bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and Psychometric Assessment of Triage Nurses' Professional Capability Questionnaire in Emergency Department
Authors: Torabizadeh Camellia , Bijani Mostafa , Rakhshan Mahnaz , Fararouei Mohammad
Published: May 2020

Background: Evaluation of triage nurses' professional capability is integral to identifying areas of professional development and nurses' educational needs, thus the need for valid instruments for assessment of professional capability. The present study aims to develop and measure the reliability and validity of a triage nurses' professional capability questionnaire. Methods: The present study is an exploratory work of research conducted in two stages: in the first stage (the qualitative phase), through conventional content analysis, the concept of professional capability in triage nurses was defined and the items of the questionnaire were developed. In the second stage (the quantitative phase), the psychometric properties of the questionnaire were assessed through analyses of its face validity, content validity, construct validity, internal homogeneity, and consistency. Results: The primary item pool contained 90 items while the final scale consisted of 35 items. The S-CVI/Ave of the questionnaire was found to be 0.96. An exploratory factor analysis showed the factor loading of the items to be between 0.478 and 0.897, all of which values were significant, and the three dimensions introduced in the main instrument were verified with acceptable values. The overall interclass correlation of the instrument was found to be 0.90. The reliability of the instrument was assessed in terms of its internal homogeneity where the Cronbach's alpha of the entire instrument was found to be 0.89. Conclusions: The results show that the questionnaire developed for assessment of triage nurses' professional capability is sufficiently reliable and valid and can be employed by nurse administrators toward evaluation of triage nurses' professional capability.
Bridging the gap between evidence and practice in asthma management by developing a mobile-based clinical decision support system for GINA asthma guideline
Authors: Gholamzadeh Marsa , Abtahi Hamidreza , Amini Shahideh , Gharabaghi Mehrnaz Asadi
Published: May 2020

Background Physicians’ compliance with clinical practice guidelines (CPG) remains insufficient. Guideline-based clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) can be beneficial to address this challenge. The principal objective of this research is to translate the Global Initiative for Asthma guideline (GINA) into a mobile-based CDSS to improve its utilization as a clinical decision-making tool.Methods Designing and development of our expert system were conducted in an iterative and stepwise approach by the multidisciplinary expert team. Translating and extracting the embedded knowledge in GINA was done according to the Knowledge to Action framework. Next, extracted knowledge was converted to decision tree models to design the knowledge-base of the desired system. The accuracy and proficiency of the expert system were calculated based on the predefined scenarios. The expert system usability was evaluated by the think-aloud protocol and the GUIDES questionnaire.Results Based on the analysis of the GINA guideline, more than 220 rules and 336 knowledge statements were extracted. Our knowledge-based expert system was devised based on production rules. After modification with feedback from six experts, the system was developed in the Android platform. The overall accuracy and efficiency of our CDSS were 100% and 100%, respectively.Conclusion The ginasthma mobile-based CDSS was developed for android smartphones to improve the adherence of health care providers to GINA guideline with high accuracy and efficiency. Further investigation is needed to evaluate the efficacy of this app in real practice.
Prevalence and determinants of dental caries experience among adolescents in Kazakhstan: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhumadilova Anara , Supiyev Turgan , Abralina Sholpan , Yeslyamgaliyeva Ardak , Kulmirzayeva Aizhan , Supiyev Adil
Published: May 2020

Background The information on dental caries experience and its determinants in Central Asia is limited. The aim of the present study was to provide estimates of the mean levels, prevalence and severity of dental caries, and to identify the factors associated with these characteristics in the population of school-aged children from four regions in Kazakhstan.Methods We examined 2149 schoolchildren aged 11–15 years from 4 regions of Kazakhstan. The overall response rate was 68%. Dental caries experience was assessed clinically, and standardized questionnaire was used to gather sociodemographic and oral health behavior information. Caries experience was measured by using DMFT (decayed, missing, and filled teeth) index. Negative binomial hurdle regression model was used to assess the relationship between the caries experience and covariates.Results The overall prevalence of dental caries was 74%, obvious decayed teeth was found in 44% of subjects, while only 6% had missing teeth and 24% had their teeth treated. The mean DMFT index was 2.48 among 12-year-olds and 3.9 among 15-year-olds. There were large differences of dental caries experience between the regions, with all indicators (decayed, missed and filled teeth) being less favourable in Semey region. The caries prevalence experience in the studied population was associated with higher age, geographic region, ethnicity, mother’s education, material deprivation, frequent consumption of sugar-added drinks, age of start brushing the teeth and dental attendance pattern. Age, region, ethnicity, dietary habits and dental attendance pattern were found to be significantly associated with the predicted degree of caries experience among those with caries experience.Conclusions The high prevalence of dental caries and large differences in caries indices between the regions in Kazakhstan might be related to rapid westernization in the Central Asian region and associated nutrition transition. Also, the increasing burden of untreated caries in less advantaged populations was observed. Parent education and material deprivation may be a very important determinants of the oral health among adolescents in Kazakhstan.
Detection of a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, China, 2020
Authors: Feng Huahua , Wu Honglong , Wang Huagui , Yuan Jianying , Chen Lu , Jin Hui , Yang Lingling , Zhao Jinyin , Liu Licheng , Chen Weijun
Published: May 2020

