bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of online knowledge base in primary health care and correlation to health care quality: An observational study
Authors: Gerdeskold Christian , Toth-Pal Eva , Wårdh Inger , Nilsson Gunnar H. , Nager Anna
Published: September 2020

BackgroundEvidence-based information available at the point of care improves patient care outcomes. Online knowledge bases can increase the application of evidence-based medicine and influence patient outcome data which may be captured in quality registries. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of use of an online knowledge base on patient experiences and health care quality.MethodsThe study was conducted as a retrospective, observational study of 24 primary health care centers in Sweden exploring their use of an online knowledge base. Frequency of use was compared to patient outcomes in two national quality registries. A socio-economic Care Need Index was applied to assess whether the burden of care influenced the results from those quality registries. Non-parametric statistical methods and linear regression were used.ResultsFrequency of knowledge base use showed two groups: frequent and non-frequent users, with a significant use difference between the groups (p<.001). Outcome data showed significant higher values for all seven National Primary Care Patient Survey dimensions in the frequent compared to the non-frequent knowledge base users (p<.001), whereas 10 out of 11 parameters in the National Diabetes Register showed no differences between the groups (p>.05). Adjusting for Care Need Index had almost no effect on the outcomes for the groups.ConclusionsFrequent users of a national online knowledge base received higher ratings on patient experiences, but figures on health care quality in diabetes showed near to no correlation. The findings indicate that some effects may be attributed to the use of knowledge bases and requires a controlled evaluation.
Use of the product of driving pressure and respiratory rate for predicting failure of weaning from mechanical ventilator in medical patients
Authors: Gong Ju , Zhang Bibo , Huang Xiaowen , Li Bin , Huang Jian
Published: September 2020

Background: Respiratory workload increment in the process of mechanical ventilation withdrawal is critical for the determination of weaning outcome. Pressure, tidal volume (Vt) and respiratory rate (RR) are considered as patient’s respiratory power, albeit being affected by excessive respiratory load. We aimed to evaluate the performance of driving pressure (DP)×RR to predict the outcome of weaning.Methods: Plateau pressure (Pplat) and positive end-expiratory pressure tot (PEEPtot) were measured during mechanical ventilation, viz., (1) brief deep sedation, (2) on volume support ventilation of MV with Vt 6 ml/kg and a PEEP of 0 cm H2O, (3) Pplat and PEEPtot were measured by holding breath for 2s after inhalation and exhalation, respectively. The DP was determined as Pplat minus PEEPtot. The highest RR was recorded within 3 min during spontaneous-breathing trial (SBT). Patients that were able to tolerate SBT for 1 h were extubated.Results: Out of the 61 patients studied, 22 failed weaning. During the withdrawal of ventilation, DP×RR was 134.2±33.2 cmH2O·breaths/min and 238.5±61.7 cmH2O·breaths/min (P=0.00), DP was 7.9±1.6 cmH2O and 9.7±2.3 cmH2O (P=0.00), in the “success” and “failure” groups, respectively. The DP×RR index greater than 170 cmH2O·breaths/min had a sensitivity of 95.5% and a specificity of 89.7%, while DP index greater than 8.1 cmH2O had 81.8% sensitivity and 64.1% specificity to predict weaning failure.Conclusions: Measurement of DP×RR during withdrawal of ventilation may help predict weaning outcome. Noticeably, high DP×RR increased the likelihood of weaning failure.
White lie during patient care: A qualitative study of nurses’ perspectives
Authors: nasrabadi Alireza Nikbakht , joolaee soodabeh , Navab Elham , esmaeilie Maryam , shali mahboobe
Published: September 2020

Background: Keeping the patients well and fully informed about diagnosis, prognosis, and treatments is one of the patient’s rights in any healthcare system. Although all healthcare providers have the same viewpoint about rendering the truth in treatment process, sometimes the truth is not told to the patients; that is why the healthcare staff tell “white lie” instead. This study aimed to explore the nurses’ experience of white lies during patient care.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted from June to December 2018. Eighteen hospital nurses were recruited with maximum variation from ten state-run educational hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Purposeful sampling was used and data were collected by semi-structured interviews that were continued until data saturation. Data were classified and analyzed by content analysis approach.
Results: The data analysis in this study resulted in four main categories and eleven subcategories. The main categories included hope crisis, bad news, cultural diversity, and nurses’ limited professional competences.

Conclusion: Results of the present study showed that, white lie told by nurses during patient care may be due to a wide range of patient, nurse and/or organizational related factors. Communication was the main factor that influenced information rendering. Nurses’ communication with patients should be based on mutual respect, trust and adequate cultural knowledge, and also nurses should provide precise information to patients, so that they can make accurate decisions regarding their health care.
Blood Loss from Transverse Versus Longitudinal Uterine Incision in Abdominal Myomectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Elguindy Alaa , Hemeda Hosam , Shawky Mohamed Esmat , Elsenity Mohamed , Elsayed Medhat Adel , Fahim Ahmed , Afifi Khaled , Nawara Maii
Published: September 2020

