bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Qualitative analysis of clinicians’ perspectives on the use of a computerized decision aid in the treatment of psychotic disorders
Authors: Roebroek Lukas , Bruins Jojanneke , Delespaul Philippe A. , Boonstra Albert , Castelein Stynke
Published: April 2020

Background Clinical decision aids are used in various medical fields to support patients and clinicians when making healthcare decisions. Few attempts have been made to implement such tools in psychiatry. We developed Treatment E-Assist (TREAT); a routine outcome monitoring based computerized clinical decision aid, which generates personalized treatment recommendations in the care of people with psychotic disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate how TREAT is used and evaluated by clinicians and how this tool can be improved.Methods Clinicians working with TREAT during a clinical trial were asked to participate in semi-structured interviews. The unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) was adopted to structure the interview questions. The transcripts were coded. An inductive thematic analysis was followed to identify the main themes.Results 13 clinicians (mean age: 49) of which eight psychiatrists and five nurse practitioners, participated in this study. Eight clinicians experienced TREAT as beneficial, whereas five experienced no additional benefits. Thematic analysis revealed five themes about how TREAT was used and evaluated by clinicians, views on TREAT’s visual structuring of routine outcome monitoring results, guideline based treatment recommendations, contextual factors, effects on patients and effects on shared decision-making. Performance and effort expectancy were perceived as high by clinicians. The facilitating conditions were optimal and perceived social influence was low.Conclusion This article presents a qualitative evaluation by clinicians of a computerized clinical decision aid in psychosis care. TREAT was viewed by most clinicians as beneficial during their consultations. The visual representation of routine outcome monitoring results was well-appreciated and provided input to discuss treatment planning with patients. The treatment recommendations did not change most treatment decisions but supported clinical reasoning. However, some clinicians were unconvinced about TREAT’s benefits. The delivery, applicability and the availability of resources require improvement to increase TREAT’s efficacy. Not all patients responded well to TREAT but the observed facilitation of shared decision-making is promising. All four predictors of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology were positively evaluated by the majority of clinicians. Clinicians behavioral intentions are expected to be high when implementing TREAT into organizations.
Systematic analysis of rare variants in mitochondrial function-associated genes for autosomal-dominant Parkinson’s disease in a Chinese population
Authors: Chen Yongping , Gu Xiaojing , Ou Ruwei , Zhang Lingyu , Hou Yanbing , Liu Kuncheng , Cao Bei , Wei Qianqian , Song Wei , Zhao Bi , Wu Ying , Cheng Jingqiu , shang huifang
Published: April 2020

Background

Mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in the pathogenicity of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, the genetic roles of mitochondrial function-associated genes responsible for PD need to be replicated in different cohorts.
Methods

Whole-exome and Sanger sequencing were used to identify the genetic etiology of 400 autosomal dominant-inherited PD (ADPD) patients. Variants in six dominant inherited mitochondrial function-associated genes, including HTRA2, CHCHD2, CHCHD10, TRAP1, HSPA9 and RHOT1, were analyzed.
Results

A total of 12 rare variants identified in the five genes accounted for 3% of ADPD cases, including 0.5% in HTRA2, 0.8% in CHCHD2, 1% in TRAP1, 0.3% in RHOT1 and 0.5% in HSPA9. Among them, five novel variants, p.E4A, p.R13Cfs*107 and p.R449X in TRAP1, p.S95N in RHOT1 and p.N180I in HSPA9, were identified in ADPD patients. Evidence of a founder event that occurred exclusively in Asia was identified in two probands with p.P53Afs*37 in CHCHD2, which was further observed in one patient from 300 sporadic cases. Based on burden analysis, CHCHD2 tended to be slightly enriched in ADPD. Clinically, all patients carrying mutations in the genes presented typical motor symptoms and a good response to L-DOPA. Most of them had slower disease progression (8/12) and mild cognitive impairment (9/12), but the age of onset varied. No rare variant was detected in CHCHD10.
Conclusion

Our study expands the mutation spectra and enhances the understanding of the clinical phenotype of PD patients with mitochondrial function-related gene variants. Additionally, the CHCHD2 gene should be given more attention in PD originating in the Chinese population.
Impact on Quality of Life 3 Years After Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer Patients: An Observational Case-Control Study
Authors: Houédé Nadine , Rébillard Xavier , Bouvet Sophie , Kabani Sarah , Fabbro-Peray Pascale , Trétarre Brigitte , Ménégaux Florence
Published: April 2020