Background: During the outbreak of unexplained pneumonia in the city of Wuhan in the late December, 2019, a novel coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2 was identified as the cause of this outbreak.Methods: A real-time polymerase chain reaction, which targets the orf1ab gene of viral genome, was established to detect and identify the SARS-CoV-2. We used this assay to screen 309 samples from persons with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection in Wuhan. Then 6 close-phylogenic coronaviruses and 7 viruses which could cause pneumonia were detected. Moreover, 57 clinical samples infected with other viruses and 77 healthy samples were also tested.Results: The limit of detection of the assay was 6.25 copies per reaction in the detection of cRNA transcribed in vitro. The results of detection of throat and fecal swabs from persons with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection showed throat swabs were more sensitive than fecal swabs during the first 15 days after onset of symptoms (throat: 56.80%, fecal: 30.43%), while the situation was reversed after 15 days (throat: 20.83%, fecal: 27.58%). And matched pair tests suggested the sputum samples had higher virus loads than throat swabs in the patients (P < 0.05). There was no cross-reaction when we detected the inactive culture of six other coronaviruses (human coronavirus 229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV) and seven other viruses (influenza virus A H1N1, influenza virus A H3N2, influenza virus B, parainfluenza viruses 1, 2, and 3; and respiratory syncytial virus). Besides, 27 BALF samples from pneumonia patients infected with human coronavirus 229E, OC43, HKU1 or human adenovirus 7, 30 throat swabs from patients infected with H1N1 and 77 throat swabs from healthy people tested negative by this assay.Conclusions: The results indicated that the assay specifically and sensitively detected the SARS-CoV-2.
Dynamic Changes of Chest CT Follow-up In Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) Pneumonia: Relationship To Clinical Typing
Authors: Liu Nian , He Guanghong , Yang Xiongxiong , Chen Jianxin , Wu Jie , Ma Min , Lu Wenying , Li Qiang , Cheng Tao , Huang Xiaohua
Published: May 2020

Background
To investigate the CT changes of different clinical types of COVID-19 pneumonia.
Methods
This retrospective study included 50 patients with COVID-19 from 16 January 2020 to 25 February 2020. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, CT characteristics and the pneumonia involvement of the patients between the moderate group and the severe and critical group, and the dynamic changes of severity with the CT follow-up time.
Results
There were differences in the CT severity score of the right lung in the initial CT, and total CT severity score in the initial and follow-up CT between the moderate group and the severe and critical group (all p < 0.05). There was a quadratic relationship between total CT severity score and CT follow-up time in the severe and critical group (r2 = 0.137, p = 0.008), the total CT severity score peaked at the second follow-up CT. There was no correlation between total CT severity score and CT follow-up time in the moderate group (p > 0.05). There were no differences in the occurrence rate of CT characteristics in the initial CT between the two groups (all p > 0.05). There were differences in the occurrence rate of ground-glass opacity and crazy-paving pattern in the second follow-up CT, and pleural thickening or adhesion in the third follow-up CT between the two groups (all p < 0.05).
Conclusions
The CT changes of COVID-19 pneumonia with different severity were different, and the extent of pneumonia involvement by CT can help to assess the severity of COVID-19 pneumonia rather than the initial CT characteristics.
WITHDRAWN: Environmental Temperature Influence on Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: B Banuselvasaraswathy , Rathinasabapathy Vimalathithan
Published: May 2020

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is one of the emerging key technologies in 21st Century. WSN are deployed in large environment, hence the sensor node performance are prone to the effect of internal energy and external temperature. If the environmental temperature increases, it automatically influences the node's temperature, worsens lifetime of the network and Quality of Service (QoS) parameters. To eliminate this issue, Environmental Aware Thermal (EAT) routing protocol was proposed. It consists of three potential fields such as environment, QoS and energy and two threshold levels. The routing path decisions are made based on surrounding environmental temperature. A routing path where the nodes with high energy are selected. The incoming data packets are assigned with three priority levels (critical, abnormal and normal). An optimum path is selected in which the node satisfies the criteria for threshold levels and environmental temperature. The selected path ensures that the critical data packets reaches destination on time with minimum delay. The simulation was carried out for three different cases (1, 2 & 3) and from the experimental results it is inferred that proposed protocol shows improvement in delay and network lifetime of WSN.
Pain, balance and mobility in people one year after total knee arthroplasty: A pilot cross-sectional study contrasting posterior-stabilized and medial-pivot designs
Authors: Lo Cathy , Brodie Matthew , Tsang William , Lord Stephen , Yan Chun-hoi , Wong Arnold
Published: May 2020

