bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Active Commuting to School Among 36, 781 Spanish Children and Adolescents: A Temporal Trend Study
Authors: Gálvez-Fernández Patricia , Herrador-Colmenero Manuel , Esteban-Cornejo Irene , Castro-Piñero José , Molina-García Javier , Queralt Ana , Aznar Susana , Abarca-Sos Alberto , González-Cutre David , Vidal-Conti Josep , Fernández-Muñoz Santiago , Vida Jerónimo , Ruiz-Ariza Alberto , Rodríguez-Rodríguez Fernando , Moliner-Urdiales Diego , Villa-González Emilio , Barranco-Ruíz Yahira , Huertas-Delgado Francisco Javier , Mandic Sandra , Chillón Palma
Published: July 2020

Background

Active commuting to school (ACS) is an important source to increase the total daily physical activity in youth and improve their health. How the ACS rates change along the time is of interest. The objective of this study was to examine trends in the rates of ACS in a large sample of Spanish children and adolescents aged 6–18 years from 2010 to 2017. The study period included the economic crisis in Spain (2008 to 2013) and secondary analysis was conducted to compare ACS rates during and after the economic crisis.
Methods

To investigate trends in ACS among Spanish children and adolescents, data were obtained from 28 studies conducted across Spain. The study sample comprised 18,343 children (6 to 11.9 years old; 50.5% girls) and 18,438 adolescents (12 to 18 years old; 49.5% girls). The overall trends in ACS were evaluated using multilevel logistic regression analysis.
Results

The rates of ACS in Spanish children and adolescents did not change significantly during the 2010–2017 period, except a sporadic increase in the rate of ACS in adolescents in 2012–2013. No significant association between the ACS and the economic crisis time period in either children or adolescents were found. These findings are in contrast to recently reported declines in ACS rates in other countries.
Conclusions

Strong partnerships between researchers, public health practitioners, policy-makers and communities, as well as long-term commitment and evaluations of interventions aiming to increase ACS are necessary to ensure positive results in the long term.
Patient preferences on rheumatoid arthritis second-line treatment: A discrete choice experiment of Swedish patients
Authors: Bywall Karin Schölin , Kihlbom Ulrik , Hansson Mats , Falahee Marie , Baecklund Eva , Veldwijk Jorien
Published: July 2020

Background
Preference assessments of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) help inform clinical therapeutic decisions for including biologic and targeted synthetic drugs to use. This study assesses patient preferences for biologics or Janus kinases (JAK) inhibitors and heterogeneity within these preferences to estimate the relative importance of treatment characteristics and to calculate the minimum benefit levels patients require to accept higher levels of side effects.
Methods
Between November 2018 to August 2019, patients were recruited to participate in a survey containing demographic and disease-related questions as well as a Discrete Choice Experiment to measure their preferences for second-line therapies using biologics or JAK inhibitors. Treatment characteristics (attributes) included in the DCE were mode of administration, frequency of use, probability of mild short-term side effects, probability of side effects affecting appearance, probability of psychological side effects, probability of severe side effects, and effectiveness of treatment.
Results
A total of 358 patients were included in the analysis. Latent class analysis revealed three preference patterns. When choosing treatment, the respondents found either effectiveness of treatment, mode of administration, or probability of severe side effects as most important. In addition, disease duration and mild side effects influenced the patients’ choices.
Conclusion
Respondents found either effectiveness, severe side effects, or mode of administration as the most important attribute. Patients noting effectiveness as most important were more willing than other patients to accept higher risks of side effects.
Mir-125a rs12976445 is Associated with Susceptibility to Thyroid Cancer: A Case-control Study
Authors: Montazeri-Najafabady Nima Nima , Dabbaghmanesh Mohammad Hossein , Ghaderi Abbas , Chatrabnous Nazanin , Arabnezhad Mohammad Reza , Amiri Rajeeh Mohammadian
Published: July 2020

Background: Thyroid cancer is the fifth communal cancer type in females and its occurrence rate continues to rise rapidly worldwide. Latest data demonstrated mir-125 is down-regulated in various cancer types. Methods: a case-control (179 cases, 165 controls) study in order to explore the association of mir-125 rs12976445 with the risk of thyroid cancer in the Iranian population was performed. In order to investigate rs12976445 C/T polymorphisms, polymerase chain reaction restriction–fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) was done. Logistic regression analyses were done to find the association of mir-125 rs12976445 C/T polymorphisms with thyroid cancer and its stages. Results: The genotype frequencies for patients was [(CC: 81(45.2%), CT: 75(41.9%), TT: 23 (12.9%)], and for controls was [(CC: 100 (60.1%), CT: 53(32.2%), TT: 12 (6.7%)]. The T allele distribution was significantly altered between patients and controls (P=0.002) with the odds ratio of 1.68. In the co-dominant model CC genotype was set as reference and compared with CT, and TT genotypes. In the dominant model, there was a significant difference between CC vs CT genotypes (adjusted OR = 1.69, 95% CI= 1-2.8, P = 0.026), and slightly significant differences between CC vs TT genotypes (adjusted OR = 2.18, 95% CI= 1-4.7, P = 0.047). we compared CT/TT genotype to the reference genotype (CC) and found a highly significant difference (adjusted OR = 1.78, 95% CI= 1.15-2.74, P = 0. 0.009).Conclusion: as the first study, our findings suggest that miR-125a rs12976445 is a possible prognostic biomarker for thyroid cancer patients.
Identification of Key Genes in Hepatitis B Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on WGCNA
Authors: Liu Chang , Dai Qinghai , Ding Qian , Wei Min , Kong Xiaohong
Published: July 2020

