bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of exacerbations of pulmonary MAC disease
Authors: Kodaka Norio , Nakano Chihiro , Oshio Takeshi , Watanabe Kayo , Niitsuma Kumiko , Imaizumi Chisato , Matsuse Hiroto 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Background and Objectives
The number of patients with pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease is increasing worldwide, especially among middle-aged women and never-smokers. Although sex and smoking status have attracted attention as predictors of the development and exacerbation of pulmonary MAC disease, the exact associations remain unknown.The aim of the present study was to clarify the associations of sex and smoking status with the clinical characteristics of pulmonary MAC disease and to identify the predictors of exacerbations of pulmonary MAC disease.
Methods
From April 2011 to May 2016, 128 MAC patients at our institute were newly diagnosed with pulmonary MAC disease according to the 2007 American Thoracic Society/Infectious Disease Society guideline. Their medical records were retrospectively examined for their clinical findings. The radiological findings at the time of the diagnosis and 1 year later were evaluated. Clinical characteristics were compared by smoking status and sex. To identify the natural predictors of exacerbation, multivariable analysis was performed with the data of 80 treatment-naïve patients.
Results
Female, never-smoker, and nodular/bronchiectatic (NB) type were common in patients with pulmonary MAC disease. Univariate analysis of data from treatment-naïve subjects showed that female, never-smoker, fewer lung diseases other than MAC, extensive radiological findings, and ≥3 lobes involved were significantly associated with exacerbations. On multivariate analysis, fewer lung diseases other than MAC, extensive radiological findings, and ≥3 lobes involved were significantly associated with exacerbations, but female and never-smoker were not.
Conclusions
In this study, the presence of extensive radiological findings, especially abnormal shadows in ≥3 lobes and absence of lung diseases other than MAC, rather than sex and smoking status, was a predictor of exacerbations of treatment-naïve pulmonary MAC disease.
Prevalence, infection intensity and associated risk factors of Intestinal Schistosomiasis among primary school Children in Lira District, Northern Uganda
Authors: Byagamy John Paul , Malinga Geoffrey Maxwell , Angwech Harriet , Opiro Robert , Echodu Richard , Odongo-Aginya Emmanuel 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence, infection intensity and associated risk factors of intestinal schistosomiasis among primary school children in Lira district, Uganda. The study was conducted among 532 primary school pupils aged 6-16 years from eight randomly selected primary schools (March-May 2017). Stool samples were collected and examined for schistosomiasis using Odongo-Aginya method. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors were obtained using questionnaires.
Results: The overall prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni was 35.7% indicating a moderate infection. Both males and females were equally affected with S. mansoni . Ogur sub county had highest prevalence (65.0%) than others. Akangi (65.5%) and Akano (64.5%) primary schools both had highest prevalence compared to the others. With regard to risk factors, source of drinking water, sub-county location and primary school were associated with prevalence of infection whereas only school location and home distance to water source was associated with intensity. Participants who fetch water from spring, dam and wells had higher infection than those who fetch from boreholes. The study recommends provision of safe water, periodic treatment of school-aged children with praziquantel and public health education to reduce prevalence of S. mansoni .
