bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infectious Brachial Plexopathy and Septic Arthritis of the Shoulder due to Lemierre's Syndrome
Authors: Gusnowski Eva M. , Morrison Laura J. , Bois Aaron J.
Published: December 2020

Case:

We present a 20-year-old female with Lemierre's syndrome and an associated infectious brachial plexopathy and missed septic shoulder arthritis. She subsequently presented with advanced post-infectious glenohumeral joint arthritis. At the final 12-month follow-up, substantial shoulder pain and dysfunction persisted.

Conclusions:

When Lemierre's syndrome has been diagnosed, patients with upper extremity symptoms suggestive of metastatic infection require a thorough assessment to rule out musculoskeletal involvement and site-specific intervention to prevent long-term morbidity.
Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in Hepatitis C Patients in Wazirabad Tehsil of Gujranwala District of Pakistan
Authors: Shamas Shazia , Zafar Mahjabeen , Irum Shumaila , Khan Lubna , Sadia Haleema , Roshan Sadia , Rahman Tanzil Ur , Yousaf Muhammad , Ammar Muhammad
Published: December 2020

Hepatitis, a condition of liver’s inflammation that can be self-limiting or, in certain chances, it may lead to liver cancer, fibrosis or cirrhosis. Hepatitis viruses mainly cause hepatitis in the world. People with hepatitis C have predominant chances to develop diabetes as HCV virus participates in causing type 2 diabetes. HCV virus causes pathogenesis in two ways: it either directly destroys the β cells of pancreas or contributes to the specific autoimmunity of β cells. The present cross sectional study was done in Wazirabad Tahsil of Gujranwala District to analyze the percentage of patients suffering from hepatitis C who had the risk of diabetes mellitus. For this research work, demographic information and data about any other medical history were collected by using a questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from hospital and real time PCR was performed to measure the viral load and blood sugar was measured by using glucometer. Data were then analyzed by using statistically designed software. A total of 29.33% patients, having hepatitis C, were found to be diabetic in Tehsil Wazirabad. 14.70% male and 38.59% female patients having hepatitis C were diabetic. From results shown that the patients of hepatitis C are at higher risk to develop diabetes, therefore; it is supposed that persons having hepatitis C should regularly visit doctors for routine check-up of diabetes and change their life style to reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
The power of the cities and the power in the cities: a multiscale perspective from Portugal
Authors: Rio Fernandes José Alberto , Teles Filipe , Chamusca Pedro , Seixas João
Published: December 2020

Cities –or the urban complex spaces that they are becoming– are vital in society’s future, particularly in a general context of globalization. In this setting, power fragmentation and government to governance transitions, which are indisputable and significant phenomena, go hand in hand with urban movements that are becoming increasingly relevant, both through their direct action, and as a consequence of democratic responsibility. In Portugal, however, urban movements and civic associations in general seem rather discreet in their activities, dimension and role. In fact, there is no strong evidence that the 2008–2014 crisis has brought any dramatic change in these aspects. In this article we aim to shed some light on plausible explanations for this apparent inertia. Signs of change, in a context of increased governance and new urban dynamics do exist but do not seem to follow the trend that is thriving in several cities on other European countries. In face of new opportunities for a multiscalar approach to politics, planning and action, after centuries of a (still) dominant hierarchical and sectorial approach, we examine the context of the power of the cities and in the cities in Portugal.
Prevalence and factors associated to contamination from porcine epidemic diarrhea virus during the transportation of pigs to slaughterhouses in Colombia
Authors: Ortiz Maria del Pilar Pineda , Morales Johanna Paola Corrales , Herrera Gilma Hernández , Pena Carlos Enrique Trillos , Moreno Diana Corina Zambrano
Published: December 2020

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) causes acute diarrhea, dehydration, and high mortality in newborn piglets and has caused high economic impact in the swine industry in the United States and Asia. Until March 2014, PED was an exotic disease in Colombia. This study was carried out at the beginning of the spread of PEDV in the country, and its main objective was to determine the prevalence and factors associated to the contamination of PEDV in the transportation of pigs to the slaughterhouses in Colombia through environmental samples analyzed by RT-PCR. 518 pig trucks in the 32 main slaughterhouses, were sampled and the drivers of the trucks fulfilled a questionnaire. The prevalence of PEDV at the entrance of the slaughterhouses was 71.8% (CI 95%: 70.8-72.8) versus 70.5% (CI 95%: 69.5-71.5) at the slaughterhouse exit, and there was no evidence of significant differences between both rates. (McNemar value p: 0.375). The factors that increased the possibility of truck contamination were: vehicles that visit national slaughterhouses (OR 15.9 95% CI: 4.9–51.85) and that visit national –export type (OR 9.0 95% CI: 2.20–36.91), trucks with mobility in area of ​​greatest slaughter (OR 9.05 95% CI: 2.9-27.63), the non-exclusive use of vehicles to transport pigs (OR 3.75 95% CI: 1.55-9.08) and visit animal feed mills (OR 13.5 95% CI: 4.1– 44.12). The factors identified that reduce the possibility of contamination were cleanliness of the body truck (OR 0.089 95% CI: 0.03-0.23) and the cabin (OR 0.16 95%CI: 0.08-0.31), use of disinfectant (OR 0.32 95% CI:0.16-0.62), pressurized water (OR 0.38 95% CI:0.15-0.95), and back pump (OR 0.17 95% CI:0.08-0.35) and the exclusive use of the vehicle for pig transportation (OR 0.36 95% CI: 0.19-0.70). The results showed that the high grade of mobilization of the trucks to points of concentration, failures in biosecurity and virus survival characteristics, enabled the spread of PEDV, turning it into an endemic disease in Colombia; however, the measures implemented by the farmers mitigated the impact of the disease. We evidenced the need of standardizing and regulating biosecurity protocols for slaughterhouses, pig transportation and farms.
Cortical Bone Model With a Microcrack Under Tensile Loading
Authors: Wang Xu , Wang Wenshuai , Ding Shenghu , Chen Yaogeng , Li Xing
Published: December 2020

