bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lessons Learned From 10 Years of CO2 Reduction Efforts and Reporting
Authors: Kuykendall Dina , Sun Jeanne-Mey
Published: March 2020

The objective of this paper is to share our lessons learned from 10 years of carbon emission reduction efforts and reporting. This includes emissions from our direct operations and value chain and more recent efforts to measure, reduce, and verify emissions from our products and services. We provide a holistic view of our journey, including successes and challenges.

Our data collection efforts have evolved over the years as we’ve endeavored to obtain verifiable information across a complex global organization. We’ll describe how to select a scope and boundary, develop a reporting threshold, present data to improve visibility and drive behaviors, enhance reporting processes, obtain desired precision and accuracy, and ensure appropriate external verification. We also discuss considerations involved with external reporting through company reports, to CDP1, and to investor sustainability surveys. Finally, we review how to identify improvement projects, establish the business case, examine funding mechanisms, organize an internal strategy team and leverage internal and external collaboration forums.

We’ll demonstrate how our 10-year track record of consistent progress enabled our bold commitment, to reduce our combined Scope 1 and 2 carbon equivalent emissions 50% by 2030 and to achieve net-zero by 2050. Our carbon reduction pathways include:

Facility Operational Improvements

Identifying opportunities using energy treasure hunts, audits, and Lean Six Sigma/kaizen events, installing smart meters, variable frequency drives, automation, additive and intelligent manufacturing, and lower emission refrigerants.

Building Construction, Renovation, and Retrofits

Using sustainable building standards and energy efficient equipment including LED lighting, building automation systems, heating/cooling equipment and building envelope.

Transportation in Company Vehicles

Implementing a vehicle idling policy, optimizing scheduling and logistics, and enabling use of electric vehicles.

Renewable Energy Sourcing

Incorporating an increased percentage of renewables in utility contracts and the increased use of onsite power generation through rooftop solar and other opportunities.

Tool and Equipment Redesign

Reducing energy consumption as identified by the systematic use of life cycle assessment to quantify emissions of our products and services.

In addition to tool and equipment redesign, we are working to reduce other elements of our Scope 3 emissions through employee commuting solutions and evaluating and adjusting modes of transport through the Eco Mode process.

We believe the continuity of experience across a full ten-year period provides a broad array of learnings, which can help others at various stages of their journey. As of mid-June 2019, we were the first and only energy service and equipment company to have made a carbon reduction commitment that aligns with the Paris Climate Accord, demonstrating that we will do our part to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Eliminating Fatalities from Motor Vehicle Crashes in the Upstream Industry
Authors: Carvalho Mariana
Published: March 2020

In the period 2005-2018, land transportation-related incidents reported to the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers, IOGP, resulted in 195 workforce fatalities. Land transportation-related incidents have historically been the single largest cause of fatalities in IOGP member company operations. This paper summarises IOGP's Motor Vehicle Crash, MVC, data and how the IOGP Land Transportation Subcommittee, LTSC, is using it to launch initiatives aimed at eliminating fatalities from the Upstream industry.

IOGP members voluntarily report their annual Motor Vehicle Crash data against four categories: Category C - Catastrophic events, Category M - Major events, Category S - Serious events, Category O - Other events. IOGP Members are encouraged to collect kilometres/miles driven by motor vehicles on company business, including company, contractor or subcontractor vehicles. This data is required to calculate Motor Vehicle Crash Rates, MVCR.

If we accept that no loss of life is acceptable, that people are vulnerable, even the best trained and most experienced make mistakes, and that we share the roads, then what can we do eliminate fatalities from motor vehicle crashes?

Analysis of IOGP datasets, including MVC and the fatal events submitted for the annual safety performance indicators reporting, has led to a recommendation to implement 3+1 for no more fatalities on the road, which is being adopted by IOGP Members:Require use of three-point seatbelts and head restraints for all occupants for all type of vehicles.Safe vehicles - For any newly purchased, leased or contracted light vehicles, only select vehicles with a five star NCAP rating in the region where the vehicle is purchased.For any newly purchased, leased or contracted vehicles, equip/install vehicles with advanced vehicle technology based on outcome of risk assessment, and the +1) Visible leadership and commitment to implement IOGP Report 365

IOGP's MVC data records the annual global safety performance of the contributing IOGP member companies and associated contractors. This gives IOGP's Land Transport Sub Committee, LTSC, a unique view, broader than that derived from company or regional only data, and a unique platform to build initiatives from.
Sparseness and Completeness: Simplifying Bowties to Improve Understanding and Predictive Power
Authors: Hudson Timothy Gordon , Hudson Professor Patrick
Published: March 2020

The paper discusses the use of mathematical and methodological tools to simplify bowties and create understanding of which barriers will be effective for unidentified threats. This paper further develops Bow-Tie concepts by applying the FAME methodology (SPE-190633) to the bowtie ‘levels analysis’ (SPE 127180). The ‘levels analysis’ defines the barriers at the various levels of a bowtie as the workplace (Level 1, L1), organisational (Level 2, L2), and cultural and regulatory factors (Level 3, L3).

