bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of Garlic and Honey on Nicotine-Induced Toxicity on the Cerebellum of adult Wistar Rats
Authors: Augustine Ibegbu O , Gertrude Okechukwu N. , Loveth Anosike N. , Al-Rashed Sarah , Obinna Uchewa O. , Uchenna Ezemagu K. , USMAN IBE MICHAEL , Ogugua Egwu A. , Batiha Gaber El-Saber
Published: October 2020

Background

Nicotine form the major constituent of consumed tobacco and cigarettes throughout the World resulting in oxidative stress while garlic and honey have been shown to contain numerous natural antioxidants. We investigated the role of combined effects of garlic and honey on nicotine induced Cerebellar and behavioral toxicity in Wistar rats.
Method

: Forty rats were divided into eight groups of five rats each. Group 1 received water only, Group 2 and 3 received 50 mg/kg of nicotine with garlic and honey at (300 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg) and (600 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg) respectively. Group 4 received 50 mg/kg of nicotine only, Group 5 received garlic 300 mg/kg and honey 1000 mg/kg before 50 mg/kg nicotine, Group 6 received garlic 600 mg/kg and honey 2000 mg/kg before 50 mg/kg nicotine. Group 7 and 8 received 50 mg/kg nicotine + 450 mg/kg garlic only and 1500 mg/kg honey only respectively. The administration was through oral route and lasted for 21 days respectively. Limb impairment and grip were conducted. After the administration, blood and cerebellum were harvested for lactate dehydrogenase assay, oxidative stress and histopathological analyses.
Result

There was significant decrease in body weight, grip strength and limb impairment in Group 4 with increase in Group 2 compared to the Control (p < 0.001). There was significant increase in LDH in Groups 2, 4, 7 and 8 with significant decrease in Group 3 compared to Group 1. The result showed significant decrease in SOD and CAT activities in all the groups compared to Group 1 (p < 0.001). Groups 1, 7 and 8 showed normal histology of the cerebellum while Group 4 showed areas of neuronal degeneration with distortions in histology and Groups 3, 5 and 6 showed few neural changes.
Conclusion

The study showed that garlic and honey may be useful in ameliorating nicotine toxicity dose-dependently which may be due to their antioxidant activity.
Corticomedullary Shunting After Ischaemia and Reperfusion in The Porcine Kidney?
Authors: Rehling Michael , Skjøth Stine Gram , Keller Anna Krarup , Nielsen Lene Elsebeth , Flø Christian , Jespersen Bente , Frøkiær Jørgen
Published: October 2020

Background: An animal model offers the opportunity to study organs in vivo and the porcine model was chosen to simulate a renal transplantation with complications. Renal perfusion may redistribute from cortex to medulla during systemic hypovolaemia and after renal ischaemia for other reasons, but there is no consensus on this matter. We studied renal perfusion after renal ischaemia and reperfusion.Methods: Renal perfusion distribution was examined by use of 153Gadolinium-labeled microspheres (MS) after 2 hours (hrs) and 4 hrs ischaemia of the pig kidney followed by 4 hrs of reperfusion. Intra-arterial injected MS are trapped in the glomeruli in renal cortex, which means that MS are not present in the medulla under normal physiological conditions.Results: Visual evaluation after reperfusion demonstrated that MS redistributed from the renal cortex to the medulla in 6 out of 16 pigs (38%) subjected to 4 hrs ischaemia and in one out of 18 pigs subjected to 2 hrs ischaemia. Central renal uptake of MS covering the medullary/total renal uptake was significantly higher in kidneys subjected to 4 hrs ischaemia compared with pigs subjected to 2 hrs ischaemia (69±5% vs. 63±1%, p<0.001), and also significantly higher than in the contralateral kidney (69±5% vs. 63±2, p<0.001). Analysis of blood and urine demonstrated no presence of radioactivity. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the presence of MS in the renal medulla in response to renal ischaemia and reperfusion suggesting that severe ischaemia and reperfusion of the pig kidney leads to opening of functional shunts bypassing glomeruli.
The genotypic and genetic diversity of enset (Ensete ventricosum) landraces used in traditional medicine is similar to the diversity found in starchy landraces
Authors: Nuraga gizachew Woldesenbet , Feyissa Tileye , Tesfaye Kassahun , Biswas Manosh Kumar , Schwarzacher Trude , Borrell James , Wilkin Paul , Demissew Sebsebe , Tadele Zerihun , Heslop-Harrison J.S. (Pat)
Published: October 2020

Background

Enset (Ensete ventricosum) is a multipurpose crop extensively cultivated in southern and southwestern Ethiopia for human food, animal feed and fiber. It contributes to the food security and rural livelihoods of 20 million people. Several distinct enset landraces are cultivated for their uses in traditional medicine. Socio-economic changes and the loss of indigenous knowledge might lead to the decline of important medicinal landraces and their associated genetic diversity. However, it is currently unknown whether medicinal landraces are genetically differentiated from other landraces. Here, we characterize the genetic diversity of medicinal enset landraces to support effective conservation and utilization of their diversity
Results

