bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urocortinergic system in the epididymis of the normal and cryptorchid dogs
Authors: Squillacioti Caterina , Pelagalli Alessandra , De Luca Adriana , Liguori Giovanna , Ali Sabrina , Mirabella Nicola 
Published: April 2019

AbstractCryptorchidism is associated with changes in the gonads and the spermatic duct system, which may cause infertility problems. Urocortin (UCN) is a corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH)‐related peptide, which affects several functions of male genital organs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of UCN and its receptors CRHR1 and CRHR2 using immunohistochemistry, western blotting and real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in tissues collected from the epididymis of normal and cryptorchid dogs. The lumen of the cryptic epididymal duct was found to be relatively smaller than that of the normal one, and interstitial tissue was abundant in the cryptic epididymis. In addition, only a few spermatids were observed in the lumen of the epididymal duct. Results showed that UCN, CRHR2 and CRHR1 were expressed in tissues collected from normal and cryptic epididymal ducts. Urocortin‐ and CRHR2‐immunoreactivities (IRs) were detected in the principal cells of the caput, corpus and cauda of the normal and cryptic epididymides. CRHR1‐IR was detected in vascular smooth muscles and fibromuscular cells surrounding epididymal tubules of the normal and cryptorchid dogs. Expression levels of UCN and CRHR2 mRNA were higher in cryptic epididymal ducts than that in normal epididymal ducts. These results suggest that UCN and its receptors might play a role in regulating the maturation and storage of spermatozoa. These findings indicated that the expression of these proteins could be modulated by the cryptorchidism condition.
Haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation increases the risk of cytomegalovirus infection in adult patients with acute leukemia
Authors: Lin Cheng‐Hsien , Su Yi‐Jiun , Hsu Chiann‐Yi , Wang Po‐Nan , Teng Chieh‐Lin Jerry 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundOwing to the shortage of hematopoietic stem cells from matched sibling donors (MSD) and matched unrelated donors (MUD), the number of patients undergoing haploidentical allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) has rapidly increased. Despite a comparable overall survival (OS) and leukemia‐free survival using this approach, some evidence suggests that haploidentical allo‐HSCT recipients have a higher incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, though this has not been clearly established.MethodsThis study retrospectively compared the cumulative incidence of CMV DNAemia, 2‐year OS, and leukemia‐free survival rates in acute leukemia patients with MSD (n = 41), MUD (n = 18), and haploidentical donor allografts (n = 21).ResultsThe cumulative incidences of CMV DNAemia at day 180 in the MSD, MUD, and haploidentical groups were 39.0, 55.6, and 85.7%, respectively (P < 0.000). As less than 50% of patients in the MSD group were detected to have CMV DNAemia, the median time to CMV DNAemia detection in patients allografted with MSD could not be obtained. However, it was 42 and 29 days, respectively, for the MUD and haploidentical groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that haploidentical allo‐HSCT (MSD vs. haploidentical: HR: 0.26; 95% CI: 0.09‐0.78; P = 0.017) and age (HR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01‐1.06; P = 0.011) increased CMV infection. Finally, MSD, MUD, and haploidentical allo‐HSCT provided comparable 2‐year OS rates (52.1%, 65.5%, and 65.6%; P = 0.425) and 2‐year leukemia‐free survival rates (67.1%, 68.3%, and 80.7%, P = 0.837).ConclusionThe CMV incidence was higher for haploidentical allo‐HSCT than for MSD and MUD allo‐HSCT; this could be explained by graft‐versus‐host disease prophylaxis by multiple immunosuppressants.
Defective Leptotene Chromosome 1 (DLC1) encodes a type‐B response regulator and is required for rice meiosis
Authors: Tao Yang , Chen Dan , Zou Ting , Zeng Jing , Gao Fengyan , He Zhongshan , Zhou Dan , He Zhiyuan , Yuan Guoqiang , Liu Miaomiao , Zhao Hongfeng , Deng Qiming , Wang Shiquan , Zheng Aiping , Zhu Jun , Liang Yueyang , Wang Lingxia , Li Ping , Li Shuangcheng 
Published: April 2019

