bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio as a predictor for diagnosis of early Periprosthetic Joint Infection
Authors: Yu BaoZhan , Fu Jun , Chai Wei , Hao LiBo , Chen Jiying 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a catastrophic complication after total knee or hip arthroplasty. The diagnosis of PJI is very difficult, especially in the early postoperative period. The value of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is useful for diagnosing infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the accuracy of the NLR for the diagnosis of early PJI after total knee or hip arthroplasty.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated consecutive primary total knee or hip arthroplasty and identified the patients who readmitted within the first 90 days postoperatively between January 2011 and October 2018.There were 20 cases diagnosed early PJI and 101 uninfected cases on the basis of the modified Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria. The serum parameters including C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood-cell (WBC) count, NLR and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were compared between the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to estimate the optimal cutoff values for each parameter.The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for each parameter were calculated.Results: The CRP, ESR, WBC, NLR and IL-6 values were all significally higher in the infected group than the uninfected group. The median of CRP was 66.6 mg/l in the infected group and 8.6mg/l in the uninfected group (p<0.001). The median of ESR was 34.8 mm/hr in the infected group and 17.4mm/hr in the uninfected group (p<0.001). In the infected group and uninfected group, the median of WBC was 8.2X109 /L and 6.1 X109 /L (p = 0.002), respectively; while the median of NLR was 5.2 and 2.1 (p<0.001). The median of IL-6 was 46pg/ml and 6.4pg/ml (p<0.001),respectively.The best parameter for the diagnosis of early PJI was IL-6 (AUC=0.814) followed by the NLR (AUC =0.802), CRP (AUC =0.793), ESR (AUC =0.744) and WBC (AUC = 0.632).Conclusions: This study is the first to show that NLR values are more accurate than CRP and may be considered as useful parameters for the diagnosis of early PJI because it is a cheap and convenient parameter to be calculated in daily practice without extra costs.
Slow radiological improvement and persistent low-grade inflammation after chemotherapy in tuberculosis patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Mily Akhirunnesa , Sarker Protim , Taznin Inin , Hossain Md. Delwar , Haq Md. Ahsanul , Kamal SM. Mostofa , Agerberth Birgitta , Brighenti Susanna , Raqib Rubhana 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM) may impede immune responses in tuberculosis (TB) and thus contribute to enhanced disease severity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate DM-mediated alterations in clinical, radiological and immunological outcomes of TB disease.Methods: Newly diagnosed pulmonary TB patients with or without DM (TB n=40; TB-DM n=40) were recruited in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Clinical symptoms, sputum smear and culture conversion as well as chest radiography were assessed, and peripheral blood and sputum samples were collected at the time of diagnosis (baseline) and after 1, 2 and 6 months of standard anti-TB treatment. Blood samples were also obtained from the healthy controls (n=20). mRNA expression of inflammatory markers in blood and sputum samples were quantified using real-time PCR.Results: Majority of TB-DM patients had a poor glycemic control (HbA1c>8%) and displayed elevated pulmonary pathology (P=0.039) particularly in the middle (P<0.004) and lower lung zones (P<0.02) throughout the treatment period. However, reduction of clinical symptoms, and time to sputum smear and culture conversion did not differ between the groups. Transcripts levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (P=0.003 at month-1 and P=0.045 at month-2) and TNF-α (P=0.005 at month-1) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (P=0.005 at month-2) were higher in peripheral blood after anti-TB treatment in TB-DM compared to TB patients. Instead, in sputum, TB-DM patients showed reduced CD4 (P<0.009 at month-1) and IL-10 (P=0.005 at month-1 and P=0.006 at month-2) and elevated CD8 (P=0.016 at month-2) transcripts. At 1- and 2-months post-treatment, sputum IL-10 transcripts were inversely correlated with fasting blood glucose and HbA1C levels in all patients. Conclusion: Insufficient up-regulation of IL-10 in the lung may fuel persistent local inflammation promoting lung pathology in TB-DM patients with poorly controlled DM.
