bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide epigenetic analyses in Japanese immigrant plantation workers with Parkinson’s Disease and exposure to organochlorines reveal possible involvement of glial genes and pathways involved in neurotoxicity
Authors: Go Rodney C.P. , Corley Michael J , Ross George Webster , Petrovich Helen , Masaki Kamal H , Maunakea Alika K , He Qimei , Tiirikainen Maarit I 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a disease of the central nervous system that progressively affects the motor system. Epidemiological studies have provided evidence that exposure to agriculture-related occupations or agrichemicals elevate a person’s risk for PD. Here, we sought to examine the possible epigenetic changes associated with working on a plantation on Oahu, HI and/or exposure to organochlorines (OGC) in PD cases. Results: We measured genome-wide DNA methylation using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450K BeadChip array in matched peripheral blood and postmortem brain biospecimens in PD cases (n=20) assessed for years of plantation work and presence of organochlorines in brain tissue. The comparison of 10+ to 0 years of plantation work exposure detected 7 and 123 differentially methylated loci (DML) in brain and blood DNA, respectively (P<0.0001). The comparison of cases with 4+ to 0-2 detectable levels of OGC, identified 8 and 18 DML in brain and blood DNA, respectively (P <0.0001). Pathway analyses revealed links to key neurotoxic and neuropathologic pathways related to impaired immune and proinflammatory responses as well as impaired clearance of damaged proteins, as found in the predominantly glial cell population in these environmental exposure-related PD cases.Conclusions: These results suggest that distinct DNA methylation biomarker profiles related to environmental exposures in PD cases with previous exposure can be found in both brain and blood.
Modulating effect of vitamin D status on serum anti-adenovirus 36 antibody amount in children with obesity: National Food and Nutrition Surveillance
Authors: Nikooyeh Bahareh , Hollis Bruce , Neyestani Tirang Reza 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background. The association of ADV-36 infection and obesity has been reported in children. The objective of this study was to examine the hypothesis that the association between ADV-36 infection and adiposity may be mediated by sub-optimal vitamin D status of the host. Methods. Ninety one apparently healthy children in different weight categories (normal weight: 33, overweight: 33, obesity: 25) aged 5-18 years were randomly selected from the registered population at National Food and Nutrition Surveillance Program (NFNS). The groups were matched based on age and sex. Anthropometric, biochemical and serological assessments were performed.Results. The amount of anti-ADV36-Ab increased whereas circulating concentrations of 25(OH)D decreased across BMI categories with higher amounts in children with normal weight than in children with overweight and obesity (31.0±16.4, 22.5±10.5 and 21.9±9.8 nmol/L, respectively, p=0.004). Logistic regression analysis revealed that for each unit increment of anti-ADV36-Ab, the chance of increase in weight was 8.5 times (OR: 8.5, p=0.029). Interestingly, when 25(OH)D was introduced into the model, anti-ADV36-Ab was no longer the predictor of weight increment and the chance of increase in weight reduced 5% for each unit increase in 25(OH)D concentration (OR: 0.95, p=0.012). Conclusion. It is suggested that ADV36-induced lipogenesis may be mediated by vitamin D deficiency in children with obesity.
Towards accurate exclusion of neonatal bacterial meningitis: a feasibility study of a novel 16S rDNA PCR assay.
Authors: Abelian Arthur , Mund Thomas , Curran Martin , Savill Stuart , Mitra Nipa , Charan Carol , Ogilvy-Stuart Amanda , Pelham Hugh , Dear Paul 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: PCRctic is an innovative assay based on 16S rDNA PCR technology that has been designed to detect a single intact bacterium in a specimen of cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF). The assay’s potential for accurate, fast and inexpensive discrimination of bacteria-free CSF makes it an ideal adjunct for confident exclusion of bacterial meningitis in newborn babies where the negative predictive value of bacterial culture is poor. This study aimed to stress-test and optimize PCRctic in the “field conditions” to attain a clinically useful level of specificity.Methods: The specificity of PCRctic was evaluated in CSF obtained from newborn babies investigated for meningitis on a tertiary neonatal unit. Following an interim analysis, the method of skin antisepsis was changed to increase bactericidal effect, and snap-top tubes (EppendorfTM) replaced standard universal containers for collection of CSF to reduce environmental contamination.Results: The assay’s specificity was 90.5% in CSF collected into the snap-top tubes – up from 60% in CSF in the universal containers. The method of skin antisepsis had no effect on the specificity. All CSF cultures were negative and no clinical cases of neonatal bacterial meningitis occurred during the study. Conclusions: a simple and inexpensive optimization of CSF collection resulted in a high specificity output. The low prevalence of neonatal bacterial meningitis means that a large multi-centre study will be required to validate the assay’s sensitivity and its negative predictive value.
