bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The added value of parenchymal transcranial Doppler sonography at the Emergency Room: case report of an unusual gait disorder
Authors: Godani Massimiliano , Lanza Giuseppe , Bella Rita , Trevisan Lucia , Ferri Raffaele
Published: December 2019

Background: the growing application of parenchymal transcranial Doppler sonography (pTCS) helps the diagnosis of a wide range of neurological diseases, especially movement disorders. Here, we report a patient with an unusual gait disorder in whom pTCS performed at the Emergency Room rapidly provided diagnostic clues towards a degenerative movement disorder. Case presentation: A 60-year old man presented at the Emergency Room with a rapidly progressive history of walking difficulty, without falls. He had no family history of neurodegenerative or psychiatric diseases. Because of a depressive disorder arisen one year earlier, he was under oral treatment with escitalopram 10 mg and amisulpride 100 mg daily. Neurological examination showed a gait characterized by ataxia, rigidity, and limping; he also had mild oro-facial and hands dyskinesia, some of which were also present during walking. Brain computed tomography was normal. A pTCS performed at the Emergency Room showed hyperechogenicity of the substantia nigra and the caudate nucleus, bilaterally. This pattern is suggestive of Huntington’s disease (HD), as confirmed by the molecular genetic test carried out later. Other laboratory tests, standard electroencephalogram, and 1.5-T brain MRI were normal.Conclusions: to date, this is the first report of HD sonographically detected at the Emergency Room. This supports the view that pTCS can be easily implemented in the diagnostic algorithm and differential diagnosis of movement disorders even in an urgency setting. Notably, conventional MRI did not detect, at this stage, any abnormality; this further highlights the diagnostic utility of pTCS, which also allowed to exclude a drug-induced effect or a different movement disorder. In clinically suspected cases, pTCS can extend the neurological examination by providing diagnostic clues more rapidly and less expensively than neuroimaging.
Evolutionary significance of amino acid permease transporters in 17 plants from Chlorophyta to Angiospermae
Authors: Zhang Chao , Kong Nana , Cao Minxuan , Wang Dongdong , Chen Yue , Chen Qin
Published: December 2019

Background: Nitrogen is an indispensable nutrient for plant growth. It is used and transported in the form of amino acids in living organisms. Transporting amino acids to various parts of plants requires relevant transport proteins, such as amino acid permeases (AAPs), which were our focus in this study. Results: We found that 5 AAP genes were present in Chlorophyte species and more AAP genes were predicted in Bryophyta and Lycophytes. Two main groups were defined and group I comprised 5 clades. Our phylogenetic analysis indicated that the origin of clades 2, 3, and 4 is Gymnospermae and that these clades are closely related. The members of clade 1 included Chlorophyta to Gymnospermae. Group II, as a new branch consisting of non-seed plants, is first proposed in our research. Our results also indicated that the AAP family was already present in Chlorophyta and then expanded accompanying the development of vasculature. Concurrently, the AAP family experienced multiple duplication events that promoted the generation of new functions and differentiation of sub-functions. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the AAP gene originated in Chlorophyta, and some non-seed AAP genes clustered in one group. A second group, which contained plants of all evolutionary stages, indicated the evolution of AAPs. These new findings can be used to guide future research.
Transcriptomic analysis of flower induction for long-day pitaya by supplementary lighting in short-day winter season
Authors: Xiong Rui , Liu Chengli , Xu Min , Wei Shuang-Shuang , Huang Jia-quan , Tang Hua
Published: December 2019

Background: Pitayas are currently attracting considerable interest as a tropical fruit with numerous health benefits. However, as a long-day plant, pitaya plants cannot flower in the winter season from November to April in Hainan, China. To harvest pitayas with high economic value in the winter season, it is necessary to provide supplementary lighting at night to induce flowering. To further explore the molecular regulating mechanisms of flower induction in pitaya plants exposed to supplementary lighting, we used de novo RNA sequencing-based transcriptomic analysis for four stages of pitaya plants subjected to light induction. Results: We assembled 68113 unigenes in total, comprising 29782 unigenes with functional annotations in the NR database, 20716 annotations in SwissProt, 18088 annotations in KOG, and 11059 annotations in KEGG. Comparisons between different samples revealed different numbers of significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A number of DEGs involved in energy metabolism-related processes and plant hormone signaling were detected. Moreover, we identified many CONSTANS-LIKE, FLOWERING LOCUS T, and other DEGs involved in the direct regulation of flowering including CDF and TCP, which function as typical transcription factor genes in the flowering process. At the transcriptomic level, we verified 13 DEGs with different functions in the time-course response to light-induced flowering by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR analysis. Conclusions: The identified DEGs may include some key genes controlling the pitaya floral-induction network, the flower induction and development is very complicated, and it involves photoperiod perception and different phytohormone signaling. These findings will increase our understanding to the molecular mechanism of floral regulation of long-day pitaya plants in short-day winter season induced by supplementary lighting.
Association Analysis between SNPs in LATS1 and LATS2 and Non-Cardia Gastric Cancer
Authors: Ma Licong , Tian Xuyang , Gao Fang , Dong Wenjie , Dang Tong , Jia Yanbin
Published: December 2019

