bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Newborn Behavioral Observation, maternal stress, depressive symptoms and the mother-infant relationship: Results from the Northern Babies Longitudinal Study (NorBaby).
Authors: Høifødt Ragnhild Sørensen , Nordahl Dag , Landsem Inger Pauline , Csifcsák Gábor , Bohne Agnes , Pfuhl Gerit , Rognmo Kamilla , Braarud Hanne C. , Goksøyr Arnold , Moe Vibeke , Slinning Kari , Wang Catharina Elisabeth Arfwedson
Published: March 2020

Background Families can experience the postpartum period as overwhelming and many report a special need for support. The Newborn Behavioral Observation (NBO) aims to promote a positive parent-infant relationship by sensitising parents to the infant’s signals. This article evaluates the NBO as a universal preventive intervention within the regular well-baby clinic service on measures of maternal depressive symptoms, parental stress, the mother-infant relationship and satisfaction/benefit of the postpartum follow-up.Methods This investigation is part of a larger longitudinal study comprising 220 women and 130 of their partners recruited between 2015 and 2017. The study had a non-randomised cluster-controlled design with 6 measurement points. This article is based on a sample of 196 women using data from T1 (gestational weeks 13-39), T4 (5-15 weeks postpartum) and T5 (3-9 months postpartum). Participants were allocated to a group receiving the NBO (n=82) and a care as usual comparison group (n=114). We measured maternal depressive symptoms and parental stress using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Parenting Stress Index (PSI). The mother-infant relationship was assessed with the Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ), the Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale (MPAS) and the Maternal Confidence Questionnaire (MCQ). Participants also answered questions about satisfaction/benefit of the postpartum follow-up.Results Multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA) and repeated measures ANCOVA found no significant differences between the groups for the mother-infant relationship domains and few differences in depressive symptoms and parental stress. The repeated measures ANCOVA found that participants in the NBO-group scored slightly higher on parental stress, although the difference was small. A Mann-Whitney U test indicated that participants in the NBO-group learned significantly more than the comparison group from the follow-up about the baby’s signals in relation to sleep/sleep patterns, social interaction and crying/fuzziness.Conclusions The results indicate that the NBO-group learned more than the comparison group about reading their child’s signals in important everyday situations. However, the benefits of the NBO were limited for depressive symptoms, parental stress and mother-infant relationship measures. The study sample was generally well-functioning, and the results indicate that the benefits of the NBO may be limited within a well-functioning sample.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials, NCT02538497, Registered 2 September 2015, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02538497?term=northern+babies&draw=1&rank=1
Moyamoya Health Behavior scale for adolescent patients: Measurement tool development and psychometric evaluation
Authors: Oh Won-oak , Yeom Insun , Lim Sung Hyun , Kim Dong-Seok , Shim Kyu-won
Published: March 2020

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a measurement tool to assess health-related behavior of adolescents with moyamoya disease. Design: This was a methodological study to develop and validate the Moyamoya-Health Behavior scale (Moyamoya-HB scale) for adolescent patients. Methods: The initial 108 items of the preliminary Moyamoya-HB scale for adolescent patients were generated based on extensive literature reviews and in-depth focus-group interviews with eight moyamoya-suffering adolescents and 12 parents. Group interviews were conducted by six experts (two pediatric neurosurgeons, one psychologist and three nurses). Psychometric testing was performed with a convenience sample of 120 hospitalized adolescents with moyamoya disease recruited from Y University hospitals in South Korea. The construct validity, convergent validity and discriminant validity were tested by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. For criterion validity, concurrent validity was confirmed by using the Korean adolescents’ health behaviors tool. To confirm the reliability of the Moyamoya-HB scale, the construct reliability and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated. Findings: The final 12-item Moyamoya-HB scale for adolescents was categorized by three sub-domains: implementation of treatment for moyamoya disease, health promoting behavior for moyamoya disease and health coping behavior for moyamoya disease. Overall, these factors explained 68.97% of the total variance. The result of the confirmative factor analysis supported the construct, convergent and discriminant validity of the three sub-domains. The Moyamoya-HB scale for adolescents also demonstrated a concurrent validity with the Korean adolescents’ health behaviors tool ( r = .59, p <.001). Reliability analysis showed an acceptable-to-high Cronbach’s alpha of .865 in total, and the subscales ranged from .800 to .841. Conclusion: The Moyamoya-HB scale is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating the awareness of hospital safety among hospitalized children . Clinical relevance: The Moyamoya-HB scale should be able to contribute to building empirical- and evidence-based data for the development and application of various intervention programs for health promotion of adolescents with moyamoya disease and the prevention of hospital-related accidents among children.
Viewing an alpine environment positively affects emotional analytics in patients with stress-related psychiatric disorders
Authors: Hüfner Katharina , Ower Cornelia , Kemmler Georg , Vill Theresa , Martini Caroline , Schmitt Andrea , Sperner-Unterweger Barbara
Published: March 2020

