bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Costs and Cost-Effectiveness of HIV Counselling and Testing Modalities in Southern Mozambique
Authors: Choo Jun Hao , Lopez-Varela Elisa , Fuente-Soro Laura , Augusto Orvalho , Sacoor Charfudin , Nhacolo Ariel , Wei Stanley , Naniche Denise , Thomas Ranjeeta , Sicuri Elisa
Published: August 2020

Objective: Despite the high HIV associated burden, Mozambique lacks data on HIV counselling and testing (HCT) costs. To help guide national HIV/AIDS programs, we estimated the cost per test for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) from the patient’s perspective and the costs per person tested and per HIV-positive individual linked to care to the healthcare provider for VCT, provider-initiated counselling and testing (PICT) and home-based testing (HBT). We also assessed the cost-effectiveness of these strategies for linking patients to care.Methods: Data from a cohort study conducted in the Manhiça District were used to derive costs and linkage-to-care outcomes of the three HCT strategies. A decision tree was used to model HCT costs according to the likelihood of HCT linking individuals to care and to obtain the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of PICT and HBT with VCT as the comparator. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess robustness of base-case findings. Findings: Average and median VCT costs to the patient per individual tested were US$1.34 and US$1.08, respectively. Costs per individual tested were greatest for HBT (US$11.07), followed by VCT (US$7.79), and PICT (US$7.14). The costs per HIV-positive individual linked to care followed a similar trend. PICT was not cost-effective in comparison with VCT at a willingness-to-accept threshold of US$4.53, but only marginally given a corresponding base-case ICER of US$4.15, while HBT was dominated, with higher costs and lower impact than VCT. Base-case results for the comparison between PICT and VCT presented great uncertainty, whereas findings for HBT were robust.Conclusion: PICT and VCT are likely equally cost-effective in Manhiça. We recommend that VCT be offered as the predominant HCT strategy in Mozambique, but expansion of PICT could be considered in limited-resource areas. HBT without facilitated linkage or reduced costs is unlikely to be cost-effective.
Simultaneous stereotactic radiosurgery of multiple brain metastases using single isocenter dynamic conformal arc therapy: a prospective monocentric registry trial
Authors: Bodensohn Raphael , Kaempfel Anna-Lena , Fleischmann Daniel Felix , Hadi Indrawati , Hofmaier Jan , Garny Sylvia , Reiner Michael , Forbrig Robert , Corradini Stefanie , Thon Niklas , Belka Claus , Niyazi Maximilian
Published: August 2020

Background Single-isocenter dynamic conformal arc (SIDCA) therapy is an efficient way of delivering stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to multiple metastases simultaneously. This study reports on the safety and feasibility of SRS with SIDCA for patients with multiple brain metastases.Methods All patients who received SRS with this technique between November 2017 and June 2019 within a prospective registry trial, were included. The patients were irradiated using a VersaHD® linear accelerator (LINAC) from Elekta (Stockholm, Sweden). Follow-up was performed every three months, including a clinical and radiological examination with cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Kaplan-Meier method.Results 65 patients with 254 lesions (range 2–12) were included in this analysis. Median beam on time was 23 minutes. The median follow-up at the time of analysis was 13 months (95% CI 11.1–14.9). Median overall survival and median progression-free survival was 15 months (95% CI 7.7–22.3) and 18 months (95% CI 11.1–24.9), respectively. Intracranial and local control after 6 months was 73.0% and 97.5%, respectively. During follow-up, CTCAE grade 1 adverse effects (AE) were experienced by 29 (44.6%) patients (18 of them therapy-related (27.7%)), CTCAE grade 2 AEs by 4 (6.2%) patients (one of them therapy-related (1.5%)) and CTCAE grade 3 by 3 patients (4.6%) (none of them therapy-related). 2 lesions (0.8%) in 2 patients (3.1%) were proven as radiation necrosis. Conclusions Simultaneous SRS using SIDCA seems to be a feasible and safe treatment for patients with multiple metastases.
A global framework for a systemic view of brain modeling
Authors: Alexandre Frédéric
Published: August 2020

Background: The brain is a complex system, due to the heterogeneity of its structure, the diversity of the functions in which it participates and to its reciprocal relationships with the body and the environment. Researchers in cognitive computational neuroscience generally focused on one specific task, lack this global view and a clear understanding of how their model is inserted in a global cognitive architecture. A systemic description of the brain is presented here, as a general framework where specific models in computational neuroscience can be integrated and associated with global information flows and cognitive functions. Results: In an enactive view, this framework integrates the fundamental organization of the brain in sensorimotor loops with the internal and the external worlds, answering four fundamental questions (what, why, where and how). Our survival-oriented definition of behavior gives a prominent role to pavlovian and instrumental conditioning, augmented during phylogeny by the specific contribution of other kinds of learning, related to semantic memory in the posterior cortex, episodic memory in the hippocampus and working memory in the frontal cortex. Conclusions: This framework highlights that responses can be prepared in different ways, from pavlovian reflexes and habitual behavior to deliberations for goal-directed planning and reasoning, and explains that these different kinds of responses coexist, collaborate and compete for the control of behavior. It also lays emphasis on the fact that cognition can be described as a dynamical system of interacting memories, some acting to provide information to others, to replace them when they are not efficient enough, or to help for their improvement. Describing the brain as an architecture of learning systems has also strong implications in Machine Learning. Our biologically informed view of pavlovian and instrumental conditioning can be very precious to revisit classical Reinforcement Learning and provide a basis to ensure really autonomous learning.
The semi-dwarfing gene Rht-dp from dwarf Polish wheat (Triticum polonicum L.) is the “Green Revolution” gene Rht-B1b
Authors: Chai Songyue , Yao Qin , Zhang Xu , Xiao Xue , Fan Xing , Zeng Jian , Sha Lina , Kang Houyang , Zhang Haiqin , Li Jun , Zhou Yonghong , Wang Yi
Published: August 2020

