bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Presence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes in non-typhoidal Salmonella strains with reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones isolated from human salmonellosis in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea from 2016 to 2019
Authors: Lee Sohyun , Park Nanjoo , Yun Sujung , Hur Eunseon , Song Jiwon , Lee Hanna , Kim Yongsug , Ryu Sangryeol 
Published: June 2021

AbstractNon-typhoidal salmonellosis remains a pressing public health problem worldwide. Quinolones, particularly fluoroquinolones, are widely used to treat various infections, including non-typhoidal salmonellosis, which can be a serious illness. The emergence of fluoroquinolone-resistant Salmonella has resulted in treatment failure and high mortality rates. In this study, we estimated the presence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes in Salmonella enterica isolated from human salmonellosis patients in South Korea from 2016 to 2019. We evaluated the association of these genes with fluoroquinolone susceptibility. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests for Salmonella isolates were performed using the Vitek II system, and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin were determined using the E-test method. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes were detected by PCR amplification and quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDRs) of the gyrA and parC genes were analyzed following Sanger sequencing of the PCR products. Thirty-four Salmonella strains with reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin MIC ≥ 0.125 µg/mL and levofloxacin MIC ≥ 0.25 µg/mL) were selected from 208 human clinical Salmonella isolates. Among them, 22 Salmonella strains harbored one PMQR gene (qnrA, qnrB, or qnrS), and three Salmonella strains carried two PMQR genes (qnrS and aac(6′)-Ib-cr or qnrA and qnrB). qnrS was the most common PMQR gene. Serotyping revealed that Salmonella 4,[5]12:i:- (32.4%, 11/34) and Salmonella Typhimurium (29.4%, 10/34) were the two most predominant serovars, and Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) showed that ST19 and ST34 were the most frequent sequence types. In conclusion, qnr gene-positive Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:- and Salmonella Typhimurium were the main serovars responsible for reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones. Therefore, our findings suggest that PMQR-positive Salmonella strains, which can be isolated from various samples including human, food, and the environment, should be carefully monitored.
Effect of liquid volume and microflora source on degradation rate and microbial community in corn stover degradation
Authors: Wang Jingjing , Zhu Dan , Zhao Siqi , Xu Song , Yang Rong , Zhao Wei , Zhang Xiaoxia , Huang Zhiyong 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDegradation is the bottleneck in the utilization of crop straw. In this paper, we screened the microbial consortia degrading corn stover from straw degrading consortia MC1 (M), sheep feces (Y), and mixtures (Q) of M, Y, and cattle feces. The effects of microflora source and liquid volume (representing dissolved oxygen) on the microbial community and degradation rate of corn stover were investigated. The results showed that the degradation rate and cellulase activity of a 200 mL liquid volume (L2) were significantly higher than that of 100 mL (L1). Microflora source had a significant effect on bacterial and fungal diversity, composition and taxa. Q and Y had higher bacterial and fungal α-diversity than that of M. The degradation rate was significantly correlated with cellulase activity but not with microbial diversity. This indicated that liquid volume had a significant effect on degradation rate while microflora source had a significant effect on microbial community in corn stover degradation.
Performance evaluation and analysis of distributed multi-agent optimization algorithms with sparsified directed communication
Authors: Fodor Lidija , Jakovetić Dušan , Krejić Nataša , Jerinkić Nataša Krklec , Škrbić Srđan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThere has been significant interest in distributed optimization algorithms, motivated by applications in Big Data analytics, smart grid, vehicle networks, etc. While there have been extensive theory and theoretical advances, a proportionally small body of scientific literature focuses on numerical evaluation of the proposed methods in actual practical, parallel programming environments. This paper considers a general algorithmic framework of first and second order methods with sparsified communications and computations across worker nodes. The considered framework subsumes several existing methods. In addition, a novel method that utilizes unidirectional sparsified communications is introduced and theoretical convergence analysis is also provided. Namely, we prove R-linear convergence in the expected norm. A thorough empirical evaluation of the methods using Message Passing Interface (MPI) on a High Performance Computing (HPC) cluster is carried out and several useful insights and guidelines on the performance of algorithms and inherent communication-computational trade-offs in a realistic setting are derived.
Operational research capacity building through the Structured Operational Research Training Initiative (SORT-IT) in China: implementation, outcomes and challenges
Authors: Feng Ning , Edwards Jeffrey Karl , Owiti Philip Odhiambo , Zhang Guo-Min , Rueda Vallejo Zulma Vanessa , Hann Katrina , Zhou Shui-Sen , Oo Myo Minn , Geoffroy Elizabeth Marie , Ma Chao , Li Tao , Feng Jun , Zhang Yi , Dong Xiao-Ping 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) introduced the Structured Operational Research Training Initiative (SORT IT) into China to build a special capacity and equip public health professionals with an effective tool to support developing countries in strengthening their operational research. The paper aims to investigate and analyze the implementation, outcomes and challenges of the first cycle of SORT IT in China.

