bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inter-annual variability of the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic drivers affecting West Nile virus vector Culex pipiens population dynamics in Northeastern Italy
Authors: Fornasiero Diletta , Mazzuccato Matteo , Barbujani Marco , Montarsi Fabrizio , Capelli Gioia , Mulatti Paolo 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Background:Vector-borne infectious diseases (VBDs) represent a major public health concern worldwide. Among VBDs, West Nile Virus (WNV) showed an increasingly wider spread in temperate regions of Europe, including Italy. During the last decade, WNV outbreaks have been recurrently reported in mosquitoes, horses, wild birds, and humans, showing great variability in the temporal and spatial distribution pattern. Due to the complexity of the environment-host-vector-pathogen interaction and the incomplete understanding of the epidemiological pattern of the disease, WNV occurrences can be hardly predictable. The analyses of ecological drivers responsible for the earlier WNV reactivation and transmission are pivotal; in particular, variations in the vector population dynamics may represent a key point of the recent success of WNV and, more in general, of the VBDs.Methods:We investigated the variations ofCulex pipienspopulation abundance using environmental, climatic and trapping data obtained over nine years (2010 to 2018) through the WNV entomological surveillance program implemented in northeastern Italy. An Information Theoretic approach (IT-AICc) and model-averaging algorithms were implemented to examine the relationship between the seasonal mosquito population growth rates and both intrinsic (e.g. intraspecific competition) and extrinsic (e.g. environmental and climatic variables) predictors, to identify the most significant combinations of variables outlining theCx. pipienspopulation dynamics.Results:Population abundance (proxy for intraspecific competition) and length of daylight were the predominant factors regulating the mosquito population dynamics; however, also other drivers encompassing environmental and climatic variables had a significant impact, although sometimes counterintuitive and not univocal. The analyses of the single-year datasets, and the comparison with the results obtained from the overall model (all data available from 2010 to 2018), highlighted remarkable differences in coefficients magnitude, sign, and significance. These outcomes indicate that different combinations of factors might have distinctive, and sometimes divergent, effects on mosquito population dynamics.Conclusions:A more realistic acquaintance of the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanism of mosquito population fluctuations in relation to continuous changes in environmental and climatic conditions is paramount to properly reinforce VBDs risk-based surveillance activities, to plan targeted density control measures and to implement effective early detection programs.
Non-communicable diseases are key to further narrow gender gap in life expectancy in Shanghai, China
Authors: Chen Hanyi , Zhou Yi , Sun Lianghong , Chen Yichen , Qu Xiaobin , Chen Hua , Rajbhandari-Thapa Janani , Xiao Shaotan 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: To address change in gender gap of life expectancy (GGLE) in Shanghai from 1973 to 2018, and to identify the major causes of death and age groups associated with the change overtime.Methods: Retrospective demographic analysis with application of Joinpoint regression to evaluate the temporal trend in GGLE. Causes of death were coded in accordance with International Classification of Diseases and mapped with the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) cause list. Life table technique and decomposition method was used to express changes in GGLE.Results: Trend of GGLE in Shanghai experienced two phases ie., a decrease from 8.4 to 4.2 years in the descent phase (1973-1999) and a fluctuation between 4.0 and 4.9 years in the plateau phase (1999-2018). The reduced age-specific mortality rates tended to concentrate to a narrower age range, from age 0-9 and above 30 years in the descent phase to age above 55 years in the plateau phase. Gastroesophageal and liver cancer, communicable, chronic respiratory and digestive diseases were once the major contributors to narrow GGLE in the descent phase. While importance should be attached to a widening effect on GGLE by lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, other neoplasms like colorectal and pancreatic cancer and diabetes in recent plateau phase.Conclusions: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have made GGLE enter a plateau phase from a descent phase in Shanghai China. Public efforts to reduce excess mortalities for male NCDs, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes in particular and health policies focused on the middle-aged and elderly population might further narrow GGLE and ensure improvement in health and health equity in Shanghai China.
