bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of a shoulder injury prevention programme on proprioception and dynamic stability of young volleyball players; a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zarei Mostafa , Eshghi Saeed , Hosseinzadeh Mahdi 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
The “FIFA 11 + Shoulder” programme has been reported to reduce the incidence of upper extremity injuries among soccer goalkeepers. It has also been recommended for overhead sports. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate the effect of an 8-week “FIFA 11 + shoulder” (11 + S) programme on shoulder joint position sense (JPS), threshold to detect passive motion (TTDPM) and upper quarter Y Balance Test in young male volleyball players.

Methods
Thirty-two healthy young elite male volleyball players (17.49 ± 1.47 years) participated in this quasi-experimental study. Participants, recruited from two clubs participating in Iranian premier league, were randomly assigned into two groups; (1) the intervention group who performed the “FIFA 11 + shoulder” programme as their warm up protocol, three times per week, and (2) the control group who kept their routine warm up protocol meanwhile. Proprioception tests including JPS and TTDPM of internal and external rotator muscles of the dominant shoulder were recorded via the isokinetic system pro 4. The upper quarter Y Balance Test determined the shoulder dynamic stability.

Results
No statistically significant differences were observed for JPS and TTDPM of shoulder internal and external rotator muscles; shoulder stability however significantly increased only in the intervention group (p = 0.03, ηp2=0.02).

Conclusion
Upper quarter dynamic stability improvement due to the 11+S programme leads to volleyball players’ performance and may therefore contribute to a reduction in risk of sustaining injury if applied long-term.

Trial registration
The trial was retrospectively registered atIranian Registry of Clinical Trials with the number of IRCT20201030049193N1 at 04/12/2020.
Latent tuberculosis infection among patients with and without type-2 diabetes mellitus: results from a hospital case-control study in Atlanta
Authors: Salindri Argita D. , Haw J. Sonya , Amere Genet A. , Alese Joyce T. , Umpierrez Guillermo E. , Magee Matthew J. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objective
The purpose of this study is to compare the prevalence of latent TB infection (LTBI) among patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to healthy controls without T2DM. To achieve this objective, we conducted a case-control study in a large hospital in Atlanta from 2016 to 2019.

Results
We enrolled 98 cases; 119 potential controls were screened, 84 of which had HbA1c  ≥  5.7% and one did not have QFT result, leaving 34 (28.6%) individuals enrolled as controls. LTBI prevalence was 9.2% among cases and 14.7% among controls (crude odds ratio 0.59, 95% CI 0.19–2.04). After adjusting for age and sex, the adjusted odds of LTBI among patients with T2DM was 0.45 (95% CI 0.13, 1.71) times the controls. We did not observe a statistically significant association between LTBI and T2DM. However, we reported a positive correlation between HbA1c level and nil count among individuals with LTBI (R2  =  0.55, p  <  0.01). In addition, we reported a high prevalence of LTBI among adults with T2DM and family members without T2DM.
A novel blood-based assay for treatment monitoring of tuberculosis
Authors: Zimmer Alexandra J. , Schumacher Samuel G. , Södersten Erik , Mantsoki Anna , Wyss Romain , Persing David H. , Banderby Sara , Strömqvist Meuzelaar Linda , Prieto Jacqueline , Gnanashanmugam Devasena , Khatri Purvesh , Ongarello Stefano , Ruhwald Morten , Denkinger Claudia M. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objectives
A novel 3-gene host transcriptional signature (GBP5, DUSP3 and KLF2) has been validated for tuberculosis (TB) treatment monitoring using laboratory-based RNA sequencing platforms. The signature was recently translated by Cepheid into a prototype cartridge-based test that can be run on the GeneXpert instrument. In this study, we prospectively evaluated the change in the expression of the cartridge-based 3-gene signature following treatment initiation among pulmonary TB patients who were microbiologically cured at the end of treatment.

