bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of virtual reality on motor anticipation and hand function in patients with subacute stroke: A randomised trial on movement-related potential.
Authors: Chen Ling , Chen Yi , Lo Wai Leung Ambrose
Published: March 2020

Background: Impaired cognitive ability to anticipate the required control may affect functional recovery. The cortical excitability of task related motor anticipation for upper limb movement induced by virtual reality (VR) training is unknown.
Aims: To investigate the changes of motor anticipation, cortical excitability and upper limb function induced by VR training in subacute stroke survivors.
Methods: Upper limb hemiparesis resulting from the first occurrence of stroke within 1 to 6 months were recruited. Participants were randomly allocated to conventional therapy or VR intervention. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) were simultaneously recorded during palmar grasp motion. Outcome measures of contingent negative variation (CNV) latency, mean peak amplitude, electromyography (EMG) reaction time, Upper Limb Fugl-Meyer Assessment (UL-FMA) and the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) were recorded pre and post intervention. The EEG and EMG differences between the two groups were assessed by mixed model ANOVA (p=0.05). The differences in UL-FMA and ARAT were assessed Wilcoxon signed-rank test (p=0.05).
Results: The reduction in EMG reaction time difference, CNV latency and mean peak amplitude were significantly lower in the VR group than the control group when executing movement with the paretic hand. ARAT and UL-FMA scores were significantly higher in the VR group than the control group post intervention.
Conclusions: The findings indicated a reduction in brain computational demand during palmar grasp task. Improvements in clinical function in the VR group suggested that VR intervention may be more beneficial in improving upper limb function patients with subacute stroke. Improvement in upper limb function may be related to improvement of the neural anticipatory process.
Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration No.: ChiCTR-IOC-15006064). Registered on 11 May 2015. Retrospectively registered. http://www.chictr.org.cn/searchprojen.aspx
Clinical validation of full genotyping CLART® HPV4S assay on SurePath and ThinPrep collected screening samples according to the International Guidelines for Human Papillomavirus Test Requirements for Cervical Screening
Authors: Ejegod Ditte Møller , Lagheden Camilla , Bhatia Ramya , Pedersen Helle , Boada Elia Alcañiz , Sundström Karin , Cortés Javier , Josë F. Xavier Bosch , Cuschieri Kate , Dillner Joakim , Bonde Jesper
Published: March 2020

Background

To ensure the highest quality of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing in primary cervical cancer screening, novel HPV assays must be evaluated in accordance with the international guidelines. Furthermore, HPV assay with genotyping capabilities are becoming increasingly important in triage of HPV positive women in primary HPV screening. Here we evaluate a full genotyping HPV assay intended for primary screening.

Methods

The CLART® HPV4S (CLART4S) assay is a newly developed full-genotyping assay detecting 14 oncogenic (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68) and two non-oncogenic HPV genotypes (6, 11). It was evaluated using SurePath and ThinPrep screening samples collected from the Danish and Swedish cervical cancer screening programs, respectively. For calculation of sensitivity, 81 SurePath and 80 ThinPrep samples with confirmed ≥CIN2 were assessed. For clinical specificity analysis, 1,184 SurePath and 1,169 ThinPrep samples from women with
Geniposide, a component of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, inhibits NF-ĸB to attenuate LPS-induced injury in intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Cui Yizhe , Qiao Xinyue , Wang Qiuju , Wu Rui
Published: March 2020

Background: The nuclear factor-ĸB (NF-ĸB) transcriptional system is a major effector pathway involved in inflammatory responses. Previous studies found that a Gardenia decoction (GD) inhibited the expression of NF-κB in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse intestinal injury model. Herein, we hypothesized that geniposide (GE), a component of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, also exerts anti-inflammatory effects and inhibits NF-ĸB activity in LPS-induced intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6). IEC-6 cells were stimulated with LPS, following which the effects of GE on NF-ĸB signaling in the IEC-6 cells were examined by western blotting to detect IĸB phosphorylation/degradation. The expression of NF-κB was determined by immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the inhibitory effect of GE on the release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) activated by LPS in IEC-6 cells. In addition, the migration ability of IEC-6 cells was observed by the scratch method. Results: These results showed that GE dose-dependently downregulated levels of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β that had been upregulated by LPS and suppressed the phosphorylation of IĸB and NF-ĸB induced by LPS. Our findings indicated that GE could reduce LPS-induced NF-ĸB signaling and proinﬂammatory expression in IEC-6 cells and significantly enhance the migration of IEC-6 cells. Moreover, GE inhibited the expression of NF-κB, nuclear transfer, and transcriptional activity in IEC-6 cells. Conclusion: GE could block the synthesis of inflammatory factors of IEC-6 cells by inhibiting activation of the IĸB/NF-κB signaling pathway induced by LPS.
Evolution and genetic diversity of atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) from piglets with congenital tremor in Guangxi province, Southern China
Authors: Shi Kaichuang , Xie Shou-yu , Zhao Jing , Liu Hui-xin , Yin Yan-wen , Chen Zhenhai , Si Hong-bin , Qu Su-jie , Lu Wen-jun , Feng Shu-ping
Published: March 2020

