bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) attenuates experimental tubulointerstitial fibrosis and profibrotic factor expression of proximal tubular epithelial cells
Authors: Luo Mai , Liu Mengmeng , Liu Wei , Cui Xiao , Zhai Siyue , Gu Hanjiang , Wang Huixia , Wu Kunyi , Zhang Wen , Li Ke , Xia Yumin
Published: December 2020

As a proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) participates in the progression of renal fibrosis by engaging its receptor, fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14). However, the effect of Fn14 inhibition on tubular epithelial cell-mediated tubulointerstitial fibrosis remains unclear. This study was designed to elucidate the role of TWEAK/Fn14 interaction in the development of experimental tubulointerstitial fibrosis as well as the protective effect of Fn14 knockdown on proximal tubular epithelial cells. A murine model of unilateral ureteral obstruction was constructed in both wild-type and Fn14-deficient BALB/c mice, followed by observation of the tubulointerstitial pathologies. Fn14 deficiency ameliorated the pathological changes, including inflammatory cell infiltration and cell proliferation, accompanied by reduced production of profibrotic factors and extracellular matrix deposition. In vitro experiments showed that TWEAK dose-dependently enhanced the expressions of collagen I, fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin in proximal tubular epithelial cells. Interestingly, TWEAK also upregulated the expression levels of Notch1/Jagged1. Fn14 knockdown and Notch/Jagged1 inhibition also mitigated the effect of TWEAK on these cells. In conclusion, TWEAK/Fn14 signals contributed to tubulointerstitial fibrosis by acting on proximal tubular epithelial cells. Fn14 inhibition might be a therapeutic strategy for protecting against renal interstitial fibrosis.
Identifying Target Behaviors for Weight-management Interventions in Overweight Women during Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: A Qualitative Study Informed by the Behaviour Change Wheel
Authors: Saarikko Johanna , Niela-Vilén Hannakaisa , Rahmani Amir , Axelin Anna
Published: December 2020

Background: Maternal overweight is increasing, and it is associated with several risks for both the mother and child. Healthy lifestyle behaviors adopted during pregnancy are likely impact women’s health positively after pregnancy. The study’s aim was to identify and describe weight management behaviors in terms of the Capability, Opportunity and Motivation Behaviour (COM-B) -model to target weight management interventions from the perspectives of overweight women and maternity care professionals. Methods: This qualitative, descriptive study was conducted in 2019–2020. Individual interviews of overweight pregnant and postpartum women (n = 11) and focus group interviews of public health nurses (n = 5) were undertaken in two public maternity clinics in Southwest Finland. The data were analyzed using deductive content analysis consistent with the COM-B model.Results: In the capability category, overweight women and public health nurses thought that there was a need to find consistent ways to broach overweight, which had become a part of women's identities. The use of health technology was considered as a part of antenatal care to broach the subject of weight and weight management. Smart wearables could also support evaluating overweight women’s lifestyles. The opportunity category highlighted a lack of resources for support in perinatal care, especially after birth. Support from family was the most important facilitating factor besides motivation. There was a conflict between pregnancy as an excuse to engage in unhealthy habits and pregnancy as a motivational period during which to change one’s lifestyle. Furthermore, the women wanted a tough stance on weight management and discreet counseling.Conclusions: Our findings offer a theoretical basis for tailoring, testing and implementing interventions that address barriers to effective weight management. Such interventions should offer clear advice and non-judgmental support during pregnancy and after delivery by targeting women’s capabilities, opportunities, and motivation. Health technology could be a valuable component of intervention, as well as an implementation strategy, as it provides ways to broach this topic and support overweight women during maternity care.
Macular Perfusion Analysed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography after Uncomplicated Phacoemulsification: Benefits beyond Restoring Vision
Authors: Križanović Ana , Bjeloš Mirjana , Bušić Mladen , Elabjer Biljana Kuzmanović , Rak Benedict , Vukojević Nenad
Published: December 2020

Background: The purpose of the study is to investigate the changes of macular perfusion by OCT-angiography (OCT-A) after uncomplicated phacoemulsification.Methods: OCT-A was performed before cataract surgery, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery recording superficial vascular complex (SVC), nerve fiber layer vascular plexus (NFLVP) superior vascular plexus (SVP), deep vascular complex (DVC), intermediate capillary plexus (ICP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), as well as large choroidal blood vessels and choriocapillaris (CC) were recorded. Explant area (EA), vessels area (VA), vessels percentage area (VPA), total number of junctions (TNJ), junctions density (JD), total vessels length (TVL), average vessels length (AVL), total number of end points (TNEP), mean E lacunarity (MEL), and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area throughout all layers were analysed.Results: Significant changes of vascular parameters in 55 eyes of 55 patients mostly reached plateau one week after surgery and remained stable up to three months after surgery, occurring in all retinal layers but not in choroid and choriocapillaris. Changes of FAZ area ensued across all retinal layers within one month after surgery. The greatest increase in VPA (22.79%), TVL (16.71%), AVL (166.71%) and JD (29.49%) was in SVC causing the largest FAZ surface decrease (-25.54%) in SVC likewise. On the contrary, the greatest change of MEL (-53.41%) appeared in DVC.Conclusions: This is the first OCT-A study demonstrating that perfusion alterations observed in macula after phacoemulsification are response to functional hyperaemia prompted by augmented visual stimulation. Phacoemulsification in elderly population proved as advantageous feature in addition to restoring visual acuity.
Changes in physical activity and sleep among adults in Russian Federation during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study.
Authors: Kontsevaya Anna , Mukaneeva Dinara , Myrzamatova Azaliia , Okely Anthony , Drapkina Oxana
Published: December 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the levels of physical activity and sleep and to examine specific COVID-19 factors that may be associated with changes in physical activity and sleep among adults in Russia.
Methods

