bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mortality surveillance and verbal autopsy strategies: experiences, challenges and lessons learnt in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Hart John D , Kwa Viola , Dakulala Paison , Ripa Paulus , Frank Dale , Lei Theresa , Moiya Ninkama , Lagani William , Adair Tim , McLaughlin Deirdre , Riley Ian D , Lopez Alan D
Published: December 2020

Full notification of deaths and compilation of good quality cause of death data are core, sequential and essential components of a functional civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) system. In collaboration with the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG), trial mortality surveillance activities were established at sites in Alotau District in Milne Bay Province, Tambul-Nebilyer District in Western Highlands Province and Talasea District in West New Britain Province.

Provincial Health Authorities trialled strategies to improve completeness of death notification and implement an automated verbal autopsy methodology, including use of different notification agents and paper or mobile phone methods. Completeness of death notification improved from virtually 0% to 20% in Talasea, 25% and 75% using mobile phone and paper notification strategies, respectively, in Alotau, and 69% in Tambul-Nebilyer. We discuss the challenges and lessons learnt with implementing these activities in PNG, including logistical considerations and incentives.

Our experience indicates that strategies to maximise completeness of notification should be tailored to the local context, which in PNG includes significant geographical, cultural and political diversity. We report that health workers have great potential to improve the CRVS programme in PNG through managing the collection of notification and verbal autopsy data. In light of our findings, and in consultation with the main government CRVS stakeholders and the National CRVS Committee, we make recommendations regarding the requirements at each level of the health system to optimise mortality surveillance in order to generate the essential health intelligence required for policy and planning.
Effectiveness of immunosuppression minimisation, conversion or withdrawal strategies in paediatric solid organ and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a protocol of a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Martin Saborido Carlos , Borobia Alberto M , Cobas Javier , D'Antiga Lorenzo , Frauca Esteban , Hernández-Oliveros Francisco , Jara Paloma , López-Granados Eduardo , Muñoz Jose María , Nicastro Emanuele , Ojeda Jose Jonay , Pérez-Martínez Antonio , Torres Juan Manuel , Carcas Antonio
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Paediatric transplantation is the only curative therapeutic procedure for several end-stage rare diseases affecting different organs and body systems, causing altogether great impact in European children’s health and quality of life. Transplanted children shift their primary disease to a chronic condition of immunosuppression to avoid rejection. Longer life expectancy in children poses a greater risk of prolonged and severe side effects related to long-term immunosuppressive (IS) disabilities and secondary cancer susceptibility. The goal remains to find the best combination of IS agents that optimises allograft survival by preventing acute rejection while limiting drug toxicities. This systematic review will aim to determine the optimal IS strategy within the so-called minimisation, conversion or withdrawal strategies.

Methods and analysis

We will search the following databases with no language restrictions: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in the Cochrane Library, OvidSP Medline and Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Daily; OvidSP Embase Classic+Embase; Ebsco CINAHL Plus, complete database; WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform search portal. We will include controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials along with any prospective or retrospective study that includes a universal cohort (all participants from a centre/region/city over a certain period). Cases series and cross-sectional studies are excluded. Two review authors will independently assess the trial eligibility, risk of bias and extract appropriate data points. The outcomes included in this review are: patient survival, acute graft rejection, chronic graft rejection, diabetes, graft function, graft loss, chronic graft versus host disease, acute graft versus host disease, surgical complications, infusion complications, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, liver function, renal function, cognition, depression, health-related quality of life, hospitalisation, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, cancer—other, cancer—skin, cardiovascular disease, bacterial infection, Epstein-Barr infection, cytomegalovirus infection, other viral infections and growth.
Protocol for a multicentre longitudinal mixed-methods study: feeding and survivorship outcomes in previously healthy young paediatric Intensive care survivors (the PIES Study)
Authors: Morton Kathryn , Darlington Anne-Sophie Emma , Marino L V
Published: December 2020

Introduction

An admission to paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is associated with multiple physical and environmental stressors, often involving many negative and painful oral experiences. Evidence from children with complex medical conditions suggests that feeding difficulties post-PICU stay are common, causing significant parental anxiety. Adult intensive care unit (ICU) survivor studies suggest feeding issues lasting up to 3 months post-discharge from ICU. There is, however, a paucity of evidence regarding feeding outcomes for previously healthy children following a PICU admission and whether painful oral experiences during an admission contribute to feeding difficulties post-discharge, negatively impacting on parental/caregiver anxiety.

Methods and analysis

This longitudinal mixed-methods study will explore the impact of feeding difficulties, identifying any clinical risk factors during the first 6 months of PICU discharge in previously healthy young children (≤4 years). Parents/caregivers of children will be asked to complete questionnaires relating to: feeding difficulties, parental/caregiver stress, and child and parental/caregivers’ feeding behaviours at the point of PICU discharge, 1, 3 and 6 months post-discharge. Parents/caregivers will be invited to participate in qualitative semistructured interviews at 3 and 6 months post-PICU discharge exploring parental/caregiver experiences of feeding their child after PICU. Statistical analysis of the survey data will consist of descriptive and inferential statistics, plus qualitative analysis of any free text comments using thematic analysis.