BackgroundBone is a biological material whose mechanical properties are outstanding. The fracture mechanics research of cortical bone is a major challenge to fully understand the complex behavior of biological composites and for the design of future bioinspired materials. MethodsIn order to characterize the fracture mechanics behavior of cortical bone, the plane problem for the cortical bone with a microcrack located in the interstitial tissue under tensile loading was considered. Using the solution for the continuously distributed edge dislocations as Green's functions, the problem was formulated. ResultsThe singular integral equations with Cauchy kernels were obtained. And the numerical results indicate that the stress intensity factor of the microcrack is dominated by the material constants and the geometric parameters of the cortical bone.ConclusionThe numerical results suggest that a soft osteon promotes the microcrack propagation while stiff one repels it, but this interaction effect is limited near the osteon. Some of the numerical results are in accordance with the results obtained and additional numerical results predicted need to be confirmed.
Intra-Arterial Transplantation of Stem Cells in Large Animals – A Minimally-Invasive Strategy for the Treatment of Disseminated Neurodegeneration
Authors: Malysz-Cymborska Izabela , Golubczyk Dominika , Kalkowski Lukasz , Kwiatkowska Joanna , Zawadzki Michal , Glodek Joanna , Holak Piotr , Sanford Joanna , Milewska Kamila , Adamiak Zbigniew , Walczak Piotr , Janowski Miroslaw
Published: December 2020

Stem cell transplantation proved promising in animal models of neurological diseases; however, in conditions with disseminated pathology such as ALS, delivery of cells and their broad distribution is challenging. To address this problem, we explored intra-arterial (IA) delivery route of stem cells. The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of MRI-guided transplantation of glial restricted precursors (GRPs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in dogs suffering from ALS-like disease, degenerative myelopathy (DM). Three naïve pigs were used for MSC transplantation as a pre-treatment control before transplantation in dogs. Cells were labeled with iron oxide nanoparticles. For IA transplantation a 1.2-French microcatheter was advanced into the middle cerebral artery under roadmap guidance. Then, the cells were transplanted under real-time MRI with the acquisition of dynamic T2*-weighted images. Interventional and follow-up MRI proved the procedure was feasible and safe. The transplantation of canine GRPs resulted in rather poor retention in the brain, whereas canine MSCs demonstrated excellent settlement. Notably, histopathology showed the successful and predictable placement of transplanted porcine MSCs. Analysis of gene expression after transplantation revealed a reduction of inflammatory factors, which may indicate a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Feet Plantar Pressure Distribution Among Female School Teachers
Authors: Alias Ayuni Nabilah , Karuppiah Karmegam , How Vivien , Perumal Velu
Published: December 2020

Background: Plantar pressure distribution has been recognized as a significant finding to associate with various feet conditions. Objectives: To determine the feet plantar pressure distribution among female school teachers; Methods: This research consisted of 124 female school teachers. Respondents was asked to walk at a regular pace for 10 seconds from a fixed starting point while using footwear pressure insole device and pressure measurement was recorded.; Results: The findings show that lateral heel exerted the most pressure in the right and left foot (94 kPa vs 85 kPa). The second highest average of plantar pressure distribution for right foot among female school teachers was medial forefoot (67 kPa), followed by central forefoot (55 kPa), lateral forefoot (52 kPa) and lateral midfoot with 49 kPa. For the left foot, the second highest for average of plantar pressure distribution was medial forefoot (58 kPa), followed by lateral forefoot (48 kPa), and central forefoot (47 kPa) and lateral midfoot (33 kPa). The result was significant differences as the right foot often exerted greater pressure on any part of the foot than the left foot; Conclusions: The pressure plantar distribution of foot reflects the conditions of school teachers with various posture and movement.
Eating Behaviour, Physical Activity, TV Exposure and Sleeping Habits in Five Year Olds: A Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Mattsson Molly , Murray Deirdre , Kiely Mairead , McCarthy Fergus , McCarthy Elaine , Biesma Regien , Boland Fiona
Published: December 2020

