bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protective efficacy of 6-week regimen for latent tuberculosis infection treatment in rural China: 5-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Xin Henan , Cao Xuefang , Zhang Haoran , Feng Boxuan , Du Ying , Zhang Bin , Wang Dakuan , Liu Zisen , Guan Ling , Shen Fei , Guan Xueling , Yan Jiaoxia , He Yijun , He Yongpeng , Quan Zhusheng , Pan Shouguo , Liu Jianmin , Jin Qi , Gao Lei 
Published: November 2021

BackgroundEnlarging tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment among at-risk populations is a critical component of the End TB Strategy. There is an urgent need to develop suitable latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) testing and treatment tools according to the local TB epidemic and available resources worldwide.MethodsBased on an open-label randomised controlled trial conducted since 2015 in China among rural residents aged 50–70 years with LTBI, the protective efficacy of a 6-week twice-weekly regimen of rifapentine plus isoniazid was further evaluated in a 5-year follow-up survey.Results1298 treated participants and 1151 untreated controls were included in the 5-year protective efficacy analysis. In the per-protocol analysis, the incidence rate was 0.49 (95% CI 0.30–0.67) per 100 person-years in the untreated control group and 0.19 (95% CI 0.07–0.32) per 100 person-years in the treated group; the protection rate was 61.22%. Subgroup analysis showed that the protection rate was 76.82% in the per-protocol analysis among participants with baseline interferon (IFN)-γ levels in the highest quartile (≥3.25 IU·mL−1). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that participants with baseline body mass index <18.5 kg·m−2and with pulmonary fibrotic lesions had increased hazard of developing active disease with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 3.64 (95% CI 1.20–11.00) and 5.99 (95% CI 2.20–16.27), respectively. In addition, individuals with higher baseline IFN-γ levels showed an increased risk of TB occurrence (aHR 2.27, 95% CI 1.13–4.58).ConclusionsOur findings suggest the 6-week twice-weekly regimen of rifapentine plus isoniazid for LTBI treatment might be an optional tool for TB control in the Chinese population.
Influence of Novel Redirector with Bypass Damping on the Performance of Load-Sensing Steering System
Authors: Wang Yuqi , Liu Xinhui , Chen Jinshi , Huo Dongyang 
Published: November 2021

