bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
INVESTIGATION OF MICRORNA LEVELS IN BLOOD PLASMA IN PREGNANT WOMEN WITH GESTATIONAL ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION, PREECLAMPSIA, AND FETAL GROWTH RETARDATION SYNDROME
Authors: Murashko Andrey V. , Simonova M. S , Goryunova A. G , Chebanov D. K , Abramov A. A , Chaplygin E. Yu
Published: September 2020

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs (20-24 nucleotides) that regulate gene expression through post-transcriptional repression or degradation of the template RNA. The role of microRNA during pregnancy is currently poorly understood. Some studies have identified a microRNA profile associated with pregnancy since it was present in the placenta and maternal blood throughout pregnancy. In this study, we compared individual expression levels of 10 microRNAs in the maternal peripheral blood samples and further estimated their association with adverse pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia, gestational arterial hypertension, and fetal growth retardation syndrome. MicroRNAs can be used as a non-invasive biomarker to identify an adverse obstetric outcome and with the potent therapeutic target for the prevention or treatment of pathology of pregnancy. Further research with a large sample size in different populations is needed to confirm our results.
ACUTE CYSTITE: CURRENT ISSUES OF DIAGNOSTICS AND ANTIMICROBIAL THERAPY
Authors: Kaptilnyy Vitaly A. , Mikhailova V. I
Published: September 2020

The review considers modern data on the diagnosis and treatment of acute cystitis. Questions of epidemiology and etiology of acute cystitis are covered. Regimens of basic and alternative treatment for acute cystitis are presented in terms of the perspective of evidence-based medicine.
METHODS OF PRECLINICAL DIAGNOSIS OF PREECLAMPSIA. COMPARISON OF BIOCHEMICAL AND INSTRUMENTAL METHODS OF EXAMINATION
Authors: Eristova Saida Kh.
Published: September 2020

The review presents current information on the predictive diagnosis of preeclampsia. The data of instrumental and laboratory diagnostics are described. Laboratory diagnostics includes such biochemical markers as PAPP-A, PIGF, VEGF, sFlt-1, sEng, NSE; instrumental diagnostics consists of ultrasound evaluation of placental structure, ultrasound dopplerometry of uterine arteries and determination of the index of vascularization of the placenta. Not all methods of the examination presented by the author have diagnostic value in the clinical use. Biochemical markers present the most accurate diagnostic picture. It is necessary to evaluate sFlt-1, PIGF and other markers in dynamics since their change with the increase in the gestation age differs significantly from the change in those in women with normal pregnancy.
LYSTERIOSIS AND PREGNANCY: ACTUAL ISSUES OF DIAGNOSTICS, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION
Authors: Belova Anastasia V. , Nikonov A. P , Kaptilnyy V. A , Naumenko N. S
Published: September 2020

The review considers current data on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of listeriosis during pregnancy. There are highlighted issues of epidemiology and transmission. The main methods of preventing listeriosis in pregnant women from the standpoint of evidence-based medicine are given.
IMPLANTATION CONTRACEPTION: A MODERN VIEW ON THE PROBLEM
Authors: Kuzina Olga V.
Published: September 2020

Implantable contraception, despite some side effects and contraindications, has shown itself not only as a prolonged method with high efficacy and safety, but also as a method with a high degree of compliance. This suggests that this method of protection is easy to use for any patient, which means that its potential for contraceptive reliability will be realized to the highest degree.
TRADITIONAL FASTING CESAREAN SECTION: WHAT IS GOOD AND WHAT IS BAD?
Authors: Medzhidova Dzhaminat R. , Shifman E. M , Kulikov A. V , Nurmagomedova M. N
Published: September 2020

Delivery by cesarean section can be considered as a risk factor for developing hypoglycemia in the early neonatal period, as it is preceded by a period of pre-operative fasting. One of the important components of the “fast track” concept, which is actively introduced into surgery, is “rapid metabolic optimization” aimed at reducing the period of pre-operative fasting and activating intracellular glucose transport by using combined carbohydrate-protein-glutamine drinks for the purpose of prevention of insulin resistance. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of the methods of the management in the perioperative period during abdominal delivery on the level of glucose in the blood of the puerpera and in the blood of full-term newborns Material and methods. The study was approved at the meeting of the ethical committee of the Dagestan State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia on April 17, 2018. In total, in the study there were included 87 patients, whose delivery was performed in term in the Perinatal Center of the Dagestan Republican Hospital by abdominal mode and their newborns; of them, 39 patients with a common perioperative period management regimen made up a comparison group, and 48 - with abdominal delivery in the fast track strategy (with carbohydrate load) - the main group. In all puerperas the glucose level was determined in blood obtained from the vein, in the blood from the umbilical cord and in the blood taken from the newborns from the finger in the first 6 to 15 minutes of life, using the ROKI-6T biochemical analyzer. Results. The concentration of glucose in the blood of full-term newborns it was found to be significantly reduced during the management of the preoperative period without oral administration of carbohydrate mixtures. The best results were obtained in newborns whose mothers took a carbohydrate drink 2 hours prior to surgery during the perioperative period under the concept of fast track.
NEW APPROACHES IN THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC VIRAL EPSTEIN-BARR INFECTION
Authors: Rakityanskaya Irina A. , Ryabova T. S , Todzhibaev U. A , Kalashnikova A. A
Published: September 2020

