bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Association Between Plasma Furin and Cardiovascular Events After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Liu Zhi-wei , Ma Qiang , Liu Jie , Li Jing-Wei , Chen Yun-Dai
Published: August 2020

Background: Furin is the key enzyme to cleave pro-BNP, and plays a critical role in the cardiovascular system through its involvement in the lipid metabolism, blood pressure and formation of atheromatous plaques. NT-proBNP and recently corin, which is also a key enzyme to cleave pro-BNP, have been approved as predictors of prognosis after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We here conducted this prospective cohort study to investigate the relationship between plasma furin and the prognosis outcome in patients after AMI. Methods: We enrolled 1100 AMI patients and measured their plasma furin concentration. The primary endpoint was the major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of cardiovascular (CV) death, non-fatal myocardial infarction or non-fatal stroke. The association of plasma furin concentration with AMI outcomes was explored by using Kaplan–Meier curve and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results: Our results showed that slight increase of mean cTNT in patients with higher furin concentration (P=0.016). Over a median follow-up of 31 months, multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that plasma furin was not associated with MACE (HR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.93-1.06; P=0.807) after adjustment for potential conventional risk factors. However, plasma furin was associated with non-fatal MI (HR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.01-1.17; P=0.022) after fully adjustment. Subgroup analysis indicated no relationship between plasma furin and MACE in different subgroup populations.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that plasma furin was not associated with risk of MACE and may not be used as a predictor of poor prognosis after AMI. But higher levels of plasma furin may be associated with higher risk of non-fatal MI, future studies are needed to verify this.
Loss of Skeletal Muscle Mass Affects the Incidence of Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Case Control Study
Authors: Tateyama Masakuni , Naoe Hideaki , Tanaka Motohiko , Tanaka Kentaro , Narahara Satoshi , Tokunaga Takayuki , Kawasaki Takeshi , Yoshimaru Yoko , Nagaoka Katsuya , Watanabe Takehisa , Setoyama Hiroko , Sasaki Yutaka , Tanaka Yasuhito
Published: August 2020

Background: Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by progressive and systemic decreases in skeletal muscle mass and muscle strength. The influence or prognosis of various liver diseases in this condition have been widely investigated, but little is known about whether sarcopenia and/or muscle mass loss are related to minimal hepatic encephalopathy.Methods: To clarify the relationship between minimal hepatic encephalopathy and sarcopenia and/or muscle mass loss in patients with liver cirrhosis. Ninety-nine patients with liver cirrhosis were enrolled. Minimal hepatic encephalopathy was diagnosed by a neuropsychiatric test. Skeletal mass index was calculated by dividing muscle area at the third lumbar vertebra by the square of height in meters.Results: MHE was detected in 48 cases (48.5%) and sarcopenia in 6 cases (6.1%). Patients were divided into two groups, with or without MHE. Comparing groups, no significant differences were seen in serum ammonia concentration or rate of sarcopenia. Skeletal muscle index was smaller in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy (46.4 cm2/m2) than in those without (51.2 cm2/m2, P = 0.027). Skeletal muscle index represented a predictive factor related to minimal hepatic encephalopathy (<50 cm2/m2; odds ratio 0.300, P = 0.002).Conclusions: Muscle mass loss was related to minimal hepatic encephalopathy, although sarcopenia was not. Measurement of muscle mass loss might be useful to predict MHE.
Prognostic Value of Various Nutritional Assessment Indicators on Long Term and Short Term Outcomes for Patients with High Grade Osteosarcoma Receiving Surgical Resection
Authors: Yang Yuhan , Xuelei Ma , Ding Xinyan
Published: August 2020

Background: Many researchers have focused on exploring the association between patients’ nutritional status and clinical outcomes with some easy-to-reach indicators, especially in some carcinoma with high incidence. However, there was little attention on sarcomas and the objective of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of some innovative nutrition associated indexes on patients with high grade osteosarcoma receiving surgical excision. Method: We retrospectively included patients’ clinical characteristics diagnosed as high grade osteosarcomas histologically receiving surgical excision from January 2008 to June 2018. Body mass index (BMI), Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), systematic inflammatory index (SII), and controlling nutritional (CONUT) score were calculated as nutritional associated factors to evaluate their prognostic value. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) while the secondary outcome was the postoperative length of hospitalization. The relationship between clinical features and outcomes were performed by Cox and logistic regression analysis, respectively. The independent prognostic factors were chosen to construct predicted model whose internal and external accuracy were validated by concordance index (C-index), Brier score, and calibration plots.Results: High score of GPS predicted worse OS [HR (95% CI): 3.122 (1.982-4.918) versus 2.208 (1.014-4.804)] and higher rank of CONUT predicted poorer prognosis [HR (95% CI): 2.573 (1.616-4.097)] independently. The CONUT score was selected as the only prognostic factor on the length of hospitalization [HR (95% CI): 2.137 (1.270-3.596)]. The nomogram plots were used to visualize the results of predicted models whose performance was evaluated from the aspects of calibration and discrimination. Conclusion: Our study suggested prognostic value of nutritional assessment indexes including GPS and CONUT score that appropriate preoperative intervention which could optimize patients’ nutrition associated indicators may improve prognosis on patients with high grade osteosarcoma receiving surgical excision.Level of evidence: Level Ⅲ, prognostic study
Will Virtual Multidisciplinary Team Meetings Become the Norm for Musculoskeletal Oncology Care following the COVID-19 Pandemic? - Experience from a tertiary sarcoma centre
Authors: Rajasekaran Raja Bhaskara , Whitwell Duncan , Cosker Thomas D.A. , Gibbons Christopher L.M.H , Carr Andrew
Published: August 2020

