bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The enhancing antibiofilm activity of curcumin on Streptococcus mutans strains from severe early childhood caries
Authors: Li Bingchun , Pan Ting , Lin Huancai , Zhou Yan
Published: June 2020

BackgroundStreptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is one of the main cariogenic bacteria for caries. It was found that the clinical strains of S. mutans isolated from caries active population have stronger cariogenic ability than the isolates from caries-free (CF) people. Previous studies have found that curcumin can inhibit biofilm formation of S. mutans UA159. The objective of this study is to explore the antibiofilm effect of curcumin on the clinical isolates of S. mutans from severe early childhood caries(SECC).ResultsThe isolates from SECC group had more biomass than CF group (t = 4.296, P < 0.001). The acidogenicity and aciduricity of the strains from two groups showed no significant difference. After treatment with curcumin, the viability of biofilm was reduced to 61.865%±7.108% in SECC and to 84.059%±10.227% in CF group at 24 h (P < 0.05). The net reduction of live bacteria and total bacteria in the SECC group was significantly higher than that of the CF group (live bacteria t = 3.305, P = 0.016; total bacteria t = 2.378, P = 0.045) at 5 min. For 24 h, the net reduction of live bacteria and total bacteria in the SECC group was significantly higher than that of the CF group (live bacteria t = 3.305, P = 0.016; total bacteria t = 2.378, P = 0.045). The reduction of biofilm thickness reduced significantly in 5 min (t = 4.110, P = 0.015) and in 24 h (t = 3.453, P = 0.014). Long-term (24 h) curcumin treatment inhibited the amount of EPS in SECC group from (25.980 ± 1.156) µm3/µm2 to (20.136 ± 1.042) µm3/µm2, the difference was statistically significant (t = 7.510, P < 0.001). The gene of gtfC, gtfD, ftf, gbpB, fruA and srtA in the CF group and the gtfB, gtfC, gtfD, ftf, gbpB, srtA in SECC group were respectively reduced after 5 min curcumin treatment. After 24 h treatment, the gtfB, gtfC, gtfD, ftf, gbpB, fruA and srtA in both two groups were downregulation, all the differences were statistically significant.ConclusionsCurcumin has antibiofilm activity on clinical strains of S. mutans, especially for those isolated from SECC.
Measurement of Sustainment of Prevention Programs and Initiatives: The Sustainment Measurement System Scale
Authors: Palinkas Lawrence A. , Chou Chih-Ping , Spear Suzanne E. , Mendon Sapna J. , Villamar Juan A. , Brown C. Hendricks
Published: June 2020

Background
A large knowledge gap exists regarding the measurement of sustainability of evidence-based prevention programs for mental and behavioral health. This paper describes an instrument that is a component of the Sustainment Measurement System (SMS), designed to assess both determinants and outcomes of efforts to sustain prevention programs and initiatives.
Methods
A 42-item scale was administered to 186 representatives of 145 programs funded by 7 SAMHSA prevention grant initiatives. Scale items were identified from qualitative data collected from 45 representatives of 10 programs and 8 SAMHSA program officers and organized into 9 categories of sustainment determinants and sustainment outcomes. Factor structure identified from principal axis factor analysis and elimination of items with CFA coefficients less than .300 resulted in a 35-item scale with 8 determinant factors and 1 outcome factor.
Results
Confirmatory Factor Analysis provided support for a 35-item model fit to the data. The SMSS demonstrated good inter-item reliability and all determinant factors were significantly associated with sustainment outcome individual and global measures.
Conclusions
The SMSS is easy to use and demonstrates good reliability and convergent and discriminant validity in assessing likelihood of sustainment of SAMHSA funded prevention programs and initiatives upon termination of original funding. The measure demonstrates potential in identifying predictors of program sustainment and as a tool for enhancing the likelihood of successful sustainment through ongoing evaluation and feedback.
Effect of Vitamin D supplementation and outdoor activity on serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D among children in North China: an observational study
Authors: Zhang Xuguang , Chen Yanping , Jin Shanshan , Bi Xinxin , Chen Dongkai , Zhang Dongmei , Liu Li , Jing Hong , Na Lixin
Published: June 2020

Background
Living at high latitudes is one of the risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in children. However, evidence on vitamin D improvement for this pediatric population to date is limited. This study aims at evaluating the effect of different supplementation methods and outdoor activity time on the vitamin D status of children in North China.
Methods
A total of 55,925 children aged 1 month to 18 years old were recruited from pediatric outpatient departments from July 2016 to June 2017. Data on demographics, anthropometric measurements, vitamin D supplementation, and outdoor time were recorded. The serum levels of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) were determined by high performance liquid chromatography tandem–mass spectrometry. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association of vitamin D supplementation or outdoor time with blood vitamin D status, adjusted for age, gender, BMI for age, and seasons.
Results
The overall rate of hypovitaminosis D was 65.60%. Of the children’s outdoor time, 35.63%, 31.95%, and 32.42% were below 30 min/d, 30–60 min/d and over 60 min/d, respectively. Furthermore, the proportion of iatrogenic supplementation, voluntary supplementation and no vitamin D supplementation among the children was 16.48%, 32.87%, and 50.65%, respectively. After adjusted for confounding factors, vitamin D supplementation was associated with a lower risk of hypovitaminosis D, with OR (95% CI) of 0.191 (0.180, 0.202) in children with iatrogenic supplementation and 0.423 (0.404, 0.443) in those with voluntary supplementation, compared with children without vitamin D supplementation. In addition, longer outdoor time was associated with a lower risk of hypovitaminosis D [0.479 (0.456, 0.504) for 60 min/d, 0.737 (0.701, 0.776) for 30–60 min/d], independent of vitamin D supplementation.
Conclusions
High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was found in children living at high latitudes. Vitamin D supplementation and outdoor time are all negatively associated with children’s vitamin D deficiency. Routine 25(OH)D testing combined with vitamin D supplementation might be an effective approach to prevent hypovitaminosis D among children living at high latitudes.
Morbidities and mortality among infants of HIV-1-infected mothers with bacterial vaginosis in Kenya
Authors: Mwenda Ngugi , Nduati Ruth , Kosgey Mathew , Kerich Gregory
Published: June 2020