Antimicrobial activities and in vitro properties of cold-adapted Lactobacillus strains isolated from the intestinal tract of cold water fishes of high latitude water areas in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Wei Xiaojing , Zhang Yan , Zhou Hong , Tian Fengwei , Ni Yongqing 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Background There are still a large variety of microorganisms among aquatic animals, especially probiotic lactic acid bacteria in cold water fishes at high latitudes have not been fully developed. Hence, the present study aims to evaluate the probiotic potential of cold-adapted Lactobacillus strains isolated from the intestinal tract of cold water fishes (Xinjiang) and select candidates to be used as new food preservative agents and/or probiotic additives in feeding of aquaculture. Results A total of 43 Lactobacillus spp. were isolated from 16 kinds of intestinal tract of cold-water fishes. They were characterized by phenotypic methods, identified using Rep-PCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing as four species: Lactobacillus sakei (22 isolates), Lactobacillus plantarum (16 isolates), Lactobacillus casei (4 isolates) and Lactobacillus paracasei (1 isolate). The in vitro tests included survival in low pH and bile, antimicrobial activity (against Escherichia coli , Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium , Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica , Listeria monocytogenes , and Listeria innocua ), resistance to 15 antibiotics and hemolytic tests. Among all 43 lactobacilli isolates, the 22 isolates showed a wide range of antimicrobial activity against 6 different pathogenic strains. There were twenty isolates growing at a optimal temperature ranging 16~20°C, which were initially considered to be cold-adapted strains. Two (2) Lb. sakei strains and 2 Lb. plantarum strains demonstrated the highest survivability after 4 h of exposure at pH 2.0. Most of the tested strains cannot be cultured after exposed into 0.5% bile solution for 4 h, while 2 Lb. plantarum strains (E-HLM-3, CQ-CGC-2) and 1 Lb. sakei strain M-DGM-2 survived even at 2% bile concentration. In addition, the safety assessment showed that 22 strains without any detectable hemolytic activity and resistant to glycopeptides (vancomycin, teicoplanin), levofloxacin, aztreonam, amikacin and oxacillin, while all the studied lactobacilli showed sensitivity to or semi-tolerant to other antibiotics. Conclusions Based on all the experiments, 3 strains, including E-HLM-3, CQ-CGC-2, and M-DGM-2 might be a candidate of choice for using in the food preservative agents and/or probiotic additives in feeding of aquaculture.
Detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli and Klebsiella spp in effluents of different hospitals sewage in Biratnagar, Nepal
Authors: Mahato Sanjay , Mahato Ajay , Pokharel Elina , Tamrakar Ankita 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Objective

This study was aimed to determine prevalence and resistance pattern like multidrug resistant (MDR) or ESBL nature of E. coli and Klebsiella spp from various sewage drain samples with an idea to deliver baseline information that could be utilized for defining guidelines for the treatment of hospital sewages.Results

Of 10 sewage samples analyzed, 7 (70%) contained E. coli while 6 (60%) contained Klebsiella. Except one sample, all positive samples contained both E. coli and Klebsiella spp. E. coli isolates were resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin, cefoxitin, cefuroxime, and cefpodoxime; while 85.7% were resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanate, ceftazidime, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone. 71.4%, 57.1%, 42.9%, and 28.6% were resistant to aztreonam, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin, and gentamicin. Most were sensitive to chloramphenicol, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin. 85.7% and 57.1% of E. coli were MDR and ESBL isolates respectively. Klebsiella were resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin, and amoxicillin/clavulanate. 83.4% of Klebsiella were resistant to cefoxitin. 66.7% of strains were resistant to cefuroxime, ceftazidime, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, and cefpodoxime. Klebsiella showed 50% resistant to aztreonam and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, while 33.3% were resistant to chloramphenicol, nitrofurantoin, ofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin. Klebsiella were sensitive to azithromycin and gentamicin. 66.7% and 33.3% of Klebsiella were MDR and ESBL isolates respectively.
Cry for health: a quantitative evaluation of a hospital-based advocacy intervention for domestic violence and abuse
Authors: Halliwell Gemma , Dheensa Sandi , Fenu Elisabetta , Jones Sue K , Asato Jessica , Jacob Suzanne , Feder Gene 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Background
Domestic violence and abuse damages the health of survivors and increases use of healthcare services. We report findings from a multi-site evaluation of hospital-based advocacy services, designed to support survivors attending emergency departments and maternity services.
Methods
Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVA) were co-located in five UK hospitals. Case-level data were collected at T1 (initial referral) and T2 (case closure) from survivors accessing hospital (T1 N = 692; T2 N = 476) and community IDVA services (T1 N = 3,544; T2 N = 2,780), used as a comparator. Measures included indicators of sociodemographic characteristics, experience of abuse, health service use, health and safety outcomes. Multivariate analyses tested for differences in changes in abuse, health and factors influencing safety outcomes. Health service use data in the six months pre-and post- intervention were compared to generate potential cost savings by hospital IDVA services.
