bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embarazo ectópico en cicatriz de cesárea: reporte de caso
Authors: Rojas-Cárdenas Jaime Celiano , Duarte Pablo César
Published: April 2020

Presentamos un caso que se reporta en la literatura médica como embarazo ectópico en cicatriz de cesárea. Esta paciente consultó por sangrado vaginal y hematuria asociados a embarazo de 12 semanas; la ecografía reportó pérdida de la relación placentamiometrio en pared ístmica anterior. El manejo se hizo mediante una histerectomía abdominal. El abordaje actual más aceptado es conservador, sin embargo unas guías de tratamiento universal no han podido ser establecidas.
Isolation and identification of pathogens causing stem rot of the fig tree (Ficus carica)
Authors: Jahén-Rivera Sheyla Natali , Gómez-Rodríguez Olga , Espinosa-Victoria David
Published: April 2020

En México, el sistema de producción intensivo de higo (Ficus carica) var. “Nezahualcoyotl” requiere de densidades de 12,500 plantas ha-1 para rendimientos superiores a 100 t ha-1. La propagación asexual de esta variedad mediante estacas no está exenta de enfermedades. El objetivo de esta investigación fue identificar los agentes causales de la pudrición de estacas de la variedad “Nezahualcoyotl” y generar la correspondiente escala de severidad. La patogenicidad de los aislamientos se corroboró a través de los postulados de Koch. La secuenciación de las regiones ITS1-ITS4 indicó que los aislamientos estuvieron altamente emparentados con Fusarium solani, Alternaria alternata y Pythium ultimum. Se reporta por primera vez una escala de severidad con cinco niveles de daño inducidos por F. solani y A. alternata y tres por P. ultimum. La inoculación por separado con F. solani y A. alternata promovió el 100% de daño de la corteza entre los 21-25 días después de la inoculación (DDI). La coinoculación de los tres patógenos indujo más tempranamente (entre los 11-13 DDI) la necrosis de la epidermis (85%) y de la corteza (80%). La escala de severidad será un valioso auxilio en la cuantificación y seguimiento de la pudrición del tallo de la higuera.
BLOOD GROUP AND HUMAN DISEASES (REVIEW OF LITERATURE)
Authors: Gilmiyarova Frida Nasyrovna , Kolotyeva N. A. , Kuzmicheva V. I. , Gusyakova O. A. , Borodina I. A. , Baisheva G. M. , Selezneva I. A.
Published: April 2020

AB0 blood group antigens were discovered over a century ago; however, it is still important to study their role in development of various pathological conditions. Today it is known that antigenic determinants of this blood group are present not only on erythrocyte membrane but also on other cells and tissues: platelets, gastrointestinal epithelium and salivary glands, respiratory system cells. In the last decade, a large number of studies have appeared to reveal the relationship between a specific disease and blood group type, meta-analyses have been published. Previously, the authors have studied the metabolic status, cell composition and coagulation profile of clinically healthy individuals for more than on 180,000 donations, that allowed to identify group-specific features for each blood group. This review presents generalized data on the association of such pathological conditions as coronary heart disease, thromboembolic complications, tumors of various localizations, inflammatory and destructive oral diseases, psychiatric and some infectious diseases with the presence or absence of antigenic determinants A and B. Carriers of blood group 0 (I) are generally more resistant to diseases, with the exception of H.pylori-associated gastrointestinal diseases. Carriers of «antigenic» blood groups A (II), B (III), AB (IV) are more susceptible to development of infectious, cardiovascular and cancer diseases. The presented data demonstrate clinical significance of the definition of group typing not only for selection of blood and its components during transfusion and transplantation, but also for diagnostics, determination of risk group and tactics for treatment patients with different nosologies.
ERYTHROCYTOSES IN PATIENTS WITH DILATED AND ISHAEMIC CARDIOMYOPATHY
Authors: Chepurnaya A. N. , Safuanova G. Sh. , Nikulicheva V. I. , Lekhmus T. Y. , Rakhmatullina A. R.
Published: April 2020