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic infection is one risk factor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Lots of efforts have been made to illuminate the process of HBV-associated HCC, but its molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis remain vague. Here, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to explore the co-expressed modules and hub/key genes correlated to HBV-associated HCC. We found that genes of the most significant module related to HBV-associated HCC were enriched in DNA replication, p53 signaling pathway, cell cycle, and HTLV-1 infection associated pathway; these cellular pathways played critical roles in the initiation and development of HCC or viral infections. Furthermore, seven hub/key genes were identified based on the topological network analysis and verified by expression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. This study provides new perspectives to the knowledge of the key pathways and genes in the carcinogenesis process of HBV-associated HCC. Our findings provided potential therapeutic targets and clues of the carcinogenesis of HBV-associated HCC.
The Experience of Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Parenteau China , Bent Stephen , Hossain Bushra , Chen Yingtong , Widjaja Felicia , Breard Michael , Hendren Robert
Published: July 2020

Families with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face a unique set of challenges with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic and shelter-in-place related to a diverse set of issues, including explaining COVID-19 and safety precautions in a comprehensible way, building structure in home for e-learning to take place, and guiding children back into social situations and the community. We sought to obtain direct feedback through semi-structured interviews from fifteen parents of children and adolescents from a non-public school for children with level 2 and 3 ASD to both develop an initial guide for families, teachers and clinicians caring for children with ASD and to create awareness in the community about the challenges presented by COVID-19 and shelter-in-place.
The miR-19b-3p/MAP2K3/STAT3 Feedback Loop Regulates Cell Proliferation and Invasion in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Ying , Liu Zhaoyong , Lu Weiqing , Yang Xia , Chen Yelong , Wang Hu
Published: July 2020

Background Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains one of the most refractory malignancies worldwide. MAP2K3 has been reported to play an important role in tumor progression. However, whether MAP2K3 also affects ESCC remains to be determined. Method We used a CRISPR/Cas9 kinome screen to identify the genes related to ESCC cell survival. The MAP2K3 expression was detected in ESCC tissues by immunohistochemistry and westernblot. The function of MAP2K3 in ESCC was investigated using colony formation assay and Transwell assay in vivo and in vitro. RNA sequence was performed to verify its downstream signaling pathways. DNA binding of the gene promoter region was detected by chromatin immunoprecipitation.Result Downregulation of MAP2K3 was found in ESCC and correlated with clinically poor survival. MAP2K3 inhibited cell proliferation and invasion via the EGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway in ESCC cells. MAP2K3 suppressed STAT3 expression and activation by interacting with MDM2 to promote the ubiquitin proteasome degradation of STAT3. Furthermore, MAP2K3 was a downstream target of miR-19b-3p, which promoted ESCC tumorigenesis. STAT3 binds to the MIR19B promoter region to increase the expression of miR-19b-3p in ESCC cells. Conclusion In summary, our results demonstrated that the miR-19b-3p/MAP2K3/STAT3 feedback loop regulates tumorigenesis in ESCC and elucidate the potential of therapeutically targeting this pathway in ESCC.
A nomogram for predicting the severity of COVID-19 using laboratory examination and CT findings
Authors: Kuang Yani , He Susu , Lin Shuangxiang , Zhu Rui , Zhou Rongzhen , Wang Jian , Li Renzhan , Lin Haiyong , Zhang Zhibang , Pang Peipei , Ji Wenbin
Published: July 2020

Background: The outbreak of COVID-19 has a significant impact on the health of people around the world. In the clinical condition of COVID-19, the condition of critical cases changes rapidly with a high mortality rate. Therefore, early prediction of disease severity and active intervention play an important role in the prognosis of severe patients.Methods: All the patients with COVID-19 in Taizhou city were retrospectively included and segregated into the non-severe and severe group according to the severity of the disease. The clinical manifestations, laboratory examination results, and imaging findings of the 2 groups were analysed for comparing the differences between the 2 groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used for screening the factors that could predict the disease, and the nomogram was constructed.Results: A total of 143 laboratory-confirmed cases were included in the study, including 110 non-severe patients and 33 severe patients. The median age of patients was 47 years (range, 4–86 years). Fever (73.4%) and cough (63.6%) were the most common initial clinical symptoms. By using the method of multivariate logistic regression, the variables to construct nomogram include age (OR: 1.052, 95% CI: 1.020–1.086, P = 0.001), body temperature (OR: 2.252, 95% CI: 1.139–4.450, P = 0.020), lymphocyte count (OR: 1.128, 95% CI: 1.000–1.272, P = 0.049), ADA (OR: 1.163, 95% CI: 1.023–1.323, P = 0.021), PaO2 (OR: 0.972, 95% CI: 0.953–0.992, P = 0.007), IL-10 (OR: 1.184, 95% CI: 1.037–1.351, P = 0.012), and bronchiectasis (OR: 3.818, 95% CI: 1.694–8.605, P = 0.001). The AUC of the established nomogram was 0.877.Conclusions: This study established a stable nomogram for predicting the severity of COVID-19, and the clinicians can use the established nomogram for predicting the severity of newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients and to conduct active intervention for minimising the mortality rate and improving the prognosis of severe patients.
Ixekizumab, With Or Without Concomitant Methotrexate, Improves Signs And Symptoms Of Psa: Week 52 Results From Spirit-P1 And Spirit-P2 Studies
Authors: Combe Bernard , Tsai Tsen-Fang , Huffstutter J. Eugene , Sprabery Aubrey Trevelin , Lin Chen-Yen , Park So Young , Kronbergs Andris , Hufford Matthew M. , Nash Peter
Published: July 2020