High-trans fatty acid and high-sugar diets can cause mice with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis with liver fibrosis and potential pathogenesis
Authors: Xin Xin , Cai Bei-yu , Chen Cheng , Tian Hua-jie , Wang Xin , Hu Yi-Yang , Qin Feng 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background and Aims: Even Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has been becoming the key role in process of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis, no any NASH involving liver fibrosis mice model which consistent with the mechanisms of fatty acid and glucose metabolism disorder was widely accepted. Here, we established a mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with liver fibrosis using a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet (HFHC) and analyzed the potential pathogenesis using a transcriptome microarray. Methods: Fifty mice were stratified by weight and randomly divided into the HFHC model and control (Con) groups. 10 mice were sacrificed at the beginning of the experiments, 10 mice of HFHC and Con group were euthanized at the end of 20 and 30weeks. The following analyses were performed: biochemical analysis; histological assessment; evaluation of hepatic type I collagen (Col-I), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) protein and mRNA expression levels; and transcriptomic gene chip analysis. Results: Compared with the Con group at each time point, the body weight and liver wet weight of the HFHC model group of mice were significantly higher. At 30th weeks, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting insulin (FINS) levels or activities and the triglyceride (TG) and hydroxyproline (HYP) content in the HFHC model group were significantly elevated. Severe steatosis was present in the liver tissues contributed from the HFHC group of mice. Typically, substantial perisinusoidal fibrosis with a cage-like structure and bridging formations were observed in the mice liver in HFHC group. Col-I, α-SMA and TGF-β1 protein and mRNA expression levels in liver tissues of HFHC mice dramatically increased over time. Compared with the Con group, the HFHC group had 151 differentially expressed genes that were involved in 41 signaling pathways. Conclusions: After keeping 30 weeks HFHC diet treatment, the mice exhibited substantial liver fibrosis, hepatic steatosis, ballooning degeneration and inflammation. Basing on the transcriptome microarray assays, the experimental NASH involving liver fibrosis potentially related to dramatically changed ECM-receptor interaction, Toll-like receptor signaling and other signaling pathways.
Short-term observation of electric ablation with nanosecond pulsed electric field in the hepatic hilar area
Authors: Lu Jiahua , Qian Junjie , Zhang Shiyu , Chen Xinhua , Yin Shengyong , Zhou Lin , Zheng Shusen , Zhang Wu 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Treatment of liver malignancies located in the hepatic hilar area has long been recognized as a challenge for both surgeons and interventional radiologists. Traditional locoregional thermal ablative therapies such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) turned to fail in achieving complete ablation near the major vasculatures. The nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) has emerged as a novel electric power-based locoregional therapy. It has been reported to eﬀectively ablate liver malignancies without causing obvious damage. This preclinical study was conducted on animal models to evaluate the safety and feasibility of nsPEF ablation in the hepatic hilar area and to investigate its long-term effect on liver vasculature systems.Methods: Two nsPEF needle electrodes were placed around the hepatic hilar areas in the rabbit liver with ultrasonic guidance. During and after nsPEF ablation, electrocardiography (ECG) was used to monitor cardiovascular activity, and ultrasonography was used to detect blood flow changes. Blood samples and liver specimens were collected pre-treatment and 2 hours, 2 days, 7 days, 14 days and 28 days posttreatment. Results: Histopathological studies showed that the liver tissues in the targeted portal area were ablated accurately without perivascular sparing. The major structures of the large hepatic veins and bile ducts near hilar areas were preserved well. Follow-up biochemical tests showed a transient impairment of liver function. The results of myocardial enzymes and blood routine proved that nsPEF will not cause collateral damage to cardiac systems or increase potential infection risks. Ultrasonography and electrocardiography found no massive hemorrhea or abnormal cardiac activities. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that nsPEF is highly effective and feasible for the ablation of liver tissues in the hepatic hilar area. During the treatment, nsPEF did not disturb vital organ functions or cause irreversible complications, proving its safety. Furthermore, nsPEF can ablate the hepatic hilar area without damaging large hepatic vasculatures, which could be a promising method for nonthermal tumor ablation.
