bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Community Pharmacists on Antibiotic Resistance and Antimicrobial Stewardship in Lusaka, Zambia
Authors: Mudenda Steward , Hankombo Mutinta , Saleem Zikria , Sadiq Mohammad Jaffar , Banda Michelo , Munkombwe Derick , Mwila Chiluba , Kasanga Maisa , Zulu Annie Chibwe , Hangoma Jimmy Mapenzi , Mufwambi Webrod , Muungo Lungwani Tyson , Kampamba Ronald Mutati , Bambala Andrew Munkuli , Abdulrahman Noor Mohammed , Akram Muhammad , Muma John Bwalya 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAntibiotic resistance is among the major threats to global health. Due to limited information on the subject matter in Zambia, we assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practices of community pharmacists on antibiotic resistance and antimicrobial stewardship. We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among 144 randomly selected community pharmacists through a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22 at 95% confidence level. A response rate of 91% (n=144) was achieved. The majority (63%) of the community pharmacists were male and were aged between 30 and 39 years. Interestingly, 93.8% had good knowledge while 67% had positive attitudes. Conversely, 75% of the community pharmacists demonstrated poor practices towards antibiotic resistance and antimicrobial stewardship. Even though community pharmacists had good knowledge and positive attitudes, they demonstrated poor practices that require quick educational interventions. There is a need to promote antimicrobial stewardship sensitization programmes among community pharmacists.
Factors Associated with Good Patient Outcomes Following Convalescent Plasma in COVID-19: A Prospective Phase II Clinical Trial
Authors: Ibrahim Danyal , Dulipsingh Latha , Zapatka Lisa , Eadie Reginald , Crowell Rebecca , Williams Kendra , Wakefield Dorothy B. , Cook Lisa , Puff Jennifer , Hussain Syed A. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe conducted a prospective single-arm open-label phase II clinical trial assessing the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Convalescent plasma with sufficient IgG titer (1:320) obtained from recovered donors was administered to adult patients with either severe or critical COVID-19 illness. Primary outcomes were adverse events in association with plasma administration, and hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included disease progression, recovery, length of stay, and hospital discharge. Of the 38 patients included in the analysis, 24 (63%) recovered and were discharged, and 14 (37%) died. Patients who received convalescent plasma early in the disease course (severe illness group) as compared to the patients that received convalescent plasma later in disease progression (critical illness group) had significantly lower hospital mortality 13% vs 55% (p<0.02) and shorter mean hospital length of stay 15.4 vs 33 days (p<0.01). One patient experienced a transient transfusion reaction. No other adverse effects of convalescent plasma infusion were observed. Our results suggest that convalescent plasma is safe and has the potential for positive impact on clinical outcomes including recovery and survival if given to patients early in the course of COVID-19 disease.
Inflammatory biomarkers in pregnant women with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lombardi Andrea , Duiella Silvia , Piani Letizia Li , Ceriotti Ferruccio , Oggioni Massimo , Muscatello Antonio , Bandera Alessandra , Gori Andrea , Ferrazzi Enrico 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCoronavirns disease 2019 is a pandemic viral disease affecting also obstetric patients and uncertainties exist about the prognostic role of inflammatory biomarkers and hemocytometry values in patients with this infection. To clarify that, we assessed the values of several inflammatory biomarkers and hemocytometry variables in a cohort of obstetric patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 and we correlated the values at admission with the need of oxygen supplementation during the hospitalization. Overall, among 27 (61%) pregnant women and 17 (39%) post-partum women, 6 (14%) patients received oxygen supplementation and 2 (4%) required admission to intensive care unit but none died. During hospitalization neutrophils (p=0.002), neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio (p=0.037) and C reactive protein (p<0.001) decreased significantly, whereas lymphocytes (p<0.001) and platelets (p<0.001) increased. Leukocytes and lymphocytes values at admission were correlated with oxygen need, with respectively a 1% and 5% higher risk of oxygen supplementation for each 1,000 cells decrease. Overall, in obstetric patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019, C reactive protein is the inflammatory biomarker that better mirrors the course of the disease whereas D-dimer or ferritin are not reliable predictors of poor outcome. Care to the need of oxygen supplementation should be reserved to patients with reduced leukocytes or lymphocytes values at admission.
