bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alpinetin Inhibits RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis and Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss by Modulating NFATc1 Transcription and Lysosomal Function
Authors: He Rongxin , Lu Jinwei , Chen Yazhou , Li Yong , Ye Chenyi , Hou Weiduo , Tang Lan , Wang Chenggui , Kuang Zhihui , Xiao Shining , Jiang Shuai , Chen Xi
Published: December 2020

BackgroundPostmenopausal osteoporosis is a chronic metabolic bone disease caused by excessive osteoclast activation, and osteoclasts are considered to be the sole participants in the degeneration and resorption of bone matrix for controlling bone integrity and continuity. The biological functions of osteoclasts depend critically on the number and activity of fused polykaryon. Hence, targeting osteoclast differentiation and activity can modulate bone resorption and alleviate osteoporosis. Alpinetin is widely used for excellent anti-inflammatory activities and little side-effect, but its role in osteoporosis remains unknown.ResultsIn this study, we investigated for the first time the ability of alpinetin to inhibit estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss. Alpinetin significantly reduced the expression levels of NFATc1 and its downstream genes, thereby inhibiting osteoclast differentiation in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, alpinetin inhibited F-actin ring formation and bone resorption, as well as reduced the activation levels of NF-κB, ERK, and AKT signaling cascades. In mature osteoclasts, alpinetin remarkably inhibited integrin-mediated migration and lysosomal biogenesis and trafficking by modulating the PKCβ/TFEB and ATG5/LC3 axes. Importantly, alpinetin treatment in mice alleviated ovariectomy-induced bone volume loss. ConclusionOur findings strongly suggest that alpinetin plays a significant role in the regulation of NFATc1 production for the differentiation of osteoclasts and inhibits integrin-mediated cell migration and lysosomal function in mature osteoclasts, thus weaken the increased osteolytic ability due to estrogen deficiency. Alpinetin may represent a promising agent for the treatment of osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases.
Sensory Block Level Prediction of Spinal Anaesthesia With 0.5% Hyperbaric Bupivacaine: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Huang Yu-Yin , Chang Kuang-Yi
Published: December 2020

There is still no consensus on how to determine the dose of spinal anaesthesia with adequate sensory block for a planned surgery. This retrospective study aimed to explore the associations of miscellaneous factors with peak sensory block level after spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric bupivacaine, and to construct a predictive model for single-shot spinal anaesthesia. We collected the records of 401 non-pregnant adults who underwent spinal anaesthesia with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine at the L3-4 or L4-5 intervertebral space for lower body surgeries. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate predictors of the block level and build up the predictive model. Five variables were identified as independent predictors of the peak sensory block level, including bupivacaine dose, height, weight, gender and age. The predictive model for peak block level after spinal anaesthesia could be expressed as a formula with these five variables and the estimated predictive power was 0.72. Based on this model, it is possible to determine a reasonable dose of hyperbaric bupivacaine for spinal anaesthesia, which gives adequate sensory block required for diverse surgical procedures in various patients and could be considered as a dose reference for sensory block height in spinal anaesthesia.
The Impact of China's Total Medical Insurance Package Payment Based on Compact County Medical Community and Its Implications for Medical Insurance Funds: Evidence from Y County, China
Authors: Liu Juming , Xu Yihua , Yang Yiqing , Luo Kaifu , Hong Yangyang , Hu Huaqin , Fan Menglin , Luo Yin , Xu Lai , Lu Heyun , Su Yan , Xiao Tianjie , Shi Ling , Xu Jiayan , Dong Qihua , Wang Jianxing
Published: December 2020

Background:Due to the irrational structure of medical and health resources, uneven distribution, and low level of grassroots services, traditional medical insurance payment methods in China’s underdeveloped areas have not been fully utilized in regulating medical service behaviors and guiding the allocation of medical resources. The medical insurance fund of many regions collapsed, the fund balance rate and compensation rate decreased year by year, and the medical expenses rose rapidly, which seriously affected the enthusiasm of the insured residents. As a results,the sustainable development of the medical insurance fund faced many difficulties and challenges.Based on this, we want to design a medical insurance policy suitable for underdeveloped areas in China to improve the capacity and efficiency of health services and maintain the stability of medical insurance funds.Methods:Collected medical insurance data of Y County in China from 2018 to 2019.The interruption time series(ITS) was used to evaluate the utilization of medical insurance funds in county-level hospitals, primary health service centers, and hospitals outside the medical community.Results:Inpatient expenditure(IE) per capita,out-of-pocket inpatient expenditure(OIE) per capita,and medical insurance expenditure (MIE)per capita in county-level hospitals increased by 84.682, 6.564 and 62.302 yuan per month respectively after the reform; Number of annul discharges persons(NOADP)from basic health service centers increased by 36.899 per month after the reform; IE per capita and MIE per capita increased by 18.624 yuan and 15.767 yuan per month on average after the reform; the residents hospitalized outside CCMC decreased by 9.545 per month on average after the reform. Conclusions:China should further implement the CCMC-based TMIPPM reform to control medical expenses and maintain the stability of medical insurance funds in in more trials.
Cryptolepine consolidates its anticancer property by increasing the anti-cancer pathway genes and decreasing that of pro-cancer pathway genes
Authors: Narkwa Patrick Williams , Domfeh Seth Agyei , Awandare Gordon , Mutocheluh Mohamed
Published: December 2020

