bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility profile and factors associated with enteric fever infection in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Authors: Amsalu Tadele , Genet Chalachew , Adem Siraj Yesuf 
Published: April 2021

AbstractEnteric fever (EF) is caused by Salmonella enterica serovars Typhi (S. Typhi) and Paratyphi (S. Paratyphi) causing significant health problems in developing countries including Ethiopia. Thus present study aimed to determine prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profile of S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi among EF suspected patients at Felege-Hiwot comprehensive specialized hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from March-to-May 2020. Totally, 150 patients were included conveniently. Data were collected using questionnaires by face-to-face interview. Concurrently, venous blood and stool specimens were collected and processed following standard bacteriological technique. Antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) was performed by disc diffusion method. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with EF infection. The study indicated 5.3% EF prevalence where S. Typhi accounted 75%. S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi isolates were 100% sensitive to cephalosporins but at least 83.3% showed resistance against chloramphenicol and tetracycline. At least 66.7% of isolates were multidrug resistance (MDR). Using well water for drinking (AOR = 6.22, CI 1.4–27.5) and previous EF history (AOR = 10.74, CI 2.01–55.9) were significantly associated with EF infection. Thus high bacterial prevalence and MDR isolates was observed. Therefore, health professionals should consider AST and use antibiotics with cautions for EF patient management.
Neuroimaging of depression with diffuse optical tomography during repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Jiang Shixie , Huang Jingyu , Yang Hao , Wagoner Ryan , Kozel F. Andrew , Currier Glenn , Jiang Huabei 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is an effective and safe treatment for depression; however, its potential has likely been hindered due to non-optimized targeting, unclear ideal stimulation parameters, and lack of information regarding how the brain is physiologically responding during and after stimulation. While neuroimaging is ideal for obtaining such critical information, existing modalities have been limited due to poor resolutions, along with significant noise interference from the electromagnetic spectrum. In this study, we used a novel diffuse optical tomography (DOT) device in order to advance our understanding of the neurophysiological effects of rTMS in depression. Healthy and depressed subjects aged 18–70 were recruited. Treatment parameters were standardized with targeting of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex with a magnetic field intensity of 100% of motor threshold, pulse frequency of 10 per second, a 4 s stimulation time and a 26 s rest time. DOT imaging was simultaneously acquired from the contralateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Six healthy and seven depressed subjects were included for final analysis. Hemoglobin changes and volumetric three-dimensional activation patterns were successfully captured. Depressed subjects were observed to have a delayed and less robust response to rTMS with a decreased volume of activation compared to healthy subjects. In this first-in-human study, we demonstrated the ability of DOT to safely and reliably capture and compare cortical response patterns to rTMS in depressed and healthy subjects. We introduced this emerging optical functional imaging modality as a novel approach to investigating targeting, new treatment parameters, and physiological effects of rTMS in depression.
Comparison of penetrating femtosecond laser-assisted astigmatic keratotomy and toric intraocular lens implantation for correction of astigmatism in cataract surgery
Authors: Noh Hoon , Yoo Young-Sik , Shin Kyoung Yoon , Lim Dong Hui , Chung Tae-Young 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study tried to compare the clinical outcomes of femtosecond laser-assisted astigmatic keratotomy (FSAK) and toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for astigmatism correction and identify factors affecting the efficacy of FSAK and toric IOL implantation in astigmatism correction. This retrospective case series comprised patients with corneal astigmatism ranging between 0.5 D and 4.5 D. Patients underwent FSAK or toric IOL implantation for cataract treatment and correction of astigmatism at the Samsung Medical Center, a tertiary surgical center, between April 2016 and December 2018. All patients underwent examination before and at three months after the surgery for comparative evaluation of refractive astigmatism, corneal high order aberrations and irregularity index. The astigmatism correction was analyzed by the Alpins method. Subgroup analysis of preoperative factors was based on the extent of target-induced astigmatism (TIA), the degree of astigmatism, and astigmatism classification based on topography. Thirty-one eyes underwent toric IOL implantation and 35 eyes underwent FSAK. The refractive astigmatism was significantly decreased in both toric IOL (P = 0.000) and FSAK group (P = 0.003). The correction index (CI) of refractive astigmatism was 0.84 ± 0.39 in the toric IOL and 0.71 ± 0.60 in the FSAK group. There was no difference between the two groups (P = 0.337). The CI of the FSAK group was significantly lower than in the toric IOL group when TIA was more than 1.5 D (P = 0.006), when correcting against-the-rule (P = 0.017), and limbus-to-limbus astigmatism (P = 0.008). In conclusion, toric IOL implantation is an effective and safe procedure for correcting preoperative astigmatism in cataract surgery in the short-term observation.
