bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High Prevalence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases in Escherichia coli Strains Collected From Strictly Defined Community-Acquired Urinary Tract Infections in Adults in China: A Multicenter Prospective Clinical Microbiological and Molecular Study
Authors: Jia Peiyao , Zhu Ying , Li Xue , Kudinha Timothy , Yang Yang , Zhang Ge , Zhang Jingjia , Xu Yingchun , Yang Qiwen 
Published: July 2021

ObjectiveThe objective of the study was to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) positive rates of Escherichia coli from community-acquired urinary tract infections (CA-UTIs) in Chinese hospitals.Materials and MethodsA total of 809 E. coli isolates from CA-UTIs in 10 hospitals (5 tertiary and 5 secondary hospitals) from different regions in China were collected during the period 2016–2017 according to the strict inclusion criteria. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out by standard broth microdilution method. Isolates were categorized as ESBL-positive, ESBL-negative, and ESBL-uncertain groups according to the CLSI recommended phenotypic screening method. ESBL and AmpC genes were amplified and sequenced on ESBL-positive and ESBL-uncertain isolates.ResultsThe antimicrobial agents with susceptibility rates of greater than 95% included imipenem (99.9%), colistin (99.6%), ertapenem (98.9%), amikacin (98.3%), cefmetazole (97.9%), nitrofurantoin (96%), and fosfomycin (95.4%). However, susceptibilities to cephalosporins (varying from 58.6% to 74.9%) and levofloxacin (48.8%) were relatively low. In the phenotypic detection of ESBLs, ESBL-positive isolates made up 38.07% of E. coli strains isolated from CA-UTIs, while 2.97% were ESBL-uncertain. Antimicrobial susceptibilities of imipenem, cefmetazole, colistin, ertapenem, amikacin, and nitrofurantoin against ESBL-producing E. coli strains were greater than 90%. The percentage of ESBL-producing strains was higher in male (53.6%) than in female patients (35.2%) (p &lt; 0.001). CTX-M-14 (31.8%) was the major CTX-M variant in the ESBL-producing E. coli, followed by CTX-M-55 (23.4%), CTX-M-15 (17.5%), and CTX-M-27 (13.3%). The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant E. coli among CA-UTI isolates was 0.25% (2/809).ConclusionOur study indicated high prevalence of ESBL in E. coli strains from strictly defined community-acquired urinary tract infections in adults in China. Imipenem, colistin, ertapenem, amikacin, and nitrofurantoin were the most active antimicrobials against ESBL-positive E. coli isolates. blaCTX–M–14 is the predominant esbl gene in ESBL-producing and ESBL-uncertain strains. Our study indicated that the use of cephalosporins and fluoroquinolone needs to be restricted for empirical treatment of CA-UTIs in China.
High Expression Levels of CDK1 and CDC20 in Patients With Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma are Associated With Worse Prognosis
Authors: Deng Huan , Hang Qingqing , Shen Dijian , Ying Hangjie , Zhang Yibi , Qian Xu , Chen Ming 
Published: July 2021

Purpose: Progress related to the early detection and molecular targeted therapy of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) remains limited. The goal of our study was to identify key candidate indicators of LUSC.Methods: Three microarray datasets (GSE33532, GSE30219 and GSE19188) were applied to find differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional enrichment analyses of DEGs were carried out, and their protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was established. Hub genes were chosen from the PPI network according to their degree scores. Then, overall survival (OS) analyses of hub genes were carried out using Kaplan-Meier plotter, and their GSEA analyses were performed. Public databases were used to verify the expression patterns of CDK1 and CDC20. Furthermore, basic experiments were performed to verify our findings.Results: A total of 1,366 DEGs were identified, containing 669 downregulated and 697 upregulated DEGs. These DEGs were primarily enriched in cell cycle, chromosome centromeric region and nuclear division. Seventeen hub genes were selected from PPI network. Survival analyses demonstrated that CDK1 and CDC20 were closely associated with OS. GSEA analyses revealed that cell cycle, DNA replication, and mismatch repair were associated with CDK1 expression, while spliceosome, RNA degradation and cell cycle were correlated with CDC20 expression. Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and The Human Protein Atlas (THPA) databases, CDK1 and CDC20 were upregulated in LUSC at the mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, basic experiments also supported the obvious upregulation of CDK1 and CDC20 in LUSC.Conclusion: Our study suggests and validates that CDK1 and CDC20 are potential therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers of LUSC.
Performance of the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale for the Detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in a Diverse Cohort of Illiterate Persons From Rural Communities in Peru
Authors: Custodio Nilton , Montesinos Rosa , Diaz Monica M. , Herrera-Perez Eder , Chavez Kristhy , Alva-Diaz Carlos , Reynoso-Guzman Willyams , Pintado-Caipa Maritza , Cuenca José , Gamboa Carlos , Lanata Serggio 
Published: July 2021

