bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of a nutrition education programme on the metabolic syndrome in type 2 diabetes mellitus at a Level 5 Hospital in Kenya: “a randomized controlled trial”
Authors: THUITA-Wambugu ANN Watetu , Kiage Beatrice Nyanchama , Onyango Arnold N , Anselimo Makokha O 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), is a life-threatening condition of global public health concern. It worsens in the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a complex disorder characterized by co-occurrence of at least three of such factors as hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. However, lifestyle interventions reduce the risk of both MetS and T2D, and nutrition education can empower individuals on the appropriate lifestyle changes. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of a nutrition education programme, with and without inclusion of peer to peer support, on MetS in T2D patients. Methods This was a randomized controlled trial with two intervention groups and one control. One of the intervention groups involved a nutrition education programme with peer-to-peer support (NEP); the other involved only the education program, while the control received standard care. Each group had 51 participants. The nutrition education programme was conducted for 2h per week for 8 weeks. In addition, the NEP had weekly peer-to-peer interactions for 8 weeks. All groups had follow-up sessions for 6 months. Data on MetS risk factors as well as food intake patterns and physical activity levels were taken at baseline and at different time points during the study. Analysis of Co-variance and regression were used in the analysis. Results: The MetS prevalence improved in the NEP (90% to 52%) and NE (86% to 69%),while it worsened in C (88% to 91%). There was improvement in the mean values of the anthropometric parameters in the NEP and NE which worsened in the control group. There was a general improvement in mean values of blood lipids, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c in all the groups, with NEP showing the greatest improvements, followed by NE, except for triglycerides and HDL where the control group had better improvement than the NE. Changes in the anthropometric and metabolic indicators mirrored the changes in food intake patterns and physical activity, where the greatest improvements occurred in the NEP. Conclusions: Nutrition education with inclusion of peer to peer support was of clinical benefit in improving metabolic outcomes and reducing MetS in T2D patients.
The consequences of regular methamphetamine use in tehran: qualitative content analysis
Authors: Lebni Javad Yoosefi , Ziapour Arash , Qorbani Mostafa , Baygi Fereshteh , Mirzaei Amin , Safari Omid , Rastegarimehr Babk , Khosravi Bahar , Mansourian Morteza 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: In recent years, methamphetamine use has increased noticeably in Iran, and this can make harmful consequences for the health of individuals and society. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the consequences of regular methamphetamine use in Tehran.Methods: This study was conducted based on a conventional content analysis approach. Data were collected through observation and in-depth interviews with 20 regular adult users of methamphetamine in Tehran (including 15 males and 5 females). Participants were selected using snowball sampling and purposeful sampling, which continued until data saturation. Guba and Lincoln's criteria were used to assess the strength of the study.Results: The extraction of the codes resulted in three main categories: (1)the short-term consequences, consisting of the sub-categories of individual and social consequences, (2) the long-term consequences, consisting of the sub-categories of psychological and physical consequences, high-risk behaviors, severely decayed memory and changes in the eating pattern, and (3) hallucinations and delusions including the sub-categories of visual and auditory hallucinations, persecutory delusions and delusion of having supernatural power.Conclusion: Regular methamphetamine use may have serious adverse effects on the overall health of individuals. It is therefore highly recommended that educational programs must implement with the use of methamphetamine in the high- risk groups in order to raise awareness and change attitudes about the short and long term consequences. is highly recommended.
Single-stage treatment of chronic localized tibial osteomyelitis with local debridement and antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate implantation：a retrospective study of 42 patients.
