bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Addressing a Silent and Neglected Scourge in Sexual and Reproductive Health in Sub-Saharan Africa by Development of Training Competencies to Improve Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) for Health Workers
Authors: Jacobson Julie , Pantelias Anastasia , Williamson Megan , Kjetland Eyrun Floerecke , Krentel Alison , Gyapong Margaret , Mbabazi Pamela Sabina , Djirmay Amadou Garba 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background Schistosomiasis is an acute and chronic disease caused by parasitic worms, that can take two main forms: intestinal or urogenital. If left untreated, the urogenital form can lead to female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) in women and girls; frequently resulting in severe reproductive health complications which are often misdiagnosed as sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) or can be confused with cervical cancer. Despite its impact on women’s reproductive health, FGS is typically overlooked in medical training and remains poorly recognized with low awareness both in affected communities and in health professionals. FGS has been described as the one of the most neglected sexual and reproductive health issues in sub-Saharan Africa(1–3). Increased knowledge and awareness of FGS is required to end this neglect, improve women’s reproductive health, and decrease the burden of this preventable and treatable neglected tropical disease. Methods We conducted interactive virtual workshops, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), engaging 64 participants with medical and public health backgrounds from around the world to establish standardized skills (or competencies) for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of FGS at all levels of the health system. The competencies were drafted in small groups, peer-reviewed, and finalized by participants. Results This participatory process led to identification of 27 skills needed for FGS prevention, diagnosis, and management for two categories of health workers; those working in a clinical setting, and those working in a community setting. Among them, ten relate to the diagnosis of FGS including three that involve a pelvic exam and seven that do not. Six constitute the appropriate behaviors required to treat FGS in a clinical setting. Eleven address the community setting, with six relating to the identification of women at risk and five relating to prevention. Conclusion Defining the skills necessary for FGS management is a critical step to prepare for proper diagnosis and treatment of women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa by trained health professionals. The suggested competencies can now serve as the foundation to create educative tools and curricula to better train health care workers on the prevention, diagnosis, and management of FGS.
Genome-wide Identification of Long Non-coding RNAs&nbsp;and Their Potential Functions in Poplar Growth and Phenylalanine Biosynthesis
Authors: Zhang Lei , Ge Xiaolan , Du Jiujun , Hu Jianjun 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a class of riboregulators that either directly act in long form or are processed into shorter microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs. Poplar is an important bioenergy tree species, lncRNAs play important roles in various biological regulatory processes, and its expression pattern is more tissue-specific than mRNA. Results: In this study, P. deltoides ‘Danhong’ (Pd) and P. simonii ‘Tongliao1’ (Ps) with different growth rates and wood quality were used as experimental materials, and the transcriptomes of their shoot apical meristem, xylem, and phloem were sequenced. Furthermore, high-throughput RNA sequencing analysis revealed that the expression patterns of genes and lncRNAs are different between the two genotypes. 6, 355 lncRNAs were identified. Based on targets prediction, lncRNAs and target genes involved in ADP binding, oxidoreductase activity, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and cyanoamino acid metabolism. TCONS_00128372, TCONS_00079190, and TCONS_00174042 co-expressed with transcription factors and structural genes of lignin and flavonoid pathways. In addition, we found the potential target lncRNAs of miRNA.Conclusion: This result provides basic evidence for a better understanding of the regulatory role of lncRNAs in regulating phenylalanine molecular pathways and wood formation.
