bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determination of thyroidal endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) activities using a human cell-based transactivation assay
Authors: Lee Seok-Hee , Seo Hyeyeong , Byrd Nick , Willett Catherine , Lee Hee-Seok , Park Yooheon 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with physiological function by mimicking or blocking hormones; these chemicals enter the human body through various materials used in food packaging, among other routes. Thyroid hormones (THs) are very important hormones that control various basic physiological functions.

Results
In a previous study, we developed a TH agonist transactivation (TA) assay based on the A549 cell line. However, the assay using A549 showed some limitations, since it required 4 days to yield results and showed low sensitivity to the natural form of human triiodothyronine (T3). Therefore, in this study, we have developed a more sensitive TH TA assay based on a HeLa cell line to screen potential TH agonists. We evaluated the TH agonist activity of 17 chemicals, 5 of which showed TH agonist activity.

Conclusions
In conclusion, in comparison with the previously developed TA assay, the assay using HeLa cells provided greater accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, yielding more detailed results for TH agonist chemicals in less time.
Spatiotemporal analysis of multi-pesticide residues in the largest Central European shallow lake, Lake Balaton, and its sub-catchment area
Authors: Tóth Gergő , Háhn Judit , Szoboszlay Sándor , Harkai Péter , Farkas Milán , Radó Júlia , Göbölös Balázs , Kaszab Edit , Szabó István , Urbányi Béla , Kriszt Balázs 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
The present study aimed to gain a comprehensive knowledge of the presence and environmental risks of pesticide and repellent residues in Lake Balaton and its sub-catchment area (Hungary). A unique analysis of 439 active substances and 17 metabolites was carried out on surface waters and one effluent wastewater as the only direct discharge into Lake Balaton from June 2017 until August 2020. Altogether 203 water- and 85 sediment samples were collected and analysed during the 3-year monitoring period. To determine the environmental risks of the detected pesticides to aquatic ecosystems, environmental risk assessment (ERA) was carried out using two approaches (worst- and general-case scenarios).

Results
Fifty-two pesticides and one insect repellent were detected, of which 26 belonged to herbicides (24 active substances and two metabolites), 15 to fungicides (15 active substances), and 11 to insecticides (eight active substances and three metabolites), of which only nine of the total analysed compounds are listed to be monitored in surface waters with threshold limit values (TLVs). The most frequently detected compounds were terbuthylazine, diethyltoluamide (DEET), desethyl-atrazine, and metolachlor. Glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), and DEET were found with the highest concentrations of 3.0, 2.0, and 1.57 µg/L, respectively. The pesticide exposures were higher during the summer periods indicating a stable seasonal pattern. According to the performed ERA, the calculated Risk Quotients (RQs) indicated 18 compounds with a high level of risk including nine that had been banned for at least a decade.

Discussion
This study expands knowledge on the spatiotemporal occurrence of pesticides in inland surface waters and highlights the need to consider widening the number of analysed pesticides beyond the European Water Framework Directive (EWFD). According to our results, additional authority and legislation procedures should come into force for pesticides not indexed in the priority European Union Watch List.
Organic mulch can suppress litchi downy blight through modification of soil microbial community structure and functional potentials
Authors: Xu Dandan , Ling Jinfeng , Qiao Fang , Xi Pinggen , Zeng Yani , Zhang Jianfan , Lan Cuizhen , Jiang Zide , Peng Aitian , Li Pingdong 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Organic mulch is an important management practice in agricultural production to improve soil quality, control crop pests and diseases and increase the biodiversity of soil microecosystem. However, the information about soil microbial diversity and composition in litchi plantation response to organic mulch and its attribution to litchi downy blight severity was limited. This study aimed to investigate the effect of organic mulch on litchi downy blight, and evaluate the biodiversity and antimicrobial potential of soil microbial community of litchi plantation soils under organic mulch.

