bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Contraception in Preventing HIV-Positive Births: Global Estimates and Projections
Authors: Sherwood Jennifer , Lankiewicz Elise , Roose-Snyder Beirne , Cooper Bergen , Jones Austin , Honermann Brian
Published: October 2020

Background: Meeting the contraceptive needs of women living with HIV (WLHIV) has primary health benefits for women, in addition to being a key element to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission. This analysis will estimate the current number of infant HIV infections prevented by contraception in the era of increased HIV treatment coverage and; 2) model the additional HIV benefits of preventing unintended births to WLHIV. Methods: Secondary data analysis was conducted using publicly available data from the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and Population Division, Demographic Health Surveys, and peer-review literature. National data from 70 countries, that had a UNAIDS estimate for the number of WLHIV nationally, were combined into country-level models. Models estimated the current number of infant HIV infections averted by contraception annually and potentially averted if unintended births to WLHIV were prevented. Estimates take into account pregnancy and live birth rates, contraceptive coverage, contraceptive method mix and failure rates, and HIV treatment coverage during pregnancy to prevent mother to child transmission. Results: Contraception use among WLHIV prevents an estimated 43,559 new infant HIV infections annually across 70 countries. Countries with the largest number of infant infections averted by contraception included South Africa (9,441), Nigeria (4,195), Kenya (3,508), Zimbabwe (2,586), and India (2,145). Preventing unintended births to WLHIV could avert an additional 43,768 new infant infections per year, with the greatest potential gains to be made in South Africa (12,036), Nigeria (2,770), Uganda (2,552), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2,324). Conclusions: Contraception continues to play an integral role in global HIV prevention efforts in the era of increasing HIV treatment coverage, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Broad contraceptive availability, increased contraceptive voluntarism and method mix are key components to preventing unintended births and ending new infant HIV infections worldwide.
Induced Radicle Rooting : An alternative Technique for Rapid and Mass screening of Rice Genetic Accessions for Deep Root system
Authors: Pichiah Gomathinayagam , Biri Beka
Published: October 2020

Drought is a recurrent phenomenon in the fragile crop production environments. Drought resistant crop varieties strike roots deeper into the soil to withstand drought spells during the crop growth period better than the shallow rooted varieties. Thus the deeper they strike roots under stress, the better their survival. Plant breeding for less than ideal condition is very difficult especially for breeding resistance to drought. The existing screening techniques are based on lateral root or fibrous root development for monocots like rice or barley .This paper explains a new innovative approach called Induced Radicle Rooting (IRR) technique which is a novel technique in which radicle root is allowed to grow by suppressing the growth of the lateral roots. The induction of radicle rooting is achieved in three steps viz.(i) by allowing to touch the radicle of the germinated seed on the water level keeping other parts above. (ii) by reducing the water level of the well periodically then and there when the radicle starts growing (iii) by allowing the growth of the radicle down deeper in the capillary tube in such a way by arresting crown and lateral roots. As the moisture stress is artificially simulated right from the beginning in the capillary tubes, the varieties tend to put forth roots as deep as the water level is. The varietal difference in the radicle root length is so sharp that the shallow rooted varieties are differentiated from the deep rooted ones remarkably. It is a non destructive method and significantly correlated to field data ( r = 0.951). This technique a first of its kind shall be useful as a valuable tool to the scientific community engaged in searching for deep roots.
Autoencoders for Drug-Target Interaction Prediction
Authors: Chen Ming , Zhou Xiuze
Published: October 2020

Background: Because it is so laborious and expensive to experimentally identify Drug-Target Interactions (DTIs), only a few DTIs have been verified. Computational methods are useful for identifying DTIs in biological studies of drug discovery and development. Results: For drug-target interaction prediction, we propose a novel neural network architecture, DAEi, extended from Denoising AutoEncoder (DAE). We assume that a set of verified DTIs is a corrupted version of the full interaction set. We use DAEi to learn latent features from corrupted DTIs to reconstruct the full input. Also, to better predict DTIs, we add some similarities to DAEi and adopt a new nonlinear method for calculation. Similarity information is very effective at improving the prediction of DTIs. Conclusion: Results of the extensive experiments we conducted on four real data sets show that our proposed methods are superior to other baseline approaches.Availability: All codes in this paper are open-sourced, and our projects are available at: https://github.com/XiuzeZhou/DAEi.
Association Between Apolipoprotein Gene Polymorphisms and Hyperlipidemia: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Xiao-Ning , Sun Quan , Cao You-Qin , Ran Xiao , Cao Yu
Published: October 2020

