bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Redes alimentares alternativas em meio à Covid-19: reflexões sob o aspecto da resiliência
Authors: Lopes Isadora Bacha , Viana Mayra Monteiro , Alfinito Solange
Published: June 2020

A crise relacionada à covid-19 trouxe mudanças em diversos contextos, incluindo no alimentar. Serviços de alimentação foram fortemente impactados pela restrição abrupta de funcionamento do comércio. Todavia, as Redes Alimentares Alternativas (RAA) se mostraram resilientes neste processo. Para entender melhor esta questão, foram avaliados dois casos de RAA, sendo uma Comunidade que Sustenta a Agricultura (CSA) e um Clube de Compras (CC) de alimentos sustentáveis, ambos no Distrito Federal (Brasil). Os casos se configuram como sistemas que operam de formas diferentes, mas tendo em comum a promoção de acesso semanal a alimentos saudáveis e provenientes da agricultura familiar. No enfrentamento ao isolamento social trazido pela pandemia, foi possível verificar que ambos os casos precisaram se adaptar. Nos dois casos, foram incluídas medidas de saúde e segurança, o que demandou ajustes nas operações. Ainda, na CSA foi necessário, por exemplo, alterar o local de encontro para coleta dos produtos, e no CC foi interrompida a venda a não associados. Apesar das mudanças, nenhum dos sistemas, diferentemente de modelos de negócios alimentares convencionais, sofreu impacto negativo no desempenho econômico ou mudança do perfil de produto obtido pelos consumidores. Houve, na verdade, um aumento da demanda dos consumidores, nos dois casos, garantindo renda aos produtores envolvidos e o acesso a alimentos saudáveis pelos consumidores. Assim, a compreensão das características de RAA forneceu subsídios importantes para o favorecimento da relação produtor-consumidor também em momentos de crise como a da pandemia de covid-19.
Experimental Study and Modeling of Slug Dissipation in a Horizontal Enlarged Impacting Tee-Junction
Authors: Mohammadikharkeshi Mobina , Dabirian Ramin , Mohan Ram S. , Shoham Ovadia
Published: June 2020

A novel experimental and theoretical study on slug dissipation in a horizontal enlarged impacting tee-junction (EIT) is carried out. Both flowing-slug injection and stationary-slug injection into the EIT are studied, and the effects of inlet slug length and liquid-phase fluid properties on the slug dissipation in the EIT are investigated.

A total of 161 experimental data are acquired for air-water and air-oil flow. The flowing-slug data (with a horizontal inlet) show that the slug dissipation length increases with increasing mixture velocity, demonstrating a nonlinear trend with a steeper slope at lower mixture velocities. The effect of superficial gas velocity on the slug dissipation length is more pronounced compared with the effect of superficial liquid velocity. For stationary-slug injection into the EIT (with a 5° upward inclined inlet), the injected slug lengths vary between 40d to 100d (d is the inlet diameter). The data reveal that, when increasing the superficial gas velocity or the inlet slug size, the dissipation length in the EIT branches increases. For this case, the ratio of the slug dissipation length to the inlet slug length is higher for air-water compared with air-oil.

A slug dissipation model is developed using the slug-tracking approach, which is based on the flow mechanisms of liquid shedding at the back of the slug and liquid drainage and penetration of bubble turning at the front of the slug. These phenomena result in different translational velocities at the back and the front of the slug, which result in the dissipation of the slug body. Evaluation of model predictions against the acquired experimental data shows an average absolute relative error of less than 11%.
Predictors of tuberculosis infection among adults visiting anti-retroviral treatment center in east and west Gojjam, northwest, Ethiopia, 2017
Authors: Mera Habtamu Belew , Wubie Moges , Tizazu Getaye , Bitew Abebaw , Birlew Tesfa
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Tuberculosis is a serious health risk, for people living with human immune deficiency virus worldwide, and the burden of TB/HIV infection is still high in Ethiopia in particular. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the predictors of tuberculosis infection among adults visiting anti-retroviral treatment center in East and West Gojjam Zone, northwest, Ethiopia. Methods and Materials: Institution based unmatched case-control study was employed to determine the predictors of tuberculosis infection among adults visiting anti-retroviral treatment center in east and west Gojjam, Northwest, Ethiopia from March 7-April 15, 2017. A total of 552 participants were participated in the study (139 Cases and 413 controls). Cases were confirmed with active TB and infected with HIV, and controls were HIV positive adults with non-TB. All cases in each health facility who confirmed by acid-fast bacilli, culture and gene expert were considered as TB positive. However, controls were selected by using simple random sampling technique through the above diagnostic criteria and the data were collected with Face to face interview as well as patient medical record were utilized, and the quality of the data were assured, checked, coded, cleaned and entered in EPI-Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for the analysis. Result: Of the total sample (556), just about 552(99.2%) were participated in the study. 47.5% were females and 58.9% were rural dweller. Behavioral and modifiable biological risk factors: alcohol users (AOR=2.33; 95%CI:1.34,4.07),BMI<18.5kg/m2 (AOR=3.03;95%CI:1.79,5.14), CD4 count ≤200 cells/µl (AOR=2.34;95%CI:1.89,2.79) and between 201-499 cells/µl (AOR=2.63; 95%CI: 1.01,6.84), bedridden and ambulatory (AOR=3.3;95%CI:1.70,6.29 and AOR=8.2;95%CI:4.34,15.64),respectively. TB history in the family (AOR=3.00; 95%CI: 1.57, 5.74) were predictors for TB infection. Taking CPT (AOR=0.36; 95%CI: 0.21, 0.62) and having early WHO clinical stage I or II (AOR=0.34; 95%CI: 0.20, 0.56) had protective effect against TB infection. Conclusion: From this study, it has been concluded that alcohol users, BMI<18.5kg/m², CD4 count <499 cells/µl, bedridden and ambulatory and TB history were highly associated in TB-HIV co-infected adults. Strengthen screening more frequently, CPT Prophlaxysis and treated promptly important to reduce TB co-morbidity.
The predictive value of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio in the prognosis of acute coronary syndrome patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Quan Xiao-Qing , Wang Run-Chang , Zhang Qing , Zhang Cun-Tai , Sun Lei
Published: June 2020

