bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Next Generation Exome Sequencing of Pediatric Asthma Identifies Rare and Novel Variants in Candidate Genes
Authors: Bogari Neda M. , Amin Amr A. , Rayes Husni H. , Abdelmotelb Ahmed , Taher Mohiuddin M. , Al-Allaf Faisal A. , Bouazzaoui Abdellatif , O’Gorman Luke , Holloway John W.
Published: February 2021

Multiple genes have been implicated to have a role in asthma predisposition by association studies. Pediatric patients often manifest a more extensive form of this disease and a particularly severe disease course. It is likely that genetic predisposition could play a more substantial role in this group. This study is aimed at identifying the spectrum of rare and novel variation in known pediatric asthma susceptibility genes using whole exome sequencing analysis in nine individual cases of childhood onset allergic asthma. DNA samples from the nine children with a history of bronchial asthma diagnosis underwent whole exome sequencing on Ion Proton. For each patient, the entire complement of rare variation within strongly associated candidate genes was catalogued. The analysis showed 21 variants in the subjects, 13 had been previously identified, and 8 were novel. Also, among of which, nineteen were nonsynonymous and 2 were nonsense. With regard to the novel variants, the 2 nonsynonymous variants in the PRKG1 gene (PRKG1: p.C519W and PRKG1: p.G520W) were presented in 4 cases, and a nonsynonymous variant in the MAVS gene (MAVS: p.A45V) was identified in 3 cases. The variants we found in this study will enrich the variant spectrum and build up the database in the Saudi population. Novel eight variants were identified in the study which provides more evidence in the genetic susceptibility in asthma among Saudi children, providing a genetic screening map for the molecular genetic determinants of allergic disease in Saudi children, with the goal of reducing the impact of chronic diseases on the health and the economy. We believe that the advanced specified statistical filtration/annotation programs used in this study succeeded to release such results in a preliminary study, exploring the genetic map of that disease in Saudi children.
Quality and Findings of Bitewing Radiographs among Twenty-Year-Old Conscripts in Finland
Authors: Hyvönen Miika , Jaakkola Arttu , Tanner Tarja , Päkkilä Jari , Kämppi Antti , Patinen Pertti , Tjäderhane Leo , Sipola Annina , Huumonen Sisko , Anttonen Vuokko
Published: February 2021

Objectives. Bitewing radiographs are mainly used to confirm clinical findings in caries diagnostics. The objective here was to investigate the quality of bitewing radiographs after short brush-up training and additional findings besides caries in a low-caries population. Methods. The material of this cross-sectional study comprised 377 pairs of bitewing radiographs of 19- to 20-year-olds taken by dentists. Radiography was considered indicated if one dentinal caries lesion was present on clinical examination. A senior oral radiologist evaluated quality and diagnosed the findings afterwards unaware of clinical status. The association between variables was analysed using cross tabulation and chi-squared testing. Results. Almost half of the images were of compromised quality (44.1%). Dentinal caries lesions were detected in 82.3% and enamel lesions in 73.5% of the subjects. On average, the subjects had 1.7 (SD 0.52) dentinal lesions. Fillings were found in 81.8%, fractures/cracks in 11.7%, and attrition in 7.4% of the subjects. Signs of excessive bite force were recorded in 19.4%, whereas marginal bone loss was detected in 6.4%. No significant correlation was detected between fractures, attrition, and excessive bite forces. Conclusions. Effort must be taken to ensure high quality of bitewing radiographs. In addition to caries detection, bitewing radiographs offer additional value, such as detecting excessive bite forces, tooth wear, and marginal bone loss among young adults.
Long Noncoding RNA OIP5‐AS1 Promotes the Disease Progression in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma by Targeting miR‐203
Authors: Tang Jian , Fu Chengxiao , Li Yanwen , Chen Shuangqin , Jiang Xiaoxin , Xu Wenqian , Xie Haitao
Published: February 2021

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a kind of malignancy generated from the nasopharyngeal epithelium. Recently, long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) has been shown to be involved in the regulation of many signaling pathways and is closely associated with carcinogenesis and tumor progression. However, the precise role of lncRNA Opa‐interacting protein 5 antisense RNA 1 (OIP5‐AS1) in NPC is not well understood. Here, we find that OIP5‐AS1 is overexpressed in NPC patient specimens and NPC cell lines. Further investigations reveal that knockdown of OIP5‐AS1 significantly inhibits the proliferation, migration, and invasion and accelerates the apoptosis of NPC cells in vitro. Consistent with these findings, NPC progression is significantly slowed in mice when OIP5‐AS1 is knocked down. Interestingly, there is a functional link between OIP5‐AS1 and microRNA‐203 (miR‐203), a tumor suppressor, in NPC cells. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that OIP5‐AS1 plays an important role in the development and progression of NPC by targeting miR‐203 and therefore provide a promising target for the treatment of NPC.
Circulating Biomarkers of Inflammation and Ovarian Cancer Risk in the Nurses' Health Studies
Authors: Peres Lauren C. , Townsend Mary K. , Birmann Brenda M. , Conejo-Garcia Jose R. , Kim Yongjoo , Kubzansky Laura D. , Magpantay Larry I. , Martinez-Maza Otoniel , Tworoger Shelley S.
Published: February 2021

Background:

Chronic inflammation is a well-established mechanism of ovarian carcinogenesis; however, the specific immunogenic processes influencing ovarian tumor development remain unclear. In a case–control study nested within the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and the NHSII, we examined the association between six inflammatory chemokines and cytokines [B-cell activating factor (BAFF), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13), IL8, soluble(s)IL2-receptor-α(Rα), sIL6Rα] and epithelial ovarian cancer risk.

