bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Vibrio cholerae Associated with the 2017 Outbreak in Kasese district
Authors: Iramiot Jacob Stanley , Rwego Innocent B. , Kansiime Catherine , Asiimwe Benon B 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

Cholera has continued to be a global threat to public health and a key indicator of lack of social development in developing countries. This report summarizes findings from the epidemiologic investigation, which aimed at identifying the mode of transmission and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the Vibrio cholerae isolated in Kasese district, Uganda.

Materials and methods

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study to describe the epidemiology of the 2017 cholera outbreak in Kasese district. Rectal swabs were collected from 69 suspected case-persons and cultured on Thiosulphate-Citrate-Bile-Salts Sucrose (TCBS™; SEIKEN Japan) agar and incubated at 370C for 18-24 hours. The isolates were serotyped with polyvalent 01 antiserum and monovalent serotype Inaba and Ogawa antisera (Denka Seiken, Tokyo, Japan) to determine which serotype was responsible for the outbreak. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar.

Results

A total of 222 cases were recorded in the Kasese District outbreak between the month of September 2017 and January 2018 with the case fatality rate (CFR) of 1.4%. Children below the age of 14 years contributed the biggest proportion of the cases (70%) and out of these, 33% were aged below five years. Antibiotic susceptibility using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method showed 100% resistance to Ampicillin and over 50% were resistant to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole whereas gentamicin showed 100% susceptibility. The general trend also showed increased susceptibility to combination therapy as opposed to mono-therapy.
Increased prevalence of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension with associated risk factors in a mine-based workforce, Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Mawaw Paul Makan , Yav Thierry , Mukuku Olivier , Lukanka Olivier , Kazadi Patrick Mumba , Tambwe Daniel , Omba Jules , Kakoma Jean-Baptiste , Bangs Michael John , Luboya Oscar Numbi 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries, with the largest portion occurring in Africa. Results from earlier baseline measures on obesity, diabetes and hypertension (ODH) in the Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) workforce in 2010 showed high proportions of overweight, pre-diabetic and pre-hypertensive individuals, predicting an upward trend in the burden of ODH over time. The 2010 – 2015 longitudinal trends on ODH and related risk factors among the TFM workforce is presented herein, and projects the consequent burden of these diseases on the workforce by 2025 if an effective prevention program is not implemented.

Methods

A longitudinal, retrospective cohort study with 3-time intervals was conducted using occupational health records collected on all employees and contractors who had a pre-employment or follow up medical checkups covering the period between January 2010 and December 2015. Repeated paired t tests measured changes in mean values of quantitative risk factors, while a chi-square test assessed changes in prevalence and categorical risk factors over time. A linear projection model was used to predict the consequent morbidity of ODH for the subsequent 10 years up to 2025.

Results

Between 2010 and 2015, prevalence increased from 4.5% to 11.1% for obesity, 11.9% to 15.6% for diabetes, and 18.2% to 26.5% for hypertension. By 2025, provided no prevention program is implemented, prevalence is predicted to reach 25%, 24% and 42% respectively for obesity, diabetes and hypertension.

Conclusion

Without implementation of a comprehensive NCD prevention plan, the burden of ODH and other NCDs is predicted to increase dramatically in the TFM workforce. Alone or combined, NCDs have the potential to dramatically increase operational costs while decreasing productivity over time.
TUBERCULOSIS TREATMENT OUTCOMES: A FIFTEEN YEAR COHORT STUDY IN JOS NORTH AND MANGU, PLATEAU STATE, NORTH - CENTRAL NIGERIA
Authors: Sariem Comfort Nanbam , Odumosu Patricia , Dapar Maxwell Patrick , Musa Jonah , Ibrahim Luka , Aguiyi John Chinyere 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease with a major global health problem; being the tenth leading cause of death worldwide, and the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. Nigeria is among the countries with high burden of tuberculosis and the highest global mortality rate. Medication adherence has been shown to have profound effect on other treatment outcomes.

