bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meta-analysis in periprosthetic joint infection: a global bibliometric analysis
Authors: Li Cheng , Thies Cristina Ojeda , Xu Chi , Trampuz Andrej
Published: May 2020

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is the most serious complication of joint replacement surgery. Further comorbidities include bedsore, deep vein thrombosis, reinfection, or even death. An increasing number of researchers are focusing on this challenging complication. The aim of the present study was to estimate global PJI research based on bibliometrics from meta-analysis studies. Methods: A database search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Relevant studies were assessed using the bibliometric analysis.Results: A total of 117 articles were included. The most relevant literature on PJI was found on Scopus. China made the highest contributions to global research, followed by the United States and the United Kingdom. The institution with the most contributions from the University of Bristol. The journal with the highest number of publications was The Journal of Arthroplasty, whereas the Journal of Clinical Medicine had the shortest acceptance time. Furthermore, the top three frequently used databases were Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane. The most frequent number of authors in meta-analysis studies was four. Most studies focused on the periprosthetic hip and knee. The alpha-defensin diagnostic test, preventive measures on antibiotics use, and risk factors of intra-articular steroid injections were the most popular topic in recent years. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, we found that there was no single database covered all relevant articles, the optimal method for bibliometric analysis is a combination of databases. The most popular research topics on PJI focused on alpha-defensin, antibiotic use, risk factors of intra-articular steroid injections, and the location of prosthetic hip and knee infection.
FASCE, the benefit of spironolactone for treating acne in adult females: study protocol for a randomized double-blind trial
Authors: Poinas Alexandra , Lemoigne Marie , Naour Sarah Le , Nguyen Jean-Michel , Schirr-Bonnans Solène , Riche Valery-Pierre , Vrignaud Florence , Machet Laurent , Claudel Jean-Paul , Leccia Marie-Thérèse , Hainaut Ewa , Beneton Nathalie , Dert Cécile , Boisrobert Aurélie , Flet Laurent , Chiffoleau Anne , Corvec Stéphane , Khammari Amir , Dréno Brigitte
Published: May 2020

Background: Acne vulgaris of adult females has increased over the past 10 years; it affects currently 20 to 30% of adult females. The physiopathology of adult female acne is distinguished from that of teenagers essentially by two factors: hormonal and inflammatory. On a therapeutic plan, in female acne, four types of systemic treatment approved in this indication include: cyclines (leading to bacterial resistance); zinc salts (less effective than cyclines); and antiandrogens (risks of phlebitis). The last alternative is represented by isotretinoin, but its use in women of childbearing potential is discouraged because of the teratogen risks.In this context, spironolactone could represent an interesting alternative. It blocks the 5-alpha-reductase receptors at the sebaceous gland and inhibits LH production at the pituitary level. It has no isotretinoin constraints and does not lead to bacterial resistance. Currently, a very few studies have been performed on a limited number of patients. They showed that at low doses (lower than 200 mg/day), spironolactone can be effective against acne.In that context, it seemed clearly interesting to perform the first double-blind randomized study of spironolactone vs cyclines, which remains the moderate acne reference treatment, and to demonstrate the superiority of spironolactone’s efficacy in order to establish it as an alternative to cyclines.Methods: Two hundred female patients will be included. They will have acne vulgaris with at least ten inflammatory lesions and no more than three nodules. After randomization, the patients will be treated by spironolactone or doxycycline for three months and after placebo. The study will be blind for the first six months and open for the last six months. Discussion: The treatment frequently used in female acne is systemic antibiotics with many courses as it is a chronic inflammatory disease. In the context of the recent WHO revelation about the serious, worldwide threat to public health of antibiotic resistance, this trial could give the physician another alternative for adult female acne before using isotretinoin, whose management is more complex. Trial registration: On ClinicalTrials.gov, registration number NCT03334682, first published on 7 November, 2017. Recruitment is still ongoing.
The circulating levels of CTRP5 and the ratio of CTRP1 to CTRP5 plasma levels are significant predictors for cIMT value in patients with type 2 diabetes: A case-control study
Authors: Majidi Ziba , Omidifar Abolfazl , Emamgholipour Solaleh , Fard Soheil Rahmani , Poustchi Hossein , Shanaki Mehrnoosh
Published: May 2020

Background: There is growing evidence that the C1qTNF-related protein (CTRP) family has a crucial role in the physiology and pathophysiology of metabolic disorders such as Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and obesity. We sought to identify the association of CTRP1 and CTRP5 circulating levels with various obesity parameters such as visceral adipose tissue (VAT) thickness, visceral adiposity index (VAI), and with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in patients with T2D and healthy subjects. Methods: This case-control study recruited subjects with T2D patients (n=42) as case group (all men) and without T2D (n=42) as controls (all men). cIMT and VAT thickness measurement was performed using an Accuvix XQ ultrasound. Circulating CTRP1 and CTRP5 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: CTRP-1 and CTRP1/CTRP5 ratio were markedly higher in patients with T2D compared to controls (p < 0001 and p = 0004 respectively). Interestingly, binominal logistic regression revealed that a higher circulating level of CTRP1 was associated with the presence of T2D (odds ratio [OR]: 13203.554 [95% CI: 65.186-2674407.708]; P=.000). When considering the study population as a whole, CTRP1 circulating levels were correlated with WHR, VAT, and HOMA-IR. Also, we observed that the ratio of CTRP1 to CTRP5 plasma levels (β = 0.648, P=0.005) and CTRP5 circulating levels (β = 0.444, P=0.049) are significant predictors for cIMT value. Conclusions: Our results indicated that CTRP1 and CTRP5 concentrations were correlated with atherosclerosis in human subjects and these adipokines might have a causal role for cardiometabolic risk in type 2 diabetes disease
The effects of changes in distance to nearest health facility on under-5 mortality and health care utilization in rural Malawi, 1980-2000
Authors: Quattrochi John Paul , Hill Kenneth , Salomon Joshua A , Castro Marcia C
Published: May 2020

