bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of home-based HIV counselling and testing and linking to HIV services among women delivering at home in Geita, Tanzania: A household longitudinal survey
Authors: Adinan Juma , Adamou Bridgit , Amour Caroline , Shayo Aisa , Kidayi Paulo Lino , Msuya Levina 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background Substantial number of women who deliver at home (WDH) are not captured in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services. This delays HIV infection detection that negatively impacts endeavours to fight the HIV pandemic and the health of mothers and children. The study objective was to determine the feasibility of home-based HIV testing and linking to care for HIV services among WDH in Geita District Council, Tanzania.Methods A longitudinal household survey was conducted. The study involved all mentally-able women who delivered within two years (WDTY) preceding the survey and their children under the age of two. The study was conducted in Geita District Council in Geita Region, Tanzania from June to July 2017. Geita is among the region with high HIV prevalence and proportion of women delivering at home.Results Of the 993 women who participated in the study, 981 (98.8%) accepted household-based HIV counselling and testing (HBHCT) from the research team. HIV prevalence was 5.3% (52 women). HBHCT identified 26 (2.7%) new HIV infections; 23 (23.4%) were those tested negative at ANC and the remaining three (0.3%) were those who had no HIV test during the ANC visit. Among the 51 HIV+ women, 21 (40.4%) were enrolled in PMTCT services. Of the 32 HIV+ participants who delivered at home, eight (25.8%) were enrolled in the PMTCT compared to 100 percent (13/13) of the women who delivered at a health facility.Conclusion HBHCT uptake was high. HBHCT detected new HIV infection among WDH as well as seroconversion among women with previously negative HIV tests. The study findings emphasize the importance of extending re-testing to women who breastfeed. HBHCT is feasible and can be used to improve PMTCT services among WDH.
An emotion regulation training in the treatment of obesity in young adolescents: The protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Debeuf Taaike , Verbeken Sandra , Boelens Elisa , Volkaert Brenda , Malderen Eva Van , Michels Nathalie , Braet Caroline 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background:
The prevalence rates of childhood obesity are increasing. The current multidisciplinary treatments for (childhood) obesity are effective, but only short term and rather moderately. A possible mechanism to explain the onset and maintenance of childhood obesity is a maladaptive way of regulating high levels of stress and emotions. Therefore, the current RCT-study aims to test the effectiveness of adding an emotion regulation training to care as usual (multidisciplinary obesity treatment) in young inpatients (10-14) involved in an obesity treatment program compared to care as usual alone.
The research model for this RCT-study states that when high levels of stress are regulated in a maladaptive way, this can contribute to the development of obesity.
Method: The current study will recruit 140 youngsters (10-14 years) that are involved in an inpatient multidisciplinary obesity treatment (MOT) program. After giving consent to participate in the study, youngsters will be randomly assigned, during consecutive waves, to one of two conditions: care as usual (receiving MOT) or intervention (receiving MOT and on top an emotion regulation training). The training itself consists of 12 weekly sessions, followed by a booster session after three and five months. The participants will be tested pre, post and at 6 months’ follow-up. We hypothesize that, compared to the control condition, youngsters in the intervention condition will (1) use more adaptive emotion regulation strategies and (2) report less emotional eating, both primary outcome measures. Moreover, on the level of secondary outcome measures, we hypothesize that youngsters in the intervention condition, compared with the control condition, will (3) report a better sleep quality, (4) undergo an improved weight-loss and weight-loss maintenance and (5) experience a better long-term (6-months) psychological well-being.
Discussion: This study will add to both the scientific and clinical literature on the role of emotion regulation in the development and maintenance of different psychopathologies, as emotion regulation is a transdiagnostic factor.
Trial Registration: The RCT-study protocol is registered at ISRCTN Registry, with study ID ‘ISRCTN 83822934’. Registered at 13 December 2017; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN83822934
Haploidentical Related Donor versus Matched Sibling Donor Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Acute Myeloid Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome Aged Over 50 Years: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.
