bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ketogenic diet may influence cardiac function among children with epilepsy
Authors: Wang Juan , Jiang Li , Liu Fang Yong , Sun Ni , Guo Yi
Published: October 2020

Background: The ketogenic diet (KD) is an effective therapy for children with intractable epilepsy. Dyslipidemia is a complication of the KD, and a negative marker of cardiovascular function. However, there is growing interest in the protective effects of KD on the cardiovascular system. To examine the negative and positive effects of the KD on cardiovascular function, the present prospective study aimed to assess lipid profiles and cardiac functions among patients with intractable epilepsy who were on the KD.Methods: Lipid levels were examined at the baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the KD was initiated. Color Doppler imaging was used to assess ventricular systolic and diastolic functions at the baseline and at 3 months after KD initiation.Results: There were no statistically significant changes in blood lipid levels. Unexpectedly, cardiac systolic function (p=0.03 for ejection fraction and 0.01 for fractional shortening ) improved significantly, and diastolic function (p=0.04 for E/A) decreased.Conclusion: The KD may have positive effects on cardiac systolic function among children with epilepsy. In the future, further laboratory and clinical studies will be needed to elucidate the mechanism by which KD influences cardiovascular function.
WITHDRAWN: An Analysis of Long-Term Outcomes in Patients with Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Treated by Chemoradiation with Reference to the Additional Performance of Hysterectomy Due to Emergency Vaginal Bleeding or Hemorrhage.
Authors: Lewandowska Agnieszka , Wicherek Lukasz , Koper Krzysztof , Szubert Sebastian , Terlikiewicz Joanna , Panek Grzegorz , Cwynar Marlena , Roszak Andrzej , Warenczak-Florczak Zaneta
Published: October 2020

AimStandard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer patients (LACC) consists of chemoradiation followed by vaginal brachytherapy. However, many patients with LACC surgery undergo surgical treatment with hysterectomy during comprehensive cancer treatment. The aim of the present study has been to analyze the survival data of those who underwent hysterectomy due to vaginal bleeding or hemorrhage prior to definitive chemoradiation. Materials and methodsThe study group included 35 patients with stage IIB (according to the FIGO classification) cervical cancer who received chemoradiation following salvage hysterectomy performed because of severe bleeding. The control group consisted of 44patients with stage IIB cervical cancer treated with primary chemoradiation without completion hysterectomy. ResultsThe median period for patient follow-up was 100 months. We did not observe inferior survival rates among the patients treated with salvage hysterectomy prior to chemoradiation compared to those treated with chemoradiation alone (P=0.77). The 5-year survival rate for patients treated with initial surgery was 62% compared to 61% for those treated with primary chemoradiation. Six (17%) patients from the group treated with hysterectomy experienced severe adverse events. ConclusionWhen hysterectomy due to vaginal bleeding or hemorrhage in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer is performed prior to chemoradiation, it may have curative significance and provide some overall survival benefit.
Insulin-like 3 Affects Zebrafish Spermatogenic Cells Directly and via Sertoli Cells
Authors: Crespo Diego , Assis Luiz , Zhang Yu Ting , Safian Diego , Furmanek Tomasz , Skaftnesmo Kai Ove , Norberg Birgitta , Ge Wei , Choi Yung-Ching , Broeder Marjo den , Legler Juliette , Bogerd Jan , Schulz Rüdiger
Published: October 2020

Pituitary hormones can use local signaling molecules to regulate target tissue functions. In adult zebrafish testes, follicle-stimulating hormone (Fsh) strongly increases the production of insulin-like 3 (Insl3), a Leydig cell-derived growth factor found in all vertebrates. Little information is available regarding Insl3 function in adult spermatogenesis. The Insl3 receptors Rxfp2a and 2b were expressed by type A spermatogonia and Sertoli and myoid cells, respectively, in zebrafish testis tissue. Loss of insl3 increased germ cell apoptosis in males starting at 9 months of age, but spermatogenesis appeared normal in fully fertile, younger adults. Insl3 changed the expression of 409 testicular genes. Among others, retinoic acid (RA) signaling was up- and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (Pparg) signaling was down-regulated. Follow-up studies showed that RA and Pparg signaling mediated Insl3 effects, resulting in the increased production of differentiating spermatogonia. This suggests that Insl3 recruits two locally active nuclear receptor pathways to implement pituitary (Fsh) stimulation of spermatogenesis.
Long Non-coding RNA SPRY4-IT1 as a Promising Indicator for Three Field Lymph-node Dissection of Thoracic Esophageal Carcinoma
Authors: Qie Peng , Yin Qifan , Xun Xuejiao , Song Yongbin , Zhou Shaohui , Liu Huining , Feng Junpeng , Tian Ziqiang
Published: October 2020

