bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isolation, identification and 16S rRNA gene analysis of Yersinia enterocolitica strains isolated from the Gymnocypris Przewalskii
Authors: Zhang Hongjian , Cai Qigang , Zhao Jing , Fan Yuxia , Kong Fanlin , Gao Xiaolong , Tong Linna
Published: June 2020

Background: Yersinia enterocolitica is a human-animal-fish-associated infectious diarrhea pathogen that has caused widespread international attention in recent years. Many strains of Yersinia enterocolitica were identified from different animal species, but there is no information reported Yersinia enterocolitica in Gymnocypris przewalskii . The Gymnocypris przewalskii is a very important species in the Qinghai Lake. They were listed in the China' s second-class protected animal species. Preliminary research on the distribution of Yersinia enterocolitica and the drug sensitive fauna test on Gymnocypris przewalskii was a urgent solving problem for which maintain the original ecological symbiotic system and restore Gymnocypris przewalskii resource. In order to solve these issues, we performed this research.Results: The results showed that 5 strains Yersinia enterocolitica were obtained, positive ratio was 6.67% (5/75). The average drug-resistant of 5 strain Yersinia enterocolitica was 54.29% (38/70) to 14 kinds of antibiotic. The result of 16S rRNA gene of Yersinia enterocolitica identified showed that one piece of 1419 bp specific braid was obtained. The homologies of nucleotide of 16S rRNA were 91%-95% between 15 strains of Yersinia enterocolitica from GenBank by measuring sequence.Conclusion: Yersinia enterocolitica can infect Gymnocypris przewalskii . Some strains have drug-resistant effect. The 16S rRNA gene matches 91%-95% with other strains nucleotides download from GenBank and forms a unique branch separated from them.
Analysis of Six Chloroplast Genomes Provides Insight into the Evolution of Chrysosplenium (Saxifragaceae)
Authors: Wu Zhihua , Liao Rui , Yang Tiange , Dong Xiang , Lan Deqing , Qin Rui , Liu Hong
Published: June 2020

Background
Chrysosplenium L. (Saxifragaceae) is a genus of plants widely distributed in China and usually found in moist, shaded valleys and mountain slopes. This genus is ideal for studying plant adaptation to low-light conditions. Although some progress has been made in the systematics and biogeography of Chrysosplenium, its chloroplast genome evolution remains to be investigated.
Results
To fill this gap, we sequenced the chloroplast genomes of six Chrysosplenium species and analyzed their genome structure, GC content, and nucleotide diversity. Moreover, we performed a phylogenetic analysis and calculated non-synonymous (Ka)/synonymous (Ks) substitution ratios using the combined protein-coding genes of 29 species within Saxifragales and two additional species as outgroups, as well as a pair-wise estimation for each gene within Chrysosplenium. Compared with the outgroups in Saxifragaceae, the six Chrysosplenium chloroplast genomes had lower GC contents; they also had conserved boundary regions and gene contents, as only the rpl32 gene was lost in four of the Chrysosplenium chloroplast genomes. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that the Chrysosplenium separated to two major clades (the opposite group and the alternate group). The pair-wise Ka/Ks ratios of genes in the Chrysosplenium species showed that matK and ycf2 were subjected to relatively relaxed selection.
Conclusion
This study provides genetic resources for exploring the phylogeny of Chrysosplenium and sheds light on plant adaptation to low-light conditions. The lower average GC content and the lacking gene of rpl32 indicating selective pressure in their unique habitats. Different from results previously reported, our selective pressure estimation suggested that the genes related to photosynthesis (such as ycf2) were under positive selection at sites in the coding region.
Comparison of Momelotinib, Pacitinib and Ruxolitinib in patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasm: An Indirect-Comparison Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Ye Wu , Wu Xia , Zheng Xue , Gong Yuping
Published: June 2020

Background

The meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of momelotinib, ruxolitinib and pacitinib in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms(MPN), which includes essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera and primary myelofibrosis.
Methods

We searched multiple databases and collected relevant studies before Dec. 20,2019. According to predefined criteria, we included eight qualified phase 3 randomized controlled trials with 2125 patients in the meta-analysis. Statistical analysis used StataMP14 and Indirect Treatment Comparisons software. The meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42020164271.
Results

The relative risk (95%confidence interval) of momelotinib vs ruxolitinib, ruxolitinib vs pacritinib and momelotinib vs pacritinib by indirect-comparison are as follows: The RR(95%CI) for ≥ 35% reduction in spleen volume from baseline at week 24/32 as determined by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography were 0.93(95%CI0.69-1.25), 10.87(95%CI2.52-46.79) and 10.09(95%CI2.27- 44.74); The RR(95%CI) for ≥ 50% reduction in total symptom score from baseline at week 24–32 assessed using the modified Myelofibrosis Symptom Assessment Form were 1.61(95%CI0.25-10.15), 4.40(95%CI2.13-9.09) and 7.12 (95%CI0.91-55.41); The RR(95%CI) for the risk of anemia were 0.60(95%CI0.20-1.85), 0.80(95%CI0.56-1.14) and 0.48 (95%CI0.15-1.56); The RR(95%CI) for thrombocytopenia were 0.69(95%CI0.50-0.96), 1.33(95%CI0.77-2.30) and 0.92(95%CI0.48-1.74); The RR (95%CI) for the risk of fatigue were 1.07(95%CI0.71-1.59), 0.82(95%CI0.49-1.37) and 0.88(95%CI0.46-1.68); The RR(95%CI) for the risk of diarrhea were 1.32(95%CI0.58-3.01), 0.11(95%CI0.03-0.46) and 0.39(95%CI0.15-1.02); The RR(95%CI) for abdominal pain were 0.95(95%CI0.61-1.48), 0.83(95%CI0.30-2.25) and 0.78(95%CI0.26-2.35). The RR(95CI) for the improvement of transfusion-independent of pacritinib vs ruxolitinib was 6.36 (95%CI0.79-50.98).
Conclusions

