bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coupled Microbiome Analyses Highlights Relative Functional Roles of Bacteria in a Bivalve Hatchery
Authors: Timmins-Schiffman Emma , White Samuel J. , Thompson Rhonda Elliott , Vadopalas Brent , Eudeline Benoit , Nunn Brook L , Roberts Steven B
Published: October 2020

Background: Microbial communities are ubiquitous throughout ecosystems and are commensal with hosts across taxonomic boundaries. Environmental and species-specific microbiomes are instrumental in maintaining ecosystem and host health, respectively. The introduction of pathogenic microbes that shift microbiome community structure can lead to illness and death. Understanding the dynamics of microbiomes across a diversity of environments and hosts will help us to better understand which taxa forecast survival and which forecast mortality events. Results: We characterized the microbiome in the water of a commercial shellfish hatchery in Washington state, USA, where the hatchery has been plagued by recurring and unexplained larval mortality events. By applying the complementary methods of metagenomics and metaproteomics we were able to more fully characterize the bacterial taxa in the hatchery at high (pH 8.2) and low (pH 7.1) pH that were metabolically active versus present but not contributing metabolically. There were shifts in the taxonomy and functional profile of the microbiome between pH and over time. Based on detected metagenomic reads and metaproteomic peptide spectral matches, some taxa were more metabolically active than expected based on presence alone (Deltaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria) and some were less metabolically active than expected (e.g., Betaproteobacteria, Cytophagia). There was little correlation between potential and realized metabolic function based on Gene Ontology analysis of detected genes and peptides. Conclusion: Analyzed together, the metagenomics and metaproteomics datasets reveal that a complete understanding of water quality and interactions with a microbiome require multiple data types to fully reveal the relationship between potential and realized microbiome function.
Cervical End-Range Joint Motion Does Not Indicate Maximum Cervical Joint Motion In Healthy Adults. An Observational Study
Authors: Andersen Victoria Blogg , Wang Xu , Zee Mark De , Østergaard Lasse Riis , Plocharski Maciej , Lindstrom Renè
Published: October 2020

BackgroundIn clinical diagnosis, the largest motion associated with cervical range of motion is thought to be found at end-range and it is this perception that forms the basis for the interpretation of flexion/extension studies. There have however, been representative cases of joints producing their maximum motion before end-range, but this phenomenon is yet to be quantified. PurposeTo provide a quantitative assessment of the difference between maximum motion and end-range in healthy subjects. Secondarily to classify joints into type based on their motion and to assess the proportions of these joint types. Study designThis is an observational study. Subject sampleThirty three healthy subjects participated in the study. Outcome measuresMaximum motion, end-range motion and surplus motion in degrees were extracted from each cervical joint. MethodsThirty-three subjects performed one flexion and one extension motion excursion under video fluoroscopy. The motion excursions were divided into 10 percent epochs between the initial upright position and the end-range position, from which maximum motion, end-range and surplus motion were extracted. Surplus motion was then assessed in quartiles and joints were classified into type according to end-range. ResultsFor flexion 48.9% and for extension 47.2% of joints produced maximum motion before end-range (type Surplus). For flexion 45.9% and for extension 46.8% of joints produced maximum motion at end-range (type Classic) and 5.2% of joints in flexion and 6.1% of joints in extension concluded their motion anti-directionally (type Anti-directional). Mann-Whitney U tests produced significant results for C2/C3, C3/C4 and C4/C5 in flexion and C1/C2, C3/C4 and C6/C7 in extension when comparing end- range motion for type Classic and type Surplus. The average contributions to cervical range-of-motion (ROM) (C0 to C7) for flexion and extension were 60.23֯ and 67.86֯ for type Classic and 42.22֯ and 49.05֯ for type Surplus respectively. Thus, the average contribution to cervical ROM was larger for type Classic than for type Surplus. The average pro-directional surplus motion was 2.41֯ ± 2.12֯ with a range of range (0.07֯ -14.23֯) for flexion and 2.02֯ ± 1.70֯ with a range of 0.04°-6.97° for extension.ConclusionThis is the first study to categorise joints by type of motion. Type Surplus constituted approximately half of the joints analysed in this study. Therefore, end-range motion cannot be assumed to be a demonstration of a joint´s maximum motion.
Single-molecule switching via controlled tautomerization at room temperature
Authors: Hong Wenjing , Tang Chun , Stuyver Thijs , Ye Yiling , Liu Jun-yang , Shi Jia , Shaik Sason , Xia Haiping
Published: October 2020

The control of chemical reactivity at the single-molecule scale offers a unique opportunity for the design and fabrication of advanced nanodevices.1-3 As a prototypical reaction, tautomerization has been extensively explored as a promising tool for manipulating the single-molecule conductance of tetrapyrrole macrocycles absorbed on a surface.4-8 However, the resulting molecular devices were determined to undergo dynamic, spontaneous interconversions even under cryogenic conditions, so that control of tautomeric switching between well-defined and specific states remains challenging. Here, we report the design of a reversible single-molecule switch based on an enol-keto tautomerization reaction, which demonstrates controllable bistability and inhibits spontaneous interconversion even at room temperature. Such control is achieved by modulating the potential energy surface (PES) through a bias-triggered charge injection process. Our results reveal that the device operates through switching between two distinct redox-related PESs with opposite thermodynamic driving forces, i.e., one exhibits strong preference for the conducting enol form, while the other exhibits a preference for the insulating keto form. The described switching mechanism constitutes a promising approach to achieve robust switching devices at the single-molecule scale.
The Effect of the Physical Fitness and Breathing Training Program in COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, China: prospective study
Authors: Li Jianying , Zhao Ming , Lu Lu , Qi Mengyu , Li Zhiying , Zheng Ying , Huang Tianwen , Qiao Jinfang , Chen ZhiHao , Ma Yanzhao , Zhu Qingtang , Cheng Shouzhen
Published: October 2020

