bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Palliative Performance Scale: Cross cultural adaptation and psychometric validation for Polish hospice setting
Authors: Dzierżanowski Tomasz , Gradalski Tomasz , Kozlowski Michael
Published: April 2020

Background: Measuring functional status in palliative care may help clinicians to assess a patient’s prognosis, recommend adequate therapy, avoid futile or aggressive medical care, consider hospice referral, and evaluate provided rehabilitation outcomes. An optimized, widely used, and validated tool is preferable. The Palliative Performance Scale Version 2 (PPSv2) is currently one of the most commonly used performance scales in palliative settings. The aim of this study is the psychometric validation process of a Polish translation of this tool (PPSv2-Polish).Methods: Two hundred patients admitted to a free-standing hospice were evaluated twice, on the first and third day, for test-retest reliability. In the first evaluation, two different care providers independently evaluated the same patient to establish inter-rater reliability values. PPSv2-Polish was evaluated simultaneously with the Karnofsky Performance Score (KPS), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status (ECOG PS), and Barthel Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Index, to determine its construct validity. Results: A high level of full agreement between test and retest was seen (63%), and a good intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.85 (P<0.0001) was achieved. Excellent agreement between raters was observed when using PPSv2-Polish (Cohen’s kappa 0.91; P<0.0001). Satisfactory correlations with the KPS and good correlations with ECOG PS and Barthel ADL were noticed. Persons who had shorter prognoses and were predominantly bedridden also had lower scores measured by the PPSv2-Polish, KPS and Barthel ADL. A strong correlation of 0.77 between PPSv2-Polish scores and survival time was noted (P<0.0001). Moderate survival correlations were seen between KPS, ECOG PS, and Barthel ADL of 0.41; -0.62; and 0.58, respectively (P<0.0001).Conclusion: PPSv2-Polish is a valid and reliable tool measuring performance status in a hospice population and can be used in daily clinical practice in palliative care and research.
Use of Radial Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Therapy for Musculoskeletal Pain for daily practice: 1,580 Cases
Authors: Sugawara Andre Tadeu , Lima Moises da Cunha , Oliveira Margarida Sales Carneiro de , Dias Cristiane Bitencourt
Published: April 2020

Background: Musculoskeletal pain is a quite common, benign, nonfatal condition that is the second leading cause of years lived with a disability worldwide. Despite all efforts, it continues to be a challenging public health problem, because the solutions currently available are complex or are of limited effectiveness, which makes them difficult to adopt. That situation perpetuates suffering and treatment seeking, as well as increasing the health care costs and burden associated with such pain. Therefore, new treatment options need to be tested and the interest in shock waves is growing, especially in places with few resources, with difficult access to medications and in countries where there is a need for new therapeutic options due to the opioid crisis.Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of 1,580 patients with musculoskeletal pain who underwent two weekly sessions of radial extracorporeal shock-wave therapy.Results: We found that the therapy tested decreased pain by 62.50% (P < 0.0001), with a high (91.59%) success rate and a low (2.1%) rate of pain worsening (2.1%). The effect was greatest for myofascial pain in the hip or shoulder (P < 0.05). Intense pain, myofascial pain (visual analogue scale score ≥ 70 mm), and high shock-wave frequency (≥ 15 Hz) correlated with best response. Conclusions: It is possible to implement a radial shockwave service that, with just two doses, promotes rapid and effective analgesia for up to 7 days after the last dose, with a high success rate and a low rate of abandonment of treatment. Representing a response to the management of service overload and a non-drug alternative in the era of the opioid crisis.Study registration: CAAE 51289115.2.0000.5463. Registered 7th October 2015 (prospectively registered).
Implementation, Experience, and Challenges of Urban Health Extension Program in Addis Ababa: A Case study from Ethiopia
Authors: Gizaw Abraham Tamirat , Zebre Getahun , Tareke Kasahun Girma , Lemu Yohannes Kebede
Published: April 2020

Background: Ethiopia started implementing the Urban Health Extension Program in urban areas since 2009 to provide health care services to the community members of the urban health extension professionals. But, limited evidence is there to the extent of this program implementation, acceptance, and utilization. Therefore, this study was aimed at exploring the implementation, experience, and challenges of the urban health extension program. Methods: A qualitative case study was conducted in Addis Ababa from November 15 – December 29, 2017. The study participants were recruited purposively that includes health extension professionals, health post supervisors, health development army leaders, Addis Ababa city health extension program administrators, and women of the community. A total of 4 focus group discussions and 31 in-depth and key informant interviews were conducted. The data were transcribed verbatim, translated into the English language, and analyzed by an inductive thematic analysis approach using Atlas ti7.1 software package. Result: This study found that there were 15 health service packages of the urban health extension program provided to the communities by the Urban Health Extension Professionals in Addis Ababa. The strategies used for the program implementation were a provision of training for UHEPs, conducting home to home visit, creation of model households, strengthening of health developmental army, conducting of regular supervision or monitoring, referral and feedback, and community mobilization. Lack of coordination between the health extension program and other sectors, poor supply management system, having no clearly defined career and education path and lack of motivation and incentives were some of the challenges posed in the program implementation. Conclusions: Although the urban health extension program has made a significant contribution to the health of the community through increasing access to public health services in urban settings, its implementation is affected by many challenges. Therefore, all stakeholders, governmental and non-governmental organizations should have support the system to increase the acceptability and utilization of the urban health extension services.
Acting between Checklists and Reality. Managers’ Balancing between Standardization and Adaptive Behaviour in Patient Safety Work- an Interview Study
Authors: Hedsköld Mats , Sachs Magna Andreen , Rosander Thorleif , von Knorring Mia , Harenstam Karin Pukk
Published: April 2020

