bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimizing Village-Level Targeting of Active Case Detection to Support Visceral Leishmaniasis Elimination in India
Authors: Bindroo Joy , Priyamvada Khushbu , Chapman Lloyd A. C. , Mahapatra Tanmay , Sinha Bikas , Banerjee Indranath , Mishra Prabhas Kumar , Rooj Basab , Kundan Kumar , Roy Nupur , Gill Naresh Kumar , Hightower Allen , Sharma Madan Prasad , Dhingra Neeraj , Bern Caryn , Srikantiah Sridhar 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundIndia has made major progress in improving control of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in recent years, in part through shortening the time infectious patients remain untreated. Active case detection decreases the time from VL onset to diagnosis and treatment, but requires substantial human resources. Targeting approaches are therefore essential to feasibility.MethodsWe analyzed data from the Kala-azar Management Information System (KAMIS), using village-level VL cases over specific time intervals to predict risk in subsequent years. We also graphed the time between cases in villages and examined how these patterns track with village-level risk of additional cases across the range of cumulative village case-loads. Finally, we assessed the trade-off between ACD effort and yield.ResultsIn 2013, only 9.3% of all villages reported VL cases; this proportion shrank to 3.9% in 2019. Newly affected villages as a percentage of all affected villages decreased from 54.3% in 2014 to 23.5% in 2019, as more surveillance data accumulated and overall VL incidence declined. The risk of additional cases in a village increased with increasing cumulative incidence, reaching approximately 90% in villages with 12 cases and 100% in villages with 45 cases, but the vast majority of villages had small cumulative case numbers. The time-to-next-case decreased with increasing case-load. Using a 3-year window (2016–2018), a threshold of seven VL cases at the village level selects 329 villages and yields 23% of cases reported in 2019, while a threshold of three cases selects 1,241 villages and yields 46% of cases reported in 2019. Using a 6-year window increases both effort and yield.ConclusionDecisions on targeting must consider the trade-off between number of villages targeted and yield and will depend upon the operational efficiencies of existing programs and the feasibility of specific ACD approaches. The maintenance of a sensitive, comprehensive VL surveillance system will be crucial to preventing future VL resurgence.
Security Regional Division of Farmland Soil Heavy Metal Elements in North of the North China Plain
Authors: Kong Chenchen , Zhang Shiwen 
Published: March 2021

A total of 94 soil samples from different soil depths (0∼25 cm, 25∼50 cm) were collected of farmland soil around the plain of Beijing, and the concentrations of five heavy metal elements (Cd, Cr, Pb, As, and Hg) were measured using standard methods. The safety utilization evaluation method of heavy metals was based on three different evaluation methods. Then, the governance principles and specific management control strategy were determined in detail according to the core pollution source analysis of each safety grade zone. The results show that there are four different comprehensive safe utilization areas: safe, low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk utilization. Among them, the study area was dominated by low-risk utilization areas, and the risk trend was gradually weakening from the center of the city to the periphery. Based on the characteristics of different security zones, this study puts on the governance principles of priority protection, long-term monitoring and moderate optimization, strengthens early warning, and cooperates with effective repair and priority governance. And then it puts forward practical control strategies according to the core pollution sources of each safety utilization zone. Our findings may provide a clear direction for rational utilization of land resources and renovation in the future.
Peripheral Nervous System Involvement in Sjögren’s Syndrome: Analysis of a Cohort From the Italian Research Group on Sjögren’s Syndrome
Authors: Cafaro Giacomo , Perricone Carlo , Carubbi Francesco , Baldini Chiara , Quartuccio Luca , Priori Roberta , Berardicurti Onorina , Ferro Francesco , Gandolfo Saviana , Gattamelata Angelica , Giacomelli Roberto , De Vita Salvatore , Gerli Roberto , Bartoloni Elena 
Published: March 2021

PurposeThe prevalence of peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) has been reported to range from 2% to over 50%. Bias in study designs, including low number of patients and unclearly defined rheumatological and neurological diagnosis could explain such variability. Consequently, the exact depiction of PNS involvement in pSS is still lacking. This study aimed at analyzing the prevalence and the clinical and laboratory factors associated with PNS involvement in a very large cohort of well-characterized pSS patients with a clearly defined neurological diagnosis.MethodsClinical and serological data of 1,695 pSS patients with specific and accurate information on PNS involvement were analyzed. Comparisons between patients with and without PNS involvement and between patients with distinct subsets of PNS manifestations were performed.ResultsPrevalence of PNS involvement was 3.7%. The most frequent types observed were pure sensory neuropathies and axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathies (SMP). Patients with PNS involvement exhibited a more active disease profile and were more frequently treated with immunosuppressants. Intriguingly, clinical and serological negative prognostic factors, including purpura, extra-glandular manifestations, leukopenia, low complement and cryoglobulinemia, principally characterized patients with SMP, while subjects with pure sensory neuropathy displayed a milder phenotype.ConclusionOur results highlight that PNS involvement is rather rare, but prognostically relevant in pSS. Main adverse prognostic features characterize patients with SMP, while pure sensory neuropathies are usually associated with a mild clinical picture. These findings, useful for patient stratification, may suggest protean pathogenic pathways underlying different types of PNS manifestations in pSS.
