bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Myositis autoantibodies in a racially diverse population of children with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies
Authors: Perron Megan Mariko , Vasquez-Canizares Natalia , Tarshish Gabriel , Wahezi Dawn M. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (JIIMs) is a group of autoimmune disorders, including juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), juvenile polymyositis (JPM) and overlap myositis, that are characterized by proximal muscle weakness, elevated levels of serum muscle enzymes, and pathognomonic skin findings. While the exact etiology of JIIMs is unclear, the presence of myositis specific autoantibodies (MSAs) have been associated with certain clinical phenotypes, organ involvement and disease prognosis. To date, there have been few studies of the associations between MSA presence and patient ethnicity. It is important to understand the extent to which ethnicity impacts disease manifestations, organ involvement and clinical outcomes. The goal of our study is to determine MSA and myositis associated autoantibody (MAA) presence, clinical phenotype, and disease course in a racially diverse population of pediatric patients with JIIMs.

Methods
Patients age 2–21 years with a prior diagnosis of JDM, JPM or overlap myositis, who had been tested for MSA/MAA, were eligible for study inclusion. Clinical and laboratory data were collected retrospectively via manual chart review in this single-center study. Descriptive statistics were performed to summarize each variable. Given the small sample size, non-parametric testing was performed using Fischer’s exact test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results
Thirty one patients were included in the analysis. Race and ethnicity were self-reported as Hispanic (48.4%), white (25.8%), and Black (25.8%). The most prevalent MSAs were anti-MDA5 (25.8%), anti-p155/140 (22.6%) and anti-MJ (19.4%). Presence of autoantibodies (p = 0.04) and pulmonary disease (p = 0.03) were significantly higher in patients of Black or Hispanic descent compared with white descent. Anti-MDA5 antibodies, cutaneous ulceration, cardiopulmonary involvement, hospitalizations and one death were only reported in patients with Black or Hispanic descent. Patients with anti-MDA5 antibodies were more likely to be male (p = 0.04) and to have cutaneous ulceration (p = 0.02).

Conclusions
This study describes the prevalence of MSA/MAA in a racially diverse group of patients with JIIM and further delineates clinical phenotype and disease complications in these groups. We found a relatively high proportion of children with anti-MDA5 antibodies and described potentially worse clinical courses in children of Black or Hispanic descent. Further investigation is warranted to examine these findings.
Realising sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescent girls and young women living in slums in Uganda: a qualitative study
Authors: McGranahan Majel , Bruno-McClung Elizabeth , Nakyeyune Joselyn , Nsibirwa Derrick Aaron , Baguma Christopher , Ogwang Christopher , Serunjogi Francis , Nakalembe Judith , Kayaga Marianna , Sekalala Sharifah , Oyebode Oyinlola 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundSexual and reproductive health and rights are critical entitlements best supported through human rights-based approaches empowering rights-holders to claim their rights and duty bearers to fulfil their obligations. Implementing these requires information on the current needs and challenges faced by those seeking to claim their sexual and reproductive health and rights. We aimed to identify the underlying factors influencing the realisation of sexual and reproductive health and rights for adolescent girls and young women living Ugandan slums by: (1) exploring the role of relevant service providers and stakeholders; and (2) uncovering knowledge and gaps in protecting adolescent girls’ and young women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.MethodsQualitative data were collected through focus groups and interviews focused on current knowledge, behaviours and attitudes towards sexual and reproductive health and rights among adolescent girls and young women, service providers and stakeholders. Data were analysed thematically using NVivo software. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants; two focus groups were held with adolescent girls and young women living in two slums in Uganda (21 participants in total); and three focus groups were held with community leaders, service providers, teachers and parents (30 participants in total).ResultsAdolescent girls and young women lacked information regarding their sexual health, services available, and redress mechanisms for rights violations. Formal sources of information were frequently inaccessible. Family members were sometimes the source of rights violations, and informal methods of redressing rights were often sought. Stigma and fear were common features both in healthcare and in the pursuit of formal justice, with duty-bearers habitually breaking confidentiality. Education and training were the predominant suggestions offered for change.ConclusionsAdolescent girls and young women continue to face obstacles in achieving their full sexual and reproductive health and rights. Targeted interventions for the realisation of adolescent girls’ and young women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights can address underlying causes and positively shift attitudes to promote health.
Effect of the lysosomotropic agent chloroquine on mTORC1 activation and protein synthesis in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Borack Michael S. , Dickinson Jared M. , Fry Christopher S. , Reidy Paul T. , Markofski Melissa M. , Deer Rachel R. , Jennings Kristofer , Volpi Elena , Rasmussen Blake B. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Previous work in HEK-293 cells demonstrated the importance of amino acid-induced mTORC1 translocation to the lysosomal surface for stimulating mTORC1 kinase activity and protein synthesis. This study tested the conservation of this amino acid sensing mechanism in human skeletal muscle by treating subjects with chloroquine—a lysosomotropic agent that induces in vitro and in vivo lysosome dysfunction.