Backgroup：Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) is one of the most common tumors worldwide. Esophagectomy with three-field lymph node dissection(3FLND) is the radical surgical procedure for esophageal cancer. However, 3FLND is not widely used due to it’s higher mortality rate and higher incidence of postoperative complications. There is an urgent need to identify novel biomarkers that can guide the most proper lymph-node dissection in esophageal cancer patients.Method：Ninety-two patients with thoracic ESCC undergoing 3FLND were enrolled into our study from the Department of Thoracic Surgery of the Fourth Hospital affiliated to the Hebei Medical University and Hebei General Hospital between Jun 2011 and Dec 2015. Retrospectively collected data from these 92 patients was used to explore the relationship between the lymph-node metastasis、recurrence and the SPRY4-IT1 expression level and to determine whether 3FLND should be performed in patients with thoracic ESCC. Results: The findings revealed that the SPRY4-IT1 expression was significantly higher in esophageal cancer tissues than in adjacent noncancerous tissues. (P<0.01). Furthermore, the high expression of SPRY4-IT1 was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation (P=0.029), T classification (P=0.013), lymph node metastasis(P=0.022) and pathological stage (P=0.001). The increased expression of SPRY4-IT1 was associated with a higher risk of cervical and superior mediastinal lymph-node metastasis(P = 0.039).However, no significant association was observed between the risk of cervical and superior mediastinal lymph-node recurrence and the SPRY4-IT1 expression level in the thoracic ESCC patients performed 3FLND(P=0.509). Conclusions: Our data support the assumption that the high expression of SPRY4-IT1 is associated with a high risk of lymph node metastasis and it has potential application as a indicator for guiding on three-field lymph node dissection in patients with thoracic ESCC. Randomized controlled trials with a large cohort of patients will be needed to confirm this conclusion in the future.
Job-Sharing Charge Storage in a Mixed Ion/Electron Conductor Electrode towards Ultrafast Na Storage
Authors: Wang Haihua , Zhang Jing , Zhang Jiliang , Lau Vincent Wing-hei , Lee Gi-Hyeok , Zhang Kai , Park Mihui , Fang Liang , Kang Yong-Mook
Published: October 2020

For the cathode materials potentially available for high power capability, reducing their particle size can improve the bulk ionic conductivity due to reduced ion diffusion length, and exploiting new reaction mechanism must be fundamentally advantageous. However, other issues such as synthesis difficulty, poor charge storage stability, and capacity decay can emerge. To simultaneously address these issues, in this work, we first find solid-solid interfacial storage for the ultrafine insertion cathode materials in the space-charge region of a mixed ion/electron conductor through the so-called “job-sharing” mechanism. This mechanism shows that electrons and ions can be stored in the different phases around the interface and transport only inside there, which looks thermodynamically distinct from most of conventional charge storage mechanisms in terms of the relationship between charge storage and cell voltage. The insertion cathodes governed by the “job-sharing” mechanism thus exhibit the outstanding performances with high capacity, fast kinetics, and stable cyclability. Herein, the inverse conceptual compositing between ionic conductor and electronic conductor to harness the size effect offers a potential research direction for not only electrode design in high-power batteries, but also other electrochemical potential applications such as solid-state electrolytes and so on.
Effectiveness of Self-Instructional Module (SIM) on Knowledge Regarding Cancer of Cervix and Its Prevention Among Married Women
Authors: Rajan Divya Rani , Munusamy Gomathi , Thampi Anoop , Shanmugam Ramesh
Published: October 2020

Objective: Self-Instructional Module (SIM) is the self-contained typed written instructional material about the importance and prevention of cervical cancer prepared by an investigator. Instructional material given to the study subjects after a pre-test and self-evaluate by them before the post-test. Therefore, the present work aimed to find the effectiveness of SIM regarding cancer of the cervix and its prevention among married women in India. Results: SIM administrated to 60 married women after assessing pre-test knowledge on the prevention of cancer cervix. The study showed that there was a greater increase in mean post-test knowledge score 24.92 (±2.560) compared to that of the mean pre-test knowledge score 8.65 (±3.369). The paired t-test value for overall knowledge was 30.73 with the post-test mean percentage score (83.06) was high when compared to that of the mean percentage of pre-test knowledge score (28.83).
Effects of Different Anti-hypertensive Drugs on Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19 and Hypertension in China
Authors: Shi Xia , Cao Mengli , Liu Shourong , Chen Peifen , Hu Feng , Su Zhimin , Jiang Siwei , Wang Fengxin , Zhang Yunpeng , Gao Hong , Liu Yingxia
Published: October 2020

Background and aims: Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are commonly used in the treatment of hypertension. However, it is still not clear whether there are differences among different anti-hypertensive drugs in the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and hypertension. Herein, we aimed to assess the relation between different anti-hypertensive medications and COVID-19 outcomes. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 58 hypertensive patients with COVID-19 who were treated with different anti-hypertensive drugs and reviewed the clinical data obtained from electronic medical records, including epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and the treatment and progression of the disease. Results: There was no obvious difference in clinical prognosis after using any anti-hypertensive drugs in patients with COVID-19 and hypertension, but the different anti-hypertensive drugs were associated with the use of non-invasive ventilator treatment at admission comparing two groups between ACEIs/ARBs and CCBs+ACEIs/ARBs. Conclusion: there is no evidence showing that the different use of anti-hypertensive drugs is related to outcomes of patients with COVID-19 and hypertension, even between single drug regimen and combined therapy (with at least two anti-hypertensive drugs as combined therapy).
Assessment of HCMV-encoded microRNAs in Plasma as Potential Biomarkers in Pregnant Women with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
Authors: Gao Zhiying , Zhou Likun , Bai Jing , Ding Meng , Liu Deshui , Zheng Shaohai , Li Yuewen , Li Xiulan , Wang Xiaojuan , Jin Ming , Shangting Huizi , Qiu Changchun , Wang Cheng , Zhang Xiaojie , Zhang Chenyu , Chen Xi
Published: October 2020

