bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serological and molecular evidence of Brucella species in the rapidly growing pig sector in Kenya
Authors: Akoko James Miser , Pelle Roger , Kivali Velma , Schelling Esther , Shirima Gabriel , Machuka Eunice , Mathew Coletha , Fèvre Eric M. , Kyallo Victoria , Falzon Laura C. , Lukambagire AbdulHamid S. , Halliday Jo E.B. , Bonfoh Bassirou , Kazwala Rudovick , Ouma Collins 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Brucellosis is an emerging yet neglected zoonosis that has been reported in Kenya. Epidemiological data on brucellosis in ruminants is readily accessible; however, reports on brucellosis in pigs remain limited. This study sought to detect Brucella infection in pig serum by both serological and molecular techniques. Serum from 700 pigs randomly collected at a centralized abattoir in Nairobi region, Kenya were screened in parallel, using both Rose Bengal Test (RBT) and competitive Enzyme-Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay (cELISA) for antibodies against Brucella spp. All sera positive by RBT and 16 randomly selected negative samples were further tested using conventional PCR targeting bcsp31 gene and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assays targeting IS711 and bcsp31 genes.Results: A prevalence of 0.57% (n = 4/700) was estimated using RBT; none of these samples was positive on cELISA. All RBT positive sera were also positive by both PCRs, while two sero-negative samples also tested positive on RT-PCR (n = 6/20). Brucella abortus was detected in four out of the six PCR positive samples through a real-time multiplex PCR.Conclusion: The detection of antibodies against Brucella spp. and DNA in serum from slaughterhouse pigs confirm the presence of Brucella in pigs. Therefore, investigation of the epidemiology and role of pigs in the transmission of brucellosis in Kenya is needed. Further targeted studies would be useful to systematically quantify and identify the spp. of Brucella in pigs.
Transarterial Chemoembolization Combined with Iodine 125 Seeds Versus Transarterial Chemoembolization Combined with Radiofrequency Ablation in the Treatment of Early- and Intermediate-stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: lei chen , Kan Xuefeng , Sun Tao , Ren Yanqiao , Cao Yanyan , Yan Liangliang , Liang Bin , Xiong Bin , Zheng Chuansheng 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background:Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and iodine 125 seeds implantation are options treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of the combined treatment of TACE with iodine 125 seeds implantation (TACE-iodine 125) with TACE with RFA (TACE-RFA) in patients with early- and intermediate-stage HCC. Methods: The study included 112 patients who were diagnosed with early- and intermediate-stage HCC from January 1, 2014, to May 31, 2018. Among them, 38 patients were treated with TACE-Iodine 125, and 74 with TACE-RFA. The efficacy of the two treatment groups was retrospectively analyzed. To reduced the selective bias, a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method were used to compare the outcomes between the two groups.Results: In the absence of PSM and IPTW, the median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of the TACE-RFA group were slightly longer than those of the TACE-Iodine 125 group (OS: 41 months vs. 36 months; PFS: 18 months vs. 15 months). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the median OS, PFS, and objective response rate (ORR) between the two groups (P > 0.05). After adjusting the age, gender, Child-Pugh class, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage, and Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), TACE-Iodine 125 treatment was not associated with a significant increasing the risks of death (HR: 0.763; 95%CI: 0.403,1.345, P = 0.320) and recurrence (HR: 1.020; 95%CI: 0.645,1.611, P = 0.934). After PSM, 35 matched pairs of patients were obtained, and there were no statistically significant differences in the median OS and PFS between the two groups. After IPTW, similar results presented.Conclusions: The combination of TACE with iodine 125 seeds implantation may represent an effective treatment for patients with early- and intermediate-stage HCC.
