bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unusual association of Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome and wandering spleen: a case report
Authors: Lin Joseph , Chang Yi-Lin , Li Yu-Hsien , Tsao Lien-Cheng 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background : Axenfeld–Rieger syndrome (ARS) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease characterized by ocular developmental disorders and it’s association with torsion of wandering spleen (WS) has not been reported to date to the best of our knowledge. This study aimed to describe a rare case of ARS observed at our emergency department. Case Presentation : A 25-year-old female presented with a constant lower abdominal pain of increasing severity. Diagnostic computed tomography with intravenous contrast material showed a nonhomogenously enhanced splenic parenchyma with a twisted vascular pedicle. Further, an emergent laparoscopic exploration was performed, and an ischemic spleen without its normal ligamentous attachments was noted. Notably, the spleen did not regain its normal vascularity after detorsion; thus, we performed the laparoscopic splenectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 5 th postoperative day. This case demonstrates a rare association of WS and ARS. Conclusion : Early diagnosis of WS in the emergency department is important to prevent pedicle torsion or splenic necrosis and to avoid splenectomy.
Explore the recycling of bioleaching functional bacteria and sulfur substrate using the sulfur-covered biochar particles
Authors: Wu Chuncheng , Jiang Mengying , Ye Zhe , Cai Yuchen , Shen Yutao , Wang Haizhen , Lin Qi , Shen Chaofeng , Hu Baolan , Lou Liping 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Bioleaching has been attracting attention recent years as an emerging sediment heavy metal pollution remediation technology. However, the use of sulfur powder as sulfur substrate causes the problem of “post-acidification”, and the free bioleaching functional bacteria which are susceptible to environmental impact during reactor operation cannot be used efficiently for multiple rounds. These problems can be solved if the sulfur substrate and the bioleaching functional bacteria can be recycled simultaneously after bioleaching. A new kind of sulfur substrate, the laboratory-made sulfur-covered biochar particles, were used in the bioleaching experiment, compared with sulfur powder and sulfur powder mixed with the surfactant rhamnolipid.Results The sulfur-covered biochar particles exhibited superior bioleaching performance, including faster acidification rate, SO 4 2- production rate and heavy metal bioleaching rate, and higher heavy metal solubilization percentage (Ni 33.76%; Cu 66.16%; Zn 65.494%), which was resulted from the acceleration of bioleaching reaction by the bioleaching functional bacteria immobilized on the biochar surface. Otherwise, the sulfur-covered biochar particles could be reused in the second round, and the heavy metal solubilization percentage (Ni32.84%, Cu69.93%, Zn67.17%) was comparable with that of the first round. Nevertheless, the sulfur content became the main limiting factor causing poor bioleaching performance during the third round. The sulfur mixed with the surfactant rhamnolipid did not show significant effect in promoting acidification and heavy metal solubilization due to high levels of organic matter and the impact of the low pH value.Conclusion The research indicated the laboratory-made sulfur-covered biochar particles could realize the dual immobilization of the bioleaching functional bacteria and the sulfur substrate to support their recycling and reuse in the second bioleaching round. In the future research, the way to maintain the reuse of the sulfur-covered biochar particle for more rounds will be explored.