Background Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has adverse effects on patients’ respiratory system. Therefore the pulmonary rehabilitation is particularly necessary for COVID-19 patients. A recent qualitative study indicated that patients perceived the impact of fatigue on their daily lives to be a key factor in decreasing their quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and needs of physical fitness and breathing training, and to explore the impact of physical fitness and breathing training on COVID-19 patients. Methods From Feb 16, 2020 to Apr 6, 2020, a self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate the knowledge and needs of physical fitness and breathing training in COVID-19 inpatients. And then the participants received an intervention about physical fitness and breathing training which lasted 2 weeks. The 9-item Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue scale (FACIT-F) was used to measure COVID-19 related fatigue before and after the intervention. Findings According to a 5-point Likert scale, the 133 COVID-19 patients had only an "not really" and "uncertain" knowledge of physical fitness and breathing training (2.47±1.17). 86.98% of the patients expected to receive guidance of physical fitness and breathing training through video teaching. Differences were observed in fatigue, General fatigue component (15.0(8.0) vs. 19.0(10.0), P<0.01); Functional ability component (4.0 (3.0) vs. 7.0(4.0), P<0.01); Psychological component (6.0(5.0) vs.7.0 (5.0), P<0.01), after the intervention, Moderate degree (36.09% vs. 28.57%) alleviated to mild degree (51.12% vs. 66.91%). SpO2-% 86 ((75, 89) vs. 92(89, 98), P<0.001), and Oxygen flow-L/min (2(0,4) vs. 8(3,9), P<0.001). In our study, 130 healthcare professionals took part in this program. None of the participants reported covid-19 related symptoms. When the participants returned home, they all tested negative for SARSCoV- 2 specific nucleic acids and IgM or IgG antibodies (95% confidence interval 0.0 to 0.7%).Interpretation COVID-19 patients had insufficient knowledge of physical fitness and breathing training for pulmonary rehabilitation. Patients should be guided to receive training, which can be benefit for patients.
The Residue of Tetracycline Antibiotics in Soil and Vegetable and Its Effect On The Diversity of Soil Bacterial Community
Authors: Xu Longshui , Wang Weizhong , Xu Weihong
Published: October 2020

[Background] Tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) are a broad-spectrum antibiotic, widely used in livestock and poultry breeding. The residue of tetracycline antibiotics in animal manure may cause changes of soil microbial community. [Methods] On the basis of the investigation and analysis of TCs pollution in the soil of main vegetable bases and the livestock manure of major large-scale farms in Chongqing, China, the effects of tetracycline antibiotics on the structure and diversity of soil microbial community were investigated by high-throughput sequencing. [Results] The TCs content in soil was increased by applying livestock manure. The contents of TC, OTC and CTC in the soil under pig manure treatment were 171.07-660.20 μg·kg-1, 25.38-345.78 μg·kg-1 and 170.77-707.47 μg·kg-1, respectively. The contents of TC, OTC and CTC in the soil under the treatment of chicken manure were 166.62-353.61 μg·kg-1, 122.25-251.23 μg·kg-1 and 15.12-80.91 μg·kg-1 respectively. The content of tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) in edible parts of Brassica juncea var. gemmifera was increased after livestock manure treatment, among which pig manure had the greatest influence on the increase of TCs content, and the larger the dosage of pig manure was, the more significant the increase of TCs content was. Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chioroflexi and bacteroidetes under livestock manure treatment were the dominant phyla, accounting for 85.2%-92.4% of the total abundance of soil bacteria. [Conclusions] The soil OTUs under the treatment of pig manure was higher than that under the treatment of chicken manure. Biogas residue after fermentation treatment can effectively reduce the environmental and ecological risks caused by antibiotic residues.
Implementation of A Nurse Practitioner in Emergency Ambulance Care in The Netherlands: A Study Protocol for The IMPACT-Study
Authors: Ebben Remco , Vliet Risco van , Breedveld Lennert , Douwes Ilona , Hereijgers Juliette , Pas Harm van de , Vloet Lilian C.M.
Published: October 2020

Background Ambulance care professionals face an increasing demand for ambulance care, which is caused by a changing patient population with more complex healthcare problems and comorbidities, accessibility of emergency care, repeated requests for ambulance care and the request of ambulance care for primary care problems. These changes might require an ambulance care professional at master level, such as the nurse practitioner (NP). The objective is to (1) determine characteristics of patients and ambulance runs in situations where NP care was provided, and to evaluate the effect of implementing the NP in Dutch ambulance on (2) patient safety and (3) patient experience compared to non-NP care.Methods/design A prospective mixed-methods implementation design will be used. The intervention is the implementation of a NP as solo ambulance unit within this EMS, to (1) determine characteristics of the patients and ambulance runs, and the effects on (2) patient safety and (3) patient, compared to regular ambulance care. Within this pilot the NP can apply additional diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in addition to regular ambulance care. Data will be collected through databases, additional apps, and questionnaires.
Body Weight Perception and Quality of Life in Nurses of Nantong City, China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Wang Xu , Yang Xiaohua , Chu Hongmei , Ge Chunyan , Yin Jie
Published: October 2020