Background: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most frequent cause of congenital infections and can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). HCMV encodes multiple microRNAs (miRNAs) that have been reported to be partially related to host immune responses, cell cycle regulation, viral replication and viral latency, and can be detected in human plasma. However, the relevance of HCMV-encoded miRNAs in maternal plasma as an indicator for APO has never been evaluated.Methods: The expression profiles of 25 HCMV-encoded miRNAs were first measured in plasma samples from 20 pregnant women with APO and 28 normal controls by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) technology. Next, markedly changed miRNAs were validated in another independent validation set consisting of 20 pregnant women with APO and 27 control subjects. HCMV DNA in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) and anti-HCMV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and anti-HCMV immunoglobulin G (IgG) in plasma were also examined in both the training and validation sets. Diagnostic value and risk factors were compared between adverse pregnancy outcome cohorts and normal controls.Results: The analysis of training and validation data sets revealed that plasma concentrations of hcmv-miR-UL148D, hcmv-miR-US25-1-5p and hcmv-miR-US5-1 were obviously increased in pregnant women with APO compared with normal controls. Hcmv-miR-US25-1-5p presented the largest area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (0.735; 95% CI, 0.635–0.836), with a sensitivity of 68% and specificity of 71%. Furthermore, the plasma levels of hcmv-miR-US25-1-5p and hcmv-miR-US5-1 were obviously positively correlated with APO (P = 0.029 and 0.035, respectively). Nevertheless, neither the concentration of HCMV DNA in PBLs nor the positivity rates of anti-HCMV IgM and IgG in plasma showed statistically significant correlation with APO.Conclusion: We identified a unique signature of HCMV-encoded miRNAs in pregnant women with APO, which may be useful as a potential noninvasive biomarker for predicting and monitoring APO during HCMV infection.
Malonyl-Proteome Profiles of Staphylococcus Aureus Reveal Lysine Malonylation Modification in Enzymes Involved in Energy Metabolism
Authors: Shi Yanan , HUANG Aixiang , Zhu Jingjing , Xu Yan , Tang Xiaozhao , Yang Zushun
Published: October 2020

BackgroundProtein lysine malonylation, a novel post-translational modification (PTM), has been recently linked with energy metabolism in bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus is the third most important foodborne pathogen worldwide. Nonetheless, substrates and biological roles of malonylation are still poorly understood in this pathogen. ResultsUsing anti-malonyl-lysine antibody enrichment and high-resolution LC-MS/MS analysis, 440 lysine-malonylated sites were identified in 281 proteins of S. aureus strain. The frequency of valine in position -1 and alanine at +2 and +4 position was high. KEGG pathway analysis showed that six categories were highly enriched: ribosome, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), valine, leucine, isoleucine degradation, and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. In total, 31 malonylated sites in S. aureus shared homology with lysine-malonylated sites previously identified in E. coli, indicating malonylated proteins are highly conserved among bacteria. Key rate-limiting enzymes in central carbon metabolic pathways were also found to be malonylated in S. aureus, namely pyruvate kinase (PYK), 6-phosphofructokinase, phosphoglycerate kinase, dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase, and F1F0-ATP synthase. Notably, malonylation sites were found at or near protein active sites, including KH domain, thioredoxin, alanine dehydrogenase (ALD), dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (LpdA), pyruvate oxidase CidC and catabolite control protein A (CcpA), thus suggesting that lysine malonylation may affect the activity of such enzymes. ConclusionsData presented herein expand the current knowledge on lysine malonylation in prokaryotes and indicate potential roles of protein malonylation in bacterial physiology and metabolism.
The Role of Phadiatop Test and Total Immunoglobulin E in Screening Aeroallergens: A Hospital-based Cohort Study 
Authors: Chang Yun-Chen , Lee Ta-Jen , Huang Chi-Che , Chang Po-Hung , Chen Yi-Wei , Fu Chia-Hsiang
Published: October 2020