Background: Patients with stress-related psychiatric (psychosomatic) disorders often don´t respond well to medical treatment and experience many side effects. It is thus of clinical relevance to identify alternative, scientifically based, treatments. Our approach is based on the recent evidence that urbanicity has been shown to be associated with an increased risk for mental disorders. Conversely green and blue environments show a dose-dependent beneficial impact on mental health. Methods: Here we evaluate the effect of viewing stimuli of individuals in an alpine environment on emotional analytics in 183 patients with stress-related psychiatric disorders and 315 healthy controls (HC). Emotional analytics (valence: unhappy vs happy, arousal: calm vs excited, dominance: controlled vs in control) were assessed using the Self-Assessment Manikin. Results: Patients showed significantly lower levels of resilience and significantly higher scores of self-perceived stress. Emotional analytics of patients indicated that they feel less happy, less in control and had higher levels of arousal than HC when viewing neutral stimuli. The comparison alpine>neutral stimuli showed a significant a positive effect of alpine stimuli on emotional analytics in both groups. Patients and HC both felt attracted to the scenes displayed in the alpine stimuli. Emotional analytics correlated positively with resilience and inversely with perceived stress. Conclusions: Preventive and therapeutic programs for patients with stress-related psychiatric disorders should take benefits of outdoor natural environments into account. Organizational barriers which are preventing the implementation of such programs in clinical practice need to be identified and addressed.
Number of long-term inpatients in Japanese psychiatric care beds: trend analysis from the Patient Survey and the 630 Survey
Authors: Okayama Tatsushi , Usuda Kentaro , Okazaki Emi , Yamanouchi Yoshio
Published: March 2020

BackgroundThe number of psychiatric care beds and the mean length of stay in psychiatric care beds in Japan have decreased over the past 10 years. However, as has long been indicated here and elsewhere, Japan lags behind other countries in terms of deinstitutionalization. Furthermore, inpatients in psychiatric care beds are aging dramatically. In addition to the diversification of mental illness, the question of what measures to implement going forward about current psychiatric bed resources has emerged as a new challenge. MethodsUsing data from the Patient Survey and the 630 Survey, we examined trends in the number of long-term inpatients in psychiatric care beds in Japan through 2040. Population estimation was used for estimating long-term hospital bed demand because of small fluctuations in the admission and discharge of long-term inpatients. ResultsIn 2017, of all long-term hospitalized patients, those aged ≤74 years accounted for 68% and those aged ≥75 years accounted for 32%; however, an estimated 47% of the total are expected to die by 2040. Thus, the overall demand for long-term hospitalization is forecast to decrease sharply due to aging of currently hospitalized long-term inpatients. The number of long-term inpatients in 2017 was 167,579, and this is projected to decrease to 103,141 in 2040. ConclusionsWe believe it is necessary to adopt a multifaceted approach to promote hospital discharge and transition to the community, and to address the diversification of mental illness and the issue of psychiatric care bed supply/availability, which are forecast to decrease due to the natural decrease in long-term inpatients.
Socio-economic inequalities in the association between alcohol-use disorder and depressive disorder among Thai adults: a population-based study
Authors: Assanangkornchai Sawitri , Nontarak Jiraluck , Aekplakorn Wichai , Chariyalertsak Suwat , Kessomboon Pattapong , Taneepanichskul Surasak
Published: March 2020

Purpose Previous evidence indicates significant associations between alcohol-use disorders (AUD) and depressive disorders and their strong links with social conditions. This study aims to investigate the association between AUD and major depressive episode (MDE) across various socio-economic groups. Methods Data from the 2014 Thai National Health Examination Survey was obtained containing a random sample of 13,177 adults aged > 20 years from the whole population. The Alcohol-Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to classify respondents into non-problem, hazardous drinking (score 8-15) and harmful-dependent drinking (score 16-40). MDE was identified using questions based on the DSM-IV. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using logistic regression to determine the strength of associations. Results The prevalence of hazardous, harmful-dependent drinking and MDE was 10.3%, 1.9% and 2.5%, respectively. The association between MDE and AUD was modified by education level, wealth index and area of residence, with education having the largest effect (AOR=1.23, 95% CI: 0.55, 2.76 among those completing primary school only and AOR=15.19, 95% CI: 9.5, 24.29 among those completing secondary school or higher). Conclusion Socio-economic factors modify the association between alcohol-use disorder and depressive disorder among Thai people.
MicroRNA-484 promotes cell migration and invasion in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yang Xiaoning , Ma Junfeng , Gong Fanghua , Liu Yu
Published: March 2020

Background Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths in the world, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of it. Studies have reported that microRNA-484 (miR-484) plays an important regulatory role in carcinogenesis and cancer development. Methods 25 clinical NSCLC samples were collected for microRNA array. The funvtion of miR-484 was investigated through Transwell and Mitgration assays. The expression levers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related factors were assessed by Western blot. Results miR-484 was up-regulated in tissues from NSCLC patients relative to tumor-adjacent normal tissues. Knocking-down miR-484 expression in A549 cells significantly suppressed tumor cell invasion and migration, suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process by increasing the expression of E-cadherin, and decreasing the expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, and MMP2. Upregulation of miR-484 expression in BEAS-2B normal lung epithelial cells significantly promoted tumor cell invasion and migration, decreased E-cadherin expression levels, and increased N-cadherin, vimentin, and MMP2 expression levels Conclusion miR-484 can promote tumor cell invasion and migration in NSCLC and may be a new target for NSCLC treatment.
Muramyl dipeptide mediated immunomodulation on monocyte subsets exerts therapeutic effects in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Malekia Adham Fani , Cisbania Giulia , Plante Marie-Michèle , Préfontaine Paul , Laflamme Nataly , Gosselin Jean , Rivest Serge
Published: March 2020