Authors: Zhou Chun-Hao , Ren Ying , Adem Abdulnassir , Meng Xiang-Qing , Zhang Hong-An , Fang Jia , Qin Cheng-He 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Although various methods have been introduced, the management of chronic tibial osteomyelitis remains a challenge. This study aims to assess a combined treatment method, local debridement combined with antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate implantation, for the management of the local (Cierny-Mader type III) tibial osteomyelitis.Methods: 42 patients (43 limbs) with type III tibial osteomyelitis, from January 2012 to December 2018, who received the treatment method mentioned above were included in the study. The infection remission rate, recurrence rate, complication rate and bone healing rate were respectively analyzed. Results: With a mean follow-up of 42.8 months, 38 limbs (37 patients) (88.4%, 38/43) achieved infection remission without recurrence. Among those patients pain, limitation of movement, sinus tracts, topical redness and swelling were generally eliminated. Only 4 patients felt slight pain after a long-distance walk, while another 6 patients showed minor but acceptable discomfort in affected limbs. 5 patients (11.6%) suffered from osteomyelitis recurrence that required secondary surgical and medical treatment, but no amputation was necessary to eliminate the infection. Prolonged aseptic drainage was the most frequent complication that was observed in 13 patients (30.0%). They were successfully managed by appropriate wound caring in 10 patients and by surgical intervention, months later, in 3 patients. According to the final X-ray’s examination, bone losses caused by local debridement were generally repaired, though the shape of the tibia was not well restored to its initial form in 17 limbs. No fracture was recorded during follow-up. Conclusion: Local debridement combined with antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate implantation is effective and safe in a single-stage treatment of chronic Cierny-Mader III tibial osteomyelitis.
A novel gene expression system for Ralstonia eutropha based on the T7 promoter
Authors: Hu Muzi , Xiong Bin , Li Zhongkang , Liu Li , Li Siwei , Zhang Chunzhi , Bi Changhao , Zhang Xueli 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Ralstonia eutropha (syn. Cupriavidus necator) is a model microorganism for studying metabolism of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and a potential chassis for protein expression due to various advantages. Although current plasmid systems of R. eutropha provide a basic platform for gene expression, the performance of the expression-inducing systems is still limited. In addition, the sizes of the cloned genes are limited due to the large sizes of the plasmid backbones.Results: In this study, an R. eutropha T7 expression system was established by integrating a T7 RNA polymerase gene driven by the PBAD promoter into the genome of R. eutropha, as well as adding a T7 promoter into a pBBR1-derived plasmid for gene expression. In addition, the essential DNA sequence necessary for pBBR1 plasmid replication was identified, and the redundant parts were deleted reducing the expression plasmid size to 3392 bp, which improved the electroporation efficiency about 4 times. As a result, the highest expression level of RFP was enhanced, and the L-arabinose concentration for expression induction was decreased 20 times. Conclusions: The R. eutropha T7 expression system provides an efficient platform for protein production and synthetic biology applications.
Performance of pirimiphos-methyl based Indoor Residual Spraying on entomological parameters of malaria transmission in the pyrethroid resistance region of Koulikoro, Mali.
Authors: KEITA Moussa , SOGOBA Nafomon , Traoré Boïssé , Kané Fousseyni , Coulibaly Boubacar , Traoré Sekou Fantamady , Doumbia Seydou 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background:Vector control relies heavily on Long-lasting insecticidal nets ( (LLINs) and Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) in selected districts in Mali including Koulikoro district. As part of strengthening vector control strategies in the district, IRS was initiated by the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) with the support of the US President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) since 2008. LLINs coverage was 93.3% and 98.2% for IRS in Koulikoro, the only district of the region where IRS was supported by PMI. Following mosquito vector resistance to both pyrethroid and carbamates, organophosphate (pirimiphos-methyl) was used for the IRS campaigns of 2015 and 2016 in the district of Koulikoro. In this study, we assessed the effect of IRS on malaria transmission by comparing entomological indices in of the district of Koulikoro, where IRS was implemented and its neighbored district of Banamba, where IRS had never been implemented. Methods:The study was conducted in two villages of each district (Koulikoro and Banamba). Pyrethrum spray catches and entry window trapping were used to collect mosquitoes on a monthly basis. WHO tube tests were carried out to assess mosquito susceptibility to insecticides. Mosquitoes were identified to species level by PCR and their infection to P. falciparum was detected by ELISA.Results:Of the 527 specimens identified, An. coluzzii was the most frequent species (95%) followed by An. gambiae (4%) and An. arabiensis (1%). Its density was rainfall dependent in the no-IRS area, and almost independent in the IRS area. The infection rate (IR) in the no-IRS area was 0.96%, while it was null in the IRS area. In the no-IRS area, the entomological inoculation rates (EIR) was 0.21 infective bites /person month with a peak in September. High resistance to pyrethroids and carbamates and susceptibility to organophosphates was observed at all sites.Conclusion:The introduction of pirimiphos-methyl based IRS in the area resulted in a significant decrease in malaria transmission. An.gambiae s.l., the main malaria vector of the area, was resistant to pyrethroids and carbamates, and remained susceptible to the organophosphates.
