bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meta-analysis of subxiphoid approach versus lateral approach for thoracoscopic Thymectomy
Authors: Li Jiaduo , Qi Guoyan , Liu Yaling , Zheng Xuguang , Zhang Xiaohe
Published: May 2020

Background

Compared with traditional open surgery for thymectomy, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) reduces hospital stay, decreases postoperative pain, and recovers faster. VATS has become increasingly popular in the past decade. VATS techniques to perform a thymectomy include subxiphoid video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (SVATS) or lateral video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (LVATS). In this study, our objective was to systematically review on VATS thymectomy and draw a meta-analysis on the outcomes between the two approaches.

Methods

We searched online databases and identified studies from database inception to 2019 that compared SVATS to LVATS thymectomy. Study endpoints included operative time, operative blood loss, length of hospital stay, postoperative pleural drainage, postoperative complications, conversion to open, oncologic outcomes.

Results

Four hundred seventy-one patients were included in this study, for which 200 and 271 patients underwent SVATS and LVATS thymectomy, respectively. Patients in the SVATS group had significantly less operative time, operative blood loss, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications were identified. There was no statistical difference in postoperative pleural drainage, conversion to open and oncologic outcomes. No hospital deaths were recorded for either procedure.

Conclusions

While randomized controlled studies are required to make definitive conclusions, this meta-analysis suggests that SVATS thymectomy is safe and can achieve good and safe operative and perioperative outcomes similar or better to LVATS thymectomy.
Quality of life in sexagenarians after aortic biological vs mechanical valve replacement: a single-center study in China
Authors: Wang Li-Wen , Xu Ning , Huang Shu-Ting , Chen Liang-Wan , Cao Hua , Chen Qiang
Published: May 2020

Objective

This article aimed to study the quality of life and anxiety of sexagenarian patients who underwent aortic biological vs mechanical valve replacement in a single center in China.

Methods

The clinical data of 78 patients aged 60 to 70 years who underwent aortic prosthetic valve replacement were retrospectively analyzed in our hospital from June 2017 to February 2018. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the type of prosthetic valve they received (biological valve group vs mechanical valve group). The SF-36 was completed by all patients at discharge and at one-year follow-up, and the cardiac anxiety questionnaire (CAQ) was also completed at one-year follow-up.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in general clinical data or SF-36 score at discharge. However, at one-year follow-up, the SF-36 scores were significantly higher in the biological valve group than in the mechanical valve group, and the CAQ scores in fear and anxiety, avoidance and attention in the mechanical valve group were significantly higher than those in the biological valve group.

Conclusions

Based on the postoperative quality of life and anxiety scores of sexagenarian patients who underwent biological vs mechanical valve replacement in this study, a biological valve has more value than a mechanical valve for sexagenarians undergoing aortic valve replacement.
The effects of usual Care in Psychosocial Intervention Trials of patients with coronary artery disease: a systematic review
Authors: Deter Hans-Christian , Orth-Gomér Kristina
Published: May 2020

Background

Many intervention studies of coronary artery disease (CAD) have found health benefits for patients in the “treatment as usual” (TAU) group like in the specific psychotherapy group. In this pilot study, we wanted to examine and discuss the role and reasons for TAU effects.

Methods

By means of a systematic review, we examined the control conditions from psychotherapeutic RCTs with CAD patients related to depressive symptoms, mortality and recurrence rate of events. The review question was limited to factors influencing the TAU effectiveness in such psychotherapeutic outcome studies.

Results

We found a decrease in depressive symptoms in TAU patients (mean ES: 0.65) and very differing mortality and recurrence rates of events. The effects were dependant on the year the study was published (1986–2016), the follow-up time of the study (0.25–7.8 years) and the treatment arms. A small dose of additional counselling, medical attention, and teaching of therapeutic techniques with clinical competence may reinforce the therapeutic alliance. These factors would be possible moderators of control group efficacy related to the reduction in depressive symptoms and a decrease in mortality and events.

Conclusion

In the reviewed studies, we found that the control condition was beneficial for CAD patients, but this benefit was highly variable. Specified psychotherapeutic interventions showed an additional independent effect of treatment on depression and effects on morbidity and mortality. There is a need to identify patients at risk of remaining depressed or under severe stress during usual care. These patients may require additional psychosocial intervention.
Relative survival in early-stage cancers in the Netherlands: a population-based study
Authors: Dinmohamed Avinash G. , Lemmens Valery E. P. P. , de Hingh Ignace H. J. T. , Visser Otto
Published: May 2020

