bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
U-shaped association between plasma sphingosine-1-phosphate levels and mortality in patients with chronic systolic heart failure: A prospective cohort study.
Authors: Xue Yanbo , Wei Jiang , Qiong Ma , Xiqiang Wang , Pu Jia , Qiang Li , Shuping Chen , Bingxue Song , Ya Wang , Jingwen Zhang , Jing Liu , Guodong Yang , Yuyao Lin , Jing Liu , Linyan Wei , Caijuan Dong , Haiquan Li , Zhonglei Xie , Ling Bai , Ma Aiqun 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: The endogenous lipid molecule sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has received attention in the cardiovascular field due to its significant cardioprotective effects, as revealed in animal studies. The purpose of our study was to identify the distribution characteristics of S1P in systolic heart failure patients and the prognostic value of S1P for long-term prognosis.
Methods: We recruited 210 chronic systolic heart failure patients from June 2014 to December 2015. Meanwhile 54 healthy people in the same area were selected as controls. Plasma S1P was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Patients were grouped according to the baseline S1P level quartiles, and restricted cubic spline plots described the association between S1P and all-cause death. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to determine the relationship between category of S1P and all-cause death.
Results: Compared with the control group, the plasma S1P in chronic heart failure patients demonstrated a higher mean level (1.269 μmol/L vs 1.122 μmol/L, P =0.006) and a larger standard deviation (0.441 vs 0.316, P =0.022). Based on multivariable Cox regression with restricted cubic spline analysis, a non-linear and U-shaped association between S1P levels and the risk of all-cause death was observed. After a follow-up period of 31.7 ± 10.3 months, the second quartile (0.967-1.192μml/L) with largely normal S1P levels had the lowest all-cause mortality and either an increase (adjusted HR=2.368, 95%CI 1.006-5.572, P =0.048) or a decrease (adjusted HR=0.041, 95%CI 0.002-0.808, P =0.036) predicted a worse prognosis.The survival curves showed that patients in the lowest quartile and highest quartile were at a higher risk of death.
Conclusions: Plasma S1P levels in systolic heart failure patients are related to the long-term all-cause mortality with a U-shaped correlation.
Investigation of the antigenicity and protective efficacy of Leishmania promastigote membrane antigens in search of potential diagnostic and vaccine candidates against visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Ejazi Sarfaraz Ahmad , Ghosh Smriti , Bhattacharyya Anirban , Kamran Mohd , Das Sonali , Bhowmick Sudipta , Rahaman Mehebubar , Goswami Rama Prosad , Ali Nahid 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a parasitic disease causes serious medical consequences if treatment is delayed. Despite a decline in the number of VL cases in the Indian Subcontinent, the commencement of the disease in newer areas continues to be a major concern. Although serological diagnosis mainly by immunochromatographic tests has been found to be effective, test for cure in different phases of treatment is still desired. Even though a good prophylactic response has been obtained in murine models by a number of vaccine candidates, few have been proposed for human use. Methods: In this study, nine antigenic components (31, 34, 36, 45, 51, 63, 72, 91 and 97 kDa) of Leishmania promastigote membrane antigens, LAg, were electroeluted and evaluated through ELISA to diagnose and distinguish active VL from one month cured and six month past infection. Further, to investigate the immunogenicity of electroeluted proteins, human PBMCs of cured VL patients were stimulated with 31, 34, 51, 63, 72, and 91 kDa proteins. Results: We found that 34 and 51 kDa proteins show 100% sensitivity and specificity with healthy controls and other diseases. After six months post treatment, antibodies to 72 and 91 kDa antigens show a significant decline to almost normal levels. This suggests that 34 and 51 kDa are efficient in diagnosis whereas 72 and 91 kDa may be used to monitor treatment outcome. In another study, 51 and 63 kDa proteins demonstrated maximum ability for up-regulate IFN-g and IL-12 with minimum induction of IL-10 and TGF-β. The results indicating that 51 and 63 kDa proteins could be strong candidates for human immunization against VL. In contrast, 34 and 91 kDa demonstrated a reverse profile and may not be a good vaccine candidate. Conclusions: The preliminary data obtained in this study proposes the potential of some of the antigens in Leishmania diagnosis and for test of cure. Additionally, some antigens demonstrated good immunoprophylactic cytokine production through T cell mediated immune response suggesting future vaccine candidates for VL. However, further studies are necessary to explore these antigens in diagnosis and to access long-term immune response.