Background Muramyl dipeptide (MDP) is a component derived from minimal peptidoglycan motif from bacteria and it is a ligand for the NOD2 receptor. Peripheral administration of MDP converts Ly6Chigh into Ly6Clow monocytes. Previously we have shown that Ly6Clow monocytes play crucial roles in the pathology of a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, medications with mild immunomodulatory effects that solely target specific monocyte subsets, without triggering microglial activation are rare. Methods 3-months old APPswe/PS1 transgenic male mice and age-matched C57BL/6J mice were used for high frequency (2-times/week) over 6-months and low frequency (once a week) over a 3-months period of intraperitoneally MDP (10 mg/kg) administrations. Flow cytometry analysis of monocyte subsets in blood, behavioral and post mortem analyses were performed. Two-photon microscopy using APP/PS1/CX3CR1gfp/+ mice were conducted to study vascular Aβ clearance by Ly6Clow monocytes upon MDP administration.Results The treatment improved cognitive declines, increased expression levels of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) andlow density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1), which are involved in synaptic plasticity and amyloid beta (Aβ) elimination, respectively. In addition, we found monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) levels significantly increased, whereas intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) significantly decreased and microglial marker (Iba1) did not change in treatment group compared to the control. In parallel, we discovered elevated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2) expression levels in the treated group, which might be a positive factor for synaptic activity. Following MDP treatment, intravital two-photon microscopy demonstrated that Ly6Clow monocytes are recruited into the brain vasculature in APP but not wild type mice, and they are able to pick up Aβ peptides. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that MDP is beneficial in both the early phase and to some extent later phases of the pathology in the mouse model of AD. These data open the way for potential MDP-based medications for AD.
Clinical impact of severe chronic kidney disease in patients with non-HIV pulmonary cryptococcosis
Authors: Tashiro Hiroki , Haraguchi Tetsuro , Takahashi Koichiro , Sadamatsu Hironori , Tajiri Ryo , Takamori Ayako , Kimura Shinya , Aragane Naoko
Published: March 2020

BackgroundPulmonary cryptococcosis is an uncommon infectious disease that can develop in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Severity of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was reported to be one of the risk factors for pulmonary cryptococcosis, but its clinical characteristics have not been fully assessed. The purpose of this study is to clarify clinical characteristics of severe CKD in patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis.MethodsThe present study retrospectively investigated 56 patients who had pulmonary cryptococcosis with non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and were treated at Saga University Hospital between 2005 and 2018. The clinical characteristics were evaluated and compared between patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >45 mL/min/1.73m2 (n = 42) (preserved eGFR) and those with eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73m2 (n = 14) (declined eGFR).ResultsCompared with patients with preserved eGFR, those with declined eGFR had significantly higher rate of disseminated cryptococcosis (p = 0.03); higher percentage of patients who did not recover after treatment (p = 0.02); and more frequent clinical features of fever (p <0.01), pleural effusion (p = 0.03), high white blood cell count (p <0.01) and C-reactive protein (p <0.01), and low level of albumin (p <0.01). Multivariate analysis adjusted by immunosuppressive drug use indicated significant differences of fever (p <0.01), high white blood cell count (p = 0.03), C-reactive protein (p = 0.01) and low level of albumin (p <0.01) in patients with eGFR <45 mL/min/1.73m2.ConclusionSevere CKD is associated with poor clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with non-HIV pulmonary cryptococcosis.
Smoking is associated with pneumonia development in lung cancer patients
Authors: Heo Jung Won , Yeo Chang Dong , Park Chan Kwon , Kim Sung Kyoung , Kim Ju Sang , Kim Jin Woo , Kim Seung Joon , Lee Sang Haak , Kang Hye Seon
Published: March 2020

Background: Various host factors can promote pneumonia susceptibility of lung cancer patients. However, data about risk factors for pneumonia in lung cancer patients receiving active treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical intervention are limited. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for pneumonia development in lung cancer patients. Methods: The present study used a lung cancer cohort of the Catholic Medical Center at the Catholic University of Korea from January 2015 to December 2018. Pneumonia was defined by the presence of a new or progressive infiltration on chest imaging together with any of the following: new onset purulent sputum, change in character of chronic sputum, and fever. We ruled out noninfectious infiltration such as drug or radiation toxicity and hydrostatic pulmonary edema. We especially excluded those if computed tomography revealed sharp demarcation consolidation or ground glass opacity limited radiation field. Results: A total of 413 patients were enrolled in this study. Pneumonia occurred in 118 (28.6%) patients. The pneumonia group had significantly worse overall survival (OS) than the non-pneumonia group (456.7 ± 35.0 days vs. 813.4 ± 36.1 days, log rank p < 0.001). In patients with pneumonia, OS was shorter in ex-smokers and current smokers than in never smokers (592.0 ± 101.0 days vs. 737.0 ± 102.8 days vs. 1357.0 days, log rank p < 0.001). Age (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.046; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.019¬–1.074; p = 0.001), clinical stage IV (HR: 1.759; 95% CI: 1.004–3.083; p = 0.048), neutropenia (HR: 2.620; 95% CI: 1.562–4.396; p < 0.001], and smoking (HR: 2.040; 95% CI: 1.100–3.784; p = 0.024) were independent risk factors of pneumonia development in lung cancer patients in multivariate analysis. In subgroup analysis for patients treated with chemotherapy, age (HR: 1.043; 95% CI: 1.012–1.074; p = 0.006), neutropenia (HR: 3.199; 95% CI: 1.826–5.605; p < 0.001), and smoking (HR: 2.125; 95% CI: 1.071–4.216; p = 0.031) were independent risk factors of pneumonia development.Conclusions: Smoking and neutropenia were risk factors affecting pneumonia development in the total group and subgroup of patients with lung cancer.
Usefulness of quantitative computed tomography analysis using a commercially available software program through its simple and automatic procedures in evaluation of emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Kitaguchi Yoshiaki , Fujimoto Keisaku , Yasuo Masanori , Wada Yosuke , Ueno Fumika , Kinjo Takumi , Kawakami Satoshi , Fukushima Kiyoyasu , Hanaoka Masayuki
Published: March 2020