Sparseness: When L1 contains only the controls appropriate it becomes clear that though the number of threats acting on the top event appear to be very high, threats can be bundled into generalised threats that are controlled by the same L1 controls.

Completeness: For management the most important information in a bowtie are the escalation controls in L2. In practice the number of L2 controls contained within a specific bowtie are a small set. This means that once sufficiently many L1 controls is identified, analysis of escalation factors and associated controls uncovers the full set of L2 controls.

Sparseness: While it might appear that generating a large enough set of threats covering the entire risk space to which an operation is exposed will demand the investment of significant time and effort, the actual number required is much lower and thus much more efficient. This sparseness approach requires the practitioner to question whether the threats being added to the bowtie analysis are truly separate areas in the risk space or if they are actually overlapping areas that are covered by the same controls.

Completeness: The completeness of understanding of the associated L2 controls does not require completeness of understanding of all the L2 controls. The General Failure Types of the original Tripod model, that led to the Swiss Cheese model, now called Basic Risk Factors, had 11 members intended to cover the whole range of organizational latent conditions. These can serve as categories, but other taxonomies appropriate to the organization and activities as long as they cover the whole range of organizational activities will be just as good.

This paper develops two tools to improve the usability and manageability of bowties. It provides mathematical tools to provide understanding of the remaining uncertainty in the bowtie creation process.
Mapping Methane Initiatives to Identify Gaps and Develop New Understandings
Authors: Sathiamoorthy M. , Grainger P. , Herbertson J. , Bajo L. Perez
Published: March 2020

The expectation of policymakers and stakeholders is that the oil and gas industry will continually improve its operational performance by reducing fugitive emissions of methane along the value chain.

IPIECA has undertaken numerous wide-ranging activities on methane such as: holding workshops; publishing a factsheet on Exploring methane emissions; and developing a Methane glossary to help educate industry and stakeholders in a common terminology. There is a huge number of initiatives and studies underway in this topic area and it is difficult for any organization to keep track. Using commercial software, IPIECA has collected information from hundreds of methane studies and initiatives and built an interactive map that displays this information in an easily understood form and allows the user to undertake a gap analysis against a range of parameters.

The methane mapping tool provides an analysis of the numerous methane initiatives, planned, underway or completed. In scope are workshops, published articles, assessments, data or any activity related to detection, measurement and reduction of methane that is publicly available or provided by relevant parties. We included initiatives from: academic institutions with specific methane projects; industry bodies; government research support programmes; international institutions; and NGOs. Information was collected and sorted by data and performance, methane science, and technical application and good practice and an analysis of gaps was conducted for each of the themes explored.

This paper provides a novel approach through an interactive software map capturing a wide range of technical information from numerous academic, industry and other sources covering methane studies and initiatives, technology use and development, data analysis and verification, geography. It allows for a new type of interrogation by the user to produce a dedicated gap analysis for further focussed work, or to categorise and signpost to existing studies.
Improving & Sustaining Health Through Community Partnerships – The Oloibiri Health Programme Experience
Authors: Fajola Akinwunmi , Oduneye Femi , Onuaguluchi Nneka , Ogbimi Rebecca , Akenge Suodei
Published: March 2020

Over the last decades, Nigeria has made several strides to address the escalating mortality rates and improve key health indicators and developments goals. Improving primary health care as a means of reduction in disease burden was a priority intervention. Despite several advances recorded in the last few years, challenges in healthcare service delivery remained. WHO reports continued to challenge the slow progress compared to other developing countries in Africa with similar or even lower GDP. In the Niger Delta Region where Shell presence is prominent, health care challenges are not very different from the rest of the regions in the country.

In 2015, the Shell Group committed $5 Million US Dollar to a novel public health initiative tagged "Oloibiri Health Programme" (OHP); a three-year Shell Group sponsored health initiative in Ogbia Local Government Area. The project was named after the Oloibiri community in Bayelsa State (where oil was first commercially explored in 1958). It was one of the three supported initiatives implemented to mark Nigeria's centenary celebrations. This Social Investment intervention aimed to improve and optimize health outcomes of communities within Ogbia LGA to developed economy levels, share lessons learnt for country-wide scaleup and replicate best practices by institutionalizing knowledge.

The programme was co-created by partners and focused on both health system strengthening as well as the enhancement of social determinants of health. It was championed by Shell in partnership with Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, Ogbia Local Government Area, Federal University Otuoke, World Bank/IFC and GE Healthcare as the implementing partners.
Improvement of Performance Through the Comprehensive Strengthening of Skills for Workover and Well Service Operations in La Cira Infantas Field
Authors: Pérez Carlos Alberto , Carvajal Milady , Chiquillo Carlos Julio , Giraldo Diego Alberto , Martín José Luis
Published: March 2020

Developing activities or tasks in the oil industry, demands great knowledge and experience for their execution. However, contracting local non-specialized workforce has become a challenge in terms of risk prevention and control for those who are exposed and do not have experience and knowledge in workover and well service operations (WO/WS operations). Accidents have caused injuries, property damages and operative incidents. WO/WS operations accident rate represents 39% of the field's total, i.e., there is greater risk exposure thus activities are more critical.

