bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Continual Decline in Azole Susceptibility Rates in Candida tropicalis Over a 9-Year Period in China
Authors: Wang Yao , Fan Xin , Wang He , Kudinha Timothy , Mei Ya-Ning , Ni Fang , Pan Yu-Hong , Gao Lan-Mei , Xu Hui , Kong Hai-Shen , Yang Qing , Wang Wei-Ping , Xi Hai-Yan , Luo Yan-Ping , Ye Li-Yan , Xiao Meng ,   China Hospital Invasive Fungal Surveillance Net (CHIF-NET) Study Group
Published: January 2023

BackgroundThere have been reports of increasing azole resistance in Candida tropicalis, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. Here we report on the epidemiology and antifungal susceptibility of C. tropicalis causing invasive candidiasis in China, from a 9-year surveillance study.MethodsFrom August 2009 to July 2018, C. tropicalis isolates (n = 3702) were collected from 87 hospitals across China. Species identification was carried out by mass spectrometry or rDNA sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility was determined by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute disk diffusion (CHIF-NET10–14, n = 1510) or Sensititre YeastOne (CHIF-NET15–18, n = 2192) methods.ResultsOverall, 22.2% (823/3702) of the isolates were resistant to fluconazole, with 90.4% (744/823) being cross-resistant to voriconazole. In addition, 16.9 (370/2192) and 71.7% (1572/2192) of the isolates were of non-wild-type phenotype to itraconazole and posaconazole, respectively. Over the 9 years of surveillance, the fluconazole resistance rate continued to increase, rising from 5.7 (7/122) to 31.8% (236/741), while that for voriconazole was almost the same, rising from 5.7 (7/122) to 29.1% (216/741), with no significant statistical differences across the geographic regions. However, significant difference in fluconazole resistance rate was noted between isolates cultured from blood (27.2%, 489/1799) and those from non-blood (17.6%, 334/1903) specimens (P-value &lt; 0.05), and amongst isolates collected from medical wards (28.1%, 312/1110) versus intensive care units (19.6%, 214/1092) and surgical wards (17.9%, 194/1086) (Bonferroni adjusted P-value &lt; 0.05). Although echinocandin resistance remained low (0.8%, 18/2192) during the surveillance period, it was observed in most administrative regions, and one-third (6/18) of these isolates were simultaneously resistant to fluconazole.ConclusionThe continual decrease in the rate of azole susceptibility among C. tropicalis strains has become a nationwide challenge in China, and the emergence of multi-drug resistance could pose further threats. These phenomena call for effective efforts in future interventions.
Antimicrobial resistance among canine enterococci in the northeastern United States, 2007–2020
Authors: Osman Marwan , Altier Craig , Cazer Casey 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing and complex One Health concern worldwide, threatening the practice of human and veterinary medicine. Although dogs are a potential reservoir of multidrug-resistant bacteria, there are very few surveillance studies on AMR from the canine population in the United States. Here, we assessed the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, identified temporal resistance and minimum inhibitory concentration trends, and described associations between resistance phenotypes among canine clinical enterococci in the northeastern United States.MethodsThrough a large-scale retrospective study design, we collected species identification, minimum inhibitory concentration, and clinical data from 3,659 canine enterococci isolated at the Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center between 2007 and 2020. We used the Mann-Kendall test, Sen’s slope, multivariable logistic regression, and survival analysis models to detect the presence of a significant trend in resistance over the study period.ResultsEnterococcus faecalis was the most prevalent species (67.1% of isolates), followed by Enterococcus faecium (20.4%). We found high levels of AMR among enterococci to almost all the tested antimicrobials, particularly E. faecium. The lowest percentage of resistance was to vancomycin and chloramphenicol. Multidrug resistance was common (80% of E. faecium and 33% of E. faecalis) and 31 isolates were extensively drug resistant. Multidrug resistance among E. faecium increased over time, but not in E. faecalis. Resistance to penicillins, enrofloxacin, and rifampin increased during the study period, but resistance to tetracyclines is on a downward trajectory compared to AMR data from the last decade. Emerging vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis (0.3%) and E. faecium (0.8%) infections in the canine population are of great concern to both human and animal health. One E. faecium isolate with acquired vancomycin resistance was identified in 2017 and four vancomycin-resistant enterococci isolates were identified in 2020.ConclusionThere is a crucial need to make rational prescribing decisions on the prudent use of antimicrobials and improve the quality of care for patients, especially when empirical antimicrobial treatment for enterococcal infection is common.
