bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Facile electron delivery from graphene template to ultrathin metal-organic layers for boosting CO2 photoreduction
Authors: Wang Jia-Wei , Qiao Li-Zhen , Nie Haodong , Huang Hai-Hua , Li Yi , Yao Shuang , Liu Meng , Zhang Zhi-Ming , Kang Zhenhui , Lu Tong-Bu
Published: July 2020

Metal-organic layers (MOLs) with ordered structure and molecular tunability are of great potential as heterogeneous catalysts due to their readily accessible active sites. Herein, we demonstrate a facile template strategy to prepare MOLs with a uniform thickness of three metal coordination layers (ca. 1.5 nm) with graphene oxide (GO) as both template and electron mediator. The resulting MOL@GO exhibits an outstanding performance for CO2 photoreduction with a record-high total CO yield of 3133 mmol/gMOL among all the metal-organic framework and MOL catalysts (CO selectivity of 95%). This performance is ca. 34 times higher than that of bulky Co-MOF, [CoL(H2O)2]•0.5H2O (H2L = 5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)isophthalic acid). Systematic studies reveal that well exposed active sites in MOLs, and facile electron transfer between heterogeneous and homogeneous components mediated by GO, greatly contribute to its high activity. This work highlights a facile way for constructing ultrathin MOLs and demonstrate charge transfer pathway between conductive template and catalyst for boosting photocatalysis.
Rapid Divergence Of The Copulation Proteins In The Drosophila Dunni Group Is Associated With Hybrid Post-Mating-Prezygotic Incompatibilities
Authors: Hill Tom , Rosales-Stephens Hazel-Lynn , Unckless Robert L.
Published: July 2020

Background: Proteins involved in post-copulatory interactions between males and females are among the fastest evolving genes in many species and this has been attributed to reproductive conflict. Likely as a result, these proteins are frequently involved in cases of post-mating-prezygotic isolation between species. The Drosophila dunni subgroup consists of a dozen recently diverged species found across the Caribbean islands with varying levels of hybrid incompatibility.Results: We performed experimental crosses between species in the dunni group and find evidence of hybrid inviability likely due to post-mating-prezygotic incompatibilities. We next assessed rates of evolution between these species genomes and find evidence of rapid evolution and divergence of some reproductive proteins, specifically the seminal fluid proteins.Conclusions: This work suggests the rapid evolution of seminal fluid proteins can lead to post-mating-prezygotic isolation, which acts as a barrier for gene flow between even the most closely related species.
Inequality Analysis of Pharmacist Distribution in Iran
Authors: Gharasi Mahdi , Dehnavi Hamed , Emamgholipour Sara , Jaafaripooyan Ebrahim
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Unequal distribution of resources has always been a concern for health systems in addressing access issues in relation to health services.It might have a devastating effect on health outcomes and in a way incur the direct and indirect costs. The purpose of this study thus is to investigate the trend of pharmacists’ distribution in Iran.Methods: In this retrospective longitudinal study, data were collected for a four-time period; 2007, 2012, 2016 and 2019,from the Statistical Center of Iran and Islamic Republic of Iran Medical Council. The sought indicator was the number of pharmacists per 10,000 population. Gini coefficient and Lorenz curve were used to measure and analyze the inequality using STATA software and ArcGIS software was used to map the pharmacists’ distribution.Results: The results showed that the number of pharmacists in 2007 was 12986 and increased by 69% (21919) in 2019, however the inequality in the distribution of pharmacists has not yet disappeared. Gini coefficient values for 2007, 2012, 2016 and 2019 were 0.26, 0.23, 0.21 and 0.19, respectively. The Gini coefficient decreased by 27% during the study period and from 2007 to 2019, pharmacy per capita increased in all provinces of Iran.Conclusion: The trend of pharmacist distribution in Iran indicates an overall decrease in the inequality level. However, the inter-provincial distribution of pharmacists is significantly unequal, demanding full attention of national and provincial authorities. The results might also inject plenty of insights into the evidence-based policy making at the ministerial level.
Impact of Robinia pseudoacacia stand conversion on soil bacterial communities and soil properties
Authors: Li Kun , Han Xu , Ni Ruiqiang , Shi Ge , de-Miguel Sergio , Li Chuanrong , Shen Weixing , Zhang Yikun , Zhang Xingzhong
Published: July 2020

