bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of spleen histopathology, splenocyte composition and haematological parameters in four strains of mice infected with Plasmodium berghei K173
Authors: Wang Huajing , Li Shuo , Cui Zhao , Qin Tingting , Shi Hang , Ma Ji , Li Lanfang , Yu Guihua , Jiang Tingliang , Li Canghai 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Malaria is a fatal disease that presents clinically as a continuum of symptoms and severity, which are determined by complex host-parasite interactions. Clearance of infection is believed to be accomplished by the spleen and mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS), independent of artemisinin treatment. The spleen filters infected red blood cells (RBCs) from circulation through immune-mediated recognition of the infected RBCs followed by phagocytosis. This study evaluated the tolerance of four different strains of mice to Plasmodium berghei strain K173 (P. berghei K173), and the differences in the role of the spleen in controlling P. berghei K173 infection.

Methods
Using different strains of mice (C57BL/6, BALB/C, ICR, and KM mice) infected with P. berghei K173, the mechanisms leading to splenomegaly, histopathology, splenocyte activation and proliferation, and their relationship to the control of parasitaemia and host mortality were examined and evaluated.

Results
Survival time of mice infected with P. berghei K173 varied, although the infection was uniformly lethal. Mice of the C57BL/6 strain were the most resistant, while mice of the strain ICR were the most susceptible. BALB/c and KM mice were intermediate. In the course of P. berghei K173 infection, all infected mice experienced significant splenomegaly. Parasites were observed in the red pulp at 3 days post infection (dpi) in all animals. All spleens retained late trophozoite stages as well as a fraction of earlier ring-stage parasites. The percentages of macrophages in infected C57BL/6 and KM mice were higher than uninfected mice on 8 dpi. Spleens of infected ICR and KM mice exhibited structural disorganization and remodelling. Furthermore, parasitaemia was significantly higher in KM versus C57BL/6 mice at 8 dpi. The percentages of macrophages in ICR infected mice were lower than uninfected mice, and the parasitaemia was higher than other strains.

Conclusions
The results presented here demonstrate the rate of splenic mechanical filtration and that splenic macrophages are the predominant roles in controlling an individual’s total parasite burden. This can influence the pathogenesis of malaria. Finally, different genetic backgrounds of mice have different splenic mechanisms for controlling malaria infection.
Older children are at increased risk of Plasmodium vivax in south-central Ethiopia: a cohort study
Authors: Gari Taye , Solomon Tarekegn , Lindtjørn Bernt 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Better understanding of the distribution of Plasmodium vivax and its risk factors could be used to prevent and control malaria infection. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the distribution and risk factors of P. vivax, and to compare them with Plasmodium falciparum occurrence in south-central Ethiopia.

Methods
A cohort of 34,548 individuals were followed for 121 weeks between 2014 and 2016 as part of larger cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) on malaria prevention in Ethiopia. Weekly home visit (active search) and patient self- report to health post (passive search) between the weekly home visits were used to register malaria cases. A blood sample was collected by finger prick and malaria was diagnosed using rapid diagnostic test (RDT). Generalized estimating equation (GEE) Poisson model that accounts for repeated measure of malaria episodes was applied to assess the risk factors of P. vivax episode.

Results
The overall incidence rate of P. vivax was 7.4 episodes per 1000 person-years of observation. The study showed households closer to the lake Zeway and Bulbula river (potential mosquito breeding sites) were more at risk of P. vivax infection (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.33; 95% CI = 1.23–1.45). Furthermore, the age group under 5 years (IRR: 1.40, 95% CI = 1.10–1.79), the age group 5–14 years (IRR: 1.27, 95% CI = 1.03–1.57), households with less educated household head (IRR: 1.63, 95% CI = 1.10–2.44) and house roof made of thatch/leaf (IRR: 1.35, 95% CI = 1.11–1.65) were at higher risk for P. vivax. Similar explanatory variables such as distance from the breeding sites, age group (under 5 years but not 5–14 years old), educational status and type of housing were also found to be the predictors of P. falciparum incidence.

