bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Parameters For Milk Traits In Egyptian Native Cows
Authors: Sanad Safaa Salah , Gharib Mahmod Ghreeb
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study is to estimate the genetic parameters and the effect of non-genetic factors for some milk traits including total milk yield (TMY/kg), Lactation period (LP/day), number of services per conception (NSC), days open (DO), calving interval (CI) and dry period (DP). Data were collected from two farms. Experimental Farm belonging to (APRI) data included 1829 records. The statistical analysis has been adopted using animal models. Actual means of TMY/kg, LP/day, NSC/services, DO/day, CI/day and DP/day were 791.3, 171.1, 1.8, 109, 402.7 and 79.3 respectively. Estimated heritability (h2) of TMY, LP, NSC, DO, CI, and DP were 0.18± 0.01, 0.18± 0.001, 0.07± 0.016, 0.09± 0.041 and 0.09±0.001 respectively. The ranges of breeding values BV of cows for TMY/kg, LP/day, NSC, /services, DO/day, CI/day and DP/day were 776.5, 26.7, 6.7, 13.4, 77.1 and 11.5 respectively. The estimated Predicted Breeding Value PBV for all traits varied widely. The genetic trends of cow breeding values were significant for all studied traits. This confirms that the genetic improvement of these traits leads to increased milk production traits. The study recommends preserving the Native Egyptian dairy cattle because they represent a national wealth that must be preserved from extinction through inventorying the genetic resources, characterization and evaluation of this local breed to benefit from it in improving animal breeds of high economic value. Due to the distinction of Egyptian domestic cows for their resistance to various environmental conditions.
Detection of Lymph Node Metastases in Patients With Prostate Cancer: Comparing Conventional and Digital [18F]-fluorocholine PET-CT Using Histopathology as Reference
Authors: Bjöersdorff Mimmi , Puterman Christopher , Oddstig Jenny , Amidi Jennifer , Zackrisson Sophia , Kjölhede Henrik , Bjartell Anders , Wollmer Per , Trägårdh Elin
Published: June 2021

Background: Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) can be used to detect and stage metastatic lymph nodes in intermediate to high-risk prostate cancer. Improvements to hardware, such as digital technology, and to software, such as reconstruction algorithms, have recently been made. We compared the capability of detecting regional lymph node metastases using conventional and digital silicon photomultiplier (SiPM)-based PET-CT technology for [18F]-fluorocholine (FCH). Extended pelvic lymph node dissection (ePLND) histopathology was used as the reference method.Methods: Retrospectively, a consecutive series of patients with prostate cancer who had undergone staging with FCH PET-CT before ePLND were included. Images were obtained with either a conventional or a SiPM-based PET-CT and compared. FCH uptake in pelvic lymph nodes beyond the uptake in the mediastinal blood pool was considered to be abnormal.Results: One hundred eighty patients with intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer were examined using a conventional Philips Gemini PET-CT (n = 93) between 2015 and 2017 or a digital GE Discovery MI PET-CT (n = 87) from 2017 to 2018. Images that were obtained using the Philips Gemini PET-CT system showed 19 patients (20%) with suspected lymph node metastases compared with 40 patients (46%) using the GE Discovery MI PET-CT. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value (PPV and NPV) were 0.30, 0.84, 0.47, and 0.72, respectively, for the Philips Gemini and 0.60, 0.58, 0.30, and 0.83, respectively for GE Discovery MI. Area under the curve (AUC) in a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was similar between the two PET-CT systems (0.58 and 0.58, P = 0.8).Conclusions: A marked difference in sensitivity and specificity was found for the different PET-CT systems, although similar overall diagnostic performance. This is probably due to differences in both hard- and software, including reconstruction algorithms, and should be considered when new technology is introduced.
Dietary-Related Preventative Factors for Breast Cancer: A Case-Control Study from the Mecca Region
Authors: Hasanain Deena M. , Qadhi Alaa H. , Ghafouri Khloud J. , Azhar Wedad F. , Ghaith Mazen M. , Assaggaf Hamza M. , Alhussain Maha H. , Alghamdi Ahmad A. , Habibullah Mahmoud M. , Bawazir Waleed M. , Azzeh Firas S.
Published: June 2021

Background: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, it affects both males and females. In Saudi Arabia, breast cancer has been the most prevalent type of cancer for the past few years in females. Dietary habits and cultural beliefs vary according to region, and further studies are required to demonstrate the relationship between these dietary habits and cultural beliefs and the risk of developing breast cancer. This study aims to discover the relationship between preventative dietary factors and rates of breast cancer among postmenopausal females in the Mecca region. Methods: A case-control study was conducted at King Abdulla Medical City hospital in Mecca and included 432 Saudi female participants: 218 in a control group and 214 breast cancer patients. All participants were postmenopausal, around the same age, and all were ethnically Arab Saudis. Data was obtained using a self-administered validated questionnaire. Results: Study results showed that a diet including 1-2 servings of legumes weekly, 1-5 servings of fish weekly, 1-5 servings of dairy products daily, 3-5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily, and more than one cup of black tea and coffee per day significantly (p<0.05) reduced the risk of breast cancer.Conclusion: This study supports the effect of a healthy diet incorporating dairy products, legumes, fish, fruits and vegetables, black tea, and coffee as a preventative factor against breast cancer in females from the Mecca region.
Diagnosis and Individualized Nutritional Management of Primary Intestinal Lymphangiectasia in Children: A Clinical Conundrum
Authors: Niu Yang , Wu Qingqing , Wang Ying , Lu Lina , Cai Wei , Tang Qingya
Published: June 2021