Results
Organic mulch could significantly suppress the disease incidence in the litchi plantation, and with a reduction of 37.74% to 85.66%. As a result of high-throughput 16S rRNA and ITS rDNA gene illumine sequencing, significantly higher bacterial and fungal community diversity indexes were found in organic mulch soils, the relative abundance of norank f norank o Vicinamibacterales, norank f Vicinamibacteraceae, norank f Xanthobacteraceae, Unclassified c sordariomycetes, Aspergillus and Thermomyces were significant more than that in control soils. Isolation and analysis of antagonistic microorganism showed that 29 antagonistic bacteria strains and 37 antagonistic fungi strains were unique for mulching soils.

Conclusions
Thus, we believe that organic mulch has a positive regulatory effect on the litchi downy blight and the soil microbial communities, and so, is more suitable for litchi plantation.
Does the rubella immunoglobulin G affect the severity of COVID- 19?
Authors: Sahebi Leyla , Hosseini Mohsen , Abdollahi Alireza , Farrokhzad Nahid , Fattah Ghazi Samrand , Samaei Noroozi Farzaneh , Ghiasvand Fereshteh 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Objective & aim
The coronavirus disease, so far (COVID-19) has brought about millions of infections and fatalities throughout the world. Our aim was to determine the correlation between rubella IGG titers with the severity COVID-19.

Materials & methods
This study was conducted among COVID-19 confirmed patients over 18 years of age. The disease severity levels were categorized by WHO interim guidance. The rubella-specific IgG antibody-titer spectrum was measured (within first 48 h of hospitalization) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Result
In a study of 46 inpatients with varying COVID-19 disease severity (mild, moderate, severe, and critical), we observed a negative correlation between rubella IgG antibody titers and COVID‐19 severity (P-Value = 0.017), There was an interaction between COVID-19 vaccination history and rubella IGG on severity COVID-19 (P-Value = 0.0015). There was an interaction between age group under 44 years (including national measles- rubella (MR) vaccination in Iran) and rubella IGG titers on severity COVID-19 too (p-value = 0.014).

Conclusion
In conclusion, MR vaccination seems to have a positive effect in reducing the severity of the disease, emphasizing that, the important and separate effect of the IGG rubella (due to natural or extrinsic immunity) titers is determining.
Real-time PCR using atpE, conventional PCR targeting different regions of difference, and flow cytometry for confirmation of Mycobacterium bovis in buffaloes and cattle from the Delta area of Egypt
Authors: Elsayed Mohamed Sabry Abd Elraheam , Salah Ahmed , Elbadee Ahmed Abd , Roshdy Tamer 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Mycobacterium bovis notoriously causes detrimental infections in bovines and humans. In this study, 1500 buffaloes and 2200 cattle were tested by single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test and compared with the detection rates of M. bovis isolation, real-time and simplex PCR, and flow Cytometry.

Results
The tuberculin test is the reference test in Egypt, the positive rate was 54/3700 (1.5%) composed of 18/1500 (1.2%) buffaloes and 36/2200 (1.6%) cattle which were mandatorily slaughtered under the Egyptian legislation, after postmortem examination the non-visible-lesion proportion was 39/54 (72.2%) which surpassed the visible-lesion rate 15/54 (27.8%) with (p < 0.0001). The samples from each case were pooled into one sample representing the case, and the isolation rate of M. bovis was 25/54 (46.3%). Real-time PCR using atpE was positive for mycobacteria on the genus level in 18/18 (100%) and 5/5 (100%) of tissue samples and isolates, respectively; simplex PCR detected M. bovis in 44/54 (81.5%) and 25/25 (100%) of tissue samples and isolates, respectively. Flow Cytometry evaluation of the CD4+, CD8+, WC1+δγ, and CD2+ cell phenotypes showed increased counts in the tuberculin-positive cases compared with negative cases (p < 0.0001), and these phenotypes in the tuberculin-positive cases increased after antigen stimulation than in the negative cases (p < 0.0001). Detection rates of PCR techniques and flow Cytometry exceeded that of bacterial isolation (p < 0.0001) and exhibited a strong correlation.

