bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and associated factors of diarrhea among under-five children in Debre Berhan Town, Ethiopia 2018: A cross sectional study
Authors: Shine Sisay , Muhamud Sindew , Adnew Solomon , Demelash Alebachew , Abate Makda 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Diarrhea is responsible for 525,000 children under-five deaths and 1.7 billion cases globally and is the second leading cause of death among children under-five every year. It is a major public health problem in low income countries like Ethiopia. The main aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of diarrhea and associated risk factors among children under-five in Debre Berhan Town, Ethiopia.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 420 parent or caretaker/children pairs in Debre Berhan town between 13–18 April 2018. A multi-stage sampling strategy was used to select the study participants. Data were collected using pre-tested and structured questionnaires. Data were entered in Epi-info computer software version 3.5.1 and exported to SPSS Window Version-16 for analysis. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the level of significance.
Results: The two week prevalence of diarrhea among children under-five was 16.4% (69/351). Children aged 7-11 months (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 4.2, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2 - 15.3), being the second-born child (AOR: 3.9, 95%CI: 1.8 - 8.5), not vaccinated against rotavirus (AOR: 10.3, 95%CI: 3.2 - 91.3) and feeding children by hand (AOR: 2.5, 95%CI: 1.1 - 6.1) were significant predictors of diarrhea.
Conclusions: This study revealed that the two weeks period prevalence of diarrhea among children under-five years was 16.4%. Education programs on the importance of vaccination against rotavirus, increasing breast feeding frequency with complementary food after six months and the critical points of hand washing are recommended.
The association of sleep problems in children with autism and parental quality of life
Authors: Liu Ruiting , Dong Huixi , Wang Ying , Lu Xiaozi , Li Yamin , Xun Guanglei , Xia Kun , Zhao Jingping , Ou Jianjun , Shen Yidong 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background Many children with autism suffer from sleep problems that impact not only children’s daytime behavior and cognitive development but also their parents’ life and health. The current study explored how and to what extent sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) impacted their parents’ quality of life (QOL). Methods This study adopted a case-control study design. A total of 440 ASD children aged 4 to 10 years and 344 age-matched typically developing (TD) children were included in the study. The Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) was used to measure sleep problems in the enrolled children, and parental QOL was measured by the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire Version 2.0 (SF-36v2). Linear regression and pathway analysis were used to explore the impact of children’s sleep problems on parental QOL. Results The linear regression model showed that the CSHQ total scores were negatively associated with maternal mental health summary (MCS) scores (β=-2.831, p=0.005) in the TD group. In the ASD group, the CSHQ total scores were negatively associated with the parental physical health summary (PCS) scores (β=-3.030, p=0.003 for mothers, β=-3.651, p<0.001 for fathers) after adjusting for the child’s age, parental age, parental Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI) score and Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) score as covariates. The pathway analysis indicated that sleep problems in ASD children had both direct and indirect effects on maternal PCS. Conclusion The main results of the current study showed that sleep problems in children with or without ASD may affect parental QOL in different ways, and ASD children’s sleep problems affect parental physical health as a risk factor independent from the social impairments associated with ASD and the childcare burden of the parents.
Identification of promoter elements in the Dolichospermum circinale AWQC131C saxitoxin gene cluster and the experimental analysis of their use for heterologous expression.
Authors: D'Agostino Paul Michael , Al-Sinawi Bakir , Mazmouz Rabia , Muenchhoff Julia , Neilan Brett Anthony , Moffitt Michelle 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Abstract
Background: Dolichospermum circinale is a filamentous bloom-forming cyanobacterium responsible for biosynthesis of the paralytic shellfish toxins (PST), including saxitoxin. PSTs are neurotoxins and in their purified form are important analytical standards for monitoring the quality of water and seafood and biomedical research tools for studying neuronal sodium channels. More recently, PSTs have been recognised for their utility as local anaesthetics. Characterisation of the transcriptional elements within the saxitoxin ( sxt ) biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) is a first step towards accessing these molecules for biotechnology.
