bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recognition of stroke-related knowledge among community residents and the improvement after intensive health education: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhong Xuemin , Wang Jian , He Lanying , Xu Ronghua
Published: March 2020

Background: This study aimed to investigate the recognition of stroke-related knowledge in a community population (including high-risk groups for stroke) in Jinjiang District of Chengdu and to strengthen the publicity of the impact of stroke-related knowledge on community residents’ stroke recognition by carrying out stroke-health education activities. Methods: By conducting an epidemiological survey, nine communities in Jinjiang District were sampled, and a questionnaire on stroke-related knowledge was designed to investigate the community residents in Jinjiang District of Chengdu City. We carried out stroke health education activities with the theme of “understanding stroke” and evaluated the impact.Results: There were 1685 valid questionnaires, and the awareness level of stroke risk among community residents in Jinjiang District of Chengdu was 11.4%. Participants with three or more risk factors were aware that the risk of stroke was only 40.3%. The recognition rate of stroke warning symptoms among community residents was 29.8–59.5%. Among them, the recognition rate of common stroke symptoms; such as limb weakness, language disorder, and imbalance; was more than 50%, and the cognitive proportion of rare symptoms including monocular or binocular blurred vision, and severe headache with no known cause was only about 1%. When faced with five sudden stroke warning symptoms, the proportion of participants who chose to make an emergency call (120, in China) was about 41.5%. Nearly 10% of the respondents chose to consult a doctor, take medicine, or wait. After strengthening publicity and education, there was a significant improvement in the identification of stroke risk factors, stroke warning symptoms, and stroke management. The number of respondents who chose to dial 120 increased from 59.2% to 82.7%. Conclusions: The recognition of stroke-related knowledge among community residents in Jinjiang District of Chengdu was low. Strengthening publicity and education on stroke-related knowledge and post-stroke treatment can significantly improve patients’ cognition of stroke-related knowledge and enhance community residents’ awareness of giving priority to dialing 120 after the onset of stroke symptoms.
Molecular detection and quantification of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes carriage in used RDTs in malaria elimination settings in northern Senegal
Authors: Guiguemde Kiswendsida Thierry , Dieye Yakou , Lô Aminata Collé , Ndiaye Magatte , Lam Aminata , Manga Isaac Akhénaton , Sow Gnagna Dieng , Diop Moussa , Souané Tamba , Diouf Marie Pièrre , Tine Roger Clément Kouly , Faye Babacar
Published: March 2020

Background: Malaria surveillance requires powerful tools and strategies to achieve malaria elimination. Rapid diagnostic tests for malaria (RDTs) are easily deployed on a large scale and are helpful sources for the parasite's DNA. The application of sensitive molecular techniques to these RDTs is a modern tool for improving malaria case detection and drug resistance surveillance. Several studies have made it possible to extract the DNA of P. falciparum on these RDTs. The knowledge of gametocyte carriage in the population is important to better assess the level of parasite transmission in elimination settings. The aim of this study was to detect P. falciparum gametocytes from used RDTs by quantitative PCR technique in order to use this new tool for molecular monitoring of malaria transmission.
Methods: DNA was extracted from 303 RDT devices (SD Bioline Malaria Pf) using the Chelex-100 protocol. qPCR was performed in a 20 μL reaction to detect and quantify transcripts of the pfs25 gene. The cycle threshold (Ct) was determined by the emission fluorescence corresponding to the initial amount of amplified DNA.
Results: We found an overall prevalence of 53.47% with an average Ct of 32.12 ± 4.28 cycles. In 2018, the prevalence of gametocytes was higher in the Ranérou district (76.24%) than in the Saint-Louis district (67.33%) where an increase in the number of gametocyte carriers in 2018 was noted, in comparison with 2017.
Conclusions: RDTs are a good source of DNA for molecular monitoring of gametocyte carriage. This method, described for the first time, is a simple and effective tool to better understand the level of malaria transmission and reach elimination.
Keywords: Malaria, RDT, Gametocytes, DNA extraction, Quantification, Plasmodium falciparum , qPCR.
Intentional Carbofuran Poisoning in 7 dogs
Authors: Pivariu Dalma , Oros Adrian Nechita , Tabaran Flaviu , Gal Adrian , Martonos Cristian , Nagy Andras Laszlo
Published: March 2020

Background: Carbofuran is a widely used broad-spectrum pesticide that, despite strict regulation and being banned for more than a decade, is still encountered in cases of intentional poisoning in dogs and wildlife. The objective of the study was to provide a complete and detailed description of the pathological, histological and toxicological findings of 7 cases of intentional carbofuran poisoning in dogs.

Results: In this retrospective study, 7 cases of carbofuran intoxication recorded from July 2015 to June 2017 were analyzed. Following complete history recording, all cases were examined by complete necropsy and histopathology. Carbofuran intoxication was confirmed in all cases by gas chromatography. The postmortem examination revealed extensive hemorrhaging and congestion located mainly within the respiratory, nervous and cardiovascular systems, accompanied by degeneration and necrosis within the lungs, heart, and kidneys.