Background Prostate cancer patients are known to suffer from poor sexual and urinary long-term side-effects following treatment, potentially impacting quality of life. The purpose of our study was to compare health-related quality of life at 3 years between prostate cancer patients and healthy controls according to key life-style characteristics. Secondary objectives were to compare urological dysfunction, sexual function, anxiety and depression.Methods Multicentric, case-control, observational prospective, open, follow-up study including 819 prostate cancer patients < 75 years old from the EPICAP cohort newly diagnosed from 1 December 2011 to 31 March 2014 and 879 healthy controls. Participants were excluded if they experienced a relapse. Controls from the same geographical region were age-matched and were excluded if they were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Patients received one of the following treatments: active surveillance (AS), radical prostatectomy (RP), external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), High-intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), chemotherapy (CT), or androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) as appropriate. The primary outcome was the quality of life as evaluated by the QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Scores were analyzed by multivariate analysis to adjust for predefined socio-demographic confounding effects.Results In total, 564 participants were included (mean age 67.9 years): 376 patients and 188 controls. Treatment breakdown was: 258 underwent RP, 90 received EBRT, 52 brachytherapy or HIFU, 15 CT, 26 ADT and 61 AS. There was no difference in median global quality of life between patients and controls (94.87 vs 94.15, p = 0.71). Multivariate analysis showed poorer social functioning in patients (24.3% vs. 16.3%, p = 0.0209), more dyspnea (22% vs. 12.4%, p = 0.0078), and yet less current pain (23% vs 33%, p = 0.0151).Conclusions Global health status score at 3 years after diagnosis was similar between patients and controls, though patients showed a significantly worse social functioning. Prostate cancer diagnosis per se does not impact the quality of life of patients. However, the therapeutic option that will be chosen following diagnosis should be carefully discussed with the medical staff in terms of benefit-risk ratios as it could have a long-term impact on urinary or erectile dysfunction.Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02854982. Registered 4 August 2016 – retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02854982
Sectoral output Volatility and Economic growth in Ethiopia
Authors: Abebaw Adisu
Published: April 2020

In this study we examined the determinants of economic growth, and the effect of sectoral output volatility on economic growth of Ethiopia using national bank of Ethiopia (NBE) and the World Bank (WB) time series data ranging from 1981 to 2018. We included capital stock, working age population, trade balance and, sectoral output volatility as an explanatory variable. The sectoral output volatility was computed using Exponential General Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity (EGARCH) technique. Estimating three different ARDL models, we found long run relationship between economic growth and explanatory variables. From the long run ARDL model economic growth was positively and statistically significantly affected by capital stock—both in the long run and in the short run. In the long run trade balance (which has been negative throughout the study period) was found to have negative and statistically significant effect on economic growth. In the long-run volatility of industrial and service sector output growth was found to have negative and statistically significant effect on economic growth of Ethiopia. However, the study proved that the working age of population had no statistically significant effect on economic growth of Ethiopia. As the economy exhibits structural transformation from the agricultural to modern sectors the relative significance of sectors also change. In recent years the role of agriculture to Ethiopian economy, particularly in terms contribution to the national GDP has been declining—indicating the growing importance of service and industrial sectors. Therefore, smoothening and maintaining the positive sectoral output growth is advisable for the betterment of the economy. In addition, balancing the foreign trade, specially augmenting and diversifying of the export structure, and curbing of unrestricted importation of goods, is recommended as long as economic growth is concerned.
Wearable Hip-assist Robot Modulates Cortical Activation during Gait in Stroke Patients: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study
Authors: Lee Su-Hyun , Lee Hwang-Jae , Shim Youngbo , Chang Won Hyuk , Choi Byung-Ok , Ryu Gyu-Ha , Kim Yun-Hee
Published: April 2020

BackgroundGait dysfunction is common in post-stroke patients as a result of impairment in cerebral gait mechanism. Powered robotic exoskeletons are promising tools to maximize neural recovery by delivering repetitive walking practice.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the modulating effect of the Gait Enhancing and Motivating System-Hip (GEMS-H) on cortical activation during gait in patients with chronic stroke. Methods. Twenty chronic stroke patients performed treadmill walking at a self-selected speed either with assistance of GEMS-H (GEMS-H) or without assistance of GEMS-H (NoGEMS-H). Changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (oxyHb) concentration in the bilateral primary sensorimotor cortex (SMC), premotor cortices (PMC), supplemental motor areas (SMA), and prefrontal cortices (PFC) were recorded using functional near infrared spectroscopy.ResultsWalking with the GEMS-H promoted symmetrical SMC activation, with more activation in the affected hemisphere than in NoGEMS-H conditions. GEMS-H also decreased oxyHb concentration in the late phase over the ipsilesional SMC and bilateral SMA.ConclusionsThe results of the present study reveal that the GEMS-H promoted more SMC activation and a balanced activation pattern that helped to restore gait function. Less activation in the late phase over SMC and SMA during gait with GEMS-H indicates that GEMS-H reduces the cortical participation of stroke gait by producing rhythmic hip flexion and extension movement and allows a more coordinate and efficient gait patterns.Clinical trial registration: NCT03048968. Registered 09 February 2017
Radiological Features on HRCT and RT-PCR Testing for the Diagnosis of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China: A Comparative Study of 78 Cases in Pregnant Women
Authors: Deng Ming , Sun Wenbo , Hu Jinxiang , Mei Liejun , Weng Dinghu , Liu Bo , Xu Haibo
Published: April 2020

