bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A retrospective cohort investigation of seroprevalence of Marburg virus and ebolaviruses in two different ecological zones in Uganda
Authors: Nyakarahuka Luke , Schafer Ilana J. , Balinandi Stephen , Mulei Sophia , Tumusiime Alex , Kyondo Jackson , Knust Barbara , Lutwama Julius J , Rollin Pierre , Nichol Stuart , Shoemaker Trevor 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Uganda has experienced seven Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreaks and four Marburg Virus disease (MVD) outbreaks between 2000 and 2019. We investigated the seroprevalence and risk factors for Marburg virus and ebolaviruses in gold mining communities around Kitaka gold mine in Western Uganda, and compared them to non-mining communities in Central Uganda.Methods: A questionnaire was administered and human blood samples were collected from three exposure groups in Western Uganda (gold miners, household members of miners, non-miners living within 50 km of Kitaka mine). The unexposed controls group sampled was community members in Central Uganda far away from any gold mining activity which we considered as low-risk for filovirus infection. ELISA serology was used to analyse samples, detecting IgG antibodies against Marburg virus and ebolaviruses (filoviruses). Data was analysed in STATA software using risk ratios and odds ratios. Results: Miners in western Uganda were 5.4 times more likely to be filovirus seropositive compared to the control group in central Uganda (RR=5.4; 95% CI 1.5 – 19.7) whereas people living in high-risk areas in Ibanda and Kamwenge disricts were 3.6 more likely to be seropositive compared to control group in Luweeero district (RR=3.6; 95% CI 1.1 – 12.2) . Among all participants, filovirus seropositivity was 2.6% (19/724) of which 2.5% (18/724) was to Sudan virus and 0.1 % (1/724) to Marburg virus. One individual seropositive for Sudan virus also had IgG antibodies reactive to Bundibugyo virus. The risk factors for filovirus seropositivity identified included mining (AOR=3.4; 95% CI 1.3-8.5), male sex (AOR=3.1; 95% CI 1.01 - 9.5), going inside mines (AOR=3.1; 95% CI 1.2 - 8.2), cleaning corpses (AOR=3.1; 95% CI 1.04 - 9.1) and contact with suspect filovirus cases (AOR=3.9, 95% CI 1.04 -14.5). Conclusions: These findings indicate that filovirus outbreaks may go undetected in Uganda and people involved in artisan gold mining are more likely to be exposed to infection with either Marburg virus or ebolaviruses, likely due to increased risk of exposure to bats. This calls for active surveillance in known high-risk areas for early detection and response to prevent filovirus epidemics.
A convenient clinical nomogram for predicting the cancer-specific survival of individual patients with small-intestine adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang Na , Yang Jin , Lyu Jun , Liu Qingqing , He Hairong , Liu Jie , Li Li , Ren Xuequn , Li Zhendong 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: The objective of this study was to develop a practical nomogram for predicting the cancer-specific survival (CSS) of patients with small-intestine adenocarcinoma . Methods: Patients diagnosed with small-intestine adenocarcinoma between 2010 and 2015 were selected for inclusion in this study from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The selected patients were randomly divided into the training and validation cohorts at a ratio of 7:3. The predictors of CSS were identified by applying both forward and backward stepwise selection methods in a Cox regression model . The performance of the nomogram was measured by the concordance index (C-index), the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) , calibration plots, the net reclassification improvement (NRI), the integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) , and decision-curve analysis (DCA). Results: Multivariate Cox regression indicated that factors including age at diagnosis, sex, marital status, insurance status, histology grade, SEER stage, surgery status, T stage, and N stage were independent covariates associated with CSS. These factors were used to construct a predictive model, which was built and virtualized by a nomogram. The C-index of the constructed nomogram was 0.850. The AUC values indicated that the established nomogram displayed better discrimination performance than did the seventh edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging system in predicting CSS. The IDI and NRI also showed that the nomogram exhibited superior performance in both the training and validation cohorts. Furthermore, the calibrated nomogram predicted survival rates that closely corresponded to actual survival rates, while the DCA demonstrated the considerable clinical usefulness of the nomogram. Conclusion: We have constructed a nomogram for predicting the CSS of small-intestine adenocarcinoma patients . This prognostic model may improve the ability of clinicians to predict survival in individual patients and provide them with treatment recommendations.
