bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Case-Control Study on the Relationship Between Cholecystectomy and Cholangiocarcinoma in China
Authors: Zhu Donglie , Fu Hang , Yang Zelong , Jiang Mingzuo , Ren Yanjie , Zheng Shi , Chen Yong
Published: December 2020

Aims: The present study aimed to explore the correlation between cholecystectomy and cholangiocarcinoma, and to provide preliminary clinical basis for precise cholecystectomy in China.Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 9744 patients with cholangiocarcinoma, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, femoral fracture, and hepatic hemangioma diagnosed in Xijing hospital from August 2008 to August 2018. They were divided into three groups: case group (1749 cases of cholangiocarcinoma), positive control group (3137 cases of colon cancer and 1950 cases of pancreatic cancer), negative control group (1794 cases of femoral fracture and 1114 cases of hepatic hemangioma). We collected the general information (gender, age), past medical history, cholecystectomy history from the patients, and these data were analyzed by chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: The cholecystectomy rate of the case group was significantly higher than that of the positive control group and the negative control group by chi-square test (p<0.025). The cholecystectomy rate and the history of cholecystolithiasis were analyzed by logistic multivariate regression analysis. The OR values of cholecystectomy rate were 1.553 (95%CI: 1.311-1.840) and 3.181 (95%CI: 2.561-3.951), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.000). The OR values of the history of cholecystolithiasis were 2.460 (95%CI: 2.093-2.890) and 5.426 (95%CI: 4.325-6.809), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.000). In case group, the difference between cholecystectomy and cholecystolithiasis was statistically significant (p<0.000) by chi-square test. Conclusions: In conclusion, cholecystectomy is one of the risk factors of cholangiocarcinoma and the patients who undergo cholecystectomy have a higher risk of cholangiocarcinoma than the control groups. Cholecystectomy should be conducted with caution and the precise surgical treatment of gallbladder diseases is advocated.
Phase II randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HeberFERON versus Heberon alpha R in symptomatic or asymptomatic patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 (Study ESPERANZA/HOPE).
Authors: Iraldo Bello-Rivero , Hernandez-Bernal Francisco , Nodarse-Cuni Hugo , Duncan-Roberts Yaquelin , Suarez Claudia Martínez , Campa-Legrá Ivan , Esquivel-Moy Idelsis , Muzio-Gonzalez Verena , Guillen-Nieto Gerardo
Published: December 2020

Background: As the outbreak of COVID-19 has accelerated, an urgent need for finding strategies to combat the virus is growing. Results from in vitro studies suggest that a combination of IFN type I and Type II may be effective against SARS-CoV. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of treatment with a recombinant IFN alpha 2b and gamma, provided with standard protocol (Kaletra (lopinavir-ritonavir 200/50 mg; 200/100 mg every 12 hour for 30 days; Chloroquine (250 mg) every 12 hours for 10 days) for COVID-19 patients, compared to standard protocol (IFN alpha 2b/Kaletra/Chloroquine) for COVID-19 hospitalized patients, positive diagnosed for SARS-Cov-2. Methods: Hospitalized adult patients with qPCR confirmed SARS-Cov-2 will be enrolled in this open-labeled, single center, prospective, randomized and controlled clinical trial. One hundred and twenty eligible patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 positivity by qPCR amplification in oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal swab samples will be enrolled at “Luis Diaz Soto” Hospital, Havana, Cuba. The primary outcomes are the time to 2019-nCoV RNA negativity in patients and the time until progression to severe COVID-19. Discussion: This will be the first randomized controlled trial of a potential treatment for SARC-Cov-2 using the combinations of IFNs. Trial registration: The study is sponsored by Center for Genetic and Biotechnology and Ministry of Health of Cuba and was duly registered April 2020 at http://registroclinico.sld.cu/en/trials/RPCEC00000307-En. Enrolment for this study began in April 11, 2020, and has enrolled one hundred patients as of May-26-2020.
Determinants of Perinatal birth Asphyxia among Newborns in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies Protocol
Authors: Woday Abay , Dessalegn Muluken , Birara Setognal , Urmale Kusse , Biset Gebeyaw , Eshetie Sisay , Alemayehu Mekuriyaw
Published: December 2020