Background: Atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) was identified and associated with congenital tremor (CT) type A-II in new born piglets and has been reported in many countries around the world since 2015. In China, the first APPV infection in swine herds was reported in Guangdong province in 2016. To investigate the genetic characteristics of APPV from Guangxi province seated in Southern China, the full-length sequences of APPV strains were amplified and analyzed. Results: Tissue samples from neonatal piglets with CT from Guangxi province were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). APPV positive samples were amplified, cloned and sequenced, and the complete genomic sequences of five APPV strains were obtained. Sequence analysis revealed that all six APPV strains from Guangxi province, including five strains from this study and one from other researchers, shared 83.3%-97.5% nucleotide identity of complete genome and 91.7%-99.1% amino acid identity of open reading frame (ORF) with one another, and shared 77.7%-97.7% nucleotide identity of complete genome and 90.6%-99.3% amino acid identity of ORF with other reference strains available in Genbank. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the APPV strains from Guangxi province belonged to four different subgroups in the phylogenetic tree based on the complete genomic sequences, and similar topology was observed in the phylogenetic trees based on N pro , E rns and E2 gene sequences, respectively. No sign of recombination was observed for strains from Guangxi province by using Recombination Detection Program 4 (RDP4) and Simplot analysis. Evolution analysis performed on the complete genome of 58 APPV strains available in Genbank showed that APPV strains from America, Europe and Asia during 2006-2019 evolved at a mean rate of 1.37×10 -4 substitutions/site/year, and the most recent common ancestor ( tMRCA ) of them was estimated as 1700.5 years ago. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicated that there existed a high degree of genetic diversity of APPV from Guangxi province, Southern China, which provided important information on the epidemiological features and evolutionary relationships of APPV.
Hypoxia-induced lncRNA -NEAT1 sustains the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma via regulation of miR-199a-3p/UCK2: integrative bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation
Authors: Zhang Qiangnu , Cheng Qian , Xia Mengting , Huang Xiaotao , He Xiaoyan , Liao Juan
Published: March 2020

Background: The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) has emerged as a novel player in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hypoxia is a common characteristic of the microenvironment of HCC. However, it remains unclear whether lncRNA-NEAT1 is induced by hypoxia in HCC, and the mechanism that underlies LncRNA-NEAT1 function is not well characterized. Methods: The expression changes of lncRNA-NEAT1 in HCC cell lines under hypoxic conditions were examined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The regulatory effect of HIF-1α on lncRNA-NEAT1 was confirmed with chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and luciferase reporter assays. The function of lncRNA-NEAT1 on HCC cell growth under hypoxic conditions was determined by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. lncRNA -NEAT1 was predicted to serve as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) within microRNA (miRNA)/mRNA axes based on microarray data, public HCC-related datasets and integrative bioinformatics analysis, and the miR-199a-3p/UCK2 axis was selected and validated by qRT-PCR, western blotting, RNA immunoprecipitation, and luciferase reporter analyses. The role of miR-199a-3p/UCK2 in HCC and its functional association with lncRNA-NEAT1 were assessed both in vitro and in vivo . Results : LncRNA-NEAT1 expression was significantly induced by hypoxia in SNU-182 and HUH7 cells. HIF-1α was shown to regulate lncRNA-NEAT1 transcription. Under hypoxic conditions, lncRNA-NEAT1 maintained the growth of HCC cells and inhibited apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. LncRNA-NEAT1 was predicted to regulate a panel of HCC-associated miRNA-mRNA pairs consisting of 8 miRNAs and 13 mRNAs. Furthermore, lncRNA-NEAT1 was demonstrated to serve as a miR-199a-3p sponge that regulates UCK2 expression and to play a tumor-suppressive role in HCC, while UCK2 promotes cell growth. LncRNA-NEAT1 was shown to function as a ceRNA of miR-199a-3p/UCK2 both in HCC cells under hypoxic conditions and in an animal model. Conclusion: LncRNA-NEAT1 is a hypoxia-responsive lncRNA in HCC that sustains the growth of HCC cells by regulating HCC-associated mRNAs that interact with tumor-suppressive miRNAs. The lncRNA-NEAT1/miR-199a-3p/UCK2 pathway may contribute to the progression of HCC in a hypoxic microenvironment and therefore may represent a novel therapeutic target for HCC.
JARID1B promotes colorectal cancer proliferation and Wnt/β-catenin signaling via decreasing CDX2 level
Authors: Huang Da , Xiao Fan , Hua Fuzhou , Luo Zhenzhong , Huang Zhaoxia , Chen Sha , Cheng Xiuzhi , Zhang Xinyue , Fang Weilan , Hu Xiaoyun , Liu Fanrong
Published: March 2020

