bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dendritic cells transduced with glioma-expressed antigen 2 recombinant adenovirus induces specific cytotoxic lymphocyte response and anti-tumor effect in mice
Authors: Shao Gaohai , Zhou Changlong , Ma Kunlong , Zhao Wang , Feng Guibo , Xiong Qijiang , Yang Ling , Yang Zhao
Published: January 2020

Introduction

Glioma is an aggressive common cancer with high mortality worldwide. Up to date, the effective medical therapeutical strategy is limited. Numerous previous studies have indicated that glioma-expressed antigen 2 (GLEA2) might be an attractive prognostic glioma biomarker.

Methods

In this experiment, dendritic cells (DCs) transduced with GLEA2 recombinant adenovirus were utilized to generate cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs) in vitro. Additionally, trimera mice were immunized with the transduced DCs to generate CTLs in vivo.

Results

The data demonstrated that GLEA2 transduced DCs could effectively generate specific CTL response against glioma without lysing autologous lymphocytes. Moreover, GLEA2 transduced DCs significantly attenuated the tumor growth and prolonged the life span of tumor bearing mice.

Conclusions

These findings suggested that DCs transduced with GLEA2 recombinant adenovirus could generate effective CTL mediated anti-tumor response, and might represent insight in glioma therapy.
Enhance transgene responses through improving cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking by bio-inspired non-viral vectors
Authors: Ma Xi-Xi , Xu Jing-Liang , Jia Yi-Yang , Zhang Ya-Xuan , Wang Wei , Li Chen , He Wei , Zhou Si-Yuan , Zhang Bang-Le
Published: January 2020

Background

Gene therapy remains a significant challenge due to lots of barriers limiting the genetic manipulation technologies. As for non-viral delivery vectors, they often suffer insufficient performance due to inadequate cellular uptake and gene degradation in endosome or lysosome. The importance of overcoming these conserved intracellular barriers is increasing as the delivery of genetic cargo.

Results

A surface-functionalized non-viral vector involving the biomimetic mannitol moiety is initiated, which can control the cellular uptake and promote the caveolae-mediated pathway and intracellular trafficking, thus avoiding acidic and enzymatic lysosomal degradation of loaded gene internalized by clathrin-mediated pathway. Different degrees of mannitol moiety are anchored onto the surface of the nanoparticles to form bio-inspired non-viral vectors and CaP-MA-40 exhibits remarkably high stability, negligible toxicity, and significantly enhanced transgene expression both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

This strategy highlights a paradigmatic approach to construct vectors that need precise intracellular delivery for innovative applications.
Oleic acid-based nanosystems for mitigating acute respiratory distress syndrome in mice through neutrophil suppression: how the particulate size affects therapeutic efficiency
Authors: Yu Huang-Ping , Liu Fu-Chao , Umoro Ani , Lin Zih-Chan , Elzoghby Ahmed O. , Hwang Tsong-Long , Fang Jia-You
Published: January 2020

Background

Oleic acid (OA) is reported to show anti-inflammatory activity toward activated neutrophils. It is also an important material in nanoparticles for increased stability and cellular internalization. We aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of injectable OA-based nanoparticles for treating lung injury. Different sizes of nanocarriers were prepared to explore the effect of nanoparticulate size on inflammation inhibition.

Results

The nanoparticles were fabricated with the mean diameters of 105, 153, and 225 nm. The nanocarriers were ingested by isolated human neutrophils during a 5-min period, with the smaller sizes exhibiting greater uptake. The size reduction led to the decrease of cell viability and the intracellular calcium level. The OA-loaded nanosystems dose-dependently suppressed the superoxide anion and elastase produced by the stimulated neutrophils. The inhibition level was comparable for the nanoparticles of different sizes. In the ex vivo biodistribution study, the pulmonary accumulation of nanoparticles increased following the increase of particle size. The nanocarriers were mainly excreted by the liver and bile clearance. Mice were exposed to intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), like lung damage. The lipid-based nanocarriers mitigated myeloperoxidase (MPO) and cytokines more effectively as compared to OA solution. The larger nanoparticles displayed greater reduction on MPO, TNF-α, and IL-6 than the smaller ones. The histology confirmed the decreased pulmonary neutrophil recruitment and lung-architecture damage after intravenous administration of larger nanoparticles.

Conclusions

Nanoparticulate size, an essential property governing the anti-inflammatory effect and lung-injury therapy, had different effects on activated neutrophil inhibition and in vivo therapeutic efficacy.
What constitutes effective problematic substance use treatment from the perspective of people who are homeless? A systematic review and meta-ethnography
Authors: Carver Hannah , Ring Nicola , Miler Joanna , Parkes Tessa
Published: January 2020

Background

People experiencing homelessness have higher rates of problematic substance use but difficulty engaging with treatment services. There is limited evidence regarding how problematic substance use treatment should be delivered for these individuals. Previous qualitative research has explored perceptions of effective treatment by people who are homeless, but these individual studies need to be synthesised to generate further practice-relevant insights from the perspective of this group.

