bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The burden of malignant neoplasms (cancer) in Ethiopia, 2000–16: analysis of Evidences from Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 and Global health estimates 2016
Authors: Shimbre Mulugeta , Girum Tadele , Mesfin Dereje 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Cancer figures among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. More than 60% of world total new annual cancer cases occur in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. In Ethiopia, cancer accounts for about 5.8% of total national mortality. The increasing burden of common non communicable diseases such as cancer leads to epidemiological shift of disease burden to non-infectious diseases. However, lesser emphasis is given to cancer. Although, measuring the burden is important to design prevention strategy, a comprehensive estimate is lacking in Ethiopia. Hence, we aimed to systematically measure the burden of cancer in Ethiopia. Methods: The research used data from Global burden of disease study (GBD 2016) and Global health Estimate 2016; that originally collected the information through vital registration, verbal autopsy, surveys, reports, published scientific articles and modeling. Results: In 2016, cancer caused an estimated 50913.5 (95% CI: 36092.1–73018.8) deaths among all age and both gender groups with a crude death rate of 49.7/100,000 and ASDR of 93.5/100,000 population. It contributed for 18.5% of NCD related death and 7.3% of total death, 16.9% of NCR related ASDR and 9% of total ASDR, and 12.7% of national NCD related DALYs and 4.3% of the national total DALYs. The number of death and DALYs from cancer has been increased by 47.4% and 45.1% respectively. Whereas CDR and ASDR from cancer has been declined by 4.2% and 9.7% respectively. The top five causes of cancer related mortality was from Other malignant neoplasms, breast cancer, cervix uteri cancer, colon and rectum cancers, and leukemia whereas lymphomas along with the aforementioned cancers contribute for the highest cancer DALYs. Conclusion and recommendation : the burden of malignant neoplasms (cancer) is remarkably increasing throughout the periods between 2000 and 2016. It carries the higher burden of age standardized death rate (ASDR) from NCD. Specifically, other malignant neoplasms, Breast cancer, cervix uteri cancer, colon and rectum cancers, leukemia and lymphomas caused the highest burden of cancer. Therefore, the existing disease prevention strategies should incorporate NCD prevention strategies with a particular emphasis for cancer screening, prevention and care.
Tumor-infiltrating regulatory T lymphocytes orchestrate oncogenic PAK1-conferred immune evasion in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Qu Yang , Wang Jiajun , Bai Qi , Qi Yangyang , Chen Yifan , Chen Lingli , Zhang Peipei , Wang Zewei , Lin Zhiyuan , Xiong Ying , Xia Yu , Zhang Weijuan , Yang Yuanfeng , Liu Li , Guo Jianming , Xu Jiejie 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Little is known about the associations between PAK1 and anti-tumor immunity in clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). This study aims to explore the prognostic value of PAK1 in ccRCC patients and investigated the molecular immune mechanism for its oncogenic role.
Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 282 ccRCC patients undergoing nephrectomy between 2005 and 2007 in Zhongshan hospital. Immunohistochemistry evaluated PAK1, CCL22, FOXP3 and CD8 expression in clinical specimens. Fresh tumor tissues, para-tumor tissues and peripheral blood samples for RT-PCR, ELISA, flow cytometry analyses were collected from patients who underwent nephrectomy in Zhongshan Hospital from September 2017 to April 2018. We compared clinical outcomes by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression model. Bioinformatics analysis performed in TCGA KIRC cohort.
Results: High PAK1 expression indicated poorer overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS) (both p<0.001) in ccRCC patients. Multivariate analyses indicated PAK1 as an independent prognostic factor. In clinical samples, PAK1 clearly correlated with immunosuppressive microenvironment in ccRCC tissues. Significantly, PAK1 positively correlated with Tumor-infiltrating regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs). Furthermore, IL-10+ and TGF-β+ tumor-infiltrating Tregs both increased in PAK1 high tumors. Additionally, CCL22 was highly secreted in PAK1 high tumors. After treated by IPA-3 (an PAK1 inhibitor), CCL22 secretion was clearly inhibited (p<0.001). Finally, we built a nomogram to predict overall survival for ccRCC patients with higher predictive accuracy.
