bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occurrence and multiple-level ecological risk assessment of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in two lakes of China
Authors: Liu Na , Jin Xiaowei , Yan Zheng , Luo Ying , Feng Chenglian , Fu Zhiyou , Tang Zhi , Wu Fengchang , Giesy John P.
Published: February 2020

Background: Management of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the environment has become a social problem. In the present study, concentrations of 140 PPCPs at 20 sites in Baiyangdian Lake and Tai Lake from 2016 to 2017 were analyzed by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometer (HPLC-MS). Risk quotients (RQ) were calculated for each detected chemical at all sites and a prioritization index (PI) based on maximum RQ was calculated. To assess the risk of chemicals that identified high priority (PI>1), a more accurate method of joint probability curves (JPCs) was applied.

Results: A total of 41 PPCPs were quantitatively detected in the two lakes, with maximum concentrations ranging from 0.04 to 889 ng/L. Among these, seven PPCPs were identified as high or moderate risk pollutants for at least one site, 3 in Tai Lake and 5 in Baiyangdian Lake. Carbamazepine posed ecological risk at all 20 sites, to which more attention should be paid in the future. Based on results of the JPCs, sulfamethoxazole, caffeine, diethyltoluamide, and carbamazepine were categorized as high or intermediate risk.

Conclusion: Occurrences and distributions of PPCPs were different in the two lakes. Multiple-level risk assessment from simple to more complex was appropriate in chemical risk management.
Significance of incident reports by medical doctors for organizational transparency and driving forces for patient safety
Authors: Fukami Tatsuya , Uemura Masakazu , Nagao Yoshimasa
Published: February 2020

Incident reporting is an effective strategy used to enhance patient safety and quality improvement in healthcare. An incident is an event that could eventually result in harm to a patient. The aim of this study is to re-evaluate the importance of reporting by medical doctors to improve quality in healthcare and patient safety. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the reported incidents registered in our institutional database from April 2015 to March 2019, classified according to eight variables proposed by the National University Hospital Council of Japan, to determine the type of incidents and their potential harm to patients. Registered reports totalled 43,775, approximately 8% of which arise annually from medical doctors in clinical departments. Incidents with higher impact on patients have significantly increased the rate of reporting by medical doctors. The most frequent types of report overall concerned medication incidents, followed by infusion lines, drainage-tube devices, cure, examination, and treatment outside the operating room. The most frequent reports by medical doctors involved operation-related incidents, followed by cure, examination, treatment outside the operation room, and medications. Reporting by medical doctors reflects the organizational transparency and the driving forces behind patient safety and quality improvement in healthcare. Efforts toward seamless improvement in patient safety and quality at our hospital continue apace.
miR-543 inhibits tumor malignant progression by regulating TWIST1 in human gastric cancer
Authors: Lian Guoda , Li Xuanna , Chen Shaojie , Li Jiajia , Li Yaqing , Chen Shangxiang , Lin Xiangan , Lin Haoming , Huang Kaihong , Chen Yinting
Published: February 2020

Background: TWIST1, a highly conserved basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, is essential to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer metastasis in gastric cancer (GC). However, little is known about the post-transcriptional regulation of TWIST1, especially the mechanisms involving microRNAs. Methods: TWIST1 expression were observed on 107 cases of gastric cancer through tissue microarray technology to identify their correlations with clinicopathological parameters and patient survival. The regulation of TWIST1 by miR-543 was confirmed by western blot, dual luciferase activity assays and rescue experiments. Moreover, the functions of miR-543 on cell migration, invasion, tumorigenicity and metastatic potential were evaluated by stably expression strategy in vitro and in vivo. Results: TWIST1 is overexpressed in 74 of 107 GC tumor samples. High TWIST1 expression positively correlated with poor prognosis of GC patients. In addition, TWIST1 was found to be a direct target of miR-543. Expression of miR-543 was obviously decreased in GC cell lines and primary tissues. Overexpression of miR-543 in GC cells inhibited proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion by suppressing expression of TWIST1. Ectopic expression of miR-543 inhibited tumor growth and prevented liver metastasis of gastric cancer cells in mice. Conclusion: TWIST1 is overexpressed in gastric cancer and regulated by miR-543. Downregulated miR-543 promotes tumor growth and metastasis of GC, indicating the possibility of new strategies for GC therapy.
Can virtual reality improve traditional anatomical education?: A randomized controlled trial on use of 3D skull model
Authors: Chen Shi , Zhu Jiawei , Cheng Cheng , Pan Zhouxian , Liu Lingshan , Du Jianhua , Shen Xinhua , Shen Zhen , Zhu Huijuan , Liu Jihai , Yang Hua , Ma Chao , Pan Hui
Published: February 2020