A Phase II Randomized Clinical Trial and Mechanistic Studies Using Improved Probiotics to Prevent Oral Mucositis Induced by Concurrent Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Xia Chaofei , Jiang Chunling , Li Wenyu , Wei Jing , Hong Hu , Li Jingao , Feng Liu , Wei Hong , Xin Hongbo , Chen Tingtao 
Published: March 2021

Earlier evidence has proven that probiotic supplements can reduce concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT)-induced oral mucositis (OM) in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). The incidence of severe OM (grade 3 or higher) was the primary endpoint in this study. We first enrolled 85 patients with locally advanced NPC who were undergoing CCRT. Of them, 77 patients were finally selected and randomized (1:1) to receive either a probiotic cocktail or placebo. To investigate the protective effects and the mechanism of probiotic cocktail treatment on OM induced by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, we randomly divided the rats into the control (C) group, the model (M) group, and the probiotic (P) group. After treatment, samples from the tongue, blood, and fecal and proximal colon tissues on various days (7th, 14th, and 21st days) were collected and tested for the inflammatory response, cell apoptosis, intestinal permeability, and intestinal microbial changes. We found that patients taking the probiotic cocktail showed significantly lower OM. The values of the incidence of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 grades of OM in the placebo group and in the probiotic cocktail group were reported to be 0, 14.7, 38.2, 32.4, and 14.7% and 13.9, 36.1, 25, 22.2, and 2.8%, respectively. Furthermore, patients in the probiotic cocktail group showed a decrease in the reduction rate of CD3+ T cells (75.5% vs. 81%, p &lt; 0.01), CD4+ T cells (64.53% vs. 79.53%, p &lt; 0.01), and CD8+ T cells (75.59 vs. 62.36%, p &lt; 0.01) compared to the placebo group. In the rat model, the probiotic cocktail could ameliorate the severity of OM, decrease the inflammatory response, cause cell apoptosis and intestinal permeability, and restore the structure of gut microbiota to normalcy. In conclusion, the modified probiotic cocktail significantly reduces the severity of OM by enhancing the immune response of patients with NPC and modifying the structure of gut microbiota.Clinical Trial Registration: The Clinical Trial Registration should be the NCT03112837.
