bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation of Heart and Lung Radiation Doses According to Setup Uncertainty in Left Breast Cancer
Authors: Park Sunmin , Rim Chai Hong , Yoon Won Sup
Published: November 2020

PurposeBreast radiotherapy set-up is often uncertain. Actual dose distribution to normal tissues could be different from planned dose distribution. The objective of this study was to investigate such difference in dose distribution according to the extent of set-up error in breast radiotherapy.Materials and methodsA total of 50 Gy with fraction size of 2 Gy was given to 30 left breasts with different set-ups applying a deep inspiration breath holding (DIBH) or a free breathing (FB) technique. Under the assumption that errors might come from translational axes of deep or caudal directions, the isocenter was shifted from the original tangential alignment every 2.5 mm to simulate uncertainty of deep and caudal tangential set-up in DIBH and FB. Changes were evaluated for dosimetric parameters for the heart, the left ventricle (LV), the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), and the ipsilateral lung.ResultsOn the original plan, mean doses of heart and ipsilateral lung were 2.0 ± 1.1 Gy and 3.7 ± 1.4 Gy in DIBH and 8.4±1.3 Gy and 7.8±1.5 Gy in FB, respectively. The change of dose distribution for the heart in DIBH was milder than that in FB. The deeper the tangential set-up, the worse the heart, LV, LAD, and ipsilateral lung doses, showing as much as 49.4%, 56.4%, 90.3%, and 26.1% shifts, respectively, in 5 mm DIBH setup. The caudal set-up did not show significant dose difference. In multiple comparison of DIBH, differences of mean dose occurred in all 7.5 mm deep set-ups for the heart (p = 0.025), the LV (p = 0.049), and LAD (p = 0.025) in DIBH.ConclusionsTo correct set-up error over indicated limitation for deep tangential set-up in DIBH at 5 mm action level, mean heart and ipsilateral lung doses are expected to increase approximately 50% and 25%, respectively.
Validating and modeling the impact of high-frequency rapid antigen screening on COVID-19 spread and outcomes
Authors: Nash Beatrice , Badea Anthony , Reddy Ankita , Bosch Miguel , Salcedo Nol , Gomez Adam , Versiani Alice , Dutra Gislaine , Santos Thayza dos , Milhim Bruno , Moraes Marilia , Campos Guilherme , Quieroz Flávia , Reis Andreia Francesli Negri , Nogueira Mauricio , Naumova Elena , Bosch Irene , Herrera Bobby Brooke
Published: November 2020

High frequency screening of populations has been proposed as a strategy in facilitating control of the COVID-19 pandemic. We use computational modeling, coupled with clinical data from rapid antigen tests, to predict the impact of frequent viral antigen rapid testing on COVID-19 spread and outcomes. Using patient nasal or nasopharyngeal swab specimens, we demonstrate that the sensitivity/specificity of two rapid antigen tests compared to quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) are 80.0%/91.1% and 84.7%/85.7%, respectively; moreover, sensitivity correlates directly with viral load. Based on COVID-19 data from three regions in the United States and São José do Rio Preto, Brazil, we show that high frequency, strategic population-wide rapid testing, even at varied accuracy levels, diminishes COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths at a fraction of the cost of nucleic acid detection via qRT-PCR. We propose large-scale antigen-based surveillance as a viable strategy to control SARS-CoV-2 spread and to enable societal re-opening.
Pneumomediastinum complicating COVID-19: a case series
Authors: Damous Sergio Henrique Bastos , Santos Jones Pessoa , Pezzano Alvaro Vicente Alvarez , Chams Mohamad Abdul Majid , Haritov Nathaly , Waksman Ricardo , Lima Helber Vidal Gadelha , Miranda Jocielle Santos , Rasslan Roberto , Utiyama Edivaldo Massazo
Published: November 2020

Background: Pneumomediastinum is a rare complication of COVID-19 pneumonia, which may or may not be associated with invasive ventilatory support. Therefore, the report and findings associated with its evolution can be of great contribution in the management of this unknown disease. Case Presentation: Here we present a series of four patients with severe pneumomediastinum requiring intensive care unit. These patients developed pneumomediastinum before or during orotracheal intubation (OTI) or without OTI. The four patients were three men and one woman with a mean age of 60.5 years (48-74 y). No patients had a known history of lung disease or traumatic events, except for one patient who had a history of smoking but who was without parenchymal disease. All intubations were performed without complications. No cases of pneumomediastinum occurred after tracheostomy, and none of the patients had tomographic or bronchoscopic evidence of tracheal injury. Although the pneumomediastinum observed in our cases was apparently not related to a violation of the aerodigestive track, this complication was associated with a worse prognosis. Conclusion: Pneumomediastinum is a rare complication of COVID-19 pneumonia, and the most likely etiopathogenesis is severe pulmonary involvement, which may or may not be associated with invasive ventilatory support. Future studies with a greater number of cases should elucidate the relationship of pneumomediastinum to a probable prognostic factor.
Olfactory disturbances as presenting manifestation among Egyptian patients with COVID-19: Possible role of zinc
Authors: Hassan Mohammed H. , Abdelmaksoud Aida A. , Ghweil Ali A. , Rashad Alaa , Aref Zaki F. , Khodeary Ashraf , Elsamman Mahmoud Kammal , Sayed Mennatallah Ali Abdelrhman , Bazeed Shamardan ES
Published: November 2020