Conclusions: Although carbamates have been banned in the European Union, carbamate poisoning is still frequently encountered, especially in wild animals. This paper will contribute to a better understanding of the occurrence and pathogenesis of acute carbofuran exposure in dogs and contribute some peculiar pathological features of this type of poisoning to the current literature.
Targeted Imaging of Orthotopic Prostate Cancer by Using Clinical Transformable Photoacoustic Molecular Probe
Authors: Qiu Chen , Bai Yuanyuan , Yin Tinghui , Miao Xiaoyan , Gao Rongkang , Zhou Huichao , Ren Jie , Song Liang , Liu Chengbo , Zheng Hairong , Zheng Rongqin
Published: March 2020

Background: To obtain high-yield histological samples by targeted prostate cancer (PCa) biopsy is the current trend compared with transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided systematic histological biopsy, which is regarded as the gold standard for prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis. In this paper, we present a targeted PCa imaging strategy using a real-time molecular photoacoustic imaging system integrated with a handheld US probe (PAI/US) and synthesized an integrin α v β 3 targeted probe based on ICG (cRGD–ICG). Results: A small molecular PAI probe was synthesized and exhibited excellent targeted imaging ability in vitro . In vivo photoacoustic imaging was carried out after intravenous injection of cRGD-ICG in orthotopic PCa-bearing rats under the facilitation of the PAI/US system. Maximum molecular photoacoustic signals were observed in the tumor area in vivo after the probe injection, which showed 3.8-fold higher signal enhancement than that in the control group ( P < 0.05). Significantly higher cRGD-ICG accumulation was observed under confocal microscopy in the tumor region than in normal prostate tissue. Conclusions: All our results showed that the comprehensive strategy provided a high-yield and reliable method for PCa diagnosis and targeted prostate biopsy, with great clinical translation potential.
Genetic diversity and population structure of Vernonia [Vernonia galamensis (Cass.) Less] populations from Ethiopia revealed by SSR markers
Authors: Egu Alemneh Mideksa , Tesfaye Kassahun , New Kifle Dagne , New Xuebo Hu
Published: March 2020

Background: Vernonia (Vernonia galamensis) is a potential novel industrial crop due to high demand for its natural epoxidized oil, which can be used for the manufacturing of oleochemicals such as paints, plastic formulations (polyvinyl chloride), and pharmaceutical products. This study was initiated for the systematic and intensive genetic diversity assessment of V. galamensis accessions by SSR molecular markers to minimize the existing research gaps, provide a clue for germplasm conservation and further research. Results: Twenty SSR markers were used for genetic diversity analyses of 150 individual V. galamensis accessions representing 10 populations, from which a total of 79 bands were identified for the 20 loci. All the loci used showed high polymorphism that ranged from 0.50 to 0.96, while the mean observed heterozygosity (Ho) was 0.15 across all the 20 markers evaluated. The molecular variance analysis (AMOVA) showed significant variations among populations which accounted for 11% of the variations. Populations clustering showed that the dendrogram and principal coordinate’s analysis roughly classified the accessions into four groups. However, the Bayesian model-based clustering (STRUCTURE) grouped into 6 (K = 6) major gene pools. Since, the cluster and the STRUCTURE analyses did not group the populations into sharply distinct clusters, due to presence of gene flow and mode of reproduction of the plant. Conclusions: The SSR molecular markers used in this study are highly polymorphic. Among the ten populations, East Showa and East Hararghe revealed higher genetic diversity, signaled that these areas are the hotspots for in-situ conservation of V. galamensis. In addition, the values of SSR markers such as heterozygosity, Shannon‘s index, polymorphic information content, and population clusters are important baseline information for future V. galamensis cultivation, breeding and genetic resource conservation endeavors in Ethiopia.
Oral Cavity Swabbing for Diagnosis of Group A Streptococcus: a prospective study
Authors: Adler Limor , Parizade Miriam , Koren Gideon , Yehoshua Ilan
Published: March 2020

Background

Throat pain is a common complaint in the ambulatory setting. Diagnosis of group A Streptococcus is made with a culture, molecular test or rapid antigen detection test from the tonsils or the posterior pharyngeal wall, while other areas of the oral cavity are considered unacceptable. The purpose of the study is to compare cultures from the tonsils or posterior pharyngeal wall (throat) with cultures from the oral cavity (mouth).

Methods

A prospective study conducted in ambulatory care. Eleven family physicians collected 2 swabs (throat and mouth) from 200 consecutive patients who complaint about throat pain. Inclusion criteria were throat pain and Centor Criteria >2. Exclusion criteria were tonsillectomy and age (<3 or >65 years old). Participants were later divided into two groups – pediatrics (3-18 years old) and adults (19-65 year old). Sensitivity and specificity of mouth culture were calculated, with throat culture considered the reference gold standard.

