bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An observational study of the effects of smoking cessation earlier on the clinical characteristics and course of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Li Xiaolong , Wu Zhen , Xue Mingyue , Du Wei 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
Previous studies have focused on the negative effects of continued smoking on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, few studies have investigated the positive effects of long-term smoking cessation on patients suffering from acute exacerbations of COPD.

Methods
The study recruited and followed current or former smokers who had been hospitalized and diagnosed with AECOPD. An in-depth analysis of clinical and laboratory indicators was conducted.

Results
125 patients were covered, including 72 short-term quitters and 53 long-term quitters. The results showed that long-term smoking cessation may result in milder dyspnea and cough, a higher oxygenation index, a lower arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and milder pulmonary hypertension, airflow restriction, and gas retention in patients with AECOPD. However, despite the lower treatment intensity for long-term quitters, improvement in dyspnea and an increase in oxygenation index were comparable to those achieved by short-term quitters. Furthermore, patients with mild phlegm, which accounted for 84% of all subjects, showed greater improvement in phlegm in AECOPD patients with long-term cessation of smoking.

Conclusion
It was found that in patients with AECOPD who quit smoking for a long period of time, there was a reduction in symptoms, improvement in lung function, reduction in treatment intensity, and better improvement in phlegm symptoms after therapy. It is beneficial and necessary to quit smoking early, even if you smoke a small amount of cigarettes.
Incidence of oxygen desaturation using a high-flow nasal cannula versus a facemask during flexible bronchoscopy in patients at risk of hypoxemia: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Wen , Wang Jiang-Ling , Fu Shuang , Zhou Jia-Ming , Zhu Ye-Jing , Cai Shu-Nv , Fang Jun , Xie Kang-Jie , Chen Xin-Zhong 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), male sex, obesity, older age or hypertension are prone to hypoxemia during flexible bronchoscopy. This study investigated whether using a high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) could reduce the incidence of oxygen desaturation during bronchoscopy under deep sedation in patients at risk of hypoxemia.

Methods
A total of 176 patients at risk of hypoxemia who underwent flexible bronchoscopy under deep sedation were randomly assigned to two groups: the HFNC group (humidified oxygen was supplied via a high-flow nasal cannula at a rate of 60 L/min and a concentration of 100%, n = 87) and the facemask group (oxygen was supplied via a tight-fitting facemask at a rate of 6 L/min and a concentration of 100%, n = 89).

Results
Oxygen desaturation occurred in 4 (4.6%) patients in the HFNC group and 26 (29.2%) patients in the facemask group (P < 0.001). The facemask group required more jaw thrust manoeuvres than the HFNC group (43[48.3%] vs. 5[5.7%], P < 0.001). 8 patients (9.0%) in the facemask group and none in the HFNC group required bag-mask ventilation (P = 0.012).

Conclusion
The use of an HFNC can reduce the incidence of oxygen desaturation and the requirement for airway intervention in patients at risk of hypoxemia during flexible bronchoscopy under deep sedation.

Trial registration:
www.chiCTR.org.cn Identifier: ChiCTR2100044105. Registered 11/03/2021.
Gene cloning and molecular characterization of a thermostable chitosanase from Bacillus cereus TY24
Authors: Zhang Rong-Xian , Wu Zhong-Wei , Zhang Shu-Juan , Wei Hui-Min , Hua Cheng-Wei , Li Lan , Yang Tian-You 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
An important conceptual advance in health and the environment has been recognized that enzymes play a key role in the green processing industries. Of particular interest, chitosanase is beneficial for recycling the chitosan resource and producing chitosan oligosaccharides. Also, chitosan gene expression and molecular characterization will promote understanding of the biological function of bacterial chitosanase as well as explore chitosanase for utilizing chitosan resources.