Background: Birth asphyxia among newborns accounted for nearly fifty percent of neonatal mortality in sub-Saharan African countries. This scenario has been worst in Ethiopia where every two out of three deaths attributed to birth asphyxia among these babies. Moreover, studies conducted in Ethiopia are highly variable and inconclusive to estimate the pooled prevalence and risk factors of birth asphyxia. Objective: This study aims to analyses collectively and systematically the prevalence of birth asphyxia and associated factors among newborns in Ethiopia.Methods: The protocol for this review is registered at PROSPERO with registration number CRD42020158224. A comprehensive online databases (PubMed, HINARI, Scopus, EMBASE, Science direct, and Cochrane library database), Google Scholar, African Journals online, other gray and online repository accessed studies will be searched using different search engines. In addition, maternity & infant care databases uploaded at Ethiopian Health Development Journal and Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences will be searched until June 30, 2020. Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) will be used for critical appraisal of studies.. Three reviewers will screen all retrieved articles, conduct data extraction, and then critically appraise all identified studies. All identified observational studies reporting the prevalence of birth asphyxia and associated factors among neonates in Ethiopia will be considered. The analysis of data will be done using STATA 11.0 statistical software. We will demonstrate pooled estimates and determinants of birth asphyxia with effect size and 95% confidence interval. Heterogeneity among the included studies will be assessed through the Cochrane Q-test statistics and I2 test. Publication bias will be checked using funnel plot and egger’s test. Finally, statistical significance level will be declared at a p-value of less than 0.05. Discussion: the result from this systematic review will inform and guide health policy planners to invest limited resources on maternal and neonatal health. Furthermore, it will be a stimulus for future cumulative meta-analysis researchers in developing nations.
Predicting pathological complete response (pCR) after stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) of lung cancer using quantitative dynamic [18F]FDG PET and CT perfusion: A prospective exploratory clinical study
Authors: Yang Dae-Myoung , Palma David A. , Kwan Keith , Louie Alexander V. , Malthaner Richard , Fortin Dalilah , Rodrigues George B. , Yaremko Brian P. , Laba Joanna , Gaede Stewart , Warner Andrew , Inculet Richard , Lee Ting-Yim
Published: December 2020

Background: Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) is effective in treating inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but imaging assessment of response after SABR is difficult. This prospective study aimed to develop a predictive model for true pathologic complete response (pCR) to SABR using imaging-based biomarkers from dynamic [18F]FDG-PET and CT Perfusion (CTP).Methods: Twenty-six patients with early-stage NSCLC treated with SABR followed by surgical resection were included, as a pre-specified secondary analysis of a larger study. Dynamic [18F]FDG-PET provided maximum and mean standardized uptake value (SUV) and kinetic parameters estimated using a previously developed flow-modified two-tissue compartment model while CTP measured blood flow, blood volume and vessel permeability surface product. Using recursive partitioning analysis (RPA), the imaging-based biomarkers for predicting pCR were assessed and compared to current RECIST (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours version 1.1) and PERCIST (PET Response Criteria in Solid Tumours version 1.0) criteria.Results: RPA identified three patient groups based on tumour blood volume before SABR (BVpre-SABR) and change in SUV­max (ΔSUVmax). The highest true pCR rate of 92% was observed in the group with BVpre-SABR < 9.3 mL/100g and ΔSUVmax < -48.9% after SABR while the worst was observed in the group with BVpre-SABR ≥ 9.3 (0%). A logistic regression model based on RPA risk groups showed excellent pCR prediction (Concordance: 0.92; P=0.03). RECIST and PERCIST showed poor pCR prediction (Concordance: 0.54 and 0.58, respectively).Conclusions: In this study, we developed a predictive model based on dynamic [18F]FDG-PET and CT Perfusion imaging that was significantly better than RECIST and PERCIST criteria to predict pCR of NSCLC to SABR. This model warrants validation with larger sample size studies.Trial registration: MISSILE-NSCLC, NCT02136355 (ClinicalTrials.gov). Registered May 8, 2014, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02136355
A critical discourse analysis of adolescent fertility In Zambia-a postcolonial perspective
Authors: Munakampe Margarate Nzala , Michelo Charles , Zulu Joseph Mumba
Published: December 2020

Background: Despite global and regional policies that promote the reduction of adolescent fertility through ending early marriages and reducing early child-bearing, adolescent fertility remains high in most sub-Saharan countries. This study aimed to explore the competing discourses that shape adolescent fertility control in Zambia. Methods: A qualitative case study design was adopted, involving 33 individual interviews and 9 focus group discussions with adolescents and other key-informants such as parents, teachers and policymakers. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data critically. Results: Adolescents’ age significantly reduced their access to Sexual and Reproductive Health, SRH services. Also, adolescent fertility discussions were influenced by marital norms and Christian beliefs, as well as health and rights values. While early marriage or child-bearing was discouraged, married adolescents and adolescents who had given birth before faced fewer challenges when accessing SRH information and services compared to their unmarried or nulliparous counterparts. Besides, the major influencers such as parents, teachers and health workers were also conflicted about how to package SRH information to young people, due to their varying roles in the community. Conclusion: The pluralistic view of adolescent fertility is fueled by “multiple consciousnesses”. This is evidenced by the divergent discourses that shape adolescent fertility control in Zambia, compounded by the disempowered position of adolescents in their communities. We assert that the competing moral worlds, correct in their own right, viewed within the historical and social context unearth significant barriers to the success of interventions targeted towards adolescents’ fertility control in Zambia, thereby propagating the growing problem of high adolescent fertility. This suggests proactive consideration of these discourses when designing and implementing adolescent fertility interventions.
The political economy of sugar-sweetened beverages taxation in Latin America: Lessons from Mexico, Chile and Colombia
Authors: Carriedo Angela , Koon Adam , Encarnación Luis Manuel , Lee Kelley , Smith Richard , Walls Helen
Published: December 2020