Background: Jumonji AT-rich interactive domain 1B(JARID1B) has been shown to be upregulated in many human cancers and plays a critical role in the development of cancers cells. Nevertheless, its functional role in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression is not fully understood. Methods: Herein, JARID1B expression levels were detected in clinical CRC samples by western blotting and qRT-PCR. DLD-1 cells with JARID1B knockdown or overexpression by stably transfected plasmids were used in vitro and in vivo study. Colony formation, 5-ethynyl-20-deoxyuridine (EdU) and Real Time Cellular Analysis(RTCA) assays were used to detect cell proliferation and growth. Transcriptome and CHIP assays were used to examine the molecular biology changes and molecular interaction in these cells. Nude mice was utilized to study the correlation of JARID1B and tumor growth in vivo. Results: Here, we first observed that JARID1B was significantly upregulated in CRC tissue compared to adjacent normal tissues. In CRC patients, JARID1B high expression was positively relation with poor overall survival. Multivariate analyses revealed that high JARID1B expression was an independent predictive marker for the poor prognosis of CRC. In addition, we found that JARID1B promoted CRC cells proliferation by Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Further studies demonstrated CDX2 as a downstream target of JARID1B, and our data demonstrated that CDX2 is crucial for JARID1B -mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that JARID1B regulated CDX2 expression through demethylation of H3K4me3. Conclusions: CDX2 inhibited by JARID1B-derived H3K4me3 methylation promoted cells proliferation of CRC via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Therefore, our studies provided a novel insight into the role of JARID1B in CRC cells proliferation and potential new molecular target for treating CRC.
Risk Factors for Acute Kidney Injury in Acute Pancreatitis: A 7-year Retrospective Analysis of Patients in a Large Tertiary Hospital
Authors: Yu Bingjun , He Wenhua , Lu Nonghua
Published: March 2020

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication of acute pancreatitis (AP) and causes a high risk of mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for AKI in patients in the early phase of AP.Methods In this retrospective observational study, 1655 AP patients were divided into an AKI and a non-AKI group. Age, sex, BMI, APACHE II score, smoking history, hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG), alcohol abuse, biliary disease, organ failure, pancreatic necrosis and necrosis debridement were collected from the hospital record database.Results 1036 males (62.6%) and 619 females (37.4%) were enrolled in this study. 1255 and 430 AP patients were included in the non-AKI and AKI groups, respectively. The mean age was 45.90±11.73 years. Hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) lengths of stay were 18.13±43.26 and 31.53±72.47 days, respectively. The incidence of organ failure and pancreatic necrosis were 25.0% and 32.2%, respectively. The morbidity of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) and operative necrosectomy (ON) was 10.9%, and the mortality among AP patients was 6.3%. HTG was identified as a risk factor for AKI in AP (P=0.001). The incidence of organ failure (P=0.001), pancreatic necrosis (P=0.001) and necrosis debridement were greater in the AKI group than those in the non-AKI group.Conclusions HTG is an independent risk factor for AKI in AP. AP patients with AKI have adverse outcomes such as high rates of organ failure, pancreatic necrosis, and necrosis debridement and longer hospital and ICU lengths of stay.
The five primary prostaglandins stimulate contractions and phasic activity of the urinary bladder urothelium, lamina propria and detrusor
Authors: Stromberga Zane , Chess-Williams Russ , Moro Christian
Published: March 2020

Background: Inflammation is often associated with several bladder dysfunctions, including overactive bladder (OAB) and interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/PBS). As such, inflammation of the bladder and the actions of inflammatory mediators may contribute to the development of the urinary symptoms. This study assessed the actions of PGE 2 , PGF 2 , PGD 2 , TXA 2 , and PGI 2 on the urinary bladder urothelium with lamina propria (U&LP), as well as the detrusor smooth muscle.Methods: Studies were carried out using isolated tissue baths, where strips porcine bladder U&LP or detrusor were exposed to varying concentrations of prostaglandin agonists (1 µM and 10 µM).Results: All assessed prostaglandin agonists contracted both the U&LP and detrusor smooth muscle, with the rank order of contractile response effectiveness as: PGE 2 > PGF 2α > TXA 2 > PGD 2 > PGI 2 . In U&LP, treatment with PGE 2 (10 µM) increased tonic contractions by 1.36 ± 0.09 g (n = 42, p < 0.001) and phasic contractions by 40.4 ± 9.6% (n = 42, p < 0.001). In response to PGF 2α (10 µM), U&LP tonic contractions increased by 0.79 ± 0.06 g (n = 14, p < 0.001) and phasic activity by 13.3% ± 5.3% (n = 15, p < 0.05). In detrusor preparations, PGE 2 (10 µM) increased tonic contractions by 1.32 ± 0.13 g (n = 38, p < 0.001) and PGF 2α (10 µM) by 0.97 ± 0.14 g (n = 12, p < 0.001). Only 34% (n = 48) of all detrusor preparations exhibited spontaneous activity prior to the addition of any agonist at a frequency of 2.03 ± 0.12 cpm. In preparations that did not exhibit initial phasic activity, all of the prostaglandin agonists were capable of commencing phasic activity.Conclusions: The urinary bladder U&LP and detrusor respond to a variety of prostaglandin agonists, with their activation resulting in direct contractions, as well as increases to spontaneous contractile activity. This study presents the prostaglandin receptor system as a potential therapeutic target for lower urinary tract dysfunction.
Sub-staging specific differences in recurrence-free, progression-free and cancer-specific survival for patients with T1 bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen GuanQiu , Yang Tao , Zhang Pu , Zhang Meng-Zhao , Yang Bo , Fan Jinhai
Published: March 2020