Background To explored associations of body weight perception with body mass index and quality of life among nurses.Methods A total of 456 nurses (18-55 years old） were surveyed in a cross-sectional study in a hospital of Nantong City, China. Data on social-demographic characteristics, body mass index, body weight perception and quality of life were collected. Results Our study showed that 40.6% of nurses misconception their weight status. Married nurses were more likely than unmarried to underestimate their weight. Significant disparity in mental health, vitality and mental component summary scores were found in nursers who underestimate their weight compared to those correctly perceived or over or who overestimate their weight. Conclusion Interventions should be designed to help nurse address body weight status misconception, thereby contributing to label themselves and patients as underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese correctly, and in turn, giving reasonable eating habits and physical activities health education.
Can The Arterial Clamping Method Be Used Safely Where The Tourniquet Cannot Be Used?
Authors: Erdogan Ozgur , Gurkan Volkan , Sonmez Cavide , Erden Tunay , Atasoy Sezen , Yildiz Fatih , Inan Bekir , Adilli Adile
Published: October 2020

Background: Vascular clamp application is widely used in visceral organ surgery to ensure bleeding control. This raises the question: why not use clamping in tumor resection or revision surgery where not suitable for tourniquet. This experimental animal study aimed to compare the arterial clamp and tourniquet applications regarding their histologic effect and also inflammatory response at molecular level, on the artery, vein, nerve and muscle tissues.Methods: Twenty-one rabbits were divided into three groups (group I: proximal femoral artery clamp; group II: proximal thigh tourniquet, and group III: control group). In the clamp group, the common femoral artery was clamped with a microvascular clamp for 2 hours. In the tourniquet group, a 12-inch cuff was applied to the proximal thigh for 2 hours with 200 mmHg. The common femoral artery and vein, femoral nerve, rectus femoris, and tibialis anterior muscles were excised and analysed in all groups. Results: Artery and vein total injury scores were higher in the clamp and tourniquet groups relative to the control group (p≤0.001 and p=0.007, respectively). No statistical difference was found between the clamp and tourniquet groups in terms of arterial, vein, muscle and nerve injury.Conclusions: This experimental study can give an idea that arterial clamp application can be performed with the help of a vascular surgeon in hemorrhagic limb surgeries where not suitable for tourniquet application, resulting in close to tourniquet vessel injury rates but without tourniquet related complications.
The Role of NLRP3 in The Prognosis and Immune Infiltrates of Skin Cutaneous Melanoma (SKCM)
Authors: Wu Shaobo , Zang Qijuan , Dai Bingling
Published: October 2020

BackgroundSkin cutaneous melanoma is one of most aggressive type of cancers worldwide, Therefore, the identification of SKCM biomarkers is of great importance. NLRP3 Inflammasome Complex Nodelike Receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) is one of the most characteristic inflammasomes belonging to the NLR protein family. This is the first time to use TCGA data to study NLRP3 expression in SKCM patients and its prognostic value, potential biological function, and impact on the immune system. MethodsThe expression of NLRP3 in SKCM was analyzed by GEPIA. We assessed the impact of NLRP3 on SKCM patient survival through the survival module. Then download the SKCM data set from TCGA. Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between clinical data and NLRP3 expression. Univariate survival rate and multivariate Cox analysis were used to compare several clinical features and survival rates. We also used CIBERSORT to investigate the association between NLRP3 and cancer immune infiltration. We used TIMER to investigate NLRP3 expression and collection of immune infiltration levels in SKCM, as well as cumulative survival in SKCM. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed using the TCGA dataset. In addition, data from the HPA was used to validate the results.ResultsUnivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that increased NLRP3 expression was significantly correlated with age, stage and tumor status. Specifically, NLRP3 expression level has significant positive correlations with infiltrating levels of B cell, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, Macrophages, Neutrophils and DCs in SKCM. GSEA revealed that NLRP3 is closely correlated with pathways in cancer. HPA showed that in tumor tissues, NLRP3 has higher levels of expression compared to normal tissues.ConclusionThe discovery of NLRP3 as a new biomarker of SKCM helps to elucidate how changes in the immune environment promote the occurrence of cutaneous melanoma. Further analysis suggested that NLRP3 might be a predictor of SKCM prognosis.
Design of Stirred Tank Reactor for Bioetanol Production From Banana Rod Using Cellulase Enzymes Cow's Liquid Rumen
Authors: Nisa Qurrotun Ayuni Khoirun , Paramita Vita
Published: October 2020

