bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Regard to their Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Palestinians of the West Bank
Authors: Shawahna Ramzi , Samaro Saed , Ahmad Zaid
Published: December 2020

Background: In Palestine, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a rapidly growing health concern. This study was conducted to evaluate current knowledge, attitudes, and practices among Palestinian patients with T2DM in the West Bank and to assess association between knowledge, attitudes, and practices with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in primary healthcare facilities frequently visited by patients with T2DM across the West Bank of Palestine. A pre-validated interviewer administered questionnaire was used to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices of patients with T2DM with regard to their disease.Results: Data were collected from 220 patients with T2DM. Patients who were younger than 55 years old (p-value = 0.002), male (p-value = 0.038), never married (p-value = 0.001), employed (p-value = 0.003), had university degree (p-value <0.001), had higher income (p-value <0.001), diagnosed less than 7 years ago (p-value = 0.009), and had usual fasting plasma glucose of less than 140 mg/dL (p-value = 0.027) tended to score more than 50% in the knowledge items. Patients who had higher income tended to have higher positive attitudes (p-value = 0.041) toward their disease. Patients who were younger than 55 years old (p-value = 0.002), employed (p-value = 0.003), had university degree (p-value <0.001), diagnosed less than 7 years ago (p-value = 0.009), had usual fasting plasma glucose of less than 140 mg/dL (p-value = 0.027), had usual postprandial plasma glucose of less than 200 mg/dL (p-value = 0.027), had usual HbA1c of less than 7% (p-value = 0.027) tended to score more than 80% in the practice items.Conclusions: The study established correlation between knowledge, attitude, and practice scores with sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients with T2DM in Palestine. Findings of this study highlighted the need for appropriately designed interventions to increase knowledge of T2DM and its complications, address the negative attitudes toward the disease, and promote healthy practices with regard to the disease. Future studies are still needed to assess if such interventions could be effective in improve health outcomes and quality of life of patients with T2DM in Palestine.
Cardiorespiratory Fitness is Associated with Multiple other Physical Fitness Components in 7-14-year-olds: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Kasović Mario , Štefan Lovro , Petrić Vilko , Štemberger Vesna , Blažević Iva
Published: December 2020

BackgroundAlthough evidence suggests that cardiorespiratory fitness is the most important component associated with future health, little is known of how it is associated with multiple other physical fitness components. Since various physical fitness aspects do not change the same as cardiorespiratory fitness during childhood, it is necessary to establish possible associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and other physical fitness components in children. Therefore, the main purpose of the study was to test the associations between cardiorespiratory fitness with motor performance and body size in 7-14-year-old children.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we recruited 1612 children (52.5% girls). Health-related physical fitness components included: 1) body-mass index (kg/m2) calculated from height and weight (measure of body size), 2) sit-and-reach test (measure of flexibility), 3) standing long jump (measure of explosive strength), 4) sit-ups in 30 sec (measure of repetitive strength), 5) 10x5 shuttle run test (measure of agility) and 6) 20-m shuttle run test (measure of aerobic capacity). The associations were performed using generalized estimating equations with β coefficients.ResultsAfter adjusting for age, cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with sit-and-reach test (β=0.13, p<0.001), standing long jump (β=0.59, p<0.001), sit-ups in 30 sec (β=0.53, p<0.001) and 10x5 shuttle run test (β=-0.56, p<0.001) in boys. In girls, cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with body-mass index (β=-0.12, p<0.001), sit-and-reach test (β=0.21, p<0.001), standing long jump (β=0.25, p<0.001), sit-ups in 30 sec (β=0.36, p<0.001) and 10x5 shuttle run test (β=-0.40, p<0.001). No significant associations between cardiorespiratory fitness and body-mass index in boys were observed.ConclusionsAlthough significant, cardiorespiratory fitness is weakly to moderately associated with other physical fitness components, pointing out that such measure should be tested separately from other aspects of physical fitness in school-aged children.
Structural Transformation vs. Environmental Quality: The Experience of the Low-income countries in Sub Saharan Africa
Authors: Awad Atif
Published: December 2020

Structural transformation has been recognized as a critical mechanism for improving living standards for developing countries in Africa. However, the growing evidence indicates that such change is associated with considerable damage to the environment quality and, hence, challenging sustainable development. The present study investigates industrialization's influence on the environment quality for 20 low-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa during 1980-2018. We employed two measurements for environmental quality, which are CO2 and nitrous dioxide emissions. Likewise, the study applied the Fully modified OLS and the Dynamic OLS as the most modern and suitable techniques related to the panel data analysis. Overall, the FMOL and DOLS results show that industrialization has an insignificant influence on environmental quality. The results also show that these countries' population size is the main driver for environmental quality changes. This finding implies that these countries should continue in their current efforts regarding promoting the industrial sector without wondering about sustainable development.
Efficacy of Natural Cycle versus GnRH-a Down Regulation Cycle of Endometrial Preparation in Minimal and Mild endometriosis Patients Undergoing Frozen-Thawed Embryo Transfer
Authors: Li Ya , Zhong Jing , Tang Songyuan , Wang Lili , Zhong Ying
Published: December 2020

