bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The New Teaching Model of the Integration of English Reading and Writing in High School
Authors: Juan Wang , Qing Li , Xiaoxue Li , Yuru Zhao
Published: December 2020

Reading and writing are two important parts of high school English teaching. Reading is the main way for students to input information, while writing is an important form of outputting information and a comprehensive reflection of students' English ability. Therefore, reading and writing content should be closely linked. However, in the practical teaching practice, teachers often separate reading teaching from writing teaching and fail to guide students to realize the complementary relationship between reading and writing, which often leads to low teaching performance and insignificant learning effects. Therefore, how to effectively integrate reading teaching and writing teaching in the teaching process of reading and writing training, promote writing by reading and lead reading by writing, is a difficult problem facing the majority of high school English teachers. The author found that the combination of class teaching in English reading and writing research can make the student constantly in the process of reading and the author dialogue, communication, and form their own understanding, for active information receiver and further become a have their own sense of readers, so as to do it in writing from time to tome words want to say, have words to say and have words to say, in the emotional attitude and method of writing has had the positive transformation, to improve the writing ability of certain. In addition, the case study of the integration of reading and writing has also improved teachers' professional cognition and teaching level. The first part of the paper introduces the current situation of English writing teaching in senior high school, the problems existing in students' writing, the necessity of combining reading with writing, and the purpose and significance of this study. The second part explains the importance of reading and writing and the ways to improve it through current research and literature review. The third part, through literature review, introduces the relevant research on the combination of reading and writing at home and abroad, and reveals the necessity of the integrated teaching of high school English reading and writing. The fourth part elaborates on the application of reading and writing integration in classroom teaching practice.
Transgenerational inheritance of BPA-induced obesity correlates with transmission of new CTCF sites in the Fto gene
Authors: Corces Victor , Jung Yoon , Bixler Brianna , Ruiz Daniel , Wang Hsiao-Lin , Linsenbaum Hannah , Xiang Jian-Feng , Shafik Andrew , Jin Peng
Published: December 2020

The mechanisms by which epiphenotypes are transmitted transgenerationally through the parental germlines are poorly understood. Here we show that exposure of pregnant mouse F0 females during E7.5-E13.5 to bisphenol A results in obesity in the F2 progeny in the absence of additional exposure. This epiphenotype can be transmitted through the male and female germlines up to the F5 generation, decreases in F6, and disappears in F7. Analyses of chromatin changes in the sperm of the F1 generation reveal a widespread increase in chromatin accessibility at binding sites for CTCF and other transcription factors accompanied by alterations in 3D organization. Comparison of the transmission of obesity between F2 and F5 and its disappearance in F7 with alterations in the binding of these transcription factors points to the activation of two enhancers located in intronic and intergenic regions of the Fto gene as the cause of transgenerational inheritance. These enhancers form an autoregulatory feedback loop that, in combination with a decrease of m6A in sperm RNAs, may cause alterations of gene expression in the embryo after fertilization. Given the established involvement of SNPs in FTO in human obesity, the results suggest that both genetic and epigenetic alterations of the same gene can lead to the same phenotypic outcomes on human health.
Cross-Sectional Study of Outpatient Drug Indicators, Prescribing Trends and Economic Data of Chinese Jingzhou Area With WHO/INRUD Methodology
Authors: Zou Jun , Mei Jingsong , Yang Yuanrong , Jia Guohua
Published: December 2020

Background: In order to get the baseline data of Chinese hospital overall medical reformation and investigate the drug indicators, prescribing trends and economic data, we investigated the data before administrative interventions with the historical control method. Method: According to the WHO/INRUD criteria and cross-sectional studies, the retrospective method and equal sample interval of systematic sampling were used. We sampled from daily ordinary prescriptions, computed the drug indicators, prescribing trends and economic data and compared the mean of twelve days. Result: We sampled 1171 from 38246 adult ordinary prescriptions, the sampling percent was 3.06%, percentage of drugs prescribed by generic name 100.00%, In 2012-2014, the percentage of antibiotic cost in the daily drug cost decreased from17.44% to 8.01%, percentage of prescriptions with an antibiotic prescribed decreased from 12.64% to 9.64%, percentage of encounters with an injection prescribed decreased from 15.21% to 12.77%, the percentage of antibiotic cost in the daily drug cost decreased from 17.44% to 8.01%.Conclusion: By comparing the related data, most indicators were in decreasing trend and becoming more rational, administrative interventions had greatly most prescribing indicators, our hospital overall medical reformation was steadily advanced.
Distinct metabolic features in the plasma of patients with silicosis and dust-exposed workers in China：a case-control study
Authors: Xue Changjiang , Wu Na , Fan Yali , Ma Jing , Ye Qiao
Published: December 2020

