bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of immunohistochemical and qPCR methods from granulomatous dermatitis lesions for detection of leishmania in dogs living in endemic areas: a preliminary study
Authors: Porcellato Ilaria , Morganti Giulia , Antognoni Maria Teresa , Walczak Katarzyna Małgorzata , De Arcangeli Stefano , Furlanello Tommaso , Quattrone Cristina Bianca , Veronesi Fabrizia , Brachelente Chiara 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
In canine leishmaniosis (CanL) endemic areas, pathologists often receive skin biopsies for testing with histopathologic findings suggestive—but not conclusive for a definitive diagnosis—of CanL lesions. I the absence of data on the infective status of animals, the diagnosis can therefore be challenging. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the ability of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative PCR (qPCR) methods to detect Leishmania infection in skin biopsies with a histopathologic diagnosis of lymphoplasmacytic/histiocytic and/or granulomatous dermatitis and to correlate the pattern, depth and severity of the histopathologic lesions with the parasite load detected by qPCR and IHC.

Methods
Thirty formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin samples were evaluated by hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) staining, IHC, conventional PCR (cPCR) and qPCR. The severity, pattern and depth of the dermal inflammation and parasite load were graded.

Results
Leishmania was detected by H&E staining in 8/30 sections (26.66%) and by IHC in 14/30 samples (46.66%). Parasite DNA was detected in 14/30 samples (46.66%) by cPCR and in 21/30 samples (70%) by qPCR, with an extremely variable parasite load (1.32–62.700 copies). The level of agreement was fair between H&E staining and cPCR (κ = 0.32), and moderate between H&E staining and IHC (κ = 0.58). The level of agreement between IHC and cPCR was good (κ = 0.65); between IHC and qPCR, moderate (κ = 0.41); and between cPCR and qPCR, fair (κ = 0.28). A significant association was found between the severity of dermal inflammation and the parasitic skin load by IHC, although with weak linear correlation.

Conclusions
Our study underlines the difficulty of obtaining a definitive diagnosis of CanL cutaneous lesions, even with the most accurate diagnostic tests currently available. Based on our results, no single test is suitable on its own for the diagnosis of cutaneous lesions caused by Leishmania. However, in the presence of a moderate/severe lymphoplasmacytic/histiocytic and/or granulomatous dermatitis, we suggest performing IHC, as in our study this technique proved to be the method with the highest discriminatory power to estimate the role of the parasite in skin lesions. In mild lesions, IHC loses its discriminatory power and should be effectively combined with techniques such as qPCR.

Graphical Abstract
The association of ultrasound assessment of gallbladder wall thickness with dengue fever severity
Authors: Ibrahim Mohd Anwar , Hamzah Siti Suhaila , Md Noor Julina , Mohamad Mohamad Iqhbal Kunji , Mokhtar Mohd Fazrul , Isa Mohamad Rodi , Abdul Rani Mohammed Fauzi 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Objectives
To evaluate the association between ultrasound assessment of gallbladder wall thickness (GBWT) among severe dengue patients and dengue patients with warning signs to their clinical outcomes.

Methods
A prospective, cross-sectional study involving adult dengue patients presented to our emergency department between March until September 2018. The patients were classified based on WHO classification. A gallbladder wall scan was performed on all patients.

Results
A total of 44 patients were enrolled into the study; majority of the patients with GBWT had severe dengue, significantly more than the dengue patients with warning signs (90.5% sensitivity; 69.6% specificity). The sensitivity of GBWT in determining admission to critical care areas or general ward was 100% with a specificity of 62.1%. Our analysis showed that the two variables significant in determining the severity of dengue were age (p = 0.045) and GBWT (p < 0.001). Both factors together gave 81.0% sensitivity and 78.3% specificity in predicting patients for severe dengue. The receiver operator characteristic curve revealed that using variable GBWT status can discriminate 87.1% (95%CI 66.3, 93.7%) of having severe dengue or dengue with warning signs.