Background Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common treatment for severe knee osteoarthritis. TKA designs have evolved from posterior-stabilized systems (PS-TKA) developed in the late 70 s that replicate posterior-cruciate ligament function to medial-pivot systems (MP-TKA) developed in the early 90 s that more closely mimic natural knee kinematics. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that people with MP-TKA have better postoperative outcomes than PS-TKA, and their balance control is more akin to age-matched asymptomatic controls.Methods Fifty-seven participants (20 PS-TKA, 18 MP-TKA and 19 asymptomatic controls) were recruited. At 1-year post-TKA, pain, knee stiffness and physical function were assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Static balance, mobility and gait stability were assessed using wearable devices during the near tandem stance, timed-up-and-go (TUG) and six-minute walk (6MWT) tests.Results Compared to asymptomatic controls, both TKA groups reported significantly more pain and stiffness, and demonstrated reduced functional mobility, increased stride-time-variability and impaired balance; indicating increased fall risk. After Bonferroni adjustment, no significant differences were observed between PS-TKA and MP-TKA participants. However, there was a trend for increased anteroposterior sway of the lumbar and head regions in the MP-TKA participants when undertaking the near tandem stance test.Conclusions Contrary to the hypothesis, the MP-TKA patients did not have less pain or better balance and mobility performance than the PS-TKA patients 1 year after surgery. Future longitudinal research should determine whether the two types of patients display different pain, balance controls and mobility over the first year postoperative period.
Genomic profile of MYCN non-amplified neuroblastoma and potential for immunotherapeutic strategies in neuroblastoma
Authors: Lee Eunjin , Lee Ji Won , Lee Boram , Park Kyunghee , Shim Joonho , Yoo Keon Hee , Koo Hong Hoe , Sung Ki Woong , Park Woong-Yang
Published: May 2020

Background MYCN amplification is the most important genomic feature in neuroblastoma (NB). However, limited studies have been conducted on the MYCN non-amplified NB including low- and intermediate-risk NB. Here, the genomic characteristics of MYCN non-amplified NB were studied to allow for the identification of biomarkers for molecular stratification.Results Fifty-eight whole exome sequencing (WES) and 48 whole transcriptome sequencing (WTS) samples of MYCN non-amplified NB were analysed. Forty-one patients harboured WES and WTS pairs. In the MYCN non-amplified NB WES data, maximum recurrent mutations were found in MUC4 (26%), followed by RBMXL3 (19%), ALB (17%), and MUC16 and SEPD8 (14% each). Two gene fusions, CCDC32-CBX3 (10%) and SAMD5-SASH1 (6%), were recurrent in WTS analysis, and these fusions were detected mostly in non-high-risk patients with ganglioneuroblastoma histology. Analysis of risk-group-specific biomarkers showed that several genes and gene sets were differentially expressed between the risk groups, and some immune-related pathways tended to be activated in the high-risk group. Mutational signatures 6 and 18, which represent DNA mismatch repair (MMR) associated mutations, were commonly detected in 60% of the patients. In the tumour mutation burden (TMB) analysis, four patients showed high TMB (> 3 mutations/Mb), and had mutations in genes related to either MMR or homologous recombination. Excluding four outlier samples with TMB > 3 Mb, high-risk patients had significantly higher levels of TMB compared with the non-high-risk patients.Conclusions This study provides novel insights into the genomic background of MYCN non-amplified NB. Activation of immune-related pathways in the high-risk group and the results of TMB and mutational signature analyses collectively suggest the need for further investigation to discover potential immunotherapeutic strategies for NB.
Comparison of the Small Intestine of 0-day-old Neonatal Piglets vs. 21-day-old Weaned Piglets
Authors: Yuan Chen , Jin Yuxin , Shah Abid Ullah , Zhang En , Zhang penghao , Yang Qian
Published: May 2020

Background: Neonatal piglets are susceptible to intestinal infections . Gut is the body’s major immune structure and the intestinal mucosa, which is composed of intestinal epithelial cells (IELs) and subepithelial natural immune cells, is considered as the primary site for eliciting local immune responses to foreign antigens. This study compared the intestinal immune cells of neonatal and weaned piglets to provide a theoretical and mechanistic basis for preventing intestinal infectious diseases. Results: Histological analyses of weaned piglet intestines showed increased crypt depth, high IEL count, and increased areas of ileal Peyer’s patches. Additionally, the duodenal and ileal villi of weaned piglets were longer than those of neonatal piglets. Expression of claudin-3 protein in weaned piglets was remarkably high as compared with neonatal piglets. The number of CD3 + T cells, goblet cells, and secretory cells was high in the small intestines of weaned piglets in vivo. Contrarily, secretory IgA-positive cell numbers in the jejunum remained unchanged between neonatal and weaned piglets. Gene expression of 12 pattern recognition receptor (PRR) (TLR1–10, MDA5, and RIG-I) was examined in neonatal and weaned piglet small intestine (duodenum, jejunum , and ileum). The pattern of mRNA expression level of most PRR genes in the duodenum and jejunum was inverse of that in the ileum. Compared with weaned piglets, there were significantly fewer intestinal lymphocytes at birth in neonatal pigs. Conclusions: The physical, biochemical, and immune-related components of neonatal and weaned piglet small intestines were investigated to provide preliminary data on the pathogenetic mechanism for future studies.
Global epidemiology, pathogenesis, immune response, diagnosis, treatment, economic and psychological impact, challenges, and future prevention of COVID-19: A Scoping review
Authors: Berhe Brhane , Legese Haftom , Degefa Hagos , Adhanom Gebre , Gebrewahd Aderajew , Mardu Fitsum , Tesfay Kebede , Kahsu Getachew , Welay Miglas , Negash Hadush
Published: May 2020