Methods

Meta-ethnography was conducted to synthesise research reporting views on substance use treatment by people experiencing homelessness. Studies were identified through systematic searching of electronic databases (CINAHL; Criminal Justice Abstracts; Health Source; MEDLINE; PsycINFO; SocINDEX; Scopus; and Web of Science) and websites and were quality appraised. Original participant quotes and author interpretations were extracted and coded thematically. Concepts identified were compared to determine similarities and differences between studies. Findings were translated (reciprocally and refutationally) across studies, enabling development of an original over-arching line-of-argument and conceptual model.

Results

Twenty-three papers published since 2002 in three countries, involving 462 participants, were synthesised. Findings broadly related, through personal descriptions of, and views on, the particular intervention components considered effective to people experiencing homelessness. Participants of all types of interventions had a preference for harm reduction-oriented services. Participants considered treatment effective when it provided a facilitative service environment; compassionate and non-judgemental support; time; choices; and opportunities to (re)learn how to live. Interventions that were of longer duration and offered stability to service users were valued, especially by women. From the line-of-argument synthesis, a new model was developed highlighting critical components of effective substance use treatment from the service user’s perspective, including a service context of good relationships, with person-centred care and an understanding of the complexity of people’s lives.

Conclusion

This is the first meta-ethnography to examine the components of effective problematic substance use treatment from the perspective of those experiencing homelessness. Critical components of effective problematic substance use treatment are highlighted. The way in which services and treatment are delivered is more important than the type of treatment provided. Substance use interventions should address these components, including prioritising good relationships between staff and those using services, person-centred approaches, and a genuine understanding of individuals’ complex lives.
Influence of peritoneal carcinomatosis on perioperative outcome in palliative gastric bypass for malignant gastric outlet obstruction - a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bednarsch Jan , Czigany Zoltan , Heise Daniel , Zimmermann Henning , Boecker Joerg , Ulmer Tom Florian , Neumann Ulf Peter , Klink Christian
Published: January 2020

Background

Malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) is commonly associated with the presence of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) and preferably treated by surgical gastrojejunostomy (GJJ) in patients with good performance. Here, we aim to investigate the role of PC as a risk factor for perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients with GOO undergoing GJJ.

Methods

Perioperative data of 72 patients with malignant GOO who underwent palliative GJJ at our institution between 2010 and 2019 were collected within an institutional database.

To compare perioperative outcomes of patients with and without PC, extensive group analyses were carried out.

Results

A set of 39 (54.2%) patients was histologically diagnosed with concomitant PC while the remaining 33 (45.8%) patients showed no clinical signs of PC. In-house mortality due to surgical complications was significantly higher in patients with PC (9/39, 23.1%) than in patients without PC (2/33, 6.1%,p= .046). Considerable differences were observed in terms of surgical complications such as anastomotic leakage rates (2.8% vs. 0%,p= .187), delayed gastric emptying (33.3% vs. 15.2%,p= .076), paralytic ileus (23.1% vs. 9.1%,p= .113), and pneumonia (17.9% vs. 12.1%,p= .493) without reaching the level of statistical significance.

Conclusions

PC is an important predictor of perioperative morbidity and mortality patients undergoing GJJ for malignant GOO.
Socioeconomic position and the impact of increasing availability of lower energy meals vs. menu energy labelling on food choice: two randomized controlled trials in a virtual fast-food restaurant
Authors: Marty Lucile , Jones Andrew , Robinson Eric
Published: January 2020

Background

Food consumed outside of the home is often high in energy and population level interventions that reduce energy intake of people from both lower and higher socioeconomic position (SEP) are needed. There is a lack of evidence on the effectiveness and SEP equity of structural-based (e.g. increasing availability of lower energy options) and information provision (e.g. menu energy labelling) interventions on food choice.

Methods

Across two online experiments, participants of lower and higher SEP made meal choices in a novel virtual fast-food restaurant. To be eligible to take part, participants were required to be UK residents, aged 18 or above, fluent in English, have access to a computer with an internet connection and have no dietary restrictions. Participants were randomized to one of four conditions in a 2 × 2 between-subjects design: menu energy labelling present vs. absent and increased availability of lower energy options (75% of menu options lower energy) vs. baseline availability (25% of menu options lower energy). Participants also completed measures of executive function and food choice motives.

Results

The analysis of pooled data from both studies (n = 1743) showed that increasing the availability of lower energy options resulted in participants ordering meals with significantly less energy on average (− 71 kcal,p <  0.001, partial η2 = 0.024) and this effect was observed irrespective of participant SEP. Menu labelling had no significant effect on energy ordered (− 18 kcal,p = 0.116, partial η2 = 0.001) in participants from both higher and lower SEP. Furthermore, we found no evidence that executive function or food choice motives moderated the effect of increasing lower energy menu options or energy labelling on total energy ordered.

Conclusions

In a virtual fast-food environment, energy labelling was ineffective in reducing total energy ordered for both higher and lower SEP participants. Increasing the availability of lower energy options had an equitable effect, reducing total energy ordered in participants from higher and lower SEP.

