bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathway of Suspected-COVID-19 Patients From French Emergency Departments During The First Outbreak: A Prospective Controlled Cohort Study
Authors: DOUPLAT marion , GAVOILLE Antoine , SUBTIL Fabien , HAESEBAERT Julie , JACQUIN Laurent , DURAND Guillaume , LEGA Jean- Christophe , PERPOINT Thomas , POTINET Véronique , SIGAL Alain , BERTHILLER Julien , PERRETON Nathalie , TAZAROURTE Karim
Published: March 2021

BackgroundTo describe the clinical characteristics, management, and outcome of patients admitted in French emergency departments (EDs) for COVID-19 suspicion.Methods A prospective, multicenter, observational study was conducted in 4 EDs. Adult patients (≥18 years) admitted in EDs between March 6, 2020 and May 10, 2020, hospitalized, and who were presenting symptoms evocative of COVID-19 were included. The clinical features, management, and prognosis of patients was compared according to their confirmed COVID-19 status.Results A total of 2,686 patients were included, among them 760 (28.3%) were COVID-19 positive. Among the latter, the mean ± SD age was 71.5 ± 16.5 years. A total of 364 (48.0%) positive patients had hypertension, 228 (30.0%) had chronic cardiac disease, 186 (24.5%) had diabetes, 126 (16.6%) were obese, and 114 (15.0%) had chronic respiratory disease. The proportion of patients admitted in intensive care units (ICU) was higher among COVID-19 positive patients (185, 24.3%) compared to COVID-19 negative patients (206, 10.7%; p<0.001) and they required mechanical ventilation more frequently (89, 11.9% vs 37, 1.9%; p<0.001). The median [IQR] length of hospital stay was longer among COVID-19-positive patients (10 [6-15] vs 6 [2-11] days; p<0.001). The in-hospital mortality was significantly higher among COVID-19 positive patients (139, 18.3% vs 149, 7.7%; p<0.001).Conclusions This study suggests that among the COVID-19 suspected patients admitted in EDs and requiring a hospitalization, the management was different according to the confirmed COVID-19 status and required different resources in terms of ICU beds and ventilator support.
Experiment Regarding Magnetic Fields with Gravity
Authors: LEE JONG-HOON
Published: March 2021

We observed the Earth's gravity to produce electricity in the magnetic sea. The gravity generator (GG) generated currents and voltages on the mesoscopic scale when we connected it in the vacuum. Gravity interacts to generate electricity in the Earth’s direction or the opposite direction by the repulsive magnetic force. The ground-based device simulates the potential energy (voltages) between gravity and magnetic seas. The GG increased simulations of gravity quantum effects using different physical set-ups. A trapped gravity was set to behave as free relativistic quantum particles or fluids, which made it possible to measure the particle position as a function of time and study the magnetic sea for different initial superpositions of positive- negative-gravity spinor state. It might explain the relativistic quantum equations, antigravity, and the heating mechanism of the Sun.
Evaluation of Operational Efficiency of Grassroots CDC Laboratories- A Case Study in China
Authors: Li Yuanlei , Tian Guomei , Zhang Bokai , Kang Zheng , Hao Xiaoning , Liu Zhi , Zheng Yanhui , Zhu Songmei , Zheng Yan , Wang Haixin , Zhang Ting , Zhang Hongyu
Published: March 2021

Background

Grassroots CDC laboratory efficiency can reflect and influence a country's capacity for disease control and prevention, improving the efficiency of the grassroots CDC laboratory is very important to national CDC system, this article is based on DEA method, on the basis of clearly defining the concept of efficiency, more methods to build grassroots CDC laboratory efficiency evaluation index, taking China as an example, the grassroots CDC laboratory efficiency study, discusses the current problems in the development of grassroots CDC laboratory operation efficiency.
Methods

Using data from China National Health Development Research Center, combined with some public data from National Bureau of Statistics and China Health Statistics Yearbook data, use data envelopment analysis (DEA) to analyze the operation of China's grassroots CDC disease control laboratories from 2017 to 2019 Efficiency, input-output improvement value and total factor productivity changes.
Results

From 2017 to 2019, the operational efficiency of grass-roots CDC laboratories in China showed a downward trend, and there was a serious problem of insufficient output, especially the grass-roots CDC laboratories in western China, which had the lowest operational efficiency. By analyzing the change of total factor productivity, it is found that the total factor productivity of grass-roots CDC laboratories in China generally shows a downward trend, and the technical level and management efficiency have declined to a certain extent, and the working ability of CDC laboratories has not been effectively improved.
Conclusions

The operational efficiency of grass-roots CDC laboratories is declining, and the technical level and management efficiency are declining. The unreasonable utilization of laboratory resources and unbalanced development are still outstanding, and the operational efficiency of laboratories needs to be further developed. Policymakers should pay attention to the imbalance of resource utilization and development of grass-roots CDC laboratories, give certain policy support to inferior CDC laboratories, and urge grass-roots CDC laboratories to strengthen management, improve technical level and management efficiency, increase the actual output of laboratories, and further enhance the working ability of grass-roots CDC laboratories.
Graphene Oxide and Fluorescent Aptamer Based Novel Biosensor for Detection of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3
Authors: Gupta Ritika , Kaul Sunaina , Singh Vishal , Kumar Sandeep , Singhal Nitin Kumar
Published: March 2021