Assessment of the Quality of Well Dug Water Samples in Nigeria and Their Suitability for Drinking and Irrigation Purposes
Authors: Oluwagbayide Samuel Dare , Abulude Francis Olawale 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The quality of well-dug water for drinking and irrigation purposes must be measured as part of a sustainable groundwater analysis. The study aimed to assess water quality and to evaluate their usefulness for drinking and irrigation, using the Drinking Water Quality Index (DWQI) and Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI). To achieve this, standard methods were used for the determination of physicochemical parameters of the water samples, while using models (ESP, SSP, SAR, MAR, KR, TDS, and EC) to ascertain their suitability for drinking and irrigation. According to the findings, the determined Physico-chemical parameters were compared to standard limits and found desirable because they were within the guidelines. Low pH (6.4-7), total dissolved solids (106–130 mg/L), total hardness (42–56 mg/L), calcium (3.5–8.3 mg/L), magnesium (1.13.6 mg/L), nitrate (4.6–16 mg/L), chloride (1.8–3.1), and sulphate (14–15. mg/L) in the well samples were found to be the key cause of the low DWQI and IWQI value at these sites. The results also depicted that all the water samples are of exceptional quality (excellent).
Right ventricular assist device with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for bridging right ventricular heart failure to lung transplantation: A single-center case series and literature review
Authors: Lee Jae Guk , Oh Dong Kyu , Kim Ho Cheol , Kang Pil-Je , Lee Geun Dong , Choi Se Hoon , Jung Sung-Ho , Hong Sang-Bum 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BackgroundRight ventricular heart failure (RVHF) is a critical complication in patients with respiratory failure particularly among those who transitioned to lung transplantation using veno-venous (V-V) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). In these patients, both cardiac and respiratory functions are supported using veno-arterial (V-A) or veno-arterial-venous (V-AV) ECMO. However, these modalities increase the risk of device-related complications, such as thromboembolism, bleeding, and limb ischemia, and they may disturb early rehabilitation. Due to these limitations, a right ventricular assist device with an oxygenator (Oxy-RVAD) using ECMO may be considered for patients with RVHF with V-V ECMO.MethodsThe study included patients who underwent Oxy-RVAD using ECMO due to RVHF while on V-V ECMO as a bridge to lung transplantation (BTT) due to severe respiratory failure. The patients were enrolled at a tertiary care, university hospital between 2018 and 2020.ResultsEight patients underwent Oxy-RVAD using ECMO due to RVHF for BTT. Seven patients were bridged successfully to lung transplantation. One patient died prior to transplantation from complications of interstitial lung disease. There were no major ECMO-related complications during the Oxy-RVAD using ECMO period in any patient. For those patients who were successfully bridged, the average duration of V-V ECMO was 10 days and Oxy-RVAD using ECMO was 12 days. All patients with BTT were discharged with a 30-day survival rate of 100% (7/7 patients). The 180-day survival rate was 85% (6/7 patients).ConclusionsThis study suggests that Oxy-RVAD using ECMO may be a viable option for bridging patients with RVHF to lung transplantation.
MaiValidation the Chinese Version of Work Motivation Scale for Health Workers
Authors: Li Huiwen , YU Yahang , Yu Menggen , Yuan Beibei 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: The Work Motivation Scale for Health Workers (WMSHW) is a 15-item multidimensional scale developed to measuring health workers’ motivation composition based on Self-Determination Theory. The objective of the present study is to translate, adapt, and validate the WMSHW among Chinese health workers.Methods: The process of translation and cross-cultural adaptation followed the recommendations of international guidelines. Participants include 1341 health workers within 75 primary health institutions from 6 provinces in China. The reliability and validity of the scale was analyzed.Results: Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the modified five-factor model had better fit than the other models in accordance with the original English version. The factor loads were high and ranged from 0.70 to 0.94．Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for five dimensions of the Chinese WMSHW ranged from 0.81 to 0.94, indicating the scale’s high internal consistency.Conclusion: The Chinese version of WMSHW showed satisfactory reliability and validity and can be used as an instrument for measuring the work motivation for Chinese health workers.