Introduction. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) causes recurrent infectious mononucleosis-like symptoms. Today poisons of insects and animals were shown to be rich sources of antimicrobial substances (peptides) and contain a wide range of active biological compounds. Antimicrobial peptides play an important role in the immune response of the host’s innate immunity to pathogenic microorganisms. Based on antimicrobial peptides in Russia, an antiviral drug allokin-alpha has been developed. The active ingredient of the drug is cytokine-like peptide alloferon. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of allokin-alpha therapy on the amount of EBV DNA in saliva samples and clinical complaints in patients with chronic Epstein-Barr viral infection (EBI). Material and methods. 59 chronic EBI patients (45 women and 14 men; mean age 32.52 ± 1.75 years) were examined. Patients were subjected to quantitative determination of Epstein-Barr virus DNA in saliva samples by the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with real-time hybridization-fluorescence detection. The analytical sensitivity of the test system is 400 copies/ml. The patients were divided into two groups: 26 patients who received allokin-alpha therapy (9 injections subcutaneously with 1.0 mg every other day) were included in the 1st group; the 2nd group included 33 patients who received Valtrex (500 mg 2 times/day, orally) for 2 months. Results. After treatment with allocin-alpha, negative results of PCR were obtained in 59.67% of patients. After two months of Valtrex therapy, negative PCR results were obtained in only 27.27% of patients. The correlation analysis revealed a significant effect of the initial number of copies of EBV DNA on the severity of clinical complaints in the general group of EBV patients. Discussion. Allokin-alpha improves the recognition of virus-infected cells and helps to suppress viral replication. Conclusion. Allokin-alpha therapy can be recommended for the treatment of chronic EBV infection in a dose of 1 mg subcutaneously every other day with a course dose of at least 9 injections.
PREGNANCY IN SUBMUCOUS LOCATION OF THE MYOMATOUS NODE
Authors: Sinchikhin Sergey P. , Karavayev V. E , Stepanyan L. V , Khanmirzoeva S. Kh
Published: September 2020

There are presented own data on the prevalence of uterine fibroids in women in different age groups, as well as with infertility, miscarriage and other diseases of the internal genital organs. An unusual case of a combination of the uterine form of pregnancy associated with a large submucous myoma node is considered. The use of new original technologies was shown to contributes to the reduction of blood loss during simultaneously performing surgical delivery and myomectomy.
IMPORTANCE OF INSULIN-LIKE AND VASCULAR AND ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTORS IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (REVIEW OF LITERATURE)
Authors: Kuzina Olga V. , Sosnova E. A
Published: September 2020

The study of various mechanisms of the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) shows the multifactorial nature of its development with the involvement of many organs and systems, as well as growth factors that are actively involved in the growth and proliferation processes of both normal and pathologically altered biological tissues, including the ovaries, not only with PCOS, but also with endometriosis and tumor formations. The article discusses new data on the involvement of insulin-like and vascular endothelial growth factors in the pathogenesis of PCOS. The study of their role is relevant and promising task.
APPLICATION OF THE FAST TRACK PRINCIPLES OF SURGERY IN THE TREATMENT OF A PAZ PROLAPSE
Authors: Khudoley Evgeniya P. , Ishchenko A. I , Aleksandrov L. S , Ishchenko A. A
Published: September 2020

The article describes the experience of applying the principles of fast track surgery in 46 patients with pelvic prolapse. 1 group - 20 women who underwent perioperative management using the principles of accelerated rehabilitation, 2 group (26 women) - perioperative management according to the traditional method. The duration of hospitalization in 1 group was about 1.5 times less compared to the second, without reducing the effectiveness of treatment.
THE CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF STEM CELLS IN CERVICAL DISEASES
Authors: Unanyan Ara L. , Kogan E. A , Berishvili M. V , Zholobova M. N , Pivazyan L. G , Baburin D. N
Published: September 2020

Stem cells are cells capable of self-sustaining asymmetric division, resulting in one daughter cell and one progenitor cell from one stem cell. The features of stem cells are the ability to self-renew and differentiate into various cells, ensure hemostasis of tissues, as well as proliferative reserve. The maintenance and functional properties of stem cells are regulated by signals from the stem cell niche, i.e. from their local microenvironment, which contributes to adequate self-renewal and differentiation. Therefore, niches provide regulation of the number of stem cells in the body and protect the body from their excessive proliferation. Structurally, the stem niche is a combination of all factors that ensure the viability and self-reproduction of stem cells and the differentiation of daughter progenitor cells. An example of a stem cell niche can be the transition zone (TZs) - the junction of different types of epithelial tissue. It is believed that carcinogenesis can be associated with these zones: the transition region of the glandular and squamous epithelium in the conjunctiva, the cervical glands of the stomach, in the esophagus, in the lungs (bronchioalveolar transition zone), in the cervix (endo-ectocervical transition). This article discusses modern approaches to the search for significant markers of the state of stem cell niche and tumor stem cells of cervical cancer, which will be of great importance in clinical practice for the timely detection of oncological processes, even before their phenotypic manifestation.
PREVALENCE AND POSSIBLE RISK FACTORS OF HEMORRHOIDAL THROMBOSIS IN PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM PERIOD
Authors: Medkova Yuliya S. , Markar’yan D. R , Tulina I. A , Churina Yu. A , Aleksandrov L. S , Tsar’kov P. V , Ishchenko A. I
Published: September 2020

