bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
WITHDRAWN: Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.42 Effect’s on Renal Function in Patients After Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Morath Benedict , Meid Andreas , Rickmann Johannes , Soethoff Jasmin , Verch Markus , Karck Matthias , Zaradzki Marcin
Published: November 2020

Background: Fluid management is an everyday challenge in intensive care units worldwide. Data from recent trials suggest that the use of hydroxyethyl starch leads to a higher rate of acute kidney injury and mortality in septic patients. Evidence on the safety of hydroxyethyl starch used in postoperative cardiac surgery patients is lacking Methods: The aim was to determine the impact of postoperatively administered hydroxyethylstarch 130/0.42 on renal function and 90-day mortality compared to with or without balanced crystalloids in patients after elective cardiac surgery. A retrospective cohort analysis was performed including 2245 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting or, aortic valve replacement, or a combination of both between 2015 - 2019. Acute kidney injury was defined according to the ‘kidney disease improving global outcomes’ criteria. Multivariate logistic regression yielded adjusted associations of postoperative hydroxyethyl starch administration with acute kidney injury during hospital stay and 90-day mortality. Linear mixed-effects models predicted trajectories of estimated glomerular filtration rates over the postoperative period to explore the impact of dosage and timing of hydroxyethyl starch administration.Results: A total of 1009 patients (45.0 %) suffered from acute kidney injury. Significantly less acute kidney injury of any stage occurred in patients receiving hydroxyethyl starch compared to patients receiving only crystalloids for fluid resuscitation (43.7 % vs. 51.2 % p=0.008). In multivariate analysis, the administration of hydroxyethyl starch showed a protective effect (OR 0.89 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.82-0.96)) which was less prominent in patients receiving only crystalloids (OR 0.98, 95% CI (0.95-1.00)). No association between hydroxyethyl starch and 90-day mortality (OR 1.05 95% CI (0.88-1.25)) was detected. Renal function trajectories were dose-dependent and biphasic and hydroxyethyl starch could even slow down the late postoperative decline of kidney function.Conclusion: This study showed no association between hydroxyethyl starch and the postoperative occurrence of acute kidney injury and may add evidence to the discussion about the use of hydroxyethyl starch in cardiac surgery patients. In addition, hydroxyethyl starch administered early after surgery in adequate low doses might even prevent the decline of the kidney function after cardiac surgery.
Genome-wide Identification and Function Analysis of HMAD Gene Family in Cotton (Gossypium Spp.)
Authors: Wang Qinqin , Lu Xuke , Chen Xiugui , Zhao Lanjie , Han Mingge , Wang Shuai , Zhang Yuexin , Fan Yapeng , Ye Wuwei
Published: November 2020

Background: Soil salinized and heavy metal toxicity has become a major threat to sustainable crop production worldwide. Previous studies revealed that halophytes were supposed to tolerate other stress including heavy metal toxicity. Though HMAD (heavy-metal-associated domain) was reported to play various important functions in different plants, little is known in Gossypium.Results: A total of 169 G. hirsutum genes were identified belonging to the HMAD gene family and divided into five classes. Additionally, 84, 76 and 159 HMAD genes were identified in each G. arboreum, G. raimondii and G. barbadense, respectively. Furthermore, conserved sequence analysis found the conserved catalytic center containing an anion binding (CXXC) box. The HMAD gene family showed a differential expression levels among different tissues and developmental stages in G. hirsutum with the different cis-elements and transcription factor binding sites (TFBS) for abiotic stress.Conclusions: Current study provides important information about HMAD genes under salt-stress in Gossypium genome, which would be useful to understand its putative functions in different species of cotton.
Efficacy and Safety of Metastasis Directed Stereotactic Radiotherapy in NSCLC Patients Progressing Under Targeted- or Immunotherapy.
Authors: Kroeze Stephanie G.C. , Schaule Jana , Fritz Corinna , Kaul David , Blanck Oliver , Kahl Klaus Henning , Roeder Falk , Siva Shankar , Verhoeff Joost JC , Adebahr Sonja , Schymalla Markus M , Glatzer Markus , Szuecs Marcella , Geier Michael , Skazikis Georgios , Sackerer Irina , Lohaus Fabian , Eckert Franziska , Guckenberger Matthias
Published: November 2020

