore synaptic plasticity, and improve cognitive function in aged animals. Here, we investigated if young plasma could have a possible therapeutic effect for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-like pathologies and cognitive impairment in triple-transgenic AD (3×Tg-AD) mice.

Methods
We intravenously injected plasma from 2- to 3-month-old C57BL/6 J wild-type mice into 16–17-month-old 3×Tg-AD mice twice a week for 8 weeks. The behavioral tests including open field, novel object recognition, Morris water maze, and reversal Morris water maze were conducted after 4-week plasma injections. The effect of young plasma on tau and Aβ pathologies and on the levels of synaptic proteins and neuroinflammation were assessed by Western blots and immunohistochemical staining.

Results
Young plasma treatment improved short-term memory in the novel object recognition test and enhanced the spatial learning and memory in Morris water maze test and reversal Morris water maze test. Biochemical studies revealed that young plasma treatment reduced both tau and Aβ pathologies, as well as neuroinflammation in the mouse brain. However, we did not detect any significant changes in levels of synaptic proteins or the dentate gyrus neurogenesis in the mouse brain after the treatment with young plasma.

Conclusions
These data indicate that young blood plasma not only ameliorates tau and Aβ pathologies but also enhances the cognitive function in 3×Tg-AD mice. These findings suggest that transfusion with young blood plasma could be a potentially effective treatment for AD.
Hypoxia-challenged MSC-derived exosomes deliver miR-210 to attenuate post-infarction cardiac apoptosis
Authors: Cheng Hao , Chang Shufu , Xu Rende , Chen Lu , Song Xiaoyue , Wu Jian , Qian Juying , Zou Yunzeng , Ma Jianying 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Myocardial infarction (MI) is a major cause of death worldwide. Although percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting can prolong life, cardiac damage persists. In particular, cardiomyocytes have no regenerative capacity. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are attractive candidates for the treatment of MI. The manner by which MSCs exert a beneficial effect upon injured cells is a source of continued study.

Methods
After the isolation and identification of exosomes from MSCs, the expression of miR-210 was determined by microarray chip. Subsequently, gain- and loss-function approaches were conducted to detect the role of exosomes and exosomal-miR-210 in cell proliferation and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, as well as the MI in vivo. Dual-Luciferase Report Gene System was used to demonstrate the target gene of miR-210.

Results
We tested the hypothesis that MSC-derived exosomes transfer specific miRNA to protect cardiomyocytes from apoptotic cell death. Interestingly, direct cardiac injection of MSC exosomes reduced infarct size and improved heart function after coronary ligation. In vitro, the MSC exosomes enhanced cardiomyocyte survival to hypoxia. Confirmation of exosome uptake in myocytes was confirmed. Dual-luciferase reporter assay implicated miR-210 as a mediator of the therapeutic effect and AIFM3 as a downstream target. Treatment with miR-210 overexpressing MSC exosomes improved myocyte protection to both in vitro and in vivo stress. Furthermore, the endogenous and exogenous miR-210 had the same therapeutic effects.

Conclusion
These results demonstrated that the beneficial effects offered by MSC-exosomes transplantation after MI are at least partially because of excreted exosome containing mainly miR-210.

Graphical abstract
Chemical space exploration based on recurrent neural networks: applications in discovering kinase inhibitors
Authors: Li Xuanyi , Xu Yinqiu , Yao Hequan , Lin Kejiang 
Published: June 2020

AbstractWith the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in drug discovery, de novo molecular generation provides new ways to explore chemical space. However, because de novo molecular generation methods rely on abundant known molecules, generated molecules may have a problem of novelty. Novelty is important in highly competitive areas of medicinal chemistry, such as the discovery of kinase inhibitors. In this study, de novo molecular generation based on recurrent neural networks was applied to discover a new chemical space of kinase inhibitors. During the application, the practicality was evaluated, and new inspiration was found. With the successful discovery of one potent Pim1 inhibitor and two lead compounds that inhibit CDK4, AI-based molecular generation shows potentials in drug discovery and development.
Mucormycosis in intensive care unit: surgery is a major prognostic factor in patients with hematological malignancy
Authors: Claustre Johanna , Larcher Romaric , Jouve Thomas , Truche Anne-Sophie , Nseir Saad , Cadiet Julien , Zerbib Yoann , Lautrette Alexandre , Constantin Jean-Michel , Charles Pierre-Emmanuel , Daubin Cedric , Coudroy Remi , Dellamonica Jean , Argaud Laurent , Phelouzat Pierre , Contou Damien , Pocquet Juliette , Voiriot Guillaume , Navellou Jean-Christophe , Lavagne Pierre , Durand Michel , Cornet Muriel , Schwebel Carole , Terzi Nicolas 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Mucormycosis is an invasive fungal infection, with an increasing incidence especially in patients with hematological malignancies. Its prognosis is poor because of its high invasive power and its intrinsic low susceptibility to antifungal agents. We aimed to describe the epidemiology of mucormycosis in intensive care units (ICU) and evaluate the outcomes. We performed a retrospective multi-center study in 16 French ICUs between 2008 and 2017. We compared the patients who survived in ICU and the patients who did not to identify factors associated with ICU survival. Then, we focused on the subgroup of patients with hematological malignancies.