Background: The efficiency of the T1 sub-staging system on categorizing bladder cancer (BC) patients into subgroups with different clinical outcomes was unclear. We summarized relevant evidences, including recurrence-free survival (RFS), progression-free survival (PFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS), to analyze the prognostic significance of T1 sub-stage.Methods: Systematic literature searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were performed. We pooled data on recurrence, progression, and CSS from 35 studies.Results: The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) indicated the difference in RFS between T1a sub-stage and T1b sub-stage (HR1.28, 95%CI 1.14-1.43). The significant difference was observed in PFS between the two arms (HR 2.18, 95%CI 1.95-2.44). Worse CSS was found in T1b patients than T1a patients (HR 1.45, 95%CI 1.28-1.64).Conclusions: T1 sub-staging system based on the invasion depth into muscularis mucosae (MM) can be a significant prognostic factor for RFS, PFS, and CSS of patients with T1-BC. Urologists and pathologists are encouraged to work together to give a precise sub-stage classification of T1-BC, and T1 sub-staging system should be a routine part of any histopathological report when possible. Different treatment strategies need to be developed for both T1a-BC and T1b-BC.
A multiobjective DEA model to assess the eco-efficiency of major cereal crops production within the carbon and nitrogen footprint in China
Authors: Chen Zhongdu , Xu Chunchun , Ji Long , fang fuping
Published: March 2020

[Background]Agricultural production systems are facing the challenges of increasing food production while reducing environmental cost, particularly in China. Understanding the eco-efficiency of the staple food crop production contributes to sustainable agriculture. In this study, the eco-efficiency of rice, wheat and maize production within the carbon (C) footprints (CF) and nitrogen (N) footprint (NF) at a province scale based on 555 farm survey data from China was measured in which a combination of life cycle assessment (LCA) and data envelopment analysis (DEA) was used. [Results] The results showed that the synthetic N fertilizer applications and CH4 emissions dominated the CF of crop production, while NH3 volatilization was the main contributors to the NF in the grain crop production process. Based on DEA-based sustainability performance assessment results, the eco-efficiency of major cereal crops production were all found to be inefficient (eco-efficiency <1). An increase in yields had only limited effects on improvement in eco-efficiency of rice, wheat and corn production because the yield increase potential rates were very small (0.1~3.4%), and there were no significant differences in increase potentials of yields between provinces. From a perspective of environmental impact reduction potential rates, GWP (22.7~25.1%) was more important for the environmental mitigation target than Nr (10.9~17.9%) in rice production, but the opposite scenario appears in wheat and corn production. [Conclusions] Improving crop management practices by reducing N fertilizer use and adopting water-saving irrigation technology could be strategic options to mitigate climate change and eutrophication and improve the eco-efficiency of the staple food crop production in Chinese agriculture.
Development and validation of 10-gene signature for predicting survival in patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Li Nan , Yu Kai , Zhong Ling , Zeng Dingyuan
Published: March 2020

Background. The prognosis for prostate cancer patients remains poor. High-throughput sequencing data provide a solid basis for identifying genes associated with cancer prognosis, but genetic markers are needed to predict the clinical outcome of prostate cancer. Methods. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database (N = 551) was adopted to estimate the prognostic value of immune genes. RNA-seq and clinical follow-up data were downloaded from TCGA. The samples were randomly divided into training and test. Cox regression analyses and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were conducted to develop an immune risk score. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and single sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA) were used for functional Analysis. Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) is used to analyze the immune score, and RMS curve and clinical decision curve analysis is used to analyze the superiority of the comparison with published models. Results. Survival analyses revealed that 19 genes significantly associated with the overall survival (OS). 10-genes signature was ultimately obtained through random forest feature selection. Riskscore effectively stratified samples in the training, test, and external verification sets and all TCGA sets. The 5-year survival AUC in the training, verification sets and all TCGA sets were around 0.7. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that 10-genes signature has good predictive performance in clinical. TIMER analysis shows that immunosuppression may reduce the chances of survival for patients with prostate cancer. Compared with published models, our model has a higher C-index. Conclusion. We constructed a 10-gene signature as a new prognostic marker for predicting survival of prostate cancer patients.
The Effect of Breastfeeding on Photorefractive Keratectomy Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zarei-Ghanavati Siamak , Eslami Amir Reza Daneshmand , Eslampoor Alireza , Rad Saeed Shokouhi , Akhlagi Saeed , Abrishami Mojtaba
Published: March 2020

Purpose To assess the refractive results, visual function, and safety of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) in myopic breastfeeding women and compare them to healthy matched female controls. Methods Twelve mothers (23 eyes) who underwent PRK while they were still breastfeeding (B group) and continued it for at least three months participated in this retrospective matched cohort study. Twelve women (23 eyes) who were matched for age, refractive error, and operation data (NB group) were selected as the control group. Post-PRK results and complications were compared between the two groups. Results Twenty four breastfeeding mothers with a mean age of 29.70±1.8 (Standard Deviation) (range from 27 to 33years) were included. The average age in the study and the control group were 29.83 ± 1.80 and, 29.58 ± 1.98, prospectively, (P-value=0.749, T-test, poverty 0.1). The mean duration of breastfeeding was 47 weeks before surgery and 35 weeks after surgery. Conclusion Our study results did not indicate the adverse effects of breastfeeding on the results of PRK surgery. It seems that performing PRK is safe in the breastfeeding period.
Quality of Community-based Care Services in Korea
Authors: Yoon Kichan , Lee Insoo , Lee Youn-Tae , Lee Munjae
Published: March 2020