BackgroundMetastasis directed treatment (MDT) is increasingly performed with the attempt to improve outcome in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving targeted- or immunotherapy (TT/IT). This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of metastasis directed stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) concurrent to TT/IT in NSCLC patients.MethodsA retrospective multicenter cohort of stage IV NSCLC patients treated with TT/IT and concurrent (≤30 days) MDT was established. 56% and 44% of patients were treated for oligoprogressive disease (OPD) or polyprogressive disease (PPD) under TT/IT, polyprogressive respectively. Survival was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and log rank testing. Toxicity was scored using CTCAE v4.03 criteria. Predictive factors for overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and time to therapy switch (TTS) were analyzed with uni- and multivariate analysis.ResultsMDT of 192 lesions in 108 patients was performed between 07/2009 and 05/2018. Concurrent TT/IT consisted of EGFR/ALK-inhibitors (60%), immune checkpoint inhibitors (31%), VEGF-antibodies (8%) and PARP-inhibitors (1%). 2y-OS was 51% for OPD and 25% for PPD. After 1 year, 58% of OPD and 39% of PPD patients remained on the same TT/IT. Second progression after MDT was oligometastatic (≤5 lesions) in 59% of patients. Severe acute and late toxicity was observed in 5.5% and 1.9% of patients. In multivariate analysis, OS was influenced by the clinical metastatic status (p=0.002, HR 2.03, 95% CI 1.30-3.17). PFS was better in patients receiving their first line of systemic treatment (p=0.033, HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.05-2.77) and with only one metastases-affected organ (p=0.023, HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.10-3.79). TTS was 6 months longer in patients with one metastases-affected organ (p=0.031, HR 2.53, 95% CI 1.09-5.89). Death was never therapy-related.ConclusionsMetastases-directed SRT in NSCLC patients can be safely performed concurrent to TT/IT with a low risk of severe toxicity. To find the ideal sequence of the available multidisciplinary treatment options for NSCLC and determine what patients will benefit most, a further evaluated in a broader context within prospective clinical trials is needed continuation of TT/IT beyond progression combined with MDT for progressive lesions appears promising but requires prospective evaluation.Trial registrationretrospectively registered
Copy Number Variation and Transcription Regulation of Genes and Immune Microenvironment of Tumor Affect the Stemness of Prostate Cancer Cell
Authors: Dai Zao , Liu Ping
Published: November 2020

Background: Prostate cancer stem cells (pCSC) play an important role in tumor metastasis through multiple pathways. From gene, protein to microenvironment, there are many factors affecting the cell stemness of prostate cancer (PCa). However, the effective factors affecting the stemness of prostate cancer cells are still unclear.Methods: Based on the transcription data of prostate cancer in the TCGA database, WGCNA (Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis) and stemness scores were used to find important stemness gene module. According to ATAC-seq and genomic data, analyze their relationship with stemness. The interaction of stemness genes was analyzed with STRING (functional protein association networks) database. Furthermore, based on the immune microenvironment score, the relationship between immune and stemness was analyzed.Results: The most important stemness gene module in prostate cancer was obtained with WGCNA method; then a positive correlation between the gene CNVs (Copy Number Variants) of the most important stemness gene module and PCa stemness was found, as well as a positive correlation between the gene CNVs and Gleason score of PCa was also drug out. Further, the key transcriptional regulators of the most important stemness genes in PCa were obtained. In addition, it's found that immune cells, especially CD8+T cells and M1 macrophages, suppressed the stemness of PCa cells. Finally, by analyzing the protein interactions and the relationship between genes and immune cells, we found that interaction of the proteins of the most important stemness genes module and the relationship between these genes and immune cells of microenvironment of PCa were all important in affecting the stemness of PCa cells.Conclusions: By analyzing multi-omics data of clinical specimen, we got the most important stemness genes and their important transcriptional regulators in PCa; and further mining analysis showed that the stemness of PCa cells is positive regulated by the CNVs and the interaction of the proteins of the most important stemness genes, and negatively regulated by the immune cells of the microenvironment of prostate cancer.
Multicentre Evaluation of a Newly Developed Anti-Calcium Dobesilate-Enzymatic Creatinine Assay Based on Real-World Data in China
Authors: Guo Xiuzhi , Hou Li’an , Lu Zhongxin , Zhi Guiru , Li Xiaoyan , Cheng Shiqing , Li Dexin , Zhang Yan , Wang Xuejing , Li Qi , Zhang Yufan , Niu Aijun , Wang Dandan , Ren Peng , Xu Anchun , Zhang Jianping , Zhang Yi , Qin Guangming , Yu Honglan , Liu Wentao , Min Xun , Hu Suhua , Hu Shenghe , Song Weiqing , Qiu Ling
Published: November 2020

BackgroundPreviously, we reported that calcium dobesilate (CaD), a vasoprotective agent mainly used for diabetic retinopathy, negatively interferes with enzymatic creatinine assays. Anewly developed enzymatic creatinine assay, the “Cr-R assay”, is commercially available and claims to have no interference from CaD. This study aimed to verify the performance of the Cr-R assay on clinical samples and to investigate the degree of CaD interference in a multicentre, real-world study.MethodsThe precision and accuracy ofthe Cr-R assay was evaluated in 23 hospitals in different regions of China. Interference was then calculated both in vitro and in clinical samples. Samples with potential interference were screened based on the different creatinine results between Cr-R and the creatinine assays commonly used in each participating hospital (Cr-C). Interference was confirmed by determining serum CaD concentration by directly using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) methodand by assessing the “true” creatinine levels using the standard isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ID-MS/MS) method. ResultsTheprecision and bias and anti-interference ability of Cr-R assay on most platforms fulfilled the specification criteria. In the clinical setting, 67,469 samples were tested in 23 centres, and CaD concentration was measured in 818 samples, of which 257 contained CaD, accounting for 0.38% of the total and 31% of screened patients. In these 257 cases, the median CaD concentration was 11.356 (range, 1.350–121.519; IQR, 7.162–21.175) μg/mL. Creatinine levels measured using Cr-C assay were up to 35.1% (95%CI, 37.9–32.4 %; P < 0.001) lower than the “real” creatinine levels using the ID-MS/MSmethod. For Cr-R reagent, the average bias from the reference method was -6.2% (95%CI, -7.9–4.6%; P < 0.001), ranging from -17.9% to 7.1%.ConclusionsMulticentre tests confirmed that the precision, bias, and anti-CaD ability of the Cr-R assay met clinical needs. The prevalence of CaD interference should be considered when performing clinical enzymatic creatinine measurements.Other manufacturers should improve the anti-interference performance of creatinine reagents.
Ophiopogonin B-inducing Pyroptosis Through Caspase-1/gsdmd Pathway Contributes to Alleviation of Paclitaxel Resistance in Lung Cancer Cells 
Authors: Cheng Ziyu , Li Zhihui , Gu Ling , Li Liqiu , Gao Qian , Zhang Xiongfei , Fu Jin , Guo Yuanyuan , Li Qirui , Gu Yang , Fu Hequn , Shen Xu , Chen Meijuan , Zhang Xu
Published: November 2020