Due to pandemic, supply of alcohol as desinfectant really needed for nowadays. This research aims to determine the levels of bioethanol produced from banana rods by the hydrolysis process. The target to be achieved with the reactor design is to achieve high ethanol purity using a first order reaction kinetics approach. The study was carried out on various variables including fermentation time (6 - 30 hours), hydrolysis temperature (80 - 90 oC), and substrate enzyme ratio (1: 1 - 1: 3). While the parameters to be tested are glucose levels and bioethanol levels. The optimal effect of the variable on alcohol content is obtained when the \alcohol content value is more than 17.2% with an enzyme ratio of 3 - 3.5 at a temperature of 94 - 96 oC for 35 - 40 hours. From the research, it was found that it is possible to enlarge the reactor up to 10000 times by using a ratio ratio to obtain the ideal stirred tank reactor dimensions with a conversion of 97.15%.
Lactose Inducible Fermentation in Escherichia coli for Improved Production of Recombinant Urate Oxidase: Optimization by Statistical Experimental Designs
Authors: mohammadi Hamid shahbaz , Najjari Abbas , Omidinia Eskandar
Published: October 2020

The enzyme urate oxidase (UOX) is used as a drug for preventing and treatment of chemotherapy-induced hyperuricemia. This study deals with the statistical optimization of lactose inducible fermentation for production of soluble recombinant Aspergillus flavus UOX. 10 variables were investigated by Plackett–Burman design (PBD), and the most significant factors were further optimized by central composite design (CCD). PBD results indicated that glycerol, yeast extract, tryptone, and lactose affected UOX activity significantly. The CCD results showed that the maximum enzyme activity (19.34 U/ml) could be achieved under the optimum conditions of glycerol 0.87 g/L, yeast extract 9.11 g/L, tryptone 10.29 g/L, K2HPO4 1.81 g/L, and lactose 12.79 g/L. When the same induction strategy was tested at shake flask, 19.34 U/mL of UOX activity was obtained, which was 12.5 folds higher than IPTG induction protocol. Furthermore, the lower total cost (0.7 vs. 13.5 €) was additionally feature that confirmed the suitability of the lactose induction method. Collectively, our results showed that design of experiment methodology can be applied as a suitable tool for improved production of UOX using lactose as the inducer.
Clinician Roles in Symptoms and Signs Improvement among Advanced Cancer Patients
Authors: Chung Jae Ho , Kim Sun Hyun , Suh Sang-Yeon , Cheng Shao-Yi , Mori Masanori , Yamaguchi Takashi , Chen Ping-Jen , Morita Tatsuya , Tsuneto Satoru
Published: October 2020

Background: We, study and research how to improve terminally ill cancer patients’ symptoms and signs to ease their pain. Furthermore we also seek how the dedicated palliative care service effects on the cancer patients’ results.Methods: We analyzed 334 physician-diagnosed terminally ill cancer patients and categorized them into non-dedicated hospice care group of 234 and dedicated hospice care group of 100.Results: Symptoms improvement of dyspnea, fatigue, drowsiness, and dry mouth during the first week of admission were respectively 298 (89.2%), 25 (7.5%), 204 (61.1%), 76 (22.8%). Signs improvement of myoclonus, respiratory secretion, leg edema, and ascites between admission and a week after were 5 (1.5%), 41 (12.3%), 47 (14.1%), 12 (3.6%). Significant differences between dedicated hospice care physician group and non-dedicated hospice care physician group were shown in drowsiness (67.5% vs 46 %, p < 0.001) and respiratory secretion (15% vs 6%, p < 0.028).Conclusions:In conclusion, terminally ill cancer patients who received palliative or hospice service showed significant improvement in symptoms and illness signs. Moreover, family doctors (dedicated hospice physician group) performed better than oncologist (non-dedicated physician group).
Investigating Impacts of Therapeutic Strategies on Outcomes of Bactereamia Patients Captured by Varied Sepsis Definitions: Time for a Reappraisal of Sepsis-3 Criteria
Authors: Lee Ching-Chi , Chen Po-Lin , Huang Yi-Tzu , Hong Ming-Yuan , Hsieh Chih-Chia , Lin Chih-Hao , Ko Wen-Chien
Published: October 2020

Background: To early recognize septic patients, quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) was proposed by the Sepsis-3 guideline as the initial sepsis identification outside of intensive care units; however, the lack of consensus regarding the revised definition might impede efforts to treat septic patients. Our aim included validation of the new definition in patients with documented bactereamia, by means of the evaluation for the period of delayed treatment efforts and impacts of delayed treatment on prognosis of those categized by traditional or revised sepsis definitions. Methods: In the multicentre cohort of adults with community-onset bactereamia in the emergency department, clinical information was retrospectively analyzed and causative isolates were prospectively stored for susceptibility testes. Using the Cox-regression model, effects of delayed administration of appropriate antimicrobials and adequate source control on 30-day crude mortality in varied SIRS and qSOFA categories were examined after respective adjustment for independent determinants of 30-day mortality.Results: Of the total 3,898 adults, the time-to-appropriate antibiotic and time-to-source control in patients initially presented with SIRS scores of ≥ 2 remained significant shorter than those with qSOFA scores of ≥ 2. Effects of inappropriate EAT and inadequate source control on 30-day mortality were significant in patients who initially presented with SIRS scores of 2 (AOR, 3.06; P < 0.001 and AOR, 1.49; P = 0.04) and 3-4 (AOR, 1.63 and AOR, 2.39; all P < 0.001) but not in those with scores of 0-1 (AOR, 0.87; P = 0.88 and AOR, 1.57; P = 0.79). Notably, adverse impacts of inappropriate EAT and inadequate source control on 30-day mortality were significant in patients who initially experienced qSOFA scores of 0-1 (AOR, 2.05; P = 0.004 and AOR, 3.31; P = 0.003), who were recognised as non-septic patients according to Sepsis-3 guidelines.Conclusions: For patients with community-onset bacteraemia, definitions in the new Sepsis-3 guidelines might impede their treatment efforts in earlier stages and this delayed treatment consequently resulted in unfavourable outcomes. Accordingly, adopting a more restrictive sepsis definition that requires further progression along the sepsis pathway is necessary to avoid delayed interventions.
Nanomolar Melatonin Influences Insulin Synthesis and Secretion in Rat Insulinoma INS-1E Cells
Authors: Jung Eui-Man , Joo Seong-Soo , Yoo Yeong-Min
Published: October 2020