Background: COVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Deficiency of zinc has been supposed to contribute to loss of smell, and taste in COVID-19 patients. Our study aimed to assess the serum zinc levels among patients with COVID-19 of various severities, with and without olfaction dysfunction. Also, to evaluate the effect of zinc therapy in recovery of smell dysfunction among such patients.Methods: This study included 134 patients; real-time reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) proved SARS-CoV-2. Serum zinc levels were measured for all infected patients. One hundred and five patients were detected to have anosmia and/ or hyposmia and who were categorized randomly into 2 groups, the first group included 49 patients received zinc therapy and a second group included 56 patients who did not receive zinc. Follow up of all patients for recovery duration of olfactory and gustatory symptoms and duration of complete recovery of COVID-19. Results: Olfactory dysfunction was reported in 105 patients (78.4%). Serum zinc levels weren't significantly differs between the patients' subgroups regarding disease severity or the presence or absence of olfactory and/or gustatory dysfunction (p˃0.05). The median duration of recovery of gustatory and/or olfactory function was significantly shorter among patients received zinc therapy than those who did not received zinc (p< 0.001), while the median duration of complete recovery from COVID-19 wasn't significantly differ among the two groups (p˃0.05).Conclusion: Although zinc status of COVID19 patients didn't exhibited a significant role in development of anosmia and/or hyposmia or disease severity, but zinc therapy may have a significant role in shortening the duration of smell recovery in those patients without affecting the total recovery duration from COVID-19.
Apamin inhibits renal interstitial inflammation and fibrosis via suppressing TGF-β1 and STAT3 signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Gwon Mi-Gyoeng , An Hyun-Jin , Gu Hyemin , Kim Young-Ah , Han Sang Mi , Park Kwan-Kyu
Published: November 2020

Background Renal fibrosis is a progressive and chronic process that influences kidneys with chronic kidney disease (CKD), irrespective of cause, leading to irreversible failure of renal function and end-stage kidney disease. Among the signaling related to renal fibrosis, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signaling is a major pathway that induces the activation of myofibroblasts and the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. Apamin, a component of bee venom (BV), has been studied in relation to various diseases. However, the effect of apamin on renal interstitial fibrosis has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to estimate the beneficial effect of apamin in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis and TGF-β1-induced renal fibroblast activation.Results This study revealed that obstructive kidney injury induced an inflammatory response, tubular atrophy, and ECM accumulation. However, apamin treatment suppressed the increased expression of fibrotic-related genes, including α-SMA, vimentin, and fibronectin. Administration of apamin also attenuated the renal tubular cells injury and tubular atrophy. In addition, apamin attenuated fibroblast activation, ECM synthesis, and inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 by suppressing the TGF-β1-canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways.Conclusions This study shown that apamin inhibites UUO-induced renal fibrosis in vivo and TGF-β1-induced renal fibroblasts activation in vitro. Apamin inhibited the inflammatory response, tubular atrophy, ECM accumulation, fibroblast activation, and renal interstitial fibrosis through suppression of TGF-β1/Smad2/3 and STAT3 signaling pathways. These results suggest that apamin might be a potential therapeutic agent for renal fibrosis.
Nutritional screening based on objective indices at admission predicts in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Song Feier , Ma Huan , Wang Shouhong , Qin Tiehe , Xu Qing , Yuan Huiqing , Li Fei , Wang Zhonghua , Liao Youwan , Tan Xiaoping , Song Xiuchan , Zhang Qing , Huang Daozheng
Published: November 2020

Background: Could nutritional status serve as prognostic factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? The present study evaluated the clinical and nutritional characteristics of COVID-19 patients and explored the relationship between nutritional risk at admission and in-hospital mortality.Methods: A retrospective, observational study was conducted in two hospitals in Hubei, China. Confirmed cases of COVID-19 were typed as mild/moderate, severe, or critically ill. Clinical data and in-hospital death were collected. Nutritional risk was assessed using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), and the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) via objective parameters at admission.Results: 295 patients were enrolled, including 66 severe patients and 41 critically ill patients. 25 deaths were observed, making 8.47% in the whole population and 37.88% in the critically ill subgroup. Patients had significant differences in nutrition-related parameters and inflammatory biomarkers among three types of disease severity. Patients with lower GNRI and PNI score, as well as higher CONUT, had a higher risk of in-hospital mortality. The receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated the good prognostic implication of GNRI and CONUT score. The multivariate logistic regression showed that baseline nutritional status, assessed by GNRI, PNI, or CONUT score, was a prognostic indicator for in-hospital mortality.Conclusions: Despite variant assessment tools, poor nutritional status was associated with in-hospital death in patients infected with COVID-19. This study highlighted the importance of nutritional screening at admission and the new insight of nutritional monitoring or therapy.
Regulation of ARHGAP19 in the endometrial epithelium: a possible role in the establishment of uterine receptivity
Authors: Liang Jingjie , Li Kui , Chen Kaiyu , Liang Junyong , Qin Ti , He Jiayi , Shi Shuang , Tan Qiang , Wang Zhengguang
Published: November 2020

