bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Correlation between Severity of Overactive Bladder Symptoms with Female Sexual Dysfunction and Sexual Satisfaction of Partners
Authors: Wang Yangyun , Shi Chaoliang , Wang Yang , Jiao Wei , Wang Xilong , Zhang Jun , Shi Guowei , Wu Denglong
Published: November 2020

Purpose: Sexual dysfunction in women with overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome has been an important topic, while the sexual satisfaction of partners has not been fully investigated. Our aim was to explore the association between the severity of OAB with female sexual dysfunction and sexual satisfaction of partners. Methods: A total of 323 patients with OAB recruited in our hospital were included in our study from September 2017 to March 2019. Data were collected by Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) questionnaire, self-designed questionnaire for basic characteristics; Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI); and sexual satisfaction survey for sex partners of patients. χ2 test or 1-way ANOVA was used to compare the variables among groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the severity of OAB with female sexual dysfunction and sexual satisfaction of partners. The correlations between different OABSS domains with female sexual dysfunction and sexual satisfaction of partners were assessed. Results: All the patients were classified into mild (n = 107), moderate (n = 98), severe (n = 118) OAB group based on OABSS. Most of the basic information were similar among groups, except for BMI, highest education, occupation, fertility, and history of pelvic floor surgery. After multiple factors correction, the severity of OAB, exercise frequency, and the history of pelvic floor surgery were statistically associated with the female sexual dysfunction and sexual satisfaction of partners. Urgency score was significantly correlated with female sexual dysfunction, and the urge incontinence was most significantly associated with the sexual satisfaction of partners. Conclusion: Severe OAB was closely associated with female sexual dysfunction and sexual satisfaction of partners. The urgency and urge incontinence should be focused for OAB management.
Reliability and Reproducibility of the Diameters Method in Rapid Determination of Acute Infarct Volume in Magnetic Resonance Diffusion-Weighted Imaging
Authors: Cheng XiaoQing , Liu QuanHui , Shi JiaQian , Zhou ChangSheng , Su XiaoQin , Dong Zheng , Xing Wei , Lu HaiTao , Pan ChengWei , Li XiuLi , Yu YiZhou , Lu GuangMing
Published: November 2020

Background: In acute ischemic stroke, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) volume is an independent predictive factor of poor outcome and an exclusion criterion for thrombolytic treatment. A simplified diameters method (ABC/2, orthogonal diameter [OD], and the maximum diameter [MD]) was proposed to replace the conventional measuring method and overcome the tedious and time-consuming defects, but its accuracy remains to be determined. Objective: The objective of this study is to clarify the reliability and reproducibility of the diameter-based estimations in the infarct volume in DWI (Vol-DWI) measured by automated software. Methods: Data of 316 patients with acute ischemic stroke who underwent MRI within 72 h at Jinling Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Subgroup analysis by the location (cortex, white matter and deep gray nuclei, and combined) and volume (<70 and >70 mL) of cerebral infarction was evaluated. Relationship and consistency between the diameters methods and Vol-DWI were determined using Spearman rank correlation, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Bland-Altman plots. The OD and MD thresholds indicating infarct size >15, 70, and 100 mL were determined by generating receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Interobserver reliability was established using intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plot. Results: There was a strong positive correlation between the diameters and the Vol-DWI (ABC/2: r = 0.992, OD: r = 0.984, MD: r = 0.970, p < 0.001). Infarct volumes measured using the ABC/2 formula were significantly lower than those measured with Vol-DWI (Wilcoxon signed-rank test, z = 6.476, p < 0.001). Bland-Altman plot showed that the agreement of the volume <70 mL group, and white matter and deep gray nuclei groups was better than that of the other subgroups. For infarct volumes >15, 70, and 100 mL, the cutoff value for the MD was identified at 5, 6.9, and 8.4 cm, and the OD was identified at 12.47, 26.4, and 36.4 cm2, respectively, with a sensitivity and specificity >90%. Conclusions: The MD method was the best for achieving a rapid and excellent interobserver reliability for estimating infarct volume. Both OD and MD methods can quickly screen patients suitable for recanalization treatment and predict poor prognosis through threshold evaluation.
Joinpoint Regression Analysis of Trends in Multiple Sclerosis Incidence in Kuwait: 1980–2019
Authors: Akhtar Saeed , Al-Abkal Jarrah , Alroughani Raed
Published: November 2020