High incidence of surgical site infection may be related to suboptimal case selection for non-selective arterial embolization during resuscitation of patients with pelvic fractures: A retrospective study
Authors: Lai Chih-Yang , Tseng I-Chuan , Su Chun-Yi , Hsu Yung-Heng , Chou Ying-Chao , Chen Huan-Wu , Yu Yi-Hsun 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background : In most institutions, arterial embolization (AE) remains a standard procedure to achieve hemostasis during the resuscitation of patients with pelvic fractures. However, the actual benefits from AE are controversial. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed data from patients who were treated for closed pelvic fractures at a single center between 2014 and 2017. Data regarding the AE and clinical parameters were analyzed to determine whether poor outcomes could be predicted. Results : During the study period, 545 patients were treated for closed pelvic fractures, including 131 patients who underwent angiography and 129 patients who underwent AE. Nonselective bilateral internal iliac artery embolization (nBIIAE) was the major AE strategy (74%). Relative to the non-AE group, the AE group had higher values for the injury severity score, shock at hospital arrival, and unstable fracture patterns. Furthermore, relative to the non-AE group, the AE group was more likely to require osteosynthesis and experience surgical site infection (SSI). Fourteen patients (10.9%) experienced late complications following the AE intervention, including 3 men who had impotence at the 12-month follow-up visit and 11 patients who experienced SSIs after undergoing AE and osteosynthesis (incidence of SSI: 11/75 patients, 14.7%). Nine of the 11 patients who experienced SSI after AE had undergone nBIIAE. The positive predictive value of contrast extravasation (CE) during computed tomography (CT) was 29.6%, with a negative predictive value of 91.3%. Relative to patients with identifiable CE, patients without identifiable CE during CT had a higher mortality rate (30.0% vs. 11.0%, p = 0.03). Conclusion : Performing AE for pelvic fracture-related hemorrhage may not be the best practice for patients with no CE detected during CT or for unstable patients who do not respond to resuscitation after excluding other sources of hemorrhage. Given the high incidence of SSI following nBIIAE, this procedure should be carefully selected. Other hemostasis procedures, such as preperitoneal pelvic packing, might be appropriate for patients without CE during imaging, based on their high mortality rate.
TNF-α inhibitor therapy can improve the immune imbalance of CD4+ T cells and negative regulatory cells but not CD8+ T cells in ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Yang Mingcan , Lv Qing , Wei Qiujing , Jiang Yutong , Qi Jun , Xiao Min , Fang Linkai , Xie Ya , Cao Shuangyan , Lin Zhiming , Zhang Yanli , Tu Liudan , Zhao Minjing , Pan Yunfeng , Jin Ou , Gu Jieruo 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Studies into ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and its relationship with immune function are controversial, and the correlation between the efficacy of TNF-α inhibitor and changes in immune function is unclear.Methods: A total of 40 immune cells were tested with flow cytometry, and the results of 105 HC (healthy control) subjects, 177 active-stage AS patients, and 23 AS cases before and after 12 weeks of TNF-α inhibitor therapy (Anbainuo) were analyzed.Results: Compared with the HC group, the proportion of immune cells, such as naïve and central memory CD4+T cells, in AS increased (p<0.0001), but effector memory and terminally differentiated CD4+T cells were decreased (p<0.01 and 0.0001, respectively). Naïve, central memory, and effector memory CD8+T cells were increased (p<0.0001, 0.001, and 0.01, respectively), but terminally differentiated CD8+T cells were decreased (p<0.0001). Th1 cells (helper T cells-1), Tfh1 cells (follicular helper T cells-1), Tc1 cells (cytotoxic T cells-1), and Tregs (regulatory T cells) were lower (p<0.01, 0.05, 0.0001, and 0.001, respectively), but Th17 cells, Tfh17 cells, and Tc cells were higher (p<0.001, 0.0001 and 0.001, respectively). The proportions of total B cells and class-switched B cells were increased (p<0.05), but non-switched B cells, plasma cells, memory B cells, and immature Bregs (regulatory B cells) were lower (p<0.01, 0.0001, 0.0001, and 0.0001, respectively). After Anbainuo therapy, the percentage of naïve CD4+ T cells had decreased (p<0.05) but Tregs and B10 cells (IL-10-producing regulatory B cells) had increased (p<0.01and 0.05, respectively), and the increase in Tregs was positively correlated with the decrease in CRP (C-reactive protein) (r= 0.489, p=0.018). Conclusions: We found that active-stage AS patients have an immunity imbalance involving multiple types of immune cells, including CD4+T cells, CD8+T cells, Th cells, Tfh cells, Tc cells, Tregs, Bregs, and B cells. TNF-α inhibitor Anbainuo can not only help to inhibit disease activity but can also improve the immune imbalance of CD4+ T cells and negative regulatory cells. But CD8 + T cells have not been rescued.