Background: The establishment of uterine receptivity is essential for embryo implantation initiation and involves a significant morphological transformation in the endometrial epithelial cells (EECs). The remodeling of junctional complexes and membrane-associated cytoskeleton is crucial for epithelial transformation. However, little is known about how this process is regulated in EECs during the receptive phase. ARHGAP19 is a Rho GTPase-activating protein that participates in various cytoskeletal-related events, including epithelial morphogenesis. Here, we investigated the role of ARHGAP19 in endometrial epithelial transformation during the establishment of uterine receptivity. The upstream regulator of ARHGAP19 was also investigated. Methods: ARHGAP19 expression was examined in mouse uteri during early pregnancy and in human EEC lines. The role of ARHGAP19 was investigated by manipulating its expression in EECs. The effect of ARHGAP19 on junctional proteins in EECs was examined by western blotting and immunofluorescence. The effect of ARHGAP19 on microvilli was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The upstream microRNA (miRNA) was predicted using online databases and validated by the dual-luciferase assay. The in vivo and in vitro effect of miRNA on endogenous ARHGAP19 was examined by uterine injection of miRNA agomirs and transfection of miRNA mimics or inhibitors. Results: ARHGAP19 was upregulated in the receptive mouse uteri and human EECs. Overexpression of ARHGAP19 in non-receptive EECs downregulated the expression of junctional proteins and resulted in their redistribution. Meanwhile, upregulating ARHGAP19 reorganized the cytoskeletal structure of EECs, leading to a decline of microvilli and changes in cell configuration. These changes weakened epithelial cell polarity and promoted the transition of non-receptive EECs to a receptive phenotype. Besides, miR-192-5p, a miRNA that plays a key role in maintaining epithelial properties, was validated as an upstream regulator of ARHGAP19.Conclusion: These results suggested that ARHGAP19 may contribute to the transition of EECs from a non-receptive to a receptive state by regulating the remodeling of junctional proteins and membrane-associated cytoskeleton.
Beneficial effects of voluntary exercise therapy on an Alzheimer’s mouse model are dependent on aquaporin 4-mediated glymphatic transport
Authors: Liu Yun , Feng Weixi , Hu Panpan , Zhai Shuang , Zhang Rui , Li Qian , Marsahall Charles , Xiao Ming , Wu Ting
Published: November 2020

Background: Epidemiological and clinical evidence suggest there is an effective time window for the ability of exercise to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Astrocyte aquaporin-4 (AQP4) dependent glymphatic transport is necessary for clearance of extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) from the brain. The purpose of this study is to explore whether this Aβ clearance mechanism is involved in the time-dependent benefit of exercise on Aβ related pathology. Method: 3- and 7-month-old male wild type (WT) mice, APP695swe/PS1-dE9 (APP/PS1) mice and AQP4 knockout (AQP4−/−)/APP/PS1 mice received voluntary wheel exercise intervention for 2 months, followed by behavioral and pathological analyses.Results: 9-month-old APP/PS1 mice showed enhanced reactive astrogliosis, accompanied with widespread loss of perivascular AQP4 polarization, when compared to 5-month-old APP/PS1 mice. Voluntary exercise improved AQP4 polarity and glymphatic transport, reduced glial inflammation and brain Aβ plaque load, plus alleviated synapse protein loss and cognitive deficits in 5-month-old, but not 9-month-old, APP/PS1 mice. Exercise intervention did not mitigate glymphatic transport dysfunction, Aβ accumulation and cognitive impairment in AQP4−/−/APP/PS1 mice at 5 or 9 months of age. Conclusion: These results have revealed that AQP4-dependent glymphatic transport is an influential factor in the timeliness of voluntary exercise ability to alleviate Aβ pathology, potentially offering a new target for the early prevention of the disease.
Body Mass Index Changes: An Assessment Of The Effects Of Age And Gender Using The E-Norms Method
Authors: Jabre Joe F , Bland Jeremy D.P.
Published: November 2020

Background: To validate e-norms methodology in establishing a reference range for body mass index measures. A new method, the extrapolated norms (e-norms) method of determining normal ranges for biological variables is easy to use and recently was validated for several biological measurements. We aimed to determine whether this new method provides BMI results in agreement with established traditionally collected BMI values. Methods: We applied the e-norms method to BMI data from 34,384 individuals and compared the ranges derived from this method with those from a large actuarially based study and explored differences in the normal range by gender, and age.Results: The e-norms derived range of healthy BMI in adults is from 22.7-30.6, and showed that BMI is consistently higher in men than in women and increases with age, except in subjects aged 80-98 years in whom healthy BMI appears to be lower. Conclusions: Our e-norms derived healthy BMI ranges agree with traditionally obtained actuarially based methods, supporting the validity and ease of use of our method.
Comprehensive analysis and identification of drought-responsive candidate NAC genes in three semi-arid tropics (SAT) legume crops
Authors: Singh Sadhana , Kudapa Himabindu , Garg Vanika , Varshney Rajeev
Published: November 2020