Active Play in ASP –A matched-pair cluster-randomized trial investigating the effectiveness of an intervention in After-school programs for supporting children’s physical activity
Authors: Riiser Kirsti , Richardsen Kåre Rønn , Haugen Anders Lund Hage , Lund Siv , Løndal Knut 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: Interventions directed at after school programs (ASPs) have the potential to support physical activity (PA) in young children. Research has indicated that interventions that emphasize competence building among the ASP staff can lead to increased PA among the children. The present study evaluates the effectiveness of the Active Play in ASP intervention—a program for ASP staff aimed at supporting physical activity among first graders in ASP.
Methods: We used a matched-pair cluster randomized design and included 456 first graders from 14 schools in Norway. From these, 7 ASPs received the intervention (N = 229), while 7 acted as controls (N = 227). Measurements were taken at baseline, immediately post intervention (7 month follow-up) and after a year (19 month follow-up). The primary outcome was moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), which was estimated with predefined cut points of counts per minute (CPM) and expressed as minutes/hour. Secondary outcomes were vigorous and light intensity physical activity (VPA and LPA) and sedentary behavior. The analyses of intervention effects were based on between-group differences in outcome changes between the 3 measurement points and were conducted using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures using categorical time. In exploratory analyses, we investigated gender, baseline body mass index, and baseline CPM as potential effect modifiers.
Results: No significant intervention effects was observed on MVPA (0.55 min/hour [99% CI -0.55:1.64]) or on the secondary outcomes, min/hour of LPA, VPA or sedentary behavior. Exploratory analyses indicated that among the 50% least physically active children at baseline, children in intervention ASPs reduced sedentary time from baseline to 19 months follow up by 1.67 min/hour (95% CI -3.12:-0.21) compared to the controls.
Conclusions: Although the intervention did not significantly increase the mean MVPA among the children in the intervention ASPs compared to controls, it did seem to have a small effect by reducing sedentary behavior time among the least active children. An even stronger emphasis on how to identify less active children and support their activity may be needed in order to increase their PA and further reduce sedentary behavior time.
Design of PCR assays to specifically detect and identify 37 Lactobacillus species in a single 96 well plate
Authors: Kim Eiseul , Yang Seung-Min , Lim Bora , Park Si Hong , Rackerby Bryna , Kim Hae-Yeong 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background

Lactobacillus species are used as probiotics and play an important role in fermented food production. However, use of 16S rRNA gene sequences as standard markers for the differentiation of Lactobacillus species offers a very limited scope, as several species of Lactobacillus share similar 16S rRNA gene sequences. In this study, we developed a rapid and accurate method based on comparative genomic analysis for the simultaneous identification of 37 Lactobacillus species that are commonly used in probiotics and fermented foods.

Results

To select species-specific sequences or genes, a total of 180 Lactobacillus genome sequences were compared using Python scripts. In 14 out of 37 species, species-specific sequences could not be found due to the similarity of the 16S–23S rRNA gene. Selected unique genes were obtained using comparative genomic analysis and all genes were confirmed to be specific for 52,478,804 genomes via in silico analysis; they were found not to be strain-specific, but to exist in all strains of the same species. Species-specific primer pairs were designed from the selected 16S–23S rRNA gene sequences or unique genes of species. The specificity of the species-specific primer pairs was confirmed using reference strains, and the accuracy and efficiency of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with the standard curve were confirmed. The PCR method developed in this study is able to accurately differentiate species that were not distinguishable using the 16S rRNA gene alone. This PCR assays were designed to detect and identify 37 Lactobacillus species. The developed method was then applied in the monitoring of 19 probiotics and 12 dairy products. The applied tests confirmed that the species detected in 17 products matched those indicated on their labels, whereas the remaining products contained species other than those appearing on the label.

