bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TNFA -308G>A and IL10 -1082A>G polymorphisms seem to be predictive biomarkers of chronic HCV infection
Authors: Santiago Angélica Menezes , da Silva Graça Amoras Ednelza , Queiroz Maria Alice Freitas , da Silva Conde Simone Regina Souza , Cayres-Vallinoto Izaura Maria Vieira , Ishak Ricardo , Vallinoto Antonio Carlos Rosário 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Genetic changes may induce dysregulated cytokine production and affect the progression of the chronic disease caused by the hepacivirus C (HCV) because the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines determines the outcome of infection. This study evaluated the TNFA -308G>A and IL10 -1082A>G polymorphisms in the susceptibility and progress of chronic hepatitis C.

Method
The study included 101 samples from patients with chronic hepatitis C and 300 samples from healthy donors. Polymorphisms were typed by real-time PCR and were analyzed for associations with histopathological parameters (according to METAVIR classification) and HCV viral load.

Results
The polymorphic genotype for the TNFA -308G>A variant was not present in the group of patients with chronic hepatitis C and its absence could be associated with protection against HCV infection (p = 0.0477). Patients with the polymorphic genotype of the IL10 -1082A>G polymorphism had higher HCV viral load than wild-type patients (p = 0.0428). Neither polymorphism was associated with different levels of necroinflammatory activity or fibrosis scores.

Conclusion
Our results suggest the polymorphic genotype at TNFA -308G>A as protective against chronic HCV infection, and the polymorphic genotype at the IL10 -1082A>G variant associated with higher HCV viral load. Further studies must be performed in order to confirm these associations.
Laxative use and mortality in patients on haemodialysis: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Honda Yu , Itano Seiji , Kugimiya Aiko , Kubo Eiji , Yamada Yosuke , Kimachi Miho , Shibagaki Yugo , Ikenoue Tatsuyoshi 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundPatients on haemodialysis (HD) are often constipated. This study aimed to assess the relationship between constipation and mortality in such patients. In this study, constipation was defined as receiving prescription laxatives, based on the investigation results of “a need to take laxatives is the most common conception of constipation” reported by the World Gastroenterology Organization Global Guidelines.MethodsThis cohort study included 12,217 adult patients on HD enrolled in the Japan-Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns study phases 1 to 5 (1998 to 2015). The participants were grouped into two based on whether they were prescribed laxatives during enrolment at baseline. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality in 3 years, and the secondary endpoint was cause-specific death. Missing values were imputed using multiple imputation methods. All estimations were calculated using a Cox proportional hazards model with an inverse probability of treatment weighting using the propensity score.ResultsLaxatives were prescribed in 30.5% of the patients, and there were 1240 all-cause deaths. There was a significant association between laxative prescription and all-cause mortality [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR), 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03 to 1.21]. Because the Kaplan-Meier curves of the two groups crossed over, we examined 8345 patients observed for more than 1.5 years. Laxative prescription was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (AHR, 1.35; 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.55). The AHR of infectious death was 1.62 (95% CI: 1.14 to 2.29), and that of cancerous death was 1.60 (95% CI: 1.08 to 2.36). However, cardiovascular death did not show a significant inter-group difference.ConclusionsConstipation requiring use of laxatives was associated with an increased risk of death in patients on HD. It is important to prevent patients receiving HD from developing constipation and to reduce the number of patients requiring laxatives.
Analysis of in-hospital mortality among people with and without diabetes in South Western Sydney public hospitals (2014–2017)
Authors: Gao Tina , Agho Kingsley E. , Piya Milan K. , Simmons David , Osuagwu Uchechukwu L. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Diabetes is a major public health problem affecting about 1.4 million Australians, especially in South Western Sydney, a hotspot of diabetes with higher than average rates for hospitalisations. The current understanding of the international burden of diabetes and related complications is poor and data on hospital outcomes and/or what common factors influence mortality rate in people with and without diabetes in Australia using a representative sample is lacking. This study determined in-hospital mortality rate and the factors associated among people with and without diabetes.