Background: This study aimed to assess the effects of maternal bacterial vaginosis (BV) on the morbidity and mortality of HIV-exposed infants of women enrolled in a randomized controlled trial (pre-dating antiretroviral therapy) at birth, 6 months, and 12 months. Methods: Four hundred and twenty-five HIV-positive pregnant women were enrolled in this trial and were categorized as exposed if they had a laboratory-based diagnosis of BV (Nugent method). We compared the morbidity and mortality of infants of the mothers at birth, 6 months, and 12 months. We assessed morbidities from the mother’s history and clinical examination during scheduled and non-scheduled visits. The data that were collected longitudinally were then analyzed via multiple logistic regression with the generalized estimating equation. An independent correlation structure was assumed to evaluate the specific morbidity risks to infants associated with exposure to BV. We used the Kaplan–Meier method to generate the cumulative hazard curve, to determine mortalities at different stages between the two groups. Overall, only data for 328 infants were complete and used in the analysis.Results: Data were available for 159 and 171 BV exposed and non-exposed mothers, respectively. Exposure to BV was not associated with any neonatal morbidity at birth, but was associated with adverse maternal condition (unadjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19–7.20, P=0.02) and maternal hospital admissions (unadjusted OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.08–3.51, P=0.02). At 6 months, infants of BV exposed mothers had higher odds of bloody stool (adjusted OR, 3.08; 95% CI, 1.11–10.00, P=0.04), dehydration (adjusted OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.44–6.37, P=0.01), vomiting (adjusted OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.06–2.56, P=0.03), and mouth ulcers (adjusted OR, 12.8; 95% CI, 2.27–241.21, P=0.02). At 12 months, exposure to BV was associated with dehydration (adjusted OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.05–3.19, P=0.03) and vomiting (adjusted OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.01–1.92, P=0.04). Kaplan­–Meier survival analysis showed no association of BV with infant mortality (P=0.65); however, the cumulative hazard curve showed a higher trend toward deaths among BV exposed infants.Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that BV is a good predictor of maternal and infant morbidities. Infants of both HIV and BV exposed mothers can manifest these symptoms at any stage within a year of growth. Adverse maternal condition and hospitalization of mothers after birth could indicate exposure to BV. Bloody stool, dehydration, vomiting, and mouth ulcers could indicate exposure to BV among infants.
Gut Microbiome-Mediated Changes in Bone Metabolism Upon Infrared Light Exposure in Rats
Authors: Lu Yueying , Yang Jianlou , Fu Yuming , Liu Hong
Published: June 2020

Background Adequate sunlight exposure helps reduce bone loss and is important to bone health. Currently, about 90% of the world population spends a major portion of daily life under artificial lighting. Unlike sunlight, LED white light, the main source of artificial lighting, has no infrared radiation, which is known to be beneficial to human health. In artificial lighting environments, infrared supplementation may be used to simulate the effects of sunlight on bone metabolism. Results Here, we supplemented white LED exposure with infrared light in normal and ovariectomized rats for three consecutive months and examined bone turnover, bone mass, and bone density. We also analyzed the structure and function of gut microbiota in the rats. Infrared supplementation significantly reduced the abundance of Saccharibacteria and increased the abundance of Clostridiaceae 1 and Erysipelotrichaceae bacteria. Our results indicate that changes in the gut microbiome correlate well with bone mass and bone metabolism.Conclusions Our work demonstrates that infrared supplementation can have a positive effect on rat bone metabolism by affecting gut microbiota. Our findings will be important considerations in the future design of healthy lighting environments that prevent or possibly ameliorate osteoporosis.
The Association Between Obesity and Weight Loss after Bariatric Surgery on the Vaginal Microbiota
Authors: Raglan Olivia , MacIntyre David A. , Mitra Anita , Lee Yun S. , Smith Ann , Assi Nada , Nautiyal Jaya , Purkayastha Sanjay , Gunter Marc J , Gabra Hani , Marchesi Julian R. , Bennett Phillip R. , Kyrgiou Maria
Published: June 2020