Background: Aging societies are increasing the need for care services. In order to solve the problem of care, we suggest community care, and through this, we will provide medical services that meet individual needs. Korea provides care services in advance of the community care project and implements quality control to improve the quality of these social services. Therefore, this study aims is to intend to compare and analyze the factors affecting user satisfaction in care services in both 2013 and 2016.Methods: We used quantified secondary data based on social services performed analysis reports. Based on the evaluation indexes for care service in 2013 and 2016, we used commonly used indexes for analysis.Results: As a result, there was a difference between care services quality evaluation (QE) indexes by profit type, and care services evaluation indexes had an effect on user satisfaction. In addition, the change rate in the care service evaluation scores affects the change rate in user satisfaction.Conclusions: Therefore, in order to increase satisfaction with care service, evaluation indexes by service type should be diversified and differentiated. In addition, it should be composed of field evaluations related to user satisfaction to provide care services appropriate for local characteristics.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Suicidality in Japanese Adolescents: Results from a Population-based Questionnaire Survey
Authors: Nagamitsu Shinichiro , Mimaki Masakazu , Koyanagi Kenshi , Tokita Natsuko , Kobayashi Yoriko , Hattori Ritsuko , Ishii Ryuta , Matsuoka Michiko , Yamashita Yushiro , Yamagata Zentaro , Igarashi Takashi , Croarkin Paul E
Published: March 2020

Background Suicide is the first leading cause of death among Japanese adolescents. There are knowledge gaps regarding contemporary demographics and factors associated with suicidality in Japanese adolescents. This study examined the prevalence of suicidality and its associated factors among Japanese adolescents. Methods A population-based questionnaire survey was administered to 22,419 adolescents aged 13–18 years to investigate general health problems in adolescents. The questionnaire included 29 items regarding emotional status, family function, cyberbullying, suicidality, and stressors (focused on relationships with parents or friends, school performance, and sexual identity). We conducted multiple logistic regression analysis to identify the factors associated with suicidality in adolescents. We hypothesized that the prevalence of suicidality would be similar to that found internationally and bullying would be associated with suicide attempts. Results The prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempted suicide was 21.6/% and 3.5% in males and 28.5% and 6.6% in females, respectively. Bullying and family relationship stressors had the highest association with suicide attempts. Exposure to cyberbullying showed the highest odd ratios for both junior high and high school children (3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1–4.4; 3.6, 95% Cl, 2.5–5.3, respectively). Adolescents accessed a variety of resources for stressors but chose the internet more frequently. Conclusions Our results indicate that suicidality is a common experience among Japanese adolescents. Although there are many associated risk factors, cyberbullying may be particularly concerning. Recognition of factors associated with adolescent suicidality will help inform future research and suicide prevention efforts for healthcare providers and families.
Global Incidence of Necrotizing Enterocolitis: a Systematic Review and Incidence Meta-Analysis
Authors: Alsaied Amer , Islam Nazmul , Thalib Lukman
Published: March 2020

Background: Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a major source of morbidity and mortality in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), yet the global incidence is not systematically evaluated. We conducted a systematic review and Meta-Analysis of cohort studies reporting the incidence of NEC in infants with Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW).Methods: The databases searched included PubMed, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE and grey literature. Eligible studies were cohort or population-based studies of newborns including registry data reporting incidence of NEC. Data were extracted from the selected papers and variables extracted included author and publication details, time period covered by the study, location and setting of the study and whether it was VLBW infants or preterm infants, incidence or number on NEC cases and size of population at risk were extracted from the selected papers. Additionally, risk of bias assessment of the included studies were carried out using a validated tool. Bias adjusted Quality Effect Model (QEM) were used to pool the estimates. Due to substantial heterogeneity, Random Effect Model (REM) estimates were also evaluated. The heterogeneity between studies were evaluated using the Cochrane Q statistics and Higgin’s I2 value. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were used to explore the sources of heterogeneity. Funnel plots as appropriate for ratio measures were used to assess publication bias.Results: A systematic and comprehensive search of databases identified 27 cohort studies reporting the incidence of NEC. The pooled estimate of the global incidence of NEC was 6.0% (95% CI: 4.0%-9.0%). There were substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 100%) between studies. Funnel plots showed no evidence of publication bias.Conclusion: The incidence of NEC vary considerably, although meta-regression failed provide evidence for any substantial regional variation. High quality studies along with detailed risk factors of NEC is warranted, to predict and NEC.
Adjuvant chemotherapy in average-risk adult medulloblastoma patients improves survival: a long term study
Authors: Franceschi Enrico , Minichillo Santino , Mura Antonella , Tosoni Alicia , Mascarin Maurizio , Tomasello Chiara , Bartolini Stefania , Brandes Alba Ariela
Published: March 2020