BackgroundSilicosis is a progressive pneumoconiosis characterized by interstitial fibrosis following exposure to silica dust. The role of metabolic dysregulation in the pathogenesis of silicosis has not been investigated in detail. This study aimed to identify different metabolic features in the plasma of patients with silicosis and dust-exposed workers without silicosis in metabolomics studies.MethodsPatients with silicosis, dust-exposed workers (DEWs) without silicosis and age-matched healthy controls were recruited in a case-control study. The metabolomics analyses by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were conducted. Distinct metabolic features (DMFs) were identified in the pilot study and were validated in the validation study. The enriched signalling pathways of these DMFs were determined. The ability of DMFs to discriminate among the groups was analysed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The correlations between DMFs and clinical features were also explored.ResultsTwenty-nine DMFs and 9 DMFs were detected and had the same trend in the pilot study and the validation study in the plasma of the DEW and silicosis groups, respectively. Sphingolipid metabolism was the major metabolic pathway in the DEWs, and arginine and proline metabolism was associated with silicosis. Twenty DMFs in the DEWs and 3 DMFs in the patients with silicosis showed a discriminatory ability with ROC curve analysis. The abundance of kynurenine was higher in Stage III silicosis than in Stage I or Stage II silicosis. L-arginine and kynurenine were both negatively correlated with the percentage of forced vital capacity predicted in silicosis.ConclusionsMore distinct metabolic features were found in the plasma of DEWs than the patient of silicosis. Sphingolipid metabolism and arginine and proline metabolism were identified as the major metabolic pathway in the DEW and silicosis groups, respectively. L-arginine and kynurenine were correlated with the severity of silicosis.
Plasma Amino Acids and Oxylipins As Potential Multi-Biomarkers for Predicting Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Rhee Sang Youl , Jung Eun Sung , Suh Dong Ho , Jeong Su Jin , Kim Kiyoung , Chon Suk , Yu Seung-Young , Woo Jeong-Taek , Lee Choong Hwan
Published: December 2020

Objective: To investigate the pathophysiologic characteristics of diabetic complications, we identified differences in plasma metabolites in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) with or without diabetic macular edema (DME) and a disease duration > 15 yrs.Subjects and Methods: An elderly cohort of T2DM patients with prolonged disease duration was established, and clinical information and biospecimens were collected following the guidelines of the National Biobank of Korea. DME phenotypes were identified by ophthalmologic specialists. For metabolomics studies, propensity matched case and control samples were selected. To discover multi-biomarkers in plasma, non-targeted metabolite profiling and oxylipin profiling in the discovery cohort were validated in an extended cohort.Results: From metabolomic studies, 5 amino acids (asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, cysteine, and lysine), 2 organic compounds (citric acid and uric acid) and 4 oxylipins (12-oxoETE, 15-oxoETE, 9-oxoODE, 20-carboxy leukotriene B4) were identified as candidate multi-biomarkers which can guide DME diagnosis among non-DME subjects. Receiver operating characteristic curves revealed high diagnostic value of the combined 5 amino acids and 2 organic compounds (AUC = 0.918), and of the 4 combined oxylipins (AUC = 0.957).Conclusions: Our study suggests that multi-biomarkers may be useful for predicting DME in elderly T2DM patients.
Macro- and Micro-Structural Cerebellar and Cortical Characteristics of Cognitive Empathy Towards Fictional Characters in Healthy Individuals
Authors: Picerni Eleonora , Laricchiuta Daniela , Piras Fabrizio , Vecchio Daniela , Petrosini Laura , Cutuli Debora , Spalletta Gianfranco
Published: December 2020

Few investigations have analyzed the neuroanatomical substrate of empathic capacities in healthy subjects, and most of them have neglected the potential involvement of cerebellar structures. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between bilateral cerebellar macro- and micro-structural measures and levels of cognitive and affective trait empathy (measured by Interpersonal Reactivity Index, IRI) in a sample of 70 healthy subjects of both sexes. We also estimated morphometric variations of cerebral Gray Matter structures, to ascertain whether the potential empathy-related peculiarities in cerebellar areas were accompanied by structural differences in other cerebral regions. At macro-structural level, the volumetric differences were analyzed by Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM)- and Region of Interest (ROI)-based approaches, and at a micro-structural level, we analyzed Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) data, focusing in particular on Mean Diffusivity and Fractional Anisotropy. Fantasy IRI-subscale was found to be positively associated with volumes in right cerebellar Crus 2 and pars triangularis of inferior frontal gyrus. The here described morphological variations of cerebellar Crus 2 and pars triangularis allow to extend the traditional cortico-centric view of cognitive empathy to the cerebellar regions and indicate that in empathizing with fictional characters the cerebellar and frontal areas are co-recruited.
Body Mass Index, Performance of Activities of Daily Living and Cognition: Analysis in Colombian and Korean Older Adults
Authors: Borda Miguel , Venegas Luis , Garcia-Cifuentes Elkin , Gomez Ronald , Cano-Gutierrez Carlos , Tovar-Rios Diego , Aarsland Vera , Khalifa Khadija , Jaramillo-Jimenez Alberto , Aarsland Dag , Soennesyn Hogne
Published: December 2020