Background: Many studies have found that large tumor suppressor kinase 1 (LATS1) and LATS2 play important roles in many diseases, but studies have been rare on the relationship between these genes and non-cardia gastric cancer (GC). We performed a case-control association study to investigate the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in LATS1 and LATS2 genes and Helicobacter pylori infection as well as the risk of non-cardia GC. Methods: First, H. pylori infection was determined by an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Then genotyping of SNPs was performed for 808 samples by the Taqman method. Finally, appropriate statistical methods were used to analyze the relationship between the SNPs of LATS1 and LATS2 genes and H. pylori infection, the risk of non-cardia GC, and the level of protein expression. Results: The statistical results showed that LATS2 rs9552315 was associated with H. pylori infection, and that the CC+CT genotype could reduce the risk of H. pylori infection (odds ratio [OR]: 0.549, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.339–0.881, P<0.05) compared with the TT genotype in a dominant model. LATS1 rs9393175 was associated with risk of non-cardia GC, and the AG genotype reduced the risk of non-cardia GC (OR: 0.702, 95% CI: 0.516–0.952, P<0.05) compared with the GG+AA genotype in an overdominant model. LATS2 rs9509492 was associated with the risk of GC in an additive model. No associations were found between five SNPs and expression of LATS1 and LATS2 proteins. Conclusions: LATS2 rs9552315 CT genotype may be a protective factor against infection of H. pylori. LATS1 rs9393175 AG genotype and LATS2 rs9509492 GG genotype may be protective factors for non-cardia GC.
Job satisfaction among family nurses in Poland: A questionnaire-based study.
Authors: Kalinowska Paulina , Marcinowicz Ludmila
Published: December 2019

Background: A family nurse, next to a family doctor and midwife, plays a crucial role in the primary health care system, and a patient has the right to choose them; they are the first medical professional the patient meets when there is any problem. The present study aimed to define the level of job satisfaction among Polish family nurses and to establish its standards. Attempts were made to assess whether job satisfaction depends on the job location, form of employment, family structure, or financial situation. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Polish family nurses who were professionally active in 2018. As the first step, the questionnaires were sent to all (45) County Chambers of Nurses and Midwives in Poland. The data were collected and analyzed using a standardized questionnaire “The Satisfaction With Job Scale” by A.M. Zalewska and our survey questionnaire. Results: Of 220 family nurses surveyed, 219 (99.5%) were females and one (0.5%) was male. The mean age of the study participants was 50.13 years, with a standard deviation of 8.36. The majority of nurses had secondary education (37.6%), with a qualification course (96.2%), without specialization (61%), with a nursing job seniority of 30–39 years (44.6%), and residing in a medium-sized city (43.7%). In the study group, the mean score of job satisfaction was 22.23 (on a scale of 35), and median (Me) score was 23. Conclusion: The results of the study revealed that Polish family nurses are moderately satisfied with their job. A higher level of job satisfaction was reported among family nurses with longer job seniority, who are working in the country, are owners or co-owners of a primary health care unit, live in a complete family, are single, and who declared that they could afford what they wanted to buy and possessed savings. Moreover, the level of job satisfaction was highest among the nurses who recommended other nurses to work in a primary health care unit, participated in scientific conferences, and subscribed to nursing care journals. Key words: family nurses, job satisfaction, nursing in Poland
Structured psychiatric diagnoses and self-rated symptoms in primary care patients on sick leave for common mental disorders: a clinical study
Authors: Hammarberg Sandra Inger Christina af Winklerfelt , Westman Jeanette , Hange Dominique , Finnes Anna , Björkelund Cecilia , Hällgren Jonas , Skoglund Ingmarie , Nager Anna
Published: December 2019

Background: To improve the quality of health care provided to primary care patients with mental disorders, it is crucial to understand more about the mental symptoms that underlie diagnoses on sick leave certificates. This study therefore aimed to: 1) investigate whether diagnoses on sick leave certificates corresponded to the results of a structured psychiatric interview and to self-rated symptom severity and 2) investigate the association between length of sick leave and the diagnoses on sick leave certificates, the diagnoses made in structured psychiatric interviews, and self-rated symptom severity. Methods: The study used data from 480 patients in SAFARI, a study on sick leave in patients with common mental disorders. At baseline, background variables were gathered and structured psychiatric interviews (M.I.N.I.) were performed. Severity of depression and adjustment disorder was assessed via self-rating scales. Data on sick leave were gathered at baseline and at 12 months from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and patients’ medical records. Results: The diagnostic criteria for depression were fulfilled by a total of 76% of patients with a sick-leave diagnosis of adjustment disorder, 67% with a sick-leave diagnosis of anxiety, and 65% with a sick-leave diagnosis of depression (p=0.04). There was no significant difference in mean net sick leave days between those with a sick-leave certificate diagnosis of adjustment disorder (mean days 119.9), anxiety disorder (107.2), or depression (137.1). However, those with depression diagnosed via structured interview had a shorter mean net sick leave (112.3) than those who did not fulfil the depression criteria (155.9). Symptom severity was strongly associated with net sick leave days; those who rated their depression or adjustment disorder symptoms as more severe had longer net sick leave. Conclusions: Many patients with sick-leave certificate diagnoses of adjustment and anxiety disorders have ongoing depression. Longer sick leave duration was observed in those with adjustment disorder and more severe self-reported symptoms, both of which are appropriate according to Swedish guidelines.
The Expression and Significance of mTORC1 in Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Liu Yanli , Zheng Yarong , Zhou Yekai , Liu Yi , Xie Mengjuan , Meng Wenjing , An Meixia
Published: December 2019

