bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage among apparently healthy University students
Authors: Olowo-okere Ahmed , Umar Maryam , Ibrahim Mus’ab , Shuaibu Adeiza Suleiman , Usman Mustapha , Sani Jamila , Larbi Zakaria Nabti , Yacouba Abdourahamane 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Medical and paramedical students are often exposed to MRSA colonization and infection during clinical postings. They may serve as reservoirs or vector and occasionally as victims of MRSA cross-contamination. This study was designed to determine the rate of MRSA nasal carriage among apparently healthy undergraduate medical students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto.Methods: A questionnaire was administered to collect demographic data and health history of the recruited participants. Swab sticks pre-moistened with sterile physiological saline was used to collect samples from the nasal cavities of the participants. The collected samples were processed using standard microbiological techniques. The presence of MRSA was determined using the Oxacillin resistance screening agar base test (ORSAB). The susceptibility of the MRSA isolates to commonly prescribed antibiotics was carried out using the disc diffusion method.Result: A total of 200 participants were recruited from medical and allied faculties. The participants comprise 120 clinical students and 80 pre-clinical students. The mean age of the study participants was 23.32±1.76 years. Majority of the participants were males 119 (59.5 %). Overall, 77 (38.5 %) of the study participant were found to be nasally colonised with MRSA. The carrier rate was higher among the male (61.0 %) and participants aged less than 20 years (79.2 %). Equally, higher MRSA colonisation rate was observed among the students of faculties of medicine (27.3 %) and nursing (22.1 %) and predominantly among the clinical students (53.2 %). Clinical students and students who visited the hospital more than four time in a month were 0.72 (95% CI, 0.394-1.328) and 0.61 (95% CI, 0.325-1.136) times more likely to carry MRSA, respectively. The MRSA isolates were highly resistant to all the tested antibiotics (72-100 %).Conclusion: The MRSA nasal carriage rate among medical and paramedical students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto is high. The finding of this study has important implication on public health. Thus, urgent steps should be taken to improve infection control practices in the study area.
Design of a candidate multi-epitope vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 using reverse vaccinology approach
Authors: Atapour Amir , Golestan Ali 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection as a global epidemic that is spreading dramatically day to day. Currently, many efforts have been made against COVID-19 through the designing or developing of specific vaccine or drug, worldwide. In this study, we used the bioinformatics approach to design an effective multi-epitope vaccine against COVID-19 based on Spike (S) protein. Here, we employed in silico tools to identify potential T and B cell epitopes from S protein that have the ability to induce cellular and humoral immunity. Then, the peptide sequence of potential T, B cell epitopes and flagellin (as adjuvant molecule) were joined together by suitable linkers to construct of candidate multi-epitope vaccine (MEV). Subsequently, immunological and structural evaluations such as antigenicity, allergenicity, 3D modeling, molecular docking, fast flexibility simulations as well as in silico cloning were performed. Immunological and structural computational data showed that designed MEV potentially has proper capacity for inducing of cellular and humoral immune responses against COVID-19. Based on the preliminary results, in vitro and in vivo experiments are required for validation in the future.
Penetrating injuries in Germany – Epidemiology, management and outcome - An analysis based on the TraumaRegister DGU®
Authors: Bieler Dan , Kollig Erwin , Hackenberg Lisa , Rathjen Jan-Henrik , Lefering Rolf , Franke Axel 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background The management of penetrating wounds is a rare challenge for trauma surgeons in Germany and Central Europe as a result of the low incidence of this type of trauma. In Germany, penetrating injuries are reported to occur in 4–5% of the severely injured patients who are enrolled in the TraumaRegister DGU® (trauma registry of the German Trauma Society). They include gunshot injuries, knife stab injuries, which are far more common, and penetrating injuries of other origin, for example trauma caused by accidents. The objective of this study was to assess the epidemiology and outcome of penetrating injuries in Germany, with a particular focus on the level of care provided by the treating trauma centre to gain more understanding of this trauma mechanism and to anticipate the necessary steps in the initial treatment. Materials and methods Since 2009, the TraumaRegister DGU® has been used to assess not only whether a trauma was penetrating but also whether it was caused by gunshot or stabbing. Data were taken from the standard documentation forms that participating German hospitals completed between 2009 and 2018. Excluded were patients with a maximum abbreviated injury scale (MAIS) score of 1 with a view to obtaining a realistic idea of this injury entity, which is rare in Germany. Results From 2009 to 2018, there were 1123 patients with gunshot wounds, corresponding to a prevalence rate of 0.5%, and 4333 patients with stab wounds (1.8%), which were frequently caused by violent crime. The high proportion of intentionally self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the head resulted in a cumulative mortality rate of 41% for gunshot injuries. Stab wounds were associated with a lower mortality rate (6.8%). Every fourth to fifth patient with a gunshot or stab wound presented with haemorrhagic shock, which is a problem that is seen during both the prehospital and the inhospital phase of patient management. Of the patients with penetrating injuries, 18.3% required transfusions. This percentage was more than two times higher than that of the basic group of patients of the TraumaRegister DGU®, which consists of patients with a MAIS ≥ 3 and patients with a MAIS of 2 who died or were treated on the intensive care unit. Conclusions In Germany, gunshot and stab wounds have a low incidence and are mostly caused by violent crime or attempted suicides. Depending on the site of injury, they have a high mortality and are often associated with major haemorrhage. As a result of the low incidence of these types of trauma, further data and analyses are required in order to provide the basis for evaluating the long-term quality of the management of patients with stab or gunshot wounds.