Background: Cancers are one of the commonest causes of deaths globally . Reports indicate that greater than sixty percent of cancers in the world occur in low and middle-income countries with about seventy percent of all cancer deaths occurring in these regions. Conventional cancer treatments involve surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, etc. However, the negative side effects such as high cost and toxicity associated with these treatment options have increased the demand for less toxic and less expensive anti-cancer drugs from natural sources. One of such natural products believed to have anti-cancer potential is cryptolepine, an alkaloid extracted from the roots of Western and Central African plant Cryptolepis sanguinolenta . In addition to its anti-cancer potential, cryptolepine has been reported to possess a myriad of pharmacological activities. However, the mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer and pharmacological activities of cryptolepine have not been fully explored. The current study sought to determine the mechanism underlying the anticancer properties of cryptolepine. Methods: We screened 45 immune and cancer signalling pathways for their regulation following treatment with cryptolepine using the dual-luciferase based Cignal Finder Multi-Pathway Reporter Arrays to pinpoint which pathways are regulated by cryptolepine. Additionally, the effects of cryptolepine on the transcript levels of interferon regulatory factor 1(IRF1), progesterone receptor (PR), hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: We observed that of the 45 immune and cancer signalling pathways screened, nine were up-regulated while twenty-seven were down-regulated by cryptolepine. However, cryptolepine had no effect on nine of the pathways screened. We also observed that cryptolepine induced an increase in the transcript levels of IRF1 and PR but decreased that of HIF1-α and STAT3. Conclusion: The upregulation of human anti-cancer pathway genes including IRF-1 and PR and concomitant down-regulation of pro-cancer pathway genes including HIF1-α and STAT3 suggest additional mechanisms through which cryptolepine exhibits its anti-cancer activities.
Joint Association of Modifiable Lifestyle and Metabolic Health Status with Incidence of Cardiovascular Diabetes and All-Cause mortality: A Perspective Cohort Study
Authors: Zuo Yingting , Li Haibin , Chen Shuohua , Tian Xue , Mo Dapeng , Wu Shouling , Wang Anxin
Published: December 2020

Background We investigated the joint associations of modifiable lifestyle and metabolic factors with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality.MethodsThis study included 94,831 participants (men, 79.76%; median age, 51.60 [43.47-58.87]) without a history of CVD at baseline from Kailuan study during 2006 to 2007 and followed them until new-onset CVD event, death or December 31, 2017. Baseline metabolic health status was assessed by Adult Treatment Panel-III (ATP-III) criteria and five lifestyle factors was collected using a self-reported questionnaire. We performed Cox proportional hazards models to evaluate the joint associations.Results During a median follow-up of 11.03 years, we observed 6,590 CVD events and 9,218 all-cause mortality. Participants within more metabolic risk components and least healthy lifestyle had the highest CVD risk (hazard ratio [HR] 2.06 [95% CI 1.77-2.39]) and mortality risk (HR 1.53 [95% CI 1.31-1.78]), as compared with the less metabolic risk components and most healthy lifestyle group. Compared with the most healthy lifestyle, the HR of CVD for participants with least healthy lifestyle was 1.26 (95% CI 1.17–1.37) in the category with low metabolic risk, 1.16 (95% CI 1.03–1.31) and 1.07 (95% CI 0.90–1.27) for those with medium and high metabolic risk, respectively.ConclusionsWe showed that healthy lifestyle and metabolic health were associated with a lower risk of CVD and all-cause mortality. The association between metabolic risk and the risk of CVD was not modified by healthy lifestyle. Our results indicated that healthy lifestyle should be promoted even for people with high metabolic risk.
The Application of Endoscopic Technique in High Cervical Anterior Approach to the Craniovertebral Junction
Authors: Liu Jiangtao , Ji Hongming , Zhang Gangli , Chen Shengli , Zhang Shiyuan , Zhao Jianwei , Chen Weiguo , Shang Xianghong , Hu Changchen
Published: December 2020

Objectives: Surgery on the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) presents particular challenges owing to the close proximity of critical neurovascular structures and the brainstem. It is difficult for classic approaches to obtain the extra exposure of neurovascular structures of the CVJ in practice.The surgical approach to the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) offers specific challenges. We explored the feasibility of an endoscope-assisted high anterior cervical approach to the CVJ. Methods: We quantitatively assessed the surgical corridor to, and extent of exposure of, the CVJ in six cadaveric specimens, using 0° and 30° endoscopes. Results: The endoscope provided sufficient exposure of neurovascular structures and the brainstem in the CVJ. Resection of the anterior arch of C1 was avoided in minimal anterior clivectomy. After removing the odontoid, greater exposure of the CVJ was obtained. Conclusion: An endoscope-assisted high anterior cervical approach to the CVJ preserves cervical spine stability while minimizing the risk of neurovascular injury within the surgical corridor.
Evolution of COVID-19 Patients Treated With ImmunoFormulation, a Combination of Nutraceuticals to Reduce Symptomatology and Improve Prognosis: a Multi-centred, Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Hernández Mariana Díaz , Urrea Jully , Bascoy Luciano
Published: December 2020

