bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cessation of nucleos(t)ide analogues therapy in chronic hepatitis B: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xie Yandi , Jin Rui , Song Guangjun , Ma Hui , Feng Bo
Published: April 2020

Backgroud: To address the possibility of safe cessation of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and to identify factors associated with off-NAs virological relapse (VR).
Methods: A published work search was performed to identify all published studies including patients who ceased NAs and were followed for ≥12 months. A meta-analysis was performed.
Results: Twenty-six studies involving 2573 patients who discontinued NAs were included. The pooled rate of off-NAs VR was 0.63, being lower in initially hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive than HBeAg-negative patients (0.57 versus 0.62, P = 0.732). The pooled rates of VR were 0.47, 0.55, 0.61, 0.51, 0.73 and 0.64 at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months after NAs cessation, respectively, being relatively lower in initially HBeAg-positive (0.31, 0.45, 0.55, 0.44, 0.48, 0.52) than HBeAg-negative patients (0.50, 0.55, 0.69, 0.57, 0.53, 0.68) ( P = 0.405). The pooled rate of biochemical relapse was 0.44, being lower in initially HBeAg-positive than HBeAg-negative patients (0.43 versus 0.48, P = 0.554). The pooled rates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss and seroconversion was 0.09 and 0.06, respectively. The pooled rates of VR at 12 months after NAs cessation were significantly different between duration of on-NAs virological response ≤24 months and >24 months in all patients (0.55 versus 0.41, P = 0.011), initially HBeAg-positive patients (0.59 versus 0.41, P = 0.031), and initially HBeAg-negative patients (0.53 versus 0.37, P = 0.025).
Conclusions: Safe cessation of NAs therapy seems to be feasible in a substantial proportion of CHB patients. On-NAs virological response >24 months reduces the risk of off-NAs VR. Stopping NAs treatment may have an impact on long-term HBsAg decline and HBsAg clearance.
Psychiatric inpatient beds for youths in China: data from a nation-wide survey
Authors: Geng Feng , Jiang Feng , Rakofsky Jeffrey , Liu Tingfang , Liu Yuanli , Liu Huanzhong , Tang Yi-lang
Published: April 2020

Background The development of child psychiatric services in China has been slow and very limited resources have been allocated to support its growth. This study set out to investigate the child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric resources currently available in top-tier psychiatric hospitals in China and the characteristics of youth patients hospitalized on an adult unit. Method As part of a official national survey, 29 most representative provincial tertiary psychiatric hospitals in China were selected. Data of 1975 inpatients discharged from these hospitals from March 19 to 31, 2019 were retrieved and analyzed. Results The mean number of youth psychiatric beds was 27.7±22.9 in these hospitals and 6/29 hospitals had zero youth beds. There were significantly more youth beds in developed regions than in less developed regions (P<0.05). Most of discharged youth patients were teenagers with severe mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. 7.5% (149) of 1975 discharged patients were youth while youth beds only accounted for 3.2% (804/25136) of all psychiatric beds. 45.6% (68) of youth patients were discharged from adult psychiatric units. Conclusion Our findings highlight the lack of adequate youth psychiatric inpatient services for children and adolescents living in China, especially in less developed regions. There is an urgent need to build more child and adolescent psychiatric units in provinces where there are none, and to increase the number of beds within the units that exist presently.
Research on the establishment and application of protein fingerprint spectrum database of Burkholderia pseudomallei in Hainan Province China
Authors: Wang Xu-Ming , Liu Ling-Li , Wu Hua , Huang Mei-Hui
Published: April 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to establish a SuperSpectrum of Burkholderia pseudomallei(B. pseudomallei) in Hainan and evaluate its application value in the rapid identification of clinical isolates of B. pseudomallei.Methods: Using a collection of 167 isolates of B. pseudomallei from June 2010 to May 2019 in different regions of Hainan province, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was applied for spectrum acquisition. A SuperSpectrum was created based on the selection of 80 representative average spectra. In a second step, we validated the SuperSpectra with 137 strains of B. pseudomallei, 8 strains of Burkholderia thailandensis(B. thailandensis), 2 strains of Burkholderia cepacia(B. cepacia), 1 strain of Burkholderia cenocepacia(B. cenocepacia) and 1 strain of Burkholderia multivorans(B. multivorans), as well as 1 strain of Burkholderia gladioli(B. gladioli) identified by MLST typing and 16S rRNA gene sequencing.Results: The results showed that there was 100% agreement between the validation strains analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS and those evaluated by MLST typing and 16S rRNA gene-sequencing analysis methods. Protein fingerprints spectra showed that specific peaks occurred in B. pseudomallei from the Hainan region. The result of clustering typing indicated that B. pseudomallei and its closely related species could be well classified by MALDI-TOF MS at the protein level.Conclusions: MALDI-TOF MS is a promising, rapid, and economical method to monitor the outbreaks and spread of B. pseudomallei isolates.The establishment of an accurate and objective SuperSpectrum database can provide a new platform for the clinical rapid diagnosis of melioidosis.
Triglyceride glucose index for the detection of asymptomatic coronary artery stenosis in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Thai Pham Viet , Tien Hoang Anh , Minh Huynh Van , Valensi Paul
Published: April 2020