Ethics and dissemination

This study will provide an insight and increase our understanding of the prevalence of feeding difficulties in previously healthy children admitted to PICU and parental/caregiver experiences. Multiple methods will be used to ensure that the findings are effectively disseminated to service users, clinicians, policy and academic audiences. The study has full ethical approval from the National Health Service Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 20/YH/0160) and full governance clearance.
Developing open disclosure strategies to medical error using simulation in final-year medical students: linking mindset and experiential learning to lifelong reflective practice
Authors: Lane Andrew Stuart , Roberts Christopher
Published: December 2020

Introduction and objectives

Open disclosure is a policy outlining how healthcare practitioners should apologise for mistakes, discussing them with the harmed parties. Simulation is a training and feedback method in which learners practise tasks and processes in lifelike circumstances. We explore how final-year medical students experience the learning of open disclosure.

Methods

A qualitative study of final-year medical students who had been involved a high-fidelity simulation session based on open disclosure after medication error was conducted. Students were selected using purposive sampling. Focus groups illuminated their experiences and interpretation of simulated open disclosure experiences. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis and supported two superordinate themes: (1) identifying learning needs; and (2) learning to say sorry

Results

The medical students constructed their learning in three different ways: negotiating environmental relationships; embracing challenge and stress; and achieving learning outcomes. The data reinforced the need for psychological safety, emphasised the need for emotional arousal and demonstrated the need for both individual and collective reflective learning. Our data linked the benefits of experiential learning to the development of growth mindset and Jarvis’s theory.

Conclusions

The lived experience of the final-year medical student participants in this study reinforced the notions of continuous psychological safety and the need for emotional arousal during learning. Our data also demonstrated the variety of participant experiences when preparing to give open disclosure, reinforcing the need for facilitators to optimise learning for the whole group as well as the individuals, given that participants are at different parts of their learning cycle.
Initial experience with the CatchView thrombectomy device for acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Velioglu Murat , Onal Yilmaz , Agackiran Abdulbaki , Dogan Ak Pelin , Karakas Hakki Muammer
Published: December 2020

Background

We report our initial experience with the CatchView (CV) thrombectomy device in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 53 of 284 AIS patients (mean age 66.6±14.8 years, range 37–94) treated with a CV device between January 2019 and February 2020 was performed. The baseline characteristics (gender, age, comorbidities, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) administration, and occlusion localization) of these subjects were recorded. Modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Ischemia (mTICI) scores of 2b and 3 were considered to indicate successful recanalization, and subjects with a modified Rankin Scale score of ≤2 on day 90 was considered a good clinical outcomes.

Results

The mean NIHSS score was 12.3±3. Successful recanalization was achieved in 45 subjects (84.90%), and the rate of good clinical outcomes on day 90 was 43.39%. The secondary distal embolus rate was 5.66%. Symptomatic hemorrhage was observed in 3.77% of the subjects, and the mortality rate was 13.2%.

Conclusions

Mechanical thrombectomy devices include a wide array of endovascular tools for removing clots in AIS patients. In terms of successful recanalization and good clinical outcomes on day 90, our initial experience with the CV devices was encouraging.
Effect of medical school attended on the chances of successfully embarking on a clinical-academic career in the UK
Authors: Donaldson Callum John , Sequeira Campos Miguel , Ridgley Joanne , Light Alexander
Published: December 2020

Purpose of the study

This study aimed to investigate whether, in the UK, medical school attended influences the propensity to apply to and be successful in obtaining an offer from the Academic Foundation Programme (AFP), thus taking the first step to embarking on a clinical-academic career.

Study design

A retrospective observational study was performed. Using the UK Foundation Programme's yearly statistical report data, mean application rates to, and mean offer rates from the AFP were calculated by medical school, between the years 2017–2019. Mean application and mean offer rates were subsequently correlated with metrics of medical school academic performance and research focus.

Results

Mean application rates to the AFP were higher in medical schools that had a mandatory intercalated degree as part of the undergraduate medical curriculum (mean=33.99%, SD=13.93 vs mean=19.44%, SD=6.88, p<0.001), lower numerical rank in the Times Higher Education 2019 World Rankings (correlation with higher numerical rank, r=−0.50, p=0.004), and lower numerical rank in the Research Excellence Framework 2014 UK rankings (correlation with higher numerical rank, r=−0.37, p=0.004). Mean offer rates from the AFP were not correlated with any metric of medical school academic performance or research focus.