Background Anatomy teaching is trending towards a mixture of lectures, cadaveric models, 2D atlas and computer simulations. This paper presents a study which compare the educational effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) skull model with that of cadaveric skulls and atlas. Methods A randomized controlled study with 73 medical students was carried out with three different groups: VR skull (N = 25), cadaveric skull (N = 25) and atlas (N = 23). Anatomical structures were taught through an introductory lecture and a model-based learning. All students completed the pre- and post-intervention test, which is composed of a theory test and an identification test. Results Participants in all three groups gained significantly higher total scores at post-intervention test than at pre-intervention test; the post-identification test score of VR group was non-statistically higher than the other group (VR 30 [22-33.5], cadaver 26 [20-31.5], atlas 28[20-33]). Participants in VR and cadaver group provided more positive feedbacks on their learning models (VR 26 [19-30] vs. 25 [19.5-29.5] vs. 12 [9-20], p<0.05). Conclusions VR skull model showed equivalent efficiency in teaching anatomy structure as cadaver skull and atlas. In addition, VR can assist participants in understanding complex anatomy structures with higher motivation and tolerable adverse effects.
Multi-tissue transcriptome analysis using hybrid-seq revealed potential genes and biological pathways associated with azadirachtin A biosynthesis in neem (Azadirachtin indica)
Authors: Wang Huiyan , Wang Ning , Huo Yixin
Published: February 2020

Background: Azadirachtin A is a triterpenoid from neem tree exhibiting excellent activities against over 600 insect species in agriculture. The manufacture of azadirachtin A depends on extraction from neem tissues, which is not ecofriendly and sustainable. The low yield and discontinuous supply impeded the further application. The biosynthetic pathway of azadirachtin A is still well-known.Results: We attempted to explore azadirachtin A biosynthetic pathway and identified key involved genes by analyzing transcriptome data of five neem tissues through hybrid-seq (Illumina HiSeq and Pacific Biosciences Single Molecule Real Time (PacBio SMRT)) technology. A total 219 and 397 up-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in leaf and fruit tissues than other tissues (root, stem and flower) were isolated. After phylogenetic analysis and domain prediction, 22 candidates encoding 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), cytochrome P450 (CYP450), acyltransferase (ACT) and esterase (EST) proposed to be involved in azadirachtin A biosynthesis were finally selected. De novo assembled sequences were verified by Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis.Conclusions: By integrating and analysis data from Illumina HiSeq and PacBio SMRT platform, 22 DEGs were finally selected as candidates involved in azadirachtin A biosynthesis. The obtained reliable and accurate sequencing data provided important novel information for understanding neem genome. Our data shed new light on the understanding of other triterpenoids biosynthesis in neem trees and provide reference for exploring other valuable natural product biosynthesis in plants.
Enriched environment and social isolation affect cognition ability via altering excitatory and inhibitory synaptic density in mice hippocampus
Authors: Wang Hui , Xu Xiaxia , Gao Jing , Zhang Tao
Published: February 2020

Background The purpose of the study was to examine whether the underlying mechanism of the alteration of cognitive ability and synaptic plasticity induced by the housing environment is associated with the balance of excitatory/inhibitory synaptic density. Enriched environment (EE) and social isolation (SI) are two different housing environment, and one is to give multiple sensory environments, the other is to give monotonous and lonely environment. Results Male four-week-old C57 mice were divided into three groups: CON, EE and SI. They were housed in the different cage for 3 months. Morris water maze (MWM) and novel object recognition were performed. Long term potentiation (LTP), depotentiation (DEP) and Local field potential (LFPs) were recorded in the hippocampal perforant pathway (PP) and dentate gyrus (DG). The data showed that EE enhanced the ability of spatial learning, reversal learning and memory as well as LTP/DEP in the hippocampal DG region. Meanwhile, SI reduced those abilities and the level of LTP/DEP. Moreover, there were higher couplings of both phase-amplitude and phase-phase in the EE group, and lower couplings of them in the SI group compared to that in the CON group. Western blot analysis showed that EE significantly enhanced the level of PSD-95, NR2B; however, SI reduced them but enhanced level of GABAAR. Conclusion These date suggests that the cognitive functions, synaptic plasticity and neural oscillatory patterns were significantly impacted by housing environment via possibly changing the balance of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic density.
Impacts of Dialysis Adequacy and Intradialytic Hypotension on Changes in Dialysis Recovery Time
Authors: Guedes Murilo , Pecoits-Filho Roberto , Leme Juliana El Ghoz , Jiao Yue , Raimann Jochen G. , Wang Yuedong , Kotanko Peter , de Moraes Thyago Proença , Thadhani Ravi , Maddux Franklin W. , Usvyat Len A. , Larkin John W.
Published: February 2020

