bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous detection and ribotyping of Clostridioides difficile, and toxin gene detection directly on fecal samples
Authors: Rossen Tessel Meike van , Prehn Joffrey van , Koek Alex G. , Jonges Marcel , Houdt Robin van , Mansfeld Rosa van , Kuijper Ed J. , Vandenbroucke-Grauls Christina M.J.E. , Budding Andries E. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Clostridioides difficile is the most common cause of nosocomial diarrhea. Ribotyping of cultured strains by a PCR-based test is used to study potential transmission between patients. We aimed to develop a rapid test that can be applied directly on fecal samples for simultaneous detection and ribotyping of C. difficile, as well as detection of toxin genes.Methods: We developed a highly specific and sensitive primer set for simultaneous detection and ribotyping of C. difficile directly on total fecal DNA. Toxin genes were detected with primers adapted from Persson et al. (CMI, 2008). Our study set comprised 130 fecal samples: 65 samples with positive qPCR for C. difficile toxin A/B genes and 65 C. difficile qPCR negative samples. PCR products were analyzed by capillary gel electrophoresis. Results: Ribosomal DNA fragment peak profiles and toxin genes were detected in all 65 C. difficile positive fecal samples and in none of the 65 C. difficile negative samples. The 65 samples were assigned to 27 ribotypes by the Dutch reference laboratory. Our peak profiles corresponded to these ribotypes, except for two samples. During a C. difficile outbreak, patients were correctly allocated to the outbreak-cluster based on the results of direct fecal ribotyping, before C. difficile isolates were cultured and conventionally typed.Conclusion: C. difficile ribotyping directly on fecal DNA is feasible, with sensitivity and specificity comparable to that of diagnostic toxin gene qPCR and with ribotype assignment similar to that obtained by conventional typing on DNA from cultured isolates. This supports simultaneous diagnosis and typing to recognize an outbreak.
Do alternative capability instruments capture differing aspects of mental health and quality of life in comparison to the EQ-5D for schizophrenic patients with depression?
Authors: Helter Timea Mariann , Coast Joanna , Łaszewska Agata , Stamm Tanja , Simon Judit 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background There is increasing evidence that assessing outcomes in terms of capability wellbeing provides information beyond that of health-related quality of life measures for evaluation in mental health research. This paper aimed to contribute to the utilisation of capability-based measures relative to health status measures in mental health research, by exploring the empirical relationship between the OxCAP-MH, the ICECAP-A, and the EQ-5D instruments against condition-specific measures and each other for schizophrenic patients with depression.Methods Using trial data for 100 patients from the UK, the properties of the instruments were compared in terms of convergent validity, including correlations between the OxCAP-MH, the ICECAP-A, the EQ-5D-5L and the EQ VAS scores; and a line of central tendency between two variables was plotted on locally weighted smoothing curves. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) investigated the extent to which the instruments measured complementary or overlapping constructs. Responsiveness was assessed in terms of standardised response mean and correlation between change scores (baseline to endpoint) of the instruments. Results Correlation between the OxCAP-MH and ICECAP-A baseline scores was strong (0.677) and between change scores was moderate (0.388). The baseline scores of both capability instruments correlated more with condition-specific (0.481-0.718) than with generic (0.354-0.431) instruments. Change scores of the capability instruments weakly correlated with change scores of the generic health-related scales (0.131-0.269), but moderately with those of condition-specific instruments for the ICECAP-A (0.355-0.451) and moderately/strongly for the OxCAP-MH (0.437-0.557). The EFA found that while the EQ-5D-5L loaded onto one factor, the items of the ICECAP-A loaded onto two additional factors and the items of the OxCAP-MH loaded onto three additional factors. Conclusions The capability instruments had stronger convergent validity with each other than with any of the other instruments. Assessing outcomes in terms of capabilities for schizophrenic patients with depression proved to capture broader relevant information than the EQ-5D-5L both by the OxCAP-MH and the ICECAP-A, albeit to different extents. When comparing the two capability instruments, the OxCAP-MH tended to have stronger correlations with condition-specific instruments most likely due to its origin from mental health outcome measurement, while the ICECAP-A had slightly stronger correlation with the EQ VAS. These capability measures provide a viable option for measuring outcome for economic evaluations of severe mental health conditions, and we would recommend the inclusion of OxCAP-MH and/or ICECAP-A alongside generic instruments such as the EQ-5D so that further evidence can be obtained.