Results

Between November 2017 and March 2019, 200 swabs were collected (101 adults and 99 children). In the adult group sensitivity of mouth culture was 72.1% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 59.9%-82.3%) and specificity was 100% (95% CI 92.7%-89.4%-100%). In the pediatric group sensitivity of mouth culture was 78.3% (95% CI 65.8%-87.9%) and specificity was 100% (95% CI 92.5%-100%).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated higher sensitivity of mouth culture for GAS than previously published. This finding suggests that areas of the oral cavity that were considered as unacceptable sites for culture of GAS pharyngitis may be considered as acceptable swabbing sites.
Risk factors correlated with antibiotic-induced carbapenem resistant in Gram-negative bacilli in China: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chen Jing , Xiang Qian , Wu Jia-yu , Cai Min-hong , Wang Chen , Wei Dao-qiong , Wang Hui , Lv Yu
Published: March 2020

Background: Increasing resistance to carbapenem, particularly common in Gram-negative bacilli (GNB), has become a growing public health concern around the world. The objective of this study was to investigate risk factors associated with antibiotic-induced carbapenem resistant in Gram-negative bacilli (CR-GNB) among inpatients.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in one of the largest tertiary A-level hospitals including patients with GNB cultured from any of the clinical specimens who had been admitted for more than 2 calendar days from January 2017 to June 2019. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard model were used to estimate the hazard of CR-GNB induction by antibiotics.
Results: 2490 patients including 7 cohorts were included. After cox proportional risk model analysis, carbapenems, β-lactamase inhibitors, and cephalosporins had significantly higher hazards than other types of antimicrobial (P<0.001). But even without using any antimicrobials, the hazard would increase with the length of hospital stay. On multivariate analysis, carbapenem was the most principal hazard factor for antibiotic-induced CR-GNB (hazard ratio [HR], 2.968; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.706～5.162), followed by ICU admission (HR, 1.815; 95% CI, 1.507～2.186), cephalosporin (HR, 1.605; 95% CI, 1.288～1.999), tracheotomy (HR, 1.563; 95% CI, 1.251～1.952) and β-lactamase inhibitor (HR, 1.542; 95% CI, 1.237～1.921). However, quinolone effects on antibiotic-induced CR-GNB were not statistically significant.
Conclusions: Prior carbapenem was a strong risk factor for antibiotic-induced CR-GNB, but quinolone was not associated with that. Rational use of carbapenems should be implemented and antimicrobial stewardship policies should be adjusted according to the characteristics of each hospital.
The role of activity, scan duration and patient's weight in the optimization of 18FDG imaging protocols on a TOF-PET/CT scanner
Authors: Matheoud Roberta , Al-Maymani Naema , Oldani Alessia , Sacchetti Gian Mauro , Brambilla Marco , Carriero Alessandro
Published: March 2020

Background : Time-of-flight (TOF) PET technology determines a reduction in the noise and improves the reconstructed image quality , in low counts acquisitions, such as in overweight patients, allowing a reduction of administered activity and/or imaging time. However, international guidelines and recommendations on 18 F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) activity administration scheme are old or only partially account for TOF technology and advanced reconstruction modalities. The aim of this study was to optimize FDG whole-body studies on a TOF PET/CT scanner by using a multivariate approach to quantify how physical figures of merit related to image quality change with acquisition/reconstruction/patient-dependent parameters in a phantom experiment.Methods : The NEMA-IEC body phantom was used to evaluate contrast recovery coefficient (CRC), background variability (BV) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) as a function of changing emission scan duration (ESD), activity concentration (AC), target internal diameter (ID), target-background activity ratio (TBR), and weight. The phantom was filled with 5.3 kBq/mL of FDG solution and the spheres with TBR of 21, 9, and 5 in 3 different sessions. Images were acquired at varying activity concentration from 5.1 to 1.3 kBq/mL and images were reconstructed for ESD of 30-151 seconds per bed position with and without Point Spread Function (PSF) correction. The parameters were all considered in simultaneous experiments and in a single analysis using multiple linear regression methods.Results : As expected, CRC depended only on sphere ID and on PSF application, while BV depended on sphere ID, ESD, AC and weight of the patient, in order of decreasing relevance. Noteworthy, ESD and AC resulted as the most significant predictors of CNR variability with a similar relevance, followed by the weight of the patient and TBR of the lesion.Conclusions : Due to the interchangeable role of AC and ESD in modulating CRC, ESD could be increased rather than AC to improve image quality in overweight/obese patients to fulfil ALARA principles.
Role of serum high-motility group box-1 (HMGB1) concentration as a prognostic factor in canine acute pancreatitis
Authors: Lee Jeong-Hwa , An Ju-Hyun , Chae Hyung-Kyu , Park Su-Min , Li Qiang , Song Woo-Jin , YOUN Hwa-Young
Published: March 2020

Background High-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) is an intranuclear molecule that is released extracellularly in cytotoxic conditions. In acute pancreatitis, extracellular HMGB1 acts as stimulating factor in the mechanism associated with pancreatic injury. The serum level of HMGB1 may be associated with the severity and prognosis of pancreatitis. Methods To evaluate the prognostic property of serum HMGB1 levels at the time of diagnosis of pancreatitis, case control study using serum samples collected over 10 months from canine patients in Seoul National University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (SNU VMTH). The HMGB1 levels in serum were measured by ELSIA and they were analyzed with patient’s death, hospitalization cost and hospitalization period. Results Serum levels of HMGB1 in patients with acute pancreatitis (n=19) were higher than those in normal individuals (n=10). Mean (± standard deviation) values were 76.00 (±46.99) and 31.65 (±18.41) ng/mL, respectively (p=0.004). The levels of HMGB1 were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors with acute pancreatitis (p = 0.019). Clinical severity of acute pancreatitis was categorized into three stages—mild, moderate, and severe—based on the disease activity index (DAI). Higher HMGB1 levels in serum were related to mortality in patients with moderate DAI (p = 0.049). Furthermore, higher levels of serum HMGB1 among hospitalized patients were positively associated with higher costs and longer duration of hospital stays. Conclusions The evaluation of serum HMGB1 levels at the time of diagnosis was identified as a potential prognostic factor to assess the outcome of acute pancreatitis in canines.
Uterine Arteriovenous Fistula:Rare Cause of Vaginal Bleeding and Experience from 14 Case Series in a Single Center
Authors: fei Ruan , zaigui wu , jianhong zhou
Published: March 2020