Background: Primary Intestinal Lymphangiectasia (PIL) is a rare congenital and digestive disease, which could present through a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, diagnostic and treatment management. The aim of this study was to introduce the diagnosis and nutrition treatment of children with IL through the twelve years of experience. Methods: The patients diagnosed with PIL admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology and Nutrition in Xinhua Hospital from June, 2006 to September, 2017 were included in the study. Basic information and laboratory results were collected from the medical records. Results: Ten patients were found to have PIL. The mean age was 66 months at the time of diagnosis and 11 months at onset. The main clinical manifestations were diarrhea, edemas and abdominal distention. Marked dilatation of the intestinal lymphatic vessels was the characteristic of the endoscopic. All the patients presented with hypoproteinemia and hypoimmunoglobulinia. 6 of them were treated with parenteral nutrition, and 9 of them were treated with a low-LCT (long-chain triglycerides), high-protein diet supplemented with MCT(medium-chain triglycerides).The clinical symptoms of the patients have improved after the MCT diet therapy. Conclusion: PIL should be considered first when there are clinical manifestations of chronic diarrhea, edema and abdominal distention, and biochemical results indicated the hypoproteinemia and hypoimmunoglobulinia, and the general treatment is invalid. Gastroscopy and E-colonoscopy with biopsies are the preferred method of diagnosis. MCT diet is the cornerstone and longtime medical treatment, which can improve the nutritional status and promote the survival quality of patients with IL.Trial registration: This study was reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Incidence of Muscle Wasting in the Critically Ill: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Hrdy Ondrej , Vrbica Kamil , Kovar Marek , Korbicka Tomas , Stepanova Radka , Gal Roman
Published: June 2021

Background: Loss of muscle mass occurs rapidly during critical illness. It can often lead to weakness and fatigue, and it negatively affects quality of life. Despite the importance of understanding the incidence of clinically significant muscle wasting in critically ill patients, there have been few reports on this subject. This study aimed to assess the incidence of and identify risk factors associated with clinically significant loss of muscle mass in this patient population. Methods: This was a single-center observational study. Informed consent was obtained from all patients. We used ultrasound to determine the rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RFcsa) of each patient on their first and seventh days of treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU). The primary outcome of the study was the incidence of significant muscle wasting, which was defined as a greater or equal to 10% reduction in RFcsa from day 1 to day 7. SOFA score on day 7, length of artificial ventilation, ICU length of stay and twenty-eight-day mortality were evaluated as secondary outcomes. We used a logistic regression model to determine whether patient age, sex, BMI, frailty score, or medical history were significant risk factors for muscle wasting.Results: We screened an initial cohort of 1,293 patients and recruited 186 as study participants. Ultrasound measurements were completed in 104 patients. Sixty-two of these patients (59.6%) showed ≥10% decreases in RFcsa. Logistic regression analysis identified patient age as the sole risk factor associated with significant muscle wasting. While we detected no statistically significant differences associated with the secondary outcomes, the 28-day mortality rate almost doubled in the group of patients with significant wasting (30.6% versus 16.7%; p=0.165).Conclusions: Clinically significant muscle wasting was frequently observed in our cohort of critically ill adult patients. Patient age was identified as a risk factor for muscle wasting. The results of this study could be used to plan future studies that evaluate strategies to prevent muscle wasting and to improve the outcomes of critically ill patients.Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT 03865095, date of registration: March 6, 2019.
EMFO based Supervision Kernel Entropy Component Analysis for High Speed Encrypted Transmission Model
Authors: M Babu , A Sathish Kumar G
Published: June 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Relationship Between the Second Trimester Maternal Serum AFP of Aneuploidy in Pregnancies and Placenta Accreta: A Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Fengge , Su Longchun , Zhai Ruixia , Liu Miao , Dong Fangxiang , Jin Xuemei , Zhang Haiyan , Feng Xueqin , Yu Tiantian , Zhang Ziheng , Chen Shuxiong , Zhang Bin , Man Dongmei
Published: June 2021

Objectives

At present, placenta previa-accreta is a growing concern and is still a diagnostic challenge for obstetricians. This study aimed to investigated whether second trimester serum Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) differed among pregnancies with placenta previa-accreta and placenta previa controls and healthy pregnant controls.
Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed. In 1 January 2016–30 February 2021, a total of 504 pregnant women were identified and included in our analysis as follows: 105 cases of placenta previa-accreta, 122 cases of placenta previa controls, and 277 cases of BMI-matched, healthy pregnant controls. AFP multiples of the median (MoM) were acquired from laboratory data files.
Results

AFP MoM of placenta previa-accreta group was significantly higher than those of the placenta previa controls and healthy pregnant controls group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). Serum AFP was significantly positively associated with placenta accreta after adjusted age, BMI, and gestational week at time of blood sampling (β: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.52–0.68; p < 0.001). In addition, previous cesarean section history (β: 3.41; 95% CI: 2.18–5.34; p < 0.001) was also significantly associated with placenta accreta.
Conclusion