Results: In D. circinale AWQC131C the sxt BGC is transcribed from two bidirectional promoter regions encoding five individual promoters. These promoters were identified experimentally using 5ʹ RACE and their activity assessed via coupling to a lux reporter system in E. coli and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Transcription of the predicted drug/metabolite transporter (DMT) encoded by sxtPER was found to initiate from two promoters, P sxtPER1 and P sxtPER2 . In E. coli, strong expression of lux from P sxtP , P sxtD and sxtPER1 was observed while expression from P orf24 and P sxtPER2 was remarkably weaker. In contrast, heterologous expression in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 showed that expression of lux from P sxtP , P sxtPER , and P orf24 promoters was statistically higher compared to the non-promoter control, while P sxtD showed poor activity under the described conditions.
Conclusions: Both of the heterologous hosts investigated in this study exhibited high expression levels from three of the five sxt promoters. These results indicate that the majority of the native sxt promoters appear active in different heterologous hosts, simplifying initial cloning efforts. Therefore, heterologous expression of the sxt BGC in either E. coli or Synechocystis could be a viable first option for producing PSTs for industrial or biomedical purposes.
A combined microRNA and transcriptome analysis illuminates the resistance response of rice against brown planthopper
Authors: Tan Jiaoyan , Wu Yan , Guo Jianping , Li Huimin , Zhu Lili , Chen Rongzhi , He Guangcun , Du Bo 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background : The brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens Stål) is a kind of phloem-feeding pest that adversely affects rice yield. Recently, the BPH-resistance gene, BPH6 , was cloned and applied in rice breeding to effectively control BPH. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying BPH6 are poorly understood.
Results: Here, an integrated miRNA and mRNA expression profiling analysis was performed on BPH6 -transgenic (BPH6G) and Nipponbare (wild type, WT) plants after BPH infestation, and a total of 217 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and 7,874 differentially expressed mRNAs (DEGs) were identified. 29 miRNAs, including members of miR160, miR166 and miR169 family were opposite expressed during early or late feeding stages between the two varieties, whilst 9 miRNAs were specifically expressed in BPH6G plants, suggesting involvement of these miRNAs in BPH6 -mediated resistance to BPH. In the transcriptome analysis, 949 DEGs were opposite expressed during early or late feeding stages of the two genotypes, which were enriched in metabolic processes, cellular development, cell wall organization, cellular component movement and hormone transport, and certain primary and secondary metabolite synthesis. 24 genes were further selected as candidates for BPH resistance. Integrated analysis of the DEMs and DEGs showed that 34 miRNAs corresponding to 42 target genes were candidate miRNA-mRNA pairs for BPH resistance, 18 pairs were verified by qRT-PCR, and two pairs were confirmed by in vivo analysis.
Conclusions: For the first time, we reported integrated small RNA and transcriptome sequencing to illustrate resistance mechanisms against BPH in rice. Our results provide a valuable resource to ascertain changes in BPH-induced miRNA and mRNA expression profiles and enable to comprehend plant-insect interactions and find a way for efficient insect control.
Clinicopathologic features and genomic analysis of pulmonary blastomatoid carcinosarcoma
Authors: Zhao Jikai , Xiang Chan , Zhao Ruiying , Guo Ping , Zheng Jingjing , Han-Zhang Han , Yu Keke , Zhang Jie , Han Yuchen 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background:This study was designed to investigate the clinicopathologic features of pulmonary blastomatoid carcinosarcoma and explore the genomic profiles of epithelial and mesenchymal components in this tumor.
Methods: Three cases of pulmonary blastomatoid carcinosarcoma were enrolled in this study. Clinicopathologic informationand prognostic data were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnostic immunohistochemistry was performed. The epithelial and mesenchymal components were microdissected to investigate the genomic profiles by performing capture-based targeted next generation sequencing.