A highly effective and inexpensive standardized treatment of multidrug- resistant tuberculosis: A muticenter prospective study in china
Authors: Sun Wenwen , Wu Zheyuan , Ying Zhou , Fan Xia , Tang Qin , Wang Jie , Yang Jinhui , Yu Fangyou , Yang Hua , Xiao Heping , Fan Lin 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BackgroundTo verify the efficacy and safety of an inexpensive standardized treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) drug sensitivity test(DST), a multicenter prospective study was conducted in eastern China.MethodsPatients diagnosed as MDR-TB with isoniazid resistance at low concentration and rifampicin resistance, second-line/injectable agents sensitive) were prospectively enrolled, given the regimen of Ak Mfx(Lfx)CsPtoPaZ for six months followed by 12 months of Mfx(Lfx)CsPtoPaZ and followed up for treatment outcomes and adverse events (AEs).ResultsA total of 114 patients were enrolled into the study. The overall rate of favorable treatment rate was 79.8% (91/114), among 91 cases with favorable treatment, 86(75.4%)cured and 5 (4.4%) completed treatment. 23 cases got unfavorable outcome including 10 8.8% (10/114) failures, 8.8% (10/114) losing follow up ,0.9%(1/114) withdrawing treatment due to intolerance to drugs and 1.8%(2/114 ) died. Treatment favorable rate was significantly higher in newly treated MDR-TB (91.7%, 33/36) than that in retreated MDR-TB (74.4%, 58/78, p = 0.03). The investigators recorded 42 AEs occurrences in 30 of 114 patients༈26.3%). Clinicians rated most AEs as mild or moderate (95.24%, 40/42) .ConclusionsThe regimen was proved to be effective, safe and inexpensive. It is suitable for specific drug resistant population, especially for newly-treated patients, which could be expected to be developed into a short-course regimen.Clinical Trials RegistrationChina Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR- OPC-16009380
Establishment of a novel scoring model for mortality risk prediction in HIV-infected patients with cryptococcal meningitis
Authors: Zhao Ting , Xu Xiao-Lei , Nie Jing-Min , Chen Xiao-Hong , Jiang Zhong-Sheng , Liu Shui-Qing , Yang Tong-Tong , Yang Xuan , Sun Feng , Lu Yan-Qiu , Harypursat Vijay , chen yaokai 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) remains a leading cause of death in HIV-infected patients, despite advances in CM diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This study was performed with the aim to develop and validate a novel scoring model to predict mortality risk in HIV-infected patients with CM (HIV/CM).Methods: Data on HIV/CM inpatients were obtained from a Multicenter Cohort study in China. Independent risk factors associated with mortality were identified based on data from 2013 to 2017, and a novel scoring model for mortality risk prediction was established. The prediction probability of the novel model was evaluated and verified using data from 2018 to 2020.Results: We found that six predictors, including age, stiff neck, impaired consciousness, intracranial pressure, CD4+ T-cell count, and urea levels, were associated with poor prognosis in HIV/CM patients. The novel scoring model could effectively identify HIV/CM patients at high risk of death on admission (area under curve 0.876; p＜0.001). When the cut-off value of 5.5 points or more was applied, the sensitivity and specificity was 74.1% and 83.8%, respectively. Additionally, our scoring model showed a good discriminatory ability in the validation cohort (area under curve 0·886; p＜0.001).Conclusions: Our developed scoring model of six variables is simple, convenient, and accurate for screening high-risk patients with HIV/CM, which may be a useful tool for physicians to assess prognosis in HIV/CM inpatients.