SummaryMeiosis is critical for sexual reproduction and the generation of new allelic variations in most eukaryotes. In this study, we report the isolation of a meiotic gene, DLC1, using a map‐based cloning strategy. The dlc1 mutant is sterile in both male and female gametophytes due to an earlier defect in the leptotene chromosome and subsequent abnormalities at later stages. DLC1 is strongly expressed in the pollen mother cells (PMCs) and tapetum and encodes a nucleus‐located rice type‐B response regulator (RR) with transcriptional activity. Further investigations showed that DLC1 interacts with all five putative rice histidine phosphotransfer proteins (HPs) in yeast and planta cells, suggesting a possible participation of the two‐component signalling systems (TCS) in rice meiosis. Our results demonstrated that DLC1 is required for rice meiosis and fertility, providing useful information for the role of TCS in rice meiosis.
The Plant PTM Viewer, a central resource for exploring plant protein modifications
Authors: Willems Patrick , Horne Alison , Van Parys Thomas , Goormachtig Sofie , De Smet Ive , Botzki Alexander , Van Breusegem Frank , Gevaert Kris 
Published: April 2019

SummaryPost‐translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins are central in any kind of cellular signaling. Modern mass spectrometry technologies enable comprehensive identification and quantification of various PTMs. Given the increased numbers and types of mapped protein modifications, a database is necessary that simultaneously integrates and compares site‐specific information for different PTMs, especially in plants for which the available PTM data are poorly catalogued. Here, we present the Plant PTM Viewer (http://www.psb.ugent.be/PlantPTMViewer), an integrative PTM resource that comprises approximately 370 000 PTM sites for 19 types of protein modifications in plant proteins from five different species. The Plant PTM Viewer provides the user with a protein sequence overview in which the experimentally evidenced PTMs are highlighted together with an estimate of the confidence by which the modified peptides and, if possible, the actual modification sites were identified and with functional protein domains or active site residues. The PTM sequence search tool can query PTM combinations in specific protein sequences, whereas the PTM BLAST tool searches for modified protein sequences to detect conserved PTMs in homologous sequences. Taken together, these tools help to assume the role and potential interplay of PTMs in specific proteins or within a broader systems biology context. The Plant PTM Viewer is an open repository that allows the submission of mass spectrometry‐based PTM data to remain at pace with future PTM plant studies.
Fascicular tachycardia in infancy and the use of verapamil: a case series and literature review
Authors: Kehr Jascha , Binfield Alex , Maxwell Fraser , Hornung Tim , Skinner Jonathan R 
Published: April 2019

ObjectiveGuidelines state that verapamil is contraindicated in infants. This is based on reports of cardiovascular collapse and even death after rapid intravenous administration of verapamil in infants with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). We wish to challenge this contraindication for the specific indication of verapamil sensitive ventricular tachycardia (VSVT) in infants.DesignRetrospective case series and critical literature review.SettingHospitals within New Zealand.PatientsWe present a series of three infants/young children with VSVT or ‘fascicular VT’.ResultsThree children aged between 8 days and 2 years presented with tachycardia 200–220 beats per minute with right bundle brunch block and superior axis. Adenosine failed to cardiovert and specialist review diagnosed VSVT. There were no features of cardiovascular shock. Verapamil was given as a slow infusion over 10–30 min (rather than as a push) and each successfully cardioverted without incident. Critical review of the literature reveals that cardiovascular collapses were associated with a rapid intravenous push in cardiovascularly compromised infants and/or infants given other long-acting antiarrhythmics prior to verapamil.ConclusionsVerapamil is specifically indicated for the treatment of fascicular VT, and for this indication should be used in infancy, as well as in older children, as first-line treatment or after failure of adenosine raises suspicion of the diagnosis. We outline how to distinguish this tachycardia from SVT and propose a strategy for the safe intravenous slow infusion of verapamil in children, noting that extreme caution is necessary with pre-existing ventricular dysfunction.
Screening for coeliac disease in children and adults living in a slum of Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Gazi Md. Amran , Das Subhasish , Mahfuz Mustafa , Hasan Md. Mehedi , Hossain Md. Shabab , Fahim Shah Mohammad , Alam Md. Ashraful , Noor Zannatun , Gilchrist Carol A , Petri William A , Rahman M Masudur , Mazumder Ramendra Nath , Haque Rashidul , Sarker Shafiqul Alam , Ahmed Tahmeed 
Published: April 2019

