bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determining the Potential Value of Salivary Plasmodium Falciparum Hisditine-Rich Protein 2 and Lactate Dehydrogenase as a Non-Invasive Test for Malaria
Authors: AGYAPONG FRANCIS OPOKU , Ansong Daniel , Owusu-Ofori Alex , Martin-Peprah Ruby , Opoku Millicent , Akorli Jewelna 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Malaria remains an important public health threat claiming many lives particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Light microscopy which is a blood-based test is the Gold standard for laboratory diagnosis of malaria in the clinical settings. The lack of sensitivity of Microscopy coupled with the challenges associated with blood sampling necessitates exploring alternative methods of identifying malaria cases. Aims and Objectives The aim of this study was to detect the presence of Plasmodium Lactate Dehydrogenase (pLDH) and Plasmodium falciparum Histidine-Rich Protein 2 (PfHRP2) in the saliva of suspected malaria patients and to compare the diagnostic accuracy of these saliva-borne biomarkers with the results of blood film microscopy using Nested PCR as the reference test. Methods The research was a comparative study. Matched saliva and blood samples of suspected malaria patients were collected. The blood samples were aliquoted into 2 smaller volumes and used to run blood film microscopy (thick and thin) and Nested PCR to detect DNA of the 5 Plasmodium species known to clinically infect man. Sand-wiched ELISA was separately run to qualitatively detect pLDH and PfHRP2 in the saliva samples. Accuracy indices of the saliva-based assays (saliva pLDH and PfHRP2) were compared with the conventional blood-based Microscopy. Results Of the participating 188 subjects, malaria prevalence rates of 51 (27.13%), 80(42.55%), 117 (62.23%) and 95 (50.53%) were detected by the Microscopy, saliva pLDH, saliva PfHRP2 and the PCR respectively. The sensitivity of the saliva PfHRP2 ELISA, 78.95% (95% CI, 69.38-86.64%) and saliva pLDH ELISA, 64.21% (95% CI 53.72 -73.79) were better than those obtained for the blood film Microscopy. Conclusions The saliva pLDH and the PfHRP2 ELISAs were found to be more sensitive (64.21% and 78.95% respectively) in defining malaria cases than the results obtained for the conventional blood film microscopy. Both the saliva pLDH and the PfHRP2 ELISAs showed moderate agreement with the results of the Nested PCR with Kappa co-efficient of 0.44 and 0.5 respectively.
Evaluation of enhanced external counterpulsation therapy for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
Authors: Lin Lixia , Zhu Wenhui , Ma Nan , Lin Xiaofeng , Yang Hui 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background To explore the effects of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) and its underlying influencing factors in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) patients. Methods Patients at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center with recent-onset (<8 weeks) NAION were retrospectively recruited. The patients had decided whether or not they would undergo EECP treatment, and the patients who declined were included in the control group. The effectiveness of EECP was evaluated by comparing the visual function and fellow eye involvement in patients with and without EECP treatment. Results In total, 61 patients (76 eyes) were included. Twenty-nine patients (37 eyes) underwent EECP treatment, while 32 patients (39 eyes) were included in the control group. Mean time from NAION onset to EECP initiation was 27.59±16.70 days. In the EECP group, the mean EECP duration was 31.57±18.45 days. EECP was well tolerated by all patients. However, there was no significant difference in visual function between the EECP and control groups, regardless of time to treatment initiation. Furthermore, there was no evidence of the effectiveness of EECP in the subgroup analysis of patients with different systemic health conditions. Among the 42 patients with monocular NAION, the sequential attack rate was comparable between the EECP (27.78%) and control (25.00%) groups. Conclusion This study is the first nonrandomized controlled study to evaluate the effectiveness of EECP in NAION patients. Unfortunately, we failed to demonstrate the effectiveness of EECP in NAION at the 6-month follow-up. Any further application of EECP in NAION patients should be cautious.