Background Globally, the novel coronavirus is a public health problem causing respiratory infections. Since the outbreak of severe acute and Middle East respiratory syndromes coronavirus was not reported to cause human infections. Now, it becomes an epidemic proportion with growing number of cases and deaths.Methods A scoping review was conducted following the methodological framework. In this scoping review, 50 records published before 28 March, 2020 were included and discussed to better understand the current epidemiology, pathogenesis, immunological response, diagnosis, evasion mechanisms and suggested strategies to boost immune system, challenges, treatment, and future preventions of the virus. PubMed, BioRxiv, MedRxiv, Global Health and google scholars were searched comprehensively for articles, preprints, grey literatures, reports, websites, conference proceedings and expert information. Studies conducted in human and published in English language were included in the analysis. All the findings and statements of the review regarding the outbreak are based on published information as listed in citations.Results We identified 360 records, of which 50 studies met the inclusion criteria. We synthesized the data from the included records and dig out the deep insights of them and pooled in to this review. The burden of the outbreak is worsening due to overcrowding, presence of asymptomatic carriers, scarcity of test kits, immune escaping ability of the virus and lack of awareness.Conclusions and recommendations: Due to the fast spreading nature of COVID-19 the prevention and control strategies become challenging. It is imposing social, psychological, and socio-economic impacts. We recommended that following social distancing, isolation suspects, using personal protective equipment, health education and introducing hand washing practices, avoiding contact with animals, vaccine development and treatment for controlling and prevention.
Lipidomics Profiling of Skin Surface Lipids in Senile Pruritus
Authors: Ma xiaolei , Lu Lulu , Zhao Zheng , Cai Mingru , Gao Na , Han Gangwen
Published: May 2020

Background: Senile pruritus is common, yet its etiology remains unknown. We examined the lipidomics profiles of skin surface lipids (SSL) in the elderly to better understand potential causes for senile pruritus. Methods:Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was used to assess skin barrier function. Ameliorated Kawashima itch scale were used to measure the pruritus score. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and multivariate data analysis were used to investigate SSL alternations. Results:The results showed that the senile pruritus have higher TEWL values than controls (13.13±4.28 versus 6.71±2.45, p< 0.01). LC-MS/MS showed significant differences in lipidomics and identified 81 species of SSL that differ between two groups. Compared to controls, the levels of ceramides, diacylcerols, fatty acids, phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethar, phytosphingsines, sphingosines, diacylceryl-3-O-carboxyhydroxymethylcholine, diacylglyceryl trimethylhomoserine, unsaturated free fatty acids increased, whereas triacylglycerol decreased. CER-EOS, CER-NDS and CER-NS were positively correlated with TEWL values (p<0.05). Sphingomyelin, Cer-NP, Cer-AS, Cer-NDS, Cer-NS were positively correlated with pruritus severity scores, while Cer-BS, Cer-EODS, Cer-EOS, Cer-AP were negatively correlated. Conclusion:Our study indicated that the senile pruritus have impaired skin barrier function and altered SSL composition. Select SSL species identified in this study may be potential target for future studies on the pathogenesis of idiopathic senile pruritus
Association of alanine transaminase to aspartate aminotransferase ratio and incident diabetes in Chinese adults: a second retrospective cohort study
Authors: Liang Zhilin , Hu Haofei , Wang Xunxun , Chen Xianxiong , Zhang Min , Liu Zhigang
Published: May 2020

Aims/Introduction: Previous studies have indicated that serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level or ALT/AST ratio may be bound up with diabetes. But the association of ALT/AST ratio and incident diabetes in Chinese adults have not been elaborated yet. The main objective of the present study was to analyze whether ALT/AST ratio was an independent risk factor which attached to the risk of incident diabetes in Chinese adults.Materials and Methods From 2010 to 2016, 685,277 Chinese adults who received a health check in Rich Healthcare Group including all medical records, and the present article was a second retrospective cohort analysis based on above population. As the target independent variable, ALT/AST ratio was measured at baseline while the dependent variable, incident diabetes appeared during follow-up. We used Cox proportional hazard regression models to analyze the prognostic value of ALT/AST on the risk of incident diabetes.Results ALT/AST demonstrated undeniable correlation with incident diabetes (HR = 2.535, 95%CI: 2.190 to 2.934, P < 0.00001). The association between ALT/AST and incident diabetes is only linear. The cumulative incidence (95% CI) rate of incident diabetes in total participants, ALT/AST quartile 1, 2, 3, and 4 was 2.112 (2.016–2.208), 0.992 (.0.857–1.127), 1.430 (1.274–1.586), 2.396 (2.192-2.600) and 3.559 (3.314–3.803), separately. The population with age (30 to < 40 years), BMI (< 24 kg/m2) and SBP (< 140 mmHg) was found to be the stronger association in subgroup analysis.Conclusion In Chinese adults, ALT/AST ratio is an independent risk factor for incident diabetes.
Plasma PCSK9 concentrations predict Cardiovascular Events in subjects free of vascular disease and with stable coronary artery disease: Findings from a community-based prospective study and a meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Xiaona , Bai Yongyi , Cao Ruihua , Yang Xu , Xiao Wenkai , Zhang Yun , Wu Hongmei , Zhao Dong , Ye Ping
Published: May 2020

