bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intentional Carbofuran Poisoning in 7 dogs
Authors: Pivariu Dalma , Oros Adrian Nechita , Tabaran Flaviu , Gal Adrian , Martonos Cristian , Nagy Andras Laszlo 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Carbofuran is a widely used broad-spectrum pesticide that, despite strict regulation and being banned for more than a decade, is still encountered in cases of intentional poisoning in dogs and wildlife. The objective of the study was to provide a complete and detailed description of the pathological, histological and toxicological findings of 7 cases of intentional carbofuran poisoning in dogs.

Results: In this retrospective study, 7 cases of carbofuran intoxication recorded from July 2015 to June 2017 were analyzed. Following complete history recording, all cases were examined by complete necropsy and histopathology. Carbofuran intoxication was confirmed in all cases by gas chromatography. The postmortem examination revealed extensive hemorrhaging and congestion located mainly within the respiratory, nervous and cardiovascular systems, accompanied by degeneration and necrosis within the lungs, heart, and kidneys.

Conclusions: Although carbamates have been banned in the European Union, carbamate poisoning is still frequently encountered, especially in wild animals. This paper will contribute to a better understanding of the occurrence and pathogenesis of acute carbofuran exposure in dogs and contribute some peculiar pathological features of this type of poisoning to the current literature.
Targeted Imaging of Orthotopic Prostate Cancer by Using Clinical Transformable Photoacoustic Molecular Probe
Authors: Qiu Chen , Bai Yuanyuan , Yin Tinghui , Miao Xiaoyan , Gao Rongkang , Zhou Huichao , Ren Jie , Song Liang , Liu Chengbo , Zheng Hairong , Zheng Rongqin 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: To obtain high-yield histological samples by targeted prostate cancer (PCa) biopsy is the current trend compared with transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided systematic histological biopsy, which is regarded as the gold standard for prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis. In this paper, we present a targeted PCa imaging strategy using a real-time molecular photoacoustic imaging system integrated with a handheld US probe (PAI/US) and synthesized an integrin α v β 3 targeted probe based on ICG (cRGD–ICG). Results: A small molecular PAI probe was synthesized and exhibited excellent targeted imaging ability in vitro . In vivo photoacoustic imaging was carried out after intravenous injection of cRGD-ICG in orthotopic PCa-bearing rats under the facilitation of the PAI/US system. Maximum molecular photoacoustic signals were observed in the tumor area in vivo after the probe injection, which showed 3.8-fold higher signal enhancement than that in the control group ( P < 0.05). Significantly higher cRGD-ICG accumulation was observed under confocal microscopy in the tumor region than in normal prostate tissue. Conclusions: All our results showed that the comprehensive strategy provided a high-yield and reliable method for PCa diagnosis and targeted prostate biopsy, with great clinical translation potential.
Genetic diversity and population structure of Vernonia [Vernonia galamensis (Cass.) Less] populations from Ethiopia revealed by SSR markers
Authors: Egu Alemneh Mideksa , Tesfaye Kassahun , New Kifle Dagne , New Xuebo Hu 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Vernonia (Vernonia galamensis) is a potential novel industrial crop due to high demand for its natural epoxidized oil, which can be used for the manufacturing of oleochemicals such as paints, plastic formulations (polyvinyl chloride), and pharmaceutical products. This study was initiated for the systematic and intensive genetic diversity assessment of V. galamensis accessions by SSR molecular markers to minimize the existing research gaps, provide a clue for germplasm conservation and further research. Results: Twenty SSR markers were used for genetic diversity analyses of 150 individual V. galamensis accessions representing 10 populations, from which a total of 79 bands were identified for the 20 loci. All the loci used showed high polymorphism that ranged from 0.50 to 0.96, while the mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.15 across all the 20 markers evaluated. The molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) showed significant variations among populations which accounted for 11% of the variations. Populations clustering showed that the dendrogram and principal coordinate’s analysis roughly classified the accessions into four groups. However, the Bayesian model-based clustering (STRUCTURE) grouped into 6 (K = 6) major gene pools. Since, the cluster and the STRUCTURE analyses did not group the populations into sharply distinct clusters, due to presence of gene flow and mode of reproduction of the plant. Conclusions: The SSR molecular markers used in this study are highly polymorphic. Among the ten populations, East Showa and East Hararghe revealed higher genetic diversity, signaled that these areas are the hotspots for in-situ conservation of V. galamensis. In addition, the values of SSR markers such as heterozygosity, Shannon‘s index, polymorphic information content, and population clusters are important baseline information for future V. galamensis cultivation, breeding and genetic resource conservation endeavors in Ethiopia.
Oral Cavity Swabbing for Diagnosis of Group A Streptococcus: a prospective study
Authors: Adler Limor , Parizade Miriam , Koren Gideon , Yehoshua Ilan 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background