Multidimensional Reveal of Nitrogen Regulation on Comammox
Authors: Zhao Yuxiang , Hu Jiajie , Yang Weiling , Wang Jiaqi , Jia Zhongjun , Zheng Ping , Hu Baolan 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background The discovery of complete ammonia oxidizer (comammox) was groundbreaking. Comammox can use ammonia as the sole nitrogen source and turn it to nitrate. Moreover, genomic data indicated that comammox contained genes which can metabolize urea and nitrite. However, the feasibility of enriching comammox with urea and nitrite in long term has not been proved. This study enriched comammox’s culture by using nitrite in reactor SA and urea in reactor SB. Results The nitrification rate of reactor SB (1.29 mg N·g -1 biofilm · d -1 ) was higher than that in reactor SA (0.6 mg N · g -1 biofilm · d -1 ) at the 390 th day. Comammox outnumbered ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in both reactor SA (9.04 × 10 9 copies / g biofilm) and reactor SB (5.34×10 10 copies/ g biofilm). In reactor SA, comammox’s amoA accounted for 92% of the total amoA, which was higher than that in reactor SB (85%). However, the percentage of comammox (4%) in total bacteria was much lower than reactor SB (14%). The results of metagenomic sequencing showed that all the pathways of nitrogen cycle including nitrification, nitrogen fixation, denitrification, assimilation nitrate reduction, and dissimilation nitrate reduction can be detected in both reactor SA and reactor SB except the anammox pathway. The genes related to nitrite oxidation and nitrate reduction in reactor SA (TPM = 5099; TPM = 3329) was higher than that of in reactor SB (TPM = 4071; TPM = 2984), presumably due to the demand of turning nitrite to nitrate and turning nitrate to ammonia. While genes related to ammonia oxidation and urea metabolism in reactor SB (TPM = 3915; TPM = 3638) was higher than that in reactor SA (TPM = 2708; TPM = 3002). Conclusion Nitrite and urea can regulate the enrichment culture of comammox by converting its metabolic pathway. Using nitrite as sole nitrogen source can improve the proportion comammox’s amoA in total amoA while using urea as the sole nitrogen source may increase comammox’s proportion in total bacteria. These results can accelerate the enrichment of comammox and facilitate the promotion of comammox’s engineering operation.
Examining fine-scale tribal health inequalities around three forested sites in India: Results of a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Seshadri Tanya , Velho Nandini Dias , Narasimhamurti Nityasri Sankha , Srini Prashanth N 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background The data available for the health of Scheduled Tribes (ST) in India are often coarse-scale snapshots of health status and healthcare access showing poorer indicators when compared to others but do not allow fine-scale analysis. In this paper, we examined health inequalities between ST and non-ST populations in two forested sites and compare healthcare parameters for ST populations across three forested sites in India. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional household survey in sites in and around Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple (BRT), Kanha and Pakke tiger reserves in the south, central and northeast regions of India respectively. In each site, multi-stage sampling and cluster analysis provided a representative sample of households across villages of 859 ST and non-ST households. We examined sociodemographic and health-related information including self-reported illnesses and healthcare utilisation; from these we explored within-site health inequality patterns for two sites and inter-site differences among ST households in the three sites. Results In BRT, ST-non-ST differences favoured the latter for socio-economic characteristics with no difference in self-reported illness/injuries or healthcare utilisation. In Kanha, both groups were similar for socio-economic characteristics and healthcare utilisation. Pakke ST households reported highest healthcare utilisation, while Kanha ST households reported lowest care seeking at hospitals and relied on home networks and health workers. High tobacco consumption prevalence was noted among ST households in all sites. Conclusions ST-non-ST inequality patterns at a fine-scale were different between BRT and Kanha. Absence of health inequalities between both groups in Kanha indicates uniform socio-geographical disadvantage while poor healthcare utilisation by ST in BRT indicates health inequities within the state. Pakke ST households reported highest utilisation while Kanha reported the lowest. Thus, programmes addressing health inequalities of STs need to consider site-specific assessments in socio-geographical and health system factors.