Methods:

Among 299 epithelial ovarian cancer cases and 334 matched controls, six inflammatory biomarkers were measured in plasma collected 1–24 years before diagnosis or index date using two custom multiplex Luminex panels. ORs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for the association between each biomarker and risk using multivariable conditional logistic regression with adjustment for relevant confounders. We additionally assessed heterogeneity in the risk associations by histotype [high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) vs. non-HGSC], body mass index, smoking status, menopausal status, and aspirin use.

Results:

Women with the highest versus lowest quartile (Q) levels of CXCL13 had a 72% increased ovarian cancer risk (OR = 1.72; 95% CI = 1.04–2.83; Ptrend = 0.007). The positive association with CXCL13 was stronger in magnitude for non-HGSC, overweight or obese women, and postmenopausal women, although only menopausal status demonstrated statistically significant heterogeneity (Pinteraction = 0.04). The remaining biomarkers were not associated with risk.

Conclusions:

This first evidence that prediagnostic CXCL13, a B-cell chemoattractant, is associated with an increased risk of epithelial ovarian cancer expands current understanding of the role of inflammation in ovarian carcinogenesis.

Impact:

CXCL13 may represent a novel biomarker for ovarian cancer.
Cesarean Section Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Hepatoblastoma in Children from Minnesota
Authors: Williams Lindsay A. , Richardson Michaela , Spector Logan G. , Marcotte Erin L.
Published: February 2021

Background:

In recent decades, Cesarean section (C-section) rates have increased. C-section is hypothesized to negatively impact the developing immune system by altering activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the infant microbiome, among other mechanisms, thereby potentially modulating childhood cancer risk.

Methods:

Using linked birth and cancer registry data from Minnesota (1976–2014), we included individuals ages 0–14 at diagnosis with one of 19 cancers. Cases and controls were frequency matched by birth year. We used logistic regression to estimate ORs and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) as the measure of association between C-section and cancer. We assessed sex–C-section interactions for each cancer and conducted stratified analyses in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) for birth year, age at diagnosis, and maternal race.

Results:

There were 3,166 cases and 20,589 controls. One third (n = 1,174) of controls born during 2004–2014 were delivered via C-section compared with 42.2% of cases (n = 285). C-section was associated with ALL (n = 819; OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.01–1.43) and hepatoblastoma (n = 50; OR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.03–3.48), particularly among females (ALL OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.04–1.72; hepatoblastoma OR: 3.87; 95% CI: 1.30–11.57). The risk of ALL was highest during 2005–2014 (OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.11–2.34) and among children ages 1–5 years (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.02–1.61).

Conclusions:

C-section was associated with an increased risk of ALL and hepatoblastoma.

Impact:

These associations require investigation to determine causality and rule out confounding by indication or reverse causality. The mechanisms underlying these associations may depend on neonatal immune system processes altered during C-section deliveries.
Continuing to Broaden Eligibility Criteria to Make Clinical Trials More Representative and Inclusive: ASCO–Friends of Cancer Research Joint Research Statement
Authors: Kim Edward S. , Uldrick Thomas S. , Schenkel Caroline , Bruinooge Suanna S. , Harvey R. Donald , Magnuson Allison , Spira Alexander , Wade James L. , Stewart Mark D. , Vega Diana Merino , Beaver Julia A. , Denicoff Andrea M. , Ison Gwynn , Ivy S. Percy , George Suzanne , Perez Raymond P. , Spears Patricia A. , Tap William D. , Schilsky Richard L.
Published: February 2021

Purpose:

Restrictive clinical trial eligibility criteria (EC) limit the number of patients who can enroll and potentially benefit from protocol-driven, investigational treatment plans and reduce the generalizability of trial results to the broader population. Following publication of expert stakeholder recommendations for broadening EC in 2017, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) convened working groups to produce additional recommendations and analyze the potential impact on clinical trials using real-world data.

Experimental Design:

Multistakeholder working groups were appointed by an ASCO-Friends leadership group to propose recommendations for more inclusive EC related to: washout periods, concomitant medications, prior therapies, laboratory reference ranges and test intervals, and performance status.

Results:

The four working groups, ASCO Board of Directors, and Friends leadership support the recommendations included in this statement to modernize EC related to washout periods, concomitant medications, prior therapies, laboratory references ranges and test intervals, and performance status to make trial populations more inclusive and representative of cancer patient populations.

Conclusions:

Implementation of the recommendations is intended to result in greater ease of determining patient eligibility. Increased opportunities for patient participation in research will help address longstanding underrepresentation of certain groups in clinical trials and produce evidence that is more informative for a broader patient population. More patients eligible will also likely speed clinical trial accrual.