Background: To investigate the expression and significance of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1(mTORC1) in diabetic retinopathy(DR), and to find new targets and new methods for the treatment of DR.Methods: A DR rat model was prepared by general feeding combined with intraperitoneal injection of 10% streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). The rats were randomly divided into a control group (NDM group) and diabetes group (DM group).Three months later,the degrees of retinopathy were determined using hematoxylin and eosin staining,and the levels of p-S6, VEGF, and PEDF proteins were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Human retinal capillary endothelial cells (HRCECs) were cultured in high glucose conditions,then treated with rapamycin or transfected with siTSC1.The protein levels of p-S6 were assessed by western blotting. The 5-ethynyl-2´-deoxyuridine assay was used to detect cell proliferation, and the Transwell assay was used to detect cell migration.Results: A DM rat model was successfully developed. The expressions of p-S6 and VEGF proteins were significantly increased in the DM group (p < 0.05), and the expression of PEDF protein was significantly decreased compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In vitro,the p-S6 protein in high glucose(HG) induced HRCECs was increased compared with the normal control (p < 0.05), and cell proliferation and migration were increased compared with the normal glucose(NG) group (p < 0.05). After transfection with siTSC1 to activate mTORC1,the expression of p-S6 was increased,as well as cell proliferation and migration.In contrast rapamycin decreased p-S6 expression in HG induced HRCECs, as well as decrased proliferation and migration (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The mTORC1 played an important role in DR. After activation, mTORC1 induced expression of the p-S6 protein, regulated the expressions of VEGF and PEDF proteins, and changed the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells.The mTORC1 can therefore be used as a new target,as well as in the treatment of DR.
Intraocular pressure changes and corneal biomechanics after hyperopic small-incision lenticule extraction
Authors: Fu Dan , Li Meiyan , Knorz Michael C. , Wei Shengsheng , Shang Jianmin , Zhou Xingtao
Published: December 2019

Background: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements by a dynamic Scheimpflug analyzer (Corvis ST), a non-contact tonometer, and the ocular response analyzer following hyperopic small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).Methods: Thirteen patients underwent hyperopic SMILE in one eye each were prospectively enrolled. IOP and corneal biomechanical parameters were measured preoperatively and 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery with a non-contact tonometer (IOPNCT), Corvis ST (biomechanical corrected IOP, bIOP), and the ocular response analyzer (Goldmann-correlated intraocular pressure [IOPg], cornea compensated IOP [IOPcc]). A linear mixed model was used to compare IOP and biomechanical values among the methods at each time point.Results: IOPNCT, IOPg, and IOPcc dropped significantly after surgery, with the amplitude being 3.15±0.48 mmHg, 5.49±0.94 mmHg, and 4.34±0.97 mmHg, respectively, at the last visit. IOPNCT decreased by 0.11±0.06 mmHg per µm of removed central corneal thickness. bIOP did not change significantly after surgery. Before surgery, no difference was found among the measurements (P> 0.05). After surgery, IOPNCT and bIOP were higher than IOPg and IOPcc. bIOP is independent of cornea thickness at the last visit, while correlated significantly with corneal biomechanics as other three IOP values did.Conclusion: bIOP (biomechanical corrected IOP as measured with the Corvis ST) seems to be an accurate parameter to measure IOP after hyperopic SMILE.
Feasibility and validity of the PERF-FIT Test Battery: a tool to measure motor performance and anaerobic fitness in young children across low-income settings.
Authors: Smits-Engelsman Bouwien , Bonney Emmanuel , Neto Jorge Lopes Cavalcante , Jelsma Dorothee L
Published: December 2019