Effects of perioperative intravenous lidocaine infusion for postoperative pain and recovery in elderly patients undergoing surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zhu Yihao , Wang Fei , Yang Lei , Zhu Tao 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Improving postoperative pain and other potential benefits of IV lidocaine remains a significant debate in elderly patients. This meta-analysis aims to estimate the effect perioperative continuous IV lidocaine in elderly patients undergoing surgery. Method Pubmed/Medline, Web of Science, Embase and CENTRAL through OVID SP were independently searched until November 1, 2019 by two authors. This systematic review and meta-analysis included all randomized controlled trials that compared the effect of continuous IV lidocaine and any placebo or no treatment in aged patients after surgery. Primary outcomes were length of hospital stay and postoperative pain score and second outcomes were postoperative nausea and vomiting, opioid consumption, gastrointestinal recovery and postoperative neuropsychological function status scale. Result Eighteen studies(1175 patients) were included. Meta-analysis suggested that IV lidocaine reduce the postoperative pain scores(visual analogue scale, 0-10cm) at 2h(SMD:-1.30, 95% CI -1.90 to -0.70), 4h(SMD:-1.20, 95% CI -1.91 to -0.49), 6h(SMD:-0.87, 95%CI -1.72 to 0.02), 8h(SMD:-0.84, 95%CI -1.40 to -0.27), 12h(SMD:-0.73, 95%CI -1.14 to -0.32), 24h(SMD:-0.39, 95%CI -0.66 to -0.11), shorten length of hospital stay(MD: -0.30, 95%CI -0.50 to -0.09), decrease the requirement of opioid drugs(SMD: -0.31, 95%CI -0.31 to -0.01) and the incidence of postoperative nausea(OR: 0.52, 95%CI 0.31 to 0.87) in elderly patients undergoing surgery. Conclusion The evidence suggested that IV lidocaine significantly reduce postoperative pain intensity and opioid consumption and shorten the length of hospital stay in aged patients. In addition, it was shown that IV lidocaine decrease the requirement of postoperative opioid and incidence of postoperative nausea compared to control group. IV lidocaine maybe a useful assistant during general anesthesia owing to its beneficial effect in several outcomes in geratic patients undergoing surgery.
Correlation between ductus venosus velocity and right ventricular diastolic function in fetuses with isolated single umbilical artery in third trimester
Authors: Li Tian-gang , Nie Fang , Li Zhen-dong , Qi Ping-an , Li Qi , Wang Yan-fang 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background The cardiac diastolic functions in fetuses with isolated single umbilical artery (SUA) in the third trimester were ealuated using the spectrum of blood flow in the fetal ductus venosus (DV). Methods Color Doppler was employed to visualize the spectra of the fetal DV and tricuspid orifice in 34 fetuses with isolated SUA aged 28–39 weeks and in age-matched healthy controls. The DV flow velocities and velocity ratios were measured. The E/A ratio at the tricuspid orifice and tissue Doppler Tei index of fetal right ventricular in the two groups were measured. Results During the third trimester, the DV atrial systolic peak velocity “a” was lower in the isolated SUA group than in the control group ( P < 0.05). The correlations between the velocity ratios and the E/A ratio at the tricuspid orifice in the two groups were analyzed, and the correlation between the v/D and E/A ratios was the best (R 2 of 0.520 in the isolated SUA group and 0.358 in the control group). The correlations between the velocity ratios and the tissue Doppler Tei index of fetal right ventricular in the two groups were analyzed, and the correlation between the PIV and tissue Doppler Tei index ratios was the best (R 2 of 0.865 in the isolated SUA group and 0.627 in the control group). Conclusions In the isolated SUA group, the atrial systolic peak velocity “a” decreased, which might be related to changes in fetal cardiac functions. v/D was more closely related to the E/A ratio at the tricuspid valve and could be used to identify changes earlier in the isolated and healthy fetuses’ right ventricular diastolic functions. PIV was more closely related to the tissue doppler Tei index of fetal right ventricular and could be used to identify the isolated and healthy fetuses’ right ventricular overall functions.