Trial registration

Study protocols and analysis plans were pre-registered on the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/ajcr6/).
The prognostic value of a seven-lncRNA signature in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a lncRNA expression analysis
Authors: Weng Nuo-Qing , Chi Jun , Wen Jing , Mai Shi-Juan , Zhang Mei-Yin , Huang Long , Liu Ji , Yang Xian-Zi , Xu Guo-Liang , Fu Jian-Hua , Wang Hui-Yun
Published: January 2020

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to be prognostic biomarkers in many types of cancer. We aimed to identify a lncRNA signature that can predict the prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

Using a custom microarray, we retrospectively analyzed lncRNA expression profiles in 141 samples of ESCC and 81 paired non-cancer specimens from Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center (Guangzhou, China), which were used as a training cohort to identify a signature associated with clinical outcomes. Then we conducted quantitative RT-PCR in another 103 samples of ESCC from the same cancer center as an independent cohort to verify the signature.

Results

Microarray analysis showed that there were 338 lncRNAs significantly differentially expressed between ESCC and non-cancer esophagus tissues in the training cohort. From these differentially expressed lncRNAs, we found 16 lncRNAs associated with overall survival (OS) of ESCC patients using Cox regression analysis. Then a 7-lncRNA signature for predicting survival was identified from the 16 lncRNAs, which classified ESCC patients into high-risk and low-risk groups. Patients with high-risk have shorter OS (HR: 3.555, 95% CI 2.195–5.757, p < 0.001) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR: 2.537, 95% CI 1.646–3.909, p < 0.001) when compared with patients with low-risk in the training cohort. In the independent cohort, the 7 lncRNAs were detected by qRT-PCR and used to compute risk score for the patients. The result indicates that patients with high risk also have significantly worse OS (HR = 2.662, 95% CI 1.588–4.464, p < 0.001) and DFS (HR 2.389, 95% CI 1.447–3.946, p < 0.001). The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses indicate that the signature is an independent factor for predicting survival of patients with ESCC. Combination of the signature and TNM staging was more powerful in predicting OS than TNM staging alone in both the training (AUC: 0.772 vs 0.681, p = 0.002) and independent cohorts (AUC: 0.772 vs 0.660, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

The 7-lncRNA signature is a potential prognostic biomarker in patients with ESCC and may help in treatment decision when combined with the TNM staging system.
Obstetric fistula in southern Mozambique: a qualitative study on women’s experiences of care pregnancy, delivery and post-partum
Authors: Boene Helena , Mocumbi Sibone , Högberg Ulf , Hanson Claudia , Valá Anifa , Bergström Anna , Sevene Esperança , Munguambe Khátia
Published: January 2020

Background

Obstetric fistula is still common in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) despite the on-going shift to increased facility deliveries in the same settings. The social behavioural circumstances in which fistula, as well as its consequences, still occur are poorly documented, particularly from the perspective of the experiences of women with obstetric fistula. This study sought to describe women’s experiences of antenatal, partum and post-partum care in southern Mozambique, and to pinpoint those experiences that are unique to women with fistula in order to understand the care-seeking and care provision circumstances which could have been modified to avoid or mitigate the onset or consequences of fistula.

Methods

This study took place in Maputo and Gaza provinces, southern Mozambique, in 2016–2017. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews conducted with 14 women with positive diagnoses of fistula and an equal number of women without fistula. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim prior to thematic analysis using NVivo11.

Results

Study participants had all attended antenatal care (ANC) visits and had prepared for a facility birth. Prolonged or obstructed labour, multiple referrals, and delays in receiving secondary and tertiary health care were common among the discourses of women with fistula. The term “fistula” was rarely known among participants, but the condition (referred to as “loss of water” or “illness of spillage”) was recognised after being prompted on its signs and symptoms. Women with fistula were invariably aware of the links between fistula and poor birth assistance, in contrast with those without fistula, who blamed the condition on women’s physiological and behavioural characteristics.

Conclusion

Although women do seek antenatal and peri-partum care in health facilities, deficiencies and delays in birth assistance, referral and life-saving interventions were commonly reported by women with fistula. Furthermore, weaknesses in quality of care, not only in relation to prevention, but also the resolution of the damage, were evident. Quality improvement of birth care is necessary, both at primary and referral level. There is a need to increase awareness and develop guidelines for prevention, early detection and management of obstetric fistula, including early postpartum treatment, availability of fistula repair for complex cases, and rehabilitation, coupled with the promotion of community consciousness of the problem.
Strategies to facilitate safe sexual practices in adolescents through integrated health systems in selected districts of Zimbabwe: a mixed method study protocol
Authors: Nunu Wilfred Njabulo , Makhado Lufuno , Mabunda Jabu Tsakani , Lebese Rachel Tsakani
Published: January 2020

Background

Zimbabwe has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Sub Saharan Africa. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) prevalence in adolescents that are from tribes that perform cultural initiations and subscribe to certain norms are higher than the national prevalence which is estimated at 12% (18 and 13.6% respectively) in Zimbabwe. Indigenous Health Systems (IHSs) and Modern Health Systems (MHSs) in Zimbabwe run parallel thereby introducing challenges in the management of adolescent sexual health due to conflicts. This study seeks to develop strategies that will facilitate the integration of IHSs and MHS in Mberengwa and Umguza districts.

