bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coagulation-Flocculation: A potential Application for Mosquito Larval Source Management (LSM) with No Insecticide Resistance
Authors: Li XinRan , Huang Minsheng , Leng PeiEn , Lu XinYu , Xiao Bing
Published: June 2020

Background: Mosquito control is an essential step to eliminate mosquito-borne diseases. Larval mosquitoes have a more limited home range and lower resistance to adverse environment than adults, thus can be ideal targets for vector control in some cases. Coagulation-flocculation technology, which could be used for water treatment in breeding sites of several vector mosquito species, can significantly change both the distribution of organic particles and surface sediment characteristics in water environment. The aim of this study was to explore the effect, principle and possibility of using coagulation-flocculation technology in immature mosquitoes killing.Method: In laboratory, chlorine-free tap water was treated with Poly Aluminum Chloride (PACl, sewage treatment using). The oviposition preference of gravid Culex pipiens pallens, the hatching of mosquito eggs and the survival amount of mosquito larvae were observed, and the pupa amounts were recorded each day.Results: Coagulation-flocculation treatment could improve the oviposition preference of Culex pipiens pallens to some extent (compared with ordinary chlorine-free tap water), but not significantly (p=0.345). After treatment, mosquitoes laid eggs in chlorine-free tap water were 31.88% more than those laid in untreated water. Coagulation-flocculation affected the larvae’s survival by physical means: Ⅰ) alum floc layer increases the difficulty of larvae foraging, leads larvae starving to death; (Ⅱ) the little floc particles adhere to the surface of larvae, which stops larvae from floating upward to breathe. As a result, the alum floc layer had a good killing effect on the mosquito larvae, presented the half lethal time (LT50) of 2d, the 90% lethal time (LT90) of 8.7±7.3 ~ 14±4.5 d, and the pupation rate of 0 ~ (6.5±0.5)%, respectively.Conclusions: PACl coagulation-flocculation produced lots of alum flocs, which may attract more gravid mosquitoes for laying eggs, and was shown to be highly active against 1st~2nd instar larvae. The principle of this technology illustrates this method won’t develop insecticide resistance. In this study, coagulation-flocculation technology is considered to be a new potential approach to a sustainable, low-impact and low-cost mosquito control method.
Unemployment and health-related quality of life in melanoma patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A web-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Guo Yeye , Shen Minxue , Zhang Xu , Xiao Yi , Zhao Shuang , Yin Mingzhu , Bu Wenbo , Wang Yan , Chen Xiang , Su Juan
Published: June 2020

Background

The outbreak of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) ineluctably caused social distancing and unemployment, which may bring additional health risks for patients with cancer. To investigate the association of the pandemic-related impacts with the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with melanoma during the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted a cross-sectional study among Chinese patients with melanoma.
Methods

A self-administered online questionnaire was distributed to melanoma patients through social media. Demographic and clinical data, and pandemic-related impacts (unemployment and income loss) were collected. HRQoL was determined by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) and its disease-specific module (the melanoma subscale, MS).
Results

A total of 70 patients with melanoma completed the study. The mean age of the patients was 55.2 ± 14.8 years, 45.7% (32/70) were male, and 21.4% (15/70) were unemployed since the epidemic. Unemployment of the patients and their family members and income loss were significantly associated with a lower FACT-G score, while the MS score was associated with the unemployment of the patients’ family members.
Conclusions

Our findings suggested that unemployment is associated with impaired HRQoL in melanoma patients during the COVID-19 epidemic.
Gender-Difference in the Association Between Anthropometric Parameters and the Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases in Rural Chinese People: The Handan Eye Study
Authors: Liu Juping , Hao Jie , Cao Kai , Zhang Ye , Liang Yuanbo , Li Sizhen , Peng Xiaoxia , Li Xiaorong , Wang Ningli
Published: June 2020

Background

Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR), waist/hip/height ratio (WHHR), sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), and SAD/height ratio (SADHR) are all anthropometric tools used to categorize obesity status. This study aimed to determine associations between different anthropometric indices and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Chinese rural areas.
Methods

The Handan Eye Study is a population-based, longitudinal study. In total, 6830 participants, aged 30 years or older, participated in the baseline study (HES-1). Among them, 5394 subjects of the 6323 survivors (follow-up rate: 85.3%) took part in the 6-year follow-up study (HES-2). As a new anthropometric parameter, SAD was added into HES-2. Meanwhile total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein protein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and other biochemical data were recorded. This cross-sectional study analyzed these anthropometric obesity indices and correlations with CVD. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) was used as the indicator of CVD.
Results

Among the 5394 patients in this study, multivariate analysis revealed higher BMI and WC in women compared to men (24.61 vs. 23.66, p < 0.0001). SAD, WHR, and WHHR showed a smaller correlation to CVD risk factors when compared with other anthropometric parameters. WC and SADHR were more effective predictors of CVD and MS. In men, BMI exhibited a greater proportionality to high-TG (0.693) and hypertension (0.593) and SADHR showed a correlation to low-HDL (0.561) as well as high-glucose (0.664). WC and SADHR were the most effective diagnostic parameters in women.
Conclusions

