bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Peripapillary retinal artery in first diagnosed and untreated normal tension glaucoma
Authors: Rong Xin , Cai Yu , Li Mei , Fang Yuan , Tian Tian , Pan Yingzi 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundGlaucoma, an important cause of visual impairment in many countries, remains a common eye condition due to difficulties in its early diagnosis. We analyzed the characteristics of retinal arteries to add a valuable technology for helping the normal tension glaucoma (NTG) diagnosis.MethodsThis study included 51 patients with newly diagnosed NTG with hemifield defects and 60 age-matched controls. Peripapillary retinal arteriolar calibers (PRACs) photoed by non-mydriatic retinal camera were measured using ImageJ by two masked readers. We also performed spectral-domain optical coherence tomography to evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) and optic disc parameters. Their relations to retinal arteriolar calibers were investigated by univariate and multivariate linear regression. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to confirm the powers to detect NTG by PRACs.ResultsPRACs in four quadrants were significantly reduced in individuals with first diagnosed NTG (82 ± 15.1 μm, 80 ± 13.6 μm, 71 ± 11.6 μm, and 64 ± 10.0 μm) compared with those in age-matched controls (101 ± 9.8 μm, 105 ± 8.7 μm, 90 ± 7.5 μm, and 82 ± 9.8 μm). Superotemporal and inferotemporal PRACs in the visual field-affected hemifield were narrower than those in the unaffected hemifield in NTG group (P ≤ 0.004). Temporal PRACs in the RNFL unaffected hemifield were significantly narrower than in healthy eyes (P < 0.001). Superotemporal PRAC showed a significant correlation with superior RNFLT (β = 0.659,P < 0.001), and a similar relationship was found between inferotemporal PRAC and inferior RNFLT (β = 0.227,P = 0.015). The diagnostic capability of temporal PRACs was satisfactory (superotemporal PRAC; AUROC 0.983, cut-off value 84.7 μm, inferotemporal PRAC; AUROC 0.946, cut-off value 94.2 μm).ConclusionsPRAC and inferotemporal PRAC are valid parameters for discriminating patients with NTG.
Acteoside inhibits inflammatory response via JAK/STAT signaling pathway in osteoarthritic rats
Authors: Qiao Zhiguang , Tang Jiaxin , Wu Wen , Tang Jian , Liu Ming 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease of synovial joints caused by inflammation. Acteoside (ACT), a major component and lipase inhibitor from the Chinese tea Ligustrum purpurascens kudingcha, has been reported to regulate the inflammation and immune response. The study aims to investigate the effects of ACT on inflammatory responses and joint protection in OA rats.

Methods
Cell proliferation was examined by MTT and colony formation assay. Apoptosis was analyzed using flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI staining. ELISA was employed to examine the concentration of inflammatory cytokines. OA rat model was established by surgery stimulation.

Results
ACT treatment significantly inhibited the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines induced by IL-1β in primary chondrocytes, including IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and IFN-γ. ACT stimulation also enhanced the cell proliferation, while inhibited cell apoptosis in IL-1β-treated chondrocytes. Consistently, ACT treatment led to downregulation of cleaved-caspase-3 and apoptosis regulator Bax, and upregulation of Bcl-2. Furthermore, ACT treatment inhibited IL-1β-induced activation of JAK/STAT pathway. The results were confirmed in surgery-induced OA rat model. Moreover, ACT treatment significantly inhibited synovial inflammation and articular chondrocyte apoptosis in OA rats.