Background: The association between the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) and prognosis in the patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is not fully understood. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the correlation between LMR and mortality or major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with ACS. Methods: A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, Web of science, EMBASE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. The association between LMR and mortality/MACE was analyzed in patients with ACS. The search was updated to April 15, 2020. Results: A total of 5 studies comprising 4343 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that lower LMR predicted higher short-term mortality/MACE (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.46–8.14, P < 0.05) and long-term mortality/MACE (HR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.36– 2.13, P < 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, there was still statistical significance of long-term mortality/MACE in all subgroups. Conclusions: This study suggested that lower LMR value might be associated with poor prognosis in ACS patients.
Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices and the Analysis of Risk Factors regarding Schistosomiasis Among Fishermen and Boatmen in the Dongting Lake Basin, the People's Republic of China
Authors: Guan Zhou , Dai Si-Min , Zhou Jie , Ren Xiao-Bing , Qin Zhi-Qiang , Li Yin-Long , Lv Shan , Li Shi-Zhu , Zhou Xiao-Nong , Xu Jing
Published: June 2020

Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted in the Dongting Lake Basin of Yueyang County, Hunan Province. A total of 601 fishermen and boatmen were interviewed between October and November 2017. Information regarding sociodemographic details and KAPs towards schistosomiasis were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Fecal samples of participants were collected and tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the risk factors related to the positive results of PCR. Results: Of the 601 respondents, over 90% knew schistosomiasis and how the disease was contracted, the intermediate host of schistosomes and preventive methods. The majority of respondents had a positive attitude towards schistosomiasis prevention. However, only 6.66% (40/601) of respondents had installed a latrine on their boats, while 32.61% (196/601) of respondents defecated in the public toilets on shore. In addition, only 4.99% (30/601) respondents protected themselves while exposed to freshwater. The prevalence of schistosomiasis, as determined by PCR, among fishermen and boatmen in Yueyang County was 13.81% (83/601). Age, years of performing the current job, number of times receiving treatment, and whether they were treated in past three years were the main influencing factors of PCR results among this population.Conclusions: Fishermen and boatmen are still at high risk of infection in P. R. China and gaps exist in KAPs towards schistosomiasis in this population group. Chemotherapy, and health education encouraging behavior change in combination with other integrated approaches to decrease the transmission risk in environments should be improved.
Community-based rehabilitation service in Chengdu，southwest China: a cross-sectional general survey
Authors: Chen Siliang , Lei Yi , Dai Hua , Wu Jia , Yang Ziyu , Liao Xiaoyang
Published: June 2020

Background: World Health Organization initiated community-based rehabilitation (CBR) in 1978, and by now, it has been an essential process of medical services worldwide. China had strengthened primary health care on building more than 35,000 community health centers (CHCs) in cities, and more than 34,000 township health centers (THCs) in the rural area. Nevertheless, it remains unclear that if these primary health centers could provide optional rehabilitation services for disabilities. And this study aims at evaluating the supply capacity of rehabilitation service in primary health centers of Chengdu, a regional center city of southwest China.Method : We conducted a general investigation of primary health centers in Chengdu, a city located in southwest China with more than 15 million population, our investigation covered all of Chengdu’s 390 primary health centers from October to November 2016. We researched these primary health centers on basic rehabilitation services, diseases, and rehabilitation equipment quantity and quality, and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physiotherapyResult: Rehabilitation therapy is available in 88.9% (337 of 379) of all primary health centers. Meanwhile, CHCs slightly surpass THCs with an available rate of 92.2% (106 of 115) and 87.5% (231 of 264), respectively. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) physiotherapy is available in 97.1% (368 of 379) of all primary health centers, 97.3% (112 of 115) of CHCs and 97.0% (256 of 264) of THCs. Quantitative analysis showed that substantial factors which could make an impact on the number of patients per year contain: categories of rehabilitation disease (P<0.001, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-1.571, -0.702]),number of rehabilitation bed (P<0.001, 95%CI [-1.249, -0.290])Conclusion: CBR and TCM physiotherapy has become accessible for disabilities in most basic health centers of Chengdu City, whereas, available rate of CBR in THCs is lesser than in CHCs, which suggests an imbalance in primary health service development between rural and urban area. Categories of rehabilitation diseases, and the number of rehabilitation beds constitute co-factors that make an impact on the CBR capacity of basic health centers.
Plant defensin antibacterial mode of action against Pseudomonas species
Authors: Sathoff Andrew E. , Lewenza Shawn , Samac Deborah A.
Published: June 2020