Eimeria tenella Eimeria-specific protein that interacts with apical membrane antigen 1 (EtAMA1) is involved in host cell invasion
Authors: Li Cong , Zhao Qiping , Zhu Shunhai , Wang Qingjie , Wang Haixia , Yu Shuilan , Yu Yu , Liang Shashan , Zhao Huanzhi , Huang Bing , Dong Hui , Han Hongyu 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Avian coccidiosis is a widespread, economically significant disease of poultry, caused by several species of the protozoan parasite Eimeria. Among these species, E. tenella causes hemorrhagic pathologies and high mortality. These parasites have complex and diverse lifestyles that require the invasion of their host cells. This is mediated by various proteins secreted from apical secretory organelles. Apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1), which is released from micronemes and is conserved across all apicomplexans, plays a central role in the host cell invasion. In a previous study, some putative EtAMA1-interacting proteins of E. tenella were screened. In this study, we characterized one putative EtAMA1-interacting protein, E. tenella Eimeria -specific protein (EtEsp).Methods: Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein pull-down (GST pull-down) were used to confirm the interaction between EtAMA1 and EtEsp in vivo and in vitro. The expression of EtEsp was analyzed in different developmental stages of E. tenella with quantitative PCR and western blotting. The secretion of EtEsp protein was tested with staurosporine when sporozoites were incubated in complete medium at 41 °C.The localization of EtEsp was analyzed with an immunoﬂuorescence assay. An in vitro invasion inhibition assay was conducted to assess the ability of antibodies against EtEsp to inhibit cell invasion by E. tenella sporozoites.Results: The interaction between EtAMA1 and EtEsp was confirmed with BiFC in vivo and by GST pull-down in vitro. Our results show that EtEsp is differentially expressed during distinct phases of the parasite life cycle. An immunoﬂuorescence analysis showed that the EtEsp protein is mainly distributed on the parasite surface, and that the expression of this protein increases during the development of the parasite in the host cells. Using staurosporine, we showed that EtEsp is a secreted protein, but not from micronemes. In inhibition tests, a polyclonal anti-rEtEsp antibody attenuated the capacity of E. tenella to invade host cells in vitro. Conclusion: In this study, we show that EtEsp interacts with EtAMA1 and that the protein is secreted protein, but not from micronemes. The protein participates in the sporozoite invasion of host cells and maybe involved in the growth of the parasite in the host. These data have implications for the use of EtAMA1 or EtAMA1-interacting proteins as targets in intervention strategies against avian coccidiosis.
Small intestinal microbiota composition and the prognosis of infants with ileostomy resulting from distinct primary diseases
Authors: Qian Tian , Zhu Haitao , Zhu Li , Chen Chao , Shen Chun , Zhang Rong 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Studies of microbiota composition of infants with small intestinal ostomy due to various etiologies are limited. Here, we characterized the intestinal microbiota of neonates with ileostomy resulting from distinct primary diseases. Methods: Fifteen patients with necrotizing enterocolitis, eight patients with meconium peritonitis, and seven patients with Hirschsprung's disease were included in the study. The small intestinal microbiota composition in infants with ileostomy caused by these diseases was studied. Results: Microbial diversity in neonatal ileostomy fluid was generally low, and was dominated by members of the Proteobacteria and Firmicutes phyla. At the genus level, the most abundant were Klebsiella, Escherichia-Shigella, Streptococcus, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Enterococcus, and Lactobacillus. Streptococcus and Veillonella are related to carbohydrate metabolism and immunity, and breastfeeding can increase the proportion of these potentially beneficial bacteria. The proportion of Bifidobacterium in the breastfeeding group was higher than that in the non-breastfeeding group, and incidence of colitis and sepsis was reduced in the breastfeeding group. The proportion of Bifidobacterium increased and incidence of colitis and sepsis decreased in the breastfeeding group compared with the non- breastfeeding group, but there was no significant difference. The increase in body weight in the breastfeeding group was observed to be higher than in the non-breastfeeding group. Conclusions: Excessive Klebsiella and Escherichia-Shigella and low abundance of Streptococcus, Veillonella and Faecalibacterium suggests that the small intestinal microbiota is in an unhealthy state after ileostomy. However, Streptococcus, Faecalibacterium, and Veillonella species were frequently present, suggesting that expansion of these bacteria might assist the development of the immune system after surgery.