Background:
Patient reported long dialysis recovery time (DRT) is common and associated with higher hospitalization and mortality. The goal of our study was to test the hypothesis that hemodialysis (HD) dose and intradialytic hypotension (IDH) rates are associated with dialysis recovery time (DRT).
Methods:
We analyzed data from adult HD patients who responded to DRT survey ≤180 days from first date of dialysis (FDD) during 2014 to 2017. DRT survey was administered with annual KDQOL survey. DRT survey asks: “How long does it take you to be able to return to your normal activities after your dialysis treatment?” Answers are: <0.5, 0.5-to-1, 1-to-2, 2-to-4, or >4 hours. An adjusted logistic regression model computed odds ratio for increased/maintained longer DRT (increase above DRT >2 hours) in reference to decreased/maintained shorter DRT (decrease below DRT <2 hours, or from DRT >4 hours). Changes in DRT were calculated from incident (≤180 days FDD) to first prevalent (>365-to-≤545 days FDD) and second prevalent (>730-to-≤910 days FDD) years.
Results:
Among 98616 incident HD patients (age 62.6±14.4 years, 57.8% male) who responded to DRT survey, a higher spKt/V in the incident period was associated with 13.5% (OR=0.865; 95%CI 0.801-to-0.935) lower risk of longer DRT in the first-prevalent year. A higher number of HD treatments with IDH episodes/month in the incident period was associated with a 0.8% (OR=1.008; 95%CI 1.001-to-1.015) and 1.6% (OR=1.016; 95%CI 1.006-to-1.027) higher probability of a longer DRT in the first- and second-prevalent years, respectively. Consistently, an increased in incidence of IDH episodes/months was associated to longer DRT over time.
Conclusions:
Incident patients who had higher spKt/V and less sessions with IDH episodes had a lower likelihood of longer DRT in first year of HD. Dose optimization strategies with cardiac stability in fluid removal should be tested.
Mir10a aggravates the ischemia-reperfusion kidney injury by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Xu Dongsheng , Li Wenjun , Zhang Tao , Wang Gang
Published: February 2020

Background To investigate the effect of miR-10a on PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. The ischemia-reperfusion injury models of rats were simulated in vivo . Methods RT-PCR was used to test the expression of miR-10a. The serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels were determined. The pathological changes and the apoptosis of renal cells were observed. The model of HK-2 cells with hypoxia-reoxygenation was established in vitro. The cell proliferation and apoptosis rate were tested by CCK8, clone formation and flow cytometry, respectively. The apoptosis-related proteins and PIK3CA and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-related proteins were detected by Western blot both in vivo and intro . The dual luciferase assay was used to verify whether PIK3CA is a target gene of miR-10a. PIK3CA gene was over-expression or silenced. The transfection efficiency was verified by RT-PCR and the above experiments were repeated. Results Compared with I/R group, miR-10a RNA was significantly increased in renal tissue of miR-10a group, serum Cr and BUN levels, and renal injury score and apoptosis index were significantly increased, while the expression of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-related proteins were significantly inhibited. However, the indicators above were contrary in anti-miR group. In comparison with H/R group, miR-10a RNA expression was remarkably increased in miR-10a cells and the cell proliferation was inhibited. The apoptosis rate was increased and the expression of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-related proteins were down-regulated. However, the indicators above were contrary in anti-miR group. Conclusion miR-10a can aggravate the ischemia-reperfusion-induced renal injury in rats by targeting PIK3CA and inhibitingPI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Mechanism study on the enhanced DHA synthesis in the mutant Thraustochytriidae sp. through comparative transcriptomic analysis
Authors: liu liangxu , Hu Zhangli , Li Shuangfei , Yang Hao , Li Siting , Lv Chuhan , Zaynab Madiha , Cheng Christopher H.K. , Chen Huapu , Yang Xuewei
Published: February 2020

Background: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential omega-3 fatty acid for the human retina, skin, and cerebral cortex. Marine eukaryote Thraustochytriidae sp. was considered as a promising source for the n -3 LC-PUFAs production. However, the mechanism how the LC-PUFAs was synthesized in Thraustochytriidae sp. still remained unclarified. To explore the vital genes responsible for the DHA enrichment, the functional transcriptomic annotation was compared between the wild type and preeminent mutant of Thraustochytriidae sp. X2. Results: After the UV irradiation (50 W, 30 s), the mutant X2 showed enhanced lipid (78.88 % more) and DHA (23.77 % more) production compared with the wild type. Instead of EPA, 9.07 % of DPA was observed in the mutant X2. The comparative transcriptomic analysis showed that in both wild type and mutant strain, FAS was incomplete and lacked key desaturases, but genes related to the PKS pathway were observed. It was oberved that mRNA expression levels of CoA-transferase (CoAT) , acyltransferase (AT), enoyl reductase (ER) , dehydratase (DH) and methyltransferase (MT) down-regulated in wild type but up-regulated in mutant X2, corresponding to the increased intercellular DHA accumulation. Conclusion: These findings indicated the potential genes that can be exploited for high DHA yields in Thraustochytriidae sp..
Effect of pH on metabolite excretion and cell morphology of Euglena gracilis under dark, anaerobic conditions
Authors: Yoshioka Kazumasa , Suzuki Kengo , Osanai Takashi
Published: February 2020

Background Euglena gracilis is a unicellular eukaryotic microalgae found in aquatic environments. It can adapt its morphology in response to various environmental stress factors such as changes in temperature, light, and ion concentrations. E. gracilis cells excrete succinate and amino acids under dark and anaerobic conditions; however, only a few studies on the effect of these conditions on the cell morphology of E. gracilis have been conducted thus far. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of pH on succinate, glutamine and glutamate production in E. gracilis and the correlation between the levels of these metabolites and cell morphology under dark, anaerobic conditions. Results The production of succinate, glutamine and glutamate by E. gracilis was pH dependent. Glutamate and glutamine excretion increased under acidic conditions (pH 3–5), irrespective of the buffer salts. On the contrary, succinate production depended on the buffer salts; succinate levels were higher when GTA or citrate buffer were used and were lower when acetate buffer was used (pH 4 or 5). The number of spindle cells tended to increase under acidic conditions and the aspect ratio of the cells was positively correlated with glutamine and glutamate levels. Increase in cell density particularly enhanced glutamine and succinate production; in particular, the succinate titre reached 1.5 g/L, which is the highest reported level of succinate produced from photosynthetic eukaryotes till date. Conclusions Our findings indicate that pH of the media alters metabolite production and cell morphology of E. gracilis cells under dark, anaerobic conditions. A deeper understanding of eukaryotic fermentation will benefit the biorefinery industry, mainly for the production of value-added products using anaerobic microorganisms.
The Efficacy of Surgery in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Propensity Score Analysis
Authors: Chen Lei , Sun Tao , Chen Shi , Ren Yanqiao , Yang Fan , Zheng Chuansheng
Published: February 2020