Results
The 3-gene signature expression level (TB score) changed significantly over time with respect to baseline among 31 pulmonary TB patients. The greatest increase in TB score occurred within the first month of treatment (median fold-increase in TB score: 1.08 [IQR 0.54–1.52]) and plateaued after 4 months of treatment (median TB score: 1.97 [IQR: 1.03–2.33]). The rapid and substantial increase of the TB score in the first month of treatment holds promise for the early identification of patients that respond to TB treatment. The plateau in TB score at 4 months may indicate early clearance of disease and could direct treatment to be shortened. These hypotheses need to be further explored with larger prospective treatment monitoring studies.
Predictive value of hepatic transaminases during febrile phase as a predictor of a severe form of Dengue: analysis of adult Dengue patients from a tertiary care setting of Sri Lanka
Authors: Priyangika Dickowita Kankanamge Dilani , Premawansa Gayani , Adikari Madura , Thillainathan Sharmila , Premawansa Sunil , Jayamanne Bernard Deepal Wanniarachchi , Premaratna Ranjan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objectives
Dengue viral infection is an ongoing epidemic in Sri Lanka, causing significant mortality and morbidity. A descriptive-analytical study was carried out using serologically confirmed Dengue patients during a 6 month period. The relationship between the elevation of hepatic enzymes and severity of Dengue was assessed after stratifying recorded maximum AST/ALT (SGOT/SGPT) values 2–15 times elevated and by the phases of the illness. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and ROC curves were assessed using maximum values for AST and ALT.

Results
Out of 255 patients, 107(42%) were females. The majority (52.9%) were in the 20–39 year age group. Only 19.6% had DHF. No statistically significant difference was noticed in the values of maximum transaminases during the febrile phase among DF and DHF patients. Higher sensitivity and low specificity with the 1–5 times elevation range was noticed, and a higher cut-off level of more than 5 times elevation showed low sensitivity and higher specificity. The combination of both transaminases cut-offs with age and sex also does not show clinically significant predictability of severe disease.
The AST and ALT elevations are not showing discriminatory predictive value on dengue severity. As different serotypes cause different epidemics, it is important to carry out large-scale specific studies considering the serotypes.
Quality assessment of nine paracetamol 500 mg tablet brands marketed in Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlSwayeh Reem , Alvi Syed N. , Hammami Muhammad M. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Objective
To evaluate in-vitro quality of paracetamol 500 mg tablet brands marketed in Saudi Arabia.

Results
Two reference (R1 and R2) and seven generic (G1-G7) brands were commercially available. Four brands were single-drug, containing paracetamol only (R1, G1-G3) and five contained additional active ingredients (R2, G4-G7). All brands were immediate-release. Weight variation (n = 20, range as percent difference from mean), active substance content (n = 20, mean (SD) as percent difference from label), breaking force (n = 10, mean (SD)), and friability (n = 20, as percent weight loss) ranged from 97 to 102%, 96.1% (2.9%) to 99.8% (1.1%), 9.9 (0.4) to 21.0 (0.9) kg, and 0.017% to 0.809%, respectively. Disintegration (water medium) time (n = 6, minute: second) ranged from 02:35–03:09 to 12:49–13:10. Dissolution (phosphate buffer, pH 5.8) profile showed a mean release at 30 min of 87% to 97% of label content, with seven brands passing stage-1 (≥ 85% for each of 6 test units) and two passing stage-2 (mean of 12 test units ≥ 85%) criteria. Despite statistically significant differences between R1 and R2 and some of their corresponding generic brands in active substance content, breaking force, and amount dissolved at 30 min, all nine brands met the pre-specified quality standards.
Combined prenatal Lactobacillus reuteri and ω-3 supplementation synergistically modulates DNA methylation in neonatal T helper cells
Authors: Huoman Johanna , Martínez-Enguita David , Olsson Elin , Ernerudh Jan , Nilsson Lennart , Duchén Karel , Gustafsson Mika , Jenmalm Maria C. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Environmental exposures may alter DNA methylation patterns of T helper cells. As T helper cells are instrumental for allergy development, changes in methylation patterns may constitute a mechanism of action for allergy preventive interventions. While epigenetic effects of separate perinatal probiotic or ω-3 fatty acid supplementation have been studied previously, the combined treatment has not been assessed. We aimed to investigate epigenome-wide DNA methylation patterns from a sub-group of children in an on-going randomised double-blind placebo-controlled allergy prevention trial using pre- and postnatal combined Lactobacillus reuteri and ω-3 fatty acid treatment. To this end, > 866000 CpG sites (MethylationEPIC 850K array) in cord blood CD4+ T cells were examined in samples from all four study arms (double-treatment: n = 18, single treatments: probiotics n = 16, ω-3 n = 15, and double placebo: n = 14). Statistical and bioinformatic analyses identified treatment-associated differentially methylated CpGs and genes, which were used to identify putatively treatment-induced network modules. Pathway analyses inferred biological relevance, and comparisons were made to an independent allergy data set.