Background: Despite important progress, the burden of under-5 mortality remains unacceptably high, with an estimated 5.3 million deaths in 2018. Lack of access to health care is a major risk factor for under-5 mortality, and distance to health care facilities has been shown to be associated with less access to care in multiple contexts, but few such studies have used a counterfactual approach to produce causal estimates. Methods: We combined retrospective reports on 22,088 births between 1980 and 2000 from the 2000 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey with a 1998 health facility census that includes the date of construction for each facility, including 335 maternity or maternity/dispensary facilities built in rural areas between 1980 and 1998. Using a difference-in-differences approach with Cox proportional hazards models, we estimated the effect of a reduction in distance to nearest facility, conditional on initial distance, on under-5 mortality. Using a difference-in-difference approach with linear probability models, we estimated the effect of a reduction in distance to nearest facility on number of antenatal visits prior to delivery, place of delivery, receiving skilled assistance during delivery, and receiving a check-up following delivery.Findings: We found no effects of a decrease in distance to the nearest health facility on the hazard of death before age five years. We also found no effect of reduced distance to nearest facility on utilization of maternal health services. The effects estimated here likely depend on the quality of health care, the availability of transportation, the demand for health services, and the underlying causes of mortality, among other factors.Conclusion: Reducing under-5 mortality and increasing utilization of care in rural Malawi and similar settings may require more than the construction of new health infrastructure.
Identification of Prognosis-Related Genes and Construction of Multi-regulatory Networks in Pancreatic Cancer Microenvironment by Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Li Tong , Liu Qiaofei , Zhang Ronghua , Liao Quan , Zhao Yupei
Published: May 2020

Background: As one of the most lethal cancers, pancreatic cancer has been characterized by abundant supportive tumor-stromal cell microenvironment. Although the advent of tumor-targeted immune checkpoint blockers has brought light to patients with other cancers, its clinical efficacy in pancreatic cancer has been greatly limited due to the protective stroma. Thus, it is urgent to find potential new targets and establish multi-regulatory networks to predict patient prognosis and improve treatment.Methods: We followed a strategy based on mining the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and ESTIMATE algorithm to obtain the immune scores and stromal scores. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with poor overall survival of pancreatic cancer were screened from a TCGA cohort. By comparing global gene expression with high vs. low immune scores and subsequent Kaplan-Meier analysis, DEGs that significantly correlate with poor overall survival of pancreatic cancer in TCGA cohort were extracted. After constructing the protein-protein interaction network using STRING and limiting the genes within the above DEGs, we utilized RAID 2.0, TRRUST v2 database and degree and betweenness analysis to obtain non-coding RNA (ncRNA)-pivotal nodes and TF-pivotal nodes. Finally, multi-regulatory networks have been constructed and pivotal drugs with potential benefit for pancreatic cancer patients were obtained by screening in the DrugBank.Results: In this study, we obtained 246 DEGs that significantly correlate with poor overall survival of pancreatic cancer in the TCGA cohort. With the advent of 42 ncRNA-pivotal nodes and 7 TF-pivotal nodes, the multi-factor regulatory networks were constructed based on the above pivotal nodes. Prognosis-related genes and factors such as HCAR3, PPY, RFWD2, WSPAR and Amcinonide were screened and investigated.Conclusion: The multi-regulatory networks constructed in this study are not only beneficial to improve treatment and evaluate patient prognosis with pancreatic cancer, but also favorable for implementing early diagnosis and personalized treatment. It is suggested that these factors may play an essential role in the progression of pancreatic cancer.
Clinical Features of COVID‐19 in a Young Man with Massive Cerebral Hemorrhage: Case Report
Authors: Bao Yi , Lin Shu Yu , Cheng Zhao Hui , Xia Jun , Sun Yan Peng , Zhao Qi , Liu Guang Jian
Published: May 2020

COVID-19 is currently a pandemic in the world, can invade multiple systems, and has a high morbidity and mortality. So far, no cases of acute cerebrovascular disease have been reported. This article reports the clinical features of a COVID-19 patient whose first symptom was cerebral hemorrhage. More importantly, after the craniotomy, the patient had high fever and it was difficult to retreat. After cerebrospinal fluid testing, it was determined that an intracranial infection had occurred. After anti-infection and plasma infusion of the recovered person, the patient's symptoms gradually improved. This case suggests that COVID-19 may infringe on cerebral blood vessels and cause cerebral hemorrhage. Transfusion of plasma from rehabilitation patients is effective for critically ill patients.
Morphological Identification of Ticks and Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Pathogens from Bare-Nosed Wombats (Vombatus Ursinus)
Authors: Beard Danielle , Stannard Hayley J , Old Julie M
Published: May 2020