Background: Hyperlipidemia plays an important role in the etiology of cardio-cerebrovascular disease. Over recent years, a number of studies have explored the impact of apolipoprotein genetic polymorphisms in hyperlipidemia, but considerable differences and uncertainty have been found in their association for different populations from different regions. Objective: To correlate apolipoprotein gene expression with hyperlipidemia through a systematic review of case-control studies. Methods: Comprehensive identification of relevant articles in Pubmed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, CNKI, Wangfang, and VIP published to June 9, 2020. A systematic review of hyperlipidemia case-control studies was conducted to evaluate the quality of data in articles included in the review, and a meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 11 software. Results: A total of 59 articles were included, containing in total 13843 hyperlipidemia patients in the case group and 15398 healthy controls in the control group. Meta-analysis of the data indicated that APOA5-1131T>C, APOA1 -75bp, APOB XbaⅠand APOE gene polymorphisms were significantly associated with hyperlipidemia, with OR values of 1.996, 1.228, 1.444 and 1.710, respectively, for allele models. All P values were less than 0.05. Conclusions: Meta-analysis of the data indicated that the C allele of APOA5 1131T>C, the A allele at APOA1-75bp, the APOB XbaⅠ T allele, and the ε4 allele of APOE were each a risk factor for susceptibility for hyperlipidemia.
Increasing Ascomycin Yield in Streptomyces Hygroscopicus var. Ascomyceticus by Using Polyhydroxybutyrate as an Intracellular Carbon Supply Station
Authors: Wang Pan , Yin Ying , Wang Xin , Wen Jianping
Published: October 2020

Background: Ascomycin is a multifunctional antibiotic produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. ascomyceticus. As a secondary metabolite, the production of ascomycin is often limited by the shortage of precursors during the late fermentation phase. Polyhydroxybutyrate is an intracellular polymer accumulated by various microorganisms. The development of polyhydroxybutyrate as a useful carbon reservoir for precursor synthesis is of great significance for improving the yield of ascomycin.Results: The fermentation characteristics of the parent strain S. hygroscopicus var. ascomyceticus FS35 showed that the accumulation and decomposition of polyhydroxybutyrate were respectively correlated with the growth of strain and the production of ascomycin. The co-overexpression of exogenous polyhydroxybutyrate synthesis gene phaC and native polyhydroxybutyrate decomposition gene fkbU increased both strain biomass and ascomycin yield. Comparative transcription analysis showed that the storage of polyhydroxybutyrate during the exponential phase accelerated biosynthesis processes by stimulating the utilization of carbon sources, and the decomposition of polyhydroxybutyrate during the stationary phase increased the biosynthesis of ascomycin precursors by enhancing metabolic flux of primary pathways. The comparative analysis of cofactor concentration reflected that the biosynthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate depended on the supply of NADH pool. Under the condition of low sugar content in the later exponential phase, the optimization of carbon source addition further strengthened the polyhydroxybutyrate metabolism by increasing total concentration of cofactors. Finally, in the fermentation medium with 22 g/L starch and 52 g/L dextrin, the ascomycin yield of co-overexpression strain was increased to 626.30 mg/L, 2.11-fold higher than that of parent strain in the initial medium (296.29 mg/L). Conclusions: This paper reported for the first time that the polyhydroxybutyrate was beneficial to the growth of strain and the production of ascomycin by working as an intracellular carbon reservoir, storing as polymers when carbon sources are abundant and depolymerizing to monomers for the biosynthesis of precursors when carbon sources are insufficient. The successful application of polyhydroxybutyrate in increasing the output of ascomycin provided a new strategy for the high yield of other secondary metabolites.
Genetic Polymorphism of Cyp2d6 Gene Coding Region and Association Between Them With Vivax Malaria Relapse in Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Huang Herong , Dong Ying , Xu Yanchun , Deng Yan , Zhang Canglin , Liu Shuping , Chen Mengni , Liu Yan
Published: October 2020

BackgroundPrimaquine is one of two medications able to effectively eliminate the hypnozoites of P. vivax, and therefore has been recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) as the anti-relapsing drug for vivax malaria patients. However, the reduced CYP2D6 enzyme activity caused by gene mutations has been considered to result in the failure of primaquine relapse vivax malaria. Based on the analysis of CYP2D6 gene polymorphisms in vivax malaria cases the current study aims to determine the association between human CYP2D6 polymorphism and the relapse of vivax malaria. MethodsBlood samples of vivax malaria cases who received "chloroquine/primaquine eight-day therapy" from 2014 to 2018 in Yunnan Province were collected. The suspected relapsed cases were determined by epidemiology and gene sequence alignment. Human genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples, nine exons of CYP2D6 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR products were then sequenced. The coding DNA sequence (CDS) of CYP2D6 gene was obtained by splicing and aligning with the non-mutation reference sequence. The mutation loci, haplotypes (star alleles) and genotypes of CYP2D6 gene were inferred and their association with vivax malaria relapse were analyzed. ResultsA total of 120 blood samples from 45 suspected relapsed cases of vivax malaria and 75 non-relapsed cases were collected and two nested-PCR products (2411bp and 2388bp) containing exon1-4 and exon5-9, were obtained from 119 samples. 119 CDS chains (1491bp length) were formed by splicing and combining sequencing sequences, A total of 12 mutation loci were identified in 238 CDS chains (including 119 chains from direct sequencing and another 119 chains identified from sister chromosome). Among them, the mutation locus at c.886 has the closest relationship with the relapse of vivax malaria (OR=2.167, 95%CI: 1.104~4.252, P<0.05). There were 23 haplotypes (Hap_1~Hap_23) to be identified and be defined as 23 alleles of CYP2D6 gene, Among them, the 5 star alleles (*1, *2, *4, *10 and *39) were confirmed by comparison, and the CYP2D6*10 allele accounted for the most (45.4%, 108/238). the frequency of CYP2D6*2 allele in the SR group was significantly higher than that in the NR group (P<0.05). However, among the defined 24 genotypes, there were 8 genotypes (*4/*4, *4/*o, *2/*39, *39/*m, *39/*x, *1/*r, *1/*n, and *v/*10) appeared only in the SR group.ConclusionAmong the numerous mutations of CYP2D6 gene，CYP2D6*10 allele accounts for the highest proportion of vivax malaria cases in Yunnan Province. The mutation at c. 886 locus is most closely related to the relapse of vivax malaria. In addition, there was the genotype *4/*4 with null CYP2D6 enzyme function. These results suggest that Yunnan Province should pay attention to the risk of reduced CYP2D6 enzyme activity on the radical cure therapeutic effect of primaquine
ZrO2 Negtive Capacitance Field-Effect Transistor with Sub-60 Subthreshold Swing Behavior
Authors: Zhang Siqing , Liu Huan , Zhou Jiuren , Liu Yan , Han Genquan , Hao Yue
Published: October 2020

