bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poor dietary practice and its associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus on follow up in Nigist Elleni Mohammed Memorial Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia
Authors: Selassie Mulugeta , Tamiru Desalegn , Tadesse Tegegn , Gizachew Adisalem
Published: August 2021

Background

Despite the importance of dietary practice on self care of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, poor dietary practice results in long term complications. Therefore this study was conducted to identify the level of poor dietary practice among type 2 diabetic patients on follow up in Nigist Elleni Mohammed Memorial comprehensive specialized Hospital, Southern Ethiopia.
Methods

Facility based cross-sectional study design was employed to assess the level of poor dietary practice among type II diabetes mellitus adult patients. The study was conducted from March to April 2020 G.C. Systematic random sampling method was used to select the study respondent. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were carried out to assess independent predictors of poor practice to diet. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals together with value ≤ 0.05 were used to identify independent predictors of poor dietary practice.
Result

The overall proportion of poor dietary adherence among type diabetes patients was 53.7% (n = 168). Having large family size, occupations, being low wealth status, lack of family support and not being member of diabetic association were the factors associated with poor adherence of dietary practice among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
Conclusion

The overall magnitude of the poor adherence to dietary practice among type 2 diabetes mellitus adult patients was 53.7% which is not going in line with international recommendations of diabetic self care. Every concerned body should strive to address those factors associated with poor dietary practice among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
Cardiovascular Disease Behavioural Risk Factors in Rural Interventions: Cross-Sectional Study.
Authors: Akinosun Adewale S. , Kamya Sylvia , Watt Jonathan , Johnston William , Leslie Stephen J. , Grindle Mark
Published: August 2021

Aims:This study aims to 1) assess the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) behavioural risk factors in patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) 2) identify target risk factor(s) for behaviour modification intervention, and 3) develop an analytical model to define cluster(s) of risk factors which could help make any generic intervention more targeted to the local patient population.Subject and Methods:Study patients with at least one CVD behavioural risk factors living in a rural region. The study used STROBE methodology for cross-sectional studies. Demographic and clinical data of patients (n=2025) were collected at the point of admission for PCI between 04.01.2016 to 31.12.2019. Collected data distributions were analysed by CVD behavioural risk factors for prevalence, associations, and direction of associations. Cluster definition was measured by assignment of a unit score each for overall level of prevalence and significance of associations, and general logistics modelling for direction and significance of risk.Results:The mean (SD) age was 69.47(±10.93) years [95% CI (68.99 - 69.94)]. The key risk factors were hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, and elevated body mass index (BMI). Approximately 40% of the population have multiple risk factor counts of two. Analytical measures revealed a population risk factor cluster with elevated BMI [77.5% (1570/2025)] that is mostly either hyperlipidaemic [9.43%, co-eff. (17), P=.007] or hypertensive [22.72%, co-eff. (17), P=.99] as key risk factor clusters.Conclusion:Carefully modelled analyses revealed clustered behavioural risk associated with elevated BMI. This information would support a strategy for applying targeted clusters in novel interventions to improve implementation efficiency.Conclusion: Risk factors, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and percutaneous coronary intervention.
A Synthesis-Based Reverse Metabolomics Approach for the Discovery of Chemical Structures from Humans and Animals.
Authors: Dorrestein Pieter , Gentry Emily , Collins Stephanie , Panitchpakdi Morgan , Belda-Ferre Pedro , Stewart Allison , Wang Mingxun , Jarmusch Alan , Avila-Pacheco Julian , Plichta Damian , Aron Allegra , Vlamakis Hera , Ananthakrishnan Ashwin , Clish Clary , Xavier Ramnik , Baker Erin , Patterson Andrew , Knight Robin , Siegel Dionicio
Published: August 2021

Identification of metabolites in humans remains challenging. Here, we present synthesis-based reverse metabolomics as a strategy for structure elucidation that aims to also find phenotypic associations. In this approach, MS/MS spectra are acquired from newly synthesized compounds, and searched against public metabolomics data to uncover their phenotypic associations. To demonstrate the concept, we used combinatorial amide coupling reactions to synthesize an array of amino acid conjugated bile acids. A total of 16,587 spectral matches were found for 145 amidates synthesized, representing the single largest expansion of structures in the 170+ year history of bile acids. Furthermore, some new bile acids were associated with health-related phenotypes such as inflammatory bowel diseases and obesity. Using independent human cohorts for validation revealed that some cholic and chenodeoxycholic acid conjugates were elevated in Crohn’s disease, of which some were also potent PXR agonists. Bacteria belonging to bifidobacterium, clostridium, and enterococci genera were the main producers of these new conjugated bile acids. Because searching repositories with MS/MS spectra has only recently become possible, this synthesis-based reverse metabolomics approach can now be employed as a general strategy to elucidate structures and discover other new molecules from human and animal ecosystems.
Delivery of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention With Enhanced Infection Prevention and Control Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Chad: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Ward Charlotte , Phillips Abimbola , Oresanya Olusola , Olisenekwu Gloria , Arogunade Ekundayo , Moukénet Azoukalné , Beakgoubé Honoré , Allambademel Vincent de Paul , Compaoré Cheick Saïd , Traoré Adama , Ouedraogo Jean-Bosco , Compaoré Yves Daniel , Zongo Issaka , Donovan Laura , Decola Monica Anna , Smith Helen , Baker Kevin
Published: August 2021

IntroductionSeasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) is a WHO-recommended intervention for children aged 3-59 months living in areas of high malaria transmission to provide protection against malaria during the rainy season. Operational guidelines were developed, based on WHO guidance, to support countries to mitigate the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission within communities and among community distributors when delivering SMC.MethodsA cross-sectional study to determine adherence to infection prevention and control measures during two distribution cycles of SMC in Nigeria, Chad and Burkina Faso. Community distributors were observed receiving equipment and delivering SMC. Adherence across six domains was calculated as the proportion of indications in which the community distributor performed the correct action. Focus group discussions were conducted with community distributors to understand their perceptions of the infection prevention and control measures and barriers and facilitators to adherence.ResultsWe observed community distributors in Nigeria (n=259), Burkina Faso (n=252) and Chad (n=266) receiving infection prevention and control equipment and delivering SMC. Adherence to infection prevention and control indications varied. In all three countries, adherence to mask use was the highest (ranging from 73.3% in Nigeria to 86.9% in Burkina Faso). Adherence to hand hygiene for at least 30 seconds was low (ranging from 3.6% in Nigeria to 10.3% in Burkina Faso) but increased substantially when excluding the length of time spent hand washing (ranging from 36.7% in Nigeria to 61.4% in Burkina Faso). Adherence to safe distancing in the compound ranged from 5.4% in Chad to 16.4% in Nigeria. In Burkina Faso and Chad, where disinfection wipes widely available compliance with disinfection of blister packs for SMC was low (17.4% in Burkina Faso and 16.9% in Chad). Community distributors generally found the infection prevention and control measures acceptable, however there were barriers to optimal hand hygiene practices, cultural norms made social distancing difficult to adhere to and caregivers needed assistance to administer the first dose of SMC.ConclusionAdherence to infection prevention and control measures for SMC delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic varied across domains of infection prevention and control, but was largely insufficient, particularly for hand hygiene and safe distancing. Improvements in provision of equipment, early awareness raising and adaptations to make infection prevention and control measures more feasible to implement could increase adherence.
Unexpected Similarity Between HIV‐1 Reverse Transcriptase and Tumor Necrosis Factor Binding Sites Revealed by Computer Vision.
Authors: Eguida Merveille , Rognan Didier
Published: August 2021

Rationalizing the identification of hidden similarities across the repertoire of druggable protein cavities remains a major hurdle to a true proteome‐wide structure‐based discovery of novel drug candidates. We recently described a new computational approach (ProCare), inspired by numerical image processing, to identify local similarities in fragment‐based subpockets. During the validation of the method, we unexpectedly identified a possible similarity in the binding pockets of two unrelated targets, human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase (HIV‐1 RT). Microscale thermophoresis experiments confirmed the ProCare prediction as two of the three tested and FDA‐approved HIV‐1 RT inhibitors indeed bind to soluble human TNF‐α trimer. Interestingly, the herein disclosed similarity could be revealed neither by state‐of‐the‐art binding sites comparison methods nor by ligand‐based pairwise similarity searches, suggesting that the point cloud registration approach implemented in ProCare, is uniquely suited to identify local and unobvious similarities among totally unrelated targets.
Association of MMP-9, ADMA, and sCD40L with ischemic stroke and correlations with stroke severity: A case-control study
Authors: Li Min , Wang Hongmei , Gao Yanjun
Published: August 2021

Background

In the present study, we aimed to examine the correlation of serum levels of MMP-9, ADMA, and sCD40L with the occurrence and severity of acute ischemic stroke.
Methods

All routines analyses were performed using a Cobas platform. MMP-9, ADMA, and sCD40L were measured using ELISA kit.
Results

Compared with the controls, the stroke group showed higher MMP-9,higher sCD40L and higher ADMA. There were significant positive correlations between the NIHSS scores and MMP-9, sCD40L and ADMA.
Conclusions

Our study indicated that serum levels of MMP-9, sCD40L, and ADMA are associated with ischemic stroke and are correlated with the NIHSS scores at admission.
Raltegravir 1200 mg Once Daily as Maintenance Therapy in Virologically Suppressed HIV-1 Infected Adults : QDISS Open-Label Trial
Authors: Hall Nolwenn , Allavena Clotilde , Katlama Christine , Jobert Alexandra , Molina Jean-Michel , Cua Eric , Bani-Sadr Firouzé , Hocqueloux Laurent , Duvivier Claudine , Merrien Dominique , Hikombo Hitoto , André-Garnier Elisabeth , Gaultier Aurélie , Raffi François
Published: August 2021

