bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can Indices of Myocardial Damage Predict Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Outcomes?
Authors: Koga Hitoshi , Tashiro Hideki , Mukasa Kouta , Inoue Tomohiro , Okamoto Aya , Urabe Shougo , Sagara Shuuichirou , Yano Kazumi , Onitsuka Kouhei , Yamashita Hisashi
Published: October 2020

Background: Carbon monoxide causes electrical, functional, and morphological changes in the heart. It is not clear, however, whether the indices of myocardial damage can predict the patient’s prognosis after carbon monoxide poisoning. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the relation between the carboxyhemoglobin level and electrocardiographic (ECG) changes and whether the ECG changes and troponin I levels are related to the patient’s prognosis after carbon monoxide poisoning.Results: Carboxyhemoglobin, troponin I, and ECG parameters were measured in 70 patients with carbon monoxide poisoning. The QT and RR intervals were measured for each ECG lead in all patients, and the corrected QT interval and corrected QT dispersion were calculated. The correlation between the maximum corrected QT interval and the carboxyhemoglobin level was significant (P=0.0072, R2=0.1017), as were the relationships between QT dispersion and carboxyhemoglobin (P<0.001, R2=0.2358) and the corrected QT dispersion and carboxyhemoglobin (P<0.001, R2=0.2613). The multivariate logistic analysis showed that the significant predictors of sequential disability were hyperbaric oxygen therapy (P=0.0182), corrected QT dispersion (P=0.0062), and troponin I level (P=0.0002).Conclusions: Patients’ prognosis following carbon monoxide poisoning can be predicted based on corrected QT dispersion and the troponin I level. Patients with myocardial damage should be monitored not only for their cardiovascular outcome but also for their neurological outcome and their prognosis.
Repetitive and Restricted Behaviours and Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sellick Tegan , Ure Alexandra , Williams Katrina
Published: October 2020

BackgroundAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by persistent deficits in social functioning and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviours (RRBs). RRBs refer to four subtypes of behaviour including repetitive movements, speech or use of objects; insistence on sameness; restricted interests; and sensory processing abnormalities. Many individuals with ASD also experience anxiety, which compounds ASD related difficulties and inhibits daily functioning. RRBs have been found to be positively associated with anxiety, however our understanding of the interplay between RRB subtypes and anxiety remains unclear. Thus, the current review aims to systematically review and meta-analyse the association between RRBs and anxiety. Methods This review will collate studies which analyse the association between RRBs and anxiety in individuals with ASD. We will search five databases: CINAHL Plus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus. Articles included in the review will have their titles, abstracts and full texts reviewed by two independent authors and their risk of bias assessed via the modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. DiscussionThis will be the first review to examine the association between anxiety and the four subtypes of RRBs in individuals with ASD. Understanding this relationship, and the factors associated with this, may help clinicians understand the different underpinnings and presentations of anxiety within this population with potential implications for assessment and treatment.Systematic Review Registration PROSPERO CRD42020185434
Maintenance of Smoking Cessation in Korean Single Mothers
Authors: Lee Mi-Ji , Lee Kang-Sook
Published: October 2020

Background: Single mothers in South Korea are vulnerable to developing smoking habits, due to many difficulties and limitations; however, they have often been overlooked by smoking cessation support services. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the demographic and smoking-related characteristics of single mothers registered with the Seeking Smoking Cessation Services Program in Seoul, South Korea, to identify factors associated with smoking cessation maintenance at 4, 6, 12, and 24 weeks after the they initially quit smoking.Methods: The participants were 77 single mothers registered at the Seeking Smoking Cessation Services Program. Data were included from a three-year span (January 2017 to December 2019). Smoking cessation counseling, motivational enhancement, and self-exploration counseling were provided for six months. The participants were evaluated on their smoking cessation status at 4, 6, 12, and 24 weeks.Results: Most participants were aged 22 years or younger. The rates of smoking cessation maintenance were 58.4%, 39%, 28%, and 18% at 4, 6, 12, and 24 weeks, respectively. The rate of smoking cessation maintenance increased as the number of counseling sessions attended increased. Smoking cessation maintenance was also significantly associated with pregnancy status, exhaled carbon monoxide level, and drinking. Conclusion: A counseling program to effectively promote smoking cessation and enhance motivation to maintain smoking cessation should be developed and provided to single mothers. Smoking cessation counselors have an important role as sources of support for those who want to quit smoking, and should aim to reduce the rate of smoking among single mothers by providing them with consistent counseling.
Acceptability and Feasibility of the CHARISMA Counseling Intervention to Support Women’s Use of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
Authors: Wilson Ellen , Wagner L. Danielle , Palanee-Phillips Thesla , Roberts Sarah T. , Tolley Elizabeth E. , Mathebula Florence , Pascoe Laura , Lanham Michele , Wilcher Rose , Montgomery Elizabeth
Published: October 2020