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system with unknown precise etiology. Temporally, a tendency for increasing MS incidence has been recorded worldwide. This cross-sectional cohort study sought to quantify trends in the age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) (per million person-years) of MS in Kuwait from 1980 to 2019, overall and by subcohorts defined by age at MS onset, sex, and nationality. Methods: MS incidence data from 1980 to 2019 were obtained from the Kuwait National MS Registry (KNMSR). Using midyear relevant Kuwait population as denominator and the World Standard Population as a reference, MS ASIRs overall and by subcohorts defined by age at onset (0–19, 20–39, and 40+ years), sex (male and female), and nationality (Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti) were computed. Joinpoint regression analysis was conducted to estimate average annual percent change (AAPC) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) overall and by subcohorts. Results: During 1980–2019, a total of 1,764 MS incident cases of 95.6 million person-years at-risk were diagnosed and registered in KNMSR. The overall MS ASIR (per million person-years) during the study period was 34.1 (95% CI: 16.1, 52.1). Between 1980 and 2010, in the total cohort, ASIRs of MS significantly increased by 13% (AAPC = 13.0; 95% CI: 10.8, 15.3; p < 0.001), followed by statistically nonsignificant declining trend during the ensuing period (AAPC = −3.8; 95% CI: −14.8, 8.8; p = 0.522). Joinpoint regression analysis revealed that 2 subcohorts of Kuwaiti females each with one joinpoint had significant increasing trends in MS ASIRs (0- to 19-year-old Kuwaiti females, AAPC: 1980–2009, 81.0; 95% CI: 58.2, 107.0; p = 0.001; 20- to 39-year-old Kuwaiti females, AAPC: 1980–1999, 131.7; 95% CI: 26.9, 322.8; p = 0.021). Additionally, of remaining 10, 6 subcohorts had significantly (p < 0.05) increasing trends in MS ASIRs from 1980 to 2019. Conclusions: From 1980 to 2010, Kuwait has an overall significantly increasing trend in MS ASIRs followed by a nonsignificant declining drift in the ensuing period. The increasing trend in MS risk appeared to be driven by increased risk among Kuwaiti females younger than 40 years. The underlying factors modulating MS risk in Kuwait need further studies.
Prestroke Physical Activity and Poststroke Cognitive Performance
Authors: Damsbo Andreas Gammelgaard , Mortensen Janne Kaergaard , Kraglund Kristian Lundsgaard , Johnsen Søren Paaske , Andersen Grethe , Blauenfeldt Rolf Ankerlund
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) is associated with a lower risk of stroke and stroke mortality as well as a favorable stroke outcome. PA may also prevent general cognitive decline. Poststroke cognitive impairment is both common and disabling, and focusing on all possible preventive measures is important. Studies on the effect of PA on poststroke cognitive performance are sparse, however. We therefore aimed to examine the association between prestroke PA and poststroke cognitive performance. Methods: We studied the correlation between prestroke PA and poststroke cognitive performance in a prespecified analysis in The Efficacy of Citalopram Treatment in Acute Ischemic Stroke (TALOS) trial. We used the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) to collect information on PA during the 7-day period before stroke. PA was quantified, and patients were stratified into quartiles based on their PASE score. Cognitive performance was measured using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) at 1 and 6 months and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at 6 months. The functional outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results: In total, 625 of 642 patients (97%) completed the PASE questionnaire. The median age was 69 (interquartile range [IQR]: 60–77), and the median PASE score was 137 (82–205). Higher prestroke PASE quartiles (2nd, 3rd, and 4th, each compared to the 1st) were independently associated with a higher SDMT score at 1 month in the both the univariable and multivariable analyses (2nd: 3.99 points, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01–6.97; 3rd: 3.6, CI: 0.6–6.61; 4th: 4.1, CI: 0.95–7.24). This association remained at 6 months. PA was not statistically associated with the MMSE score or mRS. Conclusion: Higher prestroke PA was associated with a better cognitive performance as measured by the SDMT at 1 and 6 months poststroke. We found no significant association between prestroke PA and functional outcome. Our results are encouraging and support further investigations of PA as a protective measure against poststroke cognitive impairment.
The First Step to Apostasy? (An Ethiopian Ruler’s Missive to the Sultan Baybars Re-interpreted)
Authors: Frantsouzoff Serge A.
Published: November 2020

A majority of the sources on medieval Ethiopia are written in the Gǝ‘ǝz language in the “genre” of history. However, some texts written in Arabic remain equally important. Among such texts the missive addressed by a ruler of Ethiopia to the Mamluk Sultan Baybars (known as al-Malik al-Ẓāhir) in AH 673 / AD 1274-75 is of considerable interest. The Ethiopian ruler can be identified as the founder of the Ethiopian Solomonic dynasty Yǝkunno Amlak. The text of this missive survived in three Arabic versions: in the Islamic “encyclopaedias” by al-Nuwayrī and al-Qalqashadī (resp. AH 730 / AD 1330 and AH 814 / AD 1412) and in the dhayl (continuation) to the Universal history by al-Makīn, compiled by the Coptic author al-Mufaḍḍal b. Abī’l-Faḍā’il in AH 759 / AD 1358. All three versions are almost identical, however, the version by al-Nuwayrī is the longest one and the closest to the original. The detailed analysis of this version supplied by the full translation into English made for the first time by the present author clearly shows that the person who wrote it was the amīr (commander) of the Amhara and not yet the king of Ethiopia. However, he had an intention to become himself with his people a subject of Baybars to obtain help from him against the Zagwe dynasty. As a consequence, the Ethiopian Christians would have been under the Muslim power. However, the Mamluk Sultan was less interested in that affair.
Combinations to Reflect All Nations
Authors: Dennis Megan
Published: November 2020