Combination of structure-based virtual screening, molecular docking and molecular dynamics approaches for the discovery of anti-prion fibril flavonoids
Authors: Jheng Cheng-Ping , Lee Cheng-I 
Published: January 2023

Prion diseases are a group of rare neurodegenerative diseases caused by the structural conversion of cellular prion into Scrapie prion resulting aggregated fibrils. Therapy of prion diseases has been developed for several decades, especially drug designs based on the structure of prion monomers. Unfortunately, none of the designed anti-prion drugs function well clinically. To fight against prion fibrils, a drug design based on the precise structure of mammalian prion fibrils is highly required. Fortunately, based on the advantage of newly advanced cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) in the deconvolution of large complexes, three prion fibril structures were resolved in the last 2 years. Based on the cryo-EM solved prion fibril structures, we are able to find some molecules fighting against prion fibrils. Quercetin, one flavonoid molecule in the polyphenol group, has been found to disaggregate the prion fibrils in vitro. In this study, we performed the molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation on quercetin-like molecules possessing pharmacological properties to evaluate the anti-prion ability of tested molecules. As a result, four quercetin-like molecules interact with prion fibril and decrease the β-strand content by converting some β-strands into loop and helical structures to disintegrate the existing fibril structure. The results of this study are significant in the treatment of prion diseases, and the approaches used in this study are applicable to other amyloid diseases.
Perioperative probiotics attenuates postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty: A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Hu Lin , Luo Manli , Huang Huifan , Wu Lanping , Ouyang Wen , Tong Jianbin , Le Yuan 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundPostoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication in elderly patients following surgery. The preventive and/or treatment strategies for the incidence remain limited.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the preventive effect of perioperative probiotic treatment on POCD in elderly patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty.MethodsAfter obtaining ethical approval and written informed consent, 106 patients (age ≥60 years) were recruited, who scheduled elective hip or knee arthroplasty, from 16 March 2021 to 25 February 2022 for this randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial. They were randomly assigned with a 1:1 ratio to receive either probiotics or placebo treatment (four capsules, twice/day) from hospital admission until discharge. Cognitive function was assessed with a battery of 11 neuropsychological tests on the admission day and the seventh day after surgery, respectively.ResultsA total of 96 of 106 patients completed the study, and their data were finally analyzed. POCD occurred in 12 (26.7%) of 45 patients in the probiotic group and 29 (56.9%) of 51 patients in the placebo group (relative risk [RR], 0.47 [95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27 to 0.81]; P = 0.003). Among them, mild POCD occurred in 11 (24.4%) in the probiotic group and 24 (47.1%) in the placebo group (RR, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.29 to 0.94]; P = 0.022). No significant difference in severe POCD incidence was found between the two groups (P = 0.209). Compared with the placebo group, the verbal memory domain cognitive function was mainly improved in the probiotic group.ConclusionProbiotics may be used perioperatively to prevent POCD development and improve verbal memory performance in elderly patients receiving hip or knee arthroplasty.Clinical trial registrationwww.chictr.org.cn, identifier: ChiCTR2100045620.