Trends and correlates of sexually transmitted infections among sexually active Ugandan female youths: evidence from three demographic and health surveys, 2006-2016
Authors: Masanja Veronicah , Wafula Solomon Tsebeni , Ssekamatte Tonny , Isunju John Bosco , Mugambe Richard K , Hal Guido Van 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Female adolescents and young women have the highest risk of curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) globally. Data on the prevalence of STIs among young women in Uganda are limited. In this study, we investigated the time trends and correlates of STIs among adolescent girls and young women (15-24 years) in Uganda.Methods: We estimated the percentage of women 15-24 years from three recent consecutive Uganda Demographic and Health Surveys (2006, 2011, and 2016), who reported suffering from genital sores, and or genital discharge or any other varginal complaints acquired after sexual intercourse within 12 months of the studies and examined the changes over time. A pooled multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the correlates of reporting an STI in the last 12 months preceding the study. Svyset command in Stata was used to cater for the survey sample design.Results: The pooled self-reported STI prevalence was 26.0%. Among these young women, 22.0%, 36.3%, and 23.1% reported a sexually transmitted infection in 2006, 2011, and 2016 respectively. Between 2006 and 2011, there was evidence of change (+14.3%, p < 0.001) in STI prevalence before a significant reduction (-12.0%, p<0.001). Youths aged 20-24 years reported a higher STI prevalence (27.3%) compared to young participants (23.6%). Correlates of reporting an STI among rural and urban young women were: having multiple total lifetime partners (adjusted odds ratio (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.4-1.6), being sexually active in the last 4 weeks (aOR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.6), and being affiliated to Muslim faith (aOR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.6) or other religions (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1-2.9) as compared to Christian were more likely to report an STI. Living in Northern Uganda compared to living in Kampala city was found protective against STIs (aOR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.7).Conclusion: The prevalence of STIs was high among female youths, 15-24 years. This highlights the need for a comprehensive STIs screening, surveillance, and treatment programme to potentially reduce the burden of STIs in the country.
Applicability of the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy instrument to assess quality of life in maintenance haemodialysis patients with cachexia
Authors: Yang Zhen , Lu Haizhen , Zou Baolin , Luo Yixin , Zhao Ping , He Li , Wang Han , Chen Guowei , Wu Yiping , Huang Yanlin 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background Many patients on maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) eventually suffer from cachexia. The Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT) is a tool used to evaluate the quality of life of patients with cachexia related to various diseases, but its suitability for use in MHD patients has yet to be verified. This study aims to explore the applicability of the FAACT in MHD patients by conducting reliability and validity tests.Methods Qualified MHD patients were selected to complete the FAACT and Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form 36 (KDQOL-36) questionnaires, and their demographic data and biochemical test results were collected from electronic medical records. Then, statistical software was used to perform a reliability test, and Pearson correlation analysis was carried out with KDQOL-36 as the calibration scale. Finally, the patients were divided into groups to evaluate discriminant validity.Results A total of 299 patients were included in this study. The Cronbach’s alpha coefﬁcients of the FAACT and its anorexia-cachexia subscale (ACS) were 0.904 and 0.842, respectively, and their test–retest reliability exceeded 0.85. The correlation coefficients between the FAACT and its items ranged from 0.146 to 0.631, and the correlation coefficients between the FAACT and KDQOL-36 dimensions ranged from 0.446 to 0.617. The effects of cachexia status (present or absent) on FAACT and ACS scores had effect sizes of 0.54 (P＜0.001) and 0.60 (P＜0.001), respectively. The FAACT and ACS also significantly discriminated between patients with and without inflammation (P＜0.001). Conclusions The FAACT and ACS have acceptable reliability and validity in MHD patients and are suitable for measuring the quality of life of MHD patients with cachexia.
