bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction and Simulation Spatio-Temporal Support Vector Regression for Nonlinear Data
Authors: Rahman Khalilur , Anggorowati Margaretha Ari , Andiojaya Agung
Published: June 2020

Spatio-temporal model forecasting method is a forecasting model that combines forecasting with a function of time and space.  This method is expected to be able to answer the challenge to produce more accurate and representative forecasting. Using the ability of method Support Vector Regression in dealing with data that is mostly patterned non-linear premises n adding a spatial element in the model of forecasting in the form of a model forecasting Spatio- Temporal. Some simulations have done with generating data that follows the Threshold Autoregressive model. The models are correlated into spatial points generated by several sampling methods. Simulation models are generated to comparing the accuracy between model Spatio-Temporal Support Vector Regression and model  ARIMA  based on  Mean  Error,  Mean Average Error, Root Mean Square Error, and Mean Average Percentage Error. Based on the evaluation results, it is shown that forecasting with the Spatio-Temporal Support Vector Regression model has better accuracy than forecasting ARIMA.
Keyword Indexing And Searching Tool (KIST): A Tool to Assist the Forensics Analysis of WhatsApp Chat
Authors: Nizam Syafiqah Hanisah Shahrol , Ab Rahman Nurul Hidayah , Cahyani Niken Dwi Wahyu
Published: June 2020

Digital forensics is a field that concerned with finding and presenting evidence sourced from digital devices, such as computers and mobile phones. Most of the forensic analysis software is proprietary, and eventually, specialized analysis software is developed in both the private and public sectors. This paper presents an alternative of forensic analysis tools for digital forensics, which specifically to analyze evidence through keyword indexing and searching. Keyword Indexing and Searching Tool (KIST) is proposed to analyze evidence of interest from WhatsApp chat text files using keyword searching techniques and based on incident types. The tool was developed by adopting the Prototyping model as its methodology. KIST includes modules such as add, edit, remove, display the indexed files, and to add WhatsApp chat text files. Subsequently, the tool is tested using functionality testing and user testing. Functionality testing shows all key functions are working as intended, while users testing indicates the majority of respondents are agree that the tool is able to index and search keyword and display forensic analysis results.
Association of snoring and body compostion in （peri-post）menopausal women
Authors: Tao Minfang , Zhou Yang , Liu Fei , Li Changbin , Zheng Yanwei , Hu Jiangshan , Zhou Yibei , Geng Lulu , Jiang Susu , Teng Yincheng
Published: June 2020

Background: Little attention has been paid to whether snoring frequency is associated with body composition in menopausal women, particularly in China. This study objected to investigate the association between self-reported snoring and body composition in (peri-post) menopausal Chinese women as well as metabolic indicators.Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 715 participants aged 40-67 years from the Menopause Clinic in the Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital. Participants were categorized into four subgroups stratified by self-reported snoring frequency: never, rarely (<1 night per week), occasionally (1-2 nights per week), regularly (≥3 nights per week), while body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA).Besides, blood sample were collected to test the glycolipid indicators. Results: In our sample of investigation, regular snoring (≥3 nights per week) was found to be an independent risk factor for higher fat mass (total, upper limbs, trunk), with the highest risk of 2.4 times for fat mass of trunk after adjusting for metabolic confounders(p=0.003). Meanwhile, regular snoring was independently associated with higher fat mass (total and each segment) only in menopausal transition (p=0.023).Conclusions: We suggested that self-reported regular snoring may be taken as a simple alternative to predict higher fat mass (≥17.11kg, upper quartile) in menopausal women. Similarly, body composition should be attached to the great importance to those who in menopausal transition in order to help to prevent obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Integration of Palliative Care in Services for Children with Life Limiting Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Their Families: A Delphi Study
Authors: Guerin Suzanne , Kiernan Gemma , Courtney Eileen , McQuillan Regina , Ryan Karen
Published: June 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to explore expert professionals’ opinions on service provision to children under six with life-limiting neurodevelopmental disabilities (LLNDD), including the goals of care and the integration and coordination of palliative care in general and specialist services. Methods: A Delphi design was used with three survey questionnaire rounds, one open-ended and two closed response rounds. Primary data collected over a six-month period from expert professionals with five years’ (or more) experience in pediatric, intellectual disability and/or palliative care settings. Ratings of agreement and prioritization were provided with agreement expressed as a median (threshold = 80%) and consensus reported as interquartile ranges. Stability was measured using non-parametric tests. Results: Primary goals of care were achievement of best possible quality of life, effective communication and symptom management. Service integration and coordination were considered inadequate, and respondents agreed that areas of deficiency included palliative care. Improvement strategies included a single care plan, improved communication and key worker appointments. Conclusions: The findings suggest that services do not serve this group well with deficiencies in care compounded by a lack of information on available services and sub-optimal communication between settings. Further research is needed to develop an expert-based consensus regarding the care of children with LLNDD.
Transcriptomic profiling revealed key signaling pathways for cold tolerance and acclimation of two carp species
Authors: Ge Guodong , Long Yong , Shi Lianyu , Ren Jing , Yan Junjun , Li Chitao , Li Qing , Cui Zongbin
Published: June 2020