Objective

To examine a fifteen-year cohort of tuberculosis treatment outcomes in Jos North and Mangu Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

Methods

The study was done in five treatment centers which account for more than half of data for tuberculosis patients in Plateau State, North-Central Nigeria. The retrospective study was done from 2001 to 2015, where TB patient records who had completed treatment were evaluated. Treatment outcomes were classified as successful (cured, treatment completed) or unsuccessful (non-adherent, treatment failure or death) and analyzed using binomial logistic regression.

Results

Males composed 58.1% of the population (10,156). Mean age ±SD was 35.5±15.5 years. The overall treatment success rate was 67.4%; non-adherence/defaulting rate was 18.5%, with majority of patients defaulting at the end of intensive phase of treatment; sputum conversion rate was 72.8% and mortality rate was 7.5%. A decrease in successful treatment outcomes from 83.8% to 64.4%, with a corresponding increase in unsuccessful treatment outcomes was observed. The Predictors of medication non-adherence were patients with unknown HIV status (OR 4.29, 95% CI: 3.74-4.91, p < 0.001); being male (OR 1.15, CI: 1.37-1.66, p = 0.008) and having a history of non-adherence (OR 2.27, CI: 1.34-3.87, p = 0.002) and treatment failure (OR 2.83, CI: 0.98 – 8.19, p = 0.05).

Conclusion

Underlying reasons for medication non-adherence and treatment failure identified should be resolved by the patient, treatment supporter and health worker. Increased awareness and education on voluntary counseling and testing of HIV among TB patients is advocated, particularly among the male population.
Effects of Education on Symptom Recognition and Management of Pseudobulbar Affect: A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Clinician Knowledge and Behavior Changes
Authors: Turell Wendy , Roc Anne , Pioro Erik , Howson Alexandra 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is under-recognized and often undertreated in clinical practice. There are few resources to support clinicians in the recognition and treatment of PBA symptoms, despite the approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration of a PBA-specific treatment. We evaluated the impact of a virtual education symposium on clinician knowledge and competence designed to improve knowledge and skills associated with identifying and managing PBA in patients with neurologic injury.

Methods

We designed a mixed methods outcomes methodology that included survey-based methods and qualitative interviews to measure trends in knowledge and competence. We measured changes in knowledge and competence via pre- and post-test online surveys that included case-based competence questions and knowledge-focused questions. McNemar test compared matched pair responses. Effect size was computed using Cohen’s d for all significant findings. Significance testing was conducted for matched pairs of learners who completed both pre/post and pre/survey, respectively. We explored the impact of the educational intervention on clinician knowledge, competency, and perspectives on PBA via qualitative interviews with a subsample of education participants. We used a process of constant comparison to structure analysis of participant responses to questions both across and within interviews.

Results

Participants’ PBA symptom recognition knowledge and skills increased following program participation and were maintained at follow-up. Responses to post-activity case-based questions showed that exposure to education enabled participants to better recognize and describe symptoms redolent of PBA. Following education, most participants said they would initiate therapy with on-label versus off-label medications. Qualitative descriptions of what interviewees say they would do in clinical practice were reflected in actual responses to knowledge and competence questions.

Conclusions

This mixed-method study demonstrates that online education is an effective and accessible tool for building knowledge and supporting clinical competence concerning PBA symptom recognition and management.
Comparative transcriptome profiling provides insights into plant salt tolerance in seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum)
Authors: Luo Hong , Wu Peipei , Cogill Steven , Qiu Yijian , Li Zhigang , Zhou Man , Hu Qian , Chang Zhihui , Noorai Rooksana E. , Xia Xiaoxia , Saski Christopher , Raymer Paul 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background

Seashore paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum), a halophytic warm-seasoned perennial grass, is tolerant of many environmental stresses, especially salt stress. To investigate molecular mechanisms underlying salinity tolerance in seashore paspalum, physiological characteristics and global transcription profiles of highly (Supreme) and moderately (Parish) salinity-tolerant cultivars under normal and salt stressed conditions were analyzed.

