bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The hidden link between plasma mitochondrial DNA level and cardiac dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Fan Jing Xiu , Zeng Ling , Chen Lu , Li Ye , Pu Huqiong , Shen Jiayu , Kang Yan
Published: June 2020

Background: To investigate the hidden link between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and cardiac function after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), we compared the relationship of plasma mtDNA level and the prevalence of cardiac dysfunction in patients receiving cardiac surgery with CPB.Methods: From September 1st, 2015 to December 1st, 2016, 962 patients who received cardiac surgery with CPB were prospectively comprised in this study. Routine blood test and examinations for blood biochemistry, NT-proBNP and mtDNA were arranged in half an hour when patients were transferred into intensive care unit (ICU). The clinical outcomes related to the cardiac function were determined by at least two senior doctors responsible for ICU. The data were inputted with double check and the inner logic of these data was set to establish the database. SAS 9.4, R 3.2.4 and SPSS 21.0 were used in data analysis.Results: Of the 962 patients (mean [SD] age, 51.6 [12.5] years; 459 [47.7%] male) comprised in this study, 692 patients received cardiac valve surgery, 83 patients received coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 58 patients received CABG and cardiac valve surgery at the same time, 70 patients received surgery on ascending aorta, 35 patients received surgery for simple congenital heart diseases and 15 patients received other types of surgery. The prevalence of cardiac dysfunction in this study is 9.25%. The level of mtRNA among patients with cardiac dysfunction and patients without cardiac dysfunction has no statistical significance (t=-1.42, P=0.1565). There was an obvious positive liner correlation between the level of plasma mtDNA and NT-proBNP in patients receiving CPB (r=0.1291, P=0.0386). There was an obvious positive liner correlation between the level of plasma mtDNA and APACHE II score in patients receiving CPB (r=0.2133, P<0.0001).Conclusions: The level of plasma mtDNA was closely related with the cardiac function and illness severity in patients receiving cardiac surgery with CPB.
Proteomic Profiling of Du145 Cell Line Exosomes Identifies Icam1 as Aputative molecular Mechanism by Which Relb Promotes The proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Prostate cancer Cells
Authors: Li Wenjing , Xu Jingjing , Cheng Li , Zhang Lianjun , Shao Qiang , Guo Feng
Published: June 2020

Background: Prostate cancer (PC) is a serious health issue in men. Exosome plays essential roles in modulating the oncogenesis and progression of PC. RelB is highly expressed in PC and plays oncogenic parts in DU145 cells. We aim to uncover the protein panel of exosomes derived from RelB-knockdown DU145 cells (siRelB) as compared to control cells (sictrl) and explore a potential mechanism that RelB conferring the more aggressive phenotype to DU145 cells.Methods: Exosomes derived from sictrl and siRelB were subjected to Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry for proteomics profiling. Label-free quantification strategy iBAQ (intensity-based absolute quantification) was used to quantify and Fold Change (FC) was calculated to identify the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). The characterization of proteins was conducted by bioinformatics analysis. ICAM1 over-expressing DU145 cells (hICAM1) and control cells (hctrl) were established by transfection using Lipofectamine 2000. The cell growth, migration, and invasion capabilities were measured by the xCelligence real-time monitoring system. Annexin V/PI-staining was adopted to assess apoptosis. CCK-8 assay was applied for proliferation evaluation. Integrin β-1, MMP9, and uPA were detected by Western blot.Results: 1259 exosomal proteins were identified, with 160 and 105 proteins unique to the siRelB and sictrl, respectively, while 994 proteins were present in both. We identified 137 upregulated and 55 downregulated proteins in siRelB. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that some DEPs had the cell adhesion molecular activity and participated in the cell adhesion process. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enriched that intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) was downregulated targeted by the NF-κB signaling. The FC of exosomal ICAM1 was 2.136. The expression of ICAM1 was positively related to RelB in PC by UALCAN. ICAM1 was shown to be co-expressed with RelB by GeneMANIA. The protein abundance of exosomal ICAM1 was lower in siRelB. hICAM1 had enhanced abilities of proliferation, migration, and invasion, with higher expression of Integrin β-1 when compared to hctrl.Conclusions: Our study identified 192 exosomal DEPs downstream of RelB in the DU145 cells. Exosomal ICAM1, conferring a more aggressive phenotype to DU145 cells, is a potential molecular mechanism modulating the tumorigenesis and progression of PC cells.
Characterization of the Fecal Microbiota in Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients and Healthy Controls
Authors: Li Ningning , Bai Chunmei , Guan Yuanzhi , Zhao Lin , Ge Yuping , Li Xiaoyuan
Published: June 2020

