bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Preparedness for Managing Pregnant and Postpartum Women with COVID-19 Among Nurse-Midwives in Kenya
Authors: Maina Rose , Kimani Rachel Wangari , Orwa James , Mutwiri Bernard Daniel , Nyariki Carolyne K. , Shaibu Sheila , Fleming Valerie 
Published: June 2022

Introduction Globally, maternal morbidity and mortality have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the high burden of maternal and neonatal mortality in Kenya prior to COVID-19, front line health workers, including nurse-midwives, must be competent to ensure continued quality maternal services. Knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 transmission influence nurse-midwives risk perception and ability to implement prevention strategies. Objective We examined nurse-midwives’ knowledge, attitudes, and preparedness in managing pregnant and postpartum women with COVID-19 in Kenya. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 118 nurse-midwives between July 2020 and November 2020. A 31-item survey comprising 15 knowledge, 11 attitude, and five preparedness questions was administered using SurveyMonkey. A link to the survey was distributed among nurse-midwives via email. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations between the variables. A p-value <.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Eighty-five participants were included in the final analysis (response rate 72%). Most participants were female ( n = 69, 81.2%), 52.9% ( n = 45) worked in labor wards, and 57.6% ( n = 49) worked in rural hospitals. Overall, 71% ( n = 57) of participants had sufficient knowledge about managing COVID-19 in pregnant and postpartum women. However, only 63% were willing to receive COVID-19 vaccination. Nurse-midwives working in urban areas were 3.7 times more likely to have positive attitudes than those in rural areas (odds ratio 3.724, 95% confidence interval 1.042–13.31; p = .043). Conclusion Nurse-midwives’ responses to the Kenyan government's COVID-19 guidelines for managing and caring for pregnant women were inconsistent. Continued professional development for nurse-midwives is important to ensure they stay abreast of evolving COVID-19 guidelines for maternal health. Our findings also suggest vaccine hesitancy may be a hurdle for ongoing COVID-19 vaccination.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Fatality Risk From COVID-19
Authors: Nguyen Hoang , Medina Ashleigh , Golovko George , Evangelista Lorraine 
Published: June 2022

Introduction Studies have reported higher infection and mortality rates from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) for disadvantaged groups in the U.S. population. However, racial and ethnic differences in fatality rates, which measure deaths among those infected, are not as clear. Objectives The objectives were to (1) estimate the fatality rate after COVID-19 infection by racial and ethnic groups and (2) determine the extent preexisting health conditions account for differences in fatality rate between the racial and ethnic groups. Methods Data for all adults aged 18 and older (n = 24,834) who had a confirmed COVID-19 infection captured in the electronic health records (EHRs) of a major health care organization (HCO) from the beginning of the pandemic to March 28, 2021 were used to estimate the fatality rates for three racial and ethnic groups: Hispanic, non-Hispanic African American, and non-Hispanic White. Elixhauser's comorbidity index was calculated using the enhanced ICD-9-CM and the ICD-10 diagnosis codes. Logistic regression models were used to compare differences in fatality between racial and ethnic groups. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were reported for all models. Results The age-specific fatality rates non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic African American, and Hispanic groups were 0.23%, 1.05%, 0.55% for age group 18–59 years old; 2.44%, 4.50%, 5.28% for 60–69; 5.42%, 10.11%, 8.49% for 70–79, and 17.33%, 20.79%, 20.39% for 80–90. After adjusting for age, sex, and preexisting conditions, the fatality risk remains significantly higher for non-Hispanic African American (adjusted odds ratio [adj. OR] = 1.85, 95% CI 1.41–2.44) and Hispanic individuals (adj. OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.53–2.39) compared to non-Hispanic White individuals. Conclusion Hispanic and non-Hispanic African American individuals have a higher risk of fatality from COVID-19 compared to non-Hispanic White individuals. The higher risk remains after adjusting for sex, age, and preexisting conditions. Health care providers could help to increase vaccination rates in these vulnerable populations by addressing the social and cultural barriers with their patients.
Highly efficient production of 2,3-butanediol from xylose and glucose by newly isolated thermotolerant Cronobacter sakazakii
Authors: Keo-oudone Chansom , Phommachan Koudkeo , Suliya Orathai , Nurcholis Mochamad , Bounphanmy Somchanh , Kosaka Tomoyuki , Yamada Mamoru 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BD), a valuable compound used for chemicals, cosmetics, pesticides and pharmaceuticals, has been produced by various microbes. However, no high-temperature fermentation of the compound at high productivity has been reported.

