bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Different mechanisms of two anti-anthrax protective antigen antibodies and function comparison between them
Authors: Xiong Siping , Zhou Tingting , Zheng Feng , Liang Xudong , Cao Yongping , Wang Chunhui , Feng Zhengqin , Tang Qi , Zhu Jin
Published: November 2019

Background

Bacillus anthracis causes a highly lethal infectious disease primarily due to toxin-mediated injury. Antibiotics are no longer effective to treat the accumulation of anthrax toxin, thereby new strategies of antibody treatment are essential. Two anti- anthrax protective antigen (PA) antibodies, hmPA6 and PA21, have been reported by our lab previously.

Methods

The mechanisms of the two antibodies were elucidated by Electrophoresis, Competitive Enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay, Western blot analysis and immunoprecipitation test, and in vitro, in vivo (F344 rats) treatment test. The epitopes of the two antibodies were proved by Western blot and Enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay with different domains of PA.

Results

In this study, we compared affinity and neutralization of these two antibodies. PA21 was better in protecting cells and rats, whereas hmPA6 had higher affinity. Furthermore, the neutralization mechanisms of the two antibodies and their recognition domains of PA were studied. The results showed that hmPA6 recognized domain IV, thus PA could not bind to cell receptors. Conversely, PA21 recognized domain II, thereby limiting heptamer oligomerization of PA63 in cells.

Conclusions

Our studies elucidated the mechanisms and epitopes of hmPA6 and PA21. The present investigation can advance future use of the two antibodies in anthrax treatment or prophylaxis, and potentially as a combination treatment as the antibodies target different epitopes.
Evaluation of the impact of the Accelerate Pheno™ system on time to result for differing antimicrobial stewardship intervention models in patients with gram-negative bloodstream infections
Authors: Elliott Gerald , Malczynski Michael , Barr Viktorjia O. , Aljefri Doaa , Martin David , Sutton Sarah , Zembower Teresa R. , Postelnick Michael , Qi Chao
Published: November 2019

Background

Initiating early effective antimicrobial therapy is the most important intervention demonstrated to decrease mortality in patients with gram-negative bacteremia with sepsis. Rapid MIC-based susceptibility results make it possible to optimize antimicrobial use through both escalation and de-escalation.

Method

We prospectively evaluated the performance of the Accelerate Pheno™ system (AXDX) for identification and susceptibility testing of gram-negative species and compared the time to result between AXDX and routine standard of care (SOC) using 82 patient samples and 18 challenge organisms with various confirmed resistance mechanisms. The potential impact of AXDX on time to antimicrobial optimization was investigated with various simulated antimicrobial stewardship (ASTEW) intervention models.

Results

The overall positive and negative percent agreement of AXDX for identification were 100 and 99.9%, respectively. Compared to VITEK® 2, the overall essential agreement was 96.1% and categorical agreement was 95.4%. No very major or major errors were detected. AXDX reduced the time to identification by an average of 11.8 h and time to susceptibility by an average of 36.7 h. In 27 patients evaluated for potential clinical impact of AXDX on antimicrobial optimization, 18 (67%) patients could potentially have had therapy optimized sooner with an average of 18.1 h reduction in time to optimal therapy.

Conclusion

Utilization of AXDX coupled with simulated ASTEW intervention notification substantially shortened the time to potential antimicrobial optimization in this cohort of patients with gram-negative bacteremia. This improvement in time occurred when ASTEW support was limited to an 8-h coverage model.
Primary solid lung cancerous nodules with different sizes: computed tomography features and their variations
Authors: Chu Zhi-gang , Zhang Yan , Li Wang-jia , Li Qi , Zheng Yi-neng , Lv Fa-jin
Published: November 2019

Background

The computed tomography (CT) features of small solid lung cancers and their changing regularity as they grow have not been well studied. The purpose of this study was to analyze the CT features of solid lung cancerous nodules (SLCNs) with different sizes and their variations.

Methods

Between February 2013 and April 2018, a consecutive cohort of 224 patients (225 nodules) with confirmed primary SLCNs was enrolled. The nodules were divided into four groups based on tumor diameter (A: diameter ≤ 1.0 cm, 35 lesions; B: 1.0 cm < diameter ≤ 1.5 cm, 60 lesions; C: 1.5 cm < diameter ≤ 2.0 cm, 63 lesions; and D: 2.0 cm < diameter ≤ 3.0 cm, 67 lesions). CT features of nodules within each group were summarized and compared.