Background The secreted protein proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a promising new target for lowering plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and preventing cardiovascular disease. Objective We aimed to determine the relationship between PCSK9 levels and cardiovascular (CV) events using a large cohort and a systematic review with meta-analysis. Methods We analyzed the association of plasma PCSK9 levels with CV events in 1324 subjects (mean age, 61.3 years) from a community-based population in Beijing, China. For the systematic review, we pooled the results of our cohort with other eligible studies in a meta-analysis using a random effects model. Results After a median follow-up interval of 4.8 years, 79 CV events were identified. Cox regression analysis showed that the presence of CV events (HR: 1.83, 95% CI, 1.07-3.17; P=0.046) was related to PCSK9 levels significantly. Combining another 8 prospective cohorts and our findings in a meta-analysis (9 prospective cohorts with a total of 13013 participants were included) showed a positive association between plasma PCSK9 levels and CV events, with a summary HR of 1.26 (95% CI: 1.07-1.50; P=0.007). When pooled estimates were derived for pre-existent and free of coronary artery disease (CAD) populations, baseline PCSK9 levels predicted total CV events only in subjects free of CAD (pooled HR: 1.34, 95% CI, 1.11-1.61; P=0.003). In patients with pre-existent CAD, further subgroup analysis showed that baseline PCSK9 levels predicted CV events only in subjects with stable CAD (pooled HR: 1.58, 95% CI, 1.04-2.38; P=0.030) but not in patients with unstable CAD (pooled HR: 1.02, 95% CI, 0.76-1.35; P=0.908). Conclusion Our findings in the Chinese cohort and the meta-analysis support that high plasma PCSK9 level was a predictive factor for future CV events in subjects free of CAD and with stable CAD but not in patients with established unstable CAD. Keywords PCSK9; cardiovascular events; cohort; meta-analysis.
Associations between adherence to MIND diet and severity, duration and frequency of migraine headaches among migraine patients
Authors: Askarpour Moein , yarizadeh Habib , Sheikhi Ali , Khorsha Faezeh , Mirzaei Khadijeh
Published: May 2020

Objectives Migraine is a neurological disorder causing unbearable pain. Dietary approach is proposed as a preventive way of reducing the severity of migraine headaches. The present study aimed to examine the association between MIND diet and migraine headaches.Results We found that participants with higher score of MIND diet compared to those with lower score, were less likely to have severe headaches (OR = 0.67; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.94; P = 0.01). Moreover, our results showed an inversed correlation between mind diet score and duration (β= -0.15, 95% CI: -1.44, -0.11, P = 0.02) and frequency of headaches (β= -0.12, 95% CI: -0.96, -0.02, P = 0.04).
Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum in Grande Comore Island
Authors: Mze Nasserdine Papa , Bogreau Hervé , Diedhiou Cyrille K. , Herdell Vendela , Rahamatou Silai , Bei Amy K. , BASCO Leonardo , Mboup Souleymane , Ahouidi Ambroise D.
Published: May 2020

Background Despite several control interventions resulting in a considerable decrease in malaria prevalence in the Union of the Comoros, the disease remains a public health problem with high transmission in Grand Comore compared to neighboring islands. In this country, only a few studies investigating the genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum have been performed so far. For this reason, this study aims to examine the genetic diversity of P. falciparum by studying samples collected in Grande Comore in 2012 and 2013, using merozoite surface protein 1 (msp1), merozoite surface protein 2 (msp2) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genetic markers.Methods A total of 151 positive rapid diagnostic test (RDT) samples from Grande Comore were used to extract parasite DNA. Allelic families K1, Mad20 and RO33 of the msp1 gene as well as allelic families IC3D7 and FC37 of the msp2 gene were determined by using nested PCR. Additionally, 50 out of 151 samples were genotyped to study 24 SNPs by using high resolution melting (HRM).Results Two allelic families were predominant, the K1 family of msp1 gene (55%) and the FC27 family of msp2 gene (47.4%). Among 50 samples genotyped for 24 SNPs, 42 (84%) yielded
Trends of Diabetes Mortality in Iran at National and Sub-national levels from 1990 to 2015 and its association with socioeconomic factors
Authors: Peykari Niloofar , Moghaddam Sahar Saeedi , Rezaei Nazila , Mansouri Anita , Naderimagham Shohreh , Mehdipour Parinaz , Pazhuheian Forough , Khajavi Alireza , Haghshenas Rosa , Mahmoudi Negar , Mahmoudi Zohreh , Dilmaghani-Marand Arezou , Rezaee Kamyar , Larijani Bagher , Farzadfar Farshad
Published: May 2020

Background Following global commitments to prevent and control non-communicable diseases, we sought to estimate national and sub-national trends in diabetes mortality in Iran and to assess its association with socioeconomic factors.Methods To assess the correlation between diabetes mortality and socioeconomic factors we used data obtained from the Death Registration System (DRS), the spatio-temporal model and Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) levels and the diabetes mortality trends, which were estimated by sex, age and year at national and sub-national levels from 1990 to 2015.Results Between the years 1990 and 2015, the age-standardized diabetes mortality rate (per 100,000) increased from 3.40 (95% UI: 2.33 to 4.99) to 7.72 (95% UI: 5.51 to 10.78) in males and from 4.66 (95% UI: 3.23 to 6.76) to 10.38 (95% UI: 7.54 to 14.23) in females. In 1990, the difference between the highest age-standardized diabetes mortality rate among males was 3.88 times greater than the lowest (5.97 vs. 1.54) and in 2015 this difference was 3.96 times greater (14.65 vs. 3.70). This provincial difference was higher among females and was 5.13 times greater in 1990 (8.41 vs. 1.64) and 5.04 times greater in 2015 (19.87 vs. 3.94). The rate of diabetes mortality rose with urbanization, yet declined with an increase in wealth and years of schooling as the main socio-economic factors.Conclusion The rising trend of diabetes mortality rate at national level and the sub-national disparities associated with socioeconomic status in Iran warrant the implementation of specific interventions recommended by the ‘25 by 25’ goal.
Effects of bio-adhesive barrier-forming oral liquid (Episil®) on pain due to radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer: A randomized crossover trial
Authors: Soutome Sakiko , Yanamoto Souichi , Kawashita Yumiko , Yoshimatsu Masako , Murata Maho , Kojima Yuka , Funahara Madoka , Umeda Masahiro , Saito Toshiyuki
Published: May 2020