Background: To screen the existence of aeroallergens in patients with possible allergic rhinitis by venous blood becomes more popular, with advantages of more convenient and less consumption of time. The aim of this study is to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of Phadiatop test and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level examination in both adults and children groups.Methods: This study was conducted prospectively in a tertiary center. The process of recruitment took place from Jan 2015 to Dec 2019, and patients with clinical symptoms suggesting of persistent allergic rhinitis were recruited and their serum samples were collected. The results of total IgE levels, Phadiatop tests, and the positive items in the ImmunoCAP assay were recorded and analyzed.Results: Total 9174 cases with complete data were enrolled, including 576 children and 8598 adults. A positive result in the ImmunoCAP assay was defined to confirm a positive atopic status towards aeroallergens. While using the total IgE level to predict positive aeroallergens, the sensitivity and specificity were 65.7% and 85.7% for adults and 86.3% and 77.4% for children, respectively. If we applied Phadiatop test for allergy screening, the sensitivity and specificity was 94.5%, 98.2% and 98.5%, 96.8% for the adult and the pediatric group, respectively.Conclusions: Phadiatop test had a better diagnostic power for aeroallergen detection than the serum total IgE level, or even the dual test, for both the adult and pediatric groups in this hospital-based study. We suggest that the Phadiatop test is more cost-effective in aeroallergen screening for patients suspected of atopic airway diseases.
Origin of Probability in Quantum Mechanics and the Physical Interpretation of the Wave Function
Authors: Wen Shuming
Published: October 2020

The theoretical calculation of quantum mechanics has been accurately verified by experiments, but Copenhagen interpretation with probability is still controversial. To find the source of the probability, we revised the definition of the energy quantum and reconstructed the wave function of the physical particle. Here, we found that the energy quantum ê is 6.62606896 ×10-34J instead of hν as proposed by Planck. Additionally, the value of the quality quantum ô is 7.372496 × 10-51 kg. This discontinuity of energy leads to a periodic non-uniform spatial distribution of the particles that transmit energy. A quantum objective system (QOS) consists of many physical particles whose wave function is the superposition of the wave functions of all physical particles. The probability of quantum mechanics originates from the distribution rate of physical particles in a state in the QOS per unit volume at time t and near position r. Based on the revision of the energy quantum assumption and the origin of the probability, we proposed new certainty and uncertainty relationships, explained the physical mechanism of wave-function collapse and the quantum tunnelling effect, derived the quantum theoretical expression of double-slit and single-slit experiments.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Individuals With Eating Disorders: the Role of Emotion Regulation and Exploration of Online Treatment Experiences
Authors: Vuillier Laura , May L. , Greville-Harris M. , Surman R. , Moseley Rachel L
Published: October 2020

Objective: The Covid-19 pandemic has wrought disruption to everyday life and services, and emerging evidence suggests that those with eating disorders (EDs) are likely to experience marked distress and exacerbation of their symptoms. However, little is known around the most relevant factors to symptom change; whether certain emotion regulation and coping strategies are linked to better outcomes; and how people with EDs are adjusting to psychological interventions moving online. Method: In a mixed-method design, we collected qualitative and quantitative data from 207 (76 males) UK residents with self-reported ED, who described and ranked impacts of the pandemic on their symptoms. Regression analysis examined whether emotion regulation strategies were associated with self-reported symptom change, ED symptomatology, and negative emotional states. Thematic analysis explored participants’ experiences of the pandemic, particularly factors affecting their ED, coping strategies used, and experiences of psychological intervention. Results: Most participants (83.1%) reported worsening of ED symptomatology, though factors affecting symptom change differed between specific EDs. Emotion regulation, such as having fewer strategies, poorer emotional clarity, and non-acceptance of emotions, explained nearly half of the variance in emotional distress during the pandemic, and to a lesser extent also predicted ED symptomatology and symptom change. Qualitative findings indicated that difficult emotions (such as fear and uncertainty), changes to routine, confinement and unhelpful social messages were triggering for participants during the pandemic. While some participants described employing positive coping strategies (such as limiting social media exposure), many reported using ED behaviours (among other maladaptive strategies, like alcohol use) to cope with the pandemic. Finally, loss of treatment support, feeling underserving of support and experiencing a ‘detached connection’ online were further exacerbating factors for these participants. Discussion: Our results show that people with EDs have been strongly affected by the pandemic, and that while beneficial for some, online treatment may need some improvement. Our paper discusses implications for online treatment such as taking into account personal circumstances and, in a time where people have limited control over the antecedents of negative emotion, the need to develop skills to manage emotions when they arise.
Overexpression of a methyl-CpG-binding Protein Gene OsMBD707, Leads to Larger Tiller Angles and Reduced Photoperiod Sensitivity in Rice
Authors: Qu Mengyu , Zhang Zhujian , Liang Tingmin , Niu Peipei , Wu Mingji , Chi Wenchao , Chen Zi-Qiang , Chen Zai-Jie , Zhang Shubiao , Chen Songbiao
Published: October 2020

Background: Methyl-CpG-binding domain (MBD) proteins play important roles in epigenetic gene regulation, and have diverse molecular, cellular, and biological functions in plants. MBD proteins have been functionally characterized in various plant species, including Arabidopsis, wheat, maize, and tomato. In rice, 17 sequences were bioinformatically predicted as putative MBD proteins. However, very little is known regarding the function of MBD proteins in rice.Results: We explored the expression patterns of the rice OsMBD family genes and identified 13 OsMBDs with active expression in various rice tissues. We further characterized the function of a rice class I MBD protein OsMBD707, and demonstrated that OsMBD707 is constitutively expressed and localized in the nucleus. Transgenic rice overexpressing OsMBD707 displayed larger tiller angles and reduced photoperiod sensitivity—delayed flowering under short day (SD) and early flowering under long day (LD). RNA-seq analysis revealed that overexpression of OsMBD707 led to reduced photoperiod sensitivity in rice through regulating expression of key flowering regulator genes in the Ehd1-Hd3a/RFT1 pathway.Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that OsMBD707 plays important roles in rice growth and development, and should lead to further studies on the functions of OsMBD proteins in growth, development, or other molecular, cellular, and biological processes in rice.
The Dissemination of Relevant Information on Wildlife Utilization and Its Connection With Illegal Trade
Authors: Song Zhifan , Wang Qiang , Miao Zhen , Zhang Wei , Zhou Xuehong
Published: October 2020