The aim of research was to evaluate the impact of erythrocytoses on processes of cardiovascular system’s remodelling in patients with dilated and ishaemic cardiomyopathies. 35 (42,2%) patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) with erythrocytoses, 19 (23,5%) without erythrocytosis, 34 (28,4%) patients with ishaemic cardiomyopathy (ICMP) with erythrocytosis and 50 (60,1%) without erythrocytosis were included in the study. It has been established that erythrocytoses don’t wield major influence on the heart’s haemodynamics, they appear as a consequence of main diseases and not as their reason, which confirms the domination of congestive heart failure’s signs of III-IV stages. In patients with DCMP and ICMP signs of tissue hypoxia were established as well as oxygen reduction in arterial blood to 60,70 ± 1,24 mm Hg in cases of DCMP and 59,60 ± 1,24 mm Hg in cases of ICMP (in verification 75,44 ± 0,93) - p ˂ 0,001. Arguably, erythrocytoses in cases of DCMP and ICMP are a consequence of congestive heart failure, leading to hypoxic erythrocytosis.
PERANAN KOMITE AUDIT DAN DEWAN PENGAWAS SYARIAH TERHADAP KUALITAS LAPORAN KEUANGAN (Studi Kasus pada BPRS di Jawa Timur)
Authors: Lestari Iin Fitri , Oktaviana Ulfi Kartika
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Audit Committee and Sharia Supervisory Board are the parts of the organization which help to manage the financial reports of BPRS with high quality. The aim of this research is to find out the influences of the Audit Committee’s and Sharia Supervisory Board’s role toward the quality of financial reports especially in BPRS of east java. This study applies a quantitative approach, focused on the associative type. Moreover, the sample is taken by using a purposive sampling method. The objects are 15 institutions of BPRS in east java which are registered in OJK and BI, each BPRS is given a questionnaire and it was returned around 38 questionnaires. After the data was collected, it was directly processed and analyzed by using a statistical application that is SPSS 16. The variable of the research involves 7 indicators of Audit Committee responsibilities, 9 indicators of DPS supervision activities, and 9 indicators of financial report quality. Consequently, the research result provides that according to a partial test, there is a good effect between the roles of the audit committee towards the quality of financial reports. Based on a partial test, there is a bad effect between DPSs’ roles towards the quality of financial reports. According to the simultaneous test, Audit Committee together with DPS influence the quality of financial reports
PENGARUH PREFERENSI AGAMIS DAN PREFERENSI EKONOMIS DALAM BERINVESTASI DEPOSITO SYARIAH DI KOTA MALANG
Authors: Rizal Mohammad
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Investment is the initial capital in a country's economic development. Shariah bank in this case BRI Syariah is expected to be able to contribute to the growth of public investment in Indonesia through Sharia Deposits. There is a growing perception in the community that Islamic banks are the same as conventional banks, indicating that there are still many people who do not know about Islamic banking. This condition makes the level of public preference for Islamic banks is low. The level of preference can be determined by measuring the economic level and the profit value of each product or service. The purpose of this study is to look at the influence of religious preferences and economic preferences on investing in Islamic deposits in BRI Syariah Soekarno-Hatta Malang The population of this study is BRI Syariah KC Soekarno-Hatta Malang customers who have Sharia Deposit with 94 samples and the sampling technique uses purposive sampling. Data analysis techniques using SPSS 22 for windows program. The results of this study indicate that simultaneously the variables of Religious Preference and Economic Preference have a significant effect on the variable Investing in Islamic Deposits, while partially there is a significant effect between the variables of Religious Preference on Investing Islamic Deposits and partially there is a significant effect between the variables of Economic Preference on Investing Deposits Sharia.
Hibridación de modelos pedagógicos en la práctica docente en la educación superior en Ecuador. Caso Universidad Técnica de Ambato
Authors: Mantilla-Falcón Luis Marcelo , Miranda Ramos Darwin Patricio , Ortega Zurita Grace Elaine , Meléndez-Tamayo Carlos Fernando
Published: April 2020

En la educación superior latinoamericana, y muy particularmente en la ecuatoriana, los modelos pedagógicos en la práctica educativa se evidencian disímiles y dispares. La mayoría del personal docente no necesariamente pasó por las aulas de pedagogía y didáctica y, en consecuencia, se hizo docente al andar. Sin embargo, a la hora de su ejercicio profesional pone en práctica algunos modelos, ya sea de manera consciente o inconsciente, para ejecutar su labor docente. Se entiende como modelo pedagógico al compendio y abstracción de diversas teorías o enfoques que encaminan a los docentes hacia la preparación de los programas de estudio y a la dinámica misma de la praxis educativa. Esta es una investigación de carácter descriptivo, transversal, no experimental con muestreo no probabilístico y básicamente cuantitativo. El test utilizado en la recolección de datos cuenta con 40 reactivos cuyo alfa de Cronbach es de 0,911 y pertenece a De Zubiría (Fundación Universitaria Luis Amigó, 2009). Se analizó la presencia de cuatro enfoques-modelos pedagógicos de mayor recurrencia: el tradicionalista, el conductivo, el desarrollista y el social en correspondencia con el género, la experiencia docente, la facultad de pertenencia laboral y la edad de los docentes como criterios o variables implicados. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo a nivel porcentual de sus variables y, asimismo, se verificó la correlación interna entre modelos. Los principales resultados demuestran una alta correlación y la evidencia incuestionable de la hibridación de modelos pedagógicos en la práctica docente en la universidad.
Economic feasibility study of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp farming: nanobubble investment in increasing harvest productivity
Authors: Mauladani Syifa , Rahmawati Asri Ifani , Absirin Muhammad Fahrurrozi , Saputra Rizki Nugraha , Pratama Aprian Fajar , Hidayatullah Arief , Dwiarto Agus , Syarif Ahmad , Junaedi Hardi , Cahyadi Dedi , Saputra Henry Kasman Hadi , Prabowo Wendy Tri , Kartamiharja Ujang Komarudin Asdani , Noviyanto Alfian , Rochman Nurul Taufiqu
Published: April 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the economic feasibility of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp reared at 400 shrimp/m2 in 56 days of culture. The experimental design was set in an 800 m2 HDPE pond installed with nanobubble and non-nanobubble. Shrimp survival and total harvest in nanobubble treatment was increased to 92% and 2,255 kg, respectively. Economic parameters calculated in this study were Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Payback Period (PP), Break Even Point (BEP), Benefit Cost Ratio (B/C Ratio), and Sensitivity Analysis (SA). The total investment required to run this farming practice is IDR 182,887,700. Total revenue per cycle is estimated at IDR 157,850,000 with the selling price of IDR 70,000/kg of shrimp. The estimated PP is 4 cycles, with an NPV of IDR 172,329,247 projected in 10 cycles. IRR is estimated at 18% and BEP is reached after 7,058 kg production of shrimp. B/C Ratio is estimated to be 1.26 and SA showed that productivity is the most affecting parameters in the present analysis. Based on the economic study, vannamei shrimp farming associated with nanobubble system is feasible to be realized.
Çocukların Oyunlarındaki Akran Etkileşimleri Ve Ortaya Çıkan Sorunlarda Öğretmen Müdahalelerinin İncelenmesi
Authors: EZMECİ Fulya , AKGÜL Esra , AKMAN Berrin
Published: April 2020