Short-Term Outcomes of Mirogabalin in Patients with Peripheral Neuropathic Pain: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Tetsunaga Tomoko , Tetsunaga Tomonori , Nishida Keiichiro , Misawa Haruo , Takigawa Tomoyuki , Yamane Kentaro , Tsuji Hironori , Takei Yoshitaka , Ozaki Toshifumi 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Mirogabalin, which is approved for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain in Japan, is a ligand for the α2δ subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels. Both pregabalin and mirogabalin act as nonselective ligands at the α2δ-1 and α2δ-2 subunits. Mirogabalin has a unique binding profile and long duration of action. Pregabalin has been reported to produce intolerable adverse effects in some patients. This study investigated outcomes associated with mirogabalin administration in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain who ceased treatment with pregabalin.Methods: We retrospectively assessed peripheral neuropathic pain using the neuropathic pain screening questionnaire (NeP score) in 187 patients (58 men, 129 women) who were treated with mirogabalin. All patients had switched from pregabalin to mirogabalin due to lack of efficacy or adverse events. Differences in the treatment course (i.e., numeric rating scale (NRS) scores) were compared using one-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc tests.Results: The mean age of the patients was 72.3 years (range, 30–94 years), and the mean duration of disease was 37 months (range, 3–252 months). After treatment with mirogabalin for 1 week, NRS scores significantly decreased compared with baseline and continued to decrease over time. After 8 weeks, NRS scores improved by ³30% from baseline in 113 patients (69.3%). Twenty-four patients (12.8%) stopped mirogabalin treatment due to adverse events. Somnolence (26.7%), dizziness (12.3%), edema (5.9%), and weight gain (0.5%) were noted as adverse events of mirogabalin.Conclusions: The results of this investigation indicate that mirogabalin is safe and effective for reducing peripheral neuropathic pain.
Regret over the delay in childbearing decision negatively associates with life satisfaction among Japanese women seeking fertility treatment: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Adachi Tomoko , Endo Masayuki , Ohashi Kazutomo 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Currently, in developed countries, increased numbers of women and men are delaying childbearing but, later in life, begin seeking fertility treatment. Some women undergoing infertility treatment develop negative feelings such as depression associated with low life satisfaction and regret over the delay in childbearing decision. Thus, we examine the association of life satisfaction with regret over the delay in childbearing decision and infertility-related factors, among Japanese women and men seeking fertility treatment.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 253 women and 196 men referred to fertility facilities in Japan from July to December 2018. Participants completed a questionnaire on life satisfaction, regret over the delay in childbearing decision, infertility-related factors and sociodemographic characteristics. Life satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and the degree of regret over delay in childbearing decision was measured on a 7-point Likert scale. Multiple linear regression by gender was used to analyze the association of life satisfaction with regret over the delay in childbearing decision and infertility-related factors.Results: Of the 253 women and 196 men, 102 (40.3%) women and 43 (21.9%) men answered “strongly agree” regarding their regret over the delay in childbearing decision. In women, life satisfaction was negatively associated with regret (β = -0.155, 95% CI [-0.938, -0.093], p = 0.017), used assisted reproduction technology (ART) (β = -0.135, 95% CI [-2.977, -0.020], p = 0.047). In contrast, previous live birth was positively associated with life satisfaction (β = 0.134, 95% CI [0.12, 3.739], p = 0.037). In men, we found no significant association of life satisfaction with regret over the delay in childbearing decision and infertility-related factors.Conclusions: Regret over the delay in childbearing decision could be negatively associated with life satisfaction among Japanese women seeking fertility treatment. It may be important for women to make better informed decision regarding the timing of childbearing to not regret later in life. Health professionals should reduce regret over the delay in childbearing decision during fertility treatment and explore to spread information on fertility awareness.
Evaluation of WGS-subtyping methods for epidemiological surveillance of foodborne salmonellosis.
