bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and risk factors of Mycoplasma genitalium infection in patients attending a sexually transmitted infection clinic in Reunion Island: a cross-sectional study (2017–2018)
Authors: Begnis Roxane , Bouscaren Nicolas , Raffray Loic , Terrier Cécile Saint Pastou , Andry Fanny , Boukerrou Malik , Koumar Yatrika , Moiton Marie-Pierre , Gerardin Patrick , Bertolotti Antoine 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) is an emerging sexually transmitted infection (STI) for whose management remains controversial. We aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of MG infection in patients attending an STI clinic in Reunion Island.

Methods
Between January 2017 and December 2018, all patients attending the Saint-Pierre STI clinic in Reunion Island were screened for MG, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). Urogenital, pharyngeal and/or anal samples were collected based on sexual behaviour and analysed by triplex PCR. Risk factors were identified using a Poisson regression for binary outcome.

Results
Among 2069 screened subjects, the overall prevalence of MG was 4.88% [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 3.98–5.93]. The prevalence of urogenital MG was 4.38%, with women being more affected than men (5.33% vs 3.22%, prevalence ratio (PR) 1.66, p = 0.02). The prevalence of anal MG was 3.06% and that of pharyngeal MG was 0.61%, with men being more affected in both cases. Infection with MG was independently associated with multiple partners (6–10 partners: adjusted prevalence ratio-aPR 2.55, p < 0.048; > 10 partners: aPR 4.33, p < 0.004), previous history of STI (aPR 1.89, p = 0.026), non-use of condoms (aPR 2.56, p < 0.003) and co-infection with CT (aPR 2.56, p < 0.017).

Conclusion
Compared to other countries, the prevalence of MG is high in Reunion Island, especially in women aged under 25 years, and co-infection with CT is common. Routine MG screening and treatment should be performed in at-risk women and co-infection with MG should be considered when deciding on treatment for CT, particularly in regions where azithromycin is still in use.
Transmission dynamics and control of two epidemic waves of SARS-CoV-2 in South Korea
Authors: Ryu Sukhyun , Ali Sheikh Taslim , Noh Eunbi , Kim Dasom , Lau Eric H. Y. , Cowling Benjamin J. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
After relaxing social distancing measures, South Korea experienced a resurgent second epidemic wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we aimed to identify the transmission dynamics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections and assess the impact of COVID-19 case finding and contact tracing in each epidemic wave.

Methods
We collected data on COVID-19 cases published by local public health authorities in South Korea and divided the study into two epidemic periods (19 January–19 April 2020 for the first epidemic wave and 20 April–11 August 2020 for the second epidemic wave). To identify changes in the transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2, the daily effective reproductive number (Rt) was estimated using the illness onset of the cases. Furthermore, to identify the characteristics of each epidemic wave, frequencies of cluster types were measured, and age-specific transmission probability matrices and serial intervals were estimated. The proportion of asymptomatic cases and cases with unknown sources of infection were also estimated to assess the changes of infections identified as cases in each wave.

Results
In early May 2020, within 2-weeks of a relaxation in strict social distancing measures, Rt increased rapidly from 0.2 to 1.8 within a week and was around 1 until early July 2020. In both epidemic waves, the most frequent cluster types were religious-related activities and transmissions among the same age were more common. Furthermore, children were rarely infectors or infectees, and the mean serial intervals were similar (~ 3 days) in both waves. The proportion of asymptomatic cases at presentation increased from 22% (in the first wave) to 27% (in the second wave), while the cases with unknown sources of infection were similar in both waves (22 and 24%, respectively).

Conclusions
Our study shows that relaxing social distancing measures was associated with increased SARS-CoV-2 transmission despite rigorous case findings in South Korea. Along with social distancing measures, the enhanced contact tracing including asymptomatic cases could be an efficient approach to control further epidemic waves.
Longitudinal assessment of SARS-CoV-2 IgG seroconversionamong front-line healthcare workers during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic at a tertiary-care hospital in Chile
Authors: Iruretagoyena Mirentxu , Vial Macarena R. , Spencer-Sandino Maria , Gaete Pablo , Peters Anne , Delgado Iris , Perez Inia , Calderon Claudia , Porte Lorena , Legarraga Paulette , Anderson Alicia , Aguilera Ximena , Vial Pablo , Weitzel Thomas , Munita Jose M. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Cross-sectional studies have provided variable rates of seroprevalence in HCWs. Longitudinal assessments of the serological response to Covid-19 among HCWs are crucial to understanding the risk of infection and changes in antibody titers over time. We aimed to investigate seroprevalence and risk factors associated with seroconversion in a prospective cohort of HCWs during the peak of the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Methods
We conducted a longitudinal study among 446 front-line HCWsin a tertiary-care hospital in Chile from April to July 2020. IgG was determined monthly using two different ELISAs in serum samples of HCWs, during the three-month period. In each visit, demographic data, symptoms, risk factors, and exposure risks were also assessed.