Background: Closely related species of the carp family (Cyprinidae) have evolved distinctive abilities to survive under cold stress, but molecular mechanisms underlying the generation of cold resistance remain largely unknown. In this study, we compared transcriptomic profiles of two carp species to identify key factors and pathways for cold tolerance and acclimation. Results: Larvae of Songpu mirror carp and Barbless carp that were pretreated at 18°C for 24 hours significantly improved their survival rates under lethal cold temperature at 8°C or 10°C, indicating that two carp species possess the ability of cold acclimation. However, Songpu mirror carp exhibited stronger abilities of cold tolerance and acclimation than Barbless carp. Transcriptomic profiles of Songpu mirror carp and Barbless carp larvae at 28°C and 18°C were compared during cold acclimation through RNA-seq. Differentially expressed genes that are closely associated with the differences in cold acclimation between two carp species were identified through bioinformatics and Venn's diagram analysis. GO enrichment analysis of these genes indicated that cellular component assembly involved in morphogenesis, secondary alcohol metabolism and drug transport were the most up-regulated biological processes during cold acclimation of Songpu mirror carp. Conversely, positive regulation of macroautophagy, intracellular protein transport, and organonitrogen compound catabolism were the most down-regulated biological processes during cold acclimation of Barbless carp. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that factors in the FoxO-related signaling pathways are mainly responsible for the development of differences in cold tolerance and acclimation between two carp species since altering the phosphorylation of key proteins in the FoxO-related signaling pathways with inhibitors or an activator significantly decreased the cold tolerance and acclimation of Songpu mirror carp. These data provided key clues for dissection of molecular mechanisms underlying the development of cold tolerance and acclimation in carps. Conclusions: These findings indicate that larvae of two carp species possess different abilities of cold tolerance and can build cold acclimation under mild low temperature. Multiple biological processes and FoxO-related signaling pathways are closely associated with the development of differences in cold tolerance and acclimation between two carp species.
Randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in facilitating the healing of chronic foot ulcers in diabetic patients: the study protocol
Authors: Lopes Jocefabia Reika Alves , Dias Mariza D’Agostino , Correa João Antonio , Batalha Maria Alice Bragagnolo , Guerra Luanda Karla Dantas
Published: June 2020

Background: Diabetic limb ulcers are highly prevalent and contribute to a significant increase in cost for the treatment of these patients in health services. However, healing of these wounds is a major health problem and may even lead to amputation. The primary aim of the current study is to evaluate the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in facilitating the healing of diabetic foot ulcers, in addition to secondarily evaluating whether it reduces the number of amputations and improves the quality of life in these patients. Methods: A non-blind randomised clinical study will be conducted in the city of Imperatriz, Maranhão state, Brazil from 2019 to 2020, in diabetic patients with chronic foot ulcers (classified as Wagner grade 2, 3, and 4, persisting for more than one month). The outpatient follow-up for diabetic foot patients will be done at the Unified Health System, with a sample size of 120 patients (the randomisation allocation will be 1:1, being 60 patients for each arm). Half of the patients will receive standard treatment, i.e. dressings, debridement, antibiotics, and load relief, along with HBOT (HBOT group), and the other half will receive only standard treatment (control group). The patients of the HBOT group will be evaluated upon admission, after 10, 20, 30 and 35 HBOT sessions, and after six months and one year. The patients of the control group will also be evaluated at equivalent periods (upon admission, after 2, 4, 6 and 7 weeks, six months and one year). The SF-36 quality of life questionnaire will be filled upon admission and after three months of follow-up in both groups. The primary and secondary endpoints will be assessed with 1 year of follow-up. Discussion: Diabetic foot ulcers are a highly prevalent complication of diabetes with serious consequences. A study to assess the efficacy of HBOT in healing the ulcers and reducing the rate of amputations in diabetic patients is justified, which will eventually aid in the development of guidelines for treating these ulcers.
Integrity transcriptome and proteome analyses provide new insights into the mechanisms regulating pericarp cracking in Akebia trifoliata fruit
Authors: Niu Juan , Shi Yaliang , Huang Kunyong , Zhong Yicheng , Chen Jing , Sun Zhimin , Luan Mingbao , Chen Jianhua
Published: June 2020