The association between stress hyperglycemia and unfavorable outcomes in patients with anterior circulation stroke after mechanical thrombectomy
Authors: Zhang Junrun , Dong Dawei , Zeng You , Yang Bing , Li Fangze , Chen Xuefang , Lu Jingchong , Guan Min , He Niu , Qiao Hongyu , Li Keshen , Xu Anding , Huang Li’an , Zhu Huili 
Published: January 2023

Background and purposeStress hyperglycemia is common in critical and severe diseases. However, few studies have examined the association between stress hyperglycemia and the functional outcomes of patients with anterior circulation stroke, after mechanical thrombectomy (MT), in different diabetes status. This study therefore aimed to determine the relationship between stress hyperglycemia and the risk of adverse neurological functional outcomes in anterior circulation stroke patients with and without diabetes after MT.MethodsData of 408 patients with acute anterior circulation stroke treated with MT through the green-channel treatment system for emergency stroke at the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University between January 2016 and December 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. The stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) was calculated as fasting plasma glucose (mmol/L) divided by glycosylated hemoglobin (%). The patients were stratified into four groups by quartiles of SHR (Q1-Q4). The primary outcome was an excellent (nondisabled) functional outcome at 3 months after admission (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–1). The relationship between stress hyperglycemia and neurological outcome after stroke was assessed using multivariate logistic regression.ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounders, compared with patients in Q1, those in Q4 were less likely to have an excellent outcome at 3 months (odds ratio [OR], 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14–0.66, p = 0.003), a good outcome at 3 months (OR, 0.41, 95% CI, 0.20–0.84, p = 0.020), and major neurological improvement (OR, 0.38, 95% CI, 0.19–0.73, p = 0.004). Severe stress hyperglycemia increased risks of 3-months all-cause mortality (OR, 2.82, 95% CI, 1.09–8.29, p = 0.041) and ICH (OR, 2.54, 95% CI, 1.21–5.50, p = 0.015).ConclusionStress hyperglycemia was associated with a reduced rate of excellent neurological outcomes, and increased mortality and ICH risks in patients with anterior circulation stroke after MT regardless of diabetes status.
Electroacupuncture ameliorates inflammatory response induced by retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury and protects the retina through the DOR-BDNF/Trkb pathway
Authors: Guo Runjie , Zhang Yongjie , Geng Yue , Chen Ping , Fu Tiantian , Xia Yong , Zhang Ren , Zhu Yuan , Jin Jingling , Jin Nange , Xu Hong , Tian Xuesong 
Published: January 2023

Objectives: Retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) is the common pathological basis of many ophthalmic diseases in the later stages, and inflammation is the primary damage mechanism of RIRI. Our study aimed to assess whether electroacupuncture (EA) has a protective effect against RIRI and to elucidate its related mechanisms.Methods: A high-intraocular pressure (HIOP) model was used to simulate RIRI in Wistar rats. EA was applied to the EA1 group [Jingming (BL1) + Shuigou (GV26)] and the EA2 group [Jingming (BL1) + Hegu (LI4)] respectively for 30 min starting immediately after the onset of reperfusion and repeated (30 min/time) at 12 h and then every 24 h until days 7 after reperfusion. The pathological changes in the retina were observed by H and E staining after HIOP. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining was utilized to observe retinal cell apoptosis. The mRNA expression of IL1-β, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10, δ-opioid receptor (DOR), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) in the retina was measured by quantitative real-time PCR.Results: HIOP caused structural disorders of the retina, decreased RGCs, and increased retinal cell apoptosis. At 1 and 3 days of RIRI, retinal apoptotic cells in the EA group were significantly reduced, while there was no distinct difference in the EA group compared with the HIOP group at 7 days of RIRI. Compared with that in the HIOP group, the expression of anti-inflammatory factors, DOR and TrkB was increased, and the expression of pro-inflammatory factors was decreased in the EA group. In contrast, HIOP had no appreciable effect on BDNF expression.Conclusion: EA at Jingming (BL1) and Shuigou (GV26) or at Jingming (BL1) and Hegu (LI4) may inhibit RIRI induced inflammation through activating the DOR-BDNF/TrkB pathway to protect the retina, especially the pair of Jingming (BL1) and Shuigou (GV26) has better inhibitory effects on inflammation.