Background: Pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction results in reductions of insulin synthesis/secretion, cell survival, and insulin sensitivity thereby inducing diabetes mellitus. In this study, how nanomolar melatonin regulates insulin synthesis and secretion in rat insulinoma INS-1E cells was investigated. Methods: Western Blot and ELISA were performed to investigate the insulin synthesis and secretion at melatonin concentrations of 10-100 nM for 48 h and 10-500 nM for 72 h in rat insulinoma INS-1E cells.Results: Melatonin significantly increased the insulin protein level in INS-1E cells above the level in control cells without melatonin or glucose treatments and decreased the insulin protein level in media with glucose. At melatonin concentrations of 10-100 nM for 48 h and 10-500 nM for 72 h, increases and decreases occurred in dose-dependent manners. Luzindole or 4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetralin (4P-PDOT), melatonin receptor (MR) antagonists, inhibited the melatonin-induced insulin protein level in cells and media. Levels of membrane vesicle trafficking-related proteins including Rab5, GOPC, and phospho-caveolin-1 proteins significantly increased with melatonin treatment above that in control cells without melatonin or glucose treatments, whereas expressions of EEA1, clathrin, APPL1, and syntaxin-6 proteins significantly decreased with melatonin treatment. The increases in the phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) and Raptor protein levels (mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1)) were consistent with the increments in the expressions of p-Akt (Ser473, Thr308). Also, expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins were significantly increased compared to those in control cells without melatonin or glucose treatments, whereas the Bax protein level decreased. Luzindole or 4P-PDOT decreased the melatonin-induced levels of p-mTOR (Ser2448), Raptor, p-Akt (Ser473), and Bcl-2 proteins, whereas MR antagonists increased the melatonin-suppressed level of Bax proteins. Conclusion: These results indicate that nanomolar melatonin regulates insulin synthesis and secretion associated with membrane vesicle trafficking-related proteins, including Rab5, GOPC, p-Caveolin-1, EEA1, and clathrin through the Akt/mTORC1 pathway.
Patients’ Perspectives on the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Impact of a Community Health Worker Program: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Chang Wei , Oo May , Rojas Adriana , Damian April Joy
Published: October 2020

Background: Growing evidence suggests that community health workers (CHWs) can play a key role in delivering culturally competent preventive care services, addressing social determinants of health (SDOH), and improving the health outcomes of underserved populations. This study sought to understand the experiences of patients with Type 2 diabetes working with a CHW in a safety net setting.Methods: A convenience sample (n=13) who participated in a six-month CHW pilot program at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) was recruited for in-person or telephone semi-structured interviews that included 17 open-ended questions regarding patients’ experiences with the CHW program. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a traditional text analysis method based on a grounded theory approach to identify themes related to the participants’ perspectives of the CHW program.Results: This study highlights the CHW program can improve satisfaction in accessing health services and community resources, and overall health outcomes of patients in the safety net practices. Moreover, patients discussed the positive impact of the CHW program in terms of improved medical knowledge, access to medical services, and self-efficacy. The CHW’s professionalism also helped to establish rapport and trust that further supported behavior changes related to patients’ health goals.Conclusion: Patients’ overall positive perception regarding the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of the CHW program indicated that the intervention may be a viable solution to address the health and social needs of patients in safety net settings. Additionally, CHW programs can help to bridge the gap between patients and healthcare team by mitigating barriers to care.
WITHDRAWN: Understanding the complexity of population health interventions: assessing intervention system theory (ISyT)
Authors: Cambon Linda , ALLA François
Published: October 2020

BackgroundA better understanding of what is happening inside the ”black box” of population health interventions is needed because of their inherent complexity. The theory-driven intervention/evaluation paradigm is one approach used for this purpose. However, barriers related to semantic or practical issues stand in the way of its complete integration into evaluation designs.Methods and discussionIn this study, we aimed to clarify how various theories, models, and frameworks could contribute to conceiving a grounded theory, called interventional system theory (ISyT), suitable for understanding the black box of population health interventions and acknowledging their complexity. We suggest that this interventional system theory (ISyT) could guide evaluation processes, whatever evaluation design is applied.ConclusionWe believe that such clarification could contribute to encouraging the use of theories in complex intervention evaluations, and to identifying ways to consider the transferability and the scalability of interventions.
Assessment of Body Composition in Obese Pediatric Patients: a Method Comparison
Authors: Thajer Alexandra , Skacel Gabriele , Truschner Katharina , Jorda Anselm , Vasek Martin , Horsak Brian , Strempfl Johanna , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra , Kainberger Franz , Greber-Platzer Susanne
Published: October 2020