Background Minimal and mild endometriosis patients with infertility are treated by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ET/ICSI) in recent years. However, inconsistencies in findings within and across individual studies raise concerns as to determine which method is the best treatment, especially in the frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle (FET). We hope to compare the efficacy of natural cycle versus GnRH-a down regulation cycle endometrial preparations in minimal and mild endometriosis patients undergoing FET. Methods We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 1170 minimal and mild endometriosis patients receiving FET at the Reproductive Medicine Centre from Chengdu Jinjiang Hospital for Maternal and Child Health Care from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018. They were assigned to the natural cycle group and the GnRH-a down regulation cycle group based on endometrial preparation protocols. Baseline characteristics, frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle and pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results There were nonsignificant differences in baseline characteristics including age, BMI, types of infertility, the duration of infertility and the delivery history between the natural cycle group and the GnRH-a down regulation cycle group (P>0.05). The biochemical pregnancy rate (63.62% v.s. 53.83%), clinical pregnancy rate (56.10% v.s. 47.49%), implantation rate (43.19% v.s. 34.88%) and live birth rate (44.31% v.s. 35.84%) in the natural cycle group were significantly higher than those in the GnRH-a down regulation cycle group (P<0.05). However, there were nonsignificant differences in the multiple birth rate, abortion rate, ectopic pregnancy rate, premature birth rate, neonatal weight and length between the two groups (P>0.05). The multivariate regression analysis showed that age, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), the number of transplanted high-quality blastocysts and endometrial preparation protocols were associated with the live birth rate in minimal and mild endometriosis women undergoing FET (P<0.05). Conclusion Compared with GnRH-a down regulation cycle, natural cycle endometrial preparation of FET is a prominent endometrial preparation method for improving the implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate in minimal and mild endometriosis patients, which is more cost-effective in clinical practice.
Chronic Maternal Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Pregnancy Outcome - A Single Center Study in Kunming, China
Authors: Sun Qian , Lao Terence Tzu-Hsi , Du Mingyu , Xie Min , Sun Yonghu , Bai Bing , Ma Junnan , Zhu Tianying , Yu Shengnan , Ma Runmei
Published: December 2020

Background: Chinese population has a high prevalence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, the impact of which on pregnancy outcome remains controversial. A single-center retrospective cohort study was performed in Kunming, a multi-ethnic city in south-western China to examine this issue. Methods: The singleton pregnancies delivering at ≥28 weeks gestation under our care in 2005-2017 constituted the study cohort. Maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcome were compared between mothers with and without seropositivity for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) determined at routine antenatal screening. Results: Among the 49,479 gravidae in the cohort, the 1624 (3.3%) HBsAg seropositive gravidae had a lower incidence of nulliparity (RR 0.963, 95% CI 0.935-0.992) and having received tertiary education (RR 0.829, 95% CI 0.784-0.827). There was no significant difference in the medical history, pregnancy complications, or labor or perinatal outcome, except that HBV carriers had significantly lower incidence of labor induction (RR 0.827, 95% CI 0.714-0.958) and of small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants (RR 0.854, 95% CI 0.734-0.994). On regression analysis, maternal HBV carriage was independently associated with spontaneous labor (aRR 1.231, 95% CI 1.044-1.451) and reduced SGA infants (aRR 0.842, 95% CI 0.712-0.997). Conclusions: Our 3.3% prevalence of maternal HBV infection was around the lower range determined in the Chinese population. The association with spontaneous labor and reduced SGA infants could have helped to promote the perpetuation of the infection through enhanced survival of the offspring infected at birth, thus explaining the high prevalence in the Chinese population.
Novel design of a contractible, tubular continuum manipulator
Authors: Xing Zhiguang , Wang Pengyuan , Zhao Jianwen
Published: December 2020

Continuum manipulators have advantages in narrow space detections and operations than the rigid-body robots. In this paper, we novel designed a continuum manipulator with contractible/extensive abilities that give the manipulator more agile and flexible motion than those without these. The robotic system is composed of the continuum deforming body, driving tendons, and a mechanism. To enhance the displacement accuracy of the tendons and compact the package, the mechanism was designed as a controlled winding roller with rotation and translation motion. A prototype of the robotic system was made to evaluate the motion ability of the proposed design.
Survival and Biomarkers of COVID-19 Patients Treated with Remdesivir and Favipiravir in ICU: A Single Center Experience in Bangladesh
Authors: M Nasir , RA Perveen , M Murshed , R Nazneen , KA Talha
Published: December 2020