Results

Physiological characterization comparing highly (Supreme) and moderately (Parish) salinity-tolerant cultivars revealed that Supreme’s higher salinity tolerance is associated with higher Na+ and Ca2+ accumulation under normal conditions and further increase of Na+ under salt-treated conditions (400 mM NaCl), possibly by vacuolar sequestration. Moreover, K+ retention under salt treatment occurs in both cultivars, suggesting that it may be a conserved mechanism for prevention of Na+ toxicity. We sequenced the transcriptome of the two cultivars under both normal and salt-treated conditions (400 mM NaCl) using RNA-seq. De novo assembly of about 153 million high-quality reads and identification of Open Reading Frames (ORFs) uncovered a total of 82,608 non-redundant unigenes, of which 3,250 genes were identified as transcription factors (TFs). Gene Ontology (GO) annotation revealed the presence of genes involved in diverse cellular processes in seashore paspalum’s transcriptome. Differential expression analysis identified a total of 828 and 2,222 genes that are responsive to high salinity for Supreme and Parish, respectively. GO enrichment analysis demonstrated that genes involved in “oxidation-reduction process” and “nucleic acid binding” are significantly associated with salinity tolerance in both cultivars. Interestingly, compared to Parish, a number of salt stress induced transcription factors are enriched and show higher abundance in Supreme under normal conditions, possibly due to enhanced Ca2+ signaling transduction out of Na+ accumulation, which may be another contributor to Supreme’s higher salinity tolerance.

Conclusion

Physiological and genomics analyses of seashore paspalum reveal major molecular underpinnings contributing to plant response to salt stress in this halophytic warm-seasoned perennial grass. The data obtained provide valuable molecular resources for functional studies and developing strategies to engineer plant salinity tolerance.
Increased serum IL-36β and IL-36γ levels in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: Association with disease activity
Authors: Yang Chun-Sheng , Zhang Qiu xia , Deng Yu , Zhou Bing jie , Zhang Lin jie , Li Li min , Qi Yuan , Wang Jing , Yang Li , Shi Fu-Dong 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Background: Interleukin 36 (IL-36) cytokines belong to the IL-1 family and play an important role in some autoimmune diseases. However, the relationship between IL-36 and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) remains unclear. Methods: We determined serum IL-36α, IL-36β and IL-36γ levels and assessed correlations with clinical characteristics in 50 NMOSD patients and 30 healthy controls (HC). Results: The concentrations of serum IL-36β and IL-36γ were significantly higher in patients with NMOSD than in HCs and decreased during remission. Serum IL-36β levels were positively correlated with the annual relapse rate (ARR), spinal cord lesion length and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores. Conclusions: Serum IL-36β and IL-36γ levels were related to disease activity in NMOSD patients and may be important biomarkers of NMOSD.
Diagnosing, Ameliorating, and Monitoring Soil Compaction in No‐Till Brazilian Soils
Authors: Peixoto Devison Souza , Silva Bruno Montoani , Godinho Silva Sérgio Henrique , Karlen Douglas L. , Moreira Silvino Guimarães , Pereira da Silva Alessandro Alvarenga , Vilela de Resende Álvaro , Norton Lloyd Darrell , Curi Nilton 
Published: July 2019