Within a rural Chinese population, women were observed to be comparatively more overweight than men. SADHR and BMI serve as effective indicators of CVD and MS in men, whereas SADHR and WC are more effective indicators of CVD and MS in women. Age and gender affect anthropometric obesity indices and correlations with CVD.
Robot-Assisted Retroperitoneal Lymphadenectomy In A Patient With Type I Papillary Renal Cancer Recurrence After Five Years Of Follow-Up: A Case Report.
Authors: SALHI Yazan AL , FUSCHI Andrea , VELOTTI Gennaro , CAPONE Lorenzo , AVERSA Sara , NUNZIO Cosimo DE , PETROZZA Vincenzo , CARBONE Antonio , Pastore Antonio Luigi
Published: June 2020

INTRODUCTION: Papillary renal cell carcinoma is a rare cancer and is the second most frequent histologic type among all renal cell carcinoma, accounting for up to 15%. Patients with type 1 PRCC are diagnosed at a lower stage and present a lower nuclear grade compared to type 2.CASE PRESENTATION: A 72-year-old man underwent a right radical nephrectomy 7 years ago for a 10 cm mesorenal mass with a final histopathological diagnosis of a papillary renal cell carcinoma type 1 pT2a with negative surgical margins.Five years after the surgery, computed tomography (CT) scan imaging showed the presence of multiple masses suspicious for node recurrences disease localized in the renal lodge, in the inter-aorto-caval space, at the iliac vessel bifurcation and right common iliac vessels. Patient underwent a robotic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. The operative time was 114 min, estimated blood loss 200 ml; length of hospital stay 4 days. The abdominal drainage was removed at first post-operative day. No perioperative complications. The removed lesions confirmed on histopathological examination the recurrence of type I papillary renal cancer at: renal lodge, inter-aorto-caval space, iliac bifurcation, common iliac lymph nodes. No further recurrences on surveillance imaging 24 months after his procedure.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We present the first description of minimally invasive surgical excision for a papillary type I renal cancer nodal recurrence and renal fossa recurrence.Our present study shows that patients treated with surgical excision for isolated RPLN recurrences may afford select patient durable cancer control.The robotic approach can be offered as an effective modality of treatment in this rare case of type I papillary renal cancer metastases.The extent of resection, as well as the optimal integration of surgery and systemic therapy, remain to be determined in this setting.
The Relationship Between Different Types of Caries and Periodontal Disease Severity in Middle-Aged and Elderly People: Findings from the 4th National Oral Health Survey of China
Authors: Yu Lixia , WANG Xing , FENG Xi Ping , TAI Bao Jun , HU De Yu , WANG Bo , WANG Chun Xiao , ZHENG Shu Guo , LIU Xue Nan , RONG Wen Sheng , WANG Wei Jian , SI Yan , Lin Huan Cai
Published: June 2020

Background: To explore the relationship between different types of caries and periodontal disease severity in middle-aged and elderly people in China. Methods: The study population consisted of 4,387 middle-aged and 3,225 elderly subjects. Caries was divided into three types: type A, crown caries; type B, lesions involving both the crown and root, which represents mixed type; and type C, root caries. These three types together represent the overall caries situation, which we call type ABC. Caries was quantitated by decayed and filled teeth (DFT index). Periodontitis was evaluated by clinical attachment loss.Results: Middle-aged people with periodontitis had a significant association with DFT of type ABC (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.06‐1.11), type A (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02‐1.08), type B (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.16-1.28) and type C (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.15-1.60). Elderly people with periodontitis had a significant association with DFT of type ABC (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.03-1.07), type B (OR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.05-1.10) and type C (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.19-1.42)，but not with type A.Conclusions: Different types of caries in middle-aged people, the overall caries and caries types involving the root surface in elderly people were significantly associated with periodontal disease severity.
Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Surgery (PTES) for Surgical Treatment of Calcified Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 101 Patients
Authors: Wang Hao , Zhou Tianyao , Gu Yutong , Yan Zuoqin
Published: June 2020

Purpose: Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopy has been widely used to treat lumbar disc herniation, but the steep learning curve and difficulties in removing the calcified disc hinders the application of conventional endoscopy in treating calcified lumbar disc herniation. In 2017, we first reported Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Surgery (PTES) as an easy-to-learn posterolateral transforaminal endoscopic technique to decompress the nerve root for lumbar disc herniation. We used our PTES technique to remove the calcified lumbar disc herniation and the purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this technique.Methods: Forty-six patients with calcified lumbar disc herniation (CLDH) and fifty-five patients with uncalcified lumbar disc herniation (ULDH) underwent PTES surgery to decompress the nerve root. Visual analogue scale was collected before the surgery, immediately, one week, one month, two months, three months, six months, 12 months and 24 months after surgery. The outcomes of MacNab classification were collected 24 months after surgery. Intra- and Post-operative complications were also recorded.Results: For CLDH patients, the VAS score was 9 (5-10) before operation, and then dropped to 2 (1-4) after surgery. VAS score continually decreased to 0 (0-3) at 24 months after surgery. 95.65% of CLDH patients showed excellent or good outcomes. ULDH group showed similar MacNab classification (94.55%) and VAS changing curve. The therapeutic effect of PTES in treating calcified lumbar disc herniation was as good as that in treating uncalcified patients.Conclusion: PTES is an effective and safe method to treat calcified lumbar disc herniation.
A MiRNA-based Signature is Associated With Tumor Mutational Burden in Colon Adenocarcinoma
Authors: xue Weijie , Wang Yixiu , Gong Zhiqi , Yang Chenyu , Xie Yuwei , Guan Chunyang , Wei Chuqing , Niu Zhaojian , Zhu Chengzhan
Published: June 2020