Neuroepidemiology study of headache in the region of Jammu of north Indian population: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Sudershan Amrit , Pushap Agar Chander , Younis Mohd , Sudershan Srishty , Bhagat Sheetal , Kumar Hardeep , Panjalyia Rakesh K. , Kumar Parvinder 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundHeadache disorders now represent a major public health problem globally. It is more prevalent in developing countries with the rising trends of headache disorders observed in young adults affecting their quality of life negatively. Very little information is available on the epidemiology of headache disorders in the Jammu Division of the north Indian population.AimThe aim of the present study was to find out the prevalence of headache and its two major types, i.e., migraine and tension-type headache (TTH), in the population of the Jammu Division.MethodsThe present study was conducted in two phases: (Phase I: face-to-face interview and Phase II: E-based sampling) and the sufferers of headaches were incorporated into the study based on the International Classification of Headache Disorder-3 (ICHD-3) criteria for a representative sample. Frequency distribution and mean ± standard deviation were used in descriptive statistics to describe the data sets, while a t-test, chi-square test, multiple logistic regression, and prevalence ratio were used in inferential statistics.ResultsIn the present study, a total of 3,148 patients were recruited, with an overall prevalence of headache of 53.84%, with a majority of females (38.18%) over males (15.66%). As regards the type of headache, migraine was found to be of the more prevalent (33.25%) type than the TTH (20.58%). Females suffering from migraine showed the highest prevalence (25.28%), in contrast to females suffering from the TTH (12.89%). Sociodemographic variables, such as gender [female; AOR = 2.46, 95% CI (2.12–2.85), p-value &lt; 0.0001] and marital status [married; AOR: 1.46, 95% CI (1.11–1.92) p-value = 0.006], showed a significant association with the headache.ConclusionThe present study shows that the prevalence of headache is high in the Jammu Division of Jammu and Kashmir (J&amp;K) India, with migraine being the highly prevalent type.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated with stroke history in a reverse J-shape
Authors: Pan Jue-heng , Wu Shuo-long , Ma Jing-xiang , Chang Long , Zheng Ying-feng , Wang Xiao-dong 
Published: January 2023

Background25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], the major form of vitamin D in the body, has a non-linear association with stroke risk. However, the association is not fully understood. The specific shape of the association and the ideal value of 25(OH)D related to minimum risk of stroke remain unclear.AimWe conducted the study to establish the correlation between circulating 25(OH)D and stroke history and determine the ideal value of 25(OH)D in relation to the lowest stroke prevalence.MethodsData from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used for analyzes. We used multivariate logistic regression analysis with fitted smooth curves to explore the relationship between 25(OH)D and self-reported stroke history. Subsequently, 40,632 participants were enrolled in the study.ResultsA reverse J-shaped association between 25(OH)D and stroke history was determined, where the lowest stroke prevalence for the 25(OH)D level was about 60 nmol/L. After adjusting for confounding factors, prevalence of stroke showed an increasing trend below and above the middle quintile (53.2–65.4 nmol/L) of 25(OH)D. Participants with 25(OH)D levels in the lowest quintile (≤ 39.3 nmol/L) had a 38% increased prevalence of stroke (OR 1.38, 95 %CI 1.12–1.70), while those in the higher level range of 25(OH)D (65.5–80.8 nmol/L) had a 27% higher stroke prevalence (OR 1.27, 95 %CI 1.03–1.57).ConclusionUsing data from a large, cross-sectional cohort program, we found that circulating 25(OH)D was related to stroke history in a reverse J-shaped manner. Given how the causal relationship between circulating 25(OH)D and history of stroke has not been established, more high-quality evidence based on the reverse J-shaped feature is needed to elucidate the link between vitamin D and stroke risk, and the effect of vitamin D supplements on stroke prevention.
Face and content validation of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—Bulbar dysfunction index (ALS-BDI)
Authors: Yunusova Yana , Waito Ashley , Barnett Tapia Carolina , Huynh Anna , Martino Rosemary , Abrahao Agessandro , Pattee Gary L. , Berry James D. , Zinman Lorne , Green Jordan R. 