Background: Raltegravir (RAL) has favorable tolerability and safety profile, with few and manageable drug interactions. The use of RAL 1200 mg once daily (qd) for first-line therapy is well established. We assessed efficacy and safety of RAL 1200 mg qd, as part of triple cART, for maintenance strategy.Methods: The QDISS trial (NCT03195452) was a 48-week multicenter, single-arm, open-label study designed to evaluate the ability of 2 NRTIs + RAL 1200 mg qd to maintain virological suppression in HIV-1 infected subjects on a stable cART with 2 NRTIs and a third agent for at least 6 months. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL at week 24, by the FDA snapshot algorithm.Results: Of 100 participants 91% maintained viral suppression (95% CI: 83.6-95.8) at week 24 and 89% (81.2-94.4) at week 48. At week 24, there was one virological failure, without emergence of resistance-associated mutation and 10 participants had discontinued, 4 because of adverse events (AEs). Over 48 weeks, 7 AEs of grade 3-4 were reported, one possibly study-drug related (spontaneous abortion). BMI remained stable regardless of previous therapy or baseline BMI category. Over 48 weeks, total cholesterol (p=0.023) and LDL-cholesterol (p=0.009) decreased, lifestyle and ease subscale significantly improved (p=0.04). The quality of life and Patients Reported Outcomes (PROs) also improved at W12 (p=0.007). Conclusion: RAL 1200 mg qd as part of a maintenance triple therapy showed a high efficacy in virologically suppressed HIV-1 infected subjects, with good safety profile and improved lipid profile and patient reported outcomes.Trial registration = clinical trials.gov NCT03195452 and EudraCT 2016-003702-13
Genetic Structure and Diversity of Rice From Certified Cultivars and Farmer’s Fields in Burkina Faso
Authors: BARRO Mariam , KONATE Abdourasmane , WONNI Issa , KASSANKOGNO Abalo Itolou , SABOT François , ALBAR Laurence , SOMDA Irénée , BENA Gilles , GHESQUIERE Alain , KAM Honoré , SIE Moussa , CUBRY Philippe , TOLLENAERE Charlotte
Published: August 2021

Background: In West Africa, two rice species are cultivated, the African rice Oryza glaberrima and the Asian rice Oryza sativa, the second one being much more frequent. Despite its importance for food security in West Africa, the genetic diversity of Oryza sativa in farmer’s fields remains understudied in this region. Documenting the dynamics of diversity in the fields between landraces and improved cultivars is of importance to ensure rice cultivation adaptation to global change.In this study, we genotyped 77 rice samples from Burkina Faso using the C6AIR SNP array from IRRI. Among the studied samples, 27 were certified cultivars and 50 were sampled in rice fields from three geographical zones in western Burkina Faso, each zone comprising one irrigated area and a neighboring rainfed lowland. Obtained data were analyzed in the frame of the worldwide rice genetic diversity by using the 3K genomes as reference.Results: Most of the certified cultivars clustered with the indica genetic group, with a minority (26%) assigned to the japonica group. All except one of the rice samples from farmer’s fields belonged to the indica group. The peculiar one unexpectedly clustered with the Aus genetic group and originated from Tengrela (rainfed lowland in Karfiguela zone). This site, already known to differ in terms of agronomic practices, showed the highest genetic diversity compared to the five other sites, as well as highest genetic differentiation. Obtained genetic data confirmed the high global frequency of one cultivar, in accordance with the data from farmer’s interview. However, at the field level, genetic data rarely corresponded to the cultivar’s names obtained from farmer’s interviews.Conclusions: Overall we found a high genetic diversity in the studied samples from Burkina Faso (certified and field’s samples). We argue on the importance to document and preserve this agro-biodiversity as a prerequisite to face the current challenges of growing rice demand and global change. To this purpose, are required further scientific studies to refine our understanding of the dynamics of diversity in farmers’ fields, as well as a better knowledge of rice agro-biodiversity and awareness of its importance by rice farmers themselves.
A Three-Gene Based Diagnos Tic Model for Endometriosis
Authors: Fan Fangfang , Wei Qipeng , Xie Yue , Yin Xiaofang , Yang Xuezhou
Published: August 2021

Background: Endometriosis is a common gynecologic pathology among reproductive-aged women. The lack of a definitive clinical symptom and a minimally invasive diagnostic method lead to a diagnostic latency of endometriosis. In this study, we aim to establish a gene-based diagnostic model that can easily diagnose endometriosis. Results: Gene expression profiles of 226 tissue samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus and Genotype tissue expression databases were used to construct model for diagnosis of endometriosis. Using differential gene expression analysis, a total of 170 genes were identified. The weighted gene co-expression network analysis was utilized to identify hub genes. Lasso Cox regression was performed to identify diagnostic biomarkers and construct diagnosis model. Three genes including ELOVL6, UTP20 and ARHGAP18 were screened in the hub genes as the promising targets used for diagnosis of endometriosis. The three genes based diagnostic model was established by Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and then validated in an independent validation cohort. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis inferred the diagnostic model has a good performance in both training and validation cohort (The area under the curve of ROC achieved 0.75 and 0.73 in training and validation cohort, respectively). Conclusions: Therefore, our study established a novel three gene-based diagnostic model for endometriosis, which may assist clinicians in diagnosis of endometriosis.
Does Surgical Technique Influence the Burden of Lung Metastases in Patients with Pathologic Long Bone Fractures?
Authors: Kendal Joseph K. , Heard Bryan J. , Abbott Annalise G. , Moorman Scott W. , Saini Raghav , Puloski Shannon K. T. , Monument Michael James
Published: August 2021