Background: With this study, we aim to describe the associations of the different categories of the Body mass index (BMI) with ADL and cognitive performance in Colombian and South Korean older adults living in the community. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of two surveys were analyzed; Survey on Health, Well-Being, and Aging in Colombia (SABE) (n= 23448) and Korean Longitudinal Study of aging (KLoSA) (n=4501). Participants older than 50 years were selected from rural and urban areas achieving a representative sample. Here we investigate the association between BMI categories with function, using zero-inflated negative binomial regression, and cognition, using a logistic regression model.Results: In Colombia, underweight was associated with an impaired score on the MMSE and worse performance in the IADL. Being overweight was associated with better scores on the MMSE and the IADL. For both outcomes education was highly influential. In Korea, after adjustments, there were no significant associations for any of the outcomes. Conclusions: In Colombian population, underweight, in particular, seems to be negative to preserve both cognitive and daily functioning. Additionally, being overweight but not obese was associated with less cognitive impartment and better daily functioning.
Relative sit-to-stand power: cut-off points and their association with negatives outcomes in older adults
Authors: Baltasar-Fernandez Ivan , Alcazar Julian , Mañas Asier , Alegre Luis , Alfaro-Acha Ana , Rodriguez-Mañas Leocadio , Ara Ignacio , García-García Francisco , Losa-Reyna José
Published: December 2020

Background: The purposes of this study were: i) to evaluate the association of sit-to-stand (STS) power and body composition parameters [body mass index (BMI) and legs skeletal muscle index (SMI)] with age; ii) to provide cut-off points for low relative STS power (STSrel), ii) to provide normative data for well-functioning older adults and iv) to assess the impact of low STSrel on negative outcomes.Methods: Cross-sectional design (1369 older adults). STS power parameters assessed by validated equations, BMI and Legs SMI assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were recorded. Sex- and age-adjusted segmented and logistic regression analyses and receiver operator characteristic curves were used.Results: Among men, STSrel showed a negative association with age up to the age of 85 years (‒1.2 to ‒1.4%year-1; p<0.05). In women, a negative association with age was observed throughout the old adult life (‒1.2 to ‒2.0%year-1; p<0.001). Cut-off values for low STSrel were 2.5 W∙kg-1 in men and 1.9 W∙kg-1 in women. Low STSrel was associated with frailty (OR[95%CI]= 5.6 [3.1, 10.1]) and low habitual gait speed (HGS) (OR[95%CI]= 2.7 [1.8, 3.9]) in men while low STSrel was associated with frailty (OR[95%CI]= 6.9 [4.5, 10.5]) low HGS (OR[95%CI]= 2.9 [2.0, 4.1]), disability in activities of daily living (OR[95%CI]= 2.1 [1.4, 3.2]), and low quality of life (OR[95%CI]= 1.7 [1.2, 2.4]) in women. Conclusions: STSrel declined with increasing age in both men and women. Due to the adverse outcomes related to STSrel, the reported cut-off points can be used as a clinical tool to identify this condition among older adults.
The effect of early treatment with ivermectin on viral load, symptoms and humoral response in patients with mild COVID-19: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Chaccour Carlos , Casellas Aina , Matteo Andres Blanco-Di , Pineda Iñigo , Fernandez-Montero Alejandro , Castillo Paula Ruiz , Richardson Mary-Ann , Mateos Mariano Rodriguez , Jordan-Iborra Carlota , Brew Joe , Carmona-Torre Francisco , Giraldez Miriam , Laso Ester , Dobaño Carlota , Moncunill Gemma , Yuste Jose R , Pozo Jose L Del , Rabinovich Regina , Schoening Verena , Hammann Felix , Reina Gabriel , Sadaba Belen , Fernandez-Alonso Miriam
Published: December 2020

Ivermectin inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro at concentrations not readily achievable with currently approved doses. There is limited evidence to support its clinical use in COVID-19 patients. We conducted a Pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the efficacy of a single dose of ivermectin to reduce the proportion of PCR positives, viral load at day 7 post treatment.Consecutive patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and mild COVID-19 (no pneumonia) and no risk factors for complicated disease attending the emergency room of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive ivermectin, 400 mcg/kg, single dose (n = 12) or placebo (n = 12). The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients with detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA by PCR from nasopharyngeal swab at day 7 post-treatment. The primary outcome was supported by determination of the viral load and infectivity of each sample. The differences between ivermectin and placebo were calculated using Fisher’s exact test and presented as a relative risk ratio.All patients recruited completed the trial (median age, 26 [range, 18-54] years; 12 [50%] women; 100% had symptoms at recruitment, 70% reported headache, 62% reported fever, 50% reported general malaise and 25% reported cough). At day 7, there was no difference in the proportion of PCR positive patients (RR 0.92, 95% CI: 0.77-1.09, p = 1.0). The ivermectin group had lower median viral loads at days 4 and 7 post treatment as well as lower median IgG titers at day 21 post treatment. Hyposmia/anosmia (76 vs 158 patient-days) and cough (68 vs 97 patient-days) were less frequent in the ivermectin group.Among patients with mild COVID-19 and no risk factors for severe disease receiving a single 400 mcg/kg dose of ivermectin within 48 hours of fever or cough onset there was no difference in the proportion of PCR positives. There was however a marked reduction of anosmia/hyposmia, a reduction of cough and a tendency to lower viral loads and lower IgG titers which warrants assessment in larger trials.Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04390022 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04390022
Who Suffered Most After Deaths Due to COVID-19? Prevalence and Correlates of Prolonged Grief Disorder in COVID-19 Related Bereaved Adults
Authors: Tang Suqin , Xiang Zhendong
Published: December 2020