Background The incidence and mortality of gastrointestinal tumors are high in China. Some studies suggested that the gut microbiota is also related to the occurrence and development of tumors. At present, there are no prospective studies based on the correlation between gastrointestinal tumors and gut microbiota in the Chinese population. The objective of this report is to characterize the fecal microbiota in patients with esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer and healthy controls. Methods Patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancer were enrolled, and healthy people were included as controls. 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyze the characteristics of fecal microbiota. PICRUSt software was used for functional prediction.Results Significant differences in the composition and abundance of fecal microbiota were identified between gastrointestinal cancer patients and healthy controls. The abundance of F. prausnitzii, C. clostridioforme, and B. adolescents in three different tumor groups was all significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.05). The abundance of R. gnavus, B. obeum, and R. faecis in the gastric and colorectal cancer groups was significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.05). The abundance of Dorea in the gastric cancer group was significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.05). B. fragilis, P. corpi, and E. coli were overabundant in the different tumor groups compared with the control (P<0.05). There were significant differences in functional metabolism and cell biological function between the tumor and control groups (P<0.05). The feces of cancer patients with more advanced staging had higher abundance of Prevotella and fewer Clostridium. Conclusions Patients with esophageal or gastric cancer had similar features of fecal bacteria as those with colorectal cancer. The metabolic function of fecal bacteria in the gastrointestinal cancer patients and the healthy controls were different.
Association of Serum Adipokines Levels with Glycemic Control and Metabolic Dyslipidemia in Sudanese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Eltahir Halima Babiikir , Ali Elmahdi Mohamed , Mohamed Abdelrahim Osman
Published: June 2020

Background: The pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus is due to two major abnormalities including insulin resistance and dysfunction, which lead to the inability to regulate blood glucose level. Adiponectin is a hormone secreted by the adipose tissue and it takes part in glucose metabolism with insulin-sensitising properties. Low levels of adiponectin leads to reduction of fatty acid oxidation decreased glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells and increased level of free fatty acids leading to insulin resistance. Leptin is another adipokine produced by adipose tissue involved in the control of food intake via its action on the hypothalamus, suppressing appetite and stimulating energy expenditure. Leptin plays a critical role in pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus.The aim of the study was to investigate the association of serum adipokines levels with glycemic control and metabolic dyslipidemia in Sudanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods: This was a case control study. 202 patients with type 2 diabetes and 102 non-diabetic controls participated after signing written consent. Weight (kg) and height (m) were measured then the body mass index (kg/m2) was determined. Blood samples were collected after an overnight fasting. FBG, HbA1c and lipid profiles were measured using enzymatic methods. Adiponectin and leptin were measured using sandwich ELISA.Results: Adiponectin concentrations was significantly lower in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with the controls (p<0.001) and it was inversely correlated with HbA1c (Pearson Correlation -.160, P value = 0.005), total cholesterol and LDL levels (P = 0.05) and direct correlated HDL levels (P = 0.05). Leptin concentrations was significantly higher in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with the controls (p<0.002) and it was positively correlated with HbA1c (Pearson Correlation .155, P value = 0.02), total cholesterol and LDL levels (P = 0.05), there were no correlation with HDL and TG levels. Patients had significantly higher fasting blood glucose, HbA1c levels, total cholesterol and LDL levels compared with the controls.Conclusion: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus had decreased levels of serum adiponectin, high levels of serum leptin. There were significant correlations found between adiponectin and leptin levels with glycemic control and metabolic dyslipidemia .
Prognostic Significance of SQSTM1 in Breast Cancer: A Comprehensive Analysis
Authors: Liu Yang , Du Qian , Sun Dan , Han Ruiying , Teng Mengmeng , Zhang Ying , Dong Yuzhu , Chen Siying , You Haisheng , Dong Yalin
Published: June 2020

Background: SQSTM1 (Sequestosome 1, p62) is degraded by activated autophagy and involved in the progression of in various types of cancers. However, the prognostic role and underlying regulation mechanism of SQSTM1 in the progression and development of breast cancer remain unclear.Methods: In this study, 1336 samples with available mRNA data from Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) database and 27 formalin fixation and paraffin embedding (FFPE) tissue samples from the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University were collected to evaluate SQSTM1 expression in mRNA and protein levels. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression were used for revealing prognostic value in three independent breast cancer independent datasets. Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) database and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) was used to explore the relationship of SQSTM1 mRNA expression and immune infiltration level in breast cancer. Dysregulation mechanisms of SQSTM1 were also explored including copy number variation (CNV), somatic mutation, epigenetic alterations and other transcription and post-transcription level using multiple datasets. Finally, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was constructed to elucidate functional regulating performance of SQSTM1 in breast cancer.Results: The results showed that mRNA and protein level of SQSTM1 were significantly elevated in breast cancer and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that p62 may act as diagnostic biomarker. Lower expression of SQSTM1 predicted better outcome through multiple datasets. It was also found that SQSTM1 correlated with immune infiltrates in breast cancer. Moreover, CNV and methylation of SQSTM1 DNA was correlated with SQSTM1 dysregulation and act as prognostic factors for breast cancer patients. Yet, somatic mutation status of SQSTM1 didn’t show any prognostic relevance. We also identified diverse transcription factors that directly bound to SQSTM1 DNA and the miRNAs which may regulate SQSTM1 mRNA. Finally, functional enrichment analysis revealed that SQSTM1 is related to cell signal transduction, oxidative stress and autophagy in breast cancer.Conclusion: Our findings revealed that overexpression of SQSTM1 significantly to poor survival and immune infiltrations in breast cancer. In addition, SQSTM1 plays a key role in the progression of breast cancer and might be a promising biomarker for the diagnosis and personalized treatment of breast cancer patients.
Acute Disseminated Encephal Omyelitis (ADEM) After Pneumococcal Meningitis In A Child
Authors: FOIADELLI THOMAS , TRABATTI CHIARA , BASSANESE FRANCESCO , LANDI ENRICO , LICARI AMELIA , ORSINI ALESSANDRO , LUZZI SABINO , MARSEGLIA GIAN LUIGI , SAVASTA SALVATORE
Published: June 2020