Background:Tumor mutation burden (TMB) has become an independent biomarker for predicting the response of Immune checkpoint inhibitors.MiRNA plays an important role in cancer-related immune regulation but the relationship between expression of miRNA and TMB is unclear in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD).Method:The transcriptome profiling data, clinical data, mutation annotation data and miRNA expression profiles for cases with COAD were downloaded from TCGA database, and then COAD samples were randomly divided into training set and test set. The differential expression miRNAs of high and low TMB group in training set was obtained as a signature by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression, and it was verified in test set. UsingLASSO method, principal component analysis (PCA) and ROC to verify the credibility of signature.In addition, the correlation betweenthemiRNA-based signature and immune checkpoints was performed.In the end, enrichment analysis of the miRNAs in signature was performed to explore the biological function.Results:18 differential expression miRNAswere obtainedaccording to LASSO method. According to LASSO method, principal component analysis (PCA) and ROC, we found that the credibility of signature, and the signature can discriminate the high and low TMB level. Furthermore, the results of correlation between the 18-miRNA-based signature and immune checkpoints showed that the miRNA-based model has a strong positive correlation with TMB, weak positive correlation with CTLA4 and CD274 (PD-L1). However, there is no correlation between the model and SNCA (PD-1).Finally, enrichment analysis of the 18miRNAs demonstrated that the 18 miRNAs were involved in process of immunity and cancer pathways.Conclusion:We established a novel miRNA-based signature integrating expression of miRNAs and TMB levels. The 18-miRNA-based signature can effectively predict and discriminate the TMB levels in COAD, and provides apotential guide of ICIs treatment.
Teaching And Learning In A Time Of Corona: A Social Work Experience
Authors: Berger Roni
Published: June 2020

Preliminary results of a qualitative study of the lived experience of teaching and learning during the Covid-19 pandemic are presented. An instructor, a program director and five doctoral students in different stages of their coursework and dissertation proposal development, wrote a reflective journal. Participants varied in their levels of familiarity with technology-assisted education, personal backgrounds and circumstances including work, family and caring for sick relatives responsibilities. Participants’ journals documenting their reactions, struggles and coping since the abrupt move of the university from face to face to online classes were content analyzed. The analysis was co-conducted by all participants to identify themes and generate understanding of the experience. Two main themes emerged from the analysis: A developmental process of participants’ reactions, perceptions and meaning making of the experience and factors that shaped it. Lessons learned are discussed and recommendations for professional education and directions for future research are suggested.
Texture Analysis in the Evaluation of Covid-19 Pneumonia in Chest X-Ray Images: a Proof of Concept Study
Authors: Cavallo Armando Ugo , Troisi Jacopo , Forcina Marco , Mari Piervalerio , Forte Valerio , Sperandio Massimiliano , Pagano Sergio , Cavallo Pierpaolo , Floris Roberto , Garaci Francesco
Published: June 2020

Objectives: One of the most challenging aspects related to Covid-19 is to establish the presence of infection in early phase of the disease. Recently Artificial Intelligence systems for the diagnosis of Covid-19 related pneumonia on Chest X ray (CXR) or chest CT have been tested with variable, but not negligible, accuracy. Texture analysis might be an additional tool for the evaluation of CXR in patients with clinical suspicion of Covid-19 related pneumonia.Methods: CXR images were accessed from a publicly available repository (https://www.kaggle.com/tawsifurrahman/covid19-radiography-database). Lung areas were manually segmented using a polygonal regions of interest (ROI) covering both lung areas, using MaZda, a freely available software for texture analysis. A total of 308 features per ROI was extracted. One hundred-ten Covid-19 CXR images were selected for the final analysisResults: Six models, namely NB, GLM, DL, GBT, ANN and PLS-DA were selected and ensembled. According to Youden’s index, the Covid-19 Ensemble Machine Learning (EML)-Score showing the highest AUCROC (0.971±0.015) was 132.57. Assuming this cut-off the EML model performance was estimated evaluating both true and false positive/negative, resulting in 91.8% accuracy with 93% sensitivity and 90% specificity. Moving the cut-off value to -100, although the accuracy resulted lower (90.6%), the EML showed 100% sensitivity, with 80% specificityConclusion: Texture analysis of CXR images and machine learning algorithms may help in differentiating patients with Covid-19 pneumonia. Despite several limitations, this study can lay ground for future researches in this field and help developing more rapid and accurate screening tools for these patients.
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and the Liver: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kumar-M Praveen , Mishra Shubhra , Jha Daya Krishna , Shukla Jayendra , Choudhury Arup , Mohindra Ritin , Mandavdhare Harshal S , Dutta Usha , Sharma Vishal
Published: June 2020