Background Triglyceride Glucose index (TyG) was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Silent coronary disease is common in patients with type 2 diabetes. In Vietnam, a low-middle income country, the burden of cardiovascular disease is growing in parallel to the epidemiologic transition. The aim was in patients with type 2 diabetes and no history or symptom of cardiovascular disease, to assess the prevalence of coronary stenoses (CS) and investigate the association between TyG and cardiovascular risk factors and the presence and severity of CS. Methods We recruited 166 patients at Ninh Thuan General Hospital, Vietnam. TyG and HOMA-IR were calculated, and a coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) was performed. Results The population was separated according to tertiles of TyG. Patients with highest TyG had higher BMI, waist circumference, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, plasma glucose and HbA1c levels, lower HDL-cholesterol; more of them had a metabolic syndrome and less practiced physical activity (p<0.05 to <0.001). TyG correlated with HOMA-IR (p<0.001). CS ≥50% were present in 60 patients, with a coronary artery narrowing ≥70% in 32 of them. The patients with CS had higher TyG (p<0.05). The association of TyG with CS remained significant in a multivariate analysis including confounding risk factors. The number of narrowed vessels and the degree of stenosis were associated with higher TyG levels (p=0.04 and <0.005). TyG was significant in identifying patients with CS with an area under the ROC curve of 0.678 (95%CI: 0.582-0.775, p=0.002), a cut-off point of 9.63 offering 75% sensitivity and 44% specificity. In subgroup analysis the association TyG-CS was stronger in patients ≥60 yrs, with HbA1c≥7%, on statin or anti-platelet therapy. The AROC was higher with the triple criterion age-HbA1c-TyG than with age or HbA1c alone (p<0.001 for both comparisons). Conclusion More than one third of asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes had CS on CCTA. TyG may be considered as a marker of insulin resistance and allows to identify patients with high risk of coronary stenoses, particularly in those ≥ 60 yrs with poor glycemic control, and is associated with the number and the severity of narrowed branches.
Altered gut microbiota due to daily intake of flavonoid-rich orange juice regulate depressive symptoms
Authors: Park Miey , Choi Jihee , Lee Hae-Jeung
Published: April 2020

Background: Depression is not just a general mental health problem but a serious medical illness that can worsen without treatment. The gut microbiome plays a major role in the two-way communication system between the intestines and brain. The current study examined the effects of flavonoids on depression by observing the changes in the gut microbiome and depressive symptoms of young participants consuming flavonoid-rich orange juice. Results: All participants (Depression) were evaluated using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), a psychiatric screening tool used to detect preexisting psychiatric disorders, and were randomly divided into two groups: the orange juice (Depression_O) and flavored placebo (Depression_F) groups. For 8 weeks, flavonoid-rich orange juice (157.9±1.4 mg/100 g) or flavored placebo drink (28.4±0.7 mg/100 g) were consumed twice daily before breakfast and dinner. In total, 80 fecal samples from 40 participants (mean age, 21.83 years) were sequenced. Regarding depression, positive correlations were observed between brain-derived neurotrophic factor and the Lachnospiraceae family (Lachnospiraceae_uc and Murimonas) before flavonoid-rich orange juice treatment. Most notably, the abundance of the Lachnospiraceae family (Lachnospiraceae_uc, Eubacterium_g4, Roseburia_uc, Coprococcus_g2_uc, Agathobacter_uc) had increased after flavonoid-rich orange juice treatment compared to that after flavored placebo treatment. We also validated the presence of unclassified Lachnospiraceae through sensitive real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction using stool samples from participants before and after flavonoid treatment. Conclusions: Our results provide novel interventional evidence that alteration in the microbiome due to flavonoid treatment is related to potential improvement in depression in young adults. Trial registration: This study was registered on the Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) with the registration number KCT0004865.
Increased circulating microparticles and inflammatory factors aggravate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: GUO DA-ZHI , Lv Yan , Qi Ya’nan , Pan Shuyi
Published: April 2020

Background The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has posed tremendous challenges to the world's public health. The conditions of some patients can quickly progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome and even death. Current studies suggest that an outbreak of inflammatory response known as cytokine storm may play a key role in the process. This study was performed to investigate the relativity of the production of circulating microparticles (cMPs) and the expression of inflammatory factors (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8 and IL-10) expression in the blood on the degree of COVID-19. Methods A total of 89 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 were divided into four groups, namely, mild, moderate, severe and critically ill groups, according to China's COVID-19 Diagnosis and Treatment Program (6th trial version), and 30 healthy persons were selected as the control group. The groups were compared in terms of cMP production and IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 levels in their blood, and the correlation between cMP production and the expression of inflammatory factors with the degree of COVID-19 were analysed. Results Differences in cMP production and IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 expression levels among the five groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between cMP production or the expression of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 and the degree of COVID-19 (cMP, r=0.981; IL-6, r=0.954; IL-8, r=0.863; IL-10, r=0.895; P<0.05). Conclusion Increased levels of cMP, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 aggravate COVID-19. cMP production and the expression of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 may predict the degree of COVID-19 to a certain extent. The early inhibition of cMP overproduction and IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 expression may be an important therapeutic target for the prevention of COVID-19 progression.
Practicability and effectiveness of the unassisted HIV self-testing compared to the directly assisted HIV self-testing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Randomized Implementation Trial
Authors: Tonen-Wolyec Serge , Tshilumba Charles Kayembe , Batina-Agasa Salomon , Djang’eing’a Roland Marini , Hayette Marie-Pierre , Bélec Laurent
Published: April 2020