The authors have withdrawn this preprint due to erroneous posting.
Factors affecting independent participants of Indonesia’s National Health Insurance in paying premium compliance: a qualitative study
Authors: Sunjaya Deni Kurniadi , Herawati Dewi Marhaeni Diah , Siregar Adiatma YM
Published: May 2020

Background: There are currently 14% independent participants in Indonesia's National Health Insurance (INHI) from the overall (199 millions) participants. However, around 43.8% of them do not comply in paying the insurance premium. The purpose of the study is to explore factors that influence delinquent payment of contributions. Methods : The research design was qualitative study with phenomenology approach and constructivism paradigm. Data collected by in-depth interview and using theoretical sampling approach. We recruited 16 respondents of unpaid worker participants who arrear and who obey to pay the premiums from 4 difference cities/ districts. Triangulation was done trough 15 respondents from various stakeholders. We constructed substantive theory from data trough coding, cathegorizing and pattern matching. Results: Compliance of paying insurance premium is affected by the intention to pay for contribution. Meanwhile, the intention to pay is influenced by the understanding of INHI program, financial ability, self attitude, operational system and service quality. These constructs consist of 5 to 8 indicators. To improve payment contribution of independent participants, INHI program has to pay attention for factors originating internally from the participants themselves and also externally: social and institutional environment support and the quality of health care and financing system. Conclusions: INHI program need to improve a proper socialization, mechanisms for collecting beneficiary contributions, and strengthening the healthcare system, both for services and the implementation of the financing system.
A Urine-Based Exosomal Gene Expression Test Stratifies Risk of High-Grade Prostate Cancer in Men with Prior Negative Prostate Biopsy Undergoing Repeat Biopsy
Authors: McKiernan James , Noerholm Mikkel , Tadigotla Vasisht , Kumar Sonia , Torkler Phillipp , Sant Grannum , Alter Jason , Donovan Michael J , Skog Johan
Published: May 2020

Background : Initial prostate biopsy often fails to identify prostate cancer resulting in patient anxiety, especially when clinical features such as prostate specific antigen (PSA) remain elevated, leading to the need for repeat biopsies. Prostate biomarker tests, such as the ExoDx™ Prostate (IntelliScore) , or EPI test, have been shown to provide individualized risk assessment of clinically significant prostate cancer at initial biopsy; however, the performance in the repeat biopsy setting is not well established. Methods : As part of a previous prospective clinical validation study evaluating the performance of the EPI test, we collected first-catch, non-DRE urine samples across 22 sites from men with prior negative biopsy scheduled to undergo a repeat prostate biopsy to rule out prostate cancer. All men were 50 years or older with a PSA 2-10ng/mL. Exosomal mRNA was extracted and expression of three genomic markers, PCA3, ERG and SPDEF was measured. The resulting EPI score was correlated with biopsy results.Results : 229 men with a prior negative biopsy underwent repeat biopsies. ExoDx Prostate demonstrated good performance ruling out high-grade (Grade group 2, GG2, or higher) prostate cancer (HGPCa) using the previously validated 15.6 cut point in the initial biopsy setting. The EPI test yielded an NPV of 92% independent of other clinical features and would have avoided 26% of unnecessary biopsies while missing only five patients with HGPCa (2.1%). Furthermore, the EPI test provided additional information at a cut-point of 20 and 29.6 with an NPV of 94%, potentially delaying 35% and 61% of unnecessary biopsies, respectively. Conclusions : The EPI test provided good performance using the 15.6 cut-point for ruling out HGPCa / GG2 or higher in men undergoing a repeat prostate biopsy with a PSA of 2-10ng/ml. Furthermore, the test utilizes gene expression data independent of clinical features to predict the likelihood of HGPCa / GG2 on a subsequent needle biopsy.
APACHE IV system helps to determine cholecystostomy role in elderly patients with acute cholecystitis
Authors: Jiang Hua , Guo Guo , Yao Zhimin , Wang Yuehua
Published: May 2020

Background
Cholecystostomy offers an alternative method for patients unfit to undergo immediate cholecystectomy. Nevertheless, the role of cholecystostomy in the clinical management of high-risk surgical patients remains unclear. One of the main problems concerning the therapeutic effect in critically ill patients with acute cholecystitis is the lack of validated, well-established scoring systems to stratify the severity of patient disease states. APACHE IV scoring system was useful to estimate the hospital mortality for high-risk patients. We try to evaluate the performance of the APACHE IV scoring system in patients over 65 years of age with acute cholecystitis and the therapeutic effect of percutaneous cholecystostomy.
Methods
597 patients over 65 years of age with acute cholecystitis between January 2011 and December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed with the APACHE IV scores.
Results
Among the 597 patients, 52 successfully underwent cholecystectomy (2 died, 3.85%), 65 underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy (1 died, 1.54%), and 480 received conservative therapy (27 died, 5.63%). The fitness of the APACHE IV score prediction is good with the area under the ROC curve of 0.894. The APACHE IV models were well-calibrated (with the Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic). Using the method of binary regression analysis, for the patients whose estimated mortality rate was more than 10%, cholecystostomy was an important factor for prognosis (P = 0.048). The estimated mortality of PC patients before and after operation was compared, which indicated that the estimated mortality after puncture was significantly decreased, either in the whole patient group (P = 0.004) or in the group with an estimated mortality greater than 10% (P = 0.008).
Conclusion
The APACHE IV scoring system showed that cholecystostomy was a safe and effective treatment for elderly high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis.
Enhanced Functional Expression of the Polyhydroxyalkanoate Synthase Gene from Cupriavidus Necator A-04 Using a Cold-Shock Promoter for Efficient Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) Production in Escherichia Coli
Authors: Boontip Thanawat , Waditee-Sirisattha Rungaroon , Honda Kohsuke , Napathorn Suchada Chanprateep
Published: May 2020