Bu araştırmanın, 36-72 aylık çocukların
oyun etkinliklerinde akranları ile kurdukları etkileşimlerini ve bu
etkileşimlerde meydana gelen çıkan sorunlarda öğretmenlerin müdahalelerini
incelemek amaçlanmıştır. Araştırma temel nitel araştırma deseninde tasarlanmıştır.
Çalışma grubunu 58 çocuk ve bu çocukların 4 okul öncesi öğretmeni
oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmanın verileri, 4 okul öncesi eğitim sınıfındaki öğretmenlere
ve bu öğretmenlerin sınıflarındaki çocuklara yönelik gerçekleştirilen gözlemler
ile toplanmıştır. Haftada 2 gün olmak üzere 8 hafta boyunca toplam 16 saatlik
gözlemler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda elde edilen bulgularında:
çocukların oynadıkları oyunlardaki dinamikler, çocukların cinsiyetlerine göre
farklılaşmaktadır. Çocuklar birbirleri ile iletişimlerinde birbirlerine karşı fiziksel
veya sözlü şiddet içeren davranışlar sergilemektedirler. Çocuklar arasında bir
problem ya da tartışmalı bir durum ortaya çıktığında, çocuklar istendik
yollarla çözüm gerçekleştirememektedirler. Oyunlarda işbirlikçi oyun davranışları
sıklıkla gözlemlenmiştir. Bununla birlikte sınıfta özel gereksinimli çocuğun
olması çocuklar arasındaki akran etkileşimlerinin dinamiklerini
farklılaştırmaktadır ve son olarak öğretmenlerin ortaya çıkan sorunlara yönelik
müdahalelerinin çocuklara aralarındaki problemi çözdürücü değil genellikle
öğretmenin kendisinin karara varması şeklinde gerçekleşmektedir. Öğretmenlerin bu
kararı genellikle özel gereksinimli çocuğu ortamdan uzaklaştırmak yönündedir.
Matematik Öğretmeni Adaylarının Mobil Öğrenme İle Desteklenen Öğrenme Ortamına Yönelik Görüşleri
Authors: KOPARAN Timur , KALELİ YILMAZ Gül
Published: April 2020

Bu araştırma ile mobil öğrenme ortamı ve öğretmen adaylarının mobil öğrenme
ortamı hakkındaki görüşlerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla
araştırmacılar tarafından bir mobil öğrenme ortamı oluşturulmuştur. Çalışma 2017-2018
akademik yılı bahar döneminde, Batı Karadeniz Bölgesi’nde bir devlet
üniversitesindeki 44 matematik öğretmeni adayı ile yürütülmüştür. Özel durum
çalışması yönteminin kullanıldığı araştırmada, görüş formu, mobil
öğrenme tutum ölçeği, Google Classroom paylaşımları veri toplama aracı olarak
kullanılmıştır. Mobil öğrenme ortamına yönelik görüşler nitel olarak analiz
edilmiştir. Tutum ölçeğinden
elde edilen veriler, maddelerin ortalaması ile birlikte sunulmuştur. Google
Classroom ortamındaki nesneler nitelik ve paylaşım açısından
değerlendirilmiştir. Öğretmen adayları, mobil öğrenme ortamının derse yönelik
olumlu tutumun geliştirilmesine, derse karşı motivasyonunun arttırılmasına, öğrenci-öğrenci
ve öğrenci-öğretmen iletişiminin kolaylaştırılmasına olumlu katkıda
bulunduğundan, yararlı ve motive edici olduğunu belirtmişlerdir. Sonuç olarak,
öğretmen adaylarının yaratılan mobil öğrenme ortamı hakkında olumlu görüşleri
olduğu tespit edilmiştir.
Pengaruh Karakter Serta Keprofesionalan Dosen dalam Proses Perkuliahan Guna Menjadikan Mahasiswa yang Cerdas dan Kritis
Authors: Alfarisi Muhammad Fahmi
Published: April 2020

Lectures are attended by students and lecturers as facilitators. The success or failure of the lecture process can be measured by the ability of students, both their intellectual abilities and other abilities. The increase of students 'intellectual ability in their fields other than by doing individual learning such as diligent reading and others, the attitude and professionalism of lecturers who teach them is also very influential on students' intellectual development, such as having a teaching strategy that can give students an incentive to think critically and others. However, even though students have high intelligence, the lecturers who teach are not professional, so the lecture process will not last maximally even though the lecturer is only a facilitator.
O Impacto da Pandemia COVID-19 na Saúde Mental
Authors: Afonso Pedro
Published: April 2020