Background: It is unclear whether transverse uterine incision is non-inferior to longitudinal incision during myomectomy with regard to bleeding. Our aim was to compare between transverse and longitudinal uterine incisions in myomectomy.Methods: A parallel randomized controlled single-blinded study in a university affiliated hospital, in the period between January 2017 and April 2018, in which 52 women candidates for abdominal myomectomy were randomized into transverse uterine incision or longitudinal uterine incision groups (26 in each group). Intraoperative blood loss (estimated directly by blood volume in suction bottle and linen towels and indirectly by difference between preoperative and postoperative hematocrit), operative time and postoperative fever were analyzed.Results: No statistically significant difference was found between transverse and longitudinal incisions regarding intraoperative blood loss (389.7 ± 98.56 ml vs 485.04 ± 230.6 ml respectively, p value=0.07), operative time (59.96 ± 16.78 min vs 66.58 ± 17.33 min respectively, p value=0.18), and postoperative fever (4% vs 8.33%, p value=0.6).Conclusion: Transverse uterine incision does not cause more blood loss than longitudinal incision and is a reasonable option during abdominal myomectomy.Trial registration: NCT03009812 at clinicaltrials.gov, registered January 2017
Using practical wisdom to facilitate ethical decision-making: a major empirical study of phronesis in the decision narratives of doctors
Authors: Conroy Mervyn , Malik Aisha Y , Hale Catherine , Weir Catherine , Brockie Alan , Turner Chris
Published: September 2020

BackgroundMedical ethics has recently seen a drive away from multiple prescriptive approaches, where physicians are inundated with guidelines and principles, towards alternative, less deontological perspectives. This represents a clear call for theory building that does not produce more guidelines. Phronesis (practical wisdom) offers an alternative approach for ethical decision-making based on an application of accumulated wisdom gained through previous practice dilemmas and decisions experienced by practitioners. Phronesis, sometimes referred to as the ‘executive virtue’, offers a way to navigate the practice virtues for any given case to reach a final decision on the way forward. However, very limited empirical data exist to support the theory of phronesis -based medical decision-making, and what does exist tends to focus on individual practitioners rather than practice-based communities of physicians.MethodsThe primary research question was: What does it mean to medical practitioners to make ethically wise decisions for patients and their communities? A three-year ethnographic study explored the practical wisdom of doctors (n=131) and used their narratives to develop theoretical understanding of the concepts of ethical decision-making. Data collection included narrative interviews and observations with hospital doctors and General Practitioners at all stages in career progression. The analysis draws on neo-Aristotelian and MacIntyrean concepts of practice- based virtue ethics and was supported by an arts-based film production process.FindingsWe found that individually doctors conveyed many different practice virtues and those were consolidated into fifteen virtue continua that convey the participants’ collective practical wisdom, including the phronesis virtue. This study advances the existing theory on phronesis as a decision-making approach because only now a theoretical ‘collective practical wisdom’ exists. ConclusionGiven the arguments that doctors feel professionally and personally vulnerable in the context of ethical decision-making, our contribution in the form of a moral debating resource can support before, during and after decision-making reflection. The potential implications are that these theoretical findings can be used by educators and practitioners as a non-prescriptive alternative to improve ethical decision-making, thereby addressing the call in the literature, and benefit patients and their communities, as well.
Gene Expression Profiling of Inflammatory Cytokines in Esophageal Biopsies of Different Phenotypes of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: a cross-sectional study.
Authors: Zavala-Solares Monica , Fonseca-Camarillo Gabriela , Valdovinos Miguel , Granados Julio , Grajales-Figueroa Guido , Zamora-Nava Luis , Aguilar-Olivos Nancy , Valdovinos-García Luis , Yamamoto-Furusho Jesus K.
Published: September 2020

Background: Patients clinical endoscopic phenotypes in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are classified as: Barrett's esophagus (BE), erosive esophagitis (EE) and non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (NERD). NERD are subclassified in Abnormal acid exposure (AAE) and Normal acid exposure (NAE) according to pH monitoring study. The aim of this study was to characterize genes involved in the pathophysiology and immune response of GERD.Methods: This is an observational and cross-sectional study. All patients with BE, EE, AAE, NAE and control group were subjected to a superior endoscopy (with biopsies of esophageal mucosa). The cytokine mRNA relative quantification of target genes was conducted by RT-PCR. Changes in gene expression were assessed of the genes associated with inflammation in each disease phenotype. Statistical analysis of differential gene expression was performed by using Dunn's Multiple Comparison non-parametric test. A p value < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: A total of 82 patients were included and they were divided into the following groups: Group BE 16 (19.51%), Group EE 23 (28.04%), Group AAE 13 (15.86%), NAE (15.86%) and Control Group 17 (20.73%). When comparing with control group we found: patients with BE showed an increased expression of IL-8 (P<0.005) and higher levels of: IL-10 and MMP-3, MMP-9 as well; patients with EE had higher levels of IL-1B, IL-6 and IL-10 (P<0.005), patients with AAE showed an increased expression of Il-1B, Il-6, IFN-γ and TNF-α (P<0.005). AAE had a higher expression of Il-1B and TNF-α than NAE (P<0.005). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the differential expression of mediators of inflammation in the esophageal mucosa of patients in GERD endoscopic phenotypes. MMP3 could be implicated in damage to esophageal mucosa. IL-1B and TNF-α could be a differential diagnosis between AAE and NAE in the non-erosive phenotype from endoscopic biopsies.
Integrins Alpha-2 and Beta-1 expression increases through Multiple Generations of the EDW01 Patient-Derived Xenograft Model of Breast Cancer - insight into their role in Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition in vivo gained from an in vitro model system
Authors: Wafai Razan , Williams Elizabeth D. , de Souza Emma , Simpson Peter T. , Reed Amy E. McCart , Kutasovic Jamie R. , Waltham Mark , Snell Cameron E. , Blick Tony , Thompson Erik W. , Hugo Honor
Published: September 2020