We evaluated the genetic diversity of 51 enset landraces of which 38 have reported medicinal value. A total of 38 alleles were detected across the 15 SSR loci. AMOVA revealed that 97.6% of the total genetic variation is among individual with an FST of 0.024 between medicinal and non-medicinal landraces. A neighbor-joining tree showed four separate clusters with no correlation to the use values of the landraces. Principal coordinate analysis also confirmed the absence of distinct clustering between the groups, showing low differentiation among landraces used in traditional medicine and those having other use values.
Conclusion

We found that enset landraces were clustered irrespective of their use value, showing no evidence for genetic differentiation between enset grown for ‘medicinal’ uses and non-medicinal landraces. This suggests that enset medicinal properties may be restricted to a more limited number of genotypes, a product of interaction with the environment or management practice, or partly misreported. The study provide baseline information that promotes further investigations in exploiting the medicinal value of these specific landraces
Comparison with Tube Core and Magill forceps for Nasotracheal Intubation: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hu Rui , Niu Jingyi , Wu Lining , Sun Hao , Sun Peng , Huang Jiaying , Yu Junma
Published: October 2020

Background: Magill forceps are frequently used to complete the process of nasotracheal intubation (NTI). We aimed to identify a tube core that could facilitate the NTI process conveniently without Magill forceps. Methods: Sixty patients with no differences between the two groups (30 per group) with regard to demographic data were enrolled in our study. In Group M, the wire-reinforced tracheal tube was inserted into the trachea using Magill forceps. However, in Group T, a tube core bent to the physiological curve of the nasal cavity lubricated with aseptic liquid paraffin was inserted into the tracheal tube, and the tube core was then withdrawn after the tracheal tube was advanced through the glottis under direct vision. Results: All NTIs were completed successfully, and no Magill forceps were used in Group T. There was a significant difference in total NTI time between the two groups (Group M, 59.7 (5.1) sec vs Group T, 52.4 (3.1) sec). Mild epistaxis was observed in 6 patients in Group M and 5 patients in Group T (6/30 vs 5/30, respectively). There was no presence of damaged oral tissue or damage to the teeth in either group. Conclusion: We conclude that using the tube core, which is a disposable sterilised stylet, for NTI is a convenient choice. Trial registrations: This clinical research was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (www.Chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR1900027387).
Oncologic Outcomes of ypT1-3N0 mid-Low Rectal Cancer Compared with pT1-3N0 Disease After Radical Resection
Authors: Yang Hong , Di Jiabo , Cui Ming , Xing Jiadi , Zhang Chenghai , Yao Zhendan , Zhang Nan , Liu Maoxing , Xu Kai , Tan Fei , Su Xiangqian
Published: October 2020

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) can downstage rectal carcinoma, resulting in superior resectability, better local control and survival benefits. However, it is unclear whether patients treated with CRT and those who did not have similar outcomes at the same pathological stage. This study aimed to investigate the long-term outcomes of ypT1-3N0 mid-low rectal cancer who received neoadjuvant CRT followed by total mesorectal excision (TME) compared with pT1-3N0 rectal cancer immediately managed with surgery. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 180 patients with pT1-3N0 or ypT1-3N0 rectal cancer located within 10cm from the anal edge who underwent TME between 2009 and 2015. Of these patients, 63 received neoadjuvant CRT, while 117 underwent radical proctectomy without preoperative therapy. The disease-free survival (DFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were compared between the two groups. Results: Within a median follow-up time of 65 months, the 5-year DFS was lower in the CRT group than the non-CRT group (74.9% vs. 92.6%, P=0.001), and the 5-year CSS presented a similar trend as well (89.6 % vs. 97.1%, P=0.054). By subgroup analysis, the difference in DFS and CSS was mainly caused by the difference between ypT3N0 and pT3N0 disease (71.1% vs. 96.1%, P＜0.001 and 90.9% vs. 100%, P=0.029, respectively). However, patients with ypT1-2N0 had an analogous prognosis to those with pT1-2N0 disease (77.9% vs. 89.0%, P=0.225 and 88.1% vs. 94.2%, P=0.292, respectively). Multivariate analysis indicated that neoadjuvant CRT was not an independent predictor of DFS. Conclusion: After neoadjuvant CRT followed by TME, patients with ypT1-2N0 rectal cancer had an analogous prognosis to those with initial pT1-2N0 disease, whereas patients with ypT3N0 rectal cancer had worse prognosis compared with that of pT3N0 disease.
Physicochemical Properties of Shea Butter Synthesized Biodiesel
Authors: OKOYE IFEANYI GODWIN , EZEONU CHUKWUMA STEPHEN , DANLAMI ELIZABETH KIGBU
Published: October 2020

Base – catalyzed transesterification of Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) seed fat was carried out at a methanol/oil ratio of 5:1 (V/V) at 70oC to synthesize the corresponding methyl esters (biodiesel). The percentage yield of approximately 87%, was recorded after ninety minutes, indicating that Shea fat is a good biodiesel feedstock. The physicochemical properties of the Shea biodiesel were determined. The colour was pale yellow while the relative density (870 Kg/m3), kinematic viscosity (2.66 mm2s-1 400C), acid value (0.19 mg KOH/g), peroxide value (0.52 meq/kg) and cetane number (68.10) were observed. The cloud point was found to be 9.30C, while the flash point of 156.670C, iodine value of 35.29 mg/100g and energy value of 39.3 MJ/Kg were recorded. All these value compare well with previous works and are within acceptable limits as specified by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The current research indicated that Shea butter has biodiesel potential aside its uses in culinary and cosmetics applications.
REaCH-Resiliency Engagement and Care in Health; A Telephone Befriending Intervention to Address The Psycho-Social Challenges of Vulnerable Population in The Context of COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Trial in India
Authors: Saju M D , Scaria Lorane , Shaju KK , Cheguvera Natania , Joseph MK , Benny Anuja Maria , Joseph Binoy
Published: October 2020