Background: Since the first detection of a bunch of COVID-19 in late 2019, it become a global concern due to its transmissibility and ability to progress patients in severe respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome, which need intensive care unit support for a long time. We observed the repurposing use of remdesivir and favipiravir whether considered as a therapeutic option or not through survival rate and changes in biomarker during 10-day treatment stay in ICU.Materials and method: The retrospective observational study in a tertiary care hospital dedicated to COVID-19 at Dhaka, Bangladesh was done at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh. The mortality rate, length of ICU stays and eight prognostic biomarkers of patients treated with remdesivir and favipiravir was observed as one of the first ever reported experience in Bangladesh.Results: Among the critically ill patients in ICU, 26 (44.8%) died and 32 (55.2%) were cured during the study period and highest mean duration of stay in ICU was observed (14.33 days and 18.13 days) in FPV-treated patients. Mean of means for all biomarkers CRP (26.0) and d-Dimer (2.64) was recorded higher in favipiravir treated patients in death cases, but NLR, d-NLR, platelet, PLR was much higher in remdesivir treated patient of both death and improved cases. Though overall outcome variables between death and improved cases were not statistically significant (p<0.39)Conclusion: The severity of disease progression in critically ill COVID-19 patients in ICU depends on comorbidities and hyper responsive inflammatory or immunological biomarkers to predict. Though the emergency use authorization and repurposing use of different antivirals are still on trial, but remdesivir and favipiravir revealed not much hope in improving prognostic biomarkers, survival rate and disease progression at the initial peak of pandemic in Bangladesh.
Gene Expression Profiling of Inflammatory Cytokines in Esophageal Biopsies of Different Phenotypes of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zavala-Solares Monica , Fonseca-Camarillo Gabriela , Valdovinos Miguel , Granados Julio , Grajales-Figueroa Guido , Zamora-Nava Luis , Aguilar-Olivos Nancy , Valdovinos-García Luis , Yamamoto-Furusho Jesus K.
Published: December 2020

Background: Patients clinical endoscopic phenotypes in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are classified as: Barrett's esophagus (BE), erosive esophagitis (EE) and non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (NERD). NERD are subclassified in Abnormal acid exposure (AAE) and Normal acid exposure (NAE) according to pH monitoring study. The aim of this study was to characterize genes involved in the pathophysiology and immune response of GERD. Methods: This is an observational and cross-sectional study. All patients with BE, EE, AAE, NAE and control group were subjected to a superior endoscopy (with biopsies of esophageal mucosa). The cytokine mRNA relative quantification of target genes was conducted by RT-PCR. Changes in gene expression were assessed of the genes associated with inflammation in each disease phenotype. Statistical analysis of differential gene expression was performed by using Dunn's Multiple Comparison non-parametric test. A p value < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: A total of 82 patients were included and they were divided into the following groups: Group BE 16 (19.51%), Group EE 23 (28.04%), Group AAE 13 (15.86%), NAE (15.86%) and Control Group 17 (20.73%). When comparing with control group we found: patients with BE showed an increased expression of IL-8 (P<0.005) and higher levels of: IL-10 and MMP-3, MMP-9 as well; patients with EE had higher levels of IL-1B, IL-6 and IL-10 (P<0.005), patients with AAE showed an increased expression of Il-1B, Il-6, IFN-γ and TNF-α (P<0.005). AAE had a higher expression of Il-1B and TNF-α than NAE (P<0.005). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the differential expression of mediators of inflammation in the esophageal mucosa of patients in GERD endoscopic phenotypes. MMP3 could be implicated in damage to esophageal mucosa. IL-1B and TNF-α could be a differential diagnosis between AAE and NAE in the non-erosive phenotype from endoscopic biopsies.
Evaluation of the contribution of tropical cyclone seeds to changes in tropical cyclone frequency due to global warming in high-resolution multi-model ensemble simulations
Authors: Yamada Yohei , Kodama Chihiro , Satoh Masaki , Sugi Masato , Roberts Malcolm J , Mizuta Ryo , Noda Akira T , Nasuno Tomoe , Nakano Masuo , Vidale Pier Luigi
Published: December 2020

