bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does the Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System Improve Patients’ Outcome Following Laparoscopic Surgery for Colon Cancer? A Multicentre, Retrospective Analysis with Propensity Score Matching.
Authors: Kazama Keisuke , Numata Masakatsu , Aoyama Toru , Atsumi Yosuke , Tamagawa Hiroshi , Godai Teni , Saeki Hiroyuki , Saigusa Yusuke , Shiozawa Manabu , Yukawa Norio , Masuda Munetaka , Rino Yasushi 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to investigate the short-term and oncological impact of the Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System (ESSQS) by the Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery on the operator performing laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer.Methods: This retrospective cohort study was based on medical records from a multicentre database. A total of 417 patients diagnosed with stage II/III colon and rectosigmoid cancer treated with curative resection were divided into two groups according to whether they were operated on by qualified surgeons (Q group, n=352) or not (NQ group, n=65). Through strict propensity score matching, 98 cases (49 in each group) were assessed.Results: Operative time was significantly longer in the NQ group than in the Q group (199 vs. 168 min, p=0.029). The amount of blood loss, post-operative complications, and duration of hospitalisation were similar between both groups. No mortality was observed. One conversion case was seen in the NQ group. The 3-year recurrence-free survival rate was 86.6% in the NQ group and 88.2% in the Q group, which was not statistically significant (log-rank p=0.966).Conclusion: Direct operation by ESSQS-qualified surgeons contributed to a shortened operation time. Under an organised educational environment, almost equivalent safety and oncological outcomes are expected regardless of the surgeon’s qualifications.
Artemisia Annua Ethanolic Extract Mitigated Small Intestinal Lesions in Hamsters Infected With Giardia Lamblia Possibly Through Modulation of Mucosal Immunity
Authors: Abd-Elhamid Tarek Hamdy , Abdel-Rahman Iman A. M. , Mahmoud Amany Refaat , Fouad Samer S. , Abdella Osama H. , El-Kady Asmaa M. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Giardiasis is a worldwide health problem caused by Giardia lamblia. Unfortunately, G. lamblia developed drug resistance against commonly used therapeutic agents. Artemisia annua (A. annua) derivatives showed therapeutic efficacy against a number of parasitic infestations. Here, we aimed to elucidate the effect of A. annua on giardiasis-induced small intestinal changes in hamsters. Thirty-two hamsters were divided into 4 groups. GI: Uninfected, GII: infected with G. lamblia cysts and untreated, GIII: infected and treated with metronidazole, served as a positive control, and GIV: infected and treated with the A. annua ethanolic extract. The efficacy of the extract was assessed by trophozoite counts, serum cytokine levels and histopathology. Infection of gerbils with G. lamblia cysts significantly decreased serum nitrite, while increased serum IL-6, INF-γ and TNF-α. Additionally, G. lamblia increased intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) while reduced villus heights, goblet cell (GC) number and muscularis externa (ME) thickness. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that G. lamblia increased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and caspase-3 expression. In contrast, treating infected animals with A. annua significantly reduced the mean trophozoite counts, serum nitrite, IL-6, INF-γ, TNF-α levels and IEL numbers while increased villus heights, GC numbers and ME thickness. Moreover, A. annua reversed giardiasis-induced changes in iNOS and caspase-3 expression. In conclusion; we showed clearly that A. annua extract reduced the severity and morphological changes of giardiasis possibly through modulation of nitric oxide production and mucosal immunity. These effects were comparable to effects of metronidazole. Therefore, we assume that A. annua extracts could be used as adjuvant therapy during treatment of giardiasis.