As Children’s Laureate 2013–2015, Malorie Blackman raised awareness of the lack of racial diversity in children’s fiction. Underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in fiction and the publishing industry’s infrastructure is a severe problem in the world of children’s books, as illuminated by research into the publishing environment of the past 15 years, and the books populating current bestseller charts. Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of economic and symbolic capital is important to understanding how diversity is highlighted in the contemporary literary field, but his polarization of the different form of capital as motivation for creating art is reductive. Storytelling is about combining voices and experiences, and publishers can, and should, combine economic and symbolic motivations in publishing diverse fiction for children. Publishing a book because it will be successful economically and because it is the right thing to do are not mutually exclusive; in publishing diverse children’s fiction, both motives can and should inspire us.
Four new species of Myrsidea (Phthiraptera: Amblycera: Menoponidae) from Chinese babblers (Passeriformes: Leiothrichidae, Paradoxornithidae, Timaliidae)
Authors: LEI LUJIA , CHU XINGZHI , DIK BILAL , ZOU FASHENG , WANG HAITAO , GUSTAFSSON DANIEL R.
Published: November 2020

Four new species of amblyceran chewing lice of the genus Myrsidea Waterston, 1915 are described from hosts of the babbler families Leiothrichidae, Paradoxornithidae and Timaliidae in China. They are: Myrsidea attenuata n. sp. from Garrulax maesi maesi (Oustalet, 1890), Myrsidea zhangae n. sp. from Ianthocincla berthemyi (Oustalet, 1876), Myrsidea liopari n. sp. from Lioparus chrysotis amoenus (Mayr, 1941) and L. chrysotis swinhoii (Verreaux, 1871), and Myrsidea suthorae n. sp. from Suthora verreauxi verreauxi Sharpe, 1883. A checklist of host-louse associations for identified and unidentified Myrsidea species known from babblers is provided.
Back to life and to taxonomy: new record and reassessment of Myotis bucharensis (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae)
Authors: KAZAKOV DENIS V. , ARTYUSHIN ILYA V. , KHABILOV TOLIBJON K. , TADZHIBAEVA DILBAR E. , KRUSKOP SERGEI V.
Published: November 2020

Myotis bucharensis is one of the least studied Palaearctic bat species, known from only three localities in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and not reported since 1965. In autumn 2019, a male Myotis captured in Zerafshan river basin in Tajikistan was later identified as M. bucharensis based on tail and tibia proportions and strongly displacement of posterior small premolars. The identification was then confirmed by morphometric analyses supporting that M. bucharensis is specifically different but represents a part of the Myotis frater complex. Analyses of one mitochondrial (cyt b) and one nuclear gene (RAG2) were performed for the first time for M. bucharensis. According to these genetic results, this form is indeed a member of the «daubentonii» clade, which includes all known frater-like Myotis, and most likely represents a sister species to M. longicaudatus. Record of the alive specimen M. bucharensis has valuable implication for bat conservation in Tajikistan.
Two new species of the subgenus Conicornuta Volynkin, 2019 of the genus Ammatho Walker, 1855 from China and northern Vietnam (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae)
Authors: VOLYNKIN ANTON V. , HUANG SI-YAO , DERZHINSKY YEVGENIY A.
Published: November 2020

Two new species of the subgenus Conicornuta Volynkin, 2019 of the genus Ammatho Walker, 1855 are described: Ammatho (Conicornuta) sinocontinentalis Huang & Volynkin, sp. n. (China) and Ammatho (Conicornuta) mangae Volynkin, Huang & Derzhinsky, sp. n. (Vietnam, Vĩnh Phúc Province). The lectotype for Miltochrista convexa Wileman, 1910 is designated. Adults, male and female genitalia are illustrated.
Signaling Pathways in Immune Responses with Incomplete Information: A Novel Model Founded on Coupled Uniform Sequential Reaction Systems
Authors: Kochel Bonawentura
Published: November 2020

A novel mathematical model for determining the forms of signaling pathways, ranging from linear structures to networks, on the basis of single-mode and multimodal time courses of immune responses under the condition of incomplete information, was elaborated. The subcellular immune processes
and systems lacking the kinetic parameters still remain, in general, undetermined by deterministic quantitative models, which has resulted in the resignation from these models in favor of the so-called kinetically agnostic models. The model proposed in this paper intends to give a deterministic
description of signaling pathways implicated in immune responses with unknown kinetic parameters. To do that, uniform sequential reaction systems and coupled sequential reaction systems were constructed using systems of differential equations and the novel notions of uniform functions, transition,
coupling and branch operations founded on the assumptions of a uniform distribution of unknown rate constants, mass action kinetics, and first-order kinetics. Reaction step-dependent analytical solutions to the uniform sequential systems were expressed by the means of the incomplete gamma
function and unambiguously characterized using, amongst others, the Lambert W function, which were necessary to obtain strict analytical solutions to those systems. These systems were validated by comparing their solutions with those obtained for ordinary sequential systems, regarded
as the systems with complete information. The numerical solutions to the uniform sequential systems obtained by the Lederberg-Marquardt method were compared with those obtained by the Lambert W function. The signaling pathways were determined by analyzing the uniform sequential and
coupled sequential reaction systems that describe the time courses of multimodal immune responses. Bi- and tri-modal immune processes representing temporal expressions of the transcription factor T-bet, the IL-12Rβ2 receptor, the IL-4, Tbx21 and Twist1 genes—all
in helper T cells, calcium ion in 2G12.1 T cell hybridoma, c-Fos sumoylation in serum-stimulated HeLa cells, and IFN-γ-secreting cytotoxic T cells were modeled. Application of the coupled uniform sequential systems to the above immune processes allowed accurate approximations of their
time behavior and to determine the structures of the signaling pathways and to predict some. A notion of the fractional reaction step, and its meaning in revealing the coupled sequential systems behind the seeming sequential ones, was introduced and analyzed. A consistent approach to the different
forms of signaling pathways, beginning from the linear sequential systems through coupled (nonlinear) sequential ones to networks, was presented together with an algebraic insight into those systems.
Oncological Study of Thin Layers of Imatinib Molecule Nanostructure for Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML), Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive (Ph+), Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST), Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES), Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia
(CEL), Systemic Mastocytosis and Myelodysplastic Syndrome Treatment
Authors: Heidari Alireza
Published: November 2020