Here we report the ZrO2 - based Negative capacitance (NC) FETs with 45.06 mV/decade subthreshold swing (SS) under ±1 V V GS range, which can achieve new opportunities in furture voltage-scalable NCFET applications. The ferroelectric-like behavior of the Ge/ZrO2/TaN capacitors is proposed to be originated from the oxygen vacancy dipoles. The NC effect of the amorphous HfO2 and ZrO2 films devices can be proved by the sudden drop of gate leakage, the negative differential resistance (NDR) phenomenon, the enhancement of I DS and sub-60 subthreshold swing. 5 nm ZrO2 - based NCFETs achieve a clockwise hysteresis of of 0.24 V, lower than 60 mV/decade SS and an 12% I DS enhancement compared to the control device without ZrO2 . The suppressed NC effect of Al2O3/HfO2 NCFET compared with ZrO2 NCFET is related to the partical swiching of oxygen vacancy dipoles in the forward sweeping due to negative interfical dipoles at the Al2O3 /HfO2 interface.
Prognostic Predictors Do Not Equate to Predictors of Chemotherapy Benefit in HR-Positive, HER2-Negative Breast Cancer: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Fu Jianfei , Lin Haiping , Zheng Hongjuan , Ge Chenyang , Ling LiXian , Ying RuiHua , Wang Qinghua , Tang Wanfen , Zhang Xia , Zhou Shishi , Jin Xiayun , Xu Xifeng , Yu Shian
Published: October 2020

Background: Patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-), early breast cancer had a favorable prognosis. We conducted a study to identify patients benefiting from adjuvant chemotherapy in this cohort.Methods: Patients with HR+, HER2-, early breast cancer were identified from the SEER database and were classified into the chemotherapy and non-chemotherapy groups. A propensity score matching (PSM) was performed and subgroup analyses were conducted in the after-matched patients to explore which subgroups benefited from chemotherapy. Gene expression RNA-seq data and phenotypic data of HR+, HER2-, early breast cancer were identified from the TCGA database, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from paired tumor and normal samples were identified, and DGEs were filtered through interactions between chemotherapy and gene expression level to obtain genes associated with chemotherapy benefits. A chemotherapy predictive clinical score (CPCS) and a chemotherapy predictive genetic score (CPGS) were established respectively based on variables or genes identified.Results: In total, 86158 patients with HR+, HER2-, early breast cancer were identified from the SEER database and there were 15259 patients in each after-matched group. Race, T stage and N stage were associated with chemotherapy benefits and entered into the establishment of CPCS. Amongst the 29 normal samples and 254 tumor samples of HR+, HER2-, early breast cancer in the TCGA database, 29 pairs of samples were identified to filter 1709 DEGs, of which 84 DGEs were associated with chemotherapy benefits. SOWAHA、RP11-205M3.3、IRX6、PPBP and EMX1 were chosen to establish the CPGS according to their P-values for interaction.Conclusions: Nodal status was an important indicator for chemotherapy decisions in HR+, HER2-, early breast cancer and most patients without nodes involved could be spared chemotherapy. In addition, a CPCS and a CPGS were established respectively using a completely new method to identify patients benefiting from chemotherapy.
Childhood Overweight and Obesity Among the Saudi Population: A Case-Control Study Among School Children
Authors: AlJassim Hanan Abdulsalam , Jr Hoda
Published: October 2020