Human parvoviruses affect the development and clinical course of meningitis and meningoencephalitis
Authors: Vilmane Anda , Terentjeva Anna , Tamosiunas Paulius Lukas , Suna Normunds , Suna Inga , Petraityte-Burneikiene Rasa , Murovska Modra , Rasa-Dzelzkaleja Santa , Nora-Krukle Zaiga 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
The authors have withdrawn this preprint due to a need to make corrections.
Awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and related factors in adult Iranian Population
Authors: Mirzaei Mohsen , Mirzaei Masoud , Bagheri-Fahraji Behnam , Dehghani Ali 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Hypertension, known as the silent killer, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Awareness and treatment of hypertension is not appropriate in the world, and this has led to an increase in mortality and morbidity caused by uncontrolled hypertension.This study aims to estimate awareness, treated, and controlled hypertensive and relevant predictors in an adult Iranian population.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 10000 adults aged 20-69 years in Yazd, Iran. They were selected through multi-stage random cluster sampling in 2015-2016. Blood pressure was measured three-time with standard protocol by trained health workers. Those with a positive history of hypertension and using anti-hypertensive drugs, prescribed by a physician, were considered hypertensive. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP of ≥90 mmHg. Uncontrolled hypertension was defined in accordance with recommended treatment targets by the Joint National Committee (JNC7). Logistic regression was used to assess the predictors of hypertension awareness, treatment and control.Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 37.3%, and the prevalence of pre-hypertension was 46.4%. 49.7% of People with hypertension were aware of their disease, and 71.5% of them were using antihypertensive drugs prescribed by physicians. Blood pressure was controlled in 38.9% of the treated patients. In the adjusted model, older age, female sex, and history of diabetes mellitus were positively associated with higher awareness. High physical activity, tobacco smoking, and diabetes are the only predictors of treated high blood pressure. Younger age, female sex, and higher education were determinants of controlled hypertension. Having health insurance was significantly correlated with awareness and control of hypertension.Conclusion: Hypertension is a public health problem in this population, which is not well controlled. Half of the patients were unaware. Intervention for increased screening coverage is needed. It should plan to raise public awareness about hypertension and improve hypertension control under the supervision of physicians. Implement a family physician program is recommended in the health system.
Clinical features of Guillain–Barré syndrome patients with elevated serum creatine kinase levels
Authors: Hosokawa Takafumi , Nakajima Hideto , Sawai Taiki , Nakamura Yoshitsugu , Sano Eri , Tsukahara Akihiro , Unoda Kiichi , Ishida Shimon , Sakane Sadaki , Kimura Fumiharu , Arawaka Shigeki 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: It is not well defined whether Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) patients with elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) levels have characteristic clinical features and are related to the subgroups of GBS. Methods: We retrospectively studied 51 consecutive patients with GBS, who visited our hospital, and compared clinical, laboratory and electrophysiological findings between patients with and without elevated CK levels. Results: Of 51 patients, 14 patients (27%) showed an elevation of serum CK levels. When compared with patients with the normal CK levels, the ratios of male, antecedent infections, and anti-GM1 antibody positivity were significantly higher in patients with elevated CK levels. The ratios of hypoesthesia, cranial nerve involvement, and urinary retention were significantly less in patients with elevated CK levels. There were no significant differences in disability at peak between two groups. In the electrophysiological examination, sensory nerve abnormalities were not observed. Although some patients with elevated CK levels showed prolongation of distal motor latencies (DMLs) and increase of durations in the initial examination, development of the prolongation of DMLs and increase of durations was not observed in the follow-up examinations. The findings were consistent with acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) with reversible conduction failure (RCF) but not acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP). Conclusions: The results suggest that the GBS patients with elevated CK levels represent not a group of AIDP but a group of AMAN with axonal degeneration or RCF even though the initial electrophysiological examination shows AIDP pattern.
