bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The protective effects of PI3K/Akt pathway on human nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells against hypoxia and nutrition deficiency
Authors: Tian DaSheng , Liu Jianjun , Chen Lei , Zhu Bin , Jing Juehua
Published: January 2020

Background

To study the effects of hypoxia and nutrition deficiency mimicking degenerated intervertebral disc on the biological behavior of human nucleus-derived pulposus mesenchymal stem cells (hNP-MSCs) and the role of PI3K/Akt pathway in the process in vitro.

Methods

hP-MSCs were isolated from lumbar disc and were further identified by their immunophenotypes and multilineage differentiation. Then, cells were divided into the control group, hypoxia and nutrition deficiency group, the LY294002 group, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) group. Then cell apoptosis, the cell viability, the caspase 3 activity, and the expression of PI3K, Akt, and functional genes (aggrecan, collagen I, and collagen II) were evaluated.

Result

Our work showed that isolated cells met the criteria of International Society for cellular Therapy. Therefore, cells obtained from degenerated nucleus pulposus were definitely hNP-MSCs. Our results showed that hypoxia and nutrition deficiency could significantly increase cell apoptosis, the caspase 3 activity, and inhibit cell viability. Gene expression results demonstrated that hypoxia and nutrition deficiency could increase the relative expression of PI3K and Akt gene and inhibit the expression of functional genes. However, when the PI3K/Akt pathway was inhibited by LY294002, the cell apoptosis and caspase 3 activity significantly increased while the cell viability was obviously inhibited. Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that the expression of functional genes was more significantly inhibited. Our study further verified that the above-mentioned biological activities of hNP-MSCs could be significantly improved by IGF1.

Conclusions

PI3K/Akt signal pathway may have protective effects on human nucleus pulposus-derived mesenchymal stem cells against hypoxia and nutrition deficiency.
Paradigm shift in the diagnosis of peste des petits ruminants: scoping review
Authors: Kinimi Edson , Odongo Steven , Muyldermans Serge , Kock Richard , Misinzo Gerald
Published: January 2020

Peste des petits ruminants viruscauses a highly contagious disease, which poses enormous economic losses in domestic animals and threatens the conservation of wild herbivores. Diagnosis remains a cornerstone to the Peste des petits ruminants Global Control and Eradication Strategy, an initiative of the World Organisation for Animal Health and the Food and Agriculture Organisation. The present review presents the peste des petits ruminants diagnostic landscape, including the practicality of commercially available diagnostic tools, prototype tests and opportunities for new technologies. The most common peste des petits ruminants diagnostic tools include; agar gel immunodiffusion, counter-immunoelectrophoresis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction either gel-based or real-time, reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification, reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification assays, immunochromatographic lateral flow devices, luciferase immunoprecipitation system and pseudotype-based assays. These tests vary in their technical demands, but all require a laboratory with exception of immunochromatographic lateral flow and possibly reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification and reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification assays. Thus, we are proposing an efficient integration of diagnostic tests for rapid and correct identification of peste des petits ruminants in endemic zones and to rapidly confirm outbreaks. Deployment of pen-side tests will improve diagnostic capacity in extremely remote settings and susceptible wildlife ecosystems, where transportation of clinical samples in the optimum cold chain is unreliable.
Chromoanagenesis: a piece of the macroevolution scenario
Authors: Pellestor Franck , Gatinois Vincent
Published: January 2020

Over the last decade, new types of massive and complex chromosomal rearrangements based on the chaotic shattering and restructuring of chromosomes have been identified in cancer cells as well as in patients with congenital diseases and healthy individuals. These unanticipated phenomena are named chromothripsis, chromoanasynthesis and chromoplexy, and are grouped under the term of chromoanagenesis. As mechanisms for rapid and profound genome modifications in germlines and early development, these processes can be regarded as credible pathways for genomic evolution and speciation process. Their discovery confirms the importance of genome-centric investigations to fully understand organismal evolution.

