bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomic analysis of demographic history and ecological niche modeling in the endangered Chinese Grouse Tetrastes sewerzowi
Authors: Song Kai , Gao Bin , Halvarsson Peter , Fang Yun , Jiang Ying-Xin , Sun Yue-Hua , Höglund Jacob
Published: July 2020

Background: The Quaternary had worldwide consequences in forming the contemporary diversity of many populations, species and communities, which is characterized by marked climatic oscillations between glacial and interglacial periods. The origin and evolution of biodiversity in mountainous areas are highly dependent on historical orogenesis and associated climatic changes. The Chinese grouse Tetrastes sewerzowi is a forest-dwelling species endemic to the mountains to the east of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, which has been listed as Near Threatened with a decreasing trend by the IUCN because of ongoing deforestation and fragmentation of coniferous forests. It is important to place current population status into a broader ecological and evolutionary context to understand their demographic history. Results: Analyses of the Chinese Grouse genome revealed fluctuations throughout the Pleistocene in effective population size. Populations decreased during early to middle Pleistocene but showed an expansion during late Pleistocene which was then followed by a sharp decline during the last glacial maximum (LGM). Ecological niche modeling indicated that a suitable habitat shift between high altitude regions to low altitude regions was due to a changing climate. This result parallels patterns of population size change in Chinese Grouse estimated from PSMC modelling, which suggested an expansion in population size from the last interglacial period (LIG) and then a peak and a bottleneck occurring at the last glacial maximum (LGM). Furthermore, the present-day distribution of Chinese Grouse is greatly reduced and fragmented. It will likely become even more fragmented in the future since coniferous forest cover is threatened in the region of their distribution and the availability of such habitat restricts their ecological niche. Conclusions: The Chinese Grouse have experienced substantial population size changes from the beginning to the LIG and reached a peak before the LGM. A sharp decrease and bottleneck occurred during the LGM, when the coniferous forests were subjected to extensive loss. The results inferred from the whole genome sequencing and species distribution models both support historical population fluctuations. The distribution of the Chinese Grouse is strongly dependent on the coniferous forest cover. To protect the fragmented coniferous forests is an essential action to protect the Chinese Grouse.
Tobacco exposure as a major modifier of oncologic outcomes in Human PapillomaVirus (HPV) associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Elhalawani Hesham , Mo Abdallah S.R. , Elgohari Baher , Lin Timothy A. , Sikora Andrew G. , Lai Stephen Y. , Abusaif Abdelrahman , Phan Jack , Morrison William H. , Gunn G. Brandon , Rosenthal David I. , Garden Adam S. , Fuller Clifton D. , Sandulache Vlad C.
Published: July 2020

Background: The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) in the US is rapidly increasing, driven largely by the epidemic of human papillomavirus (HPV)-mediated OPSCC. Although survival for patients with HPV mediated OPSCC (HPV+ OPSCC) is generally better than that of patients with non-viral HPV+ OPSCC, the improvement is not uniform. We hypothesized that tobacco exposure remains a critical modifier of survival for HPV+ OPSCC patients.Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 611 OPSCC patients with concordant p16 and HPV testing treated at a single institute (2002-2013). Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression. Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was used to define tobacco exposure associated with survival (p<0.05). Results: Tobacco exposure impacted overall survival (OS) for HPV+ patients on univariate and multivariate analysis (p=0.002, p=0.003 respectively). RPA identified 30 pack-years (PY) as a threshold at which survival became significantly worse in HPV+ patients. OS and disease-free survival (DFS) for HPV+ >30 PY patients didn’t differ significantly from HPV- group (p= 0.72, p= 0.27, respectively). HPV+ >30 PY patients had substantially lower 5-year OS when compared to their ≤30 PYs counterparts: 78.4% vs 91.6%; p= 0.03, 76% vs 88.3%; p= 0.07, and 52.3% vs 74%; p= 0.05, for stages I, II, and III (AJCC 8th Edition Manual), respectively.Conclusions: Tobacco exposure can eliminate the survival benefit associated with HPV+ status in OPSCC patients. Until this effect can be clearly quantified using prospective datasets, de-escalation of treatment for HPV+OPSCC smokers should be avoided.
Prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, and associated factors of Salmonella and Shigella among food handlers in Adigrat University student’s cafeteria, Northern Ethiopia, 2018
Authors: Legese Haftom , Kahsay Tsega , Gebrewahd Aderajew , Berhe Brhane , Fseha Berhane , Tadesse Senait , Gebremariam Guesh , Negash Hadush , Mardu Fitsum , Tesfay Kebede , Adhanom Gebre
Published: July 2020

