bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with two mini incisions: an innovative, feasible and safe technique with superior cosmetic outcomes
Authors: Xu Yong-fu , Wang Ai-dong , Fang Zhe-ping , Dai Qi-qiang , Li Zhenyu
Published: June 2020

The conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC) is usually performed with four incisions in a simple and safe way. Minimally invasive surgery for gallbladder disease with advantages of less pain and smaller scars, has become increasingly popular in patients. This study aimed to describe our experience in performing a new technique of two-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TILC) with conventional instruments and make a comparison with CLC. In this study, forty-three prospective patients undergoing TILC and another forty-three historical cases operated by CLC were involved. The patients were examined in respect of operative time, postoperative pain, cosmesis and complications. We found that there was no significant difference in the gender, age, body mass index, bile duct damage, blood loss and days of postoperative hospital stay between TILC and CLC. The mean operation time in TILC was longer than that in CLC, but not statistically different. Significantly lower postoperative pain scores were reported in the TILC group than those in the CLC one (p = 0.019). The mean cosmetic satisfaction score was significantly higher in TILC group than that in CLC group (p < 0.05). These results confirm that TILC is a safe and feasible technique with less postoperative pain and a significant improvement in cosmesis for patients, only by using conventional instruments. It may be a good alternative to CLC in the future.
Immunosuppressive phenotype of esophagus tumors stroma
Authors: Gratchev Alexei , Kovaleva Olga V. , Rashidova Madina A. , Samoilova Daria V. , Mochalnikova Valeria V.
Published: June 2020

Background

Tumor associated macrophages and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes contribute significantly to the development of immunosuppressive properties of tumor. In this study we performed immunohistochemical analysis of immune cells of esophageal tumors stroma.
Methods

Paraffin‑embedded tissue specimens from 48 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients were retrospectively collected for immunohistochemical analysis of stromal cells. For staining of macrophages, CD68, CD163, CD206, PU.1 and iNOS were used. For T-cells detection CD8, CD3, FOXP3 were used. As well we performed staining for PD-L1 that can be expressed on tumor associated macrophagesand tumor cells. Clinicopathological and survival data were collected and analyzed using the χ2 and Fisher exact tests, Kaplan–Meier curves, and the log‑rank test. The correlation analysis was performed with Spearman correlation coefficient.
Results

The level of CD206 expression was associated with histological grade (p = 0.034), FOXP3 expression was associated with sex and age (p = 0.041, p = 0.003 respectively) and iNOS expression was associated with the disease stage (p = 0.044). In addition, FOXP3 and CD163 appeared to be markers of good prognosis (HR = 0.5407, p = 0.0462; HR = 0.4447, p = 0.0456 respectively). Significant association between PU.1 + and CD68 + macrophages (r = 0.752; P = 0.000) and between PU.1 + and CD163 + macrophages (r = 0.585; P = 0.000) was established, positive association between PU.1 and CD206 expression was also observed (r = 0.424; P = 0.001).
Conclusions

Large amounts of CD163 + macrophages and FOXP3+ Т-cells appear to be markers of good prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The number of PU.1 + macrophages strongly correlate with the number of CD68 + macrophages therefore usage of PU.1 as a potential macrophage marker can be recommended esophageal tumors.
Analysis of Cranial Type Characteristics in Term Infants: A Multi-center Study
Authors: Wang Yang , Bin Hu , Jianping Chen , Wenzhi Shen , Chengju Wang , Qin Chang , Wenzao Li , Fuxiang Qu , Qiuming Pan , Yuping Zhang
Published: June 2020

Background: Positional head deformity (PHD) is defined as a change in the shape of a baby's skull due to external force. In certain cases, it can lead to cosmetic deformities or even neurological issues due to its impact on the developing nervous system. We therefore conducted this study to investigate the incidence and characteristics of PHD in term infants in China and preliminarily establish a localized diagnostic reference standard. Methods: Overall, 4456 term infants from three medical institutions in Chongqing were recruited and divided according to age groups. Cranial vault asymmetry (CVA) and cephalic index (CI) were calculated in all infants. The current international diagnostic criteria were used to understand PHD incidence and analyze their CVA and CI distribution. Results: According to the current international standards, the total detection rate of PHD in Chongqing’s term infants was 81.5%, with brachycephaly alone being the most frequent (39.4%), followed by brachycephaly with plagiocephaly (34.8%), and plagiocephaly alone (6.2%). The detection rates of dolichocephaly were low: alone, 0.9% and combined with plagiocephaly, 0.2%. According to age, plagiocephaly (44.5%) and brachycephaly (82.0%) were most frequent in the 2-3-month group. The 75th/90th/97th percentiles and 3rd/10th/25th/75th/90th/97th percentiles of CVA and CIs were 0.4/0.7/1.0 and 76.4/78.8/82.3/91.1/94.6/99.2%, respectively. Conclusion: According to the current international standards, the PHD detection rate among term infants in Chongqing was high. Therefore, a new diagnostic standard for Chinese infants was proposed. CVA ≥0.4 cm indicates plagiocephaly. CI ≥91% indicates brachycephaly. CI ≤82% indicates dolichocephaly.
Integrative bioinformatics analysis for identification of hub genes and pathways responsible for early pathogenesis of retinoblastoma
Authors: Karmakar Aditi , Khan Md. Maqsood Ahamad , Kumari Nidhi , Kumar Senthil
Published: June 2020