Background There is still controversial that whether hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with lymph node invasion should receive surgery treatment. This study is to evaluate the efficacy of surgery in HCC patients with regional lymph node invasion. Methods The study utilized data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-18 (SEER-18) cancer registry. 1434 patients were included in the analysis. Among them, 168 patients were treated surgically and 1266 received non-surgery treatment. Propensity Score Matching (PSM) model was used to reduce selection bias. Results Before PSM, the median overall survival (mOS) and median cancer-specific survival (mCSS) of patients treated surgically were longer than in patients receiving non-surgery treatment (mOS: 20 months vs. 7 months, P<0.001; mCSS: 21 months vs. 6 months, P<0.001). Subgroup analysis did not detect a significant difference in mOS and mCSS between liver resection and non-liver resection surgery cohorts (P>0.05). Similar results were obtained in the PSM analysis. The mOS and mCSS in the surgery group were longer than in the non-surgery group (mOS: 20 months vs. 7 months, P<0.001; mCSS: 20 months vs. 6 months, P<0.001). The multivariate analysis documented that surgery was an independent predictor for OS and CSS before and after PSM. Conclusions HCC patients with invasion of regional lymph nodules may get more survival benefit from surgery than other types of treatment.
Anti-rhinovirus and anti-influenza virus activities of mucoactive secretolytic agents and plant extracts – a comparative in vitro study
Authors: Walther Christin , Schmidtke Michaela
Published: February 2020

Background: Rhinoviruses and influenza viruses cause the majority of acute respiratory infections (ARIs). Symptoms of ARIs are commonly treated with over-the-counter products like ambroxol, bromhexine, and N-acetylcysteine, as well as thyme and pelargonium extracts. Because the antiviral activity of these over-the-counter products has not been studied in a systematic way, the current study aimed to compare their antiviral effect against two rhinovirus and two influenza virus strains in an in vitro setting. Methods: The cytotoxicity of ambroxol, bromhexine, and N-acetylcysteine, as well as of thyme and pelargonium extracts was analyzed in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) and HeLa cells. The antiviral effect of these over-the-counter products was compared by analyzing the dose-dependent inhibition (i) of rhinovirus A2- and B14-induced cytopathic effect in HeLa cells and (ii) of influenza virus A/Hong Kong/68 (subtype H3N2)- and A/Jena/8178/09 (subtype H1N1, pandemic)-induced cytopathic effect in MDCK cells at non-cytotoxic concentrations. Results: The results revealed a good compatibility (no or only marginal cytotoxicity in MDCK and HeLa cells) of the agents that were tested. No anti-rhinoviral activity was detected at non-cytotoxic concentrations in this in vitro study setting. Ambroxol, bromhexine, and N-acetylcysteine inhibited the influenza virus-induced cytopathic effect in MDCK cells no or less than 50%. In contrast, a dose-dependent anti-influenza virus activity of thyme and pelargonium extracts was demonstrated. Conclusions: The results of our comparative in vitro study indicate differences in the antiviral efficacy of ambroxol, bromhexine, and N-acetylcysteine, as well as of thyme and pelargonium extracts and suggest that the inhibition of influenza virus replication by thyme and pelargonium extracts may contribute to the beneficial effects of these plant extracts on ARI symptoms.
Is a Differentiated Care Model needed for Patients with TB? A cohort analysis of outcomes among TB patients in two states in south India.
Authors: Washington Reynold , Potty RAJARAM Subramanian , Rajesham A , Seenappa T , Singarajipura Anil , Swamickan Reuben , Shah Amar , Prakash KH , Kar Arin , Kumaraswamy Karthikeyan , BS Prarthana , Maryala Bala Krishna , Sushma J , Dasari Ramesh , Shetty Bharath , Panibatla Vikas , Mohan HL , Becker Marissa
Published: February 2020