Main text
As a result of the successful implementation, SORT IT China, Cycle 1 has demonstrated fruitful outputs as exemplified by the 18-month follow-up to the post-training initiatives of the twelve participants, who all achieved the four milestones required by SORT IT. Eleven of twelve (92%) manuscripts generated that focused on the prevention and control of malaria, influenza, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, schistosomiasis, tuberculosis and Japanese encephalitis were published by peer-reviewed international journals with the impact factor ranging from 2.6 to 4.8. The most up-to-date citation count on February 19, 2021 was 53 times out of which 31 times were cited by Science Citation Index papers with 94.827 impact factor in total. Six senior professionals from China CDC also facilitated the whole SORT IT training scheme as co-mentors under the guidance of SORT IT mentors. The twelve participants who gained familiarity with the SORT IT courses and training principles are likely become potential mentors for future SORT IT, but they as the non-first language speakers/users of English also faced the challenge in thoroughly understanding the modules delivered in English and writing English academically to draft the manuscripts.

Conclusion
The outcomes from the first cycle of SORT IT in China have led to studies contributing to narrowing the knowledge gap among numerous public health challenges nationally and internationally. It is believed the researchers who participated will continue to apply the skills learned within their domain and help build the training capacity for future operational research courses both in China and in developing countries with similar needs.

Graphic Abstract
Development of a classification system based on corneal biomechanical properties using artificial intelligence predicting keratoconus severity
Authors: Herber Robert , Pillunat Lutz E. , Raiskup Frederik 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
To investigate machine-learning (ML) algorithms to differentiate corneal biomechanical properties between different topographical stages of keratoconus (KC) by dynamic Scheimpflug tonometry (CST, Corvis ST, Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany). In the following, ML models were used to predict the severity in a training and validation dataset.

Methods
Three hundred and eighteen keratoconic and one hundred sixteen healthy eyes were included in this monocentric and cross-sectional pilot study. Dynamic corneal response (DCR) and corneal thickness related (pachymetric) parameters from CST were chosen by appropriated selection techniques to develop a ML algorithm. The stage of KC was determined by the topographical keratoconus classification system (TKC, Pentacam, Oculus). Patients who were classified as TKC 1, TKC 2 and TKC 3 were assigned to subgroup mild, moderate, and advanced KC. If patients were classified as TKC 1–2, TKC 2–3 or TKC 3–4, they were assigned to subgroups according to the normative range of further corneal indices (index of surface variance, keratoconus index and minimum radius). Patients classified as TKC 4 were not included in this study due to the limited amount of cases. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and random forest (RF) algorithms were used to develop the classification models. Data were divided into training (70% of cases) and validation (30% of cases) datasets.

Results
LDA model predicted healthy, mild, moderate, and advanced KC eyes with a sensitivity (Sn)/specificity (Sp) of 82%/97%, 73%/81%, 62%/83% and 68%/95% from a validation dataset, respectively. For the RF model, a Sn/Sp of 91%/94%, 80%/90%, 63%/87%, 72%/95% could be reached for predicting healthy, mild, moderate, and advanced KC eyes, respectively. The overall accuracy of LDA and RF was 71% and 78%, respectively. The accuracy for KC detection including all subgroups of KC severity was 93% in both models.

Conclusion
The RF model showed good accuracy in predicting healthy eyes and various stages of KC. The accuracy was superior with respect to the LDA model. The clinical importance of the models is that the standalone dynamic Scheimpflug tonometry is able to predict the severity of KC without having the keratometric data.

Trial registration
NCT04251143 at Clinicaltrials.gov, registered at 12 March 2018 (Retrospectively registered).
Probiotic-related bacteremia after major hepatectomy for biliary cancer: a report of two cases
Authors: Shimura Mitsuhiro , Mizuma Masamichi , Nakagawa Kei , Aoki Shuichi , Miura Takayuki , Takadate Tatsuyuki , Ariake Kyohei , Maeda Shimpei , Kawaguchi Kei , Masuda Kunihiro , Ishida Masaharu , Ohtsuka Hideo , Morikawa Takanori , Kamei Takashi , Unno Michiaki 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Probiotics have been reported to be beneficial for the prevention of postoperative complications and are often used during the perioperative period. Among the probiotic-related adverse events, bacteremia is rare. Here, we report two cases of probiotic-related bacteremia after major hepatectomy for biliary cancer.