Methods
Retrospective data for 554,421 adult inpatients was extracted from the population-based New South Wales (NSW) Admitted Patient Data over 3 financial years (from 1 July 2014–30 June 2015 to 1 July 2016–30 June 2017). The in-hospital mortality per 1000 admitted persons, standardised mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated. Binary logistic regression was performed, adjusting for potential covariates and co-morbidities for people with and without diabetes over three years.

Results
Over three years, 8.7% (48,038 people) of admissions involved people with diabetes. This increased from 8.4% in 2014–15 to 8.9% in 2016–17 (p = 0.007). Across all age groups, in-hospital mortality rate was significantly greater in people with diabetes (20.6, 95% Confidence intervals CI 19.3–21.9 per 1000 persons) than those without diabetes (11.8, 95%CI 11.5–12.1) and more in men than women (23.1, 95%CI 21.2–25.0 vs 17.9, 95%CI 16.2–19.8) with diabetes. The SMR for those with and without diabetes were 3.13 (95%CI 1.78–4.48) and 1.79 (95%CI 0.77–2.82), respectively. There were similarities in the factors associated with in hospital mortality in both groups including: older age (> 54 years), male sex, marital status (divorced/widowed), length of stay in hospital (staying longer than 4 days), receiving intensive care in admission and being admitted due to primary respiratory and cardiovascular diagnoses. The odds of death in admission was increased in polymorbid patients without diabetes (28.68, 95%CI 23.49–35.02) but not in those with diabetes.

Conclusions
In-patients with diabetes continue to have higher mortality rates than those without diabetes and the Australian population. Overall, similar factors influenced mortality rate in people with and without diabetes, but significantly more people with diabetes had two or more co-morbidities, suggesting that hospital mortality may be driven by those with pre-existing health/comorbidities. Urgent measures in primary care to prevent admissions among people with multiple co-morbidities are needed.
Mini-laparoscopic cholecystectomy: evolution of a new technique
Authors: Warsi Ali , Wilson Andrew Natsuki , Tong Kin Seng , Gan Jonathan , Chong Ho Lun 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Since the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in 1985, there has been much advancement in laparoscopic surgery in terms of reduction in number and size of ports. We report a new technique of performing mini laparoscopic cholecystectomy using only three ports, 5 mm each. The indications of this procedure include GB polyps, GB dyskinesia, microlithiasis, and idiopathic pancreatitis.

Case presentation
In this case report, we present a new technique that has been performed safely in a 49-year-old male patient with pancreatitis caused by microlithiasis. This was performed using a novel three port procedure consisting of only 5 mm ports, and he was discharged as a day case without complications. Informed patient consent was obtained.

Conclusions
The fundamentals of this mini-LC technique remain the same as that of a standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy throughout the procedure. It is a feasible option in selected cases, and it has the potential to further augment the inherent benefits of minimal access surgery namely less analgesia, improved cosmesis and faster recovery. Further trials will help ascertain its potential advantages.
Nicotine regulates autophagy of human periodontal ligament cells through α7 nAchR that promotes secretion of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-8
Authors: Du Yang , Yang Kuan , Zhou Zhifei , Wu Lizheng , Wang Lulu , Chen Yujiang , Ge Xin , Wang Xiaojing 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Nicotine is an important risk factor and the main toxic component associated with periodontitis. However, the mechanism of nicotine induced periodontitis is not clear. To investigated the mechanism through which nicotine regulates autophagy of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) through the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) and how autophagy further regulates the release of IL-1β and IL-8 secretion in hPDLCs.

Methods
HPDLCs were obtained from root of extracted teeth and pre-incubated in alpha-bungarotoxin (α-BTX) or 3-Methyladenine (3-MA), followed by culturing in nicotine. We used a variety of experimental detection techniques including western blotting, immunofluorescence, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and RT-qPCR to assess the expression of the LC3 protein, autolysosome, and release of IL-1β and IL-8 from hPDLCs.