Throat pain is a common complaint in the ambulatory setting. Diagnosis of group A Streptococcus is made with a culture, molecular test or rapid antigen detection test from the tonsils or the posterior pharyngeal wall, while other areas of the oral cavity are considered unacceptable. The purpose of the study is to compare cultures from the tonsils or posterior pharyngeal wall (throat) with cultures from the oral cavity (mouth).

Methods

A prospective study conducted in ambulatory care. Eleven family physicians collected 2 swabs (throat and mouth) from 200 consecutive patients who complaint about throat pain. Inclusion criteria were throat pain and Centor Criteria >2. Exclusion criteria were tonsillectomy and age (<3 or >65 years old). Participants were later divided into two groups – pediatrics (3-18 years old) and adults (19-65 year old). Sensitivity and specificity of mouth culture were calculated, with throat culture considered the reference gold standard.

Results

Between November 2017 and March 2019, 200 swabs were collected (101 adults and 99 children). In the adult group sensitivity of mouth culture was 72.1% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 59.9%-82.3%) and specificity was 100% (95% CI 92.7%-89.4%-100%). In the pediatric group sensitivity of mouth culture was 78.3% (95% CI 65.8%-87.9%) and specificity was 100% (95% CI 92.5%-100%).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated higher sensitivity of mouth culture for GAS than previously published. This finding suggests that areas of the oral cavity that were considered as unacceptable sites for culture of GAS pharyngitis may be considered as acceptable swabbing sites.
Risk factors correlated with antibiotic-induced carbapenem resistant in Gram-negative bacilli in China: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Jing , Xiang Qian , Wu Jia-yu , Cai Min-hong , Wang Chen , Wei Dao-qiong , Wang Hui , Lv Yu 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Increasing resistance to carbapenem, particularly common in Gram-negative bacilli (GNB), has become a growing public health concern around the world. The objective of this study was to investigate risk factors associated with antibiotic-induced carbapenem resistant in Gram-negative bacilli (CR-GNB) among inpatients.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in one of the largest tertiary A-level hospitals including patients with GNB cultured from any of the clinical specimens who had been admitted for more than 2 calendar days from January 2017 to June 2019. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard model were used to estimate the hazard of CR-GNB induction by antibiotics.
Results: 2490 patients including 7 cohorts were included. After cox proportional risk model analysis, carbapenems, β-lactamase inhibitors, and cephalosporins had significantly higher hazards than other types of antimicrobial (P<0.001). But even without using any antimicrobials, the hazard would increase with the length of hospital stay. On multivariate analysis, carbapenem was the most principal hazard factor for antibiotic-induced CR-GNB (hazard ratio [HR], 2.968; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.706～5.162), followed by ICU admission (HR, 1.815; 95% CI, 1.507～2.186), cephalosporin (HR, 1.605; 95% CI, 1.288～1.999), tracheotomy (HR, 1.563; 95% CI, 1.251～1.952) and β-lactamase inhibitor (HR, 1.542; 95% CI, 1.237～1.921). However, quinolone effects on antibiotic-induced CR-GNB were not statistically significant.
Conclusions: Prior carbapenem was a strong risk factor for antibiotic-induced CR-GNB, but quinolone was not associated with that. Rational use of carbapenems should be implemented and antimicrobial stewardship policies should be adjusted according to the characteristics of each hospital.
The role of activity, scan duration and patient's weight in the optimization of 18FDG imaging protocols on a TOF-PET/CT scanner
Authors: Matheoud Roberta , Al-Maymani Naema , Oldani Alessia , Sacchetti Gian Mauro , Brambilla Marco , Carriero Alessandro 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background : Time-of-flight (TOF) PET technology determines a reduction in the noise and improves the reconstructed image quality , in low counts acquisitions, such as in overweight patients, allowing a reduction of administered activity and/or imaging time. However, international guidelines and recommendations on 18 F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) activity administration scheme are old or only partially account for TOF technology and advanced reconstruction modalities. The aim of this study was to optimize FDG whole-body studies on a TOF PET/CT scanner by using a multivariate approach to quantify how physical figures of merit related to image quality change with acquisition/reconstruction/patient-dependent parameters in a phantom experiment.Methods : The NEMA-IEC body phantom was used to evaluate contrast recovery coefficient (CRC), background variability (BV) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) as a function of changing emission scan duration (ESD), activity concentration (AC), target internal diameter (ID), target-background activity ratio (TBR), and weight. The phantom was filled with 5.3 kBq/mL of FDG solution and the spheres with TBR of 21, 9, and 5 in 3 