bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-throughput profiling of diapause regulated genes from Trichogramma dendrolimi (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)
Authors: Zhang Xue , Du Wenmei , Zhang Junjie , Zou Zhen , Ruan Changchun
Published: October 2020

Background: The parasitoid wasp, Trichogramma dendrolimi, can enter diapause at the prepupal stage. Thus, diapause is an efficient preservation method during the mass production of T. dendrolimi. Previous studies on diapause have mainly focused on ecological characteristics, so the molecular basis of diapause in T. dendrolimi is unknown. We compared transcriptomes of diapause and non-diapause T. dendrolimi to identify key genes and pathways involved in diapause development.Results: Transcriptome sequencing was performed on diapause prepupae, pupae after diapause, non-diapause prepupae, and pupae. Analysis yielded a total of 87,022 transcripts with an average length of 1,604 bp. By removing redundant sequences and those without significant BLAST hits, a non-redundant dataset was generated, containing 7,593 sequences with an average length of 3,351 bp. Among them, 5,702 genes were differentially expressed. The result of Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that regulation of transcription, DNA-templated, oxidation-reduction process, and signal transduction were significantly affected. Ten genes were selected for validation using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). The changes showed the same trend as between the qPCR and RNA-Seq results. Several genes were identified as involved in diapause, including ribosomal proteins, zinc finger proteins, homeobox proteins, forkhead box proteins, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, Glutathione-S-transferase, p53, and DNA damage-regulated gene 1 (pdrg1). Genes related to lipid metabolism were also included.Conclusions: We generated a large amount of transcriptome data from T. dendrolimi, providing a resource for future gene function research. The diapause-related genes identified help reveal the molecular mechanisms of diapause, in T. dendrolimi, and other insect species.
Assessing and coping with the financial burden of Computed Tomography utilization in Limbe, Cameroon: a sequential explanatory mixed-methods study
Authors: Tambe Joshua , Mbuagbaw Lawrence , Ongolo-Zogo Pierre , Nguefack-Tsague Georges , Edjua Andrew , Mbome-Njie Victor , Minkande Jacqueline Ze
Published: October 2020

Background: There has been a significant increase in computed tomography (CT) utilization over the past two decades with the major challenges being a high exposure to ionizing radiation and rising cost. In this study we assess the risk of financial hardship after CT utilization and elaborate on how users adapt and cope in a sub-Saharan context with user fee for services and no national health insurance policy. Methods: We carried out a sequential explanatory mixed methods study with a quantitative hospital-based survey of CT users followed by in-depth interviews of some purposively selected participants who reported risk of financial hardship after CT utilization. Data was summarized using frequencies, percentages and 95% confidence intervals. Logistic regression was used in multivariable analysis to determine predictors of risk of financial hardship. Identified themes from in-depth interviews were categorized. Quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated. Results: A total of 372 participants were surveyed with a male to female sex ratio of 1:1.2. The mean age (standard deviation) was 52(17) years. CT scans of the head and facial bones accounted for 63% (95%CI: 59% - 68%) and the top three indications were suspected stroke (27% [95%CI: 22% - 32%]), trauma (14% [95%CI: 10% - 18%]) and persistent headaches (14% [95%CI: 10% - 18%]). Seventy-two percent (95%CI: 67% - 76%) of the respondents reported being at risk of financial hardship after CT utilization and predictors in the multivariable analysis were a low socioeconomic status (aOR: 0.19 [95%CI: 0.10 - 0.38]; p<0.001), being unemployed or retired (aOR: 11.75 [95%CI: 2.59 – 53.18]; p=0.001) and not having any form of health insurance (aOR: 3.59 [95%CI: 1.31 - 9.85]; p=0.013). Coping strategies included getting financial support from family and friends, borrowing money and obtaining discounts from the hospital administration and staff. Conclusion: No health insurance ownership, being unemployed or retired and a low socioeconomic status are associated with financial hardship after CT utilization. Diverse coping strategies are utilized to lessen the financial burden, some with negative consequences. Minimizing out-of-pocket payments and/or the direct cost of CT can reduce this financial burden and improve CT access.
Human CD133-positive hematopoietic progenitor cells enhance the malignancy of breast cancer cells
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Zheng Qing Lian , Liu Yong Hui , Sun Lian Qing , Han Ping Ping , Wang Rui , Zhao Jiao , Hu Shan , Zhao Xin Han
Published: October 2020