BackgroundThe efficacy and safety of ixekizumab (IXE) with and without continuous concomitant methotrexate (MTX), for up to 52 weeks of treatment, was evaluated in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).MethodsPatients with active PsA who were biologic-naive (SPIRIT-P1) or had prior inadequate response to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (SPIRIT-P2), were randomized to 80 mg IXE every 4 (IXE Q4W) or 2 weeks (IXE Q2W), after a 160-mg initial dose. In this post-hoc analysis, efficacy and safety were assessed up to Week 52 in the subgroups of patients who received: (i) IXE as monotherapy and (ii) IXE along with a stable dose of MTX (no dose tapering or increase). Efficacy outcomes included, but were not limited to, the percentage of patients achieving American College of Rheumatology (ACR) responses.ResultsOut of 455 patients initially randomized to IXE, 177 (38.9%) received monotherapy, 230 (50.5%) had concomitant MTX use, and 48 (10.5%) had other concomitant medication. Overall, 183 (40.2%) received IXE with a stable dose of concomitant MTX for 1 year. At Week 52, the percentage of patients achieving ACR20/50/70 responses in IXE Q4W monotherapy versus concomitant MTX groups were 66.3% versus 55.3%, 48.4% versus 38.8%, and 35.8% versus 27.1%, respectively; these responses were generally similar with IXE Q2W. The safety profiles were similar between patients receiving IXE with or without concomitant MTX.ConclusionsIn this post-hoc analysis, treatment with IXE demonstrated sustained efficacy in patients with PsA up to 1 year of treatment, with or without concomitant MTX therapy.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01695239 and NCT02349295
Parthenolide inhibits the growth of non-small cell lung cancer by targeting epidermal growth factor receptor
Authors: Li Xiaoling , Huang Riming , Li Mingyue , Zhu Zheng , Chen Zhiyan , Cui Liao , Luo Hui , Luo Lianxiang
Published: July 2020

Background: EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been developed for the treatment of EGFR mutated NSCLC. Parthenolide, a natural product of parthenolide, which belongs to the sesquiterpene lactone family and has a variety of biological and therapeutic activities, including anti-cancer effects. However, its effect on non-small cell lung cancer is little known. Methods: The CCK-8 assay and colony formation assays were used to assess cell viability. Flow cytometry was used to measure the cell apoptosis. In silico molecular docking was used to evaluate the binding of parthenolide to EGFR. Network pharmacology analysis was was used to evaluate the key gene of parthenolide target NSCLC. Western blotting was used to evaluate the key proteins involved apoptosis and EGFR signalling. The effect of parthenolide treatment in vivo was determined by using a xenograft mouse model. Results: In this study, parthenolide could induce apoptosis and growth inhibition in the EGFR mutated lung cancer cells. Parthenolide also reduces the phosphorylation of EGFR as well as its downstream signaling pathways MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt. Molecular docking analysis of EGFR binding site with parthenolide show that the anti-cancer effect of parthenolide against NSCLC is mediated by a strong binding to EGFR. Network pharmacology analysis show parthenolide suppresses NSCLC via inhibition of EGFR expression. In addition, parthenolide inhibits the growth of H1975 xenografts in nude mice, which is associated with the inhibition of the EGFR signaling pathway. Conclusions: Taken together, these results demonstrate effective inhibition of parthenolide in NSCLC cell growth by targeting EGFR through downregulation of ERK and AKT expression, which could be promisingly used for patients carrying the EGFR mutation.
A modular multi-agent framework for innovation diffusion in changing business environments: conceptualization, formalization and implementation
Authors: Johanning Simon , Scheller Fabian , Abitz Daniel , Wehner Claudius , Bruckner Thomas
Published: July 2020

Understanding how innovations are accepted in a dynamic and complex market environment is a crucial factor for competitive advantage. To understand the relevant factors for this diffusion and to predict success, empirically grounded agent-based models have become increasingly popular in recent years. Despite the popularity of these innovation diffusion models, no common framework that integrates their diversity exists. This article presents a flexible, modular and extensible common description and implementation framework that allows to depict the large variety of model components found in existing models. The framework aims to provide a theoretically grounded description and implementation framework for empirically grounded agent-based models of innovation diffusion. It identifies 30 component requirements to conceptualize an integrated formal framework description. Based on this formal description, a java-based implementation allowing for flexible configuration of existing and future models of innovation diffusion is developed. As a variable decision support tool in decision-making processes on the adoption of innovations the framework is valuable for the investigation of a range of research questions on innovation diffusion, business model evaluation and infrastructure transformation.
Sequential use of hemadsorption using Cytosorb® and Biosky® filter- technology in a COVID-19 patient suffering from severe ARDS
Authors: Mezger Matthias , Eitel Ingo , Ensminger Stephan , Pogorzalek Dirk , Huang Zhipan , Graf Tobias
Published: July 2020