Movement patterns of juvenile Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) in Brewers Bay, St. Thomas US Virgin Islands
Authors: Romero Mareike Donaji Duffing , Matley Jordan K. , Luo Jiangang , Ault Jerald S. , Pittman Simon J. , Nemeth Richard S. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) are a highly migratory species ranging along continental and insular coastlines of the Atlantic Ocean. Due to their importance to regional recreational and sport fisheries, research has been focused on large-scale movement patterns of reproductively active adults in areas where they are of high economic value. As a consequence, geographically restricted focus on adults has left significant gaps in our understanding of tarpon biology and their movements, especially for juveniles in remote locations where they are common. Our study focused on small-scale patterns of movement and habitat use of juvenile and subadult tarpon using acoustic telemetry in a small bay in St. Thomas, U. S. Virgin Islands. Results Four juvenile tarpon (80 – 95 cm FL) were tracked from September 2015 to February 2018, while an additional eight juveniles (61 – 94 cm FL) left the study area shortly after tagging and were not included in analysis. The four resident tarpon had >78% residency and average activity space of 0.76 km2 (range = 0.08-1.17 km2) within Brewers Bay (1.8km2). Their vertical distribution was <18 m depth with occasional movements to deeper water. Activity was greater during day compared to night, with peaks during crepuscular periods. During the day tarpon used different parts of the bay with consistent overlap around the St. Thomas airport runway and at night tarpon typically remained in a small shallow lagoon. However, when temperatures in the lagoon exceeded 30 °C, tarpon moved to cooler, deeper waters outside the lagoon. Conclusion Our results, although limited to only four resident fish, provides new baseline data on the movement ecology of juvenile Atlantic tarpon. We showed that juvenile tarpon had high residency within a small bay and relatively stable non-overlapping daytime home ranges, except when seasonally abundant food sources were present. Fine-scale acoustic tracking for over a year showed the effects of extreme environmental conditions on tarpon movement and habitat use. These observations highlight the need for more extensive studies of juvenile and subadult tarpon across a broader range of their distribution, and compare the similarities and differences in behavior among various size classes of individuals from small juveniles to reproductively mature adults.
Establishment of a Nomogram for Predicting the Surgical Difficulty of Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery
Authors: Ji Chengyue , Rong Yuluo , Wang Jiaxing , Yin Guoyong , Fan Jin , Tang Pengyu , Jiang Dongdong , Liu Wei , Ge Xuhui , Yu Shunzhi , Cai Weihua 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background. For a long time, surgical difficulty is mainly evaluated based on subjective perception rather than objective indexes. Moreover, the lack of systematic research regarding the evaluation of surgical difficulty potentially has a negative effect in this field. This study was aimed to evaluate the risk factors for the surgical difficulty of anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS).Methods. This was a retrospective cohort study totaling 291 consecutive patients underwent ACSS from 2012.3 to 2017.8. The surgical difficulty of ACSS was defined by operation time longer than 120 min or intraoperative blood loss equal to or greater than 200ml. Evaluation of risk factors was performed by analyzing the patient’s medical records and radiological parameters such as age, sex, BMI, number of operation levels, high signal intensity of spinal cord on T2-weighted images, ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), sagittal and coronal cervical circumference, cervical length, spinal canal occupational ratio, coagulation function index and platelet count.Results. Significant differences were reported between low-difficulty and high-difficulty ACSS groups in terms of age (p=0.017), sex (p=0.006), number of operation levels (p<0.001), high signal intensity (p<0.001), OPLL (p<0.001) and spinal canal occupational ratio (p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that number of operation levels (OR=5.224, 95%CI=2.125-12.843, p<0.001), high signal intensity of spinal cord (OR=4.994, 95%CI=1.636-15.245, p=0.005), OPLL (OR=6.358, 95%CI=1.932-20.931, p=0.002) and the spinal canal occupational ratio>0.45 (OR=3.988, 95%CI=1.343-11.840, p=0.013) were independently associated with surgical difficulty in ACSS. A nomogram was established and ROC curve gave a 0.906 C-index. There was a good calibration curve for difficulty estimation.Conclusion. This study indicated that the operational level, OPLL, high signal intensity of spinal cord, and spinal canal occupational ratio were independently associated with surgical difficulty and a predictive nomogram can be established using the identified risk factors. Optimal performance was achieved for predicting surgical difficulty of ACSS based on preoperative factors.