Background: Human CD133+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) are a specific subset of cells that can regulate tumor malignancy. However, the mechanism by which CD133+ HPCs affect the malignancy of human breast cancer has not been reported. Methods: CD133+ HPCs were isolated and purified from human umbilical cord blood (UCB) .We used in vitro culture of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, and MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells in nude mice to evaluate whether CD133+ HPCs affected the apoptosis, proliferation, invasion and epithelial mesenchymal transition EMT of breast cancer cells. Results: Co-culture with CD133+ HPCs, but not UCB CD133- cells, promoted the proliferation of human breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, accompanied by reducing in vitro spontaneous apoptosis. Co-administration of these two lines with CD133+ HPCs significantly enhanced the growth of implanted breast cancer in vivo. Furthermore, co-culture with CD133+ HPCs, enhanced the invasion of breast cancer cells, N-cadherin and Vimentin expression, but reduced E-cadherin expression in breast cancer cells. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that CD133+ HPCs enhance the malignancy of breast cancer cells by attenuating spontaneous apoptosis and promoting the process of epithelial mesenchymal transition. These findings may provide new insights into the role of human CD133+ HPCs in breast cancer pathogenesis. Therefore, CD133+ HPCs may be a new therapeutic target for inhibiting the progression of breast cancer.
Relationship of attitudes toward uncertainty and preventive health behaviors with breast cancer screening participation
Authors: Satoh Miho , Sato Naoko
Published: October 2020

Background: Early detection of breast cancer is effective for prolonging survival, but the participation rate in breast cancer screening among target Japanese women remains low. This study examined the relationships between tendencies in decision-making under conditions of uncertainty, health behaviors, demographics, and breast cancer screening participation in Japanese women.Methods: The study population consisted of the 2,945 households that completed the 2017 Keio Household Panel Survey (KHPS). Data were obtained from the KHPS for women aged 40 years or older. Breast cancer screening participation in the past year, risk aversion, time preference, health behaviors (e.g., smoking, alcohol consumption, and medical treatment received in the past year), and demographic variables were analyzed. Results: Data from 708 women were analyzed. Among the respondents, 28.8% had attended breast cancer screening in the past year. Factors found to significantly contribute to breast cancer screening participation included higher risk aversion (odds ratio [OR], 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-5.32; p = 0.043), medical treatment received in the past year (OR, 1.56; 95% CI = 1.06-2.30; p = 0.026), higher self-rated health (OR, 1.47; 95% CI = 1.18-1.83; p = 0.001), living above the poverty line (OR, 2.31; 95% CI = 1.13-4.72; p = 0.022), and having children (OR, 1.57; 95% CI = 1.02-2.42; p = 0.042). Factors not significantly associated with screening participation were smoking (OR, 0.20; 95% CI = 0.10-0.42; p < 0.000), alcohol consumption (OR, 0.56; 95% CI = 0.37-0.86; p = 0.007), being self-employed (OR, 0.22; 95% CI = 0.10-0.46; p < 0.000), and being unemployed (OR, 0.48; 95% CI = 0.26-0.90; p = 0.022). No significant relationship was observed between time preference and screening participation.Conclusions: The results indicate that women who recognize the actual risk of developing breast cancer or have high awareness of breast cancer prevention tend to participate in breast cancer screening. Barriers to screening participation are not working for an organization that encourages screening and low income.
Examining aptitude and barriers to Evidence Based Medicine among trainees at an ACGME-I accredited program
Authors: Mahmoud Mai , Laws Saad , Kamal Antoun , Mohanadi Dabia Al , Mohammed Ahmed Al , Mahfoud Ziyad
Published: October 2020

BackgroundThe aims of Evidence-Based medicine (EBM) are to promote critical thinking and produces better patients’ outcome1. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) competencies require trainees to locate, appraise and apply clinical evidence to patients’ care. Despite the emphasis that ACGME place on EBM, few organizations provide adequate training in EBM. This is even more critical in regions where medical trainees matriculate from diverse backgrounds of undergraduate medical education, where EBM may not be emphasized nor taught at all. EBM practice has a history of research in the West, however, EBM has not been widely studied in the Middle East. MethodsClinicians and trainees at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) matriculate from many countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Asia. Because trainees in Graduate Medical Education (GME) come to HMC from a variety of geographic backgrounds, it is assumed that they also have a variety of experiences and aptitudes in EBM. To assess trainees EBM attitudes and knowledge in the internal medicine department at HMC in Doha, Qatar, the authors surveyed residents and fellows using a two-part survey. The first part was adapted from the evidence-based practice inventory by Kaper to assess trainees’ attitudes and perceptions of EBM. Trainees were also asked to complete the Assessing Competency in Evidence Based Medicine (ACE) tool to evaluate their aptitude in different elements of EBM. The results from the two parts were analyzed.Results The average score on the ACE tool among the participants was 8.9 (±1.6). Most participants rated themselves as beginners or intermediate in their EBM capabilities. Higher ACE scores were observed from participants with educational background from South Asia, and among those with more favorable attitudes towards EBM. There was no clear pattern that early incorporation of EBM into practice will result in better ACE score. Participants also reported reasonable abilities in EBM tasks and a favorable work atmosphere for EBM implementation. Lack of knowledge, resources, and time were the most reported barriers to utilizing EBM. ConclusionsWhile it is clear that participants are enthusiastic about EBM and see it as a useful method for clinical decision making, their aptitude in EBM is not optimal and there are gaps and barriers for them to practice. Although structured EBM teaching is usually a part of the graduate training, the institutions should make sure that trainees have the needed resources and the protected time to effectively implement learning and practicing EBM
Identification of the active substances and mechanisms of ginger for the treatment of colon cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking
Authors: Zhang MengMeng , Wang Dan , Lu Feng , Zhao Rong , Ye Xun , He Lin , Ai Li , Wu ChunJie
Published: October 2020

