bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecological genomics of Chinese wheat improvement: implications in breeding for adaptation
Authors: Guo Jie , Li Chang , Zhao Junjie , Guo Jiahui , Shi Weiping , Cheng Shunhe , Zhou Meixue , Hao Chenyang
Published: October 2020

Background

China has diverse wheat varieties that adapt to very different environments divided into ten agro-ecological zones. A better understanding of genomic differences and patterns of selection among agro-ecological zones could provide useful information in selection of specific adaptive traits in breeding.

Results

We genotyped 438 wheat accessions from ten zones with kompetitive allele specific PCR (KASP) markers specific to 47 cloned genes for grain yield, quality, adaptation and stress resistance. Phylogenetic trees and principle component analysis revealed clear differences in winter and spring growth habits. Nucleotide diversity (π) and π ratio (πCL/πMCC) suggested that genetic diversity had increased during breeding, and that Chinese landraces (CL) from Zones I-V contributed little to modern Chinese cultivars (MCC). π ratio and Fst identified 24 KASP markers with 53 strong selection signals specific to Zones I (9 signals), II (12), III (5), IV (5), V (6), and VI (6). Genes with clear genetic differentiation and strong response to selection in at least three zones were leaf rust resistance gene Lr34 (I, II, III and IV), photoperiod sensitivity gene Ppd-D1 (I, II, III, IV and V), vernalization gene Vrn-B1 (V, VII, VIII and X), quality-related gene Glu-B1 (I, II and III) and yield-related genes Sus1-7B (I, II, III, IV and IX), Sus2-2A (I, II, III., IV and VI) and GW2-6B (II, V and VI).

Conclusions

This study examined selection of multiple genes in each zone, traced the distribution of important genetic variations and provided useful information for ecological genomics and enlightening future breeding goals for different agro-ecological zones.
The impact of frailty in aortic valve surgery
Authors: Berastegui Garcia Elisabet , Camara Rosell Maria Luisa , Moret Ruiz Enrique , Casas Garcia Irma , Badia Gamarra Sara , Fernandez Gallego Claudio , Delgado Ramis Luis , Julia Almill Ignasi , Llorens Ferrer Anna , Romero Ferrer Bernat , Bayes Genis Antoni , Muñoz Guijosa Christian
Published: October 2020

Background

Frailty is a geriatric syndrome that diminishes potential functional recovery after any surgical procedure. Preoperative surgical risk assessment is crucial to calibrate the risk and benefit of cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to test usefulness of FRAIL Scale and other surgical-risk-scales and individual features of frailty in cardiac aortic valve surgery.

Methods

Prospective study. From May-2014 to February-2016, we collected 200 patients who underwent aortic valve replacement, either surgically or transcatheter. At 1-year follow-up, quality of life measurements were recorded using the EQ-5D (EuroQol). Univariate and multivariate analyses correlated preoperative condition, features of frailty and predicted risk scores with mortality, morbidity and quality of life at 1 year of follow-up.

Results

Mean age 78.2y, 56%male. Mean-preoperative-scores: FRAIL scale 1.5(SD 1.02), STS 2.9(SD 1.13), BI 93.8(SD 7.3), ESlog I 12.8(SD 8.5) and GS 7.3 s (SD 1.9). Morbidity at discharge, 6 m and 1 year was 51, 14 and 28%. Mortality 4%. Survival at 6 m/ 1-y was 97% / 88%. Complication-rate was higher in TAVI group due to-vascular complications. Renal dysfunction, anemia, social dependence and GS slower than 7 s were associated with morbidity. On multivariate analysis adjusted STS, BI and GS speed were statistically significant. Quality of life at 1-year follow-up adjusted for age and prosthesis type showed a significant association with STS and FRAIL scale scores.

Conclusions

Frailty increases surgical risk and is associated with higher morbidity. Preoperative GS slower 7 s, and STS and FRAIL scale scores seem to be reliable predictors of quality of life at 1-year follow-up.
Inequities in child survival in Nigerian communities during the Sustainable Development Goal era: insights from analysis of 2016/2017 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey
Authors: Adeyinka Daniel Adedayo , Muhajarine Nazeem , Petrucka Pammla , Isaac Elon Warnow
Published: October 2020

Background

Child survival is a major concern in Nigeria, as it contributes 13% of the global under-five mortalities. Although studies have examined the determinants of under-five mortality in Nigeria, the comparative roles of social determinants of health at the different stages of early childhood development have not been concurrently investigated. This study, therefore, aimed to identify the social determinants of age-specific childhood (0–59 months) mortalities, which are disaggregated into neonatal mortality (0–27 days), post-neonatal mortality (1–11 months) and child mortality (12–59 months), and estimate the within-and between-community variations of mortality among under-five children in Nigeria. This study provides evidence to guide stakeholders in planning for effective child survival strategies in the Nigerian communities during the Sustainable Development Goals era.

Methods

Using the 2016/2017 Nigeria Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, we performed multilevel multinomial logistic regression analysis on data of a nationally representative sample of 29,786 (weighted = 30,960) live births delivered 5 years before the survey to 18,497 women aged 15–49 years and nested within 16,151 households and 2227 communities.