Background
The wheat dwarfing gene improves lodging resistance, and increases the grain number per spike and harvest index. Dwarf polish wheat (Triticum polonicum L., 2n = 4x = 28, AABB, DPW), initially collected from Tulufan, Xinjiang, China, carries a semi-dwarfing gene Rht-dp on chromosome 4BS. However, Rht-dp and its dwarfing mechanism are unknown.
Results
Homologous cloning and fine mapping revealed that Rht-dp is the ‘Green Revolution’ gene Rht-B1b. A haplotype analysis showed that Rht-B1b was only present in T. polonicum. Transcriptomic analysis of two pairs of near-isogenic lines (NILs) of DPW × TPW revealed 41 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) as potential dwarfism-related genes. Among them, 28 functionally annotated DEGs were classed into five sub-groups: hormone-related signalling transduction genes, transcription factor genes, cell wall structure-related genes, reactive oxygen-related genes, and nitrogen regulation-related genes.
Conclusions
These results indicated that Rht-dp is Rht-B1b, which regulates pathways related to hormones, reactive oxygen species, and nitrogen assimilation to modify the cell wall structure, and then limits cell wall loosening and inhibits cell elongation, thereby causing dwarfism in DPW.
Effect of Opium Consumption on Cardiovascular Diseases – A cross- sectional study based on data of Rafsanjan cohort study
Authors: khalili parvin , Ayoobi Fatemeh , Mohamadi Maryam , Jamalizadeh Ahmad , Vecchia Carlo La , Esmaeili-nadimi Ali
Published: August 2020

Background
There are differences of opinion about the beneficial or detrimental effects of opium consumption on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). So, we aimed to study the association between opium use and CVDs.
Methods
We used data obtained from the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (RCS), as part of the prospective epidemiological research studies in IrAN (PERSIAN), with detailed, validated data on opium consumption and some other exposures. A total of 10,000 adults were enrolled in the study. Logistic regression models were used to assess the possible relationships of opium consumption with the prevalence of ischemic heart diseases (IHD) and myocardial infarction (MI).
Results
In this study, 9990 participants in the baseline phase of the Rafsanjan adult cohort study were included according to the completed questionnaire. Among all participants, IHD and MI patients have been reported 870 and 296 respectively. Opium consumption was found to be relatively high in the RCS participants, especially in men (men = 2150 and women = 228). Opium use was associated with an increased risk of IHD and MI diseases, with the adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) of 1.67 (1.35–2.07) and 1.84 (1.35–2.49), respectively. Also, dose-response increases were observed with the highest odds ratios in the 4th quartile for MI and 4th quartile for IHD (p-values for trend < 0.001). Increased risks were observed for the two main methods of opium consumption, i.e. oral and smoking, but oral administration had higher odds ratio.
Conclusions
Opium dependence is associated with increased risk of both IHD and MI diseases.
Glycerol promoted the anaerobic production of rhamnolipids by different Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains
Authors: Zhao Feng , Guo Chao , Cui Qingfeng
Published: August 2020

Background: Rhamnolipids is the most widely studied and applied biosurfactants. The anaerobic biosynthesis of rhamnolipids has important research and practical significance, such as meeting the in situ production of biosurfactant in anoxic environments and the foamless fermentation of biosurfactants. A few studies have reported the anaerobic biosynthesis of rhamnolipids from rare Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. What did promote the anaerobic biosynthesis of rhamnolipids, the specificity of the rare strains or the effect of specific substrates? Here, anaerobic production of rhamnolipids by different P. aeruginosa strains was investigated using diverse substrates. The anaerobic biosynthesis mechanism of rhamnolipids were also discussed from the substrate point of view.Results: All P. aeruginosa strains anaerobically grew well using the tested substrates. But all P. aeruginosa strains anaerobically produced rhamnolipids only using substrates containing glycerol and nitrate. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra analysis confirmed the anaerobic production of rhamnolipids from all P. aeruginosa strains. All the anaerobically produced rhamnolipids decreased air-water surface tension from 72.6 mN/m to below 29.0 mN/m and emulsified crude oil with EI24 above 65%. Using crude glycerol as low-cost substrate, all P. aeruginosa strains can anaerobically grow and produce rhamnolipids to reduce the culture surface tension below 35 mN/m. The glycerol metabolic intermediate, 1, 2-propylene glycol, can also achieve the anaerobic production of rhamnolipids by all P. aeruginosa strains.Conclusions: Not the specificity of the rare P. aeruginosa strains but the effect of specific substrates promote the anaerobic biosynthesis of rhamnolipids by P. aeruginosa. Glycerol and nitrate are the excellent substrates for anaerobic production of rhamnolipids from all P. aeruginosa strains. Results indicated that glycerol metabolism involveed the anaerobic biosynthesis of rhamnolipids in P. aeruginosa. Results also showed the feasibility of using crude glycerol as low cost substrate to anaerobically biosynthesize rhamnolipids by P. aeruginosa.
Real-time metabolic heat-based specific growth rate soft sensor for monitoring and control of high molecular weight HA production by Streptococcus zooepidemicus.
Authors: Mohan Naresh , Pavan Satya Sai , Jayakumar Anjali , Rathinavelu Sivakumar , Sivaprakasam Senthilkumar
Published: August 2020

Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an important mucopolysaccharide of higher molecular weight range and holds sheer economic interest. Its applications are widely acknowledged in rheumatoid arthritis treatment, tissue engineering, and cosmetics industries. This present investigation aims for the fed-batch production of high molecular weight range HA by application of real-time metabolic heat measurements.Results: Fed-batch strategies based on Feedforward (FF) and Feedback (FB) control was devised to improve the Molecular Weight (MW) of HA production by S. zooepidemicus. Metabolic heat measurements (Fermentation calorimetry) were modeled to decipher real-time specific growth rate, µest was looped to the PID circuit, envisaged to control µSP to their desired setpoint values 0.05 h-1, 0.1 h-1 and 0.15 h-1 respectively. The developed FB strategy established a robust control on maintaining the specific growth rate (µ) close to the µSP value with a minimal tracking error. Exponential feed rate carried out with a lowest µSP of 0.05 h-1 improved the MW of HA significantly to 2.98 MDa and 2.94 MDa for the FF and FB based control strategies respectively. An optimal HA titer of 4.73 g/L was achieved in a FF control strategy at µSP = 0.15 h-1. Biomass and Lactic acid (LA) concentrations were found to be concomitant with the increase in µSP from 0.05 h-1 to 0.15 h-1. Superior control of µ at low µSP value was observed to influence positively the HA polymerization attributing to improved MW and desired Polydispersity Index (PDI) of HA.Conclusions: This present investigation attempts to address the metabolic bottleneck in synthesis of high MW HA by S. zooepidemicus and illustrates the application of calorimetric fed-batch control of µ at a narrower range. PID control offers advantage over conventional fed-batch method to synthesize HA at an improved MW. Calorimetric signal based µ control by PID negates adverse effects due to the secretion of other metabolites albeit maintaining homeostasis.
Unplanned hospitalizations in patients with locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer treated with (chemo)radiotherapy with and without prophylactic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
Authors: Bojaxhiu Beat , Shrestha Binaya K. , Luterbacher Pascal , Elicin Olgun , Shelan Mohamed , Macpherson Andrew J. S. , Heimgartner Benjamin , Giger Roland , Aebersold Daniel M. , Zaugg Kathrin
Published: August 2020

Background: Current studies about percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement report equivalent patient outcomes with prophylactic PEG tubes (pPEGs) versus common nutritional support. Unreported was if omitting a pPEG is associated with an increased risk of complications leading to a treatment-related unplanned hospitalization (TRUH).Methods: TRUHs were retrospectively analyzed in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (n=310) undergoing (chemo)radiotherapy with (pPEG) or without PEG (nPEG).Results: In 88 patients (28%), TRUH was reported. One of the leading causes of TRUH in nPEG patients was inadequate oral intake (n = 16, 13%), and in pPEG patients, complications after PEG tube insertion (n=12, 10%). Risk factors for TRUH were poor performance status, tobacco use, and surgical procedures.Conclusions: Omitting pPEG tube placement may be feasible in compliant patients in good general condition. Patients aged >60 years with hypopharyngeal carcinoma, tobacco consumption, and poor performance status appear at risk of PEG tube-related complications leading to an unplanned hospitalization.
Kinematic Calibration of a 7R 6-DOF Robot With Non-spherical Wrist Using Laser Tracker
Authors: Wang Xuhao , Zhang Dawei , Zhao Chen , Guo Zhiyong , Wu Mengli , Meng Xiangzhi , Ma Li
Published: August 2020

In this paper, a kinematic calibration method is proposed to improve the accuracy of a 7R 6-DOF robot with non-spherical wrist, where the parameters identifiability analysis and model reduction are particularly addressed in the identification procedure. Firstly, the kinematic error model of the robot is constructed based on the modified DH (MDH) model. Secondly, in order to derive a minimal model which is more suitable for practical application, model reduction is implemented considering compensability and constraints of the parameters defined in the controller, and QR decomposition is utilized to determine the redundant parameters, which are then removed in practical parameter identification. Finally, by using a laser tracker as the measuring device, a two-step procedure for error parameter estimation is proposed: (1) estimation of the robot base location with respect to the measurement coordinate system; (2) fine estimation of the identifiable kinematic parameters according to the measurement data. The experiment on a 7R 6-DOF industrial painting robot is implemented, the results show that the proposed method can effectively improve the accuracy of the robot.
Postoperative Management of The Primary Single Intracranial Rosai-Dorfman Disease: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Liu Xiaowei , Xu Yangyang , Wu Yang , Wen Rong , Gao Yuan , Wang Wei
Published: August 2020