Background: Women may need or seek male partner approval to {Malow, 2000 #18}{Malow, 2000 #18}{Malow, 2000 #18}{Malow, 2000 #18}safely and consistently use oral antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or vaginal microbicides. We developed CHARISMA, a counseling intervention to support women’s relationships and their ability to consistently use HIV prevention products.Methods: In a pilot study with 95 female participants in Johannesburg, South Africa, lay counselors assessed participants’ relationship(s) with their male partner(s) and barriers or facilitators to HIV prevention method use, and then provided tailored, interactive counseling. We conducted study participant surveys and clinic staff interviews to evaluate CHARISMA’s feasibility and acceptability.Results: The CHARISMA pilot study indicates that a two-session relationship counseling intervention with 6-month follow-up to support women’s ability to safely and effectively use vaginal microbicides was generally acceptable and feasible. Most participants thought CHARISMA was relevant, helpful, and about the right length, and that it had a positive impact on their relationships with their partners and their product use. Staff stated that it was generally feasible to implement. Based on these promising preliminary findings, the project team is currently conducting a randomized controlled trial in which participants are receive either the standard of care for IPV screening and referral (control arm) or the CHARISMA intervention.Conclusions: Clinic staff felt strongly that the length and intensity of CHARISMA were necessary for participants to begin to trust the counselors enough to be open and honest about problems in their relationships, and to begin to overcome the normalization of intimate partner violence. The length and intensity of CHARISMA may not be feasible in some settings, but a shorter version of the intervention may not offer as much support as women and staff need. One possible approach to reduce the burden on clinic staff would be to self-administer the intervention through a computer rather than requiring a counselor. Lessons learned from the pilot study may be relevant to others developing interventions supporting women’s use of oral PrEP or vaginal microbicides.
The change in dietary inflammatory index score is associated with control of long-term rheumatoid arthritis disease activity in a Japanese cohort: the TOMORROW study
Authors: Matsumoto Yoshinari , Shivappa Nitin , Sugioka Yuko , Tada Masahiro , Okano Tadashi , Mamoto Kenji , Inui Kentaro , Habu Daiki , Hebert James R. , Koike Tatsuya
Published: October 2020

Background The dietary inflammatory index (DII®), a quantitative measure of the inflammatory potential of daily food and nutrient intake, and associations between a variety of health outcomes have been reported. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is no report which investigated the association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and DII. Therefore, we investigate the association between the DII and disease activity in patients with RA.Methods We performed a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis using 6 years of data (from 2011 to 2017) in TOMORROW, a 10-year prospective cohort study consisting of 208 RA patients and 205 gender- and age-matched non-RA controls recruited in 2010. Disease activity of RA patients was assessed annually using DAS28-ESR (disease activity score 28 joints and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate) as a composite measure based on arthritic symptoms in 28 joints plus global health assessment and ESR. Dietary data were collected in 2011 and 2017 using the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ). Energy-adjusted DII (E-DIITM) score was calculated using 26 nutrients derived from the BDHQ. Data were analyzed with two-group comparisons, correlation analysis, and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results RA patients had significantly higher E-DII (pro-inflammatory) score compared to controls both in 2011 and 2017 (p < 0.05). E-DII score showed statistically significant negative correlation with age in RA patients, both in 2011 (r = -0.20) and 2017 (r = -0.23). Controls also showed a similar trend. In RA patients, E-DII score was not a factor associated with disease activity in a cross-sectional analysis. However, decline in E-DII (anti-inflammatory change) score was a factor that increased the odds of maintaining low disease activity (DAS28-ESR ≤ 3.2) or less for 6 years (OR: 4.33, 95%CI: 1.66-11.29, p = 0.003).Conclusions E-DII score was high in RA patients and lowering E-DII score over time may be beneficial in controlling disease activity in patients with RA.Trial registration UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/, UMIN000003876. Registered 7 Aug 2010 - Retrospectively registered.
Is an Individually Tailored Programme of Intense Leg Resistance and Dynamic Exercise Acceptable to Adults with an Acute Lateral Patellar Dislocation? A Feasibility Study
Authors: Forde Colin , Haddad Mark , Hirani Shashivadan P , Keene David J
Published: October 2020

Background: lateral patellar dislocations mainly affect active teenagers and young adults. To help people recover, non-surgical exercise-based treatment is often recommended but the optimal exercise-based treatment is unknown. Currently, treatment outcomes after this injury are variable. Common problems include recurrent dislocation, reduced activity levels, and later surgery. A programme of intense leg resistance exercises, and dynamic exercises related to participants’ activity-related goals, has rationale, but has not been previously reported. In line with Medical Research Council guidance, this study aimed to assess the acceptability of a novel evidence-based exercise programme for adults after acute lateral patellar dislocation and the feasibility of future research evaluating this treatment.Methods: a single-group prospective study was conducted at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK. Participants were 16 years or older with an acute first-time or recurrent lateral patellar dislocation. Participants received up to six face-to-face, one-to-one, physiotherapy sessions, over maximum three months, and performed intensive home exercises independently at least three times per week. Strategies to increase exercise adherence were used. Primary objectives were to determine the number of eligible patients, the recruitment rate (proportion of eligible patients that provided written informed consent), participant adherence to scheduled physiotherapy sessions and self-reported adherence to prescribed exercise, and intervention acceptability to participants measured by attrition and a study-specific questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.Results: 15/22 (68%) patients with a lateral patellar dislocation were eligible. All eligible (100%) were recruited. 2/15 (13%) participants provided no outcome data, 2/15 (13%) provided partial outcome data, and 11/15 (73%) provided all outcome data. Questionnaire responses demonstrated high intervention acceptability to participants. Participants attended 56/66 (85%) physiotherapy sessions and 10/11 (91%) participants reported they ‘always’ or ‘often’ completed prescribed exercise. One participant redislocated their patella; another experienced knee pain or swelling lasting more than one week after home exercise on three occasions.Conclusion: the intervention appeared acceptable to adults after acute lateral patellar dislocation and future larger-scale research appears feasible. Future research should estimate feasibility outcomes with increased precision and assess participants’ willingness to be randomised to different treatments across multiple centres.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03798483, registered January 10, 2019 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03798483?term=INDEX-KD&draw=2&rank=1
The Influence of Cognitive Load on Balance Control During Steady-State Walking
Authors: Small Gabriella H , Brough Lydia G , Neptune Richard
Published: October 2020

