bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial localization of Dictyostelium discoideum dUTPase mediated by its N-terminus
Authors: Chia Catherine , Inoguchi Noriko , Varon Kyle C. , Bartholomai Bradley M. , Moriyama Hideaki 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Objective
The nuclear and mitochondrial genomes of Dictyostelium discoideum , a unicellular eukaryote, have relatively high A+T-contents of 77.5% and 72.65%, respectivey. To begin to investigate how the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway fulfills the demand for dTTP, we determined the catalytic properties and structure of the key enzyme deoxyuridine triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase (dUTPase) that hydrolyzes dUTP to dUMP, the precursor of dTTP.
Results
The annotated genome of D. discoideum identifies a gene encoding a polypeptide containing the five conserved motifs of homotrimeric dUTPases. Recombinant proteins, comprised of either full-length or core polypeptides with all conserved motifs but lacking residues 1-37 of the N-terminus, were active dUTPases. Crystallographic analyses of the core enzyme indicated that the C-termini, normally flexible, were constrained by interactions with the truncated N-termini. This allowed greater access of dUTP to active sites, resulting in enhanced catalytic parameters. A tagged protein comprised of the N-terminal forty amino acids of dUTPase fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP) was expressed in D. discoideum cells. Supporting a prediction of mitochondrial targeting information within the N-terminus, localization and subcellular fractionation studies showed GFP to be in mitochondria. N-terminal sequencing of immunoprecipitated GFP revealed the loss of the dUTPase sequence upon import into the organelle.
Effects of an mHealth voice message service (mMitra) on maternal health knowledge and practices of low-income women in India: findings from a pseudo-randomized controlled trial
Authors: Murthy Nirmala , Chandrasekharan Subhashini , Muthuperumal Prakash , Ganju Aakash , Peter Joanne , Kaonga Nadi , Mechael Patricia 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background Mobile Health (mHealth) is becoming an important tool to improve health outcomes in maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH). Studies of mHealth interventions, have demonstrated their effectiveness in improving uptake of recommended maternal services such as antenatal visits. However, evidence of impact on maternal health outcomes is still limited.Methods A pseudo-randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the impact of a voice-message based maternal intervention on maternal health knowledge, attitudes, practices and outcomes over time: Pregnancy (baseline/Time 1); Post-partum (Time 2) and when the infant turned one year old (Time 3). Women assigned to the mMitra intervention arm received gestational age- and stage-based educational voice messages via mobile phone in Hindi and Marathi, while those assigned to the control group did not. Both groups received standard care.Results 2,016 women were enrolled. Interviews were conducted with 1,516 women in the intervention group and 500 women in the control group at baseline and post-partum. The intervention group performed significantly better than controls on four maternal health practice indicators: receiving the tetanus toxoid injection (OR: 1.6, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.05-2.4, p=0.028), consulting a doctor if spotting or bleeding (OR: 1.72, 95%CI: 1.07-2.75, p=0.025), saving money for delivery expenses (OR: 1.79, 95%CI: 1.38-2.33, p=0.0001), and delivering in hospital (OR: 2.5, 95%CI: 1.49-4.35, p=0.001). The control group performed significantly better than the intervention group on two practice indicators: resting regularly during pregnancy (OR: 0.7, 95%CI: 0.54-0.88, p=0.002) and having at-home deliveries attended by a skilled birth attendant (OR: 0.46, 95%CI: 0.23-0.91, p=0.027). Both groups’ knowledge improved from Time 1 to Time 2. Only one knowledge indicator, on seeking medical care during pregnancy, was statistically increased in the intervention group compared to controls. Anemia status at or near the time of delivery was unable to be assessed.Conclusions This study provides evidence that in low-resource settings, mobile voice messages providing tailored and timed information about pregnancy can positively impact maternal health care practices proven to improve maternal health outcomes. Additional research is needed to assess whether voice messaging can motivate behavior change better than text messaging, particularly in low literacy settings.
Latent cytomegalovirus infection does not influence long-term disease outcomes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, but is associated with later onset of disease
Authors: Sloot Kimberley van der , Voskuil Michiel D. , Visschedijk Marijn C. , Festen Eleonora A.M. , Dullemen Hendrik M. van , Weersma Rinse K. , Alizadeh Behrooz Z. , Leer Coretta Buter - van , Dijkstra Gerard 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is common in the general population. CMV infection negatively affects disease course in transplant recipients and HIV patients. Whereas primary CMV infections may occur sporadically in seronegative patients, all seropositive patients with inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBD) are at risk for CMV reactivation, due to the inflammatory mucosal and use of immunosuppressive medication. It’s unclear whether latent CMV infection, and risk of reactivations, influences long-term disease outcomes. In this study, we aim to explore whether CMV infection affects disease outcomes in IBD patients.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional cohort study with 1,404 patients with IBD from a single center. Clinical characteristics and disease outcomes were prospectively collected. We scrutinized CMV serology test results and performed additional CMV serology testing if serum was available.