Background Though many plant defensins exhibit antibacterial activity, little is known about their antibacterial mode of action (MOA). Antimicrobial peptides with a characterized MOA induce the expression of multiple bacterial outer membrane modifications, which are required for resistance to these membrane-targeting peptides. Mini-Tn 5-lux mutant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Tn insertions disrupting outer membrane protective modifications were assessed for sensitivity against plant defensin peptides. These transcriptional lux reporter strains were also evaluated for lux gene expression in response to sublethal plant defensin exposure. Also, a plant pathogen, Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae was modified through transposon mutagenesis to create mutants that are resistant to in vitro MtDef4 treatments. Results Plant defensins displayed specific and potent antibacterial activity against strains of P. aeruginosa . A defensin from Medicago truncatula , MtDef4, induced dose-dependent gene expression of the aminoarabinose modification of LPS and surface polycation spermidine production operons. The ability for MtDef4 to damage bacterial outer membranes was also verified visually through fluorescent microscopy. Another defensin from M. truncatula , MtDef5, failed to induce lux gene expression and limited outer membrane damage was detected with fluorescent microscopy. The transposon insertion site on MtDef4 resistant P. syringae pv. syringae mutants was sequenced, and modifications of ribosomal genes were identified to contribute to enhanced resistance to plant defensin treatments. Conclusions MtDef4 damages the outer membrane similar to polymyxin B, which stimulates antimicrobial peptide resistance mechanisms to plant defensins. MtDef5, appears to have a different antibacterial MOA. Additionally, the MtDef4 antibacterial mode of action may also involve inhibition of translation.
Prolonged hyperlipidemia exposure increases the risk of arterial stiffness in young adults: a cross-sectional study in a cohort of Chinese
Authors: Chen Haojia , Chen Youren , Wu Weiqiang , Chen Zekai , Cai Zefeng , Chen Zhichao , Yan Xiuzhu , Wu Shouling
Published: June 2020

Background: Hyperlipidemia is associated with arterial stiffness. Herein, We examined the effect of prolonged exposure to hyperlipidemia on the risk of arterial stiffness in young adults.Methods: A study cohort (35-55 years old) that received health check-ups in the Kailuan study (2014-2016) were assessed. Hyperlipidemia was defined as a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥160 mg/dL according to the Chinese Guidelines for the Management of Dyslipidemia in Adults. Subjects were divided into three groups based on the number of years with hyperlipidemia: normal (0 years), low exposure (1-5 years), and high exposure (5-10 years) groups. Arterial stiffness was assessed with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. For all subjects and subjects that did not meet statin treatment criteria under guidelines, logistics regression was used to analyze the effect of prolonged hyperlipidemia exposure on arterial stiffness in different age groups.Results: Among 12,431 subjects, the mean age was 46.42±5.34 years with 9,000 men (72.4%). Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity gradually increased with increased exposure duration. Logistic regression analysis showed that hyperlipidemia exposure was a risk factor for arterial stiffness in the low (1.22 times) and high (1.49 times) exposure groups compared with the normal group. In the different age groups, the risk of arterial stiffness increased with the duration of hyperlipidemia exposure, apart for the 35-40-year-old population. The effect of hyperlipidemia exposure duration on arterial stiffness in young adults that did not meet statin treatment criteria under guidelines was similar to the general population.Conclusions: Prolonged exposure to hyperlipidemia in young adults increases the risk of arterial stiffness. Young adults with this condition may benefit from more aggressive primary prevention.Trial registrationName of the registry: Risk factors and intervention for cardiology, cerebrovascular and related disease (Kailuan Study)Trial registration number: CHiCTR-TNC1100 1489Date of registration: Aug 24, 2011URL of trial registry record: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=8050
Stacked genetically modified soybean harboring herbicide resistance and insecticide rCry1Ac shows strong defense and redox homeostasis disturbance after glyphosate-based herbicide application
Authors: Zanatta Caroline Bedin , Benevenuto Rafael Fonseca , Nodari Rubens Onofre , Agapito-Tenfen Sarah Zanon
Published: June 2020