Methods

This research will be conducted in two phases. The first phase would utilise a concurrent triangulation mixed methods design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The findings from the qualitative and quantitative approaches would be merged through a comparison of findings side by side. The second phase would focus on the development and validation of strategies that would facilitate the integration of IHSs and MHSs. The Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) analysis would be applied on interfaced findings from phase one. The Basic Logic and the Build, Overcome, Explore and Minimise (BOEM) models would then be used to develop strategies based on the SWOT findings. The developed strategies would be validated through the application of Delphi technique and administration of checklist to selected key stakeholders through organised workshops.

Discussion

There have been no known studies found in the literature that explores the possibility and developed strategies of integrating IHSs and MHSs so as to promote safe sexual practices in adolescents. Most programs on sexual health have ignored the role of IHSs and MHSs in influencing safe sexual practices leading to them failing to attain desired goals. A lot of emphases has been targeted at minimising the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) through advocating for utilisation MHSs rather than focussing on an integrating systems that are meant to manage Adolescent Sexual Health (ASH) related issues. The study protocol was approved by the University of Venda Ethics Committee Registration (SHS/19/PH/17/2608) on the 26th of August 2019.
Therapeutic approaches targeting Apolipoprotein E function in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Williams Tosha , Borchelt David R. , Chakrabarty Paramita
Published: January 2020

One of the primary genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the presence of the Ɛ4 allele of apolipoprotein E (APOE). APOE is a polymorphic lipoprotein that is a major cholesterol carrier in the brain. It is also involved in various cellular functions such as neuronal signaling, neuroinflammation and glucose metabolism. Humans predominantly possess three different allelic variants of APOE, termed E2, E3, and E4, with the E3 allele being the most common. The presence of the E4 allele is associated with increased risk of AD whereas E2 reduces the risk. To understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie APOE-related genetic risk, considerable effort has been devoted towards developing cellular and animal models. Data from these models indicate that APOE4 exacerbates amyloid β plaque burden in a dose-dependent manner. and may also enhance tau pathogenesis in an isoform-dependent manner. Other studies have suggested APOE4 increases the risk of AD by mechanisms that are distinct from modulation of Aβ or tau pathology. Further, whether plasma APOE, by influencing systemic metabolic pathways, can also possibly alter CNS function indirectly is not complete;y understood. Collectively, the available studies suggest that APOE may impact multiple signaling pathways and thus investigators have sought therapeutics that would disrupt pathological functions of APOE while preserving or enhancing beneficial functions. This review will highlight some of the therapeutic strategies that are currently being pursued to target APOE4 towards preventing or treating AD and we will discuss additional strategies that holds promise for the future.
Quercetin and polycystic ovary syndrome, current evidence and future directions: a systematic review
Authors: Pourteymour Fard Tabrizi Fatemeh , Hajizadeh-Sharafabad Fatemeh , Vaezi Maryam , Jafari-Vayghan Hamed , Alizadeh Mohammad , Maleki Vahid
Published: January 2020

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a polygenic endocrine disorder and the most common gynecological endocrinopathy among reproductive-aged women. Current remedies are often used only to control its signs and symptoms, while they are not thoroughly able to prevent complications. Quercetin is an herbal bioactive flavonoid commonly used for the treatment of metabolic and inflammatory disorders. Thus, this systematic review was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of quercetin supplementation in subjects with PCOS. Databases until March 2019 were searched. All human clinical trials and animal models evaluating the effects of quercetin on PCOS women were included. Out of 253 articles identified in our search, 8 eligible articles (5 animal studies and 3 clinical trials) were reviewed. The majority of studies supported the beneficial effects of quercetin on the ovarian histomorphology, folliculogenesis, and luteinisation processes. The effects of quercetin on reducing the levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), and insulin resistance were also reported. Although quercetin improved dyslipidemia, no significant effect was reported for weight loss. It is suggested that the benefits of quercetin may be more closely related to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory features of quercetin rather than weight-reducing effects. Therefore, this review article provides evidence that quercetin could be considered as a potential agent to attenuate PCOS complications. However, due to the paucity of high-quality clinical trials, further studies are needed.
Characteristics and outcomes in children on long-term mechanical ventilation: the experience of a pediatric tertiary center in Rome
Authors: Pavone Martino , Verrillo Elisabetta , Onofri Alessandro , Caggiano Serena , Chiarini Testa Maria Beatrice , Cutrera Renato
Published: January 2020

Background

Children with chronic respiratory failure and/or sleep disordered breathing due to a broad range of diseases may require long-term ventilation to be managed at home. Advances in the use of long-term non-invasive ventilation has progressively leaded to a reduction of the need for invasive mechanical ventilation through tracheostomy. In this study, we sought to characterize a cohort of children using long-term NIV and IMV and to perform an analysis of those children who showed significant changes in ventilatory support management.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of pediatric (within 18 years old) patients using long-term, NIV and IMV, hospitalized in our center between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2017. A total of 432 children were included in the study. Long Term Ventilation (LTV) was defined as IMV or NIV, performed on a daily basis, at least 6 h/day, for a period of at least 3 months.