A worker, who has been properly trained, is aware of the risks and knows what must be done in such regard. Research has shown that training is one of the most important factors in successful safety programs. The above confirms the relevance and importance of such training practices, which emphasize on the initial instruction and follow-up of workplace safety procedures.

The analysis in this paper is based on the need to have competent workers able to perform their activities, for which they must have specific knowledge, behaviors and skills related to their assignments. Achieving the above requires a systematic training, considered under a planned set-up process so that they can do their job in a safe manner, as well as the transfer of techniques that not only develop awareness, information and knowledge, but also how-to related skills through a "commitment that implies getting one's hands dirty, learning by doing and a guided practice".

The decision to look for alternatives aiming at strengthening knowledge and work best practices was made jointly with WO/WS contractor companies, betting on the optimization of the operations in terms of safety that would subsequently reduce the accident rate.

The skill strengthening strategy was first implemented in the last month of 2017 and was exclusively directed for key personnel of WO/WS operations.

This paper intends to analyze risk reduction in a population exposed to work accidents in the WO/WS operations for the following positions: supervisor, rig operator, derrick man and roughneck, for the period between 2014 and 2019, showing a considerable drop in occupational accident rate for the last year.
Puccinia triticina pathotypes- THTT and THTS display complex transcript profiles on wheat cultiver Thatcher
Authors: Wei jie , Cui Liping , Du dongdong , Zhang na , Meng qingfang , Yan hongfei , Yang wenxiang
Published: March 2020

Background: Wheat leaf rust is an important disease worldwide. Understanding the Puccinia triticina f. sp. tritici (Pt) pathogenic molecular mechanism and the inconstant toxic region is critical for managing the disease. The present study aimed to analyze pathogenic divergence between Pt isolates.Results: Total RNA was extracted from wheat cultiver Thatcher infected by two Pt isolates, Tc361_1 (THTT) and Tc284_2 (THTS) at 144 hours post inoculation (hpi). The mRNA was then sequenced, and a total of 2,784 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected. Forty-five genes were specifically expressed in THTT; these genes included transcription initiation factors and genes with transmembrane transporter activity and other genes. Twenty-six genes were specifically expressed in THTS, including genes with GTPase activity, ABC transporter genes and other genes. Fifty-four differentially expressed candidate effectors were screened from the two isolates. Two candidate effectors were chosen and validated on tobacco, and the results showed that they could inhibit necrosis induced by Bax. qRT-PCR of 12 significant DEGs was carried out to validate the results are similar to that of RNA-seq at 144 hpi, to show the expression levels of these DEGs in the early stage and to elucidate the differences in expression between the two Pt pathotypes.Conclusion: The results obtained in this study showed that the two pathtypes of THTT and THTS although contribute similar virulence to wheat, there are a large number of genes participate in the interaction with susceptible wheat cultivar Thatcher, and revealed the pathgenicity of rust is very complicated.
Prognostic significance of NDRG2 combined with EGFR patients with lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yang Bo , Li Xiao-Ping , Zhou Hong-Gang , Jiang Tao , Xiao Ting , Li Xiao-He , Zhang Liang , Li Lei , Wang Wen-Chen , Zhang Wei-Dong
Published: March 2020

Background: N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) plays a substantial role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation could significantly improve prognosis in patients with LUAD. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the prognostic value of NDRG2/EGFR in patients with LUAD. Methods: Immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were conducted to detect the expression levels of NDRG2 protein. Associations between NDRG2/EGFR expression and clinicopathological characteristics of patients with LUAD were examined as well. Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were tested prior to treatments. Patients’ overall survival (OS) was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was carried out to investigate the effects of patients’ demographic characteristics on overall survival . Results: The expression of NDRG2 was significantly decreased in patients with LUAD. The expression of NDRG2 was positively correlated with the levels of CEA and EGFR. Advanced stages were significantly associated with low expression of NDRG2. We found that the patients in the NDRG2-high/EGFR(+) group had the best outcomes, while the patients in the NDRG2-low/EGFR(-) group had the worst outcomes. Cox regression analysis showed that NDRG2-low/EGFR(+), NDRG2-high/EGFR(+), and vascular invasion were independent prognostic factors of LUAD. Conclusion: NDRG2 and EGFR should be considered in patients with LUAD.
Impact of a Postcrash First Aid Educational Program on Knowledge, Perceived Skills Confidence, and Skills Utilization Among Traffic Police Officers: A Single-Arm Before-After Intervention Study
Authors: Ndile Menti Lastone , Lukumay Gift G. , Bolenius Karin , Outwater Anne H. , Saveman Britt-Inger , Backteman-Erlanson Susann
Published: March 2020