For maintaining the healthy metabolic status, vitamin D is a beneficial metabolite stored majorly in its pre-activated form, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3). Due to its important role in bone strengthening, the study was planned to quantify 25(OH)D3 levels in our blood. Quantification techniques for 25(OH)D3 are costly thus requiring a need for a low cost, and sensitive detection methods. In this work, an economic, and sensitive sensor for the detection of 25(OH)D3 was developed using aptamer and graphene oxide (GO). Aptamer is an oligonucleotide, sensitive towards its target, whereas, GO with 2D nanosheets provides excellent quenching surface. Aptamer labeled with fluorescein (5’, 6-FAM) is adsorbed by π -π interaction on the GO sheets leading to quenching of the fluorescence due to Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). However, in the presence of 25(OH)D3, a major portion of aptamer fluorescence remains unaltered, due to its association with 25(OH)D3. However, in the absence, aptamer fluorescence gets fully quenched. Fluorescence intensity quenching was monitored using fluorescence spectrophotometer and agarose gel based system. The limit of detection of 25(OH)D3 by this method was found to be 0.15 µg/mL. Therefore, this method could come up as a new sensing method in the field of vitamin D detection.
Correlation between different anticoagulation schemes of pregnant women with mechanical prosthetic heart valves and adverse fetal/neonatal outcomes
Authors: Zhao Ziwen , Yang Xi , Su Ying , Zhang Jun , Li Yanna , Liu Giuying
Published: March 2021

Pregnant women with mechanical prosthetic heart valves (MPHV) have adverse effects on the growth and development of the fetus. This study investigated the outcomes and correlations of MPHV pregnant women under different anticoagulation methods. Data on MPHV pregnant women and their offspring from our hospital from 2014 to 2020 were retrospectively collected. Various indicators of the offspring were analyzed, using single factor logistic regression and multi-factor Tobit regression to identify the main influencing factors of spontaneous abortion/stillbirth and malformation. There were 137 pregnancies, 96 in the warfarin group, 28 in the low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) group, and 13 in the sequential treatment group. Among these, there are 27 cases of spontaneous abortion, 3 cases of stillbirth and 56 live births. The international normalized ratio (INR, P < 0.001), prothrombin time (PT, P = 0.014), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT, P = 0.035) of the neonates in the warfarin group were increased compared with the other two groups. Multivariate Tobit regression analysis showed that the probability of spontaneous abortion/stillbirth was positively correlated with INR before delivery (OR 1.13, P = 0.009) and valve usage time (OR 1.13, P = 0.009). The probability of malformation was positively correlated with heart function level (OR 1.20, P = 0.025) and INR (OR 1.18, P = 0.011) before delivery. Conclusion: The offspring of MPHV pregnant women who continuously take warfarin have poor outcomes and a significantly higher risk of early bleeding. Prenatal consultations for MPHV women should be strengthened to avoid unplanned pregnancy.
Joint Doppler Shift and Time Delay estimation by Decovonlution of Generalized Matched Filter
Authors: LI Xuan , Ma Xiaochuan
Published: March 2021

Resolution probability is the most important indicator for signal parameter estimator, including estimating time delay, and joint Doppler shift and time delay. In order to get high resolution probability, some procedures have been suggested such as compressed sensing. Based on the signal's sparsity, compressed sensing has been used to estimate signal parameter in recent research. After solving $\ell_0$ Norm Optimization problem, the methods would achieve high resolution. These methods all require high SNR. In order to improve the performance in low SNR, a novel implementation is proposed in this paper. We give a sparsity representation for the generalized matched filter output, or ambiguity function, while the former methods utilized the sparsity representation for channel response. By deconvolving the generalized matched filter output, 2D estimation for Doppler shift and time delay would be gotten by greedy method, optimization method based on relaxation, or Bayesian method.

Simulation demonstrates our method has better performance in low SNR than the method by the channel sparsity representation.
 Prevalence Of Vitamin B Complex Deficiencies In Women In Reproductive Age, Pregnant Or Lactating Woman In Brazil: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Protocol
Authors: Mocellin Michel Carlos , Curioni Cintia Chaves , Pereira Alessandra da Silva , Ribas Simone Augusta , Teixeira Michelle Teixeira , de Macedo Tatiane Salgado Galvão , Palermo Gabriel Mantolvão
Published: March 2021