Background: Chickpea, pigeonpea, and groundnut are the primary crop legumes of semi-arid tropics (SAT) and their global productivity is severely affected by drought stress. The plant-specific NAC (NAM - no apical meristem, ATAF - Arabidopsis transcription activation factor, and CUC - cup-shaped cotyledon) transcription factor family is known to be involved in majority of abiotic stresses, especially in the drought stress tolerance mechanism. – Results: In this study, genome-wide NAC proteins – 72, 96, and 166 – have been identified from the genomes of chickpea, pigeonpea, and groundnut, respectively. Phylogeny with well-known stress-responsive NACs in Arabidopsis thaliana, Oryza sativa (rice), Medicago truncatula, and Glycine max (soybean) enabled prediction of putative stress-responsive NACs in chickpea (22), pigeonpea (31), and groundnut (33). On exploring the available transcriptome data of each of these legumes, putative stress-responsive NACs at various developmental stages revealed differential expression patterns in the different tissues studied. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to validate the expression patterns of selected stress-responsive, Ca_NAC (Cicer arietinum - 14), Cc_NAC (Cajanus cajan - 15), and Ah_NAC (Arachis hypogaea - 14) genes using drought-stressed and well-watered root tissues from two contrasting drought-responsive genotypes of each of the three legumes. Based on expression analysis, 10/14 Ca_NACs (Ca_06899, Ca_18090, Ca_22941, Ca_04337, Ca_04069, Ca_04233, Ca_12660, Ca_16379, Ca_16946, and Ca_21186); 6/15 Cc_NACs (Cc_26125, Cc_43030, Cc_43785, Cc_43786, Cc_22429, and Cc_22430); 5/14 Ah_NACs (Ah_ann1.G1V3KR.2, Ah_ann1.MI72XM.2, Ah_ann1.V0X4SV.1, Ah_ann1.FU1JML.2, and Ah_ann1.8AKD3R.1) were identified as potential drought stress-responsive candidate genes. Conclusion: In the present study, comprehensive genome-wide identification and expression analyses of the NAC proteins have been carried out in chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut. Based on the genome sequence, we analyzed phylogenetic association, structural characteristics, promoter analysis, gene interaction networks, and expression profiles of NAC genes among these three legumes. We have identified a total of 21 potential drought-responsive NAC genes in these legumes. The identified candidate genes would serve as a useful resource for molecular breeding for developing drought-tolerant legume varieties with improved productivity.
Extensive structural variation in the Bowman-Birk inhibitor family in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Xie Yucong , Ravet Karl , Pearce Stephen
Published: November 2020

Background Bowman-Birk inhibitors (BBI) are a family of serine-type protease inhibitors that modulate endogenous plant proteolytic activities during different phases of development. They also inhibit exogenous proteases as a component of plant defense mechanisms, and their overexpression can confer resistance to phytophagous herbivores and multiple fungal and bacterial pathogens. Dicot BBIs are multifunctional, with a “double-headed” structure containing two separate inhibitory loops that can bind and inhibit trypsin and chymotrypsin proteases simultaneously. By contrast, monocot BBIs have a non-functional chymotrypsin inhibitory loop, although they have undergone internal duplication events giving rise to proteins with multiple BBI domains.Results We used a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) profile-based search to identify 57 BBI genes in the common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genome. The BBI genes are unevenly distributed, with large gene clusters in the telomeric regions of homeologous group 1 and 3 chromosomes that likely arose through a series of tandem gene duplication events. The genomes of wheat progenitors also contain contiguous clusters of BBI genes, suggesting this family underwent expansion before the domestication of common wheat. However, the BBI gene family varied in size among different cultivars, showing this family remains dynamic. Because of these expansions, the BBI gene family is larger in wheat than other monocots such as maize, rice and Brachypodium.We found BBI proteins in common wheat with intragenic homologous duplications of cysteine-rich functional domains, including one protein with four functional BBI domains. This diversification may expand the spectrum of target substrates. Expression profiling suggests that some wheat BBI proteins may be involved in regulating endogenous proteases during grain development, while others were induced in response to biotic and abiotic stresses, suggesting a role in plant defense.Conclusions Genome-wide characterization reveals that the BBI gene family in wheat is subject to a high rate of homologous tandem duplication and deletion events, giving rise to a diverse set of encoded proteins. This information will facilitate the functional characterization of individual wheat BBI genes to determine their role in wheat development and stress responses and their potential application in breeding.
Inoculation with rumen fluid in early life accelerates the rumen microbial development and favours the weaning process in goats
Authors: Palma-Hidalgo Juan Manuel , Jiménez Elisabeth , Popova Milka , Morgavi Diego P , Martín-García A Ignacio , Yáñez-Ruiz David R , Belanche Alejandro
Published: November 2020

