bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism and susceptibility to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Asian population: A meta analysis
Authors: Zhen Zhen , Gao Lu , Wang Qin , Chen Xi , Na Jia , Xu Xiwei , Yuan Yue
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To explore the relationship between the polymorphism of angiotensinogen gene (AGT) M235T and susceptibility to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Asian population by meta-analysis.

Methods:

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane library, CNKI, Wan Fang, and other databases were searched to collect the literature about AGT M235T polymorphism and HCM from the inception to March 1, 2020. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) checklist was uesd to perform independent literature review and study quality assessment. Data was analyzed by Stata 15.0 software.

Results:

The results showed that, except for the recessive genetic model (TT vs MT+MM: OR = 1.27, 95%CI: 1.05–1.53), in the other four genetic models, the M235T polymorphism had no significant correlation with the risk of HCM (T vs M: OR = 1.17, 95%CI: 0.88–1.57; TT+MT vs MM: OR = 1.13, 95%CI: 0.55–2.33; TT vs MM: OR = 1.25, 95%CI: 0.60–2.59; TM vs MM: OR = 0.95, 95%CI0.5–1.82). The results of subgroup analysis showed that, except for the heterozygous genetic model, in the other four genetic models, M235T polymorphism was significantly associated with sporadic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (SHCM), but not with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHCM) ( p > 0.05).

Conclusion:

M235T polymorphism in Asians is associated with HCM, especially SHCM. Heterozygotes increase the risk of patients with SHCM.
Governing ‘disadvantage’ through funded early years places and reconfigured spaces
Authors: Lee Siew Fung
Published: December 2020

This article examines how the policy of funded early years places for ‘disadvantaged’ 2-year-olds (FNP) in England reconfigures spaces within early childhood and care (ECEC) in new ways of working with young children. Using practitioners’ interview data from early years settings in London, this article uses Foucauldian technologies of governmentality to shed light on how FNP responds to the problem of ‘disadvantage’ as new mobile modes of governance. The paper explores how practitioners reconfigure their established spaces to incorporate provision and practice suitable for 2-year-olds and the challenges practitioners face in implementing the policy. The analysis considers ‘space as assemblage’ by focusing on three key themes: dividing spaces through split rationality, dividing practices through othering and the reconfiguration of established ways of working. The themes trace how policy-driven technologies re-interpret ECEC in narrow and alternative ways by making a set of practices possible, engendering new pedagogical relationships. This article highlights the complex conditions of (im)possibility for ‘doing’ ECEC under austerity. When viewed in the broader context, policy reforms are increasingly reaching into ECEC as strategic spaces for new modes of governing, sustained by a global agenda in neoliberal education reforms.
Study on sulfur vulcanized natural rubber formulated with nitrosamine safe diisopropyl xanthogen polysulfide/tertiary butyl benzothiazole sulphenamide binary accelerator system
Authors: Samarasinghe IHK , Walpalage S , Edirisinghe DG , Egodage SM
Published: December 2020

An outstanding interest on elimination of nitrosamine generation in traditional sulfur vulcanization systems has led to introduce nitrosamine safe accelerator/s to produce safe natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates. It is an effective way to prevent formation of carcinogenic N-nitroso compounds during manufacture of rubber products. In the present study, behavior of nitrosamine safe binary accelerator system consisting of diisopropyl xanthogen polysulfide (DIXP) with commonly used non-regulated accelerator N-tert-butyl-2-benzothiazole sulfenamide (TBBS) was investigated in efficient sulfur vulcanization of NR. Cure characteristics, physico-mechanical properties and crosslink density of vulcanizates prepared with different combinations of the accelerator system were evaluated and compared with those of individual accelerators. The study reveals that moduli and strength properties of the vulcanizate prepared with DIXP accelerator are inferior to those of the vulcanizate prepared with TBBS accelerator. Nevertheless, optimum cure time of the DIXP compounds is lower in comparison to TBBS compounds. Moreover, progressive replacement of DIXP with TBBS in the accelerator system showed a synergistic effect in regard to cure characteristics and physico-mechanical properties.
The March of Neocolonization Folly in the Amazon
Authors: Diversi Marcelo
Published: December 2020

The Amazon Rainforest is the most biodiverse place on Earth, home to hundreds of indigenous peoples, many of whom still with no or little contact with settler civilization, and of vital importance for our planet’s climate sustainability. Yet the march of neocolonization continues to advance deforestation, indigenous displacement, animal and plant extinction, unsustainable natural resource extraction, and disruption in river connectivity and to greatly contribute to global warming. In this article, I will deconstruct the narratives used to justify the Amazonian westward march in pursuit of energy, land, and natural resources, establishing a direct connection between contemporary narratives of justification and the Spanish “Requerimiento” of 1513, a declaration by the Spanish Monarchy of their divine right to conquer the New World and its peoples.
Protease-activated receptor 1 as a potential therapeutic target for COVID-19
Authors: Rovai Emanuel S. , Alves Tomaz , Holzhausen Marinella
Published: December 2020