Results
A chitosanase-producing bacterium TY24 was isolated and identified as Bacillus cereus. Moreover, the chitosanase gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Sequence analysis reveals that the recombinant chitosanase (CHOE) belongs to the glycoside hydrolases 8 family. The purified CHOE has a molecular weight of about 48 kDa and the specific activity of 1150 U/mg. The optimal pH and temperature of CHOE were 5.5 and 65 °C, respectively. The enzyme was observed stable at the pH range of 4.5–7.5 and the temperature range of 30–65 °C. Especially, the half-life of CHOE at 65 °C was 161 min. Additionally, the activity of CHOE was remarkably enhanced in the presence of Mn2+, Cu2+, Mg2+ and K+, beside Ca2+ at 5 mM. Especially, the activity of CHOE was enhanced to more than 120% in the presence of 1% of various surfactants. CHOE exhibited the highest substrate specificity toward colloid chitosan.

Conclusion
A bacterial chitosanase was cloned from B. cereus and successfully expressed in E. coli (BL21) DE3. The recombinant enzyme displayed good stability under acid pH and high-temperature conditions.
Quality of life among cervical cancer patients following completion of chemoradiotherapy at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) in Tanzania
Authors: Mvunta David H. , August Furaha , Dharsee Nazima , Mvunta Miriam H. , Wangwe Peter , Ngarina Matilda , Simba Brenda M. , Kidanto Hussein 
Published: October 2022

AbstractObjectiveEffective cancer treatment involves aggressive chemo-radiotherapy protocols that alter survivors’ quality of life (QOL). This has recently aroused the attention not only to focus on clinical care but rather to be holistic and client-centered, looking beyond morbidity and mortality. The study assessed the QOL and associated factors among patients with cervical cancer (CC) after the completion of chemoradiotherapy.MethodsA cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) from September to November 2020. A total of 323 CC patients were interviewed with a structured questionnaire of QOL, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), and its cervical cancer module (EORTC QLQ-CX24). The QOL domains, socio-demographic and clinical variables were analyzed with Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis on SPSS version 23, and aP < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsMore than half (54.8%) of the CC patients had a good overall QOL. Overall, QOL was affected by education (P = 0.019), smoking (0.044), sexual partner (P = 0.000), treatment modality (P = 0.018), and time since completion of treatment (P = 0.021). Patients who underwent external beam radiation suffered from significant side effect symptoms (P < 0.05) while those who underwent combined external beam radiation and brachytherapy had higher functioning in most domains (P < 0.05).ConclusionsA significant improvement in QOL was observed after chemoradiotherapy and was affected by socio-demographic and clinical variables. Thus, calls for individualized care in addressing these distressing symptoms.
Hysteroscopic removal of intrauterine device in early pregnancy
Authors: Stabile Guglielmo , Godina Caterina , Cracco Francesco , Mangino Francesco Paolo , Canton Melania , Romano Federico , Ricci Giuseppe 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are commonly used as contraceptives worldwide. However, pregnancies in patients carrying this kind of device may occur. IUD removal when the woman wishes to continue their pregnancy may be very challenging. Only 9 manuscripts in literature reported such similar procedure.

Case presentation
We report the case of an hysteroscopic removal of IUD in a young woman at 6 weeks of gestation.

Discussion
The case reported highlights safety and efficacy of operative hysteroscopy as a method of IUD removal in early pregnancy, although other different methods have been reported in literature. In our opinion, maintaining a low infusion pressure during the procedure may help avoiding potential gestational sac damage and IUD displacement for better grasping.
Enrichment of Prevotella intermedia in human colorectal cancer and its additive effects with Fusobacterium nucleatum on the malignant transformation of colorectal adenomas
Authors: Lo Chia-Hui , Wu Deng-Chyang , Jao Shu-Wen , Wu Chang-Chieh , Lin Chung-Yen , Chuang Chia-Hsien , Lin Ya-Bo , Chen Chien-Hsiun , Chen Ying-Ting , Chen Jiann-Hwa , Hsiao Koung-Hung , Chen Ying-Ju , Chen Yuan-Tsong , Wang Jaw-Yuan , Li Ling-Hui 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
Owing to the heterogeneity of microbiota among individuals and populations, only Fusobacterium nucleatum and Bacteroides fragilis have been reported to be enriched in colorectal cancer (CRC) in multiple studies. Thus, the discovery of additional bacteria contributing to CRC development in various populations can be expected. We aimed to identify bacteria associated with the progression of colorectal adenoma to carcinoma and determine the contribution of these bacteria to malignant transformation in patients of Han Chinese origin.