In this nationwide, population-based study, we assessed 10-year relative survival among 225,305 patients with ten early-stage cancers diagnosed in the Netherlands during 2004–2015. This study aimed to ascertain which early-stage cancer is associated with minimal or no excess mortality and likely to be diagnosed in individuals who are otherwise more healthy or health-conscious than their counterparts in the general population. Ten-year relative survival marginally exceeded 100% in patients with early-stage prostate cancer, while it was close to 100% for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and stage I cancers of the breast, skin (melanoma), testis, and thyroid. In contrast, patients with early-stage oral/pharyngeal, bladder, lung, and pancreatic cancers experienced considerable excess mortality, reflected by a 10-year relative survival of 74.9%, 69.4%, 45.5%, and 33.9%, respectively. Collectively, the life expectancy of patients with DCIS and early-stage cancers of the prostate, breast, skin (melanoma), testis, and thyroid parallels the expected survival of an age-, sex-, and calendar year-matched group from the general population. Our study findings add to the controversy surrounding overdiagnosis of particular early-stage cancers that are generally not destined to metastasis or cause excess mortality.
The ankle brachial index in people with and without diabetes: intra‐tester reliability
Authors: Casey Sarah Louise , Lanting Sean Michael , Chuter Vivienne Helaine
Published: May 2020

Background

The ankle‐brachial index (ABI) is widely used for determining the presence and severity of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and current guidelines suggest it should be used to monitor possible progression in affected individuals. It is therefore important that the technique demonstrates adequate reliability for repeated measurements. Existing studies suggest that the ABI is reliable in the general population however, there is a lack of evidence for the reliability of the ABI in people with diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the intra‐tester reliability of the ABI in people with and without diabetes.

Methods

Eighty‐five participants (40 with and 45 without diabetes) underwent ankle and brachial systolic blood pressure measurements by a single clinician during two testing sessions. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), their 95% limits of agreement, standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change were determined.

Results

Intra‐tester reliability of the ABI was found to be good (ICC: 0.80), however sub‐group analysis of participants with and without diabetes found that ABI was slightly less reliable in people with diabetes (ICC: 0.78) than in those without (ICC: 0.82). The relatively large limits of agreement (− 0.16 to 0.16), standard error of measurement (0.03 overall, 0.04 for the diabetes group), and minimal detectable change (0.08 overall, 0.11 for the diabetes group) suggest that a large change in ABI is required for it to demonstrate a true change rather than the result of measurement variability. The minimal detectable change for the ABI was 0.08 overall, and 0.11 for the diabetes group.

Conclusions

The ABI demonstrated good reliability in all groups analysed. However, the wide limits of agreement and considerable standard error of measurement obtained support the use of multiple methods of vascular assessment for ongoing monitoring of lower limb vascular status.
Modified Sijunzi decoction in the treatment of ulcerative colitis in the remission phase: study protocol for a series of N-of-1 double-blind, randomised controlled trials
Authors: Chen Yi-ming , Deng Jie-min , Wen Yi , Chen Bin , Hou Jiang-tao , Peng Bin , Zhang Shi-jing , Mi Hong , Jiang Qi-long , Wu Xia-lin , Liu Feng-bin , Chen Xin-lin
Published: May 2020

Background

Modified Sijunzi decoction (SJZD) has been used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) in remission. However, more rigorous clinical trials are necessary to evaluate its effectiveness. Therefore, a series of single-case randomised controlled trials (N-of-1 trials) is proposed to compare the efficacy of modified SJZD with mesalazine for treating UC in remission.

Methods

This is a single-site, hospital-based, double-blind N-of-1 trial for 10 single subjects. Three cycles of N-of-1 trials are planned. There are two treatment periods in each cycle. Modified SJZD combined with mesalazine placebo or mesalazine combined with modified SJZD placebo will be randomised during each 8-week treatment period. There is no washout period in the study. Subjects will be selected by the researcher strictly in accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Discussion

Paired t tests and mixed-effect models will be used to analyse the visual analogue scale (VAS) for clinical symptoms and the quality of life questionnaire responses. The findings will be interpreted with caution. We anticipate that the results will show that modified SJZD is effective for patients with UC in remission.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Register, ID: ChiCTR1900024086. Registered on 24 June 2019.
Propranolol for familial cerebral cavernous malformation (Treat_CCM): study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial
Authors:   the Treat-CCM Investigators, Lanfranconi Silvia , Scola Elisa , Bertani Giulio Andrea , Zarino Barbara , Pallini Roberto , d’Alessandris Giorgio , Mazzon Emanuela , Marino Silvia , Carriero Maria Rita , Scelzo Emma , Faragò Giuseppe , Castori Marco , Fusco Carmela , Petracca Antonio , d’Agruma Leonardo , Tassi Laura , d’Orio Piergiorgio , Lampugnani Maria Grazia , Nicolis Enrico Bjorn , Vasamì Antonella , Novelli Deborah , Torri Valter , Meessen Jennifer Marie Theresia Anna , Al-Shahi Salman Rustam , Dejana Elisabetta , Latini Roberto
Published: May 2020

Background

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are vascular malformations characterized by clusters of enlarged leaky capillaries in the central nervous system. They may result in intracranial haemorrhage, epileptic seizure(s), or focal neurological deficits, and potentially lead to severe disability. Globally, CCMs represent the second most common intracranial vascular malformation in humans, and their familial form (FCCMs) accounts for one-fifth of cases. Neurosurgical excision, and perhaps stereotactic radiosurgery, is the only available therapeutic option. Case reports suggest that propranolol might modify disease progression.

