bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Therapeutic Effect of Shugan Xiehuo Formula in Female Rat Model with Central Precocious Puberty
Authors: Yin Weiping , Li Songmei , Zhang Kun , Xu Ying , Ma Dianfei , Shi Tingting , Xiong Lei , Xia Jie
Published: June 2020

Background: Central precocious puberty (CPP) severely affected children’s physical and mental health, which needs to be treated promptly and effectively.Objective: To research the therapeutic effect of Shugan Xiehuo Formula (SXF) on CPP.Methods: CPP female rat model was established and treated by leuprolide and different dose of SXF. Sex organs volume and index were measured. The ovary and uterus was experienced HE staining. Concentration of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL) and estradiol (E2) in peripheral blood was determined. Expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR), estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30) in hypophysis was investigated by qRT-PCR and Western Blot. GnRH expression in hypothalamus and GnRHR expression in ovary was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results: SXF reduced the volume of bilateral ovaries, uterus, hypothalamus and hypophysis in CPP female rat, and diminished the index of ovary, uterus, hypothalamus and hypophysis in CPP female rat (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). SXF treatment inhibited follicles maturation and uterine wall thickening in CPP female rat. SXF declined FSH, LH, PRL and E2 concentration in peripheral blood in CPP female rat (P < 0.01or P < 0.001). SXF suppressed the expression of GnRH, GnRHR, ERα and GPR30 in hypophysis, the expression of GnRH in hypothalamus and GnRHR in ovary of CPP female rat (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 or P < 0.001).Conclusions: SXF had effective therapeutic effects on CPP female rat, which was worthy of promotion clinically.
Network Pharmacology and Component Analysis Integrated Study to Unveil Molecular Mechanisms of A Traditional Chinese Medicine Decoction (Polygonum Multiflorum, Rehmannia Glutinosa, Senna Obtusifolia and Crataegus) in Hypertension Treatment
Authors: Lem Fui Fui , Opook Fernandes , Lawson Fahcina P. , Yong Thau Lym Wilson , Chee Fong Tyng
Published: June 2020

Background: Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) are known for their curative effects on hypertension through a holistic approach. The molecular mechanisms of the formulation comprising Polygonum multiflorum, Rehmannia glutinosa, Senna obtusifolia and Crataegus, used by Chinese practitioners in ameliorating hypertension, however remain a mystery. This initial study is thus aimed at unveiling the molecular mechanisms of this TCM formulation in treating hypertension. Methods: The methanolic extract compounds of the decoction were identified through Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Oral bioavailability and drug likeness were then measured to filter out identified compounds. Several databases, such as the SwissTargetPrediction, STRING, OMIM and KEGG, were used to retrieve information on the predicted targets for the purpose of developing a network using Cytoscape Version 3.8. Enrichment analysis was then performed to elucidate the mechanisms of the decoction in hypertension mitigation. Results: A total of 11 compounds identified were revealed to possess bioavailable and drug like characteristics, based on the Veber and Quantitative Estimation of Drug-likeness (QED) parameters. Pathway analysis showed enrichment of pathways such as cardiac muscle contraction, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, dilated cardiomyopathy, renin-angiotensin system and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which are all strongly associated with hypertension. Conclusion: The network pharmacology analysis clearly shows that this TCM decoction ameliorates hypertension through several indirect pathways where most of the targets are involved in HCM, which is caused by hypertension.
Inhibition of Fibroblast Activation by Components of Rhizoma Curcumae and Rhizoma Sparganii in A Rat Model of Uterine Leiomyoma
Authors: Feng Yewen , Zhao Yumin , Li Yao , Peng Teng , Kuang Yu , Shi Xingming , Wang Gang , Peng Fu , Yu Chenghao
Published: June 2020

Background: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) often uses Rhizoma Curcumae and Rhizoma Sparganii (RCRS) ，the natural herbs for the treatment of UL. RCRS has been shown to be effective in the treatment of UL in our previous study. This study was to investigate the molecular mechanism by which RCRS inhibits fibroblast activation protein (FAP) activation and prevents uterine leiomyoma in rats. Methods: The SD rat model of uterine leiomyoma was established by estrogen and progesterone load combined with external stimulation. Subsequently, histological analyses, enzyme-Linked immunosorbent assays, western blotting were performed to evaluate the effect of the drug on uterine leiomyoma and its mechanism. Results: Our data showed that treatment of rats with RCRS significantly reduced the expression of FAP, TGF-β (the FAP activating factor), and significantly decreased the phosphorylation of cell proliferation pathway-related signaling factors AKT/MEK/ERK, as well as the expression of the extracellular matrix component collagen. Conclusions: Our results showed that RCRS is very effective in prevention and treatment of uterine leiomyoma in rats, and RCRS may exert its actions by inhibiting the activation of tumor-associated fibroblasts, inhibiting the cell proliferation, and improving tumor extracellular matrix.
A Framework for Addressing Multiple Ecosystem Services in Forest Management Planning
Authors: BASKENT Emin Zeki , BORGES Jose Guilherme , KASPAR Jan
Published: June 2020