The interest in exploring more effective methods for cancer treatment has increased widely in recent years. In clinical studies it is difficult to determine the temperature distribution in both normal tissue and in tumor during hyperthermia treatment since temperature can be measured
in limited number of positions in tissue or tumor. Simulation studies can play crucial role in physician's perception of the temperature distribution in tissue. Hyperthermia treatment is facing some unsolved problems such as the appropriate dosage of magnetic Nano particles required to achieve
the optimum temperature which results in apoptosis in tumor cells. In this study, a 2D computational model is created in COMSOL Metaphysics in order to analyze temperature distribution in both normal tissue and tumor during hyperthermia treatment using various dosages of magnetic Nano particles.
Temperature distribution is achieved by considering various layers from wave source through to the tumor and also by taking into account the amount of heat generated through the Brownian rotation and the Neel relaxation. Simulations of a spherical tumor located in ellipse tissue were designed.
A systematical variation in dosage has been performed. Temperature distribution and maximum temperature in steady state and effect of the dosage of Nano particles.
Proteome Mediated Synthesis of Biocompatible Green Fluorescence Cerium Oxide Quantum Dots with Enhanced Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Bhagit Amita A. , Mhatre Sveeta V. , Yadav R. P.
Published: November 2020

Biocompatibility of quantum dots make good candidature for in vivo and in vitro diagnostic applications. In this study biocompatible cerium oxide quantum dots (CeO2 QDs) were synthesized from proteome of Justicia adhatoda leaf using simple aqueous protocol.
Synthesized cerium oxide nanoparticle possessed green colored fluorescence under UV light. Quantum yield of CeO2 QDs was found to be 31.13% and were stable for 3 month at 4 °C. The band gap was found to be 3.26 eV which was higher than the band gap of bulk material i.e., 3.19
eV. The concentration of synthesized CeO2 QDs was determined as 165.96 ppm. These quantum dots were also characterized using an UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) respectively. It displayed distinct absorbance
peak at 380 nm under UV-Visible spectrum. TEM images showed monodispersity of 2–5 nm spherical shaped CeO2 QDs and higher degree of crystallinity was observed by the pattern of selected area electron diffraction. In FTIR, the stretching observed at 621.65 cm–1
is assigned to Ce-O which confirmed the CeO2QDs formation. In view of biocompability, synthesized CeO2QDs were also characterised in reference to cell toxicity. Generated CeO2QDs has not showed any toxicity to J774A.1, Raw 264.7 and 3T3 cell lines in vitro
cell viability assay. Significant enhancement in antioxidant activity of synthesized cerium oxide nanoparticles was observed from bulk material. This process offers plenty of advantages such as simple protocol, mild environment operation, potential for large scale commercial production of
biocompatible CeO2QD. These QDs might find potential applications in both in vitro and in vivo diagnostics.
Visible-Light Driven Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Assessment of Ag/ZnO/Cellulose Nanocomposite
Authors: Lefatshe Kebadiretse , Kebaabetswe Lemme P. , Muiva Cosmas M.
Published: November 2020

Ag/ZnO/cellulose nanocomposites were synthesised through in-situ solution casting method, which offers a good adhesion and dispersity of nanostructured materials. SEM analysis revealed formation of nanodiscs-like structures for ZnO while nanospheres and hierarchical nanosheets
were observed for Ag and cellulose, respectively. XRD analysis pointed to the monoclinic type-1 phase of cellulose. Peaks corresponding to typical hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO and face-centredcubic Ag structure were also identified. Photodecomposition of aqueous methylene blue (MB)
under direct sunlight irradiation was monitored to study the photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite. About 92% of MB dye was photodegraded in the presence of Ag/ZnO/cellulose nanocomposite. The influence of Ag+ ions on the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO is discussed. The
antibacterial efficiency of the synthesised samples was investigated against two Gram positive pathogenic bacteria species: Staphylococcus aureus and a spore forming Bacillus subtilis as well as a Gram-negative Escherichia coli. The prepared nanocomposite exhibited strong
activity against the growth of all the bacterial species though in different quantified measures.
Characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated From Clinical Specimens in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
Authors: Kandel Shesh Narayan , Adhikari Nabaraj , Dhungel Binod , Shrestha Upendra Thapa , Angbuhang Khadga Bikram , Karki Gayatri , Adhikari Bipin , Banjara Megha Raj , Rijal Komal Raj , Ghimire Prakash
Published: November 2020

Introduction:

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major human pathogen associated with nosocomial and community infections. mecA gene is considered one of the important virulence factors of S. aureus responsible for acquiring resistance against methicillin. The main objective of this study was to explore the prevalence, antibiotic susceptibility pattern, and mec A gene.