Results

Determinants of under-five mortality differ across the neonatal, post-neonatal and toddler/pre-school stages in Nigeria. Unexpectedly, attendance of skilled health providers during delivery was associated with an increased neonatal mortality risk, although its effect disappeared during post-neonatal and toddler/pre-school stages. Also, our study found maternal-level factors such as maternal education, contraceptive use, maternal wealth index, parity, death of previous children, and quality of perinatal care accounted for high variation (39%) in childhood mortalities across the communities. The inclusion of other compositional and contextual factors had no significant additional effect on childhood mortality risks across the communities.

Conclusion

This study reinforces the importance of maternal-level factors in reducing childhood mortality, independent of the child, household, and community-level characteristics in the Nigerian communities. To tackle childhood mortalities in the communities, government-led strategies should prioritize implementation of community-based and community-specific interventions aimed at improving socioeconomic conditions of women. Training and continuous mentoring with adequate supervision of skilled health workers must be ensured to improve the quality of perinatal care in Nigeria.
Molecular-based cross-species evaluation of bovine coronavirus infection in cattle, sheep and goats in Ghana
Authors: Burimuah Vitus , Sylverken Augustina , Owusu Michael , El-Duah Philip , Yeboah Richmond , Lamptey Jones , Frimpong Yaw Oppong , Agbenyega Olivia , Folitse Raphael , Emikpe Ben , Tasiame William , Owiredu Eddie-Williams , Oppong Samuel , Antwi Christopher , Adu-Sarkodie Yaw , Drosten Christian
Published: October 2020

Background

Apart from the huge worldwide economic losses often occasioned by bovine coronavirus (BCoV) to the livestock industry, particularly with respect to cattle rearing, continuous surveillance of the virus in cattle and small ruminants is essential in monitoring variations in the virus that could enhance host switching. In this study, we collected rectal swabs from a total of 1,498 cattle, sheep and goats. BCoV detection was based on reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Sanger sequencing of the partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) region for postive samples were done and nucleotide sequences were compared with homologous sequences from the GenBank.

Results

The study reports a BCoV prevalence of 0.3%, consisting of 4 positive cases; 3 goats and 1 cattle. Less than 10% of all the animals sampled showed clinical signs such as diarrhea and respiratory distress except for high temperature which occurred in > 1000 of the animals. However, none of the 4 BCoV positive animals manifested any clinical signs of the infection at the time of sample collection. Bayesian majority-rule cladogram comparing partial and full length BCoV RdRp genes obtained in the study to data from the GenBank revealed that the sequences obtained from this study formed one large monophyletic group with those from different species and countries. The goat sequences were similar to each other and clustered within the same clade. No major variations were thus observed between our isolates and those from elsewhere.

Conclusions

Given that Ghana predominantly practices the extensive and semi-intensive systems of animal rearing, our study highlights the potential for spillover of BCoV to small ruminants in settings with mixed husbandry and limited separation between species.
Postural control strategy after incomplete spinal cord injury: effect of sensory inputs on trunk–leg movement coordination
Authors: Noamani Alireza , Lemay Jean-François , Musselman Kristin E. , Rouhani Hossein
Published: October 2020

Background

Postural control is affected after incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI) due to sensory and motor impairments. Any alteration in the availability of sensory information can challenge postural stability in this population and may lead to a variety of adaptive movement coordination patterns. Hence, identifying the underlying impairments and changes to movement coordination patterns is necessary for effective rehabilitation post-iSCI. This study aims to compare the postural control strategy between iSCI and able-bodied populations by quantifying the trunk–leg movement coordination under conditions that affects sensory information.

Methods

13 individuals with iSCI and 14 aged-matched able-bodied individuals performed quiet standing on hard and foam surfaces with eyes open and closed. We used mean Magnitude-Squared Coherence between trunk–leg accelerations measured by accelerometers placed over the sacrum and tibia.

Results

We observed a similar ankle strategy at lower frequencies (f ≤ 1.0 Hz) between populations. However, we observed a decreased ability post-iSCI in adapting inter-segment coordination changing from ankle strategy to ankle–hip strategy at higher frequencies (f > 1.0 Hz). Moreover, utilizing the ankle–hip strategy at higher frequencies was challenged when somatosensory input was distorted, whereas depriving visual information did not affect balance strategy.

Conclusion

Trunk–leg movement coordination assessment showed sensitivity, discriminatory ability, and excellent test–retest reliability to identify changes in balance control strategy post-iSCI and due to altered sensory inputs. Trunk–leg movement coordination assessment using wearable sensors can be used for objective outcome evaluation of rehabilitative interventions on postural control post-iSCI.
‘I know those people will be approachable and not mistreat us’: a qualitative study of inspectors and private drug sellers’ views on peer supervision in rural Uganda
Authors: Bagonza Arthur , Peterson Stefan , Mårtensson Andreas , Mutto Milton , Awor Phyllis , Kitutu Freddy , Gibson Linda , Wamani Henry
Published: October 2020

Background

Peer supervision improves health care delivery by health workers. However, in rural Uganda, self-supervision is what is prescribed for licensed private drug sellers by statutory guidelines. Evidence shows that self-supervision encourages inappropriate treatment of children less than 5 years of age by private drug sellers. This study constructed a model for an appropriate peer supervisor to augment the self-supervision currently practiced by drug sellers at district level in rural Uganda.