Background: The present study attempted to increase PHB production by improving the functional expression of the PhaC gene using various types of promoters, and the effects on PhaC activity in terms of PHB productivity, yield coefficient (YP/S) and molecular weights were investigated.Results: Here, the PHB biosynthesis operon of Cupriavidus necator A-04, isolated in Thailand with a high degree of 16S rRNA sequence similarity with C. necator H16, was subcloned into pGEX-6P-1, pColdI, pColdTF, pBAD/Thio-TOPO and pUC19 (constitutive expression) and transformed into E. coli JM109. To alter the expression of phaCAB biosynthesis genes, we optimized parameters in flask experiments to obtain high expression of soluble PhaCA−04 protein with high YP/S and PHB productivity. pColdTF-phaCABA−04-expressing E. coli produced 2.5 ± 0.1 g/L (90.6±4.3%) PHB in 24 h, similar to pColdI-phaCABA−04-expressing E. coli. The amounts of phaC protein and PHB produced from pColdTF-phaCABA−04 and pColdI-phaCABA−04 were significantly higher than those from other promoters. Cultivation in a 5-L fermenter led to PHB production of 7.9±0.7 g/L with 90.0±2.3% PHB content in the cell dry mass (DCM), a YP/S value of 0.38 g PHB/g glucose and a productivity of 0.26 g PHB/(L⋅h) using pColdTF-phaCABA−04. The PHB from pColdTF-phaCABA−04 had MW 5.79 × 105 Da, MN 1.86 × 105 Da and PDI 3.11 and the film exhibited high transparency, Young’s modulus and tensile strength, possibly due to the TF chaperones. Interestingly, when pColdI-phaCABA−04-expressing E. coli was used to produce PHB from crude glycerol and compared with constitutive pUC19-nativeP-phaCABA−04-expressing E. coli, the amounts of PHB were similar, but MW 1.1 × 106 Da, MN 2.6 × 105 Da and PDI 4.1 were obtained from constitutive pUC19-nativeP-phaCABA−04-expressing E. coli, indicating that slow and low expression could prolong and maintain phaC polymerization activity.Conclusions: The cspA promoter in a cold-inducible vector can improve PhaCA−04 expression levels, and TF chaperones show obvious effects on enhancing PhaCA−04 solubility. The high level of phaCA−04 resulted in a high amount of PHB, but the chain termination reaction of PhaC polymerization occurred faster than that with the retarded and low expression of phaCA−04 by the constitutive promoter pUC19, which in turn resulted in a low amount of PHB with a high molecular weight.
Comparative Analysis of the Differences in Metabolic Disorder and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (Ascvd) Risk Between Han and Kazakh Populations in Xinjiang
Authors: Sun Yu-ping , Mayina Kahaer , Zhang Xiao-bo , Zhang Bei , Lu Ying , Song Rui-rui , Yang San-san , Yan Dandan , Hu Cheng
Published: May 2020

Background: Our study aimed to analyse the characteristics of glucose and lipid metabolism in a healthy Han and Kazakh population in Barkol Kazakh Autonomous County. Methods: We enrolled 4,400 subjects in Barkol Kazakh Autonomous County. The patients’ basic characteristics were recorded, chemical parameters were tested, and the characteristics of glucose and lipid metabolism between the Han and Kazakh ethnic groups were evaluated.Results: We found significant differences in glucose and lipid metabolism between Han and Kazakh people; individuals of the Han ethnicity had higher FPG and TGs but lower BMI, blood pressure, TC and LDL-C than those of the Kazakh ethnicity. Similar results remained after the participants were divided by sex. Regarding the detection rate of metabolic disorders, we observed higher rates of glucose and TG disorders but lower rates of TC, HDL-C and LDL-C disorders in individuals of the Han ethnicity than in those of the Kazakh ethnicity. For atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, the detection rate of an LDL-C level ≥ 4.1 mmol/L was significantly higher in Kazakh individuals than in Han individuals. However, regarding hyperglycaemic patients aged 40 years orolder with 1.8 ≤ LDL-C ≤ 4.9 mmol/L, the detection rate was higher in the Han individuals than in the Kazakh individuals. Similar results were also observed after we divided these participants by sex.Conclusion: Our study evaluated metabolic disorders in the Han and Kazakh people in Balikun County and found that metabolic disorders showed sex, ethnic and metabolite component heterogeneity.
NEMPD: A Network Embedding-Based miRNA-Protein-Disease Network Method for the miRNA-Disease Association Prediction
Authors: Ji Bo-Ya , You Zhu-Hong , Chen Zhan-Heng , Wong Leon , Yi Hai-Cheng
Published: May 2020