BackgroundChildhood obesity is a global public health concern with major consequences. In Saudi Arabia, the percentage of children who are overweight or obese have significantly increased in the past 2 decades, raising concerns about the physical and psychosocial consequences of this burden. This study aimed at investigating the different risk factors contributing to childhood obesity in Saudi Arabia.Methods A case-control study was conducted among 492 school children (246 overweight/obese cases and 246 normal control aged 5-9 years old). Using valid and reliable instruments, parental and children characteristics, behavioural practices, screen use, and other activities were assessed as risk factors for childhood obesity using logistic regression analysis. Results An unemployed father (OR=11.90; 95%CI: 7.47-18.93), an overweight/obese father (OR=2.04; 95%CI: 1.40-2.96), an incorrect parental perception of child’s weight status (OR=2.54; 95%CI: 1.75-3.68), Caesarean delivery (OR=2.52; 95%CI: 1.56-4.09), daily time in active play for less than 30 minutes (OR=2.18; 95%CI: 1.44-3.28), , frequent snacking (OR=1.74; 95%CI: 1.05-2.93), and screen time use for more than 2 hours per day outside of school (OR=1.62; 95%CI: 1.12-2.34) were all independent risk factors for being overweight or obese among the selected cases. ConclusionEfforts to prevent childhood overweight and obesity in this population should focus primarily on the early identification and addressing of risk factors, such as parental characteristics and awareness of the magnitude of the burden of obesity, behavioural practices such as frequent snacking, screen time use, and physical activity.
WITHDRAWN: Rucaparib in patients presenting a metastatic breast cancer with Homologous Recombination Deficiency, without germline BRCA1/2 mutation
Authors: Patsouris Anne , DIOP M'boyba Khadija , Tredan Olivier , Nenciu Daniel , Goncalves Anthony , Arnedos Monica , Sablin Marie-Paule , Jézéquel Pascal , Jimenez Marta , Droin Nathalie , Bieche Ivan , Callens Celine , Loehr Andrea , Vicier Cecile , Seegers Valérie , Filleron Thomas , André Fabrice
Published: October 2020

Breast cancer may present genomic alterations leading to homologous recombination deficiency. PARP inhibitors have proved their efficacy in patients with HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (mBC) harboring germline (g) BRCA1/2 mutations. We conducted the phase 2 RUBY trial to assess the efficacy of rucaparib in HER2-negative mBC with high genomic loss of heterozygosity (LOH) score or somatic, without gBRCA1/2 mutation. 220 of 711 patients with mBC screened for LOH presented high LOH score which was associated with a higher likelihood of death (HR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.11-1.75, p = 0.005). The primary objective was not reached with a clinical benefit rate (objective response or SD>16 weeks) of 13.5%. Two LOH-high patients, without somatic BRCA1/2 mutation, presented a complete and durable response (14 and 32 months). HRDetect tended to be associated with response to rucaparib, whithout reaching statistical significance (median HRDetect responders versus non responders: 0.465 versus, 0.040, p = 0.2135). Our data suggests that a small subset of patients with high LOH score could derive benefit from PARP inhibitors.
Organizational Rewards and Performance of Health Centre IV Workers in Greater Mbarara District, Uganda
Authors: Atwiine Johnson , Atukunda Gershom , Tumwesigye Wycliffe , Asasira Justus
Published: October 2020

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to study relationship between organizational rewards, andperformance of Health Centre IV workers in greater Mbarara District.MethodsThis study used cross-sectional, explanatory and correlational approaches, and it utilised healthcenter IV’s workers’ data that were collected by using a questionnaire survey from a sample of 200 healthworkers from 11 health centres from greater Mbarara district.FindingsResults revealed that rewards, were significantly associated with health workers’ performances.Contrary to previous thinking, organizational rewards and constructs do not significantly predict healthworkers’ performance. Once health centre IV’s have appropriate reward strategies for their health workersin health facilities, they are likely to work hard by meeting deadlines, being available at their work stationand they would eventually enhance on job performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis study focuses on rewards, and performance of health workers’ inhealth centres iv in greater Mbarara and it is possible that these results are only applicable to the publichealth centres iv in greater Mbarara. More research is therefore needed to further understand the relationshipbetween rewards, and performance of health workers in other sectors such as the private health sector andin other areas of the country like northern, central and eastern Uganda.Practical implicationsThe results are important for health policy development and implementation, forexample, in terms of primary health care and reporting lines for the health workers so as to enhance on theirperformance in public health sector.Originality/valueAs far as the authors are aware, no research has hitherto been undertaken thatinvestigates the relationship between reward practices on health workers’ performance in health centres IVin greater Mbarara district. Thus the results of this study will provide health practitioners with better insightsin some reward practices that could be adopted by government/health practitioners so as to improve theperformance of health centres IV workers.Paper typeResearch paper
Mapping Freezing Tolerance QTL in Alfalfa Based on Indoor Phenotyping
Authors: Adhikari Laxman , Makaju Shiva O. , Lindstrom Orville M. , Missaoui Ali Mekki
Published: October 2020