Methods
Thermotolerant xylose-utilizing microbes were isolated from 6 different districts in Laos and screened for a low accumulation of xylitol in a xylose medium at 37 ˚C. One isolate was found to produce 2,3-BD and identified by 16S rDNA sequencing. The 2,3-BD fermentation capacity was investigated at different temperatures using xylose and glucose as carbon sources, and the fermentation parameters were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography system.

Results
By screening for a low accumulation of xylitol in a xylose medium, one isolate that accumulated almost no xylitol was obtained. Further analyses revealed that the isolate is Cronobacter sakazakii and that it has the ability to produce 2,3-BD at high temperatures. When xylose and glucose were used, this strain, named C. sakazakii OX-25, accumulated 2,3-BD in a short period before the complete consumption of these sugars and then appeared to convert 2,3-BD to acetoin. The optimum temperature of the 2,3-BD fermentation was 42 ˚C to 45 ˚C, and the maximum yield of 2,3-BD was 0.3 g/g at 12 h in 20 g/l xylose medium and 0.4 g/g at 6 h in 20 g/l glucose medium at 42 ˚C. The 2,3-BD productivity of the strain was higher than the 2,3-BD productivities of other non-genetically engineered microorganisms reported previously, and the highest productivity was 0.6 g/l·h and 1.2 g/l·h for xylose and glucose, respectively.

Conclusions
Among thermotolerant microbes isolated in Laos, we discovered a strain, C. sakazakii OX-25, that can convert xylose and glucose to 2,3-BD with high efficiency and high productivity at high temperatures, suggesting that C. sakazakii OX-25 has the potential for industrial application to produce 2,3-BD as an important platform chemical.
The functional microbiota of on- and off-year moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) influences the development of the bamboo pest Pantana phyllostachysae
Authors: Li Jian , Zhao Qing , Huang Jin-Peng , Jia Jia-Yu , Zhu Teng-Fei , Hong Tao , Su Jun 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Development of Pantana phyllostachysae, a moso bamboo pest, is affected by its diet. Understanding the mechanism underlying the different insect-resistant capacities of on- and off-year moso bamboo fed by P. phyllostachysae is crucial for managing pest outbreaks. As microbes were proven to influence plant immunity, we compared gut microbial communities of P. phyllostachysae with different diets by metabarcoding sequencing. By using sterilization assay, microbes were removed from leaf surfaces, and thus we confirmed that microbes inhabiting moso bamboo leaves impact the weight of P. phyllostachysae larva. Furthermore, the gut microbial communities of P. phyllostachysae fed on on- and off-year bamboo leaves were compared, to identify the functional microbial communities that impact the interaction between bamboo leaves and P. phyllostachysae.

Results
We found that species from orders Lactobacillales and Rickettsiales are most effective within functional microbiota. Functional prediction revealed that gut microbes of larva fed on on-year leaves were related to naphthalene degradation, while those fed on off-year leaves were related to biosynthesis of ansamycins, polyketide sugar unit biosynthesis, metabolism of xenobiotics, and tetracycline biosynthesis. Most functional microbes are beneficial to the development of larva that feed on on-year bamboo leaves, but damage the balance of intestinal microenvironment and immune systems of those larva that feed on off-year leaves.

