bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toxicity test of desorbed chromium from polluted soil around tannery industry in Yogyakarta-Indonesia by using Brassica juncea and Helianthus annuus L.
Authors: Suherman Suherman , Akmarina Wina , Sutiawan Wulandari , Aprilita Nurul Hidayat , Mudasir Mudasir , Morita Kinichi
Published: December 2019

Indonesia’s target to be a new industrial country makes a wide chance in the developing of many industrial sectors. The main problem is the disruption of environmental balance due to poorly managed liquid waste released by the industry. Heavy metal such as chromium (Cr) is the typical pollutant generated from tannery industry in Indonesia. Toxicity test of desorbed chromium ions from polluted soil around tannery industry in Yogyakarta-Indonesia by using Brassica junceaand Helianthus annuus L.has been carried out. In this research, soil samples were dividedinto four sample points based on the distances from the waste water point sources. Metal content and some physico-chemical properties including ash content, total organic carbon, and cation exchange capacity were determined in this study. Furthermore, the chromium ions adsorption and desorption from polluted soils were investigated and measured by atomic adsorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Thus, ecotoxicity testsof soil eluates from desorption experiments wereperformed with Brassica junceaand Helianthus annuus L.The resultsshowed that sample III had the highestCr content at916mgkg–1.The adsorption isotherm of Cr ions into soils followed Langmuir isotherm with the highest maximum adsorption capacity value at 14.286 mg kg-1in the sample point IV (unpolluted soil). The optimum desorption of chromium occurred at pH 3. Toxicity test showed that Cr ions had toxic effect to Brassica junceaand Helianthus annuus L.
Statistical Error Propagation Aﬀecting the Quality of Experience Evaluation in Video on Demand Applications
Authors: Wahab Abdul , Schormans John , Ahmad Nafi
Published: December 2019

In addition to the traditional QoS metrics of delay, delay jitter, and packet loss probability (PLP), Quality of Experience (QoE) is now widely accepted as a numerical proxy for actual user experience. The literature has reported many mathematical mappings between QoE and QoS. These QoS parameters are measured by the network providers using sampling. There are some papers studying sampling errors in QoS measurements; however there is no account of propagation of these sampling errors to QoE evaluation. In this paper, we used industrially acquired measurements of PLP and jitter to evaluate the sampling errors and correlation in measurements. Focussing on Video-on-demand (VoD) applications, we use subjective testing and regression to map QoE metrics onto PLP and jitter. The resulting mathematical functions of QoE and theory of error propagation was used to evaluate the propagated error in QoE, and this error was represented as confidence interval. Using the guidelines of UK government for sampling, our results indicate that confidence intervals around estimated QoE in a busy hour can be between MOS=1 to MOS=5 at targeted operating point of QoS parameters. These results are a new perspective on QoE evaluation, and are of great significance to all organisations that need to estimate the QoE VoD applications precisely.
Alfabetización profesional de los estudiantes del Grado de Infantil a través de un Prácticum innovador
Authors: Mérida Serrano Rosario , González Alfaya María Elena , Olivares García María de los Ángeles , Rodríguez Carrillo Julia , Muñoz Moya Miguel
Published: December 2019

Se presenta la evaluación de una experiencia de innovación desarrollada en el Prácticum III de cuarto curso del Grado de Infantil de la Universidad de Córdoba, en el marco de la Red de Infantil Escuela-Centro de Profesorado-Universidad (RIECU). Se aplica el aprendizaje basado en proyectos (ABP) en las aulas infantiles. Participan 512 personas (niñas y niños de 3 a 6 años, familias, maestras y asesoras de Educación Infantil, alumnado de doctorado, estudiantes y profesorado universitario). Se utilizan tres estrategias de innovación: la pareja educativa, procesos de investigación-acción y procesos de documentación pedagógica. Se han utilizado dos instrumentos de recogida y producción de información: el grupo focal a las maestras y las memorias reflexivas de las estudiantes de Prácticum. Se realiza un análisis del discurso y se obtienen las siguientes conclusiones: Las estudiantes adquieren las siguientes competencias: (1) Comprender el valor de una planificación abierta y flexible; (2) Conocer ambientes de aprendizaje basados en la gestión colectiva del conocimiento; (3) Participar en situaciones de aprendizaje inclusivos que atienden a la diversidad; y (4) Comprender el valor de situaciones de aprendizaje en los que participa toda la comunidad, identificando los beneficios y debilidades de la participación familiar en los procesos educativos infantiles.
VIDEOJUEGO (WEB Y MÓVIL) DE SIMULACIÓN DE CASOS CLÍNICOS DE URGENCIAS EN VETERINARIA
Authors: Pérez Écija Alejandro , González de Cara Carlos , Buzón Cuevas Antonio , Mendoza García Francisco Javier
Published: December 2019