Methods

Treat_CCM is a prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint (PROBE), parallel-group trial involving six Italian clinical centres with central reading of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and adverse events. Patients with symptomatic FCCMs are randomized (2:1 ratio) either to propranolol (40–80 mg twice daily) in addition to standard care or to standard care alone (i.e. anti-epileptic drugs or headache treatments). The primary outcome is intracranial haemorrhage or focal neurological deficit attributable to CCMs. The secondary outcomes are MRI changes over time (i.e. de novo CCM lesions, CCM size and signal characteristics, iron deposition, and vascular leakage as assessed by quantitative susceptibility mapping and dynamic contrast enhanced permeability), disability, health-related quality of life, depression severity, and anxiety (SF-36, BDI-II, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory).

Discussion

Treat_CCM will evaluate the safety and efficacy of propranolol for CCMs following promising case reports in a randomized controlled trial. The direction of effect on the primary outcome and the consistency of effects on the secondary outcomes (even if none of them yield statistically significant differences) of this external pilot study may lead to a larger sample size in a definitive phase 2 trial.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrails.gov, NCT03589014. Retrospectively registered on 17 July 2018.
The effect of omega-3 and vitamin D co-supplementation on glycemic control and lipid profiles in reproductive-aged women with pre-diabetes and hypovitaminosis D: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Rajabi-Naeeni Masoumeh , Dolatian Mahrokh , Qorbani Mostafa , Vaezi Amir Abbas
Published: May 2020

Background

Prediabetes can predispose the individual to type 2 diabetes in the long-term. The present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of vitamin D and omega-3 co-supplementation on glycemic control and serum lipid profiles in women of reproductive age with prediabetes and hypovitaminosis D.

Methods

The present factorial, triple-blind, clinical trial was conducted on 168 women of reproductive age with prediabetes and hypovitaminosis D. The participants were assigned to four groups based on block randomization method: the placebo group received omega-3 and vitamin D placebos; the omega-3 group took omega-3 supplements and vitamin D placebos; the vitamin D group received omega-3 placebos and vitamin D supplements and the co-supplementation group. The groups received every 2 weeks 50,000 IU pearls of vitamin D and twice-daily doses of 1000-mg omega-3 tablets or placebos for 8 weeks. Dietary intake, physical activity, anthropometric indices and blood biochemical tests were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Analysis was performed using two-way mixed ANOVA.

Results

A significant reduction was observed in fasting glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment-beta cell function, weight and waist circumference in the co-supplementation group compared to the other three groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels increased significantly in the co-supplementation group compared to the other three groups (P < 0.05). Despite the fact that homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance, total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels decreased after intervention in the co-supplementation group, there was no significant difference between the groups in these outcomes.

Conclusion

Vitamin D and omega-3 co-supplementation improved fasting serum glucose, insulin, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level, homeostasis model assessment-beta cell function, weight and waist circumference in women of reproductive age with prediabetes and hypovitaminosis D. This co-supplementation can therefore be recommended for glycemic control in these women.

Trial registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Code: IRCT20100130003226N17. Registered on 9 Feb. 2019
Ghrelin, a novel therapy, corrects cytokine and NF-κB-AKT-MAPK network and mitigates intestinal injury induced by combined radiation and skin-wound trauma
Authors: Kiang Juliann G. , Smith Joan T. , Cannon Georgetta , Anderson Marsha N. , Ho Connie , Zhai Min , Cui Wanchang , Xiao Mang
Published: May 2020

Background

Compared to radiation injury alone (RI), radiation injury combined wound (CI) further enhances acute radiation syndrome and subsequently mortality. We previously reported that therapy with Ghrelin, the 28-amino-acid-peptide secreted from the stomach, significantly increased 30-day survival and mitigated hematopoietic death by enhancing and sustaining granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) in the blood and bone marrow; increasing circulating white blood cell depletion; inhibiting splenocytopenia; and accelerating skin-wound healing on day 30 after CI. Herein, we aimed to study the efficacy of Ghrelin on intestinal injury at early time points after CI.

Methods

B6D2F1/J female mice were exposed to60Co-γ-photon radiation (9.5 Gy, 0.4 Gy/min, bilateral), followed by 15% total-body-surface-area skin wounds. Several endpoints were measured: at 4–5 h and on days 1, 3, 7, and 15.

