bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frequency and factors associated of potential zoonotic pathogens (Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp., Leishmania spp., and Anaplasma phagocytophilum) in equids in the state of Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Costa Sonia Carmen Lopo , de Souza Freitas Jéssica , Carvalho Fábio Santos , Pereira Maria Julia Salim , Cordeiro Matheus Dias , da Fonseca Adivaldo Henrique , Gomes Jusi Márcia Mariza , Machado Rosangela Zacarias , Munhoz Alexandre Dias 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Currently, various zoonotic diseases are classified as emerging or reemerging. Because equids have a direct relationship with various vectors, they are possibly more frequently exposed to zoonotic agents than are humans. The undeniable importance of diseases such as human granulocytic anaplasmosis, spotted fever, and leishmaniasis for both public and animal health, as well as the possibility of equids acting as sources, reservoirs, or even sentinels for these pathogens, justifies the detection of their frequency and factors associated with infection in equids from northeastern Brazil.

Methods
Blood samples were collected from 569 equids (528 horses, 33 donkeys, and 8 mules), 516 from a rural area and 53 from an urban area. Pathogen detection was carried out as follows: Borrelia spp. and Rickettsia spp., serological analysis; Leishmania spp., serological analysis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR); Anaplasma phagocytophilum, PCR. Determination of associated factors was carried out through generalized linear models.

Results
The frequencies of positivity for the pathogens observed in equids were as follows: Borrelia spp., 13.9% (79/569); Leishmania spp., 3.5% (20/569); Rickettsia spp. 33.4% (190/569). Regarding factors associated with infection, male sex was associated with protection against Borrelia spp.; donkeys and mules were associated with protection against Rickettsia spp., while a younger age was a risk factor. The infection of A. phagocytophilum was not detected in the sampled population. Co-infection was detected in 5.1% (29/569) of the animals.

Conclusions
Most of the studied pathogenic agents are present in the prospected area, indicating a possible risk for both human and animal health. This demonstrates that equids can be considered important sentinels in the assessment of pathogens with zoonotic potential in the region.

Graphical Abstract
The effects of a mitochondrial targeted peptide (elamipretide/SS31) on BAX recruitment and activation during apoptosis
Authors: Grosser Joshua A. , Fehrman Rachel L. , Keefe Dennis , Redmon Martin , Nickells Robert W. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Objective
Elamipretide (SS31) is a mitochondria-targeted peptide that has reported functions of stabilizing mitochondrial cristae structure and improving mitochondrial bioenergetics. Several studies have documented cell protective features of this peptide, including impairment of intrinsic apoptosis by inhibiting the recruitment and activation of the pro-apoptotic BAX protein. We used live-cell imaging of ARPE-19 cells expressing fluorescently labeled BAX, cytochrome c, and a mitochondrial marker to investigate the effect of elamipretide on the kinetics of BAX recruitment, mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (as a function of cytochrome c release), and mitochondrial fragmentation, respectively.

