bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time to Change’s social marketing campaign for a new target population: results from 2017 to 2019
Authors: González-Sanguino Clara , Potts Laura C. , Milenova Maria , Henderson Claire
Published: December 2019

Background

Since 2009 Time to Change has included among its strategies a social marketing campaign to tackle the stigma surrounding mental health problems. At the start of its third phase (2016–2021) the target group of the campaign was kept as people aged between mid-twenties and mid-forties but changed to middle-low income groups and the content was focused on men.

Methods

Participants (n = 3700) were recruited through an online market research panel, before and after each burst of the campaign. They completed an online questionnaire evaluating knowledge (Mental Health Knowledge Schedule, MAKS); attitudes (Community Attitudes toward Mental Illness, CAMI); and desire for social distance (Intended Behaviour subscale of the Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale, RIBS). Socio-demographic data and awareness of the campaign were also collected.

Results

For each of the 3 bursts, significant pre-post awareness differences were found (OR = 2.83, CI = 1.90–4.20, p < 0.001; OR = 1.72, CI = 1.22–2.42, p = 0.002; OR = 1.41, CI = 1.01–1.97, p = 0.043),

and awareness at the end of the third burst was 33%. Demographic factors associated with awareness for one or more bursts included having children, familiarity with mental illness, male sex, being Black, Asian or other ethnic minorities and living in London or the East Midlands regions. An improvement across bursts in the “living with” subscale item of the RIBS, and in the “recover” and “advice to a friend” MAKS items were found. Familiarity with mental illness had the strongest association with all outcome measures, while the awareness of the campaign was also related with higher scores in MAKS and RIBS.

Conclusions

These interim results suggest that the campaign is reaching and having an impact on its new target audience to a similar extent as did the TTC phase 1 campaign. While over the course of TTC we have found no evidence that demographic differences in stigma have widened, and indeed those by age group and region of England have narrowed, those for socioeconomic status, ethnicity and sex have so far remained unchanged. By targeting a lower socioeconomic group and creating relatively greater awareness among men and in Black and ethnic minority groups, the campaign is showing the potential to address these persistent differences in stigma.
HAND2-AS1 inhibits invasion and metastasis of cervical cancer cells via microRNA-330-5p-mediated LDOC1
Authors: Chen Shengcai , Wang Jing
Published: December 2019

Background

Cervical cancer is a serious disease with complicated pathogenesis and thus there is an urgent need to find novel targets for the treatment. Recently, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as critical factors in tumorigenesis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mechanism of HAND2 antisense RNA 1 (HAND2-AS1) on the invasion and metastasis of cervical cancer cells.

Methods

The expression patterns of HAND2-AS1, microRNA-330-5p (miR-330-5p) and leucine zipper down-regulated in cancer 1 (LDOC1) in cervical cancer were characterized by RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. Dual luciferase reporter assay and RIP were applied to verify relationship between HAND2-AS1, miR-330-5p and LDOC1. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to detect the subcellular localization of HAND2-AS1. Besides, viability, invasion and migration ability of HeLa cells were investigated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays respectively. Hematoxylin–eosin staining was performed for lymph node metastasis detection. In addition, the tumor growth in nude mice was evaluated.

Results

Low expression of HAND2-AS1 and LDOC1, and high expression of miR-330-5p were detected in cervical cancer tissues and cells. It was found that binding of HAND2-AS1 to miR-330-5p results in upregulation of LDOC1 expression. Also, overexpressed HAND2-AS1 and LDOC1 or down-regulated miR-330-5p inhibited expression of proliferation-associated proteins Ki-67, PCNA, migration-associated proteins N-cad and invasion-related proteins MMP-2, MMP-9 as well as lymph node metastasis. Moreover, HAND2-AS1 inhibited tumor formation and lymph node metastasis by binding to miR-330-5p in vivo.

Conclusion

HAND2-AS1 promotes LDOC1 expression by competitively binding to miR-330-5p and consequently inhibiting cervical cancer cell invasion and metastasis. This could facilitate development of therapeutic strategies against cervical cancer.
miR-100-3p inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in human gastric cancer through targeting to BMPR2
Authors: Peng Chun-Wei , Yue Ling-Xiao , Zhou Yuan-Qin , Tang Sai , Kan Chen , Xia Lei-Ming , Yang Fan , Wang Si-Ying
Published: December 2019

Background

miR-100 has been reported to closely associate with gastric cancer (GC) initiation and progression. However, the underlying mechanism of miR-100-3p in GC is still largely unclear. In this study, we intend to study how miR-100-3p regulates GC malignancy.

Methods

The expression levels of miR-100-3p in vitro (GES-1 and GC cell lines) and in vivo (cancerous and normal gastric tissues) were examined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). MTT and PE/Annexin V analyses were responsible for measurement of the effects of miR-100-3p on GC cell proliferation and apoptosis. Transwell assay with or without matrigel was used to examine the capacity of migration and invasion in GC cells. The interaction of miR-100-3p with bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) was confirmed through transcriptomics analysis and luciferase reporter assay. qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses were applied to determine the expression of ERK/AKT and Bax/Bcl2/Caspase3, which were responsible for the dysfunction of miR-100-3p.