Conclusion
Our findings indicate that ACT has the potential therapeutic effect on OA through inhibiting the inflammatory responses via inactivating JAK/STAT signaling pathway.
Ethical issues associated with HIV molecular epidemiology: a qualitative exploratory study using inductive analytic approaches
Authors: Mutenherwa Farirai , Wassenaar Douglas R. , de Oliveira Tulio 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundHIV molecular epidemiology is increasingly recognized as a vital source of information for understanding HIV transmission dynamics. Despite extensive use of these data-intensive techniques in both research and public health settings, the ethical issues associated with this science have received minimal attention. As the discipline evolves, there is reasonable concern that existing ethical and legal frameworks and standards might lag behind the rapid methodological developments in this field. This is a follow-up on our earlier work that applied a predetermined analytical framework to examine the perspectives of a sample of scientists from the fields of epidemiology, public health, virology and bioethics on key ethical issues associated with HIV molecular epidemiology in HIV network research.MethodsFourteen in-depth interviews were conducted with scientists from the fields of molecular epidemiology, public health, virology and bioethics. Inductive analytical approaches were applied to identify key themes that emerged from the data.ResultsOur interviewees acknowledged the potential positive impact of molecular epidemiology in the fight against HIV. However, they were concerned that HIV phylogenetics research messages may be incorrectly interpreted if not presented at the appropriate level. There was consensus that HIV phylogenetics research presents a potential risk to privacy, but the probability and magnitude of this risk was less obvious. Although participants acknowledged the social value that could be realized from the analysis of HIV genetic sequences, there was a perceived fear that the boundaries for use of HIV sequence data were not clearly defined.ConclusionsOur findings highlight distinct ethical issues arising from HIV molecular epidemiology. As the discipline evolves and HIV sequence data become increasingly available, it is critical to ensure that ethical standards keep pace with biomedical advancements. We argue that the ethical issues raised in this study, whether real or perceived, require further conceptual and empirical examination.
Analysis of Plasmodium falciparum Pfcrt and Pfmdr1 genes in parasite isolates from asymptomatic individuals in Southeast Nigeria 11 years after withdrawal of chloroquine
Authors: Ikegbunam Moses N. , Nkonganyi Charles N. , Thomas Bolaji N. , Esimone Charles O. , Velavan Thirumalaisamy P. , Ojurongbe Olusola 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundA reversal of chloroquine (CQ) resistance following a period of withdrawal has raised the possibility of its re-introduction. This study evaluated the current prevalence ofPfcrtandPfmdr1alleles inPlasmodium falciparumisolates, 11 years after CQ withdrawal in Southeast Nigeria.MethodsFilter-paper blood samples were collected from 725 non-febrile individuals, comprising 250 children (≤ 12 years), 250 pregnant women and 225 other adults, between October 2014 and February 2015 in Nnewi town, Southeast Nigeria. Nested PCR followed by direct sequencing was employed for the genotyping ofPfcrtandPfmdr1genes.ResultsA total of 103 parasites-positive samples were recovered, comprising of 48 (19.20%) among children, 20 (20.00%) among pregnant women and 35 (15.50%) among other adults cohort. The frequency of the mutant genotype ofPfcrt76T, 75E and 74I was 94.50% each. Parasite isolates from children had a frequency of 100% for mutant alleles in allPfcrtcodons while isolates from pregnant women and other adults had a frequency of 91% each in all codons. Haplotype distribution ofpfcrtgene were 5.45, 0.00 and 76.37% for CVMNK, SVMNT and CVIET, respectively. ForPfmdr1gene, the frequency of 86Y, 184F and 1246Y mutant alleles were 8.54, 29.27 and 3.66%, respectively. Amongst thePfmdr1haplotypes analysed, NFD had the highest frequency of 24.4%, followed by YFD at 6.10%. NYF and NYY occurred the least (1.20%).ConclusionThe high level ofPfcrtmutations is suggestive of a sustained CQ pressure onP. falciparumisolates in the study area, despite the change of first line treatment from CQ to artemisinin combination therapy for 11 years. A new strategy to ensure the complete withdrawal of CQ from the country is recommended.
Detection of malaria parasites in dried human blood spots using mid-infrared spectroscopy and logistic regression analysis
Authors: Mwanga Emmanuel P. , Minja Elihaika G. , Mrimi Emmanuel , Jiménez Mario González , Swai Johnson K. , Abbasi Said , Ngowo Halfan S. , Siria Doreen J. , Mapua Salum , Stica Caleb , Maia Marta F. , Olotu Ally , Sikulu-Lord Maggy T. , Baldini Francesco , Ferguson Heather M. , Wynne Klaas , Selvaraj Prashanth , Babayan Simon A. , Okumu Fredros O. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Epidemiological surveys of malaria currently rely on microscopy, polymerase chain reaction assays (PCR) or rapid diagnostic test kits for Plasmodium infections (RDTs). This study investigated whether mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy coupled with supervised machine learning could constitute an alternative method for rapid malaria screening, directly from dried human blood spots.