Result
In nucleofected and plated ARPE-19 cells, elamipretide accelerated the formation of larger mitochondria. In the presence of the apoptotic stimulator, staurosporine, cells treated with elamipretide exhibited moderately slower rates of BAX recruitment. Peptide treatment, however, did not significantly delay the onset of BAX recruitment or the final total amount of BAX that was recruited. Additionally, elamipretide showed no impairment or delay of cytochrome c release or mitochondrial fragmentation, two events associated with normal BAX activation during cell death. These results indicate that the protective effect of elamipretide is not at the level of BAX activity to induce pro-apoptotic mitochondrial dysfunction after the initiation of staurosporine-induced apoptosis.
Effects of topical gel formulation of Ficus carica latex on cutaneous leishmaniasis induced by Leishmania major in BALB/c mice
Authors: Pouryousef Ali , Eslami Erfan , Shahriarirad Sepehr , Zoghi Sina , Emami Mehdi , Cheraghi Mohammad Reza , Zamiri Bardia , Mohammadi-Samanii Soliman , Sarkari Bahador 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectivesThe current study aimed to evaluate the effects ofFicus caricalatex on the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), induced byLeishmania major.A 5% topical gel withF. caricalatex was prepared. BALB/c mice were infected by inoculation of amastigotes form ofL. major.Thirty BALB/c mice were divided into five groups, where the first group was treated daily, the second group twice per day, and the third group every other day with the 5% topical gel, for 3 weeks. The sizes of the lesions were measured before and during the course of treatment.ResultsAlthough the mean size of lesions in the mice group treated with the 5%F. caricagel, especially in the group receiving daily treatment, was less than the mean size of the lesions in the control group, yet, the differences was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The findings of the current study demonstrated that the 5%F. caricalatex with a 3-week course of treatment had no considerable effect in recovery or control of CL induced byL. majorin the murine model. Using higher concentration ofF. caricalatex and with longer treatment lengths may increase its efficacy in the treatment of CL.
A misdiagnosed case of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm experiencing multiple recurrences who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation: a case report
Authors: Salemi Fateme , Mortazavizadeh Seyed Mohammad Reza , Mirmoeeni Seyyedmohammadsadeq , Azari Jafari Amirhossein , Kosari Farid , Naghibi Irvani Seyed Sina 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm represents a rare type of hematologic malignancy that often manifests itself through various skin lesions. It commonly affects the elderly male population. Lymph nodes, peripheral blood, and bone marrow involvement are the typical findings that justify its aggressive nature and dismal prognosis. On histopathological assessment, malignant cells share some similarities with blastic cells from the myeloid lineage that make immunohistochemistry staining mandatory for blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm diagnosis.

Case presentation
A 35-year-old Asian man presented with cervical lymphadenopathy followed by an erythematous lesion on his left upper back. At first, the lesion was misdiagnosed as an infectious disease and made the patient receive two ineffective courses of azithromycin and clarithromycin. Six months later, besides persistent skin manifestations, he felt a cervical mass, which was misdiagnosed as follicular center cell lymphoma. Tumor recurrence following the chemoradiation questioned the diagnosis, and further pathologic assessments confirmed blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm. The second recurrence occurred 3 months after chemotherapy. Eventually, he received a bone marrow transplant after complete remission. However, the patient expired 3 months after transplant owing to the third recurrence and gastrointestinal graft versus host disease complications.

Conclusions
Early clinical suspicion and true pathologic diagnosis play a crucial role in patients’ prognosis. Moreover, allogenic bone marrow transplant should be performed with more caution in aggressive forms of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm because of transplant side effects and high risk of cancer recurrence.
Choroid plexus carcinoma with leptomeningeal spread in an adult: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Jo In Young , Yeo Seung-Gu , Oh Hyuk-Jin , Oh Jae-Sang 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Choroid plexus carcinoma is an intraventricular neoplasm originating from the choroid plexus epithelium and is of rare occurrence in adults. However, owing to the low prevalence of choroid plexus carcinoma, there is very limited information about the disease entity and treatment. Here we report a rare case of choroid plexus carcinoma in an adult patient.

Case presentation
A 46-year-old South Korean (East Asian) male presented with low back pain, headache, and diplopia. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated enhancing mass lesion in the left trigone, cerebellar with leptomeningeal spread. Surgery was performed via left parietal craniotomy, and the lesion was histologically confirmed to be choroid plexus carcinoma. The patient received adjuvant craniospinal irradiation for remnant mass and leptomeningeal spread. Magnetic resonance imaging performed immediately after completion of the treatment revealed a partial decrease in the size of the tumor. However, the patient expired died as a result of acute respiratory distress syndrome before follow-up of long-term outcome.