Conclusions
The skin test suffers from interference from non-tuberculous mycobacteria able to cause false-positive reactions in cattle and other species. Real-time PCR using atpE, conventional PCR targeting RDs, and flow Cytometry are rapid and accurate methods that correlate with the isolation and can be promising for detection and confirmation of infected live and slaughtered cases.
Effects on community composition and function Pinus massoniana infected by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus
Authors: Hao Xin , Liu Xuefeng , Chen Jie , Wang Bowen , Li Yang , Ye Yi , Ma Wei , Ma Ling 
Published: June 2022

AbstractPine wilt disease (PWD) is a worldwide forest disease caused by pine wood nematode (PWN). In this article, we investigated the composition, organization, correlation, and function of the endophytic microbial community in Pinus massoniana field with and without PWN. Samples were taken from branches, upper, middle, and lower trunks, as well as soil, from both healthy and infected trees. The results showed that the fungal diversity of healthy pines is around 1.1 times that of infected pines, while the bacterial diversity is about 0.75 times that of infected pines at the OTUs level. An increase of the abundance of pathogenic fungus such as Saitozyma, Graphilbum, Diplodia, Candida, Pseudoxanthomonas, Dyella and Pantoea was witnessed in infected pines according to the result of LEfSe. Furthermore, Ophiostoma and saprophytic fungus such as Entomocorticium, ganoderma, tomentella, entomocorticium were exclusively prominent in infected pines, which were substantially and highly connected with other species (p < 0.05), indicating the trees’ vulnerability and making the wood blue. In healthy pines, the top three functional guilds are parasites, plant pathogens, and saprotrophs. Parasites (36.52%) are primarily found in the branches, plant pathogens (29.12%) are primarily found in the lower trunk, and saprotrophs (67.88%) are primarily found in the upper trunk of disease trees. Pines’ immunity is being eroded due to an increase in the quantity and types of diseases. PICRUSt2 research revealed that NADH or NADPH, as well as carbon-nitrogen bonds, were more abundant in healthy pines, but acid anhydrides and transferring phosphorus-containing groups were more abundant in infected pines. The shift in resin secretion lowers the tree’s potential and encourages pine wilt and mortality. In total, PWN may have disrupted the microbiological ecology and worked with the community to hasten the demise of pines.
Epicardial adipose tissue is associated with higher recurrence risk after catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Jun , Mei Ziwei , Yang Yang , Dai Chuxing , Wang Yimin , Zeng Rui , Liu Qiang 
Published: June 2022