Effects of chalazion and its treatments on the meibomian glands: a nonrandomized, prospective observation clinical study
Authors: Li Junping , Li Dongping , Zhou Na , Qi Mengying , Luo Yanzhu , Wang Yuhong 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background To observe the effects of chalazion and its treatments on meibomian gland function and morphology in the chalazion area. Methods This nonrandomized, prospective observational clinical study included 58 patients (67 eyelids) who were cured of chalazion, including 23 patients (23 eyelids) treated with a conservative method and 35 patients (44 eyelids) treated with surgery. Infrared meibomian gland photography combined with image analysis by ImageJ software was used to measure the chalazion area proportion. Slit-lamp microscopy was employed to evaluate meibomian gland function, and a confocal microscope was used to observe meibomian gland acinar morphology before treatment and 1 month after complete chalazion resolution. Results At 1 month after chalazion resolution, the original chalazion area showed meibomian gland loss according to infrared meibomian gland photography in both groups. In patients who received conservative treatment, the meibomian gland function parameters before treatment were 0.74±0.75, 0.48±0.67, and 1.22±0.60, respectively. One month after chalazion resolution, the parameters were 0.35±0.49, 0.17±0.49, and 0.91±0.60, respectively; there was significant difference (P<0.05). The proportion of the chalazion area before treatment was 14.90 (11.03, 25.3), and the proportion of meibomian gland loss at 1 month after chalazion resolution was 14.64 (10.33, 25.77); there was no significant difference (P>0.05). In patients who underwent surgery, the meibomian gland function parameters before surgery were 0.93±0.87, 1.07±0.70, and 1.59±0.76, respectively, and at 1 month after chalazion resolution, they were 0.93±0.82, 0.95±0.75, and 1.52±0.70, respectively; there was no significant difference (P>0.05). The proportion of the chalazion area before surgery was 14.90 (12.04, 21.6), and the proportion of meibomian gland loss at 1 month after chalazion resolution was 14.84 (11.31, 21.81); there was no significant difference (P>0.05). The acinar structure could not be observed clearly in the meibomian gland loss area in most patients. Conclusions Chalazion causes meibomian gland loss, and the range of meibomian gland loss is not related to the treatment method but to the range of chalazion itself. A hot compress as part of conservative treatment can improve meibomian gland function at the site of chalazion in the short term.
Measurement properties of the Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ): a between country comparison
Authors: Christiansen David Høyrup , McCray Gareth , Winding Trine Nøhr , Andersen Johan Hviid , Nielsen Kent Jacob , Karstens Sven , Hill Jonathan C 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The Musculoskeletal Health Questionnaire (MSK-HQ) has been developed to measure musculoskeletal health status across musculoskeletal conditions and settings. However, the MSK-HQ needs to be further evaluated across settings and different languages.Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare measurement properties of the MSK-HQ across Danish (DK) and English (UK) cohorts of patients from primary care physiotherapy services with musculoskeletal pain. Methods: MSK-HQ was translated into Danish according to international guidelines. Measurement invariance was assessed by differential item functioning (DIF) analyses. Test-retest reliability, measurement error, responsiveness and minimal clinically important change (MCIC) were evaluated and compared between DK (n=153) and UK (n=166) cohorts. Results: The Danish version demonstrated acceptable face and construct validity. Out of the 14 MSK-HQ items, three items showed DIF for language (pain/stiffness at night, understanding condition and confidence in managing symptoms) and three items showed DIF for pain location (walking, washing/dressing and physical activity levels). Intraclass Correlation Coefficients for test-retest were 0.86 (95% CI 0.81 to 0.91) for DK cohort and 0.77 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.90) for the UK cohort. The systematic measurement error was 1.6 and 3.9 points for the DK and UK cohorts respectively, with random measurement error being 8.6 and 9.9 points. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the change scores against patients’ own judgment at 3 months exceeded 0.70 in both cohorts. Absolute and relative MCIC estimates were 8-10 points and 26% for the DK cohort and 6-8 points and 29% for the UK cohort.Conclusions: The measurement properties of MSK-HQ were acceptable across countries, but seem more suited for group than individual level evaluation. Researchers and clinicians should be aware that some discrepancy exits and should take the observed measurement error into account when evaluating change in scores over time.