Background: Breast cancers acquire aggressive capabilities via epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), in which various integrins/integrin linked kinase signalling are upregulated. Methods: We investigated this in two patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) developed from breast-to-bone metastases, and it’s functional significance in a breast cancer cell line system. ED03 and EDW01 PDXs were grown subcutaneously in immunocompromised SCID mice through 11 passages and 7 passages, respectively. Tumour tissue was assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) for estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha, E-cadherin, vimentin, Twist1, beta-catenin, P120-RasGAP, CD44, CD24 and Ki67, and RT-qPCR of EMT-related factors (CDH1, VIM, CD44, CD24), integrins beta 1 (ITGB1), alpha 2 (ITGA2) and ILK. Integrin and ILK expression in epidermal growth factor (EGF) induced EMT of the PMC42-ET breast cancer cell line was assessed by RT-qPCR and Western blotting, as were the effects of their transient knockdown via small interfering RNA +/- EGF. Cell migration, changes in cell morphology and adhesion of siRNA-transfected PMC42-ET cells to various extracellular matrix (ECM) substrates was assessed.Results: The ED03 (ER+/PR-/HER2-/lobular) and EDW01 (ER+/PR-/HER2-/ductal) PDXs were both classified as molecular subtype luminal A. ED03 xenografts exhibited mutated E-cadherin with minimal expression, but remained vimentin-negative across all passages. In EDW01, the hypoxic indicator gene CAIX and Twist1 were co-ordinately upregulated at passage 4-5, corresponding with a decrease in E-cadherin. At passages 6-7, VIM was upregulated along with ITGB1 and ITGA2, consistent with an increasing EMT. The ED03 PDX displayed minimal change over passages in mice, for all genes examined. ILK, ITGB1 and ITGA2 mRNAs were also increased in the EGF-induced EMT of PMC42-ET cells (in which CDH1 was downregulated) although siRNA against these targets revealed that this induction was not necessary for the observed EMT. However, their knockdown significantly reduced EMT-associated adhesion and Transwell migration.Conclusion: Our data suggest that despite an increase in ITGA2 and ITGB1 gene expression in the EMT exhibited by EDW01 PDX over multiple generations, this pathway may not necessarily drive the EMT process.
Efficacy evaluation of photodynamic therapy for oral lichen planus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: He Yuqing , Deng Jiaxin , Zhao Yi , Tao Huiqian , Dan Hongxia , Xu Hao , Chen Qianming
Published: September 2020

Background Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new option for oral lichen planus (OLP) management; however, there are different opinions on the efficacy of PDT for OLP. The aim of this study was to comprehensively assess the efficacy of PDT in the treatment of OLP and compare PDT with steroid therapy . Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the curative effect of PDT. Five electronic databases were searched, PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and EBSCO up to 1 December, 2019. Random and fixed effects models for pooled estimates calculation were used and the Meta package of R was applied. Results Pooled estimates revealed that, after PDT, the lesion size decreased by 1.53 cm 2 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71–2.35) after PDT and the partial response (PR) was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.65–0.85). The visual analogue scale (VAS) score decreased by 3.82 (95% CI: 2.80–4.85) and the Thongprasom sign score decreased by 1.33 (95% CI: 0.56–2.10) after PDT. Subgroup analyses revealed that the 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) was more effective than methylene blue (MB), with a PR of 0.87 (95% CI: 0.80–0.91). The topical use of 5-ALA yielded a better response than gargling methylene blue. In terms of VAS, the diode laser showed a better clinical PR in the treatment of OLP. In terms of changes in lesion size, the efficacy of the semiconductor laser was higher than that of the diode laser. PDT had a similar efficacy to topical corticosteroids, as shown by pooled estimates of five randomised controlled trials with 139 lesions. Conclusion PDT could be a valuable optional treatment for the management of OLP. And the results indicated that the curative effect of PDT is similar to that of topical corticosteroids in the treatment of OLP.
Identification of an immune gene signature for predicting the prognosis of patients with uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Cankun , Li Chaomei , Yan Fangli , Zheng Yuhua
Published: September 2020