Background and objective: Colon cancer is increasing in people recently and ginger (Zingiber officinale), as a commonly used herbal medicine, has been suggested as a potential agent against colon cancer. This study was aimed to identify the bioactive compounds and potential mechanisms of ginger for colon cancer prevention by an integrated network pharmacology approach.Methods: Putative ingredients of ginger and its related targets were discerned from the TCMSP database. After that, the targets interacting with colon cancer were collected using Genecards, OMIM, and Drugbank databases. KEGG pathway and GO enrichment analysis were performed to explore the signaling pathways related to ginger for colon cancer treatments. The PPI and compound-target-disease networks were constructed using Cytoscape.Results: Six potential active compounds, 285 interacting targets in addition to 1356 disease-related targets were collected, of which 118 intersection targets were obtained. A total of 34 key targets including PIK3CA, SRC, and TP53 were identified. These targets were mainly focused on the biological processes of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling, cellular response to oxidative stress, and cellular response to peptide hormone stimulus. The KEGG enrichment manifested that three signaling pathways were closely related to colon cancer prevention of ginger, including cancer, endocrine resistance, and hepatitis B pathways. TP53, HSP90AA1, MAPK8, JAK2, CASP3, and ERBB2 were viewed as the most important genes, which were validated by molecular docking simulation.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that ginger produced preventive effects against colon cancer by regulating multi-target and multi-pathway with multi-components. And, the combined data provide novel insight for ginger compounds developed as new drug for anti-colon cancer.
Preoperative false-negative transthoracic echocardiographic results in native valve infective endocarditis patients: a retrospective study from 2001 to 2018
Authors: Ren Zuning , Zhang Jian , Chen Hongjie , Mo Xichao , Cai Shaohang , Peng Jie
Published: October 2020

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a lethal disease that is difficult to diagnosis early. Although echocardiography is one of the most widely used diagnostic technique, it has limited sensitivity. This study surveyed the clinical features of IE patients who underwent surgery and compared transthoracic echocardiography and histological findings to explore the factors related to false-negative echocardiographic results.Methods: Medical records were extracted from IE patients consecutively hospitalized between June 2001 and June 2018. Results: A total of 182 patients with native valve IE who underwent surgery were included. Compared to the non-surgery group, the surgery group was more likely to have pre-existing valvular lesions and more serious cardiac conditions and a relative lack of signs of infection and cerebrovascular events, leading to a lower proportion of “definite cases” before surgery. The false-negative rate of echocardiography was 14.5%. Echocardiography has significant disadvantages in diagnosing perivalvular abscesses, valve perforations, and left-sided endocarditis, especially for subjects with both aortic and mitral valve infections. The multivariate analysis identified congenital heart disease and small vegetations (<10 mm) as independent predictors of false-negative echocardiography results. Conversely, fever and heart murmurs on admission served as protective factors. Conclusions: Under some circumstances, echocardiography provides inconsistent results compared with surgical findings, and negative echocardiography results do not rule out IE. The diagnosis of IE depends on comprehensive evaluations using multiple methods.
The SARS-CoV-2 RNA with mild pulmonary consolidation lasts longer in non-severe COVID-19 patients: an observational study
Authors: Zhang Chi , Li Jiawen , Mu Jing , Zhang Daitao , Wang He , Jin Yunv , Han Yan , Li Haiyang , Zhang Chunxiao , Yu Peng , Guo Rui , Dou Xiangfeng , Chu Yanhui , Wu Zhao , Dong Xiaoqin , Wang Guiqiang , Zhao Hong
Published: October 2020

Background: Since December 2019, COVID-19 has rapidly swept the world. It is particularly important to understand the dynamic changes of the whole disease course of non-severe patients from the onset to the follow-up after discharge.Methods: On February 1, 2020, 18 cases of non-severe COVID-19 appeared in a hospital in Beijing. All patients were SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive by RT-PCR for pharyngeal swabs. We recorded the clinical information and viral dynamics of these patients from the onset of the disease to 2 months after discharge. According to the severity of lung consolidation, 18 patients were divided into two groups (mild pulmonary consolidation group [imaging score ≤10]; severe pulmonary consolidation group [imaging score >10]).Results: Eighteen patients (median age 43) were included, including 14 females. Fever (11/18) and cough (8/18) were the most common symptoms. The duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA positive in mild pulmonary consolidation group was significantly longer than severe pulmonary consolidation group (the median time was 30 days and 13 days, respectively, P= 0.0031). Two months after discharge, almost all patients were followed up for IgM antibody disappearance and IgG antibody production.Conclusion: In non-severe COVID-19 patients, the positive duration of the SARS-CoV-2 RNA in patients with mild pulmonary consolidation was longer than the severe pulmonary consolidation. However, it is necessary for a large sample to verify our conclusions.
Research on Early Warning of Renal Damage in Hypertensive Patients Based on Stacking Strategy
Authors: Bi Qiubo , Kuang Zemin , E Haihong , Song Meina , Tang Xinying , Liu Xing
Published: October 2020