Prevalence and phylogeny of Chlamydiae and hemotropic mycoplasma species in captive and free-living bats
Authors: Fritschi Janine , Marti Hanna , Seth-Smith Helena M.B. , Aeby Sébastien , Greub Gilbert , Meli Marina L. , Hofmann-Lehmann Regina , Mühldorfer Kristin , Stokar-Regenscheit Nadine , Wiederkehr Danja , Pilo Paola , Broek Peggy Van Den , Borel Nicole 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Bats are hosts for a variety of microorganisms, however, little is known about the presence of Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasmas. This study investigated 475 captive and free-living bats from Switzerland, Germany and Costa Rica for Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasmas by PCR to determine the prevalence and phylogeny of these organisms.Results: Screening for Chlamydiales resulted in a total prevalence of 31.4%. Positive samples originated from captive and free-living bats from all three countries. Sequencing of 15 samples allowed the detection of two phylogenetically distinct groups. These groups share sequence identities to Chlamydiaceae, and to Chlamydia-like organisms including Rhabdochlamydiaceae and unclassified Chlamydiales from environmental samples, respectively.PCR analysis for the presence of hemotropic mycoplasmas resulted in a total prevalence of 0.7%, comprising free-living bats from Germany and Costa Rica. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed three sequences related to other unidentified mycoplasmas found in vampire bats and Chilean bats.Conclusions: Bats can harbor Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasmas and the newly described sequences in this study indicate that the diversity of these bacteria in bats is much larger than previously thought. Both, Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasmas are not restricted to certain bat species or countries and captive and free-living bats can be colonized. In conclusion, bats represent another potential host or vector for novel, previously unidentified, Chlamydiales and hemotropic mycoplasmas.
Implementation of a Quality Improvement Strategy to Increase Outpatient Kidney Transplant Referrals
Authors: Farouk Samira , Atallah Sarah , Campbell Kirk N , Vassalotti Joseph A , Uribarri Jaime 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Kidney transplantation remains the optimal therapy for patients with end stage kidney disease (ESKD), though a small fraction of patients on dialysis are on organ waitlists. An important barrier to preemptive kidney transplantation and successful waitlisting is timely referral to a kidney transplant center. We implemented a quality improvement strategy to improve outpatient kidney transplant referrals in a single center academic outpatient nephrology clinic. Methods: Over a 3 month period (July 1 - September 30, 2016), we assessed the baseline kidney transplantation referral rate at our outpatient nephrology clinic for patients 18 - 75 years old with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 20 mL/min/1.73m 2 (2 values over 90 days apart). Charts were manually reviewed by two reviewers to look for kidney transplant referrals and documentation of discussions about kidney transplantation. We then performed a root cause analysis to explore potential barriers to kidney transplantation. Our intervention began on July 1, 2017 and included the implementation of a column in the electronic medical record (EMR) which displayed the patient's last eGFR as part of the clinic schedule. Physicians were given a document listing their patients to be seen that day with an eGFR of < 20 mL/min/1.73m 2 . Results: 54 unique patients with eGFR ≤ 20 ml/min/1.73 m 2 were identified who were seen in the Clinic between July 1, 2016 and September 30, 2016. 29.6% (16) eligible patients were referred for kidney transplantation evaluation. 69.5% (37) of these patients were not referred for kidney transplant evaluation. 46.3% (25) did not have documentation regarding kidney transplant in the EMR. Following the intervention, 66 unique patients met criteria for eligibility for kidney transplant evaluation. Kidney transplant referrals increased to 60.6% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our pilot implementation study of a strategy to improve outpatient kidney transplant referrals showed that a free, simple, scalable intervention can significantly improve kidney transplant referrals in the outpatient setting Next steps include further study of the impact of early referral to kidney transplant centers on preemptive and living donor kidney transplantation as well as successful waitlisting.