Authors: Mohammed Manal , Thapa Salina 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Salmonellosis is one of the most common foodborne diseases worldwide. Although human infection by non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) enterica subspecies enterica is associated primarily with a self-limiting diarrhoeal illness, invasive bacterial infections (such as septicaemia, bacteraemia and meningitis) were also reported. Human outbreaks of NTS were reported in several countries all over the world including developing as well as high-income countries. Conventional laboratory methods such as pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) do not display adequate discrimination and have their limitations in epidemiological surveillance. It is therefore very crucial to use accurate, reliable and highly discriminative subtyping methods for epidemiological characterisation and outbreak investigation. Methods: Here, we used different whole genome sequence (WGS)-based subtyping methods for retrospective investigation of two different outbreaks of Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Dublin that occurred in 2013 in UK and Ireland respectively. Results: Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based cluster analysis of Salmonella Typhimurium genomes revealed well supported clades, that were concordant with epidemiologically defined outbreak and confirmed the source of outbreak is due to consumption of contaminated mayonnaise. SNP-analyses of Salmonella Dublin genomes confirmed the outbreak however the source of infection could not be determined. The core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) was discriminatory and separated the outbreak strains of Salmonella Dublin from the non-outbreak strains that were concordant with the epidemiological data however cgMLST could neither discriminate between the outbreak and non-outbreak strains of Salmonella Typhimurium nor confirm that contaminated mayonnaise is the source of infection, On the other hand, other WGS-based subtyping methods including multilocus sequence typing (MLST), ribosomal MLST (rMLST), whole genome MLST (wgMLST), clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs), prophage sequence profiling, antibiotic resistance profile and plasmid typing methods were less discriminatory and could not confirm the source of the outbreak. Conclusions: Foodborne salmonellosis is an important concern for public health therefore, it is crucial to use accurate, reliable and highly discriminative subtyping methods for epidemiological surveillance and outbreak investigation. In this study, we showed that SNP-based analyses do not only have the ability to confirm the occurrence of the outbreak but also to provide definitive evidence of the source of the outbreak in real-time.
Lipoprotein (a) is a residual risk of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis in hypertensive patients: a hospital-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Hu Xiangming , Yang Xing , Li Xida , Luo Demou , Zhou Yingling , Dong Haojian 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) has been proven to be a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), while lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) is a residual risk factor for CVD, even though LDL-c is well controlled by statin use. Importantly, the role of Lp(a) in atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (ARAS) is still unknown.Methods: For this hospital-based cross-sectional study, patients who simultaneously underwent coronary and renal angiography were examined. ARAS was defined as a 50% reduction in the cross-sectional (two-dimensional plane) area of the renal artery. Data were collected and compared between ARAS and non-ARAS groups, including clinical history and metabolite profiles. Univariate analysis, three tertile LDL-c-based stratified analysis, and multivariate-adjusted logistic analysis were conducted, revealing a correlation between Lp(a) and ARAS.Results: A total of 170 hypertensive patients were included in this study, 85 with ARAS and 85 with non-RAS. Baseline information indicated comparability between the two groups. In the univariate and multivariate analysis, common risk factors for atherosclerosis were not significantly different. Stratified analysis of LDL-c revealed a significant increase in the incidence of ARAS in patients who had high Lp(a) concentrations at low LDL-c levels (odds ratio (OR): 4.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-21.79, P = 0.044). Further logistic analysis with adjusted covariates also confirmed the result, indicating that high Lp(a) levels were independently associated with ARAS (adjusted OR (aOR): 6.14, 95%CI: 1.03-36.47, P = 0.046). This relationship increased with increasing Lp(a) concentration based on a curve fitting graph. These results were not present in the low and intermediate LDL-c-level groups.Conclusion: In hypertensive patients who present low LDL-c, high Lp(a) was significantly associated with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and thus is a residual risk factor.