Increased second trimester serum AFP was significantly positively associated with placenta accreta. Such finding suggests the potential role of AFP in identifying pregnancies that are at high risk for placenta accreta. Second trimester biomarker of AFP can be used to raise a suspicion toward characterizing women into high-risk and low-risk groups for placenta accreta. In addition, previous cesarean section history may be a risk factor for accreta in placenta previa patients.
Metal Foreign Bodies Have Been in the Lungs for Five Years: a Case Report
Authors: Li Yuan , Li Zhong , Liu Jun-Cai
Published: June 2021

Background: Metallic foreign body migration into the pulmonary artery after limb trauma is extremely rare. If not treated in time, the patient may die. The metallic foreign body was implanted from the thigh into the pulmonary artery and remained for 5 years. It has never been reported in limb trauma.Case Presentation: The patient was a 51-year-old male who had a small metal foreign body embedded in the middle and lower left thigh due to trauma. The foreign body was not found during emergency debridement operation. During the operation, a full-body X-ray was used to reveal a high-density shadow in the left upper lung. The 3D-CT of the chest immediately confirmed that the high-density shadow was a small iron foreign body, and the iron fragment foreign body was present in the pulmonary artery branch, but no abnormal symptoms were observed. He was hospitalized for observation for 3 days without obvious discomfort and refused to open his chest. The patient then decided to leave the hospital voluntarily.Conclusion: Surgical removal of all foreign bodies traveling to the pulmonary artery is not necessary, and the most appropriate treatment plan should be made considering the location of the foreign body, the patient's wishes and the general condition.
Lanthanum Hydroxide Protects Kidney Through Gut-Metabolite-Kidney Axis in a Rat Model of CKD
Authors: Gao Yuan , Wang Shengnan , Sun Lijun , Li Bing , Liu Hong , Bu Ren , Su Changhai , Guo Min , Liu Yang , Zhao Lulu , Gu Chao , Li Xiaojia , Yuan Xiaorong , Wang Qiwen , Li Gang
Published: June 2021

Background: Recent evidence suggests alterations in the gut-kidney axis may drive chronic kidney disease (CKD). Results: In the present study, we observed that administration of adenine to rats induced CKD, gut microbial dysbiosis, kidney pathology, and amino acid metabolism. In this model of CKD hyperphosphatemia, lanthanum hydroxide improved kidney function in CKD rats by restoring gut microbial homeostasis, thereby increasing urine ammonium metabolism. These findings demonstrated that lanthanum hydroxide improves kidney function in a CKD model in mice by restoring homeostasis of the gut-metabolite-kidney axis, which alleviated an amino acid imbalance. Lanthanum hydroxide thus shows therapeutic potential for patients with CKD, through reshaping the composition of gut microbiota.Conclusions: Lanthanum hydroxide plays a kidney protective role through the gut-metabolite-kidney axis in a rat model of chronic kidney disease caused by adenine.
Somatic mutations in homologous recombination pathway predict favorable prognosis after immunotherapy across multiple cancer types
Authors: Liu Zaoqu , Li Jing , Guo Chunguang , Xu Hui , Lu Taoyuan , Wang Libo , Liu Long , Han Xinwei
Published: June 2021

Background: Homologous recombination (HR) pathway was recently implicated in modifying the tumor immune microenvironment and thus might serve as a candidate biomarker of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment. We aimed to comprehensively explore the clinical and molecular significance of HR mutations in ICI treatment across multiple cancer types.Methods: We analyzed the clinical and genomic data of 1,752 ICI-treated patients and 4,605 non-ICI-treated patients from cBioPortal, TCGA, and ICGC databases. The impacts of HR mutations on tumor mutations burden (TMB), neoantigen load (NAL), microsatellite instability (MSI), immune molecular characteristics, and multi-omics events were further investigated.Results: HR mutations corelated with improved prognosis in ICI-treated bladder cancer (BLCA), colorectal cancer (CRC), and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), while in non-ICI cohorts, HR mutations were not associated with prognosis and even suggested unfavorable prognosis. Multivariable Cox analysis demonstrated HR mutations were an independent predictive factor for ICI treatment. Moreover, HR mutations could accurately predict high level of TMB, NAL, and MSI, and displayed the more prevalent incidence than TMB-high, NAL-high, and microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), which indicated that HR mutations might be an ideal surrogate for TMB, NAL, and MSI estimation. HR mutations were also proven to correlate with the tumor microenvironment, immunity characteristics, immune checkpoints profiles, and substantial multi-omics alteration events.Conclusions: HR mutations are predictive of improved clinical outcomes in BLCA, CRC, and NSCLC treated with ICI instead of non-ICI, and might be a promising surrogate for TMB, NAL, and MSI estimation in ICI treatment.
Doppler Ultrasound Study on the Effects of Different Blood Uric Acid Levels on the Carotid Artery Intima-media Thickness in Patients with Gout
Authors: Dang Wantai , Hu Jing , Luo Hui , Luo Danling , Xu Xiaohui , Zhou Jingguo , Liu Jian
Published: June 2021