Background: Forest policy and decision makers are challenged by the need to balance the increasing demand for multiple ecosystem services while addressing the impacts of natural disturbances (e.g. wildfires, droughts, wind, insect attacks) and global change scenarios (e.g. climate change) on its potential supply. This challenge provides the motivation for the development of a framework for incorporating concerns with a wide range of ecosystem services in multiple criteria management planning contexts. Thus, the paper focused on both the analysis of the current state-of-the art in forest management planning and the development of a conceptual framework to accommodate various components in a forest ecosystem management planning process.Results: Based on a thorough recent classification of forest management planning problems and the state-of-the-art research, the key dimensions of that framework and the process were defined. The emphasis is on helping identify how concerns with a wide range of ecosystem services may be analyzed and better understood by forest ecosystem management planning. This research discusses the potential of contemporary management planning approaches to address multiple forest ecosystem services. It highlights the need of a landscape-level perspective and of spatial resolution to integrate multiple ecosystem services. It discusses the importance of methods and tools that may help support the involvement of stakeholders and public participation in hierarchical planning processes. Conclusions: The research addressed the need of methods and tools that may encapsulate the ecological, economic and social complexity of forest ecosystem management to provide an efficient plan, information about tradeoffs between ecosystem services as well as the sensitivity of the plan to uncertain parameters (e.g. prices, climate change) in a timely manner.
Identification of AREG, STAG3, C19orf57 and CAV1 as key prognostic factors in HPV- negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tian Guocai , Fu You , Li Jiang , Zhang Zhiyuan , Yang Xi
Published: June 2020

Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common tumor worldwide with poor prognosis. The pathogenesis of human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative HNSCCs differs. However, few studies have considered the HPV status when identifying biomarkers for HNSCC. Thus, the identification of biomarkers for HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCCs is urgently needed. Methods Three microarray datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were analyzed, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained. Then, functional enrichment pathway analysis was performed and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed. The expression of hub genes at both the mRNA and protein level was determined in Oncomine, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Human Protein Atlas (HPA). In addition, survival analyses of the patient stratified by HPV status and the expression levels of key genes were performed based on TCGA data. The role of AREG, STAG3, CAV1 and C19orf57 in cancer were analyzed through Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Finally, the top ten small molecule drugs were identified and the therapeutic value of zonisamide, NVP-AUY922, PP-2 and fostamatinib was further evaluated in six HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines. Results In total, 47 DEGs were obtained, 11 of which were identified as hub genes. Biological process analysis indicated that the hub genes were associated with the G1/S transition of the mitotic cell cycle. Survival analysis uncovered that the prognostic value of AREG, STAG3, C19orf57 and CAV1 differed between HPV-positive and HPV-negative patients. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed the role of AREG, STAG3 and CAV1 in dysregulated pathways of tumor. Ten small molecules were identified as potential drugs specifically for HPV-positive or HPV-negative patients; three—NVP-AUY922, fostamatinib and PP-2—greatly inhibited the proliferation of six HPV-negative HNSCC cell lines in vitro. Conclusions In conclusion, AREG, STAG3, C19orf57 and CAV1 are key prognostic factors and potential therapeutic targets in HPV-negative HNSCC. NVP-AUY922, fostamatinib and PP-2 may be effective drugs for HPV-negative HNSCC.
RAPD and ERIC-PCR coupled with HRM for species identification of non-dysenteriae Shigella species isolated from clinical specimens; As a potential of alternative method
Authors: Pakbin Babak , Basti Afshin Akhondzadeh , Khanjari Ali , Azimi Leila , Karimi Abdollah
Published: June 2020

Background: Shigella species cause gastrointestinal disorders and diarrhea in adults and children, also known as fatal and invasive pathogens for infants and neonates. Species identification of Shigella isolates are so prominent for epidemiological studies and implementing infection prevention strategies. At the present study, we developed and evaluated RAPD and ERIC-PCR assays coupled with HRM for differentiation of non-dysenteriae Shigella species as potential alternative methods. isolation of eighteen Shigella strains from faecal specimens collected from children under 2 years old with diarrhea symptom (n=143), species of the isolates were identified by slide agglutination assay as the golden standard method. Species of isolates were identified using developed RAPD-PCR-HRM and ERIC-PCR-HRM assays and differentiation of data sets obtained from difference plots of HRM was implemented by PCA as a dimension reduction method then sensitivity and specificity of the methods were evaluated using ROC curve. Results: Consequently, we found that RAPD-PCR-HRM with sensitivity and specificity of 100 and 85% respectively is significantly more suitable for identification of non-dysenteriae Shigella species. However, sensitivity and specificity of ERIC-PCR-HRM were evaluated 33 and 46% respectively.Conclusion: Regardless of inherent poor reproducibility of DNA fingerprinting based methods, RAPD-PCR-HRM assay can be considered as a potential of alternative method for species identification. Also, HRM technique used in this study is more rapid, inexpensive, and sensitive than gel electrophoresis for characterization of PCR amplicons.
Antimicrobial Activity Testing Methods for Hydrophobic Patterned Surfaces
Authors: Perez-Gavilan Ana , Castro Joana Vieira de , Arana Ainara , Merino Santos , Retolaza Aritz , Alves Sofia A , Francone Achille , Kehagias Nikolaos , Sotomayor-Torres Clivia M. , Cocina Donato , Mortera Renato , Crapanzano Salvatore , Pelegrín Carlos , Garrigos María del Carmen , Jiménez Alfonso , Galindo Begoña , Araque Mari Carmen , Dykeman Donna , Neves Nuno M. , Marimón Jose María
Published: June 2020