Background: Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is a frequent gynecological malignancy with a poor prognosis particularly at an advanced stage. Herein, this study aims to construct prognostic markers of UCEC based on immune-related genes to predict the prognosis of UCEC.Methods: We analyzed expression data of 575 UCEC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and immune genes from the ImmPort database, which were used for generation and validation of the signature. We constructed a transcription factor regulatory network based on Cistrome databases, and also performed functional enrichment and pathway analyses for the differentially expressed immune genes. Moreover, the prognostic value of 410 immune genes was determined using the Cox regression analysis. We then constructed and verified a prognostic signature. Finally, we performed immune infiltration analysis using TIMER-generating immune cell content.Results: The immune cell microenvironment as well as the PI3K-Akt, and MARK signaling pathways were involved in UCEC development. The established prognostic signature revealed a ten-gene prognostic signature, comprising of PDIA3, LTA, PSMC4, TNF, SBDS, HDGF, HTR3E, NR3C1, PGR, and CBLC. This signature showed a strong prognostic ability in both the training and testing sets and thus can be used as an independent tool to predict the prognosis of UCEC. In addition, levels of B cells and neutrophils were significantly correlated with the patient's risk score, while the expression of ten genes was associated with immune cell infiltrates.Conclusions: In summary, the ten-gene prognostic signature may guide the selection of the immunotherapy for UCEC.
Preoperative positive voided urine cytology predicts poor clinical outcomes in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma undergoing nephroureterectomy
Authors: Liu Wen , Wang Zhankun , Liu Shuai , Yao Yu , Liu Yong , Zhang Guiming
Published: September 2020

Background: Performance of urinary cytology is recommended as the part of a standard diagnostic workup and base surveillance regimens in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). However, the effect of positive voided urine cytology (VUC) on UTUC prognosis, compared with negative VUC, has not been fully demonstrated. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of preoperative VUC on predicting intravesical recurrence, disease recurrence, and mortality in patients with UTUC who underwent nephroureterectomy (RNU).Methods: Clinicopathological information was collected from 315 UTUC patients treated with RNU. The association between VUC and oncological outcomes was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method with log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression models. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the influence of VUC on tumor grade.Results: Preoperative positive VUC, presenting in 101 patients (32%), was significantly associated with tumor multifocality (P=0.017) and higher tumor grade (P=0.010). On multivariate Cox regression analyses, preoperative positive VUC was an independent prognostic factor of intravesical recurrence-free survival (RFS) (hazard ratio [HR]=2.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–4.64; P=0.035), RFS (HR=1.80, 95% CI 1.08–2.99; P=0.023), and cancer-specific survival (CSS) (HR=1.87, 95% CI 1.10–3.18; P=0.020), but not overall survival (HR=1.32, 95% CI 0.80–2.18; P=0.28). Logistic regression analysis revealed that VUC was related to high tumor grade in UTUC (odds ratio=2.23, 95%CI 1.15–4.52).Conclusion: Preoperative positive VUC significantly increases the risk of intravesical recurrence in UTUC patients undergoing RNU. In addition, positive VUC is an adverse predictor of RFS and CSS, which might be due to the association between positive VUC and high tumor grade.
Mastery and self-esteem mediate the association between visual acuity and mental health: a population-based longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Maaswinkel Ivar M , Aa Hilde PA van der , Rens Ger HMB van , Beekman Aartjan TF , Twisk Jos WR , Nispen Ruth MA van
Published: September 2020

Background: With deteriorating eyesight, people often become dependent on others for many aspects of their daily lives. As a result, they feel less ‘in control’ and experience lower self-esteem. Lower sense of mastery and self-esteem are known to predict depression, but their roles in people with visual impairment have only marginally been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the influence of mastery and self-esteem on the relationship between visual acuity and mental health.Methods: A longitudinal cohort study was performed using data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), collected between 2001 and 2012. A community-based population of 2599 older adults (mean age 72 years) were included, who were randomly selected from population registers. Outcomes of interest were the Pearlin Mastery Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression scale and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale – Anxiety subscale. Linear mixed models were used to establish the association between visual acuity and mental health over time.Results: Mean age was 72 years, 56% was female and 1.2% qualified as having low vision. Visual impairment was associated with a lower sense of mastery (β = -0.477, p < 0.001), lower self-esteem (β = -0.166, p = 0.008) and more depression (β = 0.235, p < 0.001). No significant association between visual acuity and anxiety was found. The relationship between visual acuity and depression was mediated by self-esteem (25%) and sense of mastery (79%).Conclusions: Vision loss was associated with depression. This association was mediated by self-esteem and sense of mastery. This provides us with new possibilities to identify, support and treat those at risk for developing depression by aiming to increase their self-esteem and sense of mastery.
Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells pretreated with erythropoietin accelerate the repair of acute kidney injury
Authors: zhou song , Qiao Yu-ming , Liu Yong-guang , Liu Ding , Hu Jian-min , Liao Jun , Li Min , Guo Ying , Fan Li-pei , Li Liu-Yang , Zhao Ming
Published: September 2020

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a promising treatment option for acute kidney injury (AKI). The main drawbacks of MSCs therapy, including the lack of specific homing after systemic infusion and early cell death in the inflammatory microenvironment, directly affect the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs. Erythropoietin (EPO)-preconditioning of MSCs promotes their therapeutic effect; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we sought to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of EPO in bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) for AKI treatment.