Methods
mTORC1 signaling and muscle protein synthesis (MPS) were determined in vivo in a randomized controlled trial of 14 subjects (10 M, 4 F; 26 ± 4 year) that ingested 10 g of essential amino acids (EAA) after receiving 750 mg of chloroquine (CHQ, n = 7) or serving as controls (CON, n = 7; no chloroquine). Additionally, differentiated C2C12 cells were used to assess mTORC1 signaling and myotube protein synthesis (MyPS) in the presence and absence of leucine and the lysosomotropic agent chloroquine.

Results
mTORC1, S6K1, 4E-BP1 and rpS6 phosphorylation increased in both CON and CHQ 1 h post EAA ingestion (P < 0.05). MPS increased similarly in both groups (CON, P = 0.06; CHQ, P < 0.05). In contrast, in C2C12 cells, 1 mM leucine increased mTORC1 and S6K1 phosphorylation (P < 0.05), which was inhibited by 2 mg/ml chloroquine. Chloroquine (2 mg/ml) was sufficient to disrupt mTORC1 signaling, and MyPS.

Conclusions
Chloroquine did not inhibit amino acid-induced activation of mTORC1 signaling and skeletal MPS in humans as it does in C2C12 muscle cells. Therefore, different in vivo experimental approaches are required for confirming the precise role of the lysosome and amino acid sensing in human skeletal muscle.
Trial registration NCT00891696. Registered 29 April 2009.
Development of clinical application program for radiotherapy induced cancer risk calculation using Monte Carlo engine in volumetric-modulated arc therapy
Authors: Kang Dong-Jin , Shin Young-Joo , Jeong Seonghoon , Jung Jae-Yong , Lee Hakjae , Lee Boram 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
The purpose of this study is to develop a clinical application program that automatically calculates the effect for secondary cancer risk (SCR) of individual patient. The program was designed based on accurate dose calculations using patient computed tomography (CT) data and Monte Carlo engine. Automated patient-specific evaluation program was configured to calculate SCR.

Methods
The application program is designed to re-calculate the beam sequence of treatment plan using the Monte Carlo engine and patient CT data, so it is possible to accurately calculate and evaluate scatter and leakage radiation, difficult to calculate in TPS. The Monte Carlo dose calculation system was performed through stoichiometric calibration using patient CT data. The automatic SCR evaluation program in application program created with a MATLAB was set to analyze the results to calculate SCR. The SCR for organ of patient was calculated based on Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR) VII models. The program is designed to sequentially calculate organ equivalent dose (OED), excess absolute risk (EAR), excess relative risk (ERR), and the lifetime attributable risk (LAR) in consideration of 3D dose distribution analysis. In order to confirm the usefulness of the developed clinical application program, the result values from clinical application program were compared with the manual calculation method used in the previous study.

Results
The OED values calculated in program were calculated to be at most approximately 13.3% higher than results in TPS. The SCR result calculated by the developed clinical application program showed a maximum difference of 1.24% compared to the result of the conventional manual calculation method. And it was confirmed that EAR, ERR and LAR values can be easily calculated by changing the biological parameters.

