bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic characteristics distinguishing bloodstream form and central nervous form of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense.
Authors: Ndung'u Kariuki , Murilla Grace Adira , Thuita John Kibuthu , Kagira John Maina , Mireji Paul O. , Ngae Geoffry Njuguna , Gitonga Purity Kaari , Guya Samuel Onyoyo , Auma Joanna Eseri , Okumu Paul Onyango , Mda Raymond Ellie 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Phenotypic and morphological characteristics distinguishing from bloodstream form (BSF) and central nervous system (CNS) of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (Tbr) are poorly understood. Method: To identify these distinguishing characteristics, we separately infected four donor mice with each of five Tbr isolates (KETRI 2537/3537/2656/3459 and EATRO 2291). At 21 days post infection (DPI), donor mice were euthanized, BSF or CNS derived trypanosomes recovered and used for the following studies: 1) determination of morphological characteristics 2) pathogenicity studies using groups of 10 mice per isolate form. We then assessed differences in their lengths and morphology) and other characteristics including pre-patent period (PP), parasitaemia progression, packed cell volume (PCV), body weight, survival times, gross pathology, and histopathology. All analyses of data were conducted using GenStat, UK where p ⩽ 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Differences between and within the means were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. General Linear Model was used to analyze data on the length of the trypanosome. Survival data analysis was carried out employing the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: Morphologically, the CNS forms were predominantly long slender (LS) while BSF forms consisted of a mixture of short stumpy and intermediate forms. The mean length of CNS trypanosomes was 0.6 micrometer longer than their counterpart BSF derived trypanosomes. The PP was significantly (p<0.05) shorter and progression to peak parasitaemia faster (7 vs 9 days) in CNS than BSF derived trypanosomes. PCV declined by 21.6% and 26.9% in BSF and CNS infected mice respectively whereas non-infected control increased by 3.8% at 14 DPI. Body weight changes in BSF and CNS infected mice were (12.7% and 9.2% respectively) and significantly (p <0.05) lower than in non-infected control (27.6%) at 14 DPI. Gross pathology changes (splenomegaly and hepatomegaly) and histopathology changes were pronounced in mice infected with CNS relative to BSF trypanosome forms. Changes in histopathology included congestion, infiltration with inflammatory cells, hemolysis and necrosis, all indicators of differential virulence of the forms. Conclusion: Our study identified higher pathogenicity in CNS relative to BFS derived trypanosome forms in the mouse model. We also identified KETRI 2656 as a suitable isolate for acute menigo- encephalitic studies.
Association between algal productivity and phycosphere composition in an outdoor Chlorella sorokiniana reactor based on multiple longitudinal analyses
Authors: Steichen Seth , Gao Song , Waller Peter , Brown Judith 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
BackgroundMicroalgae as a biofuel source are of great interest. The outdoor Regional Algal Feedstock Testbed (RAFT) was established to optimize algal biomass production in the U.S. sunbelt states. The phycosphere inhabitants, consisting in part of the bacterial community within algal cultures, are hypothesized to contribute to algal productivity. However, little is known about their identity or specific contributions. In this study the bacterial composition of the Chlorella sorokiniana phycosphere was determined over several production cycles in different growing seasons by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and identification using the SILVA database. ResultsThe C. sorokiniana bacterial phycosphere was sampled during 41 RAFT testbed cycles in two consecutive growing seasons. Eight reactors were sampled twice daily to establish baseline community composition, determined by high-throughput sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA amplicons. The baseline diversity of the phycosphere increased overall with time during each individual reactor run, based on an increase in Faith’s phylogenetic diversity metric versus days post-inoculation (R = 0.66, p < 0.001). Bacterial assemblages were identified in samples during the stationary, growth, and death stages. During summer months, Vampirovibrio chlorellavorus, an obligate predatory bacterium, was prevalent. The possibility that a sequence correlated with biomass productivity, days post-inoculation, dissolved oxygen, and weather measurements was assessed using a rank-based multinomial regression model. Bacterial sequences assigned to the Rhizobiales, Betaproteobacteriales, and Chitinophagales were positively associated with algal biomass productivity, the industry gold standard for establishing ‘efficiency’. Applications of the general biocide, benzalkonium chloride, to a subset of RAFT experiments intended to abate V. chlorellavorus appeared to temporarily suppress phycosphere bacterial growth, however, there was no relationship between those bacterial taxa suppressed by benzalkonium chloride and their association with algal productivity, based on multinomial model correlations. Algal health was approximated using a model-based metric, or the ‘Health Index’ that indicated a robust, positive relationship between C. sorokiniana fitness and presence of members belonging to the Burholderiaceae and Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium clade.ConclusionBacterial community composition was linked to the efficiency of microalgal biomass production and algal health. Thus, bacteria associated positively with algal growth represent potential indicators of culture health and/or as augmentative candidates for enhancing productivity.