Methods

In this qualitative study, six Key informant interviews were held with inspectors while ten focus group discussions were conducted with 130 drug sellers. Data analysis was informed by the Kathy Charmaz constructive approach to grounded theory. Atlas ti.7 software package was used for data management.

Results

A model with four dimensions defining an appropriate peer supervisor was developed. The dimensions included; incentives, clearly defined roles, mediation and role model peer supervisor. While all dimensions were regarded as being important, all participants interviewed agreed that incentives for peer supervisors were the most crucial. Overall, an appropriate peer supervisor was described as being exemplary to other drug sellers, operated within a defined framework, well facilitated to do their role and a good go-between drug sellers and government inspectors.

Conclusion

Four central contributions advance literature by the model developed by our study. First, the model fills a supervision gap for rural private drug sellers. Second, it highlights the need for terms of reference for peer supervisors. Third, it describes who an appropriate peer supervisor should be. Lastly, it elucidates the kind of resources needed for peer supervision.
Ethnobotanical survey of the medicinal flora of Harighal, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan
Authors: Amjad Muhammad Shoaib , Zahoor Ujala , Bussmann Rainer W. , Altaf Muhammad , Gardazi Syed Mubashar Hussain , Abbasi Arshad Mehmood
Published: October 2020

Background

The present study is the first quantitative ethnobotanical evaluation of Harighal, an inaccessible and unexplored area of District Bagh Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK). The exploration, quantification, and comparison of ethnobotanical knowledge among different rural communities of the study area were mainly focused during field survey.

Methodology

In total, 79 informants (49 men and 34 women) were selected randomly to collect data using a semi-structured questionnaire. Various quantitative indices, including use value, relative frequency of citation, relative importance, fidelity level, and informant consent factor, were employed to evaluate the gathered information. Furthermore, primary data were also compared with twenty-two papers published from adjoining areas.

Result

A total of 150 medicinal plants belonging to 98 genera and 60 families were documented. Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Rosaceae were the dominant families having 15 species each. Of these, 76 species were indigenous, 74 exotic, 136 were collected in the wild, 10 cultivated, and 4 both wild-collected and cultivated. Herbaceous taxa were the most used life form, and leaves were the most exploited plant part. Decoctions were the most preferred method used in preparation of herbal recipes. Three species viz. Mentha longifolia, Berberis lycium, and Galium aparine had the highest use value (1.05), relative frequency of citation (0.81), and relative importance value (96), respectively. The highest informant consensus factor (ICF) was reported for digestive disorders. Mentha longifolia, Punica granatum, Zanthoxylum alatum, and Olea ferruginea had 100% fidelity values. The Jaccard index revealed that uses of plants were more similar in two neighboring areas, i.e., Pearl Valley and Toli Peer.

Conclusion

Local inhabitants still prioritize herbal medicines as an effective way to treat a wide variety of ailments. Elders and health practitioners of the study area are well aware of indigenous knowledge about medicinal plants, but young people are not much interested in herbal practices. Thus, valuable knowledge about the use of plants is on the verge of decline.
Ethnobotanical study on wild edible plants used by three trans-boundary ethnic groups in Jiangcheng County, Pu’er, Southwest China
Authors: Cao Yilin , Li Ren , Zhou Shishun , Song Liang , Quan Ruichang , Hu Huabin
Published: October 2020

Background

Dai, Hani, and Yao people, in the trans-boundary region between China, Laos, and Vietnam, have gathered plentiful traditional knowledge about wild edible plants during their long history of understanding and using natural resources. The ecologically rich environment and the multi-ethnic integration provide a valuable foundation and driving force for high biodiversity and cultural diversity in this region. However, little study has uncovered this unique and attractive culture to the world.

Methods

We conducted ethnobotanical survey in 20 villages of Jiangcheng County from 2016 to 2020. Altogether 109 local Dai, Hani, and Yao people were interviewed, and their traditional knowledge about wild edible plants was recorded. Voucher specimens were identified by the authors and deposited in the herbarium of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences (HITBC). The use value was used as a quantitative index to evaluate the consumption frequency and relative importance of the wild edible plants. The Jaccard index was calculated to assess the usage similarity of different areas. The relationship of age and recognized wild edible plants by different ethnic people was performed by R.

Results

A total of 211 wild edible plants, belonging to 71 families and 151 genera, were recorded. These plants were consumed as wild edible vegetables, seasonal fruits, salads, spices, sour condiments, tonic soups, tea substitutes, liquor brewing, or dyeing materials. The use value (UV), current cultivation, market availability, and the quantitative traditional knowledge inheritance situation of these wild edible plants among different generations, were analyzed. Based on the data from the threatened species list of China’s higher plants and the IUCN Red List, the food plant list for Asia Elephant, the Subject Database of China Plant, and the calculated UV score, the top 30 most important wild edible plants were selected for further cultivation in some local villages.