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of quantitative computed tomography (CT) analysis using a commercially available software program through its simple and automatic procedures. The software program, which was developed with the density mask technique using two thresholds, was used for simultaneously assessing both the low attenuation volume (LAV) and high attenuation volume (HAV) to detect emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis.MethodsIn this prospective cohort study of stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), we investigated the correlations between quantitative assessments performed using the software program and visual assessments, and between pulmonary function parameters and quantitative assessment parameters. We also investigated whether the utility of quantitative assessments could improve by assessing the destroyed lung volume (DLV), defined as the LAV+HAV.ResultsStrong significant correlations were detected between the percentage of LAV (LAV%) and the visual assessment of emphysema and between the percentage of HAV (HAV%) and the visual assessment of pulmonary fibrosis. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed 86.8% sensitivity and 84.2% specificity for the LAV% to detect emphysema, using 1.5% as the cut-off value, and 87.5% sensitivity and 96.1% specificity for the HAV% to detect pulmonary fibrosis, using 12% as the cut-off value. The percentage of DLV (DLV%) significantly correlated with the diffusion capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (DLco) and delta N2 in patients with COPD. Meanwhile, the DLV% significantly correlated with DLco and the composite physiologic index in patients with IPF. Moreover, the DLV% significantly also correlated with DLco in total patients with COPD and IPF.ConclusionsThe quantitative CT analysis using a commercially available software program could be useful in clinical practice by the advantage of the simple and automatic procedures. The utility of the quantitative CT analysis could improve by assessing the DLV%.
Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy May be of Value for Nonresolving Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Case series and Systematic literature Review
Authors: Zhou Guowu , Feng Yingying , Wang Shiyao , Zhang Yi , Tian Ye , Wu Xiaojing , Zhao Ling , Wang Dan , Li Yi , Tian Zheng , Zhan Qingyuan
Published: March 2020

Background: Identifying pathologic features is helpful for management of nonresolving acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) is a novel biopsy technique which may be comparable to surgical biopsy. The aim of this study was to assess the value of TBLC in patients with nonresolving ARDS. Methods: All patients with nonresolving ARDS who underwent TBLC from January 2019 to August 2019 in a tertiary medical ICU were included. In addition, a literature search of TBLC for ARDS was performed by searching PubMed, EMBASE, ATS/ERS/APSR meeting abstracts, clinicaltrial.gov, and Google Scholar. Data on complications, histologic diagnosis, management changes, and outcomes were analyzed.Results: Five patients (three women and two men) underwent TBLC. None of the patients developed pneumothorax although in two patients massive bleeding occurred, which was stopped by continuous occlusion using bronchial blockers. There were no procedure-related deaths. Diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) and alternative histologic patterns were found in two and three patients, respectively, resulting in management changes in all cases. The literature search yielded four studies, which together with the present study resulted in data from 25 cases in which TBLC was used in nonresolving ARDS. The summary diagnostic yield was 92% (23/25). Only 44% (11/25) of the cases were proven to be DAD. TBLC contributed to management changes in 80% of the patients (20/25). Procedure-related complications consisted of pneumothorax (16%, 4/25), significant bleeding (12%, 3/25), and persistent air leak (8%, 2/25). There were no procedure-related deaths. The follow-up survival rate was 61.9% (13/21). Conclusions: Given its acceptable safety profile and high diagnostic yield, TBLC may be of potential value in patients with nonresolving ARDS.
Dynamic alterations of genome and transcriptome in KRAS G13D mutant CRC PDX model treated with cetuximab.
Authors: fang weijia , zhang hangyu , yuan liyun , liu lulu , yan cong , cheng jinming , fu qihan , tong zhou , zheng yi , jiang weiqin , zhao peng , zhang guoqing
Published: March 2020