Conclusions

Students attending a medical school with greater academic performance and research focus are more likely to apply and subsequently embark on a clinical-academic career. However, students wishing to embark a clinical-academic career from any medical school have an equal chance of success.
COPD-derived fibroblasts secrete higher levels of senescence-associated secretory phenotype proteins
Authors: Woldhuis Roy R , Heijink Irene H , van den Berge Maarten , Timens Wim , Oliver Brian G G , de Vries Maaike , Brandsma Corry-Anke
Published: December 2020

COPD-derived fibroblasts have increased cellular senescence. Senescent cell accumulation can induce tissue dysfunction by their senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). We aimed to determine the SASP of senescent fibroblasts and COPD-derived lung fibroblasts, including severe, early-onset (SEO)-COPD. SASP protein secretion was measured after paraquat-induced senescence in lung fibroblasts using Olink Proteomics and compared between (SEO-)COPD-derived and control-derived fibroblasts. We identified 124 SASP proteins of senescent lung fibroblasts, of which 42 were secreted at higher levels by COPD-derived fibroblasts and 35 by SEO-COPD-derived fibroblasts compared with controls. Interestingly, the (SEO-)COPD-associated SASP included proteins involved in chronic inflammation, which may contribute to (SEO-)COPD pathogenesis.
Tobacco 21 adoption decreased sales of cigarette brands purchased by young people: a translation of population health survey data to gain insight into market data for policy analysis
Authors: Liber Alex C , Xue Zheng , Cahn Zachary , Drope Jeffrey , Stoklosa Michal
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Policies raising the minimum age of sale of tobacco products to 21 (T21) proliferated at state and local levels across the USA before a federal policy was adopted. Evidence of the effectiveness of these policies is building and lags implementation. This study exploits demographic patterns of cigarette brand purchasing to evaluate the effectiveness of T21.

Methods

To capture the effect of T21 implementation on cigarette sales, we used universal product code-level data from Nielsen Scantrack data covering January 2015 to October 2019. We used the 2015 to 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health to identify cigarette brands where smokers under 21 comprised a disproportionately high (young) and low (old) share of consumption. We fit fixed-effects linear regressions in Nielsen designated market areas to test if sales of young or old cigarette brands were changed by T21. Unadjusted models controlled for time and T21 implementation date. Adjusted models controlled for price, seasonality and unemployment. A permutation test of 5000 randomised placebo T21 policies were fit to determine how well the true date of implementation fit sales data stratified by brand group.

Results

Sales of disproportionately young brands declined after T21 implementation. T21 policy implementation dates fit disproportionately young brand sales trends better than 99% of adjusted randomised placebo models. T21 implementation fit disproportionately old brand sales trends better than just 1% of adjusted randomised placebo models.

Conclusion

This study adds compelling empirical evidence that T21 decreased purchases of the cigarette brands consumed disproportionately by young people, the policy’s target demographic.
Undrained cylindrical and spherical cavity expansion in elastic–viscoplastic soils
Authors: Zhou Hang , Wang Zengliang , Liu Hanlong , Shen Hang , Ding Xuanming
Published: December 2020

Various undrained cavity expansion solutions for elastic–plastic soil have been proposed previously. However, no solution has been presented for elastic–viscoplastic (EVP) soil until now. This paper presents a general solution method for solving the classical one-dimensional (1D) boundary value problem (BVP) for undrained cylindrical or spherical cavity expansion in EVP soil with an emphasis on the rate effect of soil. The solution method is summarized as three standard procedures: (i) obtaining the soil displacement and strain under incompressible conditions, (ii) calculating the effective stress of soil through a suitable constitutive law, and (iii) obtaining the pore pressure by numerically solving the stress equilibrium equation through the finite difference method (FDM) or other numerical solution techniques. The numerical algorithms for calculating the effective stress and pore pressure are very simple, without any complex iteration processes, and they require little calculation time but provide high computational accuracy. In addition, some numerical results are given to investigate the influence of the cavity expansion velocity on the cavity expansion response. The proposed solution procedure is general and can be applied not only for the EVP model but also for other plasticity models, and the given EVP solution can be applied to interpret the rate effect of the cone penetration test and pile penetration.
Unphysical properties in a class of interacting dark energy models
Authors: von Marttens R. , Borges H. A. , Carneiro S. , Alcaniz J. S. , Zimdahl W.
Published: December 2020

Models with non-gravitational interactions between the dark matter and dark energy components are an alternative to the standard cosmological scenario. These models are characterized by an interaction term, and a frequently used parameterization is $$Q = 3\xi H \rho _{x}$$

Q
=
3
ξ
H

ρ
x

, where H is the Hubble parameter and $$\rho _{x}$$

ρ
x

is the dark energy density. Although recent analyses have reported that this particular scenario provides a potential solution to the $$H_{0}$$

H
0

and $$\sigma _{8}$$

σ
8

tensions for negative values of the interaction parameter $$\xi $$
ξ
, we show here that such an interval of values of $$\xi $$
ξ
leads to a violation of the Weak Energy Condition for the dark matter density, which is accompanied by unphysical instabilities of matter perturbations. Using current observational data we also show that the inclusion of the physical prior $$\xi \ge 0$$

ξ
≥
0

in the statistical analysis alters the parameter selection for this model and discards it as a solution for the $$H_{0}$$

H
0

-tension problem.
Flipped U(1) extended standard model and Majorana dark matter
Authors: Nam Cao H.
Published: December 2020

We propose a general flavor-independent extension of the Standard Model (SM) with the minimal particle content, based on the symmetry $$SU(3)_C\times SU(2)_L\times U(1)_{Y'}\times U(1)_X\times Z_2$$

S
U

(
3
)

C

×
S
U

(
2
)

L

×
U

(
1
)

Y
′

×
U

(
1
)