Results

Most nodules in different groups were located in upper lobes (groups A − D:50.8%–73.1%) and had a gap from the pleura (groups A − D:89.6%–100%). The main CT features of smaller (diameter ≤ 1 cm) and larger (diameter > 1 cm) nodules were significantly different. As nodule diameter increased, more lesions showed a regular shape, homogeneous density, clear but coarse tumor–lung interface, lobulation, spiculation, spinous protuberance, vascular convergence, pleural retraction, bronchial truncation, and beam-shaped opacity (p < 0.05 for all). The presence of halo sign in all groups was similar (17.5%–22.5%; p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The CT features vary among SLCNs with different sizes. Understanding their changing regularity is helpful for identifying smaller suspicious malignant nodules and early determining their nature in follow-up.
Prevalence of self-stigma and its association with self-esteem among psychiatric patients in a Nepalese teaching hospital: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Maharjan Shanta , Panthee Bimala
Published: November 2019

Background

Stigma against mental illness cuts across all age, religion, ethnic origin or socio-economic status. Similarly, self-stigma among psychiatric patients is also prevalent worldwide. The consequences of self-stigma are low self-esteem, increased severity of symptoms, low treatment adherence, increased rate of suicidality and decreased quality of life. Thus, this study aims to find the prevalence of self-stigma and its association with self-esteem of patients with mental illness in Nepal.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 180 patients with mental illness attending a psychiatric Outpatient Department (OPD). Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used for the study. The data was collected by face to face interview technique. Structured interview schedule questionnaire (brief version of internalized stigma scale and Rosenberg self-esteem scale) was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and correlation analysis were used for data analysis. P value was set at 0.05.

Results

Overall prevalence of self-stigma was 54.44%. Among those who had self-stigma 48% had mild self-stigma, 34.7% had moderate self-stigma and 17.3% had severe self-stigma. Among the five components of self-stigma scale, the highest mean score was on stereotype endorsement, followed by discrimination experience, social withdrawal, stigma resistance, and the lowest for the component of alienation. Furthermore, strong negative correlation (r = − 0.74) was found between self-stigma and self-esteem. The correlation was still significant (r = − 0.69) after controlling for socio-demographic and clinical variables. Hospital admission and diagnostic category of respondents were significantly associated with self-stigma. However, no significant association was found between socio-demographic variables and self-stigma.

Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that self-stigma is prevalent among psychiatric patients in Nepal. Most of the respondents experienced stereotype endorsement. Also, higher self-stigma is significantly associated with poor self-esteem suggesting self-stigma reduction programs. Furthermore, strong negative relationship between self-stigma and self-esteem suggests some causal relationship studies to confirm if self-esteem enhancement program can be beneficial to reduce self-stigma among psychiatric patients.
Using epidemiological data to identify needs for child-rearing support among Chinese parents: a cross-sectional survey of parents of children aged 6 to 35 months in 15 Chinese cities
Authors: Zhang Yue , Sanders Matthew , Feng Weiwei , Tang He , Wang Huishan , Jin Xi , Wu Jieling , Huang Guangwen , Sun Jin , Luo Yan , Lv Lanqiu , Yan Shuangqin , Zhao Dongmei , Mu Lijuan , Yan Dongmei , Wang Hong , Gao Xueting , Yang Jing , Wang Hong , Wang Nianrong , Shao Jie , Yang Jinliuxing , Haslam Divna
Published: November 2019

Background

The quality of the family environment—in particular, the kind of parenting children receive in their early years—plays a critical role in influencing children’s growth and development. To facilitate the development and delivery of appropriate parenting and family interventions for Chinese parents, this study explores the prevalence of the difficulties that may arise in the course of child-rearing, the associated sociodemographic factors and parents’ help-seeking behavior.

Methods

A cross-sectional self-reporting survey was conducted with a sample of 2229 parents of children between 6 and 35 months of age. Using a stratified random-digit design, parents from 15 Chinese cities were surveyed to determine their child-rearing difficulties, support-seeking behavior and their preferences for service delivery. The sociodemographic factors that influenced major child-rearing difficulties were analyzed using bivariate and logistic analyses.

Results

The majority (87.5%) of Chinese parents of children aged 6–35 months reported experiencing child-rearing difficulties. Nearly one third (31.5%) of parents reported experiencing major difficulties. Feeding and sleep problems were most often reported. Regression analysis revealed that major child-rearing difficulties most often involved male children (OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.11–1.64), single-child households (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.07–1.77), and households with financial problems (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.06–1.85). Just over one third of parents (33.44%) sought professional support, while 21.37% had attended a parenting course in the past year. Prefer ways of sourcing parental support included professional online platform (69.24%), self-help books (43.70%), face-to-face consultation (24.99%), and attending lectures (36.57%).

Conclusions

Child-rearing difficulties are common among parents of children between 6 and 35 months of age in Chinese cities. The family with boys, single-child, financial problems, and father not joining in child-rearing may face the high risk to major child-rearing difficulties. The national initiative to provide more guidance and support for child-rearing difficulties is worthwhile, as is the development of online parenting programs.
Effective public-private partnerships for sustainable antiretroviral therapy: outcomes of the Right to Care health services GP down-referral program
Authors: Mokhele Idah , Mashamaite Sello , Majuba Pappie , Xulu Thembi , Long Lawrence , Onoya Dorina
Published: November 2019

Background

The recently increased access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in South Africa has placed additional strain on human and infrastructure resources of the public health sector. Capacity from private-sector General Practitioners (GPs) could be leveraged to ease the current burden on the public health sector.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective record review of routine electronic medical record data on a systematic sample of HIV-infected adults (≥18 years old) initiated on ART at a tertiary hospital outpatient HIV clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa and down-referred to private-GPs for continued care after stabilization on ART. We compared these patients (“GP down-referred”) to a control-cohort who remained at the referring site (“Clinic A”) and patients from a regional hospital outpatient HIV clinic not offering down-referral to GPs (“Clinic B”). Study outcomes assessed are viral load suppression (VL < 50 copies/ml) and attrition from care (all-cause-mortality or > 90-days late for a last-scheduled visit) by 12 months of follow-up following down-referral or eligibility.