Background: An overwhelming proportion of road traffic deaths and injuries in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) occur in prehospital environments. Lay first responders such as police officers play an important role in providing initial assistance to victims of road traffic injuries either alone or in collaboration with others. The present study evaluated a postcrash first aid (PFA) educational program developed for police officers in Tanzania.Method: A 16-hour PFA educational program was conducted in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for 135 police officers. Participants completed training surveys before, immediately and six months after the training (before, N = 135; immediately after, N = 135; after six months, N = 102). The primary outcome measures were PFA knowledge, perceived skills confidence, and skills utilization. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to analyse changes in outcome.Results: The mean PFA knowledge score increased from 44.73% before training (SD = 20.70) to 72.92% six months after training (SD = 18.12), p ˂ .001, N = 102. The mean PFA perceived skills confidence score (measured on a 1–5 Likert scale) increased from 1.96 before training (SD = 0.74) to 3.78 six months after training (SD = 0.70), p ˂ .001, N = 102. Following training, application of the recovery position skill (n = 42, 46%) and application of the bleeding control skill (n = 45, 49%) were reported by nearly half of the responding officers. Less than a quarter of officers reported applying head and neck immobilization skills (n = 20, 22%) following training. Conclusion: A PFA educational program has shown to improve police officers’ knowledge and perceived skills confidence on provision of first aid. However qualitative research need to be conducted to shed more light regarding reasons for low utilization of trained first aid skills during follow-up.
What Explains the Regional Variation in the Use of General Practitioners in Australia?
Authors: Mu Chunzhou , Hall Jane
Published: March 2020

Background: Regional variation in the use of health care services is widespread. Identifying and understanding the sources of variation and how much variation is unexplained can inform policy interventions to improve the efficiency and equity of health care delivery. Methods: We examined the regional variation in the use of general practitioners (GPs) using data from the Social Health Atlas of Australia by Statistical Local Area (SLAs). 756 SLAs were included in the analysis. The outcome variable of GP visits per capita by SLAs was regressed on a series of demand-side factors measuring population health status and demographic characteristics and supply-side factors measuring access to physicians. Each group of variables was entered into the model sequentially to assess their explanatory share on regional differences in GP usage. Results: Both demand-side and supply-side factors were found to influence the frequency of GP visits. Specifically, areas in urban regions, areas with a higher percentage of the population who are obese, who have profound or severe disability, and who hold concession cards, and areas with a smaller percentage of the population who reported difficulty in accessing services have higher GP usage. The availability of more GPs led to higher use of GP services while the supply of more specialists reduced use. 30.56% of the variation was explained by medical need. Together, both need-related and supply-side variables accounted for 32.24% of the regional differences as measured by the standard deviation of adjusted GP-consultation rate. Conclusions: There was substantial variation in GP use across Australian regions with only a small proportion of them being explained by population health needs, indicating a high level of unexplained clinical variation. Supply factors did not add a lot to the explanatory power. There was a lot of variation that was not attributable to the factors we could observe. This could be due to more subtle aspects of population need or preferences and therefore warranted. However, it could be due to practice patterns or other aspects of supply and be unexplained. Future work should try to explain the remaining unexplained variation.
Systematic analysis of the basic/helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor family in pummelo (Citrus grandis) and identification of the key members involved in the response to iron deficiency
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Yong , Qiu Jie-Ya , Hui Qiu-Ling , Xu Yuan-Yuan , He Yi-Zhong , Peng Liang-Zhi , fu xing-zheng
Published: March 2020

Background

Iron (Fe) deficiency is a common problem in citrus production. As the second largest superfamily of transcription factors (TFs), the basic/helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins have been shown to participate in the regulation of Fe homeostasis and a series of other biological and developmental processes in plants. However, this family of members in citrus and their functions in citrus Fe deficiency are still largely unknown.

Results

In this study, we identified a total of 128 CgbHLHs from pummelo ( Citrus grandis ) genome that were classified into 18 subfamilies by phylogenetic comparison with Arabidopsis thaliana bHLH proteins. All of these CgbHLHs were randomly distributed on nine known (125 genes) and one unknown (3 genes) chromosomes, and 12 and 47 of them were identified to be tandem and segmental duplicated genes, respectively. Sequence analysis showed detailed characteristics of their intron-exon structures, bHLH domain and conserved motifs. Gene ontology (GO) analysis suggested that most of CgbHLHs were annotated to the nucleus, DNA-binding transcription factor activity, response to abiotic stimulus, reproduction, post-embryonic development, flower development and photosynthesis. In addition, 27 CgbHLH proteins were predicted to have direct or indirect protein-protein interactions. Based on GO annotation, RNA sequencing data in public database and qRT-PCR results, several of CgbHLHs were identified as the key candidates that respond to iron deficiency.