BackgroundIn the past four months, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global health threat. In the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic, pneumonia is a critical disease that threatens the health of pregnant women and fetuses. We aimed to evaluate the quantitative parameters of CT scans performed on pregnant women with COVID-19 who had different reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results.MethodsPregnant women with suspected cases of COVID-19 pneumonia (confirmed by next-generation sequencing or RT-PCR) who underwent high-resolution lung CT scans were retrospectively enrolled. Patients were grouped based on the results of the RT-PCR and the first CT scan: group 1 (double positive patients; positive RT-PCR and CT scan) and group 2 (negative RT-PCR and positive CT scan). The imaging features and their distributions were extracted and compared between the two groups.ResultsSeventy-eight patients were admitted to the hospital between Dec 20, 2019, and Feb 29, 2020. The mean age of the patients was 31.82 years (SD 4.1, ranged from 21 to 46 years). The cohort included 14 (17.95%) patients with a positive RT-PCR test and 64 (82.05%) with a negative RT-PCR test, there were 37 (47.44%) patients with a positive CT scan, and 41 (52.56%) patients with a negative CT scan. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of CT-based diagnosis of COVID-19 were 85.71%, 60.94%, 32.40%, 95.12% and 65.38%, respectively. COVID-19 pneumonia mainly involved the right lower lobe of the lung. There were 53 semi-quantitative and 59 quantitative parameters, which were compared between the two groups. There were no significant differences in the quantitative parameters. However, the Hellinger distance was significantly different between the two groups, albeit with a limited diagnostic value (AUC = 0.63).ConclusionsPregnant women with pneumonia usually present with typical abnormal signs on CT. Although multidimensional CT quantitative parameters are somewhat different between groups of patients with different RT-PCR results, it is still impossible to accurately predict whether the RT-PCR will be positive, which would allow for the earlier detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Protective Role of Panax Notoginseng Saponins in Hydrocortisone-Induced Injury in HBMECs by Promoting APOA1 Expression
Authors: Jin Zejian , Yan Fei , Song Hetian , Wang Yonggang , Bai Shun , Lan Zhongyu , Liu Bin , Miao Lei
Published: April 2020

Background

To evaluate the protective effect and underlying mechanism of panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on hydrocortisone (HC)-induced injury in human bone microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs).HBMECs were isolated from femoral heads resected in total hip arthroplasty and identified by morphology and immunofluorescence.
Methods

HBMECs were injured by hydrocortisone (HC), treated with PNS in different concentrations, and transfected with APOA1 or siAPOA1 to explore the role of APOA1 in the process where PNS protected HC-injured HBMECs. The viability and apoptotic rate were determined by CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays, respectively. The migration and tube length of HBMECs were evaluated by wound healing and tube formation assays, respectively. The mRNA expression of APOA1 was determined by qRT-PCR. The proteins levels of APOA1, Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase-3 were determined by Western blot.
Results

HBMECs exhibited spindle-shaped morphology. CD31 and vWF served as positive control and CD133 served as negative control. The viability of HBMCS inhibited by HC was balanced with the lower mRNA expression of APOA1 in a dose-dependent manner. PNS reversed the inhibitory effect of HC on the mRNA expression of APOP1, cell viability, migration, tube length, and the stimulative effect of HC on apoptosis of HBMECs. APOA1 overexpression further promoted the protective effect of PNS on HC-inhibited cell viability, migration and tube length, and HC-promoted apoptosis, whereas APOA1 silencing inhibited the protective effect of PNS and further promoted the adverse effect of HC on HBMECs.
Conclusion

PNS can efficiently suppress HC-induced injury in HBMECs, which may be associated with over-expressed APOA1.
Prevalence of antibodies against a cyclic peptide mimicking the FG loop of the human papillomavirus type 16 capsid among Tunisian women
Authors: Hassen Elham , Bansal Devendra , Ghdira Randa , Chaieb Anouar , Khairi Hedi , Zakhama Abdelfatteh , Remadi Sami , Hoebeke Johan , Sultan Ali A , Chouchane Lotfi
Published: April 2020

Background In the past decades, several studies have identified cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide and leading causes of death in developing countries. High-risk types of human papillomavirus (HR-HPV), mainly type 16, are the sexually transmitted agents etiologically linked to cervical cancer. The present epidemiological study aimed to investigate the efficacy of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and assessed host humoral immune response against the oncogenic HPV-16 infection using the cyclic synthetic peptide mimicking the FG loop of the major L1 capsid protein of the HPV-16 among Tunisian women. Methods The antibody responses against synthetic peptides mimicking the FG loop of the HPV l6 major capsid protein L1 in sera and cervical secretions among 179 Tunisian women were assessed by ELISA. HPV infection was examined by a polymerase chain reaction-based method. Results The frequency of systemic antibodies, in contrast to HPV-16 DNA prevalence, was higher in women with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LGSIL) than in women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HGSIL) (43.7% versus 14.8%; P=0.04). Compared to women from the general population, systemic IgG response frequency was significantly higher among legal sex workers (25.5%; P=0.002) and women with LGSIL (43.7%; P=0.001). In addition, systemic IgA and local IgG responses were higher, only among legal sex workers (P=0.002 and P=0.001 respectively). Conclusions Overall, the frequency of HPV DNA detection was significantly higher among women with HGSIL. We did not observe a positive IgG response in women with a positive HPV-16 infection, suggesting that the anti-peptide antibodies are protective and confirm that the FG loop contains neutralizing epitopes. This could have implications for future monitoring of women to predict clinical outcome and for the design of synthetic peptide-based vaccine.
Prognostic significance of MYCN related genes in pediatric neuroblastoma: a study based on TARGET and GEO datasets
Authors: Wang Haiwei , Wang Xinrui , Xu Liangpu , Zhang Ji , Cao Hua
Published: April 2020

