bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Roles of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in prognosis and in differentiation of potential beneficiaries in HER2-positive breast cancer with trastuzumab therapy
Authors: Ding Nianhua , Huang Juan , Li Ningsha , Yuan Jiaqi , Wang Shouman , Xiao Zhi
Published: March 2020

Background
The relationship of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) to prognosis of HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) is not well studied. We aimed to assess the prognostic role of NLR in HER2-positive BC patients treated with or without trastuzumab.
Methods
The clinical data of 843 HER2-positive BC patients from July 2013 to July 2018 were collected. The difference among variables was calculated by chi-square test. The associations between clinicopathological factors, NLR and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses.
Results
Patients were divided into three groups. In group 1 containing 255 patients without trastuzumab treatment, pretreatment NLR showed no predictive value. Patients with trastuzumab treatment were divided into two groups on equal, according to pretreatment NLR values, low NLR (group 2) and high NLR (group 3). Patients in group 2 showed significantly higher 3-year DFS rate than patients in group 1 and group 3 (95.3% vs. 91.6% vs. 90.5%, respectively, P = 0.011); patients in the group 1 and group 3 had a similar 3-year DFS outcome. Multivariate analysis showed high pretreatment NLR was significantly associated with shorter DFS (HR = 2.917, 95% CI=1.055-8.062, P = 0.039) in HER2-positive BC patients treated with trastuzumab.
Conclusions
Among HER2-positive trastuzumab-treated BC patients, low pretreatment NLR value was associated with better DFS, and it might help to differentiate potential beneficiaries of trastuzumab treatment.
Scaling-up an evidence-based intervention for osteoarthritis in real world settings: A pragmatic evaluation using the RE-AIM framework
Authors: Walker Andrew , Boaz Annette , Gibney Amber , Zambelli Zoe , Hurley Michael V
Published: March 2020

Background : Scaling-up and sustaining effective healthcare interventions is essential for improving healthcare; however, relatively little is known about these processes. In addition to quantitative experimental designs we need approaches that use embedded, observational studies on practice-led, naturally-occurring scale-up processes. There are also tensions between having adequately rigorous systems to monitor and evaluate scale-up well that are proportionate and pragmatic in practice. The study investigated the scale-up of an evidence-based complex intervention for knee and hip osteoarthritis (ESCAPE-pain) within ‘real-world’ settings by England’s 15 Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs). Methods : A pragmatic evaluation of the scale-up of ESCAPE-pain using the RE-AIM framework to measure reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance. The evaluation used routine monitoring data collected from April 2014 to December 2019 as part of a national scale-up programme. Results : Between 2014-2018 ESCAPE-pain was adopted by over 110 clinical and non-clinical sites reaching over 9,000 people with osteoarthritis. The programme showed sustained clinical effectiveness (pain, function and quality of life) and high levels of adherence (78.5% completing 75% of the programme) within a range of real world settings. 770 people (physiotherapists and exercise professionals) have been trained to deliver ESCAPE-pain and 84.1% of sites have continued to deliver the programme post-implementation. Conclusions : ESCAPE-pain successfully moved from being an efficacious “research intervention” into an effective intervention within ‘real world’ clinical and non-clinical community settings. However, scale-up has been a gradual process requiring on-going, dedicated resources over 5 years by a national network of Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs). Whilst the collection of monitoring and evaluation data is critical in understanding implementation and scale-up, there remain significant challenges in developing systems sufficiently rigorous, proportionate and locally acceptable.
Traditional Chinese medicine Lingguizhugan decoction treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with spleen-yang deficiency pattern: Study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial
Authors: Xu Jing-juan , Wang Rui-rui , You Sheng-fu , Zhang Lei , Zheng Pei-yong , Ji Guang , Liu Bao-cheng
Published: March 2020

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic stress liver injury induced by excessive fat accumulation in liver, which is closely related to insulin resistance (IR). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has showed good curative effects and unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of NADLD, particularly in improving IR, liver function and clinical symptoms. This study will examine the efficacy and safety of Lingguizhugan decoction (LGZG) in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with spleen-yang deficiency pattern, and assess the optimal dosage. Methods/design This study is a three-arm, dose-optimization, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 243 NAFLD patients will be recruited and randomly assigned to standard dose Lingguizhugan decoction (SLGD) group, low dose Lingguizhugan decoction (LLGD) group, or the control group. The clinical indicator will be assessed during the 12-week intervention and follow-up 4 weeks. The primary outcome is the percentage of patients whose the decline of HOMA-IR reaches one standard unit. Secondary outcomes include body weight, body mass index, liver function, blood lipid metabolism, blood glucose metabolism, liver-kidney echo ratio, quantitative rating of clinical symptoms and signs, collecting sample(s) from participants, the medical outcomes study(MOS) item short from health survey(SF-36), Self-rating Depressive Scale(SAS), and Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SDS). Discussion This study will provide initial evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of LGZG in the treatment of NAFLD with spleen-yang deficiency pattern, meanwhile establish the demonstration technique, and promote its application in community healthcare center. In addition, potential mechanism will be explored based on research of oral and gut microbiota.
Associations of an empirical dietary pattern with cardiometabolic risk factors in Malaysian adolescents
Authors: Emi Aishah , Gan Wan Ying , Shariff Zalilah Mohd , Zaini Azriyanti Anuar , Shamsuddin Nurainul Hana , Appukutty Mahenderan , Appannah Geeta
Published: March 2020