Excluding the improvement of transfusion-independent and the risk of thrombocytopenia, pacritinib had relatively poorer efficacy and higher risk of adverse events compared with momelotinib or ruxolitinib. Momelotinib had similar or better efficacy and similar or lower risk of adverse events than ruxolitinib while excluding the risk of diarrhea. In general, momelotinib has the best potential therapeutic value in patients with MPN among the three drugs, but further clinical studies are needed to prove it.
Neuropathic pain in adult Myotonic Dystrophy type 1. Presence of small and large fibre neuropathy?
Authors: Solbakken Gro , Løseth Sissel , Nærland Terje , Frich Jan , Dietrichs Espen , Ørstavik Kristin
Published: June 2020

Background: Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder affecting multiple organs. There is an increasing awareness of chronic pain in DM1. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated symptoms of neuropathic pain and small and large fiber neuropathy in the adult form of DM1. We also studied if neuropathy was related to the number of CTG repeats, disease duration and other clinical DM1 symptoms, and investigated if skin biopsy tests for small fiber neuropathy differed in the DM1 group compared to reference values from healthy controls.Methods: 20 genetically verified DM1 adult patients were included in the study. Pain descriptions, neurologic examination and objective investigations of the peripheral nerve system by quantitative sensory testing, skin biopsies and neurography were conducted. Statistical analyses of group differences and frequencies were performed.Results: Six patients (30%) out of 20 patients with DM1 described neuropathic pain, and three of these had objective findings on both small and large fiber neuropathy, as well as clinically sensory findings. Together, large and/or small fibre neuropathy is present in 50% of the patients with DM1. The intra epidermal nerve fiber density was significantly lower (p= <0.001, Cohen`s d = 1.2) in the 20 patients with DM1 (mean 8.16, SD: 2.28) compared to a reference group (N = 106, mean 12.43, SD: 4.59). Patients with large fiber neuropathy had significantly lower muscle strength (p = 0.01, Cohen`s d = 1.6, mean difference 0.4, CI: 0.7 - 0.1) than patients without large fiber neuropathy.Conclusion: Symptoms of neuropathic pain was more frequent in patients with DM1 compared to the general population. Intra epidermal nerve fiber density was significantly lower in the DM1 group than in a sample of healthy controls. Neuropathy may be a mechanism of pain in DM1.
Emotion-Focused Therapy for Binge-Eating Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Control Trial
Authors: Glisenti Kevin , Strodl Esben , King Robert , Greenberg Leslie
Published: June 2020

Background:Research into psychotherapy for binge-eating disorder (BED) has focused mainly on cognitive behavioral therapies, but efficacy, failure to abstain, and dropout rates continue to be problematic. The experience of negative emotions is among the most accurate predictors for the occurrence of binge eating episodes in BED, suggesting benefits to exploring other psychological treatments with a more specific focus on the role of emotion. The present study aimed to build upon the emerging evidence for emotion-focused therapy (EFT) as a treatment for BED by examining the outcomes of a pilot randomized waitlist-controlled trial of individual EFT for BED.Methods:Twenty-one participants were assessed on the primary outcome measures of objective binge episodes, the number of days on which objective binge episodes occurred, and binge eating symptoms and the secondary outcome measures of anxiety and depressive symptoms. The treatment consisted of 12 weekly one-hour sessions of EFT for maladaptive emotions over three months. A series of between groups repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the hypothesis that those receiving the treatment would demonstrate a greater degree of improvement in primary outcome measures compared to participants on the waitlist. A series of within-groups repeated-measures ANOVA was then used to test the hypothesis that participation in the EFT intervention would result in significant improvements in the primary and secondary outcome measures from pre to post-therapy, and then maintained at each follow-up period.Results:Participants receiving the EFT demonstrated a greater degree of improvement in primary outcome measures compared to participants on the waitlist. Participation in the EFT intervention resulted in significant improvements in all primary outcome measures and anxiety, but not depressive symptoms. The intervention also demonstrated a relatively low dropout rate when compared to other psychological therapy interventions for BED.Conclusions:These findings provide further preliminary evidence that individual EFT may be an efficacious treatment for BED and provide support for more extensive randomized control trials to test the efficacy and effectiveness of EFT for BED further.Trial registration: The study was retrospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12620000563965) on the 14 May 2020https://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12620000563965.aspx
Antimicrobial Resistance and Extended Spectrum β-Lactamases of Escherichia coli isolates from Raw Meat in Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Authors: Dsani Esther , Afari Edwin Andrews , Danso-Appiah Anthony , Kenu Ernest , Kaburi Basil Benduri , Egyir Beverly
Published: June 2020