Background and objectiveSerological screening with a confirmation through biopsy has improved the understanding of coeliac disease (CD) epidemiology worldwide. Prevalence of CD in Bangladesh is not yet explored and therefore, we aimed to assess the seroprevalence of CD in slum-dwelling malnourished children and adults in Dhaka.MethodsSerum samples were collected from three different cohorts: stunted (length-for-age Z-scores (LAZ) <−2) and at risk of stunting children (LAZ <−1 to −2) and malnourished adults (body mass index <18.5 kg/m2). Samples from all the participants were assessed for anti-tissue transglutaminase antibody (tTG-IgA) and total serum IgA by ELISA. Positive tTG-IgA and randomly selected low IgA values were reconfirmed using anti-tTG-IgG and gliadin IgG ELISA. CD was diagnosed when second screening tests were found positive and the participants were further investigated by small bowel biopsy.ResultsA total of 818 participants (240 stunted, 272 at risk of stunting children and 306 malnourished adults) were enrolled in the study. Overall, anti-tTG-IgA was positive in 5/818 (0.6%; 95% CI 0.25% to 1.46%). Of the five positive cases, anti-tTG-IgG and gliadin IgG were found positive in only one participant. Duodenal biopsy of positive participant revealed characteristic lesions of CD. Randomly selected low IgA values were found negative in tTG-IgG and gliadin IgG for all the participants. No participant was found total IgA deficient.ConclusionThe incidence of coeliac autoimmunity is low in malnourished slum dwellers regardless of age in Bangladesh. It is important to investigate the nationwide prevalence to reveal the definite picture.
The impact and cost-effectiveness of user fee exemption by contracting out essential health package services in Malawi
Authors: Zeng Wu , Sun Daxin , Mphwanthe Henry , Huan Tianwen , Nam Jae Eun , Saint-Firmin Pascal , Manthalu Gerald , Sharma Suneeta , Dutta Arin 
Published: April 2019

ObjectivesTo examine the impact and cost-effectiveness of user fee exemption by contracting out essential health package services to Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) facilities through service-level agreements (SLAs) to inform policy-making in Malawi.MethodsThe analysis was conducted from the government perspective. Financial and service utilisation data were collected for January 2015 through December 2016. The impact of SLAs on utilisation of maternal and child health (MCH) services was examined using propensity score matching and random-effects models. Subsequently, the improved services were converted to quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained, using the Lives Saved Tool (LiST), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were generated.FindingsOver the 2 years, a total of $1.5 million was disbursed to CHAM facilities through SLAs, equivalent to $1.24 per capita. SLAs were associated with a 13.8%, 13.1%, 19.2% and 9.6% increase in coverage of antenatal visits, postnatal visits, delivery by skilled birth attendants and BCG vaccinations, respectively. This was translated into 434 lives saved (95% CI 355 to 512) or 11 161 QALYs gained (95% CI 9125 to 13 174). The ICER of SLAs was estimated at $134.7/QALYs gained (95% CI $114.1 to $164.7).ConclusionsThe cost per QALY gained for SLAs was estimated at $134.7, representing 0.37 of Malawi’s per capita gross domestic product ($363). Thus, MCH services provided with Malawi’s SLAs proved cost-effective. Future refinements of SLAs could introduce pay for performance, revising the price list, streamlining the reporting system and strengthening CHAM facilities’ financial and monitoring management capacity.
Evaluating access to essential medicines for treating childhood cancers: a medicines availability, price and affordability study in New Delhi, India
Authors: Faruqui Neha , Martiniuk Alexandra , Sharma Abhishek , Sharma Chanchal , Rathore Bhumika , Arora Ramandeep Singh , Joshi Rohina 
Published: April 2019