Long noncoding RNA XIST suppresses tumorigenesis and enhances radiosensitivity in neuroblastoma cells through regulating miR-653-5p/HK2 axis
Authors: Mu Liping , Wang Lili , Zhang Shaoming , Wang Qinghua 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Abnormal expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) was usually involved in tumorigenesis and radiosensitivity of various cancers. The aim of this study was to explore the biological function and regulatory mechanism of lncRNA X-inactive specific transcript (XIST) in tumorigenesis and radiosensitivity of neuroblastoma (NB).Methods: The expression levels of XIST, microRNA-653-5p (miR-653-5p) and hexokinase 2 (HK2) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Methylthiazolyldiphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, colony formation assay and transwell assay were utilized to detect cell viability, colony formation and cell invasion abilities. Glucose consumption or lactate production was measured by glucose assay kit or lactate assay kit, respectively. The mice xenograft model was established to investigate the role of XIST in vivo. The interaction between miR-653-5p and XIST or HK2 was predicted by starBase v2.0 and verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Western blot was used to measure the protein expression of HK2.Results: XIST and HK2 were highly expressed whilst miR-653-5p was lowly expressed in NB tissues and cells. XIST knockdown inhibited tumorigenesis by repressing NB cell proliferation and invasion. Meanwhile, XIST downregulation increased the radiosensitivity via inhibiting colony formation rates and glycolysis. Moreover, miR-653-5p could bind to XIST and its downregulation reversed the effects of XIST knockdown on tumorigenesis and radiosensitivity. Additionally, HK2 was a direct target of miR-653-5p and its overexpression attenuated the effects of miR-653-5p restoration on suppression of tumorigenesis and promotion of radiosensitivity. Besides, XIST functioned as a molecular sponge of miR-653-5p to regulate HK2 expression. Furthermore, XIST knockdown also suppressed tumor growth by upregulating miR-653-5p and downregulating HK2 in vivo.Conclusion: XIST interference inhibited tumorigenesis and increased radiosensitivity in NB by regulating miR-653-5p/HK2 axis, providing a novel therapeutic strategy for NB.
Comparative analysis of DNA repeats and identification of novel Fesreba centromeric element in fescues and ryegrasses
Authors: Zwyrtková Jana , Němečková Alžběta , Čížková Jana , Holušová Kateřina , Kapustová Veronika , Svačina Radim , Kopecký David , Till Bradley John , Doležel Jaroslav , Hřibová Eva 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background Cultivated grasses are an important source of food for domestic animals worldwide. Better knowledge of their genomes can speed up the development of new cultivars with better quality and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The most widely grown grasses are tetraploid ryegrass species ( Lolium spp.) and diploid and hexaploid fescue species ( Festuca spp.). In this work we characterized repetitive DNA sequences and their contribution to genome size in five fescue and two ryegrass species, as well as one fescue and two ryegrass cultivars. Results Partial genome sequences produced by Illumina technology were used for genome-wide comparative analyses using RepeatExplorer pipeline. Retrotransposons were found to be the most abundant repeat types in all seven grass species. Athila element of Ty3/gypsy family showed the most striking differences in copy number between fescues and ryegrasses. The sequence data enabled the assembly of an LTR element Fesreba, which is highly enriched in centromeric and (peri)centromeric regions in all species. A combination of FISH with a probe specific to Fesreba element and immunostaining with CENH3 antibody showed their colocalization and indicated a possible role of Fesreba in centromere function. Conclusions Comparative repeatome analysis in a set of fescues and ryegrasses provided new insights into their genome organization and divergence, including the assembly of LTR element Fesreba. A new LTR element Fesreba was identified and found abundant in centromeric regions of the fescues and ryegrasses. It may have a role in the function of their centromeres.
