bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nationwide Hepatitis C Serosurvey and Progress Towards Hepatitis C Virus Elimination in the Country of Georgia, 2021
Authors: Gamkrelidze Amiran , Shadaker Shaun , Tsereteli Maia , Alkhazashvili Maia , Chitadze Nazibrola , Tskhomelidze Irina , Gvinjilia Lia , Khetsuriani Nino , Handanagic Senad , Averhoff Francisco , Cloherty Gavin , Chakhunashvili Giorgi , Drobeniuc Jan , Imnadze Paata , Zakhashvili Khatuna , Armstrong Paige A 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Background
The country of Georgia initiated its hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination program in 2015, at which point a serosurvey showed the adult prevalence of HCV antibody (anti-HCV) and HCV RNA to be 7.7% and 5.4%, respectively. This analysis reports hepatitis C results of a follow-up serosurvey conducted in 2021, and progress towards elimination.

Methods
The serosurvey used a stratified, multistage cluster design with systematic sampling to include adults and children (aged 5–17 years) providing consent (or assent with parental consent). Blood samples were tested for anti-HCV and if positive, HCV RNA. Weighted proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were compared with 2015 age-adjusted estimates.

Results
Overall, 7237 adults and 1473 children were surveyed. Among adults, the prevalence of anti-HCV was 6.8% (95% CI, 5.9–7.7). The HCV RNA prevalence was 1.8% (95% CI, 1.3–2.4), representing a 67% reduction since 2015. HCV RNA prevalence decreased among those reporting risk factors of ever injecting drugs (51.1% to 17.8%), and ever receiving a blood transfusion (13.1% to 3.8%; both P &lt; .001). No children tested positive for anti-HCV or HCV RNA.

Conclusions
These results demonstrate substantial progress made in Georgia since 2015. These findings can inform strategies to meet HCV elimination targets.
Zoobiquity experiments show the importance of the local MMP9-plasminogen axis in inflammatory bowel diseases in both dogs and patients
Authors: Yamasaki Takeshi , Nagata Noriyuki , Atsumi Toru , Hasebe Rie , Tanaka Yuki , Ohki Izuru , Kubota Shimpei , Shinohara Yuta , Bin Teoh Yong , Yokoyama Nozomu , Sasaki Noboru , Nakamura Kensuke , Ohta Hiroshi , Katsurada Takehiko , Matsuno Yoshihiro , Hojyo Shintaro , Hashimoto Shigeru , Takiguchi Mitsuyoshi , Murakami Masaaki 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Using a zoobiquity concept, we directly connect animal phenotypes to a human disease mechanism: the reduction of local plasminogen levels caused by matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) activity is associated with the development of inflammation in the intestines of dogs and patients with inflammatory bowel disease. We first investigated inflammatory colorectal polyps (ICRPs), which are a canine gastrointestinal disease characterized by the presence of idiopathic chronic inflammation, in Miniature Dachshund (MD) and found 31 missense disease-associated SNPs by whole-exome sequencing. We sequenced them in 10 other dog breeds and found five, PLG, TCOF1, TG, COL9A2 and COL4A4, only in MD. We then investigated two rare and breed-specific missense SNPs (T/T SNPs), PLG: c.477G &gt; T and c.478A&gt;T, and found that ICRPs with the T/T SNP risk alleles showed less intact plasminogen and plasmin activity in the lesions compared to ICRPs without the risk alleles but no differences in serum. Moreover, we show that MMP9, which is an NF-κB target, caused the plasminogen reduction and that intestinal epithelial cells expressing plasminogen molecules were co-localized with epithelial cells expressing MMP9 in normal colons with the risk alleles. Importantly, MMP9 expression in patients with ulcerous colitis or Crohn’s disease also co-localized with epithelial cells showing enhanced NF-κB activation and less plasminogen expression. Overall, our zoobiquity experiments showed that MMP9 induces the plasminogen reduction in the intestine, contributing to the development of local inflammation and suggesting the local MMP9-plasminogen axis is a therapeutic target in both dogs and patients. Therefore, zoobiquity-type experiments could bring new perspectives for biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Coliphage cocktails for controlling antimicrobial-resistantEscherichia coli: emphasizing polyphage and multihost interactions at different levels of multiplicity of infection
Authors: Benala Manikantha , Vaiyapuri Murugadas , Raveendran Karthika , George Joshy Chalil , Sivam Visnuvinayagam , Badireddy Madhusudana Rao 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAimThis study elucidates the in-vitro bactericidal effectiveness of polyphage cocktail combinations of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 individual coliphages against a cocktail of 20 AMR Escherichia coli.Methods and resultsDifferent polyphage cocktails viz., 45 two-phage combinations, 28 four-phage combinations, 15 six-phage combinations, 6 eight-phage combinations, and 1 ten-phage combination were formulated using a pool of ten coliphages that were isolated from two different geographical locations (East and West coasts of India). The different polyphage cocktails were tested at four different levels of Multiplicity of Infection (MOI) viz., MOI-1, MOI-10, MOI-100, and MOI-1000. All the 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10-phage cocktails were found to be effective in controlling the growth of a cocktail of 20 AMR bacteria when tested at MOI-1000 and MOI-100 but variations in antibacterial activity were observed at lower MOIs of 10 and 1. The ten coliphage cocktail showed lytic activity against 100% of AMR E. coli from farmed brackish water shrimp, 96% of laboratory collection of AMR E. coli, 92% of AMR E. coli from farmed freshwater fish, and 85% of AMR E. coli from market shrimp.ConclusionPolyphage cocktails of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 coliphages applied at an MOI of 1000 effectively suppressed the growth of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli. The results indicated phage–phage synergy in the lytic activity of several coliphage combinations at higher MOIs of 1000 and 100 while phage–phage antagonism was evidenced at lower MOIs of 10 and 1.
Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of Chinese propolis essential oil microemulsion againstStreptococcus mutans
Authors: Wang Fei , Yuan Jie , Wang Xinru , Xuan Hongzhuan 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAimsTo solve the shortcomings of poor solubility, easy volatilization, and decomposition, propolis essential oil microemulsion (PEOME) was prepared. The antibacterial, antibiofilm activities, and action mechanism of PEOME against Streptococcus mutans was analyzed.MethodsPEOME was prepared using anhydrous ethanol and Tween-80 as the cosurfactant and surfactant, respectively. The antibacterial activity of PEOME against S. mutans was evaluated using the agar disk diffusion method and broth microdilution method. The effects of PEOME on S. mutans biofilm was detected through the assays of crystal violet (CV), XTT reduction, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and calcium ions leaking, live/dead staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). And the antibiofilm mechanism of PEOME was elaborated by the assays of extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production and glucosyltransferase (GTF) activity.ResultsThe inhibition zone diameter (DIZ) of PEOME against S. mutans was 31 mm, while the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 2.5 μL mL−1. CV and XTT assays showed that PEOME could prevent fresh biofilm formation and disrupt preformed biofilm through decreasing the activities and biomass of biofilm. The leaking assays for LDH and calcium ions, as well as the live/dead staining assay, indicated that PEOME was able to damage the integrity of bacterial cell membranes within the biofilm. SEM revealed that PEOME had a noticeable inhibitory effect on bacterial adhesion and aggregation through observing the overall structure of biofilm. The assays of EPS production and GTF activity suggested that PEOME could reduce EPS production by inhibiting the activity of GTFs, thus showing an antibiofilm effect.ConclusionsThe significant antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against S. mutans of PEOME meant that PEOME has great potential to be developed as a drug to prevent and cure dental caries caused by S. mutans.
Short communication: diversity of endogenous avian leukosis virus subgroup E elements in 11 chicken breeds
Authors: Wang Ziyi , Yuan Yiming , Zheng Gang , Sun Meng , Wang Qinyuan , Wu Junfeng , Li Junying , Sun Congjiao , Wang Yongqiang , Yang Ning , Lian Ling 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAvian leukosis virus subgroup E (ALVE) as a kind of endogenous retroviruses extensively exists in chicken genome. The insertion of ALVE has some effects on chicken production traits and appearance. Most of the work on ALVEs has been done with commercial breeds. We present here an investigation of ALVE elements in seven Chinese domestic breeds and four standard breeds. Firstly, we established an ALVE insertion site dataset by using the obsERVer pipeline to identify ALVEs from whole-genome sequence data of eleven chicken breeds, seven Chinese domestic breeds, including Beijing You (BY), Dongxiang (DX), Luxi Game (LX), Shouguang (SG), Silkie (SK), Tibetan (TB) and Wenchang (WC), four standard breeds, including White Leghorn (WL), White Plymouth Rock (WR), Cornish (CS), and Rhode Island Red (RIR). A total of 37 ALVE insertion sites were identified and 23 of them were novel. Most of these insertion sites were distributed in intergenic regions and introns. We then used locus-specific PCR to validate the insertion sites in an expanded population with 18~60 individuals in each breed. The results showed that all predicted integration sites in 11 breeds were verified by PCR. Some ALVE insertion sites were breeds specific, and 16 out of 23 novel ALVEs were found in only one Chinese domestic chicken breed. We randomly selected three ALVE insertions including ALVE_CAU005, ALVE_ros127, and ALVE_ros276, and obtained their insertion sequences by long-range PCR and Sanger sequencing. The insertion sequences were all 7525 bp, which were full-length ALVE insertion and all of them were highly homologous to ALVE1 with similarity of 99%. Our study identified the distribution of ALVE in 11 chicken breeds, which expands the current research on ALVE in Chinese domestic breeds.
