bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome analysis reveals gene expression associated with fuzz fiber initiation regulated by high-temperature in Gossypium barbadense
Authors: Cheng Gongmin , Zhang Longyan , Wei Hengling , Wang Hantao , Lu Jianhua , Yu Shuxun
Published: March 2020

Background: Gossypium barbadense L. is the most important renewable source of textile fiber. Cotton fiber cell initiation and elongation are often affected by various environmental stimulus, such as high temperature. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of temperature regulating the fuzz fiber initiation.Results: In the present study, phenotypic observation revealed that high temperature (HT) accelerated the fiber development, improved fiber quality and induced fuzz fiber initiation. It has been proved that the fuzz fiber initiation was inhibited by low temperature (LT), and 4 days post-anthesis (DPA) was the key stage for fuzz fiber initiation. Based on comparative transcriptome analysis, a total of 43,826 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, of which 9,667 were involved in both fiber development and temperature response with 901 transcription factor genes and 189 genes related to plant hormone signal transduction. Further analysis of gene expression patterns revealed that 240 genes were involved in fuzz fiber initiation. Functional annotation revealed that the candidate genes related to fuzz initiation were significantly involved in asparagine biosynthetic process, cell wall biosynthesis and stress response. Furthermore, the expression trends of sixteen selected genes from the RNA-seq data were almost consistent with the results of qRT-PCR results.Conclusions: Our study revealed several potential candidate genes and pathways that related to fuzz fiber initiation induced by high-temperature and provided a new view of temperature-induced tissue and organ development in Gossypium barbadense.
Complement Component 3 (C3) Concentrations in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Yang Zipeng , Yuan Zi-Guo , Yang Anqun , Zhang Xiu-Xiang , Wang Xiaohu , Yu Miao , S.Mahmmod Yasser , Hernandez Jorge A , Ren Zhaowen , Zhang Xirui , Cong Wei
Published: March 2020

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the serum complement component 3 “C3” level and the patients with different types of cancer. Our study finding would ultimately provide reliable scientific conclusions to guide clinical practice. Methods PubMed, Embase, The Chorane Library and Google Scholar were systematically searched to identify all studies on serum C3 concentrations in cancer patients published as of September 2019. Additionally, we conducted a clinical study on serum C3 in lung cancer patients and healthy people. The levels of serum complement C3 in 84 lung cancer patients and 30 healthy people were examined by ELISA. We used standardized mean differences (SMD) to report the pooled estimation, and I² statistics were calculated to examine the heterogeneity. For pooling estimates, a fixed effect meta-analysis was conducted on our studies. Two independent reviewers extracted relevant data and conducted deviation risk assessment. Our Meta-analysis was performed using STATA software and Review Manager 5.3. Results The C3 levels of 83 lung cancer patients were 1.07 ± 0.34, and 30 healthy people were 0.95 ± 0.17 (the unit is g/l, keep two decimal places after the decimal point), and the p-value for t-test was 0.014 (<0.05). The overall C3 concentrations of cancer patients were significantly higher than the healthy control (SMD:0.30, 95%CI = 0.20 to 0.40 , p-value <0.00001). There was a certain degree of heterogeneity in the article, but it was acceptable (χ² = 31.89, p-value = 0.02, I²= 44%). Conclusions Concentration analysis and this meta-analysis revealed that the serum C3 concentrations in cancer patients are significantly higher than that of healthy people. Further well-designed, large-scale, randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this conclusion. Keywords : Complement Component 3; Cancer Patients; Meta-Analysis
Endoscopic retrograde appendicography: an effective diagnostic method for acute appendicitis
Authors: Liu Bing-Rong , Xiao Ma , Ullah Saif , Song Ji-Tao , Kong Ling-Jian , Li De-Linag , Pan Chao
Published: March 2020

Background and Aim: Appendicography had been used in the diagnosis of chronic appendicitis. To our knowledge, the role of endoscopic retrograde appendicography for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of endoscopic retrograde appendicography for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.Patients and Method: Patients with suspected acute appendicitis between December 2013 and November 2015 at Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University underwent endoscopic retrograde appendicography. The findings and complication were analyzed retrospectively.Results: Thirty-three patients (20 men and 13 women, average age 44 ± 18 years) with suspected acute appendicitis were studied. Acute appendicitis was ruled out by normal endoscopic retrograde appendicography in 24% and confirmed in 69.6% (23). In 2 patients (8%) appendiceal orifice cannulation failed. Colonoscopic findings in acute appendicitis were mucosal hyperemia and edema of appendiceal orifice (83%), outpouring of pus from the appendiceal orifice (74%), and swollen cecal mucosa (61%). Appendicograpic findings were either normal or in acute disease showed diffuse lumenal dilation (diameter: 0.8 ± 0.4 mm), partial stenosis (43%), stiffness or inflexibility (87%) and filling defects (22%). There were no complications during or after follow-up for a median of 13 months (IQR: 9-24 months).Conclusions: Endoscopic retrograde appendicography appears to be a reliable and safe method to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of acute appendicitis and prevent unnecessary appendectomy.
A linear-time algorithm that avoids inverses and computes jackknife (leave-one-out) products like convolutions or other operators in commutative semigroups
Authors: Spouge John , Ziegelbauer Joseph M. , Gonzalez Mileidy
Published: March 2020