Background:KRAS mutation has been the major predictive biomarkers for resistance to cetuximab treatment. However, studies indicate that not all KRAS mutations are equivalent in their treatment outcome. KRAS G13D mutation accounted for about 16% of all KRAS mutations in advanced colorectal cancer patients, and whether these patients can benefit from cetuximab remains controversial. Methods: An establishment KRAS G13D mutation colorectal cancer (CRC) patient-derived xenografts (PDX) model was treated with cetuximab. After repeated use of cetuximab, resistance PDX models were established. Tissue samples were collected before and during treatment, and then multi-omics data were sequenced and processed including whole-exome, mRNA and miRNA to explore potential dynamic changes. Results: Cetuximab treatment initially slowed tumor growth, but resistance developed not long after. WES (whole-exome sequencing) and RNA sequencing found 145 genes had low P value (<0.01) when analyzed between locus genotype and its related gene expression level. Among them, SWAP70 was supposed to be a probable cause for acquired resistance. JAK2, PRKAA1, FGFR2 and RALBP1, as well as 10 filtered immune-related genes, were also observed to have dynamic changes during the treatment. Conclusions: Cetuximab may be effective in KRAS G13D mutation patients. Dynamic changes in WES and RNA sequencing occurred after repeated drug exposure, which were supposed to be the most likely cause of drug resistance.
Identification of an Autophagy-Related Gene Signature that Can Improve Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Huo Xingxing , Qi Jian , Huang Kaiquan , Bu Su , Yao Wei , Chen Ying , Nie Jinfu
Published: March 2020

Background: Autophagy is a programmed cell degradation mechanism that has been associated with several physiological and pathophysiological processes, including malignancy. Improper induction of autophagy has been proposed to play a pivotal role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods: Univariate Cox regression analysis of overall survival (OS) was performed to identify risk-associated autophagy-related genes (ARGs) in HCC data set from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Multivariate cox regression was then performed to develop a risk prediction model for the prognosis of 370 HCC patients. The multi-target receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the model’s accuracy. Besides, the relationship between drug sensitivity and ARGs expression was also examined. Results: A total of 62 differentially expressed ARGs were identified in HCC patients. Univariate and multivariate regression identified five risk-associated ARGs ( HDAC1, RHEB , ATIC, SPNS1 and SQSTM1 ) that were correlated with OS in HCC patients. Of importance, the risk-associated ARGs were independent risk factor s in the multivariate risk model including clinical parameters such as malignant stage (HR=1.433, 95% CI=1.293-1.589, P<0.001). In addition, the area under curve for the prognostic risk model was 0.747, which indicates the high accuracy of the model in prediction of HCC outcomes. Interestingly, the risk-associated ARGs were also correlated with drug sensitivity in HCC cell lines.Conclusions: We developed a novel prognostic risk model by integrating the molecular signature and clinical parameters of HCC, which can effectively predict the outcomes of HCC patients.
lncRNA CRNDE promotes the proliferation and metastasis by acting as sponge miR-539-5p to regulate POU2F1 expression in HCC
Authors: Li Zhixi , Wu Gang , Li Jie , Wang Youyu , Ju Xueming , Jiang Wenjun
Published: March 2020

Background This article focuses on the roles and mechanism of lncRNA CRNDE on the progression of HCC. Methods We used qRT-PCR to detect the expression of lncRNA CRNDE in HCC cells, normal cells and clinical tissues. MTT assay, FCM analysis, Transwell migration and invasion assay were used to detect the effects of lncRNA CRNDE on cell viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion of HCC cells. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax, Cleaved Caspase 3, Cleaved Caspase 9, EMT epithelial marker E-cadherin and mesothelial marker Vimentin were analyzed by Western blot. Online prediction software was used to predict the binding sites between lncRNA CRNDE and miR-539-5p, or miR-539-5p and POU2F1 3’UTR. Dual luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR and RNA pulldown were used to detect target-relationship between lncRNA CRNDE and miR-539-5p. Dual luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR, Western blot and Immunofluorescence were used to detect target-relationship between miR-539-5p and POU2F1. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-539-5p and POU2F1 in clinical tissues. Rescue experiments was used to evaluate the association among lncRNA CRNDE, miR-539-5p and POU2F1. Finally, we used Western blot to detect the effects of lncRNA CRNDE, miR-539-5p and POU2F1 on NF-κB and AKT pathway. Results lncRNA CRNDE was highly expressed in HCC cells and HCC tissues compared with normal cells and the corresponding adjacent normal tissues. lncRNA CRNDE promoted the cell viability, migration and invasion of HCC cells, while inhibited the apoptosis and promoted the EMT process of HCC cells. lncRNA CRNDE adsorbed miR-539-5p acts as a competitive endogenous RNA to regulate POU2F1 expression indirectly. In HCC clinical tissues, miR-539-5p expression decreased and POU2F1 increased compared with the corresponding adjacent normal tissues. lncRNA CRNDE/miR-539-5p/POU2-F1 participated the NF-κB and AKT pathway in HCC. Conclusion lncRNA CRNDE promotes the expression of POU2F1 by adsorbing miR-539-5p, thus promoting the progression of HCC.﻿Keywords: liver cancer, lncRNA CRNDE, miR-539-5p, POU2F1, ceRNA
KIAA0101 and UbcH10 interact to regulate non-small cell lung cancer cell proliferation by disrupting the function of the spindle assembly checkpoint
Authors: Lei Han , Wang Kun , Jiang Tongying , Lu Jingjing , Dong Xue , Wang Feilong , Li Qiang , Zhao Liming
Published: March 2020