BackgroundAlthough a vast knowledge has already been gathered on the pathophysiology of COVID-19, there are still limited, non-optimal treatment options. In this context, agents that can act on prophylaxis or as adjuvants to the therapies are of high value.MethodsIn this paper, we describe a multicentre, retrospective, observational study to describe the course of SARS-CoV-2 disease in patients treated with ImmunoFormulation (IF), an add-on therapy developed to decrease duration of clinical symptoms. In parallel, a group of patients that did not receive IF was used for comparison (using standard of care treatment). A total of 39 patients were evaluated for their recovery rate, general symptoms and their severity, and adverse reactions.ResultsThroughout the observational period, 90% of patients recovered in the IF cohort and 47.4% in the Control cohort (p=0.0057). From the symptoms with statistically significant differences, the duration of symptoms (i.e., the time to recover from it) was shorter in the IF cohort than in control cohort (in days, average), especially for fever (2.25 x 21.78), dry cough (4.38 x 24.00), dyspnoea (3.67 x 20.00), headache (2.00 x 26.50), diarrhoea (5.25 x 25.25), and weakness (1.92 x 23.30).ConclusionsThis demonstrates a potential promising role of IF as adjuvant therapy on the evolution of symptomatology to COVID-19 patients.
Strengthen Luteal Phase Support for the Patients With Low Serum Progesterone on the Day of Embryo Transfer in Artificial Endometrial Preparation Cycles: a Large-sample Retrospective Trial
Authors: Gao Hongyuan , Ye Jing , Ye Hongjuan , Hong Qingqing , Sun Lihua , Chen Qiuju
Published: December 2020

Background: The low serum progesterone (P) on the day of frozen embryo transfer (FET) is associated with diminished pregnancy rates in artificial endometrium preparation cycles using vaginal micronized P, but it is no consensus whether the strengthened luteal phase support (LPS) for the patients with low P on the FET day in artificial cycles is beneficial. A single centric, large-sample retrospective trial was aimed to investigate the contribution of strengthened LPS to the pregnancy outcomes for the groups of low P levels on the FET day in artificial endometrium preparation cycles.Methods: Women who had undergone first artificial cycle for endometrium preparation after freeze-all in our clinic during 2016 and 2018 were classified into two groups depending on the serum P levels on the FET day, routine LPS was administered for group B (P ≥10.0ng/ml on the FET day, n=1261) and strengthened LPS (routine LPS+ im P 40mg daily) for group A (P <10.0 ng/ml on the FET day, n=1295), the primary endpoint was the live birth rate and secondary endpoints were clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and neonatal outcomes.Results: The results showed the clinical pregnancy rate in group A was lower than group B (48.4% vs 53.2%, aRR 0.81, 95% CI 0.68, 0.96), the miscarriage rate was similar between the two groups (16.0% vs 14.7%, aRR 1.09, 95%CI 0.77, 1.54). The live birth rate was slightly lower than group B (39.5% vs 43.3%, aRR 0.84, 95%CI 0.70, 1.0). The birthweights and other neonatal outcomes were found no difference between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusions: The strengthened LPS for the section of patients of low P levels on the FET day might help to have a reasonable pregnancy outcome, although the live birth rate was slightly lower than the groups with normal serum P levels on the FET day and usage of routine LPS. Trial registration: no available.
Comparison of Curcumin and Methylprednisolone in Preventing Epidural Fibrosis After Spinal Surgery: An Experimental Study
Authors: YILDIRIM Timur , Kokturk Sibel
Published: December 2020

Aim:We aimed to compare the effectiveness of curcumin, which has been shown to inhibit cell migration and proliferation, with that of methylprednisolone, which has been shown to have a similar mechanism of action to that of curcumin and to delay tissue repair and wound healing, in the prevention of epidural fibrosis in an experimental laminectomy model in rats.Material and methods:The experiment was conducted with 40 male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g which were divided into four groups. Laminectomy was performed from L1 to L4 in all groups. Curcumin and methylprednisolone were applied to the other two groups except the control and Dmso groups. The vertebral colon was excised en bloc and each section was examined for epidural fibrosis formation under a light microscope to evaluate histologically using the grading system.Results:The statistical analyses indicated that the treatment groups had a significant effect on the histological grades of epidural fibrosis in rats compared to the control group.Discussion:Curcumin, derived from the rhizome (Rhizoma Curcumae) of turmeric (Curcuma longa) was found to show a significant effect in the prevention of epidural fibrosis formation with its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and by inhibiting further recruitment of fibroblasts to the laminectomy area.Conclusions:In the present study, both histological examination and statistical analyses indicated that the administration of curcumin led to a remarkable reduction in epidural fibrosis after laminectomy.
C:N:P stoichiometry as indicator of Histosol drainage in lowland and mountains forest ecosystem
Authors: Lasota Jarosław , Błońska Ewa
Published: December 2020