Background Safety culture can be described and understood through its manifestations in the organisation as artefacts, espoused values and basic underlying assumptions and is strongly related to leadership-yet it remains elusive as a concept. Even if the literature points to leadership as an important factor for creating and sustaining a mature safety culture, little is known about how first line managers’ balance the different and often conflicting organizational goals in everyday practice. The purpose of this study was to explore how health care first line managers perceive their role and how they promote patient safety and patient safety culture in their units.Methods Interview study with first line managers in intensive care units in in eight different hospitals located in the middle of Sweden. An inductive qualitative content analysis approach was used.Results We present how first line managers view their role in patient safety and exemplify concrete strategies by which managers promote safety culture by acting as role models, designing everyday work and promoting psychological safety and a learning environment.Conclusions Our study shows the central role of front-line managers in designing the everyday work in the ICU. In our study both of Safety − 1 and Safety − 2 aspects emerged in the analysis. Although promoted widely in Swedish healthcare at the time for the interviews, the HSOPSC was not mentioned by the managers as a central source of information on the unit’s safety culture.
Determinants of Nutrition Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Adolescent Sports Trainee: A Cross-sectional Study in Bangladesh
Authors: Bakhtiar Md. , Rahman Masud-ur , Kamruzzaman Md , Sultana Nargis , Rahaman Kh. Shafiur , Rahman Shaikh Shahinur
Published: April 2020

Background
Nutrition is an important predictor of an athlete’s performance. It is more important for particularly those athletes who are in the growing stage (adolescents). This study aimed to assess their current level of knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of nutrition and to predict potential factor impact on the level of these KAP.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescent trainee athletes selected conveniently from 11 sports departments (e.g. cricket, football, hockey etc.) of Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP). A semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Anthropometric measurements (e.g. height, weight, BMI, BF %) were taken using appropriate methods. The data were analyzed using R (v3.6.1) and Python Jupyter Notebook. Descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and logistic regression were used to determine the relationship between dependent and independent variables.
Results
A total number of 260 participants were enrolled in this study. Among them, 86% were male. Their mean age was 15.50 ± 1.83 ranging from 12–19 years. More than half of the participants had good nutrition knowledge (n = 149, 57.3%). Fifty-six percent participants had negative attitude (n = 146) and 42.3% (n = 110) had poor level of practices regarding nutrition. Age (p = 0.007), gender (p = 0.004) and duration of sports training (p = 0.004) of participants were significantly associated with knowledge, while only age and BMI were significantly associated with practices. Athletes with less body fat were more likely to have good nutrition practice behavior (AOR 0.895; 95% CI 0.83, 0.96; p < 0.05) and nutrition knowledge was positively associated with nutrition practice (AOR 2.335; 95% CI 1.405, 3.88; p = 0.001).
Conclusion
Insufficient knowledge, negative attitude, and poor practices were observed among many of our participants. Previous nutrition training was found as potential factor of good nutrition knowledge and practice. It is necessary to provide appropriate nutrition information to the adolescent athletes through proper educational intervention on a regular basis.
Catheter ablation of nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and functional mitral regurgitation
Authors: Li Teng , Huang Jun , Liang Jian , Peng Wenjie , Ding Ligang , Li Yifu
Published: April 2020

Background

The optimal treatment for patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) has been a subject of debate for years. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation (CA) of nonparoxysmal AF in patients with HFrEF and functional mitral regurgitation (MR).
Methods

This single-center, retrospective, and observational study enrolled 21 consecutive patients with nonparoxysmal AF, HFrEF and functional MR underwent CA༎The ablation strategy consisted of bilateral circumferential pulmonary vein isolation and empirical linear ablations.
Results

After a mean follow-up of 18.2 ± 8.5 months, stable sinus rhythm (SR) was achieved in 15 patients (71.4%) after the initial procedure and 17 patients (81%) after the final procedure. The NYHA class improved from 2.7 ± 0.7 before ablation to 1.2 ± 0.4 during follow-up (p < 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 36.5 ± 6.3% to 54.9 ± 6.6% (p < 0.001). Among 17 patients in continuous SR after the final procedure, MR severity decreased to mild or none,and 10 patients with decreased ventricular wall motion was completely restored to normal after the procedure. No serious complications occurred.
Conclusion