Reconstruction of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network based on competitive endogenous RNA reveals functional lncRNAs in melanoma
Authors: Zhu Junyou , Deng Jin , Zhang Lijun , Zhao Jingling , Zhou Fei , Liu Ning , Cai Ruizhao , Wu Jun , Shu Bin , Qi Shaohai 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Melanoma is the most common and dangerous skin tumor, and its pathogenesis is not fully understood. Methods: To identify the key lncRNAs in melanoma, we reconstructed a global triple network based on the ceRNA theory. GO and KEGG pathway analysis were performed using DAVID. And, we verified our findings through qRT-PCR assay. Results: According to ceRNA theory, 898 DEMs,53 DELs and 16 DEMis were selected to reconstruct the ceRNA network. MALAT1, LINC00943, and LINC00261 were selected as hub gene in the ceRNA network. Conclusions: In this study, we found that MALAT1, LINC00943 and LINC00261 were closely associated with tumorigenesis and development of melanoma, and therefore, could be used as potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Quantitative hormone receptor (HR) expression and gene expression analysis in HR+ inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) vs non-IBC
Authors: Iwase Toshiaki , Harano Kenichi , Masuda Hiroko , Kida Kumiko , Hess Kenneth R. , Wang Ying , Dirix Luc , Laere Steven J. Van , Lucci Anthony , Krishnamurthy Savitri , Woodward Wendy A. , Layman Rachel M. , Bertucci François , Ueno Naoto T. 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic role of hormone receptor (HR) on inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) to elucidate its aggressive biological behavior.Methods: We evaluated the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) by immunohistochemical staining and determined the predictive and prognostic role of HR expression on 189 patients with HR+/HER2– IBC and 677 patients with HR+/HER2– stage III non-IBC. Furthermore, we performed gene expression (GE) analyses on 137 patients with HR+/HER2– IBC and 252 patients with HR+/HER2– non-IBC to detect genes that are specifically overexpressed in IBC.Results: The expression of ER% was significantly associated with longer distant disease-free survival and overall survival. However, there was no significant relationship between ER% and neoadjuvant chemotherapy outcome. In the GE study, 84 genes were identified as significantly distinguishing HR+ IBC from non-IBC. Among the top 15 canonical pathways expressed in IBC, the ERK/MAPK, PDGF, insulin receptor, and IL-7 signaling pathways were associated with the ER signaling pathway. Upregulation of the MYC gene was observed in three of these four pathways. Furthermore, HR+/HER2– IBC had significantly higher MYC amplification, and the genetic alteration was associated with poor survival outcome.Conclusions: Higher ER expression was significantly associated with improved survival in both HR+/HER2– IBC and HR+/HER2– stage III non-IBC patients. HR+/HER2– IBC had several activated pathways with MYC upregulation, and the genetic alteration was associated with poor survival outcome. The results indicate that MYC may be a key gene for understanding the biology of HR+/HER2– IBC.
Time-ResNeXt for epilepsy recognition based on EEG signalsin wireless networks
Authors: wang shaoqiang , wang shudong , zhang song , wang yifan 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
To automatically detect dynamic EEG signals to reduce the time cost of epilepsy diagnosis. In the signal recognition of electroencephalogram (EEG)of epilepsy, traditional machine learning and statistical methods require manual feature labeling engineering in order to show excellent results on a single data set. And the artificially selected features may carry a bias, and cannot guarantee the validity and expansibility in real-world data. In practical applications, deep learning methods can release people from feature engineering to a certain extent. As long as the focus is on the expansion of data quality and quantity, the algorithm model can learn automatically to get better improvements. In addition, the deep learning method can also extract many features that are difficult for humans to perceive, thereby making the algorithm more robust. Based on the design idea of ​​ResNeXt deep neural network, this paper designs a Time-ResNeXt network structure suitable for time series EEG epilepsy detection to identify EEG signals. The accuracy rate of Time-ResNeXt in the detection of EEG epilepsy can reach 91.50%. The Time-ResNeXt network structure produces extremely advanced performance on the benchmark dataset (Berne-Barcelona dataset), and has great potential for improving clinical practice.