Ante las incipientes necesidades docentes que han surgido en veterinaria en base a las imposiciones del nuevo Grado y la adaptación al Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior, los solicitantes han desarrollado una aplicación en modo videojuego, publicable tanto en página web como mediante aplicación móvil (Android e iOS) en la cual el alumno se enfrenta a casos clínicos de urgencias en veterinaria. En cada caso clínico el alumno escoge interactivamente las pruebas a realizar, las evalúa y él mismo debe determinar tanto el diagnóstico como el tratamiento. El resultado del juego se ve influenciado por las decisiones del alumno, dependiendo en última instancia de si las pruebas escogidas y tratamiento seleccionado son idóneas o no. Esta aplicación y web está a disposición de todos los estudiantes del Grado y máster de veterinaria, habiendo sido ya utilizada por un gran número de los mismos y sentando así las bases para su futuro crecimiento.
Estudio del impacto de un cuestionario de autoevaluación online para el tratamiento de errores experimentales
Authors: Calzada Canalejo María Dolores , Cuesta Vázquez Antonio José , Díaz Soriano Antonio Manuel , González Gago Cristina , Muñoz Espadero José , Muñoz Serrano Encarnación , Ortiz Mora Antonio , Rincón Liévana Rocío , Yubero Serrano Cristina
Published: December 2019

La correcta comprensión del origen de las incertidumbres experimentales, así como su tratamiento matemático, resulta fundamental en la formación de cualquier científico, pues permite determinar la precisión de los resultados experimentales. Por este motivo, estos conocimientos forman parte de las competencias relacionadas con las asignaturas de Física de los primeros cursos universitarios. Se ha desarrollado e implantado en la plataforma Moodle un cuestionario de autoevaluación online como actividad de autoaprendizaje enfocada al tratamiento de errores en las prácticas de laboratorio de las asignaturas de Física de primer curso en diferentes grados científico-técnicos. Concretamente, fueron puestos a disposición del alumnado de los Grados de Química y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos. Para valorar el impacto percibido por el alumnado de estos cuestionarios de autoevaluación se realizaron encuestas previas y posteriores a las actividades, cuyos resultados muestran una alta correlación entre el uso de la actividad y la percepción de su utilidad. De igual forma, se han analizado las estadísticas de uso y las calificaciones proporcionadas por la plataforma Moodle, mostrando que, pese a la positiva percepción del impacto del cuestionario en su aprendizaje, es necesario perfilar la actividad para conseguir un mayor grado de uso.
Fomentando la vinculación entre empresa e investigación en el Grado en Administración y Dirección de Empresas
Authors: Guerrero Baena M. Dolores , Cava Jiménez José Antonio , Villanueva Rodríguez Anastasio J. , Hernández Rojas Ricardo David , Fernández Gallardo José Antonio , Berbel Vecino Julio
Published: December 2019

El objetivo principal de este artículo es presentar el proyecto de innovación docente llevado a cabo durante el curso 2017/2018 entre el alumnado del Grado en Administración y Dirección de Empresas de la Universidad de Córdoba y, en concreto, en asignaturas relacionadas con las finanzas y la contabilidad. En este proyecto se ha implementado una nueva metodología docente al objeto de mejorar la adquisición y el desarrollo de competencias por parte del alumnado en un contexto de íntima conexión entre empresa e investigación, al objeto de simular el contexto real en el cual le serán demandadas las competencias a los graduados en el momento en que se enfrenten a su entrada en el mercado de trabajo. La metodología y las actividades que se han desarrollado para conseguir este objetivo principal incluyen: i) un seminario impartido por un profesional financiero de una empresa real; ii) el método de aprendizaje basado en problemas reales y soluciones científicas; iii) trabajo cooperativo en clase; y iv) un seminario impartido por un investigador en finanzas. Los resultados sugieren que esta metodología promueve de manera eficaz la adquisición de competencias entre el alumnado, especialmente aquellas relativas a interpretar la información financiera y resolver problemas financieros corporativos.
Impact of metabolically healthy obesity on the risk of incident gastric cancer: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Hashimoto Yoshitaka , Hamaguchi Masahide , Obora Akihiro , Kojima Takao , Fukui Michiaki
Published: December 2019

Background The risk of colon or breast cancer in metabolically healthy obese (MHO) were lower than that in metabolically abnormal obese (MAO). We hypothesized that the risk of incident gastric cancer in MHO is lower than that in MAO.Methods This historical cohort study included 19,685 Japanese individuals who received health-checkup programs from 2003 to 2016. Each subject was classified as metabolically healthy (MH) (no metabolic abnormalities) or metabolically abnormal (MA) (one or more metabolic abnormalities), according to four metabolic factors (hypertension, impaired fasting glucose, hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL-cholesterol). Obese (O) or non-obese (NO) was classified by a BMI cutoff of 25.0 kg/m2. Hazard ratios of metabolic phenotypes for incident gastric cancer were calculated by the Cox proportional hazard model with adjustments for age, sex, alcohol consumption, smoking and exercise.Results Over the median follow-up period of 5.5 (2.9-9.4) years, incident rate of gastric cancer was 0.65 per 1000 persons-years. Incident rate of MHNO, MHO, MANO and MAO were 0.33, 0.25, 0.80 and 1.21 per 1000 persons-years, respectively. Compared with MHNO, the adjusted hazard ratios for development of gastric cancer were 0.69 (95%CI 0.04–3.39, p = 0.723) in MHO, 1.16 (95%CI 0.63–2.12, p = 0.636) in MANO and 2.09 (95%CI 1.10–3.97, p = 0.024) in MAO.Conclusions This study shows that individuals with MAO, but not those with MHO, had an elevated risk for incident gastric cancer. Thus, we should focus more on the presence of metabolic abnormalities rather than obesity itself for incident gastric cancer.
Vaginal repaired cesarean section diverticulum is beneficial in women with two prior cesarean sections
Authors: Wang Yizhi , Li Jiarui , Wang Xipeng
Published: December 2019