Background

Retinoblastoma (Rb) is the most common childhood malignancy in which intra-ocular tumors developed at a very young age. It is very crucial to detect Rb at an earlier stage and start appropriate therapy to prevent further metastasis. With the recent advancement of multi-omics analysis of microarray data and sophisticated bioinformatics tools, we could possibly identify potential early diagnostic biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets for retinoblastoma.
Methods

Microarray datasets (DNA methylation-GSE57362, miRNA-GSE7072, & mRNA-GSE110811) were utilized from NCBI-GEO. The GEO2R were employed to discover Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) in Retinoblastoma. Further, an integrated analysis of these genes was performed and a co-expression network was formed to identify hub genes. GEPIA server was used to validate these genes which are responsible for the progression of retinoblastoma.
Results

Differentially expressed genes were identified on the basis of P-value ≤ 0.05 and log2fc ≥ 2. In GSE57362 a total no of 267 genes methylated status, in GSE7072 a total no. of 265 gene targets of miRNAs and in GSE110811 a total no. of 770 genes were shown to be differentially expressed. Further, 10 hub genes, 5 bottleneck genes, and 3 common genes were identified by constructing the co-expression network. Survival analysis was done to validate the identified candidate genes using the GEPIA web server. Pathway enrichment analysis and gene ontology demonstrated that these genes were mostly enriched in biological processes such as regulation of cell proliferation and involved in multiple pathways like p53 pathway, cell cycle, and apoptosis.
Conclusion

This study suggested that these hub genes possibly will play vital roles in the onset and progression of retinoblastoma and could be serve as potential biomarkers to facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of this disease in the future.
HKDC1 Promotes the Tumorigenesis and Glycolysis in Lung Adenocarcinoma via AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wang Xinyu , Lu Qijue , Zhao Yue , Fei Xiang , Chen Jianglong , Lu Chaojing , Li Chunguang , Chen Hezhong
Published: June 2020

Background: Hexokinase domain component 1 (HKDC1) belongs to the fifth hexokinase, which plays an oncogenic role in lymphoma, liver cancer, and breast cancer, as reported. However, its biological functions in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has not been studied. Methods: We applied bioinformatics analysis, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and a series of functional assays in vitro and in vivo to investigate the roles of HKDC1 in LUAD. Results: We discovered that HKDC1 was highly expressed in LUAD tissues and cell lines, and the positive expression of HKDC1 was correlated with aberrant clinicopathological characteristics in LUAD patients. Besides, HKDCI could be served as a prognostic predictor for LUAD patients. Overexpression of HKDC1 promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion, glycolysis, EMT and tumorgenicity, whereas knockdown of HKDC1 produced the opposite functional effect. Mechanistically, HKDC1 could regulate the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway to perform its biological function. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that HKDC1 plays an oncogenic role in LUAD. Targeting this gene may provide a promising therapeutic target to delay LUAD progress.
Evaluating the Performance of Diagnostic methods for soil transmitted helminths against the “Gold” standard in the Amhara National Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Niguse Abebe Fenta , Hailu Tadesse , Alemu Megbaru , Nibret Endalkachew , Amor Arancha , Munshea Abaineh
Published: June 2020

Background : Soil-transmitted helminths are more prevalent in tropics and sub-tropics including Ethiopia. Despite their high prevalence, direct saline microscopy with its low sensitivity has been used as a diagnostic method in almost all health facilities in Ethiopia. Alternative diagnostic methods which have higher sensitivity are not yet implemented. Therefore, this study aimed to compare and evaluate the performance of diagnostic methods for soil transmitted helminths against the “Gold” standard.Methods : A cross-sectional study among 520 school children was conducted from October to December, 2019 in Amhara National Regional State. The study participants were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Stool samples were processed via formol ether concentration, Kato-Katz, spontaneous tube sedimentation and agar plate culture techniques. Data was entered in to Epi-data version 3.1 and analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0. The sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value were calculated against combined result as “Gold” standard. Strength of agreement of the diagnostic methods was determined by Kappa value.Results: The Overall prevalence of soil transmitted helminths was 40.8% using combination of methods. The prevalence 24.4%, 22.5%, and 32.4%, respectively was recorded by using formol ether concentration, Kato-Katz and spontaneous tube sedimentation. The highest prevalence of hookworm (29.2%) was detected by the agar plate culture. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of formol ether concentration were 57.9 % and 78.4%, for Kato-Katz thick smear 55.2% and 76.4%, for spontaneous tube sedimentation were 79.2% and 87.5% to soil transmitted helminths detection, respectively. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of agar plate culture to hookworm detection were 86.4% and 93.5%, respectively.Conclusion: Spontaneous tube sedimentation shows higher sensitivity in the detection of soil transmitted helminths infections. Agar plate culture method also indicated better performance for hookworm detection than other methods. Therefore, the employment of STS technique as a confirmatory test in routine laboratory and APC in research purpose will significantly aid in accurate diagnosis of parasitic infections in school children.
Incidence and consequences of systemic arterial thrombotic events in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Cantador Estefanía , Núñez Alberto , Sobrino Pilar , Espejo Victoria , Fabia Lucía , MD  , MD  , MD F PhD Javier Botas
Published: June 2020