Background: Newborn ruminants possess an underdeveloped rumen which is colonized by microorganisms acquired from adult animals and the surrounding environment. This microbial transfer can be limited in dairy systems in which newborns are separated from their dams at birth. This study explores whether the direct inoculation of fresh or autoclaved rumen fluid from adult goats to newborn kids has a beneficial effect on rumen microbial development and function.Results: Repetitive inoculation of young kids with fresh rumen fluid from adult goats adapted to forage (RFF) or concentrate diets (RFC) accelerated microbial colonization of the rumen during the pre-weaning period leading to high protozoal numbers, a greater diversity of bacterial (+234 OTUs), methanogens (+6 OTUs) and protozoal communities (+25 OTUs) than observed in control kids (CTL) without inoculation. This inoculation also increased the size of the core bacterial and methanogens community and the abundance of key rumen bacteria (Ruminococcaceae, Fibrobacteres, Veillonellaceae, Rikenellaceae, Tenericutes), methanogens (Methanobrevibacter ruminantium, Methanomicrobium mobile and Group 9), anaerobic fungi (Piromyces and Orpinomyces) and protozoal taxa (Enoploplastron, Diplodinium, Polyplastron, Ophryoscolex, Isotricha and Dasytricha) before weaning whereas CTL kids remained protozoa-free through the study. Most of these taxa were positively correlated with indicators of the rumen microbiological and physiological development (higher forage and concentrate intakes and animal growth during the post-weaning period) favouring the weaning process in RFF and RFC kids in comparison to CTL kids. Some of these microbiological differences tended to decrease during the post-weaning period, although RFF and RFC kids retained a more complex and matured rumen microbial ecosystem than CTL kids. Inoculation with autoclaved rumen fluid promoted lower development of the bacterial and protozoal communities during the pre-weaning period than using fresh inocula, but it favoured a more rapid microbial development during the post-weaning than observed for CTL kids.Conclusions: This study demonstrated that inoculation of young ruminants with fresh rumen fluid from adult animals accelerated the rumen microbial colonization which was associated with an earlier rumen functional development. This strategy facilitated a smoother transition from milk to solid feed favoring the animal performance during post-weaning and minimizing stress.
Association between D-dimer level and chest CT severity score in patients with SARS-COV-2 pneumonia
Authors: Wang Lan , Yang Ling , Bai Lang , Huang Zhixin , Peng Yong
Published: November 2020

The elevated level of D-dimer and its relationship with poor outcomes in COVID-19 pneumonia patients have been demonstrated. In addition to a hypercoagulable state, D-dimer is also a biomarker of inflammation. We investigated the relationship between D-dimer level and chest computed tomography (CT) severity score, which could reflect the severity of inflammation in COVID-19 pneumonia patients. We retrospectively enrolled 86 consecutive COVID-19 pneumonia patients. CT severity scores were computed to quantify the overall lung involvement. The D-dimer level among CT score tertiles and the association of the D-dimer level with CT score were analyzed. Our results showed that the median D-dimer level was 0.70 mg/L (IQR: 0.35-1.76). 49 patients (57.0%) had D-dimer level above the normal range (≤ 0.55mg/L). The D-dimer levels were significantly different across CT score tertiles (0.37 mg/l [IQR, 0.31-0.87], 0.66 mg/l [IQR, 0.39-1.43], 1.83 mg/l [IQR, 0.85-4.41], P<0.001). The natural logarithm of the D-dimer level was significantly associated with the CT score (rs =0.586, P <0.001). In conclusion, the D-dimer level may predict the severity of inflammation of COVID-19 pneumonia prior to coagulopathy/thrombosis. This could be an additional explanation for the mechanism of elevated D-dimer level predicting higher mortality.
The Impact of Internet use frequency on Non-suicidal self injurious behavior and Suicidal Ideation among Chinese adolescents: An empirical study based on Gender perspective
Authors: Yang Xueyan , Xin Moye , Liu Kun , Böke Bilun Naz
Published: November 2020

Background: We attempted to find if there were gender differences in Non-suicidal self injurious (NSSI) behaviors and Suicidal ideation among Chinese adolescents, then analyze the impact of Internet use frequency on these variables among adolescents of different genders.Methods: Based on the data from 6 high-schools and 4 universities in 4 cities in China, the gender difference in NSSI behaviors and Suicidal ideation and their related factors were analyzed in the study.Results: Gender differences were found during different purposes of Internet use; There was no significant gender difference in NSSI behaviors among Chinese adolescents, yet females reported significantly higher intensity of suicidal ideation compared to males; Internet use frequency could explain the prevalence of NSSI behaviors and Suicidal ideation by gender, to some categories.Conclusions: There were gender differences in Internet use frequency among adolescents; Gender difference of NSSI engagement among Chinese adolescents was not statistically significant; Females had higher suicidal ideation than males; the overuse of social softwares was found to be a risk factor to both NSSI engagements and suicidal ideations for both genders; males would engage less NSSI behaviors when they spent more time on knowledge sharing softwares while might have more suicidal ideation when they spent too much time on gaming.
Coverage and effectiveness of hypertension screening in different altitudes of Tibet autonomous region
Authors: Song Ci , Chongsuvivatwong Virasakdi , Wangdui Suolang , Mima Danzeng , Zhuoma Cuoji , Ji De , Luobu Ouzhu , Sripl Hutcha
Published: November 2020