Conclusions

The method developed in this study is able to rapidly and accurately distinguish different species of Lactobacillus , and can be used to monitor specific Lactobacillus species in foods such as probiotics and dairy products.
Predicting the occurrence of venous thromboembolism: construction and verification of Risk Warning Model
Authors: Shen Chen , Ge Binqian , Liu Xiaoqin , Chen Hao , Qin Yi , Shen Hongwu 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: The onset of venous thromboembolism is insidious and the prognosis is poor. In this study, we aimed to construct a VTE risk early warning model and explore the clinical application value of the VTE risk early warning model. Methods: Preliminary construction of the VTE risk warning model was carried out according to the independent risk warning indicators of VTE screened by Logistic regression analysis in previous studies. The truncated value of screening VTE was obtained and the model was evaluated. ROC curve analysis was used to compare the test performance of Caprini risk assessment scale and VTE risk warning model on VTE. The validation data set was established, and the cut-off value of the VTE risk warning model was used to evaluate the test effectiveness of the model for VTE patients with validation data set. Results: The VTE risk warning model is p = ex / ( 1+ ex ) , x = -4.840 + 2.557 • X10(1) + 1.432 • X14(1) + 2.977 • X15(1) + 3.445 • X18(1) + 1.086 • X25(1) + 0.249 • X34 + 0.282 • X41. ROC curve results show that: AUC (95%CI), cutoff value (95%CI), accuracy, Youden index (95%), sensitivity, specificity and other evaluation indexes, Caprini risk assessment scale is 0.596 (0.552, 0.638), > 5 (> 4, > 5), 61.3%, 0.226 (0.167, 0.290), 26.07%, 96.50%, VTE risk warning model is 0.960 (0.940, 0.976), > 0.438 (> 0.263), respectively. >, 0.504), 92.2%, 0.844 (0.789, 0.879), 92.61%, 91.83%, with statistically significant differences (Z=14.521, P < 0.0001). The accuracy and Youden index of VTE screening using VTE risk warning model were 81.8% and 62.5%, respectively. Conclusions: VTE risk warning model has high accuracy in predicting the occurrence of VTE in hospitalized patients, and its test performance is higher than Caprini risk assessment scale. It also has high test performance for VTE in external population.
Outcomes following administration of tranexamic acid in combat-related intracranial hemorrhage: a cohort study
Authors: Walker Patrick F , Bozzay Joseph D. , Johnston Luke R. , Elster Eric A. , Rodriguez Carlos J. , Bradley Matthew J. 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUND Tranexamic acid (TXA) may be a useful adjunct for military patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). These patients are often treated in austere settings without immediate access to neurosurgical intervention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate any association between TXA use and progression of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), neurologic outcomes, and venous thromboembolism (VTE) in TBI.METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of combat casualties from October 2010 to December 2015 who were transferred to a military treatment facility (MTF) in the United States. Data collected included: demographics, types of injuries, initial and interval head computerized tomography (CT) scans, Glasgow Coma Scores (GCS), and six-month Glasgow Outcome Scores (GOS). Results were stratified based on TXA administration, progression of ICH, and VTE.RESULTS Of the 687 active duty service members reviewed, 71 patients had ICH (10.3%). Most casualties were injured in a blast (80.3%), with 36 patients (50.7%) sustaining a penetrating TBI. Mean ISS was 28.2 ± 12.3. Nine patients (12.7%) received a massive transfusion within 24 hours of injury, and TXA was administered to 14 (19.7%) casualties. Patients that received TXA had lower initial reported GCS (9.2 ± 4.4 vs. 12.5 ± 3.4, p=0.003), similar discharge GCS (13.3 ±4.0 vs. 13.8±3.2, p=0.58), and a larger improvement between initial and discharge GCS (3.7±3.9 vs. 1.3±3.1, p=0.02). However, there was no difference in mortality (7.1% vs. 7.0%, p=1.00), progression of ICH (45.5% vs. 14.7%, p=0.09), frequency of cranial decompression (50.0% vs. 42.1%, p=0.76), or mean GOS (3.5±0.9 vs. 3.8±1.0, p=0.13). Patients administered TXA had a higher rate of VTE (35.7% vs. 7.0%, p=0.01). On multivariate analysis, however, TXA was not independently associated with VTE.CONCLUSIONS Patients that received TXA were associated with an improvement in GCS but not in progression of ICH or GOS. TXA was not independently associated with VTE, although this may be related to a paucity of patients receiving TXA. Decisions about TXA administration in combat casualties with ICH should be considered in the context of the availability of neurosurgical intervention as well as severity of extracranial injuries and need for massive transfusion.