Background
Neuroblastoma patients with MYCN amplification are associated with poor prognosis. However, the prognostic relevance of MYCN associated genes in neuroblastoma is unclear.
Methods
The expression profiles of MYCN associated genes were identified from Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. The enriched transcription factors and signaling pathways were determined using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). The Kaplan-Meier plotter was used to identify the prognostic relevance of MYCN associated genes. Multivariate cox regression and Spearman’s correlation were used to determine the correlation efficiency of MYCN associated genes.
Results
In TARGET and GSE85047 datasets, neuroblastoma patients with MYCN amplification were associated with worse prognosis. Transcription factor MYC was positively associated with MYCN amplification in GSEA assay. We identified 13 MYC target genes which were increased in neuroblastoma patients with MYCN amplification in TARGET, GSE19274 and GSE85047 datasets. Moreover, six out of the 13 MYC target genes ARMC6, DCTPP1, EIF4G1, ELOVL6, FBL and PRMT1 were associated with bad prognosis of neuroblastoma in TARGET and GSE85047 datasets. Transcription factor E2F1 was regulated by MYCN amplification and associated with the poor prognosis of neuroblastoma. Furthermore, RPS19 in ribosome signaling pathway was also associated with MYCN amplification and correlated with the poor prognosis of neuroblastoma. At last, we showed that most of MYCN target genes were correlated with each other. However, EIF4G1 was an independent prognostic marker. And the prognostic effects of the combination of MYCN amplification and EIF4G1 expression was more significant than MYCN or EIF4G1 alone.
Conclusions
MYCN target genes ARMC6, DCTPP1, EIF4G1, ELOVL6, FBL, PRMT1, E2F1 and RPS19 had significant prognostic effects in pediatric neuroblastoma patients.
Digital Restoration and 3D Printing of Porcelain
Authors: Lv Jie , Fu Jingjing
Published: April 2020

Porcelain is a precious historical and cultural heritage of China and the world as a whole,as well as a treasure inherited from ancient Chinese art. Nevertheless, due to human activities, environmental changes and other factors, a multitude of porcelain cultural relics are undergoing destroy. Therefore, how to use modern science and technology to effectively inherit and protect this precious cultural heritage has become a major concern in human society. Digital protection of porcelain has attracted a board attention with the progress of 3D scanning modeling and 3D printing technology. Double-ear clashing color vase with lotus design is an elaborate Qing Dynasty porcelain unearthed in Anqing City, Anhui Province. Unfortunately, the bottleneck is defective, but its artistic value can be restored via 3D modeling, digital repair and 3D printing. This study attempts to display more historical information on this double-ear clashing color vase by 3D modeling and 3D printing technology, and to unveil the historical connotation behind this cultural relic.
Sigesbeckia glabrescens Makino extract attenuated the collagen-induced arthritis through inhibiting the synovial hyperplasia and inflammation
Authors: Ma Qiu Shuo , Linghu Ke-Gang , Zhang Tian , Zhao Guan Ding , Xiong Wei , Xiong Shi Hang , Zhao Ming Ming , XU Wei , Yu Juan , Wang Yitao , Yu Hua
Published: April 2020

Background
Sigesbeckia glabrescens Makino (SG) has been traditionally used for rheumatism and joint protection. However, the anti-arthritic effects and underling mechanisms of SG have not been demonstrated. In this study, we investigated the anti-arthritic effects and mechanisms of SG extract (SGE) on collagen-induced arthritic rats and interleukin (IL)- 1β-stimulated human synovial SW982 cells.
Methods
Rats were induced to arthritis by collagen for 15 days and then received SGE treatment for 35 days. The body weight and arthritis severity score of the rats were monitored weekly. At the end of the experiment, the radiographic and histological changes of rats’ hind paw were obtained; the cytokines expression in serum and joint muscles were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); and the level of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the spleen was detected using flow cytometry. In addition, 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and scratch wound healing assay were used to evaluate the proliferation of SW982 synovial cells. ELISA, western blot and immunofluorescence staining were used to investigate the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of SGE on IL-1β-induced SW982 cells.
Results
SGE attenuated the collagen-induced hind paw swelling, cartilage damage and bone erosion. SGE inhibited the synovial hyperplasia to the articular cavity in the toe joint and ankle. Moreover, SGE decreased the production of C-reactive protein in serum and the expression of IL-6 and IL-1β in the joint muscle. SGE also recovered the decreased Tregs. Results from the in vitro experiments showed that SGE not only inhibited the proliferation and migration of human synovial cell but also inhibited the IL-1β-induced expression of IL-6 and IL-8. Besides, SGE inhibited the activation of nuclear transcription factor-kappa B and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2.
Conclusions
SGE attenuated the collagen-induced arthritis through inhibiting the synovial hyperplasia and inflammation.
Novel domain expansion methods to improve the computational efficiency of the solution of Chemical Master Equation for large biological networks.
Authors: Kosarwal Rahul , Kulasiri Don , Samarasinghe Sandhya
Published: April 2020