Background : The role of chemotherapy for average-risk adult patients remains controversial. Medulloblastoma is extremely rare in adults. Radical surgery and radiotherapy provide a significant control of disease and a good prognosis but about 25% of average-risk patients have a relapse and die because of disease progression. No data in average-risk adult patients on a direct comparison between radiotherapy alone and radiotherapy plus chemotherapy Methods : We analyzed 48 average-risk patients according to Chang classification diagnosed from 1988 to 2016. Results : Median age was 29 years (range 16-61). Main histology type were classic in 15 patients (31.3%) and desmoplastic in 15 patients (31.3%), 5 patients had extensive nodularity (10.4%) and 2 patients had large cells/anaplastic histology (4.2%). Twenty-four patients (50%) received adjuvant radiotherapy alone and 24 (50%) received radiotherapy and chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 12.5 years, we found that chemotherapy increases PFS (PFS-15 82.3 ± 8.0% in RT-CT group vs. 38.5% ± 13.0% in RT group p=0.05) and OS (OS-15 89.3% 7.2% vs. 52.0% 13.1%, p=0.02). Among patients receiving chemotherapy, the reported grade ≥ 3 adverse events were: 9 cases of neutropenia; 6 cases of G3 neutropenia (25%) and 3 cases of G4 neutropenia (13%), 1 case of G3 thrombocytopenia (4%) and 2 cases of G3 nausea (8%). Conclusions : Our study with a long follow up period suggests that adding adjuvant chemotherapy to radiotherapy might improve PFS and OS in average-risk adult medulloblastoma patients
Prevalence of chronic renal insufficiency in the Chinese population: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Xu Lingling , Liu Jin , Li Dongling , Yang Hua , Shi Kechuan , He Aiqin , Wu Xiaomei , Wu Xian , Zhou Yang , Yang Junwei
Published: March 2020

Background: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide, and it has become a global health issue with a high economic burden. Chronic renal insufficiency (CRI), the most severe form of CKD, is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, premature mortality, and decreased quality of life. However, epidemiological information on Chinese patients with CRI is still lacking. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and epidemiological features of CRI in China. Methods: A total of 395,541 individuals aged ≥ 18 years residing in Binhai county, China were enrolled. e estimated the prevalence of CRI adjusting for age and sex. Associations of age, sex, blood pressure, body mass index, heart rate, and fasting blood glucose and triglyceride levels with CRI were examined. Odds ratios were calculated using a binary logistic regression model. Data were obtained from the records of universal health examinations of Binhai county residents conducted from January to December 2018. Results: The overall adjusted prevalence of CRI was 1.10% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07%-1.13%) in this Chinese adult population. The prevalence was 0.86% among men (95% CI, 0.82%-0.90%) and 1.34% among women (95% CI, 1.29%-1.39%). Female sex, age (per 10-year increase), central obesity, triglyceride levels (per 118-mg/dl increase), systolic blood pressure (per 10-mmHg increase), heart rate (per 10-beats/min increase) and fasting blood glucose ≥ 100 mg/dl were found to be independent risk factors for CRI. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of CRI in Chinese adults was 1.10%. Age, female sex, central obesity, higher triglycerides, SBP, heart rate and elevated fasting glucose levels were all independent risk factors associated with decreased eGFR. Health policies to prevent CRI are urgent among this population.
Effects of Ultraviolet-C Pretreatment on Sugar Metabolism in Yellow Peaches during Shelf Life
Authors: Zhou Hui-juan , Zhang Xia-nan , Su Ming-shen , Du Ji-hong , Li Xiong-wei , Ye Zheng-wen
Published: March 2020

To investigate the influence of ultraviolet-C (UVC) radiation pretreatment on the sugar metabolism of yellow peaches (cv. Beinong2 × 60–24–7) during storage, the concentrations of soluble sugar (sucrose, fructose, glucose, and sorbitol), and related gene expression were determined. During UVC pretreatment, peaches were subjected to a dose of 4 kJ·m−2 when they were placed at 15 cm under a UVC lamp tube for 10 minutes at 25 °C. Then, they remained at 15 ± 2 °C for 10 days. Peaches stored at 15 ± 2 °C immediately after picking were used as the control group (CG). UVC pretreatment reduced the ethylene production rate and resulted in a significant increase in the accumulation of sucrose during days 2 to 8 of the storage period, followed by a lower concentration of fructose and glucose and the upregulation of PpaSS1. The expression levels of PpaSPS2, PpaSS1, and PpaST3 were significantly correlated with fructose concentration, and those of PpaSPS2 and PpaST2 were significantly correlated with glucose concentration. The enzyme activity of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) was positively correlated with PpaSPS2, PpaSS2, and PpaST2. The enzyme activities of sucrose synthase (SS), acid invertase (AI), and neutral invertase (NI) were positively correlated with PpaSS1, PpaST1, and Ppani, respectively. Expressions of PpSPS1 and PpSPS2 in UVC-pretreated peaches were upregulated on storage days 8 and 2, and there was a UVC-induced peak in SPS activity on storage days 4 and 8, which resulted in the rapid accumulation of sucrose. UVC pretreatment could upregulate the gene expression of PpaSS1 on day 2, which could improve and maintain the quality of peaches for consumption.
Soil texture, infective juvenile concentration, and soil organic matter influence the efficacy of Steinernema feltiae isolate Lican Ray
Authors: Lankin Gabriela , Vidal-Retes Giselle , Allende Geraldine , Castaneda-Alvarez Carlos , San-Blas Ernesto , Aballay Erwin
Published: March 2020