Background Typically, raw meat can be contaminated with antimicrobial resistant pathogens at unhygienic slaughter and sale points. Consumption of meat contaminated with antimicrobial resistant E. coli is associated with grave health care consequences. The aim of this study was to determine the microbial quality of raw meat, the antimicrobial susceptibility and Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) production in E. coli isolates from raw meat.Methods We collected 205 meat samples from beef (n=81), chevon (n=108) and mutton (n=16) at three slaughter sites in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. We performed Total Plate Counts (TPC) and Total Coliform Counts (TCC) and isolated E. coli using standard bacteriological methods. Presumptive isolates were confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). We assessed the susceptibility to 11 antibiotics using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method and assessed ESBL production using the combination disk test. PCR amplification of associated resistant genes bla TEM, bla SHV, and bla CTX-M was performed for presumptive ESBL isolates.Results Total Plate Counts exceeded the acceptable limit of 5.0 log CFU/ cm 2 in 60.5% (124/205) of raw meat samples. Total Coliform Counts in 70.7% (145/205) of samples were in excess of the acceptable limit of 2.5 log CFU/cm 2 . E. coli was detected in about half of raw meat samples (48%), ranging from 9.5% -79.0% among the slaughter sites. Isolates were susceptible to meropenem (100%), ceftriaxone (99%), cefotaxime (98%), chloramphenicol (97%), gentamycin (97%), ciprofloxacin (92%) and amikacin (92%), but resistant to ampicillin (57%), tetracycline (45%), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (21%) and cefuroxime (17%). Multi-drug resistance (MDR) was identified in 22% of the isolates. We detected the bla TEM gene in 4% (4/98) of E. coli isolates in this study.Conclusion The levels of microbial contamination of raw meat in this study were unacceptable. Meat handlers and consumers are at risk of foodborne infections from E. coli including ESBL producing E. coli that are resistant to most antibiotics in use. We recommend an enhanced surveillance for antimicrobial resistance in food products for the early detection of emerging resistant bacteria species in the food chain.
Prognostic value of the ALBI grade among patients with single hepatocellular carcinoma without macrovascular invasion
Authors: Zou Heng , Chen Wenhao , Wang Huan , Xiong Li , Wen Yu , Zhou Jiangjiao
Published: June 2020

Overview and objective: Although evidence for the application of albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) grading system to assess liver function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is available, less is known whether it can be applied to determine the prognosis of single HCC with different tumor sizes. This study aimed to address this gap.Methods: Here, we enrolled patients who underwent hepatectomy due to single HCC from the year 2010 to 2014. Analyses were performed to test the potential of ALBI grading system to monitor the long-term survival of single HCC subjects with varying tumor sizes.Results: Overall, 265 participants were recruited. The overall survival (OS) among patients whose tumors were ≤ 7 cm was remarkably higher compared to those whose tumors were > 7 cm. The Cox proportional hazards regression model identified the tumor differentiation grade, ALBI grade, and maximum tumor size as key determinants of the OS. The ALBI grade could stratify the patients who had a single tumor ≤ 7 cm into two distinct groups with different prognoses. The OS between ALBI grades 1 and 2 was comparable for patients who had a single tumor > 7 cm.Conclusions: We show that ALBI grading system can predict disease outcomes of single HCC patients with tumor size ≤ 7 cm. However, the ALBI grade may not predict capability the prognosis of patients with single tumor > 7 cm.
Ibrutinib alleviated LPS-induced neuroinflammation and synaptic defects in a mouse model of depression
Authors: Li Weifen , Ali Tahir , He Kaiwu , Liu Zizhen , Shah Fawad Ali , Ren Qingguo , Jiang Anlong , Liu Yan , Li Shupeng
Published: June 2020

Background

Previous studies indicate a close association between the altered immune system and major depressive disorders. and inhibition of neuroinflammation may represent an alternative mechanism to treat depression. Recently, the anti-inflammatory activity of ibrutinib has been reported, however, the effect of ibrutinib on neuroinflammation allied depression and its underlying mechanism has not been comprehensively studied. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the potential anti-depressive role and mechanism of ibrutinib against neuroinflammation induced depression as well as synaptic defects.
Methods

Adult C57BL/6J male mice weighing 25–30 g (age 7–8 weeks) were treated with LPS (2 mg/kg BW i.p) and 50 mg/kg BW ibrutinib, orally. Depressive-like behaviors were assessed by FST and SPT, cytokine levels were determined by ELISA, ROS, TBARs, and Nitric oxides were measured via biochemical assays, Iba-1 and GFAP expression were determined by immunofluorescence. Further, spine density was measured by Golgi staining, while NF-kB, Nrf2, SOD2, HO-1, NLRP3, P38, Caspase-1, BDNF, PSD95, and synaptophysin were measured by immunoblotting.
Results

Our results showed that ibrutinib treatment significantly reduced LPS induced depressive-like behaviors and neuroinflammation via inhibiting NF-kB activation, decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines level, normalizing redox signaling and it’s a downstream component including Nrf2, HO-1, and SOD2 as well as glial cells activation markers such as Iba-1 and GFAP expression. Further, ibrutinib treatment inhibited LPS activated inflammasome activation by targeting NLRP3/P38/Caspase-1 signaling. Interestingly, LPS reduced dendritic spines numbers, expression of BDNF and synaptic related markers including PSD95, snap25, and synaptophysin were improved by ibrutinib treatment in the hippocampal area of the mice brain.
Conclusion