Results

A total of 3685 patients, comprising 373 (10.1%) GP down-referred, 2599 (70.5%) clinic A controls, and 713 (19.4%) clinic B controls were included in the analysis. Overall, 1535 patients (53.3%) had a suppressed viral load. A higher portion of GP down-referred patients had a suppressed viral load compared to clinic A and B patients (65.7% vs 49.1% vs 58.9%). After adjusting for demographic and baseline clinical covariates, we found no difference in viral load suppression between GP down-referred and control patients (adjusted relative risk [aRR] for clinic A vs GP down-referred 1.0; 95% CI: 0.9–1.1), (aRR for clinic B vs GP down-referred 1.0; 95% CI: 0.9–1.2).

Clinic B controls experienced the highest attrition compared to GP down-referred and clinic A controls (33.2% vs 11.3% vs 5.9%) and had a higher risk of attrition compared to GP down-referred patients (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 4.2; 95% CI: 2.8–6.5), whereas clinic B controls had a lower risk of attrition (aHR 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3–0.7).

Conclusions and recommendations

Our results show that private-GPs can contribute to caring for stabilized public sector HIV patients on life-long ART. However, they require special efforts to improve retention in care.
Effects of pain neuroscience education in hospitalized patients with high tibial osteotomy: a quasi-experimental study using propensity score matching
Authors: Deguchi Naoki , Hirakawa Yoshiyuki , Izawa Shota , Yokoyama Kazuhito , Muraki Keito , Oshibuti Ryouiti , Higaki Yasuki
Published: November 2019

Background

Pain neuroscience education (PNE) has been shown to reduce pain or psychological symptoms in patients with chronic pain and preoperative knee osteoarthritis; however, the evidence of its effectiveness in hospitalized patients who have undergone high tibial osteotomy (HTO) is unknown. This study was performed to determine whether the implementation of a newly developed hospital-time PNE provided by physical therapists to patients after HTO can result in meaningful improvements.

Methods

In total, 119 patients aged ≥45 years with knee osteoarthritis who were scheduled to undergo HTO were analyzed. Patients with a low Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) score of < 21 were excluded. The patients were classified into two groups: those who underwent a combination of PNE and rehabilitation (intervention group, n = 67) and those who underwent rehabilitation only (control group, n = 52). The patients were pseudo-randomized by their baseline demographic factors using a propensity score-matching method. The PNE was based on a psychosocial model and began 1 week postoperatively in a group setting; five 1-h weekly sessions were conducted. The primary outcome was the walking pain score as measured by a numerical rating scale. The secondary outcomes were the pain catastrophizing scores as measured by the PCS, self-efficacy as measured by the Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, and physical function. Measurements were taken at baseline (before surgery) and before discharge from the hospital (5 weeks postoperatively) to identify any intervention effects.

Results

After propensity score matching, 52 pairs of patients were extracted. In the intervention group, 46 (88.5%) patients completed the PNE. In total, 44 patients in the intervention group and 52 patients in the control group were analyzed. Five weeks following surgery, the rehabilitation itself had also significantly decreased catastrophizing, and the difference between the two groups had only a small effect size (d = 0.44).

Conclusions

These findings provide preliminary evidence that physical therapist-delivered PNE during hospitalization may help to at least slightly reduce pain catastrophizing in patients with catastrophizing prior to knee arthroplasty.

Trial registration

This trial was retrospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (UMIN000037114) on 19 June 2019.
Preimplantation genetic testing for a family with usher syndrome through targeted sequencing and haplotype analysis
Authors: Luo Haining , Chen Chao , Yang Yun , Zhang Yinfeng , Yuan Yuan , Wang Wanyang , Wu Renhua , Peng Zhiyu , Han Ying , Jiang Lu , Yao Ruqiang , An Xiaoying , Zhang Weiwei , Le Yanqun , Xiang Jiale , Yi Na , Huang Hui , Li Wei , Zhang Yunshan , Sun Jun
Published: November 2019

Background

Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic defects (PGT-M) has been available in clinical practice. This study aimed to validate the applicability of targeted capture sequencing in developing personalized PGT-M assay.

Methods

One couple at risk of transmitting Usher Syndrome to their offspring was recruited to this study. Customized capture probe targeted at USH2A gene and 350 kb flanking region were designed for PGT-M. Eleven blastocysts were biopsied and amplified by using multiple displacement amplification (MDA) and capture sequencing. A hidden Markov model (HMM) assisted haplotype analysis was performed to deduce embryo’s genotype by using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in each sample. The embryo without paternal rare variant was implanted and validated by conventional prenatal or postnatal diagnostic means.