Background: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system (CNS), whose pathogenesis is still debated. It occurs more frequently in children, and the first neurological symptoms usually appear between 2 and 4 weeks after a trigger event, such as an infection or vaccination. Several viral agents have been related to the development of ADEM, while bacteria and parasites are less frequently involved. Severe Streptococcus pneumoniae infection has been rarely described as a trigger for CNS demyelination in particularly predisposed subjects.Case presentation: A 10 year old girl was evaluated for headache, fever and vomit. CSF analysis revealed pleocytosis and presence of S. pneumoniae antigen, and proper antibiotic therapy for bacterial meningitis was started, with rapid improvement. A breach in the right frontal bone, due to a car accident occurring the previous year, was considered the gateway for pneumococcal infection. Three days after admission, the girl developed drowsiness, altered speech and left hemiparesis. Brain MRI showed multiple T2-hyperintense bilateral lesions in the supratentorial white matter, and ADEM was diagnosed. Considering the underlying bacterial meningitis, intravenous immunoglobulins were preferred to steroid therapy, and the patient progressively recovered. However, due to recurrence of encephalopathic symptoms after 11 days, high-dose intravenous steroid therapy was performed. The neurological outcome was favourable, with complete regression of the white matter lesions after 4 months and absence of relapses over a follow-up period of 2 years.Conclusions: Occurrence of ADEM following pneumococcal meningitis is rare, and very few cases have been described in children. It should be suspected in case of persistence, recurrence or onset of new symptoms despite adequate antimicrobial treatment, relying on brain MRI for a thorough differential diagnosis. High level of surveillance is mandatory in patients with predisposing factors to invasive pneumococcal disease. In some cases, acute demyelination can occur few days after the onset of meningitis; pathogenetic mechanisms are not yet fully clarified and the choice of the correct therapeutic approach can be challenging.
Comparison of Glycated Albumin, Hemoglobin Alc and Admission Blood Glucoseforpredictionof in-hospital Major Adverse Cardiac Events: a Retrospective Study
Authors: Sun Lin , Yuan Haitao
Published: June 2020

Background: Hyperglycemia is an independent predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in 30 days.The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognostic roles of different glycemic markers for in-hospital MACEs in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), including hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and glycated albumin (GA) and admission blood glucose (ABG).Methods: We conducted a retrospective study with 200 MI patientswho undergone PCI during the hospitalization period. We collected the clinical data and divided all patients into groups based on MACEs.T test and Chi-Square (Fisher) test were conducted to examine the difference between the two groups. Univariate and Multivariate Logistic Analysis and receptor operating curve(ROC) were performed to investigate the prognostic role of each glycemic markers in AMI patients with PCI.Patients were regrouped based on ROC curve and cutoff levels. The Cox regression analysis, Kaplan Meier method and Log rank test was performed for MACEs cumulative events.Results: Among the 200 patients, 18 patients developed MACE. Patients in MACE group had a higherdiastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p=0.019), high-sensitivity troponin T (HS-TnT) peak (p=0.011), CKMB peak (p=0.026),myoglobin (MYO) peak (p=0.006), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (p=0.005), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (p=0.027),GA(p=0.001) and HbA1c (p=0.010). There were more smokers (p=0.017), diabetic patients (p<0.001) and patients with hypertension(p=0.009) in MACE group. Univariate and Multivariate logistic analysis showed GA (p=0.029) and HbA1c (p=0.048) were independent risk factors of MACEs. ROC curve showed GA had a larger area under the curve (AUC) as prognostic marker of in-hospital MACEs (0.743; 95%confidenceinterval[CI], 0.578-0.907; p=0.001) than HbA1c (0.689; 95%CI, 0.530-0.849; p=0.008) and ABG (0.593; 95%CI, 0.441-0.745; p=0.192).Kaplan Meier curves showed that patients with higher levels of GA (p=0.001), HbA1c (p<0.001) and ABG (p=0.008)had worse clinical events (p=0.001).Univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis presented GA has significant predictive role for MACEs.Conclusion: Among ABG, GA and HbA1c, elevated GA were significant to predict the risk of in-hospital MACEs in AMI patients who undergone PCI during the hospitalization period.
Overexpression of Nitric Oxide and Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in Mucous Membrane of the Maxillary Sinus Fungus Ball
Authors: Li Hang-jin , Guo Yan , Yu Bo , Zhang Ling-yan , Zhang Wei , Wang Jizhe , Qu Hui
Published: June 2020