Conclusions
This work developed an efficient strategy for microbiome research of Lepidopteran insects and provided insights into microbiota related to the interaction between host plants and P. phyllostachysae. We provided microbial candidates for the ecological control of P. phyllostachysae according to the function of effective microbiota.
Mutations in PmUFGT3 contribute to color variation of fruit skin in Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.)
Authors: Ni Xiaopeng , Ni Zhaojun , Ouma Kenneth Omondi , Gao Zhihong 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Japanese apricot (Prunus mume Sieb. et Zucc.) is popular for both ornamental and processing value, fruit color affects the processing quality, and red pigmentation is the most obvious phenotype associated with fruit color variation in Japanese apricot, mutations in structural genes in the anthocyanin pathway can disrupt the red pigmentation, while the formation mechanism of the red color trait in Japanese apricot is still unclear.

Results
One SNP marker (PmuSNP_27) located within PmUFGT3 gene coding region was found highly polymorphic among 44 different fruit skin color cultivars and relative to anthocyanin biosynthesis in Japanese apricot. Meantime, critical mutations were identified in two alleles of PmUFGT3 in the green-skinned type is inactivated by seven nonsense mutations in the coding region, which leads to seven amino acid substitution, resulting in an inactive UFGT enzyme. Overexpression of the PmUFGT3 allele from red-skinned Japanese apricot in green-skinned fruit lines resulted in greater anthocyanin accumulation in fruit skin. Expression of same allele in an Arabidopsis T-DNA mutant deficient in anthocyanidin activity the accumulation of anthocyanins. In addition, using site-directed mutagenesis, we created a single-base substitution mutation (G to T) of PmUFGT3 isolated from green-skinned cultivar, which caused an E to D amino acid substitution and restored the function of the inactive allele of PmUFGT3 from a green-skinned individual.

Conclusion
This study confirms the function of PmUFGT3, and provides insight into the mechanism underlying fruit color determination in Japanese apricot, and possible approaches towards genetic engineering of fruit color.
Agonist-induced Piezo1 activation promote mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Yin Qing , Zang Guangyao , Li Nannan , Sun Chenchen , Du Rongzeng 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Objective
Mechanical damage plays an essential role in the progression of atherosclerosis. Piezo1 is a new mechanically sensitive ion channel. The present study investigated the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) apoptosis induced by Piezo1 activation and explored its underlying mechanism.

Methods
We evaluated cell viability and apoptosis rate with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry assay, respectively. And then Western blot was performed to measure the relative protein. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular Ca2+ were assessed via fluorescence microscope, and the mitochondrial transmembrane potential was monitored by JC-10 staining.

Results
Our in vitro study revealed that mice in the ApoE-/- group compared with control mice showed higher Piezo1 expression(P < 0.05). Besides, Yoda1, a Piezo1 agonist, triggered Ca2+ overload, mitochondrial damage, accumulation of ROS, and VSMCs apoptosis in a dose-depend manner. Furthermore, BAPT-AM (an intracellular Ca2+ chelator) and NAC (an antioxidant) suppressed the mitochondrial damage and attenuated the VSMCs apoptosis.

Conclusion
Our study suggested that Piezo1 induced VSMCs apoptosis because of Ca2+ overload, excessive ROS generation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, which indicated that Piezo1 has potential value in treating vascular diseases.
TEADs serve as potential prognostic biomarkers and targets for human gastric cancer
Authors: Wang Meng-huan , Li Bing-zhi , Chen Yue , Wang Jie 
Published: June 2022

AbstractTEADs are critical transcription factors that participate in the Hippo pathway. Evidence indicates the promotion role of TEADs in cancer progression. However, the role of TEADs and the expression patterns in gastric cancer remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the expression levels of TEADs in gastric cancer samples, and the clinical outcomes of patients with high TEADs expression were observed. Co-expression and interaction analysis as well as functional enrichment analysis were further conducted to determine the potential role of TEADs in gastric cancer. These results suggested TEADs may serve as the prognostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets for gastric cancer. However, more studies are warranted to verify our findings and promote the application in gastric cancer patients.
Prevalence and correlates of disability among urban–rural older adults in Southwest China: a large, population-based study
Authors: Qiao Runjuan , Jia Shuli , Zhao Wanyu , Xia Xin , Su Qiaoli , Hou Lisha , Li Daiping , Hu Fengjuan , Dong Birong 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
As one of the challenges of aging, older adults with disabilities are often overlooked in remote areas of many developing countries, including southwest China. Similar populations would undoubtedly benefit from a representative, high-quality survey of large samples, which would also enrich global disability data. This study aims to assess the prevalence of disability and associated factors among urban and rural older adults in a typical representative region.