N/a.
Need for an Integrated Deprived Area “Slum” Mapping System (IDeAMapS) in LMICs
Authors: Thomson Dana , Kuffer Monika , Boo Gianluca , Hati Beatrice , Grippa Tais , Elsey Helen , Linard Catherine , Mahabir Ron , Kyobutungi Catherine , Maviti Joshua , Mwaniki Dennis , Ndugwa Robert , Makau Jack , Sliuzas Richard , Cheruiyot Salome , Nyambuga Kilion , Mboga Nicholus , Wanjiru Nicera , Porto De Albuquerque Joao , Kabaria Caroline
Published: April 2020

Ninety percent of the people added to the planet over the next 30 years will live in African and Asian cities, and a large portion of these populations will reside in deprived neighborhoods defined by slum conditions, informal settlement, or inadequate housing. The four current approaches to neighborhood deprivation mapping are largely silo-ed, and each fall short of producing accurate, timely, comparable maps that reflect local contexts. The first approach, classifying “slum households” in census and survey data and aggregating to administrative areas, reflects household-level rather than neighborhood-level deprivation. The second approach, field-based mapping, can produce the most accurate and context-relevant maps for a given neighborhood, however it requires substantial resources, preventing up-scaling. The third and fourth approaches, human interpretation and machine classification of satellite, aerial, or drone imagery, both overemphasize informal settlements, and fail to represent key social characteristics of deprived areas such as lack of tenure, exposure to pollution, and lack of basic public services. The latter, machine classification of imagery, can be automated and extended to incorporate new and multiple sources of data. This diverse collection of authors represent experts from these four approaches to neighborhood deprivation mapping. We summarize common areas of understanding, and present a set of requirements to produce maps of deprived urban areas that can be used by local-to-international stakeholders for advocacy, planning, and decision-making.
Quintessential Inflation with Dynamical Higgs Generation as an Affine Gravity
Authors: Benisty David , Guendelman Eduardo , Nissimov Emil , Pacheva Svetlana
Published: April 2020

First, we propose a scale-invariant modified gravity interacting with a neutral scalar inflaton and a Higgs-like SU(2) × U(1) iso-doublet scalar field based on the formalism of non-Riemannian (metric-independent) spacetime volume-elements. This model describes in the physical Einstein frame a quintessential inflationary scenario driven by the “inflaton” together with gravity-inflaton assisted dynamical spontaneous SU(2) × U(1) symmetry breaking in the post-inflationary universe, whereas SU(2) × U(1) symmetry remains intact in the inflationary epoch. Next, we find the explicit representation of the latter quintessential inflationary model with a dynamical Higgs effect as an Eddington-type purely affine gravity.
Consequences of Lmna Exon 4 Mutations in Myoblast Function
Authors: Gómez-Domínguez Déborah , Epifano Carolina , de Miguel Fernando , Castaño Albert García , Vilaplana-Martí Borja , Martín Alberto , Amarilla-Quintana Sandra , Bertrand Anne T. , Bonne Gisèle , Ramón-Azcón Javier , Rodríguez-Milla Miguel A. , Pérez de Castro Ignacio
Published: April 2020

Laminopathies are causally associated with mutations on Lamin A gene (LMNA). To date, more than 400 mutations in LMNA have been reported in patients. These mutations are widely distributed throughout the entire gene and are associated with a wide range of phenotypes. Unfortunately, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the effect of the majority of these mutations. This is the case of more than 40 mutations that are located at exon 4. Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we have generated a collection of Lmna exon 4 mutants in mouse C2C12 myoblasts. These cell models include different types of exon 4 deletions and the presence of R249W mutation, one of the human variants associated with a severe type of laminopathy (LMNA-associated congenital muscular dystrophy). We have characterized these clones by measuring their nuclear circularity, myogenic differentiation capacity in 2D and 3D conditions, DNA damage, and p-ERK and p-AKT levels. Our results indicate that Lmna exon 4 mutants show abnormal nuclear morphology. In addition, levels and/or subcellular localization of different members of the lamin and LINC complex are altered in all these mutants. Whereas no significant differences were observed for ERK and AKT activities, the accumulation of DNA damage was associated to the Lmna p.R249W mutant myoblasts. Finally, significant myogenic differentiation defects were detected in the Lmna exon 4 mutants. These results have key implications in the development of future therapeutic strategies for the treatment of laminopathies.
Why Infants Rarely Die of COVID-19 and Morbidity and Mortality Rates Vary by Location: Pneumococcal and Hib Vaccinations as Possible Means to Mitigate Future Pandemics
Authors: Root-Bernstein Robert
Published: April 2020

