bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Features and prognosis of cytomegalovirus-associated biliary atresia: a retrospective study
Authors: Wang Zhe , Guan Xi-Si , Wu Yue , He Qiu-Ming , Li Le , Yu Jia-Kang , Zhong Wei
Published: May 2020

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and biliary atresia (BA) onset, development and short-term prognosis after Kasai operation.
Methods

A retrospective study was conducted. BA Patients with obstructive jaundice and tested for CMV infection were included and grouped by CMV-IgM and CMV-DNA test results, between-group differences of preoperative blood tests and short-term prognosis indicators were investigated for the statistical significance.
Results

the CMV infection rate was higher in BA patients compared with non-BA jaundiced patients. Higher preoperative gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) level and lymphocyte percentage (Lym%) were significantly corelated with the CMV infection in BA patients. CMV(+) BA Patients had similar short-term outcome comparing with CMV(-) patients. IgM(+)DNA(+) group had highest GGT, total bilirubin (TBiL) and direct bilirubin (DBiL) level. IgM(-)DNA(+) group had the lowest GGT and the highest alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level. IgM(+)DNA(-) group had the highest bodyweight and lymphocyte percentage. The IgM (+)DNA (-) group had more patient achieved complete jaundice clearance than other groups.
Conclusion

CMV infection may associate to BA development and progression. Perioperative antivirus treatments may be necessary for improving outcome. Better elucidation of the underlying mechanism will require further investigation.
Combination of convolutional networks with a learning based ensemble strategy for hippocampus subfield segmentation
Authors: He Guanghua , Lu Tianzhe , Zhu Hancan
Published: May 2020

Background Accurate segmentation of hippocampal subfields from magnetic resonance (MR) brain images is an important step for studying brain disorders, including epilepsy, Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease. However, it is a difficult task because of the low signal contrast and small structural size.Methods Many advanced convolutional networks have been proposed and have achieved state-of-the-art performances in various applications. To take advantage of these advanced convolutional networks, in this paper, we propose a learning based ensemble strategy to integrate the results of different convolutional networks for hippocampus subfield segmentation. Our ensemble strategy is implemented by using a convolutional network. We have validated the proposed method based on a publicly available dataset.Results The experiment results have showed that the proposed ensemble strategy can significantly improve the performance of each single convolutional network, and outperform the state-of-the-art hippocampus subfield segmentation method.ConclusionThe proposed ensemble strategy is effective for combining multiple different convolutional networks in hippocampus subfield segmentation.Background Hippocampus is a bilateral brain structure, involved in many brain disorders, such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease 1. It consists of several histologically and functionally specialized subfields: the subiculum (SUB), the cornu ammonis sectors (CA) 1–3, and the dentate gyrus (DG) 2. The studies have shown that different diseases affect different subfields, which suggest that hippocampal subfields may provide more precise information for earlier disease diagnosis than using the whole hippocampus 3.
Introduction of the Aspergillus fumigatus α-1,2-mannosidase MsdS into Trichoderma reesei improves the ligno-cellulose degradation
Authors: Ghimire Prakriti Sharma , Ouyang Haomiao , Zhao Guangya , Xie Mingming , Zhou Hui , Yang Jinghua , Jin Cheng
Published: May 2020

Background: a-1,2-Mannosidase is an important enzyme essential for N-glycan processing and plays a significant role in the biosynthesis and organization of fungal cell wall. Lacking of α-1,2-mannosidase leads to cell wall defect in yeast and filamentous fungi. In Trichoderma reesei, a fungus known to be non-toxic to human, its N-glycan on secreted glycoprotein is Man8GlcNAc2, which is different from that in Aspergillus fumigatus. To evaluate the significance of the N-glycan processing in T. reesei, in this study A. fumigatus α-1, 2-mannosidase MsdS, an enzyme that cleaves N-linked Man8GlcNAc2 in Golgi to produce Man6GlcNAc2 on secreted glycoprotein, was introduced into T. reesei.Results: The msdS-expressing strain Tr-MsdS produced a major glycoform of Man6GlcNAc2 on its secreted glycoproteins, instead of Man8GlcNAc2 in the parent strain. Although the cell wall content of msdS-expressing strain Tr-MsdS was changed, it appeared that the cell wall integrity was not affected. However, phenotypes such as increased conidiation, multiple budding and random branching were observed in strain Tr-MsdS. In addition, expression of MsdS into T. ressei also affected protein secretion and improved the ligno-cellulose degradation of T. reesei.Conclusions: Our results indicate that processing of the N-glycan is species-specific and plays an important role in protein secretion in T. reesei, specially cellulases. Also, our results provide a new strategy to improve cellulases production by interfering the N-glycan processing in T. reesei.
Association Between Maternal Blood Lipids Levels During Pregnancy and Risk of Small-For-Gestational-Age Infants
Authors: Chen Qinqing , Chen Huiqi , Xi Fangfang , Sagnelli Matthew , Zhao Baihui , Chen Yuan , Yang Mengmeng , Xu Dong , Jiang Ying , Chen Guangdi , Luo Qiong
Published: May 2020