Background Winter freezing temperature impacts alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) persistence and seasonal yield and can lead to the death of the plant. Understanding the genetic mechanisms of alfalfa freezing tolerance (FT) using high-throughput phenotyping and genotyping is crucial to select suitable germplasm and develop winter-hardy cultivars. Several clones of an alfalfa F1 mapping population (3010 x CW 1010) were phenotyped for FT using a cold chamber. The population was genotyped with SNP markers identified using genotyping by sequencing (GBS) and the QTL associated with FT were mapped on the parent-specific linkage maps. The ultimate goal is to develop non-dormant and winter-hardy alfalfa cultivars that can produce extended growth in the areas where winters are often mild. Results Alfalfa FT screening method optimized in this experiment comprises three major steps; clone preparation, acclimation, and freezing test. Twenty clones of each genotype were tested, where 10 samples were treated with freezing temperature, and 10 were used as controls. A moderate positive correlation (r ~ 0.36, P < 0.01) was observed between indoor FT and field-based winter hardiness (WH), suggesting that the indoor FT test is useful as an indirect selection method for winter hardiness of alfalfa germplasm. We detected a total of 20 QTL for four traits; visual rating-based FT, percentage survival (PS), treated to control regrowth ratio (RR), and treated to control biomass ratio (BR). Some QTL overlapped with WH QTL reported previously, suggesting a genetic relationship between FT and WH. Some favorable QTL from the winter-hardy parent (3010) potentially represented the genic region of a cold tolerance gene, the c-repeat binding factor (CBF). These QTL were located on the terminal end of chromosome 6 which is considered a location of the CBF homologs in alfalfa.Conclusions The indoor freezing tolerance selection method reported here is valuable for alfalfa breeders to accelerate breeding cycles through indirect selection. The QTL and associated markers add to the genomic resources needed by the alfalfa research community and can be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) for alfalfa cold tolerance improvement.
Testing the Halophila Stipulacea Environmental Threat as A Potential Antioxidant Agent
Authors: Sansone Clementina , Galasso Christian , Martire Marco Lo , Fernández Tomás Vega , Musco Luigi , Dell’Anno Antonio , Bruno Antonino , Noonan Douglas M. , Albini Adriana , Brunet Christophe
Published: October 2020

Marine biotechnology is promising to provide new solutions to society and humans, such as for health protection or natural treatments against diseases. In this framework, different strategies are explored to select marine organisms to initiate the pipeline, hopefully ended by the product development. Organisms with fast growth rates and great biological adaptive capacity are of biotechnological interests, since competitiveness might rely on increased physiological or biochemical processes’ capability seeking to protect, defend on repair intracellular damages. This study focussed on the fast-growing and invasive seagrass Halophila stipulacea, a non-indigenous species widespread in the Mediterranean Sea to investigate its antioxidant activity, both in scavenging reactive oxygen species and in repairing damages from oxidative stress on human fibroblast cells. Results indicated that the ethanol/water extracts of the leaves of H. stipulacea were able to scavenge reactive oxygen species and in repair damages from oxidative stress. Moreover, greater bioactivities were observed in old leaves compared to young ones, paralleled with a higher content in carotenoids and carbohydrate contribution to organic matter content. Our results suggest a potential of the (old) leaves of H. stipulacea as skin-protective and/or oxidative stress damage repair agents. This study paves the way to transmute the invasive H. stipulacea environmental threat in goods for human health.
Effects of Therapeutic Probiotics on Modulation of microRNAs
Authors: Davoodvandi Amirhossein , Marzban Havva , Goleij Pouya , Sahebkar Amirhossein , Morshedi Korosh , Rezaei Samaneh , mahjoubin-Tehran maryam , Tarrahimofrad Hossein , Hamblin Michael R , Mirzaei Hamed
Published: October 2020

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that exist within the human gut, and which are also present in different food products and supplements. They have been investigated for some decades, due to their potential beneficial impact on human health. Probiotics compete with pathogenic microorganisms for adhesion sites within the gut, to antagonize them or to regulate the host immune response resulting in preventive and therapeutic effects. Therefore, dysbiosis, defined as an impairment in the gut microbiota, could play a role in various pathological conditions, such as lactose intolerance, gastrointestinal and urogenital infections, various cancers, cystic fibrosis, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, and can also be caused by antibiotic side effects. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that can regulate gene expression in a post-transcriptional manner. miRNAs are biochemical biomarkers that play an important role in almost all cellular signaling pathways in many healthy and disease states. For the first time, the present review summarizes current evidence suggesting that the beneficial properties of probiotics could be explained based on the pivotal role of miRNAs.
How Many Key Informants Are Enough? Analysing the Validity of the Community Readiness Assessment
Authors: Muellmann Saskia , Brand Tilman , Jürgens Dorothee , Gansefort Dirk , Zeeb Hajo
Published: October 2020

Objective: Communities are important settings for health promotion and prevention. The community readiness assessment offers a structured approach to assess resources and opportunities to tackle a health problem within a community. The assessment relies on semi-structured interviews with key informants from the communities. A number of 4-6 key informant interviews are recommended in the literature. However, it is unclear whether this is sufficient to obtain a valid representation of the respective community. This study analysed whether increasing the number of key informants from 4-6 to 12-15 alters the results of the community readiness assessment. Results: A total of 55 community readiness interviews were carried out in 4 communities. Overall, the community readiness scores showed little variation after having interviewed 10 key informants in a community. However, even after completing 10 interviews in a community, key informants were still able to identify up to 6 new information items regarding community efforts for physical activity promotion among the elderly, contact and communication channel for informing or approaching the target group, or barriers to participation.
Low-Dose Mannitol Pretreatment Reduces Postoperative Nausea And Vomiting In Patients Undergoing Gynaecological Laparoscopic Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial 
Authors: Cheng Hui Xian , Li Gao Jie , Ding Jie , Guo Wen Jun
Published: October 2020

