bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Freshwater Viral Metagenome Reveals Novel and Functional Phage-borne Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Authors: Moon Kira , Kang Ilnam , Park Kwang Seung , Jeon Jeong Ho , lee Kihyun , Cha Chang-Jun , Lee Sang Hee , Cho Jang-Cheon 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
BackgroundAntibiotic resistance developed by bacteria is a significant threat to global health. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) spread across different bacterial populations through multiple dissemination routes, including horizontal gene transfer mediated by bacteriophages. ARGs carried by bacteriophages are considered especially threatening due to their prolonged persistence in the environment, fast replication rates, and ability to infect phylogenetically remote bacterial hosts. Several studies employing qPCR and viral metagenomics have shown that viral fraction and viral sequence reads in clinical and environmental samples carry many ARGs. However, only a few ARGs have been found in viral contigs assembled from metagenome reads, with most of these genes lacking effective antibiotic resistance phenotypes. Owing to the wide application of viral metagenomics, nevertheless, different classes of ARGs are being continuously found in viral metagenomes acquired from diverse environments. As such, the presence and functionality of ARGs encoded by bacteriophages remain up for debate.ResultsWe evaluated ARGs excavated from viral contigs recovered from urban surface water viral metagenome data. In virome reads and contigs, diverse ARGs, including polymyxin resistance genes, multidrug efflux proteins, and β-lactamases, were identified. In particular, the novel β-lactamases blaHRV-1 and blaHRVM-1 found in this study had unique sequences, forming distinct clades of Class A and subclass B3 β-lactamases, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration analyses for E. coli strains harboring blaHRV-1 and blaHRVM-1 and catalytic kinetics of purified HRV-1 and HRVM-1 showed reduced susceptibility to penicillin, narrow- and extended-spectrum cephalosporins, and carbapenems. These genes were also found in bacterial metagenomes, indicating that they were harbored by actively infecting phages.ConclusionOur results showed that viruses in the environment carry as-yet-unreported functional ARGs, albeit in small quantities. We thereby suggest that environmental bacteriophages could be reservoirs of widely variable, unknown ARGs that could be disseminated via virus-host interactions.
Metal-induced bacterial interactions promote diversity in river-sediment microbiomes
Authors: Cyriaque Valentine , Géron Augustin , Billon Gabriel , Nesme Joseph , Gillan David C. , Sørensen Søren J. , Wattiez Ruddy 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background Anthropogenic metal contamination results in long-term environmental selective pressure with unclear impacts on bacterial communities, key players in ecosystem functioning. Since metal contamination poses serious toxicity and bioaccumulation issues, assessing their impact on environmental microbiomes is important to respond to current environmental and health issues. Despite elevated metal concentrations, river sedimentary microbiome near the MetalEurop foundry (France) show unexpected higher diversity compared to upstream control site. In this work, a follow-up of the microbial community assembly during a metal contamination event was performed in microcosms with periodic renewal of the supernatant river water.Results Sediments of the control site were gradually exposed to a mixture of metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn), in order to reach similar concentrations to MetalEurop sediments. Illumina sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA gene amplicons was performed. Metal resistance genes czc A and pbr A, as well as IncP plasmid content were assessed by quantitative PCR. The outcomes of this study support previous in-situ observations showing that metals act as community assembly managers, increasing diversity.Conclusion This work revealed progressive adaptation of the sediment microbiome through the selection of different metal-resistance mechanisms and cross-species interactions involving public good providing bacteria co-occurring with the rest of the community.
Effect of rTMS on Parkinson's Cognitive Deficit: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Jiang Yi , Guo Zhiwei , McClure Morgan A. , He Lin , mu qiwen 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: To evaluate the effects and optimal parameters of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on cognition improvement of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with cognitive deficit and to estimate which cognitive function may obtain more benefit from rTMS. Method: The articles dealing with rTMS on cognitive deficit of PD patients were retrieved from the databases until December 2018. Two researchers selected research papers, evaluated their quality, extracted data, and cross-checked them according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) of cognitive outcome for different parameters, scales, and cognitive functions were estimated. Results: Fourteen studies involving 163 subjects were included in the study. A significant effect size was observed for the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) global cognitive outcome. Further subtests for different cognitive domains demonstrated prominent effect for the executive function. The significant effect sizes were respectively found with multiple sessions of high-frequency rTMS over frontal cortex, especially with over dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), based on subgroup analysis of the executive function. All of the other cognitive domains including working memory, attention, and language ability did not obtain significant effects. Conclusions: Multiple sessions of high frequency rTMS over the DLPFC may have positive effect on executive function in PD patients with cognitive deficit. Further well designed studies with large sample sizes are needed to verify our results and ascertain the long-term effects of rTMS.