Background: Like with all cancers, multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings are the norm in bone tumour and soft tissue sarcoma (BST) management too. Problem in attendance of specialists due to geographical location is the one of the key barriers to effective functioning of MDTs. To overcome this problem, virtual MDTs involving videoconferencing or telemedicine have been proposed, but however this has been seldom used and tested. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the implementation of virtual MDTs in the Oxford sarcoma service in order to maintain normal service provision. We conducted a survey among the participants to evaluate its efficacy.Methods: An online questionnaire comprising of 24 questions organised into 4 sections was circulated among all participants of the MDT after completion of 8 virtual MDTs. Opinions were sought comparing virtual MDTs to the conventional face-to-face MDTs on various aspects. A total of 36 responses were received and were evaluated.Results: 72.8% were satisfied with the depth of discussion in virtual MDTs and 83.3% felt that the decision making in diagnosis had not changed following the switch from face-to-face MDTs. About 86% reported to have all essential patient data was available to make decisions and 88.9% were satisfied with the time for discussion of patient issues over virtual platform. Three-fourths of the participants were satisfied (36.1% - highly satisfied; 38.9% - moderately satisfied) with virtual MDTs and 55.6% of them were happy to attend MDTs only by the virtual platform in future. Regarding future, 77.8% of the participants opined that virtual MDTs would be the future of cancer care and an overwhelming majority (91.7%) felt that the present exercise would serve as a precursor to global MDTs involving specialists from abroad in future.Conclusion: Our study shows that the forced switch to virtual MDTs in sarcoma care following the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic to be a viable and effective alternative to conventional face-to-face MDTs. With effective and efficient software in place, virtual MDTs would also facilitate in forming extended MDTs in seeking opinions on complex cases from specialists abroad and can expand cancer care globally.
Serotyping of sub-Saharan Africa Salmonella Strains Isolated from Different Sources Using Multiplex PCR and Capillary Electrophoresis Analysis and whole Genome Sequencing
Authors: Kagambèga Assèta , Hiott Lari M. , Boyle David S. , McMillan Elizabeth A. , Haukka Kaisa , Sharma Poonam , Gupta Sushim K. , Ramadan Hazem , Cho Sohyun , Humayoun Shaheen B. , Woodley Tiffanie A. , Barro Nicolas , Jackson Charlene R. , Frye Jonathan G.
Published: August 2020

The authors have withdrawn this preprint due to author disagreement.
LncRNA EPIC1 Promotes Cancer Cell Proliferation and Inhibits Apoptosis in Gallbladder Cancer Interacting with lncRNA LET
Authors: Fu Changbo , Nie Lei , Yin Tao , Xu Xuan , lu weijun
Published: August 2020

Background: LncRNA EPIC1 is likely involved in human cancer by promoting cell cycle progression. Our study was carried out to investigate the involvement of EPIC1 in gallbladder cancer (GBC). Methods: Expression levels of EPIC1 in two types of tissues (GBC and paracancerous) and plasma were measured by performing qPCR. GBC-SD and SGC-996 cells were transfected with LET and EPIC1 expression vectors.Results: In the preset study we found that EPIC1 was upregulated in tumor tissues than in paracancerous tissues of GBC patients, and plasma levels of EPIC1 were significantly correlated with levels of EPIC1 in tumor tissues. LncRNA LET was downregulated in tumor tissues than in paracancerous tissues and was inversely correlated with EPIC1 in both tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues. Overexpression of EPIC1 led to downregulated LET, and LET overexpression also mediated the downregulation of EPIC1. EPIC1 led to accelerated GBC cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis. Overexpression of LET played opposites roles. In addition, overexpression of LET also attenuated the effects of EPIC1 overexpression on cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. Conclusion: Therefore, therefore, lncRNA EPIC1 may promote cancer cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis in GBC by interacting with LET.
Comparable Safety of ERCP in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Patients with Common Bile Duct Stones: A Propensity-Matched Analysis
Authors: Xiao Lina , Geng Chong , Li Xiao , Li Yanni , Wang Chunhui
Published: August 2020