Background: Among the problems caused by hypertension, the early renal damage is often ignored. It can not be diagnosed until the condition is serious and irreversible damage occurs. So we decide to screen and explore related risk factors for hypertensive patients with early renal damage, and establish early-warning model of renal damage based on the data-mining method to achieve early diagnosis for hypertensive patients with renal damage. Methods: With the aid of electronic information management system for hypertensive specialist out-patient, we collected 513 cases of original untreated hypertensive patients, and recorded their demographic data, ambulatory blood pressure parameters, blood routine index and blood biochemical index to establish the clinical database, then we screen risk factors for early renal damage through feature engineering, and use Random Forest, Extra-Trees and XGBoost to build a early-warning model respectively. Finally, we build a new model by model fusion based on Stacking strategy. We use cross validation to evaluate the stability and reliability of each mode to determine the best risk assessment model. Results: According to the degree of importance, the descending order of features selected by feature engineering is the drop rate of systolic blood pressure at night, the red blood cell distribution width, blood pressure circadian rhythm, the average diastolic blood pressure at daytime, body surface area, smoking, age and HDL. Among the early-warning models of renal damage without model fusion, XGBoost has the best effect, the average accuracy of 5-fold cross validation is 0.90457. And the average accuracy of the two-dimensional fusion model based on Stacking strategy is 0.91428, which is greatly improved. Conclusions: Through feature engineering and risk factor analysis, we select the drop rate of systolic blood pressure at night, the red blood cell distribution width, blood pressure circadian rhythm and the average diastolic blood pressure at daytime as early-warning factors of early renal damage in patients with hypertension. On this basis, the two-dimensional fusion model based on Stacking strategy has a better effect than the single model, which can be used for risk assessment of early renal damage in hypertensive patients.
Adding team-based financial incentives to the Carrot Rewards physical activity app increases daily step count on a population scale: A 24-week matched case control study
Authors: Pearson Emma , Prapavessis Harry , Higgins Christopher , Petrella Robert , White Lauren , Mitchell Marc
Published: October 2020

Background: Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) targeting physical inactivity have increased in popularity yet are usually limited by low engagement. This study examined the impact of adding team-based incentives (Step Together Challenges, STCs) to an existing mHealth app (Carrot Rewards) that rewarded individual physical activity achievements.Methods: A 24-week quasi-experimental study (retrospective matched pairs design) was conducted in three Canadian provinces (pre-intervention: weeks 1-12; intervention: weeks 13-24). Participants who used Carrot Rewards and STCs (experimental group) were matched with those who used Carrot Rewards only (controls) on age, gender, province and baseline mean daily step count (±500 steps/d). Carrot Rewards users earned individual-level incentives (worth $0.04 CAD) each day they reached a personalized daily step goal. With a single partner, STC users could earn team incentives ($0.40 CAD) for collaboratively reaching individual daily step goals 10 times in seven days (e.g., Partner A completes four goals and Partner B completes six goals in a week).Results: The main analysis included 61,170 users (mean age=32yrs; % female=64). Controlling for pre-intervention mean daily step count, a significant difference in intervention mean daily step count favoured the experimental group (p<0.0001; ηp2=0.024). The estimated marginal mean group difference was 537 steps per day, or 3759 steps per week (about 40 walking min/wk). Linear regression suggested a dose-response relationship between the number of STCs completed (app engagement) and intervention mean daily step count (adjusted R2=0.699) with each new STC corresponding to approximately 200 more steps per day.Conclusion: Despite an explosion of physical activity app interest, low engagement leading to small or no effects remains an industry hallmark. In this paper, we found that adding modest team-based incentives to the Carrot Rewards app increased mean daily step count, and importantly, app engagement moderated this effect. Others should consider novel small-teams based approaches to boost engagement and effects.
Factors influencing Adolescent Girls and Young Women's participation in a Combination HIV Prevention Intervention in South Africa
Authors: Appollis Tracy McClinton , Duby Zoe , Jonas Kim , Dietrich Janan , Maruping Kealeboga , Abdullah Fareed , Slingers Nevilene , Mathews Catherine
Published: October 2020