Background: Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz, a perennial wild woody liana, can be used as biofuel to generate bioenergy, as well as a traditional Chinese medicine plant,and new potential edible fruit crop, due to its high yields in fields, wide adaptability, high economic, medicinal and nutritive values, and tolerance tocultivation conditions. However, the pericarp of A. trifoliata cracks longitudinallyalong the ventral suture during fruit ripening, which is a serious problem that limits its usefulness and causes significant losses in yield and commercial value. Furthermore, there have been no known investigations on fruit cracking and its molecular mechanisms in A. trifoliata . Results: In this study, the dynamic structural changes in fruit pericarps were observed, revealing that the cell wall of fruit pericarp became thinner, and had reduced integrity, and that the cell walls began to degrade in the cracking fruits compared to those observed in non-cracking fruits. Moreover, analyses of the complementary RNA- sequencing-based transcriptomes and tandem mass tag-based proteomes at different development stages during fruit ripening were performed, and the expression of various genes and proteins was found to be changed after cracking, The mRNA levels of 20 differentially expressed genes and 17 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) involved in cell wall metabolism were further analyzed; 20 DAPs were also validated through parallel reaction monitoring analysis. Among these, pectate lyases and pectinesterase involved in pentose and glucuronate interconversions, β-galactosidases 2 involved in galactose metabolism, were significantly up-regulated in cracking fruits compared to levels in non-cracking fruits, suggesting that they might play crucial roles in A. trifoliata fruit cracking. Conclusions: This study provides new insights into the molecular basis of fruit cracking in A. trifoliata fruits and important clues for further studies on the genetic improvement of A. trifoliata and the breeding of non-cracking varieties.
Fluorescent markers rhodamine B and uranine for Anopheles gambiae adults and matings
Authors: Aviles Erica i , Rotenberry Rachel D , Collins C Matilda , Dotson Ellen M , Benedict Mark Q
Published: June 2020

Background Marking mosquitoes is vital for mark-release-recapture and many laboratory studies, but their small size precludes the use of methods that are available for larger animals such as unique identifier tags and radio devices. Fluorescent dust is the most commonly used method to distinguish released individuals from the wild population. Numerous colours and combinations can be used, however, dust sometimes affects longevity and behaviour so alternatives that do not have these effects would contribute substantially. Rhodamine B has previously been demonstrated to be useful for marking adult Aedes aegypti males when added to the sugar meal. Unlike dust, this also marked the seminal fluid making it possible to detect matings by marked males in the spermatheca of females. Here, marking of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto with rhodamine B and uranine was performed to estimate their potential contribution. Methods Two fluorescent markers, rhodamine B and uranine, were dissolved in sugar water and fed to adult An. gambiae. Concentrations that are useful for marking individuals and seminal fluid were determined. The effects on adult longevity, the durability of the marking and detection of the marker in mated females was determined. Male mating competitiveness was also evaluated.Results Rhodamine B marking in adults is detectable for at least three weeks, however uranine marking declines with time and at low doses can be confused with auto-fluorescence. Both can be used for marking seminal fluid which can be detected in females mated by marked males, but, again, at low concentrations uranine-marking is more easily confused with the natural fluorescence of seminal fluid. Neither dye affected mating competitiveness.Conclusions Both markers tested could be useful for field and laboratory studies. Their use has substantial potential to contribute to a greater understanding of the bio-ecology of this important malaria vector. Rhodamine B has the advantage that it appears to be permanent and is less easily confused with auto-fluorescence. The primary limitation of both methods is that sugar feeding is necessary for marking and adults must be held for at least 2 nights to ensure all individuals are marked whereas dusts provide immediate and thorough marking.
Induced neuroprotection by remote ischemic perconditioning as a new paradigm in ischemic stroke at the acute phase, a systematic review
Authors: Purroy Francisco , García Cristina , Mauri Gerard , Pereira Cristina , Torres Coral , Vazquez-Justes Daniel , Vicente-Pascualº Mikel , Vena Ana , Arque Gloria
Published: June 2020

Background: Remote ischemic conditioning during cerebral ischemia (remote ischemic perconditioning, RIPerC) refers to the application of several cycles of brief ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) commonly to a limb, and it represents a new paradigm in neuroprotection with multiple mechanisms of action in ischemic stroke (IS) patients during acute phase. Some clinical trials just finished, and a few others are still ongoing; gather the current knowledge and pull it down to influence the present and future studies was the goal of this paper. Methods: A systematic review of published research papers and/or registered clinical trials since 2000 was performed. Results: Nineteen studies were identified and only four studies were completed. All of them have demonstrated that RIPerC is safe, feasible and well tolerated in IS patients. However, a high heterogeneity of clinical trial characteristics was observed: five (26.3%) randomized clinical trials (RCTs) included only thrombolytic-treated patients, three (15.8%) RCTs only thrombectomy-treated patients, and five (26.3%) RCTs required radiological confirmation of IS. Temporal inclusion criteria vary from 4h to 48h. Most of the clinical trials used 4 cycles of RIPerC in the upper non-affected limb. Interestingly, only three (16.7%) RCTs applied RIPerC during the transportation in the ambulance. Neuroimaging outputs were the main endpoints when endovascular therapy was applied; functional outcome is also the main endpoint in large-medium size studies. Conclusions: This review summarizes the completed and ongoing clinical trials on RIPerC in IS patients, where RIPerC has been used alone or in combination with recanalization therapies. Ongoing clinical trials will provide new information on the best RIPerC intervention strategy and potentially improve the functional outcome of IS patients; definition of new RIPerC strategies would ideally aim at enhancing tissue preservation, promoting neurological recovery, and stratify patients to improve treatment feasibility.
Alpha Thalassemia Genotypes in Kuwait
Authors: Adekile Adekunle , Sukumaran Jalaja , Thomas Diana , De Souza Thomas , Haider Mohammad
Published: June 2020