Background: The aims of this study are to (1) determine whether fixation of metastatic long bone fractures with an intramedullary nail (IMN) influences the incidence of lung metastasis in comparison to arthroplasty or ORIF (Arthro/ORIF); and (2) assess this relationship in primary tumor types; and (3) to assess survival implications of lung metastasis after surgery.Methods: Retrospective cohort study investigating 184 patients (107 IMN, and 77 Arthro/ORIF) surgically treated for metastatic long bone fractures. Patients were required to have a single surgically treated impending or established pathologic fracture of a long bone, pre-operative lung imaging (lung radiograph or computed tomography) and post-operative lung imaging within 6 months of surgery. Primary cancer types included were breast (n=70), lung (n = 43), prostate (n = 34), renal cell (n = 37). Statistical analyses were conducted using two-tailed Fisher’s exact tests, and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses.Results: Patients treated with IMN and ORIF/arthroplasty developed new or progressive lung metastases following surgery at an incidence of 34% and 26% respectively. Surgical method did not significant influence lung metastasis (p = 0.33). Furthermore, an analysis of primary cancer subgroups did not yield any differences between IMN vs Arthro/ORIF. Median survival for the entire cohort was 11 months and 1-year overall survival was 42.7% (95% CI: 35.4-49.8). Regardless of fixation method, the presence of new or progressive lung metastatic disease at follow up imaging study was found to have a negative impact on patient survival (p <0.001).Conclusions: In this study, progression of metastatic lung disease was not affected by long bone stabilization strategy. IM manipulation of metastatic long bone fractures therefore may not result in a clinically relevant increase in metastatic lung burden. The results of this study also suggest that lung metastasis within 6 months of surgery for metastatic long bone lesions is negatively associated with patient survival. Level of Evidence: III, therapeutic study
Bioinformatic Analysis Identifies Biomarkers and Treatment Targets in Primary Sjögren's Syndrome Patients with Fatigue
Authors: Chen Guangshu , Che Li , Cai Xingdong , Zhu Ping , Ran Jianmin , Liu Shengming
Published: August 2021

We aim to identify the common genes, biological pathways and treatment targets for primary Sjögren's syndrome patients with varying degrees of fatigue features. We select datasets about transcriptomic analyses of Primary Sjögren's syndrome(pSS) patients with different degrees of fatigue features and normal controls in peripheral blood. We identify common differentially expressed genes(DEGs) to find shared pathways and treatment targets for pSS patients with fatigue and design protein-protein interactions (PPIs) network by some practical bioinformatics tools. And hub genes are detected based on the PPIs network. We perform biological pathways analysis of common genes by gene ontology(GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway. Lastly, potential treatment targets for pSS patients with fatigue are found by the Enrichr platform. We discovered 27 DEGs are identified in pSS patients with fatigue features and the severe fatigued pSS-specific gene being RTP4. DEGs are mainly localized in the mitochondria, endosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, cytoplasm and are involved in the biological process by which interferon acts on cells and cells defend themselves against viruses. Molecular functions mainly involve the process of RNA synthesis. The DEGs of pSS are involved in the signaling pathways of viruses such as hepatitis C, influenza A, measles, and EBV. Acetohexamide PC3 UP, suloctidil HL60 UP, prenylamine HL60 UP, chlorophyllin CTD 00000324 are the four most polygenic drug molecules. PSS patients with fatigue features have specific gene regulation and chlorophyllin may alleviate fatigue symptoms in pSS patients.
ZC3H13 Can Serve as Potential Prognostic Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: wu Shuang , He Guifang , Liu Shihai , Cao Yongxian , Pan Huazheng
Published: August 2021

Background: Recently, an increasing number of studies have revealed that N6-methyladenosine (m6A) functions as a significant post-transcriptional modification which plays a critical role in the occurrence and progression of enriched tumors by regulating coding and non-coding RNA biogenesis. However, the roles of m6A RNA modification in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unknown.Results: In this study, the expression levels, genetic variations, prognostic values and gene–gene interaction network of m6A-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma were analyzed using the Oncomine, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), cBioPortal, Kaplan–Meier plotter and GeneMANIA database. The results show that zinc finger CCCH-type containing 13 (ZC3H13) was significantly lowly expressed in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Survival outcome analysis suggested that significant correlations occurred between ZC3H13 downregulation and poor overall survival (OS) and poor recurrence free survival (RFS) in patients with liver cancer. Whereupon, ZC3H13 was selected for analyzing the biological functions and pathways of its co-expressed genes via Metascape, and its correlation with immune system responses via the TISIDB database, respectively. Further analyses indicated that ZC3H13 may be involved in transcriptional misregulation in cancer. Additionally, ZC3H13 expression was significantly correlated with lymphocytes and immunomodulators. Conclusions: Therefore, ZC3H13 is a high candidate as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Exosome-derived miR-127-5p Promotes Embryonic-like Stem Cells Differentiation Into Pacemaker Cell Through Nkx2.5 Down-regulation
Authors: Zhu Ye , You Jia , Gu Xiaojuan , Xu Chao , Gu Xiang
Published: August 2021