Background: Tibet is an autonomous region in China located around an average altitude of 4,500 meters above sea level. Since 2012 the local government of Tibet has been providing free physical examinations, including screening for hypertension. However, the coverage and effectiveness of this free program have not been uncovered. This study aims to assess the coverage and effectiveness of hypertension screening and management program in 3 altitude levels of Tibet, and also the determinants of the success of the screening program.Methods: A stratified cluster survey was conducted among 1,636 residents aged 18 years or over in three different altitude areas in Tibet. We adjusted for age and sex based on national census data and used weighted logistic regression models to find factors associated with hypertension screening. Results: The coverage of the hypertension screening program evaluated by participation rate in the previous screening was 94.9%, while 24.7% (95% CI: 22.1%-27.3%) of them were diagnosed with hypertension. Females and alcohol drinkers were more likely to be screened. Among those diagnosed with hypertension, 28.7% had it under control. High altitude areas had a high proportion of controlled hypertension. The overall rate of controlled hypertension in high, moderate and low altitude areas was 35.1% (95% CI: 24.8%-45.3%), 32.7% (95% CI: 22.2%-43.2%) and 23.7% (95% CI: 14.7%-32.6%), respectively. Younger aged persons were more likely to have better control of their hypertension.Conclusions: The coverage of hypertension screening in Tibet was high, especially in the low altitude areas. However, the effectiveness of hypertension control was low, indicating a need to implement the treatment adherence routines into the current screening interventions.
De Novo Molecular Design of Caspase-6 Inhibitors by GRU-Based Recurrent Neural Network Combined with Transfer Learning Approach
Authors: Huang Shuheng , Mei Hu , Lu Laichun , Shi Tingting , Chen Linxin , Kuang Zuyin , Heng Yu , Xu Lei , Pan Xianchao
Published: November 2020

Due to the potencies in the treatments of neurodegenerative diseases, caspase-6 inhibitors have attracted widespread attentions. However, the existing caspase-6 inhibitors showed more or less inevitable deficiencies that restrict their clinical development and applications. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop novel caspase-6 candidate inhibitors. Herein, gated recurrent unit (GRU)-based recurrent neural network (RNN) combined with transfer learning was used to build the molecular generative model of caspase-6 inhibitors. The results showed that the GRU-based RNN model can learn accurately the SMILES grammars of about 2.4 million chemical molecules including ionic and isomeric compounds, and can generate potential caspase-6 inhibitors after transfer learning of the known 433 caspase-6 inhibitors. Based on the novel molecules derived from the molecular generative model, an optimal machine learning model and Surflex-dock were further employed for predicting and ranking the inhibitory activities. Three potential caspase-6 inhibitors with different scaffolds were selected as the most promising candidates for further researches. In general, this paper provides an efficient combinational strategy for de novo molecular design of caspase-6 inhibitors.
Association between social trust and the risk of cardiovascular disease in older adults in Korea: a nationwide retrospective cohort study
Authors: Hwang Seo Eun , Choi Seulggie , Kim Kyuwoong , Oh Juhwan , Lee Jong-Koo , Park Sang Min
Published: November 2020

Background: Although social capital has been shown to be one of the important social determinants of health, the association between social trust and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not clear yet. We aimed to investigate the association of social trust with CVD risk using a large Korean population based data.Methods: The study data was derived from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Community-level social trust was determined from the Korean Community Health Survey. The study population consisted of 2,156,829 participants. According to social trust index measured in the area of residence during 2011, participants were followed-up from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2016. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CVD risk according to quintiles of social trust.Results: Compared to participants with the lowest quintile of social trust, those within the highest quintile had lower risk for CVD (aHR 0.91, 95% CI=0.89 to 0.93), CHD (aHR 0.92, 95% CI=0.89 to 0.95), and stroke (aHR 0.90, 95% CI=0.87 to 0.93). The risk-reducing association of high social trust on CVD risk was preserved after additional adjustments for lifestyle behaviors including smoking, alcohol intake, and physical activity.Conclusion: Higher social trust was associated with reduced risk of CVD even after considering lifestyle behaviors. Social trust in a community level is an important determinant of CVD and enhancing social trust may lead to reduced risk of CVD.
Parkinson’s disease: Current assessment methods and wearable devices for evaluation of movement disorder motor symptoms - A patient and healthcare professional perspective
Authors: AlMahadin Ghayth , Lotfi Ahmad , Zysk Eva , Siena Francesco Luke , Carthy Marie Mc , Breedon Philip
Published: November 2020

