bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The comparison of caries risk factors in children with very low birth weight and normal birth weight
Authors: Koberova Romana , Radochova Vladimira , Zemankova Jana , Ryskova Lenka , Broukal Zdeněk , Merglova Vlasta
Published: July 2020

Background
Health problems of premature infants can affect both general and oral health. The enamel defects, poor dietary and oral hygiene habits may predispose these children to dental caries.
Aim
To assess the impact of very low birth weight and prematurity on caries risk in early childhood.
Design
The study cohort consists from 189 of one year old infants. Anamnestic data were obtained from hospital records, feeding practice, bed-time sugar drinks and oral hygiene onset from questionnaires. Saliva samples of children and their mothers were collected for the detection of cariogenic pathogens.
Results
VLBW new-borns had significantly shorter gestation age (29.6 vs. 38.8)) and lower mean birthweight (1124 g vs 3315 g) compared to NBW ones (p < 0.0001). Statistical significance has been found in the presence of early morbidity (p < 0.0001) and regular medication intake (p = 0.007). VLBW children got more frequently sweetened drinks during the day and night (p = 0.007). Regular oral hygiene practice was more frequent in full term group (p = 0.002). There was statistical difference in the presence of enamel hypoplasia in VLBW children (p = 0.033) but no statistical difference in the presence of hypomineralization (p = 0.0736) in comparison to NBW individuals. Proportional representation and count of S. mutans did not reveal statistical difference neither in both groups of children (p = 0.484) nor in both groups of mothers (p = 0.385).
Conclusions
The study confirmed anamnestic and medical differences between both groups. The proportional representation and count of S. mutans did not reveal statistical difference neither in VLBW and NBW children, nor in their mothers
Echography analysis of musculoskeletal, heart and liver alterations associated with endothelial dysfunction in obese rats
Authors: Coria Alejandra Martínez , Estrada-Cruz Norma Angélica , Ordoñez María Inés Pérez , Montes-Cortes Daniel H. , Manuel-Apolinar Leticia
Published: July 2020

Background: Modern imaging plays a central role in the care of obese patients, and there is an integral focus on its use and accessibility in individuals who have alterations of various in various organs. The objective in this study was to perform an echographic analysis of musculoskeletal system disorders, endothelial dysfunction and the left ventricle (LV) in obese rats. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats (250±5g) were obtained and divided into two groups: the control (C) group was fed with a standard diet, and the obese (Ob) group was fed hyper caloric diet with a high fructose-fat content for 4 months. Body weight, cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) were measured. Additionally, two-dimensional echocardiography, abdominal ultrasound and musculoskeletal system studies were performed in the lower extremities.Results: The body weight in the Ob group was increased compared to that in the control group, (p<0.001); in addition, increased glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations (p<0.05) as well as increased levels of the adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and, VCAM-1 (p<0.01) were found in the Ob group vs the C group. On ultrasound, 75% of the Ob group presented fatty liver and distal joint abnormalities. Conclusion: Obese rats exhibit endothelial dysfunction and musculoskeletal changes, also, fatty liver and articular cysts in the posterior region of the distal lower- extremity joints.
Perinatal listeriosis patients treated at a maternity hospital in Beijing, China, from 2013-2018
Authors: Li Chunyun , Zeng Huihui , Ding Xin , Chen Yi , Liu Xiaowei , Zhou Li , Wang Xin , Cheng Yumei , Hu Shanshan , Cao Zheng , Liu Ruixia , Yin Chenghong
Published: July 2020

Background: Listeriosis is a rare but severe foodborne infectious disease. Perinatal listeriosis is often associated with septicemia, central nervous system (CNS) infection, and serious adverse pregnancy outcomes (miscarriage and neonate death). Here we report the characteristics and outcomes of perinatal listeriosis cases treated over 6 years at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (BOGH), the largest maternity hospital in China.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of laboratory-confirmed, pregnancy-associated listeriosis cases treated from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2018. The clinical manifestations, laboratory results, perinatal complications and outcomes (post-natal follow-up of 6 months) were investigated.

Results: In BOGH, 12 perinatal listeriosis cases were diagnosed based on Listeria monocytogenes positive culture, including 10 single pregnancies and 2 twin pregnancies. The corresponding incidence of pregnancy-associated listeriosis was 13.7/100,000 deliveries. Among those cases, four pregnant women and four newborns had septicemia, and two of the neonates with septicemia also suffered CNS infection. All the maternal patients recovered. Two inevitable miscarriages and four fetal stillbirths occurred. Of the eight delivered newborns, six survived, and two died within 2 days from birth. None of the survivors had neurological sequelae during a 6-month follow-up. The overall feto-neonatal fatality rate was 57.1%; notably, this rate was 100% for infections occurring during the second trimester of pregnancy and only 14.3% for those occurring in the third trimester.