CA may be a safe and effective method for treating nonparoxysmal AF in patients with HFrEF and functional MR. It can significantly improve HF symptoms, functional MR and left ventricular function..
Comparative Evaluation of Methods to Determine Intra-Individual Reference Ranges in Nutrition Support Team (NST)-Related Tests
Authors: Hirabayashi Yoji , Tsukada Yutaka , Sakurai Takuya , Ohno Hideki , Kizaki Takako
Published: April 2020

Background The intra-individual reference range is generally narrower than the commonly used reference range. Consequently, close monitoring of changes in the laboratory test results of individuals based on the inter-individual reference range remains challenging.Methods We examined the determination of individual reference ranges using four indicators of nutritional conditions: transferrin (TRF), albumin (ALB), retinol-binding protein (RBP), and transthyretin (TTR). The subjects comprised 20 healthy individuals and blood samples were collected and tested five times at 2-week intervals. We used the measurement results for the four indicators and examined individual reference ranges using four methods, including calculation methods based on the reference change value and Bayesian inference.Results The resulting intra-individual reference ranges were narrower than the currently used inter-individual reference range for all measurements using four methods. Furthermore, the intra-individual coefficient of variation [CV (intra)] was smaller than the inter-individual coefficient of variation [CV (inter)] for TRF, RBP, and TTR for all subjects. The means CV (intra) for the four indicators were also lower than the corresponding CV (inter).Conclusions The intra-individual reference range can be used to validate the standard deviation and coefficient of variation for currently used indicators. Moreover, Bayesian methods are speculated to be the most versatile.
Factors Affecting for Lifestyle Adoption in Patients with Myocardial Infarction
Authors: mohsenipouya hossein , Jannati Yadollah , Ghaemian Ali , Yazdani-Charati Jamshid
Published: April 2020

Background

Epidemiological transition of acute and infectious diseases to non-communicable ones, aging population, together with rapid lifestyle changes all have given rise to prevalence rate of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Thus, it is of utmost importance to reflect on lifestyles especially in this period. The main purpose of this study was to assess lifestyle in patients affected with myocardial infarction (MI).
Methods

This cross-sectional study was examining health-related lifestyle behaviors in patients with MI in 2019. To this end, a total number of 176 patients were selected using purposive and convenience sampling methods. The research instrument was also the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II) as a standardized self-report questionnaire. To analyze the data, the IBM SPSS Statistics software (version 22) software and the generalized linear models were used. Moreover, the level of significance was set at 0.05 in this study.
Results

The results of Wilks’ lambda distribution revealed that the effect of gender on the linear combination of the dependent variable (i.e. lifestyle) was significant and 11.4% of changes in this variable had resulted from variation in gender. Besides, the results demonstrated that health responsibility scores in men were on average 2.703 lower than those obtained by women. This relationship was also significant and its effect size was by 3.3% (p = 0.016).
Conclusions and recommendations:

It was concluded that the concept of lifestyle can be an analysis tool to better understand differences between genders, as an effective variable in adopting a healthy lifestyle, especially in patients suffering from MI.
DRGs-based health system performance for breast cancer patients
Authors: Liu Xinkui , Liu Furong , Wang Lin , Wu MengFan , Yang LinPeng , Wei Le
Published: April 2020

Background: To evaluate health system performance for patients with breast cancer in Henan Province, China, using Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs) indicators and provide data to inform practices and policies for the prevention and control of breast cancer. Methods: The data were collected from the front pages of the medical records (FPMR) of all hospitals above class II that admitted breast cancer patients in Henan Province between 2016 and 2019. Breast cancer patients were the subjects in our study. China DRGs (CN-DRGs) were used as a risk adjustment tool. Three indicators, including the Case-Mix Index (CMI), number of DRGs, and total weight, were used to evaluate the range of available services for patients with breast cancer, while indicators including the Charge Efficiency Index (CEI), Time Efficiency Index (TEI) and inpatient mortality of low-risk group cases (IMLRG) were used to evaluate the medical service efficiency and medical safety.Results: Between 2016 and 2019, there were 103,760 cases of patients with breast cancer. The number of enrolled patients and total weight increased over the study period at an average annual rate of 21.38% and 21.88%, respectively. The TEI decreased over the study period by 15.60%. The CEI exhibited an increasing trend, but the average annual rate of increase was small (2.94%). The IMLRP was 0.02%, 0%, 0% and 0.01% in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.Conclusion: The health system performance improved between 2016 and 2019 for breast cancer patients discharged from the study hospitals in Henan Province. The main areas of improvement were in the range of available services, but medical institutions must still make efforts to improve the efficiency of medical services and ensure medical safety. DRGs are an effective evaluation tool.
A Modified Arthroscopic All-inside Repair for Lateral Meniscal Tears Anterior to the Popliteal Hiatus: A Retrospective Case Series with Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Zhuo Hongwu , Zhu Fugui , Pan Ling , Li Jian
Published: April 2020