Results

Ghrelin therapy mitigated CI-induced increases in IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-18, KC, and TNF-α in serum but sustained G-CSF, KC and MIP-1α increases in ileum. Histological analysis of ileum on day 15 showed that Ghrelin treatment mitigated ileum injury by increasing villus height, crypt depth and counts, as well as decreasing villus width and mucosal injury score. Ghrelin therapy increased AKT activation and ERK activation; suppressed JNK activation and caspase-3 activation in ileum; and reduced NF-κB, iNOS, BAX and Bcl-2 in ileum. This therapy recovered the tight junction protein and mitigated bacterial translocation and lipopolysaccharides levels. The results suggest that the capacity of Ghrelin therapy to reduce CI-induced ileum injury is mediated by a balanced NF-κB-AKT-MAPK network that leads to homeostasis of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Conclusions

Our novel results are the first to suggest that Ghrelin therapy effectively decreases intestinal injury after CI.
Generalizations of Zygmund-type integral inequalities for the polar derivative of a complex polynomial
Authors: Milovanović Gradimir V. , Mir Abdullah
Published: May 2020

Some Zygmund-type integral inequalities for the polar derivatives of complex polynomials, inspired by the classical Bernstein-type inequalities that relate the uniform norms of polynomials and their derivatives on the unit circle, are investigated. The obtained results sharpen as well as generalize some already known$L^{\delta }$Lδ-estimates between polynomials and their polar derivatives.
Positive periodic solution for prescribed mean curvature generalized Liénard equation with a singularity
Authors: Xin Yun , Cheng Zhibo
Published: May 2020

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the existence of a positive periodic solution for a prescribed mean curvature generalized Liénard equation with a singularity (weak and strong singularities of attractive type, or weak and strong singularities of repulsive type). Our proof is based on an extension of Mawhin’s continuation theorem.
Global existence and exponential decay of solutions for generalized coupled non-degenerate Kirchhoff system with a time varying delay term
Authors: Mezouar Nadia , Boulaaras Salah
Published: May 2020

The paper studies a system of nonlinear viscoelastic Kirchhoff system with a time varying delay and general coupling terms. We prove the global existence of solutions in a bounded domain using the energy and Faedo–Galerkin methods with respect to the condition on the parameters in the coupling terms together with the weight condition as regards the delay terms in the feedback and the delay speed. Furthermore, we construct some convex function properties, and we prove the uniform stability estimate.
A fast multiscale Galerkin algorithm for solving boundary value problem of the fractional Bagley–Torvik equation
Authors: Chen Jian
Published: May 2020

In this paper, a fast multiscale Galerkin algorithm is developed for solving the boundary value problem of the fractional Bagley–Torvik equation. For this purpose, we employ multiscale orthogonal functions having vanishing moments as the basis of the trial space, and we propose a truncation strategy for the coefficient matrix of the corresponding discrete system which leads to a fast algorithm. We show the algorithm has nearly linear computational complexity (up to a logarithmic factor). Numerical experiments are presented to illustrate the efficiency, accuracy and convergence of the proposed algorithm. Also, comparisons with some other existing methods are made to confirm the reliability of the algorithm
M lump and interaction between M lump and N stripe for the third-order evolution equation arising in the shallow water
Authors: Ilhan Onur Alp , Manafian Jalil , Alizadeh As’ad , Mohammed Sizar Abid
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we use the Hirota bilinear method for investigating the third-order evolution equation to determining the soliton-type solutions. The M lump solutions along with different types of graphs including contour, density, and three- and two-dimensional plots have been made. Moreover, the interaction between 1-lump and two stripe solutions and the interaction between 2-lump and one stripe solutions with finding more general rational exact soliton wave solutions of the third-order evaluation equation are obtained. We give the theorem along with the proof for the considered problem. The existence criteria of these solitons in the unidirectional propagation of long waves over shallow water are also demonstrated. Various arbitrary constants obtained in the solutions help us to discuss the graphical behavior of solutions and also grants flexibility in formulating solutions that can be linked with a large variety of physical phenomena. We further show that the assigned method is general, efficient, straightforward, and powerful and can be exerted to establish exact solutions of diverse kinds of fractional equations originated in mathematical physics and engineering. We have depicted the figures of the evaluated solutions to interpret the physical phenomena.
A new model of economic order quantity associated with a generalized conformable differential-difference operator
Authors: Ibrahim Rabha W. , Elobaid Rafida M. , Obaiys Suzan J.
Published: May 2020

The economic order quantity (EOQ) is the order quantity that minimizes the total holding costs and ordering costs. In this effort, we propose a design for EOQ by employing a conformable differential-difference operator, which accepts to minimize the EOQ.
Leader strategies for motivating innovation in individuals: a systematic review
Authors: Soleas Eleftherios K.
Published: May 2020

Innovation is a topic of intense interest and is seen as key to confronting the vast majority of issues facing humanity. To consolidate the knowledge about approaches promoting innovation, this study conducted a systematic review integrating an all-database (n = 375) search through EBSCOhost completed on April 6th, 2019 in addition to search engine use. Three hundred three studies were full-text reviewed yielding 82 final studies eligible for the inclusion in findings extraction. The findings were synthesized and then organized into the Expectancy–value–cost (EVC) motivation framework to isolate promotive and hindering factors. It is clear that there is an unbalanced primacy in the innovation literature in favor of business and corporate settings with very little representation from the arts or social justice sectors. There is also a common trend of using surveys of individuals in organizations within a single discipline, while interviews are rare. The paucity of studying costs of innovation in the literature is symptomatic of the primarily positive psychology approach taken by studies, rather than a framework like EVC which also considers detractive factors like costs. Numerous studies provide support for the notion that more internal motivations like intrinsic (e.g., interest) and attainment (e.g., importance, fulfillment) were more influential than external motivators like rewards as targets of strategies. Leaders should focus, whenever possible, on topics that engaged curiosity, interest, and satisfaction and, if they choose to use rewards, should focus their strategies to give related rewards; otherwise, they risk sundering the internal motivation to innovate for already interested workers.
Feasibility of setting up a pre-operative optimisation ‘pre-hab’ service for lung cancer surgery in the UK
Authors: Ricketts William M. , Bollard Karen , Streets Emma , Hutton Kristi , Hornby Catherine , Lau Kelvin
Published: May 2020