Mucosal eosinophilic infiltration may be a characteristic of human intestinal spirochetosis
Authors: Ogata Sho , Shimizu Ken , Tominaga Susumu , Matsukuma Susumu 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Human intestinal spirochetosis (HIS) is an infectious disease of large intestines caused by Brachyspira species, and most HIS cases are asymptomatic or exhibit mild intestinal symptoms. The host reaction to HIS remains unclear, and we examined HIS-related mucosal inflammatory features histologically. Method: From the archival HIS cases in a single medical center, 24 endoscopically taken specimens from 14 HIS cases (M:F = 10:4; 28-73 yrs) were selected as not containing polypoid or neoplastic lesions. Stromal neutrophils, eosinophils, and mast cells, and intraepithelial neutrophils and eosinophils, (sNeu, sEo, sMast, iNeu, and iEo, respectively) were counted, and the presence or absence of lymphoid follicles/aggregates (LFs) was also examined. Association of the above inflammation parameters and spirochetal infection parameters (such as degrees of characteristic fringe distribution, of spirochetal cryptal invasion, and of spirochetal intraepithelial invasion) were also analysed. Results: iNeu was observed in 29.2%, iEo in 58.3%, and LFs in 50.0% of the specimens. Maximal counts of sNeu, sEo, sMast, iNeu, and iEo averaged 8.4, 21.5, 6.0, 0.5 and 1.5, respectively. Strong correlation between the maximum counts of iNeu and iEo (p < 0.001, r = 0.81), and correlations between those of iEo and sNeu (p = 0.0012, r = 0.62) and between those of iEo and sEo (p = 0.026, r = 0.45) were observed. iNeu was influenced by fringe formation (p < 0.05) and spirochetal crypt involvement (p < 0.05). Conclusions: HIS was accompanied by inflammatory reactions, and among these, mucosal eosinophilic infiltration may be a central indicator and host reaction of HIS.
Prevalence of Pathogenic and Potentially Pathogenic Inborn Error of Immunity Associated Variants in Children with Severe Sepsis
Authors: Kernan Kate F. , Ghaloul-Gonzalez Lina , Vockley Jerry , Lamb Janette , Hollingshead Deborah , Chandran Uma , Sethi Rahil , Park Hyun-Jung , Carcillo Joseph A. , Berg Robert A. , Wessel David , Pollack Murray M. , Meert Kathleen , Newth Christopher , Lin John C. , Doctor Allan , Shanley Thomas P , Cornell Tim , Harrison Rick E. , Zuppa Athena F. , Banks Russel , Reeder Ron W , Holubkov Richard , Notterman Daniel A. , Dean J Michael 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Purpose: Our understanding of the inborn errors of immunity that cause immunodeficiencies is increasing however, their contribution to pediatric sepsis is unknown. Methods: We used whole exome sequencing to characterize variants previously reported in monogenic immunologic disorders in 330 children admitted to intensive care for severe sepsis. Candidate variants were restricted to novel null variants or rare variants classified as pathogenic or potentially pathogenic in Qiagen’s Human Genetic Mutation Database in a disease consistent inheritance pattern. Results: One in two children overall and two of three African American children had immunodeficiency-associated variants. Children with candidate variants had increased odds of isolating a blood or urinary pathogen (blood: OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.16 - 3.65, p- value = 0.014, urine: OR: 2.35, 95% CI 1.02 – 5.41, p- value = 0.04) and laboratory evidence of increased immune activation with increased odds of hyperferritinemia (ferritin ≥ 500 ng/ml, OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.16 – 3.20, p- value = 0.013) and lymphopenia (minimum lymphocyte count <1000/µL, OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.03 – 2.55, p- value = 0.038). Conclusion: Herein, we describe the genetic findings in this pediatric sepsis cohort and their microbiologic and immunologic significance providing rationale for screening children with life-threatening infection for potential inborn errors of immunity.
The Mediterranean diet and Dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH)-style diet are differently associated with lipid profile in a large sample of Iranian adults: Shahedieh cohort study
Authors: Panbehkar-Jouybari Monireh , Mollahosseini Mehdi , Salehi-Abargouei Amin , Fallahzadeh Hossein , Mirzaei Masoud , Hosseinzadeh Mahdieh 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background
The association between the Mediterranean diet (MED) or dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors is well-documented. Nevertheless, a consistent relationship in the Middle East population has yet to be identified. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association between DASH/MED and blood lipids in Iranian adults.
Methods
We followed 4740 participants 35–70 years (mean: 50.0) of the Shahedieh cohort study in Yazd, Iran. Participants provided dietary and blood lipid data through a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and blood samples were taken after a fasted state. We used binary logistic regression to examine the association between DASH/MED scores and blood lipids.