Effectiveness and Feasibility of Using Local Medical University for Capacity Building to Improve Immunization Program in Ethiopia. Implementation Science Study
Authors: Amare Ashenafi T. , Toni Alemayehu T. , Mekonnen Zeleke A. , Endehabtu Berhanu F. , Tilahun Binyam C. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Supportive supervision is one of five essential components of the WHO’s Reaching Every District strategy, an operational approach to reach 90%, immunization coverage. However, it is not mostly practiced based on the standard schedule because of capacity and low number of staffs in the health system. When it is practiced after long interval, it focuses more on inspection and finding lacunas. Taking into account the 54 universities in Ethiopia, the fundamental idea in this implementation science research is to test the feasibility and effectiveness of a Capacity Building and Mentorship Program in Immunization (CBMPI) by medical and health science colleges aimed at supplementing the current approach. Methods: This study applied a pre-post quasi experimental research design. The study included health workers of 30 health facilities (15 intervention and 15 control) followed for six months. To assess effectiveness on immunization coverage and a change in reaching every district strategy implementation difference in difference analysis was used to estimate the effect of the intervention implementation over time. Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework was used to evaluate the implementation process. Results: The findings of the study indicated that the intervention package has a statistically significant effect (P=0.0001) in the overall implementation of Reaching Every District (RED) outcomes. The difference in difference analysis also indicated that health facilities in the intervention district have shown a higher Penta III coverage (17.4%) and complete vaccination coverage (16.6%) that is attributable to the intervention package. Similarly, knowledge and skills of health workers improved significantly (P<0.05) after the intervention in most of the performance measures. During the qualitative evaluation, the key informants mentioned that the CBMPI program was effective and the new approach was acceptable by health workers for integration in the routine EPI program. Conclusions: In conclusion, capacity building and mentorship by well-trained personnel with the appropriate knowledge and skills have positive effects on immunization program indicators. Thus, it is recommended to do implementation study within the framework of national immunization program to facilitate policy adoption and readiness for routine use in large scale. This work was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Grant Number OPP1191298
Dynamic monitoring of a migrating and penetrating intracardiac foreign body by echocardiography perioperatively
Authors: Huang HJ , Zhang S , Wang P , Ji XF , Wang ZN , zhao jiaqi 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Backgroud: Cardiac penetrating injuries caused by migrating foreign bodies are rare. The preoperative and intraoperative locating of these foreign bodies is challenging since their location may change with the continuous beat of the heart. Case presentation: We reported a case of cardiac penetrating injury caused by a self-inflicted needle that migrated from the neck to the heart. The needle was dynamically monitored by both transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) perioperatively, which showed a significant location change of the needle in the ventricular wall. The migrating distance of the needle moving into the right ventricle was about 2.0cm. The dynamic monitoring of the needle’s location using echocardiography helped clinical decisions and benefited the patient. Conclusions: Foreign bodies with sharp nature have a tendency to migrate though tissues and lead to serious complications. Echocardiography with a combination of both TTE and TEE has a unique advantage in providing real-time, continuous and accurate monitoring of cardiac foreign bodies. It helps to determine optimal surgical method without radiation hazards, which is worth popularizing in clinical practice.