Background: Deaths by COVID-19 have left behind nearly 12 million recent bereaved individuals worldwide and researchers have raised concerns that the circumstances of COVID-19 related deaths will lead to a rise prevalence of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) cases. However, to date, no studies have examined the prevalence of PGD among people bereaved due to COVID-19. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PGD and investigated demographic and loss-related factors associated with prolonged grief symptoms among Chinese individuals bereaved due to COVID-19.Methods: This was a cross-sectional online survey conducted between September 1 and October 3, 2020. A total of 422 Chinese participants (55.5% males; 32.73 [9.31] years old) who lost a close person due to COVID-19 participated in the study. Demographic and loss-related information was collected, and self-reported prolonged grief symptoms were measured by a 13-item International Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale (IPGDS: 1–65) and a 17-item Traumatic Grief Inventory Self Report (TGI-SR: 1–85). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the associated factors of levels of grief symptoms.Results: Prevalence of PGD was 37.8% screened by IPGDS and 39.9% by TGI-SR. No difference was found in levels of grief symptoms between participants whose close one died more than 6 months ago and those who experienced the loss less than 6 months ago. More severe prolonged grief symptoms was associated with losing a close person by COVID-19 rather than complications (B: 5.284; 95% CI: 0.521–10.047), losing a partner (B: 6.645; 95% CI: 2.547–10.743), child (B: 6.013; 95% CI: 0.128–11.899), parent (B: 5.554; 95% CI: 1.679–9.429), grandparent (B: 4.894; 95% CI: 0.690–0.097), feeling more traumatic about the loss (B: 1.574; 95% CI: 0.413–2.735), being closer to the deceased (B: 1.610; 95% CI: 0.368–2.851), and having more conflicts with the deceased (B: 0.743; 95% CI: -0.040–1.527).Conclusions: Echoing to researchers’ concerns, prevalence of PGD is high among people bereaved due to COVID-19. Individuals with higher risk of developing PGD should be identified and bereavement support should be offered as early as possible.
A Cross-sectional Study on the Impact of the Prevention and Control Response of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children's Orthopedic Trauma in Shanghai
Authors: Qian Chuang , Zheng Yiming , Meng Junrong , Li Hao , Wang Dahui
Published: December 2020

Background: The Chinese government has taken strong prevention and control measures against the COVID-19 pandemic, and has achieved phased victory in the fight against it. The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity to study the influence of governmental prevention and control response on orthopedic trauma in children.Methods: We collected and reviewed data on orthopedic trauma from the first half of 2018, 2019, and 2020. The data were divided according to the time of prevention and control response level in 2020. By comparing the relevant data from orthopedic emergency and operating rooms from the past three years, the influence of governmental pandemic prevention measures on orthopedic trauma in children was analyzed. Results: A total of 36301 children were included in the study cohort. Before the prevention and control response, the data of the orthopedic emergency department in 2020 was the same as the previous two years. Under the first-level response, the number of fractures, open injuries, radial head subluxation, and surgery were significantly reduced, and the severity of patients with surgery was also significantly reduced. Under the second-level response, the number of operations began to increase, and the severity of the disease also began to rise. Under the third-level response control, the number of fractures, open injuries, and operations have returned to the levels of the previous two years. The severity of the operation has also returned to its previous level. The number of subluxations of the radial head is still different from before.Conclusion: The pandemic of COVID-19 has affected the social activities of Shanghai residents and reduced the incidence of orthopedic trauma in children. With the control of the pandemic, the living conditions of Shanghai residents have basically recovered.Level of Evidence: Retrospective study Level II
Study of Laser Actions by Bird’s Feathers With Photonic Crystals
Authors: Chen Shih-Wen , Lu Jin-You , Tung Po-Han , Chiesa Matteo , Lin Ja-Hon , Hung Bing-Yi , Yang Thomas
Published: December 2020

Random lasers had been made by some biomaterials as light scattering materials, but natural photonic crystals have been rarely reported as scattering materials. Here we demonstrate the ability of natural photonic crystals to drive laser actions by sandwiched the feathers of the Turquoise-Fronted Amazon parrot and dye between two plastic films. Parrot feathers comprise abundant photonic crystals, and different color feathers compose of different ratios of the photonic crystal, which directly affect the feather reflectance. In this study, the multi-reflection scattering that occurred at the interface between the photonic crystal and gain media efficiently reduce the threshold; therefore, the more photonic crystal constitutes in the feathers; the lower threshold can be obtained. The random lasers can be easily made by the integration of bird feather photonic crystals and dye with a simple and sustainable manufacturing approach.
LRIG1 Expression and Colorectal Cancer Prognosis
Authors: Bakherad Maryam , Salimi Mahdieh , Angaji Seyed Abdolhamid , Mahjoubi Frouzandeh , Majidizadeh Tayebeh
Published: December 2020