Background: Obesity and vaginal microbiome (VMB) dysbiosis are each risk factors for adverse reproductive and oncological health outcomes in women. Here we investigated the relationship between obesity, vaginal bacterial composition, local inflammation and bariatric surgery.Methods: Vaginal bacterial composition assessed by high-throughput sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes and local cytokine levels measured using a multiplexed Magnetic Luminex Screening Assay were compared between 67 obese and 42 non-obese women. We further assessed temporal changes in the microbiota and cytokines in a subset of 27 women who underwent bariatric surgery. Results: The bacterial component of the vaginal microbiota in obese women was characterised by a lower prevalence of a Lactobacillus-dominant VMB and higher prevalence of a high diversity (Lactobacillus spp., and Gardnerella- spp. depleted) VMB, compared with non-obese subjects (p<0.001). Obese women had higher relative abundance of Dialister species (p<0.001), Anaerococcus vaginalis (p=0.021) and Prevotella timonensis (p=0.020) and decreased relative abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus (p=0.014). Local vaginal IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IFNγ, MIP-1α, and TNFα levels were all higher among obese women, however only IL-1β and IL-8 correlated with VMB species diversity. In a subset of obese women undergoing bariatric surgery, there were no significant overall differences in VMB following surgery, however 75% of these women remained obese at six months. Prior to surgery there was no relationship between body mass index (BMI) and VMB structure, however post-surgery women with a Lactobacillus-dominant VMB had a significantly lower BMI than those with a high diversity VMB.Conclusions: Obese women have a significantly different vaginal microbiota composition with increased levels of local inflammation compared to non-obese women. Bariatric surgery does not change the VMB, however, those with the greatest weight loss six-months post-surgery are most likely to have a Lactobacillus-dominant VMB.
Development and Validation of a New Scoring System for the Early Diagnosis of Tuberculous Meningitis in Adults
Authors: LU Yuying , ZHANG Chen , HU Zhongyang , YAO Guang , ZHANG Qinghua , ZHU Haixia , YAO Huan , WANG Zhen , SONG Zhi , CHEN Ru , Liu Ding
Published: June 2020

Background
The absence of a sufficiently accurate and efficient diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is major obstacle to delayed treatment, and its non-specific clinical manifestations easily mimic the central nervous system infections caused by other causes, including virus, bacteria, and cryptococcus. This study aims to develop and validate a diagnostic score system for TBM in HIV-uninfected adults by simultaneously comparing TBM with viral meningitis (VM), bacterial meningitis (BM), and cryptococcal meningitis (CM).
Methods
Twenty-nine factors (including clinical, laboratory and imaging) were assessed among 382 patients who satisfied inclusion criteria for TBM (n = 113), VM (n = 143), BM (n = 65) and CM (n = 61). Independent predictors for the diagnosis of TBM were obtained by logistic regression to establish a diagnostic scoring system. The performance of this scoring system was evaluated using a prospective validation cohort.
Results
Nine factors independently associated with the diagnosis of TBM: symptom duration (10–30 days), systemic symptoms, evidence of extra-central nervous system tuberculosis, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leukocyte count (100-500∗106 /mL), CSF neutrophil proportion (20%-75%), CSF protein (> 1 g/L), low serum sodium (< 137 mmol/L), meningeal enhancement, and brain parenchymal nodules (tuberculomas). The CSF neutrophil proportion was assigned a score of 2 and all other factors were assigned a score of 1. A score of at least five was suggestive of TBM with a sensitivity of 85.8% and a specificity of 87.7%, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.927. When applied prospectively to an additional 72 patients (21 with TBM, 27 with VM, 14 with BM, and 10 with CM), the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and AUC values of this scoring model were 90.5%, 86.3%, 87.5%, and 0.944, respectively.
Conclusions
For differential diagnosis between TBM and other causes of meningitis (VM,CM and BM), we developed and validated a new weighted scoring system. The application of this scoring system can help diagnose TBM more efficiently in the early stage.
Diagnostic value of four coagulation function indicators for distinguishing between tuberculous pleural effusions and malignant pleural effusions due to lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Rui cheng , Gao Zhaowei , Lin Fang , Wang Xi , Gu Bingquan , Fan Yanni , Lu Yanzhi , Ding Congcong , Ma Haihang , Dong Ke , Zhang Huizhong
Published: June 2020

Background: Coagulation function indicators are often used to evaluate patients’ coagulation function.They are rarely used in disease diagnosis;their use is limited to somecoagulopathies. We described the pattern of coagulation function indicators in patients with pleural effusions and determined the diagnostic value of different abnormal patterns of these indicators for distinguishing tuberculous pleural effusions (TPEs) from malignant pleural effusions associated with lung adenocarcinoma (AD-MPEs).Methods: Patients with AD-MPEs or TPEs participated in this retrospective study.Coagulation functionindicators, including activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen (FIB), thrombin time, fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), and D-dimer(D-D), were measured; their levels and abnormal patterns were analyzed separately and in combination,to determine the diagnostic performance of individual and combined values and the optimal diagnostic model.Results: One hundred patients with AD-MPEs and 84 patients with TPEs participated.PT, FIB, FDP, and D-Dlevels in patients with TPE were significantly higher than those in patients with AD-MPE (all P<0.01).Receiver operating characteristiccurves revealed that PT, FIB, FDP, and D-Dvalues, particularly FDP and D-D, could distinguish betweenAD-MPE and TPE. The diagnostic performance was better for the combination of the four indicators than for any single indicator (Youden’s index: 0.513; area under the curve: 0.810).The proportion of patients with abnormal patterns of all four indicators was significantly higher in those with TPE than in those with AD-MPE (P<0.001).Conclusions: Thecombined values of PT, FIB, FDP, and D-Dhave diagnostic value for distinguishing TPE from AD-MPE.
What mechanisms drive uptake of family planning when integrated with childhood immunisation in Ethiopia? A realist evaluation
Authors: Krishnaratne Shari , Hamon Jessie K. , Hoyt Jenna , Chantler Tracey , Landegger Justine , Spilotros Nathaly , Demissie Shiferaw Dechasa , Mohammed Siraj , Webster Jayne
Published: June 2020