Background: Complex B vitamin deficiency are involved with several outcomes in fertility and pregnancy. In Brazil, the national prevalence rates of these micronutrients deficiencies in women at reproductive age was not known. Therefore, this study aims to systematically identify, select, evaluate, analyze and report the prevalence rates of complex B vitamins deficiencies in women at reproductive age in Brazil, and identify variables that may modify the outcome rates.Methods: A systematic review will be conducted guided by the following question: “What is the prevalence of vitamin B complex deficiencies in women at reproductive age in Brazil?”. The studies will be identified and selected from a literature search using electronic databases, consultation to researchers/specialists, as well as reference lists of eligible studies and reviews on the topic. Major eligibility criteria include observational cross-sectional and cohort studies performed in women with 10-49 years old from Brazil; pregnant and lactating mothers; and which that investigated the deficiency of complex B vitamins by laboratorial test. Two reviewers independently will perform the screening and selection of studies, to subsequently perform data extraction and risk assessment of bias. For data report, a narrative approach will be used to summarize the characteristics of the included studies and the individual prevalence found for each micronutrient tested, and if the studies are sufficiently homogeneous, a quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis) will be performed.Discussion: Identify the national and regional prevalence rates of complex B vitamins deficiencies allow the policy makers discuss, plan and implement public policy to prevent and/or reduces the rates, if they are larger, or at least highlight discussions about a program of screening the vitamins deficiencies in this specific population for to know the epidemiologic scenario among the years, serving as an indirect indicator of the socioeconomic and dietary patterns of this population. Also, specifically for folates, this study allows to compare the prevalence rates of deficiency of this vitamin before and after the mandatory fortification of wheat and corn flours implemented since 2004. Nevertheless, the evidence gathered may highlight the need for population-based studies to investigate the deficiency of these vitamins.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020188474
Intelligent Radar Software Defect Classification Approach based on the Latent Dirichlet Allocation Topic Model
Authors: Liu Xi , Yin Yongfeng , Li Haifeng , Chen Jiabin , Liu Chang , Wang Shengli , Yin Rui
Published: March 2021

Existing software intelligent defect classification approaches don’t consider radar characters and prior statistics information. Thus when applying these appaoraches into radar software testing and validation, the precision rate and recall rate of defect classification are poor and have effect on the reuse effectiveness of software defects. To solve this problem, a new intelligent defect classification approach based on the latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic model is proposed for radar software in this paper. The proposed approach includes the defect text segmentation algorithm based on the dictionary of radar domain, the modified LDA model combining radar software requirement, the top acquisition and classification approach of radar software defect based on the modified LDA model. The proposed approach is applied on the typical radar software defects to validate the effectiveness and applicability. The application results illustrate that the prediction precison rate and recall rate of the poposed approach are improved up to 15%~20% compared with the other defect classification approaches. Thus, the proposed approach can be applied in the segmentation and classification of radar software defecs effectively to improve the identifying adequacy of the defects in radar software.
The Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Zeng Jing , Chen Min , Feng Qiu , Wan Haiyan , Wang Jianbo , Yang Fan , Cao Hongyi
Published: March 2021

Introduction:Diabetic retinopathy (DR), as a serious and specific neurovascular complication of DM, remains the leading cause of vision loss and preventable blindness in adults aged 20–74 years. Several studies have indicated that chronic inflammation plays an important role in DR. Emerging evidence suggests that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) are novel potential markers of inflammatory responses. However, only a few articles have evaluated the association between these factors and DR.Patients and Methods: The study included 133 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Retinopathy was graded using the International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scale.Results:The mean NLR, PLR and MLR were significantly higher in patients with DR than in patients without DR (p < 0.001, p = 0.002, and p = 0.003, respectively). In the post hoc analysis, the PDR group had the highest NLR and MLR values among the three groups. Multiple logistic regression showed that the PLR was an independent risk factor for DR (odds ratio [OR]: 1.022, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.005–1.040 p = 0.013). Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the cutoff value of PLR as an indicator for DR diagnosis was projected to be 78.70 and yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 80.7% and 48.9%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.669 (95% CI: 0.572–0.765, P = 0.002).Conclusions:Our results suggest that PLR may be an independent risk factor for evaluating DR in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Pelargonium Quercetorum Agnew and Their Therapeutic Properties
Authors: ALTINSOY BERRAK DUMLUPINAR , Karatoprak Gökçe Şeker
Published: March 2021

AimThe synthesis of nanosilver particles (AgNPs) from Pelargonium quercetorum Agnew. (Geraniaceae) and evaluation of the antimicrobial and the cytotoxic potential of AgNPs. Materials & MethodsThe synthesized AgNPs were evaluated for antimicrobial and anticancer efficacy using the minimum inhibition concentration method and MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. ResultsThe AgNPs inhibited approximately 90% the growth of gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Esherichia coli and yeast Candida albicans pathogens at a concentration of 500 µg/mL. The synthesized AgNPs showed excellent toxicity in MCF-7 cells, and specifically, pq70 AgNP inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells by 52% at a concentration of 3.125 µg/mL. ConclusionIt was determined that the AgNPs, which had been synthesized from extracts that contained a high phenolic composition, were smaller in size, and showed high anticancer and antimicrobial properties.
Self-perceived Risk of Breast Cancer and Screening Behaviors of First-degree Female Relatives of Breast Cancer Patients at the Uganda Cancer Institute, Uganda
Authors: Ainembabazi Provia , Abila Derrick Bary , Manyangwa Grace , Anguzu Godwin , Mutyaba Innocent , Osingada Charles Peter , Mwaka Amos Deogratius
Published: March 2021