Impact of pre-transplant dialysis modality on the outcome and health-related quality of life of patients after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation
Authors: Scheuermann Uwe , Rademacher Sebastian , Jahn Nora , Sucher Elisabeth , Seehofer Daniel , Sucher Robert , Hau Hans-Michael 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation (SPKT) profoundly improves the Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the recipients. However, the influence of the pre-transplant dialysis modality on the success of the SPKT and post-transplant HRQoL is still unknown. Methods We analyzed the surgical outcome, long-term survival, as well as HRQoL of 83 SPKTs that were performed between 2000 and 2016 in our Hospital. Prior to transplant, 63 patients received hemodialysis (HD) and 19 patients received peritoneal dialysis (PD). Physical and mental quality of life results from eight basic scales and the physical and mental component summaries (PCS and MCS) were measured using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) survey. Results Peri- and postoperative complications, as well as patient and graft survival were similar in both groups. Both groups showed improvement of HRQoL in all SF-36 domains after transplantation. Compared to patients who received HD before transplantation, PD-patients showed significantly better results in five of the eight SF-36 domains: physical functioning (P = 0.02), bodily pain (P = 0.001), general health (P = 0.038), vitality (P = 0.014), role limitations emotional (P = 0.048) and PCS (P = 0.002) after SPKT. In the overall study population, graft loss was associated with significant worsening of the HRQoL in all physical components (each P < 0.01). Conclusions The results of this analysis show that pre-transplant dialysis modality has no influence on outcome and survival rate after SPKT. Regarding HRQoL, patients receiving PD prior to SPKT seems to entail a slight advantage compared to patients with HD before transplantation.
Evaluation of a homemade saliva kit for the stabilization of plasmodium dna at room temperature
Authors: Netongo Palmer Masumbe , Tchoupe Eric Berenger , Kamdem Severin Donald , Chedjou Jean-Paul , Mbacham Wilfred Fon 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Objectives : Most malaria diagnostic methods are invasive whereas non-invasive alternatives like saliva could be used for molecular diagnosis. However, long-term storage of saliva also requires a cold chain, which is challenging in poor countries. Current tools to conserve saliva at room temperature are not affordable (~$16/kit) for malaria endemic countries. In this cross-sectional study including 83 febrile participants, we evaluated the effectiveness of a cheaper (~$2/kit) homemade kit (Formulation f1 ) to stabilize Plasmodium DNA in saliva stored at room temperature for 12 months. The OMNIgene ® ORAL (OM-501) kit served as standard (S0 ). Results : The frequency of malaria in this study was 78.31% (65/83) using microscopy. Saliva PCR-f1 and PCR-S0 detected 59 (71.08%) and 56 (67.47%) positive malaria samples respectively. Using microscopy as gold standard, the sensitivities of PCR-S0 and PCR-f1 were 100% while the specificities were 80%, and 85%, respectively. PCR-f1 had a “very good” agreement (kappa 0.81) with microscopy compared to PCR-S0 (kappa 0.64). We obtained similar results after 12 months storage of saliva samples at room temperature (RT). Homemade kit could be effective in transportation, preservation and diagnosis of malaria parasite in saliva. Key words: Non-invasive, Saliva, DNA, Plasmodium , Malaria, Homemade kit.
Study on the influencing factors and prediction of the medical cost of chronic renal failure in China based on a decision tree algorithm
Authors: dai pingping , Luo Aijing , Chang Weifu , Xin Zirui , Cheng Haiwei , Ouyang Wei 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Purpose: The objective of this study is to explore the factors that affect the hospitalization costs for patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and to extract relevant characteristics for modeling, so as to make predictions about hospitalization costs for CRF patients. Methods: This study collected the data on the first page of the 2014 medical records of three first-class tertiary hospitals in Beijing. Using IBM SPSS Modeler software, we used the chi-squared automatic interaction detector (CHAID) and classification and regression tree (CART) algorithms to construct a prediction model of the hospitalization costs for CRF patients and conducted a comparative analysis. The data of the 1819 cases in this study included the index variables on the first page of the medical records, which covered social economics, clinical characteristics, and medical consumption. The input variables included medical payment method, sex, age, marital status, length of hospital stay, main diagnosis, number of other diagnoses, major surgery, and number of surgeries. The target variable was the total medical expense. Results: Our results showed that medical payment method, sex, age, marital status, length of hospital stay, main diagnosis, number of other diagnoses, major surgery, and number of surgeries all had an effect on hospitalization cost. There was no significant difference in the prediction models of the total hospitalization cost constructed using the CHAID and CART algorithms. Conclusions: Major surgery and length of hospital stay were important predictor variables for modeling with both CHAID and CART algorithms. The length of hospital stay should be included in the grouping variables when disease-related grouping and prediction of medical costs are done for CRF patients.