Background

Peatlands form one of the largest carbon pools in the terrestrial biosphere, representing approximately one-third of the world's soil carbon. The aim of this study is to establish and compare the C/N/P ratio of different types of Histosols. We believe that C/N/P stoichiometry is a good indicator of changes occurring in Histosols, especially those caused by dehydration. Four types of Histosols from lowland and mountain areas were investigated: fibric Histosols, hemic Histosols, sapric Histosols and Histosols drainic.
Results

We established the concentration and stoichiometry of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous in the Histosols, and found marked differences in C/N/P stoichiometry between the different types – especially the dehydrated samples. The average C/N/P ratio of dehydrated soil was narrower than the C/N/P ratio of soil under the influence of water, which demonstrates that dehydrating Histosols leads to a narrower C/N/P stoichiometry. This is directly related to the intensification of the organic matter mineralisation process and the resulting loss of organic carbon. We recorded a 50% lower carbon stock in the case of Histosols drainic compared to the other types of Histosols.
Conclusions

The narrower C/N/P stoichiometry in Histosols drainic is the result of an improvement in the ratio of N and P to the C content. Thus, this study demonstrates that C/N/P stoichiometry is a useful indicator of the changes that occur in Histosols as a result of dehydration.
Analysis of the effectiveness of landscape protection in the Liancheng National Nature Reserve, Gansu, China
Authors: Huang Zhihao , Peng Yangjing , Wang Ruifeng , Cui Guofa , Lu Nachuan , Zhang Bo
Published: December 2020

Background

The rapid assessment of the effectiveness of landscape protection in nature reserves is of great significance for the scientific formulation of protection and management countermeasures for nature reserves and is also an urgent problem to be solved for the construction and management of nature reserves in China. Using high-resolution remote sensing image data, this study analyzes the landscape dynamics in the Liancheng National Nature Reserve (LNNR) and their driving factors since the reserve’s promotion to the national level in 2005, and proposes a comprehensive evaluation method for the effectiveness of landscape protection in protected areas based on the Landscape Transfer Index (LTI), Protected Landscape Integrity Index (PLII), and Interfered Landscape Sprawl Index (ILSI).
Results

Between 2006 and 2019, the area of protected landscape—namely woodland, grassland, and water—in the LNNR decreased, while the area of interfered landscape such as residential land, industrial and mining land, and water conservancy facility land increased. The LTI was − 0.14, and among the driving factors, the development of industry and mining, land use by indigenous inhabitants, and the development of the transport industry made the highest contribution to the landscape transfer tendency, being respectively 34.79%, 28.98%, and 17.30%. The PLII decreased from 82.7 to 68.7 and the ILSI increased from 26.61 to 26.68.
Conclusion

The effectiveness of landscape protection in the LNNR is low. Between 2006 and 2019, the overall quality of the landscape slightly decreased, the spatial pattern of the protected landscape became more fragmented, and the degree of human interference in the landscape increased; however, the scope of influence of human interference did not change significantly. These changes were mainly due to industrial and mining exploitation, land use by indigenous inhabitants, and road construction. However, despite the insignificant nature of these changes, they still require attention and timely remedial measures. The methodology proposed in this study may be applicable to the rapid assessment of the effectiveness of landscape conservation in various types of nature conservation sites around the world.
Key Factors to Facilitate Locally Driven Family Planning Programming: A Qualitative Analysis of Urban Stakeholder Perspectives in Africa and Asia
Authors: Mwaikambo Lisa , Brittingham Sarah , Ohkubo Saori , Salem Ruwaida , Sama Denis Joel , Sow Fatimata , Mathur Deepti , Anieto Nneoma Nonyelum
Published: December 2020

BackgroundThere has been greater recognition of the importance of country ownership in global health and development. However, operationalising country ownership to ensure the scale up and sustainability of proven interventions remains elusive at best. To address this challenge, we undertook a thematic analysis of interviews collected from representatives of local governments, public health systems, and communities in poor urban areas of East Africa, Francophone West Africa, India, and Nigeria, supported by The Challenge Initiative, aiming to rapidly and sustainably scale up evidence-based reproductive health and family planning solutions. MethodsThe main objective of this study was to explore critical elements needed for implementing and scaling evidence-based family planning interventions. The research team conducted interviews and collected 96 stories using the Most Significant Change (MSC) technique between July 2018 and September 2019, and coded and analyzed the stories. Most frequently used codes were identified and grouped into emerging themes.ResultsFive key themes emerged: (1) strengthening local capacity and improving broader health systems, (2) shifting mindsets of government and community toward local ownership, (3) institutionalizing the interventions within existing government structures, (4) improving data demand and use for better planning of health services, and (5) enhancing coordination of partners. Conclusion While some themes feature more prominently in a particular region than others, taken together they represent what stakeholders perceive to be essential elements for scaling up locally-driven health programmes in urban areas in Africa and Asia.
Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy in Resectable IIIA/IIIB Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Chen Yulong , Yan Bo , Hui Zhenzhen , Zhao Gang , Ren Xiubao , You Jian
Published: December 2020