Conclusions: Increased PAK1 expression predicted dismal prognosis in ccRCC patients by inducing tumor immune escape. IL-10+ and TGF-β+ tumor-infiltrating Tregs recruited by CCL22 play dominant immunosuppressive roles in PAK1 high tumors.
Levetiracetam induction of theta frequency oscillations in rodent hippocampus in vitro
Authors: Xing Hang , Lu Cheng Biao , Han Xiong , Xie Xin'e , Wang Yuan 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background
Levetiracetam (LEV), an antiepileptic drug, has been recently demonstrated to improve the cognitive function. Hippocampal theta rhythm (4–12 Hz) is associated with a variety of cognitively related behaviors, such as exploration, locomotion and spatial memory in both humans and animal models. We investigated the effects of LEV on the theta rhythm in the rat hippocampal CA3 area.
Results
We found that LEV increased the power of theta oscillation in a dose-dependent manner. The increase in theta power can be blocked by GABAA receptor or NMDA receptor antagonists but not by AMPA receptor antagonist, indicating the involvement of GABAA receptor and NMDA receptor in the induction of theta activity. Interestingly, LEV enhancement of theta power can be also blocked by taurine, indicating that LEV induction of theta may be related to the indirect boosting of GABA action via reduction of extrasynaptic GABAA receptor activation. Furthermore, the increased theta power can be partially reduced by mACh receptor antagonist atropine but not by nACh receptor antagonists, suggesting that mACh receptor activation provides excitatory input into local network responsible for LEV induction of theta.
Conclusions
Our study demonstrated that induction of a synchronized network oscillation, a novel role of LEV may especially benefit for the treatment of the neuronal disorders with impaired theta oscillation and cognitive function.
Live-attenuated Salmonella enterica serotype Choleraesuis vaccine with regulated delayed fur mutation confer protection against Streptococcus suis in mice
Authors: Li Yu-an , Chen Yunyun , Du Yuan zhao , Guo Weiwei , Fan Juan , Bellefleur Matthew , Wang Shifeng , Shi Huoying 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Recombinant Salmonella enterica serotype Choleraesuis (S. Choleraesuis) vaccine vector could be used to deliver heterologous antigens to prevent and control pig diseases. We have previously shown that a live-attenuated S. Choleraesuis vaccine candidate strain rSC0011 (ΔPcrp527::TT araC PBAD crp Δpmi-2426 ΔrelA199::araC PBAD lacI TT ΔasdA33, Δ,deletion, TT, terminator) delivering SaoA, a conserved surface protein that is present in many S. suis serotypes, provided excellent protection against S. suis challenge, but occasionally lead to morbidity (enteritidis) in vaccinated mice (approximately 1 in every 10 mice). Thus, alternated attenuation method was sought to reduce the reactogenicity of strain rSC0011. Herein, we described another recombinant attenuated S. Choleraesuis vector, rSC0012 (ΔPfur88:: TT araC PBAD fur Δpmi-2426 ΔrelA199:: araC PBAD lacI TT ΔasdA33) with regulated delayed fur mutation to avoid inducing disease symptoms while exhibiting a high degree of immunogenicity. Results:The strain rSC0012 strain with the ΔPfur88::TT araC PBAD fur mutation induced less production of inflammatory cytokines than strain rSC0011 with the ΔPcrp527::TT araC PBAD crp mutation in mice. When delivering the same pS-SaoA plasmid, the intraperitoneal LD50 of rSC0012 was 18.2 times higher than that of rSC0011 in 3-week-old BALB/C mice. rSC0012 with either pS-SaoA or pYA3493 was cleared from spleen and liver tissues 7 days earlier than rSC0011 with same vectors after oral inoculation. The strain rSC0012 synthesizing SaoA induced high titers of anti-SaoA antibodies in both systemic (IgG in serum) and mucosal (IgA in vaginal washes) sites, as well as increased level of IL-4, the facilitator of Th2-type T cell immune response in mice. The recombinant vaccine rSC0012(pS-SaoA) conferred high percentage of protection against S. suis or S. Choleraesuis challenge in BALB/C mice. Conclusions: The live-attenuated Salmonella enterica serotype Choleraesuis vaccine rSC0012(pS-SaoA) with regulated delayed fur mutation provides a foundation for the development of a safe and effective vaccine against S. Choleraesuis and S. suis. Keywords: Salmonella Choleraesuis, virulence, immunogenicity, Fur, inflammatory