Background: World agricultural production of genetically modified (GM) products, in particular, the combination of different traits/genes in the same plant has been a trend over the last decade. There has been concerns raised over stacking multiple herbicide and insect-resistant transgenes that could result in fitness costs depending on the type and strength of selection pressures exerted by the environment. Here, we report the results of transcriptomic analysis comparing the effect of glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) in the single-transgene versus stacked, herbicide resistant soybeans varieties on various biological processes, metabolic pathways, and main shikimic enzymes.Results: Gene expression data were grouped according to the 'herbicide treatment factor'. Defense metabolism and redox homeostasis were equally modulated in single-transgene and stacked variety samples. Carbon accumulation and energy metabolisms were distinct between the varieties and photosynthesis metabolism was found negatively affected in the single-transgene variety only. In the stacked variety, the shikimate pathway was modulated by the accumulation of transcripts from phenylalanine gene and other cascade genes. As expected, the RT-PCR results confirmed that the expression of native EPSPS was upregulated in both varieties when herbicide was applied. On the other hand, transgenic EPSPS expression was down regulated in both GM varieties upon herbicide application which cannot be explained. Conclusion: Glyphosate-based herbicides toxicity suggests its effects on carbon central metabolism and flux, redox metabolism, photosynthesis, and to the plant’s hormone and defense response. The observed unintended effects in GM herbicide-tolerant varieties unravels the deleterious effects previously observed on GM tolerant varieties growth and production. The impact of GBH on shikimate and cascade pathways was observed in terms of both native and transgenic insensitive EPSPS modulation, alteration of jasmonic acid and lignin metabolism in both single-transgene and stacked variety. Whereas the energy metabolism and carbon flux were differently affected in these varieties. Oxidative stress, more specifically glutathione metabolism, induced by GBH, was observed in this study. The stacked variety showed a more pronounced stress response (activation of specific stress defense proteins, Rboh, WRKY) and secondary compounds (β-glucosidase, isoflavone 7-O-methyltransferase). Omics profiling techniques, such as transcriptomic, can be considered tools to support risk assessment based on detecting unintended effects due to the GBH application.
Identify clinical factors related to Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia with hypoxia in children
Authors: ling yaoyao , Zhang Tongqiang , guo wei , Zhu Zhenli , Tian Jiao , Cai Chunquan , xu yongsheng
Published: June 2020

Background: Analyze the clinical characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia with hypoxia in children, and identify the related factors of hypoxia in MPP. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was performed on 345 children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) hospitalized in our hospital from January 2017 to June 2019. The clinical features, laboratory data and radiological findings were compared between the MPP with hypoxia, refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) and general Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (GMPP) groups. Results: MPP with hypoxia patients (n=69) had a higher incidence of extra-pulmonary complications and more serious radiological findings(P<0.05), besides the days of fever and in the hospitals were longer. And they also need more complicated treatments(P<0.05). Meanwhile, the levels of white blood cell count(WBC), C-reactive protein(CRP), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), interleukin (IL)-6, ferritin, D-dimer, fibrinogen(FG), alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and the percentage of neutrophils in the MPP with hypoxia group were significantly higher than those in the RMPP group and the GMPP group (P<0.05). In ROC curve analysis, the percentage of neutrophils, WBC, CRP, LDH, IL-6, ferritin, D-dimer, and ALT were contributed to identify MPP with hypoxia patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that ferritin>174.15 ng/mL, IL-6>25.475pg/ml and pleural effusion had important effects on hypoxia in MPP (P<0.01).Conclusion: MPP with hypoxia patients presented more serious clinical manifestations. Ferritin>174.15 ng/mL, IL-6>25.475pg/ml and pleural effusion were related clinical factors for hypoxia in MPP.
Genomic diversity in pearl millet inbred lines derived from landraces and improved varieties
Authors: Kanfany Ghislain , Serba Desalegn D. , Rhodes Davina , Amand Paul St. , Bernardo Amy , Gangashetty Prakash , Kane Ndjido Ardo , Bai Guihua
Published: June 2020

Background: Genetic improvement of pearl millet is lagging behind most of the major crops. Development of genomic resources is expected to expedite breeding for improved agronomic traits, stress tolerance, yield, and nutritional quality. Genotyping a breeding population with high throughput markers enables exploration of genetic diversity, population structure, and linkage disequilibrium (LD) which are important preludes for marker-trait association studies and application of genomic-assisted breeding. Results: Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) libraries of 309 inbred lines derived from landraces and improved varieties from Africa and India generated 54,770 high quality single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. On average one SNP per 29 Kb was mapped in the reference genome, with the telomeric regions more densely mapped than the pericentromeric regions of the chromosomes. Population structure analysis using 30,208 SNPs evenly distributed in the genome divided 309 accessions into five subpopulations with different levels of admixture. Pairwise genetic distance (GD) between accessions varied from 0.09 to 0.33 with the average distance of 0.28. Rapid LD decay implied low tendency of markers inherited together. Genetic differentiation estimates were the highest between subgroups 4 and 5, and the lowest between subgroups 1 and 2. Conclusions: Population genomic analysis of pearl millet inbred lines derived from diverse geographic and agroecological features identified five subgroups mostly following pedigree differences with different levels of admixture. It also revealed the prevalence of high genetic diversity in pearl millet, which is very useful in defining heterotic groups for hybrid breeding, trait mapping, and holds promise for improving pearl millet for yield and nutritional quality. The short LD decay observed suggests an absence of persistent haplotype blocks in pearl millet. The diverse genetic background of these lines and their low LD make this set of germplasm useful for traits mapping.
Multi-tissue transcriptome analysis using hybrid-seq revealed potential genes and biological pathways associated with azadirachtin A biosynthesis in neem (Azadirachtin indica)
Authors: Wang Huiyan , Wang Ning , Huo Yixin
Published: June 2020