X

×

Z
2

. In this scenario, the charge operator is identified in terms of the charges of two U(1) gauge symmetries. The light neutrino masses are generated via Type-I seesaw mechanism only with two heavy right-handed neutrinos acquiring their Majorana masses through the $$U(1)_{Y'}\times U(1)_X$$

U

(
1
)

Y
′

×
U

(
1
)

X

symmetry breaking. We study various experimental constraints on the parameters of the model and investigate the phenomenology of the right-handed neutrino dark matter (DM) candidate assigned a $$Z_2$$

Z
2

-odd parity. We find that the most important constraints are the observed DM relic abundance, the current LHC limits, and the ambiguity of the SM neutral gauge boson mass.
Weighing massive neutron star with screening gravity: a look on PSR J0740 + 6620 and GW190814 secondary component
Authors: Nunes Rafael C. , Coelho Jaziel G. , de Araujo José C. N.
Published: December 2020

Neutron stars (NSs) are excellent natural laboratories to constrain gravity on strong field regime and nuclear matter in extreme conditions. Motivated by the recent discovery of a compact object with $$2.59^{+0.08}_{-0.09} M_\odot $$

2
.

59

-
0.09

+
0.08

M
⊙

in the binary merger GW190814, if this object was a NS, it serves as a strong constraint on the NS equation of state (EoS), ruling out several soft EoSs favored by GW170817 event. In this work, we revisit the question of the maximum mass of NSs considering a chameleon screening (thin-shell effect) on the NS mass-radius relation, where the microscopic physics inside the NS is given by realistic soft EoSs. We find that from appropriate and reasonable combination of modified gravity, rotation effects and realistic soft EoSs, that it is possible to achieve high masses and explain GW190814 secondary component, and in return also NSs like PSR J0740 + 6620 (the most NS massive confirmed to date). It is shown that gravity can play an important role in estimating maximum mass of NSs, and even with soft EoSs, it is possible to generate very high masses. Therefore, in this competition of hydrostatic equilibrium between gravity and pressure (from EoS choice), some soft EoSs, in principle, cannot be completely ruled out without first taking into account gravitational effects.
Animal-in-the-Loop: Using Interactive Robotic Conspecifics to Study Social Behavior in Animal Groups
Authors: Landgraf Tim , Gebhardt Gregor H.W. , Bierbach David , Romanczuk Pawel , Musiolek Lea , Hafner Verena V. , Krause Jens
Published: December 2020

Biomimetic robots that replace living social interaction partners can help elucidate the underlying interaction rules in animal groups. Our review focuses on the use of interactive robots that respond dynamically to animal behavior as part of a closed control loop. We discuss the most influential works to date and how they have contributed to our understanding of animal sociality. Technological advances permit the use of robots that can adapt to the situations they face and the conspecifics they encounter, or robots that learn to optimize their social performance from a set of experiences. We discuss how adaptation and learning may provide novel insights into group sociobiology and describe the technical challenges associatedwith these types of interactive robots. This interdisciplinary field provides a rich set of problems to be tackled by roboticists, machine learning engineers, and control theorists. By cultivating smarter robots, we can usher in an era of more nuanced exploration of animal behavior.
First-Principles Insights into Plasmon-Induced Catalysis
Authors: Martirez John Mark P. , Bao Junwei Lucas , Carter Emily A.
Published: December 2020

The size- and shape-controlled enhanced optical response of metal nanoparticles (NPs) is referred to as a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). LSPRs result in amplified surface and interparticle electric fields, which then enhance light absorption of the molecules or other materials coupled to the metallic NPs and/or generate hot carriers within the NPs themselves. When mediated by metallic NPs, photocatalysis can take advantage of this unique optical phenomenon. This review highlights the contributions of quantum mechanical modeling in understanding and guiding current attempts to incorporate plasmonic excitations to improve the kinetics of heterogeneously catalyzed reactions. A range of first-principles quantum mechanics techniques has offered insights, from ground-state density functional theory (DFT) to excited-state theories such as multireference correlated wavefunction methods. Here we discuss the advantages and limitations of these methods in the context of accurately capturing plasmonic effects, with accompanying examples.
Real-time monitoring hypoxia at high altitudes using electrical bioimpedance technique: an animal experiment
Authors: Yang Lin , Dai Meng , Cao Qinglin , Ding Shuai , Zhao Zhanqi , Cao Xinsheng , Wen Zhihong , Wang Hang , Xie Manjiang , Fu Feng
Published: December 2020

This study is the first to examine the efficacy of electrical bioimpedance (EBI) in detecting the onset of high-altitude hypoxia in real time. The novelty of this research includes three aspects. First, the cerebral impedance of rabbits increased immediately during the rising of altitude and decreased quickly to the initial baseline at the phase of descending altitude. Second, there was a significant correlation and high concordance between cerebral impedance and SpO2. Third, cerebral impedance could determine the change of SpO2 resulting from hypoxia.
Neonatal Hyperoxia Downregulates Claudin-4, Occludin, and ZO-1 Expression in Rat Kidney Accompanied by Impaired Proximal Tubular Development
Authors: Xu Xuewen , Zhang Xinyue , Gao Linlin , Liu Chunfeng , You Kai
Published: December 2020