Study Objective: To evaluate the effect of vaginal repair in patients with cesarean section diverticulum (CSD) who had one or two previous cesarean sections (CSs).
Design: Observational cohort study.
Setting: Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital.
Patients: A total of 248 patients with CSD who underwent vaginal repair between January 2012 and December 2014.
Interventions: Vaginal excision and suture of CSD.
Measurements: From January 2012 to December 2014, 248 women with CSD underwent vaginal repair surgery in Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital. These included 193 women with one previous cesarean section and 55 women with two previous cesarean sections. Excision and suture of CSD was performed through a vaginal approach. The duration of menstruation, the length, width and depth of the CSD and thickness of the remaining muscular layer (TRM) C were evaluated before and after surgery by transvaginal three-dimensional (3D) color Doppler ultrasound.
Results: A total of 221 (89.11%) women were followed-up for more than 3 months, and 168 (67.74%) women were followed-up for more than 6 months. There were significant differences in the average duration of menstruation (7.77±2.05 and 8.02±2.06 days VS 13.99±3.71 days), the average size of CSD (5.54*9.19*5.60 and 5.75*9.04*6.18 mm VS 7.99*12.43*6.62 mm) and the TRM (7.61±2.52 and 7.60±3.00 mm VS 2.51±1.02 mm) after surgery compared with those figures before surgery. The results of this study reveal that vaginal repair could shorten the duration of menstruation and improve anatomical defects (P< 0.05). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the effect of clinical repair between women with one or two previous cesarean sections (P> 0.05).
Conclusion: In CSD patients, the clinical effectiveness of vaginal repair was equivalent between women with one or two previous cesarean sections.
Trial registration: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, affiliated with Tongji University (KS1512), and was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. All patients signed written informed consent to participate in this study. The author(s) agreed to provide copies of the appropriate documentation if requested.
Management of work-related common mental disorders in general practice: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Rivière Mathieu , Toullic Youenn , Lerouge Patrick , Blanchon Thierry , Leroyer Ariane , Plancke Laurent , Prazuck Thierry , Melchior Maria , Younès Nadia
Published: December 2019

Background: General practitioners (GPs) often manage individuals with work-related common mental disorders (CMD: depressive disorders, anxiety and alcohol abuse). However, little is known about the management characteristics. The aim of this study is to analyze GPs’ management and patterns of referral to other health professionals of patient with work-related CMD and associated factors.
Method: We used data from a cross-sectional study of 2 027 working patients of 121 GPs in the Nord – Pas-de-Calais region in France (April – August 2014). Statistical analyses focused on patients with work-related CMD detected by the GP. Descriptive analyses were used to characterize GPs’ management of the patients’ symptoms. Associations between patient, work, GP and contextual characteristics and GPs’ management were explored using modified Poisson regression models with robust variance.
Results: Among the 533 patients with work-related CMD in the study, the GPs provided psychosocial support to 88.0%, 82.4% were prescribed psychotropic treatment and 50.7% were on sick leave. Referral rates to mental health specialists and occupational physicians were respectively 39.8% and 26.1%. Several factors including patients’ characteristics (occupational and sociodemographic), GPs’ characteristics and environmental data were associated with the different type of management used by the GP.
Conclusion: Our study emphasizes the major and often lonesome role of the GP in the management of patients with work-related CMDs. Better knowledge of the way GPs manage those patients could help GPs in their practice, improve patients care and be a starting point to implement a more collaborative care approach.
Functional and population genetic features of copy number variations in two dairy cattle populations
Authors: Lee Young-Lim , Bosse Mirte , Mullaart Erik , Groenen Martien A. M. , Veerkamp Roel F. , Bouwman Aniek C.
Published: December 2019

Background Copy Number Variations (CNVs) are gain or loss of DNA segments that are known to play a role in shaping a wide range of phenotypes. In this study, we used two dairy cattle populations, Holstein Friesian and Jersey, to discover CNVs using the Illumina BovineHD Genotyping BeadChip aligned to the ARS-UCD1.2 assembly. The discovered CNVs were investigated for their functional impact and their population genetics features.

Results We discovered 14,272 autosomal CNVs, which were aggregated into 1,755 CNV regions (CNVR) from 451 animals. These CNVRs together cover 2.8% of the bovine autosomes. The assessment of the functional impact of CNVRs showed that rare CNVRs (MAF < 0.01) are more likely to overlap with genes, than common CNVRs (MAF ≥ 0.05). The Population differentiation index (Fst) based on CNVRs revealed multiple highly diverged CNVRs between the two breeds. Some of these CNVRs overlapped with candidate genes such as MGAM and ADAMTS17 genes, which are related to starch digestion and body size, respectively. Lastly, linkage disequilibrium (LD) between CNVRs and BovineHD BeadChip SNPs was generally low, close to 0, although common deletions (MAF 0.05) showed slightly higher LD (r2=~0.1 at 10kb distance) than the rest. Nevertheless, this LD is still lower than SNP-SNP LD (r2=~0.5 at 10kb distance).

Conclusions Our analyses showed that CNVRs detected using BovineHD BeadChip arrays are likely to be functional. This finding indicates that CNVs can potentially disrupt the function of genes and thus might alter phenotypes. Also, the population differentiation index revealed two candidate genes, MGAM and ADAMTS17, which hint at adaptive evolution between the two populations. Lastly, low CNVR-SNP LD implies that genetic variation from CNVs might not be fully captured in routine animal genetic evaluation, which relies solely on SNP markers.