Background: One strategy to decrease the incidence of hospital-acquired infections is to avoid the survival of pathogens in the environment by the development of surfaces with antimicrobial activity. To study the antimicrobial behaviour of active surfaces, different approaches have been developed of which ISO 22916 is the standard. Aim: To assess the performance of different testing methodologies to analyse the antimicrobial activity of hydrophobic surface patterned plastics as part of a Horizon 2020 European research project (FLEXPOL: Antimicrobial FLEXible POLymers for its use in hospital environments No. 721062).Methods: Four different testing methods were used to study the antimicrobial activity of a patterned film, including the ISO 22916 standard, the immersion method, the touch-transfer inoculation method, and the swab inoculation method, this latter developed specifically for this project.Findings: The non-realistic test conditions of the ISO 22916 standard showed this method to be non-appropriate in the study of hydrophobic antimicrobial patterned surfaces. The immersion method also showed no differences between patterned films and smooth controls due to the lack of attachment of testing bacteria on both surfaces. The antimicrobial activity of films could be demonstrated by the touch-transfer and the swab inoculation methods that more precisely mimicked the way of high-touch surfaces contamination. Conclusion: The touch-transfer and the swab inoculation methods proved to be the best methodologies to test the antimicrobial activity of patterned hydrophobic surfaces. In our opinion, a new ISO standard should be developed on the basis of these tests to study the antimicrobial behaviour of patterned surfaces.
Cloning, Purification, and Characterization of a Novel Metagenome-Sourced Microbial Chitinase with Dual Catalytic Domains
Authors: Dai Yumei , Yang Feng , Liu Xiao , Wang Hongling , Yan Zhiying
Published: June 2020

Background: Microbial chitinases have attracted a lot of attention because of their great potential in many applications. Metagenome-based approach obtains the target genes from the environment directly without culturing the microbes and is becoming a powerful tool to discover the novel chitinases. Results: A metagenomic approach was used to discover the chitinases from a wetland on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. Gene P1724 was found and predicted to have two GH18 catalytic domains. Gene sequence containing P1724 , only its N-terminal GH18 domain ( P1724nGH18 ) or only C-terminal GH18 domain ( P1724cGH18 ) were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). These purified recombinant chitinases showed maximum hydrolytic activities at 40 °C, pH 5.0-6.0 and 0-0.5 M NaCl, and were cold adaptive since they were still active at 4 °C. The activities of three chitinases were decreased with the presence of Cu 2+ and EDTA, but increased with Ba 2+ and Ca 3+ . All three chitinases showed both chitotiosidase and endochitinase activities, and produced predominantly N, N΄-Diacetylchitobiose from colloid chitin. Other than these common characteristics, P1724 and P1724nGH18 shared more similarity in temperature and pH stabilities, NaCl tolerance and substrate affinity, suggesting the N-terminal GH18 domain contributed more than the C-terminal GH18 did in biochemical characteristics of P1724. k cat / K m value (catalytic efficiency) of P1724 was significantly higher than the sum values of P1724nGH18 and P1724cGH18’s, which indicated that two GH18 domains of P1724 works synergistically in degrading chitin. Conclusion: Compared to the most of microbial chitinases containing only one catalytic domain, chitinases P1724 with two GH18 catalytic domains was discovered firstly by the metagenomic approach. P1724 is a novel chitinase with unique amino acid sequences and hydrolytic mode, and could be used in cold environments or industries.
Cardamonin Enhances Cisplatin Chemosensitivity of Nasopharyngeal Cancer Cells via Attenuating c-Myc-Mediated β-Catenin/ABCG2 Signaling
Authors: Qiao Liang , Li Rongzhen , Wu Yahui , Wang Yujie , Wang Bin , Wang Guangke
Published: June 2020

Purpose: Resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs in nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) remains a major obstacle of clinical therapy. To address the issue, screening for natural low-toxicity products as chemosensitizers has become a promising strategy for cancer therapy. In this study, we investigated chemosensitizing effects of cardamonin (CM), a plant-derived chalcone, on cisplatin (DPP)-resistant NPC cells, and explored the molecular mechanism for its antitumor activity. Methods: The chemotherapeutic efficacy of cardamonin, cisplatin and their combination in cisplatin-resistant NPC cells were analyzed using MTT assay, apoptosis assay, and cell cycle analysis. Real-time PCR, western blotting, and cell transfection analysis were performed to assess the synergistic inhibitory action of cardamonin supplemented with cisplatin on Wnt/β-catenin/ABCG2 signaling. The effect of cardamonin on ABCG2 drug efflux function was analyzed by doxorubicin accumulation assay. A CNE2/DPP nude mouse model was used to determine the combinatorial effects of cardamonin on tumor growth in vivo. Results: Cardamonin increased cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity, accompanied by induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in DPP-resistant NPC cells. Moreover, cardamonin could synergized with cisplatin to downregulate β-catenin, c-Myc, and ABCG2. Specifically, cardamonin inhibited Wnt/β-catenin/ABCG2 signaling through c-Myc-mediated transcription inactivation, thereby suppressing the expression of ABCG2 in cisplatin-resistant NPC cells. These findings were confirmed in vivo, wherein cardamonin treatment with cisplatin resulted in reduced tumor growth in a CNE2/DPP xenograft animal model. Conclusions: Taken together, our data firstly demonstrated that cardamonin increased chemosensitivity of nasopharyngeal cancer cells to cisplatin through inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin/ABCG2 signaling, more specifically by inhibition of β-catenin/ABCG2 signaling through c-Myc-mediated transcriptional inactivation, thereby downregulation of ABCG2 and reversal of cisplatin resistance. Thus, in addition to its chemotherapeutic potential, cardamonin may serve as a useful chemosensitizer to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Prognostic Implications of Pan-cancer CMTM6 Expression and Its Relationship With the Immune Microenvironment
Authors: Zhang Minghui , Zhao Yanbin , Pu Haihong , Guo Shengyue , Zhang Shuai , Wang Yan
Published: June 2020