Conclusion
Choroid plexus carcinoma with leptomeningeal spread in adults is very important for rapid diagnosis and treatment. In the case of the presence of leptomeningeal spread, craniospinal irradiation can be considered as a treatment method, but may have serious complications. Hence, the technique should be applied with care.
Research models and mesenchymal/epithelial plasticity of osteosarcoma
Authors: Yu Xiaobin , Yustein Jason T. , Xu Jianming 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMost osteosarcomas (OSs) develop from mesenchymal cells at the bone with abnormal growth in young patients. OS has an annual incidence of 3.4 per million people and a 60–70% 5-year surviving rate. About 20% of OS patients have metastasis at diagnosis, and only 27% of patients with metastatic OS survive longer than 5 years. Mutation of tumor suppressors RB1, TP53, REQL4 and INK4a and/or deregulation of PI3K/mTOR, TGFβ, RANKL/NF-κB and IGF pathways have been linked to OS development. However, the agents targeting these pathways have yielded disappointing clinical outcomes. Surgery and chemotherapy remain the main treatments of OS. Recurrent and metastatic OSs are commonly resistant to these therapies. Spontaneous canine models, carcinogen-induced rodent models, transgenic mouse models, human patient-derived xenograft models, and cell lines from animal and human OSs have been developed for studying the initiation, growth and progression of OS and testing candidate drugs of OS. The cell plasticity regulated by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition transcription factors (EMT-TFs) such as TWIST1, SNAIL, SLUG, ZEB1 and ZEB2 plays an important role in maintenance of the mesenchymal status and promotion of cell invasion and metastasis of OS cells. Multiple microRNAs including miR-30/9/23b/29c/194/200, proteins including SYT-SSX1/2 fusion proteins and OVOL2, and other factors that inhibit AMF/PGI and LRP5 can suppress either the expression or activity of EMT-TFs to increase epithelial features and inhibit OS metastasis. Further understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate OS cell plasticity should provide potential targets and therapeutic strategies for improving OS treatment.
Lipidomics profiling of goose granulosa cell model of stearoyl-CoA desaturase function identifies a pattern of lipid droplets associated with follicle development
Authors: Yuan Xin , Hu Shenqiang , Li Liang , Han Chunchun , Liu Hehe , He Hua , Xia Lu , Hu Jiwei , Hu Bo , Ran Mingxia , Liu Yali , Wang Jiwen 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Despite their important functions and nearly ubiquitous presence in cells, an understanding of the biology of intracellular lipid droplets (LDs) in goose follicle development remains limited. An integrated study of lipidomic and transcriptomic analyses was performed in a cellular model of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) function, to determine the effects of intracellular LDs on follicle development in geese.

Results
Numerous internalized LDs, which were generally spherical in shape, were dispersed throughout the cytoplasm of granulosa cells (GCs), as determined using confocal microscopy analysis, with altered SCD expression affecting LD content. GC lipidomic profiling showed that the majority of the differentially abundant lipid classes were glycerophospholipids, including PA, PC, PE, PG, PI, and PS, and glycerolipids, including DG and TG, which enriched glycerophospholipid, sphingolipid, and glycerolipid metabolisms. Furthermore, transcriptomics identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), some of which were assigned to lipid-related Gene Ontology slim terms. More DEGs were assigned in the SCD-knockdown group than in the SCD-overexpression group. Integration of the significant differentially expressed genes and lipids based on pathway enrichment analysis identified potentially targetable pathways related to glycerolipid/glycerophospholipid metabolism.

Conclusions
This study demonstrated the importance of lipids in understanding follicle development, thus providing a potential foundation to decipher the underlying mechanisms of lipid-mediated follicle development.
Why do poxviruses still matter?
Authors: Yang Zhilong , Gray Mark , Winter Lake 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPoxviruses comprise many members that infect both vertebrate and invertebrate animals, including humans. Despite the eradication of the historically notorious smallpox, poxviruses remain significant public health concerns and serious endemic diseases. This short review briefly summarizes the present, historical, and future threats posed by poxviruses to public health, wildlife and domestic animals, the role poxviruses have played in shaping modern medicine and biomedical sciences, the insight poxviruses have provided into complex life processes, and the utility of poxviruses in biotechniques and in fighting other infectious diseases and cancers. It is anticipated that readers will appreciate the great merit and need for continued strong support of poxvirus research; research which benefits not only the expansion of fundamental biological knowledge but also the battle against diverse diseases.
Mapping evidence on standards and quality of care for older persons in long-term care facilities: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Kalideen Letasha , Govender Pragashnie , van Wyk Jacqueline Marina , Kuupiel Desmond 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Ageing is a global and universal process that results in physiological, psychological and behavioural changes. Due to the changing needs of the individual and the circumstances of the family, long-term care of older persons in facilities has become essential. The standard and quality of health care for older persons in long-term care facilities is critical to maintain functional ability in keeping with international goals of healthy ageing. This study, therefore, will aim to systematically map literature and describe the evidence on standards and the quality of health care for older persons living in long-term care facilities (LTCFs).