Background: Dyslipidemia in pregnancy are associated with risk of adverse outcomes, such as gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and small-for-gestational-age. As an adverse pregnancy outcome, small-for-gestational-age has been extensively studied in Western countries. However, similar studies have rarely been conducted in Asian countries.Methods: Data were derived from 5695 pairs of non-diabetic mothers and neonates between 1 Jan 2014 and 31 Dec 2014. Serum samples were collected during second and third trimesters for evaluation on fasting total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The present study intended to explore the associations between maternal lipid profile and small-for-gestational-age neonates. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and adjusted via logistic regression analysis.Results: After adjustments for confounders, third-trimester total cholesterol levels were associated with a decreased risk for small-for-gestational-age (aOR = 0.622, 95% CI: 0.458–0.848), and third-trimester high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were associated with an increased risk for small-for-gestational-age (aOR = 1.955, 95% CI: 1.465–2.578; aOR = 1.403, 95% CI: 1.014–1.944). The effect of third-trimester high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels on the risk for small-for-gestational-age rose across different gestational weight gain strata.Conclusions: High high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level during third trimester could be considered as indicators of a high-risk of small-for-gestational-age, regardless of gestational weight gain. Lowering high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels may help to reduce the incidence of small-for-gestational-age.
Exploration on the regulatory mechanisms of MBD2/miR-301a-5p/CXCL12/CXCR4 on acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Shen Wen , Weng Zhiyin , Fan Minjuan , Wang Shukun , Wang Ruili , Zhang Yang , Tian Hong , Wang Xi , Wu Xin , Yang Xiaolei , Wei Wei , Yuan Kaifen
Published: May 2020

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by irreversible expiratory airflow obstruction and its chronic course is worsened by recurrent acute exacerbations. Our previous microarray identified miR-301a-5p was associated with the progression of AE-COPD, but its regulatory mechanism underlying COPD pathogenesis remains uncovered.Methods Serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from healthy controls and patients with COPD in remission (R-COPD) and acute exacerbation (AE-COPD). Human HULEC-5a and HBE cells were transfected with MBD2, sh-MBD2, miR-301a-5p mimics or inhibitor, followed by stimulated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE). The co-culture assays were performed by the addition of the supernatant of medium derived from HULEC-5a cells transfected with miR-301a-5p mimics or inhibitor into si-CXCR4-transfected-lung fibroblast or THP-1 macrophages. Transwell assay was used to analyze cell migration.Results Clinical samples showed that decreased miR-301a-5p level in AE-COPD was significantly positively correlated with the expression level of MBD2, but negatively correlated with CXCL12 expression level. MBD2 overexpression significantly promoted miR-301a-5p, while suppressed CXCL12 in HULEC-5a and HBE cells. CXCL12 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-301a-5p. CXCR4 knockdown significantly the suppressive effect of miR-301a-5p mimics and attenuated the promotional effects of miR-301a-5p inhibitor on the migration of circulating fibroblasts and macrophages, as well as the expression levels of P-MEK and P-AKT.Conclusion In summary, MBD2/miR-301a-5p/CXCL12/CXCR4 appears to be involved in such recruitments of circulating fibroblasts and macrophages during COPD exacerbations.
The alteration of circulating exosomal mRNAs in acute myocardial infarction is associated with inflammation response mediated by neutrophils
Authors: HE Guo-dong , HUANG Yu-qing , LIU Lin , HUANG Jia-yi , Lo Kenneth , YU Yu-ling , CHEN Chao-lei , ZHANG Bin , Feng Yingqing
Published: May 2020

Background Although many cardiovascular disease studies have focused on the characteristics of microRNAs in circulating exosomes, the profile and the potential clinical diagnostic value of plasma exosomal long RNAs (exoLRs) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is still unknown.Methods In this study, exosomes isolation and RNA sequencing were applied to achieve the circulating exoLRs profile of 10 AMI patients, 8 stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, and 10 healthy individuals. Bioinformatics approaches were used to investigate the features and potential clinical value of exoLRs.Results Each sample from 2 mL of plasma could reliably achieve more than 8000 exosomal messenger RNAs (mRNAs) making up a majority of the total exoLRs. Immune cell types analyzed by CIBERSORT showed that neutrophils and monocytes were significantly enriched in the AMI group compared to healthy individuals and the CAD group which were consistent with the clinical baseline characteristics. Similarly, the biological processes enrichment analyses of different exosomal mRNAs and co-expression network analysis both indicated that neutrophils activation associated processes were also significantly enriched in the AMI group. We further identified two exosomal mRNA ALPL and CXCR2 which might be served as potential biomarkers with high diagnostic efficiency through co-expression network analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).Conclusions In summary, our study explored the alteration of exoLRs in the AMI patients which might associate with the acute inflammatory response mediated by neutrophils. We found that exosomal mRNAs ALPL and CXCR2 might be potentially useful for AMI diagnosis.
Quality of process impacts fourth grade students’ participation in physically active academic lessons
Authors: Errisuriz Vanessa L. , Dooley Erin E. , Buford Katie G. , Johnson Ashleigh M. , Jowers Esbelle M. , Bartholomew John B.
Published: May 2020