Background﻿To determine the clinical and MRI outcomes after modified arthroscopic all-inside repair for lateral meniscal tears anterior to the popliteal hiatus.MethodsPatients who underwent modified arthroscopic all-inside repair for lateral meniscal tears anterior to the popliteal hiatus at our institution were identified. The clinical assessment consisted of the symptoms of meniscal tears, McMurray test, and patient-reported outcomes (Lysholm score, Tegner score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score). The status of meniscal healing was assessed using postoperative MRI scan.ResultsTwenty-five patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 27.60 ± 8.37 years (range, 16 to 43 years). The mean follow-up period was 26.04 ± 2.88 months (range, 24 to 36 months). At final follow-up, the symptoms of meniscal tears disappeared in 23 patients with a negative McMurray test. The patient-reported outcomes of Lysholm, Tegner, and IKDC score improved significantly compared to the preoperative values (P = 0.001). No significant differences were observed in postoperative clinical outcomes between patients with or without concomitant ACL tears (P > 0.05). Postoperative MRI scan showed that the repaired lateral meniscus anterior to the popliteal hiatus obtained healing in 23 (92.0%) patients and no healing in 2 patients.ConclusionThis modified arthroscopic all-inside repair technique was safe and effective to treat lateral meniscal tears anterior to the popliteal hiatus, resulting in significantly improved clinical outcomes with a high healing rate and low risk of adjacent structures injury.
The Importance of Mental Models in Implementation Science
Authors: Holtrop Jodi Summers , Scherer Laura , Matlock Daniel , Glasgow Russell E , Green Lee A
Published: April 2020

Background: Implementation science is concerned with the study of adoption, implementation and maintenance of evidence-based interventions and use of implementation strategies to facilitate translation into practice. Ways to conceptualize and overcome challenges to implementing evidence-based practice may enhance the field of implementation science. The concept of mental models may be one way to view such challenges and to guide selection, use and adaptation of implementation strategies. Methods: A mental model is an interrelated set of beliefs that shape how a person forms expectations for the future and understands the way the world works. Mental models can shape how an individual thinks about or understands how something or someone does, can, or should function in the world. We review the concepts of mental models and illustrate how they pertain to implementation of an example intervention, shared decision making. A range of methods to elicit and analyze mental models are reviewed, including formal methods developed specifically for a given project. Results: Mental models may be sparse or detailed, may be shared among actors in implementation or not, and may be substantially tacit, i.e., of limited accessibility to introspection. Actors’ mental models can determine what information they are willing to accept and what changes they are willing to consider. We describe and illustrate multiple methods for eliciting and analyzing mental models including semi-structured interviews, cognitive task analyses and Delphi methods. Conclusions: Understanding the mental models of actors in implementation can provide crucial information for understanding, anticipating, and overcoming implementation challenges. Successful implementation often requires changing actors’ mental models or the way in which interventions or implementation strategies are presented or implemented. Accurate elicitation and understanding can guide strategies for doing so.
Agastache rugosa alleviates the multi-hit effect on hepatic lipid metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress during nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Cui Yizhe , Chang Renxu , Wang Qiuju , Liang Yusheng , Loor Juan J , Xu Chuang
Published: April 2020

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease, and has high rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Agastache rugosa (AR) possesses unique anti-oxidant, anti‑inflammatory and anti-atherosclerosis characteristics.
Methods

To investigate the effects and the underlying mechanism of AR on NAFLD, we fed mice a high-fat diet (HFD) to establish NAFLD model of mice in vivo experiment and induced lipidosis in AML12 hepatocytes through a challenge with free fatty acids (FFA) in vitro. The contents of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in liver homogenates were measured. Pathological changes in liver tissue were evaluated by HE staining. Oil red O staining was used to determine degree of lipid accumulation in liver tissue, and Western blot was used to detect abundance of inflammation-, lipid metabolism- and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins.
Results

Supply of AR alleviated accumulation of lipid in hepatocytes induced by HFD in vivo and challenged with free fatty acids (FFA) in vitro. Compared with the HFD group, supplementing AR decreased p-NF-κB/NF-κB and p-IκB/IκB protein and inhibited abundance of PERK, IRE1 and ATF6 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, AR reduced lipid accumulation within hepatocytes by downregulating abundance of SREBP, ACC1 and FAS (P < 0.05). Supply of AR significantly attenuated ROS accumulation and MDA production by improving antioxidant enzymatic activity including SOD and GSH (P < 0.01).
Conclusion

Supply of AR attenuates disordered lipid metabolism and enhances the antioxidative defense associated with NAFLD induced by HFD in mice. Results underscore the potential of plants used in traditional Chinese medicine to achieve pharmacological benefits through a multi-tier cellular response.
How effective are digital interventions in increasing flu vaccination amongst pregnant women? A systematic review protocol
Authors: Parsons Jo , Atherton Helen
Published: April 2020

