bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Migratory Birds as Disseminators of Ticks and the Tick-Borne Pathogens Borrelia Bacteria and Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE) Virus – A Seasonal Study at Ottenby Bird Observatory in South-Eastern Sweden
Authors: Wilhelmsson Peter , Jaenson Thomas G. T. , Olsen Björn , Waldenström Jonas , Lindgren Per-Eric
Published: August 2020

Introduction Birds can act as reservoirs of tick-borne pathogens and can also disperse pathogen-containing ticks to both nearby and remote localities. The aims of this study were to estimate tick infestation patterns on migratory birds and the prevalence of different Borrelia species and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in ticks removed from birds in south-eastern Sweden.Materials and Methods Ticks were collected from resident and migratory birds captured at the Ottenby Bird Observatory, Öland, Sweden, from March to November 2009. Ticks were molecularly identified to species, and morphologically to developmental stage, and the presence of Borrelia bacteria and TBEV was determined by quantitative real-time PCR.Results A total of 1,339 ticks in the genera Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma and Ixodes was recorded of which I. ricinus was the most abundant species. Important tick hosts were the European robin (Erithacus rubecula), Blackbird (Turdus merula), Tree pipit (Anthus trivialis), Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), Common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus), Willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus), and Common whitethroat (Sylvia communis). Borrelia bacteria were detected in 25 % (285/1,124) of the detached ticks available for analysis. Seven Borrelia species (B. afzelii, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii, B. lusitaniae, B. turdi, B. valaisiana and B. miyamotoi) were identified. B. turdi was recorded for the first time in ticks in Sweden. The number of Borrelia cells per tick ranged from 2.0 × 100 to 7.0 × 105. B. miyamotoi-containing ticks contained a significantly higher median number of Borrelia cells than B. burgdorferi sensu lato-containing ticks. B. garinii and B. miyamotoi were the most prevalent Borrelia species in tick larvae. Larvae of I. ricinus with B. garinii were removed from seven bird species, particularly S. communis and A. trivialis, which may suggest that the larvae had contracted the Borrelia bacteria from or via these birds. Also, a high percentage of tick larvae containing B. miyamotoi was removed from E. rubecula. Of the 1,124 ticks analysed, all were negative for TBEV.Conclusions The results corroborate the view that the contributions of birds to human disease are substantial, particularly as blood hosts for ticks and for their short-, medium- and long-distance dispersal. Moreover, several ground-foraging bird species appear to be important for the maintenance and dispersal of Borrelia species. The absence of TBEV in all bird-derived ticks investigated conforms to other similar studies.
Proficiencies of Military Medical Officers in Intubating Difficult Airways
Authors: Lim Jonathan Zhao Min , Chew Shi Hao , Chin Benjamin Zhao Bin , Siew Raymond Chern Hwee
Published: August 2020

Background This study sheds light on the proficiency of military medical officers who had received between 2-3 years of post-graduate training, in the handling of the difficult airway in a trauma manikin simulator using direct and video laryngoscopes. Method 133 doctors from the Singapore Armed Forces Medical Officer Cadet Course were assessed using high-fidelity simulator models with standardised difficult airways (simulator with tongue-swelling and cervical collar). They used the Macintosh direct laryngoscope (DL), King Vision channelled-blade laryngoscope (KVC), King Vision non-channelled blade laryngoscope (KVNC), and the McGrath (MG) laryngoscope on the same model in a randomised sequence. The intubation success rates and time to intubation were recorded and analysed for the study. Results The medical officers had a 71.4% intubation success rate with the DL on the difficult airway trauma simulator model and the mean time to intubation of 40.1s. With the KVC, the success rate is 86.5% with mean intubation time of 40.4s. The KVNC produced 24.8% success rate, with mean time to intubation of 53.2s. The MG laryngoscope produced 85.0% success rate, with a mean time of intubation of 37.4s. Conclusion Military medical officers with 2-3 years of post-graduate training had a success rate of 71.4% success rate intubating a simulated difficult airway in a trauma setting using a DL. Success rates were improved with the use of KVC and the MG laryngoscope, but was worse with the KVNC.
Is the Capability of Well‑being Consistent With the General Population or Other Populations? Assessing the Reliability and Validity of the Icecap-a Instrument in Chinese Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Authors: Xiong Yao , Wu Hongyan , Xu Judy
Published: August 2020

Purpose We aimed to conduct psychometric tests for the Chinese version of ICEpop CAPability measure for Adults (ICECAP-A) and use the instrument to analyze the quality of life (QoL) for Chinese type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients. Methods Data were collected from a sample of 492 Chinese T2DM patients. The reliability and validity of the ICECAP-A were verified. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and polychoric correlation analysis were conducted for both the ICECAP-A and EQ-5D-3L. Results Our results show that the Chinese version of ICECAP-A has good internal consistency with an overall Cronbach's Alpha coefficient of 0.721. The mean scores of ICECAP-A and EQ-5D-3L are 0.85 vs. 0.94. A weak correlation (r = 0.116) was found between the ICECAP-A and EQ-5D-3L tariff scores. EFA showed that although the five dimensions of the ICECAP-A and EQ-5D-3L scales were loaded into two different factors respectively. However, the two scales captured different dimensions of quality of life and can complement each other. The ICECAP-A, EQ-5D-3L, and EQ-VAS scores showed differences across different socio-demographic characteristics and clinic conditions groups. Conclusion The Chinese version of the ICECAP-A capability instrument can be for assessing outcomes in adults with T2DM. It may capture more dimensions of QoL than traditional Health-related QoL (HRQoL) instruments and may be useful for economic evaluations of health care and social care for people with T2DM or other chronic diseases.
Health-related Quality of Life Among Patients With Bipolar Disorder in Rural Southwestern Uganda: A Hospital Based Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Anyayo Lucas , Ashaba Scholastic , Kaggwa Mark Mohan , Samuel Maling , Nakimuli-Mpungu Etheldreda
Published: August 2020