Occurrence, risk factors and genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in dogs and cats in Guangzhou, southern China: high genotype diversity and zoonotic concern
Authors: Wang Haiyan , Lin Xuhui , Sun Yongxiang , Qi Nanshan , Lv Minna , Xiao Wenwan , Chen Yuan-Cai , Xiang Ruiping , Sun mingfei , Zhang Longxian 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Enterocytozoon bieneusi, an obligate protist pathogen, has a wide range of hosts. Limited epidemiological data on E. bieneusi intestinal infections in companion animals (dogs and cats) in China exists. In this study, fecal samples (651 from dogs and 389from cats) in Guangzhou city, Guangdong Province, China, were collected, and the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region from the DNA extracted from them was PCR-amplified and sequenced.Results: Based on the sequencing data, E. bieneusiwas identified in the fecal samples collected from 149 (22.9%) and 79 (20.3%) dogs and cats. Of the factors investigated, poor living conditions appeared be the major risk factor for contracting the pathogen. Eleven E. bieneusi genotypes, six known (PtEb IX,GD1, D,CD9, EbpC, I) and five novel (designated here as GD2–GD6), were found in dogs. Eight genotypes, six known (PtEbIX, GD1, D, CD9, EbpC, Type IV) and two novel (GD2 and GC1), were identified in cats. Genotype PtEb IX was most common in both dogs and cats.Conclusions: Although PtEb IX was the most common E. bieneusi genotype in dogs, this is the first report of this genotype dominating in cats. The same genotype distribution of the pathogen between the two different companion animal species in the same geographic area indicates that inter-species transmission is probable. The widespread existence of zoonotic E. bieneusig enotypes in companion animals indicates that they are potential sources of environmental contamination and infections in humans.
The adjuvant chemotherapy can be omitted for lepidic predominant lung adenocarcinoma in stage IB of the 8th TNM staging system.
Authors: Ito Hiroyuki , Nakayama Haruhiko , Nagashima Takuya , Samejima Joji , Inafuku Kenji , Eriguchi Daisuke , Yamada Kouzo , Suzuki Masaki , Yokose Tomoyuki 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
ObjectivesThis study was designed to investigate whether the outcomes of adjuvant chemotherapy are affected by the lung adenocarcinoma predominant (AP) in stage IB according to the 8th UICC staging system. Methods From 2008 through 2015, 293 patients with pathological stage IB who were ≤ 75-year-old and underwent lobectomy were studied. The relations of clinicopathological factors were investigated by propensity score matching.ResultsThe median follow-up period was 66.0 months. The cases of AP were followed: lepidic 96, acinar 71, papillary 54, solid 45, micropapillary 3 and others 17. Adjuvant chemotherapy with UFT was performed in 70 cases (23.9%). Recurrence-free survival at 5 years (RFS) was 72.2%. Lymph vessel invasion (ly+), vascular vessel invasion (v+), pleural invasion (pl+) and non-lepidic statistically affected RFS. Multivariate analysis showed that only AP (non-lepidic) was significant (hazard ratio; HR=2.006 (1.104-3.644)). Overall survival (OS) rate at 5 years was 83.5%. ly+, v+, pl+, EGFR mutation status and AP affected OS. In multivariate analysis, only non-lepidic was left (HR=2.888 (1.231 - 6.774)). After matching AP, adjuvant chemotherapy did not have an impact on RFS or OS (p=0.992, 0.616). In lepidic, both adjuvant and non-adjuvant had excellent outcomes in RFS (84.8% and 92.9%, p=0.574) and OS (100% vs 100%, p=0.361). In non-lepidic group, adjuvant therapy tended to show slightly, but not significantly better RFS (71.5% vs, 60.6%, p=0.177). ConclusionLepidic predominant showed excellent outcomes, adjuvant chemotherapy is not necessary. For non-lepidic predominant, UFT remains standard adjuvant chemotherapy in Japan.