BackgroundTo make the right treatment decisions about colorectal cancer (CRC) patients reliable predictive and prognostic data are needed. However, in many cases this data is not enough. Some studies suggest that LRIG1 gene (leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains1) has prognostic implications in different kinds of cancers. MethodsOne hundred and two patients with colorectal cancer were retrospectively analyzed for LRIG1 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. SYBR Green Real-Time RT-PCR technique was used for mRNA expression analyses and Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase gene (GAPDH) was considered as a reference gene for data normalization. LRIG1 protein expression was analyzed using Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Additionally, appropriate statistic analyses were used to assess the expression of LRIG1 in test and control groups. The prognostic significance of LRIG1 expression was analyzed using the univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsThe data revealed that the expression of LRIG1 in both mRNA and protein levels was down regulated in colorectal tumor tissues (P<0.01) but is not clinically relevant prognostic indicator in CRC. ConclusionsTherefore, it is suggested that LRIG1 expression analyses may not be considered as an important issue when making informed and individualized clinical decisions regarding the management of colorectal cancer patients.
Effects of Curing on Emulsion Cold Mix Asphalts and Their Extracted Binder
Authors: Thiriet Amelie , Gaudefroy Vincent , Chailleux Emmanuel , Piau Jean-Michel , Delfosse Frédéric , Leroy Christine
Published: December 2020

This paper focuses on the physicochemical changes that happen in cold mix asphalts during curing, and more specifically, while and after transitioning to different simulated seasons. Several tests were carried out in order to better grasp the influence of the weather (temperature and humidity) on the curing of such materials. The mechanical behaviour of the mix was assessed using oedometer tests. The physicochemical evolutions of extracted binders, such as oxidation and rheology, were evaluated. The results show stiffening of the mix and ageing of the binder linked to a higher temperature and a lower humidity. A low temperature and high moisture seem to slow down these evolutions. However the binder behaviour does not explain the whole mix behaviour as the kinetics between them are not always similar. Thus other mechanisms are yet to be found and taken into account to fully understand cold mix asphalts behaviour.
Longitudinal Analyses Reveal That Aging-related Alterations in the Intestinal Environment Lead to Gut Dysbiosis With the Potential to Induce Obesity
Authors: Nakanishi Yumiko , Nozu Ryouko , Ueno Masami , Hioki Kyoji , Ishii Chiharu , Murakami Shinnosuke , Suzuki Kenta , Ka Yuyo , Ogura Tomoyuki , Ito Ayumi , Tachibana Naoko , Kato Tamotsu , Hirayama Akiyoshi , Sugimoto Masahiro , Soga Tomoyoshi , Ito Mamoru , Tomita Masaru , Ohno Hiroshi , Fukuda Shinji
Published: December 2020

Background: Aging is a progressive decline of cellular functions that ultimately affects whole-body homeostasis. Alterations in the gut microbiota associated with aging have been reported, however the molecular basis of the relationships between host aging and the gut microbiota is poorly understood.Result: By using longitudinal microbiome and metabolome characterization, we show that the aging-related alterations in the intestinal environment lead to gut dysbiosis with a potential to induce obesity in mice. In middle-age mice, we observed more than a 2-fold increase in fecal carbohydrates derived from dietary polysaccharides and a significant reduction of gut microbial diversity resembling the microbiota characteristic of obese mice. Consistently, fecal microbiota transplantation from middle-age specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice into young germ-free (GF) mice resulted in increased weight gain and impaired glucose tolerance.Conclusion: Our findings provide new insights into the relationships between host aging and gut dysbiosis and may contribute to the development of a possible solution to aging-related obesity.
Direct Rbs Engineering of the Biosynthetic Gene Cluster for Efficient Productivity of Violaceins in E. Coli
Authors: Zhang Yuyang , Chen Hongping , Zhang Yao , Yin Huifang , Zhou Chenyan , Wang Yan
Published: December 2020

Background: Violaceins have attracted much attention as potential targets used in medicines, food additives, insecticides, cosmetics and textiles, but low productivity was the key factor to limit their large-scale applications. This work put forward a direct RBS engineering strategy to engineer the violacein biosynthetic gene cluster cloned from Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472 to efficiently improve the fermentation titers.Results: Through four rounds of engineering of the native RBSs within the violaceins biosynthetic operon vioABCDE, this work apparently broke through the rate-limiting steps of intermediates conversion, resulting in 2.41-fold improvement of violaceins production compared to the titers of the starting strain Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) (Vio12472). Furthermore, by optimizing the batch-fermentation parameters including temperature, concentration of IPTG inducer and fermentation time, the maximum yield of violaceins from (BCDE)m (tnaA-) reached 3269.7 μM at 2 mM tryptophan in the medium. Interestingly, rather than previous reported low temperature (20 ℃), we for the first time found the RBS engineered Escherichia coli strain (BCDE)m worked better at higher temperature (30 ℃ and 37 ℃), leading to a higher-level production of violaceins. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first time that a direct RBS engineering strategy is used for the biosynthesis of natural products, having the potential for a greater improvement of the product yields within tryptophan hyperproducers and simultaneously avoiding the costly low temperature cultivation for large-scale industrial production of violaciens. This direct RBS engineering strategy could also be easily and helpfully used in engineering the native RBSs of other larger and value-added natural product biosynthetic gene clusters by widely used site-specific mutagenesis methods represented by inverse PCR or CRISPR-Cas9 techniques to increase their fermentation titers in the future.
Evaluating the Cerebrospinal Fluid Tap Test With the Hellström iNPH Scale for Patients With Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus – a Retrospective Cohort Study of 132 Patients
Authors: Rydja Johanna , Eleftheriou Andreas , Lundin Fredrik
Published: December 2020

Background

The cerebrospinal fluid tap test (CSF TT) is used for selecting shunt surgery candidates in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). Variations in performance, and different outcome measures and cut-off levels in previous research on the CSF TT make comparison of accuracy difficult between studies. We aimed to evaluate the CSF TT, by using the Hellström iNPH scale for shunted iNPH patients with a standardized method.