Background: Liver function derangements have been reported in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) but reported rates are variable. Methods: We searched Pubmed and Embase with terms COVID and SARS-COV-2 from December 1, 2019 till April 5, 2020. We estimated overall prevalence, stratified prevalence based on severity, estimated risk ratio (RR) and estimated standardized mean difference (SMD) of liver function parameters in severe as compared to nonsevere COVID. Random effect method utilizing inverse variance approach was used for pooling the data. Results: In all, 128 studies were included. The most frequent abnormalities were hypoalbuminemia [61.27% (48.24 - 72.87)], elevations of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) [27.94%(18.22 -40.27)], alanine aminotransferase (ALT) [23.28%(19.92 - 27.01)] and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) [23.41%(18.84 - 28.70)]. Further the relative risk of these abnormalities was higher in the patients with severe COVID-19 when compared to non-severe disease [Hypoalbuminemia - 2.65(1.38 - 5.07); GGT - 2.31(1.6 - 3.33); ALT - 1.76(1.44 - 2.15); AST 2.30(1.82 - 2.90)]. The SMD of hypoalbuminemia, GGT, ALT and AST elevation in severe as compared to nonsevere were -1.05(-1.27 - -0.83), 0.76(0.40 - 1.12), 0.42(0.27 - 0.56) and 0.69 (0.52 - 0.86) respectively. The pooled prevalence and RR of chronic liver disease as a comorbidity was 2.64% (1.73- 4) and 1.69(1.05-2.73) respectively. Conclusion: The most frequent abnormality in liver functions was hypoalbuminemia followed by derangements in gamma-glutamyl transferase and aminotransferases and these abnormalities were more frequent in severe disease. The systematic review was, however, limited by heterogeneity in definitions of severity and liver function derangements.
PCDHB17P/miR-145-3p/MELK/NF-κB Feedback Loop Promotes Metastasis and Angiogenesis of Breast Cancer​
Authors: Zhu Li , Zhang Yanjun , Wang Bin , Yang Li , Zheng Yiqiong , Sun Linde , Tian Lin , Wang Jian-Dong , Chen Tao
Published: June 2020

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common life-threatening cancers, mainly due to its aggressiveness and metastasis. Accumulating evidence indicates that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in the development and progression of breast cancer. Nevertheless, the function and expression level of lncRNAs in breast cancer are still not fully understood.Methods: TCGA data was utilized to screen out lncRNAs dysregulated in breast cancer. The expression level of genes were analyzed and measured by RT-qPCR. The effects of PCDHB17P in breast cancer were determined in vitro and in vivo. Bioinformatics analysis was applied to predict the target between genes in breast cancer and verified via luciferase reporter assays, RNA Immunoprecipitation (RIP) and Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP).Results: LncRNA PCDHB17P was up-expressed in human breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of PCDHB17P remarkably suppressed migration and invasion as well as tube formation ability of breast cancer cells. MiR-145-3p was significantly decree ased in breast cancer samples, which was negatively correlated to the expression of PCDHB17P. In addition, we identified MELK was a direct target gene of miR-145-3p, which was higher expressed in breast cancer tissues than that in adjacent normal tissues. Mechanistic investigation indicated that PCDHB17P acted as a cancer-promoting competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by binding miR-145-3p and upregulating MELK. Interestingly, MELK could in turn increase the promoter activity and expression of PCDHB17P via NF-κB, thus forming a positive feedback loop that drives the metastasis and angiogenesis of breast cancer.Conclusions: Our research demonstrated that the constitutive activation of PCDHB17P/miR-145-3p/MELK /NF-κB feedback loop promotes the metastasis and angiogenesis of breast cancer, suggested that this lncRNA might be a promising prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for breast cancer.
Cumulative live birth rate and cost-effectiveness analysis between GnRH-antagonist protocol and multiple minimal ovarian stimulation in poor responder
Authors: Liu Yuan , Wu Yu
Published: June 2020

Background

The overall cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) of poor ovary responders (POR) is extremely low. Minimal ovarian stimulation (MOS) suggested a relative realistic solution in ART for POR. Our study aimed to investigate whether multiple MOS strategy results in higher CLBR compared to GnRH antagonist protocol and the cost-effectiveness analysis in POR.
Methods

This retrospective study involved 699 patients (1058 cycles) who fulfilled the Bologna criteria in one center performed from 2010–2018. Specifically, 325 women (325 cycles) were treated with one time conventional GnRH antagonist ovarian stimulation (GnRH-antagonist). Another 374 patients (733 cycles) were treated with multiple minimal ovarian stimulations (MOS) including natural cycles. CLBR and cost-effectiveness analysis were performed comparing these two groups of women.
Results

GnRH- antagonist leads to more oocytes retrieved, more fertilized oocytes and more viable embryos compared to first MOS (p < 0.001) and the cumulative corresponding ones in multiple MOS (p < 0.001). For the first IVF cycle, GnRH- antagonist results in higher CLBR than MOS (12.92% versus 4.54%, Adjusted OR 2.606; 95%CI 1.386, 4.899, p = 0.003). However, GnRH-antagonist induces comparable CLBR with multiple MOS (12.92% versus 7.92%, Adjusted OR 1.702; 95%CI 0.971, 2.982, p = 0.063), but absolutely shorter time to live birth (9 (8, 10.75) months versus 11 (9, 14) months, p = 0.014) and similar financial expenditure compared to repeated MOS (20838 (17953, 23422) ¥ versus 21261.5 (15892.5, 35140.25) ¥, p = 0.13).
Conclusion