The isolated intracranial Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is extremely rare. It remains unclear for the best management of the residual lesions. In this report, the authors describe a case of primary single intracranial RDD treated with Gamma knife radiosurgery after partial resection, review all the related literatures and summarize the postoperative management data, in order to provide useful therapeutic information.A 23-year-old male presented with a more than 10-month history of dizziness, blurred vision and weakness. Preoperative MR imaging revealed a giant lesion involving the left middle cranial fossa and extending to the left cavernous sinus. He underwent fronto-temporal craniotomy and eventually achieved partial resection of the lesion. Postoperative histopathological results suggested a diagnosis of intracranial RDD. The residual lesion was treated with Gamma knife radiosurgery about 1 month after surgery. The follow-up imaging showed an obvious decrease in the size of the residual lesion.We are the second to provide the detail parameters of gamma knife therapy, which may be a reference for clinical neurosurgeons. Compared with the firstly reported case, our patient with a longer follow-up time has different therapeutic dose. Based on our own experience and an updated literature review, adjuvant stereotactic radiosurgery may be a safe and effective treatment for primary single intracranial RDD patients with incomplete excision. Other adjuvant therapies can be as an option in refractory patients.
The Germline/somatic DNA Damage Repair Gene Mutations Modulate the Therapeutic Response in Chinese Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Shui Lin , Li Xiaofen , Peng Yang , Tian Jiangfang , Li Shuangshuang , He Du , Li Ang , Tian Bole , Li Mao , Yi Cheng , Cao Dan
Published: August 2020

Background: PDAC is a fatal disease with molecular heterogeneity, inducing differences in biological behavior and therapeutic strategy. NGS profiles of pathogenic alterations in Chinese PDAC population are limited. We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the predictive role of DNA damage repair (DDR) mutations in precise medicine. Methods: NGS were performed on resected tissues or peripheral blood from 195 Chinese PDAC patients. Baseline clinical or genetic characteristics, and survival status were collected. The Kaplan–Meier survival analyses were performed by the R version 3.6.1.Results: The main driver genes were KRAS, TP53, CDKN2A, and SMAD4. Advanced patients with KRAS mutation showed worse OS than those without (p=0.048). DDR deficiency was identified in 30 (15.38%) of overall patients, mainly involving BRCA2 (n=9, 4.62%), ATM (n=8, 4.10%) and RAD50 genes (n=3, 1.54%). There was no significant improvement of OS between patients with or without DDR mutations (p=0.88). Treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy (p=0.0096) or olaparib (p=0.018) respectively improved the overall survival of patients with DDR mutation. No statistical correlation between tumor mutation burden (TMB) and DDR mutations was identified. Treatment of PD-1 blockades did not bring significiantly improved OS to DDR-mutated patients than intact DDR group (p=0.14). Conclusions: In this multi-center retrospective study, we showed the role of germline and somatic DDR mutation in predicting the efficacy of olaparib and platinum-based chemotherapy. However, DDR alteration has shown limited value in prediction of hypermutational status and the sensitivity to PD-1 blockade.
Gender-based Inequalities in Health literacy among an Iranian Kurd Population: Results of a Community Survey
Authors: Mahmoodi Hassan , Moradzadeh Rahmatollah , Iranpour Abedin , Shahi Fatemeh , Azimi Somayeh , Saqqezi Pershang Sharifi , Keshavarzian Khadijeh , Shirzadi Shayesteh , Kousha Ahmad , Hosking Sarah , Nadrian Haidar
Published: August 2020

Background

Health literacy, as a social determinant of health, has a decisive role in providing different populations with healthcare services in an equal manner. Our aim in this study was to investigate the contribution of socio-demographic factors to functional health literacy (FHL) in a population of Iranian adults and identify differences in the contribution of these factors across genders.
Methods

This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 to 2016 in Sanandaj, Iran. Multistage cluster sampling was employed to recruit 1000 people older than 18 (response rate = 89.2%) from 35 urban and 10 rural health care centers. Test of functional health literacy in adults (TOFHLA) was used to assess FHL. In order to measure inequality in FHL, concentration index decomposition was used.
Results

In total, 869 respondents (response rate: 86.9%) with a mean age (standard deviation; SD) of 33.68 (13.0) completed TOFHLA questionnaire. More than half of participants were women (57.5%). Participants demonstrated an average TOFHLA score of 51.9. Women demonstrated slightly higher TOFHLA scores (52.2 [SD: 0.46]) compared to men (50.7 [SD: 0.4]). However, the concentration index for gender was 10.9% suggesting gender contributed only moderately to TOFHLA scores. Comparatively, 54.3% of TOFHLA differences were attributed to geographic location. Among women, place of residence, monthly income, age, education level and being head of household contributed to 43%, 32%, 13%, 11.5% and 11% of FHL inequality, respectively. Among men, however, place of residence (45.2%), size of household (15.1%) and monthly income (13.5%) contributed most to inequality in FHL.
Conclusions

Although gender was not the strongest contributing factor for FHL inequalities, poor FHL was mostly concentrated among men. Different factors were attributed to FHL inequality by gender, as discussed inside. Understanding these differences may assist in identifying and targeting interventions towards men and women with low levels of FHL. Our findings shed light the critical role of social determinants of health (SDH) in promoting the health literacy of populations, particularly in developing countries like Iran.
Circulating insulin-like growth factor I is involved in the effect of diet on peripheral amyloid β clearance
Authors: Herrero-Labrador Raquel , Trueba-Saiz Angel , Martinez-Rachadell Laura , Sevilla Maria Estrella Fernandez de , Zegarra-Valdivia Jonathan A , Diaz-Pacheco Sonia , Fernandez Ana M , Aleman Ignacio Torres
Published: August 2020