Taking African elephant (Loxodonta africana), tiger (Panthera tigris) and totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi), whose populations are more threatened by illegal trade, as examples, this study aims to analyze the generation and dissemination mechanism of relevant information on wildlife utilization, and explore their association with illegal wildlife trade. We compared illegal wildlife trade with related information in order to find potential associations, searched for relevant information on major international websites to summarize similarities of related information production and dissemination, and used “Zhiwei” dissemination analysis platform to analyze the dissemination of information circulated at Microblog. The results show that the most influential information related to the use of wildlife is mainly generated from news media websites and new self-media platforms, mainly from non-governmental organizations concerned with wildlife protection. The main factors that affect the depth and breadth of disseminating relevant information on wildlife utilization include participation of relatively influential opinion leaders, the verification ratio of forwarding users, the number of fans, and affective commitment. Misleading information can stimulate and promote poaching and smuggling of wildlife, regardless of the real market demand for them or their products. Therefore, we should carefully examine all links in the course of information dissemination to purify the information environment and reduce the adverse effects of misleading information on wildlife protection.
Newcastle Disease Virus Induced Pathologies Severely Affect the Exocrine and Endocrine Functions of Pancreas in Chickens
Authors: Rehman Zaib Ur , Ren Shanhui , Butt Salman Latif , Anwar Muhammad Naveed , Sun Yingjie , Manzoor Zahid , Qiu Xusheng , Li Tan , Liao Ying , Song Cuiping , Liu Weiwei , Meng Chunchun , Ding Chan
Published: October 2020

Background: Newcastle disease virus (NDV) causes a highly contagious and devastating disease in poultry, Newcastle disease (ND), which is particularly characterized by extensive pathologies in the digestive, respiratory and nervous systems. ND cause heavy economic losses to the world poultry industry by decreasing growth rate, decrease egg productions, mortality and morbidity. Although, significant advances have been made in the vaccine development, but outbreaks are reported in vaccinated birds leading decrease growth rate. Methods: In this study, we report the damage caused by the NDV infection in the pancreas of vaccinated as well specific pathogen free chickens. Results: The histopathological examination of the pancreas showed sever damage in the form of partial depletion of zymogen granules, acinar cell vacuolization, necrosis, and apoptosis, congestion in the large and small vessels, sloughing of epithelial cells of pancreatic duct, and mild perivascular edema. Increased plasma levels of corticosterone, somatostatin, were observed in NDV infected chicks at 3 and 5-day post infection (DPI). Slight decrease in the plasma concentrations of the insulin were noticed at 5 DPI. Significant changes were not observed in the plasma levels of glucagon. Furthermore, NDV infection has decreases the activity and mRNA expression of amylase, lipase, and trypsin from the pancreas. Conclusion: Taken together, our findings highlight that NDV induces extensive tissue damage in pancreas, decrease the activity and expression of pancreatic enzymes and increase plasma corticosterone and somatostatin.
N-carbamylglutamate and L-arginine Supplementation Improve the Intestinal Oxidative Resistance of the Intrauterine Growth-retarded Ovine Fetuses 
Authors: Zhang Hao , Ma Yi , Wang Mengzhi , Mabrouk Elsabagh , Wang Hongrong
Published: October 2020

Background: The maternal under nutrition-induced intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is associated with intestinal oxidative injury in fetuses and neonates in various animal models. However, whether maternal dietary Arginine (Arg) and N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) supplementation during IUGR alters fetal small intestine redox status is unclear.Objective: The ovine model of IUGR was used to elucidate whether dietary supplementation of rumen-protected Arg (RP-Arg) and NCG modulates the fetal intestinal oxidative resistance via the nitric oxide (NO) -dependent pathway. Methods: On day 35 of gestation, 32 twin-bearing Hu ewes were randomly assigned into 4 treatment groups, 8 ewes each. The first and second groups received 100% (Control, CON) and 50% (restricted, RES) of NRC-recommended pregnancy nutrient requirements, respectively. The third and fourth treatment groups included the RES ewes supplemented with 20 g/day of RP-Arg (RES+ARG) or 5 g/day of NCG (RES+NCG), respectively. On day 110 of gestation, fetal blood and intestinal specimens were collected and assayed for oxidative damage biomarkers. Results: The NCG or Arg-supplemented RES ewes elevated the fetal jejunal NO concentrations and NO synthase (NOS) activity, but decreased the fetal jejunal and plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) (P < 0.05) compared with those in the RES ewes. Further, the NCG or Arg treatment increased the contents of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), heme oxygenase (HO-1), quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), claudin-1, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), epithelial NOS (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) in the fetal jejunum (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These results indicate that both NCG and Arg supplementation for RES ewes help maintain intestinal function in fetuses experiencing IUGR through modulating the oxidation status.
A Review of Diagnostic Methods and Results for HIV-associated Disseminated Histoplasmosis: Shouldn’t We be Involving Pathologists More Systematically?
Authors: Nacher Mathieu , Valdes Audrey , Adenis Antoine , Abboud Philippe , Demar Magalie , Djossou Felix , Epelboin Loic , Misslin Caroline , Blanchet Denis , Couppie Pierre , Alsibai Kinan Drak
Published: October 2020