BackgroundFor an individual to walk, they must maintain control of their dynamic balance. However, situations that present an increased cognitive load may impair an individual’s ability to control their balance. While dual-task studies have analyzed walking-while-talking conditions, few studies have focused specifically on the influence of cognitive load on balance control. The purpose of this study was to assess how individuals prioritize their cognitive resources and control dynamic balance during dual-task conditions of varying difficulty. MethodsYoung healthy adults (n = 15) performed two single-task conditions (spelling while standing and walking with no cognitive load) and three dual-task conditions (walking with increasing cognitive load: attentive listening, spelling short words backwards and spelling long words backwards). Repeated measures analysis of variances were used to assess differences in balance outcome measures and cognitive performance. ResultsCognitive performance did not change between the single- and dual-task conditions as measured by percent error and response rate ( p = 0.3). Balance control, assessed as the range of whole-body angular momentum, did not change between the no load and listening conditions, but decreased during the short and long spelling conditions ( p < 0.001). ConclusionsThese results showed that balance control decreases during dual-task treadmill walking with increased cognitive loads, but that cognitive performance does not change. The decrease in balance control suggests that participants prioritized cognitive performance over balance control during these dual-task walking conditions. This work offers additional insight into the automaticity of walking and task-prioritization in healthy individuals and provides the basis for future studies to determine differences in neurologically impaired populations.
Utilizing machine-learning-based 3D image analysis for classifying charred grape seeds to the varietal level
Authors: Landa Vlad , Shapira Yekaterina , David Michal , Karasik Avshalom , Weiss Ehud , Reuveni Yuval , Drori Elyashiv
Published: October 2020

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is an essential part of the oldest group of fruit trees around which horticulture evolved, currently includes thousands of cultivars, grown at numerous climatic conditions. Discrimination between these varieties has been traditionally conducted using ampelography, and in recent decades mostly by genetic analysis. However, when aiming to identify archaeobotanical remains, which are mostly charred- with extremely low genomic preservation, the application of the genomic approach is rarely successful. As a result, variety-level identification of most grape remains is currently prevented. Because grape pips are highly polymorphic, several attempts were made to utilize their morphological diversity as a classification tool, mostly using 2D image analysis technics, aiming to utilize these methods for the identification of fresh and archaeological specimens. Here, we present for the first time a highly accurate varietal classification tool, using an innovative and accessible approach for 3D seed scanning. The suggested classification methodology is machine-learning-based, using a complete set of 3D data obtained for each seed, applied with the Iterative Closest Point (ICP) registration algorithm and the Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) technique. This methodology achieved classification results of ca. 90-99% accuracy when trained by fresh seeds to test unknown fresh seeds. Moreover, the classification of charred seeds reached up to 100% accuracy when trained by charred seeds. Based on this approach, our long-term aim is to develop a computerized classification tool for the identification of grape and possibly other species and varieties. Such a tool can significantly improve the fields of archaeobotany, as well as general taxonomy.
From Control to Elimination: A Spatial-Temporal Analysis of Malaria Along the China-Myanmar Border
Authors: Huang Fang , Zhang Li , Xue Jing-Bo , Zhou Hong-Ning , Thi Aung , Zhang Jun , Zhou Shui-Sen , Xia Zhi-gui , Zhou Xiao-Nong
Published: October 2020