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus disease (COVID- 19) pandemic. Here, we present the case of a patient who was admitted to our hospital with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following infection with COVID-19. After initial stabilization through restrictive fluid management, hemadsorption using Cytosorb® was performed and finally temporary extubation of the patient was possible. However, the patient again clinically deteriorated and needed ventilation and finally ECMO-support and high catecholamine application. Whilst being on VV- ECMO, hemadsorption using Biosky® MG 350 filter was performed. In this manuscript, after a brief overview of the role of hemadsorption in ARDS, a detailed case presentation is followed by a critical discussion of the current literature.
Early Recurrent Dislocation and Dissociation of Bipolar Cup: Two Intricate Cases and Review of Literature.
Authors: Fan Xiao-lei , Wang Jian , Zhang De-hua , Mao Feng , Liao Yi
Published: July 2020

Background: Bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BHA) is one of the best options to treat femoral neck fracture in elderly patients. However, the early dislocation problem also happens in the bipolar cup. Furthermore, BHA has a specific implant-related complication, namely bipolar cup dissociation, in which the femoral head dissociates from the polyethylene (PE) liner. Early dislocation and dissociation are relatively uncommon but devastating complications and almost always lead to reoperation with revision of the prosthesis. Dislocation and dissociation of the bipolar cup can be challenging to manage and easily turn to recurrent episodes in case of improper handling. We hope to find out the best strategy for treatment early recurrent dislocation and dissociation of the bipolar cup.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 2 patients who had a history of early recurrent posterior dislocations following primary BHA from 2016 to 2019. What’s more, they had early recurrent bipolar cup dissociation during the attempt of closed reduction maneuvers within 3 months of the original surgery.Results: All the patients were treated with open reduction and revision of Bipolar hemiarthroplasty (BHA). One patient has a good outcome, and no recurrence of dislocation was recorded.Conclusion: Recognition of the risk of dislocation and dissociation of bipolar cup is essential to its prevention and treatment. Complete revision of bipolar parts and the femoral head may be the minimum solution necessary to avoid the early recurrence of bipolar cup dissociation. Further investigations are recommended to strengthen these results.
Is COVID-19 a Risk Factor of DVT in Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery? A Prospective Study
Authors: Agar Anıl , Gunes Orhan , Sahin Adem , Kılıc Bulent , Dogan Sumeyra , Kocatas Ali , Erturk Cemil , Gulabi Deniz
Published: July 2020

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the radiological and laboratory parameters of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who underwent surgery for a lower extremity fracture in our COVID-19 care units in terms of DVT.Patients and Methods: Patients who were operated on due to lower extremity fracture between 10 March and 1 May and diagnosed with COVID-19 were evaluated prospectively. Patients’ age, gender, affected side, fracture location, fracture type, COVID-19 radiological or clinical symptoms and Doppler USG and biochemical markers screening for DVT were evaluated.Results: Thirty patients, ages 39-88, were included in the study. Preoperative D-dimer value of the patients was mean 5.9 mg / L. In all the patients, the D-dimer level was above the normal range. The mean troponin value was 0.025 ng / mL preoperatively. The troponin value was found to be normal in 8 patients and above the normal value in 22 patients. On physical examination, DVT findings were present in 1 patient and DVT was detected in 2 patients on doppler ultrasound.Conclusion: It can be recommended that extra attention should be given to vascular complications in COVID-19 positive trauma patients, as both the effect of trauma itself increases hypercoagulability and COVID-19 disease seems to have the potential to increase hypercoagulability.
Prevalence of Bedbugs Infestation, Crowding and Awareness Level Among Government Boarding Secondary School Students in Moshi Urban, Tanzania
Authors: Massawe Peter Raphael , Wahhay Ezekiel Emmanuel , Gideon Baraka , KITAU JOVIN , Mushi Amedeus
Published: July 2020

Background. Bedbug infestation is the worldwide problem according to World Health Organization, and the infestation is characterized by biting reactions including systemic, cutaneous reactions and sometimes psychological disturbance. Prevalence of bedbug infestation is low (6%) in developed countries while in Sierra Leone is 98% and Tanzania is 56% in which is tremendously high. As the bedbug infestation is among neglected conditions and because of high prevalence in Tanzania, the studies to determine this burden, some risk factors (crowding) and awareness among specific populated communities especially schools is inevitable for planning strategies in eradication of bedbug.Objective. To determine the prevalence of bedbug infestation, crowding and awareness level among boarding government secondary school students in Moshi Urban.Methodology. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2018 at Moshi Urban in Kilimanjaro region. The structured standard questionnaire was used to obtain the demographics information of participants, asses awareness. Personal observation was used to determine prevalence and crowding in the corresponding student’s dormitories. Results. The prevalence of bedbug infestation was 58.1% (223) among 384 study participants. Logistic regression analysis showed that 72.6% of the students with bedbug infestation were found to be living in the overcrowded dormitories. There was association between overcrowd and bedbug infestation (OR=2.50, 95%CI (1.63-3.83). Only 32.7% of the infested students involved in this study were aware with bedbugs (OR=0.8795% CI (0.56-1.35) P=0.54. Conclusion. The overall prevalence of bedbug infestation was found to be high among students living in the overcrowded dormitories and those who were not aware on bedbug biology and behavior, transmission, control and prevention ways. Education concerning bedbugs is needed to increase the community awareness together with management of number of student in accordance to the available facilities and resources.
PPARα and PPARβ/δ Expression is Associated with Proinflammatory Markers in an Obese Pediatric Population
Authors: Vargas-Sánchez Karina , Vargas Laura , Urrutia Yenny , Beltrán Iván , Rossi Ana Beatriz , Lozano Hernán Yupanqui , Guarín Jorge , Losada-Barragán Monica
Published: July 2020