Conclusion

Traditional knowledge of wild edible plants, owned by Dai, Hani, and Yao people in Jiangcheng County, is rich but at risk of being lost among the young generation. Diversified cultivation of wild edible plants by the local communities could be a solution for the sustainable use of natural resources and to conserve the endangered species in this trans-boundary region.
Intrinsic braking role of descending locus coeruleus noradrenergic neurons in acute and chronic itch in mice
Authors: Koga Keisuke , Shiraishi Yuto , Yamagata Ryo , Tozaki-Saitoh Hidetoshi , Shiratori-Hayashi Miho , Tsuda Makoto
Published: October 2020

Itch is defined as an unpleasant sensation that provokes a desire to scratch. Our understanding of neuronal circuits for itch information transmission and processing in the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) has progressively advanced following the identification of SDH neuron subsets that are crucial for scratching behavior in models of itch. However, little is known about the control of acute and chronic itch by descending signals from the brain to the SDH. In this study, using genetic approaches that enable cell-type and circuit-specific functional manipulation, we reveal an intrinsic potential of locus coeruleus (LC)-noradrenergic (NAergic) neurons that project to the SDH to control acute and chronic itch. Activation and silencing of SDH-projecting LC-NAergic neurons reduced and enhanced scratching behavior, respectively, in models of histamine-dependent and -independent acute itch. Furthermore, in a model of chronic itch associated with contact dermatitis, repetitive scratching behavior was suppressed by the activation of the descending LC-NAergic pathway and by knocking out NA transporters specific to descending LC-NAergic neurons using a CRISPR-Cas9 system. Moreover, patch-clamp recording using spinal slices showed that noradrenaline facilitated inhibitory synaptic inputs onto gastrin-releasing peptide receptor-expressing SDH neurons, a neuronal subset known to be essential for itch transmission. Our findings suggest that descending LC-NAergic signaling intrinsically controls acute and chronic itch and provide potential therapeutic strategies for the treatment of acute and chronic itch.
Genetic, transcriptional, and regulatory landscape of monolignol biosynthesis pathway in Miscanthus × giganteus
Authors: Zeng Xiaofei , Sheng Jiajing , Zhu Fenglin , Wei Tianzi , Zhao Lingling , Hu Xiaohu , Zheng Xingfei , Zhou Fasong , Hu Zhongli , Diao Ying , Jin Surong
Published: October 2020

Background

Miscanthus × giganteus is widely recognized as a promising lignocellulosic biomass crop due to its advantages of high biomass production, low environmental impacts, and the potential to be cultivated on marginal land. However, the high costs of bioethanol production still limit the current commercialization of lignocellulosic bioethanol. The lignin in the cell wall and its by-products released in the pretreatment step is the main component inhibiting the enzymatic reactions in the saccharification and fermentation processes. Hence, genetic modification of the genes involved in lignin biosynthesis could be a feasible strategy to overcome this barrier by manipulating the lignin content and composition of M. × giganteus. For this purpose, the essential knowledge of these genes and understanding the underlying regulatory mechanisms in M. × giganteus is required.

Results

In this study, MgPAL1, MgPAL5, Mg4CL1, Mg4CL3, MgHCT1, MgHCT2, MgC3′H1, MgCCoAOMT1, MgCCoAOMT3, MgCCR1, MgCCR2, MgF5H, MgCOMT, and MgCAD were identified as the major monolignol biosynthetic genes in M. × giganteus based on genetic and transcriptional evidence. Among them, 12 genes were cloned and sequenced. By combining transcription factor binding site prediction and expression correlation analysis, MYB46, MYB61, MYB63, WRKY24, WRKY35, WRKY12, ERF021, ERF058, and ERF017 were inferred to regulate the expression of these genes directly. On the basis of these results, an integrated model was summarized to depict the monolignol biosynthesis pathway and the underlying regulatory mechanism in M. × giganteus.

Conclusions

This study provides a list of potential gene targets for genetic improvement of lignocellulosic biomass quality of M. × giganteus, and reveals the genetic, transcriptional, and regulatory landscape of the monolignol biosynthesis pathway in M. × giganteus.
Microbial signature in IgE-mediated food allergies
Authors: Goldberg Michael R. , Mor Hadar , Magid Neriya Dafna , Magzal Faiga , Muller Efrat , Appel Michael Y. , Nachshon Liat , Borenstein Elhanan , Tamir Snait , Louzoun Yoram , Youngster Ilan , Elizur Arnon , Koren Omry
Published: October 2020

Background

Multiple studies suggest a key role for gut microbiota in IgE-mediated food allergy (FA) development, but to date, none has studied it in the persistent state.

Methods

To characterize the gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid (SCFAs) profiles associated with major food allergy groups, we recruited 233 patients with FA including milk (N = 66), sesame (N = 38), peanut (N = 71), and tree nuts (N = 58), and non-allergic controls (N = 58). DNA was isolated from fecal samples, and 16S rRNA gene sequences were analyzed. SCFAs in stool were analyzed from patients with a single allergy (N = 84) and controls (N = 31).