Pre-operative optimisation ‘pre-hab’ is a growing area in peri-operative medicine. This is usually undertaken with the aim of reducing post-operative complications. In the case of early-stage lung cancer, surgery is the treatment modality with the best-proven cure rates. With this in mind, we set up a pre-hab service, not merely to reduce the risk of post-operative complications, but to enable patients of borderline fitness for surgery to safely undergo this potentially lifesaving treatment. We believe this service to be one of the first of its kind in the UK, here we describe the challenges we faced in setting it up and the outcomes from our first 50 patients.
Outbreak investigation of Serratia marcescens neurosurgical site infections associated with a contaminated shaving razors
Authors: Kim Eun Jin , Park Wan Beom , Yoon Jung-Ki , Cho Won-Sang , Kim Su Jung , Oh Young Rok , Jun Kang Il , Kang Chang Kyung , Choe Pyeong Gyun , Kim Jong-Il , Choi Eun Hwa , Oh Myoung Don , Kim Nam Joong
Published: May 2020

Background

Surgical site infection (SSI) is the most common healthcare-associated infection. We report an outbreak of neurosurgical site infections caused by Serratia marcescens after craniotomy in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods

Between August 6 and 21, 2018, five cases of early-onset SSI caused by S. marcescens after craniotomy were recorded in a 1786-bed tertiary care hospital. Cultures were collected from potential environmental sources and healthcare workers. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was used to investigate the genetic relationships among S. marcescens isolates.

Results

The outbreak involved five patients; S. marcescens was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid, pus, tissue, and blood samples from these patients. S. marcescens was also isolated from shaving razors and brushes. All S. marcescens isolates from the infected patients and razors showed the same resistance patterns on antibiotic-susceptibility tests. WGS revealed close clustering among four of five isolates from the patients and among three of four isolates from the razors. No additional patient developed S. marcescens infection after we stopped using the razors for scalp shaving.

Conclusions

We report an outbreak of neurosurgical site infections after craniotomy, which was associated with shaving razors contaminated by S. marcescens. Shaving scalps with razors should be avoided to prevent SSI.
Quality evaluation of different varieties of dry red wine based on nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics
Authors: Hu Boran , Gao Jin , Xu Shaochen , Zhu Jiangyu , Fan Xuemei , Zhou Xiaoyan
Published: May 2020

The metabolites that provide the aroma and flavor to wine are the products of several influences, such as grape cultivar, geographic location and associated environmental features, viticultural practices, and vinification techniques, which are central to production protocols, quality evaluation and development of wine regions. Accordingly, we initiated the requisite studies to investigate the differences in the dry red wine metabolites of different grape varieties. The proton-nuclear magnetic resonance technique (1H-NMR) combined with multivariate statistical analysis was used to investigate the changes of metabolite levels in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Gernischt dry red wines vinified in Changli, Hebei province, China, in 2017. The results showed that the types of metabolites in different varieties of dry red wines were similar, but the content was significantly different. The main contributors to the differences in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Gernischt dry red wines were ethyl acetate, lactic acid, alanine, succinic acid, proline, malic acid, and gallic acid, indicating 1H-NMR method combined with multivariate statistical analysis can distinguish these three types of dry red wines from each other. It provides a benchmark for further comparative study on wine quality and the verification of wine authenticity.
Inclusion of purified dietary fiber during gestation improved the reproductive performance of sows
Authors: Zhuo Yong , Feng Bo , Xuan Yuedong , Che Lianqiang , Fang Zhengfeng , Lin Yan , Xu Shengyu , Li Jian , Feng Bing , Wu De
Published: May 2020

Background

This study aimed to investigate the impacts of guar gum and cellulose as the source of dietary fiber during gestation on the reproductive performance of sows.

Methods

A total of 210 sows (parities 3–6) were randomly allocated into six diets (n = 35) throughout gestation to feed graded levels of dietary fiber (DF), including a corn-soybean meal-based control diet with no wheat bran inclusion (CON, 12.5% DF), a wheat bran-rich diet (DF1, 17.4% DF), and another 4 diets (DF2, 17.7% DF; DF3, 18.1% DF; DF4, 18.4% DF; DF5, 18.8% DF) in which wheat bran were equally substituted by 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% purified FIBER MIX (guar gum and cellulose, 1:4). All sows received similar DE and other nutrients throughout gestation.