Background
Obesity configures a pathophysiological profile that predisposes the development of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, critically impacting public health. The chronic dysregulation of immuno-metabolic components triggered by obesity directly affects the metabolism of various tissues. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a group of nuclear receptors and transcription factors essential for energy homeostasis of different tissues. Despite its wide-ranging expression and function, the functional mismatch of the PPAR subtypes establish biological mechanisms responsible for metabolic diseases from childhood. In addition, the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) activation can influence insulin secretion, but also the cytokine profile possibly mediated through PPARγ activation. However, to date, the role of PPARs and GLP-1R in leukocytes from obese pediatric patients has been unclear. Therefore, we examined the expression of PPARs isotypes and GLP-1R, and its correlation with metabolic, hormonal, inflammatory, and anthropometric markers in an obese pediatric population.
Results
Obese children and adolescents presented a significant increase in anthropometric and body composition parameters, TG, VLDL, TG/HDL, A/G index, and HOMA score when compared to the control group. Obese participants exhibited a pro-inflammatory profile with an augment of IL-8 (p = 0,0081), IL-6 (p = 0,0005), TNF-α (p = 0,0004), IFN-γ (p = 0,0110), MCP-1 (p = 0,0452), and adipsin (p = 0,0397), whereas displayed a reduction of adiponectin (p = 0,0452). The expression of PPARα and GLP-1R was lower in the leukocytes from obese participants than in lean subjects. Furthermore, PPARα correlates negatively with TNF-α (p = 0,0383), while GLP-1R did not show correlation with any inflammatory variable. However, both receptors correlate negatively with the abdominal skinfold. Although PPARβ/δ expression was similar between groups, it was negatively associated with IL-8 levels (p = 0,0085).
Conclusions
PPARα and PPARβ/δ expression are negatively associated with the proinflammatory markers TNF-α and IL-8, respectively, suggesting participation in the regulation of inflammation observed in pediatric obesity. Furthermore, PPARα and GLP-1R are downregulated in leukocytes from obese children and adolescents, and both receptors are associated with the abdominal skinfold suggesting a role in fat distribution that could indirectly affect the function of different immune cells and the secreted cytokines. Thereby, these findings may impact the understanding and implementation of PPARα or GLP-1R agonists in the clinic.
Circ0120816 Acts As An Oncogene of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma via Inhibiting miR-1305 and Releasing TXNRD1
Authors: Li Xiaoyong , Song Laichun , Wang Bo , Tao Chao , Shi Lei , Xu Ming
Published: July 2020

Background: The morbidity and mortality of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains stubbornly high, in spite of emerging new diagnoses methods. The role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in ESCC progression is still in need of more exploration. Methods: In this research, we gathered 36 patients’ ESCC tissues to analyze the expression of circ0120816, miR-1305 and TXNRD1. KYSE450 and KYSE510 cells were used to conduct the transfection. Aiming to verify our hypothesis, qRT-PCR, RNase R treatment, nuclear extraction, luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation assay, CCK-8, BrdU, cell adhesion, caspase 3 activity assay were used. Results: Circ0120816, upregulated in ESCC, acted as a sponge for miR-1305. Circ0120816 combined miR-1305 to enhance cell viability, proliferation adhesion and repress cell apoptosis in ESCC cell lines. On the contrary, miR-1305 exerted reversed effect in ESCC cells through decreasing TXNRD1. Conclusions: This research demonstrated that circ0120816 promoted ESCC development by competitive binding miR-1305 which could increase the expression of TXNRD1.
hsa_circ_0000231 Promotes Colorectal Cancer Cell Growth Through Upregulation of CCND2 by IGF2BP3/miR-375 Dual Pathway
Authors: Zhang Wei , Wang Bo , Yang Yang , Zhang Zhen , Wang Quan , Zhang Haoran , Jiang Kewei , Ye Yingjiang , Wang Shan , Shen Zhanlong
Published: July 2020

Background
circular RNAs (circRNAs) recently have been emerged as vital regulators for involvement of initiation and progression of diverse kinds of human cancers. This study aimed to investigate the role of circRNAs in colorectal cancer (CRC).
Methods
The expression profile of circRNAs in 5 pairs of CRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were analyzed by Microarray. Quantitative real-time PCR and in situ hybridization and Base Scope Assay were used to determine the level and prognostic values of hsa_circ_0000231. Then, functional experiments in vitro and in vivo were performed to investigate the effects of hsa_circ_0000231 on cell proliferation. Mechanistically, fluorescent in situ hybridization, dual luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation experiments were performed to confirm the interaction between hsa_circ_0000231 and IGF2BP3 or has_miR-375.
Results
hsa_circ_0000231 was evidently up-regulated in CRC primary tissues, which was indicated to poor prognosis of CRC patients. The results demonstrated that hsa_circ_0000231 could promote CRC cell proliferation as well as tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic analysis showed that hsa_circ_0000231 might on the one hand act as a ceRNA (competing endogenous RNA) of miR-375 to regulate cyclin D2 (CCND2), and on the other hand bind to IGF2BP3 protein to protect CCND2 from being degraded.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that hsa_circ_0000231 facilitated CRC progression by sponging miR-375 or binding to IGF2BP3 to modulate CCND2. This discovery implied that has_circ_0000231 may be a potential new diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker for CRC.
Plant Nutrient Quality Promotes Survival and Reproductive Fitness of the Dengue Vector Aedes Aegypti
Authors: Nyasembe Vincent Odhiambo , Tchouassi David P. , Muturi Martha N. , Pirk Christian W. W. , Sole Catherine L. , Torto Baldwyn
Published: July 2020