Background: Azadirachtin A is a triterpenoid from neem tree exhibiting excellent activities against over 600 insect species in agriculture. The manufacture of azadirachtin A depends on extraction from neem tissues, which is not ecofriendly and sustainable. The low yield and discontinuous supply impeded the further application. The biosynthetic pathway of azadirachtin A is still unknown. Results: We attempted to explore azadirachtin A biosynthetic pathway and identified key involved genes by analyzing transcriptome data of five neem tissues through hybrid-seq (Illumina HiSeq and Pacific Biosciences Single Molecule Real Time (PacBio SMRT)) approach. Candidates were firstly screened by comparing expression level within five tissues. After phylogenetic analysis, domain prediction and molecular docking, 22 candidates encoding 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase (OSC), alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), cytochrome P450 (CYP450), acyltransferase (ACT) and esterase (EST) were proposed to be potential genes involved in azadirachtin A biosynthesis. Among them, two unigenes encoding homolog of MaOCS1 and MaCYP71CD2 were identified. An unigene encoding complete homolog of MaCYP71BQ5 was first reported. Accuracy of the assemblies were verified by Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) and full-length cloning PCR. Conclusions: By integrating and analysis transcriptome data from hybrid-seq technology, 22 DEGs were finally selected as candidates involved in azadirachtin A pathway. The obtained reliable and accurate sequencing data provided important novel information for understanding neem genome. Our data shed new light on the understanding of other triterpenoids biosynthesis in neem trees and provide reference for exploring other valuable natural product biosynthesis in plants.
Development of a DNA microarray assay for rapid detection of fifteen bacterial pathogens in pneumonia
Authors: Ma Xiuqing , Li Yanqin , Liang Yuan , Liu Yang , Yu Ling , Li Chunsun , Liu Qiqi , Chen Liangan
Published: June 2020

Background: The rapid identification of pathogenic bacteria is important for determining an appropriate antimicrobial therapy for pneumonia, but traditional bacterial culture is time-consuming and labourious. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a DNA microarray assay for the simultaneous detection of fifteen bacterial species directly from respiratory tract specimens in patients with pneumonia. These species included Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterobacter cloacae, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia cepacia, Legionella pneumophila and Chlamydia pneumoniae. The 16S rDNA genes and other specific genes of each pathogen were chosen as the amplification targets, amplified via multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and hybridized to oligonucleotide probes in a microarray.Results: The DNA microarray detection limit was 103 copies/μL. Nineteen standard strains and 119 clinical isolates were correctly detected with our microarray, and 3 nontarget species from 4 clinical isolates were not detected. Additionally, bacterial pathogens were accurately identified when two or three bacterial targets were mixed together. Furthermore, the results for 99.4% (156/157) of clinical specimens were the same as those from a conventional assay.Conclusions: We developed a DNA microarray that could simultaneously detect various bacterial pathogens in pneumonia. The method described here has the potential to provide considerable labour and time savings due to its ability to screen for 15 bacterial pathogens simultaneously.
AKT/FOXO1 axis links cross-talking of endothelial cell and pericyte in TIE2-mutated venous malformations
Authors: Jiang Hongbing , Si Yameng , Huang Jiadong , Li Xiang , Fu Yu , Xu Rongyao , Du Yifei , Cheng Jie
Published: June 2020

Background: Venous malformations (VMs), most of which associated with activating mutations in the endothelial cells (ECs) tyrosine kinase receptor TIE2, are characterized by dilated and immature veins with scarce smooth muscle cells (SMCs) coverage. However, the underlying mechanism of interaction between ECs and SMCs responsible for VMs has not been fully understood.Methods: Here, we screened 5 patients with TIE2-L914F mutation who were diagnosed with VMs by SNP sequencing, and we compared the expression of platelet-derived growth factor beta (PDGFB) and α-SMA in TIE2 mutant veins and normal veins by immunohistochemistry. In vitro, we generated TIE2-L914F-expressing human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and performed BrdU, CCK-8, transwell and tube formation experiments on none-transfected and transfected ECs. Then we investigated the effects of rapamycin (RAPA) on cellular characteristics. Next we established a co-culture system and investigated the role of AKT/FOXO1/PDGFB in regulating cross-talking of mutant ECs and SMCs.Results: VMs with TIE2-L914F mutation showed lower expression of PDGFB and α-SMA than normal veins. TIE2 mutant ECs revealed enhanced cell viability and motility, and decreased tube formation, whereas these phenotypes could be reversed by rapamycin. Mechanically, RAPA ameliorated the physiological function of mutant ECs by inhibiting AKT-mTOR pathway, but also facilitated the nuclear location of FOXO1 and the expression of PDGFB in mutant ECs, and then improved paracrine interactions between ECs and SMCs. Moreover, TIE2 mutant ECs strongly accelerated the transition of SMCs from contractile phenotype to synthetic phenotype, whereas RAPA could prevent the phenotype transition of SMCs.Conclusions: Our data demonstrate a previously unknown mechanistic linkage of AKT-mTOR/FOXO1 pathway between mutant ECs and SMCs in modulating venous dysmorphogenesis, and AKT/FOXO1 axis might be a potential therapeutic target for the recovery of TIE2-mutation causing VMs.
Subcellular localization of fibroblast growth factor receptor type 2 and correlation with CTNNB1 genotype in adrenocortical carcinoma
Authors: Haase Matthias , Thiel Anne , Scholl Ute I. , Ashmawy Hany , Schott Matthias , Ehlers Margret
Published: June 2020