Results

We found that incubation of BMSCs with ischemia/reperfusion(I/R)-induced AKI kidney homogenate supernatant (KHS) caused apoptosis in BMSCs, which was decreased by EPO pretreatment, indicating that EPO protected the cells from apoptosis. Further, we showed that EPO up-regulated SIRT1 and Bcl-2 expression and down-regulated p53 expression. This effect was partially reversed by SIRT1 siRNA intervention. The anti-apoptotic effect of EPO in pretreated BMSCs may be mediated through the SIRT1 pathway. In a rat AKI model, 24 h after intravenous infusion, GFP-BMSCs were predominantly located in the lungs. However, EPO pretreatment reduced the lung entrapment of BMSCs and increased their distribution in the target organs. AKI rats infused with EPO-BMSCs had significantly lower levels of serum IL-1β and TNF-α, and a significantly higher level of IL-10 as compared to rats infused with untreated BMSCs. The administration of EPO-BMSCs after reperfusion reduced serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and pathological scores in I/R-AKI rats more effectively than BMSCs treatment did.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that EPO pretreatment enhances the efficacy of BMSCs to improve the renal function and pathological presentation of I/R-AKI rats.
Gastrointestinal Ultrasonographic Findings in Cats With Feline Panleukopenia Virus: a Case Series
Authors: Isaya Rosaria , Ciccarelli Stefano , Enache Daniela , Specchi Swan , Pesaresi Marco , Ferri Filippo , Porporato Federico , Auriemma Edoardo , Contiero Barbara , Coppola Luigi M , Zini Eric
Published: September 2020

BackgroundFeline panleukopenia virus (FPV) is very resistant and highly contagious and infects domestic cats and other felids. FPV is particularly widespread among sheltered cats, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality, causing severe gastroenteritis characterized by anorexia, lethargy, fever, dehydration, hemorrhagic diarrhea, and vomiting. There is currently no data on the ultrasonographic features of cats affected with FPV. This case series describes abdominal ultrasonographic findings in shelter cats with naturally-occurring FPV, and assesses whether are associated with clinical and laboratory findings. Cats affected by FPV were enrolled in the study if an abdominal ultrasound was performed within 12 hours of diagnosis. Clinical, laboratory and survival data were collected from medical records. Ultrasonographic examinations were reviewed for gastrointestinal abnormalities and their associations with the above data were explored.ResultsTwenty-one cats were included. Nine cats (42.9%) died and 12 (57.1%) recovered. Based on ultrasonography, the duodenum and jejunum showed thinning of the mucosal layer in 70.6% and 66.6% of cats, thickening of the muscular layer in 52.9% and 57.1% of cats, and hyperechogenicity of the mucosa in 41.2% and 33.3%. Jejunal hyperechoic mucosal band paralleling the submucosa and irregular luminal surface were both observed in 33.3% of the cats. Survival was positively associated with increased jejunal mucosal echogenicity ( P =0.003) and hyperechoic mucosal band ( P =0.003). Peritoneal free fluid was positively associated with vomiting ( P =0.002).ConclusionThis study provides ultrasonographic features of naturally-occurring FPV in cats, which, as expected, are compatible with gastroenteropathy. The most frequent findings were diffuse small intestine mucosal layer thinning, muscular layer thickening and mucosal hyperechogenicity, and jejunal hyperechoic mucosal band and irregular luminal surface. At diagnosis, ultrasonographic features may be useful to assess survival.
The underlying mechanism of partial anterior cruciate ligament injuries to the meniscus degeneration of knee joint in rabbit models
Authors: Wang Dalin , Wang Zhe , Li Mingcheng , Xu Songbao
Published: September 2020

Background: The diagnosis, treatment and efficacy evaluation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) partial rupture remains controversial. This research aims to investigate the underlying mechanism of partial ACL injuries to the meniscus degeneration in the rabbit knee.Methods: Sixty New Zealand, white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups including an experimental group, a sham group (n=6) and and a blank control group (n=6). The experimental group is composed of an anteromedial bundle (AMB) rupture group (n=24), a posterolateral bundle (PLB) rupture group (n=24). Rabbits in the experimental group were subjected to right hind limbs knee surgery to induce ACL part injury under the arthroscopy. Finally, eight rabbits including 6 in the model group and 2 in the control group were sampled randomly on the second, fourth and eighth weeks respectively. We observed the typical form of the meniscus through HE staining. Expressions of inflammatory factors including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-17 in the knee joint fluid were determined by means of an ELISA. Analysis of the mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinases-13(MMP-13) was performed to evaluate the inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of the meniscus.Results: HE staining results showed that the surface was rough and the tissues were loose displaying collagen fibers of varying thickness. Both IL-1β and IL-17 in the synovial fluid, and the positive rate of MMP-13 in addition to MMP-13 mRNA showed a demonstrable increase treads from the 2nd to the 8th week. The significant difference was found (P<0.05) compared to the control group.Conclusion: We conclude that the elevated levels of IL-1β and IL-17, along with increased MMP13 expression, resulted in meniscus degradation in the rabbit knee joint model with partial ACL injury.
Identification and co-expression analysis of long noncoding RNAs and mRNAs involved in the deposition of intramuscular fat in Aohan fine-wool sheep
Authors: Han Fuhui , Li Jing , Liu Nan , Zhao Ranran , Liu Lirong , Li Lanlan , Li Qian , He Jianning
Published: September 2020