The risk of fracture and prevalence of osteoporosis is elevated in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: cross-sectional study from a single Hungarian center
Authors: Vincze Anett , Bodoki Levente , Szabó Katalin , Nagy-Vincze Melinda , Szalmás Orsolya , Varga József , Dankó Katalin , Gaál János , Griger Zoltan 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: The prevalence of osteoporosis and risk of fractures is elevated in rheumatoid arthritis, but we have limited information about the bone mineral density and fracture risk in patients with inflammatory myopathies. We intended to ascertain and compare fracture risk, bone mineral density (BMD) and the prevalence of vertebral fractures in patients with inflammatory myositis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to assess the effect of prevalent fractures on the quality of life and functional capacity.Methods: Fifty-two patients with myositis and 43 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were included in the study. Fracture Risk was determined using FRAX® Calculation Tool developed by the University of Sheffield. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and bidirectional thoracolumbar radiographs were performed to assess BMD and vertebral fractures. Quality of life was measured with Short Form-36 (SF-36) and physical function assessment was performed using Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Results: We found a significantly elevated fracture risk in RA as compared to myositis patients if the risk assessment was performed without the inclusion of the BMD results. If BMD results and glucocorticoid dose adjustment were taken into account, the differences in fracture risk were no longer significant. The prevalence of osteoporosis was found to be significantly higher in the myositis group (7% vs. 13.5%, p: 0.045), but the fracture prevalence was similar in the two groups (75% vs. 68%). The fracture rates were independently associated with age in the myositis group, and with lower BMD results in the RA patients. The number of prevalent fractures was significantly correlated to poorer physical function in both groups, and poorer health status in the myositis group, but not in the RA group.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that inflammatory myopathies carry significantly elevated risks for osteoporosis and fractures. These higher risks are comparable to ones detected with RA in studies and strongly affect the physical function and quality of life of patients. Therefore further efforts are required to make the fracture risk assessment reliable and to facilitate the use of early preventive treatments.
Age and education as factors associated with medication literacy: a community pharmacy perspective.
Authors: Plaza-Zamora Javier , Legaz Isabel , Osuna Eduardo , Pérez-Cárceles M. D. 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Background: Aging implies a higher prevalence of chronic pathologies and a corresponding increase in medication. The correct adherence and use of the medication are prerequisites for reducing risks of disease progression, comorbidity, and mortality. Medication literacy (ML) is the specific ability to safely access and understand the information available concerning medication, and to act accordingly. Currently, there are few specific instruments that ascertain the extent of ML in the general population. The aim of this work was to analyse ML in a large cohort of pharmacy customers. Methods: A total of 400 community pharmacy clients were analyzed to assess the level of ML (documental and numeracy) through the validated MedLitRxSE tool. Results: The results showed that out of a total of 400 community pharmacy clients only 136 (34%) had an adequate degree of ML, while the rest of the clients (n=264; 66%) were adjudged not to have this ability. Women were more likely to have an inadequate degree of ML (70.1% vs, 58.1% of men). The groups between 51-65 and ˃65 years showed a low level of ML (23.5% and 7.1%, respectively) compared with the rest of the age groups. The education level was also analyzed and a statistically significant increase in ML was observed as the clients’ academic level increased (P <0.001). Conclusions: An inadequate ML level was found in community pharmacy clients over the age of 51, and also in those with primary or non-formal studies. Our data add to our knowledge about ML, and should pharmacists and other health professionals to adopt new strategies to prevent, or at least reduce, errors in taking medicines, thus avoiding the undesirable effects of any misuse.
Induced neuroprotection by remote ischemic perconditioning as a new paradigm in ischemic stroke at the acute phase, a systematic review
Authors: Purroy Francisco , García Cristina , Mauri Gerard , Pereira Cristina , Torres Coral , Vazquez-Justes Daniel , Vicente-Pascualº Mikel , Vena Ana , Arque Gloria 
Published: June 2020

Abstract
Remote ischemic conditioning during cerebral ischemia (remote ischemic perconditioning, RIPerC) refers to the application of several cycles of brief ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) commonly to a limb, and it represents a new paradigm in neuroprotection with multiple mechanisms of action in ischemic stroke (IS) patients during acute phase. Some clinical trials just finished, and a few others are still ongoing; gather the current knowledge and pull it down to influence the present and future studies was the goal of this paper. For that, a systematic review of published research papers and/or registered clinical trials since 2000 was performed. Nineteen studies were identified and only four studies were completed. All of them have demonstrated that RIPerC is safe, feasible and well tolerated in IS patients. However, a high heterogeneity of clinical trial characteristics was observed: five (26.3%) randomized clinical trials (RCTs) included only thrombolytic-treated patients, three (15.8%) RCTs only thrombectomy-treated patients, and five (26.3%) RCTs required radiological confirmation of IS. Temporal inclusion criteria vary from 4h to 48h. Most of the clinical trials used 4 cycles of RIPerC in the upper non-affected limb. Interestingly, only three (16.7%) RCTs applied RIPerC during the transportation in the ambulance. Neuroimaging outputs were the main endpoints when endovascular therapy was applied; functional outcome is also the main endpoint in large-medium size studies. This review summarizes the completed and ongoing clinical trials on RIPerC in IS patients, where RIPerC has been used alone or in combination with recanalization therapies. Ongoing clinical trials will provide new information on the best RIPerC intervention strategy and potentially improve the functional outcome of IS patients; definition of new RIPerC strategies would ideally aim at enhancing tissue preservation, promoting neurological recovery, and stratify patients to improve treatment feasibility.