Background Diet, physical activity, sedentary behaviours, and sleep time are considered major contributory factors of the increased prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity. The aim of this study was to identify behavioural clusters of five year old children based on lifestyle behaviours, their association with sociodemographic and maternal characteristics and early feeding practices, and to determine if class membership was associated with cardio metabolic outcomes. Methods Latent class analysis of eating behaviour, engagement in active play, TV watching, and sleep duration in 1,229 five year old children from the Cork BASELINE birth cohort study was used to identify behavioral clusters. Determinants of cluster membership were investigated using multinomial logistic regression. Associations between the identified classes and cardio body measures were examined using multivariate logistic and linear regression, with cluster membership used as the independent variable.Results 51% of children belonged to a normative class, while 28% of children were in a class characterised by high scores on food avoidance scales in combination with low enjoyment of food, and 20% experienced high scores on the food approach scales. Children in both these classes had lower conditional probabilities of engaging in active play for at least one hour per day and sleeping for a minimum of 10 hours, and higher probability of watching TV for two hours or more, compared to the normative class. Children in the class with high scores on food approach scales, had higher fat mass index (FMI), lean mass index (LMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WtHR) compared to the normative class, and were at greater risk of overweight and obesity.Conclusion Findings suggest that eating behaviour appeared to influence overweight and obesity risk to a greater degree than activity levels at five years old. Further research of how potentially obesogenic behaviours in early life track over time and influence adiposity and other cardio metabolic outcomes is crucial to inform the timing of interventions.
Possibilities of Using Physical Modeling With Soft Materials to Analyze and Optimize Metal Forming Processes
Authors: Hawryluk Marek , Suliga Maciej , Więclaw Mateusz
Published: December 2020

The study presents the concept of physical modelling together with the characterization of the modelling materials as well as the possibilities of applying this type of physical simulation methods for the analysis, design and optimization of industrial metal forming processes. The paper discusses the crucial similarity conditions between the physical model and the real process necessary to transform the results into industrial processes. Physical modelling is one of the most popular as well as cheapest methods of analyzing metal plastic forming processes and it can constitute an easy independent verifying tool. It can also be a competitive alternative or supplementation, or a quick verification, of the popular yet relatively expensive methods based on a broadly understood mathematical apparatus, e.g. the finite element method or various types of computer science techniques. The method provides the possibility to define the stress and deformation distribution, estimate the force parameters of the given process as well as localize the dead zones and material flow errors. On the example of a forward extrusion process, the study demonstrates the effect of matching the model material to two metallic materials: annealed aluminum and reinforced aluminum. Additionally, for reinforced aluminum, numerical modelling was performed, which made it possible to determine e.g.: the force parameters and the material flow manner. Next, based on physical modelling, verification through numerical modelling was made of the boundary and tribological conditions, as physical modelling revealed a so-called dead zone in the corner of the die, which had not been recorded in numerical modelling.
Predicting Fetal Distress and Admission to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Patients With Fetal Growth Restriction by Nomogram: A Retrospective Cohort Study in China
Authors: Chen Xiaobin , Chen Yuan , Jiang Ying , Dong Tian , Li Juan , Yang Mengmeng , Zhao Baihui , Luo Qiong
Published: December 2020

Background: The purpose of this research was to establish prediction model of fetal distress risk and admission to neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) risk in a Chinese population of patients with fetal growth restriction(FGR), to provide a reliable basis for clinical management. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 930 patients were delivered with FGR in the obstetrics and gynecology hospital affiliated from January 1, 2014 to December 30, 2019 at Women’s Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, in Hangzhou, and screened out the independent predictors affecting fetal distress and admission to NICU using lasso regression. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to establish the nomogram prediction model of fetal distress risk and admission to NICU risk. Discrimination of the predicting model was assessed by the C-index and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, using the bootstrapping validation and the ROC curve to evaluate the Internal validation. Calibration and clinical usability of the predicting model were respectively adopted by calibration curves and decision curve analysis. Internal validation was assessed using the bootstrapping validation. Results: We found that six identified factors associated with fetal distress of patients with FGR: age, gestational week, delivery method, placenta previa, abnormal cord blood flow, and using low molecular weight heparin(LMWH). The application of LMWH during pregnancy could reduce the incidence of fetal distress. Four independent predictors were selected for admission to NICU of patients with FGR: gestational week, delivery method, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. The delivery method of cesarean section increased the above risks. Two nomograms were developed and verified accordingly. The two models had good discrimination and good calibration respectively. The decision curve analysis performed that the clinical usability and benefits of the nomograms were the range of 3%-75% and 17%-95%. Conclusions: Two nomograms were the first to predict fetal distress and admission to NICU of patients with FGR. Establishing effective predictive models based on independent predictors could help early diagnosis and evaluation of fetal distress and admission to NICU in patients with FGR.
A Simple-To-Use Nomogram to Predict Survival After Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Liu Yong , Liu Jiang , Huang Liang
Published: December 2020