Effects of Empagliflozin in Different Phases of Diabetes Mellitus-related Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Oka Satoshi , Kai Takahiko , Hoshino Katsuomi , Watanabe Kazunori , Nakamura Jun , Abe Makoto , Watanabe Akinori 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: In diabetes mellitus-related cardiomyopathy (DMCMP), hyperglycemia causes endothelial dysfunction, fibrosis, and myocardial injury, which result in left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Treatment with sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) reduces the risk of exacerbation of heart failure (HF). The beneficial effects of SGLT2i on HF depend not only on indirect actions such as osmotic diuresis but also direct actions on the myocardium leading to improvements in LV function. However, it remains unclear whether SGLT2i treatment is equally effective in any phase of DMCMP. The aim of this observational study was to compare the efficacy of SGLT2i treatment on LV dysfunction between early and advanced DMCMP.Methods: Thirty-five symptomatic non-ischemic HF patients with LV ejection fraction (EF) greater than 40% and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) treated with administration of empagliflozin (10 mg/day) were enrolled. According to the myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECV), a reliable marker of cardiac fibrosis quantified by cardiac magnetic resonance, the patients were divided into the early DMCMP group (n = 16, ECV ≤ 30%) and advanced DMCMP group (n = 19, ECV > 30%) and followed-up prospectively. Echocardiography was performed at baseline and after 12 months. LV systolic function assessed as LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and diastolic function assessed as the ratio of early diastolic mitral inflow velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e’) were compared.Results: ECV was strongly correlated with T2DM duration (r2 = 0.65, p < 0.001). At baseline, both groups had similar backgrounds (LVGLS: 7.9 ± 2.4% vs. 6.7 ± 3.0%, p = 0.207, and E/e’: 13.2 ± 6.1 cm/s vs. 12.6 ± 3.8 cm/s, p = 0.694). After 12 months, the early DMCMP group showed greater improvement in LVGLS (ΔLVGLS: 4.6 ± 1.5% vs. 1.6 ± 3.3%, p = 0.003) and E/e’ (ΔE/e’: -3.4 ± 5.5 cm/s vs. -0.1 ± 3.5 cm/s, p = 0.043) than in the advanced DMCMP group.Conclusion: The positive effects of empagliflozin on LV dysfunction were more remarkable in DMCMP with mild cardiac fibrosis than with advanced fibrosis. Early intervention of SGLT2i for DMCMP is preferable.
Effect of Wearing a Helmet on the Occurrence of Head Injuries in Motorcycle Riders in Benin: A Cohort-nested Case-control Study
Authors: SANTOS Bella Adodo HOUNKPE DOS , AHANHANZO Yolaine GLELE , KPOZEHOUEN Alphonse , DADDAH Donatien , LAGARDE EMMANUEL , COPPIETERS Yves 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: In Benin, motorcycles are the main means of transport for road users and are involved in more than half of accidents. This study aims to determine the effect of wearing a helmet on reducing head injuries in road accidents in Benin.Methods: This cohort-nested case-control study took place in 2020 and focused on road trauma victims. The sample consisted of 242 cases for 484 controls. A logistic regression model was performed.Results: Fewer of the subjects with a head injury were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident 69.8% (95% CI = 63.6 - 75.6) compared to those without a head injury 90.3% (95% CI = 87.3 - 92.8). Adjusting for the other variables, subjects not wearing helmets were at greater risk of head injuries (OR = 3.8, 95% CI (2.5 - 5.7)); the head injury rating was 2.0 (95% CI = 1.2 - 3.2) times higher in subjects who were fatigued during the accident than among those who were not and 2.1 (95% CI = 1.2 - 3.3) times higher than in subjects with no medical history.Conclusion: Failure to wear a helmet exposes motorcyclists to the risk of head injuries during accidents. It is important to increase awareness and better target such initiatives at the subjects most at risk.
