bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age, gender and BCG vaccination status as risk factors for Leprosy in endemic areas of northern Brazil.
Authors: Lima Luana Nepomuceno Gondim Costa , Paz Jasna Letícia Pinto , Silvestre Maria do Perpétuo Socorro Corrêa Amador , Moura Letícia Siqueira , Furlaneto Ismari Perini , Lima Karla Valéria Batista 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background In 2018, 208.619 new cases of the leprosy were reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). Of these, 30.957 occurred in the Americas region and 28.660 (92.6% of the total in the Americas) were reported in Brazil. This study aimed to show the reality of the profile of a population in an endemic leprosy area in northern Brazil in relation to age, gender and BCG (bacilo Calmette-Guérin) vaccination status, through the collection of data in the field with evaluation of the study individuals, recruited by spontaneous demand.Methods 405 individuals participated in the study, being 100 multibacillary, 57 paucibacillary and 248 healthy contacts.Results A relationship was observed between the occurrence of the disease, as well as the multibacillary form with the largest age group. The male gender was associated with leprosy per se, with the multibacillary form and was the largest representative of the group that was not vaccinated once.Conclusion BCG vaccination was effective both in protecting against leprosy per se and in the multibacillary form. These results are limited by sample size, may not be conclusive and will need further confirmation in a larger cohort.
Construction and Validation of a Metabolic Risk Model Predicting Prognosis of Colon Cancer
Authors: Li Chao , Liu Tao , Yue Meng , Zuo Didi , Zhang Jiantao 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background

Metabolic genes have played a significant role in tumor development and prognosis. In this study, we constructed a metabolic risk model to predict the prognosis of colon cancer based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO).
Methods

We downloaded gene expression profile from TCGA database and retrieved differentially expressed metabolic genes. Then we conducted univariate cox regression analysis and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis to identify prognosis-related genes and construct the metabolic risk model. Then we validated the risk model in TCGA and GEO datasets by Kaplan-Meier analysis, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC), risk score, univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis. Finally, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways and GO (Gene Ontology) enrichment analyses were conducted to reveal the biological processes and pathways of genes by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA).
Results

We extracted 753 metabolic genes and identified 139 differentially expressed metabolic genes from TCGA database. Then 15 prognostic genes were dug out and 8 genes were filtered into LASSO cox regression analysis. An eight-gene prognostic model was constructed after 1000 resamples. The gene signature has been proved to have an excellent ability to predict prognosis by validation based on TCGA and GEO database. Finally, GSEA showed that multiplex metabolism pathways correlated with colon cancer.
Conclusion

We identified eight metabolic prognostic genes and developed a metabolic risk model based on TCGA and GEO database to predict overall survival rate of colon cancer.
Bacterial etiology of lower respiratory tract infection:a surveillance report from a Chinese large teaching hospital from 2015 to 2019
Authors: zhang zhen , tian lei 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background

Sputum is the most common specimen type of lower respiratory tract in China, but its cultivation result is easily confused by the bacteria colonized in the oral cavity and pharynx. It is very difficult to evaluate the clinical significance of sputum culture results both for clinicians and microbiologists. Bronchoscope alveolus lavage fluid(BALF)is a good specimen, which can accurately reflect the situation of lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs).
Methods

The accumulated data of BALF culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test in our hospital from January 2015 to October 2019 were reviewed and analyzed.
Results

The positive rate of BALF culture in our hospital was 18.3% (3467/18935) in 2015–2019. The most common pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.1%, 627/3467), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.9%, 587/3467) and Acinetobacter baumannii (14.0%, 485/3467). For the eight most common pathogens, 40–70 years old was the highest age of distribution, but for Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pneumoniae, 0–5 years old was also the higher age of distribution. The antibiotic resistance rate of K. pneumoniae to imipenem and meropenem was 30.6% and 30.8%, respectively. The sensitivity of P. aeruginosa to antibiotics other than minocycline and ticarcillin clavulanic acid was all more than 60%. However, the resistance rate of A. baumannii to antibiotics other than tegacyclin and minocycline was all more than 80%.