A high incidence of thrombotic events, particularly deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, has been clearly documented in COVID-19 patients. In addition, small series of patients with coronary, cerebrovascular and peripheral arterial thrombotic events have also been reported, but their true incidence and consequences are not well described, and constitute the objective of this study. From February 1st to April 21st, 2020, 2,115 COVID-19 patients were treated at Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón (Madrid, Spain), and 1,419 were eventually admitted. Patient characteristics and outcomes were collected by reviewing their electronic medical records. Fourteen patients had a systemic arterial thrombotic event, which represents a 1% incidence in relation to the total number of hospitalized patients. Three patients suffered an acute coronary syndrome, two with persistent ST-segment elevation, one of whom was treated invasively, and one with transient ST-segment elevation. Eight patients had a cerebrovascular event. Six suffered an acute ischemic stroke and two a transient ischemic attack, 50% of them had a Rankin score ≥3 at discharge. Three additional patients had a limb thrombotic event, all of them infrapopliteal, and were managed conservatively. All three cases developed necrosis of the toes, two of them with bilateral involvement. The hospitalization death rate of patients with an arterial event was 28.6%. Although COVID-19 may favor the occurrence of thrombotic events, the destabilization and thrombosis of arterial atherosclerotic plaques do not seem to be a frequent mechanism which warrants the need for specific systematic preventive measures.
The analgesic evaluation of gabapentin for arthroscopy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Huang Feiri , Yang Hifan , Su Zhongliang , Gao Xiaosheng
Published: June 2020

Introduction:
The efficacy of gabapentin for pain management of arthroscopy remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of gabapentin versus placebo on the postoperative pain intensity of arthroscopy.
Methods
We search PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through April 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of gabapentin versus placebo on pain control of arthroscopy. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model.
Results
Five RCTs are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group for arthroscopy, gabapentin remarkably decreases pain scores at 24 h (Std. MD=-0.68; 95% CI=-1.15 to -0.02; P = 0.21), analgesic consumption (Std. MD=-18.24; 95% CI=-24.61 to -11.88; P < 0.00001), nausea and vomiting (OR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.21 to 0.84; P = 0.01), but has no obvious influence on pain scores at 6 h (Std. MD=-1.30; 95% CI=-2.92 to 0.31; P = 0.11) or dizziness (OR = 1.12; 95% CI = 0.56 to 2.24; P = 0.75).
Conclusions
Gabapentin is effective for pain control after arthroscopy.
Low Post-Arthroplasty Infection Rate is Possible in Developing Countries: Long-Term Experience of Local Vancomycin Use From A High-Volume Tertiary Knee Center in Iran
Authors: Tahmasebi Mohammad Naghi , Vosoughi Fardis , Vaziri Arash Sharafat , Tahami Mohamad , Khalilizad Majid , Rabie Hamid
Published: June 2020

Background: Significant research has been carried out for prevention and also early detection of post-TKA infections. Regarding prevention, utilizing intrawound vancomycin powder in TKA surgery has yielded rather contrasting results in the pertinent literature. Regarding early detection, CDC criteria, although effective in general, are not specifically designed for post-TKA infections. Here, we present a 7-year experience of primary TKA in a high-volume tertiary knee center in Iran, during which intrawound vancomycin powder was used as a routine practice at the end of TKA surgeries. Also, new criteriae are proposed to detect suspected superficial post-TKA infections. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of primary total knee arthroplasties performed in a tertiary knee center, from March 2011 to December 2018, by a single senior knee surgeon. All patients with follow-up periods of less than one year were excluded from the study. All patient received vancomycin (powder, 1gr) before water-tight closure of the joint capsule. Results: Altogether, 1710 patients were included in the study. Patients were mostly women (male to female ratio: 1 to 4), with a mean age of 64.99 (SD=11.49) years. The overall infection rate was 2.16% (37 of 1710 patients), including 5 periprosthetic deep joint infections and 32 suspected superficial wound infections. Of the 32 suspected superficial infections that were treated with a one-week course of oral antibiotics, all reported disappearance of symptoms, but 2 cases returned with late deep infection. All in all, 7 patients (0.41%) underwent two-stage knee arthroplasty due to deep joint infections. Conclusions: Our experience shows that by utilizing intrawound vancomycin for 7 years as a routine practice along with other measures, we were able to reach relatively low rates of deep post-TKA infections. Howbeit, randomized controlled trials are required to clarify the effect of intrawound vancomycin on post-TKA infection rate.
An Ultrasensitive Immunoassay Strip for Simultaneously Detectingcyproheptadinehydrochloride and Six Phenothiazinesin Feedstuffs Based on a Monoclonal Antibody
Authors: Chen changjun , Gao Xianlei , Li Hao , Pan Xin , Wang Songgang
Published: June 2020