Conclusions: Perinatal listeriosis is associated with high feto-neonatal mortality, and thus, a public health concern. Additional large-scale studies are needed to strengthen the epidemiological understanding of listeriosis in China.
Acute bilateral granulomatous anterior uveitis as an extra-hepatic manifestation of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection: A case report.
Authors: Azimi Ali , Shirvani Mohammad , Hosseini Shahla , Bazojoo Vahid , Masihpour Nasrin , mohaghegh sahar , Sadeghi SeyedMohammad
Published: July 2020

Anterior uveitis (AU) is the most common form of uveitis. The differential diagnosis of AU is broad, ranging from infectious etiologies to autoimmune causes, yet approximately half remain idiopathic. Infections are the vision-threatening causes of AU which should be ruled out by history taking and detailed physical examination combined with guided work up. We report a rare case of bilateral granulomatous AU following hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in an immunocompetent patient. A 35-year-old male presented to our center with the chief complaints of pain and redness of both eyes from 3 days prior to the presentation. The patient’s medical and drug history was unremarkable. He had a history of river water consumption 20 days prior to presentation. Acute bilateral granulomatous AU was diagnosed and all routine work up for finding the etiology of the disease was unremarkable, except the serology of acute HAV infection which was positive. The patient managed with the topical steroid and cycloplegic for two weeks without recurrence in one-year follow up. Extra-hepatic complications of HAV were reported in previous studies including arthritis, urticaria, myocarditis, nephritis, and myositis. The mechanism of extra-hepatic complication of hepatitis A is unknown; however, immune-complex deposition is the most likely etiological cause. Our report represents a rare case of sudden onset with limited duration granulomatous AU as a presenting manifestation of HAV infection. Previous studies do not provide a direct evidence of granulomatous uveitis associated with the HAV infection.
Socia networkl support and harm reduction activities in a peer led pilot study, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Elkhalifa Sulaf , Jozaghi Ehsan , Marsh Samona , Thomson Erica , Gregg Delilah , Buxton Jane , JOLLY ANN
Published: July 2020

Background: People who smoke drugs (PWSD) are at high risk of both infectious disease and overdose. Harm reduction activities organised by their peers in the community can reduce risk by providing education; safer smoking supplies, and facilitate access to other services. Peers also provide a network of people who provide social support to PWSD which may reinforce harm reducing behaviours. We evaluated the numbers of supportive network members and the relationships between received support and participants’ harm reducing activities.Methods: Initial peer-researchers with past or current lived drug use experience were employed from communities in Abbotsford and Vancouver to interview ten friends from their social networks who use illegal drugs mainly through smoking. Contacts completed a questionnaire about people in their own harm reduction networks, and their relationships with each other. We categorised social support into informational, emotional and tangible aspects, and harm reduction into being trained in the use of, or carrying naloxone; assisting peers with overdoses, using brass screens to smoke, obtaining pipes from service organisations and being trained in CPR.Results: Fifteen initial peer-researchers interviewed 149 participants who provided information on up to 10 people who were friends or contacts and the relationships between them. People who smoked drugs in public were 1.46 (95% CI;1.13-1.78) more likely to assist others with possible overdoses if they received tangible support; women who received tangible support were 1.24(95% CI;1.02-1.45) more likely to carry, and be trained in the use of naloxone. There was no relationship between number of supportive network members and harm reduction behaviours.Conclusions: In this pilot study, PWSD who received tangible support were more likely to assist peers in possible overdoses and be trained in the use of and/or carry naloxone, than those who did not receive tangible support. Future work on the social relationships of PWSD may prove valuable in the search for credible and effective interventions.
Measurement of CSF core Alzheimer Disease biomarkers for routine clinical diagnosis: do fresh vs frozen samples differ?
Authors: Bellomo Giovanni , Cataldi Samuela , Paciotti Silvia , Paoletti Federico Paolini , Chiasserini Davide , Parnetti Lucilla
Published: July 2020

Background: cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid-beta (Aβ) 42/40 ratio, threonine-181-phosphorylated-tau (p-tau) and total-tau (t-tau) represent core biomarkers of Alzheimer Disease (AD). The recent availability of automated platforms has represented a significant achievement for reducing the pre-analytical variability of these determinations in clinical setting. With respect to classical manual ELISAs, these platforms give us also the possibility to measure any single sample and to get the result within approximately 30 min. So far, reference values have been calculated from measurements obtained in frozen samples. In this work, we wanted to check if the values obtained in fresh CSF samples differ from those obtained in frozen samples, since this issue is mandatory in routine diagnostic work.Methods: fifty-eight consecutive CSF samples have been analyzed immediately after lumbar puncture and after one-month deep freezing (-80°C). As automated platform we used Lumipulse G600-II (Fujirebio Inc.). Both the fresh and the frozen aliquots were analyzed in their storage tubes. Results: in fresh samples, a mean increase of Aβ40 (6%), Aβ42 (2%), p-tau (2%) and t-tau (4%) was observed as compared to frozen samples, whereas a slight decrease was observed for Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio (4%), due to the higher deviation of Aβ40 in fresh samples compared to Aβ42.These differences are significant for Aβ40, Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio, p-tau and t-tau. Nevertheless, Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio showed a lower variability (smaller standard deviation of relative differences) with respect to Aβ42. With respect to the AD profile according to the A/T/(N) criteria for AD diagnosis, no significant changes in classification were observed when comparing results obtained in fresh vs frozen samples. Conclusions: small but significant differences have been found for Aβ40, Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio, p-tau and t-tau in fresh vs frozen samples. Importantly, these differences did not imply a modification in the A/T/(N) classification system. In order to know if different cut-offs for fresh and frozen samples are required, larger, multi-center investigations are needed.
A translation and preliminary validation of the Dutch Wound-QoL questionnaire
Authors: Amesz Stella Felicia , Klein Toni , Meulendijks Audrey , Nguyen Tuong-Vi , Blome Christine , Roobol Petrie , Montfrans Catherine van
Published: July 2020