Background: Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric disorder that alters mood and affects over 55 million people globally with an estimated lifetime prevalence of approximately 0.8 - 1.1%. In Africa, the lifetime prevalence of the bipolar spectrum disorders is slightly lower at 0.1 – 0.6%. Bipolar disorder is ranked the sixth leading cause of disability with high rates of morbidity and mortality and negatively impacts quality of life of those affected. Methods: The aim of the study was to determine the health-related quality of life of patients with bipolar disorder attending a mental health clinic in south western Uganda. We enrolled a consecutive sample of 169 participants and evaluated their health-related quality of life using the medical outcomes health survey short form-36 (SF-36) scale. We used bivariate and multivariable logistic regression to determine associations between quality of life, sociodemographic and clinical factors setting the physical and mental component categories of quality life scale as the main outcome variables. Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.23 (12.83) and slightly over half (54.4%) were females. More than half (66.86%) of the participants had poor physical component summary (mean=45.06, SD=8.44) while 81% of the participants had poor mental component summary (mean=41.95, SD=8.45). Poor physical quality of life had a statistically significant association with history of suicidal thoughts (OR=2.75, 95% CI=1.14-6.63, P=0.02), while poor mental quality of life had a statistically significant association with history of suicidal thoughts (OR=3.94, CI=1.22-12.71, P=0.02) and history of psychotic symptoms (OR=2.46, CI=1.07-5.64, P=0.03).Conclusion: The mental and physical quality of life of our participants was poor and history of suicidal thoughts and psychotic symptoms were associated with poor quality of life. There is need to address psychotic symptoms and suicidal thoughts in the management of patients with bipolar disorder to improve health related outcomes and quality of life.
NINJ1 mediates plasma membrane rupture during lytic cell death
Authors: Kayagaki Nobuhiko , Kornfeld Opher , Lee Bettina , Stowe Irma , O'Rourke Karen , Li Qingling , Sandoval Wendy , Yan Donghong , Xu Min , Ulas Gözde , Payandeh Jian , Roose-Girma Merone , Modrusan Zora , Reja Rohit , Sagolla Meredith , Webster Joshua , Cho Vicky , Andrews Thomas , Morris Lucy , Miosge Lisa , Goodnow Christopher , Bertram Edward , Dixit Vishva
Published: August 2020

Plasma membrane rupture (PMR) is the final cataclysmic event in lytic cell death. PMR releases intracellular molecules termed damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that propagate the inflammatory response. The underlying mechanism for PMR, however, is unknown. Here we show that the ill-characterized nerve injury-induced protein 1 (NINJ1) — a cell surface protein with two transmembrane regions — plays an essential role in the induction of PMR. A forward-genetic screen of randomly mutagenized mice linked NINJ1 to PMR. Ninj1–/– macrophages exhibited impaired PMR in response to diverse inducers of pyroptotic, necrotic and apoptotic cell death, and failed to release numerous intracellular proteins including High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1, a known DAMP) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH, a standard measure of PMR). Ninj1–/– macrophages died, but with a distinctive and persistent ballooned morphology, attributable to defective disintegration of bubble-like herniations. Ninj1–/– mice were more susceptible than wild-type mice to Citrobacter rodentium, suggesting a role for PMR in anti-bacterial host defense. Mechanistically, NINJ1 utilized an evolutionarily conserved extracellular α-helical domain for oligomerization and subsequent PMR. The discovery of NINJ1 as a mediator of PMR overturns the long-held dogma that cell death-related PMR is a passive event. Pyroptosis is a potent inflammatory mode of lytic cell death triggered by diverse infectious and sterile insults1-3. It is driven by the pore-forming fragment of gasdermin D (GSDMD)4-7 and releases two exemplar proteins: interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, and LDH, a standard marker of PMR and lytic cell death. An early landmark study8 predicted two sequential steps for pyroptosis: (1) initial formation of a small plasma membrane pore causing IL-1β release and non-selective ionic fluxes, and (2) subsequent PMR attributable to oncotic cell swelling. PMR releases LDH (140 kDa) and large DAMPs. While the predicted size of gasdermin pores (~18 nm inner diameter9) is large enough to release IL-1β (17 kDa, ~4.5 nm diameter), the underlying mechanism for subsequent PMR has been considered a passive osmotic lysis event.
Screening of the College Students at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis in China: A Multicenter Epidemiological Study
Authors: Wu JiaXin , Long XiangYun , Liu Fei , Qi AnSi , Chen Qi , Guan XiaoFeng , Zhang Qiong , Yao YuHong , Shi JingYu , Xie ShiPing , Yan Wei , Hu MaoRong , Yuan Xin , Tang Jun , Wu SiLiang , Zhang TianHong , Wang JiJun , Lu Zheng
Published: August 2020