Cross-sectional data were collected during the period of tightest restrictions between 26 April 2020 and 6 June 2020. Eligible participants included all Russian adults aged 18 years and over. Participants reported their sleep patterns and problems, frequency and duration of walking, moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity, and muscle strengthening activities before COVID-19 and during the past seven days. Access to an outdoor green space and fitness centres, use of online resources, adherence to self-isolation recommendations and other preventive measures from Ministry of Health were self-reported.
Results

The sample included 2432 participants from 62 regions, 83% of who were female. There was a significant decline in the number of days per week participants reported not getting enough sleep (3.21 ± 2.44 to 2.86 ± 2.57; p < 0.001); participants also reported an increase in the number of days per week they had trouble falling asleep (1.70 ± 2.24 to 2.13 ± 2.48; P < 0.001). The proportion of participants who met the WHO Guidelines for physical activity declined from 68–49% (P < 0.001). The proportion who participated in muscle strengthening activities for 2 or more days per week declined from 53–45% (P < 0.001).
Conclusion

Compared with before COVID-19, physical activity and sleep hygiene were adversely affected during COVID-19. Awareness of factors associated with these declines will assit policymakers in developing strategies to mitigate the negative lifestyle behaviours that have manifested during the COVID-19 confinement.
miRNA Profile in Hippocampus, Prefrontal Cortex and Sperm of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR), a Model for Schizophrenia
Authors: Campagnoli Gabriella , Cantão Isabelle , Marins Maryana , Mendes Agatha , Nogueira Beatriz , Martin Renan , Pesquero João , Stumpp Taiza
Published: December 2020

Environment is crucial for manifestation and development of schizophrenia, bringing to light epigenetic mechanisms involved, such as post-transcriptional control of gene expression by miRNA, in this disorder. MiRNAs participate in physiological processes such as neurogenesis, behavioral manifestations as well as in adverse conditions likepsychiatric disorders. Experimental models are essential to investigate the development of schizophrenia from early life, especially its molecular aspects. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are considered a good model forschizophrenia, since they show behavior that can be related to SCZ symptoms in humans and respond to treatment with anti-psychotic drugs. We investigated miRNA profile in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and sperm of SHR through next generation sequencing (NGS). SHR showed differential expression (DE) of miRNAs related to neurological processes and schizophrenia in sperm, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Gene ontology and enrichment analyses showed that the majority of DE miRNA target genes are involved in pathways related to behavior, neurodevelopmentand synaptic processes. Among these genes, 12 are dysregulated in schizophrenia patients, what reinforces SHR as a good model for epigenetic and molecular studies of this disorder. Finally, altered miRNA expression in sperm suggests that SHR model may be useful for future studies on epigenetic inheritance of schizophrenia.
Hydrodynamic Assisted Multiparametric Particle Spectrometry
Authors: Martín-Pérez Alberto , Ramos Daniel , Yubero Marina , García-López Sergio , Kosaka Priscila , Tamayo Javier , Calleja Montserrat
Published: December 2020

The real-time analysis of single analytes in flow is becoming increasingly relevant in cell biology. In this work, we theoretically predict and experimentally demonstrate hydrodynamic focusing with hollow nanomechanical resonators by using an interferometric system which allows the optical probing of flowing particles and tracking of the fundamental mechanical mode of the resonator. We have characterized the hydrodynamic forces acting on the particles, which will determine their velocity depending on their diameter. By using the parameters simultaneously acquired: frequency shift, velocity and reflectivity, we can unambiguously classify flowing particles in real-time, allowing the measurement of the mass density: 1.35 ± 0.07 g·mL-1 for PMMA and 1.7 ± 0.2 g·mL-1 for silica particles, which perfectly agrees with the nominal values. Once we have tested our technique, MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells are characterized (1.11 ± 0.08 g·mL-1) with high throughput (300 cells/minute) observing a dependency with their size, opening the door for individual cell cycle studies.
Genetic Algorithm Optimized Node Deployment in IEEE 802.15.4 Potato and Wheat Crop Monitoring Infrastructure
Authors: Pal Pankaj , Sharma Rashmi , Tripathi Sachin , Kumar Chiranjeev , Ramesh Dharavath
Published: December 2020