Objective: We aimed to explore the expression and interplay of NO and iNOS to elucidate their roles in human maxillary sinus mucosa with maxillary sinus fungus ball (MSFB) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).Methods: Fifty-one patients with MSFB, CRS and simple maxillary sinus cyst were included in this study. The NO content of the mucosa of each group was detected by Nitric acid reductase method. The expression of iNOS was tested by immunohistochemistry and Western blott. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the expression of iNOS and the occurrence of MSFB and CRS.Results: The results showed that NO and iNOS were highly expressed in the maxillary sinus mucosa of MSFB group, which were significantly different from CRS and control group (P<0.01). The expressions of NO and iNOS in the samples of CRS group were higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Moreover, iNOS was widely presented in the cytoplasm of sinus mucosa epithelium and inflammatory cells in the maxillary sinus mucosa of MSFB patients. Furthermore, Spearman correlation coefficient indicated that the expression of iNOS was positively correlated with the incidence of MSFB (r=0.6395, P<0.05).Conclusion: NO and iNOS are overexpressed in the maxillary sinus mucosa of MSFB and CRS patients, and the increase in the MSFB patients was better than the CRS. The expressions of NO, iNOS were also correlated with the incidence of MSFB. We thus provide a new indicator to assist the diagnosis of MSFB and its distinction from CRS.
Environmental factors associated with diarrhoea among under-five children attending at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania: a descriptive cross sectional study
Authors: Mathias Victor Aidan , Mkalagale Asumin Abdul , Mtshengu Margareth Thulisile
Published: June 2020

Background: Generally, diarrhea is still a second major reason of death and illness in children below the age of five years. It holds breathes of around half a million under five children’s every year and causes million more to be admitted. Every year diarrhea kills around 525000 children of under five years.Although few study have been done in Tanzania to determine factors associated with diarrhea among under five children, but environment factors have not yet well addressed. Therefore, this study seeks to address environmental factors associated with diarrhoea among under-five children attending at Muhimbili National Hospital, in Tanzania. Methods: A quantitative descriptive cross sectional study design of 100 simple randomly participants were selected. Questionnaires were used to collect data form key informants who were mothers/ carers with a child of under-five suffering from diarrhoea admitted at Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania. Data were analysed using SPSS. Statistical tests used were mean, median, proportions and chi square. Environmental risk factors associated with diarrhoea were determined with a p value of less than 0.05. Ethical approval and permission to collect data were obtained from relevant authorities.Results: Unsuitable infrastructure for grey water disposal, improper hand washing before feeding the baby and hand washing without using clean water and soap had strongly association with the occurrence of diarrhoea in under-five children attending at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) with P-value of 0.00, 0.00, and 0.01 respectively.Conclusion: Childhood diarrhoea is contributed by various environmental risk factors including unimproved sanitation, lack of hand washing facilities and poor knowledge among caregivers. This calls for the importance of providing health education to the caregivers on the cause, prevention and treatment of diarrhoea among under-five children.
Hsa-circ-0001860 promotes Smad7 to enhance MPA resistance in endometrial cancer via miR-520h
Authors: Yuan Shuang , Zheng Panchan , Zeng Judan , Sun Xiao , Wang Lihua
Published: June 2020

Background Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) is one of the most commonly prescribed progestin for the treatment of endometrial cancer (EC). Despite initial benefits, many patients ultimately develop progesterone resistance. Circular RNA (circRNA) is a kind of noncoding RNA, contributing greatly to the development of human tumor. However, the role of circular RNA in MPA resistance is unknown. Methods We explored the expression profile of circRNAs in Ishikawa cells treated with (ISK/MPA) or without MPA (ISK) by RNA sequencing, and identified a key circRNA hsa_circ_0001860. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to verify its expression in MPA-resistant cell lines and tissues. CCK8, Transwell and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the functional roles of hsa_circ_0001860 in MPA resistance. The interaction between hsa_circ_0001860 and miR-520h was confirmed by bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay. Results The expression of hsa_circ_0001860 was significantly downregulated in MPA-resistant cell lines and tissues, and negatively correlated with lymph node metastasis and histological grade of EC. Functional analysis showed that hsa_circ_0001860 knockdown by shRNA promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion and inhibited the apoptosis of Ishikawa cells treated with MPA. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0001860 promoted Smad7 expression by sponging miR-520h. Conclusion Hsa_circ_0001860 plays an important role in the development of MPA resistance in EC through miR-520h / Smad7 axis, and it could be targeted to reverse the MPA resistance in endometrial cancer.
Urban–rural disparities in healthcare financing: An analysis under China’s unified residents’ health insurance scheme
Authors: Zhou Guoliang , Xiao Jian , Chen Mingsheng , Si Lei
Published: June 2020

Background: Few empirical studies have explored disparities in healthcare financing between urban and rural areas after China’s integration of health insurance schemes for residents. This study characterizes and compares disparities in healthcare financing distribution between urban and rural areas in China. Methods: Data were collected from 3918 individuals in 1800 urban households and 2609 individuals in 1200 rural households in 2018. We conducted tests of dominance on concentration curves of healthcare payments between urban and rural areas to compare urban–rural disparities in healthcare financing. Results: Disparities were found in healthcare financing equity of direct taxes, the Urban–Rural Residents’ Basic Medical Insurance (URRBMI), and out-of-pocket payments between urban and rural areas. Conclusions: Government subsidies on URRBMI need to be increasingly allocated to residents, especially in rural areas, providing sustainable pooled funding and continuation of URRBMI.
The Accuracy of Individualized Three Dimensional-printing Template Assisted I125 Radioactive Seed Implantation for Recurrent head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Qiu Bin , Jiang Yuliang , Ji Zhe , Sun Haitao , Fan Jinghong , Li Weiyan , Shao Yuxia , Jiang Ping , Wang Junjie
Published: June 2020