Background: The aim of this study to construct and validate a simple-to-use nomogram to predict the survival of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.Methods: A total of 197 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome were selected from the Dryad Digital Repository. All eligible individuals were randomly stratified into the training set (n=133) and the testing set (n=64) as 2: 1 ratio. LASSO regression analysis was used to select the optimal predictors, and receiver operating characteristic and calibration curves were used to evaluate accuracy and discrimination of the model. Clinical usefulness of the nomogram was also assessed using decision curve analysis and Kaplan–Meier analysis.Results: Age, albumin, platelet count, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, PaO2/FiO2, lactate dehydrogenase, high-resolution computed tomography score, and syndrome etiology were identified as independent prognostic factors on LASSO regression analysis; these factors were integrated for the construction of the nomogram. Results of calibration plots, decision curve analysis, and receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that this model has good predictive ability of patient survival in acute respiratory distress syndrome. Moreover, a significant difference in the 28-day survival was shown between the patients stratified into different risk groups (P < 0.001).Conclusions: We satisfactorily constructed a simple-to-use nomogram based on eight relevant factors to predict survival and prognosis of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. This model can aid personalized treatment and clinical decision-making.
Transcriptomic Profiling Identifies Candidate Genes Involved in Polyporus Umbellatus Sclerotial Formation Affected by Oxalic Acid
Authors: Xing Yong-Mei , Li Bing , Zeng Xu , Zhou Li-Si , Lee Tae-Soo , Lee Min-Woong , Chen Xiao-Mei , Guo Shun-Xing
Published: December 2020

Polyporus umbellatus is a precious medicinal fungus. The whole transcriptome of P. umbellatus exposed to different concentrations of oxalic acid was performed and analyzed using RNA-seq based on sequencing technology. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection of P. umbellatus mycelia was visually conducted and using non-invasive micro-test technology (NMT), the net Ca2+ and H2O2 fluxes of P. umbellatus were measured. Totally, 22,523 unigenes were generated by De novo assembly of reads and there are 1223 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the control group and the high oxalic acid complemented (PD_S) group and 459 DEGs between the control group and the low concentration oxalic acid additive (PU_SM) group. The transcriptomic analysis indicated DEGs encoding enzymes related to oxidative stress, energy metabolism and so on. Compared to that of the control group, the biomass of the sclerotia in the PU_SM group increased 66%, however, no sclerotia formed in the PD_S group. The low concentration of oxalic acid could increase Ca2+ and H2O2 influx, while the high concentration of oxalic acid presented slight H2O2 efflux. There is a great significant positive correlation between the net Ca2+ and H2O2 fluxes. Different concentrations of exogenous oxalic acid affected P. umbellatus sclerotial formation in different ways.
Web-based Formative Assessment Through Clinical Cases: Role in Pathophysiology Teaching.
Authors: Ros Nerea Fernandez , Lucena Felipe , Iñarrairaegui Mercedes , Landecho Manuel , Sunsundegui Patricia , Jordán-Iborra Carlota , Pineda Iñigo , Quiroga Jorge , Herrero Jose Ignacio
Published: December 2020

Background. Active learning strategies such as formative assessment through clinical cases may help to get a deeper learning. We have studied the effect of this kind of online formative assessment in pathophysiology teaching. Methods. Seven brief clinical cases were used to give formative assessment in the first semester of a pathophysiology course. To evaluate its effect on learning, we analyzed the proportion of students that passed the end of semester exam with a score above 60 over 100. We also analyzed the effect of the intervention according to the students’ previous academic performance. Results. Ninety-six students participated in the study and sat the exam. Sixty-five of them passed it. Students that passed the exam had a higher previous academic performance and had done a higher number of exercises of formative assessment, both in univariate and multivariate analysis. The participants were divided in three groups, according to their previous academic performance. In the intermediate group, the number of cases done by the students who passed the exam was significantly higher than in those who did not pass it (median: 4 versus 0; P=0.009). Conclusion. Formative assessment through web-based clinical cases increases knowledge acquisitions in pathophysiology, mainly in students with intermediate performance.
Survival-associated Metabolic Genes in Colon and Rectal Cancers
Authors: Cui Yanfen , Han Baoai , Zhang He , Wang Zhiyong , Liu Hui , Zhang Fei , Niu Ruifang
Published: December 2020