Keywords: Copy number variations, Bos taurus, Linkage disequilibrium, population genetics
Systematic analysis of the basic/helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor family in pummelo (Citrus grandis) and identification of the key members involved in the response to iron deficiency
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Yong , Qiu Jie-Ya , Hui Qiu-Ling , Xu Yuan-Yuan , He Yi-Zhong , Peng Liang-Zhi , fu xing-zheng
Published: December 2019

Background

Iron (Fe) deficiency is a common problem in citrus production. As the second largest superfamily of transcription factors (TFs), the basic/helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins have been shown to participate in the regulation of Fe homeostasis and a series of other biological and developmental processes in plants. However, this family of members in citrus and their functions in citrus Fe deficiency are still largely unknown.

Results

In this study, we identified a total of 128 CgbHLHs from pummelo ( Citrus grandis ) genome that were classified into 18 subfamilies by phylogenetic comparison with Arabidopsis thaliana bHLH proteins. All of these CgbHLHs were randomly distributed on nine known (125 genes) and one unknown (3 genes) chromosomes, and 12 and 47 of them were identified to be tandem and segmental duplicated genes, respectively. Sequence analysis showed detailed characteristics of their intron-exon structures, bHLH domain and conserved motifs. Gene ontology (GO) analysis suggested that most of CgbHLHs were annotated to the nucleus, DNA-binding transcription factor activity, response to abiotic stimulus, reproduction, post-embryonic development, flower development and photosynthesis. In addition, 27 CgbHLH proteins were predicted to have direct or indirect protein-protein interactions. Based on GO annotation, RNA sequencing data in public database and qRT-PCR results, several of CgbHLHs were identified as the key candidates that respond to iron deficiency.

Conclusions

In total, 128 CgbHLH proteins were identified from pummelo, and their detailed sequence and structure characteristics and putative functions were analyzed. This study provides comprehensive information for further functional elucidation of CgbHLH genes in citrus.
Validation of RESP and PRESERVE score for ARDS patients with pumpless Extracorporeal Lung Assist (pECLA)
Authors: Petran Jan , Muelly Thorsten , Dembinski Rolf , Steuer Niklas , Arens Jutta , Marx Gernot , Kopp Ruedger
Published: December 2019

Background: RESP score and PRESERVE score have been validated for veno-venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in severe ARDS to assume individual mortality risk. ARDS patients with low-flow Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal, especially pumpless Extracorporeal Lung Assist, have also a high mortality rate, but there are no validated specific or general outcome scores. Methods: In a retrospective single center cohort study we calculated and evaluated RESP, PRESERVE, and SOFA score for 73 ARDS patients with pumpless Extracorporeal Lung Assist. Additionally, demographic data and hospital mortality as well as ventilator settings, hemodynamic parameters, and blood gas measurement before and during extracorporeal therapy were recorded. Results: Pumpless Extracorporeal Lung Assist of mechanical ventilated ARDS patients resulted in an optimized lung protective ventilation, significant reduction of PaCO2, and compensation of acidosis. Scoring showed a mean score of alive versus deceased patients of 3 ± 1 versus -1 ± 1 for RESP (p < 0.01), 3 ± 0 versus 6 ± 0 for PRESERVE (p < 0.05) and 8 ± 1 versus 10 ± 1 for SOFA (p < 0.05). Using receiver operating characteristic curves, area under the curve (AUC) was 0.78 (95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.67 – 0.89, p < 0.01) for RESP score, 0.80 (95 % CI 0.70 – 0.90, p < 0.0001) for PRESERVE score and 0.66 (95 % CI 0.53 – 0.79, p < 0.05) for SOFA score. Conclusions: RESP and PRESERVE scores were superior to SOFA, as non-specific critical care score. Although scores were developed for veno-venous ECMO, we could validate RESP and PRESERVE score for pumpless Extracorporeal Lung Assist. In conclusion, RESP and PRESERVE score are suitable to estimate mortality risk of ARDS patients with an arterio-venous pumpless Extracorporeal Carbon Dioxide Removal.
The Influence of Summertime Heat Waves on Emotional Health
Authors: Huang Huanchun , Deng Xin , Yang Hailin , Chen Tunong , bai lin , Liu Junjie
Published: December 2019