Background: The safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for asymptomatic common bile duct (CBD) stones patients has not been fully studied. This study aimed to compare the incidence and severity of ERCP complications in patients with asymptomatic and symptomatic CBD stones and to provide evidence for the treatment of asymptomatic CBD stones.Methods: The clinical data of patients were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into the asymptomatic CBD stones group and the symptomatic CBD stones group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match the two groups. The incidence and severity of postoperative complications of ERCP in the two groups were analyzed.Results: A total of 79 patients who had asymptomatic CBD stones and 795 patients who had symptomatic CBD stones were included in this study. After PSM, 79 patients from asymptomatic CBD group and 316 patients from the symptomatic CBD stones group were identified. Before and after PSM, there were no significant differences in the incidence and severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) between the two groups (P> 0.05). Besides, the incidence and severity of other complications including acute cholangitis, bleeding and perforation in the two groups was no differences before and after PSM (P>0.05).Conclusions: Patients with asymptomatic CBD stones are not at higher risk of getting ERCP-related complications when compared with those with symptomatic ones. ERCP is as safe and effective for asymptomatic CBD stones as for symptomatic patients.
Dynamic Space Use of Andalusian Rice Fields by Overwintering Lesser Black-Backed Gulls is Driven by Harvest-Related Flooding
Authors: Rees Charles B. van , Aragonés David , Bouten Willem , Thaxter Chris B. , Stienen Eric W.M. , Bustamante Javier , Green Andy
Published: August 2020

Background: Research on the space use and behavior of waterbirds—as highly mobile of wetland habitats—yields important insights on human-wildlife interactions of ecological and societal importance under global change. The extent to which dynamic (within-season) changes in anthropogenic landscapes affects these interactions is poorly understood. Lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus) are prominent biovectors of biological and artificial materials, and have exhibited large population increases in parts of southern Europe in recent decades. Methods: We combined GPS tracking, earth observation, accelerometry and field observations to study the space use of overwintering in a mixed rice field landscape in Andalusia, Southern Spain. We used Manly selectivity metrics and classified remote sensing imagery to directly evaluate space use and habitat selection for these gulls and how it changed throughout the rice harvest cycle. Results: Analysis of over 45,000 GPS fixes and 14 classified remotely-sensed images from winter 2016-17 showed dynamic space use driven by the harvest-related flooding across the rice harvest cycle. Prior to harvest, gulls foraged in rice paddies during the day and roosted in adjacent waterbodies (the River Guadalquivir, and fish ponds) at night. During harvest, they spent nearly 100% of their daily cycle within the rice fields, foraging in harvested paddies and roosting in post-harvest, flooded paddies. After harvest, they roosted in flooded fields at night and foraged at landfills in the surrounding landscape. Conclusion: Gull space use at landscape and paddy scales was closely linked to dynamic land and water management over the rice agricultural cycle, illustrating the detailed scales at which human activities influence the movements of ecologically important, human-associated biovectors like gulls. The frequent early-spring movement patterns of these increasingly numerous gulls between landfills and agricultural fields an important biotransport link for potentially toxic materials between waste sites and places where food is grown for human consumption.
Sedation Practices for Routine Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: A Systematic Review of Recommendations
Authors: Dossa Fahima , Megetto Olivia , Yakubu Mafo , Zhang David D.Q. , Baxter Nancy N.
Published: August 2020

Background: Sedation is commonly used in gastrointestinal endoscopy; however, considerable variability in sedation practices has been reported. The objective of this review was to identify and synthesize existing recommendations on sedation practices for routine gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures.Methods: We systematically reviewed guidelines and position statements identified through a search of PubMed, guidelines databases, and websites of relevant professional associations from January 1, 2005 to May 10, 2019. We included English-language guidelines/position statements with recommendations relating to sedation for adults undergoing routine gastrointestinal endoscopy. Documents with guidance only for complex endoscopic procedures were excluded.We extracted and synthesized recommendations relating to: 1) choice of sedatives, 2) sedation administration, 3) personnel responsible for monitoring sedated patients, 4) skills and training of individuals involved in sedation, and 5) equipment required for monitoring sedated patients. We assessed the quality of included documents using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation (AGREE) II tool.Results: We identified 19 guidelines and 7 position statements meeting inclusion criteria. Documents generally agreed that a single, trained registered nurse can administer moderate sedation, monitor the patient, and assist with brief, interruptible tasks. Documents also agreed on the routine use of pulse oximetry and blood pressure monitoring during endoscopy. However, recommendations relating to the drugs to be used for sedation, the healthcare personnel capable of administering propofol and monitoring patients sedated with propofol, and the need for capnography when monitoring sedated patients varied. Only 9 documents provided a grade or level of evidence in support of their recommendations.Conclusions: Recommendations for sedation practices in routine gastrointestinal endoscopy differ across guidelines/position statements and often lack supporting evidence with potential implications for patient safety and procedural efficiency.Registration Number: CRD42019141076
Validity and Reliability of Smartphone Applications for Measurement of Hip Rotation, Compared With Three-dimensional Motion Analysis
Authors: Ganokroj Phob , Sompornpanich Nuchanun , Kerdsomnuek Pichitpol , Vanadurongwan Bavornrat , Lertwanich Pisit
Published: August 2020