Early secretory antigenic target 6 and culture filtrate protein 10 as diagnostic indicators in IgA nephropathy associated with renal tuberculosis
Authors: Fang Yong , You Xiao-Fang , Wang Qing-hui , Li Jun-hui 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: This study evaluated the diagnostic value of early secretory antigenic target 6 (ESAT-6) and culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP-10) in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) associated with renal tuberculosis (RT).Methods: Between January 2013 and January 2016, 40 patients with IgAN (IgAN group), 32 patients with RT (RT group), and 52 patients with IgAN associated with RT (IgAN + RT group) were selected for this study. A Tuberculin skin test (TST) was conducted, and serum Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) antibody levels were measured. Urine samples were collected to culture MTB. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to determine the expression of ESAT-6 and CFP-10 in renal tissues. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic values of ESAT-6 and CFP-10 in IgAN associated with RT.Results: TST, serum MTB antibody, and urine MTB assessments were negative in the IgAN group. The positive rates of the TST and serum MTB antibody and urine MTB testing were higher in the RT group than in the IgAN + RT group. Among the three groups, expression levels of ESAT-6 and CFP-10 were found to be the highest in the IgAN + RT group and were found to be the lowest in the IgAN group. The ROC curves indicated that the area under curve (AUC) value of ESAT-6 protein for IgAN + RT diagnosis was 0.907 with a cut-off of 26.72 as the critical value. Detection by ESAT-6 protein levels achieved 75.0% sensitivity and 94.2% specificity. The AUC value of the CFP-10 protein for diagnosis of IgAN + RT was 0.800, with a cut-off of 25.665 as the critical value. Detection by the protein levels of CFP-10 showed 63.9% sensitivity and 84.6% specificity.Conclusions: Our study provides evidence for the potential of the proteins ESAT-6 and CFP-10 as candidate markers for the diagnosis of IgAN associated with RT.
Gait speed and handgrip strength as predictors of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patient
Authors: Lee Yu Ho , Kim Jin Sug , Jung Su Woong , Hwang Hyeon Seok , Moon Ju-Young , Jeong Kyung-Hwan , Lee Sang-Ho , Lee So-Young , Ko Gang Jee , Lee Dong-Young , Lee Hong joo , Kim Yang Gyun 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Low physical performance in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis is associated with a high mortality rate. We investigated the clinical relevance of gait speed and handgrip strength, the two most commonly used methods to assess physical performance.Methods We obtained data regarding gait speed and handgrip strength from 277 hemodialysis patients and evaluated their relationship with baseline parameters, mental health, plasma inflammatory markers, and major adverse clinical outcomes. Low physical performance was defined by the recommendations suggested by the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia.Results The prevalence of low gait speed and handgrip strength were 28.2% and 44.8%, respectively. Old age, low serum albumin levels, high comorbidity index, and impaired cognitive functions were associated with low physical performance. Patients with isolated low gait speed exhibited a general trend for worse quality of life than those with isolated low handgrip strength. Gait speed and handgrip strength showed very weak correlations with had different determinant factors (older age, the presence of diabetes, and lower serum albumin for low gait speed, and lower body mass index, and the presence of previous cardiovascular events for low handgrip strength). Patients with low gait speed and handgrip strength had elevated levels of plasma endocan and matrix metalloproteinase-7 and the highest risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events among the groups (adjusted hazard ratio of 2.72, p = 0.024).Conclusion Gait speed and handgrip strength reflected distinctive aspects of patient characteristics and that their combination improved the prediction of adverse clinical outcomes in hemodialysis patients. Gait speed seems to be a better indicator for poor patient outcomes compared with handgrip strength.