Background:Individualized threedimensional-printing template(3D-PT) is developed to facilitate I125radioactive seed implantation (RSI) for recurrent head and neck cancer, while most of the previous studies were focused on the efficacy and safety profiles, study on the accuracy of I125 RSI is lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy involvingneedle puncture and dosimetry of individualized 3D-printing template (3D-PT) assisted I125 radioactive seed implantation (RSI) for head and neck cancer.Materials and Methods: From February 2017 to January 2020, clinical data of 41 patients (mean age, 58.5 ± 16.1 years; 28 males) with recurrent primary (48.8%)/secondary (51.2%) head and neck cancer underwent individualized 3D-PT assisted I125 RSI under CT guidance in our institute were retrospectively reviewed.Results:A total of 430 [mean, 10.5 (range 3–17) per patient] needles were inserted. Technical success rate was 100% without major complication. The mean entrance deviation was 0.090 cm (95% Confidence Interval, 0.081–0.098), whichwas significantly larger in patients with primary cancer than patients with secondary cancer (0.107 ± 0.012 vs. 0.072 ± 0.012 cm, p ＜ 0.001).The mean intraoperative depth and angular of the needle were consistent with planned depth and angular (6.23 ± 0.24 vs. 6.21 ± 0.24 cm, p = 0.903; 83.14 ± 3.64 vs. 83.09 ± 3.66 degrees, p = 0.985, respectively). The mean deviation between planned and intraoperative depth and angular of the needle were 0.168 ± 0.024 cm and 1.56 ± 0.14 degrees, respectively, without significant difference involving cancer type and implantation site (p = 0.065 and 0.092, respectively). The post-plan dosimetry parameters, including D90, D100, V100, V150, V200, conformity index, external index, and homogeneity index, were all well coordinate with planned dosimetry without significant deference (all p ＞ 0.05).Conclusions:Individualized 3D-PT assisted I125 RSI may be accurate with consistent planed and post-plan dosimetry for patients with recurrent head and neck cancer, further prospective study is warranted.
Hub Genes of Stroke Identified by Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis
Authors: Li Junhong , Zhai Yang , Wu Peng , Hu Yueqiang , Chen Wei , Zheng Jinghui , Tang Nong
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUD: Microarray-based gene expression profiling is widely used in biomedical research. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) links microarray data directly to clinical traits and identifies rules for predicting pathological stage and prognosis of disease.WGCNA is useful in understandingmany biological processes. Stroke is a common disease worldwide, however, molecular mechanisms of its pathogenesis are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to construct gene co-expression networks for identification of key modules and hub genes associated with stroke pathogenesis.METHODS: Gene microarray expression profiles of stroke samples were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened by the limma package in R software. WGCNA was used to construct free-scale gene co-expression networks to explore the associations between gene sets and clinical features, and to identify key modules and hub genes. Subsequently, functional enrichment analyses were performed. Further, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was carried out to validate expression of hub genes and literature validation was performed as well.RESULTS: A total of 11,747 most variant genes were used for co-expression network construction. Pink and yellow modules were significantly correlated to stroke pathogenesis. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the pink module was mainly involved in regulation of neuron regeneration, and repair of DNA damage.On the other hand, yellow module was mainly enriched in ion transport system dysfunction which was correlated with neuron death. A total of eight hub genes (PRR11, NEDD9, Notch2, RUNX1-IT1, ANP32A-IT1, ASTN2, SAMHD1 and STIM1) were identified and validated at transcriptional levels and through existing literature.CONCLUSION: The eight hub genes (PRR11, NEDD9, Notch2, RUNX1-IT1, ANP32A-IT1, ASTN2, SAMHD1 and STIM1) identified in the study are potentialbiomarkers and therapeutic targets for effective diagnosis and treatment of stroke.
Pleural effusion as the initial manifestation of metastatic melanoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Yu LiHua , Quan Duoduo , Qiu Zhangwei , Xu Hui , He Jianbo , Dai Yuanrong
Published: June 2020

Background: Malignant melanoma (MM) is a highly invasive form of skin cancer with poor prognosis. Pleural metastatic melanoma is rare, with only a few reported cases.Case presentation: A 47-year-old woman with a medical history of right heel melanoma was diagnosed with left-sided pleural effusion, with pleural thickening and calcified mediastinal lymph nodes, using chest computed tomography (CT). A video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy was performed which revealed numerous pink lumps arising from the parietal pleura and viscera along the diaphragmatic surface. The pathological diagnosis was pleural metastatic melanoma and the tumor cells were immunocytochemically positive for S100, SOX10, and Melan-A.Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of metastatic pleural melanoma are nonspecific. Pleural effusion cytology combined with thoracoscopy is an effective diagnostic method. The presence of melanocytes has improved the diagnosis of this condition.
A Study of the Spatial Network Structure of the Health Economy in China: Regional Health Inequality and Patient Mobility
Authors: Fu Liping , Kaibo Xu , Feng Lu , Lu Liang , Zhengmin Wang
Published: June 2020