Conclusion
The finding of GBWT when consolidated with other clinical parameters may assist clinicians to perform risk stratification in the emergency department and become another adjunct to the assessment of severe dengue.
Position, size, and spatial patterns of bark stripping wounds inflicted by red deer (Cervus elavus L.) on Norway spruce using generalized additive models in Austria
Authors: Hahn Christoph , Vospernik Sonja 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Key message
Bark stripping wounds by red deer (Cervus elavus L.) were assessed on 9026 Norway spruce trees. Wound variables (length, width, area, relative width, height above ground, and angle) were analysed using generalized additive models with spatial soap film smoothers. Wounds located at the uphill side of trees were larger in summer than winter, and wound size depended on the diameter at breast height (DBH) and was spatially clustered.

Context
In Austria, red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) is the main species causing bark stripping wounds. In winter, they often gnaw at the bark because of food scarcity; in summer, large pieces of bark are detached to help digestion, water, and nutrient uptake or as social behaviour.

Aims
The aim of this study was to analyse wound size (length, width, area, relative width (i.e., width divided by stem circumference)) and wound position (height above ground, angle (i.e., deviation between wound azimuth from slope line)) for winter and summer bark stripping wounds by red deer depending on stand attributes and to describe the spatial patterns of wound size within stands.

Methods
A total of 3832 wounds on 9026 trees in nine experimental stands of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) located at 47° 19’ N and 14° 46’ E at an elevation of 1009–1622 m were analysed. A linear regression model was fit for wound length over wound width for each season. For all wound variables (wound length, width, area, relative width, position, height above ground, and angle) generalized additive models (GAM) with soap film smoothers, which predict spatial patterns, were fitted.

Results
Of all wounds, 79.5 % were inflicted in winter and 20.5 % in summer. Wound length (31.9 cm ± 31.2 SD), width (11.7 cm ± 6.0 SD), area (446.5 cm2± 558.1 SD), and relative wound width (0.177 cm ± 0.098 SD) were modelled depending on summer or winter bark peeling, DBH, and tree coordinates. For wound height above ground (119.4 cm± 26.8 SD) and angle (− 1.9 ± 97.3 SD), no meaningful GAM could be calculated. Seasonal differences between wound length and area were more pronounced than for wound width; differences in height above ground were minimal, but significant. Analyses further showed that wounds were mainly located at the uphill side of the trees.

Conclusion
The spatial clustering of wound sizes might reduce the efficiency of thinning to remove heavily damaged trees in bark-peeled stands and might increase the number of sample points required to assess deer impact in forest inventories. Also, the uphill location of damages is an important information in inventories.
What is the impact of dexamethasone on postoperative pain in adults undergoing general anaesthesia for elective abdominal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mitchell C. , Cheuk S. J. , O’Donnell C. M. , Bampoe S. , Walker D. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundPrevious meta-analysis of heterogeneous surgical cohorts demonstrated reduction in postoperative pain with perioperative intravenous dexamethasone, but none have addressed adults undergoing elective abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of intravenous perioperative dexamethasone on postoperative pain in adults undergoing elective abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia.MethodsThis review was prospectively registered on the international prospective register of systematic reviews (CRD42020176202). Electronic databases Medical Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Exerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), (CINAHL) Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science and trial registries were searched to January 28 2021 for randomised controlled trials, comparing dexamethasone to placebo or alternative antiemetic, that reported pain. The primary outcome was pain score, and secondary outcomes were time to first analgesia, opioid requirements and time to post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) discharge.ResultsFifty-two studies (5768 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. Pain scores ≤ 4 hour (h) were reduced in patients who received dexamethasone at rest (mean difference (MD), − 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) − 0.72 to − 0.35,I2= 81%) and on movement (MD − 0.42, 95% CI − 0.62 to − 0.22,I2= 35). In the dexamethasone group, 4–24 h pain scores were less at rest (MD − 0.31, 95% CI − 0.47 to − 0.14,I2= 96) and on movement (MD − 0.26, 95% CI − 0.39 to − 0.13,I2= 29) and pain scores ≥ 24 h were reduced at rest (MD − 0.38, 95% CI − 0.52 to − 0.24,I2= 88) and on movement (MD − 0.38, 95% CI − 0.65 to − 0.11,I2= 71). Time to first analgesia (minutes) was increased (MD 22.92, 95% CI 11.09 to 34.75,I2= 98), opioid requirements (mg oral morphine) decreased (MD − 6.66, 95% CI − 9.38 to − 3.93,I2= 88) and no difference in time to PACU discharge (MD − 3.82, 95% CI − 10.87 to 3.23,I2= 59%).ConclusionsPatients receiving dexamethasone had reduced pain scores, postoperative opioid requirements and longer time to first analgesia. Dexamethasone is an effective analgesic adjunct for patients undergoing abdominal surgery.
Establishment and evaluation of an overlap extension polymerase chain reaction technique for rapid and efficient detection of drug-resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Li Jungang , Ouyang Jing , Yuan Jing , Li Tongxin , Luo Ming , Wang Jing , Chen Yaokai 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
Rapid and accurate detection of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is critical for effective control of tuberculosis (TB). Herein, we established a novel, low cost strategy having high accuracy and speed for the detection of M. tuberculosis drug resistance, using gene splicing by overlap extension PCR (SOE PCR).