BackgroundMeasurement of hip rotation is a crucial clinical parameter for the identification of hip problems and the monitoring of symptoms. The objective of this study was to determine whether the use of two smartphone applications is valid and reliable for the measurement of hip rotation.MethodsAn experimental, cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess passive hip internal and external rotation in three positions by two examiners. The hip rotational angles were measured by a smartphone clinometer application in the sitting and prone positions, and by a smartphone compass application in the supine position; their results were compared with those of the standard, three-dimensional, motion analysis system. The validities and inter-rater and intra-rater reliabilities of the smartphone applications were evaluated.ResultsThe study involved 24 participants. The validities were good to excellent for the internal rotation angles in all positions (ICC 0.81–0.94), good for the external rotation angles in the prone position (ICC 0.79), and fair for the sitting and supine positions (ICC 0.70–0.73). The measurement of the hip internal rotation in the supine position had the highest ICC value of 0.94 (0.91, 0.96). The two smartphone applications showed good-to-excellent intra-rater reliability, but good-to-excellent inter-rater reliability for only three of the six positions (two other positions had fair reliability, while one position demonstrated poor reliability).ConclusionsThe two smartphone applications have good-to-excellent validity and intra-rater reliability, but only fair-to-good inter-rater reliability for the measurement of the hip rotational angle.Trial registration: Number20181022003 at the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (http://www.clinicaltrials.in.th) which was retrospectively registered at 2018-10-18 15:30:29.http://www.clinicaltrials.in.th/index.php?tp=utf8&task=regtrial&id=4100&menu=regtrial&smenu=trialmodify&ts=20200711091413
Differing Perspectives of Learning and Teaching in Culturally Diverse Postgraduate Classrooms: A Qualitative Descriptive Study.
Authors: markey kathleen , Graham Margaret M , Tuohy Dympna , McCarthy Jane , O’Donnell Claire , Hennessy Therese , Fahy Anne , Brien Brid O’
Published: August 2020

Background:Higher Education Institutes are experiencing a widening cultural diversity of student populations and campus communities. With expanding globalisation, growing international education initiatives and increasing incoming international postgraduate student numbers, the cultural diversity of the classroom will continue to magnify. The expanding diversity of the student population provides a fertile environment for intercultural learning and can support the development of intercultural competence if structured and facilitated appropriately. However, meeting the individual and collective needs of postgraduate students in a widening culturally diverse learning environment is not without its challenges. A greater understanding of factors that enhance and constrain quality and inclusive learning in culturally diverse classrooms is required as a means of identifying structures, supports and educational approaches needed. The purpose of this study is to describe the perceptions and experiences of students (home and international students) and faculty of learning within a culturally diverse postgraduate programme, delivered through blended learning approaches. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study explored and triangulated data from three data sets. This approach guided the exploration of experiences of faculty and students (both home and international students) in capturing detailed descriptions of perspectives and experiences of learning in culturally diverse environments.Results: Three themes were generated from the data, namely representing students (both home and international students) and faculty participants’ perspectives of learning in culturally diverse environments: early apprehension, cautious engagement and shared acceptance. Conclusions: This study highlights the multifaceted responses of teaching faculty and students to cultural diversity in the learning environment, adding new dimensions to the existing discourse on intercultural learning and development. It illuminates the individuality of participants' learning experiences and draws attention to the complexities associated with meeting individual and collective learning needs of postgraduate students who come from diverse cultural, linguistic, educational and clinical experience backgrounds. However, this study illuminates how perceptions of cultural difference can also impact on learning behaviours and cohesive learning. Creating positive intercultural inclusiveness, culturally responsive teaching and nurturing capacity to see differing perspectives, oneself and others in more inclusive ways is essential in supporting quality postgraduate student learning.
Genome-Wide Identification of MicroRNAs Associated With the Somatic Embryogenesis in Eucalyptus
Authors: Qin Zihai , Li Junji , Zhang Ye , Xiao Yufei , Zhang Xiaoning , Liu Hailong , Chen Bowen
Published: August 2020