New Intestinal Schistosomiasis Transmission Foci and Soil-transmitted Helminths Infection After Five Years of Preventive Chemotherapy and Associated Risk Factors Among School-aged Children in Two Districts in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Zerdo Zerihun , Bastiaens Hilde , Anthierens Sibyl , Massebo Fekadu , Masne Matewos , Biresaw Gelila , Shewangizaw Misgun , Tunje Abayneh , Chisha Yilma , Yohannes Tsegaye , geertruyden Jean-Pierre Van 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Preventive chemotherapy (PC), is the main elimination strategy against Soil-Tansmitted Helmenthiasis (STH) and Schistosomiasis (SCH) recommended by the world health organization (WHO), should be strengthened through identification of the remaining SCH transmission foci and evaluating its impact to get lesson. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of STH/SCH infections, intensity of infections and associated factors among School Age Children (SAC) in two districts, previously not known to be endemic for SCH in Southern Ethiopia, October to December 2019.Methods: Structured interview questionnaire was used to collect data, the record of treatment coverage against STH was reviewed and stool samples collected from 2114 children were diagnosed using Kato-Katz technique. Multilevel logistic regressions were used to assess the association of infections with potential predictors. Results: The reviewed treatment coverage ranges from 92% to 106% in both districts. The prevalence of STH infection was 33.3% with 95% confidence interval (CI) of 31.3% to 35.4%. The intensity of infections was light (93.8%, 99.2% & 92.5%), moderate (4.7%, 0.8% & 7.5%) and heavy (1.5%, 0% & 0%) for hookworm, whipworm and Roundworms respectively. STH infection was higher among male SAC with Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) of 1.7; 95%CI: 1.4-2.1); occupation of the household head other than farmer or house wife (AOR=0.6; 95%CI: 0.4-0.9) and with higher wealth index (AOR=0.7; 95%CI: 0.5-0.9) as compared to the poorest one. The prevalence of S.mansoni in Dara Mallo district was 34.5% (95%CI: 31.1-38.1%). Light, moderate and heavy S.mansoni infections were 42.9%, 33.7% and 23.4% respectively. Children from mothers aged 50 or above years were significantly more likely infected by S.mansoni (AOR=5.9; 95%CI: 1.4-27.4) as compared to children from mothers (caretakers) of 34 or lower age.Conclusions: Though high PC coverage were reported, STH remained moderately endemic while S.mansoni became moderate endemic in Dara Mallo, requiring sub-district level mapping and deworming campaign initiations. Evidence based strategies which supplement the existing interventions focusing on the identified factors are important to realize the set targets.
Ivermectin Treatment Response in Two Rural Villages with a High Prevalence of Onchocerciasis and Epilepsy, Mahenge Tanzania
Authors: Bhwana Dan , Mmbando Bruno P , Dusabimana Alfred , Mhina Athanas , Challe Daniel P , Fodjo Joseph N Siewe , Makunde Williams H , Colebunders Robert 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Despite 20 years of ivermectin mass distribution in the Mahenge area, Tanzania, the prevalence of onchocerciasis and epilepsy has remained high in rural villages. We investigated the efficacy of ivermectin in reducing Onchocerca volvulus microfilariae and predictors for parasitic load following ivermectin treatment in persons with and without epilepsy in two rural villages.Methods: Between April and September 2019, 50 persons with epilepsy (PWE) and 160 randomly selected persons without epilepsy (PWOE) from Msogezi and Mdindo villages participated in a follow-up study. Skin snips were obtained pre- (baseline) and three months post-ivermectin treatment.Results: The overall prevalence of O. volvulus positive skin snips at baseline was 49% (103/210), with no significant difference between PWE (58.0%) and PWOE (46.3%); p=0.197. The overall median microfilarial density was significantly higher at baseline (0.0 mf/mg, IQR: 0.0-1.7) than three month post-ivermectin treatment (0.0 mf/mg, IQR: 0.0-0.0), p<0.001. Three months after ivermectin, the microfilarial density had decreased by ≥80% in 54 (81.8%, 95%CI: 72.3-91.4) of the 66 individuals with positive skin snips at baseline. High microfilarial density at baseline was the only significant predictor associated with higher microfilarial density in the post-ivermectin skin snips. Conclusion: Our study reports a satisfactory decrease in microfilarial density following ivermectin treatment in most individuals. This suggests that optimizing ivermectin coverage will address the ongoing onchocerciasis transmission in Mahenge.
The Clinical Value of Lipid Abnormalities in Cervical Cancer
Authors: Li Anyang , Wang Luhui , Jin Mengya , Shou Yueyao , Zheng Feiyun , Zhu Haiyan 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: To describe the characteristic of plasma lipid prolife among cervical cancer and further evaluate the prognostic significance of lipid levels in cervical cancer. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1,713 patients with cervical cancer in our hospital. Preoperative plasma lipid profile, including cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), of 1,713 cervical cancer patients were compared with 10,397 healthy women. Then, we evaluated the impact of lipids on overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in cervical cancer using univariate and multivariate Cox model. Results: While plasma TC, TG and LDL were significantly higher, HDL was lower in patients with cervical cancer as compared with healthy women. TG was identified as independent predictors for RFS, and OS among patients with cervical cancer. Further stratified by age, patients with higher TG showed a significantly worse RFS and OS compared with those with lower TG among patients ≥50 years old, but not among <50 years old. Conclusion: Cervical cancer was associated with a disordered lipid profile. Hypertriglyceridemia was an independent poor prognostic indicator for cervical cancer, especially for elder patients. Strengthening lipid management may be beneficial for improving postoperative OS and RFS in patients with cervical cancer.
