bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mesenchymal stem cells: a promising way in therapies of graft-versus-host disease
Authors: Zhou Xinyi , Jin Nan , Wang Fei , Chen Baoan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIt is well acknowledged that allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is an effective treatment for numerous malignant blood diseases, which has also been applied to autoimmune diseases for more than a decade. Whereas graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) occurs after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) as a common serious complication, seriously affecting the efficacy of transplantation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from a wealth of sources can easily isolate and expand with low immunogenicity. MSCs also have paracrine and immune regulatory functions, leading to a broad application prospect in treatment and tissue engineering. This review focuses on immunoregulatory function of MSCs, factors affecting mesenchymal stem cells to exert immunosuppressive effects, clinical application of MSCs in GVHD and researches on MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). The latest research progress on MSC in related fields is reviewed as well. The relevant literature from PubMed databases is reviewed in this article.
Rivaroxaban versus warfarin for treatment and prevention of recurrence of venous thromboembolism in African American patients: a retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Costa Olivia S. , Thompson Stanley , Ashton Veronica , Palladino Michael , Bunz Thomas J. , Coleman Craig I. 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
African Americans are under-represented in trials evaluating oral anticoagulants for the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban versus warfarin for the treatment of VTE in African Americans.

Methods
We utilized Optum® De-Identified Electronic Health Record data from 11/1/2012–9/30/2018. We included African Americans experiencing an acute VTE during a hospital or emergency department visit, who received rivaroxaban or warfarin as their first oral anticoagulant within 7-days of the acute VTE event and had ≥1 provider visit in the prior 12-months. Differences in baseline characteristics between cohorts were adjusted using inverse probability-of-treatment weighting based on propensity scores (standard differences < 0.10 were achieved for all covariates). Our primary endpoint was the composite of recurrent VTE or major bleeding at 6-months. Three- and 12-month timepoints were also assessed. Secondary endpoints included recurrent VTE and major bleeding as individual endpoints. Cohort risk was compared using Cox regression and reported as hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results
We identified 2097 rivaroxaban and 2842 warfarin users with incident VTE. At 6-months, no significant differences in the composite endpoint (HR = 0.96, 95%CI = 0.75–1.24), recurrent VTE (HR = 1.02, 95%CI = 0.76–1.36) or major bleeding alone (HR = 0.93, 95%CI = 0.59–1.47) were observed between cohorts. Analysis at 3- and 12-months provided consistent findings for these endpoints.

Conclusions
In African Americans experiencing an acute VTE, no significant difference in the incidence of recurrent VTE or major bleeding was observed between patients receiving rivaroxaban or warfarin.
Hippocampal microglial activation triggers a neurotoxic-specific astrocyte response and mediates etomidate-induced long-term synaptic inhibition
Authors: Li Dongliang , Chen Mingming , Meng Tao , Fei Jianchun 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Accumulating evidence has highlighted the importance of microglial and astrocyte responses in the pathological development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). However, the mechanisms involved are not well understood.

Methods
A perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) mouse model was generated by administering etomidate, and cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests. Excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents were recorded to analyze neuronal activity. In addition, microglia and astrocytes were isolated by magnetic-activated cell sorting, and genes that were activated in these cells were identified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results
We observed dramatic cognitive impairment at 1 and 3 weeks after etomidate was administered to 18 month-old mice. Microglia and astrocytes isolated from the hippocampus showed significant microglial activation during the early pathological stage (i.e., 1 week after etomidate injection) and an A1-specific astrocyte response during the late pathological stage (i.e., 3 weeks after etomidate injection). Furthermore, when microglia were eliminated before etomidate was injected, the A1-specific astrocyte activation response was significantly reduced, and cognitive function improved. However, when microglia were eliminated after etomidate application, astrocyte activation and cognitive function were not significantly altered. In addition, activating microglia immediately after a sedative dose of etomidate was injected markedly increased A1-specific astrocyte activation and cognitive dysfunction.