Background: Numerical solutions of the chemical master equation (CME) are important to understand the stochasticity of biochemical systems. However, solving CMEs is a formidable task due to the nonlinear nature of the reactions and size of the networks that result in different realisations and, most importantly, the exponential growth of the size of the state-space with respect to the number of different species in the system. When the size of the biochemical system is very large in terms of the number of variables, the solution to the CME becomes intractable. Therefore, we introduce the intelligent state projection (𝐼𝑆𝑃) method to use in the stochastic analysis of these systems. For any biochemical reaction network, it is important to capture more than one moment to describe the dynamic behaviour of the system. 𝐼𝑆𝑃 is based on a state-space search and the data structure standards of artificial intelligence (𝐴𝐼) to explore and update the states of a biochemical system. To support the expansion in 𝐼𝑆𝑃, we also develop a Bayesian likelihood node projection (𝐵𝐿𝑁𝑃) function to predict the likelihood of the states. Results: To show the acceptability and effectiveness of our method, we apply the 𝐼𝑆𝑃 to several biological models previously discussed in the literature. According to the results of our computational experiments, we show that 𝐼𝑆𝑃 is effective in terms of speed and accuracy of the expansion, accuracy of the solution, and provides a better understanding of the state-space of the system in terms of blueprint patterns. Conclusions: The 𝐼𝑆𝑃 is the de-novo method to address the accuracy as well as the performance problems for the solution of the CME. It systematically expands the projection space based on predefined inputs, which are useful in providing accuracy in the approximation and an exact analytical solution at the time of interest. The 𝐼𝑆𝑃 was more effective in terms of predicting the behaviour of the state-space of the system and in performance management, which is a vital step towards modelling large biochemical systems.
Direct comparison of magnetic resonance imaging and pathological shrinkage patterns of triple-negative breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Yoshikawa Katsuhiro , Ishida Mitsuaki , Kan Naoki , Yanai Hirotsugu , Tsuta Koji , Sekimoto Mitsugu , Sugie Tomoharu
Published: April 2020

Background We aimed to investigate the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathological shrinkage patterns to formulate a predictive equation for estimating residual tumor size after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients.Methods We enrolled 34 TNBC patients who underwent MRI before and after NAC. The MRI and histopathological shrinkage patterns were analyzed and classified into five categories—types I and II (concentric shrinkage without or with surrounding lesions, respectively), type III (shrinkage with residual multinodular lesions), type IV (diffuse contrast enhancement in the entire quadrant), and non-visualization. The residual tumor sizes following MRI and histopathological examination were also compared.Results The most common MRI and histopathological shrinkage pattern was type I (41.2% and 38.2%, respectively), followed by non-visualization (26.5% and 32.4%, respectively); the concordance rate between MRI and histopathological shrinkage patterns was 41.2%. There was a strong correlation between MRI tumor size and pathological tumor size (r = 0.89). Based on these findings, a predictive equation for pathological tumor size was formulated as follows: pathological tumor size \left(mm\right) = 1.1502 \times \left(MRI tumor size \right[mm\left]\right) + 8.4277.Conclusions Our equation may aid accurate preoperative assessment. Further studies are needed to determine its predictive value and applicability.
Clinical Significance of Expression Level of CX3CL1-CX3CR1 Axis in Bone Metastasis of Lung Cancer
Authors: Liu Yan , Ma Hongmei , Dong Tiejun , Yan Yan , Sun Lixin , Wang Wenjie
Published: April 2020

Background: To investigate the clinical significance of CX3 chemokine ligand 1(CX3CL1) and CX3CR1 in patients with bone metastasis from lung cancer. The expression levels of CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 mRNA and protein in primary lung cancer and lung cancer bone metastasis were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Methods: 100 patients with lung cancer were divided into a boneless metastasis group (50 patients with bone metastasis) and a bone metastasis group (50 patients without distant metastasis). The bone transfer component was graded by Soloway classification (0 to III). The expression levels of serum CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RT-qPCR and Western Blot were used to verify the transfection efficiency. The scratching assay was used to detect the migration of CX3CL1 to 95-D cells after down-regulating the expression of CX3CR1. Results: The expression levels of CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 mRNA and protein in the primary lung cancer and lung cancer bone metastasis were significantly higher than those in the adjacent tissues (P<0.0001). The levels of serum CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 in bone metastasis group were significantly higher than those in boneless metastasis group and healthy control group (P<0.05). In the bone metastasis group, the levels of serum CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 was significantly positively correlated with the degree of disease progression (P<0.01). Conclusions: The expression level of serum CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis is expected to be an auxiliary reference index for monitoring bone metastasis of lung cancer.
Down-regulation of Fine Dusts-induced Airway Inflammation by the PDZ motif peptide of ZO-1
Authors: Kang Dong Hee , Lee Tae-Jin , Kim Ji Wook , Shin Yu Som , Kim Ju Deok , Lee Ho Chul , Ryu Siejeong , Choi Yung Hyun , Kim Cheol Hong , You EunAe , Rhee SangMyung , Song Kyoung Seob
Published: April 2020