Proactive community case management in Senegal 2014-2016: a case study in maximizing the impact of community case management of malaria
Authors: Gaye Seynabou , Kibler Janelle , Ndiaye Jean Louis , Diouf Mame Birame , Linn Annē , Gueye Alioune Badara , Fall Fatou Ba , Ndiop Medoune , Diallo Ibrahima , Cisse Moustapha , Ba Mady , Thwing Julie 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The Senegal National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) introduced home-based malaria management for all ages, with diagnosis by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and treatment with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in 2008, expanding to over 2000 villages nationwide by 2014. With prise en charge à domicile (PECADOM), community health workers (CHWs) were available for community members to seek care, but did not actively visit households to find cases. A trial of a proactive model (PECADOM Plus), in which CHWs visited all households in their village weekly during transmission season to identify fever cases and offer case management, in addition to availability during the week for home-based management, found that CHWs detected and treated more cases in intervention villages, while the number of cases detected weekly decreased over the transmission season. The NMCP scaled PECADOM Plus to three districts in 2014 (132 villages), to a total of six districts in 2015 (246 villages), and to a total of 16 districts in 2016 (708 villages). A narrative case study with programmatic results is presented. During active sweeps over approximately 20 weeks, CHWs tested a mean of 77 patients per CHW in 2014, 89 patients per CHW in 2015, and 90 patients per CHW in 2016, and diagnosed a mean of 61, 61, and 43 patients with malaria per CHW in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. The number of patients who sought care between sweeps increased, with a 104% increase in the number of RDTs performed and a 77% increase in the number of positive tests and patients treated with ACT during passive case detection. While the number of CHWs increased 7%, the number of patients receiving an RDT increased by 307% and the number of malaria cases detected and treated by CHWs increased 274%, from the year prior to PECADOM Plus introduction to its first year of implementation. Based on these results, approximately 700 additional CHWs in 24 new districts were added in 2017. This case study describes the process, results, and lessons learned from Senegal’s implementation of PECADOM Plus, as well as guidance for other programs considering introduction of this innovative strategy.
GlideScope® versus C-MAC®(D) videolaryngoscope versus Macintosh laryngoscope for double lumen endotracheal intubation in patients with predicted normal airways: a randomized, controlled, prospective trial
Authors: Huang Ping , Zhou Renlong , Lu Zhixing , Hang Yannan , Wang Shanjuan , Huang zhenling 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: The double lumen endotracheal tube (DLT) is the most widely-used device for single lung ventilation in current thoracic anesthesia practice. In recent years, the routine application of the videolaryngoscope for single lumen endotracheal intubation has increased; nevertheless there are few studies of the use of the videolaryngoscope for DLT. We wondered whether there were benefits to using the videolaryngoscope for DLT placement in patients with predicted normal airways. Therefore, this study was designed to compare the performances of the GlideScope®, the C-MAC®(D) videolaryngoscope and the Macintosh laryngoscope in DLT intubation.Methods: This was a randomized, controlled, prospective study. We randomly allocated 90 adult patients with predicted normal airways into three groups. All patients underwent routine anesthesia using different laryngoscopes according to group allocation. We compared DLT insertion times, first-pass success rates, numerical rating scales (NRS) of DLT delivery and DLT insertion, Cormack-Lehane degrees (C/L), hemodynamic changes and incidences of intubation complications. All outcomes were analyzed using SPSS13.0. Results: Compared with the GlideScope, the Macintosh gave shorter times for DLT insertion (median: 96 (IQR: 51 [min–max: 62–376] s vs 73 (26 [48–419] s, p = 0.003); however, there was no difference between the Macintosh and C-MAC(D) (p = 0.610). The Macintosh had a significantly higher successful first attempt rate than did the GlideScope or C-MAC(D) (p = 0.001, p = 0.028, respectively). NRS of DLT delivery and insertion were significantly lower in the Macintosh than in the others (p <0.001). However, the C/L degree in the Macintosh was significantly higher than in the others (p <0.001). The incidences of oral bleeding, hoarseness, sore throat and dental trauma were low in all groups (p >0.05). There were no significant differences in DLT misplacement, fiberoptic time or hemodynamic changes among the groups.Conclusions: Compared with the Macintosh laryngoscope, the GlideScope® and C-MAC®(D) videolaryngoscopes may not be recommended as the first choice for routine DLT intubation in patients with predicted normal airways.Trial registration :The study was prospectively registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (no. ChiCTR1900025718); principal investigator: Z.L.H.; date of registration: September 6, 2019.