Results

miR-100-3p was down-regulated in GC cell lines and cancerous tissues, and was negatively correlated with BMPR2. Loss of miR-100-3p promoted tumor growth and BMPR2 expression. Consistently, the effects of miR-100-3p inhibition on GC cells were partially neutralized by knockdown of BMPR2. Over-expression of miR-100-3p simultaneously inhibited tumor growth and down-regulated BMPR2 expression. Consistently, over-expression of BMPR2 partially neutralized the effects of miR-100-3p over-expression. Further study demonstrated that BMPR2 mediated the effects downstream of miR-100-3p, which might indirectly regulate ERK/AKT and Bax/Bcl2/Caspase3 signaling pathways.

Conclusion

miR-100-3p acted as a tumor-suppressor miRNA that down-regulated BMPR2, which consequently inhibited the ERK/AKT signaling and activated Bax/Bcl2/Caspase3 signaling. This finding provided novel insights into GC and could contribute to identify a new diagnostic and therapeutic target.
RAD51 is a potential marker for prognosis and regulates cell proliferation in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Zhang Xiaomeng , Ma Ningyi , Yao Weiqiang , Li Shuo , Ren Zhigang
Published: December 2019

Background

The DNA damage and repair pathway is considered a promising target for developing strategies against cancer. RAD51, also known as RECA, is a recombinase that performs the critical step in homologous recombination. RAD51 has recently received considerable attention due to its function in tumor progression and its decisive role in tumor resistance to chemotherapy. However, its role in pancreatic cancer has seldom been investigated. In this report, we provide evidence that RAD51, regulated by KRAS, promotes pancreatic cancer cell proliferation. Furthermore, RAD51 regulated aerobic glycolysis by targeting hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF1α).

Methods

TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) dataset analysis was used to examine the impact of RAD51 expression on overall survival of pancreatic cancer patients. Lentivirus-mediated transduction was used to silence RAD51 and KRAS expression. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analysis validated the efficacy of the knockdown effect. Analysis of the glycolysis process in pancreatic cancer cells was also performed. Cell proliferation was determined using a CCK-8 (Cell Counting Kit-8) proliferation assay.

Results

Pancreatic cancer patients with higher levels of RAD51 exhibited worse survival. In pancreatic cancer cells, RAD51 positively regulated cell proliferation, decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increased the HIF1α protein level. KRAS/MEK/ERK activation increased RAD51 expression. In addition, RAD51 was a positive regulator of aerobic glycolysis.

Conclusion

The present study reveals novel roles for RAD51 in pancreatic cancer that are associated with overall survival prediction, possibly through a mechanism involving regulation of aerobic glycolysis. These findings may provide new predictive and treatment targets for pancreatic cancer.
Deletion of low-density lipoprotein-related receptor 5 inhibits liver Cancer cell proliferation via destabilizing Nucleoporin 37
Authors: Chen Jinxiao , Wo Da , Ma En , Yan Hongwei , Peng Jun , Zhu Weidong , Fang Yong , Ren Dan-ni
Published: December 2019

Background

LRP5/6 are co-receptors in Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Recently, we discovered multiple β-catenin independent functions of LRP5/6 in tumor cells and in the diseased heart. Nucleoporin 37 (NUP37) is an important component of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), whose elevated expression is associated with worsened prognosis in liver cancer. Previous studies have shown that NUP37 interacted with YAP and activated YAP/TEAD signaling in liver cancer. Our preliminary findings showed a nuclear location of LRP5. We thus tested the hypothesis that LRP5 may act as a genuine regulator of YAP/TEAD signaling via modulating NUP37 in a β-catenin-independent way.

Methods

We performed siRNA knockdown of LRP5, LRP6, or β-catenin in liver cancer HepG2 cells to determine the effect on tumor cell proliferation. Protein expressions and interaction between LRP5 and NUP37 were determined using immunoprecipitation and western blot analyses.

Results

HepG2 cell proliferation was markedly inhibited by knockdown of LRP5 but not LRP6 or β-catenin, suggesting that LRP5 has a specific, β-catenin-independent role in inhibiting HepG2 cell proliferation. Knockdown of NUP37 by siRNA inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells, whereas overexpression of NUP37 reversed the decrease in cell proliferation induced by LRP5 knockdown. Immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that LRP5 bound to NUP37. Furthermore, LRP5 overexpression restored NUP37 knockdown-induced downregulation of YAP/TEAD pathway.

Conclusions

LRP5 deletion attenuates cell proliferation via destabilization of NUP37, in a β-catenin-independent manner. LRP5 therefore acts as a genuine regulator of YAP/TEAD signaling via maintaining the integrity of the NPC, and implicates a therapeutic strategy in targeting LRP5 for inhibiting liver cancer cell proliferation.
Oncologic and visual outcomes after postoperative proton therapy of localized conjunctival melanomas
Authors: Thariat Juliette , Salleron Julia , Maschi Celia , Fevrier Edouard , Lassalle Sandra , Gastaud Lauris , Baillif Stephanie , Claren Audrey , Baumard Florent , Herault Joel , Caujolle Jean Pierre
Published: December 2019

Introduction

conjunctival melanomas have high local relapse rates. Oncologic and visual outcomes can be improved with proton therapy and no-touch surgery.