Background: A small portion of patients experience objective clinical benefit after neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade in NSCLC. The combining checkpoint blockade and chemotherapy as neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy therapeutic regimen might be more effective but has not been tested in resectable stage IIIA/IIIB NSCLC. Methods: This is a retrospective study of 35 patients with resectable stage IIIA and IIIB NSCLC who were treated with neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (NCIO). The pathological complete response (pCR), major pathologic response(MPR), the safety and feasibility were evaluated. The correlation between the pathology response and some clinical factors was studied to identify some predictors. Results: NCIO was associated with few immediate adverse events. The NCIO did not delay planned surgery and led to a complete pathological response(pCR) in 51.43% patients and a major pathological response in 74.29% patients in the primary tumor. No association was observed between PD-L1 expression before the treatment and pathological response to the NCIO (Pearson’s r=-0.071; P=0.685). However, significant difference was observed between invasion status of the bronchus(ISB) and pathological response (P<0.05). The patients with Invade status were with higher pCR and MPR rates as compared with No-Invade status, with 76.47% pCR and 100% MPR rate vs. 31.58% pCR and 50.00% MPR rate(Pearson’s r=0.7280; P=0.0009).Conclusions: NCIO was associated with few side effects, did not delay surgery, and induced a complete pathological response in 51.43%% of resected tumors. No significant correlation between the pathological response and PD-L1 expression. While the ISB was predictive of the pathological response to NCIO.
Analysis of sagittal profile and radiographic parameters in symptomatic thoracolumbar disc herniation patients
Authors: Gao Ang , Wang Yongqiang , Yu Miao , Liu Xiaoguang
Published: December 2020

Background: Few studies describe thoracolumbar disc herniation (TLDH) as an isolated category, it is frequently classified as the lower thoracic spine or upper lumbar spine. Thus, less is known about the morphology and aetiology of TLDH compared to lumbar disc herniation (LDH). The aim of study is to investigate sagittal alignment in TLDH and analyze sagittal profile with radiographic parameters.Methods: Data from 70 patients diagnosed with TLDH were retrospectively reviewed. The thoracic-lumbar alignment was depicted by description of curvatures (the apex of lumbar curvature, the apex of thoracic curvature, and inflexion point of the two curvatures) and radiographic parameters from complete standing long-cassette spine radiographs. The rank sum test was utilised to compare radiographic parameter values in each subtype.Results: We found two subtypes differentiated by the apex of thoracic kyphotic curves. The sagittal profile was similar to that of the normal population in type I, presenting the apex of the thoracic kyphotic curve located in the middle thoracic spine. The well aligned thoracic-lumbar curve was disrupted in type II, presenting the apex of the thoracic kyphotic curve located in the thoracolumbar region in type II patients. Thirty-six patients were classified as type I, and 34 patients were classified as type II. The mean sagittal vertical axis, T1 pelvic angle and L1 pelvic angle were 27.9±24.8°, 8.2±7.3° and 6.2±4.9°, respectively. There was significant difference (p<0.001) of thoracolumbar angle between type I (14.9±7.9°) and type II patients (29.1±13.7°).Conclusions: We presented two distinctive sagittal profiles in TLDH patients, and a regional kyphotic deformity with a balanced spine was validated in both subtypes. In type I patients, disc degeneration was accelerated by regional kyphosis in the thoracolumbar junction and eventually caused disc herniation. In type II patients, excessive mechanical stress was directly loaded at the top of the curve (thoracolumbar apex region) rather than being diverted by an arc as in a normal population or type I patients. Mismatch between shape and sacral slope value was observed, and better agreement was found in Type II patients.
A novel nanoemulsion based microalgal growth medium for enhanced biomass production
Authors: Nigam Harshita , Malik Anushree , Singh Vikram
Published: December 2020

Background: Microalgae are well-established feedstocks for applications ranging from biofuels to valuable pigments and therapeutic proteins. However, the low biomass productivity using commercially available growth mediums is a roadblock for its mass production. This work describes a strategy to boost algal biomass productivity by using an effective CO2 supplement.Results: In the present study, a novel nanoemulsion-based media has been tested for the growth of freshwater microalgae strain Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Two different nanoemulsion-based media were developed using 1% silicone oil nanoemulsion (1% SE) and 1% paraffin oil nanoemulsion (1% PE) supplemented in Blue-green 11 media (BG11). After 12 days of cultivation, biomass yield was found highest in 1% PE followed by 1% SE and control i.e, 3.20, 2.75, and 1.03 g L-1, respectively. The chlorophyll-a synthesis was improved by 76% in 1% SE and 53% in 1% PE compared with control. The respective microalgal cell numbers for 1% PE, 1% SE and control measured using the cell counter were 3.00 × 106, 2.40 × 106, and 1.34 × 106 cells mL-1. The effective CO2 absorption tendency of the emulsion was highlighted as the key mechanism for enhanced algal growth and biomass production. On the biochemical characterization of the produced biomass, it was found that the nanoemulsion cultivated C. pyrenoidosa had increased lipid (1% PE =26.80%, 1% SE =23.60%) and carbohydrates (1% PE =17.20%, 1% SE =18.90%) content compared to the control (lipid =18.05%, carbohydrates =13.60%).Conclusions: This study describes a novel nanoemulsion which potentially acts as an effective CO2 supplement for microalgal growth media thereby increasing the growth of microalgal cells. Further, nanoemulsions cultivated microalgal biomass depict an increase in lipid and carbohydrate content. The approach provides high microalgal biomass productivity without altering morphological characteristics like cell shape and size as revealed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) images.
Cigarette smoking and all-cause mortality in rural Chinese male adults:15-year follow-up of the Anqing cohort study
Authors: Ye Lijing , Yang Jie , Li Jingyi , Cheng Nannan , Zhang Yue , Lu Xiaofan , Zhou Ziyi , Wang Zhuo , Liu Lishun , Huang Xiao , Song Yun , Xing Shibo , Wang Dongqing , Li Junnong , Wang Binyan , Tang Genfu , Qin Xianhui , Zalloua Pierre , Zhang Huisheng , Yan Fangrong , Xu Xiping
Published: December 2020