See related commentary by Giantonio, p. 2369
Rapid Resistance of FGFR-driven Gastric Cancers to Regorafenib and Targeted FGFR Inhibitors can be Overcome by Parallel Inhibition of MEK
Authors: Lau David K. , Luk Ian Y. , Jenkins Laura J. , Martin Andrew , Williams David S. , Schoffer Kael L. , Chionh Fiona , Buchert Michael , Sjoquist Katrin , Boussioutas Alex , Hayes Sarah A. , Ernst Matthias , Weickhardt Andrew J. , Pavlakis Nick , Tebbutt Niall C. , Mariadason John M.
Published: February 2021

Amplification or overexpression of the FGFR family of receptor tyrosine kinases occurs in a significant proportion of gastric cancers. Regorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor of angiogenic and oncogenic kinases, including FGFR, which showed activity in the randomized phase II INTEGRATE clinical trial in advanced gastric cancer. There are currently no biomarkers that predict response to this agent, and whether regorafenib is preferentially active in FGFR-driven cancers is unknown. Through screening 25 gastric cancer cell lines, we identified five cell lines that were exquisitely sensitive to regorafenib, four of which harbored amplification or overexpression of FGFR family members. These four cell lines were also sensitive to the FGFR-specific inhibitors, BGJ398, erdafitinib, and TAS-120. Regorafenib inhibited FGFR-driven MAPK signaling in these cell lines, and knockdown studies confirmed their dependence on specific FGFRs for proliferation. In the INTEGRATE trial cohort, amplification or overexpression of FGFRs 1–4 was detected in 8%–19% of cases, however, this was not associated with improved progression-free survival and no objective responses were observed in these cases. Further preclinical analyses revealed FGFR-driven gastric cancer cell lines rapidly reactivate MAPK/ERK signaling in response to FGFR inhibition, which may underlie the limited clinical response to regorafenib. Importantly, combination treatment with an FGFR and MEK inhibitor delayed MAPK/ERK reactivation and synergistically inhibited proliferation of FGFR-driven gastric cancer cell lines. These findings suggest that upfront combinatorial inhibition of FGFR and MEK may represent a more effective treatment strategy for FGFR-driven gastric cancers.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection in Patients with Atrophic Rhinitis
Authors: Kim Do Hyun , Lee Min Hyeong , Lee Jaeyoon , Song Eun A. , Kim Soo Whan , Kim Sung Won
Published: February 2021

Objective: To investigate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in patients with atrophic rhinitis. Methods: Prepared PRP was injected into the inferior turbinate bilaterally, and nasal bacterial cultures were conducted. Improvement of symptoms was assessed with the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) and the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22). Nasal mucociliary clearance was assessed using the saccharin transit time (STT). Results: In the PRP-injected group (group A), NOSE (throughout the study) and SNOT-22 (1 month after injection) scores were significantly decreased during the study. However, the saline spray group (group B) showed no significant nasal symptom improvement during the study period. In group A, the STT was improved until 3 months after the injection. In contrast, group B showed STT improvement after 2 months that was maintained throughout the study. Conclusion: PRP injections can improve nasal symptoms and nasal mucociliary function in patients with atrophic rhinitis.
Should Colorectal Cancer Screening in Portugal Start at the Age of 45 Years? A Cost-Utility Analysis
Authors: Currais Pedro , Mão de Ferro Susana , Areia Miguel , Marques Inês , Mayer Alexandra , Dias Pereira António
Published: February 2021

Background and Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in Europe. Recently, new data from the USA and Europe revealed an increase in the incidence of CRC in individuals aged <55 years and a reduction in those aged >65 years. Mortality rate was stable in patients aged <55 years and decreased after the age of 55 years. Based on the USA data, the American Cancer Society (ACS) published a qualified recommendation advocating the start of CRC screening at the age of 45 years. We aimed to evaluate if the changes in the CRC incidence/mortality observed in the USA and the rest of Europe also occur in Portugal, and then perform a cost-utility analysis of CRC screening that starts at 45 years of age. Methods: We evaluated the incidence of CRC by age group using data from the National Cancer Registry, and the mortality rate according to the National Statistics Institute in the periods 1993–2010 and 2003–2016. A cost-utility analysis was performed with a decision tree from a societal perspective comparing biennial fecal immunochemical test (FIT) or a single colonoscopy screening versus nonscreening at the age of 45 years in Portugal. Results: In Portugal, in 1993–2010, there was an increase in CRC incidence of 17% (from 25 to 30/100,000), 35% (from 39 to 54/100,000), and 71% (from 52 to 97/100,000) in patients aged 45–49 years, 50–54 years, and 55–59 years, respectively. The mortality rate of patients aged 45–54 years remained stable between 2003 and 2016 (12/100,000) as a counterpoint to a moderate decrease in those aged 55–64 years (from 38 to 35/100,000) and a sharp reduction in those aged 65–75 years (from 93 to 75/100,000). Screening for CRC at the age of 45 years has no cost utility with the current incidence. FIT screening provided an ICUR of EUR 84,304/quality-adjusted life years (QALY) while colonoscopy provided an ICUR of EUR 3,112,244/QALY. On one-way sensitivity analysis, FIT screening would only have cost utility at the present cost of colonoscopy under sedation (EUR 150) and acceptance rates if the incidence rate rises above 47.5/100,000; colonoscopy at this age would have no cost utility despite changes in costs and/or incidence rates. Conclusion: In Portugal, the incidence of CRC in patients aged 45–55 years has been increasing with a stable mortality rate, in contrast to the decrease in mortality in the age groups covered by the current CRC screening program. However, at present, CRC screening in Portugal at the age of 45 years has no cost utility and will only have this if the incidence rate rises above 47.5/100,000 (vs. the actual incidence of 30/100,000).
Eignung der Kapillarmikroskopie zur Diagnostik und Differenzierung einer ILD
Authors: Adler Sabine
Published: February 2021

Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is an easy tool used for the assessment of patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) as possibly associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Recent insights have also highlighted its role in the diagnostic assessment of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). The aim of this study is to describe the diagnostic role of NVC in a series of 361 consecutive patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD). All the patients were assessed by clinical pulmonary and rheumatic examinations, blood exams, high-resolution computed tomography and NVC. NVC was considered positive only in the presence of avascular areas or giant capillaries, but also, the presence of bushy capillaries (BCs) was recorded. NVC was positive in 17.7% of ILD patients and in 78.1% of ILD patients associated with a diagnosis of connective tissue disease (CTD). In 25% of SSc-ILD patients, NVC proved necessary for a correct diagnosis. The presence of BCs and/or NVC positivity in ILD patients with normal levels of creatine phosphokinase is associated with amyopathic IIM, regardless the presence of RP. In conclusion, NVC is useful for the diagnostic assessment of incomplete forms of CTD and in amyopathic IIMs. NVC should be considered in the diagnostic assessment of ILD patients regardless of the presence of RP.
ПРОТИМІКРОБНІ ВЛАСТИВОСТІ ПРОДУКТІВ РЕАКЦІЇ ХЛОР-, БРОМ- І ТІОЦІАНАТОАРИЛЮВАННЯ 2-МЕТИЛ-З-ХЛОРПРОПЕНУ
Authors: Климнюк С.І. , Грищук Б.Д. , Горбовий П.М.
Published: February 2021

Синтезовано 2-хлор(бром,тіоціанато)-1-арил-2-метил-3-хлорпропани та вивчені їх протимікробні властивості. Найбільш ефективними у плані вивчення хіміотерапевтичної активності є 2-хпор-1-феніл- і 2- бром-1-п-метилфеніл(-1-п-метоксифеніл)-2-метил-3-хлорпропани.
Predictors, Type, and Impact of Bleeding on the Net Clinical Benefit of Long‐Term Ticagrelor in Stable Patients With Prior Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Magnani Giulia , Ardissino Diego , Im KyungAh , Budaj Andrzej , Storey Robert F. , Steg P. Gabriel , Bhatt Deepak L. , Cohen Marc , Oude Ophius Ton , Goudev Assen , Parkhomenko Alexander , Kamensky Gabriel , Angiolillo Dominick J. , López‐Sendón José , Johanson Per , Braunwald Eugene , Sabatine Marc S. , Bonaca Marc P.
Published: February 2021

Background

Ticagrelor reduces ischemic risk but increases bleeding in patients with prior myocardial infarction. Identification of patients at lower bleeding risk is important in selecting patients who are likely to derive more favorable outcomes versus risk from this strategy.

Methods and Results

PEGASUS‐TIMI 54 (Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a Background of Aspirin—Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 54) randomized 21 162 patients with prior myocardial infarction in a 1:1:1 fashion to ticagrelor 60 mg or 90 mg twice daily or placebo, with ticagrelor 60 mg approved for long‐term use. TIMI major or minor bleeding was the primary end point for this analysis. Causes of bleeding were categorized by site and etiology, and independent predictors were identified. At 3 years, ticagrelor 60 mg increased the rate of TIMI major or minor bleeding by 2.0% versus placebo (1.4% placebo versus 3.4% ticagrelor). The bleeding excess was driven primarily by spontaneous gastrointestinal bleeds. A history of spontaneous bleeding requiring hospitalization and the presence of anemia were independent predictors of bleeding but not of ischemic risk. Patients with at least 1 risk predictor had 3‐fold higher rates of bleeding with ticagrelor 60 mg versus those who had neither (absolute risk increase, 4.4% versus 1.5%;
P
=0.01). Patients with neither predictor had a more favorable benefit profile with ticagrelor 60 mg versus placebo including lower mortality (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.65–0.96;
P
interaction = 0.03).

Conclusions

In patients with prior myocardial infarction, bleeding with ticagrelor 60 mg twice daily is predominantly spontaneous gastrointestinal. A history of spontaneous bleeding requiring hospitalization or the presence of anemia identifies patients at higher risk of bleeding, and the absence of either identifies patients likely to have a more favorable net benefit with ticagrelor.