Background: CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing 6 (CMTM6) reportedly stabilizes programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and enhances the efficacy of immunotherapy. However, correlations between CMTM6 expression and the immune microenvironment and its prognostic value remain unknown in a variety of tumors.Methods: CMTM6 expression data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for 33 cancer types classified into high and low expression subgroups according to the median CMTM6 expression value. Pan-cancer analysis of CMTM6 protein expression in 20 tumor types was performed using a cohort from the Human Protein Atlas (HPA). PD-L1 protein expression data were obtained from The Cancer Proteome Atlas (TCPA) for 32 cancer types. Frequencies of CMTM6 copy number alterations and mutations were analyzed using cBioPortal. MANTIS was employed to estimate microsatellite instability in the TCGA cohort. CIBERSORT and the ESTIMATE algorithm were applied to estimate the relative fractions of infiltrating immune cell types and immune scores, respectively. Kaplan–Meier survival curve analysis was performed to assess the pan-cancer prognostic value of CMTM6.Results: CMTM6 is heterogeneously expressed in diverse cancers. Further, the results revealed low CMTM6 mutation frequencies in multiple cancers. Among them, CMTM6 mutation frequency was the highest in uterine cancer. Additionally, CMTM6 expression was related to PD-L1 protein expression in breast invasive carcinoma, cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma, sarcoma (SARC), stomach adenocarcinoma, and uterine carcinosarcoma. Increased CMTM6 expression may be associated with increased infiltration of neutrophils in some types of cancer. Finally, pan-cancer analysis indicated that CMTM6 expression was closely related to overall survival in adrenocortical carcinoma, GBM, acute myeloid leukemia, liver hepatocellular carcinoma, mesothelioma, SARC, thymoma, and uveal melanoma. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings highlight that CMTM6 plays an important role in the tumor immune microenvironment, and CMTM6 has been identified to have prognostic value in some types of cancers.Thus, CMTM6 is a potential target for cancer immunotherapy and an effective prognostic biomarker.
Identification of an Immune-related Seven-lncRNA Signature Predicting Prognosis and Tumor-infiltrating Immune Cells in Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wu Jinchun , Mou Yanhua , Zhang Chunfang , Duan Chaojun , Li Bin
Published: June 2020

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a common cancer. Immunotherapy is one of the major treatments but showing diverse efficacy in LUAD. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as important players in immune regulation in cancer. Herein, we identified and validated a prognostic signature of immune-related lncRNAs in LUAD and explored its correlation with tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) by bioinformatics analysis.Methods: Immune-related lncRNAs were acquired using Pearson correlation analysis between lncRNAs from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases and immune genes from the ImmPort website and Molecular Signatures Database. The risk signature was constructed in the TCGA group through univariable Cox, lasso and multivariable Cox regression analyses. The prognostic value of the established risk signature was validated in both TCGA and GEO datasets. The interacted TIICs and immune pathways with each single lncRNA and the risk signature were investigated respectively in ImmLnc database, Cibersortx database and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) analyses.Results: A seven immune-related lncRNAs prognostic signature was constructed and it stratified LUAD into high and low risk groups. High risk group showed poorer overall survival (OS) in comparison with low risk group via survival analysis.The seven-lncRNAs signature was closely correlated with various TIICs and immune pathways mostly involved in T cell activation, antigen processing and presentation, chemokines and cytokine receptors.Conclusions: The seven lncRNAs model was identified as a predictable signature for prognosis of LUAD patients probably due to its immunomodulation role. This study might provide a new target for enhancing the efficacy of immunotherapy in this mortal disease.
A study of the international stock market crash and recovery during COVID-19 pandemic using a modified chaos game representation
Authors: Gupta Aman , Shaju Cyril , Pratibha  , Kamal
Published: June 2020

This paper deals with a novel approach to visualize and compare financial markets across the globe using chaos game representation of iterated function systems. We modified a widely used fractal method to study genome sequences and applied it to study the effect of COVID-19 on global financial markets. We investigate the financial market reaction and volatility to the current pandemic by comparing its behavior before and after the onset of COVID-19. Our method clearly demonstrates the imminent bearish and a surprise bullish pattern of the financial markets across the world.
Effect of spousal loss on depression in older adults
Authors: Chen Yong-Hsin , Lee Meng-Chih , Shiau Mei-Huey , Yeh Chih-Jung
Published: June 2020