Background
To investigate a 3-stage screening procedure and explore the clinical features of subjects at Clinical High Risk (CHR) for psychosis in a representative sample of Chinese college students.
Methods
An epidemiological survey of the prevalence of CHR syndrome in Chinese college students that was selected by stratified random sampling from Shanghai, Nanjing and Nanchang cities was done followed a 3-stage procedure. Participants was initially screened with the Prodromal Questionnaire-brief version (PQ-B), and whose distress score of PQ-B exceeded 24 would be invited to a telephone assessment using the subscale for positive symptoms of the Scale of Prodromal Symptoms (SOPS)/Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (SIPS). Lastly, participants who scored 3 or higher in any item of the subscale would be administered with the SIPS interview conducted by trained researchers to confirm the diagnosis of CHR syndrome.
Results
23 063 college students completed the survey during September 2017 to October 2018. 72 students were diagnosed as CHR subjects, and the detection rate in the total sample was 0.3%. The peak age range for the first diagnosis of CHR was 17 to 20 years. 13 and 46 were set as the cut-off points of PQ-B total score and distress score to balance the greatest sensitivity and specificity. Binary logistic regression revealed that 5 items in PQ-B showed significant distinction for detecting CHR subjects.
Conclusions
The 3-stage screening method can be utilized in the detection of CHR subjects for psychosis in general population, during which delusional ideas, perceptual abnormalities and suspiciousness deserve great attention.
Handwashing and disinfection precautions taken by U.S. adults to prevent coronavirus disease 2019, Spring 2020
Authors: Brown Laura , Hoover E. Rickamer , Barrett Catherine , Esschert Kayla L. Vanden , Collier Sarah , Garcia-Williams Amanda
Published: August 2020

Objectives. The objectives of this study were to assess self-reported hygiene precautions taken by U.S. adults during spring 2020 to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to identify demographic characteristics associated with these hygiene precautions. Results. We obtained data from Porter Novelli Public Services’s national survey, Spring ConsumerStyles, conducted March 19 – April 9, 2020 among a nationally representative random sample of 6,463 U.S. adults aged 18 years or older. We present data from the survey question: “What, if any, precautions are you taking to prevent coronavirus?”. Respondents replied yes or no to the following precautions: washing hands often with soap and water and disinfecting surfaces at home and work often. Most respondents reported taking hygiene-related precautions to prevent COVID-19; more respondents reported handwashing (93%) than disinfecting surfaces (74%). Men, younger respondents, those with lower income and education levels, and respondents in self-rated poor health had lower reported rates of both handwashing and disinfecting surfaces. Communications about hygiene precautions for COVID-19 prevention may need to target sub-populations with the greatest gaps in hygiene-related practices. Research identifying barriers to these practices and developing effective messaging could inform and improve these communications.
Magnetoteluric Study in the Region De Los Lagos to Study Volcano-Tectonic Processes in the Southern Andes
Authors: Baldovino Maria Jose Segovia , Alvarado Daniel Diaz , Slezak Katarzyna , Armijo Felipe Zuñiga
Published: August 2020

In order to analyze the process of subduction of the Nazca and South American plates in the area of the Southern Andes, and its relationship with the tectonic and volcanic regime of the place, magnetotelluric measurements were made through a transversal profile of the Chilean continental margin. The data processing stage included the analysis of dimensional parameters, which as first results showed a three-dimensional environment for periods less than 1s and two-dimensional for periods greater than 10s. In addition, through the geomagnetic transfer function (tipper), the presence of structural electrical anisotropy was identified in the data. After the dimensional analysis, a deep electrical resistivity image was obtained by inverting a 2D and a 3D model. Surface conductive anomalies were obtained beneath the central depression related to the early dehydration of the slab and the serpentinization process of the mantle that coincides in location with a discontinuity in the electrical resistivity of a regional body that we identified as the Nazca plate. A shallow conductive body was located around the Calbuco volcano and was correlated with a magmatic chamber or reservoir which in turn appears to be connected to the Liquiñe Ofqui fault system and the Andean Transverse Fault system. In addition to the serpentinization process, when the oceanic crust reaches a depth of 80-100km, the ascending fluids produced by the dehydration and phase changes of the minerals present in the oceanic plate produce basaltic melts in the wedge of the subcontinental mantle that give rise to an eclogitization process and this explains a large conductivity anomaly present beneath the main mountain range.
Effects of Programmatic Interventions to Improve the Management of Latent Tuberculosis: A Follow Up Study Up to Five Months After Implementation.
Authors: Yanes-Lane Mercedes , Trajman Anete , Bastos Mayara Lisboa , Oxlade Olivia , Valiquette Chantal , Rufino Nathalia , Fregonese Federica , Menzies Dick
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND: Less than 19% of those needing tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment complete it, due to losses in several steps of the cascade of care for latent TB infection. A cluster randomized trial of a programmatic public health intervention to improve management of latent TB infection in household contacts was conducted in Rio de Janeiro. Interventions included contact registry, initial and in-service training, and a TB booklet. We conducted a follow-up study starting one month after the conclusion of this trial, to measure the effect of interventions implemented, and to identify remaining barriers and facilitators to latent TB infection treatment, from different perspectives.METHODS: In two health clinics in Rio de Janeiro, that received the interventions in the intervention trial, data for the latent TB infection cascade of care for household contacts was collected over a five-month period. The number of household contacts initiating treatment per 100 TB index-patients was compared with cascade data obtained before and during the intervention trial. Semi-structured open-ended questionnaires were administered to healthcare workers, household contacts and TB index-patients regarding knowledge and perceptions about TB and study interventions. RESULTS: In this follow-up study, 184 household contacts per 100 TB index-patients were identified which was 65 fewer per 100 TB index-patients, (95% CI -115, -15) but the number of household contacts starting latent TB infection treatment was sustained (difference 2, 95% CI -8,5). A total of 31 TB index-patients, 22 household contacts and 19 health care workers were interviewed. Among TB index-patients, 61% said all their household contacts had been tested for latent TB infection. All health care workers said it was very important to test household contacts, and 95% mentioned that possessing correct knowledge on the benefits of latent TB infection treatment was the main facilitator to enable them to recommend this treatment.CONCLUSION: In this follow-up study, we observed a persistent effect of interventions to strengthen the latent TB infection cascade of care, on increasing the number of household contacts starting latent TB infection treatment.
Overcoming Bioprocess Bottlenecks in the Large-Scale Expansion of High Quality hiPSC Aggregates in Vertical-Wheel Stirred Suspension Bioreactors
Authors: Borys Breanna S , Dang Tiffany , So Tania , Rohani Leili , Revay Tamas , Walsh Tylor , Thompson Madalynn , Argiropoulos Bob , Rancourt Derrick E. , Jung Sunghoon , Hashimura Yas , Lee Brian , Kallos Michael S.
Published: August 2020