This proposal investigates the effect of vegetation height and density on received signal strength between two sensor nodes communicating under IEEE 802.15.4 wireless standard. With the aim of investigating the path loss coefficient of 2.4 GHz radio signal in an IEEE 802.15.4 precision agriculture monitoring infrastructure, measurement campaigns were carried out in different growing stages of potato and wheat crops. Experimental observations indicate that initial node deployment in the wheat crop experiences network dis-connectivity due to increased signal attenuation, which is due to the growth of wheat vegetation height and density in the grain-filling and physical-maturity periods. An empirical measurement-based path loss model is formulated to identify the received signal strength in different crop growth stages. Further, a NSGA-II multi-objective evolutionary computation is performed to generate initial node deployment and is optimized over increased coverage, reduced over-coverage, and received signal strength. The results show the development of a reliable wireless sensor network infrastructure for wheat crop monitoring.
Memories of traditional rice cultivation by descendants of Indian contract laborers in Suriname
Authors: Ramdayal Melissa , Maat Harro , Andel Tinde van
Published: December 2020

Some 35,000 indentured laborers from India were recruited to work on plantations in Suriname after 1863. Many of them started to grow rice for their subsistence, but were stimulated to replace their traditional landraces for improved cultivars. Few Hindostani smallholders still cultivate rice today, and little is known on their varieties or motivations to continue or abandon this crop. We interviewed 30 persons currently or formerly involved in small-scale Hindostani rice farming, collected rice varieties and documented people’s personal memories and motivation for rice cultivation. In the historic literature, ca. 16 varieties were mentioned to be grown by Indian contract laborers, of which nine were remembered by our interviewees. We recorded 55 variety names, their agronomical and culinary characteristics, geographic origin, and (former) cultivation localities. Most active smallholders grew cultivars developed after 2000, but one landrace (Raymoen) and some old cultivars developed in the 1930-1950s (Rexora and Dima) were still grown for fodder, although heavily adulterated with weedy rice. Maroon farmers in the interior, however, cultivated several varieties of ‘coolie rice’ that they obtained from Hindostani farmers in the past, although this needs to be confirmed by molecular research. Small-scale rice farming in Suriname is declining due to competition with large-scale cultivators, urbanization, better education prospects and migration to the Netherlands. The vivid memories of the (former) rice farmers on traditional practices, gender-based labor division and how rice farming is integrated in the system of beliefs, as well as the few remaining varieties that potentially originated in India, deserve to be better safeguarded and shared with the public than they are today.
EEG Theta Responses Induced by Emoji Semantic Violations
Authors: Tang Mengmeng , Chen Bingfei , Zhao Xiufeng , Zhao Lun
Published: December 2020

This study investigated emoji semantic processing by measuring changes in event-related electroencephalogram (EEG) power. The last segment of experimental sentences was designed as either words or emojis consistent or inconsistent with the sentential context. The results showed that incongruent emojis led to a conspicuous increase of theta power (4-7Hz), while incongruent words induced a decrease. Furthermore, the theta power increase was observed at midfrontal, occipital and bilateral temporal lobes with emojis. This suggests a higher working memory load for monitoring errors, difficulty of form recognition and concept retrieval in emoji semantic processing. It implies different neuro-cognitive processes involved in the semantic processing of emojis and words.
Ancient CO2 Levels Favor Nitrogen Fixing Plants Over a Broader Range of Soil N Compared to Present
Authors: Chen Haoran , Markham John
Published: December 2020

Small inreases in CO2 stimulate nitrogen fixation and plant growth. Increasing soil N can inhibit nitrogen fixation. However, no studies to date have tested how nitrogen fixing plants perform under ancient CO2 levels (100 MYA) when nitrogen fixers evolved, with different levels of N additions. The aim of this study was to assess if ancient CO2, compared to present, favors nitrogen fixers over a range of soil nitrogen concentrations. Nitrogen fixers (Alnus incana ssp. rugosa, Alnus viridis ssp. crispa, and Alnus rubra) and their close non-nitrogen fixing relatives (Betula pumila, Betula papyrifera, Betula glandulosa) were grown at ancient CO2 (1600 ppm) or present CO2 (400 ppm) over a range of soil N levels, equivalent to 0, 10, 50, and 200 kg N ha-1 year-1. The growth of non-N fixing plants increased more than N fixing plants in response to the increasing N levels. When grown at an ancient CO2 level, the N level at which non-nitrogen fixing plant biomass exceeded nitrogen fixing plant biomass was twice as high (61 kg N ha-1 y-1) as the N level when plants were grown at an ambient CO2 level. Specific nodule activity was also reduced with an increasing level of soil N. Our results showed there was a greater advantage in being a nitrogen fixer under ancient levels of CO2 compared with the present CO2 level.
Progenitor Cells Derived From Injured Cartilage Surface Respond to Damage Associated Molecular Patterns
Authors: Ding Lei , Zhou Cheng , Zheng Hongjun , Wang Quanming , Song Haiyan , Buckwalter Joseph A. , Martin James A.
Published: December 2020