Background: As an important non-coding RNA newly discovered in recent years, MicroRNA (miRNA) plays an important role in a series of life processes and is closely associated with a variety of human diseases. Hence, the identification of potential miRNA-disease associations can make great contributions to the research and treatment of human diseases. However, to our knowledge, many of the existing state-of-the-art computational methods only utilize the single type of known association information between miRNAs and diseases to predict their potential associations, without focusing on their interactions or associations with other types of molecules.Results: In this paper, a network embedding-based the tripartite miRNA-protein-disease network (NEMPD) method was proposed for the prediction of miRNA-disease associations. Firstly, a tripartite miRNA-protein-disease network is created by integrating known miRNA-protein and protein-disease associations. Then, we utilize the network representation method-Learning Graph Representations with Global Structural Information (GraRep) to obtain the behavior information (associations with proteins in the network) of miRNAs and diseases. Secondly, the behavior information of miRNAs and diseases is combined with the attribute information of them (disease semantic similarity and miRNA sequence information) to represent miRNA-disease pairs. Thirdly, the prediction model was established based on these known miRNA-disease pairs and the Random Forest algorithm. In the results, under five-fold cross validation, the prediction accuracy, sensitivity, and AUC of NEMPD is 85.41%, 80.96%, and 91.58%. Furthermore, the performance of NEMPD was also validated by the case studies. Among the top 50 predicted disease-related miRNAs, 48 (breast neoplasms), 47 (colon neoplasms), 47 (lung neoplasms) were confirmed by two other databases.Conclusions: NEMPD has a good performance in predicting the potential associations between miRNAs and diseases and has great potency in the field of miRNA-disease association prediction in the future.
Long noncoding RNA NEAT1 regulates glioma cells proliferation and apoptosis by competitively binding with miR-324-5p and upregulating KCTD20 expression
Authors: Zhang Jiale , Li Yangyang , Liu Yuqi , Xu Guangzhi , Hei Yue , Lu Xiaoming , Weiping Liu
Published: May 2020

Background

Recent studies have pointed out that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a key role in tumorigenesis, including glioma. Nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1), a lncRNA, has been reported to be participated in the development and progression of many types of tumors and promotes cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and drug resistance. The exact role and regulatory mechanism of NEAT1 in gliomas still need to be further explored.
Methods

NEAT1 expression was detected in paired glioma tissues and adjacent normal tissues, as well as in glioma cell lines by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell viability and apoptosis were measured using flow cytometry, colony formation assays and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The mechanism of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) between NEAT1 and miR-324-5p was determined using bioinformatics analysis, RIP and luciferase reporter assay.
Results

Here we demonstrated that lncRNA NEAT1 was upregulated and significantly associated with poor prognosis in glioma tissues. Through gain- and loss-of NEAT1 expression, we found that knockdown of NEAT1 inhibited the abilities of cell proliferation and induced G0/G1 arrest and apoptosis in vitro, suppressed tumorigenesis in vivo via sponging miR-324-5p and then upregulated KCTD20 expression. In addition, NEAT1 reversed the effects of miR-324-5p on the proliferation and apoptosis of glioma cells, and involved the inhibition of potassium channel tetramerization protein domain containing 20 (KCTD20) expression.
Conclusion

Collectively, our findings demonstrate that NEAT1 epigenetically up-regulates KCTD20 expression through competitively binding miR-324-5p, and also provides a potential therapeutic target for human glioma.
Oncogenic ZEB2/miR-637/HMGA1 signaling axis targeting vimentin promotes the malignant phenotype of glioma
Authors: Zeng Yu , Que Tianshi , Lin Jie , Xu Anqi , Wu Zhiyong , Xie Cheng , Luo Jie , Ding Shengfeng , Zhan Zhengming , Long Hao , Zhang Xian , Song Ye
Published: May 2020

Background

Glioma is the most common primary tumor of the central nervous system. We previously confirmed that zinc finger E-box binding homeobox (ZEB) 2 promotes the malignant progression of glioma, while microRNA-637 (miR-637) is associated with favorable prognosis in glioma. This study investigated the potential interaction between ZEB2 and miR-637 and its downstream signaling pathway in glioma.

Methods

Chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to confirm ZEB2 binding to miR-637. Microarray and bioinformatic analyses were used to investigate targets of miR-637. MTT and EdU assays, transwell assays, and Boyden assays were utilized to assess cell viability, migration, and invasion, respectively. A subcutaneous xenograft model was utilized for analyzing the role of miR-637/high mobility group A1 (HMGA1) interaction in vivo. Immunohistochemistry staining of clinical samples and bioinformatic analysis of the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases were performed to further confirm the ZEB2/miR-637/HMGA1/vimentin axis.

Results

ZEB2 was bound directly bind to the E-box elements in the miR-637 promoter and promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via miR-637 downregulation. Subsequent screening confirmed that HMGA1 was a direct target of miR-637, while miR-637 could propagate the malignant phenotype of glioma by suppressing HMGA1 both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the interaction between cytoplasmic HMGA1 and vimentin was observed, and vimentin inhibition could abolish increased migration and invasion induced by HMGA1 overexpression. Notably, the ZEB2/miR-637/HMGA1/vimentin axis was also evident in glioma tissue samples and public glioma datasets, while both HMGA1 and vimentin were associated with an unfavorable prognosis in glioma. Additionally, upregulated HMGA1 and vimentin were found in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type and 1p/19q non-codeletion diffusely infiltrating glioma.