Acute respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has spread all over the world, since its discovery in 2019, Wuhan, China. This disease is called COVID-19 and already killed over 1 million people worldwide. The clinical symptoms include fever, dry cough, dyspnea, headache, dizziness, generalized weakness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Unfortunately, so far, there is no validated vaccine, and its management consists mainly of supportive care. Venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are highly prevalent in patients suffering from severe COVID-19. In fact, a prothrombotic state seems to be present in most fatal cases of the disease. SARS-CoV-2 leads to the production of proinflammatory cytokines, causing immune-mediated tissue damage, disruption of the endothelial barrier, and uncontrolled thrombogenesis. Thrombin is the key regulator of coagulation and fibrin formation. In severe COVID-19, a dysfunctional of physiological anticoagulant mechanisms leads to a progressive increase of thrombin activity, which is associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome development and a poor prognosis. Protease-activated receptor type 1 (PAR1) is the main thrombin receptor and may represent an essential link between coagulation and inflammation in the pathophysiology of COVID-19. In this review, we discuss the potential role of PAR1 inhibition and regulation in COVID-19 treatment.
Occupancy-balancing downlink transmission for enhancing scalability of LoRa networks
Authors: Kim Cheonyong , Kim Joobum , Kwak Jaiseung , Kim Kiwook , Seok Woojin
Published: December 2020

LoRa/LoRaWAN is growing rapidly as an underlying technology for the Internet of Things because of its long-range connectivity and low power. However, its limited scalability, owing to spread spectrum–based modulation and contention-based medium access control, impedes its use in emerging massive applications. In this study, we propose a downlink transmission scheme for enhancing the scalability of LoRa networks. The proposed scheme consists of two mechanisms. First, a modulation parameter is adjusted using the different transmission power limitations between the gateways and end devices to reduce downlink duration. Second, the timing of downlink traffic is selected based on uplink traffic concentration analysis. The proposed scheme reduces the uplink failure, and consequently, allows more end devices to participate in the network. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme is superior to the standard protocol in terms of the packet delivery ratio.
Promoting Men’s Health Equity
Authors: Griffith Derek M.
Published: December 2020

Men’s health equity is an area of men’s health research and practice that combines the literature on men’s health with that of health equity. More research is needed that describes how to intervene to promote men’s health equity. This introduction to the American Journal of Men’s Health special collection on promoting men’s health equity was created to feature research that describes aspects of promising interventions that (a) are population-specific approaches that consider the unique biopsychosocial factors that affect the health of socially defined populations of men; or (b) use a comparative approach to close or eliminate gaps between socially defined groups of men and women and among socially meaningful groups of men that are unnecessary, avoidable, considered unfair and unjust, and yet are modifiable. The dozen papers from across the globe included in the special collection are grouped in three areas: conceptual approaches and reviews; formative research; and evaluation findings. The papers represent a diverse array of populations under the umbrella of men’s health and a range of strategies to improve men’s health from tobacco cessation to microfinance. The collection features a range of alternative masculinities that emerge from original research by the contributors that are used in novel ways in the interventions. This editorial argues that more qualitative research is needed to evaluate the intended and unintended findings from interventions. This editorial also highlights the benefits that men’s health equity can gain from embracing dissemination and implementation science as a tool to systematically design, implement, refine, and sustain interventions.
Vessel-wall MRI in thunderclap headache: A useful tool to answer the riddle?
Authors: Rustici Arianna , Merli Elena , Cevoli Sabina , Donato Marco Di , Pierangeli Giulia , Favoni Valentina , Bortolotti Carlo , Sturiale Carmelo , Cortelli Pietro , Cirillo Luigi
Published: December 2020

Background

Finding an intracranial aneurysm (IA) during a thunderclap headache (TCH) attack, represents a problem because it is necessary to distinguish whether the aneurysm is responsible for the headache as a warning leak or as an incidental finding. High-Resolution Vessel-Wall (HRVW) MRI sequences have been proposed to assess the stability of the wall, as it permits to detect the presence of aneurysmal wall enhancement (AWE). In fact, AWE has been confirmed due to inflammation, recognizable preceding rupture. Case 1: A 37-year-old woman with a migraine more intense than her usual. A CTA revealed a 10 mm AComA aneurysm without subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and HRVW-MRI excluded AWE. The patient’s headache improved, and therefore, the aneurysm was considered an incidental finding, and the headache diagnosed as TCH attack. Subsequently, the aneurysm was surgically clipped, and typical migraine relapsed was reported at follow-up (FU). Case 2: A 67-year-old woman with no history of headaches underwent CTA for an abrupt onset of headache. A 7 mm right carotid-ophthalmic aneurysm with no sign of SAH was discovered. HRVW-MRI demonstrated AWE and thus, a TCH attack for a warning leak of an unstable wall was suspected. Endovascular coiling was immediately performed and at FU any further headache attack was reported.