Background: This study aimed to identify a dietary pattern (DP) characterised mainly by high intakes of free sugar and other nutrients hypothesised to be associated with obesity such as dietary energy density (DED), percentage of energy from total fat and fibre density in adolescents from three southern states of Peninsular Malaysia, and its associations with cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study among 335 adolescents who provided both dietary information assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and biochemical parameters including lipid profile, blood glucose, serum insulin and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Anthropometric measurements included weight (kg), height (cm) and waist circumference (cm), while body mass index (BMI) in kg/m2 was estimated, respectively. Reduced rank regression (RRR) identified a DP with percentage of energy from sugar and total fat, DED and fibre density intake as response variables. Results: The identified ‘high sugar, high fibre, high DED and low fat’ DP was characterised by high intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages, fruits, sweets and low intakes of meat and cereal. Adolescents in the highest tertile of the identified DP had about 3.0 (OR=2.7; 95%CI: 1.3, 5.6) and 2.0 (OR=1.9; 95%CI: 1.0, 3.5) times higher odds of having dyslipideamia or elevated total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol level, respectively compared to adolescents in the lowest tertile DP after adjusting for sex, school location, maternal education, physical activity, dietary misreporting and BMI z-score. This DP was not significantly associated with overweight and obesity.Conclusions: Higher adherence to a DP characterised mainly by free sugars and DED was associated with greater odds of having dyslipideamia, elevated total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in Malaysian adolescents.
General trends in freshwater ecological restoration practice in China over the past two decades: the driving factors and the evaluation of restoration outcome
Authors: Wu Juan , Dai Yanran , Cheng Shuiping
Published: March 2020

Background

Although freshwater ecological restoration (FER) has undergone an immense development over the past two decades in China either in the number of projects or in the spatial scale of implementations, a dearth of clear and comprehensive trends in this field is still a particular concern. We conducted a literature survey through searching the database of Web of Science between 1997-2017 to investigate the driving force behind FER practice and to summarize the restoration outcomes.

Results

A total of 2047 publications were hit and 198 of them were finally retained after manual screening. The number of studies in this field has been steadily increasing in recent years and their provincial distribution is positively correlated with GDP growth and the investment to pollution control and environmental protection, suggesting that economic development is a key driving factor of FER practice. Among the remained articles, nearly half (46.5%) focus on lake ecosystems, and 34.8% and 32.8% of the studies indicate that land reclamation and eutrophication are the predominant causes of freshwater ecosystem degradation. The overarching target of the restoration is biodiversity increase (31.4%), followed by water quality improvement (24.7%) and ecosystem services (23.9%). Revegetation is a dominant restoration approach (40.9%). Reference sites for assessment of restoration projects are normally control locations without intervention (60%), or the status of the targeted sites before the interventions. For the restoration outcome evaluation, 86% of the studies present positive outcomes in terms of water quality improvement, and 79% have improvement in biological features. The most frequently monitored organisms are macrophytes (31%), followed by benthos as indicators of ecological condition.

Conclusions

Economic growth, water pollution and investment into environmental protection are the main driving factors of FER practice in China. The effort of restoration and evaluation over the past two decades has not been limited to improving hydrological function and water quality, but also pay increasingly more attention to biological processes and ecological integrity, and further the ecosystem services in recent years. However, the lack of long-term monitoring and socioeconomic attributes considered in restoration success assessments are still particular issues needed to be addressed in the future FER researches and projects.
Correlation between clinical risk factors and tracheal intubation difficulty in infants with Pierre-Robin syndrome: A retrospective study
Authors: Liu Yanli , Wang Jiashuo , Zhong Shan
Published: March 2020

Background: Difficult tracheal intubation is a common problem encountered by anesthesiologists in the clinic. This study was conducted to assess the difficulty of tracheal intubation in infants with Pierre Robin syndrome (PRS) by incorporating computed tomography (CT) to guide airway management for anesthesia.
Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed case-level clinical data and CT images of 96 infants with PRS. First, a clinically experienced physician labeled CT images, after which the color space conversion, binarization, contour acquisition, and area calculation processing were performed on the annotated files. Finally, the correlation coefficient between the seven clinical factors and tracheal intubation difficulty, as well as the differences in each risk factor under tracheal intubation difficulty were calculated.
Results: The absolute value of the correlation coefficient between the throat area and tracheal intubation difficulty was 0.54; the observed difference was statistically significant. Body surface area, weight, and gender also showed significant difference under tracheal intubation difficulty.
Conclusions: There is a significant correlation between throat area and tracheal intubation difficulty in infants with PRS. Body surface area, weight and gender may have an impact on tracheal intubation difficulty in infants with PRS.
Physiological Effects of the Combined Stresses of Freeze-thaw, Acid Precipitation and Deicing Salt on Alfalfa Seedlings
Authors: Bao Guozhang , Tang Wenyi , An Qirui , Liu Yaoxin , Tian Jiaqi , Zhao Nan , Zhu Saning
Published: March 2020