Registration

URL
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/
. Unique identifier: NCT01225562.
The Unintended Consequences of Employer Credit Check Bans for Labor Markets
Authors: Cortés Kristle R. , Glover Andrew , Tasci Murat
Published: February 2021

Over the past fifteen years, eleven states have restricted employers' access to the credit reports of job applicants. We estimate that county-level job vacancies have fallen by 5.5% in occupations affected by these laws relative to exempt occupations in the same counties and national-level vacancies for the same occupations. Cross-sectional heterogeneity suggests that employers use credit reports as signals of a worker's ability to perform the job: vacancies fall more in counties with a large share of subprime residents and less for occupations with other commonly available signals. Vacancies fall most for occupations involving routine tasks, suggesting that credit reports contain information relevant for these types of jobs.
An integrative study of Callicarpa gracilis Fewkes, 1881 and Aglaophenia trifida L. Agassiz, 1862, with notes on some hydroids (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) from French Guiana
Authors: GALEA HORIA R. , DI CAMILLO CRISTINA G. , MAGGIONI DAVIDE
Published: February 2021

Among the thecate hydroids brought back by the Proteus-Guyane 2017 expedition of the Muséum national d’histoire naturelle of Paris, France, from French Guiana, two interesting species are reported upon. The plumulariid Callicarpa gracilis Fewkes, 1881, known so far from the type specimen only, is comprehensively redescribed 140 years after its original description. It adopts two different morphotypes with respect to both its tropho- and gonosome, forming either simple or ramified colonies, with either structurally-complex or rudimentary phylactocarps, respectively. Taxonomic notes on the genera Callicarpa Fewkes, 1881 and Hippurella Allman, 1877 are provided in light of their intricate history of origin and fate, together with the provisional resurrection of Antomma Stechow, 1919, as an allied genus of the former. The aglaopheniid Aglaophenia trifida L. Agassiz, 1862, whose gonosome was only partly documented to date, is redescribed thoroughly based on specimens bearing male and female corbulae. Scanning electron microscopy and molecular data were also used to document both species. A checklist of the thecate hydroids from French Guiana gathered during Proteus-Guyane 2017 and Guyane 2014 expeditions is provided as an appendix, together with brief notes on some species. Not dealing with the present study, but taking advantage of it, a new name, Antennella billardi Galea, nom. nov., is proposed as a replacement name for Plumularia balei Billard, 1911, which is a permanently invalid junior primary homonym of P. balei Bartlett, 1907.
Advertisement calls of the lesser spiny frog Quasipaa exilispinosa (Liu and Hu, 1975) (Anura: Dicroglossidae)
Authors: CHEN ZHI-QIANG , HU HUA-LI , ZHONG JUN-JIE , SHANGGUAN HAI-PING
Published: February 2021

There are currently only eleven species of Quasipaa (Anura: Dicroglossidae) distributed in southern and southwestern China to central Vietnam, southeastern Thailand, and southwestern Cambodia and presumably also in Laos (Frost 2020). Eight species of Quasipaa are currently known in China: Q. boulengeri (Günther 1889), Q. courtoisi (Angel 1922), Q. exilispinosa (Liu & Hu 1975), Q. jiulongensis (Huang & Liu 1985), Q. shini (Ahl 1930), Q. spinosa (David 1875), Q. yei (Chen, Qu, and Jiang 2002), and Q. verrucospinosa (Bourret 1937). The first seven species are endemic to China (AmphibiaChina 2020). These species have similar morphological traits and are capable of introgressive hybridization between the closely related species of this genus(Zhang et al. 2018). Despite the detailed acoustic analysis that is available to identify a variety of species and is beneficial to the study of anuran taxonomy (e.g., Microhyla species; Chen et al. 2020), advertisement calls have only been reported in detail for Q. spinosa (Yu & Zheng 2009; Chen et al. 2012; Shen et al. 2015) and Q. shini (Kong et al. 2016), whereas the call for Q. exilispinosa was briefly described from observations in captivity (Voitel 2000).
Effect of LncRNA Cancer Upregulated Drug Resistant (CUDR) on Osteoarthritis Chondrocyte Proliferation and Apoptosis by Regulating NF-κB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Liu Shaohua , Zhou Guanming , Chen Xicong , Zeng Huiliang , Cai Jian
Published: February 2021

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common and frequently-occurring disorder in orthopedics. LncRNA CUDR involves in several physiological and pathological activities of the body. However, the role and mechanism of LncRNA CUDR in OA has not been elucidated. Cartilage tissue from OA patients and
normal bone and joints were collected to detect LncRNA CUDR level by Real-time PCR. Chondrocytes from OA patients were isolated and divided into control group, LncRNA CUDR siRNA group, and LncRNA CUDR group followed by analysis of cell proliferation by MTT assay, Caspase 3 activity, NF-κB
expression by Western blot, secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 by ELISA. LncRNA CUDR was significantly higher in OA patients than controls (P <0.05). LncRNA CUDR siRNA transfection into OA chondrocytes can significantly down-regulate LncRNA CUDR expression, promote cell proliferation,
and reduce Caspase 3 activity, NF-κB level, as well as TNF-α and IL-6 secretion (P <0.05). Transfection of pcDNALncRNA CUDR plasmid into OA chondrocytes could up-regulate the expression of LncRNA CUDR and significantly reverse the above changes (P
<0.05). LncRNA CUDR expression is increased in OA patients. Down-regulating LncRNA CUDR can inhibit the apoptosis and promote proliferation of articular chondrocytes and inhibit arthritis by down-regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway
Effect of Tumor Growth Factor-β on Osteogenesis in Osteoporosis Rats by Regulating Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling Pathway
Authors: Tian Jing , Zhao Qianying , Zhou Dapeng , Xie Bing
Published: February 2021