Mixture toxicity of zinc oxide nanoparticle and chemicals with different mode of action upon Vibrio fischeri
Authors: zou xiaoming , Wu Ligui , Chen Fen , Xiao Xiaoyu , Rong Lingling , Li Mi 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Zinc oxide nanoparticle (nZnO) and chemicals with different mode of action (MOA, i.e., narcotic and reactive) were frequently detected in the Yangtze River. Organisms are typically exposed to mixtures of nZnO and other chemicals rather than individual nZnO. Toxicity of nZnO is caused by the dissolution of Zn2+, which has been proved in the field of single toxicity. However, it is still unclear whether the released Zn2+ plays a critical role in the nZnO toxicity of nZnO-chemicals mixtures. In the present study, the binary mixture toxicity of nZnO/Zn2+ and chemicals with different MOA was investigated in acute (15 min) and chronic (12 h) toxicity test upon Vibrio fischeri (V. fischeri). The joint effects of nZnO and tested chemicals were explored. Moreover, two classic models, concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) were applied to predict the toxicity of mixtures. Results: The difference of toxicity unit (TU) values between the mixtures of Zn2+-chemicals with those of nZnO-chemicals was not significant (P> 0.05), not only in acute toxicity test but also in chronic toxicity test. The antagonistic or additive effects for nZnO-chemicals can be observed in most mixtures, with the TU values ranging from 0.75-1.77 and 0.47-2.45 in acute toxicity test and chronic test, respectively. We also observed that the prediction accuracy of CA and IA models was not very well in the mixtures where the difference between the toxicity ratios of the components was small (less than about 10), with the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values ranging from 0.14-0.67 for CA model and 0.17-0.51 for IA model, respectively.Conclusion: We found that the dissolved Zn2+ mainly accounted for the nZnO toxicity in the mixtures of nZnO-chemicals, and the joint effects of these mixtures were mostly antagonism and additivity. CA and IA models were unsuitable for predicting the mixture toxicity of nZnO-chemicals at their equitoxic ratios.
Carbon and nitrogen Isotope fractionation of the photo-degradation of herbicides in aqueous solution by nitrates under ultraviolet radiation
Authors: Yu Haiyan , Liu Jinling , Han Changxu , Fang Han , Shu Xingquan , Liu Yongfeng , Pan Yuwei , Ma Limin 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Phenylurea herbicides are one of the most important and widely used pesticides in the world. Due to its potential persistence and toxicity in the aquatic environment, it poses certain risks to the ecological environment and human health. Studying the photochemical degradation behavior of herbicides is important for understanding the degradation and transformation fate in the environment.Results: This study evaluated the effectiveness of direct and indirect photo-degradation of the herbicides isopropiron (IUP) and methylamine (MN), investigating the influence of operational variables (initial herbicide concentration and light sources) and initial of induced nitrate concentration on these processes in aqueous solution. We also introduced a new technology of compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) to provide deeper information of the photochemical degradation mechanism. Results showed that the light source and the initial concentration have an important effect on the degradation of herbicides IUP and MN. The photolysis rate under the Hg lamp is higher than photolysis rate under Xe lamps. It is found that photolysis kinetics of herbicides were consistent with the quasi-first order model, and the photolysis rate decreases with the increasing of the initial concentration. In indirect photodegradation, the degradation rate increases with increasing NO 3 − concentration at low concentrations of pesticides (8 mg/L); while the degradation rate decreases with increasing NO 3 − concentration at high concentrations of pesticides (30 mg/L ). According to the isotope fractionation, photolysis of IUP exhibits normal carbon isotope fractionation with the degradation rate increases, and the stable isotope enrichment factors under different photolysis pathways are different. In the indirect photo-degradation process, no significant fractionation of nitrogen isotopes occurred, and stable nitrogen isotopes fractionation could not be fitted well in either of the two photodegradation pathways.Conclusion: Therefore, the structure and chemical characteristics of the molecules of herbicides play a determinant role in their photodegradation. The CSIA is useful both for a mechanism-based evaluation of experimental results and as a valuable tool to explore transformation pathways for organic pollutants in different environmental systems.