Case presentation 1
A 74-year-old man was referred to our hospital to be treated for gallbladder cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, two courses of gemcitabine plus S-1 combination therapy, was administered. Extended right hepatectomy with caudate lobectomy, extrahepatic bile duct resection and biliary reconstruction were performed 3 weeks after chemotherapy. Probiotics, Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) MIYAIRI 588, were administered 6 days before surgery and continued after surgery. Sepsis of unknown origin occurred 17 days after surgery and developed into septic shock. C. butyricum was detected in blood cultures at postoperative day 26 and 45. After stopping the probiotic agent, C. butyricum was undetectable in the blood cultures. The patient died due to an uncontrollable sepsis 66 days after surgery.

Case presentation 2
A 63-year-old man with diabetes mellitus whose past history included total colectomy, papillectomy, and Frey’s operation at the age of 19, 34 and 48, respectively, was referred to our hospital to be treated for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Extended left hepatectomy with caudate lobectomy, extrahepatic bile duct resection and reconstruction of bile duct were performed. Probiotics were administered during the perioperative period. Combined probiotics that included lactomin, amylolytic bacillus and C. butyricum, were given before surgery. C. butyricum MIYAIRI 588 was given after surgery. Sepsis occurred 16 days after surgery and developed to respiratory failure 8 days later. Blood culture at postoperative day 25 revealed Enterococcus faecalis and C. butyricum. After the probiotics were stopped at postoperative day 27, C. butyricum was not detected in the blood culture. The general condition improved with intensive care. The patient was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation at postoperative day 156.

Conclusion
It should be noted that the administration of probiotics in severe postoperative complications can lead to probiotic-related bacteremia.
Personality traits in patients with refractory versus non-refractory epilepsy
Authors: Elbeh Khaled A. M. , Elserogy Yasser M. , Hamid Menna F. , Gabra Romany H. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Epilepsy has significant effects on the behavior of most people who suffer it. In some cases, the seizure activity itself is manifested as a brief change in behavior that might appear unusual to the casual observer. Evidence also suggests that epilepsy can affect behavior when seizures are not occurring. Descriptions of inter-ictal behavior in people with epilepsy have a long and controversial history. The study aims to assess the personality disorders among epileptic patients and impact of the severity of epilepsy on personality traits. Methods: This study is conducted upon 90 patients presented at outpatient clinic of epilepsy in Assiut University Hospital diagnosed as having epilepsy versus 40 cross-matched healthy controls. Patient group were classified into two groups (refractory versus controlled groups). All patients and control were subjected to (1) detailed medical interview. (2) Assessment of intelligence using The Arabic Version of Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. (3) Conventional EEG study. (4) The Arabic Version of The Structured interview for the five-factor model of personality.

Results
A relationship was found between personality traits and the severity of epilepsy. When patients have more severe epilepsy, they often have a high seizure frequency, they use more antiepileptic medications. It is likely that in those patients the need for control is usually high (because seizures mean a loss of control). Regarding the five-factor model of personality which we used to assess the personality traits of our selected studied samples, we found that the five main domains of the scale which are neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness differ markedly between the two groups of our patients. We found neuroticism was markedly increased at the refractory epileptic patients than the controlled epileptic ones, while extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness increased at the controlled epileptic patients than the refractory epileptic ones.

Conclusion
Patients with epilepsy have raised scores for several personality traits also those personality traits are different in patients with refractory and controlled epilepsy. Also, those personality traits are different compared with a control group from the general population.
Validity of routine biochemical and ultrasound scores for prediction of hepatic fibrosis and steatosis in NAFLD
Authors: Eletreby Rasha , Abdellatif Zeinab , Gaber Yasmine , Ramadan Ahmed , Ahmad Naglaa , Khattab Hany , Said Mohamed , Saad Yasmin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
We evaluated the validity of some non-invasive scores and ultrasound findings to predict fibrosis and steatosis in a cohort of NAFLD patients who underwent liver biopsy. Ninety-seven NAFLD patients were enrolled and classified into NASH (66) and simple steatosis groups (31) based on liver biopsy. ROC curves were constructed for Fibrosis-4 index (FIB4), aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) in fibrosis prediction, also for (hepatic steatosis index; HSI, fatty liver index; FLI) and ultrasonographic subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue measurements (SAT and VAT) for steatosis prediction.

Results
FIB4 had AUC of 0.6, APRI and NFS at cutoffs of 0.3 and -.2.4 had AUC of 0.64 and 0.63 in detecting the presence of any grade of fibrosis, and of (0.52, 0.55, and 0.58) for significant fibrosis. FIB4 at a cut-off of (0.76) had the highest AUC in detecting any grade of fibrosis in the simple steatosis group (0.81). SAT (at cutoff of 2.1 and 2.5) was superior to VAT. HSI (at cutoff 45.35 and 45.7) was superior to FLI in detecting moderate or marked steatosis.