Background: The distribution of medical resources in China is seriously imbalanced due to imbalanced economic development in the country. To meet the challenges presented by increasing demand and unevenness in medical resources, the primary goal of health system reform is to eliminate spatial disproportion. Against this background, this study aims to assess the distribution characteristics of regional medical resources and the effects of regional imbalances.Methods: Data for this study were drawn from the China Health Statistical Yearbooks and China Statistical Books . The gravitational value of China’s health spatial network was calculated to establish a network of gravitational relationships. The social network analysis method is used for centrality analysis and spillover effect analysis. Based on the gravitational value, we used indicators for visits, health expenditure, GDP and geographical distance, as well as an illustrative index for the population, bed utilization, and burden of consultations per day. Results: A gravity correlation matrix was constructed among provinces by calculating the gravitational value, indicating the spatial relationships of different provinces in the health economic network. Economically developed provinces, such as Shanghai and Jiangsu, are at the centre of the health economic network (centrality degree=93.333). These provinces also play a strong intermediary role in the network and have connections with other provinces. In the CONCOR analysis, 31 provinces are divided into four blocks. In the traditional meaning analysis, the gap between eastern and western China is still obvious. In comparing the northern and southern regions, this study finds that the concentration of medical resources in northern provinces seems to be higher. The spillover effect of the blocks indicates provinces with medical resource centres have beneficial effects, while provinces with insufficient resources have obvious spillover effects.Conclusion: There is a significant gap in the geographical distribution of medical resources, and the health economic spatial network structure needs to be improved. Most medical resources are concentrated in economically developed provinces, and these provinces’ positions in the health economic spatial network are becoming more centralized. By contrast, economically underdeveloped regions are at the edge of the network, causing patients to move to provinces with medical resource centres. There are health risks of the increasing pressure to seek medical treatment in developed provinces with abundant medical resources.
Thermoelectric Study of La2Ti2-xNbxO7 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.25) Ceramics
Authors: Iyasara Adindu Cyril , Idu Felix U
Published: June 2020

La2Ti2 − xNbxO7 (x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25) powders were synthesised via solid state reaction method, followed by sintering at 1673 K in a reducing atmosphere of 5% H2/N2 gas. The crystal structure, microstructure and thermoelectric (TE) properties of the pure and Nb-doped La2Ti2O7 ceramics were investigated. All compositions were single phase with porous microstructures consistent with their low experimental densities. Thermoelectric results of Nb-doped compositions showed improved properties in comparison to pure La2Ti2O7, suggesting that cation doping has the potential to improve the thermoelectric properties. Generally, the TE results obtained are not suitable for thermoelectric applications. However, the high Seebeck coefficient (

\ge
190 µV/K) and glass-like thermal conductivity (

\le 2.26 \text{W}/\text{m}.\text{K})
values achieved have opened a new window for exploring the thermoelectric potentials of La2Ti2O7 and other related oxides.
Is it necessary for suspected children with coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19) to perform CT scan?
Authors: Qiyi Chen , Ruming Xie , Hui Chen , Yajie Wang , Budong Chen
Published: June 2020

Objectives: the aim is to evaluate justification for suspected children withcoronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) to perform CT scanning. Methods: Eighteen suspected children (7 male and 11 female) accepted both CT scanning (except one) and then pharyngeal swab assays from 26th January to 9th March 2020 in the retrospective study. They were confirmed COVID-19 by twice positive test and divided into two groups: asymptomatic subgroup and symptomatic subgroup. Fisher`s exact test was used in statistical analysis. Results: The CT positive ratio was not significant in the two subgroups (0 (0%) vs 3 (23.1%), p=0.541), the same as that in different sex and ages (female vs male: 2 (20.0%) vs 1 (14.3%), p=1.000; <=3 years vs >3 years: 2 (28.6%) vs 1 (10.0%), p=0.537). The demonstrations of the two positive CT were multiple patchy infiltration or ill-fined ground-glass opacity in subpleural regions. Conclusions: It was unnecessary for suspected children with COVID-19 to perform CT scanning as a “routine” ahead of viral nucleic acid assays.
Acute kidney injury in hospitalized patients with COVID-19
Authors: Gameiro Joana , Fonseca José Agapito , Oliveira João , Marques Filipe , Bernardo João , Costa Claudia , Carreiro Carolina , Braz Sandra , Alvoeiro Lourdes , Lopes José António
Published: June 2020