Background: Food handlers play a significant role in the transmission of foodborne infections. Salmonella and Shigella are the most common foodborne pathogens and their infections are a major public health problem globally. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and associated factors of Salmonella and Shigella among food handlers.Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to August 2018 at Adigrat University student cafeteria, Northern Ethiopia. Data on socio-demographic and associated factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Fresh stool samples were collected from 301 food handlers and transported to Adigrat University Microbiology Laboratory. Bacterial isolation and antimicrobial susceptibility test were performed using standard bacteriological methods. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 and P < 0.05 with a corresponding 95% confidence interval was considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 301 food handlers were included in this study. The majority of study participants were females 265 (88.0 %). About 22 (7.3%) and 11 (3.7%) of food handlers were found to be positive for Salmonella and Shigella respectively. Hand washing after using a bathroom with water only,no hand washing after using the bathroom,no hand washing after touching dirty materials, no hand washing before food handling, and untrimmed fingernails were significant associated factors identified. None of the Salmonella and Shigella isolates were sensitive to ampicillin. On the other hand, low resistance against chloramphenicol, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin was found.Conclusion: The present study revealed that the prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella among food handlers was 22 (7.3%) and 11 (3.7%) respectively. Such colonized food handlers can contaminate food, drinks and could serve as a source of infection to consumers via the food chain. This indicates that there is a need for strengthened infection control measures to prevent Salmonella and Shigella transmission in the students’ cafeteria.
Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate insulin resistance via PTEN-mediated crosstalk between the PI3K/Akt and Erk/MAPKs signaling pathways in the skeletal muscles of db/db mice
Authors: Chen Guang , Fan Xiao-yan , Zheng Xiao-peng , Jin Yue-lei , Liu Ying , Liu Shuang-chun
Published: July 2020

Background: Globally, 1 in 11 adults have diabetes mellitus and 90% of the cases are type 2 diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance is a central defect in type 2 diabetes mellitus, and although multiple drugs have been developed to ameliorate insulin resistance, the limitations and accompanying side effects cannot be ignored. Thus more effective methods are required to improve insulin resistance. Methods: In the current study, db/m and db/dbmice were injected with human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUC-MSCs) via tail vein injection, intraperitoneal injection and skeletal muscle injection. Body weight, fasting blood glucose and the survival rates were monitored. Furthermore, the anti-insulin resistance effects and potential mechanisms of transplanted HUC-MSCs were investigated in db/db mice in vivo. Results: The results showed that HUC-MSC transplantation by skeletal muscle injection was safer compared with tail vein injection and intraperitoneal injection, and the survival rate reached 100% in the skeletal muscle injection transplanted mice. HUC-MSCs can stabilize localization and differentiation in skeletal muscle tissue and significantly ameliorate insulin resistance. Potential regulatory mechanisms are associated with downregulation of inflammation; regulating the balance between PI3K/Akt and ERK/MAPK signaling pathway via PTEN, but was not associated with the IGF-1/IGF-1R signaling pathway. Conclusions: These results suggest HUC-MSC transplantation may be a novel therapeutic direction to prevent insulin resistance and increase insulin sensitivity, and skeletal muscle injection was the safest and most effective way.
Cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Swedish version of the Reproductive Concerns After Cancer (RCAC) scale
Authors: Anandavadivelan Poorna , Wiklander Maria , Eriksson Lars E. , Wettergren Lena , Lampic Claudia
Published: July 2020

Background: Reproductive concerns are common among young cancer survivors and include worries related to different aspects of fertility and parenthood. The Reproductive Concerns After Cancer (RCAC) scale is an 18-item scale with six dimensions, developed to capture a variety of such concerns. The aim of the present study was to describe the cultural adaptation of the RCAC scale into Swedish and evaluate its psychometric properties among young women who have undergone treatment for cancer.Methods: The RCAC was forward translated from English into Swedish and assessed for cultural adaptation based on a two-panel approach followed by cognitive interviews with the target group. For the psychometric evaluation, a Swedish cohort of 181 female young adult breast cancer survivors completed a survey including the RCAC scale approximately 1.5 years post-diagnosis. Psychometric properties were examined by analyses of construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis and convergent validity), data quality (score distribution, floor and ceiling effects), reliability and known-groups validity. Results: The confirmatory factor analysis yielded an acceptable fit (RMSEA 0.08, SRMR 0.09, CFI 0.92). Convergent validity was demonstrated by a negative correlation of moderate size (-0.36) between the RCAC total score and the emotional functional scale of the EORTC QLQ-C30. Reliability measured with Revelle Ω total was satisfactory (0.73-0.92) for five of the dimensions, and poor for the dimension Becoming pregnant (Revelle Ω total = 0.60); Cronbach’s alpha showed a similar pattern. Known-groups validity was indicated by significantly higher RCAC mean score differences (MD), reflecting more concerns, among women with a certain (MD 4.56 [95% CI 3.13 to 5.99]) or uncertain (MD 3.41 [95% CI 1.68 to 5.14]) child wish, compared to those with no wish for (additional) children. Conclusion: The translation and cultural adaptation of the Swedish RCAC has resulted in a scale demonstrating construct and known-groups validity, and satisfactory reliability for five of six dimensions. The dimension Becoming pregnant showed non-optimal internal consistency and should undergo further evaluation. The Swedish RCAC is recommended to be used in research settings for measurement of concerns related to fertility and parenthood in young women with cancer.
Costs and Effectiveness of a Culturally Tailored Communication Training Program to Increase Cultural Competence Among Multi-Disciplinary Care Management Teams
Authors: Parker Brenda Marie , Fang Xiangming , Bradlyn Andrew S
Published: July 2020