Background: Malaria cases have declined significantly along the China-Myanmar border in the past 10 years and this region is going through a process from control to elimination. The aim of this study is to investigate the epidemiology of malaria along the border, will identify challenges in the progress from control to elimination. Methods: National reported malaria cases from China and Myanmar, along with the data of 18 Chinese border counties and 23 townships in Myanmar were obtained from a web-based diseases information reporting system in China and the national malaria control program of Myanmar, respectively. Epidemiological data was analyzed, including the number of reported cases, annual parasite index and proportion of vivax infection. Spatial mapping of the API at county or township level in 2014 and 2018 was performed by ArcGIS. The relationship of malaria endemicity on both sides of the border was evaluated by regression analysis. Results: The number of reported malaria cases and API declined in the border counties or townships. In 2014, 392 malaria cases were reported from 18 Chinese border counties, including 8.42% indigenous cases and 91.58%% imported cases, while the highest API (0.11) was occurred in Yingjiang County. There have been no indigenous cases reported since 2017, but 164 imported cases were reported in 2018 and 97.56% were imported from Myanmar. The average API in 2014 in 23 Myanmar townships was significantly greater than that of 18 Chinese counties (P<0.01). However, the API decreased significantly in Myanmar side from 2014 to 2018 (P<0.01). The number of townships with an API between 0~1 increased to 15 in 2018, compared to only five in 2014, while still four townships had API>10. Plasmodium vivax was the predominant species along the border. The number of reported malaria cases and the proportion of vivax infection in the 18 Chinese counties were strongly correlated with those of the 23 Myanmar townships (P<0.05).Conclusions: Malaria elimination is approaching along the China-Myanmar border. However, in order to achieve the malaria elimination in this region and prevent the re-establishment of malaria in China after elimination, continued political, financial and scientific commitment is required.
Evaluation of Work Resumption Strategies after COVID-19 Reopening in the Chinese City of Shenzhen: A Mathematical Modeling Study
Authors: Bai Lu , Lu Haonan , Hu Hailin , Smith M. Kumi , Harripersaud Katherine , Lipkova Veronika , Wen Yujin , Guo Xiuyan , Peng Wei , Liu Chenwei , Shen Mingwang , Shen Alfred Chixiong , Zhang Lei
Published: October 2020

BackgroundAs China is facing a potential second wave of the epidemic, we reviewed and evaluated the intervention measures implemented in a major metropolitan city, Shenzhen, during the early phase of Wuhan lockdown. MethodsBased on published epidemiological data on COVID-19 and population mobility data from Baidu Qianxi, we constructed a compartmental model to evaluate the impact of work and traffic resumption on the epidemic in Shenzhen in various scenarios.ResultsImported cases account for the majority (58.6%) of the early reported cases in Shenzhen. We demonstrated that with strict inflow population control and a high level of mask usage following work resumption, various resumption schemes resulted in only an insignificant difference in the number of cumulative infections. Shenzhen may experience this second wave of infections approximately two weeks after the traffic resumption if the incidence risk in Hubei is high at the moment of resumption.ConclusionControl of imported cases and extensive use of facial masks were the key for the prevention of the COVID-19 epidemic in Shenzhen during its reopening and work resumption.
Lasso-grafting of macrocyclic peptide pharmacophores yields multi-functional proteins
Authors: Mihara Emiko , Watanabe Satoshi , Bashiruddin Nasir , Nakamura Nozomi , Matoba Kyoko , Maini Rumit , Yin Yizhen , Sakai Katsuya , Arimori Takao , Matsumoto Kunio , Suga Hiroaki , Takagi Junichi
Published: October 2020

Engineering of multifunctional recombinant proteins are a promising approach for devising next-generation proteinous drugs that engage specific receptors on cell(s), but it often requires drastic modifications of the parental protein scaffolds, e.g., additional domains at the N/C-terminus (or termini) or replacement of a domain to another. A discovery platform system, called RaPID (Random non-standard Peptides Integrated Discovery) system, has enabled for a rapid discovery of small de novo macrocyclic peptides that bind a target protein with high binding specificity and affinity. Taking the advantage of such exquisite properties of the RaPID-derived peptides, here we show that their pharmacophore sequences can be implanted to a surface-exposed loop or loops of recombinant proteins and maintain not only the parental peptide binding function(s) but also the host protein function. By applying this method, referred to as lasso-grafting, many different proteins including IgG and serum albumin could be endowed with binding capability toward various receptors, allowing us to quickly formulate bi-, tri-, and even tetra-specific binder molecules. Moreover, lasso-grafting of a receptor-targeting peptide to capsid proteins of adeno-associated virus (AAV) has generated engineered AAV vectors that can infect cells solely dependent on the targeted receptor.
Insight into Molecular Profile Changes after Skeletal Muscle Contusion Using Microarray and Bioinformatics Analyses
Authors: Li Na , Bai Ru-feng , Li Chun , Dang Li-hong , Du Qiu-xiang , Jin Qian-qian , Cao Jie , Wang Ying-yuan , Sun Jun-hong
Published: October 2020