Methods

One hundred thirty-two shunt operated iNPH patients were retrospectively included in this study. The gait and balance domains in the iNPH scale were used as outcome measures for the CSF TT and the total iNPH scale score as postoperatively outcome. To identify responders a cut-off level ≥ 5 points was used. Differences between responders and non-responders to the CSF TT, as well as the sensitivity, speciﬁcity, positive and negative predictive values, accuracy and correlations between outcomes of the CSF TT and postoperatively were calculated.

Results

In the gait domain, there were 62.9% responders and correspondingly 42.7 % in the balance domain of the CSF TT. CSF TT responders had significantly better outcomes in both the gait and balance domains but not in the neuropsychology or continence domains postoperatively. The sensitivity and specificity of the CSF TT and the outcome of the total iNPH scale score postoperatively were 67.6% and 53.3% for gait and 47.5% and 73.3% for balance. For age ≥ 80 years, the sensitivity and specificity for gait were 52.2% and 60.0%, and for age ≤ 80 years 72.2% and 50.0%. Gait as an outcome measure for both the CSF TT and postoperatively had the highest sensitivity, (73.2%) and specificity (65.7%) for all ages.

Conclusions

The CSF TT, with Hellström´s iNPH scale as the outcome measure, has clear limitations in predicting postoperative results. The gait domain may be used to detect changes of outcomes in gait, but the balance domain is too insensitive to use as an assessment for the CSF TT. The value of the CFS TT for patients over 80 years of age appears to be even lower. Differential diagnostic considerations together with radiological assessments remain cornerstones in selecting eligible shunt responders.
Spin-encoded Wavelength-space Multitasking Janus Metasurfaces 
Authors: Xu He-Xiu , Wang Chaohui , Wang Yanzhao , Wang Mingzhao , Wang Shaojie , Hu Guangwei , Tang Shiwei , Huang Yongjun , Ling Xiaohui , Huang Wei , Qiu Cheng-Wei
Published: December 2020

The fruitful progress toward light manipulation in reflective (R) or transmissive (T) geometry (half-space) has facilitated strong aspiration to achieving full-space electromagnetic wave control in both R and T channels. Although it promises large-capacity and integrated functionality, yet imposes prohibitive difficulty and big challenging for extreme wave control (direction of arrival in full space) via an ultrathin flat device. As of today, very limited demonstrations were reported for single-band and linear-polarization operation, significantly limiting the exploitable degree of freedoms (DoFs) for real-world applications. Herein, we report for the first time a triple-layer wavelength-space multitasking scheme for wide-angle and large-capacity detection. Two anisotropic sub-meta-atoms are engineered with high quality factor and simultaneous in-plane and out-of-plane symmetry breaking, facilitating four R and two T spin-conversion channels with high efficiency and insulation. The chirality-assisted Fano effect gives rise to the wide-angle operation and boosted channels. Above features and released DoF would be extraordinary beneficial for large-capability and angle-engineered advanced device. Two proof-of-concept metadevices, i.e., large-scanning kaleidoscopic-beam generator and a wide-angle large-capacity reverser for multi-target tracking, are devised to verify the significance. Numerical and experimental results have approved predesigned advanced functions at six channels with measured efficiency over 75%. Our findings in multi-DoF multitasking of metasurfaces could stimulate great interest in radar applications with versatile beam generation and multi-channel integration.
Dexmedetomidine Attenuates Lung Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Rats by Reducing Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Authors: Zhang Yan , Lu Yao , Wang Kai , Zhou Mei-yan , Wu Cong-you , Qiao Lu , Wang Li-wei
Published: December 2020

Background: Lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) is a significant clinical problem occurring after lung transplantation. LIRI is mediated by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory activation. Previous studies have confirmed that dexmedetomidine (DEX) exerts a protective effect on LIRI, which potentially causes severe mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the specific mechanisms remain unclear. Our study was to explore whether dexmedetomidine exerts a beneficial effect on LIRI by reducing mitochondrial dysfunction. Methods: Two different models were used in our study. For the in vivo experiment, thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Sham, ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), DEX+I/R and DEX+yohimbine+I/R (DY+I/R) groups. Similarly, pulmonary vascular endothelial cells (PVECs) from SD rats were divided into Control, oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD), D+OGD and DY+OGD groups.Results: In our experiment, we confirmed severe lung damage after LIRI that was characterized by significantly pulmonary histopathology injury, a decrease in the oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) and an increase in the wet-to-dry weight ratio, while DEX treatment mitigated this damage. In addition, the DEX pretreatment significantly attenuated I/R-induced oxidative stress by decreasing the level of ROS in the mitochondria in vitro. Moreover, the DEX treatment enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy by increasing the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), Parkin and dynamin 1-like protein 1 (Drp1). Conclusions: These data suggest that DEX may alleviate LIRI by reducing mitochondrial dysfunction through the induction of mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy.
miR-22 Suppresses Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by Modulating Snail and MAPK1 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Liao Cheng-Gong , Qu Zhi , Guo Zao-Xia , Liang Xiao-Hua , Kong Ling-Min
Published: December 2020