Results

315 (72.9%) received non-invasive ventilation (NIV); 117 (27.1%) received invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Children suffered mainly from neuromuscular (30.6%), upper airway (24.8%) and central nervous system diseases (22.7%). Children on IMV were significantly younger when they start LTV [NIV: 6.4 (1.2–12.8) years vs IMV 2.1 (0.8–7.8) years] (p < 0.001)]. IMV was likely associated with younger age at starting ventilatory support (aOR 0.9428; p = 0.0220), and being a child with home health care (aOR 11.4; p < 0.0001). Overtime 39 children improved (9%), 11 children on NIV (3.5%) received tracheostomy; 62 children died (14.3%); and 74 children (17.1%) were lost to follow-up (17.8% on NIV, 15.4% on IMV).

Conclusions

Children on LTV suffered mainly from neuromuscular, upper airways, and central nervous system diseases. Children invasively ventilated usually started support younger and were more severely ills.
Prognostic DNA methylation markers for hormone receptor breast cancer: a systematic review
Authors: de Ruijter Tim C. , van der Heide Frank , Smits Kim M. , Aarts Maureen J. , van Engeland Manon , Heijnen Vivianne C. G.
Published: January 2020

Background

In patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, differentiating between patients with a low and a high risk of recurrence is an ongoing challenge. In current practice, prognostic clinical parameters are used for risk prediction. DNA methylation markers have been proven to be of additional prognostic value in several cancer types. Numerous prognostic DNA methylation markers for breast cancer have been published in the literature. However, to date, none of these markers are used in clinical practice.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of PubMed and EMBASE to assess the number and level of evidence of published DNA methylation markers for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. To obtain an overview of the reporting quality of the included studies, all were scored according to the REMARK criteria that were established as reporting guidelines for prognostic biomarker studies.

Results

A total of 74 studies were identified reporting on 87 different DNA methylation markers. Assessment of the REMARK criteria showed variation in reporting quality of the studies. Eighteen single markers and one marker panel were studied in multiple independent populations. Hypermethylation of the markers RASSF1, BRCA, PITX2, CDH1, RARB, PCDH10 and PGR, and the marker panel GSTP1, RASSF1 and RARB showed a statistically significant correlation with poor disease outcome that was confirmed in at least one other, independent study.

Conclusion

This systematic review provides an overview on published prognostic DNA methylation markers for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and identifies eight markers that have been independently validated. Analysis of the reporting quality of included studies suggests that future research on this topic would benefit from standardised reporting guidelines.
H3K36me3, message from chromatin to DNA damage repair
Authors: Sun Zhongxing , Zhang Yanjun , Jia Junqi , Fang Yuan , Tang Yin , Wu Hongfei , Fang Dong
Published: January 2020

Histone marks control many cellular processes including DNA damage repair. This review will focus primarily on the active histone mark H3K36me3 in the regulation of DNA damage repair and the maintenance of genomic stability after DNA damage. There are diverse clues showing H3K36me3 participates in DNA damage response by directly recruiting DNA repair machinery to set the chromatin at a “ready” status, leading to a quick response upon damage. Reduced H3K36me3 is associated with low DNA repair efficiency. This review will also place a main emphasis on the H3K36me3-mediated DNA damage repair in the tumorigenesis of the newly found oncohistone mutant tumors. Gaining an understanding of different aspects of H3K36me3 in DNA damage repair, especially in cancers, would share the knowledge of chromatin and DNA repair to serve to the drug discovery and patient care.
EQSM-based multiuser MIMO downlink transmission for correlated fading channels
Authors: Castillo-Soria Francisco R. , Gutierrez Carlos A. , García-Barrientos Abel , Arce-Casas Armando , Simón Jorge
Published: January 2020

This paper presents three multiuser multiple input-multiple output (MU-MIMO) downlink transmission strategies based on the extended quadrature spatial modulation (EQSM) system for mobile communication. The three MU-MIMO precoding strategies utilised are block diagonalisation (BD), dirty paper coding (DPC), and a combined BD-DPC strategy. We analyse and compare the performance of these three MU-MIMO-EQSM schemes with the conventional MU-MIMO spatial multiplexing (MU-MIMO-SMux) system in terms of bit error rate (BER) and detection complexity considering correlated and uncorrelated fading channels. Results show that the BD-MIMO-EQSM and DPC-MIMO-EQSM systems outperform by 2−3 dB in BER performance their conventional counterparts with the additional advantage of a detection complexity reduction of up to 62% for the analysed cases. For the uncorrelated fading channel, the BD technique has better BER performance for a spectral efficiency (SE) of 12 bits per channel use (bpcu), while the DPC technique has better BER performance for an SE of 8 bpcu. Considering the correlated channel, DPC suffers a deep BER degradation of up to 30 dB compared with BD. However, still in this scenario, both proposed MU-MIMO-EQSM systems outperform their conventional counterparts. In terms of detection complexity, DPC has a complexity reduction of 77% as compared with the BD technique. The BD-DPC-MIMO-EQSM hybrid system heritages the low detection complexity of DPC with the advantage of all users in the system having the same BER performance.
New algorithms for approximating zeros of inverse strongly monotone maps and J-fixed points
Authors: Chidume Charles E. , Ezea Chinedu G.
Published: January 2020