Background: This study aimed to summarize the characteristics of uterine arteriovenous fistul for proper treatment.Methods: This was a retrospective study of fourteen women diagnosed with uterine arteriovenous fistul and eventually proved by pelvic angiography at our department,. Results: Six women presented with late postpartum hemorrhage and the other seven had abnormal uterine bleeding while only one was asymptomatic.The majority of them had uterine manipulation with the most common being repeated dilation and curettage but the time interval ranged from more than ten days to months even several years. they could originate from ovarian artery or internal iliac artery in rare cases and even some cases showed uterine artery- ovarian vein fistul. Most of them had a good outcome with bleeding resolved or mild bleeding after arterial embolization with controllable fever and pain, and only three cases had surgery unsuitable for embolization or formation of traffic branch after embolization.Conclusions: uterine arteriovenous fistul were rare but easy to be diagnosed with characteristic ultrasound findings along medical history such as D&G and feature of vaginal bleeding. A successful treatment for artery embolization was based on careful evaluated vessels mapped by angiography while a comprehensive assessment with color and spectral flow Doppler was very necessary to exclude retained products of conception or placenta and avert unnecessary D&G after embolization. Surgical therapy was the last choice in women difficult to embolism or failed with UAE.
IMP-2005: an injury mortality prediction according to the Abbreviated Injury Scale 2005
Authors: Wang Muding , Qiu Wusi , Zhang Guohu , Zeng Yunji , Fan Wenhui , Wang Xueming , Shen Yi
Published: March 2020

Background: It has been 45 years since the injury severity score (ISS) was first introduced. The method is flawed in traumatic death prediction but still widely used. Based on the abbreviated injury scale 1998 (AIS_98), there is a relatively more accurate trauma scoring method that assesses the injury mortality prediction (IMP) and trauma mortality prediction model (TMPM) with the regression model. Currently, AIS 2005 (AIS_05) is widely used around the world for trauma scores. This article assesses whether the IMP-2005, an AIS_05 based model, is better than the ISS in predicting trauma results.Methods: Retrospective cohort study is based on the data of 1,198,885 injured patients in the National Trauma Data Bank hospitalized from 2012 to 2014. We established an injury mortality prediction (IMP-2005) model using AIS trauma codes (version 2005) and compared its performance with that of ISS by examining area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the Hosmer-Lemeshow (HL) statistic, and the Akaike information criterion.Results: IMP-2005 behaves significantly both better discrimination (ROCIMP-2005, 0.904; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.900 to 0.908 and ROCISS, 0.844; 95% CI, 0.839 to 0.850) and calibration (HLIMP-2005, 37.7; 95% CI, 19.8 to 53 and HLISS, 221; 95% CI, 167 to 268) compared with ISS. Both models showed changes after the inclusion of gender, age, GCS, mechanism of injury, and mechanical ventilator, but the expansion of IMP-2005 still dominated ISS in every performance.Conclusions: The IMP-2005 provides far more improvement in discrimination and calibration compared with the ISS and accurate predictions of mortality. Therefore, we believe that this is a new and feasible scoring method of trauma research and should replace the ISS.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modified with Short Hairpin RNA (shRNA) Constructs Targeting Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3) Improve Erectile Dysfunction in Old Rats
Authors: Pu Xiao-Yong , Zhang Xie-WU , Zhou Xuang-Xue , Fang Jian-Xiong , Liu Hao-Sheng , Liu Tian-Qi , Xiao Hen-Jun , Bi Xue-Cheng , Li Dong , Liu Jiu-Min
Published: March 2020

Background: We have confirmed that injection of vector-based short hairpin RNA (shRNA) constructs targeting insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in penis in old rat can improve erectile function. The aim of this study is to further determine the feasibility of bone marrowe derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) genetically modified with shRNA constructs targeting IGFBP-3 on improving erectile function in the aged rat. Methods: 40 old (24 months) male rats were randomized divided into 4 groups: PBS-only, BM-MSC treatment and LV3-shIGFBP-3 engineered BM-MSC treatment group (n=10/group).Ten 5-month-old rats were used as the young group. Four weeks after transplantation, the erectile function was assessed by cavernosal nerve stimulation. The percent of smooth muscle in corpus cavernosum was evaluated by masson’s trichrome staining. IGFBP-3 expression was estimated by Western blot. The cavernous insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were analyzed after transplantation. Apoptosis in corpus cavernosum was measured using TUNEL and the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and concentration of guanosine 3’, 5’-cyclic-monophosphates (cGMP) in penile tissue were also analyzed. Results: Four weeks after intracavernous injection, BM-MSCs alone, especially LV3-shIGFBP-3 engineered BM-MSCs treatment rats had improvements in erectile function (p<0.05). The percentage of cavernosal smooth muscle was increased in BM-MSCs and LV3-shIGFBP-3 engineered BM-MSCs treatment group. IGFBP-3 protein expression was decreased obviously after injection of LV3-shIGFBP-3 engineered BM-MSCs. In addition, significant lower IGFBP-3 expression was associated with increased IGF-1 expression in LV3-shIGFBP-3 engineered BM-MSCs treatment rats although higher IGF-1 and VEGF concentrations were all determined after transplantation with BM-MSCs alone or BM-MSCs modified with LV3-shIGFBP-3. Lower levels of the apoptosis were also observed in the BM-MSCs and LV3-shIGFBP-3 engineered BM-MSCs treatment group. NOS activities and cGMP concentrations were also significantly increased after transplantation. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that BM-MSCs alone or genetically modified with LV3-shIGFBP-3 can improve diminished erectile responses in the aged rat partially by increasing the smooth muscle integrity, increasing secretion of IGF-1 and VEGF, inhibiting apoptosis and increasing the NOS activity and cGMP accumulation.
Changes of perioperative hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in patients receiving total knee arthroplasty, a prospective observational study for an optimal timing of determination
Authors: Ke Chenrong , Tian Naifeng , Zhang Xiumeng , Chen Mochuan
Published: March 2020