Results:The epithelial components in patient one consisted of low-grade and high-grade fetal lung adenocarcinoma. Low-grade epithelial cells showed nuclear expression of β-catenin and missense mutation of CTNNB1. The epithelial components in another two patients consisted of high-grade fetal lung adenocarcinoma/enteric adenocarcinoma. The epithelial cells showed membrane staining of β-cateninand harbored no mutation of CTNNB1. The mesenchymal components in all three tumors were composed of primitive round/spindle cells without definite differentiation and showed cytoplasmic dot positive of β-catenin and no corresponding mutation. Within a tumor, both components exhibited relatively comparable molecular profile. In patient one, 4 mutations: RB1, FAT3, PTCH1and LRP1Bwere shared by both epithelial and mesenchymal components. Epithelial component had additional mutations in BCOR, CTNNB1, CTCF, FAT1and DICER1. In patient two, 12 mutations were shared. The epithelial component had BRCA2mutation and the mesenchymal had mutations in CREBBP, ALK, DNMT3A, ASXL2, MYCN andRICTOR. Patient three had 6 shared mutations. The epithelial component had an additional mutation in KAT6Aand the mesenchymal had an additional mutation in APC. Collectively, we observed heterogeneity between epithelial and mesenchymal components of the same tumor.
Conclusions:Blastomatoid carcinosarcoma showed characteristic morphology and immunophenotype.Parallel detection of genetic abnormalities in epithelial and mesenchymal components could provide further evidence for tumor differentiation, molecular targeting and differential diagnosis.
Effects of no-till and rice varieties on nitrogen and phosphorus balance in rice fields
Authors: Yang Jiao , LIANG XINQIANG , Li Hua , Chen Yanfeng , Tian Guangming 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Nutrient balance in rice paddy fields can change under different tillage management practices; however, the extent of the change may differ for various rice varieties . A field experiment was conducted over 2 successive years to clarify the effects of no-till and rice varieties on the apparent balance of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Four treatments: no-till/japonica rice (NTJ), no-till/glutinous rice (NTG), conventional tillage/japonica rice (CTJ), and conventional tillage/glutinous rice (CTG) with three replicates of each were established to test the hypothesis that no-till and japonica rice can improve the apparent balance of nutrients.

Results: The tillage method and rice variety had interactive effects on the apparent balance of N and P. After the 2-year experiment, total N and P pools in the 20 cm surface soil layer were highest under the NTJ treatment (4757.0 kg N ha -1 , 2428.5 kg P ha -1 ) and lowest under the CTG treatments (4726.3 kg N ha -1 , 2412.0 kg P ha -1 ). Under no-till conditions, japonica rice had higher grain yield but lower straw biomass than that of glutinous rice. NTG treatment significantly increased the N and P content in rice grains and straw. The environmental losses of N and P in the rice fields mainly occurred during the rice season. Based on nutrient balance estimation, N losses in the NTJ, NTG, and CTJ treatments were reduced by 15.03 kg N ha -1 , 11.55 kg N ha -1 , 6.72 kg N ha -1 , respectively, as compared with that of the CTG treatment. The corresponding P losses were reduced by 8.02 kg P ha -1 , 7.84 kg P ha -1 , and 3.96 kg P ha -1 . In terms of economic benefits, NTJ also resulted in the highest actual income [2724.25 US dollars] and the highest ratio of production investment (6.40).

Conclusion: No - till was more likely to maintain soil N and P nutrients than conventional tillage, and this advantage was most significant when planting japonica rice. In addition, no-till was conducive to N and P uptake by rice, but only japonica rice exhibited increased grain yield. Consequently, the NTJ treatment was recommended to improve the N and P balance.