LetEbe a real Banach space with dual space$E^{*}$E∗. A new class ofrelatively weakJ-nonexpansive maps,$T:E\rightarrow E^{*}$T:E→E∗, is introduced and studied. An algorithm to approximate a common element ofJ-fixed points for a countable family of relatively weakJ-nonexpansive maps and zeros of a countable family of inverse strongly monotone maps in a 2-uniformly convex and uniformly smooth real Banach space is constructed. Furthermore, assuming existence, the sequence of the algorithm is proved to converge strongly. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the convergence of the sequence generated by the algorithm.
A Nicotiana benthamiana AP2/ERF transcription factor confers resistance to Phytophthora parasitica
Authors: Yu Jing , Chai Chunyue , Ai Gan , Jia Yuling , Liu Wenjing , Zhang Xiong , Bai Tian , Dou Daolong
Published: January 2020

Diseases caused by Phytophthora species seriously affect global crop production and food security. Identification of key factors involved in plant resistance is valuable for disease management. Previously, we characterized the transcriptome of Nicotiana benthamiana which was infected with Phytophthora parasitica. Here, we selected NbERF173, one of the most strongly up-regulated genes of N. benthamiana in response to P. parasitica infection, for further investigation. First, NbERF173 encodes a conserved transcription factor in our tested plant species. Second, overexpression of NbERF173 in N. benthamiana enhanced its resistance to P. parasitica, and silencing of NbERF173 significantly promoted the infection of both P. parasitica and Botrytis cinerea. Additionally, we demonstrated that NbERF173 can participate in reprograming of gene expression during P. parasitica infection and manipulate expression patterns of many defense-related genes, including two proteinase inhibitors encoding genes (PI1-B and KTI1). Furthermore, overexpression of PI1-B and KTI1 strengthened plant resistance to P. parasitica and partially restored the deficiency in resistance of NbERF173-silenced N. benthamiana plants. Finally, we found that NbERF173 could not bind to the promoters of PI1-B and KTI1 using yeast one-hybrid assay. Together, our results suggest that NbERF173 positively regulate the disease resistance, probably by reprograming of defense-related genes.
Assessment of patient safety culture among paramedical personnel at general and district hospitals, Fayoum Governorate, Egypt
Authors: El-Sherbiny Naglaa A. , Ibrahim Eman H. , Abdel-Wahed Wafaa Y.
Published: January 2020

Background

Healthcare is a high-risk industry that requires regular assessment of patient safety climate within healthcare organizations. This addresses the organizational cultural issues and explores the association between organizational climate and patient outcomes. This study aimed to assess patient safety culture among paramedical health employees at Fayoum general and district hospitals and to determine factors affecting their perception of patient safety.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the general hospital and four district hospitals in Fayoum Governorate, Egypt, among 479 paramedical healthcare workers. The standardized Hospital Patient Safety scale (HSOPSC) that composed of 12 safety culture dimensions was used.

Results

The mean total safety score varies according to the participant’s position and work area. The total patient safety score was 46.56%. No dimension reported score above 75%. The highest mean composite scores were for organizational learning and continuous improvement (65.36%) and teamwork within hospital units (63.09%). The lowest reported score was for communication openness (17.9%). More perception of safety dimensions was seen in females than males, participants in direct contact with patients, and those with work experience less than 10 years.

Conclusion and recommendations

Overall, the degree of patient safety is low at Fayoum public hospitals. No dimension scored above 75%, and 7 out of 12 dimensions scored less than 50%. Hence, continuous monitoring and updating of the ways of incident reporting is highly recommended. This may be done through setting up a web-based incident reporting system accessible for 24 h.
Nutritional characteristics and health effects of regional cuisines in China
Authors: Zhang Na , Ma Guansheng
Published: January 2020

Background and objectives

Cuisine is the characteristic manifestation of the regional culture of Chinese food, which was formed and developed along with the distribution of physical geography and environment, the development of productivity and economy, cultural environment, ethnic food diversity, religion, and psychological and physiological factors. With the rapid development of the economy, food industry, and catering industry, various local cuisines learn from each other and develop greatly. The health consciousness of Chinese residents has gradually increased, and the requirements for nutrition and health of cuisine have also become higher and higher. The nutritional characteristics of regional cuisines and their effects on human health are increasingly being studied by scientists. The development of cuisine is facing new opportunities and challenges. It is necessary to understand the nutrition and health characteristics of cuisine and to take measures to reform and innovate the development of cuisines. The primary purposes of this paper are to introduce the formation and development of cuisines, to analyze the nutritional characteristics and health effects of four most influential regional cuisines—Sichuan Cuisine, Jiangsu cuisine, Shandong cuisine, and Cantonese, and to propose suggestions on future reform and innovation of cuisines.

Methods

An online search with the following keywords of Chinese language and English language (cuisine OR dietary OR food) and (Chinese OR China) and (health OR diseases OR nutrition) was performed between January 1980 and September 2019. Multiple databases were used including CNKI, WanFang, PubMed, Health and Medical Collection, LWW, and OVID. The focus was on Chinese studies about cuisine, nutritional characteristics, and health but drawing on literature all over the world. Then, nutritional characteristics and health effects of regional cuisines in China in these related literatures were analyzed and summarized in this paper.