Background: Data about herpesvirus microRNA motifs on human circular RNAs suggested the following statistical question. Consider independent random counts, not necessarily identically distributed. Conditioned on the sum, decide whether one of the counts is unusually large. Exact computation of the p-value leads to a specific algorithmic problem. Given n elements g0,g1,...gn-1 in a set with the closure and associative properties and a commutative product without inverses, compute the jackknife (leave-one-out) products gbar;=g0,g1,...gj-1 g j+1...gn-1 (0≤j<n).Results: This article gives a linear-time Jackknife Product algorithm. Its upward phase constructs a standard segment tree for computing segment products like g[i,j)=gigi+1...gj-1; its novel downward phase mirrors the upward phase while exploiting the symmetry of and its complement gbar;j. The algorithm requires storage for elements of and only about products. In contrast, the standard segment tree algorithms require about n products for construction and log2 n products for calculating each gbar;j, i.e., about products n log n in total; and a naïve quadratic algorithm using n-2 element-by-element products to compute each gbar;j requires n (n-2) products.Conclusions: In the herpesvirus application, the Jackknife Product algorithm required 15 minutes; standard segment tree algorithms would have taken an estimated 3 hours; and the quadratic algorithm, an estimated 1 month. The Jackknife Product algorithm has many possible uses in bioinformatics and statistics.
Is combining serum interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein a reliable diagnostic tool in periprosthetic joint infections?
Authors: Li Cheng , Thies Cristina Ojeda , Xu Chi , Trampuz Andrej
Published: March 2020

Background: Because there is no single gold-standard method for the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), the combination of valuable methods to evaluate infection seems to achieve a better diagnostic result. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) for the diagnosis of PJI.Methods: PubMed, Embase, and the Web of Science databases were searched for articles describing PJI diagnosis using serum IL-6 and CRP published between January 1990 and December 2019.Results: Eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity was 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.73 to 0.83) for the combined method (serum IL-6 and CRP), 0.87 (95% CI: 0.82 to 0.91) for IL-6 and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.78 to 0.87) for CRP . The pooled specificity was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.89 to 0.95) for the combined method, 0.85 (95% CI: 0.81 to 0.88) for IL-6, and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.79 to 0.87) for CRP. The combined method had the highest value for the area under the curve (0.9688), followed by IL-6 (0.9259) and CRP (0.9139). Subgroup analyses showed that restricting antibiotic treatment before sample collection may improve specificity.Conclusion: The combination of serum IL-6 and CRP was a reliable tool for the diagnosis of PJI, and it had a better diagnostic accuracy than testing with a single marker, especially when samples were collected without antibiotic therapy. Additional research is needed.
Further investigations of gateway effects using the PATH study
Authors: Lee Peter N , Fry John S
Published: March 2020

Background: Considerable interest exists in whether e-cigarette use (“vaping”) by youths increases the risk of initiating cigarette smoking. Based on Waves 1 and 2 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study we reported that adjustment for propensity for vaping using Wave 1 variables explained about 80% of the unadjusted relationship. This analysis may be over-adjusted had vaping at Wave 1 affected some variables recorded then. Here we present analyses using Waves 1 to 3 to avoid this possibility. Methods: Our main analysis M1 concerned those who had never smoked by Wave 2 and never vaped by Wave 1. Wave 2 vaping was linked to smoking initiation by Wave 3, adjusting for Wave 1 predictors. Sensitivity analyses excluded other tobacco product users at Wave 1, included other tobacco product use as an additional predictor, or were based on propensity for ever smoking or ever any tobacco use, rather than ever vaping. Other analyses adjusted for propensity as derived originally, or ignored Wave 1 data. Other analyses used grouped age (only available originally) or exact age (available now) as a confounder variable, attempted residual confounding adjustment by modifying values of predictor variables using data later recorded, or considered interactions with age. Results: In M1, propensity adjustment removed about 50% of the excess odds ratio (i.e. OR–1), the unadjusted OR, 5.60 (95% CI 4.52-6.93) becoming 3.37 (2.65-4.28), 3.11 (2.47-3.92) or 3.27 (2.57-4.16) depending whether adjustment was for propensity as a continuous variable, as quintiles, or for the 16 variables making up the propensity score. Many factors studied hardly affected the results, including using grouped or exact age, consideration of other tobacco products, including interactions, or using predictors of smoking or tobacco use rather than vaping. The clearest conclusion was that analyses avoiding over-adjustment only explained about 50% of the excess OR whereas analyses subject to over-adjustment explained about 80%. Conclusions: Although much of the unadjusted gateway effect results from uncontrolled confounding, our current analysis provides stronger evidence of a causal effect of vaping than did our earlier analysis. However, some doubts remain about the completeness of confounder adjustment.
Design and evaluate of a multilevel laminar shear stress perfusion bioreactor
Authors: Sun Songrong , Huang Shaoxiong , Li Xuejia , Wang Xiaoyan , Gong Yihong , Luo Yuxi
Published: March 2020