Background: Drug resistance has become the main reason for the failure of tumor chemotherapy. In our previous study, ophiopogonin B (OP-B) has been verified to inhibit cell proliferation in numerous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. However, it is still unknown whether it can improve the drug resistance of lung cancer cells. Herein, we compared the inhibition effects of OP-B on NCI-H460, A549, A549/DDP and A549/PTX cells, and tried to find out the most sensible cell line to OP-B and the underlying reasons. Methods: The sensitivity of NCI-H460, A549, A549/DDP, and A549/PTX cells to OP-B was determined by CCK-8 assay, and the results were further verified in orthotopic tumor nude mice model and zebrafish tumor model. To identify pyroptosis in the cells, electron microscopy was used to observe cell morphology, flow cytometry was used to detect the mitochondrial membrane potential, and the LDH release rate was analyzed by microplate reader. Otherwise, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining assay, western blot and qRT-PCR were used for detection of pyroptosis-correlated pathway.Results: In vitro, A549/DDP cell was verified to be most sensitive to OP-B than NCI-H460, A549, or A549/PTX cells. In vivo, OP-B inhibited the growth of A549/DDP orthotopic tumor more significantly than that of A549 both in nude mice and zebrafish models. Cell morphological feature, mitochondrial membrane potential, LDH release rate, production of IL-1β and expression of Caspase-1/GSDMD all showed that pyroptosis happened more significantly in A549/DDP cells than that in A549 cells after OP-B treatment.Conclusion: Though inducing more significantly pyroptosis by activating Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway, OP-B relieved DDP resistance of A549 cells.
The FAM3C Locus that Encodes Interleukin-like EMT Inducer (ILEI) is Frequently Co-amplified in MET-amplified Cancers and Contributes to Invasiveness
Authors: Schmidt Ulrike , Heller Gerwin , Timelthaler Gerald , Heffeter Petra , Somodi Zsolt , Schweifer Norbert , Sibilia Maria , Berger Walter , Csiszar Agnes
Published: November 2020

Background Gene amplification of MET, which encodes for the receptor tyrosine kinase c-MET, occurs in a variety of human cancers. High c-MET levels often correlate with poor cancer prognosis. Interleukin-like EMT inducer (ILEI) is also overexpressed in many cancers and is associated with metastasis and poor survival. The gene for ILEI, FAM3C, is located close to MET on chromosome 7q31 in an amplification “hotspot”, but it is unclear whether FAMC3 amplification contributes to elevated ILEI expression in cancer. In this study we have investigated FAMC3 copy number gain in different cancers and its potential connection to MET amplifications.Methods FAMC3 and MET copy numbers were investigated in various cancer samples and 200 cancer cell lines. Copy numbers of the two genes were correlated with mRNA levels, with relapse-free survival in lung cancer patient samples as well as with clinicopathological parameters in primary samples from 49 advanced stage colorectal cancer patients. ILEI knock-down and c-MET inhibition effects on proliferation and invasiveness of five cancer cell lines and growth of xenograft tumors in mice were then investigated. Results FAMC3 was amplified in strict association with MET amplification in several human cancers and cancer cell lines. Increased FAM3C and MET copy numbers were tightly linked and correlated with increased gene expression and poor survival in human lung cancer and with extramural invasion in colorectal carcinoma. Stable ILEI shRNA knock-down did not influence proliferation or sensitivity towards c-MET-inhibitor induced proliferation arrest in cancer cells but impaired both c-MET-independent and -dependent cancer cell invasion. c-MET inhibition reduced ILEI secretion, and shRNA mediated ILEI knock-down prevented c-MET-signaling induced elevated expression and secretion of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. Combination of ILEI knock-down and c-MET-inhibition significantly reduced the invasive outgrowth of NCI-H441 and NCI-H1993 lung tumor xenografts by inhibiting proliferation, MMP expression and E-cadherin membrane localization.Conclusions These novel findings suggest MET amplifications are often in reality MET-FAM3C co-amplifications with tight functional cooperation. Therefore, the clinical relevance of this frequent cancer amplification hotspot, so far dedicated purely to c-MET function, should be re-evaluated to include ILEI as a target in the therapy of c-MET-amplified human carcinomas.
WITHDRAWN: Innovative Surgical System for Breast Cancer Based on Real-time Excising of Hypoxic Lesions Significantly Reduced the Positive Cavity Side Margin
Authors: Miripour Zohreh Sadat , Abbasvandi Fereshteh , Aghaee Parisa , Shojaeian Fatemeh , Faramarzpour Mahsa , Mohaghegh Pooneh , Hoseinpour Parisa , Namdar Naser , Amiri Morteza Hassanpour , Ghafari Hadi , Sanati Hassan , Mapar Mahna , Sadeghian Nastaran , Akbari Mohammad Esmaeil , Khayamian Mohammad Ali , Abdolahad mohamad
Published: November 2020