Methods
The SOE PCR assay and Sanger sequencing are designed and constructed to detect mutations of rpoB, embB, katG, and inhA promoter, which have been considered as the major contributors to rifampicin (RFP), isoniazid (INH), and ethambutol (EMB) resistance in M. tuberculosis. One hundred and eight M. tuberculosis isolates came from mycobacterial cultures of TB cases at Chongqing Public Health Medical Center in China from December 2018 to April 2019, of which 56 isolates were tested with the GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay. Performance evaluation of the SOE PCR technique was compared with traditional mycobacterial culture and drug susceptibility testing (DST) or GeneXpert MTB/RIF among these isolates. Kappa identity test was used to analyze the consistency of the different diagnostic methods.

Results
We found that the mutations of S531L, S315T and M306V were most prevalent for RFP, INH and EMB resistance, respectively, in the 108 M. tuberculosis isolates. Compared with phenotypic DST, the sensitivity and specificity of the SOE PCR assay for resistance detection were 100.00% and 88.00% for RFP, 94.64% and 94.23% for INH, and 68.97% and 79.75% for EMB, respectively. Compared with the GeneXpert MTB/RIF, the SOE PCR method was completely consistent with results of the GeneXpert MTB/RIF, with a concordance of 100% for resistance to RFP.

Conclusions
In present study, a novel SOE PCR diagnostic method was successfully developed for the accurate detection of M. tuberculosis drug resistance. Our results using this method have a high consistency with that of traditional phenotypic DST or GeneXpert MTB/RIF, and SOE PCR testing in clinical isolates can also be conducted rapidly and simultaneously for detection of drug resistance to RFP, EMB, and INH.

Graphical Abstract
Multi-level barriers and facilitators to implementing a parenting intervention in prison, perceptions from deliverers and responsible managers: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Norman Åsa , Swahnström Simon , Karlström Natalia Ulfsdotter , Enebrink Pia 
Published: March 2022