Background

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has long been associated with significant blood loss, hence postoperative hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) determination remains necessary for evaluating blood loss and guiding transfusions. The aim of the study was to depict the changing patterns of perioperative Hb and Hct levels and to identify an optimal timing of determination in patients receiving TKA surgeries.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study by recruiting a total of 302 consecutive patients who received TKA surgeryfor final analysisfrom January 2017 until December 2018. Patients were kept in hospital for a full week postoperatively to detect a preoperative, postoperative day1 through to day7 Hb and Hct concentrations, postoperative 1-month, 3-months and 6-monthsvalues were followed up in the clinic visiting.

Results

Hb and Hct levels decreased in the first few days and reached a nadir on postoperative day4 and day3 respectively while recovered in the following days and approached to preoperative values at postoperative 3-months. The mean maximum drop of Hb and Hct concentrations was detected as 4.0g/dL and 11.5%separately. Significant differences were detected on Hb and Hct concentrations between the timing neighbors on preoperative vs. day1, day1 vs. day2, day2 vs. day3, day7 vs. 1 month, 1-monthvs. 3-months and Hct values at 3-months vs. 6-months. A total of 21 patients received blood transfusion perioperatively, among whom 4 patients were at postoperative day3and 5 patients were at day4.

Conclusion

Hb and Hct concentrations dramatically decreased during the first few days following TKA surgery whilegradually recovered from postoperative day4 and approached to the preoperative values at 3-months postoperatively. The changing patterns indicated an optimal timing of blood determination on postoperative day3 or day4 to accurately reflect ongoing hidden blood loss for better guiding blood transfusions.
Comprehensive profiling of the gut microbiota in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of varying severity
Authors: Chiu Yu-Chi , Lee Shih-Wei , Liu Chi-Wei , Lin Rebecca Chou-Jui , Huang Yung-Chia , Lan Tzuo-Yun , Wu Lawrence Shih-Hsin
Published: March 2020

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease that reduces lung and respiratory function, with a high mortality rate. Severe and acute deterioration of COPD can easily lead to respiratory failure, resulting in personal, social, and medical burden. Recent studies have shown a high correlation between the gut microbiota and lung inflammation. In this study, we investigated the relationship between gut microbiota and COPD severity. Results A total of 60 COPD patients with varying severity according to GOLD guidelines were enrolled in this study. DNA was extracted from patients’ stool and 16S rRNA data analysis conducted using high-throughput sequencing followed by bioinformatics analysis. The richness of the gut microbiota was not associated with COPD severity. The gut microbiome is more similar in stage 1 and 2 COPD than stage 3+4 COPD. Fusobacterium and Aerococcus were more abundant in stage 3+4 COPD. Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 group and Lachnoclostridium were less abundant in stage 2-4, and Tyzzerella 4 and Dialister were less abundant in stage 1. However, the abundance of a Bacteroides strain was associated with eosinophil count and lung function. Conclusions This study suggests that no distinctive gut microbiota pattern is associated with the severity of COPD. The gut microbiome could affect COPD by gut inflammation shaping the host immune system.
Care taker’s compliance and Associated factors in integrated management of newborn and childhood illness with respect to antibiotics treatment in Enebise Sarmidir woreda, West Amhara, Ethiopia
Authors: Alemirew dahibo , Zeru Taye
Published: March 2020