What is the level of uptake of Partner Notification Services in HIV testing in Selected Health Facilities in Muranga County – Kenya; a retrospective Study
Authors: Kariuki Rewel , Rithaa Gilbert Koome , Elvis Oyugi , Gachathi Daniel 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Identification of people living with HIV is key in HIV prevention and control. Partner Notification service is a World Health Organization backed strategy of reaching out to sexual partners of people diagnosed with HIV for HIV testing. However, its adoption and success rate in Kenya remains unknown.Methods: A cross sectional facility based study was undertaken in five purposively selected health facilities in Muranga County, Kenya. A retrospective review of patient medical records data for HIV positive index clients and their Sexual Partners conducted. Census approach applied to extract data for study subjects from Partner Notification Service registers for the period covering January 2017 to August 2018. Epi Info software was used for data analysis.Results: A total of 183 index clients offered Partner notification services. The mean age of the indexed clients studied was 39(SD ±13.1). Females comprised 64 % of clients studied. Of the 183 indexed clients, 89% accepted the services and elicited 216 sexual partners for tracing. The ratio of elicited sexual partners to index client was 1.3:1. Out of the 216 sexual partners, 77% were reached and tested. A total of 46 [32%] of the sexual partners elicited and traced, tested HIV positive. The most preferred approaches were provider referral (51%) and contract referral (45%). Dual referral (4%) was the least preferred approach. Conclusions: Partner notification services is acceptable and an effective strategy of increasing HIV case identification and raising awareness to exposed sexual partners in low resource countries.
Identification and co-expression analysis of long noncoding RNAs and mRNAs involved in the deposition of intramuscular fat in Aohan fine-wool sheep
Authors: Han Fuhui , Li Jing , Liu Nan , Zhao Ranran , Liu Lirong , Li Lanlan , Li Qian , He Jianning 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background: Intramuscular fat (IMF) content has become one of the most important indicators for measuring meat quality, and its level is affected by various genes. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are widely expressed non-coding RNAs that play an important regulatory role in a variety of biological processes; however, research on lncRNAs involved in sheep intramuscular fat deposition is still in its infancy. Aohan fine-wool sheep (AFWS), China's representative meat-hair, dual-purpose sheep breed, provides a great model for studying the role of lncRNAs in the regulation of intramuscular fat deposition. We identified lncRNAs by RNA sequencing in sheep longissimus dorsi muscle(LDM) samples at two ages: 2 months (Mth-2) and 12 months (Mth-12).Results: We identified a total of 26,247 genes and 6,935 predicted novel lncRNAs in LDM samples of sheep. Among these, 606 mRNAs and 408 lncRNAs were differentially expressed. We then compared the structural characteristics of lncRNAs and mRNAs. We obtained targeted genes of differentially expressed lncRNAs and performed an enrichment analysis using Gene Ontology(GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG). We found these targeted mRNAs were primarily enriched in lipid metabolism, lipid transport, regulation of primary metabolic processes and developmental pathways, such as alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, phosphonate and phosphinate metabolism and cell proliferation. Based on the results of this enrichment analysis, we obtained candidate lncRNAs that potentially regulate lipid deposition and constructed a lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network. We speculated that these lncRNAs have important regulatory roles in intramuscular fat deposition. We randomly selected five mRNAs and five lncRNAs to verify the accuracy of sequencing results by qRT-PCR.Conclusions: Our study provided a list of the lncRNAs and mRNAs related to intramuscular lipid deposition in sheep and lay the foundation for future research on regulatory mechanisms.