Background Uncontrolled proliferation is the most prominent biological feature of tumors. To rapidly proliferate and maximize the use of available nutrients, tumor cells regulate their metabolic behavior and the expression of metabolism-related genes (MRGs). In this study, we aimed to construct prognosis models for colon and rectal cancers, using MRGs to indicate the prognoses of patients. MethodsWe first acquired the gene expression profiles of colon and rectal cancers from the TCGA and GEO database, and utilized univariate Cox analysis, lasso regression, and multivariable cox analysis to identify MRGs for risk models. Then GSEA and KEGG functional enrichment analysis were utilized to identify the metabolism pathway of MRGs in the risk models and analyzed these genes comprehensively using GSCALite.ResultsEight genes (CPT1C, PLCB2, PLA2G2D, GAMT, ENPP2, PIP4K2B, GPX3, and GSR) in the colon cancer risk model and six genes (TDO2, PKLR, GAMT, EARS2, ACO1, and WAS) in the rectal cancer risk model were identified successfully. Multivariate Cox analysis indicated that the models predicted overall survival accurately and independently for patients with colon or rectal cancer. Furthermore, we identified the metabolism pathway of MRGs in the risk models and analyzed these genes comprehensively. Then, we verified the prognosis model in independent colon cancer cohorts (GSE17538) and detected the correlations of the protein expression levels of GSR and ENPP2 with prognosis for colon or rectal cancer. ConclusionsOur findings demonstrated that 14 MRGs are potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets of colorectal cancer.
Schistosome japonicum Proteins that Interact with the Gynecophoral Canal Protein Identified Using a Yeast Two-hybrid System
Authors: Ren Yuqi , Li Mian , Shi Yanli , Liu Pingping , Wu Qijin , Yang Yunxia , Zhang Longxian , Jin Yamei
Published: December 2020

Background: The large amount of eggs produced by mature female worms not only induce major pathological damage to hosts of schistosomes but also lead to disease transmission. Mature female schistosome worms need constant pairing contact with a male partner as male signaling is indispensable to female growth, development, and reproduction. The gynecophoral canal protein (GCP), a cell-surface glycoprotein that is gender-specific to the male worm, plays a potential role in the interaction between males and females and in stimulating female development and maturation. Methods: In this study, a yeast two-hybrid cDNA library of Schistosome japonicum (Sj) parasites 18 days post-infection was constructed; the SjGCP gene was inserted into a pGBKT7-BD bait plasmid and used as a bait protein to screen for its molecular interactions using a yeast mating procedure.Results: Twenty-four prey proteins that interacted with the SjGCP were selected after excluding false positives; the interactions between two of these, SjLGL and SjColV, and SjGCP were verified by co-immunoprecipitation.Conclusions: The proteins that interacted with SjGCP were identified as being associated with growth, development, and reproductive functionality in S. japonicum.
Prevalence of Neonatal Mortality and Its Associated Factors among Neonates Admitted In Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Debre Tabor General Hospital, South Gondar, Ethiopia
Authors: Demis Solomon Kebede , Munye Tigabu , Munye Biniam
Published: December 2020

Neonatal mortality is the death of newborn babies from the time of birth to 28 completed days of life which is the most vulnerable time for a child's survival. About one million of them passed away on their first day of life, and more than two thirds (38%) of the deaths were in sub-Saharan Africa where Ethiopia is one of the countries with the highest neonatal mortality in the world which accounts for 29 deaths per 1,000 live births. Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated factors of neonatal mortality among neonates admitted in Debre Tabor General Hospital in South Gondar, Ethiopia. Methods: Institutional based retrospective cross-sectional study design was conducted from November 1, 2018, up to January 30, 2019, in Debre Tabor General Hospital. A Structured interviewer-administered pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data. The collected data were entered into Epi data version 4.2 and then exported into SPSS window version 24. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was undertaken and information was presented by using simple frequency tables, graphs, and pie charts. Result: the prevalence of neonatal mortality was found to be 12.3%. Gestational age group 28-32 weeks (AOR=9.5, 95% CI: 2.39-37.97), Gestational Age beyond 42 weeks (AOR=4.6, 95% CI: 6.3-33.8), and forceps delivery (AOR=0.18, 95% CI: 0.05-0.68) were found to be statistically significant. Conclusion and recommendation: Neonatal mortality was higher than the national with independently associated factors of prematurity and post maturity while forceps delivery as a preventive factor. Therefore, this might be essential to the hospital neonatal intensive care unit nurse to plan for managing prematurity and post maturity in better nursing care as well as providing quality ANC and identifying most predisposing factors for prematurity.
Diaphragm Satellite Cells Isolation by Optimized MACS and the Effect of Mechanical Ventilation on their Proliferation and Differentiation Characteristics through MyoD and Myogenin Pathways
Authors: Ding Junying , Li Qian , Liang Feng , Bhattarai Salyan , Liu Qingquan
Published: December 2020