Background. Several studies have demonstrated that cultural competence improves patient-provider communication, which promotes adherence to established care plans and improves patient satisfaction and health outcomes. However, there is very little data available regarding the costs associated with the development and implementation of cultural competence training, or the cost-effectiveness of these programs. To that end, this evaluation aims to describe costs, program effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of a culturally tailored communication training program to improve cultural competence among multi-disciplinary care management teams.Methods. As part of a region-wide quality improvement initiative to reduce healthcare disparities among African American patients with uncontrolled hypertension, three multi-disciplinary care management teams were invited to participate in a two-part communication training program. A paired samples t-test was used to assess program effectiveness based on participant responses to a validated cultural competence self-assessment survey two weeks before and after the training program. A micro-costing approach was used to estimate programmatic costs for content development and delivery. Cost-effectiveness was then determined using the average cost-effectiveness ratio, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the impact of participant mix on this result.Results. All scores (n=17) improved after training; however, only the culturally competent behaviors (CCB) subscale change was statistically significant (p=0.02). Overall program costs were $5,754.19. The average program cost per participant was $138.51, with an ACER of $337.83 per 1-unit increase in CCB score. Sensitivity analyses yielded a range of ACERs between $122.59 and $457.07, where all participants are support staff or nurses, respectively.Conclusions. Culturally tailored communication training increases how frequently participants demonstrate culturally competent behaviors and may be a cost-effective intervention for care management teams to address individual cultural competence. Detailed costs associated with cultural competence training are largely unavailable in the literature; as such, these data may serve as a financial framework for organizations considering the implementation of similar programs.
Attitude of Nursing Students towards Internet Plus Nursing Service
Authors: Zhao Hua , Zhao Peng , Wang yanni
Published: July 2020

Background: In 2019, China completed the pilot project “Internet Plus Nursing Service.” The study aimed to investigate the attitude, willingness, and motivation of third-year undergraduate nursing students toward “Internet Plus Nursing Service,” providing a reference for the development of “Internet Plus Nursing Service” and related nursing education. Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 508 third-year undergraduate nursing students from a public University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, using a self-designed survey.Results: Of these 508 nursing students, 314 (61.81%) expressed support for the implementation of “Internet Plus Nursing Service,” 150 (29.52%) remained neutral and 44 (8.66%) expressed disapproval. In regards to career choice, 279 (54.92%) were willing to choose “Internet Plus Nursing Service” as their future career choice, 51 (10.04%) were unwilling, and 178 (35.04%) were unsure. The top three motivations to choose “Internet Plus Nursing Service” as their future career choice were added income, high autonomy and flexibility, and good job prospects. On the contrary, the top three motivation not to choose were safety concern, lack of time and energy, unwilling elderly care. gender, whether an only child or not, home location, and degree of knowledge and skills required for elderly care were not significantly associated with the willingness of nursing students to participate in “Internet Plus Nursing Service” (P > 0.05). Experience of community activities or a part-time job, elderly care experience, choice of nursing profession, satisfaction with nursing profession, willingness to engage in nursing work after graduation, and willingness to engage in elder care work were significantly associated with the willingness of nursing students to participate in “Internet Plus Nursing Service” (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Students had a positive attitude towards “Internet Plus Nursing Service” and were willing to choose “Internet Plus Nursing Service” as their future career choice. However, they lacked the willingness to engage in elder care after graduation. School education should strengthen the nursing education of elder care, develop a diversified nursing service model and professional training programs that meet social demands and professional needs, as well as address the opportunities and challenges of the Internet era.
Mastery and self-esteem mediate the association between visual acuity and mental health: a population-based longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Maaswinkel Ivar M , Aa Hilde PA van der , Rens Ger HMB van , Beekman Aartjan TF , Twisk Jos WR , Nispen Ruth MA van
Published: July 2020

Background: With deteriorating eyesight, people often become dependent on others for many aspects of their daily lives. As a result, they feel less ‘in control’ and experience lower self-esteem. Lower sense of mastery and self-esteem are known to predict depression, but their roles in people with visual impairment remain unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the influence of mastery and self-esteem on the relationship between visual acuity and mental health. Methods: A longitudinal cohort study was performed using data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), collected between 2001 and 2012. A community-based population of 2599 older adults (mean age 72 years) were included, who were randomly selected from population registers. Outcomes of interest were the Pearlin Mastery Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression scale and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale – Anxiety subscale. Linear mixed models were used to establish the association between visual acuity and mental health over time. Results: Mean age was 72 years, 56% was female and 1.2% qualified as having low vision. Visual impairment was associated with a lower sense of mastery (β = -0.477, p < 0.001), lower self-esteem (β = -0.166, p = 0.008) and more depression (β = 0.235, p < 0.001). No significant association between visual acuity and anxiety was found. The relationship between visual acuity and depression was mediated by self-esteem (25%) and sense of mastery (79%). Conclusions: Vision loss was associated with depression. This association was mediated by self-esteem and sense of mastery. This provides us with new possibilities to identify, support and treat those at risk for developing depression by aiming to increase their self-esteem and sense of mastery.
Clinical and Genetic Characteristics of Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease in Oman
Authors: Alawi Intisar Al , Molinari Elisa , Salmi Issa Al , Rahbi Fatma Al , Mawali Adhra Al , Sayer John A.
Published: July 2020