An investigation of the effect of folic acid and its delivery routes on broiler chickens’ hatch and growth performance, blood biochemistry, anti-oxidant status, and intestinal morphology
Authors: Oladokun Samson , Adewole Deborah 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of folic acid (FA) and its delivery routes (in-feed or in ovo) on broiler chicken’s hatch and growth performance, blood biochemistry, anti-oxidant status, and intestinal morphology. A total of 1,860 Cobb 500 hatching eggs were incubated for 21 d. On day 12 of incubation, viable eggs were randomly allotted to four groups: the noninjected group, in ovo saline (injected with 0.1 mL/egg of saline solution), in ovo FA 1 (injected with 0.1 ml FA containing 0.1 mg/egg; FA1), and in ovo FA 2 (injected with 0.1 ml FA containing 0.15 mg/egg). All in ovo treatments were delivered via the amnion. At hatch, chicks were re-allotted to five new treatment groups: FA1, FA2, in-feed FA (FA 3; 5mg/kg in feed), in-feed bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD; 55 mg/kg in feed), and negative control (NC; corn-wheat-soybean diet) in 6 replicate pens (22 birds/pen) and raised in starter (days 0 to14), grower (days 15 to 24), and finisher (days 25 to 35) phases. Hatch parameters were assessed on day 0, and body weight and feed intake (FI) were determined weekly. On day 25, 1 bird/cage was euthanized, immune organs weighed, and intestinal tissues harvested. Blood samples were collected for biochemistry and anti-oxidant (Superoxide dismutase-SOD and Malondialdehyde-MDA) analysis. Data were analyzed in a randomized complete block design. While FA1 and FA2 decreased (P &lt; 0.001) hatchability in a dose-dependent manner, FA2 caused a 2% increase (P &lt; 0.05) in average chick weight compared to the noninjected group. Compared to the BMD treatment, FA3 decreased (P &lt; 0.05) average FI across all feeding phases. At the end of the trial on day 35, FA2 had similar feed conversion ratio as the BMD treatment while recording less (P &lt; 0.001) FI. FA1 and FA2 recorded a tendency (P &lt; 0.1) to increase MDA levels and SOD activity by 50% and 19%, respectively, compared to the NC treatment. Compared to NC treatment, FA2 increased (P &lt; 0.01) villus height, width, and villus height to crypt depth ratio in the duodenum, and villus width in the jejunum. Besides its negative effect on hatchability, FA2 may help improve embryonic development and anti-oxidant status in broiler chickens.
Convergent changes in melanocortin receptor 1 gene are associated with black-headed coat color in sheep
Authors: Zhou Qian , Cao Chunna , Zhang Huanhuan , Liang Yilin , Zhang Xinyue , Kang Yuxin , Fang Wenwen , Lan Xianyong , Li Ran , Pan Chuanying 
Published: March 2023

AbstractAs one of the most obvious phenotypic traits, the coat color of sheep is an ideal model to study the genetic mechanisms underlying coat color varieties of mammals. One distinguishable coat color is the black-headed type, such as the famous black-headed Dorper sheep from Africa and Bayinbuluke sheep from Asia. In this study, we compared the genome sequences of black-headed and all-white sheep to identify causative genes for the black-headed sheep, including black-headed Dorper vs. white-headed Dorper, as well as Bayinbuluke (black-headed) vs. Small-tailed Han (all-white). The most differentiating region between black-headed sheep and all-white sheep was found to harbor a haplotype covering melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) gene. The share of this haplotype by the black-headed sheep from Africa and Asia suggested that the convergent change in the MC1R region is likely to determine this unique coat color. Two missense mutations (g. 14251947T &gt; A and g. 14252090G &gt; A) within this haplotype of MC1R gene were found. We further analyzed whole genome sequence data of 460 worldwide sheep with diverse coat colors and confirmed the association between the MC1R haplotype with pigmentation variations. Our study provides novel insights into coat color genetics in sheep and expands our knowledge of the link between MC1R gene and varying pigmentation patterns in sheep.