Results: Out of 699 IBD patients with CMV serology, 303 (43.3%) were seropositive, comparable to the general Dutch population. CMV seropositivity was associated with older age, longer IBD disease duration, non-Western origin, birth outside the Netherlands and a lower educational level (p-values≤0.004). CMV seropositivity was not associated with more complicated long-term disease outcomes of IBD (p-values>0.05). Seropositive patients presented with symptoms and were diagnosed at an older age compared to seronegative patients (p-values<0.01).

Conclusions: CMV seropositivity does not influence disease outcomes of IBD patients and seems associated with a delay in IBD onset. Guidelines regarding CMV screening in patients with IBD are currently based on a low level of evidence. These data support the recommendation that routine CMV serology measurement isn’t necessary in the clinical care of IBD.
HER2 expression and relevant clinicopathological features in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a Chinese population
Authors: Rong Lulu , Wang Bingzhi , Guo Lei , Liu Xiuyun , Wang Bingning , Ying Jianming , Xue Liyan , Lu Ning 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Despite great progress of surgery and other treatments, the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is still very poor. HER2 has strong therapeutic implications in certain cancers, such as breast cancer and gastric cancer. However, literature on the frequency of HER2 expression in ESCC is scarce. In the present study, HER2 expression and gene amplification and the association of HER2 status with clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated in a large cohort of Chinese ESCC patients.Methods: A total of 857 consecutive patients who received radical esophagectomy without neoadjuvant chemotherapy were included in this retrospective study. HER2 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and its correlation with clinicopathological parameters was assessed. In addition, 65 cases, including 13 HER2 overexpression (3+) cases and 52 HER2 equivocal (2+) cases from the 857-case cohort, were selected to construct tissue microarrays (TMAs). Another 104 ESCC cases, which included 1 HER2 overexpression (3+) case, 3 HER2 equivocal (2+) cases and 100 HER2 negative (1+/0) cases, were also selected for TMA construction. Dual-color in situ hybridization (DISH) was performed on the TMAs to assess HER2 gene amplification.Results: We found HER2 overexpression (3+) status in 1.5% (13/857) of cases and HER2 equivocal (2+) status in 6.1% (52/857) of cases. HER2 expression was significantly associated with gender. HER2 equivocal (2+) expression was more likely to occur in females (P=0.028). Regarding the 169 cases analyzed by DISH, 14 (of 14, 100%) HER2 overexpression (3+) cases, 10 (of 55, 18.2%) HER2 equivocal (2+) cases, and 0 (of 100, 0%) HER2 negative (1+/0) cases showed HER2 gene amplification. HER2 gene amplification was not significantly associated with clinicopathological characteristics such as age, gender, tumor differentiation, pT stage, pN stage, pM stage and pTNM stage (P>0.05).Conclusions: Approximately 2% of the Chinese ESCC patients had HER2 overexpression based on IHC. HER2 expression was significantly associated with gender, HER2 gene amplification was not significantly associated with clinicopathological characteristics. IHC and DISH had a high concordance rate. These results provide valuable insight for the future treatment of ESCC.
Comparison of chondrosarcoma cases (grade I, II, III) current situations with clinical and statistical analysis among institutions.
Authors: jami sayed abdulla , shi jiandang , yuan wen qi , liu chang hao , he jin wei 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background
Chondrosarcomas is a rare tumour that has a variable biological characteristic. Also, their treatment clinically and surgically is controversial. We performed a comparison review of different regional institutions series with the aim of assessing the clinical outcome of patients.