Background. HIV self-testing (HIVST) may be use free or assisted by health care workers. The aim of this trial was to assess the practicability and effectiveness of unassisted HIVST (UH) versus directly assisted HIVST (DAH) in field settings in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Methods. A non-inferiority evaluation using a blood-based HIV self-test was conducted in Kisangani, DRC. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to UH or DAH. Practicability was defined as the successful performance and the correct interpretation of the result. The linkage to care and the willingness to buy self-test constituted the outcome for HIVST effectiveness. Results. The rate of successful performance of the test was same (93.2%) in UH and DAH. The rate of correct interpretation of the results was 86.9% in UH versus 93.2% in DAH yielding the difference of -6.3% (95% CI: -10.8 to 2.5). UH significantly decreased the rate of correct interpretation of results as compared to DAH (aRR: 0.60 [95% CI: 0.36 to 0.98]; P=0.019). None significant difference was found between two arms in evaluating the linkage to care. Willingness to buy HIV self-test was higher in UH as compared to DAH (92.3% versus 74.1%; aRR: 4.20 [95% CI: 2.42 to 7.32]; P<0.001). Conclusion. This study demonstrates that both UH and DAH show high level of practicability and effectiveness for HIVST. However, additional support tools will be need to improve the practicability of the test in UH. Taken together, UH as well as DAH should improve access to HIV testing in DRC. Trial registration: PACTR201904546865585. Registered 03 April 2019 - Retrospectively registered, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=6032
An efficient estimator for source localization using TD and AOA measurements in MIMO radar systems
Authors: Liu Ming-Ming , Gao Weichen , Zhao Yan , Chang Xin
Published: April 2020

By utilizing time delay (TD) and angle of arrival (AOA) measurements, three dimensional (3D) target localization based on multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) radar systems is studied in this letter. For such a positioning problem, the typical closed-form solution firstly establishes pseudolinear equation and then applies the weighted least squares (WLS) to determine the final position.However, the WLS solution often suffers performance degradation when the noise is large. To alleviate this problem, the cost function of the WLS is re-represented and a quadratic constraint is imposed such that the expectation of the cost function can attain the minimum value at the true position. Moreover, simulation experiments show that the proposed method performs better than the state-of art algorithms.
Comparative analysis of macrophage activation in the synovium of healthy and osteoarthritic equine joints
Authors: Menarim Bruno C. , Gillis Kirsten H. , Oliver Andrea , Ngo Ying , Werre Stephen R. , Barrett Sarah H. , Rodgerson Dwayne H. , Dahlgren Linda A.
Published: April 2020

Background: Synovitis is a major component of osteoarthritis and is driven primarily by macrophages. Synovial macrophages are crucial keepers of joint health by driving joint homeostasis, tissue repair and inflammation resolution (M2-like phenotype), but can also induce an inflammatory response (M1-like phenotype) when these regulatory functions are overwhelmed. Macrophage phenotypes in synovium from osteoarthritic and healthy joints are poorly characterized. Defining the patterns of synovial macrophage phenotypes in normal and osteoarthritic joints is paramount for developing targeted therapeutic approaches. The objective of this study was to compare patterns of macrophage activation phenotypes in healthy and osteoarthritic equine joints. We hypothesized that synovium from osteoarthritic joints would have increased M1-like:M2-like ratios compared to normal joints. Methods: Gross evaluation of the articular surfaces, histology (H&E) and immunohistochemistry for M1-like (CD86), M2-like (CD206, IL-10), and pan macrophage (CD14) markers was performed on synovial biopsies from healthy (n=29) and osteoarthritic equine joints (n=26). Cytokines (MCP-1, IL-10, PGE 2 , IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ra) and growth factors (GM-CSF, SDF-1α+β, IGF-1, and FGF-2) in synovial fluid were quantified. Results: All macrophage markers were co-expressed in all joints with minimal differences between OA and normal joints. Intensity of expression varied with degree of synovial inflammation. CD14, CD86, CD206, and IL-10 were more highly expressed in grossly inflamed osteoarthritic synovium, with CD86 most highly expressed. Synovial fluid MCP-1 was higher in osteoarthritic joints while SDF-1 was lower. Overall, concentrations of synovial fluid IL-10 and PGE2 was not different between OA and normal joints. Increased CD14/CD86/CD206/Il-10 expression in the synovium was associated with synovial hyperplasia, consistent with macrophage recruitment and activation in response to higher demands for repair. Conclusions: Macrophages are not as clearly defined in vivo as they are in vitro . The course of an effective response to injury in joints should start with inflammation and be followed inflammation resolution, both of which centrally driven by macrophages. Combined, our findings suggest that homeostatic mechanisms from synovial macrophages are impaired in OA, resulting in unresolved, chronic joint inflammation. Therapeutic approaches aimed at recovering mechanisms of macrophage-driven synovial homeostasis may be more effective in treating osteoarthritis than simply inhibiting inflammation.
The efficacy of anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) as reference for anatomical axis of femur in Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty
Authors: Yan Yan , Feifan Lu , Chongjie Cheng , Qidong Zhang , Weiguo Wang , Wanshou Guo
Published: April 2020