Because they oppose the model of progressive acquisition of driver mutations or rearrangements, these phenomena conceptually give support to the concept of macroevolution, known through the models of “Hopeful Monsters” and the “Punctuated Equilibrium”. In this review, we summarize mechanisms underlying chromoanagenesis processes and we show that numerous cases of chromosomal speciation and short-term adaptation could be correlated to chromoanagenesis-related mechanisms.

In the frame of a modern and integrative analysis of eukaryote evolutionary processes, it seems important to consider the unexpected chromoanagenesis phenomena.
TRPC1 mediates slow excitatory synaptic transmission in hippocampal oriens/alveus interneurons
Authors: Kougioumoutzakis André , Pelletier Joe Guillaume , Laplante Isabel , Khlaifia Abdessattar , Lacaille Jean-Claude
Published: January 2020

Hippocampal GABAergic interneurons play key roles in regulating principal cell activity and plasticity. Interneurons located in stratum oriens/alveus (O/A INs) receive excitatory inputs from CA1 pyramidal cells and express a Hebbian form of long-term potentiation (LTP) at their excitatory input synapses. This LTP requires the activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors 1a (mGluR1a) and Ca2+ entry via transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. However, the type of TRP channels involved in synaptic transmission at these synapses remains largely unknown. Using patch-clamp recordings, we show that slow excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) evoked in O/A INs are dependent on TRP channels but may be independent of phospholipase C. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) we found that mRNA for TRPC 1, 3–7 was present in CA1 hippocampus. Using single-cell RT-PCR, we found expression of mRNA for TRPC 1, 4–7, but not TRPC3, in O/A INs. Using co-immunoprecipitation assays in HEK-293 cell expression system, we found that TRPC1 and TRPC4 interacted with mGluR1a. Co-immunoprecipitation in hippocampus showed that TRPC1 interacted with mGluR1a. Using immunofluorescence, we found that TRPC1 co-localized with mGluR1a in O/A IN dendrites, whereas TRPC4 localization appeared limited to O/A IN cell body. Down-regulation of TRPC1, but not TRPC4, expression in O/A INs using small interfering RNAs prevented slow EPSCs, suggesting that TRPC1 is an obligatory TRPC subunit for these EPSCs. Our findings uncover a functional role of TRPC1 in mGluR1a-mediated slow excitatory synaptic transmission onto O/A INs that could be involved in Hebbian LTP at these synapses.
Determinants of preterm birth among mothers who gave birth in East Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Laelago Tariku , Yohannes Tadele , Tsige Gulima
Published: January 2020

Background

Preterm birth (PTB) can be caused by different factors. The factors can be classified into different categories: socio demographic, obstetric, reproductive health, medical, behavioral and nutritional related. The objective of this review was identifying determinants of PTB among mothers who gave birth in East African countries.

Methods

We have searched the following electronic bibliographic databases: PubMed, Google scholar, Cochrane library, AJOL (African journal online). Cross sectional, case control and cohort study published in English were included. There was no restriction on publication period. Studies with no abstracts and or full texts, editorials, and qualitative in design were excluded. Funnel plot was used to check publication bias. I-squared statistic was used to check heterogeneity. Pooled analysis was done by using fixed and random effect model. The Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Tools for review and meta-analysis was used to check the study quality.

Results

A total of 58 studies with 134,801 participants were used to identify determinants of PTB. On pooled analysis, PTB was associated with age < 20 years (AOR 1.76, 95% CI: 1.33–2.32), birth interval less than 24 months (AOR 2.03, 95% CI 1.57–2.62), multiple pregnancy (AOR 3.44,95% CI: 3.02–3.91), < 4 antenatal care (ANC) visits (AOR 5.52, 95% CI: 4.32–7.05), and absence of ANC (AOR 5.77, 95% CI: 4.27–7.79). Other determinants of PTB included: Antepartum hemorrhage (APH) (AOR 4.90, 95% CI: 3.48–6.89), pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) (AOR 3.10, 95% CI: 2.34–4.09), premature rupture of membrane (PROM) (AOR 5.90, 95% CI: 4.39–7.93), history of PTB (AOR 3.45, 95% CI: 2.72–4.38), and history of still birth/abortion (AOR 3.93, 95% CI: 2.70–5.70). Furthermore, Anemia (AOR 4.58, 95% CI: 2.63–7.96), HIV infection (AOR 2.59, 95% CI: 1.84–3.66), urinary tract infection (UTI) (AOR 5.27, 95% CI: 2.98–9.31), presence of vaginal discharge (AOR 5.33, 95% CI: 3.19–8.92), and malaria (AOR 3.08, 95% CI: 2.32–4.10) were significantly associated with PTB.