Multimodal synergisms in host stimuli drive landing response in malaria mosquitoes
Authors: Carnaghi Manuela , Belmain Steven R. , Hopkins Richard J. , Hawkes Frances M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAnophelesmosquitoes transmit malaria, which affects one-fifth of the world population. A comprehensive understanding of mosquito behaviour is essential for the development of novel tools for vector control and surveillance. Despite abundant research on mosquito behaviour, little is known on the stimuli that drive malaria vectors during the landing phase of host-seeking. Using behavioural assays with a multimodal step approach we quantified both the individual and the combined effect of three host-associated stimuli in eliciting landing inAnopheles coluzziifemales. We demonstrated that visual, olfactory and thermal sensory stimuli interact synergistically to increase the landing response. Furthermore, if considering only the final outcome (i.e. landing response), our insect model can bypass the absence of either a thermal or a visual stimulus, provided that at least one of these is presented simultaneously with the olfactory stimuli, suggesting that landing is the result of a flexible but accurate stimuli integration. These results have important implications for the development of mosquito control and surveillance tools.
Muscle allele-specific expression QTLs may affect meat quality traits in Bos indicus
Authors: Bruscadin Jennifer Jessica , de Souza Marcela Maria , de Oliveira Karina Santos , Rocha Marina Ibelli Pereira , Afonso Juliana , Cardoso Tainã Figueiredo , Zerlotini Adhemar , Coutinho Luiz Lehmann , Niciura Simone Cristina Méo , de Almeida Regitano Luciana Correia 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in transcript sequences showing allele-specific expression (ASE SNPs) were previously identified in the Longissimus thoracis muscle of a Nelore (Bos indicus) population consisting of 190 steers. Given that the allele-specific expression pattern may result from cis-regulatory SNPs, called allele-specific expression quantitative trait loci (aseQTLs), in this study, we searched for aseQTLs in a window of 1 Mb upstream and downstream from each ASE SNP. After this initial analysis, aiming to investigate variants with a potential regulatory role, we further screened our aseQTL data for sequence similarity with transcription factor binding sites and microRNA (miRNA) binding sites. These aseQTLs were overlapped with methylation data from reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) obtained from 12 animals of the same population. We identified 1134 aseQTLs associated with 126 different ASE SNPs. For 215 aseQTLs, one allele potentially affected the affinity of a muscle-expressed transcription factor to its binding site. 162 aseQTLs were predicted to affect 149 miRNA binding sites, from which 114 miRNAs were expressed in muscle. Also, 16 aseQTLs were methylated in our population. Integration of aseQTL with GWAS data revealed enrichment for traits such as meat tenderness, ribeye area, and intramuscular fat . To our knowledge, this is the first report of aseQTLs identification in bovine muscle. Our findings indicate that various cis-regulatory and epigenetic mechanisms can affect multiple variants to modulate the allelic expression. Some of the potential regulatory variants described here were associated with the expression pattern of genes related to interesting phenotypes for livestock. Thus, these variants might be useful for the comprehension of the genetic control of these phenotypes.