Background: Muscle trauma frequently occurs in daily life. However, the molecular mechanisms of muscle healing, which partly depend on the extent of the damage, are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate gene expression profiles following mild and severe muscle contusion, and to provide more information about the molecular mechanisms underlying the repair process.Methods: A total of 33 rats were divided randomly into control (n = 3), mild contusion (n = 15), and severe contusion (n = 15) groups; the contusion groups were further divided into five subgroups (1, 3, 24, 48, and 168 h post-injury; n = 3 per subgroup). Then full genome microarray of RNA isolated from muscle tissue was performed to access the gene expression changes during healing process.Results: A total of 2,844 and 2,298 differentially expressed genes were identified in the mild and severe contusion groups, respectively. The analysis of the overlapping differentially expressed genes showed that there are common mechanisms of transcriptomic repair of mild and severe contusion within 48 h post-contusion. This was supported by the results of principal component analysis, hierarchical clustering, and weighted gene co‐expression network analysis of the 1,620 coexpressed genes in mildly and severely contused muscle. From these analyses, we discovered that the gene profiles in functional modules and temporal clusters were similar between the mild and severe contusion groups; moreover, the genes showed time-dependent patterns of expression, which allowed us to identify useful markers of wound age. We then performed an analysis of the functions of genes (including Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway annotation, and protein–protein interaction network analysis) in the functional modules and temporal clusters, and the hub genes in each module–cluster pair were identified. Interestingly, we found that genes downregulated within 24−48 h of the healing process were largely associated with metabolic processes, especially oxidative phosphorylation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, which has been rarely reported. Conclusions: These results improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle repair, and provide a basis for further studies of wound age estimation.
A Multi-Site Study of Mental Disorders in the Mozambican Health Care System
Authors: Gouveia Lidia , Lovero Kathryn , Fumo Wilza , Fumo Afonso Mazine Tiago , Santos Palmira Dos , Mocumbi Ana Olga , Oquendo Maria A. , Mari Jair J. , Wainberg Milton , Duarte Cristiane
Published: October 2020

BackgroundIn Mozambique, human and financial resources for public mental health services are extremely limited. Understanding the mental health needs of those seeking healthcare can inform efficient targeting of mental health services. We examined if the frequency of mental disorders in a health facility varied based on the level of specialization of such facility, from primary care without mental health specialists (PrCMH-), to those with mental health specialists (PrCMH+) and tertiary care (TerC), where both inpatient and outpatient mental health services are available.MethodsParticipants were adults seeking health or mental health services at six facilities (2 PrCMH+, 3 PrCMH-, and 1 TerC) in the cities of Maputo and Nampula in Mozambique. Mental disorders were assessed by the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) 4.0.0. We compared the sociodemographic characteristics and MINI diagnoses across the three types of health facilities. Multiple logistic regression models determined the likelihood that a person seeking services at each type of facility would have any mental disorder, common mental disorders (CMD), severe mental disorders (SMD), substance use disorders (SUD), and moderate-to-high suicide risk, adjusting for sociodemographic factors. ResultsOf the 612 total participants, 52.6% (n=322) were positive for at least one mental disorder: 37.1% were positive for CMD, 28.9% for SMD, 13.2% for SUD, and 10.5% had suicide risk. Presence of any mental disorder was highest in TerC (62.5%) and lowest in PrCMH- (48.4%). Adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, participants in PrCMH+ were significantly more likely to have SMD (OR: 1.85, 95%CI: 1.10-3.11) and SUD (OR: 2.79, 95%CI: 1.31-5.94) than participants in PrCMH-; participants in TerC were more likely to have CMD (OR: 1.70, 95%CI: 1.01-2.87) and SUD (OR: 2.57, 95%CI: 1.14-5.79) than in PrCMH-. Suicide risk was the only condition that did not differ across facility types.ConclusionsAs anticipated, people with mental disorders were more likely to be cared for at facilities with mental health specialists. However, our study suggests there is a remarkably high frequency of mental disorders across different types of facilities within the Mozambican healthcare system. These results suggest a need to increase mental health services at the primary care level.
Factors Influencing Attendees’ Engagement with Group Psychoeducation: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective
Authors: Higgins Agnes , Downes Carmel , Murphy Rebecca , Barry Jennifer , Monahan Mark , Doyle Louise , Gibbons Patrick
Published: October 2020

Background: Psychoeducation provides a range of benefits to service users with severe mental health illness and their family members. A lack of engagement with mental health services may lead to poorer outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Few studies have explored the problem of engagement in relation to group psychoeducation from a multi-site and multi-stakeholder perspective. Methods: The aim of the study was to explore the factors influencing service user and family engagement with group psychoeducation programmes. The study design was qualitative descriptive. Data were collected through individual and focus group interviews with key stakeholders (n=75) involved with the programme within 14 mental health sites in the Republic of Ireland. Results: Enablers and barriers to engagement were identified at participant, provider and programme level. Motivated participants and clinicians, peer co-facilitation and support, and skilled and responsive facilitators were some of the factors which enhanced engagement. Barriers to engagement included a lack of motivation and readiness among participants, concerns related to stigma and confidentiality, a lack of support for programme participation within families, group discomfort, issues with accessing transport, the time and length of the programme being unsuitable for some participants and a lack of capacity among clinicians.Conclusion: Findings from the study illustrate the multifaceted nature of engagement as well as provide a greater understanding of the multifactorial influences on engagement. Strategies to enhance engagement should therefore reflect a multipronged approach. At the outset of programme implementation, organizations should address their readiness to engage, conduct local needs assessments to anticipate individuals’ needs and plan accordingly in order to maximize engagement, and bolster facilitators’ engagement skills through the provision of training and mentoring opportunities.
Incidence, clinical features, and outcomes of COVID-19 in Canada: Impact of sex and age
Authors: O’Brien Jacob , Du Kevin Y. , Peng Chun
Published: October 2020