Background:Maternal and child health are key priorities among the Sustainable Development Goals , which include a particular focus on reducing morbidity and mortality among women of reproductive age, newborns, and children under the age of five. Two key components of maternal and child health are family planning (FP) and immunisation. Providing these services through an integrated delivery system could increase the uptake of vaccines and modern contraceptive methods (MCMs) particularly during the post-partum period. Methods:A realist evaluation was conducted in two woredas in Ethiopia to determine the key mechanisms and their triggers that drive successful implementation and service uptake of an intervention of integrated delivery of immunisations and FP. This evaluation included the: 1) development of an initial programme theory; 2) review of relevant published theories; 3) analysis of project monitoring data; 4) analysis of qualitative data from 23 semi-structured interviews to determine key mechanisms and drivers; and 5) development of a revised programme theory comprised of context-mechanism-actor-outcome (CAMO) and context-mechanism-intervention-actor-outcome (CIAMO) configurations based on empirical findings. Results:The proportion of women who brought their children for immunisation and received MCMs was 63.0% (4,260/6,764) overall [74.3% (2,944/3,961) in Assosa woreda and 46.9% (1,316/2,803) in Bambasi woreda]. Key contextual factors identified were: a strong belief in values among religious leaders and community members that challenged FP; a lack of support for FP from male partners based on religious values; and the use of trained Health Extension Workers (HEWs) to deliver FP services. Within these contexts, intervention components that focused on the alignment of religious texts with FP, the promotion of FP by religious leaders, and the training of HEWs and health care workers on FP counselling and service delivery, influenced the implementation of the intervention and triggered several mechanisms of acceptability, access, and adoption of innovations. Conclusions:Linking context and intervention components to the mechanisms they triggered helped explain the intervention outcomes, and more broadly how and for who the intervention worked. This enabled the development of a programme theory that could be used to inform the integrated delivery of FP services in similar contexts.
Transcriptome Analyses Revealed the Ultraviolet B Irradiation and Phytohormone Gibberellins Coordinately Promoted the Accumulation of Artemisinin in Artemisia Annua L.
Authors: Ma Tingyu , Gao Han , Zhang Dong , Shi Yuhua , Zhang Tianyuan , Shen Xiaofeng , Wu Lan , Xiang Li , Chen Shilin
Published: June 2020

Background: Artemisinin-based combination therapy has become the preferred approach for treating malaria and has successfully reduced malaria-related mortality. Currently, the main source of artemisinin is Artemisia annua L., and thus, it is of strategic importance to enhance artemisinin contents in A. annua plants. Phytohormones and illumination are known to be important external environmental factor that can have notable effects on the production of secondary metabolite. The activities of different hormones can be influenced to varying degrees by light, and thus light and hormones may jointly regulate various processes in plants. Here, we performed transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed that ultraviolet B irradiation and phytohormone gibberellins coordinately promoted the accumulation of artemisinin in Artemisia annua.Methods: Artemisinin analysis was performed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS). RNA sequencing, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were applied to analyzing the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under ultraviolet B irradiation and gibberellins treatments. Weighted gene co-expression network (WGCNA) analyzed the genes in artemisinin‑related modules and identified candidate hub genes in these modules.Results: In this study, we found that cross-talk between UV-B and GA induced processes leading to modifications in artemisinin accumulation. A total of 14,762 genes differentially expressed (DEGs) among different treatments were identified by transcriptome analysis. UV-B and GA treatments enhanced the accumulation of artemisinin by up-regulating the expression of the key artemisinin biosynthesis genes ADS and CYP71AV1. According to the high degree value and high expression level, a total of 84 co-expressed transcription factors were identified. Among them, MYB and NAC TFs mainly involved in regulating the biosynthesis of artemisinin. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed that GA+UV in blue modules was positively correlated with artemisinin synthesis, suggesting that the candidate hub genes in these modules should be up-regulated to enhance artemisinin synthesis in response to GA+UV treatment.Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the co-regulation of artemisinin biosynthetic pathway genes under ultraviolet B irradiation and phytohormone gibberellins treatment. The co-expression was analysis revealed that the selected MYB and NAC TFs might have regulated the artemisinin biosynthesis gene expression with ADS and CYP71AV1 genes. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis revealed that GA+UV treatment in blue modules was positively correlated with artemisinin synthesis. We established the network to distinguish candidate hub genes in blue modules might be up-regulated to enhance artemisinin synthesis in response to GA+UV treatment.
L2MXception: An Improved Xception Network for Classification of Peach diseases
Authors: Yao Na , Ni Fuchuan , Wang Ziyan , Luo Jun , Sung Wing-Kin , Luo Chaoxi , Li Guoliang
Published: June 2020

Background: Peach diseases can cause severe yield reduction and decreased quality for peach production. Rapid and accurate detection and identification of peach diseases is of great importance. Deep learning has been applied to detect peach diseases using imaging data. However,peach disease image data is difficult to collect and samples are imbalance. Results: This paper proposed an improved Xception network named as L2MXception which ensembles regularization term of L2-norm and mean. With the peach disease image dataset collected, results on six mainstream deep learning models were compared in details and an improved loss function was integrated with regularization term L2-norm and mean (L2M Loss). Experiments showed that the Xception model with L2M Loss outperformed the current best method for peach disease prediction. Compared to the original Xception model, the validation accuracy of L2MXception was up to 93.85%, increased by 28.48%. Conclusions: The proposed L2MXception network may have great potential in early identification of peach diseases.
Systematic modification of N-glycosylation sites in cellobiohydrolase Cel7A from Trichoderma reesei reveals higher activity and binding affinity on crystalline cellulose
Authors: Kołaczkowski Bartłomiej Maciej , Schaller Kay S. , Sørensen Trine Holst , Peters Günther H. J. , Jensen Kenneth , Krogh Kristian B. R. M. , Westh Peter
Published: June 2020