AbstractObjectiveOur study aimed to investigate the association between epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence risk after catheter ablation.MethodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to November 30, 2021 without language restrictions. Outcome was the relative risk (RR) of EAT contributes to AF recurrence after catheter ablation. The RR and 95% confidence interval (CI) was pooled by the random-effect model.Results10 studies that contained 1840 AF patients were included in our study. The result of this study showed that EAT amount was associated with higher risk of AF recurrence after catheter ablation (RR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.02–1.11, P = 0.005) and EAT related thickness was a risk factor for AF recurrence after catheter ablation (RR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.04–2.87, P = 0.040). Sub-analysis showed that EAT was strongly associated with higher risk of AF recurrence common in Asian population (RR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.10–1.43, P < 0.001), patients aged ≤ 60 years old (RR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.18–3.44, P = 0.010), and follow-up more than 1 year (RR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.01–1.11, P = 0.020).ConclusionThe meta-analysis demonstrated that EAT related thickness seems to be the marker most strongly associated with a greater risk of AF recurrences after catheter ablation. It should be included into risk stratification for predicting AF recurrent before catheter ablation.
Redirecting emergency medical services patients with unmet primary care needs: the perspective of paramedics on feasibility and acceptance of an alternative care path in a qualitative investigation from Berlin, Germany
Authors: Oslislo Sarah , Kümpel Lisa , Resendiz Cantu Rebecca , Heintze Christoph , Möckel Martin , Holzinger Felix 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundAgainst the backdrop of emergency department (ED) overcrowding, patients’ potential redirection to outpatient care structures is a subject of current political debate in Germany. It was suggested in this context that suitable lower-urgency cases could be transported directly to primary care practices by emergency medical services (EMS), thus bypassing the ED. However, practicality is discussed controversially. This qualitative study aimed to capture the perspective of EMS personnel on potential patient redirection concepts.MethodsWe conducted qualitative, semi-structured phone interviews with 24 paramedics. Interviews were concluded after attainment of thematic saturation. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and qualitative content analysis was performed.ResultsTechnical and organizational feasibility of patients’ redirection was predominantly seen as limited (theme: “feasible, but only under certain conditions”) or even impossible (theme: “actually not feasible”), based on a wide spectrum of potential barriers. Prominently voiced reasons were restrictions in personnel resources in both EMS and ambulatory care, as well as concerns for patient safety ascribed to a restricted diagnostic scope. Concerning logistics, alternative transport options were assessed as preferable. Regarding acceptance by stakeholders, the potential for releasing ED caseload was described as a factor potentially promoting adoption, while doubt was raised regarding acceptance by EMS personnel, as their workload was expected to conversely increase. Paramedics predominantly did not consider transporting lower-urgency cases as their responsibility, or even as necessary. Participants were markedly concerned of EMS being misused for taxi services in this context and worried about negative impact for critically ill patients, as to vehicles and personnel being potentially tied up in unnecessary transports. As to acceptance on the patients’ side, interview participants surmised a potential openness to redirection if this would be associated with benefits like shorter wait times and accompanied by proper explanation.ConclusionsInterviews with EMS staff highlighted considerable doubts about the general possibility of a direct redirection to primary care as to considerable logistic challenges in a situation of strained EMS resources, as well as patient safety concerns. Plans for redirection schemes should consider paramedics’ perspective and ensure a provision of EMS with the resources required to function in a changing care environment.
Effect of inpatient rehabilitation treatment ingredients on functioning, quality of life, length of stay, discharge destination, and mortality among older adults with unplanned admission: an overview review
Authors: Lambe K. , Guerra S. , Salazar de Pablo G. , Ayis S. , Cameron I. D. , Foster N. E. , Godfrey E. , Gregson C. L. , Martin F. C. , Sackley C. , Walsh N. , Sheehan K. J. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
To synthesise the evidence for the effectiveness of inpatient rehabilitation treatment ingredients (versus any comparison) on functioning, quality of life, length of stay, discharge destination, and mortality among older adults with an unplanned hospital admission.

Methods
A systematic search of Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, PsychInfo, PEDro, BASE, and OpenGrey for published and unpublished systematic reviews of inpatient rehabilitation interventions for older adults following an unplanned admission to hospital from database inception to December 2020. Duplicate screening for eligibility, quality assessment, and data extraction including extraction of treatment components and their respective ingredients employing the Treatment Theory framework. Random effects meta-analyses were completed overall and by treatment ingredient. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed with the inconsistency-value (I2).

Results
Systematic reviews (n = 12) of moderate to low quality, including 44 non-overlapping relevant RCTs were included. When incorporated in a rehabilitation intervention, there was a large effect of endurance exercise, early intervention and shaping knowledge on walking endurance after the inpatient stay versus comparison. Early intervention, repeated practice activities, goals and planning, increased medical care and/or discharge planning increased the likelihood of discharge home versus comparison. The evidence for activities of daily living (ADL) was conflicting. Rehabilitation interventions were not effective for functional mobility, strength, or quality of life, or reduce length of stay or mortality. Therefore, we did not explore the potential role of treatment ingredients for these outcomes.

Conclusion
Benefits observed were often for subgroups of the older adult population e.g., endurance exercise was effective for endurance in older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and early intervention was effective for endurance for those with hip fracture. Future research should determine whether the effectiveness of these treatment ingredients observed in subgroups, are generalisable to older adults more broadly. There is a need for more transparent reporting of intervention components and ingredients according to established frameworks to enable future synthesis and/or replication.

Trial registration
PROSPERO Registration CRD42018114323.
Adult Computed Tomography examinations in Uganda: Towards determining the National Diagnostic Reference Levels
Authors: Erem Geoffrey , Ameda Faith , Otike Caroline , Olwit William , Mubuuke Aloysius G. , Schandorf Cyril , Kisolo Akisophel , Kawooya Michael G. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Introduction
Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs), typically set at the 75th percentile of the dose distribution from surveys conducted across a broad user base using a specified dose-measurement protocol, are recommended for radiological examinations. There is a need to develop and implement DRLs as a standardisation and optimisation tool for the radiological protection of patients at Computed Tomography (CT) facilities.