Introduction. Nowadays there are no sufficient evidence based data for a scientifically approach to the treatment of hemorrhoids during pregnancy and after childbirth, as well as current data of the prevalence of hemorrhoidal thrombosis (HT) and possible risk factors. Material and methods. The study included pregnant women and puerperas who were actively diagnosed with chronic hemorrhoids (CH) and HT. The physical examination was performed four times: at the woman’s initial visit to the obstetrician-gynecologist, at 24 weeks of pregnancy, at 36 weeks of pregnancy, in the postpartum period (within 7 days after delivery). Patients suffering from HT were asked to answer a questionnaire to determine possible risk factors. Results. A study was conducted on a population of 668 women. 104 women was diagnosed with CH in the postpartum period, and 81 - during pregnancy. The median VAS score with HT was 7. Second delivery, age over 30 years old, lack of physical activity during pregnancy and vaginal delivery are possible risk factors for the development of HT. Conclusions. In the presence of a high risk of HT during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, preventive examinations by a coloproctologist are an important aspect of patient management.
Modern approaches to the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Torosyan A. O. , Gagayev Ch. G. , Radzinskiy V. E.
Published: September 2020

In a review there is provided information on modern approaches to the diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus. The use of various markers and screening methods and their role in pregnancy outcomes for the mother and fetus according to gestation of diagnosis are examined. The data obtained demonstrate that gestational diabetes, detected in early pregnancy, represents a special group of high risk of adverse outcomes and requires focused approaches in management.
Modern accents in the diagnostics of inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs
Authors: Selikhova M. S. , Soltys P. A.
Published: September 2020

The clinical course of inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs (PID) is very diverse, certain difficulties in the diagnosis of acute inflammation can be caused with a sufficient combination of probable symptoms. Most of the patients are subacute or chronic course of the disease. Not timely diagnosis and incorrectly prescribed treatment favorably affects the movement of the inflammatory process in the upper genital tract.

The diagnosis of PID in emergency rooms and clinics is often based on clinical criteria, with or without additional laboratory and visual tests. Clinical data have a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 50% versus 83% sensitivity and 26% specificity of endometrial culture.

The presence of leukocytosis in peripheral blood, elevated ESR and/or the level of C-reactive protein are also markers of inflammation and may be an indicator of the severity of the disease, but they do not serve as specific signs of PID.

The frequency of occurrence of inflammatory diseases of the reproductive system and common complications can lead to a pronounced imbalance in the reproductive potential of not only women, but also the population. The presence of a predominance of the chronic course of the disease, specialists of different profiles should have a sense of suspicion of the probable presence of an infectious agent in the pelvic organs in women of reproductive age in the presence of various non-specific complaints from the lower abdomen and the absence of other obvious reasons.

Untimely treatment of PID is closely associated with the deterioration of the patients condition and long-term complications.

To achieve successful attempts to prevent complications of PID, it is practically not possible, despite numerous studies.

The widely used routine laboratory examination methods have diagnostic value only in patients with pronounced symptom complexes, while in the chronic course their significance is small.
Ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Gadayeva I. V. , Khokhlova I. D. , Dzhibladze T. A.
Published: September 2020

Ectopic pregnancy is the most common cause of emergency conditions in gynecology. The main clinical manifestations of ectopic pregnancy, in the background of signs of pregnancy, are the menstrual irregularities, delayed menstruation, spotting (the most classic clinical picture), pain syndrome (with and without irradiation to the rectum, thigh) of varying intensity (depending on the type of the ectopic pregnancy), signs of intra-abdominal bleeding. The key to successful treatment is timely diagnosis and qualified, adequate medical care. The main laboratory and instrumental methods for diagnosing the ectopic pregnancy are the determination of the -subunit of hCG in blood serum (diagnostic accuracy of 85%) and ultrasound (diagnostic accuracy of 78100%). The treatment of ectopic pregnancy is surgical, the laparoscopic access is preferred. Laparotomy access is indicated for severe adhesions, hemorrhagic shock caused by significant intraperitoneal bleeding. The surgical intervention during tubal pregnancy is tubectomy. Tubotomy (retention of the fallopian tube) is irrational, since the operated fallopian tube causes a recurrence of tubal pregnancy.
Clinical case of delivery of a pregnant woman with vasa previa
Authors: Shevtsova E. P. , Linchenko N. A.
Published: September 2020

Anomalies of the umbilical cord are manifold and pose the greatest danger during the development of labor. Sheath attachment of the umbilical cord is one of the common causes of presentation of umbilical cord vessels. Vasa previa (VP) causes diagnostic difficulties, cannot be corrected during pregnancy and does not affect the birth process, but is characterized by a high frequency of perinatal mortality. This observation demonstrates the need for close attention of obstetrician-gynecologists and ultrasound doctors to such a rare condition as VP. The article discusses the clinical case of successful delivery of a pregnant woman with this pathology.
Ketahanan tiga klon jahe (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) terhadap penyakit layu bakteri (Ralstonia solanacearum)
Authors: Fauzia Yulia Fista , Nurcahyanti Suhartiningsih Dwi
Published: September 2020