Conclusions
A1-specific astrocyte activation is triggered by activated microglia during the initial pathological stage of PND and induces long-term synaptic inhibition and cognitive deficiencies. These results improve our understanding of how PND develops and may suggest therapeutic targets.
Prevalence and associated factors of mental disorders in the nationwide primary care population in Latvia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Rancans Elmars , Renemane Lubova , Kivite-Urtane Anda , Ziedonis Douglas 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Mental disorders are common amongst patients in primary care. There are no published studies on the prevalence of mental disorders in primary care patients in Latvia. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the current prevalence of mental disorders in the nationwide Latvian primary care population and to study possible associated factors and comorbidity of mental disorders.

Methods
A cross-sectional study within the framework of the National Research Program BIOMEDICINE 2014–2017 was performed at 24 primary care settings across Latvia. Adult patients seen over a 1-week time period at each facility were invited to participate in the study. Sociodemographic variables (age, sex, education, employment and marital status, place of residence, and ethnicity) were assessed onsite. A Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview assessment was conducted over the telephone within 2 weeks after the visit to the general practitioner (GP).

Results
Overall, 1485 individuals completed the interview. The current prevalence of any mental disorder was 37.2% and was significantly greater in women. Mood disorders (18.4%), suicidality (18.6%) and anxiety disorders (15.8%) were the most frequent diagnostic categories. The current prevalence of any mood disorder was associated with being 50–64 years of age, female sex, economically inactive status, divorced or widowed marital status and urban place of residence, whilst any current anxiety disorder was associated with female sex, lower education, and single marital status; however, being of Russian ethnicity and residing in a small city were protective factors. Suicidality was associated with female sex, lower education, unemployment or economically inactive status, being divorced or widowed and residing in a small city. The comorbidity rates between mental disorders varied from 2.9 to 53.3%.

Conclusions
High prevalence rates of mental disorders, comorbidity and certain associated socio-demographic factors were found in primary care settings in Latvia. This highlights the importance of screening for depression and anxiety disorders and suicidal risk assessment by GPs. The results are fundamentally important for integrative medicine, monitoring and promotion of mental healthcare at the primary care level, as well as for healthcare policy and development of strategic plans in Latvia.
Surgery in COVID-19 patients: operational directives
Authors: Coccolini Federico , Perrone Gennaro , Chiarugi Massimo , Di Marzo Francesco , Ansaloni Luca , Scandroglio Ildo , Marini Pierluigi , Zago Mauro , De Paolis Paolo , Forfori Francesco , Agresta Ferdinando , Puzziello Alessandro , D’Ugo Domenico , Bignami Elena , Bellini Valentina , Vitali Pietro , Petrini Flavia , Pifferi Barbara , Corradi Francesco , Tarasconi Antonio , Pattonieri Vittoria , Bonati Elena , Tritapepe Luigi , Agnoletti Vanni , Corbella Davide , Sartelli Massimo , Catena Fausto 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe current COVID-19 pandemic underlines the importance of a mindful utilization of financial and human resources. Preserving resources and manpower is paramount in healthcare. It is important to ensure the ability of surgeons and specialized professionals to function through the pandemic. A conscious effort should be made to minimize infection in this sector. A high mortality rate within this group would be detrimental.This manuscript is the result of a collaboration between the major Italian surgical and anesthesiologic societies: ACOI, SIC, SICUT, SICO, SICG, SIFIPAC, SICE, and SIAARTI. We aim to describe recommended clinical pathways for COVID-19-positive patients requiring acute non-deferrable surgical care. All hospitals should organize dedicated protocols and workforce training as part of the effort to face the current pandemic.
Analysis of a radiographic parameter K-line tilt following adjacent two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a retrospective study
Authors: Lan Zhibin , Wu Zhiqiang , Xu Weihong , Huang Yuming 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
T1s, C2-7 lordosis, and C2-7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) are the three most important sagittal parameters in the cervical spine. This study was conducted to investigate the relationships between classical sagittal alignment parameters and a new parameter, K-line tilt, and to study the impact of K-line tilt.