Background Despite the global interest in promoting physical activity and fitness among school-aged children, few valid and reliable assessments exist to measure motor performance and anaerobic fitness in young children across low-income settings. The aim of this paper is to describe the development and validation of the Performance and Fitness (PERF-FIT) test battery, a new assessment of skill-related physical fitness for children in low-income settings.Method The PERF-FIT test battery was developed using a stepwise process including defining the domains of the construct, selection and evaluation of test items and pilot testing. After the developmental process, feasibility of implementation in resource-limited schools and content validity was examined. The Content Validity Index was used as an estimate of the content validity per item and for the total battery. Next structural validity was assessed in a sample of eighty (n=80) Brazilian children aged 7-12 years using principal component analysis.Results Findings suggest that it is feasible to implement the low cost PERF-FIT in resource-limited schools. The Content Validity Index (CVI) for the Throw and Catch item was 0.86 and 1.00 for the other nine items, leading to a total CVI score of 0.99. The hierarchical sequence of the item series was confirmed by highly significant ( p <0.001) linear trends, confirming the increase in difficulty of subsequent items. Principal component analysis revealed three factors; the first component is represented by Locomotor skills that require static and dynamic balance, the second component by Throwing and catching items and the third component by Agility and power items.Conclusion The PERF-FIT test battery is easy to administer and suitable for measuring performance-related physical fitness in school-aged children living in low-income settings. It has excellent content validity and good structural validity. After minor adaptions the PERF-FIT test battery is ready to gather normative values on skill-related physical fitness in young children in low-income settings. More research is needed to evaluate its reliability as well as criterion and cross-cultural validity.
Factors associated with 36-month loss to follow-up and mortality outcomes among HIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy in Central Kenya
Authors: Wekesa Paul , McLigeyo Angela , Owuor Kevin , Mwangi Jonathan , Nganga Evelyn , Masamaro Kenneth
Published: December 2019

Background: The scale-up of HIV treatment programs has resulted in a reduction in HIV-related morbidity and mortality. However, retention of patients in these programs remains a challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding factors associated with loss to follow-up (LTFU) and mortality outcomes is therefore important to inform targeted program interventions. Methods: A retrospective multi-cohort analysis of 23,890 adult patients on ART over 36 months of follow-up in Kenya was done. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to assess for factors associated with LTFU and mortality at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months of follow-up. Results: Majority, 67.7%, were female. At 36 months , 27.2% were LTFU and 13.5% had died. Factors associated with mortality at 36 months included older age (51 years and above) using 20-35 years as reference [(adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23–1.86, p<0.001], being male (aOR, 1.59, 95% CI 1.39–1.83, p<0.001), divorced using married as reference (aOR, 1.86, 95% CI 1.56–2.22, p<0.001), having a body mass index (BMI) score of less than 18.5 kg/m² using 18.5-24.9 kg/m² as reference (aOR = 1.79, 95% CI 1.52–2.11, p<0.001), and, World Health Organization stage III and IV using stage I as the reference (aOR, 1.94, 95% CI 1.43–2.63 and aOR, 4.24, 95% CI 3.06–5.87, p<0.001 respectively). Factors associated with LTFU at 36 months included being young between 20-35 years (aOR, 1.49, 95% CI 1.40-1.59, p<0.001) using 36-50 years as reference, being male (aOR, 1.19, 95% CI 1.12–1.27, p<0.001), and being single or divorced using married as reference (aOR, 1.34, 95% CI 1.23–1.45 and aOR, 1.25, 95% CI 1.15–1.36, p<0.001 respectively). Patients with baseline BMI of less than 18.5 kg/m² using normal BMI as reference (aOR, 1.68, 95% CI 1.39–2.02, p<0.001) were also likely to be LTFU. Conclusions: Factors associated with LTFU and mortality were generally similar over time. Implementation of HIV treatment programs should therefore be tailored based on gender, age profiles, nutritional, and, marital status of patients. In addition, programs should focus on the care of older patients to reduce the risk of mortality.
Robust Statistical Stopping Criteria for Automated Screening in Systematic Reviews
Authors: Callaghan Max , Müller-Hansen Finn
Published: December 2019

Active learning for systematic review screening promises to reduce the human effort required to identify relevant documents for a systematic review.

Machines and humans work together, with humans providing training data, and the machine optimising the documents that the humans screen. This enables the identification of all relevant documents after viewing only a fraction of the total documents.

However, current approaches lack robust stopping criteria, so that reviewers do not know when they have seen all or a certain proportion of relevant documents. This means that such systems are hard to implement in live reviews.

This paper introduces a workflow with robust and flexible statistical stopping criteria, which offer real work reductions on the basis of a given confidence level of reaching a given recall.

The stopping criteria are shown on test datasets to achieve a reliable level of recall, while still providing work reductions of on average 17\%. Other methods proposed previously are shown to provide inconsistent recall and work reductions across datasets.
A Comprehensive Strategic Analysis of the Environmental Scanning of Iranian Public Hospitals: A Prospective Approach
Authors: pourmohammadi Kimia , Bastani Peivand , Shojaei Payam , hatam nahid , Salehi Asiyeh
Published: December 2019

Objectives: This mixed-method study was conducted to interpret the political, economic, social and technological issues that encourage hospital managers to be aware of the conditions and be equipped to plan and perform proactively.
Results: structured interview using Douglas West framework and a researcher-made questionnaire were used to determine the effectiveness and feasibility of hospitals’ environmental factors. The key issues at micro level environment of public hospitals were related to prescription and overuse of pharmaceuticals, inequality in distribution of healthcare services and high demands for luxurious services. At macro level: higher fertility rates, hospital services tariffs, changes in the patterns of diseases and inappropriate hospital budgeting have direct impact and economic sanctions, government corruption, centralization and high bank interest rates have indirect impact on public hospitals in Iran. Generally the strategic policies are required to improve quality-based payment system, enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of services, improving fair income generation and urging positive motivations for service providers are the strategies to cope with the future changes.
Key words: public hospital, environmental scanning, strategic management, PESTLE analysis, future, Iran
Association of diet-related knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and self-rated health among Chinese adults: a population-based study
Authors: Yang Ying , He Di , Wei Liuyi , Wang Shizhen , Chen Lei , Luo Mi , Mao Zongfu
Published: December 2019