Conclusions

In total, 128 CgbHLH proteins were identified from pummelo, and their detailed sequence and structure characteristics and putative functions were analyzed. This study provides comprehensive information for further functional elucidation of CgbHLH genes in citrus.
Ubiquitin-specific protease-44 inhibits the proliferation and migration of cells via inhibition of JNK pathway in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Jiangqiao , Wang Tianyu , Qiu Tao , Chen Zhongbao , Ma Xiaoxiong , Zhang Long , Zou Jilin
Published: March 2020

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common form of adult kidney cancer. Ubiquitin-specific protease (USP)44 has been reported to be involved in various cancers. We investigated the function, role and molecular mechanism of USP44 in ccRCC. Methods: Data obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas Data Portal and Gene Expression Omnibus database were analyzed to uncover the clinical relevance of USP44 expression and tumor development. USP44 function in the proliferation and migration of tumor cells was assessed by cellular and molecular analyses using ccRCC lines (786-O cells and Caki-1 cells).Results: USP44 showed low expression in ccRCC cancer tissues compared with that in normal tissue. USP44 expression was negatively correlated with tumor stage, tumor grade, and patient survival. USP44 overexpression inhibited the proliferation and migration of 786-O cells and Caki-1 cells significantly. USP44 overexpression also prohibited cell proliferation by upregulating expression of P21, downregulating cyclin-D1 expression, and inhibiting cell migration by upregulating expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9. USP44 knockdown enhanced the proliferation and migration of 786-O cells and Caki-1 cells. USP44 function in inhibiting the proliferation and migration of 786-O cells and Caki-1 cells was associated with phosphorylation of Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK).Conclusion: USP44 may be a marker in predicting ccRCC progression. Inhibition by USP44 of the proliferation and migration of 786-O cells and Caki-1 cells is dependent upon the JNK pathway.
Offspring sex affects the susceptibility to maternal smoking-induced lung inflammation and the effect of maternal antioxidant supplementation in mice
Authors: Wang Baoming , Chan Yik Lung , Zhou Shengyu , Saad Sonia , Chen Hui , Oliver Brian G
Published: March 2020

Background: Cigarette smoke exposure ( SE ) during pregnancy is the largest modifiable risk factor for the development of lung disorders in offspring. We have previously shown that maternal L-Carnitine treatment can reduce the adverse impacts of maternal SE on renal and brain disorders in offspring. Here, we investigated the effect of maternal L-Carnitine supplementation on lung inflammatory pathways, autophagy, and mitophagy markers in the offspring in response to maternal SE. Female Balb/c mice (8 weeks) were exposed to cigarette smoke for 6 weeks prior to mating, during gestation and lactation. Half of the SE mothers were given L-Carnitine supplementation (1.5mM in drinking water, SE+LC) during gestation and lactation. Lungs from the offspring were studied at birth and adulthood (13 weeks) in both genders. Results: At birth, in male offspring, there were increased lev inflammatory markers (phosphorylated(p)-ERK1,2, p-P38 MAPK, p-NF-kB), and inflammasome marker (NLRP3), as well as mitophagy fission marker Drp-1 and autophagosome marker (LC3A/B-II) in the lung. Maternal L-Carnitine supplementation significantly reduced NLRP3 level. In contrast, maternal SE only increased IL1-β in female offspring, which was reversed by maternal L-Carnitine supplementation. At 13 weeks, there was an increase in LC3A/B-II and p-NF-kB in the male SE offspring with reduced p-JNK1,2, which were partially normalised by maternal L-Carnitine treatment. Female offspring were not affected by maternal SE at this age. Conclusion : Maternal SE had adverse impacts on the male offspring’s lung, which were partially alleviated by maternal L-Carnitine supplementation. Females seem to be protected from the adverse effects of maternal SE.
Clinicopathological and Prognostic Value of SNHG6 in Cancers: a Systematic Review and a Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Qiu Dandan , Xie Xiaohong , Shen Yong
Published: March 2020

Background The long non-coding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (lncRNA SNHG6) is dysregulated in various malignant tumor. However, a definite conclusion on the clinical value of lncRNA SNHG6 expression in human cancers has not been determined. The purpose of the present meta-analysis was to comprehensively elucidate the association between SNHG6 expression and clinical outcomes in cancers. Methods A systematic search was performed through the PubMed, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wangfang databases for relevant studies. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were collected to estimate the prognostic value, and the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs were used to evaluate the relationship between lncRNA SNHG6 expression and clinicopathological features, including tumor invasion depth, lymph node metastasis (LNM), distance metastasis (DM), and TNM stage. Results A total of 914 patients from 13 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results suggested that evaluated SNHG6 expression could predict an unfavorable overall survival (OS) (HR = 2.04, 95% CI:1.56~2.52) with no heterogeneity ( I 2 = 0.0%, p = 0.996). Subgroup analysis indicated a significant association between high SNHG6 expression and shorter OS in studies with digestive system cancers (HR = 2.05, 95%CI: 1.47-2.62), sample size < 70 (HR = 2.70, 95%CI: 1.29-4.11), and univariate and multivariate analysis (HR = 2.04, 95%CI: 1.44-2.64). Moreover, high SNHG6 expression was positively correlated with tumor invasion depth (OR = 1.76, 95%CI: 1.18-2.63), LNM (OR = 1.60, 95%CI: 1.18-2.17), DM (OR = 1.90, 95%CI: 1.37-2.64) and advanced TNM stage (OR = 1.88, 95%CI: 1.36-2.60) in patients with cancers. Conclusions High lncRNA SNHG6 expression was correlated with tumor invasion depth, LNM, DM, and advanced TNM stage, suggesting that SNHG6 may serve as a promising prognostic biomarker of human cancers.
Serum concentrations of asprosin in new-onset type 2 diabetes
Authors: Naiemian Shakiba , naeemipour Mohsen , Zarei Mehdi , Gohari Ali , Behroozikhah Mohammad Reza , Heydari Hafez , Miri Mohammad
Published: March 2020