Background Chronic wounds have a major impact on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Therefore, measuring HRQoL is an indispensable part of the treatment of patients with chronic wounds.Objectives To translate and validate the Wound-QoL, a wound-specific HRQoL questionnaire, in a Dutch population. Methods The Wound-QoL was translated into Dutch according to the international standards. Patients with chronic wounds were asked to complete questionnaires at baseline (T0) and after 6 weeks (T1), including Wound-QoL, EQ-5D-3L (a generic questionnaire to measure HRQoL) and a visual analogue scale (VAS) measuring wound pain. If patients were not able to complete the questionnaire by themselves, it was read out to them by a nurse. Further data were obtained from medical records.Results Of the 120 patients included, 64 (53.3%) completed the questionnaire by themselves. To 55 patients (45.8%), the questionnaire was read out. The internal consistency of the Wound-QoL global score was high at both time points (T0: Cronbach’s α=0.89, T1: Cronbach’s α=0.92). The item selectivity for global score ranged from r=0.25 to r=0.77 at T0 and from r=0.40 to r=0.79 at T1. Overall, the self-completion and read-out subgroups showed similar internal consistency and item selectivity scores. With regard to convergent validity, significant correlations were found between Wound-QoL and EQ-5D-3L (T0: r=-0.45, p<0.001, T1: r=-0.50, p<0.001) as well as between Wound-QoL and pain VAS (T0: r=0.23, p=0.012, T1: r=0.37, p=0.001) at both time points. Responsiveness analyses showed significant correlations between changes in Wound-QoL and changes in EQ-5D-3L (r=-0.37, p<0.001), pain VAS (r=0.24, p=0.044) and wound size (r=0.24, p=0.013). The self-completion and read-out subgroups showed differences in convergent validity and responsiveness. Conclusions The results indicate that the Dutch version of the Wound-QoL has positive psychometric properties. However, more research is needed to further explore the differences between self-completed and read-out questionnaires.
Exosomal LncRNA–NEAT1 derived from MIF-treated mesenchymal stem cells protected against doxorubicin-induced cardiac senescence through sponging miR-221-3p
Authors: Zhuang Lei , Xia Wenzheng , Chen Didi , Ye Yijia , Hu Tingting , Li Shiting , Hou Meng
Published: July 2020

AIMS: The chemotherapy drug doxorubicin (Dox) is widely used for treating a variety of cancers. However, its high cardiotoxicity hampered its clinical use. Exosomes derived from stem cells showed a therapeutic effect against Dox-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC). Previous studies reported that exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) pretreated with macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) (exosomeMIF) showed a cardioprotective effect through modulating long noncoding RNAs/microRNAs (lncRNAs/miRs). This study aimed to investigate the role of exosomeMIF in the treatment of DIC. METHODS AND RESULTS: Exosomes were isolated from control MSCs (exosome) and MIF-pretreated MSCs (exosomeMIF). Regulatory lncRNAs activated by MIF pretreatment were explored using genomics approaches. Fluorescence-labeled exosomes were tracked in vitro by fluorescence imaging. In vivo and in vitro, miR-221-3p mimic transfection enforced miR-221-3p overexpression, and senescence-associated β-galactosidase assay was applied to test cellular senescence. Exosomal delivering LncRNA-NEAT1 induced therapeutic effect in vivo was confirmed by echocardiography. It demonstrated that exosomesMIF recovered the cardiac function and exerted the anti-senescent effect through LncRNA–NEAT1 transfer against Dox. TargetScan and luciferase assay showed that miR-221-3p targeted the Sirt2 3'-untranslated region. Silencing LncRNA–NEAT1 in MSCs, miR-221-3p overexpression or Sirt2 silencing in cardiomyocytes decreased the exosomeMIF-induced anti-senescent effect against Dox. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated exosomeMIF serving as a promising anti-senescent effector against Dox-induced cardiotoxicity through LncRNA–NEAT1 transfer, thus inhibiting miR-221-3p and leading to Sirt2 activation. The study proposed that exosomeMIF might have the potential to serve as a cardioprotective therapeutic agent during cancer chemotherapy.
"We can’t carry the weight of the whole world": Illness experiences among Peruvian older adults with symptoms of depression and anxiety
Authors: Flores-Flores Oscar , Zevallos-Morales Alejandro , Carrión Ivonne , Pawer Dalia , Rey Lorena , Checkley William , Hurst John , Siddharthan Trishul , Parodi Jose , Gallo Joseph , Pollard Suzanne
Published: July 2020