AbstractLoad-sensing steering systems for articulated loaders are prone to large pressure shocks and oscillations during steering operations, affecting the system stability. An optimized structure of the redirector with bypass damping is proposed to improve this phenomenon. In this structure, orifices and throttle grooves are added to the traditional redirector. To control the steering load and working conditions, the steering load of the loader is replaced by a pressure regulating valve. Simulation and experimental results reveal that the redirector with bypass damping has better load-sensing characteristics than the traditional redirector. The peak output pressure shock caused by the load unit step signal decreases from 6.50 to 5.64 MPa, which means the pressure oscillation of the hydraulic system is reduced by 13.4%. The pressure fluctuation time can be reduced from 2.09 to 1.6 s, with a decrease rate of 23.4%. The output pressure oscillation decays swiftly, and the smoothness of the steering operation is improved significantly.
Early life blood lead levels and asthma diagnosis at age 4–6 years
Authors: Feiler Marina Oktapodas , Pavia Carly J. , Frey Sean M. , Parsons Patrick J. , Thevenet-Morrison Kelly , Canfield Richard L. , Jusko Todd A. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe USA has a high burden of childhood asthma. Previous studies have observed associations between higher blood lead levels and greater hypersensitivity in children. The objective of the present study was to estimate the association between blood lead concentrations during early childhood and an asthma diagnosis between 48 and 72 months of age amongst a cohort with well-characterized blood lead concentrations. Blood lead concentrations were measured at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 months of age in 222 children. The presence of an asthma diagnosis between 48 and 72 months was assessed using a questionnaire which asked parents or guardians whether they had been told by a physician, in the past 12 months, that their child had asthma. Crude and adjusted risk ratios (RR) of an asthma diagnosis were estimated for several parameterizations of blood lead exposure including lifetime average (6 to 48 months) and infancy average (6 to 24 months) concentrations. After adjustment for child sex, birthweight, daycare attendance, maternal race, education, parity, breastfeeding, income, and household smoking, age-specific or composite measures of blood lead were not associated with asthma diagnosis by 72 months of age in this cohort.
Azoospermia and reciprocal translocations: should whole-exome sequencing be recommended?
Authors: Ghieh Farah , Barbotin Anne-Laure , Prasivoravong Julie , Ferlicot Sophie , Mandon-Pepin Béatrice , Fortemps Joanne , Garchon Henri-Jean , Serazin Valérie , Leroy Clara , Marcelli François , Vialard François 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundAlthough chromosome rearrangements are responsible for spermatogenesis failure, their impact depends greatly on the chromosomes involved. At present, karyotyping and Y chromosome microdeletion screening are the first-line genetic tests for patients with non-obstructive azoospermia. Although it is generally acknowledged that X or Y chromosome rearrangements lead to meiotic arrest and thus rule out any chance of sperm retrieval after a testicular biopsy, we currently lack markers for the likelihood of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) in patients with other chromosome rearrangements.ResultsWe investigated the use of a single nucleotide polymorphism comparative genome hybridization array (SNP-CGH) and whole-exome sequencing (WES) for two patients with non-obstructive azoospermia and testicular meiotic arrest, a reciprocal translocation: t(X;21) and t(20;22), and an unsuccessful TESE. No additional gene defects were identified for the t(X;21) carrier - suggesting that t(X;21) alone damages spermatogenesis. In contrast, the highly consanguineous t(20;22) carrier had two deleterious homozygous variants in theTMPRSS9gene; these might have contributed to testicular meiotic arrest. Genetic defect was confirmed with Sanger sequencing and immunohistochemical assessments on testicular tissue sections.ConclusionsFirstly,TMPRSS9gene defects might impact spermatogenesis. Secondly, as a function of the chromosome breakpoints for azoospermic patients with chromosome rearrangements, provision of the best possible genetic counselling means that genetic testing should not be limited to karyotyping. Given the risks associated with TESE, it is essential to perform WES - especially for consanguineous patients.
Mitochondrial genomes of two parasitic Cuscuta species lack clear evidence of horizontal gene transfer and retain unusually fragmented ccmFC genes
Authors: Anderson Benjamin M. , Krause Kirsten , Petersen Gitte 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
The intimate association between parasitic plants and their hosts favours the exchange of genetic material, potentially leading to horizontal gene transfer (HGT) between plants. With the recent publication of several parasitic plant nuclear genomes, there has been considerable focus on such non-sexual exchange of genes. To enhance the picture on HGT events in a widely distributed parasitic genus, Cuscuta (dodders), we assembled and analyzed the organellar genomes of two recently sequenced species, C. australis and C. campestris, making this the first account of complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) for this genus.

Results
The mitogenomes are 265,696 and 275,898 bp in length and contain a typical set of mitochondrial genes, with 10 missing or pseudogenized genes often lost from angiosperm mitogenomes. Each mitogenome also possesses a structurally unusual ccmFC gene, which exhibits splitting of one exon and a shift to trans-splicing of its intron. Based on phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial genes from across angiosperms and similarity-based searches, there is little to no indication of HGT into the Cuscuta mitogenomes. A few candidate regions for plastome-to-mitogenome transfer were identified, with one suggestive of possible HGT.

Conclusions
The lack of HGT is surprising given examples from the nuclear genomes, and may be due in part to the relatively small size of the Cuscuta mitogenomes, limiting the capacity to integrate foreign sequences.
Effect of renal function on high-density lipoprotein particles in patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Jieni Long , Yazhi Xue , Xiaorong Zeng , Dan Liu , Yusheng Ma , Jiahuan Rao , Bin Zhang , Li Li , Zhigang Guo 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Although renal insufficiency and dyslipidemia are known to be closely associated, the effect of kidney function on the size and clinical value of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles remains largely unknown, especially in patients with coronary heart disease.