HDL Inhibited Atherosclerosis Induced by Radiation Injury
Authors: Xie Jin , Zhu Ke , Wang Qingya , Zhao Pei , Pan Lihua , Hui Jie 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background- HDL inhibits atherosclerosis development from radiation damage; however, the mechanism for this process has not been fully defined. Methods- This study used radiation patients and cultured mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs) to investigate the process. Firstly, 158 patients from oncology department of Jingzhou hospital who have got radiation after neck cancers, the arterial function was monitored by B ultrasound, HDL and other blood lipid indexes were tested.Then, MAECs were isolated and cultured, MTT assay was used to test the HDL protective role on UVB radiation, along with this, western blotting was proceed to test some apotosis protein expression and possible molecular.Results- Firstly, those patients with high HDL levels were less likely to develop atherosclerosis, with statistical differences. We observed that MAECs treated with UVB was damaged significantly; HDL reversed the cell damage as dose-depended manner. At mean time, the apoptosis process was assessed and found that HDL inhibited the apoptosis caused by UVB. Western blotting results showed that HDL enhanced phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt phosphorylation in MAECs.Conclusion- These results suggest that HDL protected UVB-mediated appotosis by activation of a mechanism involving PI3K/Akt signal pathway.
Genome-Wide Characterization, Evolution, Structure, and Expression Analysis of the F-box Genes in Caenorhabditis
Authors: Wang Ailan , Chen Wei , Tao Shiheng 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: F-box proteins represent a diverse class of adaptor proteins of ubiquition proteasome system (UPS) that play critical roles in cell signaling pathway and immune response. Among closely related organisms of Caenorhabditis, tremendous divergence in F-box gene copy numbers was caused by large species-specific expansion and contraction. Although F-box gene number expansion plays an important role in shaping the genomic diversity of Caenorhabditis, the mechanisms responsible for the copy number variation of F-box genes and their functional diversification is very poorly understood. In this study, we performed a comprehensive evolution and underlying mechanism analysis of F-box genes in five Caenorhabditis species: C.brenneri, C.briggsae, C.elegans, C.japonica, C.remanei).Results: Herein, we identified and characterized 594, 192, 377, 39, 1426 F-box homologs in the genome of C.brenneri, C.briggsae, C.elegans, C.japonica, C.remanei respectively. Our work suggested that extensive species-specific tandem duplication followed by slightly gene loss was the main mechanism responsible for F-box gene number divergence in Caenorhabditis. After F-box gene duplication events occurred, several different mechanisms have contributed to gene structural divergence including exon/intron gain/loss, mutation, exonization/pseudoexonization, insertion, deletion, and particularly ubiquitous intron sequence elongation. Based on the analysis of high-throughput RNA sequencing data, we proposed that F-box gene function have diversified by both sub- and neofunctionalization through diverged stage-specific expression patterns in Caenorhabditis.Conclusions: Species-specific tandem duplications as well as trifling gene loss have contributed to the disequilibrium evolution pattern of F-box gene family in Caenorhabditis, which lead to complex structural variation as well as diversified functions affecting growth and development within and among Caenorhabditis. Taken together, our results provide an overview of F-box genes in Caenorhabditis genome and the basis for further functional studies.
Characterization of Cotton ARF Factors and the Role of GhARF2b in Fiber Development
Authors: Zhang Xiufang , Cao Junfeng , Huang Chaochen , Zheng Zishou , Liu Xia , Shangguan Xiaoxia , Wang Lingjian , Zhang Yugao , Chen Zhiwen 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Cotton fiber is a model system for studying plant cell development. At present, our understanding of cotton fiber development and the regulatory network is still primitive. Results: Here, we identify auxin response factor (ARF) genes in three cotton species: the tetraploid upland cotton G. hirsutum, which has 73 ARF genes, and its putative extent parental diploids G. arboreum and G. raimondii, which have 36 and 35 ARFs, respectively. Ka and Ks analyses revealed that in G. hirsutum ARF genes have undergone asymmetric evolution in the two subgenomes. The cotton ARFs can be classified into four phylogenetic clades and are actively expressed in young tissues. We demonstrate that GhARF2b, a homolog of the Arabidopsis AtARF2, was preferentially expressed in developing ovules and fibers. Overexpression of GhARF2b by a fiber specific promoter inhibited fiber cell elongation but promoted initiation and, conversely, its downregulation by RNAi of resulted in fewer but longer fiber. Conclusion: Our results uncover an important role of the ARF factor in modulating cotton fiber development at the early stage.