Background: Kümmell disease usually occurs in the elderly osteoporosis population and develops gradually into symptomatic, progressive kyphosis of the spine. Several alternative surgical procedures, including vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, and osteotomy, can be chose for the treatment of the disease. However, current surgical methods to deal with stage III Kümmell disease are less satisfying.Method: Amodified technique of intravertebral insertion of interbody fusion cage with posterior spine stabilization was applied to treat stage III Kümmell disease.Results:This study details a modified technique applied in a patient with stage III Kümmell disease, showing significant improvement in pain relief, anterior column height recovery, and kyphotic angle correction. And nocomplications was reported during ourfollow-up.Conclusions: Intravertebral insertion of interbody fusion cage via transpedicular approach provides advantages of acceptable correctionof kyphosis, bony fusion, minimal invasion. Thus, our method was a good alternative choice for stage III Kümmell disease.
Test anxiety and emotion regulation among undergraduate medical students in China: the mediating role of psychological resilience
Authors: Liu Yquguo , Pan Haiyan , Yang Runhuang , Wang Xingjie , Rao Jiawei , Zhang Xingshan , Pan Congcong
Published: June 2020

Background: Medical students experience a considerable amount of anxiety due to exams. Emotion regulation and psychological resilience are established protective factors of individual mental health, however, the investigations for the effects of anxiety were limited. The goal of the present study was to examine the relationship of psychological resilience and emotion regulation with test anxiety and the associated factors of them among medical students. Methods: In this cross-sectional survey, a simple random sampling methods was used to select the participants. Information from a sample of 1266 medical students was collected by self-reporting questionnaires. Logistic regression was applied to test the associations between test anxiety and emotion regulation, resilience. Bootstrap were conducted to explore the mediating role of resilience. Results: Our important results were that the prevalence of problematic test anxiety among medical students to be 71.4%, 33.7% was high test anxiety. Gender and academic performance correlated significantly with test anxiety, emotion regulation, and psychological resilience. There were correlations between test anxiety and various dimensions of emotion regulation and psychological resilience ( P<0.01 ). Emotion regulation and psychological resilience predicted emerging test anxiety. The mediating role of psychological resilience was identified for the effects of emotion regulation on test anxiety. Conclusions: Findings suggest that emotion regulation affected test anxiety through psychological resilience, which may provide insights for clinical psychologists, raise their awareness of the importance of cultivating and improving medical students' psychological resilience, and prompt them to offer psychological support to students with test anxiety as early as possible. The combination of curing and self-healing can solve the root cause of the problem and truly apply psychological research to improving the mental health of the general public. Keywords: Psychological resilience, Test anxiety, Emotion regulation, Medical student
VALD-3, a Schiff base Ligand Synthesized from O-Vanillin Derivatives, Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Breast Cancer Cells by Inhibiting The Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway
Authors: Li Hongling , Dang Chunyan , Tai Xiaohui , Xue Li , Meng Yuna , Ma Shuping , Zhang Jing
Published: June 2020

Background: Schiff base compounds and their metal complexes have become important synthetic organic drugs due to their extensive biological activities, which include anticancer, antibacterial and antiviral effects. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of VALD-3, a Schiff base ligand synthesized from o-vanillin derivatives, on human breast cancer cells and the possible underlying mechanisms.Methods: 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT)-test was used to observe the proliferation of human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells induced on VALD-3. The effects of VALD-3 on the cell cycle were analyzed in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells by PI single staining. Hoechst 33258 staining was performed to determine if VALD-3 induced apoptosis of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells and Annexin V/PI staining was performed to quantify the percentages of apoptosis. The expression of pro-apoptotic proteins and anti-apoptotic proteins in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells was investigated by Western blotting. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways were also examined. The antitumor activity and survival analysis of VALD-3 in vivo was determined by the nude mice xenograft assay.Results: Flow cytometry analysis showed that VALD-3 triggered cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells. Western blot analysis revealed that VALD-3 upregulated pro-apoptotic proteins (Bad and Bax), downregulated anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, survivin and XIAP) and increased the expression of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-8, Cyto-c and cleaved PARP. VALD-3 also regulated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in breast cancer cells, inhibiting the activation of downstream molecules. By xenografting human breast cancer cells into nude mice, we found that VALD-3 significantly suppressed tumor cell growth while showing low toxicity against major organs. In addition, survival analysis results showed that VALD-3 can significantly prolong the survival time of mice (P=0.036).Conclusion: This study is the first to show that VALD-3 induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human breast cancer cells by suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signaling, indicating that it could be a potential drug for the treatment of breast cancer.
Construction of a lncRNA-Associated ceRNA Network and Identification of A Potential Six-lncRNA Prognostic Signature for Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Hu Jun , Wang Fang , Liu Logen , Ning Wenfeng
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND: Mounting evidence has shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can function as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) which participate in the initiation and progression of cancers. In the ceRNA network, lncRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs, communicate with and co-regulate each other. Rarely there is a systematic lncRNA-mediated ceRNA network and potential specific ceRNA pairs or triples of esophageal cancer (EC). In this study, we investigate the lncRNA-mediated ceRNA network in EC and screen the potential prognostic lncRNA biomarkers.METHODS: We obtained mRNA, miRNA, and lncRNA expression data and relevant clinical features on patients with EC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and used the edgR package to identify differentially expressed mRNAs, lncRNAs and miRNAs between EC samples and normal samples. The EC ceRNA network was constructed based on miRNA target prediction through the databases of miRcode, miRDB, miRTarBase and TargetScan. And then Pearson’s correlation analysis was adopted to identify co-expression mRNA-lncRNA pairs. Finally, the robust likelihood-based survival analysis and Cox regression models were used to identify prognosis-related lncRNAs, which was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.RESULTS: A total of 3,200 mRNAs, 131 miRNAs and 1,338 lncRNAs were identified as significantly differentially expressed in EC, of which, 30 mRNAs, 15 lncRNAs, and 8 miRNAs were incorporated in the ceRNA network. According to the ceRNA network node degrees, lncRNA MAGI2-AS3, hsa-mir-93 and TGFBR2 were the key genes. Also, the ceRNA network revealed some important ceRNA pairs and triples, such as SNX29P2-TGFBR2 and MAGI2-AS-hsa-mir-143-COL1A1. Finally, we developed a six-lncRNA signature (ZNF341-AS1, AC130324.2, AC027271.1, AL591212.1, AL732314.4 and LOC105372352), with improved diagnostic potential for EC with the area under the ROC curve of 0.93.CONCLUSIONS: our present work sheds new light on the tumorigenesis roles of lncRNA-mediated ceRNA network in EC and identifies a six‐lncRNA model that could be used as candidate prognostic signature.
Investigation of Leishmania infection and blood sources analysis in Phlebotomus chinensis (Diptera: Psychodidae) along extension region of the Loess Plateau, China
Authors: Chen Hanming , Chen Huiying , Tao Feng , Gao Jingpeng , Li Kaili , Shi Hua , Peng Heng , Ma Yajun
Published: June 2020