The influence of infective juveniles (IJs) concentration, soil texture, IJ-host distance and organic matter (OM) content, at different decomposition degree, on the activity of the nematode Steinernema feltiae isolate Lican Ray (LR) was examined using Galleria mellonella larvae. Bioassays were conducted in tubes of varied length, filled with soil of different textures, placed either vertically or horizontally. In the concentration assay, highest IJ concentrations caused maximum larval mortality in all soil types (440, 2,200 and 4,400 IJs in clay, loam and sandy loam). In the second assay, soil texture (loam, clay or sandy loam) interacted significantly with IJ-host distance (10, 20, 30, 40 cm, horizontally; 30, 50, 70 cm, vertically), and distances of 30 cm or more affected IJ effectiveness on the control of G. mellonella. The effect was stronger in clay and sandy loam than in loam soils, where IJ moved up to 40 cm horizontally and 70 cm vertically. In the third assay, OM content (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8%) and its decomposition degree (initial, medium and advanced) did not interact to influence IJ movement in all treatments that contained any percentage of OM (2–8%). Only in the soil with no OM, IJ did not cause death of larvae at all. These results show the potential of S. feltiae LR to be used in different soil textures, as long as the content of soil OM allows its dispersal and host infection, in order to optimize the pest-control activity of the nematode.
Cyberbullying: relationship with developmental variables and cyber victimization▪
Authors: Akgül Gülendam , Artar Müge
Published: March 2020

Background and objective:

Cyberbullying is increasingly turning into a significant problem for children and adolescents due to its adverse psychological and academic outcomes. In the present study, the protective and risk factors for cyberbullying has been investigated. One of the aims of the study was to examine the relationship between peer relations, negative emotion regulation strategies, and cyberbullying. The successful identity development process is thought to influence both cyberbullying behaviors as well as adolescents’ peer relations and emotion regulation. Also, cyber victimization is seen as a risk factor for cyberbullying. The second aim of the study is to investigate the causal relationship between cyber victimization and cyberbullying.

Method:

The study is a descriptive research in which both cross-sectional and longitudinal data were used. In the cross-sectional part of the study, 1,151 adolescents have participated, and the data of the second wave was obtained from 322 of them four months later. Data were analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM) and hierarchical regression analyses.

Results and conclusion:

According to the results of SEM, good peer relations predicted less cyberbullying. The expressive repression explained the cyberbullying through peer relationships. For identity development, contrary to expectations, commitment dimension of identity seemed to be positively related to more cyberbullying and so did higher reconsideration of commitment. Cross-lagged panel analyses revealed that Time 1 cyber victimization predicted Time 2 cyberbullying. Given the pattern of cross-lagged relationships, it was tentatively inferred that cyber victimization was the temporal precursor to cyberbullying. The results of the study have implications for the prevention of cyberbullying.
Parametric prediction of finite population total under Informative sampling and nonignorable nonresponse
Authors: Eideh Abdulhakeem
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we combine two methodologies used in the model-based survey sampling, namely the prediction of the finite population total, named T, under informative sampling and full response, see Sverchkov and Pfeffermann (2004), and the prediction of T with a noninformative sampling design and the nonignorable nonresponse mechanism, see Eideh (2012). The former approach involves the dependence of the first order inclusion probabilities on the study variable, while the latter involves the dependence of the probability of nonresponse on unobserved or missing observations. The main aim of the paper is to consider how to account for the joint effects of informative sampling designs and not-missing-at-random response mechanism in statistical models for complex survey data. For this purpose, theoretically, we use the response distribution and relationships between the moments of the superpopoulation, the sample, sample-complement, response, and nonresponse distributions for the prediction of finite population totals, see Eideh (2016). The derived parametric predictors of T use the observation for the response set of the study variable or variable of interest, values of auxiliary variables and their population totals, sampling weights, and propensity scores. An interesting outcome of the T study is that most predictors known from model-based survey sampling can be derived as a special case from this general theory, see Chambers and Clark (2012).
Horvitz-Thompson estimator based on theauxiliary variable
Authors: Al-Jararha J. , Sulaiman Mazen
Published: March 2020

In this paper, the Horvitz and Thompson (1952) estimator will be modified; so that, the modified estimators will use the availability of the auxiliary variable. Furthermore, the modified estimators are extended to be used in stratified sampling designs. Empirical studies are given for comparison purposes.
Using the ICAPM to estimate the cost of capital of stock portfolios: empirical evidence on the Warsaw Stock Exchange
Authors: Urbański Stanisław , Leśkow Jacek
Published: March 2020