BackgroundWith increases in global urbanization and global warming, there are corresponding increases in urban heat island effects. Heatwave disasters are occurring more frequently, bringing direct and indirect mental health hazards to urban residents. Understanding the mechanism of the impact of high ambient temperatures on emotional health is a scientific problem that needs clarification.MethodsData collected through an emotions questionnaire and temperature data measured on heatwave days were analyzed using GIS, SPSS and MATLAB software to study the influence of heatwaves on the negative emotions of middle-aged and elderly people (over 40 years old).ResultsThe results indicate that the degree of influence of high temperatures on various negative emotions differs significantly, as some emotional responses tend to fluctuate while others steadily worsen. The progression of emotional responses is distressed > irritable > nervous > hostile. With increasing temperatures, phase-based changes in emotional states occur, with different emotional states corresponding to different temperature thresholds; the temperature thresholds for distress/nervousness/hostility were shown to be 38°C/43°C, 40°C/44°C, 43°C, respectively.ConclusionAmbient temperatures exceeding 35°C have a significant negative impact on the emotional health of middle-aged and elderly people. Irritability and nervousness monotonically increase, while distress and hostility tend to fluctuate. This study contributes to the prevention and management of the harmful effects of heatwaves on emotions, providing basic information applicable to designing layouts for urban green spaces to reduce the effects of urban heat islands.
Assessment of contaminants in California drinking water: analyses by region and water system size
Authors: Bangia Komal , August Laura , Slocombe Andrew , Faust John
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUND While research has shown that small community water systems in the San Joaquin Valley, an agricultural region in California, experience a disproportionate amount of drinking water contamination, little is known about the extent of contamination in other California regions. Additionally, state-wide research on drinking water contamination in areas not served by community water systems (mostly private domestic well users) and research comparing contamination across system size are also limited.METHODS Using a novel method to assign drinking water and groundwater contaminant data to community water system service areas and areas outside of service area boundaries, we conducted a spatial analysis to estimate concentrations of thirteen contaminants and two drinking water standard violations by system size and California region. We developed a cumulative ranking method to evaluate which regions or system size category are most burdened by multiple drinking water pollutants. A trend test was also used to evaluate the influence of system size on contaminant concentrations.RESULTS The San Joaquin Valley, areas not served by community water systems, and small water systems had the highest cumulative rank for multiple high contaminant concentrations, most notably arsenic and nitrate. Large systems and the South Coast region, which includes Los Angeles, had the highest levels of disinfection byproducts and industrial contaminants like tetrachloroethylene. Violations, arsenic, lead, and cadmium had negative trends as system size increased (p<0.05). Industrial contaminants and disinfection byproducts had positive trends as system size increased (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONS Few large-scale studies have examined how geographic region or system size impact drinking water quality. Although not indicative of violating drinking water standards, our results show where efforts for specific contaminants can be targeted in specific regions. The results presented here can help understand where contaminant levels might be elevated, both from an individual contaminant perspective as well as where multiple elevated contaminant levels accumulate.
Age- and gender-specific trends in respiratory outpatient visits and diagnoses at a tertiary pediatric hospital in China: a 10-year retrospective study
Authors: Shi Peng , Zhang Xiaobo , Liu Lijuan , Tang Liangfeng , Li Jing , Wang Libo , Li Albert M. , Cao Yang , Xu Hong , Huang Guoying
Published: December 2019

Background: Respiratory infections are one of three leading causes of childhood mortality, and worldwide increase and recent plateau in childhood asthma has been reported. However, data on trends of respiratory diseases over long period of time is limited. This study aimed to determine the trends of respiratory disease outpatient visits (ROVs) and diagnoses (RODs) in one of the largest children’s teaching hospitals in China between 2009 and 2018. Methods: A retrospective study based on routine administrative data was designed and implemented according to the RECORD statement. Demographic details and diagnoses of the outpatients <18 years visiting the respiratory department of the hospital were extracted from the Hospital Information System. Age- and gender-specific trends were illustrated by calculating average annual growth rate (AGR) for ROVs and comparing change of proportion for different RODs over time. Results: There were 698054 ROVs from 285574 children (40.4% female). Average AGR of ROVs was 15.2%. Children aged 4 to < 7 years had a faster increase than other age groups. Bronchitis (27.6%), pneumonia (18.5%), pneumonia affecting other systems (18.4%), asthma and status asthmaticus (10.7%), and vasomotor and allergic rhinitis (9.2%) accounted for 84.4% of all RODs. The proportion of bronchitis decreased across years, with the concomitant increasing trend in the proportion of pneumonia. Age-specific trend in diagnoses showed the significantly increased proportion of asthma with ages, especially for the children aged 4 to < 18 years. Gender-specific trend in diagnoses showed the proportion of asthma was greater for males but the average AGR was greater for females. Conclusion: The persistent upward trend in ROVs was observed among children at different ages and a gender difference was also seen. In contrast to what has been reported, burden of asthma and allergies diseases continues to increase locally. Keywords: Respiratory infections, Asthma, Pediatrics, Outpatients, Trend study
Dose relationship between maternal milk proportion and necrotizing enterocolitis development
Authors: lin Bingchun , Sun Panpan , Xiong Xiaoyun , Zhuang Yanzhu , Chen Xueyu , Yao Fang , Yang Chuanzhong
Published: December 2019

Background: To examine the dose effect of maternal milk (MM) feeding on neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) development. Methods: This retrospective study included 305 infants [birth weight<1 500 g, or gestation age (GA)<32 weeks]. Curve estimation was performed to evaluate the dose relationship between MM proportion and NEC. Then infants were grouped based on curve trend and multivariable regression analysis was conducted to prove the curve estimation.Results: Rate of NEC for the sample was 7.9% and age at onset was 25.6(16.0–26.0) days. The curve showed that when MM proportion was increased from zero to 20%, rate of NEC increased from 25% to 40% at first and when MM from 20% to 100%, rate dropped from 40% to near zero. In the MM proportion from zero to 40%, rate of NEC changed greatly. The multiple regression analysis showed that compared with MM proportion >0.70, 0.4<MM proportion £0.7 was associated with a 5.482- fold higher odds of developing NEC（P=0.032）; 0<MM proportion £0.4 was a 24.99-fold increase in the odds of developing NEC（P<0.001）; MM proportion =0 was a 9.348-fold increase in the odds of developing NEC（P=0.003）. Conclusion: This study estimated how rate of NEC changed with MM proportion increase, MM proportion being greater than 40% had a significant protection against NEC. We should encourage mother for breast milk and alert to NEC when the preterm is mixed feeding with MM proportion less than 40%.
An investigation of amino acid and acylcarnitine levels in neonates from the Tibet Autonomous
Authors: Zhang Chunyan , Dha Drun , Cheng Yuxuan , Ma Ya , Meng Yan , Tse Drun , Ngawang Dolma , Dekyi Pedrun , Jiang Tao , Shu Yang , Cui Jiayi , Li Jing , Tian Yaping
Published: December 2019