Background Observational evidence suggests that befriending interventions provided by the lay mental health workers, when trained and supervised by experts, are effective in enhancing social support, wellbeing and reducing depression. We carried out a telephone intervention for youth, recruited from DDUGKY (Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana), a central government funded skill development project in India.Methods We performed an exploratory trial in Kerala, India, between 29th July, 2020 and 26th August, 2020 with pass out students of DDUGKY. From a total of 1036 students, 498 fulfilled the criteria and were recruited for the program. We randomized the participants via a computer generated randomization list. Out of 498 eligible participants, 251 were randomized to the intervention group and 247 to the general enquiry call group. Total of 439 (89%) participants, (251 (100%) = intervention arm and 188 (76%) = control arm), completed follow-up assessment after one month. The primary outcomes of the study included depression, measured by Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and wellbeing, using WHO Wellbeing Index; while secondary outcomes included social support from friends and family.Results Analysis was done for 439 pass out students who completed one-month intervention. Befriending intervention was effective in increasing the wellbeing (p=0.000) and social support (p=0.008) in the intervention group. Regression analysis revealed that befriending intervention is associated with notable changes in support from significant others (OR: 2.91, P=0.005), support from family (OR: 2.47, P=0.013) and support from friends (OR: 2.52, P=0.007).Conclusion Befriending intervention was found successful in improving overall wellbeing and social support among student participants of the programme. Large-scale transformational efforts to secure country’s mental health service pipeline is possible by integrating this intervention into existing DDU-GKY institutional and program eco-systems. Task shifting and sharing strategies can be effectively employed to improve the mental health outcomes of the people especially during a community crisis. Trial Registration Clinical Trial Registry India; ICMR-NIMS (Registration Number: CTRI/2020/07/026834), prospectively registered (Registration date: 27th July 2020) , http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/showallp.php?mid1=45953&EncHid=&userName=CTRI/2020/07/026834
Evaluation of Helminth Infections Identified in Slaughtered Livestock in Iran, 2015-2019
Authors: Kiani Behzad , Budke Christine M. , Abadi Ebrahim Shams , Hashtarkhani Soheil , Rahmati Amene Raouf , Akbarpour Mostafa , Zarean Mehdi , Hosseini Bibi Razieh Farash , Kiani Fatemeh , Moghaddas Elham
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Helminth infections of livestock can result in considerable economic losses. This study aims to evaluate the spatial frequency of cystic echinococcosis (CE), dicrocoeliasis, and fascioliasis in livestock slaughtered in Iran during the years 2015-2019 and estimate direct costs associated with organ condemnation due to these parasites.Methods: Abattoir data from all 31 Iranian provinces were collected from the Iran Veterinary Organization. Infection prevalence was calculated per year at the province level. The Local Moran's I statistic was performed to evaluate spatial autocorrelation of animals positive at slaughter for the years 2015-2019. Direct costs associated with condemned livers were calculated for each parasitic condition. Results: Overall prevalence values for the study timeframe were as follows: sheep and goat fascioliasis (1.5%, 910,282/58,393,349), cattle fascioliasis (3.8%, 23,3175/6,038,419), sheep and goat dicrocoeliasis (4.6%; 270,1274/58,393,349), cattle dicrocoeliasis (3.1%; 186,009/6,038,419), sheep and goat CE (5.3%; 3,108,767/58,393,349), and cattle CE (7.2%; 438,534/6,038,419). Northwestern Iran had the highest prevalence of CE and fascioliasis. High infection areas for Dicrocoelium spp. included the provinces of Zanjan, Gilan, Qazvin, and Tehran, which are located in northern Iran. Direct economic losses for sheep and goat fascioliasis, dicrocoeliasis, and CE for the study period were US$13,841,826, US$41,768,472, and US$22,801,296, respectively. Direct economic losses for cattle fascioliasis, dicrocoeliasis, and CE for the study period were US$1,989,582, US$1,669,289, and US$2,656,535, respectively.Conclusion: Our findings provide valuable data for future monitoring of these important parasitic diseases in Iranian livestock. Disease control strategies are required to reduce the economic and public health impact of these helminths.
Association of Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Colorectal Cancer Patients Attending in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital Oncology Units: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study June, 2017 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Elemo Shimelis Adugna , Awoke Bereket Mihretu
Published: October 2020