In conclusion, our finding suggested that ibrutinib could alleviate neuroinflammation and synaptic defects, rendering its antidepressant potential against LPS induced neuroinflammation and depression.
Targeting high risk forest goers for malaria elimination: A novel approach for investigating forest malaria to inform program intervention in Vietnam
Authors: Canavati Sara E. , Kelly Gerard C. , Quintero Cesia E. , Vo Thuan Huu , Tran Long Khanh , Ngo Thang Duc , Tran Duong Thanh , Edgel Kimberly A. , Martin Nicholas J.
Published: June 2020

BackgroundA major threat to the global malaria elimination agenda is the emergence of multi-drug resistant malaria in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). Within the GMS, individuals known to frequent remote forest locations remain a priority high-risk population group that fall outside the reach of traditional village-centered interventions, presenting operational challenges for malaria programs. In Vietnam, over 60% of malaria cases are thought to be individuals who sleep in forests or on farms. New malaria elimination strategies are needed in countries where mobile and migrant workers frequently sleep outside of their homes. This study aimed to characterize common risk behaviors and location-specific settings of remote forest and farm sleeping sites in Vietnam.MethodsA cross-sectional study using novel targeted reactive investigative approaches at remote area sleeping sites was conducted in three mountainous communes in Phu Yen province in 2016. Index cases were defined as individuals routinely sleeping in forests or farms who had tested positive for malaria. Index cases and non-infected neighbors from forest and farm huts within 500m of the established sleeping locations of index cases were interviewed in person at their remote-area sleeping sites.ResultsA total of 307 participants, 110 index cases and 197 neighbors, were enrolled. Among 93 participants who slept in the forest, index cases were more likely to make >5 trips to the forest per year (POR 7.41, 95% CI 2.66–20.63), sleep in huts without walls (POR 44.00, 95% CI 13.05–148.33), sleep without mosquito nets (POR 2.95, 95% CI 1.26–6.92), and work after dark (adjusted POR 5.48, 95% CI 1.84–16.35). Among 204 farm-based respondents a significantly higher proportion of index cases were involved in non-farming activities (logging) (POR 2.74, 95% CI 1.27–5.91).ConclusionUnique approaches applied in this study provided key data to inform the development of targeted and appropriate location-specific malaria elimination interventions for priority high-risk population groups that are traditionally difficult to access.
Nomograms Predicting Long-Term Overall Survival and Cancer-Specific Survival in Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Cui Chi , Duan Yaru , Li Rui , Ye Hua , Wang Peng , Wan Didi , Shi Jianxiang , Zhang Jianying
Published: June 2020

Background

This study aims to evaluate the clinicopathological characteristics of metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and develop nomograms to predict their long-term overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS).
Methods

Information on metastatic HCC from 2010 to 2015 was retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program of the National Cancer Institute. The metastatic HCC patients were divided into a long-term survival (LTS) group and a short-term survival (STS) group with 1 year selected as the cut-off value. Then, we compared the demographic and clinicopathological features between the two groups. Next, all patients were randomly divided into a training group and validation group at a 7:3 ratio. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify potential predictors for OS and CSS in the training group, and nomograms of OS and CSS were established. These predictive models were further validated in the validation group.
Results

A total of 2163 patients were included in the current study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients with characteristics including lower T stage and N stage; treatment with surgery, radiation or chemotherapy; no lung metastasis; and AFP negative status showed better survival. The concordance index (C-index) of the OS nomogram was 0.72 based on 9 variables. The C-index of the CSS nomogram was 0.71 based on 8 variables.
Conclusions

These nomograms may help clinicians make better treatment recommendations for metastatic HCC patients.
Effect of Massa Medicata Fermentata on the Gut Microbiota of Dyspepsia Mice Based on 16s rRNA Technique
Authors: Zhang Xiaorui , Zhang Hongling , Huang Qinwan , Sun Jilin , Yao Renchuan , Wang Jin
Published: June 2020

Background：Massa MedicataFermentata (MMF), also known as Shenqu and Liuqu, is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating indigestion and its related disorders.This study analyzes the effect of MMF on intestinal microorganisms in dyspepsia mice based on 16S rRNA technology. Methods: We adopt a dyspepsia model of spleen deficiency, which is caused by a high-protein, high-calorie, high-fat diet. The 60 specific-pathogen free Kunming (SPF KM) mice were randomly divided into a model group (administered saline 50 ml/kg/day, n=12), an MMF group (LSQ group, administered 4.8 g/kg/day, n=12), a Jianweixiaoshi group (JWXS group, administered 2.88 g/kg/day, n=12), a Domperidone group (DP group, administered 0.006 g/kg/day, n=12), and a blank group (administered saline 50 ml/kg/day, n=12). On the seventh day of administration, the mice were fasted and deprived of water. After 24 h, take the second feces of stress defecation in mice under strict aseptic conditions and quickly transfers them to a sterile cryotube. This study comprehensively evaluates the α-diversity, β-diversity, flora abundance and composition of each group of mice's intestinal microorganisms, and their correlation with functional dyspepsia on the base of 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology. Results: After modeling, there were some dyspepsia reactions, proximal gastric relaxation reduction, and changes in intestinal microflora. Dyspepsia mice appeared dyspepsia reactions and proximal gastric relaxation reduction, characterized by a significant decrease of contents of gastrin (P <0.01) and cholinesterase (P <0.01). MMF can improve dyspepsia symptoms and promote proximal gastric relaxation. Significant intestinal flora disorders were observed in dyspepsia mice, including down-regulation of Bacteroidetes, Lactobacillus, and Prevotellaceae, up-regulation of Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Epsilonbacteraeota, Firmicutes, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, and Lachnospiraceae. MMF could alleviate intestinal microflora disturbance, and the regulation effect of MMF on Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobia, and Epsilonbacteraeota was more reliable than that of Jianweixiaoshi tables and Domperidone. The intestinal microflora may be correlated with the promote digestion of MMF.Conclusions: Overall this research explained the potential pharmacological mechanism of MMF and provided targets and direction for further research on Chinese fermentation medicine. Such research-based on high-throughput data sets can be used to interpret TCM theories and provide valuable research models and clinical medication references for TCM researchers and doctors.
Prevalence and Intensity of Urinary Schistosomiasis Among Selected People in Tulus Area, South Darfur State, Sudan
Authors: Maki A , Ali Gafar A , Hajissa Khalid
Published: June 2020