MiRNA-mediated Changes in DNA Methylation Affect the Expression of Genes Involved in the Thickness of Pod Canopy Trait in Brassica Napus
Authors: Chen Zhiyou , Jia Ledong , Wan Yuanyuan , Ma Jinqi , Lu Kun , Qu Cunmin , Li Jiana 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Methylation plays an important role in regulating crop development, but little is known about how methylation regulates plant architecture in rapeseed (Brassica napus). Here, we examined how methylation affects the TPC (thickness of pod canopy) trait in rapeseed by performing genome-wide methylation analysis of two extreme TPC lines. Results: We detected significant differences in overall methylation levels between the high- and low-TPC lines in the CG, CHG, and CHH contexts in the promoters of genes in the stem apex and flower bud. In flower buds, 26 genes had significantly higher methylation levels in the high-TPC samples compared to the low-TPC samples, resulting in significantly reduced gene expression. By contrast, in the stem apex samples, the promoter regions of 22 genes were hypermethylated in the high- vs. low-TPC samples. The promoters of 19 and 21 genes had significantly reduced methylation levels in the flower bud and stem apex, respectively, of the high- vs. low-TPC samples, resulting in significantly higher expression levels. Some of these differentially expressed genes are associated with TPC-related traits, such as BnaC03g53050D (UBC32), BnaA05g26660D (CYSB), BnaA10g07880D (TCP 1), BnaAnng09670D (SMP1), BnaA09g02000D (SDH2-2), BnaC01g12960D (NRT1.8), and BnaC09g30490D (TAF15b). In addition, 14 important genes related to growth and development were differentially regulated between the two groups due to miRNA-mediated differences in methylation levels in their promoters. For example, hypermethylation in the promoter region of BnaCnng64040D (Lipase family protein) mediated by miR159a led to significantly reduced gene expression in flower buds of high-TPC vs. low-TPC lines. Conclusions: These results, together with our previously generated RNA-seq and miRNA profiling data, indicate that both methylation and miRNAs are involved in regulating the expression of genes in nitrogen-related metabolic pathways, thereby affecting the TPC trait in B. napus, providing a reference for uncovering the molecular mechanism regulating this crucial trait.
The Effect of the Verbascum Thapsus on Episiotomy Wound Healing in Nulliparous Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Taleb Sahar , Saeedi Maryam 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: The pain and discomfort caused by episiotomy affect the quality of life of the mothers, so rapid and complete repair of the episiotomy is very important. Due to the effective ingredients of Verbascum Thapsus, it has been used since ancient times to treat wounds. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Verbascum Thapsus on episiotomy wound healing. Methods: The study was designed as a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. Ninety-three primiparous women who referred to Fatemeh Zahra Hospital in Saveh in 2015 were randomly divided into two groups of intervention (Verbascum Thapsus) and control (placebo). Both groups covered the episiotomy wound twice a day for 10 days with 2 cm of prescribed creams. Wound healing was assessed using the REEDA scale before the intervention and on days 1,3 and 10 after the intervention.Results: Before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in terms of demographic characteristics, obstetrics and REEDA scores between the two groups (p <0.05). The mean scores of REEDA on days 1 and 3 in the intervention group was better than the control group but was not statistically significant. However, on the tenth day after the intervention, the mean scores of REEDA were significantly better in the Verbascum group than the placebo (p = 0.01). Conclusions: According to the results of this study, it seems that Verbascum Thapsus is effective in repairing episiotomy wounds. The researchers hope that the results of this study can provide the clinical evidence for the use of this herbal medicine in the wound healing process. Trial registration: this study was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT) with the code “IRCT201404073106N15” on 02/12/2015
Stereological Evidence of Non-Selective Hippocampal Neurodegeneration, Growth Factors Depletion,&nbsp;and Behavioral Deficit Following Short-Term Bilateral Adrenalectomy in Wistar Rats&nbsp;
Authors: Hamadi Naserddine , Deniz Ömür , Issa Ahlam Abi , Amir Naheed , Minhas Saeed , Madjid Nather , Khelifi-Touhami Fatima , Kaplan Süleyman , Adem Abdu 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In the current study we investigated the impact of short-term adrenalectomy on hippocampal neurons of Wistar rats. In addition, the underlying mechanism(s) of degeneration in these neurons was investigated by measuring the levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 and β-nerve growth factor. Moreover, we investigated the cognitive behavior in these rats. The stereological counting in the hippocampus revealed a significant neuronal death in the dentate gyrus and CA3, but not in the CA2 and CA1, area 7 and 14 days post adrenalectomy. The ultrastructural examinations revealed degenerated and degenerating neurons only in the dentate as well as CA4, and CA3 areas over the course of 3, 7 and 14 days. The levels of IGF-1 were significantly decreased in the hippocampus of ADX rats 12 h post adrenalectomy and lasted over the course of two weeks. However, β-NGF was significantly reduced in ADX rats only at 14 days postoperatively. Using passive avoidance test we found a cognitive deficit in the ADX compared to the sham operated rats over time. In conclusion, both granule and pyramidal cells were degenerated in the hippocampus following short-term adrenalectomy. The early depletion of IGF-1 might play a role in the hippocampal neuronal degeneration. Consequently, the loss of the hippocampal neurons after adrenalectomy leads to cognitive deficits.