Background: Robinia pseudoacacia is a widely planted pioneer tree species in reforestations on barren mountains in northern China. Because of its nitrogen-fixing ability, it can play a positive role in soil and forest restoration. After clear-cutting of planted stands, R. pseudoacacia stands become coppice plantations. The impacts of shifting from seedling to coppice plantations on soil bacterial community and soil properties have not been well described. This study aims to quantify how soil properties and bacterial community composition vary between planted seedling versus coppice stands.Methods: Three 20 × 20 m plots were randomly selected in each seedling and coppice stand. The bulk soil and rhizosphere soil were sampled in the nine above-mentioned sample plots in the summer of 2017. Bulk soil was sampled at 10 cm from the soil surface using a soil auger. Rhizosphere soil samples were collected by brush. The soil samples were transported to the laboratory for chemical analysis and bacterial community composition and diversity was obtanied through DNA extraction, 16S rRNA gene amplification and high throughput sequencing.Results: The results showed that, compared to seedling plantations, soil quality decreased significantly in coppice stands, but without affecting soil exchangeable Mg2+ and K2+. Total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) were lower in the rhizosphere than in bulk soil, whereas nutrient availability showed an opposite trend. The conversion from seedling to coppice plantations was also related to significant differences in soil bacterial community structure and to the reduction of soil bacterial α-diversity. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that, bacterial community composition was similar in both bulk and rhizosphere soils in second generation coppice plantations. Specially, the conversion from seedling to coppice increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Rhizobium, but reduced that of Actinobacteria, which may result in a decline of soil nutrient availability. Mantel tests revealed that C, N, Soil organic matter (SOM), nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) and available phosphorus positively correlated with bacterial community composition, while a variation partition analysis (VPA) showed that NO3−-N explained a relatively greater proportion of bacterial distribution (15.12%), compared with C and SOM. Surprinsingly, N showed no relationship with bacterial community composition, which may be related to nitrogen transportation.Conclusions: The conversion from seedling to coppice stands reduced soil quality and led to spatial-temporal homogenization of the soil bacterial community structure in both the rhizosphere and bulk soils. Such imbalance in microbial structure can accelerate the decline of R. pseudoacacia. This may affect the role of R. pseudoacacia coppice stands in soil and forest restoration of barren lands in mountain areas.
Chemical Pollutants in Closed Spaces of Transportation and Storage of Non-Dangerous Goods: A Combined Qualitative Approach
Authors: Lovas Szabolcs , Varga Orsolya , Ádám Balázs
Published: July 2020

Background: Several chemical pollutants can accumulate in closed spaces of transportation and storage of non-dangerous goods, leading to high concentrations. Pollutants are mainly residues of pesticides used to prevent the spread of harmful organisms in intercontinental transportation, volatile organic compounds and components of diesel engine exhaust. The objectives of this cross-sectional qualitative study were to identify and evaluate the regulations in connection with the occupational chemical exposures caused by chemical pollutants in closed environments of transportation and storage, and to survey the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of occupational health and safety professionals and logistics managers related to this global workplace issue. Methods: A comprehensive systematic search of legal instruments was carried out in international, European Union and Hungarian legislation databases. Legal documents relevant for occupational chemical exposure at workplaces were included in the study and the legal relationships between selected documents were mapped. The systematic search of legal instruments identified 4737 records, of which 16 were included in the in-depth content analysis. According to the second objective, semi-structured face-to-face interviews were carried out with occupational health and safety professionals and warehouse managers at logistics companies located in Hungary. Results: The analysis of the documents highlighted the lack of explicit regulation on prevention from exposures caused by chemical pollutants in closed environments of transportation and storage of non-hazardous materials. The 21 completed interviews revealed that the professionals had very limited knowledge about the potential presence of chemical residues in closed spaces of transportation and storage. They deemed such chemical exposure rare and the related health effects negligible. Although legislation requires the risk assessment of workplaces, the assessment is misleading if potential hazards are not identified. Conclusions: The increasing risk of rapid global spread of harmful organisms due to climate change and dense international traffic results in growing need for fumigation, which, together with increasing temperature and transportation time, generates an emerging occupational and public health challenge. The revealed limitations point out that the chemical safety of transportation and storage of non-dangerous goods should be more specifically regulated and responsible professionals should be better informed about such workplace hazards.
Extent Reflecting Overall Dietary Amino Acids Composition Adherence to the Human Requirement Amino Acids Pattern is Associated with the Development of type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Duan Wei , Han Tianshu , Zhao Yanhe , Wu Huanyu , Sun Hu , Tian Zhen , Wang Jiemei , Shan Ruiqi , Liu Liyan , Zhang Yuntao , Li Ying , Sun C
Published: July 2020

Background: This study aimed to elucidate whether dietary amino acids (AAs) composition is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to investigate whether and how serum AAs profiles mediated this association.Methods: Two prospective cohorts of 1750 and 4024 adults aged 20-74 year-old were enrolled with mean values of 4.2 and 5.3 years follow-up. Dietary AAs compositions index (AACI) was developed to reflect the overall quality of dietary AAs composition with the lower the AACI value, the higher quality of dietary AAs compositions. Multivariate linear regression and logistic regression models were used to examine associations of AACI with serum AAs profiles and incidence of T2DM. Results: The AACI was associated with the incidence of T2DM with the relative risk and 95%CI from the bottom to the top tertiles being 1.00, 1.39 (0.85-2.26) and 1.68 (1.01-2.91), and 1.00, 1.30 (0.98-1.34) and 1.63 (1.19-2.23) in the two cohorts, respectively. The AACI was positively associated with serum valine, isoleucine, glutamic acid and phenylalanine, and it was negatively associated with serum glycine and histidine in both cohorts (P<0.01). Among these serum AAs, valine, glutamic acid and histidine consistently and partially mediated the association between the AACI and incidence of T2DM in the two cohorts, with total mediation effects of 33.4% and 54.6%, respectively. Conclusion: Dietary AAs composition was associated with the incidence of T2DM through influencing its serum profiles. Future dietary strategies for prevention and treatment of T2DM should focus on improvement of overall quality of dietary AAs compositions.
Nomogram Prediction of Severe Risk in Patients With COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Zheng Fang , Yao Run , Liu Jiyang , Chen Ruochan , Li Ning
Published: July 2020