Background India’s National Strategy to ‘End TB by 2025’ aims to reduce unfavourable TB treatment outcomes. There is need for innovative approaches to improve TB treatment outcomes. Methods Under a USAID-THALI, Community Health Workers using a pre-designed tool assessed TB patients in three states in south India for risks of non-adherence and risk of unfavourable outcomes. We examined whether those with identified risk had higher levels of two unfavourable treatment outcomes; death and unfavourable outcome including death, lost to follow up and failure, as compared to no risk. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to assess each of the individual risks and the combined risk, for experiencing death or unfavourable outcome as described earlier, after initiation of TB. Results A significantly higher likelihood of death and experiencing unfavourable outcomes was observed for individuals having one risk (AOR: 3.28; 95% CI: 2.11-5.10 for death; AOR 1.71; 95% CI: 1.29-2.26 for unfavourable outcome) and more than one risk (AOR: 4.19; 95% CI: 2.47-7.11 for death; AOR 2.21; 95% CI: 1.56-3.12) as compared to TB patients with no identified risk. In addition to the risk characterisation, TB patients with initial weight below the national median weight were 2.1 times and 2.0 times more likely to die and experience unfavourable outcomes, as compared to patients with initial weight equal to the median or higher. Conclusion The results of our analysis point to the need for a ‘differentiated care model’, beginning with a risk and needs assessment and continuing with tailored care and support for TB patients, based on their identified risk. While all TB patients require a minimum package of care and support there are a substantial proportion who require more specific interventions and services in order to successfully complete their treatment. We identified a number of important risk factors that could be predictive of an unfavourable outcome and which could be used by TB programs in order to optimize patient treatment outcomes.
An Audit Tool for Longitudinal Assessment of Health-Related Characteristics of Urban Neighborhoods: Implementation Methods and Reliability Results
Authors: Dastidar Bonnie Ghosh , Hunter Gerald , Sloan Jennifer C , Collins Rebecca L , Richardson Andrea S , Troxel Wendy , Colabianchi Natalie , Dubowitz Tamara
Published: February 2020

Background: Improving the neighborhood environment may help address chronic disease and mortality. To identify neighborhood features that are predictors of health, objective assessments of the environment are used. Multiple studies have reported on cross-sectional assessments of health-related neighborhood features using direct observation. As study designs expand to better understand causation and predictors of change, there is a need to test whether direct observation methods are adequate for longitudinal assessment. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report on repeated direct observations of the neighborhood environment. Methods : The Pittsburgh Hill/Homewood Research on Neighborhood Change and Health (PHRESH) study conducted longitudinal assessments in two low-income, African American neighborhoods at three waves (years 2012, 2015, 2017). The PHRESH audit tool is a modification of earlier validated tools, with an emphasis on environment features relevant for physical activity, sleep, and obesogenic behaviors. Trained data-collector pairs conducted direct observations of a 25% sample of street segments in each neighborhood. At each wave, we audited a sub-sample of street segments twice and assessed reliability using percentage inter-observer agreement and krippendorf’s alpha statistics. Stability of these items was assessed as exhibiting moderate or high agreement at every time point. Results : Across waves, a majority (81%) of the items consistently demonstrated moderate to high agreement except for items such as public/communal space, amount of shade, sidewalk features, number of traffic lanes, garden/flower bed/planter, art/statue/monument, amount of trash, and physical disorder. The list of items with poor agreement includes features that are easy to miss (e.g. flower bed/planter), hard to assess from outside (e.g. public/communal space), or may change quickly (e.g. amount of trash). Conclusion: In this paper, we have described implementation methods, reliability results and lessons learned to inform future studies of change. We found the use of consistent methods allowed us to conduct reliable, replicable longitudinal assessments of the environment. Items that did not exhibit stability are less useful for detecting real change over time. Overall, the SSA direct observation tool is an effective and practical instrument to detect change in the neighborhood environment.
Levels of support for the licensing of tobacco retailers in Australia: Findings from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2004-2016
Authors: Baker John , Begg Stephen , Masood Mohd , Rahman Muhammad Aziz
Published: February 2020

Background: Assessing public opinion towards tobacco policies is important, particularly when determining the possible direction of future public health policies. The aim of this study was to describe the implementation of tobacco retailer licensing systems by state and territory governments in Australia, and use the National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) to assess levels of public support for a retailer licensing system in each jurisdiction over time and by a range of socio-demographic and behavioural attributes. Methods: National and state/territory estimates of public support for a tobacco retailer licensing system were derived as proportions using NDSHS data from 2004 to 2016. The effect of the type of licensing system of one’s jurisdiction of residence on the likelihood of supporting such an initiative in 2016 was assessed using logistic regression while controlling for various socio-demographic characteristics. Results: Public support for a tobacco retailer licensing system ranged from a high of 67.2% (95% CI 66.5% – 67.9%) nationally in 2007 and declined to 59.5% (95% CI 58.9% – 60.2%) in 2016. In 2016, support was greatest amongst those aged 50 years and older, females, those from the least disadvantaged areas, those living in major cities, never-smokers and never-drinkers. Those living in jurisdictions with a ‘negative’ licensing system were more likely to support a licensing system than those living in jurisdictions without any system in place (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.01 – 1.17); however this difference disappears after adjusting for the socio-demographic and behavioural attributes of respondents (OR = 1.04, 95% CI 0.96 – 1.12). Conclusions: A clear majority of the public support a tobacco retailer licensing system, regardless of whether or not such a system is already in place in their jurisdiction of residence. While there is variation between jurisdictions in levels of support, this variation largely disappears when the different socio-demographic and behavioural attributes of the respective populations are taken into account.
Image-and-text health warning labels on alcohol and food: potential effectiveness and acceptability
Authors: Pechey Emily , Clarke Natasha , Mantzari Eleni , Blackwell Anna , De-loyde Katie , Morris Richard , Marteau Theresa , Hollands Gareth
Published: February 2020