Background It is important to assess implementation of active learning interventions to maximize their impact. Quality of process, or how well one engages program participants, has been less studied than other implementation components (e.g., dose, fidelity). This cross-sectional study examined associations between teacher engagement behaviors, teacher feedback, and student physical activity outcomes during active classroom lessons.Methods This study used data from the Texas Initiatives for Children’s Activity and Nutrition (I-CAN!) randomized controlled trial. Multivariate analysis of covariance was conducted to compare student physical activity outcomes by teachers’ engagement behaviors. Bivariate correlations were conducted to examine associations between teacher feedback and student physical activity outcomes. A latent profile analysis was used to examine whether there were subsets of teachers with similar feedback profiles.Results The final analytic sample included 82 teachers (N = 100 observations). Teacher-directed changes in physical activity and/or teacher participation in physical activity demonstrated significantly higher ratings for student physical activity intensity, class participation, and how often children were active (all p < .05). Physical Activity Reinforcement and Technical Instruction feedback were positively associated with activity intensity (r=-.20, p < .05 and r = .33, p < .01, respectively). Technical Instruction feedback was positively associated with how many (r = .31, p < .01) and how often (r = .44, p < .01) students were active during lessons. Negative feedback was negatively associated with how many (r=-.20, p < .05) and how often (r=-.28, p < .01) students were active, as well as activity intensity (r=-.27, p < .01). All teachers were represented by relatively high levels of Game Instruction and Classroom Management feedback, moderate levels of Content Reinforcement and Content Instruction feedback, and low levels of Negative, Technical Instruction, and Physical Activity Reinforcement feedback. These data did not indicate the existence of multiple feedback profiles.Conclusions These findings suggest that teacher engagement and feedback to students during physically active, academic lessons can help promote student engagement in physical activity. Teachers have primary responsibility for implementing school-based interventions, and it is critical to develop strategies that increase teachers’ ability to implement them successfully. Opportunities to maximize intervention delivery, such as co-designing with teachers, should be utilized in school-based, physical activity interventions.
Screening and identification of MSX1 for predicting progestin resistance in endometrial cancer
Authors: yang linlin , Cui Yunxia , Huang Ting , Sun Xiao , Wang Yudong
Published: May 2020

Background Progestin resistance is a critical obstacle for endometrial conservative therapy. Therefore, the studies to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms are very important. However, the pivotal roles of essential molecules are still unexplored.Methods We downloaded GSE121367 from the GEO database. The “limma” R language package was applied to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We conducted Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) analysis. Protein–protein interaction was constructed by STRING and visualized in Cytoscape. The tumor immune microenvironment was explored by TISIDB database. Methylation validation and overall survival analysis was conducted by TCGA database. In addition, the upstream modulators of hub genes were predicted by miRTarBase and Network Analyst database.Results A total of 3282 DEGs were identified and they were mostly enriched in cell adhesion pathway. We screened out ten hub genes including CDH1, JAG1, PTGES, EPCAM, CNTNAP2, TBX1, MSX1, KRT19, OAS1 and DAB2 among different groups, whose genomic alteration rates were low based on the current endometrial carcinoma sample sets. Has-miR-335-5p, has-miR-124-3p, MAZ and TFDP1 were the most prominent upstream regulators. The methylation status of CDH1, JAG1, EPCAM and MSX1 were decreased, corresponding to their high protein expression, which also predicted better overall survival. The homeobox protein of MSX1 showed significantly tissue specificity and better prognostic value.Conclusions Our study identified the gene of MSX1 promised to be the specific indicator. This would shed new light on the underlying biological mechanism to overcome progestin resistance of endometrial cancer.
Identification of Prognosis-Related Genes and Construction of Multi-regulatory Networks in Pancreatic Cancer Microenvironment by Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Li Tong , Liu Qiaofei , Zhang Ronghua , Liao Quan , Zhao Yupei
Published: May 2020

Background
As one of the most lethal cancers, pancreatic cancer has been characterized by abundant supportive tumor-stromal cell microenvironment. Although the advent of tumor-targeted immune checkpoint blockers has brought light to patients with other cancers, its clinical efficacy in pancreatic cancer has been greatly limited due to the protective stroma. Thus, there is an urgent need to explore new targets and develop multi-regulatory networks to improve treatment and evaluate patient prognosis.
Methods
We followed a strategy based on mining the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and ESTIMATE algorithm to obtain the immune scores and stromal scores. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with poor overall survival of pancreatic cancer were screened from a TCGA cohort. By comparing global gene expression with high vs. low immune scores and subsequent Kaplan-Meier analysis, DEGs that significantly correlate with poor overall survival of pancreatic cancer in TCGA cohort were extracted. After constructing the protein-protein interaction network using STRING and limiting the genes within the above DEGs, we utilized RAID 2.0, TRRUST v2 database and degree and betweenness analysis to obtain non-coding RNA (ncRNA)-pivotal nodes and TF-pivotal nodes. Finally, multi-regulatory networks have been constructed and pivotal drugs with potential benefit for pancreatic cancer patients were obtained by screening in the DrugBank.
Results
In this study, we obtained 246 DEGs that significantly correlate with poor overall survival of pancreatic cancer in the TCGA cohort. With the advent of 42 ncRNA-pivotal nodes and 7 TF-pivotal nodes, the multi-factor regulatory networks were constructed based on the above pivotal nodes. Prognosis-related genes and factors such as HCAR3, PPY, RFWD2, WSPAR and Amcinonide were screened and investigated.
Conclusion
The multi-regulatory networks constructed in this study are not only helpful to improve treatment and evaluate patient prognosis with pancreatic cancer, but also beneficial for implementing early diagnosis and personalized treatment. It is suggested that these factors may play an essential role in the progression of pancreatic cancer.
Dietary Habits and its Association with Metabolic Syndrome in a large sample of Iranian adults: a population-based study
Authors: Lorzadeh Elnaz , Sangsefidi Zohreh Sadat , Mirzaei Masoud , Hosseinzadeh Mahdieh
Published: May 2020