Effects of Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Flexor Spasticity of the Upper Limb in Post-stroke Patients: Study Protocol for A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Fan Tao , Zhou Xiangying , He Peichen , Zhan Xiaojia , Zheng Peng , Li Rongdong , Li Rihui , Wei Mingyang , Zhang Xue , Huang Guozhi 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background: Flexor Spasticity of the Upper Limb is common in post-stroke patients and seriously affects the recovery of upper limb function. However, there are no standard management protocols for this condition. Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) is widely used as a non-invasive treatment method for various diseases, but its efficacy in reducing spasticity remains undefined. Methods/design: A prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial is to be performed to study the efficacy of rESWT on the treatment of upper limb spasticity after strokes. One hundred participants will be recruited from the Inpatient department of Zhujiang hospital for this study. Patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly allocated to either receive 3 sessions of active rESWT (Group A) or sham-placebo rESWT (Group B) with three day intervals between each session. Assessment will be performed at baseline and at each of the post-rESWT time points (t1, t2 and t3). The primary assessment outcome will be the Modified Ashworth Scale, while the secondary assessment outcomes will include surface electromyography, MyotonPRO digital muscle function evaluation and infrared thermal imaging. Discussion: This trial is aimed at analyzing the application of rESWT for the management of spasticity after stroke via comprehensive and quantitative assessments. We hypothesized that after receiving active rESWT, patients will show greater improvement of upper limb muscles, compared with patients of the sham-placeborESWT group. The rESWT would be an attractive alternative to traditional methods and the results of this study may provide guidance and support for the further study of potential mechanisms.
Impact of routine assessment of health-related quality of life coupled with therapeutic information on compliance with endocrine therapy in patients with non-metastatic breast cancer
Authors: KAMGA Ariane MAMGUEM , MARTINO Cyril DI , ANOTA Amélie , PAGET-BAILLY Sophie , COUTANT Charles , ARVEUX Patrick , DESMOULINS Isabelle , YONLI Sandrine Tienhan DABAKUYO 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Despite its proven effectiveness in reducing recurrence and improving survival, adherence to endocrine therapy (ET) is suboptimal in women with breast cancer (BC). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in BC has been widely studied and many positive effects have been highlighted. Recently, a link between HRQoL and compliance with ET has been suggested, which would suggest a potential role for HRQoL assessment in improving compliance with ET. With the advent of digital technologies, electronic collection of HRQoL on a tablet is now possible. Thus, we hypothesize that systematic HRQoL assessment (using a tablet, prior to each consultation, with presentation of scores to clinicians) coupled with therapeutic information could have an impact on 12-month compliance with ET in patients with non-metastatic BC. Methods: In this study, we will include 342 women with non-metastatic hormone receptor positive BC with an indication for treatment with ET. Patients will be randomized 1:1 by minimization and stratified by: age, stage, type of ET prescribed and presence of comorbidities or not, in 2 arms. The intervention will consist of numerical HRQoL assessment using the CHES software before each consultation (with delivery of scores to clinicians) coupled with therapeutic information. Therapeutic information will consist on 3 workshops related to understanding the prescription, nutrition and fatigue. A reminder letter will also be send to patients every month. Patients in the control group will follow standard care. HRQoL will be assessed using a classic “paper-pencil” collection at baseline in both arms to ensure comparability between arms and at 12-month. The primary endpoint is 12-month compliance with ET. Patient satisfaction with care, and clinicians' perception of the usefulness of routine HRQoL assessment will also be assessed. Discussion: This study will allow clinicians to identify and better understand the areas in which patients on ET have difficulties, and thus assist clinicians with patient management. Systematic evaluation of HRQoL could also provide an additional endpoint for measuring patients' health status and treatment-related symptoms, including ET. If the results of this study are positive, this intervention could be proposed as an integral part of daily clinical practice in patients treated with ET. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04176809. Registered 25 November 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04176809.