Methods
Microbiota composition was determined through 16S rRNA V3–V4 amplicon sequencing of autologous adenocarcinomas, adenomatous polyps, and non-neoplastic colon tissue samples (referred to as “tri-part samples”) in patients with CRC. Enriched taxa in adenocarcinoma tissues were identified through pairwise comparison. The abundance of candidate bacteria was quantified through genomic quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in tissue samples from 116 patients. Associations of candidate bacteria with clinicopathological features and genomic and genetic alterations were evaluated through odds ratio tests. Additionally, the effects of candidate bacteria on CRC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were evaluated through the co-culture of CRC cells with bacterial cells or with conditioned media from bacteria.

Results
Prevotella intermedia was overrepresented in adenocarcinomas compared with paired adenomatous polyps. Furthermore, co-abundance of P. intermedia and F. nucleatum was observed in tumor tissues. More notably, the coexistence of these two bacteria in adenocarcinomas was associated with lymph node involvement and distant metastasis. These two bacteria also exerted additive effects on the enhancement of the migration and invasion abilities of CRC cells. Finally, conditioned media from P. intermedia promoted the migration and invasion of CRC cells.

Conclusion
This report is the first to demonstrate that P. intermedia is enriched in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues and enhances the migration and invasion abilities of CRC cells. Moreover, P. intermedia and F. nucleatum exert additive effects on the malignant transformation of colorectal adenomas into carcinomas. These findings can be used to identify patients at a high risk of malignant transformation of colorectal adenomas or metastasis of CRC, and they can accordingly be provided optimal clinical management.
Tumor-promoting myeloid cells in the pathogenesis of human oncoviruses: potential targets for immunotherapy
Authors: Aghamajidi Azin , Farhangnia Pooya , Pashangzadeh Salar , Damavandi Amirmasoud Rayati , Jafari Reza 
Published: October 2022