Background: For most people, the first step in treatment is to take out the tumor (surgery), so precise and fast diagnosis of any sign of high-risk cells in surgical cavity margins is significant. The frozen pathology method is the conventional standard of intraoperative diagnosis, but the low number of slides prepared from non-fixed tissues prevents us to achieve a perfect diagnosis. Although many improvements in intraoperative margin detection were achieved, still no clinically approved intra-operative technique has been reported for the detection of surgical margins with pathologically approved classification in breast cancer.Methods: From November 2018 to April 2020, 227 patients were registered and 213 with different types of breast tumors (IDC: n=151 (70.9%), ILC: n=6 (2.8%), DCIS: n=38 (17.8%), Atypia: n=8 (3.8%), Benign tumors: n=10 (%4.7)) were randomly assigned for CDP clinical trials. Men made up 2 (1%) of the patients; 211 (99%) were women. Functionalized carbon nanotubes grown on the electrode needles lively and selectively determine the H2O2 released from cancer/atypical cells, through reverse Warburg effect and hypoxia assisted glycolysis pathways, in a quantitative electrochemical manner. The study is registered at Iran National Committee for Ethics in Biomedical Research (IR.TUMS.VCR.REC.1397.355).Result: A real-time electrotechnical system, named cancer diagnostic probe (CDP) (Patent Pub. No.: US 2018/0299401A1), has been developed and clinically approved for breast cancer surgery (National Certificate ID:14006918495) to find the presence of pre-neoplastic/neoplastic cells in-vivo. Here, Functionalized carbon nanotubes grown on the electrode needles lively and selectively determine the H2O2 released from cancer or atypical cells, through reverse Warburg effect and hypoxia assisted glycolysis pathways, in quantitative electrochemical manner. A matched clinical diagnostic categorization between the pathological results and response peaks of CDP was proposed based on pathological classifications of WHO. Conclusion: The clinical ability of CDP was verified on more than 1300 human in-vivo breast samples with sensitivity and specificity of 93%, and 97%, respectively. After passing many trials and standard examinations, the system received production and clinical use certifications as a surgeon assistant system for usage in the operating room.
Protein Nanoparticle Osmotic Pressure Modifies Nonselective Permeability of the Blood Brain Barrier by Increasing Membrane Fluidity
Authors: Li Chen , Chen LinLin , Wang YuanYuan , Wang TingTing , Di Dong , Zhang Hao , Zhao HuanHuan , Shen Xu , Guo Jun
Published: November 2020

BackgroundIntracellular tension plays a crucial role in the destruction of the blood brain barrier (BBB) in response to lesion stimuli. Tight junction structure could be primarily affected by tension activity. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of extracellular BBB damage on intracellular tension activity, and elucidate the mechanism underlying the effects of intracellular protein nanoparticle-dependent osmotic pressure on BBB permeability.MethodsThe intracellular tension for tight junction proteins occludin and ZO1 were evaluated using the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based tension probes and cpstFRET analysis. The efficiency of the probes was examined by acceptor photobleaching FRET (FRET-AB) analysis. The changes in mobility ratios of the transmembrane protein occludin were evaluated via the fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) test. The cytoplasmic osmotic pressure (OP) was measured using the Osmomat 3000 Freezing Point Osmometer and 050 Membrane Osmometer. The count rate of cytoplasmic nanoparticles was detected by Nanosight NS300. The activation of cofilin and stathmin was examined by Western blot analysis. The BBB permeability in vivo was determined via investigating the changes of Evans Blue (EB) injected into the SD rats. The tight junction formation was assessed by the measurement of transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Intracellular calcium or chloride ions were measured using Fluo-4 AM or MQAE dyes. ResultsBBB lesions were accompanied by changes in occludin/ZO1 tension. Increases in intracellular osmotic pressure were involved in alteration of BBB permeability, possibly through the depolymerization of microfilaments or microtubules and mass production of protein nanoparticles according to the Donnan effect. Recovery of protein nanoparticle osmotic pressure could effectively reverse the effects of changes in occludin/ZO1 tension and BBB lesions. Outward tension of intracellular osmotic potential also caused upregulation of membrane fluidity, which promoted nonselective drug influx.ConclusionsOur results suggest a crucial mechanical mechanism underlying BBB lesions, and protein nanoparticle osmotic pressure could be a novel therapeutic target for BBB lesion-related brain diseases. Our results also provide a basis for further studies on the regulation of intracellular tension activity and its effect on the permeability of the BBB, and development of novel drugs that cross the blood-brain barrier.
Combined Treatment with Prednisone and Bromocriptine does not Influence the Pregnancy Outcome in Fresh Embryo Transfer Cycles
Authors: Wang Tao , Xia Yan
Published: November 2020