Methods
This was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted in seven (7) different CT scan facilities in which participants were recruited by systematic random sampling. The study variables were dose length product (DLP) and volume-weighted CTDI (CTDIvol) for the radiation doses for head, chest, abdomen and lumbar spine CT examinations. The DRLs for CTDIvol and DLP were obtained by calculating the 3rd quartiles of the radiation doses per study site by anatomical region. The national diagnostic reference levels were determined by computation of DRLs using the 75th centile of the median values.

Results
A total of 574 patients were examined with an average age of 47.1 years. For CTDIvol estimates; there was a strong positive significant relationship between the CTDIvol and examination mAs (rs = 0.9017, p-value < 0.001), and reference mAs (rs = 0.0.7708, p-value < 0.001). For DLP estimates; there was a moderate positive significant relationships between DLP and total mAs (rs = 0.6812, p-value < 0.001), reference mAs (rs = 0.5493, p-value < 0.001). The DRLs were as follows; for head CT scan – the average median CTDIvol was 56.02 mGy and the DLP was 1260.3 mGy.cm; for Chest CT, the CTDI volume was 7.82 mGy and the DLP was 377.0 mGy.cm; for the abdomen CT, the CTDI volume 12.54 mGy and DLP 1418.3 mGy.cm and for the lumbar spine 19.48 mGy and the DLP was 843 mGy.cm, respectively.

Conclusion
This study confirmed the need to optimize the CT scan parameters in order to lower the national DRLs. This can be achieved by extensive training of all the CT scan radiographers on optimizing the CT scan acquisition parameters. Continuous dose audits are also advised with new equipment or after every three years to ensure that values out of range are either justified or further investigated.
Incidence and Risk Factors Associated with Technique Failure in the First Year of Peritoneal Dialysis: A Single Center Retrospective Cohort Study in Southern China
Authors: Dong Xiao , Wu Haishan , Ye Hongjian , Yi Chunyan , Diao Xiangwen , Liu Ruihua , Mao Haiping , Huang Fengxian , Yu Xueqing , Yang Xiao 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Technique failure is more likely to occur during the first 12 months after peritoneal dialysis (PD) initiation, which is a great challenge encountered in PD patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors associated with technique failure within the first year of PD patients in Southern China.

Methods
Incident PD patients who were followed up for at least one year at The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2015 were included. Technique failure was defined as transferring to hemodialysis (HD) for more than 30 days or death within the first year after start of PD. A competitive risk regression analysis was used to explore the incidence and risk factors of the technique failure.

Results
Overall, 2,290 incident PD patients were included in this study, with a mean age of 48.2 ± 15.7 years, 40.9% female and 25.2% with diabetes. A total of 173 patients (7.5%) had technique failure during the first year of PD. Among them, the patient death account for 62.4% (n = 108) and transferring to HD account for 37.6% (n = 65). The main reasons for death were cardiovascular diseases (n = 32, 29.6%), infection (n = 15, 13.8%) and for conversion to HD were mechanical cause (n = 28, 43.1%), infection cause (n = 22, 33.8%). The risk factors for the technique failure included advanced age (HR 2.78, 95%CI 1.82–4.30), low body mass index (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2: HR 1.77, 95%CI 1.17–2.67), history of congestive heart failure (HR 2.81, 95%CI 1.58–4.98), or time on HD before PD ≤ 3 months (HR 1.49, 95%CI 1.05–2.10), peritonitis (HR 2.02, 95%CI 1.36–3.01);while higher serum albumin (HR 0.93, 95%CI 0.89–0.96) and using employee medical insurance to pay expenses (HR 0.47, 95%CI 0.32–0.69) were associated with reduced risk.

Conclusions
Advanced age, poor nutritional status, history of HD or congestive heart failure, and peritonitis are related factors that increase the risk of technique failure in the first year of PD, while patients' type of medical insurance may also have an influence on early technique failure.