Methods
A scoping review will be conducted using Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and recommendations set out by Levac and colleagues. PubMed, CINAHL, Health Sources, PsycInfo, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar will be searched for relevant published studies/sources of evidence up to the last search date. The search will be conducted using keywords, and Boolean terms, and Medical Subject Headings/Subject Headings. EndNote X9 will be used to compile all relevant sources of evidence. This study will include studies involving participants ≥ 65 years old, living in LTCFs for older persons. English language publications, with no time limitations, and primary studies, guidelines, and quality of care specific to LTCFs for older persons will be sourced. Two reviewers will independently screen all sources of evidence at the title, abstract, and full-text screening stages as well as perform the data charting. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis flow diagram will be used to account for all relevant sources of evidence during the screening. Thematic content analysis will be used to describe the themes aligned with this study’s research question based on initial coding and categorisation and a summary of the findings reported narratively for each theme.

Discussion
We anticipate that this scoping review will highlight the standards of care and assessment tools available worldwide, in addition to gaps that exist in the evidence base for older persons in LTCFs. These may include an exposition of the standards and quality of care documented, monitoring and evaluation processes, instruments used for reviewing standards of care. This would contribute towards identifying the need for practical and universally acceptable tools for LTCFs for older persons.
Normal periodic solutions for the fractional abstract Cauchy problem
Authors: Bravo Jennifer , Lizama Carlos 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe show that ifAis a closed linear operator defined in a Banach spaceXand there exist$t_{0} \geq 0$t0≥0and$M>0$M>0such that$\{(im)^{\alpha }\}_{|m|> t_{0}} \subset \rho (A)${(im)α}|m|>t0⊂ρ(A), the resolvent set ofA, and$$ \bigl\Vert (im)^{\alpha }\bigl(A+(im)^{\alpha }I \bigr)^{-1} \bigr\Vert \leq M \quad \text{ for all } \vert m \vert > t_{0}, m \in \mathbb{Z}, $$∥(im)α(A+(im)αI)−1∥≤M for all |m|>t0,m∈Z,then, for each$\frac{1}{p}<\alpha \leq \frac{2}{p}$1p<α≤2pand$1< p < 2$1<p<2, the abstract Cauchy problem with periodic boundary conditions$$ \textstyle\begin{cases} _{GL}D^{\alpha }_{t} u(t) + Au(t) = f(t), & t \in (0,2\pi ); \\ u(0)=u(2\pi ), \end{cases} $${DtαGLu(t)+Au(t)=f(t),t∈(0,2π);u(0)=u(2π),where$_{GL}D^{\alpha }$DαGLdenotes the Grünwald–Letnikov derivative, admits anormal2π-periodic solution for each$f\in L^{p}_{2\pi }(\mathbb{R}, X)$f∈L2πp(R,X)that satisfies appropriate conditions. In particular, this happens ifAis a sectorial operator with spectral angle$\phi _{A} \in (0, \alpha \pi /2)$ϕA∈(0,απ/2)and$\int _{0}^{2\pi } f(t)\,dt \in \operatorname{Ran}(A)$∫02πf(t)dt∈Ran(A).
On approximation properties of a new construction of Baskakov operators
Authors: Usta Fuat 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe purpose of this research is to construct sequences of Baskakov operators such that their construction consists of a functionσby use of two function sequences,$\xi _{n} $ξnand$\eta _{n} $ηn. In these operators,σnot only features the sequences of operators but also features the Korovkin function set$\lbrace 1,\sigma ,\sigma ^{2} \rbrace ${1,σ,σ2}in a weighted function space such that the operators fix exactly two functions from the set. Thereafter, weighted uniform approximation on an unbounded interval, the degree of approximation with regards to a weighted modulus of continuity, and an asymptotic formula of the new operators are presented. Finally, some illustrative results are provided in order to observe the approximation properties of the newly defined Baskakov operators. The results demonstrate that the introduced operators provide better results in terms of the rate of convergence according to the selection ofσ.
The impact of a ‘milking the COW’ campaign in a regional hospital in Singapore
Authors: Pada Surinder Kaur M. S. , Lishi Poh , Ng Kim Sim , Rethenam Sarathamani , Alenton Lilibeth Silagan , Chee Poh Ling , Guo Wilma , Hsann Yin Maw , Cheng Carmen Wan Rong , Ong Chiou Horng , Lasantha Ratnayake , Chan Douglas , Tambyah Paul Anantharajah 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Computerisation of various processes in hospitals and reliance on electronic devices raises the concern of contamination of these devices from the patient environment. We undertook this study to determine if an attached hand hygiene device that unlocks the screen of a computer on wheels (COW) on usage can be effective in decreasing the microbiological burden on computer keyboards.