Background: Pregnant women and their unborn babies are at increased risk of complications as a result of flu, yet uptake of the flu vaccination in the UK remains low. Digital interventions have proven effectiveness in changing health behaviour, but their effectiveness in increasing flu vaccination amongst pregnant women has not been examined. This protocol details the design and methodology of a systematic review and meta-analysis, examining the effectiveness of digital interventions in increasing flu vaccination amongst pregnant women.Methods: Bibliographic databases will be searched using appropriate search terms related to vaccination, pregnancy and flu. Randomised, non-randomised, quasi randomised controlled trials and other quantitative study designs will be eligible for inclusion, and studies will present the rate of flu vaccination amongst pregnant women of digital interventions compared to non-digital interventions, or usual care. No date or study country restrictions will be put on included studies, but studies will be published in English. Discussion: This is the first known systematic review to examine the effectiveness of digital interventions in increasing the rate of flu vaccination amongst pregnant women. This review has the potential to inform whether digital interventions are an appropriate and successful method of increasing flu vaccination amongst pregnant women, and to determine which mode of digital intervention is most effective.Registration: This systematic review is registered on the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO). Registration number: INSERT NUMBER.
Analysis of compliance and efficacy of integrated management of whole process in the choice of percutaneous full-endoscopic surgery for patients with cervical disc herniation
Authors: Kong Weijun , Jiang Zhongyan , Wang Ansu , Wang Chong
Published: April 2020

Background : Percutaneous spinal endoscopy technique is a new type of surgery for the treatment of cervical disc herniation. It can avoid the complications of classic ACDF approach and the risk of adjacent spondylosis. How to effectively improve patients' awareness of spinal endoscopy and choose to receive endoscopic techniques? Objective: To analyze the compliance and clinical effect of the integrated management of whole process in the choice of percutaneous full-endoscopic surgery for patients with cervical disc herniation. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 72 patients with cervical disc herniation undergoing surgery in our hospital in August 2015~ August 2017, all of them carried out the whole process integrated management mode, 36 patients in the experimental group were treated by percutaneous full-endoscopic cervical discectomy, and 36 patients in the control group were treated by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion(ACDF). The postoperative feeding time, time to get out of bed, length of hospital stay, compliance, clinical efficacy, and recurrence rate of neck pain were observed. And changes in pain visual analogue score (VAS) and neurological function JOA score of preoperative and postoperative. Results: The postoperative feeding time in the experimental group was 8.319 ± 1.374 hours, the postoperative bedtime was 16.64 ± 3.728 hours, and the hospitalization time was 6.403 ± 0.735 days; The clinical excellent and good rate was 91.67%, the compliance rate was 88.89%, and the neck pain recurrence rate was 5.56%. The postoperative feeding time in the control group was 26.56 ± 9.512 hours, the postoperative bedtime was 45.06 ± 9.027 hours, and the length of hospital stay was 8.208 ± 0.865 days; The excellent and good rate was 88.89%, the compliance rate was 69.4%, and the neck pain recurrence rate was 8.33%. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the excellent treatment rate and the recurrence rate of neck pain, p> 0.05; The compliance rate of the experimental group was better than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant, p <0.05; the hospitalization time of the experimental group was significantly lower than that of the control group, the difference was statistically significant, p<0.05. The postoperative VAS scores and JOA scores of the two groups were significantly improved compared with preoperative, the difference was statistically significant, p<0.05; and there was no significant difference between the two groups, p> 0.05. Conclusion : The integrated management mode of the whole course can effectively improve the compliance of patients with cervical disc herniation receiving endoscopic treatment, obtain the same treatment effect as the classic operation, shorten the hospitalization time, speed up the turnover of hospital beds, improve the satisfaction of medical quality, and be worthy of clinical application.
Comparative effect of vitamin E compounds on HSP70 expression in response to acute redox imbalance in Chang liver cells
Authors: Khaza’ai Huzwah , Khorami Somayeh Alsadat Hosseini , Mutalib Mohd Sokhini Abd
Published: April 2020

Background: HSP70 represents the most highly induced member of the stress protein family which is constitutively expressed in normal cell conditions as chaperon and rapidly upregulated in response to stress conditions. Vitamin E compounds are considered to be the most potent oxidation chain breaking compounds. Although α-tocopherol, has been long considered as the most potent antioxidant among the vitamin E isomers, many studies have recently suggested a higher antioxidant potency of tocotrienols compared to tocopherols. Present study was carried out to investigate the effects of tocotrienol supplementation compared to α-tocopherol on HSP70 expression.Methods: To assess whether the increase in HSP70 secondary to the stress caused by the oxidant could decrease in the presence of vitamin E; two groups of cells were incubated for 4 hours with α-tocopherol and palm tocotrienol-rich fraction respectively with concentration of 10, 20 and 30 μg/ml after the cells were pre-exposed to oxidative stress.Results: The comparison between the negative control which represents the basal expression of HSP70 and the positive control that represents the expression of HSP70 as a response to the oxidant, has clearly indicated that treatment with 100 μM copper sulphates for 24 hours resulted in a significant up-regulation of HSP70 expression. The present study has shown that the overall effect of vitamin E compounds seems to reduce the increase in HSP70 expression. α-tocopherol tended to trigger a more constant rate of response to the dose given but unable to significantly induced the decrease of the HSP70 expression as compared to tocotrienol.Conclusion: Treatment with vitamin E has conferred significant protection against stress induced cellular damage. Whether the reduction of HSP70 by vitamin E is deleterious or beneficial is still controversial and needs to be considered.
Are lumbar traction strength and sit and reach flexibility associated with the development of musculoskeletal pain in two years in university staff?
Authors: Weber Vinicius Muller Reis , Fernandes Daniel Zanardini , Portela Bruno Sergio , Romanzini Marcelo , Volpato Leonardo Alex , Milla Stefanie , Pereira Wagner Menna , Vieira Edgar Ramos , Ronque Enio Ricardo Vaz , Queiroga Marcos Roberto
Published: April 2020