Both MOS and GnRH-antagonist provide low chance of live birth for poor responders. GnRH antagonist protocol is a sound choice for POR with comparable CLBR, shorter time to live birth and similar financial expenditure.
Impact of Racism and Discrimination on The Physical and Mental Health Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Living in Australia: A Protocol For A Scoping Review
Authors: Kairuz Camila A , Casanelia Lisa M , Bennett-Brook Keziah , Coombes Julieann , Yadav Uday Narayan
Published: June 2020

Background: Racism is increasingly recognised internationally as a key factor contributing to health disparities. A comprehensive body of strong research from international authors has reported negative associations between racism and health outcomes. In Australia, although the literature is more limited, available findings follow global trends. Australia has an identified health gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians, and despite efforts to bridge this gap, health inequities continue to exist. This scoping review aims to assess, analyse and synthesise the relationship between racism and discrimination on the physical and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Australia.Method: This is the study protocol for a scoping review. A systematic search will be conducted using five electronic databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science and the Australia’s National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research. The database search will include studies published between 2000 and 2020. Reference lists of the included articles will be searched. Outcome measures will include physical and mental health components including chronic conditions, depression and anxiety, psychological distress, social and emotional difficulties, suicide and health-related outcomes such as wellbeing and life satisfaction. Duplications will be removed, and titles and abstracts will be reviewed to select studies. Full-text screening of preselected studies will be performed by four reviewers independently, to select studies according to inclusion criteria. Included studies will be appraised for quality using appropriate tools tailored for each study design. Data will be extracted, and study findings and characteristics synthesised in a narrative summary. Discussion: Our scoping review will synthesise the evidence on the impacts of racism and discrimination in relation to the physical and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Australia. These findings could guide future health interventions by addressing the exposure of racism and racial discrimination in order to reduce health disparity. It is anticipated the findings to be of interest to policymakers, researchers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and community health organisations and other stakeholders interested in optimising public health interventions for and in partnership with Aboriginal and Strait Torres Islander communities of Australia. Systematic review registration: The protocol for this review has been registered on the International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO), and a registration number has not been provided yet.
Gender Related Differences in Infection Intensity, Prevalence and Risk of Schistosoma Mansoni and Schistosoma Haematobium: A Systematic Review Protocol
Authors: Ayabina Diepreye , Clark Jessica , Toor Jaspreet
Published: June 2020

Background: The varying extent to which schistosomiasis affects human males and females, depending on context and individual health status is unclear. A key step towards achieving equitable health outcomes and health care delivery is understanding how schistosomiasis is distributed by sex. The purpose of this review is to systematically investigate sex differences in intensity and prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium infections. Methods: The systematic review will be conducted and reported based on the items outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. Ovid-MEDLINE, PubMed, Ovid-PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases were searched for eligible studies published between inception and March 2020. Observational and intervention studies reporting data on the prevalence and/or intensity of schistosomiasis (S. mansoni/S. haematobium) distributed by sex in any population group will be included. Hand searches for further relevant publications will also be undertaken. Using a defined criterion, search results have been screened independently and in duplicate by three reviewers, any disputes were resolved by team consensus. Study and population characteristics will be extracted from eligible publications and stored in a structured data extraction sheet in Microsoft Excel. A descriptive synthesis of the results will be undertaken in line with the outcomes of this study.Discussion: This review aims to provide a current overview of the distribution of the burden of Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium by sex. An understanding of the sex distribution of schistosomiasis will play an important role in designing treatment strategies aimed towards prevention and control.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020175165
Validation of Next-Generation Sequencing and Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization for Diagnosis and Screening of Reciprocal and Robertsonian Translocations in Human Blastocysts
Authors: Du Shengrong , Lin Yun-Hong , Sun Yan , Chen Qing-Fen , Huang Zhi-Qing , Su Jing-Qian , Zheng Bei-Hong
Published: June 2020

Background: Advances in biotechnology, especially next-generation sequencing (NGS) and array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) approaches, have improved preimplantation genetic screening; however, these methods have not been directly compared. This study was carried out to identify the more promising method for screening reciprocal and Robertsonian translocations. Here, blastocysts from carriers with reciprocal and Robertsonian translocations were retrospectively evaluated and results from preimplantation genetic testing in 272 blastocytes were analysed for parental unbalanced translocations using aCGH and NGS. Results: There was no significant difference in the no embryo-transfer rate between aCGH and NGS. Among 59 blastocysts screened in the aCGH group, 32.76% were normal embryos and 67.24% were abnormal embryos, including 36.21% embryos with a translocation, 17.24% with no translocation, and 15.52% with combined abnormalities. Similar results were obtained from the 214 blastocysts tested in the NGS group. In women <35-years, more normal blastocysts were identified in the NGS group compared to the aCGH group. There was a higher rate of euploidy among blastocysts with higher quality grades in the NGS group than in the aCGH group for the trophectoderm (43.51% vs 29.41%) and inner cell mass (59.11% vs 25.00%). Conclusion: Equivalent clinical findings were observed for aCGH and NGS for parental reciprocal chromosomal translocations. However, NGS has the potential to overcome the inherent limitations of aCGH, including the detection of mosaicism and smaller partial gains/losses, thereby providing improvements in the detection of euploid blastocysts, along with enhanced reliability and sensitivity.
Aplastic Crisis Induced by Human Parvovirus B19 Infection in a Previously Healthy Adult Male
Authors: Li Fan , Cheng Jinying , Liu Linlin , Ding Guofeng
Published: June 2020