BACKGROUND: Although fine airborne particulate matter (PM) has been known to play a role in many human diseases, there is no direct evidence that therapeutic drugs or proteins can diminish PM-induced diseases. Nevertheless, studies examining the negative control mechanisms of PM-induced diseases are critical to develop novel therapeutic medications. RESULTS: We found that CLB2.0, a surrogate for PM, induced production of multiple cytokines that alter airway inflammation. Interestingly, deletion of each PDZ domain in the ZO-1 protein dramatically decreased F-actin formation and increased the expression of genes for pro-inflammatory cytokines. We also found that the consensus PDZ peptide in ZO-1 downregulates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes and F-actin formation; in contrast, the GG24,25AA mutant PDZ peptide upregulates them. Moreover, CLB2.0-induced F-actin formation in 2D and 3D matrix cultures was significantly inhibited by PDZ peptide, but not by the mutant peptide. Induction of IL-8 secretion by CLB2.0 activates CXCR2 signaling, while increased RGS12 controlled by the PDZ peptide inhibits IL-8/CXCR2 signaling. The consensus PDZ peptide also inhibited CLB2.0-induced inflammatory cell infiltration, pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression, and TEER in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and AM cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicated that the PDZ domain in ZO-1 is critical for regulation of the CLB2.0-induced inflammatory microenvironment. Therefore, we suggest that the PDZ peptide may be a potential therapeutic candidate during PM-induced respiratory diseases.
Association between laboratory results on day 8 of onset and the clinical outcome of COVID-19 patients
Authors: Shi Cuilin , Shi Meilin , Shen Jie , Xu Junchi , Ye Zhijian , Wang Xiafang , Yan Derui , Zeng Lingwu , Shen Xiujuan , Tang Zaixiang , Wu Meiying
Published: April 2020

Background: Pneumonia (COVID-19) caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak attracted global attention. However, early prognostic biomarkers on clinical outcomes about COVID-19 patients is not clear by now. Methods: We collected the clinical data of the 85 COVID-19 patients confirmed in the local hospital. The patients' clinical baseline data, serological data, outcome data were retrospectively analyzed. This study aimed to figure out monitoring values for early prediction of clinical outcome. Results: Dynamic monitoring of laboratory examination indicators during hospitalization showed that the second week is a critical time window of disease progression. Beginning on the 8th day, severely reduced lymphocytes accompanied by a severe increase in inflammation indicators and abnormally high fibrinogen occurred in serious patients. Plasma fibrinogen was increased (5.23 vs 3.87 g/L, P < 0.001), and lymphocyte count (0.71 vs 1.42 109/L, P < 0.0001) was significantly reduced. On the 8th day of disease course, when the lymphocyte count was lower than 1.23×109/L, the time of negative conversion of viral nucleic acid was prolonged (P = 0.051), and imaging showed that the chest CT absorption time was prolonged (P < 0.01). When fibrinogen was greater than 4.24, the time to viral nucleic acid negative conversion was prolonged (P < 0.01), and imaging showed that chest CT absorption time was prolonged (P < 0.001).Conclusion: the Lymphocyte count might be related to clinical outcome events. It could act as laboratory indicators of disease severity.
The Co-Culture of ASCs and EPCs Promotes Vascularized Bone Regeneration in Critical-Sized Bone Defects of Cranial Bone in Rats
Authors: he yuanjia , Lin Shuang , Ao Qiang , He Xiaoning
Published: April 2020

Background: The repair of critical-sized bone defect represents a challenging problem in bone tissue engineering. To address the most important problem in bone defect repair, namely insufficient blood supply, this study aimed to find a method that can promote the formation of vascularized bone tissue.Method The phenotypes of ASCs and EPCs were identified respectively, and ASCs/EPCs were co-cultured in vitro to detect the expression of osteogenic and angiogenic genes. Furthermore, the co-culture system combined with scaffold material was used to repair the critical-sized bone defects of the cranial bone in rats.Results The co-culture of ASCs/EPCs could increase osteogenesis and angiogenesis-related gene expression in vitro. The results of in vivo animal experiments demonstrated that the ASCs/EPCs group could promote bone regeneration and vascularization in the meantime and, then significantly accelerate the repair of critical-sized bone defects.Conclusion It is feasible to replace traditional single seed cells with ASCs/EPCs co-culture system for vascularized bone regeneration. This system could ultimately enable clinicians to better repair the defect of craniofacial bone and avoid donor site morbidity.
Reduced KISS1 expression acts as a predictor for aggressive features of cervical carcinoma and promotes migration and invasion in cervical carcinoma cells
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Wang Min , Yu Hao , Wang Hongyu , Wang Can , Ou Jian , Meng Fanxu , Zhang Yang
Published: April 2020

Background

Cervical carcinoma causes high morbidity and mortality in patients largely due to its invasion and metastasis. Kisspeptin (KISS1) had been found as metastasis suppressor in many malignancies. But the clinical significance and biological functions of KISS1 in cervical carcinoma was not elaborated.
Methods