Background: In addition to increasing the mortality among older adults, spousal death (SD) increases their risk of depression. This study explored the factors affecting depression among widowed older adults to provide health care strategies for successful aging. Methods: A total of 710 adults older than 60 years completed a questionnaire before and after their spouses’ deaths. The survey data included age, sex, ethnic group, education level, financial station socioeconomic status, SD (including time point), smoking status, alcohol consumption, self-rated health status, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale score, mobility, and degree of support from relatives and friends. Results: The proportion of participants with depression after SD was 1.7 times that of before SD (P < 0.0001). Worsened mobility (odds ratio [OR] = 1.3, P < 0.01), low self-rated health status (OR = 0.5, P < 0.01), and a high degree of support from relatives and friends (OR = 1.5, P < 0.01) had a significant positive correlation with depression after SD. The proportion of depression that occurred within 6 months after SD was 6.0 times higher than that of depression before SD. Participants who lived alone after losing their spouses who were healthy before their deaths exhibited a significantly increased proportion of depression after their spouses’ deaths. Conclusion: Male sex, spouse’s health, and the period of 6 months after SD are risk factors for depression in older adults. The maintenance of mobility, positive self-rated health status, and a shorter period of depression after a spouse’s death result in more favorable adaptability among women. Social workers or family members should focus on older adults whose spouses died unexpectedly or within the last 6 months. Living with family members after SD can alleviate depression in older adults.
Prognostic Impact of Tumor Length in Esophageal Cancer:A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Zhao Yang , Jiang Yuanzhu , Xiao Wen , Xue Xianbiao , Zhang Xiangwei , Zhang Lin
Published: June 2020

Background: In clinical work, it is increasingly finding that even for patients with the same TNM stage of esophageal cancer (EC), the prognosis of different patients is still very different. Tumor length has been analyzed as a possible independent prognostic factor in many studies, but no unanimous conclusion has been reached. Therefore, this review is expected to use meta-analysis to evaluate the association between tumor length and prognostic significance in EC patients.Methods: A systematic search for relevant articles was performed in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. Hazard ratio and 95% conﬁdence intervals (CIs) will be used as effective measures to estimate the correlation between tumor length and prognostic significance including overall survival, disease-free survival, progression-free survival, disease-specific survival, and cancer-speciﬁc survival. We will use the software STATA 15.0 to perform the meta-analysis to calculate the data synthesis. Results: Finally, 41 articles with 28, 973 patients were included in our study. Comprehensive statistical results showed that long tumor is an independent prognostic parameter associated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR=1.30; 95%CI: 1.21-1.40, p<.001) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR=1.38; 95% CI:1.18-1.61, p<.001) in EC patients. Subgroup analyses also suggested a significant correlation between long tumor and poor OS. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias evaluation confirmed the reliability and stability of these results. Similar results can be obtained in analyses of progress-free survival (PFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis showed that the long tumor was related to the poor OS, DFS, PFS, DSS and CSS in EC patients. It was suggested that tumor length might be an important predictor of prognosis in EC patients，and it can be used as an independent staging index. Further well-designed and large-scale prospective clinical studies are needed to confirm these findings.
A Novel Compound Heterozygous Mutation in the WFS1 Gene (C.1997 G>A and C.2113_2114 ins T) Causes wolfram Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Aishajiang Reyida , Li Cheng , Shen Bo-Tao , Sun Jian , Zhao Wei
Published: June 2020

Background:Wolfram syndrome (WS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder associated with early-onset diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetes insipidus (DI), optic atrophy (OA) and hearing impairment. Most patients with WS have mutations in the WFS1 gene, which encodes wolframin. This case report describes a patient with a novel heterozygous mutation of WFS1.Case Presentation:The proband was a 27-year-old Chinese male with WS who had developed DM at the age of 2 years, DI in the first decade, OA, neurogenic bladder and urinary tract infections in the second decade, and neurological abnormalities in later life. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested superior sagittal sinus enlargement and atrophy of the medulla and pons. Sequencing showed that the proband’s asymptomatic parents were both carriers: the father carried a heterozygous c.1997G>A mutation that creates a premature stop at codon 666 (W666X) and that the proband’s asymptomatic mother carried a heterozygous c.2113_2114insT mutation that generates a frameshift downstream to codon 705 (K705Ifs*7) and leads to a stop at codon 711. The proband had both the above C-terminal mutations, resulting in the substitution of N-glycosylation sitesthat are associated with the stability of wolframin.Conclusion:We have identified a novel compound heterozygous mutation of WFS1 that is associated with WS. Our findings may facilitate future screening of WS carriers.
The attenuation of insulin-like growth factor signaling may be responsible for relative reduction in matrix synthesis in degenerated areas of osteoarthritic cartilage
Authors: Tanaka Nobuho , Tsuno Hirotaka , Ohashi Satoru , Iwasawa Mitsuyasu , Furukawa Hiroshi , Kato Tomohiro , Fukui Naoshi
Published: June 2020