Methods
A total of 419 coronary heart disease patients and 105 non-coronary heart disease patients were included. HDL particle size, represented by HDL-C/apoA-I, was compared between groups stratified by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and Gensini scores using standard Student’s t test and one-way ANOVA. Pearson’s correlation test was performed to analyze the association between eGFR and HDL-C/apoA-I in patients with coronary heart disease. The relationship between HDL particle size and the occurrence of coronary heart disease was explored using Univariate logistic regression analysis.

Results
In patients with coronary heart disease, between-group analysis revealed that HDL-C/apoA-I increased as eGFR declined, and significance appeared as eGFR declined to under 60 ml/min·1.73 m2 (P < 0.001), and Pearson's correlation test also confirmed an inverse correlation between eGFR and HDL-C/apoA-I levels in coronary heart disease patients. When stratified by Gensini scores, in coronary heart disease patients with eGFR ≥ 90 mL/(min·1.73 m2), those with higher Gensini scores had smaller HDL-C/apoA-I. However, with or without kidney insufficiency, smaller HDL-C/apoA-I was associated with a higher occurrence of coronary heart disease (P < 0.05).

Conclusion
With the presence of renal insufficiency, HDL-C/apoA1 was higher in patients with coronary heart disease. Lower HDL-C/apoA1 was still associated with a higher occurrence of coronary heart disease, but the original association between lower HDL-C/apoA1 and more severe coronary artery stenosis was lost in patients with renal insufficiency.
Distribution of inflammatory phenotypes among patients with asthma in Jilin Province, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Shi Bingqing , Li Wei , Dong Hongna , Xu Mengting , Hao Yuqiu , Gao Peng 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
The inflammatory phenotypes of asthma predict the treatment response and prognosis. The phenotype distributions differ depending on the geographical region. This study aimed to assess the distribution of different inflammatory phenotypes among asthma patients in Jilin Province, China.

Methods
A total of 255 patients with asthma were recruited from Jilin Province, China for this cross-sectional study. Each patient underwent sputum induction following clinical assessment and peripheral blood collection. Inflammatory phenotypes were classified according to the inflammatory cell counts in the sputum.

Results
Paucigranulocytic asthma (PGA) was the most common inflammatory phenotype (52.2%), followed by eosinophilic asthma (EA, 38.3%), mixed granulocytic asthma (MGA, 5.2%), and neutrophilic asthma (NA, 4.3%). NA was more common among patients over 45 years old and those who were treated with higher doses of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), but was less common following antibiotics treatment (p < 0.05). The proportion of patients with EA decreased as the ICS treatment dose and time increased (p = 0.038). Patients with uncontrolled asthma had higher numbers of sputum eosinophils and neutrophils (p < 0.05). Patients with severe asthma had a higher percentage of sputum neutrophils (p < 0.05). A greater proportion of patients with NA had severe asthma (60%) compared to those with EA (18.2%) (p = 0.016).

Conclusions
The most common asthma inflammatory cell phenotype in Jilin Province, China is PGA, followed by EA, MGA, and NA. The low prevalence of NA in Jilin Province compared to other countries and also other regions in China might be due to excessive antibiotic use and irregular ICS treatment in this region.
Lipid changes during the perioperative period in patients with early breast cancer: a real-world retrospective analysis
Authors: He Tao , Wang Zhu , Wu Yunhao , Zhang Xinyi , Li Xu , Li Jiayuan , Du Liang , Chen Jie , Lv Qing 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Surgery remains the major treatment for early breast cancer (BC), but surgery itself is also a trauma which might induce alterations in lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in lipid profiles and to explore factors associated with lipid changes pre- and postoperation.

Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the pre- and postoperative serum lipid profiles of 1934 BC patients.

Results
The levels of triglycerides (TG) (p < 0.001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) (p < 0.001) were significantly elevated after surgery, while the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) (p < 0.001) were significantly decreased. After surgery, 27.76% of patients with preoperative ortholiposis developed dyslipidemia. Postmenopausal BC patients had a higher incidence of dyslipidemia (32.31%) after surgery than premenopausal BC patients (26.07%; p = 0.041). Additionally, patients with BMI > 24 (34.92%) had a higher incidence of dyslipidemia than patients with BMI ≤ 24 (24.84%; p = 0.001). Moreover, the magnitudes of the TG increase (p < 0.001), cholesterol (TC) increase (p = 0.013) and LDL increase (p = 0.015) in the premenopausal group were all greater than those in the postmenopausal group. After adjusting for multiple baseline covariates, preoperative hyperlipidemia and progesterone receptor (PR)-positive status were significantly associated with elevated TG, TC and LDL levels after surgery.