Authors: Huang Jiafu , Huang Fen , Fan Zhiping , Xu Na , Xuan Li , Liu Hui , Shi Pengcheng , Jiang Ling , Zhang Yu , Sun Jing , Liu Qifa 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
BACKGROUND Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a potentially curative therapeutic option for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Increasing data supports the utility of haploidentical related donor (HID) HSCT in fit older patients and resulting in improvement of outcomes. This study compared the outcomes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients age ≥50 years underwent haploidentical related donor (HID) or matched sibling donor (MSD) allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT).METHODS We retrospectively studied 38 patients with AML/MDS aged ≥50 years who underwent HID transplantation and compared their outcomes with 55 similarly aged patients who underwent MSD transplantation.RESULTS The 100-day cumulative incidence of II-IV° acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were 34.2 ± 7.7% and 23.6 ± 5.7%, respectively, in HID and MSD groups (P = 0.189), and III-IV° acute GVHD were similar between two groups (5.3% and 7.3%, respectively, P=0.700). The 2-year cumulative incidence of limited and extensive chronic GVHD was not statistically different in HID and MSD groups(22.8 ± 10.8% vs. 18.2 ± 6.0% and 18.3 ± 10.4% vs. 22.1 ± 6.8%, P = 0.890 and P=0.424, respectively). The 2-year cumulative incidences of relapse (29.5±10.3% and 20.7 ±6.1%, P=0.458), 2-year overall survival (58.5±9.7% and 67.9±6.8%, P=0.373), 2-year transplant-related mortality (17.3±6.4% and 15.0±5.3%, P=0.717), 2-year progression free survival (56.8±9.7% and 64.6±7.4%, P=0.312) were similar in the two groups.CONCLUSION The present data showed similar outcomes in patients aged 50 years and older underwent HID compared to MSD at our institution.
The Influence of dietary diversity on the nutritional status of children between 6 and 23 months of age in Tanzania
Authors: Khamis Ahmed Gharib , Mwanri Akwilina Wendelin , Ntwenya Julius Edward , Kreppel Katharina 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background:Undernutrition poses a serious health challenge in developing countries and Tanzania has the highest undernutrition burden of Eastern and Southern Africa. Poor infant and young child feeding practices have been identified as the main causes for undernutrition. Here we examined to what extent dietary diversity is associated with undernutrition among children of 6 to 23 months in Tanzania. Methods: Using existing data from the Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey of 2015-2016, we carried out secondary data analysis. Stunting, wasting and underweight were calculated based on 2006 WHO standards. A composite dietary diversity score was created by summing the number of food groups eaten the previous day as reported for each child by the mother ranging from 0 to 7. Then, minimum dietary diversity (MDD) of 4 food groups out of seven was used to assess the diversity of the diet given to children. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression techniques were used to assess the crude and adjusted odds ratios of stunting, wasting and being underweight. Results: A total of 2,960 children were enrolled in this study. The majority (74%) of children did not reach the MDD. The most commonly consumed types of foods were grains, roots and tubers (91%), and Vitamin A containing fruits and vegetables (65%). Consumption of a diverse diet was significantly associated with a reduction of stunting, wasting and being underweight in children. The likelihood of being stunted, wasted and underweight was found to decrease as the number of food groups consumed increased. Children who did not receive the MDD had a significantly higher likelihood of being stunted (AOR=1.37, 95% CI; 1.13-1.65) and underweight (AOR=1.49, 95% CI; 1.15-1.92), but this was not the case for wasting. Consumption of animal-source foods has been found to be associated with reduced stunting among children. Conclusion: Consumption of a diverse diet is associated with a reduction in undernutrition among children of 6 to 23 months in Tanzania. Measures to improve the type of complementary foods in order to meet the energy and nutritional demands of children should be considered in Tanzania.