Background: Fluid shear stress affects cell viability and cell differentiation. This study aimed to build a bioreactor for tissue engineering in which the cultured cells are exposed to custom designed multilevel laminar shear stress. Methods: The bioreactor was built based on a multi-layer plate configuration and equipped with an online monitoring system. The diameters of the diversion holes of each layer varied from 0.8mm to 1.4mm. Computational fluid dynamics and tracer liquid imaging velocity measurement were used to study the fluid field distribution. Finally, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) were cultivated in this bioreactor system. Results: The actual flow field distribution was consistent with the simulation results, and the average relative error of the flow velocity was 10.52%. The variation in shear stress of each layer was less than 3.0e-5 Pa, indicating that the flow microenvironment was uniform in each layer. Additionally, the shear stress increased with increasing diameters of the diversion holes. Cell culture experiments of Vero cells and hUCMSCs showed that the system continuously monitored morphological characteristics of the cells. The designed bioreactor achieved the desired proliferation, indicating that the bioreactor provided a suitable microenvironment for cell growth. Conclusion: The fluid shear stress within the bioreactor can be specified as required, and the morphological characteristics of the cells can be monitored in real time. It achieved the proliferation of hUCMSCs. This bioreactor system will facilitate the study of tissue engineering.
Lumbar degenerative disease after oblique lateral interbody fusion: sagittal spinopelvic alignment and its impact on low back pain
Authors: Li Jia , Zhang Di , Shen Yong , Qi Xiangbei
Published: March 2020

Background: The objective of the retrospective study was to investigated the incidence and risk factors of low back pain (LBP) in patients with lumbar degenerative disease after single-level oblique lateral interbody fusion(OLIF).Methods: In this retrospective study, 120 patients who undergoing single-level OLIF to treat lumbar degenerative disease were recruited. Preoperative and postoperative radiographic parameters, including segmental lordosis(SL), lumbar lordosis(LL), disk height(DH), pelvic incidence(PI), pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope(SS), thoracic kyphosis(TK), C7-sagittal vertical axis (SVA). Visual analog scale(VAS) for back and leg pain, and Oswestry Disability Index(ODI), were used to evaluate symptoms and quantify disability. All patients achieved at least two-year follow-up.Results: A total of 120 Patients who complained low back pain were apportioned to LBP group (n=38; VAS scores for back pain≥3) or Non-LBP group (n=82;VAS scores for back pain＜3). There was no difference in age(P=0.082), gender(P=0.425), body mass index(P=0.138), degenerative spondylolisthesis or lumbar spinal stenosis(P=0.529) surgical level(P=0.651), blood Loss (P=0.889) and operative time(P=0.731) between the groups. In both groups, the ODI and VAS scores for back pain and leg pain were significantly improved at the final follow-up compared to the preoperative scores (P=0.003). Furthermore, except for the LBP (P=0.000), there were no significant differences in these scores between the two groups at the final follow-up (P > 0.05). According to the radiographic parameters, in Non-LBP group, the LL, SL, DH, TK and SS had all significantly improved; PT and C7-SVA significantly decreased at the final follow-up compared to the preoperative values. The DH in both groups had significantly improved, no significant difference was found(P=0.325). In the final follow-up, LL, PI-LL, PT and C7-SVA in Non-LBP group had more improvements compared to the LBP group (P＜0.05) . Multivariate analysis showed that PT, PI-LL and C7-SVA were identified as significant risk factors for LBP after OLIF.Conclusion: The clinical outcomes of OLIF for single-level lumbar degenerative disease were satisfactory. Our findings showed that PT, PI-LL mismatch and C7-SVA had the greatest impact on the incidence of LBP. Therefore, patients with appropriate decreased PT, improved C7-SVA and PI-LL match experienced less low back pain.
The underlying mechanism of partial anterior cruciate ligament injuries to the meniscus of knee joint in rabbit models
Authors: Wang Dalin , Wang Zhe , Li Mingcheng , Xu Songbao
Published: March 2020

Background

The diagnosis, treatment and efficacy evaluation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) remains controversial. This research aims to investigate the underlying mechanism of partial ACL injuries to the meniscus degeneration in rabbit knee.

Methods

Sixty New Zealand, white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: the anteromedial bundle (AMB) splitting, the posterolateral bundle (PLB) splitting and a control group. Finally, eight rabbits were sampled randomly on the second, fourth and eighth weeks respectively. We observed the typical form of the meniscus through HE staining. Expressions of inflammatory factors including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-17 in the knee joint fluid were determined by means of an ELISA. Analysis of the mRNA expressions of MMP-13 was performed to evaluate the inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of the meniscus.

Results

HE staining results showed that the surface was rough and the tissues were loose displaying collagen fibers of varying thickness. Both IL-1β and IL-17 in the synovial fluid, and the positive rate of MMP-13 in addition to MMP-13 mRNA showed a demonstrable increase treads from the 2nd to the 8th week. The significant difference was found ( P <0.05) compared to the control group.