BackgroundVisceral leishmaniasis (VL) was one of the most important parasitic diseases in China, caused by Leishmania protozoans and transmitted by sandflies. Recently VL cases have reappeared in China, including the extension region of the Loess Plateau. The purpose of this study was to detect the infection rate of Leishmania and analyze the blood sources of the sandflies vectors to guide the development of prevention and control measures. MethodsSandflies were collected by light traps from rural areas in Shanxian, Henan, China in 2015, as well as in Wuxiang and Yangquan, Shanxi, China in 2017. The blood sources of sandflies were analyzed by PCR detecting the host-specific mitochondrial cytochrome b (mtDNA Cyt b) gene fragments. Leishmania infection in sandflies was detected by amplifying and sequencing ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1). The Leishmania specific antibodies in the sera of local dogs were detected by ELISA. ResultsBlood sources showed diversity in the extension region of the Loess Plateau, including human, chicken, dog, cattle, pig and goat. Multiple blood sources within a sandfly individual were observed in samples from Yangquan (17/118, 14.4%) and Wuxiang (12/108, 11.1%). Leishmania DNA was detected in sandflies collected from Yangquan, of which 8.5% pooled and 1.9% individual samples were positive. The ITS1 sequences were conserved with the Leishmania donovani complex. The positive rate of Leishmania specific antibodies in dogs was 5.97%. ConclusionThis study detected the blood sources and Leishmania parasites infection of sandflies by molecular methods in the extension region of Loess Plateau, China. A high epidemic risk of leishmaniasis is currently indicated by the results as the infection of Leishmania in sandflies, the extensive blood sources of sandflies including humans, and positive antibody of Leishmania in local dog sera. Given the recent increase of VL cases, asymptomatic patients, dogs and other potential infected animals should be screened and treated. Furthermore, the density of sandflies needs to be controlled and personal protection should be strengthened.
Readmission rate after epilepsy surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mir Soheila , Jor Anis , Salarzaei Morteza
Published: June 2020

ObjectiveToday, quality of care has become a central issue with regard to redesigning health care delivery. For improvement of quality of care, measurement and analysis of outcomes is essential. the aim of this study is to evaluate the 30 day readmission rate of epilepsy surgery.Material and MethodsA systematic literature review was performed in April 2020. We reviewed MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov for citation or ongoing trials from January 2010 to March 2020. The search criteria were limited to human studies published in English language. The Medical Subject Headings terms used for the search in PubMed were ‘epilepsy surgery’ ,’readmission’, ’reoperation ’ and ‘neurological surgery’. We used random-effects meta-analyses to estimate pooled risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals for early readmissionResultsIn the 7trials reporting readmission rates, the overall prevalence of readmission and re-operation within 30 days was 10% and 9%. The most common cause of re-admission was seizure(31.6%). The overall mean Elixhauser index among readmitted patients after epilepsy surgery was 8.05.ConclusionMinimizing factors that contribute to readmission in various patient populations and procedures becomes important for patient care, resource utilization, and physician reimbursement.understanding about a readmission rate of 10% can be useful to health systems designing quality improvement efforts.Awareness of the reasons for readmission is important for patient counseling and surgical decision making.In epilepsy surgery, although our study did not show a significant difference but ,readmissions might be reduced with optimization of pre-existing comorbidities
Atraumatic Restorative Treatment compared to the Hall Technique for occluso-proximal carious lesions in primary molars; 36-month follow-up of a randomised control trial in a school setting
Authors: Araujo Mariana Pinheiro , Innes Nicola Patricia , Bonifácio Clarissa Calil , Hesse Daniela , Olegário Isabel Cristina , Mendes Fausto Medeiros , Raggio Daniela Prócida
Published: June 2020