Family matters: Skin microbiome reflects the social group and spatial proximity in wild zebra finches
Authors: Engel Kathrin , Pankoke Helga , Jünemann Sebastian , Brandl Hanja B. , Sauer Jan , Griffith Simon C. , Kalinowski Jörn , Caspers Barbara A. 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: So far, large numbers of studies investigating the microbiome have focused on gut microbiota and less have addressed the microbiome of the skin. Especially in avian taxa our understanding of the ecology and function of these bacteria remains incomplete. The involvement of skin bacteria in intra-specific communication has recently received attention, and has highlighted the need to understand what information is potentially being encoded in bacterial communities. Using next generation sequencing techniques, we characterised the skin microbiome of wild zebra finches, aiming to understand the impact of sex, age and group composition on skin bacteria communities. For this purpose, we sampled skin swabs from both sexes and two age classes (adults and nestlings) of 12 different zebra finch families and analysed the bacterial communities.Results: Using 16S rRNA sequencing we found no effect of age, sex and family on bacterial diversity (alpha diversity). However, when comparing the composition (beta diversity), we found that animals of social groups (families) harbour highly similar bacterial communities on their skin with respect to community composition. Within families, closely related individuals shared significantly more bacterial taxa than non-related animals. In addition, we found that age (adults vs. nestlings) affected bacterial composition. Finally, we found that spatial proximity of nest sites, and therefore individuals, correlated with the skin microbiome similarity. Conclusions: Birds harbour very diverse and complex bacterial assemblages on their skin. These bacterial communities are distinguishable and characteristic for intraspecific social groups. Our findings are indicative for a family-specific skin microbiome in wild zebra finches. Genetics and the (social) environment seem to be the influential factors shaping the complex bacterial communities. Bacterial communities associated with the skin have a potential to emit volatiles and therefore these communities may play a role in intraspecific social communication, e.g. via signalling social group membership.
Development of a double-recombinant antibody sandwich ELISA for quantitative detection of epsilon toxoid concentration in inactivated Clostridium perfringens vaccines
Authors: Alibeiki Maryam , Golchin Mehdi , Tabatabaei Mohammad 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Epsilon toxin (ETX) causes a commonly fatal enterotoxemia in domestic animals. Also, ETX causes serious economic losses to animal husbandry. In this study, we selected several clones against ETX using repertoires displayed on filamentous phage. Anti-ETX specific clones were enriched by binding to immobilized antigen, followed by elution and re-propagation of phage. After multiple rounds of binding selection, ELISA analysis showed that most isolated clones had high affinity and specificity for ETX.Results: Two recombinant monoclonal antibodies against ETX were isolated by phage display technology. B1 phage VH antibody isolated from DAb library and G2 soluble scFv antibody isolated from Tomlinson I+J libraries have been applied as the capture and detection antibodies for developing an ETX sandwich ELISA test, respectively. Conclusions: Designed ETX sandwich ELISA could be a valuable tool for quantitative detection of ETX in inactivated commercial vaccines against enterotoxemia.
Knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacy and medical students regarding self-medication, a study in Zabol University of Medical Sciences; Sistan and Baluchestan province in south-east of Iran
Authors: Hashemzaei Mahmoud , Afshari Mahdi , Koohkan Zahra , Bazi Ali , Rezaee Ramin , Tabrizian Kaveh 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Self-medication is defined as using medicinal products to treat disorders or symptoms diagnosed by one-self. Although informed self-medication is one of the ways to reduce health care costs, inappropriate self-treatment can pose various risks including drug side effects, recurrence of symptoms, drug resistance, etc. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacy and medical students toward self-medication.Methods: This study was conducted in Zabol University of Medical Sciences during 2018. A sample of 170 pharmacy and medical students was selected. A three-part researcher-made questionnaire was designed to address students’ knowledge, attitude, and practice. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS 25 software.Results: According to the results, 97 (57.1%) of the students had carried out self-medication within the past 6 months. Overall, the students used self-medication on average 4.2 ±2.9 times per year. Self-medication was more prevalent in male students (65.4%, P=0.043). Cough and cold were the most common symptoms treated with self-medication (93.2%), and antibiotics (74.4%) were the most commonly used drugs. The primary information source used by the students was their previous physician prescription (47.4%). Pharmacy students showed a higher level of drug information (P<0.001). There was a statistically significant association between the level of drug information and the rate of self-medication (P=0.005). Disease recurrence was the most common negative complication of self-medication.Conclusion: There is a need to educate pharmacy and medical students regarding self-medication and its side effects. The high prevalence of self-medication and the overuse of antibiotics can pose a significant risk of drug resistance.
Effect of board quality on the financial performance of conventional and Islamic banks in a stable financial context: Comparative study on the international evidence
Authors: HADDAD Achraf , AMMARI Anis EL , BOURI Abdelfattah 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Returning to the literature of finance and banking governance, our article provides the first logical analysis that detailed the process of comparative analysis between the correlation of board determinants’ quality and the financial performance of conventional and Islamic banks. Previous research has always discussed the main role of the board as an internal mechanism of governance on the financial performance separately in each bank type. However, we have never encountered rewarding studies that compared these impacts. In our study, we distinguished between the impact of the board of directors on the financial performance in conventional and Islamic banks. Settings of the financial performance and board of directors of the conventional and Islamic banks are collected from 30 countries located in four continents: America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Two equal samples were collected that each of them is composed of 112 banks. By using the GLS method, data were used to explore the impact of the board of directors on the financial performance between both types of banks over the period 2010-2018, giving us 1008 bank-year observations in each sub-sample. On the whole, empirical results have shown that in conventional banks the board of directors has negatively affected the financial performance, while the impact of the board on the financial performance of Islamic banks is ambiguous. Nevertheless, the degree of the positive impact on financial performance is more significant in Islamic banks.
3D morphometric analysis of the colon applied to a laparoscopic surgical approach. Cadaver study
Authors: Fernando J , Escolar JD , Sánchez FM , García VE , Luesma MJ , Cantarero I , Fatás JA , Maestre J , López C , Usón J 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: The anatomy of the colon can be studied using three-dimensional reconstructions obtained from radiological images. Laparoscopic surgery of the colon requires positional changes of the surgical table. The aim of this study is to define the changes that occurred in certain segments of the colons of cadavers after subjecting them to the conditions that are used in laparoscopic surgery of the colon. Methods: Three cadavers were submitted to abdominal computerized tomography, first with no external, and then after the application of 15 mm of Hg of pneumoperitoneum and 15 degrees Trendelenburg, right or left lateral decubitus.Results: Three-dimensional reconstruction of the images was performed for a morphological descriptive study of the pubic points, superior mesenteric artery, inferior mesenteric artery, hepatic flexure and splenic flexure. A total of 390 measurements were performed, 159 showed changes. The inferior mesenteric artery point modifications were the most strongly related to the other points. The transverse colon - pubic symphysis - descending colon angle depended on the pubic symphysis - descending colon distance, and the transverse colon - inferior mesenteric artery - descending colon angle depended on the inferior mesenteric artery - transverse colon distance. Conclusions: The positional changes of the points studied were related to their attachment to the peritoneum, to the proximity of the neighbouring viscera and to their location in the abdomen.
Transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling reveals&nbsp;the effect of LED light quality on morphological traits, and phenylpropanoid-derived compounds&nbsp;accumulation in Sarcandra glabra seedlings
Authors: Xie Dejin , Chen Lingyan , Zhou Chengcheng , Tarin Muhammad Waqqas Khan , Yang Deming , Ren Ke , He Tianyou , Rong Jundong , Zheng Yushan 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Sarcandra glabra is an evergreen and traditional Chinese herb with anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects. Light is one of the most influential factor affecting the growth and quality of herbs. In recent times, the introduction of Light Emission Diode (LED) technology has been widely used for plants in greenhouse. However, the impact of such lights on plant growth and the regulatory mechanism of phenylpropanoid-derived compounds in S. glabra remain unclear. Results: The red LED light (RL) substantially increased the plant height and decreased the stem diameter and leaf area relative to the white LED light (WL), while the blue LED light (BL) significantly reduced the height and leaf area of S. glabra. According to transcriptomic profiling, 861, 378, 47, 10,033, 7917, and 6379 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified among the groups of leaf tissue under BL (BY) vs. leaf tissue under RL (RY), BY vs. leaf tissue under WL (WY), RY vs. WY, root tissue under WL (WG) vs. WY, stem tissue under WL (WJ) vs. WG, and WJ vs. WY, respectively. We identified 46 genes encoding for almost all known enzymes involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, e.g., phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS), and flavonol synthase (FLS). We found 53 genes encoding R2R3-MYB proteins and bHLH proteins, respectively, where several were related to flavonoids biosynthesis. A total of 454 metabolites were identified based on metabolomic profiling, of which 44, 87, and 296 compounds were differentially produced in WY vs. RY, WY vs. BY, and WY vs. WG. In BY there was a substantial reduction in the production of esculetin, caffeic acid, isofraxidin, and fraxidin, while the yields of quercitrin and kaempferol were significantly up-regulated. In RY, the contents of cryptochlorogenic acid, cinnamic acid, and kaempferol decreased significantly. Besides, in WG, the production of metabolites (e.g. chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and scopolin) declined, while their yields increased significantly (e.g. esculetin, fraxetin, isofraxidin, and fraxidin).Conclusion: These results provide further insight into the regulatory mechanism of accumulation patterns of phenylpropanoid-derived compounds in S. glabra under various light conditions, allowing optimum breeding conditions to be developed for this plant.
Nationwide population-based cohort study of adverse obstetric outcomes in pregnancies with myoma or following myomectomy: Retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lee Se Jin , Ko Hyun Sun , Na Sunghun , Bae Jin Young , Seong Won Joon , Kim Jong Woon , Shin Jaeeun , Cho Hae Joong , Choi Gyu Yeon , Kim Jinsil , Cho Geum Joon , Park In Yang 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Our objective was to evaluate risks of adverse obstetric outcomes in pregnancies with myoma(s) or in pregnancies following myomectomy. Methods: We analyzed the national health insurance database, which covers almost the entire Korean population, between 2004 and 2015. The risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnancies with myoma(s) or in pregnancies following myomectomy, compared to those in women without a diagnosed myoma, were analyzed in multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: During the study period, 38,402 women with diagnosed myoma(s), 9,890 women with a history of myomectomy, and 740,675 women without a diagnosed myoma gave birth. Women with a history of diagnosed myoma(s) and women with a history of myomectomy had significantly higher risks of cesarean section (aOR 1.13, 95% CI 1.1-1.16 and aOR 7.46, 95% CI 6.97-7.98, respectively) and placenta previa (aOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.29-1.54 and aOR 1.58, 95% CI 1.35-1.83, respectively), compared to women without a diagnosed myoma. And the risk of uterine rupture was significantly higher in women with previous myomectomy (aOR 12.78, 95% CI 6.5-25.13), compared to women without a diagnosed myoma, which was much increased (aOR 41.35, 95% CI 16.18-105.69) in nulliparous women. The incidence of uterine rupture was the highest at delivery within one year after myomectomy and decreased over time after myomectomy. Conclusions: Women with a history of myomectomy had significantly higher risks of cesarean section and placenta previa compared to women without a diagnosed myoma.