Background: Asprosin, a newly identified adipokine, is pathologically increased in individuals with insulin resistance. However, the available evidence on the association of asprosin and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) status is still scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between serum concentrations of asprosin and T2DM status . Methods: This observational study was performed based on 194 adults (97 newly diagnosed T2DM and 97 healthy individuals). Anthropometric and biochemical variables were determined in all participants . Serum concentrations of asprosin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: In patients with T2DM, the serum concentrations of asprosin were significantly higher than the healthy controls (4.18 [IQR: 4.4] vs. 3.5 [IQR: 1.85], P< 0.001). The concentrations of asprosin were significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) in healthy subjects and with BMI, FBG, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and quantitative insulin check index (QUICKI), triacylglycerol (TAG) and total cholesterol/ high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio in the T2DM group. In fully adjusted model, the odds ratio (OR) of T2DM with serum concentrations of asprosin was approximately 1.547 (95% CI 1.293-1.850, P< 0.001) compared to the control group . Multiple stepwise regression analysis indicated that FBG and HOMA-IR were independently associated with asprosin in T2DM. Conclusion : Our findings indicated that serum concentrations of asprosin are increased in patients with T2DM. Also, asprosin is correlated with insulin resistance and TC/HDL-C ratio (atherosclerotic risk factor of cardiovascular diseases) in patients with T2DM.
The considerations, experiences and support needs of family members making treatment decisions for patients admitted with major stroke: a qualitative study.
Authors: Visvanathan Akila , Mead Gillian , Dennis Martin , Whiteley William , Doubal Fergus , Lawton Julia
Published: March 2020

Background Treatment decision-making by family members on behalf of patients with major stroke can be challenging because of the shock of the diagnosis and lack of knowledge of the patient’s treatment preferences. We aimed to understand how, and why, family members made certain treatment decisions, and explored their information and support needs. Method Semi-structured interviews with family members (n=24) of patients with major stroke, within two weeks of hospital admission. Data were analysed thematically. Results Families’ approach to treatment decision-making lay on a spectrum according to the patient’s state of health pre-stroke (i.e. patient’s prior experience of illness and functional status) and any views expressed about treatment preferences in the event of life-threatening illness. Support and information needs varied according to where they were on this spectrum. At one extreme, family members described deciding not to initiate life-extending treatments from the outset because of the patients’ deteriorating health and preferences expressed pre-stroke. Information from doctors about poor prognosis was merely used to confirm this decision. In the middle of the spectrum were family members of patients who had been moderately independent pre-stroke. They described the initial shock of the diagnosis and how they had initially wanted all treatments to continue. However, once they overcame their shock, and had gathered relevant information, including information about poor prognosis from doctors, they decided that life-extending treatments were no longer appropriate. Many reported this process to be upsetting and expressed a need for psychological support. At the other end of the spectrum were family members of previously independent patients whose preferences pre-stroke had not been known. Family members described feeling extremely distressed at such an unexpected situation and wanting all treatments to continue. They described needing psychological support and hope that the patient would survive. Conclusion The knowledge that family members’ treatment decision-making approaches lay on a spectrum depending on the patient’s state of health and stated preferences pre-stroke may allow doctors to better prepare for discussions regarding the patient’s prognosis. This may enable doctors to provide information and support that is tailored towards family members’ needs.
Adenovirus infection promotes the formation of glioma stem cells by glioblastoma cells through the TLR9/NEAT1/STAT3 pathway
Authors: Zang Jian , Zheng Min-hua , Cao Xiu-li , Zhang Yi-zhe , Zhang Yu-fei , Gao Xiang-yu , Cao Yuan , Shi Mei , Han Hua , Liang Liang
Published: March 2020