Introduction In Uganda, Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females globally. The majority of the patients present with advanced-stage disease at diagnoses and experience high mortality. This underscores the importance of early detection approaches based on awareness of risk factors and self-perceived risks, and symptoms of the disease to promote adoption of risk reduction behaviors and prompt health-seeking respectively. This study assessed the self-perceived risk of breast cancer, and breast cancer screening behaviours among first-degree female relatives of breast cancer patients in Uganda.Methods This was a cross-sectional study employing quantitative approaches for data collection and analyses. First-degree female relatives of patients attending care at Uganda Cancer Institute were recruited consecutively in the study. A pre-tested coded questionnaire was used to collect data on self-perceived risks, breast cancer risks, and breast cancer screening behaviours. Data were collected between March to October 2019. A modified Poisson regression model was used to evaluate factors associated with self-perceived risk of breast cancer and breast cancer risk awareness.ResultsWe enrolled 296 first-degree female relatives from 197 female breast cancer patients. The median age (IQR) was 33 (26-43) years. A majority (60.1%, 178/296) of the participants had a low self-perceived risk of breast cancer. Breast self-examination (55.7%, 165/296) was the most practiced screening method followed by clinical breast examination (n= 64/296, 21.6%), ultrasound scan of the breast (7.8%, 23/296,), and mammogram (3.7%, 11/296). Women aged 35-44 years had a higher self-perceived risk of breast cancer (adjusted Incident Rate Ratio [aIRR]: 1.75, 95%CI: 1.10-2.80), compared to women aged 18-25 years. ConclusionFirst-degree relatives reported a low self-perceived risk of breast cancer. Breast cancer health education especially targeting younger women should emphasize the increased risk of breast cancer in first-degree relatives of patients with breast cancer. There is a need to increase awareness of breast cancer screening methods and their usefulness in the early detection of breast cancer among all women in Uganda.
The Nucleus Accumbens and Ventral Pallidum Exhibit Greater Dopaminergic Innervation in Humans Compared to Other Primates
Authors: Hirter Kristen , Miller Elaine N. , Stimpson Cheryl D. , Phillips Kimberley A. , Hopkins William D. , Hof Patrick R. , Sherwood Chet C. , Lovejoy C. Owen , Raghanti Mary Ann
Published: March 2021

Recent evidence suggests that increased dopaminergic signaling within the dorsal striatum played a central role in the evolution of the human brain. This increase has been linked to human pro-sociality and language in what has been described as a dopamine-dominated striatum personality style. Increased striatal dopamine is associated with an increase in ventral striatal activity and promotes externally-driven behaviors, including cooperation and social conformity. In contrast, decreased striatal dopamine is associated with increased dorsal striatal activity andfavors internally driven and goal-oriented behaviors. Previous comparative studies have focused on the dorsal striatum, measuring dopaminergic innervation in the dorsal and medial caudate nucleus and putamen. Here, we add to this knowledge by examining regions of the ventral striatum. We quantified the density of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive axons, as a measure of dopaminergic innervation, in the nucleus accumbens and ventral pallidum of humans, great apes, platyrrhine and cercopithecid monkeys. Our data show that humans have a significantly greater dopaminergic innervation in both structures, supporting the hypothesis that selection for a prosocial neurochemistry in the human basal ganglia may have contributed to the evolution of our uniquely social behavior profile.
Acid Hydrolysis of Lignocellulosic Materials for The Production of Second Generation Ethanol
Authors: Silva Mariane Daniella , Cano João Pedro , Ernandes Fernanda Maria Pagane Guereschi , Garcia-Cruz Crispin Humberto
Published: March 2021

Brazil is one of the countries with the largest agricultural production in the world. Therefore, it is capable of generating large amounts of agro-industrial waste that can be used as biomass for the production of biofuels. Second generation ethanol is a renewable energy alternative, capable of replacing fossil fuels. Within this context, the objective of the present work was to study the effect of diluted acid hydrolysis in different types of lignocellulosic residues and the consequent production of 2G ethanol from these hydrolysates using different fermenting microorganisms. The acid concentration that released the highest content of fermentable sugars from the acid hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials was 5.0% of sulfuric acid and the contact time with the biomass was 15 min. while heating in autoclave. The material that showed the highest sugar release after acid hydrolysis was cassava residues, with 131.09 g.L− 1 of reducing sugars. The fermentations were carried out with microorganisms alone and also in consortium. The largest production of 2G ethanol was from the hydrolyzate of soybean hulls, of 47.70 g.L− 1 of ethanol by the consortium of Zymomonasmobilis and Candida tropicalis, during 8 h of fermentation and showed productivity of 5.96 g.L− 1.h− 1.
A reliable murine model of disseminated infection induced by Talaromyces marneffei
Authors: He Juan , Li Jia-Sheng , Kuang Yi-Qun , Li Jun , Li Hong-Bin , Li Zhe , Zhou Hui-Ling , Wang Rui-Rui , Li Yu-Ye
Published: March 2021