Two conundrums have puzzled COVID-19 investigators: 1) morbidity and mortality is rare among Infants and young children and 2) rates of morbidity and mortality exhibit very large variances across nations, locals and even within cities. These differences correlate with rates of Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) and pneumococcal vaccination, which are almost universal among infants and vary widely by geography among adults and the elderly. The higher the rate of vaccination, the lower the COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Vaccination rates with other vaccines, including BCG and poliovirus, do not correlate with COVID-19 risks. Notably, both Hib and pneumoccoci are common co-infections with influenza and coronaviruses and are associated with more severe disease and risk of death. Whether the vaccines simply protect against COVID-19 complications, directly protect against COVID-19 infection by inducing cross-reactive immunity, or are markers for some other types of protection such as availability of better healthcare, is not yet known. What is known is that improving coverage rates of Hib and pneumococcal vaccination has significantly lowered severe morbidity and mortality in influenza epidemics and might have similar efficacy for mitigating coronavirus outbreaks. If infants and children are valid indicators, the beneficial effects might be very significant.
Epigenetic Regulation Mediated by Methylation in the Pathogenesis and Precision Medicine of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Xu Lingxia , Guo Shicheng , Chang Cen , Zhang Runrun , Jin Yehua , He Dongyi
Published: April 2020

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as a complex disease is thought triggered by interaction between genetics and environment, especially the shared epitope (SE) and cell surface calreticulin (CSC) theory. However, all the evidence shows genetic diversity and environment exposure cannot explain all the clinical characteristics heterogeneity of rheumatoid arthritis. In contrast, recent studies demonstrate that epigenetics play important roles in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, especially DNA methylation and histone modification. DNA methylation and histone methylation are involved in innate and adoptive immune cell differentiation and the migration, proliferation, apoptosis, and mesenchymal characteristics of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). Epigenetic mediated regulation to immune genes and inflammation pathway provides well explanation to dynamic expression network of rheumatoid arthritis. In this review, we summarized the comprehensive evidence to show methylation modification occurred in DNA and histone are significantly involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and could be applied as the promising biomarker in the disease activity and drug response prediction. We also explained the opportunity and challenge of the current epigenetics research in rheumatoid arthritis. In summary, epigenetic modules provide possible interface through which genetic and environmental risk factors connect together to contribute to the susceptibility and pathogenesis of RA. Meanwhile epigenetic regulators provided promising drug targets to develop novel therapeutic drugs for rheumatoid arthritis. Finally, DNA methylation and histone modification will be important features to provide better rheumatoid arthritis subtype identification to accelerate personalized treatment and precision medicine.
Epigallocatechin-Gallate and Theaflavin-Gallate Interaction in SARS CoV-2 Spike-Protein Central-Channel with Reference to the Hydroxychloroquine Interaction: Bioinformatics and Molecular Docking Study
Authors: Maiti Smarajit , Banerjee Amrita
Published: April 2020

SARS CoV-2 or COVID-19 pandemic global-outbreak created the most unstable situation of human health-economy. Last two decades different parts of the word experienced smaller or bigger outbreak related to human-coronaviruses. The spike-glycoproteins of the COVID-19 (similar to SARS-CoV) attach to the angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE-2) and transit over a stabilized open-state for the viral-internalization to the host-cells and propagate with great efficacy. Higher rate of mutability makes this virus unpredictable/less-sensitive to the protein/nucleic-acid based-drugs. In this emergent situation, drug-induced destabilization of spike-binding to RBD could be a good strategy. In the current study we demonstrated by Bioinformatics (CASTp: Computed-Atlas-of-Surface-Topography, PyMol: molecular-visualization) and Molecular docking (PatchDock) experiments that tea flavonoids catechin-products mainly EGCG or other like theaflavin gallate demonstrated higher Atomic Contact Energy (ACE), surface area and more amino-acid interactions than hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) during binding in the central channel of the spike-protein. Moreover, out of three distinct binding-sites (I, II and III) of spike core when HCQ binds only with site III (farthest from the vCoV-RBD of ACE2 contact), EGCG and TG bind all three sites. As because site I and II is in closer contact with open state location and viral-host contact area so these drugs might have significant effects. Taking into account the toxicity/side-effects by CQ/HCQ, present drugs may be important. Our laboratory is working on tea flavonoids and other phytochemicals in the protection from toxicity, DNA/mitochondrial damage, inflammation etc. The present data might be helpful for further analysis of flavonoids in this emergent pandemic situation.
Outcomes after traffic injury: mental health comorbidity and relationship with pain interference
Authors: Pozzato Ilaria , Craig Ashley , Gopinath Bamini , Kifley Annette , Tran Yvonne , Jagnoor Jagnoor , Cameron Ian
Published: April 2020