Objective: To elucidate how chondrogenic progenitor cells (CPCs) originated from mechanically injured cartilage surface respond to proinflammatory endogenous damage-associated-molecular-patterns (DAMPs). Design: Passage 1 bovine CPCs and non-CPCs isolated from injured articular cartilage either by blunt impaction or by scratches were treated with mitochondrial DAMPs (MTDs) composed of fMLF and CpG DNA, or HMGB1 (a nuclear DAMP), or IL-1b for 24 hrs. At the end of the experiments, the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), chemokines, and cytokines that are associated with cartilage degeneration was examined with Western blotting and quantitative PCR. Results: Both HMGB1 and MTDs remarkably up-regulated expression level of pro-MMP-13 protein in CPCs while showed weak effect on non-CPCs. Compared to non-CPCs, CPCs expressed significantly higher baseline mRNA levels of MMP-13, CXCL12, and IL-6. MTDs further increased the expression levels of MMP-13 and IL-6 in CPCs while HMGB1 did not show such effect. When treated with MTDs, CPCs also expressed significantly higher levels of IL-8 mRNA than did non-CPCs. However, compared to non-CPCs, CPCs expressed much lower levels of MMP-3 and active MMP-13 proteins as well as lower mRNA levels of CCL2 and IL-6 in response to IL-1b. Conclusions: CPCs were more sensitive than non-CPCs in response to DAMPs, especially MTDs, to up-regulate expression of MMP-13, IL-6 and -8. When IL-1b was present, CPCs were less responsive than non-CPCs in terms of up-regulating MMP-3, CCL2, and IL-6 expression. The proinflammatory nature of CPCs implied their critical role in the early phase of PTOA development.
Inheritance of Summer Dormancy, Persistence and Productivity Using Half-sib Matting in Tall Fescue 
Authors: Pirnajmedin Fatemeh , Majidi Mohammad Mahdi , Taleb Mohammad Hadi , Maibody Sayed Ali Mohammad Mirmohammady
Published: December 2020

Background: The genetic basis and variability of persistence and summer dormancy and their association with forage production traits has been less investigated in tall fescue. Results: High genotypic variation was found for all the measured traits in both parental genotypes and half-sib families. Incomplete summer dormancy was found for most of the evaluated genotypes. Summer dormancy index were negatively correlated with forage production and yield related traits. Half-sib families had higher persistence than parental genotypes, which can be due to the heterosis expression in progenies. Moderate narrow-sense heritability for persistence indicates that both additive and dominant gene action may play a role in the expression of this trait. Yield-related traits and summer dormancy showed moderate to high estimates of narrow sense heritability (0.63-0.73) indicates additive gene action for these traits. This suggest phenotypic recurrent selection can be successful to achieve genetic progress. Conclusion: In conclusion, our results can enhance the knowledge of inheritance of summer dormancy and related traits which would be useful for future genetic studies. Based on the general combining ability and application of multivariate analysis, preferable genotypes for forage use (such as 21M and 1E) and turf application (such as 17M and 4E) were identified for future programs.
Evaluating the Prognostic Performance of a Polygenic Risk Score for Breast Cancer Risk Stratification
Authors: Olsen Maria , Fischer Krista , Bossuyt Patrick M. , Goetghebeur Els
Published: December 2020

Background: Polygenic risk scores (PRS) could potentially improve breast cancer screening recommendations. We analyzed how well a recently developed prevalence-based breast cancer PRS (Läll et al., 2009) performs in expressing women’s future risk of incident breast cancer. Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic performance of models using PRS and age as predictors, vs age alone, for breast cancer incidence in women from the Estonian biobank (EstBB) cohort. Methods: We analyzed data on 30,312 women from the EstBB cohort. They entered the cohort between 2002 and 2011, were between 20-89 years, without history of breast cancer, and with full 5-year follow-up by 2015. We examined PRS and other potential risk factors as possible predictors in Cox regression models for breast cancer incidence. With 10-fold cross validation we estimated 3- and 5-year breast cancer incidence from age alone and PRS plus age, fitting models on 90% of the data. Calibration, discrimination, and reclassification then expressed prognostic performance on the left-out folds. Results: A total of 101 (3.33‰) and 185 (6.1‰) incident breast cancers were observed within 3 and 5 years, respectively. For women in the current Estonian screening age (50-62 years), the ratio of observed vs PRS-age modelled 3-year incidence was 0.86 for women in the 75-85% PRS-group, 1.34 for the 85-95% PRS-group, and 1.41 for the top 5% PRS-group. For 5-year incidence, this was respectively 0.94, 1.15, and 1.08. Yet, the number of breast cancer events were relatively low in each PRS-subgroup. The model’s AUC was 0.720 (95% CI: 0.675-0.765) for 3-year and 0.704 (95% CI: 0.670-0.737) for 5-year, respectively, just 0.022 and 0.023 higher than for the model with age alone. Using a 1% risk prediction threshold, the 3-year NRI for the PRS-age model was 0.09 and 0.05 for 5 years.Conclusion: The model including PRS had modest incremental performance. This suggests that the potential benefit of adding PRS to age for guiding screening likely affects a relatively small proportion of women. A larger, independent study is needed to assess whether and how the PRS can meaningfully contribute to developing more efficient screening strategies.
Isolated Congenital Cleft Mitral Valve Leaflet: A Rare Cause of Refractory Cardiogenic Shock Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Bahrami Mubashir Hamid , Ansari Hamza , Guglin Maya , Ephrem Georges , Revtyak George
Published: December 2020