Background: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a potentially serious complication of ovarian stimulation in assisted reproduction technology (ART). The aim of this study was to evaluate if the combined treatment with prednisone and bromocriptine will reduce the risks of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and influence the pregnancy outcomes in fresh embryo transfer cycles. Method: Retrospective study was performed and Infertile patients undergoing assisted reproduction techniques were recruited. Results: The cancellation rate for OHSS in the combined group was 31.45%, while the control group was 40.88%. There was a significant reduction of the OHSS cancellation rate between the combined group and the control group (P<0.001). The single embryo transfer had been completed in 350 cycles in the combined group, and 495 cycles for double embryos transfer. Single embryo transfer were just only 227 cycles for the control group, while 517 cycles for double embryos transfer (P<0.001). As for the total successful embryo implantation, 509 cycles were in the combined-treated group (40.88%), while the 442 cycles in the control group which have the statistical differences between them (38.30%, P= 0.012). There was no statistical difference in clinical pregnancy rate (P=0.492), miscarriage rate(P=0.792), ongoing pregnancy rate(P=0.719), live birth rate(P=0.295), the congenital abnormalities rate (P=0.081), and the ectopic pregnancy occurrence rate(P=0.649) between the combined group and the control group. Conclusion Compared with the bromocriptine single using, combined-treated bromocriptine with prednisone can better reduce the OHSS occurrence rate dramatically and effectively and not affect the pregnancy outcomes in fresh embryo transfer cycles.
The Influence of Powered Prostheses on User Perspectives, Metabolics and Activity: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Authors: Kim Jay , Wensman Jeffrey , Colabianchi Natalie , Gates Deanna
Published: November 2020

Background: Powered prosthetic ankles provide battery-powered mechanical push-off, with the aim of reducing the metabolic demands of walking for people with transtibial amputations. The efficacy of powered ankles has been shown in active, high functioning individuals with transtibial amputation, but is less clear in other populations. Additionally, it is unclear how powered prosthetic use influences everyday physical activity and mobility.Methods: Individuals with unilateral transtibial amputations participated in a randomized clinical trial comparing their prescribed, unpowered prosthesis and the BiOM powered prosthesis. Participants’ metabolic costs and self-selected walking speeds were measured in the laboratory and daily step count, daily steps away from home, and walking speed were measured over two weeks of at-home prosthetic use. Participants also rated their perception of mobility and quality of life and provided free-form feedback. Dependent measures were compared between prostheses and the relationships between metabolic cost, perception of mobility, and characteristics of walking in daily life were explored using Pearson’s correlations.Results: Twelve people were randomly allocated to the powered prosthesis first (n = 7) or unpowered prosthesis first (n = 5) and ten completed the full study. There were no differences in metabolic costs (p = 0.585), daily step count (p = 0.995), walking speed (p ≥ 0.145), or perception of mobility between prostheses (p ≥ 0.058). Changes varied across participants, however. There were several medium- and large-sized effects for device comparisons. With the powered prosthesis, participants had decreased walking speeds in daily life (g = 0.310), increased self-reported ambulation (g = 0.682), and decreased frustration (g = 0.506). Greater preference for the powered prosthesis was moderately correlated with increased everyday walking speed (r = 0.636, p = 0.090).Conclusions: There were no universal benefits of the powered prosthesis on function in the lab or home environment. However, the effects were subject-specific, with some reporting preference for power and improved mobility, and some increasing their activity and decreasing their metabolic effort. Additionally, self-reported preferences did not often correlate with objective measures of function. This highlights the need for future clinical research to include both perception and objective measures to better inform prosthetic prescription.Trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov, #NCT02828982. Registered 12 July 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02828982
MicroRNA-450a/PPM1L Axis Contributes to The Malignant Phenotype of Glioma
Authors: You Jian , Chen Xiufen , Zhou Jie , Peng Lilei , Ming Yang , Liu Liang , Xu Ruxiang , Chen Ligang
Published: November 2020

MicroRNAs play an important role in glioma, and the function of miR-450a in glioma is unknown. We aimed to clarify the role and underlying mechanism of miR-450a in glioma. We analyzed the miR-450a expression and prognosis data of glioma patients from TCGA and CGGA databases. CCK8, colony formation, nude tumor formation, transwell and wound healing assay investigated glioma cells transfected with miR-450a inhibitor growth, invasion and migration, respectively. Bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assay were applied to predict and verify the direct target gene of miR-450a. In this study, we found that miR-450a expression was significantly higher in glioma tissues and cells than the normal tissues and cells, and there is a positive correlation between miR-450a expression and histopathological grade of gliomas. In addition, the glioma patients with high miR-450a expression exhibited poorer prognosis. Downregulation of miR-450a remarkedly suppressed glioma cells growth in vitro and vivo, and inhibited glioma cells invasion and migration. Luciferase reporter assay verified that PPMIL is a direct target of miR-450a. PPM1L silencing partially rescued miR-450a knockdown-induced suppressive effects on glioma cells. Therefore, our data demonstrated that miR-450a/PPM1L axis could mediate the malignant phenotype of glioma, which provided a feasible target for glioma therapy.
Molecular Data Reveals Rich Diversity of the Sequestrate Genus Melanogaster (Boletales, Paxillaceae) with Emphasis on the Species from China
Authors: Yan Xiang-yuan , Xu Yu-yan , Li Ting , Zhao Tao-yu , Lv Jing-chong , Fan Li
Published: November 2020