Conclusion
Households living closer to a mosquito breeding site, age group under 15 years, less educated household heads and thatch/leaf roof housing were the risk factor for P. vivax. The result of this study can be used for tailored interventions for malaria control and prevention by prioritizing those living close to potential mosquito breeding site, enhancing bed net use of children less than 15 years of age, and improving housing.
Effect of topical applications of sunflower seed oil on systemic fatty acid levels in under-two children under rehabilitation for severe acute malnutrition in Bangladesh: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Shahunja K. M. , Sévin Daniel C. , Kendall Lindsay , Ahmed Tahmeed , Hossain Md. Iqbal , Mahfuz Mustafa , Zhu Xinyi , Singh Krishan , Singh Sunita , Crowther Jonathan M. , Gibson Rachel A. , Darmstadt Gary L. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundChildren with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) have inadequate levels of fatty acids (FAs) and limited capacity for enteral nutritional rehabilitation. We hypothesized that topical high-linoleate sunflower seed oil (SSO) would be effective adjunctive treatment for children with SAM.MethodsThis study tested a prespecified secondary endpoint of a randomized, controlled, unblinded clinical trial with 212 children with SAM aged 2 to 24 months in two strata (2 to < 6 months, 6 to 24 months in a 1:2 ratio) at Dhaka Hospital of icddr,b, Bangladesh between January 2016 and December 2017. All children received standard-of-care management of SAM. Children randomized to the emollient group also received whole-body applications of 3 g/kg SSO three times daily for 10 days. We applied difference-in-difference analysis and unsupervised clustering analysis using t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) to visualize changes in FA levels in blood from day 0 to day 10 of children with SAM treated with emollient compared to no-emollient.ResultsEmollient therapy led to systematically higher increases in 26 of 29 FAs over time compared to the control. These effects were driven primarily by changes in younger subjects (27 of 29 FAs). Several FAs, especially those most abundant in SSO showed high-magnitude but non-significant incremental increases from day 0 to day 10 in the emollient group vs. the no-emollient group; for linoleic acid, a 237 μg/mL increase was attributable to enteral feeding and an incremental 98μg/mL increase (41%) was due to emollient therapy. Behenic acid (22:0), gamma-linolenic acid (18:3n6), and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n3) were significantly increased in the younger age stratum; minimal changes were seen in the older children.ConclusionsSSO therapy for SAM augmented the impact of enteral feeding in increasing levels of several FAs in young children. Further research is warranted into optimizing this novel approach for nutritional rehabilitation of children with SAM, especially those < 6 months.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov:NCT02616289.
Germinal epimutation of Fragile Histidine Triad (FHIT) gene is associated with progression to acute and chronic adult T-cell leukemia diseases
Authors: Bellon Marcia , Bialuk Izabela , Galli Veronica , Bai Xue-Tao , Farre Lourdes , Bittencourt Achilea , Marçais Ambroise , Petrus Michael N. , Ratner Lee , Waldmann Thomas A. , Asnafi Vahid , Gessain Antoine , Matsuoka Masao , Franchini Genoveffa , Hermine Olivier , Watanabe Toshiki , Nicot Christophe 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Human T cell Leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-I) is etiologically linked to adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and an inflammatory neurodegenerative disease called HTLV-I-associated myelopathy or tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). The exact genetic or epigenetic events and/or environmental factors that influence the development of ATL, or HAM/TSP diseases are largely unknown. The tumor suppressor gene, Fragile Histidine Triad Diadenosine Triphosphatase (FHIT), is frequently lost in cancer through epigenetic modifications and/or deletion. FHIT is a tumor suppressor acting as genome caretaker by regulating cellular DNA repair. Indeed, FHIT loss leads to replicative stress and accumulation of double DNA strand breaks. Therefore, loss of FHIT expression plays a key role in cellular transformation.

Methods
Here, we studied over 400 samples from HTLV-I-infected individuals with ATL, TSP/HAM, or asymptomatic carriers (AC) for FHIT loss and expression. We examined the epigenetic status of FHIT through methylation specific PCR and bisulfite sequencing; and correlated these results to FHIT expression in patient samples.

