bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of iron on the growth, biofilm formation and virulence of Klebsiella pneumoniae causing liver abscess
Authors: Chen Tao , Dong Guofeng , Zhang Siqin , Zhang Xiucai , Zhao Yajie , Cao Jianming , Zhou Tieli , Wu Qing 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is considered the most clinically relevant species of Enterobacteriaceae, known to cause severe infections including liver abscesses. To the best of our knowledge, a large proportion of iron in the human body is accumulated and stored in the liver. We hypothesize that increased iron availability is an important factor driving liver abscess formation and we therefore aim to understand the effects of iron on K. pneumoniae causing liver abscesses.

Results: All tested K. pneumoniae clinical isolates, including those isolated from liver abscesses and other abdominal invasive infection sites, grew optimally when cultured in LB broth supplemented with 50 μM iron and exhibited the strongest biofilm formation ability under those conditions. Decreased growth and biofilm formation ability were observed in all tested strains when cultured with an iron chelator (P<0.05). The infection model of G. mellonella larvae indicated the virulence of liver abscess-causing K. pneumoniae (2/3) cultured in LB broth with additional iron was significantly higher than those under iron-restricted conditions (P<0.05). The relative expression levels of the four siderophore genes (iucB, iroB, irp1, entB) in K. pneumoniae strains isolated from liver abscesses cultured with additional iron were lower than those under iron-restricted conditions (P<0.05).

Conclusions: It is suggested by our research that iron in the environment can promote growth, biofilm formation and enhance virulence of K. pneumoniae causing liver abscesses. A lower expression of siderophore genes correlates with increased virulence of liver abscess-causing K. pneumoniae. Further deeper evaluation of these phenomena is warranted.
Epidemiology of intestinal parasitic infections in Ethiopian children: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chelkeba Legese , Mekonnen Zeleke , Alemu Yonas , Emana Daniel 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background : Numerous studies have been carried out on assessing the prevalence of intestinal parasites infections (IPIs) among preschool and school-age children in Ethiopia, but there is lack of study systematically gathered and analyzedinformation for policymakers. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to provide a summary on prevalence, geographical distribution and trends of IPIs among preschool and school-age childrenin Ethiopia.
Methods :The search were carried out in Medline via PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from 1996to July2019 for studies describing prevalence of IPIs among preschooland school-age children. We conducted meta-regression to understand the trends and the source of heterogeneity and pooled the prevalence using ‘metaprop’ command using STATA software version 14.
Results : Eighty-three(83) studies examining 56,786 fecal specimens were included. The prevalence of IPIs was 48 %( 95%CI: 42% to 53%) and showedsignificantly decreasing trends 17% (95% CI: 2.5% to 32%) for each consecutive 6 years) and was similar in males and females. The pooled prevalence in years 1997–2002, 2003–2008, 2009–2014 and >2014 was 71% (95% CI: 57% to 86%), 42% (95% CI: 27% to 56%), 48% (95% CI: 40% to 56%) and 42% (95% CI: 34% to 49%), respectively. Poly-parasitism was observed in 16% (95% CI: 13% to 19 %,) of the cases.
Conclusion: Intestinal parasite infections are highly prevalent among preschool and school-age children and well distributed across the regional states of Ethiopia. Southern and Amhara regional states carry the highest burden.We observed significant decreasing trends in prevalence of IPIs among preschool and school-age Ethiopian children over the last two decades.Therefore, this study is important to locate the geographical distribution and identified high risk areas that should be prioritized further interventions, which complement global efforts towards elimination of IPIs infections by 2020
Fluoroquinolone resistance and mutational profile of gyrA gene in pulmonary MDR tuberculosis patients
Authors: Kabir Saba , Tahir Zarfishan , Mukhtar Nadia , Sohail Muhammad , Saqalein Muhammad , Rehman Abdul 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Flouroquinolones (FQs) are the potential drugs that inhibit DNA synthesis and used in the treatment of MDR-TB and anti-TB short term regimens. In recent year’s high proportion of flouroquinolone (FQs) resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates has been observed. The development of FQs resistance among multidrug resistant TB (Pre-XDR TB) negatively impact patient treatment outcome and is a serious threat to control TB. Methods A total of 562 samples were included in the study from patients with pulmonary TB which had been on anti-tuberculosis therapy. MTBDRsl assay was performed for molecular detection of mutations. Sequence analysis was performed for characterization and mutational profiling of FQ resistant isolates. Results FQs resistance was observed in 104 (18.5%) samples and most of them were previously treated and treatment failure cases. A total of 102 isolates had mutations in gyrA gene. While gyrB gene mutations were observed in only two isolates. Mutational analysis showed that the mutations mostly alter protein at codon 94 (D94G) (represents the replacement of aspartic acid with glycine) and 90 (A90V) (substitution of alanine with valine). In MDR and treatment failure cases, the FQs-R was most commonly associated with D94G mutation. Whereas, a high proportion of A90V mutation was observed in MTB isolates which were newly diagnosed. Conclusion The findings suggest that the genotypic studies for FQs resistance should be carried out at time of initial diagnosis, before starting treatment, to rule out all type of mutations and its potential use in the treatment and to control resistance.
Association of Cognitive Impairment and Elderly Mortality: Differences between two cohorts ascertained 6-years apart in China
Authors: Duan Jun , Lv Yue-Bin , Gao Xiang , Zhou Jin-Hui , Kraus Virginia Byers , Zeng Yi , Su Hong , Shi Xiaoming 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: Cognitive impairment is a major contributor to mortality among the elderly. However, the relationship between cognitive impairment evaluating by educational levels and mortality and the trend between cognitive impairment and mortality with time are unclear. We aim to evaluate the differences in associations of cognitive impairment, taking the stratification by educational levels into account, with all-cause mortality and explore the relationship of cognitive impairment with mortality in different age and sex groups in two cohorts ascertained 6 years apart in China.