The impact of body mass index on adaptive immune cells in the human bone marrow
Authors: Pangrazzi Luca , Naismith Erin , Miggitsch Carina , Arana Jose’ Antonio Carmona , Keller Michael , Grubeck-Loebenstein Beatrix , Weinberger Birgit 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background. Obesity has been associated with chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Both conditions play a determinant role in the pathogenesis of age-related diseases, such as immunosenescence. Adipose tissue can modulate the function of the immune system with the secretion of molecules influencing the phenotype of immune cells. The importance of the bone marrow (BM) in the maintenance of antigen-experienced adaptive immune cells has been documented in mice. Recently, some groups have investigated the survival of effector/memory T cells in the human BM. Despite this, whether high body mass index (BMI) may affect immune cells in the BM and the production of molecules supporting the maintenance of these cells it is unknown.Methods. Using flow cytometry, the frequency and the phenotype of immune cell populations were measured in paired BM and PB samples obtained from persons with different BMI. Furthermore, the expression of BM cytokines was assessed. The influence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) on T cell subsets was additionally considered, dividing the donors into the CMV- and CMV+ groups.Results. Our study suggests that increased BMI may affect both the maintenance and the phenotype of adaptive immune cells in the BM. While the BM levels of IL-15 and IL-6, supporting the survival of highly differentiated T cells, and oxygen radicals increased in overweight persons, the production of IFNγ and TNF by CD8+ T cells was reduced. In addition, the frequency of B cells and CD4+ T cells positively correlated with BMI in the BM of CMV- persons. Finally, the frequency of several T cell subsets, and the expression of senescence/exhaustion markers within these subpopulations, were affected by BMI. In particular, the levels of bona fide memory T cells may be reduced in overweight persons.Conclusion. Our work suggests that, in addition to aging and CMV, obesity may represent an additional risk factor for immunosenescence in adaptive immune cells. Metabolic interventions may help in improving the fitness of the immune system in the elderly.
Measuring Antibody Avidity to Plasmodium Falciparum Merozoite Antigens Using a Multiplex Immunoassay Approach
Authors: Taylor Diane Wallace , Bobbili Naveen , Kayatani Alexander K , Tassi-Yunga Samuel , Kidima Winifrida , Leke Rose FG 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Antibodies (Ab) play a significant role in immunity to Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Usually, following repeated exposure to pathogens, affinity maturation and clonal selection take place, resulting in increased antibody avidity. However, some studies suggest affinity maturation may not occur to malaria antigens in endemic areas. Information on development of antibody avidity is confusing and conflicting, in part, because different techniques have been used to measure avidity. Today, bead-based multiplex immunoassays (MIA) are routinely used to simultaneously quantitate antibody levels to multiple antigens. This study evaluated the feasibility of developing an avidity MIA with 5 merozoite antigens (AMA1, EBA-175, MSP1-42, MSP2, MSP3) that uses a single chaotropic concentration.Methods: The most common ELISA protocols that used the chaotropic reagents guanidine HCl (GdHCl), urea, and ammonium thiocyanate (NH4SCN) were adapted to a multiplex MIA format. Then, different concentrations of chaotropes and incubation times were compared and results were expressed as an Avidity Index (AI), i.e., percentage of antibody remaining bound in the presence of chaotrope. Experiments were conducted to i) identify the assay with the widest range of AI (discriminatory power), ii) determine the amount of chaotrope needed to release 50% of bound Ab using plasma from adults and infants, and iii) evaluate assay repeatability. Results: Overall, 4M GdHCl and 8M urea were weaker chaotropes than 3M NH4SCN. For example, they failed to release significant amounts of Ab bound to MSP1-42 in adult plasma samples; whereas, a range of AI values was obtained with NH4SCN. Titration of NH4SCN revealed that 2M NH4SCN gave the widest range of AI for the 5 antigens. Binding studies using plasma from 40 adults and 57 one-year old infants in Cameroon showed that 2.1M ± 0.32 (mean ± SD) NH4SCN (adults) and 1.8M ± 0.23M (infants) released 50% of bound Ab from the merozoite antigens. Conclusions. An avidity MIA is feasible for the 5 merozoite antigens that uses a single concentration (2M) of NH4SCN. The assay provides a simple method to quickly obtain information about Ab quantity and quality in the acquisition of immunity to malaria in endemic populations.