Results

Four embryos were diagnosed as free of father’s rare variant, two were transferred and one achieved a successful pregnancy. The fetal genotype was confirmed by Sanger sequencing of fetal genomic DNA obtained by amniocentesis. The PGT-M and prenatal diagnosis results were further confirmed by the molecular diagnosis of the baby’s genomic DNA sample. The auditory test showed that the hearing was normal.

Conclusions

Targeted capture sequencing is an effective and convenient strategy to develop customized PGT-M assay.
CDK5RAP3 inhibits angiogenesis in gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma by modulating AKT/HIF-1α/VEGFA signaling
Authors: Lin Jian-Xian , Weng Xiong-Feng , Xie Xin-Sheng , Lian Ning-Zi , Qiu Sheng-Liang , Wang Jia-Bin , Lu Jun , Chen Qi-Yue , Cao Long-Long , Lin Mi , Tu Ru-Hong , Yang Ying-Hong , Liu Si-Jia , Hu Min , Lin Yi-Ke , Huang Chang-Ming , Zheng Chao-Hui , Li Ping , Xie Jian-Wei
Published: November 2019

Background

Angiogenesis plays critical roles in the progression and metastasis of malignant tumors. Gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma is an uncommon stomach cancer that is rich in blood vessels and exhibits highly malignant biological behavior with a poor prognosis. The role of CDK5RAP3 in GNEC has not been reported to date.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of CDK5RAP3 in GNEC tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues. Cell lines with stable overexpression or knockdown of CDK5RAP3 were constructed using lentiviral transfection. Wound-healing assays, invasion and metastasis assays, tube formation assays, and tumor xenograft transplantation assays were performed to evaluate the effect of CDK5RAP3 on GNEC angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Real-time PCR, ELISA, western blot analysis, and confocal-immunofluorescence staining were used to explore the molecular mechanism of CDK5RAP3′s effect on angiogenesis.

Results

Compared with their respective adjacent non-tumor tissues, protein levels of CDK5RAP3 were significantly decreased in GNEC tissues. Furthermore, low expression of CDK5RAP3 was correlated with more advanced TNM stage, increased tumor microvessel density, and poor prognosis. Functionally, we found that GNEC cells with CDK5RAP3 knockdown promoted human umbilical vein endothelial cells migration and tube formation via activation of AKT/HIF-1α/VEGFA signaling, resulting in increased levels of VEGFA in GNEC cell supernatant. In addition, CDK5RAP3 overexpression in GNEC cells caused the opposing effect. Consistent with these results, nude mouse tumorigenicity assays showed that CDK5RAP3 expression downregulated angiogenesis in vivo. Lastly, patients with low CDK5RAP3 expression and high VEGFA expression exhibited the worst prognosis.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that CDK5RAP3 inhibits angiogenesis by downregulating AKT/HIF-1α/VEGFA signaling in GNEC and improves patient prognosis, suggesting that CDK5RAP3 could be a potential therapeutic target for GNEC.
Left ventricular clefts – incidental finding or pathologic sign of Wilson’s disease?
Authors: Zhang Kun , Reuner Ulrike , Weidauer Marie , Speiser Uwe , Ibrahim Karim , Christoph Marian , Heinzel Frank R. , Pieske Burkert , Heidrich Felix M. , Quick Silvio
Published: November 2019

Background

Wilson’s disease is an inherited autosomal recessive multi-systemic disorder characterized by reduced excretion and consequently excessive accumulation of copper in different organs, such as the heart.

Results

In a prospective controlled trial, which is the largest to date, we evaluated 61 patients with Wilson’s disease, age- and sex-matched to 61 healthy patients, for cardiac manifestation using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were under stable disease and had no signs of heart failure at the time of examination.

We detected a left ventricular cleft, an invagination penetrating more than 50% wall thickness of the adjoining compact myocardium in diastole, in 20% of the patients (12 out of 61) compared to 5% among control patients (3 out of 61, p = 0.013). No correlation between the incidence of cleft and a certain genotype of Wilson’s disease was found. All described cases were incidental findings and none of the patients showed other signs of cardiac involvement.