Material and methods
A total of 72 patients who underwent adjacent two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) were retrospectively analyzed. Radiographic measurements included T1 slope (T1s), C2-7 lordosis, segment angle (SA), C2-7 SVA, and K-line tilt. The Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores were used to evaluate the clinical prognosis. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between radiographic measures. Linear regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between follow-up K-line tilt and NDI.

Results
ΔNDI was positively correlated with ΔT1s (r = 0.620, p < 0.05), ΔC2-7 SVA (r = 0.645, p < 0.05), and ΔK-line tilt (r = 0.702, p < 0.01); ΔK-line tilt was positively correlated with ΔT1s (r = 0.650, p < 0.05), ΔSA (r = 0.269, p < 0.05), and ΔC2-7 SVA (r = 0.293, p < 0.05); ΔT1s was positively correlated with ΔC2-7 lordosis (r = 0.428, p < 0.05), ΔSA (r = 0.631, p < 0.01), and ΔC2-7 SVA (r = 0.235, p < 0.05); ΔC2-7 lordosis was positively correlated with ΔSA (r = 0.666, p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with ΔC2-7 SVA (r = − 0.467, p < 0.01). The preoperative and postoperative K-line tilt values were statistically significant (p < 0.01), increasing from (7.50 ± 6.48)° to (9.95 ± 5.09)°. Preoperative NDI was positively correlated with preoperative C2-7 SVA (r = 0.639, p = 0.011) and K-line tilt (r = 0.516, p = 0.026); follow-up NDI was positively correlated with follow-up T1s (r = 0.664, p = 0.038), C2-7 SVA (r = 0.756, p = 0.004), and K-line tilt (r = 0.832, p = 0.006). The linear regression model showed that when the follow-up K-lint tilt was > 23.75°, NDI scores were > 25 (R2 = 0.737, p = 0.000).

Conclusion
This study showed that the K-line tilt was strongly correlated with the C2-C7 SVA, indicating that the K-line tilt can be used as another cervical parameter to evaluate cervical alignment in adjacent two-level ACDF. K-line tilt is an important parameter similar to the classical parameter C2–C7 SVA. In particular, a K-line tilt greater than 23.75 corresponded to a worse clinical prognosis, which was defined as an NDI score greater than 25.
Nutrition status and functional prognosis among elderly patients with distal radius fracture: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Nagai Takako , Tanimoto Koji , Tomizuka Yoshiaki , Uei Hiroshi , Nagaoka Masahiro 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Distal radius fractures (DRF) are common in the elderly and are typically caused falls. Malnutrition has also been identified as a poor prognostic factor in elderly patients with fractures. However, the relationship between nutritional status and subsequent falls and functional prognosis for DRF in the elderly is not clear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between nutritional status and functional prognosis in elderly patients with DRF.

Methods
Study participants included 229 outpatients who required surgical treatment for DRF. The patients’ clinical information, including age, sex, body mass index, bone mineral density, geriatric nnutritional risk index (GNRI), total number of drugs being treated with on admission, use of drugs for osteoporosis, comorbidity severity, the Barthel Index (BI), presence of subsequent falls, fracture type, postoperative follow-up period, and Mayo wrist score was reviewed. Subjects were further divided into two groups according to their GNRI: the malnutrition group and the normal group. Propensity score matching was used to confirm factors affecting the BI and subsequent falls.

Results
Thirty-one patients (13.5%) presented with malnutrition before surgery for DRF. According to multiple liner regression analysis, the GNRI positively affected the efficiency of the BI (β = 0.392, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.001 to 0.351, p = 0.039). Furthermore, on logistic regression analysis, subsequent falls were associated with serum albumin levels (odds ratio = 0.033, 95% CI, 0.002 to 0.477, p = 0.012).