Conclusion
FIB4 and NFS can be used in screening for silent liver disease with ongoing fibrosis in simple steatosis. They are unsatisfactory predictors for significant fibrosis in NAFLD. SAT is better than VAT in predicting moderate steatosis and is slightly better than biochemical HSI.
Predictors of contrast-induced nephropathy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Abdel-Ghany Mohamed , Morsy Ghada , Kishk Yehia Taha 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundContrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a serious complication with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). We aimed to study the different predictors of CIN and determine the cutoff point of contrast volume (CV)/creatinine clearance (CrCl) and the applicability of CHA2DS2-VASC score in the prediction of CIN after PPCI in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Four hundred patients presented with STEMI and eligible for primary PCI were included in the study. Patients with GFR < 30 ml/min were excluded from the study.ResultsFifty-four (13.5%) patients who developed CIN who were older (64.20 ± 13.16 vs. 55.80 ± 10.58) had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), and female gender than those without CIN. They also had a higher Killip class and lower hemoglobin (HB) level (P< 0.05) compared to those with no CIN. The incidence of no CIN was (85.8%) in the low-risk Mehran score group and 14.2% in the moderate-risk group, and all patients of high and very high score group developed CIN (P<0.001). Multiple logistic regression showed that old age (OR= 1.06, 95% CI= 1.02–1.11,P< 0.001), female sex (OR= 3.1, 95% CI= 2.65–6.99,P= 0.02), high Mehran score (OR=2.48, 95% CI= 1.98–6.24,P= 0.01), CV/CrCl > 2.8 (odds ratio=1.45, 95% CI= 1.22–2.01,P= 0.03), and CHA2DS2-VASC score > 2 (odds ratio=1.90, 95% CI= 1.76–2.11, P= 0.04) were predictors of CIN.ConclusionsOld age, female sex, high Mehran score, CHADS2-VASC score > 2, CV/CrCl > 2.8 were predictors of CIN in STEMI patients who underwent PPCI.
Barriers and facilitators to mood and confidence in pregnancy and early parenthood during COVID-19 in the UK: mixed-methods synthesis survey
Authors: Perez Alejandra , Panagiotopoulou Elena , Curtis Peter , Roberts Ruth 
Published: June 2021

Background
Parental well-being during pregnancy and early parenthood is critical for child development. Environmental stressors can significantly challenge parental well-being.

Aims
To investigate how COVID-19 and associated restrictions influence mood and parenting confidence of expectant parents and those in early parenthood, identifying barriers and facilitators.

Method
We used a cross-sectional online survey to collect data from 590 expectant parents and parents of infants (564 women) during the most restrictive phase of lockdown in the UK. We included a mixture of forced-choice and open-ended questions pertaining to mood, perceived social support, media use, online interactions and parenting expectations. Quantitative data were analysed with multiple linear regression and proportional odds models; an inductive thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. Quantitative and qualitative data were qualitatively synthesised.

Results
Since COVID-19, expectant parents and parents of new-borns reported a decrease in mood and parenting confidence. Barriers included practical difficulties (finding essentials, reliable health information), social difficulties (loss of physical contact, decreased support) and uncertainty during pregnancy. Facilitators included support from others and, for first-time parents, loss of child care resulting in greater parenting confidence. Although online resources and communication were not preferable to face-to-face interactions, technology was a helpful tool for communicating, getting support, and finding essentials and information during lockdown.

Conclusions
By mid-May 2020, mood and parenting confidence among expectant and parents of new-borns in the UK were significantly reduced. Consideration of barriers and facilitators in healthcare and psychological support provided is likely important for promoting parental mental health and healthy parent–child relationships.
Deletion of TRPV3 and CaV3.2 T-type channels in mice undermines fertility and Ca2+ homeostasis in oocytes and eggs
Authors: Mehregan Aujan , Ardestani Goli , Akizawa Hiroki , Carvacho Ingrid , Fissore Rafael 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT
Ca2+ influx during oocyte maturation and after sperm entry is necessary to fill the internal Ca2+ stores and for complete egg activation. We knocked out the transient receptor potential vanilloid member 3 (TRPV3) and the T-type channel, CaV3.2, to determine their necessity for maintaining these functions in mammalian oocytes/eggs. Double-knockout (dKO) females were subfertile, their oocytes and eggs showed reduced internal Ca2+ stores, and, following sperm entry or Plcz (also known as Plcz1) cRNA injection, fewer dKO eggs displayed Ca2+ responses compared to wild-type eggs, which were also of lower frequency. These parameters were rescued and/or enhanced by removing extracellular Mg2+, suggesting that the residual Ca2+ influx could be mediated by the TRPM7 channel, consistent with the termination of divalent-cation oscillations in dKO eggs by a TRPM7 inhibitor. In total, we demonstrated that TRPV3 and CaV3.2 mediate the complete filling of the Ca2+ stores in mouse oocytes and eggs. We also showed that they are required for initiating and maintaining regularly spaced-out oscillations, suggesting that Ca2+ influx through PM ion channels dictates the periodicity and persistence of Ca2+ oscillations during mammalian fertilization.