Conclusions

40–70 years old was the high incidence age of lower respiratory tract bacterial infection. K. pneumoniae resistant to carbapenems (CR-K. pneumoniae) and A. baumannii were a great challenge to clinical treatment and bacterial resistance control.
A Candidate Multi-Epitope Vaccine Against Pathogenic Chandipura Vesiculovirus Identified using Immunoinformatics.
Authors: Deb Debashrito , Basak Srijita , Kar Tamalika , Narsaria Utkarsh , Castiglione Filippo , Paul Abhirup , Pandey Ashutosh , Srivast Anurag Prakash 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Chandipura vesiculovirus (CHPV) is a rapidly emerging pathogen responsible for causing acute encephalitis. Due to its widespread occurrence in Asian and African countries, this has become a global threat, and there is an urgent need to design an effective and non-allergenic vaccine against this pathogen. The conventional method of vaccine design involves large proteins or whole organism which leads to unnecessary antigenic load with increased chances of allergenic reactions. In addition, the process is also very time consuming and labour intensive. These limitations can be overcome by peptide-based vaccines comprising of short immunogenic peptide fragments that can elicit highly targeted immune responses, avoiding the chances of allergenic reactions, in a relatively shorter time span. The multi-epitope vaccine constructed using CTL, HTL and IFN-γ epitopes was able to elicit specific immune responses when exposed to the pathogen, in-silico. Not only that, Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation studies confirmed a stable interaction of the vaccine with the immune receptors. Several physicochemical analyses of the designed vaccine candidate confirmed it to be highly immunogenic and non-allergic. The computer-aided analysis performed in this study suggests that the designed multi-epitope vaccine can elicit specific immune responses and can be a potential candidate against CHPV.
Outcomes in patients with pT3N0M0 breast cancer with and without postmastectomy radiotherapy
Authors: Li Chunyan , Wang Jiangfeng , Mo Miao , Yuan Jing , Luo Jurui , Jin Kairui , Wang Xuanyi , Yang Yilan , Ma Jinli , Mei Xin , Yang Zhaozhi , Yu Xiaoli , Guo Xiaomao , Chen Xingxing 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background The role of adjuvant postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) remains controversial for patients with pT3N0M0 breast cancer after mastectomy, especially when patients were treated with the updated adjuvant chemotherapy and much more advanced radiation technology. The present analysis compared locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) in pT3N0M0 patients treated with mastectomy, stratified by PMRT use.Methods Between October 2000 and 8 September 2016, the database of the Breast Cancer Center of Shanghai yielded 114 patients with node-negative non-metastatic breast cancer with tumors >5 cm. Fifty-nine (51.8%) received adjuvant PMRT. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to assess the risk factors for survival. Differences between the two groups were compared using the log-rank test.Results The median follow-up was 62.3 months. Five-year LRFS was 100% in the PMRT group vs. 98.1% in the non-PMRT group (P=0.17); 5-year DFS was 93.2% in the PMRT group vs. 90.5% in the non-PMRT group (P=0.40). Univariate analysis identified a family history of malignant tumors, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), or triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) molecular subtype were associated with higher locoregional recurrence (LRR) (P<0.05); furthermore, patients who were estrogen receptor-negative (P=0.0593) or who had grade 3 histologic features (P=0.0776) tended to have a higher rate of LRR. No PMRT was the only risk factor independently associated with poorer DFS (P=0.042) on multivariate analysis. No difference in BCSS was observed between the two groups.Conclusions The present study demonstrated a low LRR rate and good survival for node-negative breast cancer >5 cm. PMRT tended to improve LRFS and significantly improved DFS. Patients with risk factors including positive family history, TNBC subtype, LVI positivity, and grade 3 disease are at high risk for LRR and might benefit from PMRT.
Genetic Variations in MexAB-OprM Efflux Pump Regulators and Their Association with Antibiotic Resistance and Sequence type in Clinical and Epidemiologically High-risk Clones of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.