Conclusions

We identified an oncogenic ZEB2/miR-637/HMGA1 signaling axis targeting vimentin that promotes both migration and invasion in glioma. This not only extends the current understanding of miR-637 regulation in glioma, but also unravels a novel signaling pathway that integrates a transcriptional factor, microRNA, and a chromatin remodeling factor to modulate the malignant phenotype of glioma.
CD147 promotes collective invasion through cathepsin B in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Shi-Jie , Chao Dong , Wei Wei , Nan Gang , Li Jia-Yue , Liu Fen-Ling , Li Ling , Jiang Jian-Li , Cui Hong-Yong , Chen Zhi-Nan
Published: May 2020

Background: Mounting evidence suggests that solid tumors display the features of collective invasion, however, the molecular mechanisms are far from clear. This study aims to verify the role and the underlying mechanisms of CD147 in collective invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods: Immunostaining was used to analyze human hepatocellular carcinoma specimens and three-dimensional cultures. Three-dimensional invasion model was established to mimic in vivo invasion. RNA-sequencing was used to identify downstream effectors.Results: Human hepatocellular carcinoma undergone collective invasion and CD147 was observed to be upregulated at the invasive front of tumor cell groups. CD147 was demonstrated to promote collective invasion using the modified three-dimensional invasion model, which recapitulated the main features of collective invasion. Through transcriptome analysis and enzyme activity assay, we found that CD147 enhanced cathepsin B expression and activation. Upregulated cathepsin B in hepatocellular carcinoma cells facilitated migration and invasion, which mediated CD147-induced invasive phenotype in hepatocellular carcinoma. In terms of mechanism, we found that CD147 promoted cathepsin B transcription by activating β-catenin signaling as a result of reduced GSK-3β expression. Furthermore, we found that elevated expression of CD147 as well as cathepsin B were correlated with poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.Conclusions: CD147 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cells collective invasion via upregulating cathepsin B expression and targeting CD147 would be valuable for the development of novel therapeutic modalities against invasion and metastasis of cancer.
Dietary Diversity Practice and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Attending Anc in Kolfe Keranyo Sub City Health Center, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Authors: Brhanie Tsegahun Worku , Tefera Walelgn , Dereje Mamo
Published: May 2020

Background: Adequate and healthy diet during pregnancy is essential for the health of both mother and newborn. Dietary diversity is a proxy indicator of maternal nutrient adequacy. However, little is documented on dietary diversity among pregnant women. Objectives: This study was designed to assess the dietary diversity practice and associated factors among pregnant women attending ANC in health centers of the coffee keranyo sub city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods: Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted on 406 randomly selected pregnant women attending ANC in health centers of the coffee keranyo sub city, Addis Ababa from March 2-April 2/ 2018. Data were collected by using interviewer and 24 H dietary recall method. Data had entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Multiple logistic regression was run to assess factors associated with the dependent variable at P<0.05. Result: The mean DDS was 5.45 +-1.83. About 60.9% of pregnant women had good dietary diversity practice. Pregnant women learned collage and above had more dietary diversity practice than the illiterate one [AOR=2.26, 95% CI: (1.066, 4.808)]. Pregnant women with monthly income more than 5,000 ETB had more dietary diversity than income less than 2,000 ETB [AOR=2.33, 95% CI: (1.234, 4.416)]. Pregnant women at second ANC visit had more dietary diversity than at the first visit [AOR=2.42, 95% CI: (1.183, 4.952)]. Having nutrition information during pregnancy increases 2 times dietary diversity practice than none informed ones [AOR=2.10, 95% CI: (1.294, 3.422)].Conclusion and Recommendation: The mean DDS among the pregnant mothers was 5.45. 60.9% of pregnant women had a good dietary diversity score and 39.1 % had poor dietary diversity. Mothers’ education, monthly income, second and third ANC visit and nutrition information had a positive significant with pregnant mothers’ dietary diversity (P<0.05. Early initiation of ANC visit and incorporation of nutrition education at each visit should be practiced. Health extension workers should provide nutritional education to every pregnant woman.
Trade-off between stochastic and deterministic processes shifts from soil to leaf microbiome of tea plant
Authors: Xu Ping , Stirling Erinne , Li Wenbing , Lv Xiaofei , Chen Haiyan , Xu Anan , Lai Wanyi , Wang Yuefei , Liu Xingmei , Ma Bin , Xu Jianming
Published: May 2020