IntroductionLimited access to essential medicines (EMs) for treating chronic diseases is a major challenge in low-income and middle-income countries. Although India is the largest manufacturer of generic medicines, there is a paucity of information on availability, price and affordability of anti-neoplastic EMs, which this study evaluates.MethodsUsing a modified WHO/Health Action International methodology, data were collected on availability and price of 33 strength-specific anti-neoplastic EMs and 4 non-cancer EMs. Seven ‘survey anchor’ hospitals (4 public and 3 private) and 32 private-sector retail pharmacies were surveyed. Median price ratios (MPRs) were calculated by comparing consumer prices with international reference prices (IRPs).ResultsOn average, across survey anchor areas (hospital and private-sector retail pharmacies combined), the mean availability of anti-neoplastic EMs and non-cancer medicines was 70% and 100%, respectively. Mean availability of anti-neoplastic EMs was 38% in private-sector retail pharmacies, 43% in public hospital pharmacies and 71% in private hospital pharmacies. Median MPR of lowest-priced generic versions was 0.71 in retail pharmacies. The estimated cost of chemotherapy medicines needed for treating a 30 kg child with standard-risk leukaemia was INR 27 850 (US$442) and INR 17 500 (US$278) for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, requiring 88 and 55 days’ wages, respectively, for the lowest paid government worker.ConclusionMost anti-neoplastic EMs are found in survey anchor areas, however, mean availability was less than non-cancer medicines; not meeting the WHO target of 80%. Medicine prices were relatively low in New Delhi compared with IRPs. However, the cost of chemotherapy medicines seems unaffordable in the local context.
Long-term outcomes of urinary tract infection (UTI) in Childhood (LUCI): protocol for an electronic record-linked cohort study
Authors: Lugg-Widger Fiona V , Angel Lianna , Cannings-John Rebecca , Jones Hywel , Lau Mandy , Butler Christopher , Francis Nick A , Hay Alastair D , Heginbothom Margaret , Hood Kerenza , Paranjothy Shantini , Vandervoort Judith , Hughes Kathryn 
Published: April 2019

IntroductionCurrent guidelines advise the prompt diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infection (UTI) in children to improve both short and longer term outcomes. However, the risk of long-term complications following childhood UTI is unclear.UTI is relatively common but difficult to diagnose in children as symptoms are non-specific. Diagnosis requires a urine sample, but sampling is difficult and infrequent, and it is not clear if sampling should be given greater priority in primary care. The LUCI study will assess the short, medium and longer term outcomes of childhood UTI associated with routine and systematic sampling practices.Methods and analysisTwo data sets will be established. The first will consist of routinely collected data (hospital, general practice (GP), microbiology) from children born and resident in Wales, linked via the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank (an ‘e-cohort’). Urine sampling in this data set reflects normal practice ‘routine sampling’. Outcomes (including renal scarring, hypertension, end-stage renal failure, hospital admissions, GP consultations, antibiotic prescriptions) for children with at least one UTI confirmed with microbiological culture (mcUTI) or no mcUTI before the age of 5 will be compared.The second will combine data from two prospective observational studies (‘DUTY’ and ‘EURICA’) employing systematic urine sampling for children presenting to primary care with acute, undifferentiated illness, linked to routine data via SAIL (Wales) and NHS Digital (England). Outcomes (as above, plus features of mcUTI) for children with an mcUTI in this data set, identified through systematic urine sampling, will be compared with those with an mcUTI identified through routine urine sampling (data set 1).Ethics and disseminationThe study protocol has been approved by NHS Wales Research Ethics Committee and the Health Research Authority’s Confidentiality Advisory Group. Methods of innovative study design and findings will be disseminated through peer-review journals and conferences. Results will be of interest to clinical and policy stakeholders in the UK.
Comparison between different instruments for measuring health-related quality of life in a population sample, the WHO MONICA Project, Gothenburg, Sweden: an observational, cross-sectional study
Authors: Krantz Emily , Wide Ulla , Trimpou Penelope , Bryman Inger , Landin-Wilhelmsen Kerstin 
Published: April 2019