Hyperoxia is essential to manage in preterm infants but causes injury to immature kidney. Previous study indicates that hyperoxia causes oxidative damage to neonatal kidney and impairs renal development. However, the underlying mechanisms by which neonatal hyperoxia effects on immature kidney still need to be elucidated. Tight junction, among which the representative proteins are claudin-4, occludin, and ZO-1, plays a crucial role in nephrogenesis and maintaining renal function. Inflammatory cytokines are involved in the pleiotropic regulation of tight junction proteins. Here, we investigated how neonatal hyperoxia affected the expression of key tight junction proteins and inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α) in the developing rat kidneys and elucidated their correlation with renal injury. We found claudin-4, occludin, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expression in proximal tubules was significantly downregulated after neonatal hyperoxia. The expression of these tight junction proteins was positively correlated with that of IL-6 and TNF-α, while claudin-4 expression was positively correlated with injury score of proximal tubules in mature kidneys. These findings indicated that impaired expression of tight junction proteins in kidney might be a potential mechanism of hyperoxia-induced nephrogenic disorders. It provides new insights to further study oxidative renal injury and development disorders and will be helpful for seeking potential therapeutics for hyperoxia-induced renal injury in the future.
Investigation of the Synergistic Effect of Brown Sugar, Longan, Ginger, and Jujube (Brown Sugar Longan Ginger Tea) on Antioxidation and Anti‐Inflammation in In Vitro Models
Authors: Lin Ping , Kan Kai-Wen , Chen Jia-Haur , Lin Yung-Kai , Lin Yung-Hao , Lin Yung-Hsiang , Hu Wei-Chun , Chiang Chi-Fu , Kuan Chen-Meng
Published: December 2020

This research unveils the synergistic effect of brown sugar, longan, ginger, and jujube on the beneficial effects of antioxidation and anti‐inflammation. Longan, ginger, and jujube are ubiquitous herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and are frequently used in folk remedies. Longan and ginger have been reported to be beneficial for antioxidation, anti‐inflammation, ant‐obesity, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) improvements. However, the potential scientific and medical benefits of their combination Brown Sugar Longan Ginger Tea (BSLGT), a popular drink in Chinese cultures, are elusive. Through the in vitro methodologies, we discovered that BSLGT could significantly improve the mitochondrial activity, antioxidant capacity, lipid content, and inflammatory response in human hepatocytes. In addition, BSLGT also exerted positive effects on the downregulation of atherosclerosis‐associated, vasoconstrictor, and thrombosis‐related gene expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In short, our experimental results successfully revealed that the antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects of BSLGT may have the potential to improve liver metabolism and cardiovascular inflammation although solid evidence requires further investigation.
A Misdiagnosed Case of Hypertrophic Gastropathy
Authors: Thapa Sushma , Ghosh Arnab , Pun Gita , Ghartimagar Dilasma , Talwar O. P.
Published: December 2020

Hypertrophic gastropathy is a rare idiopathic hyperproliferative disorder which may present as Menetrier’s disease (MD) characterized by foveolar hyperplasia in the gastric fundus and body. It is often accompanied by a severe loss of plasma proteins (including albumin) from the altered gastric mucosa. The disease occurs in two forms, a childhood form due to cytomegalovirus infection and an adult form attributed to overexpression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α). The most common symptoms include epigastric pain with fullness and vomiting and generalized peripheral edema with hypoalbuminemia. We present a case of 75-year-old female presenting with epigastric pain and vomiting. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and computed tomography scan revealed an irregular mucosal fold at the body and antrum and thickening of the stomach wall, respectively. Though the endoscopic gastric mucosal biopsy was nonspecific, the patient underwent partial gastrectomy due to clinicoradiological suspicion of carcinoma. On histopathology, the case was reported as hypertrophic gastropathy, consistent with MD. Though there is a strong clinical and radiological suspicion of malignancy in the hypertrophied gastric mucosa, MD should be one of the important differential diagnoses.
Bidirectional Interaction of Thyroid-Kidney Organs in Disease States
Authors: Shamekhi Amiri Fateme
Published: December 2020

Purpose. Thyroid hormones play an important role in growth, development, and physiology of the kidney. The kidney plays a key role in the metabolism, degradation, and excretion of thyroid hormones and its metabolites. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of disease states of thyroid-kidney organs and detecting the correlation between thyroid and kidney function abnormalities. Materials and Methods. In this retrospective study, a total of forty-five patients with thyroid and kidney dysfunction were investigated. Clinical features, laboratory data at initial presentation, management, and outcomes were collected. The paper has been written based on searching PubMed and Google Scholar to identify potentially relevant articles or abstracts. Median, percentage, mean ± standard deviation (SD), and the two-tailed t-test were used for statistical analyses. The correlation between variables was assessed by Pearson’s, Spearman’s correlation tests and regression analyses. Results. The mean ± SD of age of study patients was 48.2 ± 22.93 years (ranging from 1 to 90 years). There was no correlation between serum thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine levels with estimated glomerular filtration rate, and proteinuria. No association between antimicrosomal antibodies with estimated glomerular filtration rate was seen. Cardiovascular disease was the most common complication of overt hypothyroidism in kidney dysfunction patients. Conclusion. The present study showed more prevalence of primary hypothyroidism in comparison with other thyroid dysfunctions in patients with kidney dysfunction. Reduced mean values of thyroid function profiles after treatment suggest that this thyroid disease should be considered and ameliorated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy in patients with kidney disease.
Efficacy of Compound Herbal Medicine Tong‐Xie‐Yao‐Fang for Acute Radiation Enteritis and Its Potential Mechanisms: Evidence from Transcriptome Analysis
Authors: Yang Cheng , Yang Jiayue , Xia Min , Wei Jianhong , Jiao Yang , Zhan Qiang
Published: December 2020