BackgroundObesity is a risk factor for Alzheimer´s disease (AD), but underlying mechanisms are not clear.MethodsWe analyzed peripheral clearance of amyloid β (Aβ) in overweight mice because its systemic elimination may impact on brain Aβ load, a major landmark of AD pathology. We also analyzed whether circulating insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) intervenes in the effects of overweight as this growth factor modulates brain Aβ clearance, and is increased in serum of overweight mice. Results Overweight mice showed increased peripheral Aβ clearance by the liver, the major site of elimination of systemic Aβ, but unaltered brain Aβ levels. We also found that Aβ clearance by hepatocytes is stimulated by IGF-I, and that mice with low serum IGF-I levels show reduced peripheral Aβ clearance and unchanged brain Aβ levels. In the brain, IGF-I favored association of its receptor (IGF-IR) with Aβ precursor protein (APP), and at the same time stimulated non-amyloidogenic processing of APP in astrocytes, as indicated by an increased sAPPα/sAPPβ ratio after IGF-I treatment. Since serum IGF-I enters into the brain in an activity-dependent manner, we analyzed in overweight mice the effect of brain activation by environmental enrichment (EE) on brain IGF-IR phosphorylation and its association to APP, as a readout of IGF-I activity. After EE, significantly reduced brain IGF-IR phosphorylation and APP/IGF-IR association was found in overweight mice as compared to lean controls. Conclusions Collectively, these results indicate that diet influences peripheral clearance of Aβ without affecting brain Aβ load. Increased serum IGF-I likely contributes to enhanced peripheral Aβ clearance in overweight mice, without affecting brain Aβ clearance probably because its brain entrance is reduced.
Experimental Optimization of Effective Parameters of Sandwich Panels With Aluminum Foam Core Under Low Velocity Impact
Authors: Torabizadeh Mohammad Amin
Published: August 2020

This paper introduces the application of Taguchi optimization methodology in optimizing the production parameters of aluminum foam sandwich panels (AFSP) with different skin layer under low velocity impact loading. The core material of AFSP is A356 aluminum foam reinforced with SiC particles produced using the CaCO3 foaming agent with 20, 30 and 40 mm thickness. The skin layer of plates are made of glass / epoxy with quasi-isotropic and cross-ply layout as well as pure aluminum layer. For the impact test, drop weight impact device used. Three types of spherical, parabolic and cone impactor used. The impact parameters that are chosen to be evaluated in this study are skin layer layout, impactor shape and core thickness of AFSP. While, the response factors to be measured are specific absorbed energy (SAE), maximum displacement (MD) and maximum impact force (MIF). Taguchi method used to check the effect of the production parameters on the response factors by creating orthogonal array (OA). The result from this study shows that the application of the Taguchi method can determine the best combination of production parameters. These results can provide the optimal impact response that are the largest SAE, smallest MD and smallest value of MIF. For the best SAE and MIF, A1–B1–C1 (cross-ply/conical/40 mm core) found. Meanwhile, the optimized combination of levels for all the three production factors from the analysis that provides the lowest MD found to be A3–B2–C1 (pure Aluminum/spherical/40 mm core).
Construction of a telomerase-immortalized porcine tracheal epithelial cell model for swine-origin mycoplasma infection
Authors: Xie Xing , Hao Fei , Wang Haiyan , Pang Maoda , Gan Yuan , Liu Beibei , Zhang Lei , Wei Yanna , Chen Rong , Zhang Zhenzhen , Bao Wenbin , Bai Yun , Shao Guoqing , Xiong Qiyan , Feng Zhixin
Published: August 2020

Background: Primary porcine tracheal epithelial cells (PTECs) are an appropriate model for studying the molecular mechanism of various porcine respiratory diseases, including swine-origin mycoplasmas, which were isolated from pig respiratory tract and were mainly found on the mucosal surface surrounding swine trachea. However, the short proliferation ability of primary PTECs greatly limits their lifespan.Results: In this study, we carefully isolated and cultured primary PTECs. Besides, we constructed immortalized PTECs by transfecting primary PTECs with the recombinant constructed plasmid pEGFP-hTERT containing human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Immortal PTECs (hTERT-PTECs) maintained both the morphological and functional characteristics of primary PTECs, as indicated by the expression of cytokeratin 18, cell-cycle analysis, proliferation assay, western blotting, telomerase activity assay, karyotype analysis and quantitative RT-PCR. hTERT-PTECs had an extended replicative lifespan, higher telomerase activity, and enhanced proliferative activity. In addition, using this cell line, the lack of transformed and grown tumors in nude mice indicated that it could be safely applied in further studies. Moreover, hTERT-PTECs were vulnerable to all swine-origin mycoplasmas and were suitable as a cell adhesion model.Conclusions: In summary, hTERT-PTECs could be widely used as an adhesion cell model for swine-origin mycoplasmas and in the infection study of various porcine respiratory pathogens.
Ultrasound Versus Arthrography in Diagnosing the Stability of Minimally Displaced Lateral Humeral Condyle Fractures in Children
Authors: Wu Xing , Li Xiongtao , Yang Shaowei , Wang Si , Xia Jingdong , Chen Xiaoliang , Shen Xiantao
Published: August 2020