GsLTP, a Non-Specific Lipid Transfer Protein from Glycine soja, Enhances Drought and Salt Stress Tolerance in Transgenic Tobacco
Authors: Fan Jinping , Liu Jingshuang , Cao Lei , Wang Jiayue , Meng Qingxue , Che Daidi 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) mainly exist in plant cell walls where they make an important impact in the transport of diverse lipophilic compounds. They have an important effect on the stress tolerance of plants by mediating plant responses to environmental stimuli and cell signal transduction pathways. Although the functions of several LTPs in different plant species have been identified, little is known about the biochemical and enzymatic activities of LTP family members in soybeans. Results: Herein, GsLTP was identified from Glycine soja using soybean gene microarray expression and screened in a salt stress expressed sequence tag (EST) library. The 369 bp open reading frame (ORF) encodes a protein of 122 amino acids. The cDNA sequence shares similarity with LTP genes in other plants such as soybean (93%) and Vigna (72%). The function of the gene was characterized in transgenic tobacco. Various physiological characteristics under different environmental stresses were investigated. We discovered that overexpression of GsLTP enhanced tolerance to drought and salt stresses. Conclusions: Our results indicate that GsLTP plays an important role in multiple abiotic signalling pathways, and provide a theoretical basis and practical gene resource for crop breeding.
Under pressure: Comparing in situ and boat tagging methods using&nbsp;time-to-event analyses
Authors: Keller Jessica A. , Morley Danielle , Herbig Jennifer , Barbera Paul , Feeley Michael W. , Acosta Alejandro 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background

With the increase in telemetry studies over the past decade, improving understanding of how different tagging methods influence fish survivorship is critical. By examining the effects of tagging methods, we can maximize the information gained from telemetry studies. Mortality resulting from internally tagging fish on a boat may be due to barotrauma injuries, increased stress from prolonged handling times, or predation after fish have been released back into the water. Conducting in situ internal acoustic tagging at depth of capture completely removes barotrauma stresses and simplifies the release method, which may improve fish survival. In this study, we used 8 years of acoustic tagging data to determine if the tagging method ( in situ versus on the boat) influenced fish survivorship and evaluated the role of other tagging variables.

Results

At 6 days after tagging, Kaplan–Meier survival curves revealed that the survival probability of fish tagged on the boat was 66% while survival probability of fish tagged in situ was 90%. Tagging method was the only variable to significantly affect survival probability based on Cox proportional hazards models, with fish tagged in situ ~75% less likely to have an “event” (mortality, tag loss, or emigration) compared to fish tagged on the boat at both 4 and 6 days after tagging. Examining tagging methods separately, handling time only marginally influenced survival probability of boat-tagged fish and no variables had a significant effect on survival of in situ tagged fish.

Conclusions

In this study, tagging method was the only variable to significantly affect survival of internally tagged fish. Implanting internal acoustic tags in situ is not a practical method for every species and for every environment, but given the increased fish survivorship demonstrated here, we strongly suggest it be considered as the preferred tagging methodology where applicable.
Machine learning and a computational fluid dynamic approach to estimate phase composition of chemical vapor deposition boron carbide
Authors: Zeng Q.F. , Gao Yong , Guan Kang , Liu Jiantao , Feng Zhiqiang 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Chemical vapor deposition is an important method for the preparation of boron carbide. Knowledge of the correlation between the phase composition of the deposit and the deposition conditions (temperature, inlet gas composition, total pressure, reactor configuration, and total flow rate) has not been completely determined. In this work, a novel approach to identify the kinetic mechanisms for the deposit composition is presented. Machine leaning (ML) and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) techniques are utilized to identify core factors that influence the deposit composition. It has been shown that ML, combined with CFD, can reduce the prediction error from 25% to 7%, compared with the ML approach alone. The sensitivity coefficient study shows that BHCl2 and BCl3 produce the most boron atoms, while C2H4 and CH4 are the main sources of carbon atoms. The new approach can accurately predict the deposited boron-carbon ratio and provide a new design solution for other multi-element systems.