Background. Disseminated histoplasmosis is a major killer of HIV-infected persons in Latin America. Antigen detection, fungal culture, or Polymerase Chain Reaction are often not available, but cytology and histology are usually present in most hospitals and may represent an important diagnostic alternative. In this study, we review 34 years of clinical experience to describe the respective place of cytology and histology to diagnose disseminated histoplasmosis.Methods. Between January 1st, 1981 and October 1st, 2014, a retrospective multicentric study was performed on 349 patients with confirmed disseminated histoplasmosis. Results. Whereas bone marrow was by far the most common sample taken, only 14.9% of samples were screened using cytopathology, the second most frequent sample taken was bonchoalveolar lavage for which 9.9% were subjected to cytopathological analysis, and finally spinal fluid for which 16.4% were subjected to cytopathological analysis. The samples most systematically sent to pathology were liver biopsies, lower digestive tract, and lymphnode biopsies and the most contributive in terms of positive results were lower digestive tract (72.9% positives), lymph node (66.1%), and liver (50.7%). 97.2% of bone marrow samples were subjected to direct examination by the mycologist, the second most frequent sample taken was bronchoalveolar lavage for which 97% were subjected to direct examination. Positive direct examination was independently associated with death (aHR=1.5 (95%CI=1-2.2), and positive pathology was associated with less mortality ((aHR=0.66 (95%CI=0.44-1). Conclusions. Opportunities for a rapid diagnosis were regularly missed, notably for bone marrow samples which could have been examined using complementary staining methods to those of mycologist.
Factors Associated With Women’s Exposure to Mass Media for Health Care Information in Ethiopia. A Case-control Study
Authors: Gashu Kassahun Dessie , Yismaw Ayenew Engida , Gessesse Dereje Nibret
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Mass media are often essential to communicate health messages. Women’s exposure to mass media remained low in Ethiopia. Evidence was scarce on underlined factors for enhancing women’s exposure to mass media. Objective: This study aimed to assess factors associated with women’s exposure to mass media in Ethiopia. Methods: The study was a secondary data analysis of the Ethiopian demographic and health survey 2016. A case-control study applied with frequency matching by place of residence and women’s educational levels using a 1:1 ratio. A total of 9885 participants (4824 cases and 5061 controls) were involved in the study. Cases were women who had exposure and controls were who did not have exposure to mass media. Women’s exposure to mass media is defined as the total number of women aged 15-49 who report exposure to either radio, television, newspapers, or magazines at least once a week. Logistic regressions analysis was conducted and the level of statistical significance was determined by a p-value of less than 0.05to identify factors associated with women’s exposure to mass media.Result: Being in Women’s age group 30-34 years (AOR=1.19,95% C.I:1.04-1.35), having own mobile phones (AOR=1.92,95% C.I:1.71-2.15), women ever used internet (AOR=1.56,95% C.I:1.13-2.13), Women in the female-headed household (AOR=0.76,95%C.I:0.68-0.86),Women in middle (AOR=1.48,95%C.I:1.25-1.76), richer (AOR=2.13,95%C.I:1.82-2.49) and richest (AOR=2.67,95% C.I:2.22-3.21) wealth index, and women visited by health care provider (AOR=1.41,95% C.I:1.17-1.71) were factors affecting women’s exposure to mass media.Conclusion: Women’s access to mobile phones, internet, and care provider counseling were facilitating factors for exposure to mass media. Younger age women, lower wealth quantile, and female headship in the household were risk factors for the non-exposure of women to mass media. Empowering household wealth and improving access to ICT could improve women’s exposure to mass media.
WITHDRAWN: The Prevalence of Insomnia Symptoms and Its Association With Quality of Life Among Clinically Stable Older Patients With Psychiatric Disorders in China During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Authors: Xu Xiuying , Li Wen , Zou Siyun , Li Yulong , Wang Huan , Yan Xiaona , Du Xiang-Dong , Zhang Lan , Zhang Qinge , Cheung Teris , Ungvari Gabor S. , Xiang Yu-Tao
Published: October 2020