Identification of blast resistance QTLs based on two ad vanced backcross populations in rice
Authors: Jiang Haichao , Feng Yutao , Qiu Lei , Gao Guanjun , Zhang Qinglu , He Yuqing 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Rice blast is an economically important and mutable disease of rice. Using host resistance gene to breed resistant varieties has been proven to be the most effective and economical method to control rice blast and new resistance genes or quantitative trait loci (QTLs) are then needed.Results: In this study, we constructed two advanced backcross population to mapping blast resistance QTLs. CR071 and QingGuAi were as the donor parent to establish two BC3F1 and derived BC3F2 backcross population in the Jin23B background. By challenging the two populations with natural infection in 2011 and 2012, 16 and 13 blast resistance QTLs were identified in Jin23B/CR071 and Jin23B/QingGuAi population, respectively. Among Jin23B/CR071 population, 3 major and 13 minor QTLs have explained the phenotypic variation from 3.50% to 34.08% during six observation times. And, among Jin23B/QingGuAi population, 2 major and 11 minor QTLs have explained the phenotypic variation from 2.42% to 28.95% during six observation times.Conclusions: Sixteen and thirteen blast resistance QTLs were identified in Jin23B/CR071 and Jin23B/QingGuAi population, respectively. QTL effect analyses suggested that major and minor QTLs interaction is the genetic basis for durable blast resistance in rice variety CR071 and QingGuAi.
Evaluation of a cell-based osteogenic formulation compliant with good manufacturing practice for use in tissue engineering
Authors: Vivas Daniel , Grau-Vorster Marta , Oliver-Vila Irene , García-López Joan , Vives Joaquim 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Proper bony tissue regeneration requires mechanical stabilization, an osteogenic biological activity and appropriate scaffolds. The latter two elements can be combined in a hydrogel format for effective delivery, so it can readily adapt to the architecture of the defect. Results: We evaluated a Good Manufacturing Practice-compliant formulation composed of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in combination with bone particles (Ø = 0.25 to 1 µm) and fibrin, which can be readily translated into the clinical setting for the treatment of bone defects, as an alternative to bone tissue autografts. Remarkably, cells survived with unaltered phenotype (CD73+, CD90+, CD105+, CD31-, CD45-) and retained their osteogenic capacity up to 48 h after being combined with hydrogel and bone particles, thus demonstrating the stability of their identity and potency. Moreover, in a subchronic toxicity in vivo study, no toxicity was observed upon subcutaneous administration in athymic mice and signs of osteogenesis and vascularization were detected two months after administration.Conclusions: The preclinical data gathered in the present work, in compliance with current quality and regulatory requirements, demonstrated the feasibility of formulating an osteogenic cell-based tissue engineering product with a defined profile including identity, purity and potency (in vitro and in vivo), and the stability of these attributes, which complements the preclinical package required prior to move towards its use of prior to its clinical use.
Improving the energy conversion efficiency of a laser-driven flyer by an in-situ fabricated nano-absorption layer
Authors: Wang Liang , Yan Yichao , Ji Xiangbo , Zhang Wanli , Jiang Hongchuan , Qin Wenzhi , Wang Yao , Tang Duo 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Three kinds of Al flyer plates with different nanostructured absorption layers were in-situ prepared by a direct laser writing technology to improve the energy conversion efficiency in a laser-driven flyer assembly. Microstructures, light absorption, flyer velocity in the acceleration chamber were investigated. The reflectance for the flyers at 1064 nm wavelength can be reduced from 81.3% to 9.8% by the nanostructured absorption layer. The terminal velocity of a 50 μm thick Al flyer irradiated by a 60mJ laser pulse is 831 m/s, while the velocity of the flyer with an in-situ fabricated nano-absorption layer reaches up to 1113 m/s at the same condition. Resultantly, the energy conversion efficiency of the flyer with nanostructure absorption layer can reach as high as 1.99 times that of the Al flyer. Therefore, the nanostructured absorption layer in-situ prepared on the surface of a flyer provides a new method to significantly improve the energy conversion efficiency of a laser-driven flyer.