Environmental chemicals in dog testes reflect their geographical source and may be associated with altered pathology
Authors: Sumner Rebecca N. , Byers Andrew , Zhang Zulin , Agerholm Jorgen S. , Lindh Lena , England Gary C. W. , Lea Richard G. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn humans and dogs, a temporal decline in semen quality and increased incidence of testicular cancer is hypothesised to be associated with exposure to anthropogenic chemicals, particularly during fetal development. Human studies suggest that differential exposures to environmental chemicals may be associated with geographical differences in male reproductive health. Here we investigate testicular chemical profiles and pathologies in dogs residing in the UK [West Midlands (WM), East Midlands (EM), South East (SE)], Denmark (Copenhagen) and Finland (Vantaa). Testes, surplus from routine castrations, contained region specific differences in relative concentrations of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). Relative to UK regions, testes from dogs living in Finland and Denmark had higher concentrations of PBDE and lower concentrations of DEHP and PCBs. Regional differences in the UK in PCB concentrations were also observed. Dog testes from Finland had fewer pathologies, reduced testicular area stained for Sertoli and germ cells and evidence of reduced cellular proliferation. Since the geographical differences in testis pathologies in dogs parallel reports of regional differences in human testicular cancer, we postulate that this may reflect chemical effects within the testis and that this may be related to environmental influences on male reproductive function.
Insights into extrinsic foot muscle activation during a 75 min run using T2 mapping
Authors: Bratke Grischa , Willwacher Steffen , Siedek Florian , Maintz David , Mählich Daniela , Weiss Kilian , Hickethier Tilman , Brüggemann Gert-Peter 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe extrinsic foot muscles are essentially for controlling the movement path but our knowledge of their behavior during prolonged running is still very limited. Therefore, this study analyzed the time-course of muscle activation using T2 mapping during 75 min of running. In this prospective study, 19 recreational active runners completed 75 min of treadmill running at a constant speed. Interleaved T2 mapping sequences were acquired and segmented at timepoints 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 45, and 75 min. ANOVA for repeated measurements followed by a Tukey post hoc test and Pearson correlation between running speed and initial signal increase at 2.5 min were calculated. All muscles showed a significant signal increase between baseline and 2.5 min (e.g. medial gastrocnemius: + 15.48%; p < 0.01). This was followed by a plateau phase till 15 min for all but the extensor digitorum longus muscle and a significant decrease at 45 or 75 min for all muscles (all p < 0.05). Correlation between running speed and signal increase was negative for all muscles and significant for both gastrocnemii (e.g. medial: r =  − 0.57, p = 0.0104) and soleus (r =  − 0.47, p = 0.0412). The decrease of relaxation times times in the later running phases was less pronounced for faster runners (≥ 10 km/h). T2 relaxation times do not only decrease after cessation of exercise but already during prolonged running. The lesser initial increase and later decrease in faster runners may indicate training induced changes.
Impact of water–rock interaction on the pore structures of red-bed soft rock
Authors: Zhou Meiling , Li Jianlin , Luo Zuosen , Sun Jianbin , Xu Feng , Jiang Qiao , Deng Huafeng 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe physical and mechanical properties of the reservoir bank slope are affected by the water–rock interaction. However, few studies considered the impact of long-term water–rock interaction on the evolution law of mesostructure. Therefore, in this study, the water–rock interaction test was conducted on a slightly weathered red-bed soft rock from the Three Gorges Reservoir area, considering the fluctuation in the reservoir water level. The corresponding pore structure parameters were measured and analyzed based on a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and digital image processing technology. The study showed that: (1) The pore size has been gradually increased, while the number of pores was increased initially and then decreased. Within 12 cycles, the maximum and average pore radius of the rock specimens was increased by 101.02% and 43.32%, respectively, and the porosity has been increased by 26.59%, whereas the number of pores decreased by 22.65%. This indicates the effect of water–rock interaction on the propagation of pores. (2) The pores were changed from oblate to slender by the water–rock interaction. The shape factor was decreased by about 15.79% within 12 cycles. In the meantime, the fractal dimension was increased from 1.20 to 1.28, and more complex structures of pores were observed. (3) The porosity evolution model for the red-bed soft rock was established based on the curve fitting technique. The results can be used as a reference to conceptualize the mesostructure damage of rocks under water–rock interaction.