Results
Western blots, immunofluorescence and TEM results found that the nicotine significantly increased the autophagy expression in hPDLCs that was time and concentration dependent and reversed by α-BTX treatment (p < 0.05). RT-qPCR and ELISA results revealed a noticeable rise in the release of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-8 from hPDLCs in response to nicotine. RT-qPCR and ELISA results showed that nicotine can significantly up-regulate the release of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-8 in hPDLCs, and this effect can be inhibited by 3-MA (p < 0.05).

Conclusions
Nicotine regulated autophagy of hPDLCs through α7 nAChR and in turn the regulation of the release of inflammatory factors 1L-1β and 1L-8 by hPDLCs.
Quality of life and health-related utility after trans-oral surgery for head and neck cancers
Authors: Parimbelli Enea , Simon Christian , Soldati Federico , Duchoud Lorry , Armas Gian Luca , de Almeida John R. , Quaglini Silvana 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess utility coefficients of health states following two minimally invasive surgical approaches for head and neck cancer, namely trans-oral robotic surgery and trans-oral laser microsurgery. Those utility coefficients will be later exploited in an economic evaluation study comparing the two approaches.MethodsThe above cited economic evaluation will be done from the Swiss healthcare system perspective and, as such, Swiss healthcare professionals were interviewed to elicit utility coefficients. Health states, ranging from remission to palliative care, were described using clinical vignettes. A computerized tool (UceWeb) implementing standard gamble and rating scale methods was used.ResultsUtility coefficients for 18 different health states were elicited with the two methods from 47 individuals, for a total of 1692 values. Elicited values varied from 0.980 to 0.213. Comparison with values elicited in previous studies show the need for population-specific elicitation, mainly for the worst health states.ConclusionHerein we report health utility coefficients for the Swiss population for health states following minimally invasive trans-oral surgery. This study provides utility values that can be used not only for a specific cost-utility analysis, but also for future studies involving the same health states.
Reframing a debate in chiropractic
Authors: Pollard Henry 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe chiropractic profession is 125 years old and has evolved a culture beset with internal conflict. The internal ructions have been particularly noticeable during the last 20 years. These polarising viewpoints are worsening to the degree that there are calls for the profession to break into two separate entities. Key to the recognition of the differences within the profession is the recognition of title for particular sub populations of patients presenting to chiropractors. For many of the sub populations such as sport or paediatrics there has grown appropriate post professional specialist educational training sometimes leading to a protected title. However, this is not occurring in that group of practitioners that choose to focus on wellness care. A recommendation is made that wellness chiropractic be viewed as a post professional specialty program within chiropractic, as it is in medicine and elsewhere, and that recognition follow after appropriate post professional educational programs have been completed, as is customary in the other special interest groups. In order to do so, consensus will be required from all stakeholders within the profession on the level, scope and depth of such programs. Furthermore, it is possible that different jurisdictions around the world may require different post graduate educational levels based on local competitive, legal and professional circumstances. In such cases, transitioning to the higher level over a period of time may be undertaken. Recognition of the wellness specialty by the profession would allow for vertical integration with other healthcare providers as well as help bridge a gap between the entrepreneur and academic groups that would be responsible for creating these programs at tertiary education institutions. Finally, should these programs acquire evidence to underpin them, a process that would be taught within the programs, it is likely that recognition of an extended scope of practice would occur increasing the appeal of chiropractic to the public.
Sex without crossing over in the yeast Saccharomycodes ludwigii
Authors: Papaioannou Ioannis A. , Dutreux Fabien , Peltier France A. , Maekawa Hiromi , Delhomme Nicolas , Bardhan Amit , Friedrich Anne , Schacherer Joseph , Knop Michael 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundIntermixing of genomes through meiotic reassortment and recombination of homologous chromosomes is a unifying theme of sexual reproduction in eukaryotic organisms and is considered crucial for their adaptive evolution. Previous studies of the budding yeast speciesSaccharomycodes ludwigiisuggested that meiotic crossing over might be absent from its sexual life cycle, which is predominated by fertilization within the meiotic tetrad.ResultsWe demonstrate that recombination is extremely suppressed during meiosis inSd. ludwigii. DNA double-strand break formation by the conserved transesterase Spo11, processing and repair involving interhomolog interactions are required for normal meiosis but do not lead to crossing over. Although the species has retained an intact meiotic gene repertoire, genetic and population analyses suggest the exceptionally rare occurrence of meiotic crossovers in its genome. A strong AT bias of spontaneous mutations and the absence of recombination are likely responsible for its unusually low genomic GC level.ConclusionsSd. ludwigiihas followed a unique evolutionary trajectory that possibly derives fitness benefits from the combination of frequent mating between products of the same meiotic event with the extreme suppression of meiotic recombination. This life style ensures preservation of heterozygosity throughout its genome and may enable the species to adapt to its environment and survive with only minimal levels of rare meiotic recombination. We proposeSd. ludwigiias an excellent natural forum for the study of genome evolution and recombination rates.
Safety and efficacy of autologous non-hematopoietic enriched stem cell nebulization in COVID-19 patients: a randomized clinical trial, Abu Dhabi 2020
Authors: Ventura-Carmenate Yendry , Alkaabi Fatima Mohammed , Castillo-Aleman Yandy Marx , Villegas-Valverde Carlos Agustin , Ahmed Yasmine Maher , Sanna Pierdanilo , Almarzooqi Ayesha Abdulla , Abdelrazik Abeer , Torres-Zambrano Gina Marcela , Wade-Mateo Maura , Quesada-Saliba David , Abdel Hadi Loubna , Bencomo-Hernandez Antonio Alfonso , Rivero-Jimenez Rene Antonio 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
The novel SARS-CoV-2 has caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Currently, with insufficient worldwide vaccination rates, identifying treatment solutions to reduce the impact of the virus is urgently needed.