Conclusions

To conclude, the results of this study suggests that the increased occurrence of left ventricular clefts is due to Wilson’s disease. Large studies with a long observation period are needed for further evaluation.
Dysregulation of neuron differentiation in an autistic savant with exceptional memory
Authors: Song Jinjing , Yang Xiujuan , Zhou Ying , Chen Lei , Zhang Xu , Liu Zhuxi , Niu Weibo , Zhan Nengpeng , Fan Xuelian , Khan Abdul Aziz , Kuang Yifang , Song Lulu , He Guang , Li Weidong
Published: November 2019

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders without a unique or definite underlying pathogenesis. Although savant syndrome is common in ASD, few models are available for studying the molecular and cellular mechanisms of this syndrome. In this study, we generated urinary induced pluripotent stem cells (UiPSCs) from a 13-year-old male autistic savant with exceptional memory. The UiPSC-derived neurons of the autistic savant exhibited upregulated expression levels of ASD genes/learning difficulty-related genes, namely PAX6, TBR1 and FOXP2, accompanied by hypertrophic neural somas, enlarged spines, reduced spine density, and an increased frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents. Although this study involved only a single patient and a single control because of the rarity of such cases, it provides the first autistic savant UiPSC model that elucidates the potential cellular mechanisms underlying the condition.
Quality of life in chronic conditions using patient-reported measures and biomarkers: a DEA analysis in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Borg Sixten , Gerdtham Ulf-G. , Eeg-Olofsson Katarina , Palaszewski Bo , Gudbjörnsdottir Soffia
Published: November 2019

Background

A chronic disease impacts a patient’s daily life, with the burden of symptoms and managing the condition, and concerns of progression and disease complications. Such aspects are captured by Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures (PROM), assessments of e.g. wellbeing. Patient-Reported Experience Measures (PREM) assess patients’ experiences of healthcare and address patient preferences. Biomarkers are useful for monitoring disease activity and treatment effect and determining risks of progression and complications, and they provide information on current and future health. Individuals may differ in which among these aspects they consider important. We aimed to develop a measure of quality of life using biomarkers, PROM and PREM, that would provide an unambiguous ranking of individuals, without presuming any specific set of importance weights. We anticipated it would be useful for studying needs and room for improvement, estimating the effects of interventions and comparing alternatives, and for developing healthcare with a broad focus on the individual. We wished to examine if efficiency analysis could be used for this purpose, in an application to individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Results

We used PROM and PREM data linked to registry data on risk factors, in a large sample selected from the National Diabetes Registry in Sweden. Efficiency analysis appears useful for evaluating the situation of individuals with type 1 diabetes. Quality of life was estimated as efficiency, which differed by age. The contribution of different components to quality of life was heterogeneous, and differed by gender, age and duration of diabetes. Observed quality of life shortfall was mainly due to inefficiency, and to some extent due to the level of available inputs.

Conclusions

The efficiency analysis approach can use patient-reported outcomes measures, patient-reported experience measures and comorbidity risk factors to estimate quality of life with a broad focus on the individual, in individuals with type 1 diabetes. The approach enables ranking and comparisons using all these aspects in parallel, and allows each individual to express their own view of which aspects are important to them. The approach can be used for policy regarding interventions on inefficiency as well as healthcare resource allocation, although currently limited to type 1 diabetes.
Mapping evidence on the distribution of paediatric cancers in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Ndlovu Sehlisiwe R. , Kuupiel Desmond , Ginindza Themba G.
Published: November 2019

Background

Paediatric cancers account for a minor fraction of deaths and hence receive little attention from policymakers. In low-income countries, the absence of comprehensive national paediatric strategies results in a lack of access for a majority of children with cancer. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the burden of childhood cancers is underestimated due to a lack of paediatric cancer registries, poor health care systems and competing healthcare needs. The objective of this study is to map evidence on the distribution of paediatric cancers in the SSA region.

Method

A scoping review will be conducted to map literature on the distribution of paediatric cancers in SSA.An electronic literature search will be conducted from the following databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCOhost (CINAHL and Health Source) and World Health Organization (WHO)/International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC) (GLOBOCAN databases). We will also search the reference lists of included studies to source relevant literature. A pilot search was conducted to determine the feasibility of the study. Study selection will be guided by the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After charting the data, a descriptive overview of the studies will be presented in a narrative format. An account of the study characteristics will be described in this narrative. The analysis will be mainly based on mapping the country-specific outcomes emerging from the studies, and a numerical summary of these outcomes will be conducted. Tables, maps and charts will be produced and presented in the result section.

Discussion

This review study will identify existing research gaps for future research to influence policy implementation and to improve the availability of diagnosis and treatment of paediatric cancers in SSA.
Intervention components, mediators, and mechanisms of change of Internet- and mobile-based interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Steubl Lena , Sachser Cedric , Baumeister Harald , Domhardt Matthias
Published: November 2019

Background

While Internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMIs) might possess the potential to increase access to evidence-based therapies for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), comprehensive knowledge on active intervention components and change mechanisms underlying their efficacy is largely pending so far. The proposed systematic review and meta-analysis will systematically review the current status of research on the efficacy of IMIs for adult PTSD compared to active control conditions and identify active intervention components and mediators responsible for therapeutic change.

Methods

A systematic literature search (PsycINFO, Medline/PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, ICTRP, and Web of Science) will be conducted using keywords targeting “PTSD” and “Internet- and mobile-based interventions”. Two independent researchers will retrieve studies eligible for inclusion and extract and evaluate data (design, population, outcomes, sample size, duration of intervention and follow-up, drop-out rate). Risk of bias will be assessed, and results will be synthesized qualitatively and evaluated meta-analytically when possible.