CARTA Fellows’ Scientific Contribution to the African Public and Population Health Research Agenda (2011 to 2018)
Authors: Igumbor Jude , Bosire Edna N , Basera Tariro , Dieudonn Uwizeye , Fayehun Funke , Wao Hesborn , Ajuwon Ademola , Otukpa Emmanuel , Karimi Florah , Conco Daphney , Gitau Evelyn , Fonn Sharon 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Since its inception in 2009, the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) program has focused on strengthening the capacity of nine African universities and four research centres to produce skilled researchers and scholars able to improve public and population health on the continent. This study describes the alignment between CARTA-supported doctoral topics and publications with the priorities articulated by the African public and population health research agenda. Methods: We reviewed the output from CARTA PhD fellows between 2011 and 2018 to establish the volume and scope of the publications, and the degree to which the research focus coincided with the SDGs, World Bank, and African Development Bank research priority areas. We identified nine key priority areas into which the topics were classified.Results: In total, 140 CARTA fellows published 806 articles in peer-reviewed journals over the 8 years up to 2018. All the publications considered in this paper had authors affiliated with African universities, 90% of the publications had an African university first author and 41% of the papers have CARTA fellows as the first author. The publications are available in over 6300 online versions and have been cited in over 5500 other publications. About 69% of the published papers addressed the nine African public and population health research agenda and SDG priority areas. Infectious diseases topped the list of publications (26.8%), followed by the health system and policy research (17.6%), maternal and child health (14.7%), sexual and reproductive health (14.3%). Conclusions and recommendations: Investments by CARTA in supporting doctoral studies provides fellows with sufficient training and skills to publish their research in fields of public and population health. The number of publications is understandably uneven across Africa’s public and population priority areas. Even while low in number, fellows are publishing in areas such as non-communicable disease, health financing, neglected tropical diseases and environmental health. Violence and injury is perhaps underrepresented. There is need to keep developing research capacity in partner institutions with low research output by training more PhDs in such institutions and by facilitating enabling environments for research.
Identification of fruit size associated quantitative trait loci featuring SLAF based high-density linkage map of goji berry (Lycium spp.)
Authors: Rehman Fazal , Gong Haiguang , Li Zhong , Zeng Shaohua , Yang Tianshun , Ai Peiyan , Pan Lizhu , Wang Ying , Huang Hongwen 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Goji (Lycium spp., 2n = 24) is a fruit bearing woody plant popular as a superfood for extensive medicinal and nutritional advantages. Fruit size associated attributes are important for evaluating small-fruited goji berry and plant architecture. The domestication traits are regulated quantitatively in crop plants but few studies have attempted on genomic regions corresponding to fruit traits. Results: In this study, we established high-resolution map using specific locus amplified fragment (SLAF) sequencing for de novo SNPs detection based on 305 F1 individuals derived from L. chinense and L. barbarum and performed quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis of fruit size related traits in goji berry. The genetic map contained 3,495 SLAF markers on 12 LGs, spanning 1,649.03 cM with 0.47 cM average interval. Female and male parents and F1 individuals` sequencing depth was 111.85-fold and 168.72-fold and 35.80-fold, respectively. The phenotype data were collected for 2 successive years (2018-2019); however, two-year mean data were combined in an extra year (1819). Total 117 QTLs were detected corresponding to multiple traits, of which 78 QTLs in 2 individual years and 36 QTLs in extra year. 6 Promising QTLs (qFW10-6.1, qFL10-2.1, qLL10-2.1, qLD10-2.1, qLD12-4.1, qLA10-2.1) were discovered influencing fruit weight, fruit length and leaf related attributes covering an interval ranged from 27.32-71.59 cM on LG10 with peak LOD of 10.48 and 14.6% PVE. Three QTLs targeting fruit sweetness (qFS3-1, qFS5-2) and fruit firmness (qFF10-1) were also identified. Strikingly, various traits QTLs were overlapped on LG10, in particular, qFL10-2.1 was co-located with qLL10-2.1, qLD10-2.1 and qLA10-2.1 among stable QTLs, harbored tightly linked markers, while qLL10-1 was one major QTL with 14.21 highest LOD and 19.3% variance. As LG10 harbored important traits QTLs, we might speculate that it could be hotspot region regulating fruit size and plant architectures. Conclusions: This report highlighted the extremely saturated linkage map using SLAF-seq and novel loci contributing fruit size-related attributes in goji berry. Our results will shed light on domestication traits and further strengthen molecular and genetic underpinnings of goji berry; moreover, these findings would better facilitate to assemble the reference genome, determining potential candidate genes and marker-assisted breeding.