bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of a loading dose of meropenem on outcomes of patients with sepsis treated by continuous renal replacement: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ni Sui-Qing , Teng Wen-Bing , Fu Yong-Hong , Su Wei , Yang Zhi , Cai Jie , Xu Jin-Nuo , Deng Xiao-Ying , Liu Xiang-Fang , Fu Sheng-Nan , Zeng Jun , Zhang Chen 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundSepsis and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) are both responsible for the alterations of the pharmacokinetics of antibiotics. For patients with sepsis receiving CRRT, the serum concentrations of meropenem in the early phase (< 48 h) was significantly lower than that in the late phase (> 48 h). This current trial aimed to investigate whether administration of a loading dose of meropenem results in a more likely achievement of the pharmacokinetic (PK)/pharmacodynamics (PD) target (100% fT > 4 × MIC) and better therapeutic results in the patients with sepsis receiving CRRT.MethodsThis is a single-blinded, single-center, randomized, controlled, two-arm, and parallel-group trial. This trial will be carried out in Guangzhou First People’s Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology Guangdong, China. Adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) with critical sepsis or sepsis-related shock receiving CRRT will be included in the study. The subjects will be assigned to the control group and the intervention group (LD group) randomly at a 1:1 ratio, the estimated sample size should be 120 subjects in each group. In the LD group, the patient will receive a loading dose of 1.5-g meropenem resolved in 30-ml saline which is given via central line for 30 min. Afterward, 0.75-g meropenem will be given immediately for 30 min every 8 h. In the control group, the patient will receive 0.75-g meropenem for 30 min every 8 h. The primary objective is the probabilities of PK/PD target (100% fT > 4 × MIC) achieved in the septic patients who receive CRRT in the first 48 h. Secondary objectives include clinical cure rate, bacterial clearance rate, sepsis-related mortality and all-cause mortality, the total dose of meropenem, duration of meropenem treatment, duration of CRRT, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), C-reactive protein levels, procalcitonin levels, white blood cell count, and safety.DiscussionThis trial will assess for the first time whether administration of a loading dose of meropenem results in a more likely achievement of the PK/PD target and better therapeutic results in the patients with sepsis receiving CRRT. Since CRRT is an important therapeutic strategy for sepsis patients with hemodynamic instability, the results from this trial may help to provide evidence-based therapy for septic patients receiving CRRT.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trials Registry,ChiCTR2000032865. Registered on 13 May 2020,http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=53616.
Ad libitum consumption of protein- or peptide-sucrose solutions stimulates egg formation by prolonging the vitellogenic phase of oogenesis in anautogenous mosquitoes
Authors: Harrison Ruby E. , Chen Kangkang , South Lilith , Lorenzi Ange , Brown Mark R. , Strand Michael R. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundAnautogenous mosquitoes commonly consume nectars and other solutions containing sugar but are thought to only produce eggs in discrete gonadotrophic cycles after blood-feeding on a vertebrate host. However, some anautogenous species are known to produce eggs if amino acids in the form of protein are added to a sugar solution. Unclear is how different sources of amino acids in sugar solutions affect the processes that regulate egg formation and whether responses vary among species. In this study, we addressed these questions by focusing onAedes aegyptiand conducting some comparative assays withAedes albopictus, Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles stephensiandCulex quinquefasciatus.MethodsAdult female mosquitoes were fed sugar solutions containing amino acids, peptides or protein. Markers for activation of a gonadotrophic cycle including yolk deposition into oocytes, oviposition, ovary ecdysteroidogenesis, expression of juvenile hormone and 20-hydroxyecdysone-responsive genes, and adult blood-feeding behavior were then measured.ResultsThe five anautogenous species we studied produced eggs when fed two proteins (bovine serum albumin, hemoglobin) or a mixture of peptides (tryptone) in 10% sucrose but deposited only small amounts of yolk into oocytes when fed amino acids in 10% sucrose. Focusing onAe. aegypti, cultures were maintained for multiple generations by feeding adult females protein- or tryptone-sugar meals. Ad libitum access to protein- or tryptone-sugar solutions protracted production of ecdysteroids by the ovaries, vitellogenin by the fat body and protease activity by the midgut albeit at levels that were lower than in blood-fed females. Females also exhibited semi-continual oogenesis and repressed host-seeking behavior.ConclusionsSeveral anautogenous mosquitoes produce eggs when provided ad libitum access to protein- or peptide-sugar meals, but several aspects of oogenesis also differ from females that blood-feed.Graphical Abstract
Loop mediated isothermal amplification of Clostridioides difficile isolates in gastrointestinal patients
Authors: Moosavian Mojtaba , Keshavarzi Razieyeh , Abbasi Montazeri Effat , Hajiani Eskandar 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThis study investigated the prevalence ofClostridioides difficileby culture, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR), and loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) in patients with suspectedC. difficileinfections (CDIs). Also, the results of three methods were compared. All stool specimens collected from CDI suspected patients were cultured on selectiveC. difficilecycloserine-cefoxitin fructose agar and incubated in an anaerobic jar up to 7 days. The bacterial isolates were identified using standard tests. Multiplex-PCR (M-PCR) was performed for detection oftcdA,tcdB, andtpigenes. The LAMP assay was performed to detect thetcdBgene ofC. difficile.C. difficilewas isolated from 20.0% (n = 10/50) of samples by culture. M-PCR showed that 34.0% (n = 17/50) of the specimens were positive forC. difficilebased on the presence oftpigene. Out of the 17C. difficile, 13 strains (76.0%) were positive fortcdBgene using M-PCR. However, the LAMP assay showed that 30.0% (15/50) of specimens were positive for the presence oftcdBgene. M-PCR and LAMP methods showed 100.0% sensitivity compared to the culture method. However, the specificity of the LAMP (87.5%) was relatively higher than the M-PCR (82.5%) compared to the culture. Based on the results of this study, the prevalence of toxigenicC. difficilestrains was high in suspected CDI patients. So, the differentiation between toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains is necessary. Our data showed that the LAMP assay is a good method for direct detection of toxigenicC. difficilestrains from stool specimens.
miRNA sequencing analysis of healthy and atretic follicles of chickens revealed that miR-30a-5p inhibits granulosa cell death via targeting Beclin1
Authors: He Haorong , Li Dongmei , Tian Yongtong , Wei Qinyao , Amevor Felix Kwame , Sun Congjiao , Yu Chunlin , Yang Chaowu , Du Huarui , Jiang Xiaosong , Ma Menggen , Cui Can , Zhang Zhichao , Tian Kai , Zhang Yao , Zhu Qing , Yin Huadong 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
The egg production performance of chickens is affected by many factors, including genetics, nutrition and environmental conditions. These factors all play a role in egg production by affecting the development of follicles. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important non-coding RNAs that regulate biological processes by targeting genes or other non-coding RNAs after transcription. In the animal reproduction process, miRNA is known to affect the development and atresia of follicles by regulating apoptosis and autophagy of granulosa cells (GCs).

Results
In this study, we identified potential miRNAs in the atretic follicles of broody chickens and unatretic follicles of healthy chickens. We identified gga-miR-30a-5p in 50 differentially expressed miRNAs and found that gga-miR-30a-5p played a regulatory role in the development of chicken follicles. The function of miR-30a-5p was explored through the transfection test of miR-30a-5p inhibitor and miR-30a-5p mimics. In the study, we used qPCR, western blot and flow cytometry to detect granulosa cell apoptosis, autophagy and steroid hormone synthesis. Confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy are used for the observation of autophagolysosomes. The levels of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected by ELISA. The results showed that miR-30a-5p showed a negative effect on autophagy and apoptosis of granulosa cells, and also contributed in steroid hormones and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In addition, the results obtained from the biosynthesis and dual luciferase experiments showed that Beclin1 was the target gene of miR-30a-5p. The rescue experiment conducted further confirmed that Beclin1 belongs to the miR-30a-5p regulatory pathway.

Conclusions
In summary, after deep miRNA sequencing on healthy and atretic follicles, the results indicated that miR-30a-5p inhibits granulosa cell death by inhibiting Beclin1.
The effect of initial and prior models on phase tensor inversion of distorted magnetotelluric data
Authors: Rung-Arunwan T. , Siripunvaraporn W. , Utada H. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMagnetotelluric (MT) data are often distorted by near-surface small-scale lateral heterogeneities. Inverting distorted MT data may produce artifacts or false anomalies, leading to unreliable interpretation. This problem can be avoided by inverting the phase tensor (PT), which is known to be free of galvanic distortion. However, PT inversion is known to strongly depend on the initial or prior model, because the PT itself does not contain absolute resistivity information. To obtain a reliable inversion result from a set of PT data, a proper initial or prior model is crucial. In this study, a one-dimensional mean resistivity profile estimated from the average sum-of-squared-elements impedance was chosen as an initial model, because it was proven to be less sensitive to galvanic distortion. Examples with synthetic data showed that PT inversion using such an initial and prior model is a viable approach for inverting galvanically distorted MT data. In addition, the present paper considers a situation, where the distortion is not purely galvanic. A simple synthetic study indicated that the PT is affected by inductive distortion, and thus, such inversion results should be interpreted with caution.
Graphic Abstract
Determinants of venous return in steady-state physiology and asphyxia-induced circulatory shock and arrest: an experimental study
Authors: Chalkias Athanasios , Laou Eleni , Papagiannakis Nikolaos , Varvarousi Giolanda , Ragias Dimitrios , Koutsovasilis Anastasios , Makris Demosthenes , Varvarousis Dimitrios , Iacovidou Nicoletta , Pantazopoulos Ioannis , Xanthos Theodoros 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Mean circulatory filling pressure (Pmcf) provides information on stressed volume and is crucial for maintaining venous return. This study investigated the Pmcf and other determinants of venous return in dysrhythmic and asphyxial circulatory shock and arrest.

Methods
Twenty Landrace/Large-White piglets were allocated into two groups of 10 animals each. In the dysrhythmic group, ventricular fibrillation was induced with a 9 V cadmium battery, while in the asphyxia group, cardiac arrest was induced by stopping and disconnecting the ventilator and clamping the tracheal tube at the end of exhalation. Mean circulatory filling pressure was calculated using the equilibrium mean right atrial pressure at 5–7.5 s after the onset of cardiac arrest and then every 10 s until 1 min post-arrest. Successful resuscitation was defined as return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) with a MAP of at least 60 mmHg for a minimum of 5 min.

Results
After the onset of asphyxia, a ΔPmca increase of 0.004 mmHg, 0.01 mmHg, and 1.26 mmHg was observed for each mmHg decrease in PaO2, each mmHg increase in PaCO2, and each unit decrease in pH, respectively. Mean Pmcf value in the ventricular fibrillation and asphyxia group was 14.81 ± 0.5 mmHg and 16.04 ± 0.6 mmHg (p < 0.001) and decreased by 0.031 mmHg and 0.013 mmHg (p < 0.001), respectively, for every additional second passing after the onset of cardiac arrest. With the exception of the 5–7.5 s time interval, post-cardiac arrest right atrial pressure was significantly higher in the asphyxia group. Mean circulatory filling pressure at 5 to 7.5 s after cardiac arrest predicted ROSC in both groups, with a cut-off value of 16 mmHg (AUC = 0.905, p < 0.001).

Conclusion
Mean circulatory filling pressure was higher in hypoxic hypercapnic conditions and decreased at a lower rate after cardiac arrest compared to normoxemic and normocapnic state. A Pmcf cut-off point of 16 mmHg at 5–7.5 s after cardiac arrest can highly predict ROSC.
Drinking alcohol raises the chance of premarital sex by four folds among secondary school adolescent students in Jima Arjo, Southwestern Ethiopia, 2018: a school-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Biratu Bayisa , Garoma Sileshi , Getachew Motuma , Desalegn Markos 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Premarital sexual practice is sexual intercourse performed before formal marriage. Pre-marital sexual practice increases adolescents’ risk for having multiple sexual partners, (sexually transmitted disease) STDs, and unintended pregnancy.

Objective
The study aimed to assess the prevalence of premarital sexual practice and associated factors among secondary school (9–12 grade) students in the Jima Arjo district.

Methods
Institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among adolescent students from May 1st to 15th using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select study participants. The collected data was cleaned and entered into(statistical package for social science) SPSS version 20. Factors associated with the pre-marital sexual practice were identified by multiple logistic regression analyses.

Results
The over all premarital sexual practice in this study area was 24.4%. Being alcoholdrinker(AOR[95%CI] = 3.78[1.49,22.08]),havingaboy/girlfriend(AOR[95%CI] = 5.07[3.74,26.47]), (being male) (AOR[95%CI] = 2.9[1.78,37.8]); urban residence (AOR[95%CI] = 6.44 [1.95,25.84]).

Conclusions
The study revealed that a significant proportion of adolescent students in this study area practiced premarital sex. Being male sex, urban residence, using alcohol use and having a boy/girlfriend significantly affect premarital sexual practice. Therefore, school and community-based sexual health education, and communication need to be intensified to reduce premarital sex and further health consequences.
A pragmatic study of congratulation strategies of Pakistani ESL learners and British English speakers
Authors: Saleem Aisha , Saleem Tahir , Aziz Asif 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPeople usually express their feelings and emotions positively to others when they have happy occasions. However, the ways of expressing congratulation may vary because the expressive speech act “congratulations” is not the only way to express happiness and share others their happy news. The present study investigates the congratulation strategies of Pakistani English as second language (ESL) learners and British English speakers under the influence of social distance variable. A quantitative approach is applied in the analysis with the frequency of strategies (semantic formulas) being numerically analyzed. The current study recruited 120 participants, and who were further divided into four different groups: 30 British English speakers, 30 Pakistani ESL learners in the elite class, 30 Pakistani ESL learners of the middle class, and 30 Pakistani ESL learners in the lower class. For data collection, a discourse completion test (DCT) was used as a tool. The findings reveal that the most frequently used types of congratulation strategy areillocutionary force indicating device(IFID) followed by overlapped strategies (a combination of two),an offer of a good wish, expression of happiness, request for information, encouragement, expression of surprise, and suggestion of celebration, while other types of strategies are not used by the participants. The study reveals the existence of crosscultural differences in the use of congratulations by Pakistani ESL learners. The findings further show how the middle and lower class of Pakistani ESL learners use a more elaborated form of compliment responses (CRs) as compared to Pakistani ESL learners of elite and British English speakers. The findings may help in understanding the pragmalinguistic and sociopragmatic aspects of Pakistani ESL learners as compared to British English speakers.
Contrast-enhanced ultrasound: a new tool for imaging the superficial lymphatic vessels of the upper limb
Authors: Lahtinen Olli , Vanninen Ritva , Rautiainen Suvi 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Despite the new lymphatic imaging methods, there is still a need for a straightforward method of detecting lymphatic abnormalities. Our goal was to investigate the feasibility of applying a contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) procedure as a new approach for visualising the superficial lymphatic vessels of the upper limb.

Methods
Thirty healthy volunteers were examined with CEUS after bilateral intradermal injection of Sonazoid® contrast agent in distal antebrachium. We registered factors affecting intradermal injections, imaging of the superficial lymphatic vessels and the enhancement time of contrast agent reaching the levels of elbow and axilla.

Results
CEUS imaging of superficial lymphatic vessels was successful in 59 of 60 upper limbs (98.3%). Median [interquartile ranges] enhancement times of contrast agent to reach the elbow (right 18 s [11–25], left 15 s [12–25]) and axilla (right 77 s [33–118], left 66 s [42–115]) were equally fast. Successful intradermal injections were found to result in two types of contrast enhancement (strong or moderate), while the enhancement time depended on the type of the successful injection. No major differences in enhancement times were observed related to sex, body mass index, age, or side of the arm.

Conclusions
The superficial lymphatic pathways of the upper limb can be visualised with CEUS imaging. Since enhancement time is dependent on the success of intradermal injections, one must pay attention to the injection technique. Further studies are needed to evaluate the method in patients with lymphatic function disorders such as breast cancer therapy related lymphoedema.
The siderophore-producing bacterium, Bacillus siamensis Gxun-6, has an antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum and promotes the growth of banana
Authors: Shen Naikun , Li Shuyan , Li ShiYong , Zhang Hongyan , Jiang Mingguo 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
Fusarium wilt of banana is a soil-borne disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum formea speciales (f.sp.) cubense with the Tropical Race 4 (FOC TR4), which seriously restricts the development of the banana industry. The utilization of antagonistic microorganisms to inhibit the propagation of pathogens has become a hot research topic in the field of biological prevention and control because of its green and efficient advantages.

Results
In this study, 60 siderophore strains from banana rhizosphere soil were screened. Three strains showing antifungal activity were screened out using FOC TR4 as the antagonistic pathogen. Among them, the strain Gxun-6 showed the highest antifungal activity, of up to 68.8%. It also showed significant inhibitory effect on the other 8 plant pathogens tested, thereby demonstrating broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Combined with colony morphology, physiological and biochemical analysis, and 16S rRNA evolutionary tree analysis, Gxun-6 was identified as Bacillus siamensis. Pot experiments showed that this strain had remarkable Fusarium wilt prevention and growth-promoting effect on banana. The control effect can reach 88.26%. The fresh weight increased by 25.36%.

Conclusions
The strain had strong Fusarium wilt control and growth promoting effects on banana and can be used as a strain resource for developing banana.
CT severity score: an imaging biomarker to estimate the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia in vaccinated and non-vaccinated population
Authors: Gurumurthy Balasubramanian , Das Sudha Kiran , Shetty Sachin , Veerabhadrappa Rakesh Chowkalli , Kosinepalli Sai Siddartha , Dharamaraju Swathi Hassan 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background
In India, two vaccines received emergent use authorization, namely Covishield (a brand of the Oxford—Astra Zeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum institute of India) and Covaxin (developed by Bharat Biotech) against COVID-19 disease. Chest CT is an objective way to assess the extent of pulmonary parenchymal involvement. This study aims to estimate the disease severity and outcome due to COVID-19 among vaccinated and non-vaccinated symptomatic patients and compare the same in Covishield versus Covaxin recipients using CT severity score.

Results
A total of 306 patients were retrospectively evaluated. The mean age was 62.56 ± 8.9 years, and males [n-208 (67.97%)] were commonly affected. Of 306 patients, 143 were non-vaccinated (47%), 124 were partially vaccinated (40%), and 39 were completely vaccinated (13%). CT severity scores were reduced in both Covishield and Covaxin recipients in comparison with the non-vaccinated group [χ2 (2) = 16.32, p < 0.001]. There is a reduction in LOS among the vaccinated group, predominantly among the Covishield recipients.

Conclusion
Vaccination confers protection from severe SARS-CoV2 infection and is associated with an overall reduction in mortality.
Primary Adrenal Insufficiency in a Boy with Type I Diabetes: The Importance of Considering X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy
Authors: Wiersma Rebecca E , Gupta Ashish O , Lund Troy C , Sarafoglou Kyriakie , Pierpont Elizabeth I , Orchard Paul J , Miller Bradley S 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPrimary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) is often the first clinical sign of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD), a rare genetic disorder that can present with various clinical phenotypes. A subset of boys with X-ALD develop cerebral ALD (cALD), characterized by progressive central demyelination, neurocognitive decline, and ultimately death. Timely intervention with hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) can be a life-saving therapy by stopping progression of cerebral disease. We report the case of an 11-year-old boy with type 1 diabetes mellitus who presented with PAI, growth delay, and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Given his history of T1DM, his PAI was presumed to be autoimmune and he was started on hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone. Eleven months later brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed white matter hyperintensity consistent with advanced cALD. The degree of disease progression at the time of diagnosis rendered the patient ineligible for transplant and he has continued to experience progressive neurologic decline. Initial symptoms of cALD are often subtle but should not be overlooked, as early identification of X-ALD is critical to allow early intervention with lifesaving HCT. PAI typically presents prior to the onset of neurologic symptoms. All boys who present with PAI should undergo workup for X-ALD with plasma very long chain fatty acid testing, even in the setting of underlying autoimmune disease.