Male sex and older age have been reported to be associated with worse outcomes from COVID-19. It was postulated that estrogens may play a role in reducing the severity of the disease and may therefore offer a treatment option for COVID-19 patients. However, more female cases and deaths from COVID-19 have been recorded in Canada. To determine the impact of sex and the potential role of estrogens, we analyzed COVID-19 data, focusing on the impact of sex and age. Although the overall incidence rate is higher in females than in males, when several high risk groups, including health care workers and long-term care residences, which are predominantly females, were excluded, we found that females had a lower incidence rate than males between the ages of 20s to 70s. Interestingly, this sex-based difference is more evident in females of the reproductive ages (20-49) than in postmenopausal patients (60s or older). Males have significantly higher hospitalization, ICU admission, and case fatality rates; however, a greater difference was observed in the older age groups. Finally, symptom manifestation varied between sexes. Some of the symptoms, which were more frequently observed in patients who recovered than patients who died, were more commonly observed in females of the reproductive age compared to their male counterparts. Since only females of the reproductive age have much higher circulating estrogens than males, these findings suggest that estrogens may play a role in reducing COVID-19 incidence and in the development of symptoms, especially those related to better survival.
Transmyometrial oocyte recruitment: a safe surgical procedure alternative to the transvaginal retrieval when ovaries are inaccessible
Authors: Baldini Domenico , Lavopa Cristina , Vizziello Giovanni , Todaro Pasquale , Malvasi Antonio , Silvestris Erica
Published: October 2020

Background: This study aims to investigate the intra-cytoplasmic semen injection (ICSI) outcomes and the potential complications of transmyometrial oocyte retrieval performed in patients with one or both inaccessible ovaries.Methods: From January 2004 to December 2018 were evaluated 11,273 oocytes retrievals, of which 594 not conventional procedures for inaccessible ovaries through transvaginal retrieval. Despite alternative approaches tested by clinicians during the oocyte pick up (OPU), in 113 of these patients (Group A) were indispensable the needle’s passage through the myometrium, compared to as many controls (Group B) from the 481 remaining women without this necessity. The two resulting groups were matched for their reproductive outcomes and the relative developed complications.Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the two Groups in terms of number of eggs/embryos obtained, ongoing pregnancy rate and spontaneous miscarriage. A complete absence of complications as peritoneal and endometrial bleeding after 4 and 24 hours from the transmyometrial access was reported for the whole cohort.Conclusions: This study shows that the transvaginal transmyometrial oocyte retrieval does not affect the OPU outcome even if the passage of the needle occurs through the endometrium, not inducing significant complications. Thus, here we support both efficacy and safety of transmyometrial follicular aspiration as a valid surgical approach in conditions of inaccessible ovaries.
Degradation of a Leather-Dye by the Combination of Depolymerised Wood-Chip Biochar Adsorption and Solid-State Fermentation with Trametes Villosa SCS-10
Authors: Monsalve Santiago Ortiz , Gutterres Mariliz , Valente Patrícia , Plácido Jersson , Bustamante-López Sandra , Kelly Diane , Kelly S.L.
Published: October 2020

Adsorption into biochar-derived materials and mycoremediation are promising technologies for removing dyes from solid and liquid matrices. This study presents a combined treatment with adsorption into wood-chip biochar and mycodegradation under solid-state ermentation by Trametes villosa for removing the leather-dye Acid Blue 161. In the first stage, untreated wood-chip biochar, NaOH-depolymerised-biochar and KMnO 4 -depolymerised-biochar were assessed for their dye removal efficiency by adsorption. KMnO 4 -depolymerised-biochar exhibited the highest adsorption (85.1 ± 1.9%) after 24 h of contact. KMnO 4 -depolymerisation modified some physical and chemical properties on the untreated wood-chip biochar, increasing the surface area (50.4 m 2 g –1 ), pore size (1.9 nm), and resence of surface functional groups. Response Surface Methodology coupled with a Box-Behnken design was used to optimise the AB 161 adsorption into the KMnO 4 -depolymerised-biochar. The optimised conditions, pH 3.0, dye concentration 100 mg L –1 and sorbent dosage 2 g L –1 , led to a higher dye removal efficiency by adsorption (91.9 ± 1.0%). In a second stage, the wood-chip biochar supplemented with nutrients (1% malt extract and 0.5% peptone) was employed as a solid matrix for growing T. villosa and regenerating the dye-saturated material. After 15 days, T. villosa was able to grow (86.8 ± 0.8%), produce Laccase activity (621.9 ± 62.3 U L –1 ), and biodegrade (91.4 ± 1.3%) the dye adsorbed into the KMnO 4 -depolymerised-biochar. Finally, the mycoregenerated was reutilised in a new cycle of adsorption reaching 79.5 ± 2.0% of dye removal efficiency by adsorption. This study revealed the potential of the combined treatment and is an initial assessment for developing commercial alternatives for treating leather industry wastewaters.
Self-Assembled Bovine Serum Albumin Nanoparticles as Pesticide Delivery Vectors for Controlling Trunk-Boring Pests
Authors: Su Chenyu , Liu Shanshan , Cao Shenghan , Yin Shuyan , Zhou Chenggang , Gao Shangkun , Jia Chunyan , Ji Yingchao , Liu Yanxue
Published: October 2020