Background: The purpose of the study was to establish reference values of amino acids and acylcarnitines in newborns of the Tibet Autonomous Region for the first time and to provide an experimental basis for the diagnosis of genetic metabolic diseases.Methods: We detected concentrations of 43 kinds of amino acids, acylcarnitines and succinylacetone in the dried blood spots of 15029 newborns using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. We compared the indexes between Tibet and our lab, where most data come from an inland area and Han Chinese people. Then we compared amino acid and acylcarnitine levels of seven regions in Tibet and explored their impact factors. The distribution of amino acid and acylcarnitines were different in Tibet.Results: Reference intervals of amino acids and acyl carnitines in neonates from the Tibet Autonomous Region were defined according to the (P 0.5% ~ P 99.5%) of the values. Given the third reference range, the recall rate of statistical screening was significantly reduced to 2.16%.Conclusions: This study has contributed to the field by determining the actual values of amino acids and acylcarnitines in newborns from the Tibet Autonomous Region, which could be used as reference for a newborn metabolic screening project in this area.
CCL2 is associated with metastasis and poor prognosis of bladder cancer
Authors: gao wei , zhang qiwang , zhang lianhua , liu qiang , duan xuehui , bo juanjie , yang guoliang
Published: December 2019

Background: Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) is an important immune factor, which may be important in cancer progression by promoting proliferation, invasion metastasis and the tumor microenvironment. Recent researches have demonstrated that overexpression of CCL2 is associated with unfavorable prognosis in various cancer types. In this study, we aim to determine the prognostic value of CCL2 expression in patients with bladder cancer (BC). Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 154 patients with bladder cancer at Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University between 2005 and 2007. CCL2 expression was assessed by immunohistochemical staining and its association with clinicopathologic features and prognosis were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier method was applied to compare survival curves. Cox regression models were ﬁtted to analyze the effect of prognostic factors on Overall survival (OS). Results: CCL2 protein had high expression in 73 of 154 cases of BC (47%). CCL2 overexpression was signiﬁcantly associated with tumor grade (P<0.001), stage (P=0.005), and lymph node metastasis (P=0.025). The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis demonstrated that CCL2 expression was signiﬁcantly associated with DSS and OS (both P< 0.001). Multivariate analysis further demonstrated that CCL2 was an independent prognostic factor for patients with BC. Conclusion: CCL2 might be a new molecular marker to predict the prognosis of patients with BC. The novel risk classification based on combining CCL2 and TNM is more reliable than using either alone.
PAC-mediated AKI protection is critically mediated but does not exclusively depend on cell-derived microvesicles
Authors: Dihazi Hassan , Schwarze Katrin , Patschan Susann , Müller Gerhard Anton , Ritter Oliver , Patschan Daniel
Published: December 2019

Background: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) significantly worsens the prognosis of hospitalized patients. In recent years, cell-based strategies have been established as reliable option for improving AKI outcomes in experimental AKI. Own studies focused on so-called Proangiogenic Cells (PACs). Mechanisms that contribute to PAC-mediated AKI protection include production / secretion of extracellular vesicles (MV - microvesicles). In addition, the cells most likely act by paracrinic processes (secretome). The current study evaluated whether AKI may be preventable by the administration of either PAC-derived MV and / or the secretome alone.Methods: AKI was induced in male C57/Bl6N mice (8-12 weeks) by bilateral renal ischemia (IRI - 40 minutes). Syngeneic murine PACs were stimulated with either melatonine, Angiopoietin-1 or -2, or with Bone Morphogenetic Protein-5 (BMP-5) for one hour, respectively. PAC-derived MV and the vesicle-depleted supernatant were subsequently collected and i.v. injected post-ischemia. Mice were analyzed 48 hours later.Results: IRI induced significant kidney excretory dysfunction as reflected by higher serum cystatin C levels. The only measure that improved AKI was the injection of MV, collected from native PACs. The following conditions worsened post-ischemic renal function even further: MV+Ang-1, MV+BMP-5, MV+melatonin, and MV+secretome+Ang-1.Conclusion: Together, our data show that PAC-mediated AKI protection substantially depends on the availability of cell-derived MV. However, since previous data showed improved AKI-protection by PACs after cell preconditioning with certain mediators (Ang-1 and -2, melatonine, BMP-5), other than exclusively vesicle-dependent mechanisms must be involved in PAC-mediated AKI protection.
Identification of Novel Nonsense Mutations in Iranian patients suffering from autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Khadangi Fatemeh , Torkamanzehi Adam , Kerachian Mohammad Amin
Published: December 2019