Objective : Doppler ultrasonography is used to study the effects of different serum uric acid (SUA) levels in primary gout (PG) on the carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and its risk factors and to provide clinical evidence for early prevention and treatment of systematic gout damage. Methods: We obtained information of 237 patients with PG (intermittent period) and estimated the association between gout and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCAIMT), carotid plaque formation, and blood flow resistance index (RI)) using binary logistic regression. Results: The CCAIMT of patients with PG was significantly correlated with different SUA levels, age, course of the disease, blood routine laboratory parameters etc ( P < 0.05). The CCAIMT of patients with PG combined with the tophi, secondary hypertension, or diabetes group was significantly different from that in the uncombined group ( P < 0.05). The age, disease course, body mass index (BMI), blood routine indexes, liver function, renal function, and lipid metabolism-related indexes of patients with gout combined with the carotid plaque group and without the carotid plaque group were significantly different ( P < 0.05). Age (OR, 95% CI = 1.136, 1.073-1.202), disease course (OR, 95% CI = 1.236, 1.084-1.410), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (OR, 95% CI= 6.982, 2.460-19.816) were risk factors for CCAIMT of more than 0.0858cm, whereas SUA (OR, 95% CI = 0.994, 0.988-0.999) and Lymphocyte percentage (LY%) (OR, 95% CI = 0.842, 0.723-0.980) were protective factors. Age was a risk factor for carotid plaque (OR, 95% CI = 1.137, 1.071-1.207), and SUA was a protective factor (OR, 95% CI = 0.992, 0.986-0.998). Moreover, secondary hypertension (OR, 95% CI = 3.496, 1.442-8.479), PLT (OR, 95% CI = 1.005, 1.001-1.010), and SUA (OR, 95% CI = 1.003, 1.000-1.005) were risk factors for common carotid artery RI of ≥ 0.7 in patients with gout. Conclusion: Age, disease course, blood routine indexes, renal function, and lipid metabolism of patients with gout with different SUA levels were closely related to carotid intima-media diseases. Age, disease course, and LDL-C were the risk factors for carotid artery intima-media lesions in patients with PG, whereas SUA and LY% might be protective factors.
Normalization and Comparison of Photoplethysmography Between Normal and Patient Groups Using Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Kim Ji Woon , Choi Seong-Wook
Published: June 2021

Photoplethysmography (PPG) is easy to perform and provides a variety of measurements, including details of heart rate and arrhythmia. However, automated PPG methods have not been developed because of their susceptibility to motion artifacts and differences in waveform characteristics among individuals. With increasing use of telemedicine, there is growing interest in application of deep neural network (DNN) technology for efficient analysis of vast amounts of PPG data. This study proposes an automatic algorithm incorporating DNNs for individual and patient-group identification; this is achieved by selecting normally measured waveforms, deleting error regions, and normalizing the pulse wave to obtain 10 “section values” that can be easily compared to other waveforms. The proposed algorithm was able to distinguish between patients aged 60–75 years with diabetes and hypertension and healthy subjects aged 25–35 years (AUC = 0.998). On the other hand, errors were frequently observed in identification of individuals (AUC = 0.819).
A Radiomics Nomogram for Non-Invasive Prediction of Progression-Free Survival in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Yan Ting , Liu Lili , Peng Meilan , Yan Zhenpeng , Wang Qingyu , Zhang Shan , Wang Lu , Zhuang Xiaofei , Liu Huijuan , Ma Yanchun , Wang Bin , Cui Yongping
Published: June 2021

To construct a prognostic model for preoperative prediction on computed tomography (CT) images of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), we constructed radiomics signature with high throughput radiomics features extracted from CT images of 272 patients (204 in training and 68 in validation cohort). Multivariable logistic regression was adopted to build the radiomics signature and another predictive nomogram model, which was composed with radiomics signature, traditional TNM stage and clinical features. 16 radiomics features were selected from 954 to build a radiomics signature，which were significantly associated with progression-free survival (PFS) (p<0.001). The area under the curve (AUC) of performance was 0.891 (95% CI: 0.845-0.936) for training cohort and 0.706 (95% CI: 0.583-0.829) for validation cohort. The radscore of signatures’ combination showed significant discrimination for survival status. Radiomics nomogram combined radscore with TNM staging showed significant improvement over TNM staging alone in training cohort (C-index, 0.802 vs 0.628; p<0.05), and it is the same with clinical data (C-index, 0.798 vs 0.660; p<0.05), which were confirmed in validation cohort. DCA showed the model will receive benefit when the threshold probability was between 0 and 0.9. Collectively, multiparametric CT-based radiomics nomograms provided improved prognostic ability in ESCC.
Human miRNome Profiling in Colon Adenoma-carcinoma Sequence Reveal Early Deregulation of miR-1246, Which Exhibits Oncogenic Properties in Vitro by Targeting AXIN2 and CFTR
Authors: Juzenas Simonas , Lukosevicius Rokas , Salteniene Violeta , Kulokiene Ugne , Hemmrich-Stanisak Georg , Franke Andre , Link Alexander , Ruzgys Paulius , Satkauskas Saulius , Pauzas Henrikas , Latkauskas Tadas , Kiudelis Gediminas , Balaguer Francesc , Kupcinskas Juozas , Skieceviciene Jurgita
Published: June 2021