Conclusions
We have developed a patient-specific SCR evaluation program that can be used conveniently in the clinic. The program consists of a Monte Carlo dose calculation system for accurate calculation of scatter and leakage radiation and a patient-specific automatic SCR evaluation program using 3D dose distribution. The clinical application program that improved the disadvantages of the existing process can be used as an index for evaluating a patient treatment plan.
Organ motion in linac-based SBRT for glottic cancer
Authors: Perillo Annarita , Landoni Valeria , Farneti Alessia , Sanguineti Giuseppe 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate inter- and intra-fraction organ motion as well as to quantify clinical target volume (CTV) to planning target volume (PTV) margins to be adopted in the stereotactic treatment of early stage glottic cancer.

Methods and materials
Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) to 36 Gy in 3 fractions was administered to 23 patients with early glottic cancer T1N0M0. Patients were irradiated with a volumetric intensity modulated arc technique delivered with 6 MV FFF energy. Each patient underwent a pre-treatment cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to correct the setup based on the thyroid cartilage position. Imaging was repeated if displacement exceeded 2 mm in any direction. CBCT imaging was also performed after each treatment arc as well as at the end of the delivery. Swallowing was allowed only during the beam-off time between arcs. CBCT images were reviewed to evaluate inter- and intra-fraction organ motion. The relationships between selected treatment characteristics, both beam-on and delivery times as well as organ motion were investigated.

Results
For the population systematic (Ʃ) and random (σ) inter-fraction errors were 0.9, 1.3 and 0.6 mm and 1.1, 1.3 and 0.7 mm in the left-right (X), cranio-caudal (Y) and antero-posterior (Z) directions, respectively. From the analysis of CBCT images acquired after treatment, systematic (Ʃ) and random (σ) intra-fraction errors resulted 0.7, 1.6 and 0.7 mm and 1.0, 1.5 and 0.6 mm in the X, Y and Z directions, respectively. Margins calculated from the intra-fraction errors were 2.4, 5.1 and 2.2 mm in the X, Y and Z directions respectively. A statistically significant difference was found for the displacement in the Z direction between patients irradiated with > 2 arcs versus ≤ 2 arcs, (MW test, p = 0.038). When analyzing mean data from CBCT images for the whole treatment, a significant correlation was found between the time of delivery and the three dimensional displacement vector (r = 0.489, p = 0.055), the displacement in the Y direction (r = 0.553, p = 0.026) and the subsequent margins to be adopted (r = 0.626, p = 0.009). Finally, displacements and the subsequent margins to be adopted in Y direction were significantly greater for treatments with more than 2 arcs (MW test p = 0.037 and p = 0.019, respectively).