different sessions. Images were acquired at varying activity concentration from 5.1 to 1.3 kBq/mL and images were reconstructed for ESD of 30-151 seconds per bed position with and without Point Spread Function (PSF) correction. The parameters were all considered in simultaneous experiments and in a single analysis using multiple linear regression methods.Results : As expected, CRC depended only on sphere ID and on PSF application, while BV depended on sphere ID, ESD, AC and weight of the patient, in order of decreasing relevance. Noteworthy, ESD and AC resulted as the most significant predictors of CNR variability with a similar relevance, followed by the weight of the patient and TBR of the lesion.Conclusions : Due to the interchangeable role of AC and ESD in modulating CRC, ESD could be increased rather than AC to improve image quality in overweight/obese patients to fulfil ALARA principles.
Role of serum high-motility group box-1 (HMGB1) concentration as a prognostic factor in canine acute pancreatitis
Authors: Lee Jeong-Hwa , An Ju-Hyun , Chae Hyung-Kyu , Park Su-Min , Li Qiang , Song Woo-Jin , YOUN Hwa-Young 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is an intranuclear molecule that is released extracellularly in cytotoxic conditions. In acute pancreatitis, extracellular HMGB1 acts as stimulating factor in the mechanism associated with pancreatic injury. The serum level of HMGB1 may be associated with the severity and prognosis of pancreatitis. Methods To evaluate the prognostic property of serum HMGB1 levels at the time of diagnosis of pancreatitis, case control study using serum samples collected over 10 months from canine patients in Seoul National University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (SNU VMTH). The HMGB1 levels in serum were measured by ELSIA and they were analyzed with patient’s death, hospitalization cost and hospitalization period. Results Serum levels of HMGB1 in patients with acute pancreatitis (n=19) were higher than those in normal individuals (n=10). Mean (± standard deviation) values were 76.00 (±46.99) and 31.65 (±18.41) ng/mL, respectively (p=0.004). The levels of HMGB1 were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors with acute pancreatitis (p = 0.019). Clinical severity of acute pancreatitis was categorized into three stages—mild, moderate, and severe—based on the disease activity index (DAI). Higher HMGB1 levels in serum were related to mortality in patients with moderate DAI (p = 0.049). Furthermore, higher levels of serum HMGB1 among hospitalized patients were positively associated with higher costs and longer duration of hospital stays. Conclusions The evaluation of serum HMGB1 levels at the time of diagnosis was identified as a potential prognostic factor to assess the outcome of acute pancreatitis in canines.
Uterine Arteriovenous Fistula:Rare Cause of Vaginal Bleeding and Experience from 14 Case Series in a Single Center
Authors: fei Ruan , zaigui wu , jianhong zhou 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: This study aimed to summarize the characteristics of uterine arteriovenous fistul for proper treatment.Methods: This was a retrospective study of fourteen women diagnosed with uterine arteriovenous fistul and eventually proved by pelvic angiography at our department,. Results: Six women presented with late postpartum hemorrhage and the other seven had abnormal uterine bleeding while only one was asymptomatic.The majority of them had uterine manipulation with the most common being repeated dilation and curettage but the time interval ranged from more than ten days to months even several years. they could originate from ovarian artery or internal iliac artery in rare cases and even some cases showed uterine artery- ovarian vein fistul. Most of them had a good outcome with bleeding resolved or mild bleeding after arterial embolization with controllable fever and pain, and only three cases had surgery unsuitable for embolization or formation of traffic branch after embolization.Conclusions: uterine arteriovenous fistul were rare but easy to be diagnosed with characteristic ultrasound findings along medical history such as D&G and feature of vaginal bleeding. A successful treatment for artery embolization was based on careful evaluated vessels mapped by angiography while a comprehensive assessment with color and spectral flow Doppler was very necessary to exclude retained products of conception or placenta and avert unnecessary D&G after embolization. Surgical therapy was the last choice in women difficult to embolism or failed with UAE.
IMP-2005: an injury mortality prediction according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale 2005