Conclusion

Our findings illustrated that the elevated levels of IL-1β and IL-17, along with increased MMP13 expression, resulting in meniscus degradation in the rabbit knee joint model with partial ACL injury. When the partial ACL injury on the different bundles occurred, the reconstruction of the reserved AMB or PLB must be operated on time due to uncertainty of conservative treatment.
Laparoscopy Approach to Sigmoid Colon Perforation Secondary to Intrauterine Device Migration
Authors: Amortegui Henry Leonardo Robayo , Vanegas Diana Marcela Rincon , Blanquicet Adolfredo Ballestas , Fonseca Jair Ruiz
Published: March 2020

Background Currently, the intrauterine device (IUD) is one of the most used contraceptive methods worldwide, since it has shown to be effective and reversible. One of its complications is the migration of the device, which can affect close organs by perforating them. Case We present the case of a patient who presented a colouterine fistula secondary to an IUD migration. Conclusion Laparoscopy is a surgical method that may be performed electively; it makes device removal and repair of affected organs possible with fewer complications.
LINC00476 suppresses the progression of non-small cell lung cancer via inducing the ubiquitination of SETDB1
Authors: Cui Guanghui , Fu Xiao , Wang Wentao , Chen Xiaofang , Liu Shuaishuai , Cao Peipei , Zhao Song , Cui Guanghui
Published: March 2020

Background: Long non-coding RNAs are involved in the tumorigenesis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aims to investigate whether LINC00476 affects the proliferation, invasion, and migration of NSCLC cells via SETDB1-activated Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Method: The expression of LINC00476, SETDB1, Wnt1, and β-catenin were determined in NSCLC tumor tissues and the paired adjacent tissues, as well as in NSCLC cell lines and bronchial epithelioid cell lines. Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration were determined using cell counting kit-8 assay and Transwell assay. The relationship between LINC00476 and SETDB1 was elucidated using RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, and ubiquitination assays. Result: LINC00476 was significantly downregulated, while SETDB1, Wnt1, and β-catenin were upregulated in NSCLC tumor tissues and cell lines compared to the normal ones. Overexpression of LINC00476 promoted the proliferation, invasion, and migration of NSCLC cells, as well as suppressed tumor growth in the mouse xenograft. Meanwhile, overexpression of LINC00476 induced the degradation of SETDB1 via promoting its ubiquitination. The simultaneous overexpression of LINC00476 and SETDB1 negated the inhibition of LINC00476 overexpression on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of NSCLC cells. Conclusion: LINC00476 acts as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC via downregulating SETDB1, which provides a novel target in treating NSCLC.
Effect of bendiocarb based (Ficam® 80% WP) Indoor Residual Spraying on feeding patterns of malaria vectors in Burkina Faso, West Africa.
Authors: Aristide HIEN S. , Soma Dieudonné Diloma , Sawadogo Simon Pengwende , Poda Serge Bèwadéyir , Namountougou Moussa , Ouédraogo Georges Anicet , Diabaté Abdoulaye , Dabiré Roch Kounbobr
Published: March 2020

Background : Vector control is a key component in malaria prevention strategies in many malaria endemic countries in Africa. In Burkina Faso, malaria transmission is seasonal in most parts of country, so a single round of spraying should provide effective protection against malaria, provided the insecticide remains effective over the entire malaria transmission season. The primary effects of IRS towards curtailing malaria transmission are : i) to reduce the life span of vector mosquitoes and ii) to reduce the density of the vector mosquitoes. Methods : CDC light trap and pyrethrum spray catches were carried out monthly to determine the change in malaria vector indices in sprayed (Diebougou) and unsprayed sites (Dano). The females malaria vectors collected by CDC light trap and PSC were used to determine their blood feeding and sporozoites rate using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and their biting rate and entomological inoculation rateResults: Three species belonging to the Anopheles gambiae complex (Anopheles gambiae s.s., Anopheles coluzzii and Anopheles arabiensis) are present throughout the transmission season, but An. gambiae s.s.was the most frequent species of the complex (P =0.0005), comprising 88% of the total collected and the most infected species. Malaria vectors densities were significantly lower in sprayed villages (n=4,303) compared with unsprayed villages (n=12,569) during post-spraying period (P = 0.0012). In addition, mean human biting rate of An. gambiae sl and An. funestus ss were significantly lower in sprayed areas compared to unsprayed areas (P<0.05). Overall, malaria vector transmission risk was significant lower in villages which received IRS (P=0.0001) whatever the malaria vectors species (An. gambiae sl and An. funestus ss).Conclusion: The results showed that in the sprayed area (Diebougou), vector densities, human biting rates and malaria transmission risks were very lower than unsprayed areas (Dano). The findings also showed a change in vector behavior especially within An. funestus which became more zoophagic following IRS. The indoor residual spraying could be recommanded as control tool in areas where malaria transmission occured throughout the year.Keywords: Indoor residual spraying, bendiocarb, malaria vectors, mosquito feeding patterns, Burkina Faso.
Metastatic site discriminates survival benefit of primary surgery for differentiated thyroid cancer with distant metastases: A real-world observational study
Authors: DING WU , Ruan Guodong , zhu Jianming , Tu Chuanjian , Li Zhian
Published: March 2020