Background : Plant microbiome plays an important role in promoting plant health and production. However, even though the microbiomes in various compartments have been widely investigated, the association across plant compartments from soil to leaf remain unclear. Tea is a globally popular beverage due to its flavor and health benefits associating with secondary metabolites; the microbiomes of tea plant ( Camellia sinensis ) play a significant role in the production of these secondary metabolites. Here, we sequenced the microbiomes of bulk and rhizosphere soils, roots and leaves of C. sinensis collected from tea plantations across over 2000 km to investigate the association and driving mechanisms for microbiomes in the compartments. Results : Camellia sinensis microbiomes differed between the compartments with α-diversity gradually decreasing from soils to roots and leaves. The core leaf microbiome comprised Bacilli, Sphingobacteriia and α-Proteobacteria, which we suggest might ascendingly migrate from soils to leaves. Microbial community assembly processes were dominated by deterministic processes in bulk and rhizosphere soils; these assembly processes were dominated by stochastic processes in roots and leaves. Dispersal limitation was stronger in old leaves than in other compartments. Amino acids were also critical drivers for environmental selection. The microbiomes in C. sinensis roots and leaves possessed a lower intensity of microbial associations and more negative microbial associations than in bulk and rhizosphere soils, suggesting that the contribution of microbial interactions varied in different compartments. Conclusion : In summary, there is a trade-off between stochastic and deterministic processes in microbiomes community assembly along from soil to leaf of C. sinensis . These results provide valuable information for understanding the associations and driving mechanism of microbiomes in various C. sinensis compartments, which could be used to predict C. sinensis microbiome and harness its power to improve tea production and quality.
Optimized Combination of Circulating Biomarkers as Predictors of Prognosis in AECOPD Patients Complicated with Heart Failure
Authors: Yao Can , Wang Lingwei , Shi Fei , Chen Rongchang , Li Binbin , Liu Wenwen , Feng Mengjie , Li Sinian
Published: May 2020

BackgroundSystematic inflammation, nutritional status, and cardiovascular function have been associated with the outcomes of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) patients with heart failure (HF). However, the value of their relevant biomarkers in predicting mortality has not been well defined yet. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of circulating biomarkers including C-reaction protein (CRP) /albumin (ALB), neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for AECOPD patients with HF.Methods A total of 146 cases of AECOPD complicated with HF were enrolled and classified into survivor group (n=94) and non-survivor group (n=52). The baseline characteristics and blood-based biomarkers were collected. The predictors for prognosis were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression, and the ability to predict 28-day mortality was evaluated by receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) and the area under the curve (AUC).ResultsThe patients in non-survivors had significantly higher levels of CRP, CRP/ALB, NLR, PCT and NT-proBNP, but lower ALB levels compared to the survivors [145.8±110.1 VS. 66.6±70.2mg/L, 5.9±4.9 VS. 2.3±2.6, 22.2 (11.1, 40.1) VS. 12.0 (6.2, 24.8), 2.6 (0.2, 10.3) VS. 0.08 (0.1, 0.5)ng/ml, 17912.5 (9344.0, 34344.5) VS. 9809.0 (4415.9, 16387.2)ng/ml, 26.8±6.4 VS. 31.0±4.6g/L; P < 0.001, <0.001, 0.001, <0.001, <0.001, and < 0.001, respectively]. No significant difference in PLR was found between the two groups (P=0.413). The logistic analysis revealed that CRP/ALB (OR=1.303, 95%CI: 1.145-1.483, P<0.001), NT-proBNP (OR=1.041, 95%CI: 1.010-1.073, P=0.009) and NLR (OR=1.010, 95%CI: 0.999-1.022, P<0.001) are independent risk factors for predicting the 28-day mortality. The AUC of the ROC curves were 0.768, 0.767, 0.757, 0.723, 0.716, and 0.668 for CRP/ALB, PCT, CRP, NT-proBNP, ALB, and NLR, respectively. The combination of CRP/ALB, NLR and NT-proBNP as biomarkers was shown to have better accuracy for predicting prognosis (AUC=0.830, 95%CI: 0.761-0.899, P<0.001), with a higher specificity of 80.8% and specificity of 77.7% as compared with each single biomarkers.ConclusionsHigh levels of NLR, CRP/ALB and NT-proBNP may be clinical usefully predictors for death in AECOPD patients with HF. Combination of NLR with CRP/ALB and NT-proBNP can provide a higher accuracy for predicting 28-day mortality in these patients.
The Effect of Family-Centered Interactive Education Using Social Networks on the Lifestyle of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Shojaefar Fahimeh , Dahesh Tania , Nouhi Esmat
Published: May 2020

Background: Patient education is a key factor in promoting the health of people with acute coronary syndrome. Families are crucial to implement educational programs. Therefore, this research aimed at determining the family-centered interactive education efficacy using social networks on the lifestyle of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Materials andMethods: The present clinical trial was conducted on 96 cases with ACS, who were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. The former only was provided with routine training before discharge, while the latter, in addition to routine training before discharge, received education on social networking and sending text/visual messages. At baseline and three months after the intervention, the Walker’s Lifestyle Questionnaire was completed. The paired t-test was employed for data analysis.Results: the average lifestyle value of the intervention group was significantly higher compared with the control group after the intervention (P˂0.001). Moreover, the lifestyle score was significantly different pre- and post- intervention in the intervention group (P˂0.001). Conclusion: Interactive education using social networks is useful to promote the lifestyle in cases with ACS, which seems effective in planning the follow-up for these patients.
Correlation between spatial resolution and ball distortion rate of panoramic radiography
Authors: Yeom Han-Gyeol , Lee Sam-Sun , Kim Jo-Eun , Huh Kyung-Hoe , Yi Won-Jin , Heo Min-Suk , Choi Soon-Chul
Published: May 2020