Vestibular prognosis in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss with vestibular dysfunction treated with oral or intratympanic glucocorticoids: a protocol for randomized controlled trial
Authors: Li Huawei , Hao Weiming , Zhao Liping , Yu Huiqian 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is a rapid-onset sensorineural hearing impairment with unclear etiology and unsatisfying treatment effects. Vestibular dysfunction has been considered as a poor indicator in the clinical manifestations and prognosis of ISSNHL, which occurred in approximately 28%-57% cases. Glucocorticoids, administered through oral or intratympanic way, is currently a regular and standard treatment for ISSNHL based on hearing outcome. However, little investigations have been conducted on the recovery process and treatment effects of glucocorticoids on vestibular dysfunctions of ISSNHL. This study aims to compare the efficacy of oral or intratympanic glucocorticoids in ISSNHL with vestibular dysfunction in terms of the pattern and trajectory of possible process of vestibular function recovery.Methods/Design A randomized, outcome-assessor- and analyst-blinded, controlled, clinical trial (RCT) will be carried out. A group of seventy-two patients with ISSNHL complaining of vestibular dysfunction appearing as vertigo, dizziness or imbalance will be recruited and randomized into two arms of either oral or intratympanic glucocorticoids therapy with a 1:1 allocation ratio. The primary outcomes will be vestibular function outcomes assessed by sensory organization test, caloric test, video head impulse test, and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials; the secondary outcomes include self-reported vestibular dysfunction symptoms; dizziness-related handicap, visual analogue scale for vertigo and tinnitus; and pure tone audiometry. Assessment will be performed at baseline and at 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-randomization. To our knowledge, this will be the first randomized controlled trial focusing on the prognosis of vestibular dysfunction in ISSNHL and the efficacy of glucocorticoids therapy for the vestibular dysfunction in this disease.Discussion This trial will be the first RCT study focusing on the progress and prognosis of vestibular dysfunction in ISSNHL. Efficacy of two commonly used therapies of glucocorticoids will be compared in both auditory and vestibular function fields, rather than in the hearing outcome alone. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03974867. Registered on July 23, 2019.
Predictive value of postoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on the early Periprosthetic joint infection after total joint arthroplasty: a pilot study
Authors: Zhao Guang lei , Chen Jie , Wang Jin , Wang Siqun , Xia Jun , Wei Yibing , Wu Jianguo , Huang Gangyong , Chen Feiyan , Shi Jingsheng , Huang Xin 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of the postoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on early periprosthetic joint infection. Methods : During the period from January 2008 to December 2016, 104 patients (26 early PJI cases and 78 non-PJI cases) who underwent total joint arthroplasty in the department of orthopedics in our Hospital were enrolled in our study. All of the relevant clinical information and laboratory indexes were reviewed from the our Hospital Follow-up system. The time when any abnormal symptoms or signs occurred including fever, local swelling or redness around the surgical site 2 weeks after the operations was defined as the “suspect time”. We compared the laboratory parameters including the NLR 、PLR、LMR、ESR and the CRP between the two groups. The trend of the NLR、LMR、PLR、CRP and ESR were also reviewed after the surgery. The predictive ability of these parameters at suspect time on the early PJI were evaluated by multivariate analysis and the Receiver operating curve analysis (ROC). Results : NLR, PLR and LMR returned to preoperative level within two weeks in two groups after surgery. In the early PJI group, NLR and PLR were significantly increased during the incubation period of infection or infection, LMR was significantly reduced, although 61.5% (16/26) of the patients had normal white blood cell. Interesting, the ESR and CRP were still in relative high level two weeks after the operation and the change of these two indexes was not obvious when the infection occurs. The NLR and PLR was significantly correlated with the early PJI (OR NLR =88.36, OR PLR =1.12, P NLR =0.005, P PLR =0.01) and the NLR has a great predict ability for early PJI with the cut-off value 2.77 (Sensitivity=84.6% ，Specificity=89.7%, 95% CI=0.86-0.97) Conclusions: ESR and CRP are not sensitive for diagnosis of early PJI due to their persistent high level after arthroplasty. The postoperative NLR at suspect time have a great ability in predicting early PJI and more attention should be applied to it.