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) Is one type of rhizome plant commonly used as a medicinal plant or spice. The rhizome is aromatic and has a distinctive odor used by the community to be used as spices, cooking ingredients and medicinal sources. So far the results of ginger production have not been able to meet people's consumption needs due to a decrease in ginger production at the main ginger development center (West Java). One of the main constraints of ginger cultivation is the attack of bacterial wilt disease caused by the bacterium R. solanacearum. One effort that can be done in tackling bacterial wilt in ginger plants is by using clones that are resistant to bacterial wilt disease of R. solanacearum. The experimental design was carried out using factorial Completely Randomized Design, using ginger clones and the application of R. solanacearum bacteria. This design consists of 6 treatments and 4 replications. Each replication unit consists of 4 plants, so the total number of plants used is 96 plants. The experimental results were analyzed using regression correlation analysis on the parameters of disease progression, while on plant growth parameters using variance analysis and if there were significant differences then continued with Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) with a confidence level of 95%. The results showed red ginger clones including rather resistant criteria with a severity value of 25% while ginger empirical clones and elephant ginger clones were critically vulnerable with 75% severity values and 85.42%. Red ginger clones are more responsive to the infection of R. solanacearum bacteria so that the highest phenol content increases compared to other clones of 0.297 mg/ml, the phenol compounds that play a role in increasing plant resistance. In the variable growth of ginger emprit clone plants have a higher plant height and number of leaves compared to other clones, namely 43.83 cm and 15.44.
Editorial
Authors: Santos Antonio Rafael Carvalho dos , Braga Luiz Otávio
Published: September 2020

É com grande satisfação que apresentamos o primeiro número do periódico Música Popular em Revista, uma publicação eletrônica, semestral, de circulação gratuita, vinculada aos Programas de Pós-Graduação em Música do Instituto de Artes da UNICAMP (Universidade Estadual de Campinas) e do Centro de Letras e Artes da UNIRIO (Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro).
Gênese do rock dos anos 80 no Brasil
Authors: Groppo Luís Antonio
Published: September 2020

O artigo investiga as origens do chamado rock brasileiro dos anos 80 por meio de revisão bibliográfica. Inicia analisando alguns estilos e movimentos musicais que poderiam ter dado origem a uma música juvenil de mercado, mas não o conseguiram, como a vanguarda paulista, o movimento punk e os darks. Em seguida, trata da new wave carioca que, no início dos anos 1980, deu origem ao primeiro ciclo do rock dos anos 80. Enfim, analisa o segundo ciclo do rock dos anos 80, que teve no eixo paulista-brasiliense a sua sustentação. Destaca-se neste histórico, por um lado, a indústria cultural, que desejava encontrar uma música de mercado que sustentasse a produção fonográfica. De outro, as juventudes das camadas médias, cujos valores sociais a distanciavam da politização típica dos anos 1960.
O punk não é só para o seu namorado
Authors: Casadei Eliza Bachega
Published: September 2020

O movimento Riot Grrrl surgiu em meados dos anos 90 e é constituído por garotas que usam o rock como instrumento da luta política feminista. Além de utilizar a música como elemento identitário e político central, esse movimento também é caracterizado pela constituição de uma esfera pública alternativa (formada por fanzines, blogs e e-zines) que funciona tanto como um modo de divulgar as suas músicas quanto como disparadores de mecanismos de identificação em relação às suas causas políticas. O objetivo do presente trabalho é estudar os instrumentos que estas bandas feministas – que se afastam dos movimentos políticos feministas tradicionais – utilizam para criar identificação com o seu público, principalmente a partir de uma pesquisa empírica dos e-zines publicados por estas bandas e pela ação comunicativa de suas líderes nas redes sociais. É possível notar que, a despeito de outros mecanismos de identificação, é o testemunho que funciona como elo de sociabilização que marca a esfera pública alternativa composta pelas publicações feitas pelas Riot Grrrls. O testemunho funciona como um poderoso agenciador das identidades coletivas, uma vez que está pressuposto no reconhecimento de um mundo em comum, alocando a identidade enquanto ato performativo.
Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and Random Forest for Cancer Detection Based on Microarray Data Classification
Authors: Triyani Monica , Adiwijaya Adiwijaya , Aditsania Annisa
Published: September 2020

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2018, about 9.6 million deaths caused by cancer. DNA microarray technology has played an important role in analyzing and diagnosing cancer. The accuracy resulting from the classification of Random Forests is not optimal because microarrays have large dimensional data. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the dimensions of the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) as a feature to reduce dimensions and increase accuracy in microarray data. Based on the simulation, the dimension can be reduced and improve the accuracy of classification up to 8% - 20%. DWT approximation coefficient can improve accuracy better than detailed coefficients for data on colon cancer 100%, lung cancer 100%, ovarian 100%, prostate tumor 80%, and central nervous system 83.33%.
Convolutional Neural Networks Based on Raspberry Pi for a Prototype of Vocal Cord Abnormalities Identification
Authors: D.K. Hertiana Bethaningtyas , Fadillah Muhammad Agfian , Rachmawati Lulu Millatina , Jahja Maiisy , Suhendi Asep
Published: September 2020