Available evidence suggests the involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathological process of several diseases. Nonetheless, molecular mechanism underlying biological effects of miRNAs such as pacemaker exosome-derived miR-127-5p in embryonic-like stem cells (ESCs) differentiation into pacemaker cell is yet to be clarified. Through real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) or western blotting (WB) techniques, levels of miRNAs, miR-127-5p, and NKx2.5 expressions was quantitatively measured. Cellular differentiation (CD) was probed with flow cytometric (FC) and WB techniques. Prediction of miR-127-5p association with NKx2.5 was studied through bioinformatics tools before verification with luciferase assay. Promotion of ESCs differentiation to pacemaker through miR-127-5p was measured with qPCR and WB techniques. Through the same assaying methods, up-regulation of pace-making genes (shox2, HCN4, Cx45, Tbx3 and Tbx18) expression was observed in Nkx2.5 knockdown group. However, Nkx2.5 expression was down-regulated during differentiation of pacemaker-like cells into ESCs. Furthermore, techniques (such as qPCR, WB, immunofluorescent staining and FC) were employed to demonstrate that overexpressed miR-127-5p could suppress NKx2.5 expression. Through NKx2.5 targeting, ESCs could be differentiated into pacemaker-like cells with miR-127-5p possibly serving as a crucial positive regulator. On the account of our findings, further researches are needed to unearth the possible underlying mechanism and role of exosome-derived miRNAs in cell signaling.
Atmospheric Resuspension of Insoluble Radioactive Cesium Particles Found in the Difficult-to-Return Area in Fukushima
Authors: TANG PENG , Kita Kazuyuki , Igarashi Yasuhito , Satou Yukihiko , Hatanaka Koutarou , Adachi Kouji , Kinase Takeshi , Ninomiya Kazuhiko , Shinohara Atsushi
Published: August 2021

The deposition of insoluble radiocesium bearing microparticles (CsMPs), which were released from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (F1NPP) accident in March 2011, has resulted in the widespread contamination of eastern Japan. Obviously, these deposited insoluble CsMPs may become the secondary contamination sources by atmospheric migration or other environmental transferring process, however, the understanding of the transport mechanism remains non-elucidation, and the relevant evidence has not been directly provided. This study, for the first time, provides the direct evidence for the resuspension of these insoluble CsMPs to the atmosphere from 1) proximity of 137Cs radioactivity and resemblance of the morphology and the elemental compositions of CsMPs in the samples of soil and aerosol derived from the same sampling site, 2) the special characteristics of the resuspended CsMPs of which the ratios of Na/Si, K/Si and/or Cs/Si were smaller than those from the initially released CsMPs collected at either long distance or near F1NPP, which can be ascribed to the slowly natural corrosion of CsMPs by the loss of the small amount of soluble contents in CsMPs and 3) high CsMPs concentration of 10 granules/gram in the surface soil of our sampling site and the observed resuspension of surface soil dust at wind gust speed higher than 4 m s-1. Specifically, fifteen single CsMPs were successfully isolated from the aerosol filters collected by unmanned high-volume air samplers at a severely polluted area in Fukushima Prefecture, about 25 km away from F1NPP, from January 2015 to September 2019. The mean diameter of these CsMPs was 1.8 ± 0.5 μm, and the average 137Cs radioactivity was 0.35 ± 0.23 Bq/granule. The contribution rate of the resuspended CsMPs to the atmospheric radiocesium was estimated from the ratio of 137Cs radioactivity of a single CsMP to that of the aerosol filter to be of 23.9 ± 15.3%. There has been no considerable decreasing trend in the annual CsMP resuspension frequency.
Relation Between Personality Dimensions and Symptomatology of Depression in Skin Cancer Patients
Authors: Santos María Luisa Ramírez-de los , López-Navarro Araceli , Santos Saúl Ramírez-de los , Guzmán-Flores- Juan Manuel , Pereira-Suárez Ana Laura , Pulido Edgar Ivan Lopez
Published: August 2021

BackgroundEnvironmental psychological factors such as mood states can modify and trigger an organic response; depressive disorder is considered a risk factor for oncological development, leading to alterations both in the genesis and in the progression of the disease. Some authors have identified that personality relates to mood since a high score in neuroticism is associated with intense and long-lasting emotions of stress and therefore with the development of depressive behaviors. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between personality and depression in skin cancer patients. MethodsA total of forty-seven clinically and histopathologically diagnosed patients were scheduled for an hour-long interview, during which they provided informed consent and sociodemographic information. The psychological questionnaires applied were the revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the clinical questionnaire for the diagnosis of the depressive syndrome. ResultsThe patient’s mean age was 66.5 years (SD ± 12.4) and the majority were diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (70.2%). The frequency of anxious/depressive symptoms was 42.5%, with an increase in depression scores in the female gender (p <0.001). Furthermore, a difference was found in the neuroticism dimension related to gender, with higher values in women (p =0.002). Depressive symptomatologic portraits were correlated with the dimensions of neuroticism (p <0.001, r = 0.705), psychoticism (p =0.003, r = 0.422) and lying (p =0.028, r = -0.321). ConclusionsOur results support the hypothesis that personality dimensions are related to the presence of anxiety/depressive symptomatology in patients with skin cancer, especially in the female gender. Highlighting the need for future research that delves into the implications at the psychological level, the quality of life, and the biological mechanisms that link personality and depressive symptoms in the development and evolution of skin cancer.
Tyrosinase@HKUST-1: A Super Stable Biocatalyst Efficient for Catecholic Product Synthesis
Authors: Lü Xiao-Feng , Feng Chao-Yun , Li Shuangfei , Liu Guo-Hao , Yang Zhen
Published: August 2021