AbstractOncoviruses, known as cancer-causing viruses, are typically involved in cancer progression by inhibiting tumor suppressor pathways and uncontrolled cell division. Myeloid cells are the most frequent populations recruited to the tumor microenvironment (TME) and play a critical role in cancer development and metastasis of malignant tumors. Tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells, including tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), tumor-associated dendritic cells (TADCs), and tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) exert different states from anti-tumorigenic to pro-tumorigenic phenotypes in TME. Although their role in the anti-tumorigenic state is well introduced, their opposing roles, pro-tumorigenic activities, such as anti-inflammatory cytokine and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, should not be ignored since they result in inflammation, tumor progression, angiogenesis, and evasion. Since the blockade of these cells had promising results against cancer progression, their inhibition might be helpful in various cancer immunotherapies. This review highlights the promoting role of tumor-associated myeloid cells (TAMCs) in the pathophysiology of human virus tumorigenesis.
Development and validation of an online tool for assessment of health care providers’ management of suspected malaria in an area, where transmission has been interrupted
Authors: Azizi Hosein , Majdzadeh Reza , Ahmadi Ayat , Raeisi Ahmad , Nazemipour Maryam , Mansournia Mohammad Ali , Schapira Allan 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe alertness and practice of health care providers (HCPs) in the correct management of suspected malaria (CMSM) (vigilance) is a central component of malaria surveillance following elimination, and it must be established before malaria elimination certification can be granted. This study was designed to develop and validate a rapid tool, Simulated Malaria Online Tool (SMOT), to evaluate HCPs’ practice in relation to the CMSM.MethodsThe study was conducted in East Azerbaijan Province, Islamic Republic of Iran, where no malaria transmission has been reported since 2005. An online tool presenting a suspected malaria case for detection of HCPs’ failures in recognition, diagnosis, treatment and reporting was developed based on literature review and expert opinion. A total of 360 HCPs were allocated to two groups. In one group their performance was tested by simulated patient (SP) methodology as gold standard, and one month later by the online tool to allow assessment of its sensitivity. In the other group, they were tested only by the online tool to allow assessment of any possible bias incurred by the exposure to SPs before the tool.ResultsThe sensitivity of the tool was (98.7%; CI 93.6–99.3). The overall agreement and kappa statistics were 96.6% and 85.6%, respectively. In the group tested by both methods, the failure proportion by SP was 86.1% (CI 80.1–90.8) and by tool 87.2% (CI 81.4–91.7). In the other group, the tool found 85.6% (CI 79.5–90.3) failures. There were no significant differences in detecting failures within or between the groups.ConclusionThe SMOT tool not only showed high validity for detecting HCPs’ failures in relation to CMSM, but it had high rates of agreement with the real-world situation, where malaria transmission has been interrupted. The tool can be used by program managers to evaluate HCPs’ performance and identify sub-groups, whose malaria vigilance should be strengthened. It could also contribute to the evidence base for certification of malaria elimination, and to strengthening prevention of re-establishment of malaria transmission.
Malaria in pregnancy control and pregnancy outcomes: a decade’s overview using Ghana’s DHIMS II data
Authors: Ampofo Gifty Dufie , Osarfo Joseph , Aberese-Ako Matilda , Asem Livingstone , Komey Mildred Naa , Mohammed Wahjib , Ofosu Anthony Adofo , Tagbor Harry 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundMalaria in pregnancy control interventions have been implemented through antenatal care services for more than 2 decades in Ghana. The uptake of these interventions has seen steady improvement over the years. This has occurred within the context of decreasing global trends of malaria infection confirmed by decreasing malaria in pregnancy prevalence in Ghana. However, not much is known about how these improvements in interventions uptake and reduction in malaria infection prevalence have impacted pregnancy outcomes in the country. This study aimed at describing trends of maternal anaemia and low birth weight prevalence and uptake of malaria in pregnancy control interventions over the last decade using data from Ghana’s District Health Information Management System (DHIMS II).MethodsData from Ghana’s DHIMS II on variables of interest covering the period 2012 to 2021 was analysed descriptively using Microsoft Excel 365. Results were computed as averages and percentages and presented in tables and graphs.ResultsThe prevalence of maternal anaemia at booking and at term and low birth weight increased marginally from 31.0%, 25.5% and 8.5% in 2012 to 36.6%, 31.9% and 9.5% in 2021 respectively. Severe anaemia prevalence at booking and at term remained under 2% over the study period. Women making at least 4 ANC visits, receiving at least 3 doses of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria and an insecticide-treated net increased from 77.0%, 41.4% and 4.1% in 2012 to 82%, 55.0% and 93.3% in 2021, respectively. Malaria test positivity rate reduced from 54.0% to 34.3% between 2014 and 2021 while women receiving iron and folate supplementation for 3 and 6 months rose from 43.0% and 25.5% to 89.7% and 61.8%, respectively between 2017 and 2021.ConclusionMaternal anaemia and low birth weight prevalence showed marginal upward trends over the last decade despite reduced malaria infection rate and improved uptake of malaria in pregnancy control interventions. There is room for improvement in current intervention implementation levels but the complex and multi-factorial aetiologies of maternal anaemia and low birth weight need urgent investigation and quantification to inform policy and practice.
Residential proximity to croplands at birth and childhood leukaemia
Authors: Bamouni Sophie , Hémon Denis , Faure Laure , Clavel Jacqueline , Goujon Stéphanie 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
Domestic and parental occupational pesticide exposures are suspected of involvement in the occurrence of childhood acute leukaemia (AL), but the role of exposure to agricultural activities is little known. In a previous ecological study conducted in France, we observed an increase in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) incidence rate with increasing viticulture density in the municipalities of residence at diagnosis.

Objectives
This study aimed to test the hypothesis that residential proximity to croplands at birth increases the risk of childhood AL, with a particular focus on vineyards.

Methods
We identified all the primary AL cases diagnosed before the age of 15 years in the cohorts of children born in the French municipalities between 1990 and 2015. We estimated crop densities in each municipality of residence at birth using agricultural census data, for ten crop types. Variations in standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were evaluated with Poisson regression models, for all AL, ALL and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), separately.