The balance of osteoblasts and osteoclasts is critical for bone formation and remodeling and imbalance causes osteoporosis (OP). TGF-β regulates bone tissue repair and regeneration, but TGF-β’s role in osteogenesis in OP has not been elucidated. OVX-induced
OP rat models were constructed and rat BMSCs were isolated and assigned into control group, OP group, and TGF-β group (transfected with TGF-β1 plasmid followed by analysis of cell proliferation by MTT assay, RUNX2 and OPN expression by Real time PCR, ALP activity and
secretion of TGF-β, BMP-2 and BMP-9 by ELISA. In addition, RANKL was added to induce BMSCs differentiation into to osteoclasts which were transfected with TGF-β1 followed by analysis of cell proliferation, c-Fos and TRAP expression and secretion of BMP-2 and BMP-9.
OP group rats had significantly reduced secretion of TGF-β1, BMP-2 and BMP-9, reduced cell proliferation, decreased RUNX2 and OPN expression and ALP activity (P <0.05). Transfection of TGF-β1 in BMSCs of OP group rats could significantly reverse the above
changes (P <0.05). TGF-β1 significantly inhibited osteoclast proliferation, decreased expression of c-Fos and TRAP, and increased secretion of BMP-2 and BMP-9 (P <0.05). TGF-β1 level in OP is decreased. Up-regulating TGF-β promotes osteoblast
differentiation in OP rats by regulating BMP signaling pathway, and inhibits osteoclast proliferation and differentiation.
Research on emitter individual identification technology based on Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast signal
Authors: Chen Shiwen , Yuan Junjian , Xing Xiaopeng , Qin Xin
Published: February 2021

Aiming at the shortcomings of the research on individual identification technology of emitters, which is primarily based on theoretical simulation and lack of verification equipment to conduct external field measurements, an emitter individual identification system based on Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast is designed. On one hand, the system completes the individual feature extraction of the signal preamble. On the other hand, it realizes decoding of the transmitter’s individual identity information and generates an individual recognition training data set, on which we can train the recognition network to achieve individual signal recognition. For the collected signals, six parameters were extracted as individual features. To reduce the feature dimensions, a Bessel curve fitting method is used for four of the features. The spatial distribution of the Bezier curve control points after fitting is taken as an individual feature. The processed features are classified with multiple classifiers, and the classification results are fused using the improved Dempster–Shafer evidence theory. Field measurements show that the average individual recognition accuracy of the system reaches 88.3%, which essentially meets the requirements.
A dynamic service migration strategy based on mobility prediction in edge computing
Authors: Rui Lanlan , Wang Shuyun , Wang Zhili , Xiong Ao , Liu Huiyong
Published: February 2021

Mobile edge computing is a new computing paradigm, which pushes cloud computing capabilities away from the centralized cloud to the network edge to satisfy the increasing amounts of low-latency tasks. However, challenges such as service interruption caused by user mobility occur. In order to address this problem, in this article, we first propose a multiple service placement algorithm, which initializes the placement of each service according to the user’s initial location and their service requests. Furthermore, we build a network model and propose a based on Lyapunov optimization method with long-term cost constraints. Considering the importance of user mobility, we use the Kalman filter to correct the user’s location to improve the success rate of communication between the device and the server. Compared with the traditional scheme, extensive simulation results show that the dynamic service migration strategy can effectively improve the service efficiency of mobile edge computing in the user’s mobile scene, reduce the delay of requesting terminal nodes, and reduce the service interruption caused by frequent user movement.
Intergenerational Occupational Persistence: Recent Evidence from Indian States
Authors: Lahiri Sweta , Nandi Tushar K.
Published: February 2021

This article studies intergenerational occupational persistence using three recent rounds of a nationally representative sample survey from India. More than 60% of Indians are employed in the industry where their fathers are also employed. We find that individuals from Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Hindus have higher occupational persistence than those from the General Class (GEN) and Muslims, respectively. Persistence in general is higher in rural areas. We find considerable interstate and intrastate variations in the incidence across General Category States (GCSs) and Special Category States (SCSs). It has remained almost unchanged among GCSs on average, whereas it has decreased gradually for SCSs. Large inter-regional disparity exists within states between rural and urban areas and between capital and non-capital districts. Such disparity is found to be higher among GCSs. Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand are the GCSs with large and increasing occupational persistence. Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Mizoram are the SCSs with persistence of above 70%. Using a probit estimation analysis, we find family background (father’s education in rural area and ownership of productive assets) to have a significant and consistent influence on intergenerational persistence compared to own education. Results in general indicate that background factors play a stronger role than education does in the choice of occupation among Indians.
Long-term Growth–Employment Relationship in India
Authors: Mitra Arup
Published: February 2021