Results
We found that epigenetic alteration of FHIT is specifically found in chronic and acute ATL but is absent in asymptomatic HTLV-I carriers and TSP/HAM patients’ samples. Furthermore, the extent of FHIT methylation in ATL patients was quantitatively comparable in virus-infected and virus non-infected cells. We also found that longitudinal HTLV-I carriers that progressed to smoldering ATL and descendants of ATL patients harbor FHIT methylation.

Conclusions
These results suggest that germinal epigenetic mutation of FHIT represents a preexisting mark predisposing to the development of ATL diseases. These findings have important clinical implications as patients with acute ATL are rarely cured. Our study suggests an alternative strategy to the current “wait and see approach” in that early screening of HTLV-I-infected individuals for germinal epimutation of FHIT and early treatment may offer significant clinical benefits.
Reliability of GENEActiv accelerometers to estimate sleep, physical activity, and sedentary time in children
Authors: Antczak Devan , Lonsdale Chris , del Pozo Cruz Borja , Parker Philip , Sanders Taren 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Reliable estimates of habitual sleep, physical activity, and sedentary time are essential to investigate the associations between these behaviours and health outcomes. While the number of days needed and hours/day for estimates of physical activity and sedentary time are generally known, the criteria for sleep estimates are more uncertain. The objective of this study was to identify the number of nights needed to obtain reliable estimates of habitual sleep behaviour using the GENEActiv wrist worn accelerometer. The number of days to obtain reliable estimate of physical activity was also examined.

Methods
Data was used from a two-year longitudinal study. Children wore an accelerometer for up to 8 days 24 h/day across three timepoints. The sample included 2,745 children (51 % girls) between the ages of 7-12-years-old (mean = 9.8 years, SD = 1.1 year) with valid accelerometer data from any timepoint. Reliability estimates were calculated for sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep onset, wake time, time in bed, light physical activity, moderate physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, vigorous physical activity, and sedentary time.

Results
Intraclass correlations and the Spearman Brown prophecy formula were used to determine the nights and days needed for reliable estimates. We found that between 3 and 5 nights were needed to achieve acceptable reliability (ICC = 0.7) in sleep outcomes, while physical activity and sedentary time outcomes required between 3 and 4 days.

Conclusions
To obtain reliable estimates, researchers should consider these minimum criteria when designing their studies and prepare strategies to ensure sufficient wear time compliance.
Bidirectional associations of accelerometer-derived physical activity and stationary behavior with self-reported mental and physical health during midlife
Authors: Barone Gibbs Bethany , Sternfeld Barbara , Whitaker Kara M. , Brach Jennifer S. , Hergenroeder Andrea L. , Jacobs David R. , Reis Jared P. , Sidney Stephen , White Daniel , Pettee Gabriel Kelley 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) is associated with favorable self-rated mental and physical health. Conversely, poor self-rated health in these domains could precede unfavorable shifts in activity. We evaluated bidirectional associations of accelerometer-estimated time spent in stationary behavior (SB), light intensity physical activity (LPA), and MVPA with self-rated health over 10 years in in the CARDIA longitudinal cohort study.

Methods
Participants (n = 894, age: 45.1 ± 3.5; 63% female; 38% black) with valid accelerometry wear and self-rated health at baseline (2005–6) and 10-year follow-up (2015–6) were included. Accelerometry data were harmonized between exams and measured mean total activity and duration (min/day) in SB, LPA, and MVPA; duration (min/day) in long-bout and short-bout SB (≥30 min vs. < 30 min) and MVPA (≥10 min vs. < 10 min) were also quantified. The Short-Form 12 Questionnaire measured both a mental component score (MCS) and physical component score (PCS) of self-rated health (points). Multivariable linear regression associated baseline accelerometry variables with 10-year changes in MCS and PCS. Similar models associated baseline MCS and PCS with 10-year changes in accelerometry measures.