An emotion regulation training in the treatment of obesity in young adolescents: The protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Debeuf Taaike , Verbeken Sandra , Boelens Elisa , Volkaert Brenda , Malderen Eva Van , Michels Nathalie , Braet Caroline 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: The prevalence rates of childhood obesity are growing. The current multidisciplinary treatments for (childhood) obesity are working, but only in short term and rather moderate. Therefore, research needs to search for underlying mechanisms that can improve the existing multidisciplinary treatments. A possible underlying mechanism can be ‘Emotion Regulation’, referring to “the processes by which individuals influence which emotions they have, when they have them, and how they experience and express these emotions”. Gross (1998) states that these Emotion Regulation processes play a crucial role in whether medical and psychological consequences are developed as a result of negative affect. The research model for this RCT-study states that when high levels of stress are regulated in a maladaptive way, this can contribute to the development of obesity. Three processes are playing a role: 1) stress physiology (cortisol), 2) low grade inflammation and 3) emotional eating. We see that the prevalence of emotional eating is higher in children and adults with obesity, in comparison with average weight individuals. Method: The current study will recruit 140 youngsters (10-14 years) that are involved in an inpatient multidisciplinary obesity treatment program. Seventy of them will receive an Emotion Regulation Training on top of care as usual. The training itself consists of 12 weekly sessions. After the end of this training, two booster sessions will be given. The participants will be tested pre, post and at 6 months’ follow-up. We hypothesize that compared to the control condition, the youngsters in the intervention condition will (1) use more adaptive Emotion Regulation Strategies, (2) use less the strategy of emotional eating, (3) will report a better sleep quality, (4) result in an improved weight-loss and weight-loss maintenance and (5) result in a better long-term (6-months) psychological well-being. This manuscript proposes the protocol for the Randomized Controlled Trial study. Discussion: This study will add to both the scientific and clinical literature on the role of emotion regulation in the development and maintenance of different psychopathologies, as emotion regulation is a transdiagnostic factor. Trial Registration: The RCT-study protocol is registered at ISRCTN Registry, with study ID ‘ISRCTN 83822934’. Registered at 13 december 2017; http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN83822934
Neonatal sepsis and its associated factors in East Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis, 2019
Authors: Beletew Biruk , Kassie Ayelign , kassaw Mesfin Wudu , Getu Mikias Amare 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Neonatal sepsis is one of the most leading causes of inflated death and illness of neonates. Different primary studies in Eastern Africa showed the burden of neonatal sepsis. However, inconsistency among those studies was seen and no review has been conducted to report the amalgamated magnitude and associated factors. Therefore, this review aimed to estimate the national prevalence and associated factors of neonatal sepsis in Eastern Africa. Methods: Using PRISMA guideline, we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed studies that examined the prevalence and associated factors of neonatal sepsis from PubMed, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar. Heterogeneity across the studies was evaluated using the Q and the I2 test. A weighted inverse variance random-effects model was applied to estimate the national prevalence and the effect size of associated factors. The subgroup analysis was conducted by country, study design, and year of publication. A funnel plot and Egger’s regression test were used to see publication bias. Result: A total of 26 studies with 11239 participants were used for analysis. The pooled prevalence of neonatal sepsis in East Africa was 29.65% (95% CI; 23.36–35.94).Home delivery(AOR =2.67; 95% CI: 1.15-4.00; I2= 0.0%; P=0.996), maternal history of UTI (AOR=2.083; 95% CI :0.24-3.93; I2= 69.1%; P=0.001),gestational age (preterm) (AOR=1.56; 95% CI: 1.04-2.08; I2= 27.8%;P=0.000) ,prolonged labor (AOR=3.23 ;95% CI: -0.04-6.51; I2= 62.7%; P=0.020) and PROM (AOR= 1.95; 95% CI: 0.53-3.37; I2= 43.2%; P=0.062) were identified factors of neonatal sepsis. Conclusions: The prevalence of neonatal sepsis in Eastern Africa remains high. This review may help policy-makers and program officers to design neonatal sepsis preventive interventions. Keywords: Neonatal sepsis, Eastern Africa
Expansion of sweet taste receptor genes in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) coincided with vegetarian adaptation
Authors: Yuan Xiao-Chen , Liang Xu-Fang , Cai Wen-Jing , He Shan , Guo Wen-Jie , Mai Kang-Sen 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background

Taste is fundamental to diet selection in vertebrates. Genetic basis of sweet taste receptor in the shaping of food habits has been extensively studied in mammals and birds, but scarcely studied in fishes. Grass carp is an excellent model for studying vegetarian adaptation, as it exhibits food habit transition from carnivory to herbivory.