Results
Comparing the active treatments to the double placebo group, most differentially methylated CpGs and genes were hypermethylated, possibly suggesting induction of transcriptional inhibition. The double-treated group showed the largest number of differentially methylated CpGs, of which many were unique, suggesting synergy between interventions. Clusters within the double-treated network module consisted of immune-related pathways, including T cell receptor signalling, and antigen processing and presentation, with similar pathways revealed for the single-treatment modules. CpGs derived from differential methylation and network module analyses were enriched in an independent allergy data set, particularly in the double-treatment group, proposing treatment-induced DNA methylation changes as relevant for allergy development.

Conclusion
Prenatal L. reuteri and/or ω-3 fatty acid treatment results in hypermethylation and affects immune- and allergy-related pathways in neonatal T helper cells, with potentially synergistic effects between the interventions and relevance for allergic disease. Further studies need to address these findings on a transcriptional level, and whether the results associate to allergy development in the children. Understanding the role of DNA methylation in regulating effects of perinatal probiotic and ω-3 interventions may provide essential knowledge in the development of efficacious allergy preventive strategies.
Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, ClinicalTrials.gov-ID: NCT01542970. Registered 27th of February 2012—Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01542970.
Neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging reveals white matter microstructural alterations in adults with autism
Authors: Andica Christina , Kamagata Koji , Kirino Eiji , Uchida Wataru , Irie Ryusuke , Murata Syo , Aoki Shigeki 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Evidences suggesting the association between behavioral anomalies in autism and white matter (WM) microstructural alterations are increasing. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is widely used to infer tissue microstructure. However, due to its lack of specificity, the underlying pathology of reported differences in DTI measures in autism remains poorly understood. Herein, we applied neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) to quantify and define more specific causes of WM microstructural changes associated with autism in adults.

Methods
NODDI (neurite density index [NDI], orientation dispersion index, and isotropic volume fraction [ISOVF]) and DTI (fractional anisotropy [FA], mean diffusivity [MD], axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity [RD]) measures were compared between autism (N = 26; 19 males and 7 females; 32.93 ± 9.24 years old) and age- and sex-matched typically developing (TD; N = 25; 17 males and 8 females; 34.43 ± 9.02 years old) groups using tract-based spatial statistics and region-of-interest analyses. Linear discriminant analysis using leave-one-out cross-validation (LDA-LOOCV) was also performed to assess the discriminative power of diffusion measures in autism and TD.

Results
Significantly lower NDI and higher ISOVF, suggestive of decreased neurite density and increased extracellular free-water, respectively, were demonstrated in the autism group compared with the TD group, mainly in commissural and long-range association tracts, but with distinct predominant sides. Consistent with previous reports, the autism group showed lower FA and higher MD and RD when compared with TD group. Notably, LDA-LOOCV suggests that NDI and ISOVF have relatively higher accuracy (82%) and specificity (NDI, 84%; ISOVF, 88%) compared with that of FA, MD, and RD (accuracy, 67–73%; specificity, 68–80%).