Backgroud: Frequent phenomenon of freeze-thaw, together with widely used deicing salt and intense acid rain , often occurs in northeast China, causing damages to plants in defferent perspectives such as the permeability of biological membrane, osmotic adjustment, and photosynthetic system. Aiming to explore the resistant to freeze-thaw (F), acid rain (A) and deicing salt (D) of alfalfa, Medicago sativa CV. Dongmu-70 was used as experimental material and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), soluble protein, soluble sugar, proline and chlorophyll were tested. Results: With the temperature decreased, the MDA content in seedlings of group under combined stress (A-D-F) increased and was significantly higher than that of group F by 69.48~136.40%. Osmotic substances like soluble sugar and proline, compared with group CK, were higher, while soluble protein content was lower. The chlorophyll contents in seedlings of treatment groups were lower than that of group CK, however, displayed a non-significant change during free-thaw cycle. Conclusion: It can be observed that the injury of permeability of biological membrane and photosynthetic system inside alfalfa caused by stresses. Meanwhile, alfalfa maintain osmotic balance by adaptively increasing the potentials of osmotic substances like soluble sugar and proline. Furthermore, the influence of freeze-thaw and deicing salt stress is more significant, while the mixed stresses of acid rain with two factors mentioned above has little effect on plants.
Diagnostic Performance of APRI and FIB-4 for Confirming Cirrhosis in Indonesian HIV/HCV Co-infected Patients
Authors: Yunihastuti Evy , Wicaksana Bramantya , Wiraguna Andrian , Hidayah Ainum Jhariah , Amelia Fhadilla , Natali Veritea , Widhani Alvina , Sulaiman Andri Sanityoso , Kurniawan Juferdy
Published: March 2020

Background After successful of antiretroviral therapy, highly effective direct acting antiviral (DAA) make HCV elimination reasonable in HIV/HCV co-infected patients. However, in achieving this target, there are still barriers to start DAA treatment, particularly in the area of liver fibrosis assessment that determine the duration of therapy. We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of APRI and FIB-4 for diagnosing cirrhosis in HIV/HCV co-infected patients using hepatic transient elastography (TE) as gold standard. Method This is a retrospective study on HIV/HCV co-infected patients who concomitantly performed hepatic TE measurement, APRI, and FIB-4 evaluation before HCV treatment initiation at a tertiary hospital in Jakarta from 2014 to 2019. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of indirect biomarkers for liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≥ 12.5 kPa was determined by receiver operator characteristics curves. Results 223 HIV/HCV co-infected patients on stable antiretroviral therapy were included, of whom 91.5% were male with mean age of 37 (SD 5) years. Only 28.7% of patients were classified as cirrhosis (F4). Using TE as gold standard (≥12.5 kPa), the low threshold of APRI (1) had specificity 95%, sensitivity 48.4%, correctly classified 81.6% of patients, with moderate performance, AUC at 0.72 (95% CI 0.63-0.80). The optimal cut-off of FIB-4 was 1.66 [specificity 92.5%, sensitivity 53.1%, AUC at 0.73 (95% CI 0.65-0.81)] and correctly classified 81.1% of the patients. Conclusion APRI score ≥ 1 and FIB-4 score ≥1.66 had moderate performance with high specificity in diagnosing cirrhosis. These biochemical markers could be used while TE is not available.
Integrated bioinformatics analysis of aberrantly-methylated differentially-expressed genes and pathways in age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Shen Yinchen , Li Mo , Liu Kun , Xu Xiaoyin , Zhu Shaopin , Wang Ning , Guo Wenke , Zhao Qianqian , Lu Ping , Yu Fudong , Xu Xun
Published: March 2020

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) represents the leading cause of visual impairment in the aging population. The goal of this study was to identify aberrantly-methylated, differentially-expressed genes (MDEGs) in AMD and explore the involved pathways via integrated bioinformatics analysis. Methods: Data from expression profile GSE29801 and methylation profile GSE102952 were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. We analyzed differentially-methylated genes and differentially-expressed genes using R software. Functional enrichment and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis were performed using the R package and Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes online database. Hub genes were identified using Cytoscape. Results: In total, 827 and 592 genes showed high and low expression, respectively, in GSE29801; 4117 hyper-methylated genes and 511 hypo-methylated genes were detected in GSE102952. Based on overlap, we categorized 153 genes as hyper-methylated, low-expression genes (Hyper-LGs) and 24 genes as hypo-methylated, high-expression genes (Hypo-HGs). Four Hyper-LGs ( CKB , PPP3CA , TGFB2 , SOCS2 ) overlapped with AMD risk genes in the Public Health Genomics and Precision Health Knowledge Base. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that Hypo-HGs were enriched in the calcium signaling pathway, whereas Hyper-LGs were enriched in sphingolipid metabolism. In GO analysis, Hypo-HGs were enriched in fibroblast migration, membrane raft, and coenzyme binding, among others. Hyper-LGs were enriched in mRNA transport, nuclear speck, and DNA binding, among others. In PPI network analysis, 23 nodes and two edges were established from Hypo-HGs, and 151 nodes and 73 edges were established from Hyper-LGs. Hub genes ( DHX9 , MAPT , PAX6 ) showed the greatest overlap. Conclusion: This study revealed potentially aberrantly MDEGs and pathways in AMD, which might improve the understanding of this disease.
Quality improvement education for medical students: a near-peer pilot study
Authors: McGeorge Elizabeth , Coughlan Charles , Fawcett Martha , Klaber Robert
Published: March 2020