Background: Mental health symptoms, like depressive mood (DM) and post-traumatic stress (PTS), and pain interference (PI) with daily functioning often co-occur following traffic injury and their comorbidity can complicate recovery. This study aimed to map the course and overlapping trajectories of mental health symptoms, and associations with PI in a traffic injury population. Methods: In total, 2019 adults sustaining minor-to-moderate traffic injury were recruited within 28 days post-injury and assessed using phone interviews at 1, 6 and 12-months post-injury. Trajectories of DM, PTS and PI were established and relationships between DM, PTS and PI trajectories were explored using dual trajectory modelling. Bio-psychosocial predictors (e.g. pre-injury health, catastrophizing, acute distress, quality of life, social support) of mental health trajectories were investigated.Results: Up to five typical post-trauma trajectories were identified for DM, PTS and PI. Most people were in a resilient mental health trajectory (over 60%, DM or PTS), or in a chronic PI trajectory (almost 60%) 12 months post-injury. While recovery/resilient mental health trajectories were strongly interrelated (73.4% joint probability and >94% conditional probabilities), DM/PTS comorbidity in chronic trajectories was not straightforward, suggesting a possibly asymmetric relationship. That is, persistent DM was more likely associated with persistent PTS (90.4%), than vice versa (31.9%), with a 22.5% probability that persistent PTS was associated with none or milder depression (i.e. following a recovery/resilient DM trajectory). An asymmetrical relationship was also found between mental health and PI. The majority of those with persistent PI were likely to be in a recovery/resilient DM/PTS trajectory (almost 70%), but those in a non-resilient DM/PTS trajectory showed a high risk of persistent PI. Predictors of non-resilient mental health trajectories included poorer pre-injury health and social support, and shared factors like acute psychological distress and pain catastrophizing. Conclusions: Strong interrelations were confirmed between mental health symptoms and PI following traffic injury. However, persistent DM was more strongly linked to persistent PTS, than vice versa. Persistent PI was only linked with persistent DM/PTS in vulnerable subgroups. Early psychiatric/psychological interventions should target elevated psychological distress and negative appraisals in vulnerable individuals, to reduce long-term mental health morbidity/comorbidity and PI. Trial registration: ACTRN12613000889752.
Which interactions matter in economic evaluations? A systematic review and simulation study
Authors: Dakin Helen A , Gray Alastair
Published: April 2020

Background:We aimed to assess the magnitude of interactions in costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and net benefits within a sample of published economic evaluations of factorial randomised controlled trials (RCTs), evaluate the impact that different analytical methods would have had on the results and compare the performance of different criteria for identifying which interactions should be taken into account.Methods:We conducted a systematic review of full economic evaluations conducted alongside factorial RCTs and reviewed the methods used in different studies, as well as the incidence, magnitude, statistical significance, and type of interactions observed within the trials. We developed the interaction-effect ratio as a measure of the magnitude of interactions relative to main effects. For those studies reporting sufficient data, we assessed whether changing the form of analysis to ignore or include interactions would have changed the conclusions. We evaluated how well different criteria for identifying which interactions should be taken into account in the analysis would perform in practice, using simulated data generated to match the summary statistics of the studies identified in the review.Results:Large interactions for economic endpoints occurred frequently within the 40 studies identified in the review, although interactions rarely changed the conclusions.Conclusions:Simulation work demonstrated that in analyses of factorial RCTs, taking account of all interactions or including interactions above a certain size (regardless of statistical significance) minimised the opportunity cost from adopting treatments that do not in fact have the highest true net benefit.
Impaired circadian heart rate variability in Parkinson’s disease: a time-domain analysis in ambulatory setting
Authors: Arnao Valentina , Cinturino Antonio , Mastrilli Sergio , Buttà Carmelo , Maida Carlo , Tuttolomondo Antonino , Aridon Paolo , D'Amelio Marco
Published: April 2020

Background Heart rate variability (HRV) decreases in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and it can be considered a marker for cardiovascular dysautonomia. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate long-term time-domain analysis of HRV of PD patients and compare the results with those of matched healthy individuals. Methods Idiopathic PD patients without comorbidity impairing HRV, and age-matched healthy individuals were recruited in a pilot study. A long-term time domain analysis of HRV using 24-hour ambulatory ECG was performed. Results Overall, 18 PD patients fulfilling inclusion criteria completed the evaluation (mean age was 55.6±8.8, disease duration: 5.0±4.7). Mean SCOPA-AUT score was 10.1±7.3. Patients were on Hoehn & Yahr stage 1-2 and mean Levodopa Equivalent Dose (LED) was 311±239.9. Mean of the 5-minute standard deviation (SD) of R-R intervals distribution (SDNN) for all 5 min segments of the entire recording (ISDNN) was significantly lower in patients compared to controls. ISDNN was significantly different between Parkinson’s disease patients and healthy controls. Conclusions In our population characterized by mild to moderate disease severity, time-domain assessment of HRV seemed to be a potential tool to characterize cardiovascular dysautonomia. Decrease of ISDNN in PD may reflect an autonomic derangement extending all day and night long.
DiCoExpress: a tool to process multifactorial RNAseq experiments from quality controls to co-expression analysis through differential analysis based on contrasts inside GLM models.
Authors: Lambert Ilana , Roux Christine Paysant-Le , Colella Stefano , Martin-Magniette Marie-Laure
Published: April 2020

Background RNAseq is nowadays the method of choice for transcriptome analysis. In the last decades, a high number of statistical methods, and associated bioinformatics tools, for RNAseq analysis were developed. More recently, statistical studies realised neutral comparison studies using benchmark datasets, shedding light on the most appropriate approaches for RNAseq data analysis. Results DiCoExpress is a script-based tool implemented in R that includes methods chosen based on their performance in neutral comparisons studies. DiCoExpress uses pre-existing R packages including FactoMineR, edgeR and coseq , to perform quality control, differential, and co-expression analysis of RNAseq data. Users can perform the full analysis, providing a mapped read expression data file and a file containing the information on the experimental design. Following the quality control step, the user can move on to the differential expression analysis performed using generalized linear models thanks to the automated contrast writing function. A co-expression analysis is implemented using the coseq package. Lists of differentially expressed genes and identified co-expression clusters are automatically analyzed for enrichment of annotations provided by the user . We used DiCoExpress to analyze a publicly available RNAseq dataset on the transcriptional response of Bra ssica napus L. to silicon treatment in plant roots and mature leaves . This dataset, including two biological factors and three replicates for each condition, allowed us to demonstrate in a tutorial all the features of DiCoExpress. Conclusions DiCoExpress is an R script-based tool allowing users to perform a full RNAseq analysis from quality controls to co-expression analysis through differential analysis based on contrasts inside generalized linear models . DiCoExpress focuses on the statistical modelling of gene expression according to the experimental design and facilitates the data analysis leading the biological interpretation of the results.
Fecundity disorders in older women: declines in follicular development and endometrial receptivity
Authors: Wang Li , Lv Shulan , Mao Wenjun , Bai E , Yang Xiaofeng
Published: April 2020