Previous projections of the frequency of tropical cyclone genesis due to global warming, even in terms of sign of the change, depends on the chosen model simulation. Here, we systematically examine projected changes in tropical cyclones using six global atmospheric models with medium-to-high horizontal resolutions included in the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project/High-Resolution Model Intercomparison Project. Changes in the frequency of tropical cyclone genesis could be broken down into the contributions from (i) the tropical cyclone seed, a depression having a closed contour of sea level pressure with a warm core and (ii) the survival rate, the ratio of the frequency of tropical cyclone genesis to that of tropical cyclone seeds. The multi-model ensemble mean indicates that tropical cyclone genesis frequencies are significantly decreased during the period 1990–2049, which is attributable to changes in tropical cyclone seeds. Analysis of the individual models shows that although most models project a more or less decreasing trend in tropical cyclone genesis frequencies and seeds, the survival rate also contributes to the result in some models. The present study indicates the usefulness of decomposition into the frequency of the tropical cyclone seeds and the survival rate to understand the cause of uncertainty in projected frequencies of tropical cyclone genesis.
Integrated analysis of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network and the potential prognosis indicators in sarcomas
Authors: Gao Lu , Zhao Yu , Ma Xuelei , Zhang Ling
Published: December 2020

Background: Competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) has been demonstrated to play crucial roles in multiple biological processes and in the development of neoplasms that potentially serve as diagnostic and prognosis markers as well as therapeutic targets.Methods: In this work, we identified differentially expressed mRNAs (DEGs), lncRNAs (DELs) and miRNAs (DEMs) in sarcoma by comparing the genes expression profiles between sarcoma samples and normal tissue samples in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were applied to investigate the primary functions of the overlapped DEGs. Then, lncRNA-miRNA and miRNA-mRNA interactions were predicted, and the ceRNA regulatory network was constructed in Cytoscape. In addition, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and survival analysis was performed.Results: A total of 1296 DEGs were identified in sarcoma samples by combining the GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses, 338 DELs were discovered after the probes were reannotated, and 36 DEMs were ascertained through intersecting two different expression miRNAs sets. Further, through target gene prediction, a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network that contained 113 mRNAs, 69 lncRNAs and 29 miRNAs was constructed. The PPI network identified the six most significant hub proteins. Survival analysis revealed that seven mRNAs, four miRNAs and one lncRNA were associated with overall survival of sarcoma patients.Conclusions: Overall, we constructed a ceRNA network in sarcomas, which likely provides insights for further research on the molecular mechanism and potential prognosis biomarkers.
A real world feasibility trial of the PLAYshop: a brief intervention to facilitate parent engagement in developing their child’s physical literacy
Authors: Lane Cassandra , Carson Valerie , Morton Kayla , Reno Kendra , Wright Chris , Predy Madison , Naylor Patti-Jean
Published: December 2020

Background: Development of physical literacy, defined as “the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life”, can support children’s physically active behaviors and consequent health benefits. Little research exploring interventions to improve children's physical literacy exist, although substantive evidence shows parents play a key role in children's physically active behaviors and development of fundamental movement skills. The purpose of this study is to explore a novel, physical literacy intervention designed to assist parents to engage with their child in purposeful play; play that facilitates the development of physical literacy. Methods: The PLAYshop was a 75-minute workshop to build parents' self-efficacy to support their child’s physical literacy through interactive activities and educational messages as well as educational resources focused on core physical literacy concepts. We collected quantitative pre- and post-workshop surveys of parents’ satisfaction, knowledge, confidence and intention to adopt practices as well as qualitative follow-up implementation focused interviews from both parents and facilitators. We used paired t-tests to examine changes in parents' self-reported physical literacy knowledge and confidence and thematic analysis of interviews to explore workshop feasibility.Results: Six workshops were delivered to 33 parents of young children (3-8 years of age). Twenty-three parents completed both pre- and post-workshop surveys. Follow-up interviews were completed with 11 parents and four workshop facilitators. Parents’ self-reported knowledge and confidence to support their child’s physical literacy development significantly increased after PLAYshop participation. Further, the majority of parents were satisfied with the workshop and motivated to apply workshop learnings at-home with their child. Workshop facilitators identified seven workshop strengths (e.g., workshop champions and skilled facilitators) and four challenges (e.g., recruitment and unfavorable spaces).Conclusions: The PLAYshop was perceived positively by parents and facilitators and appeared to improve parent self-efficacy and intention to promote physical literacy with their child. Recruitment and attendance were key implementation challenges. The findings from this real world trial address an important evidence gap, highlighting areas for adaptations to improve the intervention and recruitment and suggesting that the PLAYshop is ready for efficacy testing in a more rigorous randomized controlled trial.
A systematic review of PTSD to the experience of Psychosis: Prevalence and associated factors
Authors: Buswell Georgina , Haime Zoë , Lloyd-Evans Brynmor , Billings Jo
Published: December 2020