Objective: In the present study, we aimed to establish a feasible method to isolate single diaphragm satellite cells from C57 mice, and clarify the effect of mechanical ventilation (MV) on the proliferation and differentiation of diaphragm satellite cells. Moreover, the underlying molecular mechanism was also explored.Methods: After the dissection of the diaphragm, enzymolysis, and specific antibody selection, single diaphragm satellite cells were harvested from C57 mice receiving 6 h of MV or not with optimized magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) approach. The cells were stained with BrdU or labeled with the differentiation antibody MYH3, followed by observation using fluorescence microscopy. The cells were counted from randomly selected visual fields, and the proliferation or differentiation characteristics of the control and MV groups were compared by IMAGE software. Besides, the expressions of MyoD and myogenin were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: The single diaphragm satellite cells were successfully purified through MACS using a set of optimized parameters. Generally speaking, 1.5×105 cells could be harvested from a single diaphragm. Upon MV, the proliferation rate of diaphragm satellite cells was decreased from 88.74% to 81.92%, while the differentiation rate was increased from 17.94% to 27.58%. Moreover, the expressions of MyoD and myogenin were significantly up-regulated upon MV. Conclusions: In our current work, an efficient method was successfully established to isolate single diaphragm satellite cells. After MV, the differentiation rate of diaphragm satellite cells tended to increase, and the expressions of MyoD and myogenin were up-regulated. Collectively, our findings provided valuable insights into further research and clinical target treatment.
Effect of Ligustrazine on Myocardial Ischemia/reperfusion Injury Through Upregulating UCP3
Authors: Zhu Ke-fu , Shao-ze Wu , Jin Hong-feng , Lou Jiang-jie , Wen Ying-zheng , Zhou Qin-yi , Tang Lijiang
Published: December 2020

Background: The study aimed to investigate whether ligustrazine, a traditional Chinese medicine, could attenuate myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and explore the potential mechanism.Methods: 32 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally into four groups: sham operation (S); (I/R); I/R + ligustrazine preconditioning (Lig); I/R + ligustrazine preconditioning + mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opener lonidamine (LND) (Lig + LND). Myocardial I/R model was established and ligustrazine was administered intraperitoneally 5 min prior to ischemia, LND was administered intraperitoneally 10 min prior to reperfusion. The infarct area (IA) was measured by Evans blue staining, where levels of Myocardial injury markers, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were detected. RT-PCR and Western Blot were adopted to measure the uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) expression.Results: Compared to I/R group, the IA/area at risk (AAR) in Lig, and Lig + LND groups were significantly decreased, UCP3 levels of mRNA and protein were increased (P < 0.05). Compared to Lig group, the IA/AAR in Lig + LND group was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Ligustrazine pretreatment increased SOD, ATP activity, and decreased cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase-muscle/brain (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and MDA activities. The effect of ligustrazine was reversed by LND.Conclusion: The present results indicated that ischemic preconditioning of ligustrazine might protect myocardium against I/R injury through upregulating UCP3 expression.
Serum CCAT2 as a Biomarker for Adjuvant Diagnosis and Prognostic Prediction of Cervical Cancer
Authors: Cao Xiaoli , Yao Juan , Jia Meiqun , Shen Xianjuan , Zhang Jinye , ju shaoqing
Published: December 2020

Growing evidence indicates that lncRNA colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) is associated with cancers. However, the clinical value of CCAT2 in cervical cancer (CC) remains unclear. In this study, serum CCAT2 level was detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) and squamous-cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) were detected by electrochemiluminescence. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized to estimate the diagnostic efficiency of CCAT2. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to assess the prognostic value of CCAT2. The relative expression level of CCAT2 in primary CC patients was significantly higher than that in cervical intraepithelial neoplasias (CIN) patients and healthy controls (both P<0.001). CCAT2 relative expression was positively correlated with tumor FIGO stage, SCC-Ag and LNM (all P<0.05). CCAT2 expression in recurrent/metastatic CC was significantly higher compared with primary CC (P<0.0001) or operated CC (P<0.0001) and during follow-up, CCAT2 expression was increased before surgery and decreased significantly after surgery (P<0.0001). Furthermore, the overall survival rate of CC patients with high CCAT2 expression group markedly decreased as compared with that of low CCAT2 expression group (P=0.026). Univariate analyses indicated that CCAT2 was a poor prognostic factor associated with overall survival (OS). Our study indicates that CCAT2 may be valuable in complementary diagnosis and monitoring of progression and prognosis of CC patients. Combined detection of CCAT2, CA125 and SCC can greatly improve the diagnostic efficiency of primary CC.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Continuation and Associated Factors Among Employed Women in North Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Gebrekidan Kahsu , Hall Helen , Plummer Virginia , Fooladi Ensieh
Published: December 2020