Purpose：We aim to figure out the deviation of using ASIS as the reference for femoral anatomical axis (AA) in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and the degree of angle between AA and actual mechanical axis (MA) in the coronal plane for patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Patients and Methods： Between December 2017 to December 2019, a total of 120 consecutive knees (104 patients) with severe medial compartment KOA were included in this study. The weight-bearing full-length radiographs of included knees were analyzed using Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS). The lines of AA, operation AA (oAA) and MA were identified. Angles between AA and oAA (Angle 1), AA and MA (Angle 2) were measured on the radiographs. Symbol “+” and ”-” were attached with angles between AA and oAA to describe the situation when oAA lies in the lateral or medial side of AA. The statistical analysis was done using SPSS Version 23.0. A p values＜0.05 were considered to be significant. Results: The deviation angle between AA and oAA in the coronal plane (Angle 1) was (0.91±1.08)° (-2.61°-3.04°). The angle between AA and MA in the coronal plane (Angle 2) was (6.26±1.01）° (3.95°-8.93°). No significant differences of Angle 1 and Angle 2 were found between sexes. For knees with partial thickness cartilage loss (PTCL) (n=39) and full thickness cartilage loss (FTCL) (n=81), Angle 1 was statistically significantly different in the 120 knees (0.61°vs.1.05°;p=0.035). While the Angle 2 for knees with PTCL and FTCL was (6.13±0.80)° (4.83°-7.99°, p=0.326) and (6.32±1.09)° (3.95°-8.93°, p=0.326), respectively. Conclusion：A mean deviation angle of 0.91° was identified between AA and oAA, the value of which could be larger in knees with FTCL. ASIS may not be a reliable reference for AA of femur in UKA patients. And an adjustment of at most 1.0°of varus angle may help achieve better coronal alignment.
Total knee arthroplasty in advanced active tuberculous arthritis of the knee
Authors: Wang Jingsheng , Liu Tingting , Zou Apeng , Shi Qingpeng , Zhou Baisui , Zhao Shanrun
Published: April 2020

Background: While studies have indicated that total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is effective to treat the patients with advanced tuberculosis (TB) of the knee joint a consensus of views regarding surgical timing, prosthesis selection, and peri-operative antitubercular therapy has not been reached. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety of TKA in the patients with advanced active tuberculous arthritis of the knee. Methods: Eight patients with advanced active tuberculous arthritis of the knee were reviewed in this study from 2010 to 2017. The diagnosis of each patient was confirmed by postoperative histopathology revealing granulomatous lesions with epithelioid histiocytes surrounded by lymphocytes and positive acid-fast staining. Antitubercular medications and TKA with primary prosthesis were performed in all patients with one-stage TKA in six and two-stage in two. Local symptoms, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) values were used for detecting the recurrence of tuberculosis. The hospital for special surgery knee score (HSS) system was used to evaluate the function outcomes of the involved knees. Results: Within an average follow-up period of 48.8 months, no recurrence of tuberculous infection was found in any of the patients. The ESR became normal (below 20 mm/h) within six months after TKA in all patients. The average HSS score improved from 32.4 ± 8.6(18-42) points preoperatively to 85.6 ± 9.7(68-94) points 1.5-2.0 years after surgery (p<0.001). All knees showed good integrity and no loosening of prosthesis was found. Conclusions: TKA for advanced active tuberculosis of the knee is a safe procedure providing symptomatic relief and functional improvement. A long infection-free interval is not a prerequisite for TKA. Wide surgical debridement and adequate post-operative antitubercular chemotherapy are the mainstay to eradicate the infection.
Pathological mechanism of hidden blood loss after TKA: oxidative stress induced by free fatty acids
Authors: Yuan Tao , Yu Xin , Qian Hong , Meng Jia , Jiang Hui , Yang Shaoqiang , Bao Nirong , Zhao Jianning
Published: April 2020