Methods:

A total of 39 isolates of S. aureus were isolated from 954 clinical specimens processed in Microbiology laboratory of Himal Hospital, Kathmandu. Antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) was performed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method using cefoxitin, and performed Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for amplification of mecA gene in MRSA isolates.

Results:

Out of 954 clinical samples, (16.2%; 153/954) samples had bacterial growth. Among 153 culture positive isolates, 25.5% (39/153) were positive for S. aureus. Among 39 S. aureus (61.5%; 24/39) were multiple drug resistant (MDR). On AST, amoxicillin was detected as the least effective while vancomycin was the most effective. The prevalence of methicillin resistance was 46% (18/39) of which 72.2% (13/18) were positive for mecA gene in PCR assay.

Conclusion:

One in 4 culture positive isolates from the clinical specimens were S. aureus, of which almost two-thirds were MDR. Around half of the MDR showed MRSA and significant proportion of them were positive for mecA gene. This study concludes that the mecA gene is solely dependent for methicillin resistance in S. aureus but the presence of gene is not obligatory. PCR detection of the mecA gene is reliable, valid and can be suggested for the routine use in diagnostic laboratories.
Patterns and associated factors of COVID-19 knowledge, attitude, and practice among general population and health care workers: A systematic review
Authors: Bekele Firomsa , Sheleme Tadesse , Fekadu Ginenus , Bekele Kumera
Published: November 2020

Introduction:

Coronavirus disease 2019 is a pandemic disease, requiring persons around the world to take immediate action to reduce the risk of infection. This study was aimed to summarize the patterns and determinants of coronavirus disease 2019 knowledge, attitude, and practice among general populations and health workers.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study from PubMed, HINARI, and Scopus were searched from March 16 to July 30, 2020. The review was done in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses–2009.

Result:

We found 56 articles upon the initial search. Finally, 21 studies were filtered to be studied in this systematic review. Overall, the majority of the articles that were previously published had good knowledge about coronavirus disease 2019 that lies in the ranges from 40% to 99.5%. A good attitude lies in the ranges from 70% to 97.1%. Among impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on mental health, only anxiety was reported that ranges from 24.6% to 96.3%. We found the variable practice towards combating coronavirus disease 2019. Several factors were associated with poor knowledge, attitudes, and practice skills regarding the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 such as level of education, occupation, income, gender, age, residence, work experience, religion, having media, marital status, and race.

Conclusion:

The majority of the articles that were previously published had found good knowledge and attitude about coronavirus disease 2019 and variable reports for practice to combat the disease. Most of them were severely worried about the disease. Therefore, the mental effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 should be studied at large, and every country should implement the strategy to combat the disease to increase the level of practice.
Global, regional, and national burdens of bladder cancer in 2017: estimates from the 2017 global burden of disease study
Authors: He Hairong , Xie Hongjun , Chen Yule , Li Chengzhuo , Han Didi , Xu Fengshuo , Lyu Jun
Published: November 2020

Background

The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence and mortality of bladder cancer (BCa) using data obtained in the Global Burden of Disease study performed in 2017 (GBD 2017).

Methods

Data on BCa for 2017, including prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), were obtained from GBD 2017 at the global, regional, and national levels. We also analyzed the association of BCa burden with the country development level.

Results

There were 2.63 million BCa cases estimated from the GBD 2017 data, with 200,000 persons dying of BCa, resulting in 3.60 million DALYs in 2017. The age-standardized prevalence (ASP) of BCa was 32.91/100,000 persons, and age-standardized death rate (ASDR) was 2.57/100,000 persons. The ASP and ASDR of BCa were higher in males than in females, and higher in people older than 60 years. The ASP and ASDR of BCa were higher in Western Europe and Central Europe than in South Asia, Andean Latin America, and Central Latin America, and higher in countries with a higher sociodemographic index (SDI). Correlation analysis identified that the ASP and ASDR of BCa were positively correlated with the country SDI (P < 0.0001 and ρ = 0.68 for ASP, and P = 0.0048 and ρ = 0.20 for ASDR). In addition, 33.72% deaths and 36.80% DALYs caused by BCa could be attributed to smoking globally.

Conclusion

The prevalence and mortality of BCa were very high in 2017, especially in high-SDI countries. Smoking-cessation strategies should be strengthened to control the burden associated with BCa.
Psoas hematoma as a rare complication of posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a case report
Authors: Deng Bo , Hong Hai Nan , Feng Xin Bing , Hong Zheng Hua , Cai Guo Ping , Hong Dun
Published: November 2020

Background

Psoas hematoma rarely occurs in patients with spondylolisthesis who undergo posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) surgery.