Background: The evaluation of the articular cartilage status of the distal humeral epiphysis is difficult. Ultrasound of the elbow is increasingly used to confirm the integrity of the articular cartilage of minimally displaced lateral humeral condyle fractures in children in minimally displaced fractures. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between ultrasound with arthrography for predicting the integrity of the cartilage hinge and describe the utility of ultrasound in directing the need for pre-treatment. Methods: 39 patients with minimally displaced lateral humeral condyle fractures and underwent ultrasound and arthrography examinations before operation from May 2018 to December 2019 were included in this study. The ultrasound and arthrography predictors of the cartilage hinge status were independently measured. Result of ultrasound and arthrography were compared.Results: The mean displacement of fractures was 3.1 mm (range, 2.0～5.0 cm). The arthrography showed an incomplete fracture in 24 patients (61.5%) and complete in 15 patients (38.5%). The ultrasound showed an incomplete fracture in 25 patients (64.1%) and complete in 14 patients (35.9%). The ultrasound and arthrography evaluations of the integrity of the articular surface were consistent in 92.3% of the cases, including 23 were predicted to have an intact articular surface, and 13 were predicted to have incongruity articular surface. There was no correlation between displacement and the fracture being complete on ultrasound. The Pearson coefficient value of ultrasound and arthrography for assessing the integrity of the articular surface was 0.837. Conclusions: Ultrasound and arthrography assessments of the integrity of the cartilage hinge status appear to be highly consistent. Ultrasound can be used as a complementary tool with arthrography to predict the integrity of the cartilage hinge status of patients with minimally displaced lateral humeral condyle fractures in children.Level of evidence: Retrospective study; level Ⅳ.
Circadian Rhythms in Septic Shock Patients
Authors: Lachmann Gunnar , Ananthasubramaniam Bharath , Wünsch Viktor A. , Scherfig Lara-Marie , Haefen Clarissa von , Knaak Cornelia , Edel Andreas , Ehlen Lukas , Koller Barbara , Goldmann Anton , Herzel Hanspeter , Kramer Achim , Spies Claudia
Published: August 2020

Background: Although intensive efforts to improve diagnosis and therapy of sepsis over the last decade, the mortality of septic shock remains high and causes substantial socioeconomical burden of disease. The function of immune cells is time-of-day-dependent and is regulated by several circadian clock genes. This study aims to investigate whether the rhythmicity of clock gene expression is altered in patients with septic shock.Methods: This prospective pilot study was performed at the university hospital Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine (CCM, CVK). We included 20 patients with septic shock between May 2014 and January 2018, from whom blood was drawn every 4 hours over a 24-hour period to isolate CD14-positive monocytes and to measure expression of 17 clock and clock-associated genes. Of these patients, 3 whose samples expressed fewer than 8 clock genes were excluded from the final analysis. Expression data were compared to data of a healthy study population and a rhythmicity score SP was calculated, which comprises values between -1 (arrhythmic) and 1 (rhythmic). Results: Overall, the rhythmicity scores for septic shock patients were significantly (p < 0.0001) lower (0.23 ± 0.26) compared to the control group (12 healthy young men, 0.70 ± 0.18). 77% of the measured clock genes were classified as having inconclusive rhythms, i.e. neither rhythmic nor arrhythmic. The clock genes NR1D1, NR1D2 and CRY2 were the most rhythmic, while CLOCK and ARNTL were the least rhythmic. In addition, the expression of clock genes CRY1, NR1D1, NR1D2, DBP, and PER2 was suppressed in septic shock patients and CRY2 was significantly upregulated compared to controls.Conclusion: Compared to young healthy men, molecular rhythms in immune cells of septic shock patients were substantially decreased. The decrease in rhythmicity was clock gene-dependent. The loss of rhythmicity and downregulation of clock gene expression might be caused by sepsis and might further deteriorate immune responses and organ injury, but further studies are necessary to understand underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.Clinical trial registered with www.ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02044575) on 24 January 2014.
Preparedness, Response and Assessment of First Phase Lockdown Impact Amid COVID-19 Pandemic – India Scenario
Authors: Andra Sai Kumar , Adibhatla Shravani , Praneeth Sai , Kanda Aditya Srinivas , Susmitha Rani , Sukumar Hariharan Thangatur , Cheela VR Sankar , Dubey Brajesh
Published: August 2020

The Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been created due to the infection by novel coronavirus. Globally, countries have taken measures to reduce social contact to slow down the spread of the virus. Social (physical) distancing via lockdown and awareness on personal hygiene are mitigating measures to prevent transmission of disease. Indian government has implemented the first phase of national lockdown for 21 days (March 24 to April 14, 2020) to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. This study is performed in two stages. First, review of Indian scenario till the end of the first phase of national lockdown and second the impact assessment of the first phase of social lockdown on doubling rate of COVID-19 cases in different Indian states and overall India. The timeline of activities, health care facilities, schemes and services by government and private organizations in combating COVID-19 in India are presented. Analysis is performed using the 3-day moving average daily growth statistical technique. The states are categorized based on the improved doubling rate during third week (Category 1) and second week (Category 2). The overall Indian scenario is analysed to assess the consequences of social lockdown on the transmission rate of the virus. Kerala and Orissa handled the pandemic effectively by drawing lessons from earlier epidemics and disasters. Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttara Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra has improved doubling rate during second week of lockdown. The average doubling rate of coronavirus cases in India improved after lockdown, account for 7.5 days compared to 3.4 days before lockdown. Lockdown played a key role in reduction of increasing rate of confirmed cases. The stringent lockdown combined with rapid testing led the nation in yielding positive outcomes. The discussions presented in this article will equip the council’s authorities and regulatory bodies globally in designing the mechanisms for handling present and future epidemics or pandemics.
High prevalence of under-five child mortality in the pastoralist communities of Ethiopia: Evidence from the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data
Authors: Kassaw Mesfin Wudu , Mamo Aele , Abate Biruk , Kassie Ayelign , Masresha Seteamlak
Published: August 2020