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between spatial resolution and ball distortion rate of panoramic radiography and to elucidate the minimum criterion for ball distortion rate, which is very relevant to clinical readability.MethodsHorizontal and vertical spatial resolution and ball distortion rates were calculated in the same position, such as the incisor, premolar, molar, and temporomandibular joint area with various object depths corresponding to 48 mm. Three devices were evaluated. A region showing spatial resolution above the reference standard was selected, and the ball distortion rate corresponding to the same region was divided into horizontal and vertical phantom groups.The mean and standard deviation of the obtained ball distortion rates were calculated. Student’s t-test was used to statistically analyze the mean difference in ball distortion rates between vertical and horizontal phantom groups.ResultsIn all devices, the horizontal line pair phantom, but not the vertical line pair phantom, was readable in all areas measured at the line pair value of at least 1.88 lp/mm. The line pair value tended to be higher toward the center and lower toward the outside. The ball distortion rate tended to decrease closer to the center and increased further away. In addition, ball distortion rates could not be measured at some areas as they were not recognized as balls due to the high degree of distortion at the outermost and innermost sides. The number of balls satisfying the reference value using the horizontal line pair phantom was 102 (mean of ball distortion rates, 20.98; standard deviation, 15.25). The number of balls satisfying the reference value using the vertical line pair phantom was 49 (mean of ball distortion rates, 16.33; standard deviation, 14.25). However, mean ball distortion rate was not significantly different between the two groups.ConclusionsFocal layer of panoramic radiography could be evaluated by the spatial resolution using horizontal and vertical line pair phantoms and by assessing ball distortion rates through a ball-type panorama phantom. A ball distortion rate of 20% could be used as a threshold to evaluate the focal layer of panoramic radiography.
Trends and Disparities of Energy Intake and Macronutrient Composition in China: a series of national surveys, 1982-2012
Authors: ZHU ZHENNI , Yang Xiaoguang , Fang Yuehui , Zhang Jian , Yang Zhenyu , Wang Zhu , Liu Ailing , He Li , Sun Jing , Lian Yiyao , Ding Gangqiang , He Yuna
Published: May 2020

Background
China’s diets transition might give references for the undeveloped countries on the way to prosperity. This report describes the trends and disparities in energy and macronutrient composition among Chinese adults and by subpopulations.
Methods
Data for the current study were obtained from the 1982, 1992, 2002, and 2010-12 CNNS rounds, which were nationally representative cross-sectional surveys. 24-h dietary recall and food weighing were applied to assess dietary intake.
Results
There were 204 877 participants aged 20 years or older included in the current analysis. From 1982 to 2012, the estimated energy intake declined from 2614.7 kcal to 2063.9 kcal. The trends of the estimated percentage of energy intake from fat showed a spike. It increased from 16.3–33.1% (1992 vs 1982 difference, 7.6%; 95% CI 7.4–7.7%; 2002 vs 1992 difference, 7.7%; 95% CI 7.6–7.9%; 2012 vs 2002 difference, 1.6%; 95% CI 1.4–1.7%; P < 0.01 for trend). The trends coincided in the subgroups (all P < 0.01 for trend) except the subgroup of those educated over 15 years whose percentage of energy intake from fat declined from 37.4–36.6% (2012 vs 2002 difference, -0.8%; 95% CI -1.6–0.0%). The estimated percentage of energy intake from carbohydrates declined from 74.0–55.0%. The ranges of the estimated percentage of energy intake from fat within population subgroups stratified by education level, area, and Gross national product (GNP) level were narrowed.
Conclusions
Quick improvements in society and economy effectively curbed undernutrition but easily triggered overnutrition. Disparities persistently existed in different subpopulations while the gaps would narrow if comprehensive efforts put on. Education might be a promising way to preventing overnutrition during the prosperous progress. Low social profile population required specific interventions to avoid further disease burden.
Long-term outcomes of early initiated antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan children: A Cameroonian cohort study
Authors: Ndongo Francis Ateba , TEJIOKEM Mathurin Cyrille , PENDA Calixte IDA , NDIANG Suzie TETANG , NDONGO Jean-Audrey , GUEMKAM Georgette , SOFEU Casimir Ledoux , TAGNOUOKAM-NGOUPO Paul Alain , KFUTWAH ANFUMBOM , MSELLATI Philippe , FAYE Albert , WARSZAWSKI Josiane
Published: May 2020

Background
In most studies, the virological response is assessed during the first two years of antiretroviral treatment initiated in HIV-infected infants. However, early initiation of antiretroviral therapy exposes infants to very long-lasting treatment. Moreover, maintaining viral suppression in children is difficult. We aimed to assess the virologic response and mortality in HIV-infected children after five years of early initiated antiretroviral treatment (ART) and identify factors associated with virologic success in Cameroon.
Methods
In this cohort study, we included 149 children who were still alive after two years of early ART. Virologic response was assessed after 5 years of treatment. The probability of maintaining virologic success between two and five years of ART was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curve. Factors associated with a viral load < 400 copies/mL in children still alive at five years of ART were studied using logistic regressions.
Results
The viral load after five years of early ART was suppressed in 66.8% [60.1–73.5] of the 144 children still alive and in care. Among the children with viral suppression after two years of ART, the probability of maintaining viral suppression after five years of ART was 64.0% [54.0–74.0]. The only factor associated with viral suppression after five years of ART was achievement of confirmed virological success within the first two years of ART [OR = 2.7 (1.1–6.8); p = 0.033].
Conclusions
This study reported difficulty in maintaining virologic success in sub-Saharan HIV-infected children between two and five years of early initiated ART. It also highlighted the importance of initial viral suppression for achieving and maintaining virologic success in the long-term.