Introduction: The incidence of AKI in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients ranges from 0.5 to 35% and has been associated with worse prognosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, severity, duration, risk factors and prognosis of AKI in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center analysis of 192 hospitalized COVID-19 patients from March to May of 2020. AKI was diagnosed using the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) classification based on serum creatinine (SCr) criteria. Persistent and Transient AKI were defined according to the Acute Disease Quality Initiative (ADQI) workgroup definitions.Results: In this cohort of COVID-19 patients, 55.2% developed AKI (n=106). The majority of AKI patients had persistent AKI (n=64, 60.4%). Overall, in-hospital mortality was 18.2% (n=35) and was higher in AKI patients (28.3% vs 5.9%, p<0.001, unadjusted OR 6.03 (2.22-16.37), p<0.001). On a multivariate analysis, older age (adjusted OR 1.08 (95% CI 1.02-1.13), p=0.004), lower Hb level (adjusted OR 0.69 (95% CI 0.53-0.91), p=0.007) and acidemia at presentation (adjusted OR 5.53 (95% CI 1.70-18.63), p=0.005), duration of AKI (adjusted OR 7.91 for persistent AKI (95% CI 2.39-26.21), p=0.001) and severity of AKI (adjusted OR 2.30 per increase in KDIGO stage (95% CI 1.10-4.82), p=0.027) were independent predictors of mortality.Conclusion: AKI was frequent in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Persistent AKI and higher severity of AKI were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality.
Integrated Performance Measurement of Local Hotels in the Context of a Global Tourism Destination: A Case Study of Samui Island, Thailand
Authors: Aujirapongpan Somnuk , Pattanasing Kanittha
Published: June 2020

This is a qualitative study with the objective to search for the patterns and directions in an integrated performance measurement of local hotels through secondary data from existing research collections and primary data from personal in-depth interviews with 12 local hotel administrators in the global tourism destination of Samui Island, Thailand. In this study, we found that the performance measurement of local hotel businesses on Samui Island, Thailand, a global tourism destination, was composed of various components. Each component was integrated; the performance measurements of each component are not undertaken separately. The financial aspect is not the sole focal component; rather, it is connected to other aspects, i.e., the operation and stakeholder relationship. The financial aspect of the local hotels, on the other hand, includes measurements of income and return on investment. In addition, the operation of the businesses emphasises the satisfaction with the customer service, while the stakeholder relationship stresses customer loyalty. Importantly, a sense of ownership on the part of the personnel, trust in their colleagues, and a sense of being a part of the community in which the businesses operate are all taken into consideration.
The Interaction Effect of Independent Boards on Corporate Governance-Corporate Social Responsibility (CG-CSR) and Performance Nexus
Authors: Karim Sitara , Abdul Manab Norlida , Ismail Rusmawati
Published: June 2020

The financial crises over the past two decades were identified as the main reason for the economic collapse. Malaysia suffered the same fate when many organisations crumpled from inappropriate compliance of governance mechanisms and corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure practices. Given this condition, this study intends to examine the effects of governance mechanisms and CSR practice on firm performance and the moderating effect of board independence is investigated on corporate governance-CSR (CG-CSR) and performance nexus of 588 Malaysian companies listed on Bursa Malaysia between 2006 and 2017. Both accounting-based (ROA) and market-based (Tobin’s Q) performance measures have been used for measuring performance. Dynamic model using Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) has been employed on the dataset to control for potential endogeneity, reverse causality, and dynamic heterogeneity. Findings indicate that ownership concentration negatively affects ROA; chief executive officer (CEO) duality positively affects ROA and negatively affects Tobin’s Q. Moreover, investment on CSR is negatively related to both performance measures. Finally, board independence negatively moderates the CG mechanisms, CSR practice, and performance relationship. Findings of the study have implications for Bursa Malaysia and Securities Commission Malaysia to reset the limit of independent directors on board so that their unnecessary interference in operations of management may be avoided. Furthermore, companies need to reassess their CSR strategies whether they are spending on CSR activities or hiding their financial malfeasance in the name of investment on CSR.
LA PANDEMIA DEL CORONAVIRUS SARS-COV-2 Y SUS EFECTOS SOBRE LA COMUNICACIÓN. RECOMENDACIONES PARA LA COMUNICACIÓN DE MALAS NOTICIAS EN SITUACIÓN DE AISLAMIENTO
Authors: Espasandín-Duarte Irene , Portela-Romero Manuel , Cinza-Sanjurjo Sergio
Published: June 2020

El 31 de diciembre de 2019 China informó sobre un brote de neumonía susceptible de provocar síndrome de distress respiratorio del adulto. El agente etiológico causante se identificó poco más tarde como un nuevo coronavirus, que se denominó SARS-CoV-2. La enfermedad transmisible causada por este coronavirus, conocida por el acrónimo COVID-19, se extendió progresivamente a nivel mundial, lo que obligó, para controlar su expansión, a la adopción de medidas como el distanciamiento social, el confinamiento de la población y el aislamiento estricto de los enfermos. Este aislamiento estricto provocó, de manera disruptiva, cambios importantes en la comunicación profesional sanitario-paciente/familiares, que fueron especialmente significativos en la comunicación de malas noticias. Este texto refleja, en el momento álgido de la epidemia en Galicia (España), la experiencia en la comunicación de malas noticias a familiares de enfermos ancianos COVID-19 positivos. Finalmente, proponemos un decálogo de consejos sobre la comunicación telefónica de malas noticias.
FATORES QUE INFLUENCIAM O PROCESSO DE DOAÇÃO DE LEITE HUMANO: UMA REVISÃO SISTEMÁTICA DA LITERATURA
Authors: Buges Naiana Mota , Pereira Renata Junqueira
Published: June 2020