Background: The frequency of alpha thalassemia trait is about 40% in the Kuwaiti population, but there has been no comprehensive study of the prevalent alleles. This is a report of the patients who were referred for molecular diagnosis over a 20-year period.Methods: This is a retrospective study of the a-globin genotypes obtained in the Hemoglobin Research Laboratory of the Department of Pediatrics, Kuwait University from 1994 to 2015. Genotyping was by a combination of PCR, allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization and reverse dot-blot hybridization (Vienna Lab Strip Assay).Results: Four hundred samples were characterized and analyzed from individuals aged <1 month to 80 years, with a median of 6 years from 283 unrelated families.. Most (90.8%) were Kuwaiti nationals. The common genotype was homozygosity for the polyadenylation-1 mutation (αPA-1α/α PA-1α) in 33.3%, followed by heterozygosity (αα/α PA-1α) for the same mutation in 32.3%. The PA-1 was therefore the most frequent allele (0.59). The frequency of the α0, –MED was 0.017. Rare alleles that were found in very low frequencies included the α0 (--FIL) in a Filipino child, Hb Constant Spring, Hb Adana, and Hb Icaria.Conclusion: There is a wide variety of alpha thalassemia alleles among Kuwaitis, but the nondeletional PA-1 is by far the most common cause of moderate to severe HbH (β4 tetramer), disease phenotype. The α0 (–MED) allele is also encountered, which has implications for pre-marital counselling especially the possibility of having babies with alpha thalassemia major (Barts hydrops fetalis).
Growth-uncoupled isoprenoid synthesis in Rhodobacter sphaeroides
Authors: Orsi Enrico , Mougiakos Ioannis , Post Wilbert , Beekwilder Jules , Dompè Marco , Eggink Gerrit , Oost John van der , Kengen Servé W. M. , Weusthuis Ruud A.
Published: June 2020

Background: Microbial cell factories are usually engineered and employed for cultivations that combine product synthesis with growth. Such a strategy inevitably invests part of the substrate pool towards the generation of biomass and cellular maintenance. Hence, engineering strains for the formation of a specific product under non-growth conditions would allow to reach higher product yields. In this respect, isoprenoid biosynthesis represents an extensively studied example of growth-coupled synthesis with rather unexplored potential for growth-independent production. Rhodobacter sphaeroides is a model bacterium for isoprenoid biosynthesis, either via the native 2-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway or the heterologous mevalonate (MVA) pathway, and for poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) biosynthesis.Results: This study investigates the use of this bacterium for growth-independent production of isoprenoids, with amorpha-4,11-diene as reporter molecule. For this purpose, we employed the recently developed Cas9-based genome editing tool for R. sphaeroides to rapidly construct single and double deletion mutant strains of the MEP and PHB pathways, and we subsequently transformed the strains with the amorphadiene producing plasmid. Furthermore, we employed 13C-metabolic flux ratio analysis to monitor the changes in the isoprenoid metabolic fluxes under different cultivation conditions. We demonstrated that active flux via both isoprenoid pathways while inactivating PHB synthesis maximizes growth-coupled isoprenoid synthesis. On the other hand, the strain that showed the highest growth-independent isoprenoid yield and productivity, combined the plasmid-based heterologous expression of the orthogonal MVA pathway with the inactivation of the native MEP and PHB production pathways.Conclusions: Apart from proposing a microbial cell factory for growth-independent isoprenoid synthesis, this work provides novel insights about the interaction of MEP and MVA pathways under different growth-conditions.
Dynamics of Health Technology Diffusion in Integrated Care System (DHTDICS): A Development and Validation Study
Authors: Deng Qingwen , Liu Wenbin
Published: June 2020