Reduction of ureteral stent encrustation by modulating the urine pH and inhibiting the crystal film with a new oral composition: a multicenter, placebo controlled, double blind, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Torrecilla Carlos , Fernández-Concha Jaime , Cansino José R. , Mainez Juan A. , Amón José H. , Costas Simbad , Angerri Oriol , Emiliani Esteban , Martín Miguel Arrabal , Polo Miguel Arrabal , García Ana , Reina Manuel C. , Sánchez Juan F. , Budía Alberto , Pérez-Fentes Daniel , Grases Félix , Costa-Bauzá Antonia , Cuñé Jordi 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Encrustation of ureteral double J stents is a common complication that may affect its removal. The aim of the proposed study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new oral composition to prevent double J stent encrustation in indwelling times up to 8 weeks. Methods: A double-blinded, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 105 patients with indwelling double J stents enrolled across 9 public hospitals in Spain. The patients were randomly assigned (1:1) into intervention or placebo groups for 3 to 8 weeks and both groups self-monitored daily their morning urine pH levels. The primary outcome of analysis was the degree of stent ends encrustation, defined by a 4-point score (0 – none; 3 – global encrustation) using macroscopic and electron microscopy analysis of crystals, after 3 to 8-w indwelling period. Score was exponentially transformed according to calcium levels. Secondary endpoints included urine pH decrease, stent removal, and incidence of adverse events. Results: The intervention group benefits from a lower global encrustation rate of stent ends than placebo group (1% vs 8.2%; p < 0.018). Mean encrustation score was 85.12 (274.5) in the intervention group and 18.91 (102.27) in the placebo group (p < 0.025). Considering the secondary end points, treated patients reported greater urine pH decreases (p = 0.002). No differences in the incidence of adverse events were identified between the groups. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the use of this new oral composition is beneficial in the context of ureteral double J indwelling by decreasing mean, as well as global encrustation. Trial registration: This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov under the name “Combined Use of a Medical Device and a Dietary Complement in Patient Urinary pH Control in Patients With an Implanted Double J Stent” with date 2 nd November 2017, code NCT03343275, and URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT03343275?term=NCT03343275&draw=2&rank=1 Keywords: double J stent; encrustation; nutraceutical; L-methionine; phytin; pH.
Health service use and costs among migrants in an irregular situation: cross-sectional register-based study from a voluntary-based clinic
Authors: Tjukanov Nina , Tiittala Paula , Salmi Heli 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
AimThe increase in immigration to Europe has led to an increasing demand for information about healthcare needs and costs of vulnerable migrant populations, but few data based on actual demand for healthcare services and related costs exist.MethodsIn this single-centre retrospective register study, we examined the reasons for encounter and diagnoses, service use and costs of healthcare among patients at a voluntary clinic for migrants in an irregular situation in Helsinki, Finland in 2016. ICPC-2 classification and unit costs for primary healthcare in Finland were used as a basis for the cost estimation.Results546 patient visits accounted for 620 ICPC-2 coded reasons for encounter, diagnoses and process codes. The most common health problems were teeth/gum disease (10%), acute upper respiratory infection (5%) and oesophageal disease (3%). Visits seldom led to complementary investigations (2%), follow-up visit to the clinic (5%) or referral to public healthcare (11%). The total cost of treatment, excluding dental health costs, was 39 547 euros, or 71 euros per visit. ConclusionsMigrants in an irregular situation present with a variety of health concerns, the majority of which can be treated in a basic primary healthcare facility. The cost of healthcare was relatively low, as most of the complaints could be treated with simple means. More research is needed to understand the health and cost benefits of extending public healthcare services for migrants in an irregular situation beyond emergency care.