Objective: To study the correlation between high-level free fat acids（FFA）and red blood cell (RBC) injury and to explore the pathological mechanism of hidden blood loss (HBL) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods: Perioperative blood indexes were tested in 120 patients underwent unilateral total knee replacement for end-stage knee osteoarthritis. Venous blood samples were collected before operation and 24h, 48h, 72h and 120 h after operations. The changes of FFA, hemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cell number in the blood samples were detected by automatic hematology analyzer. The activity of glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels in the blood were measured. Measurement of reactive oxygen species（ROS）was performed by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, the morphological changes of RBC were analyzed under microscope. Results: Significant hidden blood loss was observed for all patients. The Hb content, RBC and hematocrit（Hct）decreased significantly 24 h after surgery (P <0.05)，while FFA concentration was significantly increased and heteromorphic red blood cells appeared under the microscope. The hemoglobin content decreased to the lowest level at 48 h after the operation (P < 0.01). The change of HBL was the most significant according to the Gross equation with the levels of FFA and ROS in the blood increased significantly and reached the peak at 48 h after operation (P <0.01). Meanwhile, GSH-PX activity, T-SOD activity and H2O2 levels significantly decreased compared with preoperative tested samples (P <0.01). Microscopically, erythrocyte atypia increased significantly with cellular rupture and necrosis identified. After 72 h of operation, ROS concentration began to decline along with FFA concentration. However, the Hb and RBC began to rise. Also, GSH-Px activity, T-SOD activity and H2O2 levels increased as well. All tested parameters tended to return to normal levels five days after surgery.Conclusion: High levels of FFA in blood can induce oxidative stress and damage RBCs, which in turns causes HBL after surgery.
Water pipe Smoking: Prevalence and Addiction among University students in Palestine, Jordan, and Turkey
Authors: Hawash mohammed , Mosleh Rami , Hanani Ahmad , Jarar Yazun , Hajyousef Yousef
Published: April 2020

Background Smoking is one of the main causes of lung cancer. It was estimated that tobacco smoking might kill 10 million people annually in the next 20–30 years, and Shisha smoking has been a common habit worldwide during the last 20 years, especially in the Middle East. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Shisha smoking and to make comparisons among three countries in the Middle East, thereby establishing factors associated with shisha smoking among university students in Palestine, Jordan, and Turkey. Method An online cross-sectional study was carried out among university students from Palestine, Jordan, and Turkey. A total of 2030 students were selected for the study. The students were asked to answer an online structured questionnaire consisting of questions concerning the prevalence and patterns of Water pipe smoking and associated factors. Result The overall prevalence of Water pipe smoking was 31.8%. Less than a quarter of university students (21.7%) had ever smoked Water pipe. The highest percentage of current Water pipe smokers were Palestinians (36.11%), and the lowest percentage was from Turkey (20.23%). Approximately 43% of Water pipe smokers believe that they will be addicted to Water pipe smoking and almost half of them smoke Water pipe daily. The highest percentage of Water pipe smokers were university students 25 years old and above. However, the highest percentages of university students who are Water pipe smokers were students with a low monthly income. The university students living with their families were smoking Water pipe less frequently than students living in private residencies. Conclusion This study concludes that there is a high prevalence of Water pipe smoking among university students in Palestine, Jordan, and Turkey. The highest percentage was found among Palestinians, which might be because there are no Water pipe smoking regulations in Palestine, whereas there are in Turkey. Monthly income and living with the family were factors affecting the prevalence of Water pipe smoking.
Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells Recover Mouse model of Parkinson’s Disease mainly by Neuroprotective，Anti-oxidative and Anti-inflammatory factors
Authors: Zhang Jiaofei , Li Hui , Yang Hao , Lin Jianhua , Wang You , Zhang Qianjun , Gao Wei-Qiang , Xu Huiming
Published: April 2020

Objectives: Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) have been reported to have neuroprotective roles in neurological diseases including Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in animal models. However, the mechanism is not fully understood.Materials and method : Firstly, hAECs were transplanted into the striatum of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine ( MPTP )-induced PD mice. And the motor deficits were tested by Rotarod test. Secondly, injury severity of nigral dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra and striatal axon fibers in PD mice was estimated by immunochemistry with tyrosine hydroxylase antibody. Thirdly, neuroinflammation was measured by microglial activation and the level of inflammatory factor levels. Lastly, the oxidative stress was tested by the level of reactive oxidative species (ROS) levels. In vitro, we examined a full spectrum of soluble proteins of hAECs by Raybiotech human Antibody Array 507. Besides, antibody neutralization experiments were used to determine the role of many factors on dopaminergic neurons.Results: hAECs significantly attenuated the motor deficits of PD mice. Moreover, the grafts prevented the loss of nigral dopaminergic neurons, promoted the outgrowth of their neurites and striatal axon fibers in PD mice. More importantly, decreased microglial activation, inflammatory factor levels and MPTP-induced excessive ROS levels were also observed in hAEC-treated PD mice. In vitro, analysis of an antibody array of 507 soluble target proteins using hAEC-CM revealed that the levels of many neurotrophic factors, growth factors， neuronal cell adhesion molecule ( NrCAM )，and anti-inflammatory factors were evidently high. In addition, antibody neutralization experiments showed that many of them contributed to the survival and growth of dopaminergic neurons and the outgrowth of their neurites.Conclusion: Our study indicates that the neuroprotection effects by hAECs grafts are achieved not only by neuroprotection and neurite outgrowth-promoting activities, but also by anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation functions in the microenvironment of the damaged dopaminergic neurons, so to facilitate the restoration of neurological functions.
A possible Injectable Tissue Engineered Nucleus Pulposus constructed with platelet-rich plasma and ADSCs in Vitro
Authors: Zhang Zhicheng , Ma Jian , Ren Dajiang , Li Fang
Published: April 2020