Results
Mucormycosis was diagnosed in 74 patients during the study period. Among them, 60 patients (81%) were immunocompromised: 41 had hematological malignancies, 9 were solid organ transplant recipients, 31 received long-term steroids, 11 had diabetes, 24 had malnutrition. Only 21 patients survived to ICU stay (28.4%) with a median survival of 22 days (Q1–Q3 = 9–106) and a survival rate at day 28 and day 90, respectively, of 35.1% and 26.4%. Survivors were significantly younger (p = 0.001), with less frequently hematological malignancies (p = 0.02), and less malnutrition (p = 0.05). Median survival in patients with hematological malignancies (n = 41) was 15 days (Q1–Q3 = 5–23.5 days). In this subgroup, curative surgery was a major factor associated with survival in multivariate analysis (odds ratio = 0.71, [0.45–0.97], p < 0.001).

Conclusion
Overall prognosis of mucormycosis in ICU remains poor, especially in patients with hematological malignancies. In this subgroup of patients, a therapeutic strategy including curative surgery was the main factor associated with survival.
Robust image hashing with compressed sensing and ordinal measures
Authors: Tang Zhenjun , Zhang Hanyun , Lu Shenglian , Yao Heng , Zhang Xianquan 
Published: June 2020

AbstractImage hashing is an efficient technology for processing digital images and has been successfully used in image copy detection, image retrieval, image authentication, image quality assessment, and so on. In this paper, we design a new image hashing with compressed sensing (CS) and ordinal measures. This hashing method uses a visual attention model called Itti model and Canny operator to construct an image representation, and exploits CS to extract compact features from the representation. Finally, the CS-based compact features are quantized via ordinal measures. L2 norm is used to judge similarity of hashes produced by the proposed hashing method. Experiments about robustness validation, discrimination test, block size discussion, selection of visual attention model, selection of quantization scheme, and effectiveness of the use of ordinal measures are conducted to verify performances of the proposed hashing method. Comparisons with some state-of-the-art algorithms are also carried out. The results illustrate that the proposed hashing method outperforms some compared algorithms in classification according to ROC (receiver operating characteristic) graph.
Racial/ethnic differences in the prevalence and incidence of metabolic syndrome in high-income countries: a protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Adjei Nicholas Kofi , Samkange-Zeeb Florence , Kebede Mihiretu , Saleem Maham , Heise Thomas L. , Zeeb Hajo 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of various cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes risk factors, such as abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, and high blood glucose, but its prevalence varies widely by geographical region, sex, and race/ethnicity. The objective of this study is to examine the prevalence and incidence of metabolic syndrome among adults of different racial/ethnic origins in high-income countries.

Methods
We designed and registered a study protocol for a systematic review of descriptive epidemiological data. Observational studies (e.g., cross sectional and cohort studies) reporting morbidity data of metabolic syndrome and conducted in a wide range of adult people (e.g., different racial/ethnic origins, including migrants) will be included. The primary outcome will be the prevalence and incidence of metabolic syndrome. Secondary outcomes will be the prevalence and incidence of individual components of metabolic syndrome (e.g., abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, high blood pressure, and high blood glucose). Literature searches will be conducted in several electronic databases (from inception onwards), including MEDLINE, Web of Science Core Collection (Science Citation Index and Social Science Citation Index), CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. Two investigators will independently screen all reference titles, abstracts, and full-text articles. The methodological quality (or potential bias) of selected studies will be appraised using an appropriate tool. Our results will be described narratively. Random-effects meta-analysis will be conducted, if feasible and appropriate. Additional analyses will be conducted to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity.

Conclusion
This systematic review will identify, evaluate, and integrate prevalence and incidence data of metabolic syndrome, with focus on racial/ethnic differences in high-income countries. We anticipate our findings may guide policy formulation and identify knowledge gaps in the literature that future research should address.

Systematic review registration
PROSPERO, CRD42020157189
Prevalence and determinants of alcohol use among adults living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Mekuriaw Birhanie , Belayneh Zelalem , Molla Alemayehu , Mehare Tsegaye 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background
Alcohol use is a challenging problem which attributes to more than 5% of the overall global burden of disease. It is more common among persons with HIV infection than the general population. Although there are separate studies regarding people with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia, their results are highly variable and discrepant. The objectives of this study will be to evaluate the prevalence of alcohol use and to identify its associated factors among people with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia.