Background: Metabolic syndrome and obesity are risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus and/or cardiovascular disease, especially stroke. Obesity-associated diseases account for a large portion of public health challenges. Among obesity-related disorders, a direct and independent relationship has been ascertained for colorectal cancer. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and other cardiovascular risk factors, including dyslipidemia, hypertension, dietary and exercise practices, tobacco use and body mass index in individual with colorectal cancer patients attending Tikur Anbessa Hospital Oncology department, Addis Ababa.Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from February, 2016 to Jun 2017 on 79 patients attending the Oncology clinic at Tikur Anbessa Hospital. Components of metabolic syndrome, including fasting serum glucose, serum triglyceride, serum high density lipoprotein, blood pressure and waist circumference, was measured in all of the patients. In addition, serum total cholesterol, serum low density lipoprotein was measured with 5010 photometers, and information gathered on smoking and other lifestyle practices, including diet and exercise.Result: Of 79 patients, 23 had metabolic syndrome (MS); 58.2% males; mean-age 48.6 years with range (26 to 78) and 41.8 % Female; mean age 44.6 years with range (20 to 78). Among the MS group, 45.6 % had high blood pressure, 26.6 % had increased waist circumference, 67.1% had serum blood glucose level greater than 100 mg/dL, 68.3 % had low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, 57 % had increased triglyceride level, and 3.8 % were obese [body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m2]. 29 % presented 3 criteria of MS. From total colorectal cancer patients 53.2 % had colon cancer, 46.8 % had rectal cancer and 12.7 % had stage I,40.5 % had stage II (IIa,IIb & IIc), 25.3 % had stage III (a,b,c) and 21.5 % had stage IV disease.CONCLUSION: MS is positively associated with adenomas and colorectal cancer. However, there is not enough information in Ethiopia to justify screening in patients with MS. To our knowledge, no previous study has evaluated this association in Ethiopian patients.
Combining Targeted Metabolite Analyses and Transcriptomics to Reveal Specific Chemical Composition and Associated Genes in Resistant Soybean Infected with Soybean Cyst Nematode
Authors: Shi Xue , Chen Qiansi , Liu Shiming , Wang Jiajun , Peng Deliang , Kong Lingan
Published: October 2020

Background: Soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines is one of the most devastating pathogens on soybean and causes severe annual yield loss worldwide. Different soybean varieties exhibit different responses to soybean cyst nematode infection at various levels, such as genomic, transcriptional, proteomic, and metabolomic levels. However, there were not yet any reports on the differential responses of resistant and susceptible soybeans infected with soybean cyst nematode by combining the metabolomic analyses and transcriptomics.Results: In this study, a highly-resistant variety PI 437654 and three susceptible varieties Williams 82, Zhonghuang 13 and Hefeng 47 were used as the test materials to clarify the differences in metabolites and transcriptomics between resistant and susceptible soybeans before and after SCN infection. A local metabolite-calibrated database was used to identify potential differential metabolites, and the differences of metabolites and metabolic pathways were compared between the resistant and susceptible soybean varieties after inoculation with SCN. Totally, 37 differential metabolites and 20 KEGG metabolic pathways were identified, which were divided into three categories including the metabolites/pathways overlapped among resistant and susceptible soybeans, specific in susceptible or resistant soybeans, respectively. Twelve differential metabolites were found to be involved in predicted KEGG metabolite pathways. Moreover, 14 specifically differential metabolites such as significantly up-regulated nicotine and down-regulated D-aspartic acid, and their involved KEGG pathways such as tropane, piperidine and pyridine alkaloid biosynthesis, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolisms, sphingolipid metabolism and arginine biosynthesis were significantly changed and abundantly enriched in the resistant soybean, and likely played pivotal roles in defensing against SCN infection. Three key metabolites including N-acetyltranexamic acid, nicotine, and D, L-typotophan, which were found to be significantly up-regulated in the resistant soybean PI437654 infected by SCN, classified into two types and used for combination analyses with the transcriptomic expression profiling. Associated genes were predicted, and suggested their likely biological processes, cellular component, molecular function and involved pathways. Conclusions: Our results not only found out the potential novel metabolites and associated genes in the resistant response of soybean to soybean cyst nematode, but also provided new insights into the interactions between soybean and soybean cyst nematode.
Knowledge Domain and Emerging Trends of IgG Glycosylation: A Bibliometric Study Based on CiteSpace
Authors: Lv Jian , Chen Xueyu , Li Yuejin , Feng Xia , Zhu Kai , Li Dong , Ji Long
Published: October 2020