Background: Injectable tissue engineered nucleus pulposus is a new idea for minimally invasive repair for degenerative intervertebral disc. The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and adipose derived stromal cells(ADSCs) could be harvested from autologous tissue easily. PRP has mixed autologous growth factors and fibrous reticulate structure which may have the potential to make ADSCs differentiated into nucleus pulposus-like cells. The goal of this study was to explore the feasibility of constructing a possible injectable tissue engineered nucleus pulposus with PRP gel scaffold and ADSCs. Methods: After the rabbit ADSCs were identified with flow cytometry, the ADSCs were seeded into PRP gel and cultured in vitro. At the 2nd, 4th and 8th week, the PRP gel/ADSCs complex was observed by macroscopy, histological staining, BrdU immunofluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy. The glycosaminoglycans (GAG) in the PRP gel/ADSCs complex were measured by safranin O staining with spectrophotometry. PRP gel/ADSCs complex genes expression of HIF-1α, Aggrecan, Type Ⅱ collagen were detected by RT-PCR. The injectability of this complex was tested. Results: Macroscopically, the complex was solidified into gel with smooth surface and good elasticity. The safranin O staining confirmed almost no positive staining at 2nd week, however, the positive staining of extracellular matrix was enhanced obviously at 4th, 8th week. The HE staining and SEM demonstrated that the cells were well-distributed in the reticulate scaffold. BrdU immunofluorescence showed that ADSCs can survive and proliferate in PRP gel at each time points. The level of GAG at 4th week was higher than those at 2nd week (P<0.05), and significant difference was also noted between 4th and 8th week (P<0.05). HIF-1α, Aggrecan, Type Ⅱ collagen genes expression at 4th week were much more than those at 2nd week (P<0.05), and significant differences were also noted between 4th and 8th week (P<0.05). The flow rate of complex was 0.287 mL/min when passed through the 19-gauge needle with the 100mmHg pressure. Conclusions: The PRP gel made it possible for rabbit ADSCs differentiated into nucleus pulposus-like cells after mixed culture in vitro. Maybe, it is a better feasible method for construction of autologous injectable tissue engineered nucleus pulposus.
The Lung Microbiota in Korean Patients with Non-tuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Kang Sung-Yoon , Kim Hyojung , Jung Sungwon , Lee Sang Min , Lee Sang Pyo
Published: April 2020

Background: The role of the lung microbiota in non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) remains poorly known. We obtained protected specimen brushing (PSB) and bronchial washing specimens to investigate the microbiota of patients with NTM-PD via a bronchoscopic approach. Results: Eleven subjects with indications for NTM-PD on chest computed tomography (CT) were enrolled in the NTM-PD group, and 10 subjects with endobronchial lesions on chest CT that were not typical of NTM-PD, tuberculosis, malignancy, or any known lower respiratory tract disease or condition were enrolled in the control group. Samples from NTM-PD patients had lower microbial richness/diversity compared with the control group. Principal component analysis showed that the PSBs and bronchial washings exhibited similar patterns within each group but differed between the two groups. In the NTM-PD group, PSBs exhibited lower alpha and beta diversities than those of bronchial washings. Conclusion: NTM-PD patients exhibited a unique microbiotic distribution that was low in richness/diversity. PSB samples can serve as surrogates of lower airway samples when evaluating the airway microbiota of NTM-PD patients, as they accurately reflect lower airway status.
Impact of the European Board of Paediatric Surgery Examination on Career Progression: a cross-sectional survey study
Authors: Kawano Takafumi , Muensterer Oliver , MacKenzie Rosemary , Cascio Salvatore
Published: April 2020

Background: The two-part examination of the European Board in Pediatric (EBPS) Surgery was established in 2005 with the aim of ensuring harmonization of standards of training in Europe. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the examination on career progression using a validated questionnaire.
Methods: Between 2005 and 2016 a total of 227 candidates successfully passed part 2 of the EBPS examination. Of these, we were able to successfully contact 160 candidates by email and ask them to complete a validated online questionnaire,the Career Success Scale (CSS). Eighty-five candidates answered and 49 completed all items of the questionnaire (recall of 31%). Information on demographics, work environment, publication output, and self-reflecting personal opinion on the impact of EBPS certification on career progression was also queried.
Results: A recall of 31% was obtained (49 out of 160). Most respondents were male (82%), had published scientific manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals (93%), were actively presenting at conferences (96%), and believed that passing the examination helped them reach their career goals (61%). Involvement in multicenter studies was reported by 51% of respondents, 16% had obtained research awards, 16% received scholarships, and 9% reported research as their principal activity.
Conclusion: Candidates who passed the European Board Exam reported a high level of academic activity. Most of them believed that passing the exam had a positive effect on their career development.
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Emergency Resection for Obstructive Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Lohsiriwat Varut , Jitmungngan Romyen , Chadbunchachai Weeraput , Ungprasert Patompong
Published: April 2020