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the predominant type of inherited kidney disorder, which occurs due to PKD1 and PKD2 gene mutations. ADPKD diagnosis is made primarily by kidney imaging; however, molecular genetic analysis needs to be implicated to confirm the diagnosis. It is critical to perform a molecular genetic analysis when the diagnosis is uncertain, particularly in simplex cases (i.e., a single occurrence in a family), in people with remarkably mild symptoms, or in individuals with atypical presentations. The main aim of this study is to determine the likelihood of PKD1 gene mutations in Iranian patients with ADPKD diagnosis. Methods: Genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples from 26 ADPKD patients, who were referred to the Qaem Hospital in Mashhad, Iran. By using suitable primers, 16 end exons of PKD1 gene that are regional hotspots, were replicated with PCR. Then, PCR products were subjected to DNA directional Sanger sequencing.Results: The results of DNA sequencing in the patients showed that exons 35, 36 and 37 were non- polymorphic, while most mutations had occurred in exons 44 and 45. Only in two patients, exon-intron boundary mutation had occurred in intron 44. Most of the variants were missense and non-synonymous types. Conclusion: In this study, we present nine novel mutations/polymorphisms in PKD1. These data will contribute to an improved diagnostic and genetic counseling in clinical settings. Keywords: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease; PKD1; mutational analysis; Iranian
Impact of polyclonal antithymocyte globulins on kidney transplant outcomes in real-life: a propensity score analysis
Authors: Bamoulid Jamal , Crepin Thomas , Gaiffe Emilie , Moulin Bruno , Frimat Luc , Rieu Philippe , Mousson Christiane , Durrbach Antoine , Heng Anne-Elisabeth , Rebibou Jean-Michel , Saas Philippe , Courivaud Cécile , Ducloux Didier
Published: December 2019

Background Randomized studies reported a marginal superiority of polyclonal antithymocyte globulins (ATG) to prevent acute rejection compared to monoclonal anti-CD25 antibodies (IL2Ra). Nevertheless, the representativeness and the generalizability of these studies are questionable. Methods We studied the impact of ATG use in real-life conditions in a multicenter study. Propensity score analysis was performed to address potential confounding by indication. Results 817 patients were included. Logistic regression revealed that age, male gender, a pre-transplant history of cancer, presence of anti-HLA antibodies, previous kidney transplantation, and transplant center were associated with ATG use. The area under the curve of the propensity score was 0.84+0.02. ATG use was not associated with a lower rate of acute rejection (18.2% in ATG-treated patients vs 15.8% in non-ATG-treated patients, p=0.356). Adjustment for propensity score slightly modified the relationship between ATG and acute rejection towards a more neutral effect (p=0.913). Score match analysis recapitulated the previous result. ATG use was associated with the occurrence of opportunistic infection (p=0.034). There was no difference in graft loss or death between the two groups. Conclusions In real-life conditions, ATG does not substantially reduce the risk of acute rejection after kidney transplantation. A better discrimination of patients who may benefit of ATG is required.
Association of IL-1β, IL-1α and IL-10 single nucleotide polymorphisms with Mini-Mental State Examination and event-related potentials
Authors: Leko Mirjana Babić , Perković Matea Nikolac , Skorić Magdalena Krbot , Klepac Nataša , Štrac Dubravka Švob , Borovečki Fran , Pivac Nela , Hof Patrick R. , Simic Goran
Published: December 2019

Background: Neuroinflammation is enhanced in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain. Its association with both amyloid and tau pathology is well documented. Activated microglia in the AD brain release pro-inflammatory cytokines that can damage neurons, while anti-inflammatory cytokines are also released to oppose this process. Association of IL-1β -1473C/G, IL-1α -889C/T and IL-10 -1082G/A polymorphisms with AD has been amply documented previously. In this study we assessed whether people carrying certain genotypes in these polymorphisms were more prone to disease progression as tested by the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and event-related potentials (ERP). Methods: After blood collection, isolation of DNA and determination of polymorphisms, 226 subjects were tested neuropsychologically using MMSE (including AD patients, mild cognitive impairment patients, patients with other causes of dementia, and healthy controls). ERP were measured by electroencephalography (EEG) in this cohort. Results: MMSE scores were significantly lower in patients carrying the G allele in the IL-1β -1473, T allele in the IL-1α -889, and A allele in the IL-10 -1082 polymorphism. The P300 latency was significantly prolonged in patients carrying the G allele in the IL-1β -1473 polymorphism. Conclusions: Patients carrying risk genotypes in IL-1β -1473, IL-1α -889 and IL-10 -1082 polymorphisms may be susceptible to faster disease progression. Additionally, IL-1β -1473 polymorphism may represent a strong genetic biomarker of AD.
The association of dietary antioxidants intake with the risk of cardiovascular disease: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study
Authors: Mirmiran Parvin , Esfandiar Zohreh , Hosseini-Esfahani Firoozeh , Hosseinpour-Niazi somayeh , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: December 2019

Aim: This study investigated the association between daily consumption of dietary vitamins A, E, C and zinc and the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: Eligible adults (n=5102) were selected from among participants of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study with an average follow-up of 5.3 years. Dietary intakes were assessed using a valid and reliable semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometrics and biochemical variables were evaluated at baseline and follow-up examinations. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate the development of CVD in relation to total intakes of vitamins A, E, C and zinc. Results: This study was conducted on 2253 men and 2849 women, aged 47.0±11.6 and 45.6±10.5 years, respectively. Main source of dietary vitamins A, E, C and zinc was fruits, vegetables and legumes in our study. Risk of CVD decreased from quartiles 1 to 4 for vitamin E intake (HR (95% CI): 1.00, 0.91, 0.77, 0.57, P trend =0.03). The association between risk of CVD and the quartiles of vitamin A, vitamin C and zinc intake was not significant. Conclusion : Our study suggests an inverse association between vitamin E intake and the risk of CVD, results emphasizing the potential protective role of fruits and vegetables in the prevention of CVD.
Predicting factors of adjacent segment degeneration after long-segment spinal fusion: spinopelvic parameters analysis
Authors: Chiu Ping-Yeh , Kao Fu-Cheng , Chen Wen-Jer , Yu Chia-Wei , Niu Chi-Chien , Lai Po-Liang , Tsai Tsung-Ting , Hsieh Ming-Kai
Published: December 2019