Background : Little research is available on follicular development and endometrial receptivity in older women. This study aimed to assess follicular development and endometrial receptivity, and to evaluate ultrasonic parameters in predicting endometrial receptivity during the implantation window in older women. Methods: For this prospective case-control study, 224 older women and 215 young women were recruited. The follicular development and endometrial thickness were monitored by transvaginal ultrasound. During the implantation window, the pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) of the uterine arteries and subendometrial region, endometrial volume, vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI) were calculated between the two groups. The ultrasonic parameters were used to assess endometrial receptivity in older women. Results: The serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentration and antral follicle count (AFC) were significantly lower in older women than in young women. The average diameter of the dominant follicle on days 14, 16, and 18 of the menstrual cycle were significantly smaller, and the subendometrial region RI on days 12, 14, 16, and 18 of the menstrual cycle were significantly higher in older women than in young women. The normal ovulation rate was significantly lower in older women than in young women. The subendometrial region RI was significantly higher, and the endometrial VI, FI, and VFI were significantly lower in older women compared with young women. The biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rate of older women were significantly lower than in young women. The best ultrasonic parameter for predicting endometrial receptivity during the implantation window in older women was VI (AUC =0.889, sensitivity 92.6% and specificity 85.4%). Conclusions: Older women present decreased serum AMH concentrations and AFC, defined as indicators of ovarian reserve function. Older women are characterized by decreased follicular development and endometrial receptivity, which may lead to fecundity disorders.
FBXL6 governs c-MYC to promote hepatocellular carcinoma through ubiquitination and stabilization of HSP90AA1
Authors: Shi Weidong , Feng Lanyun , Dong Shu , Ning Zhouyu , Hua Yongqiang , Liu Luming , Chen Zhen , Meng Zhiqiang
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND: Heat shot protein 90 (HSP90) AA1 functions as an onco-protein to regulate the assembly, manipulation, folding and degradation of its client proteins, including c-MYC. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of HSP90AA1 are poorly understood.METHODS: Transcriptome RNA-sequencing data of Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) samples were used to detect the mRNA expression of FBXL6. Immunoprecipitation/Mass Spectrum (IP/MS) method was used to identify the interacting proteins of FBXL6. The co-immunoprecipitation assay was used to determine the interaction between FBXL6 and HSP90AA1. The in vivo ubiquitination assay was performed to determine the regulation of HSP90AA1 by FBXL6. Luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to determine the transcriptional regulation of FBXL6 by c-MYC. Cell counting and colony formation assays were implemented to detect the biological effects of FBXL6 on the growth of HCC cells in vitro. The effect of FBXL6 on HCC tumor growth in vivo was studied in a tumor xenograft model in mice. RESULTS: Here, we identified the orphan F-box protein FBXL6, a substrate recognition subunit of an SCF (Skp1-Cul1-F-box protein) complex, as the ubiquitin ligase for HSP90AA1. FBXL6 promoted K63-dependent ubiquitination of HSP90AA1 to stabilize it. Through analysis of TCGA dataset, we found that FBXL6 was significantly increased in liver cancer tissues and positively correlated with c-MYC pathway. FBXL6 accumulation in liver cancers causes the stabilization and activation of c-MYC by preventing HSP90AA1 degradation. Activated c-MYC, which in turn directly bound to the promoter region of FBXL6 to induce its mRNA expression.CONCLUSION: Collectively, our data revealed an unknown FBXL6-HSP90AA1-c-MYC axis which might contribute to the oncogenesis of liver cancer, and we propose that inhibition of FBXL6 might represent an effective therapeutic strategy for liver cancer treatment.
Inter-annual variability of the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic drivers affecting West Nile virus vector Culex pipiens population dynamics in Northeastern Italy
Authors: Fornasiero Diletta , Mazzuccato Matteo , Barbujani Marco , Montarsi Fabrizio , Capelli Gioia , Mulatti Paolo
Published: April 2020