Immunogold labeling of synaptic vesicle proteins in developing hippocampal neurons
Authors: Tao-Cheng Jung-Hwa 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Synaptic vesicles (SV) contain high concentrations of specific proteins. How these proteins are transported from soma to synapses, and how they become concentrated at SV clusters at presynaptic terminals were examined by immunogold electron microscopy in dissociated rat hippocampal neurons at 3-6 days in culture, a developmental stage when axonal transport of SV proteins is robust. In neuronal somas, labels for the SV integral membrane proteins (synaptophysin, SV2, VAMP/synaptobrevin, and synaptotagmin) were localized at Golgi complexes and other membranous structures that were dispersed in the cytoplasm as individual vesicle/vacuoles. These vesicles/vacuoles became aggregated in axons, with the size of aggregates ranging from 0.2 to 2 µm in length. Pleomorphic vesicle/vacuoles within the aggregate were typically larger (50-300 nm) than SVs, which were uniform in size at ~40 nm. These pleomorphic vesicles/vacuoles are likely transport cargos carrying SV integral membrane proteins from the soma, and sorted into axons at early developmental stages. Serial thin sections of young axons indicated that many labeled aggregates were not synaptic, and in fact, some of these axons were without dendritic contacts. In contrast, labels for two SV associated proteins, synapsin I and a-synuclein, were not localized at the Golgi complexes or associated with membranous structures in the soma, but were dispersed in the cytoplasm. However, these SV-associated proteins became highly concentrated on clusters of SV-like vesicles in axons, and such clusters were already distinctive in axons as early as 3 days in culture. These clusters consisted of ~4 - 30 vesicles in single thin sections, and the vesicles were of a uniform size (~40 nm). Serial sectioning analysis showed that these clusters could be part of nascent synapses or exist in axons without any dendritic contact. Importantly, the vesicles were intensely labeled for SV integral membrane proteins as well as SV-associated proteins. Thus, these EM observations reveal that the two groups of proteins, SV integral membrane and SV-associated, proceed through different routes of biosynthesis and axon transport, and are only sorted into the same final compartment, SV clusters, when they are in the axons.
Effect of a Pedometer-based Walking Intervention on Body Composition in Patients with ESRD: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sheshadri Anoop , Kittiskulnam Piyawan , Lai Jennifer C. , Johansen Kirsten L. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: A randomized trial of a pedometer-based intervention with weekly activity goals led to a modest increase in step count among dialysis patients. In a secondary analysis, we investigated the effect of this intervention on body composition.Methods: 60 dialysis patients were randomized to standard care or a 6-month program consisting of 3 months of pedometers and weekly step count targets and 3 months of post-intervention follow-up. We obtained bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) data on 54 of these patients (28 control, 26 intervention) and used linear mixed-modeling (adjusted for sex and dialysis modality) to estimate differences in change in total-body muscle mass (TBMM) adjusted for height2, fat mass (kg), and body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) between control and intervention groups.Results: The median age of participants was 57.5 years (53 – 66), and 76% were men. At baseline, there was no significant difference between groups in age, BMI, race, or body composition, but there were more men in the intervention group. After 3 months, patients in the intervention group increased their average daily steps by 2,414 (95% CI 1047, 3782) more than controls (p<0.001), but there were no significant differences in body composition. However, at 6 months, participants in the intervention had a significantly greater increase from baseline in TBMM of 0.7 kg/m2 (95% CI 0.3, 1.13), decrease in fat mass (‑4.3 kg [95% CI ‑7.1, ‑1.5]) and decrease in BMI (-1.0 kg/m2 [95% CI -1.8, -0.2]) relative to controls. In post-hoc analysis, each increase of 1,000 steps from 0 to 3 months was associated with a 0.3 kg decrease in fat mass (95% CI 0.05, 0.5) from 0 to 6 months, but there was no dose-response relationship with TBMM/ht2 or BMI.Conclusion: A pedometer-based intervention resulted in greater decreases in fat mass with relative preservation of muscle mass, leading to a greater decrease in BMI over time compared with patients not in the intervention. These differences were driven as much by worsening in the control group as by improvement in the intervention group. Step counts had a dose-response relationship with decrease in fat mass.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02623348). 02 December 2015. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02623348
MicroRNA-20a mediates the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells in endometriosis via ERG/HLX/STAT4/perforin axis
Authors: Chen Li-Juan , Hu Bin , Han Zhi-Qiang , Ni Jian , Zhou Yong-Ming , Chen Xue-Xing , Zhou Hao 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
The authors have withdrawn this preprint from Research Square