Conclusion
Malnutrition impaired improvement of activities of daily living (ADL) and increased the incidence of subsequent falls. Improvement of nutritional status before DRF surgery may further improve ADL and prevent falls.
Displacement-related factors influencing marital practices and associated intimate partner violence risk among Somali refugees in Dollo Ado, Ethiopia: a qualitative study
Authors: Sharma Vandana , Amobi Adaugo , Tewolde Samuel , Deyessa Negussie , Scott Jennifer 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Child and forced marriage have negative health consequences including increased risk of intimate partner violence (IPV) for women and girls. War and humanitarian crises may impact decision-making around marriage and risks of IPV for displaced populations. A qualitative study was conducted among Somali refugees in Dollo Ado, Ethiopia to understand the interplay of factors that contribute to IPV and to inform an intervention. This secondary analysis aims to explore the influence of displacement on marital practices and associated IPV risk.

Methods
Interviews and focus group discussions were conducted in 2016 in Dollo Ado, Ethiopia, among Somali women and men living in Bokolmayo refugee camp, host community members, non-governmental staff and service providers, stakeholders, and community and religious leaders (N = 110). Data were transcribed, translated to English, and coded and analyzed thematically using Dedoose software and a codebook developed a priori.

Results
Findings reveal numerous displacement-related factors that led to perceived shifts in marital practices among refugees, including reductions in child and forced marriages. NGO awareness-raising programs and Ethiopian laws prohibiting child marriage as well as increased access to education for girls were reported to have contributed to these changes, despite continued economic hardship and high perceived risk of non-partner sexual violence within the camp and host community. Polygamy was also perceived to have decreased, primarily due to worsening economic conditions. Forced marriage, polygamy and dowry were reported to contribute to physical IPV, and sexual IPV was reported as common in all types of marital unions. However, there was no evidence that changes in these marital practices contributed to any perceived declines in IPV within this context.

Conclusion
Safe access to education for girls should be prioritized in humanitarian settings. Interventions to address child and forced marriage should address gender and social norms. Intimate partner violence prevention programming should include specialized content taking into account marital practices including child and forced marriage and polygamy. Laws recognizing sexual IPV within marital relationships are needed to reduce sexual IPV.
Pre- and post-synaptic roles for DCC in memory consolidation in the adult mouse hippocampus
Authors: Glasgow Stephen D. , Wong Edwin W. , Thompson-Steckel Greta , Marcal Nathalie , Séguéla Philippe , Ruthazer Edward S. , Kennedy Timothy E. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe receptor deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) and its ligand netrin-1 are essential for axon guidance during development and are expressed by neurons in the mature brain. Netrin-1 recruits GluA1-containing α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) and is critical for long-term potentiation (LTP) at CA3-CA1 hippocampal Schaffer collateral synapses, while conditional DCC deletion from glutamatergic neurons impairs hippocampal-dependent spatial memory and severely disrupts LTP induction. DCC co-fractionates with the detergent-resistant component of postsynaptic density, yet is enriched in axonal growth cones that differentiate into presynaptic terminals during development. Specific presynaptic and postsynaptic contributions of DCC to the function of mature neural circuits have yet to be identified. Employing hippocampal subregion-specific conditional deletion of DCC, we show that DCC loss from CA1 hippocampal pyramidal neurons resulted in deficits in spatial memory, increased resting membrane potential, abnormal dendritic spine morphology, weaker spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic activity, and reduced levels of postsynaptic adaptor and signaling proteins; however, the capacity to induce LTP remained intact. In contrast, deletion of DCC from CA3 neurons did not induce detectable changes in the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of CA1 pyramidal neurons, but impaired performance on the novel object place recognition task as well as compromised excitatory synaptic transmission and LTP at Schaffer collateral synapses. Together, these findings reveal specific pre- and post-synaptic contributions of DCC to hippocampal synaptic plasticity underlying spatial memory.
A rare missense variant in APC interrupts splicing and causes AFAP in two Danish families
Authors: Djursby Malene , Wadt Karin , Frederiksen Jane Hübertz , Madsen Majbritt Busk , Berchtold Lukas Adrian , Hasselby Jane Preuss , Willemoe Gro Linno , Hansen Thomas v. O. , Gerdes Anne-Marie 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
We report the first case of a missense variant in the APC gene that interrupts splicing by creating a new cryptic acceptor site. The variant, c.289G>A, p.(Gly97Arg), is located in exon 3, and qualitative and semi-quantitative RNA splicing analysis reveal that the variant results in skipping of the last 70 nucleotides of the exon, which leads to the introduction of a frameshift and a premature stop codon.