Background: Human parvovirus B19 (B19 V) induced aplastic crisis is very rare and in this paper, we describe a healthy adult male suddenly developed acute aplastic crisis induced by B19 V was found to have hereditary spherocytosis (HS).Case presentation: A 31-year-old male presented with fever, general fatigue and dizziness. The complete blood counts showed severe anemia. Folate levels, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase levels, the direct Coombs' test and osmotic fragility tests were all normal. And B19 V infection was proven both by the detection of B19 V DNA using PCR and the presence of B19 V IgM by serology and the patient improved following six units of packed red blood cells and antiviral treatment.Conclusions: This is the first report to describe a case with B19 V, EBV and CMV co-infection diagnosed in a patient with HS in China and DNA test of B19 V is recommended in acute aplastic crisis diseases.
The Determinant Role of miR-19 in Neural Stem Cell Fate: The Red Light to the Neuronal Differentiation and the Green Light to the Oligodendrocyte Differentiation
Authors: Shokri Gelareh , Rezaei Reza , Esfandiari Mahla , Tasharrofi Nooshin , Fathi-roodsari Mehrnoosh , Hashemi Mehrdad , Kouhkan Fatemeh
Published: June 2020

Background The precise epigenetic pathways and mechanisms involved in determining the fate of neural progenitor stem cells (NPCs) into differentiated neural lineages including oligodendrocytes (OLs) is an unresolved issue. MiRNAs are one of the key differentiating factors whose aberrant expression has been shown to disturb proper development. In the present study the leading role of miR-19 in NPCs differentiation to OLs was investigated.Methods MiR-19 was overexpressed in hiPSC derived NPCs and for confirming differentiation to the desired cell line, i.e. OL, the expression of cell line-specific genes was evaluated by Real-Time PCR. Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) precursor in the differentiated cells was studied by Flow cytometry. Luciferase activity was also measured to confirm the interaction of miR-19 with the 3’UTR of mRNA of the putative genes. Results Our results indicate that the upregulation of miR-19 is a contributing factor in determining NPCs' fate and the timing of progenitor division arrest. MiR-19 can cause a significant expression of OL markers. Besides, miR-19 repressed proneuronal differentiation factors including NeuroD1, NeuroD4, and neurogenin. Moreover, the higher expression of miR-19 could downregulate SOX4, SOX5, and SOX6 genes, which are involved in inhibiting OL differentiation and maturation. Conclusions Our finding demonstrated the functional link of miR-19 to regulatory networks of NPCs differentiation, as well as introduced a new strategy for modulating OL fate commitment and development of novel cell therapies.
Genomic characterization of carbapenem resistant Escherichia coli from multiple hospitals in Nanjing, China: focusing on frequent co-occurrence of blaNDM and blaKPC-2
Authors: Cao Xiaoli , Zheng Jie , Cheng Li , Zhou Wanqing , Zhang Zhifeng , Zhang Kui , Shen Han , Hamprecht Axel
Published: June 2020

Background

The increasing emergence of carbapenem resistant Escherichia coli (CREC) poses a potential threat to public health, hence genomic characterization of isolates is needed for a better understanding of its transmission and implementation of infection control measures.
Materials and methods

Eleven CREC isolates were collected in 2015 from 6 hospitals in Nanjing, China, and analyzed using whole genome sequencing. Resistance determinants, virulence elements, multi-locus sequence type (MLST), serotypes, phylogeny and fimH types were determined.
Results

All of the CREC carried at least one carbapenemase. NDM-5 (n = 9) was the most frequent carbapenemase, followed by KPC-2 (n = 3) and NDM-1 (n = 2); three isolates produced NDM-5 and KPC-2. Ten out of the 11 isolates co-carried blaCTX-M variants. MLST analysis found 7 distinct STs, including ST410 (n = 2), ST3489 (n = 1), ST156 (n = 1), ST683 (n = 1), ST297 (n = 1), ST167 (n = 1), and ST361 (n = 1). Six distinct serotypes and 8 Fim types were identified. A great diversity of plasmid profiles was observed with plasmid replicon IncX3 being the most frequent (n = 11). Phylogenetic analysis showed great diversity between the 11 CREC isolates and also between 6 additional isolates co-carrying blaNDM and blaKPC which were selected from the strains collection of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital for comparison. Conjugation assays demonstrated that blaNDM was transferable.
Conclusion

NDM is the major carbapenemase among CREC, with NDM-5 being the main variant which can be horizontally disseminated by IncX3 plasmids. These isolates displayed genetic diversity by MLST, Fim typing and serotyping. We herein provided the first report on emergence of NDM-5 producing E. coli ST297, ST683, ST3489, and NDM-1 producing E. coli ST361.
Mobility, Degradation, and Uptake of Indaziflam under Greenhouse Conditions
Authors: González-Delgado Amir M. , Shukla Manoj K.
Published: June 2020