Background: Diet and nutrition play an important role in one’s health status. The objectives of this study were to (a) determine knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (KAB) related to diet among a sample of Chinese adults, and (b) assess the association between diet-related KAB and self-rated health.Methods: We applied the 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) with cross-sectional study design. Individuals aged 18 years and older were included as study subjects (n = 12,814).Six variables were selected to assess diet-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, composed of two for each dimension. Comparison of diet-related KAB in urban and rural was conducted using chi-square test. Ordinal logistic regression was conducted to quantify the association between diet-related KAB and self-rated health.Results: The awareness rate for Chinese diet pagoda/DGCR was 27.1%, and only 34.3% of the subjects were assessed as having adequate dietary knowledge literacy. 24.3% and 21.4% reported positive attitudes towards healthy diet and being physically active, respectively. 27.6% and 65.9% reported the behavior of actively looking for nutrition knowledge and eating fruit & vegetables, respectively. Chi-square test indicated that rural residents experienced significant poorer diet-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors than urban (all p-values < 0.05). Adjusted ORs with 95% CI revealed significant association between diet-related KAB and self-rated health. Conclusions: Chinese adults experienced poor diet-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, while rural residents were significantly worse than urban. Improving diet-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors was extremely beneficial to individual’s self-rated health.
Identification of the Eutrema Salsugineum EsMYB90 gene important for anthocyanin biosynthesis
Authors: Qi Yuting , Gu Caihong , Wang Xingjun , Gao Shiqing , Li Changsheng , Zhao Chuanzhi , Li Chuanshun , Ma Changle , Zhao Dazhong , Zhang Quan
Published: December 2019

Background: Anthocyanins contribute to coloration and antioxidation effects in different plant tissues. MYB transcription factors have been demonstrated to be a key regulator for anthocyanin synthesis in many plants. However, little information was available about the MYB genes in the halophyte species Eutrema salsugineum.Result: Here we report the identification of an important anthocyanin biosynthesis regulator EsMYB90 from Eutrema salsugineum, which is a halophyte tolerant to multiple abiotic stresses. Our phylogenetic and localization analyses supported that EsMYB90 is an R2R3 type of MYB transcription factor. Ectopic expression of EsMYB90 in tobacco and Arabidopsis enhanced pigmentation and anthocyanin accumulation in various organs. The transcriptome analysis revealed that 42 genes upregulated by EsMYB90 in 35S:EsMYB90 tobacco transgenic plants are required for anthocyanin biosynthesis. Moreover, our qRT-PCR results showed that EsMYB90 promoted expression of early (PAL, CHS, and CHI) and late (DFR, ANS, and UFGT) anthocyanin biosynthesis genes in stems, leaves, and flowers of 35S:EsMYB90 tobacco transgenic plants.Conclusions: Our results indicated that EsMYB90 is a novel MYB transcription factor, which regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis genes to control anthocyanin biosynthesis. Our work provides a new tool to enhance anthocyanin production in various plants.
The DELLA Proteins Interact with MYB21 and MYB24 to Regulate Filament Elongation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Huang Huang , Gong Yilong , Liu Bei , Wu Dewei , Zhang Min , Xie Daoxin , Song Susheng
Published: December 2019

Background: Gibberellin (GA) and jasmonate (JA) are two essential phytohormones for filament elongation in Arabidopsis . GA and JA trigger degradation of DELLAs and JASMONATE ZIM-domain (JAZ) proteins through SCF SLY1 and SCF COI1 separately to activate filament elongation. In JA pathway, JAZs interact with MYB21 and MYB24 to control filament elongation. However, little is known how DELLAs regulate filament elongation. Results: Here we showed that DELLAs interact with MYB21 and MYB24, and that R2R3 domains of MYB21 and MYB24 are responsible for interaction with DELLAs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that DELLA and JAZ proteins coordinately repress the transcriptional function of MYB21 and MYB24 to inhibit filament elongation . Conclusion: We discovered that DELLAs interact with MYB21 and MYB24, and that DELLAs and JAZs attenuate the transcriptional function of MYB21 and MYB24 to control filament elongation. This study reveals a novel cross-talk mechanism of GA and JA in the regulation of filament elongation in Arabidopsis . Keywords: Gibberellin, Jasmonate, MYB21, MYB24, Filament elongation
Clinical-radiological dissociation of a patient with nitrous oxide-induced subacute combined degeneration: A case report
Authors: Jiang Jiwei , Shang Xiuli
Published: December 2019