Background: The accurate diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders in illiterate Peruvian populations is challenging, largely owing to scarcity of brief cognitive screening tools (BCST) validated in these diverse populations. The Peruvian version of the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS-PE) is a BCST that relies minimally on educational attainment and has shown good diagnostic accuracy in an urban illiterate population in Peru, yet its psychometric properties in illiterate populations in rural settings of the country have not been previously investigated.Objectives: To establish the diagnostic accuracy of the RUDAS-PE compared to expert clinical diagnosis using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) Scale in healthy and cognitively impaired illiterate persons living in two culturally and geographically distinct rural communities of Peru.Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based study of residents ≥ 50 years of age living in the Peruvian rural communities of Santa Clotilde and Chuquibambilla. A total of 129 subjects (76 from Santa Clotilde and 53 from Chuquibambilla) were included in this study. Gold standard diagnostic neurocognitive evaluation was based on expert neurological history and examination and administration of the CDR. Receiver operating characteristics, areas under the curve (AUC), and logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the performance of RUDAS-PE compared to expert gold standard diagnosis.Results: Compared to gold standard diagnosis, the RUDAS-PE was better at correctly discriminating between MCI and dementia than discriminating between MCI and controls in both sites (97.0% vs. 76.2% correct classification in Chuquibambilla; 90.0% vs. 64.7% in Santa Clotilde). In Chuquibambilla, the area under the curve (AUC) of the RUDAS to discriminate between dementia and MCI was 99.4% (optimal cutoff at &lt;18), whereas between MCI and controls it was 82.8% (optimal cutoff at &lt;22). In Santa Clotilde, the area under the curve (AUC) of the RUDAS to discriminate between dementia and MCI was 99.1% (optimal cutoff at &lt;17), whereas between MCI and controls it was 75.5% (optimal cutoff at &lt;21).Conclusions: The RUDAS-PE has acceptable psychometric properties and performed well in its ability to discriminate MCI and dementia in two cohorts of illiterate older adults from two distinct rural Peruvian communities.
Cerebrovascular Function in Hormonal Migraine: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Dzator Jemima S. A. , Howe Peter R. C. , Griffiths Lyn R. , Coupland Kirsten G. , Wong Rachel H. X. 
Published: July 2021

Background: Migraineurs, particularly young premenopausal women, are at increased risk of cerebrovascular disease; however, there is currently limited evidence as to whether hormonal migraine is associated with poor cerebrovascular function.Objectives: The objectives of this study were to: (1) investigate the potential association of cerebrovascular function with hormonal migraine and (2) determine whether abnormalities of cerebrovascular function in hormonal migraineurs are associated with migraine-related disability and/or quality of life.Method: A cross-sectional study was undertaken in 50 hormonal migraineurs (mean age: 38.7 ± 1.2 years) and 29 controls (mean age: 35.6 ± 1.8 years). Data were collected at a single point in time from all participants during the inter-ictal period when they were free from migraine and not menstruating. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound was used to measure resting blood flow velocity and cerebrovascular responsiveness (CVR) to hypercapnia and cognitive stimulation (neurovascular coupling) in the left and right middle cerebral artery (MCA). Additionally, hormonal migraineurs completed three questionnaires to assess migraine-related disability and quality of life as well as migraine frequency and intensity: Headache Impact Test-6™, Migraine-Specific Quality of Life and Migraine Disability Assessment.Results: Hormonal migraineurs had lower resting mean blood flow velocity (MBFV) (P = 0.009) and neurovascular coupling during cognitive stimulation (P = 0.010) in the left MCA than controls. No such differences were found in the right MCA. Additionally, heart rate (P = 0.004) was higher in hormonal migraineurs than controls. However, no differences in CVR to hypercapnia were found between hormonal migraineurs and controls. Multi-variate analysis revealed age to be a significant (P = 0.012) predictor of MBFV in the left MCA. Negative correlations between headache frequency and CVR to hypercapnia in the left (P = 0.026) and right MCA (P = 0.044) were found. Additionally, negative correlations between neurovascular coupling during the 2-Back 1.5 s task in the right MCA and the MSQoL emotional (P = 0.013) and role-function restrictive (P = 0.039) domains were found.Conclusions: This is the first study to show that hormonal migraineurs have poorer cerebrovascular function, as represented by lower resting MBFV and impaired neurovascular coupling in the left MCA. Future studies should investigate whether improving cerebrovascular function can prevent hormonal migraine and improve quality of life.Clinical Trial Registration: ACTRN12618001230246.
Genetic Variations in the Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Pathway May Improve Predictive Power for Overall Survival in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Zhang Hong , Wang Weili , Pi Wenhu , Bi Nan , DesRosiers Colleen , Kong Fengchong , Cheng Monica , Yang Li , Lautenschlaeger Tim , Jolly Shruti , Jin Jianyue , Kong Feng-Ming (Spring) 
Published: July 2021