Results
Among the 19,809,700 children born and residing in mainland France at birth in 1990–2015, 8,747 AL cases (7,236 ALL and 1,335 AML) were diagnosed over the period. We did not evidence any statistically significant positive association between total crop density or any specific crop density in the municipality of residence at birth and all AL, ALL or AML. Interestingly, we observed a higher ALL incidence rate in the municipalities with the highest viticulture densities (SIR = 1.25 95%CI [1.01–1.54]). Adjusting for the main potential confounders did not change the results.

Conclusion
Our study does not support the hypothesis that residential proximity to croplands, particularly vineyards, around birth plays a role in childhood leukaemia. The slightly higher ALL incidence rate in children born in the municipalities with the highest viticulture densities may reflect the previously-observed association at diagnosis.
Fluoride exposure and blood cell markers of inflammation in children and adolescents in the United States: NHANES, 2013–2016
Authors: Den Besten Pamela , Wells Christine R. , Abduweli Uyghurturk Dawud 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
Ingestion of fluoride in drinking water has been shown to result in increased cellular markers of inflammation in rodent models. However, the approximately 5–10 × increase in water fluoride concentrations required in rat and mouse models to obtain plasma fluoride concentrations similar to those found in humans has made relevant comparisons of animal to human studies difficult to assess. As an increased white blood cell count (WBC) is a marker of inflammation in humans, we used available NHANES survey data to assess the associations between plasma fluoride levels in the U.S. and blood cell counts children and adolescents.

Methods
Multiple linear regressions were done to determine the association of blood cell counts and plasma fluoride in publicly available NHANES survey data from the 2013–2014 and 2015–2016 cycles. Plasma fluoride concentration measurements were available only for children aged 6 to 19, inclusive, and therefore this subpopulation was used for all analyses. Covariate predictors along with plasma fluoride were age, ethnicity, gender, and Body Mass Index (BMI).

Results
Plasma fluoride was significantly positively associated with water fluoride, total WBC count, segmented neutrophils, and monocytes, and negatively associated with red blood cell count when adjusted for age, gender and BMI.

Conclusion
Our finding that neutrophils and monocytes are associated with higher plasma fluoride in U.S. children and adolescents is consistent with animal data showing fluoride related effects of increased inflammation. These findings suggest the importance of further studies to assess potential mechanisms that are involved in absorption and filtration of ingested fluoride, particularly in tissues and organs such as the small intestine, liver and kidney.
Towards preventing exfoliation glaucoma by targeting and removing fibrillar aggregates associated with exfoliation syndrome
Authors: Ghaffari Sharaf Mehdi , Waduthanthri Kosala D. , Crichton Andrew , Damji Karim F. , Unsworth Larry D. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractExfoliation syndrome presents as an accumulation of insoluble fibrillar aggregates that commonly correlates with age and causes ocular complications, most notably open-angle glaucoma. Despite advances in understanding the pathogenesis and risk factors associated with exfoliation syndrome, there has been no significant progress in curative pharmacotherapy of this disease. It is thought that the ability to target the fibrillar aggregates associated with exfoliation may offer a new therapeutic approach, facilitating their direct removal from affected tissues. Phage display techniques yielded two peptides (LPSYNLHPHVPP, IPLLNPGSMQLS) that could differentiate between exfoliative and non-affected regions of the human lens capsule. These peptides were conjugated to magnetic particles using click chemistry to investigate their ability in targeting and removing exfoliation materials from the anterior human lens capsule. The behavior of the fibrillar materials upon binding to these magnetic particles was assessed using magnetic pins and rotating magnetic fields of various strengths. Ex vivo studies showed that the magnetic particle-peptide conjugates could generate enough mechanical force to remove large aggregates of exfoliation materials from the lens capsule when exposed to a low-frequency rotating magnetic field (5000 G, 20 Hz). Biocompatibility of targeting peptides with and without conjugated magnetic particles was confirmed using MTT cell toxicity assay, live/dead cell viability assay, and DNA fragmentation studies on primary cultured human trabecular meshwork cells. This is a novel, minimally invasive, therapeutic approach for the treatment of exfoliation glaucoma via the targeting and removal of exfoliation materials that could be applied to all tissues within the anterior segment of the eye.