Background: A number of recent studies have reported subacute combined degeneration (SCD) induced by nitrous oxide (N2O) abuse. However, none have reported the association between the dynamic neuroimaging evolution and clinical manifestations of a patient with N2O-induced SCD.
Case presentation: We describe a 24-year-old man who developed SCD with inverted V-sign hyperintensities over the posterior aspect of the spinal cord caused by frequent, excessive N2O inhalation. One month after treatment, his weakness and paresthesia resolved and his serum vitamin B12 level had improved above normal, but the hyperintensities on T2-weighted images had extended horizontally and longitudinally, compared to the initial magnetic resonance images (MRI). Two months after treatment, the patient had some remaining distal limb numbness and normal serum homocysteine level; however, the abnormal signals seen on cervical T2-weighted images had only slightly decreased compared to those seen on the one-month follow-up MRI. The evolution of conventional MRI findings lagged behind the clinical manifestation, suggesting a clinical-radiological dissociation.
Conclusions: The clinical-radiological dissociation may have occurred in this case because the T2-weighted imaging did not have sufficient sensitivity to reveal cytotoxic edema. Additionally, the serum vitamin B12 level was not a good indicator of cellular vitamin B12. Clinicians should, therefore, recognize this phenomenon, comprehensively assess the condition of patients with N2O-induced SCD, and avoid terminating treatment based on the resolution of clinical symptoms and serological results.
Does the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Map need to change again? An update of MS prevalence in Mazandaran province of Iran in 2018.
Authors: Baghbanian Seyed Mohammad , Cheraghmakani Hamed , HabibiSaravi Reza , Azar Arash , Ghasemihamedani Fariba
Published: December 2019

Background: Information of Previous studies on the prevalence of MS, including our study conducted twelve years ago, used to shape global prevalence map of MS. According to those results, Iran placed in medium-prevalence MS region in the world Atlas of MS 2013.This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of MS in Mazandaran province after twelve years and the need for possible changes in the global map of the prevalence of MS. Methods: We included all MS patients living in Mazandaran province in 2018 in this descriptive cross-sectional study. We updated our pre-existing registration questionnaires which included demographic information and medical data of MS patients by interview. We obtained the demographic profile of Mazandaran province from the most recent census in 2016 and the National Civil Registry of the Mazandaran province for calculating prevalence of MS. Results: The total number of MS patients in Mazandaran was 2418 (25.8% male and 74.2% female) with a female to male ratio of 2.9. Based on the local population of 3332556, (50.4% male and 49.6% female), this study showed a prevalence of 72.5 per 100,000 for MS in this region. The prevalence of this disease by gender was 37.1 per 100,000 for men and 108.5 per 100,000 for women. The mean (SD) age of the patients at the time of the study was 38.5 (10.1) years with a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 75 years. The most common type of MS was Relapsing-Remitting MS with 86%. Conclusions: All recent studies showed significant upward trend in the prevalence of MS around the world. Based on the results of our study and many other studies in Iran, the Atlas of MS prevalence map needs to be update. Iran's status should be changed to the high-prevalence of MS in the new Atlas. Due to the increasing prevalence of MS, we suggest an adjustment in the Global MS Prevalence Scale.
Impact of Mediterranean Climatic factors in Algarve on loyalty over International Tourist (Case study of Algarve, Portugal)
Authors: Rahimipordanjani Mahdi , Khan Md Yusuf Hossein
Published: December 2019

Weather and climate affect all living organisms that inhabit our planet. At the same time, weather and climate influence a person as a biological being (on his or her well-being), as well as on most branches of his or her economic activity. The tourism sector (and especially some types of tourism) is among the most dependent on the weather and climate among human activities. The customer loyalty plays a vital role within the tourism and hospitality industry. It is very important to make sure the customers are satisfied and remain as loyal as possible, because the loyal customers work as a good promotion tool as they spread the WoM (word of mouth) within their friends, family, relatives and others. On the contrary, not being satisfied to the service or product may translate into a negative feedback, which can lead to a bad image for the business of a certain destination. The main purpose of this study is to identify the variables that are significant to explain loyalty to Algarve, as a touristic destination in terms of the climatic factors.
Here, in this study, one tries to study the relation between meteorological factors and level of loyalty of tourists. The definition of climate requires a long-term duration (almost a year). Given the fact that most of the visiting tourist are not staying in any destination that long, in this study, the chosen sample group were international tourist to Algarve, Portugal. In relation to process of data gathering for this study, a number of 70 international tourist aged between 30-40 years old were interviewed and asked several questions relating to the Mediterranean climate and its impacts on their loyalty over a particular destination (In this case, Algarve). According to the research, it is found that the key factors that prove the loyalty of international tourists to the Algarve are comfortable temperature, sunny days and humidity.
Keywords: climate, humidity, loyalty, temperature, international tourist, sunny days.
Government Support, Entrepreneurial Activity and Firm Growth
Authors: Kaya Halil Dincer
Published: December 2019