Background: In osteoarthritis (OA), cartilage matrix is lost gradually despite enhanced matrix synthesis by chondrocytes. This paradox may be explained, at least partly, by reduced chondrocyte anabolism in degenerated area of OA cartilage. However, to date, it is not known why chondrocyte anabolism is suppressed in those areas.Methods: Cartilage was obtained from control knees and end-stage OA knees in macroscopically preserved areas and degenerated areas, and gene expression was analyzed in respective regions of cartilage using laser capture microdissection and qPCR. For the cartilage protein analysis, cartilage was obtained from preserved areas and degenerated areas of OA knees in pairs, and proteins were extracted using urea buffer. Protein concentrations were determined by Luminex and compared between the areas. Cartilage explants prepared from preserved areas and degenerated areas of OA knees were cultured in the presence or absence of an AKT inhibitor, and the gene expression was evaluated by qPCR. Finally, the expression of SP1 was evaluated in OA and control cartilage, and the significance of Sp1 on the expression of IGF1R and IRS1 was investigated in experiments using primary cultured chondrocytes.Results: Within OA cartilage, the expression of IGF-1, IGF-2, IGF1R and IRS1 was reduced in degenerated areas compared to preserved areas, while the expression of all six IGF-binding protein genes examined was enhanced in the former areas. Consistent results were obtained by a protein analysis. In explant culture, the inhibition of AKT signaling abrogated the abundant matrix gene expression in the preserved areas over the degenerated areas, indicating that suppressed matrix synthesis in degenerated areas may be ascribed, at least partly, to attenuated IGF signaling. Within OA cartilage, the expression of Sp1 was considerably reduced in degenerated areas compared to preserved areas, which correlated well with the expression of IGF1R and IRS1. In experiments using primary cultured chondrocytes, the expression of IGF1R and IRS1 was enhanced by the induction of Sp1 expression and reduced by the suppression of Sp1 expression.Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that attenuated IGF signaling may be responsible, at least partly, for the reduced matrix synthesis in degenerated areas of OA cartilage.
A fatality data based on an optimized SEIR Model for Epidemic: A study about the testing and quarantining
Authors: Yang Liwei , Chen Bochuan , Du Siyao , Zhao Lang , Zhang Yu
Published: June 2020

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), caused by a newly discovered coronavirus, has been announced as a global pandemic by WHO on March 12, 2020. We aimed to provide a more accurate, object-oriented SEIR model for Epidemic as well as a thorough analysis for different intervention strategies and critical parameters. Based on the object-oriented mindset in computer science, we assigned properties to every independent patient, which includes age, likelihood of catching the virus, independent mortality rate, social activeness, awareness of the danger of the virus. We also considered macro level parameters including testing rate, positive rate. Based on the fatality data obtained, we estimated the occurrence time of the first case in China (excluding Hubei), Russia, Germany, and the United States using the model. Eight groups of virus-transmission simulation with different testing rate and quarantine ratio were conducted. The mortality data was found to be an effective and crucial parameter while the number cases can be decisive reflecting the severity of the pandemic.
Benzoinum exerts NVU protective effect by inhibiting cell apoptosis in cerebral ischemia rats
Authors: Xie Qian , Ma Rong , Guo Xiaoqing , Chen Hai , Wang Jian
Published: June 2020

Background

Benzoinum (Styraceae) is a traditional Chinese medicine known to treat stroke and other cardio-cerebrovascular diseases for thousands of years. Benzoinum also proved to have diverse pharmacological activity, but the neuroprotection mechanism about apoptosis in ischemic stroke were not found. This study is to investigate the NVU protective effect and mechanisms of benzoinum on cerebral ischemic rats.
Methods

The neuroprotective activity of benzoinum against MCAO induced cerebral ischemic injury. Neurological scores, TTC staining, HE staining were conducted to evaluate neurological damage. Infarction rate and DCI were calculated. The ultrastructure of neuron and BBB was observed by TEM. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR were used to detect the Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase 3 expression. In addition, Claudin 5 also was detected by immunohistochemistry.
Results

The findings shown that benzoinum could significantly improve the neurological function score, reduce the cerebral infarction rate and DCI. Furthermore, benzoinum alleviated pathomorphological change and apoptosis in brain tissue of MCAO rats. The results of TEM and claudin 5 expression of immunohistochemistry showed that benzoinum could play a neuroprotective effect in NVU. Besides, benzoinum enhanced Bcl2, reduced Bax and Bax/Bcl-2, Caspase 3, suggesting benzoinum provided neuroprotective effect by inhibited cell apoptosis.
Conclusion

Benzoinum could play a neuroprotective role and regulate apoptosis to repair and stabilize NVU. Our present findings provide a promising medicine for treatment of ischemic stroke therapy.
Report of a COVID-19 Case Combined with HIV Infection
Authors: Liu Aimei , Wei Jie , Xu Yuanlong , Huang Dayong , Lv Kangyan , Meng Zhihao , Huang Junli , Huang Liling , Wu Guowei
Published: June 2020

Background: Confirmed as a familial clustered case, a COVID-19 patient displaying established symptoms was simultaneously diagnosed with an HIV infection, and treated with several antiviral and compassionate drugs.Case presentation: The upper respiratory tract Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) for the novel coronavirus continued to be positive for consecutive 49 days. During the course of treatment, it was observed that the other six cases in the family were non-HIV infected and displaying common Covid-19 symptoms, the familial cluster received parallel treatment along with the aforementioned patient, and the median time for the NAT to present as negative was 29 days. Conclusions: The results of this research indicate that the novel coronavirus attacks T lymphocyte subsets, andfurther studies with larger sample sizes are required to verify how the immune escape mechanism of the new coronavirus interacts with HIV infection.
Antimicrobial-resistant genes among Klebsiella pneumoniae in the Arabian Gulf Countries: A systemic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Bindayna Khalid Mubarak , Joji Ronni Mol , Ezzat Hicham , Jahrami Haitham Ali
Published: June 2020