Background: In Latin America, total sales of sugar-sweetened beverages continue to rise at an alarming rate. Consumption of added sugar is a leading cause of diet-related non-communicable diseases. Coalitions of stakeholders have formed in several countries in the region to address this public health challenge including participation of civil society organizations and transnational corporations. Little is currently known about these coalitions – what interests they represent, what goals they pursue and how they operate. Ensuring the primacy of public health goals is a particular governance challenge. This paper comparatively analyses governance challenges involved in the adoption of taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages in Chile, Mexico and Colombia. The three countries have similar political and economic systems, institutional arrangements and regulatory instruments but differing policy outcomes..Methods: We analyse the political economy of SSB taxation based on a qualitative synthesis of existing empirical evidence. We identify the key stakeholders involved in the policy process, identify their interests, and assess how they influenced adoption and implementation of the tax.Results: Coalitions for and against the SSB taxation formed the basis of policy debates in all three countries. Intergovernmental support was critical to framing the SBB tax aims, benefits and instrumentation; and for countries to adopt it. A major constraint to implementation was the strong influence of transnational corporations (TNCs) in the policy process. A lack of transparency during agenda setting was notably enhanced by the powerful presence of TNCs.Conclusion: NCD prevention policies need to be supported across government, alongside grassroots organizations, policy champions and civil society groups to enhance their success. However, governance arrangements involving coalitions between public and private sector actors need to recognize power asymmetries among different actors and mitigate their potentially negative consequences. Such arrangements should include clear mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability of all partners, and prevent undue influence by industry interests associated with unhealthy products.
Group or individual Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE)? A qualitative analysis of acceptability
Authors: Reicherzer Leah , Kramer-Gmeiner Franziska , Labudek Sarah , Jansen Carl-Philipp , Nerz Corinna , Nystrand Malin J. , Becker Clemens , Clemson Lindy , Schwenk Michael
Published: December 2020

Background: The Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise (LiFE) program is an effective but resource-intensive fall prevention program delivered one-to-one in participants’ homes. A recently developed group-based LiFE (gLiFE) could enhance large-scale implementability and decrease resource intensity. The aim of this qualitative focus group study is to compare participants’ experiences regarding acceptability of gLiFE vs LiFE.Methods: Programs were delivered in seven group sessions (gLiFE) or seven individual home visits (LiFE) within a multi-center, randomized non-inferiority trial. Four structured focus group discussions (90 – 100 minutes duration; one per format and study site) on content, structure, and subjective effects of gLiFE and LiFE were conducted. Qualitative content analysis using the method of inductive category formation by Mayring was applied for data analysis. Coding was managed using NVivo.Results: In both formats, participants (N=30, 22 women, ngLiFE=15, nLiFE=15, mean age 78.5±6.6 years) were positive about content, structure, and support received by trainers. Participants reflected on advantages of both formats: the social aspects of learning the program in a peer group (gLiFE), and benefits of learning the program at home (LiFE). In gLiFE, some difficulties with the implementation of activities were reported. In both formats, the majority of participants reported positive outcomes and successful implementation of new movement habits.Conclusion: This is the first study to examine participants’ views on and experiences with gLiFE and LiFE, revealing strengths and limitations of both formats that can be used for program refinement. Both formats were highly acceptable to participants, suggesting that gLiFE may have similar potential to be adopted by adults aged 70 years and older compared to LiFE.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03462654. Registered on March 12, 2018. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03462654.
Exploring Factors Influencing Retention of Nurses in a Religious Hospital in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Quantitative Study
Authors: Chiao Li-Hua , Wu Chiu-Feng , Tzeng I-Shiang , Teng An-Na , Liao Ru-Wen , Yu Li Ying , Huang Chin Min , Pan Wei-Han , Chen Chu-Yueh , Su Tsai-Tsu
Published: December 2020