Background Health warning labels (HWLs) using images and text to depict the negative health consequences of tobacco consumption are effective and acceptable for changing smoking-related outcomes. There is currently limited evidence concerning their effectiveness and acceptability for reducing consumption of alcoholic drinks and energy-dense foods. Aim To describe potential effectiveness and acceptability of image-and-text (also known as pictorial or graphic) HWLs applied to : i. alcoholic drinks and ii. energy-dense snack foods. Methods Two online studies were conducted using between-subjects designs with general population samples. Participants rated one of 21 image-and-text HWLs on alcoholic drinks (n=5528), or one of 18 image-and-text HWLs on energy-dense snacks (n=4618). HWLs comprised a graphic image with explanatory text, depicting, respectively, seven diseases linked to excess alcohol consumption, and six diseases linked to excess energy intake. Diseases included heart disease and various cancers. Outcomes were negative emotional arousal, desire to consume the labelled product, and acceptability of the label. Free-text comments relating to HWLs were content analysed. Results For both alcoholic drinks and energy-dense snacks, HWLs depicting bowel cancer generated the highest levels of negative emotional arousal and lowest desire to consume the product, but were the least acceptable. Acceptability was generally low for HWLs applied to alcohol, with 3 of 21 rated as acceptable, and was generally high for snacks, with 13 of 18 rated as acceptable. The majority of free-text comments expressed negative reactions to HWLs on alcohol or energy-dense snacks. Conclusions Image-and-text health warning labels depicting bowel cancer showed greatest potential for reducing selection and consumption of alcoholic drinks and energy-dense snacks, although they were the least acceptable. Laboratory and field studies are needed to assess their impact on selection and consumption.
Validation of a generic Bayesian method for prevalence estimation under misclassification
Authors: Flor Matthias , Weiβ Michael , Selhorst Thomas , Müller-Graf Christine , Greiner Matthias
Published: February 2020

Background: Various methods exist for statistical inference about a prevalence that consider misclassifications due to an imperfect diagnostic test. However, traditional methods are known to suffer from censoring of the prevalence estimate and the confidence intervals constructed around the point estimate, as well as from under-performance of the confidence intervals' coverage. Methods: In this study, we used simulated data sets to validate a Bayesian prevalence estimation method and compare its performance to frequentist methods, i.e. the Rogan-Gladen estimate for prevalence, RGE, in combination with several methods of confidence interval construction. Our performance measures are (i) bias of the point estimate against the simulated true prevalence and (ii) coverage and length of the confidence interval, or credible interval in the case of the Bayesian method. Results: Across all data sets, the Bayesian point estimate and the RGE produced similar bias distributions with slight advanteges of the former over the latter. In addition, the Bayesian estimate did not suffer from the RGE's censoring problem at zero or unity. With respect to coverage performance of the confidence and credible intervals, all of the traditional frequentist methods exhibited strong under-coverage, whereas the Bayesian credible interval as well as a newly developed frequentist method by Lang and Reiczigel performed as desired, with the Bayesian method having a very slight advantage in terms of interval length. Conclusion: The Bayesian prevalence estimation method should be prefered over traditional frequentist methods. An acceptable alternative is to combine the Rogan-Gladen point estimate with the Lang-Reiczigel confidence interval.
Methanol expression regulator 1 (Mxr1p) promotes xylulose 5-phosphate recycle via increaseing transketolase activity in Pichia pastoris
Authors: Zhan Chunjun , Pan Yingyue , Liu Xiuxia , Liu Chunli , Zhan Jinling , Xu Dinghua , Bai Zhonghu , Yang Yankun
Published: February 2020

Background Methanol expression regulator 1 (Mxr1p) is a key transcription factor that plays a vital role in the methanol utilization pathway in Pichia pastoris ( P. pastoris ). Most genes referred to the methanol utilization pathway were regulated by Mxr1p. However, some genes did not show a significant difference between methanol and glycerol even though they play an important role in the methanol utilization pathway. So far, the regulation mechanism about these genes and the relationship with Mxr1p are still unknown. Results Methanol metabolic pathway analysis revealed that most of the methanol-induced genes were upregulated in transcriptional level when cultured in methanol. Whereas some genes like tkl1 (transketolase 1) did not show significant up-regulation in methanol even though it plays a very important role in Xu5P recycle, the reason is still not clear. To clarify this point, firstly, pull-down and MS experiments were performed. The result shows that Tkl1p protein combined with Mxr1p in vitro . Subsequently, this result was further confirmed by yeast two-hybrid in vivo , and the binding region mainly located from 150AA to 400AA. Moreover, Ser215 phosphorylation did not affect this interaction. In addition, Mxr1p-400AA integration into Δmxr1 could rescue cell growth in methanol. All the above results proved that Mxr1p played a post-translational role in the methanol utilization pathway and Mxr1p-400AA may achieved most of Mxr1p functions. Secondly, the function of Mxr1p-Tkl1p complex was expounded by detecting formaldehyde consumption and xylulose production in cell-free systems. Results showed that Mxr1p-Tkl1p mixture could promote formaldehyde consumption and xylulose production in vitro . Conclusion Mxr1p promotes methanol utilization via combining with Tkl1p to accelerate Xu5P recycle and this interaction was not affected by Ser215 phosphorylation.
Analysis of fungal diversity of the rotten wooden pillars of a historic building
Authors: Ma Xingxia , Zhang Bin , Liu Bo
Published: February 2020