Results

The gut microbiota composition of allergic patients was significantly different compared to age-matched controls both in α-diversity and β-diversity. Distinct microbial signatures were noted for FA to different foods. Prevotella copri (P. copri) was the most overrepresented species in non-allergic controls. SCFAs levels were significantly higher in the non-allergic compared to the FA groups, whereas P. copri significantly correlated with all three SCFAs. We used these microbial differences to distinguish between FA patients and non-allergic healthy controls with an area under the curve of 0.90, and for the classification of FA patients according to their FA types using a supervised learning algorithm. Bacteroides and P. copri were identified as taxa potentially contributing to KEGG acetate-related pathways enriched in non-allergic compared to FA. In addition, overall pathway dissimilarities were found among different FAs.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate a link between IgE-mediated FA and the composition and metabolic activity of the gut microbiota.
The landscape of host genetic factors involved in immune response to common viral infections
Authors: Kachuri Linda , Francis Stephen S. , Morrison Maike L. , Wendt George A. , Bossé Yohan , Cavazos Taylor B. , Rashkin Sara R. , Ziv Elad , Witte John S.
Published: October 2020

Background

Humans and viruses have co-evolved for millennia resulting in a complex host genetic architecture. Understanding the genetic mechanisms of immune response to viral infection provides insight into disease etiology and therapeutic opportunities.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive study including genome-wide and transcriptome-wide association analyses to identify genetic loci associated with immunoglobulin G antibody response to 28 antigens for 16 viruses using serological data from 7924 European ancestry participants in the UK Biobank cohort.

Results

Signals in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II region dominated the landscape of viral antibody response, with 40 independent loci and 14 independent classical alleles, 7 of which exhibited pleiotropic effects across viral families. We identified specific amino acid (AA) residues that are associated with seroreactivity, the strongest associations presented in a range of AA positions within DRβ1 at positions 11, 13, 71, and 74 for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Varicella zoster virus (VZV), human herpesvirus 7, (HHV7), and Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV). Genome-wide association analyses discovered 7 novel genetic loci outside the HLA associated with viral antibody response (P < 5.0 × 10−8), including FUT2 (19q13.33) for human polyomavirus BK (BKV), STING1 (5q31.2) for MCV, and CXCR5 (11q23.3) and TBKBP1 (17q21.32) for HHV7. Transcriptome-wide association analyses identified 114 genes associated with response to viral infection, 12 outside of the HLA region, including ECSCR: P = 5.0 × 10−15 (MCV), NTN5: P = 1.1 × 10−9 (BKV), and P2RY13: P = 1.1 × 10−8 EBV nuclear antigen. We also demonstrated pleiotropy between viral response genes and complex diseases, from autoimmune disorders to cancer to neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions.

Conclusions

Our study confirms the importance of the HLA region in host response to viral infection and elucidates novel genetic determinants beyond the HLA that contribute to host-virus interaction.
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomal microRNA-136-5p inhibits chondrocyte degeneration in traumatic osteoarthritis by targeting ELF3
Authors: Chen Xue , Shi Yuanyuan , Xue Pan , Ma Xinli , Li Junfeng , Zhang Jun
Published: October 2020

Background

Emerging evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRs) are associated with the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). In this study, the role of exosomal miR-136-5p derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in OA progression is investigated and the potential therapeutic mechanism explored.

Methods

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and their exosomes were isolated from patients and identified. The endocytosis of chondrocytes and the effects of exosome miR-136-5p on cartilage degradation were observed and examined by immunofluorescence and cartilage staining. Then, the targeting relationship between miR-136-5p and E74-like factor 3 (ELF3) was analyzed by dual-luciferase report assay. Based on gain- or loss-of-function experiments, the effects of exosomes and exosomal miR-136-5p on chondrocyte migration were examined by EdU and Transwell assay. Finally, a mouse model of post-traumatic OA was developed to evaluate effects of miR-136-5p on chondrocyte degeneration in vivo.

Results

In the clinical samples of traumatic OA cartilage tissues, we detected increased ELF3 expression, and reduced miR-136-5p expression was determined. The BMMSC-derived exosomes showed an enriched level of miR-136-5p, which could be internalized by chondrocytes. The migration of chondrocyte was promoted by miR-136-5p, while collagen II, aggrecan, and SOX9 expression was increased and MMP-13 expression was reduced. miR-136-5p was verified to target ELF3 and could downregulate its expression. Moreover, the expression of ELF3 was reduced in chondrocytes after internalization of exosomes. In the mouse model of post-traumatic OA, exosomal miR-136-5p was found to reduce the degeneration of cartilage extracellular matrix.

Conclusion

These data provide evidence that BMMSC-derived exosomal miR-136-5p could promote chondrocyte migration in vitro and inhibit cartilage degeneration in vivo, thereby inhibiting OA pathology, which highlighted the transfer of exosomal miR-136-5p as a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with OA.
Efficacy of a novel double-controlled oncolytic adenovirus driven by the Ki67 core promoter and armed with IL-15 against glioblastoma cells
Authors: Zhang Qing , Zhang Junwen , Tian Yifu , Zhu Guidong , Liu Sisi , Liu Fusheng
Published: October 2020

Background

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an immunosuppressive, highly vascular and devastating malignant brain tumor. Even with progressive combination treatment that includes surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, the prognosis for GBM patients is still extremely poor. Oncolytic adenovirus (OAd) can specifically replicate in GBM cells, permitting the rapid copy of the therapeutic genes it carries. Moreover, E1A is an essential gene in adenoviral replication and is the first gene expressed upon viral infection. E1A expression can be regulated by the Ki67 promoter, while the CMV promoter drives therapeutic gene expression. However, the efficacy of a double-controlled OAd driven by the Ki67 core promoter and armed with IL-15 against GBM cells has not been investigated.