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small noncoding RNAs with 18-24 nucleotides in length and function in many biological processes in plant. Although Eucalyptus trees are widely planted across the world, our understanding of the miRNA regulation in the somatic embryogenesis of Eucalyptus is still poor. Here we reported for the first time the miRNA profiles of differentiated and dedifferentiated tissues of two Eucalyptus cultivars and identified miRNAs involved in the somatic embryogenesis of Eucalyptus.Results: Stem and tissue-culture induced callus were obtained from the subculture seedlings of E. camaldulensis and E. grandis x urophylla, and were used as differentiated and dedifferentiated samples, respectively. We generated 346.4 million reads for 12 samples (n=3) and identified 888 miRNA precursors (197 known and 691 novel) which can produce 1,067 mature miRNAs. These miRNAs were mainly distributed in chromosomes Chr03, Chr05 and Chr08, and can produce 46 miRNA clusters. In these samples we detected 998 miRNAs with TPM (transcripts per million reads) > 5 and found that highly expressed miRNAs varied across samples. We identified 327 and 343 differentially expressed miRNAs in the dedifferentiation process of E. camaldulensis and E. grandis x urophylla, respectively. Dysregulated miRNAs shared by the two cultivars might be involved in the development of embryonic callus of Eucalyptus, such as MIR156, MIR159, MIR160, MIR164, MIR166, MIR169, MIR171, MIR399 and MIR482. We also identified 81 up-regulated (e.g., miR159c-3p, miR167a-5p, miR397a-3p, miR397c-5p, miR397d-3p, miR397d-5p, N-miR1-5p and N-miR5-5p) and 67 down-regulated (e.g., miR482b-3p, N-miR3-3p, miR156a-3p, N-miR40-3p and N-miR18-5p) miRNAs specific to E. camaldulensis. Target prediction and functional analysis showed they might be involved in longevity regulating and plant hormone signal transduction pathways. Then, the expression patterns of these miRNAs were confirmed by qRT-PCR. Conclusions: This is the first time to study the miRNAs profiles in the dedifferentiation process of Eucalyptus and it will provide a valuable resource for future studies. More importantly, our findings will improve our understanding of miRNA regulation and molecular mechanisms during the somatic embryogenesis of Eucalyptus, and the output of this study will benefit the Eucalyptus breeding program.
A Nursing Innovation Workshop to Improve Clinical Nurses' Innovation Ability: a Quasi-experimental Study
Authors: Gao Limei , Lu Qiaocong , Ou Jiefen , Hou Xiangchuan , Wang Mingzhu
Published: August 2020

Background: Currently, the innovation ability of nurses in China is at a medium to low level. Most studies focus on nurses' innovation ability and its influencing factors, while few interventional studies consider how to improve nurses' innovation ability. The aim of the study is to explore the effects of nursing innovation workshops in improving clinical nurses' innovation ability.Methods: This Quasi-experimental study was conducted in a tertiary hospital of Guangdong. Thirty-seven recruited nurses participated in a nursing innovation workshop for half a year. Questionnaire data were collected on nurses’ self-rated innovation ability and research ability before the training and 3 months after finishing the training.Results: Nurses’ self-rated innovation ability and research ability improved significantly after the training (P < 0.001).Conclusions: A nursing innovation workshop is an effective and feasible teaching method that can promote the generation of innovative thinking and improve the innovative ability of nurses.
Association between physical activity and hypertension: A retrospective study
Authors: Hou Zhengyao , Wan Shaoping , Yong Zhengping , Wu Yu , Zhang Yueqi , Wu Xingwei , Tong Rongsheng
Published: August 2020

Background: Many guidelines recommend physical activity to prevent hypertension. However, the recommendations of different studies and guidelines for physical activity to prevent hypertension are not uniform. The objective of this study is to examine the association between the prevalence of hypertension and physical activity in different patterns, intensities, and durations. Methods: The sample was from a cross-sectional study of 479,842 subjects called the China Hypertension Survey, 2012-2015. We selected participants with physical activity information from the survey results in Sichuan Province (n = 19,277) for this study. As an advantage of our research, we used multiple imputation to supplement the missing data, instead of mean filling or delete missing values directly. The relationship between physical activity and hypertension was mainly analyzed by the Wilcoxon rank-test, Chi-squared tests, and the logistic regression model. Results: There were 2,006 participants eligible. A total of 354 (17.6%) participants were hypertensive. Participants who were older, less educated, had higher BMI, used alcohol regularly, and had a family history of hypertension were more likely to get hypertension (p-value<0.0001). Both walking or cycling ≥ 15 hours/week (OR = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.36-0.95) and the sleeping duration ≥ 10 hours/non-working day (OR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.19-0.81) are related to the low prevalence of hypertension. The risk factor associated with hypertension is the moderate activity related to leisure ≥ 15 hours/week (OR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.14-3.40). Conclusions: This study indicates that there is a significant association between the duration of physical activity and the prevalence of hypertension. Moreover, this association is affected by different patterns of physical activity.
Physiological and Transcriptomic Response of Grey Poplar (Populus ×Canescens Aiton Sm.) to Cadmium Stress
Authors: Komarkova Martina , Chromy Jakub , Pokorna Eva , Soudek Petr , Machova Pavlina
Published: August 2020