Background

Quality improvement (QI) is an essential component of modern clinical practice. Front-line professionals offer valuable perspectives on areas for improvement and are motivated to deliver change. In the UK, all junior doctors are expected to participate in QI in order to advance to the next stage of their training. However, UK undergraduates receive no standardized training in QI methodology. This is perpetuated within medical schools by a lack of teaching capacity and competing priorities, and may lead to tokenistic engagement with future QI projects.

Methods

We describe a near-peer teaching programme designed to introduce students to QI methodology. This programme was conceived and delivered in full by junior doctors and used existing resources to ensure high quality teaching content. 111 fifth-year medical students from the University of Cambridge were taught in interactive, participative workshops that encourage them to develop their own QI change ideas and projects. Core topics included the model for improvement, driver diagrams, stakeholder engagement, measurement for improvement and analysing and presenting data. Students completed surveys before and immediately after this intervention to assess their understanding of and confidence in utilizing QI methodology. Questionnaires were also completed by junior doctor tutors.

Results

Analysis of questionnaires completed before and immediately after the intervention revealed statistically significant improvements in students’ self-reported understanding of QI (p<0.05) and confidence in applying techniques to their own work (p<0.05). Students expressed a preference for QI teaching delivered by junior doctors, citing a relaxed learning environment and greater relevance to their stage of training. Tutors reported increased confidence in using QI techniques and a greater willingness to engage with QI in future.

Conclusions

In this single-centre study, near-peer teaching produced significant improvements in students’ self-reported understanding of QI and confidence in applying QI methodology. Near-peer teaching may constitute a sustainable means of teaching essential QI skills at undergraduate level. Future work must evaluate objective measures of student engagement with and competence in conducting QI.
Evaluation of 24 protocols for the production of platelet-rich fibrin
Authors: Miron Richard J , Chai Jihua , Fujioka-Kobayashi Masako , Sculean Anton , Zhang Yufeng
Published: March 2020

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate 24 protocols for the production of platelet rich fibrin (PRF) produced via horizontal centrifugation to better understand cell separation following protocols at various times and speeds. Methods All protocols were compared utilizing a recent method to quantify cells in PRF in 1 mL sequential layers pipetted from the upper layer downwards until all 10 mL were harvested. In total, 960 complete blood counts (CBCs) were investigated. Both solid and liquid-based PRF protocols were investigated following 24 protocols involving 6 relative centrifugal force (RCF) values (100,200,400,700,1000 and 1200g) at 4 centrifugation times (3,5,8 and 12 minutes). Results In general, platelets could more easily accumulate in the upper 4 layers when compared to leukocytes owing to their lower cellular density. Protocol time seemed to have a greater impact on the final cell layer separation when compared to the effect of speed. Protocols of greater than 8 minutes at 400 g led to no leukocyte accumulation in the upper PRF layers (found specifically within the buffy coat). Protocols at or below 200 g were unable to effectively accumulate platelets/leukocytes. The optimal centrifugation speed and time for solid-PRF ranged between 400 -700 g for 8 minutes. It was noted that variability in patient baseline platelet/leukocyte/erythrocyte counts (hematocrit) significantly affected cell layer separation. This finding was more pronounced at lower centrifugation speeds. Conclusions Within the investigated ranges, a protocol of 700 g for 8 minutes presented the highest yield of platelets/leukocytes evenly distributed throughout the upper PRF layers.
Design, synthesis, in silico studies and biological evaluation of 5-((E)-4-((E)-(substituted aryl/alkyl)methyl)benzylidene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives
Authors: Kumar Harsh , Deep Aakash , Marwaha Rakesh Kumar
Published: March 2020