12 Novel Clonal Groups of Leptospira Infecting Humans in Multiple Contrasting Epidemiological Contexts in Sri Lanka
Authors: Jayasundara JMDD , Senavirathna RMISK , Warnasekara YPJN , Gamage CD , Siribaddana S , Kularatne SAM , Matthias M , Mariet JF , Picardeau M , Agampodi SB , Vinetz JM 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLeptospirosis is a ubiquitous disease and a major clinical challenge owing to the multitude of clinical presentations and manifestations that are possibly attributable to the diversity of Leptospira, the understanding of which is key to study the epidemiology of this emerging global disease threat. Sri Lanka is a hotspot for leptospirosis with high levels of endemic disease as well as annual epidemics. We carried out a prospective study of Leptospira diversity in Sri Lanka, covering the full range of climatic zones, geography, and clinical severity. Samples were collected for leptospiral culture from 1192 patients from 15 of 25 districts in Sri Lanka over two and half years period. Twenty-five isolates belonging to four pathogenic Leptospira species were identified: L. interrogans, L. borgpetersenii, L. weilii, and L. kirschneri. At least six serogroups were identified among the isolates: Autumnalis (6), Pyrogenes (4), Icterohaemorrhagiae (2), Celledoni (1), Grippotyphosa (2) and Bataviae (1). Seven isolates did not agglutinate using available antisera panels, suggesting new serogroups. Isolates were sequenced by Illumina. These data add 25 new core genome sequence types and were clustered in 15 clonal groups, including 12 new clonal groups. L. borgpetersenii was found only in the dry zone and L. weilii only in the wet zone. Acute kidney injury and cardiovascular involvement were seen only with L. interrogans infections. Thrombocytopenia and liver impairment were seen in both L. interrogans and L. borgpetersenii infections. The inadequate sensitivity of culture isolation to identify infecting Leptospira species underscores the need for culture-independent typing methods for Leptospira.Author SummaryThere is a huge diversity in pathogenic Leptospira species worldwide, and our knowledge of the currently circulating species is deficient owing to limited isolation and identification of Leptospira species from endemic countries. This prospective study reveals the wide pathogen diversity that causes human leptospirosis in Sri Lanka, representing four species, more than eight serogroups, and fifteen clonal groups. Further, the different geographic and climatic zone distributions and clinical manifestations observed underscores the need for prospective studies to expand the molecular epidemiological approaches to combat leptospirosis
Diagnostic accuracy at the first episode of psychosis in Uganda
Authors: Nanteza Angel , Mwesiga Emmanuel K. , Nakku Juliet , Nakasujja Noeline , Akena Dickens 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundCorrect clinical diagnosis at the first episode of psychosis may be difficult due to many non-specific symptoms. We aimed to determine the factors associated with a correct diagnosis among patients with a first episode of psychosis in Uganda.MethodsA cross sectional study design was performed at the Butabika National Referral Mental Hospital in Uganda. We included treatment naïve participants aged 18 to 60 years with a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder. Patients with organic disorders like HIV/AIDS, syphilis and substance use disorders were excluded. The MINI international neuropsychiatric inventory was administered to confirm the clinical diagnosis. Concordance was based on the percentage agreement and kappa statistic between the admission chart diagnosis and the MINI diagnosis.Results178 participants with a first episode of psychosis were included into the final analysis. The agreement between the MINI diagnosis and clinician diagnosis was 0.385, (P < 0.001) with a concordance of 49.5%. After controlling for nationality and the household’s source of income, duration of untreated psychosis, [p-value 0.028(95%CI: 0.07-0.89)], living with a primary family member, [p-value 0.038(95%CI:0.95-2.86)] and cadre of the clinician who made the initial diagnosis[Medical officer, [p-value 0.011(95%CI: 0.18-0.80)] were associated with a correct diagnosis.ConclusionWe found low agreement between clinician diagnoses and MINI diagnoses at the first episode of psychosis. Improved training of staff while considering the duration of untreated psychosis and the living arrangements of the patient are required to improve diagnostic accuracy in this population.