We report a unique presentation of isolated congenital cleft mitral valve complicating cardiogenic shock from acute myocardial infarction. Isolated cleft mitral valve is an uncommon diagnosis that can have significant clinical implications, especially if not recognized in patients presenting to the catheterization lab with acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock. A review of this rare diagnosis including the options and timing of therapeutic interventions, which can include MitraClip, is important for publication.The case is of a patient who presented with an anterior acute ST elevation myocardial infarction. Despite early coronary revascularization and conventional support, refractory cardiogenic shock ensued requiring mechanical circulatory support escalation to Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Subsequently, left ventriculography revealed a massively dilated left atrium and severe mitral regurgitation raising concerns for a mechanical mitral valve complication. The patient was taken to the operating room for possible mitral valve surgery, but a preoperative transesophageal echocardiogram revealed an isolated posterior cleft mitral valve. Since the patient had stabilized on mechanical circulatory support, emergent surgery was deferred. The patient successfully recovered during index hospitalization with mechanical circulatory support and discharged on guideline directed medical therapy. In conclusion, isolated cleft mitral valve is a rare diagnosis that can often be underrecognized without comprehensive 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography evaluation. If diagnosed early with significant regurgitation, surgical treatment results in good outcomes and preservation of LV systolic function. Percutaneous correction of a CMVL with MitraClip has been described and may offer an alternative approach for high risk surgical patients.
Effect of Liuzijue Breathing Exercise on Patients With Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systemic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Gao Pincao , Tang Fang , Liu Weiguo , Mo Yu
Published: December 2020

Backgrounds:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) is a common,preventable disease of airflow limitation that accounts for the third lec deaths in the worldwide.Health benefits of Liuzijue breathing exercise on patients with stable COPD has been assessed.This study was designed to perform a systemic review and meta-analysis of the effect of Liuzijue breathing exercise on patients with stable COPD.Methods: Published articles from inception to 2020 were conducted using electronic searches. Data extraction was performed by two independents reviewers.The Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies.Results:A total of 16 eligible trials with 1039 patients with stable COPD were identified. Compared with control group,the pool meta-analysis of Liuzijue breathing exercise showed a significant improve in FEV1 [MD=-0.16,95%CI (0.09,0.23), P<0.00001], FEV1% [MD=9.71, 95%CI(8.44,10.98), P<0.00001], FEV1/FVC(%) [MD=4.81,95%CI(2.12,7.51),P=0.0005],6MWD [MD=21.89,95%CI（14.67, 29.11）,P<0.00001] , health-related quality of life [SMD=-0.84,95%CI（-1.12,-0.55，P<0.00001] and mMRC [MD= -0.73,95%CI (-0.96,-0.50), P<0.00001]. The observed effect was more pronounced for interventions that were short term and medium-term duration of study. Liuzijue interventions also showed improvement in the secondary outcome measures.Conclusions:In this systematic review and meta-analysis ,Liuzijue breathing exercise can improve lung function,exercise endurance and health-related quality of life of patients with stable COPD.Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#myprospero PROSPERO registration number:CRD42020209191.
Protocol for a Systematic Review of Policies, Programs or Interventions Designed to Improve Health and Psychosocial Outcomes for Young People Leaving the Out of Home Care System
Authors: Taylor David John Anthony , Shlonsky Aron S. , Albers Bianca , Chakraborty Sangita , Lewis Jane , Mendes Phillip , Macdonald Geraldine , Williams Kevin
Published: December 2020

Background:Relative to their counterparts in the general population, young people who leave, or transition out of, out-of-home (OOHC) arrangements, commonly experience poorer outcomes across a range of indicators, including: higher rates of homelessness, unemployment, reliance on public assistance, physical and mental health problems, and contact with the criminal justice system. The age at which young people transition from OOHC varies between and within some countries, but for most, formal support ceases between the ages of 18 and 21.Programs designed to support transitions are generally available to young people toward the end of their OOHC placement, although some can extend beyond. They often encourage the development of skills required for continued engagement in education, obtaining employment, maintaining housing and general life skills. Little is known about the effectiveness of these programs, or of extended care policies that raise the age at which support remains available to young people after leaving OOHC. This systematic review will seek to identify programs and/or interventions that improve outcomes for youth transitioning from the OOHC system into adult living arrangements.Methods:Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines, this review will identify programs, interventions and policies that seek to improve health and psychosocial outcomes amongst this population that have been tested using robust controlled methods. Primary outcomes of interest are homelessness, health, education, employment, exposure to violence and risky behaviour. Secondary outcomes are relationships and life skills. A search strategy has been developed that covers eleven databases of published literature in multiple languages. Unpublished literature will also be searched. A meta-analysis will be undertaken if identified studies are suitably heterogenous. Risk of bias will be assessed using tools appropriate to the study methodology. Outcomes across studies will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology.Discussion:Previous reviews were unable to identify any programs or interventions, backed by methodologically rigorous research, that improve outcomes for this population. This review seeks to update this previous work, taking into account changes in the provision of extended care, which is now available in some jurisdictions. Trial Registration:PROSPERO: CRD42020146999
Comparison of the Quality of life in Patients with Early and Established Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Sizova Lyudmila
Published: December 2020