Background: Limited diffusion and utilization of health technology have greatly halted the improvement of resource integration and healthcare outcomes. However, the dynamic mechanism of health technology diffusion in the context of the integrated care system (ICS) remained largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to develop and validate the scale on Dynamics of Health Technology Diffusion in Integrated Care System (DHTDICS) for providing instruments to investigate the health technology diffusion in the ICS. Methods: The scale with 39 items was initially designed on the basis of the proposed model developed from previous research. And it was validated in a cross-sectional questionnaire survey including 246 participants. Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess domains in the questionnaire, and analyzed correlation, factorials, internal consistency and validity of the questionnaire. In addition, structural equation modeling was performed to determine the total effects of each domain on the health technology diffusion in the ICS.Results: Reliability analysis revealed excellent internal consistency, as the value of Cronbach’s alpha greater than 0.80 for all of the four DHTDICS domains in this study. An acceptable validity was confirmed through tests of construct validity, convergent validity and discriminant validity. With respect to the potential domains and dimensions that DHTDICS contributes, the results highlight the existence of 4 domains: personal beliefs, technical drivers, organizational readiness, and external environment. Among them, the impact on health technology diffusion is, in descending order, organizational readiness, personal beliefs, external environment, and technical drivers.Conclusions: The findings of this study support the validity of the DHTDICS, and will be a helpful reference for developing future intervention strategies to promote health technology diffusion in the ICS.
Dissecting the phenotypic heterogeneity in sensory features in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a factor mixture modelling approach
Authors: Tillmann Julian , Uljarevic Mirko , Crawley Daisy , Dumas Guillaume , Loth Eva , Murphy Declan , Buitelaar Jan , Charman Tony
Published: June 2020

Background: Heterogeneity in the phenotypic presentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is apparent in the profile and the severity of sensory features. Here we applied Factor Mixture Modelling (FMM) to test a multidimensional factor model of sensory processing in ASD. We aimed to identify homogeneous sensory subgroups in ASD that differ intrinsically in their severity along continuous factor scores. We also investigated sensory subgroups in relation to clinical variables: sex, age, IQ, social communication symptoms, restricted and repetitive behaviours, adaptive functioning and symptoms of anxiety and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.Methods: 332 children and adults with ASD between the ages of 6 and 30 years with IQs varying between 40 and 148 were included. First, three different confirmatory factor models were fit to the 38 items of the Short Sensory Profile (SSP). Then, latent class models (with two-to-six subgroups) were evaluated. The best performing factor model, the 7-factor structure, was subsequently used in two FMMs that varied in the number of subgroups: a two-subgroup, seven-factor model and a three-subgroup, seven-factor model.Results: The ‘three-subgroup/seven-factor’ FMM was superior to all other models based on different fit criteria. Identified subgroups differed in sensory severity from severe, moderate to low. Accounting for the potential confounding effects of age and IQ, participants in these sensory subgroups had different levels of social-communicative symptoms, restricted and repetitive behaviours, adaptive functioning skills and symptoms of inattention and anxiety.Limitations: Results were derived using a single parent-report measure of sensory features, the SSP, which limits the generalisability of findings.Conclusion: Sensory features can be best described by three homogeneous sensory subgroups that differ in sensory severity gradients along seven continuous factor scores. Identified sensory subgroups were further differentiated by the severity of core and co-occurring symptoms, and level of adaptive functioning, providing novel evidence on the associated clinical correlates of sensory subgroups. These sensory subgroups provide a platform to further interrogate the neurobiological and genetic correlates of altered sensory processing in ASD.
Support Vector Machine Based Feature Extraction For Gender Recognition From Objects Using Lasso Classifier
Authors: Galla Damodara Krishna Kishore , Mukamalla BabuReddy , Chegireddy Rama Prakasha Reddy
Published: June 2020

The blind people has their difficulty to identify the object moving around them, therefore with a high accuracy score object detection and human face recognition system will helps them in identifying the things around them with ease. Facial record images are immobile an difficult assignment for biometric authentication systems due to various types of characteristics are dimensions, pose, expressions, illustrations and age etc. In facial and other united images includes different objects classifications. In this research article, a minimum distance trainer for feature selection by accessing SVM feature optimization process. For feature selection process SVM (support vector machine) was considered for improving its feature interpretability and computational efficiency., then LASSO classifier applied to perform object recognition and gender classification. Original face image database used for the gender classification. This approach was implemented with dual classification model (1) Recognizing or classifying human faces from various objects and (2) Classifying gender through face recognition] is made possible with the help of combining modified SIFT feature in combination with ridge regression (RR), elastic net (EN), lasso regression(LR) and lasso regression with Gaussian Support Vector Machines (LRGS) based classification.
A Momentary Impact Injury of Vertebral Endplates, even without Structural Disruption, Initiates Disc Degeneration In Vitro.
Authors: Sun Zhengang , Wang Xiaoshuai , Jiang Yongjie , Chen Guoliang , Ling Zenmin , Yang Jiaming , Pan Ximin , Liu Xizhe , Liu Shaoyu , Ye Wei , Wei Fuxin
Published: June 2020

Background ： It has been acknowledged that the intervertebral disc degeneration(IDD) is associated with an aberrant cell-medicated response to structural failures, such as vertebral burst fracture, radial fissures, and endplate fracture. However, whether a momentary impact injury of the endplates without structural disruption, is sufficiently to initiate disc degeneration remains elusive. This study was to further evolve an in vitro momentary impact injury model of IDD and to investigate if a momentary impact load of the endplates without structural disruption could initiate IDD.