Discussion

The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis might further contribute to the development of IMIs for PTSD by highlighting intervention components and mediators associated with their efficacy. Knowledge about the active ingredients might ultimately lead to more effective interventions and treatment packages, with implications for clinical practice and dissemination of these rather novel interventions.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO (CRD42019130314).
Study of genetic diversity, biofilm formation, and detection of Carbapenemase, MBL, ESBL, and tetracycline resistance genes in multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from burn wound infections in Iran
Authors: Ranjbar Reza , Farahani Abbas
Published: November 2019

Background

Antimicrobial resistance in multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) isolated from burn wound infections is a major concern in intensive care or burns units worldwide, and molecular studies are considered critical strategies for control of MDR-AB outbreaks in this regard. Thus, in this study, antibiotic resistance, biofilm-forming ability, molecular epidemiology of MDR A. baumannii strains recovered from patients with burns were investigated in three major hospital centers of Iran.

Methods

In this cross-sectional research, 163 non-repetitive A. baumannii strains were tested for susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to characterize ambler classes A, B, and D β-lactamases, ISAba1 and integrons, biofilm formation was also investigated. Clonal relatedness was analyzed using Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE).

Results

Among 163 A. baumannii strains collected, 94.5% of them were Carbapenem-Non-Susceptible A. baumannii (CNSAB) and also 90.1 and 52.2% of them were Metallo-β-Lactamases (MBL) and Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases (ESBL) producing isolates, respectively. Colistin and polymyxin B exhibited excellent activity against CNSAB strains. High prevalence of blaOXA − 23-like (85.1%), blaVIM (60.5%), blaPER − 1 (42.3%), tetB (67.8%), and Class 1 integrons (65.6%) were identified in CNSAB strains. ISAba1 element was associated with 42 (25.8%) and 129 (98.5%) of blaOXA-51-like and blaOXA-23-like genes, respectively. 6 clusters with the ability to form strong biofilms were found to be dominant and endemic in our entire areas.

Conclusions

Results of the present study show that antimicrobial resistance in CNSAB isolates from burn wound infections in monitored hospitals in Iran is multifactorial, and also findings of the study suggested that local antibiotic prescription policies should be regularly reviewed, and efficient infection control measures should be observed. Therefore, further strengthening of surveillance of antimicrobial resistance is urgently needed in these regions.
Time–frequency dependency of financial risk and economic risk: evidence from Greece
Authors: Kirikkaleli Dervis
Published: November 2019

This study aims to shed some light on the one of the most popular phenomena in the economics and finance literature—nexus between economic growth and financial development—for the case of Greece over 1990Q1 to 2018Q4 within the framework of risk. In other words, this study investigates the causal link between financial risk and economic risk in Greece using wavelet coherence tests while answering the following questions: (i) does financial risk lead to economic risk in Greece and/or does economic risk lead to financial risk in Greece, and (ii) if so, why? The wavelet coherence approach allows the study to capture the long-run and short-run causal linkages among the time series variables since the approach combines time and frequency domain causalities. The findings from wavelet coherence supports the Schumpeter hypothesis since the findings proves that there is unidirectional causality from financial risk to economic risk in Greece (i) between 1995 and 1998; (ii) between 2003 and 2013; (iii) between 2013 and 2017 at different frequency levels. The findings clearly reveal how financial risk is important predictor for economic risk in Greece over the period of 1990–2018.
Copy number of 8q24.3 drives HSF1 expression and patient outcome in cancer: an individual patient data meta-analysis
Authors: Brusselaers Nele , Ekwall Karl , Durand-Dubief Mickael
Published: November 2019

Background

The heat-shock transcription factor 1 (HSF1) has been linked to cell proliferation and survival in cancer and has been proposed as a biomarker for poor prognosis. Here, we assessed the role of HSF1 expression in relation to copy number alteration (CNA) and cancer prognosis.

Methods

Using 10,287 cancer genomes from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Cbioportal databases, we assessed the association of HSF1 expression with CNA and cancer prognosis. CNA of 8q24.3 was categorized as diploid (reference), deletion (fewer copies), gain (+ 1 copy) and amplification (≥ + 2 copies). Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to assess 5-year survival among those with a first cancer diagnosis and complete follow-up data (N = 9568), categorized per anatomical location and histology, assessing interaction with tumor stage, and expressed as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

Results

We found that only 54.1% of all tumors have a normal predicted 8q24.3 copy number and that 8q24.3 located genes including HSF1 are mainly overexpressed due to increased copies number of 8q24.3 in different cancers. The tumor of patients having respectively gain (+ 1 copy) and amplification (≥ + 2 copies) of 8q24.3 display a global increase of 5-year mortality (odds ratio = 1.98, 95% CI 1.22–3.21) and (OR = 2.19, 1.13–4.26) after full adjustment. For separate cancer types, tumor patients with 8q24.3 deletion showed a marked increase of 5-year mortality in uterine (OR = 4.84, [2.75–8.51]), colorectal (OR = 4.12, [1.15–14.82]), and ovarian (OR = 1.83, [1.39–2.41]) cancers; and decreased mortality in kidney cancer (OR = 0.41, [0.21–0.82]). Gain of 8q24.3 resulted in significant mortality changes in 5-year mortality for cancer of the uterus (OR = 3.67, [2.03–6.66]), lung (OR = 1.76, [1.24–2.51]), colorectal (OR = 1.75, [1.32–2.31]) cancers; and amplification for uterine (OR = 4.58, [1.43–14.65]), prostate (OR = 4.41 [3.41–5.71]), head and neck (OR = 2.68, [2.17–3.30]), and stomach (OR = 0.56, [0.36–0.87]) cancers.