Results

We identified six sweet taste receptors (gcT1R2A-F) in grass carp. The four gcT1R2s (gcT1R2C-F) have been suggested to be evolved from and paralogous to the two original gcT1R2s (gcT1R2A and gcT1R2B). All gcT1R2s were expressed in taste organs and mediated glucose- or fructose-induced intracellular calcium signaling, revealing they were functional. Cells co-transfected with six gcT1R2s/gcT1R3 showed a greater response to glucose or fructose than those transfected alone, while a lower response to plant specific fructose than those co-transfected with the new four gcT1R2s/gcT1R3. Moreover, food habit transition from carnivory to herbivory in grass carp was accompanied by increased gene expression of certain gcT1R2s.

Conclusions

We suggested that the gene expansion of T1R2 in grass carp was an adaptive strategy to accommodate the change in food environment. Moreover, the selected gene expression of gcT1R2s might drive the food habit transition from carnivory to herbivory in grass carp. This study provided some evolutional and physiological clues for the formation of herbivory in grass carp.
Sexual selection affects the evolution of contact pheromones in Drosophila melanogaster populations isolated by differential sexual conflict
Authors: Dutta Rochishnu , Chechi Tejinder Singh , Prasad N. G. 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: The ability of sexual conflict to facilitate reproductive isolation is widely anticipated. However, very few experimental evolutionary studies have convincingly demonstrated the evolution of reproductive isolation due to sexual conflict. Recently a study on the replicates of Drosophila melanogaster populations under differential sexual conflict found that divergent mate preference evolved among replicates under high sexual conflict regime. The precopulatory isolating mechanism underlying such divergent mate preference could be sexual signals such as cuticular lipids since they evolve rapidly and are involved in D. melanogaster mate recognition. Using Drosophila melanogaster replicates used in the previous study, we investigate whether cuticular lipid divergence bears signatures of sexually antagonistic coevolution that led to reproductive isolation among replicates of high sexual conflict regime.

Results: We found that their cuticular lipid profiles are sexually dimorphic. Although replicates with male biased sex ratio evolved isolation in reproductive traits due to high sexual conflict, the patterns of cuticular lipid divergence in high and low sexual conflict regimes suggest that sexual selection is the dominant selection pressure rather than sexual conflict affecting the cuticular lipid profile. We also find cuticular lipid divergence patterns to be suggestive of the Buridan’s Ass regime which is one of the six possible mechanism to resolve sexual conflict.

Conclusions: Although reproductive isolation due to sexual conflict is anticipated, evolution of a sexually selected trait under sexual conflict may not lead to population differentiation in expected lines. This is because speciation due to sexually antagonistic coevolution is only one of the several outcomes of sexual conflict. This study indicates that population differentiation as a result of cuticular lipid divergence cannot be credited to sexual conflict despite high sexual conflict regime evolving divergent cuticular lipid profiles.