The Association of Hearing Impairment and Its Severity with Physical and Mental Health among Chinese Adults
Authors: Ye Xin , Zhu Dawei , Chen Siyuan , He Ping 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background: Hearing is one of the basic means of perception and communication, which is closely related with quality of life. However, current studies on hearing impairment and multiple health outcomes are quite limited and most of them are conducted in developed countries. Therefore, we aimed to explore the association between hearing impairment and its severity with physical and mental health among Chinese adults, and to gain further insight into hearing and health researches. Methods: We obtained data from two sources: (1) China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2011, 2013, and 2015, including nationally representative 24,689 adults. Hearing impairment was measured by asking whether they had hearing problems; and (2) Hearing Survey 2019, collected by a survey conducted in Shandong Province of China, including 430 participants. The severity of hearing impairment was identified by pure tone average of hearing thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz.Results: In CHARLS Baseline 2011, 1569 (8.93%) participants suffer from hearing impairment. Hearing-impaired individuals are more likely to have chronic diseases, impaired ADLs, impaired IADLs and depressive symptoms. For 430 hearing-impaired participants in Hearing Survey 2019, 28.60%, 36.52% and 34.88% of them have moderate, severe and profound hearing impairment, respectively. As the severity of hearing impairment increases, individuals are more likely to have impaired ADLs, impaired IADLs and depressive symptoms.Conclusions: Hearing impairment and its severity are closely related to multiple physical and mental health outcomes among Chinese adults. Actions should be taken to prevent and treat hearing impairment, so as to improve people’s health and well-being.
Phylogeny of two poorly known ciliate genera (Ciliophora, Heterotrichea), with notes on the redefinition of Gruberia uninucleata Kahl, 1932 and Linostomella vorticella (Ehrenberg, 1833) based on populations found in China
Authors: Chi Yong , Li Yuqing , Zhang Qianqian , Ma Mingzhen , Warren Alan , Chen Xiangrui , Song Weibo 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background Heterotrichous ciliates are common members of microeukaryote communities which play important roles in the transfer of material and energy flow in aquatic food webs. This group has been known over two centuries due to their large body size and cosmopolitan distribution. Nevertheless, species identification and phylogenetic relationships of heterotrichs remain challenging due to the lack of accurate morphological information and insufficient molecular data. Results The morphology and phylogeny of two poorly known heterotrichous ciliates, Gruberia uninucleata Kahl, 1932 and Linostomella vorticella (Ehrenberg, 1833) Aescht in Foissner et al. , 1999, were investigated based on their living morphology, infraciliature, and small subunit (SSU) rDNA sequence data. Based on a combination of previous and present studies, detailed morphometric data and the improved diagnoses of both species are supplied here. In addition, molecular data of the two species are reported for the first time. Phylogenetic analyses based on SSU rDNA sequence data support the generic assignment of these two species. Conclusions Two insufficiently studied species, G. uninucleata and L. vorticella , are redefined using state-of-the-art methods. Previous reports on these two species are re-evaluated in the light of present findings.
Distinct evolutionary trajectories of V1R clades across mouse species
Authors: Miller Caitlin H , Campbell Polly , Sheehan Michael J 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Background Many animals rely heavily on olfaction to navigate their environment. Among rodents, olfaction is crucial for a wide range of social behaviors. The vomeronasal olfactory system in particular plays an important role in mediating social communication, including the detection of pheromones and recognition signals. Currently, very few vomeronasal receptors have known ligands, which severely limits our understanding of chemosensory-driven social communication. In this study we examine patterns of vomeronasal type-1 receptor (V1R) evolution in the house mouse and related species within the genus Mus . By exploring the evolution of these receptors, we provide insight into the functional roles of receptor subtypes as well as the dynamics of gene family evolution. Results We generated transcriptomes from the vomeronasal organs of 5 Mus species, and produced high quality V1R repertoires for each species. We find that V1R clades in the house mouse and relatives exhibit distinct evolutionary trajectories. Some clades are highly conserved, while others reveal patterns of rapid evolutionary change. We identify putative species-specific gene expansions, including a dramatic clade D expansion in the house mouse. While gene gains are abundant, we detect very few gene losses. We describe a novel V1R clade and highlight candidate receptors for future de-orphanization. Based on clade-level evolutionary patterns, we identify receptor families that are strong candidates for detecting social signals and predator cues. Our results further support the view that V1Rs are important for detecting the physiological status of conspecifics, particularly female estrus cues. Conclusion Analysis of clade-level evolution is critical for understanding species’ chemosensory adaptations. This study provides clear evidence that V1R clades are characterized by distinct evolutionary trajectories. As receptor evolution is shaped by ligand identity, these results provide a framework for examining the functional roles of different receptors.