Conclusions

There are many determinants of PTB in East Africa. This review could provide policy makers, clinicians, and program officers to design intervention on preventing occurrence of PTB.
Effects of endovascular and surface cooling on resuscitation in patients with cardiac arrest and a comparison of effectiveness, stability, and safety: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liao Xueli , Zhou Ziyu , Zhou Manhong , Tang Hui , Feng Menglong , Kou Bujin , Zhu Ni , Liao Futuan , Wu Liaozhang
Published: January 2020

Objectives

This study conducted a meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness, stability, and safety of mild therapeutic hypothermia (TH) induced by endovascular cooling (EC) and surface cooling (SC) and its effect on ICU, survival rate, and neurological function integrity in adult CA patients.

Methods

We developed inclusion criteria, intervention protocols, results, and data collection. The results included outcomes during target temperature management as well as ICU stay, survival rate, and neurological functional integrity. The characteristics of the included population and each study were analyzed.

Results

Four thousand nine hundred thirteen participants met the inclusion criteria. Those receiving EC had a better cooling efficiency (cooling rates MD = 0.31[0.13, 0.50],p < 0.01; induced cooling times MD = − 90.45[− 167.57, − 13.33],p = 0.02; patients achieving the target temperature RR = 1.60[1.19, 2.15],p < 0.01) and thermal stability during the maintenance phase (maintenance time MD = 2.35[1.22, 3.48],p < 0.01; temperature fluctuation MD = − 0.68[− 1.03, − 0.33],p < 0.01; overcooling RR = 0.33[0.23, 0.49],p < 0.01). There were no differences in ICU survival rate (RR = 1.22[0.98, 1.52],p = 0.07,I2 = 0%) and hospital survival rate (RR = 1.02 [0.96, 1.09],p = 0.46,I2 = 0%), but EC reduced the length of stay in ICU (MD = − 1.83[− 3.45, − 0.21],p = 0.03,I2 = 49%) and improved outcome of favorable neurological function at discharge (RR = 1.15[1.04, 1.28],p < 0.01,I2 = 0%). EC may delay the hypothermia initiation time, and there was no significant difference between the two cooling methods in the time from the start of patients’ cardiac arrest to achieve the target temperature (MD = − 46.64[− 175.86, 82.58]). EC was superior to non-ArcticSun in terms of cooling efficiency. Although there was no statistical difference in ICU survival rate, ICU length of stay, and hospitalization survival rate, in comparison to non-ArcticSun, EC improved rates of neurologically intact survival (RR = 1.16 [1.01, 1.35],p = 0.04,I2 = 0%).

Conclusions

Among adult patients receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation, although there is no significant difference between the two cooling methods in the time from the start of cardiac arrest to achieve the target temperature, the faster cooling rate and more stable cooling process in EC shorten patients’ ICU hospitalization time and help more patients obtain good neurological prognosis compared with patients receiving SC. Meanwhile, although EC has no significant difference in patient outcomes compared with ArcticSun, EC has improved rates of neurologically intact survival.
A deep learning image-based intrinsic molecular subtype classifier of breast tumors reveals tumor heterogeneity that may affect survival
Authors: Jaber Mustafa I. , Song Bing , Taylor Clive , Vaske Charles J. , Benz Stephen C. , Rabizadeh Shahrooz , Soon-Shiong Patrick , Szeto Christopher W.
Published: January 2020

Background

Breast cancer intrinsic molecular subtype (IMS) as classified by the expression-based PAM50 assay is considered a strong prognostic feature, even when controlled for by standard clinicopathological features such as age, grade, and nodal status, yet the molecular testing required to elucidate these subtypes is not routinely performed. Furthermore, when such bulk assays as RNA sequencing are performed, intratumoral heterogeneity that may affect prognosis and therapeutic decision-making can be missed.