Background: Parkinson’s disease is the second most common long-term chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative disease, affecting more than 10 million people worldwide. There has been a rising interest in wearable devices for evaluation of movement disorder diseases such as Parkinson’s disease due to the limitations in current clinic assessment methods such as Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and the Hoehn and Yahr (HY) scale. However, there are only a few commercial wearable devices available, which, in addition, have had very limited adoption and implementation. This inconsistency may be due to a lack of users’ perspectives in terms of device design and implementation. This study aims to identify the perspectives of healthcare professionals and patients linked to current assessment methods and to identify preferences, and requirements of wearable devices.Methods: This was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews followed by focus groups. Transcripts from sessions were analysed using an inductive thematic approach.Results: It was noted that the well-known assessment process such as Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) was not used routinely in clinics since it is time consuming, subjective, inaccurate, infrequent and dependent on patients’ memories. Participants suggested that objective assessment methods are needed to increase the chance of effective treatment. The participants’ perspectives were positive toward using wearable devices, particularly if they were involved in early design stages. Patients emphasized that the devices should be comfortable, but they did not have any concerns regarding device visibility or data privacy transmitted over the internet when it comes to their health. In terms of wearing a monitor, the preferable part of the body for all participants was the wrist. Healthcare professionals stated a need for an economical solution that is easy to interpret. Some design aspects identified by patients included clasps, material choice, and form factor.Conclusion: The study concluded that current assessment methods are limited. Patients’ and healthcare professionals’ involvement in wearable devices design process has a pivotal role in terms of ultimate user acceptance. This includes the provision of additional functions to the wearable device, such as fall detection and medication reminders, which could be attractive features for patients.
Transgenerational effect of drug-mediated inhibition of LSD1 on eye pigment expression in Drosophila
Authors: Hoyer-Fender Sigrid
Published: November 2020

Background: The Drosophila melanogaster mutant white-mottled is a well-established model for position-effect variegation (PEV). Transposition of the euchromatic white gene into the vicinity of the pericentric heterochromatin caused variegated expression of white due to heterochromatin spreading. The establishment of the euchromatin-heterochromatin boundary and spreading of silencing is regulated by mutually exclusive histone modifications, i.e. the methylations of histone H3 at lysine 9 and lysine 4. Demethylation of H3K4, catalysed by lysine-specific demethylase LSD1, is required for subsequent methylation of H3K9 to establish heterochromatin. LSD1 is therefore essential for heterochromatin formation and spreading. We asked whether drug-mediated inhibition of LSD affects the expression of white and if this induced change can be transmitted to those generations that have never been exposed to the triggering signal, i.e. transgenerational epigenetic inheritance.Results: We used the lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1)-inhibitor Tranylcypromine to investigate its effect on eye colour expression in consecutive generations by feeding the parental and F1 generations of the Drosophila melanogaster mutant white-mottled. Quantitative Western blotting revealed that Tranylcypromine inhibits H3K4-demethylation both in vitro in S2 cells as well as in embryos when used as feeding additive. Eye colour expression in male flies was determined by optical measurement of pigment extracts and qRT-PCR of white gene expression. Flies raised in the presence of Tranylcypromine and its solvent DMSO showed increased eye pigment expression. Beyond that, eye pigment expression was also affected in consecutive generations including F3, which is the first generation without contact with the inhibitor.Conclusions: Our results show that feeding of Tranylcypromine and DMSO caused desilencing of white in treated flies of generation F1. Consecutive generations, raised on standard food without further supplements, are also affected by the drug-induced alteration of histone modifications. Although eye pigment expression eventually returned to the basal state, the observed long-lasting effect points to a memory capacity of previous epigenomes. Furthermore, our results indicate that food compounds potentially affect chromatin modification and hence gene expression and that the alteration is putatively inherited not only parentally but transgenerationally.
Epidemiology of Blastocystis sp. infection from 1990 to 2019 in China
Authors: Ning Chao-qun , Hu Zhu-hua , Chen Jun-hu , Ai Lin , Tian Li-Guang
Published: November 2020