Purposes
We, therefore, compare different institutions from different regions patients with grade 1 to 3 chondrosarcomas to (1)determine difference in survival rate, (2) local recurrence results, (3) determine successful outcome after surgery, (4) differences among surgical procedures. (5) Determine any association of clinical and demographic behaviour with gender, follow-up, treatment and chondrosarcoma affected body locations.

Methods
A retrospective review of 33 chondrosarcoma(all grades) patient’s data since 2013, compared with 15 author’s total 868 patients research literature to find more about clinical and statistical advantages and similarities with our study. Here is mentioning of clinical information’s, surgery type categorised, adjuvants types, genders, follow-up years, recurrence, affected areas, death rates, successful outcome and survival rates by using statistical methods.

Results
The overall survival rate was 94%, successful outcome 85% in 4.3 + 1.2 years follow-up. Observed wide resection, distilled water as adjuvant, chemo & radiotherapy significantly shows excellent result over our compared chondrosarcoma literature datas. We have also marked that females and humerus bone are more affected by chondrosarcoma among those literatures data.

Conclusions
Low-grade chondrosarcoma of the skeleton can be treated with wide resection and by the use of distilled water, which give good oncological outcome and a very low rate of post-surgical complications, as well as chondrosarcoma all grades recurrence.
Differential Diagnosis of Pancreatic Serous Cystadenomas and Mucinous Cystadenomas: Utility of Texture Analysis in Combination with Morphological Characteristics
Authors: Yang Jing , Guo Xinli , Zhang Weiwei , Song Jinen , Ma Xuelei , Xu Hui 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background Texture analysis of medical images has been reported to be a reliable technique for differential diagnosis of neoplasms. This study was to investigate the performance of textural features and the combined performance of textural features and morphological characteristics in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic serous and mucinous cystadenomas. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 59 patients with pancreatic serous cystadenoma and 32 patients with pancreatic mucinous cystadenoma at our hospital. Textural features were extracted using the LifeX software, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method was applied to select the textural features. The differential diagnostic abilities of morphological features, textural features, and their combination were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) as the main indicator. Results The combination of morphological characteristics and textural features showed a higher AUC (0.893, 95% CI 0.816-0.970) than use of morphological characteristics (0.783, 95% CI 0.665-0.900) or textural features (0.777, 95% CI 0.673-0.880) alone. Conclusions In conclusion, our preliminary results highlighted the potential of CT texture analysis to discriminate pancreatic serous cystadenomas from mucinous cystadenomas. Furthermore, the combination of morphological and textural features can significantly improve the diagnostic performance, which may provide a reliable method to select patients with indication of surgical intervention in consideration of the different treatment principles of the two diseases.
The diagnostic value of 3D-ASL in vertebral artery stenosis among individuals at risk of stroke
Authors: Xu DanDan , Huang XinMing , Cai GuoEn , Yang XiaoXia , Wang YingQing , Sun Bin , Chen XiaoChun , Ye QinYong 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: This study explored the predictive value of 3D-ASL for vertebral artery stenosis (VAS) in individuals at risk of stroke.
Methods: A total of 43 participants at risk of stroke were enrolled in our study. All participants underwent 3D-ASL and carotid artery computed tomography angiography (CTA) or cervical vascular ultrasound. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured in the left and right frontal lobes, temporal lobes, parietal lobes, occipital lobes, basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum, and hippocampus. Calculate the CBF BI (CBF BI means: The absolute value of the difference in cerebral blood flow in the corresponding brain regions on the left and right sides of the enrolled personnel) of the corresponding brain regions of the left and right between the VAS group and the non-VAS group respectively. To evaluate the predictive value of 3D-ASL for vascular stenosis in participants at risk of stroke, we used two-sample t-tests to determine if there were significant differences in BI.