Acute radiation enteritis (ARE) is a common complication with radiotherapy for pelvic and abdominal malignancy. This research is designed to investigate the efficacy of Tong‐Xie‐Yao‐Fang (TXYF) on ARE and to explore the underlying mechanisms by microarray analysis. The ARE rat model was established by a single abdominal irradiation with a gamma‐ray dose of 10 Gy. Next, the ARE rats were treated with distilled water, TXYF, and glutamine by gavage for 7 consecutive days according to the scheduled groups. For each group, the jejunal tissue was taken at 6 h after gastric lavage. The morphology of intestinal tissue was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain under a light microscope. The height of the villus and the thickness of the whole layer of the TXYF‐treated groups were significantly ameliorative than that of the model control group. The transcriptome analysis was produced using the Agilent SurePrint G3 Rat GE V2.0 microarray. A total of 90 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 48 upregulated genes and 42 downregulated genes, were identified by microarray and bioinformatics analysis. Protein–protein interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were conducted to explore the possible mechanisms of DEGs taking part in the TXYF‐mediated therapeutic process for ARE. In conclusion, we reveal that TXYF has a protective effect on the intestinal tissue of rats with ARE and summarize several DEGs, suggesting the possible mechanisms of TXYF‐mediated efficacy for ARE.
Recent Research on Methods to Improve Tumor Hypoxia Environment
Authors: Zhu Xiao-Hua , Du Jun-Xi , Zhu Dan , Ren Shen-Zhen , Chen Kun , Zhu Hai-Liang
Published: December 2020

Cancer is a major disease burden worldwide. In recent years, in addition to surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are recognized as the most effective methods for treating solid tumors. These methods have been introduced to treat tumors of different origins and stages clinically. However, due to insufficient blood flow and oxygen (O2) supply in solid tumors, hypoxia is caused, leading to decreased sensitivity of tumor cells and poor therapeutic effects. In addition, hypoxia will also lead to resistance to most anticancer drugs, accelerate malignant progress, and increase metastasis. In solid tumors, adequate O2 supply and adequate delivery of anticancer drugs are essential to improve radiotherapy and chemotherapy sensitivity. In recent decades, the researches on relieving tumor hypoxia have attracted researchers’ extensive attention and achieved good results. However, as far as we know, there is no detailed review of the researches on alleviating tumor hypoxia. Therefore, in this contribution, we hope to give an overview of the researches on methods to improve tumor hypoxia environment and summarize their effect and application in tumor therapy, to provide a methodological reference for the research and development of new antitumor agents.
Protective Effect of Quercetin against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage in PC-12 Cells: Comprehensive Analysis of a lncRNA-Associated ceRNA Network
Authors: Zhang Zheyu , Yi Pengji , Yi Min , Tong Xiaoliang , Cheng Xin , Yang Jingjing , Hu Yang , Peng Weijun
Published: December 2020

Quercetin is a bioflavonoid with potential antioxidant properties. However, the mechanisms underlying its effects remain unclear. Herein, we focused on integrating long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and messenger RNA (mRNA) sequencing of PC-12 cells treated with quercetin. We treated PC-12 cells with hydrogen peroxide to generate a validated oxidative damage model. We evaluated the effects of quercetin on PC-12 cells and established the lncRNA, miRNA, and mRNA profiles of these cells. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses of these RNAs were conducted to identify the key pathways. Quercetin significantly protected PC-12 neuronal cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced death. We identified 297, 194, and 14 significantly dysregulated lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs, respectively, associated with the antioxidant effect of quercetin. Furthermore, the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway was identified as the crucial signalling pathway. Finally, we constructed a lncRNA-associated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network by utilizing oxidative damage mechanism-matched miRNA, lncRNA, and mRNA expression profiles and those changed by quercetin. In conclusion, quercetin exerted a protective effect against oxidative stress-induced damage in PC-12 cells. Our study provides novel insight into ceRNA-mediated gene regulation in the progression of oxidative damage and the action mechanisms of quercetin.
Determination of Effective Weather Parameters on Rainfed Wheat Yield Using Backward Multiple Linear Regressions Based on Relative Importance Metrics
Authors: Bahrami Mehdi , Shabani Ali , Mahmoudi Mohammad Reza , Didari Shohreh
Published: December 2020