Background: There is a high prevalence of rare genetic disorders in the Middle East, and their study provides unique clinical and genetic insights. Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is one of the leading causes of kidney and liver-associated morbidity and mortality in Oman. We describe the clinical and genetic profile of cohort of ARPKD patients. Methods: We studied patients with a clinical diagnosis of ARPKD (n=40) and their relatives (parents (n=24) and unaffected siblings (n=10)) from 32 apparently unrelated families, who were referred to the National Genetic Centre in Oman between January 2015 and December 2018. Genetic analysis of PKHD1 if not previously known was performed using targeted exon PCR of known disease alleles and Sanger sequencing. Results: A clinical diagnosis of ARPKD was made prenatally in 8 patients, 21 were diagnosed during infancy (0-1 year), 9 during early childhood (2-8 years) and 2 at later ages (9-13 years). Clinical phenotypes included polycystic kidneys, hypertension, hepatic fibrosis and splenomegaly. 24 patients had documented chronic kidney disease (median age 3 years). 24 out of the 32 families had a family history suggesting an autosomal recessive pattern of inherited kidney disease, and there was known consanguinity in 21 families (66%). A molecular genetic diagnosis with biallelic PKHD1 mutations was known in 18 patients and newly identified in 20 other patients, totalling 38 patients from 30 different families. Two unrelated patients remained genetically unsolved. The different PKHD1 missense pathogenic variants were: c.107C>T, p.(Thr36Met); c.406A>G, p.(Thr136Ala); c.4870C>T, p.(Arg1624Trp) and c.9370C>T, p.(His3124Tyr) located in exons 3, 6, 32 and 58, respectively. The c.406A>G, p.(Thr136Ala) missense mutation was detected homozygously in one family and heterozygously with a c.107C>T, p.(Thr36Met) allele in 5 other families. Overall, the most commonly detected pathogenic allele was c.107C>T; (Thr36Met), which was seen in 24 families. Conclusions: Molecular genetic screening of PKHD1 in clinically suspected ARPKD cases produced a high diagnostic rate. The limited number of PKHD1 missense variants identified in ARPKD cases suggests these may be common founder alleles in the Omani population. Cost effective targeted PCR analysis of these specific alleles can be a useful diagnostic tool for future cases of suspected ARPKD in Oman.
Using behavioral insights to design implementation strategies in public mental health settings: a qualitative study of clinical decision-making
Authors: Last Briana Shiri , Schriger Simone H , Timon Carter E. , Frank Hannah E , Buttenheim Alison M. , Rudd Brittany N , Fernandez-Marcote Sara , Comeau Carrie , Shoyinka Sosunmolu , Beidas Rinad S.
Published: July 2020

Background: Trauma focused-cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based intervention for youth with posttraumatic stress disorder. An important component of TF-CBT is the trauma narrative (TN), a phase in the intervention in which youth are guided to process the memories, thoughts, and feelings associated with their traumatic experience(s). Previous work has shown that only half of TF-CBT clinicians complete the TN with their clients. Drawing from the behavioral insights literature—an interdisciplinary field studying judgment and decision-making—the present study seeks to understand what determines clinician use of the TN and to generate strategies that target these determinants. Methods: Through semi-structured qualitative interviews, we sought the perspectives of trained TF-CBT clinicians working in public mental health settings across the city of Philadelphia (n=17) to understand their decisions to use the TN with clients. We analyzed the qualitative data using a coding approach informed by the behavioral insights literature. We used an iterative process of structured hypothesis generation, aided by a behavioral insights guide, and rapid validation informed by behavioral insights to uncover the determinants of TN use. We then generated implementation strategies that targeted these determinants using the “Easy Attractive Social Timely” framework, a behavioral insights design approach. Results: We generated and validated three broad themes about what determines clinician implementation of the TN: decision complexity, clinician affective experience, and agency norms. We hypothesized the behavioral insights that underlie these implementation determinants and generated a list of nine behavioral insights strategies that theoretically may facilitate TN implementation. Conclusions: Our study investigated why an effective component of an evidence-based intervention is often neglected. We leveraged robust scientific theories and empirical regularities from the behavioral insights literature to understand clinician perspectives on TN implementation. These factors were theoretically linked to implementation strategies. Our work revealed the potential for using behavioral insights in the diagnosis of evidence-based intervention determinants and the design of implementation strategies.
Effects of continuous infusion of phenylephrine vs. norepinephrine on parturients and fetuses under LiDCOrapid monitoring: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Authors: Feng Kunpeng , Wang Xiaohua , Feng Xuexin , Zhang Jinfeng , Xiao Wei , Wang Fengying , Zhou Qi , Wang Tianlong
Published: July 2020