BackgroundHuman induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) hold enormous promise in accelerating breakthroughs in understanding human development, drug screening, disease modeling and cell and gene therapies. Their potential, however, has been bottlenecked in a mostly laboratory setting due to bioprocess challenges in the scale-up of large quantities of high-quality cells for clinical and manufacturing purposes. While several studies have investigated the production of hiPSCs in bioreactors, the use of conventional horizontal-impeller, paddle and rocking-wave mixing mechanisms have demonstrated unfavourable hydrodynamic environments for hiPSC growth and quality maintenance. This study focused on using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to aid in characterizing and optimizing the use of vertical-wheel bioreactors for hiPSC production.MethodsThe vertical-wheel bioreactor was modeled with CFD simulation software Fluent at agitation rates between 20rpm and 100rpm. These models produced fluid flow patterns that mapped out a hydrodynamic environment to guide in the development of hiPSC inoculation and in-vessel aggregate dissociation protocols. The effect of single-cell inoculation on aggregate formation and growth was tested at select CFD modeled agitation rates and feeding regimes in the vertical-wheel bioreactor. An in-vessel dissociation protocol was developed through the testing of various proteolytic enzymes and agitation exposure times.ResultsCFD modeling demonstrated the unique flow pattern and homogeneous distribution of hydrodynamic forces produced in the vertical-wheel bioreactor, making it the opportune environment for systematic bioprocess optimization of hiPSC expansion. We developed a scalable, single-cell inoculation protocol for the culture of hiPSCs as aggregates in vertical-wheel bioreactors, achieving over 30-fold expansion in 6 days without sacrificing cell quality. We have also provided the first published protocol for in-vessel hiPSC aggregate dissociation, permitting the entire bioreactor volume to be harvested into single-cells for serial passaging into larger scale reactors. Importantly, the cells harvested and re-inoculated into scaled-up vertical-wheel bioreactors not only maintained consistent growth kinetics, they maintained a normal karyotype and pluripotent characterization and function.ConclusionsTaken together, these protocols provide a feasible solution for the culture of high quality hiPSCs at a clinical and manufacturing scale by overcoming some of the major documented bioprocess bottlenecks.
Intratracheal Transplantation of Trophoblast Stem Cells Attenuates Acute Lung Injury in Mice
Authors: Han Junwen , Li Gu , Hou Minmin , Kwon Min-Young , Xiong Kevin , Liang Xiaoliang , Taglauer Elizabeth , Shi Yuanyuan , Mitsialis S Alex , Kourembanas Stella , El-Chemaly Souheil , Rosas Ivan O , Perrella Mark A , Liu Xiaoli
Published: August 2020

BackgroundAcute lung injury (ALI) is a common lung disorder that affects millions of people every year. The infiltration of inflammatory cells into the lungs and death of the alveolar epithelial cells are key factors to trigger a pathological cascade. Trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) have been shown to possess immune privilege, immunomodulation, and the potential of self-renewal and multipotency with differentiation into three germ layers. We hypothesized that intratracheal transplantation of TSCs may alleviate ALI.MethodsALI was induced by intratracheal delivery of Bleomycin (BLM) in mice. At day 3 after exposure to BLM, pre-labeled TSCs or Fibroblasts (FBs) were intratracheally administered into the lungs. At day 7 after exposure to BLM, histological analyses of the lungs were performed for inflammatory infiltrates, cell apoptosis, and engraftment of TSCs. Pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines of lung tissue and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were also assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays , respectively. Flow cytometry was utilized to assess engraftment of TSCs and cell apoptosis.Results Histological analyses of the lungs displayed a reduction in cellularity and less thickening of the alveolar walls in ALI mice that received TSCs compared with ALI mice receiving PBS or FBs. TSCs decreased infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages, and the expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and keratinocyte-derived chemokine in the injured lungs. The levels of IL-6 and MCP-1 in BALF were decreased in ALI mice receiving TSCs, compared with ALI mice that received PBS or FBs. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling confirmed that TSCs significantly reduced BLM-induced apoptosis of lung tissue in vivo and epithelial cells in vitro . Transplanted TSCs integrated into the alveolar walls and expressed aquaporin 5 and prosurfactant protein C, markers for alveolar epithelial type I and II cells, respectively. ConclusionIntratracheal transplantation of TSCs into the lungs of mice after acute exposure to BLM reduced pulmonary inflammation and cell death. Furthermore, TSCs engrafted into the alveolar walls to form alveolar epithelial type I and II cells. These data support the use of TSCs for the treatment of ALI.
Autologous Peripheral Blood-derived Stem Cells Transplantation for Treatment of no-option Angiitis-induced Critical Limb Ischemia: 10-year Management Experience
Authors: Fang Gang , Jiang Xiaolang , Fang Yuan , Pan Tianyue , Liu Hao , Wei Zheng , Gu Shiyang , Chen Bin , Jiang Junhao , Shi Yun , Guo Daqiao , Liu Peng , Dong Zhihui , Fu Weiguo
Published: August 2020