Methods. Rat spinal segments (from L1/2 to L5/6, n=54) were harvested and randomly assigned into three groups: Control (n=18), Low Impact (12 J/cm 3 , n=18) and High Impact (25 J/cm 3 , n=18). Samples in both of the impact groups were subjected to axial momentary impact load using a custom-made apparatus, and cultured for 14 days. The degenerative process was investigated by using histomorphology and real-time PCR.

Results: The discs in both of the impact groups showed significant degenerative changes at 14 days, both of which showed much higher histological scores and up-regulation of the catabolic (MMP-9, MMP-13) genes transcription than that of the control group ( P ＜0.05). The discs with endplate fracture compared to that with intact endplate also showed strongly up-regulated catabolic (MMP-9, MMP-13) genes transcription, and more significant degenerative changes based on the histological scoring ( P ＜0.05).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a momentary impact load (12 J/cm 3 ) on the spinal segments of the rats could initiate IDD at 14 days after injury and not only endplate fracture but also a momentary impact injury without structural disruption could also promote IDD.
Priority domains, aims, and testable hypotheses for implementation research: Protocol for a scoping review and evidence map
Authors: Garner Bryan R , Patel Sheila , Kirk M. Alexis
Published: June 2020

Background: The challenge of implementing evidence-based innovations within practice settings is a significant public health issue the field of implementation research (IR) is focused on addressing. Significant amounts of funding, time, and effort have been invested in IR to date, yet there remains significant room for advancement, especially regarding IR’s development of scientific theories as defined by the National Academy of Sciences (i.e., a comprehensive explanation of the relationship between variables that is supported by a vast body of evidence). Research priority setting (i.e., promoting consensus about areas where research effort will have wide benefits to society) is a key approach to helping accelerate research advancements. Thus, building upon existing IR, general principles of data reduction, and a general framework for moderated mediation, this article identifies four priority domains, three priority aims, and four testable hypotheses for IR, which we organize in the priority aims and testable hypotheses (PATH) diagram..Methods: The objective of this scoping review is to map the extent to which IR has examined the identified PATH priorities to date. Because Implementation Science is the leading journal for publishing IR and receives over 800 submissions annually, our sample will include IR (specifically, original research articles and short reports) published in Implementation Science between its inception in 2006 and December 2019. The protocol for the current scoping review and evidence map has been developed in accordance with the approach developed by Arksey & O’Malley and advanced by Levac, Colquhoun, and O’Brien. Because scoping reviews seek to provide an overview of the identified evidence base rather than synthesize findings from across studies, we plan to use our data-charting form to provide a descriptive overview of implementation research to-date and summarize the research via one or more summary tables. We will use the PATH diagram to organize a map of the evidence to date.Discussion: This scoping review and evidence map is intended to help accelerate IR focused on suggested priority aims and testable hypotheses, which in turn will accelerate IR’s development of National Academy of Sciences-defined scientific theories and, subsequently, improvements in public health.Systematic review registration: Open Science Framework: https://osf.io/3vhuj/
Is all-inside with suspensory cortical button fixation a superior technique for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fu Chun Wei , Chen Wei-Cheng , Lu Yung-Chang
Published: June 2020

Background To compare the clinical results of all-inside anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using suspensory cortical button fixation and full tibial tunnel drilling Methods Systematic searches were conducted of published literature up to November 2019 on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane for studies comparing all-inside ACLR using suspensory cortical button fixation and full tibial tunnel ACLR. Two reviewers independently determined eligibility, extracted the outcome data, and assessed the risk of bias of the eligible studies. The clinical outcome and graft reruptures were pooled by using random effects with mean differences and risk ratios for continuous and dichotomous variables, respectively. Result A total of nine studies (five randomized controlled trials and four comparative studies) involving 613 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The postoperative functional outcome, knee laxity measured with arthrometer, and graft reruptures were comparable between patients with all-inside ACLR using suspensory cortical button fixation and full tibial tunnel ACLR. However, a significantly greater thickness of autologous tendon was used and less change in drilling tunnel diameter was noted in patients with suspensory cortical button graft fixation.Conclusions All-inside ACLR with suspensory cortical button fixation was not clinically superior to full tibial tunnel ACLR with interference screw fixation in functional outcomes, knee laxity measured with arthrometer, or rerupture rate. However, the advantage of using suspensory cortical button fixation was that a thicker graft could be used for reconstruction, and brought less tibia tunnel widening compared with bioabsorbable interference screw fixation.
Genetic Determinants of Obesity Heterogeneity in Type II Diabetes
Authors: Khorami Somayeh Alsadat Hosseini , Mutalib Mohd Sokhini Abd , Shiraz Mohammad Feili , Abdullah Joseph Anthony , Rejali Zulida , Ali Razana Mohd , Khaza'ai Huzwah
Published: June 2020