Conclusions
In the setting of controlled swallowing during treatment delivery, intra-fraction motion still needs to be taken into account when planning with estimated CTV to PTV margins of 3, 5 and 3 mm in the X, Y and Z directions, respectively. Selected treatments may require additional margins.
Frequency of detection and load of amastigotes in the pancreas of Leishmania infantum-seropositive dogs: clinical signs and histological changes
Authors: Kost William de Oliveira , Pereira Sandro Antonio , Figueiredo Fabiano Borges , Mendes Junior Artur Augusto Velho , Madeira Maria de Fátima , Miranda Luciana de Freitas Campos , de Oliveira Raquel de Vasconcellos Carvalhaes , Ferreira Luiz Cláudio , Morgado Fernanda Nazaré , Menezes Rodrigo Caldas 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundZoonotic visceral leishmaniasis is caused by the protozoanLeishmania infantumand is highly lethal in humans and dogs if left untreated. The frequency of this parasite and associated histological changes in the pancreas of dogs are poorly studied. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the frequency of detection and load of amastigotes in the pancreas ofL. infantum-seropositive dogs and to identify the clinical signs and histological changes associated with parasitism of this organ.MethodsOne hundred forty-three dogs from an endemic area in Brazil that tested seropositive forL. infantumwere studied. The dogs were clinically examined, killed, and necropsied between 2013 and 2014. One fragment of the pancreas was randomly collected for histopathology and immunohistochemistry, and spleen and bone marrow were collected for culture.ResultsLeishmaniaamastigotes were detected in the pancreas of 22 dogs (15.4%) by immunohistochemistry, all exhibitingL. infantumparasitism in the spleen and/or bone marrow. Poor body condition and cachexia were only associated with infection of the pancreas withLeishmaniaspp. (p = 0.021) and were found in 40.9% of dogs with pancreatic infection. Anorexia, vomiting, and/or diarrhea were observed in 9.2% of dogs with pancreatitis. The median parasite load in the pancreas was 1.4 infected macrophages/mm2. Pancreatic histological changes and their frequencies were: granulomatous pancreatitis (28.0%), lymphoplasmacytic pancreatitis (23.8%), acinar cell degeneration (6.3%), fibrosis (5.6%), hemorrhage (2.1%), eosinophilic pancreatitis (0.7%), suppurative pancreatitis (0.7%), and necrosis (0.7%).ConclusionsThe present results demonstrate thatL. infantumis one of the etiological agents of chronic pancreatitis in dogs; however, the frequency of detection and parasite load are low in this organ. The lack of an association of poor body condition and cachexia with pancreatitis and the low frequency of clinical signs commonly associated with pancreatitis suggest that a significant portion of the organ is not affected by this parasite. On the other hand, the association of poor body condition and cachexia with concomitant infection of the pancreas, spleen, and/or bone marrow with this parasite suggests that these manifestations are the result of a more advanced stage of canine visceral leishmaniasis.Graphic abstract
Severe COVID-19 in Alzheimer’s disease: APOE4’s fault again?
Authors: Xiong Nian , Schiller Martin R. , Li Jingwen , Chen Xiaowu , Lin Zhicheng 
Published: June 2021

AbstractChallenges have been recognized in healthcare of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the COVID-19 pandemic, given a high infection and mortality rate of COVID-19 in these patients. This situation urges the identification of underlying risks and preferably biomarkers for evidence-based, more effective healthcare. Towards this goal, current literature review and network analysis synthesize available information on the AD-related gene APOE into four lines of mechanistic evidence. At a cellular level, the risk isoform APOE4 confers high infectivity by the underlying coronavirus SARS-CoV-2; at a genetic level, APOE4 is associated with severe COVID-19; at a pathway level, networking connects APOE with COVID-19 risk factors such as ACE2, TMPRSS2, NRP1, and LZTFL1; at a behavioral level, APOE4-associated dementia may increase the exposure to coronavirus infection which causes COVID-19. Thus, APOE4 could exert multiple actions for high infection and mortality rates of the patients, or generally, with COVID-19.
Stroke associated with Mycoplasma hominis infection: a case report
Authors: Tsolaki Anthoula C. , Konstantinidis Galaktion , Koukou Stavroula , Michali Fotini , Georgiadou Despina , Tegos Thomas , Michalis Nikolaos D. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background
Mycoplasmas are the smallest prokaryotic microorganisms in nature. Many cases of stroke post-Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection have been reported, particularly in the pediatric population. However, Mycoplasma hominis infection has not previously been associated with stroke.

Case presentation
We report the case of a 36-year-old Greek woman who presented with an extensive stroke with an unspecified cause. She had a concurrent genital infection with Mycoplasma hominis for an unknown duration.

Conclusion
An association may exist between stroke and the immune response to Mycoplasma hominis infection.
On the performance of physical layer security in virtual full-duplex non-orthogonal multiple access system
Authors: Guo Weidong , Liu Yuxi 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis paper investigates physical layer security analysis of cooperative non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) communication system. A virtual full-duplex (VFD) relaying scheme with an untrusted amplify-and-forward (AF) half-duplex (HD) relay and a trusted decode-and-forward (DF) HD relay is used in this system to improve the spectral efficiency. In order to prevent the untrusted relay from eavesdropping, a simple and practical cooperative jamming scheme is designed to confuse the untrusted relay. The exact expressions of effective secrecy throughput (EST) for NOMA users and approximate expression of EST for non-NOMA user are derived. All theoretical results are validated by numerical simulations which demonstrate that the proposed VFD-NOMA scheme is superior to existing HD-NOMA scheme in cooperative system and jamming plays an important role for obtaining acceptable EST. In addition, simulation results shows that the best secrecy performance highly depends on the system parameters such as transmit powers and jamming signal power.
Sharp bounds for a ratio of the q-gamma function in terms of the q-digamma function
Authors: Alzahrani Faris , Salem Ahmed , El-Shahed Moustafa 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn the present paper, we introduce sharp upper and lower bounds to the ratio of two q-gamma functions ${\Gamma }_{q}(x+1)/{\Gamma }_{q}(x+s)$