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) improves outcomes after elective colorectal operations. Whether it is beneficial for emergency colorectal surgery is unclear. This study aimed to systematically review and summarize evidence from all studies comparing ERAS versus conventional care in patients having emergency colectomy and/or proctectomy for obstructive colorectal cancer.Methods: EMBASE and MEDLINE from inception to October 2019 were systematically searched. Any studies comparing our primary outcome of interest (length of hospitalization) among patients having emergency resection for obstructive colorectal cancer who received ERAS versus conventional care were selected. Primary outcome was length of hospitalization. Secondary outcomes were gastrointestinal recovery, postoperative complication, 30-day readmission and mortality, and time to start adjuvant therapy.Results: Three cohort studies with 818 participants (418 received ERAS and 400 received conventional care) were included. Length of hospitalization (mean reduction 3.07 days; 95% CI, - 3.91 to -2.23) and risk of overall postoperative complication (risk ratio 0.78; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.97) were significantly lower in ERAS than in conventional care. ERAS was also associated with quicker time to gastrointestinal recovery, a lower incidence of ileus, and a shorter interval between operation and commence of adjuvant chemotherapy. There was no significant difference in the rates of anastomotic leakage, re-operation, readmission and mortality within 30 days after an operation between groups.Conclusions: ERAS had advantages over conventional care in patients undergoing emergency resection for obstructive colorectal cancer - including a shorter length of hospitalization, a lower incidence of complication and quicker gastrointestinal recovery.
EFFECTIVENESS EVALUATION OF STEEL STRENGTH IMPROVEMENT FOR PYRAMIDAL-PRISMATIC BUNKERS
Authors: Hezentsvei Yukhym , Bannikov Dmytro
Published: April 2020

In accordance with the recommendations of specialized professional literature, steel pyramidal-prismatic bunkers are projected for a service life of 20 years. However, in practice this term is often twice, or even three times lower. This is especially true for complicated operating conditions, in particular the effect of increased loads and low temperatures. Existing design techniques for such structures, both in European practice and the design practice of Ukraine and other CIS countries do not pay attention to these aspects. Therefore, in the practice of operation, the increased accident rate of steel bunker capacities has already become virtually a common occurrence.

One of the possible ways to solve this problem is presented, which consists of using instead of traditional steels of ordinary strength with high plastic properties, steels of increased or high strength with reduced plastic properties. At the same time, clear theoretical recommendations are provided for choosing the right steel depending on the operating conditions, primarily when exposed to increased loads. The recommendations are presented in a form convenient for practical engineering applications.

The proposed approach allows to reduce the material consumption of structures of this type on average according to theoretical estimates by 25-30% without reducing their bearing capacity. Their durability is also further enhanced by improving performance at low temperatures. Thus, the applied aspect of such a solution to this above problem is the possibility of increasing the overall reliability of steel bunker capacities, as well as reducing the cost of their periodic maintenance and repair work.

A practical illustration of the presented approach is also given on the example of the design of bunkers of a bypass track for supplying charge materials for blast furnaces of one of the metallurgical plants of the northern location. As a result, this created the preconditions for monetary savings of about 0.5 million UAH in prices 2019 (about 20,000 USD)
ALPHA EMITTERS RADIOACTIVITY CONCENTRATIONS IN SOME COSMETICS USED IN IRAQ USING LR-115 DETECTOR
Authors: Kheder Malik H. , Azeez Hanaa N. , Al-Jomaily Firas M.
Published: April 2020

Cosmetics play an important role of human external appearance, its products used to alter or enhance the facial appearance or the body and skincare, currently worldwide consumed with frequently use increasing the human body exposure to the various chemical elements including radioactive substances. This research aimed to measure the concentrations of alpha emitters, and the annual effective dose AED resulting from radon intake. LR-115 track detector used to measure radon, and radium concentrations in 20 cosmetics samples selected from markets. In this work the concentrations of radon in the samples found to vary from 9.876 to 30.97 Bq/m3 with 22.11 Bq/m3 a mean value, this mean value is a very small than 100 Bq/m3 the reference level limits of the World Health Organization (WHO). The annual radon effective dose varied between 0.249–0.781 mSv/y which is within the range of 0.2-10 mSv/y (UNSCEAR). Radium contents vary between 0.041–0.249 Bq/Kg with 0.115 Bq/Kg as a mean value. This work identified law measured concentrations of radionuclide present in cosmetics showed its safe for use
Determinants of profitability in Jordanian services companies
Authors: K. Gharaibeh Omar , H. Bani Khaled Marie
Published: April 2020