Material and methods

a monocentric retrospective study of consecutive patients treated with surgery and proton therapy for conjunctival melanoma was conducted. Proton therapy was performed to a total dose of 45 Grays physical dose delivered in eight fractions over two weeks.

Results

Ninety-two patients were included. The mean age was 63-year-old. 65.2% of patients had primary acquired melanosis. The mean tumor thickness and diameter was 2.5 mm and 7.0 mm respectively. The clinical stage was T1 in 71.6% of cases, with a quadrangular involvement of more than 90° in 69% of cases. Conjunctival melanomas were of epithelioid cell-type in 40% of cases. Mean follow-up was 4.7 years. Five-year local failure rate was 33.2%. Of 25 local recurrences, 14 were marginal/out-of-field, 4 in-field, others were undetermined. First surgery at expert center resulted in 24.3% of local failure at 5 years versus 38.7% if performed elsewhere (p = 0.41). Salvage exenteration was performed in 13 patients. Tumor stage and quadrangular involvement were significant factors for local failure. Five-year progression-free survival and cause-specific death rates were 61.5 and 3.6%. Stage and epithelioid type were associated with poorer progression-free survival. Trophic toxicity occurred in 22.9% of patients and was treated locally, with grafts in 7 patients. Glaucoma and cataract occurred in 13 and 22 patients respectively. Prognostic factors for visual deterioration were age, tumor extent (multifocality, quadrangular involvement > 180°) and cryotherapy.

Conclusions

5-year local failure rate after postoperative proton therapy for conjunctival melanoma was of 33.2%. Radiation-induced complications were overall manageable.
Comparison of the dose on specific 3DCT images and the accumulated dose for cardiac structures in esophageal tumors radiotherapy: whether specific 3DCT images can be used for dose assessment?
Authors: Tong Ying , Gong Guanzhong , Su Ming , Yin Yong
Published: December 2019

Background

Cardiac activity could impact the accuracy of dose assessment for the heart, pericardium and left ventricular myocardium (LVM). The purpose of this study was to explore whether it is possible to perform dose assessment by contouring the cardiac structures on specific three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) images to reduce the impact of cardiac activity.

Methods

Electrocardiograph-gated 4DCT (ECG-gated 4DCT) images of 22 patients in breath-hold were collected. MIM Maestro 6.8.2 (MIM) was used to reconstruct specific 3DCT images to obtain the Maximal intensity projection (MIP) image, Average intensity projection (AIP) image and Minimum intensity projection (Min-IP) image. The heart, pericardium and LVM were contoured in 20 phases of 4DCT images (0, 5%... 95%) and the MIP, AIP and Min-IP images. Then, a radiotherapy plan was designed at the 0% phase of the 4DCT images, and the dose was transplanted to all phases of 4DCT to acquire the dose on all phases, the accumulated dose of all phases was calculated using MIM. The dose on MIP, AIP and Min-IP images were also obtained by deformable registration of the dose. The mean dose (Dmean), V5, V10, V20, V30 and V40 for the heart, pericardium and LVM in MIP, AIP and Min-IP images were compared with the corresponding parameters after dose accumulation.

Results

The mean values of the difference between the Dmean in the MIP image and the Dmean after accumulation for the heart, pericardium and LVM were all less than 1.50 Gy, and the dose difference for the pericardium and LVM was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). For dose-volume parameters, there was no statistically significant difference between V5, V10, and V20 of the heart and pericardium in MIP, AIP, and Min-IP images and those after accumulation (p > 0.05). For the LVM, only in the MIP image, the differences of V5, V10, V20, V30 and V40 were not significant compared to those after dose accumulation (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

There was a smallest difference for the dosimetry parameters of cardiac structures on MIP image compared to corresponding parameters after dose accumulation. Therefore, it is recommended to use the MIP image for the delineation and dose assessment of cardiac structures in clinical practice.
Posterior percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy combined with the vertical anchoring technique for lumbar disc herniation with distant upward migration
Authors: Xia Yu , Zhang Qiongyue , Gao Xiang , Wang Keran , Zhang Xun , Du Yu , Chen Liang
Published: December 2019

Background

Posterior percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) has become a preferred procedure for the treatment of simple lumbar disc herniation (LDH) but has rarely been reported for distant upward migration. The purpose of this research was to investigate the feasibility, safety, clinical efficacy and technical points of posterior PELD combined with the vertical anchoring technique (VAT) for the treatment of LDH with distant upward migration.

Methods

Thirteen patients with distant upward migrated LDH who underwent posterior PELD combined with the VAT from March 2016 to May 2018 were selected. Among these cases, the herniated disc was located at L3/4 in 2 patients, L4/5 in 9 patients and L5/S1 in 2 patients. The operative time, length of hospital stay and postoperative complications were recorded. The visual analogue score (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores and modified MacNab criteria were used to assess surgical efficacy.