Background: Recently studies have reported that miR-22 plays an important role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of many human cancers. However, the involvement of miR-22 in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) EMT progression has not been investigated. Methods: We measured miR-22 expression level in 38 paired of HCC and matched normal tissues by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Then, we performed morphological analysis and immunofluorescence to observe the role of miR-22 in HCC EMT progression. The expression of EMT markers were detected by real-time RT-PCR and western blot. The regulation role of miR-22 on Snail, mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1) and slug were determined by luciferase reporter assay. The expression of Snail and MAPK1 were also detected by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in HCC and normal tissues. Results: We found that the expression of miR-22 in HCC tissues were much lower than that in normal control. The expression of miR-22 was inversely correlated with HCC metastatic ability. Then, we found that overexpression of miR-22 could inhibit HCC EMT. Importantly, miR-22 is found to inhibit cell motility by directly targeting both Snail and MAPK1. Furthermore, the suppression role of miR-22 in HCC EMT could be blocked by Snail and MAPK1 overexpression. Additionally, the expression of Snail and MAPK1 were inversely correlated with miR-22 expression in HCC tissues. Conclusion: Our results suggested that miR-22 was downexpressed in HCC tissues and inhibited HCC EMT through downregulating Snail and MAPK1 which may provide a new bio-target for HCC therapy.
A Prospective Study Comparing Cancer Detection Rates of Transperineal Prostate Biopsies Performed by Junior Urologists Versus a Senior Consultant in a Real World-setting
Authors: Song Jiaao , He Bi-ming , Li Hu-sheng , Shi Zhen-kai , Ren Guan-yu , Chen Huan , Xu Chuan-liang , Gao Xu , Zeng Shu-xiong , Wang Hai-feng
Published: December 2020

Background: Prostate biopsy (PB) is a typical daily practice method for the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). This study was to compare the PCa detection rate and peri- and post-operative complications of PB among three residents and a consultant.Methods: A total of 343 patients who underwent PB between August 2018 with July 2019 were involved in this study. Residents were systematically trained two weeks by the consultant for performing systemic biopsy (SB) and targeted biopsy (TB). And then, three residents and the consultant performed PB independently every quarter due to routine rotation in daily practice. The peri- and post-operative data was prospectively collected. The primary outcome and secondary outcome were to compare the PCa-detection rates and complications between residents and consultant, respectively. Results: There was no significant difference between the residents and consultant in terms of overall PCa-detection rates of SB, TB or further stratified by prostate specific antigen value, prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) scores. We found the consultant had more TB cores compared with residents (175 cores versus 86 to 114 cores, P=0.043) and shorter procedural time versus residents (mean 16 min versus 19.7 to 20.1 min, P <0.001). The complication rate for consultant was 6.7%, and 5% to 8.2% for residents, respectively (P = 0.875).Conclusions: The residents could get a similar PCa detection and complication rates compared with the consultant after a two-week training. However, the residents still need more cases to shorten the time of biopsy procedure.
WITHDRAWN: Anomalous Connection of the Left Pulmonary Vein to the Coronary Sinus With Intact Atrial Septum in a Young Woman
Authors: Cheng Xianfeng
Published: December 2020

Background: Left sided Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) is a rare congenital abnormal cardiac defect. An intact atrial septum is more uncommon. To our knowledge, connection of the left pulmonary vein (LPV) to the coronary sinus (CS) with intact atrial septum was no previous reported.Case report: We report an 18-years-old woman who had this rare anomaly. She exhibited no obvious clinical symptoms. An echocardiogram revealed the primary diagnosis and this diagnosis confirmed during operation. This patient underwent a successful surgical repair. Artificial atrial septal defect (ASD) and coronary sinus orifice were inserted into left atrium by patch. postoperative recovery was recuperated.Conclusion: Given the high risk of developing Congestive heart failure, like many other centers, we advocate for intervention during the preschool age. Surgical techniques depend on the number and location of abnormal veins or veins.
Dosimetric Comparison of Radiation Techniques for Comprehensive Regional Nodal Radiation Therapy for Left-Sided Breast Cancer: A Treatment Planning Study
Authors: Ko Heejoo , Chang Jee Suk , Moon Jin Young , Lee Won Hee , Shah Chirag , Shim Jin Sup Andy , Han Min Cheol , Baek Jong Geol , Park Ryeong Hwang , Kim Yong Bae , Kim Jin Sung
Published: December 2020