Conclusions

Here, we show that CNAs of 8q24.3 genes, including HSF1, are tightly linked to 8q24.3 copy number in tumor patients and can affect patient outcome. Our results indicate that the integration of 8q24.3 CNA detection may be a useful predictor for cancer prognosis.
Simultaneous estimation of in situ porosity and thermal structure from core sample measurements and resistivity log data at Nankai accretionary prism
Authors: Yabe Suguru , Fukuchi Rina , Hamada Yohei , Kimura Gaku
Published: November 2019

The shallow accretionary prism of the Nankai Trough is a location where both large interplate earthquakes and slow earthquakes occur. Since the physical properties of sedimentary materials are important topics for understanding the structure of the prism, numerous ocean drilling expeditions have been conducted in that region to obtain logging data and core samples. Although the physical properties of the obtained samples are normally measured onboard immediately after coring, estimations of in situ physical properties are difficult because of differences in laboratory and in situ physical conditions. Herein, we propose a new method for estimating in situ porosity from downhole electrical resistivity log data that evaluates in situ porosity and thermal structure simultaneously using correlations between the porosity and resistivity, and between the porosity and thermal conductivity that were established based on laboratory measurements. When constructing physical property correlations, X-ray computed tomography data play an important role in estimating the porosity of samples from which resistivity or thermal conductivity were measured. To validate our method, we compared the estimation with density log data collected at Site C0002 and found that the estimated in situ porosity shows good agreement with the in situ porosity converted from density log data. A comparison with porosity measured onboard for core and cutting samples showed that they are consistent with each other. With this new method, continuous distributions of in situ porosity and thermal structure can be estimated simultaneously based on resistivity log data and heat flow, which are basic quantities acquired during ocean drilling science expeditions.
Mechanical strength of a new plate compared to six previously tested opening wedge high tibial osteotomy implants
Authors: Diffo Kaze Arnaud , Maas Stefan , Belsey James , Hoffmann Alexander , Seil Romain , van Heerwaarden Ronald , Pape Dietrich
Published: November 2019

Background

This study aimed to assess the mechanical static and fatigue strength provided by the FlexitSystem plate in medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomies (MOWHTO), and to compare it to six previously tested implants: the TomoFix small stature, the TomoFix standard, the ContourLock, the iBalance, the second generation PEEKPower and the size 2 Activmotion. Thus, this will provide surgeons with data that will help in the choice of the most appropriate implant for MOWHTO.

Methods

Six fourth-generation tibial bone composites underwent a MOWHTO and each was fixed using six FlexitSystem plates, according to standard techniques. The same testing procedure that has already been previously defined, used and published, was used to investigate the static and dynamic strength of the prepared bone-implant constructs. The test consisted of static loading and cyclical loading for fatigue testing.

Results

During static testing, the group constituted by the FlexitSystem showed a fracture load higher than the physiological loading of slow walking (3.7 kN > 2.4 kN). Although this fracture load was relatively small compared to the average values for the other Implants from our previous studies, except for the TomoFix small stature and the Contour Lock. During fatigue testing, FlexitSystem group showed the smallest stiffness and higher lifespan than the TomoFix and the PEEKPower groups.

Conclusions

The FlexitSystem plate showed sufficient strength for static loading, and average fatigue strength compared to the previously tested implants. Full body dynamic loading of the tibia after MOWHTO with the investigated implants should be avoided for at least 3 weeks. Implants with a wider T-shaped proximal end, positioned onto the antero-medial side of the tibia head, or inserted in the osteotomy opening in a closed-wedge construction, provided higher mechanical strength than implants with small a T-shaped proximal end, centred onto the medial side of the tibia head.
PDIL1-2 can indirectly and negatively regulate expression of the AGPL1 gene in bread wheat
Authors: Dong Jie , Zheng Yongxing , Fu Yihan , Wang Jinxi , Yuan Shasha , Wang Yonghua , Zhu Qidi , Ou Xingqi , Li Gezi , Kang Guozhang
Published: November 2019

Background

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), the key enzyme in plant starch biosynthesis, is a heterotetramer composed of two identical large subunits and two identical small subunits. AGPase has plastidial and cytosolic isoforms in higher plants, whereas it is mainly detected in the cytosol of grain endosperms in cereal crops. Our previous results have shown that the expression of the TaAGPL1 gene, encoding the cytosolic large subunit of wheat AGPase, temporally coincides with the rate of starch accumulation and that its overexpression dramatically increases wheat AGPase activity and the rate of starch accumulation, suggesting an important role.