Case presentation

Here we reported a case of a 57-year-old male patient diagnosed with spondylolisthesis who underwent PLIF at the local hospital. Seven days post-surgery, abdominal pain occurred, and the pain in the right lower limb gradually increased. The computerized tomography (CT) indicated a formation of hematoma around the psoas muscle. Digital-subtraction angiography (DSA) suggested a vascular injury, a rupture of the right segmental artery of the lumbar vertebral level 4. The patient then received DSA vascular embolization, after which the lower lumbar segmental artery active bleeding was stopped. One month after discharge, the abdominal hematoma was gradually absorbed, and the pain in the waist, leg, and abdomen disappeared.

Conclusion

Symptoms such as abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and exacerbation of lower limb pain, may suggest the occurrence of psoas hematoma after PLIF. DSA vascular embolization is suggested as the first treatment approach for this type of complication.
Neuroprotective effects of Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. against high-dose corticosterone-induced oxidative stress in PC-12 cells
Authors: Lew Sze Yuen , Lim Siew Huah , Lim Lee Wei , Wong Kah Hui
Published: November 2020

Background

Hericium erinaceus is a culinary and medicinal mushroom in Traditional Chinese Medicines. It has numerous pharmacological effects including immunomodulatory, anti-tumour, anti-microbial, anti-aging and stimulation of nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis, but little is known about its potential role in negating the detrimental effects of oxidative stress in depression. The present study investigated the neuroprotective effects of H. erinaceus standardised aqueous extract (HESAE) against high-dose corticosterone-induced oxidative stress in rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells, a cellular model mimicking depression.

Methods

PC-12 cells was pre-treated with HESAE for 48 h followed by 400 μM corticosterone for 24 h to induce oxidative stress. Cells in complete medium without any treatment or pre-treated with 3.125 μg/mL desipramine served as the negative and positive controls, respectively. The cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities, aconitase activity, mitochondrial membrane potentials (MMPs), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and number of apoptotic nuclei were quantified. In addition, HESAE ethanol extract was separated into fractions by chromatographic methods prior to spectroscopic analysis.

Results

We observed that PC-12 cells treated with high-dose corticosterone at 400 μM had decreased cell viability, reduced endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities, disrupted mitochondrial function, and increased oxidative stress and apoptosis. However, pre-treatment with HESAE ranging from 0.25 to 1 mg/mL had increased cell viability, decreased LDH release, enhanced endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities, restored MMP, attenuated intracellular ROS and protected from ROS-mediated apoptosis. The neuroprotective effects could be attributed to significant amounts of adenosine and herierin III isolated from HESAE.

Conclusions

HESAE demonstrated neuroprotective effects against high-dose corticosterone-induced oxidative stress in an in vitro model mimicking depression. HESAE could be a potential dietary supplement to treat depression.
Twenty-four-week oral dosing toxicities of Herba Siegesbeckiae in rats
Authors: Wu Jia-Ying , Chan Yuen-Cheung , Guo Hui , Chen Ying-Jie , Liu Yu-Xi , Yi Hua , Yu Zhi-Ling
Published: November 2020

Background

Herba Siegesbeckiae (HS), the dried aerial parts of Siegesbeckia orientalis L., S. pubescens Makino, or S. glabrescens Makino, is traditionally used for treating chronic diseases in China. However, there is no information about the chronic toxicity of HS. The objective of this study is to evaluate the 24-week oral dosing toxicities of HS aqueous extract (HSE) in rats.

Methods

S. orientalis-originated HS was reflux-extracted with distilled water. Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups, with 10 males and 10 females in each group. The rats were intragastrically administered with HSE at 5, 1.67 and 0.56 g/kg (experimental groups) or an equal volume of distilled water (control group), 6 days a week, for 24 weeks. The high dose of HSE (5 g/kg) was its maximum tolerated dose. Body weight was recorded every 2 days during the experimental period. Chemical, hematological and histopathological parameters, as well as organ weights, were measured at the end of the experiment.

Results

Decreased body weight gain; increased liver and lung relative weights; histopathological alterations in liver and lung tissues; elevated serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase were found after HSE treatments. In liver tissues, HSE treatment upregulated levels of three pro-inflammatory cytokines: IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α. In lung tissues, HSE treatment caused oxidative stress and activated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs).

Conclusion

Long-term oral administration of HSE caused toxicities in rats evidenced by decreased body weight gain, as well as liver and lung damage. Treatment-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and MAPK activation are involved in HSE’s toxicities. Caution should be taken when using HS to treat chronic diseases.
BET protein inhibitor apabetalone (RVX-208) suppresses pro-inflammatory hyper-activation of monocytes from patients with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Wasiak Sylwia , Dzobo Kim E. , Rakai Brooke D. , Kaiser Yannick , Versloot Miranda , Bahjat Mahnoush , Stotz Stephanie C. , Fu Li , Sweeney Michael , Johansson Jan O. , Wong Norman C. W. , Stroes Erik S. G. , Kroon Jeffrey , Kulikowski Ewelina
Published: November 2020

Background

Patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (DM2) have a high residual risk for experiencing a major adverse cardiac event. Dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms of gene transcription in innate immune cells contributes to CVD development but is currently not targeted by therapies. Apabetalone (RVX-208) is a small molecule inhibitor of bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins—histone acetylation readers that drive pro-inflammatory and pro-atherosclerotic gene transcription. Here, we assess the impact of apabetalone on ex vivo inflammatory responses of monocytes from DM2 + CVD patients.