Results

DF treatment during gestation resulted in normal fecal score (1 to 5 with 1 = dry and 5 = watery) in sows compared with those received the CON diet (P <  0.05). The number of total born piglets had a tendency to be affected by dietary treatment (P = 0.07), and correlation analysis revealed a linear response of total born to dietary fiber levels during gestation (P < 0.01). Sows received the DF2, DF3, and DF5 diets during gestation had a greater ADFI during lactation compared with those in the CON group (P < 0.05) without affecting the daily body weight gain of suckling piglets. Gut microbiota compositions were dramatically changed by the gestation stage and some of those were changed by DF inclusion. Fecal acetate, propionate, and butyrate of sows were markedly increased in late gestation, and butyrate contents in feces of gestating sows were significantly affected by DF levels (P < 0.01). Serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory TNF-α were decreased and anti-inflammatory IL-10 was increased on day 30 of gestation by DF levels (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In summary, increasing dietary fiber levels by guar gum and cellulose during gestation improved the reproductive performance of sows, which might be related to changes in immunity and gut microbiota of sows.
An investigation of genetic polymorphisms in heparan sulfate proteoglycan core proteins and key modification enzymes in an Australian Caucasian multiple sclerosis population
Authors: Okolicsanyi Rachel K. , Bluhm Julia , Miller Cassandra , Griffiths Lyn R. , Haupt Larisa M.
Published: May 2020

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system in young adults. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are ubiquitous to the cell surface and the extracellular matrix. HSPG biosynthesis is a complex process involving enzymatic attachment of heparan sulfate (HS) chains to a core protein. HS side chains mediate specific ligand and growth factor interactions directing cellular processes including cell adhesion, migration and differentiation. Two main families of HSPGs exist, the syndecans (SDC1-4) and glypicans (GPC1-6). The SDCs are transmembrane proteins, while the GPC family are GPI linked to the cell surface. SDC1 has well-documented interactions with numerous signalling pathways. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified regions of the genome associated with MS including a region on chromosome 13 containing GPC5 and GPC6. International studies have revealed significant associations between this region and disease development. The exostosin-1 (EXT1) and sulfatase-1 (SULF1) are key enzymes contributing to the generation of HS chains. EXT1, with documented tumour suppressor properties, is involved in the initiation and polymerisation of the growing HS chain. SULF1 removes 6-O-sulfate groups from HS chains, affecting protein-ligand interactions and subsequent downstream signalling with HS modification potentially having significant effects on MS progression. In this study, we identified significant associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms in SDC1, GPC5 and GPC6 and MS in an Australian Caucasian case-control population. Further significant associations in these genes were identified when the population was stratified by sex and disease subtype. No association was found for EXT1 or SULF1.
Magnetic Resonance Elastography reveals effects of anti-angiogenic glioblastoma treatment on tumor stiffness and captures progression in an orthotopic mouse model
Authors: Schregel Katharina , Nowicki Michal O. , Palotai Miklos , Nazari Navid , Zane Rachel , Sinkus Ralph , Lawler Sean E. , Patz Samuel
Published: May 2020

Background

Anti-angiogenic treatment of glioblastoma (GBM) complicates radiologic monitoring. We evaluated magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) as an imaging tool for monitoring the efficacy of anti-VEGF treatment of GBM.

Methods

Longitudinal studies were performed in an orthotopic GBM xenograft mouse model. Animals treated with B20 anti-VEGF antibody were compared to untreated controls regarding survival (n = 13), classical MRI-contrasts and biomechanics as quantified via MRE (n = 15). Imaging was performed on a 7 T small animal horizontal bore MRI scanner. MRI and MRE parameters were compared to histopathology.

Results

Anti-VEGF-treated animals survived longer than untreated controls (p = 0.0011) with progressively increased tumor volume in controls (p = 0.0001). MRE parameters viscoelasticity |G*| and phase angle Y significantly decreased in controls (p = 0.02 for |G*| and p = 0.0071 for Y). This indicates that untreated tumors became softer and more elastic than viscous with progression. Tumor volume in treated animals increased more slowly than in controls, indicating efficacy of the therapy, reaching significance only at the last time point (p = 0.02). Viscoelasticity and phase angle Y tended to decrease throughout therapy, similar as for control animals. However, in treated animals, the decrease in phase angle Y was significantly attenuated and reached statistical significance at the last time point (p = 0.04). Histopathologically, control tumors were larger and more heterogeneous than treated tumors. Vasculature was normalized in treated tumors compared with controls, which showed abnormal vasculature and necrosis. In treated tumors, a higher amount of myelin was observed within the tumor area (p = 0.03), likely due to increased tumor invasion. Stiffness of the contralateral hemisphere was influenced by tumor mass effect and edema.