Background: Regulatory changes occurring early in colorectal cancer development remain poorly investigated. Since the majority of cases develop from polyps in the adenoma-carcinoma pathway, a search of early molecular features, such as aberrations in miRNA expression occurring prior to cancer development, would enable identification of potentially causal, rather than consequential, candidates in the progression of polyp to cancer. This study aim was to discover early miRNA expression changes in adenoma-carcinoma sequence and to investigate the role of deregulated miRNAs in CRC development.Methods: Small RNA-seq data analysis was performed to identify deregulated miRNAs and their isoforms among HC, AP and CRC tissue samples. Deregulated miRNAs were validated using RT-qPCR in the independent patient group. MTT, colony formation and wound healing assays were performed in order to evaluate hsa-miR-1246 function in CRC cells. Luciferase and Western blot assays were used to test hsa-miR-1246 gene targets.Results: In the current study by employing small RNA-seq profiling of colon biopsy samples, we describe differentially expressed miRNAs and their isoforms in the adenoma-carcinoma pathway. Analysis of healthy-adenoma-carcinoma sequence in an independent validation group enabled to identify early deregulated miRNAs including hsa-miR-1246 and hsa-miR-215-5p and up-regulation of hsa-miR-1246 in plasma samples of patients with CRC. Loss-of-function experiments revealed that inhibition of hsa-miR-1246 leads to reduced cell viability, colony formation and migration rate, thereby indicating an oncogenic effect of this miRNA in vitro. Subsequent western blot and luciferase reporter assay provided evidence of hsa-miR-1246 being involved in the regulation of target AXIN2 and CFTR genes’ expression. Conclusions: The present study revealed possible involvement of hsa-miR-1246 in early colorectal cancer development and regulation of tumor suppressors AXIN2 and CFTR.
Evaluation of the Antihyperglycemic Activity of Juglans Mollis and Hamelia Patens Through in Vitro and in Vivo Methods
Authors: Granados-Guzmán Graciela , Adame-Miranda Sara , Meseguer Jonathan , Acevedo-Fernández Juan José , Waksman-Minsky Noemí , Salazar-Aranda Ricardo
Published: June 2021

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common noncontagious diseases in the world. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) reported that in 2017, approximately 425 million people worldwide suffered from diabetes. Drugs used for diabetes treatment have unwanted side effects, so new safe drugs are needed. Some natural products have antihyperglycemic activity and are less toxic than currently used drugs. In this work, we evaluated the antihyperglycemic activity of extracts of Juglans mollis and Hamelia patens as well as their cytotoxicity through in vitro and in vivo methods.Materials and methods: Five extracts of each plant were subjected to in vitro amylase and glucosidase inhibition tests and subsequently analyzed by the ex vivo everted sac test. Additionally, their in vivo antihyperglycemic activity was evaluated.Results: Each of the extracts of J. mollis and the polar extracts of H. patens showed antihyperglycemic activity in the in vivo model, but in the in vitro model, the extracts showed different effects; some of the extracts inhibited one or both digestive enzymes, and others reduced the absorption of glucose through the intestine.Conclusions: In this article, we contribute to elucidating the antihyperglycemic mechanism of H. patens, and we report for the first time the antihyperglycemic activity of J. mollis and its possible mechanisms of action.
Analysis of Pigments and Damages for the 19th Century White-Robed Water-Moon Avalokitesvara Painting in Gongju Magoksa Temple, Korea
Authors: Yang Hye Ri , Lee Chan Hee , Yi Jeongeun
Published: June 2021

The White-Robed Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara painting displayed on the rear wall of Daegwangbojeon (main hall) in Magoksa temple, is one of the representative Buddhist paintings in the late 19th century of Korea, and a valuable resource for understanding the coloring techniques and characteristics of Buddhist paintings in terms of expression and description in landscape painting. In this painting, the contours and colored surface remain undamaged, but blistering and exfoliation appear on some pigment layers. Furthermore, the partial decomposition of wooden materials due to wood-decay fungi and insect damage were found on the rear wall requiring proper treatment for long-term conservation. As the results of chromaticity and P-XRF analysis regarding the color pigment layer of the painting, the pigments were classified into ten types. The results suggest that the colors other than blue, green, yellow, red, black, and white were prepared by mixing two or more pigments. The types of pigments according to colors, were determined as traditional pigments with azurite; emerald green or clinoatacamite; massicot; minium or hematite; Chinese ink; and kaolin, white lead, and gypsum, respectively. Violet and pink colors were assumed to have been prepared by mixing white with blue and red. In most of these pigments, small amounts of synthetic compositions from the modern era were detected at many points.
Requirement for PINCH in Skeletal Myoblast Differentiation
Authors: Xie Siyi , Fang Chushan , Gao Yujie , Yan Jie , Luo Lina , Sun Yunfu , Liang Xingqun
Published: June 2021