Γ
q

(
x
+
1
)
/

Γ
q

(
x
+
s
)
for all real number s and $0< q\neq1$
0
<
q
≠
1
in terms of the q-digamma function. Our results refine the results of Ismail and Muldoon (Internat. Ser. Numer. Math., vol. 119, pp. 309–323, 1994) and give the answer to the open problem posed by Alzer (Math. Nachr. 222(1):5–14, 2001). Also, for the classical gamma function, our results give a Kershaw inequality for all $0< s<1$
0
<
s
<
1
when letting $q\to 1$
q
→
1
and a new inequality for all $s>1$
s
>
1
.
Transmission dynamics model of Tuberculosis with optimal control strategies in Haramaya district, Ethiopia
Authors: Kereyu Doyo , Demie Seleshi 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn this study, we use a compartmental nonlinear deterministic mathematical model to investigate the effect of different optimal control strategies in controlling Tuberculosis (TB) disease transmission in the community. We employ stability theory of differential equations to investigate the qualitative behavior of the model by obtaining the basic reproduction number and determining the local stability conditions for the disease-free and endemic equilibria. We consider three control strategies representing distancing, case finding, and treatment efforts and numerically compare the levels of exposed and infectious populations with and without control strategies. The results suggest that combination of all controls is the best strategy to eradicate TB disease from the community at an optimal level with minimum cost of interventions.
Diarrhoea Management using Over-the-counter Nutraceuticals in Daily practice (DIAMOND): a feasibility RCT on alternative therapy to reduce antibiotic use
Authors: Hu Yanhong Jessika , Zhou Xudong , Wang Shanjuan , Willcox Merlin , Garner Colin , Brown David , Becque Taeko , Stuart Beth , Han Zongru , Chang Qin , Moore Michael , Little Paul 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBackgroundAlthough rarely indicated, antibiotics are commonly used for acute diarrhoea in China. We conducted a randomised, double blind exploratory clinical trial of loperamide, berberine and turmeric for treatment of acute diarrhoea.MethodsAdults with acute uncomplicated diarrhoea aged 18 to 70 were randomised to 4 groups: (A) loperamide; (B) loperamide and berberine; (C) loperamide and turmeric; (D) loperamide, berberine and turmeric. All participants were given rescue ciprofloxacin for use after 48 h if symptoms worsened or were unimproved. Primary endpoints were feasibility and ciprofloxacin use during the 2-week follow-up period. Semi-structured interviews were conducted following recruitment and were analysed thematically. Recruiting doctors, delivery pharmacists and research assistants were blinded to treatment allocation.ResultsOnly 21.5% (278/1295) of patients screened were deemed eligible, and 49% (136/278) of these consented and were entered into the final analysis. Most participants had mild symptoms, because most patients with moderate or severe symptoms wanted to be given antibiotics. Follow-up was good (94% at 2 weeks). Only three participants used rescue antibiotics compared to 67% of acute diarrhoea patients in the hospital during the recruitment period. The median symptom duration was 14 h in group B (interquartile range (IQR) 10-22), 16 h in group D (IQR 10-22), 18 h in group A (IQR 10-33) and 20 h in group C (IQR 16-54). Re-consultation rates were low. There were no serious treatment-related adverse events. Most interviewed participants said that although they had believed antibiotics to be effective for diarrhoea, they were surprised by their quick recovery without antibiotics in this trial.ConclusionAlthough recruitment was challenging because of widespread expectations for antibiotics, patients with mild diarrhoea accepted trying an alternative. The three nutraceuticals therapy require further evaluation in a fully powered, randomised controlled trial among a broader sample.Trial registrationChiCTR-IPR-17014107