BackgroundThe determination of body composition is an important method to investigate obese patients and to evaluate the efficacy of medical interventions. Bioelectrical impedance-based methods are convenient, non-invasive and widely applied for this purpose, but need to be validated for their use in young obese patients.MethodsWe compiled data from three independent studies on different aspects of obesity in children and adolescents, measuring body composition with two bioelectrical impedance-based devices (TANITA and BIA). Further, for a small patient group additional data were collected with air displacement plethysmography (BOD POD) and DXA.ResultsBoth, the combined data of the entire study population of 123 patients (age: 6-18 years, BMI: 21-59 kg/m²) and the data of each individual study, showed that TANITA and BIA yield significantly different results on body composition, with TANITA overestimating body fat percentage and fat mass relative to BIA and underestimating fat-free mass (p < 0.001 for all three parameters). A Bland-Altman plot revealed that both methods show little agreement and produce clinically relevant differences for all three parameters. In addition, we detected gender-specific differences with both methods, body fat percentage being significantly lower (p < 0.01) and fat-free mass significantly higher (p < 0.001) in males than females. A comparison of bioelectrical impedance-based methods with BOD POD and DXA on a small patient group indicated no significant difference between methods.ConclusionsBoth bioelectrical impedance-based methods provide significantly different results on body composition in young obese patients and the data thus cannot be used interchangeably. Routine clinical practice may nonetheless use these devices but must adhere to a specific device for repetitive measurements to ascertain comparability of data.Trial registration: Study#2, Children`s KNEEs study, ClinicalTrials NCT02545764. Registered 10 September 2015, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/results/NCT02545764
Biceps Tenodesis Combined With Rotator Cuff Repair Increases Functional Status And Elbow Strength In Both Operated And Contralateral Arms
Authors: KILIC Ali Ihsan , HAPA Onur , OZMANEVRA Ramadan , DEMIRKIRAN Nihat Demirhan , GURSAN Onur
Published: October 2020

Purpose: Aim of the present study was to prospectively evaluate the elbow flexion and supination strengths, and the functional outcomes of patients after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair combined with simultaneous biceps tenodesis.Methods: Nineteen patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and biceps tenodesis with at least 24 months follow-up were included. Patients were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) for bicipital groove pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and constant scores(CS), biceps apex distance (BAD), elbow flexion and supination strengths.Results: VAS for biceps groove measurement averages of postoperative 6th, 12th and 24th month were lower in comparison to pre-operative data and were considered to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Constant score, an average of all post-operative measurements and scores were found higher than pre-operative values and was considered to be statistically significant (p<0,01). There was a significant difference in the comparison of operated and contralateral forearm supination and elbow flexion muscle strength measurements at postoperative 3rd and 6th-month follow-up (p<0.01).Conclusion: Arthroscopic biceps tenodesis into the anchors of lateral row combined rotator cuff repair provides an increase in strength of elbow flexion and forearm supination, while decreases pain. Level of Evidence: Level IV
A Novel Anatomical Locking Plate Combined with an Anterior Column Screw and Magic Screw for Acetabular Fractures Involving Both Columns: Reduction Effect and Functional Outcomes
Authors: Zhang Gongzi , Zhang Shuwei , Sui Yi , Wang Xiang , Su Xiuyun , Cao Zuo , Luo Shijie , Tang Peifu , Zhang Lihai
Published: October 2020

Background: A novel anatomical locking plate (NALP) was designed. The NALP is fixed via an anterior column screw and a Magic screw to apply pressure on the acetabular fracture ends. This study was performed to compare the reduction effect and clinical outcome of the NALP versus the anatomical locking plate (ALP) for acetabular fractures involving both columns.Methods: From January 2013 to January 2018, 22 patients with acetabular fractures involving both columns were treated using the NALP or ALP in a single institution. The general condition and type of fracture were recorded. The NALP and ALP groups were compared regarding the Letournel fracture classification, operative approach, time from injury to operation, intraoperative bleeding volume, and operation time. The radiographic reduction outcome and hip function at final follow-up were compared between the two groups based on the Matta scores and Harris hip scores, respectively.Results: The NALP was used in 10 patients, while the ALP was used in 12. Three patients had transverse fractures, 12 had transverse fractures involving posterior wall, and 7 had double-column fractures. The two groups had no significantly differ regarding sex, age, affected side, Letournel fracture classification, operative approach, or follow-up duration. The time from injury to the operation was 20.70±1.2 days in the NALP group and 13.17±7.5 days in the ALP group (p=0.089). The operation time was 332.20±128.9 minutes in the NALP group and 257.50±91.6 minutes in the ALP group (p=0.128). The intraoperative blood loss volume was 1550.00±869.5 ml in the NALP group and 666.67±370.1 ml in the ALP group (p=0.011). The Matta score at final follow-up was 1.10±0.8 in the NALP group and 2.46±1.9 in the ALP group (p=0.045). The Harris hip score at final follow-up was 87.50±10.5 in the NALP group and 81.00±10.1 in the ALP group (p=0.0782).Conclusion: The NALP achieves adequate compression of the acetabular fracture ends and obtains stronger fixation than the ALP.Trial registration: ChiCTR,ChiCTR2000030825. Registered 15 March 2020 - Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/ChiCTR2000030825
Evaluation of Anticancer Property of Claviceps Purpurea Secondary Metabolites on Different Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: ST Lokesh , Basaiah Thippeswamy , HV Sowmya , ML Vijaya Kumar
Published: October 2020