Background: Cellobiohydrolase from glycoside hydrolase family 7 is a major component of commercial enzymatic mixtures for lignocellulosic biomass degradation. For many years, Trichoderma reesei Cel7A (TrCel7A) has served as a model to understand structure-function relationships of processive cellobiohydrolases. The architecture of TrCel7A includes an N-glycosylated catalytic domain, which is connected to a carbohydrate-binding module through a flexible, O-glycosylated linker. Depending on the fungal expression host, glycosylation can vary not only in glycoforms, but also in site occupancy, leading to a complex pattern of glycans, which can affect the enzyme’s stability and kinetics. Results: Two expression hosts, Aspergillus oryzae and Trichoderma reesei, were utilized to successfully express wild-types TrCel7A (WTAo and WTTr) and the triple N-glycosylation site deficient mutants TrCel7A N45Q, N270Q, N384Q (ΔN-glycAo and ΔN-glycTr). Also, we expressed single N-glycosylation site deficient mutants TrCel7A (N45QAo, N270QAo, N384Ao). The TrCel7A enzymes were studied by steady-state kinetics under both substrate- and enzyme-saturating conditions using different cellulosic substrates. The Michaelis constant (KM) was consistently found to be lowered for the variants with reduced N-glycosylation content, and for the triple deficient mutants, it was less than half of the WTs value on some substrates. The ability of the enzyme to combine productively with sites on the cellulose surface followed a similar pattern on all tested substrates. Thus, site density (number of sites per gram cellulose) was 30-60 % higher for the single deficient variants compared to the WT, and about two-fold larger for the triple deficient enzyme. Molecular dynamic simulation of the N-glycan mutants TrCel7A reveled higher number of contacts between CD and cellulose crystal upon removal of glycans at position N45 and N384. Conclusions: We propose that the marked kinetic changes did not rely on alterations in the overall fold of Cel7A but reflected modifications of substrate accessibility. The presence of N-glycans with extended structures increased KM and decreased attack site density of TrCel7A likely due to steric hindrance effect and distance between the enzyme and the cellulose surface, preventing the enzyme from achieving optimal conformation. This knowledge could be applied to modify enzyme glycosylation to engineer enzyme with higher activity on the insoluble substrates.
Surgical Choice for Patients With Stage I Non-small-cell Lung Cancer ≤ 2 Cm: An Analysis From Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database
Authors: Zhao Weigang , Chen Tangbing , Yang Yi
Published: June 2020

Background: No consensus was reached on the surgical procedure for patients with stage I non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC) ≤ 2 cm. The aim of this study isto investigate the appropriate surgical procedure forstage I NSCLC≤ 2 cm.Methods: Patients with stage I NSCLC ≤ 2 cm received wedge resection, segmentectomy, lobectomy between January 2004 andDecember 2015 were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results(SEER) database. Data were stratified by age, gender, race, side, location, grade,histology, extent of lymphadenectomy. Overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) were compared among patients received wedge resection, segmentectomy, lobectomy. Univariate analysis and multivariable Cox regression were performed to identify the prognostic factors ofOS and LCSS. Results:A total of 16511 patients with stage I NSCLC ≤ 2 cm were included in this study, of whom 2945 patients were classified as stage I NSCLC ≤ 1cm.Lobectomy had better OS and LCSS when compared with wedge resection in patients with NSCLC ≤ 2 cm. Only OS favored lobectomy compared with segmentectomy in stage I NSCLC＞1 to 2 cm. Multivariable analysis showed thatsegmentectomy had similar OS and LCSScompared with lobectomy in patients with stage I NSCLC ≤ 2 cm. Lymph node dissection (LND) was associated with better OS in patients with NSCLC≤ 2 cm and better LCSS in patients with stage I NSCLC＞1 to 2 cm.Conclusions:Segmentectomy showed comparable survival compared with lobectomy in patients with stage I NSCLC ≤ 2 cm.LND can provide more accurate pathological stage, may affect survival, and should be recommended for above patients.
CD52 is a prognostic biomarker and correlated with immune features in breast cancer
Authors: Wang Jianxin , Liu Yang , Yang Zhuowen , Sui Yang , Tian Jie , Tao Lin , Yao Jianting , Wu Changjun
Published: June 2020

Background: Breast cancer (BRCA) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer of women, which is aggressive cancer and has a mortality rate. CD52 and its monoclonal antibody (Alemtuzumab) play a critical role in inflammatory diseases, but the relationship between CD52 and BRCA is not clear.Methods: We first used the random forest algorithm to find the most critical genes related to the prognosis of BRCA patients. Then, according to the analysis of RNA sequence and clinical data of the TCGA dataset, we explored the relationship between CD52 with immune response-related pathways and immune metagenes. The pan-cancer analysis shows the importance of CD52 in a variety of tumorsResults:CD52 was related to the prognosis of BRCA patients (p < 0.001). Subsequent analysis based on RNA-seq and clinical data from the TCGA dataset revealed that CD52 is positively correlated with immune response-related pathways and immune metagenes. TIMER analysis showed that CD52 expression was positively correlated with immune infiltrating levels of B, CD4+ T, and CD8+ T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells (DCs) in BRCA (r = 0.466, r = 0.645, r = 0.483, r = 0.149, r= 0.542,r = 0.665, respectively; p < 0.001). CpG sites (cg16068833, cg19743891, cg19743891, cg16664472, cg19677267, cg22517705, and cg27430637) were negatively correlated with CD52 expression (r = -0.662, r = -0.629, r =- 0.598, r = -0.519, r= -0.492, r = -0.445, respectively; p < 0.001). Furthermore, the expression of CD52 was significantly correlated with the following pathological stages (T stage, N stage, and survival state; p=0.024, p=0.047, and p=0.007, respectively). The results of the pan-cancers study suggest that CD52 may play an important role in the occurrence, development, and prognosis of multiple tumors.Conclusions: These findings suggested that CD52 is a promising immunotherapy target and prognostic prediction value for BRCA.
Kidney Function Change after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Diabetes and/or Hypertension
Authors: Fan Jiaqi , Yu Changjie , Ren Kaida , Lin Wanbing , Ng Stella , Chen Zexin , Lin Xinping , Wang Lihan , Zhu Qifeng , He Yuxin , Jiang Jubo , Liu Xianbao , Wang Jian’an
Published: June 2020