Background: Skeletal muscle is composed of bundles of myofibers ensheathed by extracellular matrix networks. Malformation of skeletal muscle during embryonic development results in congenital myopathies. Disease mechanisms of congenital myopathies remain unclear. PINCH, an adaptor of focal adhesion complex, plays essential roles in multiple cellular processes and organogenesis. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying skeletal myogenesis will offer new insights into pathogenesis of myopathies.Methods: We generated muscle-specific PINCH knock-out mice to study the functional role of PINCH in skeletal myogenesis. Histologic and Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis demonstrated that Impaired myogenic differentiation and maturation in mice with PINCH1 being ablated in skeletal muscle progenitors, and Ablation of PINCH1 and PINCH2 resulted in reduced size of muscle fibers and impaired multinucleation; Cell culture and immunostaining showed that defects in myoblast fusion and cytoskeleton assembly in PINCH double mutant mice; Western blotting showed that defects in expression of cytoskeleton proteins and proteins involved in myogenesis in DMUT skeletal muscles.Results: Double ablation of PINCH1 and PINCH2 resulted in early postnatal lethality with reduced size of skeletal muscles and detachment of diaphragm muscles from the body wall. Myofibers of PINCH mutant myofibers failed to undergo multinucleation and exhibited disrupted sarcomere structures. The mutant myoblasts in culture were able to adhere to newly formed myotubes, but impeded in cell fusion and subsequent sarcomere genesis and cytoskeleton organization. Consistent with this, expression of integrin β1 and some cytoskeleton proteins, and phosphorylation of ERK and AKT were significantly reduced in PINCH mutants. Expression of MRF4, the most highly expressed myogenic factor at late stages of myogenesis, was abolished in PINCH mutants, that could contribute to observed phenotypes. In addition, mice with PINCH1 being ablated in myogenic progenitors exhibited only mild centronuclear myopathic changes, suggesting a compensatory role of PINCH2 in myogenic differentiation, indicating a critical role of PINCH proteins in myogenic differentiation.Conclusion: Our results demonstrated an essential role of PINCH in skeletal myogenic differentiation.
Examining The Link Between Harsh Parenting And Non-Suicidal Self-Injury In Adolescence: The Role of The COMT Val158Met Polymorphism And Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Liu Jinmeng , Liu Xia , Wang Hui , Gao Yemiao
Published: June 2021

Background: Previous studies have suggested negative parenting environments, especially harsh parenting, is a specific risk factor for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, the potential mechanism between harsh parenting and NSSI has not been explored. Based on the experiential avoidance model and empirical researches, we aimed to examine if depressive symptoms are a mediator between harsh parenting and NSSI. Moreover, the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism related to depressive symptoms may also exert a moderating effect on NSSI, thus, the interaction between harsh parenting and COMT were also considered in our study.Method：373 junior high school students were recruited for the study by using a longitudinal design. Adolescents answered self-report questionnaires and provided Saliva samples for DNA genotyping.Result：The results revealed that harsh parenting was positively associated with NSSI after 18 months, and this association was mediated by depressive symptoms. Moreover, the moderating role of COMT in the direct and indirect effect of harsh parenting on NSSI only among adolescents with two Val alleles. However, the relationship was not significant for Met carriers.Conclusion: Genetic variations of COMT Val158Met may be a critical candidate in understanding the development of depression and NSSI. We conclude that the Val homozygotes of the COMT Val158Met polymorphism play a susceptible role both in depressive symptoms and NSSI.
Reduced H3K27me3 Suppresses Wnt/β-catenin Signaling by S-adenosylmethionine Deficiency in Neural Tube Development
Authors: Zhang Li , Wang Xiuwei , Cao Rui , Li Dandan , Wang Yufei , Khan Ajab , Wang Keke , Liu Zhizhen , Niu Bo , Xu Jun , Xie Jun
Published: June 2021

Background: S-adenosylmethionine as a major methyl donor play a key role in methylation modification in vivo, and its disorder was closely related to neural tube defects. However, the underlying mechanism between SAM deficiency and NTDs remained unclear.Methods: we investigated the association between histone methylation modification and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in NTDs induced by SAM deficiency. The levels of SAM and SAH were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of H3K27me3 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway specific markers were demonstrated by western blotting, reverse transcription, and quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence in ethionine induced E11.5 mouse NTDs and NSCs models. Results: we found that the incidence rate of NTDs induced by ethionine were 46.2%, post treatment of ethionine combined with SAM, the incidence rate of NTDs was reduced to 26.2%. The level of SAM was significantly decreased (P<0.05) and a reduction in the SAM/SAH ratio was observed. The SAM depletion caused the reduction of both H3K27me3 modifications and UTX activity, and inhibited the marker proteins (β-catenin, TCF-4, Axin-2, p-GSK-3β, CyclinD1, and C-myc) in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (P<0.05). The differentiations of neural stem cells into neurons and oligodendrocytes were inhibited under SAM deficiency (P<0.05).Conclusions: These results indicated that the depletion of SAM led to reduced H3K27me3 modifications, prevented the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and NSCs differentiation, which provided an understanding of the novel function of epigenetic regulation in NTDs.
African Neurosurgery Research: A Scientometric Analysis of the Top 115 Most Cited Articles
Authors: Kanmounye Ulrick Sidney , Nguembu Stéphane , Zolo Yvan , Sichimba Dawin , Rolle Myron L. , Ammar Adam , Bankole Nourou Dine Adeniran , Kabulo Kantenga DM , Cheserem Beverly , Park Kee B. , Karekezi Claire , Esene Ignatius
Published: June 2021