This study aims to make a device prototype for identifying vocal cord abnormalities based on Raspberry Pi. This prototype could classify the abnormalities into seven classes, i.e., cysts, granulomas, nodules, normal, papilloma, paralysis, and no vocal cords. The applied method to classify is a deep learning algorithm, mainly using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). In building the CNN model, we used a statistical method to form a model training scenario, also modified the AlexNet architecture model by optimizing the parameters. The optimized parameters in the test scenario obtained 95.35% accuracy. The CNN model implemented on the Raspberry Pi, and the test results obtained 79.75% accuracy.
Text Analysis of Applicants for Personality Classification Using Multinomial Naïve Bayes and Decision Tree
Authors: Hutama Nanda Yonda , Lhaksmana Kemas Muslim , Kurniawan Isman
Published: September 2020

Employees' qualities affect companies' performances and with a large number of applicants, it's difficult to find suitable applicants. To help with it, companies carry out psychological tests to know applicants' personalities, since personality's considered to have a relationship with work performances. But psychological testing requires a lot of effort, cost, and human resources. Thus with a system that can classify personalities through text can help reduce the effort needed. Similar studies carried out with the big five personalities as the theoretical basis and used one of the personality traits, namely using the k-NN method with 65% accuracy. Based on these studies, accuracy can improve by finding the best parameters using all of the big five personalities. This research is conducted based on the big five personality traits and related traits, namely consciousness and agreeableness. The data used is text data that's been labelled, pre-processed and feature selected. The clean text data is used to create a classification model using multinomial Naive Bayes and decision trees. There are 6 models built based on 3 work cultures, decision tree with an accuracy of 33%, 66%, 80%, and multinomial naïve Bayes with an accuracy of 83%, 50%, 60%, which resulted as better performance.
ACEII Gene Analysis Exposes SARS-CoV-2 As A Potential Threat to Agricultural and National Security
Authors: Ruhl Michael , Jenkins Tracie
Published: September 2020

Coronavirus is now a significant human pathogen with the emergence of SARS-CoV-2. Until now there has been no data to support a threat to agricultural industries. Using a comparative genomic protein analysis, this study examined the angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACEII) gene of 17 animal species with an emphasis on agriculture. To determine viral vulnerability the 20 known SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD)/ACEII receptor interaction sites were compared to determine their potential susceptibility to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. With the known bat host’s (XP_032963186) number of binding sites as a threshold, we note that ALL animal species examined in this study contained significant numbers (≥10) of SARS-CoV-2 binding sites and could be at risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The data from this study suggest SARS-CoV-2 imposes a grave threat to the safety and security of the agricultural industry. Urgent studies are needed to determine if infected animals can transmit SARS-CoV-2 before and/or after processing.
Bioengineering microfluidic organoids-on-a-chip
Authors: Nikolaev Mikhail , Mitrofanova Olga , Broguiere Nicolas , Geraldo Sara , Tabata Yoji , Brandenberg Nathalie , Gjorevski Nikolche , Lutolf Matthias
Published: September 2020

Organoids derived from epithelial stem cells have emerged as powerful platforms to model development and disease in a dish1-3. However, the current mismatch in anatomy, lifespan and size between native organs and their in vitro counterparts severely limits their applicability4. In particular, the closed, cystic architecture of most epithelial stem cell-derived organoids makes experimental manipulation and assay development cumbersome. Here we describe how tissue engineering and cellular self-organization can be combined to guide in vitro organogenesis into openly accessible, functional intestinal tubes termed ‘mini-guts’. Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) rapidly generate simple columnar epithelia when propagated inside basal lamina-like hydrogel scaffolds that feature a tubular and crypt-containing, in vivo-like anatomical structure. Using a microfluidic perfusion system, dead cells shed into the lumen can be continuously removed from the mini-guts. This increases tissue lifespan to months, establishing a homeostatic organoid culture system in which cell proliferation (in crypts) is balanced with cell death (in villus-like domains). The approach developed here can be extended to generate functional tissue/organ models from other epithelial cell types, including primary human stem/progenitor cells from the small intestine, colon or airway, permitting reconstitution of complex organ-level physiology and disease in a personalized manner.
A study of the mechanism of lncRNA-CR594175 in regulating proliferation and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Liu Quan , Yu Xuxu , Yang Minjie , Li Xiangke , Zhai Xuejia , Lian Yujin , Chen Zhong , Fan Qingxia , Song Lijie , Li Wencai
Published: September 2020

Abstract Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the cancers of highest incidence and mortality worldwide. The proliferation and invasion of tumor cells are the main reason for poor prognosis after HCC surgery. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has been shown to play a key role in the progression of HCC. LncRNA-CR594175 is one of the highly expressed lncRNAs in HCC tumors and their metastatic tumors that we have obtained by the High-throughput screening method.Methods To elucidate the role of lncRNA-CR594175 in regulating the proliferation and invasion of human hepatoma cell line, HepG2, we operated through lncRNA-CR594175 silencing to inhibit the progression of HCC, either through in vitro or in vivo experiments.Results We found that lncRNA-CR594175 was lower in adjacent non-cancerous tissues than in primary HCC, and was lower in primary HCC than in its metastasis. Silencing of lncRNA-CR594175 inhibited the proliferation and invasion of HepG2 cells and growth of subcutaneous tumors. The results revealed that lncRNA-CR594175, as a RNA sponge, broke the negative regulation of hsa-miR-142-3p on Catenin, beta-1 (CTNNB1), and once lncRNA-CR594175 was silenced, the hsa-miR142-3p regained its negative regulation on CTNNB1 which can promote HCC progression by activating the wnt pathway. Conclusions Our present study demonstrated for the first time that lncRNA-CR594175 silencing suppressed proliferation and invasion of HCC cells in vivo and in vitro by restoring the negative regulation of hsa-miR-142-3p on CTNNB1, laying a solid theoretical base for using lncRNA-CR594175 as genetic target therapy for HCC and offering a reasonable explanation for inactivation of miRNA in different tumors or in the tumor at different stages.
Changes in Alanine Aminotransferase in Adults with Severe and Complicated Obesity during a Milk-Based Meal Replacement Programme
Authors: Abdalgwad Razk , Rafey Mohammed Faraz , Murphy Conor , Ioana Iulia , O'Shea Paula Marie , Slattery Eoin , Davenport Colin , O'Keeffe Derek Timothy , Finucane Francis Martin
Published: September 2020

Introduction: Excess adiposity is associated with fat accumulation within the liver, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is highly prevalent in bariatric patients. Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is associated with prevalent NASH. We sought to determine the influence of a milk-based meal replacement weight-loss programme on ALT levels in adults with severe and complicated obesity.Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who completed a 24-week meal replacement programme, comprised of a weight loss phase followed by weight stabilisation and maintenance phases, each eight weeks long. ALT was quantified using an enzymatic assay with spectrophotometric detection. We examined changes over time in ALT using the non-parametric Wilcoxon singed-rank test and the Friedman test.Results: Of 105 patients, 56 were female, mean age was 51.2±11.2 (range 18.0-71.6) years. There was an unanticipated but transient increase in ALT from 28.0 [20.0, 40.5] iu/l at baseline to 40.0 [26.0, 55.0] iu/l after two weeks (p<0.0005), followed by a gradual reduction to 21.0 [17.0, 28.3] iu/l by 24 weeks (p<0.0005). The overall reductions in ALT were more pronounced in patients who had elevated levels at baseline. Body weight decreased from 144.2±28.0 kg at baseline to 121.6±25.4 kg at 24 weeks (p<0.0005) and body mass index (BMI) decreased from 50.7±8.1 kg m-2 at baseline to 43.0±7.6 kg m-2 by 24 weeks (p<0.0005).Conclusion: In adults with severe and complicated obesity undergoing a milk-based meal replacement programme, there was an initial unanticipated rise in ALT in the first two weeks, followed by a gradual overall reduction by 24 weeks. These findings suggest that rapid weight loss secondary to significant caloric restriction might induce a transient deterioration in hepatic steatosis prior to an ultimate overall improvement.
Genetic diagnostic features after failure of initial treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors among non-small-cell lung cancer patients harboring EGFR mutations
Authors: Takeda Yuichiro , Naka Go , Yamaguchi Yoh , Hashimoto Masao , Suzuki Manabu , Izumi Shinyu , Sugiyama Haruhito
Published: September 2020

Background: Osimertinib, a third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), can be used as second-line treatment for lung cancer patients harboring the T790M substitution. Although osimertinib is more effective than the first-generation EGFR-TKIs used for first-line treatment, its efficacy with respect to long-term patient survival remains unclear even upon the administration of a complete sequence of EGFR-TKI therapy. Moreover, limited information is available regarding genetic diagnostic approaches after the treatment of EGFR-TKI–naïve patients. This study investigated the clinical characteristics of EGFR -mutated lung cancer patients harboring the T790M substitution resistant to EGFR-TKIs, as well as the advantages of rebiopsy and liquid biopsy for these patients. Methods: The medical records of patients screened for EGFR mutations were reviewed. Upon failure of naïve treatment with EGFR-TKIs, except for osimertinib, single-plexus cobas version 2 was repeatedly used to detect the T790M substitution in EGFR via tissue or liquid biopsy. Results: From April 2016 through May 2019, 113 patients were found to harbor EGFR mutations. Sixty patients were treated with EGFR-TKIs, among whom 46 underwent tissue or liquid biopsy. Twenty-nine of these 46 (63%) patients harbored the T790M substitution. In total, 141 rebiopsies were performed. The T790M substitution was detected in 24 of 43 tissue biopsies and 11 of 98 liquid biopsies. If patients displayed an EGFR exon 19 deletion, had a new lesion, and were administered gefitinib as first-line therapy, they were suspected to harbor the T790M substitution. Furthermore, the T790M substitution was detected through rebiopsy in patients with coexisting original mutations, brain metastases, tumor enlargement by ≥ 12 mm, or metastases at minor sites. Conclusion: Among patients with positive factors associated with the T790M mutation, repeated tissue or liquid biopsies are useful to maximize the detection rate of the T790M substitution. Furthermore, these biopsies need to be repeated numerous times in order to reduce “detection overlook” among such patients.
Implementation fidelity of Iron and Folic Acid supplementation (IFAs) and associated challenges among pregnant women in rural Uasin Gishu County Kenya
Authors: Riang'a Roselyter Monchari , Nangulu Anne Kisaka , Broerse Jacqueline E.W.
Published: September 2020