Background: Long-term shortages in the nursing workforce and high turnover rates are common in Taiwan medical industry. Little research has investigated the psychological factors associated with retention of nursing staff. However, in practice, religious hospitals often provide education in medicine or the medical humanities to enhance psychological satisfaction. The objective of this study was to explore factors influencing nursing staff’s retention with their work across different levels of demand. A further objective was to investigate whether medical humanities educations were associated with the retention of nursing staff. Methods: This study used self-administrated questionnaires to survey nurses working in northern areas of Taiwan. The questionnaire design was based on the six levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Participation was voluntary and participants signed informed consent documents. Self-administrated questionnaires were administered by contacting a total of 759 participants; 729 questionnaires were returned (response rate 96.04%). A logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the impact of seniority of nursing work on nurses reported intention to stay after adjusting for nurse characteristics (gender and age).Results: In the Pearson correlation analysis, nurses’ willingness to stay was moderately correlated with “physical needs”, “safety needs”, “love and belonging needs”, and “esteem needs” (r=0.559, P<0.001; r=0.533, P<0.001; r=0.393, P<0.001; r=0.476, P<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, nurses’ willingness to stay was highly correlated with “self-actualization needs”, “behind self-actualization needs” and “medical humanities education relevant” (r=0.707, P<0.001; r=0.728, P<0.001; r=0.678, P<0.001, respectively). We found that the odds ratio (OR) of retention of nursing staff who worked within 1 year (OR=4.511, P=0.002) and 1-3 years (OR=3.248, P=0.003) was significantly higher referred to those who worked 5-10 years.Conclusions: With regard to medical humanities education, we recommend adjusting the training as the compulsory activities under the official programs are inadequate and adjusting the required hours of medical humanities education. Tailoring different educational programs for different groups (especially for the groups of nurses who have worked 3-5 years and 5-10 years in the case study hospital) might improve acceptance by nursing staff.
Comprehensive transcriptional analysis reveals salt stress-regulated key pathways, hub genes and time-specific response categories in common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) roots
Authors: Shao An , Wang Wei , Fan Shugao , Xu Xiao , Yin Yanling , Amombo Erick , Li Xiaoning , Wang Guangyang , Wang Hongli , Fu Jinmin
Published: December 2020

Background: Despite its good salt-tolerance level, key genes and pathways that are involved with temporal salt response of common bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) have not been explored. Therefore, in this study, to understand the underlying regulatory mechanism following the different period of salt exposure, a comprehensive transcriptome analysis of the bermudagrass roots was conducted.Results: The transcripts regulated after 1 h, 6 h, or 24 h of hydroponic exposure to 200 mM NaCl in the roots of bermudagrass were investigated. Dataset series analysis revealed 16 distinct salt-responsive temporal transcripts. Enrichment analysis identified common and distinct stress response themes such as hormonal metabolism, secondary metabolism, misc, cell wall, transcription factors and genes encoded a series of transporters. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed that lavenderblush2 and brown4 modules were significantly positively correlated with the proline content and peroxidase activity and hub genes within these two modules were further determined. Besides, after 1 h of salt treatment, categories such as signalling receptor kinase, transcription factors, tetrapyrrole synthesis and lipid metabolism were immediately and exclusively up-enriched compared to the subsequent time points, which indicated fast-acting and immediate physiological responses. Other specific categories involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis such as simple phenols, glucosinolates, isoflavones and tocopherol biosynthesis were exclusively up-regulated after 24 h of salt treatment, suggesting a slightly slower reaction of metabolic adjustment.Conclusion: Here, we revealed salt response themes that were commonly or differentially expressed in short-term salt stress, suggesting possible adaptive salt response mechanisms in the roots. Also, the distinctive salt-response pathways and potential salt-tolerant hub genes investigated can provide useful future references to explore the molecular mechanisms of bermudagrass.
Predicting Future Harm from Gambling over a Five-Year period in a General Population Sample: A Survival Analysis
Authors: Currie Shawn , Hodgins David , Williams Robert , Fiest Kirsten
Published: December 2020

Background. There is little longitudinal evidence on the cumulative risk of harm from gambling associated with excess spending and frequency of play. The present study sought to assess the risk of gambling problems over a five-year period in adults who exceed previously derived low-risk gambling limits compared to those who remain within the limits after controlling for other modifiable risk factors. Methods. Participants were adults (N = 4212) drawn from two independent Canadian longitudinal cohort studies who reported gambling in the past year and were free of problem gambling at time 1. Multivariate Cox regression was employed to assess the impact over time of gambling above low-risk gambling thresholds (frequency ≥ 8 times per month; expenditure ≥ 75CAD per month; percent of household income spent on gambling ≥ 1.7%) on developing moderate harm and problem gambling. Covariates included presence of a DSM5 addiction or mental health disorder at time 1, irrational gambling beliefs, number of stressful life events in past 12 months, number of game types played each year, and playing electronic gaming machines or casino games. Results. In both samples, exceeding the low-risk gambling limits at time 1 significantly increased the risk of moderate harm (defined as ≥ 2 consequences on the Problem Gambling Severity Index [PGSI]) within five years after controlling for other modifiable risk factors. Other significant predictors of harm were presence of a mental disorder at time 1, cognitive distortions about gambling, stressful life events, and playing electronic gaming machines or casino games. In one sample, the five-year cumulative survival rate for moderate harm among individuals who stayed below all the low-risk limits was 95% compared to 83% among gamblers who exceeded all limits. Each additional low-risk limit exceeded increased the cumulative probability of harm by 30%. Similar results were found in models when the outcome was problem gambling.Conclusions. Level of gambling involvement represents a highly modifiable risk factor for later harm. Staying below empirically derived safe gambling thresholds reduces the risk of harm over time.
Trend and treatment outcomes of latent tuberculosis infection among migrant persons in Japan: retrospective analysis of Japan Tuberculosis Surveillance data
Authors: Kawatsu Lisa , Uchimura Kazuhiro , Ohkado Akihiro
Published: December 2020