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that no-option angiitis-induced critical limb ischemia (NO-AICLI) could be significantly improved by transplantation of peripheral blood-derived stem cells (PBDSCs). Additionally, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) recently conducted by us suggested that peripheral blood-derived purified CD34+ cells (PCCs) were not inferior to non-purified peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) at limb salvage in treatment of NO-AICLI. However, most of these clinical trials whether RCT or single-arm studies were characterized with a small sample size and absence of long-term outcomes. Methods: To analyze long-term clinical outcomes of PBDSCs transplantation for NO-AICLI, we reviewed clinical data of patients with NO-AICLI receiving PBDSCs transplantation at our center during the past decade. Meanwhile, we first compared the long-term safety and efficacy of intramuscular transplantation of PCCs versus PBMNCs in a sizable number of patients with NO-AICLI.Results: From May 2009 to December 2019, a total of 160 patients with NO-AICLI patients were treated by PBDSCs transplantation (82 with PCCs, 78 with PBMNCs) at our center. Baseline characteristics between two groups were similar. Up to June 2020, the mean follow-up period was 46.6±35.3 months. No critical adverse events were observed in either group. There was one death during the follow-up period. A total of eight major amputations occurred. The cumulative major amputation-free survival (MAFS) rate at 5 years after PBDSCs transplantation was 94.4%, without difference between two groups (P=.855). Wound healing, rest pain, pain-free walking time, ankle-brachial index, transcutaneous oxygen pressure, and quality of life (QoL) also significantly improved after PBDSCs transplantation. Conclusions: Autologous PBDSCs intramuscular transplantation could significantly decrease the major amputation rates and improve the QoL in patients with NO-AICLI. Long-term observation of a large sample of patients confirmed that the clinical benefits of PBDSCs transplantation were durable, without difference between the PCCs and PBMNCs groups.
Activation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes New Bone Formation Within Dentigerous Cyst
Authors: Yu Yejia , Li Mengyu , Zhou Yuqiong , Shi Yueqi , Zhang Wenjie , Son Geehun , Ge Jing , Zhao Jun , Zhang Zhiyuan , Ye Dongxia , Yang Chi , Wang Shaoyi
Published: August 2020

Background: Dentigerous cyst (DC) is a bone destructive disease and remains a challenge for clinicians. Marsupialization enables bone to regenerate with capsules maintaining, making it a preferred therapeutic means for DC adjacent to vital anatomical structures. Given that capsules of DC derive from odontogenic epithelium remnants at embryonic stage, we investigated whether there were mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) located in DC capsules and the role that they played in the bone regeneration after marsupialization.Methods: Samples obtained before and after marsupialization were used for histological detection and cell culture. The stemness of cells isolated from fresh tissues were analyzed by morphology, surface marker and multi-differentiation assays. Comparison of proliferation ability between Am-DCSCs and Bm-DCSCs were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), fibroblast colony-forming units (CFU-F) and 5’‐ethynyl‐2’‐deoxyuridine (EdU) assay. Their osteogenic capacity in vitro was detected by Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin Red staining (ARS), combined with Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Subcutaneous ectopic osteogenesis as well as cranial bone defect model in nude mice were performed to detect their bone regeneration and bone defect repair ability.Results: Bone tissue and strong ALP activity were detected in the capsule of DC after marsupialization. Two types of MSCs were isolated from fibrous capsules of DC both before (Bm-DCSCs) and after (Am-DCSCs) marsupialization. These fibroblast-like, colony forming cells expressed MSC markers (CD44+, CD90+, CD31-, CD34-, CD45-), and they could differentiate into osteoblast-, adipocyte- and chondrocyte-like cells under induction. Notably, Am-DCSCs performed better in cell proliferation and self-renewal. Moreover, Am-DCSCs showed greater osteogenic capacity both in vitro and in vivo compared with Bm-DCSCs. Conclusions: There are MSCs residing in capsules of DC, and the cell viability as well as osteogenic capacity of them are largely enhanced after marsupialization. Our findings suggested that MSCs might play a crucial role in the healing process of DC after marsupialization, thus providing new insight into the treatment for DC by promoting the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs inside capsules.
Rice TSV2 Encoding Threonyl-tRNA Synthetase is Needed for Early Chloroplast Development and Seedling Growth under Cold Stress
Authors: Lin Dongzhi , Zhou Wenhao , Sun Jia , Wang Yulu , Pan Xiaobiao , Dong Yanjun
Published: August 2020