Published: January 2023

PurposeEarly detection and tracking of bulbar dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are critical for directing management of the disease. Existing physiological assessments of bulbar dysfunction are often inaccessible and cost-prohibitive for clinical application. Existing clinical assessments are limited. The overall goal of our research is to develop a brief and reliable, clinician-administered assessment tool, the ALS Bulbar Dysfunction Index (ALS-BDI) to evaluate bulbar dysfunction. The aim of this study was to establish content and face validity of the ALS-BDI through item generation and reduction, including item scoring.MethodsThe design of the ALS-BDI followed guidelines outlined by the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN). The design stage of the ALS-BDI involved two steps: (Step 1) the generation of candidate items from a literature review of commonly used clinical tools, and selection of items following a review of item reliability and item relevance and expert consensus; (Step 2) the assessment of their content and face validityviaonline survey feedback from experts (n= 35). The initial design was followed by a semi-structured cognitive interview with Speech-Language Pathologists (n= 5) to finalize a testable draft of the instrument.ResultsTwo drafts of the ALS-BDI were developed. The first draft contained 48 items, after a review of existing clinical tools for their relevance to bulbar dysfunction in ALS. Of the 48 items, 35 items were retained after surveying experts and clinician users for their relevance, feasibility, interpretability, and appropriateness. The second draft of the ALS-BDI contained 37 items, due to one item splitting, based on users cognitive interviews.ConclusionsThe ALS-BDI described in this study aims to provide a brief and reliable, clinician-administered assessment tool to evaluate bulbar dysfunction in patients with ALS. Future research will evaluate the psychometric properties of this tool including its reliability, validity, and responsiveness to change over time.
L-shaped association of serum calcium with all-cause and CVD mortality in the US adults: A population-based prospective cohort study
Authors: Hou Xinran , Hu Jie , Liu Zhuoyi , Wang E. , Guo Qulian , Zhang Zhong , Song Zongbin 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundCalcium is involved in many biological processes, but the impact of serum calcium levels on long-term mortality in general populations has been rarely investigated.MethodsThis prospective cohort study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2018). All-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, and cancer mortality were obtained through linkage to the National Death Index. Survey-weighted multivariate Cox regression was performed to compute hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidential intervals (CIs) for the associations of calcium levels with risks of mortality. Restricted cubic spline analyses were performed to examine the non-linear association of calcium levels with all-cause and disease-specific mortality.ResultsA total of 51,042 individuals were included in the current study. During an average of 9.7 years of follow-up, 7,592 all-cause deaths were identified, including 2,391 CVD deaths and 1,641 cancer deaths. Compared with participants in the first quartile (Q1) of serum calcium level [≤2.299 mmol/L], the risk of all-cause mortality was lower for participants in the second quartile (Q2) [2.300–2.349 mmol/L], the third quartile (Q3) [2.350–2.424 mmol/L] and the fourth quartile (Q4) [≥2.425 mmol/L] with multivariable-adjusted HRs of 0.81 (95% CI, 0.74–0.88), 0.78 (95% CI, 0.71–0.86), and 0.80 (95% CI, 0.73, 0.88). Similar associations were observed for CVD mortality, with HRs of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.71–0.95), 0.87 (95% CI, 0.74–1.02), and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.72, 0.97) in Q2–Q4 quartile. Furthermore, the L-shaped non-linear associations were detected for serum calcium with the risk of all-cause mortality. Below the median of 2.350 mmol/L, per 0.1 mmol/L higher serum calcium was associated with a 24% lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 0.76, 95% CI, 0.70–0.83), however, no significant changes were observed when serum calcium was above the median. Similar L-shaped associations were detected for serum calcium with the risk of CVD mortality with a 25% reduction in the risk of CVD death per 0.1 mmol/L higher serum calcium below the median (HR: 0.75, 95% CI, 0.65–0.86).ConclusionL-shaped associations of serum calcium with all-cause and CVD mortality were observed in US adults, and hypocalcemia was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality.