bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Schistosomiasis outbreak during COVID-19 pandemic in Takum, Northeast Nigeria: Analysis of infection status and associated risk factors
Authors: Olamiju Francisca , Nebe Obiageli J. , Mogaji Hammed , Marcus Ayodele , Amodu–Agbi Perpetua , Urude Rita O. , Apake Ebenezer , Olamiju Olatunwa , Okoronkwo Chimdinma , Achu Ijeoma , Mpama Okezie 
Published: January 2022

Background
Mass drug administration for schistosomiasis started in 2014 across Taraba State. Surprisingly in 2020, an outbreak of schistosomiasis was reported in Takum local government area. This epidemiological investigation therefore assessed the current status of infection, analyzed associated risk factors and arrested the outbreak through community sensitization activities and mass treatment of 3,580 persons with praziquantel tablets.

Methods
Epidemiological assessment involving parasitological analysis of stool and urine samples were conducted among 432 consenting participants in five communities. Samples were processed using Kato-Katz and urine filtration techniques. Participants data on demography, water contact behavior and access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities were obtained using standardized questionnaires. Data were analysed using SPSS 20.0 and significance level was set at 95%.

Results
An overall prevalence of 34.7% was observed, with 150 participants infected with both species of Schistosoma parasite. By communities, prevalence was higher in Birama (57.7%), Barkin Lissa (50.5%) and Shibong (33.3%). By species’, S. haematobium infection was significantly higher than S. mansoni (28.9% vs 9.5%), with higher proportion of younger males infected (p<0.05). The condition of WASH is deplorable. About 87% had no latrines, 67% had no access to improved source of potable water and 23.6% relied on the river as their main source of water. Infections was significantly associated with water contact behaviors like playing in water (OR:1.50, 95% CI: 1.01–2.25) and swimming (OR:1.55, 95% CI: 1.04–2.31).

Conclusion
It is important to reclassify the treatment needs of Takum LGA based on the findings of this study. Furthermore, efforts targeted at improving access to WASH, reducing snail population, improving health education and strengthening surveillance systems to identify schistosomiasis hotspots will be a step in the right direction
Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients in Northwest Ethiopia—A cross sectional hospital based study
Authors: Alemu Mersha Getasew , Alimaw Yezinash Addis , Woredekal Asamere Tsegaw 
Published: January 2022

Background
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus on eye and it is the leading cause of visual impairment among productive segment of the population. Globally, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is reported to be 27%. In Ethiopia, sufficient data is lacking on the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy as well as information on its predisposing factors. The study was required to assess the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and its predisposing factors in diabetic patients attending at a General Hospital in Ethiopia.

Methods
An institution based cross sectional study was employed on 331 diabetic patients recruited with a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected through structured questionnaire, tracing patients’ medical folder and ocular health examination. Data were analyzed with Statistical Package for Social Science Version 20. Logistic regression methods of analysis were used to figure out predisposing factors of diabetic retinopathy. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was used to determine the strength of association.

Result
A total of 331 diabetic patients completed the study with a response rate of 99.10%. The median duration of diabetes was 5 years. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 34.1% (95%Confidence Interval (CI): 28.7%-39.3%). Low family monthly income (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 7.43, 95% CI: 2.44–22.57), longer duration of diabetes (AOR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.30–1.58), poor glycemic control (AOR = 4.76, 95%CI: 2.26–10.00), and being on insulin treatment alone (AOR = 3.85, 95%CI: 1.16–12.74) were independently associated with diabetic retinopathy.

Conclusion and recommendation
The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 34.1%, higher than national and global figures. Low family monthly income, longer duration of diabetes, poor glucose control and being on insulin treatment alone were important risk factors of diabetic retinopathy. Proper diabetes self management and early screening of diabetic retinopathy in all diabetic patients were recommended.
Clinical and growth outcomes of severely malnourished children following hospital discharge in a South African setting
Authors: Grimbeek Angelika , Saloojee Haroon 
Published: January 2022

BackgroundData on outcomes of children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) following treatment are scarce with none described from any upper-middle-income country. This study established mortality, clinical outcomes and anthropometric recovery of children with SAM six months following hospital discharge.MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted in children aged 3–59 months enrolled on discharge from two hospitals in the Tshwane district of South Africa between April 2019 and January 2020. The primary outcome was mortality at six months. Secondary outcomes included relapse rates, type(s) and frequency of morbidities experienced and the anthropometric changes in children with SAM following hospital discharge. Standard programmatic support included nutritional supplements.ResultsForty-three children were enrolled with 86% of participants followed up to six months. Only a third of the participants had normal anthropometry at hospital discharge–a quarter still had ongoing SAM. There were no deaths, although four children (9%) were re-hospitalised including two for complicated SAM. Mean weight-for-length z-scores (WLZ) and wasting rates improved at one month but deteriorated by three months. At three months, six children (14%) either had ongoing or relapsed SAM–a SAM incidence rate of 20 per 1000 person-months despite more than half of the participants still receiving nutritional supplements at the time. Risk factors associated with persistent malnutrition at three months included a low WLZ on admission (relative risk [RR] 3.3, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.2–9.2), being discharged from hospital before meeting WHO SAM treatment discharge criteria (RR 5.3, 95%CI 1.3–14.8) or having any illness by three months (RR 8.6, 95%CI 1.3–55.7).ConclusionPost-discharge mortality and morbidity was lower than in other less resourced settings. However, anthropometric recovery was poorer than expected. Modifying discharge criteria, optimising the use of available nutritional supplements and better integration with community-based health and social services may improve outcomes for children with SAM post-hospitalisation.
Dialysis therapy and mortality in older adults with heart failure and advanced chronic kidney disease: A high-dimensional propensity-matched cohort study
Authors: Zheng Sijie , Yang Jingrong , Tan Thida C. , Belani Sharina , Law David , Pravoverov Leonid V. , Kim Susan S. , Go Alan S. 
Published: January 2022

Background
Heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) frequently coexist, and the combination is linked to poor outcomes, but limited data exist to guide optimal management. We evaluated the outcome of dialysis therapy in older patients with HF and advanced CKD.

Methods
We examined adults aged ≥70 years with HF and eGFR ≤20 ml/min/1.73 m2 between 2008–2012 and no prior renal replacement therapy, cancer, cirrhosis or organ transplant. We identified patients who initiated chronic dialysis through 2013 and matched patients who did not initiate dialysis on age, gender, diabetes status, being alive on dialysis initiation date, and a high-dimensional propensity score for starting dialysis. Deaths were identified through 2013. We used Cox regression to evaluate the association of chronic dialysis and all-cause death.

Results
Among 348 adults with HF and advanced CKD who initiated dialysis and 947 matched patients who did not start dialysis, mean age was 80±5 years, 51% were women and 33% were Black. The crude rate of death was high overall but lower in those initiating vs. not initiating chronic dialysis (26.1 vs. 32.1 per 100 person-years, respectively, P = 0.02). In multivariable analysis, dialysis was associated with a 33% (95% Confidence Interval:17–46%) lower adjusted rate of death compared with not initiating dialysis.

Conclusions
Among older adults with HF and advanced CKD, dialysis initiation was associated with lower mortality, but absolute rates of death were very high in both groups. Randomized trials should evaluate net outcomes of dialysis vs. conservative management on length and quality of life in this high-risk population.
A nationwide survey of the association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and the incidence of asthma in Korean adults
Authors: Roh Jae-Hyung , Lee Hanbyul , Yun-Jeong Bae , Park Chan Sun , Kim Hyo-Jung , Yoon Sun-Young 
Published: January 2022

Background
Asthma and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are chronic diseases known to be associated with metabolic abnormalities. We aimed to clarify the association between NAFLD and asthma incidence in a large population-based cohort.

Methods and findings
We selected 160,603 individuals without comorbidities from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample cohort between 2009 and 2014. NAFLD was defined using a surrogate marker, fatty liver index (FLI). During a median of 5.08 years’ follow-up, 16,377 subjects (10.2%) were newly diagnosed with asthma and categorized into three groups according to FLI. The cumulative incidence of asthma was higher in subjects with higher vs. lower FLIs (FLI < 30, 10.1%; 30 ≤ FLI < 60, 10.8%; FLI ≥ 60, 10.5%). Higher FLI was associated with an increased incidence of asthma (Hazard ratios (HR)highest vs. lowest FLI, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.15–1.36). The results using another definition of NAFLD, as measured by the hepatic steatosis index (HSI), were similar to the primary results. This association was more pronounced in women than in men (HR 1.46; 95% CI, 1.13–1.64 vs. HR 1.07; 95% CI, 0.94–1.20).

Conclusions
This study demonstrated that NAFLD, as measured by FLI and HSI, may influence the incidence rates of asthma in adults, especially in women.
Mecanismos de rotura no extremo norte da arriba fóssil da Costa de Caparica
Authors: Lamas Pedro , Carvalho J.A. Rodrigues 
Published: January 2022

A evolução morfológica do trecho setentrional da arriba fóssil da Costa de Caparica, compre endido entre S. Pedro da Trafaria e a via rápida IC 20, tem-se vindo a notar nas últimas décadas, sendo devida, em grande medida, à crescente interferência das actividades antrópicas nas suas proximidades.
Neste trabalho, após breve caracterização geomorfológica e geotécnica daquele trecho de escarpas, dis cutem-se alguns mecanismos de rotura a partir de retroanálise baseada nas evidências morfológicas deixadas por dois desmoronamentos, considerados típicos, naquele local.
Equivalent Cellular and Humoral Immunity to Varicella Zoster Virus in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Healthy Older Adults for Whom Immunization Is Recommended
Authors: Caldera Freddy , Wald Arnold , Saha Sumona , Smith Ryan , McCrone Sue , Farraye Francis A. , Hayney Mary S. 
Published: January 2022

INTRODUCTION:
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at an increased risk of herpes zoster (HZ). HZ is caused by reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV) and is prevented by strong VZV-specific cell-mediated immunity. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether patients with IBD had lower or equivalent protection compared with healthy controls (HCs) at age 50 years and older.

METHODS:
We performed a cross-sectional study at a single academic center and evaluated cellular and humoral immunity to VZV in patients with IBD at age 35–49 years vs HCs aged 50–59 years. All patients with IBD were on stable medication regimens for at least 3 months. VZV-specific cell-mediated immunity was measured via ELISPOT, and humoral immunity was measured via a quantitative VZV antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay assay.

RESULTS:
Seventy-seven patients with IBD and 12 HCs were enrolled in the study. There was no significant difference in ELISPOT counts between patients with IBD and HCs (P = 0.54). In addition, there was also no significant difference between ELISPOT counts in immunosuppressed patients with IBD (N = 45) and HCs (P = 0.32). We also found no correlations between ELISPOT counts and age (Spearman rho 0.014; P = 0.90). Patients with IBD had similar IgG VZV antibody levels (median 19 mIU/mL; range 0.5–218) compared with HCs (median 23.5 mIU/mL (range 4–34); P = 0.54).

DISCUSSION:
Young patients with IBD have equivalent cellular and humoral immunity to VZV as healthy older adults in whom HZ immunization is recommended.
Variation of positive predictive values of fecal immunochemical tests by polygenic risk score in a large screening cohort
Authors: Niedermaier Tobias , Balavarca Yesilda , Gies Anton , Weigl Korbinian , Guo Feng , Alwers Elizabeth , Hoffmeister Michael , Brenner Hermann 
Published: January 2022

Introduction:
Prevalence of colorectal neoplasms varies by polygenic risk scores (PRS). We aimed to assess to what extent PRS might be relevant for defining personalized cutoff values for fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening.

Methods:
Among 5,306 participants of screening colonoscopy who provided a stool sample for a quantitative FIT (Ridascreen Hemoglobin or FOB Gold) prior to colonoscopy a PRS was determined, based on the number of risk alleles in 140 , single nucleotide polymorphism. Subjects were classified into low, medium and high genetic risk for colorectal neoplasms according to PRS tertiles. We calculated positive predictive values (PPVs) and numbers needed to scope (NNS) to detect one advanced neoplasm (AN) by risk group, and cutoff variation needed to achieve comparable PPVs across risk groups in the samples tested with Ridascreen (N=1,271) and FOB Gold (N=4,035) independently, using cutoffs yielding 85%, 90% or 95% specificity.

Results:
Performance of both FITs was very similar within each PRS group. For a given cutoff, PPVs were consistently higher by 11%-15% units in the high-risk PRS group compared to the low-risk group (all P-values <0.05). Correspondingly, numbers needed to scope (NNS) to detect one advanced neoplasm varied from 2 (high PRS, high cutoff) to 5 (low PRS, low cutoff). Conversely, very different FIT cutoffs would be needed to ensure comparable PPVs across PRS groups.

Discussion:
PPVs and NNS of FITs varied widely across people with high and low genetic risk score. Further research should evaluate the relevance of these differences for personalized CRC screening.

Funding Source:
This study was partly funded by grants from the German Research Council (DFG, grant No. BR1704/16-1), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF, grant no. 01GL1712), and the German Cancer Aid (No. 70113330).
Late-Onset Behavioral and Synaptic Consequences of L-Type Ca2+Channel Activation in the Basolateral Amygdala of Developing Rats
Authors: Zhang Yiming , Sack Anne-Sophie , Jones Karen L. , Yang Yi , Garcia Esperanza , Snutch Terrance P. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPostnatal CNS development is fine-tuned to drive the functional needs of succeeding life stages; accordingly, the emergence of sensory and motor functions, behavioral patterns and cognitive abilities relies on a complex interplay of signaling pathways. Strictly regulated Ca2+signaling mediated by L-type channels (LTCCs) is crucial in neural circuit development and aberrant increases in neuronal LTCC activity are linked to neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders. In the amygdala, a brain region that integrates signals associated with aversive and rewarding stimuli, LTCCs contribute to NMDA-independent long-term potentiation (LTP) and are required for the consolidation and extinction of fear memory.In vitrostudies have elucidated distinct electrophysiological and synaptic properties characterizing the transition from immature to functionally mature basolateral subdivision of the amygdala (BLA) principal neurons. Further, acute increase of LTCC activity selectively regulates excitability and spontaneous synaptic activity in immature BLA neurons, suggesting an age-dependent regulation of BLA circuitry by LTCCs. This study aimed to elucidate whether early life alterations in LTCC activity subsequently affect synaptic strength and amygdala-dependent behaviors in early adulthood.In vivointra-amygdala injection of an LTCC agonist at a critical period of postnatal neurodevelopment in male rat pups was used to examine synaptic plasticity of BLA excitatory inputs, expression of immediate early genes (IEGs) and glutamate receptors, as well as anxiety and social affiliation behaviors at a juvenile age. Results indicate that enhanced LTCC activity in immature BLA principal neurons trigger persistent changes in the developmental trajectory to modify membrane properties and synaptic LTP at later stages, concomitant with alterations in amygdala-related behavioral patterns.
Somatosensory Evoked Potentials Reveal Reduced Embodiment of Emotions in Autism
Authors: Fanghella Martina , Gaigg Sebastian B , Candidi Matteo , Forster Bettina , Calvo-Merino Beatriz 
Published: January 2022

Consistent with current models of embodied emotions, this study investigates whether the somatosensory system shows reduced sensitivity to facial emotional expressions in autistic compared with neurotypical individuals, and whether these differences are independent from between-group differences in visual processing of facial stimuli. To investigate the dynamics of somatosensory activity over and above visual carryover effects, we recorded EEG activity from two groups of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or typically developing (TD) humans (male and female), while they were performing a facial emotion discrimination task and a control gender task. To probe the state of the somatosensory system during face processing, in 50% of trials we evoked somatosensory activity by delivering task-irrelevant tactile taps on participants' index finger, 105 ms after visual stimulus onset. Importantly, we isolated somatosensory from concurrent visual activity by subtracting visual responses from activity evoked by somatosensory and visual stimuli. Results revealed significant task-dependent group differences in mid-latency components of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs). ASD participants showed a selective reduction of SEP amplitudes (P100) compared with TD during emotion task; and TD, but not ASD, showed increased somatosensory responses during emotion compared with gender discrimination. Interestingly, autistic traits, but not alexithymia, significantly predicted SEP amplitudes evoked during emotion, but not gender, task. Importantly, we did not observe the same pattern of group differences in visual responses. Our study provides direct evidence of reduced recruitment of the somatosensory system during emotion discrimination in ASD and suggests that this effect is not a byproduct of differences in visual processing.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe somatosensory system is involved in embodiment of visually presented facial expressions of emotion. Despite autism being characterized by difficulties in emotion-related processing, no studies have addressed whether this extends to embodied representations of others' emotions. By dissociating somatosensory activity from visual evoked potentials, we provide the first evidence of reduced recruitment of the somatosensory system during emotion discrimination in autistic participants, independently from differences in visual processing between typically developing and autism spectrum disorder participants. Our study uses a novel methodology to reveal the neural dynamics underlying difficulties in emotion recognition in autism spectrum disorder and provides direct evidence that embodied simulation of others' emotional expressions operates differently in autistic individuals.
Single Calcium Channel Nanodomains Drive Presynaptic Calcium Entry at Lamprey Reticulospinal Presynaptic Terminals
Authors: Ramachandran Shankar , Rodgriguez Shelagh , Potcoava Mariana , Alford Simon 
Published: January 2022

Efficient and reliable neurotransmission requires precise coupling between action potentials (APs), Ca2+entry and neurotransmitter release. However, Ca2+requirements for release, including the number of channels required, their subtypes, and their location with respect to primed vesicles, remains to be precisely defined for central synapses. Indeed, Ca2+entry may occur through small numbers or even single open Ca2+channels, but these questions remain largely unexplored in simple active zone (AZ) synapses common in the nervous system, and key to addressing Ca2+channel and synaptic dysfunction underlying numerous neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we present single channel analysis of evoked AZ Ca2+entry, using cell-attached patch clamp and lattice light-sheet microscopy (LLSM), resolving small channel numbers evoking Ca2+entry following depolarization, at single AZs in individual central lamprey reticulospinal presynaptic terminals from male and females. We show a small pool (mean of 23) of Ca2+channels at each terminal, comprising N-(CaV2.2), P/Q-(CaV2.1), and R-(CaV2.3) subtypes, available to gate neurotransmitter release. Significantly, of this pool only one to seven channels (mean of 4) open on depolarization. High temporal fidelity lattice light-sheet imaging reveals AP-evoked Ca2+transients exhibiting quantal amplitude variations of 0–6 event sizes between individual APs and stochastic variation of precise locations of Ca2+entry within the AZ. Further, total Ca2+channel numbers at each AZ correlate to the number of presynaptic primed synaptic vesicles. Dispersion of channel openings across the AZ and the similar number of primed vesicles and channels indicate that Ca2+entry via as few as one channel may trigger neurotransmitter release.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTPresynaptic Ca2+entry through voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) causes neurotransmitter release. To understand neurotransmission, its modulation, and plasticity, we must quantify Ca2+entry and its relationship to vesicle fusion. This requires direct recordings from active zones (AZs), previously possible only at calyceal terminals containing many AZs, where few channels open following action potentials (APs; Sheng et al., 2012), and even single channel openings may trigger release (Stanley, 1991, 1993). However, recording from more conventional terminals with single AZs commonly found centrally has thus far been impossible. We addressed this by cell-attached recordings from acutely dissociated single lamprey giant axon AZs, and by lattice light sheet microscopy of presynaptic Ca2+entry. We demonstrate nanodomains of presynaptic VGCCs coupling with primed vesicles with 1:1 stoichiometry.