Background: Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) and the Hall Technique (HT) are both minimally invasive, non-aerosol generating procedures (non-AGPs). They seem to have never been directly compared, nor has the HT been studied in a non-clinical setting. This study compared the HT and ART restorations placed in a school setting after 36 months.Methods: Children (5-10 yo) who had a primary molar with an occluso-proximal carious lesion were allocated to the ART or HT arms. Primary outcome: restoration survival over 36-months (using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, log rank test, and Cox regression). Secondary outcomes: 1) occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) (1, 2, 3, 4 weeks) and 2) child self-reported discomfort; 3) treatment acceptability (immediately following interventions); 4) Child Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL), before treatment and after 6 months and 5) a post-hoc analysis of time to tooth exfoliation (1, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 months).Results: One-hundred and thirty-one children (ART=65; HT=66) were included (mean age=8.1±1.2). At 36 months, 112 (85.5%) children were followed-up. Primary outcome: restoration survival rates ART=32.7% (SE=0.08; 95%CI=0.17-0.47); HT=93.4% (0.05; 0.72-0.99), p<0.001; Secondary outcomes: 1) OVD returned to pre-treatment state within 4 weeks; 2) treatment discomfort was higher for the HT (p=0.018); 3) over 70% of children and parents showed a high acceptability for treatments, with crown aesthetics being a concern for around 23% of parents; 4) Child OHRQoL improved after six months; and 5) teeth treated with the HT exfoliated earlier than those in the ART group (p=0.007).Conclusions: Both ART and the HT were acceptable to child participants and their parents and all parents thought both restorations protected their child’s tooth. However, the crown appearance concerned almost a quarter of parents in the HT arm. Children experienced less discomfort in the ART group. Although both treatments can be performed in a non-clinical setting and have the advantage of being non-aerosol generating procedures (non-AGPs), the HT had almost three times higher survival rates (93.4%) for restoring primary molar occluso-proximal cavities compared to ART (32.7%).Trial registration: This trial was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02569047), 5th October 2015. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT02569047?cond=Hall+Technique+Atraumatic+Restorative+Treatment&draw=2&rank=2
A new classification of cross-sectional root canal shape changes, a cone-beam computed tomography study
Authors: Razumova Svetlana , Brago Anzhela , Barakat Haydar , Howijieh Ammar , Kozlova Yuliya , Baykulova Malina
Published: June 2020

Background: The root canal system is considering the most important factor in endodontic treatment, due to the complexity of its anatomy and morphology. The aim of this study was to present a new classification of root canal shape changes in three thirds (coronal, middle, apical) in different age groups using cone-beam computed tomography scanning.Materials and methods: 300 CBCT scans for patient aged 20-70 were evaluated to study the morphology of the cross-sectional root canal shape in coronal, middle and apical thirds among three age groups; young (20-44), middle (45-59) and elderly (60-70). The root canal shape was classified as follow: round, oval, ribbon. Results: The cross-sectional root canal shape was identified in two groups: canals with an unchanging (constant) shape and canals with changing shape. In turn, in canals with changing shape, the change could be identified in the region of the middle or apical thirds of the canal. The results showed that root canal shape changes in two cases: 1) the presence of one or more canals in the root (with or without isthmus between them), 2) with age, as it was observed that the cross-sectional shape of the root canal becomes round in the apical third with age.Conclusion: A new classification of the changes of root canal shape in three thirds (coronal, middle, apical) was presented in this study.
Lower Collagen Area and Contralateral Lymph Node Metastasis Type Associated with Lower Disease-Free Survival in Thyroid Papillary Carcinoma
Authors: Dou Chengyun , Tang Fen , Li Jianping , Zhao Qiang , Cao Chuangjie
Published: June 2020