The aim of this paper is to present the method for estimating the cost of capital of typical portfolios available on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The authors introduce the three factor Fama-French model and its two modifications. They also apply the bootstrap method to evaluate the variability of their estimation method. The cost of capital they refer to is related to portfolios of real options linked to projects. The market returns are generated both by stock companies running such projects and by real options modifying selected projects. The estimated cost of capital can serve as a valuable indicator for investors and for managers overseeing portfolios of stocks. Also, such an indicator can serve as a general reference while making business decisions related to new. The study demonstrated that the estimated cost of capital assumes highest values for value portfolios and stock companies with high financial indicators and, at the same time, low market prices compared to their book value. By the same token, the estimated cost of capital assumes low values for growth portfolios and for stock companies characterised by low financial indicators and, at the same time, high market prices compared to their book values.
KLEMS growth accounting implemented in Poland1
Authors: Kotlewski Dariusz , Błażej Mirosław
Published: March 2020

The aim of the article is to present the main body of the KLEMS growth accounting recently implemented in Poland. The works on the KLEMS productivity accounting in Poland started in 2013 and focused on areas such as the development of methodology and the availability and assessment of data. These efforts enabled preparing KLEMS data sets pertaining to the Polish economy and moreover proved that unavailable data can be effectively estimated. Additionally, interesting but complex and debatable results were obtained, such as labour hoarding together with remunerations’ freezing around the 2009 crisis, accompanied by a natural drop in the capital contribution growth and an increase in the MFP contribution, which most probably indicated effective reorganizations in the economy. In the years 2012–2014, increasing labour and capital contributions did not fully translate into gross value added growth, which led to negative MFP growths, as these are calculated residually. This, however, changed completely in the last two years of the time span covered by the research, namely in 2015-2016. An industry-level analysis became also possible, showing that the Polish economy was developing dynamically and undergoing intensive modernisation, which was obtained, however, with a debatable contribution of the State. To study the debatable features of the Polish economy in a greater detail, a further decomposition of the labour factor growth into four sub-factor contributions instead of two sub-factor contributions was performed. This additional analysis confirmed that labour hoarding phenomenon specific for Poland contributed to a softer impact of the 2007–09 financial crisis on this country’s economy.
Experiencias Significativas en Procesos de Construcción de Paz en Tres Municipios del Magdalena Medio Afectados por la Violencia
Authors: Salas Picón Wilson Miguel , Valenzuela Bonilla Elsa Beatrz , Prada Galvis Alberto
Published: March 2020

La Paz con Enfoque Territorial, pretende impulsar en el país la vivencia de una paz estable y duradera, bajo la protección del Estado. Sin embargo, las mismas comunidades las que deben intervenir directamente en ese proceso de construcción. La investigación realizada en Barrancabermeja, Puerto Boyacá y San Pablo quiso conocer las propuestas y concepciones de estos territorios con respecto a la paz y la implementación de los acuerdos, e identifica las acciones concretas de las comunidades para la reconciliación, considerando los factores que alimentaron el conflicto y los planes de desarrollo. Éstas son algunas experiencias significativas.
Perdón y reconciliación desde los alabaos en las comunidades afros del pacifico colombiano
Authors: Beltrán Espitia Manuel , Montoya Giraldo Elizabeth
Published: March 2020

La investigación emerge con el interés de analizar el perdón y la reconciliación desde los canticos tradicionales (Alabaos) sobre la muerte, en el marco de violencia derivada del conflicto armado, en situaciones vividas en las comunidades en el municipio de Andagoya -departamento del Chocó (Colombia). Se analizan las vivencias de las personas en torno a la expresión sentimientos a través de los “alabaos”, gualies y levantamientos de tumbas, propios de esta región del Pacifico para despedir el alma de las personas cuando estas han fallecido y cómo estas prácticas operan, a la hora de tramitar el el perdón y la reconciliación de manera individual y colectiva.
La Legitimación de la Resistencia. El caso de la Red de Artistas y Activistas Populares de Bello
Authors: Zapata Mora Sindy Marcela , Sarrazin Jean Paul
Published: March 2020

En este artículo se estudian los procesos de legitimación puestos en práctica por los integrantes de la Red de Artistas y Activistas Populares de Bello, colectivo cuyo lema es “resistir mediante el arte”. Gracias a una metodología cualitativa, con énfasis en el análisis de discursos y la observación etnográfica, se demuestra que en este tipo de iniciativas cohabitan prácticas y discursos necesarios a su legitimación tanto interna como externa. Igualmente, se concluye que los procesos organizativos de la resistencia implican formas de dominación fluctuantes y una distribución desigual del capital simbólico entre sus integrantes.
Migrantes centroamericanos en tránsito por México ¿Primacía de los Derechos Humanos o de los capitales?
Authors: Henao Castrillón Kelly Johana , Hincapié García Alexánder
Published: March 2020

Este artículo describe las condiciones violatorias de Derechos Humanos que hacen parte de los riesgos a los que están expuestos los migrantes pertenecientes al Triángulo Norte Centroamericano (Guatemala, El Salvador y Honduras), en su tránsito por México. Plantea que, frente al sueño de llegar a Estados Unidos, a pesar de la voz oficial del Estado, México más que intentar responder a la crisis humanitaria de los migrantes haciendo prevalecer los Derechos Humanos, opta por allanarse a los criterios de la política internacional norteamericana.