Aim: To compare the quality of life (QOL) in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) against patients with established RA.Methods: The clinical study included 164 participants from Russia: 114 outpatients with early RA, and 50 outpatients with established RA. Assessment of QOL in RA patients detected impaired indicators of the HAQ, SF-36 questionnaires, QOL-RA Scale already during the first year of the disease.Results: The HAQ test found a comparable frequency of severe functional disorders in patients with early and established RA. According to the SF-36 questionnaire, patients with early RA suffered from physical pain than patients with established RA. The QOL-RA Scale demonstrated that patients with initial stages of the disease process had the lowest scores for the "arthritis" and "joint pain", and participants with established RA additionally and on the "health".Conclusions: A comparative study of the QOL in respondents with early and established RA has shown that patients have a decrease it already during the first year of the disease on many indicators, as patients with a long anamnesis, and even experience more pronounced physical pain. So, tested questionnaires can provide benefits for monitoring health status and comparison of the effectiveness of drugs and treatment methods.
Potential Metabolic Resistance Mechanisms to Ivermectin in Anopheles Gambiae: A Synergist Bioassay Study
Authors: Nicolas Patricia , Kiuru Caroline , Wagah Martin , Muturi Martha , Duthaler Urs , Hammann Felix , Maia Marta , Chaccour Carlos
Published: December 2020

Background Despite remarkable success obtained with current malaria vector control strategies in the last 15 years, additional innovative measures will be needed to achieve the ambitious goals set for 2030 by the World Health Organization (WHO). New tools will need to address insecticide resistance and residual transmission as key challenges. Endectocides such as ivermectin are drugs that kill mosquitoes which feed on treated subjects. Mass administration of ivermectin can effectively target outdoor and early biting vectors, complementing the still effective conventional tools. Although this approach has garnered attention, development of ivermectin resistance is a potential pitfall. Herein, we evaluate the potential role of xenobiotic pumps and cytochrome P450 enzymes in protecting mosquitoes against ivermectin by active efflux and metabolic detoxification, respectively. Methods We determined the lethal-concentration 50 for ivermectin in colonized Anopheles gambiae, then we used chemical inhibitors and inducers of xenobiotic pumps and cytochrome P450 enzymes in combination with ivermectin to probe the mechanism of ivermectin detoxification. Results Dual inhibition of xenobiotic pumps and cytochromes have a synergistic effect with ivermectin, greatly increasing mosquito mortality. Inhibition of xenobiotic pumps alone had no effect on ivermectin-induced mortality. Induction of xenobiotic pumps and cytochromes may confer partial protection from ivermectin.Conclusion there is a clear pathway for development of ivermectin resistance in malaria vectors. Detoxification mechanisms mediated by cytochrome P450 enzymes are more important than xenobiotic pumps in protecting mosquitoes against ivermectin.
Analyzing the Genetic Characteristics of a Tryptophan-overproducing Escherichia Coli
Authors: Ding Dongqin , Bai Danyang , Li Jinlong , Mao Zhitao , Zhu Yaru , Liu Pi , Lin Jianping , Ma Hongwu , Zhang Dawei
Published: December 2020

Background: L-tryptophan (L-trp) production in Escherichia coli has been developed by employing random mutagenesis and selection for a long time, but this approach produces an unclear genetic background. Results: We generated the L-trp overproducer TPD5 by combining an intracellular L-trp biosensor and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) in E. coli, and succeeded in elucidating the genetic basis for L-trp overproduction. The most significant identified positive mutations affected TnaA (deletion), AroG (S211F), TrpE (A63V), and RpoS (nonsense mutation Q33*). The underlying structure-function relationships of the feedback-resistant AroG (S211F) and TrpE (A63V) mutants were uncovered based on protein structure modeling and molecular dynamics simulations, respectively. According to transcriptomic analysis, the global regulator RpoS not only has a great influence on cell growth and morphology, but also on carbon utilization and the direction of carbon flow. Finally, by balancing the concentrations of the L-trp precursors serine and glutamine based on the above analysis, we further increased the titer of L-trp to 3.18 g/L with a yield of 0.18 g/g. Conclusions: The analysis of the genetic characteristics of an L-trp overproducing E. coli provides valuable information on L-trp synthesis and elucidates the phenotype and complex cellular properties in a high-yielding strain, which opens the possibility to transfer beneficial mutations and reconstruct an overproducer with a clean genetic background.
An Optimized Growth Medium for Increased Recombinant Protein Secretion Titer via the Type III Secretion System
Authors: Burdette Lisa , Wong Han Teng , Tullman-Ercek Danielle
Published: December 2020