BackgroundThe use of quantitative and qualitative scientometrics provides deductive and inductive insights into the landscape of research in a specific area. In this manuscript, the authors identified the major contributors of African neurosurgery and emerging terms.MethodsArticles on African neurosurgery were searched on Web of Science and 8 other repositories without language or date restrictions. The H-index, co-author, author country, time trend, and keyword analyses were done using Bibexcel and VOSviewer.Results115 articles on African neurosurgery were published in 36 journals by 90 first authors. The journals with the most articles were World Neurosurgery (46, 40.0%), Journal of Neurosurgery Pediatrics (8, 7.0%), and Neurosurgery (7, 6.1%). There was a rapid increase in the number of articles from 2010 and the median number of citations was 8 (IQR: 4-16). Qureshi MM had the highest H-index score (6) while Warf BC (5, 4.3%), Adeleye AO (4, 3.5%), and El Khamlichi (4, 3.5%) contributed the most to the 115 articles. The articles by Lanzino G (1999), Warf BC (2011), and Warf BC (2005) were the most influential. The U.S.A. had the largest node and South Africa, Kenya and Uganda were the most impactful African countries. Pediatric neurosurgery dominated the keywords and global neurosurgery was an emerging term. ConclusionThe most cited articles on African neurosurgery are published in prestigious specialty journals and neurosurgeons from Southern and East Africa are the most impactful local researchers. Future research should analyze the differences between African regions.
Safety of PRRSV-2 Vaccines Vaccination via Intramuscularly or Intradermally Routes and Evaluation of PRRSV Transmission and the Induction of Immune Response Between Needle- Free and Conventional Needle
Authors: Madapong Adthakorn , Saeng-chuto Kepalee , Tantituvanont Angkana , Nilubol Dachrit
Published: June 2021

Two separated experiments (Exp) were conducted to evaluate the shedding and efficacy of 2 modified live porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) type 2 vaccines (MLV) when administered intramuscularly (IM) or intradermally (ID) (Exp A), and the potential of PRRSV transmission using a needle-free device (Exp B). 154, castrated-male, pigs were procured from a PRRSV-free herd. In Exp A, 112 pigs were randomly allocated into 4 groups of 21 pigs including IM/Ingelvac MLV (G1), IM/Prime Pac (G2), ID/Prime Pac (G3), and non-vaccination (G4). G1 was IM vaccinated once with Ingelvac PRRS MLV (Ing) (Boehringer Ingelheim, Germany). G2 and G3 were IM and ID vaccinated once with Prime Pac PRRS (PP) (MSD Animal Health, The Netherlands), respectively. Following vaccination, an antibody response, IFN-γ-SC, and IL-10 were monitored. Sera, tonsils, nasal swabs, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), urines, and feces were collected from 3 vaccinated pigs each week to 42 days post-vaccination (DPV) and assayed for the presence of PRRSV using virus isolation and PCR. Age-matched sentinels were introduced weekly into vaccinated groups from 0 to 42 DPV and monitored for seroconversion. In Exp B, pigs were randomly allocated into 5 groups of 3 pigs each including IM/High (T1), ID/High (T2), IM/Low (T3), ID/Low (T4), and NoChal. The T1 and T2, and T3 and T4 groups were intranasally challenged with HP-PRRSV-2 at high (106) and low (103 TCID50/ml) doses, respectively. At 7 days post-challenge (DPC), T1 and T2, and T3 and T4 groups were IM and ID injected with Diluvac Forte using needles and a needless device (IDAL 3G, MSD Animal Health, The Netherlands), respectively. Same needles or devices were used to inject the same volume of Diluvac Forte into sentinel pigs. Seroconversion of sentinels was evaluated. The results demonstrated that PP vaccinated groups (G2 and G3), regardless of the route of vaccination, had ELISA response significantly lower than G1 at 7 and 14 DPV. PP-vaccinated groups (G2 and G3) had significantly higher IFN-γ-SC and lower IL-10 compared to the Ing-vaccinated group (G1). Based on IM, 2 different MLV had different virus distribution and shedding patterns. PP-vaccinated pigs had significantly shortened viremia than the Ing-vaccinated pigs. However, ID-vaccinated pigs had lower virus distribution in organs without virus shedding to sentinel pigs. In Exp B, ID-injected sentinel pigs had no seroconversion compared to IM-injected sentinel pigs regardless of the challenge dose. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that ID vaccination might represent an alternative to improve vaccine efficacy and safety, and may be able to reduce the shedding of vaccine viruses and reduce the iatrogenic transfer of pathogens between animals with shared needles.
Stage-Dependent Topographical and Optical Properties of Plasmodium Falciparum-Infected Red Blood Cells
Authors: Preißinger Katharina , Vértessy Beáta , Kézsmárki István , Kellermayer Miklós , Molnár Petra
Published: June 2021