Background: For interventions to reach those they are intended for, an understanding of the factors that influence their participation, as well as the facilitators and barriers of participation are needed. This study explores factors associated with participation in a combination HIV prevention intervention targeting adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 15–24-years-old, as well as the experiences of AGYW, intervention implementers, and facilitators who participated in this intervention. Methods: This study used mixed-methods approach with quantitative household survey data from 4399 AGYW aged 15-24-years-old in six of the ten districts in which the intervention was implemented. In addition, qualitative methods included semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions in five of the ten intervention districts with 185 AGYW who participated in one or more of the key components of the intervention, and 13 intervention implementers and 13 facilitators. Results: Findings reveal that almost half of AGYW (48.4%) living in the districts where the intervention took place, participated in at least one of the components of the intervention. For both 15-19-year-olds and 20-24-year-olds, factors associated with increased participation in the intervention included being HIV negative, in school, never been pregnant, and having had a boyfriend. Experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) and/or sexual violence in the past 12 months was associated with increased levels of participation in the intervention for 20-24-year-olds only. In our analysis of the qualitative data, facilitators to participation included motivating participants to join the interventions through explaining the benefits of the programme. Barriers included misguided expectations about financial rewards or job opportunities; competing responsibilities, interests or activities; family responsibilities including childcare; inappropriate incentives; inability to disrupt the school curriculum and difficulties with conducting interventions after school hours due to safety concerns; miscommunication about meetings; as well as struggles to reach out-of-school AGYW.Conclusion: Designers of combination HIV prevention interventions need to address the structural barriers to participation so that AGYW can attend without risking their safety and compromising their family, childcare and schooling responsibilities. Strategies to create demand need to include clear communication about the nature and potential benefits of such interventions, and the inclusion of valued incentives.
Association of hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia on incident hyperuricemia: An 8-year prospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Zhang Miaomiao , Yu Xiawen , Wei Fengjiang , Chen Chen , Zhang Kai , Feng Shuzhi , Wang Yaogang , Li Wei-Dong
Published: October 2020

Background Hypertension and high triglyceride are two of the most important risk factors for hyperuricemia. Epidemiological records show that hypertension and dyslipidemia often coexist and may significantly increase the risk of target organ damage. However, their combined effect on incident hyperuricemia is poorly understood. Thus, we aimed to investigate the separate and combined effect of hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia on the incidence of hyperuricemia. Methods A prospective cohort study of 6424 hyperuricemia-free participants aged 20 to 94 years between August 2009 and October 2017 was performed at Tianjin General Hospital of China. Participants were categorized into four groups by combining hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia status at baseline. The restricted cubic spline fitting Cox regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between blood pressure and triglyceride and hyperuricemia. Cox regression models were performed to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confident intervals (CIs) to estimate baseline factors and their association with the incidence of hyperuricemia. A Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed to compare the incidence of hyperuricemia among subjects in each separate and combined hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia group. Results During the 8-year follow-up period, 1,259 subjects developed hyperuricemia (20.6%). There existed positive relationships between blood pressure and triglyceride levels and hyperuricemia. This risk factor arising from a combination of the two (HR, 3.02; 95% CI: 2.60-3.50) is greater than that from hypertension (HR, 1.48; 95% CI: 1.28-1.71) or hypertriglyceridemia (HR, 1.84; 95% CI: 1.55-2.18) separately. The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis indicated that combined effect of hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia may predict higher onset of hyperuricemia. Conclusion The combined effect of hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia on the risk of hyperuricemia is much stronger than that by hypertension or hypertriglyceridemia separately. Hypertension combined with hypertriglyceridemia may be an independent and powerful predictor for hyperuricemia.
Intracholecystic papillary neoplasm arising in a patient with pancreaticobiliary maljunction: A case report
Authors: Iwasaki Toshimitsu , Otsuka Yasuhiro , Miyata Yoichi , Einama Takahiro , Tsujimoto Hironori , Ueno Hideki , Ogata Sho , Kishi Yoji
Published: October 2020

Background: Pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) is a congenital abnormality in which the pancreatic and biliary ducts join anatomically outside the duodenal wall resulting in the regurgitation of pancreatic juice into the biliary tract (pancreatobiliary reflux). Persistent pancreatobiliary reflux causes injury to the epithelium of the biliary tract and promotes the risk of biliary cancer. Intracholecyctic papillary neoplasm (ICPN) has been highlighted in the context of a cholecystic counterpart of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas and the bile duct, but the tumorigenesis of ICPNs remains unclear. Case presentation: A 52-year-old Japanese woman was referred for the assessment of dilation of the bile duct. Computed tomography revealed an enhanced mass in the gallbladder and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography confirmed that the confluence of main pancreatic duct and extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD) was located outside the duodenal wall. Under the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer with PBM, cholecystectomy with full thickness dissection, EHBD resection, lymph node dissection, and hepaticojejunostomy were performed. Macroscopic examination of the resected specimen showed that the cystic duct was dilated and joined into the EHBD just above its confluence with the pancreatic duct, and the inflamed change of noncancerous mucosa of gallbladder indicating that there was considerable mucosal injury due to pancreatobiliary reflux to the gallbladder. Histopathological examination revealed that the gallbladder tumor was a gastric-type ICPN with non-invasive component. Either KRAS gene mutation or p53 protein expression that were known to be associated with the carcinogenesis of biliary cancer under the condition of pancreatobiliary reflux was not detected in the tumor cells of ICPN. Conclusion: The present case might suggest that there was no association between PBM and ICPN. To reveal the tumorigenesis of ICPN and its attribution to pancreatobiliary reflux, however, further study is warranted.
Serial measurements of Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity in horses with experimentally induced endotoxemia
Authors: Scavone Donatella , SGORBINI MICAELA , Borges Alexandre Secorun , de Oliveira-Filho Josè Paes , Vitale Valentina , Paltrinieri Saverio
Published: October 2020