Background: Although obesity is considered as the main cause of Type II diabetes (T2DM), non-obese individuals may still develop T2DM and obese individuals may not. Method: The mRNA expression of PI3K/AKT axis from 100 non-obese and obese participants with insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance states were compared in this study toward the understanding of obesity heterogeneity molecular mechanism. Result: In present study, there was no statistically significant difference in gene expression levels of IRS1 and PTEN between groups, whereas PI3K, AKT2 and GLUT4 genes were expressed at a lower level in obese diabetic group compared to other groups and were statistically significant. PDK1 gene was expressed at a higher level in non-obese diabetic group compared to obese diabetic and non-obese non-diabetics groups. No statistically significant difference was identified in gene expression pattern of PI3K/AKT pathway between obese non-diabetics and non-obese non-diabetics.Conclusion: The components of PI3K/AKT pathway which is related to the fasting state, showed reduced expression in obese diabetic group due to the chronic over-nutrition which may induced insensitivity and reduced gene expression. The pathogenesis of insulin resistance in the absence of obesity in non-obese diabetic group could be due to disturbance in another pathway related to the non-fasting state like gluconeogenesis. Therefore, the molecular mechanism of insulin signalling in non-obese diabetic individuals is different from obese diabetics which more investigations are required to study insulin signalling pathways in greater depth, in order to assess nutritional factors, contribute to insulin resistance in obese diabetic and non-obese diabetic individuals.
Does a ketogenic diet have beneficial effects on quality of life, physical activity or biomarkers in patients with breast cancer: A randomized controlled clinical trial.
Authors: khodabakhshi adeleh , Akbari Mohammad Esmaeil , Seyfried Thomas N. , Mahmoudi Maryam , Kalamian Miriam , Moradi Nariman , beheshti maryam , Davoodi Sayed Hossein
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Despite recent interest in the use of ketogenic diets (KDs) for cancer , evidence of beneficial effects is lacking. This study examined the impact of a randomly assigned KD on quality of life, physical activity and biomarkers in patients with breast cancer. Method: A total of 80 patients with locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer and without a history of renal disease or diabetes were randomly assigned to either a KD or a control group for this 12-week trial. Concurrent with the first, third, and fifth chemotherapy sessions, quality of life, physical activity, and biomarkers (thyroid function tests, electrolytes, albumin, ammonia, ALP, lactate and serum ketones) were assessed. Dietary intake was also recorded on admission and the end of the treatment. Results: No significant differences were seen in quality of life or physical activity scores between the two groups after 12 weeks; however, the KD group showed higher global quality of life and physical activity scores compared to the control group at 6 weeks (P=0.02 P= 0.01). Also, serum lactate and ALP levels decreased significantly in the KD group compared to the control group at the end of the intervention (10.7±3 vs 13.3±4, 149±71 vs 240±164, P=0.02 and P=0.007, respectively). A significant inverse association was observed between total carbohydrate intake and serum beta-hydroxybutyrate at 12 weeks (r= -0.77 P <0.001). No significant differences between groups were observed in thyroid hormones, electrolytes, albumin, LDH or ammonia. Compliance among KD subjects ranged from 66.7% to 79.2% as assessed by dietary intake and serum ketones levels of >0.5. Conclusion: According to our results, chemotherapy combined with 6 weeks of a KD improved global quality of life and physical activity scores but did not result in similar improvements at 12 weeks. There were no significant differences noted in thyroid function or electrolyte levels between the two groups. However, decreases seen in levels of lactate and ALP in the KD group suggest that a KD may benefit patients with breast cancer
A high triglyceride glucose index is more closely associated with hypertension than lipid or glycemic parameters in elderly individuals: a cross-sectional survey from the Reaction Study.
Authors: Zhu Binruo , Wang Jie , Chen Kang , Yan Wenhua , Wang Anping , Wang Weiqing , Gao Zhengnan , Tang Xulei , Yan Li , Wan Qin , Luo Zuojie , Qin Guijun , Chen Lulu , Mu Yiming
Published: June 2020