Background : Looking at the extensive biological potential of thiazolidine-2,4-dione (TZD) moiety, a new series of thiazolidine-2,4-dione analogues was synthesized. Different spectral techniques ( 1 H-NMR, IR, MS etc.) were used to confirm the chemical structures of the synthesized analogues. These synthesized compounds were screened for their antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. Results and discussion : The antimicrobial screening was carried out against selected strains of fungi and bacteria using serial tube dilution method. The antioxidant potential was assessed using stable 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method. Further, the interaction between synthesized thiazolidine-2,4-dione compounds and DNA gyrase was explored using molecular docking studies. Various ADME parameters were also studied to evaluate the drug likeness of the synthesized compounds. Conclusion: In antimicrobial evaluation, the compounds 4 , 9 , 11 , 12, 13 , 15 and 16 displayed promising activity against selected strains of microbes. Antioxidant evaluation found compound 6 having IC 50 = 9.18 μg/mL to be the most potent compound in the series. The molecular docking study revealed compounds 4 ( dock score = -4.73) and 7 (dock score = -4.61) with decent docking score, possess good interaction inside the ATP binding pocket of DNA gyrase and therefore can be used as lead structure for further optimizing into potent antimicrobial molecule.
Anemia and perioperative mortality in Non-cardiac Surgery patients: a secondary analysis based on a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Luo Xueying , Liu Baoer , Zheng Sujing , Yang Liping , Li Ya , Hu Haofei , He Jinsong
Published: March 2020

Introduction: Evidence regarding the relationship between anemia and perioperative prognosis is controversial. The study was conducted to highlight the specific relationship between anemia and perioperative mortality in non-cardiac surgery patients over 18 years of age. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of the electronic medical records of 90,784 patients at the Singapore General Hospital from January 1, 2012 to October 31, 2016. Multivariate regression, propensity score analysis, doubly robust estimation, and an inverse probability-weighting model was used to ensure the robustness of our findings. Results We identified 85,989 patients, of whom75, 163 had none or mild anemia and 10,826 had moderate or severe anemia. 8,857 patients in each study exposure group had similar propensity scores and were included in the analyses. In the doubly robust model, postoperative 30-day mortality rate was increased by 0.51% (n = 219) in moderate or severe anemia group (odds ratio, 1.510; 95% CI, 1.049 to 2.174) compared with none or mild anemia group (2.47% vs. 1.22%, P<0.001). Moderate or severe anemia was also associated with increased postoperative blood transfusion rates (OR, 5.608; 95% CI, 4.026 to 7.811, P < 0.001).There was no statistical difference in ICU admission rate among different anemia groups within 30 days after surgery (P=0.104). Discussion: In patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery over 18 years old, moderate or severe preoperative anemia would increase the occurrence of postoperative blood transfusion and the risk of death, rather than ICU admission within 30 days after surgery.
Influence of cement-augmented pedicle screws with different volumes of polymethylmethacrylate in osteoporotic lumbar vertebrae over the adjacent segments: A 3D finite element analysis
Authors: Guo Hui-zhi , Zhang Shun-cong , Guo Dan-qing , Ma Yan-huai , yuan Kai , Li Yong-xian , Peng Jian-cheng , Li Jing-lan , Liang De , Tang Yong-chao
Published: March 2020

Background: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is commonly used for cement-augmented pedicle screw instrumentation (CAPSI) to improve the fixation stability and reduce the risk of screw loosening in the osteoporotic thoracolumbar spine. Biomechanical researches have shown that various dose of cement (1-3ml) can be injected to enhance screw stability. To date, there have been no studies on the relationship between adjacent segment degeneration and the volume of PMMA. This study aimed to explore the influence of CAPSI with different volumes of PMMA in osteoporotic lumbar vertebrae over adjacent segments by using finite element analysis.Methods: Seven different finite element models were reconstructed and simulated under different loading conditions, including (1) an intact model, (2) three single-level CAPSI models with different volumes of PMMA (1, 1.73, and 2.5 ml), and (3) three double-level CAPSI models with different volumes of PMMA (1, 1.73, and 2.5 ml). To improve the accuracy of the finite element analysis, the models of the injectable pedicle screw and bone cement were created by using a three-dimensional scanning machine and the CAPSI patient’s CT data, respectively. The range of motion (ROM), the stress of intervertebral discs, and the stress of facet in the adjacent segment were comparatively analysed among the different models.Results: The ROMs of the different segments were compared with experimental data, with good agreement under the different load conditions. Compared with the intact model, the ROM, disc stresses, and facet stress in adjacent segments were found to be higher in the six operative models. Otherwise, with a larger volume of PMMA injected, the ROM, disc stresses, and facet stress slightly increased at the adjacent segment. However, the differences among the augmented models were insignificant for all loading cases.Conclusions: CAPSI could increase the incidence of disk degeneration in the adjacent segment, while within a certain range, different volumes of PMMA provided an approximate impact over the adjacent segment degeneration.
Application of Median Lethal Concentration (LC50) of Pathogenic Microorganisms and Their Antigens in Vaccine Development
Authors: Saganuwan Saganuwan Alhaji
Published: March 2020