Methods

Fluorescence microscopy was performed to evaluate infection ability in the viruses. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. Levels of cytokines in different supernatants were determined by ELISA, and IL-15 gene expression was measured by RT-PCR. Angiogenic capacity was analyzed by tube formation assay.

Results

We successfully constructed a double-controlled oncolytic adenovirus driven by the Ki67 core promoter and armed with IL-15 that selectively infected and killed GBM cells while sparing normal cells. The adenoviruses prime IL-15 gene expression to significantly enhance anti-GBM efficacy through effective activation of microglial cells. Moreover, OAd not only directly inhibits angiogenesis but exhibits potent antiangiogenic capacity mediated by the reduction of VEGF secretion.

Conclusions

These results provide new insight into the effects of a novel double-controlled OAd driven by the Ki67 core promoter and armed with IL-15 in glioblastoma treatment, which may help in the development of novel therapies in solid tumors.
Energy efficiency optimization-based resource allocation for underlay RF-CRN with residual energy and QoS guarantee
Authors: Tian Jie , Xiao He , Sun Yimao , Hou Dong , Li Xianglu
Published: October 2020

How to achieve energy-efficient transmission in radio frequency energy harvesting cognitive radio network (RF-CRN) is of great importance when nodes in CRN are self-maintained. This paper presents a radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting hardware-based underlay cognitive radio network (RH-CRN) structure, where a secondary transmitter (ST) first harvests energy from RF signals source originating from the primary network, and then communicates with a secondary receiver (SR) in underlay mode by using the harvested energy. The total consumed energy by the secondary user (SU) must be equal to or less than the total harvested energy referred to as energy causality constraint, In addition, the ST possesses some initial energy which may be the residual energy from the former transmission blocks, and we consider the energy loss of energy harvesting circuit as a systematic factor as well. Our goal is to achieve the maximum energy efficiency (EE) of the secondary network by jointly optimizing transmitting time and power. To guarantee the quality of service (QoS) of secondary transceiver, a minimum requirement of throughput constraint is imposed on the ST in the process of EE maximization. As the EE maximization is a nonlinear fractional programming problem, a quick iterative algorithm based on Dinkelbach’s method is proposed to achieve the optimal resource allocation. Simulation results show that the proposed strategy has fast convergence and can improve the system EE greatly while ensuring the QoS.
The impact of public involvement in health research: what are we measuring? Why are we measuring it? Should we stop measuring it?
Authors: Russell Jill , Fudge Nina , Greenhalgh Trish
Published: October 2020

As public involvement in the design, conduct and dissemination of health research has become an expected norm and firmly enshrined in policy, interest in measuring its impact has also grown. Despite a drive to assess the impact of public involvement, and a growing body of studies attempting to do just this, a number of questions have been largely ignored.

This commentary addresses these omissions: What is the impact of all this focus on measuring impact? How is the language of impact shaping the debate about, and the practice of, public involvement in health research? And how have shifting conceptualisations of public involvement in health research shaped, and been shaped by, the way we think about and measure impact? We argue that the focus on impact risks distorting how public involvement in health research is conceptualised and practised, blinding us to possible negative impacts.

We call for a critical research agenda for public involvement that [a] considers public involvement not as an instrumental intervention but a social practice of dialogue and learning between researchers and the public; [b] explores how power relations play out in the context of public involvement in health research, what empowerment means and whose interests are served by it, and [c] asks questions about possible harms as well as benefits of public involvement, and whether the language of impact is helpful or not.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scientific statement on CPR management protocol of Kasr Al-Ainy University Hospital is presented
Authors: Taha Hesham S. , Shaker Mirna M. , Abdelghany Mohamed M.
Published: October 2020

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a major burden to the healthcare system in Egypt, and in the face of a highly infective disease which can prove fatal, healthcare systems need to change their management protocols to meet these new challenges.

Main body

This scientific statement, developed by the cardiology department at Cairo University, emphasized 6 different aspects that are intended to guide healthcare providers during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlighted the importance of dealing with all cardiac arrest victims, during the pandemic, as potential COVID-19 cases, and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) by health care providers during the procedure. It also stated that the CPR procedure should be done in a separate room with the door closed and that the number of providers present during the procedure should be limited to only those who are essential for patient resuscitation. It also stressed that family members and accompanying personnel of patients with possible COVID-19 should not be in the vicinity of CPR site. The statement also pointed out that CPR procedure should be done in the standard manner with precautions to minimize spread of infection to the staff and accompanying people. Early intubation was prioritized, and the use of rapid sequence intubation with appropriate PPE was recommended. For delivery of CPR for the prone ventilated patient, delivery of chest compressions by pressing the patient’s back, while a team prepares to turn the patient supine, was recommended. During intra-hospital transport, it was emphasized that the receiving intensive care unit (ICU) should be notified about the possibility of the patient being COVID-19 positive, so that appropriate infection control precautions are taken.