Background

COVID-19 elicits a range of different responses in patients and can manifest into mild to very severe cases in different individuals, depending on many factors. We aimed to establish a prediction model of severe risk in COVID-19 patients, to help clinicians achieve early prevention, intervention, and aid them in choosing effective therapeutic strategy.
Methods

We selected confirmed COVID-19 patients who admitted to First Hospital of Changsha city between January 29 and February 15, 2020 and collected their clinical data. Multivariate logical regression was used to identify the risk factors associated with severe risk. These factors were incorporated into the nomogram to establish the model. The ROC curve, calibration plot and decision curve were used to assess the performance of model.
Results

239 patients were enrolled and 45 (18.83%) patients developed severe pneumonia. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that age, COPD, shortness of breath, fatigue, creatine kinase, D-dimer, lymphocytes and h CRP were independent risk factors for severe risk in COVID-19 patients. Incorporating these factors, the nomogram achieved good concordance indexes of 0.873 (95% CI: 0.819–0.927), and well-fitted calibration plot curves. The model provided superior net benefit when clinical decision thresholds were between 10–70% predicted risk.
Conclusions

Using the model, clinicians can intervene early, improve therapeutic effects and reduce the severity of COVID-19, thus ensuring more targeted and efficient use of medical resources.
Pooling for SARS-CoV-2 Control in Care Institutions
Authors: Alvargonzalez Jorge J. Cabrera , Cao Sonia Rey , Castro Sonia Pérez , Lamas Lucía Martínez , Calvo Olaia Cores , Piñon Julio Torres , Fresco Jacobo Porteiro , Comesaña Julio Garcia , Garcia Benito Regueiro
Published: July 2020

Background Workers and residents in Care Homes are considered at special risk for the acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection, due to the infectivity and high mortality rate in the case of residents, compared to other containment areas. The role of presymptomatic people in transmission has been shown to be important and the early detection these people is critical for the control of new outbreaks. Pooling strategies have proven to preserve SARS-CoV-2 testing resources.The aims of the present study, based in our local experience, were (a) to describe SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in institutionalized people in Galicia (Spain) during the Coronavirus pandemic and (b) to evaluate the expected performance of a pooling strategy using RT-PCR for the next rounds of screening of institutionalized people.Methods 25,386 Nasopharyngeal swab samples from the total of the residents and workers at Care Homes in Galicia (March to May 2020) were tested using RT-PCR. Prevalence and distribution of positive detection in Care Homes was calculated. Pools of 19 negative samples and one positive sample were tested using RT-PCR as well. Prevalence and distribution of positive detection in Care Homes was calculated. Results Distribution of SARS-CoV-2 infection at Care Houses was uneven. As the virus circulation global rate was low in our area, the number of people at risk of acquiring the infection continues to be very high. In this work, we have successfully demonstrated that pooling of different groups of samples at low prevalence clusters, can be done with a small average delay on quantification cycle (Cq) values. Conclusions A new surveillance system with guaranteed protection is required for small clusters, previously covered with individual testing. Our proposal for Care Houses, once prevalence zero is achieved, would include successive rounds of testing using a pooling solution for transmission control preserving testing resources. Scale-up of this method may be of utility to confront larger clusters to avoid the viral circulation and keeping them operative.
Evaluation of Pentosidine as Bone Quality Marker in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Aromatase Inhibitors
Authors: Shigematsu Hideo , Yoshiyama Tomoyuki , Yasui Daisuke , Ozaki Shinji
Published: July 2020

Background: Osteoporosis and fractures are important aromatase inhibitor (AI) related adverse events in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor positive breast cancer. An increment of pentosidine is associated with a deterioration of bone quality. In this study, pentosidine was evaluated in postmenopausal breast cancer patients receiving AIs. Methods: Fifty postmenopausal breast cancer patients receiving AIs were retrospectively evaluated. Sixteen patients were given a bone modifying agent (BMA) concomitant with AIs. Changes of pentosidine, bone turnover markers and bone mineral density (BMD) before and after 12 months of AI therapy were compared between BMA administered patients (BMA group) and a non-BMA group.Results: There was no significant difference between pentosidine low and high groups in regard to age, height, weight, BMD of femoral neck and lumbar spine, and bone turnover markers including TRACP-5b and BAP. In the non-BMA group, pentosidine was increased in 18 cases (53%), and the average change of pentosidine was 21.5% (95%CI; 0.23 to 42.7%, p=0.048). In the BMA group, pentosidine was increased in 2 two cases (13%), and the average change of pentosidine was -16.6% (95%CI; -30.6 to -2.6%, p=0.023). There was a significantly lower proportion of pentosidine-increased cases (p=0.0065) and decrease of pentosidine (p=0.021) in the BMA group compared to those in the non-BMA group. Conclusions: Pentosidine was an independent factor from risk factors of osteoporotic fracture. Pentosidine was increased with AI, however, BMA inhibits an AI-induced increase of pentosidine in postmenopausal breast cancer patients.
Prehospital quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment for predicting prognosis in patients with sepsis or suspected sepsis: a population-based ORION registry
Authors: Hirose Tomoya , Katayama Yusuke , Ogura Hiroshi , Umemura Yutaka , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Mizushima Yasuaki , Shimazu Takeshi
Published: July 2020