Methods

In this study, we performed yeast one-hybrid screening using the promoter of the TaAGPL1 gene as bait and a wheat grain cDNA library as prey to screen out the upstream regulators of TaAGPL1 gene. And the barley stripe mosaic virus-induced gene-silencing (BSMV-VIGS) method was used to verify the functional characterization of the identified regulators in starch biosynthesis.

Results

Disulfide isomerase 1-2 protein (TaPDIL1-2) was screened out, and its binding to the TaAGPL1-1D promoter was further verified using another yeast one-hybrid screen. Transiently silenced wheat plants of the TaPDIL1-2 gene were obtained by using BSMV-VIGS method under field conditions. In grains of BSMV-VIGS-TaPDIL1-2-silenced wheat plants, the TaAGPL1 gene transcription levels, grain starch contents, and 1000-kernel weight also significantly increased.

Conclusions

As important chaperones involved in oxidative protein folding, PDIL proteins have been reported to form hetero-dimers with some transcription factors, and thus, our results suggested that TaPDIL1-2 protein could indirectly and negatively regulate the expression of the TaAGPL1 gene and function in starch biosynthesis.
Evaluation of the association of C5 with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy
Authors: Liu Ke , Ma Li , Lai Timothy Y. Y. , Brelen Marten E. , Tam Pancy O. S. , Tham Clement C. , Pang Chi Pui , Chen Li Jia
Published: November 2019

Background

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) are sight-threatening maculopathies with both environmental and genetic risk factors. We have previously shown relative risks posed by genes of the complement pathways to neovascular AMD and PCV.

Methods

In this study, we investigated the haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in thecomplement component 5(C5) gene in 708 unrelated Chinese individuals: 200 neovascular AMD patients, 233 PCV patients and 275 controls. Six tagging SNPs inC5were genotyped. Univariate single SNP association analysis, haplotype-based association analysis and gene-gene interaction analysis betweenC5and other AMD-associated genes were performed.

Results

The results revealed none of the six tagging SNPs of theC5gene had a significant association with neovascular AMD or PCV (P > 0.05). We also found insignificant haplotype-based association, and no significant SNP-SNP interaction betweenC5and other genes (includingC2-CFB-RDBP-SKIV2L,SERPING1,CETP,ABCG1,PGF,ANGPT2,CFHandHTRA1) for neovascular AMD and PCV.

Conclusions

This study showed no statistical significance in the genetic association ofC5with neovascular AMD or PCV in a Hong Kong Chinese population. Further studies in large samples from different populations are warranted to elucidate the role ofC5in the genetic susceptibility of AMD and PCV.
Reduced microbial potential for the degradation of phenolic compounds in the rhizosphere of apple plantlets grown in soils affected by replant disease
Authors: Radl Viviane , Winkler Jana Barbro , Kublik Susanne , Yang Luhua , Winkelmann Traud , Vestergaard Gisle , Schröder Peter , Schloter Michael
Published: November 2019

Background

Apple replant disease (ARD) is a syndrome that occurs in areas where apple plants or closely related species have been previously cultivated. Even though ARD is a well-known phenomenon, which has been observed in different regions worldwide and occurs independent of the soil type, its causes still remain unclear.

Results

As expected, the biomass of plants grown in replant soil was significantly lower compared to those grown in control (virgin) soil. A shotgun metagenome analysis showed a clear differentiation between the rhizosphere and bulk soil compartments independent from the soil used. However, significant differences associated with apple replant disease were only observed in the rhizosphere compartment, for which we detected changes in the abundance of major bacterial genera. Interestingly, reads assigned to Actinobacteria were significantly reduced in relative abundance in rhizosphere samples of the soil affected by replant disease. Even though reads assigned to pathogenic fungi were detected, their relative abundance was low and did not differ significantly between the two different soils. Differences in microbiome structure also resulted in shifts in functional pattern. We observed an increase in genes related to stress sensing in the rhizosphere of soils affected by replant disease, whereas genes linked to nutrient sensing and uptake dominated in control soils. Moreover, we observed a lower abundance of genes coding for enzymes which trigger the degradation of aromatic compounds in rhizosphere of soils affected by replant disease, which is probably connected with higher concentration of phenolic compounds, generally associated with disease progression.

Conclusions

Our study shows, for the first time, how apple replanting affects soil functioning by altering the soil microbiome. Particularly, the decrease in the abundance of genes which code for enzymes catalyzing the degradation of aromatic compounds, observed in the rhizosphere of plants grown in soil affected by apple replant disease, is of interest. Apple rootstocks are known to synthetize many phenolic compounds, including defense related phytoalexins, which have been considered for long to be connected with the emergence of replant disease. The knowledge gained in this study might help to develop targeted strategies to overcome or at least reduce the effects of ARD symptoms.