bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of medical and surgical treatment on the risk of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in Asian women with endometriosis
Authors: Chiang Hsin-Ju , Lan Kuo-Chung , Yang Yao-Hsu , Chiang John Y. , Kung Fu-Tsai , Huang Fu-Jen , Lin Yu-Ju , Su Yu-Ting , Sung Pei-Hsun 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Endometriosis is linked to major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). However, whether this finding can be applied to the Asian population remained unanswered. Additionally, results are still inconsistent for the impact of endometriosis treatment on incidental MACCE. Thus, we intended to investigate the association between endometriosis and MACCE, and study the effect of endometriosis therapies on the risk of MACCE among Asian women.
Methods: The Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was used for this retrospective population-based cohort study from 1997 to 2013. A total of 17 543 patients with endometriosis aged between 18 and 50 years were identified from a general population of 1 million after excluding diagnoses of major cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) prior to endometriosis. The comparison group (n = 70 172) without endometriosis was selected by matching the study cohort with age, sex, and income and urbanization levels in a 4:1 ratio. Demographic data and the frequency of comorbidities between groups were compared using the independent t test and chi-square test. The incidence and risk of MACCE were analyzed using the log-rank test and a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.
Results: During a median follow-up period of 9.2 years, Asian women with endometriosis had a significantly higher frequency of comorbidities, medical and surgical treatment, and MACCE than did their non-endometriosis counterparts (2.76% vs 2.18%, P < .001). After adjustment for comorbidities, patients with endometriosis had an approximately 1.2-fold increased risk of MACCE (95% CI 1.05-1.29; P = .005) and a higher cumulative incidence of MACCE compared with the normal population. Among women with endometriosis, neither medical nor surgical treatment increased the risk of MACCE, including major CVD and CVA. Furthermore, medical treatment for endometriosis appeared to be protective against MACCE in the endometriosis females.
Conclusion: Asian women with endometriosis not only had a higher frequency of comorbidities but also an increased risk of MACCE compared with the general population. In addition, the safety concern about medical or surgical treatment of endometriosis on the risk of MACCE was not evident in this study.
Positive deviance for dual-method promotion among women in Uganda: Study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kosugi Hodaka , Shibanuma Akira , Kiriya Junko , Ong Ken Ing Cherng , Mucunguzi Stephen , Muzoora Conrad , Jimba Masamine 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background Dual-method use is known as the most reliable protection against unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. However, it is not commonly used in sub-Sharan Africa, especially among women using highly effective contraceptives. This article describes a protocol to evaluate the effect of an intervention formulated under the positive deviance approach for promoting dual-method use in Uganda.Methods One hundred women will be interviewed using a structured questionnaire to find those practicing dual-method use. Then, in-depth interviews will be conducted with all women using dual-method and ten women using only highly effective contraceptives to identify their unique practice. Then, a cluster randomized controlled trial will be conducted to examine the effect of an intervention formulated under the positive deviance approach on dual-method uptake and adherence. Twenty health facilities will be randomized to an intervention or control arm, and 480 women will be enrolled in each group. The participants will be followed up for eight months.Discussion This trial focuses on women who already adapted dual-method use and identifies their unique solutions to promote dual-method use. This trial could tackle barriers for dual-method use, which expert outsiders may fail to recognize, by analyzing and promulgating their unique behaviors. This study could provide evidence that the positive deviance approach can address unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections as well as other health problems which usual approaches have failed to address.
Alvarado Score System, how useful is in Emergency Department? Some consideration about it.