Conclusions

HRVW-MRI is useful in case of finding aneurysm as the cause of headaches, particularly the TCH attack. In fact, HRVW-MRI could assess the stability of the aneurysms wall, allowing different patient management and eventually the aneurysmal treatment.
Anti-Proliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Effects ofCalligonum comosum(L’Her.) Methanolic Extract in Human Triple-Negative MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Alehaideb Zeyad , AlGhamdi Saleh , Yahya Wesam Bin , Al-Eidi Hamad , Alharbi Mashael , Alaujan Monira , Albaz Abeer , Tukruni Muruj , Nehdi Atef , Abdulla Maha-Hamadien , Matou-Nasri Sabine
Published: December 2020

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most aggressive subtype, does not respond to targeted therapy due to the lack of hormone receptors. There is an urgent need for alternative therapies, including natural product-based anti-cancer drugs, at lower cost. We investigated the impact of a Calligonum comosum L’Hér. methanolic extract (CcME) on the TNBC MDA-MB-231 cell line proliferation and related cell death mechanisms performing cell viability and cytotoxicity assays, flow cytometry to detect apoptosis and cell cycle analysis. The apoptosis-related protein array and cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay were also carried out. We showed that the CcME inhibited the TNBC cell viability, in a dose-dependent manner, with low cytotoxic effects. The CcME-treated TNBC cells underwent apoptosis, associated with a concomitant increase of apoptosis-related protein expression, including cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-3, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, and the anti-oxidant enzyme catalase, compared with the untreated cells. The CcME also enhanced the mitochondrial transition pore opening activity and induced G0/G1cell growth arrest, which confirmed the cytochrome c release and the increase of the p21 expression detected in the CcME-treated TNBC cells. The CcME-treated TNBC cells resulted in intracellular ROS production, which, when blocked with a ROS scavenger, did not reduce the CcME-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, CcME exerts anti-proliferative effects against TNBC cells through the induction of apoptosis and cell growth arrest. In vivo studies are justified to verify the CcME anti-proliferative activities and to investigate any potential anti-metastatic activities of CcME against TNBC development and progression.
Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Coupled with a Critical-Time-Point Analysis during Pathogenesis for Predicting the Molecular Mechanism Underlying Blast Resistance in Rice
Authors: Tian Dagang , Chen Zaijie , Lin Yan , Chen Ziqiang , Bui Khuynh The , Wang Zonghua , Wang Feng
Published: December 2020

Background

Rice blast, caused by the ascomycete fungus M. oryzae, is one of the most important diseases of rice. Although many blast resistance (R) genes have been identified and deployed in rice varieties, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the R gene-mediated defense responses are yet not fully understood.

Results

In this study, we used comparative transcriptomic analysis to explore the molecular mechanism involved in Piz-t-mediated resistance in a transgenic line containing Piz-t (NPB-Piz-t) compared to Nipponbare (NPB). Clustering and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the time-point at 24-h post inoculation (hpi) was the most important factor distinguishing the four time-points, which consisted of four genes of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling pathway, one gene related to WRKY DNA-binding domain containing protein, five pathogenesis-related protein (OsPR1s) genes, and three genes of R proteins involving in the most significant protein-protein interaction (PPI) pathway. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to investigate RNA-seq data across 0, 24, 48, and 72 hpi, nine modules with similar patterns expression pattern (SEP) and three modules with differential expression pattern (DEP) between NPB-Piz-t and NPB across 0, 24, 48, and 72 hpi with KJ201 (referred to as Piz-t-KJ201 and NPB-KJ201) were identified. Among these the most representative SEP green-yellow module is associated with photosynthesis, and DEP pink module comprised of two specific expressed nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat (NLR) genes of LOC_Os06g17900 and LOC_Os06g17920 of Pi2/9 homologous, three NLR genes of LOC_Os11g11810, LOC_Os11g11770, and LOC_Os11g11920 which are putatively associated with important agronomic traits, and a B3 DNA binding domain containing protein related genes (LOC_Os10g39190). Knockout of LOC_Os10g39190 via CRISPR-Cas9 resulted in plant death at the seedling stage.

Conclusions

The research suggested that Piz-t and multiple NLR network might play important roles in the regulation of the resistance response in the Piz-t-KJ201 interaction system. The identified genes provide an NLR repository to study the rice-M. oryzae interaction system and facilitate the breeding of blast-resistant cultivars in the future.
The impact of adding solifenacin to tamsulosin therapy for treatment of storage lower urinary tract symptoms owing to benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Elbadry Mohamed , Ali Ahmed Issam , Saleh Eman , Kamal Amal , Gabr Ahmed H.
Published: December 2020

Background

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common problem in aging males which has a potential impact on patients’ health-related quality of life. In the present prospective study, we evaluated the effect of adding solifenacin to tamsulosin, compared to tamsulosin alone on overactive bladder symptoms scores (OABSS) and patients’ quality of life (QoL) in patients with filling lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH.

Methods

Patients included in our study were randomly assigned into 2 groups: group 1 included patients with BPH who received tamsulosin alone and group 2 included patients with BPH who received a combination of tamsulosin and sofinacin. Treatment period was 12 weeks in both groups. Quality of life and overactive bladder symptoms score questionnaires were obtained and compared in both groups before and after treatment.

Results

No significant differences were found between both groups before treatment. At the end of treatment period, The QoL score for Group 1 patients was significantly greater than the other group (mean rank was 138.98 in tamsulosin group versus 62.02 in the combination group, P-value < 0.01). Similarly, OABSS for tamsulosin only group was significantly higher than combined treatment patients (mean rank was 145.03 in tamsulin group versus 55.98 in the combination group, P-value < 0.01).