Background: Screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among migrant population has become a critical issue for many low tuberculosis (TB) burden countries. Evidence regarding effectiveness of LTBI programs are limited, however, partly because of paucity of national data on treatment outcomes for LTBI. In Japan, notification of LTBI is mandatory, and its treatment outcome is reported as part of Japan’s national TB surveillance system. We thus conducted a detailed analysis of LTBI among foreign-born persons, to update the epidemiological trend of newly notified LTBI between 2007 and 2018, and to examine the treatment regimen and outcome of those notified in 2016 and 2017, focusing specifically on the potential risk factors for lost to follow-up. Methods: We extracted and analyzed the data of newly notified LTBI patients from the Japan Tuberculosis Surveillance System to examine the overall trend of notification and by age groups and modes of detection between 2007 and 2018, and the cohort data for treatment regimen and outcomes of foreign-born persons notified with LTBI in 2016 and 2017. Trends and proportions were summarized descriptively, and logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify potential risk factors for lost to follow-up. Comparisons were made with the Japan-born patients where appropriate, using chi-squared tests. Results: Both the number and proportion of LTBI among foreign-born persons have been constantly increasing, reaching 963 cases in 2018. Cohort analysis of the surveillance data indicated that the proportion of those on shorter regimen was higher among the foreign- than Japan-born patients (5.5% vs. 1.8%, p<0.001). The proportion of those who have been lost to follow-up and transferred outside of Japan combined was higher among the foreign- than Japan-born patients (12.0% vs, 8.2%, p<0.001). Risk factors for lost to follow-up were being employed on a temporal basis, and job status unknown (adjusted odds ratios 3.11 and 4.09, 95% confidence intervals 1.34-7.26 and 1.60-10.48, respectively). Conclusions: Migrant population face greater risk of interrupting LTBI treatment, and interventions to improve adherence are a critical component of programmatic management of LTBI. Further studies are needed to explore the cultural and socioeconomic situation in which foreign-born persons undergo LTBI treatment in Japan.
Estimation of Energy Expenditure of Nordic Walking: A Crossover Trial
Authors: Baek Sora , Ha Yuncheol
Published: December 2020

Background: Nordic walking (NW) requires more energy compared with conventional walking (W). However, the metabolic equation for NW has not been reported. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize responses in oxygen uptake, minute ventilation, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and surface electromyography of the upper and lower limb muscles during NW and W and develop a metabolic equation for energy expenditure (E, mL·kg-1·min-1) of NW.Methods: This study was performed in a randomized, controlled, crossover design to test the energy expenditure during NW and W. Fifteen healthy young men were enrolled (aged 23.7 ± 3.0 years). All participants performed two randomly ordered walking tests (NW and W) on a treadmill at a predetermined stepwise incremental walking speed (3–5 km·h-1) and grade (0%–7%). The oxygen uptake, minute ventilation, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and surface electromyography signals of the three upper limb muscles and three lower limb muscles in their right body were recorded and compared between NW and W using paired-t test. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to draw estimation of E during W and NW.Results: Oxygen uptake (+15.8%), minute ventilation (+17.0%), heart rate (+8.4%), and systolic blood pressure (+7.7%) were higher in NW than in W (P<.05). NW resulted in increased muscle activity in all of the upper limb muscles (P<.05). In the lower limb, surface electromyography activities in two of the three lower limb muscles were increased in NW than in W only during level walking (P<.05). Energy expenditure during W and NW was estimated as follows: ENW = 6.1 + 0.09 × speed + 1.19 × speed × grade and EW = 4.4 + 0.09 × speed + 1.20 × speed × grade.Conclusion: NW showed higher work intensity than W, with an oxygen consumption difference of 1.7 mL·kg-1·min-1. The coefficients were not different between the two walking methods. NW involved more muscles of the upper body than W.
Hypoxia-induced Tie1 drives stemness and cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung carcinoma cells
Authors: Li Chaojie , Yang Nannan , Chen Zhijin , Xia Ning , Shan Qungang , Wang Ziyin , Lu Jian , Shang Mingyi , Wang Zhongmin
Published: December 2020