Background: Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is an antioxidant enzyme, whose activity decreases during the acute phase response in many species. Little is known about PON-1 and its role as a negative acute phase protein during septic inflammation in horses, but promising findings about its utility in diagnosing SIRS and predicting the outcome in diseased horses, were recently highlighted. The objective of the study was to investigate the behaviour of PON-1 in horses after experimentally induced endotoxemia. To this aim, PON-1 activity was measured on 66 plasma samples collected from six clinically healthy mares, previously included in another study, before and at multiple time points between 12 and 240 hours after intravenous infusion of Escherichia coli O55:B5 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results: compared with baseline values, a progressive transient decrease of PON-1 activity was observed starting from 24 hours post-infusion, with lowest values observed between 3 to 7 days post-infusion, followed by a normalisation to pre-infusion levels the tenth day. Conclusions: the results of this study suggest that measurement and monitoring of PON-1 activity might be useful to evaluate progression and recovery from endotoxemia in horses. Further studies in horses with naturally occurring sepsis are warranted.
Does substrate colour affect the visual appearance of gilded medieval sculptures? Part I: Colorimetry and interferometric microscopy of gilded models
Authors: Wu Qing , Hauldenschild Meret , Rösner Benedikt , Lombardo Tiziana , Schmidt-Ott Katharina , Watts Benjamin , Nolting Frithjof , Ganz David
Published: October 2020

In the history of medieval gilding, a common view has been circulated for centuries that the substrate colour can influence the visual appearance of a gilded surface. In order to fully understand the correlation between the gilding substrate and the colour appearance of the gold leaf laid above, in this paper (Part I) analytical techniques such as colorimetry and interferometric microscopy are implemented on models made from modern gold leaves. This study demonstrates that the substrate colour is not perceptible for gold leaf of at least 100 nm thickness, however the surface burnishing can greatly alter the visual appearance of a gold surface, and the quality of the burnishing is dependent on the substrate materials. Additionally, surface roughness and texture of the substrate can play supplementary roles, which can be visually observed through digital microscopy and quantified through interferometric microscopy. The findings in this paper will form the basis for the study of gold leaf samples taken from medieval European gilded sculptures in Part II.
Epidemiological and genomic characteristics of Acinetobacter baumannii from different infection sites using comparative genomics
Authors: Bian Xingchen , Liu Xiaofen , Zhang Xuefei , Li Xin , Zhang Jing , Zheng Huajun , Song Sichao , Li Xiang , Feng Meiqing
Published: October 2020

Background
Acinetobacter baumannii is a common nosocomial pathogen that poses a huge threat to global health. Owing to the severity of A. baumannii infections, it became necessary to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of A. baumannii in Chinese hospitals and ascertain the reasons for the high antibiotic resistance rate and severe infections. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiologic and genetic characteristics of A. baumannii isolated from patients with hospital acquired pneumonia (HAP), bloodstream infection (BSI) and urinary tract infection (UTI) in China and uncover potential mechanisms for multi-drug resistance using whole genome sequencing.
Results
All isolates were classified into one of two primary clades. Clonal complex 208 (CC208) mainly consisted of ST195 (32%) and ST208 (24.6%). CC208 and non-CC208 isolates had carbapenem resistance rates of 96.2% and 9.1%, respectively. UTI isolates possessed the greatest number of unique genes enriched in 'Replication, recombination, and repair' and ‘Amino acid transport and metabolism’ although the numbers of genes specific to HAP-isolates were fewer. No specific virulence gene was identified when comparing isolates from the three infection sites, but most isolates possessed virulence factors related to polysaccharide biosynthesis, capsular polysaccharide synthesis and motility. ABGRI1 antibiotic resistance islands were responsible for streptomycin, tetracycline and sulfonate resistance. The blaOXA−23 gene was the most probable cause for carbapenem resistance, although the blaOXA−66 gene with nonsynonymous SNPs (F82L, I129L) was not.
Conclusions
Our study illustrates epidemiological and genomic characteristics of A. baumannii from HAP, BSI and UTI in China and reveals possible molecular mechanisms of multi-drug resistance. The differential resistance, virulence and genetic features provide supportive evidence for the diverse sites of infection caused by A. baumannii.
Differential DNA Methylation is associated with Hippocampal Abnormalities in Pediatric Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Ensink Judith , Keding Taylor , Henneman Peter , Venema Andrea , Papale Ligia , Alisch Reid , Westerman Yousha , Wingen Guido van , Zantvoord Jasper , Middeldorp Christel , Mannens Marcel , Herringa Ryan , Lindauer Ramón
Published: October 2020