Results: Among 43 participants at risk of stroke we recruited, 20 participants with vertebral artery stenosis (the VAS group) and 23 without vertebral artery stenosis (the non-VAS group). There were significant differences in BI of the occipital lobe between the VAS group and the non-VAS group (p < 0.05). According to the occipital lobe BI value, the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) demonstrated best diagnostic limits of 10.46 ml/(100g×min).
Conclusion: Using 3D-ASL to detect cerebral blood flow and calculate the difference of bilateral occipital cerebral blood flow which can help to diagnose vertebral artery stenosis in high risk population of stroke.
Throat colonization and antibiotic susceptibility of group A β-hemolytic streptococci among rheumatic heart disease patients attending a cardiac referral hospital in Tanzania, A descriptive cross-sectional study
Authors: Wangilisasi Sarah , Chillo Pilly , Kimambo Delila , Janabi Mohammed , Kamuhabwa Appolinary 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Secondary prophylaxis against repeated attacks of acute rheumatic fever is an important intervention in patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and it aims to prevent throat infection by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GAS), however its implementation faces many challenges. This study aimed to assess throat colonization, antibiotic susceptibility and factors associated with GAS colonization among patients with RHD attending care at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study of RHD patients attending the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute was conducted from March to May 2018, where we consecutively enrolled all patients known to have RHD and coming for their regular clinic follow-up. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain patients’ socio-demographic information, factors associated with GAS colonization as well as status of secondary prophylaxis use and adherence. Throat swabs were taken and cultured to determine the presence of GAS, and isolates of GAS were tested for antibiotic susceptibility using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) version 2015. Antibiotics of interest were chosen according to the Tanzanian Treatment Guidelines. Results: In total 194 patients with RHD were enrolled, their mean age was 28.4 ±16.5 years and 58.2% were females. Only 58 (29.9%) patients were on regular prophylaxis, 39 (20.1%) had stopped taking prophylaxis, while 97 (50.0%) had never been on prophylaxis. Throat cultures were positive for GAS in 25 (12.9%) patients. Patients who stopped prophylaxis were 3.26 times more likely to be colonized by GAS when compared to patients on regular prophylaxis. Majority (96%) of GAS isolates were susceptible to Penicillin, Ceftriaxone and Ciprofloxacin, while the highest resistance (20%) was observed with Vancomycin. No GAS resistance was observed against Penicillin. Conclusion: The prevalence of GAS throat colonization is high among this population and is associated with stopping prophylaxis. The proportion of patients on regular secondary prophylaxis is unacceptably low and interventions should target both patients’ and physicians’ barriers to effective secondary prophylaxis.
Comorbidities associated with HPV and HSV infections among people living with HIV-1 in the Southeastern US: a retrospective clinical cohort study
Authors: Ye Yuanfan , Burkholder Greer A. , Wiener Howard W. , Griffin Russell , Aslibekyan Stella , Fry Karen , Khan Ashraf , Shrestha Sadeep 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background

The southeastern US is a domestic epicenter for incident HIV with high prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) co-infections. However, epidemics of HPV and HSV- associated clinical conditions (CC) among people living with HIV-1 infection (PLWH) are not fully known.

Methods

Electronic medical records (EMR) of PLWH attending one of the leading HIV clinics in the southeastern US between 2006 and 2018 were reviewed and analyzed. The retrospective study was nested within the University of Alabama at Birmingham HIV clinical cohort, which has electronically collected over 7000 PLWH’s clinical and sociobehavioral data since 1999. Incidence rates of HPV-related CC including anogenital warts, penile, anal, cervical, and vaginal/vulvar low- and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL and HSIL) and HSV- related CC including anogenital herpetic ulcers were estimated in per 10000 person years. Joinpoint regressions were performed to examine temporal changes in the trends of incident CC. All rates and trends were stratified by gender and race.