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is the most common and undesirable complications associated with anaesthesia, leading to discomfort in patients and extended hospital stays. The present study evaluates and compares the effects of preoperative low-dose mannitol infusion on PONV in patients undergoing gynaecological laparoscopic surgery.Methods: Fifty-three patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups (mannitol group, Group M, and control group, Group C). In the group M, low dose of 20% mannitol (0.5g/kg) was applied 30 minutes before induction. In the group C, equal volume of 0.9% normal saline was infused. Both groups were maintained with Ringer’s lactate in 8 ml/kg/h intraoperatively. The primary endpoint was the incidence and severity of PONV within the first postoperative 24h. The secondary endpoints were the average vascular resistance indexes(RI) and angle-corrected time-averaged flow velocity(TIMV)of bilateral vertebral artery (VA) and internal carotid artery (ICA) and cerebral blood flow volume (CBFV) using non-invasive Doppler ultrasound at time points just 5 min after laryngeal mask airway placement (T1：baseline);pneumoperitoneum started and position changed(T2);15 minutes after pneumoperitoneum with the position change (T3); pneumoperitoneum stopped with a position change (T4);15 minutes after pneumoperitoneum had stopped (T5).Results: Within 24h after operation, the incidence of PONV in group M (28.0%) was significantly lower than group C (56.0%) (P=0.045). Compared with group C, the severity of PONV in group M was significantly lower(P=0.040). The RI of VA and ICA were statistically different between the two groups(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed in the VM of VA and ICA and CBFV between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion: Pretreatment with a low dose of mannitol effectively reduced the incidence and severity of PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery by reducing the RI of the VA and ICA.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-IPR-16007749, registered date: 12/01/2016.), http://www.chictr.org.cn
Co-expression of Low-risk HPV E6/E7 and EBV LMP-1 Leads to Precancerous Lesions by DNA Damage
Authors: Uehara Karina , Tanabe Yasuka , Higa Saki , Hirota Shintaro , Toyoda Zensei , Kurima Kiyoto , Kina Shinichiro , Nakasone Toshiyuki , Arasaki Akira , Kinjo Takao
Published: October 2020

Background Low-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), such as types 6 and 11, is considered non-oncogenic, but these types have been detected in oral cancer tissue samples, suggesting their possible involvement in oral carcinogenesis. Because double infection of high-risk HPV and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is known to be involved in oral carcinogenesis, we hypothesized that low-risk HPV and EBV co-infection can transform the oral cells. To verify our hypothesis, we evaluated the transformation activity of cell lines expressing both low-risk HPV E6/E7 and EBV LMP-1 genes.Methods We transduced HPV6, 11 and 16 E6/E7 and EBV LMP-1 genes into primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts. The cell lines were examined for indices of transformation activity such as proliferation, induction of DNA damage, resistance to apoptosis, anchorage-independent growth, and tumor formation in nude mice. To evaluate the signaling pathways involved in transformation, NF-kB and p53 activities were analyzed. We also assessed adhesion signaling molecules associated with anchorage-independent growth such as MMP-2, paxillin and Cat-1.Results Co-expression of low-risk HPV E6 and EBV LMP-1 showed increased cell proliferation, elevated NF-kB activity and reduced p53 induction. Moreover, co-expression of low-risk HPV E6 and EBV LMP-1 induced DNA damage, escaped from apoptosis under genotoxic condition and suppression of DNA damage response (DDR). However, it led to no malignant characteristics such as anchorage-independent growth, invasiveness and tumor formation in nude mice. Compared with the cells co-expressing high-risk HPV and EBV that induce transformation, co-expression of low-risk HPV and EBV was associated with low MMP-2, paxillin and Cat-1 expression.Conclusions The co-expression of low-risk HPV E6/E7 and EBV LMP-1 does not induce malignant transformation, but it allows accumulation of somatic mutations secondary to increased DNA damage and suppression of DDR. Thus, double infection of low-risk HPV and EBV could lead to precancerous lesions.
Relating Factors for Impaired Fasting Glucose in Korean Adult: A Population Based Study
Authors: Hyunjin Lee , Song Youngshin , Kim Bohyun
Published: October 2020

Background: Individuals with impaired fasting glucose who have poor health behaviors are at a greater risk for a variety of health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between health literacy and health behaviors in Korean adults with impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Methods: This study adopted a secondary data analysis of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), which used a stratified, multi-stage, cluster-sampling design to obtain a nationally representative sample. This study analyzed the KNANES Health Examination Survey and Health Behavior Survey from 2016 to 2018. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to compute the odds ratios of health behaviors and health literacy to identify the risk factors for impaired fasting glucose.Results: Among the 9919 participants, 7093 (71.5%) were in the normal fasting glucose group and 2826 (28.5%) were in the impaired fasting glucose group. The presence of an impaired fasting glucose level varied significantly by sex, age, economic status, and whether participants dined out regularly, drank alcohol regularly, recognized nutrition fact labels, and utilized nutrition facts labels.Conclusions: Individuals with impaired fasting glucose were less likely to practice health behaviors and had lower health literacy compared with those with non-impaired fasting glucose. Our results suggest that improving health literacy in subjects with impaired fasting glucose is effective in improving their health behaviors.
Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of SAC Domain-Containing Protein Family in Cotton
Authors: Li Xiaxuan , Chen Wei , Zhu Shouhong , Li Yan , Yao Jinbo , Zhang Yongshan
Published: October 2020