The expression levels of KISS1 were detected by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Methylation specific PCR (MSP) analysis and western-blotting in cervical carcinoma tissues and cells. A eukaryotic expression plasmid was transfected into cervical epithelial cells in order to initiate KISS1 overexpression, and the endogenous was silenced in cervical epithelial cells using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) sequences. Transfection efficiency was validated by western blotting assays. To explore the effects of KISS1 on the metastatic phenotype of cervical carcinoma, the cell proliferation was examined by CCK8 assay, and the cell migration and invasion were detected by cell scratch and transwell invasion assays, respectively.
Results

We investigated the relevance between KISS1 expression with its methylation and clinicopathological features of cervical carcinoma. Low expression of KISS1 predicts a poor prognosis and was associated with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage. And methylation of KISS1 promoter, which was linked with KISS1 inactivation, was also found in most clinical samples of aggressive cervical carcinoma. In vitro cervical carcinoma C33A cells, KISS1 overexpression significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion in cells. While KISS1 knockdown promoted proliferation, migration and invasion in cervical epithelial cell line CRL-2614.
Conclusion

In summary, low-expression of KISS1 play a suppressive role for proliferation, migration and invasion in cervical carcinoma cells. Its expression and methylation are associated with clinical progression of cervical carcinoma. Hence, KISS1 could be a potential diagnostic and prognostic marker as well as a new target for the treatment of cervical carcinoma.
In vitro elution and E. coli and T. pyogenes killing profile of penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, tulathromycin, and florfenicol from Plaster of Paris beads
Authors: Merkatoris Paul , Schleining Jennifer , Krull Adam , Borts David , Fajt Virginia
Published: April 2020

Background: The objectives of this study were to create a protocol for making antibiotic impregnated Plaster of Paris (AI-PoP) beads using penicillin, ampicillin, tetracycline, tulathromycin, and florfenicol, to determine the in vitro elution rates of those antibiotics in the beads, and to quantify the in vitro inhibition of E. coli and T. pyogenes by the bead eluent in a proof-of-concept study using flow cytometry. The AI-PoP beads were made using Plaster of Paris powder, antibiotic, and tap water, cured for 24 hours, sterilized by ethylene oxide, and stored up to 5 months before testing. For each antibiotic, twenty beads were combined with bovine serum in sterile tubes and incubated at 37° C on a rocker. Serum was replaced at intervals over the 14 day study period, and antibiotic concentrations were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Separately, the growth of E. coli and T. pyogenes in eluent from 10 beads for each antibiotic was quantified by flow cytometry. Results: Antibiotic was detected in AI-PoP bead eluent for 14 days for all but the ampicillin beads, for which antibiotic was detected for 8 days. The concentration of antibiotic in eluent was greater than five times the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of tested bacteria for the entire study period for penicillin, tetracycline, and florfenicol. The concentration of ampicillin remained greater than five times the MIC of E. coli for 4 days and T. pyogenes for 5 days. The concentration of tulathromycin remained greater than five times the MIC of E. coli for 5 days and T. pyogenes for the entire study period. The CFU/ml of live E. coli and T. pyogenes was reduced over a 72-hour period by 1-3 log 10 CFU, with the exception of tetracycline, which reduced CFU/ml of T. pyogenes by less than log 10 CFU. Conclusions: AI-PoP beads containing penicillin, tetracycline, tulathromycin and florfenicol elute antibiotic well above the MIC of tested bacteria for the two week study period and provide adequate local bacterial growth inhibition to reduce bacterial growth in vitro . These antibiotics show promise for delivery in joint and wound infections.
Identification of a four long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Signature for Predicting Prognosis of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: a Multicenter Study in China
Authors: Wang Rui-Qi , Long Xiao-Ran , Ge Chun-Lei , Zhang Mei-Yin , Huang Long , Zhou Ning-Ning , Hu Yi , Li Rui-Lei , Li Zhen , Chen Dong-Ni , Zhang Lan-Jun , Wen Zhe-Sheng , Mai Shi-Juan , WANG HUI-YUN
Published: April 2020

Background:This study aims to identify a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) signature for predicting survival in non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients and providing additional prognostic information to the tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging system. Methods: NSCLC cases from a hospital were divided into a discovery cohort (n=194) and validation cohort (n=172) and analyzed using a custom lncRNA microarray. Another 73 cases obtained from another hospital were assayed using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The differentially expressed lncRNAs were detected by significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) program and used for identifying those associated with survival in the discovery cohort, which were then employed to construct a prognostic lncRNA signature using a risk-score method. The signature was then confirmed in the validation and independent cohort as well. Results: The discovery cohort was found to comprise of 305 lncRNAs, which showed differential expression between the NSCLC and the corresponding normal lung tissues, a 4-lncRNA signature was identified that was found to significantly correlate with the survival of the NSCLC patients. This signature was further validated in the validation and independent cohort. Moreover, multivariate Cox analysis demonstrates that the 4-lncRNA signature is independent of the TNM staging system.as a risk-score model. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicates that the prognostic value of the combined model is significantly higher than that of TNM staging alone in all the cohorts. Conclusions:This study identified a 4-lncRNA signature, which is a powerful prognostic biomarker which related to patient survival in addition to the traditional TNM staging system.
The diagnostic power of CD117, CD13, CD56, CD64, and MPO in rapid screening acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Tran Vinh Thanh , Phan Thang Thanh , Mac Hong-Phuoc , Tran Tung Thanh , Ho Toan Trong , Pho Suong Phuoc , Nguyen Van-Anh Ngoc , Vo Truc-My , Nguyen Hue Thi , Le Thao Thi , Vo Tin Huu , Nguyen Son Truong
Published: April 2020