Clinical characteristics of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children treated with glucocorticoid pulse therapy
Authors: Zhu Zhenli , Zhang Tongqiang , Guo Wei , Ling Yaoyao , Tian Jiao , Xu Yongsheng 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: To observe the effect of corticosteroids in the treatment of children with refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(RMPP) under different doses, to summarize the clinical features of children treated with glucocorticoid pulse therapy.Methods: The clinical data of 125 children with RMPP hospitalized in Tianjin Children's Hospital from September 2018 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into two groups according to the dose of hormone. Compare the clinical features, laboratory findings, and imaging between the two groups of children, and use meaningful related indicators as ROC curves to find reference indicators for pulse therapy.Results: (1)The median age of the group II was older than that of the group I(P<0.05).(2)We found more severe presentations, higher incidence of extra-pulmonary complications and more serious radiological findings in group II, which needed oxygen more often, higher the hormone amount, higher usage rate of gamma globulin, higher usage rate of bronchoscopy, and higher incidence of plastic bronchitis(P<0.05).(3)WBC, CRP, LDH, FER, D-D dimer, APTT, TT, PCT, IL-6 and the percentage of neutrophils in peripheral blood in Group II were higher than those in Group I(P<0.05).(4)In ROC curve analysis, CRP, LDH, FER, and neutrophils of leukocyte classification were independent related factors that could be used as valuable predictors of methylprednisolone pulse therapy for RMPP in children. The cut-off values were CRP44.45mg/L, LDH590IU/L, FER411ng/L, and neutrophils in leukocyte classification were 73.75%, respectively.Conclusion: CRP≥44.45mg/L, LDH≥590IU/L, FER≥411ng/L, neutrophil≥73.75%, lung consolidation and pleural effusion are found in RMPP patients, which should be treated with pulse dose of methylprednisolone in time to reduce the incidence of severe RMPP and the occurrence of severe sequelae.
Improvement of renal function after transcatheter aortic valve replacement and its impact on survival
Authors: Kylies Dominik , Freitag-Wolf Sandra , Fulisch Florian , Seoudy Hatim , Kuhn Christian , Kihm Lars Philipp , Pühler Thomas , Lutter Georg , Dempfle Astrid , Frey Norbert , Feldkamp Thorsten , Frank Derk 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
BackgroundChronic kidney disease as well as acute kidney injury are associated with adverse outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). However, little is known about the prognostic implications of an improvement in renal function after TAVR.MethodsRenal improvement (RI) was defined as a decrease in postprocedural creatinine in µmol/l of ≥ 1% compared to its preprocedural baseline value. A propensity score representing the likelihood of RI was calculated to define patient groups which were comparable regarding potential confounders (age, sex, BMI, NYHA classification, STS score, log. EuroSCORE, history of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter, pulmonary disease, previous stroke, CRP, creatinine, hsTNT and NT-proBNP). The cohort was stratified into 5 quintiles according to this propensity score and the survival time after TAVR was compared within each subgroup.ResultsPatients in quintile 5 (n=93) had the highest likelihood for RI. They were characterized by higher creatinine, lower eGFR, higher NYHA class, higher NT-proBNP, being mostly female and having shorter overall survival time. Within quintile 5, patients without RI had significantly shorter survival compared to patients with RI (p=0.002, HR=0.32, 95% CI=[0.15-0.69]). There was no survival time difference between patients with and without RI in the whole cohort (p=0.12) and in quintiles 1 to 4 (all p > 0.16). Analyses of specific subgroups showed that among patients with NYHA class IV, those with RI also had a significant survival time benefit (p<0.001, HR = 0.15; 95%-CI= [0.05-0.44]) compared to patients without RI.ConclusionsWe here describe a propensity score-derived specific subgroup of patients in which RI after TAVR correlated with a significant survival benefit.