Background: Despite the high levels of depression and anxiety symptoms in old age, the use of mental health services in this population is low. Help-seeking behaviors are shaped by how an individual perceives and experiences their illness. The objective of this study was to characterize the illness experiences of Peruvian older adults with depression and anxiety symptoms in order to lay the foundation for tailored community-based mental health interventions.Methods: In this qualitative study, we conducted in-depth interviews with a purposively selected sample of older adults (≥ 60 years) from peri-urban areas of Lima, Peru. We included individuals with only depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 ≥ 10), only anxiety symptoms (Beck Anxiety Inventory ≥ 16), with depressive and anxiety symptoms, and older adults who mentioned they had received mental health treatment/care. The interview guide included the following topics: perceptions and experiences about depression and anxiety; perceptions about the relationship between physical chronic diseases and mental health; experiences with mental health professionals and treatments, and coping mechanisms. Data collection was conducted between October 2018 and February 2019. Results: We interviewed 38 participants (23 women, 15 men) with a mean age of 67.9 years. Participants’ ideas and perceptions of depression and anxiety showed considerable overlap. Participants attributed depression and anxiety mainly to familial and financial problems, loneliness, loss of independence and past traumatic experiences. Coping strategies used by older adults included ‘self-reflection and adaptation’ to circumstances, ‘do your part’, and seeking ‘emotional support’ mainly from non-professionals (relatives, friends, acquaintances, and religion). Conclusions: Illness experiences of depression and anxiety set the pathway for tailored community-based mental health interventions for older adults. Overlapping narratives and perceptions of depression and anxiety suggest that these conditions should be addressed together. Mental health interventions should incorporate addressing areas related to depression and anxiety such as prevention of loss of independence, trauma, and loneliness. Good acceptability of receiving emotional support for non-professionals might offer an opportunity to incorporate them when delivering mental health care to older adults.
Associations between adherence to MIND diet and severity, duration and frequency of migraine headaches among migraine patients
Authors: Askarpour Moein , yarizadeh Habib , Sheikhi Ali , Khorsha Faezeh , Mirzaei Khadijeh
Published: July 2020

Objectives: Migraine is a neurological disorder causing unbearable pain. Dietary approach is proposed as a preventive way of reducing the severity of migraine headaches. The present study aimed to examine the association between MIND diet and migraine headaches.Results: We found that participants with higher score of MIND diet compared to those with lower score, were less likely to have severe headaches (OR= 0.64; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.91; P= 0.01). Moreover, our results showed an inversed correlation between mind diet score and duration (β= -0.14, 95% CI: -1.42, -0.14, P=0.04) and frequency of headaches (β= -0.13, 95% CI: -0.99, -0.07, P= 0.03).
Biochemical response to cryothermal and radiofrequency exposure of the human myocardium at surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation: a randomized controlled trial.
Authors: Boano Gabriella , Aneq Meriam Åström , Spyrou Giannis , Enocsson Helena , Emmanouil Charitakis , Vánky Farkas
Published: July 2020

Background: Surgical cryothermia and radiofrequency (RF) ablations for atrial fibrillation (AF) seem to result in similar sinus rhythm restoration, but the biochemical consequences of the two methods are unclear. We aimed to compare the biochemical responses to the two ablative methods in concomitant mitral valve surgery (MVS). Methods: Sixty mitral valve surgery patients with AF were prospectively included. Forty-one patients planned for ablation were randomized to cryothermia (n=20) or radiofrequency (n=21) ablation and 19 served as controls. Markers for myocardial injury, inflammation, cell stress, apoptosis, and heart failure were analyzed pre- and postoperatively at different time points. Results: Troponin T and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) peak levels were significantly higher in the cryothermia group compared with the RF group (12805 [6140–15700] vs. 2790 [1880–4180] ng/L; P=0.002 and 271 [217–357] vs. 79 [66–93] µg/L; P<0.001, respectively). Both groups had significantly higher levels than the no-ablation group. There were no group differences in C-reactive protein (CRP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), but there were correlations between pre- and postoperative levels of both CRP (rs=0.41, P=0.001) and NT-proBNP (rs=0.48, P<0.001). Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) and heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) were significantly increased in the cryoablation group. Conclusions: Cryoablation results in a larger myocardial injury and possibly more elevated apoptotic activity and cell stress compared with the RF technique. The type of ablation device did not have any significant influence on the postoperative inflammatory response nor on the early postoperative levels of NT-proBNP.Trial registration: DOI:10.1186/ISRCTN14454361. Registered 16 November 2014 – Retrospectively registered, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN14454361
Health-Related Quality of Life following Minimally Invasive Totally Endoscopic Mitral Valve Surgery
Authors: Huang Ling-chen , Chen Dao-zhong , Chen Liang-wan , Xu Qi-chen , Zheng Zi-he , DAI XIAOFU
Published: July 2020