High-throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze the fungal community structure and its association with the cause of decay on the wooden pillars of an ancient archway in Beijing. The dominant fungi on the rotten pillars belonged to Ascomycetes regardless of the sampling position. Compared with the fungal community composition of discolored wood previously studied, the proportion of Basidiomycetes in rotten wood pillars increased at the highest value of 37.9%. High-throughput sequencing showed that the main fungi in the first pillar were Ascomycetes ( Phoma , Lecythophora , and Scedosporium ) and Basidiomycetes (Sporidiobolales). Ascomycetes Lecythophora and Basidiomycetes Cryptcoccus and Postia were the main fungi in pillar 2. Phoma , Trichoderma, and Entoloma were isolated from pillar 1, whereas Alternaria and Phaeosphaeriaceae were obtained from pillar 2 using culture isolation. Traditional isolation failed to obtain all dominant fungi. The importance of high-throughput sequencing technology in ancient wooden structure building biodeterioration analysis was further explained. At the three sampling sites, the contact-ground fungal community composition was similar to that of in-ground wood, whereas above-ground fungal community composition was significantly different from the other two sites. The high moisture content of the wood caused decay. The bottom of the pillar was immersed in groundwater, whereas that cement coating prevents the evaporation of water,cause the wood moisture content to be high. By comparing the fungal diversities of decaying wood and discolored and dry, decayed wood, the relative content of Basidiomycetes may be used as an indicator of wood decay state.
Haemato-immunological responses and effectiveness of feed-based bivalent vaccine against Streptococcus iniae and Aeromonas hydrophila infections in hybrid red tilapia (Oreochromis spp.)
Authors: Monir Md. Shirajum , Yusoff Md Sabri bin Mohd , Zulperi Zarirah binti Mohamed , Hassim Hasliza binti Abu , Mohamad Aslah , Sofie Mohd Hafiz Ngoo Muhamad , Ina-Salwany Md Yasin
Published: February 2020

Background

Streptococcosis and Motile Aeromonad Septicemia (MAS) are important diseases of tilapia, Oreochromis spp. and causes huge economic losses in aquaculture globally. The feed-based vaccination may be an alternative to minimize major infectious diseases in tilapia. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the haemato-immunological responses and effectiveness of a newly developed feed-based killed bivalent vaccine against Streptococcus iniae and Aeromonas hydrophila in hybrid red tilapia. A total of 495 hybrid red tilapia of 61.23±4.95 g were distributed into 5 groups (each with triplicate). The fish were immunized orally through bivalent (combined S. iniae and A. hydrophila ) spray vaccine (BS group), bivalent formulate vaccine (BF group), monovalent S. iniae vaccine (MS group), monovalent A. hydrophila vaccine (MA group) and unvaccinated as a control group. The vaccine was orally administered on days 0, 14 and 42 applied feed-based bacterin at 5% body weight. The blood and spleen samples were collected from all groups on 7, 21 and 49 days post-vaccination, and also 96 hours post-infection to assess their haemato-immune responses.

Results

Compared with the unvaccinated group, leukocyte, lymphocytes, monocytes, granulocytes counts in vaccinated groups were significantly ( P < 0.05) increased on 21, 49 days post-vaccination and also 96 hours post-infection, while erythrocytes, haemoglobin and haematocrit in vaccinated groups were significantly ( P < 0.05) enhanced only 96 hours post-infection. Additionally, the lysozyme and phagocytic activity and, serum antibody (IgM) were significantly higher ( P < 0.05) against S. iniae and A. hydrophila in vaccinated groups compared to the unvaccinated group in the pre- and post-infection. Results from the challenge through co-infection with S. iniae and A. hydrophila showed the relative percent survival (RPS) in BF group was 76.37±5.14%, which had the capacity to induce significant protection ( P < 0.05) compared to others groups.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the bivalent formulate (BF) group could elicit significant non-specific and specific immunological responses with higher protection in hybrid red tilapia. In addition, this newly developed feed-based bivalent vaccination can be a promising technique for effective and large scale fish immunization in the aquaculture industry.
Influence of Bacterial Organic Selenium on Blood Parameters, Immune Response, Selenium Retention and Intestinal Morphology of Broiler Chickens
Authors: Dalia A. M. , Loh T. C. , Sazili A. Q. , Samsudin Anjas Asmara
Published: February 2020