Objective: Lack of ideal mathematical models to qualify and quantify both pathogenicity, and virulence is a dreadful setback in development of new antimicrobials and vaccines against resistance pathogenic microorganisms.Hence, the modified arithmetical formula of Reed and Muenchhas been integrated with other formulas and used to determine bacterial colony forming unit/ viral concentration, virulence and immunogenicity from LC50s established in the laboratories. Results: Microorganisms’antigens tested are Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcuspneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in mice and rat, Edwardsiellaictaluri, Aeromonashydrophila, Aeromonasveronii in fish, New Castle Disease virus in chicken, Sheep Pox Virus, Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus and Hepatitis A virus in vitro, respectively. The LC50s for the pathogens using different routes of administrations are 1.93 x 103(sheep poxvirus) and 1.75 x 1010 for Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC29213) in rat respectively. Titre index (TI) equals N log10 LC50 and provides protection against lethal dose in graded fashion which translates to protection index. N is the number of vaccine dose that could neutralize the LC50. Hence, parasite inoculum of 103 to 1011could be used as basis for determination of median lethal dose(LD50), LC50 and median bacterial concentrations (BC50)determination, pathogenic dose for immune stimulation should be sought at concentrations less than LC10.
The Role of NMDA receptors in rat propofol self-administration
Authors: Chen Bei ping , Huang Xi-xi , Dong Dong-mei , Wu Hui , Zhu Tian-qi , WANG Ben-fu
Published: March 2020

Aim Propofol is among the most frequently used anesthetic agents, and it has the potential for abuse. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are key mediators of both neural plasticity and development, as well as of addiction and neurodegeneration. Herein we explored the role of these receptors in rat propofol self-administration. Methods Rats were trained to self-administer propofol (1.7 mg/kg/infusion) using an FR fixed ratio schedule of the course of 14 sessions (3 h/day). After training, rats were intraperitoneally administered the non-competitive NDMA receptor antagonist MK-801, and then 10 minutes later were subjected to a propofol self-administration session. Results: After training, rats had acquired the ability to self-administer propofol successfully, as evidenced by a significant and stable rise in active nose-pokes leading to propofol administration relative to control nose-pokes (P<0.01) and became stable. Relative to control rats, rats that had been injected with 0.2 mg/kg MK-801 exhibited significantly more propofol infusions (F(3, 28)=4.372, P<0.01), whereas infusions were comparable in the groups administered 0.1 mg/kg and 0.4 mg/kg. In addition, MK-801 failed to alter numbers of active (F(3, 28)=1.353, P>0.05) or inactive (F(3, 28)=0.047, P>0.05) responses in study groups. Animals administered 0.4 mg/kg MK-801 exhibited significantly fewer infusions than animals administered 0.2 mg/kg (P=0.006, P<0.01). In contrast, however, animals in the 0.4 mg/kg MK-801 group exhibited a significant reduction in the number of active nose poke responses (F(3, 20)=20.8673, P<0.01) and the number of sucrose pellets (F(3, 20)=23.77, P<0.01), with increased locomotor activity (F(3, 20)=22.812, P<0.01). Conclusion These findings indicate that NMDA receptors may play a role in regulating rat self-administration of propofol.
Quantitative assessment of German Holstein dairy cattle colostrum and impact of thermal treatment on quality of colostrum viscosity and immunoglobulins
Authors: Hassan Abdulwahed Ahmed , Ganz Sebastian , Schneider Florian , Wehrend Axel , Khan Izhar U.H. , Failing Klaus , Bülte Michael , Abdulmawjood Amir
Published: March 2020

Objective: This study aimed to determine the color, fat, viscosity, IgG concentration, %Brix and refractive index of fresh postpartum colostrum of German Holstein dairy cattle and assess the impact of different thermal treatments on the visual and dynamic viscosity, in association to IgG concentration, of colostrum that can be used for pasteurization process. Results: Of the total 40 fresh postpartum colostrum, the color of colostrum (white-pale yellow to yellow and dark-yellowish), fat (1.4 - 8.2 100 g-1), IgG (4 - 116 mg mL-1), %Brix (8.5 - 35.4%), refractive index (1.3454 - 1.3905 nD), visual (ranging from watery to liquid and thick) and dynamic (4.9 - 219 cp) viscosity, were recorded. Statistical analysis between visual and dynamic viscosity of fresh colostrum showed significant correlation coefficients (rs = 634). Moreover, a significant correlation between viscosity and three IgG concentrations was observed. Heat-treated colostrum showed dynamic viscosity ranged from 25 to 3066 cP, where dynamic viscosity of colostrum before- and after heat-treatment showed no significant correlation. Treated colostrum containing IgG concentration ≤80 mg mL-1 at 60°C/60 min and ≤68 mg mL-1 at 63.5°C/30 min showed no significant change in the viscosity and can successfully be applied for pasteurization of first postpartum colostrum.
Measurement of nasalance scores without touching the philtrum for better comfort during speech assessment and therapy
Authors: Yang Xiaopeng , Pratama Gradiyan Budi , Choi Younggeun , You Heecheon , Tâm Nguyễn Phước Minh , Kim Gi-Wook , Jo Yun-Ju , Ko Myoung-Hwan
Published: March 2020