Diagnostic power of resting-state fMRI for detection of network connectivity in Alzheimer’s disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A systematic review
Authors: Ibrahim Buhari , Nasser Nisha Syed , Ibrahim Normala , Mohamed Mazlyfarina , Hassan Hasyma Abu , Saripan M. Iqbal , Suppiah Subapriya 
Published: September 2020

AbstractResting state fMRI (rs-fMRI) detects functional connectivity (FC) abnormalities that occur in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). FC of the default mode network (DMN), which is involved in memory consolidation, is commonly impaired in AD and MCI. We aimed to determine the diagnostic power of rs-fMRI to identify FC abnormalities in the DMN, which help to distinguish patients with AD or MCI from healthy controls (HCs). We searched articles in PubMed and Scopus databases using the search terms such as AD, MCI, resting-state fMRI, sensitivity and specificity through to 27th March 2020 and removed duplicate papers. We screened 390 published articles, and shortlisted 12 articles for the final analysis. The range of sensitivity of DMN FC at the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) for diagnosing AD was between 65.7% - 100% and specificity ranged from 66 - 95%. Reduced DMN FC between the PCC and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in the frontal lobes was observed in MCI patients. AD patients had impaired FC in most regions of the DMN; particularly the PCC in early AD. This indicates that DMN’s rs-fMRI FC can offer moderate to high diagnostic power to distinguish AD and MCI patients. fMRI detected abnormal DMN FC, particularly in the PCC that helps to differentiate AD and MCI patients from healthy controls (HCs). Combining multivariate method of analysis with other MRI parameters such as structural changes improve the diagnostic power of rs-fMRI in distinguishing patients with AD or MCI from HCs.
The Association between Gut Microbiota and Osteoporosis was Mediated by Amino Acid Metabolism: Multi-omics Integration in a Large Adult Cohort
Authors: Ling Chu-wen , Miao Zelei , Xiao Mian-li , Zhou Hong-wei , Jiang Zengliang , Fu Yuanqing , Xiong Feng , Zuo Luo-shi-yuan , Liu Yu-ping , Wu Yan-yan , Jing Li-peng , Dong Hong-Li , Chen Geng-dong , Ding Ding , Wang Cheng , Zeng Fang-fang , He Yan , Zheng Ju-Sheng , Chen Yu-ming 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSeveral small studies suggested gut microbiome might influence osteoporosis, but rare metabolomics evidence from human study had explained the link. This study examined the association of gut microbiome dysbiosis with osteoporosis and explored the potential pathways by using fecal and serum metabolomics. We analyzed gut microbiota compositions by 16S rRNA profiling and bone density (BMD) using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 1776 community-based adults. Targeted metabolomics in feces (15 categories) and serum (12 categories) were further analyzed in 971 participants with ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. This study showed osteoporosis was related to gut microbiota beta diversity, taxonomy and functional composition. The relative abundance of Actinobacillus, Blautia, Oscillospira, Bacteroides and Phascolarctobacterium was positively, while Veillonellaceae other, Collinsella and Ruminococcaceae other were inversely, associated with the presence of osteoporosis, which related to higher levels of peptidases and transcription machinery in microbial function. Fecal and serum metabolomics analyses suggested that the tyrosine metabolism and the tryptophan metabolism in feces and the valine, leucine and isoleucine degradation in serum were significantly linked to the identified microbiota biomarkers and osteoporosis. This large population-based study provided the robust evidence connecting gut dysbiosis, fecal and serum metabolomics with osteoporosis. Our results suggested that gut dysbiosis and amino acid metabolism could be potential targets for the intervention of osteoporosis.
Epidemiology of Venous Thromboembolism in SARS-CoV-2 Infected Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Maitra Souvik , Baidya Dalim K , Bhattacharjee Sulagna , Anand Rahul K , Ray Bikash R 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEarly reports from China and Europe indicated that incidence of venous thromboembolism in COVID-19 patients may be high. In this meta-analysis of observational studies was designed to know worldwide prevalence of thromboembolic events in COVID-19 patients. Primary outcome of our review was to assess the proportion of patients with VTE. Secondary outcomes were to assess the proportion of patients’ with DVT and proportion of patients with PE. Random effect meta-analysis model with restricted maximum likelihood estimator was used for all analysis. Pooled proportion with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) and heterogeneity (I2) was reported for all outcomes. Data of 5426 patients from n=19 articles were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. Incidence of VTE (95% CI), PE (95% CI) and DVT (95% CI) was 23 (10-36) %, 12 (6-17) % and 15 (8-23) %. We have found a high but incidence of thromboembolic events in COVID-19 patients. Further well-designed studies are required in this area to identify true incidence and risk factors of it.Key MessagesThis meta-analysis of observational studies was designed to know worldwide prevalence of thromboembolic events in COVID-19 patients.Data of more than 5000 patients from 19 observational studies were analyzed in this meta-analysis.Incidence of venous thromboembolism may be as high as 36% in these patients.