Results
Over 10-years, average (SD) MCS increased 1.05 (9.07) points, PCS decreased by 1.54 (7.30) points, and activity shifted toward greater SB and less mean total activity, LPA, and MVPA (all p < 0.001). Only baseline short-bout MVPA was associated with greater 10-year increases in MCS (+ 0.92 points, p = 0.021), while baseline mean total activity, MVPA, and long-bout MVPA were associated with greater 10-year changes in PCS (+ 0.53 to + 1.47 points, all p < 0.005). In the reverse direction, higher baseline MCS and PCS were associated with favorable 10-year changes in mean total activity (+ 9.75 cpm, p = 0.040, and + 15.66 cpm, p < 0.001, respectively) and other accelerometry measures; for example, higher baseline MCS was associated with − 13.57 min/day of long-bout SB (p < 0.001) and higher baseline PCS was associated with + 2.83 min/day of MVPA (p < 0.001) in fully adjusted models.

Conclusions
The presence of bidirectional associations between SB and activity with self-rated health suggests that individuals with low overall activity levels and poor self-rated health are at high risk for further declines and supports intervention programming that aims to dually increase activity levels and improve self-rated health.
Stroke-induced immunosuppression: implications for the prevention and prediction of post-stroke infections
Authors: Faura Júlia , Bustamante Alejandro , Miró-Mur Francesc , Montaner Joan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractStroke produces a powerful inflammatory cascade in the brain, but also a suppression of the peripheral immune system, which is also called stroke-induced immunosuppression (SIIS). The main processes that lead to SIIS are a shift from a lymphocyte phenotype T-helper (Th) 1 to a Th2 phenotype, a decrease of the lymphocyte counts and NK cells in the blood and spleen, and an impairment of the defense mechanisms of neutrophils and monocytes. The direct clinical consequence of SIIS in stroke patients is an increased susceptibility to stroke-associated infections, which is enhanced by clinical factors like dysphagia. Among these infections, stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) is the one that accounts for the highest impact on stroke outcome, so research is focused on its early diagnosis and prevention. Biomarkers indicating modifications in SIIS pathways could have an important role in the early prediction of SAP, but currently, there are no individual biomarkers or panels of biomarkers that are accurate enough to be translated to clinical practice. Similarly, there is still no efficient therapy to prevent the onset of SAP, and clinical trials testing prophylactic antibiotic treatment and β-blockers have failed. However, local immunomodulation could open up a new research opportunity to find a preventive therapy for SAP. Recent studies have focused on the pulmonary immune changes that could be caused by stroke similarly to other acquired brain injuries. Some of the traits observed in animal models of stroke include lung edema and inflammation, as well as inflammation of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.
Reducing the metabolic energy of walking and running using an unpowered hip exoskeleton
Authors: Zhou Tiancheng , Xiong Caihua , Zhang Juanjuan , Hu Di , Chen Wenbin , Huang Xiaolin 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Walking and running are the most common means of locomotion in human daily life. People have made advances in developing separate exoskeletons to reduce the metabolic rate of walking or running. However, the combined requirements of overcoming the fundamental biomechanical differences between the two gaits and minimizing the metabolic penalty of the exoskeleton mass make it challenging to develop an exoskeleton that can reduce the metabolic energy during both gaits. Here we show that the metabolic energy of both walking and running can be reduced by regulating the metabolic energy of hip flexion during the common energy consumption period of the two gaits using an unpowered hip exoskeleton.

Methods
We analyzed the metabolic rates, muscle activities and spatiotemporal parameters of 9 healthy subjects (mean ± s.t.d; 24.9 ± 3.7 years, 66.9 ± 8.7 kg, 1.76 ± 0.05 m) walking on a treadmill at a speed of 1.5 m s−1 and running at a speed of 2.5 m s−1 with different spring stiffnesses. After obtaining the optimal spring stiffness, we recruited the participants to walk and run with the assistance from a spring with optimal stiffness at different speeds to demonstrate the generality of the proposed approach.