Conclusion

Adding solifenacin to tamsulosin was associated with an improvement of QoL and OABSS in patients with irritative urinary symptoms due to BPH when compared with tamsulosin monotherapy.
NYU-EDA in modelling the effect of COVID-19 on patient volumes in a Finnish emergency department
Authors: Tuominen Jalmari , Hällberg Ville , Oksala Niku , Palomäki Ari , Lukkarinen Timo , Roine Antti
Published: December 2020

Background

Emergency departments (EDs) worldwide have been in the epicentre of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, the impact of the pandemic and national emergency measures on the number of non-COVID-19 presentations and the assessed acuity of those presentations remain uncertain.

Methods

We acquired a retrospective cohort containing all ED visits in a Finnish secondary care hospital during years 2018, 2019 and 2020. We compared the number of presentations in 2020 during the national state of emergency, i.e. from March 16 to June 11, with numbers from 2018 and 2019. Presentations were stratified using localized New York University Emergency Department Algorithm (NYU-EDA) to evaluate changes in presentations with different acuity levels.

Results

A total of 27,526 presentations were observed. Compared to previous two years, total daily presentations were reduced by 23% (from 113 to 87,p < .001). In NYU-EDA classes, Non-Emergent visits were reduced the most by 42% (from 18 to 10,p < .001). Emergent presentations were reduced by 19 to 28% depending on the subgroup (p < .001). Number of injuries were reduced by 25% (from 27 to 20, p < .001). The NYU-EDA distribution changed statistically significantly with 4% point reduction in Non-Emergent visits (from 16 to 12%,p < .001) and 0.9% point increase in Alcohol-related visits (from 1.6 to 2.5%, p < .001).

Conclusions

We observed a significant reduction in total ED visits in the course of national state of emergency. Presentations were reduced in most of the NYU-EDA groups irrespective of the assessed acuity. A compensatory increase in presentations was not observed in the course of the 3 month lockdown. This implies either reduction in overall morbidity caused by decreased societal activity or widespread unwillingness to seek required medical advice.
Immunoglobulin G4-associated autoimmune hepatitis with peripheral blood eosinophilia: a case report
Authors: Chang Arunchai , Charoenlap Cheep , Akarapatima Keerati , Rattanasupar Attapon , Prachayakul Varayu
Published: December 2020

Background

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) associated autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) has been recognized as a type of autoimmune disease that responds to corticosteroid. The diagnosis is based on elevation of the serum IgG4 level, abundance of IgG4 enhanced plasma cell infiltration in the portal region of the liver, and satisfaction of the criteria for “definite AIH” under the revised International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group (IAIHG) scoring system. However, the clinical course of the disease is unclear.

Case presentation

A 65-year-old man with jaundice and peripheral blood eosinophilia.
His IAIHG and simplified score was compatible with definite AIH and his IgG4 level was elevated. Magnetic resonance imaging did not reveal abnormalities in the hepatobiliary system or pancreas. A liver biopsy revealed interface hepatitis with IgG4 positive plasma cell infiltration in the portal region, without evidence of bile duct injury. He responded to 4-week period of induction prednisolone therapy and had no recurring symptoms under maintenance therapy of 5 mg prednisolone during the 3-year follow up.

Conclusions

This was a rare case that demonstrated an association between IgG4 associated AIH and the presence of peripheral blood eosinophilia.
Plasma levels and tissue expression of soluble TGFβrIII receptor in women with early-stage breast cancer and in healthy women: a prospective observational study
Authors: Grgurevic Lovorka , Novak Ruder , Trkulja Vladimir , Hrkac Stela , Salai Grgur , Bilandzic Josko , Hamzic Lejla Ferhatovic , Milas Ivan , Vucemilo Tiha , Balja Melita Peric , Bilic Karmen
Published: December 2020

Background

Mammary carcinogenesis is partly regulated by the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling pathway. Its function in cancer progression and metastasis is highly dependent on disease stage, and it is likely modulated by the ratio of membrane-bound vs. soluble TGFβrIII (sTGFβrIII). In this prospective observational study, we assessed tissue expression and plasma levels of sTGFβrIII in healthy women, women with benign breast lesions and in early-stage breast cancer patients.

Methods

In a preliminary study, plasma sTGFβrIII levels were determined in 13 healthy women (age 19–40 years) at different phases of the ovarian cycle, and in 15 patients (age 35–75 years) at different times of the day. The main study assessed plasma concentrations of sTGFβrIII in: (i) 158 healthy women in whom breast lesions were excluded; (ii) 65 women with benign breast lesions; (iii) 147 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer classified as American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stages 0 to IIB. Completers provided blood samples before surgery and at 10–30 and 160–180 days after surgery. Plasma sTGFβrIII concentrations were determined using an indirect ELISA kit. Part of the removed tissues underwent immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and analysis of tissue TGFβrIII expression.