Results

All 13 patients underwent successful surgery. We compared the VAS, ODI and JOA scores before and after surgery. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). According to the modified MacNab criteria, 10 patients were assessed as “excellent”, 2 patients were assessed as “good” and 1 patient was assessed as “fair” at the last follow-up. The rate of satisfactory outcomes was 92.3%.

Conclusion

Posterior PELD combined with the VAT is a safe and feasible procedure for the treatment of LDH with distant upward migration and represents a new approach for this type of surgery.
Clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular findings of isodicentric Y chromosomes
Authors: Yang Yang , Hao Wang
Published: December 2019

Background

Isodicentric Y chromosomes [idic(Y)] are one of the most common structural abnormalities of the Y chromosome. The prenatal diagnosis of isodicentric Y chromosomes is of vital importance, and the postnatal phenotypes vary widely. Therefore, we present six patients prenatally diagnosed with isodicentric Y chromosomes and review the literature concerning the genotype-phenotype correlations.

Method

The clinical materials of six patients were obtained. Cytogenetic and molecular approaches were carried out for these six patients.

Results

Isodicentric Y chromosomes were found in all sixpatients. Among them, four patients presented with a mosaic 45,X karyotype, one patient had a 46,XY cell line, and one patient was nonmosaic. Five of these six isodicentric Y chromosomes had a breakpoint in Yq11.2, and the other had a breakpoint in Yp11.3. The molecular analysis demonstrated different duplications and deletions of the Y chromosome. Finally, three patients chose to terminate the pregnancy, two patients gave birth to normal-appearing males, and one patient was lost to follow-up.

Conclusion

The incorporation of multiple cytogenetic and molecular techniques would offer a more comprehensive understanding of this structural chromosomal abnormality for genetic counselling.
A multi-etiological model of childhood obesity: a new biobehavioral perspective for prevention?
Authors: Valerio Giuliana , Bernasconi Sergio
Published: December 2019

Current prevention strategies focusing only around the energy balance model have been found insufficient to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic. Originating from the paper by Baranowski et al., recently published in Current Nutrition Report, this Commentary is aimed at discussing the complex etiology of obesity, on the ground of new biological models, which open a novel biobehavioral perspective of prevention.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic pain in multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial protocol
Authors: Ehde Dawn M. , Alschuler Kevin N. , Day Melissa A. , Ciol Marcia A. , Kaylor Makena L. , Altman Jennifer K. , Jensen Mark P.
Published: December 2019

Background

Chronic pain is one of the most prevalent and disabling symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Individuals with MS are interested in nonpharmacologic pain management approaches. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is efficacious in improving MS-related pain outcomes. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is a promising, alternative approach. Little is known about moderators of these treatments’ outcomes, however. This article describes the study protocol for the first randomized controlled trial comparing MBCT, CBT, and usual care and examining treatment effect moderators in individuals with chronic pain and MS.

Methods

We will conduct a single-center, randomized, single blind, parallel-group trial comparing MBCT, CBT, and usual care in adults with MS and chronic pain. Both interventions will be delivered via eight group sessions using videoconferencing technology. Primary (average pain intensity) and secondary outcomes (including pain interference, depressive symptoms, fatigue, and sleep) will be assessed pre-treatment, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and at 6-month follow up. Potential treatment moderators will be assessed pre-treatment. We hypothesize that participants randomly assigned to MBCT or CBT will report significantly greater reductions in average pain intensity than participants assigned to usual care at post-treatment (primary study endpoint) and 6-month follow up. We also hypothesize that mindfulness, pain catastrophizing, and behavioral activation pre-treatment will moderate response to both active treatments, but not response to usual care.

Discussion

Findings will provide important new information about the efficacy and moderators of two nonpharmacologic pain management approaches delivered using technology to overcome common barriers to treatment access. The knowledge gained may lead to better patient-treatment matching and, ultimately, better pain treatment outcomes in MS.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov,NCT03782246. Registered on 20 December 2018.
The effect of daily consumption of different doses of fortified Lavash bread versus plain bread on serum vitamin-D status, body composition, metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers, and gut microbiota in apparently healthy adult: study protocol of a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Tangestani Hadith , Djafarian Kurosh , Shab-Bidar Sakineh
Published: December 2019

Background

Due to the high prevalence of vitamin-D deficiency worldwide and its health consequences, intervention studies at the community level are warranted. The present study has been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin-D-fortified bread on serum vitamin-D levels, inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers, and gut microbiota composition in vitamin-D-deficient individuals.

Methods/design

A double-blind, randomized controlled clinical trial is conducted on apparently healthy individuals with vitamin-D deficiency. The random allocation is done to divide participants into intervention groups including daily intake of vitamin-D-3-fortified bread (FB) with 500 IU/100 g bread (n = 30), FB with 1000 IU/100 g bread (n = 30), and 100 g plain bread (PD) (n = 30). At baseline and after 3 months of the intervention period, blood, stool, and urine samples are taken. Anthropometric measures, body composition, blood pressure, and dietary assessment are made. The gut microbiome composition is measured by the 16S rRNA approach. Data is analyzed by SPSS software version 21.

Discussion

This study may partly explain for the first time the conflicting results from recent critical and systematic reviews regarding the role of vitamin D in microbiota composition.