Trunk-boring pests (TBPs) are an important type of forest pest, TBPs not only feed on the branches and trunks of trees, but also spread quarantine diseases in forests. However, because the larvae of TBPs live inside the trunk and are well concealed, prevention and control are difficult. The lack of effective control methods leads to the death of many trees in forests. In this study, a novel nanopesticide featuring high bioactivity and slow-release properties was developed to control TBPs. Thiacloprid (THI), which is commonly used to control Coleoptera species, was used as a model pesticide. The oleophobic properties of bovine serum albumin (BSA) were exploited to encapsulate the hydrophobic pesticide THI by self-assembly, and the size of the obtained nanoparticles, THI@BSA·NPs, was approximately 23 nm. The loading efficiency reached 70.4%, and THI@BSA·NPs could be released continuously for over 15 d, with the cumulative release reaching 93.5%. The fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled nanoparticles were evenly distributed in the digestive tract and body surface of a typical TBP, M. alternatus , and the stomach and contact toxicities increased by 33.7% and 25.9%,respectively, compared with those of free THI. Furthermore, the results showed that the transport efficiency of THI@BSA·NPs was highest at a concentration of 50 μg/mL, and the THI@BSA·NPs content in the trunk, from to lower to higher layers, was 8.8, 8.2, 7.6, and 5.8 μg/g. At the same time, THI@BSA·NPs also exhibited high transport efficiency in dead trees. The results suggested that these novel self-assembled THI@BSA·NPs have promising potential for sustainable control of TBPs.
Defect-rich TiO2 in situ evolved from MXene for efficiently oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane
Authors: Zhou Yanliang , Li Xiaoyu , Chai Yicong , Wu Zihao , Lin Jian , Pan Xiaoli , Han Yujia , Li Lin , Qi Haifeng , Su Yang , Kang Leilei , Wang Xiaodong
Published: October 2020

It remains a challenge to make metal oxides with limited reducibility as active component rather than support or modifier for the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of light alkanes. Here, we report a special TiO2 (M-TiO2) evolved from Ti3C2Tx MXene material to be a new kind of efficient catalyst in the ODH of ethane. The reactivity on this M-TiO2 is four times higher than that on P25 TiO2, endowing an excellent ethylene productivity of 15.4 gC2H4 gcat-1 h-1 that outperforms the previously reported catalysts. Experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations reveal the existence of both Ti and oxygen vacancy defects on M-TiO2. The Ti defect can increase the reducibility of M-TiO2 to reduce the activation barrier of ethane while the oxygen vacancy facilitates the adsorption of O2 to recover lattice oxygen, accounting for the high performance. This work enlightens the defect engineering of traditional metal oxide as a promising catalyst in the oxidation catalysis.
Whole-genome sequencing of 1,171 elderly admixed individuals from the largest Latin American metropolis (São Paulo, Brazil)
Authors: Naslavsky Michel , Scliar Marilia , Yamamoto Guilherme , Wang Jaqueline , Zverinova Stepanka , Karp Tatiana , Nunes Kelly , Ceroni José Ricardo , Carvalho Diego , Simões Cerlos Eduardo , Bozoklian Daniel , Nonaka Ricardo , Silva Nayane , Souza Andreia , Andrade Heloísa , Passos Marília , Castro Camila , Mendes-Junior Celso , Mercuri Rafael , Miller Thiago , Buzzo José , Rego Fernanda , Araújo Nathalia , Magalhaes Wagner , Mingroni-Netto Regina , Borda Vctor , Guio Heinner , Barreto Maurício , Lima-Costa Maria , Horta Bernardo , Tarazona-Santos Eduardo , Meyer Diogo , Galante Pedro , Consortium Genome of the Netherlands , Castelli Erick , Duarte Yeda , Passos-Bueno Maria Rita , Zatz Mayana
Published: October 2020

As whole-genome sequencing (WGS) becomes the gold standard tool for studying population genomics and medical applications, data on diverse non-European and admixed individuals are still scarce. Here, we present a high-coverage WGS dataset of 1,171 highly admixed elderly Brazilians from a census-based cohort, providing over 76 million variants, of which ~ 2 million are absent from large public databases. WGS enabled identifying ~ 2,000 novel mobile element insertions, nearly 5 Mb of genomic segments absent from human genome reference, and over 140 novel alleles from HLA genes. We reclassified and curated nearly four hundred variant's pathogenicity assertions in genes associated with dominantly inherited Mendelian disorders and calculated the incidence for selected recessive disorders, demonstrating the clinical usefulness of the present study. Finally, we observed that whole-genome and HLA imputation could be significantly improved compared to available datasets since rare variation represents the largest proportion of input from WGS. These results demonstrate that even smaller sample sizes of underrepresented populations bring relevant data for genomic studies, especially when exploring analyses allowed only by WGS.
LINC00680 Enhances Hepatocellular Carcinoma Stemness Behavior and Chemoresistance by Sponging miR-568 to Upregulate AKT3
Authors: Shu Gege , Su Huizhao , Wang Zhiqian , Lai Shihui , Wang Yan , Liu Xiaomeng , Dai Luo , Bi Yin , Chen Wei , Huang Weiyu , Zhou Ziyan , He Songqing , Dai Hongliang , Tang Bo
Published: October 2020