BackgroundIn 2016, the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) was proposed for use as a simple screening tool for sepsis, with sepsis suspected at a score ≥ 2 points. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of prehospital qSOFA for predicting prognosis in patients with sepsis or suspected sepsis using the population-based Osaka Emergency Information Research Intelligent Operation Network (ORION) registry, which compiles prehospital ambulance data and in-hospital information.MethodsThe study enrolled 437,974 patients in the ORION registry from January 1 to December 31, 2016. We selected hospitalized patients with sepsis or suspected sepsis using the appropriate ICD 10 codes. We excluded the patients with i) missing data (outcome, Japan Coma Scale, respiratory rate, blood pressure), ii) respiratory rate ≥ 60/min, and iii) blood pressure ≥ 250 mmHg. These measures were evaluated by ambulance personnel when they first contacted the patient in the prehospital setting. The primary endpoint was discharge to death.ResultsIn total, 12,646 patients (median age: 78 [IQR: 65–85] years, male: n = 6760 [53.5%]) were eligible for our analysis. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors, the proportion of patients discharge to death was significantly higher for qSOFA positive (≥ 2 points) than negative (≤ 1 point) (265/2250 [11.78%] vs. 415/10,396 [3.99%]; adjusted odds ratio 2.909; 95% confidence interval 2.469–3.428, p < 0.0001). The specificity and sensitivity were 83.4% and 40.0%, respectively, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for qSOFA positive was 0.61.ConclusionsqSOFA evaluated by emergency medical services personnel in the prehospital setting might be useful for predicting prognosis in patients with sepsis or suspected sepsis.
A randomized controlled trial of the effects of antenatal milk expression on breastfeeding among first-time mothers in China
Authors: chen yan , Meng Li-Ping , Zhang Jiao-Jiao , Guo Hong-Hua , zhang hongyu
Published: July 2020

Background

Limited research outside China suggest that antenatal milk expression in late pregnancy (AME) may promote breastfeeding. A few studies have evaluated the safety and efficacy of AME in women with diabetes in pregnancy, little or no evidence exists to explore its effects on breastfeeding self-efficacy and early breastfeeding, particularly in first-time mothers. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of AME on breastfeeding for the first-time mothers during the postpartum hospitalization.
Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary hospital in Haikou, Hainan. We recruited pregnant women who had completed 37 weeks of gestation and randomly assigned them to either the intervention group (n = 45) or the control group (n = 45). The pregnant women in the intervention group were advised to rhythmic self-massage of breasts three times daily at any time. The control group was given routine midwifery and obstetric care. The breastfeeding self-efficacy scale(BSES)was used to measure the self-efficacy of breastfeeding at 37 weeks, 38 weeks and the third day postpartum. The time to lactogenesis II and the rate of exclusive breastfeeding was measured three times every day by the researcher in the ward.
Results

Compared with the control group, the intervention group had higher breastfeeding self-efficacy scores measured by the scale of BSES(P < 0.05), the intervention group had higher exclusive breastfeeding rate on the first day, second day, third-day postpartum, and the difference was statistically significant༈P < 0.05). The time to lactogenesis II in the intervention group was earlier than that in the control group(P < 0.05).
Conclusions

Antenatal breast milk expression at term improved the confidence in the ability to breastfeed and produce milk postpartum, thus significantly improving the behavior of exclusive breastfeeding, and increasing the percentage of breastfed infants during their hospital stay, these infants were able to avoid infant formula milk in this important early period.
A Novel FN-MdV Pathway and Its Role in Cerebellar Multimodular Control of Sensorimotor Behavior
Authors: Wang Xiaolu , Yu Si-yang , Ren Zhong , De Zeeuw Chris , Gao Zhenyu
Published: July 2020

The cerebellum is crucial for various associative sensorimotor behaviors. Delay eyeblink conditioning (DEC) depends on the simplex lobule-interposed nucleus (IN) pathway, yet it is unclear how other cerebellar modules cooperate during this task. Here, we demonstrate the contribution of the vermis-fastigial nucleus (FN) pathway in controlling DEC. We found that task-related modulations in vermal Purkinje cells and FN neurons predict conditioned responses (CRs). Coactivation of the FN and the IN allows for the generation of proper motor commands for CRs, but only FN output fine-tunes unconditioned responses. The vermis-FN pathway launches its signal via the contralateral ventral medullary reticular nucleus, which converges with the command from the simplex-IN pathway onto facial motor neurons. We propose that the IN pathway specifically drives CRs whereas the FN pathway modulates the amplitudes of eyelid closure during DEC. Thus, associative sensorimotor task optimization requires synergistic modulation of different olivocerebellar modules that provide unique contributions.
Quantitatively profiling acetylome of DNA repair proteins in early DNA damage
Authors: Li Shiqin , Zhou Lin , Liu Xinli , Shi Bingbing , Huang Tingting , An Hanxiang
Published: July 2020