The correlations between Th1 and Th2 cytokines in human alveolar echinococcosis
Authors: Ma Xiao , Zhang Xuefei , Liu Jia , Liu Yufang , Zhao Cunzhe , Cai Huixia , Lei Wen , Ma Junying , Fan Haining , Zhou Jianye , Liu Na , Zhang Jingxiao , Wang Yongshun , Wang Wei , Zhan Peizhen , Zhang Xiongying , Zhang Qing , Shi Kemei , Liu Peiyun 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background : Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus multilocularis larval tapeworm infections in humans that severely impairs the health of affected patients in the northern hemisphere.
Methods : The expression levels of 20 cytokines associated with AE infection were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the correlations between these cytokines were analysed in the R programming language.
Results : Serum cytokine levels differed among individuals in both the AE patient and healthy control groups. The results of the correlations among the cytokines showed obvious differences between the two groups. In the AE patients group, Th1 and Th2 cytokines formed a more complicated network than that in the healthy control group.
Conclusions : The altered correlations between Th1 and Th2 cytokines may be closely associated with AE infection, which may provide a new explanation for the essential differences between AE patients and healthy individuals.
Enhanced rhamnolipids production using a novel bioreactor system based on integrated foam-control and repeated fed-batch fermentation strategy
Authors: Xu Ning , Liu Shixun , Xu Lijie , Zhou Jie , Xin Fengxue , Zhang Wenming , Qian Xiujuan , New Min Li , Dong Weiliang , Jiang Min 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Rhamnolipid is the best known microbial-derived biosurfactants, which has attracted great interest as potential ‘‘green” alternative for synthetic surfactants. However, rhamnolipid is the major contributor to severe foam problems, which greatly inhibits the economics of industrial-scale production. In this study, a novel foam-control system was established for ex situ dealing with the massive overﬂowing foam. Based on the designed facility, foam reduction efficiency, rhamnolipid production by batch and repeated fed-batch fermentation were comprehensively investigated. Results An ex situ foam-control system was developed to control the massive overﬂowing foam and improve rhamnolipid production. It was found that the size of individual bubble in the early stage was much larger than that of late fermentation stage. The foam liquefaction efficiency decreased from 54.37% at the beginning to only 9.23 % at the end of the fermentation. This difference of bubble stability directly resulted higher foam reduction efficiency of 67.46 % in the early stage, whereas the small uniform bubbles can only be reduced by 57.53 % at the later fermentation stage. Moreover, reduction of secondary foam is very important for foam controlling. Two improved design of the device in this study got about 20% improvement of foam reduction efﬁciency, respectively. The batch fermentation result showed that the average volume of the overflowing foam was reduced from 58~640 mL/min to 19~216 mL/min during fermentation process, presenting a notable reduction efficiency ranging from 51.92% to 73.47%. Meanwhile, rhamnolipid production of batch fermentation reached to 45.63g/L, and the yield 0.76g/g was signiﬁcantly better than ever reported. Further, a repeated fed-batch fermentation based on the overall optimization was carried out. Total rhamnolipids concentration reached 48.67 g/L with the yield around of 0.67-0.83 g/g, which presented an improvement of 62% and 49% compared with conventional batch fermentation by using various kinds of defoamer, respectively. Conclusions The ex situ foam-control system presented a notable reduction efficiency, which helped a lot to easily solve the severe foaming problem without any defoamer addition. Moreover, rhamnolipid production and yield by repeated fed-batch fermentation got prominent improvement compared to conventional batch cultivation, which can further facilitate economical rhamnolipids production at large scales.