Background Central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and hypertension are the core components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) which is coincident with unhealthy dietary habits in the Middle-Eastern countries. The aim of this study was to explore the association between dietary habits and MetS of adult population living in Yazd Greater Area, Iran.Methods This is a cross-sectional study which uses the data of a population-based cohort study on Iranian adults, known as Yazd Health Study (YaHS). The relationship between dietary habits and metabolic syndrome among adults (n = 2896) were analyzed using multiple logistic regression method.Results The prevalence of the MetS among the participants was 32.2%. Outcomes from logistic regression examining show that breakfast consumption has a significant inverse effect on the occurrence of MetS after adjustment for age, education level, physical activity statue, history of chronic diseases and smoking (odds ratio (OR) = 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.14, 0.97). This effect remains significant even after adjustment for body mass index (BMI) and reveals that odds of having MetS is 69% lower in breakfast consumers in contrast to non-consumers (OR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.11, 0.87). However, no significant relationship was observed between other dietary habits including consumption of sweetened drinks, sugar cubes, and fast foods and MetS after adjustment for all potential confoundersConclusions This study revealed that eating breakfast has an inverse relationship with metabolic syndrome. Finding out stronger evidence in relation between dietary habits and MetS, more researches especially population-based cohort studies are needed to be conducted.
Analysis of Factors Affecting Alcohol and Tobacco Use by Bivariate Probit Model in Turkey
Authors: Alkan Ömer , Abar Hayri , Gençer Özge
Published: May 2020

Background

Alcohol and tobacco use are interrelated risk factors. Risky alcohol and tobacco use are important public health problems with social and economic costs and is one of the leading causes of preventable death and disease. The aim of this study is to determine the factors of sociodemographic and economic on alcohol and tobacco use.
Methods

In this paper, a bivariate probit model was employed to determine the factors affecting alcohol and tobacco use among individuals the age of 15 and above living in Turkey. The data used in this paper was obtained from the Turkey Health Survey conducted in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016 by the Turkish Statistical Institute. Data were gathered from a total of 77,327 individuals.
Results

Results revealed that several key variables were found to be a significant determinant of alcohol and tobacco use, such as age, gender, educational status, marital status, monthly income, psychosocial support, and survey year.
Conclusion

In the last decade, a number of restrictions on combating alcohol and tobacco have been associated with reducing the alcohol and tobacco use habits of individuals. This is the first attempt that simultaneously compares both alcohol use and tobacco use using a Turkish sample.
Occurrence and antibiotic susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes along meat production chain in southwest Ethiopia﻿
Authors: Mereta Seid Tiku , Gume Beje , Getaneh Assegid , Deneke Yosef , Sena Lelisa , Tegene Dechassa , Kassa Tesfaye , Berhanu Leykun , Bediru Habib , Suleman Sultan
Published: May 2020

Background The widespread habit of consumption of raw meat along with poor hygiene during handling, transportation and processing are the major contributors to the high prevalence of food-borne diseases in Ethiopia. Listeriosis is one of the important food-borne diseases acquired through consumption of meat. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Listeria species in meat collected from abattoir and butcher shops.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2018 to February 2019 on isolation, phenotypic characterization, and determination of antibiotic susceptibility profiles of isolates of L. monocytogenes. A total of 100 meat samples were collected from abattoir and butcher shops in Jimma Town. Laboratory based isolation and characterization of the Listeria species was made using conventional culture and biolog. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was conducted using ten different selected antibiotics of current veterinary and human therapy. An observational check list was used to assess meat handling practices of butcher shops and abattoir workers.Results From the total of 100 samples collected from butcher shops and the abattoir, 29 (29%; 95% CI: 21.0-38.5%) were found positive for Listeria species. Out of this, 15 (30%, 95% CI: 34.4–68.6%) samples were from the butcher shops and 14 (28%, 95% CI: 31.4–65.6%) were from the abattoir. L. innocua (48.3%) was the dominant species followed by L. seeligeri (27.6%). L. monocytogenes accounts 7% of the isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed that L. monocytogenes isolates were susceptible to gentamicin, vancomycin, Sulfamethoxazole-Sulfamethrimethoprim, chloramphenicol and cloxacillin. In contrary, L. monocytogenes isolates were resistant to cloxacillin, penicillin, nalidixic acid and tetracycline. On the other hand, low level of education, lack of training on meat handling and poor cleanliness of meat contact surfaces were significantly associated with the occurrence of Listeria spp. (P < 0.05).Conclusion The findings highlighted the need for regular training on hygienic meat handling practices for meat handlers in order to minimize the risk of food borne diseases. Furthermore, regulation of the optimal use of antimicrobials in food producing animals is highly recommended so as to reduce antimicrobial resistance.
A stemness-related seven-gene signature for predicting prognosis and treatment response in muscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Tian Maolang , He Jinlan , Han Jiaqi , Zhu Hong
Published: May 2020