Incidence and predictive factors of diaphragmatic dysfunction in acute stroke.
Authors: Catalá-Ripoll Jose Vicente , Monsalve-Naharro Jose Ángel , Hernández-Fernández Francisco 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: The most characteristic clinical signs of stroke are motor and/or sensory involvement of one hemibody. Respiratory involvement has also been described, which could be related to diaphragmatic dysfunction contralateral to the brain injury. Our objective is to establish the incidence of diaphragmatic dysfunction in ischaemic stroke and analyse the relationship between this and the main prognostic markers. Methods : Patients with supratentorial ischaemic stroke were selected in the first 48 hours of admission for 6 months. Ultrasonography of the diaphragm was performed on each hemithorax to obtain the thickening fraction applying the formula [(inspiratory thickness - expiratory thickness)/expiratory thickness]. Forced breathing was then requested to them and the examination was performed again. Diaphragmatic dysfunction was considered as a thickening fraction lower than 20%. The statistical relationship with the vascular territory involved, the NIHSS scale, the hemiparesis degree and the success of reperfusion techniques were examined. Results : An incidence of diaphragmatic dysfunction of 51.7% was observed on the contralateral side and of 1.7% on the ipsilateral side. A reduction of up to 11.7% was seen in the incidence of dysfunction on the contralateral side upon breathing forcedly. All patients with NIHSS above 6 had diaphragmatic dysfunction on the contralateral side (p < 0.001). They also had lower degrees of muscle strength (p < 0.001). Conclusions : There is a high incidence of diaphragmatic dysfunction in patients with supratentorial ischaemic stroke. An estimation of the diaphragmatic function can be obtained using the thickening fraction.
Identification of E2 strain with improved secretion and immunogenicity against CSFV in piglets
Authors: Xu Huiling , Wang Yanli , Han Guangwei , Fang Weihuan , he fang 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Outbreaks of CSFV cause significant economic losses in the swine industry. Subunit vaccines present advantages in DIVA immunogenicity and safety. The technology was limited due to the low yield and the high cost with multiple and large doses. Results: A novel E2 sequence (E2ZJ) was identified from an epidemic strain of Zhejiang for outstanding secretion in baculovirus and enhanced immunogenicity. E2 secretion induced with the selected signal peptide, SPZJ, increase at least 50% as compared to any other signal peptides tested. Besides, unique antigenic features were identified in E2ZJ. E2ZJ elicited CSFV antibody at the earlier stage than other E2 types tested in mice. Meantime, higher level of neutralization antibody with E2ZJ was detected than other E2s at the same dosage. Further, in piglets, E2ZJ successfully elicited neutralizing immunity. A single dose of 5 μg of E2ZJ was sufficient to induce protective antibody against CSFV in piglets and provided 100% protection against lethal virus challenge. Conclusions: In this study, with advantages in secretion and immunogenicity over counterparts, SPZJ-E2ZJ is a cost-effective and efficacious vaccine candidate against CSFV. Keywords: Classical swine fever virus; novel signal peptide; SPZJ-E2ZJ; subunit vaccine; protective immunity
High-throughput Sequencing Study of the Effect of Transabdominal Hysterectomy on Intestinal Flora in Patients with Uterine Fibroids
Authors: Wang Wantong , Li Yibing , Wu Qijun , Pan Xin , He Xinhui , ma xiaoxin 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: To investigate the effect of transabdominal hysterectomy on the diversity of the intestinal flora in patients with uterine fibroids. Patients with uterine fibroids were selected from September 2018 to December 2018, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, and stool specimens were collected from patients before and after surgery.Results: High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to detect the changes in microbial community structure and diversity, and the effects of total hysterectomy on the intestinal flora were further analyzed. Estrogen levels decreased after trans-abdominal hysterectomy. High-throughput sequencing showed that after abdominal hysterectomy, the abundance and diversity of the intestinal flora decreased. The abundance changes were mainly due to Proteobacteria, where their abundance increased.Conclusions: Trans-abdominal hysterectomy changes the intestinal flora of the body by lowering the level of estrogen in the body, which reduces the diversity and abundance of the intestinal flora.