Results

Of the 4,484 PLWH eligible individuals (3,429 men, 1,031 women, and 24 transgender), we observed 1,038 and 425 patients with HPV-and HSV-related CC respectively, and 163 patients with both conditions. The mean log10 viral load (VL) was higher in all of the case groups than the non-cases with neither conditions (5.0) (whereas the median nadir CD4 counts (cells/uL) was higher in the non-cases than in any of the case groups (P<0.05). Anogenital warts, anal LSIL, HSIL, and cancer were more likely to be diagnosed among HIV-infected men than women. White men presented more frequently with anal LSIL and anal and penile cancers than black men (P<0.03). White women were also more likely to be diagnosed with cervical HSIL (P=0.023) and cancer (P=0.037) than black women By contrast, herpetic ulcers were more frequent in women than men.

Conclusions

There were significant differences between gender and race with incidence of HPV- and HSV-related CC among HIV patients. EMR-based studies provide insights on understudied epidemics; however, large-scale studies in other regions are needed to generalize current findings and draw public health attention to co-infection induced non-AIDS defining comorbidities among PLWH.
Mental Health Effects Of Biomarkers In Chronic Renal Failure: Stress And Alexithymia Dimention
Authors: Tayaz Esra , Koç Ayşegül 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Background: Chronic renal failure causes many physical problems in patients. Hemodialysis treatment and the stress that accompanies the treatment are high and this constitutes a basis for alexithymia. Changes in biomarkers cause physical symptoms and increase individuals’ stress levels.
Methods: The sample for the researcher was completed with 72 individuals. Demographic data form, biochemical data form, Hemodialysis Stressor Scale, and Toronto Alexithymia Scale were used in this study.
Results: Individuals participating in the study found that the perceived stress levels were high in all dimensions and 59.7% were alexithymic. The relationship between Toronto alexithmia scale and hemodialysis stressor scale and the selected biomarkers was determined (p<0.05).
Conclusion: It was concluded that stress and alexithymic feelings were high among hemodialysis patients and it was suggested the awareness of health professionals and patients should be increased in areas of coping with stress and emotional management in hemodialysis treatment patients.
Accuracy of Planar Anteversion Measurements in Anteroposterior Radiographs
Authors: Lee Gwang Chul , Lee Sang Hong , Kang Sin Wook , Park Hyung Suk , Jo Suenghwan 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Introduction Number of methods has been suggested to measure anteversion in the simple AP radiograph and a few studies have validated their accuracy and reliability. In the current study, we compared six widely used anteversion measurement methods using two different radiographs (conventional pelvis AP vs hip centered AP) in order to determine which measurement method and which radiograph provides highest accuracy and reliability. Material and methods We developed custom made two planar anteversion measurement models for the validation. Each models are designed for Pelvis AP and hip AP. The radiographs were taken with the both models’ inclination changing from 10° to 70° at 10° increments and for each inclination angles, anteversion was changed from 0° to 30° at 5° increments. Therefore, the x-ray of the two models were taken in 49 scenarios. The measurements were done independently by two orthopaedic surgeons blinded from each other using 6 methods : 1) Pradhan et al, 2) Lewinak et al, 3) Widmer et al, and 4) Liaw et al. 5) Hassan et al, 6) Ackland et al. Result The highest accuracy was found when Liaw method was used in hip centered AP radiograph which showed difference of 1.37° ± 1.73. Also, regardless of the type of the radiographs, Pradhan, Lewinnek, Liaw all showed relatively high accuracy. However, substantial difference was found when Widmer, Hassan, Ackland method were utilized regardless of the type of radiograph used. When the anteversion were measured in the inclination between 30° and 50°, Pradhan’s method in pelvis AP showed the highest accuracy (1.23° ± 0.92°). Also, we found no significant difference when measured anteversions were compared between Pelvis AP and hip centered AP. Conclusion The study indicates that the Pradhan, Liaw and Lewinnek method may provide the relatively accurate anteversion measurement regardless of the type of the radiographs. Also, it would be unnecessary to take the hip centered AP radiographs in addition to the pelvis AP radiographs for the purpose of measuring anteversion.