Talaromycosis (penicilliosis) caused by Talaromyces marneffei is one of the most important opportunistic infection diseases in tropical countries of South and Southeast Asia. Most infections occurred in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the primarily reason for the increase in the number of the cases is HIV pandemic. The pathogenesis of T. marneffei infection is unclear. There is still no ideal animal model for studying Talaromycosis. In this study, we developed a stable, safe and maneuverable murine model that mimics human T. marneffei disseminated infection using T. marneffei yeast intraperitoneal injected to BALB/c nude mice. We successfully observed symptoms similar to those seen in clinical patients in this murine model, including skin lesions, hepatosplenomegaly, pulmonary infection and mesenteric lesions. We further studied the pathological changes of various tissues and organs in the infected animals to help better understand the severity of the infection. This model may provide a good tool for studying disseminated infection induced by T. marneffei.
Fragility Estimation for Global Building Classes Using Analysis of the Cambridge Earthquake Damage Database (CEQID)
Authors: Spence Robin , Martinez-Cuevas Sandra , Baker Hannah
Published: March 2021

This paper describes CEQID, a database of earthquake damage and casualty data assembled since the 1980s based on post-earthquake damage surveys conducted by a range of research groups. Following 2017–2019 updates, the database contains damage data for more than five million individual buildings in over 1000 survey locations following 79 severely damaging earthquakes worldwide. The building damage data for five broadly defined masonry and reinforced concrete building classes has been assembled and a uniform set of six damage levels assigned. Using estimated peak ground acceleration (PGA) for each survey location based on USGS Shakemap data, a set of lognormal fragility curves has been developed to estimate the probability of exceedance of each damage level for each class, and separate fragility curves for each of five geographical regions are presented. A revised set of fragility curves has also been prepared in which the bias in the curve resulting from the uncertainty in the ground motion parameter has been removed. The uncertainty in the fragility curves is evaluated and discussed and the curves are compared with those from other studies. A resistance index for each class of building is developed and cross-regional comparisons using this resistance index are presented.
Postoperative Coronary Artery Spasm after Mitral Valve Replacement and Cox-Maze IV Procedure: a case report
Authors: Lang Qianlei , Li Chunyan , Qin Chaoyi , Meng Wei
Published: March 2021

Background: Little case was reported about coronary artery spasm after a mitral valve replacement and concomitant Cox-Maze IV procedure. We reported a case of an adult male who develop right coronary artery (RCA) spasm after a mitral valve replacement with tricuspid valve repair and Cox-Maze IV procedure.Case presentation: A 66-year-old male, complaining progressive exertional shortness of breath, was diagnosed as severe mitral stenosis, moderate tricuspid regurgitation, complete right bundle branch block and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) in our clinic. The patient underwent elective mitral valve replacement, tricuspid valve repair and Cox-Maze IV procedure. 4 h after surgery, a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) showed progressive elevation of ST-segment in the avF and III leads and Troponin-T was over 7000 pg/mL. After 1 h, Troponin-T increased to over 10000 pg/mL and ECG still showed persisted ST-segment elevation in inferior leads. Emergent angiography was performed and intra-coronary administration of nitroglycerin completely relieved the spasm. Conclusions: Potential risks of coronary injury after valvular surgery and Cox-Maze IV procedure need further aggressive investigation and postoperative ischemia should prompt an emergent coronary angiography to identify the cause and apply immediate therapy.
OnTrack Chile for People With Early Psychosis: a Study Protocol for a Hybrid Type 1 Trial
Authors: Mascayano Franco , Bello Iruma , Andrews Howard , Arancibia Diego , Arratia Tamara , Burrone María Soledad , Conover Sarah , Fader Kim , Jorquera Maria Jose , Gomez Mauricio , Malverde Sergio , Martínez-Alés Gonzalo , Ramírez Jorge , Reginatto Gabriel , Restrepo-Henao Alexandra , Rosenheck Robert , Schilling Sara , Smith Thomas E. , Soto-Brandt Gonzalo , Tapia Eric , Tapia Tamara , Velasco Paola , Wall Melanie M. , Yang Lawrence , Cabassa Leopoldo , Susser Ezra , Dixon Lisa , Alvarado Rubén
Published: March 2021

Background: Substantial data from high-income countries support early interventions in the form of evidence-based Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for people experiencing First Episode Psychosis (FEP) to ameliorate symptoms and minimize disability. Chile is unique among Latin American countries in providing universal access to FEP services through a national FEP policy that mandates identification of FEP individuals in primary care and guarantees delivery of community-based FEP treatments within a public health care system. Nonetheless, previous research has documented that FEP services currently provided at mental health clinics do not provide evidence-based approaches. This proposal aims to address this shortfall by first adapting OnTrackNY (OTNY), a CSC program currently being implemented across the US, into OnTrackChile (OTCH), and then examine its effectiveness and implementation in Chile.Methods: The Dynamic Adaptation Process will be used first to inform the adaptation and implementation of OTCH to the Chilean context. Then, a Hybrid Type 1 Trial design will test its effectiveness and cost and evaluate its implementation using a cluster-randomized controlled trial (RCT) (N = 300 from 21 outpatient clinics). The OTCH program will be offered in half of these outpatient clinics to individuals ages 15-35. Usual care services will continue to be offered at the other clinics. Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, most research and intervention procedures will be conducted remotely. The study will engage participants over the course of two years, with assessments administered at enrollment, 12 months and 24 months. Primary outcomes include: implementation (fidelity, acceptability, and uptake) and service outcomes (person-centeredness, adherence, and retention). Secondary outcomes comprise participant-level outcomes such as symptoms, functioning, and recovery orientation. Over the course of the study, interviews and focus groups with stakeholders will be conducted to better understand the implementation of OTCH. Discussion: Findings from this study will help determine the feasibility, effectiveness, and cost for delivering CSC services in Chile. Lessons learned about facilitators and barriers related to the implementation of the model could help inform the approach needed for these services to be further expanded throughout Latin America.Trial registration number: www.clinicaltrials.gov: NCT04247711. Registered 30 January 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04247711.
RNA-Seq based transcriptome analysis in oral lichen planus
Authors: Wang Haoyu , Deng Yiwen , Peng Siqi , Yan Li , Xu Hui , Wang Qingzhong , Shen Zhengyu
Published: March 2021