Due to the uniqueness of the services sector in terms of its characteristics and profitability, as well as the lack of studies on this sector, this study is considered to be the first to improve the knowledge of the key factors that play an important role in the profitability of the Jordanian services sector. This study investigates the effect of financial characteristics and capital structure on the profitability of all 46 services companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange over the period 2014–2018. This study applies fixed and random effects models to panel data variables, namely, size, tangible assets, growth, business risk, debt to equity ratio and debt to assets ratio as independent variables. At the same time, profitability was measured by operating profits (earnings before interest and tax divided by total assets), return on assets (ROA), and return on equity (ROE), which acted as the dependent variables. This study reveals the first evidence that the debt to assets ratio has a negative and significant impact on the profitability of services companies in Jordan. In line with the pecking order theory, this finding suggests that more profitable services companies tend to prioritize the use of retained earnings in financing business activities rather than in financing debt. This study shows that profitability is significantly and positively affected by size and business risk, while ROA is negatively affected by business risk. It also shows that tangible assets have a negative and significant effect on profitability, while growth has a positive and significant effect on operating profits.
Comparative analysis of medical and dosimetric consequences of the 1957 accident and contamination of the Techa river from the perspective of protective measures efficiency
Authors: Akleyev A. V. , Degteva M. O. , Krestinina L. Yu.
Published: April 2020

The paper deals with the evaluation of the efficiency of the implemented protective measures in the event of accidental exposure of the Urals region population due to radioactive contamination of the Techa River and the 1957 accident. Both of the accidents occurred in one and the same region within approximately the same time frame, and were caused by discharges of Mayak Production Association radioactive waste into the Techa River (1949–1956) and into the atmosphere (1957). Counter-measures that had been undertaken to provide radiation safety of the population differed both in nature and in timeline. Their efficiency was insufficient in the Techa River basin as they were delayed in time and were not implemented to a full extent. But countermeasures in the East Urals Radioactive Trace were much more effective according to medical and dosimetric criteria. As a result, residents of the Techa riverside settlements received much higher organ doses, including doses to red bone marrow, and health effects of accidental exposure were registered in them both soon after and long after the radiation exposure.
Ural cohort of the population exposed in childhood
Authors: Shalaginov S. A. , Krestinina L. Yu.
Published: April 2020

The object of the study is the cohort of individuals exposed in the Southern Urals in the 1950s at the age of 0–19 years. The relevance of the creation of the cohort of individuals exposed in childhood and adolescence is determined by their high sensitivity to radiation exposure and is associated with the need for differentiated assessments of the radiation risk of morbidity and mortality for individuals exposed at different stages of ontogenesis. The work includes definition of the cohort, the criteria for inclusion and exclusion from the cohort. According to the data as of 01.01.2019, the created cohort includes 32,461 potential members exposed as a result of living in the riverside villages of the Techa River and on the territory of the East Ural radioactive trace; the follow-up period of the cohort is 70 years (from 1950 to 2019). The cohort has an almost equal number of men and women, includes two ethnic groups (Slavs and Turks), the age range is from 0 to 91 years. The formed cohort can be used to assess the radiogenic risk of cancer and non-cancer morbidity and mortality for the low and medium doses of exposure
Oliferov's Raid on the Territory of Kuzbass in the Winter of 1920–1921: Why the Red Failed
Authors: Ermolaev A. N. , Dubrovskaya E. D.
Published: April 2020

The present article features the raid of the White Guard rebels attempted by Lieutenant-Colonel Oliferov on the territory of Kuzbass (Mariinsky and Shcheglovsky districts) in the winter of 1920–1921. The research objective was to identify the reasons why the Red Army forces failed to promptly crush the rebellion. The methodology was based on the classical principles of historicism and objectivity represented by the typological, comparative-historical, and chronological methods. The authors managed to restore the course of events related to the raid and its progress. The article focuses on the measures taken by the Soviet government to eliminate the White rebels. The analysis of rare archival materials proved that the Soviet military units, represented by special forces, internal service units, and regular military units, failed to coordinate their actions. The irregular Soviet military units were known for their weak discipline, poor training, and frequent cases of desertion. Each of the Red commanders tried to lead the entire operation, thus letting the well-organized and disciplined White detachment to repeatedly avoid the chase and win the battles.
Development of Russian Unitary State in the Works of Domestic Historians of the Late 1930’s – Early 1950’s
Authors: Tikhomirov N. V.
Published: April 2020

The present research featured the concept of Russian unitary state in the Soviet historiography of the late 1930’s – early 1950’s. The paper introduces the key problems the leading historians of that period had to face while developing their theoretical and methodological positions. The study focused on the effect of politics and ideology on historical science and the most important research problems studied by Russian mediaevalists. The author highlighted the role of I. V. Stalin in establishing the conceptual foundations for the theory of unitary state development. The article summarizes the vast material obtained from scientific publications, educational literature, and official documents of the period in question. The author revealed some continuity between the approaches of pre-revolutionary and Soviet historians, which made it possible to describe the specifics of the Marxist method. The research improves the scientific understanding of the development of the Soviet monoconcept of domestic history, as it clarifies the development process of the theory of Russian state. In practical terms, the obtained results can improve theoretical, scientific, methodological, and educational studies.