Purpose We investigated whether spinopelvic parameters are important prognostic factors for adjacent segment degeneration after long instrumented spinal fusion for degenerative spinal disease. Methods This uncontrolled, randomized, single arm retrospective study included patients who underwent long instrumented lumbar fusion (fusion levels≥ 4) in the past 5 years with follow-up for at least 2 years. The inclusion criteria included adult patients (≥40 years of age) with a diagnosis of spinal degeneration who underwent instrumented corrective surgery. The exclusion criteria included preexisting adjacent disc degeneration, combined anterior reconstructive surgery, and distal ASD. Clinical and operative characters were evaluated. Lumbar lordotic angle (LLA), sacral slope angle (SSA), pelvic tilt angle (PTA) and pelvic incidence angle (PIA) were compared preoperatively, postoperatively and at the final follow-up. Results From 2009 to 2014, 60 patients (30 ASD and 30 non-ASD patients) were enrolled. The average age was 66.82 ± 7.48 years for the study group and 67.97 ± 7.81 years for the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in clinical and operative characteristics. Among all spinopelvic parameters, only pre-, post-operative and final follow-up PIA in ASD group (53.9±10.4ﾟ, 54.6±14.0ﾟ, 54.3±14.1ﾟ) and non-ASD group (60.3±13.0ﾟ, 61.8±11.3ﾟ, 62.5±11.2ﾟ) showed statistically significant differences (p<0.05). Conclusion This study confirms that preoperative, postoperative and final follow-up PIA is a significant factor contributing to the development of adjacent segment degeneration after long instrumented spinal fusion.
Changes in Mental Health of Chinese Army during 1990-2016：A cross-temporal meta-analysis
Authors: Li Fengzhan , Xin Sufei , Lu Wenyu , Yu Xinyue , Liu Lijun , Zhu Xia
Published: December 2019

Background: China has undergone tremendous social changes, which creates a moderately prosperous society. With the reforms of economic and national defense, Chinese armies’ mental health status might also have changed over the past decades. Methods: The present study examined the changes in mean scores on Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) of 358 studies (N=275, 123) from 1990 to 2016 by the cross-temporal meta-analysis. Results: It was found that mental health status of Chinese army has been getting better since the 1990s. Meanwhile, there were significant negative correlations between mental health scores and social indicators (consumption level of residents, military budget, subsidies for military families). Conclusions: This changing trend may be related to the level of social economic development. It indicates that Chinese national defense and military reform are heading in the right direction as well.
Impact guaranteed? Involving potential recipients, implementers and wider stakeholders in the co-production of two school-based relationships and sex education interventions to prevent teenage pregnancy and dating and relationships violence
Authors: Ponsford Ruth , Meiksin Rebecca , Crichton Joanna , Bragg Sara , Emmerson Lucy , Tancred Tara , Tilouche Nerissa , Morgan Gemma , Gee Pete , Young Honor , Campbell Rona , Bonell Chris
Published: December 2019

Background: The benefits of involving intended recipients, implementers and other stakeholders in the co-production of public health interventions are widely promoted. Practical accounts reflecting on the process and value of co-production in intervention design, however, remain scarce. We outline our approach to the co-production of two multi-component, school-based relationships and sex education interventions. We reflect on the utility of involving school staff, students, and other youth, professional and policy stakeholders in intervention design and on some of the challenges we encountered during the process. Methods: Seven consultations were conducted in southeast and southwest England involving 75 students aged 13–15 and 22 school staff. A group of young people trained to advise on public health research were consulted on three occasions. Twenty-three sexual health and sex education practitioners and policy makers shared their views at a stakeholder event. Written summaries of activities were prepared by researchers and shared with the specialist provider agencies for each intervention. Negotiated consensus between researchers and providers was reached about how participant views should inform intervention content, format and delivery models. Results: Consultations confirmed acceptability of intervention aims, components and delivery models, including curriculum delivery by teachers. They sensitised us to the need to ensure content reflected the reality of young people’s experiences; include flexibility for the timetabling of lessons; and to develop prescriptive teaching materials and robust school engagement strategies to reflect shrinking capacity for schools to implement public-health interventions. Accessing and prioritising stakeholder feedback was not always straightforward, however, where specific expertise or capacity for participation was limited or when participant views contradicted best practice, budget or the randomised controlled trial design. Conclusions: Involving potential recipients, implementers and wider stakeholders as co-producers in intervention design can bring valuable insights that can help reduce research waste. Successful co-production can be complex and challenging and requires careful consideration of the topics participants can most usefully speak to; the representativeness of those involved; the capacity available for participation; and how participants will be compensated. Findings also alert us to the importance of having well-defined, transparent procedures for deciding how stakeholder input will be incorporated.