The Spread of COVID-19 Increases With Individual Mobility and Depends on Political Leaning
Authors: Parker Chris , Mejia Jorge , Pestilli Franco 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The implementation of social distancing policies is key to reducing the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, their effectiveness ultimately depends on human behavior. In the United States, compliance with social distancing policies has widely varied thus far during the pandemic. But what drives such variability? Through six open datasets, including actual human mobility, we estimated the association between mobility and the growth rate of COVID-19 cases across 3,107 U.S. counties, generalizing previous reports. In addition, data from the 2016 U.S. presidential election was used to measure how the association between mobility and COVID-19 growth rate differed based on voting patterns. A significant association between political leaning and the COVID-19 growth rate was measured. Our results demonstrate that political orientation may inform models predicting the impact of policies in reducing the spread of COVID-19.
In vivo gene editing of outer hair cells prevents progressive hearing loss in a dominant-negative KCNQ4 murine model
Authors: Noh Byunghwa , Rim John Hoon , Gopalappa Ramu , Lin Haiyue , Kim Kyu Min , Gee Heon Yung , Choi Jae Young , Kim Hyongbum Henry , Jung Jinsei 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Adult-onset hearing loss (AHL)—including presbycusis—caused by outer hair cell (OHC) degeneration is the most common sensorial disorder. Despite the high prevalence of AHL and wide therapeutic window, no targeted therapy is currently available. Here, we generated a mouse model harboring Kcnq4W276S/+ to recapitulate DFNA2, a common genetic form of progressive hearing loss caused by degenerating OHCs. By comprehensively optimizing guide RNAs, Cas9s, vehicles, and delivery routes, we found that in vivo gene editing using dual adeno-associated virus packaging in OHCs via the round window membrane significantly improved auditory function. We developed a new technique using live-cell imaging to measure the membrane potential of the OHCs and demonstrated that our approach resulted in more hyperpolarized, steady-state OHCs, indicative of elevated KCNQ4 channel activity. These findings can help develop targeted therapy for AHL and support the use of CRISPR-based gene therapy to rectify defects in OHCs.
Virtue and Care Ethics &amp; Humanism in Medical Education: A Scoping Review
Authors: Doukas David , Ozar David , Darragh Martina , Carter Brian , Stout Nate , DeGroot Janet 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
PURPOSE: This scoping review explores how virtue and care ethics are incorporated into curricular design and how these factors relate to the development of humanistic patient care. METHOD: Our team identified citations in the literature emphasizing virtue ethics and care ethics (in PubMed, NLM Catalog, WorldCat, EthicsShare, EthxWeb, Globethics.net, Philosopher’s Index, and ProQuest Central) lending themselves to constructs of humanism pedagogy. Our exclusion criteria consisted of non-English articles, those not addressing virtue and care ethics and humanism in medical pedagogy, and those not addressing aspects of character in health ethics. We examined in a stepwise fashion whether citations: 1) Contained definitions of virtue and care ethics; 2) Implemented virtue and care ethics in health care pedagogy; and 3) Evidenced patient-directed caregiver humanism. RESULTS: 796 citations were identified, 88 intensively reviewed, and the final 25 analyzed in-depth. By first identifying multiple key themes with subsequent translation in virtue and care ethics (reciprocal translation), we developed a line of argument synthesis utilizing nine themes associated with virtue/care ethics, curricula, and humanism education. CONCLUSIONS: This research identified a line of argument synthesis regarding how virtue and care ethics can potentially promote humanism and identified themes that facilitate and impede this mission.