Results

There appeared no relevant variations in plasma sTGFßrIII levels at different times of the day or different ovarian cycle phases. Before surgery, breast cancer patients had somewhat higher sTGFβrIII than healthy women, or those with benign breast lesions (by 14.5 and 26 ng/mL, respectively), with a tendency of larger differences at higher age. This correlated with lower expression of TGFβrIII in breast cancer vs. healthy tissue samples. At 160–180 days after surgery, plasma sTGFβrIII levels in breast cancer patients declined by 23–26 ng/mL.

Conclusions

Plasma sTGFβrIII levels do not seem to relevantly vary during the day or the ovarian cycle. The coinciding higher plasma levels in newly diagnosed cancer patients than in healthy subjects and lower TGFβrIII expression in the malignant than in healthy breast tissue suggest ectodomain shedding as a source of circulating sTGFβrIII. Decline in plasma levels after tumor removal supports such a view.
Exogenous interleukin-33 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma growth by remodelling the tumour microenvironment
Authors: Wang Wenxiu , Wu Jun , Ji Mei , Wu Changping
Published: December 2020

Background

Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is an effective inducer of pro-inflammatory cytokines regulating innate and adaptive immunity. Inflammation could be a double-edged sword, promoting or inhibiting tumour growth. To date, the roles and mechanisms of IL-33 in tumours remain controversial. Here, we examined the effect of exogenous IL-33 on the biological characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the possible mechanism of action.

Methods

In this study, IL-33 expression in the tissues of 69 HCC patients was detected and its relationship with prognosis was evaluated. After establishing a mouse HCC model and IL-33 treatment operation, the infiltration of splenic myeloid-derived suppressor (MDSCs), dendritic (DCs), regulatory T, and natural killer (NK) cells was detected by flow cytometry analysis, and the vascular density of the tumour tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry to reveal the mechanism of IL-33 in HCC proliferation. Finally, the Cancer Genome Atlas database was used to analyse Gene Ontology terms the and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes pathway. Moreover, the chi-square test, two-tailed unpaired Student’s t-test, and multiple t-tests were performed using SPSS version 23.0 and GraphPad Prism 8.0 software.

Results

The IL-33 expression level was negatively correlated with the overall survival of HCC patients, suggesting its potential clinical significance in the prognosis of HCC. We found that systemic IL-33 administration significantly promoted the tumour size in vivo. Furthermore, the IL-33-treated mice presented decreased frequencies of tumouricidal NK and CD69+ CD8+ T cells. After IL-33 treatment, the incidence of monocytic MDSCs and conventional DCs increased, while that of granulocytic MDSCs decreased. Moreover, IL-33 promoted the formation of intracellular neovascularization. Therefore, IL-33 accelerated HCC progression by increasing the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells and neovascularization formation. Finally, we found that the transcription of IL-33 was closely related to the PI3K-Akt and MAPK pathways in Gene Set Enrichment Analysis plots, which were involved in the tumourigenesis and pathogenesis of HCC.

Conclusions

Taken together, IL-33 may be a key tumour promoter of HCC proliferation and tumourigenicity, an important mediator, and a potential therapeutic target for regulating HCC progression.
The posterior cortical axis as an alternative reference for femoral component placement in total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Nam Ji-Hoon , Koh Yong-Gon , Kang Kiwon , Park Joon-Hee , Kang Kyoung-Tak
Published: December 2020

Background

Although several reference axes have been established for determining femoral rotational alignment during total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the most accurate axis is undetermined. This study determines the relationship between the posterior cortical axis (PCA) and the trochlear anterior line (TAL) of the femur in relation to the epicondylar axis.

Methods

A total of 341 patients who underwent TKA for osteoarthritis were enrolled. Patients who had undergone previous bony surgery or replacement that might have changed the femoral geometry were excluded. Finally, 336 patients (200 females and 136 males) were included in the study. The angles between the transepicondylar axis (TEA) and TAL and TEA and the femoral PCA (FPCA) were evaluated. We also assessed whether there was any significant differences in variance and gender in these two angles. Student’sttests were used to determine the significance of coronal alignment and any gender-based differences. The variances between the TAL/TEA and FPCA/TEA angles were compared usingFtests.

Results

The FPCA was externally rotated by 2.6° ± 3.6°, and the trochlear anterior line was internally rotated by 5.2° ± 5.5°, relative to the TEA. Gender-based differences were observed in the comparisons between anatomical references and TEA.

Conclusions

The FPCA is a more conservative landmark than the TAL for intraoperative or postoperative approximation of the TEA. When conventional reference axes, such as the posterior condylar axis and the anteroposterior axis, are inaccurate, surgeons can refer to this alternative reference. These findings demonstrate that the FPCA may be useful for determining the rotational alignment of the femoral component before and during TKA.
Characteristics and genetic testing outcomes of patients with clinically suspected paraganglioma/pheochromocytoma (PGL/PCC) syndrome in Singapore
Authors: Ting Kay Reen , Ong Pei Yi , Wei Samuel Ow Guan , Parameswaran Rajeev , Khoo Chin Meng , Deepak Doddabele Srinivasa , Lee Soo-Chin
Published: December 2020

Background

Hereditary paraganglioma (PGL) and pheochromocytoma (PCC) syndromes are rare conditions, with limited data on spectrum of causative gene variants of these syndromes in Asian patients.