Background: Hypotension following spinal anesthesia (SA) during cesarean delivery (CD) occurs commonly and is related with maternal and fetal complications. Norepinephrine infusion is increasingly used for prevention of post-SA hypotension; however, its effects as compared to the traditional phenylephrine infusion remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the effects of phenylephrine and norepinephrine administered as continuous infusion during elective CD on maternal hemodynamic parameters and maternal and fetal outcomes.Methods: This prospective, single-center, randomized, controlled study included 238 consecutive in-term parturients who underwent CD from February 2019 to October 2019. They were randomized to receive continuous infusion of 0.25 μg/kg/min phenylephrine, 0.05 μg/kg/min norepinephrine, or placebo. Hemodynamic monitoring was performed at 10 time points using LiDCOrapid. We analyzed umbilical vein (UV), umbilical artery (UA), and peripheral vein (PV) blood gas indexes and recorded intraoperative complications.Results: In phenylephrine group, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) maintain stable during the whole operation. Compared to the control group, phenylephrine, but not norepinephrine, significantly increased the systemic vascular resistance (SVR) to counteract the SA-induced vasodilatation T4: 957.4±590.3 vs 590.1±273.7 (P<0.000001); T5: 1104±468.0 vs 789.4±376.2 (P=0.000002). T6: 1084±524.8 vs 825.2± 428.6 (P=0.000188). Parturient in the phenylephrine group had significantly lower UV (1.91±0.43) (P=0.0003) and UA (2.05±0.61) (P=0.0038) lactate level compared to controls. Moreover, the UV pH value was higher in the phenylephrine than in the control group7.37±0.03(P=0.0013). Parturient had lower incidence of nausea, tacycardia, hypotension in phenylephrine group.Conclusions: Continuous phenylephrine infusion reduced the incidence of SA-induced hypotension, ameliorate SVR, while decreasing overall maternal complications. Phenylephrine infusions are considered the better choice during CD because of the significant benefit to the fetus.Trial registration: Clinicaltrial.gov Registry, NCT03833895, Registered on 1 February 2019.
Integrative analysis of circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs profiles to reveal ceRNAs networks in chicken intramuscular and abdominal adipogenesis
Authors: Zhang Meng , Han Yu , Zhai Yanhui , Ma Xiangfei , An Xinglan , Zhang Sheng , Li Ziyi
Published: July 2020

Background: Tissue-specific fat deposition is regulated by a series of complex regulatory mechanisms. Reports indicate that epigenetic regulators, such as circular RNAs (circRNAs), are crucial in diseases progression, animal development, metabolism, and adipogenesis. In this study, to assess the functional roles of circRNAs in adipogenesis and tissue-specific fat deposition, we comprehensively analyzed the Ribo-Zero RNA-Seq and miRNAs data during chicken intramuscular and abdominal adipogenic differentiation. Results: circRNAs and miRNAs profiles during chicken adipogenic differentiation were found in adipocytes derived from various adipose tissues. It was also discovered that high levels of downregulated miRNAs potentially promote adipogenesis by activating their target genes which are associated with fatty acid metabolism and adipogenic differentiation. Through analysis of the correlation between the expression levels of circRNAs and adipogenic genes, as well as the dynamic expression patterns of circRNAs during adipogenic differentiation, several candidate circRNAs were identified. Moreover, competing endogenous RNA (ceRNAs) networks were constructed during chicken intramuscular and abdominal adipogenesis by combining miRNAs with mRNAs data. Several candidate circRNAs potentially influence adipogenesis by regulating miRNAs via PPAR and fatty acid metabolism-related pathways were identified, such as circLCLAT1, circFNDC3AL, circCLEC19A and circARMH1. Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings reveal that circRNAs and the circRNA-miRNAs-mRNAs-ceRNAs network may play important roles in chicken adipocytes differentiation and tissue-specific fat deposition.
Foot care knowledge and practices among Japanese nurses and care workers in home care and adult service center: a cross- sectional study
Authors: Fujii Kashiko , Komoda Takuyuki , Maekawa Atsuko , Nishikawa Mariko
Published: July 2020