Background: Intramuscular fat (IMF) content has become one of the most important indicators for measuring meat quality, and levels of IMF are affected by various genes. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are widely expressed non-coding RNAs that play an important regulatory role in a variety of biological processes; however, research on the lncRNAs involved in sheep IMF deposition is still in its infancy. Aohan fine-wool sheep (AFWS), one of China's most important meat-hair, dual-purpose sheep breed, provides a great model for studying the role of lncRNAs in the regulation of IMF deposition. We identified lncRNAs by RNA sequencing in Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) samples of sheep at two ages: 2 months (Mth-2) and 12 months (Mth-12). Results: We identified a total of 26,247 genes and 6,935 novel lncRNAs in LTL samples of sheep. Among these, 199 mRNAs and 61 lncRNAs were differentially expressed. We then compared the structural characteristics of lncRNAs and mRNAs. We obtained target genes of differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) and performed enrichment analyses using Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). We found that target mRNAs were enriched in metabolic processes and developmental pathways. Three pathways were significantly enriched, namely tight junction, glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis-heparan sulfate/heparin and lysosome. Based on the analysis of critical target genes, we obtained seven candidate lncRNAs that potentially regulated lipid deposition and constructed an lncRNA-mRNA co-expression network that included MSTRG.4051.3-FZD4,MSTRG.16157.3-ULK1, MSTRG.21053.3-PAQR3, MSTRG.19941.2-TPI1, MSTRG.12864.1-FHL1,MSTRG.2469.2-EXOC6 and MSTRG.21381.1-NCOA1. We speculated that these candidate lncRNAs might play a role by regulating the expression of target genes. We randomly selected five mRNAs and five lncRNAs to verify the accuracy of the sequencing data by qRT-PCR. Conclusions: Our study provided a list of the lncRNAs and mRNAs related to intramuscular lipid deposition in sheep and laid a foundation for future research on regulatory mechanisms.
Deep Factor Analysis for Weather Varied Sense-through-foliage Target Detection
Authors: Xue Wenling , Jiang Ting , Sun Xuebin , Zheng Xiaokun , Ding Xue
Published: September 2020

In this paper, the influence of seasonal variation on target detection accuracy and the effectiveness of deep factor analysis(DFA) in signal denoising are studied. To extensively verify the universality of the proposed DFA approach, a variety of target objects, including no target, human, wood board and iron cabinet targets, are measured in foliage environment under four different weather conditions. Then, after removing background noise from the collected data, deep factor analysis is carried out to further reduce the impact of noise. The experimental results show that the influence of weather variation on target detection can be effectively eliminated by the presented DFA, which can improve the average classification accuracy in all seasons. At the end of the paper, it is verified by cross validation that the DFA method can be stabilized at around 93% even in hazy day and snowy day which has stability and universality in any weather conditions, even in snowy and haze days.
Diet-induced Changes in Bacterial Communities in the Jejunum and Their Associations with Bile Acids in Angus Beef Cattle
Authors: Liu Jianan , Liu Fang , Cai Wentao , Jia Cunling , Bai Ying , He Yanghua , Zhu Weiyun , Li Robert W. , Song Jiuzhou
Published: September 2020

Background: The small intestine, while serving as the main absorption organ, also possesses a unique bacterial environment and holds the critical function of conversion of primary bile acids. Bile acids are, in turn, able to regulate bacterial composition and promote the growth of bacteria that convert primary bile acids to secondary bile acids. However, in beef cattle, few studies have explored the influence of diets on jejunal bacterial communities and examined its relationships with bile acids. Here, we examined the impact of grain- and grass-based diets on jejunal and fecal bacterial communities’ composition and investigated possible association of bacterial features with bile acids.Results: We demonstrated that the influences of diets on intestinal bacteria can be observed in young beef cattle after weaning. A significantly higher level of microbial diversity was documented in feces of grass-fed cattle comparing to grain-fed cattle. Top 20 important genera identified with random forest analysis on fecal bacterial community can be good candidates for microbial biomarkers. Moreover, the jejunal bacteria of adult Angus beef cattle exhibited significant differences in microbial composition and metabolic potential under different diets. Global balances and bacteria signatures predictive of bile acids were identified, indicative of the potential association of bacterial features with bile acids.Conclusions: The findings from this study provided novel insights into the relationships between jejunal bacteria and bile acids under different diets in Angus beef cattle. Our results should help us gain a better understanding of potential health benefits of grass-fed beef.
Integrating transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of hormone pathways in Acer rubrum during developmental leaf senescence
Authors: Zhu Chen , Xiaoyu Lu , Junlan Gao , Yun Xuan , Ren Jie
Published: September 2020

Background: To fully elucidate the roles and mechanisms of plant hormones in leaf senescence, we adopted an integrated analysis of both non-senescing and senescing leaves from red maple with transcriptome and metabolome data. Results: Transcription and metabolite profiles were generated through a combination of deep sequencing, third-generation sequencing data analysis, and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatograph Q extractive mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS), respectively. We investigated the accumulation of compounds and the expression of biosynthesis and signaling genes for eight hormones. The results revealed that ethylene and abscisic acid concentrations increased during the leaf senescence process, while the contents of cytokinin, auxin, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid continued to decrease. Correlation tests between the hormone content and transcriptional changes were analyzed, and in six pathways, genes closely linked with leaf senescence were identified. Conclusions: These results will enrich our understanding of the mechanisms of plant hormones that regulate leaf senescence in red maple, while establishing a foundation for the genetic modification of Acer in the future.
Development of EST-SSR Markers and Association Mapping with Floral Traits in Syringa Oblata
Authors: Yang Yunyao , He Ruiqing , Zheng Jian , Hu Zenghui , Wu Jing , Leng Pingsheng
Published: September 2020