Background: Role of surgery in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) with distant metastases (DM) remains controversial. We aimed to determine the survival benefit of primary surgery on the basis of metastatic site. Methods: A retrospective cohort study based on the SEER database was conducted to identify DTC patients with DM diagnosed between 2010 and 2016. Patients were divided into surgery and non-surgery group, and propensity score weighting was used to balance clinicopathologic factors between groups. Results: Of 3537 DTC patients with DM, 956 (66.0%) cases were managed with surgery and 493 (34.0%) cases were managed without surgery. There were 798 all-cause deaths and 704 DTC specific deaths over a median follow-up of 22 months. The weighted 3-year overall survival (OS) for the surgery group was 55.2%, compared to 27.8% (P < 0.001) for the non-surgery group. The magnitude of the survival difference with surgery was significantly correlated with metastatic sites (Pinteraction<0.001). Significant survival improvements in surgery group compared with non-surgery group were observed in patients with lung-only metastasis (adjusted HR = 0.45, P < 0.001) , bone-only metastasis (adjusted HR = 0.40, P < 0.001), or liver-only metastasis (adjusted HR = 0.27, P < 0.001), whereas survival no improvement of surgery was found for patients with brain-only metastasis (adjusted HR = 0.57, P = 0.059) or multiply organs distant metastases (adjusted HR = 0.81, P = 0.099). Conclusion: The survival benefit offered by surgery for DTC patients with DM varies by metastatic sites. Decisions for primary surgery of DTC patients with DM should be tailored according to metastatic sites.
A Cohort Study Evaluating the Association Between Concurrent Mental Disorders, Mortality, Morbidity, and Continuous Treatment Retention for Patients in Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) Across Ontario, Canada Using Administrative Health Data
Authors: Morin Kristen A. , Eibl Joseph K. , Gauthier Graham , Rush Brian , Mushquash Christopher , Lightfoot Nancy E. , Marsh David C.
Published: March 2020

Background: Due to the high prevalence of mental disorders among people with opioid use disorder, the objective of this study was to determine the association between concurrent mental disorders, mortality, morbidity and continuous treatment retention in opioid agonist treatment in Ontario, Canada. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients enrolled in opioid agonist treatment between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2016. Patients were stratified into two groups: those diagnosed with concurrent mental disorders and opioid use disorder and those with opioid use disorder only, using data from the Ontario Health Insurance Plan Database, Ontario Drug Benefit Plan Database. The primary outcome studied was all-cause mortality using data from the Registered Persons Database. Emergency Department visits from the National Ambulatory Care Database, hospitalizations Discharge Abstract Database, and continuous retention in treatment, defined as one year of uninterrupted opioid agonist treatment using data from the Ontario Drug Benefit Plan Database, were measured as secondary outcomes. Encrypted patient identifiers were used to link across databases. Results: We identified 55,924 individuals enrolled in opioid agonist treatment, 87% had a concurrent mental disorder diagnosis during this time period. We observed that having a mental disorder was predictive of all-cause mortality (Odds Ratio (OR) 1.4; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.2-1.5, frequent emergency department visits (OR 3.69; 95% CI 3.7-4.1) and hospitalizations (OR 2.6; 95% CI 2.5-2.7). However it was not predictive for one-year treatment retention in OAT OR 1.0; 95% CI 0.9-1.1). Conclusion: Our findings highlight consequences of the high prevalence of mental disorders for individuals with opioid use disorder in Ontario, Canada.
Sexual dimorphism and sex-biased gene expression in an egg parasitoid species, Anastatus disparis
Authors: Liu P.C. , Hao DeJun , Hu Hao-Yuan , Wei Jian-Rong
Published: March 2020

BackgroundDifferences in the expression of genes present in both sexes are assumed to contribute to sex differences including behavioural, physiological and morphological dimorphisms. For enriching our knowledge of gender differences in an important egg parasitoid wasp, Anastatus disparis (Hymenoptera: Eupelmidae), sex-biased differences in gene expression were investigated using Illumina-based transcriptomic analysis. ResultsA total of 15812 resulting unigenes were annotated, and a large set of genes accounting for 50.09% of the total showed sex-biased expression and included 630 sex-specific genes. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses showed that the functional categories associated with sex-biased genes were mainly related to reproduction. In addition, the transcriptome data provided evidence that sex pheromones in A. disparis are produced by the female, and activity of 12-desaturases appear to have been replaced by 9-desaturases playing roles in sex pheromone production. The large set of sex-biased genes identified in this study provide a molecular background for sexually dimorphic traits such as flyability, longevity, and aggression in this species and suggests candidate venom proteins expressed only in females that could be used for biological control.ConclusionsThis study provides comprehensive insight into sexually dimorphic traits of a parasitoid wasp and can inform future research into the molecular mechanisms underlying such traits and the application of parasitoids to the biological control of pest species.
Improved subspecies identification in clinical Mycobacterium abscessus complex isolates using whole genome sequencing
Authors: Lin Dachuan , Sun Ruifeng , Tan Yaoju , Wang Jing , Chen Xinchun , Li Yun
Published: March 2020