Purpose:Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), a known immune suppressor, plays an important role in tumor progression and overall survival (OS) in many types of cancers. We hypothesized that genetic variations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TGF-β1 pathway can predict survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after radiation therapy.Materials and Methods:Fourteen functional SNPs in the TGF-β1 pathway were measured in 166 patients with NSCLC enrolled in a multi-center clinical trial. Clinical factors, including age, gender, ethnicity, smoking status, stage group, histology, Karnofsky Performance Status, equivalent dose at 2 Gy fractions (EQD2), and the use of chemotherapy, were first tested under the univariate Cox's proportional hazards model. All significant clinical predictors were combined as a group of predictors named “Clinical.” The significant SNPs under the Cox proportional hazards model were combined as a group of predictors named “SNP.” The predictive powers of models using Clinical and Clinical + SNP were compared with the cross-validation concordance index (C-index) of random forest models.Results:Age, gender, stage group, smoking, histology, and EQD2 were identified as significant clinical predictors: Clinical. Among 14 SNPs, BMP2:rs235756 (HR = 0.63; 95% CI:0.42–0.93;p= 0.022), SMAD9:rs7333607 (HR = 2.79; 95% CI 1.22–6.41;p= 0.015), SMAD3:rs12102171 (HR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.46–1.00;p= 0.050), and SMAD4: rs12456284 (HR = 0.63; 95% CI: 0.43–0.92;p= 0.016) were identified as powerful predictors of SNP. After adding SNP, the C-index of the model increased from 84.1 to 87.6% at 24 months and from 79.4 to 84.4% at 36 months.Conclusion:Genetic variations in the TGF-β1 pathway have the potential to improve the prediction accuracy for OS in patients with NSCLC.
Cancer Preventive and Therapeutic Potential of Banana and Its Bioactive Constituents: A Systematic, Comprehensive, and Mechanistic Review
Authors: Mondal Arijit , Banerjee Sabyasachi , Bose Sankhadip , Das Partha Pratim , Sandberg Elise N. , Atanasov Atanas G. , Bishayee Anupam 
Published: July 2021