Method
A large-scale baseline survey was conducted between March and September 2020 using face-to-face interviews with a multistage stratified random sample of 16,536 participants aged ≥ 60 years. Disability was assessed using the BI scale, with a score of 100 representing normal status, 65–95 as mild disability, 45–60 as moderate disability, and 0–40 as severe disability. The prevalence of disability was estimated by demographics and health characteristics, and their associations were explored by robust Poisson regression analysis.

Results
The prevalence of disability among older adults was 19.4%, and the prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe disability was 16.8%, 1.5%, and 1.1%, respectively. All variables, including older age, residence in a rural area, higher number of hospitalizations, comorbidities, poor self-rated health, falls, cognitive impairment, mental impairment, and alienation from friends and relatives, were shown to be associated with a higher adjusted prevalence of disability. Only formal education can reduce the risk of disability.

Conclusion
The prevalence of disability among older adults is high in both urban and rural settings in southwest China, and a number of important factors associated with disability have been identified. In addition to increased attention to the health status of older adults, further research on scientific management and effective disability interventions is needed.
The functional connectivity of basal forebrain is associated with superior memory performance in older adults: a case-control study
Authors: Jia Shu-hong , Zhou Zhi , Shao Wen , Zhou Xiao , Lv Shuang , Hong Wen , Peng Dan-tao 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Aging is related with memory deterioration. However, some older adults demonstrate superior performance compared to age- and education-matched adults, who are referred to as superagers. To explore the neural mechanisms that mediate their unusually successful memory is important not only for the ameliorate the effects of aging in brain, but also for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. This case-control study is aimed to investigate the effects of volume and function of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons on the cognition of superagers.

Methods
The morphometric and resting-state functional MRI analysis, including 34 superagers and 48 typical older adults, were conducted. We compared the basal forebrain gray matter density and related resting-state functional connectivity (FC) in the two groups. To investigate the relationship of FC with cognition, we measure the correlation of significant altered FC and individual cognitive domain.

Results
No significant differences of gray matter density was observed between superagers and typical older adults. The superagers had stronger cortical FC of Ch1-3 with left putamen and insular cortex. The strength of FC positively correlated with global cognition, memory and executive function.

Conclusions
These findings demonstrated that the stronger FC of basal forebrain correlated with specific cognitive difference in global cognition and domains of memory and executive function in superagers.
Referral criteria for chronic kidney disease: implications for disease management and healthcare expenditure—analysis of a population-based sample
Authors: Kiel Simone , Weckmann Gesine , Chenot Jean-François , Stracke Sylvia , Spallek Jacob , Angelow Aniela 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Clinical practice guidelines recommend specialist referral according to different criteria. The aim was to assess recommended and observed referral rate and health care expenditure according to recommendations from:
• Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO,2012)
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE,2014)
• German Society of Nephrology/German Society of Internal Medicine (DGfN/DGIM,2015)
• German College of General Practitioners and Family Physicians (DEGAM,2019)
• Kidney failure risk equation (NICE,2021)

Methods
Data of the population-based cohort Study of Health in Pomerania were matched with claims data. Proportion of subjects meeting referral criteria and corresponding health care expenditures were calculated and projected to the population of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Results
Data from 1927 subjects were analysed. Overall proportion of subjects meeting referral criteria ranged from 4.9% (DEGAM) to 8.3% (DGfN/DGIM). The majority of patients eligible for referral were ≥ 60 years. In subjects older than 60 years, differences were even more pronounced, and rates ranged from 9.7% (DEGAM) to 16.5% (DGfN/DGIM). Estimated population level costs varied between €1,432,440 (DEGAM) and €2,386,186 (DGfN/DGIM). From 190 patients with eGFR < 60 ml/min, 15 had a risk of end stage renal disease > 5% within the next 5 years.