Background: Muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is an aggressive cancer characterized by therapeutic resistance and poor prognosis, which are possibly due to the existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs). In this study, we aimed to characterize the expression of cancer stemness-related genes and develop a multi-gene risk signature to predict clinical outcome and treatment response in MIBC.Methods: The mRNA expression data and clinical data of MIBC patients were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, which included the TCGA training cohort (n = 333) and three GEO validation cohorts, GSE13507 (n = 165), GSE32548 (n = 127), and GSE48075 (n = 72). A list of 166 stemness-related genes were obtained from the Cancer Single Cell State Atlas (CancerSEA) database and prognostic genes for overall survival (OS) were identified by univariate Cox analysis. Then, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and stepwise multivariate Cox regression were performed to generate a multi-gene risk signature. Kaplan-Meier curve, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, multivariate analysis, and stratification analysis were used to evaluate the performance of the gene signature. We also explored the relationship between risk score and response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in MIBC patients. Moreover, independent prognostic factors for OS were combined together into a nomogram to improve predictive performance.Results: Firstly, a total of 25 prognostic genes were identified. Then, a seven-gene risk signature (EGFR, FOXA2, HES1, MME, RBM6, SMOC2, and TFRC) was constructed and it could robustly classify MIBC patients into high -risk and low-risk groups with different clinical outcomes. ROC curves showed that the seven-gene signature had a robust predictive accuracy in four cohorts. Besides, high risk score was significantly associated with advanced clinical stage and treatment failure. As an independent risk factor for OS, the stemness-related seven-gene signature could achieve better prognostic accuracy when integrated with clinical factors. Conclusions: We developed and validated a robust stemness-related gene signature which could robustly predicate clinical outcome and shed light on the cancer stemness in bladder cancer.
Long non coding RNA CCAT2 enhances proliferation, invasion and drug-resistances of non-small lung cancer via activating the miR-204-3p-suppresed IGFBP2/AKT/Bcl2 pathway
Authors: Wang Zheng , Yang Rongjie , Liu Yu , Huang Yanfeng
Published: May 2020

Background

The treatment efficacy remains unsatisfactory due to the rapid progress, high rate of metastasis, and drug-resistance of NSCLS. It has been demonstrated that aberrant expression of long non coding RNA colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) in cells was closely related to tumorigenesis, tumor metastasis, and development of drug-resistance. The present study was aimed to thoroughly investigate the effect of CCAT2 in the growth of NSCLC and the underlying mechanisms, so that provide valuable theoretical basis for efficient treatment of NSCLC.
Methods

The expressions of CCAT2 and its target genes and downstream signals were respectively determined by Western-blot assay and RT-qPCR experiment. Cell growth of NSCLC cells was investigated using the CCK-8 kit while the proliferation assay was performed with the help of EDU staining. The NSCLC-bearing mice mode was established to evaluate the effect of PYCR1 on the progress of NSCLC and the underlying mechanisms in vivo.
Results

The CCAT2 was highly expressed in NSCLC tumor tissues and cells while not the corresponding normal ones. Further studies revealed that aberrant expression of CCAT2 in lung cancer signally contributed to proliferation, invasion, and migration of cancer cells and the progress of tumor tissues. Moreover, high level of CCAT2 dramatically down-regulated the cytotoxicity of cisplatin (DDP) to NSCLC cells and tissues by upregulation of the drug-resistance related proteins. Mechanisms studies displayed that upregulation of CCAT2 markedly decreased the miR-204-3p while contrary result was obtained when down-regulated the CCAT2 level. We further demonstrated that down-regulation of miR-204-3p level signally enhanced the activity of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling pathway.
Conclusions

The CCAT2 promoted the progress and drug-resistance of NSCLC thorough activation of the miR-204-3p suppressed IGFBP2/AKT/Bcl2 pathway, and may provide theoretical basis for improvement of therapy of NSCLC.
High Resolution Computed Tomography Finding in 552 Patients with Symptomatic COVID-19: First Report from North of Iran
Authors: Majidi Hadi , Bani-Mostafavi Elham-Sadat , Mardanshahi Zahra , Godazandeh Farnaz , Gasemian Roya , Heydari Keyvan , Alizadeh-Navaei Reza
Published: May 2020

Purpose: Due to the emergence of the new Coronavirus-2019 and the lack of sufficient information about infected patients, this study was conducted to investigate the Chest High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) findings of patients infected with the new Coronavirus 2019.Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on COVID-19 patients referred to Medical Imaging Centers of Sari, Mazandaran, Iran, on March 2020 for Computed Tomography Scan (CT-Scan). Symptomatic patients were referred to the Medical Imaging Center for diagnosis confirmation through CT-scan. In addition to age and sex, HRCT findings were collected from the picture archiving and communication system (PACS) for further evaluations.Results: Out of 552 patients with mean age of 14.8 ± 51.2 years, the male/female ratio was 1.38 to 1. The most common expressive findings in patients were ground-glass opacity (GGO) (87.3%), peripheral distribution (82.4%) and posterior distribution (81.5%). The most conflicting findings in patients were pleural effusion (7.6%), peribronchovascular distribution (7.6%), and lymphadenopathy (5.1%). The peripheral distribution (p = 0.034), round opacities (p = 0.02), single lobe (p = 0.003) and pleural effusion (p = 0.037) were significantly in people under and over 50 years of age.Conclusion: In summary, the present study indicated that in addition to GGO, peripheral distribution findings could be a vital diagnostic choice in COVID-19 patients.
Geographical inequalities and determinants of stunting among under-five children in Ethiopia, 2016 EDHS, General Estimating Equation Model
Authors: Demlie Yeshambel Worku , Yenit Melaku Kindie , Akalu Temesgen Yihunie
Published: May 2020