Methods
A systematic search of electronic databases (from inception onwards) of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library will be conducted. Moreover, grey literatures will be searched from different sources (such as Google Scholar, OpenGrey, and World Health Organization websites). Reference lists of the selected articles will also be searched manually. Observational studies (cross-sectional, case-control, cohort) reporting the prevalence of alcohol use and/or its associated factors among adults with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia will be included. The primary outcomes will be the prevalence of alcohol use among HIV/AIDS population. Secondary outcomes will be the determinants of alcohol use described in the included studies. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations and full-text articles and extract data. The studies’ methodological quality (or bias) will be appraised using an appropriate tool. If feasible, we will conduct a random effects meta-analysis of observational data. Heterogeneity of primary studies will be assessed using the I2 test. Prevalence estimates will be stratified according to gender, age, and geographical location. Small-study effects (publication bias) also will be examined.

Discussion
Our systematic review and meta-analysis will prevail the pooled prevalence of alcohol use and its determinants among people with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia. The finding of this study will be helpful to design appropriate preventive and interventional strategies for alcohol use among people with HIV/AIDS. This can have direct or indirect policy responses and clinical implications.

Systematic review registration
PROSPERO CRD42019132524
Adult attachment style and maternal-infant bonding: the indirect path of parenting stress
Authors: Nordahl Dag , Rognmo Kamilla , Bohne Agnes , Landsem Inger Pauline , Moe Vibeke , Wang Catharina Elisabeth Arfwedson , Høifødt Ragnhild Sørensen 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe quality of maternal-infant bonding is related to important child outcomes. The literature has assumed that the ability to form relationships is a relatively stable trait, and research studies have suggested that a mother’s attachment style in close adult relationships is related to mother-infant bonding. The transition to parenthood is also often stressful, and the adult attachment style may relate to parenting stress in the first year after birth. Such stress could possibly have a negative relationship with the mother-infant bond. In the present study, we examined the associations between maternal adult attachment styles and the quality of mother-infant bonding and whether this relationship is mediated by parenting stress.MethodsThe present study sample comprised 168 women (mean age 31.0 years, SD 4.23 years). Between weeks 31 and 41 of gestation, the anxious and avoidant adult attachment dimensions were measured with the Experiences in Close Relationships questionnaire (ECR). Between 5 and 15 weeks after birth mother-infant bonding and parenting stress were measured with the Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale (MPAS) and the Parenting Stress Index-Parent Domain (PSI-PD), respectively.ResultsBoth attachment-related avoidance and attachment-related anxiety correlated significantly and negatively with mother-infant bonding. However, a regression analysis showed that only attachment-related avoidance was a significant predictor of mother-infant bonding when controlling for demographic variables and maternal mental health history. The relationship between the adult attachment style and bonding was mediated by parenting stress. Higher scores on attachment avoidance and anxiety were related to increased stress, which was related to decreased quality of bonding. The overall parent domain and the subscale of competence in the parent-related stress dimension mediated between attachment avoidance and bonding, and the overall parent domain and the subscales of competence and role restriction mediated between attachment anxiety and bonding. There was no direct relationship between the adult attachment style and mother-infant bonding when parenting stress was included as a mediator.ConclusionsThis study illustrates that maternal adult attachment style relates to mother-infant bonding. This relationship was mediated by parenting stress. The results may have implications for the early identification of mothers at risk of having bonding difficulties.
Development and Validation of a Clinical Polygenic Risk Score to Predict Breast Cancer Risk
Authors: Hughes Elisha , Tshiaba Placede , Gallagher Shannon , Wagner Susanne , Judkins Thaddeus , Roa Benjamin , Rosenthal Eric , Domchek Susan , Garber Judy , Lancaster Johnathan , Weitzel Jeffrey , Kurian Allison W. , Lanchbury Jerry S. , Gutin Alexander , Robson Mark 
Published: June 2020

PURPOSE Women with a family history of breast cancer are frequently referred for hereditary cancer genetic testing, yet < 10% are found to have pathogenic variants in known breast cancer susceptibility genes. Large-scale genotyping studies have identified common variants (primarily single-nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) with individually modest breast cancer risk that, in aggregate, account for considerable breast cancer susceptibility. Here, we describe the development and empirical validation of an SNP-based polygenic breast cancer risk score. METHODS A panel of 94 SNPs was examined for association with breast cancer in women of European ancestry undergoing hereditary cancer genetic testing and negative for pathogenic variants in breast cancer susceptibility genes. Candidate polygenic risk scores (PRSs) as predictors of personal breast cancer history were developed through multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for age, cancer history, and ancestry. An optimized PRS was validated in 2 independent cohorts (n = 13,174; n = 141,160). RESULTS Within the training cohort (n = 24,259), 4,291 women (18%) had a personal history of breast cancer and 8,725 women (36%) reported breast cancer in a first-degree relative. The optimized PRS included 86 variants and was highly predictive of breast cancer status in both validation cohorts ( P = 6.4 × 10−66; P < 10−325). The odds ratio (OR) per unit standard deviation was consistent between validations (OR, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.39 to 1.52]; OR 1.47 [95% CI, 1.45 to 1.49]). In a direct comparison, the 86-SNP PRS outperformed a previously described PRS of 77 SNPs. CONCLUSION The validation and implementation of a PRS for women without pathogenic variants in known breast cancer susceptibility genes offers potential for risk stratification to guide surveillance recommendations.