How One Treats Lateral Epicondylitis - A Survey Among Brazilian Orthopedists
Authors: Lazarini Rafael Fuchs , Zan Renato Aroca , Belotti João Carlos , Filho Ildeu Afonso de Almeida , Centenaro Luiz Fernando Sartori , Matsunaga Fabio Teruo , Tamaoki Marcel Jun Sugawara 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background:

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) or tennis elbow is the most common elbow painful condition. It affects around 1 to 3% of adults. There are various possibilities of treatment described in the literature, without evidence to support a gold standard management protocol. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate how the Brazilian orthopedist diagnoses and treats lateral epicondylitis, to compare these results with the available evidence.
Methods:

This is an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study. A questionnaire has been prepared for information to the participants and with eight specific questions (2 on diagnosis and 6 on treatment). These had been answered voluntarily by participants at 3 major congresses of orthopedists in Brazil in 2018. The results were analyzed in accordance with the overall number of responses, and were evaluated among groups according to subspecialty.
Results:

We obtained a total of 501 questionnaires. Of these, 33 were excluded. The mean age was 38.67 years. The majority of respondents (91%) were male. We obtained 26.7% from specialists in hand surgery (Hand group), 36.5% from subspecialists in shoulder and elbow (Shoulder and Elbow group), and 36.8% were from generalists in orthopedics or from other subspecialties (General Orthopedists group). For diagnosis, 24.4% have not initially requested any imaging method. The most requested exam was ultrasonography (54.9%). The most prominent indication for initial treatment was physical therapy. For refractory cases, 78.3% of the respondents prefer doing a local infiltration. The most commonly used substance for local infiltrations is corticosteroids (89.6%). With respect to the surgical treatment option, 75.8% of those who recommend it prefer open techniques and 24.2% arthroscopic treatment. Of the total respondents, 12.8% do not recommend surgical treatment for LE.
Conclusion:

Most orthopedists begin the treatment of lateral epicondylitis with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and an indication of rest, but there is great variability between their recommendations. The use of corticosteroids for infiltration remains the main choice among Brazilian orthopedists, although evidence shows a better effect in the short term and a worse effect in the medium and long term, compared to other treatments.
Different Head Group Dependence on The Lipid Thermodynamic Property of Myelin Basic Protein in the Lipid Monolayer
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zhang Ming , Sun Runguang 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The interaction between the role of 18.5 KDa myelin basic protein (MBP) isoform and phospholipids has been thought to maintain the stability and compactness of the myelin sheath structure. In this study, we describe the statistical thermodynamic theory of different concentrations’ effects on MBP in the major myelin lipid (1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (POPE)，and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine (POPS)) monolayers at the air/subphase interface via Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. A simple statistical mechanical theory is established that predicts the interaction between proteins and phosphate head groups at low surface pressures and the second virial coefficient dependences for the PC, PE, and PS head groups are illustrated. In addition, the surface pressure(π)-mean molecular area(mma) curves were also analyzed using two-dimensional virial equation of state (2D-VES). The positively charged showed that MBP may integrate into different lipid monolayers via hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, which was found to be consistent with AFM observations of domain and aggregate structures as well as with changes in the surface morphology induced by MBP. These analyses pertaining to membrane structure will provide better insight into membrane modeling systems, especially the interaction between membrane molecules.
Metformin Attenuates Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis via Upgrading Autophagy in the Early Stage of Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Wang Fengzhen , Sun Dong , Sun Haihan , Zuo Bangjie , Shi Kun , Zhang Xin , Zhang Chi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The aim of the study was to compare the role of metformin on tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) in different stages of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in vivo and evaluate its mechanism in high-glucose-treated Renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) in vitro. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to establish model of DN, then the changes of biochemical indicators and body weight were measured. The degree of renal fibrosis was quantified via histological analysis, immunohistochemistry, and immunoblot. The underlying relationship between autophagy and DN was analyzed and the cellular regulatory mechanism of metformin on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was detected. Metformin markedly improved renal function and showed histological restoration of renal tissues especially in the early stage of DN, with a significant improvement of autophagy and a low expression of fibrotic biomarkers (Fibronectin and Collagen I) in renal tissue. RTECs under hyperglycemic conditions exhibited inactivation of p-AMPK and activation of EMT. But the promotion of AMPK activated by metformin significantly improved renal autophagic function, inhibited the EMT of RTECs, attenuated TIF, so as to effectively prevent or delay the course of DN. This evidence provided theoretical and experimental basis for the following research on the potential clinical usefulness of metformin for the treatment of diabetic TIF.