Authors: Wang Muding , Qiu Wusi , Zhang Guohu , Zeng Yunji , Fan Wenhui , Wang Xueming , Shen Yi 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: It has been 45 years since the injury severity score (ISS) was first introduced. The method is flawed in traumatic death prediction but still widely used. Based on the abbreviated injury scale 1998 (AIS_98), there is a relatively more accurate trauma scoring method that assesses the injury mortality prediction (IMP) and trauma mortality prediction model (TMPM) with the regression model. Currently, AIS 2005 (AIS_05) is widely used around the world for trauma scores. This article assesses whether the IMP-2005, an AIS_05 based model, is better than the ISS in predicting trauma results.Methods: Retrospective cohort study is based on the data of 1,198,885 injured patients in the National Trauma Data Bank hospitalized from 2012 to 2014. We established an injury mortality prediction (IMP-2005) model using AIS trauma codes (version 2005) and compared its performance with that of ISS by examining area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the Hosmer-Lemeshow (HL) statistic, and the Akaike information criterion.Results: IMP-2005 behaves significantly both better discrimination (ROCIMP-2005, 0.904; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.900 to 0.908 and ROCISS, 0.844; 95% CI, 0.839 to 0.850) and calibration (HLIMP-2005, 37.7; 95% CI, 19.8 to 53 and HLISS, 221; 95% CI, 167 to 268) compared with ISS. Both models showed changes after the inclusion of gender, age, GCS, mechanism of injury, and mechanical ventilator, but the expansion of IMP-2005 still dominated ISS in every performance.Conclusions: The IMP-2005 provides far more improvement in discrimination and calibration compared with the ISS and accurate predictions of mortality. Therefore, we believe that this is a new and feasible scoring method of trauma research and should replace the ISS.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modified with Short Hairpin RNA (shRNA) Constructs Targeting Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3) Improve Erectile Dysfunction in Old Rats
Authors: Pu Xiao-Yong , Zhang Xie-WU , Zhou Xuang-Xue , Fang Jian-Xiong , Liu Hao-Sheng , Liu Tian-Qi , Xiao Hen-Jun , Bi Xue-Cheng , Li Dong , Liu Jiu-Min 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: We have confirmed that injection of vector-based short hairpin RNA (shRNA) constructs targeting insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in penis in old rat can improve erectile function. The aim of this study is to further determine the feasibility of bone marrowe derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) genetically modified with shRNA constructs targeting IGFBP-3 on improving erectile function in the aged rat. Methods: 40 old (24 months) male rats were randomized divided into 4 groups: PBS-only, BM-MSC treatment and LV3-shIGFBP-3 engineered BM-MSC treatment group (n=10/group).Ten 5-month-old rats were used as the young group. Four weeks after transplantation, the erectile function was assessed by cavernosal nerve stimulation. The percent of smooth muscle in corpus cavernosum was evaluated by masson’s trichrome staining. IGFBP-3 expression was estimated by Western blot. The cavernous insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were analyzed after transplantation. Apoptosis in corpus cavernosum was measured using TUNEL and the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and concentration of guanosine 3’, 5’-cyclic-monophosphates (cGMP) in penile tissue were also analyzed. Results: Four weeks after intracavernous injection, BM-MSCs alone, especially LV3-shIGFBP-3 engineered BM-MSCs treatment rats had improvements in erectile function (p<0.05). The percentage of cavernosal smooth muscle was increased in BM-MSCs and LV3-shIGFBP-3 engineered BM-MSCs treatment group. IGFBP-3 protein expression was decreased obviously after injection of LV3-shIGFBP-3 engineered BM-MSCs. In addition, significant lower IGFBP-3 expression was associated with increased IGF-1 expression in LV3-shIGFBP-3 engineered BM-MSCs treatment rats although higher IGF-1 and VEGF concentrations were all determined after transplantation with BM-MSCs alone or BM-MSCs modified with LV3-shIGFBP-3. Lower levels of the apoptosis were also observed in the BM-MSCs and LV3-shIGFBP-3 engineered BM-MSCs treatment group. NOS activities and cGMP concentrations were also significantly increased after transplantation. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that BM-MSCs alone or genetically modified with LV3-shIGFBP-3 can improve diminished erectile responses in the aged rat partially by increasing the smooth muscle integrity, increasing secretion of IGF-1 and VEGF, inhibiting apoptosis and increasing the NOS activity and cGMP accumulation.
Changes of perioperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in patients receiving total knee arthroplasty, a prospective observational study for an optimal timing of determination
Authors: Ke Chenrong , Tian Naifeng , Zhang Xiumeng , Chen Mochuan 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has long been associated with significant blood loss, hence postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) determination remains necessary for evaluating blood loss and guiding transfusions. The aim of the study was to depict the changing patterns of perioperative Hb and Hct levels and to identify an optimal timing of determination in patients receiving TKA surgeries.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study by recruiting a total of 302 consecutive patients who received TKA surgeryfor final analysisfrom January 2017 until December 2018. Patients were kept in hospital for a full week postoperatively to detect a preoperative, postoperative day1 through to day7 Hb and Hct concentrations, postoperative 1-month, 3-months and 6-monthsvalues were followed up in the clinic visiting.