Background: Foot care knowledge and practices among nurses and care workers in the community greatly impact foot health maintenance and prevention of foot-related problems among older people. This study aimed to explore and examine the current foot care knowledge, practices, and perceptions among nurses and care workers at home care and adult day service center, along with their demographic characteristics and daily care for clients.Methods: This study analyzed 232 randomly selected front-line nurses and care workers working at home care or adult day service center in one of the selected cities, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Data were obtained using questionnaires and subsequently analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, Chi-square tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and Spearman’s rank correlation tests.Results: Among the 305 surveyed, 232 (62 nurses; 170 care workers) provided data. Although 57 nurses (91.9%) and 142 care workers (83.5%) showed interest in foot care, 33 nurses (53.2%) and 133 care workers (78.2%) stated that foot care education was insufficient. Knowledge and practice scores were associated with working status.Higher accuracy differences in the early detection of foot problems and skin tears on lower limbs in knowledge category were observed between nurses and care workers. The nurses as well as the care workers had low accuracy rates of knowledge questions regarding the use of shoes and socks subscale.For practice, both nurses and care workers had low mean scores for checking client’s shoes (2.0/5.0 and 2.1/5.0, respectively), method for reducing ingrown nail pain (2.6/5.0 and 1.9/5.0, respectively), and opportunity for discussing foot care with others (2.7/5.0 and 2.2/5.0, respectively). A significant correlation between knowledge and practice scores was observed among nurses (0.331, p < 0.05) and care workers (0.339, p < 0.001).Conclusions: Despite the presence of several barriers toward enhanced care delivery to clients needing it most, nurses and care workers clearly understood the importance of foot care. These findings indicate that foot care should be focused by nurses and care workers to improve the knowledge and practice of foot care and to suggest future implications that efficient and understandable tools are needed considering their current working situation.
High-viscosity bone cement for vertebral compression fractures: a prospective study on intravertebral diffusion and leakage of bone cement
Authors: wang meiyong , jin qunhua
Published: July 2020

Background: Bone cement leakage causes severe complication following percutaneous vertebroplasty. This study probed the diffusion and leakage status of bone cement injected within diverged time duration, so as to find the optimal injection time for bone cement. Methods: A total of 70 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with a symptom of low back pain, who underwent treatment at hospital were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomized into three groups: <180 s, 180-300, and >300 s of injection time duration from the beginning to the completion of the injection. The scenarios of vertebral bone cement leakage and diffusion were inspected using postoperative CT.Results: The diffusion coefficient was higher in group A than in group B whereas it was higher in group B than in group C, but without statistical significance among the three groups. The leakage rate was without statistical significance among the three groups. The injection time of bone cement was negatively correlated with the diffusion coefficient, at the correlation coefficient of -0.253. Conclusions: The diffusion coefficient of high-viscosity bone cement is negatively correlated with the injection time, and the leakage rate of high-viscosity bone cement does not reduce with the prolongation of injection time.
Cesarean delivery or induction of labor in pre-labor twin gestations: A secondary analysis of the Twin Birth Study
Authors: Dougan Claire , Gotha Lara , Melamed Nir , Aviram Amir , Asztalos Elizabeth , Anabusi Saja , Willan Andy , Barrett Jon , Mei-Dan Elad
Published: July 2020

Background: In the Twin Birth Study, women at 320/7-386/7 weeks of gestation, in whom the first twin was in cephalic presentation, were randomized to planned vaginal delivery or cesarean section. The study found no significant differences in neonatal or maternal outcomes in the two planned mode of delivery groups. We aimed to compare neonatal and maternal outcomes of twin gestations without spontaneous onset of labor, who underwent induction of labor or pre-labor cesarean section as the intervention of induction may affect outcomes.Methods: In this secondary analysis of the Twin Birth Study we compared those who had an induction of labor with those who had a pre-labor cesarean section. The primary outcome was a composite of fetal or neonatal death or serious neonatal morbidity. Secondary outcome was a composite of maternal morbidity and mortality. Trial Registration: NCT00187369Results: Of the 2,804 women included in the Twin Birth Study, a total of 1,347 (48%) women required a delivery before a spontaneous onset of labor occurred: 568 (42%) in the planned vaginal delivery arm and 779 (58%) in the planned cesarean arm. Induction of labor was attempted in 409 (30%), and 938 (70%) had a pre-labor cesarean section. The rate of intrapartum cesarean section in the induction of labor group was 41.3%. The rate of the primary outcome was comparable between the pre-labor cesarean section group and induction of labor group (1.65% vs. 1.97%; p=0.61; OR 0.83; 95% CI 0.43-1.62). The maternal composite outcome was found to be lower with pre-labor cesarean section compared to induction of labor (7.25% vs. 11.25%; p=0.01; OR 0.61; 95% CI 0.41-0.91). Conclusion:In women with twin gestation between 320/7-386/7 weeks of gestation, induction of labor and pre-labor cesarean section have similar neonatal outcomes. Pre-labor cesarean section is associated with favorable maternal outcomes which differs from the overall Twin Birth Study results. These data may be used to better counsel women with twin gestation who are faced with the decision of interventional delivery.
The differences of clinical characteristics and outcomes between imported and local patients of COVID-19 in Hunan: A two-center retrospective study
Authors: Wang Chang , Zhou Lizhi , Chen Juan , Yang Yong , Huang Tianlong , Fu Min , Li Ya , George Daniel , Chen Xiangyu
Published: July 2020