Background: Increase of musculoskeletal disorders is related to an economic burden; also elevate time spend in sedentary behavior can lead to a decrease in physical fitness and consequently an incidence in musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of the study was to evaluate if low lumbar traction strength and flexibility could predict musculoskeletal pain in university staff in two years. Methods: This is a longitudinal study with 2-year follow-up. Fifty-three university staff members participated in this longitudinal study: age = 38±8 years, height = 171±10 cm, body mass = 75±14 kg, and body mass index = 26±4 m/kg2. The participants performed the lumbar traction and the sit and reach tests, and completed the Corlett and Bishop body map and musculoskeletal pain questionnaire at baseline and two years later. Results: There was a 4% increase in pain prevalence on year 2, but 62% of the participants remained in the same pain classification. Men presented 11% decrease in lumbar traction strength, whereas women presented 21% decrease in strength. Flexibility level at baseline was not associated with developing pain. However, individuals in the lower 75th lumbar traction strength percentile at baseline had 3.2 higher odds of reporting musculoskeletal pain two years later than those in the higher 25th strength percentile. Conclusion: University staff presented decreases in lumbar traction strength and flexibility over a two year period. Weaker individuals at baseline were more likely to report musculoskeletal pain two years later than those who were stronger. Flexibility levels were not associated with developing pain.
The early intervention of geniposide and PNS combination modulated Aβ production and synaptic plasticity in young APP/PS1 transgenic mice
Authors: Tan Yan , He Fang , Li Jiao , Zhang Yali , Yi Liushu , Zhang Ce , Gu Ruoxi , Yang Ke , Zhang Jiani , Wei Peng , Wang Xu , Hua Qian
Published: April 2020

Background
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease with age-related, which accounts for nearly 80% of dementia. Accompanied with aging population worldwide and clinical failures in AD drugs, early prevention and diagnosis are under main concern. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history in the prevention of cognition declines. In clinic, the combination of geniposide and Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS) is clinically efficacious in the treatment of ischemic cerebral stroke and vascular dementia. In vivo, under a preventive strategy, the combination can improve spatial learning and memory and reduce amyloid plaques in a variety of AD-like animal models.
Methods
In order to illustrate the neuroprotective role of geniposide and PNS combination under the early intervention strategy, we medically administrated at one-month age of APP/PS1 transgenic mice for three months. The morphology of pyramidal neurons in hippocampus CA1 was observed after Hematoxylin and Eosin staining (HE staining) and the dendritic spines in hippocampus CA1 area are by Golgi silver staining. Thereafter we detect the level of Aβ1–40 and Aβ1–42 in hippocampus and in cortex by ELISA. In addition, western blotting was used for further understanding the effects of geniposide and PNS combination in APP/PS1 transgenic mice.
Results
We found that the ratio of Aβ1−42 / Aβ1−40 in both cortex and hippocampus was significantly decreased under the treatment; secondly, the combination significantly increased dendrite spine density in hippocampus CA1 areas, and increased the protein level of PSD-95 (synaptic function-related protein in post-synapse).
Conclusion
These results indicated that geniposide and PNS combination modulated Aβ production and synaptic plasticity in the early stage of AD processing.
Effect of amlodipine on cytosolic calcium and apoptosis in hyperglycemia induced-human neuronal cell line culture
Authors: KURNIAWAN SHAHDEVI NANDAR , Ciptorini Ariesia Dewi , Husna Machlusil , Rahmawati Dessika
Published: April 2020

Objective

Diabetic neuropathy is complication of diabetes which is believed to be caused by improper Ca2+ (calcium) signaling and activation of apoptotic process of neuron of dorsal root ganglia. Amlodipine, antagonist Ca2+, has been already known to has neuroprotective effect in vitro or in vivo. This research investigates the effect of amlodipine in cytosolic calcium level and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y human neural cell line after exposure of chronic hyperglycemia. The study design was an experimental study using human neuronal cell line SH-SY5Y, exposed by chronic hyperglycemia for 6 days with concentration of glucose 25 µM (normoglycemia) and 50 µM (hyperglycemia), then was added amlodipine 2 µM for 30 minutes.
Results