Results
Hospital IDVAs worked with survivors less visible to community IDVA services and facilitated intervention at an earlier point. Hospital IDVAs received higher referrals from health services and enabled access to a greater number of health resources. Hospital survivors were more likely to report greater reductions in and cessation of abuse. No differences were observed in health outcomes for hospital survivors. The odds of safety increased two-fold if hospital survivors received over five contacts with an IDVA or accessed six or more resources / programmes over a longer period of time. Six months preceding IDVA intervention, hospital survivors cost on average £2,463 each in use of health services; community survivors cost £533 each. The cost savings observed among hospital survivors amounted to a total of £2,050 per patient per year. This offset the average cost of providing hospital IDVA services.
Conclusions
Hospital IDVAs can identify survivors not visible to other services and promote safety through intensive support and access to resources. The co-location of IDVAs within the hospital encouraged referrals to other health services and wider community agencies. Further research is required to establish the cost-effectiveness of hospital IDVA services, however our findings suggest these services could be an efficient use of health service resources.
The Smoking Cessation in Pregnancy Incentives Trial (CPIT): study protocol for a phase III randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sinclair Lesley , McFadden Margaret , Tilbrook Helen , Mitchell Alex , Keding Ada , Watson Judith , Bauld Linda , Kee Frank , Torgerson David , Hewitt Catherine , McKell Jennifer , Hoddinott Pat , Harris Fiona M , Uny Isabelle , Boyd Kathleen , Mcmeekin Nicola , Mitchell Shirley , Dover Joanna , Ussher Michael , Pattie Amanda , Tappin David 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Background Eighty percent of UK women have at least one baby, making pregnancy an opportunity to help women to stop smoking before their health is irreparably compromised. Smoking cessation during pregnancy helps protect infants from miscarriage, still birth, low birth weight, asthma, attention deficit disorder and adult cardiovascular disease. UK national guidelines highlight lack of evidence for effectiveness of financial incentives to help pregnant smokers quit. This includes a research recommendation: Within a UK context, are incentives an acceptable, effective and cost-effective way to help pregnant women who smoke to quit? Methods CPIT III is a pragmatic, 39-month, multi-centre, parallel group, individually randomised controlled superiority trial of the effect on smoking status of adding to usual smoking cessation support the offer of up to £400 of financial voucher incentives, compared with usual support alone, to quit smoking during pregnancy. Participants (n = 940) are pregnant smokers (age > 16, <24 weeks pregnant, English speaking), who consent via telephone to take part and are willing to be followed-up in late pregnancy and 6 months after birth. The primary outcome is cotinine/anabasine validated abstinence from smoking in late pregnancy. Secondary outcomes include engagement with cessation services, quit rates at four weeks from agreed quit date and 6 months after birth, and birth weight. Outcomes will be analysed by intention-to-treat, and regression models will be used to compare treatment effects on outcomes. A meta-analysis will include data from the feasibility study in Glasgow. An economic evaluation will assess cost-effectiveness from a UK NHS perspective. Process evaluation using a case study approach will identify opportunities to improve recruitment and learning for future implementation. Research questions: What is the therapeutic efficacy of incentives? Are incentives cost-effective? What are the potential facilitators and barriers to implementing incentives in different parts of the UK? Discussion This phase III trial in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland, follows a successful phase II trial in Glasgow UK. The participating sites have diverse smoking cessation services, that represent most cessation services in the UK and serve demographically varied populations. If found to be acceptable and cost-effective this trial could demonstrate that financial incentives are effective and transferable to most UK cessation services for pregnant women.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ISRCTN15236311 date registered 09/10/2017 https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15236311
Factors Associated with the Acceptance of a Novel Integrated Care Service by Community-Dwelling Elderly in Chongqing, China
Authors: Huanhuan Huang , Zhiyu Chen , Mingzhao Xiao , Ling Xiao , Mei Chen , Wenbi Jia , Qinghua Zhao 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Background: Medical Union is a novel model of integrated care services. At present, the Chinese government encourages the development of health care services for aged people provided by Medical Union which may help make effective use of limited medical resources in China. Purpose: This study aims at examining the prevalence of and associated factors affecting the acceptance of a novel integrated care service by community-dwelling elderly. Methods: We extracted raw data generated from 1,180 community residents over 60 years old and performed binary logistic regression analyses to predict odds of the acceptance in Chongqing, China. Using Anderson’s health behavioral model, we examined three groups of predictive factors: (1) predisposing factors (e.g. social demographic information), (2) enabling factors (e.g. health insurance status), (3) need factors (e.g. health status). Results: The application of this novel integrated care service was explained better by enabling factors than other predictive factors. In the best explanatory model (model 3), one predisposing factor (degree of education), one enabling factor (insurance type), and five need factors (self-reported health status, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and disability) were variables considered as the significant factors affecting the acceptance of the novel integrated care service by community-dwelling elderly in Chongqing, china. Conclusion: This study provides an empirical understanding of the equity of the access to a novel integrated care service for older adults who live in communities. Our findings advocate that primary health institutions should play an important role in health education. Advanced policies are needed to protect physically and economically vulnerable groups.