Background:Vector-borne infectious diseases (VBDs) represent a major public health concern worldwide. Among VBDs, West Nile Virus (WNV) showed an increasingly wider spread in temperate regions of Europe, including Italy. During the last decade, WNV outbreaks have been recurrently reported in mosquitoes, horses, wild birds, and humans, showing great variability in the temporal and spatial distribution pattern. Due to the complexity of the environment-host-vector-pathogen interaction and the incomplete understanding of the epidemiological pattern of the disease, WNV occurrences can be hardly predictable. The analyses of ecological drivers responsible for the earlier WNV reactivation and transmission are pivotal; in particular, variations in the vector population dynamics may represent a key point of the recent success of WNV and, more in general, of the VBDs.Methods:We investigated the variations ofCulex pipienspopulation abundance using environmental, climatic and trapping data obtained over nine years (2010 to 2018) through the WNV entomological surveillance program implemented in northeastern Italy. An Information Theoretic approach (IT-AICc) and model-averaging algorithms were implemented to examine the relationship between the seasonal mosquito population growth rates and both intrinsic (e.g. intraspecific competition) and extrinsic (e.g. environmental and climatic variables) predictors, to identify the most significant combinations of variables outlining theCx. pipienspopulation dynamics.Results:Population abundance (proxy for intraspecific competition) and length of daylight were the predominant factors regulating the mosquito population dynamics; however, also other drivers encompassing environmental and climatic variables had a significant impact, although sometimes counterintuitive and not univocal. The analyses of the single-year datasets, and the comparison with the results obtained from the overall model (all data available from 2010 to 2018), highlighted remarkable differences in coefficients magnitude, sign, and significance. These outcomes indicate that different combinations of factors might have distinctive, and sometimes divergent, effects on mosquito population dynamics.Conclusions:A more realistic acquaintance of the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanism of mosquito population fluctuations in relation to continuous changes in environmental and climatic conditions is paramount to properly reinforce VBDs risk-based surveillance activities, to plan targeted density control measures and to implement effective early detection programs.
Non-communicable diseases are key to further narrow gender gap in life expectancy in Shanghai, China
Authors: Chen Hanyi , Zhou Yi , Sun Lianghong , Chen Yichen , Qu Xiaobin , Chen Hua , Rajbhandari-Thapa Janani , Xiao Shaotan
Published: April 2020

Background: To address change in gender gap of life expectancy (GGLE) in Shanghai from 1973 to 2018, and to identify the major causes of death and age groups associated with the change overtime.Methods: Retrospective demographic analysis with application of Joinpoint regression to evaluate the temporal trend in GGLE. Causes of death were coded in accordance with International Classification of Diseases and mapped with the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) cause list. Life table technique and decomposition method was used to express changes in GGLE.Results: Trend of GGLE in Shanghai experienced two phases ie., a decrease from 8.4 to 4.2 years in the descent phase (1973-1999) and a fluctuation between 4.0 and 4.9 years in the plateau phase (1999-2018). The reduced age-specific mortality rates tended to concentrate to a narrower age range, from age 0-9 and above 30 years in the descent phase to age above 55 years in the plateau phase. Gastroesophageal and liver cancer, communicable, chronic respiratory and digestive diseases were once the major contributors to narrow GGLE in the descent phase. While importance should be attached to a widening effect on GGLE by lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases, other neoplasms like colorectal and pancreatic cancer and diabetes in recent plateau phase.Conclusions: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have made GGLE enter a plateau phase from a descent phase in Shanghai China. Public efforts to reduce excess mortalities for male NCDs, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes in particular and health policies focused on the middle-aged and elderly population might further narrow GGLE and ensure improvement in health and health equity in Shanghai China.
High-trans fatty acid and high-sugar diets can cause mice with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis with liver fibrosis and potential pathogenesis
Authors: Xin Xin , Cai Bei-yu , Chen Cheng , Tian Hua-jie , Wang Xin , Hu Yi-Yang , Qin Feng
Published: April 2020

Background and Aims: Even Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has been becoming the key role in process of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis, no any NASH involving liver fibrosis mice model which consistent with the mechanisms of fatty acid and glucose metabolism disorder was widely accepted. Here, we established a mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with liver fibrosis using a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet (HFHC) and analyzed the potential pathogenesis using a transcriptome microarray. Methods: Fifty mice were stratified by weight and randomly divided into the HFHC model and control (Con) groups. 10 mice were sacrificed at the beginning of the experiments, 10 mice of HFHC and Con group were euthanized at the end of 20 and 30weeks. The following analyses were performed: biochemical analysis; histological assessment; evaluation of hepatic type I collagen (Col-I), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) protein and mRNA expression levels; and transcriptomic gene chip analysis. Results: Compared with the Con group at each time point, the body weight and liver wet weight of the HFHC model group of mice were significantly higher. At 30th weeks, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting insulin (FINS) levels or activities and the triglyceride (TG) and hydroxyproline (HYP) content in the HFHC model group were significantly elevated. Severe steatosis was present in the liver tissues contributed from the HFHC group of mice. Typically, substantial perisinusoidal fibrosis with a cage-like structure and bridging formations were observed in the mice liver in HFHC group. Col-I, α-SMA and TGF-β1 protein and mRNA expression levels in liver tissues of HFHC mice dramatically increased over time. Compared with the Con group, the HFHC group had 151 differentially expressed genes that were involved in 41 signaling pathways. Conclusions: After keeping 30 weeks HFHC diet treatment, the mice exhibited substantial liver fibrosis, hepatic steatosis, ballooning degeneration and inflammation. Basing on the transcriptome microarray assays, the experimental NASH involving liver fibrosis potentially related to dramatically changed ECM-receptor interaction, Toll-like receptor signaling and other signaling pathways.