Background: Lilac (Syringa oblata) is an important woody plant with high ornamental value. However, very limited genetic marker resources are currently available, and little is known about the genetic architecture of important ornamental traits for S. oblata, which is hindering its genetic studies. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop effective molecular markers and understand the genetic architecture of complex floral traits for the genetic research of S. oblata.Results: In this study, a total of 10,988 SSRs were obtained from 9,864 unigene sequences with an average of one SSR per 8.13 kb, of which di-nucleotide repeats were the dominant type (32.86%, 3,611). A set of 2,042 primer pairs were validated, out of which 932 (45.7%) exhibited successful amplifications, and 248 (12.1%) were polymorphic in eight S. oblata individuals. In addition, 30 polymorphic EST-SSR markers were further used to assess the genetic diversity and the population structure of 192 cultivated S. oblata individuals. 234 alleles were detected, and the PIC values ranged from 0.23 to 0.88 with an average of 0.51, indicating a high level of genetic diversity within this cultivated population. The analysis of population structure showed two major subgroups in the association population. Finally, 20 significant associations were identified involving 17 markers with nine floral traits using the mixed linear model. Moreover, marker SO104, SO695 and SO790 had significant relationship with more than one trait.Conclusion: The results showed newly developed markers were valuable resource and provided powerful tools for genetic breeding of lilac. Beyond that, our study could serve an efficient foundation for further facilitate genetic improvement of ﬂoral traits for lilac.
Estimation of the Reproduction Number of Influenza A(H1N1)pdm2009 in South Korea Using Heterogeneous Models
Authors: Lee Yunjeong , Lee Dong Han , Kwon Hee-Dae , Kim Changsoo , Lee Jeehyun
Published: September 2020

Background: The reproduction number is one of the most crucial parameters in determining disease dynamics, providing a summary measure of the transmission potential. However, estimating this value is particularly challenging owing to the characteristics of epidemic data, including non-reproducibility and incompleteness.Methods: In this study, we propose mathematical models with different population structures; each of these models can produce data on the number of cases of the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 epidemic in South Korea. These structured models incorporating the heterogeneity of age and region are used to estimate the reproduction numbers at various terminal times. Subsequently, the age- and region-specific reproduction numbers are also computed to analyze the differences illustrated in the incidence data.Results: The basic SIR fails to provide a reasonable estimation of the reproduction numbers. The estimated values demonstrate a large variation and remains outside of the feasible range for the influenza, regardless of the time period for data. Real-time estimation using age- and region-structured models demonstrated that the effective reproduction number rose sharply during mid-October when the ㅜumber of patients increased dramatically. The reproduction number fell below unity at the end of October and stayed lower than unity indicating that the epidemic starts decreasing, which is consistent with the incidence data.Conclusions: Numerical results reveal that the introduction of heterogeneity into the population to represent the general characteristics of dynamics is essential for the robust estimation of parameters. Keywords: Influenza; Reproduction number; Antiviral agents
Long non-coding RNA MIR4300HG polymorphisms are associated with postoperative nausea and vomiting: a genome-wide association study
Authors: Sugino Shigekazu , Konno Daisuke , Kawai Yosuke , Nagasaki Masao , Endo Yasuhiro , Hayase Tomo , Yamazaki-Higuchi Misako , Kumeta Yukihiro , Tachibana Shunsuke , Saito Katsuhiko , Suzuki Jun , Kido Kanta , Kurosawa Nahoko , Namiki Akiyoshi , Yamauchi Masanori
Published: September 2020

Background: Genetic factors such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) play a key role in the development of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). However, previous findings are not widely applicable to different populations because of population-specific genetic variation. We developed a Japanese-specific DNA microarray for high-throughput genotyping. The aim of the current study was to identify SNPs associated with PONV on a genome-wide scale using this microarray in a sample of Japanese surgical patients.

Methods: Associations between 659,636 SNPs and the incidence of PONV 24 h after surgery in a limited sample of 24 female patients were assessed using the microarray. After imputation of genotypes at 24,330,529 SNPs, 78 SNPs were found to be associated with the incidence of PONV. We chose 4 of the 78 SNPs to focus on by in silico functional annotation. Finally, we genotyped these 4 candidate SNPs in 255 patients using real-time PCR to verify association with the incidence of PONV.

Results: The T > C variant of rs11232965 in the long non-coding RNA MIR4300HG was significantly associated with reduced incidence of PONV among genotypes and between alleles (p = 0.01 and 0.007).

Conclusions: We identified a novel SNP (rs11232965) in the long non-coding RNA MIR4300HG that is associated with PONV. The rs11232965-SNP variant (T > C) is protective against the incidence of PONV.