Aims: The negative impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on sleep quality of clinically stable psychiatric patients is unknown. This study examined the prevalence of insomnia symptoms and its association with quality of life (QOL) in clinically stable older psychiatric patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional study involved older patients attending maintenance-treatment at the outpatient departments of four major psychiatric hospitals in China. Patients’ basic socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. Insomnia symptoms, depressive symptoms, and QOL were assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and two items of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-brief version (WHOQOL-BREF), respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the independent associations of socio-demographic and clinical variables with insomnia symptoms, while the association between insomnia symptoms and QOL was examined with analysis of covariance.Results: A total of 941 patients were recruited. The prevalence of insomnia symptoms was 57.1% (95% CI: 53.9-60.2%). Analysis of covariance revealed that QOL was significantly lower in patients with insomnia symptoms compared to those without them (P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that insomnia symptoms were positively and independently associated with more severe depressive symptoms (P<0.01, OR=1.31, 95%CI: 1.26-1.37). Compared to patients with major depressive disorder, those with other psychiatric diagnoses had significantly higher prevalence of insomnia symptoms (P=0.03, OR=1.47, 95%CI: 1.02-2.12).Conclusions: Insomnia symptoms were common among clinically stable older psychiatric patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. Considering their negative impact on QOL, regular assessment and treatment of insomnia symptoms need to be addressed in this population.
In silico analysis suggests the RNAi-enhancing antibiotic enoxacin as a potential inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Ahmadi Amirhossein , Moradi Sharif
Published: October 2020

COVID-19 has currently become the biggest challenge in the world. There is still no specific medicine for COVID-19, which leaves a critical gap for the identification of new drug candidates for the disease. Recent studies have reported that the small-molecule enoxacin exerts an antiviral activity by enhancing the RNAi pathway. The aim of this study is to analyze if enoxacin can exert anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects. We exploit multiple computational tools and databases to examine (i) whether the RNAi mechanism, as the target pathway of enoxacin, could act on the SARS-CoV-2 genome, and (ii) microRNAs induced by enoxacin might directly silence viral components as well as the host cell proteins mediating the viral entry and replication. We find that the RNA genome of SARS-CoV-2 is a suitable substrate for DICER activity. We also highlight several enoxacin-enhanced microRNAs which could target SARS-CoV-2 components, pro-inflammatory cytokines, host cell components facilitating viral replication, and transcription factors enriched in lung stem cells, thereby promoting their differentiation and lung regeneration. Finally, our analyses identify several enoxacin-targeted regulatory modules that were critically associated with exacerbation of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall, our analysis suggests that enoxacin could be a promising candidate for COVID-19 treatment through enhancing the RNAi pathway.
Development and Preliminary Evaluation of Chinese School-aged Children’s Eating Behavior Scale
Authors: Zhang Hao , Jiang Xun , Zhang Yu-Hai , Yuan Jing , Tan Zhi-Jun , Xu Tong , Shang Lei
Published: October 2020

Background: The objective of this study was to develop a scale to assess eating behaviors of school-aged children (6-12 years old) in China. Methods: To develop the scale, we reviewed the literature and conducted qualitative interviews. The draft scale contained 115 items and went through three evaluations among three groups of caregivers (n = 140, 400, 700) selected from suburban and urban kindergartens in Xi’an, Hanzhong, and Yanan, China, from March 2017 to October 2018. The psychometric properties of the score were assessed using exploratory, confirmatory factor analysis, and variability analysis. Results: The final scale consisted of 46 items across 8 dimensions including food fussiness, satiety responsiveness, food responsiveness, bad eating habits, susceptible diet, restrained eating, enjoyment of food, and junk food addiction. The total cumulative variance contribution rate was 52.16%. The scale dimensions and Cronbach’s α coefficients, Guttman split-half reliability, and test- retest reliability were all above 0.65. The fitting indices for the confirmatory factor analysis were all close to 1. The scores for education of caregiver, family structure, and the body mass index of children were different among dimensions and groups, thus suggesting good discriminative utility. Conclusions: All the results indicated that the scale has good reliability and construct validity for evaluating the eating behaviors of school-aged children in China.
Socioeconomic Disparities of Low Birth Weight in Rural Indonesia
Authors: Laksono Agung Dwi , Wulandari Ratna Dwi , Matahari Ratu
Published: October 2020

Background: Poverty is estimated to increase a mother's chances of giving birth to a low birth weight baby (LBW). Objective: This study aimed to analyze the socioeconomic disparities of LBW in rural Indonesia.Methods: Mother aged 15-49 years old who had given birth in the last 5 years in rural Indonesia was used as the unit of analysis. With stratification and multistage random sampling found 19,283 mothers were sampled. The variables analyzed included LBW, socioeconomic, age, marital, education, employment, and antenatal care (ANC). The binary logistic regression test was used at the final stage to determine the existence of disparities.Results: The results show that the mother with the poorer wealth status was 0.686 times more likely than the poorest mother to give birth to an LBW baby. Mothers with middle wealth status were 0.688 times more likely than the poorest mothers to give birth to LBW babies. Mothers with richer wealth status were 0.621 times more likely than the poorest mothers to give birth to LBW babies. Finally, the richest mothers were 0.452 times more likely than the poorest mothers to give birth to LBW babies. The results of this analysis inform that the better the socioeconomic of mothers, the lower the likelihood of giving birth to LBW babies. Apart from socioeconomics, the analysis also found two other predictors of LBW in rural Indonesia, namely education level and ANC visits.Conclusion: It was concluded that there were socioeconomic disparities of LBW in rural Indonesia.
Increased aperiodic gamma power in young boys with Fragile X Syndrome is associated with better language ability
Authors: Wilkinson Carol , Nelson Charles A
Published: October 2020