Anthelmintic Drugs Resistance of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Naturally Infected Goats in Haramaya, Ethiopia
Authors: Wondimu Anteneh , Bayu Yehualashet 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: The occurrence of anthelmintic resistance to commonly used drugs is becoming worldwide constrain in livestock production. Considering the narrow range of available drugs and slow rate of new drug development, anthelmintic resistance presents an alarming global threat demanding vigilant monitoring and management. It is likely that anthelmintic resistance of gastrointestinal goats present in Ethiopia, but little information regarding the prevalence and species of nematode resistance to drugs is available. Current study done with objective to assess anthelmintic resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes of goats to commonly used anthelmintic drugs. Results: The result of the FECRT % and lower 95% confidence limit reported the presence of anthelmintic resistance for tested drugs; albendazole (41.5%, 36.9), tetraclozan (69.5%, 66.1), tetramisole (91.1%, 87.4) and ivermectin (43%, 38.2) respectively. Trichostrongylus spp, Teladorsagia spp and Haemonchus spp showed anthelmintic resistance for all tested drugs. Coproculture from different treated group revealed of Trichostrongylus spp (69.2% in ivermectin and 59.6% in albendazole) was the predominant nematode followed by Teladorsagia spp (21.9% in albendazole and 14.7% in ivermectin). In tetraclozan treatment group, Trichostrongylus spp (42%) and Teladorsagia spp (41.3%) were comparable, followed by Haemonchus spp (13%). In group treated with tetramisole, Teladorsagia spp (54.3%) was the major nematode detected followed by Trichostrongylus spp (25.7%) and Haemonchus spp (11.4%). Conclusions: The study demonstrated the presence of multi-drug resistant nematodes mainly Trichostrongylus spp, Teladorsagia spp and Haemonchus spp. Control strategies including management practices of pasture rotation, supplementary feeding and encouraging traditional nematode control methods. Further studies covering wider areas of Ethiopia and mechanism of nematode resistance need to be studied in future.
Susceptibility of BAFF-var allele carriers to severe SLE with occurrence of lupus nephritis
Authors: Friebus-Kardash Justa , Trendelenburg Marten , Eisenberger Ute , Ribi Camillo , Chizzolini Carlo , Huynh-Do Uyen , Lang Karl Sebastian , Wilde Benjamin , Kribben Andreas , Witzke Oliver , Dolff Sebastian , Hardt Cornelia 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Dysregulation of the B-cell activating factor (BAFF) system is involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Increased serum concentrations of BAFF are related to lupus nephritis and disease activity among SLE patients. Recently, a variant of the BAFF-encoding gene, BAFF-var, was identified to be associated with autoimmune diseases, in particular SLE, and to promote the production of soluble BAFF. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of BAFF-var in a cohort of 195 SLE patients and to analyze the association of the BAFF-var genotype (TNSF13B) with various manifestations of SLE. Methods: A cohort of 195 SLE patients from Central Europe, including 153 patients from the Swiss SLE Cohort Study and 42 patients from the University Hospital Essen, Germany, underwent genotyping for detection of BAFF-var allele. Results: Of the 195 patients, 18 (9.2%) tested positive for BAFF-var variant according to the minor allele frequency of 4.6%. The presence of BAFF-var was associated with the occurrence of lupus nephritis (p=0.038) (p=0.03 and p=0.003). Among various organ manifestations of SLE, the presence of BAFF-var was associated with the occurrence of lupus nephritis (p=0.038; odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.89-6.34) and renal activity markers such as proteinuria and hematuria (p=0.03; OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 0.9-6.4 for proteinuria; p=0.003; OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.43-10.76 for hematuria). SLE patients carrying the BAFF-var allele exhibited increased disease activity at study entry, as determined by the physician's global assessment (PGA: p=0.002; OR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.54-14.93) and the SLE Disease Activity Index (p=0.012; OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.12-11.18). Consistent with that, the percentage of patients treated with immunosuppressive agents at study entry was higher among those carrying the BAFF-var allele than among those tested negative for BAFF-var (p=0.006; OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.27-10.84). Conclusions: Our results indicate an association between the BAFF-var genotype and increased severity of SLE. Determining the BAFF-var status of SLE patients may improve the risk stratification of patients for whom the development of lupus nephritis is more likely and thus may be helpful in the follow-up care and treatment of SLE patients.