Objective: Urinary schistosomiasis is a major public health issue in Sudan. The disease is endemic in many rural communities across the country. This is a cross-sectional study conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis among selected induvial in the city of Tulus, South Darfur state, Sudan. One hundred terminal urine samples were collected and examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs using standard filtration technique.Results: A total of 100 individual were enrolled in the study with a mean (± SD) age of 17.7 ± 0.73 years. Out of them, 62 (62%) were found to be infected with Schistosoma haematobium. The statistical analysis showed significant association with gender (P = 0.043) with higher prevalence 70.9% (39/55) in female than males 51.1% (23/45). Majority of the S. haematobium infections were classified as intense infection (82%, 51/62) with egg count ≥ 50 eggs/10 ml urine, while gross haematuria was observed in 10% of urine samples. Further studies, including large sample size will be essential to assess the burden of the disease in the study area.
A Unified Gas-kinetic Scheme for Micro Flow Simulation Based on Linearized Kinetic Equation
Authors: Liu Chang , Xu Kun
Published: June 2020

The flow regime of micro flow varies from collisionless regime to hydrodynamic regime according to the Knudsen number. On the kinetic scale, the dynamics of micro flow can be described by the linearized kinetic equation. In the continuum regime, hydrodynamic equations such as linearized Navier-Stokes equations and Euler equations can be derived from the linearized kinetic equation by the Chapman-Enskog asymptotic analysis. In this paper, based on the linearized kinetic equation we are going to propose a unified gas kinetic scheme scheme (UGKS) for micro flow simulation, which is an effective multiscale scheme in the whole micro flow regime. The important methodology of UGKS is the following. Firstly, the evolution of microscopic distribution function is coupled with the evolution of macroscopic flow quantities. Secondly, the numerical flux of UGKS is constructed based on the integral solution of kinetic equation, which provides a genuinely multiscale and multidimensional numerical flux. The UGKS recovers the linear kinetic solution in the rarefied regime, and converges to the linear hydrodynamic solution in the continuum regime. An outstanding feature of UGKS is its capability of capturing the accurate viscous solution even when the cell size is much larger than the kinetic kinetic length scale, such as the capturing of the viscous boundary layer with a cell size ten times larger than the particle mean free path. Such a multiscale property is called unified preserving (UP) which has been studied in \cite{guo2019unified}. In this paper, we are also going to give a mathematical proof for the UP property of UGKS.
Excessive abdominal fat content indicates poor prognosis in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Authors: Bao Li , Wang Yutong , Cheng Xiaoguang , Chu Bin , Lu Minqiu , Shi Lei , Cheng Kebin
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Obesity has been identified as risk factor for multiple myeloma (MM). Various indexes of body fat compartment make it difficult to assess the value of body fat compartment in predicting prognosis in MM patients.Methods: 36 newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients underwent abdominal CT pre-chemotherapy, and 72 matched healthy people were included. Total fat area (TFA), visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous fat area (SFA) were measured from T12 to S1 and analyzed at six slices of vertebral interfaces. The level of adiponectin was also detected.Results: NDMM patients had larger TFA, VFA and SFA while significantly lower plasma adiponectin than healthy people. The percentage of bone marrow plasma cells was significantly inversely correlated with SAT, but positively correlated with VFA/SFA. A significant inverse correlation was observed between the high-risk cytogenetic abnormality gain 1q21 and VFA. SFA and VFA/SFA had a significant effect on treatment responses.Conclusions: NDMM patients had higher abdominal fat content but lower adipokine levels than healthy people. Excessive subcutaneous fat might be a predictive factor for high tumor burden and poor treatment response. Visceral fat content may be correlated with high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities. However, further investigation in larger samples is necessary to verify this association.
Res-WGAN: Image Classification for Plant Small-scale Datasets
Authors: Jiaqi Mi , xia Hao , Si Yang , Xiande Yang , Wanlin Gao , Minzan Li , Lihua Zheng , Wang Minjuan
Published: June 2020