Objectives: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease recognized as an oral potential malignant disorder (OPMD) with the precise mechanism unknown. This study focused on the transcriptional profiles of OLP to elucidate its potential pathogenesis. Methods: We conducted RNA sequencing on matched 6 OLP tissues (n = 6) and 6 normal oral mucosal tissues (n = 6). Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were performed on differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We utilized qRT-PCR to validated the top dysregulated genes and hub genes in another 10 pairs of specimens.Results: A total of 153 DEGs (p-values< 0.05) were detected from RNA-Seq. According to GO and KEGG analysis, the dysregulated genes were mainly related to T cell related pathway and Wnt signaling. Based on the WGCNA analysis, 5 modules with high intramodular connectivity and hub genes in each module were gained.Conclusions: RNA-Seq and bioinformatic methods offered a valuable understanding of the biological pathways and key genes in the regulation of OLP. The identified DEGs and hub genes categorized into 2 groups including T cell regulation and inflammation and Wnt signaling pathway may serve as potential novel molecular targets for therapy.
Improving Reliability of the Virtual Screening Process for Human Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase Enzyme by Combination of the Ensemble and Consensus Docking Approaches
Authors: Chilingaryan Garri , Abelyan Narek , Sargsyan Arsen , Nazaryan Karen , Serobian Andre , Zakaryan Hovakim
Published: March 2021

The inconsistencies in the performance of the virtual screening (VS) process, depending on the used software and structural conformation of the protein, is a challenging issue in the drug design and discovery field. Varying performance, especially in terms of early recognition of the potential hit compounds, negatively affects the whole process and leads to unnecessary waste of the time and resources. Appropriate application of the ensemble docking and consensus-scoring approaches can significantly increase reliability of the VS results. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is a key enzyme in the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway. It is considered as a valuable therapeutic target in cancer, autoimmune and viral diseases. Based on the conducted benchmark study and analysis of the effect of different combinations of the applied methods and approaches, here we suggested a structure-based virtual screening (SBVS) workflow that can be used to increase the reliability of VS.
In vivo Toxicity and Antitumor Activity of Newly Green Synthesized Reduced Graphene Oxide / Silver Nanocomposites
Authors: El-Zahed Mohamed M. , Baka Zakaria Awad , Abou-Dobara Mohamed Ismail , El-Sayed Ahmed Kassem , Aboser Magy Mohamed , Hyder Ayman
Published: March 2021

A novel biosynthesis of dual reduced graphene oxide/silver nanocomposites (rGO/AgNC) using the crude metabolite of Escherichia coli D8 (MF06257) strain and sunlight is introduced in this work. Physicochemical analysis of these rGO/AgNC revealed that they are sheet-like structures having spherically shaped AgNPs with an average particle size of 8 to 17 nm, and their absorption peak ranged from 350 to 450 nm. The biosynthesized rGO/AgNC were characterized by UV-Vis and FT-IR spectra, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. After the injection of these nanocomposites to mice, their uptake by the kidney and liver has been proven by the ultrastructural observation and estimation of the hepatic and renal silver content. These nanocomposites caused a moderate toxicity for both organs. Changes in the liver and kidney functions and histopathological effects had been observed. The rGO/AgNC revealed a remarkable antitumor effect. They showed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells in vitro. Treatment of mice bearing EAC tumors intraperitoneally with 10 mg/kg rGO/AgNC showed an antiproliferative effect on EAC cells, reduced ascites volume, and maintained mice survival. The results indicate that this green synergy of silver nanoparticles with reduced-graphene oxide may have a promising potential in cancer therapy.
Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell-derived Exosomes Promote Tendon Healing by Activating Both SMAD1/5/9 and SMAD2/3
Authors: Liu Hengchen , Zhang Mingzhao , Shi Manyu , Zhang Tingting , Lu Wenjun , Yang Shulong , Cui Qingbo , Li Zhaozhu
Published: March 2021