Objective: Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)2 regulates the development of the adrenal gland in mice. In addition, FGFR2-mediated signalling has been shown to prevent apoptosis and to enhance proliferation in adrenocortical precursor cells. The activation of the Wingless/Int-1 (WNT) / beta catenin pathway as a key mechanism of adrenocortical tumourigenesis has been linked to FGFR2 signalling in other cell types. Therefore we hypothesised that FGFR2 expression may also play a role in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). We conducted a pilot study and analysed protein expression of FGFR2 in 26 ACCs using immunohistochemistry technique. Data on the CTNNB1 mutation status and clinical data were correlated to the expression of FGFR2. Results: We observed a high variability in FGFR2 expression between the different tumour samples. There was a subset of ACC with comparatively high nuclear expression of FGFR2. We did not find a clear association between the CTNNB1 mutational status or clinical features and the FGFR2 expression. We conclude that FGFR signalling plays a role in adrenocortical carcinoma. Our data encourages further investigations of FGFR signalling in ACC, especially since new inhibitors of FGFR signalling are already entering clinical trials for the treatment of other cancer types.
Identifying contexts and mechanisms in multiple behavior change interventions affecting smoking cessation success: A rapid realist review
Authors: Minian Nadia , Corrin Tricia , Lingam Mathangee , deRuiter Wayne K , Rodak Terri , Taylor Valerie H. , Manson Heather , Dragonetti Rosa , Zawertailo Laurie , Melamed Osnat C. , Hahn Margaret , Selby Peter
Published: June 2020

Background: Smoking continues to be a leading cause of preventable chronic disease-related morbidity and mortality, excess healthcare expenditure, and lost work productivity. Tobacco users are disproportionately more likely to be engaging in other modifiable risk behaviours such as excess alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and poor diet. While hundreds of interventions addressing the clustering of smoking and other modifiable risk behaviours have been conducted worldwide, there is insufficient information available about the context and mechanisms in these interventions that promote successful smoking cessation. The aim of this rapid realist review was to identify possible contexts and mechanisms used in multiple health behaviour change interventions (targeting tobacco and two or more additional risk behaviours) that are associated with improving smoking cessation outcome.Methods: This realist review method incorporated the following steps: (1) clarifying the scope, (2) searching for relevant evidence, (3) relevance confirmation, data extraction, and quality assessment, (4) data analysis and synthesis.Results: Of the 20,423 articles screened, 138 articles were included in this realist review. Following Michie et al.’s behavior change model (the COM-B model), capability, opportunity, and motivation were used to identify the mechanisms of behaviour change. Universally, increasing opportunities (i.e. factors that lie outside the individual that prompt the behaviour or make it possible) for participants to engage in healthy behaviours was associated with smoking cessation success. However, increasing participant’s capability or motivation to make a behaviour change was only successful within certain contexts. Conclusion: In order to address multiple health behaviours and assist individuals in quitting smoking, public health promotion interventions need to shift away from ‘individualistic epidemiology’ and invest resources into modifying factors that are external from the individual (i.e. creating a supportive environment).Study registration: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42017064430
Fairness evaluation for the elder population in China
Authors: Wang Guan , Shen Qing
Published: June 2020

Background: Population aging and the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases are increasingly a strain on health systems. The World Health Organization (WHO) uses fairness of health financing as one of the criteria for assessing health system performance. The Chinese government has undertaken taken a series of health reforms to reduce the pace of disease transition towards non-communicable diseases (NCDs), as well as protecting people from catastrophic health expenditures. The aim of this study was to assess the fairness of health financing among the elderly with different health conditions in China. Methods: The data source was the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 1, a national weighted data collected from adults older than 50 years. In this study, 10099 respondents were included for analysis. Chi-square and partial proportional odds model test were applied to assess the distribution of socioeconomic and health behavior factors among different chronic conditions. Fairness of health financing analysis was used to evaluate how the burden of health financing is distributed according to the household ability to pay (ATP). Dominance tests were applied for comparing different ways of health financing among health conditions. Results: More than half of the elderly had at least one chronic condition, and around 20% people suffered from multi-morbidity. Several socioeconomic as well as health behavior factors were found associated with developing NCDs. Out-of-pocket payment dominated other health finance sources in all three chronic conditions with a regressive pattern. Even though mandatory insurance had covered more than 70% of the elder population in China, due to the relative lower proportion reimbursement for chronic diseases, people still had to pay a lot for seeking healthcare. Conclusion: When reimbursement for chronic diseases is relatively low, high mandatory insurance coverage does not ensure fairness of health financing. The Chinese health system should be developed further in order to meet the needs of elderly with different chronic conditions.
Responsiveness and minimal clinically important difference of the EQ-5D-5L in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: a longitudinal study
Authors: Hu Xin , Jing Mingxia , Zhang Mei , Yang Ping , Yan Xiaolong
Published: June 2020