Objective
The analogous immunophenotype between HLA-DR-negative acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) causes APL rapid screening to become difficult. This study aimed to identify the associated antigens for APL and the best model in clinical uses.
Results
A total of 36 APL (PML-RARA+) and 29 HLA-DR-negative non-APL patients were selected for this study. When a cut-off point of 20% events was applied to define positive or negative status, APL and non-APL patients share a similar immunophenotype of CD117, CD34, CD11b, CD13, CD33, and MPO (P > 0.05). However, expression intensity of CD117 (P = 0.002), CD13 (P < 0.001), CD35 (P < 0.001), CD64 (P < 0.001), and MPO (P < 0.001) in APL are significantly higher while CD56 (P = 0.049) is lower than in non-APL subjects. The Bayesian Model Averaging (BMA) analysis identified CD117 (≥ 49% events), CD13 (≥ 88% events), CD56 (≤ 25% events), CD64 (≥ 42% events), and MPO (≥ 97% events) antigens as an optimal model for APL diagnosis. A combination of these factors resulted in an area under curve (AUC) value of 0.98 together with 91.7% sensitivity and 93.1% specificity, which is higher than individual values (AUC were 0.76, 0.84, 0.65, 0.82, and 0.85, respectively) (P = 0.001).
Pediatric neurodevelopment by prenatal Zika virus exposure: A cross-sectional study of the Microcephaly Epidemic Research Group Cohort
Authors: Silva paula sobral , Eickmann Sophie Helena , Ximenes Ricardo Arraes de Alencar , Montarroyos Ulisses Ramos , Lima Marília de Carvalho , Martelli Celina M Turchi , de Araújo Thalia Velho Barreto , Brickley Elizabeth , Rodrigues Laura Cunha , Gonçalves Fabiana Cristina Lima Pastich , Carvalho Maria Durce Costa Gomes , de Souza Wayner Vieira , Miranda-Filho Democrito de Barros
Published: April 2020

Background
The implications for pediatric neurodevelopment and behavior remain sparsely studied in children exposed to congenital infection by Zika Virus (ZIKV). The aim of this study is to compare patterns of neurodevelopment and behavior of children with different levels of Zika-related microcephaly or prenatal exposure without microcephaly.
Methods
A Cross-sectional study nested in a cohort, including 274 children aged 10–45 months. Participantes were evaluated between Feb/2017 and Aug/2019 in two tertiary care hospitals in Recife/Pernambuco/Brazil. Primary exposure was having ZIKV-related microcephaly or prenatal ZIKV-exposure, confirmed by maternal RT-PCR testing. We included children born during the peak of microcephaly epidemic and post epidemic period, divided in four groups according to clinical and laboratory criteria. Groups 1 and 2 had microcephaly, severe and moderate, respectively. Group 3 was composed of children with laboratory evidence of prenatal ZIKV-exposure and no microcephaly, and Group 4 was a neurotypical control group. We used the Survey of Wellbeing of Young Children (SWYC), a screening instrument validated for Brazil, and an SWYC Adapted Form to compare severe cases.
Results
Almost all children with severe microcephaly presented neurological abnormalities (98.2%) and risk of development delay (99.1%). The frequency of risk of development delay for the group with moderate microcephaly was 65%. For children without microcephaly, the risk varied from 13.8–21.7%. There was no difference in behavior aspects among groups. According to the Adapted Form, the majority of the children with severe microcephaly scored much lower than expected, and presented similar performance whether evaluated under or over 24 months of age.
Conclusions
We found a gradient of risk of development delay among groups, being the group with severe microcephaly at the highest risk and the groups of normocephalic exposed children and controls the lowest ones. The Adapted Form was useful to estimate children deficit profile and showed no significant improvement in ability regardless age of assessment. We suggest that ZIKV-exposed children should undergo first-line screening for neurodevelopment and behavior using the SWYC instrument. Early assessment and follow-up will enable at-risk children to be referred to a more comprehensive developmental evaluation and to multidisciplinary care management.
Comfort evaluation of aircraft cabin system employing a hybrid model
Authors: LIU Jing , YU Suihuai , CHU Jianjie
Published: April 2020

Comfort is becoming one of the most important principles in the process of design and evaluation of civil aircraft cabin. However, the comprehensive quantitative evaluation of comfort in an aircraft cabin is a complicated issue, because of the subjectivity of comfort perception and a large amount of factors involved in the whole complex cabin system. A hybrid model combined with Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation is proposed, which considers both the interrelation between the criteria and the fuzziness of subjective comfort perception concurrently. The result of empirical study from questionnaire survey in flight was consistent with that of the hybrid model. The proposed model is effective. It could provide a more reasonable priority to improve comfort in the aircraft cabin. According to the measured results of cabin environment, cabin facilities and layout, seat and service, the specific differences between the criteria can be displayed clearly, which is helpful to improve the cabin comfort level.