O objetivo desse estudo foi descrever os fatores que influenciam as lactantes na doação de leite humano, por meio de discussão de artigos das bases de dados Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS e Medline, publicados a partir de 1998, quando houve a criação da Rede Brasileira de Bancos de Leite Humano. Foram selecionados 42 artigos para análise de títulos e resumos. Após aplicados os critérios de exclusão, a revisão foi composta por 15 artigos, sendo elencados os principais fatores motivadores da doação de leite humano, dentre eles altruísmo/benevolência/resposta empática; excesso de leite e intercorrências com a amamentação; orientação, auxílio e apoio social; descentralização, estrutura e logística; paridade e escolaridade. Conclui-se que a compreensão do comportamento e dos sentimentos das lactantes em relação ao processo de doação de leite pode embasar a criação de políticas de saúde para promoção da prática da doação, aperfeiçoando as já existentes, com manutenção e captação de novas doadoras de leite humano.
EFFECT OF A THERMOGENIC SUPPLEMENTATION ON POST AEROBIC EXERCISE HEMODYNAMIC RESPONSES IN HEALTHY YOUNG MEN
Authors: E Silva Vilton Emanoel Lopes de Moura , Silvino Valmir Oliveira , Rodrigues Júnior Jefferson Fernando Coelho , Sena Alyson Felipe da Costa , Amorim Carlos Eduardo Neves , Cabido Christian Emmanuel Torres , Dos Santos Marcos Antônio Pereira
Published: June 2020

Introduction: The use of food supplements with esthetic or performance-enhancing goals has been largely investigated. Thermogenics are supplements that increase energy expenditure through thermogenesis and are widely consumed by individuals seeking to improve body composition and exercise performance. Objective: To evaluate the effects of a commercially available thermogenic supplement on post-exercise blood pressure responses. Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven healthy thermogenic supplements users participated in the study. Nine were assigned in the control group (21.67 ± 1.87 years), nine in the thermogenic group (24.00 ± 4.18), and nine in the placebo group (23.67 ± 3.04). The volunteers performed a treadmill aerobic exercise session for 60 minutes at 65 to 85% max heart rate. The hemodynamic variables were measured at rest and during 60 minutes in the post-exercise recovery. The normality of the data was evaluated using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Baseline momentum and post-exercise recovery were analyzed using the two-way ANOVA test (group versus time factors), with Bonferroni post-hoc test. The level of statistical significance was set at p <0.05. Results: The thermogenic supplement did not significantly compromise post-exercise hypotension when compared to the other groups. However, thermogenic supplementation increased the blood pressure in >5 mmHg, which reportedly plays an important role in cardiovascular diseases. Conclusion: The use of the thermogenic Lipo 6 Black Ultra Concentre Nutrex ® did not alter PEH in healthy youngsters. However, since an increase in the blood pressure was observed, this supplementation must be administered with caution.
EFEITOS DA RECUPERAÇÃO PASSIVA E ATIVA SOBRE A DOR E A FUNCIONALIDADE APÓS EXERCÍCIOS RESISTIDOS
Authors: Arbiza Bruno Cesar Correa , Righi Natiele Camponogara , Delevati Anelise Lunardi , Rubin Neto Léo José , Da Silva Antonio Marcos Vargas , Puntel Gustavo Orione , Signori Luis Ulisses
Published: June 2020

Os exercícios resistidos (ER) realizados de forma intensa resultam no surgimento de dor muscular de inicio tardio (DMIT) e na redução da funcionalidade. Diferentes formas de recuperação após os exercícios veem sendo estudadas para atenuar o desconforto e melhorar a funcionalidade. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos das recuperações passiva (RP) e ativa (RA) sobre a DMIT e a funcionalidade de voluntários fisicamente ativos após sessão de ER. A amostra foi composta por 15 voluntários, com idade média de 24,2 (± 2,2) anos e IMC de 24,7 (± 2,5) kg/m2, submetidos ao protocolo de ER e às formas de recuperação. As sessões de ER (agachamento, cadeira extensora e leg press) consistiram em 4 séries de 10 repetições, com 80% da carga máxima (intervalo de uma semana entre a avaliação e as sessões). A DMIT foi avaliada (Escala Visual Analógica) 24 h, 48 h e 72 h após sessão de ER. A funcionalidade (força muscular avaliada pelo pico de torque isométrico, flexibilidade, potência, agilidade, velocidade e resistência à fadiga) foi avaliada 30 min após as intervenções (RA e RP). A RA foi mais eficiente na redução da DMIT em relação à RP nos três momentos avaliados (24 h: -1,3, 48 h: -1.3 e 72 h: -1.5 pontos; p < 0.005). A RA melhorou em aproximadamente 9% a força muscular dos membros inferiores em relação à RP. As demais variáveis funcionais não apresentaram diferenças entre as recuperações. A RA diminui a DMIT e atenua a perda da força muscular após ER em voluntários fisicamente ativos.