Malanogaster are ectomycorrhizal fungi characterized by hypogeous fruitbodies. Many ITS rDNA sequences of Malanogaster are recovered from molecular surveys of fungal communities, and remain insufficiently identified making it difficult to determine whether these sequences represent conspecific or novel taxa. In this study, the ITS sequences of Malanogaster were collected comprehensively and analyzed within ITS-based phylogenetic framework. Twenty-one distinct phylogenetic species can be distinguished based on the ITS phylogeny and a threshold of 98% ITS sequence identity, and most species of Melanogaster showed more than 98.1% intraspecific ITS identity and less than 97.9% interspecific identity. Ten species were recognized from China, but combined morphology, nine of which were described and illustrated in this manuscript, including 4 new species (M. minobovatus nov. sp., M. panzhihuaensis nov. sp., M. quercus nov. sp. and M. tomentellus nov. sp.), 1 new combination (M. obvatus comb. & stat. nov.), and 4 known species (M. broomeanus, M. shanxiensis, M. spinisporus, M. subglobisporus). Significantly amendments were added to M. spinisporus and M. subglobisporus. M. fusisporus was added a new mature specimen from type location, and the description and exquisite illustrations were provided also. The diagnostic characteristics of the genus Melanogaster and a key to the Chinese species of the genus Melanogaster were provided. A 28 Sphylogeny was also conducted to confirm the phylogenetic locations of Chinese Melanogaster species and “Alpova trappei”, consistented with ITS analysis.
No Coil® Placement in Patients Undergoing Left Hemicolectomy and Low Anterior Resection for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Ammendola Michele , Ruggiero Michele , Talarico Carlo , Memeo Riccardo , Ammerata Giorgio , Capomolla Antonella , Filippo Rosalinda , Romano Roberto , Pallio Socrate , Navarra Giuseppe , Montemurro Severino , Currò Giuseppe
Published: November 2020

Background. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. Anastomotic leak (AL) and prolonged post-operative ileus (PPOI) are two important complications of colorectal surgery. In this observational retrospective study, we evaluated the positive effects of transanal tube No Coil® in patients with CRC undergoing low anterior resection (LAR) and left hemicolectomy (LC).Methods. Thirty-eight cases and forty controls resulted eligible for the final sample. No Coil® placement (SapiMed Spa, Alessandria, Italy) was considered an inclusion criteria for the case group No Coil® was placed immediately after the end of surgical treatment.Results. PPOI was significantly more frequent in the control group. AL was evident in 1 patient (2.6%) of cases and 3 patients of control group (7.5%). No statistical difference was found in AL occurrence between groups. POI days and AL resulted associated with hospital stay. POI days were negatively associated with No Coil placement, and positively with AL.Conclusion. With our preliminary data, we suggest that No Coil® placement can be considered as a valuable procedure assisting colorectal surgery, but further studies are required to confirm and enlarge actual evidence.
WITHDRAWN: Defining and Characterizing Task-Shifting Medical Device
Authors: Sarvestani Amir Sabet , Coulentianos Marianna Joy , Sienko Kathleen H
Published: November 2020

Background Task shifting could help address limited human resources available for the delivery of quality health care services in low-resource settings. However, the role of medical devices in supporting task shifting is not fully understood. This study aimed to 1) define “task-shifting medical devices” and 2) identify product characteristics to guide the design and development of task-shifting medical devices.A three-part survey questionnaire comprising open-ended, rank-ordering, and multiple-choice questions was disseminated to healthcare professionals worldwide. The survey included questions to capture stakeholders’ general understanding of and preferences for task shifting in medicine and public health, and questions to define task-shifting medical devices and identify desirable product characteristics. Results Task-shifting medical devices were defined by respondents as “devices that can be used by a less specialized health worker”. Aside from safe and effective, both essential characteristics for medical devices, easy to use was the most cited product characteristic for a task-shifting medical device. Respondents further defined “easy to use” task-shifting medical devices as simple devices that leverage digital or automated features and are supportive of data management and privacy protection good practices. Responses also emphasized the importance of task-shifting medical devices to enable local agency, such as peer-to-peer training and local maintenance. Several additional frequently mentioned attributes included low cost, contextually appropriate, maintainable, capable of using an alternative power source, easy to understand, easy to learn, reusable, and easy to manage throughout its use cycle. Conclusion This study defines and characterizes task-shifting medical devices based on healthcare professionals’ responses. Ease of use was identified as the most important characteristic that defines a task shifting medical device, in addition to safe and effective, and was strongly associated with enabling peer-to-peer training and maintainability. The findings from this study can be used to inform technology product profiles for medical devices used by lower-level cadres of healthcare workers in low-resource settings.
Forecast of Football League Sales Effect Based on BP Neural Network
Authors: Xu Zhubo , Qin Weifeng
Published: November 2020