Background: Populus ×canescens (Aiton) Sm. is a fast-growing woody plant belonging to the family Salicaceae. Thanks to its deep root system and fast growth rate, two poplar genotypes (TP11 and TP20) was chosen to be characterized and tested for a physiological and transcriptomic response to Cd stress.Results: Both sexual and clonal reproduction are common in grey poplar. Thus, to reveal its genetic structure, two selected poplar genotypes characterized by unique phenotypic traits were distinguished by microsatellite analysis. A comparative analysis of the effects of exposure to high cadmium (Cd) concentrations on the physiological response of TP11 and TP20 was performed. After 2 and 10 days, 10 µM and 100 µM Cd were added to the nutrient solution of poplar plants grown in perlite. Neither tested Cd concentration negatively affected plant growth; however, the chlorophyll content significantly decreased. According to mineral uptake analysis, the potassium (K) content was higher in the shoots than in the roots. The calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) concentrations were only slightly affected by Cd treatment. The zinc (Zn) content in the shoots of TP20 was lower than that in the shoots of TP11. Moreover, the amount of Zn was slightly higher in the shoots of both genotypes after 10 days of Cd treatment compared to the control conditions. Cd accumulation was higher in the roots than in the shoots. After 2 days of 100 µM Cd treatment, TP11 accumulated significantly more Cd in the roots than TP20. After 10 days of exposure, 10 µM Cd resulted in comparable amounts of Cd in the roots and shoots of TP20, which was reflected in a translocation factor (TF) value greater than 1. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analyses were used to examine the expression profiles of selected stress-response genes in the roots and shoots of plants exposed to Cd. The most significant change in transcript amount was observed in endochitinase 2, 12-oxophytodienoate reductase 1 and phi class glutathione S-transferase, which have been characterized as stress-response genes.Conclusions: Our study provided new insights for effective assessing the ability of different poplar genotypes to tolerate Cd stress and underlying Cd tolerance.
The Importance of the Change Point Recognition in the Landmark Analysis of Immuno-oncology Clinical Trial with the Delayed Treatment Effect
Authors: Huang Lihong , Ting Naitee
Published: August 2020

Background: The proportional hazards (PH) assumption is often not met in the IO clinical trials due to the delayed effect. The landmark analysis could be performed as sensitivity analysis to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment despite the impact of the violation of PH assumption, but analysis results can vary according to the different landmarks. The goal of the paper was to raise the awareness in both the statistical and clinical communities regarding the importance of the change point in the IO delayed effect clinical trials, in order for the improvement of the existing landmark analysis method.Methods: Pre-define the change point as an objective choice of landmark time of landmark analysis was recommended for the IO trials with delayed effect to avoid additional biases caused by the choice of landmark. We called this method change point landmark analysis (CPLA). Monte Carlo simulation was implemented to explore test power and type I error of CPLA. A simulated example was also conducted to evaluate the advantages of change point recognition on the landmark analysis.Results: CPLA showed the high power comparing to the earlier landmark choices and the later landmark choices, especially when the impact of the delayed effect was earlier than the median survival time. The type I errors of CPLA are also well controlled.Conclusions: the change point is a good objective choice of landmark in landmark analysis, which could resolve the objectively pre-defined challenge which is the critical requirement of the landmark analysis.
Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors (PARPi) for Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer: a Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Su YongCheng , Zheng XiaoGang
Published: August 2020

The authors have withdrawn this preprint due to erroneous posting.
MicroRNA-340 Inhibits Bladder Cancer Cell Growth by Downregulating Glucose Transporter-1
Authors: Li Junlong , Xu Gang , Pan Shouhua
Published: August 2020

Background: MicroRNA (miRNA)-340 is emerging as a critical regulator for the development and progression of various cancers, such as oral squamous cell carcinoma and prostate cancer. However, little was known about the role of miR-340 in bladder cancer. Methods: Bladder cancer and adjacent non-tumor tissue samples were collected from thirty patients undergoing surgical resection at Shaoxing People's Hospital. The expression of miR-340 and Glut-1 were studied via real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) or western blots. Bladder cancer T24 cells were transfected with miR-340 mimics to explore cell proliferation and apoptosis via MTT assay, flow cytometer, RT-qPCR and western blots. Results: Compared with that of normal tissues, miR-340 expression was significantly lower, while both mRNA and protein expression of Glut-1 were higher in bladder cancer tissues. The miR-340 could negatively regulate Glut-1 expression in bladder cells. Moreover, bladder cell proliferation could be inhibited by miR-340 and the corresponding antitumor effect could partially reverse by the overexpression of Glut-1. In view of the complexity of gene networks, some other multiple pathways might also confer to miR-340 inducing bladder cell apoptosis, including downregulating PCNA, upregulating Bax and decreasing the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT.Conclusion: This work suggested an inverse correlation between miR-340 and glucose transporter-1 (Glut-1) expression in bladder cancer. miR-340/Glut-1 axis might be a potential and novel therapeutic target for the treatment of bladder cancer. More investigations need to further explore the applications of miR-340 in bladder cancer.
A Network Pharmacology-based Study of the Potential Mechanism of Bushenhuoxue Formula in Treating Osteoarthritis
Authors: Wen Xiong , Xianhua Cai
Published: August 2020