Cost-effectiveness of CYP2C19 genotyping to guide antiplatelet therapy for acute minor stroke and high-risk transient ischemic attack
Authors: Cai Zeling , Cai De , Wang Ruiwen , Wang Heng , Yu Ze , Gao Fei , Liu Yuansheng , Kang Yingbo , Wu Zhuomin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with clopidogrel plus aspirin within 48 h of acute minor strokes and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) has been indicated to effectively reduce the rate of recurrent strokes. However, the efficacy of clopidogrel has been shown to be affected by cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) polymorphisms. Patients carrying loss-of-function alleles (LoFAs) at a low risk of recurrence (ESRS < 3) cannot benefit from clopidogrel plus aspirin at all and may have an increased bleeding risk. In order to optimize antiplatelet therapy for these patients and avoid the waste of medical resources, it is important to identify the subgroups that genuinely benefit from DAPT with clopidogrel plus aspirin through CYP2C19 genotyping. This study sought to assess the cost-effectiveness of CYP2C19 genotyping to guide drug therapy for acute minor strokes or high-risk TIAs in China. A decision tree and Markov model were constructed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of CYP2C19 genotyping. We used a healthcare payer perspective, and the primary outcomes included quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), costs and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of the results. CYP2C19 genotyping resulted in a lifetime gain of 0.031 QALYs at an additional cost of CNY 420.13 (US$ 59.85), yielding an ICER of CNY 13,552.74 (US$ 1930.59) per QALY gained. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that genetic testing was more cost-effective in 95.7% of the simulations at the willingness-to-pay threshold of CNY 72,100 (GDP per capita, US$ 10,300) per QALY. Therefore, CYP2C19 genotyping to guide antiplatelet therapy for acute minor strokes and high-risk TIAs is highly cost-effective in China.
Evaluation of organ glucose metabolism by 18F-FDG accumulation with insulin loading in aged mice compared with young normal mice
Authors: Zhao Jingmin , Tan Chengbo , Imai Ryota , Ukon Naoyuki , Shimoyama Saki , Maejima Yuko , Omiya Yuji , Takahashi Kazuhiro , Ito Hiroshi , Nan Guangxian , Zhao Songji , Shimomura Kenju 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIt is important to determine the functional changes of organs that occur as a result of aging, the understanding of which may lead to the maintenance of a healthy life. Glucose metabolism in healthy bodies is one of the potential markers used to evaluate the changes of organ function. Thus, information about normal organ glucose metabolism may help to understand the functional changes of organs. [18F]-Fluoro-2-deoxy-2-d-glucose (18F-FDG), a glucose analog, has been used to measure glucose metabolism in various fields, such as basic medical research and drug discovery. However, glucose metabolism changes in aged animals have not yet been fully clarified. The aim of this study is to evaluate changes in glucose metabolism in organs and brain regions by measuring 18F-FDG accumulation and 18F-FDG autoradiography with insulin loading in aged and young wild-type mice. In the untreated groups, the levels of 18F-FDG accumulation in the blood, plasma, muscle, lungs, spleen, pancreas, testes, stomach, small intestine, kidneys, liver, brain, and brain regions, namely, the cortex, striatum, thalamus, and hippocampus, were all significantly higher in the aged mice. The treated group showed lower 18F-FDG accumulation levels in the pancreas and kidneys, as well as in the cortex, striatum, thalamus, and hippocampus in the aged mice than the untreated groups, whereas higher 18F-FDG accumulation levels were observed in those in the young mice. These results demonstrate that insulin loading decreases effect on 18F-FDG accumulation levels in some organs of the aged mice. Therefore, aging can increase insulin resistance and lead to systemic glucose metabolism dysfunction.