Klebsiella is the common pathogen which causes pneumonia, UTI, and bloodstream infections. The vast majority of Klebsiella infections are hospital-acquired. Since the recognition of this as bacteria, it has always been a challenge for the clinicians to find effective treatment against their infections. Several studies are addressing increased antimicrobial resistance rates and different antimicrobial genes in various areas of the Arabian Gulf. Here we aimed to look upon the prevalence of six AMR genes (CTX M, TEM, SHV, NDM, OXA, VIM genes) in this province. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published studies from the Arabian Gulf countries and analysed the antimicrobial resistance genes pattern present in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Materials and methods The present study used the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) as a guideline for reporting findings. An electronic search was conducted in online databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Web of Science from December 2017 to February 2019 following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results Of 160 initially searched studies, 28 entries met the inclusion criteria and were subjected to meta-analysis. Critical appraisal of studies or quality assessment revealed mean quality score was 4.2, with an SD of 1.6. The analysis revealed predominant antimicrobial resistance genes were OXA followed by CTX-M, SHV, TEM, NDM, and VIM in the Arabian Gulf region. Conclusion The antibiotic resistance gene prevalences in Klebsiella pneumoniae in countries of the Arabian Gulf have been reviewed in this study. These countries share a high prevalence of OXA, CTX-M followed by SHV, TEM, NDM, and VIM genes. Antimicrobial-resistant in K. pneumoniae is a threat to public health and this needs strong surveillance to curb this threat.
Dietary Energy Levels from Middle to Late Gestation of Guangdong Small-Ear Spotted Pig: Effects on Body Weight, Muscle Development, and Glucose Metabolism of its Newborn Piglets
Authors: Hu Chengjun , Yang Yunyu , Chen Minxia , Hao Xiangyu , Wang Shuqi , Yang Linfang , Zhang Shihai , Tan Chengquan
Published: June 2020

Background: Guangdong Small-ear Spotted pigs are Chinese indigenous pig that have the characteristic of desired meat quality and resistance to coarse feeding. However, no study has elucidated the effects of dietary energy levels on body weight, muscle development and glucose metabolism of its newborn piglets. Therefore, a total of 66 pregnant gilts with an average body weight of 80.6±6.6 kg at day 60 of gestation were randomly divided into two groups: control group (CON group; 11.50 MJ/kg digestible energy), and high-energy diet group (HE group; 13.42 MJ/kg digestible energy). Results: The results showed that the maternal HE diet was shown to decrease the birth weight of piglets that from the gilts with total or alive litter size of 12 to 13. Additionally, the HE diet group were shown to impair the glucose tolerance of newborn piglets, as evidenced by the glucose tolerance test and the inhibition of insulin signaling pathway in liver and soleus muscle. Despite no significant change in the muscle weight in the two groups, the maternal HE diet was shown to downregulate the protein level of slow-twitch fiber myosin heavy chain I (MyHC I), and upregulate the protein levels of fast-twitch fiber myosin heavy chain IIb (MyHC IIb) and IIx (MyHC IIx) in soleus muscle of their progeny. Furthermore, the newborn piglets in HE group were showed a decrease in mitochondrial biogenesis in liver and soleus muscle when compared to that in CON group. Conclusions: Maternal high-energy diet from middle to late gestation decreases the birth weight of piglets that from the gilts with total or alive litter size of 12 to 13, induces the formation of glycolytic muscle fibers, and impairs glucose tolerance of their newborn piglets.
A method for constructing a longitudinal sample of Medicare patients with application to diabetes outcomes research
Authors: McMurry Timothy , Lobo Jennifer , Kim Soyoun , Kang Hyojung , Sohn Min-Woong
Published: June 2020

BackgroundWe present a method of randomly drawing a longitudinal sample of Medicare patients to 1) conduct longitudinal analysis of care use and outcomes over a ten-year follow-up; 2) provide a representative cross-sectional sample in each year during this time period; and 3) provide adequate precision for estimates in comparisons that involve minority patients at the county level. This method was applied to patients with diabetes in the Diabetes Belt (a region in the Appalachian and southern US with higher rates of diabetes) and surrounding counties.MethodsWe used the Medicare Master Beneficiary Summary Files (A/B/C/D and Chronic Conditions segments) to identify eligible patients for each year. We targeted a sample of just under 900,000 patients per year. The 2006 sample is stratified by county and white/minority status, and targeted at least 250 patients in each stratum with the remaining sample allocated proportional to county size with oversampling of the minority population. Patients who were alive, did not move between counties, and stayed enrolled in Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) were retained in the sample for subsequent years. Non-retained patients were replaced with a sample of patients in their first year of Medicare FFS (e.g., new enrollees) or patients who moved into a sampled county during the previous year.ResultsThe resulting sample contains an average of 899,266 patients each year and closely matches population demographics and chronic conditions. For all years in the sample, the weighted sample average age and the population age differ by < 0.01 years; the proportion white is within 0.01%; and the proportion female is within 0.08%. No difference was statistically significant at the α = 0.05 level.ConclusionsThis carefully constructed survey sample will allow us to to perform longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis on healthcare utilization and outcomes. This sampling strategy can be easily adapted to other projects that require random samples of Medicare beneficiaries for longitudinal follow-up with possible oversampling of some sub-populations.
Rapid mental health screening in conflict zones: a translation and cross-cultural adaptation into Arabic of the shortened Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-25)
Authors: Perkins Jon , Alos Julieta
Published: June 2020