Authors: Dogjani Agron , Haxhirexha Kastriot , Gjata Arben , Dogjani Sabina , Bendo Hysni 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background; “Acute Appendicitis” is one of the most usual causes of emergency hospital admissions and appendectomy is one of the most common emergency procedures performed in the contemporary medicine. This study aims to identify the Alvarado Score System as a simplified tool for the emergency doctor in the abdominal emergency in general and for the Acute Appendicitis in particular. Materials and methods; The study is of retrospective character and includes 130 cases presented with abdominal Pain in University Hospital Centre” Mother Theresa” Tirana, Albania, in the period 1 April 2019 - 30 May 2019 from which 100 allegedly suspected with “Appendicitis Acute”. Results; Gender distribution has a slight male predominance. The predominant age group was 14-21 years old. The most frequent clinical data has been the tenderness in right iliac fossa. In our study 3% of cases belonged to the group 1-4 Alvarado points, 17% of the cases belonged to the group 5-6 Alvarado points and 80% of the cases belonged to the group 7-10 Alvarado points. Conclusions; In underdeveloped or developing countries where the decision to operate depends on clinical judgment, the Alvarado Score can serve as a precise and consistent tool to exclude Acute Appendicitis. Alvarado Score can also serve the emergency doctor as a tool with predictive value in the abdominal emergency. Key Words: Acute Appendicitis, appendectomy, Alvarado Score
Genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium parvum in neonatal calves in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Zhang Kuankuan , Wu Yayun , Wei Zilin , Zhang Ying , Jing Bo , Cui Zhaohui , Li Dongfang , Chen Yuancai , Qi Meng , Zhang Longxian 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background The Cryptosporidium causes infection in wide spectrum of vertebrate hosts and is well known for leading to diarrhea and other gastrointestinal illness. To assess Cryptosporidium genetic diversity in neonatal calves and probe the cause for diarrhea of them, a total of 232 fecal samples from neonatal calves in 12 farms in Xinjiang were characterized for the presence of Cryptosporidium .Results The prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 38.4% (89/232), and three species were detected with SSU rRNA gene, including C. parvum (n = 88), C. ryanae (n = 9), and C. bovis (n = 1). Prevalence of C . parvum neonatal calves with diarrhea (52.6%, 51/97) was significantly higher than calves without diarrhea (28.1%, 38/135). All the C . parvum -positive samples were analyzed based on gp60 gene, IIdA15G1 (n = 35), IIdA20G1 (n = 21), IIdA14G1 (n = 17), and IIdA19G1 (n = 13) were successfully subtyped in this study.Conclusions These data indicated that C . parvum was a major contributor in diarrheal disease in neonatal calves, and C . parvum subtypes from neonatal calves in Xinjiang were high genetic diversity. Additionally, our findings implicating neonatal calves could be a potential source of human Cryptosporidium infection and provide further evidence for the uniqueness of C . parvum IId subtypes in cattle in China.
A standardised method of marking male mosquitoes for a small-scale release
Authors: Culbert Nicole J , Kaiser Maria , Venter Nelius , Vreysen Marc J. B. , Gilles Jeremie R. L. , Bouyer Jérémy 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background Prior to a major release campaign of sterile insects, including the sterile insect technique, male mosquitoes must be marked and released (small scale) to determine key parameters including wild population abundance, dispersal and survival. Marking insects has been routinely carried out for over 100 years, however, there is no gold standard regarding the marking of specific disease-transmitting mosquitoes including Anopheles arabiensis, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus . The research presented offers a novel dusting technique and optimal dust colour and quantities, suitable for small-scale releases, such as mark-release-recapture studies.Methods We sought to establish a suitable dust colour and quantity for batches of 100 male An. arabiensis , that was visible both by eye and under UV light, long lasting and did not negatively impact longevity. A set of lower dust weights were selected to conduct longevity experiments with both Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus to underpin the optimal dust weight. A further study assessed the potential of marked male An. arabiensis to transfer their mark to undusted males and females.Results The longevity of male An. arabiensis marked with various dust colours was not significantly reduced when compared to unmarked controls. Furthermore, the chosen dust quantity (5 mg) did not negatively impact longevity ( P = 0.717) and provided a long-lasting mark. Dust transfer was found to occur from marked An. arabiensis males to unmarked males and females when left in close proximity. However, this was only noticeable when examining individuals under a stereomicroscope and thus deemed negligible. Overall, male Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus displayed a greater sensitivity to dusting. Only the lowest dust weight (0.5 mg) did not significantly reduce longevity ( P = 0.888) in Ae. aegypti, whilst the lowest two dust weights (0.5 and 0.75 mg) had no significant impact on longevity ( P = 0.951 and 0.166) respectively in Ae. albopictus .Conclusion We have devised a fast, inexpensive and simple marking method and provided recommended dust quantities for several major species of disease-causing mosquitoes. The novel technique provides an evenly distributed, long-lasting mark which is non-detrimental. Our results will be useful for future MRR studies, prior to a major release campaign.