Neuro-medical complications of fluoride toxicity among populations living in fluorosis endemic region of the Ethiopian Rift Valley
Authors: Ayele Biniyam Alemayehu , Yifru Yared Mamushet , Tekle-Haimanot Redda , Godebo Tewodros Rango 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Background Fluorosis is endemic in many countries of Asia, South America, and Africa. In Africa, the countries located across the Great East African Rift Valley, including Ethiopia are a hotspot for fluorosis. While excessive and chronic exposure to fluoride causes dental and skeletal fluorosis, emerging studies have shown its adverse health effects in cognition, memory, learning and the function of central nervous system. The aim of this study is to assess neurological features of populations chronically exposed to a wide range of fluoride concentrations in drinking water wells in the Ethiopian Rift Valley.Method We conducted a study on 318 individuals living in rural villages located in fluoride endemic areas of the Ethiopian Rift Valley. Drinking water samples were collected from 23 community well sites, and analyzed for fluoride concentrations. Detailed clinical evaluations of skeletal fluorosis, neurologic history, and physical examination were performed in the study participants. Association between different fluoride concentrations and clinical features of fluorosis were done using chi square and crude odds ratio (OR).Results The mean age of the study participants was 28.0±14.9 years. Male accounted 55.7% of the subjects participated. About 80% of the participants were from the communities who used water from wells containing fluoride concentration >2 mg/L. The mean fluoride concentration in drinking water samples was 6.8±4.3 mg/L (range: 0.3 to 15.5 mg/L). Among the neurologic complications, headache, fatigue, and paresthesia accounted for 67%, 56.3%, and 37.5%, respectively. Impaired lumbar mobility, impaired squatting, impaired neck mobility, and knocked knee occurred in 22.3%, 6.6%, 2.2%, and 1.6%, respectively. Impaired lumbar mobility and kyphosis showed statistically significant association with higher fluoride concentration in drinking water (>2 mg/L) (P <0.05), while impaired squatting did not (p = 0.9) as compared to baseline fluoride concentration < 2mg/L.Conclusion Our findings strongly suggest that the adverse neurological and medical effects associated with prolonged exposure to elevated concentrations of fluoride in drinking water. We recommend conducting large scale epidemiological study in fluoride endemic areas using controlled population to better understand non-skeletal fluorosis related to neurological and medical complications.
Strengthening the quality of paediatric primary care: A process evaluation of a complex health systems intervention in South Africa
Authors: Curran Robyn Leigh , Murdoch Jamie , Cornick Ruth Vania , Picken Sandra , Bachmann Max , Bateman Eric , Simelane Makhosazana Lungile , Fairall Lara Rosemary 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Innovative strategies like WHO’s Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) have resulted in progress in addressing infant and child mortality. However, the needs of children continue to present a burden upon primary healthcare services. The capacity of services and quality of care offered require greater support to address these needs and extend integrated curative and preventive care, specifically, for the well child, the child with a long-term health condition and the child older than 5 years, not included in IMCI. In response to these needs, the PACK Child intervention was developed, based on a similar successful approach in adults, that expands the scope and reach of integrated management and training programmes for paediatric primary care. We report findings from the process evaluation of the integration of PACK Child intervention within the existing primary health care system. METHODS: A mixed methods process evaluation was completed in ten primary health care facilities in the Western Cape province in South Africa, where clinicians were trained to integrate PACK Child into routine practice. Qualitative data included transcribed interviews with managers, clinicians, caregivers and policymakers; audio-recordings and observational fieldnotes of training, consultations and clinic flow. Quantitative data were collected from training logs, questionnaires, and consultations. Qualitative data were analysed using linguistic ethnographic techniques, including conversation and thematic analysis. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively. RESULTS: Influence of PACK Child on clinical practice: Longer consultations, improved clinical knowledge and practice, better teamwork, strengthening of appropriate referrals and inclusion of psychosocial risk screening. Implementation fidelity of PACK Child was hindered by over-reliance on documentation and embedded checklist approach to consultations limited to acute episodic illnesses. PACK Child increased caregiver participation during consultations. CONCLUSIONS: The PACK Child intervention has strengthened primary care for children despite institutionalised care provided by a limited number of clinicians focusing on acute illness with little participation of the caregiver. With refinement of the programme, there is potential for PACK Child to strengthen paediatric care in low-resource settings.