BackgroundMycobacterium abscessus complex, which is frequently reported to cause a variety of skin and soft tissues diseases in humans, is composed of three subspecies, namely, M. abscessus subsp. abscessus, M. abscessus subsp. massiliense and M. abscessus subsp. bolletii. Currently, the differentiation of these three subspecies in clinical isolates still largely depends on single gene identification methods, including the genes hsp65 and 16s, with limited accuracy.ResultsThis study confirmed the limitations of the single gene-based method of subspecies identification. We performed a comprehensive analysis of MABC genomes in the NCBI database and tried to build an accurate and user-friendly identification method. Here, we describe an improved assay for Mycobacterium abscessus complex rapid identification using WGS data, based on the identities of rpoB, erm(41) and rpls. Comprehensive analysis has been performed to compare our software results with the traditional method. The results showed that the method built in this study could achieve 100% identification of subspecies for the Mycobacterium abscessus complex in a public genome database (893 genomes from the NCBI database and 6 clinical isolates from this study). This software can be easily integrated into a routine workflow to quickly and precisely provide subspecies-level identification and discrimination of different MABC subspecies in clinical isolates by WGS.ConclusionsThis assay will facilitate accurate molecular identification of species from the MABC complex in a variety of clinical specimens and diagnostic contexts.
Bilateral simultaneous total hip arthroplasty: comparison of treatment outcome between the direct anterior approach and the posterolateral approach
Authors: Feng Shuo , Sun Jian-Ning , Zhang Yu , Zhang Ye , Chen Xiang-Yang , Zha Guo-Chun
Published: March 2020

Background There are many surgical approaches for total hip arthroplasty. In recent years, direct anterior approach (DAA) has been highly praised by many scholars, and it has been widely reported that it has a good curative effect, such as fast recovery. Whether the surgical results and patient satisfaction can reach or exceed the traditional posterolateral approach has been controversial. We hypothesized that the treatment outcome of the direct anterior approach (DAA) approach is superior to the traditional posterolateral approach (PLA). Methods From January 2015 to April 2017, 20 patients (40 hips) were randomly divided into posterolateral approach (PLA) group and direct anterior approach (DAA) group. Record the operation time on both sides, postoperative drainage, prosthesis position, and complications, the functional recovery of hip joint was evaluated by D'Aubigne-Postel score, and the postoperative pain was evaluated by VAS score. Gait parameters were measured before surgery and at 3 and 6 months after surgery, and the patients were asked which side they preferred subjectively after surgery. Results When compared with the PLA group, the DAA group had a shorter incision length (11.4 vs 14.72 cm, P<0.001), shorter intraoperative blood loss (184.05vs 219.00 mL, P<0.001), shorter postoperative drainage volume (105.35 vs 154.10 mL, P<0.001), and lower VAS scores. However, the PLA had shorter operative times (82.20 vs 67.3 min, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in acetabular inclination (39.72 vs 40.92 °, P=0.069), and acetabular anteversion (17.41 vs 17.69°, P=0.663) between the two groups. Joint function recovery: The D'Aubigne-Postel scores of the hip joints in the DAA group vs PLA group at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery were (8.2, 11.5, 16.5) vs (7.65, 11.45, 16.9). The difference in the 1, 3month was statistically significant (P=0.012, P=0.038), however, this difference disappeared in the 6th month(P=0.072). Conclusions Compared with the PLA, the DAA has the advantages of shorter operation time, smaller incision, less bleeding, less pain, better gait performance and faster recovery of joint function, but patients subjectively preferred the traditional PLA.
Incidence and Risk Factors of Postoperative Delirium Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database Study
Authors: Wang Jian , Yang Qinfeng , Xu Yichuan , Chen Yuhang , Lian Qiang , Zhang Yang
Published: March 2020