Objectives: To introducing a novel prognostic risk scheme which based on collagen area and lymph node metastasis type in thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC).Method: Tumor collagen area and lymph node matastasis type as well as several other histomorphological factors with disease-free survival (DFS) were investigated in a corhort of 101 PTC patients. Results: Median follow-up time of DFS was 76 months(inter quartile range: 71–83 months). Low collagen area and contralateral lymph node matastasis type were associated with dismal patient disease-free survival (DFS) significantly. While tumors with high collagen area showed a mean DFS of 77.37 months, gradually decreased to 76.53 months for tumors with moderate collagen area and to 66.67 months for tumors with low collagen area (p =0.028). Negtive, central and ipsilateral lymph node metastasis showed mean DFS of 72.72, 74.8 and 72.81 months respectively, decreased to 62.17 months with bilateral lymph node metastasis and 59.43 months with contralateral lymph node metastasis (p=0.029). In the cohort, uinivariate statistical analysis of the novel risk scheme revealed that the hazard ratio (HR) for DFS was 5.18 for R2 and 15.53 for R3 tumors compared to R1 PTC (p=0.003). Disease free survival dropped from 77.74 months for R1 tumors to 68.7 months for R2 and 56.38 months for R3. Multivariate statistical analysis of the novel risk scheme revealed that the HR for DFS was 3.259 (95% confident interval [CI] 1.122–9.469, p=0.03).Conclusion: Our novel risk algorithm incorporating tumor collagen area and lymph node matastasis type allows strongly prognostic stratification of PTC. We suggest this risk algorithm as a morphology-based parameter for the routine diagnostic assessment of this tumor entity.
An Ultrasensitive Immunoassay Strip for Simultaneously Detecting Cyproheptadinehydrochloride and Six Phenothiazinesin Feedstuffs Based on a Monoclonal Antibody
Authors: Na Guanqiong , Hu Xiaofei , Sun Yaning , Tang Liang , Xing Guangxu , Xing Yunrui , Zhang Gaiping
Published: June 2020

Background: An antihistamine cyproheptadine (CPH) and phenothiazines (PZs)sedative hypnoticshave a similar tricyclic structure, these drugs are often illegally added to food animal feedstuffs due to their price advantage and significant effect in promoting growth and improving meat quality. However, the abuse of these drugs may lead totheir residues in animal products, thereby causing harmful effects such as allergies and dermatological reactions on human health.To supervise the use of prohibited drugs and ensure food safety, it is necessary to establish a simple and effective screening method to detect CPH and PZs.In this research, an artificial antigen against cyproheptadine(CPH) was successfully synthesized by bromoacetic acid substitution method. An ultrasensitive and broad-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) able to recognize CPH and six phenothiazines (PZs) was produced. Based on the gold-labeled mAb, an immunochromatographic strip (ICS) was established.Results:The 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) of the produced mAb against CPH was identified as 0.036 ng mL-1 by ELISA, and the cross-reactivities for six PZs were from 6.33% to 63.16%. The visual detection limits(cut-off values) of the developed ICS ranged from 5 to 100ngg-1 in feedstuffs. Take a reading by strip reader, the IC50 was from 0.570 to 7.750ng g-1. In addition,a recovery experiment was carried out to verify the reliability of the ICS. The intra-assay recoveries were from 79.83% to 103.38% with the highest coefficient of variation (CV) of 11.31%. The inter-assay recoveries were from 79.00% to 96.63% with the highest CV of 12.66%.Conclusions: We have successfully produced a broad-spectrum monoclonal antibody and established an ICS for simultaneouslydetecting CPH and six PZs drugs.In brief, the proposed ICS was considered suitable for qualitatively and quantitatively monitoring CPH and PZs in feedstuffs.
Transcriptomic profiling of germinating seeds under cold stress and characterization of the cold-tolerant gene LTG5 in rice
Authors: Pan yinghua , Liang Haifu , Gao Lijun , Dai Gaoxing , Chen Weiwei , Yang Xinghai , Qing Dongjin , Gao Ju , Wu Hao , Huang Juan , Zhou Weiyong , Huang Chengcui , Liang Yuntao , Deng Guofu
Published: June 2020

Background: Wild rice ( Oryza rufipogon Griff.) is an important germplasm resource for rice improvement. It has superior tolerance for many abiotic stresses including cold stress, but little is known about the mechanism underlying its resistance to cold. Low temperature is one of the most prevalent factors that limit rice productivity and geographical distribution.Results: This study aimed to elucidate the molecular genetic mechanisms of wild rice in tolerating low temperature. Comprehensive transcriptome profiles of two rice genotypes (cold-sensitive ce 253 and cold-tolerant Y12-4) at the germinating stage under cold stress were comparatively analyzed. A total of 42.44–68.71 million readings were obtained, resulting in the alignment of 29128 and 30131 genes in genotypes 253 and Y12-4, respectively. Many common and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed in cold-sensitive and cold-tolerant genotypes. Results showed more upregulated DEGs in cold-tolerant genotypes than in cold-sensitive genotypes at four stages under cold stress. Gene ontology enrichment analyses indicated more upregulated genes than downregulated ones in cold-tolerant genotypes based on cellular process, metabolic process, response stimulus, membrane part, and catalytic activity. To confirm the RNA Sequencing (RNA-seq) data, Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed on seven randomly selected DEGs. These genes showed similar expression patterns corresponding with the RNA-Seq method. We also explored a gene for cold tolerance LTG5 , encoding a UDP-glucosyltransferase. The overexpression of LTG5 gene conferred cold tolerance to indica rice.Conclusion: Overall, our results suggested that gene resources related to cold stress from wild rice can be valuable for improving the cold tolerance of crop plants.
Humic-acid-driven escape from eye parasites revealed by RNA-seq and target-specific metabarcoding
Authors: Noreikiene Kristina , Ozerov Mikhail , Ahmad Freed , Kõiv Toomas , Kahar Siim , Gross Riho , Sepp Margot , Pellizzone Antonia , Vesterinen Eero J. , Kisand Veljo , Vasemägi Anti
Published: June 2020