BackgroundDuring conflict, children and adolescents are at increased threat of mental health pathology and in particular, anxiety and depression. However, mental health screening in conflict settings is problematic and carries risk making the need for fast, easy-to-administer, screening instruments paramount. The shortened version of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-25) is one method of rapidly assessing anxiety and depressive symptoms in youths. This self-report questionnaire demonstrates good internal consistency and diagnostic capacity in clinical and non-clinical populations. Nevertheless, few studies have tested the psychometric properties of translated versions of the RCADS-25 limiting its applicability worldwide.ObjectivesTo expand the reach and utility of the RCADS-25, the present study sought to develop an Arabic version of the instrument (RCADS25-Arabic) and to explore its reliability and underlying factor structure. In light of changes to DSM classification, the effects of removing indicator variables for obsessive-compulsive disorder on the psychometrics of the RCADS25-Arabic were also explored.MethodThe scale was back translated into Modern Standard Arabic and administered to 250 Arabic speaking schoolchildren between 8-15 years of age. Mean and standard deviation were used to characterise the sample and summarize scores. The reliability and factor structure of the RCADS25-Arabic was explored using confirmatory factor analysis.ResultsFemales were 127 and mean age was 12.11 ± SD 2.35. Males scored lower on anxiety (M 15.05 SD ± 8.0, t(248) = -3.15, p = .003, d = 0.39) and internalizing factors (M 26.1 SD ± 13.1, t(248) = -2.36, p = .0160, d = 0.31) with no statistical gender difference recorded for depression (t(248) = -1.27, p = .202). Fit statistics were good for two- and one-factor solutions (χ2/df =1.65, RMSEA 0.051, CFI .91, TLI .90 and χ2/df =1.64 and RMSEA 0.051, CFI .91 and TLI .89 respectively). DIFFTEST showed no significant difference between models (χ2diff (1)=0.03, p<0.86) indicating a one-factor (internalizing) solution was preferable. No improvement in scale integrity was found after deleting obsessive-compulsive disorder items.ConclusionThe RCADS25-Arabic is useful for rapid screening of depression and anxiety but is better used to identify a one-factor internalizing construct. Obsessive-compulsive disorder items should be retained in the RCADS-25.
Oxidation of Cr3Si-Cr7C3/SiC/SiC Coated C/SiC Composite in Wet Air
Authors: Liang Jinlian , Wu Shoujun , Ma Shaojun , Dong Ning
Published: June 2020

Oxidation behavior of a Cr3Si-Cr7C3/SiC/SiC coated C/SiC composite was investigated in wet air at 700, 900 and 1300 ºC under 1 atm with a gas velocity of 3.0 cm s-1, and compared with that of a SiC/SiC/SiC coated C/SiC composite. The wet oxidation produced phases on the Cr3Si-Cr7C3/SiC/SiC coating were Cr2O3 at 700 and 900 ºC, and Cr2O3 and SiO2 at 1300 ºC. The Cr3Si-Cr7C3/SiC/SiC coating showed enhanced protection against wet oxidation compared to the SiC/SiC/SiC coating. After oxidation for 10 h, the Cr3Si-Cr7C3/SiC/SiC coated composites showed nearly the same failure behavior and residual flexural strength as the as-received composites.
Spatial Relationships between COVID-19 infection rates and Air Pollution, Geo-Meteorological and Social Parameters in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Hassan Md. Shareful , Bhuiyan1 Mohammad Amir Hossain , Tanu Saikat Mandal , Tareq Md. Faysal , Bodrud-Doza Md. , Rabbani K. A.
Published: June 2020

Like all infectious diseases, the infection rate of COVID-19 is dependent on many variables. Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model and GIS was used to understand the associations between COVID-19 infection rate as a dependent variable and 17 independent variables of air pollution, geo-meteorological and social parameters using a set of temporal data from 2010-2020 (May) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This study revealed that air pollution parameters like PM2.5 (p<0.02), AOT (p<0.01), CO (p<0.05), water vapor (p<0.01) and O3 (p<0.01) were highly correlated with COVID-19 infection rate while geo-meteorological parameters like DEM (p<0.01), wind pressure (p<0.01), LST (p<0.04), rainfall (p<0.01) and wind speed (p<0.03) were also similarly associated . Social parameters like population density (p<0.01), brickfield density (p<0.02), and poverty level (p<0.01) showed high coefficients as the key independent variables to COVID-19 infection rate. Geographically, significant robust relationships of these factors were found in the middle and southern parts of the city where the reported infection case was also higher. Relevant agencies can utilize these findings to formulate new and smart rules or strategies for reducing infectious diseases like COVID-19 in Dhaka and in similar urban cities around the world.