Results

Monocytes isolated from DM2 + CVD patients and matched controls were treated ex vivo with apabetalone, interferon γ (IFNγ), IFNγ + apabetalone or vehicle and phenotyped for gene expression and protein secretion. Unstimulated DM2 + CVD monocytes had higher baseline IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-8 cytokine gene expression and Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 surface abundance than control monocytes, indicating pro-inflammatory activation. Further, DM2 + CVD monocytes were hyper-responsive to stimulation with IFNγ, upregulating genes within cytokine and NF-κB pathways > 30% more than control monocytes (p < 0.05). Ex vivo apabetalone treatment countered cytokine secretion by DM2 + CVD monocytes at baseline (GROα and IL-8) and during IFNγ stimulation (IL-1β and TNFα). Apabetalone abolished pro-inflammatory hyper-activation by reducing TLR and cytokine gene signatures more robustly in DM2 + CVD versus control monocytes.

Conclusions

Monocytes isolated from DM2 + CVD patients receiving standard of care therapies are in a hyper-inflammatory state and hyperactive upon IFNγ stimulation. Apabetalone treatment diminishes this pro-inflammatory phenotype, providing mechanistic insight into how BET protein inhibition may reduce CVD risk in DM2 patients.
Triage of hrHPV-positive women: comparison of two commercial methylation-specific PCR assays
Authors: Dippmann Carolin , Schmitz Martina , Wunsch Kristina , Schütze Stefanie , Beer Katrin , Greinke Christiane , Ikenberg Hans , Hoyer Heike , Runnebaum Ingo B. , Hansel Alfred , Dürst Matthias
Published: November 2020

Aim

High-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV)-based screening is becoming increasingly important, either by supplementing or replacing the traditional cytology-based cervical Pap smear. However, hrHPV screening lacks specificity, because it cannot differentiate between transient virus infection and clinically relevant hrHPV-induced disease. Therefore, reliable triage methods are needed for the identification of HPV-positive women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in need of treatment. Promising tools discussed for the triage of these patients are molecular diagnostic tests based on epigenetic markers. Here, we compare the performance of two commercially available DNA methylation-based diagnostic assays—GynTect® and the QIAsure Methylation Test—in physician-taken cervical scrapes from 195 subjects.

Findings

Both GynTect® and the QIAsure Methylation Test detected all cervical carcinoma and carcinoma in situ (CIS). The differences observed in the detection rates between both assays for the different grades of cervical lesions (QIAsure Methylation Test: CIN1 26.7%, CIN2 27.8% and CIN3 74.3%; GynTect®: CIN1 13.3%, CIN2 33.3% and CIN3 60%) were not significant. Concerning the false-positive rates, significant differences were evident. For the healthy (NILM) hrHPV-positive group, the false-positive rates were 5.7% for GynTect® and 26.4% for QIAsure Methylation Test (p = 0.003) and for the NILM hrHPV-negative group 2.2% vs. 23.9% (p = 0.006), respectively. When considering hrHPV-positive samples only for comparison (n = 149), GynTect® delivered significantly higher specificity compared to the QIAsure Methylation Test for CIN2 + (87.6% vs. 67.4% (p < 0.001)) and CIN3 + (84.1% vs. 68.2% (p = 0.002)).

Overall our findings suggest that DNA methylation-based tests are suitable for the triage of hrHPV-positive women. With the goal to provide a triage test that complements the limited specificity of HPV testing in HPV-based screening, GynTect® may be preferable, due to its higher specificity for CIN2+ or CIN3+ .
Prevalence of allergic rhinitis, related comorbidities and risk factors in schoolchildren
Authors: Sultész Monika , Horváth Alpár , Molnár Dávid , Katona Gábor , Mezei Györgyi , Hirschberg Andor , Gálffy Gabriella
Published: November 2020

Background

The study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of allergic rhinitis and related comorbidities in school-age children in Budapest, capital of Hungary. Data and epidemiological studies on this disease are still limited.

Methods

A cross sectional study was conducted in 21 representative and randomly selected primary schools in 2019. International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood-based questionnaires (n = 6869) inquiring about prevalence and related risk factors of allergic rhinitis were distributed to all parents. The data were characterised with standard descriptive statistics: frequencies (percentages) and means for categorical and quantitative data, respectively.