BackgroundNext generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are extensively used to dissect the molecular mechanisms of host-parasite interactions in human pathogens. However, ecological studies have yet to fully exploit the power of NGS as a rich source for formulating and testing new hypotheses. MethodsWe studied Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) and its eye parasite (Trematoda, Diplostomidae) communities in fourteen lakes that differed in humic content in order to explore host-parasite-environment interactions. We hypothesised that high humic content along with low pH would decrease the abundance of the intermediate hosts (gastropods), thus limiting the occurrence of diplostomid parasites in humic lakes. This hypothesis was initially invoked by whole eye RNA-seq data analysis and subsequently tested using PCR-based detection and a novel targeted metabarcoding approach.ResultsWhole eye transcriptome results revealed over expression of immune-related genes and the presence of eye parasite sequences in RNA-seq data obtained from perch living in clear-water lakes. Both PCR-based and targeted-metabarcoding approach showed that perch from humic lakes were completely free from diplostomid parasites, while the prevalence of eye flukes in clear-water lakes that contain low amounts of humic substances was close to 100%, with the majority of NGS reads assigned to Tylodelphys clavata. ConclusionsHigh intraspecific diversity of T. clavata indicates that massively parallel sequencing of naturally pooled samples represents an efficient and powerful strategy for shedding light on cryptic diversity of eye parasites. Our results demonstrate that perch populations in clear-water lakes experience contrasting eye parasite pressure compared to those from humic lakes, which is reflected by prevalent differences in the expression of immune-related genes in the eye. This study highlights the utility of NGS to discover novel host-parasite-environment interactions and provide unprecedented power to characterize the molecular diversity of cryptic parasites.
Identification and Functional Enrichment Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Xu Chen , Meng Ling-bing , Xiao Yu , Qiu Yong , Du Ying-jue , Huang Cibo , Wang Fang
Published: June 2020

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory, degenerative disease, which has become an osteoarthropathy that seriously affects physical health and quality of life of elderly people. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of OA remains unclear. Therefore, the study purposed to utilize bioinformatics technology to perform identification and functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes in osteoarthritis. Method The main methods of this study consist of access to microarray data (GSE82107 and GSE55235), identification of differently expressed genes (DEGs) by GEO2R between OA and normal synovium samples, enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), construction and analysis of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, significant module and hub genes. Result A total of 300 DEGs were identified, consisting of 64 up-regulated genes and 11 down-regulated genes in OA samples compared to normal synovium tissues. Gene set enrichment analysis of DEGs provided a comprehensive overview of some major pathophysiological mechanisms in OA: cellular response to hydrogen peroxide, P53 signaling pathway and so on. The study also built the PPI network, and a total of 10 key genes were identified: CYR61, PENK, GOLM1, DUSP1, ATF3, STC2, FOSB, PRSS23, TF, and TNC. Conclusion DEGs exists between OA patients and normal cartilage tissue, which may be involved in the related mechanism of OA development, especially cellular response to hydrogen peroxide and CYR61.
Improved Muscle Function After Injury with the Application of a Biological Decellularized Matrix
Authors: Ayadi Amina El , Threlkeld Melody R.S. , Wolf Steven E. , Song Juquan
Published: June 2020

Background: Skeletal muscle injury leads to loss of muscle function that lasts well into recovery and can be permanent. Application of the novel bio-scaffold termed porcine-derived urinary bladder matrix (UBM) has a potential benefit to mitigate injury through tissue regeneration. To date, findings of potential benefit in animal models were limited to short assessment times. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether UBM treatment 14 days after injury sustainably improves the recovery of muscle function in injured mice. Methods: C57BL/6 adult male mice received bilateral laceration injuries on the gastrocnemius (GN) muscle under anesthesia and were then treated with vehicle or 150 µg of UBM nanoparticles. Treatment was applied immediately after injury or 14 days later. Muscle isometric force was measured 60 days after injury. Previous time course analyses have shown that muscle function did not start to improve until after 42 days after injury. Therefore, we designed a second experiment to trace the time course of UBM effects on muscle function recovery by measuring the isometric muscle force at 49 and 90 days after injury. In vitro, we analyzed the effects of UBM on muscle cell proliferation and differentiation. Results: UBM promotes muscle cell proliferation and differentiation. Twitch (Pt), tetanic (Po) force and maximal fatigue were significantly decreased in the injured mice on day 60. Muscle fatigue maximum force significantly recovered when UBM treatment was applied 14 days after injury (p<0.05) but not when UBM was applied immediately after the injury. Time course analysis demonstrated that UBM improvement of Pt and Po was evident by day 49 after injury (p<0.05). However, no further muscle function improvement was observed on day 90. Conclusions: Delayed treatment with the UBM improves muscle function recovery following laceration injury starting 49 days after injury. These effects may be mediated by improvements in muscle cell proliferation and differentiation. This animal model is suitable to test other therapeutic strategies to improve muscle function after injury.