Background: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the international scientific output of Igg glycosylation research by a stoichiometric analysis of the related papers published in the field of IGG glycosylation from 2009 to 2020, to explore the hot spot of IGG glycosylation and the evolution path of IGG glycosylation.Methods: Using the Web of Science core database (WoSCC) to collect the articles related to IgG glycosylation from 2009 to 2020 as the research object, using CiteSpace visualization software to analyze the co-occurrence of countries and institutions, core authors, and keywords. Cited authors and literature, Co-citation analysis of journals, obtaining cooperation maps of research countries / institutions and core authors, literature citation and clustering maps, co-occurrence maps of high-frequency subject headings, displaying related clusters, mutual influences between clusters and Keyword timeline view spectrum of the historical span of important keywords in clustering.Results: We searched 482 articles related to IgG glycosylation published in 227 journals, and observed that in the past 10 years, the number of articles published has generally increased year by year; it has been cited 13262 times, with an average of 27.5 citations per article, showing an upward trend year by year. The core team in the field of IGG glycosylation is mainly from University and research institutes in USA, Australia, Netherlands, Croatia, England, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, China and Japan. A total of 2408 authors participated in the writing of literature on Igg glycosylation, Among them, Wuhrer, Manfred、Lauc, Gordan、Irena Trbojevic Akmacic, Wei Wang and other scholars are the representatives of this research field and have important influence. There are 281 keywords under the theme of IgG glycosylation, of which there are 4 keywords with word frequency ≥100, and hot keywords that serve as bridges are pregnancy、complex、glycan、biosimilar、N-linked glycosylation、hilic-uplc、glycation and form 8 clusters. IgG glycosylation, as the "biomarker" of disease diagnosis and its mechanism has been a research hotspot in recent years.Conclusion: The use of CiteSpace software for quantitative analysis of IgG glycosylation related literature can intuitively demonstrate its development history and current research hotspots and trends, and can provide researchers with reference to the topic selection and research direction. Value and meaning.
Delivery of Cardiology Services in Africa During the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Should We Expect After This Pandemic?
Authors: Nganou-Gnindjio Chris Nadege , Temgoua Mazou , Kuate Liliane , Nkoke Clovis , Tochie Joel Noutakdie , Ndobo Valerie , Owona Amalia , Ba Amadou , Amougou Sylvie Ndongo , Boombhi Jerome , Menanga Alain , Kingue Samuel
Published: October 2020

BackgroundCOVID-19 is a global public health crisis that affects all sectors; studying the impact of this pandemic on the delivery of cardiology services in Africa is crucial as COVID-19-related cardiovascular complications may worsen the CVD burden in this already highly affected and resource-limited continentMethodsThis was a cross-sectional e-survey study conducted amongst cardiologists in African countries. The primary outcome was the change in service delivery in African cardiology units during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. The secondary outcomes were the satisfaction of cardiologists with regards to the workload and factors associated with this satisfaction.ResultsThere was a significant reduction in working time and the number of patients consulted by week during this pandemic (p<0.001). In general, there was a decrease in the overall activities in cardiovascular care delivery. The majority of cardiology services (76.5%) and consulting programs (85%) were adjusted to the pandemic. Only half of the participants were satisfied with their workload. Reconfiguration of the consultation schedule was associated with a reduced satisfaction of participants (p=0.02).ConclusionsCOVID-19 is associated with an overall reduction in cardiology services rendered in Africa. Since the cardiovascular burdens continue to increase in this part of the World and the risk of cardiovascular complications linked to SARS COV2 remains unchanged cardiology, departments in Africa should anticipate a significant surge of cardiology services demanded by patients after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Serum HE4 as a prognostic marker in cervical cancer: a retrospective study
Authors: Hwang Woo Yeon , Suh Dong Hoon , Kim Kidong , Kim Yong Beom , No Jae Hong
Published: October 2020

Background

Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is a tumor marker that has been well-investigated in ovarian and endometrial cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of serum HE4 as a tumor marker in patients with cervical cancer.
Methods

Serum HE4 levels from 67 cervical cancer patients were measured by immunoassay before starting primary treatment between September 2014 and May 2018. A mean serum HE4 level of 72.6 pmol/L was used to divide the patients into low and high HE4 groups. The patient characteristics, clinicopathological variables, and survival outcomes were compared between the 2 groups.
Results

There were 55 (82.1%) patients in the HE4 < 72.6 pmol/L group and 12 (17.9%) patients in the HE4 > 72.6 pmol/L group at the date of diagnosis. Higher HE4 levels were significantly associated with older age at diagnosis (age < 50: 0.0% vs. age ≥ 50: 100.0%; P = 0.002), menopause (premenopause: 8.3% vs. postmenopause: 91.7%; P = 0.009), higher FIGO stage (stage I-II: 25.0% vs. III-IV: 75.5%; P = 0.008), large tumor size (< 4.0cm: 41.7% vs. ≥4.0 cm: 58.3%; P = 0.029), positive lymph node metastasis (negative: 41.7% vs. positive: 58.3%; P = 0.049), and involvement of the parametrium (negative: 25.0% vs. positive: 75.0%; P = 0.006). Higher levels of HE4 was a predictive factor for worse overall survival but not for progression-free survival, although elevated HE4 levels were not found to be independent factors for the prediction of either overall survival or progression-free survival. When subgroup analysis was performed by histological type, similar results were obtained for patients with squamous cell carcinoma.
Conclusions

Our data revealed that high levels of HE4 expression were correlated with poor OS, indicating that elevated HE4 levels are associated with a poor prognosis for patients with cervical cancer.
An analysis of invasive micropapillary breast carcinoma based on hormone receptor and epidermal growth receptor 2 status
Authors: Sun Yuting
Published: October 2020

Background

This research aimed to explore the role of combining hormone receptor (HR) with epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her-2) status of invasive micropapillary breast carcinoma (IMPC).
Methods

1291 IMPC patients were retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database of the US National Cancer Institute. The X2 test and Fisher’s exact probability test were used to evaluate differences between qualitative variables. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regressions were performed to assess the independent prognostic factors on cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). The nomogram models were made to predict 3-year survival rate of IMPC using R software.
Results