Background: Psychosis can be a sufficiently traumatic event to lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous research has focussed on the trauma of first episode psychosis (FEP) and the only review to date of PTSD beyond the first episode period was not systematic and is potentially outdated. Methods: We searched electronic databases and reference lists using predetermined inclusion criteria to retrieve studies that reported prevalence rates and associated factors of psychosis-related PTSD across all stages of the course of psychosis. Studies were included if they measured PTSD specifically related to the experience of psychosis. Risk of bias was assessed using an adapted version of the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Results were synthesised narratively.Results: Six papers met inclusion criteria. Prevalence estimates of psychosis-related PTSD varied from 14% to 47%. Studies either assessed first-episode samples or did not specify the number of episodes experienced. Depression was consistently associated with psychosis-related PTSD. Other potential associations included treatment-related factors, psychosis severity, childhood trauma, and individual psychosocial reactions to trauma. Conclusions: Psychosis-related PTSD is a common problem in people with psychosis. There is a lack of published research on this beyond first episode psychosis. Further research is needed on larger, more generalizable samples. Our results tentatively suggest that prevalence rates of psychosis-related PTSD have not reduced over the past decade despite ambitions to provide trauma-informed care. Prospero registration number: CRD42019138750
Health anxiety and related factors among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study from Iran
Authors: Saadati Najmieh , Afshari Poorandokht , Boostani Hatam , Beheshtinasab Maryam , Abedi Parvin , Maraghi Elham
Published: December 2020

Background: The pandemic of COVID-19 affected many countries around the world and Iran was no exception. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health anxiety of the Iranian pregnant women during the pandemic of the COVID-19. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 pregnant women in different trimesters (n=100 in each trimester) were recruited. A demographic questionnaire and the Health Anxiety questionnaire were used to collect the data. The total score < 27 of means low health anxiety, scores between 27-34 mean moderate health anxiety, and scores more than 35 means high health anxiety. Due to nationwide restrictions, data were collected through social media groups. The chi-square, ANOVA and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results: The total score of anxiety was 22.3±9.5, 24.6±9.3 and 25.4±10.6 in the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy, respectively. Particularly, 9%, 13% and 21% of the women had severe anxiety or scores≥35 in the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy respectively. Pregnant women in the third trimester had significantly higher health anxiety score and higher scores of “total health anxiety” than did those in the first trimester (p=0.045). Conclusion: At the time of the pandemic of COVID-19, women in the second and third trimester of pregnancy were more worried about consequences of disease, but the total score of health anxiety was significantly higher among women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Health care providers should pay more attention to the mental health of pregnant women in times of crises such as Corona pandemic.
The novel E-subgroup pentatricopeptide repeat protein DEK55 is responsible for RNA editing at multiple sites and for the splicing of nad1 and nad4 in maize
Authors: Ren Ru Chang , Yan Xu Wei , Zhao Ya Jie , Wei Yi Ming , Lu Xiaoduo , Zang Jie , Wu Jia Wen , Zheng Guang Ming , Ding Xin Hua , Zhang Xian Sheng , Zhao Xiang Yu
Published: December 2020

Background: Pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins compose a large protein family whose members are involved in both RNA processing in organelles and plant growth. Previous reports have shown that E-subgroup PPR proteins are involved in RNA editing. However, the additional functions and roles of the E-subgroup PPR proteins are unknown. Results: In this study, we developed and identified a new maize kernel mutant with arrested embryo and endosperm development, i.e., defective kernel (dek) 55 (dek55). Genetic and molecular evidence suggested that the defective kernels resulted from a mononucleotide alteration (C to T) at +449 bp within the open reading frame (ORF) of Zm00001d014471 (hereafter referred to as DEK55). DEK55 encodes an E-subgroup PPR protein within the mitochondria. Molecular analyses showed that the editing percentage of 24 RNA editing sites decreased and that of seven RNA editing sites increased in dek55 kernels, the sites of which were distributed across 14 mitochondrial gene transcripts. Moreover, the splicing efficiency of nad1 introns 1 and 4 and nad4 intron 1 significantly decreased in dek55 compared with the wild type (WT). These results indicate that DEK55 plays a crucial role in RNA editing at multiple sites as well as in the splicing of nad1 and nad4 introns. Mutation in the DEK55 gene led to the dysfunction of mitochondrial complex I. Moreover, yeast two-hybrid assays showed that DEK55 interacts with two multiple organellar RNA-editing factors (MORFs), i.e., ZmMORF1 (Zm00001d049043) and ZmMORF8 (Zm00001d048291).Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that a mutation in the DEK55 gene affects the mitochondrial function essential for maize kernel development. Our results also provide novel insight into the molecular functions of E-subgroup PPR proteins involved in plant organellar RNA processing.
Typology of Psychiatric Emergency Services in the United Kingdom: A narrative literature Review
Authors: Odejimi Opeyemi , Bagchi Dhruba , Tadros George
Published: December 2020