AbstractBackgroundChildren of incarcerated parents run a high risk of poor health and own delinquency and positive parenting is vital for their healthy development. Internationally, parenting interventions for incarcerated parents suggest impacts on parenting and child behaviour outcomes. The intervention For Our Children’s Sake (FOCS), was developed for incarcerated parents in Sweden and evaluated in a controlled trial with a parallel process evaluation during 2019–2021. This study constitutes part of the process evaluation and aims to describe barriers and facilitators for the implementation of FOCS, and how the intervention targets parents’ needs, as perceived by delivering group leaders and responsible correctional inspectors.MethodsIn this mixed-methods study, group leaders (n = 23) and correctional inspectors (n = 12) in both intervention and control group of the FOCS trial responded to a quantitative questionnaire regarding factors of importance for intervention implementation. Group leaders (n = 12) and correctional inspectors (n = 6) in the intervention group also participated in qualitative interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and comparison of means. Qualitative data were analysed inductively using qualitative content analysis.ResultsA synthesis of the quantitative and qualitative results showed that the topic of parenting and child issues in general was perceived as highly important to work with in prison, and FOCS to be an important programme in specific. At the same time, the implementation of FOCS was perceived as reliant on the individual engagement of group leaders and correctional inspectors and implementation was described as a struggle due to the scarce resources that were allowed for FOCS. Thus, additional resources and support from the Prison and Probation Service’s management were called for to facilitate implementation of FOCS, and to make it an automatic part of prison activities.ConclusionThis study showed that there was high engagement among deliverers and managers for working with parenting in prison, where the need among parents has been described as great. Additional resources and support within the overall Prison and Probation Service, is vital to facilitate implementation of FOCS and make it sustainable within the prisons. The findings can be used to refine an implementations structure for similar interventions in the prison or similar settings.
Evaluation of the Conversations About Gambling Mental Health First Aid course: effects on knowledge, stigmatising attitudes, confidence and helping behaviour
Authors: Bond Kathy S. , Cottrill Fairlie A. , Morgan Amy J. , Chalmers Kathryn J. , Lyons Julia N. , Rossetto Alyssia , Kelly Claire M. , Kelly Louise , Reavley Nicola J. , Jorm Anthony F. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Background
The effects of problem gambling are wide-ranging, affecting many aspects of health and negatively impacting the person who gambles, their family and friends, and their community. People experiencing problem gambling have low rates of help-seeking and perceive many barriers to treatment, although evidence suggests that encouragement and support from friends and family can increase rates of help-seeking. Mental Health First Aid Australia’s Conversations About Gambling course aims to teach members of the public evidence-based strategies for recognising and responding to signs of problem gambling in a person they know.

Methods
This research evaluated the effects of the Conversations About Gambling course on participants’ knowledge, confidence, stigmatising attitudes, intended helping behaviour and actual helping behaviour towards a person experiencing problem gambling. Participants from Australia completed surveys before the course, immediately after the course and six months later. Changes over time (pre-course to post-course, and pre-course to 6-month follow-up) were assessed with linear mixed models. Descriptive statistics and content analyses of open-ended questions pertaining to participants’ satisfaction with the course were also produced.

Results
Between 2018 and 2020, 166 participants were recruited into this study. At 6-month follow-up 87 participants (52.4%) provided data. Participants’ knowledge about gambling and gambling problems, confidence, desire for social distance and intentions to help a person experiencing problem gambling significantly improved from pre-course to post-course, and from pre-course to 6-month follow-up. The quality of some actions taken to support a person they knew who was experiencing problem gambling also improved from pre-course to 6-month follow-up, in line with the teachings of the course. Participants perceived the course to be highly acceptable.

Conclusions
The results of this initial evaluation of Mental Health First Aid Australia’s Conversations About Gambling course suggest that it is an effective and acceptable educational intervention for those who wish to support a person experiencing problem gambling.
Neutrophil-vascular interactions drive myeloperoxidase accumulation in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Smyth Leon C. D. , Murray Helen C. , Hill Madison , van Leeuwen Eve , Highet Blake , Magon Nicholas J. , Osanlouy Mahyar , Mathiesen Sophie N. , Mockett Bruce , Singh-Bains Malvindar K. , Morris Vanessa K. , Clarkson Andrew N. , Curtis Maurice A. , Abraham Wickliffe C. , Hughes Stephanie M. , Faull Richard L. M. , Kettle Anthony J. , Dragunow Mike , Hampton Mark B. 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Introduction
Neutrophil accumulation is a well-established feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and has been linked to cognitive impairment by modulating disease-relevant neuroinflammatory and vascular pathways. Neutrophils express high levels of the oxidant-generating enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO), however there has been controversy regarding the cellular source and localisation of MPO in the AD brain.