Background: Artificial identification of rare plants is an important yet challenging problem in plant taxonomy. Although deep learning-based method can accurately predict rare plant category from training samples, accuracy requirements of only few experts are satisfied due to the small sample size. Thus, effective data augmentation is vital to improve the expressive power and robustness of deep learning models, especially for plant small-sample classification tasks. Different from traditional methods, a generative adversarial network (GAN) can mimic the distribution of primary data and produce similar but nonidentical samples. Data augmentation for automated classification of rare plant samples with GAN has not been studied for a long time. Result: In this study, we present a novel GAN model, referred to as residual Wasserstein GAN (Res-WGAN), for extending rare plant dataset efficiently. With a premise of minimized size of training parameters, residual block serves as elementary building block to increase the model’s expression ability. A loss function based on Wasserstein distance with gradient penalty is used to ensure diversity of output. Moreover, we draw on the super-resolution GAN (SRGAN) and consider perceptual loss into the function. Perceptual loss guarantees similarity between generated samples and original samples in high-dimensional features. Benefiting from these improvements, the expanded dataset improves the classification accuracy on the residual neural network (ResNet), a classic convolutional neural network, and restrains the overfitting phenomenon effectively by using transfer learning. More similar experiments are presented in this paper to prove the practicality of the model. Conclusions: Our proposed method produces better diversity and sharpness of generated samples and more accurate classification results than other data augmentation methods. In addition, a user study confirms that it is an ideal alternative strategy for small-scale rare plant identification. Developing a robust and effective small-scale plant classification method to replace expert testimony is highly relevant for agricultural automation development.
Association between intraoperative administration of dexamethasone and survival after curative resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Yan Fang , Chen Gang , Xie Jingdun , Zhou Huaqiang , Xing Wei , Li Qiang , Zeng Weian , Chen Dongtai
Published: June 2020

Background: Few studies have suggested the correlation between intraoperative dexamethasone and oncological outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with radical resection. The existing data are inconsistent and inadequate, and more evidence is needed. We therefore undertook a propensity-matched cohort study to investigate the correlation.Methods: 832 patients with stage I to IIIa NSCLC who went through lung tumor resection between January 2008 and December 2013 were enrolled in our study. Propensity-score matching analysis created a population of 260 patients in the non-DEX group and 130 patients in the DEX group. Cox regression analyses were applied to compare the disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) between patients who did not and did receive dexamethasone in the propensity score-matched cohort, as well as in the certain patients with high-risk factors of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).Results: After propensity score matching, intraoperative dexamethasone was not significantly associated with DFS (HR: 0.944, 95%CI: 0.720-1.237, P = 0.655) and OS (HR: 1.210, 95%CI: 0.927-1.581, P = 0.486). Multivariable cox regression analysis revealed that intraoperative dexamethasone was not independent prognostic factor for DFS and OS in NSCLC patients undergoing surgical resection. In the subgroup analysis, including female subgroup, nonsmoking subgroup, long anesthetic time subgroup, VATS subgroup and inhaled anesthetics subgroup, intraoperative dexamethasone was not significantly associated with DFS and OS.Conclusion: There was no correlation between intraoperative administration of dexamethasone and survival in NSCLC patients after curative surgery. In the high-risk subgroups of PONV, that is, female, nonsmoking, long anesthetic time, VATS and inhaled anesthetics, patients given intraoperative dexamethasone had no better or poorer prognosis compared with patients not given intraoperative dexamethasone.
Community and Health Care Providers Perception on Quality of Private Sector Outpatient Malaria Care in North West Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Argaw Mesele Damte , Mavundla Thandisizwe Redford , Gidebo Kassa Daka
Published: June 2020

Malaria is one of the most important public health problems in Ethiopia contributing to significant patient morbidity and mortality. Prompt diagnosis and effective malaria case management-through public, private and community health facilities has been one of the key malaria prevention, control and elimination strategies. The objective of this study was to evaluate perceptions of adult malaria patients and healthcare provider on quality of malaria management at private sector outpatient facilities. An exploratory, descriptive, contextual, qualitative research methodology was conducted with 101 participants (i.e. 33 in-depth interviews and ten Focus Group Discussions with 68 discussants). All interview and Focus Group Discussions were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using eight steps of Tesch (1990). During data analysis a single theme, two categories and six sub categories were emerged, namely (1) Perceived quality of malaria management at outpatient facilities; (a) essential resources ; (a1) safe outpatient services; (a2) antimalarial drugs and supplies; (a3) health workers; (b) factors influencing service utilization ; (b1) Physical accessibility; (b2) “Art of care’’; and (b3) efficient malaria diagnosis and treatment services. Finally, enhancing good governance and stewardship of the public sector to tap the potential of private sector, build the service providers capacity and empowering the community on seeking early medical and safety were recommended.
Increased acquired protease inhibitor drug resistance mutations in minor HIV-1 quasispecies from infected patients suspected of failing on national second-line therapy in South Africa
Authors: Obasa Adetayo Emmanuel , Ambikan Anoop T , Gupta Soham , Neogi Ujjwal , Jacobs Graeme Brendon
Published: June 2020