Trial registration

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), ID: IRCT20170812035642N3. Registered on 11 March 2018; http://www.irct.ir/user/trial/28134/view.
Use of a smartphone app combined with gamification to increase the level of physical activity of adults and older adults: protocol of a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial
Authors: Morais Pereira Simões Maria do Socorro , de Barros Gonze Bárbara , Leite Proença Neli , Tonon Lauria Vinicius , Demarchi Silva Terra Vinícius , da Costa Padovani Ricardo , Zuniga Dourado Victor
Published: December 2019

Background

There is scientific evidence suggesting that app-based interventions targeted to increase the level of physical activity might be effective, although multicomponent interventions appear to be more effective than app-based interventions alone. Despite the motivating results, it remains unclear whether or not app-based interventions can increase the level of physical activity and cardiovascular health. Our study aims to investigate the effect of a smartphone app combined with gamification on the level of physical activity of adults and older adults. The specific aims are (1) to verify the effects of the intervention on cardiometabolic and cardiovascular health, lung function, and cardiorespiratory fitness; and (2) to verify the relationship between age group and the response rate.

Methods/design

We will conduct a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART). The adaptive intervention protocol will last 6 months. After baseline assessments, participants will be randomized into one of three groups (group 1: app + tailored messages; group 2: app + tailored messages + gamification I; control group: physical activity counseling). For 12 weeks, we will record the average number of steps per day of participants from groups 1 and 2. At 6 weeks from initiation of recording, participants will be classified into responders and non-responders according to their increase in the average number of daily steps; all those considered as non-responders will be re-randomized, with the chance to participate in a third group – group 3: app + tailored messages + gamification II. Finally, at 12 weeks, participants will continue using the app but will no longer receive direct intervention from investigators. All participants will be reassessed at 3 and 6 months from baseline. Our pilot SMART will require 42 participants (14 per arm). Following the SMART pilot, we will calculate the sample size for the trial based on the variation of the average number of steps/day, including an up to 40% loss to follow-up and a less optimistic nonresponse rate of 65%.

Discussion

To our knowledge, this will be the first trial with adaptive intervention to test the effectiveness of using a smartphone app to increase the level of physical activity of adults and older adults.

Trial registration

Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry: RBR-8xtc9c. Registered on 3 August 2018, http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br; UTN number: U1111–1218-1092.
The BrainACT study: acceptance and commitment therapy for depressive and anxiety symptoms following acquired brain injury: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rauwenhoff Johanne , Peeters Frenk , Bol Yvonne , Van Heugten Caroline
Published: December 2019

Background

Following an acquired brain injury, individuals frequently experience anxiety and/or depressive symptoms. However, current treatments for these symptoms are not very effective. A promising treatment is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which is a third-wave behavioural therapy. The primary goal of this therapy is not to reduce symptoms, but to improve psychological flexibility and general well-being, which may be accompanied by a reduction in symptom severity. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of an adapted ACT intervention (BrainACT) in people with acquired brain injury who experience anxiety and/or depressive symptoms.

Methods

The study is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, two-arm parallel trial. In total, 94 patients who survive a stroke or traumatic brain injury will be randomized into an ACT or control (i.e. psycho-education and relaxation) intervention. The primary outcome measures are the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale. Outcomes will be assessed by trained assessors, blinded to treatment condition, pre-treatment, during treatment, post-treatment, and at 7 and 12 months.

Discussion

This study will contribute to the existing knowledge on how to treat psychological distress following acquired brain injury. If effective, BrainACT could be implemented in clinical practice and potentially help a large number of patients with acquired brain injury.

Trial registration

Dutch Trial Register, NL691, NTR 7111. Registered on 26 March 2018. https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6916.
The OMACS-PIL study: a randomised controlled trial within the OMACS observational study
Authors: Culliford Lucy , Brierley Rachel , Clout Madeleine , Evans Rebecca , Maishman Rachel , Phillips Dawn , Tabusa Hana , Reeves Barney , Rogers Chris A.
Published: December 2019

Background

There has been little research to investigate whether the appearance of paper patient information leaflets (PILs) used to describe research studies to potential participants influences their decision to take part. Embedding a study within a trial (SWAT) is an efficient way of answering this type of methodological question. We included a randomised SWAT within a large cohort study, Outcome Monitoring after Cardiac Surgery (OMACS), to address this question.

Methods

Potential participants for the OMACS study were randomised to receive one of three PILs, which were identical in content but with varying formatting and use of colour: PIL A (enhanced format), PIL B (hybrid format) and PIL C (standard format). Consent to OMACS was the primary outcome. Consent rates using the three different PIL formats were collected and compared. Qualitative feedback on the different formats was obtained from a public and patient involvement (PPI) group.

Results

For the SWAT, 1517 PILs were sent to potential participants, of whom 640 (42%) consented to take part in OMACS. PIL B had the highest recruitment rate, with 45% of patients consenting to participation; 40% and 41% of patients consented to participation after receiving PILs A and C, respectively. Compared to PIL C, the consent rate was 4% higher with PIL B (45% versus 41%, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2% to + 10%, p = 0.16) and 1% lower with PIL A (40% versus 41%, 95% CI − 7% to + 5%, p = 0.72).