Conclusions
Serum lipid profiles of BC patients may increase after surgery, especially premenopausal patients. Additionally, postmenopausal and overweight patients may have a higher risk of being diagnosed with dyslipidemia after surgery. Therefore, lipid monitoring, dyslipidemia prevention and corresponding interventions should be taken into consideration during the perioperative period.
Informed consent in psychotherapy: a survey on attitudes among psychotherapists in Switzerland
Authors: Eberle Klara , grosse Holtforth Martin , Inderbinen Marc , Gaab Jens , Nestoriuc Yvonne , Trachsel Manuel 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
The legal and ethical guidelines of psychological professional associations stipulate that informed consent by patients is an essential prerequisite for psychotherapy. Despite this awareness of the importance of informed consent, there is little empirical evidence on what psychotherapists’ attitudes towards informed consent are and how informed consent is implemented in psychotherapeutic practice.

Methods
155 psychotherapists in Switzerland completed an online survey assessing their attitudes regarding informed consent.

Results
Among the surveyed psychotherapists, there was a high consensus on important information that should be communicated to patients in the context of informed consent. Almost all psychotherapists rated confidentiality and its exemptions (95%) and self-determined decision-making (97%) as important. The importance to disclose information regarding fees and the empirical effectiveness of the provided treatment, were both seen as important by more than 80% of participants. The disclosure of personal information about the therapist was rated as important by 60%. Other aspects, which are not direct components of informed consent but rather overarching goals, were also evaluated rather homogeneously: self-determined decision making of the patient was rated as important by almost all of the surveyed psychotherapists (97%). The following components were also judged as important by a majority of the participants: promotion of hope (80%) and discussion of treatment goals (93%). Most psychotherapists described the implementation of informed consent as an ongoing process, rather than a one-time event during the first session of therapy. Therapists’ age, postgraduate training, treated patient group, and setting influenced attitudes towards informed consent.

Conclusions
The present study shows that informed consent is perceived by psychotherapists as both a challenge and a resource. The implementation of informed consent in psychotherapy requires further research from a clinical and ethical perspective.
Nestin is essential for cellular redox homeostasis and gastric cancer metastasis through the mediation of the Keap1–Nrf2 axis
Authors: Lv Jing , Xie Meiqiang , Zhao Shufen , Qiu Wensheng , Wang Shasha , Cao Manming 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignancy of the digestive system. Antioxidant activity is regarded as a possible mechanism in ectopic cancer. Hence, oxidative stress regulation is being evaluated for cancer treatment. Previous research has demonstrated that Nestin is associated with antioxidative resistance via its modulation of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)–nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway.

Methods
We determined the role of Nestin-mediated redox homeostasis and tumor phenotypes in GC cells.

Results
We found that the Nestin expression level was high in GC tissues and cell lines. Nestin knockdown in the GC cell lines SGC-7901 and MKN-45 reduced viability, induced apoptosis, decreased antioxidant enzyme generation, and repressed GC metastasis. Nestin binds to Keap1, resulting in Nrf2 degradation and influencing downstream gene expression. Nestin knockdown resulted in the downregulation of Nrf2 expression in GC cells. The restoration of Nrf2 expression or treatment with the Nrf2 activator sulforaphane counteracted the inhibitory effect of Nestin knockdown on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and antioxidant enzyme production in GC cells. Moreover, xenograft GC tumors exhibited a slower growth rate than those of the control group in vivo.