Infrared and Visible Image Fusion Based on Nonlinear Enhancement and NSST Decomposition
Authors: XING Xiaoxue , LIU Cheng , LUO Cong , XU Tingfa 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
In Multi-scale Geometric Analysis (MGA)-based fusion methods for infrared and visible images, adopting the same representation for the two types of the images will result in the non-obvious thermal radiation target in the fused image, which can hardly be distinguished from the background. To solve the problem, a novel fusion algorithm based on nonlinear enhancement and Non-Subsampled Shearlet Transform (NSST) decomposition is proposed. Firstly, NSST is used to decompose the two source images into low- and high-frequency sub-bands. Then, the Wavelet Transform (WT) is used to decompose high-frequency sub-bands into obtain approximate sub-bands and directional detail sub-bands. The “average” fusion rule is performed for fusion for approximate sub-bands. And the “max-absolute” fusion rule is performed for fusion for directional detail sub-bands. The inverse WT is used to reconstruct the high-frequency sub-bands. To highlight the thermal radiation target, we construct a non-linear transform function to determine the fusion weight of low-frequency sub-bands, and whose parameters can be further adjusted to meet different fusion requirements. Finally, the inverse NSST is used to reconstruct the fused image. The experimental results show that the proposed method can simultaneously enhance the thermal target in infrared images and preserve the texture details in visible images, and which is competitive with or even superior to the state-of-the-art fusion methods in terms of both visual and quantitative evaluations.
Primary tumor location affects recurrence-free survival for patients with colorectal liver metastases after hepatectomy: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Zhang Yuanping , Wang Yongjin , Yuan Yichuan , Qiu Jiliang , Qiu Yuxiong , He Wei , Zheng Yun , Wang Zhiqiang , Gu Yangkui , Lu Zhenhai , Chen Gong , Ding Peirong , Wu Xiaojun , Pan Zhizhong , Wan Desen , Li Yuhong , Xu Ruihua , Yuan Yunfei , Li Binkui 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Background: Whether primary tumor location of colorectal cancer (CRC) affects survival of patients after resection of liver metastases remains controversial. This study was conducted to investigate the differences in clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis between right-sided CRC and left-sided CRC patients with liver metastases after hepatectomy. Methods: From 2002 to 2018, 611 patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) who underwent hepatectomy at our center were reviewed. Primary tumors located from cecum to transverse colon were defined as right-sided group (n = 141); tumors located from splenic flexure to rectum were defined as left-sided group (n = 470). Patients were compared between two groups before and after a 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. Results: Before PSM, median survival time and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate in right-sided group were 77 months and 56.3%, and those in left-sided group were 64 months and 51.1%, respectively. After PSM, median survival time and 5-year OS rate in right-sided group were 77 months and 55.9%, and those in left-sided group were 58.8 months and 47.3%, respectively. The OS rates did not differ between two groups before and after PSM (P = 0.575; P = 0.453). However, significant different recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate was found before and after PSM between right-sided and left-sided group (P = 0.028, P = 0.003). Conclusions: Compared to patients with left-sided primary tumors, patients with right-sided primary tumors had a worse RFS but similar OS. Careful preoperative evaluation, intensive preoperative chemotherapy and frequent follow-up to detect early recurrence might be justified for CRLM patients with right-sided primary tumors.