Background Implementation fidelity which is defined as the degree to which programmes are implemented as intended is one of the factors that affect programme outcome, thus requiring careful examination. This study aims to acquire insight into the degree to which nutritional counselling and Iron and Folic Acid supplementation (IFAs) policy guidelines during pregnancy have been implemented as intended and the challenges to implementation fidelity. Methods Data were collected in rural Uasin Gishu County in the western part of Kenya through document analysis, questionnaires among intervention recipients (n=188) and semi-structured interviews with programme implementers (n=6). Data collection and analysis were guided by an implementation fidelity framework. We specifically evaluated adherence to intervention design (content, frequency, duration and coverage), exposure or dosage quality of delivery and participant responsiveness. Results Coverage of nutritional counselling and IFAs policy is widespread. However, partial provision was reported in all the intervention components. Only 10% accessed intervention within the first trimester as recommended by policy guidelines, only 28% reported receiving nutritional counselling, only 18% and 15% of the respondents received 90 or more iron and folic acid pills respectively during their entire pregnancy period, and 66% completed taking the IFAs pills that were issued to them. Late initial bookings to antenatal care, drug stock shortage, staff shortage and long queues, confusing dosage instructions, side effects of the pills and issuing of many pills at one go, were established to be the main challenges to effective implementation fidelity. Anticipated health consequences and emphasis by the health officer to comply to instructions were established to be motivations for adherence to nutritional counselling and IFAs guidelines. Conclusions Implementation fidelity of nutritional counselling and IFAs policy in Kenya is generally weak. There is need for approaches to enhance early access to interventions, enhance stock availability, provide mitigation measures for the side effects, as well as intensify nutritional counselling to promote the consumption of micronutrient-rich food sources available in the local environment to substitute for the shortage of nutritional supplements and low compliance to IFAs.
Functional polymorphisms and transcriptional analysis in the 5' region of the human serotonin receptor 1B gene (HTR1B) and their associations with psychiatric disorders
Authors: Xia Xi , Ding Mei , Xuan Jin-feng , Xing Jia-xin , Yao Jun , Wu Xue , Wang Bao-jie
Published: September 2020

Background The 5-hydroxytryptamine 1B receptor (5-HT1B) plays an essential role in the serotonin (5-HT) system and is widely involved in a variety of brain activities. HTR1B is the gene encoding 5-HT1B. Genome-wide association studies have shown that HTR1B polymorphisms are closely related to multiple mental and behavioral disorders; however, the functional mechanisms underlying these associations are unknown. This study investigated the effect of several HTR1B haplotypes on regulation of gene expression in vitro and the functional sequences in the 5' regulatory region of HTR1B to determine their potential association with mental and behavioral disorders.MethodsSix haplotypes consisting of rs4140535, rs1778258, rs17273700, rs1228814, rs11568817, and rs130058 and several truncated fragments of the 5' regulatory region of HTR1B were transfected into SK-N-SH and HEK-293 cells. The relative fluorescence intensities of the different haplotypes and truncated fragments were detected using a dual-luciferase reporter assay system.Results Compared to the major haplotype T-G-T-C-T-A, the relative fluorescence intensities of haplotypes C-A-T-C-T-A, C-G-T-C-T-A, C-G-C-A-G-T, and C-G-T-A-T-A were significantly lower, and that of haplotype C-G-C-A-G-A was significantly higher. Furthermore, the effects of the rs4140535T allele, the rs17273700C-rs11568817G linkage combination, and the rs1228814A allele made their relative fluorescence intensities significantly higher than their counterparts at each locus. Conversely, the rs1778258A and rs130058T alleles decreased the relative fluorescence intensities. In addition, we found that regions from -1587 to -1371 bp (TSS, +1), -1149 to -894 bp, -39 to +130 bp, +130 to +341 bp, and +341 to +505 bp upregulated gene expression. In contrast, regions -603 to -316 bp and +130 to +341 bp downregulated gene expression. Region +341 to +505 bp played a decisive role in gene transcription.Conclusions HTR1B 5' regulatory region polymorphisms have regulatory effects on gene expression and potential correlate with several pathology and physiology conditions. This study suggests that a crucial sequence for transcription is located in region +341~+505 bp. Regions -1587 to -1371 bp, -1149 to -894 bp, -603 to -316 bp, -39 to +130 bp, and +130 to +341 bp contain functional sequences that can promote or suppress the HTR1B gene expression.
QTL Mapping of Agronomic and Economic Traits for Four F2 Populations in Upland Cotton
Authors: Li Hongge , Pan Zhaoe , He Shoupu , Jia Yinhua , Geng Xiaoli , Chen Baojun , Wang Liru , Pang Baoyin , Du Xiongming
Published: September 2020