Background:-The Integrated Management of Newborn and Childhood Illness strategy encompasses a range of interventions to prevent and manage the major childhood illness, both in health facilities and in the home. Information on actual compliance of care takers in integrated management of newborn and childhood illness is important for program planners, policy makers, health care providers and care takers to design appropriate local and national intervention plan, to increase community participation and to improve knowledge of care takers. Based on our knowledge there are limited studies regarding to care takers compliance towards integrated management of new born and childhood illness in the study area. Therefore the result of this study used for design appropriate intervention.Objective: - The objective of this study was to assess the care takers compliance and associated factors in integrated management of newborn and childhood illness with respect to counseling.Methods:-Community based cross-sectional study was conducted. The study populations were all care takers of under-five children who attended integrated management of newborn and childhood illness clinic at health center. A total of 394 respondents were randomly selected by using systematic random sampling method from the seven health centers. Information on the care takers compliance was collected using structured, pre-tested questionnaire. Data entry and analysis were conducting using Statistical Package for Social Science version 16. Significance of the study was presented by using adjust odd ratio, confidence interval and p value. The result was presented in texts, tables and graphs.Result:-Three hundred seventy three care takers with under-five year children were voluntary to be interviewed, making the response rate 94.7 %. The findings of this study showed that 144(39%) were compliance to antibiotic treatment and 102(27.3%) were compliance to counseling. Compliance to counseling was significantly associated with age categories between 25-34 year with (AOR=2.118, 95% CI: 1.042, 4.305), post-secondary education with (AOR=2.959, 95% CI: 1.354, 6.463), knowledge with (AOR= 2.574, 95% CI: 1.482, 4.469), trust on health workers with (AOR= 2.781, 95% CI: 1.344, 5.752) and distance with (AOR= 2.214, 95% CI: 1.254, 3.91).Conclusion: The finding of this study revealed that the high rates of noncompliance with antibiotic treatment were identified. Therefore, implementation of integrated management of childhood illness activities at all levels should be strengthened and need to improve the social status of care takers in order to reduce child hood morbidity and mortality.
Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program Versus Traditional Chest Physiotherapy for Weaning from Mechanical Ventilator ; randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mehani Sherin H. M. , ELmoutaz Hatem , Rahmy Awny F. , Eldin Ahmed M. S. Nour , Fouad Ahmed Z.
Published: March 2020

Background Patients needing prolonged mechanical ventilation have poor outcomes and are increasing in number. Weakness of inspiratory muscles is a well- established complication of prolonged mechanical ventilator , however the role of physical therapist has been expanded towards rehabilitation rather than inspiratory care only. The purpose of this study was to compare between comprehensive rehabilitation program and traditional chest physiotherapy on weaning from mechanical ventilation, improvement of respiratory muscle strength, peripheral muscle strength and functional status.Methods Fifty mechanically ventilated general surgery patients from both sexes (men & women) with age from 40 to 50 years old participated in the present randomized clinical trial. They had difficult and prolonged weaning. They were divided randomly into two groups , group(A) consisted of twenty four patients who received comprehensive rehabilitation program combined with inspiratory muscle training and group(B) consisted of twenty six patients who received traditional chest physical therapy combined with inspiratory muscle training. Four patients in the study group and six subjects in the control group died during the intervention period and thus their data were excluded from the final analysis. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), peripheral muscle strength and Functional independence measure questionnaire were measured at the beginning of the study and at weaning from mechanical ventilator.ResultsResults revealed that there was a significant improvement in days to wean and peripheral muscle strength in difficult and prolonged weaning patients in group A compared with group B. There was a significant improvement in maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) in both groups. In addition, there was a significant increase in the median values of functional independence measures in group A more than group B.ConclusionsBoth physical therapy programs inspiratory muscle training and comprehensive rehabilitation and inspiratory muscle training and traditional chest physical therapy showed an increase in inspiratory muscle strength. On the other hand comprehensive program consisted of peripheral muscle training and functional training was more superior in decreasing days to wean and increasing peripheral muscle strength and functional independence measure score. The trial was prospectively registered at Clinicaltrials.gov ; Identifier: NCT04021615 ; date : 13-7-2019
Genetic and Environmental Influences on Self-Reported Cognitive Functioning: Associations of Diverse Measures of Stress across the FMR1 CGG Repeat Range
Authors: Maltman Nell , DaWalt Leann Smith , Hong Jinkuk , Baker Mei Wang , Berry-Kravis Elizabeth M , Brilliant Murray H. , Mailick Marsha
Published: March 2020

Background : The FMR1 gene is essential for neural development and healthy synaptic function. The modal number of CGG repeats in FMR1 is 30, but the range is large with the reported copy number extending down to as few as 6 CGGs and up to over 200 CGGs, conferring fragile X syndrome. Prior work suggests that behavioral phenotypes, including cognitive function, may vary along the continuum of the FMR1 CGG repeat range. Stress may negatively influence cognitive function; however, it is not known whether FMR1 -related variability (i.e., CGG repeat length), in addition to stress, independently influences cognitive function across the CGG range. Methods : Participants included 1275 mothers who had CGGs ranging from 18 to 123 repeats. Participants completed self-report measures of executive function (BRIEF-A), memory, subjective stress (i.e., perceived stress), and objective stress (i.e., number of life events, parenting a child with a disability). Stress and FMR1 -related variability (i.e., CGG repeat length) were examined as predictors of self-reported executive function and memory difficulty. Results : Each measure of stress (i.e., perceived stress, life events, and parenting a child with a disability) significantly predicted greater self-reported difficulties in executive function and the likelihood of memory problems, net of age and level of education. Additionally, above and beyond stress effects, CGG repeat number significantly predicted executive functioning and memory difficulties. There was a linear association of CGG repeat number with executive functioning limitations. The association of CGGs with memory difficulties was curvilinear, with participants in the premutation range having the greatest likelihood of reporting such difficulties. Conclusions : These findings suggest that CGG repeat length confers independent contributions to self-reported executive function difficulty and memory problems over and above indices of stress, suggesting additive effects of genetic variation and environmental exposure. Keywords : Stress, Cognitive Function, Executive Function, Memory, FMR1 , CGG Repeats
Integrated analysis of miRNA-mediated ceRNA networks in ovine skeletal muscle development
Authors: Shi Tianpei , WANG Xinyue , ZHAO Zhida , HU Wenping , ZHANG Li
Published: March 2020