Methods

As a more facile and readily available method for determining IMS in breast cancer, we developed a deep learning approach for approximating PAM50 intrinsic subtyping using only whole-slide images of H&E-stained breast biopsy tissue sections. This algorithm was trained on images from 443 tumors that had previously undergone PAM50 subtyping to classify small patches of the images into four major molecular subtypes—Basal-like, HER2-enriched, Luminal A, and Luminal B—as well as Basal vs. non-Basal. The algorithm was subsequently used for subtype classification of a held-out set of 222 tumors.

Results

This deep learning image-based classifier correctly subtyped the majority of samples in the held-out set of tumors. However, in many cases, significant heterogeneity was observed in assigned subtypes across patches from within a single whole-slide image. We performed further analysis of heterogeneity, focusing on contrasting Luminal A and Basal-like subtypes because classifications from our deep learning algorithm—similar to PAM50—are associated with significant differences in survival between these two subtypes. Patients with tumors classified as heterogeneous were found to have survival intermediate between Luminal A and Basal patients, as well as more varied levels of hormone receptor expression patterns.

Conclusions

Here, we present a method for minimizing manual work required to identify cancer-rich patches among all multiscale patches in H&E-stained WSIs that can be generalized to any indication. These results suggest that advanced deep machine learning methods that use only routinely collected whole-slide images can approximate RNA-seq-based molecular tests such as PAM50 and, importantly, may increase detection of heterogeneous tumors that may require more detailed subtype analysis.
Hc-hrg-2, a glutathione transferase gene, regulates heme homeostasis in the blood-feeding parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus
Authors: Zhou Jing-Ru , Bu Dan-Ru , Zhao Xian-Feng , Wu Fei , Chen Xue-Qiu , Shi Heng-Zhi , Yao Chao-Qun , Du Ai-Fang , Yang Yi
Published: January 2020

Background

Haemonchus contortus, a blood-feeding parasite, is constantly surrounded by large quantities of heme released from the catabolism of host red blood cells. To cope with the toxicity of free heme, H. contortus needs to uptake and detoxify the heme, a process believed to be paramount for parasite survival.

Methods

A heme-responsive gene Hc-hrg-2 was identified which is the homologue of Ce-hrg-2. The transcriptional levels in all developmental stages and heme-responsive ability of Hc-hrg-2 were analyzed by qRT-PCR. Immunofluorescence analysis and cell transfections were performed to analyze the expression pattern of Hc-HGR-2. Statistical analyses were performed with GraghPad Prism 6.0 using Student’s t-test.

Results

To investigate the heme homeostasis of H. contortus, we first identified a heme-responsive gene Hc-hrg-2, a homolog of Ce-hrg-2 that is involved in heme transport in the hypodermis of Caenorhabditis elegans. Using qRT-PCR, we showed that Hc-hrg-2 mRNA was expressed throughout all life-cycle stages of H. contortus with the highest level in the third-stage larvae (L3s). Notably, transcription of Hc-hrg-2 in the exsheathed L3s was significantly upregulated in the presence of high concentration of heme. We found that Hc-HRG-2 protein was mainly located in the hypodermal tissues of adult H. contortus in vivo and the endoplasmic reticulum in the transfected mammalian cells. Our in vitro assay demonstrated that Hc-HRG-2 is a heme-binding protein with glutathione S-transferase activity and heme had a significant effect on its enzymatic activity when a model substrate 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) was used.