Background: Drug resistance and metastasis involving hypoxic tumor environments and persistent stem cell populations are detrimental to the survival of patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Tie1 is upregulated in hypoxia and is believed to counteract the effectiveness of platinum agents by promoting the stemness properties in cells. We have investigated the association of Tie1 with HIF-1α and cisplatin resistance in NSCLC cell lines.Methods: The expression of Tie1 in a pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell line (HPMEC) and NSCLC cell lines was detected using qRT-PCR and western blotting. The effect of Tie1 on cell stemness and migration was examined by sphere-forming and transwell assays in NSCLC cells with Tie1 silenced. The regulation of Tie1 by HIF-1α was evaluated by a dual-luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation.Results: We found that hypoxia could induce stemness and cisplatin resistance in vitro. Tie1 was expressed at low levels in NSCLC cells when compared with human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells, however, its expression was increased by hypoxia. Additionally, Tie1 knockdown could reduce stemness properties and increase sensitivity to cisplatin in vitro and in a xenograft mouse model. The promoter of Tie1 contains two predicted hypoxia-response elements (HREs). We mutated both HRE sites and conducted chromatin immune-precipitation and promoter luciferase reporter assays and were able to conclude that the induction of Tie1 by hypoxia was HIF-1α-dependent.Conclusions: Our findings indicated that Tie1 is upregulated in a hypoxic environment by HIF-1α and contributes to tumorigenesis and cisplatin resistance through the promotion of stemness in NSCLC cells.
Responses to drought stress modulate the susceptibility to Plasmopara viticola in grapevine
Authors: Heyman Lisa , Chrysargyris Antonios , Demeestere Kristof , Tzortzakis Nikolaos , Höfte Monica
Published: December 2020

BackgroundClimate change will increase the occurrence of plants being simultaneously subjected to drought and pathogen stress. Although it is well known that drought can alter the way in which plants respond to pathogens, knowledge about the effect of concurrent drought and biotic stress on grapevine is scarce. This is especially true for Plasmopara viticola, the causal agent of grapevine downy mildew. This research addresses how vines with different drought tolerances respond to challenge with P. viticola, drought stress or their combination and how one stress affects the other.ResultsArtificial inoculation was performed on two cultivars exposed to full or deficit irrigation in the Mediterranean climate of Cyprus. In parallel, leaf discs from these plants were inoculated under controlled conditions. Leaves were sampled at an early infection stage to determine the influence of the single and combined stresses on oxidative parameters, chlorophyll, and phytohormones. Under irrigation, the local Cypriot cultivar Xynisteri was more susceptible to P. viticola than the drought-sensitive cultivar Chardonnay. Successful infection by P. viticola at 1.5 days post inoculation was associated with high levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and proline and strong decreases in antioxidant enzyme activity. Drought, on the other hand, triggered the accumulation of IAA and abscisic acid (ABA), which antagonized JA and SA. Exposure to drought stress increased the susceptibility to P. viticola of the leaves inoculated under controlled conditions. Conversely, both cultivars showed resistance against P. viticola when inoculated in planta under continued deficit irrigation. Despite their resistance, the pathogen-associated responses of IAA, antioxidant enzyme activity, and proline still occurred in these drought-stressed plants. Surprisingly, ABA, rather than the generally implicated JA and SA, seemed to play a prominent role in this resistance.ConclusionsDrought exposure increased the susceptibility of leaves inoculated in vitro. Conversely, deficit irrigation induced resistance to P. viticola in both Chardonnay and Xynisteri plants inoculated in planta. ABA, rather than JA and SA, was implicated in this resistance. The irrigation-dependent susceptibility indicates that the changing climate and the practices used to mitigate its effects may have a profound impact on plant pathogens.
Effectiveness of teicoplanin versus β-lactam for bacteremia due to methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus: a propensity score-based study
Authors: Tsai Ching-Yen , Lee Chen-hsiang , Chen I-Ling
Published: December 2020

Background: Many studies have shown that vancomycin is inferior to β-lactam antibiotics in terms of effectiveness in the treatment of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteremia. However, limited data are available regarding the comparison of clinical outcomes between patients receiving initial teicoplanin and those receiving β-lactam antibiotics for MSSA bacteremia.Methods: Eighty-four adults with MSSA bacteremia were included: initial teicoplanin treatment group (n=28) and β-lactam treatment group (n=56). The two groups were further stratified based on propensity score matching according to the outcome analysis using a logistic regression model. We investigated the clinical outcomes between the groups before and after propensity score matching after treatment completion.Results: Pittsburgh bacteremia score ≥4 (odds ratio, 60.6; 95%CI, 7.4–496.8) was an independent risk factor for unfavorable outcome. After propensity score matching, the initial teicoplanin treatment group and the β-lactam treatment group consisted of 28 patients each. No statistically significant differences were observed in the proportions of patients with favorable outcomes and 30-day overall mortality rates between the groups before and after propensity score matching after the completion of teicoplanin or β-lactam treatment. The Kaplan-Meier 30-day survival curve also showed no significant difference between the patients receiving initial teicoplanin treatment and those receiving β-lactam treatment before and after matching (hazard ratio, 1.84, 95%CI, 0.60–5.64; and 3.12, 95%CI, 0.98–9.99, respectively).Conclusions: There were no significant difference in clinical outcomes between initial teicoplanin treatment and β-lactam treatment among patients with MSSA bacteremia. Pittsburgh bacteremia score ≥4 was a significant risk factor for mortality.
Effects of the German Renewable Energy Sources Act and environmental, social and economic factors on biogas plant adoption and agricultural land use change
Authors: Yang Xueqing , Liu Yang , Thrän Daniela , Bezama Alberto , Wang Mei
Published: December 2020