Background Bio-adhesive barrier-forming oral liquid (Episil®) is a recently developed medical device for the management of pain caused by oral mucositis associated with cancer radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this material for the relief of pain resulting from radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer who are undergoing radiotherapy.Methods This was a randomized, open-labeled, crossover trial investigating the pain relief effects of Episil® using dexamethasone ointment as a control. Fifteen patients who had mild or moderate pain due to radiation induced oral mucositis were randomly assigned to two groups: group A applied dexamethasone ointment once on the first day, had a wash-out period on the second day, and used Episil® once on the third day. Conversely, group B used Episil® on day 1, followed by a wash-out period on day 2 and dexamethasone ointment on day 3. The effectiveness of the test drug/materials on the relief of pain was compared.Results One patient reported nausea immediately after application of Episil® and was therefore excluded from the analysis of pain relief. Dexamethasone ointment relieved pain in 85.7% of patients compared to 71.4% with Episil® (p = 0.682). Nine patients wished to continue dexamethasone ointment after the study while only five wished to continue Episil®.Conclusions Our findings suggest that the pain relief effect of Episil® is comparable to or less than that of dexamethasone ointment. Larger follow-up studies are needed to verify these findings.Trial registration:The study protocol was registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT) on March 3rd, 2019 (jRCTs072180039).
Comparing perceived heating effect and intensity of therapeutic ultrasound between breast tissue and calf muscle in lactating women: An observational study
Authors: Neill Lauren , Eske Elizabeth , Yip Wan Hui , Gurram Lalitha , Oliveira Beatriz IR de , McArdle Adelle , Cooper Melinda , Jacques Angela , McKenna Leanda Jane
Published: May 2020

Background Inflammatory conditions of the lactating breast (ICLB) can cause cessation of breastfeeding and treatment for these conditions should be optimised. Therapeutic ultrasound is the most utilised physiotherapy treatment for ICLB. However, there is no evidence that guides physiotherapists on the most appropriate therapeutic ultrasound parameters to treat ICLB, with current ultrasound treatment protocols based on evidence using musculoskeletal tissue. Therefore, it is necessary to determine whether ultrasound interacts with breast and musculoskeletal tissue differently. This study aimed to determine the difference between breast and calf muscle tissue for perception of heating from therapeutic ultrasound; and the therapeutic ultrasound intensity required to perceive warmth in healthy lactating breast tissue.Methods Fifty adult lactating women who had exclusively breastfed infants aged 6 months or fewer, were recruited from a private physiotherapy clinic in Queensland, Australia. Consent was obtained to participate in this repeated measures within subject descriptive observational study. Therapeutic ultrasound was sequentially applied to the breast and calf; in a randomly assigned order; using a continuous duty cycle of 1 MHz, 1Wcm2 intensity for an initial period of 5 minutes. Intensity was then increased by 0.1Wcm2 every 30 seconds. The intensity at which participants reported first perceived warmth and then most tolerable warmth for the breast and the calf was recorded.Results First warmth was perceived at lower intensities in the breast (Z=-3.637, p < 0.001), but there was no difference between locations for most tolerable warmth (Z=-1.165, p = 0.244). Factors associated with intensity for perception of first warmth were antidepressant use (β 0.369 95% confidence interval [95%CI: 0.103–0.635], p = 0.007) and location (β 0.286 [95%CI: 0.055–0.516], p = 0.015). Body mass index (BMI) was the only factor associated with intensity for most tolerable warmth (β 0.024 [95%CI: 0.004–0.044], p = 0.017). The range of intensities required to perceive heating in the breast were 1-2.5Wcm2.Conclusions As perception of breast and calf warmth was different, therapeutic ultrasound parameters used to treat musculoskeletal conditions may not be appropriate for ICLB. Antidepressant use and BMI influenced heat perception, highlighting the need to screen for these factors prior to therapeutic ultrasound intervention.
The respiratory and metabolic responses for determinants of exercise endurance time in constant-load exercise test in healthy adult volunteers, prospective cross-sectional design
Authors: Kawachi Shohei , Fujimoto Keisaku
Published: May 2020