Background: The embryo stage is a key period for sheep skeletal muscle growth and development. Proliferation, differentiation, and hypertrophy of fibers affect muscle growth potential directly. Analyzing transcriptome data is of great significance for revealing important time nodes of fetus muscle development and screening related regulation factors. Muscle development is a complex biological process, including a intricate network of multiple factor interactions. Among them, non-coding RNA, especially miRNA-mediated regulation, plays a fine regulatory role. The purpose of this study was to investigate the important genes and transcripts involved in the genetic mechanism of embryos skeletal muscle development in late pregnancy. Results: Herein we did a small RNA sequencing(RNA-Seq) of embryo at 85 days (D85N), 105 days (D105N) and 135 days(D135N), then performed bioinformatic analysis in order to identify the miRNA-mediated co-expression networks. Our findings identified 505 DE-miRNAs. Integrating the current miRNA data and the previously obtained lncRNA data, multiple networks were constructed, including miRNA-mRNA, miRNA-target gene(TG)-pathway, lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA, and miRNA-TG-transcription factor (TF) network. The results showed that the miRNA-mRNA network and lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network identified three important lncRNAs (MSTRG.3533, MSTRG.4324, and MSTRG.1470) and three miRNAs(miR-493-3p, miR-3959-3p and miR-410-5p). The four genes ( TEAD1 , ZBTB34 , GSK3B, and POGLUT1 ) and three transcription factors (C / EBPbeta, TFIID, and PR B) play a key regulatory role in the miRNA-TG-TF network. Notably, a similar trend of gene expression was reported by RT-qPCR for RNA-seq data. Conclusions: This study identified three miRNAs, three lncRNAs, four genes, and three transcription factors, and revealed their crucial role in fetal fibrogenesis and lipid metabolism. It also shows that D105N is a pivotal turning point from myotube differentiation to fiber hypertrophy. These findings provide valuable references for network interaction patterns, which helps to evaluate the biological significance of skeletal muscle in the late development stage.
Comprehensive developments in deaf children aged 6 months to 6 years
Authors: Li Yanhong , Zhang Wanxia , Yang Yang , Liu Bing , Chen Min , Liu Wei , Li Bei , Zhou Yi , Liu Shanshan , Wang Xiaoxu , Li Shilan , Zhang Jie , Ni Xin
Published: March 2020

Background. In the early stages of life, auditory input and communication are essential for acquisition of speech, cognition, behavior and social development. While so far the development evaluation of deaf children has not been given much attention. This study was design to evaluate the comprehensive developments of young children with severe or profound hearing loss and explore the effect of age on developments. Methods. 500 children with severe or profound hearing loss (287 boys, 26.00±18.89 months, range 6-72 months) were recruited in this study. The developments of children were assessed by Gesell development schedules. All the children were divided into three groups according to age: infancy (6-12months), toddler (12-36months) and preschool (36-72months). Developments were evaluated and compared among the different age group. Results: Compared with the normal developmental criteria, deaf children had overall development delay and only 50 (10%) reached the normal developmental level. The delay occurred in full-dimensional developments including gross motor, fine motor, adaptability, language, and social skill, the normal developmental rates of which were 42.0%, 24.8%, 27.4%, 4.2%, and 14.0%, respectively. For the five aspects developments, Pearson’s correlation showed that they were statistically significant correlated with each other (all p<0.001). Then, the developments among the different age group were compared and found that developments got worse with age (p<0.001). Apart from age, the results of multiple regression reveled that behavior audiology with hearing aids was negative correlated with the developments (p<0.05). Conclusions. Deaf children could have overall developmental delay. Language development was the worst, followed by social skills and adaptability, and gross motor development, followed by fine motor, was the best. The older the deaf children, the more obvious the lag behind of development.Keywords : young; children; deaf; comprehensive development; early.
Low temperature synthesis nanoscale Ta4HfC5 powder and characterization of Ta4HfC5 ceramics
Authors: Pan Ruiqun , Chen Guiqing , Yu Xinmin , Yang Yusen , Han W.B.
Published: March 2020

Solvothermal treatment was used to synthesize nanoscale 4TaC–HfC (Ta 4 HfC 5 ) powder at a relatively low calcination temperature (1400 °C) and in a short period through material selection and process optimization. High-volume Teflon-lined stainless steel autoclave (1000–2000 mL) could be used to prepare powder by using this method. The obtained powder had good size distribution and dispersity. Ta 4 HfC 5 powder could be obtained at a low temperature because of the existence of Ta 2 Hf 6 O 17 during carbothermal reduction.Ta 4 HfC 5 ceramics were consolidated via spark plasma sintering at 2100 °C and at 30, 40, and 50 MPa. Holding time was 5 min. Ceramics had a better densification and smaller grain sizes at a shorter sintering time compared with that of the mechanical ball milling method. The densification behavior of ceramics was analyzed, and the mechanical properties of different samples were investigated. Flexural strength increased from 5.85 ± 0.43 GPa to 10.07 ± 0.61 GPa. Fracture toughness was similar in all the compositions in the range of 2.36–2.56 MPa m 1/2 . This method can be applied to synthesize Ta 4 HfC 5 powder with high purity and uniformity in large quantities. Hence, ceramic sintering and Ta 4 HfC 5 –matrix composite preparation have a broad application prospect.
Sex differences in cortical bone of humeral head region
Authors: Wang Yeming , Li Jian , Yang Jianhua , Dong Jingming
Published: March 2020

Background

Proximal humerus fractures are highly related to age, and are particularly high in women. The goal of this study was to investigate sex-related similarities and differences in humeral head structure.