Background To compare the impact of two different types of mitral valve surgery on health-related quality of life, we conducted a retrospective study comparing modified totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery with median sternotomy mitral valve surgery.Methods A total of 163 patients who underwent mitral valve surgery at our institution between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019 were enrolled. For these 163 patients, mitral valve surgery was performed using either a modified totally endoscopic approach or median sternotomy approach. We used the numerical rating scale and the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating Scale to measure pain intensity and the aesthetic appearance of the surgical incision and used the MOS 36-item Short-Form Health Survey to assess health-related quality of life.Results Seventy-eight patients underwent the modified totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery, and eighty-five patients underwent the median sternotomy mitral valve surgery. The two groups of patients were similar in terms of demographics and echocardiography findings. The number of bioprosthetic valve replacements performed was significantly higher in the totally endoscopic group than in the median sternotomy group (p = 0.04), whereas the subvalvular apparatus was less preserved in only 33 cases in the totally endoscopic group (p = 0.01). The rate of postoperative adverse events was similar between the two groups. The pain was mild and aesthetic appearance was significantly better in the totally endoscopic approach group than in the sternotomy approach group. Significant differences in the scores for the bodily pain and mental health subscales of the MOS 36-item Short-Form Health Survey were found between the two groups.Conclusions Compared with median sternotomy mitral valve surgery, totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery has an equally good treatment effect, improving patient’s health-related quality of life with a better cosmetic appearance and a lower pain intensity. Our study suggested that the totally endoscopic approach is superior to the median sternotomy approach in terms of pain intensity, aesthetic appearance and health-related quality of life.
Adverse Childhood Experiences are Associated with illicit drug use among pregnant women with middle to high socioeconomic status: Findings from the All Our Families Cohort
Authors: Currie Cheryl L. , Tough Suzanne C
Published: July 2020

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with illicit drug use among pregnant women who are socioeconomically vulnerable. While it is assumed that the impact of ACEs on illicit drug use is reduced among pregnant women who are well educated and have higher socioeconomic status, this assumption has not been well tested in the literature. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of maternal ACEs on illicit drug use among pregnant women who are well-educated women, have middle to high household incomes, and seeking regular prenatal care. Findings can inform clinicians about potential associations between ACEs and drug use in pregnancy within a population that they are frequently in contact with. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study that collected data from 1,680 women during and after pregnancy in Calgary, Canada between 2008-2011 using mailed surveys. Illicit drug use in pregnancy was self-reported by women at 34-36 weeks gestation. An established scale examined maternal ACEs before 18 years. Logistic regression models and 95% confidence intervals tested associations between maternal ACE scores and illicit drug use in pregnancy. Results: Overall, 3.3­­­% of women in this predominantly married, well-educated, middle and upper middle income sample (mean age 31 years) reported illicit drug use in pregnancy. Women with 2-3 ACEs had more than a two-fold increase, and women with 4 or more ACEs had almost a four-fold increase in illicit drug use in pregnancy, relative to women with 0-1 ACEs after adjustment for confounders. Exposure to child abuse was more consistently associated with illicit drug use in pregnancy than exposure to household dysfunction in childhood. Conclusions: Findings combine with others to speak to the public health significance of maternal ACEs on substance use among expectant mothers across the socioeconomic spectrum; particularly child abuse. This information, can be used by women and the clinicians serving them, to better understand the role that ACEs could play in their decision to use illicit drugs in pregnancy.
Analysis Strategy for Assisted Selection of Rice Eating Quality by Using Starch Properties
Authors: Li Xu , Mao Ting , Wang Yu , Sui Xin , Ren Hai , Lü Hong Xiao , Ma Chang , Du Meng , Fu Dong Li
Published: July 2020

Background

Eating quality is the main factor affecting the commodity value of commercial rice. However, its determination relies on sensory evaluations, which require large samples, are easily influenced by subjective factors and are time consuming. In order to make the determination of eating quality more efficient, a set of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) obtained from the hybridization of indica and japonica rice was used as the test material to analyze the relationship between starch characteristics and the eating quality (EQ) score, from sensory evaluation. An implementation protocol was proposed for starch assisted-selection of eating quality.
Results

Among the RILs, the values of the measured parameters for amylose content (AC), trough viscosity (TV), final viscosity (FV), breakdown (BD) and setback (SB) were significantly correlated with the EQ values ​​obtained by sensory evaluation. The RILs with higher EQ scores, generally had low AC, TV, FV and SB, but high BD. By normalizing and summing the AC, TV, FV, SB and BD indicators, a comprehensive indicator—viz., the starch properties quality (SPQ)—was established, to assess starch quality. The SPQ value was better correlated with EQ than any of the individually measured parameters, suggesting that the model is valid. This method requires much smaller rice samples than sensory evaluations, i.e., three grams of milled rice flour.
Conclusions

Therefore, the SPQ indicator is a rapid, objective and convenient technique for the rapid assessment of rice eating quality in a large number of crossbreeding progeny, especially early-generation progeny, from which only small samples of rice grains are available.
Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol in Oblique lumbar interbody fusion(OLIF): a case-controlled study
Authors: Li Renjie , Shao Xiaofeng , Jiang Weimin
Published: July 2020