Limitations
The absence of histopathological confirmation limit the interpretation of our findings.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that NODDI measures might be useful as imaging biomarkers to diagnose autism in adults and assess its behavioral characteristics. Furthermore, NODDI allows interpretation of previous findings on changes in WM diffusion tensor metrics in individuals with autism.
CD44 fucosylation on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells enhances homing and promotes enteric nervous system remodeling in diabetic mice
Authors: Shi Huiying , Jiang Chen , Yao Hailing , Zhang Yurui , Zhang Qin , Hou Xiaohua , Lin Rong 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundDiabetes can cause extensive enteric nervous system (ENS) injuries and gastrointestinal motility disorder. In developing possible treatments, researchers have engaged in tissue regeneration engineering with the very promising bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). However, BMSCs have poor homing ability to the targeted tissues after intravenous injection. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether enhancing the expression of E-selectin ligand on BMSCs could improve their homing ability and subsequently influence their role in ENS remodeling in diabetic mice.MethodsFirst, we constructed the fucosylation modification of CD44 on BMSCs through a fucosyltransferase VII (FTVII) system to generate a Hematopoietic Cell E-/L-selectin Ligand (HCELL) property, a fucosylated sialyllactosaminyl glycovariant of CD44 that potently binds E-selectin. Next, FTVII-modified and unmodified BMSCs labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) were injected into diabetic mice through the tail vein to compare their homing ability to the gastrointestinal tract and their effect on ENS remodeling, respectively. A bioluminescent imaging system was used to evaluate the homing ability of GFP-labeled BMSCs with and without FTVII modification, to the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal motility was assessed by gastrointestinal transient time, defecation frequency, stool water content and colon strips contractility. Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting were used to assess the expression levels of protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF).ResultsThe FTVII-mediated α(1,3)-fucosylation modification of CD44 on BMSCs generated a HCELL property. Bioluminescent imaging assays showed that FTVII-modified BMSCs had enhanced homing ability to gastrointestinal tract, mainly to the colon, 24 h after injection through the tail vein. Compared with diabetic mice, FTVII-modified BMSCs significantly promoted the gastrointestinal motility and the ENS remodeling, including intestinal peristalsis (P < 0.05), increased feces excretion (P < 0.05) and the water content of the feces (P < 0.05), restored the spontaneous contraction of the colon (P < 0.05), and upregulated the protein expression levels of PGP9.5 (P < 0.01), GFAP (P < 0.001), and GDNF (P < 0.05), while unmodified BMSCs did not (P > 0.05).ConclusionsCD44 fucosylation modification on murine BMSCs promotes homing ability to the gastrointestinal tract and ENS remodeling in diabetic mice.
Multiple responses contribute to the enhanced drought tolerance of the autotetraploid Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa
Authors: Li Meng , Zhang Chenxing , Hou Lu , Yang Weicong , Liu Songshan , Pang Xiaoming , Li Yingyue 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Polyploid plants often exhibit enhanced stress tolerance. The underlying physiological and molecular bases of such mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we characterized the drought tolerance of autotetraploid sour jujube at phenotypic, physiological and molecular levels.

Results
The study findings showed that the autotetraploid sour jujube exhibited a superior drought tolerance and enhanced regrowth potential after dehydration in comparison with the diploid counterpart. Under drought stress, more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in autotetraploid sour jujube and the physiological responses gradually triggered important functions. Through GO enrichment analysis, many DEGs between the diploid and autotetraploid sour jujube after drought-stress exposure were annotated to the oxidation–reduction process, photosystem, DNA binding transcription factor activity and oxidoreductase activity. Six reactive oxygen species scavenging-related genes were specifically differentially expressed and the larger positive fold-changes of the DEGs involved in glutathione metabolism were detected in autotetraploid. Consistently, the lower O2− level and malonaldehyde (MDA) content and higher antioxidant enzymes activity were detected in the autotetraploid under drought-stress conditions. In addition, DEGs in the autotetraploid after stress exposure were significantly enriched in anthocyanin biosynthesis, DNA replication, photosynthesis and plant hormone, including auxin, abscisic acid and gibberellin signal-transduction pathways. Under osmotic stress conditions, genes associated with the synthesis and transport of osmotic regulators including anthocyanin biosynthesis genes were differentially expressed, and the soluble sugar, soluble protein and proline contents were significantly higher in the autotetraploid. The higher chlorophyll content and DEGs enriched in photosynthesis suggest that the photosynthetic system in the autotetraploid was enhanced compared with diploid during drought stress. Moreover, several genes encoding transcription factors (TFs) including GRAS, Bhlh, MYB, WRKY and NAC were induced specifically or to higher levels in the autotetraploid under drought-stress conditions, and hub genes, LOC107403632, LOC107422279, LOC107434947, LOC107412673 and LOC107432609, related to 18 up-regulated transcription factors in the autotetraploid compared with the diploid were identified.