Conclusions

Consent rates were similar for all three PIL formats. PIL B is being used for the remainder of the host study and will be used to inform the design of PILs for other research studies, as it was the preferred format of the PPI group.

Trial registration

International Clinical Trials Registry, ISRCTN90204321. Registered on 21 January 2015.
Correction to: Efficiency and safety of renal denervation via cryoablation (Cryo-RDN) in Chinese patients with uncontrolled hypertension: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Chen Han , Ji Meng , Zhang Yi , Xu Yawei , Qiao Lingjuan , Shen Li , Ge Junbo
Published: December 2019

After publication of our article [1] we were notified that the word “References” was wrongly included in the title.
Deletion of Atg22 gene contributes to reduce programmed cell death induced by acetic acid stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Hu Jingjin , Dong Yachen , Wang Wei , Zhang Wei , Lou Hanghang , Chen Qihe
Published: December 2019

Background

Programmed cell death (PCD) induced by acetic acid, the main by-product released during cellulosic hydrolysis, cast a cloud over lignocellulosic biofuel fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and became a burning problem. Atg22p, an ignored integral membrane protein located in vacuole belongs to autophagy-related genes family; prior study recently reported that it is required for autophagic degradation and efflux of amino acids from vacuole to cytoplasm. It may alleviate the intracellular starvation of nutrition caused by Ac and increase cell tolerance. Therefore, we investigate the role of atg22 in cell death process induced by Ac in which attempt is made to discover new perspectives for better understanding of the mechanisms behind tolerance and more robust industrial strain construction.

Results

In this study, we compared cell growth, physiological changes in the absence and presence of Atg22p under Ac exposure conditions. It is observed that disruption and overexpression of Atg22p delays and enhances acetic acid-induced PCD, respectively. The deletion of Atg22p in S. cerevisiae maintains cell wall integrity, and protects cytomembrane integrity, fluidity and permeability upon Ac stress by changing cytomembrane phospholipids, sterols and fatty acids. More interestingly, atg22 deletion increases intracellular amino acids to aid yeast cells for tackling amino acid starvation and intracellular acidification. Further, atg22 deletion upregulates series of stress response genes expression such as heat shock protein family, cell wall integrity and autophagy.

Conclusions

The findings show that Atg22p possessed the new function related to cell resistance to Ac. This may help us have a deeper understanding of PCD induced by Ac and provide a new strategy to improve Ac resistance in designing industrial yeast strains for bioethanol production during lignocellulosic biofuel fermentation.
Screening for functional IRESes using α-complementation system of β-galactosidase in Pichia pastoris
Authors: Huang Yide , Zhang Yafei , Li Suhuan , Lin Ting , Wu Jingwen , Lin Yao
Published: December 2019

Background

Pichia pastorisis becoming a promising chassis cell for metabolic engineering and synthetic biology after its whole genome and transcriptome sequenced. However, the current systems for multigene co-expression inP. pastorisare not efficient. The internal ribosome entry site (IRES) has an ability to recruit the ribosome to initiate protein synthesis by cap-independent translation manner. This study seeks to screen IRES sequences that are functional inP. pastoris, which will allowP. pastoristo express multiple proteins in a single mRNA and increase its efficacy as a platform for metabolic engineering and synthetic biology.

Results

In order to efficiently screen the IRES sequences, we first set out to create a screening system usingLacZgene. Due to the cryptic transcription of theLacZgene, we established the α-complementation system of β-galactosidase inP. pastoriswith the optimum length of the α-complementing peptide at ~ 92 amino acids. The optimal α-complementing peptide was then used as the second reporter to screen IRESes in the engineered GS115 expressing the corresponding ω-peptide. A total of 34 reported IRESes were screened. After ruling out all false positive or negative IRESes, only seven IRESes were functional inP. pastoris, which were from TEV, PVY, RhPV, TRV, KSHV, crTMV viruses and the 5′-UTR of theYAP1gene ofS. cerevisiae.

Conclusions

We showed here that α-complementation also works inP. pastorisand it can be used in a variety of in vivo studies. The functional IRESes screened in this study can be used to introduce multiple genes intoP. pastorisvia a prokaryotic-like polycistronic manner, which provided new efficient tools for metabolic engineering and synthetic biology researches inP. pastoris.
Two-year longitudinal survey reveals high genetic diversity of Schistosoma mansoni with adult worms surviving praziquantel treatment at the start of mass drug administration in Uganda
Authors: Faust Christina L. , Crotti Marco , Moses Arinaitwe , Oguttu David , Wamboko Aidah , Adriko Moses , Adekanle Elizabeth K. , Kabatereine Narcis , Tukahebwa Edridah M. , Norton Alice J. , Gower Charlotte M. , Webster Joanne P. , Lamberton Poppy H. L.
Published: December 2019

Background

A key component of schistosomiasis control is mass drug administration with praziquantel. While control interventions have been successful in several endemic regions, mass drug administration has been less effective in others. Here we focus on the impact of repeated praziquantel treatment on the population structure and genetic diversity of Schistosoma mansoni.