Conclusions

Anti-angiogenic GBM treatment prolonged animal survival, slowed tumor growth and softening, but did not prevent progression. MRE detected treatment effects on tumor stiffness; the decrease of viscoelasticity and phase angle in GBM was attenuated in treated animals, which might be explained by normalized vasculature and greater myelin preservation within treated tumors. Thus, further investigation of MRE is warranted to understand the potential for MRE in monitoring treatment in GBM patients by complementing existing MRI techniques.
Study of desertification sensitivity in Talh region (Central Tunisia) using remote sensing, G.I.S. and the M.E.D.A.L.U.S. approach
Authors: Bedoui Chokri
Published: May 2020

Background

Tunisia is one of countries most affected by desertification. Sustainability of its resources, particularly agricultural ones, is closely dependent on it. Studies have multiplied to understand this phenomenon and consequently try to reduce its consequences on society. In recent decades, attempts have been made to find methods of forecasting and predicting desertification. Today, with significant progress made in remote sensing and GIS techniques, there is a better control of data from field, environment and society. This now makes it possible to produce documents that are much more accurate and reliable than before. This paper aims to assess sensitivity to desertification in a region of central Tunisia using remote sensing tools, GIS and guidelines of MEDALUS (Desertification and Land Use in the Mediterranean) model. Integration of different parameters with weighted values in a GIS system resulted in indices of climate, soil, vegetation and management.

Result

In almost all cases, indices reveal the preponderance of soils, vegetation, climate and management of moderate and especially poor quality. Overlaying the four indices by multiplying them according to model equation yields the final sensitivity index map. This index shows that study area is in an advanced stage of desertification since most of its surface area (82%) is in critical class. The rest is considered as fragile. Whole region is therefore placed in of high sensitivity classes of desertification. This situation is linked to a very poor vegetation cover, unstructured and low-developed soils, cultural practices based on tillage and high livestock numbers in regard to low natural grazing resources. It is also due to a farming system not taking into account soil natural vulnerability.

Conclusion

As natural resources, in current context of exploitation, cannot regenerate so quickly, pressure on environment is remarkable, exacerbating at the same time desertification problem. Continuing with current practices with clear signs of degradation may make situation irreversible in near future. Therefore, immediate action is necessary to stop degradation and preserve future generations’ resources.
Wetting properties of blood lipid fractions on different titanium surfaces
Authors: Koca Revan Birke , Güven Onur , Çelik Mehmet Sabri , Fıratlı Erhan
Published: May 2020

Background

Blood is the first tissue contacting the implant surface and starting the biological interactions to enhance osseointegration and stimulate bone formation with the progenitor cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. The coagulation cascade initiates the first step of osseointegration between implant and neighboring tissues. The wound healing may be inadequate unless the blood wets the implant surface properly. Wettability is one of the most important features of the implant surface while lipid level constitutes a milestone that may change the energy of blood, which determines its distribution on implant material. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lipid component of blood as cholesterol and its treatment on their wetting behavior of titanium surfaces.

Methods

Five surface groups were formed including grade 4 titanium-machined, grade 4 titanium-SLA, grade 4 titanium-SLActive, Roxolid-SLA, and Roxolid-SLActive. In healthy, hyperlipidemic, and treatment situations, blood was taken from eight rabbits and dropped to the disc surfaces. Contact angles were measured between the blood samples and disc surfaces.

Results

A significant difference was found between both machined and SLActive surfaces, SLA and SLActive surfaces in the hyperlipidemic period, and only Roxolid-SLA and SLActive surfaces during the treatment period. When evaluated according to time, only grade 4-machined and Grade 4-SLA surfaces showed a significant difference.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that each period has its own characteristics and showed the importance of cholesterol in blood structure on applicability of implant surfaces.
Feasibility of an implementation intervention to increase attendance at diabetic retinopathy screening: protocol for a cluster randomised pilot trial
Authors: Riordan Fiona , Racine Emmy , Smith Susan M. , Murphy Aileen , Browne John , Kearney Patricia M. , Bradley Colin , James Mark , Murphy Mark , McHugh Sheena M.
Published: May 2020

Background

Diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) leads to the earlier detection of retinopathy and treatment that can prevent or delay the development of diabetes-related blindness. However, uptake continues to be sub-optimal in many countries, including Ireland. Routine management of type 2 diabetes largely takes place in primary care. As such, there may be an opportunity in primary care to introduce interventions to improve DRS uptake. However, few studies test the feasibility of interventions to enhance DRS uptake in this context. Our aim is to investigate the feasibility of an implementation intervention (IDEAs (Improving Diabetes Eye screening Attendance)) delivered in general practice to improve the uptake of the national DRS programme, RetinaScreen.