Background: The Kay Pentax Nasometer uses a separator plate that touches the philtrum of a patient to separate the nasal and oral sound energies for nasalance measurement. However, the separator plate could restrict the natural movement of the patient’s upper lip and generate an unpleasant pressure to the patient’s philtrum. The present study was intended to measure nasalance scores without touching the philtrum for better comfort during speech assessment and therapy.Methods: Nasalance scores of 10 males and 10 females having no speech disorders were measured under four levels (0, 5, 10, and 15 mm) of the gap between the plate and the philtrum (denoted as plate-to-philtrum gap) using Nasometer II 6450 for nasal (Nasal Sentences) and oral (Zoo Passage) stimuli. Regression formulas were established to examine the relationships between nasalance score and plate-to-philtrum gap for the Nasal Sentences and the Zoo Passge, respectively. To provide equivalent nasalance scores measured under the 5-mm plate-to-philtrum gap to those measured under the conventional contact measurement condition (i.e., the 0-mm plate-to-philtrum gap in the present study), compensation factors were identified as the ratio of the mean nasalance measured under the 0-mm gap to that measured under the 5-mm gap for the Nasal Sentences and the Zoo Passge, respectively. The validation of the identified compensation factors was examined.Results: The nasalance scores were significantly different between the four different plate-to-philtrum gaps for the stimuli. Nonlinear and linear regression formulas were established for the relationships between nasalance score and plate-to-philtrum gap for the Nasal Sentences and the Zoo Passage, respectively. Compensation factors for the Nasal Sentences and the Zoo Passage were identified as 1.17 and 0.71, respectively. Validation results showed that the adjusted nasalance scores after mutiplying the identified compensation factors were similar to those measured under the conventional contact measurement condition for both the oral and nasal stimuli.Conclusions: The 5-mm plate-to-philtrum gap condition after multiplying the compensation factors can provide equivalent nasalance scores to the conventional contact measurement condition and better comfort in speech assessment and therapy.
Does a six-weeks of Hip-focused exercises has the effects on Time to Stabilization after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?
Authors: Tanpowpong Thanathep , Jaiharn Orawan
Published: March 2020

Background: The investigation of hip muscles on knee functions has been broadly published. The deficits in proximal neuromuscular control has been identified as a contributor to valgus knee which is compromise to knee injuries. The aim of study was to determine the relationship between muscle strength and time taking to maintain the stability. Methods: Thirteen male underwent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR) participated in the six week of hip-focused exercise program. Single leg jump-landing test were performed to determine the Time to Stabilization (TTS). Concentric hip abduction-adduction and knee extension-flexion strength was evaluated muscle peak torques at 60 degree/second. Results: The study demonstrated that there was a strength improvement on both hip and knee muscles. Moreover, the IKDC score was significantly increased (82.71±15.21 to 90.80±8.44) after completed the exercise. We found no correlation between muscle peak torques and TTS. However, there was a moderate relationship between hip abduction and knee extension strength (r=0.624, p =0.023). Conclusion: The main findings suggesting that rehabilitation program targets on strengthen the hip muscles demonstrate an improvement of knee functions in individual with ACLR.
Genetic characterization of rhesus macaque populations along the southeastern Qinghai-Tibetan plateau based on a mitochondrial ATP6 gene closely related to energy metabolism
Authors: Zhao Pu , Zhang Kechu , Jin Zuxiang , Li Diyan , Xie Meng , Ni Qingyong , Zhang Mingwang , Yao Yongfang , Xu Huailiang
Published: March 2020

Background Rhesus macaque ( Macaca mulatta ) is widely distributed in China, across different altitudes. The mitochondrial ATP6 gene,an ATPase subunit coding gene with fast evolution rate in the mitochondrial genome, plays an important role in the energy metabolism of animals, which may be a good molecular marker for studying the adaptive evolution of animals. Herein, we detected ATP6 genes of 334 rhesus macaques of 19 populations from multiple regions in China with an elevation span of 5-4000m, and mainly carried out the population genetic and evolutionary analysis in these macaques. Our aim is to explore the molecular mechanism of rhesus macaques in adapting to different environments, especially in high altitude extreme environments. Results A total of 50 haplotypes were identified, and significant differences were found in haplotype sequences of rhesus macaque ATP6 gene at different elevations, especially in the high altitude haplotypes with multiple specific variation sites, leading to some region-specific haplotypes. Population genetic analysis showed that rhesus macaque had high genetic diversity ( Pi =0.02332 ± 0.00226, Hd =0.802 ± 0.022 and K =14.982), and there was obvious genetic differentiation among different geographical populations. Conclusions The results showed that the ATP6 gene had undergone adaptive evolution in the process of rhesus macaque adapting to different elevations, especially the high altitude environments. We also found that geographical isolation was an important factor in the genetic differentiation of rhesus macaque. Phylogenetic analysis showed that there were two subspecies of rhesus macaque in western Sichuan, namely, M. m. lasiotus and M. m. vestita , the former distributed in the western Sichuan region of the Yalong River Basin and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, while the latter distributed in the Dadu River Basin and northwest Sichuan. We speculated that the Daxueshan Mountains in western Sichuan was a critical geographical barrier for the differentiation of the two subspecies populations.
The mitochondrial genomes of Panorpidae: sequence, structure and phylogenetic analysis
Authors: Hua Yuan , Li Ning , Chen Jie , Hua Bao-Zhen , Tao Shi-Heng
Published: March 2020