Background: The German energy transition strategy calls for a reform of the German energy sector. As a result, the Germany Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) was passed in 2000 and is widely regarded as successful legislation for promoting bioenergy development. More than 1,000 biogas plants were constructed in Central Germany (CG) between 2000 and 2014. Despite this, few studies have been conducted for this period that systematically investigate how environmental, social and economic factors, as well as various EEG amendments have impacted biogas production and what the environmental consequence of biogas production development in CG have been. Methods: The impacts of environmental, social and economic factors and different EEG amendments on biogas production decisions in CG were quantified using multivariate linear regression model and the event study econometric technique. A GIS-based spatial analysis was also conducted to provide insight into the changes to agricultural land use that resulted from the development of biogas plants during the EEG period. Results: The main finding was that the income diversification effect resulting from biogas production was the most important factor in a farmer’s decision to adopt biogas production. In addition, all of the EEG amendments had a significant influence on the adoption of biogas production, however EEG III and IV, which tried to promote small-scale plants, were unable to reduce the average size of the plants constructed in these two amendment periods. From a landscape perspective, there was a striking increase in the cultivation of silage maize in CG from 2000 to 2014. Silage maize was intensively cultivated in regions with a high installed biogas plant capacity. Since the first EEG amendment, permanent grassland area slightly increased while arable land area declined in CG. Conclusions: The adoption of biogas production in CG was strongly driven by economic incentives for the farmers, more precisely, by the incentive to diversify their income sources. In addition to increase the subsidy, future EEG amendments should find new measures to encourage the adoption of small-scale biogas plants, which had been unsuccessful in EEG amendments III and IV.
Preharvest Bagging as an Alternative Technique for Enhancing Fruit Quality: A Review
Authors: Buthelezi Nana Millicent Duduzile , Mafeo Tieho Paulus , Mathaba Nhlanhla
Published: December 2020

Preharvest factors such as poor orchard management and field sanitation can lead to pathological infection of the tree fruit being grown as well as insect pest infestation, resulting in poor postharvest fruit quality. Wind and hail damage may cause significant tree fruit abrasions and blemishes. Consequently, these preharvest factors may reduce yield and cause market and economic losses. One of the most successful methods used to manage tree fruit pathogens and insect infestation is the application of agrochemicals, predominantly fungicides and insecticides. However, this method has recently been criticized due to the adverse effects on field workers’ safety, consumers’ health, and the environment. The development and use of preharvest bagging are among the most environmentally friendly technologies intended for safe enhancement of tree fruit quality. The technique protects tree fruit against pathogens, insect pests, physiological disorders, agrochemical residues, fruit abrasions, sunburn, and bird damage, and it further modifies the microenvironment for fruit development with its various beneficial effects on its external and internal quality. Furthermore, because of the global restrictions of agrochemicals and social awareness, this technique provides extensive relief to growers and consumers. However, bagging is labor-intensive and expensive; therefore, its benefits or advantages and disadvantages must be thoroughly investigated if it is to be promoted commercially. This review examines the improvement of tree fruit quality by the application of preharvest bagging during early stages of fruit growth and development. The latest advances in the development and use of tree fruit bagging and its economic impact and cost–benefit ratio are discussed, as are recommendations for the formulation of bagging materials that could be valuable in the future.
The Development and Validation of Job Satisfaction Questionnaire for Health Workforce
Authors: Ahmad Nurul Fatma Diyana , Ren Jye Alex Kim , Zulkifli Zubalqiah , Bujang Mohamad Adam
Published: December 2020

Background: This study aims to develop and validate a job satisfaction questionnaire (JS-Q) for health workforce who are employed by a healthcare institution.
Methods: The study consists of six phases which begins with eliciting a conceptual understanding of the subject matter which is then followed by questions development, designing the overall structure and format of the questionnaire, assessing both its content validity and face validity, conducting a pilot study and finally a field test. A sample of study respondents who were permanent hospital staff above 18 years of age had been recruited from three government hospitals in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Results: The finalised JS-Q consists of a total of 34 questions that were based on 8 domains. For all these 8 domains, the minimum loading of each item on the factors was calculated to be at least 0.500, its coefficient of Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to be at least 0.750 and its corrected item-total correlation was calculated to be at least 0.500. The goodness of fit of the model was determined to be satisfactory with a value of Chi-square/df < 3.0, and a value of root mean square error approximation (RMSEA) < 0.8 and finally with both Tucker Lewis index (TLI) and comparative fit index (CFI) > 0.9.
Conclusion: This newly developed and validated questionnaire (JS-Q) is found to be a valid and reliable study instrument for assessing job satisfaction among health workforce.
Development of an Immunodiagnostic Test for Screening Human Brucellosis Cases Using the Whole-Cell Antigens of Brucella abortus
Authors: Bhartiya Nidhi M , Husain Aliabbas A , Daginawala Hatim F , Singh Lokendra , Kashyap Rajpal S
Published: December 2020