Background Globally, more than 165 million children were stunted. However, the distribution of stunting across the globe was not clearly known. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing spatial distribution and determinants of stunting among under-five children in Ethiopia.Methods Ethiopian demography and health survey 2016 data set was used. A two stage stratified cluster sampling technique was used to include 8,855 under-five children. ArcGIS10.1 was used to visualize the distribution of stunting in Ethiopia. Getis-Ord statistics was used to identify whether the distribution of cases is randomly distributed, clustered, or dispersed. Getis-Ord statistics was used to identify hot spot and low spot areas. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) model was used to identify determinants. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to measure the strength of the association.Results In the study the overall prevalence of stunting was 38.4% (37.4%-39.4%). Significantly primary clusters were found in Amhara, Southern Tigray, and Western Afar. Secondary clusters were found in Tigray, Afar, Benishangul, South-Eastern SNNPR and South-Western Oromia. Factors of a child lived in a region of Tigray [AOR = 2.3(CI = 1.53-3.46)], Afar [1.9(1.21-2.86)], Amhara (AOR=2.85, 95%CI: (1.9-4.29)), Oromia (AOR=1.71, 95% CI: (1.13-2.46)), Benishangul (AOR=2.61, 95% CI: (1.72-3.95)), SNNPR (AOR=2.04, 95% CI: (1.36-3.06)), Harari (AOR=1.63, 95% CI:(1.03-2.57)) and Dire-Dawa (AOR=2.25, 95% CI: (1.44-3.51)), HHs had television and/or radio (AOR= 1.61, 95% CI: (1.12-2.82)), poor wealth index (AOR=1.4, 95% CI: (1.2-1.6)), stunted mother (AOR=1.9, 95% CI: (1.62-2.14)), under-weight mothers (AOR=1.2, 95% CI: (1.03-1.32)), anemic mother (AOR=1.32, 95% CI (1.1-1.62)), child being male (AOR=1.2, 95% CI: (1.19-1.32)), age of child (AOR=1.25, 95% CI: (1.19-1.39)), mothers delivered at home (AOR=1.16, 95% CI: (1.04-1.33)), low birth weight of child (AOR=1.5, 95% CI (1.29-1.65)) and anemic child (AOR=1.6, 95% CI (1.43-1.79)) were significantly associated risk factors.Conclusions In Ethiopia the distribution of stunting was not randomly distributed and varies across regions. Region, wealth index, maternal, and child factors were independent predictors of stunting. Federal ministry of health with other concerned body need to prioritize hotspot areas to address contributing factors of stunting among under-five children.
Impact Of Dynamic Capacities On Enterprise Performance: Case Studies Of Food Enterprises And Beverage Enterprises In Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Lin Zhou Lu , Ayegba James Onuche , Onu Emmanuel , James Peace Maina , Jie Zhang Xin
Published: May 2020

This study examined the impact of dynamic capacities on enterprise performance using some selected food and beverages enterprises in Lagos, Nigeria. In the study, dynamic capacity was captured with respect to strategic decision-making capacity, product innovation capacity, strategic flexibility, competitive intensity, technological turbulence, and technological capability. The performance of enterprise will be captured with sales growth, enterprise survival, enterprise efficiency and competitive advantage. The dynamic capacity for enterprise performance is estimated by adopting PLS-SEM method. SEM model is calibrated by using the Lisrel 8.70. The study found that the dynamic capacity of product innovation is the only variable that can sufficiently enhance increasing sales growth. Dynamic capacities of Competitive intensity and Technological turbulence are the only variable that can sufficiently enhance the survival of enterprise or sustain the enterprise into the unforeseeable future. Dynamic capacities of Technological capability and Competitive intensity are the only variable that could enhance the efficiency of enterprise. Finally, dynamic capacity of Strategic flexibility is the only variable that could sufficiently enhance competitive advantage of enterprise over other enterprises. This research contribute to knowledge by focusing on the impact of dynamic capacity on enterprise performance using some selected food and beverages enterprises in Lagos, Nigeria particularly the manufacturing enterprises in this trying period that is evidenced with technological change, competition, among others.
Molecular docking studies on SARS – Protease extracted from Wuhan COVID_19 strain by antiviral drugs
Authors: Kumar Shivam , Kumar Aman
Published: May 2020