Background: Both lipid and glucose abnormalities are associated with hypertension (HTN). However, it is unclear whether the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is associated with HTN. Therefore the aim of this study is to investigate the association of the TyG index and HTN and to compare the discriminative power of the TyG index, lipid, glycemic parameters for the risk of HTN in elderly individuals.Methods: The present study was nested in a longitudinal (REACTION) study from May 2011 to December 2011, which was designed to demonstrate the association of abnormal glucose metabolism with the risk of cancer in the Chinese population. In total, 47808 participants were recruited in this cross-sectional study. The TyG index was divided into five groups: the <20% group, the 20-39% group, the 40-59% group, the 60-79% group and the ≥80% group, according to quintile division of the subjects. Three multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between the TyG vs. lipid parameters, glycemic parameters and HTN.Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that compared with lipid and glycemic parameters, the TyG index remains significantly associated with HTN in either total subjects or subjects separated into men and women (odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-1.51, p <0.0001 in total subjects; OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.11-1.74, p=0.0042 in men; OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.11-1.49, p=0.0010 in women). In a stratified analysis, an elevated TyG index is significantly associated with HTN in the subgroup of the oldest age (≥65) (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.30-2.14, p <0.0001), as well as with obesity (Body mass index (BMI) ≥28 kg/m2) (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.29-2.66, p=0.0009) or lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (<90 mL/ (min·1.73 m2)) (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.33-2.21, p <0.0001).Conclusion: The TyG index is significantly associated with HTN and shows the superior discriminative ability for HTN compared with lipid and glycemic parameters in the Chinese elderly population.
Ultrasonic bone scalpel for thoracic spinal decompression: case series and technical note
Authors: Sun Chuiguo , Chen Guanghui , Fan Tianqi , Li Weishi , Guo Zhaoqing , Qi Qiang , Zeng Yan , Zhong Woquan , chen zhongqiang
Published: June 2020

Background: Thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS) is a rare but intractable disease that fails to respond to conservative treatment. Thoracic spinal decompression, which is traditionally performed using high-speed drills and kerrison rongeurs, is a time-consuming and technically challenging task. Unfavorable outcomes and high incidence of complications are the major concerns. The development and adaptation of ultrasonic bone scalpel (UBS) has promoted its application in various spinal operations, but its application and standard operating procedure in thoracic decompression have not been fully clarified. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe our experience and technique note of using UBS, and come up with a standard surgical procedure for thoracic spinal decompression.Methods: A consecutive of 28 patients with TSS who underwent posterior thoracic spinal decompression surgery with UBS between December 2014 and May 2015 were enrolled in this study. The demographic data, perioperative complications, operation time, estimated blood loss, pre-and postoperative neurological statuses were recorded and analyzed. Neurological status was evaluated with a modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scale and the neurological recovery rate was calculated using the Hirabayashi’s Method.Results: Thoracic spinal decompression surgery was successfully carried out in all cases via a single posterior approach. The average age at surgery was 49.7±8.5 years. The mean operative time of single-segment laminectomy was 3.0±1.4min and the blood loss was 108.3±47.3ml. In circumferential decompression, the average blood loss was 513.8±217.0ml. Two cases of instrument-related nerve root injury occurred during operation and were cured by conservative treatment. Six patients experienced cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage postoperatively, but no related complications were observed. The mean follow-up period was 39.7±8.9 months, the average JOA score increased from 4.7 before surgery to 10.1 postoperatively, and the average recovery rate was 85.8%. Conclusions: The UBS is an optimal instrument for thoracic spinal decompression, and its application enables surgeons to decompress the thoracic spinal cord safely and effectively. This standard operating procedure is expected to help achieve favorable outcomes, and can be used to treat various pathologies leading to TSS.
External validation of the European risk assessment tool for Chronic Cardio-metabolic disorders in a Middle Eastern population
Authors: Asgari Samaneh , Moosaie Fatemeh , Khalili Davood , Azizi Fereidoun , Hadaegh Farzad
Published: June 2020

Background: High burden of chronic cardio-metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been reported in the Middle East and North Africa region. We aimed to externally validate a non-laboratory risk assessment tool for the prediction of the chronic cardio-metabolic disorders in the Iranian population. Methods: The predictors included age, body mass index, waist circumference, use of antihypertensive, current smoking, and family history of cardiovascular disease and/or diabetes. For external validation of the model in the Tehran lipids and glucose study (TLGS), the Area under the curve (AUC) and the Hosmer-Lemeshow (HL) goodness of fit test were performed for discrimination and calibration, respectively. Results: Among 1310 men and 1960 women aged 28-85 years, 29.5% and 47.4% experienced chronic cardio-metabolic disorders during the 6 and 9-year follow-up, respectively. The model showed acceptable discrimination, with an AUC of 0.72(95% CI: 0.69-0.75) for men and 0.73(95% CI: 0.71-0.76) for women. The calibration of the model was good for both genders (min HL P=0.5). Considering separate outcomes, AUC was highest for CKD (0.76(95% CI: 0.72-0.79)) and lowest for T2DM (0.65(95% CI: 0.61-0.69)), in men. As for women, AUC was highest for CVD (0.82(95% CI: 0.78-0.86)) and lowest for T2DM (0.69(95% CI: 0.66-0.73)). The 9-year follow-up demonstrated almost similar performances compared to the 6-year follow-up. Using Cox regression in place of logistic multivariable analysis, model’s discrimination and calibration were reduced for prediction of chronic cardio-metabolic disorders; the issue which had more effect on the prediction of incident CKD among women. Moreover, adding data of educational levels and marital status did not improve, the discrimination and calibration in the enhanced model.Conclusion: This model showed acceptable discrimination and good calibration for risk prediction of chronic cardio-metabolic disorders in short and long-term follow-up in the Iranian population.