Background: Human brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease of public health and often remains neglected owing to lack of sensitive and efficient diagnostic methods. This study evaluates diagnostic utility of in-house designed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using whole-cell antigens of Brucella abortus (B. abortus) S19 against the commercially available kits.
Methods: A prospective cohort study involving different populations within the Vidarbha regions of Maharashtra, India was conducted through camps organised from May 2009 to October 2015. A total of 568 serum samples were collected from high-risk people recruited as study cohorts based on inclusion criteria, additional risk factors and clinical symptoms. Samples were evaluated by indirect ELISA using the whole-cell antigens of B. abortus. The results were compared with the commercially available IgG detection ELISA kit to ascertain the specificity and sensitivity of the developed test.
Results: Fever, body ache, joint pain, lower back pain, loss of appetite and weight loss were major symptoms associated with the disease. With the cut-off of > 0.8, the positivity of brucellosis infection was at 12.32% (70/568) compared to 9.33% (53/568) as detected by the commercial kit. The in-house developed ELISA method yielded a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 99.18% as compared to the commercial kits (sensitivity –80.30% and specificity –99.6%).
Discussion: The B. abortus S19-derived whole-cell protein-based ELISA is rapid and cost- effective and can be used for screening brucellosis infection in lieu of the commercially available ELISA kits.
Hypolipidaemic and Insulin Secretagogue Activities of (R)-(−)-Carvone
Authors: Abbas Manal Ahmad , Oriquat Ghaleb Ali , Abbas Manal Mohamed , Al-Najjar Belal Omar , Kandil Yasser Ibrahim
Published: December 2020

Background: Dyslipidaemias are common in patients with diabetes mellitus. A high prevalence of type 2 diabetes in hyperlipidaemic patients also exists. The aim of this study was to find a treatment that lowers both blood glucose and lipid levels simultaneously.
Methods: The hypolipidaemic effect of (R)-(−)-carvone was investigated in a tyloxapol- induced hyperlipidaemia mice model. Furthermore, its effect on insulin secretion and proliferation of 1.1E7 human pancreatic β-cells was studied. In addition, using molecular docking, the binding affinity of (R)-(−)-carvone against 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG- CoA) reductase was estimated.
Results: (R)-(−)-carvone (100 mg/kg) decreased plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and atherogenic index by 90.6%, 49.3%, 56.6% and 70.3%, respectively, but it had no effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Furthermore, it increased hepatic triglyceride level and catalase activity by 79.6% and 59.6%, respectively. In-vitro, 500 μM (R)-(−)-carvone increased insulin secretion by 454.4% and proliferation of 1.1E7 cells with no cytotoxic effects up to a concentration of 100 μM. Molecular docking simulation demonstrated a good binding affinity with –5.03 Kcal/mol of (R)-(−)-carvone to HMG-CoA reductase.
Conclusion: The hypolipidaemic effect of (R)-(−)-carvone is comparable to that of fenofibrate. (R)-(−)-carvone has the advantage over fenofibrate of not producing hypoglycaemia in animals. Furthermore, (R)-(−)-carvone increased proliferation and insulin secretion of human pancreatic β-cells.
Differentially Expressed Genes and Their Clinical Significance in Ischaemic Stroke: An In-Silico Study
Authors: Appunni Sandeep , Rubens Muni , Ramamoorthy Venkataraghavan , Sharma Hina , Singh Anjani Kumar , Swarup Vishnu , Singh Himanshu Narayan
Published: December 2020

Background: Ischaemic stroke (IS), a multifactorial neurological disorder, is mediated by interplay between genes and the environment and, thus, blood-based IS biomarkers are of significant clinical value. Therefore, this study aimed to find global differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in-silico, to identify key enriched genes via gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and to determine the clinical significance of these genes in IS.
Methods: Microarray expression dataset GSE22255 was retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. It includes messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression data for the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 20 controls and 20 IS patients. The bioconductor-package ‘affy’ was used to calculate expression and a pairwise t-test was applied to screen DEGs (P < 0.01). Further, GSEA was used to determine the enrichment of DEGs specific to gene ontology (GO) annotations.
Results: GSEA analysis revealed 21 genes to be significantly plausible gene markers, enriched in multiple pathways among all the DEGs (n = 881). Ten gene sets were found to be core enriched in specific GO annotations. JunD, NCX3 and fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) were under-represented and glycoprotein M6-B (GPM6B) was persistently over- represented.
Conclusion: The identified genes are either associated with the pathophysiology of IS or they affect post-IS neuronal regeneration, thereby influencing clinical outcome. These genes should, therefore, be evaluated for their utility as suitable markers for predicting IS in clinical scenarios.