Associations between serum vitamins and serum lipids in healthy Northeast China adults
Authors: Li Wenjie , Xia Yang , Wu Qijun , Chang Qing , Zhao Yuhong , Ou Fengrong 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Objective In previous studies, serum vitamins were shown associated with lipid levels. However, evidence regarding the associations between various serum vitamins and serum lipids is limited. Therefore, the associations between serum vitamins and serum lipids were investigated in this cross-sectional study.Methods The study population included 131 adults (42 males and 89 females) ≥ 18 years of age who lived more than three years in Shenyang, Liaoning province, China. Serum lipids included total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Analysis of covariance was used to explore the associations between serum vitamins and serum lipids.Results After multiple adjustments, vitamin A and vitamin C concentrations were positively associated with LDL-C level ( P for trend < 0.05). Vitamin A, vitamin B5, and vitamin C concentrations were positively associated with TG level ( P for trend < 0.05). However, vitamin B1 concentration was negatively associated with TG level ( P for trend = 0.04). Vitamin E concentration was positively associated with HDL-C level ( P for trend = 0.02). No association was observed between vitamin concentrations and TC level.Conclusion The results in the present study indicate that serum vitamin concentrations are associated with serum lipid levels. Vitamin B1 and vitamin E concentrations were associated with a better status of lipid profiles. However, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B5 concentrations were associated with a worse status of lipid profiles.
Chinese Herbal Medicine Combined with Entecavir to Reduce the Off-therapy Recurrence Riks in HBeAg-positive Chronic Hepatitis B Patients: a Multi-center, Double-blind, Randomized Controlled Trial in China
Authors: Li Xiaoke , Ye Yong'an , Du Hongbo , Zhang Ludan , Qiu Mei , Huang Yi , Xiao Huanming , Lu Bingjiu , Jiang Yuyong , Long Fuli , Lin Hui , He Jinyu , Wu Qikai , Zhang Mingxiang , Wang Li , Zhu Xiaoning , Gong Man , Sun Xuehua , Sun Jianguang , Sun Fengxia , Lu Wei , Li Zhiguo , Gan Danan , Yang Xianzhao 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) are the first-line options against chronic hepatitis B (CHB). NAs produce a potent suppression of viral replication but are associated with tiny opportunity of HBsAg seroclearance and high risks of virological relapse after discontinuation. The combined therapy of NAs plus traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is widely accepted and has been recognized as a prospective alternative approach in China. Based on preliminary works, this study is designed to observe the therapeutic effect of TCM plus entecavir (ETV) against HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B with respect to reducing the recurrence risk after NAs withdrawal.Methods/design: The study is a nationwide, multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with a designed duration of 120 weeks. A total of 18 hospitals and 490 eligible Chinese HBeAg-positive CHB patients will be enrolled and randomly allocated into the Experimental group and Control group in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the experimental group will be prescribed with TCM formulae (Tiao-Gan-Jian-Pi-Jie-Du granule) plus ETV 0.5mg per day for consolidation therapy of 96 weeks. Patients in the control group will be prescribed with TCM granule placebo plus ETV 0.5mg per day for the same course. After the consolidation therapy, all patients will discontinue their trial drugs and closely monitored in the next 24 weeks. Once clinical recurrence (CR) occurs, ETV treatment will be restarted. The primary outcome is the accumulative rate of CR at the end of this trial.Conclusion: This study is the first of its kind to observe therapeutic effects in respect of reducing recurrence after drug withdrawals after a unified integrative consolidation therapy in CHB population.