Background — According to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017, smoking is one of the leading four risk factors contributing to deaths in China. We aimed to evaluate the associations of smoking with all-cause mortality in a Chinese rural population.Methods—Male participants over age 45 (n=5,367) from a large familial aggregation study in rural China, were included in the current analyses. A total of 528 former smokers and 3849 current smokers accounted for 10% and 71.7% of the cohort, respectively. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to evaluate the association between baseline smoking status and mortality, adjusting for pertinent covariates. Results—There were 579 recorded deaths during the 15-year follow-up. Current smokers (odds ratio [OR],1.60; 95% CI,1.23-2.08) had higher all-cause mortality risks than nonsmokers. Relative to nonsmokers, current smokers of more than 40 pack-years ([OR],1.85; 95% CI,1.33-2.56) had a higher all-cause mortality risk. Compared to nonsmokers, current smokers who started smoking before age 20 ([OR],1.91; 95% CI,1.43-2.54) had a higher all-cause mortality risk, and former smokers in the lower pack-year group who quit after age 41 (median) ([OR],3.19; 95% CI,1.83-5.56) also had a higher risk of death after adjustment. Furthermore, former smokers who were also former drinkers had the highest significant risk of mortality than people who never smoke and drink.(P for interaction = 0.034).Conclusions—This study provides evidence that current smokers or former smokers have higher mortality risk than nonsmokers and would benefit from cessation at a younger age.
Cumulative effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on the forest carbon balance in the Oil Sands Region of Alberta, Canada; a pilot study (1985–2012)
Authors: Shaw Cindy , Rodrigue Sebastien , Voicu Mihai , Latifovic Rasim , Pouliot Darren , Hayne Shari , Fellows Max , Kurz Werner A.
Published: December 2020

Background: Assessing cumulative effects of anthropogenic and natural disturbances on forest carbon (C) stocks and fluxes, because of their relevance to climate change, is a requirement of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in Canada. However, tools have not been developed specifically for these purposes, and in particular for the boreal forest of Canada, so current forest C assessments in EIAs take relatively simple approaches. Here, we demonstrate how an existing tool, the Generic Carbon Budget Model (GCBM), developed for national and international forest C reporting, was used for an assessment of the cumulative effects of anthropogenic and natural disturbances to support EIA requirements. We applied the GCBM to approximately 1.3 million ha of upland forest in a pilot study area of the oil sands region (OSR) of Alberta that has experienced a large number of anthropogenic (forestry, energy sector) and natural (wildfire, insect) disturbances. Results: Over the 28 years, 24% of the pilot study area was disturbed. Increasing disturbance emissions, combined with declining net primary productivity and reductions in forest area, changed the study area from a net C sink to a net C source. Forest C stocks changed from 332.2 Mt to 327.5 Mt, declining at an average rate of 0.128 tC ha-1 yr-1. The largest cumulative areas of disturbance were caused by wildfire (139,000 ha), followed by the energy sector (110,000 ha), insects (33,000 ha) and harvesting (31,000 ha) but the largest cumulative disturbance emissions were caused by the energy sector (9.5 Mt C), followed by wildfire (5.5 Mt C), and then harvesting (1.3 Mt C). Conclusion: An existing forest C model was used successfully to provide a rigorous regional cumulative assessment of anthropogenic and natural disturbances on forest C, which meets requirements of EIAs in Canada. The assessment showed the relative importance of disturbances on C emissions in the pilot study area, but their relative importance is expected to change in other parts of the oil sands region because of its diversity in disturbance types, patterns and intensity. Future assessments should include peatland C stocks and fluxes, which could be addressed by using the Canadian Model for Peatlands.
Surgical options for symptomatic old osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: A retrospective study of 238 cases
Authors: Xu Zhengwei , Hao Dingjun , Dong Liang , Yan Liang , He Baorong
Published: December 2020