Methods
Filter papers containing dried blood spots (DBS) were obtained from a cross-sectional malaria survey in 12 wards in southeastern Tanzania in 2018/19. The DBS were scanned using attenuated total reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectrometer to obtain high-resolution MIR spectra in the range 4000 cm−1 to 500 cm−1. The spectra were cleaned to compensate for atmospheric water vapour and CO2 interference bands and used to train different classification algorithms to distinguish between malaria-positive and malaria-negative DBS papers based on PCR test results as reference. The analysis considered 296 individuals, including 123 PCR-confirmed malaria positives and 173 negatives. Model training was done using 80% of the dataset, after which the best-fitting model was optimized by bootstrapping of 80/20 train/test-stratified splits. The trained models were evaluated by predicting Plasmodium falciparum positivity in the 20% validation set of DBS.

Results
Logistic regression was the best-performing model. Considering PCR as reference, the models attained overall accuracies of 92% for predicting P. falciparum infections (specificity = 91.7%; sensitivity = 92.8%) and 85% for predicting mixed infections of P. falciparum and Plasmodium ovale (specificity = 85%, sensitivity = 85%) in the field-collected specimen.

Conclusion
These results demonstrate that mid-infrared spectroscopy coupled with supervised machine learning (MIR-ML) could be used to screen for malaria parasites in human DBS. The approach could have potential for rapid and high-throughput screening of Plasmodium in both non-clinical settings (e.g., field surveys) and clinical settings (diagnosis to aid case management). However, before the approach can be used, we need additional field validation in other study sites with different parasite populations, and in-depth evaluation of the biological basis of the MIR signals. Improving the classification algorithms, and model training on larger datasets could also improve specificity and sensitivity. The MIR-ML spectroscopy system is physically robust, low-cost, and requires minimum maintenance.
Dietary seaweed intake and depressive symptoms in Japanese adults: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Guo Feng , Huang Cong , Cui Yufei , Momma Haruki , Niu Kaijun , Nagatomi Ryoichi 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the association between daily seaweed intake and depressive symptoms.

Methods
In a prospective study conducted between 2008 and 2011, 500 Japanese adult employees aged 20–74 years participated and were included in the final analysis. Consumption of seaweed was assessed using a brief self-administered diet history questionnaire, and changes in seaweed consumption were divided into three categories (decreased, unchanged, and increased). Depressive symptoms were assessed using a Japanese version of the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Depressive symptoms were defined as an SDS score of ≥50 in the present study.

Results
At the 3-year follow-up, 46 participants (9.2%) showed depressive symptoms. Multivariate analysis showed that baseline seaweed intakes were not significantly associated with the incidence of depressive symptoms (p for trend = 0.501). Conversely, odds ratios (95% CI) for depressive symptoms were lower in the participants who had higher seaweed intake than in those who had lower seaweed intake (decreased, 1.00; unchanged, 0.32 [0.13–0.81]; increased, 0.34 [0.13–0.88]; p for trend = 0.032) after adjusting for confounding factors.