Although metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been considered as promising matrices for enzyme immobilization, HKUST-1, constructed from copper acetate (CuAc2) and benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxylate (BTC), has rarely been explored for this application. In this study, mushroom tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) was immobilized in the form of tyrosinase@HKUST-1 following a simple reaction procedure we developed. The order of mixing BTC with the enzyme prior to addition of CuAc2 is believed to be responsible for the super stability exhibited by the immobilized enzyme so formed. The resultant biocatalyst was characterized in both structural features and catalytic properties. Upon incorporation into the HKUST-1 frameworks, the enzyme gained a prominent enhancement in stability against pH, temperature and storage: When incubated at 50 oC and pH 6.0, tyrosinase@HKUST-1 presented a half-life of 32.6 h, which is 77-fold and over 10-fold higher than that of the free enzyme and its other immobilization forms, respectively; and the catalyst fully maintained its activity for at least 2 months when stored at 30 oC. The applicability of this new biocatalyst was demonstrated by employing it as catalyst for regioselective ortho-hydroxylation reactions to produce catecholic products with huge pharmacological effects, i.e., hydroxytyrosol and L-DOPA, with excellent yields and productivities. This study has thus offered a facile immobilization method to prepare a novel biocatalyst with super stability, and tyrosinase@HKUST-1 so formed from crude mushroom extract provides an efficient catalyst which can be applied to the production of catecholic products with health benefits.
Multi-objective Optimization of Compliant Parallel Platform for Desired Stiffness and Workspace
Authors: Xu Hongwei , Zhou Haibo , Li Zhiqiang , Ju Xia
Published: August 2021

Stiffness and workspace are crucial performance indexes of a precision mechanism. In this paper, an optimization method is presented, for a compliant parallel platform to achieve desired stiffness and workspace. First, a numerical model is proposed to reveal the relationship between structural parameters, desired stiffness and workspace of the compliant parallel platform. Then, the influence of the various parameters on stiffness and workspace of the platform is analyzed. Based on Gaussian distribution, the multi-objective optimization problem is transformed into a single-objective one, in order to guarantee convergence precision. Furthermore, particle swarm optimization is used to optimize the structural parameters of the platform, which significantly improve its stiffness and workspace. Last, the effectiveness of the proposed numerical model is verified by finite element analysis and experiment.
Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion Combined With Lateral Plate Fixation for the Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Diseases: a Preliminary Clinical Study
Authors: Li Hai-dong , Xing Shi-Tong , Min Ji-Kang , Fang Xiang-Qian , Fan Shun-Wu
Published: August 2021

Background The oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) is a minimally invasive indirect decompression technique for the treatment of lumar spine disease. The OLIF has usually combined with supplemental posterior pedicle screw fixation for decreasing the perioperative complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical efficacy and complications of oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) combined with lateral plate instrumentation for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases.Methods From May 2020 to August 2020, the clinical data of 20 patients who underwent OLIF combined with lateral plate instrumentation were retrospectively analyzed. The operation time, blood loss, and the complications were recorded. Also, the radiological parameters, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were evaluated before and after surgery.Results The average operation time, blood loss, and length of hospital stay were 75.41±11.53 min, 39.57±9.22 ml, and 7.22±1.85 days, respectively. The VAS and ODI had both significantly improved after surgery (7.23±1.26 VS 2.15±0.87; 60.27±7.91 VS 21.80±6.32, P < 0.001). The postoperative disk height (DH) was 13.02±8.83 mm, which is much higher than before (P < 0.001); The postoperative foraminal height (FH) improved significantly (16.18±3.49 VS 21.54±2.12 mm, P < 0.01), and the cross-sectional area (CSA) had improved from 88.95±14.79 mm2 to 126.53±8.83 mm2 (P < 0.001). The radiological fusion rate was 95% at the last follow-up, while cage subsidence was found in one case. No major complications, such as ureteral injury, vascular injury and vertebral body fracture occurred.Conclusions OLIF combined with lateral plate fixation can avoid the lumbar posterior surgery, minimize the operation time, blood loss and the posterior ligament complex disruption. It can realize one-stage intervertebral fusion and instrumentation through a single small incision.
COVID-19 Quarantine is a Risk Factor for Poor Pregnancy Outcomes in GDM Patients: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Cai Qin-Yu , Yang Yin , Ruan Ling-Ling , Wang Dang-Dang , Cui Han-Lin , Yang Shu , Liu Wen-Jie , Luo Xin , Liu Tai-Hang
Published: August 2021