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the leaching, degradation, uptake, and mass balance of indaziflam, as well as its potential to produce phytotoxicity effects on young pecan trees. Pecan trees were planted in pots with homogeneous porous media (sandy loam soil), preferential flow channels open to the soil surface, and shallow tillage at the soil surface. Pots were treated with indaziflam at two application rates of 25 and 50 g a.i./ha in 2014 and 2015. Each pecan tree was irrigated with 7 L of water every 2 weeks during the growing season. An irrigation volume of 2 L was used to maximize indaziflam retention time in the soil from Dec. 2015 until the end of the trees’ dormant stage. In 2014, leachate samples were collected after each irrigation for quantifying indaziflam mobility. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0 to 12 and 12 to 24 cm after 45, 90, and 135 days of indaziflam application, and leaf samples were collected at the end of the growing season to quantify mobility and uptake. Indaziflam was detected in leachate samples, and the leaf indaziflam content increased with increasing application rate. Indaziflam and its breakdown products were detected at both sampling depths. Mass recovery and half-life values for indaziflam in the soil ranged from 38% to 68% and 63 to 99 days, respectively. No phytotoxicity effects were observed from increasing application rate and retention time of indaziflam in the soil. Most of the applied indaziflam was retained in the soil at shallow depth.
Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease, As a Rare Cause of Dementia Should Not be Forgotten: Single-Center Experience
Authors: DEMİR Turgay , ASLAN Kezban , PEKÖZ Mehmet Taylan , BALAL Mehmet , BIÇAKCI Şebnem , DEMİRKIRAN Meltem , BOZDEMİR Hacer
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Dementia, which is an important public health problem, is divided into two groups as primary and secondary dementia. Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD), which is rarely seen, is a secondary cause of dementia with a rapidly progressive course. It is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder of infectious spongiform encephalopathy that can affect humans and animals. Sporadic CJD is the most common type that can present in four forms and has typical clinical presentations of progressive cognitive impairment, myoclonus, and ataxia. We aimed to discuss the demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings of CJD cases diagnosed in the neurointensive care unit. Methods: Sixteen patients were included in this retrospective study. Age, sex, complaints on admission, duration from symptom onset to mortality, neurologic examination, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG), and the protein 14.3.3 status of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were recorded. Results: The mean age was 61.18 ± 9.1 years (range, 37–73 years), and the most common complaints on admission were cognitive impairment, disturbance in consciousness, ataxia, and gait disturbance. CSF protein 14-3-3 was positive in 100% of patients. The most common findings were periodic sharp and wave complexes on EEG, cortical or putamen and caudate nucleus hyperintensity, cortical and cerebellar atrophy on MRI. One of the patients was diagnosed as variant CJD, and the others were diagnosed as the sporadic form. Conclusions: CJD should be kept in mind in patients with myoclonus or ataxia accompanied by progressive cognitive impairment. Neuroimaging, serial EEG recordings, CSF analysis, and histopathologic examination should be performed for diagnosis.
Learning and Teaching Support for Modular-Rating Educational System
Authors: Skrobach Nadiia , Petryna Vitalii , Shapoval Oksana , Vyshyvanyuk Vira
Published: June 2020

The main purpose of the modular system is to change organizational foundations of the pedagogical process in higher education to those that would ensure its substantial democratization and the conditions for a real change in the student’s role in learning (from the object to the subject of this process), provide the educational process with the necessary flexibility, introduce the principle of teaching individualization.

The regulation on the organization of the educational process in higher educational institutions determines scientific and methodical support that includes the State Standards for Specialties (Course Description, Educational and Professional Program), the curriculum, the syllabus for all normative and elective disciplines, discipline-specific teaching materials, the programs of practices of various kinds, textbooks, manuals, instructional and methodical guidelines, tasks for final, current and state control, etc.

The modular-rating and credit-modular educational systems require a detailed development of the system of learning and teaching support considering students’ individual characteristics to form a methodological culture of thinking of general phenomena and patterns of developing the physical world, as well as the ability of interdisciplinary synthesis and a deep understanding of scientific and professional tasks. The role a teacher plays in the system of such training is to motivate, determine the level of knowledge, consult and inform students, while students transform from passive listeners to active participants of the educational process. Such training enables students to study at their own pace, considering their own abilities and temperament.

The teaching and methodical complex on the discipline is the system of normative, methodical and didactic documents that determine the objectives of learning, the content of an academic discipline, didactically and scientifically substantiated sequence, methods and means of the formation of knowledge, skills, abilities, professional and civic qualities in students.
Cinco desafios para uma teoria do direito
Authors: Lima Flávio
Published: June 2020

RESUMO:Neste artigo, enuncio cinco desafios intuitivos a serem enfrentados por uma teoria do direito. Na sequência, argumento que a ideia tipicamente positivista de que as atribuições jurídicas possam estar assentadas exclusivamente em fatos descritivos parece conflitar com três deles. Concluo, assim, que a despeito de tanto o interpretativismo quanto o descritivismo serem nalguma medida teorias contraintuitivas, é sobre o segundo que recai um maior ônus argumentativo.  ABSTRACT:In this paper, I introduce five intuitive challenges that should be dealt with by theories of law. Then, I argue that the typically positivist idea that the legal ascriptions of a given legal system may be grounded exclusively on descriptive facts seems to conflict with three of those challenges. I conclude that in spite of the fact that both interpretivism and descriptivism are counterintuitive theories about law, it is the latter that has a greater argumentative burden.
Entrevista com Alberto Acosta, em homenagem aos 10 anos da Constituição Equatoriana de Monte Cristi
Authors: Aló Cardoso Ribeiro Ilana , Balmant Emerique Lilian
Published: June 2020