Conclusions
This study revealed a relationship between higher seaweed intake and a lower incidence of depressive symptoms in Japanese adults.
Bringing radiomics into a multi-omics framework for a comprehensive genotype–phenotype characterization of oncological diseases
Authors: Zanfardino Mario , Franzese Monica , Pane Katia , Cavaliere Carlo , Monti Serena , Esposito Giuseppina , Salvatore Marco , Aiello Marco 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Genomic and radiomic data integration, namely radiogenomics, can provide meaningful knowledge in cancer diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Despite several data structures based on multi-layer architecture proposed to combine multi-omic biological information, none of these has been designed and assessed to include radiomic data as well. To meet this need, we propose to use the MultiAssayExperiment (MAE), an R package that provides data structures and methods for manipulating and integrating multi-assay experiments, as a suitable tool to manage radiogenomic experiment data. To this aim, we first examine the role of radiogenomics in cancer phenotype definition, then the current state of radiogenomics data integration in public repository and, finally, challenges and limitations of including radiomics in MAE, designing an extended framework and showing its application on a case study from the TCGA-TCIA archives. Radiomic and genomic data from 91 patients have been successfully integrated in a single MAE object, demonstrating the suitability of the MAE data structure as container of radiogenomic data.
Development, acceptability, appropriateness and appeal of a cancer clinical trials implementation intervention for rural- and minority-serving urology practices
Authors: Ellis Shellie , Geana Mugur , Griebling Tomas , McWilliams Charles , Gills Jessie , Stratton Kelly , Mackay Christine , Shifter Ariel , Zganjar Andrew , Thrasher Brantley 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundFew community urologists offer cancer patients the opportunity to participate in cancer clinical trials, despite national guidelines that recommend it, depriving an estimated 260,000 urological cancer patients of guideline-concordant care each year. Existing strategies to increase urologists’ offer of clinical trials are designed for resource-rich environments and are not feasible for many community urologists. We sought to design an implementation intervention for dissemination in under-resourced community urology practices and to compare its acceptability, appropriateness and adoption appeal among trial-naïve and trial-experienced urologists.MethodsWe used a design-for-dissemination approach, informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework and Behavior Change Wheel, to match determinants of the clinical trial offer to theoretically informed implementation strategies. We described the implementation intervention in evaluation workshops offered at urology professional society meetings. We surveyed participants to assess the implementation intervention’s acceptability and appropriateness using validated instruments. We also measured adoption appeal, intention to adopt and previous trial offer.ResultsOur design process resulted in a multi-modal implementation intervention, comprised of multiple implementation strategies designed to address six domains from the Theoretical Domains Framework. Evaluation workshops delivered at four meetings, convened five separate professional societies. Sixty-one percent of those offered an opportunity to participate in the implementation intervention indicated intention to adopt. Average implementation intervention acceptability and appropriateness ratings were 4.4 and 4.4 (out of 5), respectively. Acceptability scores were statistically significantly higher among those offering trials compared to those not (p = 0.03). Appropriateness scores did not differ between those offering trials and those not (p = 0.24). After urologists ranked their top three innovation attributes, 43% of urologists included practice reputation in their top three reasons for offering clinical trials; 30% listed practice differentiation among their top three reasons. No statistically significant differences were found between those who offered trials and those who did not among any of the innovation attributes.ConclusionsLEARN|INFORM|RECRUIT is a promising implementation intervention to address low accrual to clinical trials, poised for implementation and effectiveness testing. The implementation intervention is appealing to its target audience and may have equal uptake among trial-naïve and trial-experienced practices.
The effect of training and awareness of subtle control on the frequency of hand hygiene among intensive care unit nurses
Authors: Farmani Zeinab , Kargar Marzieh , Khademian Zahra , Paydar Shahram , Zare Najaf 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to determine the effect of awareness of subtle control after training on the hand hygiene compliance among nurses in intensive care units (ICUs). The study was conducted in two ICUs of a trauma center in Shiraz, Iran on 48 nurses. The nurses of one ICU were randomly allocated to the intervention and the nurses of the other ICU were allocated to the control group. All nurses were trained on hand hygiene. Then a fake closed camera television (CCTV) was visibly installed in the intervention group’s ICU, while the nurses were aware of it. The degree of compliance with hand hygiene was observed in both groups before and after the intervention. Data were gathered using a checklist based on the World Health Organization hand hygiene protocol and analyzed using SPSS 16 and the Chi square, Wilcoxon, Mann–Whitney U, and Independent T-tests, were performed.