Core Ideas
One‐time tillage increased soybean yield as a result of improving soil physical properties.
Penetration resistance, air capacity, macroporosity, relative field capacity, and S index were the soil physical properties that best predicted soybean yield.
The most sensitive soil physical properties for detecting structural related alterations were equally important for predicting soybean yield.
Penetration resistance is the indicator that addresses no‐tillage soil compaction and its effect on soybean yield.
Soil compaction can significantly reduce crop yield. Our objective was to identify the most sensitive soil physical property and process indicators related to crop yield using a Random Forest algorithm (RFA). This machine‐learning, decision‐making tool was used with field‐scale data from five soil management treatments designed to ameliorate compaction in no‐tillage (NT) fields. The treatments were: T1, NT for 10 yr (control); T2, NT with surface application of 3.6 Mg ha−1 of agricultural gypsum; T3, NT with subsoiling plus 1.44 Mg ha−1 of highly reactive limestone applied to a depth of 0.60 m; T4, NT planting following chisel plowing at a depth of 0.26 m; and T5, NT with subsoiling to a depth of 0.60 m plus 1.44 Mg ha−1 of surface‐applied, highly reactive limestone. Fifteen soil physical properties and processes related to growth and yield of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were measured. Mechanical intervention, specifically subsoiling, improved soil physical properties and increased soybean yield cultivated following occasional tillage. The RFA ranked penetration resistance (PR), air capacity, macroporosity, relative field capacity, and the Dexter‐S index as the most sensitive soil physical indicators affecting soybean yield. Those indicators were also sensitive to changes in soil structure due to subsoiling. We conclude that the RFA was an effective tool for screening indicators and that those chosen can be effective for monitoring soil compaction and its effect on soybean yield. Penetration resistance may be used to guide on‐farm decision‐making regarding when and how NT soil compaction should be addressed.
Understanding the Fertilizer Management Impacts on Water and Nitrogen Dynamics for a Corn Silage Tile‐Drained System in Canada
Authors: He Wentian , Smith W. N. , Grant B. B. , VanderZaag A. C. , Schwager E. A. , Qi Z. , Reynolds D. , Wagner‐Riddle C. 
Published: July 2019

Effective management of dairy manure is important to minimize N losses from cropping systems, maximize profitability, and enhance environmental sustainability. The objectives of this study were (i) to calibrate and validate the DeNitrification‐DeComposition (DNDC) model using measurements of silage corn (Zea mays L.) biomass, N uptake, soil temperature, tile drain flow, NO3− leaching, N2O emissions, and soil mineral N in eastern Canada, and (ii) to investigate the long‐term impacts of manure management under climate variability. The treatments investigated included a zero‐fertilizer control, inorganic fertilizer, and dairy manure amendments (raw and digested). The DNDC model overall demonstrated statistically “good” performance when simulating silage corn yield and N uptake based on normalized RMSE (nRMSE) < 10%, index of agreement (d) > 0.9, and Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) > 0.5. In addition, DNDC, with its inclusion of a tile drainage mechanism, demonstrated “good” predictions for cumulative drainage (nRMSE < 20%, d > 0.8, and NSE > 0.5). The model did, however, underestimate daily drainage flux during spring thaw for both organic and inorganic amendments. This was attributed to an underestimation of soil temperature and soil water under frequent soil freezing and thawing during the 2013–2014 overwinter period. Long‐term simulations under climate variability indicated that spring applied manure resulted in less NO3− leaching and N2O emissions than fall application when manure rates were managed based on crop N requirements. Overall, this study helped highlight the challenges in discerning the short‐term climate interactions on fertilizer‐induced N losses compared with the long‐term dynamics under climate variability.Core Ideas
A new tile drainage mechanism implemented in DNDC was successfully evaluated.
DNDC performed well in simulating silage corn biomass, N uptake, and soil inorganic N.
Soil temperature and tile drainage was sometimes underestimated in the overwinter period.
Seasonal N losses were better simulated than nonseasonal N losses.
Long‐term simulation indicated lower N leaching and N2O for spring than fall manure.
Fall Tillage Reduced Nutrient Loads from Liquid Manure Application during the Freezing Season
Authors: Stock Melanie N. , Arriaga Francisco J. , Vadas Peter A. , Good Laura W. , Casler Michael D. , Karthikeyan K. G. , Zopp Zachariah 
Published: July 2019