This article focuses on the growth–employment relationship and the determinants of labour force participation rate. In the time-series framework, employment is seen to have a greater impact on GDP rather than vice versa. This is quite consistent with the literature that employment contracts can be long term in nature, and they are usually not flexible in the short run. Hence, fluctuations in the commodity market do not affect employment immediately. The effect of employment on growth through the demand linkage is usually overlooked, which is brought out by this study, suggesting that demand deceleration caused by sluggish expansion in jobs can make economic growth unsustainable in the long run. From supply side of labour, poverty-induced participation in the job market is evident, and women are seen to be largely engaged in the agricultural sector. The effect of physical infrastructure on women’s work participation is positive. Large household size and child to women ratio affect women’s work participation adversely. On the whole, the positive effect of health and education and a strong impact of physical infrastructure on labour market participation of rural women are evident.
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation with omidubicel in sickle cell disease
Authors: Parikh Suhag , Brochstein Joel A. , Galamidi Einat , Schwarzbach Aurélie , Kurtzberg Joanne
Published: February 2021

Many patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) do not have HLA-matched related donors for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Unrelated cord blood (UCB) is an alternative graft option but is historically associated with high graft failure rates, with inadequate cell dose a major limitation. Omidubicel is a nicotinamide-based, ex vivo–expanded UCB product associated with rapid engraftment in adults with hematologic malignancies. We hypothesized that increasing the UCB cell dose with this strategy would lead to improved engraftment in pediatric patients undergoing myeloablative HSCT for SCD. We report the outcomes of a phase 1/2 study in 13 patients with severe SCD who received omidubicel in combination with an unmanipulated UCB graft and 3 who received a single omidubicel graft. Grafts were minimally matched with patients at 4 of 6 HLA alleles. Median age at transplant was 13 years. A median CD34+ expansion of ∼80-fold was observed in omidubicel and led to rapid neutrophil engraftment (median, 7 days). Long-term engraftment was derived from the unmanipulated graft in most of the double cord blood recipients. Two of the 3 single omidubicel recipients also had sustained engraftment. Incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was high, but resolved in all surviving patients. Event-free survival in the double cord group was 85% (median follow-up 4 years). All 3 patients in the single cord group were alive at 1 year after transplantation. Ex vivo expansion of UCB with omidubicel supports engraftment in patients with SCD. This approach to decreasing the incidence of GVHD should be optimized for general use in patients with SCD. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT01590628.
American Society of Hematology 2021 guidelines on the use of anticoagulation for thromboprophylaxis in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Cuker Adam , Tseng Eric K. , Nieuwlaat Robby , Angchaisuksiri Pantep , Blair Clifton , Dane Kathryn , Davila Jennifer , DeSancho Maria T. , Diuguid David , Griffin Daniel O. , Kahn Susan R. , Klok Frederikus A. , Lee Alfred Ian , Neumann Ignacio , Pai Ashok , Pai Menaka , Righini Marc , Sanfilippo Kristen M. , Siegal Deborah , Skara Mike , Touri Kamshad , A. Akl Elie , Bou Akl Imad , Boulos Mary , Brignardello-Petersen Romina , Charide Rana , Chan Matthew , Dearness Karin , Darzi Andrea J. , Kolb Philipp , Colunga-Lozano Luis E. , Mansour Razan , Morgano Gian Paolo , Morsi Rami Z. , Noori Atefeh , Piggott Thomas , Qiu Yuan , Roldan Yetiani , Schünemann Finn , Stevens Adrienne , Solo Karla , Ventresca Matthew , Wiercioch Wojtek , Mustafa Reem A. , Schünemann Holger J.
Published: February 2021

Background:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)–related critical illness and acute illness are associated with a risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Objective:

These evidence-based guidelines of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) are intended to support patients, clinicians, and other health care professionals in decisions about the use of anticoagulation for thromboprophylaxis for patients with COVID-19–related critical illness and acute illness who do not have confirmed or suspected VTE.

Methods:

ASH formed a multidisciplinary guideline panel and applied strict management strategies to minimize potential bias from conflicts of interest. The panel included 3 patient representatives. The McMaster University GRADE Centre supported the guideline-development process, including performing systematic evidence reviews (up to 19 August 2020). The panel prioritized clinical questions and outcomes according to their importance for clinicians and patients. The panel used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, including GRADE Evidence-to-Decision frameworks, to assess evidence and make recommendations, which were subject to public comment.

Results:

The panel agreed on 2 recommendations. The panel issued conditional recommendations in favor of prophylactic-intensity anticoagulation over intermediate-intensity or therapeutic-intensity anticoagulation for patients with COVID-19–related critical illness or acute illness who do not have confirmed or suspected VTE.

Conclusions:

These recommendations were based on very low certainty in the evidence, underscoring the need for high-quality, randomized controlled trials comparing different intensities of anticoagulation. They will be updated using a living recommendation approach as new evidence becomes available.
Predictive value of elevated alanine aminotransferase for in-hospital mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Li Jian , Zhao Zhuo , Jiang Hui , Jiang Minjie , Yu Ge , Li Xu
Published: February 2021

Background and aims

Liver enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), are markers of hepatic dysfunction and fatty liver disease. Although ALT and AST have been suggested as risk factors for cardiovascular disease, their role as predictors of mortality after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has not been established. The objective of this study was to investigate the predictive value of ALT and AST for mortality in patients with AMI.