Background: The clinical characteristics and outcomes of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia are different in Hubei compared to other regions in China. But there are few comparative studies on the differences between imported and local patients which may provide information of the different courses of the virus after transmission. Methods: We investigated 169 cases of COVID-19 pneumonia in two centers in Hunan Province, and divided them into two groups according to epidemiological history, "imported patients" refers to patient with a clear history of travel in Wuhan within 14 days before onset, and " local patients” refers to local resident without a recent history of travel in Wuhan, aiming to analyze the difference in clinical characteristics and outcomes between the two groups. All the epidemiological, clinical, imaging, and laboratory data were analyzed and contrasted. Results: The incidence of fever on admission in imported patients was significantly higher than local patients. There was a significantly higher proportion of abnormal pulmonary signs, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, prolonged PT, elevated D-dimer and elevated blood glucose in imported patients. Compared with local patients, the proportion using antibiotics, glucocorticoids and gamma globulin were significantly higher in imported patients. The moderate type was more common in local patients, and the severe type were more frequent in imported patients. In addition, the median duration of viral clearance was longer in imported patients. Conclusions: In summary, we found that imported cases were more likely to develop into severe cases, compared with local patients and required more powerful treatments.Trial registration: Registered 21st March 2020, and this study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee (Approved Number. 2020017).
The expression of miRNA-146a-5p and its mechanism of treating dry eye syndrome
Authors: Yin Liang , Zhang Mingxue , He Tiangeng , Chen Song
Published: July 2020

Background: Dry eye syndrome in which tear fluid quality or abnormality or kinetic abnormality is caused by many causes, resulting in decreased tear film stability. In recent years, more and more results from the studies indicate that miRNA alterations are involved in dry eye syndrome. And miRNA-146a-5p is a key regulator to regulate the inflammatory response. In this paper, we demonstrated whether miRNA-146a-5p could cure dry eye syndrome by regulating target genes based on network analysis.Methods: In this paper, we collected the blood of patients with dry eye disease which served as a model group, the blood of healthy people was used as a control group. The expression of miRNA-146a-5p in the patients was detected by RT-PCR, the genes controlled by miRNA-146a-5p were predicted by Targetscan, miRDB, miRWalk and PicTar databases, the genes regulated by miRNA-146a-5p which is related to dry eye disease were selected by draw Venn diagram;Results: The comparison of the general information between patients and healthy people was no significant difference, and it indicated that the two groups were comparable. The results of databases showed that IRAK1 was one of the target genes regulated by miRNA-146a-5p and it is related to dry eye disease. The expression of miRNA-146a-5p was negatively related to IRAK1 mRNA and protein. While IRAK1 had positive correlation with IL-6, TNF-α and CBP proteins. Conclusion: These results emphasized that miRNA-146a-5p could inhibit the expression of IRAK1, IL-6, TNF-α and CBP so as to help reduce the inflammatory response in dry eye syndrome.
Perioperative Hypoalbuminemia is a Risk Factor for Wound Complications Following Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: He Zhongyuan , Zhou Kai , Tang Ke , Quan Zhengxue , Liu Shaoyu , Su Bao
Published: July 2020

Background: Although serum albumin levels are increasingly used as an indicator of nutritional status in the clinic, the relationship between perioperative hypoalbuminemia and wound complications after posterior lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease remains ambiguous. The aim of this study was to evaluate perioperative serum albumin in relation to postoperative wound complications after posterior lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of single-segment lumbar degenerative disease. Material and methods: We reviewed patients who underwent single-segment posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery from December 2014 to April 2017 in the Department of Orthopedics at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. Perioperative (preoperative and early postoperative) serum albumin levels were assessed in all patients and were used to quantify nutritional status. We divided the patients into a surgical wound dehiscence (SWD) group and a normal wound healing group, and into a surgical site infection(SSI)group and a non-SSI group. To evaluate the relationship between perioperative serum albumin level and postoperative wound complications, we conducted univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses.Results: A total of 554 patients were enrolled in the study.The univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis of these differences showed that preoperative serum albumin <3.5 g/dl and postoperative serum albumin:<3.0 g/dl were significantly related to SWD (P<0.05). There were also significant differences between the surgical site infection(SSI) groups in terms of preoperative serum albumin <3.5 g/dl(P=0.001), postoperative serum albumin <3.5 g/dl (P<0.023) and <3.0 g/dl(P<0.001).Additionally, the increased hospitalization costs and length of hospitalization were statistically significant for patients with perioperative hypoalbuminemia. Conclusions: For patients who underwent single-segment posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery, we need to pay more attention to steroid use, perioperative hypoalbuminemia, which are more likely to be associated with increased wound complications, hospitalization costs and length of hospitalization after surgery. Adequate assessment and management of these risk factors will help reduce wound complications and hospital stays for surgical patients and will save medical costs.
MicroRNA-214-3p Inhibits the Stem-Like Properties of Lung Squamous Cell Cancer by Targeting YAP1
Authors: Lu Tingting , Yang Ying , Li Ziming , Lu Shun
Published: July 2020