Differences of Total Activity and Heat Tolerance of Complement in Plasma Between Black and Yellow Populations
Authors: Tamomh Abdelhakam G. , Jin Xiaojun , Liu Hui 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background The goal of this paper is to compare and evaluate the differences in total activity and Heat Tolerance of complement distribution Between Black and Yellow populations.Methods Blood samples of Black and Yellow healthy individuals were randomly collected, and plasma was obtained. The test plasma was diluted in a five series concentration, following with standard reaction and experimental reaction measurements. The basic principle of heat tolerance temperature calculation is to consider the ratio value (ratio method) in which heat tolerance of TCA calculated and plotted according to the area of trapezoidal and triangle as follows: C x°C=OD1-OD5+(OD2-OD5+OD3-OD5+OD4-OD5)*2. Where Cx°C is the total complement activity of the specimen measured in the two reaction conditions.Results The total activity of complement in Black individuals was statistically significantly lower than Yellow individuals (P< 0.05). The heat tolerance of total complement activity was higher among blacks than yellow individuals with no differences between the two groups (P> 0.05). The frequency values of total activity of complement distributed in the yellow individuals was statistically higher than Blacks (P<0.05) and The heat tolerance of total complement activity was statistically higher significant among Blacks than Yellow individuals (P<0.05).Conclusions There is a high differences in total complement activity and heat Tolerance distribution between Black and Yellow populations, may predict health status and innate immunity level differences between African race and Asian race.
Sex differences in campylobacteriosis incidence rates at different ages - a seven country, multi-year, meta-analysis. A potential mechanism for the infection.
Authors: Green Manfred S , Schwartz Naama , Peer Victoria 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background There is evidence that females mount a more efficient immune response to gram-negative bacteria. The objectives of this study were to determine whether there are consistent sex differences in the incidence rates of campylobacteriosis at different ages in different countries.Methods We obtained data on incidence rates of campylobacteriosis by sex and age group over a period of 11-26 years from seven countries Male to female incidence rate ratios (IRR) were computed by age group, country and time period. For each age group, we used meta-analytic methods to combine the IRRs. Sensitivity analysis was used to test whether the results are stable and robust. Meta-regression was conducted to the estimate the effects of age, country, and time period on the IRR.Results In the age groups <1, 1-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-44, 45-64 and 65+ years old, the pooled IRRs (with 95% CI) were 1.31 (1.26-1.37), 1.34 (1.31-1.37), 1.35 (1.32-1.38), and 1.73 (1.68-1.79), 1.10 (1.08-1.12), 1.19(1.17-1.21), 1.27 (1.24-1.30), respectively. For each age group, the excess campylobacteriosis incidence rates in males is remarkably consistent for countries and time-periods, and in meta-regression analysis, age group was responsible for almost all the variation in the IRRs.Conclusions The male predominance in campylobacteriosis incidence rates starts in infancy. This suggests that this is due, at least in part, to physiological or genetic differences and not just behavioural factors. These findings can provide clues to the mechanisms of the infection, and could lead to more targeted treatments and vaccine development.
Application of chloroplast genome to resolve the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of invasive dioecious weeds in Amaranthus (Amaranthaceae)
Authors: Xu Han 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Backgroud: Amaranthus palmeri, A. tuberculatus and A. arenicola are alien invasive dioecious amaranths originated from North America which have similar morphology and complex taxonomic relationship with their relatives. To search for effective molecular methods and accurate species boundary for detecting the alien invasive species, we sequenced whole chloroplast genome of 6 amaranths species, of which A. palmeri , A. arenicola , A. retroflexus and A. dubius are the first reports.Results: The complete chloroplast genome of 6 species has a circular molecular structure of 150,454 to 150,939 bp in length with 36.6% of GC content and contains a total of 134 genes, including 89 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. There are a total of 802 parsimony-informative (PI) sites within genes and intergenic spacers. The rpl22-rps19 , ndhG-I , rpl 32- trnLUAG , trnPUGG-psaJ and ccsA - ndhD are the hotspots in the genus. And the 1,601 bp fragment from rpl32 to psaC has contained maximum variants with 82 PI sites. A. arenicola differs from A. tuberculatus with 19 PI sites located in 14 genes and spacers separately. The regions for differentiate A. dubius , A. hypochondriacus and A. caudatus of the Hybrid complex only fasten on 2 coding genes and 5 intergenic spacers. The patristic distances (0.00001-0.00005) among the three species are approximate to the distance (0.00005) between individuals of A. tuberculatus . Conformed to dioecious and monoecious distinctions but different with previous phylogenetic studies, A. palmeri clustered with A. arenicola and A. tuberculatus and formed a stable clade of subgen. Acnida .Conclusion: The chloroplast genome has played a role in offering enough information for discrimination and phylogenetic relationship among the Amaranthus subgen. Acnida . The most valuable regions of chloroplast genome in Amaranthus are intergenic spacers and could differentiate A. arenicola from A. tuberculatus better. Subsequently, much more Amaranthus species should be sequenced and analyzed complementally in the future.