Background: The lack of identified clinical biomarkers in Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited form of intellectual disability, has limited the successful translation of bench-to-bedside therapeutics. While numerous drugs have shown promise in reversing synaptic and behavioral phenotypes in mouse models of FXS, none have demonstrated clinical efficacy in humans. Electroencephalographic (EEG) measures have been identified as candidate biomarkers as EEG recordings of both adults with FXS and mouse models of FXS consistently exhibit increased resting-state gamma power. However, the developmental timing of these EEG differences is not known as thus far EEG studies have not focused on young children with FXS. Further, understanding how EEG differences are associated to core symptoms of FXS is crucial to successful use of EEG as a biomarker, and may improve our understanding of the disorder. Methods: Resting-state EEG was collected from FXS boys with full mutation of Fmr1 (32-84 months old, n=11) and compared with both age-matched (n=12) and cognitive-matched (n=12) typically developing boys. Power spectra (including aperiodic and periodic components) were compared using non-parametric cluster-based permutation testing. Associations between 30-50Hz gamma power and cognitive, language, and behavioral measures were evaluated using Pearson correlation and linear regression with age as a covariate. Results: FXS participants showed increased power in the beta/gamma range (~25-50Hz) across multiple brain regions. Both a reduction in the aperiodic (1/f) slope and increase in beta/gamma periodic activity contributed to the significant increase in high-frequency power. Increased gamma power, driven by the aperiodic component, was associated with better language ability in the FXS group. No association was observed between gamma power and parent report measures of behavioral challenges, sensory hypersensitivities, or adaptive behaviors. Limitations: The study sample size was small, although comparable to other human studies in rare-genetic disorders. Findings are also limited to males in the age range studied. Conclusions: Resting-state EEG measures from this study in young boys with FXS identified similar increases in gamma power previously reported in adults and mouse models. The observed positive association between aperiodic gamma power and language supports hypotheses that alterations in some EEG measures may reflect ongoing compensation.
Contributions of traffic and industrial emission reductions to the air quality improvement after the lockdown of Wuhan and neighboring cities due to COVID-19
Authors: Feng Xiaoxiao , Zhang Xiaole , He Cenlin , Wang Jing
Published: October 2020

Wuhan was locked down from January 23rd to April 8th, 2020 to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Both the public and private transportations in Wuhan and its neighboring cities in Hubei Province were suspended or restricted, and the manufacturing industry was partially shut down. This study collected and investigated the ground monitoring data to prove that the lockdowns of the cities had significant influences on the air quality in Wuhan. The combined Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) and Community Multiscale Air Quality Modeling System model (CMAQ) was used to evaluate the emission reduction from transportation and industry sectors and associated air quality impact. The results show that the emission from the transportation and industry sector reduced after the lockdown, while the emission from the industry sector reduced further after February 9th. The reduction rate of pollutant concentration was 9.7%, 9.0%, 2.2%,18.4% and 13.4% from transportation, and was 48.5%, 50.0%, 63.8%, 65.6% and 40.8% from industry for PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2 and CO, respectively, compared to the ‘business as usual’ case during January and February in Wuhan. The industry shut down contributed significantly more to the pollutant reduction than the restricted transportation.
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in healthcare workers at a frontline hospital in Tokyo
Authors: FUKUDA Hiroshi , SEYAMA Kuniaki , ITO Kanami , HORI Satoshi , WAKITA Mitsuru , SAITO Kaori , SHIDA Yuka , NAGURA Rie , HASEGAWA Mayu , KANEMOTO Chiaki , TOKUHARA Mayumi , OKAJIMA Katsunobu , YOSHIKAWA Yukio , KATSUTA Narimasa , YAMAMOTO Takamasa , AI Tomohiko , IDEI Mayumi , MISAWA Shigeki , NAITO Toshio , MIIDA Takashi , SATO Hiroyuki , HATTORI Nobutaka , TABE Yoko , TAKAHASHI Kazuhisa
Published: October 2020

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are highly exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in HCWs working in a frontline hospital in Tokyo, Japan. In this observational cohort study, screening was offered to agreed HCWs, including medical, nursing, and others, as part of a mandatory health checkup. The screening test results and clinical characteristics of the participants were recorded. The antibody seroprevalence among the 4,147 participants screened from July 6 to August 21 2020, was 0.34 % (14/4,147). There was no significant difference in seroprevalence between frontline HCWs with a high exposure risk and HCWs in other settings with a low exposure risk. Of those seropositive for SARS-CoV-2, 64% (9/14) were not aware of any symptoms and had not previously been diagnosed with COVID-19. In conclusion, this study provides insights into the extent of infection and immune status in HCWs in Japan, which has a relatively low prevalence of COVID-19.