Football is one of the sports that is loved by people all over the world. Its sales ability in the league should not be underestimated. Moreover, football has been developed in our country since ancient times and has a huge fan base, and fans are the main target of football league sales. Predicting the sales effect of the football league is helpful for the seller to formulate a suitable sales strategy and avoid the problem of product surplus. This article mainly introduces the prediction research of football league sales effect based on BP neural network, and intends to provide ideas and methods for predicting the sales effect of football league. This paper puts forward the basic method of the sales effect prediction of the football league and the BP neural network football league sales effect prediction method to analyze and predict the sales effect of the football league. In addition, the steps of establishing BP neural network design, building BP neural network football league sales effect prediction model and applying BP neural network football league sales effect prediction model are also proposed. The experimental results of this article show that the difference between the fitting part of the neural network model and the real value of the football league sales effect sample data is in the range of , the error percentage difference is small, and the prediction results are valid。
Unilateral Percutaneous Vertebroplasty For Osteoporotic Lumbar Compression Fractures: A Comparative Study Between Transverse Process Root-Pedicle Approach And Conventional Transpedicular Approach
Authors: Zhang Wenwu , Liu Shenpeng , Liu Xianhua , Li Xiang , Wang Le , Wan Yong
Published: November 2020

Purpose: Percutaneous Vertebroplasty (PVP) is a routine operation for the treatment of osteoporotic lumbar compression fracture (OLCF). Because of bilateral puncture takes a long operation time and patients receive more X-ray irradiation, more and more scholars deem that the unilateral approach should be adopted. But, with conventional transpedicular approach (CTPA), the cement may asymmetrically dispersed, so some surgeons use the transverse process root-pedicle approach (TPRPA). The objective of this study is to compare the clinical results and bone cement distribution of PVP for OLCF with unilateral TPRPA and CTPA, determine the advantages and disadvantages of the two surgical options.Patients and methods: From January 2016 to June 2019, seventy-two elderly patients who underwent unilateral PVP for single-level OLCF were retrospectively reviewed. Operation time, injection amount and distribution type of bone cement, and bone cement leakage and surgical complication were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores were used to evaluate the clinical results. All patients were followed up for at more than 12 months and the assessment was based primarily on clinical and radiological outcomes.Results: There were significant difference in the surgical time, the volume and distribution type of bone cement between the two groups. But, there was no statistical difference in bone cement leakage. Moreover, there were no significant differences in VAS and ODI between the two groups at 2 days and 12 months after operation.Conclusion: Unilateral TPRPA and CTPA are practical and feasible methods in PVP for treatment of OLCF, with similar clinical effects. However, TPRPA has the advantages of fair distribution of bone cement and short operation time, without increasing the rate of bone cement leakage.
Teleradiology as a relevant indicator of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic management on Emergency Room activities: a nationwide worrisome survey
Authors: Vatele Jordan , Gentile Stephanie , THOMSON Vivien , DEVICTOR Bénédicte , CLOUX Marine , GIROUIN Nicolas , BRATAN Flavie , BERGEROT Jean-François , SEUX Mylène , BANASTE Nathan , TAZAROURTE Karim , GORINCOUR Guillaume
Published: November 2020

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19’s lockdown on radiological examinations in Emergency Services.Methods: Retrospective, multicentre analysis of radiological examinations requested, via our teleradiology network, from 2017 to 2020 during two timeframes (calendar weeks 5 to 8 and then 12 to 15).We included CT-scans or MRIs performed for strokes, multiple traumas (body-CT, BC), cranial traumas (CTr) and acute non-traumatic abdominal pain (ANTAP). We evaluated the number and percentages of examinations performed, of those with a pathological conclusion, and of examinations involving the chest.Results: Our study included 25 centres in 2017, 29 in 2018, 43 in 2019 and 59 in 2020.From 2017 to 2019, the percentages of examinations were constant, which was also true for chest CTs. Each centre’s number of examinations, gender distribution and patient ages were unchanged.In 2020, examinations significantly decreased : suspected strokes decreased by 36% (1052 vs 675, p <0.001), BC by 62% (349 vs 134, p <0.001), CTr by 52% (1853 vs 895, p <0.001) and for ANTAP, appendicitis decreased by 38% (145 vs 90, NS) sigmoiditis by 44% (98 vs 55, NS), and renal colic by 23% (376 vs 288, NS).The number of exams per centre decreased by 13% (185.5 vs. 162.5, p <0.001) whereas the number of examinations of the "chest" region increased by 170% (1205 vs 3766, p <0.001).Conclusion: Teleradiology enabled us to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic management on emergency activities, showing a global decrease in the population's use of care
Clinical characteristics and risk factors for mortality in patients with COVID-19 and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Wuhan, China
Authors: Zeng Hao , Huang Weiwei , Liu Yujie , Dong Lan , Zhang Qifan , Zhao Shengmin , Xin Luowen , Huang Zhixin , Li Yalun , Tian Panwen
Published: November 2020