Point of care testing evaluation of lateral flow immunoassay for diagnosis of Cryptococcus Meningitis in Kenya, 2017
Authors: Gitonga Lawrence Kirimi , Boru Waqo Gufu , Kwena Arthur , Maritim Marybeth , Wamicwe Joyce , Ransom James Anthony 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) against latex agglutination (LA), India ink and culture in point-of-care diagnosis of CM. We conducted a cross-sectional study among patients with suspected CM at Mbagathi Hospital, Nairobi, April-July 2017.
Results: Of 124 capillary blood and serum and 99 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples, the agreement between LFA and LA on serum was 94.4%, kappa (0.88), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (91%). LFA and LA on CSF, was 97.9%, kappa (0.96), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (96%). LFA and India ink was 96.9%, kappa (0.94), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (94.1%). On CSF culture, the agreement was 72.7%, kappa (0.43), sensitivity (100%) and specificity (64%). The agreement of LFA on capillary blood, serum and CSF was 100% with kappa (1.00), sensitivity and specificity of 100%
Prevalence of viral sexually transmitted infections and HPV high-risk genotypes in women in rural communities in Bolivia
Authors: Patzi-Churqui Marianela , Terrazas-Aranda Katty , Liljeqvist Jan-Åke , Lindh Magnus , Eriksson Kristina 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Background: Bolivia has the highest prevalence of cervical cancer in South America and the prevalence of viral sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among people in urban cities is increasing. Little is known about the prevalence of viral STIs in rural communities, which generally have limited access to health care. In order to study the prevalence of viral STIs in rural Bolivia, we recruited women from villages and towns in the Department of La Paz in Bolivia. Methods: 394 female participants were assessed for IgG-antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV, anti-HBc), as well as for the presence of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) in dried blood spots. The prevalence of 12 high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) was assessed by qPCR in dried cervicovaginal cell spots from 376 of these women. χ 2 test was used to compare variables between the populations and binary logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with the positivity of the tests. Results: The seroprevalence of HSV-2 was 53% and of HBV 10.3%. HBAg was detected in 15.8% of women with anti-HBV antibodies indicating chronic infection. The frequency of high-risk HPV infection was 27%, with the most prevalent high-risk HPV types being HPV 56, 39 and 31 followed by HPV 16 and 18. Finally, none of the 394 women were seropositive for HIV, and about 64% of the studied population was positive for at least one of the viral infections. Conclusions: Women in Bolivian rural communities in La Paz show a high prevalence of HBV, HPV and, in particular, HSV-2, but a low prevalence of HIV. The pattern of high-risk HPV types differed from e.g. Sweden with a predominance of HPV-types not included in the Gardasil vaccine which was officially introduced in Bolivia in April 2017.