Multilevel optimisation of anaerobic ethyl acetate production in engineered Escherichia coli
Authors: Bohnenkamp Anna Christina , Kruis Aleksander J. , Mars Astrid E. , Wijffels Rene H. , Oost John van der , Kengen Servé W. M. , Weusthuis Ruud A. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
BackgroundEthyl acetate is a widely used industrial solvent that is currently produced by chemical conversions from fossil resources. Several yeast species are able to convert sugars to ethyl acetate under aerobic conditions. However, performing ethyl acetate synthesis anaerobically may result in enhanced production efficiency, making the process economically more viable. ResultsWe engineered an E. coli strain that is able to convert glucose to ethyl acetate as the main fermentation product under anaerobic conditions. The key enzyme of the pathway is an alcohol acetyltransferase (AAT) that catalyses the formation of ethyl acetate from acetyl-CoA and ethanol. To select a suitable AAT, the ethyl acetate-forming capacities of Atf1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Eat1 from Kluyveromyces marxianus and Eat1 from Wickerhamomyces anomalus were compared. Heterologous expression of the AAT-encoding genes under control of the inducible LacI/T7 and XylS/Pm promoters allowed optimisation of their expression levels. ConclusionEngineering efforts on protein and fermentation level resulted in an E. coli strain that anaerobically produced ethyl acetate from glucose at an unprecedented level, i.e. 0.48 C-mol/C-mol or 72% of the maximum pathway yield.
Efficacy of electro-acupuncture for gastrointestinal motility after colorectal cancer surgery: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Feng yixuan , Qu Muwen , Gao Xiumei , Zhang yuru , Jia Xiaoqiang , Gao Yinqiu , Cao Weiwei , Li Junyi , Huang Bin , Zhao Hong 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Gastrointestinal dysfunction is a common and major complication after colorectal cancer surgery that results in significant psychological disturbance and economic burden. Although some studies have shown the potential therapeutic effect of acupuncture on gastrointestinal motility recovery, there is still a lack of high-quality evidence. Methods The trial is designed as a multicentre, parallel-group, randomized, single-blinded (outcome assessors), superiority, randomized trial. A total of 160 eligible patients will be randomly assigned to two groups: the electro-acupuncture (EA) group and the routine treatment (RT) group. Patients in the EA group will receive EA combined with routine treatment. EA will be administered for 30 minutes, once a day, starting 24 hours after surgery and lasting for 3 days. Patients in the RT group will receive routine intervention lasting until the patients are discharged from the hospital. The primary outcome will be the time to first flatus. The secondary outcomes will include the time to first defecation, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for postoperative incision pain or abdominal pain, quality of recovery-40 (QOR-40) scores and the length of hospital stay. These outcomes will be evaluated at 24 h as well as on the 2nd and 3rd days after surgery. Any side effects of the treatment will be observed and recorded. Discussion We expect that the study results will provide high-level evidence to determine the effects of EA on gastrointestinal motility recovery after colorectal cancer surgery.
The subsequent newborn effects of stillbirth and abortion, a longitudinal study.
Authors: Feleke Berhanu Elfu , Feleke Teferi Elfu 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Introduction This study was conducted to assess the effects of stillbirth and abortion on the health of the subsequent newborn. Methods A prospective cohort study was implemented. The data were collected from January 2015 to August 2019. The study participants were selected using the simple random sampling technique. The data were collected using interviewing the pregnant mothers, reviewing medical charts, analyzing the blood samples from the newborn, and scheduled medical checkups. General linear model was used to assess the effects of stillbirth and abortion on the health of the newborn, Poisson regression was used to identify predictors of childhood infectious diseases episodes and Kaplan Meier survival curve were used to estimate time to childhood pneumonia and diarrhea. Results 2872 infants were included giving for the response rate of 88.97%. Neonate born from mothers with a previous history of stillbirth or abortion had low birth weight, low serum iron, and zinc levels. High infection episodes of diarrhea and pneumonia were observed among infants born from a previous history of stillbirth and abortion mothers. The infection episodes during the childhood period were determined by serum zinc level [IRR 0.71; 95% CI: 0.61- 0.83], birth weight [IRR 0.86; 95% CI: 0.81 – 0.91], breastfeeding frequency [IRR 0.9; 95% CI: 0.87-0.93]. Conclusion The birth weight, serum iron and zinc levels of neonates born from the previous history of stillbirth and abortion were lower. The infection episodes of newborns born from mothers with previous history stillbirth or abortion were higher.