Background：Lysine acetylation is a reversible regulated post-translational modification that can regulate the stability, localization, and function of proteins in multiple cellular processes. However, the regulative mechanism of acetylation on the repair proteins in the early DNA damage is not fully understood. Methods：We performed a global proteome and acetylome of DNA repair proteins in DNA damage in 1 h after treated with epirubicin by using high affinity enrichment and high-resolution liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry approaches. Results: 190 Kac sites in 50 repair proteins were identified in cells treated with epirubicin as compared to the control. 42 acetylated lysine sites and 24 deacetylated lysine sites were observed in 21 and 16 repair proteins, respectively. 7 repair proteins simultaneously contained both acetylated and deacetylated lysine sites. 11 acetylation sites were located in the function domains of 7 repair proteins that might reveal mechanisms by which acetylations alter DDR protein function. In 17 repair proteins, the induced acetylation changes were for the first time identified in the present study. Conclusion: The proteome and acetylome results indicated that fast acetylation or deacetylation on these repair proteins might play a critical role in the early DNA damage repair process.
Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Influenza A and B Virus Infection in Adult Australian Hospitalised Patients
Authors: Sharma Yogesh , Horwood Chris , Hakendorf Paul , Thompson Campbell
Published: July 2020

Background
Influenza B is often perceived as a less severe strain of influenza. The epidemiology and clinical outcomes of influenza B have been less thoroughly investigated in hospitalised patients. The aim of this study was to describe clinical differences and outcomes between influenza A and B admitted over period of four years.
Methods
We retrospectively collected data of all laboratory confirmed influenza patients ≥18 years at two tertiary hospitals in South Australia. Patients were confirmed as influenza positive if they had a positive polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) test of a respiratory specimen. Complications during hospitalisation along with inpatient mortality were compared between influenza A and B. In addition, 30 day mortality and readmissions were compared. Logistic regression model compared outcomes after adjustment for age, Charlson index, sex and creatinine levels.
Results
Between January 2016-March 2020, 1846 patients, mean age 66.5 years, were hospitalised for influenza. Of whom, 1630 (88.3%) had influenza A and 216 (11.7%) influenza B. Influenza B patients were significantly younger than influenza A. Influenza A patients were more likely be smokers with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) than influenza B. Complications, including pneumonia and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were similar between two groups, however, septic shock was more common in patients with influenza B. Adjusted analyses showed similar median length of hospital stay (LOS), in hospital mortality, 30-day mortality and readmissions between the two groups.
Conclusions
Influenza B is less prevalent and occurs mostly in younger hospitalised patients than influenza A. Both strains contribute equally to hospitalisation burden and complications.
Oral cenesthopathy proceeding dementia with Lewy body: a case report
Authors: Sawada Yuta , Konishi Yuki , Ikenouchi Atsuko , Yoshimura Reiji
Published: July 2020

Background
We herein report a case of oral cenesthopathy that proceeded dementia with Lewy body (DLB).
Case presentation:
A 70-year-old female presented with oral cenesthopathy. She was diagnosed with major depression/late-onset schizophrenia and treated with paroxetine and perospirone. Subsequently, she developed sever parkinsonism. Her diagnosis changed to DLB based on clinical features and her magnetic resonance imaging, MIBG scintigraphy, and DAT scans. After tapering off paroxetine and perospirone, the patient was treated with donepezil and levodopa. The DLB symptoms, including oral cenesthopathy and parkinsonism, were relieved.
Conclusion
This case indicates that oral cenesthopathy may occur as an early symptom of DLB.
Mechanical performance and thermal shock resistance of alumina composites fabricated by temperature gradient spark plasma sintering
Authors: Sun Junlong , Zhao Wansheng , Zhang Rui , Changxia Liu
Published: July 2020

Temperature gradient spark plasma sintering technology (TGSPS) was used to fabricate alumina composites with addition of tremolite. The mathematics model of TGSPS was established using piecewise interpolation spline function. Liquid phase sintering took place in the sintering process. Vickers hardness, fracture toughness and flexural strength of the composites were measured. Microstructure observations on fracture surfaces of alumina composites were analyzed. Thermal shock resistance of alumina composites was investigated by measuring the strength retention after varying the temperature difference through the water-quench method. Results showed that the addition of tremolite could promote the liquid phases sintering of alumina composites, decrease the porosity, strength the grain boundaries, improve the mechanical properties, and thus contribute to the improvement in TSR of alumina composites.
MassARRAY Multigene Screening Combined with LDL-C and sdLDL-C Detection for more Favorable Outcomes in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Therapy
Authors: Tian Yong , Wang Junhong , Liu Yanxiao , Luo Xiangguang , Yao Ziying , Xu Cheng , Zhao Xiaoyu
Published: July 2020