Background: With the widespread clinical application of the five-level version of the EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L), whether the questionnaire scores are responsive to changes in patients’ health and how much changes in questionnaire scores represent patients’ real health changes require consideration. Consequently, we assessed responsiveness and estimated the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of the EQ-5D-5L in surgically treated patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) to determine the relationship between MCID and minimum detectable change (MDC).Methods: This was a longitudinal, observational study. Participants were patients with CIN from the gynecology inpatient department of a grade-A tertiary hospital in Shihezi, Xinjiang, China. Participants completed the EQ-5D-5L and the Global Rating of Change Questionnaire (GRCQ) at baseline and one month post-surgery. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare EQ-5D-5L scores pre- and post-treatment. We calculated effect size (ES) and standardized response mean (SRM) to quantitatively assess responsiveness. Distribution-based, anchor-based, and instrument-defined methods were used to estimate MCID. MCID to MDC ratios at individual- and group-levels were also calculated.Results: Fifty patients with CIN completed the follow-up investigation (mean age 44.76 ± 8.72 years; mean follow-up time 32.28 ± 1.43 days). The index value and EQ visual analogue scale (EQ VAS) of the EQ-5D-5L improved by 0.025 and 6.92 (all p < 0.05) at follow-up as compared to baseline, respectively. ES and SRM of the index value were 0.47 and 0.42, respectively, indicating small responsiveness; while ES and SRM of EQ VAS were 0.50 and 0.49, respectively, indicating small to moderate responsiveness. The average (range) of MCIDs for index value and EQ VAS were 0.039 (0.023–0.064) and 5.35 (3.12–6.99), respectively, which can only be used for determining whether patients have experienced clinically meaningful health improvements at the group level. Conclusions: The EQ-5D-5L has only small to moderate responsiveness in post-surgical patients with CIN, and the MCIDs developed in this study can be used for group-level health assessment. However, further study is needed concerning health changes at the individual level. Keywords Responsiveness; MCID; EQ-5D-5L; CIN; MDC
Adaptability, solubility and biocompatibility of TheraCal LC compared with MTA-Angelus and Biodentine as a furcation perforation repair material
Authors: Alazrag M. A. , Abu-Seida Ashraf M. , El-Batouty Kariem M. , Ashry Salma H. El
Published: June 2020

Background: This study evaluated the adaptability, solubility and biocompatibility of TheraCal LC compared with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA-Angelus) and Biodentine when used as a furcation perforation repair material. Methods: The adaptability was assessed by scanning electronic microscope (SEM) and presence of any gap between the dentin surface and filing material in each quadrant of the sample was analyzed at 1000 X magnification. The solubility was measured after one week by the ISO standard method. Biocompatibility was assessed by the inflammatory response and radiography after one and three months of repair of experimental furcation perforations in dog's teeth.Results: There were significant differences in the adaptability, solubility and biocompatibility of the tested materials (P <0.05). TheraCal LC showed the highest frequency distribution of gap presence that was followed by MTA-Angelus then Biodentine. The least soluble material after one week was TheraCal LC that was followed by MTA-Angelus and Biodentine. After one and three months, TheraCal LC showed the highest inflammatory response and highest frequency distribution of radiolucency that was followed by Biodentine then MTA-Angelus. Conclusion: Unlike Biodentine, the TheraCal LC is incapable of alternating MTA in the furcation perforation repair due to its poor biocompatibility and poor marginal adaptation.
Virtual versus Jaw Simulation in Oral Implant Education: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zhang Baoping , Li Sihong , Gao Shuting , Hou Mingfang , Chen Hong , He LuLu , Li Yiting , Guo Yumeng , Wang Errui , Cao Rui , Cheng Jingyang , Li Ruiping , Zhang Kailiang
Published: June 2020

Background: This research aims to investigate the evaluation methods of teaching oral implant clinical courses and estimate the effectiveness of a virtual simulation platform.Methods: Eighty second- and third-year undergraduates in Lanzhou University were recruited and randomized to either three experimental groups or one control group. The subjects undertook theoretical examinations to test their basic level of knowledge after training in similarly unified knowledge courses. Each student group then participated in an eight-hour operating training session. An operation test on pig mandible was conducted, followed by a second theoretical examination. The assessment consists of three distinct parts: a subjective operating score by a clinical senior teacher, an implant accuracy analysis in cone-beam computed tomography (angular, apical, and entrance deviation), and comparison of the two theoretical examinations. Finally, students completed a questionnaire gauging their understanding of the virtual simulation.Results: There was no significant difference between the four groups in first theoretical examination (P > 0.05); the second theoretical scores of the V-J and J-V group (62.90 ± 3.70, 60.05 ± 2.73) were significantly higher than the first time (57.05 ± 3.92, P < 0.05), while no difference between the V (57.10 ± 3.66) and J (56.89 ± 2.67) groups was found. Thus, the combination of V-J was effective in improving students’ theoretical scores. The V-J and J-V groups had higher scores on operation (73.98 ± 4.58; 71.85 ± 4.67) and showed better implant precision.Conclusion: Virtual simulation education, especially with a jaw simulation model, could improve students’ implantology achievements and training. Currently study found that the V-J group may performed better than the J-V group in oral implant teaching.
Support Vector Machine Based Feature Extraction for Gender Recognition From Objects Using Lasso Classifier
Authors: Galla Damodara Krishna Kishore , Mukamalla BabuReddy , Chegireddy Rama Prakasha Reddy
Published: June 2020