Background: HIV-1C has been shown to have a greater risk of virological failure and reduced susceptibility towards boosted protease inhibitors (bPIs), a component of second-line combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in South Africa. This study entailed an evaluation of HIV-1 drug resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) among minor viral populations through high-throughput sequencing genotypic resistance testing (HTS-GRT) in patients suspected of failing on the South African national second-line cART regimen with bPIs.Methods: During 2017 and 2018, 67 patient samples were selected, of which 56 samples were successfully analyzed. All patients were receiving bPIs as part of their cART. Viral RNA was extracted, and complete pol genes were amplified and sequenced using Illumina HiSeq2500, followed by bioinformatics analysis to quantify the RAMs according to the Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Database.Results: Statistically significantly (p<0.001) higher PI RAMs were observed in minor viral quasispecies (25%; 14/56) compared to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (11%; 6/56), non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (9%; 5/56) and integrase inhibitor RAM (4%; 2/56). The majority of the drug resistance mutations in the minor viral quasispecies were observed in the V82A mutation (n=13) in protease and K65R (n=5), K103N (n=7) and M184V (n=5) in reverse transcriptase.Conclusions: HTS-GRT improved the identification of PI and reverse transcriptase inhibitor (RTI) RAMs in second-line cART patients from South Africa compared to the conventional GRT with ≥20% used in Sanger-based sequencing. Several RTI RAMs, such as K65R, M184V or K103N and PI RAM V82A, were identified in <20% of the population. Deep sequencing could be of greater value in detecting acquired resistance mutations early.
Prognostic value of a five-lncRNA signature in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC)
Authors: Zhang Lan , Li Pan , Xing Chenju , Zhu Di , Zhang Jianying , Wang Weiwei , Jiang Guozhong
Published: June 2020

Background
The aim of this study was to identify prognostic long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and develop a multi-lncRNA signature for suvival prediction in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
Methods
The clinical and gene expression data from Gene Expression Omnibus database (GSE53624, n = 119) were obtianed as training set. A total of 98 paired ESCC tumor and normal tissues were detected by RNA sequencing and used as test set. Another 84 ESCC tissues were used for real-time quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR) and as an independent validation cohort. Survival analyses, Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier analysis were performed.
Results
We screened a prognostic marker of ESCC from the GSE53624 dataset and named it as the five-lncRNA signature including AC007179.1, MORF4L2-AS1, RP11-488I20.9, RP13-30A9.2, RP4-735C1.6, which could classify patients into high- and low-risk groups with significantly different survival(median survival: 1.75 years vs. 4.01 years, log rank P < 0.05). Then test dataset and validation dataset confirmed that the five-lncRNA signature can determine the prognosis of ESCC patients. Predictive independence of the prognostic marker was proved by multivariable Cox regression analyses in the three datasets (P < 0.05). In addition, the signature was found to be better than TNM stage in terms of prognosis.
Conclusion
The five-lncRNA signature could be a good prognostic biomarker for ESCC patients and has important clinical value.
Validation of Coronal Mass Ejection Arrival-time Forecasts by Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations Based on Interplanetary Scintillation Observations
Authors: Iwai Kazumasa , Shiota Daikou , Tokumaru Munetoshi , Fujiki Ken'ichi , Den Mitsue , Kubo Yûki
Published: June 2020

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) cause various disturbances of the space environment; therefore, forecasting their arrivaltime is very important.However,forecasting accuracy is hindered by limited CME observations in interplanetary space. This study investigates the accuracy of CME arrivaltimesat the Earth forecasted by three-dimensional(3D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations based on interplanetary scintillation (IPS) observations. In this system, CMEs are approximated as spheromakswith various initial speeds. TenMHD simulations with different CME initial speed are tested, and the density distributions derived from each simulation run are compared with IPS data observed by the Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research (ISEE), Nagoya University.The CME arrivaltime of the simulation run that most closelyagrees with the IPS data is selected as the forecasted time. We then validate the accuracy of this forecast using 12 halo CME events. The average absolute arrival-time error of theIPS-based MHD forecast is approximately 5.0 h, which is one of the most accurate predictions that ever been validated, whereasthat of MHD simulations without IPS data, in which the initial CME speed isderived from white-light coronagraph images, is approximately6.7 h. This suggests that the assimilation of IPS data into MHD simulations can improve the accuracy of CME arrival-time forecasts. The average predicted arrivaltimes are earlier than the actual arrival times. These early predictions may be duetooverestimation of the magnetic field included in the spheromak and/or underestimation of the drag force from the background solar wind, the latter of which could be related to underestimation of CME size or background solar wind density.
Aspergillus Flavus Induced Oxidative Stress and Immunosuppressive Activity in Spodoptera Litura As Well As Safety for Mammals
Authors: Kaur Mandeep , Chadha Pooja , Kaur Sanehdeep , Kaur Amarjeet
Published: June 2020