Methods

We describe the clinical characteristics and genetic testing outcomes of patients with suspected hereditary PGL/PCC who were referred to a tertiary cancer genetics clinic in Singapore.

Results

Among 2196 patients with suspected hereditary cancer syndrome evaluated at the cancer genetics clinic from 2000 to 2019, 13/2196 (0.6%) patients fulfilled clinical suspicion for hereditary PGL/PCC syndrome. After genetic counselling, 10 patients underwent multi-gene next generation sequencing and deletion/duplication analysis, including SDHAF2, SDHA, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, VHL, NF1, RET, MAX, and TMEM127. Seven of 10 patients (70%) were identified to carry pathogenic variants, including 3 unrelated Chinese patients with head and neck PGL who carried the same SDHD: c.3G > C (p.Met1Ile) variant that was previously reported to be a possible founder variant in Chinese, and 3 patients with urogenital PGL and 1 patient with retroperitoneal PGL who carried different SDHB variants. Variant carriers were younger, more likely to present with multiple tumours, or have family history of paraganglioma or pheochromocytoma, than non- variant carriers.

Conclusion

Hereditary PGL/PCC accounts for only 0.6% of patients seen in an adult cancer genetics clinic in Asia. SDHD and SDHB genes remain the most important causative genes of hereditary PGL/PCC in Asia even when patients are tested with multi-gene NGS panel.
Human stem cell-based models for studying autism spectrum disorder-related neuronal dysfunction
Authors: Cheffer Arquimedes , Flitsch Lea Jessica , Krutenko Tamara , Röderer Pascal , Sokhranyaeva Liubov , Iefremova Vira , Hajo Mohamad , Peitz Michael , Schwarz Martin Karl , Brüstle Oliver
Published: December 2020

The controlled differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) into neurons and glia offers a unique opportunity to study early stages of human central nervous system development under controlled conditions in vitro. With the advent of cell reprogramming and the possibility to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from any individual in a scalable manner, these studies can be extended to a disease- and patient-specific level. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is considered a neurodevelopmental disorder, with substantial evidence pointing to early alterations in neurogenesis and network formation as key pathogenic drivers. For that reason, ASD represents an ideal candidate for stem cell-based disease modeling. Here, we provide a concise review on recent advances in the field of human iPSC-based modeling of syndromic and non-syndromic forms of ASD, with a particular focus on studies addressing neuronal dysfunction and altered connectivity. We further discuss recent efforts to translate stem cell-based disease modeling to 3D via brain organoid and cell transplantation approaches, which enable the investigation of disease mechanisms in a tissue-like context. Finally, we describe advanced tools facilitating the assessment of altered neuronal function, comment on the relevance of iPSC-based models for the assessment of pharmaceutical therapies and outline potential future routes in stem cell-based ASD research.
Simplified modelling and backstepping control of the long arm agricultural rover
Authors: Wongvanich Napasool , Boksuwan Sungwan , Chesof Abdulhafiz
Published: December 2020

This paper presents the development of the simplified modelling and control of a long arm system for an agricultural rover, which also extends the modelling methodology from the previous work. The methodology initially assumes a flexible model and, through the use of the integral-based parameter identification method, the identified parameters are then correlated to an energy function to allow a construction of the friction induced nonlinear vibration model. To also capture the effect of the time delay, a delay model was also considered in the form of a second order delay differential equation. Both families of models were applied to identify and characterise a specialised long arm system. The nonlinear model was found to give significant improvement over the standard linear model in data fitting, which was further enhanced by the addition of the time delay consideration. A backstepping controller was also designed for both model families. Results show that the delay model expends less control efforts than the lesser non-delay model.
Quasi-6-day wave effects in ionospheric E and F region during the recent solar maximum 2014–2015
Authors: Liu Yi , Tang Qiong , Chen Guanyi , Wang Zhuangkai , Zhou Chen
Published: December 2020

We show the statistical characteristics of quasi-6-day wave (Q6DW) absolute amplitude in foE and foF2 during 2014–2015 by using six ionosondes at different latitudes. The results show that foE perturbations maximized at mid-latitudes during equinoxes, and the maximum amplitude of Q6DW in foF2 occurred near the northern crest of equatorial ionospheric anomaly (EIA). In addition, the absolute amplitude of Q6DW in foF2 increased with increasing solar activity. Our observations suggest that the dissipative Q6DW-like oscillations in the lower thermosphere may cause variations in the thermospheric neutral density via mixing effect and further result in foE disturbances in Q6DW events. Furthermore, the E region wind dynamo could also be modulated by the 6-day wave, thus leading to the disturbances in vertical plasma velocity via E × B drifts and F region electron density. Our observational investigation provides evidence of thermosphere–ionosphere coupling in the mid- and low-latitude region.
Prevalence and factors associated with postpartum use of long-acting reversible contraception in Bukombe District, Geita Region, Tanzania: a community- based study
Authors: Kiondo Kiondo Solomon , Maro Eusebious , Kiwango Sophia , Alloyce Julius Pius , Shayo Benjamin C. , Mahande Michael Johnson
Published: December 2020

Background

Globally, approximately half of all pregnancies occur before 24 months after child birth. In Sub Saharan Africa the unmet need for family planning is highest among postpartum women. There is a dearth of information regarding factors associated with postpartum use of long acting reversible contraception (LARC) in Tanzania particularly in the Lake zone. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with postpartum use of LARC (< 24 months) in Bukombe District, Geita Region in the Lake zone, in 2018.