Results
The overall seroprevalence at the end of the study period was 24% (95% CI20.2–28.3), with 43% of seropositive HCWs reporting no prior symptoms. Seroconversion rates significantly differed over the study period, from 2.1% to as high as 8.8% at the peak of the epidemic. There were no statistically significant differences observed between HCWs in direct clinical care of patients with Covid-19 and those working in low risk areas. Antibody titers appeared to wane over time.

Conclusions
HCWs were severely affected with a high rate of seroconversion that appeared to mirror the local epidemiological situation. A significant amount of participants underwent an asymptomatic infection, highlighting the need for improved surveillance policies. Antibody titers appear to wane over time; further studies to understand this finding’s impact on the risk of reinfection are warranted.
The effect of loteprednol suspension eye drops after corneal transplantation
Authors: Chen Yingxin , Wang Xifei , Gao Minghong , Gao Ruiyao , Song Lixin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
To compare the effect of loteprednol suspension eye drops after corneal transplantation with the effect of prednisolone acetate eye drops.

Methods
A total of 234 patients (234 eyes) who underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and lamellar keratoplasty (LKP) were retrospectively included. Patients who received 1 % prednisolone acetate eye drops were defined as 1 % prednisolone acetate eye drop group (n = 96), and patients who received 0.5 % loteprednol suspension eye drops were defined as 0.5 % loteprednol suspension eye drop group (n = 138).

Results
35 cases in 1 % prednisolone acetate eye drops group and 27 cases in 0.5 % loteprednol suspension eye drops group developed corticosteroid-induced ocular hypertension, and were defined as prednisolone acetate group and loteprednol group. No significant differences were observed in the average intraocular pressure (IOP) at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months or 12 months postoperatively. There were significant differences in the average IOP between the two groups at 6 months postoperatively (P = 0.001). There were no significant differences in the average best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 1, 3 and 12 months postoperatively between two groups. The average 6-month postoperative BCVA was significantly higher in the prednisolone acetate group than the loteprednol group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the postoperative graft rejection rates between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions
0.5 % loteprednol suspension eye drops may be considered for long-term use after corneal transplantation.
Assessment of central retinal thickness, choroidal thickness, and retinal nerve fiber layer in psoriasis: a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography study
Authors: Sahin Asena Keles , Etgü Fatma , Uzun Aslihan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
This study aims to evaluate choroidal thickness (CT), retinal thickness, ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) structures in psoriasis patients using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods
This study included 33 psoriasis patients and 33 healthy individuals. Moreover, psoriasis patients who did not use any systemic anti-inflammatory treatment were evaluated. Retinal and choroidal images of the participants were obtained with spectral-domain OCT. Furthermore, CT was measured in the subfoveal, temporal, and nasal positions at 500-µm intervals to a distance of 1,500 μm from the foveal center.

Results
The mean psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score was 5.70 (range, 2.40–9.00). No significant differences were found in subfoveal (p = 0.659), temporal, and nasal CT values in psoriasis patients compared with the control group (p > 0.05). Similarly, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups in terms of central retinal thickness, macular GCIPL, and RNFL (p > 0.05). Moreover, no significant correlation exists between the duration of psoriasis disease and PASI scores and OCT parameters (p > 0.05).

Conclusions
No significant changes in CT, ganglion cell layer, RNFL, and retinal thickness values were noted in psoriasis patients with mild to moderate mean PASI score.
Elevated levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin among OCD patients: an exploratory study
Authors: Raposo-Lima Catarina , Pereira Inês Miguel , Marques Fernanda , Morgado Pedro 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating psychiatric disease that is characterized by its clinical heterogeneity and complex pathophysiology. This complexity comes from the diversity of pathophysiological factors that have been proposed to be involved in the natural history of the disorder. Many theories on OCD pathology support inflammation as a pathophysiological factor, although studies are not consistent on the presence of a pro-inflammatory state among OCD patients. However, some pre-clinical animal studies suggest lipocalin-2 (LCN2), an analogous form of the acute-phase pro-inflammatory protein neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), may be involved in in the regulation of the stress response, which is thought to be disrupted in OCD.

Methods
Twenty-one OCD patients and 19 healthy subjects participated in this exploratory study. Levels of NGAL were assessed in the peripherous blood of all participants. Severity of disease was assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS).

Results
OCD patients exhibited significantly higher levels of NGAL when compared to healthy control subjects. No correlation was found between elevated levels of NGAL and severity of symptoms.