Background Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) attempts to decrease the surgical stress response to minimize postoperative complications and improve functional rehabilitation after major surgery, but it have not been widely utilized in spinal surgery. This study is to evaluate the implementation of an ERAS pathway for patients undergoing oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) surgery.Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patient who underwent OLIF in 2018 prior to ERAS (“pre-ERAS” ,n=23) and in 2019 after ERAS was instituted (“ERAS”, n=24). Major outcomes were collected included demographics, length of hospital stay, financial cost, postoperative complications, off-bed time and perioperative factors. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the pain. The ERAS pathway and compliance with pathway elements were also recorded.Results After ERAS implementation, we found no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the two groups. In our study, the mean stay in the hospital was significantly lower (p= 0.033) in the ERAS group (15.3±3.9 days) compared to the standard pathway group (13.0±3.1 days). In comparison to the standard group, we also found a variation between the financial costs of surgery and hospitalization [(16446.5±4353.3)vs(14237.7±2784.9) USD, P < 0.05]. The ERAS group manifested a lower blood loss compared with the pre-ERAS group with statistical significance [(68.3±57.1)vs(119.3±104.8) ml, P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference in operative time, complications, and 30-d readmission rates ( P > 0.05 ). Pain scores between the two groups showed a significant difference during the 3th hour and 6th hour (P < 0.05).Conclusion Institution of an ERAS protocol appears to accelerate functional recovery and reduce length of stay, financial costs and decreased pain.
Presymptomatic viral shedding and infective ability of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2
Authors: Nissen Karolina , Hagbom Marie , Krambrich Janina , Akaberi Dario , Sharma Sumit , Ling Jiaxin , Hoffman Tove , Bondeson Kåre , Svensson Lennart , Lundkvist Åke , Salaneck Erik
Published: July 2020

We report repeated rRT-PCR detection and infective ability of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from a health care worker three days prior to mild COVID-19 symptoms. We propose that this provides evidence for potential early presymptomatic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and that contagiousness may arise shortly after exposure.
Rate and Neonatal Outcomes Among Instrument Assisted Vaginal Birth in 12 Public Hospitals in Nepal
Authors: Thakur Nishant , Sunny Avinash K , Gurung Rejina , Basnet Omkar , Litorp Helena , KC Ashish
Published: July 2020

Background Instrument assisted vaginal birth (IVB) is an effective intervention for deliveries complicated by prolonged labour or fetal distress, but its use is declining in many low-resource settings. In this paper, we examined intra-hospital rates of IVB, factors associated, and neonatal outcomes after IVB in Nepal. Methods This is a prospective cohort study of all deliveries conducted in 12 public hospitals (4 high volume, 4 medium volume and 4 low volume) across Nepal for 18 months . We calculated the rate of IVB and used logistic regression to assess the association between IVB and neonatal morbidity (Apgar score < 7 at 5 minutes, shoulder dystocia) and mortality.Results A total of 81,581 deliveries were included in the study, of which 3001 (3.4%) were IVBs., while rates in high volume, medium volume, and small volume hospitals were 3.6%, 3.7% and 1.2% respectively. The odds of Apgar score < 7 at 5 minutes was almost three-fold (aOR 2.92, 95% CI, 2.49-3.42) with IVB compared to spontaneous vaginal birth (SVB). The odds of shoulder dystocia was three-fold (aOR 3.04, 95% CI, 2.19-4.22) with IVB compared to SVB. The odds of first day mortality was lower in medium volume (aOR-0.57, 95% CI, 0.42-0.78) hospitals compared to high volume hospitals. Conclusions The rate of IVB varied by volume of hospital. The neonatal outcome were poor among the babies born to IVB, and neonatal outcomes were worse after IVB at high-volume hospitals. Further studies to explore factors determining the rate of IVB and better neonatal outcomes.
Pregnancy vs. Paycheck: A qualitative study of patient’s experience with employment during pregnancy at high risk for preterm birth
Authors: Wheeler Sarahn M. , Massengale Kelley E. C. , Adewumi Konyin , Fitzgerald Thelma A. , Dombeck Carrie B. , Swezey Teresa , Swamy Geeta K. , Corneli Amy
Published: July 2020

Background: Pregnant women with a history of preterm birth are at risk for recurrence, often requiring frequent prenatal visits for close monitoring and/or preventive therapies. Employment demands can limit uptake and adherence to recommended monitoring and preterm birth prevention therapies. Method: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study using in-depth interviews (IDIs) of pregnant women with a history of preterm birth. IDIs were conducted by trained qualitative interviewers following a semi-structured interview guide focused on uncovering barriers and facilitators to initiation of prenatal care, including relevant employment experiences, and soliciting potential interventions to improve prompt prenatal care initiation. The IDIs were analyzed via applied thematic analysis.Results: Participants described multiple ways that being pregnant impacted their earning potential, ranging from voluntary work-hour reduction, involuntary duty hour reductions by employers, truncated promotions, and termination of employment. Participants also shared varying experiences with workplace accommodations to their work environment and job duties based on their pregnancy. Some of these accommodations were initiated by a collaborative employee/employer discussion, others were initiated by the employer’s perception of safe working conditions in pregnancy, and some accommodations were based on medical recommendations. Participants described supportive and unsupportive employer reactions to requests for accommodations.Conclusions: Our findings provide novel insights into women’s experiences balancing a pregnancy at increased risk for preterm birth with employment obligations. While many women reported positive experiences, the most striking insights came from women who described negative situations that ranged from challenging to potentially unlawful. Many of the findings suggest profound misunderstandings likely exist at the patient, employer and clinical provider level about the laws surrounding employment in pregnancy, safe employment responsibilities during pregnancy, and the range of creative accommodations that often allow for continued workplace productivity even during high risk pregnancy.
Clinical Efficacy of Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy for the Treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis in Elderly Patients
Authors: Li hua , Ou Yufu , Xie Furong , Liang Weiguo , Tian Gang , Li Hongyu
Published: July 2020