Background: Mitochondrial genomes play a significant role in reconstructing phylogenetic relationships and revealing molecular evolution in insects. However, only two species of Panorpidae have been documented for mitochondrial genomes in Mecoptera to date.Results: We obtained complete mitochondrial genomes of 17 species of Panorpidae. The results show that the complete mitogenome sequences of Panorpidae all contain 37 genes (13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNAs, 22 tRNAs) and one control region. The mitogenomes exhibit a strong AT bias. The AT-skew can either be slightly positive or slightly negative, while the GC-skew is usually negative. The 22 tRNA genes can fold into a common cloverleaf secondary structure except trnS1. The sliding window and genetic distance analyses demonstrate highly variable nucleotide diversity among the 13 protein-coding genes, with comparatively low evolutionary rate of cox1, cox2 and nad1, and high variability of nad2 and nad6. The phylogeny of Panorpidae can be presented as (Neopanorpa + Furcatopanorpa) + (Dicerapanorpa + (Panorpa debilis + (Sinopanorpa + (Cerapanorpa + Panorpa)))).Conclusions: Our analyses indicate that the genes nad2 and nad6 can be regarded as potential markers for population genetics and species delimitation in Panorpidae. Panorpa is reconfirmed a paraphyletic group.
Highly conserved genes expressed in aphid saliva are candidates for host plant adaptation in Aphis gossypii
Authors: Boissot Nathalie , Dutartre-Fricaux Leslie , Beucher Coralie , Vanlerberghe Flavie
Published: March 2020

BackgroundAphids are major crop pests, most species attacking crops specialize on a narrow range of plant species from a single family. By contrast, Aphis gossypii is a highly polyphagous species, for which host races specializing on particular crops have been clearly described. Salivary components, which aphids inject into the phloem via their stylets, play a key role in establishing compatible interactions between plants and aphids, and are probably involved in specialization.ResultsWe used the extensive resources available for Myzus persicae and Acyrthosiphon pisum to identify putative salivary proteins expressed in Aphis gossypii, despite the lack of genomic resources for this species. In silico, we identified 51 putative salivary proteins; we focused on 17 genes with orthologs in at least one aphid species, assuming that some of the conserved genes expressed in salivary glands are involved in host specialization. We amplified and sequenced 10 coding sequences in full, from 17 clones of Aphis gossypii specialising on plants from Malvaceae, Cucurbitaceae or Solanaceae. We reconstructed the phylogenetic tree for these genes, on which we identified a clade corresponding to all clones specializing on cucurbits. Three of these genes were under positive selection.ConclusionsFull adaptation to a particular host plant may require a combination of alleles at quantitative trait loci in aphids. The three genes we identified could potentially be part of a cocktail of effectors manipulating the immune system of cucurbits and therefore responsible for A. gossypii specialization on that plant family.
DeMoS: Dense Module based Gene Signature Detection through Quasi-Clique: An Application to Cervical Cancer Prognosis
Authors: Saha Suparna , Mallik Saurav , Bandyopadhyay Sanghamitra
Published: March 2020

Background: Gene signature is useful to represent the molecular alternation in the disease genomes at specified conditions and is often used to distinguish samples into various groups for better research prospective as well as better clinical treatment. There is lack of efficient techniques that can take into account the complex gene expression profile and able to identify the most relevant signatures. Methods: In this article, we presented a new framework to identify Dense Module based gene Signature (DeMoS) and their targeting miRNAs through Quasi-Clique detection algorithm and their application in prognosis survival study. Here we applied a cervical cancer data repository with prognosis clinical data to conduct our experiment. We first performed Empirical Bayes test using Limma method to identify dysregulated genes (or, miRNAs). MiRNA-mediated dysregulated target genes had been extracted from those dysregulated miRNAs. Thereafter, We detected dense co-expressed modules using Quasi-Clique identification technique. The average correlation coefficient was then computed for each resultant module. The module containing the highest correlation was formulated as the resultant gene signature. Next, We applied three well-known classifiers (SVM, PAM and Random Forest (RF)) using 10-fold cross-validation, and obtained AUC. Finally, we performed survival prognosis study for the resultant gene signature. Results: The resultant signature consisted of ten genes, FGF9, FGF18, PPP1R9A, ERBB4, DCDC2, TOX3, ARMC3, DNALI1, RGL3 and ENPP3. In addition, We identified a total of eight dysregulated miRNAs that targeted the aforementioned gene signature. Hsa-mir-34c was found to be strongly associated with the genes signature since its out-degree centrality score was highest. On the other hand, the p-value of the Cox regression in the prognosis study for the resultant gene signature was found to be significant (=4.2e-02). Finally, DeMoS evaluated the highest AUC values (viz., 0.95 for SVM, 0.955 for RF, 0.955 for PAM) for our resultant gene signature in compared to the other state-of-the-art techniques. Conclusions: Our framework estimated most promising gene signature that could classify multiple groups/subtypes of samples with higher AUC as well as statistically significant p-value in regression based prognosis analysis. Our method is useful to determine signature for any RNA-seq profile. Code is available at https://github.com/sahasuparna/DeMoS.