Results
We found that the common optimal exoskeleton spring stiffness for walking and running was 83 Nm Rad−1, corresponding to 7.2% ± 1.2% (mean ± s.e.m, paired t-test p < 0.01) and 6.8% ± 1.0% (p < 0.01) metabolic reductions compared to walking and running without exoskeleton. The metabolic energy within the tested speed range can be reduced with the assistance except for low-speed walking (1.0 m s−1). Participants showed different changes in muscle activities with the assistance of the proposed exoskeleton.

Conclusions
This paper first demonstrates that the metabolic cost of walking and running can be reduced using an unpowered hip exoskeleton to regulate the metabolic energy of hip flexion. The design method based on analyzing the common energy consumption characteristics between gaits may inspire future exoskeletons that assist multiple gaits. The results of different changes in muscle activities provide new insight into human response to the same assistive principle for different gaits (walking and running).
ITRAQ-based quantitative proteomics reveals the proteome profiles of MDBK cells infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus
Authors: Li Yaxin , Guo Tao , Wang Xiaokui , Ni Wei , Hu Ruirui , Cui Yuying , Mi Taotao , Hu Shengwei 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) which is caused by Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), is an acute, contagious disease. In spite of the use of vaccines and elimination projects, BVDV still causes severe economic losses to the cattle industry for the past few years. The current study presents a preliminary analysis of the pathogenic mechanisms from the perspective of protein expression levels in infected host cells at different points in time to elucidate the infection process associated with BVDV.

Methods
We used the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) technology coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC–MS/MS) approach for a quantitative proteomics comparison of BVDV NADL-infected MDBK cells and non-infected cells. The functions of the proteins were deduced by functional annotation and their involvement in metabolic processes explored by KEGG pathway analysis to identify their interactions.

Results
There were 357 (47.6% downregulated, 52.4% upregulated infected vs. control), 101 (52.5% downregulated, 47.5% upregulated infected vs. control), and 66 (21.2% downregulated, 78.8% upregulated infected vs. control) proteins were differentially expressed (fold change > 1.5 or < 0.67) in the BVDV NADL-infected MDBK cells at 12, 24, and 48 h after infection. GO analysis showed that the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) are mainly involved in metabolic processes, biological regulation and localization. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that some signaling pathways that involved in the regulation of BVDV NADL-infection and host resistance are significantly (P < 0.05) enriched at different stages of the BVDV NADL-infection, such as Endocytosis signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, Homologous recombination signaling pathway and Lysosome pathway.

Conclusions
These results revealed that the DEPs in BVDV NADL-infected MDBK cells have a wide range of regulatory effects; in addition, they provide a lot of resources for the study of host cell proteomics after BVDV infection.
First metatarsophalangeal fusion with dorsal plate: clinical outcomes
Authors: Restuccia Giuseppe , Cosseddu Fabio , del Chiaro Andrea , Ceccoli Matteo , Lippi Alessandro , Shytaj Sheila 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
First metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) fusion is the most effective technique for the treatment of MTPJ primary arthritis, severe hallux valgus and failure of primary corrective surgery of these conditions. It can be achieved through different techniques. We evaluated the outcomes in a cohort of patients treated with dorsal plate arthrodesis.

Materials and methods
We treated 30 feet for 28 patients; the mean follow-up was 35 months. For each foot, we collected radiological and clinical assessment, with the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and the Manchester and Oxford Foot questionnaire (MOFQ). The technique consisted in a cup and cone arthrodesis with the application of a low profile dorsal plate. Patients were allowed for immediate weight bearing.

Results
Consolidation was achieved in all cases; in 29 cases, radiographic union was recorded within 6 months from surgery, in one case after 9 months. Comparison between the preoperative and postoperative of VAS and MOXFQ values showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Only one case developed wound dehiscence as complication.

Conclusions
Even if there is still a debate regarding the best system for MTPJ fusion, we believe cup and cone fusion with dorsal plating is an effective method. Moreover, the stability of the osteosynthesis obtained allows for immediate post-operative weight bearing, making patients able to return soon to their normal life.

Trial registration
We present a retrospective study; all patients enrolled were retrospectively registered.