Methodology

Community based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted between May and June 2018 among women with less than 24 months since delivery. Multistage sampling technique was used to recruit participants. Face to face interviews with 768 postpartum women was conducted using standardized questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Stata Version 13.0. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with postpartum use of LARC.

Results

Prevalence of postpartum use of LARC was 10.4%. Urban residence (AOR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.07–8.06), having formal employment (AOR = 4.81, 95% CI: 1.85–12.57) and receiving family planning counseling (AOR = 4.39, 95% CI: 1.89–10.20) were significantly associated with postpartum LARC use.

Conclusion

The postpartum use of LARC was low in the studied population with implants being the most commonly used method. Urban residency, formal employment and receiving family planning counseling were associated with postpartum LARC use. Improving prenatal and quality of family planning counseling is warranted to increase postpartum LARC utilization in Bukombe.
Evaluation of cerebrovascular hemodynamics in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension using transcranial Doppler
Authors: Allam Mahmoud M. , Almasry Hatem A. , Ahmed Sandra M. , Taha Youssuf G. , Oraby Mohammed I.
Published: December 2020

Background

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a disorder of increased intracranial pressure without a clear cause and can have serious visual effects. Previous research work suggests that transcranial Doppler measurements of pulsatility index correlate accurately with elevated intracranial pressure.

Objective

To assess the cerebrovascular hemodynamic changes in patients with IIH using transcranial Doppler before and after lumbar puncture and CSF withdrawal.

Methods

An interventional study conducted on 40 patients (31 females and 9 males) fulfilling the modified Dandy criteria for diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, MRI brain, and MRV was done to the patients. Lumbar puncture was done for all included patients to measure intracranial pressure and CSF withdrawal. Transcranial Doppler was performed for all included before and after lumbar puncture and CSF withdrawal and the following parameters were measured: peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistivity index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI).

Results

Significant relation was found between grades of papilledema and PSV, RI, and PI (p value 0.012, 0.025, 0.016) but no significant relation was found between grades of papilledema and EDV (0.102). Significant changes occurred in parameters of TCD pre- and post-CSF withdrawal including PSV, EDV, and PI (p value 0.001, 0.015, 0.019) denoting a significant change in cerebral hemodynamics after CSF withdrawal which denotes a decrease in intracranial pressure.

Conclusion

Increased intracranial pressure significantly affects cerebral blood flow. A normalization of transcranial Doppler parameters occurs following lowering of intracranial pressure through lumbar puncture and CSF withdrawal.
Vici syndrome in an Egyptian infant: case report and differential diagnosis of inherited hypopigmented disorders
Authors: Abd Elmaksoud Marwa , Abeesh Aya Attya , Pereira Catarina , El-Deeb Marwa El-Saeed
Published: December 2020

Background

Vici syndrome is a severe inherited multisystem disease caused by mutations in the EPG5 gene. The diagnosis depends on the constellation of cardinal features of agenesis of the corpus callosum, cataracts, oculocutaneous hypopigmentation, cardiomyopathy, and a combined immunodeficiency followed by confirmation by genetic testing. We report an Egyptian infant with Vici syndrome carrying a homozygous splice site variant (c.1252+1G>T; NM_020964.2) in the EPG5 gene, detailed clinical description, outcome, and differential diagnosis of inherited hypopigmentation disorders associated with neurological manifestations.

Case presentation

The infant initially presented with oculocutaneous hypopigmentation, agenesis of the corpus callosum, and immunodeficiency. A few months later, a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy was made. Family history revealed 2 deceased siblings phenotypically matching our index infant. He died at the age of 15 months with acute respiratory failure.

Conclusion

The accurate diagnosis of such rare diseases with genetic confirmation is vital for proper clinical decision-making, genetic counseling of the affected families, and future genotype-phenotype correlation studies.
A putative stem-loop structure in Drosophila crumbs is required for mRNA localisation in epithelia and germline cells
Authors: Bhagavatula Srija , Knust Elisabeth
Published: December 2020