Background: Emerging evidence reveals that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in tumor progression, but the underlying mechanism of microRNAs in lung squamous cell cancer (LSCC) remains unclear. Method : Western-blotting and quantitative real-time PCR (q-PCR) were carried out to detect mRNA and protein expression. Cell proliferation was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), colony-forming assay or sphere-forming assay, respectively. Results: MiR-214-3p was markedly de-regulated in LSCC tissues and was inversely related to the level of Yes-associated protein1 (YAP1), which is the core transcription regulator of the Hippo signaling pathway. Kaplan-Meier survival curves illustrated that patients with high miR-214-3p expression demonstrated more favorable clinical outcomes. MiR-214-3p overexpression (OE) repressed proliferation and cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) properties in vitro and in vivo xenograft mouse model. Mechanistically, luciferase activity assay revealed that miR-214-3p directly targets YAP1 by specifically binding on the 3’ UTR of YAP1. Conclusion: MiR-214-3p plays a pivotal role in CSCs properties by targeting YAP1, which provides a potential treatment strategy for LSCC patients.
The impact of disease-related immobilization on thigh muscle mass and strength in frail older hospitalized patients
Authors: Rommersbach Nikola , Wirth Rainer , Lueg Gero , Klimek Christiane , Schnatmann Mirja , Liermann Dieter , Janssen Gregor , Müller Manfred James , Pourhassan Maryam
Published: July 2020

Background: We assessed the quantitative changes in muscle mass and strength during two weeks of hospitalization in immobile and mobile acutely ill hospitalized older adults.Methods: 41 patients (82.4±6.6 years, 73.0% females) participated in this prospective longitudinal observational study. Mobility status was defined according to walking ability as described in the Barthel-Index. Functional status, including handgrip strength and isometric knee-extension strength, and mid-thigh magnetic resonance imaging measurements of cross-sectional area (CSA) were conducted on admission and at discharge. Results: Twenty-two participants (54%) were immobile and 19 (46%) mobile. In all, 54.0% and 12.0% were at risk of malnutrition and malnourished, respectively. The median time between baseline and follow-up for MRI scans were 13 days in mobile and immobile participants (P=0.072). Mid-thigh muscle and subcutaneous fat CSA significantly decreased by 3.9cm2 (5.0%, P=0.002) and 5.3cm2 (5.7%, P=0.036) during hospitalization whereas intermuscular fat remained unchanged in immobile subjects. No significant changes were observed in mobile patients. In a regression analysis, mobility was the major independent risk factor for changes in mid-thigh muscle CSA as a percentage of initial muscle area (P=0.022) whereas other variables such as age (P=0.584), BMI (P= 0.879), nutritional status (P=0.835) and inflammation (P=0.291) were not associated with muscle mass changes. There was a significant decrease in isometric knee extension strength (P=0.002) and no change in handgrip strength (P=0.167) in immobile patients whereas both parameters increased significantly over time in mobile patients (P=0.048 and P=0.012, respectively).Conclusions: Two weeks of disease-related immobilization result in a significant loss of thigh muscle mass and muscle strength in older patients with impaired mobility. Concomitantly, there was a significant reduction of subcutaneous adipose tissue in immobile older hospitalized patients whereas no changes were observed in intermuscular fat among these patients. These data should highlight the importance of mobility support in maintaining muscle mass and function in older hospitalized patients.
Comparison of overall survival of gastric neoplasms containing neuroendocrine carcinoma components with gastric adenocarcinoma: a propensity score matching study
Authors: Chen Jiahui , Wang Anqiang , Ji Ke , Bu Zhaode , Ji Jiafu
Published: July 2020

Background Gastric neoplasms containing neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) components are rare malignancies with highly aggressive behavior and a poor prognosis and include pure NEC and mixed tumors containing NEC components. We aimed to investigate whether there is a distinct difference in overall survival (OS) between gastric neoplasms containing NEC components and gastric adenocarcinoma.Methods Surgically resected gastric neoplasms containing NEC components (n=180) and gastric adenocarcinomas (n=785) from January 2013 to December 2019 at Peking University Cancer Hospital were retrospectively analysed. Patients were categorized into a surgical group and a neoadjuvant group and adjusted using propensity score matching. In the two groups, gastric neoplasms containing NEC components were divided into pure NEC and mixed tumors with less than 30% (<30% G-HMiNEN), between 30% and 70% (G-HMiNEN) and more than 70% (>70% G-HMiNEN) neuroendocrine carcinoma components. OS was compared between these groups and the gastric adenocarcinoma group.Results The OS of gastric neoplasms containing neuroendocrine NEC components was poorer than that of gastric adenocarcinomas in the surgical group, regardless of whether the percentage of neuroendocrine cancer components was less than 30%, between 30% and 70%, more than 70% or 100%. Cox multivariable regression analysis suggested that tumor category (neoplasms containing NEC components or gastric adenocarcinoma) was an independent risk factor for prognosis. Interestingly, among patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy, the difference was not significant.Conclusions Gastric neoplasms containing any proportion of NEC components had poorer overall survival than gastric adenocarcinoma in patients treated with surgery directly, indicating that these neoplasms are more malignant than gastric adenocarcinoma. Among the patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy, the difference in overall survival was not significant, which was in sharp contrast with the results of the surgery group, suggesting that neoadjuvant therapy may have a good effect in the treatment of these neoplasms.