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) target volumes in breast cancer treatment increasingly include the internal mammary nodes, potentially increasing doses delivered to the heart and lung. The aim of this study was to compare cardiac and pulmonary doses in three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), and proton beam therapy (PBT) with and without continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), delivered in conventional fractionation (CF) or in hypofractionated (HF) schedules.Methods: In a dataset of 15 patients with left-sided breast cancer, partial wide tangential 3DCRT delivered in CF (50/25) and in HF (40/15) schedules as well as PBT delivered in CF and two-partial arc VMAT delivered in a HF schedule, each under CPAP and free breathing (FB) conditions were extensively examined. Target volume coverage and doses to organs-at-risk (OARs) were calculated for each technique. Outcomes were compared with one-way analysis of variance and the Bonferroni test, with P-values <0.05 considered significant. Results: Target volume coverage was within acceptable levels in all interventions, except for internal mammary lymph nodes D90 (99% in PBT, 90% in VMAT-CPAP, 84% in VMAT-FB, and 74% in 3DCRT). Mean heart dose (MHD) was the lowest and highest in PBT (<1 Gy) and 3DCRT with CF/FB (7.8 Gy), respectively. In photon-based techniques, the use of VMAT in HF schedules with CPAP resulted in an MHD of 2.2 Gy. Lung V20 and mean lung dose (MLD) were the highest in 3DCRT-CF-FB (44% and 20 Gy, respectively) and lowest in both VMAT-HF-CPAP and PBT (7–9% and approximately 5–6 Gy, respectively). VMAT-HF-CPAP and PBT delivered a comparable maximum dose to the left ascending artery (7.2 Gy and 6.70 Gy, respectively, with the highest dose delivered by 3DCRT [47.6 Gy]). The average doses to the contralateral breast were 0.004, 1, and 2.1 Gy in PBT, 3DCRT, and VMAT, respectively.Conclusions: PBT delivered the lowest doses to most OARs in RT for left-sided breast cancer with regional nodal irradiation. However, the dosimetric gap between proton and photon RT has narrowed substantially with modern techniques such as VMAT and CPAP; the clinical relevance of these differences is yet to be elucidated.
Association of Lymphocyte-to-Monocyte Ratio, Mean Diameter of Coronary Arteries, Uric Acid with Coronary Slow Flow in Isolated Coronary Artery Ectasia
Authors: Yang Zhuoxuan , Yuan Jiansong , Cui Jingang , Qiao Shubin
Published: December 2020

Background The pathophysiology of isolated coronary artery ectasia (CAE) with coronary slow flow (CSF) phenomenon is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors for isolated CAE complicated with CSF.Methods A total of 126 patients with isolated CAE were selected retrospectively. The patients were grouped into the no CSF(NCSF) group (n=55) and CSF group (n=71) according to the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (TFC). Data on demographics, laboratory measurements, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd), TFC and diameters of three coronary arteries were collected.Results The proportion of patients with male sex(84.5% vs 61.8%, p=0.004) and a smoking history(63.4% vs 43.6%, p=0.021) in the CSF group were greater than that in the NCSF group. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)(2.44±1.12 vs 1.89±0.58, p=0.001), mean diameter of coronary arteries (Mean D)(5.50±0.85 vs 5.18±0.91, p<0.001), and uric acid (URIC) level(370.78±109.79 vs 329.15±79.71, p=0.019) were significantly higher in the CSF group, while the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR)(4.81±1.66 vs 5.96±1.75, p<0.001) and albumin (ALB)(44.13±4.10 vs 45.69±4.11, p=0.036) level were lower. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that the LMR(odds ratio: 0.614, 95%CI:0.464-0.814, p=0.001), Mean D(odds ratio: 2.643, 95%CI: 1.54-4.51,p<0.001) and URIC(odds ratio: 1.006, 95%CI:1.001-1.012, p=0.018) level were independent predictors of CSFP in CAE. The predictive power of this combination was superior to URIC and Mean D but not superior to the LMR.Conclusions The LMR, URIC level and Mean D were independent predictors of CSF in isolated CAE. The predictive power of the LMR was not inferior to the combination of predictors.
Prognostic Value of the Modified Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) Score Including albumin in acute heart failure
Authors: Liao Shengen , Lu Xinyi , Cheang Iokfai , Zhu Xu , Yin Ting , Yao Wenming , Zhang Haifeng , Li Xinli
Published: December 2020

Background: Liver and renal function evaluated by the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, the MELD excluding the international normalized ratio (MELD_XI) score and the MELD including sodium (MELD_sodium) score have been considered predictors of adverse events for patients with acute heart failure (AHF). However, the prognostic value of the MELD including albumin (MELD_albumin) score in patients with AHF has not been assessed. Methods: A total of 466 patients with AHF were prospectively evaluated. We compared the accuracy of the 4 MELD score formulas using the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and corresponding areas under the curve (AUC). Results: During a median follow-up period of 34 months, 196 deaths occurred. In the fully adjusted Cox regression model, standardized hazard ratios with 95% confidence interval expressing the risk of all-cause mortality were 1.22 (1.06–1.40), 1.20 (1.04–1.39), 1.21 (1.05-1.41) and 1.23 (1.06–1.42) for MELD, MELD_XI, MELD_albumin and MELD_sodium scores, respectively. The MELD_albumin score showed the best prognostic accuracy (AUC = 0.658) for the prediction of long-term all-cause mortality, followed by the MELD_sodium score (AUC = 0.590), the MELD score (AUC = 0.580), and the MELD_XI score (AUC = 0.544). Conclusions: The MELD_albumin score performs more accurately than the MELD score and the other modified MELD scores for predicting the risk of all-cause mortality in patients with acute heart failure.