BackgroundGlioma stem cells (GSCs) are glioma cells with stemness and are responsible for a variety of malignant behaviors of glioma. Evidence has shown that signals from tumor microenvironment (TME) enhance stemness of glioma cells, but the identity of the signaling molecules and underlying mechanisms have been incompletely elucidated.MethodsHuman samples and glioma cell lines were cultured in vitro to determine the effects of viral infection by sphere formation, qRT-PCR, Western blot, FACS and immunofluorescence; for in vivo analysis, mice subcutaneous tumor model was carried; while bioinformatics analysis and qRT-PCR were applied for further mechanistic studies.ResultsIn this study, we show that infection of patient-derived glioma cells with adenovirus (ADV) increases the formation of tumor spheres. ADV infection upregulated stem cell markers, and the resultant tumor spheres held the capacities of self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation, and had stronger potential to form xenograft tumors in immune-compromised mice. ADV promoted GSC formation likely via TLR9, because TLR9 was upregulated after ADV infection, and knockdown of TLR9 reduced ADV-induced GSCs. Consistently, MYD88, as well as total STAT3 and phosphorylated (p-)STAT3, were also upregulated in ADV-induced GSCs. Knockdown of MYD88 or pharmaceutical inhibition of STAT3 attenuated stemness of ADV-induced GSCs. Moreover, we found that ADV infection upregulated lncRNA NEAT1, which is downstream to TLRs and play important roles in cancer stem cells via multiple mechanisms including strengthening STAT3 signaling. Indeed, knockdown of NEAT1 impaired stemness of ADV-induced GSCs. Lastly, we show that HMGB1, a damage associated molecular pattern (DAMP) that also triggers TLR signaling, upregulated stemness markers in glioma cells.ConclusionsIn summary, our data indicate that ADV, which has been developed as vectors for gene therapy and oncolytic virus, promotes the formation of GSCs via TLR9/NEAT1/STAT3 signaling.
TMEM147 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progress by inducing EGFR/MAPK activity
Authors: Sun Chengyi , Xu Jing , Tian She , Liu Yanqing , Zhu Changhao , Yu Chao
Published: March 2020

Backgroud: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by rapid early proliferation and distant metastasis and is extremely difficult to treat. Aerobic glycolysis is a hallmark of abnormal glucose metabolism in cancer cells as has been shown to be associated with tumor proliferation and metastasis; however, the mechanisms underlying aerobic glycolysis remain unclear. Methods: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and qRT-PCR was performed to investigate the association between TMEM147 expression and the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients with HCC. Loss- and gain-of function assays were performed to investigate the role of TMEM147 in proliferation, metastasis and glycolysis in vitro and vivo. Bioinformatic analysis and rescue assay were used to demonstrated the TMEM147 interacted with EGFR and promoted its retromer-mediated recycling back to the plasma membrane.Results: we identified TMEM147 as a protein that was highly expressed and associated with poor survival in patients with HCC. Both gain- and loss-of-function studies revealed that TMEM147 acted as a key oncoprotein by promoting HCC growth, metastasis, and glycolysis via the EGFR/ MAPK signaling pathway. Mechanistically, TMEM147 interacted with EGFR and promoted its retromer-mediated recycling back to the plasma membrane, thus increasing the stability of EGFR and prolonging activation of the downstream MAPK pathway.Conclusion: Collectively, these results demonstrated the role and functional mechanism of TMEM147 in HCC, and indicated that TMEM147 may represent a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for HCC.
Spouse and parent differences in caregiving experiences of people living with schizophrenia in rural China
Authors: Yu Yu , Li Tong-xin , Li Yi-lu , Qiu Dan , Xi Shi-jun , Xiao Shuiyuan , Tebes Jacob
Published: March 2020

Background: To comprehensively examine and carefully compare caregiving experiences and impacts between spouse and parent caregivers for people living with schizophrenia in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 264 community-dwelling primary family caregivers of people living with schizophrenia. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to collect information on caregiving activities, both objective and subjective burden, caregiver psychological distress including depression and anxiety, positive caregiving impact including caregiving rewarding feelings and family functioning between spouse and parent caregivers. Results: Both types of caregivers report engaging in similar caregiving activities and report comparable levels of objective burden. However, parent caregivers report significantly higher subjective burden than spouse caregivers (β=7.93, 95%CI:2.13, 13.73), which is also reflected in significantly higher depression (β =3.60, 95%CI:1.09, 6.12) and anxiety scores (β=2.37, 95%CI: 0.08, 4.65), and reports of lower family functioning (β =-1.61, 95%CI: -2.73, -0.49). Despite these differences, both groups of caregivers report comparable rewarding feelings about caregiving. Conclusions: The findings may be explained by the difference between subjective burden and objective burden, as well as the unique cultural and social characteristics of family caregivers in China. The study discusses implications for future intervention, particularly for parents as family caregivers. Keywords: Schizophrenia; family caregivers; caregiver burden; caregiving, parent, spouse
Intraoperative intrathoracic chemotherapy and debulking surgery for pulmonary adenocarcinoma with pleural dissemination and no lymph node metastasis
Authors: Ye Yiwang , Wu Da
Published: March 2020