Results

Hb and Hct levels decreased in the first few days and reached a nadir on postoperative day4 and day3 respectively while recovered in the following days and approached to preoperative values at postoperative 3-months. The mean maximum drop of Hb and Hct concentrations was detected as 4.0g/dL and 11.5%separately. Significant differences were detected on Hb and Hct concentrations between the timing neighbors on preoperative vs. day1, day1 vs. day2, day2 vs. day3, day7 vs. 1 month, 1-monthvs. 3-months and Hct values at 3-months vs. 6-months. A total of 21 patients received blood transfusion perioperatively, among whom 4 patients were at postoperative day3and 5 patients were at day4.

Conclusion

Hb and Hct concentrations dramatically decreased during the first few days following TKA surgery whilegradually recovered from postoperative day4 and approached to the preoperative values at 3-months postoperatively. The changing patterns indicated an optimal timing of blood determination on postoperative day3 or day4 to accurately reflect ongoing hidden blood loss for better guiding blood transfusions.
Comprehensive profiling of the gut microbiota in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of varying severity
Authors: Chiu Yu-Chi , Lee Shih-Wei , Liu Chi-Wei , Lin Rebecca Chou-Jui , Huang Yung-Chia , Lan Tzuo-Yun , Wu Lawrence Shih-Hsin 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that reduces lung and respiratory function, with a high mortality rate. Severe and acute deterioration of COPD can easily lead to respiratory failure, resulting in personal, social, and medical burden. Recent studies have shown a high correlation between the gut microbiota and lung inflammation. In this study, we investigated the relationship between gut microbiota and COPD severity. Results A total of 60 COPD patients with varying severity according to GOLD guidelines were enrolled in this study. DNA was extracted from patients’ stool and 16S rRNA data analysis conducted using high-throughput sequencing followed by bioinformatics analysis. The richness of the gut microbiota was not associated with COPD severity. The gut microbiome is more similar in stage 1 and 2 COPD than stage 3+4 COPD. Fusobacterium and Aerococcus were more abundant in stage 3+4 COPD. Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group and Lachnoclostridium were less abundant in stage 2-4, and Tyzzerella 4 and Dialister were less abundant in stage 1. However, the abundance of a Bacteroides strain was associated with eosinophil count and lung function. Conclusions This study suggests that no distinctive gut microbiota pattern is associated with the severity of COPD. The gut microbiome could affect COPD by gut inflammation shaping the host immune system.