Among 1291 patients, HR+/Her-2- subtype accounted for 74.7%, while HR-/Her-2+, HR-/Her-2-, HR+/Her-2 + accounted for 4.7%, 4.0% and 15.6% respectively. The X2 test indicated compared to HR+/Her-2- subgroup, HR-/Her-2- or HR+/Her-2 + subtype IMPC had larger tumor size (T stage) and higher histological grade. Compared to HR+/Her-2- IMPC, HR-/Her-2- and HR+/Her-2 + subtypes were more likely to receive mastectomy than conserving surgery. Furthermore, HR+/Her-2- IMPC had more projections to receive chemotherapy and was less likely to receive radiotherapy compared with HR-/Her-2- subtype. Survival analysis suggested that HR-/Her-2- IMPC had the worst OS and CSS.
Conclusion

This population-based study provided evidence that HR-/Her-2- IMPC accounted the smallest part of four subtypes, but were more likely to have larger tumor size and more advanced histological grade. Furthermore, HR+/Her-2- IMPC had most unfavorable prognosis among four subtypes.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in Thailand: A Comprehensive Modelling of Epidemic Dynamics
Authors: Verma Suraj , Razzaque Mohammad Abdur , Sangtongdee U , Arpnikanondt C , Tassaneetrithep Boonrat , Arthan Dumrongkiet , Paratthakonkun C , Soonthornworasiri N
Published: October 2020

Background Hand Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious disease and has become an epidemic in many Asian-Pacific countries, including Thailand. With such epidemic characteristics and potential economic impact, HFMD is a significant public health issue. Comprehensive modelling of HFMD’s epidemic dynamics can be useful in understanding and predicting any potential outbreak of it, and manage its impact efficiently and effectively. Generally, the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases vary across geolocations due to different socio-economic situations, demography, and people’s lifestyles. However, there is no nation-wide and comprehensive (i.e., the inclusion of reinfections in the model) modelling of HFDM dynamics in Thailand. We aim to develop a nation-wide comprehensive modelling of HFMD’s epidemic dynamics and understand the reinfection cases in Thailand.Methods We have formulated Susceptible - Exposed - Infectious - Recovered - Susceptible (SEIRS) epidemiological model with dynamic vitals, including reinfections, to investigate the transmission of this disease in Thailand. We also introduced periodic seasonality to model the seasonal effect. According to the model, the spread of this disease is uneven throughout the provinces in Thailand. So, we have grouped the provinces into three clusters (i.e., highly, moderately and least affected provinces) using K-means unsupervised machine learning algorithm for better estimation of the parameters and fitting the model. We collected data from three local hospitals in Thailand to analyze the reinfection cases.Results The result from the analysis of HFMD recorded cases from three hospital (years 2012 to 2016) shows that 11% (approximately) are reinfections. By fitting the model with HFMD confirmed cases (years 2011 to 2019) and considering the reinfections, the basic reproductive number (R0) was estimated to be 2.643, 1.91 and 3.246 for three clustered provinces.Conclusion In a conclusion, it is found that HFMD is re-infectious disease in Thailand. It is also found that the spread of HFMD is not uniform across the provinces in Thailand. The basic reproductive number R 0 was estimated to be greater than 1 for all the three clusters. This indicates that under the same social and environmental condition, this disease will persist in coming years.
Investigating the Disjoint Between Education and Health Policy for Infant Feeding Among Teenage Mothers in South Africa: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Zweigenthal Virginia , Strebel Anna , Corrigall Joanne , Hunter-Adams Jo
Published: October 2020

BackgroundMany low-and-middle-income countries, including South Africa (SA), have high rates of teenage pregnancy. Following the World Health Organisation recommendations, SA health policy on infant feeding promotes exclusive breast-feeding until six months of age, with gradual weaning. At the same time, SA’s education department, in the interest of learners, promotes teenagers’ return to school post-partum. Yet infant feeding at school is currently not perceived as a realistic option. MethodsThis article explores practice among policy makers and implementers in the education and health sectors in Cape Town, SA. We interviewed health and education officials, managers and policy makers, as well as school principals and nursing staff, who manage adolescent mothers and their babies. ResultsParticipants expressed discomfort at pregnant learners remaining in school late in pregnancy. There was uncertainty about policy regarding when to return to school and how long to breast-feed. Educators reported that new mothers typically returned to school within a fortnight after delivery and that breast-feeding was not common. While health professionals highlighted the benefits of extended breast-feeding for infants and mothers, there was recognition of the potential conflict between the need for the mother to return to school and the recommendation for longer breast-feeding. Additionally, the need for ongoing support of young mothers and their families was highlighted. ConclusionsOur findings suggest educators should actively encourage school attendance in a healthy pregnant adolescent until delivery with later return to school, and health providers should focus attention on breast-feeding for the initial 4-6 weeks postpartum, followed by guided support of formula-feeding. We encourage the active engagement of adolescents’ mothers and extended families who are often involved in infant feeding and care decisions. Education and health departments must engage in intersectoral work to focus on systems that facilitate the interests of both the mother and infant – some exclusive infant feeding together with a supported return to school for the teen mother.
Defining the Clinical Characteristics of Q Fever Endocarditis: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Zhang Xuehan , Fan Hongwei , Huang Xiaoming , Jiao Yang
Published: October 2020