Authors: Aguilar-Rodea Pamela , Zúñiga Gerardo , Cerritos René , Rodríguez-Espino Benjamín Antonio , Rodea Gerardo E. , Reyes-López Alfonso , Arroyo Ana Estela Gamiño , Galindo Juan Carlos Vigueras , Castellanos-Cruz María del Carmen , Parra-Ortega Israel , Clavijo Hector Olivares , VELAZQUEZ-GUADARRAMA NORMA , Rosas-Pérez Irma 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major opportunistic pathogen involved in healthcare-associated infections with high mortality rates. This bacterium exhibits elevated resistance to a wide range of antibiotics, resulting in part from the overexpression of efflux pumps, among which MexAB-OprM stands out as constitutive. Antibiotic resistance in clinical isolates is associated with mutations in the mexR, nalC, and nalD repressors that modulate the expression of this efflux pump. This study identifies point mutations in the mexR, nalC, and nalD genes and investigates their associations with antibiotic resistance and sequence type in clinical and epidemiologically high-risk clones of P. aeruginosa. Results: A total of 91 P. aeruginosa strains isolated at a pediatric hospital in Mexico (2007–2015) were classified according to their resistance to antibiotics. The strains were typed by multilocus sequencing of 7 genes. The MexAB-OprM efflux pump phenotype was determined using the minimal inhibitory concentration for the reporter antibiotic carbenicillin in the presence/absence of the efflux pump inhibitor Phe-Arg-β-naphthylamine. Sequencing of the mexR, nalC, and nalD genes to identify mutations was performed. Genetic relationship among the strains was evaluated by a phylogenetic inference analysis using maximum likelihood to construct a phylogenetic network. The relationship between variables was determined by a principal component analysis. STs revealed six main complexes. Mutations in the mexR, nalC, and nalD genes revealed 27 different haplotypes. Pan-drug and extensive drug resistant profiles were associated with specific STs with haplotypes 1 (ST1725, endemic clone), 8, 12 (ST233, epidemiologically high-risk clone), and 5 [related to dead when compared to ST1725 and ST233 (RRR 23.34; p=0.009 and RRR 32.01; p=0.025)], however the resistance in these strains was not mainly attributed to the MexAB-OprM phenotype. Strains with the same haplotype and resistant profile showed different pump behavior.Conclusions: A significant relationship between ST and resistant profiles was observed; on one hand, the mexR-nalC-nalD haplotypes were not related to the MexAB-OprM efflux pump phenotypic behavior. On the other hand, the relationship between mexR-nalC-nalD haplotypes and phylogenetically related ST, suggest mutations in these repressors are highly maintained within these STs.
Phase II Study of Capecitabine Combined With Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy After D1/D2 Lymph Node Dissection in Patients with Gastric Cancer
Authors: Ren Hua , Wang Xin , Wang Wei-Hu , Wang Shu-Lian , Song Yong-Wen , Liu Yue-Ping , Tang Yuan , Li Ning , Liu Wen-Yang , Fang Hui , Li Ye-Xiong , Zhao Dong-Bing , Chi Yihebali , Yang Lin , Jin Jing 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (ACRT) with oral capecitabine and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) was well tolerated in a phase I study in patients who had undergone partial or total gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer. This phase II study aimed to further determine the efficacy and toxicity of this combination after radical resection and D1/D2 lymph node dissection (LND) for local advanced gastric patients.Methods: Forty patients (median age, 53 years; range, 24–71 years) with pathologically confirmed adenocarcinoma who underwent D1/D2 LND were included in this study. The patients received ACRT comprising IMRT (total irradiation dose: 45 Gy delivered in daily 1.8-Gy fractions on 5 days a week over 5 weeks) and capecitabine chemotherapy (dose: 800 mg/m² twice daily throughout the duration of RT). The primary study endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS) and the secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), toxic effects, and treatment compliance.Results: The 3-year DFS and OS were 66.2% and 75%, respectively. The median time to recurrence was 19.5 months (range, 6.1–68 months). Peritoneal implantation (n = 10) was the most common recurrence pattern, and the lung was the most common site of extra-abdominal metastases (n = 5). Nine patients developed grade 3 or 4 toxicities during ACRT. Two patients discontinued ACRT, while 11 underwent ACRT without receiving the entire course of capecitabine. There were no treatment-related deaths.Conclusion: The ACRT protocol described herein showed acceptable safety and efficacy for local advanced gastric cancer received radical gastrectomy and D1/2 LND.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01674959. Registered August 2012 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN12345678
The suitability of glioblastoma cell lines as models for primary glioblastoma cell metabolism
Authors: Arthurs Anya Lara , Keating Damien J , Conn Simon J 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Background
In contrast to most non-malignant cells, cells comprising Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a deadly brain tumour with extremely poor prognosis, preferentially utilise glycolysis over oxidative phosphorylation for metabolism in a phenomenon known as the ‘Warburg effect’. As effective treatments for GBM are severely lacking, research into therapeutics targeting the disease’s highly glycolytic state offer a promising avenue to improve patient survival. These studies often employ GBM cell lines for in vitro studies which translate poorly to the in vivo patient context.