Conclusion

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation of cardiac arrest patients in the COVID-19 era poses a significant challenge, and all health care providers should deal with any cardiac arrest victim presenting to the emergency department as potential COVID-19 suspects and should use the appropriate PPE.
The clinical significance of blood lactate levels in evaluation of adult patients with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Laimoud Mohamed , Alanazi Mosleh
Published: October 2020

Background

Veno-arterial ECMO is a life-supporting procedure that can be done to the patients with cardiogenic shock which is associated with hyperlactatemia. The objective of this study was to detect the validity of serial measurements of arterial lactate level in differentiating hospital mortality and neurological outcome after VA-ECMO support for adult patients with cardiogenic shock. All consecutive patients ≥ 18 years admitted with cardiogenic shock and supported with VA-ECMO between 2015 and 2019 in our tertiary care hospital were retrospectively studied.

Results

The study included 106 patients with a mean age of 40.2 ± 14.4 years, a mean BMI of 26.5 ± 7 and mostly males (69.8%). The in-hospital mortality occurred in 56.6% and acute cerebral strokes occurred in 25.5% of the enrolled patients. The non-survivors and the patients with acute cerebral strokes had significantly higher arterial lactate levels at pre-ECMO initiation, post-ECMO peak and after 24 h of ECMO support compared to the survivors and those without strokes, respectively. The peak arterial lactate ≥ 14.65 mmol/L measured after ECMO support had 81.7% sensitivity and 89.1% specificity for predicting hospital mortality [AUROC 0.889, p < 0.001], while the arterial lactate level ≥ 3.25 mmol/L after 24 h of ECMO support had 88.3% sensitivity and 97.8% specificity for predicting hospital mortality [AUROC 0.93, p < 0.001]. The peak lactate ≥ 15.15 mmol/L measured after ECMO support had 70.8% sensitivity and 69% specificity for predicting cerebral strokes [AUROC 0.717, p < 0.001], while the lactate level ≥ 3.25 mmol/L after 24 h of ECMO support had 79.2% sensitivity and 72.4% specificity for predicting cerebral strokes [AUROC 0.779, p < 0.001]. Progressive hyperlactatemia (OR = 1.427, 95% CI 1.048–1.944, p = 0.024) and increasing SOFA score after 48 h (OR = 1.819, 95% CI 1.374–2.409, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality after VA-ECMO support. Post hoc analysis detected a significantly high frequency of hypoalbuminemia in the non-survivors and in the patients who developed acute cerebral strokes during VA-ECMO support.

Conclusion

Progressive hyperlactatemia after VA-ECMO initiation for adult patients with cardiogenic shock is a sensitive and specific predictor of hospital mortality and acute cerebrovascular strokes. According to our results, we could recommend early VA-ECMO initiation to achieve adequate circulatory support and better outcome.
Advanced and futuristic approaches for breast cancer diagnosis
Authors: Mishra Jayanti , Kumar Bhumika , Targhotra Monika , Sahoo P. K.
Published: October 2020

Background

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer and one of the most common causes of death in women, impacting almost 2 million women each year. Tenacity or perseverance of breast cancer in women is very high these days with an extensive increasing rate of 3 to 5% every year. Along with hurdles faced during treatment of breast tumor, one of the crucial causes of delay in treatment is invasive and poor diagnostic techniques for breast cancer hence the early diagnosis of breast tumors will help us to improve its management and treatment in the initial stage.

Main body

Present review aims to explore diagnostic techniques for breast cancer that are currently being used, recent advancements that aids in prior detection and evaluation and are extensively focused on techniques that are going to be future of breast cancer detection with better efficiency and lesser pain to patients so that it helps to a physician to prevent delay in treatment of cancer. Here, we have discussed mammography and its advanced forms that are the need of current era, techniques involving radiation such as radionuclide methods, the potential of nanotechnology by using nanoparticle in breast cancer, and how the new inventions such as breath biopsy, and X-ray diffraction of hair can simply use as a prominent method in breast cancer early and easy detection tool.

Conclusion

It is observed significantly that advancement in detection techniques is helping in early diagnosis of breast cancer; however, we have to also focus on techniques that will improve the future of cancer diagnosis in like optical imaging and HER2 testing.
Associations of a Preoperative Anemia and Suboptimal Iron Stores Screening and Management Clinic in Colorectal Surgery With Hospital Cost, Reimbursement, and Length of Stay: A Net Cost Analysis
Authors: Trentino Kevin M. , Mace Hamish , Symons Kylie , Sanfilippo Frank M. , Leahy Michael F. , Farmer Shannon L. , Watts Rory D. , Hamdorf Jeffrey M. , Murray Kevin
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND:

In 2016, a preoperative clinic was implemented to screen, evaluate, and manage anemia and suboptimal iron stores at a major tertiary care medical center in Western Australia. Few studies compare the costs and reimbursements associated with preoperative anemia and suboptimal iron stores management. The objective of our study was to conduct a net cost analysis associated with the implementation of this clinic.

METHODS:

We designed a retrospective cohort study involving elective colorectal surgical admissions over a 3-year period. The baseline year selected was the 2015–2016 financial year, with outcomes in the 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 year compared to baseline. The study perspective was the Western Australian Health System. Hospital costs were extracted from the health service clinical costing system, which captures costs at the admission level. The primary outcome was net cost, defined as gross cost minus reimbursement (or funding) received.