Background: In a recent study using DNA barcoding, we identified the plants fed upon by four Afro-tropical mosquito species that vector dengue, malaria, and Rift Valley fever. Herein, we have expanded on this study by investigating the role of three of the plants Pithecellobium dulce (Fabaceae), Leonotis nepetifolia (Lamiaceae), and Opuntia ficus-indica (Cactaceae) on survival, fecundity, and egg viability of the dengue vector Aedes aegypti. Methods: We tested these effects using females that received a) an initial three rations of bloodmeal, and b) received no bloodmeal at all. Two controls were included; age-matched females fed on glucose solution with or without initial bloodmeal, and those fed exclusively on bloodmeal. Data was collected daily over a 30-day period. The amino acid content of Ae. aegypti guts and the amino acid content of their respective diets was detected by coupled liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry.Results: Females fed on P. dulce and exclusive bloodmeal had a shorter survival than those fed on glucose. On the other hand, females fed on L. nepetifolia survived longer than those fed exclusively on bloodmeal, whereas those fed on O. ficus-indica had the shortest survival time. With initial bloodmeal, females fed on L. nepetifolia laid 1.6-fold more eggs while those fed on the other diets laid fewer eggs, compared to those fed exclusively on bloodmeal. Hatching rates of the eggs laid varied with the diet. Mass spectroscopic analysis of gut contents of mosquitoes exposed to the different diets showed qualitative and quantitative differences in their amino acid levels. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the central role of plant nutrients in the reproductive fitness of dengue vectors which may impact their disease transmission potential.
Quality of Road Trauma Data in Malawi: The Case of Road Trauma Surveillance in Ntcheu District, Malawi.
Authors: Manyozo Steven Derrick , Sichembe Wantula , Moodie Rob
Published: July 2020

Background Road trauma represents a major but neglected public health challenge in Malawi that requires concerted efforts for effective and sustainable prevention. In order to make the road traffic system safer, it is important to develop an understanding of the whole system and its elements including vehicles, roads and road-users along with their physical, social and environmental circumstances. In this study, we measured data quality in terms of database and variable completeness of road trauma case reports to determine if the data are sufficient for informing, monitoring and evaluating road safety interventions. Methods This was a quantitative retrospective study based in Ntcheu district, Malawi. Data were collected for year 2018 from both police and hospital sources. Categorical data exploration from these two sources was done using frequency distribution tables. Continuous data were summarized using means and standard deviation. Data source completeness was assessed using the capture–recapture methodology, while variable completeness was assessed using a checklist developed from the World Health Organization’s minimum injury surveillance core data set. Results The hospital data source was incomplete in areas of road user type, time of injury, mechanism of injury and place of injury. Thirteen case matches were identified between the two databases. Using the capture-recapture methods, the estimated road trauma events in Ntcheu district for the year 2018 is 954 (95% CI: 457, 1451) and an estimated 173 deaths (95% CI: 89, 257) in the same year. These estimates indicate 11% and 14% ascertainment of fatalities for the police and hospital data sources respectively.Discussion and conclusion There is significant underreporting for road deaths and injuries in Ntcheu district, which means there are critical data quality challenges in the respective data sources. It is therefore imperative for the road safety agencies and partners to resolve these data reporting and acquisition challenges.
Health, migration and law: what challenges?
Authors: Dagron Stéphanie
Published: July 2020

The reality of migration today is that a large majority of migrants in vulnerable situations either do not have access, or have only very restricted access, to healthcare. While the current importance of the migratory phenomenon and the need to provide protection to disadvantaged migrants has, in recent years, trig-gered a strong response from the international community in favour of the protec-tion of the rights of persons, either refugees or migrants, fleeing their countries of origin; the central challenge of protecting and promoting the right of migrants to health seems as difficult to as ever. This article firstly sets out the international community’s recent political commitments to protect the human rights of migrants as well as the norms of international law applicable to the protection of the health of migrants, mainly contained within international human rights law and interna-tional refugee and migrant law. It then discusses the numerous barriers at the na-tional level which block migrants, particularly in vulnerable situations, from ac-cessing care. In doing so, this article highlights the profound paradoxes between State’s international commitments on the one hand, and State practices to protect and promote migrant access to healthcare on the other.
Zuständigkeiten für Klagen aus Crowdwork – Gerichtsstandsvereinbarungen bei der Plattformarbeit nach dem Lugano-Übereinkommen
Authors: Demir Eylem
Published: July 2020