Aims: This study was to evaluate the effects of the home quarantine on pregnancy outcomes of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients during the COVID-19 outbreak.Methods: Thecomplete electronic medical records of GDM patients with home quarantine history were collected and classified into the home quarantine group from 24 February 2020 to 24 November 2020. The same period of GDM patients without home quarantine historywas included in the control group from 2018 and 2019.Results: A total of 1358 GDM patients were included in the analysis, including 484 in 2018, 468 in 2019, and 406 in 2020. GDM patients with home quarantine in 2020 had higher glycemic levels and worse pregnancy outcomes than 2018 and 2019, including higher cesarean section rate,lower Apgar scores, and higher incidence of macrosomia and nuchal cord. More importantly, the second trimester of home quarantine had brought a broader impactto pregnant women and fetuses.Conclusion: Home quarantine has aggravated the condition of GDM pregnant women and brought more adverse pregnancy outcomes during the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, we suggested that governments and hospitals should strengthen lifestyle guidance, glucose management, and antenatal care for GDM patients with home quarantine during public health emergencies.
Effect of Zoledronic Acid Combined With Metformin on Bone of Db/db Mice
Authors: Yang Xing-yao , Wen Zhao , Ma Wen-jie , Lin Yan-shui
Published: August 2021

Background Diabetic Osteoporosis (DO) is a complication of diabetes. As a first-line medication for diabetes, metformin combined with the anti-osteoporosis drug zoledronic acid is still unclear whether it is effective in treating DO. In this work, we explored the effect of metformin combined with zoledronic acid in the treatment of DO.Methods 12-week-old db/db mice were randomly divided into db/db group, ZA (zoledronic acid) group, MET (metformin) group, CMT (combination therapy group) group, Set WT (wild-type) mice of the same strain and age as the blank control group. Body weight and blood glucose were measured every 2 weeks. After 10 weeks, samples were taken for pathology and imaging related tests.Results (1) The body weight of db/db mice treated with metformin was stable and blood glucose was decreased. (2) After HE staining, db/db mice treated with metformin showed decreased adipocytes, increased blood cells and blood vessels in bone marrow cavity; db/db mice treated with zoledronic acid showed increased trabeculae. The number of bone trabeculae and blood vessels in the bone increased after the combined use of the two drugs. (3) By OPG staining and semi-quantitative analysis, db/db mice had the lowest osteoblastic activity. db/db mice treated with metformin had higher osteoblastic activity than those treated with zoledronic acid, and the osteoblastic activity of CMT was higher than that treated with ZA group or MET group. (4) After TE staining, semi-quantitative analysis showed that the number of bone lacunae in WT group was the least, the number of bone lacunae in ZA group and CMT group was significantly lower than that in db/db group, but the number of bone lacunae in MET group was not significant. (5) The bone morphological analysis of db/db mice in the CMT group was significantly better than that of MET or ZA alone by micro-CT scanning and bone tissue parameters determination.Conclusion ZA combined with MET has better anti-bone loss effect than zoledronic acid or metformin alone in db/db mice.
Lived Experiences of Palestinian Patients With COVID-19: A Multi-center Phenomenological Study of Recovery Journey
Authors: Alkaissi Aidah , AlZiben Fadi , Rajab Mohammad Abu , Alkony Mahdia
Published: August 2021

Background: Exploring lived experiences of recovered COVID-19 patients might have scientific, social, and policy relevance that apply to the healthcare infrastructure. This multi-center phenomenological study was conducted to explore lived experiences of Palestinian patients who recovered from COVID-19.  Methods: In this qualitative study, a phenomenological descriptive approach was used. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select the study participants. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with patients who recovered from COVID-19 (n = 20). The transcripts of the audio recorded interviews were analyzed by using Giorgio’s phenomenological analysis method. Results: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 male and 6 female participants. The age of the participants ranged from 25-50 years. Nine themes and multiple subthemes emerged from the qualitative data. The themes were relevant to patient’s feelings about the experience, mental issues, social discriminations/stigma, symptoms, life in isolation, using supportive treatment, personal preventive measures, social support, and life after recovery.Conclusion: Survivors who were interviewed in this study recounted devastating experiences with regard to their mental health, social stigmatization, feeling guilt, shame, and hesitant to regain contact with others. Mental health issues should be addressed as a part of the care plan for patients with COVID-19. More studies are still needed to investigate if introducing mental healthcare providers to the care team of patients with COVID-19 can improve the experiences of the patients.
Circ_TGFBR2 Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Phenotypic Switch and Suppresses Aortic Dissection Progression by Sponging miR-29a
Authors: Xu Zhenjun , Zhong Kai , Guo Guanjun , Song Zhizhao , Xu Can , Wang Dongjin , Pan Jun
Published: August 2021