Conclusions
Applying different referral criteria results in different referral rates and costs. Referral rates exceed actually observed consultation rates. Criteria need to be evaluated in terms of available workforce, resources and regarding over- and underutilization of nephrology services.
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm and cerebral toxoplasmosis: a case report
Authors: Florescu Anna Maria , Sørensen Anne Louise Tølbøll , Nielsen Henrik Vedel , Tolnai Daniel , Sjö Lene Dissing , Larsen Katja Lohmann , Al-Karagholi Mohammad Al-Mahdi 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
The present case contributes to the limited literature on central nervous system involvement of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN).

Case presentation
A 63-year-old male presented to the department of neurology with a three-day history of rapidly progressing headache, fatigue, and confusion. Physical examination revealed multiple bruise-like skin lesions. Initial laboratory workup raised suspicion of acute leukemia, and a brain computer tomography identified several hyperdense processes. A bone marrow biopsy gave the diagnosis BPDCN, a rare and aggressive hematologic malignancy derived from plasmacytoid dendritic cells with a poor prognosis. Lumbar puncture showed not only signs of BPDCN, but also cerebral toxoplasmosis, thus providing a differential diagnosis. Despite intensive systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy, the patient died 25 days later due to multi-organ failure.

Discussion
The exact incidence of BPDCN is unknown and perhaps underestimated but may account for 0.5 – 1% of all hematological malignancies. The median age at onset is 60 to 70 years, and most patients are men. Cutaneous lesions are the most frequent clinical manifestation at diagnosis. Other symptoms present at time of diagnosis or during disease progression include lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly and cytopenia caused by bone marrow involvement. Although the majority of BPDCN patients have no symptoms or signs of central nervous system involvement, plasmacytoid dendritic cells have been detected in the cerebrospinal fluid in more than 50%.

Conclusions
This case highlights the importance of considering hematological malignancies as a differential diagnosis in patients developing acute neurological symptoms and raises suspicion of a possible association between toxoplasmosis and hematological malignancies.
Leukocyte subtyping predicts for treatment failure and poor survival in anal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Principe Daniel R. , Cataneo Jose L. , Timbers Kaytlin E. , Koch Regina M. , Valyi-Nagy Klara , Mellgren Anders , Rana Ajay , Gantt Gerald 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) generally carries a favorable prognosis, as most tumors are highly sensitive to standard of care chemoradiation. However, outcomes are poor for the 20–30% of patients who are refractory to this approach, and many will require additional invasive procedures with no guarantee of disease resolution.

Methods
To identify the patients who are unlikely to respond to the current standard of care chemoradiation protocol, we explored a variety of objective clinical findings as a potential predictor of treatment failure and/or mortality in a single center retrospective study of 42 patients with anal SCC.

Results
Patients with an increase in total peripheral white blood cells (WBC) and/or neutrophils (ANC) had comparatively poor clinical outcomes, with increased rates of death and treatment failure, respectively. Using pre-treatment biopsies from 27 patients, tumors with an inflamed, neutrophil dominant stroma also had poor therapeutic responses, as well as reduced overall and disease-specific survival. Following chemoradiation, we observed uniform reductions in nearly all peripheral blood leukocyte subtypes, and no association between peripheral white blood cells and/or neutrophils and clinical outcomes. Additionally, post-treatment biopsies were available from 13 patients. In post-treatment specimens, patients with an inflamed tumor stroma now demonstrated improved overall and disease-specific survival, particularly those with robust T-cell infiltration.

Conclusions
Combined, these results suggest that routinely performed leukocyte subtyping may have utility in risk stratifying patients for treatment failure in anal SCC. Specifically, pre-treatment patients with a high WBC, ANC, and/or a neutrophil-dense tumor stroma may be less likely to achieve complete response using the standard of care chemoradiation regimen, and may benefit from the addition of a subsequent line of therapy.