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and association of child mortality in the pastoralist regions of Ethiopia. The study is a further analysis from 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data. Results: The prevalence of under-five child mortality in the pastoralist’s regions was 23.2%, 95%CI (21.4%, 24.6%). The prevalence of mortality among daughters was 15.4%, 95%CI (14.2, 16.6%), and sons 16.8%, 95%CI (15.6, 18.1%).In logistic regression, wealth index, head of household, Khat chewing, type of child birth, husband education, and child age in months were associated with under-five mortality irrespective of the deceased children’s gender. The prevalence of under-five child mortality in the pastoralist regions of Ethiopia was high, which was far highest in relative to the national under-five mortality prevalence. In assessing the effect of variables on under-five child mortality by gender, almost all the variables that have an effect on female or male child are similar. The government should emphasize on the pastoralists’ regions to decrease the high prevalence of under-five child mortality.
Preterm Morbidity and Mortality by Gestational Age. A Birth Population-Based Study
Authors: Sun Bo , Guo Xiaojing , Li Xiaoqiong , Qi Tingting , Pan Zhaojun , Zhu Xiaoqin , Wang Hui , Dong Ying , Yue Hongni
Published: August 2020

Background: Despite 15-17 million of annual births in China, there is a paucity of information on preterm morbidity and mortality. We characterized the outcome of preterm births and hospitalized preterm infants by gestational age (GA) in Huai’an in 2015, an emerging prefectural region of China.Methods: Of 59,245 regional total births, clinical data on 2,651 preterm births and 1,941 hospitalized preterm neonates were extracted from Huai’an Women and Children’s Hospital (HWCH) and non-HWCH hospitals in 2018-2020. Preterm morbidity and mortality rates were characterized and compared by hospital categories and GA spectra. Death risks of preterm births and hospitalized preterm infants in the whole region were analyzed with multivariable logistic regression.Results: The incidences of extreme, very, moderate, late and total preterm of the regional total births were 1.4, 5.3, 7.2, 30.8 and 44.7‰, with all-death rates being 1.0, 1.6, 0.6, 1.1 and 4.3‰, respectively, of the regional total births. There were 1,025 (52.8% of whole region) preterm admissions in HWCH, with significantly lower in-hospital death rate of inborn (33/802) than out-born (23/223) infants. Compared to non-HWCH, four-fold more neonates in HWCH were under critical care with higher death rate, including most extremely preterm infants. Significant all-death risks were found for the total preterm births in BW < 1,000g, II-III degree of amniotic fluid contamination, Apgar-5 min < 7, and birth defects (BD). For the hospitalized preterm infants, significant in-hospital death risks were found in out-born of HWCH, GA < 32 weeks, Apgar-5 min < 7, BD, necrotizing enterocolitis and ventilation, whereas born in HWCH, antenatal glucocorticoids, cesarean delivery and surfactant use were protective factors against death.Conclusions: The integrated data revealed GA-specific morbidity and mortality on the basis of total preterm births and their hospitalization, demonstrating the efficacy of leading referral center and whole regional perinatal-neonatal network in China. The concept and protocol of our current study should be extended to gain comprehensive understanding in the world-wide campaign for prevention of preterm birth.
Influence of antepartum hemorrhage on placenta previa: A multi-center, retrospective cohort study
Authors: Qing Wenjie , Li Linda , Venna Alyssia , Zhou Jie
Published: August 2020

BACKGROUND
Placenta previa can be a serious, life-threatening obstetric complication that causes painless but potentially catastrophic bleeding. It is unclear as to whether the frequency of antepartum hemorrhage (APH) relative to the specific gestational week in placenta previa will lead to negative perinatal outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationship between APH and gestational week number, and to ascertain the different perinatal outcomes in women with placenta previa.
METHODS
This was a multi-center, retrospective study in which we enrolled all women with placenta previa between October of 2015 and September of 2018. Patients with placenta previa were divided into two groups: women with APH and women without APH.
RESULTS
A total of 247 patients were included in this study: 121 women with APH and 126 women without. The incidence of APH was 49.0% (121/247). The mean bleeding frequency was 2.2 ± 1.3 (mean ± SD), with the majority having experienced a one-time bleeding episode (36.4%, 44/121), followed by 26.4% with 2 episodes (32/121), and 23.1% with 3 (28/121). The APH was distinct in every gestational-week category, with bleeding occurring at 31.4 ± 3.3 weeks, ranging from 24 to 37 gestational weeks. The incidence of bleeding varied from 2.6–14.6%, with the highest incidence at 32 gestational weeks. Patients categorized as having complete placental coverage included a greater number of women experiencing bleeding than women who did not bleed (72.9% vs 47.4%, P < 0.001), indicating that a complete placenta was an independent risk factor for APH (odds rations [OR], 4.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.805–9.634). In addition, although APH did not augment the rates of hysterectomy (6.6% vs 7.1%, P = 0.869), it was associated with critical neonatal outcomes that included lower weight, lower Apgar score at 1 minute, preterm age, and more frequent neonatal intensive care unit admissions (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The gestational week and frequency of each APH varied in patients with placenta previa and might result in an increase in adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The 32nd gestational week appeared to be the most precarious time—exhibiting the highest incidence of bleeding—and we consider complete placenta previa to be an independent risk factor for APH.
Single-Molecule van der Waals Compass
Authors: Chen Xiao , Shen Boyuan , Wang Huiqiu , Xiong Hao , Qian Weizhong , Cai Dali , Jin Shifeng , Liu Xin , Han Yu , Wei Fei
Published: August 2020