Die Digitalisierung der Arbeit geht mit einer Zunahme von grenzüberschreitenden Vertragsverhältnissen im Bereich der Plattformarbeit (Crowdwork) einher. In ihren Allgemeinen Geschäftsbedingungen sehen die Plattformen oft Gerichtsstandsklauseln vor, welche einen von der gesetzlichen Zuständigkeitsordnung abweichenden Gerichtsstand festlegen. Aufgrund der räumlichen Distanz zwischen dem Ort der Arbeitsverrichtung und des Gerichtsstandes wirken sich diese Vereinbarungen im Ergebnis zuungunsten der Crowdworker (Plattformbeschäftigte) aus. Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht die Zulässigkeitsvoraussetzungen von Gerichtsstandsvereinbarungen bei ortsungebundener Plattformarbeit aus der Perspektive des Lugano-Übereinkommens.
Reformbedarf im schweizerischen Sexualstrafrecht
Authors: Scheidegger Nora , Lavoyer Agota , Stalder Tamara
Published: July 2020

Anhand von fünf Fallbeispielen aus der kantonalen Praxis soll veranschaulicht werden, dass bei sexuellen Übergriffen nicht nur die den Sexualdelikten typischerweise inhärenten Beweisprobleme, sondern mitunter auch das materielle Recht schlicht keine Strafverfolgung ermöglicht. Diese Praxisbeispiele zeigen, dass sich Beschuldigte nach geltendem Recht bisweilen wissentlich über ein klares «Nein» hinwegsetzen können, ohne sich wegen Vergewaltigung oder sexueller Nötigung strafbar zu machen. Damit entkräftet die vorliegende Untersuchung die Meinung, dass das schweizerische Recht bereits heute alle Fälle nicht-einverständlicher sexueller Handlungen angemessen erfassen könne.
Verletzung des Willkürverbots im Entscheid über die ordentliche Einbürgerung
Authors: Plozza Monika
Published: July 2020

Das Bundesgericht hat sich erstmals zur Verletzung des Willkürverbots bei der Gewichtung der Integrationskriterien im Entscheid über die ordentliche Einbürgerung geäussert. Auch wenn sich das Bundesgericht mit dem altrechtlichen Verfahren befasst hat, ist der Entscheid dennoch bedeutend, da er das Willkürverbot genauer konturiert und für die aktuelle Einbürgerungspraxis Leitlinien vorgibt. Die vorliegende Urteilsbesprechung stellt die rechtlichen Grundlagen des Willkürverbots und der ordentlichen Einbürgerung dar, ordnet den Entscheid in den grösseren Kontext ein und analysiert dessen Bedeutung für die künftige Praxis von Einbürgerungsbehörden.
Die Zuteilung knapper medizinischer Ressourcen
Authors: Picecchi Dario
Published: July 2020

Fragen rund um die Zuteilung knapper medizinischer Ressourcen haben aufgrund der COVID-19-Pandemie an Brisanz gewonnen. Die komplexen Herausforderungen, welche sich bei der Zuteilung knapper medizinischer Güter und Dienstleistungen stellen, sind im medizinischen Alltag jedoch von grundsätzlicher Bedeutung. Der vorliegende Beitrag zeigt fünf Grundsätze auf, die bei der Zuteilung knapper medizinischer Ressourcen zu berücksichtigen sind. Es handelt sich dabei um die Grundsätze der Nutzenmaximierung, der Relativität, der Legitimität, der Nicht-Diskriminierung sowie der Kontrolle und des Ausgleichs. Die Berücksichtigung dieser fünf Grundsätze ermöglicht es, zielgerichtete, zulässige, gerechte und überprüfbare Zuteilungsentscheide zu fällen.
Sind Kryptowährungen wie Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) und Ripple (XRP) als Sachen im Sinne des ZGB zu behandeln?
Authors: Seiler Benedikt , Seiler Daniel
Published: July 2020

Die Autoren gehen der Frage nach, ob Kryptowährungen als Sachen im Sinne des ZGB aufgefasst und daran namentlich Eigentumsrechte begründet werden können. Dabei werden zunächst technische Grundlagen der sog. Blockchain-Technologie und der drei nach Markkapitalisierung grössten Kryptowährungen Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (Ether, ETH) und Ripple (XRP) dargestellt. Sodann wird untersucht, ob diese Kryptowährungen die Eigenschaften erfüllen, welche für die Qualifikation eines Objektes als Sache im Sinne des ZGB vorliegen müssen, und welches die Folgen einer solchen Qualifikation sind. Im Sinne einer modernen Auslegung des Sachbegriffs schliessen sich die Autoren der Auffassung an, wonach Kryptowährungen grundsätzlich als Sache und damit als Gegenstand des Eigentums zu behandeln sind.
Anspruch auf Änderung des Arbeitspensums
Authors: Steiger-Sackmann Sabine
Published: July 2020

Arbeitnehmende in privatrechtlichen Arbeitsverhältnissen riskieren in der Schweiz den Verlust ihrer Stelle, wenn sie ihr Arbeitspensum reduzieren wollen. Für Arbeitskräfte in Deutschland und den Niederlanden besteht hingegen ein gesetzlicher Anspruch auf Verringerung der Arbeitszeit, und in einigen Ländern müssen Mitarbeitende bei Stellenbesetzungen bevorzugt werden, wenn sie von einem Teilzeit- in ein Vollzeitpensum wechseln wollen. Einige Ansätze für eine stärkere Berücksichtigung der Arbeitszeitwünsche von Arbeitnehmenden sind auch in der Schweiz zu verzeichnen; es gibt neben sozialpolitischen auch rechtliche Gründe, diese weiter zu verfolgen.
Das «mittlere Einkommen» im Sinne von Art. 65 Abs. 1bis KVG
Authors: Petrik Andreas
Published: July 2020