Background
The kidney function change after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) in diabetes and/or hypertension patients is currently unknown.
Methods
A total of 242 severe Aortic Stenosis patients with diabetes mellitus and/or hypertension who underwent TAVR were analyzed. Patients were categorized into 3 groups based on the percent change [(discharge eGFR – baseline eGFR) x 100/baseline eGFR] in eGFR: improved ≥ 10%, no change, and declined ≥ 10%.
Results
Of these patients, 93 (38.4%) had an improvement in eGFR ≥ 10%, 117 (48.3%) had no changes, and 32 (13.2%) had a decline in eGFR of more than 10%. Patients with unchanged kidney function may be with lower STS scores (5.09 [3.58–8.34] % vs. 7.04 [4.52–9.91] % vs. 7.41 [3.52–10.97] %, p = 0.003), and lower perivascular disease (14.5% vs. 26.9% vs. 40.6%, p = 0.003) when compared with improved and declined kidney function patients, respectively. Patients with improved kidney function had lower eGFR (45.0 [33.9–60.3] mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 57.4 [43.4–70.7] mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 56.6 [44.2–76.8] mL/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.000), and lower LVEF (55.1 [40.9–62.0] % vs. 60.4 [53.4–66.1] % vs. 59.9 [52.9–67.8] %, p = 0.002) than the unchanged or declined group, respectively. Moreover, patients with worsening kidney function had higher rate of in-hospital (12.5% vs. 1.7% vs. 0%, p = 0.002) and 30-day (15.6% vs. 1.7% vs. 0%, p = 0.000) mortality. Independent predictors of eGFR changes were STS scores, LVEF, baseline eGFR, and unplanned cardiopulmonary bypass.
Conclusions
Nearly 40% of diabetic and/or hypertensive patients experience an intermediate improvement after TAVR. Patients with declining renal function suffer more terrible outcomes in mortality.
Frequency Distribution of IL-17A G197A (rs2275913) and IL-17F A7488G (rs763780) Polymorphisms Among Healthy Sudanese Population
Authors: Mohamed Nouh Saad , Siddig Emmanuel E. , Ahmed Abdallah E. , Albsheer Musab MA. , Abdelbagi Hanadi , Ali Eman T. , Alsubki Anadel A. , Abdalaziz Sabah A. , Mustafa Madinna , Muneer Mohamed S. , Osman Hussam A. , Osman Maha M. , Ali Mohamed S. , Edris Ali MM. , Ahmed Ayman , Omer Rihab A.
Published: June 2020

Objectives IL-17A G197A and IL-17F A7488G polymorphisms has been identified to be associated with the susceptibility to many diseases. This study aimed to investigate the frequency distribution of IL-17A G197A and IL-17F A7488G polymorphisms among healthy Sudanese population. A descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based molecular study conducted in different sites throughout Sudan. Two ml blood samples were collected from 717 healthy participants. Demographic data and the medical history of the participants were collected.Results Of the 717 participants, 355 (49.5%) were males and 362 (50.5%) were females, their mean age was 30.2 ± 17.2 and 32.2 ± 16.5, respectively. For IL-17A, the most frequent genotype detected among males and females was IL-17A heterozygote allele (AG); 215 (60.6%) and 194 (53.6%), respectively. Whereas, for IL-17F, the most frequent allele among males and females was the homozygote allele (AA); 298 (83.9%) for males and 322 (89.0%) for females. HWE for genotype distributions of IL-17A was showing statistical insignificance for IL-17A among males and females, P value 0.614. While HWE for IL-17F reached the equilibrium level, P value 0.048. The most frequent age group was those aged between 21 to 40 years; 281 (39.2%). Arab constituted the major ethnicity of the study participants; 418 (58.3%), P value 0.034.
Massive Restrain of Cytotoxic B cells in the Peripheral Blood During Fingolimod and Natalizumab Treatments in Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Authors: Boldrini Vinícius de Oliveira , Quintiliano Raphael Patrício da Silva , Moraes Adriel dos Santos , Stella Carla , Longhini Ana Leda Figueiredo , Santos Irene , de Andrade Marília , Damasceno Alfredo , Carneiro Rafael Paternò Dias , Brandão Carlos Otávio , Farias Alessandro dos Santos , Santos Leonilda Maria Barbosa
Published: June 2020