Background: Blastocystis is ubiquitous presence in animals and humans worldwide and has a high level genetic diversity. The aim of this study was to conduct a summary of Blastocystis prevalence, subtypes (STs) in humans and animals in China and depict their distribution.Methods: We searched for the articles related to epidemiology of Blastocystis in humans and animals throughout China which published from January 1, 1990, to July 1, 2019 in the following databases: PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang database. The keywords were Blastocystis and one of the following ones: STs, subtypes, distribution, epidemiology, prevalence, infection, molecular, geographic, intestinal parasites, genetic diversity and characterization.Results: In recent years, various molecular epidemiological studies have been carried out in some provinces/regions of China to identify subtypes of Blastocystis. Infants and young children, school students, hospitalized diarrhea patients, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients, tuberculosis patients, and cancer patients as respondents had been included. ST1–ST7 and ST12 were the main subtypes in Chinese population. Moreover, surveys of Blastocystis infection in animal were also conducted in some provinces. A variety of animals were investigated including pigs, cattle, sheep, yak, giant panda, and Crested ibis (Nipponia nippon), et al., with the main subtypes of ST1–ST8, ST10, ST12–ST14.Conclusion: In recent years, some provinces/regions in China have conducted various molecular epidemiological studies to identify the Blastocystis subtypes. It is important to focus on new subtypes and mixed subtypes of infection, while increasing data on ribosomal alleles. We encourage the scientific community to start research on humans and surrounding animals (including domestic and wild animals) to better understand the possibility of Blastocystis transmission between humans and animals. We call for action among researchers studying intestinal parasitic diseases (Blastocystis), start drawing the subtype of Blastocystis and increase the subtype related to its clinical symptoms.
Sex-dependent dysregulation of human neutrophil responses by bisphenol A
Authors: Ratajczak-Wrona Wioletta , Garley Marzena , Rusak Malgorzata , Nowak Karolina , Czerniecki Jan , Wolosewicz Katarzyna , Dabrowska Milena , Wolczynski Slawomir , Radziwon Piotr , Jablonska Ewa
Published: November 2020

Background: In the present study, we aimed to investigate selected functions of human neutrophils exposed to bisphenol A (BPA) under in vitro conditions. As BPA is classified among xenoestrogens, we compared its action and effects with those of 17β-estradiol (E2).Methods: Chemotaxis of neutrophils was examined using the Boyden chamber. Their phagocytosis and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH) oxidase activity were assessed via Park’s method with latex beads and Park’s test with nitroblue tetrazolium . To assess the total concentration of nitric oxide (NO), the Griess reaction was utilized. Flow cytometry was used to assess the expression of cluster of differentiation (CD) antigens. The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) was analyzed using a microscope (IN Cell Analyzer 2200 system). Expression of the investigated proteins was determined using Western blot.Results: The analysis of results obtained for both sexes demonstrated that after exposure to BPA, the chemotactic capacity of neutrophils was reduced. In the presence of BPA, the phagocytic activity was found to be elevated in the cells obtained from women and reduced in the cells from men. Following exposure to BPA, the percentage of neutrophils with CD14 and CD284 (TLR4) expression, as well as the percentage of cells forming NETs, was increased in the cells from both sexes. The stimulatory role of BPA and E2 in the activation of NADPH oxidase was observed only in female cells. On the other hand, no influence of E2 on the expression of CD14 and CD284, chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and the amount of NET-positive neutrophils was found for both sexes. The study further showed that BPA intensified NO production and iNOS expression in the cells of both sexes. In addition, intensified expression of all tested PI3K-Akt pathway proteins was observed in male neutrophils.Conclusions: The study demonstrated the influence of BPA on neutrophil functions associated with locomotion and pathogen elimination, which in turn may disturb the immune response of these cells in both women and men. Analysis of the obtained data showed that the effect of this xenoestrogen on the human neutrophils was more pronounced than E2.
Prognostic factors in patients who underwent surgery for common peroneal nerve injury：a nest case-control study
Authors: Liu Zhenhui , Yushan Maimaiaili , Liu Yanshi , Yusufu Aihemaitijiang
Published: November 2020

Background: Common peroneal nerve (CPN) injury is one of the most common nerve injuries in the lower extremities and the motor functional recovery of injured common peroneal nerve (CPN) was often unsatisfactory, the mechanism of which is still controversial. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the prognostic factors in patients who underwent surgery for CPN injury and provide a tool for clinicians to assess the patients’ prognosis. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent neural exploration for injured CPN from 2009 to 2019. A total of 387 patients with postoperative follow-up more than 12 months were included in the final analysis. We used univariate logistics regression analyses to explore explanatory variables which were associated with recovery of neurological function. By applying multivariable logistic regression analysis, we determined variables incorporated into clinical prediction model, developed a nomogram by the selected variables, and then assessed discrimination of the model by the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: The case group included 67 patients and the control group 320 patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that area (urban vs rural, OR=3.35), occupation(“blue trouser” worker vs “white-trouser” worker, OR=4.39), diabetes (OR=11.68), cardiovascular disease (OR=51.35), knee joint dislocation (OR=14.91), proximal fibula fracture (OR=3.32), tibial plateau fracture (OR=9.21), vascular injury (OR=5.37) and hip arthroplasty (OR=75.96) injury increased the risk of poor motor functional recovery of injured CPN, while high preoperative muscle strength (OR=0.18) and postoperative knee joint immobilization (OR=0.11) decreased this risk of injured CPN. AUC of the nomogram was 0.904 and 95% CI was 0.863-0.946. Conclusions: Area, occupation, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, knee joint dislocation, proximal fibula fracture, tibial plateau fracture, vascular injury and hip arthroplasty injury are independent risk factors of motor functional recovery of injured CPN, while high preoperative muscle strength and postoperative knee joint immobilization are protective factor of motor functional recovery of injured CPN. The prediction nomogram can provide a tool for clinicians to assess the prognosis of injured CPN.