Background: Symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) are increasing, as are acute and chronic pain episodes and progressive spinal deformities. However, there are no clear surgical treatment criteria for patients with these different symptoms. Therefore, this study aims to explore the surgical approaches for the treatment of OVCF with different symptoms and evaluate the feasibility of these surgical approaches.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 238 symptomatic OVCF patients who entered our hospital from June 2013 to 2016. According to clinical characteristics and imaging examinations, these patients were divided into I-V grades and their corresponding surgical methods were developed. I, old vertebral fracture with no apparent instability, vertebral augmentation; II, old vertebral fracture with local instability, posterior reduction fusion internal fixation; III, old fractures with spinal stenosis, posterior decompression and reduction fusion and internal fixation; IV, old vertebral fracture with kyphosis, posterior osteotomy with internal fixation and fusion; V, a mixture of the above types, posterior osteotomy (decompression) with internal fixation and fusion. Postoperative visual analog score (VAS), oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, sagittal index (SI) and ASIA grades of neurological function were observed.Results: All 238 patients were followed up for 12-38 months, with an average follow-up of 18.5 months. After graded surgery, the VAS score, ODI score, and vertebral sagittal index SI of 238 patients were significantly improved, and the difference between the last follow-up results and the preoperative comparison was statistically significant (P˂0.05). Besides, the postoperative ASIA grades of 16 patients with nerve injury were improved from 14 patients with preoperative grade C, 2 patients with grade D to 4 patients with postoperative grade D and 12 patients with postoperative grade E.Conclusion: In this study, we concluded that graded surgery could better treat symptomatic old OVCF and restore spinal stability. This provides clinical reference and guidance for the treatment of symptomatic old OVCF in the future.
Addressing the quality of paediatric primary care: Health worker and caregiver perspectives from a process evaluation of PACK Child, a health systems intervention in South Africa
Authors: Curran Robyn Leigh , Murdoch Jamie , Bachmann Max , Bateman Eric , Cornick Ruth , Picken Sandy , Simelane Makhosazana Lungile , Fairall Lara
Published: December 2020

Background: The WHO’s Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) has resulted in progress in addressing infant and child mortality. However, unmet needs of children continue to present a burden upon primary healthcare services. The capacity of services and quality of care offered require greater support to address these needs by extending and integrating curative and preventive care for the child with a long-term health condition and the child older than 5, not prioritised in IMCI. In response to these needs, the PACK Child intervention was developed and piloted in October 2017- February 2019 in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. We report health worker and caregiver perspectives of the existing paediatric primary care context as well as the extent to which PACK Child functions to address perceived problems within the current local healthcare system. Methods: This process evaluation involved 52 individual interviews with caregivers, 10 focus group discussions with health workers, 3 individual interviews with trainers, and 31 training observations. Interviews and focus groups explored participants’ experiences of paediatric primary care, perspectives of the PACK Child intervention, and tensions with implementation in each context. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse verbatim interview and discussion transcripts.Results: Perspectives of caregivers and health workers suggest an institutionalised focus of paediatric primary care to treating children’s symptoms as acute episodic conditions. Health workers’ reports imply that this focus is perpetuated by interactions between contextual features such as, IMCI policy, documentation-driven consultations, overcrowded clinics and verticalised care. Whilst these contextual conditions constrained health workers’ ability to translate skills developed within PACK Child training into practice, the intervention initiated expanded care of children 0-13 years and those with long-term health conditions, enhanced professional competence, improved teamwork and referrals, streamlined triaging, and facilitated probing for psychosocial risk.ConclusionPACK Child appears to be catalysing paediatric primary care to address the broader needs of children, including long-term health conditions and the identification of psychosocial problems. However, to maximise this requires primary care to re-orientate from risk minimisation on the day of attendance towards a view of the child beyond the day of presentation at clinics.
mTOR-dependent dysregulation of autophagy contributes to the retinal ganglion cell loss in streptozotocin-induced diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Madrakhimov Sanjar Batirovich , Yang Jin Young , Kim Jin Ha , Han Jung Woo , Park Tae Kwann
Published: December 2020

Background: Neurodegeneration, an early event in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR), precedes clinically detectable microvascular damage. Autophagy dysregulation is considered a potential cause of neuronal cell loss, however underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) integrates diverse environmental signals to coordinate biological processes, including autophagy. Here, we investigated the role of mTOR signaling in neuronal cell death in diabetic retinopathy. Methods: Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and tissue samples were harvested at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 months of diabetes. Early-stage of diabetic retinopathy was investigated in 1-month-diabetic mice treated with phlorizin (two daily subcutaneous injections at a dose of 200 mg/kg of body weight during the last 7 full days of the experiment and the morning of the 8th day, 3 h before sacrifice) or rapamycin (daily intraperitoneal injections, at a dose of 3mg/kg for the same period as for phlorizin treatment). The effect of autophagy modulation on retinal ganglion cells was investigated in 3-months-diabetic mice treated with phlorizin (two daily subcutaneous injections during the last 10 full days of the experiment and the morning of the 11th day, 3 h before sacrifice) or MHY1485 (daily i.p. injections, at a dose of 10 mg/kg for the same period as for phlorizin treatment). Tissue samples obtained from treated/untreated diabetic mice and age-matched controls were used for Western blot and histologic analysis.Results: mTOR-related proteins and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) was upregulated at 1 month and downregulated in the following period up to 6 months. Diabetes-induced neurodegeneration was characterized by an increase of apoptotic marker – cleaved caspase 3, a decrease of the total number of cells, and NeuN immunoreactivity in the ganglion cell layer (GCL), as well as an increase of autophagic protein. Insulin-independent glycemic control restored the mTOR pathway activity and GLUT1 expression, along with a decrease of autophagic and apoptotic proteins in 3-months-diabetic mice neuroretina. However, blockade of autophagy using MHY1485 resulted in a more protective effect on ganglion cells compared with phlorizin treatment. Conclusion: Collectively, our study describes the mechanisms of neurodegeneration through the hyperglycemia/ mTOR/ autophagy/ apoptosis pathway.
Generation of Inner Ear Sensory Neurons Using Blastocyst Complementation in a Neurog1+/- -Deficient Mouse 
Authors: Steevens Aleta R. , Griesbach Matthew W. , You Yun , Dutton James R. , Low Walter C. , Santi Peter A.
Published: December 2020