Background Chromosome mis-segregation caused by spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) dysfunction during mitosis is an important pathogenic factor in cancer, and modulating SAC function has emerged as a potential novel therapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). UbcH10 is considered to be associated with SAC function and the pathological types and clinical grades of NSCLC. KIAA0101, which contains a highly conserved proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-binding motif that is involved in DNA repair in cancer cells, plays an important role in the regulation of SAC function in NSCLC cells, and bioinformatics predictions showed that this regulatory role is related to UbcH10. We hypothesized KIAA0101 and UbcH10 interact to mediate SAC dysfunction and neoplastic transformation during the development of USCLC. Methods NSCLC cell lines were used to investigate the spatial-temporal correlation between UbcH10 and KIAA0101 expression and the downstream effects of modulating their expression were evaluated. Further immunoprecipitation assays were used to investigate the possible mechanism underlying the correlation between UbcH10 and KIAA0101. Eventually, the effect of modulating UbcH10 and KIAA010 on tumor growth and its possible mechanisms were explored through in vivo tumor-bearing models. Results In this study, we demonstrated that both UbcH10 and KIAA0101 were upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cells and that their expression levels were correlated in a spatial and temporal manner. Importantly, UbcH10 and KIAA0101 coordinated to mediate the premature degradation of various SAC components to cause further SAC dysfunction and neoplastic proliferation. Moreover, tumor growth in vivo was significantly inhibited by silencing UbcH10 and KIAA0101 expression. Conclusions KIAA0101 and UbcH10 interact to cause SAC dysfunction, chromosomal instability and malignant proliferation in NSCLC, suggesting that UbcH10 and KIAA0101 are potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of NSCLC by ameliorating SAC function.
Examining the quality of record linkage process using nationwide Brazilian administrative databases to build a large birth cohort
Authors: Almeida Daniela , Gorender David , Ichihara Maria Yury , Sena Samila , Menezes Luan , Barbosa George C. G. , Fiaccone Rosimeire L. , Paixao Enny , Pita Robespierre , Barreto Mauricio L.
Published: March 2020

Introduction Research using linked routine population-based data collected for non-research purposes has increased in recent years because they are a rich and detailed source of information. The objective of this study is to present an approach to prepare and link data from administrative sources in a middle-income country, to estimate its accuracy and to identify potential sources of bias by comparing linked and no-linked case. Methods We linked two administrative datasets with data covering the period 2001 to 2015, using maternal attributes (maternal name, age, date of birth, and municipally of residence) from Brazil: live birth information system and the baseline of the 100 Million Brazilian Cohort (created using administrative records from over 114 million individuals whose families applied for social assistance via the National Register for Social Programmes) implementing an in house developed linkage tool CIDACS-RL. We then estimated the accuracy of the linkage and examined the characteristics of missed-matches to identify any potential source of bias. Results A total of 27,699,891 live births were recorded of those, 16,447,414 (59.4%) were linked with SINASC. The sensitivity of the linkage ranged from 39.3% in 2001 to 82.1% in 2014. A substantial improvement in the linkage sensitivity after the introduction of maternal date of birth attribute, in 2011, was observed. Our analyses indicated a slightly higher proportion of missing data among missed matches and a higher proportion of people living in an urban area and self-declared as Caucasian among linked pairs when compared with non-linked sets. Discussion We demonstrated that CIDACS-RL is capable of performing high quality and accurate linkage even with a limited number of common attributes, using indexation as a blocking strategy in large routine databases from a middle-income country. However, residual records occurred more among people under worse living conditions. The results presented in this study reinforce the need of evaluating linkage quality and when necessary to take linkage error into account for the analyses of any generated dataset.
INSTITUTIONAL CHANGES OF SOCIAL SECTOR: EXPERIENCE OF THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA'S ELDERLY EDUCATION SYSTEM
Authors: Huo Zhiping , Yin Haiyan , Mykhailov Andrii
Published: March 2020

As China enters the aging society, more and more attention has been paid to the education for the aged. The developed countries such as the United States, Japan that entered the aging society relatively early, in the elderly education have accumulated rich experience. By learning from their experience, we can better develop education for the aged and promote the development of human resources for the aged.
Key words: institutional changes in social sector, state social security reforms, state regulation of social protection system, aging population, elderly education, institutional diversification.
Day-of-the-week effect in Nigerian stock exchange: adaptive market hypothesis approach
Authors: Olugbenga Adaramola Anthony , Oladeji Adekanmbi Kehinde
Published: March 2020

The problems that this study informed are rooted in the uncertainty surrounding the presence of calendar anomalies in the Nigerian stock market and the need to ascertain whether calendar anomaly is changing with time and market condition according to the adaptive market hypothesis. This study evaluates how calendar anomaly behaves over time in the Nigerian stock market through the day-of-the-week effect since the latest trend is to examine time-changing anomaly. The general All Share Index returns of the Nigerian Stock Exchange between 2000 and 2017 are used in the analysis. Secondary daily index returns data for the period are sourced from the NSE Fact Book. The major estimation techniques employed in the study are the mean equations of the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) and overlapping sub-period methodology. Moreover, returns are grouped into Up and Down periods depending on the periods that generate positive and negative returns, respectively. This study found out that Monday (MON), Tuesday (TUE), and Friday (FRI) effects are the only adaptive day-of-the-week effects. Thus, three (MON, TUE, FRI) day of the week effects found in the full sample are time-varying in subsample and are affected by market condition. On the whole, MON and Thursday (THUR) effects are found in Bull, while TUE and FRI are found in Bear. The investor must be careful to take time-variation into consideration; otherwise, they may incur a loss by thinking that the day-of-the-week effect is present every time.
Análise das manifestações patológicas das marquises de concreto armado no centro de Campina Grande-PB
Authors: Assunção Rios Fábio Remy de , Estevam da Silva Dalva Damiana , Nascimento da Costa Jonatas , Soares Souza Bruna Jakeline
Published: March 2020