Background:SARS - COVID 19 is a respiratory diseases in humans which is caused by the SARS – Coronavirus the treatment of coronavirus diseases– 19 has been continuously evolving and so far there has not been any Conesus treatment on an optimal level hasn’t been evolved.Motivation for this research:The mainstream therapeutical involve broad spectrum antibiotic and antiviral drug that are already present are being used to treat the Pneumonia symptoms and effects and other drug called Hydroxychloro quinine is being used for fever symptoms and to prevent the binding of viral receptors to SARS – Protease enzyme present on COVID viral family to prevent further spread of viral symptoms and effect but this drug have side effect too like damaged liver, so in this research the aim is to test three mainstream antiviral drugs in molecular docking using first RASMOL to do the molecular study and then using USCF CHIMERA software to do the molecular modeling and to determine the best suited analog with very low binding energy to provide best results.Also for treatment supportive immunity and core protein – ligand interaction plays very important part to determine structural based drug designing and simulation, in this present research three antiviral drugs namely Ganciclovir and SALBUTOMOL and their analog are being used and to study to determine least energy values which can predict the best suited drug for the treatment of effects and symptoms.Several modifications were made to make drug compatible for simulation like addition of hydrogen, decreasing steric tension and addition of charges to non stranded groups modifications were made to Phenylic, Ketonic in case of Ganciclovir and Carboxyl group deletion in SALBUTOMOL and in USCF CHIMERA software.Goals to be achieved:Main objective of this research is to identify potential chemical compounds that can be docked in protease side chain of COVID 2 RNA genome which may act asa potential drug for clinical trial or possible treatment, two drugs SALBUTAMOL and GANCICLOVIR were docked .Analogs were prepared by CHIMERA software and Protease from chain A of Corona RNA was selected for docking site in that stranded part and backbone was removed and just non stranded outer amino acid group were selected as active docking site for binding affinity.Also in this research provides chances of further exploration was also provided for further exploration and observation based on drug binding affinity and energy values.
Hemisensory paresthesia as the initial symptom of a SARS-Coronavirus-2 infection. A Case report.
Authors: Herrnberger Myriam , Durmazel Nadine , Birklein Frank
Published: May 2020

Neurological symptoms might be associated with a Covid-19 infection. There are frequent reports in the last weeks. The neurological symptoms range from harmless side effects of a viral infection to meningoencephalitis and acute haemorrhagic necrotizing encephalopathy.Our patient reported burning headache and paresthesia as the initial symptoms mainly without other signs of viral infection like cough or fever. Such an initial neurological presentation seems to be rare. Most cases have neurological symptoms which can be expected after severe systemic viral infections like fever associated headache. Many COVID-19 patients with mild disease are at home and the further course is unknown. Our case shows, that neurological symptoms can be the first manifestation of an COVID-19 disease. While restricted paraesthesia has been reported in SARS-CoV-2 infections, hemisymptoms have not been described as initial symptoms.
A comparison of COVID-19 and imaging radiation risk in clinical patient populations
Authors: Ria Francesco , Fu Wanyi , Chalian Hamid , Abadi Ehsan , Segars Paul W. , Fricks Rafael , Khoshpouri Pegah , Samei Ehsan
Published: May 2020

Objective. The outbreak of coronavirus SARS-COV2 disease 2019 (COVID-19) necessitates fast and accurate diagnostic tools. RT-PCR has been identified as gold standard test with Chest-CT and Chest-Radiography showing promising results as well. However, several institutions are discouraging the use of radiological procedures for COVID-19 diagnosis, partly due to radiation risk. This study aimed to provide quantitative data towards an effective risk-to-benefit analysis for the justification of radiological studies in COVID-19 diagnosis to guide policy and decision makers.Methods. The analysis was performed in terms of mortality rate per age group. COVID-19 mortality was extracted from epidemiological data across 159,107 patients in Italy. For radiological risk, the study considered 659 Chest-CT performed in adult patients. Organ doses were estimated using a Monte Carlo method and then used to calculate the Risk Index that was converted into a related 5-year mortality rate (SEER, NCI). Results. COVID-19 mortality showed a rapid rise for ages >30 years old (min:0.30%; max:30.20%), whereas only 1 death was reported in the analyzed patient cohort for ages <20 years old. The rates decreased for radiation risk across age groups. The median mortality rate across all ages for Chest-CT and Chest-Radiography were 0.72% (min:0.46%; max:1.10%) and 0.03% (min:0.02%; max:0.04%), respectively.Conclusions. COVID-19, Chest-Radiography, and Chest-CT mortality rates showed different magnitudes and trends across age groups. In higher ages, COVID-19 risk far outweighs that of radiological exams. Based on risk comparison alone, Chest-Radiography and Chest-CT for COVID-19 care is justified for patients older than 30 and 50 years old, respectively.
COVID-19 in Iran, a comprehensive investigation from exposure to treatment outcomes
Authors: Ashraf Mohammad Ali , Shokouhi Nasim , Shirali Elham , Davari-tanha Fateme , Memar Omeed , Kamalipour Alireza , Azarnoush Ayein , Mabadi Avin , Ossareh Adele , Sanginabadi Milad , Azad Talat Mokhtari , Aghaghazvini Leila , Ghaderkhani Sara , Poordast Tahereh , Pourdast Alieh , Nazemi Pershang
Published: May 2020