BackgroundProtein secretion in bacteria is an attractive strategy for heterologous protein production because it retains the high titers and tractability of bacterial hosts while simplifying downstream processing. Traditional intracellular production strategies require cell lysis and separation of the protein product from the chemically similar cellular contents, often a multi-step process that can include an expensive refolding step. The type III secretion system of Salmonella enterica transports proteins from the cytoplasm to the extracellular environment in a single step and is thus a promising solution for protein secretion in bacteria. Product titer is sensitive to extracellular environmental conditions, however, and is therefore not robust. We investigated growth medium composition to provide a favorable environment for secretion that produces consistently high secretion titers, advancing the type III secretion system as a heterologous protein production platform.ResultsWe investigated the effect of carbon sources, buffers, and salts in a rich nutrient base on secretion titer. Carbon sources alone decreased secretion titer, secretion titer increased with salt concentration, and the combination of a carbon source, buffer, and high salt concentration had a synergistic effect on secretion titer. Transcriptional activity measured by flow cytometry showed that medium composition affected secretion system activity, and prolonged secretion system activation correlated strongly with increased secretion titer. We found that an optimal combination of glycerol, phosphate, and sodium chloride provided at least a fourfold increase in secretion titer for a variety of proteins. Further, the increase in secretion titer provided by the optimized medium was additive with strain enhancements.ConclusionsWe leveraged the sensitivity of the type III secretion system to the extracellular environment to increase heterologous protein secretion titer. Our results suggest that maximizing secretion titer via the type III secretion system is not as simple as maximizing secreted protein expression—one must also optimize secretion system activity. This work advances the type III secretion system as a platform for heterologous protein secretion in bacteria and will form a basis for future engineering efforts.
Suboptimal Antiretroviral Drug Levels and Virologic Failures among PLHIV at a Rural Referral Hospital in South Western Uganda: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.
Authors: Twinomujuni Silvano Samba , Ogwang Patrick E. , Roelofsen Felicitas , Mukonzo Jackson K. , Atukunda Esther Cathyln
Published: December 2020

Background: Achieving favorable HIV treatment outcomes is a major challenge, particularly due to non-adherence and consequent sub-therapeutic plasma antiretroviral drug levels. This is often complicated by the development of resistant strains due to mutations. Monitoring antiretroviral drug levels in the blood of patients enrolled on ART can reveal if levels are too high, enough, or too low. High levels may lead to dose-dependent side effects and sub-therapeutic levels could promote treatment failure and resistance. In Uganda, as part of routine HIV care, plasma antiretroviral drug level is estimated indirectly by clinic-based pill counts and patient self-reported adherence, which give no evidence of ingested medication. This study aimed at exploring steady-state nevirapine and efavirenz drug levels in HIV patients accessing ART at a rural referral hospital in South Western Uganda. Methods: This study was nested into a randomized clinical trial that evaluated the effect of Artemisia annua L. and Moringa oleifera on immunological response and viral load among persons living with HIV (PLHIV). In the parent study, 250 HIV-infected patients with continued immunologic suppression (CD4 count < 350cells/µL) despite a minimum of one-year on ART were enrolled. Out of 250 clinical trial participants, 95 were randomly selected for steady-state efavirenz and nevirapine plasma concentration sampling having taken the last at bedtime. Additionally, CD4 count, HIV load, liver, and renal function tests were determined. Participants were also interviewed for adherence, and factors that affect blood drug levels.Results: Of the 95 participants sampled, 67 (71%) and 28 (30%) were on efavirenz or nevirapine based ART respectively. The median viral load for participants on the efavirenz regimen was 490 copies/mL (IQR 116, 1900) while that for the participants on the nevirapine regimen was 500 copies/mL (IQR 137, 1270). The median plasma level for the participants on the nevirapine regimen (6.56 mg/L IQR 4.50, 9.80) was higher than that for the participants on the efavirenz regiment (2.54 mg/L IQR 1.47, 5.12). The prevalence of virologic failure among participants sampled on the efavirenz regimen was higher (37%) compared to that of the participants on the nevirapine regimen (21%). 30% of all plasma samples tested had sub-therapeutic levels of either efavirenz or nevirapine, including 2% in which no drugs were detected.Conclusion: Periodic therapeutic drug monitoring should be incorporated as one of the components in the monitoring of ART adherence to ensure adequate blood levels among adults accessing ART at MRRH, SW Uganda.
Multi-Objective Database Queries in Combined Knapsack and Set Covering Problem Domains
Authors: Mochocki Sean , Lamont Gary , Leishman Robert , Kauffman Kyle
Published: December 2020