Background: Mental health crisis requiring emergency access to psychiatric service can occur at any time. Psychiatric Emergency Service (PES) is described as one that provides an immediate response to an individual in crisis within the first 24 hours. Presently, several types of PESs are available in the United Kingdom (UK) with the aim of providing prompt and effective assessment and management of patients. Therefore, this study aims to provide a detailed narrative literature review of the various types of Psychiatric Emergency Service (PES) currently available in the UKMethod: Electronic search of five key databases (MEDLINE, PsychINFO, EMBASE, AMED and PUBMED) was conducted. Studies were included if it described a mental health service in the UK that provides immediate response in mental health crisis within the first 24 hours. Excluded studies did not describe a PES, non-English, and were not conducted in UK. Results: Nine types of PESs were found. Amongst the 9 services, more papers described crisis resolution home treatment. Majority of the papers reported services within England than other countries within the UK. Conclusion: All types of PESs were described as beneficial, particularly to mental health service users, but not without some shortcomings. There is a need to continue carrying out methodological research that evaluate impact, cost-effectiveness as well as identify methods of optimising the beneficial outcomes of the various types of PESs. This may help inform researchers, policy makers and commissioners, service users and carers, service providers and many more on how to ensure current and future PESs meet the needs as well as aid recovery during crisis.
More fuel to the fire: Some patients with non-celiac self-reported wheat sensitivity exhibit adaptive immunological responses in duodenal mucosa.
Authors: Castillo-Rodal Antonia Isabel , Furuzawa-Carballeda Janette , Pelaez-Luna Mario , Castro-Gomez Jose , Lopez-Vidal Yolanda , Uscanga Luis Federico
Published: December 2020

Background: In contrast to the well-characterized Celiac Disease (CD), the clinical scenarios encompassed by the non-celiac self-reported wheat sensitivity (NCSRWS) might be related to different antigens that trigger distinct immune-inflammatory reactions. Although an increased number of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) is observed at the inception of both diseases, the subsequent immunopathogenic pathways seem to be different. We aimed to describe the cytokine profile observed in the duodenal mucosa of patients with NCSRWS.Methods: In a blind, cross-sectional study, we included duodenal biopsies from 15 consecutive untreated patients with active CD, 9 individuals with NCSRWS and 10 subjects with dyspepsia without CD and food intolerances. Immunohistochemistry and flow-cytometry were used to determine the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokine expressing monocytes and monocyte-derived dendritic cells involved in innate immune activation, cytokine-driven polarization and maintenance of Th1 and Th17/Th 22, and anti-inflammatory/profibrogenic cytokines.Results: The percentage of cells expressing all tested cytokines in the lamina propria and the epithelium was higher in CD patients than in the control group. Cytokines that induce and maintain Th1 and Th17 polarization were higher in CD than in NCSRWS and controls, also were higher in NCSRWS compared to controls. Similar differences were detected in the expression of IL-4 and TGF-1, while IL-10-expressing cells were lower in NCSRWS patients than in controls and CD subjects.Conclusions: NCSRWS patients exhibit components of both, innate and adaptive immune mechanisms but to a lesser extent compared to CD.
Heterologous Expression of Arabidopsis thaliana rty Gene in Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) Improves Drought Tolerance
Authors: Li Maofu , Yang Yuan , Raza Ali , Yin Shanshan , Wang Hua , Zhang Yuntao , Dong Jing , Wang Guixia , Zhong Chuanfei , Zhang Hong , Liu Jiashen , Jin Wanmei
Published: December 2020

Background: Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) is an important fruit crop worldwide. It was particularly sensitive to drought stress because of their fibrous and shallow root systems. Mutant rty of Arabidopsis thaliana ROOTY (RTY) results in increased endogenous auxin levels, more roots, and shoot growth. It is still unclear whether the rty gene improves stress tolerance in strawberry. Results: rty gene was isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana and placed under the control of the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S promoter in the pBI121-rty binary vector carrying the selectable marker of neomycin phosphotransferaseⅡ(NPTⅡ). Seven transgenic lines were confirmed by PCR and western blot analysis. Accumulations of IAA and ABA were significantly increased in the transgenic plants. The endogenous IAA contents were 46.5 ng g–1 and 66.0 ng g–1in control and transgenic plants respectively. The endogenous ABA contents in the control plant were 236.3 ng g–1 and in transgenic plants were 543.8 ng g–1. The production of adventitious roots and trichomes were enhanced in the transgenic plants. Furthermore, transcript levels of the genes including IAA and ABA biosynthetic, and stress-responsive genes, were higher in the transgenic plants than in the control plants under drought conditions. Water use efficiency and a reduced water loss rate were enhanced in the transgenic strawberry plants. Additionally, peroxidase and catalase activities were significantly higher in the transgenic plants than in the control plants. The experiment results revealed a novel function for rty related to ABA and drought responses. Conclusions: The rty gene improved hormone-mediated drought tolerance in transgenic strawberry. The heterologous expression of rty in strawberry improved drought tolerance by promoting auxin and ABA accumulation. These phytohormones together brought about various physiological changes that improved drought tolerance via increased root production, trichome density, and stomatal closure. Our results suggested that a transgenic approach can be used to overcome the inherent trade-off between plant growth and drought tolerance by enhancing water use efficiency and reducing water loss rate under water shortage conditions.
Transcriptome analysis and differential gene expression profiling of two contrasting quinoa genotypes in response to salt stress
Authors: Shi Pibiao , Gu Minfeng
Published: December 2020