BackgroundPostoperative delirium is a common complication following major surgeries, causing a variety of adverse effects. However, the incidence and risk factors of delirium after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has not been well studied using a large-scale national database. MethodsA retrospective database analysis was performed based on Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2005-2014. Patients who underwent TKA were included. Patient demographics, comorbidities, length of stay (LOS), total charges, type of insurance, in-hospital mortality, and medical and surgical perioperative complications were evaluated.ResultsA total of 1,228,879 TKAs were obtained from the NIS database. The general incidence of delirium after TKA was 1.00%, which peaked in the year 2008. Patients with delirium after TKA presented more comorbidities, increased LOS, extra hospital charges, wider coverage of medicare, and higher in-hospital mortality (P<0.0001). Delirium following TKA was associated with medical complications during hospitalization including acute renal failure, acute myocardial infarction, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, stroke, and urinary tract infection. Risk factors of postoperative delirium included advanced age, neurological disorders, alcohol and drug abuse, depression, psychoses, fluid and electrolyte disorders, diabetes, weight loss, deficiency and chronic blood loss anemia, coagulopathy, congestive heart failure, chronic pulmonary disease and pulmonary circulation disorders, peripheral vascular disorders, renal failure, and teaching hospital. ConclusionsA relatively low incidence of delirium after TKA was identified. Postoperative delirium of TKA was associated with increased comorbidities, LOS, total charges, coverage of medicare, mortality and medical perioperative complications. It is of benefit to study risk factors of postoperative delirium to ensure the appropriate management and moderate its consequences.
Association of Interleukin-16 rs4778889 T>C Gene Polymorphism with Cancer Risk: a Meta-analysis
Authors: Lei Qin , Jiawen Zhao , Yutong Zhao , Chenjun Ma , Chaobin Li , Jiwen Cheng , Chengyang Li
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND: Rs4778889 T>C is one of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in interleukin-16 (IL-16). As a growth factor, IL-16 might play a significant impact on cancer formation. Several studies have investigated the relationship between IL-16 rs4778889 T>C gene polymorphisms and cancer risk, but the results are contradictory. We conducted a meta-analysis on the association between IL-16 rs4778889 T>C gene polymorphism and cancer risk. METHODS: Twelve case–control studies with 3066 cases and 4433 controls from Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase databases were included. The data was analyzed using the STATA software and the combined odds ratio (ORs) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CIs) were used to identify the correlation strength. RESULTS: Our results show that no significant associations were observed between the IL-16 rs4778889 T>C gene polymorphisms and cancer risk in all genetic models (C vs. T: OR=1.06, 95% CI: 0.90–1.26, Ph<0.001; CC vs. TT: OR=1.07, 95% CI: 0.71–1.62, Ph<0.001; CT vs. TT: OR=1.07, 95% CI: 0.91–1.26, Ph=0.002; CC+CT vs. TT: OR=1.08, 95% CI: 0.90–1.30, Ph<0.001; CC vs. CT+TT: OR=1.04, 95% CI: 0.73–1.50, Ph=0.001). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses also were performed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis indicate that there are no significant associations between IL-16 rs4778889 T>C gene polymorphisms and cancer risk. To verify these results, further studies with larger sample size and multiracial populations are needful. Keywords: IL-16, polymorphisms, cancer, meta-analysis
MENA promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell invasion and migration via MMP-2, MMP-9 and AKT activation
Authors: Li Yueheng , Gao Na , Li Jing , Gao Zhengfan , Yang Zhenzhen , Dang Jinghan , Hou Guiqin , Liu Hongtao , Fan Tianli
Published: March 2020

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a fatal disease with poor prognosis. The predominant reason for ESCC-related death is metastasis caused by tumor cell invasion. Human MENA protein is a member of Ena/Vasp family, which plays a critical role during tumor cell invasion. However, the biological effect of MENA in ESCC cell lines remains unclear Methods: In this study, fluorescent quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were conducted to detect the mRNA expression of MENA in tumor and para-cancer tissue, CCK-8 assay and clone formation assay were conducted to evaluate cell proliferation activity, Transwell assay and wound-healing assay were conducted to detect the changes of cell invasion and migration capacity, siRNA and MENA expression vector were constructed to explore biological function of MENA in ESCC cell lines. Western blot analysis were conducted to detect the expressions of MENA , molecular markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), Akt, p-Akt, MMP-2 and MMP-9 respectively in ESCC cell line. Results: The qRT-PCR experiment results showed that MENA expression in ESCC tissue of 35 patients was relatively higher than that in tissue adjacent to cancer. CCK-8 assay suggested that tumor cell proliferation capacity was suppressed followed by the knockdown of MENA expression in Mena high ESCC cell TE13 and was potentiated by the overexpression of MENA in Mena low ESCC cell TE1. Transwell assay and wound healing assay demonstrated that interfering in MENA could inhibit TE13 cells invasion and migration capacity by affecting the expressions of Matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) and Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), in contrast, overexpression of MENA in Mena low ESCC cell TE1 could promote invasion and migration by up-regulated expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Western blot analysis indicated that interfering of MENA expression could affect EMT-related molecular markers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Snail, Slug), Akt and p-Akt Conclusions: Our study reveal that MENA could promote the ESCC cell invasion and migration by upregulate MMP-2, MMP-9 expression and Akt activation. Meanwhile, interfering of MENA expression could affect EMT in ESCC cells. This indicated that MENA may be a potential molecular therapeutic target for ESCC metastasis
Germline Variation Networks in the PI3K/AKT Pathway Corresponding to Familial High-incidence Lung Cancer Pedigrees
Authors: Lin Huan , Zhang Gong , Zhang Xu-chao , Lian Xin-lei , Zhong Wen-zhao , Su Jian , Chen Shi-liang , Wu Yi-long
Published: March 2020

Background: There were scarcely germline variants of familial lung cancer(LC) identified. We conducted an study with whole-exome sequencing of pedigrees with familial lung cancer to analyze the potential genetic susceptibility. Methods: Probands with the highest hereditary background were identified by our large-scale epidemiological study and five ones were enrolled as a learning set. The germline SNPs of other five similar probands, four healthy individuals in the formerly pedigrees and three patients with sporadic LC were used as a validation set, controlled by three healthy individuals without family history of any cancer. The network of mutated genes was generated using STRING-DB and visualized using Cytoscape. Results: Specific and shared somatic mutations and germline single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were not the shared cause of familial lung cancer. However, individual germline SNPs showed distinct protein-protein interaction network patterns in probands versus healthy individuals and patients with sporadic lung cancer. SNP-containing genes were enriched in the PI3K/AKT pathway. These results were validated in the validation set. Furthermore, patients with familial lung cancer were distinguished by many germline variations in the PI3K/AKT pathway by a simple SVM classification method. It is worth emphasizing that one person with many germline variations in the PI3K/AKT pathway developed lung cancer during follow-up. Conclusions: The phenomenon that the enrichments of SNP mutations in the PI3K/AKT pathway might be a major predictor of familial susceptibility to lung cancer.
Microstructural, Tribology, and Densification Studies of Spark Plasma Sintered Titanium Matrix Composites Reinforced with Silicon Carbide
Authors: Odetola Peter Ifeolu , Popoola Abimbola Patricia , Ajenifuja Emmanuel , Popoola Olawale
Published: March 2020