In an attempt to find toxicity of Aspergillus flavus in insects, Spodoptera litura was treated with A.flavus ethyl acetate extract and toxicity was assessed by analyzing the effect of fungal extract on antioxidant and cellular immune defense. In antioxidant defense, the lipid peroxidation (Malondialdehyde content) and antioxidant enzymes activities (Catalase, Ascorbate peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase) were examined. In cellular immune defense, effect of A. flavus extract was analyzed on haemocytes using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Ethyl acetate extract of A. flavus was administrated to the larvae of S.litura using artificial diet method having concentration 1340.84µg/ml (LC50 of fungus). The effect was observed using haemolymph of insect larvae for different time intervals (24, 48, 72 and 96). In particular, Malondialdehyde content and antioxidant enzymes activities were found to be significantly (p≤0.05) increased in treated larvae as compared to control. A. flavus ethyl acetate extract also exhibit negative impact on haemocytes having major role in cellular immune defense. Various deformities were observed in different haemocytes like cytoplasmic leakage and surface abnormalities etc. Furthermore, mammalian toxicity was analyzed with respect to DNA damage induced in treated rat relative to control. Genotoxicity on rat was assessed using different tissues of rat (blood, liver, and kidney) by comet assay. Non-significant effect of A. flavus extract was found in all the tissues (blood, liver, and kidney). Overall the study provides important information regarding the oxidative stress causing potential and immunosuppressant nature of A. flavus against S. litura and its non toxicity to mammals (rat).
HIV and Development of Epithelial Cell Abnormalities in Women with Prior Normal Cervical Cytology in Nigeria
Authors: Musa Jonah , Mehta Supriya D. , Achenbach Chad J. , Evans Charlesnika T. , Jordan Neil , Magaji Francis A. , Pam Victor C. , Daru Patrick H. , Silas Olugbenga , Sagay Atiene S. , Anorlu Rose , Zheng Yinan , Maiga Mamoudou , Adewole Isaac F. , Murphy Robert L. , Hou Lifang , Simon Melissa A.
Published: June 2020

Background HIV-associated cellular immune dysfunction has been linked to higher risk of cervical dysplasia and cancer in HIV infected women. We sought to understand the relationship between HIV and development of epithelial cell abnormalities (ECA) at follow-up in women with prior normal cervical cytology (NCC).Methods Retrospective cohort analysis of women who received a Pap test at the Operation Stop Cervical Cancer Unit in Jos, Nigeria over a 10-year period (2006–2016). We analyzed the data of women with NCC at first Pap who had at least one follow-up cytology result for time-to-detection of ECA. We determined follow-up time in years from date of first NCC to date of first ECA report or date of last NCC follow up report with censoring at last follow-up date or December 31st, 2016 whichever came first. The primary outcome was development of any ECA as defined by the Bethesda 2001 reporting system. We identified demographic and clinical factors associated with incident ECA using multivariable Cox regression.Results A total of 1,599 women were eligible for this analysis. Overall, 3.7% (57/1,556) of women reported being HIV infected. The median age at first Pap was 39 years (IQR; 33–45). The HIV infected women were younger (36.3 ± 8.1) compared to those uninfected (39.3 ± 6.6), p = 0.005. After an accrued follow-up time of 3,809 person-years, 243 women (15%) had an ECA with an event rate of 6.38 per 100 person-years (PYs). Women ≥ 35 years at first Pap were more likely to have an ECA compared to those < 35 years (7.5 per 100 PYs vs 3.8 per 100 PYs, HR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.4, 2.8). HIV was not significantly associated with developing ECA in either unadjusted (7.4 per 100 PYs vs 6.4 per 100 PYs, HR = 1.17; 95% CI: 0.53, 2.3) or adjusted analyses (aHR = 1.78; 95% CI: 0.87, 3.65).Conclusion Women with HIV on successful antiretroviral treatment may not have a differential hazard in the development of ECA during follow up after a prior normal Pap. Offering a repeat CCS to women who are 35 years or older irrespective of HIV status is likely an effective strategy in resource limited settings.
SARM1 promotes neuroinflammation and inhibits neural regeneration after spinal cord injury
Authors: Liu Huitao , Zhang Jingjing , Xu Xingxing , Yang Danlu , Xie Changnan , Jia Mengxian , Zhang Wenbin , Shen Xiya , Jin Lingting , Lu Sheng , Li Fayi , Wang Wangfei , Bao Xiaomei , Li Sijia , Zhu Minyu , Wang Wei , Wang Ying , Huang Zhihui , Teng Honglin
Published: June 2020

Background

Axonal degeneration is a common pathological feature in many acute and chronic neurological diseases such as spinal cord injury (SCI). SARM1 (sterile alpha and TIR motif containing 1), the fifth TLR (Toll-like receptor) adaptor, has diverse functions in the immune and nervous systems, and recently has been identified as a key mediator of Wallerian degeneration (WD). However, the detailed functions of SARM1 after SCI still remain unclear.
Methods

Modified Allen’s method was used to establish a contusion model of SCI in mice. Furthermore, to address the function of SARM1 after SCI, mice that SARM1 was conditionally knockout (CKO) in the central nervous system (CNS), namely SARM1Nestin-CKO mice, were successfully generated. And to explore the potential of clinical application, FK866, an inhibitor of SARM1, was used to further verify the phenomenon and mechanism.
Results

We found that SARM1 was mainly detected in neurons and was upregulated in neurons at early stage after SCI. And SARM1Nestin-CKO mice displayed normal development of the spinal cords and motor function. Interestingly, conditional deletion of SARM1 in neurons promoted the recovery of behavior performance after SCI. Mechanistically, conditional deletion of SARM1 in neurons promoted neuronal regeneration at intermediate phase after SCI, and reduced neuroinflammation at SCI early phase, which may through downregulation of NF-κB signaling after SCI. Finally, FK866 reduced neuroinflammation and promoted neuronal regeneration after SCI.
Conclusion

Our results indicate that SARM1-mediated prodegenerative pathway and neuroinflammation promotes the pathological progress of SCI and anti-SARM1 therapeutics are a viable and promising approach for preserving neuronal function after SCI.