Although constant-load exercise test is performed at approximately 80% of maximum load determined based on individual exercise capacity of incremental-load exercise test, some subjects cannot maintain exercising in constant-load exercise test. We assumed that the metabolic responses difference between those who are and are not able to maintain exercising in only constant-load exercise. Therefore, present study was performed to elucidate the metabolic responses for determinants of endurance time in constant-load exercise test. Twenty-seven healthy volunteers performed constant-load exercise test at 80% of maximum load determined by incremental-load exercise test. Subjects were separated into those who were and were not able to complete 20 minutes of constant-load exercise test. The metabolic indexes were compared between the two groups. The not-completed group showed significantly higher respiratory exchange ratio (RER) as anaerobic threshold and minimum minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2) as ventilatory inefficiency at peak exercise only in constant-load exercise test (P < 0.05). It was suggested that the respiratory and metabolic responses for determinants of endurance time in constant-load exercise test were exercise beyond anaerobic threshold and the increase in CO2 output due to ventilatory inefficiency related to a reduced skeletal muscle in healthy adults.
Evaluation of sensitivity and specificity of CanPatrolTM technology for detection of circulating tumor cells in patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Li Jingyao , Liao Yi , Ran Yaling , Wang Guiyu , Wu Wei , Qiu Yang , Liu Jie , Wen Ningyu , Jing Tao , Wang Haidong , Zhang Shixin
Published: May 2020

Background The early diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer is of great significance to the prognosis of patients. However, traditional histopathology and imaging screening have certain limitations. Therefore, new methods are urgently needed to make up for the current diagnostic defects.Objectives To evaluate of sensitivity and specificity of CanPatrol™ technology for detection of circulating tumor cells in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods Non-interventional clinical research approach was used in this study. CTCs in the peripheral blood of 98 patients with NSCLC (including 48 patients in stage I, 13 in stage II, 29 in stage III and 8 in stage IV) and 38 patients with benign pulmonary diseases were collected by the latest typing of CanPatrol™ detection technology and nanomembrane filtration technology. CTCs were divided into epithelial, epithelial-mesenchymal, and mesenchymal types by multiple mRNA in situ analysis. We followed a 3-year follow-up of the 98 NSCLC patients to observe the recurrence and metastasis of the tumor. Next, Kruskal-Wallis test was used to compare multiple groups of data, Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare data between the two groups, and ROC curve analysis was used to obtain the critical value. Then, the COX risk regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were performed in 63 NSCLC patients who were effectively followed up with recurrence and metastasis as the outcome.Results The epithelial, epithelial-mesenchymal and total CTCs were significantly higher in patients with NSCLC than in patients with benign lung disease (P < 0.001). The mesenchymal CTCs of NSCLC patients were slightly higher than those of benign lung diseases (P = 0.013). Both differences were statistically significant. The AUC of the ROC curve of the total CTCs was 0.837 (95% CI: 0.76–0.914), and the cut-off value corresponding to the most approximate index was 0.5 CTCs/5 ml, at which point the sensitivity was 81.6% and the specificity was 86.8%. COX regression analysis revealed that clinical stage was the factor affecting patient survival (P = 0.006), while gender, age and smoking were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). After excluding the confounders of staging, surgery, and chemotherapy, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients in stage IIIA with CTCs ≥ 1 had significantly lower DFS than those with CTCs < 1 (P = 0.022).Conclusion CanPatrol™ technology has good sensitivity and specificity in detecting CTCs in peripheral blood of NSCLC patients, and has certain value for clinical prognosis evaluation.
Co-loading of Levodopa and Curcumin Using Brain-targeted Protocells as a Drug Delivery System for Improving the Efficacy of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: zhou wenkai , Liu Chang , Yu Feifei , Niu Xia , Wang Xiaomei , Li Guiling , Li Xinru
Published: May 2020

Parkinson's disease (PD), one of the most common movement and neurodegenerative disorders, is challenging to treat, partly because the blood-brain barrier blocks passage of most drugs. Levodopa is a common clinical drug for controlling the symptoms of PD, but it only replenishes the missing dopamine, can’t protect dopaminergic neurons. While curcumin as a neuroprotective agent has been reported for treatment of PD. Herein, we present a novel organic-inorganic composite nanoparticle with brain targeting (denoted as lf-protocells) for co-delivery of levodopa and curcumin, and demonstrate its attractive use as a biocompatible platform for PD treatment. The nanoparticle system is comprised of a lactoferrin (lf) modified lipid bilayer (LB) containing curcumin as its outer membrane and mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) containing levodopa as its supporting inner core. Our studies illustrate that the lf-protocells have a size of about 180 nm and spherical morphology, and can be used to co-load levodopa and curcumin efficiently. Further, a cell model and a mouse model induced by rotenone (Rot) and MPTP respectively are used to investigate the effects of binary-drug loaded lf-protocells on PD. Our results demonstrate that the combination of curcumin and levodopa alleviate the apoptosis of PD cells, enhance the cell viability as compared to levodopa used alone; levodopa together with curcumin also efficiently decrease the expression of a-synuclein, increase the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in SH-SY5Y cells, and transform more levodopa into dopamine for supplement the loss of the brain. Moreover, the resulting binary-drug loaded lf-protocells ameliorate oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction as compared to combination of free drugs. In addition, testing in a mouse model indicate that lf-protocells can improve significantly the motor function and distribution in brain compared with unmodified protocells. In conclusion, binary-drug loaded lf-protocells show much better therapeutic efficacy in both the cell model and the mouse model of PD and lower toxicity than bare MSNs. These results suggest that lf-protocells can be used as a promising drug delivery platform for targeted therapy against PD and other diseases of the central nervous system.
A non-classical route of efficient plant uptake verified with fluorescent nanoparticles and root adhesion forces investigated using AFM
Authors: sharma sandeep , Muddassir Mohd. , Muthusamy Saraladevi , Vaishnav Pardeep Kumar , Singh Manish , Kanagarajan Selvaraju , Sharma Deepak , Shanmugham Vijayakumar
Published: May 2020