Immune activation of murine RAW264.7 macrophages by sonicated and alkalized paramylon from Euglena gracilis
Authors: Guo Qingqing , Bi Decheng , Wu Mingcan , Yu Boming , Hu Lang , Liu Chenchen , Gu Liang , Zhu Hui , Lei Anping , Xu Xu , Wang Jiangxin 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Euglena as a new super health food resource that is rich in the natural polysaccharide paramylon, a linear β-1,3-glucan with various biological activities including activity on the immune system in different cell lines and animals. Despite these reports, the immune regulation mechanism of paramylon is still unclear. Results: We investigate the signaling pathways paramylon impacts in immune macrophages. In RAW264.f:7 macrophages, sonicated and alkalized paramylon oligomers up-regulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and increased secretion of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, paramylon activated the nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways and inhibiting these pathways attenuated the paramylon-induced secretion of the above immune-mediators. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that Euglena gracilis paramylon modulates the immune system via activation of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways and thus has potential therapeutic benefits.
Effectiveness of a health education intervention on the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets for the prevention of malaria in pregnant women of Pakistan: A Quasi-experimental study
Authors: Kumar Ramesh , Farzeen Midhat , Hafeez Assad , Achakzai Baseer Khan , Vankwani Muskan , Lal Manohar , Iqbal Rabia , Somrongthong Ratana 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Malaria being a pressing public health issue in Pakistan can be prevented if long lasting insecticides are made freely available in the country. However, the success of this prevention strategy depends upon usage of long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) by community. Hence the focus of present study was to determine the effectiveness of health education on adoption of LLINs among pregnant women living in remote district Tharparkar Sindh Pakistan. Methods: A Quasi-experimental study design with control and intervention group was conducted with 200 pregnant women (100in each group). Women in intervention group were provided with health education sessions on malaria for 12 weeks while those in control group obtained routine information by lady health workers (LHWs). Pre and post intervention assessment was done for use of LLINs; and was statistically analyzed using independent sample t-test, chi-square with p values, and mean scores. Results: Baseline was conducted with 200 pregnant women. Demographic characteristics were similar in both groups except for age, education, income, type of latrine and source of drinking water. After intervention, as compared to baseline, knowledge of participants increased two-fold in intervention group whereas it remained unchanged in control group. Furthermore, statistically significance difference (<0.05) between intervention and control groups on use of LLINs was found with increase in LLINs usage among intervention group. Conclusions: Results proved that health education could be an effective intervention for improving knowledge and usage of LLINs among pregnant women for preventing malaria. Therefore, such educational interventions have a potential to be implemented at scale by incorporating them into routine health sessions provided by health workers to pregnant women so that maternal and child morbidity and mortality due to malaria can be prevented.
Changing the paradigm of cervical cancer prevention through introduction of HPV-testing: evaluation of the implementation process of the Jujuy Demonstration Project in Argentina
Authors: Arrossi Silvina , Paolino Melisa , Laudi Rosa , Thouyaret Laura 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background The Jujuy Demonstration Project (JDP) was a four-year implementation project (2011-2014) to develop, implement and evaluate the programmatic components of an HPV-based screening program in Argentina . The aim of this paper is present a qualitative evaluation of the context and implementation process of JDP. Methods We used an adaptation of the Health System Framework (HSF), which includes contextual interconnected factors that are considered key drivers for successful health interventions. We reviewed Secondary Documents, which included program reports, information sheets, power point presentations, and minutes of meetings and management round-tables. We also carried out semi-structured interviews to key informants to explore their views about technology acceptability. Results Key components of JDP implementation process were high level of political support and consensus among stakeholders, the demonstrated effectiveness of the technology and its acceptability by health authorities and providers, funding of tests and diagnosis/treatment services, implementation of an information system for monitoring and evaluation, and the reorganization of the network of screening diagnosis and treatment services. Conclusion This analysis has made explicit the policy context in which the JDP was implemented, and system components that were key for the demonstrated effectiveness of the strategy. Such analyses provide useful insights into core components of HPV-testing implementation that are needed to guarantee its potential effectiveness to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality .
Patients' satisfaction factors mining and sentiment analysis of B2C mail-order pharmacy reviews
Authors: Liu Jingfang , Zhou Yingyi , Jiang Xiaoyan , Zhang Wei 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background In recent years, mail-order pharmacies have been accepted by increasingly more patients, and the prospects for mail-order pharmacies are optimistic. This article explores the patients’ satisfaction factors addressed in Business to Customer (B2C) mail-order pharmacy reviews and analyzes the sentiments expressed in the reviews. The goal of this work is to help B2C mail-order pharmacy enterprises identify patients’ concerns, continuously improve the health services level. Methods This paper was based on the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic model. From a B2C mail-order pharmacy of integrated e-commerce and a vertical B2C mail-order pharmacy (JD.COM and J1.COM, respectively), 136,630 pieces of over-the-counter (OTC) drug review data posted from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2018 were selected as samples and used to explore the satisfaction factors of B2C mail-order pharmacy patients regarding the entire drug purchasing process. Then, the sentiments expressed in the drug reviews were analyzed with SnowNLP. Result Categorization of the 12 factors identified by LDA showed that 5 factors were related to logistics; these 5 factors, which also included the most drug reviews, made up 38.5% of the reviews. The number of factors related to drug prices was second, with 3 factors, and reviews of drug prices made up 25.5% of the reviews. Customer service and drug effects each had two related factors, and a smaller percentage of these reviews (13.95%) were related to drug effects. Patients still maintain positive opinions of JD.COM and J1.COM. However, some opinions on logistics and drug prices are expressed.Conclusion The most important task for mail-order pharmacies is to improve logistics. It is better to develop self-built logistics. Both types of B2C mail-order pharmacies can improve patient viscosity by implementing marketing strategies. With regard to customer service, focusing on improving employees' service attitudes is necessary.
Multi-level validation of the German physical activity barriers self-efficacy scale in a sample of female sixth-graders
Authors: Bachner Joachim , Sturm David Joseph , Haug Stephan , Demetriou Yolanda 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background The physical activity behaviour of the majority of children and adolescents is insufficient. Self-efficacy is regarded as one of the most important determinants able to enhance physical activity. The purpose of this study is to validate the German version of the physical activity barriers self-efficacy scale by means of a multi-level approach. Factorial validity, internal consistency and criterion validity were examined for the individual and the class level.Methods The final sample comprised 454 female sixth-graders of 33 classes. The original 8-item physical activity barriers self-efficacy scale was translated by a committee approach and pilot tested within the pretest procedure. To examine the factorial validity of the translated scale, a multi-level confirmatory factor analysis was conducted with the lavaan package in R. Internal consistency was estimated with the alpha function of the psych package. Criterion validity was examined by correlating self-efficacy with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) assessed with accelerometers.Results In contrast to previous validation studies, two-dimensional models fit the data better than uni-dimensional models. The best overall fit exhibited a 2x2-model, with two factors both on the individual and the class level (χ2 = 65.13, CFI = .985, TLI = .977, RMSEA = .046, SRMR = .033). The latent factors correlated highly on both levels (r = .87; r = .72). Every item loaded significantly on its respective factor on both levels. Internal consistency for the full scale and the first subscale was good on the individual level and excellent on the class level. For the second subscale, Cronbach’s alpha was low on level 1 and excellent on level 2. Weak relations between self-efficacy values and MVPA were found for level 1, strong associations were found for level 2.Conclusions The validation speaks in favour of a two-dimensional scale measuring not only actual self-efficacy but also support from family and friends. Furthermore, the results argue for the relevance of the multi-level approach which is able to differentiate between self-efficacy on the individual level and collective efficacy on the class level.
A qualitative study on consenting approaches for genomic research in communities with low literacy
Authors: Bukini Daima Athumani , Mbekenga Columba , Nkya Siana , Purvis Lisa , McCurdy Sheryl , Parker Michael , Makani Julie 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Background: Low literacy of study participants in Sub Saharan Africa has been associated with poor comprehension during consenting process in research participation. The concerns in comprehension are far greater when consenting to participate in genomic studies due to the complexity of the science involved. While efforts are made to explore possibilities of applying genomic technologies in diseases prevalent in Sub Saharan Africa, we ought to develop methods to improve participants’ comprehension for genomic studies. Aim: The aim of this study was to understand different approaches that can be used to seek consent from individuals with low literacy in Sub-Saharan African countries in genomic research to improve comprehension. Methods: Using qualitative study design, we conducted focus-group discussions, in-depth interviews and participant observations as data collection methods. This study was embedded in a hospital based genomic study on Sickle Cell Disease at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the transcripts and field notes. Results: Findings from this study show that literacy level has little influence on understanding the research details. According to the participants of this study, the methods used to provide information, the language, and time spent with the study participants were the key factors influencing understanding. The availability of group sessions held before individual consent to allow for a detailed questions and answers format was agreed to be the best method to facilitate the comprehension. Conclusion: The quality of the consenting process of participants will be influence by a number of factors. The type of research consented for, where the research will be implemented and who are the potential study participants are amongst the factors that need to be assessed during the consenting. Measures to improve participants’ comprehension need to be developed when consenting participants with low literacy level in genomic studies.