Background: The use of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (ADSC-Exos) may become a new therapeutic method in biomedicine owing to their important role in regenerative medicine. However, the role of ADSC-Exos in tendon repair has not yet been evaluated. Therefore, we aimed to clarify the healing effects of ADSC-Exos on tendon injury.Methods: The adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) and tendon stem cells (TSCs) were isolated from subcutaneous fat and tendon tissues of Sprague Dawley rats, respectively, and exosomes were isolated from ADSCs. The proliferation and migration of TSCs induced by ADSC-Exos were analyzed by EdU, cell scratch and transwell assays. We used western blot to analyze tenogenic differentiation of TSCs and the role of the SMAD signaling pathways. Then we explored a new treatment method for tendon injury, combining exosome therapy with local targeting using a biohydrogel. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of inflammatory and tenogenic differentiation after tendon injury, respectively. The quality of tendon healing was evaluated by Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and biomechanical testing.Results: ADSC-Exos could be absorbed by TSCs, and promoted the proliferation, migration, and tenogenic differentiation of these cells. This effect may have depended on activation of the SMAD2/3 and SMAD1/5/9 pathways. Furthermore, ADSC-Exos inhibited the early inflammatory reaction and promoted tendon healing in vivo.Conclusions: Overall, we demonstrated that ADSC-Exos contributed to tendon regeneration and provided proof of concept of a new approach for treating tendon injuries.
Histopathological, Immunohistochemical and Molecular Biologic Study of an Enucleated Specimen of a Case of Eales’ Disease.
Authors: Shah Amravi , Giridhar Sneha , Patnaik Gazal , Mhatre Radhika , Das Dipankar , Janani MK , Mahadevan Anita , Biswas Jyotirmay
Published: March 2021

Eales' disease is a retinal vasculitis characterized by retinal inflammation, ischemia, and neovascularization. Exact pathogenesis of this disease is yet to be found out. We present a 29-year-old male, diagnosed as Eales’ disease in both eyes with persistent intraocular inflammation. Enucleation of the pthisical right eye was subjected for histopathological examination immunohistochemistry and molecular biologic study for mycobacterial tuberculosis DNA. Our study showed that Eales disease is a T cell mediated disease which is triggered by mycobacterial TB DNA
Off-label prescription of fixed-dose combination of tramadol and dexketoprofen in primary health care. Evidence-based or cause for concern?
Authors: Viñas-Bastart Montserrat , Oms-Arias Míriam , Pedraza-Gutiérrez Àfrica , Lizano-Díez Irene , Mariño Eduardo L. , Modamio Pilar
Published: March 2021

Background: The increase of consumption of the fixed-dose combination of tramadol/dexketoprofen in Spain and other countries is noteworthy. The authorised therapeutic indication is symptomatic short-term treatment of moderate to severe acute pain in adult patients.Objective: Describe the pattern of use of tramadol/dexketoprofen in the field of primary health care to examine potential off-label prescribing and warn about possible risks.Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional and multicenter study carried out between March 2017 and March 2018. Total population were patients covered by the public health service in Catalonia, Spain, with an active prescription of tramadol/dexketoprofen on March 28, 2018. Target population were those patients who were prescribed tramadol/dexketoprofen over 20 day’s treatment.Results: There were 176 patients with active prescription of tramadol/dexketoprofen. All patients (100%) had a treatment duration exceeding 5 days and 72.7% (N=128) exceeding 20 days. The average length of treatment was 224±160.8 days. 35.1% of patients were treated with >2 medicines for pain concomitantly with tramadol/dexketoprofen.Conclusion: Tramadol/dexketoprofen fixed-dose combination in practice was used frequently off labelled according to the product characteristics and the literature reviewed. This study highlights potential harmful or ineffective effects of this combination since no adequate evidence exists about its off-label use.
Insulin-degrading Enzyme Regulates the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Porcine Skeletal Muscle Stem Cells via Myostatin/MYOD Pathway
Authors: Wang Bingyuan , Guo Jiankang , Zhang Mingrui , Liu Zhiguo , Zhou Rong , Guo Fei , Li Kui , Mu Yulian
Published: March 2021

Background: Identifying the genes relevant for muscle development is pivotal to improve meat production and quality in pigs. Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), a thiol zinc-metalloendopeptidase, has been known to regulate the myogenic process of mouse and rat myoblast cell lines, while its myogenic role in pigs remained elusive. Therefore, the current study aimed to identify the effects of IDE on the proliferation and apoptosis of porcine skeletal muscle stem cells and underlying molecular mechanism.Results: We found in the present study that IDE was widely expressed in porcine tissues, including kidney, lung, spleen, liver, heart, and skeletal muscle. Then, to explore the effects of IDE on the proliferation and apoptosis of porcine skeletal muscle stem cells, we subjected the cells to siRNA-mediated knockdown of IDE expression, which resulted in promoted cell proliferation and reduced apoptosis. As one of key transcription factors in myogenesis, MYOD, its expression was also decreased with IDE knockdown. To further elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism, RNA sequencing was performed. Among transcripts perturbed by the IDE knockdown after, a down-regulated gene myostatin (MSTN) which is known as a negative regulator for muscle growth attracted our interest. Indeed, MSTN knockdown led to similar results as those of the IDE knockdown, with upregulation of cell cycle-related genes, downregulation of MYOD as well as apoptosis-related genes, and enhanced cell proliferation.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that IDE regulates the proliferation and apoptosis of porcine skeletal muscle stem cells through MSTN/MYOD pathway. Thus, we recruit IDE to the gene family of regulators for porcine skeletal muscle development, and propose IDE as an example of gene to prioritize in order to improve pork production.
Circular RNA hsa_circ_0081343 promotes trophoblast cell migration and invasion and inhibits trophoblast apoptosis by regulating miR-210-5p/DLX3 axis
Authors: Xie Jiansheng , Wang Hui , Luo Caiqun , Wu Xiaoxia , Zhang Jianming , Xu Zhiyong , Liu Yang , Li Bohong , Li Jing
Published: March 2021