Spark plasma sintered titanium matrix composites (TMCs) with varying SiC contents were fabricated at 900 o C, 150 o C/min, 30 MPa, and with 5 min of holding time, and were studied for structural, mechanical and tribology performances. The phase identification and microstructure analysis of the sintered specimens were examined using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope equipped with EDS. The results indicate that influence of the varied SiC content dictate the physical properties of the sintered TMCs. The densification study showed that relative density was inversely related, while Vickers hardness value was directly proportional (238.84 Hv at 1 wt. % SiC and 361.81 Hv 6 wt. % SiC). The tribology study showed that both wear rate and coefficient of friction have inverse relationship while wear resistance has a direct trend with the composite reinforcement. Sample TiNiAl – 6 wt. % SiC, with the optimum composition had the best wear performance under the constant load of 20 N. This wear performance can be attributed to the good interfacial bond formed between the TiNiAl matrix and the SiC reinforcement in the developed composites contributed from the synergetic processing conditions of the SPS process.
Rotating night shift work, exposure to light at night, and glomerular filtration rate: baseline results from a Chinese occupational cohort
Authors: Zhang Shengkui , Wang Yongbin , Wang Zhende , Wang Han , Xue Chao , Li Qinglin , Li Xiaoming , Guan Weijun , Yuan Juxiang
Published: March 2020

Background The misalignment between the circadian clock and behavioral cycles has been implicated in pathogenesis of many diseases. However, whether the kidneys are also more prone to disease in the circumstances of chronic circadian rhythms disruption due to night shift work and light at night (LAN) is unclear. The main purpose of this study is to examine the association between rotating night shift work, exposure to light at night, and glomerular filtration rate among steelworkers in north China. Methods A total of 6869 participants, aged 22 to 60 years, were included in this study. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between night shift work, the brightness of bedroom ambient light at night (LAN), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with adjustment for potential confounders. The relationship between duration of night shift work (continuous), cumulative number of night shifts (continuous), and eGFR were also examined using restricted cubic spline models. Results Long duration of night shift work (≥29 years) had elevated odds of decreased eGFR (OR, 1.39, 95% CI 1.10–1.75) compared with day work after adjustment for potential confounders. Negative associations between duration of night shift work, cumulative number of night shifts, and eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) were observed in RCS models. No significant associations were observed among the different brightness of bedroom ambient light levels: middle level (OR, 0.90, 95% CI 0.77–1.05), lightest level (OR, 0.94, 95% CI 0.75–1.17), and decreased eGFR compared with the darkest level. Conclusion The increased duration of night shift work and cumulative number of night shifts among night shift workers, but not the brightness of bedroom ambient LAN, are associated with a slight decline of renal function among steelworkers.
Antimicrobial susceptibility of selected Essential Oils and their compounds against Streptococcus suis
Authors: Aguiar F.C. de , Solarte A.L. , Gómez Lidia , Galan-Relaño A. , Luque I. , Tarradas C. , Rodriguez-Ortega M.J. , Huerta B.
Published: March 2020

Background: Streptococcus suis is an emerging zoonotic pathogen causing different diseases, in both humans and pigs. Generally, the control of diseases caused by this pathogen is based on antimicrobial therapy, but the development of bacterial resistance has led to look for new options. In this sense, the Essential Oils (EOs) constitute an alternative to the use of conventional antimicrobials. The activity of oregano, cinnamon, common thyme and red thyme EOs and their main active compounds (carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and thymol) against 56 S. suis isolates from pigs (n=50) and human (n=6) was determined by broth microdilution. MIC50-90, MBC50-90 and the bactericidal index (MBC/MIC) were calculated. Also, the time-kill curve of each product against the S. suis P1/7 European reference strain was determined. Results: No differences in the MIC or MBC values were observed between all the tested products, which suggest a homogenous behaviour of S. suis, independently of their origin, organ of isolation or resistance profile. All the products showed a concentration-dependent and time-dependent killing activity and achieved the virtual eradication of S. suis (reduction of ≥ 4 log10) at suprainhibitory (2x-4x MIC) concentrations within the first 5 minutes of exposure, except cinnamaldehyde, that showed only bacteriostatic effect (reduction of < 3 log10). Conclusions: While all the tested products demonstrated an antimicrobial activity, red thyme and cinnamon followed by thymol showed the best results. It suggests that these products would be recommended as antimicrobials in veterinary medicine for the control of this zoonotic pathogen, although more pharmacology, toxicology, tolerability and formulation studies are necessary.