Background: Aortic dissection (AD) is a threatening and catastrophic vascular disease with high mortality rate and limited therapeutic strategies. There is emerging evidence showing that circular RNAs play crucial role in regulating various cardiovascular diseases. However, the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of circRNAs in AD still remains elusive. The purpose of this study was to illustrate the potential functional roles and mechanisms of hsa_circ_0064654(circ_TGFBR2) in vitro and in vivo.Methods:The vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and AD-VSMCs were isolated from normal aorta and AD tissues. The expression of circ_TGFBR2, miR-29a and KLF4 were detected by Realtime Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 assay, colony formation and EDU assay. Cell migration was evaluated through transwell assay. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pulldown were performed to identify the interaction among circ_TGFBR2, miR-29a and KLF4. Western Blot measured the expression of phenotype switch-related proteins. AD rat model induced by (β-Aminopropionitrile monofumarate) BAPN was used to verify the role and mechanism of circ_TGFBR2.Results: Circ_TGFBR2 inhibited cell proliferation and migration of AD-VSMCs cells. Overexpression of circ_TGFBR2 promoted the expression of contractile markers(α-SMA，SM22α) and inhibited the expression of synthetic markers (MGP,OPN) in AD-VSMCs cells. Circ_TGFBR2 served as a sponge for miR-29a targeting KLF4. MiR-29a mimics rescue biological roles induced by circ_TGFBR2 overexpression. The results of in vivo experiments were consistent with in vitro experiments.Conclusion:Our study revealed that circ_TGFBR2 regulated VSMCs phenotype switch and suppressed the progression of AD.
Blood meal sources of Anopheles vectors of human malaria in Malawi: Implications for malaria transmission and effectiveness of interventions
Authors: Mbewe Rex B , Keven John , Mzilahowa Themba , Cohee Lauren , Laufer Miriam K , Mathanga Don , Wilson Mark , Walker Edward D
Published: August 2021

BackgroundSelection of blood meal hosts by mosquitoes is a key variable in the vectorial capacity of Anopheles mosquitoes for human malaria. Blood feeding on humans is likely to be modulated by use of different types of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and the effectiveness of LLINs is impacted by the relative intensity of insecticide resistance. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that LLINs containing pyrethroid and the synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO) would lead to a reduction of human host utilization than LLINs containing only pyrethroid and that blood feeding patterns of Anopheles in Malawi compromise malaria interventions.MethodsFemale Anopheles mosquitoes were sampled indoors from May 2019 through April 2020 by aspiration, pyrethrum spray catch, and CDC light trap in rural villages of Namanolo (conventional nets) and Ntaja (PBO nets) in Balaka and Machinga districts respectively. Anopheles species, blood meal sources, and infection with Plasmodium falciparum in the head and thorax of individual mosquitoes were determined with PCR.ResultsOf a total of 6,585 Anopheles females sampled indoors in 203 houses, 633 (9.6%) were blood-fed and consisted of An. arabiensis (44.1% (n = 279)), An. gambiae s.s (16.2% (n = 103)), An. funestus s.s (33.5% (n = 212)), An. parensis 0.3% (n = 2), and unidentified Anopheles spp (5.8% (n = 37)). Of the 541 mosquitoes (85.5%) successfully identified blood meals, 436 (81.0%) were solely human, 28 (5.2%) goat, 11 (2.0%) dog, 60 (11.1%) mixed goat-human, 5 (0.9%) dog-human, and 1 dog-goat. Human blood index and EIR was high in Namanolo than Ntaja (0.96 vs 0.89 (p = 0.001) and 0.11 vs 0.06 infective bites per person per year respectively) despite high net ownership (92%) and nightly use (75%) rates. Relative to host availability, non-human hosts were over selected in the two sites.ConclusionThe use of PBO nets was associated with lower HBI and EIR, however, the wide availability of LLINs was still associated with extensive successful human blood meals by the main malaria vectors in Malawi. The presence of a small fraction of mixed blood meals indicates constrained plasticity of Anopheles vectors to switch to non-human hosts and circumvent malaria control interventions.
Observation of roton-like dispersion relations in acoustic metamaterials
Authors: Zhu Zhenxiao , Gao Zhen , Liu Gui-Geng , Ge Yong , Wang Yin , Xi Xiang , Yan Bei , Chen Fujia , Perry Shun , Sun Hongxiang , Yang Yihao
Published: August 2021

Roton dispersion relations, displaying a pronounced “roton” minimum at finite momentum, were firstly predicted by Landau and have been extensively explored in correlated quantum systems at low temperatures. Recently, the roton-like dispersion relations were theoretically extended to classical acoustics, which, however, have remained elusive in reality. Here, we report the experimental observation of roton-like dispersions in acoustic metamaterials with beyond-nearest-neighbour interactions at ambient temperatures. The resulting metamaterial supports multiple coexisting modes with different wavevectors and group velocities at the same frequency and broadband backward waves, analogous to the “return flow” termed by Feynman in the context of rotons. Moreover, by increasing the order of long-range interaction, we observe multiple rotons on a single dispersion band, which have never appeared in Landau’s prediction or any other condensed matter study. The realization of roton-like dispersions in metamaterials could pave the way to explore novel physics and applications on quantum-inspired phenomena in classical systems.