Methods

We examined S. mansoni epidemiology, population genetics, and variation in praziquantel susceptibility in parasites isolated from children across three primary schools in a high endemicity region at the onset of the Ugandan National Control Programme. Children were sampled at 11 timepoints over two years, including one week and four weeks post-praziquantel treatment to evaluate short-term impacts on clearance and evidence of natural variation in susceptibility to praziquantel.

Results

Prevalence of S. mansoni was 85% at baseline. A total of 3576 miracidia larval parasites, isolated from 203 individual children, were genotyped at seven loci. Overall, genetic diversity was high and there was low genetic differentiation, indicating high rates of parasite gene flow. Schistosome siblings were found both pre-treatment and four weeks post-treatment, demonstrating adult worms surviving treatment and natural praziquantel susceptibility variation in these populations at the beginning of mass drug administration. However, we did not find evidence for selection on these parasites. While genetic diversity decreased in the short-term (four weeks post-treatment), diversity did not decrease over the entire period despite four rounds of mass treatment. Furthermore, within-host genetic diversity was affected by host age, host sex, infection intensity and recent praziquantel treatment.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that praziquantel treatments have short-term impacts on these parasite populations but impacts were transient and no long-term reduction in genetic diversity was observed. High gene flow reduces the likelihood of local adaptation, so even though parasites surviving treatment were observed, these were likely to be diluted at the beginning of the Ugandan National Control Programme. Together, these results suggest that MDA in isolation may be insufficient to reduce schistosome populations in regions with high genetic diversity and gene flow.
Bats and ticks: host selection and seasonality of bat-specialist ticks in eastern Europe
Authors: Sándor Attila D. , Corduneanu Alexandra , Péter Áron , Mihalca Andrei Daniel , Barti Levente , Csősz István , Szőke Krisztina , Hornok Sándor
Published: December 2019

Background

Parasites may actively seek for hosts and may use a number of adaptive strategies to promote their reproductive success and host colonization. These strategies will necessarily influence their host specificity and seasonality. Ticks are important ectoparasites of vertebrates, which (in addition to directly affecting their hosts) may transmit a number of pathogens. In Europe, three hard tick species (Ixodidae: Ixodes ariadnae, I. simplex and I. vespertilionis) and at least two soft tick species (Argasidae: Argas transgariepinus and A. vespertilionis) are specialized for bats.

Methods

Here we report data on the host range of these ticks and the seasonality of tick infestation on wild caught bats in south-east Europe. We collected 1803 ticks from 30 species of bats living in underground shelters (caves and mines) from Romania and Bulgaria. On the basis of tick–host associations, we tested several hypotheses on host–parasite evolutionary adaptations regulating host specificity, seasonality and sympatric speciation.

Results

We observed significant differences in host specificity and seasonality of abundance between the morphologically different bat specialist ticks (I. simplex and I. vespertilionis) likely caused by their host choice and their respective host-seeking behavior. The two highly generalist, but morphologically similar tick species (I. ariadnae and I. vespertilionis) showed temporal differences in occurrence and activity, thus exploiting significantly different host communities while occurring in geographical sympatry.

Conclusions

We conclude that bat-specialist ticks show a wide range of adaptations to their hosts, with differences in specificity, seasonality of occurrence, the prevalence and intensity of infestation and all these contribute to a successful division of temporal niches of ticks sharing morphologically similar hosts occurring in geographical sympatry.
Zoonotic parasites of dromedary camels: so important, so ignored
Authors: Sazmand Alireza , Joachim Anja , Otranto Domenico
Published: December 2019

With a global population of about 35 million in 47 countries, dromedary camels play a crucial role in the economy of many marginal, desert areas of the world where they survive under harsh conditions. Nonetheless, there is scarce knowledge regarding camelsʼ parasite fauna which can reduce their milk and meat productions. In addition, only scattered information is available about zoonotic parasites transmitted to humansviacontamination (e.g.Cryptosporidiumspp.,Giardia duodenalis,Balantidium coli,Blastocystisspp. andEnterocytozoon bieneusi), as foodborne infections (e.g.Toxoplasma gondii,Trichinellaspp. andLinguatula serrata) or by arthropod vectors (Trypanosomaspp.). Herein, we draw attention of the scientific community and health policy-making organizations to the role camels play in the epidemiology of parasitic zoonotic diseases also in the view of an increase in their farming in desert areas worldwide.
Cardiac ultrasound in resource-limited settings (CURLS): towards a wider use of basic echo applications in Africa
Authors: Huson Michaëla A. M. , Kaminstein Dan , Kahn Daniel , Belard Sabine , Ganesh Prakash , Kandoole-Kabwere Vanessa , Wallrauch Claudia , Phiri Sam , Kreuels Benno , Heller Tom
Published: December 2019

Background

Point-of-care ultrasound is increasingly being used as a diagnostic tool in resource-limited settings. The majority of existing ultrasound protocols have been developed and implemented in high-resource settings. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), patients with heart failure of various etiologies commonly present late in the disease process, with a similar syndrome of dyspnea, edema and cardiomegaly on chest X-ray. The causes of heart failure in SSA differ from those in high-resource settings. Point-of-care ultrasound has the potential to identify the underlying etiology of heart failure, and lead to targeted therapy. Based on a literature review and weighted score of disease prevalence, diagnostic impact and difficulty in performing the ultrasound, we propose a context-specific cardiac ultrasound protocol to help differentiate patients presenting with heart failure in SSA.