The present study deals with the secondary metabolites of Claviceps purpurea extract, which has been confirmed as an empirically potential cure for cancer. The purpose of this research was to prove scientifically the anticancer potential of ethyl acetate extract as its effects on the cell cycle, membrane apoptosis, DNA fragmentation and nuclear staining of lung cancer (A549) cell lines. The MTT method was used to measure cytotoxic effects, ethyl acetate extract of Claviceps purpurea showed IC50 value of 56.38 µg/ml compare to other cancer cell lines like breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines (90.04 µg/ml) and cervical cancer (HeLa) cell lines (84.97 µg/ml) and normal cell lines fibroblast (3T3L1) does not show IC50 values due to lesser percentage of inhibition. The effect of inhibition of cell cycle and induction of cell apoptosis was measured by the flow cytometry method. DNA fragmentation studied by the gel electrophoresis method. The results showed, the ethyl acetate extract of Claviceps purpurea gives an induction of apoptosis effect on A549 cancer cell through inhibition of cell cycle in the G0-G1, Synthesis, and G2/M phases. In necrotic cell regions apoptosis was found. In DNA fragmentation 80 μg/ml concentration of extract showed significant results against A549 cell lines. In the nuclear staining study, membrane blebbing will be found. It indicates the extract was very active against cancer cell lines and it occurs in late apoptotic phase. In this study of all parameters, Colchicine was used as standard for cell cycle studies, for membrane apoptosis studies vinblastine and DNA fragmentation studies hydrogen peroxide was used.
WITHDRAWN: SiC/nano α-Al2O3 Double-Layer Coating on Graphite Component via Pack Cementation and Electrophoretic Deposition
Authors: Ghazvini Ali Asghar Sadeghi , Shaker Majid , Ebadzadeh Touraj , Raissi Babak
Published: October 2020

Graphite and carbonaceous parts are being extensively employed in industrial and high-tech fields. Since these materials suffer from severe oxidation at elevated temperatures, it is vital to keep them safe from being damaged and corroded at high-temperature working conditions. In this study, a double-layer coating was prepared to achieve this aim. Primarily, SiC was coated on graphite samples via pack cementation method and then a layer of nano α-Al2O3 was coated on it through the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method to improve the oxidation resistance at high temperatures. This alumina coating was further sintered only for 20 minutes at a relatively low sintering temperature of 1350 ºC in a microwave furnace to densify and close the oxygen permeation paths. Finally, this double-layer fabricated coating could reduce the weight loss by oxidation about 50 times in comparison with the bare graphite. Regarding the excellent oxidation protection performance of this double-layer coating and its feasibility for production scale-up, it can be further investigated to protect various carbon-based engineering materials from oxidation at high temperatures.
Combination of β2-AR Blocker and COX-2 Inhibitor Suppresses Development of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Chong , Ma Zhen , Liao Xianxiang , Liu Shiqi , Fang Fang , Tao Shichen , Liu Xiaotong , Wen Xutao , Chen Xingjin , Chen Meiyu , Ning Xuansheng , Mai Huaming
Published: October 2020

Background To study the effect of inhibiting progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) through blocking β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) and inhibiting Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Methods Transwell invasion assay and wound-healing assay were used to investigate whether invasion and metastasis of OSCC cells (SCC9, Cal27 cell lines and primary OSCC cells) would be inhibited after treated by β2-AR blocker (ICI118,551), COX-2 inhibitor (Etodolac) or both. Real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blot and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect expression change of genes related to invasion and metastasis in OSCC cells after drug treatment. In vivo, 6-8 weeks old female Balb/c nude mice were randomly divided into control group, ICI118,551 treatment group, etodolac treatment group and combined treatment group. Cal27 cells were used to establish OSCC xenograft models. The survival days, tumor sizes and lymph nodes metastasis were compared among these groups. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and ELISA were carried out to detect expression change of invasion and metastasis relative genes. Results ICI118,551 or etodolac could inhibit invasion and metastasis of OSCC cells, and the inhibition of combined treatment was more significant. Moreover, RT-qPCR and Western blot showed that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) were downregulated after treatment, especially in combined treatment group. In vivo, the combined treatment group could significantly prolong survival days and inhibit tumor size. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and ELISA showed the expression of above-mentioned genes were also downregulated. Conclusions Invasion and metastasis of OSCC can be inhibited through blocking β2-AR and inhibiting COX-2, it can be a potential treatment of OSCC.
PCDH9 target RAC1/ROS-NADPH-oxidase complex with the assistance of Pyk2 interaction through Cyclin D1 trafficking
Authors: Zhang Jiaojiao , Yang Hui-Zhi , Liu Shuang , Islam Md Obaidul , Zhu Yue , Chen RongYi , Wang Zuhua
Published: October 2020