Background: Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) accounts for more than 90% of annual world cotton output due to its high yield potential. However, yield traits and fiber quality traits exhibit negative correlations in most cases. Here, we constructed four F2 populations, using two normal lines and two introgression lines, for simultaneously detection the genetic basis underlying complex traits such as yield and fiber quality in upland cotton. Subsequently, the phenotyping of 8 agronomic and economic traits along with quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping was implemented. Results: Extensive phenotype variations and transgressive segregation were found across segregation populations. Four genetic maps were constructed with the length of 585.97cM, 752.45cM, 752.45cM and 1163.66cM. The mapping resulted in the identification 50 QTLs (27 were for fiber quality traits and 16 for yield traits) across four populations. Multiple QTLs having the common maker, such as qBW4 and qBW2, or residing in the same QTL cluster, such as qLP9 and qFL9-1, were prioritized for further research. Conclusions: These findings will provide insight into the genetic basis of simultaneous improvement of yield and fiber quality in upland cotton breeding.
Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio as a predictor for diagnosis of early Periprosthetic Joint Infection
Authors: Yu BaoZhan , Fu Jun , Chai Wei , Hao LiBo , Chen Jiying
Published: September 2020

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a catastrophic complication after total knee or hip arthroplasty. The diagnosis of PJI is very difficult, especially in the early postoperative period. The value of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is useful for diagnosing infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the accuracy of the NLR for the diagnosis of early PJI after total knee or hip arthroplasty.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated consecutive primary total knee or hip arthroplasty and identified the patients who readmitted within the first 90 days postoperatively between January 2011 and October 2018.There were 20 cases diagnosed early PJI and 101 uninfected cases on the basis of the modified Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria. The serum parameters including C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood-cell (WBC) count, NLR and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were compared between the two groups. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to estimate the optimal cutoff values for each parameter.The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for each parameter were calculated.Results: The CRP, ESR, WBC, NLR and IL-6 values were all significally higher in the infected group than the uninfected group. The median of CRP was 66.6 mg/l in the infected group and 8.6mg/l in the uninfected group (p<0.001). The median of ESR was 34.8 mm/hr in the infected group and 17.4mm/hr in the uninfected group (p<0.001). In the infected group and uninfected group, the median of WBC was 8.2X109 /L and 6.1 X109 /L (p = 0.002), respectively; while the median of NLR was 5.2 and 2.1 (p<0.001). The median of IL-6 was 46pg/ml and 6.4pg/ml (p<0.001),respectively.The best parameter for the diagnosis of early PJI was IL-6 (AUC=0.814) followed by the NLR (AUC =0.802), CRP (AUC =0.793), ESR (AUC =0.744) and WBC (AUC = 0.632).Conclusions: This study is the first to show that NLR values are more accurate than CRP and may be considered as useful parameters for the diagnosis of early PJI because it is a cheap and convenient parameter to be calculated in daily practice without extra costs.
Slow radiological improvement and persistent low-grade inflammation after chemotherapy in tuberculosis patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Mily Akhirunnesa , Sarker Protim , Taznin Inin , Hossain Md. Delwar , Haq Md. Ahsanul , Kamal SM. Mostofa , Agerberth Birgitta , Brighenti Susanna , Raqib Rubhana
Published: September 2020

Background: Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM) may impede immune responses in tuberculosis (TB) and thus contribute to enhanced disease severity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate DM-mediated alterations in clinical, radiological and immunological outcomes of TB disease.Methods: Newly diagnosed pulmonary TB patients with or without DM (TB n=40; TB-DM n=40) were recruited in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Clinical symptoms, sputum smear and culture conversion as well as chest radiography were assessed, and peripheral blood and sputum samples were collected at the time of diagnosis (baseline) and after 1, 2 and 6 months of standard anti-TB treatment. Blood samples were also obtained from the healthy controls (n=20). mRNA expression of inflammatory markers in blood and sputum samples were quantified using real-time PCR.Results: Majority of TB-DM patients had a poor glycemic control (HbA1c>8%) and displayed elevated pulmonary pathology (P=0.039) particularly in the middle (P<0.004) and lower lung zones (P<0.02) throughout the treatment period. However, reduction of clinical symptoms, and time to sputum smear and culture conversion did not differ between the groups. Transcripts levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (P=0.003 at month-1 and P=0.045 at month-2) and TNF-α (P=0.005 at month-1) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (P=0.005 at month-2) were higher in peripheral blood after anti-TB treatment in TB-DM compared to TB patients. Instead, in sputum, TB-DM patients showed reduced CD4 (P<0.009 at month-1) and IL-10 (P=0.005 at month-1 and P=0.006 at month-2) and elevated CD8 (P=0.016 at month-2) transcripts. At 1- and 2-months post-treatment, sputum IL-10 transcripts were inversely correlated with fasting blood glucose and HbA1C levels in all patients. Conclusion: Insufficient up-regulation of IL-10 in the lung may fuel persistent local inflammation promoting lung pathology in TB-DM patients with poorly controlled DM.