RESUMO:Alberto Acosta é economista, ex-ministro, ex-presidente da Assembleia Constituinte do Equador, candidato à Presidência e escritor. Essa entrevista foi conduzida por Ilana Aló e Lilian Emerique em Quito, Equador, em 18 de outubro de 2018 (Tradução: Julia García Távora Menegaz, Tradução e revisão: Ilana Aló Cardoso Ribeiro). Nessa entrevista, Acosta fala sobre sua atuação no processo constituinte do Equador, suas percepções sobre a Carta de 2008 e sua vocação participativa, eficácia constitucional, papel das cortes constitucionais e ao final apresenta um balanço do constitucionalismo equatoriano e panorama sobre a ascensão do populismo de direita no mundo. A entrevista foi realizada em homenagem aos 10 anos da Constituição Equatoriana de Monte Cristi.
Lineamientos básicos de la protección penal adelantada de la vida y salud en el trabajo
Authors: Gallo Patricia
Published: June 2020

RESÚMEN:En el presente trabajo se analiza a qué pautas debe responder la protección penal de la vida y salud de los trabajadores, frente a los riesgos inherentes de la actividad laboral. Teniendo en cuenta que la principal causa de los accidentes y enfermedades de trabajo consiste en el incumplimiento de las normas de seguridad extrapenales (administrativo/laborales), es necesario -en aras de la eficacia de la protección penal- adelantar la barrera de punición a través de un delito de peligro, como lo ha hecho el legislador español mediante el art. 316 del CP español. Partiendo del contexto en el que se enmarca la necesidad de esta protección penal intensificada (fundamentalmente la actual sociedad de riesgo y los fenómenos de expansión y modernización del Derecho penal), se ponen aquí de manifiesto las características propias a las que responde este especial delito de peligro y que tienen directa relevancia en un adecuado diseño del tipo penal que se postula RESUMO:Neste artigo, analisamos a quais diretrizes a proteção criminal da vida e da saúde dos trabalhadores respondem, contra os riscos inerentes à atividade laboral. Tendo em vista que a principal causa de acidentes e doenças profissionais consiste na violação de normas de segurança extra criminais (administrativas / trabalhistas), é necessário - em prol da eficácia da proteção criminal- avançar a barreira da punição através de um crime de perigo, como o legislador espanhol fez através do art. 316 do CP espanhol. A partir do contexto em que se enquadra a necessidade dessa proteção criminal intensificada (principalmente na atual sociedade de risco e diante dos fenômenos de expansão e modernização do direito penal), serão expostas as características desse crime especial de perigo e que tenham relevância direta para um design adequado do tipo penal postulado.ABSTRACT:In this paper, we analyze to which guidelines the criminal protection of the life and health of the workers must respond, against the inherent risks of the labor activity. Taking into account that the main cause of accidents and occupational diseases consists in the breach of extra-criminal safety regulations (administrative / labor), it is necessary - for the sake of the effectiveness of criminal protection - to advance the puncture barrier through of a crime of danger, as the Spanish legislator has done through art. 316 of the Spanish CP. Starting from the context in which the need for this intensified criminal protection is framed (mainly the current risk society and the phenomena of expansion and modernization of criminal law), the characteristics of this special crime of danger and that have direct relevance in an adequate design of the criminal type that is postulated.
Regulação social e empresas globais. Novos conceitos para velhos problemas?
Authors: Cappellin Paola
Published: June 2020

RESUMO:O artigo propõe a análise da centralidade da terminologia “Direitos humanos para corporações transnacionais e outras empresas” adotada pela Organização das Nações Unidas - ONU, que renova os programas de regulação social. Esta terminologia pode ser considerada, no debate internacional, uma tentativa para superar e atualizar a difusão do lema “responsabilidade social” desde o final da década de 1990. Nos interessa fazer emergir sob quais proposições se estruturam e disseminam novas modalidades para corrigir as denúncias de violação dos direitos dos trabalhadores. As recentes metodologias de controle e de regulação social das empresas transnacionais se realizam sobretudo pela presença direta e ativa dos sindicatos dos trabalhadores em suas diferenciadas bases territoriais (local, nacional, global), introduzindo processos de diálogo social transnacional. ABSTRACT:The paper presents the analysis of the centrality of the UN terminology “Human rights for transnational corporations and other businesses,” renewing the programs of social regulation.This terminology can be considered, in the international debate, an attempt to overcome and update the diffusion of the slogan of “social responsibility” since the late 1990s. We are interested to emerge in which propositions are structured and disseminate new ways to address the complaints of violations of workers’ rights. Recent methodologies for control and social regulation of transnational corporations are held mainly by direct and active presence of labor unions in their different territorial base (local, national, global), introducing transnational social dialogue processes.