Background: Phosphoinositides(PIs) are important regulators of a diverse range of cellular functions. The Suppressor of Actin (SAC) domain-containing proteins are a class of phosphoinositide phosphatase involved in the synthesis of PIs. Though the cellular functions of SAC domain-containing proteins have been characterized in yeast, information of SAC genes in cotton is largely undefined.Results: In the present study, 12,12and24 putative SAC genes were identified in the G. ramondii, G. arboreum and G. hirsutum respectively. Detailed gene information, including genomic organization, structural feature, conserved domain and phylogenetic relationship of the genes were systematically characterized. All SAC family members in cotton were divided into three clades, Group I, Group II and Group III, based on their sequence similarities and phylogenetic relationship. The SAC domains consist of seven highly conserved motifs that are believed to be important for the phosphoinositide phosphatase activities from yeast to animal. Expression analysis of GhSAC from Group II and Group III shared similar moderate pattern in different tissues and insensitive to different abiotic stresses. Different members in Group I showed different expressional profiles. Four genes (GhSAC2.1A/GhSAC2.1D and GhSAC4.2A/GhSAC4.2D) from Group I predominantly expressed in anther, pistil and petal. The results suggested the functional divergence among different groups and members of SAC in cotton.Conclusions: Systematical analysis of the SAC gene family in cotton provided a solid foundation for further investigation of the biological functions of SAC genes.
Process Mapping in Healthcare: A Systematic Review
Authors: Antonacci Grazia , Lennox Laura , Barlow James , Evans Liz , Reed Julie
Published: October 2020

Introduction Process mapping (PM) supports better understanding of complex systems and adaptation of improvement interventions to their local context. However, there is little research on its use in healthcare. This study (i) proposes a conceptual framework outlining quality criteria to guide the effective implementation, evaluation and reporting of PM in healthcare; (ii) reviews published PM cases to identify context and quality of PM application, and the reported benefits of using PM in healthcare.Methods We developed the conceptual framework by reviewing methodological guidance on PM and empirical literature on its use in healthcare improvement interventions. We conducted a systematic review of empirical literature using PRISMA methodology. Inclusion criteria were: full text empirical study; describing the process through which PM has been applied in a healthcare setting; published in English. Databases searched are: Medline, Embase, HMIC–Health Management Information Consortium, CINAHL-Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scopus. Two independent reviewers extracted and analyzed data. Each manuscript underwent line by line coding. The conceptual framework was used to evaluate adherence of empirical studies to the identified PM quality criteria. Context in which PM is used and benefits of using PM were coded using an inductive thematic analysis approach.Results The framework outlines quality criteria for each PM phase: (i) preparation, planning and process identification, (ii) data and information gathering, (iii) process map generation, (iv) analysis, (v) taking it forward.PM is used in a variety of settings and approaches to improvement. None of the reviewed studies (N=105) met all ten quality criteria; 7% were compliant with 8/10 or 9/10 criteria. 45% studies reported that PM was generated through multi-professional meetings and 15% reported patient involvement. Studies highlighted the value of PM in navigating the complexity characterizing healthcare improvement interventions.Conclusion The full potential of PM is inhibited by variance in reporting and poor adherence to underpinning principles. Greater rigour in the application of the method is required. We encourage the use and further development of the proposed framework to support training, application and reporting of PM.Prospero ID : CRD42017082140.
Caregiver Burden in Caregivers of Patients Receiving Hemodialysis: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Hejazi Sima , Hosseini Meimanat , Ebadi Abbas , AlaviMajd Hamid
Published: October 2020

Background Living with End Stage Kidney Disease and hemodialysis place too much burden on patients and their caregivers. The concept of caregiver burden describes a set of diverse caregiver experiences in providing care and requires a complex and multifaceted definition. Limited studies have looked at caregivers of patients receiving hemodialysis and the concept of caregiver burden from their perspective. This study aims to develop the concept of caregiver burden among family caregivers of patients receiving hemodialysis.Method This study was conducted using directed qualitative content analysis method. Twenty one family caregivers, patients, dialysis nurses, physicians, and social workers in teaching hospitals of Tehran and the Iranian Kidney Foundation, Tehran, Iran were enrolled using maximum variation purposive sampling method. Sampling was continued until data saturation was reached. The data collection method was in-depth and semi-structured interviews. In order to analyze the data, the directed qualitative content analysis method was conducted based on the method proposed by Elo and Kyngas which was modified by Assaroudi et al.Results A total of 1162 codes, 63 subcategories, 18 generic categories, and 5 main categories were extracted. The concept of caregiver burden in family caregivers of patients receiving hemodialysis and its dimensions based on the dimensions of the Structural Model of Caregiver Burden Model were approved and another dimension titled a time-dependent burden added to it. Conclusions The caregiver burden experienced by caregivers of patients receiving hemodialysis has physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, financial, social, and time-dependent dimensions.
Conditional Genetic Deletion of CSF1 Receptor in Microglia Ameliorates the Physiopathology of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Pons Vincent , Lévesque Pascal , Plande Marie-Michèle , Rivest Serge
Published: October 2020