Background: Exclusive Breastfeeding (EBF) can prevent up to 13% of under-five mortality in developing countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa the rate of EBF at six months remains very low at 36%. Different types of factors such as maternal, family-related and work-related factors are responsible for the low rate of EBF among employed women. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of EBF continuation and associated factors among employed women in North Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in two towns of Tigray region, North Ethiopia. Employed women who had children between 6 months and 2 years were surveyed using multistage, convenient sampling. Women filled a paper-based validated questionnaire adopted from Breastfeeding and Employment Study toolkit. The questions were grouped into four parts of sociodemographic characteristics, maternal characteristics, family support and work-related factors. Factors associated with EBF continuation as a binary outcome (yes/no) were determined using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Four-hundred and forty-nine women participated in this study with a mean (SD) age 30.4 (4.2) years. Two hundred and fifty-four (56.4%) participants exclusively breastfed their children for six months or more. The main reason for discontinuation of EBF was the requirement of women to return to paid employment (31.5%). Four-hundred and forty (98.2%) participants believed that breastfeeding has benefits either to the infant or to the mother. Three hundred and seventy-one (82.8%) of the participants received support from their family at home to assist with EBF most commonly from their husbands and mothers. Having family support (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]= 2.1, 95%, CI 1.2-3.6; P = 0.005), having frequent breaks at work (AOR= 2.6, 95% CI, 1.4-4.8; P = 0.002) and the possibility of buying or borrowing required equipment for expressing breast milk (AOR= 1.7, 95% CI, 1.0-3.0; P = 0.033) were statistically associated with increasing chance of EBF. Conclusion: Although returning to work was reported by the study participants as the main reason for discontinuation of EBF, families and managers’ support have significant roles in EBF continuation which in the absence of six-month maternal leave for employed women in Ethiopia would be of benefit to mothers and their child.
Characteristics and Risk Factors of Interval Colorectal Advanced Adenomas after Negative Index Colonoscopy
Authors: Dong Haibin , Ren Yutang , Jiang Bo
Published: December 2020

Objectives Interval colorectal advanced adenoma (I-CRAA) carries insidious risk of interval colorectal cancer (I-CRC). The study aims to determine the frequency of I-CRAA after negative colonoscopy and discover the characteristics and the risk factors.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the information of the patients undergoing colonoscopy in the endoscopic center (2015-2019). Frequency of I-CRAA was calculated. The clinical features of I-CRAA were compared with sporadic colorectal advanced adenoma (Sp-CRAA). Results The frequency of I-CRAA was 0.71% (112/15759) per colonoscopy. I-CRAA was more likely to be located in the proximal colon (65.2% vs 34.8%, p<0.05) and has high pathological grade (5.4% vs 1.6%, p<0.05). Diabetes, family history of CRC, smoking, alcohol intake and diverticulosis are risk factors for I-CRAA（p<0.05）. Excellent bowel preparation (OR 3.727; 95% CI 2.425–5.73, p<0.001) and higher adenoma detection rate (OR 1.924; 95% CI 1.153–3.21, p = 0.012) are helpful for the detection of I-CRAA. I-CRAA found within 1 year other than 2 or 3 years after the initial colonoscopy were usually found by an endoscopist with higher ADR.Conclusions I-CRAA is usually located in the proximal colon and has high pathological grade. Diabetes, diverticulosis, smoking history, alcohol intake, and family history of CRC are the risk factors. Its occurrence is more related to low-quality colonoscopy, especially within one year.
Involvement of the Extracellular Matrix Proteins Periostin and Tenascin C in Nasal Polyp Remodeling by Regulating the Expression of MMPs
Authors: Du Kun , Wang Min , Zhang Nan , Wang Ping , Yu Pei , Li Ying , Wang Xiangdong , Zhang Luo , Bachert Claus
Published: December 2020

Background: Tissue remodeling caused by increased MMPs is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP). We previously found higher levels of periostin and tenascin C in CRSwNPs, but whether they are associated with the dysregulation of MMPs is unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the regulatory roles of two ECM proteins in the expression of MMPs in nasal polyps.Methods：The concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-12, MMP-13, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, TIMP-3, TIMP-4, periostin, and tenascin C in tissue homogenates of 51 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyps and 15 control subjects were measured and their correlations were analyzed. Primary human nasal polyp fibroblasts and epithelial cells were stimulated ex vivo with periostin and tenascin C and the gene expression of MMPs and TIMPs was determined by means of real-time PCR.Results: The protein levels of MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, periostin, and tenascin C were significantly higher in patients with CRSwNPs than in healthy control subjects. Periostin was positively correlated with MMP-3 and TIMP-2, and tenascin C was positively correlated with MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-8, MMP-9 and TIMP-2. Periostin stimulated the gene expression of MMP-3, MMP-7, and MMP-9 in fibroblasts and MMP-7 in epithelial cells ex vivo. Tenascin C stimulated the expression of MMP-3, MMP-8, and MMP-9 in epithelial cells, but not in fibroblasts. The expression of TIMPs in fibroblasts and epithelial cells was affected by neither periostin nor tenascin C. Conclusions：Periostin and tenascin C might be involved in the remodeling of nasal polyps by regulating the expression of different MMPs in epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Our findings have the potential to identify key factors of tissue remodeling in CRSwNPs.
Feasibility of a Novel Tibial Sighting Device Combined with Intramedullary Femoral Localisation on the Rotational Alignment of the Tibial Component for Oxford Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Chen Linjian , Liu Xiang , Li Chaohui , Luo Zhen , Chen Qiyuan
Published: December 2020