Results and conclusions

Different cuisines have their specific nutritional advantages and disadvantages. The health statuses of the residents are closely associated with the dietary structure and food composition in regional cuisines. Regional cuisines need to be reformed and innovated ceaselessly to promote national health. It is necessary to adopt a scientific cooking method, increase food consistency and variety, and develop healthy dishes. The awareness of the nutrition and health among chefs and residents should be enhanced. The safety and hygiene of the restaurants should be strengthened in order to adapt to the transformation of the dining mode and to further standardize the evaluation criterion of dish.
Circulating Tumor DNA Allows Early Treatment Monitoring in BRAF- and NRAS-Mutant Malignant Melanoma
Authors: Braune Jan , Keller Laura , Schiller Florian , Graf Erika , Rafei-Shamsabadi David , Wehrle Julius , Follo Marie , Philipp Ulrike , Hussung Saskia , Pfeifer Dietmar , Mix Michael , Duyster Justus , Fritsch Ralph , von Bubnoff Dagmar , Meiss Frank , von Bubnoff Nikolas
Published: January 2020

PURPOSE

We evaluated circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for detecting tumor burden in melanoma and examined whether early changes in the number of ctDNA copies predict response to treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We included 12 patients with stage III and 50 patients with stage IV melanoma with BRAF exon 15 or NRAS exon 3 mutations in tumor tissue. We used droplet digital polymerase chain reaction to retrospectively analyze serial plasma samples for mutation-positive ctDNA.

RESULTS

Matched plasma and serum samples were positive for ctDNA, lactate dehydrogenase, and S100 in 113 (45.8%), 108 (43.7%; not significant), and 58 (23.5%; P < .0001) of 247 samples from 50 patients with stage IV melanoma, and in 17 (63%), eight (29.6%; P = .014), and five (18.5%; P < .0001) of 27 samples from 12 patients with stage III melanoma. The number of mutant ctDNA copies correlated with concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase ( r = 0.50) and S100 ( r = 0.64), tumor volume ( r2 = 0.58), and tumor metabolic activity ( r2 = 0.83). Within 30 days before surgery, initiation of treatment, or change in treatment, ctDNA, LDH, and S100 were positive in 76.8%, 53.6% ( P = .01), and 46.4% ( P < .001) of patients, respectively. In patients with stage III or IV melanoma, early changes in ctDNA within 1 month after initiation of treatment correctly predicted RECIST response categories in 19 of 20 patients. Detectable ctDNA within 30 days after surgery or initiation of systemic treatment predicted inferior progression-free survival in patients with stage III disease ( P = .018). In patients with stage IV disease, 10 or more copies of ctDNA per mL at first follow-up indicated shorter progression-free survival (3.8 v 9 months; hazard ratio, 4.05; 95% CI, 1.56 to 10.53).

CONCLUSION

ctDNA indicated active tumor and was an adverse prognostic marker for tumor progression. Dynamic changes in ctDNA allowed prediction of response early after initiation of treatment. These data support the use of ctDNA to guide treatment in melanoma.
Cognitive Function in Children With Idiopathic Subclinical Hypothyroidism: Effects of 2 Years of Levothyroxine Therapy
Authors: Capalbo Donatella , Alfano Sara , Polizzi Miriam , Di Mase Raffaella , Improda Nicola , Esposito Andrea , Bravaccio Carmela , Salerno Mariacarolina
Published: January 2020

Background

Long-term consequences of mild subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) in children are still unclear, and the need for levothyroxine (L-T4) supplementation remains controversial. We designed a 2-year, case-control, prospective study of a cohort of children with SH to evaluate the effects of L-T4 therapy on neurocognitive outcome.

Methods

Thirty-four children, age 9.1 ± 2.6 years, with long-lasting, idiopathic, and mild SH, and 34 healthy matched controls, were enrolled. Twenty SH children underwent a 2-year L-T4 treatment (group A), whereas 14 refused treatment and were reevaluated after a 2-year-follow-up (group B). IQ and specific cognitive domains were evaluated in all children at study entry and after 2 years of therapy (group A) or observation (group B) in SH individuals.

Results

In SH children baseline IQ scores were normal and comparable to controls (full-scale IQ [FSIQ] 100.4 ± 11.3 vs 101.8 ± 14.2, verbal IQ [VIQ] 99.7 ± 13.7 vs 98.3 ± 14.9 and performance IQ [PIQ] 101.2 ± 10.4 vs 105 ± 10.4).

In group A, L-T4 treatment was associated with normalization of thyrotropin (6.3 ± 1.0 mIU/L at baseline vs 2.8 ± 1.4 mIU/L at 2 years, P < .001). However, 2-year L-T4 therapy was not associated with a change in IQ scores (FSIQ 104.4 ± 13.8 vs 102.7 ± 11.0; VIQ 101.8 ± 14.9 vs 102.3 ± 11.9; and PIQ 106.5 ± 13.9 vs 102.7 ± 10.7) or in verbal or performance subtest scores. No significant differences were found in IQ scores after 2 years of treatment in group A compared to group B after a 2-year follow-up.