Background: To determine the clinical value of multigene polymorphisms, LDL-C and sdLDL-C on T2DM therapy.Methods: In total, 352 T2DM patients before and after treatment and 48 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. LDL-C and sdLDL-C were detected in 352 T2DM patients and 48 healthy individuals by Quantimetrix Lipoprint System. The 11 gene polymorphisms—HTR3B (rs2276307, A>G), APOE (rs7412, c.526C>T), APOE (rs429358, c.388T>C), CYP2C9*3 (rs1057910, c.1075A>C), KIF6 (rs20455, c.2155T>C), HMGCR (rs17238540, T>G), HMGCR (rs17244841, A>T), ABCB1 (rs2032582, c.2677G > T/A), HTR7 (rs1935349, C>T), SLCO1B1 (rs4149056, c.521T>C), and CETP (rs708272, G>A)—were screened in these 352 T2DM patients by the Agena Bioscience MassARRAY system before therapy.Results: Genetic polymorphisms associated with T2DM and statin effects in pretreatment patients were detected, then results showed that all 11 genes had heterozygous mutation, and 7 genes had homozygous mutation in 352 T2DM patients, more specifically reflected that these gene polymorphisms were common in Chinese T2DM patients. LDL-C and sdLDL-C were detected before and after treatment, sdLDL mainly existed in T2DM patients, and T2DM patients had higher mean levels of sdLDL-C than healthy people. After pharmacotherapy, the coincidence rates of decreases in LDL-C and sdLDL-C levels were 88.35% (311/352) and 84.09% (296/352), consistent with patients in remission.Conclusions: Gene polymorphisms related to pharmacotherapy were common in Chinese T2DM patients. And the expression of LDL-C and sdLDL-C was consistent with the T2DM disease course. Combined multigene screening before therapy and LDL-C and sdLDL-C detection before and after therapy could better assist T2DM treatment.
A PEG-PLGA-based polymeric capsule as theranostic nanoplatform for active targeting atherosclerosis
Authors: Jiandong Chen , Sun Weixin , Li Xinzhu , Lu Xin , Yu Peng , Shen Le , Chen Xiaohu
Published: July 2020

Background Atherosclerosis plaque is a major cause of cardiovascular diseases across the globe, which is characterized by a gradual formation of atherosclerotic plaque, hardening, and narrowing of the arteries. Nano-materials can serve as powerful delivery platforms for atherosclerosis treatment. Herein we systematically developed polymeric capsule with active targeting property encapsulating curcumin (Cur) and C-C chemokine receptor type 2 with short-interfering RNA (CCR2-siRNA) for combined treatment, which was also loaded with Gd3+ for magnatic resonance imaging (MRI) and a near-infrared fluorochrome (IR780) for fluorescence imaging (FI).Results The resulting nano-capsule exhibited a favorable hydrodynamic size and negative surface charge. More importantly, the negative charge and active-targeting peptide resulted in enhanced accumulation of nano-capsule in the established atherosclerotic plaques, thereby achieving targeted drug release. The in vitro and in vivo results indicated the effective diagnostic and therapeutic sensitivity, which could promote the development of theranostics for clinical implementation.Conclusions This study demonstrated that chemotherapy combined with gene therapy can displayed synergistic effect in atherosclerosis treatment, which possessed efficient management of atherosclerosis.
AI-based Five-Year Survival Prediction and Prognosis of DNp73 Expression in Rectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Pham Tuan , Fan Chuanwen , Zhang Hong , Sun Xiao-Feng
Published: July 2020

Predictive and prognostic markers in oncology are important areas of clinical cancer research and play essential roles for optimal decision making on therapy and assessing treatment efficacy for precision medicine in cancer patients. While DNp73 has been thought as a biomarker in rectal cancer, its clinical significance is still controversial. Exploration on the role of DNp73 protein expression in rectal cancer is a challenging task because of the limitation of human-based pathology analysis of complex information in pathological images. In this paper, we investigated the power of DNp73 expression identified by immunohistochemistry as predictive and prognostic markers in a cohort of 143 rectal cancer patients from the Swedish rectal cancer trial of preoperative radiotherapy using state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) for machine learning and classification. Average validation results show very high accuracy rates (greater than or equal to to 93%) for the 5-year prediction and prognosis of the rectal cancer patients either with or without preoperative radiotherapy. In comparison with the pathology-based analysis, where DNp73 did not provide any survival information (p > 0.05), not only the findings of the AI-based study are clinically significant, but also pave a new direction for the rapid exploration of biomarkers in oncology.
The Functional and Structural Changes of the Brain in Parkinson's Disease Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: bingjun ji , Ji Bingjun , Zhao Ting , Cui Xuan , Chen Jingtao , Wang Zhenyu
Published: July 2020