Conclusions
Taken together, these findings suggest that the Nestin–Keap1–Nrf2 axis confers oxidative stress resistance and plays an important role in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GC cells.
Annual prevalence of unmet healthcare need in Thailand: evidence from national household surveys between 2011 and 2019
Authors: Vongmongkol Vuthiphan , Viriyathorn Shaheda , Wanwong Yaowaluk , Wangbanjongkun Waritta , Tangcharoensathien Viroj 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
Extending Universal Health Coverage (UHC) requires identifying and addressing unmet healthcare need and its causes to improve access to essential health services. Unmet need is a useful monitoring indicator to verify if low incidence of catastrophic health spending is not a result of foregone services due to unmet needs. This study assesses the trend, between 2011 and 2019, of prevalence and reasons of unmet healthcare need and identifies population groups who had unmet needs.

Method
The unmet healthcare need module in the Health and Welfare Survey (HWS) 2011–2019 was used for analysis. HWS is a nationally representative household survey conducted by the National Statistical Office biennially. There are more than 60,000 respondents in each round of survey. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) standard questions on unmet need and reasons behind were applied for outpatient (OP), inpatient (IP) and dental services in the past 12 months. Data from samples were weighted to represent the Thai population. Univariate analysis was applied to assess unmet need across socioeconomic profiles.

Results
The annual prevalence of unmet need between 2011 and 2019 was lower than 3%. The prevalence was 1.3–1.6% for outpatient services, 0.9% - 1.1% for dental services, and lower than 0.2% for inpatient care. A small increasing trend was observed on dental service unmet need, from 0.9% in 2011 to 1.1% in 2019. The poor, the elderly and people living in urban areas had higher unmet needs than their counterparts. Long waiting times was the main reason for unmet need, while cost of treatment was not an issue.

Conclusion
The low level of unmet need at less than 3% was lower than OECD average (28%), and was the result of UHC since 2002. Regular monitoring using the national representative household survey to estimate annual prevalence and reasons for unmet need can guide policy to sustain and improve access by certain population groups.
Polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells impair the anti-tumor efficacy of GD2.CAR T-cells in patients with neuroblastoma
Authors: Tumino Nicola , Weber Gerrit , Besi Francesca , Del Bufalo Francesca , Bertaina Valentina , Paci Paola , Quatrini Linda , Antonucci Laura , Sinibaldi Matilde , Quintarelli Concetta , Maggi Enrico , De Angelis Biagio , Locatelli Franco , Moretta Lorenzo , Vacca Paola , Caruana Ignazio 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe outcome of patients affected by high-risk or metastatic neuroblastoma (NB) remains grim, with ≥ 50% of the children experiencing relapse or progression of the disease despite multimodal, intensive treatment. In order to identify new strategies to improve the overall survival and the quality of life of these children, we recently developed and optimized a third-generation GD2-specific chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) construct, which is currently under evaluation in our Institution in a phase I/II clinical trial (NCT03373097) enrolling patients with relapsed/refractory NB. We observed that our CAR T-cells are able to induce marked tumor reduction and even achieve complete remission with a higher efficiency than that of other CAR T-cells reported in previous studies. However, often responses are not sustained and relapses occur. Here, we demonstrate for the first time a mechanism of resistance to GD2.CAR T-cell treatment, showing how polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSC) increase in the peripheral blood (PB) of NB patients after GD2.CAR T-cell treatment in case of relapse and loss of response. In vitro, isolated PMN-MDSC demonstrate to inhibit the anti-tumor cytotoxicity of different generations of GD2.CAR T-cells. Gene-expression profiling of GD2.CAR T-cells “conditioned” with PMN-MDSC shows downregulation of genes involved in cell activation, signal transduction, inflammation and cytokine/chemokine secretion. Analysis of NB gene-expression dataset confirms a correlation between expression of these genes and patient outcome. Moreover, in patients treated with GD2.CAR T-cells, the frequency of circulating PMN-MDSC inversely correlates with the levels of GD2.CAR T-cells, resulting more elevated in patients who did not respond or lost response to the treatment. The presence and the frequency of PMN-MDSC in PB of high-risk and metastatic NB represents a useful prognostic marker to predict the response to GD2.CAR T-cells and other adoptive immunotherapy. This study underlines the importance of further optimization of both CAR T-cells and clinical trial in order to target elements of the tumor microenvironment.