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most imperative crop for man feeding and is planted in numerous countries under rainfed conditions in semiarid zones. It is necessary for decision-makers and governments to predict the yield of rainfed wheat before harvest and to determine the effect of the major factors on it. Different methods have been suggested for forecasting yield with various levels of accuracy. One of these approaches is the statistical regression model, which is simple and applicable for regions with scarce data available. Since the weather is the most important factor affecting the production of wheat, particularly in rainfed cultivation, regression models using weather parameters are very common. However, the coefficients of these models are location based and should be determined locally. Therefore, in this research, backward multiple linear regression (BMLR) technique based on relative importance metrics was used to determine the most important effective weather parameters (11 parameters) on rainfed wheat productions in Fars Province, south of Iran, during 2006–2013. The influence of each parameter in the final model was analyzed using the values of LMG relative importance metric. The result indicated that sunshine hours had the biggest LMG (34.73%) and, therefore, was the most effective parameter. Also, among the other considered parameters, rainy days, minimum relative humidity, and average relative humidity with LMG values of 21.97%, 21.69%, and 21.62%, respectively, had the most effects on rainfed wheat yield in the studied area. All parameters except for the sunshine hours positively affected rainfed wheat yield. The most important reason for the significance of these parameters can be the prevailing dry and semidry climate in the southern areas of Iran. The proposed model for determination of weather parameters effects on rainfed wheat could be a great guidance and aid for different stakeholders such as farmers, decision-makers, and governments.
Apigenin‐7‐Glucuronide from Urera aurantiaca Inhibits Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha and Total Nitrite Release in Lipopolysaccharide‐Activated Macrophages
Authors: Marrassini Carla , Cogoi Laura , Sülsen Valeria , Anesini Claudia
Published: December 2020

Urera aurantiaca is an Argentinean medicinal and edible species traditionally used to treat symptoms of inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory activity of a methanol extract and its major compound. U. aurantiaca aerial parts were extracted with methanol by maceration. A phytochemical analysis was performed, and the extract’s major component, apigenin‐7‐glucuronide (A7G), was identified by spectroscopic and HPLC methods. The analysis of the inflammatory mediators nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) in lipopolysaccharide‐ (LPS‐) stimulated macrophages were used in the evaluation of the extract and the major compound anti‐inflammatory effects. The extract reduced LPS‐augmented NO release from 100 μg/mL (27%), reaching the highest inhibition at 1000 μg/mL (96.3%), while A7G reduced it 30.7% at 1 μg/mL, and its maximum effect was 97.1% at 10 μg/mL. In the TNF‐α model, the extract at 500 and 1000 μg/mL reduced LPS‐augmented TNF‐α by 13.5% and 93.9%, respectively; meanwhile, A7G reduced it by 26.2% and 83.8% at 5 and 10 μg/mL, respectively. U. aurantiaca popular use was validated. In the present study, for the first time, A7G was isolated from U. aurantiaca; furthermore, A7G showed anti‐inflammatory effect in the macrophage cell line RAW264.7 (ATCC) and seems to be responsible for the extract anti‐inflammatory effect.
The Electrode Materials of Supercapacitor Based on TiO2 Nanorod/MnO2 Ultrathin Nanosheet Core/Shell Arrays
Authors: Zhang Li , Song Qiong , Wang Chunyan , Liu Xianjun , Jiang Xiujuan , Gong Jian
Published: December 2020

A hierarchical structure of TiO2 nanorod/MnO2 ultrathin nanosheet core/shell nanocomposite arrays on a conductive substrate has been prepared by two facile steps of hydrothermal reaction and annealing progress, which serving as electrodes present great potential application for high-performance supercapacitors. By adjusting the concentration of precursor aqueous solution, it can be found that the thickness of the MnO2 shell in the as-designed hierarchical electrode material can be facilely controlled. By comparison, the obtained TiO2 nanorod/MnO2 ultrathin nanosheet as an electrode material can achieve the best electrochemical performance in terms of the area-specific capacitance up to 34.79 mF/cm2 from the cyclic voltammetry (CV) test at the scan rate of 5 mV/s. Furthermore, the composited electrode has also demonstrated good stability, with the capacitance retention rate of about 91% through the cycle experiment test after 1000 cycles.
Free Fatty Acids and Their Inflammatory Derivatives Affect BDNF in Stroke Patients
Authors: Kotlega Dariusz , Zembron-Lacny Agnieszka , Morawin Barbara , Golab-Janowska Monika , Nowacki Przemyslaw , Szczuko Malgorzata
Published: December 2020

Objective. The neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) affects poststroke functional outcome, neurogenesis, neuroprotection, and neuroplasticity. Its level is related to the diet and nutritional status, and more specifically, it is free fatty acids (FFAs) and eicosanoids that can have an impact on the BDNF level. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential impact of FFAs and eicosanoids on the BDNF level in stroke patients. Material and Methods. Seventy-three ischemic stroke patients were prospectively enrolled in the study. Laboratory tests were performed in all subjects, including the levels of FFAs, eicosanoids, and BDNF. FFAs and inflammatory metabolites were determined by gas chromatography and liquid chromatography, while BDNF was evaluated by the immune-enzymatic method (ELISA). Results. The plasma level of BDNF negatively correlated with C22:1n9 13 erucic acid, C18:3n3 linolenic acid (ALA), and lipoxin A4 15-epi-LxA4. A direct association was observed in relation to BDNF and C16:1 palmitoleic acid and C20:3n6 eicosatrienoic acid (dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA)). Conclusions. Saturated fatty acids and omega-3 and omega-9 erucic acids can affect signaling in the BDNF synthesis resulting in the decrease in BDNF. There is a beneficial effect of DGLA on the BDNF level, while the effect of ALA on BDNF can be inhibitory. Specialized proresolving lipid mediators can play a role in the BDNF metabolism. BDNF can interact with inflammation as the risk factor in the cardiovascular disorders, including stroke.
Pediatric Febrile Urinary Tract Infection Caused by ESBL Producing Enterobacteriaceae Species
Authors: Agegnehu Asnakech , Worku Mesfin , Nigussie Demiss , Lulu Birhanu , Tadesse Birkneh Tilahun
Published: December 2020