This paper summarizes the arguments and counterarguments within the scientific discussion on the issue of state and local governments’ support of small businesses in U.S. states. The main purpose of the research is to determine whether state or local government’s support positively affects entrepreneurial activity, firm growth, and business owner’s optimism in the United States. Non-parametric methods of estimation and analysis of statistical hypotheses were used as the methodological basis of the conducted research, based on which 41 country were analyzed. 2013 was chosen as the study period. The study of the impact of state support on business, company growth and optimism of business owners is carried out in the following logical sequence: each state is assigned to one of two groups, based on their estimates of the level of support of state authorities. First, each state is assigned into one of two groups based on their score on state government support. The states that have a score higher than the mean state were assigned into the “High-State Govt Support” group and the others were assigned into the “Low-State Govt Support” group. Then, the two groups were compared in terms of entrepreneurial activity, firm performance, and optimism. Then, the same procedure is followed for local government support. The study empirically confirmed that greater support from the state or local government has a positive effect on the growth and optimism of the firm. The article presents the results of an empirical analysis for small firms in these countries, which showed that government support is an important driver of company growth and business owner optimism. The paper presents the results of an empirical analysis for small firms in these states, which showed that government support is important for firm growth and owner’s optimism. The research empirically confirms and theoretically proves that more state or local government support positively affects firm growth and optimism. The results of the research can be useful for governments that consider supporting small businesses in their region/area.
Keywords: entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, government support, growth, optimism, small business.
How to GAN LHC events
Authors: Butter Anja , Plehn Tilman , Winterhalder Ramon
Published: December 2019

Event generation for the LHC can be supplemented by generative
adversarial networks, which generate physical events and avoid highly
inefficient event unweighting. For top pair production we show how such
a network describes intermediate on-shell particles, phase space
boundaries, and tails of distributions. In particular, we introduce the
maximum mean discrepancy to resolve sharp local features. It can be
extended in a straightforward manner to include for instance off-shell
contributions, higher orders, or approximate detector effects.
Представление о психологическом иммунитете в отечественной психологии
Authors: Москаленко Галина В. , Зелинская Ирина А.
Published: December 2019

Introduction. Numerous multidisciplinary studies examine non-physical types of immunity in recent years. By analogy with physical immunity, psychological immunity provides the comprehensive protection of the human psyche in extreme stressful situations and also in everyday activities. Psychological immunity can potentially become the phenomenon that may combine disparate views of defense mechanisms of the human psyche. Therefore, it seems reasonable to introduce and develop this concept.

Theoretical Basis. The concept of psychological immunity was first introduced by A. Olah. He defined it as a mental phenomenon that brings together all the adaptive resources of an individual. Previous research has demonstrated that psychological immunity is a widely accepted concept with clear conceptual and theoretical grounds and practical tools for diagnosis, development, and correction. The development of the concept of psychological immunity aroused our interest in Russian researches in this field.

Results. Russian researchers agree that psychological immunity is a personality trait that contributes to the preservation of an individual’s adaptive state when exposed to adverse factors through the use of resources. These resources are not only psychological defenses and coping strategies, but also self-regulation, reflection, consciousness, meaningfulness, coherence, etc. Very few but diverse previous studies of psychological immunity have outlined its content-related, structural, and functional concept.

Discussion. Psychological immunity is a mental phenomenon that helps to maintain the state of psychological well-being and psychological safety. The functions of psychological immunity are identical to those of physical immunity and include monitoring the functional state, memorizing the impact, reducing the intensity of re-experiencing, maintaining the state of psychological well-being, and facilitating negative experience. Aversion (as a reaction to potentially unpleasant phenomena) and anxiety (as a reaction to potentially dangerous phenomena) are the mechanisms that trigger a psychoimmune response.
1,3-Dipolar Cycloadditions Involving Allenes: Synthesis of Five-Membered Rings
Authors: Cardoso Ana L. , Soares Maria I.L.
Published: December 2019

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction is a powerful and versatile strategy for
the synthesis of carbocyclic and heterocyclic five-membered rings. Herein, the most recent
developments on the [3+2] cycloaddition reactions using allenes acting either as dipolarophiles
or 1,3-dipole precursors, are highlighted. The recent contributions on the
phosphine- and transition metal-catalyzed [3+2] annulations involving allenes as substrates
are also covered, with the exception of those in which the formation of a 1,3-dipole
(or synthetic equivalent) is not invoked.

This review summarizes the most relevant research in which allenes are used as building
blocks for the construction of structurally diverse five-membered rings via [3+2] annulation
reactions.
Molecular and Genomic Characterization of PFAB2: A Non-virulent Bacillus anthracis Strain Isolated from an Indian Hot Spring
Authors: Banerjee Aparna , Somani Vikas K. , Chakraborty Priyanka , Bhatnagar Rakesh , Varshney Rajeev K. , Echeverría-Vega Alex , Cuadros-Orellana Sara , Bandopadhyay Rajib
Published: December 2019

Background:

Thermophilic bacilli in both aerobic or facultative anaerobic forms have been
isolated for over a hundred years from different mesophilic or thermophilic environments as they are
potential source of bioactive secondary metabolites. But the taxonomic resolution in the Bacillus genus
at species or at strain level is very challenging for the insufficient divergence of the 16S rRNA
genes. One such recurring problem is among Bacillus anthracis, B. cereus and B. thuringiensis. The
disease-causing B. anthracis strains have their characteristic virulence factors coded in two wellknown
plasmids, namely pXO1 (toxin genes) and pXO2 (capsule genes).