Background: To investigate the potential mechanism underlying the efficacy of BuShenHuoXue (BSHX) formula on Osteoarthritis (OA) and its molecular mechanism. Materials and Methods: Data as for bioactive chemicals of individual herb in BSHX formula and their targets were collected from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database and OA-associated targets from Gene Expression Omnibus database, compound-disease target network and protein-protein interactions network were built, picturized and analyzed by Cytoscape. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment of key targets were carried out and analyzed to probe into the core pathway and their main functions further. The chondrocytes of SD rats were cultured in vitro, and 50μg/ml IL-1βwas added to the chondrocytes to induce apoptosis. Different concentrations of quercetin were added to the experimental group and the apoptosis rate of chondrocytes, the difference of the expression of SELE, MMP2, and COL1 genes and their protein expression level were further detected. Results: A total of 104 candidate chemicals and 42 crossing targets were screened out. Leading target genes are PTGS2, NCOA2 and HSP90AA1, whereas quercetin and luteolin are principal ingredients. Potential pathways against OA are AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, Relaxin signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, Tyrosine metabolism and Endocrine resistance. Our study showed that quercetin could inhibit the apoptosis of chondrocytes induced by IL-1β, decrease SELE, MMP2 and COL1 mRNA expression, likewise decrease the expression of SELE, MMP2 and COL1 protein. Conclusion: This study investigated the bioactive chemicals, crossing targets and possible mechanisms of BSHX formula against OA by network pharmacology strategy, results suggests that quercetin in BSHX formula may target on SELE, MMP2, and COL1 genes and then inhibit the progression of OA through the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications. By the mechanism of reducing the apoptosis rate of SD rat chondrocytes and down-regulation the expression of genes involved in inflammation, we made sure that quercetin as principal ingredient can protect the cartilage. In addition, the conclusion of this study still need to be confirmed by in vivo and vitro experiments.
Large-Scale Transcriptome Analysis Identified Novel Ferroptosis-Related Gene Signatures for Predicting the Prognostic of Patients with Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Sun Lei , Gu Jia , Liu Wenke , Zhang Zhe , Yao Yao , Han Tao , Li Wenya
Published: August 2020

Background: Lung cancer is the most common of all malignant tumors. Traditional tumor staging has general sensitivity and specificity in predicting patient prognosis. Ferroptosis is a novel form of non-apoptotic form of cell death promoted by lipid peroxidation. Ferroptosis may be involved in the malignant progression of tumors through the regulation of glutathione depletion or the P53 signaling pathway. However, there are fewer studies on the impact of ferroptosis on tumor prognosis.Methods: We summarized 22 molecules that regulate ferroptosis. The transcriptome and corresponding clinical data were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. The Wilcoxon test was utilized to analyze the expression of ferroptosis-related genes. We established risk score signatures, and all patients divided into two groups. Survival curves and multifactorial Cox regression analyses were performed to explore the prognostic value of ferroptosis on lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).Results: We found that most ferroptosis-related genes are specifically expressed in LUAD tissue. We established a six‑mRNA signature and a seven‑IncRNA signature. All the models showed high predictive performance (AUC: 0.66–0.8), and patients in the low-risk group had higher overall survival than those in the high-risk group (P<0.05). The risk score is an independent risk factor for predicting the prognosis of LUAD.Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the critical role of ferroptosis in LUAD, and it is expected to supply a reference for the prognostic stratification of LUAD.
Are closed campus policies associated with youth eating behaviours?
Authors: Patte Karen Allison , Cole Adam , Qian Wei , Magier Megan , Vine Michelle , Leatherdale Scott T.
Published: August 2020

Background: The effectiveness of school nutrition regulations may be undermined by the food environment surrounding schools, particularly among adolescents, as they are less likely to eat lunch at school and have their own spending money. Given challenges in regulating the external food retail, policies where students are unable to leave the school property during the day have been suggested to improve student nutrition. The aim of this study was to examine whether closed campus policies (CCP) are associated with student eating behaviours.Methods: The current study used student- and school-administrator survey data from 60,610 grade 9-12 students and 134 Canadian secondary schools participating in year 7 (2018/2019) of the COMPASS study. Multiple ordinal regression models tested school CCP as a predictor of weekday dietary behaviours (0-5 days), controlling for student- (grade, gender, spending money, ethnicity) and school-level (urbanicity, province, area median household income, school vending machines) covariates.Results: A total of 16 schools reported CCP. Students who attended schools with CCP reported eating lunch purchased from fast food places or restaurants on fewer weekdays, but consumed sugar sweetened beverages (sodas/sports drinks or sweetened coffee/tea drinks) and snacks purchased from school vending machines on more weekdays, relative to students at schools with open campus policies. No significant differences in student reports of eating lunch brought from home, eating lunch purchased from the school cafeteria, or snacks purchased off-school campus were observed between schools with open and CCP.Conclusions: CCP may help improve youth eating behaviour by reducing sugar sweetened beverages and lunch time fast food consumption on weekdays; however, students already purchasing food may shift from off-campus to within school options, highlighting the importance of ensuring healthy school food environments and encouraging students to bring home-prepared lunches. Future studies using experimental longitudinal designs are needed to determine the effect of school CCP on various health behaviours and outcomes.
Dihydroartemisinin promotes CHAC1 transcription to induce ferroptosis in primary liver cancer cells: activation of unfolded protein responses
Authors: Wang Zhiwei , Li Mingxing , Liu Yuanfeng , Qiao Zhentao , Bai Tao , Yang Ling , Liu Bo
Published: August 2020