Background: Melanoma has dramatically increased during last 30 years with low five-year survival and prognosis rate.Methods: Melanoma cells (A375 and G361) were chosen as in vitro model. The interference and overexpression of PCDH9 were infected by lentivirus. The effects of PCDH9 on melanoma cells were assessed in terms of alteration of PCDH9 such as cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle and wound-healing assay. Moreover, expressions of PCDH9 with other genes (MMP2, MMP9, Pyk2 Cyclin D1, RAC1 and FAK) were also assessed by PCR and western blotting, immunohistochemical analysis. The protein complex immunoprecipitation was operated for protein-protein interaction (PPI) of PCDH9. Originlab 2020 was used for statistical analysis.Results: Melanoma cells treated with PCDH9 showed influence melanoma as similar function as Hace1 that regulate RAC1/ROS-dependent NADPH oxidase complexes through targeting complex-bound RAC1 with the help of Pyk2, while RAC1 directly influence RAC1/ROS-NADPH-oxidase complex to induce metalloproteinases (MMPs), that are involved in cell migration and proliferation. Moreover, PCDH9 could influence the expressions of MMP2, MMP9, Pyk2, Cyclin D1 and RAC1, except FAK, decreased cell viability, cell migration and increased apoptosis, but did not exert significant effects on cell cycle. Besides, the immunohistochemical results exhibited lower PCDH9 expression in malignant melanoma samples than benign naevus tissue or/and normal skin, and PCDH9 was expressed in the cytoplasm rather than nuclei. The results of immunoprecipitation demonstrated that PCDH9 bind with RAC1 and Pyk2, suggesting the regulation of PCDH9 to melanoma progression. Conclusion: Our results suggest that PCDH9 and RAC1 could predict for potential biomarkers prognosis of malignant melanoma, interestingly, with Pyk2’s assistance like a bridge PCDH9 can modulate melanoma progression by interacting with RAC1.
Introito al derecho cultural: consideraciones a partir de la tauromaquia.
Authors: Duarte Molina Tirson Mauricio , Parra Bahamón María Camila
Published: October 2020

El concepto de cultura ha sido controvertido en la sociedad contemporánea, variando en definiciones y siendo realmente vago frente a sus características individuales y sociales, usando el multiculturalismo y el terreno cedido ante la tolerancia como un límite a las diversas prácticas. Asimismo, el derecho cultural se encuentra como una categoría que ha carecido de significado a la hora de entablar diálogos entre diferentes grupos sociales y la garantía de protección por parte del Estado al tratarlo como un derecho conexo, obviandosu autonomía, y sin tener en cuenta cuáles prácticas deben o no estar cobijadas por él. En este sentido, se ha pretendido la restricción de diversas prácticas como la tauromaquia, sin establecer en primera medida la constitución de aquella como un derecho cultural o perteneciente a otra categoría de derechos.
Palabras clave:Derecho, cultura, multiculturalismo, tauromaquia, derecho cultural.
Advancing model calibration and uncertainty analysis of SWAT models using cloud computing infrastructure: LCC-SWAT
Authors: Zamani Masood , Shrestha Narayan Kumar , Akhtar Taimoor , Boston Trevor , Daggupati Prasad
Published: October 2020

Calibration and uncertainty analysis of a complex, over-parameterized environmental model such as the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) requires thousands of simulation runs and multiple calibration iterations. A parallel calibration system is thus desired that can be deployed on cloud-based architectures for reducing calibration runtime. This paper presents a cloud-based calibration and uncertainty analysis system called LCC-SWAT that is designed for SWAT models. Two optimization techniques, sequential uncertainty fitting (SUFI-2) and dynamically dimensioned search (DDS), have been implemented in LCC-SWAT. Moreover, the cloud-based system has been deployed on the Southern Ontario Smart Computing Innovation Platform's (SOSCIP) Cloud Analytics platform for diagnostic assessment of parallel calibration runtime on both single-node and multi-node CPU architectures. Unlike other calibrations/uncertainty analysis systems developed on the cloud, this system is capable of generating a comprehensive set of statistical information automatically, which facilitates broader analyses of the performance of the SWAT models. Experimental results on SWAT models of different complexities showed that LCC-SWAT can reduce runtime significantly. The runtime reduction is more pronounced for more complex and computationally intensive models. However, the reported runtime efficiency is significantly higher for single node systems. Comparative experiments with DDS and SUFI-2 show that parallel DDS outperforms parallel SUFI-2 in terms of both parameter identifiability and reducing uncertainty in model simulations. LCC-SWAT is a flexible calibration system and other optimization algorithms and asynchronous parallelization strategies can be added to it in future.
Elucidation of Abnormal Extracellular Regulated Kinase (ERK) Signaling and Associations with Syndromic and Non-syndromic Autism
Authors: Tiwari Aarti , Rahi Saloni , Mehan Sidharth
Published: October 2020

Autism is a highly inherited and extremely complex disorder in which results from various
cases indicate chromosome anomalies, unusual single-gene mutations, and multiplicative effects
of particular gene variants, characterized primarily by impaired speech and social interaction
and restricted behavior. The precise etiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is currently unclear.
The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling mechanism affects neurogenesis
and neuronal plasticity during the development of the central nervous mechanism. In this regard,
the pathway of ERK has recently gained significant interest in the pathogenesis of ASD. The mutation
occurs in a few ERK components. Besides, the ERK pathway dysfunction lies in the upstream
of modified translation and contributes to synapse pathology in syndromic types of autism. In this
review, we highlight the ERK pathway as a target for neurodevelopmental disorder autism. In addition,
we summarize the regulation of the ERK pathway with ERK inhibitors in neurological disorders.
In conclusion, a better understanding of the ERK signaling pathway provides a range of therapeutic
options for autism spectrum disorder.