Methods
An electronic hand sanitizer was integrated onto the COW. A prospective cohort study with a crossover design involving 2 control and 2 intervention wards was used. The study end point was the number of colony forming units found on the keyboards. Bacteria were classified into 4 main groups; pathogenic, skin flora, from the environment or those thought to be commensals in healthy individuals. We then used a mixed effects model for the statistical analysis to determine if there were any differences before and after the intervention.

Results
Thirty-nine keyboards were swabbed at baseline, day 7 and 14, with 234 keyboards cultured, colony forming units (CFUs) counted and organisms isolated. By mixed model analysis, the difference of mean bacteria count between intervention and control for week 1 was 32.74 (− 32.74, CI − 94.29 to 28.75, p = 0.29), for week 2 by 155.86 (− 155.86, CI − 227.45 to − 83.53, p < 0.0001), and after the 2-week period by 157.04 (− 157.04, CI − 231.53 to − 82.67, p < 0.0001). In the sub-analysis, there were significant differences of pathogenic bacteria counts for the Intervention as compared to the Control in contrast with commensal counts.

Conclusion
A hand hygiene device attached to a COW may be effective in decreasing the microbiological burden on computer keyboards.
Comparison of conventional and non-invasive diagnostic tools for detecting Plasmodium falciparum infection in southwestern Cameroon: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Apinjoh Tobias O. , Ntasin Veronica N. , Tataw Phil Collins C. , Ntui Vincent N. , Njimoh Dieudonne L. , Cho-Ngwa Fidelis , Achidi Eric A. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Malaria remains a significant health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, with early diagnosis critical to reducing its morbidity and mortality. Despite the increasing Plasmodium spp. diagnostic capabilities, access to testing is limited in some cases by the almost absolute requirement for blood from potentially infected subjects as the only sample source for all conventional methods. A rapid test on non-invasive specimen with comparable performance to microscopy for the screening or diagnosis of all participants is invaluable. This study sought to compare conventional and non-invasive diagnostic tools for detecting Plasmodium falciparum.

Methods
This was a cross-sectional study, carried out between March and August 2019 to evaluate and compare the diagnostic performance of a PfHRP2/pLDH-based malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) on patients’ blood, saliva and urine relative to conventional light microscopy and nested PCR at outpatient clinics in the Buea and Tiko health districts of Southwestern Cameroon. The significance of differences in proportions was explored using the Pearson’s χ2 test whereas differences in group means were assessed using analyses of variance.

Results
A total of 359 individuals of both sexes, aged 1–92 years, were enrolled into the study. Of the 301 individuals tested by light microscopy and mRDTs on blood, saliva and urine, 84 (27.9%), 81 (26.9%), 87 (28.9%) and 107 (35.5%) respectively were positive. However, only 34.3%, 90.5%, 91.4%, 83.9% and 65.4% febrile, light microscopy and mRDT positives on blood, saliva and urine respectively had P. falciparum infection as confirmed by PCR. The sensitivity and specificity of presumptive diagnosis, light microscopy and mRDT on blood, saliva and urine were 86.9% and 19.7%, 77.8% and 96.1%, 75.8% and 96.6%, 74.5% and 93.1%, and 70.7% and 81.8%, respectively. The agreement between mRDT on saliva (k = 0.696) and microscopy (k = 0.766) compared to PCR was good.

Conclusion
The study highlighted the low performance of presumptive diagnosis, reinforcing the need for parasitological tests prior to antimalarial therapy. The higher PfHRP2/pLDH mRDT parasite detection rates and sensitivity in saliva compared to urine suggests that the former is a practical adjunct to or alternative worth optimising for the routine diagnosis of malaria.

Graphic Abstract
Flow chart for diagnosis of P. falciparum infection by light microscopy, rapid diagnostic tests and nested PCR.