In this study, hyperglycemia increased calcium concentration and caspase-3 compared with normoglycemia (p = 0.004 and p = 0.001 respectively). There was significant difference (p = 0.015) between calcium concentration in hyperglycemia induced cell line after given amlodipine 2 µM compared without amlodipine. There was significant difference (p = 0.027) between caspase 3 level in hyperglycemia induced cell line after given amlodipine 2 µM and without amlodipine. Administration of amlodipine significantly reduced cytosolic calcium and caspase-3 level in hyperglycemia induced SH-SY5Y human neural cell lines.
How to select the fusion and fixation range of thoracolumbar and lumbar tuberculosis: A retrospective clinical study
Authors: qiang Yang zong , hao Liu chang , kui Niu ning , jing Tang , Jami Sayed Abdulla , li Wang zi , qiang Ding hui , Jiandang Shi
Published: April 2020

Purpose

To investigate the clinical data of thoracolumbar and lumbar spinal tuberculosis with diseased and non-diseased intervertebral surgery, evaluate the clinical efficacy of the two surgical methods, and explore how to choose the fusion of fixation range.
Methods

Among 221 patients with thoracolumbar and lumbar tuberculosis were categorized into two groups. 118 patients were in the diseased intervertebral surgery group (lesion vertebral pedicle fixation, group A) and there were 103 patients in the non-diseased intervertebral surgery group (1 or 2 vertebral fixation groups at the above and below levels of the affected vertebra, group B). Both groups of patients were treated with primary or staging, anterior combined complete lesion removal, bone graft fusion, and internal fixation. By analyzing of clinical data and the clinical efficacy of the two surgical methods in thoracolumbar and lumbar tuberculosis was evaluated.
Results

The mean follow-up duration was 65months (range 50–68 months). There were no significant differences in laboratory examination, VAS scores, and the Cobb angle correction rate and the angle loss, however, significant differences between the two groups in operation time, blood loss, drainage volume, and transfusion, the diseased intervertebral surgery group was significantly better than the non-diseased intervertebral surgery group. Meanwhile, the bone graft was fused entirely at the last follow-up.
Conclusion

Under the conditions of strictly grasping the indications for surgery, intervertebral surgery for thoracolumbar and lumbar tuberculosis is safe, effective, and feasible, and it can effectively restore its physiological curvature and reduce the degeneration of the adjacent vertebral body.
Identification of Hypoglycemia-dependent Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase O-GlcNAcylation Sites and Regulation of O-GlcNAcylation and Nitric Oxide Production by Hypoglycemia
Authors: he an , Hu Shupeng , Pi Qiangzhong , Guo Yongzheng , Long Yang , Luo Suxin , Xia Yong
Published: April 2020

BackgroundO-GlcNAcylation, an energy-sensitive post-translational modification, plays a major role in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity regulation. However, the effect of hypoglycemia on eNOS O-GlcNAcylation and whether eNOS exists the novel O-GlcNAcylation sites under hypoglycemia is unknown. Hence, we endeavored to determine the effects of hypoglycemia on eNOS O-GlcNAcylation and the novel O-GlcNAcylation sites of eNOS.MethodBovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) and Sprague-Dawley rats were treated by hypoglycemia, and using immunoblotting to measure their eNOS O-GlcNAcylation. eNOS and transfected eNOS were purified by pull-down assay and immunoprecipitation respectively. Novel O-GlcNAcylation sites of eNOS were predicted by HPLC-MS and MS/MS Ion, and determined by immunoblotting. eNOS activity were detected by Elisa and isotope labelling method. ResultsIn BAECs and rats` thoracic aorta, hypoglycemia-associated activation of eNOS was accompanied by an increase in O-GlcNAcylation and had no effect on O-linked serine phosphorylation at residue 1179/1177. Changes in this post-translational modification were associated with increased O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) activity, and were reversed by AMPK knockdown. Immunoblot analysis of cells expressing His-tagged wild-type human eNOS and human eNOS carrying a mutation at the Ser1177 phosphorylation site confirmed the increase in O-GlcNAcylation in response to hypoglycemia. The observed increase in O-GlcNAcylation indicated that eNOS contains novel O-GlcNAcylation sites that are activated by hypoglycemia. Immunoblot analysis of cells expressing His-tagged human eNOS carrying a mutation at Ser738 and Ser867 confirmed the increase in O-GlcNAcylation in response to hypoglycemia. Contrastingly, in His-tagged human eNOS carrying a mutation at Thr866, O-GlcNAcylation was unaffected by hypoglycemia. Differences among culture conditions were identified using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), one-way ANOVA, or unpaired Student’s t-test. ConclusionsHypoglycemia increases eNOS O-GlcNAcylation and activity, potentially via AMPK-OGT pathway, thereby showing the Thr866 as a novel O-GlcNAcylation site involved in hypoglycemia-mediated eNOS activation.
Developing and Validating a Virtual Reality Tool for Evaluating Cognitive and Physical Performance during a Simulated Loaded March
Authors: Ketko Itay , Naor Shani Kimel , Yanovich Ran , Gottlieb Amihai , Bahat Yotam , Ben-Gal Oran , Heled Yuval , Plotnik Meir
Published: April 2020