Background
The chloroplast is a vital photosynthetic organelle for plant growth and development. However, the genetic factors involved in chloroplast development and its relationship with environment factors are largely unknown. Threonyl-tRNA synthetase (ThrRS), one of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARSs), plays a crucial role in protein synthesis. To date, there are few studies for AARS function on chloroplast development and plant growth, much less ThrRS in rice.
Result
In this paper, we characterized a thermo-sensitive virescent mutant tsv2, which showed albino phenotype and could not survive after the 4-leaf stage when grown at 20 °C, but recovered the normal phenotype when the temperature rose. Map-based cloning and complementation tests showed that TSV2 encoded a chloroplast-located ThrRS protein in rice and the Lys-to-Arg mutation in the anticodon-binding domain affected chloroplast development under cold stress. Furthermore, the loss-of-function of the core domain in TSV2 led to seedling death regardless of temperatures. In addition, TSV2 had a tissue-specific expression, and its disruption resulted in an evidently down-regulation of certain genes associated with chlorophyll biosynthesis, photosynthesis and chloroplast development at cold stress.
Conclusion
The TSV2 encodes a rice threonyl-tRNA synthetase, located in chloroplasts, which is essential for cold-responsive regulation for chloroplast development and plant growth and closely related to the assembly of chloroplast ribosomes and functions at the first step of chloroplast differentiation.
Insufficient Physical Activity Level Among Sahrawi Adults Living in A Protracted Refugee Setting
Authors: Andersen Eivind , Kjellså Ida , Hjellset Victoria Telle , Henjum Sigrun
Published: August 2020

Background: The Sahrawi people fled their homes in 1975 as the conflict in Western Sahara escalated and settled down near Tindouf, Algeria, where they still live. High prevalence of overweight and obesity and a moderate prevalence of diabetes had been found in this protracted refugee setting. Scaling up national policy efforts to promote physical activity (PA) is critical to reducing the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the near future. One possible barrier to the inclusion of PA in NCD prevention strategies is the lack of research on PA level, which may reduce political support and policy development for PA. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the PA level among adults living in Sahrawi refugee camps and socioeconomic factors associated with PA.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2014 in five refugee camps near Tindouf, Algeria. A total of 180 women and 175 men were included. PA was measured using the international physical activity questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF).Results: There was a large amount of variance in reported PA for both genders, ranging from 10 min of total PA per week to above 40 hours. Forty-three percent of the participants had a low PA level (defined as not meeting the PA recommendations of 150 min of moderate to vigorous PA per day). The chi-square test of independence showed that males, those aged ≥ 60 years and people with higher education were more likely to be in the low PA level category. No significant relationship was found between PA level and BMI status. Most of the participants thought that engaging in PA would be wise, valuable, right and good but thought to a lesser degree that PA would be easy, comfortable and interesting.Conclusions: Almost half of the participants were categorised as insufficiently physically active, however, most of the Sahrawi refugees express a positive attitude towards PA. PA is a low-cost approach to reducing deaths and NCDs, government initiatives to increase PA levels in refugee camps are advised.
miRNA-126-3p Carried by Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Enhances Endothelial Function through Exosome-mediated Mechanisms in Vitro and Attenuates Vein Grafts Neointimal Formation in Vivo
Authors: Qu Qingxi , Wang Limei , Bing Weidong , Bi Yanwen , Zhang Chunmei , Jing Xuanxuan , LIU linghong
Published: August 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether the combination of MSC implantation with miRNA-126-3p overexpression would further improve the surgical results after vein grafting. Methods: hucMSCs and HUVECs were isolated from human umbilical cords and characterized by a series of experiments. Lentivirus vector encoding miRNA-126-3p was transfected into hucMSCs and verified by PCR. We analyzed the miRNA-126-3p-hucMSC function in vascular endothelial cells by using a series of co-culture experiments. miRNA-126-3p-hucMSCs-exosomes were separated from cell culture supernatants and identified by WB and TEM. We validated the role of miRNA-126-3p-hucMSCs-exosomes on HUVECs proliferative and migratory and angiogenic activities by using a series of function experiments. We further performed co-culture experiments to detect downstream target genes and signaling pathways of miRNA-126-3p-hucMSCs in HUVECs. We established a rat vein grafting model, CM-Dil-labeled hucMSCs were injected intravenously into rats and the transplanted cells homing to the vein grafts were detected by fluorescent microscopy. We performed historical and immunohistochemical experiments to exam miRNA-126-3p-hucMSC transplantation on vein grafts neointimal formation and reendothelialization in vitro. Results: We successfully isolated and identified primary hucMSCs and HUVECs. Primary hucMSCs were transfected with lentiviral vectors carrying miRNA-126-3p at a MOI 75. Co-culture studies indicated that overexpression of miRNA-126-3p in hucMSCs enhanced HUVECs proliferation, migration and tube formation in vivo. We successfully separated hucMSCs-exosomes and found that miRNA-126-3p-hucMSCs-exosomes can strengthen the proliferative, migratory, and tube formation capacities of HUVECs. Further PCR and WB analysis indicated that, SPRED-1/PIK3R2/AKT/ ERK1/2 pathways are involved in this process. In the rat vein arterialization model, reendothelialization analysis showed that transplantation with hucMSCs modified with miRNA-126-3p had a higher reendothelialization of the vein grafts. The subsequent historical and immunohistochemical examination revealed that delivery with miRNA-126-3p overexpressed hucMSCs significantly reduced vein graft intimal hyperplasia in rats. Conclusion: These results suggest hucMSC-based miRNA-126-3p gene therapy may be a novel option for the treatment of vein graft disease after CABG.
Assessment of Muscle Quality and Quantity for the Diagnosis of Sarcopenia Using Mid-Thigh Computed Tomography : A Cohort Study
Authors: Oba Hiroki , Matsui Yasumoto , Arai Hidenori , Watanabe Tsuyoshi , Iida Hiroki , Mizuno Takafumi , Yamashita Satoshi , Ishizuka Shinya , Suzuki Yasuo , Hiraiwa Hideki , Imagana Shiro
Published: August 2020