BackgroundThe banana (Musa spp.) plant produces elongated and edible fruit. The two main parthenocarpic species of banana are Musa accuminata Colla and Musa balbisiana Colla. There are several health-promoting and disease-preventing effects of Musa accuminata Colla, which are attributed to its important bioactive compounds, including phenolics, carotenoids, biogenic amines, phytosterols, and volatile oils, found in the stem, fruit, pseudostem, leaf, flower, sap, inner trunk, root, and inner core. Banana possesses numerous pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antiulcerogenic, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, leishmanicidal, anthelmintic, and anticancer properties. Various individual studies have reported anticancer effects of different components of the banana plant. However, according to our understanding, an up-to-date, systematic, and critical analysis of existing scientific results has not yet been carried out.ObjectivesThis review aims to include a thorough assessment of banana and its phytochemicals for cancer prevention and therapy with a focus on cellular and molecular mechanisms of action.MethodsThe available research studies on anticancer activities of banana extracts, fractions and pure compounds were collected using various scholarly databases, such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus, based on predetermined selection criteria.ResultsVarious banana extracts, fractions, and phytoconstituents, including ferulic acid, protocatechualdehyde, 2-pentanone, 4-epicyclomusalenone, cycloeucalenol acetate, and chlorogenic acid, have been shown to exhibit cancer preventative and anticancer activities in breast, cervical, colorectal, esophageal, hepatic, oral, prostate, and skin cancers. Bioactive components present in bananas have exhibited antiproliferative, cell cycle arrest-inducing, apoptotic, anti-adhesive, anti-invasive, and antiangiogenic effects through modulation of diverse, dysregulated oncogenic signaling pathways.ConclusionBased on the critical analysis of available literature, banana products and phytoconstituents show enormous potential for future development of drugs for cancer prevention and therapy. However, more mechanistic studies and well-designed clinical trials should be performed to establish its efficacy.
Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Circulating Tumor Cells Counts Predict Prognosis in Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients
Authors: Qian Chengcheng , Cai Renjie , Zhang Wenying , Wang Jiongyi , Hu Xiaohua , Zhang Yanjie , Jiang Bin , Yuan Haihua , Liu Feng 
Published: July 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore the prognostic value of associating pre-treatment neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with circulating tumor cells counts (CTCs) in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.Materials and MethodsWe collected the related data of 72 patients with gastric cancer (GC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) who received different therapies from August 2016 to October 2020, including age, gender, primary tumor location, TNM stage, tumor-differentiation, NLR, CTCs, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). We chose the optimal cut-off value of NLR &gt;3.21 or NLR ≤3.21 and CTC &gt;1 or CTC ≤1 by obtaining receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis were used to analyze DFS and OS. To clarify the role of the combination of NLR and CTCs counts in predicting the prognosis, we analyzed the DFS and OS when associated NLR and CTCs counts.ResultsA high NLR (&gt;3.21) was associated with shorter DFS (P &lt;0.0001) and OS (P &lt;0.0001). Patients with high CTCs level (&gt;1) had shorter DFS (P = 0.001) and OS (P = 0.0007) than patients with low CTCs level. Furthermore, patients who had both higher NLR and higher CTCs counts had obvious shorter DFS (P &lt;0.0001) and OS (P &lt;0.0001).ConclusionsPatients with higher NLR and more CTCs respectively tended to have poor prognosis with shorter DFS and OS, which might be regarded as predictors of gastrointestinal cancer. In particular, associating NLR and CTCs counts might be a reliable predictor in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.
Case Report: Prenatal and Postnatal Management for Fetal Bronchogenic Cysts During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Cheng Lin , Duan Jie , Wang Mei , Lu Dan , Li Huan , Ma Jianhong , Liu Juan , Wang Cheng , Zhang Yuanzhen 
Published: July 2021

Background: A fetal bronchogenic cyst (BC) is a rare congenital anomaly with an incidence of 0.147–0.238‰. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, as a particular situation, hindered pregnant women from receiving periodic prenatal checkups.Case Description: Until 34+6 weeks of gestation, a fetal case of the intrathoracic cyst was found by ultrasound examination. Further, MRI examination confirmed the diagnosis of the congenital mediastinal cystic lesion, probably a BC. Genetic testing was not conducted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At 38+5 weeks of gestation with maternal COVID-19 testing negative, a live girl was delivered by cesarean section. Five months later, the child underwent bronchocystectomy, and the postoperative pathological lesions confirmed a (right upper mediastinum) BC.Conclusion: Herein, we reported the prenatal and postnatal management for a rare case of the congenital BC by multidisciplinary approaches during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fetal MRI and screening for fetal chromosomal abnormalities are especially recommended. This case contributes to the awareness that the COVID-19 pandemic interferes with regular follow-up schedules during pregnancy and may interfere with timely performed additional tests; which leads to more accurate genetic counseling. A combination of multidisciplinary approaches, including radiology, infection control, genetic counseling, obstetrics, and pediatric surgery, is pivotal for managing fetal BC during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Effects of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. on the Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone, Dehydroepiandrosterone-Sulfate, Prolactin and Cortisol Levels in Post-Menopausal Women: A Double-Blind, Randomized, and Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Jalalvand Fatemeh , Rezaei Arezou , Badehnoosh Bita , Yaseri Mehdi , Qorbani Mostafa , Emaminia Farzaneh , Shabani Mahzad 
Published: July 2021