Objective:

The present study aimed at the molecular and genomic characterization of a recently reported
thermophilic and environmental isolate of B. anthracis, strain PFAB2.

Methods:

We performed comparative genomics between the PFAB2 genome and different strains of
B. anthracis, along with closely related B. cereus strains.

Results:

The pangenomic analysis suggests that the PFAB2 genome harbors no complete prophage
genes. Cluster analysis of Bray-Kurtis similarity resemblance matrix revealed that gene content of
PFAB2 is more closely related to other environmental strains of B. anthracis. The secretome analysis
and the in vitro and in vivo pathogenesis experiments corroborate the avirulent phenotype of this
strain. The most probable explanation for this phenotype is the apparent absence of plasmids harboring
genes for capsule biosynthesis and toxins secretion in the draft genome. Additional features of
PFAB2 are good spore-forming and germinating capabilities and rapid replication ability.

Conclusion:

The high replication rate in a wide range of temperatures and culture media, the nonpathogenicity,
the good spore forming capability and its genomic similarity to the Ames strain together
make PFAB2 an interesting model strain for the study of the pathogenic evolution of B. anthracis.
Exploring PLAC1 Structure and Underlying Mechanisms to Design a Derivative Vaccine Against Breast Cancer Progression; In-Silico Study
Authors: Afzali Farzaneh , Ghahremanifard Parisa , Ranjbar Mohammad Mehdi , Salimi Mahdieh
Published: December 2019

Background:

The tolerogenic homeostasis in Breast Cancer (BC) can be surpassed by rationally
designed immune-encouraging constructs against tumor-specific antigens through immunoinformatics
approach.

Objective:

Availability of high throughput data providing the underlying concept of diseases and awarded
computational simulations, lead to screening the potential medications and strategies in less time and cost.
Despite the extensive effects of Placenta Specific 1 (PLAC1) in BC progression, immune tolerance,
invasion, cell cycle regulation, and being a tumor-specific antigen the fundamental mechanisms and
regulatory factors were not fully explored. It is also worth to design an immune response inducing construct
to surpass the hurdles of traditional anti-cancer treatments.

Methods and Result:

The study was initiated by predicting and modelling the PLAC1 secondary and
tertiary structures and then engineering the fusion pattern of PLAC1 derived immunodominant predicted
CD8+ and B-cell epitopes to form a multi-epitope immunogenic construct. The construct was analyzed
considering the physiochemical characterization, safety, antigenicity, post-translational modification,
solubility, and intrinsically disordered regions. After modelling its tertiary structure, proteinprotein
docking simulation was carried out to ensure the attachment of construct with Toll-Like Receptor
4 (TLR4) as an immune receptor. To guarantee the highest expression of the designed construct in
E. coli k12 as an expressional host, the codon optimization and in-silico cloning were performed. The
PLAC1 related miRNAs in BC were excavated and validated through TCGA BC miRNA-sequencing
and databases; the common pathways then were introduced as other probable mechanisms of PLAC1
activity.

Conclusion:

Regarding the obtained in-silico results, the designed anti-PLAC1 multi-epitope construct
can probably trigger humoral and cellular immune responses and inflammatory cascades, therefore
may have the potential of halting BC progression and invasion engaging predicted pathways.
Imaging in Suspected Cardiac Sarcoidosis: A Diagnostic Challenge
Authors: Ha Francis J. , Agarwal Sharad , Tweed Katharine , Palmer Sonny C. , Adams Heath S. , Thillai Muhunthan , Williams Lynne
Published: December 2019

Cardiac Sarcoidosis (CS) represents a unique diagnostic dilemma. Guidelines have been
recently revised to reflect the established role of sophisticated imaging techniques. Trans-thoracic
Echocardiography (TTE) is widely adopted for initial screening of CS. Contemporary TTE techniques
could enhance detection of subclinical Left Ventricular (LV) dysfunction, particularly LV
global longitudinal strain assessment which predicts event-free survival (meta-analysis of 5 studies,
hazard ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.37, p < 0.0001). However, despite the wide
availability of TTE, it has limited sensitivity and specificity for CS diagnosis. Cardiac Magnetic
resonance Imaging (CMR) is a crucial diagnostic modality for suspected CS. Presence of late gadolinium
enhancement signifies myocardial scar and enables risk stratification. Fluorodeoxyglucose
Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) coupled with myocardial perfusion imaging can identify
active CS and guide immunosuppressant therapy. Gallium scintigraphy may be considered although
FDG-PET is often preferred. While CMR and FDG-PET provide complementary information
in CS evaluation, current guidelines do not recommend which imaging modalities are essential
in suspected CS and if so, which modality should be performed first. The utility of hybrid imaging
combining both advanced imaging modalities in a single scan is currently being explored, although
not yet widely available. In view of recent, significant advances in cardiac imaging techniques, this
review aims to discuss changes in guidelines for CS diagnosis, the role of various cardiac imaging
modalities and the future direction in CS.