Characterization of Clostridium novyi isolated from a sow in a sudden death case in Korea
Authors: Jeong Chang-Gi , Seo Byoung-Joo , Nazki Salik , Jung Byung Kwon , Khatun Amina , Yang Myeon-Sik , Kim Seung-Chai , Noh Sang-Hyun , Shin Jae-Ho , Kim Bumseok , Kim Won-Il 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background Multifocal spherical nonstaining cavities and gram-positive, rod-shaped, and endospore-forming bacteria were found in the liver of a sow that died suddenly. Clostridium novyi type B was identified and isolated from the sudden death case and the isolate was characterized by molecular analyses and bioassays in the current study. Results C. novyi was isolated from the liver and was confirmed as C. novyi type B by differential PCR. The C. novyi isolate fermented glucose and maltose and demonstrated lecithinase activity, and the cell-free culture supernatant of the C. novyi isolate exhibited cytotoxicity toward Vero cells, demonstrating that the isolate produces toxins. In addition, whole-genome sequencing of the C. novyi isolate was performed, and the complete sequences of the chromosome (2.29 Mbp) and two plasmids (134 and 68 kbp) were identified for the first time. Based on genome annotation, 7 genes were identified as glycosyltransferases, which are known as alpha toxins; 23 genes were found to be related to sporulation; 12 genes were found to be related to germination; and 20 genes were found to be related to chemotaxis. Conclusion C. novyi type B was isolated from a sow in a sudden death case and confirmed by biochemical and molecular characterization. Various virulence-associated genes were identified for the first time based on whole-genome sequencing.
Association between hip muscle cross-sectional area and hip pain and function in individuals with mild-to-moderate hip osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Peiris Waruna , Cicuttini Flavia M , Constantinou Maria , Yaqobi Abbas , Hussain Sultana Monira , Wluka Anita E , Urquhart Donna , Barrett Rod , Kennedy Ben , Wang Yuanyuan 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background: To examine the associations between hip muscle cross-sectional area and hip pain and function in community-based individuals with mild-to-moderate hip osteoarthritis.
Methods: This study included 27 participants with mild-to-moderate hip osteoarthritis. Cross-sectional area of hip muscles, including psoas major, rectus femoris, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and minimus, adductor longus and magnus, obturator internus, and obturator externus, were measured from magnetic resonance images. Hip pain and function were evaluated using the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS) categorised into 5 subscales: pain, symptoms, activity of daily living, sport and recreation function, and hip-related quality of life (for each subscale 0 representing extreme problems and 100 representing no problems).
Results: Mean age of the 27 participants was 63.2 (SD 7.6) years and 66.7% (n=18) were female. After adjusting for age and gender, greater cross-sectional area of adductor longus and magnus was associated with a higher HOOS score in quality of life (regression coefficient 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.2-2.7, p=0.02), activity of daily living (regression coefficient 1.3, 95% CI 0.1-2.6, p=0.04) and sport and recreation function (regression coefficient 1.6, 95% CI 0.1-3.0, p=0.04). There was a trend towards an association between greater cross-sectional area of psoas major and a higher quality of life score (regression coefficient 3.6, 95% CI -0.5 to 7.7, p=0.08). The cross-sectional area of hip muscles was not significantly associated with HOOS pain or symptom score.
Conclusion: Greater cross-sectional area of hip adductors was associated with better function and quality of life in individuals with mild-to-moderate hip osteoarthritis. Greater cross-sectional area of hip flexors might be associated with better quality of life. These findings, while need to be confirmed in longitudinal studies, suggest that targeting the hip adductor and flexor muscles may improve function and quality of life in those with mild-to-moderate hip osteoarthritis.