Materials and methods
We used immunostaining and immunoassays to quantify the accumulation of neutrophils in human AD tissue microarrays and in the brains of APP/PS1 mice. We also used multiplexed immunolabelling to define the presence of NETs in AD.

Results
There was an increase in neutrophils in AD brains as well as in the murine APP/PS1 model of AD. Indeed, MPO expression was almost exclusively confined to S100A8-positive neutrophils in both human AD and murine APP/PS1 brains. The vascular localisation of neutrophils in both human AD and mouse models of AD was striking and driven by enhanced neutrophil adhesion to small vessels. We also observed rare infiltrating neutrophils and deposits of MPO around plaques. Citrullinated histone H3, a marker of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), was also detected in human AD cases at these sites, indicating the presence of extracellular MPO in the vasculature. Finally, there was a reduction in the endothelial glycocalyx in AD that may be responsible for non-productive neutrophil adhesion to the vasculature.

Conclusion
Our report indicates that vascular changes may drive neutrophil adhesion and NETosis, and that neutrophil-derived MPO may lead to vascular oxidative stress and be a relevant therapeutic target in AD.
Metallurgical and corrosion characterization of warring states period bronzes excavated from Pujiang, Chengdu, China
Authors: Liu Liu , Zhong Qing , Jiang Luman , Li Pei , Xiao Lin , Gong Yangmin , Zhu Zhanyun , Yang Junchang 
Published: March 2022

Abstract
Located in Pujiang, Chengdu, China, more than four hundred artifacts were unearthed during the excavation of the Warring States (the Warring States period lasts from 475 to 221 BC) ship-shaped graves in 2016. The compositional and metallurgical feature of the unearthed vessels are still unclear. Archaeologists and conservators are puzzled by such problems that need to be answered by systematic scientific studies. Fifty one samples, either from the matrix (26 samples), or from the corrosion part (25 samples) of 25 unearthed bronze vessels, were carefully collected from the fallen part of the bronze vessels for analysis. Technical methods, such as OM, SEM-EDS, XRD and Raman Spectroscopy were adopted for compositional and metallurgical characterization of the bronzes, as well as identification of the corrosion products. The bronzes are Cu–Sn–Pb trinary alloys with typical casting microstructure. The proportion of Sn are in accordance with excavated bronze vessels in surrounding areas. Recycling isn’t involved with the production of such vessels. Layered structure of the corrosion products was observed. Different corrosion products were identified as Cu2CO3(OH)2, Cu2O, CuSO4·5H2O SnO2, PbSO4 and PbCO3. The findings help us gain insights into the bronze manufacturing in Bashu district, as well as the corrosion behavior in certain condition.
The impact of grandchild care provision on grandparents’ depressive symptoms across Europe using multi-level analysis: do the grandchild caring patterns and the country’s economy matter?
Authors: Yang Yazhen , Evandrou Maria , Vlachantoni Athina 
Published: March 2022

AbstractLittle research has examined the cross-national differences in the impact of grandchild care provision on the grandparents’ depression, by taking into account of both macro- and micro-level factors. This study used a unique grandchild caring pattern variable in order to examine the effect of the changes in the intensity of grandchild caring on the grandparents’ depressive symptoms in European countries, and whether the grandparents’ country level economy influenced such effect. Longitudinal data derived from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe 2010–2018 covered 13 countries and 24,656 grandparents aged 50–90. Multi-level linear regression analyses with REML estimation were used. This study found that providing grandchild care had a protective effect against grandparents’ depressive symptoms in both lower and higher income countries. Moreover, providing more intensive grandchild care reduced the grandparents’ depressive symptoms to a greater extent in lower income countries than higher income countries. In addition, grandmothers benefited more from grandchild caring than grandfathers, and the gender gap in the effects of grandchild care provision on one’s depressive symptoms was wider in lower income countries than higher income countries in Europe. Future research can further investigate the mechanisms behind such results. The research findings can be used to develop targeted interventions aimed at grandparents providing childcare of different intensity.