Background. Over the past decade, drug resistance pattern has worsened for many of the uropathogens due to overuse of antibiotics for empiric treatment. The burden of extended spectrum beta‐lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae associated urinary tract infections (UTI) has become increasingly more common, limiting treatment options among children presenting with febrile UTI. We investigated the burden and correlates of ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae associated UTI among children and antibacterial resistance pattern. Methods. 284 midstream urine specimens were collected using standard aseptic techniques from 284 children who were diagnosed with suspected UTI. Urine culture and bacteria isolation were performed following standard bacteriological techniques. The Kirby‐Bauer disk diffusion technique and the double‐disc synergy test were used to investigate antibiotic susceptibility and presence of ESBL production. Results. UTI was confirmed using a positive urine culture for a relevant pathogen in 96/284 (33.8%) of the cases. Enterobacteriaceae accounted for 75% (72/96) of etiologies of UTI in children. The most frequent Enterobacteriaceae spp. were E. coli, 44.4% (32/72) and K. pneumonia, 27.8% (20/72). The overall multidrug resistance rate was 86.1% (62/72). ESBL‐producers accounted for 41.7% (30/72) of the isolated Enterobacteriaceae. ESBL producing K. pneumonia and E. coli isolates accounted for 70% (14/20) and 37.5% (12/32), respectively. History of UTI in the past 1 year (adjusted odds ratio (AoR) = 0.08, 95%CI (0.01 − 0.57)) and medium family wealth index (AoR = 0.03, 95%CI (0.00 − 0.27)) protected from infection with ESBL‐producing Enterobacteriaceae. Conclusion. ESBL production was more common in K. pneumonia and appeared to be a major factor contributing drug resistance UTI in children. The findings call for the need to incorporate ESBL testing in the routine clinical practice. The resistance level to commonly prescribed first‐line antibiotics observed within Enterobacteriaceae was alarming calling for strengthened antimicrobial stewardship.
Differential Privacy for Evolving Network Based on GHRG
Authors: Yang Jing , Wang Yuye , Zhang Jianpei
Published: December 2020

Releasing evolving networks which contain sensitive information could compromise individual privacy. In this paper, we study the problem of releasing evolving networks under differential privacy. We explore the possibility of designing a differentially private evolving networks releasing algorithm. We found that the majority of traditional methods provide a snapshot of the networks under differential privacy over a brief period of time. As the network structure only changes in local part, the amount of required noise entirely is large and it leads to an inefficient utility. To this end, we propose GHRG-DP, a novel differentially private evolving networks releasing algorithm which reduces the noise scale and achieves high data utility. In the GHRG-DP algorithm, we learn the online connection probabilities between vertices in the evolving networks by generalized hierarchical random graph (GHRG) model. To fit the dynamic environment, a dendrogram structure adjusting method in local areas is proposed to reduce the noise scale in the whole period of time. Moreover, to avoid the unhelpful outcome of the connection probabilities, a Bayesian noisy probabilities calculating method is proposed. Through formal privacy analysis, we show that the GHRG-DP algorithm is

ε

-differentially private. Experiments on real evolving network datasets illustrate that GHRG-DP algorithm can privately release evolving networks with high accuracy.
Anticancer Effects and Mechanisms of Action of Plumbagin: Review of Research Advances
Authors: Yin Zhenhua , Zhang Juanjuan , Chen Lin , Guo Qingfeng , Yang Baocheng , Zhang Wei , Kang Wenyi
Published: December 2020

Plumbagin (PLB), a natural naphthoquinone constituent isolated from the roots of the medicinal plant Plumbago zeylanica L., exhibited anticancer activity against a variety of cancer cell lines including breast cancer, hepatoma, leukemia, melanoma, prostate cancer, brain tumor, tongue squamous cell carcinoma, esophageal cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma, lung cancer, kidney adenocarcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, gastric cancer, lymphocyte carcinoma, osteosarcoma, and canine cancer. PLB played anticancer activity via many molecular mechanisms, such as targeting apoptosis, autophagy pathway, cell cycle arrest, antiangiogenesis pathway, anti‐invasion, and antimetastasis pathway. Among these signaling pathways, the key regulatory genes regulated by PLB were NF‐kβ, STAT3, and AKT. PLB also acted as a potent inducer of reactive oxygen species (ROS), suppressor of cellular glutathione, and novel proteasome inhibitor, causing DNA double‐strand break by oxidative DNA base damage. This review comprehensively summarizes the anticancer activity and mechanism of PLB.