Trial registration: This study was registered at the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (Identifier: UMIN000022903, date of registration: June 27th, 2016, retrospectively registered, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000026392).
Acute hospital staff’s attitudes towards dementia and perceived dementia knowledge: a cross-sectional survey in Ireland
Authors: Keogh Brian , To Wing Ting , Daly Louise , Hynes Geralyn , Kennelly Siobhan , Lawlor Brian , Timmons Suzanne , O’Reilly Susan , Bracken-Scally Mairead , Ciblis Aurelia , Cole Natalie , Drury Amanda , Pittalis Chiara , Kennelly Brendan , McCarron Mary , Brady Anne-Marie
Published: September 2020

Background: Little is known about staff’s attitudes in Irish acute hospital settings towards people living with dementia and their perceived dementia knowledge. The aim of this study was to understand the general level of dementia knowledge and attitudes towards dementia in different types of hospital staff, as well as to explore the potential influence of previous dementia training and experience (having a family member with dementia) and the potential moderating effects of personal characteristics. This data was required to plan and deliver general and targeted educational interventions to raise awareness of dementia throughout the acute services. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among a diverse range of hospital staff (n = 1795) in three urban acute general hospitals in Ireland, including doctors, nurses, healthcare attendants, allied professionals, and general support staff. Participants’ perceived dementia knowledge and attitudes were assessed as well as their previous dementia training and experience. To measure participant’s attitude towards dementia, the validated Approaches to Dementia Questionnaire (ADQ) was used. Results: Hospital staff demonstrated positive attitudes towards people living with dementia, and believed they had a fair to moderate understanding of dementia. Both ‘having previous dementia training’ and ‘having a relative living with dementia’ predicted attitude towards dementia and perceived dementia knowledge. Interestingly, certain personal staff characteristics did impact dementia training in predicting attitude towards dementia and perceived dementia knowledge. Conclusion: This study provides a baseline of data regarding the attitudes towards dementia and perceived dementia knowledge for hospital staff in Irish acute hospitals. The results can inform educational initiatives that target different hospital staff, in order to increase awareness and knowledge to improve quality of dementia care in Irish hospitals.
CXCL1 contributes to IL-6 expression in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts by CXCR2, c-Raf, MAPK and AP-1 pathway
Authors: Hou Sheng-Mou , Chen PoChun , Lin Chieh-Mo , Fang Mei-Ling , Chi Miao-Ching , Liu Ju-Fang
Published: September 2020

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are common joint disorders that are considered to be different diseases due to their unique molecular mechanisms and pathogenesis. Chemokines and their corresponding receptors have been well-characterized in RA progression, but less so in OA pathogenesis. Methods: The human primary synovial fibroblasts (SFs) were obtained from human OA and RA tissue samples. The Western blot and qPCR were performed to analyze expression levels of CXCL1, as well as CXCL-promoted IL-6 expression in both OASFs and RASFs. The signal cascades that mediate the CXCL1-promoted IL-6 expression were identified by using chemical inhibitors, siRNAs and shRNAs. Results: Here, we found that both diseases feature elevated levels of CXCL1 and interleukin (IL)-6, an important proinflammatory cytokine that participates in OA and RA pathogenesis. In OASFs and RASFs, CXCL1 promoted IL-6 expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In OASFs and RASFs overexpressing CXCL1 or transduced with shRNA plasmid, IL-6 expression was markedly upregulated. CXCR2, c-Raf and MAPKs was found to regulate CXCL1-induced IL-6 expression in OASFs and RASFs. Finally, CXCL1 triggered the transcriptional activities of c-Jun (which regulates the expression of proinflammatory proteins) in OASFs and RASFs. Conclusions: Our present work suggests that the CXCL1/CXCR2 axis helps to orchestrate inflammatory responses in OA and RA SFs.
Evaluation of right ventricle pulmonary artery coupling on right ventricular function in post operative Tetralogy of Fallot patients underwent for pulmonary valve replacement
Authors: Bhushan Sandeep , Xin Huang , Yuan Li , Xiaowei Wang , Long Mao , Yue Kan , Dan Xiong , Ke Gao , Xiao Zongwei
Published: September 2020

Background: To evaluate RV-PA coupling in post operative TOF patients with ventricular dilatation underwent for PVR and investigate the correlation between ventricular functions measuring Ea/Emax ratio using cardio magnetic resonance and the effect of surgical type at primary repair of TOF on coupling.Method: RV-PA coupling was measured noninvasively by Ea/Emax ratio from CMRI and ECHO. From CMRI results the patients were divided in two groups, RV-PA coupling and RV-PA uncoupling. Ea/Emax ≤1 was considered for coupling patients and Ea/Emax >1 for uncoupling patients.Results : 90 patients were uncoupled (Ea/Emax: 1.55±0.46) and 45 were coupled (Ea/Emax: 0.81±0.15). Out of 75 TAP repaired patients 60 were uncoupled RV-PV. In addition, higher pro-BNP is an important factor for uncoupled RV-PV ( P =0.001). CMR evaluation for right ventricular function between uncoupling and coupling were RVEDVi (196.65±63.57 vs. 154.28±50.07, P =0.001), RVESVi (121.19±51.47 vs. 83.94±20.43, P =0.001), RVSVi (67.19±19.87 vs. 106.31±33.44, P =0.001), and RVEF (40.90±8.73 vs. 54.63±4.76, P =0.001). The increased RVEDVi, RVESVi and RVSVi and decreased RVEF have significant correlation with Ea/Emax. Ea/Emax was also found positively correlated with RVEDVi ( P=< 0.05, r =0.35), RVESVi ( P=< 0.001, r =0.41) and negatively correlated with RVSVi ( P=< 0.05, r =0.22) and RVEF ( P=< 0.05, r =0.78).Conclusions: Unfavorable RV-PA coupling is present in post operative TOF patients and it is affected by several factors. Our results explain a new concept of RV-PA interactions as a contributing mechanism for the observed decline in RV function.