Methods: A total of 13906 and 13873 Chinese elderly aged 65 years and older were included in the 2002-2008 and 2008-2014 cohorts from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Mortality data was ascertained from interviews with family members or relatives of participants. Cognitive function, evaluated by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), were defined by different cut-offs taking educational background into account. Cox models were used to explore the relationship of cognitive impairment with mortality.

Results: For the 2002-2008 and 2008-2014 cohorts, 55277 and 53267 person-years were followed up, and the mean (SD) age were 86.5 (11.6) and 87.2 (11.3) years, respectively. Compared to normal cognition, cognitive impairment was independently associated with higher mortality risk after controlling for potential confounders, with hazard ratios (HRs) of 1.32 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-1.39) in 2002-2008 cohort and 1.26 (95% CI, 1.19-1.32) in 2008-2014 cohort, stratified by educational levels. The trend of cognitive impairment with all-cause mortality risk decreased from 2002-2008 to 2008-2014 cohort, while no significant interaction of cognitive impairment with cohort for all-cause mortality was observed. The associations of cognitive impairment and mortality were decreased with age in the two cohorts.

Conclusions: Cognitive impairment evaluated by different cut-offs were associated with increased risk of mortality, especially among those aged 65-79 years in the two cohorts; this advocates that periodic screening for cognitive impairment among the elderly is warranted.
Access to CKD Care in Rural Communities of India: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Barriers and Potential Facilitators
Authors: Jafar Tazeen , Ramakrishnan Chandrika , John Oommen , Tewari Abha , Cobb Benjamin , Legido-Quigley Helena , Sungwon Yoon , Jha Vivekanand 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background Despite the high and rising burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in South Asia, factors that influence access to CKD care at the community level have not been studied previously, especially in the rural areas. We conducted a mixed methods study and interviewed key stakeholders to explore the views and experiences of key stakeholders, and identify barriers and potential facilitators that influence access to CKD care at the primary care level in rural India. Methods A total of 21 stakeholders participated in the study. We conducted 15 in-depth interviews on a purposive sample of stakeholders (CKD patients, healthcare providers and health planners) and one focus group discussion with 6 community health workers. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. We employed the Lévesque’s framework for access to care to base interview guides and structure the initial codes. By inductive and deductive approaches, thematic analysis was undertaken using QSR NVivo version 11. Results The major patient-level barriers to CKD care as reported by the most patients and healthcare providers was poor knowledge and awareness of CKD. Health system-level barriers included shortages of skilled healthcare professionals and medicines, fragmented referrals pathways to the specialists at the hospitals with inadequate follow up care. Many patients and healthcare providers, when asked about areas for improving access to CKD care, reported educational initiatives to increase awareness of CKD among healthcare providers and patients, provision of CKD related supplies, and a systems-level approach to care coordination including task shifting by engaging community health workers in CKD care, as potential facilitators. Conclusions We identified several barriers to access CKD care at the primary care level in rural India that need urgent attention. Targeted CKD screening programs and CKD specific educational initiatives may improve awareness of CKD. Additionally, primary care infrastructure needs to be strengthened for CKD care, ensuring trained staff, availability of essential diagnostics and medications, and creating efficient referral pathways for quality CKD care.
The association between individual perceptions of PM2.5 pollution and pulmonary function in Chinese middle-aged and elderly residents
Authors: Chen Qi , Zhang Jiayao , Xu Yan , Sun Hong , Ding Zhen 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: PM2.5 pollution has become a major public health concern in urban China. Understanding the residents’ individual perceptions toward haze pollution is critical for policymaking and risk communication. However, the perceptions of middle-aged and elderly residents, who particularly vulnerable to haze pollution, are poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to explore their risk perception of haze pollution, and investigating its relationship with health status and pulmonary function parameters.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of 400 randomly sampled individuals (aged 40 to 90 years) was conducted in Wuxi, a typical PM2.5-polluted city in Jiangsu Province, China (daily average PM2.5 concentration was 52.73 μg/m3 between 2015-2017). Each participant’s demographic and health information, individual perception and pulmonary function outcomes were collected, and linear models were employed to explore the relationship between personal characteristics and pulmonary function parameters and perception factors.
Results: We found that the mean values for controllability (4.99 ± 2.78) and dread of risk to oneself (levels of fear for the haze-related harm to oneself) (6.90 ± 2.45) were the lowest and the highest values, respectively, in our study. Education and average family income were positively related with all individual perception factors, while age was negatively associated. A history of respiratory disease was positively associated with all individual perception factors except controllability. Significant positive associations were observed between PEF (coefficients ranged from 0.18 to 0.22) and FEF75% (coefficients ranged from 0.18 to 0.29) with a variety of individual perception factors.