Detection and Integrated Analysis of LncRNA and mRNA Relevant to Plateau Adaptation of Yak
Authors: Wang Jiabo , Chai Zhixin , Deng Lei , Wang Jikun , Wang Hui , Tang You , Zhong Jincheng , Ji Qiumei 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Background:
Yaks, which are known as “The ship in the Plateau”, play an important role in the life of people on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. There are many potential genetic advantages for Plateau Adaptation(PA) of Yak to improve breeding and adapt the environment with low oxygen and strong ultraviolet ray. In this study, in order to filter the Different Expression (DE) genes and new long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) ,also reveal underlying co-expression and regulation network of these, we sequenced 18 samples (cerebellum and cerebrum) of Bos Taurus, Bos Grunniens ☓ Bos Taurus and Bos Grunniens (3 individuals as replications for each species), ,and compared the relationship between modules and PA trait basing on the background of crossbreed genetics. Generalized linear model was used to analyze DE genes, and the different tissues as adjust variations in the model can reduce the noise of population structure.
Results:
On average, 50 million clean reads for each sample were obtained by the control of data quality. 12,072 pseudo lncRNAs were predicted in intersection of three software (CPC2, CNCI and CPAT). Total 4,257 significant DE transcripts were identified by using Ballgown R package (P<0.01) , 1021 of which were protein coding genes, 14were known lncRNAs, 661 were novel lncRNAs. By WGCNA, a co-expression network of DE mRNAs and lncRNAs with 6 modules was created to present functional relationship with PA trait. Our study provided a valuable sub-network composed by 8 hub genes (GRAMD3, MAST4, MICAL1, TLE1, ERAP1, PINK1, MRPL49 and IL34),.1of them was known lncRNA (LOC106700748) ,5 were novel lncRNAs (MSTRG247.1, MSTRG431.1, MSTRG422.1, MSTRG327.1 and MSTRG97.1) in the major module of the whole network.
Conclusions:
The functions of those hub genes are associated with blood pressure, reactive oxygen and metabolic process. The analysis of co-expressed genes with PA trait provides a reference way of the regulation mechanisms in PA of Yak and gets a reference method of the additive genetics expression detection between crossbreed and parents population as well.
Identification of eQTL and sQTL associated with meat quality in beef
Authors: Gutierrez Joel David Leal , Elzo Mauricio A. , Mateescu Raluca G. 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Background: Transcription has a substantial genetic control and genetic dissection of gene expression could help us understand the genetic architecture of complex phenotypes such as meat quality in cattle.Results: A total of 80 steers were selected for phenotyping, genotyping and RNA-seq evaluation. A panel of traits related to meat quality were recorded. Information on 112,042 SNPs and expression data on 8,588 autosomal genes and 87,770 exons from 8,467 genes were included in an expression and splicing quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping (eQTL and sQTL, respectively). Expression of 1,352 genes was previously identified as associated with meat quality traits using a gene, exon and isoform differential expression (DE) analysis. The R package Matrix eQTL was used to perform the QTL mapping using linear regression. The identified QTLs were classified as cis or trans using 1 Mb as maximum distance between the associated SNP and the gene. Polymorphisms associated with expression of at least 20 genes, and splicing of at least 20 exons were considered QTL hot spots. A total of 8,377 eQTLs were identified, including 75.6% trans, 10.4% cis, 12.5% DE trans and 1.5% DE cis; 11,929 sQTLs were uncovered: 66.1% trans, 16.9% DE trans, 14% cis and 3% DE cis. Twenty seven expression master regulators and 13 splicing master regulators were identified and were classified as membrane associated or cytoskeletal proteins, transcription factors or DNA methylases These genes could control expression of other genes through cell signaling or by a direct transcriptional activation/repression mechanism. The ZNF804A, ALAD, OR13F1 and ENSBTAG00000000336 genes were identified as both expression and splicing master regulators.Conclusion: In the present analysis, we show that eQTL and sQTL mapping makes possible positional identification of gene and isoform expression regulators. Additionally, this mapping provides new insight into the regulatory network architecture in longissimus dorsi muscle in an Angus-Brahman multibreed population.