BackgroundPreviously, sarcopenia was diagnosed based on walking speed, grip strength, and muscle mass. However, recent consensus has proposed a concern regarding the use of muscle mass measurement for sarcopenia diagnosis due to lack of accuracy; therefore, new assessment methods in clinical practice are required. We compared computed tomography (CT) with various motor function tests to determine the validity of CT as a potential diagnostic method for sarcopenia.MethodsIn total, 214 patients who were examined at our center during the study period (2016–2017) were included in the study. Single-slice CT scan of the mid-thigh region was performed, from which cross-sectional area (CSA) and CT attenuation value (CTV) of quadriceps femoris were evaluated for each subject. Other assessments included skeletal mass index, muscle strength and physical performance. Furthermore, subjects were classified into four groups: normal, low muscle mass (low mass), poor muscle function/strength (poor function), and sarcopenia.ResultsCSA and muscle strength exhibited the strongest correlation. Some physical performance tests showed the strongest correlation with CTV. CSA was significantly reduced both in men and women with low mass and sarcopenia group (p < 0.01), whereas CTV was significantly lower in men with sarcopenia group and in women with poor function and sarcopenia group (p < 0.01).ConclusionsCSA mostly reflects muscle strength, whereas CTV mostly reflects physical performance. CT with measurements of CSA and CTV enables the evaluation of muscle mass and quality simultaneously. Thus, CT is thought to be useful for the assessment of motor function and diagnosis of sarcopenia.
New diversity form of ice polymorphism:
Discovery of second hydrogen ordered phase of ice VI
Authors: Yamane Ryo , Komatsu Kazuki , Gouchi Jun , Uwatoko Yoshiya , Machida Shinichi , Hattori Takanori , Ito Hayate , Kagi Hiroyuki
Published: August 2020

Ice exhibits extraordinary structural variety in its polymorphic structures. The existence of a new form of diversity in ice polymorphism has recently been debated in both experimental and theoretical studies, questioning whether hydrogen-disordered ice can transform into multiple hydrogen-ordered phases, contrary to the known one-to-one correspondence between disordered ice and its ordered phase. Here we report a new high-pressure phase, ice XIX, which is a second hydrogen-ordered phase of ice VI. This is the first discovery to demonstrate that disordered ice undergoes different manners of hydrogen ordering, which are thermodynamically controlled by pressure in the case of ice VI. Such multiplicity can appear in all disordered ice, and it widely provides a new research approach to deepen our knowledge, for example of the crucial issues of ice: the centrosymmetry of hydrogen-ordered configurations and potentially induced (anti-)ferroelectricity. Ultimately, this research opens up the possibility of completing the phase diagram of ice.
A Conceptual Design for Deflection Device in VTDP System
Authors: Gao Yongwei , Zhang Jianming , Wang Long , Chen Bingzhen , Wei Binbin
Published: August 2020

A conceptual design for a deflection device of a Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller (VTDP) system was proposed to achieve effective hovering control. The magnitude of the lateral force that was applied to maintain balance while hovering was examined. A comparison between the experimental and numerical results for the 16H-1 was made to verify the numerical simulation approach. The deflection devices of the X-49 and the proposed design were analyzed using numerical simulations. The results indicated that the proposed design provided a larger lateral force and lower power consumption.
Varicella Zoster Virus Anterior Uveitis Complicated by Thalamic Stroke
Authors: Anthony Casey , Costarides Anastasios P. , Yeh Steven , Shantha Jessica G.
Published: August 2020

We report a case of varicella zoster virus (VZV)-associated anterior uveitis in a patient with weight loss, arthritis and signs of inflammatory bowel disease. Her clinical course included the development of a thalamic stroke secondary to VZV cerebral vasculopathy. Following antiviral therapy, the patient’s neurologic symptoms recovered and her ophthalmic findings improved.
Joint Effects of Ethnic Enclave Residence and Air Pollution Exposure on Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Among Asian/Pacific Islander Women in the United States
Authors: Williams Andrew D , Ha Sandie , Shenassa Edmond , Messer Lynne , Kanner Jenna , Mendola Pauline
Published: August 2020