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is often associated with cognitive impairment. However, the neural mechanism of cognitive impairment is not clear. The present study investigated the functional and anatomic changes in PD patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their correlations with cognitive functions by the application of combined functional and structural analysis. Methods: T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and resting-state functional MRI data were acquired from 23 PD patients with MCI (PD-MCI), 23 PD patients with normal cognitive function (PD-NCI), and 23 matched healthy controls (HC). The structural imaging data was analyzed by voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and surfaced-based morphometry (SBM) methods to assess the changes of gray matter density and cortical thickness, respectively. And the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) analysis using resting-state functional imaging data to measure the spontaneous changes of brain activity. Their Correlations with neuropsychological assessments (e.g., Montreal cognitive assessment, MOCA; Mini-mental state examination, MMSE) were also examined. Results: Compared to the HC group, the PD-MCI patient group showed both decreased ALFF in the occipital regions (i.e., left middle occipital gyrus) and parietal regions (i.e., left precuneus) and increased ALFF in the right inferior frontal gyrus and bilateral hippocampus. Also, the PD-MCI patient group showed reduced gray matter density in the right inferior frontal gyrus and middle frontal gyrus. Cortical thinning in the left middle temporal gyrus and right superior temporal gyrus was found in the PD_MCI patient group relative to the control group. Furthermore, ALFF of the right hippocampus and gray matter density of right frontal gyrus was correlated with cognitive impairment (e.g., MOCA ), respectively. Cortical thickness of right superior temporal gyrus was also associated with cognitive deficit (e.g., MMSE ). Conclusion: MCI in PD is associated with widespread brain functional and structural alternations. The combination of functional and structural abnormalities may be related to subtle cognitive impairment in PD.
Survey of bereavement care at home-visit nursing stations in Japan
Authors: OZAWA Miwa , UCHINO Seiko , SEI Jungetsu , UEHARA Kazuyoshi
Published: July 2020

BackgroundWith a rapidly aging population, the importance of promoting end-of-life care at home has been pointed out. Home-visit nurses play an important role as professionals in charge of home care, and pre- and post- bereavement care for bereaved families is included in home-visit nursing services. However, bereaved families are not always provided with care after bereavement in Japan. This present study aims to investigate the relationship between the provision rates of pre- and post-bereavement care for the patient family and the demographics of home-visit nurses through a survey of home-visit nurses, and to clarify the details of post-bereavement care and the reasons why the care is employed, exploratorily through a survey of the managers of home-visit nursing stations.MethodsA self-rating anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted with 2,400 facilities (including 2,200 facilities randomly selected from among the members of Home-Visit Nursing Stations of the National Nursing Business Association). For the analysis, simple aggregation was used and the statistical processing employed SPSS ver21.0.ResultsA total of 680 valid responses were analyzed. The mean length of home-visit nursing experience was 10.6 years and that of hospital nursing experience was 15.2 years. The provision rate of post-bereavement care was 90% or higher in most of the identified items, excluding “Provided continued support/life planning until the family fully recovers social life”. For the provision of post-bereavement care, most items exceeded 70%, but excluding “Provided continued support until the family fully recovers social life”, and “Involved in building a life after bereavement”.Compared to the participants with less than 5 years of home-visit nursing experience, those with 10 years or longer experience had statistically significantly higher rates of providing post-bereavement care in more than half of the identified items. Home-visit nursing facilities with 24-hour services had statistically significantly higher rates of providing care in more than half of the items of both of pre- and post-bereavement care, compared to the facilities without 24-hour services. About 70% of the managers think that bereaved families need follow-up, and visited the families as a post-bereavement care.
Diabetes With Osteomyelitis in Rare Sites With Sepsis as the First Diagnosis: Three Case Reports and Literature Review
Authors: Zhou Jiayan , Jiang Xiaohong
Published: July 2020

Background: Osteomyelitis is an infectious bone disease. Common clinical symptoms are fever, local limb pain and redness. Anti-infective treatment is commonly used, but the efficacy varies in different patients. Sometimes surgery is needed to relieve patients' symptoms. Diabetic patients have a high risk of osteomyelitis due to long-term hyperglycemia, activated inflammatory response and immune deficiency.Patient Concerns: In our study, the three patients were men who were admitted to the hospital due to fever and pain. Two patients had upper limb pain, and the third had lumbar spine pain. All of them had blood cultures that suggested bacterial infections and increased levels of C-reactive protein.Diagnosis: Two patients in our study had osteomyelitis that was verified by magnetic resonance imaging; osteomyelitis was confirmed by postoperative histopathological examination in the third patient.Interventions: All patients received intravenous infusion of antibiotics to treat osteomyelitis. The third patient underwent debridement of the lumbar spine.Outcomes: Among the three patients, two recovered after adjustment of the antibiotic therapy, and one recovered after a surgical operation.Conclusion: Our study reports three patients with diabetes with osteomyelitis in rare sites. We should be aware that diabetes is one of the risk factors for osteomyelitis. When diabetic patients present with fever and pain, healthcare professionals should be alert to the possibility of osteomyelitis. Blood tests are helpful for clarifying the degree of inflammation, and imaging tests are helpful for locating the infection site. However, for some atypical cases, we cannot rely too much on auxiliary examinations, and we need to pay attention to the clinical symptoms and signs. Glycemic control and anti-infective therapy are common methods for the treatment of osteomyelitis, and surgical intervention should be considered if necessary to relieve local symptoms.
Microbiome dynamics during the HI-SEAS IV mission, and implications for future crewed missions beyond Earth
Authors: Mahnert Alexander , Verseux Cyprien , Schwendner Petra , Koskinen Kaisa , Kumpitsch Christina , Blohs Marcus , Wink Lisa , Brunner Daniela , Goessler Theodora , Billi Daniela , Moissl-Eichinger Christine
Published: July 2020