Beneficial Effect of Corticosteroids in Preventing Mortality in Patients Receiving Tocilizumab to Treat Severe COVID-19 Illness
Authors: Rubio-Rivas Manuel , Ronda Mar , Padulles Ariadna , Mitjavila Francesca , Riera-Mestre Antoni , García-Forero Carlos , Iriarte Adriana , Mora Jose M. , Padulles Nuria , Gonzalez Monica , Solanich Xavier , Gasa Merce , Suarez Guillermo , Sabater Joan , Perez-Fernandez Xose L. , Santacana Eugenia , Leiva Elisabet , Ariza-Sole Albert , Dallaglio Paolo D. , Quero Maria , Soriano Antonio , Pasqualetto Alberto , Koo Maylin , Esteve Virginia , Antoli Arnau , Moreno Rafael , Yun Sergi , Cerda Pau , Llaberia Mariona , Formiga Francesc , Fanlo Marta , Montero Abelardo , Chivite David , Capdevila Olga , Bolao Ferran , Pinto Xavier , Llop Josep , Sabate Antoni , Guardiola Jordi , Cruzado Josep M. , Comin-Colet Josep , Santos Salud , Jodar Ramon , Corbella Xavier 
Published: September 2020

ABSTRACTIntroductionOn the basis of the preliminary report from the RECOVERY trial, the use of dexamethasone or alternative corticosteroids (CS) is currently recommended in severe COVID-19 patients requiring supplemental oxygen. However, last updated recommendations have not taken a position either for or against the use of other immunomodulators such as tocilizumab (TCZ), with or without CS, since results are still limited.MethodsFrom March 17 to April 7, 2020, a real-world observational retrospective analysis was conducted at our 750-bed university hospital to study the characteristics and risk factors for mortality in patients with severe COVID-19 treated with TCZ +/-CS, in addition to standard of care (SOC). Data were obtained from routine clinical practice, stored in electronic medical records. The main outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality.ResultsA total of 1,092 COVID-19 patients were admitted during the study period. Of them, 186 (17%) were treated with TCZ, of which 129 (87.8%) in combination with CS. Of the total 186, 155 (83.3 %) patients were receiving non-invasive ventilation when TCZ +/-CS was initiated. Mean time from symptoms onset and hospital admission to TCZ use was 12 (± 4.3) and 4.3 days (± 3.4), respectively. Overall, 147 (79%) survived and 39 (21%) died. By multivariate analysis, mortality was associated with older age (HR=1.09, p<0.001), chronic heart failure (HR=4.4, p=0.003), and chronic liver disease (HR=4.69, p=0.004). The use of CS, in combination with TCZ, was the main protective factor against mortality (HR=0.26, p<0.001) in such severe COVID-19 patients receiving TCZ. No serious superinfections were observed after a 30-day follow-up.ConclusionsIn severe COVID-19 patients receiving TCZ due to systemic host-immune inflammatory response syndrome, the use of CS in addition to TCZ therapy, showed beneficial effect in preventing in-hospital mortality.
cFIT: Integration and transfer learning of single cell transcriptomes, illustrated by fetal brain cell development
Authors: Peng Minshi , Li Yue , Wamsley Brie , Wei Yuting , Roeder Kathryn 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLarge, comprehensive collections of scRNA-seq data sets have been generated that allow for the full transcriptional characterization of cell types across a wide variety of biological and clinical conditions. As new methods arise to measure distinct cellular modalities, a key analytical challenge is to integrate these data sets or transfer knowledge from one to the other to better understand cellular identity and functions. Here, we present a simple yet surprisingly effective method namedcFITfor capturing various batch effects across experiments, technologies, subjects, and even species. The proposed method models the shared information between various data sets by a common factor space, while allowing for unique distortions and shifts in gene-wise expression in each batch. The model parameters are learned under an iterative non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) framework and then used for synchronized integration from across-domain assays. In addition, the model enables transferring via low-rank matrix from more informative data to allow for precise identification in data of lower quality. Compared to existing approaches, our method imposes weaker assumptions on the cell composition of each individual data set, however, is shown to be more reliable in preserving biological variations. We apply cFIT to multiple scRNA-seq data sets of developing brain from human and mouse, varying by technologies and developmental stages. The successful integration and transfer uncover the transcriptional resemblance across systems. The study helps establish a comprehensive landscape of brain cell type diversity and provides insights into brain development.