In silico and in vivo anti-malarial investigation on [(5-nitroheteroaryl-2-yl) methylidene] hydrazinyl hetroaryl derivatives
Authors: Tahghighi Azar ,   Seyed-Mahdi Mohamadi-Zarch1, Rahimi Hamze , Marashiyan Mahya , Maleki-Ravasan Naseh , Eslamifar Ali 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background Today, the resistance to Plasmodium falciparum against common anti-malarial drugs has attracted the attention towards the alternative and effective drugs. Synthetic derivatives of [(5-nitroieroaryl-2-yl) methylidene] hydrazineyl heteroaryl showed in vitro anti-plasmodial activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the molecular binding and antiplasmid activity of in vivo synthetic compounds.Methods: The molecular docking was used to study the binding of compounds to heme and Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH). Acute toxicity of the synthetic compounds was evaluated based on modified up & down method. Anti-plasmodial activity of the compounds was conducted by two standard methods of Peter and Rane’s tests via chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei . Also, the toxicity of mice’s internal organs was evaluated on day 7 in addition to the histopathology of their liver.Results The docking studies showed that active site of PfLDH had at least four common residues including Ala98, Ile54, Gly29 and Tyr97 to bind the compounds with the affinity ranging from -8.0 to -8.4 Kcal/mol. The mode of binding of ligands to heme revealed effective binding affinity ranging from -5.1 to -5.5 Kcal/mol. Compound 2 showed the highest % suppression of parasitemia (99.09%) at the dose of 125mg/kg/day in Peter’s tests. Compound 3 with 79.42% suppression was the best compounds in Rane’s test at the lowest dose (31.25 mg/kg/day). The histopathology of the mice’s livers did not reveal the focal necrosis of hepatocytes in the studied compounds.Conclusions The docking studies verified Pf LDH inhibition and the inhibitory effect on the hemozoin formation for the studied compounds. Accordingly, some compounds may provide new achievements for the development of antimalarial drugs without liver toxicity, although further studies are required to optimize their anti-plasmodial activity.
High frequency of Taenia solium antigen positivity in patients admitted for neurological disorders in the Rural Hospital of Mosango, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Authors: MUKENDI Deby , Kalo Jean-Roger Lilo , Lutumba Pascal , Barbé Barbara , Jacobs Jan , Yansouni Cedric P , Gabriël Sarah , Dorny Pierre , Chappuis François , Boelaert Marleen , Winkler Andrea S , Verdonck Kristiern , Bottieau Emmanuel 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background The epidemiology of human cysticercosis and neurocysticercosis, caused by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium, is not well known in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As part of an etiological study, we consecutively evaluated from 2012 to 2016 all patients older than 5 years admitted for neurological disorders (neurology cohort) at the rural hospital of Mosango, province of Kwilu, DRC. No neuroimaging was available. A similar study was conducted among patients presenting with persistent fever (> 7 days) during the same period in the same hospital. In both studies, etiological diagnosis relied on a systematic set of reference laboratory assays and on pre-established clinical case definitions. The aim of this post-hoc analysis was to determine the frequency of T. solium infection in these neurology and persistent fever cohorts and to explore its association with specific neurological presentations and final etiological diagnoses.Methods All available serum samples of the neurology cohort and a subset (50%) of the samples of the persistent fever cohort were submitted to immunoassays detecting either circulating antigens or antibodies of T. solium, by means of the B158/B60 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and of the LDBIO Cysticercosis Western Blot IgG assay, respectively.Results For the neurology cohort, 340 samples (of 351 enrolled patients) were available for analysis (males: 46.8%; mean age: 38.9 years). T. solium antigen positivity was found in 43 participants (12.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 9.3-16.7%), including 9 of 60 (15%) patients with epilepsy. Of the 148 evaluated samples from the persistent fever cohort (males: 39.9%; mean age: 19.9 years), 7 had positive T. solium antigen (4.7%; 95% CI 1.9-9.5%; P=0.009 when compared to the neurology cohort). No significant association was found within the neurology cohort between positivity and clinical presentation or final diagnoses. Of note, the antibody-based assay was found positive in only four (1.3%) of the participants of the neurology cohort and in none of the persistent fever cohort.Conclusions T. solium antigen positivity was frequent in patients admitted with neurological disorders in the Kwilu province, DRC. Further neuroimaging studies should explore whether neurocysticercosis is prevalent in this region.