Background: Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii. Atypical presentations of Q fever can cause diagnostic difficulty or be misdiagnosed. Here we compared the clinical and diagnostic features of Q fever endocarditis and endocarditis caused by other bacteria to identify features Q fever endocarditis that might facilitate early and accurate diagnosis.Methods: The was a retrospective case-control study of eight cases of Q fever endocarditis diagnosed between 2000 and 2018 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China and 24 age- and gender-matched patients diagnosed with bacterial endocarditis over the same period. Clinical and laboratory data were collected and compared between groups. Results: The median time interval between symptoms and diagnosis was significantly longer in the case than the control group (8.0 months (IQR 7.0-16.0) vs. 4.0 months (IQR 1.0-7.0); p=0.002). Patients in case group had significantly lower white blood cell counts (5.8±2.4×109/L vs. 10.0±3.4×109/L; p=0.003), high-sensitivity C-creative protein levels (21.1 mg/L (IQR 18.5-32.8) vs. 45.3 mg/L (IQR 32.9-54.3); p=0.038), and platelet counts (133±73 vs. 229±65; p=0.001) but higher levels of rheumatoid factor (104.3 U/L (IQR 99.0-132.8) vs. 10.2 U/L (IQR 6.9-32.5); p=0.011) than controls. Elevated creatinine (50.0% vs. 12.5%; p=0.047) and liver enzymes (50.0% vs. 0%; p=0.002) were more common in cases than controls. Q fever endocarditis was less frequently diagnosed than controls before cardiac surgery (62.5% vs. 100%; p=0.011), with negative blood cultures in all cases and positive cultures in all controls.Conclusions: The diagnosis of Q fever endocarditis can easily be delayed compared to other causes of infectious endocarditis. Patients with chronic fever and new valve dysfunction require careful assessment, especially when presenting with negative blood cultures and high rheumatoid factor levels. Clinical and laboratory evaluation of these patients should include routine serological testing for C. burnetii.
Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes of Elderly Patients With Diabetes in a COVID-19 Unit: Lessons Learned.
Authors: Ricchio Marco , Tassone Bruno , Pelle Maria Chiara , Mazzitelli Maria , Serapide Francesca , Fusco Paolo , Lionello Rosaria , Cancelliere Anna , Procopio Giada , Lio Elena , Trecarichi Enrico Maria , Torti Carlo , Irace Concetta
Published: October 2020

BackgroundDiabetes may affect in-hospital mortality of patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We have retrospectively evaluated clinical characteristics, diabetes management, and outcomes in a sample of COVID-19 patients with diabetes admitted to our hospital. MethodsAll patients admitted to the Infectious Diseases Unit from March 28th, 2020, to June 16th, 2020, were enrolled. Clinical information and biochemical parameters were collected at the time of admission. Patients were ranked according to diabetes and death. ResultsSixty-one patients with COVID-19 were analyzed. Most of them were from a long-term health care facility. Mean age was 77±16 years, and 19 had type 2 diabetes (T2D). Eighteen patients died, including 8 with T2D and 10 without T2D (p=0.15). Patients with diabetes were significantly older, had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, and a significantly lower lymphocyte count. No significant relationship was found between diabetes and in-hospital mortality [OR 2.3; CI 0.73-7.38, p=0.15]. Patients with diabetes were treated with insulin algorithm titration algorithm, with no severe hypoglycemic events, ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar hyperglycemias occurring during hospitalization. Mean fasting pre-meal capillary blood glucose was 157±45 mg/dL, and the coefficient of variation of glycaemia was 29%. ConclusionsOur study, albeit limited by the small number of subjects, did not describe any significant association between T2D diabetes and mortality. Clinical characteristics of patients, and acceptable glucose control prior and during hospitalization may have influenced the result, thus suggesting that the insulin algorithm titration algorithm applied should be validated.
Proteogenomic Landscape of Gastric Adenocarcinoma Peritoneal Metastases
Authors: Ajani Jaffer , Zhao Shuangtao , Wang Ruiping , Song Shumei , Kobayashi Makoto , Hao Dapeng , Han Guangchun , Song Xingzhi , Zhang Jianhua , Pizzi Melissa , Shanbhag Namita , Futreal Andrew , Badgwell Brian , Harada Kazuto , Calin George , Vykoukal Jody , Yu Chuan-Yih , Katayama Hiroyuki , Hanash Samir , Wang Linghua
Published: October 2020

Advanced gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) often leads to peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) and is associated with very poor outcomes. Therapeutic are limited and effective. Here we report the first proteogenomic study of PC cells from a prospective GAC cohort (n = 26 patients). A total of 16,449 proteins were detected from whole cell extracts (TCEs). PC cells could be classified based on the protein profiles alone into three distinct unsupervised clusters (tumor cell enriched, immune cell enriched and tumor-immune mixed) that differed in expression of oncogene/immune-related proteins. Integrated analysis revealed enriched biological pathways and notably, novel druggable targets (cancer-testis antigens, kinases, and receptors) that could be exploited to develop effective therapies and/or tumor stratifications. Systematic comparison of expression levels of proteins and mRNAs revealed novel expression patterns of key cancer genes notably high mRNA and low protein expression of HAVCR2, low mRNA but high protein expression of cancer testis antigens CTAGE1 and CTNNA2. These results inform strategies to target GAC vulnerabilities.
Transcriptome-based Stemness Indices Analysis Reveals Platinum-based Chemotheraputic Response Indicators in Advanced-stage Serous Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Sun Xinwei , Liu Qingyu , Huang Jie , Diao Ge , Liang Zhiqing
Published: October 2020