Head movement differs for positive and negative emotions in video recordings of sitting individuals
Authors: Behnke Maciej , Bianchi-Berthouze Nadia , Kaczmarek Lukasz D. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIndividuals tend to approach positive stimuli and avoid negative stimuli. Furthermore, emotions influence whether individuals freeze or move more. These two kinds of motivated behavior refer to the approach/avoidance behavior and behavioral freezing/activation. Previous studies examined (e.g., using forced platforms) whether individuals' behavior depends on stimulus' valence; however, the results were mixed. Thus, we aimed to test whether emotions' effects on spontaneous whole-body behavior of standing individuals also occur in the seated position. We used a computer vision method to measure the head sway in video recordings that offers ease of use, replicability, and unobtrusiveness for the seated research participant. We analyzed behavior recorded in the laboratory during emotion manipulations across five studies totaling 932 participants. We observed that individuals leaned more forward and moved more when watching positive stimuli than when watching negative stimuli. However, individuals did not behave differently when watching positive or negative stimuli than in the neutral condition. Our results indicate that head movements extracted from seated individuals' video recordings can be useful in detecting robust differences in emotional behavior (positive vs. negative emotions).
Hospitalization rates for complications due to systemic therapy in the United States
Authors: Saxena Anshul , Rubens Muni , Ramamoorthy Venkataraghavan , Tonse Raees , Veledar Emir , McGranaghan Peter , Sundil Subrina , Chuong Michael D. , Hall Matthew D. , Odia Yazmin , Mehta Minesh P. , Kotecha Rupesh 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe aim of this study was to estimate the trends and burdens associated with systemic therapy-related hospitalizations, using nationally representative data. National Inpatient Sample data from 2005 to 2016 was used to identify systemic therapy-related complications using ICD-9 and ICD-10 external causes-of-injury codes. The primary outcome was hospitalization rates, while secondary outcomes were cost and in-hospital mortality. Overall, there were 443,222,223 hospitalizations during the study period, of which 2,419,722 were due to complications of systemic therapy. The average annual percentage change of these hospitalizations was 8.1%, compared to − 0.5% for general hospitalizations. The three most common causes for hospitalization were anemia (12.8%), neutropenia (10.8%), and sepsis (7.8%). Hospitalization rates had the highest relative increases for sepsis (1.9-fold) and acute kidney injury (1.6-fold), and the highest relative decrease for dehydration (0.21-fold) and fever of unknown origin (0.35-fold). Complications with the highest total charges were anemia ($4.6 billion), neutropenia ($3.0 billion), and sepsis ($2.5 billion). The leading causes of in-hospital mortality associated with systemic therapy were sepsis (15.8%), pneumonia (7.6%), and acute kidney injury (7.0%). Promoting initiatives such as rule OP-35, improving access to and providing coordinated care, developing systems leading to early identification and management of symptoms, and expanding urgent care access, can decrease these hospitalizations and the burden they carry on the healthcare system.
Assessment of genetic diversity and structure of Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) verdc.] landraces in South Africa
Authors: Minnaar-Ontong Adré , Gerrano Abe S. , Labuschagne Maryke T. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWith its drought tolerant and protein-rich properties, Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.], an indigenous African legume crop can contribute immensely to food security. This miracle crop is used as food and for the enhancement of soil fertility in South Africa. Knowledge on the genetic diversity and structure among the Bambara groundnut landraces can pave the way for the effective use and cultivation of this crop in southern Africa, especially South Africa. The aim of this study was to assess the genetic diversity and structure among Bambara groundnut landraces collected across South Africa and compared to a limited number of accessions from southern Africa using SSR markers. Seventy-eight Bambara groundnut accessions were genotyped using 19 Bambara specific SSR markers. SSR loci explored in this study, were all polymorphic. A total of 127 alleles were detected with a mean of 6.7 alleles per locus. Allele diversity and frequency among genotypes varied from 0.21 to 0.85 with an average of 0.62 per locus. Genetic variation as described by the analysis of molecular variance indicated higher genetic diversity (92%) within landraces than between (8%) different landraces. Population structure analysis showed that three subpopulations existed, and most of the South African accessions were restricted to one subpopulation, indicating that Bambara landraces has the ability to form unique haplotypes in different environments. Information harnessed in this study is helpful for further use in breeding programs for crop improvement.