Background: Although: percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is increasingly being used to treat lumbar degenerative disease, the treatment of elderly patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) involves considerable uncertainty. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of PELD for the treatment of LSSin elderly patients aged 65 years or older. Methods: In this retrospective review, 136 patients aged 65 years or older who underwent PELD to treat LSS were evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups, group A (age 65-74) and group B (age ≥ 75), and perioperative data were analyzed. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, visual analog scale (VAS) score, and MacNab classification were used to evaluate postoperative clinical efficacy. Results: All patients successfully underwent the operation with satisfactory treatment outcomes. Compared to preoperative scores, the self-reported scores or pain while performing daily activities were significantly improved in both treatment groups (P<0.05).No statistically significant between-group differences were observed in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative bed rest, and postoperative hospital stay (P > 0.05). The overall postoperative complication rate was similar between the two groups.Moreover, no statistically significant differences in VAS-back pain scores, VAS-leg pain scores, JOA scores, and MacNab classification were found between the groups at the 3-month and 1.5-year follow-up examinations (P>0.05).Conclusion: PELD is safe and effective for the treatment of LSS in elderly patients. Age is not a contraindication for decompressive lumbar spine surgery. PELD has advantages such as reduced trauma, fewer anesthesia-related complications, and a fast postoperative recovery.Elderly patients should be considered good candidates for lumbar decompression surgery using minimally invasive techniques.
Investigating the Frequency of Free-living Amoeba in Water Resources of Bandar Abbas City, Hormozgan Province, Iran 2019-2020
Authors: Attariani Homa , Turki Habibollah , Shoja Saeed , Salahi-Moghaddam Abdoreza , Ghanbarnejad Amin , Shamseddin Jebreil
Published: July 2020

Objective
These amoebas can cause dangerous illnesses when they accidentally enter the human body, so it is necessary to determine various forms of organisms in water resources to prevent the danger they can cause risks to human health. Currently, in Bandar Abbas, there is no sufficient information about the distribution of Acanthamoeba, and we intended to study its frequency.
Results
Out of 83 water samples collected from different resources in the city, 31 plates (37.3%) were found to be positive for free-living amoebae. Of these, five were identified (6%) by culture method and 8 (9.6%) by molecular method. Positive sample sequence analysis enables us to distinguish two genotypes of T4 and T15 in this study.
Ganglioneurofibroma Arising Within the Extralobar Pulmonary Sequestration
Authors: Liu Yuanyuan , Wu Wenbin , Gong Longbo , Zhang Miao
Published: July 2020

Background: Neurogenic tumor arising within the pulmonary sequestration (PS) is rare.Case Presentation: A 42-year-old asymptomatic female was referred to our hospital for work-up of extralobar PS. The independent feeding artery from the thoracic aorta was confirmed by three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA). Extrapulmonary lesions were excluded by whole-body radiographical examinations. Uniportal thoracoscopic resection of the sequestrated lung and mediastinal lymph node sampling was performed successfully. Finally, ganglioneurofibroma within the PS was confirmed by pathological staining. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 3rd postoperative day without tumor recurrence a year after surgery.Conclusion: Preoperative 3D-CTA is useful to verify the aberrant vessels of PS; whereas an elaborate diagnostic work-up after a timely resection is necessary for possible subsequent management and follow-up plan.
One-step heating strategy for efficient solubilization of recombinant spider silk protein from inclusion bodies
Authors: Cai Hui , Chen Gefei , Yu Hairui , Tang Ying , Xiong Sidong , Qi Xingmei
Published: July 2020

Background: Spider silk is a proteinaceous fiber with remarkable mechanical properties spun from spider silk proteins (spidroins). Engineering spidroins have been successfully produced in a variety of heterologous hosts and the most widely used expression system is Escherichia coli (E. coli). So far, recombinantly expressed spidroins often form insoluble inclusion bodies (IBs), which will often be dissolved under extremely harsh conditions in a traditional manner, e.g. either 8 mol/L urea or 6 mol/L guanidine hydrochloride, highly risking to poor recovery of bioactive proteins as well as unexpected precipitations during dialysis process. Results: Here, we present a mild solubilization strategy—one-step heating method to solubilize spidroins from IBs, with combining spidroins’ high thermal stability with low concentration of urea. A 430-aa recombinant protein (designated as NM) derived from the minor ampullate spidroin of Araneus ventricosus was expressed in E. coli, and the recombinant proteins were mainly present in insoluble fraction as IBs. The isolated IBs were solubilized parallelly by both traditional urea-denatured method and one-step heating method, respectively. The solubilization efficiency of NM IBs in Tris-HCl pH 8.0 containing 4 mol/L urea by one-step heating method was already comparable to that of 7 mol/L urea with using traditional urea-denatured method. The effects of buffer, pH and temperature conditions on NM IBs solubilization of one-step heating method were evaluated, respectively, based on which the recommended conditions are: heating temperature 70–90°C for 20 min, pH 7.0–10, urea concentration 2–4 mol/L in normal biological buffers. The recombinant NM generated via the one-step heating method held the potential functions with self-assembling into sphere nanoparticles with smooth morphology.Conclusions: The one-step heating method introduced here efficiently solubilizes IBs under relatively mild conditions compared to the traditional ones, which might be important for the downstream applications; however, this protocol should be pursued carefully in terms of urea-induced modification sensitive applications. Further, this method can be applied under broad buffer, pH and temperature conditions, conferring the potential to apply to other thermal stable proteins.
Improved Prognosis for Recurrent Epithelial Ovarian Cancer By early Diagnosis and 125I Seeds Implantation During Suboptimal Secondary Cytoreductive Surgery: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: xiao lin , Tang Junying , Li Wenbo , Xu Xuexun , Zhang Hao
Published: July 2020