Methods

Computed tomography (CT) scans of 147 healthy subjects (76 men /71 women) spanning a wide range of ages (20-88 years) were analyzed. Three groups of subjects were identified according to age: group A (aged 20-39 years), group B (aged 40-59 years), and group C (aged> 60 years). For each subject, cortical bone mapping (CBM) was applied to create color 3D thickness map for the proximal humerus. Regions of interest (ROI) were defined in three walls of humeral head which corresponded to the anterior, lateral and posterior aspects. Cortical parameters, including the cortical thickness (CTh), cortical mass surface density (CM), and the endocortical trabecular density (ECTD) were measured using CBM.

Results

In both sexes, the CTh value of proximal ROIs in lateral and anterior wall tended to decrease with age. No significant difference was detected between three age groups for each parameter in the posterior wall in men and women. In ROIs 1-9, the ECTD tended to show a notable decline with age in women. In contrast, the ECTD remained unchanged in men. When pooled across all decades, the CTh, CM and ECTD values of ROI 1-9 were approximately equivalent between men and women.

Conclusions

There was no sex difference in cortical bone parameters in the humeral head region. However, the endocortical trabecular density decreased significantly with age only in women.
Mechanism of Wnt Pathway on Cartilage Differentiation of Adipose Derived Stem
Authors: Dai Wanwu , Zhang Bo , Huang Zuquan , Sun Guili , Yang Yejing , Cai Min , Feng Zhe , Li Xingyan
Published: March 2020

Objective

Exploring the interaction of Wnt signaling pathway and sox9 to elucidate the role of adipose-derived stem cells in chondrogenic differentiation.

Methohs

Through LiCl,DKK-1 stimulate ADSCs into cartilage differentiation, detection of middle-late late early differentiation into cartilage indicators such as collagen type II (Collagen2a), gather the proteoglycan (Aggrecan) and Wnt pathways key protein Sox9, BMP-2, beta serial protein (beta-catenin), glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3 beta) expression.Subsequently, lentivirus was used as the vector, the full-length Sox9 gene was transfected into ADSCs for stable expression, and the expression levels of relevant indicators were detected again.

Results

During the chondrogenic induction and differentiation of ADSCs, the Wnt pathway promoted the rapid proliferation of ADSCs in the early, middle and late stages and induced the expression of Collagen 2a Aggrecan to increase in the early stage but not significantly (P<0.05).At the later stage, the phenotype of mature cartilage was inhibited and cartilage hypertrophy and early cartilage ossification were promoted.Overexpression was fed back to inhibit the expression of Sox9, the activity of Wnt pathway, up-regulated in early, mid-stage and down-regulated in late stage (P<0.01).

Conclusion

The Wnt pathway regulates chondrogenic differentiation of ADSCs by regulating Sox9, but its regulatory mechanism is significantly different at different stages of induced differentiation.
Fluorescence optical imaging is helpful in the decision for rituximab (RTX) re-therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Ali Schahrasad Lisa Ridha , Glimm Anne-Marie , Burmester Gerd Ruediger , Hoff Paula , Schmittat Gabriela , Hermann Sandra , Backhaus Marina , Klotsche Jens , Ohrndorf Sarah
Published: March 2020

Objective: To evaluate the ability of fluorescence optical imaging (FOI) Xiralite® in the prediction of RTX re-therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients - in comparison to clinical, laboratory and musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) parameters.Patients and methods: Patients with established RA were prospectively followed over one year by DAS28, patient’s global disease activity (VAS 0-100 mm), CRP and ESR, US7 score and FOI in phases 1-3 and automatically generated PrimaVistaMode (PVM) at baseline (before RTX) and after 3, 6, and 12 months. The need for RTX re-therapy was decided by the treating rheumatologist – blinded to imaging data.Results: 31 patients (female 77.4%, mean age 60.1±11.4, mean disease duration 14.9±7.1 years) were included. Fourteen patients (45.2%) received RTX re-therapy within 12 months. In the group with RTX re-therapy, FOI in PVM mode was the only parameter that presented significant increase over time (beta 0.40, CI 0.08-0.71; p=0.013) – compared to the group without re-therapy. In the prediction model via ROC analysis, FOI in PVM reached the highest values of all imaging, clinical and laboratory parameters for the prediction of re-therapy over one year with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.78 (OR 0.84, CI 0.72;0.98, p=0.031). US7 GS synovitis score revealed similar predictive power with an AUC of 0.73 (p=0.049).Conclusion: US7 GS synovitis score and FOI in PVM are able to discriminate between patients with and without need for RTX re-therapy better than clinical and laboratory parameters.