Impact of dietary Mannan-oligosaccharide and β-Glucan supplementation on growth, histopathology, E-coli colonization and hepatic transcripts of TNF-α and NF- ϰB of broiler challenged with E. coli O78
Authors: Fadl Sabreen Ezzat , El-Gammal Ghada Ahmed , Sakr Osama Atia , Prince Abdelbary Mohammed , Salah Aly A.B.S. , Atia Ayman Ali , Hegazy Abdelhaleem Mohamed 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Using probiotics have become popular. They are considered an alternative to Antibiotic Growth Promoters (AGP). Probiotics are supplemented into animal feed for improving growth performance along with preventing and controlling enteric pathogens. The aim of this work was to study the impact of dietary supplementation of Mannan-oligosaccharide and β-Glucan (Agrimos®) on broiler challenged with Escherichia coli O78 (E. coli O78 - marked with an antibiotic (320 μg ciprofloxacin/ml broth) on growth performance, serum biochemistry, immune organs-histopathology, E-coli colonization, and hepatic transcripts of Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ϰB). Methods: A total of 125 one-day-old chicks were used for conducting the experiment. Five chicks were slaughtered for measuring the initial weight of lymphoid tissue; the remaining chicks (120) were allotted into four groups according to Mannan-oligosaccharide and β-Glucan supplementation and E. coli infection. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: Results indicated significant alteration of growth performance, serum biochemistry, selected liver gene expression with pathological lesions, especially in lymphoid organs due to E. coli infection, which were mitigated by Mannan-oligosaccharide and β-Glucan supplementation. Conclusion: It could be concluded Mannan-oligosaccharide and β-Glucan supplementation in broiler's diet improved the immune response of broilers and mitigated pathological lesion resulted from E. coli infection.
Bioinformatics analysis of key micro-RNAs and mRNAs under hand, foot, and mouth disease virus infection
Authors: Lin Sheng , Yang Liu , Wang Shibiao , Weng Bin , Lin Min 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
To dig the clinical significance of micro-RNA and mRNA changes under hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) virus infection, we conducted this bioinformatics analysis to clarify crucial differentially expressed genes (DEGs), functional and pathway enrichment, and the relative regulatory network, using four published datasets. Following datasets form GEO database were used for analysis: GSE85829, GSE94551, GSE52780 and GSE45589. After screening of common differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs), five key miRNAs were acquired: miR-100-3p, miR-125a-3p, miR-1273g-3p, miR-5585-3p, and miR-671-5p. Based on above five key miRNAs, GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment were performed using the miRPath V3 database. there were three common enriched GO terms between miRNA-derived prediction and mRNA-derived (dataset GSE45589) analysis: biosynthetic process, cytosol, and nucleoplasm. And one common KEGG pathway, cell cycle, was shared between miRNA-based and mRNA-based enrichment. Using TarBase V8 in DIANA tools, we acquired 1520 potential targets (mRNA) from the 5 key DE-miRNAs, among which 11 DEGs were also included by the159 DE-mRNAs. These common DEGs showed a PPI network mainly connected by SMC1A, SMARCC1, SF3B3, LIG1 and BRMS1L. Together, changes in 5 key miRNAs and 11 key mRNAs may play crucial roles in HFMD progression. Our results shed light on the crucial roles of these DEGs and several functions/pathways in HFMD. Combination of these roles may benefit the early diagnose and treatment of HFMD.