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar as manifestações patológicas das marquises de concreto armado no centro de Campina Grande-PB. A metodologia consistiu em visitas in loco a 80 edificações situadas em seis ruas da área central, com o intuito de realizar inspeções nas estruturas, vistorias para avaliação dos imóveis, caracterização e monitoramento das patologias construtivas. Nessa fase foi aplicado um Check-List para coleta de dados dos problemas detectados nas construções. Além disso, foi realizado registro fotográfico das estruturas. As visitas foram realizadas em parceira com a Defesa Civil de Campina Grande, que auxiliou nas inspeções aos imóveis. Durante o estudo verificou-se que a maioria das patologias construtivas evidenciadas ocorreu pela falta de manutenção preventiva e corretiva. O tempo de uso das estruturas, as sobrecargas, os desvios de função e a adequação ao uso colaboram para o desgaste estrutural. Neste sentido, a detecção desses problemas nas edificações principalmente nas marquises é importante para prevenir antecipadamente acidentes que possam vir a ocasionar desastres.
Análise do uso e ocupação do solo em um ambiente úmido em meio ao semiárido cearense: Serra de Uruburetama
Authors: Falcão Sobrinho José , Rodrigues Nascimento José Nelson , Costa Falcão Cleire Lima
Published: March 2020

O uso do solo no maciço residual de Uruburetama, associado ao aspecto agrícola e ambiental é possivel graças as características ambientais. As Serras de Uruburetama, abrange 973,43 km² estando localizada na região norte do Estado do Ceará. Como procedimento metodológico, foi realizado uma revisão literária para fundamentar o aspecto do relevo, e de suas características. Os resultados permitiem estabelecer, duas áreas denominadas de quadrante I e II, adequadas a compartimentação geomorfológica de (Topo, Vertente e Vale). Como considerações finais observou-se na relação entre os tipos de vertentes nas formas de cultivo repercutindo na alteração da paisagem associada a degradação agrícola, em razão da ausência de manejo adequado do solo e da água.
Geoconservação e geodiversidade na área de proteção ambiental da Bica do Ipu – Ceará: desafios para a sustentabilidade
Authors: Sousa Lopes Francisca Lusimara , Claudino Sales Vanda Carneiro de
Published: March 2020

Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar uma análise sobre geodiversidade e geoconservação na Área de Proteção Ambiental da Bica do Ipu- Ceará. A metodologia envolveu levantamento bibliográfico, pesquisa in locu e produção cartográfica. Observa-se que, de maneira geral a geodiversidade na área é representada por uma variedade de paisagens, rochas, minerais, fósseis e solos, os quais constituem a base da vida na Terra. Para fundamentar a análise da área foi possível identificar seu principal curso d’água, o Riacho Ipuçaba, que disseca as rochas sedimentares (arenitos) da Formação Jaicós, Formação Ipu e Formação Tianguá, de idade paleozoica. Como valores da geodiversidade foram identificados o econômico, o cultural, o funcional, o educativo e o científico. Por conta do valor econômico, muitas são as ameaças à geodiversidade, onde a sociedade é o principal agente modificador e degradador.  As ameaças consistem em desmatamento, queimadas, retirada/desvio da água de seu curso da água.

Abstract

This article aims to present an analysis on geodiversity and geoconservation in the Environmental Protection Area of Bica do Ipu-Ceará. The methodology involved bibliographical research, in situ research and cartographic production. It is observed that in general geodiversity in the area is represented by a variety of landscapes, rocks, minerals, fossils and soils, which form the basis of life on Earth. In order to support the analysis of the area it was possible to identify its main watercourse, Riacho Ipuçaba, which dissects the sedimentary rocks (sandstones) of the Formation Ipu, Formation Jaicos and Formation Tianguá, of paleozoic age. As geodiversity values were identified the economic, the cultural, the functional, the educational and the scientific. Because of the economic value, many are the threats to geodiversity, where society is the main modifying and degrading agent. Threats consist of deforestation, burnt out, water withdrawal / diversion from the water course.
Congenital infantile fibrosarcoma of soft tissues of the chest wall on the left (description of the clinical case and literature review)
Authors: Sagoyan G. B. , Rubanskaya M. V. , Kerimov P. A. , Kapkova O. A. , Rubanskiy M. A. , Shevtsov D. V. , Suleymanova A. M. , Pimenov R. I. , Temnyy A. S. , Matinyan N. V. , Mikhailova E. V. , Kazantsev A. P. , Varfolomeeva S. R.
Published: March 2020