Background: Asian/Pacific Islander (API) communities in the United States often reside in metropolitan areas with distinct social and environmental attributes. Residence in an ethnic enclave, a socially distinct area, is associated with lower gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk, yet exposure to air pollution, which is often elevated in urban areas, is associated with increased GDM risk. We examined the joint effects of ethnic enclaves and air pollution to better understand GDM risk among API women, the group with the highest prevalence of GDM.Methods: We examined 9,069 API births in the Consortium on Safe Labor (19 hospitals, 2002-2008). API ethnic enclaves were defined as areas ≥66th percentile for percent API residents, dissimilarity (distribution of API and White residents), and isolation (degree that API individuals interact with another API individual). High levels of 14 volatile organic compounds (VOC) were defined as ≥75th percentile. Four joint categories were created for each VOC: Low VOC/Enclave (reference group), Low VOC/No Enclave, High VOC/Enclave, High VOC/No Enclave. GDM was reported in medical records. Hierarchical logistic regression estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) between joint exposures and GDM, adjusted for maternal factors and area-level poverty. Risk was estimated for 3-months preconception and first trimester exposures.Results: Enclave residence was associated with lower GDM risk regardless of VOC exposure. Preconception benzene exposure was associated with increased risk when women resided outside enclaves [High VOC/No Enclave (OR:3.45, 95%CI:1.77,6.72)], and the effect was somewhat mitigated within enclaves, [High VOC/Enclave (OR:2.07, 95%:1.09,3.94)]. Risks were similar for 12 of 14 VOCs during preconception and 10 of 14 during the first trimester.Conclusions: API residence in non-enclave areas is associated with higher GDM risk, regardless of VOC level. Ethnic enclave residence may mitigate effects of VOC exposure, perhaps due to lower stress levels. The potential benefit of ethnic enclaves warrants further study.
Prognostic Values, ceRNA Network, and Immune Regulation Function of SDPR in KRAS-Mutant Lung Cancer
Authors: Luo Xiaoqing , Peng Shunli , Ding Sijie , Zeng Qin , Wang Rong , Ma Yueyun , Chen Shiyu , Wang Yanxia , Wang Wei
Published: August 2020

Background: SDPR plays an important role in formation of pulmonary alveoli. However, the function and values of Serum Deprivation Protein Response (SDPR) remain unknown in lung cancer. We explored prognostic values, expression pattern and biological function of SDPR in NSCLC and KRAS-mutant lung cancers.Methods: SDPR expression were evaluated by RT-qPCR, IHC, Western blotting based on human NSCLC cells, lung adenocarcinoma tissues array, KRAS-mutant transgenetic mice, TCGA and GEO datasets. The prognosis values of SDPR were evaluated by Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analysis. The bioinformatics implication of SDPR including SDPR-combinated Transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs were predicted. In addition, correlations between SDPR, immune checkpoint molecules and tumor infiltration models were illustrated.Results: SDPR expression was downregulated among tumor cells and tissues. Low SDPR expression was an independent factor that correlated with shorter overall survival of patients in both lung cancer and KRAS-mutant subgroup. Meanwhile, ceRNA network to clarify the regulatory and biological functions of SDPR was constructed. Negative correlations were found between SDPR and immune checkpiont moluculars (PD-L1, TNFRSF18, TNFRSF9, and TDO2). Moreover, diversity immune infiltration models were observed in NSCLC with different SDPR expression and copy number variation (CNV) patterns.Conclusions: This study elucidates regulation network of SDPR in KRAS-mutant NSCLC, and illustrates correlations between low SDPR expression and suppressed immune systems, unfolding a prognostic factor and potential target for the treatment of lung cancer, especially for KRAS-mutant NSCLC.
The Influence of Near-field Fluxes on Seasonal Carbon Dioxide Enhancements: Results From the Indianapolis Flux Experiment (INFLUX)
Authors: MILES NATASHA , Davis Kenneth J. , Richardson Scott J. , Lauvaux Thomas , Martins Douglas K. , Deng A.J. , Balashov Nikolay , Gurney Kevin R. , Liang Jianming , Roest Geoff , Wang Jonathan A. , Turnbull Jocelyn C.
Published: August 2020

BackgroundNetworks of tower-based CO2 mole fraction sensors have been deployed in and around cities across the world to quantify anthropogenic CO2 emissions from metropolitan areas. A critical aspect in these approaches is the separation of atmospheric signatures from distant sources and sinks (i.e., the background) from local emissions and biogenic fluxes. We examined CO2 enhancements compared to forested and agricultural background towers in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, as a function of season and compared them to modeled results, as a part of the Indianapolis Flux (INFLUX) project.ResultsAt the INFLUX urban tower sites, daytime growing season enhancement on a monthly timescale was up to 4.3 – 6.5 ppm, 2.6 times as large as those in the dormant season, on average. The enhancement differed significantly depending on choice of background and time of year, being 2.8 ppm higher in June and 1.8 ppm lower in August using a forested background tower compared to an agricultural background tower. A prediction based on land cover and observed CO2 fluxes showed that differences in phenology and drawdown intensities drove measured differences in enhancements. Forward modelled CO2 enhancements using fossil fuel and biogenic fluxes indicated growing season model-data mismatch of 1.1 ± 1.7 ppm for the agricultural background and 2.1 ± 0.5 ppm for the forested background, corresponding to 25 – 29 % of the modelled CO2 enhancements. The model-data total CO2 mismatch during the dormant season was low, – 0.1 ± 0.5 ppm. ConclusionsBecause growing season biogenic fluxes at the background towers are large, the urban enhancements must be disentangled from the biogenic signal, and growing season increases in CO2 enhancement could be misinterpreted as increased anthropogenic fluxes if the background ecosystem CO2 drawdown is not considered. The magnitude and timing of enhancements depend on the land cover type and net fluxes surrounding each background tower, so a simple box model is not appropriate for interpretation of these data. Quantification of the seasonality and magnitude of the biological fluxes in the study region using high-resolution and detailed biogenic models is necessary for the interpretation of tower-based urban CO2 networks for cities with significant vegetation.