Background: Soil salinity is one of the major abiotic stress factors that affect crop growth and yield, which seriously restricts the sustainable development of agriculture. Quinoa is considered as one of the most promising crops in the future for its high nutrition value and strong adaptability to extreme weather and soil conditions. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the adaptive response to salinity stress of quinoa remain poorly understood. To identify candidate genes related to salt tolerance, we performed reference-guided assembly and compared the gene expression in roots treated with 300 mM NaCl for 0, 0.5, 2, and 24 h of two contrasting quinoa genotypes differing in salt tolerance.Results: The salt-tolerant (ST) genotype displayed higher seed germination rate and plant survival rate, and stronger seedling growth potential as well than the salt-sensitive (SS) genotype under salt stress. An average of 38,510,203 high-quality clean reads were generated. Significant Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were identified to deeper understand the differential response. Transcriptome analysis indicated that salt-responsive genes in quinoa were mainly related to biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, alpha-Linolenic acid metabolism, plant hormone signal transduction, and metabolic pathways. Moreover, several pathways were significantly enriched amongst the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ST genotypes, such as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant-pathogen interaction, isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis, and tyrosine metabolism. 117 DEGs were common to various stages of both genotypes, identified as core salt-responsive genes, including some transcription factor members, like MYB, WRKY and NAC, and some plant hormone signal transduction related genes, like PYL, PP2C and TIFY10A, which play an important role in the adaptation to salt conditions of this species. The expression patterns of 21 DEGs were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and confirmed the reliability of the RNA-Seq results. Conclusions: We identified candidate genes involved in salt tolerance in quinoa, as well as some DEGs exclusively expressed in ST genotype. The DEGs common to both genotypes under salt stress may be the key genes for quinoa to adapt to salinity environment. These candidate genes regulate salt tolerance primarily by participating in reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging system, protein kinases biosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction and other important biological processes. These findings provide theoretical basis for further understanding the regulation mechanism underlying salt tolerance network of quinoa, as well establish foundation for improving its tolerance to salinity in future breeding programs.
Differentiation in the genetic basis of stem trichome development between cultivated tetraploid cotton species
Authors: Yuan Rong , Cao Yuefen , Li Tengyu , Yang Feng , Yu Li , Qin Yuan , Du Xiongming , Liu Fang , Ding Mingquan , Jiang Yurong , Zhang Hua , Paterson Andrew H. , Rong Junkang
Published: December 2020

Background: Cotton stem trichomes and seed fibers are each single celled structures formed by protrusions of epidermal cells, and were found sharing the overlapping molecular mechanism . Compared with fibers, cotton stem trichomes are more easily observed, but the molecular mechanisms underlying their development are still poorly understood. Results: In this study, Gossypium hirsutum (Gh ) and G . barbadense ( Gb ) were found to differ greatly in percentages of varieties/accessions with glabrous stems and in trichome density, length, and number per trichopore. Gh varieties normally had long singular and clustered trichomes, while Gb varieties had short clustered trichomes. Genetic mapping using five F2 populations from crosses between glabrous varieties and those with different types of stem trichomes revealed that much variation among stem trichome phenotypes could be accounted for by different combinations of genes/alleles on Chr.06 and Chr.24. The twenty six F1 generations from crosses between varieties with different types of trichomes had varied phenotypes, further suggesting that the trichomes of tetraploid cotton were controlled by different genes/alleles. Compared to modern varieties, a greater proportion of Gh wild accessions were glabrous or had shorter and denser trichomes; whereas a smaller proportion of Gb primitive accessions had glabrous stems. A close correlation between fuzz fiber number and stem trichome density was observed in both Gh and Gb primitive accessions and modern varieties. Conclusion: Based on these findings, we hypothesize that stem trichomes evolved in parallel with seed fibers during the domestication of cultivated tetraploid cotton. In addition, the current results illustrated that stem trichome can be used as a morphological index of fiber quality in cotton conventional breeding.
Differences between encoding and retrieval failure in mild cognitive impairment: results from quantitative electroencephalography and magnetic resonance volumetry
Authors: Han Su-Hyun , Pyun Jungmin , Yeo Soeun , Kang Dong Won , Jeong Ho Tae , Kang Seung Wan , Kim SangYun , Youn Young Chul
Published: December 2020