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most common form of dementia in the world. Microglia are the innate immune cells of CNS, their proliferation, activation and survival in pathologic and healthy brain have previously been shown to be highly dependent on CSF1R. Methods: Here we investigate the impact of such receptor on AD etiology and microglia. We deleted CSF1R using Cre/Lox system, the knock-out (KO) is restricted to microglia in the APP/PS1 mouse model. We induced the knock-out at 3-month-old, before plaque formation and evaluated both 6 and 8-month-old groups of mice. Results: Our findings demonstrated that CSF1R KO did not impair microglial survival and proliferation at 6 and 8 months of age in APP cKO compared to their littermate controls groups APPSwe/PS1. We have also shown that cognitive decline is delayed in CSF1R-deleted mice. Ameliorations of AD etiology is associated with a decrease in plaque volume in cortex and hippocampus area. A compensating system seems to take place following the knock-out, since TREM2/β-Catenin and IL-34 expression are significantly increased. Such a compensatory mechanism may promote microglial survival and phagocytosis of Aβ in the brain. Conclusions: Our results provide new insights on the role of CSF1R in microglia and how it interacts with the TREM2/β-Catenin and IL-34 system to clear Aβ and ameliorates the physiopathology of AD.
WITHDRAWN: Determinants of Chinese Outbound Energy Finance to Developing Countries
Authors: Li Zhongshu , Chen Xu , Gallagher Kevin , Mauzerall Denise
Published: October 2020

China is now one of the world’s largest financiers and investors in the global electric power sector, and has made major inroads into global coal and hydropower electricity markets in developing countries. Drawing on and analyzing two new datasets, this paper is among the first to perform an econometric analysis to examine the determinants of Chinese overseas energy finance in the power sector. We examine a number of ‘push factors’ –incentives in China that facilitate investment abroad—and ‘pull factors’ –incentives in host countries that facilitate Chinese investment into their own countries. On the push side, we find that domestic overcapacity in the coal and hydro power industries in China plays a key role. On the pull side, we find that key drivers of Chinese overseas electric power finance includes local demand for new power projects and the resource potential for coal, gas and hydro power in recipient countries. We also find existing Chinese involvement in past power projects facilitates new Chinese overseas financing.
A Prediction Model using Machine-Learning Algorithm for Assessing Optimal Intrathecal Hyperbaric Bupivacaine Dose during Cesarean Section
Authors: Wei Chang-na , Wang Li-ying , Zhou Xiang-he , Zhou Qing-he
Published: October 2020

Background: The optimal intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine dosage for cesarean section is difficult to predetermine. The aim of this study was to develop a decision-support model using a machine-learning algorithm for assessing intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine dose based on physical variables during cesarean section. Methods: Term parturients presenting for elective cesarean section under spinal anaesthesia were enrolled. Spinal anesthesia was performed at the L3/4 interspace with 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine at dosages determined by the anesthesiologist. A spinal spread level between T4-T6 was considered the appropriate block level. We used a machine-learning algorithm to identify relevant parameters. The dataset was split into derivation (80%) and validation (20%) cohorts. An optimal decision-support model was developed for obtaining the regression equation between optimized intrathecal 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine volume and physical variables. Results: A total of 684 parturients were included, of whom 516 (75.44%) and 168 (24.56%) had block levels between T4 and T6, and less than T6 or higher than T4, respectively. The appropriate block level rate was 75.44%. In lasso regression, based on the principle of predicting a reasonable dose of intrathecal bupivacaine with fewer physical variables, the optimal model is “Y=0.5922+ 0.055117* X1-0.017599*X2” (Y: bupivacaine volume; X1: vertebral column length; X2: abdominal girth), with λ 0.055, MSE(mean square error) 0.0087, and R2 0.807. Conclusion: After applying a machine-learning algorithm, we developed a decision model with R2 0.8070 and MSE due to error 0.0087 using abdominal girth and vertebral column length for predicting the optimized intrathecal 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine dosage during term cesarean sections.
Skeletal Dysplasia-Like Syndromes in Wild Giraffe
Authors: Brown Michael Butler , Wells Emma
Published: October 2020

ObjectiveSkeletal dysplasias, cartilaginous or skeletal disorders that sometimes result in abnormal bone development, are seldom reported in free-ranging wild animals. Here, we use photogrammetry and comparative morphometric analyses to describe cases of abnormal appendicular skeletal proportions of free-ranging giraffe in two geographically distinct taxa: a Nubian (Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis) in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda and an Angolan giraffe (Giraffa giraffa angolensis) on a private farm in central Namibia. ResultsThese giraffe exhibited extremely shortened radius and metacarpal bones relative to other similarly aged giraffe. Both giraffe survived to at least subadult life stage. This report documents rare occurrences of these skeletal dysplasias in free-ranging wild animals and the first records in giraffe.