Besprechung des Urteils des Bundesgerichts 8C_228/2018 vom 22. Januar 2019 (zur Publikation vorgesehen)Das Bundesrecht sieht für untere und mittlere Einkommen eine prozentuale Verbilligung der Krankenkassenprämien von Kindern und jungen Erwachsenen in Ausbildung vor. Liegt die durch einen Kanton festgelegte Einkommensgrenze nur in einem geringen Ausmass über der Schwelle zwischen den unteren und mittleren Einkommen, ist dies mit den bundesrechtlichen Vorgaben nicht vereinbar.
Transparentere Justiz
Authors: Steiger-Sackmann Sabine
Published: July 2020

Wer sich heute wissenschaftlich mit der Justiz befassen will, kämpft mit vielerlei Hindernissen. Technische und inhaltliche Verbesserungen von Urteilspublikationen und Statistiken sind daher zu begrüssen. Sie erleichtern nicht nur den umfassenden Zugang der Öffentlichkeit zu den Urteilen, sondern eröffnen neue Forschungsfelder. Damit kann über die Justiz hinaus ein Nutzen für Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft gestiftet werden, wie sich am Beispiel der Rechtsprechung zu psychosozialen Arbeitsrisiken nachvollziehen lässt.
Hotel Marketing Policy: Role of Rating in Consumer Decision Making
Authors: Bacik Radovan , Fedorko Richard , Gavurova Beata , Olearova Maria , Rigelsky Martin
Published: July 2020

Tourism is a rapidly developing industry, covering a significant part of the gross domestic product. Understanding clients and meeting their needs is a dominant role to meet the economic objectives of accommodation facilities. The primary objective of the article is to evaluate the sentiment of the customers rating in the purpose of stays at top hotels in the Visegrad Group countries. This objective was accomplished based on exploratory analysis, sentiment analysis, and polarity analysis of various types of hotel stays (business travelers, couples, friends, family, and solo travelers). The analysis included 117 hotels from the Visegrad Group countries (the Czech Republic = 39-33.3%; Hungary = 15-12.8%; Poland = 56-47.9%; Slovak Republic = 7-6%) and input into analysis were obtained from online booking portal TripAdvisor during July in 2019. The analysis featured 22,400 customer reviews. The exploratory analysis made use of the frequency word cloud charts and association tables. In this section, it was found that there were no significant differences between the concept and syntax. The only difference is noticeable in solo travelers. The sentiment analysis assessed the relative frequencies of the sentiment, where significant differences were found in three of the ten analyzed areas - positive, trust, sadness. The last part of the analyzes assessed polarity (negative or positive review). However, no significant difference was found. Overall, the polarity of the positive outputs exceeded that of the negative outputs. Differential tests such as ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis test, or Welch test were used to process the previous two parts. The choice of tests was justified by the outcomes of outliers and variance variability. The study points to perfect implementation of customer-oriented marketing theories in the hotels in question, as evidenced by relatively high values of specific areas of sentiment and relatively low differences between customer categories in terms of the type of their stay.
Keywords:
the sentiment, polarity, hotel, word cloud, difference analysis, Visegrad group, customer satisfaction.
The Role of CRM Fog Computing on Innovation and Customer Service Quality: an Empirical Study
Authors: Aljawarneh Nader Mohammad , Sokiyna Munsif , Obeidat Abdallah Mishael , Alomari Khaled Abdel Kader , Alradaideh Ahmad Tawfig , Alomari Ziyad Saleh
Published: July 2020

CRM fog computing and entrepreneurial, innovation, and service quality have been identified as an important driving force for job growth. The study aimed to identify the involvement of CRM fog computing on entrepreneurial, innovation, and service quality in the Jordanian telecom company. The authors employed a quantitative approach to identify the level of the Appling of CRM fog computing in the company. The study contained the findings of a questionnaire of 325 respondents (male and female employees). Multiple linear regression and One-Way ANOVA analyses were used to examine the data. The predictive model of CRM fog computing and entrepreneurial, innovation, and service quality was a significant impact. Implications for CRM fog computing and practice are entrepreneurial, innovation, and service quality are discussed. The researchers recommend building enthusiasm for creating fog CRM mist processing as a result of its job in client administrations improvement: to increase using the information provided by CRM system in decision making; to consider services quality more as it affects sales volume positively; to consider customer’s feedback, listen to their opinions about the services provided to enhance performance. Entrepreneurship and innovation are increasingly an indispensable portion of organizations nationally, regionally and globally, and considered as a powerful tool for revenue streams. The authors state that entrepreneurship uses innovation to expand the business scope and boost growth. Therefore, entrepreneurship and innovation are dynamic and holistic processes that are not confined to the initial stage of a new venture. The implementation of CRM Fog computing and entrepreneurial aids the organization's productivity because it enhances the product and services offered by several organizations that adopt its concept. It enhances services to customers due to its easy to access nature and as well. The authors conclude that CRM Fog computing improves the e-commerce of any organization or community that adopts its concept and applies it in all areas.
Keywords:
CRM fog computing, entrepreneurial, innovation, service quality, customer experience.