Background: Various circular RNAs (circRNAs) are dysregulated in the placenta of fetal growth restriction fetuses, but their role and regulatory mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Herein, we aimed to elucidate the role of hsa_circ_0081343 in regulating the migration, invasion, and apoptosis in the human extravillous trophoblast HTR-8 cells.Methods: circRNA and miRNA levels were examined using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Overexpression plasmid constructs and siRNA were used to overexpress and knockdown hsa_circ_0081343, respectively. Transwell assay and flow cytometry analysis were performed to evaluate the effect of hsa_circ_0081343 or miR-210-5p on migration, invasion, and apoptosis. Protein levels were analyzed using western blot. Dual luciferase activity assay and anti-AGO2 RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were performed to identify the relationship between miR-210-5p and hsa_circ_0081343.Results: Hsa_circ_0081343 expression was significantly downregulated in 37 FGR placental tissues as compared to healthy placental control tissues. Hsa_circ_0081343 overexpression possibly inhibits apoptosis by downregulating the expression of cleaved caspase 3 and caspase 9 and alleviates the migration and invasion of HTR-8 cells by inducing the expression of MMP2 and MMP9. The dual luciferase activity and anti-AGO2 RIP assay results showed that hsa_circ_0081343 binds to miR-210-5p. miR-210-5p overexpression eliminated the effect of hsa_circ_0081343 overexpression in HTR-8 cells. Finally, DLX3 was identified as a direct target of miR-210-5p. Conclusions: Hsa_circ_0081343 regulates the migration, invasion, and apoptosis of HTR-8 cells via the hsa-miR-210-5p/DLX3 axis. Thus, hsa_circ_0081343 plays a key role in the etiology and pathogenesis of FGR implicating its importance as a novel candidate for targeted FGR therapy.
First report of Bitylenchus ventrosignatus (Tobar Jiménez, 1969) Siddiqi, 1986 associated with wild grass in Botswana
Authors: Shokoohi Ebrahim
Published: March 2021

During a survey on the biodiversity of plant-parasitic nematodes of natural areas in Botswana, Bitylenchus ventrosignatus was discovered around the rhizosphere of wild grass. The nematodes were extracted using the tray method and then fixed according to the available protocols. The morphological characters fit well with the description of B. ventrosignatus. In addition, molecular analysis using 18 S and 28 S rDNA indicated 98% (KJ461617) and 95% (KJ461567) similarity with the Spanish population of B. ventrosignatus. The phylogenetic analysis of 18 S and 28 S rDNA placed the examined population with other populations of B. ventrosignatus in a group with a posterior probability support value of 100. According to published literature, this is the first report of B. ventrosignatus from Botswana.
The electrical conductivity of albite feldspar: Implications for oceanic lower crustal sequences and subduction zones
Authors: Amulele George M. , Lanati Anthony W. , Clark Simon M.
Published: March 2021

Volatile-sensitive electrical soundings are becoming more widely adopted, with large nationwide arrays currently being acquired globally. This boom in new data is despite several key uncertainties relating to the electrical responses of a wide range of minerals that make up crustal regions. Complications include the influence of mineral chemistry, hydrous or nominally hydrous phases, and oxygen fugacity on charge-carrying ion activity within a mineral substrate. Feldspars are the most abundant mineral group in the Earth’s crust, comprising about 60% of its mineral assemblages and are particularly prevalent within subduction zones and lower crustal sequences. These areas are known locations where ore systems are commonly rooted, making them among the most widely studied regions in the Earth. To date, few studies exist that cover the electrical behavior of the feldspar mineral albite. To help address some of these issues and complications, we have undertaken electrical conductivity investigations on a single crystal of gem-quality albite (Ab49An48Or3) from Nuevo Casas Grande, Chihuahua, Mexico. Electrical conductivity measurements using impedance spectroscopy were performed at a pressure of 1 GPa over a temperature range of 373–1273 K in a multi-anvil high-pressure apparatus. Experiments were carried out using different metal electrodes: molybdenum, nickel, and rhenium to vary the oxygen fugacity during the experiments. FTIR measurements of the starting and final materials confirm that the initial samples are completely dry but absorb an average of 67 ppm H2O by mass during the experiments from the surrounding pressure medium materials. We observe no correlation in the amount of water absorbed in the feldspar to the oxygen fugacity under water-undersaturated conditions. Our investigations show that the activation enthalpy increases from ~0.77 to ~1.0 eV from the nominally hydrous to the completely dry feldspar. The activation enthalpy decreases with increasing oxygen fugacity for comparable water contents. An oxygen fugacity exponent of –0.069 is calculated at the nominal water content measured in the experiments, indicating an electrical conductivity mechanism that also involves the mobility of hydrogen.