Background : Classical plant uptake is limited to water soluble or dispersible material. Further, the knowledge of adhesion and uptake of hydrophobic particles is limited to mammalian and bacterial cells, but not studied in plants; so here first time, we tested the fate of hydrophobic particles (oleylamine coated Cu 2-x Se NPs) in comparison to hydrophilic particles (chitosan coated Cu 2-x Se NPs) by treatment on the plant roots and studied the mechanism behind the uptake. Further, Cu 2-x Se NPs are one of the most popular nanomaterial which has been used in various fields viz., electrical, semiconductor industries, biomedicine and in sensing. However, the effects of these NPs on plants have been seldom studied. So here, along with polarity-based uptake, the toxicity of these NPs is investigated in a model plant, tomato. Results : Here, hydrophobic NPs have been found to be ~1.3 times more efficient than hydrophilic NPs in tomato plant root penetration. An atomic force microscopy (AFM) adhesion force experiment confirms that hydrophobic NPs experience non-spontaneous yet energetically favourable root trapping and penetration. Further, a relative difference in the hydrophobic vs. hydrophilic NPs movement from the roots to shoots is observed and found related to the change in the protein corona identified by 2D-PAGE analysis. Finally, the toxicity assays showed that Cu 2-x Se NPs lead to non-significant toxicity as compared to control.Conclusions : The enhanced uptake of hydrophobic NPs by the roots proves that non-classical forced penetration is more efficient. Hence, this enhanced uptake and sedentary behaviour of hydrophobic NPs in root can be adopted for eco-friendly leach-proof fertilizer application.
Sialic acid as a biomarker studied in breast cancer cells using fluorescent molecularly imprinted polymers, MIPs
Authors: El-Schich Zahra , Zhang Yuecheng , Göransson Tommy , Dizeyi Nishtman , Persson Jenny , Johansson Emil , Caraballo Remi , Elofsson Mikael , Shinde Sudhirkumar , Sellergren Börje , Wingren Anette Gjörloff , Dizeyi Nishtman
Published: May 2020

Sialylations are post-translational modifications of proteins and lipids that play important roles in many cellular events, including cell-cell interactions, proliferation and migration. Tumor cells express high levels of sialic acid (SA), which are often associated with the increased invasive potential in clinical tumors correlating with poor prognosis. To overcome the lack of natural SA-receptors, such as antibodies and lectins with high enough specificity and sensitivity, we have used molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), or “plastic antibodies”, as nanoprobes. Since high expression of EpCAM in primary tumors often is associated with proliferation and a more aggressive phenotype, the expression and of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) CD44 was initially analyzed. The SA-MIPs were used here for the detection of SA on the cell surface of breast cancer cells. Lectins that specifically bind to the α-2,3 SA and α-2,6 SA variants, respectively, were used for analysis of SA expression with both flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Here we show a correlation of EpCAM and SA expression when using the SA-MIPs for detection of SA. We also demonstrate the binding pattern of the SA-MIPs on the breast cancer cell lines using confocal microscopy. Pre-incubation of the SA-MIPs with SA-derivatives as inhibitors could reduce the binding of the SA-MIPs to the tumor cells, indicating the specificity of the SA-MIPs. In conclusion, the SA-MIPs may be a new powerful tool in the SA-analysis of breast cancer cells.
Bioinformatics analysis and characterization of a secretory cystatin from Thelohanellus kitauei
Authors: Zhang Fengli , Yang Yalin , Gao Chenchen , Yao Yuanyuan , Xia Rui , Hu Juan , Ran Chao , Zhang Zhen , Zhou Zhigang
Published: May 2020

Thelohanellus kitauei, is a group of obligate parasitic Myxozoans, which causes intestinal giant-cystic disease of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and has resulted in significant economic losses in carp farms. Cystatin secreted by parasites can regulate the immune response of host to facilitate parasite’s survival. In this study, the secretory TK-cystatin gene, encoding a protein of 120 amino acid residues (13.65 kDa), was cloned from T. kitauei genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that TK-cystatin gene is closely related to the cystatin-A from Hydra vulgaris. Multiple sequence alignment revealed that TK-cystatin had three conserved motifs: N-terminal G19G20, Q73VVAG77, and C-terminal L102P103. Molecular docking between TK-cystatin and three cysteine proteases showed a lower binding energy (-13 kal/mol) with cathepsin L whereas a higher binding energy (-8.6 kal/mol) with cathepsin B. TK-cystatin gene was expressed in Escherichia coli. Activity assays revealed that TK-cystatin has stronger inhibitory activity on endopeptidases (papain and cathepsin L) and weaker inhibitory activity on exopeptidase (cathepsin B). TK-cystatin was stable under the condition of acidity or alkalinity or below 57 °C. This study laid a foundation for the design and development of the anti-TK-cystatin vaccine in carp culture in the future.