Kefir Ameliorates Specific Physiological and Behavioural Impairments in a Mouse Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Wouw Marcel van de , Vig Giulia MD , Lyte Joshua M , Boehme Marcus , Gual Andreu , Walsh Aaron M , Clarke Gerard , Cotter Paul D. , Dinan Timothy G. , Cryan John F. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is one of the most severe developmental disorders, affecting on average 1 in 150 children worldwide. There are limited treatment options for ASD symptoms and there is therefore a great need for more effective strategies to improve quality of life in ASD subjects. The gut microbiome has recently emerged as a therapeutic target in ASD. A novel modulator of the gut microbiome, the traditionally fermented milk drink kefir, has recently been shown to modulate the microbiota and decrease repetitive behaviour, one of the hallmarks of ASD. As such, we hypothesised that kefir could ameliorate the behavioural phenotype of ASD in the animal model of ASD; the BTBR T + Itpr3 tf /J mouse strain. Adult mice were administered either kefir (UK4) or milk control for 3 weeks as treatment lead-in, after which they were assessed for their behavioural phenotype using a battery of tests. In addition, we assessed systemic immunity by flow cytometry. We found that kefir decreased repetitive behaviour. Furthermore, kefir prolonged stress-induced increases in corticosterone 60 minutes post-stress, which was accompanied by an ameliorated innate immune response as measured by LY6C hi monocyte levels. Furthermore, kefir increased the levels of anti-inflammatory Treg cells in mesenteric lymph nodes. Altogether, our data show that kefir modulates peripheral immunity in an anti-inflammatory manner and can ameliorate specific ASD behavioural dysfunctions, indicating that kefir supplementation might prove a viable strategy in improving quality of life in ASD subjects.
Involvement of neutrophils in machineries underlying the rupture of intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Kushamae Mika , Miyata Haruka , Shirai Manabu , Shimizu Kampei , Oka Mieko , Koseki Hirokazu , Abekura Yu , Ono Isao , Nozaki Kazuhiko , Mizutani Tohru , Aoki Tomohiro 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of an intracranial aneurysm (IA) has quite a poor prognosis once after the onset despite of the modern technical advancement. The development of a novel therapeutic modality to prevent rupture or a diagnostic method to stratify dangerous lesions from many stable ones is thus mandatory for social health. To this end, mechanisms underlying rupture of lesions should be clarified. Methods: We and others have developed the rat model in which induced IAs spontaneously rupture resulting in subarachnoid hemorrhage. To clarify molecular cascades regulating rupture, we obtained gene expression profile data from rupture-prone lesions and revealed the enrichment of neutrophil-related terms in rupture-prone lesions by Gene Ontology analysis. Next, to validate a role of neutrophils in rupture of lesions, G-CSF was administered to a rat model. Results: As a result, G-CSF treatment not only increased number of neutrophils infiltrating in lesions but also significantly facilitated rupture of the lesions without increase the incidence. To clarify mechanisms how neutrophils facilitate rupture of IAs, we used HL-60 cell line and found that inflammatory stimuli enhanced the collagenolytic activity of MMP9. Immunohistochemical study using IA lesions from a rat model identified neutrophils as a major type of cells producing MMP9 around a site of rupture and consistently the collagenolytic activity of MMP9 was detected in ruptured lesions. Conclusions: These results combined together suggest the crucial role of neutrophil to rupture of IAs and also propose the potential of this type of cells as a candidate of therapeutic or diagnostic targets.