The Effects of Helicobacter pylori Infection on Microbiota Associated With Gastric Mucosa and Immune Factors in Children
Authors: Zheng Wei , Miao Jing , Luo Lingling , Long Gao , Chen Bo , Shu Xiaoli , Gu Weizhong , Peng Kerong , Li Fubang , Zhao Hong , Botchway Benson O. A. , Fang Marong , Jiang Mizu 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundHelicobacter pylori infection is the main cause of chronic gastritis in children. Little is known about the effect of Helicobacter pylori on microbiota and immunity. This study was aimed at characterizing stomach microbiota and immune-regulatory properties of children with Helicobacter pylori colonization.MethodsWe studied 122 children who had undergone gastric endoscopy due to gastrointestinal symptoms, 57 were diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori infection. Endoscopic mucosal biopsy samples were obtained for DNA and RNA extraction. Microbiomes were analyzed by 16S rRNA profiling, with the differentially expressed genes analyzed using RNA sequencing. The RNA-sequencing results of selected genes were validated by qRT-PCR.ResultsBacterial diversity of Helicobacter pylori-positive gastric specimens were lower than those of negative, and both groups were clearly separated according to beta diversity. Helicobacter pylori-positive group significantly reduced proportions of six phyla and eight genera; only Helicobacter taxa were more abundant in Helicobacter pylori-negative group. Gastric tissues RNA sequencing showed increased expression of multiple immune response genes in Helicobacter pylori -infection. Helicobacter pylori -infected children with restructured gastric microbiota had higher levels of FOXP3, IL-10, TGF-β1 and IL-17A expressions, which were consistent with increased CD4+T cell and macrophagocyte, compared with non-infected children.ConclusionsPresence of Helicobacter pylori significantly influences gastric microbiota and results in lower abundance of multiple taxonomic levels in children. Meanwhile, it affects gastric immune environment and promotes the occurrence of gastritis.Clinical Trial Registration[http://www.chictr.org.cn], identifier [ChiCTR1800015190]
PNOC Expressed by B Cells in Cholangiocarcinoma Was Survival Related and LAIR2 Could Be a T Cell Exhaustion Biomarker in Tumor Microenvironment: Characterization of Immune Microenvironment Combining Single-Cell and Bulk Sequencing Technology
Authors: Chen Zheng , Yu Mincheng , Yan Jiuliang , Guo Lei , Zhang Bo , Liu Shuang , Lei Jin , Zhang Wentao , Zhou Binghai , Gao Jie , Yang Zhangfu , Li Xiaoqiang , Zhou Jian , Fan Jia , Ye Qinghai , Li Hui , Xu Yongfeng , Xiao Yongsheng 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundCholangiocarcinoma was a highly malignant liver cancer with poor prognosis, and immune infiltration status was considered an important factor in response to immunotherapy. In this investigation, we tried to locate immune infiltration related genes of cholangiocarcinoma through combination of bulk-sequencing and single-cell sequencing technology.MethodsSingle sample gene set enrichment analysis was used to annotate immune infiltration status in datasets of TCGA CHOL, GSE32225, and GSE26566. Differentially expressed genes between high- and low-infiltrated groups in TCGA dataset were yielded and further compressed in other two datasets through backward stepwise regression in R environment. Single-cell sequencing data of GSE138709 was loaded by Seurat software and was used to examined the expression of infiltration-related gene set. Pathway changes in malignant cell populations were analyzed through scTPA web tool.ResultsThere were 43 genes differentially expressed between high- and low-immune infiltrated patients, and after further compression, PNOC and LAIR2 were significantly correlated with high immune infiltration status in cholangiocarcinoma. Through analysis of single-cell sequencing data, PNOC was mainly expressed by infiltrated B cells in tumor microenvironment, while LAIR2 was expressed by Treg cells and partial GZMB+ CD8 T cells, which were survival related and increased in tumor tissues. High B cell infiltration levels were related to better overall survival. Also, malignant cell populations demonstrated functionally different roles in tumor progression.ConclusionPNOC and LAIR2 were biomarkers for immune infiltration evaluation in cholangiocarcinoma. PNOC, expressed by B cells, could predict better survival of patients, while LAIR2 was a potential marker for exhaustive T cell populations, correlating with worse survival of patients.
Management of Unsatisfactory Postoperative Double Eyelid With Intralesional Corticosteroid Injection
Authors: Zhang Siyi , Zhou Yixiong , Yu Fei , Yan Dan , Yan Yan , Zhou Meng , Fu Yao , Lu Yang 
Published: March 2021

Purpose: The present study was designed to observe the curative effect of early intralesional corticosteroid injection to treat unsatisfactory double eyelid.Methods: This retrospective, observational study included 30 female patients (age 22–35 years) receiving intralesional corticosteroid injection after complaining about the unsatisfactory double eyelid post-transcutaneous upper eyelid blepharoplasty. The postoperative double eyelid anomalies included multiple folds, sunken eyelids, and severe postoperative eyelid edema. The evaluation of the clinical effect was based on the bilateral symmetry of the eyelid, the placement of the lid fold, the radian of the double eyelid, and the extent of the swelling and depression.Results: Multiple folds were observed in 11 (36.67%) patients, sunken eyelids in 9 (30.00%) patients, and severe postoperative eyelid edema in 10 (33.33%) patients. Among them, 17 (56.67%) patients received one intralesional injection and experienced significant improvement in the eyelid, while 8 (26.67%) accepted another injection at 1 month after the first injection and achieved marked improvement. The remaining 5 (16.67%) patients were dissatisfied with the results and might need further repair surgery: 2 patients had multiple folds, 2 showed postoperative edema, and 1 presented sunken eyelids. None of the patients reported any adverse reactions.Conclusion: Intralesional corticosteroid injection for the correction of the postoperative unsatisfactory double eyelid is safe and convenient, and provides a novel method for early intervention.
In silico Analysis of Polymorphisms in microRNAs Deregulated in Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Moraghebi Mahta , Maleki Reza , Ahmadi Mohsen , Negahi Ahmad Agha , Abbasi Hossein , Mousavi Pegah 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and dementia. Findings have revolutionized current knowledge of miRNA in the neurological conditions. Two regulatory mechanisms determine the level of mature miRNA expression; one is miRNA precursor processing, and the other is gene expression regulation by transcription factors. This study is allocated to the in-silico investigation of miRNA’s SNPs and their effect on other cell mechanisms.MethodsWe used databases which annotate the functional effect of SNPs on mRNA-miRNA and miRNA-RBP interaction. Also, we investigated SNPs which are located on the promoter or UTR region.ResultsmiRNA SNP3.0 database indicated several SNPs in miR-339 and miR-34a in the upstream and downstream of pre-miRNA and mature miRNAs. While, for some miRNAs miR-124, and miR-125, no polymorphism was observed, and also miR-101 with ΔG -3.1 and mir-328 with ΔG 5.8 had the highest and lowest potencies to produce mature microRNA. SNP2TFBS web-server presented several SNPs which altered the Transcription Factor Binding Sites (TFBS) or generated novel TFBS in the promoter regions of related miRNA. At last, RBP-Var database provided a list of SNPs which alter miRNA-RBP interaction pattern and can also influence other miRNAs’ expression.DiscussionThe results indicated that SNPs microRNA affects both miRNA function and miRNA expression. Our study expands molecular insight into how SNPs in different parts of miRNA, including the regulatory (promoter), the precursor (pre-miRNA), functional regions (seed region of mature miRNA), and RBP-binding motifs, which theoretically may be correlated to the Alzheimer’s disease.
The Effects of a 6-Week Controlled, Hypocaloric Ketogenic Diet, With and Without Exogenous Ketone Salts, on Body Composition Responses
Authors: Buga Alex , Kackley Madison L. , Crabtree Christopher D. , Sapper Teryn N. , Mccabe Lauren , Fell Brandon , LaFountain Rich A. , Hyde Parker N. , Martini Emily R. , Bowman Jessica , Pan Yue , Scandling Debbie , Brownlow Milene L. , O'Connor Annalouise , Simonetti Orlando P. , Kraemer William J. , Volek Jeff S. 
Published: March 2021

Background: Ketogenic diets (KDs) that elevate beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) promote weight and fat loss. Exogenous ketones, such as ketone salts (KS), also elevate BHB concentrations with the potential to protect against muscle loss during caloric restriction. Whether augmenting ketosis with KS impacts body composition responses to a well-formulated KD remains unknown.Purpose: To explore the effects of energy-matched, hypocaloric KD feeding (&lt;50 g carbohydrates/day; 1.5 g/kg/day protein), with and without the inclusion of KS, on weight loss and body composition responses.Methods: Overweight and obese adults were provided a precisely defined hypocaloric KD (~75% of energy expenditure) for 6 weeks. In a double-blind manner, subjects were randomly assigned to receive ~24 g/day of a racemic BHB-salt (KD + KS; n = 12) or placebo (KD + PL; n = 13). A matched comparison group (n = 12) was separately assigned to an isoenergetic/isonitrogenous low-fat diet (LFD). Body composition parameters were assessed by dual x-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging.Results: The KD induced nutritional ketosis (&gt;1.0 mM capillary BHB) throughout the study (p &lt; 0.001), with higher fasting concentrations observed in KD + KS than KD + PL for the first 2 weeks (p &lt; 0.05). There were decreases in body mass, whole body fat and lean mass, mid-thigh muscle cross-sectional area, and both visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues (p &lt; 0.001), but no group differences between the two KDs or with the LFD. Urine nitrogen excretion was significantly higher in KD + PL than LFD (p &lt; 0.01) and trended higher in KD + PL compared to KD + KS (p = 0.076), whereas the nitrogen excretion during KD + KS was similar to LFD (p &gt; 0.05).Conclusion: Energy-matched hypocaloric ketogenic diets favorably affected body composition but were not further impacted by administration of an exogenous BHB-salt that augmented ketosis. The trend for less nitrogen loss with the BHB-salt, if manifested over a longer period of time, may contribute to preserved lean mass.