Background: This study aimed to explore whether dihydroartemisinin (DHA), an artemisinin derivate drug, eliminates primary liver cancer (PLC) cells by inducing ferroptosis. Methods: Four PLC cell lines were treated with varied concentrations of DHA. RNA interference was performed to knock down the expression of unfolded protein response (UPR) sensors in vitro. Results: DHA-caused PLC cell death was irrelevant to p53 status. PLC cells exposed to DHA displayed classic ferroptosis features – increased lipid ROS, MDA and iron ions, and decreased activity or expression of GSH, GPX4, SLC7A11 and SLC3A2. The anti-tumor effects of DHA were significantly weakened by ferrostatin-1 and deferoxamine mesylate salt, but augmented by iron overload. DHA activated all three UPR branches, including PERK/eIF2/ATF4, IRE1α / XBP1 , and ATF6, in vitro . Further, to deactivate UPRs, exclusive siRNA was used to silence the expression of ATF4, XBP1 or ATF6 in PLC cells. Unexpectedly, ferroptosis induced by DHA was significantly attenuated when ATF4, XBP1 or ATF6 was knocked down. The transcription of CHAC1, a molecule that is capable of degrading GSH, was enhanced by DHA, but weakened when the above three UPR transcription factors were silenced.Conclusion: DHA effectively induces ferroptosis in PLC cells, which involves the activation of anti-survival UPRs.
Effects of forage rape at various levels on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, rumen fermentation and rumen microbiota of Hu lambs
Authors: Du Encun , Guo Wanzheng , Zhao Na , Chen Fang , Fan Qiwen , Zhang Wei , Huang Shaowen , Zhou Guangsheng , Fu Tingdong , Wei Jintao
Published: August 2020

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of forage rape ( Brassica napus ) in total mixed ration (TMR)-based diet on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, rumen fermentation and rumen microbiota of Hu lambs. Methods: A total of 50 Hu lambs (20.86 ± 3.00 kg, three-month-old) were randomly allocated into five dietary treatments: Ctrl, T1, T2, T3 and T4 with 0, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% of forage rape, respectively. Each treatment had 10 replicates of one lamb each and the study lasted for 60 days. Results: The results showed that T2, T3 and T4 increased the average daily gain (ADG) and decreased the feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly compared with Ctrl and T1 ( P < 0.05). Moreover, the final body weight and ADG were increased, and the FCR were decreased linearly ( P < 0.05) along with increasing forage rape levels. The relative weight of liver was increased in T3 and T4 compared with Ctrl ( P < 0.05). With increasing forage rape levels, the relative content of intramuscular heptadecenoic acid and α-linolenic acid, and the composition of various amino acids in the muscle of lambs were increased linearly ( P < 0.05), while ruminal concentration of ammonia nitrogen was decreased linearly ( P < 0.05). No difference on carcass traits, meat quality or ruminal profile of short-chain fatty acids were observed among groups ( P > 0.05). In addition, the inclusion of forage rape altered the rumen microbial community, and increased the relative abundance of cellulolytic bacteria and short-chain fatty acid producers, including genera Family_XIII_AD3011_group and Anaerovorax in T1, Succiniclasticum and Fibrobacter in T2, Ruminiclostridium_5 in T3, and members of family Lachnospiraceae and genus Shuttleworthia in T4. Conclusion: TMR included with forage rape could improve growth performance, meat nutritional value and rumen microbial community of Hu lambs.
The Impacts of Financial Development on Green and Non-Green Energy Consumption: Empirical Evidence From OPEC Countries
Authors: Alshubiri Faris , Elheddad Mohamed , Jamil Syed , Djellouli Nassima
Published: August 2020

This paper aims to examine the impact of financial development on green and non-green energy consumption in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) over the period of 1990–2015.The data was collected from the Green Growth Knowledge Platform Database and the World Development Indicators (WDI) of the World Bank for 14 OPEC countries over the period of 1990–2015.We used two different proxies for financial development: (1) domestic financial development, measured by domestic credit in the private sector as a percentage of gross domestic product(GDP), and (2)foreign financial development, measured by the foreign direct investment (FDI) stock as a share of GDP. The main model developed three hypotheses; the first two were sub-hypotheses that characterized green energy through proxies: access to improved sanitation and access to electricity. The third hypothesis was anon-green (brown) energy proxy using CO2 emissions per capita. All three hypotheses used five control variables: by GDP per capita, urbanisation/total population ratio, oil rent/GDP ratio, investment/GDP per capita ratio and trade openness. In order to evaluate these hypotheses, we used the instrumental-variable (IV) approach with a fixed effect option to control for both endogeneity and heterogeneity, and we used the lags of the independent variables as instruments for financial development, as lagged variables are arguably exogenous. The impacts of financial development on environmental quality varied between foreign direct investments (foreign financial development) and the domestic credit ratio (domestic financial development). Our main results suggest that FDI degrades environmental quality in OPEC economies, and FDI represents a source of pollution by increasing CO2 emissions per capita (non-renewable) by about 0.0224% and decreasing non-renewable energy consumption variables. In other words, FDI’s non-renewable and renewable relationship supports the non-green growth hypothesis.JEL Classification B22. B26. D53. E21. F63. K32