Conclusions: There was a lack of concern and knowledge, weak self-protection consciousness and a strong dread of PM2.5 pollution among the middle-aged and elderly residents in Wuxi. Their individual perceptions were associated with age, education levels, average family income, history of respiratory disease and pulmonary function indexes PEF and FEF75%. Our findings may help policymakers develop effective policies and communication strategies to mitigate the hazards of haze among older residents.
Minimally invasive comprehensive treatment for granulomatous lobular mastitis
Authors: Wang Yaohuai , Song Junlong , Tu Yi , Chen Chuang , Sun Shengrong 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Objective: To describe a minimally invasive comprehensive treatment for granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM) and compare its effect with the existing methods, particularly in terms of its recurrence rate and esthetic outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 69 GLM patients receiving the minimally invasive comprehensive treatment. Patients’ information, including age, clinical features, image characteristics, histopathological findings, mastitis history, treatment process, operative technique, recurrence, and esthetic effect, was evaluated. Results: All patients were female with a median age of 32 (range 17 - 55) years. Hospital stays ranged from 2 to 34 days, with a median of 6 days. The shortest time for complete rehabilitation was 2 days and the longest time was 365 days, with a median of 30 days. After a median follow-up of 391 days (range 162 - 690), 7 patients (10.14%) relapsed. The average cosmetic score was 2.62 ± 0.57 points and was mainly related to the past treatment, especially the surgical history. Conclusion: Minimally invasive comprehensive treatment is a new method for the treatment of GLM, ensuring a therapeutic effect while maintaining breast beauty.
Germline BRCA, Chemotherapy response scores, and survival in the neoadjuvant treatment of ovarian cancer
Authors: Lee Yong Jae , Kim Hyun-Soo , Rim John Hoon , Lee Jung-Yun , Nam Eun Ji , Kim Sang Wun , Kim Sunghoon , Kim Young Tae 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: To analyze the effects of BRCA1/2 mutations on chemotherapy response scores (CRS) and survival in a cohort of patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS).Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 169 high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients who underwent a germline BRCA1/2 test and received three cycles of NAC at the Yonsei Cancer Center from 2006 to 2018. Chemotherapy response scores were compared in patients with and without BRCA1/2 mutations. The effects of BRCA1/2 mutations and CRS on survival were evaluated. Results: BRCA1/2 mutations were detected in 47 (28.1%) of the 169 patients. Overall, 16 (34.0%) patients with BRCA1/2 mutations had a CRS 3 to chemotherapy compared to scores of 43 in patients (35.2%) without a mutation. Response scores of 3 in patients with BRCA1/2 mutations were not significantly associated with either improved progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.949) or overall survival (OS) (P = 0.168). However, CRS 3 in patients without BRCA mutations was significantly associated with both improved PFS (P = 0.030) and OS (P = 0.039). In patients with CRS1/2, carriers of BRCA1/2 mutations had better PFS (P = 0.0344) and OS (P = 0.043) than wild-type BRCA genotype patients.Conclusion: In ovarian cancer patients treated with NAC, CRS did not predict survival for BRCA 1/2 mutation carriers but did for BRCA wild-type patients.
Molecular methods for tracking residual Plasmodium falciparum transmission in a close-to-elimination setting in Zanzibar
Authors: Grossenbacher Benjamin , Holzschuh Aurel , Hofmann Natalie , Omar Kali Abdullah , Stuck Logan , Fakih Bakar Shariff , Ali Abdullah S. , Yukich Joshua , Hetzel Manuel W , Felger Ingrid 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background
Molecular detection of low-density Plasmodium falciparum infections is essential for surveillance studies conducted to inform malaria control strategies in close-to-elimination settings. Molecular monitoring of residual malaria infections usually requires a large study size, therefore sampling and diagnostic processes need to be economical and optimized for high-throughput. A method comparison was undertaken to identify the most efficient diagnostic procedure for processing large collections of community samples with optimal test sensitivity, simplicity, and minimal costs.
Methods
In a reactive case detection study conducted on Zanzibar, parasitaemia of 4590 individuals of all ages was investigated by a highly sensitive quantitative (q) PCR that targets multiple var gene copies per parasite genome. To reduce cost, a first round of positivity screening was performed on pools of dried blood spots from five individuals. Ten cycles of a pre-PCR were performed directly on the filter paper punches, followed by qPCR. In a second round, samples of positive pools were individually analysed by pre-PCR and qPCR.
Results
Prevalence in household members and neighbors of index cases was 1.7% (78/4590) with a geometric mean parasite density of 58 parasites/µl blood. Using qPCR as gold standard, diagnostic sensitivity of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) was 37% (29/78). Infections positive by qPCR but negative by RDT had mean densities of 15 parasites/µl blood.
Conclusion
The approach of pre-screening reactive case detection samples in pools of five was ideal for a low prevalence setting such as in Zanzibar. Performing direct PCR on filter paper punches saves substantial time and justifies the higher cost for a polymerase suitable for amplifying DNA directly from whole blood. Molecular monitoring in community samples provided a more accurate picture of infection prevalence, as it identified a potential reservoir of infection that was largely missed by RDT. The developed qPCR-based methodology for screening large sample sets represents primarily a research tool that should inform the design of malaria elimination strategies. It may also prove beneficial for diagnostic tasks in surveillance-response activities.
Analyzing Big Tobacco’s global youth marketing strategies in Nigeria using the theory of triadic influence
Authors: Isip Ukoabasi , Calvert John Robert 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background