Database queries are one of the most important functions of a relational database. Users are interested in viewing a variety of data representations, and this may vary based on database purpose and the nature of the stored data. The Air Force Institute of Technology has approximately 100 data logs which will be converted to the standardized Scorpion Data Model format. A relational database is designed to house this data and its associated sensor and non-sensor metadata. Deterministic polynomialtime queries were used to test the performance of this schema against two other schemas, with databases of 100 and 1000 logs of repeated data and randomized metadata. Of these approaches, the one that had the best performance was chosen as AFIT’s database solution, and now more complex and useful queries need to be developed to enable filter research. To this end, consider the combined Multi-Objective Knapsack-/Set Covering Database Query. Algorithms which address The Set Covering Problem or Knapsack Problem could be used individually to achieve useful results, but together they could offer additional power to a potential user. This paper explores the NP-Hard problem domain of the Multi-Objective KP/SCP, proposes Genetic and Hill Climber algorithms, implements these algorithms using Java, populates their data structures using SQL queries from two test databases, and finally compares how these algorithms perform.
Through the Looking Glass of Social Media. Focus on Self-Presentation and Association with Mental Health and Quality of Life. A Cross-Sectional Survey-Based Study.
Authors: Skogen Jens Christoffer , Johnsen Gunnhild Hjetland , Bøe Tormod , Hella Randi Træland , Knudsen Ann Kristin
Published: December 2020

Background
Social media use among adolescents has been linked to mental health and well-being. However, most of the studies investigating this association focus primarily on frequency and duration of use, providing little knowledge of how various types of social media activities may be differentially linked to mental health and well-being. A recent narrative review highlighted that self-presentation may be an important factor to investigate in order to better understand the link between use of social media and well-being among adolescents. The aims of the present study were to investigate the association between focus on self-presentation on social media and mental health and quality of life among adolescents. Specifically, we aimed to investigate the overall and gender-stratified associations between self-presentation and symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as a general measure of quality of life.
Methods
This study employs a cross-sectional survey-based design. A total of 513 (56%) students enrolled at a senior high school in Norway participated. The mean age of the participants were 17.1 years (1.1 standard deviations), and 58% were boys. Associations between focus on self-presentation on social media and symptoms of anxiety and depression and quality of life were investigated using blobbograms, standardized mean difference and gender-specific linear regression models.
Results
Overall, a high focus on self-presentation on social media was associated with more mental health problems and reduced quality of life. The strength of the associations with symptoms of depression (0.64 standardised mean difference (SMD)) and anxiety (0.60 SMD) was medium to large, while it was medium for quality of life (-0.45 SMD). In gender-stratified analyses, the association was similar for boys and girls in relation to symptoms of anxiety. For symptoms of depression, the association was stronger for girls compared to boys. Focus on self-presentation on social media was only significantly associated with quality of life among girls.
Conclusions
In sum, our findings are preliminary evidence of a medium strong relationship between focus on self-presentation on social media and symptoms of anxiety and depression for both genders, albeit with potential important gender differences. Potential implications and public health relevance of the findings are discussed.
Prediction of the Active Ingredients, Potential Targets, and Signaling Pathways in ZaoRenDiHuang Capsules for Treatment of Insomnia Based on Network Analysis and Molecular Docking
Authors: Jin De , Zhang Jinghua , Zhang Yuqing , AN Xuedong , Zhao Shenghui , Duan Liyun , Zhang Yuehong , Zhen Zhong , Lian Fengmei , Tong Xiaolin
Published: December 2020

Background：Insomnia is a major global public health issue with a high incidence, which presents a significant economic burden. Importantly, insomnia is often accompanied by a myriad of symptoms during the daytime, the most common being insomnia dizziness, headache, malaise, fatigue, anxiety, and even contribute to several diseases. However, the action mode of multi-component and multi-target for Chinese medicine could be a promising therapy for insomnia. According to the previous research, the ZaoRenDiHuang (ZRDH) Capsules showed the noteworthy anti-insomnia effect. Up to now, active ingredients, potential targets, and signaling pathways and mechanism of action are not yet clear. In this study, network pharmacology was employed to elucidate the potential anti-insomnia mechanism of ZRDH.Methods：In this study, an integrated pharmacology approach was implemented, which involved evaluation of absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of ZRDH, data mining of the insomnia targets, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, enrichment analysis, and molecular docking simulation, to predict the bioactive components, potential targets, and molecular mechanism of ZRDH for insomnia.Results：In this work, 44 anti-insomnia components of ZRDH and 65 anti-insomnia targets of insomnia were filtrated through database mining. The Drug-Disease network was constructed andfive key components Jujuboside A, Schizandrin A, Schizandrin C, Schizandrin B, and Spinosin, were further obtained. Sixty-five key targets were identified by topological analysis. Sequential studies turned out, NMURl, CAlCR, GABA, TAER2, ORDS, CYS1TR2, HTR1B, TLR4 were the common key targets. Docking studies indicated that the bioactive compounds could stably bind the pockets of target proteins. The findings of Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway annotation suggested that the Neuroactive ligand−receptor interaction, Serotonergic synapse CAMP signaling pathway, HIF−1a signaling pathway, Toll−like receptor signaling pathway, anti-insomnia through data mining and network analysis.Conclusion: In sunmmary, potential mechanisms involved in ZRDH treatment for insomnia involves multiple components and multiple target points as well as multiple pathways. These findings may offer a profile for further investigations of the anti-fibrotic mechanism of ZRDH.