Methods

The IDEAs study is a cluster randomised pilot trial with an embedded process evaluation and economic evaluation. Following stratification by practice size, eight general practices (clusters) will be randomly allocated to intervention (n= 4) or wait-list control groups (n= 4). The intervention will be delivered for 6 months, after which, it will be administered to wait-list control practices. The intervention is multi-faceted and comprises provider-level components (training, audit and feedback, health care professional prompt, reimbursement) and patient-level components (GP-endorsed reminder with information leaflet delivered opportunistically face-to-face, and systematically by phone and letter). Patient inclusion criteria are type 1 or type 2 diabetes and DRS programme non-attendance. A multi-method approach will be used to determine screening uptake, evaluate the trial and study procedures and examine the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention from staff and patient perspectives. Quantitative and qualitative data will be collected on intervention uptake and delivery, research processes and outcomes. Data will be collected at the practice, health professional and patient level. A partial economic evaluation will be conducted to estimate the cost of delivering the implementation intervention in general practice. Formal continuation criteria will be used to determine whether IDEAs should progress to a definitive trial.

Discussion

Findings will determine whether IDEAsis feasible and acceptable and will be used to refine the intervention and study procedures. A definitive trial will determine whether IDEAs is a cost-effective intervention to improve DRS uptake and reduce diabetes-related blindness.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT03901898. Registered 3rd April 2019,
Metabolic remodeling during somatic cell reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cells: involvement of hypoxia-inducible factor 1
Authors: Ishida Tomoaki , Nakao Shu , Ueyama Tomoe , Harada Yukihiro , Kawamura Teruhisa
Published: May 2020

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were first established from differentiated somatic cells by gene introduction of key transcription factors, OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC, over a decade ago. Although iPSCs can be applicable for regenerative medicine, disease modeling and drug screening, several issues associated with the utilization of iPSCs such as low reprogramming efficiency and the risk of tumorigenesis, still need to be resolved. In addition, the molecular mechanisms involved in the somatic cell reprogramming to pluripotency are yet to be elucidated. Compared with their somatic counterparts, pluripotent stem cells, including embryonic stem cells and iPSCs, exhibit a high rate of glycolysis akin to aerobic glycolysis in cancer cells. This is known as the Warburg effect and is essential for maintaining stem cell properties. This unique glycolytic metabolism in iPSCs can provide energy and drive the pentose phosphate pathway, which is the preferred pathway for rapid cell proliferation. During reprogramming, somatic cells undergo a metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to glycolysis trigged by a transient OXPHOS burst, resulting in the initiation and progression of reprogramming to iPSCs. Metabolic intermediates and mitochondrial functions are also involved in the epigenetic modification necessary for the process of iPSC reprogramming. Among the key regulatory molecules that have been reported to be involved in metabolic shift so far, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) controls the transcription of many target genes to initiate metabolic changes in the early stage and maintains glycolytic metabolism in the later phase of reprogramming. This review summarizes the current understanding of the unique metabolism of pluripotent stem cells and the metabolic shift during reprogramming, and details the relevance of HIF1 in the metabolic shift.
Diagnostic accuracy of apparent diffusion coefficient ratio in distinguishing common pediatric CNS posterior fossa tumors
Authors: Esa Marwa Mohamed Mahmoud , Mashaly Emad Mohammed , El-Sawaf Yasser Fouad , Dawoud Mohammed Mahmoud
Published: May 2020

Background

Pilocytic astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, and ependymoma are the most common pediatric CNS tumors seen at posterior cranial fossa and final diagnosis obtained by histopathology after surgical excision. Routine MRI study gives an idea about site and extension of the tumors but provide a little information about type and grade of tumors. ADC ratio had high sensitivity and specificity in differentiation between these tumors as regard type and grade according to tumor cellularity.

Patients and methods

Prospective study conducted on thirty pediatric patients (11 males and 19 females) with CNS posterior fossa masses, their ages ranged from 2 to 17 years (mean age of 8.7 years), conventional MRI, DWI, ADC value, and ADC ratio were done for all patients.

Results

ADC values were significantly different between pilocytic astrocytomas (1.43 ± 0.28 × 10−3) and medulloblastomas (0.71 ± 0. 21 × 10−3) with a P value < 0.001, also there was a significant difference when comparing medulloblastomas (0.71 ± 0.21 × 10−3) with ependymomas (1.04 × 10−3 ± 0.21) with a P value < 0.001. ADC ratio at a cutoff > 1.7 showed significant good power of discrimination of astrocytoma (AUC = 0.85) from ependymoma with 87.5% sensitivity and 93.3% specificity. Similarly, at cutoff ≤ 1.6-> 1.2 was a significant good predictor of ependymoma (AUC = 0.85) with 87.8% sensitivity and 99.5% specificity. While, ADC ratio ≤ 1.2 was significant excellent discriminator of medulloblastoma (AUC = 0.99) with 100% sensitivity and 90% specificity.

Conclusion

ADC ratio is a simple way used in distinguishing juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma, ependymoma, and medulloblastoma, which are the most frequent pediatric posterior fossa tumors. Cutoff ADC ratio of more than 1.7 characteristic of JPA with 87.5% sensitivity and 93.3% specificity, ADC ratio less than 1.1 characteristic of medulloblastoma with 100% sensitivity and 90% specificity. ADC ratios more than 1.1 and less than 1.7 characteristic of ependymoma with 87.8% sensitivity and 99.5% specificity. We recommended ADC ratio as a routine study in evaluation of pediatric CNS posterior fossa tumors.