Method
An adaptive, multicentric, open-label, and randomized controlled phase I/II clinical trial entitled the “SENTAD-COVID Study” was conducted by the Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center under exceptional conditional approval by the Emirates Institutional Review Board (IRB) for COVID-19 Research Committee from April 4th to July 31st, 2020, using an autologous peripheral blood non-hematopoietic enriched stem cell cocktail (PB-NHESC-C) administered by compressor (jet) nebulization as a complement to standard care therapy. The primary endpoints include safety and efficacy assessments, adverse events, the mortality rate within 28 days, and the time to clinical improvement as measured by a 2-point reduction on a seven-category ordinal scale or discharge from the hospital whichever occurred first.

Results
The study included a total of 139 randomized COVID-19 patients, with 69 in the experimental group and 70 in the control group (standard care). Overall survival was 94.20% for the cocktail-treated group vs. 90.27% for the control group. Adverse events were reported in 50 (72.46%) patients receiving PB-NHESC-C and 51 (72.85%) in the control group (p = 0.9590), with signs and symptoms commonly found in COVID-19. After the first 9 days of the intervention, 67.3% of cocktail-treated patients recovered and were released from hospitals compared to 53.1% (RR = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.56–1.28) in the control group. Improvement, i.e., at least a 2-point reduction in the severity scale, was more frequently observed in cocktail-treated patients (42.0%) than in controls (17.0%) (RR = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.56–0.88).

Conclusions
Cocktail treatment improved clinical outcomes without increasing adverse events. Thus, the nebulization of PB-NHESC-C was safe and effective for treatment in most of these patients.

Trial registration
ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT04473170. It was retrospectively registered on July 16th, 2020.
Systematic review on the microbiological quality of fresh vegetables and ready-to-eat salad in Nigeria
Authors: Profit Igba , Yunus Adebayo Sami’a , Adeshina Gbonjubola Olusesan , Tytler Babajide Akinyele , Suleiman Ahmed Babangida , Olayinka Busayo Olalekan 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
The consumption of fresh vegetables and salads has become popular, and because of a greater understanding of health benefits, these are most often eaten raw or with minimal processing.