Background There is a growing need for information regarding the recent coronavirus disease of 2019 (Covid-19). We present a comprehensive report of Covid-19 patients in Iran.Methods One hundred hospitalized patients with Covid-19 were studied. Data on potential source of exposure, demographic, clinical, and paraclinical features, therapy outcome, and post-discharge follow-up were analyzed.Results The median age of the patients was 58 years, and the majority of the patients (72.7%) were above 50 years of age. Fever was present in 45.2% of the patients on admission. The most common clinical symptoms were shortness of breath (74%) and cough (68%). Most patients had elevated C-reactive protein (92.3%), elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (82.9%), lymphocytopenia (74.2 %) on admission. Lower lobes of the lung were most commonly involved, and ground-glass opacity (81.8%) was the most frequent finding in CT scans. The administration of hydroxychloroquine improved the clinical outcome of the patients. Lopinavir/ritonavir was efficacious at younger ages. Of the 70 discharged patients, 40% had symptom relapse, (8.6%) were readmitted to the hospital, and 3 patients (4.3%) died.Conclusions This report demonstrates a heterogeneous nature of clinical manifestations in patients affected with Covid-19. The most common presenting symptoms are non-specific, so attention should be made on broader testing, especially in age groups with the greatest risk and younger individuals who can serve as carriers of the disease. Hydroxychloroquine and lopinavir/ritonavir (in younger age group) can be potential treatment options. Finally, patients discharged from the hospital should be followed up because of potential symptom relapse.
Identification of Immune complement function as a determinant of adverse SARS-CoV-2 infection outcome
Authors: Ramlall Vijendra , Thangara Phyllis M. , Tatonetti Nicholas P. , Shapira Sagi D.
Published: May 2020

Understanding the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection is critical for therapeutics and public health intervention strategies. Viral-host interactions can guide discovery of regulators of disease outcomes, and protein structure function analysis points to several immune pathways, including complement and coagulation, as targets of the coronavirus proteome. To determine if conditions associated with dysregulation of the complement or coagulation systems impact adverse clinical outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, we performed a retrospective observational study of 11,116 patients suspected of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We found that history of macular degeneration (a proxy for complement activation disorders) and history of coagulation disorders (thrombocytopenia, thrombosis, and hemorrhage) are risk factors for morbidity and mortality in SARS-CoV-2 infected patients – effects that could not be explained by age or sex. In addition, using data from the UK Biobank, we implemented a candidate driven approach to evaluate linkage between severe SARS-CoV-2 disease and genetic variation associated with complement and coagulation pathways. Among our findings, our scan identified an eQTL for CD55 (a negative regulator of complement activation) and SNPs in Complement Factor H (CFH) and Complement Component 4 Binding Protein Alpha (C4BPA), which play central roles in complement activation and innate immunity and were previously linked to Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) in a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS). In addition to providing evidence that complement function modulates SARS-CoV-2 infection outcome, the data point to several putative genetic markers of susceptibility. The results highlight the value of using a multi-modal analytical approach, combining molecular information from virus protein structure-function analysis with clinical informatics and genomics to reveal determinants and predictors of immunity, susceptibility, and clinical outcome associated with infection.
WITHDRAWN: Steric blockage of lysenin toxin by crowding
Authors: Munguira Ignacio L.B. , Barbas Alfonso
Published: May 2020

Increasing evidence signals the importance of macromolecular crowding on the regulation of the membrane protein activity. Lysenin is a pore forming toxin that forms crowded assemblies in membrane containing sphingomyelin microdomains. We studied the role of crowding on the activity of Lysenin thanks to High Speed Atomic Force Microscopy. In this study we show that pore formation requires available space around to take place, being sterically block in crowded environments, and verified it with nonSupported Lipid Bilayers mimicking the mechanical conditions of cell membranes. A continuous pH decrease and a single molecule compression experiments show that pore formation liberates membrane space leading to prepore-to-pore transitions. The study of the effects of prepore insertion comparing pore formation induced by sudden pH decrease in lysenin assemblies with thousand simulations show that liberation of space unblocks pore formation and could contribute to elude the cellular non-immune defences. Based on our findings we propose a refinement of current prepore structure and insertion models. We envision novel antibiotic strategies based on toxin-bindingdomains crowders.
DIREITO AO ESQUECIMENTO E A TUTELA DOS DIREITOS FUNDAMENTAIS NA JURISPRUDÊNCIA DO TJ/SP
Authors: RODRIGUES Rafael Antônio , MORAES Ana Paula Bagaiolo
Published: May 2020

O avanço tecnológico, por meio do uso da internet, revela a facilidade com que informações são difundidas, além de limites territoriais e temporais. Nesse contexto, torna-se importante compreender que as alterações tecnológicas impõem alterações também no cenário jurídico. Assim, o presente estudo, a partir de análise jurisprudencial, apresenta o modo como o direito ao esquecimento tem se manifestado no Tribunal de Justiça do Estado de São Paulo e as divergências existentes quanto ao seu reconhecimento. Conforme análise de decisões proferidas por esse Tribunal, verificou-se que o direito ao esquecimento possui quatro maneiras distintas de se manifestar. Além disso, foi possível demonstrar que a técnica utilizada para a verificação sobre o reconhecimento deste direito revela-se insuficiente, dada a insegurança jurídica existente. Desse modo, à medida que o tema tem se tornado recorrente, faz-se imprescindível a formulação de critérios que garantam segurança jurídica.