Patients with COVID-19 and COPD are at high risks. However, the risk factors for mortality in COPD patients infected COVID-19 are limited. In this retrospective study, consecutive COPD cases infected COVID-19 in East District of People's Hospital of Wuhan University from Jan 11th 2020 to Mar 28th 2020 were included. Different outcomes were compared between dead and discharged patients. Cox regression analysis was performed to explore the risk factors for death. Totally, 52 cases were included (aged 64.0-79.0 years, 39 [75.0%] males). Common symptoms on admission were cough (43, 82.6%), fever (41, 78.8%) and expectoration (21, 40.3%). Thirty-eight (73.1%) patients were discharged, and 14 (26.9%) cases were dead which mainly caused by multiple organ failure (7, 50.0%) and respiratory failure (6, 42.9%). Multivariate analysis indicated that age > 70 years (HR, 7.859, 95% CI: 1.376, 44.875; P = 0.020) and count of lymphocyte ≤ 0.8×109/L (HR, 27.429, 95% CI: 3.336, 225.530; P = 0.002) were risk factors for death. The study showed that close monitoring of the risk indexes is important for early supportive care during the management of patients with COVID-19 and COPD.
Income differences in screening, incidence, postoperative complications, and mortality of thyroid cancer in South Korea: a national population-based time trend study
Authors: Kang Hee-Yeon , Kim Ikhan , Kim Yeon-Yong , Bahk Jinwook , Khang Young-Ho
Published: November 2020

Background: The incidence of thyroid cancer (TC) has increased rapidly over the past few decades in Korea. This study investigated whether the TC epidemic has been driven by overdiagnosis. Methods: We calculated the TC screening rate from mid-2008 through mid-2014, and the incidence, postoperative complication, and mortality rates of TC between 2006 and 2015, using data from the Korea Community Health Survey, the National Health Insurance Database, and the cause-of-death data of Statistics Korea. Trends in age-standardized rates of all indicators were examined, along with income gaps therein. Analyses were conducted for lung cancer and stroke as negative control outcomes. Results: The incidence rate of TC increased from 46.6 per 100,000 to 115.0 per 100,000 between 2006 and 2012, and then decreased to 63.5 per 100,000 in 2015. Despite these remarkable changes in incidence, mortality did not fluctuate during the same period. High income was associated with high rates of screening, incidence, and postoperative complications, while low income showed an association with a high mortality rate. Analyses using negative control outcomes showed that high income was associated with low rates of both incidence and mortality, which contrasted with the patterns of TC. The recent decreases in TC incidence and postoperative complications, which reflect societal concerns about the overdiagnosis of TC, were more pronounced in high-income individuals than in low-income individuals. Conclusions: The time trends in income gaps in screening, incidence, postoperative complications, and mortality of TC, as well as negative control outcomes, provided corroborating evidence of TC overdiagnosis in Korea.
Moral neutralization: Nurses' evolution in unethical climate workplaces
Authors: Hakimi Hamideh , Joolaee Soodabeh , Farahani Mansoureh Ashghali , Rodney Patricia , Ranjbar Hadi
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Good quality of care is dependent on nurses’ strong clinical skills and moral competencies, as well. While most nurses work with high moral standards, the moral performance of some nurses in some organizations shows a deterioration in their moral sensitivity and actions. The study reported in this paper aimed to explore the experiences of nurses regarding negative changes in their moral practice.Materials and Methods: This was a qualitative study utilizing an inductive thematic analysis approach, which was conducted from February 2017 to September 2019. Twenty-five nurses participated in semi-structured interviews. Results: The main theme that emerged from our analysis was one of moral neutralization in the context of an unethical moral climate. We found five sub-themes, including: (1) feeling discouraged; (2) normalization; (3) giving up; (4) becoming a justifier; and (5) moral indifference.Conclusions: Unethical moral climates in health organizations can result in deterioration of morality in nurses which can harm both patients and health systems. Some unethical behaviors in nurses can be explained by this process.
Big data analysis of Pulmonary Embolism in Greece
Authors: Lampropoulos Ioannis Ch , Raptis Dimitrios G , Daniil Zoe , Tasoulis Sotirios K , Plagianakos Vassilis P , Malli Foteini , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos I
Published: November 2020

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) epidemiological data are unclear considering the disease prevalence in the general population. The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of PE at the Greek population and the associated trends for the years 2013-2017. Methods: Data on medical prescriptions for PE in the years 2013-2017 were provided by the Greek National Health Service Organization (EOPYY). Data on age, gender, specialty of the prescribing physician and prescription unit were provided as well. Results: The total number of medical prescriptions for PE for the study period was 101,426. Of the total prescriptions, 51% were issued by the Public Sector, while 48% by the Private Sector. In 2013 the prevalence of PE was 5.43 cases per 100,000 citizens and increased constantly until 2017 with 23.79 cases per 100,000 population. Prevalence is higher in all years studied in the age group 70-80 with 69.35 cases per 100,000 population for the year 2017 followed by the ages 80-90 (60.58/100,000) and 60-70 (56.47/100,000) for the same year. Females display higher PE prevalence than males and higher increasing trend.Conclusion: PE prevalence displays an increasing trend throughout the years while prevalence in females is higher than males and displays a higher increasing trend. Our results may be used to appropriately organize nationwide health care systems aiming at the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of PE.