Background: Serous ovarian cancer (SOC) is a main histological subtype of ovarian cancer (OC). Cancer stem cells (CSCs), with self-renewal and differentiation potential, are considered to be the cause of chemoresistance in SOC. However, the underlying modulation mechanisms of chemoresistance led by cancer stemness are still undefined. Results: We found that mRNAsi and corrected mRNAsi (by tumor purity) scores were both greater in tumors of Grade 3 and 4 than that of Grade 1 and 2, indicating a stronger stemness in cancer cells of higher grades. A total of 42 key genes were obtained from the most significant mRNAsi-related gene module. Functional annotation revealed that these key genes were mainly involved in mitotic division and were closely related to cell proliferation. A total of 13 potential platinum response indicators were selected from the genes enriched to platinum-response associated pathways. Among the 13 key genes, we identified 11 genes with prognostic value of progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced-stage SOC patients treated with chemotherapy containing platinum and 7 prognostic genes in patients treated with the combination of platinum and taxol. The expression of the 13 key genes was also validated between platinum-resistant and sensitive SOC samples of advanced stages in two Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Conclusion: The results revealed that CDC20 was a potential platinum-based chemotherapeutic response indicator in advanced-stage SOC and the findings may provide new insight into the prediction of drug response thus to guiding the use of chemotherapies in patients of advanced-stage SOC in the clinic.
THE FEATURES OF BIOLOGY OF HARMONIA AXYRIDIS PALL. AND THE MOST COMMON SPECIES OF COCCINELLIDS IN UKRAINE AGROCOENOSIS
Authors: Fedorenko Vitaliy , Medvid Yana
Published: October 2020

The research was conducted in 2017–2019 years in the Institute of Plant Protection of The National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine in the Laboratory of entomology and resistance of agricultural crops against pests (Kyiv, Ukraine). The objective of the research is investigation of particular biology features of Harmonia axyridis Pall. in comparison with the main species of coccinellids in typical agrocoenosis. The research methods are the following: laboratory method that means laboratory maintenance of coccinellids; mathematical-statistical method that means statistical processing of the obtained results. The Coccinellidae family (Latreille, 1807) has an important economic value in the human business activities. Most species are predators of aphids, scale insects, thrips, spider mites, leafhoppers, whiteflies, eggs and larvae of other small arthropods. Coccinellids are marked by their high gluttony, polyphagous, fertility. Beetles and larvae of ladybirds play a significant role in the quantity control of pests of agricultural, forest and ornamental plants. Since 2009 researchers in Ukraine have devoted great attention to identification and distribution of invasive species of Asian lady beetle, or Multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harlequin ladybird, Halloween ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis Pallas, 1773). H. axyridis Pall. is characterized by its wide ecological plasticity, trophic specialization, greater gluttony, fertility and number of generations leading to the gradual displacement of local species of coccinellids. The comparative results of researches of some biology features of H. axyridis Pall. and the most common species of ladybirds are presented. The survival of coccinellids imago during the wintering, in the active period in the absence of feed, their gluttony for different species of aphids is examined. Features of oviposition and duration of various stages of coccinellids development are presented. In the laboratory the Asian lady beetle was marked among other species by the number of its laid eggs, oviposition period, duration of various stages of its development, survival and gluttony
Indonesian traffic sign detection based on Haar-PHOG features and SVM classification
Authors: Sugiharto Aris , Harjoko Agus , Suharto Suharto
Published: October 2020

Segmentation and feature extraction contributes to improved accuracy in traffic sign detection. As traffic signs are often located in complex environments, it is essential to develop feature extraction based on shapes. The Haar–PHOG feature is a development of both HOG and PHOG based on Canny edge detection. One of its advantages is that PHOG feature conducts calculation in four different frequencies of LL, HL, LH, and HH. Results from experiments on four roads in Central Java and Yogyakarta using SVM classification show that the use of the Haar–PHOG feature provides a better result than the use of HOG and PHOG.
Antisense Oligonucleotides: Pharmacology and Delivery Strategies
Authors: Samad Mohammed Abdul , Pandiri Kavya , Bojanapally Anjani Prasad
Published: October 2020

Antisense oligonucleotide therapy is a dominant drug discovery approach that can explicitly modify protein synthesis through numerous mechanisms. The limitations of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy in delivery strategies have been overcome in recent years with different ligands carriers, as well as, through nanocarriers. ASO therapy was successfully applied towards targeting a wide range of therapeutic areas. There is an expanding enthusiasm in extending the utilization of antisense compounds to numerous different diseases due to their safe and potential therapeutic outcomes. Thus, the present review attempted to elaborate on the fundamental idea of antisense technology, approaches, and safe and effective delivery methods.