Background
Recently, the success of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy brought a new light over the role of B cells in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. Due to the expression pattern of CD20 during B cells ontogeny, this role seems to be extended beyond the antibodies' production and secretion. Therefore, here we investigated whether not only classical cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes but also non-classical cytotoxic B cells may occur in the peripheral blood from relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients.
Methods
104 RRMS patients during different treatment and 58 healthy donors were studied. CD19, GzmB, Runx3 and CD49d expression was assessed by flow cytometry analyses.
Results
Patients treated with Natalizumab (NTZ) showed an increased percentage of CD8+GzmB+ when compared to other MS therapies, untreated RRMS patients and healthy volunteers. Similarly, and unexpected, massive cytotoxic behavior of B cells CD19+GzmB+ was observed in RRMS patients during Fingolimod (FTY) and NTZ therapies when compared to Glatiramer, Interferonβ, untreated MS patients and healthy donors.
Conclusions
During different MS treatments, B cells exhibit cytotoxic behavior resembling CD8+ T lymphocytes. This data suggest a possible involvement of “cytotoxic” B cells during MS pathology. Monitoring cytotoxic subsets might become an available marker for the risk of relapses and even for accessing therapeutic effectiveness in MS patients.
Lipid metabolic gene-wide profile and signature of lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Jinyou , Li Qiang , Su Zhenyu , Sun Qi , Zhao Yong , Feng Tienan , Jiang Jiayuan , Ma Haitao , Zhang Feng
Published: June 2020

Background
Lung cancer is a worldwide cancer with high morbidity and mortality. More and more evidence shows that the disorder of lipid metabolism is the key to the development of cancer, and analysis of lipid-related genes may lead to diagnosis and prognostic biomarkers related to lung cancer.
Methods
In this study, we performed the differentially expressed analysis of 1045 lipid metabolism-related genes between LUAD tumors and normal tissues in the TCGA-LUAD cohort. Then the bioinformatic analysis of DEGs was showed. PPI networks and cytoHubba APP determine hub genes. The association between hub genes and overall survival was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier Plotter. To predict the prognosis of LUAD patients, a nomogram was built, the nomogram was validated by another cohort (GSE13213).
Results
Finally, a total of 217 lipid metabolism-related DEGs were detected in LUAD. They were significantly enriched in Glycerophospholipid metabolism, fatty acid metabolic process, and Eicosanoid Signaling. Then we identified 6 hub genes through PPI network and cytoHubba, including INS, LPL, HPGDS, DGAT1, UGT1A6, and CYP2C9. The high expression of CYP2C9, UGT1A6, and INS, whereas low expressions of DGAT1, HPGDS, and LPL, were associated with worse OS for 1925 LUAD patients. Based on the nomogram, we found that the high-risk score group had a worse OS, and the validated cohort had the same result.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we generated a lipid metabolic transcriptome-wide profile of LUAD patients and found that significant lipid metabolic pathways were correlated with the LUAD. Furthermore, we constructed a signature of six lipid metabolic genes, which significantly associated with diagnosis and prognosis of LUAD patients. The gene signature can be used as a biomarker for LUAD.
A Comparative Protein Profile of Virgin and Mated Male of Leucinodes Orbonalis Accessory Gland
Authors: Saraswathi Saraswathi , B.S Chaitra , Kiran Tannavi , R Mamtha , R Sowrabha , Rao Karthik V , doddamane manjulakumari
Published: June 2020

Male accessory gland (MAG) proteins that are secretory in nature delivered to females, along with sperms affects female reproductive physiology and behavior. In our study, proteomic approaches were employed to identify the MAG proteins of L. orbonalis, a monophagous and most destructive pest on brinjal. A set of 117 spots in virgin MAG and 186 in mated MAG were obtained from 2-D gel electrophoresis. The differentially expressed MAG proteins after mating in comparison with the virgin male were 14 upregulated and 16 down-regulated. We have used MALDI- MS to identify the 13 unique proteins within the virgin MAG of the L. orbonalis and analyzed with the Swiss-Prot database using a Mascot search engine. The proteins were identified as proteolysis regulators, lipid transporter, olfactory protein, metabolism, DNA binding, and hexamerins. This is the first report on proteome analysis of MAG of the Leucinodes orbonalis.
Effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on immune status in healthy women following a single bout of exercise
Authors: Bunpo Piyawan , Chatarurk Amonphat , Intawong Kodchaporn , Naosuk Kananek , Klangsinsirikul Phennapha
Published: June 2020

Background: This study was designed to determine the effects of ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation on immune status following a single bout of exercise. Materials/Methods: In a crossover design with a 1 week wash-out period, 20 healthy sedentary women performed 30 minutes moderate-intensity cycling with (1,000AA) or without (0AA) ingesting 1,000 mg of AA daily for 1 week. Blood samples were taken immediately before, immediately after and 24 hours post-exercise to determine the oxidative stress markers, hematological parameters, immunophenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes and neutrophil phagocytic function with Candida albicans. Results: Moderate-intensity exercise in subjects ranged in age from 21 to 23 years, showed no significant changes in oxidative stress markers in both cohorts. Plasma total creatine kinase was increased immediately after exercise and returned to baseline at 24 h post-exercise in both cohorts. Subjects ingesting 1,000 mg AA demonstrated significant higher level of plasma AA at pre-exercise and post-exercise as compared with the same time point in 0AA group. White blood cell and absolute neutrophil counts were increased immediately after exercise and returned to baseline at 24 h post-exercise in both cohorts. Exercise resulted in increased lymphocyte count, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD45+/CD3-/CD4- cells, CD45+/CD3+/CD4- cells, CD45+/CD3-/CD8- cells, CD45+/CD3+/CD8- cells and CD45+/CD3-/CD8+ cells immediately after exercise (p<0.05) with a return to baseline at 24 hours in 0AA group. AA supplement mitigated effects of exercise on CD4+ T cells and CD45+/CD3-/CD8- cells. No significant change in neutrophil phagocytic function were observed when incubated with low or high concentrations of C. albicans in both cohorts. Conclusion: A single bout of exercise induced muscle damage and transient changes in neutrophil count as well as lymphocyte subpopulations in sedentary women. Ascorbic supplementation does not show beneficial effect to the moderate-intensity exercise.
Genetic Characterization of Plasmodium vivax Isolates from Pakistan Using Circumsporozoite Protein (PvCSP) and Merozoite Surface Protein-1 (PvMSP-1) Genes as Genetic Markers
Authors: Bibi Zainab , Fatima Anam , Rani Rehana , Maqbool Ayesha , Khan Samea , Naz Shumaila , Waseem Shahid
Published: June 2020