Conclusion
Taken together, multiple responses contribute to the enhanced drought tolerance of autotetraploid sour jujube. This study could provide an important basis for elucidating the mechanism of tolerance variation after the polyploidization of trees.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Systematic review and meta-analysis of the epidemiology of vancomycin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus isolates
Authors: Wu Qianxing , Sabokroo Niloofar , Wang Yujie , Hashemian Marzieh , Karamollahi Somayeh , Kouhsari Ebrahim 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Vancomycin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) is a serious public health challenging concern worldwide.

Objectives
Therefore, the objective of present study of 62 published studies was to evaluate the prevalence of VRSA based on different years, areas, isolate source, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and the genetic determinants.

Methods
We searched the relevant articles that focused on the prevalence rates of VRSA in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science from 2000 to 2019. Statistical analyses were conducted using STATA software (version 14.0).

Results
The prevalence of VRSA was 2% before 2006, 5% in 2006–2014, and 7% in 2015–2020 that showed a 3.5-fold increase in the frequency of VRSA between before 2006 and 2020 years. The prevalence of VRSA was 5% in Asia, 1% in Europe, 4% in America, 3% in South America, and 16% in Africa. The frequencies of VRSA isolated from clinical, non-clinical, and mixed samples were 6%, 7%, and 14%, respectively. The prevalence of VRSA was 12% using disk diffusion agar method, 7% using MIC-base methods, and 4% using mixed-methods. The prevalence of vanA, vanB, and vanC1 positive were 71%, 26%, and 4% among VRSA strains. The most prevalent genotype was staphylococcal cassette chromosomemec (SCCmec) II, which accounted for 57% of VRSA. The most prevalent staphylococcal protein A (spa) types were t002, t030, and t037.

Conclusion
The prevalence of VRSA has been increasing in recent years particularly in Africa/Asia than Europe/America. The most prevalent of genetic determinants associated with VRSA were vanA and SCCmec II. This study clarifies that the rigorous monitoring of definite antibiotic policy, regular surveillance/control of nosocomial-associated infections and intensive surveillance of vancomycin-resistance are required for preventing emergence and further spreading of VRSA.
Determination of parasitic burden in the brain tissue of infected mice in acute toxoplasmosis after treatment by fluconazole combined with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine
Authors: Sina Sekandarpour , Mohammad Jafari Modrek , Reza Shafiei , Anita Mohammadiha , Soudabeh Etemadi , Hadi Mirahmadi 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background/aims
One of the opportunistic pathogens which cause serious problems in the human immune system is Toxoplasma gondii, with toxoplasma encephalitis (TE) seen in patients affected by it. The treatment of these patients is limited, and if not treated on time, death will be possible.

Methods
In this study, the effects of the treatment with different doses of fluconazole (FLZ) in combination with the current treatment of acute toxoplasmosis on reducing the mortality rate and the parasitic load in the murine model in vivo were studied. The mice were treated with different doses of fluconazole alone, sulfadiazine, and pyrimethamine plus fluconazole. A day after the end of the treatment and 1 day before death, the mice’s brains were collected, and after DNA extraction and molecular tests, the parasite burden was detected.

Results
This study showed that a 10-day treatment with 20 mg/kg of fluconazole combined with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine 1.40 mg/kg per day affected acute toxoplasmosis and reduced the parasitic load significantly in brain tissues and also increased the survival rate of all mice in this group until the last day of the study, in contrast to other treatment groups. These results also indicate the positive effects of combined therapy on Toxoplasma gondii and the prevention of relapse.

Conclusions
Reducing the parasitic burden and increasing the survival rate were more effective against acute toxoplasmosis in the combined treatment of different doses of fluconazole with current treatments than current treatments without fluconazole. In other words, combination therapy with fluconazole plus pyrimethamine reduced the parasitic burden in the brain significantly, so it could be a replacement therapy in patients with intolerance sulfadiazine.