Methods

We analyzed records of 712 patients with AMI and no known liver disease treated at the Department of Cardiovascular Center in the First Hospital of Jilin University. The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Relationships between primary outcome and various risk factors, including serum transaminase levels, were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Age (P < 0.001), hypertension (P = 0.034), prior myocardial infarction (P < 0.001), AST (P < 0.001), ALT (P < 0.001), creatinine (P = 0.007), blood urea nitrogen (P = 0.006), and troponin I (P < 0.001) differed significantly between ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI. The following factors were associated with an increased risk of in-hospital all-cause mortality in patients with AMI: ALT ≥ 2ULN (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.240 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.331–3.771]; P = 0.002); age ≥ 65 year (AOR 4.320 [95% CI 2.687–6.947]; P < 0.001); increased fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (AOR 2.319 [95% CI 1.564–3.438]; P < 0.001); elevated D-dimer (AOR 2.117 [95% CI 1.407–3.184]; P < 0.001); elevated fibrinogen (AOR 1.601 [95% CI 1.077–2.380]; P = 0.20); and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (AOR 2.279 [95% CI 1.519–3.419]; P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrated that elevated ALT was independently associated with increased in-hospital all-cause mortality in patients with AMI. Other risk factors were increased age, FPG, D-dimer, and fibrinogen and decreased eGFR.
Detection of Nipah virus in Pteropus medius in 2019 outbreak from Ernakulam district, Kerala, India
Authors: Sudeep A. B. , Yadav Pragya D. , Gokhale Mangesh D. , Balasubramanian R. , Gupta Nivedita , Shete Anita , Jain Rajlaxmi , Patil Savita , Sahay Rima R. , Nyayanit Dimpal A. , Gopale Sanjay , Pardeshi Prachi G. , Majumdar Triparna D. , Patil Dilip R. , Sugunan A. P. , Mourya Devendra T.
Published: February 2021

Background

In June 2019, Nipah virus (NiV) infection was detected in a 21-year-old male (index case) of Ernakulum, Kerala, India. This study was undertaken to determine if NiV was in circulation in Pteropus species (spp) in those areas where the index case had visit history in 1 month.

Methods

Specialized techniques were used to trap the Pteropus medius bats (random sampling) in the vicinity of the index case area. Throat and rectal swabs samples of 141 bats along with visceral organs of 92 bats were collected to detect the presence of NiV by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRTPCR). Serum samples of 52 bats were tested for anti-NiV Immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The complete genome of NiV was sequenced by next-generation sequencing (NGS) from the tissues and swab samples of bats.

Results

One rectal swab sample and three bats visceral organs were found positive for the NiV. Interestingly, 20.68% (12/58) of Pteropus were positive for anti-NiV IgG antibodies. NiV sequences of 18,172; 17,200 and 15,100 nucleotide bps could be retrieved from three Pteropus bats.

Conclusion

A distinct cluster of NiV sequences, with significant net-evolutionary nucleotide divergence, was obtained, suggesting the circulation of new genotype (I-India) in South India. NiV Positivity in Pteropus spp. of bats revealed that NiV is circulating in many districts of Kerala state, and active surveillance of NiV should be immediately set up to know the hotspot area for NiV infection.
Influence of boarding secondary school environment on HIV positive students in South Western Uganda
Authors: Kihumuro Raymond Bernard , Muganzi David Jolly , Wandira Elton George , Alinaiswe Racheal , Nanyunja Jovitah Joselyne , Kugumisiriza Ruth , Alele Paul E. , Mubangizi Vincent
Published: February 2021

Background

The number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive adolescents in secondary school has increased over the years. Little is known on how the students cope to the pressures and demands of their academic and health lives in the boarding secondary schools. This study explored the factors surrounding their anti-retroviral therapy adherence as well as their experiences.

Methods

We did a qualitative study that employed in-depth interviews amongst purposively selected 19 HIV positive adolescent students in boarding secondary school and seven key informants. Key informants were members of boarding secondary school staff directly taking care of the adolescents living with human immune virus and had spent at least two academic terms in that school.

The study participants were recruited from four health facilities in Bushenyi district, southwestern Uganda, and key informants from five boarding secondary schools in Bushenyi. These were engaged in in-depth interviews using an interview guide. Data was transcribed, coded and the content analyzed thematically.

Results

Adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus in boarding secondary school face challenges similar to adolescents outside boarding school settings. However, some challenges are unique to them. Students faced numerous barriers which made it difficult to adhere to their medication. Stigmatization in its different forms was also a major challenge amongst students. Willingness disclosure of serostatus was beneficial to the students since it guaranteed support while at school; facilitating adherence and better living. However, students were uneasy to disclose their status. Some students adopted negative coping mechanisms such as telling lies, escaping from school, and class to access medication.

Conclusions

Adolescents in boarding secondary schools face similar challenges as compared to their counterparts with some being unique to them. Few school mechanisms help these students to cope while at school. Limited disclosure has proven useful but some adolescents have opted not to disclose their status and hence used negative coping mechanisms. These challenges need to be addressed and a safe environment to encourage limited disclosure should be made.