Crumbs (Crb) is an evolutionarily conserved transmembrane protein localised in the apical membrane of epithelial cells. Loss or mis-localisation of Crb is often associated with disruption of apico-basal cell polarity. crb mRNA is also apically enriched in epithelial cells, and, as shown here, accumulates in the oocyte of developing egg chambers. We narrowed down the Localization Element (LE) of crb mRNA to 47 nucleotides forming a putative stem-loop structure, suggesting to be recognised by Egalitarian (Egl). Mutations in conserved nucleotides abrogate apical transport. crb mRNA enrichment in the oocyte is affected in egl mutant egg chambers. A CRISPR based genomic deletion of the crb locus that includes the LE disrupts asymmetric crb mRNA localisation in epithelia and prevents its accumulation in the oocyte during early stages of oogenesis, but does not affect Crb protein localisation in embryonic and follicular epithelia. However, flies lacking the LE show ectopic Crb protein expression in the nurse cells. These data suggest an additional role of the Drosophila 3’-UTR in regulating translation in a tissue specific manner.
Blockage of bone morphogenetic protein signalling counteracts hypertrophy in a human osteoarthritic micro-cartilage model
Authors: Chawla Shikha , Berkelaar Majoska H. M. , Dasen Boris , Halleux Christine , Guth-Gundel Sabine , Kramer Ina , Ghosh Sourabh , Martin Ivan , Barbero Andrea , Occhetta Paola
Published: December 2020

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling plays a significant role during embryonic cartilage development and has been associated with osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis, being in both cases involved in triggering hypertrophy. Inspired by recent findings that BMP inhibition counteracts hypertrophic differentiation of human mesenchymal progenitors, we hypothesized that selective inhibition of BMP signalling would mitigate hypertrophic features in OA cartilage. First, a 3D in vitro OA micro-cartilage model was established using minimally expanded OA chondrocytes that was reproducibly able to capture OA-like hypertrophic features. BMP signalling was then restricted by means of two BMP receptor type I inhibitors, resulting in reduction of OA hypertrophic traits while maintaining synthesis of cartilage extracellular matrix. Our findings open potential pharmacological strategies for counteracting cartilage hypertrophy in OA and support the broader perspective that key signalling pathways known from developmental processes can guide the understanding, and possibly the mitigation, of adult pathological features.
Moment Equations for Kinetic Study of Intermolecular Interaction by Size Exclusion Chromatography
Authors: Miyabe Kanji
Published: December 2020

New moment equations were developed for size exclusion chromatography (SEC), in which chemical reactions simultaneously take place. It is expected that accurate information about affinity kinetics of intermolecular interactions with no immobilization and no chemical modification of solute and ligand molecules can be obtained from elution peak profiles measured by SEC. Moment equations for the first absolute (μ1A) and second central (μ2C) moment of elution peaks were developed on the basis of the Einstein equation for diffusion and the random walk model in order to analytically determine association (ka) and dissociation (kd) rate constant of intermolecular interactions. They were used to predict chromatographic behavior in hypothetical SEC systems to demonstrate their effectiveness. The influence of some parameters on μ1A and μ2C of elution peaks measured in the SEC systems was quantitatively evaluated. It was indicated that the contributions of axial dispersion and reaction kinetics to μ2C depend on some SEC conditions. It is important to control the SEC conditions so that the reaction kinetics has a predominant contribution to μ2C to determine accurate values of ka and kd. The moment equations are effective for optimizing experimental conditions to accurately analyze intermolecular interactions from kinetic points of view.
Digital Media and Political Communication in Bangladesh
Authors: Al-Zaman Md. Sayeed
Published: December 2020

A healthy and democratic political community is built on effective and meaningful communication among diverse political groups and individuals. Political engagement in earlier days was confined to a limited number of people, which often impeded the rational criticism and effective- ness of public policies. In Bangladesh, many people remain outside the boundaries of policymaking. To a cer- tain degree, traditional media failed to bridge the gap be- tween public and political authority. Digital media has re- cently entered into public life and offers various groups a chance to engage in political communication. Even com- munication through digital media has started to deter- mine the fortune of political events in Bangladesh like elsewhere in the world. Therefore, digital media, as a key player in political communication, has to be studied care- fully. In this article, it has been discussed why and how digital media has earned power regarding political com- munication. This study also seeks the state of democracy and political pluralism in contemporary Bangladesh. Identifying three key players of Bangladesh politics: polit- ical leaders, political activists, and grassroots citizens, this article further elucidates the nature of their chemistry in the digital age.
Active‐Set Newton Methods and Partial Smoothness
Authors: Lewis Adrian S. , Wylie Calvin
Published: December 2020

Diverse optimization algorithms correctly identify, in finite time, intrinsic constraints that must be active at optimality. Analogous behavior extends beyond optimization to systems involving partly smooth operators, and in particular to variational inequalities over partly smooth sets. As in classical nonlinear programming, such active‐set structure underlies the design of accelerated local algorithms of Newton type. We formalize this idea in broad generality as a simple linearization scheme for two intersecting manifolds.
Value of Information in Bayesian Routing Games
Authors: Wu Manxi , Amin Saurabh , Ozdaglar Asuman E.
Published: December 2020

Over the years, travelers are increasingly relying on navigation services to inform their route choices and save time. How much value—in terms of saved time—can these services indeed provide to their users? The answer is not as simple as one may think because the value of traffic information not only depends on its accuracy, but also on how widely it is shared among travelers. For instance, information on an incident has the highest value for a traveler when the traveler is the only person who knows about it and takes a detour. However, this information becomes less valuable when it is shared with more travelers, who may take the same detour and cause congestion. Our work uses a game-theoretic approach to analyze how the relative value of information provided by different navigation services changes with their market share and how travelers may choose from different available services.