Analysis of Metaldehyde in Animal Whole Blood and Serum by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Masti Riccardo , Barolo Elena , Bertolini Francesca Maria , De Arcangeli Stefano , Furlanello Tommaso , Sanchez Del Pulgar Jose 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Metaldehyde, a widely used molluscicide, is the third cause of intoxication by pesticides in domestic animals in Europe. Most mammalian species are susceptible, and its exposure may lead to death within a few hours. While metaldehyde intoxication diagnosis is in most cases presumptive, based on the symptomatology or from “postmortem” analysis, few analytical methods are currently available for live animals. The aim of this work was to describe a fast analytical method for the specific and quantitative determination of metaldehyde in animal whole blood and serum at concentrations of toxicological significance. A liquid–liquid extraction with chloroform and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry quantification are proposed. The method limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.04 µg/mL in serum and whole blood. The method was linear in the range from 0.04 to 200 µg/mL. The recovery was between 93% and 102% for LOQ, low, medium and high spike concentrations. Intra- and inter-assay relative standard deviation was &lt;12% in all spike concentrations in both serum and whole blood, apart from one of the experiments at LOQ in whole blood, which accounted for 17.7%. The method was applied to real intoxication cases, and the concentration found in positive samples was between 29 and 69 µg/mL. The proposed method provides high sensitivity, accuracy and precision and can be used to assist in the diagnosis of metaldehyde poisoning.
Indicators of Self-Determination in Therapeutic Songwriting Lyrics Created by Adults with High LDL Cholesterol
Authors: Wojdak Christopher , Silvey Philip , Coykendall Cameron , Lin Yifei S , Bansal Amit , Shannon Kate , Wagner Heather , McIntosh Scott , Block Robert C 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Individuals with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥190 mg/dL are at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events. Our goal was to determine if adults with this condition would express important psychological, health, and motivation themes when generating lyrics during music therapy. Thirty-one participants each created their own original song with the help of a music therapist. The lyrics were analyzed using a deductive approach guided by Self-Determination Theory (specifically the satisfaction or frustration of basic psychological needs): (1) for each entire song (macro-analysis) and (2) line-by-line (micro-analysis). Song lyrics generated during music therapy sessions by patients with a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥190 mg/dL revealed the presence of the three basic needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) of Self-Determination Theory. The most prevalent theme identified in the macro-analysis of songs was autonomy satisfaction, coded in 25 songs (27.17% of all macro codes), and followed by competence satisfaction in 17 songs (18.48%) and relatedness satisfaction in 15 songs (16.3%). Line-by-line micro-analysis of lyrics revealed that at least one basic need of Self-Determination Theory was present in 277 of the unique lyric lines (50%); 107 (19%) for relatedness, 101 (18%) for autonomy, and 69 (13%) for competence. Need satisfaction occurred more frequently than need frustration in both analyses. However, depending on the level of analysis (macro or micro), results differed as to which themes were most prevalent. These results indicate that therapeutic songwriting may be a unique way to identify the basic psychological needs that, when satisfied, indicate self-determination.
An Interpretive Investigation of Music Therapists’ Experiences in Rural Communities of the United States
Authors: Korioth Elsa R , Silverman Michael J 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPeople in rural communities often encounter unique circumstances when accessing healthcare services and there is a lack of literature investigating music therapy in rural areas. Since nearly 20% of the United States population lives in rural areas, it is imperative to understand not only barriers in providing and accessing music therapy but potential solutions to these challenges. Therefore, the purpose of this exploratory interpretivist study was to identify barriers and potential solutions to improve music therapy access in rural communities within the United States. We conducted semi-structured interviews with five board-certified music therapists with experience working in rural communities. We used an inductive approach to thematic analysis to analyze data and incorporated member checking and trustworthiness to clarify and verify results. We identified five themes (supported by 13 subthemes): (1) General differences between rural and urban communities; (2) Factors potentially increasing therapist burnout; (3) Factors inhibiting service user access to music therapy; (4) Potential solutions to increase access; and (5) Methods to reduce therapist burnout. The emerging themes and subthemes describe insights into the experiences of music therapists working in rural communities and identify unique challenges as well as potential methods to mitigate barriers. Implications for clinical practice, limitations, and suggestions for future research are provided.