Background Plasmodium vivax contribute over 70% malaria burden in Pakistan. Limited data exist on various aspects including genetic diversity of the parasite as compared to other parts of the world. The information about extent of genetic diversity assists to understand the transmission patterns of the parasite in human host. The current study was designed to understand population divergence of Plasmodium vivax in Pakistan using circumsporozoite protein and merozoite surface protein-I genes as molecular markers.Methods PvCSP and PvMSP-1 specific PCR and DNA sequencing were carried out for 150 blood samples collected from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Genetic diversity was analysed using ChromasPro, ClustalW, MEGA7 and DnaSP v.5 programs.Results The PCR for PvCSP and PvMSP-1 genes was carried out for 150 P. vivax isolates resulting the PCR products ranging from 900 to 1100 bp for PvCSP gene and ~ 400 bp for PvMSP-1 gene. Majority (93%; 121/150) of the P. vivax isolates were of VK210 variant type and only 9 isolates were found of VK247 variant type based on PvCSP gene. Out of the numerous peptide repeat motifs (PRMs) detected, GDRADGQPA (PRM1) and GDRAAGQPA (PRM2) were more extensively dispersed among the P. vivax isolates. Partial sequences (~ 400 bp) at the N-terminal of PvMSP-1 gene depicted high level of diversity.Conclusion High-level genetic diversity based on PvCSP and PvMSP-1 genes was observed in clinical isolated in the study area. Parasite typing is essential in predicting pattern of antigenic variations, drug resistance and for effective drug and vaccine designing and development which can further evaluate for malaria control and eradication at individual and community level. The base-line data presented here warrant future studies to investigate more into the genetic diversity of P. vivax with large sample size from across the country for better understanding of the vivax malaria transmission patterns.
Effectiveness of The Innovative 1,7-Malaria Reactive Community-based Testing and Response (1, 7-mRCTR) Approach on Malaria Burden Reduction in Southeastern Tanzania
Authors: Mlacha Yeromin P. , Wang Duoquan , Chaki Prosper P. , Gavana Tegemeo , Zhou Zhengbin , Michael Mihayo G. , Khatib Rashid , Chila Godlove , Msuya Hajiran M. , Chaki Exavery , Makungu Christina , Lin Kangming , Tambo Ernest , Rumisha Susan F. , Mkude Sigbert , Mahende Muhidin K. , Chacky Frank , Vounatsou Penelope , Tanner Marcel , Masanja Honorati , Aregawi Maru , Hertzmark Ellen , Xiao Ning , Abdulla Salim , Zhou Xiao-Nong
Published: June 2020

Background: In 2015, a China-UK-Tanzania tripartite pilot project was implemented in south-eastern Tanzania to explore a new model for reducing malaria burden and possibly scaling-out the approach into other malaria endemic countries. The 1,7-malaria Reactive Community-based Testing and Response (1,7-RCTR) which is a locally-tailored approach for reporting febrile malaria cases in endemic villages was developed to stop transmission and plasmodium life-cycle. The (1,7-RCTR) utilizes existing health facility data and locally trained community health workers to conduct community-level testing and treatment. Methods: The pilot project was implemented from September 2015 to June 2018. Matched malaria incidence pairs of control and intervention wards were chosen. The latter arm was selected for the 1,7-mRCTR approach leaving control wards relying on existed programs. The 1,7-mRCTR activities included community testing and treatment of malaria infection. Malaria case-to-suspect ratios at health facilities (HF) were aggregated by villages, weekly to identify the village with the highest ratio. Community-based mobile test stations (cMTS) were used for conducting mass testing and treatment. Random household surveys were done in the control and intervention wards before (baseline) and after (endline) the program. The primary outcome was the baseline and endline difference of malaria prevalence in the control and intervention wards measured by the interaction term of ‘time’ (post vs. pre) and group in a logistic model. We also studied the malaria incidence reported at the health facilities during the intervention.Results: Overall 85 rounds of 1,7-mRCT conducted in the intervention wards significantly reduced the odds of malaria infection by 66% (adjusted OR 0.34, 95%CI 0.26,0.44, p<0001) beyond the effect of the standard programs. Malaria prevalence in the intervention wards declined by 81% (from 26% (95% CI, 23.7, 7.8), at baseline to 4.9% (95% CI, 4.0,5.9) at endline). Villages receiving the 1,7-mRCT had a case ratio decreased by over 15.7% (95%CI, -33, 6) compared to baseline.Conclusion: The 1,7-mRCTR approach reduced significantly the malaria burden in the areas of moderate and high transmission in southern Tanzania. This locally-tailored approach could accelerate malaria control and elimination efforts. The results provide the impetus for further evaluation of the effectiveness and scaling up of this type of approach in other high malaria burden countries in Africa, including Tanzania.