The blind people has their difficulty to identify the object moving around them, therefore with a high accuracy score object detection and human face recognition system will helps them in identifying the things around them with ease. In this research article,a minimum distance trainer for feature selection by accessing SVM feature optimization process, then LASSO classifier applied to perform object recognition and gender classification. Database of 100 images (50 male and 50 female face images considered from 5 different databases) and 10 categories of vehicle types are used for gender and vehicle recognition and classification. Original face image database used for the gender classification. This approach was implemented with dual classification model [(1) Recognizing or classifying human faces from various objects and (2) Classifying gender through face recognition] is made possible with the help of combining modified SIFT feature in combination with ridge regression (RR), elastic net (EN), lasso regression(LR) and lasso regression with Gaussian Support Vector Machines (LRGS) based classificatioins. The final classification results accurate are as follows RR- 89.6%, EN- 93.5%, LR-93.2% and the proposed approach is LRGS with 98.4% accurate detection rate with rediction names.
Efficacy and safety of the extracorporeal shock wave therapy in patients with postherpetic neuralgia: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Chen Lu , Zhou Ruihao , Sun Fuguo , Weng Yan , Ye Ling , Yang Pingliang
Published: June 2020

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is one of the most common types of chronic neuropathic pain, which seriously affects quality of the life because of pain severity and poor response to the currently available treatments. The main strategies for PHN management are medication and invasive interventional therapies; however, these approaches have many adverse effects, so it is important to find another effective and safe treatment for PHN. Methods: A single-center, single-blind randomized clinical trial will evaluate 98 study participants randomized in a 1:1 ratio into control and experimental groups. The control group will receive conventional treatment including medication therapy and invasive interventional therapy. The experimental group will be receive extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in addition to conventional therapy. The primary outcome is pain intensity assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS); the secondary outcomes are the following: quality of life assessed by the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36); psychological state for anxiety and depression measured by the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS); and sleep quality measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Assessors blinded to the randomization will collect data during the intervention period at baseline and weeks 1, 4, and 12. The plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin 6 will be assessed before and after ESWT to explore the biochemical mechanisms of ESWT in the treatment of PHN. Discussion: This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ESWT in patients with PHN, and thus will provide clinical evidence for its use in the management of PHN and explore the potential biochemical mechanisms of this treatment. Trial registration: www.ChiCTR.org.cn, identifier: ChiCTR1900025828. Registered on 10th September 2019
Bioproduction of succinic acid from xylose by engineered Yarrowia lipolytica without pH control
Authors: Prabhu Ashish , Amaro Rodrigo Ledesma- , Lin Carol Sze Ki , Coulon Frederic , Thakur Vijay kumar , Kumar Vinod
Published: June 2020

Background : Xylose is a most prevalent sugar available in hemicellulose fraction of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) and of great interest for the green economy. Unfortunately, most of the cell factories cannot inherently metabolize xylose as sole carbon source. Yarrowia lipolytica is a non-conventional yeast to produce industrially important metabolites. The yeast is able to metabolize a large variety of substrates including both hydrophilic and hydrophobic carbon sources. However, Y. lipolytica lacks effective metabolic pathway for xylose uptake and only scarce information is available on utilization of xylose. For the economically feasibility of LCB-based biorefineries, effective utilization of both pentose and hexose sugars is obligatory. Results : In the present study, succinic acid (SA) production from xylose by Y. lipolytica was examined. To this end, Y. lipolytica PSA02004 strain was engineered by overexpressing pentose pathway cassette comprising of xylose reductase ( XR ), xylitol dehydrogenase ( XDH ) and xylulose kinase ( XK ) gene. The recombinant strain exhibited a robust growth on xylose as sole carbon source and produced substantial amount of SA. The inhibition of cell growth and SA formation was observed above 60 g/L xylose concentration. The batch cultivation of recombinant strain in bioreactor resulted in a maximum biomass concentration of 7.3 g/L and SA titer of 11.2 g/L with the yield of 0.19 g/g. Similar results in term of cell growth and SA production were obtained with xylose-rich hydrolysate derived from sugarcane bagasse. The fed-batch fermentation yielded biomass concentration of 11.8 g/L (OD 600 : 56.1) and SA titer of 22.3 g/L with a gradual decrease in pH below 4.0. Acetic acid was obtained as a main byproduct in all the fermentations. Conclusion : The recombinant strain displayed potential for bioconversion of xylose to SA. Further, this study provided a new insight on conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on SA production by Y. lipolytica using xylose as a sole carbon source.