Menopause is the last menstrual period associated with a decline in ovarian steroid secretion and follicular loss. Hormone profile changes during menopause include a decrease in the production of estrogen, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and prolactin (PRL), and an increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and cortisol. Herbal medicines are considered as alternatives to hormone therapy. The studies on postmenopausal women have shown that Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (called “Senjed” in Persian) has some efficacy in improving sex hormone and lipid profiles, joint pain, and cardiovascular function, as the decrease in luteinizing hormone, low-density lipoprotein, and heart rate was significant. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of E. angustifolia on TSH, DHEA-S, PRL, and cortisol levels and their ratios in postmenopausal women. It is assumed that the eventual effects of hormones on the brain and other tissues are determined by the balance between interdependent hormones. In the present randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial (https://en.irct.ir/search/result?query=IRCT20170227032795N4), fifty-eight postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to one of two medicinal herb (15 g of the whole E. angustifolia fruit powder) and placebo (7.5 g isomalt + 7.5 g cornstarch) groups. After 10 weeks of the treatment, the serum levels of TSH, DHEA-S, PRL, cortisol hormones, and their ratios were measured. The increase in the TSH, and cortisol levels, and cortisol/DHEA-S ratio and the decrease in prolactin and DHEA-S and the PRL/TSH, PRL/cortisol, and DHEA-S/TSH ratios after E. angustifolia consumption were significant only based on within-group but not on the between-group analysis. Based on between-group analyses, the changes in the hormone profile were not significant in the placebo group. According to Iranian tradition and folklore, E. angustifolia fruit is a symbol of female fertility. Therefore, its consumption is highly recommended to maintain health in the elderly, especially women. However, the observed outcomes about the effect of E. angustifolia on menopause were not completely in line with the Iranian folklore. E. angustifolia consumption did not significantly affect the hormone profile and ratios at the end of the ten-week trial, possibly due to the small sample size, short time, and the fact that our participants were postmenopausal women.
Economic Analysis of the Prevention and Control of Nosocomial Infections: Research Protocol
Authors: Tchouaket Eric Nguemeleu , Sia Drissa , Brousseau Sylvain , Kilpatrick Kelley , Boivin Sandra , Dubreuil Bruno , Larouche Catherine , Parisien Natasha , Dubois Carl-Ardy , Brousselle Astrid , Borgès Da Silva Roxane 
Published: July 2021

Background:Nosocomial infections (NIs) are among the main preventable healthcare adverse events. Like all countries, Canada and its provinces are affected by NIs. In 2004, Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) of Quebec instituted a mandatory surveillance NI program for the prevention and control (NIPC) in the hospitals of the province. One target of the MSSS 2015–2020 action plan is to assess the implementation, costs, effects, and return on investment of NIPC measures. This project goes in the same way and is one of the first major studies in Canada to evaluate the efficiency of the NIPC measures. Three objectives will be pursued: evaluate the cost of implementing clinical best practices (CBPs) for infection control; evaluate the economic burden attributable to NIs; and examine the cost-effectiveness of the NIPC by comparing the costs of CBPs against those of NIs.Methods:This project is based on an infection control intervention framework that includes four CBPs: hand hygiene; hygiene and sanitation; screening; and additional precautions. Four medical and surgical units in two hospitals (nonUniversity, University) in the province of Quebec will be studied. The project has four components. Component 1 will construct and content validate an observation grid for measuring the costs of CBPs. Component 2 will estimate CBP costsvia2-week prospective observations of health workers, conducted every 2 months over a 1-year period. Component 3 will evaluate, through a matched case-control study, the economic burden of the four most monitored NIs in Quebec (C-difficile, MRSA, VRE, and CPGNB). Archival patient data will be collected retrospectively. Component 4 will determine the optimal breakeven point for CBPs associated with NIPC.Discussion:This project will produce evidence of the economic analysis of NIPC and give health stakeholders an overview of NIPC cost-effectiveness. It will meet the objectives of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute and the MSSS action plan to analyze the efficiency of NIPC preventive measures. To our knowledge, this is the first such exercise in Quebec and Canada. It will provide governments with a decision support tool through a major empirical study that could be replicated nationally to capture the financial benefits of NIPC.