Methods
The metabolic traits of the seven most commonly used GBM cell lines were assessed using a Seahorse Bioscience Metabolic Flux Analyser and compared to primary GBM cells and primary healthy mixed neural cells from the same patients.
Results
In support of the glycolytic nature of the patient-derived GBM cell lines, basal mitochondrial rate (p = 0.043) and ATP-linked respiration (p < 0.001) were significantly lower than primary adjacent normal cells from the same patient and reserve capacity (p = 0.037) and Krebs Cycle capacity (p = 0.002) were significantly higher for 12 patients. While no cell line was found to accurately replicate all metabolic attributes of primary GBM cells, specific parameters could be modelled by specific lines.
Conclusions
U251MG, U373MG and D54 lines are recommended for researching mitochondrial metabolism, and the D645 line for researching ATP-linked respiration. The T98G cell line recapitulated glycolysis-related metabolic parameters of the primary GBM cells and is recommended for research relating to glycolysis. These findings can guide preclinical research into the development of novel therapeutics targeting metabolic pathways in GBM.
Virtual adaptation of healthcare quality improvement training programmes in response to COVID-19: A rapid narrative review
Authors: Khurshid Zuneera , Brún Aoife De , Moore Gemma , McAuliffe Professor Eilish 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Information and communication technology is playing a major role in ensuring continuity of healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has also disrupted healthcare quality improvement (QI) training and education for healthcare professionals and there is a need to rethink the way QI training and education is delivered. The purpose of this rapid evidence review is to quickly but comprehensively collate studies to identify what works and what does not in delivering QI training and education using distance-learning modalities. Three healthcare databases were searched along with grey literature sources for studies published between 2015 and 2020. Studies with QI training programmes or courses targeting healthcare professionals and students with at least one component of the programme being delivered online were included. A total of nineteen studies were included in the review. Most studies had a mixed methods design and used blended learning methods, combining online and in-person delivery modes. Most of the included studies reported achieving desired outcomes, including improved QI knowledge, skills and attitudes of participants and improved clinical outcomes for patients. Some benefits of online QI training delivery include fewer required resources, reducing the need for on-site instructors, increased programme reach, and more control and flexibility over learning time for participants. Some limitations of online delivery modes include limited learning and networking opportunities, functional and technical problems and long lead time for content adaptation and customization. The review highlights that distance learning approaches to QI help in overcoming barriers to traditional QI training. Virtual training environment holds great potential in delivering standardised training and distance collaborations which will be of utmost importance in the post-COVID environment. The review offers guidance on important questions to be considered in delivering QI programmes through distance learning modes.