Conclusions
This is the first study to report elevated levels of NGAL among OCD patients, adding evidence for a possible role of immune dysregulation in the pathophysiology of OCD.
Physical activity and mental well-being under COVID-19 lockdown: a cross-sectional multination study
Authors: Karageorghis Costas I. , Bird Jonathan M. , Hutchinson Jasmin C. , Hamer Mark , Delevoye-Turrell Yvonne N. , Guérin Ségolène M. R. , Mullin Elizabeth M. , Mellano Kathleen T. , Parsons-Smith Renée L. , Terry Victoria R. , Terry Peter C. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
COVID-19 lockdowns have reduced opportunities for physical activity (PA) and encouraged more sedentary lifestyles. A concomitant of sedentariness is compromised mental health. We investigated the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on PA, sedentary behavior, and mental health across four Western nations (USA, UK, France, and Australia).

Methods
An online survey was administered in the second quarter of 2020 (N = 2541). We measured planned and unplanned dimensions of PA using the Brunel Lifestyle Physical Activity Questionnaire and mental health using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. Steps per day were recorded only from participants who used an electronic device for this purpose, and sedentary behavior was reported in hours per day (sitting and screen time).

Results
In the USA and Australia samples, there was a significant decline in planned PA from pre- to during lockdown. Among young adults, Australians exhibited the lowest planned PA scores, while in middle-aged groups, the UK recorded the highest. Young adults exhibited the largest reduction in unplanned PA. Across nations, there was a reduction of ~ 2000 steps per day. Large increases in sedentary behavior emerged during lockdown, which were most acute in young adults. Lockdown was associated with a decline in mental health that was more pronounced in women.

Conclusions
The findings illustrate the deleterious effects of lockdown on PA, sedentary behavior, and mental health across four Western nations. Australian young and lower middle-aged adults appeared to fare particularly badly in terms of planned PA. The reduction in steps per day is equivalent to the non-expenditure of ~ 100 kcal. Declines in mental health show how harmful lockdowns can be for women in particular.
A GIS based approach to neighbourhood physical environment and walking among adults in Colombo municipal council area, Sri Lanka
Authors: Weliange Shreenika De Silva , Fernando Dulitha , Withanage Shanthi , Gunatilake Jagath 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Physical Activity (PA) promotes health and wellbeing and walking is one of the easiest and commonest way to incorporate activity into everyday life. This study examined the association between the objectively measured neighbourhood physical environment and walking among the adults in Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area in Sri Lanka.

Methods
A cross sectional study was carried out and primary data collection carried out to assess walking, socio-demographic characteristics and geo location of residence. Secondary data was obtained to assess neighbourhood environment from existing spatially referenced data from the survey department of Sri Lanka. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was used to calculate density measures (residential density, land use, connectivity and access) and distance measures, which were then correlated with walking.

Results
A sample consisted of 284 adults aged 29–59 years with a mean age of 40.6 (SD,10.9) years. The total mean minutes walked a week was 175.8 min with a standard deviation of 214.0. The mean and the standard deviations of walking per week for transportation and leisure were 158.4 (SD,196.6) and 17.5 (SD,70.1) respectively. Residential density measures, building foot print area, length of major roads, number of intersections, number of bus stops, and distance to nearest major roads showed significant moderate degree of correlations with total minutes of walked per week, (p < 0.001). These results were similar with walking for transportation.

Conclusion
There is indication that neighbourhood features are associated with walking among the adults in the CMC area using secondary data on physical environment. This paves way for further exploration to understand the relationship between neighbourhood physical environment and walking which could be used for effective interventions to promote walking.
Use of conservative therapy before and after surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Multanen Juhani , Uimonen Mikko M. , Repo Jussi P. , Häkkinen Arja , Ylinen Jari 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Conservative therapies are typically offered to individuals who experience mild or intermittent symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or postoperatively to subjects who have undergone carpal tunnel release. Although long-term studies report mostly positive results for carpal tunnel release, knowledge on the need for conservative treatments following surgery is scarce. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to examine the use of conservative therapies before and after carpal tunnel releasing surgery.

Methods
Of 528 patients who underwent carpal tunnel release surgery in the study hospital during the study period, 259 provided sufficiently completed questionnaires (response rate 49 %). The patients completed a questionnaire battery including a sociodemographic, medical history and symptom questionnaire, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire, 6-item CTS symptoms scale and EuroQoL 5D. Frequencies of conservative therapies pre- and postoperatively were calculated. Association between Pain VAS and satisfaction with treatment were examined in patient groups according to the use of conservative therapies.