Results
The DASH diet could reduce the level of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and LDL/HDL (high-density lipoprotein) ratio (P: 0.01; third vs. the first tertile). While the MED diet could increase the HDL level (P: 0.01). In Binary logistic regression, higher adherence to DASH diet shown 19% lower odds of high TC level (OR: 0.81; 95 %CI: 0.69–0.95) and 18% lower odds of high LDL/HDL ratio (OR: 0.82; 95 %CI: 0.70–0.96). Besides, high adherence to the MED diet was associated with lower odds of LDL/HDL ratio (OR: 0.85; 95 %CI: 0.72–0.99).
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that the DASH diet and the MED diet respectively might have a protective effect on TC, TG, LDL, LDL/HDL ratio, and HDL, and the LDL/HDL ratio, subsequently on CVDs risk. Further epidemiological studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Flow Pumping by External Periodic Shear Applied to a Soft Interface
Authors: Nezamipour Shima , Najafi Ali 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Flow pumping in viscous fluids is of prime importance in micro-fluidic applications. Here we show that a single colloidal particle in front of a soft wall, manipulated by external means like an optical tweezer, can pump the ambient viscous fluid. The particle, moving back and forth parallel to the soft wall, can produce an averaged net flow in a direction perpendicular to the wall. Using a perturbative scheme, we present the results. Analysis show that this flow in terms of capillary number, scales as Ca2.
BRAF-MAD1L1 and BRAF-ZC3H7A: novel gene fusion in Rhabdomyosarcoma and Lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Da Jiang , Jin Hui , Zhou Xinliang , Fan Shaoshuang , Xu Mian , Chen Xiaoyan 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) epitomizes the success of cancer prevention by the development of conventional therapy, but huge challenges remain in the therapy of advanced diseases.Case presentation: We reported two cases of novel BRAF gene fusion. The first case was a 34-year-old female with RMS harboring a BRAF-MAD1L1 fusion. She suffered tumor resection, recurrence and rapid progression. The second case was a 72-year-old female with LADC harboring a BRAF-ZC3H7A fusion, and she gained rapid progression after receiving a first-line course of chemotherapy.Conclusions: These two BRAF fusions retain the intact BRAF kinase domain (exon 11-18) and showed poor prognosis in RMS and LADC.
Kaempferol Alleviates Corneal Transplantation Rejection by Inhibiting NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Macrophage M1 Polarization via Promoting Autophagy
Authors: Tian Huiwen , Lin Shumei , Wu Jing , Ma Ming , Yu Jian , Zeng Yuanping , Liu Qi 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Corneal transplantation rejection remains a major threat to the success rate in high-risk patients. Given the many side effects presented by traditional immunosuppressants, there is an urgency to clarify the mechanism of corneal transplantation rejection and to identify new therapeutic targets. Kaempferol is a natural flavonoid that has been proven in various studies to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties. However, the relationship between kaempferol and corneal transplantation remains largely unexplored. To address this, both in vivo and in vitro, we established a model of corneal allograft transplantation in Wistar rats and an LPS-induced inflammatory model in THP-1 derived human macrophages. In the transplantation experiments, we observed an enhancement in the NLRP3 / IL-1 β axis and in M1 macrophage polarization post-operation. In groups to which kaempferol intraperitoneal injections were administered, this response was effectively reduced. However, the effect of kaempferol was reversed after the application of autophagy inhibitors. Similarly, in the inflammatory model, we found that different concentrations of kaempferol can reduce the LPS-induced M1 polarization and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Moreover, we confirmed that kaempferol induced autophagy and that autophagy inhibitors reversed the effect in macrophages. In conclusion, we found that kaempferol can inhibit the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasomes by inducing autophagy, thus inhibiting macrophage polarization, and ultimately alleviating corneal transplantation rejection. Thus, our study suggests that kaempferol could be used as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of allograft rejection.