Background: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has the worst prognosis in all of gynecologic malignant tumors because of its high recurrence and eventually chemo-resistance. Early diagnosis of recurrence is crucial to avoid diffuse dissemination. Traditional treatment failure in recurrent ovarian cancer remains a challenge for clinicians. On the other hand, 125I brachytherapy has been accepted as a useful treatment for multiple advanced cancers in recent years. However, its success in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer is limited. Here we report a case of recurrent ovarian cancer who had been early diagnosis of isolated recurrence and successfully treated with 125I seeds implantation during suboptimal cytoreductive surgery.Case presentation: A 59-year-old woman presented with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer who have had a medical history of ovarian cancer stage IIIB and an R0 resection had been achieved before presented in our hospital. She underwent suboptimal secondary cytoreductive surgery after four cycles of chemotherapy with little effectiveness and severe chemotherapy-related side effects. Approximately 70% of the cancer-bulk was resected during surgery. For residual lesion which fixed around the right ureter and right external iliac vessel, 125I seeds implantation was performed. Postoperatively, the patient was treated with two cycles of combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin. The patient was free of disease at 26 months’ follow-up period. Conclusion: In recurrent EOC patients with unresectable isolated lesion, salvage 125I seeds implantation are feasible and may contribute to survival.
Genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis of highly and weakly virulent strains of Sclerotium rolfsii, the causal agent of peanut stem rot
Authors: Yan Liying , Wang Zhihui , Song Wanduo , Fan Pengmin , Kang Yanping , Lei Yong , Wan Liyun , Huai Dongxin , Chen Yuning , Wang Xin , Sudini Hari , Liao Boshou
Published: July 2020

Background
Stem rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii is a very important soil-borne disease to peanut worldwide. S. rolfsii is a necrotrophic plant pathogenic fungus with an extensive host range and worldwide distribution. It can infect peanut stems, roots, pegs and pods, leading to varied yield losses. S. rolfsii strains GP3 and ZY collected from peanut in different provinces of China exhibited significant difference in virulence on peanut by artificial inoculation test. In this study, de-novo genome sequencing of these two distinct strains was performed in the hopes of revealing the genomic basis of virulence differentiation.
Results
Scleotium rolfsii strains GP3 and ZY, with weak and high virulence on peanut, respectively, exhibited similar growth rate and oxalic acid production in laboratory. The genomes of S. rolfsii strains GP3 and ZY were sequenced by Pacbio long read technology and exhibited 70.61 Mb and 70.51 Mb, with contigs of 27 and 23, and encoded 17,097 and 16,743 putative protein genes, respectively. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that the pathogenicity-related gene repertoires, which might be associated with the virulence, diverged between GP3 and ZY. Detailed analysis further revealed 58 and 45 unique pathogen-host interaction (PHI) genes in GP3 and ZY, respectively. The ZY strain had more carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) in its secretome than GP3, especially in the glycoside hydrolase family (GH), the carbohydrate esterase family (CBM), and the polysaccharide lyase family (PL). GP3 and ZY also had different effector candidates. These results indicated that differences in PHI, secreted CAZymes, and effectors may play important roles in virulence differentiation between these two strains.
Conclusions
The data provided a further understanding of the S. rolfsii genome. Detailed comparative genomic analysis provided clues into the genomic basis of its necrotrophic lifestyle and virulence diversification.
The Kalmag Model as a Candidate for IGRF-13
Authors: Baerenzung Julien , Holschneider Matthias , Wicht Johannes , Lesur Vincent , Sanchez Sabrina
Published: July 2020

We present a new model of the Geomagnetic field spanning the last 20 years and called Kalmag. Deriving from the assimilation of CHAMP and SWARM vector field measurements, it separates the different contributions to the observable field through parameterized prior covariance matrices. To make the inverse problem numerically feasible it has been sequentialized in time though the combination of a Kalman filter and a smoothing algorithm. The model provides reliable estimates of past, present and future mean fields and associated uncertainties. The version presented here is an update of our IGRF candidates, the amount of assimilated data has been doubled and the considered time window has been extended from [2000.5,2019.74] to [2000.5,2020.33].