Conclusions

Hc-hrg-2 is a heme-responsive gene and engaged in heme homeostasis regulation in hypodermal tissues during the free-living stages of H. contortus.
Developing an interpersonal communication skill scale targeting female nursing students
Authors: Kondo Junko , Tomizawa Rie , Jibu Tetsuya , Kamide Kei
Published: January 2020

Objectives

The purposes of this study are to evaluate the interpersonal communication capabilities in basic nursing education and to develop an interpersonal communication skill scale with reference to microcounseling theory.

Results

A quantitative analytical design was employed that involved administering a 28-item self-efficacy survey with reference to microcounseling techniques to 208s-year female nursing students. Measurement data include the nursing student version of the communication skill preliminary scale draft, the generalized self-efficacy scale, and age. Criterion-related validity was verified through descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and correlation analysis. Factor analysis resulted in a 4-factor structure based on eigenvalues and scree plot. The reliability coefficient shows a correlation between the total score of each factor and the total score of the generalized self-efficacy scale at the 1% level. On the nursing student communication skill scale, the factor structure comprises four factors and 21 items; adjusting the items by confirming the contents of the question sentences realized the structure of the four factors, which show satisfactory reliability, and 20 scale items. Of these, 18 are classified according to microcounseling techniques. This study demonstrates the content and criterion-related validity of the scale.
Effect of maternal growth monitoring knowledge on stunting, wasting and underweight among children 0–18 months in Tamale metropolis of Ghana
Authors: Bukari Mohammed , Abubakari Muzamil Mohammed , Majeed Mohammed , Abizari Abdul-Razak , Wemakor Anthony , Atosona Ambrose
Published: January 2020

Objective

This study sought to assess maternal growth monitoring knowledge and its effect on stunting, wasting and underweight among children 0–18 months in the Tamale Metropolis. An analytical cross-sectional study design, involving 340 mother–child pairs randomly selected from 4 health facilities in the Tamale Metropolis was used. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics and maternal growth monitoring knowledge. Weight and length of children were taken to assess nutritional status (stunting, underweight and wasting). Chi square/Fisher’s exact test was used to determine the association between maternal growth monitoring knowledge level and child nutritional status.

Results

The study revealed that 87.6% of mothers had good knowledge on growth monitoring. The prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting were 9.4%, 25.9% and 17.9% respectively. Bivariate analysis revealed that there is no association between maternal growth monitoring knowledge and stunting (p = 0.781), wasting (p = 0.743) and underweight (p = 0.529) among children 0–18 months in the Tamale Metropolis.
Characterization of global 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in pediatric posterior fossa ependymoma
Authors: Wu Tao , Zhang Zhi-wei , Li Shiwei , Wang Bo , Yang Zhijun , Li Peng , Zhang Jing , Tong Wei-min , Li Chunde , Zhao Fu , Niu Yamei , Liu Pinan
Published: January 2020

Background

5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) is a novel epigenetic mark and may be involved in the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and malignant transformation. However, the role of 5hmC in ependymoma, the third most common brain tumor in children, remains unclear. The aim of this study sought to identify the characterization of 5hmC levels in pediatric posterior fossa ependymoma and to evaluate whether 5hmC levels could be a potential factor to predict clinical outcomes.

Results

Our results showed that 5hmC levels were globally decreased in posterior fossa ependymoma compared with normal cerebellum tissues (P < 0.001). Group A posterior fossa ependymomas had higher 5hmC levels than group B tumors (P = 0.007). Moreover, 5hmC levels positively correlated with Ki-67 index in posterior fossa ependymoma (r = 0.428, P = 0.003). Multivariate Cox hazards model revealed that patients with high 5hmC levels (> 0.102%) had worse PFS and OS than patients with lower 5hmC levels (< 0.102%) (PFS: HR = 3.014; 95% CI, 1.040–8.738; P = 0.042; OS: HR = 2.788; 95% CI, 0.974–7.982; P = 0.047).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that loss of 5hmC is an epigenetic hallmark for pediatric posterior fossa ependymoma. 5hmC levels may represent a potential biomarker to predict prognosis in children with posterior fossa ependymoma.
Sex differences in muscle activity and motor variability in response to a non-fatiguing repetitive screwing task
Authors: Luger Tessy , Seibt Robert , Rieger Monika A. , Steinhilber Benjamin
Published: January 2020

Background

Musculoskeletal disorders are more prevalent among women than among men, which may be explained by aspects of motor control, including neuromuscular requirements and motor variability. Using an exploratory approach, this study aimed to evaluate sex differences in neuromuscular responses and motor variability during a repetitive task performed on 3 days.