Results
Of all patients, 41 (16 %) reported receiving only preoperative, 18 (7 %) reported receiving only postoperative, 157 (60 %) reported receiving both pre- and postoperative conservative therapies and 43 (17 %) did not receive any therapies. Preoperative use of conservative therapies was more common in females than males (82 % vs. 64 %; p = 0.002), but postoperatively no significant gender difference was observed. The patients who received conservative therapies were younger than non-users in both the preoperative (median age 59 vs. 66; p < 0.001) and postoperative (59 vs. 66; p = 0.04) phases. The patients reported high satisfaction with their treatment and simultaneous improvement in Pain VAS scores. Those receiving conservative therapies only preoperatively reported the highest satisfaction.

Conclusions
While the use of conservative therapies decreased after surgery, a large proportion of the patients received these adjunct interventions. Patients reported high satisfaction with their treatment one year post surgery. Pain outcome seems to be closely related to satisfaction with treatment.

Level of Evidence
Level III.
Dissolution and solubility of calcite-rhodochrosite solid solutions [(Ca1-xMnx)CO3] at 25 °C
Authors: Zhu Yinian , Nong Peijie , Mo Nan , Zhu Zongqiang , Deng Huan , Tang Shen , Yang Hongqu , Zhang Lihao , Wang Xingxing 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA complete series of calcite-rhodochrosite solid solutions [(Ca1-xMnx)CO3] are prepared, and their dissolution processes in various water samples are experimentally investigated. The crystal morphologies of the solid solutions vary from blocky spherical crystal aggregates to smaller spheres with an increasing incorporation of Mn in the solids. Regarding dissolution in N2-degassed water, air-saturated water and CO2-saturated water at 25 °C, the aqueous Ca and Mn concentrations reach their highest values after 1240–2400 h, 6–12 h and < 1 h, respectively, and then decrease gradually to a steady state; additionally, the ion activity products (log_IAP) at the final steady state (≈ solubility products in log_Ksp) are estimated to be − 8.46 ± 0.06, − 8.44 ± 0.10 and − 8.59 ± 0.10 for calcite [CaCO3], respectively, and − 10.25 ± 0.08, − 10.26 ± 0.10 and − 10.28 ± 0.03, for rhodochrosite [MnCO3], respectively. As XMn increases, the log_IAP values decrease from − 8.44 ~ − 8.59 for calcite to − 10.25 ~ − 10.28 for rhodochrosite. The aqueous Mn concentrations increase with an increasing Mn/(Ca + Mn) molar ratio (XMn) of the (Ca1-xMnx)CO3 solid solutions, while the aqueous Ca concentrations show the highest values at XMn = 0.53–0.63. In the constructed Lippmann diagram of subregular (Ca1-xMnx)CO3 solid solutions, the solids dissolve incongruently, and the data points of the aqueous solutions move progressively up to the Lippmann solutus curve and then along the solutus curve or saturation curve of pure MnCO3 to the Mn-poor side. The microcrystalline cores of the spherical crystal aggregates are preferentially dissolved to form core hollows while simultaneously precipitating Mn-rich hexagonal prisms.
Genetic diversity and population structure of Plasmodium falciparum in Nigeria: insights from microsatellite loci analysis
Authors: Ajogbasile Fehintola V. , Kayode Adeyemi T. , Oluniyi Paul E. , Akano Kazeem O. , Uwanibe Jessica N. , Adegboyega Benjamin B. , Philip Courage , John Oluwagboadurami G. , Eromon Philomena J. , Emechebe George , Finimo Finimo , Ogbulafor Nnenna , Jiya Nma , Okafor Uche , Ambe Jose , Wammanda Robinson D. , Oguche Stephen , Mokuolu Olugbenga A. , Sowunmi Akintunde , Folarin Onikepe A. , Happi Christian T. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background
Malaria remains a public health burden especially in Nigeria. To develop new malaria control and elimination strategies or refine existing ones, understanding parasite population diversity and transmission patterns is crucial.

Methods
In this study, characterization of the parasite diversity and structure of Plasmodium falciparum isolates from 633 dried blood spot samples in Nigeria was carried out using 12 microsatellite loci of P. falciparum. These microsatellite loci were amplified via semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fragments were analysed using population genetic tools.

Results
Estimates of parasite genetic diversity, such as mean number of different alleles (13.52), effective alleles (7.13), allelic richness (11.15) and expected heterozygosity (0.804), were high. Overall linkage disequilibrium was weak (0.006, P < 0.001). Parasite population structure was low (Fst: 0.008–0.105, AMOVA: 0.039).

Conclusion
The high level of parasite genetic diversity and low population structuring in this study suggests that parasite populations circulating in Nigeria are homogenous. However, higher resolution methods, such as the 24 SNP barcode and whole genome sequencing, may capture more specific parasite genetic signatures circulating in the country. The results obtained can be used as a baseline for parasite genetic diversity and structure, aiding in the formulation of appropriate therapeutic and control strategies in Nigeria.