RESULTS:

Our 3-year study included 544 admissions for elective colorectal surgery. After the implementation of the preoperative clinic, 73.4% (n = 257) of admissions were screened for anemia and suboptimal iron stores, and 31.4% (n = 110) received intravenous iron. In our adjusted analysis, when comparing the final year (2017–2018) with baseline (2015–2016), the units of red blood cells transfused per admission decreased 53% (142 vs 303 units per 1000 discharges; P = .006), and mean hospital length of stay decreased 15% (7.7 vs 9.1 days; P = .008). When comparing the final year with baseline, rectal resection admissions were associated with a mean decrease in the net cost of Australian dollar (A$) 7619 (95% confidence interval, 4230-11,008; P < .001) between 2015–2016 and 2017–2018. For small and large bowel procedures, there was a mean decrease of A$6744 (95% confidence interval, 2430-11,057; P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS:

The implementation of a preoperative anemia and suboptimal iron stores screening and management clinic in elective colorectal surgery was associated with reductions in red cell transfusions, length of stay, and net costs.
Bound by Sovereignty
Authors: Miranda J. V.
Published: October 2020

Recently scholars have called for an Indigenous turn in medieval studies that challenges the historical assumptions of the field by actively engaging in a decolonial and anticolonial praxis. This essay argues that this turn must confront the problem of reciprocity that arises from distinct Indigenous and medieval articulations of sovereignty, which reveal the potential of this tenuous intersection despite the possibility of irreconcilable antagonisms. Tracing sovereignty—specifically through a “politics of recognition” as proposed by the Yellowknives Dene scholar Glen Coulthard—in Dante’s Monarchia (and Paradiso) and Leslie Marmon Silko’s Ceremony provides an analytic example of this comparative framework, since both authors challenge readers to question the imposition of authority and the logics that legitimate and justify dominant forms of governance. Yet Dante and Silko also draw on distinct articulations of sovereignty that suggest the limitations of decolonial and anticolonial praxis within a field bound to a Western episteme that underwrites colonial and imperial authority.
Demand Volatility, Adjustment Costs, and Productivity: An Examination of Capacity Utilization in Hotels and Airlines
Authors: Butters R. Andrew
Published: October 2020

Measures of productivity reveal large differences across producers even within narrowly defined industries. Traditional measures of productivity, however, will associate differences in demand volatility to differences in productivity when adjusting factors of production is costly. I document this effect by comparing the influence of demand volatility on capacity utilization in a high (hotels) and low (airlines) adjustment cost industry. Differences in annual demand volatility explain a large share of the variation in occupancy rates of hotels at the metro area–segment-year level. In contrast, differences in annual demand volatility have no effect on load factors of airlines at the destination-airline-year level. (JEL D24, L83, L93)
Frequency and clinical significance of prostatic involvement in men with febrile urinary tract infection: a prospective observational study
Authors: Arjunlal Thayyil Shahilal , Deepanjali Surendran , Manikandan Ramanitharan , Medha Rajappa
Published: October 2020

Background: Frequent asymptomatic involvement of the prostate has been demonstrated in men with febrile urinary tract infection (fUTI). In view of this, men with fUTI are often given a longer duration of antibiotic treatment; however, evidence to support this is limited.

Methods: We prospectively studied adult men with fUTI admitted under the Department of Medicine in a tertiary care hospital in southern India.  fUTI was defined as fever of ≥38°C with at least one symptom/sign of UTI and pyuria, requiring hospitalization. We estimated serum total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels at enrollment, one month and three months after treatment completion. We assessed prostatic volume by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and estimated the serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels at baseline and after three months.

Results: We enrolled 64 men (median [IQR] age 53 [45-60] years); 50 patients completed follow-up. At baseline, 24 (38%) of 64 patients had elevated serum PSA values compared to age-specific upper limit. The median (IQR) serum PSA level was 2.15 (1.18-3.02) ng/mL and median (IQR) serum hs-CRP level was 2.23 (1.85-2.74) mg/dL (N=64). At three months, serum PSA levels decreased by ≥25% in 47 (94%) of 50 patients. The median (IQR) of prostatic volume was 25.4 (18.9-34) mL at baseline (N=64), and ≥10% decrease in prostatic volume was observed in 24 (48%) of 50 patients at three months. The change in the serum PSA levels did not correlate with clinical findings like prostatic tenderness or with prostatic volume changes. Further, serum PSA levels did not correlate with hs-CRP levels. On follow-up, seven patients had lower urinary tract symptoms; only one of them had recurrent fUTI.  

Conclusions: Asymptomatic prostatic involvement, although common in men with fUTI, does not seem to influence the treatment outcomes.
DeepCLEM: automated registration for correlative light and electron microscopy using deep learning
Authors: Seifert Rick , Markert Sebastian M. , Britz Sebastian , Perschin Veronika , Erbacher Christoph , Stigloher Christian , Kollmannsberger Philip
Published: October 2020

In correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM), the fluorescent images must be registered to the EM images with high precision. Due to the different contrast of EM and fluorescence images, automated correlation-based alignment is not directly possible, and registration is often done by hand using a fluorescent chromatin stain, or semi-automatically with fiducial markers. We introduce “DeepCLEM”, a fully automated CLEM registration workflow. A convolutional neural network predicts the fluorescent signal from the EM images, which is then automatically registered to the experimentally measured chromatin signal from the sample using correlation-based alignment. The complete workflow is available as a FIJI macro and could in principle be adapted for other imaging modalities as well as for 3D stacks.