Racial and ethnic disparities in treatment-related heart disease mortality among US breast cancer survivors
Authors: Vo Jacqueline B , Ramin Cody , Lawrence Wayne R , Barac Ana , Ho Katherine L , Rhee Jongeun , Veiga Lene H S , Berrington de González Amy 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Background
Racial and ethnic disparities in heart disease mortality by initial treatment type among breast cancer survivors have not been well described.

Methods
We included 739 557 women diagnosed with first primary invasive breast cancer between 2000 and 2017 (aged 18-84 years, received surgery, survived ≥1 year, followed through 2018) in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–18 database. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs; observed over expected) were calculated by race and ethnicity (non-Hispanic/Latina Asian American, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders [AANHPI]; non-Hispanic/Latina Black [Black]; Hispanic/Latina [Latina]; and non-Hispanic/Latina White [White]) and initial treatment (surgery only; chemotherapy with surgery; chemotherapy, radiotherapy, with surgery; and radiotherapy with surgery) compared with the racial- and ethnic-matched general population, and by clinical characteristics. Cumulative heart disease mortality was estimated accounting for competing risks.

Results
SMRs were elevated for Black and Latina women treated with surgery only and chemotherapy with surgery (SMR range = 1.15-1.21) and AANHPI women treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, with surgery (SMR = 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11 to 1.48), whereas SMRs were less than 1 for White women (SMR range = 0.70-0.96). SMRs were especially high for women with advanced (regional or distant) stage among Black women for all treatment (range = 1.15-2.89) and for AANHPI and Latina women treated with chemotherapy with surgery (range = 1.28-3.61). Non-White women diagnosed at younger than age 60 years had higher SMRs, as did Black and AANHPI women diagnosed with estrogen receptor–positive breast cancers. Black women had the highest 10-year cumulative risk of heart disease mortality: aged younger than 60 years (Black: 1.78%, 95% CI = 1.63% to 1.94%) compared with White, AANHPI, and Latina women (&lt;1%) and aged 60 years and older (Black: 7.92%, 95% CI = 7.53% to 8.33%) compared with White, AANHPI, and Latina women (range = 3.90%-6.48%).

Conclusions
Our findings illuminated striking racial and ethnic disparities in heart disease mortality among Black, AANHPI, and Latina breast cancer survivors, especially after initial chemotherapy receipt.
Kobresia pygmaea meadows as disclimax communities in the same geographic and climatic environments in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China
Authors: Lin Li , Cao Guangmin , Xu Xingliang , Zhang Fawei , Huang Junjie , Fan Bo , Li Bencuo , Li Yikang 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Kobresia meadows are the main pastures for animal husbandry on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, and may represent alternative steady states associated with different grazing intensities. The ability of other plant communities to succeed these meadows remains unclear. In this study, the historical data of plant communities were analyzed in terms of the soil profile, and the present characteristics were identified by investigating their plant communities. Four types of steady states were identified, corresponding to grazing intensities of &gt;11, 8–11, 5.5–8 and &lt;5.5 sheep/ha. Drought alpine swamp meadows and shrub meadows could succeed to K. pygmaea meadows and K. humilis meadows under overgrazing, and their total biomass and edible biomass (estimated by Gramineae and Cyperaceae) decreased with increasing grazing intensity. The regime shift of the states occurred at a grazing intensity of 8–11 sheep/ha. This value thus represented the threshold of significant change in the production and ecological service function in the Kobresia meadow succession process. In general, increasing grazing intensities can adversely affect the service ability of meadows for livestock production and ecosystem stabilization. Our results revealed the potential degraded succession process of the alpine Kobresia meadow and the succession direction in the restoration process of degraded meadows. Additionally, this study provided a theoretical basis for evaluating the fitness between the livestock bearing capacity and carrying capacity in steady states and academic reference for policy setting pertaining to the utilization of Kobresia meadows in a sustainable development framework.