Developing and validating the risk perceptions and behavioral responses questionnaire for COVID-19 (Risk PreceptCOVID-19): an application of the extended parallel process model
Authors: Jahangiry Leila , Sarbakhsh Parvin , Reihani Parvin , Samei Sirous , Sohrabi Zahara , Tavousi Mahmoud , Mintazeri Ali 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: In order to understand how people perceive, process, and respond to COVID-19 risk information, a valid and reliable instrument is needed. This study aimed to develop an instrument to measure the risk perceptions of people about COVID-19 based on the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Tabriz, Iran. First, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to develop the initial draft of Risk-percept COVID-19. Then, in order to obtain a pre-final version of the instrument, face and content validity were conducted. After that, construct validity (exploratory and confirmatory), internal consistency using test-retest reliability and Cronbach’s alpha of the instrument were measured. Results: Forty two item were initially generated. During the content validity, it was reduced to 29 items. The exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed four factors (perceived response efficacy, perceived threats (severity and susceptibility), perceived self-efficacy, and defensive responses (denial, avoidance and reactance) that accounted for 49.97 of the observed variance. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) designated a model with appropriate fitness for the data. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the dimensions ranged from .697 to .793, and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) ranged from .71 to .80 within acceptable ranges. Conclusion: the current findings show that the Risk-percept COVID-19 is a valid and reliable instrument to assess the cognitions and perceptions of adults.
Studies on Highly Dense Pure YIG Polycrystalline Ceramics Fabricated by Tape-casting Method
Authors: Zhao Chong , Li Yingkui , Shen Xiaofei , Cao Zhijun , Cao Zhiquan , Wen Zicheng , Yuan Xuanyi , Ma Chaoyang , Cao Yongge 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Pure phase Y3Fe5O12 (YIG) ceramics was successfully produced by tape-casting forming process and one-step solid-state reaction method. With the sintering temperature above 1100 ºC, the pure phase YIG ceramics was synthesized with no YIP or Fe2O3 phase in XRD patterns. YIG ceramic sintering at 1400 ºC for 10 h showed a clear grain structure with an obvious grain boundary, and no pores were observed in the SEM images. YIG ceramics in this paper has a high relative density which was 99.8% and the saturation magnetization was 28.2 emu/g at room temperature. The hysteresis loss at temperatures of 230-360 K was smaller than 10 mJ/kg. The tan Se was nearly zero at 6~7 GHz and 11~12 GHz, showing that it can be used as a good material for microwave applications. In addition, the low values of tan and tan indicates that it may have a good electromagnetic wave absorption ability.
Epidemiological Characteristics of COVID-19 under Government-mandated Control Measures in Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Du Sha , Lu Haiwen , Su Yuenan , Bi Shufeng , Wu Jing , Wang Wenrui , Yu Xinhui , Yang Min , Zheng Huiqiu , Wang Xuemei 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThere were 75 local confirmed cases during the COVID-19 epidemic followed by an outbreak of Wuhan in Inner Mongolia. The aims of our study were to provide reference to control measures of COVID-19 and scientific information for supporting government decision-making for serious infectious disease, in remote regions with relatively insufficient medical resources like Inner Mongolia.MethodsThe data published by Internet were summarized in order to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19. The basic reproductive number (R 0 ), incubation period, time from illness onset to confirmed and the duration of hospitalization were analyzed. The composition of imported and local secondary cases and the mild/common and severe/critical cases among different ages, genders and major clinical symptoms were compared.ResultsIn 2020, from January 23 to February 19 (less than 1 month), 75 local cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Inner Mongolia. Among them, the median age was 45 years old (34.0, 57.0), and 61.1% were male and 33 were imported (44.0%). 29 (38.7%) were detected through close contact tracking, more than 80.0% were mild/common cases. The fatality rate was 1.3% and the basic reproductive number (R 0 ) was estimated to be 2.3. The median incubation period was 8.5 days (6.0~12.0) and the maximum incubation period reached 28 days. There was a statistically difference in the incubation period between imported and local secondary cases ( P <0.001). The duration of hospitalization of patients with incubation period <8.5 days was higher than that of patients with incubation period ≥8.5 days (30.0 vs. 24.0 days).ConclusionIn Inner Mongolia, an early and mandatory control strategy by government associated with the rapidly reduced incidence of COVID-19, by which the epidemic growth was controlled completely. And the fatality rate of COVID-19 was relatively low.