Objective: assess the feasibility of intraoperative intrathoracic chemotherapy and debulking surgery for pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients with pleural dissemination and no lymph node metastasis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 23 pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients with pleural dissemination and no lymph node metastasis underwent debulking surgery. They were divided into intraoperative intrathoracic chemotherapy (IC) group comprising patients who not intraoperative intrathoracic chemotherapy (NIC) group. Result: There was no significant difference in the adverse reactions of chemotherapy between the two groups. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 38.0 months (95% CI: 25.6-50.4) in IC group and 24.0months (95% CI: 6.3-41.7) in NIC group, respectively. There was statistical significance between two group (IC vs NIC, p=0.016).The median overall survival (OS) was42.0 months (95% CI: 37.4-46.6) in IC group and was 36.0months (95% CI: 28.4-43.6) in NIC group, respectively. But there were no statistical significance between two groups (p=0.082). Conclusions: Intraoperative intrathoracic chemotherapy might improve PFS for unexpected pulmonary adenocarcinoma with pleural dissemination and no lymph node metastasis in primary tumor resected patients and with less adverse reactions.
WEARCON: Wearable home monitoring in children with asthma reveals a strong association with hospital based assessment of asthma control.
Authors: Kamp Mattienne R van der , Klaver Emilie C , Thio Bernard J , Driessen Jean MM , de Jongh Franciscus HC , Tabak Monique , Palen Job AM van der , Hermens Hermie J
Published: March 2020

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood. Regular follow-up of physiological parameters in the home setting, in relation to asthma symptoms, can provide complementary quantitative insights into the dynamics of the asthma status. Despite considerable interest in asthma home-monitoring in children, there is a paucity of scientific evidence, especially on multi-parameter monitoring approaches. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate whether asthma control can be correctly assessed in the home situation by combining parameters from respiratory physiology sensors.
Sixty asthmatic and 30 healthy children were enrolled in the observational WEARCON-study. The paediatrician assessed asthma control according to GINA guidelines. All children were also evaluated during a 2-week home-monitoring period with wearable devices; a physical activity tracker, a handheld spirometer, smart inhalers, and an ambulatory electrocardiography device to monitor heart and respiratory rate. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine which diagnostic measures were associated asthma control.
All 27 of the 27 uncontrolled asthmatic children and 31 of the 32 controlled asthmatic children could correctly be identified with this model. The final model showed that a larger variation in pre-exercise lung function (OR=1.36 95%-CI 1.06-1.75), an earlier wake-up-time (OR=1.06 95%-CI 1.01-1.11), more reliever use (OR=1.14 95%-CI 1.05-1.24) and a longer respiratory rate recovery time (OR=1.18 95%-CI 1.04-1.34) were significant contributors to the probability of having uncontrolled asthma.
Home-monitoring of physiological parameters is associated with paediatrician assessed asthma control. The constructed multivariate model identifies 100% of all uncontrolled asthmatic children, indicating a high potential for monitoring of asthma control. This may allow healthcare professionals to assess asthma control at home.
Trial registration: Netherlands Trail Register, NL6087. Registered 14 February 2017, https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6087
Impaired frontal-parietal control network in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) revealed by graph theoretical analysis: a DTI study
Authors: Huang Xinfeng , Chen Jianhuai , Yang Jie , Yuan Shaoying , Qin Zhan , Cui Hongliang , Liu Tao , Zhu Yongkang , Chen Yun
Published: March 2020

Introduction Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is characterized by chronic pain in pelvic area and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Previous neuroimaging studies demonstrated that chronic pain was associated with altered brain activity. However, the pathological mechanisms associated with altered brain control of CP/CPPS is not well understood. Therefore, we sought to investigate the topological properties of white matter brain networks in patients with CP/CPPS and whether the topological configuration of frontal-parietal control network was disrupted. Methods We collected 19 patients with CP/CPPS and 32 matched healthy controls (HCs). Diffusion tensor imaging data of all participates were used to map the white matter structural networks. Graph theoretical method was applied to investigate the alterations of topological properties of brain network in patients. Moreover, the associations between the alerted brain regions of patients and clinical measurements were analysised by using Pearson correlation analyses. Results Both CP/CPPS patients and HCs exhibited a 'small-world' behaviour or economical small-world architecture of the white matter brain networks. In addition, CP/CPPS had a lower global efficiency in the right middle frontal gyrus (orbital part) and a higher global efficiency in the left middle cingulate and paracingulate gyri. CP/CPPS also showed decreased local efficiency in the left middle cingulate and paracingulate gyri and paracentral lobule. Moreover, the local efficiency of the left middle cingulate gyrus was positively correlated with the scores of the influence of symptoms on the quality of life. The local efficiency of the left precuneus and right supplementary motor area were positively correlated with the total scores of NIH-CPSI and the scores of pain and discomfort symptoms, respectively. Conclusion Together, we found that patients with CP/CPPS had alterations of connections within the frontal-parietal control network, which suggested that the altered connectivity involved in the executive control processing procedures might contribute to the pathogenesis of the pelvic pain and LUTS in CP/CPPS. Thus these results providing new insights into the understanding of CP/CPPS.