Results
The mean percentage of hand hygiene compliance in the intervention group after the intervention was significantly higher than before the intervention (p < 0.001). Additionally, the changes in the mean percentage of the intervention group was significantly higher than that for the control group (p = 0.001). The findings showed that a fake CCTV after training, installed in ICUs, can improve hand hygiene compliance.
Maternal and fetal outcomes of cesarean delivery and factors associated with its unfavorable management outcomes; in Ayder Specialized Comprehensive Hospital, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2017
Authors: Mengesha Meresa Berwo , Adhanu Hadgay Hagos , Weldegeorges Desta Abraha , Assefa Natnael Etsay , Werid Weldu Mammo , Weldemariam Mulu Gebretsadik , Welay Fissaha Tekulu , Hidru Hagos Degefa , Gebru Tesfay Tsegay 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Objectives
This study aimed to determine the unfavorable outcomes and to assess factors contribute to the unfavorable management outcomes after cesarean deliveries in Ayder Specialized Comprehensive Hospital, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia, 2017.

Results
The unfavorable maternal management outcomes were Adhesion 28 (8.3%), excessive blood loss and blood transfusion 19 (5.6%), cesarean hysterectomy 10 (3%), relaparotomy 5 (1.5%), wound infection and wound dehiscence 23 (6.8%). Unfavorable fetal outcomes were were stillbirth 9 (2.6%), early neonatal death 8 (2.4%), low birth weight 58 (17.2%). women who did not book for Antenatal Care and having a history of previous cesarean delivery were found to be associated with unfavorable maternal outcomes and indications of cesarean delivery as obstructed labor was associated with unfavorable fetal outcomes.
Respiratory variations of inferior vena cava fail to predict fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients with isolated left ventricular dysfunction
Authors:   Chinese Critical Ultrasound Study Group (CCUSG), Zhang Hongmin , Zhang Qing , Chen Xiukai , Wang Xiaoting , Liu Dawei 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Respiratory variation of inferior vena cava is problematic in predicting fluid responsiveness in patients with right ventricular dysfunction. However, its effectiveness in patients with isolated left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ILVD) has not been reported. We aimed to explore whether inferior vena cava diameter distensibility index (dIVC) can predict fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated ILVD patients.

Methods
Patients admitted to the intensive care unit who were on controlled mechanical ventilation and in need of a fluid responsiveness assessment were screened for enrolment. Several echocardiographic parameters, including dIVC, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and LV outflow tract velocity–time integral (VTI) before and after passive leg raising (PLR) were collected. Patients with LV systolic dysfunction only (TAPSE ≥ 16 mm, LVEF < 50%) were considered to have isolated left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ILVD).

Results
One hundred and twenty-nine subjects were enrolled in this study, among them, 28 were labelled ILVD patients, and the remaining 101 were patients with normal LV function (NLVF). The value of dIVC in ILVD patients was as high as that in NLVF patients, (20% vs. 16%, p = 0.211). The ILVD group contained a much lower proportion of PLR responders than NLVF patients did (17.9% vs. 53.2%, p < 0.001). No correlation was detected between dIVC and ΔVTI in ILVD patients (r = 0.196, p = 0.309). dIVC was correlated with ΔVTI in NLVF patients (r = 0.722, p < 0.001), and the correlation was strengthened compared with that derived from all patients (p = 0.020). A receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that the area-under-the-curve (AUC) of dIVC for determining fluid responsiveness from ILVD patients was not statistically significant (p = 0.251). In NLVF patients, ROC analysis revealed an AUC of 0.918 (95% CI 0.858–0.978; p < 0.001), which was higher than the AUC derived from all patients (p = 0.033). Patients with LVEF below 40% had a lower ΔVTI and fewer PLR responders than those with LVEF 40–50% and LVEF above 50% (p < 0.001).

Conclusion
dIVC should be used with caution when critically ill patients on controlled mechanical ventilation display normal right ventricular function in combination with abnormal left ventricular systolic function.