Epidemiological changes in child surgical activity. Analysis of 17 years in a tertiary care hospital in Mexico
Authors: Pizarro-Altamirano Maria Fernanda , Trousselle-Peralta Michelle , Soriano-Rosales Rosa Eugenia , Carmona-Librado Silvio , Esparza-Aguilar Marcelino , Villagomez-Martinez Sandra María , Rodriguez-Jurado Rodolfo , Lopez-Simental Maria Magdalena , Gonzalez-Zamora Jose Francisco 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Surgical care is an essential component to achieve universal health coverage. An increase in children's surgical burden is recognized worldwide, but changes in the epidemiological profile associated with global geographic heterogeneity are to be expected. The aims of this study are to analyse the prevalence and epidemiological changes of surgical activity in a tertiary center in Mexico. Methods: Ambispective cohort study. Institutional records were reviewed searching for children’s surgeries in the period comprising 2001-2017. The variables analyzed were age, sex, number of surgeries per subject, and mortality rate; regarding the interventions, kind of inward stay, kind of surgery (ICD 9 CM), ward or department responsible, and perioperative mortality rate (POMR). Results: Of the 104,578 institutional admissions, 37% were surgical procedures of preschool-aged children (30.2%), and infants (27.3%). These tended to decrease, while for adolescents to increase. A total of 84,859 surgeries were performed (1.36 per operating room/day), averaging 4.992 per year, with a marginal tendency to increase. 65.8% of procedures required hospitalization. The systems more frequently intervened were: musculoskeletal system (20.1%, tending to increase), digestive system (19.5%), and cardiovascular system (11.3%). The overall mortality rate of surgical admissions was 5.5%, with POMR of 1.54%. Conclusion: The institutional epidemiological profile has changed, and relevant trends were identified. We corroborated the presence of global geographic heterogeneity with analogous hospitals
Application of a novel teaching model integrating multiple teaching methods in periodontology education for Chinese undergraduates
Authors: Yang Xue , Chen Shuangshuang , Ma Chunliang , Fan Xingyu , Song Jia , Pan Yaping , Tang Xiaolin 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: The present research aims to explore and evaluate a novel teaching model called FC-integration, which integrates multiple teaching methods including flipped classroom, case-based learning (CBL), problem-based learning (PBL) and team-based learning (TBL) assisted by Rain Classroom in periodontology education for Chinese undergraduates. Methods: 200 senior undergraduate students in Grade 2012, 2013 and 2015 were involved in this study from 2016 to 2019. The novel teaching model was applied to the chapter "gingival disease" for Grade 2013 and 2015 students (F group, n=118). As the control, the teacher gave a traditional lecture on the chapter "periodontitis" for Grade 2013 and 2015 students (T group 1, n=118) and the chapter " gingival disease " for Grade 2012 students (T group 2, n=82). The students finished a questionnaire and a quiz after the class. Results: (1) The classroom atmosphere was more inspiring and animating in the F group than in the T group. The questionnaire survey showed higher satisfaction in the F group than in the T group (73.73% vs. 58.47%, P< 0.05). In addition, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score in the F group was higher than that in the T group (7.69±1.69 vs. 7.03±1.91, P <0.05). (2) The average score on the quiz in the F group was higher than in the T group 1 (71.60±13.74 vs. 55.03±16.83, P <0.05) and T group 2 ( 71.60±13.74 vs. 63.92±12.34, P <0.05). Conclusions: The application of the novel model could help students improve their learning efficiency and clinical skills in the diagnosis and therapy of periodontal diseases.