Background：The success of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) depends on perfect prosthesis component alignment. However, it is difficult to identify the anteroposterior axis and implant components in the correct rotational position in a narrow operating field in a UKA. Thus, we invented a novel tibial sighting device and explored whether combining it with intramedullary femoral localisation could be feasible on the rotational alignment of the tibial component for the Oxford UKA.Methods: Twenty consecutive knees were treated with UKA using a novel tibial sighting device combined with intramedullary femoral localisation. An equal number of patients who underwent UKA with the conventional technique were matched to the control group. Radiographic accuracy was evaluated based on the implant position in the tibial CT transverse sections. The α angles were measured between the tibial component line and the vertical line of TEA', which was projected to the trans-epicondylar axis (TEA).Results: The absolute value of the test group’s α angle was significantly smaller than the respective values of the control group (P=0.006). The ratio of △α > 3° in the test group was also significantly smaller than that of the control group (P=0.048).Conclusion: The novel tibial sighting device combined with intramedullary femoral localisation provided the surgeon a better surgical view in sagittal tibial osteotomy and improved the accuracy of tibial implant alignment in UKA. This method makes the vertical osteotomy of the tibial platform simpler, more precise and highly repeatable.
Meta-analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid Neuron-specific Enolase Levels in Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Dementia With Lewy Bodies, and Multiple System Atrophy
Authors: Katayama Takayuki , Sawada Jun , Takahashi Kae , Yahara Osamu , Hasebe Naoyuki
Published: December 2020

Background: To investigate the usefulness of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels as a candidate biomarker of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), PD with dementia (PDD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA).Methods: We performed a systematic search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar to find studies that investigated the CSF levels of NSE in AD, PD, DLB, and/or MSA. For each disease, we pooled all available data and performed a meta-analysis, and meta-regression analyses of age and sex were conducted when significant in the main analysis.Results: Twenty studies were included (13 for AD, 8 for PD/PDD/DLB, and 4 for MSA). Significantly elevated CSF NSE levels were detected in AD (Hedges’ g = 0.822, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 0.332 to 1.311, p = 0.0010), but the data exhibited high heterogeneity (I2 = 88.43%, p<0.001). The meta-regression analysis of AD showed that age (p<0.001), but not sex, had a significant effect on NSE. A meta-analysis of all the pooled data for PD/PDD/DLB did not show any significant changes in the CSF NSE level, but a sub-group analysis of PDD/DLB revealed significantly elevated CSF NSE levels (Hedges’ g = 0.507, 95%CI: 0.020 to 0.993, p = 0.0412). No significant changes in CSF NSE levels were detected in MSA.Conclusions: This study provided evidence about the usefulness of CSF NSE levels as a biomarker in AD and PDD/DLB, and age was found to affect the CSF NSE levels of AD patients.
Genome-wide assessment characteristics of genes overlapping copy number variation regions in Duroc purebred population
Authors: Wang Zhipeng , Guo Yuanyuan , Wang Tao , Zhang Chaoxin , Liu Shengwei , Zhang Bing , Li Xue , Yang Li'ang , Zhu Qiusi , Wang Wenwen , Zhang Qin , Wang Xibiao , Meng Qingli
Published: December 2020

Background: Copy number variations (CNVs) are important structural variations that can cause significant phenotypic diversity. Reliable CNVs mapping can be achieved by identification of CNVs from different genetic backgrounds. Investigations on the characteristics of overlapping CNV regions (CNVRs) between protein-coding genes (CNV genes) and miRNAs (CNV-miRNAs) can reveal the potential mechanisms of their regulation. Results: In this study, we used 55K SNP arrays to detect CNVs in Duroc purebred pig. A total number of 211 CNVRs were detected with a total length of 118.48 Mb, accounting for 5.23% of the autosomal genome sequence. Of these CNVRs, 32 were gains, 175 losses, and 4 contained both types (loss and gain within the same region). The CNVRs we detected were non-randomly distributed in the swine genome and were significantly enriched in the segmental duplication and gene density region. Additionally, these CNVRs were overlapping with 1096 protein-coding genes, and 39 miRNAs, respectively. The CNV genes were enriched in terms of dosage-sensitive gene list. The expression of the CNV genes was significantly higher than that of the non-CNV genes in the adult Duroc liver and prostate. Of all detected CNV genes, 252 genes, which accounted for 22.99%, were tissue-specific (TSI > 0.9). Strong negative selection had been underway in the CNV genes as the ones that were located entirely within the loss CNVRs appeared to be evolving rapidly as determined by the median dN plus dS values. Non-CNV genes tended to be miRNA target than CNV genes. Furthermore, CNV-miRNAs tended to target more genes compared to non-CNV-miRNAs, and a combination of two CNV-miRNAs preferentially synergistically regulated the same target genes. We also focused our efforts on examining CNV genes and CNV-miRNAs, which were also involved in the lipid metabolism, including DGAT1, DGAT2, MOGAT2, miR143, miR335, and miRLET7. Conclusions: Our analyses of CNV-genes and CNV-miRNAs provide new insights into the characteristics of CNVRs in Duroc purebred population. Further molecular experiments and independent large studies are needed to confirm our findings.