Case presentation
The variant was detected in two, apparently unrelated, Danish families with an accumulation of colorectal cancers, colonic adenomas and other cancers. The families both have an attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis phenotype, which is consistent with the association of pathogenic variants in the 5′ end of the gene.
One variant-carrier also had Caroli Disease and a Caroli Disease associated hepatic mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. This is the first description of a person with both Caroli Disease and a pathogenic APC variant, and although the APC variant is not known to be connected to the development of the hepatic malformations in Caroli Disease, it remains unclear whether the variant could have contributed to the carcinogenesis of the liver tumour.

Conclusions
Based on functional and co-segregation data we classify the APC c.289G>A, p.(Gly97Arg) variant as pathogenic (class 5). Our findings emphasize the importance of a functional evaluation of missense variants although located far from the exon-intron boundaries.
Plasmodium vivax HAP2/GCS1 gene exhibits limited genetic diversity among parasite isolates from the Greater Mekong Subregion
Authors: Li Danni , Yu Chunyun , Guo Jian , Wang Yazhou , Zhao Yan , Wang Lin , Soe Myat Thu , Feng Hui , Kyaw Myat Phone , Sattabongkot Jetsumon , Jiang Lubin , Cui Liwang , Zhu Xiaotong , Cao Yaming 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background
Antigens expressed in sexual stages of the malaria parasites are targets of transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs). HAP2/GCS1, a TBV candidate, is critical for fertilization in Plasmodium. Here, the genetic diversity of PvHAP2 was studied in Plasmodium vivax parasite populations from the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

Methods
Plasmodium vivax clinical isolates were collected in clinics from the China-Myanmar border region (135 samples), western Thailand (41 samples) and western Myanmar (51 samples). Near full-length Pvhap2 (nucleotides 13–2574) was amplified and sequenced from these isolates. Molecular evolution studies were conducted to evaluate the genetic diversity, selection and population differentiation.

Results
Sequencing of the pvhap2 gene for a total of 227 samples from the three P. vivax populations revealed limited genetic diversity of this gene in the GMS (π = 0.00036 ± 0.00003), with the highest π value observed in Myanmar (0.00053 ± 0.00009). Y133S was the dominant mutation in the China-Myanmar border (99.26%), Myanmar (100%) and Thailand (95.12%). Results of all neutrality tests were negative for all the three populations, suggesting the possible action of purifying selection. Codon-based tests identified specific codons which are under purifying or positive selections. Wright’s fixation index showed low to moderate genetic differentiation of P. vivax populations in the GMS, with FST ranging from 0.04077 to 0.24833, whereas high levels of genetic differentiation were detected between the China-Myanmar border and Iran populations (FST = 0.60266), and between Thailand and Iran populations (FST = 0.44161). A total of 20 haplotypes were identified, with H2 being the abundant haplotype in China-Myanmar border, Myanmar and Thailand populations. Epitope mapping prediction of Pvhap2 antigen showed that high-score B-cell epitopes are located in the S307-G324, L429-P453 and V623-D637 regions. The E317K and D637N mutations located within S307-G324 and V623-D637 epitopes slightly reduced the predicted score for potential epitopes.

Conclusions
The present study showed a very low level of genetic diversity of pvhap2 gene among P. vivax populations in the Greater Mekong Subregion. The relative conservation of pvhap2 supports further evaluation of a Pvhap2-based TBV.