Background: The memory impairments in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can be classified into encoding (EF) and retrieval (RF) failure, which can be affected by underlying pathomechanism. We explored the differences structurally and functionally.Methods: We compared quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) power spectra and connectivity between 87 MCI patients with EF and 78 MCI with RF using iSyncBrainÒ (iMediSync, Inc., Korea) (https://isyncbrain.com/). Voxel-based morphometric analysis of the gray matter (GM) in the MCI groups and 71 cognitive normal controls were also done using the Computational Anatomy Toolbox 12 (http://www.neuro.uni-jena.de/cat/).Results: qEEG showed higher frontal theta and lower beta2 band power, and higher theta connectivity in the EF. There was no statistically significant difference in GM volume between the EF and RF. However, when compared to normal control, GM volume reductions due to EF in the left thalamus and bilateral hippocampi and reductions due to RF in the left thalamus, right superior frontal lobe, right superior temporal lobe, and right middle cingulum were observed ( p < 0.05, family-wise error correction). Conclusions: MCI differs functionally and structurally according to their specific memory impairments. The EF findings are structurally and functionally more consistent with the prodromal Alzheimer's disease stage than the RF findings. Since this study is a cross-sectional study, prospective follow-up studies are needed to investigate whether different types of memory impairments can predict the underlying pathology of amnestic MCI. Additionally, insufficient sample size may lead to ambiguous statistical findings in direct comparisons, a larger patient cohort could more robustly identify differences in GM volume reductions between the EF and the RF group.
Retrospective and Prospective Measures of Post-Traumatic Growth Reflect Different Processes: Longitudinal Evidence of Greater Decline than Growth Following a Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation
Authors: Corman M. , Rubio M.-T. , Cabrespine A. , Brindel I. , Bay J.-O. , Tour Peffault De La , Dambrun Michael
Published: December 2020

Objective. This prospective longitudinal study examined and compared two measures (prospective and retrospective ones) of post-traumatic growth (PTG) following Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation (HSCT) and their respective relationships with mental health and psychological disposition. We also tested the hypothesis that unwillingness to be in contact with distressing thoughts and feelings—i.e. experiential avoidance—would moderate the relationship between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and growth.Methods. This study was carried out with 187 patients. Patients completed the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) five months after HSCT and scales tapping into the five domains of PTGI during hospitalization and five months after HSCT. Mental health and psychological disposition were also assessed prior to hospitalization. A PTSD scale was administered at the five-month follow-up.Results. Prospective and retrospective measures of PTG were weakly correlated. Bayesian pre/post-HSCT comparisons in the prospective measure of PTG revealed substantial to very strong decline in four of the five dimensions assessed. Overall, RCI indicated a reliable increase for 5.6% of patients and a reliable decrease for 40.8% of patients. Confirming that retrospective and prospective measures of PTG reflect different processes, they were not related to the same mental health and psychological disposition variables. Moreover, the hypothesis that acquiring positive outcomes from a potentially traumatic experience, such as HSCT, requires direct confrontation with the source of distress was supported in the case of the retrospective measure of growth but not in the case of the prospective measure growth.Conclusions. Retrospective measures such as the PTGI do not appear to assess actual pre- to post-HSCT change. HSCT seems more linked to psychological decline than to growth.
Clinical significance of D-dimer level in refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia
Authors: Huang Xia , Li Dan , Liu Feng , Zhao Deyu , Zhu Yifan , Tang Heng
Published: December 2020

Background: The levels of serum D-dimer (D-D) in children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) were assessed to explore the clinical significance of D-D levels in refractory MPP (RMPP). Method: A total of 430 patients with MPP were enrolled between January 2015 and December 2015 and divided into a general MPP (GMPP) group (n=306) and a RMPP group (n=124). Clinical data, D-D level, white blood cell (WBC) count, proportion of neutrophils (N%), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of RMPP. Results: (1) Hospitalization time, preadmission fever duration, total fever duration, WBC, N %, CRP, LDH, ESR, ALT, AST, and D-D were significantly higher in the RMPP group than those in the GMPP group (all P<0.05). (2) Correlation analysis showed that D-D was positively correlated with WBC, CRP, ESR, and LDH, and could be used to jointly evaluate the severity of the disease. (3) Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified preadmission fever duration, CRP, LDH and DD as independent risk factors for RMPP (all P<0. 05). D-D had the highest predictive power for RMPP (P<0.01). The D-D level also had a good ability to predict pleural effusion and liver injury (all P<0.01). Conclusion: Serum D-D levels were significantly increased in patients with RMPP, indicating that excessive inflammatory response and vascular endothelial injury with prolonged duration existed in this patient population. Increased levels of serum D-D may be used as an early predictor of RMPP and the occurrence of complications. Our findings provide a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis of RMPP, early intervention and excessive inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of mycoplasma.