Recent findings in neuroimaging and epigenetics offer important insights into brain structures and biological pathways of altered gene expression associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, it is unknown to what extent epigenetic mechanisms are associated with PTSD and its neurobiology in youth. Therefore, we combine genome-wide epigenetic and structural neuroimaging measures in a Dutch cohort of youth with PTSD (ages 8-18 years). We aimed to replicate findings in a similar independent American cohort. We found significant methylome-wide associations for pediatric PTSD (FDR p<0.05) compared to non-PTSD control groups (traumatized and non-traumatized youth). Methylation differences on 9 genes were replicated, including genes related to glucocorticoid functioning. In both cohorts, methylation on OLFM3 gene was further associated with anterior hippocampal volume. These findings point to molecular pathways involved in inflammation, stress response, and neuroplasticity as potential contributors to neural abnormalities and provide potentially unique biomarkers and treatment targets for pediatric PTSD.
Maternal Adaptation of Working Mothers with Infants or Toddlers in South Korea: A Systematic Review
Authors: Ahn Jeong-Ah , Roh Eun Ha , Kim Tiffany , Lee Jin Hyang , Song Ju-Eun
Published: October 2020

Background: The fertility rate in South Korea has been decreasing dramatically, as working women postpone or avoid childbirth due to the challenges of maintaining a career while raising a family. Working mothers with infants or toddlers have unique maternal adaptation needs, which must be understood in order to support their needs during childbearing years. Supporting successful maternal adaptation of working mothers is not only essential for each individual new working mother, but also benefits her family, her workplace, and the country. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to describe the current state of the science on maternal adaptation of working mothers with infants or toddlers in South Korea. Eligible studies, published between 2009 and 2018, were identified by searching electronic databases. Quantitative studies related to the maternal adaptation of Korean working mothers who had a child younger than age 3 years were included. Thirty-eight articles met the inclusion criteria for narrative analysis and synthesis. Results: Studies were classified into four major groups by maternal adaptation categories as psychological, behavioral, relational, and cognitive adaptation. The majority of studies were focused on working mothers’ psychological adaptation (n=37, 97.4%), followed by behavioral (n=11, 28.9%), relational (n=9, 23.7%), and cognitive (n=3, 7.9%) adaptation. We found that the maternal adaptation of working mothers was intimately influenced by diverse variables of their community, spousal and familial support, personal attributes, and job-related characteristics. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the importance of understanding variable aspects of maternal adaptation of working mothers with infants or toddlers. The complexity of working mothers’ needs at the individual, family, and community levels must be considered in order to develop effective intervention programs and public policy for supporting maternal adaptation in Korea.
Investigation of in Vitro Culturing Method for Ascaris lumbricoides Eggs in Laboratory: From Soil to Bench
Authors: Nisha Mehru , Ghozi Athira Mohd , Davamani Fabian
Published: October 2020

Background: Ascaris lumbricoides is one of the four most common soil transmitted helminths (STHs), they are transmitted by direct contact with infective eggs present in the contaminated soil. Ascariasis infection causes bowel obstruction, nausea, and vomiting. Investigation of in vitro culturing of Ascaris eggs in laboratory in not routinely reported in the literature, if a simple method could be developed, it can help in testing novel drug discovery for STHs. Hence, this study was carried out to investigate on the in vitro culturing method for Ascaris lumbricoides eggs isolated from soil samples. The eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides were isolated from soil samples in Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Lalang Baru, an indigenous village in Malaysia. Methods:The eggs were primarily isolated from soil using floatation technique. Next, the Ascaris lumbricoides eggs were cultivated using 0.1% of sulphuric acid in a glass petri dish. Then, the petri dish was incubated at 37°C in the incubator. The embryonation of the parasite was observed daily by screening samples under a light microscope. Embryonation of Ascaris eggs was detected in loamy soil within 2-5 days and continued to observe up to 28 days. Results: The result showed four stages of Ascaris lumbricoides eggs from the first-cell stage until the embryonation stage over the time. At the embryonation stage, the larvae of Ascaris worm could be observed. This indicated that the eggs managed to survive and developed in the presence of an acidic environment. Conclusion: It was found that 0.1% sulphuric acid was ideal for the development of Ascaris lumbricoides eggs for cultivating in vitro condition. In future, this method could be used to propagate the eggs for testing anthelminthic drug inhibiting the developmental stages.
Performance of RIPASA and AIR Scores in a Middle-Eastern Subset of Patients with Suspected Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis
Authors: Faisal Mohammed , Bayoumi Ahmed , Bakr Ahmed Abo , Edlehamre Marcus , Khaled Islam
Published: October 2020