Diagnostic anticipation to reduce emergency department length of stay: a cohort study in Ferrara University Hospital, Italy
Authors: Strada Andrea , Bolognesi Niccolò , Manzoli Lamberto , Valpiani Giorgia , Morotti Chiara , Bravi Francesca , Bentivegna Roberto , Forini Elena , Pesci Antonella , Stefanati Armando , Ruscio Eugenio Di , Carradori Tiziano 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background : Emergency Department (ED) crowding reduces staff satisfaction and healthcare quality and safety, which in turn increase costs. Despite a number of proposed solutions, ED length of stay (LOS) - a main cause of overcrowding - remains a major issue worldwide. This cohort study was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness on ED LOS of a procedure called “diagnostic anticipation”, which consisted in anticipating the ordering of blood tests by nurses, at triage, following a diagnostic algorithm approved by physicians. Methods : In the second half of 2019, the ED of the University Hospital of Ferrara, Italy, adopted the diagnostic anticipation protocol on alternate weeks for all patients with chest pain, abdominal pain, and non-traumatic bleeding. Using ED electronic data, LOS independent predictors were evaluated through multiple regression. Results : During the weeks when diagnostic anticipation was adopted, as compared to control weeks, the mean LOS was shorter by 18.2 minutes for chest pain, but longer by 15.7 minutes for abdominal pain, and 33.3 for non-traumatic bleeding. At multivariate analysis, adjusting for age, gender, triage priority and ED crowding, the difference in visit time was significant for chest pain only (p<0.001). Conclusions : The effectiveness of the anticipation of blood testing by nurses varied by patients' condition, being significant for chest pain only. Further research is needed before the implementation, estimating the potential proportion of inappropriate blood tests and ED crowding status
Functional polymorphisms and transcriptional analysis in the 5' region of the human serotonin receptor 1B gene (HTR1B) and their associations with psychiatric disorders
Authors: Xia Xi , Ding Mei , Xuan Jin-feng , Xing Jia-xin , Yao Jun , Wu Xue , Wang Bao-jie 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Background The 5-hydroxytryptamine 1B receptor (5-HT1B) plays an essential role in the serotonin (5-HT) system and is widely involved in a variety of brain activities. HTR1B is the gene encoding 5-HT1B. Genome-wide association studies have shown that HTR1B polymorphisms are closely related to multiple mental and behavioral disorders; however, the functional mechanisms underlying these associations are unknown. This study investigated the effect of several HTR1B haplotypes on reporter protein expression levels in vitro and the functional sequences in the 5' regulatory region of HTR1B to determine their potential association with mental and behavioral disorders.MethodsSix haplotypes consisting of rs4140535, rs1778258, rs17273700, rs1228814, rs11568817, and rs130058 and several truncated fragments of the 5' regulatory region of HTR1B were transfected into SK-N-SH and HEK-293 cells. The relative fluorescence intensities of the different haplotypes and truncated fragments were detected using a dual-luciferase reporter assay system.Results Compared to the major haplotype T-G-T-C-T-A, the relative fluorescence intensities of haplotypes C-A-T-C-T-A, C-G-T-C-T-A, C-G-C-A-G-T, and C-G-T-A-T-A were significantly lower, and that of haplotype C-G-C-A-G-A was significantly higher. Furthermore, the effects of the rs4140535T allele, the rs17273700C-rs11568817G linkage combination, and the rs1228814A allele made their relative fluorescence intensities significantly higher than their counterparts at each locus. Conversely, the rs1778258A and rs130058T alleles decreased the relative fluorescence intensities. In addition, we found that regions from -1587 to -1371 bp (TSS, +1), -1149 to -894 bp, -39 to +130 bp, +130 to +341 bp, and +341 to +505 bp upregulated gene expression. In contrast, regions -603 to -316 bp and +130 to +341 bp downregulated gene expression. Region +341 to +505 bp contained the core promoter region and played a decisive role in gene transcription.Conclusions HTR1B 5' regulatory region polymorphisms have regulatory effects on gene expression and potential correlate with several pathology and physiology conditions. This study suggests that the core promoter sequence of HTR1B is located in region +341~+505 bp. Regions -1587 to -1371 bp, -1149 to -894 bp, -603 to -316 bp, -39 to +130 bp, and +130 to +341 bp contain functional sequences that can promote or suppress the HTR1B gene expression.