This research is the first to produce induced pluripotent stem cell-derived inner ear sensory neurons in the Neurog1 +/- heterozygote mouse using blastocyst complementation. Additionally, this approach corrected non-sensory deficits associated with Neurog1 heterozygosity, indicating that complementation is specific to endogenous Neurog1 function. This work validates the use of blastocyst complementation as a tool to create novel insight into the function of developmental genes and highlights blastocyst complementation as a potential platform for generating chimeric inner ear cell types that can be transplanted into damaged inner ears to improve hearing.
Preemptive intravenous iron therapy versus autologous whole blood therapy for early postoperative hemoglobin level in patients undergoing bimaxillary orthognathic surgery: A prospective randomized noninferiority trial
Authors: Chae Min Suk , Lee Mihyun , Choi Min Ho , Park Je Uk , Park Misun , Kim Young Hoon , Choi Hoon , Joo Jin , Moon Young Eun
Published: December 2020

Background: Previous studies have reported the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) iron therapy during the perioperative period as an alternative and adjunct to allogeneic blood transfusion. Preemptive IV iron therapy provides noninferior hemoglobin levels on postoperative day (POD) 1 compared to autologous whole blood therapy (AWBT) in healthy patients who had undergone bimaxillary orthognathic surgery.Methods: This was a prospective, patient-randomized, noninferiority trial. After excluding 2 patients, 64 patients were divided into two groups: the IV iron therapy group (patients received IV iron infusion 4 weeks before surgery; n = 32) and the AWBT group (2 units of autologous whole blood were collected 4 and 2 weeks before surgery; n = 32). The primary outcome was hemoglobin level on POD 1 and the prespecified noninferiority limit was –1 g/dL. Results: Baseline data were comparable, including hemoglobin and iron levels, between the two groups. Immediately before surgery, the levels of hemoglobin, iron, and ferritin were higher in the IV iron group than in the AWBT group. The mean treatment difference (iron group – whole blood group) in hemoglobin level on POD 1 between the two groups was 0.09 (95% CI = –0.83 to 1.0). As the lower limit of the 95% CI (–0.83) was higher than the prespecified noninferiority margin (δ = –1), noninferiority was established. On POD 2, the hemoglobin level became lower in the iron group, which eventually led to greater requirement of allogeneic blood transfusion compared to the whole blood group. However, the iron group did not require allogeneic blood transfusion during or early after surgery, and the whole blood group showed continuously higher incidence of overt iron deficiency compared to the iron group. Conclusion: As collection of autologous whole blood caused overt iron loss and anemia before surgery and intraoperative transfusion of whole blood was not able to prevent the occurrence of persistent iron deficiency after surgery, IV iron therapy was found to have potential benefits for iron homeostasis and subsequent erythropoiesis in healthy patients early after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery.Trial registration: Clinical Research Information Service, Republic of Korea, approval number: KCT0003680 on March 27, 2019https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01_kren.jsp?seq=15769&sLeft=2<ype=my&rtype=my
Salting-Out Induced Liquid-Liquid Microextraction for Alogliptin Benzoate Determination in Human Plasma by HPLC/UV
Authors: Hammad Sherin Farouk , Abdallah Inas , Bedair Alaa , Mansour Fotouh
Published: December 2020

Salting-out induced liquid-liquid microextraction method has been developed for plasma sample treatment before determination of alogliptin by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Several parameters were optimized to achieve maximum enrichment, including type of extractant, volume of extractant, type of anion, type of cation, salt amount and pH. The optimum conditions were attained using 500 µL of acetonitrile, added to 1 mL of aqueous sample containing 250 mg of sodium chloride at pH 12. An RP-HPLC method was developed and validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines M10. The method was linear in the concentration range of 0.1 to 50 µg /mL (correlation coefficient= 0.997). The limit of detection was 0.019 µg/mL and limit of quantitation was 0.06 µ g/mL. The method was accurate and precise with an average % recovery of 99.7% and a % relative standard deviation ranging between 1.5 and 2.5. These results showed that the salting-out induced liquid-liquid microextraction methods could be better than other sample preparation protocols in terms of sensitivity, easiness, solvent consumption and waste reduction.