Efficient malaria treatment is a major healthcare challenge. Addressing this challenge requires in-depth understanding of malaria parasite maturation during the intraerythrocytic cycle. Exploring the structural and functional changes of the parasite through the intraerythrocytic stages and their impact on red blood cells (RBCs) is a cornerstone of antimalarial drug development. In order to precisely trace such changes, we performed a thorough imaging study of RBCs infected by Plasmodium falciparum, by using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRF) supplemented with bright field microscopy for stage assignment. This multifaceted imaging approach allows to reveal structure–function relations via correlations of the parasite maturation with morphological and fluorescence properties of the stages. We established diagnostic patterns characteristic to the parasite stages based on the topographical profile of infected RBCs, which show close correlation with their fluorescence (TIRF) map. Furthermore, we found that hemozoin crystals exhibit a strong optical contrast, possibly due to the quenching of fluorescence. The topographical and optical features provide a tool for locating the hemozoin crystals within the RBCs and following their growth.
The Retrospective Analysis on the Influence of Taking Mifepristone and Misoprostol During First-trimester Pregnancy and Its Following Impact on Tissue Residual After Induced Abortion
Authors: xie Hai Xia , Liu Xiao Li , Sun Jun Jie , Huang Jian Rong
Published: June 2021

Objective: To explore the application of mifepristone in the stream of Residual tissue after abortion . Methods: A retrospective study of 1067 women who selected induced abortion in first-trimester pregnancy(gestational age ≤ 70 days) between January 1st，2018 and May 31st，2019 in Chongqing Health Center For Women and Children . Inclusion criteria: the first pregnancy patients, aged 18-30 years, gestational age ≤ 70 days. Test group (mifepristone + misoprostol) 467 cases. Control group(misoprostol) 600 cases. Analyzing the incidence of residual tissue after induced abortion. Evaluating the preventive effect of preoperative oral mifepristone on abortion incompleteness. Results: a total of 9 in test group occur residual tissue in uterine cavity，the incidence is 1.93%. In the controlled group, the number of residual tissue is 25,the incidence is 4.16%(P<0.05)，there was statistic difference between two groups. The uterine residue diameter in the test group(1.1±0.31cm) was lower than that in the control group(1.24±0.64cm)，but there was no statistical difference between the two groups of residue diameter (P>0.05)Conclusion: Oral mifepristone before operation can significantly reduce the incidence of tissue residual after induced abortion.
Socio-demographic Correlates of Pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index Among Low-income Women in Hawaii WIC Participating in a Randomised Trial
Authors: Asinobi Michelle , Palacios Cristina , Wu Yanyan , Banna Jinan
Published: June 2021

Background: A healthy pre-pregnancy BMI fosters positive outcomes for both mother and infant both during and after pregnancy. To design interventions to promote a healthy pre-pregnancy BMI in low-income women, it is important to understand correlates. The purpose of this study was to identify the socio-demographic correlates of pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) among low-income women.Methods: Participants were low-income pregnant women (n=83) in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in Hawai‘i enrolled in a four-month text message-based nutrition intervention program. Participants reported pre-pregnancy weight and height and completed a demographics questionnaire on age, race/ethnicity, education, employment status and number of children. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation for continuous variables, and frequencies and proportions for categorical variables) were used to summarize the sample. Simply linear regression analyses were performed to examine if independent variables were associated with BMI before pregnancy. Results: Among the 83 women, 33 (39.8%) were 18-24 years old, 22 (26.5%) were between 25 and 29, 19 (22.9%) were 30-34 and 9 (10.8%) were 35-41. A total of 18 (21.7%) were Asian. Age and race/ethnicity were marginally associated with BMI before pregnancy. The age group 30-34 had the highest BMI before pregnancy (p=0.06) and Asian had lower BMI before pregnancy than the other races/ethnicities (p=0.01). Conclusions: Being classified as Asian was associated with lower BMI before pregnancy, while those who were 30-34 years old had the highest pre-pregnancy BMI compared to other age groups. These socio-demographic factors should be taken into account when designing interventions to promote healthy weight in women of childbearing age. Trial registration: The trial is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04330976). Date of registration April 2, 2020 (restrospectively registered). URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04330976
Prognostic Nomogram for Predicting 5-year Overall Survival in Chinese Patients With High-grade Osteosarcoma
Authors: Yao Zhihong , Tan Zunxian , Yang Jifei , Yang Yihao , Wang Cao , Chen Jiaxiang , Zhu Yanan , Wang Tiying , Han Lei , Zhu Lin , Yang Zuozhang
Published: June 2021

This study purposed to construct a widely accepted prognostic nomogram in Chinese high-grade osteosarcoma (HOS) patients aged ≤ 30 years to provide insight into predicting 5-year overall survival (OS). Data of 503 consecutive HOS patients at our centre between 12/2012 and 05/2019 were retrospectively collected. The 84 clinical features, routine laboratory haematological and biochemical testing indicators of each patient at the time of diagnosis were collected. A prognostic nomogram model for predicting OS was constructed based on Cox proportional hazards model. The performance was assessed by concordance index (C-index), receiver operating characteristic curve and calibration curve. The utility was evaluated by decision curve analysis. The 5-year OS was 52.1% and 2.6% for the nonmetastatic and metastatic patients, respectively. The nomogram included nine important variables based on a multivariate analysis: tumour stage, surgical type, metastasis, preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy cycle, postoperative metastasis time, mean corpuscular volume, tumour-specific growth factor, gamma-glutamyl transferase and creatinine. The calibration curve showed that the nomogram was able to predict 5-year OS accurately. The C-index of the nomogram for OS prediction was 0.795 (range, 0.703-0.887). Moreover, the decision curve analysis curve also demonstrated the clinical benefit of this model. The nomogram provides an individualized risk estimate of the 5-year OS in patients with HOS aged ≤ 30 years in a Chinese population-based cohort.