Imaging the single molecules is always challenging under the diverse microscopes, but highly demanded for investigating the intermolecular interactions at the molecular level1-6. The van der Waals (vdW) interactions at sub-nanometer scale will deeply influence various molecular behaviors under the confinement conditions7-11. Here, inspired by the traditional compass12, we introduce a classical strategy using a vertical para-xylene (PX) molecule as a rotating pointer to detect the vdW potential field in a MFI straight channel. Based on the integrated differential phase contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy (iDPC-STEM)13-17, we achieve the real-space imaging of single PX molecule pointer in each channel with a certain orientation. The solid relation between the pointer orientation and atomic channel structure in this vdW compass is established by combining the calculations and imaging results. Thus, these PX orientations help us identify the varied vdW potential field related to the channel geometry both in the spatial and temporal dimensions. This work not only provides a visible and sensitive pointer to investigate the host-guest vdW interactions in porous materials at the molecular level, but also promotes the further imaging and study of other single-molecule behaviors by the iDPC-STEM.
Differences in Regional Distribution and Inequality in Health-Resource Allocation on Institutions, Beds, and Workforce: A Longitudinal Study in Shanghai, China
Authors: Dong Enhong , Sun Xiaoting , Zhang Lufa , Chen Minjie , Wang Hongmei , Xu Ting , Wang Tao
Published: August 2020

Background: The distribution of health-care resources is a critical component of health-care access, and equity is a basic principle of health-resource allocation, and foundational to achieving fairness in the provision of health services. China and its local Shanghai’s government has implemented measures to allocate health-care resources with the equity as one of the major goals since 2009.The aim of this study was to analyze differences in regional distribution and inequality in health-resource allocation on institutions, beds, and workforce in Shanghai over 7 years.Methods: A longitudinal survey using 2010–2016 data, which were collected for analysis. The study was conducted health-resource allocation on institutions, beds, and workforce in Shanghai, China. Five health-resource indicators were used to measure health-resource distribution at the city and district levels. Furthermore, the Theil index was calculated to measure inequality of health-resource allocation.Results: All quantities of health-care resources per 1000 people increased across Shanghai districts from 2010 to 2016. Compared with suburban districts, the central districts had higher ratios on five health-care resource indicators, and faster average growth in the bed and nurse indicator, and slower growth in the institution, technician and doctor indicator. The Theil indices of the technicians, doctors, nurses and beds had higher values than that of institutions every year from 2010 to 2016; furthermore, the Theil indices of the indicators, except for doctors in hospitals, all exhibited downward time trends.Conclusions: Increased health-care resources and reduced inequality of health-resource allocation in Shanghai during the 7 years indicated that the measures taken by the Shanghai government in the new round of healthcare reform in China since 2009 had been successful. Meanwhile there still existed regional difference between urban and rural areas and inequality between institution and workforce, especially doctors.
CircRNA hsa_circ_0110102 Function as Anti-Oncogenic Gene in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Modulating miR-580-5p/CCL2 Pathway
Authors: Wang Xinxing , Sheng Wei , Xu Tao , Xu Jiawen , Zhang Zhenhai
Published: August 2020

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been shown to have critical regulatory roles in tumor biology, whereas their contributions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still remains enigmatic. The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in hsa_circ_0110102 in the occurrence and development of HCC. Methods: The expression levels of hsa_circ_0110102 in HCC cell lines and tissues were estimated by RT-qPCR assay. The proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells were determined by CCK-8 and transwell assay. The western blot and ELISA were employed to examine the related-protein and cytokine expression. The association between miR-580-5p and hsa_circ_0110102 or CCL2 was predicted and affirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down.Results: hsa_circ_0110102 was significantly down-regulated in HCC cell lines and tissues, low hsa_circ_0110102 expression levels were associated with poor prognosis. Knockdown hsa_circ_0110102 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion. In addition, luciferase assay and RNA pull-down assay indicating that hsa_circ_0110102 function as sponge for miR-580-5p. Moreover, miR-580-5p which could directly bind to the 3’-UTR of CCL2 and induce its expression, then active the COX-2/PGE2 pathway in macrophage via FoxO1 in p38 MAPK dependent manner. Furthermore, the Δ256 mutant of FoxO1 showed no activation effect. Conclusion: hsa_circ_0110102 act as a sponge for miR-580-5p and decreased CCL2 secretion in HCC cells, then inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine release from activated macrophage by regulating the COX-2/PGE2 pathway. These results indicating that hsa_circ_0110102 serves as a potential prognostic predictor or therapeutic target for HCC.