Results

Pericardial effusion, dilated cardiomyopathy, cor pulmonale, mitral valve disease, and left ventricular hypertrophy were identified as target conditions for a focused ultrasound protocol in patients with cardiac failure and cardiomegaly in SSA. By utilizing a simplified 5-question approach with all images obtained from the subxiphoid view, the protocol is suitable for use by health care professionals with limited ultrasound experience.

Conclusions

The “Cardiac ultrasound for resource-limited settings (CURLS)” protocol is a context-specific algorithm designed to aid the clinician in diagnosing the five most clinically relevant etiologies of heart failure and cardiomegaly in SSA. The protocol has the potential to influence treatment decisions in patients who present with clinical signs of heart failure in resource-limited settings outside of the traditional referral institutions.
Addressing the deprived: need and access of sexual reproductive health services to street adolescents in Ethiopia. The case of Nekemte town: mixed methods study
Authors: Ababor Abdo Abazinab , Tesso Desalegn Wirtu , Cheme Melese Chego
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Globally, the research knowledge gap exists in the sexual reproductive health (SRH) services of street adolescents. The intensity of the problem is high in settings like Ethiopia, where there are limited access and integration of services. This study aimed at exploring risky sexual behaviors, needs, and barriers of SRH services among street adolescents in Nekemte town. A community-based cross-sectional study design with mixed approaches was used on a sample size of 219 street adolescents. Supplementary qualitative data of 24 in-depth interviews were collected from the street adolescents and SRH service providers. Time-location sampling or venue sampling technique (VDT) was used for a quantitative study. Quantitative data were analyzed by SPSS version 24.0.

Results

About 93% of street adolescents reported difficulty in accessing contraceptives. Behavioral change and sustainable access to SRH services are lacking among street adolescents. The Knowledge gap is more evident in early adolescents (10–13) period than the other classes. In general, street adolescents are deprived of access to SRH services. Mobile and flexible access to contraceptives should be designed targeting street adolescents.
The effect of childhood trauma, ApoE genotype and HIV-1 viral protein R variants on change in cognitive performance
Authors: Womersley Jacqueline S. , Clauss Lara B. , Varathan Olivette , Engelbrecht Susan , Hemmings Sian M. J. , Seedat Soraya , Spies Georgina
Published: December 2019

Objective

Gene–environment interactions contribute to the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. We examined whether childhood trauma, apolipoprotein E isoforms and viral protein R (Vpr) variants were associated with change in cognitive performance. Seventy-three seropositive women completed neuropsychological assessments at baseline and 1-year follow-up. We conducted genetic analyses using DNA obtained from blood and calculated risk scores based on Vpr amino acid 37, 41 and 55 variants that were previously associated with cognitive performance.

Results

Global cognitive scores declined significantly over the 1-year study period (p = 0.029). A reduction in global cognitive scores was associated with childhood trauma experience (p = 0.039).
Robust proactive eavesdropping in UAV-enabled wireless communication networking
Authors: Wu Wei , Wang Yujing , Mo Jianlin , Liu Jian
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we considered a robust beamforming design problem for a proactive eavesdropping via jamming, in which a full-duplex legitimate monitor tries to eavesdrop on a suspicious communication link between the secondary pairs in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-enabled cognitive radio network. Due to the channel estimation errors, we assume that the channel state information is not perfectly known. To ensure the successful eavesdropping, jamming signals are designed to disrupt the suspicious receivers and the primary receiver at the same time, which should have the good tradeoff between those two effects. We aimed to maximize the achievable eavesdropping rate under the transmitting power constraint at the legitimate monitor and the interference temperature constraint at the primary receiver, which was formulated as a non-convex problem with infinite constraints. We firstly transform the original problem into a simplified one with finite constraints. Then, an analytical solution in significant low-complexity is proposed by decomposing the simplified problem. Numerical results are finally presented to evaluate the performance of our proposed schemes in UAV-enabled wireless communication networking.
Preference corrections: capturing student and instructor perceptions in educational recommendations
Authors: Zheng Yong
Published: December 2019

Recommender systems (RS) have been applied in the area of educations to recommend formal and informal learning materials, after-school programs or online courses. In the traditional RS, the receiver of the recommendations is the only stakeholder, but other stakeholders may be involved in the environment. Take educations for example, not only the preference of the student, but also the perspective of other stakeholders (e.g., instructors, parents, publishers, etc) may be important in the process of recommendations. Multi-stakeholder recommender systems (MSRS) were recently proposed to balance the needs of multiple stakeholders in the recommender systems. We use course project recommendations as a case study, and the perspectives of both students and instructors will be considered in our work. However, students and instructors may have different perceptions on the technical difficulty of the projects. In this paper, we particularly focus on the solution of preference corrections which can be used to capture different perceptions of students and instructors in the multi-stakeholder educational recommendations.