Genome-wide identification of tomato xylem sap fitness factors for three plant-pathogenicRalstoniaspecies
Authors: Georgoulis Stratton J. , Shalvarjian Katie E. , Helmann Tyler C. , Hamilton Corri D. , Carlson Hans K. , Deutschbauer Adam M. , Lowe-Power Tiffany M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPlant pathogenicRalstoniaspp. colonize plant xylem and cause wilt diseases on a broad range of host plants. To identify genes that promote growth of diverseRalstoniastrains in xylem sap from tomato plants, we performed genome-scale genetic screens (random barcoded transposon mutant sequencing screens; RB-TnSeq) in three strains spanning the genetic, geographical, and physiological range of plant pathogenicRalstonia: R. solanacearumIBSBF1503,R. pseudosolanacearumGMI1000, andR. syzygiiPSI07. Contrasting mutant fitness phenotypes in culture media versus in xylem sap suggest thatRalstoniastrains are adapted toex vivoxylem sap and that culture media impose foreign selective pressures. Although wild-typeRalstoniagrew in sap and in rich medium with similar doubling times and to a similar carrying capacity, more genes were essential for growth in sap than in rich medium. Each strain required many genes associated with envelope remodeling and repair processes for full fitness in xylem sap. These genes were associated with peptidoglycan peptide formation (murI), secretion of periplasmic proteins (tatC), periplasmic protein folding (dsbA), synthesis of osmoregulated periplasmic glucans (mdoGH), and LPS biosynthesis. Mutants in four genes had strong, sap-specific fitness defects in all strain backgrounds:murI, thiC, purU, and a lipoprotein (RSc2007). Many amino acid biosynthesis genes were required for fitness in both minimal medium and xylem sap. Multiple mutants with insertions in virulence regulators had gains-of-fitness in culture media and neutral fitness in sap. Our genome-scale genetic screen identifiedRalstoniafitness factors that promote growth in xylem sap, an ecologically relevant condition.ImportanceTraditional transposon mutagenesis genetic screens pioneered molecular plant pathology and identified core virulence traits like the type III secretion system. TnSeq approaches that leverage next-generation sequencing to rapidly quantify transposon mutant phenotypes are ushering in a new wave of biological discovery. Here we have adapted a genome-scale approach, random barcoded transposon mutant sequencing (RB-TnSeq), to discover fitness factors that promote growth of three related bacterial strains in a common niche, tomato xylem sap. Fitness of wild-type and mutants show thatRalstoniaspp. are adapted to grow well in xylem sap from their natural host plant, tomato. Our screen identified multiple sap-specific fitness factors with roles in maintaining the bacterial envelope. These factors include putative adaptations to resist plant defenses that may include antimicrobial proteins and specialized metabolites that damage bacterial membranes.
Determinants of entrepreneurial small and medium enterprises performance with the interaction effect of commercial loans
Authors: Khan Muhammad Asif , Siddique Asima , Sarwar Zahid , Minh Huong Le Thi , Nadeem Qaiser 
Published: September 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the interaction effect of commercial loans in between trade Credit, retain earning, and entrepreneurial small and medium enterprises (SMEs) performance.Design/methodology/approachIn this research, the cross-sectional research design was used, and data were collected from 362 SMEs located in Pakistan by using a questionnaire. Correlation and regression analysis was adopted to establish the interaction effect of commercial loans in between trade credits, retain earning and entrepreneurial SMEs performance.FindingsThe results demonstrated that commercial loans, trade credit and retain earning have a positive relationship with entrepreneurial SMEs performance. The findings also confirmed the interaction effect of commercial loans in between retain earnings, trade credit and entrepreneurial SMEs performance.Originality/valueThe study examined the association and interaction effect of commercial loans in between retain earnings, trade credit and SMEs performance in the emerging state (Pakistan). So, this is the first time to study the relationship between these variables, which highly contributes to entrepreneurial SMEs literature.