Conclusions

Our data suggest neurocognitive function in children is not impaired by persistent, mild, untreated SH and is not significantly modified by 2-year L-T4 supplementation.
Queer Reflections on Childhood, Boarding School, and the Nation in Rosemary Manning’s The Chinese Garden
Authors: Roulston Chris
Published: January 2020

This article explores the relations among childhood innocence, queerness, and nation-building in Rosemary Manning’s boarding school narrative, The Chinese Garden (1962). Recent scholarship by Lee Edelman and Kathryn Bond Stockton has questioned the innocence we invest in the figure of the child, and how this innocence has become a precondition for generating heteronormative models of nation-building and imagined futures. Analyzing the boarding school community in The Chinese Garden, this article examines how the figure of the child is used to confirm the compulsory narrative of nation-building even as it queers the very concepts of place and belonging. In the narrative, set in 1928, the year of the publication of The Well of Loneliness, the protagonist witnesses an erotic relationship between two girls without wanting to acknowledge what is happening; it examines both the yearning for innocence and a desire for sexual knowledge within a context of repressive normalization and antihomosexual panic. The Chinese Garden is also a fictional autobiography, foregrounding Manning’s own resistance to her pre-Stonewall historical present, and her fascination with the queer past.
Doris Lessing, Antipsychiatry, and Bodies that Matter
Authors: Myler Kerry
Published: January 2020

In The Golden Notebook (1962), The Four-Gated City (1969), and Briefing for a Descent into Hell (1971), Doris Lessing examines the inadequacies of traditional models of madness and considers in their stead an antipsychiatric model championed by R. D. Laing. While ostensibly the three novels strive to conceive of madness in terms of Laing’s antipsychiatric thought, this article will argue that they in fact serve to reveal that Laing’s “lived body” (but gender-neutral) theory of schizophrenia failed to account for the discursively constructed, “inscribed” bodies of Lessing’s female characters. Lessing’s madness novels deconstruct Laing’s phallocentric approach to schizophrenia by rewriting his theory of madness as a gendered and embodied experience.
Adhesion, motility and matrix-degrading gene expression changes in CSF-1-induced mouse macrophage differentiation
Authors: Murrey Michael W. , Steer James H. , Greenland Eloise L. , Proudfoot Julie M. , Joyce David A. , Pixley Fiona J.
Published: January 2020

Migratory macrophages play critical roles in tissue development, homeostasis and disease, so it is important to understand how their migration machinery is regulated. Whole-transcriptome sequencing revealed that CSF-1-stimulated differentiation of bone marrow-derived precursors into mature macrophages is accompanied by widespread, profound changes in the expression of genes regulating adhesion, actin cytoskeletal remodeling and extracellular matrix degradation. Significantly altered expression of almost 40% of adhesion genes, 60–86% of Rho family GTPases, their regulators and effectors and over 70% of extracellular proteases occurred. The gene expression changes were mirrored by changes in macrophage adhesion associated with increases in motility and matrix-degrading capacity. IL-4 further increased motility and matrix-degrading capacity in mature macrophages, with additional changes in migration machinery gene expression. Finally, siRNA-induced reductions in the expression of the core adhesion proteins paxillin and leupaxin decreased macrophage spreading and the number of adhesions, with distinct effects on adhesion and their distribution, and on matrix degradation. Together, the datasets provide an important resource to increase our understanding of the regulation of migration in macrophages and to develop therapies targeting disease-enhancing macrophages.
A potent nuclear export mechanism imposes USP16 cytoplasmic localization during interphase
Authors: Sen Nkwe Nadine , Daou Salima , Uriarte Maxime , Gagnon Jessica , Iannantuono Nicholas Victor , Barbour Haithem , Yu Helen , Masclef Louis , Fernández Erlinda , Zamorano Cuervo Natalia , Mashtalir Nazar , Binan Loïc , Sergeev Mikhail , Bélanger François , Drobetsky Elliot , Milot Eric , Wurtele Hugo , Costantino Santiago , Affar El Bachir
Published: January 2020

USP16 (also known as UBP-M) has emerged as a histone H2AK119 deubiquitylase (DUB) implicated in the regulation of chromatin-associated processes and cell cycle progression. Despite this, available evidence suggests that this DUB is also present in the cytoplasm. How the nucleo-cytoplasmic transport of USP16, and hence its function, is regulated has remained elusive. Here, we show that USP16 is predominantly cytoplasmic in all cell cycle phases. We identified the nuclear export signal (NES) responsible for maintaining USP16 in the cytoplasm. We found that USP16 is only transiently retained in the nucleus following mitosis and then rapidly exported from this compartment. We also defined a non-canonical nuclear localization signal (NLS) sequence that plays a minimal role in directing USP16 into the nucleus. We further established that this DUB does not accumulate in the nucleus following DNA damage. Instead, only enforced nuclear localization of USP16 abolishes DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair, possibly due to unrestrained DUB activity. Thus, in contrast to the prevailing view, our data indicate that USP16 is actively excluded from the nucleus and that this DUB might indirectly regulate DSB repair.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.