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has an extremely poor prognosis due to the development of chemoresistance, coupled with inherently increased stemness properties. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are key regulators for tumor cell stemness and chemosensitivity. Currently the relevance between LINC00680 and tumor progression was still largely unknown, with only one study showing its significance in glioblastoma. The study herein was aimed at identifying the role of LINC00680 in the regulation HCC stemness and chemosensitivity. Methods: QRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of LINC00680, miR-568 and AKT3 in tissue specimen and cell lines. Gain- or loss-of function assays were applied to access the function of LINC00680 in HCC cells, including cell proliferation and stemness properties. HCC stemness and chemosensitivity were determined by sphere formation, cell viability and colony formation. Luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and RNA pull down assays were performed to examine the interaction between LINC00680 and miR-568 as well as that between miR-568 and AKT3. A nude mouse xenograft model was established for the in vivo study.Results: We found that LINC00680 was remarkably upregulated both in HCC tissue and cell lines. Patients with high level of LINC00680 had poorer prognosis. LINC00680 overexpression significantly enhanced HCC cell stemness and decreased in vitro and in vivo chemosensitivity to 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu), whereas LINC00680 knockdown led to opposite results. Mechanism study revealed that LINC00680 regulated HCC stemness and chemosensitivity through sponging miR-568, thereby expediting the expression of AKT3, which further activated its downstream signaling molecules, including mTOR, elF4EBP1, and p70S6K.Conclusion: LINC00680 promotes HCC stemness properties and decreases chemosensitivity through sponging miR-568 to activate AKT3, suggesting that LINC00680 might be a potentially important HCC diagnosis marker and therapeutic target.
Clinical relevance of CD70 expression in resected pancreatic cancer: prognostic value and therapeutic potential
Authors: Nakamura Kota , Sho Masayuki , Akahori Takahiro , Nishiwada Satoshi , Kunishige Tomohiro , Nakagawa Kenji , Nagai Minako , Takagi Tadataka , Terai Taichi , Ikeda Naoya
Published: October 2020

BackgroundAberrant expression of CD70 in several malignancies is potentially associated with poor patient prognosis and could serve as a therapeutic target. However, the clinical relevance of CD70 expression in pancreatic cancer has not been thoroughly explored.MethodsWe evaluated CD70 expression in 166 surgical specimens obtained from human patients with pancreatic cancer. We analyzed the function of CD70 in proliferation and migration using pancreatic cancer cell lines with silenced CD70 expression.ResultsCD70 expression was positively stained in 42 patients (25%). In the whole cohort, high CD70 expression was not associated with overall survival (OS: 33.1 vs. 40.8 months, P = 0.256), although it was significantly associated with inferior OS in a population of patients that completed adjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.027). Moreover, the incidence of hematogenous metastasis was significantly higher in patients with high CD70 expression than in those with low CD70 expression (P = 0.020). This finding was also statistically significant in multivariate analyses (P = 0.001). In vitro experiments demonstrated that CD70 expression contributed to cancer cell proliferation independently of gemcitabine treatment as well as cell migration. Furthermore, real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of frozen surgical tissues showed a correlation between the expression of CD70 and mesenchymal markers.ConclusionsCD70 expression in pancreatic cancer might be involved in hematogenous metastasis. Furthermore, our results imply that CD70 overexpression can serve as a novel prognostic factor and a potential therapeutic target in patients who have completed adjuvant chemotherapy.
A positive feedback loop between TAZ and miR-942-3p modulates proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition process and glycometabolism in human bladder cancer
Authors: Wang Feifan , Fan Mengjing , Zhou Xuejian , Yu Yanlan , Cai Yueshu , Wu Hongshen , Zhang Yan , Liu Jiaxin , Huang Shihan , He Ning , Hu Zhenghui , Ding Guoqing , Jin Xiaodong
Published: October 2020

Background: Transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) has been reported to involve in tumor progression, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and glycometabolism modulation. Herein, the underlying molecular mechanisms of TAZ-induced biological effects in bladder cancer were discovered; Methods: qRT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine the level of TAZ in bladder cancer cells and tissues; CCK-8 assay, Colony formation assay, wound healing assay and Transwell assay were performed to evaluate the functions of TAZ, miR-942-3p and GAS1. qRT-PCR and western blot were used to determine the expression levels of related genes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed the interaction between TAZ and miR-942. In vivo tumorigenesis assay and colorimetric assay of glycolysis were also conducted; Results: We determined the upregulation and vital roles of TAZ in bladder cancer. TAZ-induced upregulation of miR-942-3p amplified upstream signaling by inhibiting the expression of large tumor suppressor 2 (LATS2, a TAZ inhibitor). MiR-942-3p attenuated the suppression of cell proliferation, EMT process and glycolysis induced by TAZ knockdown. Further, miR-942-3p resulted in restrained expression of growth arrest-specific 1 (GAS1) to modulate biological functions; Conclusion: Our study identified a novel positive feedback loop between TAZ and miR-942-3p that regulates biological functions in bladder cancer cells via GAS1 expression, and illustrated that TAZ and miR-942-3p might be potential therapeutic targets for bladder cancer treatment.