Background: Early and definitive acute appendicitis (AA) diagnosis remains a great challenge in clinical practice worldwide. Currently, several risk scores are available for the clinical assessment of AA, although there are differences in their accuracy rates. The aim of the study was to assess and analyze the accuracy of the acute inflammatory response (AIR) and Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Appendicitis (RIPASA) scores in an Egyptian population. Methods: A series of 310 patients, 61% male with a median age of 18 years, with Rt. Iliac fossa pain were clinically evaluated for suspicion of AA. All patients were assessed using both the AIR and RIPASA scores. Following evaluation, all patients underwent appendectomy. A final diagnosis of AA was based on histopathology. Two predetermined cutoff values for the AIR score and one cutoff value for the RIPASA score was evaluated for sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Cross tabulation was performed to assess sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values along with other tests for parametric and non-parametric variables.Results: The sensitivities of the RIPASA score cutoff value of ≥7.5 and AIR score cutoff values of >4 and >8 were 83.8%, 92.2%, and 33.1%, accordingly, while the specificities were 69.2%, 76.7%, and 84.6%, respectively. AIR score of >4 (91%) was more accurate compared to AIR score of >8 (37.4%) and RIPASA score of ≥7.5 (82.5%). Conclusion: An AIR score of >4 had better sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy compared to a RIPASA score of ≥7.5 for the Egyptian population. However, an AIR score of >8 was more specific. Therefore, an evaluation of patients in low-income countries using one of these scoring systems is highly recommended to avoids unnecessary hospitalization along in negative individuals, in addition to preventing complications in positive cases.
Time Series Analysis of Mean Monthly Temperature in the Far Western Ethiopia, Assosa District
Authors: Kassa Tigabu Hailu , Gebremichael Shewayiref Geremew
Published: October 2020

BackgroundThis study investigated the mean monthly temperature pattern of the Assosa district, Western Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to analyze the mean monthly temperature patterns in the Assosa district for the period from January 2012 to December 2016 based on data from meteorological stations in the Assosa district.MethodsDescriptive statistics and univariate Box-Jenkins methodology to build the seasonal ARIMA model were used.ResultsThe results showed that the mean annual temperature of Assosa was 28.025 degree Celsius. The original series was found to be seasonally non-stationary, as indicated by the ACF plot of the series. After using first-order seasonal differencing, the series was found to be stationary. A time-series model for the Assosa station was adjusted, processed, diagnostically checked, and finally, an ARIMA (3.0.1) model is established and this model is used to forecast one-year mean monthly temperature values. ConclusionThe forecasted mean temperature values showed a similar pattern to previous recordings.
Magnetic Resonance Image Denoising Using a Parallel Residual Network with Dilated and Depthwise Separable Convolutions
Authors: WU Liang , Hu Shunbo , Liu Changchun
Published: October 2020

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Clinicopathological Factors and Prognosis of Massive Hemorrhage After Radiotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Authors: Wang Maoxin , Chen Xianming , Gong Hongxun , Chen Shiyan , Yang Fan
Published: October 2020

Background: To investigate the clinicopathological factors and prognosis of nasopharyngeal hemorrhage after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: The clinicopathological data of 539 NPC patients who received radiotherapy were analyzed retrospectively, including gender; age; T-stage; N-stage; pathological type; type of radiotherapy; synchronous chemotherapy; secondary-course radiotherapy; radioactive skull base osteonecrosis; diabetes, hypertension, or other systemic diseases; results of nasopharyngeal bacterial culture. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using the c2 test and logistic regression. The Kaplan-Meier method was applied to analyze the survival of patients with nasopharyngeal hemorrhage. Results: Among all patients, 64 (11.9%) had nasopharyngeal hemorrhage after radiotherapy. Results from the univariate analysis showed that T-stage (p<0.01), secondary-course radiotherapy (p<0.01), radioactive skull base osteonecrosis (p<0.01), nasopharyngeal bacterial culture results (p<0.01), and nasopharyngeal tumor recurrence (p<0.01) were associated with nasopharyngeal hemorrhage. Multivariate analysis showed that only radioactive skull base osteonecrosis was significantly associated with nasopharyngeal hemorrhage after radiotherapy (OR=41.83, p=0.0001). In patients with internal carotid artery hemorrhage, the survival rate was 60.9% in one year, 15.1% in3 years, and 0% in 5 years. In patients with external carotid artery bleeding, the 5-year survival rate was 50%. The main cause of death during follow-up was rebleeding. Conclusion: The rate of mortality in patients with nasopharyngeal hemorrhage after radiotherapy is high. The presence of radioactive skull base osteonecrosis is the decisive factor in patients with nasopharyngeal hemorrhage after radiotherapy. Influencing and synergistic factors include T-stage, secondary-course radiotherapy, results of nasopharyngeal bacterial culture, and nasopharyngeal tumor recurrence. After successful rescue,arterial embolization or stent implantation may prolong survival.