Results

3836 of the questionnaires (1857 M/1979F) were completed. The prevalence of current allergic rhinitis was 29.3% (1043), physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis was 9.7% (373), cumulative allergic rhinitis was 36.2% (1289) and current allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was 16.2% (577). The presence of physician diagnosed atopic disease–asthma (p < 0.0001, OR = 4.398, 95% CI 3.356–5.807), food allergy (p < 0.0001, OR = 2.594, 95% CI 1.995–3.378), and eczema (p < 0.0001, OR = 1.899, 95% CI 1.568–2.300)-were significantly related to an increased risk of cumulative allergic rhinitis. Significant factors associated with allergic rhinitis include male gender (p < 0.0001), family history of atopy (p < 0.0001), frequent upper respiratory tract infections (p < 0.0001), tonsillectomy (p = 0.0054), antibiotics given in the first year of life (p < 0.0001), paracetamol given in the first year of life (p = 0.0038), long-lasting common infections caused by viruses and/or bacteria before the appearance of the allergy (p < 0.0001), consumption of drinks containing preservatives or colourants (p = 0.0023), duration of living in Budapest (p = 0.0386), smoking at home (p = 0.0218), smoking at home in the first year of life (p = 0.0048), birds at home (p = 0.0119), birds at home in the first year of life (p = 0.0052), visible mould in the bedroom (p = 0.0139), featherbedding (p = 0.0126), frequent or constant heavy-vehicle traffic (p = 0.0039), living in a weedy area (p < 0.0001) and living in the vicinity of an air-polluting factory or mine (p = 0.0128).

Conclusions

The prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in 6–12-year-old children in Budapest is higher than reported for most of the surrounding European countries. While asthma (OR = 4.398) is the most significant comorbidity, environmental factors such as birds at home in the first year of life (OR = 2.394) and living in a weedy area (OR = 1.640) seem to be the most important factors associated with AR. Strategies for preventive measures should be implemented.

Trial registration number: KUT-19/2019. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee at Heim Pál National Pediatric Institute,
Successful olaparib desensitization using a novel one-day protocol
Authors: Zhu Rongbo , Welch Stephen , Roberts Hannah
Published: November 2020

Background

Olaparib is a revolutionary treatment for patients with ovarian and breast cancer. Currently, there is no established 1-day drug desensitization protocol for patients with olaparib type-1 hypersensitivity reactions despite well documented IgE-mediated adverse reactions occurring with olaparib.

Case presentation

We report a 58-year-old female with immediate, reproducible IgE-mediated adverse reactions to olaparib tablets with implementation of a 1-day novel desensitization protocol to olaparib. Following desensitization, the patient was successfully transitioned from olaparib capsules to tablets with no loss of tolerance.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of successful olaparib desensitization using a novel 1-day desensitization protocol, and will contribute to drug allergy knowledge, in an area where robust data is lacking. This case demonstrates the important role for drug desensitization in patients with immediate hypersensitivity reactions to chemotherapeutic agents. Furthermore, as olaparib capsules are being phased out in favour of olaparib tablets, we provide a clear case that transitioning from capsule to tablet form did not cause a loss of tolerance.
si-SNHG5-FOXF2 inhibits TGF-β1-induced fibrosis in human primary endometrial stromal cells by the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway
Authors: Liu Limin , Chen Guobin , Chen Taoliang , Shi Wenjuan , Hu Haiyan , Song Kaijing , Huang Ruichun , Cai Huihua , He Yuanli
Published: November 2020

Background

Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) are manifestations of endometrial fibrosis characterized by inflammation and fibrinogen aggregation in the extracellular matrix (ECM). The available therapeutic interventions for IUA are insufficiently effective in the clinical setting for postoperative adhesion recurrence and infertility problems. In this study, we investigated whether si-SNHG5-FOXF2 can serve as a molecular mechanism for the inhibition of IUA fibrosis ex vivo.

Methods

FOXF2, TGF-β1 and collagen expression levels were measured by microarray sequencing analysis in three normal endometrium groups and six IUA patients. We induced primary human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) into myofibroblasts (MFs) to develop an IUA cell model with various concentrations of TGF-β1 at various times. Downstream target genes of FOXF2 were screened by chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with whole-genome high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq). We investigated ECM formation, cell proliferation and Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway-related proteins in primary HESCs with FOXF2 downregulation by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blotting (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry, ethylenediurea (EdU) and CCK8 assays. We identified long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) SNHG5 as the upstream regulatory gene of FOXF2 through RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pulldown and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Finally, we examined FOXF2 expression, ECM formation, cell proliferation and Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway-related proteins in primary HESCs upon FOXF2 downregulation.

Results

FOXF2 was highly expressed in the endometrium of patients with IUA. Treatment of primary HESCs with 10 ng/ml TGF-β1 for 72 h was found to be most effective for developing an IUA cell model. FOXF2 regulated multiple downstream target genes, including collagen, vimentin (VIM) and cyclin D2/DK4, by ChIP-seq and ChIP-PCR. FOXF2 downregulation inhibited TGF-β1-mediated primary HESC fibrosis, including ECM formation, cell proliferation and Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway-related protein expression. We identified lncRNA SNHG5 as an upstream gene that directly regulates FOXF2 by RIP-seq, qRT-PCR, WB and FISH. SNHG5 downregulation suppressed FOXF2 expression in the IUA cell model, resulting in synergistic repression of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, thereby altering TGF-β1-mediated ECM aggregation in endometrial stromal cells ex vivo.

Conclusions

Regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway and ECM formation by si-SNHG5-FOXF2 effectively inhibited the profibrotic effect of TGF-β1 on primary HESCs. This finding can provide a molecular basis for antagonizing TGF-β1-mediated fibrosis in primary HESCs.