ObjectiveThe general aim was to meet the need for empirical comparative studies of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment instruments, by evaluating and comparing the psychometric properties and results of three different, widely used, generic HRQoL instruments in a population sample. The specific aims were to evaluate the subscales of the different instruments that measure the same domain and to assess the association between the HRQoL measures and a single-item self-rated health scale.DesignAn observational cross-sectional study.SettingA population-based sample from Gothenburg, Sweden, was studied in 2008 in the WHO MONItoring of trends and determinants for CArdiovascular disease.ParticipantsA total of 414 subjects were included, 77% women, age range 39–78 years.InterventionsThe Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), the Short Form-36 questionnaire (SF-36), the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB) and a self-rated health scale were used.Outcome measuresScores were analysed for their psychometric properties, internal consistency (Cronbach’s α), construct validity (Spearman’s rank correlations and R2coefficients) and discriminative ability for the presence of self-rated ill-health.ResultsPGWB and SF-36 had higher Cronbach’s α scores than NHP. All correlations calculated between the subscales that were conceptually similar were significant (p<0.01). All subscales could differentiate the presence of self-rated ill-health according to the self-rated health scale (p<0.001). The self-rated health scale correlated strongly with all of the three HRQoL instruments used.ConclusionsThere was a high concordance between the instruments within each domain that was conceptually similar. All three HRQoL instruments (PGWB, SF-36 and NHP) could discriminate the presence of self-rated ill-health. The simple and quick self-rated health scale correlated strongly with the more time-consuming PGWB, SF-36 and NHP. The result supports the existence of a strong association between the self-rated health scale and HRQoL in the general population.
Effectiveness of an antenatal maternal supplementation with prebiotics for preventing atopic dermatitis in high-risk children (the PREGRALL study): protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Cabridain Clémentine , Aubert Hélène , Kaeffer Bertrand , Badon Virginie , Boivin Marion , Dochez Vincent , Winer Norbert , Faurel-Paul Elodie , Planche Lucie , Riochet David , Maruani Annabel , Perrotin Franck , Droitcourt Catherine , Lassel Linda , Tching-Sin Martine , Rogers Natasha K , Bodinier Marie , Barbarot Sebastien 
Published: April 2019

IntroductionAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting 10%–15% of children in Europe. There is a need for new primary preventive therapeutic strategies in at-risk populations. Recent research has indicated that atopic diseases are associated with a disrupted gut microbial ‘balance’ in early life raising the possibility that interventions which yield optimal patterns of microflora could improve host’s health. Prebiotics, sugars with immunomodulatory properties that stimulate the diversity of the digestive microbiota, are ideal candidates for such research. So far, most clinical trials have focused on improving infant gut colonisation postnatally. However, prenatal life is a crucial period during which different tolerance mechanisms are put in place. We aim to determine whether antenatal prebiotics supplementation prevents AD in high-risk children.Methods and analysisThis is a randomised, multicentre, double-blind, trial to evaluate the effectiveness of antenatal prebiotic maternal supplementation (galacto-oligosaccharide/inulin) in pregnant women versus placebo on the occurrence of AD at 1 year of age in at-risk children (defined as having a maternal history of atopic disease). Participating women will be randomised to daily ingestion of a prebiotics or placebo (maltodextrin) from 20 weeks’ gestation until delivery. The primary outcome is the prevalence of AD at 1 year of age, using the version of the UK Working Party Diagnostic Criteria optimised for preventive studies. Key secondary endpoints are AD severity, quality of life and prebiotics tolerance. The target sample size is 376 women (188 patients per group) which will provide 80% power to detect a 33% reduction of the risk of AD in the verum group (α=0.05). The primary analysis will be based on the intention-to-treat principle.Ethics and disseminationResults will be presented in peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences. Ethics approval for the study was obtained from the institutional ethical review board of ‘Comité de Protection des Personnes Sud Ouest—Outre-Mer III’ of the University Hospital Centre of Bordeaux (2017/13).Trial registration numberNCT03183440; Pre-results.