Optimal Surgery Type and Adjuvant Therapy for T1N0M0 Lung Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma
Authors: Peng Kunwei , Cao Huijiao , You Yafei , He Wenzhuo , Jiang Chang , Wang Lei , Jin Yanan , Xia Liangping 
Published: March 2021

BackgroundThe appropriate treatment strategy for T1N0M0 lung large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) was not well illustrated. We evaluated the efficacy of different surgery types and adjuvant therapy on patients with T1N0M0 LCNEC.MethodsPatients diagnosed T1N0M0 LCNEC from 2004 to 2016 were identified in the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database. Clinical characteristics, treatment and survival data were collected. The efficacy of surgery type and adjuvant therapy stratified by tumor size was assessed. Overall survival(OS) was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method, and relevant survival variables were identified by the Cox proportional hazard model.ResultsFrom 2004 to 2016, 425 patients were included in this study, 253 (59.5%) patients received lobectomy, and 236 (55.5%) patients had 4 or more lymph nodes removed. Patients received lobectomy had better survival than those received sublobar resection(P=0.000). No matter tumor size less than 2 cm or 2 to 3 cm, lobectomy was significantly prolonged survival. Compared with no lymph nodes removed, lymph nodes dissection was associated with more remarkable OS(P&lt;0.000). 4 or more regional lymph nodes dissection predicted better OS compared with 1 to 3 regional lymph nodes dissection(P=0.014). After surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy did not contribute to extended survival in patients with tumor less than 2 cm(P=0.658), and possibly for tumor 2 to 3 cm(P=0.082). Multivariate analysis showed that age and lobectomy were independent prognostic factors(P=0.000).ConclusionOur results suggest that lobectomy and lymph nodes dissection were associated with significantly better survival. Extensive regional lymph node dissection(4 or more) was more effective in prolonging survival than 1 to 3 lymph nodes dissection. Adjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with extended survival for tumor less than 2 cm, and possibly for tumor 2 to 3 cm.
Prognostic Value of Postoperative Neutrophil and Albumin: Reassessment One Month After Gastric Cancer Surgery
Authors: Guner Ali , Cho Minah , Kim Yoo-Min , Cheong Jae-Ho , Hyung Woo Jin , Kim Hyoung-Il 
Published: March 2021

ObjectiveThe prognostic value of postoperative parameters reflecting the inflammatory and nutritional status of patients undergoing cancer surgery has been rarely studied. This study investigated the prognostic value of inflammatory and nutritional parameters measured preoperatively and 1 month after curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer.MethodsData from a prospectively maintained database of 1,194 patients with gastric cancer who underwent curative surgery in 2009–2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, clinicopathologic characteristics, operative data, survival data, and laboratory parameters were extracted. Neutrophil counts, lymphocyte counts, and albumin levels before surgery and 1 month postoperatively were analyzed.ResultsIn multivariable analysis adjusted for age, sex, and pathologic stage, high neutrophil count (hazard ratio [HR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.17, p = 0.022) and low albumin (HR 0.45, 95% CI 0.27–0.74, p = 0.002) 1 month postoperatively were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. High neutrophil count (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.16, p = 0.015) 1 month postoperatively was also an independent prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, extent of gastrectomy, and pathologic stage. Patients were classified into risk groups based on thresholds of 4.2 × 103 cells/mm3 and 4.1 g/dl for 1-month neutrophil count and albumin. High-risk groups had a significantly worse prognosis than low-risk groups for overall survival (HR 5.87, 95% CI 3.28–10.51, p &lt;0.001) and recurrence-free survival (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.07–2.16, p = 0.021).ConclusionsNeutrophil count and albumin level 1 month after curative surgery reflect long-term prognosis better than preoperative values. These parameters can be used to stratify patients with the same stage into different prognostic groups.