Main body of the abstract
The microbiological safety of these vegetables is necessary and the possible source of contamination includes microbial contamination of raw produce, workers hygiene and the condition of the environment and equipment used to process the salad and fresh vegetable for distribution. This article reviewed the previously published literature on the microbiological quality of fresh vegetable and salad. There was 100% isolation of bacteria in all of the studies review which include Escherichia coli, Aspergillus spp., Staphyloccocus aureus, Salmonella, Klebsiella spp., Actinomycetes, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphyloccocus epidermidis, Bacillus spp., Shigella spp., Lactobacillus and Streptoccocus spp.

Short conclusion
The review study recommended that fresh vegetables and salad should be properly washed with clean water before preparing.
High-Throughput Nucleotide Resolution Predictions of Assay Limitations Increase the Reliability and Concordance of Clinical Tests
Authors: Bieler Jonathan , Pozzorini Christian , Garcia Jessica , Tuck Alex C. , Macheret Morgane , Willig Adrian , Couraud Sébastien , Xing Xiaobin , Menu Philippe , Steinmetz Lars M. , Payen Léa , Xu Zhenyu 
Published: November 2021

PURPOSEThe ability of next-generation sequencing (NGS) assays to interrogate thousands of genomic loci has revolutionized genetic testing. However, translation to the clinic is impeded by false-negative results that pose a risk to patients. In response, regulatory bodies are calling for reliability measures to be reported alongside NGS results. Existing methods to estimate reliability do not account for sample- and position-specific variability, which can be significant. Here, we report an approach that computes reliability metrics for every genomic position and sample interrogated by an NGS assay.METHODSOur approach predicts the limit of detection (LOD), the lowest reliably detectable variant fraction, by taking technical factors into account. We initially explored how LOD is affected by input material amount, library conversion rate, sequencing coverage, and sequencing error rate. This revealed that LOD depends heavily on genomic context and sample properties. Using these insights, we developed a computational approach to predict LOD on the basis of a biophysical model of the NGS workflow. We focused on targeted assays for cell-free DNA, but, in principle, this approach applies to any NGS assay.RESULTSWe validated our approach by showing that it accurately predicts LOD and distinguishes reliable from unreliable results when screening 580 lung cancer samples for actionable mutations. Compared with a standard variant calling workflow, our approach avoided most false negatives and improved interassay concordance from 94% to 99%.CONCLUSIONOur approach, which we name LAVA (LOD-aware variant analysis), reports the LOD for every position and sample interrogated by an NGS assay. This enables reliable results to be identified and improves the transparency and safety of genetic tests.
Defining Energy in Nineteenth-Century Native American Literature
Authors: Linthicum Kent , Relford Mikaela , Johnson Julia C. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractNative American authors in the first half of the nineteenth century—the dawn of the Anthropocene in some accounts—were witness to the rapid expansion of settler-colonialism powered by new ideologies of energy and fueled by fossil capitalism. These authors, though, resisted extractive metaphors for energy and fuel, offering more organic and intimate visions of energy instead. Using energy humanities theories developed by Warren Cariou (Métis) and Bob Johnson, among others, this article will analyze Mary Jemison’s (Seneca) autobiography; Jane Johnston Schoolcraft’s (Ojibwe) poem, “On the Doric Rock, Lake Superior”; and John Rollin Ridge’s (Cherokee) novel, The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta. These works show how Native American authors defined energy as cyclical and intimate in contrast to the growing settler society’s vision of linear, unending extraction. This article argues that nineteenth-century Native American Anglophone literatures expand the scope of the energy humanities by describing energy intimacy while also extending the histories of Indigenous resistance to settler energy imaginaries. Nineteenth-century Native American literatures can make important contributions to the scope of the energy humanities and need to be integrated into the field to grasp the full scale of current environmental crises.