Fast and low-cost detection of SARS-CoV-2 peptides by tandem mass spectrometry in clinical samples
Authors: Cardozo Karina Helena Morais , Lebkuchen Adriana , Okai Guilherme Goncalves , Schuch Rodrigo Andrade , Viana Luciana Godoy , Olive Aline Nogueira , Lazari Carolina dos Santos , Fraga Ana Maria , Granato Celso , Carvalho Valdemir Melechco 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
The current outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome associated with coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is pressing public health systems around the world, and large population testing is a key step to control this pandemic disease. Real-time reverse-transcription PCR (real-time RT-PCR) is the gold standard test for virus detection but the soaring demand for this test resulted in shortage of reagents and instruments, severely limiting its applicability to large-scale screening. To be used either as an alternative, or as a complement, to real-time RT-PCR testing, we developed a high-throughput targeted proteomics assay to detect SARS-CoV-2 proteins directly from clinical respiratory tract samples. Sample preparation was fully automated by using a modified magnetic particle-based proteomics approach implemented on a robotic liquid handler, enabling a fast processing of samples. The use of turbulent flow chromatography included four times multiplexed on-line sample cleanup and UPLC separation. MS/MS detection of three peptides from SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein and a 15N-labeled internal global standard was achieved within 2.5 min, enabling the analysis of more than 500 samples per day. The method was validated using 562 specimens previously analyzed by real-time RT-PCR and was able to detect over 83% of positive cases. No interference was found with samples from common respiratory viruses, including other coronaviruses (NL63, OC43, HKU1, and 229E). The strategy here presented has high sample stability and low cost and should be considered as an option to large population testing.
Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and location in patients with EGFR mutant metastatic non-small cell lung cancer treated with TKIs
Authors: Xie Xueqi , Li Xiaolin , Tang Wenjie , Chen Jinlong , Yu Jinming , Xie Peng , Li Minghuan 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Background: Targeted therapy with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has improved the field of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer treatment. Higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and lower relative lymphocyte counts as inflammatory indicators and associated with worse overall survival and progression free survival (PFS) in several tumor types. Few studies focused on these inflammation markers in context of TKIs eras.Methods: Patients with advanced EGFR mutation NSCLC treated with TKIs were included. Pre-treatment NLR means neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio measured in peripheral blood within one week before treating with TKIs. The baseline clinical characteristics of each group were compared by chi-square and t tests. Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate prognostic value of peripheral blood parameters on progression free survival (PFS). All prognostic factors were explored with multivariable regression.Results: We retrospectively analyzed 221 patients with metastatic NSCLC harboring exon 19 deletion, 21 L858R or rare mutation and receiving TKIs. Finally, a total of 190 patients were analyzed. The optimal cutoff values for pretreatment absolute lymphocyte count (Lym), lymphocyte percentage (Lym%), absolute neutrophil count (Neu), the percentage of neutrophil granulocytes (Neu%) and NLR were 1.625 x 109/L, 18.8%, 3.675a x 109/L, 51.8% and 4.965, respectively. Patients with high neutrophil percent (18.8 months vs 13.0 months, P=0.003), absolute neutrophil counts (12.0 months vs 14.5 months, P=0.014) and NLR (7.0 months vs 15.2 months, P<0.001, one-year PFS Rate, 55.3%, respectively) had worse PFS. In contrast, patients with high absolute lymphocyte counts (16.5 months vs 13.0 months, P=0.012) and lymphocyte percent (15.3 months vs 8.8 months, P<0.001) had a better progression-free-survival. Besides, tumor location was also an important factor for prognosis (14.3 months vs 11.6 months, P=0.003). On multivariate analysis, NLR and primary tumor location were both identified as independent and significantly risk indicators for worse PFS.Conclusion: NLR and primary location are both independent prognostic factors for PFS in patients with metastatic EGFR mutated lung tumor. Whether or not NLR and primary location could be usefulmarkers in efficacy prediction of TKIs in advanced NSCLC calls for further investigation.