Reducing agricultural runoff is important year round, particularly on landscapes that receive wintertime applications of manure. No‐tillage systems are typically associated with reduced runoff loads during the growing season, but surface roughness from fall tillage may aid infiltration on frozen soils by providing surface depressional storage. The timing of winter manure applications may also affect runoff, depending on snow and soil frost conditions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate runoff and nutrient loads during the freezing season from combinations of tillage and manure application timings. Six management treatments were tested in south‐central Wisconsin during the winters of 2015–2016 and 2016–2017 with a complete factorial design: two tillage treatments (fall chisel plow vs. no‐tillage) and three manure application timings (early December, late January, and unmanured). Nutrient loads from winter manure application were lower on chisel‐plowed versus untilled soils during both monitoring years. Loads were also lower from manure applied to soils with less frost development. Wintertime manure applications pose a risk of surface nutrient losses, but fall tillage and timing applications to thawed soils can help reduce loads.Core Ideas
Fall tillage reduced winter runoff and manure nutrient losses compared with no‐tillage.
Nutrient loads were greatest on no‐tillage soil with winter‐applied liquid manure.
Timing liquid manure application to unfrozen or partially thawed soil reduced loss.
Seasonal Efficacy of Vegetated Filter Strips for Phosphorus Reduction in Surface Runoff
Authors: Vanrobaeys J. A. , Owens P. N. , Lobb D. A. , Kieta K. A. , Campbell J. M. 
Published: July 2019

A vegetated filter strip (VFS) is a measure commonly implemented in agricultural landscapes for the purpose of improving water quality. However, much of the evidence to support their effectiveness comes from warm regions dominated by rainfall driven runoff. This study assessed the performance of VFS plots and compared them with annual crop strips to reduce phosphorus (P) levels in runoff in the cold climate of the Canadian Prairies. Analysis of water samples from 22 events during the study indicated no significant difference in the inflow and outflow concentrations of total dissolved P (TDP) or total P (TP) for either the VFS or the annual crop strips. Although the VFS plots had little effect on TDP or TP during the spring, they performed better during the growing season, reducing mean TP concentrations in five out of seven, or 71%, of these events. The VFS plots did not perform as well during the fall events, with the overall mean TP concentration in runoff increasing after flowing through the filters during this time period.Core Ideas
Vegetated filter strips are dynamic in cold climates and P retention capacity changes seasonally.
Vegetated filter strips were not effective at retaining P outside the growing season.
New designs and management are required for vegetated filter strips for P retention in cold climates.
Seasonal Variation in Sediment and Phosphorus Yields in Four Wisconsin Agricultural Watersheds
Authors: Good Laura Ward , Carvin Rebecca , Lamba Jasmeet , Fitzpatrick Faith A. 
Published: July 2019

Agricultural water quality projects in two distinct topographic regions in Wisconsin collected 5 to 10 yr of continuous stream discharge, suspended sediment (SS), total P (TP), and total dissolved P (TDP) in four watersheds (2100–5000 ha) from 2006 to 2016. Previous agricultural nonpoint SS and TP reduction efforts in two of these watersheds documented cold versus warm season differences in water quality response. The goal of this study was to identify seasonal partitioning of SS, TP, and TDP in storm event loads to inform stream water quality protection efforts. We used National Weather Service Coop Observer frost depth reports to identify dates when watershed soils were frozen. By comparing daily mean event discharge for dates relative to frost, we identified a 32‐d post‐frost high‐discharge “thaw” period. Combined, the frozen and thaw periods contributed about half of the annual SS and TP runoff event loads, ranging from 47 to 63% for SS and from 45 to 51% for TP. The proportion of runoff event TDP during this time was even higher, 62 to 79%, with the majority during thaw. Watershed average volumetric runoff coefficients (event flow/precipitation and snowmelt) were two to four times higher during the freeze and the thaw compared with the rest of the year. To reduce total stream loads in regions with similar climates to Wisconsin, this study indicates that using management practices that curb sediment and P delivery to streams in the winter and early spring may be as important as those designed for nonfrozen conditions.Core Ideas
About half of stream event suspended sediment and total P loads were during frost and thaw.
A majority of annual event total dissolved P loading was during thaw.
Watershed average runoff coefficients were higher in frost and thaw.