Background Several studies indicated that dietary organic Se usually absorbed better than inorganic Se with high retention and bioavailability. Dietary Se as an antioxidant element affects the immune system and hematological status in animals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of bacterial selenium as organic source on hematology, immunity response, selenium retention and gut morphology in broiler chickens.Results The present results revealed that supplementation of inorganic Se was associated with the lowest level of RBC, HB, and PCV with significant difference than ADS18-Se. In the starter stage, both T2 and T5 were associated with the significantly highest IgG level compared to the basal diet, while all supplemented groups showed higher IgM level compared to control group. In the finisher phase, all Se supplemented groups showed significant (P ˂ 0.05) increases in IgG, IgA and IgM levels compared to T1. Birds fed bacterial-Se showed high intestinal villus height and better Se retention more than sodium selenite. Selenium of ADS18 had a superior action in improving Se retention compared to ADS1 and ADS2 bacterial Se.Conclusion Bacterial organic Se had a beneficial effect on villus height of small intestine led to high Se absorption and retention. Thus, caused better effect of Se on hematological parameters and immunity response.
Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease: A Study Of 67 Cases From Coastal South India 
Authors: Achappa Basavaprabhu , Herath Nipuni Chamathka , Kini Jyoti Ramanath , Holla Ramesh , Sebastian Bodhi , Dsouza Nikhil Victor , Madi Deepak , Mahalingam Soundarya
Published: February 2020

Background Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is a rare, benign condition, of unknown etiology, presenting as cervical lymphadenitis, usually tender and maybe associated with systemic symptoms. Despite the extensive literature on this disease, it continues to be misdiagnosed owing to its misleading clinical presentation. Results The mean age in our study was 26.9 (±11.3) years with a female majority of 65.7%. The clinical presentation of most cases was, tender swelling over the side of the neck ( n =50, 74.6%). On local examination, the mean length and width were 2.3 (±1.0) cm and 2.2 (±0.7) cm respectively. Histopathological examination revealed that most patients presented in the proliferative stage ( n =40, 59.7%). In 83.6% of the patients lymphadenopathy resolved in less than 2 months. Follow up of these patients over 9 months revealed that a vast majority of the patients underwent full recovery with symptomatic treatment ( n =42, 62.7%). Conclusions The disease is prevalent in young, female patients of Asian descent and often presents as cervical lymphadenopathy. Early diagnosis with excisional lymph node biopsy is crucial to avoid unnecessary investigations and treatment. Treatment is only symptomatic unless complicated, where steroid therapy is considered. Kikuchi’s disease has an excellent prognosis with almost no risk of fatality.
Radiotherapy for subependymal giant cell astrocytoma: time to challenge a historical ban? Case report and review of the literature.
Authors: Kamel Randa , Berge Dirk Leon Van den
Published: February 2020

Background Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma is a deep-seated benign but life-threatening brain tumor that occurs in patients with the tuberous sclerosis complex. Resection is the traditional treatment and expert opinion is strongly against the use of radiotherapy. Systematic epidemiological studies, however, demonstrate high rates of complications and recurrences. The need for efficient non-surgical treatment is best illustrated by the considerable enthusiasm about the activity of the mTOR inhibitor everolimus in reducing tumor volume. Unfortunately regrowth is frequent after dose reduction or cessation and continued tumor control requires continued administration of the drug, leading to concerns about its metabolic and immunosuppressive side effects and cost of treatment. Results We successfully treated a case with growing bilateral subependymal giant cell astrocytoma with fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy before everolimus became available. After a follow-up of 8 years, everolimus was administered for renal angiomyolipoma and the patient was followed up until 13 years after radiotherapy. Successive MRI's demonstrated an 80% volume reduction after radiotherapy that further increased to 90% during everolimus administration. In order to review the basis for the strong expert opinion against radiotherapy, we performed an exhaustive literature study regarding efficiency, potential dangers and side effects of radiation. 1298 article references and 780 full-text articles in search of evidence for contra-indicating radiotherapy. Varying short-term tumor control of single-fraction radiosurgery were described in a total of 13 cases. Only in two published cases the radiation dose of fractionated radiotherapy was mentioned. A single publication mentions an induced secondary brain tumor 8 years after total brain irradiation. Conclusion There is no evidence for contra-indicating fractionated radiotherapy in subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. Our experience demonstrates that these tumors, as other benign intracranial tumors, responds slowly to radiotherapy and suggests that fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy holds promise to consolidate responses obtained with mTOR inhibitors avoiding regrowth after cessation. This combined treatment would avoid costs and complications of long-term treatment with everolimus and deserves to be studied as a definitive non-surgical treatment.
Joint injection practices in Pediatric Rheumatology - A global survey
Authors: Dhanrajani Anita , Khubchandani Raju P
Published: February 2020

Background: Intraarticular injections (IAI) were first reported in adult rheumatology in the 1950s and subsequently gained acceptance as a safe and efficacious treatment in Juvenile Idiopathic arthritis (JIA). IAIs are now widely performed and recommended as the initial or only treatment of Oligoarticular JIA and ancillary treatment of actively inflamed joints in other varieties of JIA. However, the performance of the procedure is not currently guided by standardized recommendations, thereby several practice variations are observed.Methods: This worldwide survey of pediatric rheumatologists (with 50% response from Pediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organization: PRINTO and Pediatric Rheumatology Collaborative Study Group: PRCSG members) captures the differences in pre-procedural, procedural and post procedural protocols observed across the globe and asks the necessity of developing consensus in this area of Pediatric Rheumatology. Results: This worldwide survey of Pediatric Rheumatologists had a response rate of almost 50% and captured the differences in IAI protocols observed across the globe. Conclusions: Consensus plans are needed to ensure uniformity in this widely used procedure in Pediatric Rheumatology.