Background

Athletes, soldiers, and rescue personnel must often perform intense, prolonged, and physically demanding activities while maintaining cognitive focus. As cognitive and physical functions are believed to share central nervous system resources, their simultaneous activation can cause reciprocal disruptions in the performance of both.
Methods

In the current study, we aimed to develop and validate a virtual reality-based experimental protocol enabling rigorous exploration of the effects of prolonged high-load physical and cognitive efforts, by comparing novel cognitive tasks presented in the context of a simulated loaded march to a battery of established neurocognitive tests. We then used this protocol in a pre-post pilot study exploring the effects of high-load physical and cognitive activity on physical and cognitive performance. Twelve participants underwent a simulated 10-km loaded march on a treadmill in our virtual reality environment, with or without integrated cognitive tasks (VR-COG). At each of three experimental visits, participants underwent pre-activity and post-activity evaluations, including the Color Trail Test, the Synthetic Work Environment (SYNWIN) battery for multitasking evaluation, and physical tests (i.e., ‘time to exhaustion’).
Results

In general, strong or moderate correlations (r ≥ 0.58 p ≤ 0.048) were found between VR-COG scores and scores on the validated cognitive tests. Together, VR-COG and CTT measures were able to successfully predict the effects of the combined physical and cognitive load on multitasking performance, as assessed by SYNWIN score.
Conclusions

As virtual environments are ideal for studying high performance professional activity in realistic but controlled settings, the novel protocol is optimal for measuring the effects of prolonged, high-load physical and cognitive activity, and can therefore contribute to our knowledge on physical-cognitive interactions.
Lysine-specific demethylase 2A gene expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma and its clinical significance
Authors: Wang Jiannan , Li Tan , Li Xiang , Zhang Yixia , Wang Xuemei
Published: April 2020

BackgroundOur study aimed to explore the expression of lysine-specific demethylase 2A (KDM2A) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and its relationship with clinical features of ccRCC.MethodsA total of 50 patients with ccRCC were included. KDM2A expression was assessed by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The correlations of KDM2A protein expression with clinicopathological parameters and survival rate were further verified.ResultsThe KDM2A mRNA expression was significantly higher in ccRCC tissues than para cancer samples (P<0.05). KDM2A protein was mainly expressed in the nucleus of tumor cells. Fifty (100%) of the ccRCC samples were immunopositive, 90% of which all showed high expression of KDM2A. Compared with para cancer tissues, ccRCC samples showed a larger proportion of high KDM2A expression in the overall and most stratified analysis (P<0.05). KDM2A protein expression was positively correlated with TNM stage (r = 0.307, P = 0.030), proteinuria (r = 0.385, P = 0.006), and urine erythrocyte (r = 0.307, P = 0.030). Moreover, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that higher expression of KDM2A in ccRCC patients was associated with lower survival rate (P = 0.004).ConclusionsOur findings provided the first evidence that KDM2A could be used as a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in ccRCC patients.
Low molecular weight serum cell-free DNA concentration is associated with clinicopathologic indices of poor prognosis in women with uterine cancer
Authors: Gressel Gregory M. , Maggi Elaine C. , Harmon Bryan E. , Ye Kenny Q. , Kuo D.Y.S. , Dolan Siobhan M. , Montagna Cristina
Published: April 2020

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of serum cell-free DNA (cfDNA) concentration with clinicopathologic variables of poor prognosis and overall survival among women with uterine cancer compared to benign cancer-free controls. Methods: cfDNA was extracted from the serum of 91 women with multiple uterine cancer histologies and 22 post-menopausal controls without cancer. Low molecular weight (LMW) cfDNA was separated from contaminating genomic high molecular weight cfDNA using paramagnetic bead purification and its concentration was measured using fluorometric quantification. Clinicopathologic data was abstracted from the electronic medical record. The association between serum cfDNA concentration, clinicopathologic variables, and overall survival was assessed using linear regression modelling, Cox proportional hazards modelling, and the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Median total serum cfDNA concentration for the cohort was 69.2 ng/mL (IQR 37.4, 132.3) and median LMW cfDNA concentration was 23.8 ng/mL (IQR 14.9, 44.4). There were no significant differences in total serum cfDNA concentration with any clinicopathologic variables. However, LMW cfDNA concentration was significantly higher in serum of women with cancer (25.8 ng/mL IQR 16.0, 49.6) compared to benign controls (15.5 ng/mL IQR 9.3, 25.8 ng/mL) (p = 2.4 x 10-4). It is also significantly higher among women with early stage cancer than benign controls (p = 0.002). There were also significant associations between LMW cfDNA concentration and stage of cancer (p = 0.01) and histology (p = 0.016). Patients with leiomyosarcoma and carcinosarcoma had higher cfDNA concentrations than those with endometrioid cancer. Over a median follow-up of 51.9 months, 75th percentile for overall survival for women with cancer was 24.0 months. Higher LMW cfDNA concentrations is associated with lower survival among women with cancer (p = 4.6 x 10-4).Conclusions: Serum LMW cfDNA concentration is associated with overall survival in women with uterine cancer, and it is higher among women with uterine cancer compared to those of controls.