BackgroundHuman health is closely interconnected with its microbiome. Stable microbiomes in, on and around the human body will be key for safe and successful long-term space travel. However, longitudinal dynamics of microbiomes inside confined built environments are still poorly understood. Herein we used the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation IV (HI-SEAS IV) mission, a one year-long isolation study, to investigate microbial transfer between crew and habitat, in order to understand adverse developments which might occur in an outpost on the Moon or Mars in the future.ResultsLongitudinal profiles of the 16S rRNA gene revealed significant differences in microbial diversity and composition between samples of the built environment and its crew. While microbial profiles from individual crew members were highly dynamic, the microbiome on built environment surfaces remained more stable. Especially within the first 200 days, archaeal signatures of Methanobrevibacter were regularly transferred between crew members, but did not impact the microbiome on habitat surfaces. In contrast to a rather stable microbial diversity recovered from surfaces of the habitat, microbial diversity from the crew’s skin increased over time. Quantitative observations based on qPCR supported observations of dissimilarity between the built environment and its crew and was also used to track the propagation of antimicrobial resistances in the habitat. Together with functional and phenotypic predictions, quantitative and qualitative data both supported the observation of a delayed longitudinal homogenization between the crew and their habitat, that was mainly caused by the hygiene infrastructure.ConclusionsThe study highlights main routes of microbial transfer, interaction of its crew and origins of microbial dynamics in an isolated set-up. We identified key targets of microbial monitoring, and emphasize the need for defined baselines of microbiome diversity and abundance on surfaces and skin. Targeted manipulation to counteract adverse developments of the microbiome will be a highly important strategy to ensure safety during future space endeavors.
Mild dyserythropoiesis and b-like globin gene expression imbalance due to the loss of histone chaperone ASF1B
Authors: Papadopoulos Petros , Kafasi Athanassia , de Cuyper Iris , Barroca Vilma , Lewandowski Daniel , Kadri Zahra , Veldthuis Martijn , Berghuis Jeffrey , Gillemans Nynke , Cuesta Celina María Benavente , Grosveld Frank , Zwieten Rob van , Philipsen Sjaak , Vernet Muriel , Gutiérrez Laura , Patrinos George
Published: July 2020

The expression of the human b-like globin genes follows a well-orchestrated developmental pattern, undergoing two essential switches, the first one during the first weeks of gestation (e to g), and the second one during the perinatal period (g to b). The g to b globin gene switching mechanism includes suppression of fetal (g-globin, HbF) and activation of adult (b-globin, HbA) globin gene transcription. In Hereditary Persistence of Fetal Hemoglobin (HPFH), the g-globin suppression mechanism is impaired leaving these individuals with unusual elevated levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in adulthood. Recently, the transcription factors KLF1 and BCL11A have been established as master regulators of the g to b globin switch. Previously a genomic variant in the KLF1 gene, identified by linkage analysis performed on twenty-seven members of a Maltese family, was found to be associated with HPFH. However, variation in the levels of HbF amongst family members, and those from other reported families carrying genetic variants in KLF1, suggest additional contributors to globin switching. ASF1B was downregulated in family members with HPFH.
Here, we investigate the role of ASF1B in g to b globin switching and erythropoiesis in vivo . Mouse-human interspecies ASF1B protein identity is 91.6%. By means of knockdown functional assays in human primary erythroid cultures and analysis of the erythroid lineage in Asf1b knockout mice, we provide evidence that ASF1B is a novel contributor to steady-state erythroid differentiation, and while its loss affects the balance of globin expression, it has no major role in hemoglobin switching.
Uncovering bioactive compounds and potential mechanisms of Jieduan-Niwan Formula against liver failure
Authors: Ma Chongyang , Zhang Qiuyun , Gao Yuan , Gao Lianyin , Wei Xiaoyi , Liang Jiajun , Yang Wenlong , Du Yuqiong
Published: July 2020

Background

Liver failure is considered as the inability of the liver to perform its normal synthetic and metabolic function. Our previous data showed that Jieduan-Niwan formula (JDNW) induced liver failure, while its underlying mechanism remains unknown.
Methods

In the present study, we performed a network pharmacology to analyze the bioactive ingredients and related targets. Compound and target data of JDNW formula were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database (TCMSP), and targets related to liver diseases were obtained from DisGeNET database. Information of protein protein interaction were retrieved from STRING database. Network construction and degree calculation were used Cytoscape software. Metascape web-server was used for GO and KEGG pathway enrichment. A microarray data series (GSE72081) was obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus database and analyzed using R project and Connectivity Map. Ledock was used for molecular docking.
Results

A total of 114 unduplicated active ingredients were identified after ADME screening. After construction of a target-liver disease network, 28 targets were identified for anti-liver failure effect. These targets were significantly enriched in fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, pathways in cancer, IL-17 signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, insulin resistance, toxoplasmosis, prostate cancer, microRNAs in cancer, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, Chemical carcinogenesis, VEGF signaling pathway and complement and coagulation cascades pathways. After analyzing a public microarray data of quercetin, we found biological action of some NFκB inhibitors was similar to quercetin. Molecular docking study showed that quercetin possessed a capability to bind on IKKβ and inhibited NFκB activation.
Conclusions

JDNW formula treated liver failure via multiple targets and multiple pathways, including NFκB signal. Quercetin was identified as a key bioactive ingredient of JDNW formula and its anti-liver failure effect may involve in NFκB inhibition.