Infantile fibrosarcoma (IF) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma that occurs with a frequency of 1% of all cases of malignant neoplasms in children in the first year of life. IF most often affects the soft tissues of the upper and lower extremities. Rare localizations include the trunk, the head and neck, and the gastrointestinal tract. The article describes a rare clinical case of congenital IF of soft tissues of the chest wall in a newborn, as well as a literature review.
An Investigation of the Mechanism of Rapid Relief of Ulcerative Colitis Induced by Five-flavor Sophora Flavescens Enteric-coated Capsules Based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Gu Sizhen , Xue Yan , Zhang Yuli , Chen Kanjun , Xue Shigui , Pan Ji , Tang Yini , Zhu Hui , Wu Huan , Dou Danbo
Published: March 2020

Aim and Objective:

Five-Flavor Sophora flavescens Enteric-Coated Capsules (FSEC)
are the only proprietary Chinese medicine approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) in
China. Phase II and III clinical trials have shown that the curative effect of FSEC in relieving UC
was not inferior to that of mesalazine granules and enteric-coated tablets, but its pharmacological
mechanism is unclear. Therefore, the network pharmacology is used to reveal the more
comprehensive effective components and targets of FSEC in the treatment of UC.

Methods:

We screened the components of FSEC based on the TCMSP database, determined the
action targets of these compounds through target fishing, and integrated the UC disease targets of
several disease gene databases. The FSEC-UC composite targets were obtained by matching the
two results, and then a PPI network was constructed to analyze the relationship between these
targets, and the core targets were selected by topological correlation parameters. Finally, GO-BP
and KEGG enrichment analyses were carried out using the clusterProfiler software package.

Results:

One hundred and sixty active components of FSEC were identified and 77 targets were
obtained. Of these, 30 core targets were the main targets of FESC in the treatment of UC. And
quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin and mangiferin were regarded as the core active components of
FSEC. The results screened by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that FSEC played a
comprehensive therapeutic role in immune recognition, anti-inflammation and antioxidation
mainly through IL-17, TNF, Toll-like receptor, NF-kappa B, and Th17 cell differentiation.

Conclusion:

The molecular mechanism of UC remission induced by FSEC was predicted by
network pharmacology. These findings provide an important theoretical basis for further study of
the effective substances and mechanism of FSEC in the treatment of UC.
TNF Receptor: Fc Fusion Protein Downregulates RANKL/OPG Ratio by Inhibiting CXCL16/CXCR6 in Active Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Zhang Peiyi , Zhou Shufen , Chen Zhe , Tian Ye , Wang Qianqian , Li Hui , Zhang Tiantian , Guo Qin , Wang Meiying , Guo Chengshan
Published: March 2020

Background:

Clinical studies indicate that recombinant tumor necrosis factor receptor:Fc
fusion protein (rhTNFR:Fc) quickly alleviates symptoms and physical signs of active Ankylosing
Spondylitis (AS), improving the manifestation of spinal inflammation on radiological imaging. However,
the regulatory mechanism of rhTNFR:Fc in the chemokine pathway is unclear. Thus we study the
mechanism of phlogogenic activity of CXCL16/CXCR6 in AS and the related mechanism of rhTNFR:
Fc treatment.

Methods:

Thirty-two cases of active AS were treated with rhTNFR:Fc for 3 consecutive months. Clinical
response was evaluated at baseline and after treatment. CXCL16/CXCR6 expression as well as
Receptor Activator Of Nuclear Factor-Κb Ligand (RANKL)/Osteoprotegerin (OPG), essential molecules
for osteoclast differentiation, were studied in AS before and after treatment. Further, the proliferation
of lymphocytes and the RANKL level stimulated by recombinant human CXCL16 (rhCXCL16)
were measured in vitro.

Results:

Thirty cases responded to rhTNFR:Fc treatment. The RANKL level, RANKL/OPG ratio,
CXCLl6 level in serum, and CXCLl6 and CXCR6 mRNA levels in active AS were higher than those
in controls and treated patients (P<0.001). rhCXCL16 treatment increased lymphocyte proliferation
and RANKL level in active AS (P<0.001), but not in controls or treated patients (P>0.05). A positive
linear correlation was noted between CXCL16 serum levels and RANKL/OPG ratio and between
CXCL16 levels and C-reactive protein results (P<0.001).

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that rhTNFR:Fc suppresses inflammation and bone destruction of
AS by reducing the RANKL/OPG ratio through inhibition of the CXCL16/CXCR6 pathway.
Curcumin Sensitizes Cancers Towards TRAIL-induced Apoptosis via Extrinsic and Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathways
Authors: Ngai Siew Ching
Published: March 2020

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a natural protein expressed in a wide range of tissues in our body. It is a promising anti-cancer agent due to its selective killing of cancer cells, rendering normal cells unharmed. However, resistance occurs either intrinsically or develops over the course of TRAIL treatment. In view of its specificity to cancer cells, there is a pushing need to overcome TRAIL resistance. Curcumin (Cur), a natural active constituent of turmeric, has been evidenced to have anti-cancer properties. However, it is limited by its sparing solubility and low bioavailability. Combinational therapy is one of the most frequently used strategies to overcome these limitations, which has been proved to be more effective than monotherapy by achieving synergistic effects and reducing toxicity. This review aims to discuss TRAIL and its underlying apoptotic mechanisms, the combinational treatment of Cur and TRAIL in view of their respective limitations, and the underlying apoptotic mechanisms activated by the sensitization of cancers by Cur towards TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Finally, this review discusses the research gap and the author’s insight into this research area in bridging the research gap from bench to bedside.