Outcomes after Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction with the Docking Plus Technique in 163 Athletes
Authors: Lubitz Marc , Donohue Benjamin , Molla Vadim , Kremchek Timothy 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: This retrospective case series examined 163 athletes who underwent ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction (UCLR) from 2015-2018. All cases were by a single surgeon at a high volume center using the Docking Plus Technique. We previously reported outcomes in 324 athletes from 2005-2014 with 88% of patients reporting a Conway score of good or excellent. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to determine if patients undergoing UCLR with the docking plus technique are able to return to sport and to better characterize the athletes needing this procedure. Our hypothesis was that our cohort would largely be able to return to their previous level of play and be mostly college level pitchers. Methods: Patients who underwent UCLR at our institution from 2015-2018 were identified and surveyed. We were able to reach a total of 163 patients and they were asked for background demographic information and information about their athletic careers before and after UCLR. Results: Our results were largely similar to our previously study with 94.5% of athletes obtaining Conway scores of Good or Excellent. 95% of athletes were male, 91% played baseball, and 83% of baseball players were pitchers. 59% of athletes were in college at the time of their surgery. For 8 athletes, this was a revision procedure, 7 of the revisions were for pitchers. 5 of the 7 pitchers were able to get back to the same level or higher of competition. 98.8% of patients surveyed said they were “satisfied with the outcome of the surgery.” Conclusions: The Docking Plus Technique performed by a single surgeon at a private practice setting leads to reproducible return to play and patient satisfaction. The prototypical patient undergoing UCLR is a high level male baseball pitcher. UCL outcomes data would benefit from more prospective studies and the creation of a nationwide UCLR database to draw conclusions about technique, graft type, risk factors, and many more relevant variables.
Caste-specific gut symbionts contribute to the different adult longevity in the honeybee
Authors: Wang Hongfang , Xu Baohua 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background

Honeybees are important pollinators, and their health is important to agricultural production and ecosystem. Queen-bees contain same genome as worker-bees, but live longer and healthier than worker-bees; thus, queen and worker pairs are natural biological models for studying longevity. Concerns are increasing regarding the relationship between gut microbes and honeybee health. We compared the hindgut microflora of queen and worker (Apis mellifera carpatica) by sequencing the bacterial 16S DNA, then salvaging the caste-specific microbes using LEfSe analysis and predicting the microbial functions using Tax4Fun, hoping to find potential gut symbionts associated with longevity.
Results

The hindgut microflora of queens differed from those of worker. Queens had higher abundances of Commensalibacter, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium than workers. The dominant microflora in the worker hindguts were Gilliamella (29.37%), Lactobacillus (15.28%), Commensalibacter (13.65%), Snodgrassella (11.56%), Bifidobacterium (6.07%) and Frischella (3.51%). The dominant microflora in the queen hindguts were Commensalibacter (44.89%), Lactobacillus (38.42%), Bifidobacterium (6.74%), Gilliamella (2.44%) and Bombella (2.41%). Queen-specific microbes was Bombella genus, and worker-specific microbes included Snodgrassella alvi, Frischella perrara and Gilliamella apicola. Queen and worker hindgut microbes exhibited diverse functions in lipid metabolism, neurodegenerative diseases, endocrine system, nervous system and immune system; those functions were linked to honeybee fitness and longevity. The queen-specific symbiont, Bombella, was predicted to be involved in host endocrine and immune regulation, which may contribute to queens living longer and healthier than worker bees.
Conclusion

The supernal Acetobacteraceae (especially Commensalibacter and Bombella), Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in the queen-hindgut help the queen bees live longer and healthier than the worker bees. This study may help determine the mechanisms of queen longevity and enable further understanding the positive roles of gut symbionts in honeybee fitness.