Major transnational tobacco companies (TTCs) have identified Nigeria, the seventh most populous country in the world, as a market with a major revenue potential given its high youth population and growing gross domestic product (GDP). This research analyses tobacco industry-related strategies and activities targeting youth (aged 15 to 24 years) in Nigeria as existing, but most importantly, future tobacco users. Nigeria is the focus of this study because the tobacco industry has viewed it as a major emerging market since the 1990s. Successful marketing in Nigeria could provide the industry with a template for similar initiatives in other emerging markets in low- and middle-income countries.

Methods

The research began with a systematic review of secondary literature to determine how the tobacco industry has targeted youth globally. It then used the theory of triadic influence as a heuristic framework to categorize the various industry strategies. Quotations from internal tobacco industry documents were organized into the three streams of the theory of triadic influence: biology/personality, social and cultural/environmental streams. A total of 12 interviews were conducted with 6 policymakers and governmental officials, 2 civil society organization representatives, a high school principal, a journalist and 2 researchers to investigate how the tobacco industry had targeted youth in Nigeria.

Results

The findings indicate that TTCs have actively targeted youth in Nigeria since the 1990s, focusing on changing behaviour through the biology/personality, social and environmental/ cultural streams.

Conclusion

The study recommends that Nigeria implement and vigorously enforce its 2015 National Tobacco Control Bill.
Strategies to reach and motivate migrant communities at high risk for TB to participate in a latent tuberculosis infection screening program: a community-engaged mixed methods study among Eritreans
Authors: Spruijt Ineke , Haile Dawit Tesfay , Erkens Connie , Hof Susan van den , Goosen Simone , Kate Andrea ten , Teshome Hewan , Karels Marja , Koenders Marga , Suurmond Jeanine 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Background: In the Netherlands, migrant populations with a high tuberculosis (TB) incidence are an important target group for TB prevention. However, there is a lack of insight in effective community-engaged strategies to reach and motivate these migrants to participate in latent TB infection (LTBI) screening and treatment programs.
Methods: In cocreation with Eritrean key figures and TB staff, we designed and executed six strategies to reach and motivate Eritrean communities to participate in LTBI programs, in five regions in the Netherlands. We registered participation in LTBI education and screening, and LTBI treatment uptake and completion. We used semi-structured group and individual interviews with Eritrean participants, key figures, and TB staff to identify facilitators and barriers.
Results: Uptake of LTBI education (13% - 75%) and consequent screening (10% - 124%) varied between strategies. LTBI screening uptake >100% resulted from educated participants motivating others to participate in screening. Two strategies, using face-to-face promotion and targeting smaller groups, were the most successful. The program resulted in high LTBI treatment initiation and completion (both 97%). Reported program barriers included: competing priorities in the target group, perceived good health, poor risk perception, and scepticism towards the program purpose. TB staff perceived the program as useful but demanding in terms of human resources.
Conclusions: Eritrean migrant communities can be successfully reached and motivated for LTBI screening and treatment programs, when sufficient (human) resources are in place and community members, well-connected to and trusted by the community, are engaged in the design and execution of the program.