Methods

Thirty women and 27 men performed the non-fatiguing, repetitive, 1-h screwing task. For neuromuscular responses, the mean and difference values of static, median, and peak percentile muscle activity levels (normalized to a reference voluntary contraction force) and, for motor variability, the mean and difference values of relative and absolute cycle-to-cycle variability across days were compared between both sexes for each muscle. A mixed-design analysis of variance was used to assess differences between both sexes.

Results

The non-fatiguing character of the screwing task was confirmed by the absence of decreased force levels in maximal voluntary contractions performed before and after the task and by absence of electromyographic signs of muscle fatigue. The static and median muscle activity levels tended to be higher among women (on average 7.86 and 27.23 %RVE) than men (on average 6.04 and 26.66 %RVE). Relative motor variability of the flexor and biceps muscles and absolute motor variability of both upper arm muscles were lower in women (on average 0.79 and 29.70 %RVE) than in men (on average 0.89 and 37.55 %RVE). The median activity level of both upper arms muscles tended to decrease within days among women (on average - 2.63 %RVE) but increase among men (on average + 1.19 %RVE). Absolute motor variability decreased within days among women (on average - 5.32 to - 0.34%RVE), whereas it tended to decrease less or increase within days among men (on average - 1.21 to + 0.25 %RVE).

Conclusion

Women showed higher levels of muscle activity and lower initial relative and absolute motor variability than males when performing the same occupational task, implying women may have a higher risk for developing disorders and point to both sexes using different intrinsic motor control strategies in task performance. Clearly, biological aspects alone cannot explain why women would be at higher risk for developing disorders than men. Therefore, a wider range of individual and environmental factors should be taken into account for optimizing work station designs and organizations by taking into account sex differences.
Towards reproducible computational drug discovery
Authors: Schaduangrat Nalini , Lampa Samuel , Simeon Saw , Gleeson Matthew Paul , Spjuth Ola , Nantasenamat Chanin
Published: January 2020

The reproducibility of experiments has been a long standing impediment for further scientific progress. Computational methods have been instrumental in drug discovery efforts owing to its multifaceted utilization for data collection, pre-processing, analysis and inference. This article provides an in-depth coverage on the reproducibility of computational drug discovery. This review explores the following topics: (1) the current state-of-the-art on reproducible research, (2) research documentation (e.g. electronic laboratory notebook, Jupyter notebook, etc.), (3) science of reproducible research (i.e. comparison and contrast with related concepts as replicability, reusability and reliability), (4) model development in computational drug discovery, (5) computational issues on model development and deployment, (6) use case scenarios for streamlining the computational drug discovery protocol. In computational disciplines, it has become common practice to share data and programming codes used for numerical calculations as to not only facilitate reproducibility, but also to foster collaborations (i.e. to drive the project further by introducing new ideas, growing the data, augmenting the code, etc.). It is therefore inevitable that the field of computational drug design would adopt an open approach towards the collection, curation and sharing of data/code.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Research on new college Chinese teaching strategy based on SNS network platform and improved particle swarm optimization
Authors: Bian Xun , Chaomin Zhang , Zhao Jinwen
Published: January 2020

With the rapid development of network technology, college Chinese teaching needs to be reformed as so to adapt to the network environment. This paper puts forward a new strategy of college Chinese teaching based on SNS (social network services) network platform, constructs the model of college Chinese teaching resource allocation, and designs the college Chinese teaching network teaching platform using SNS network method. The routing nodes of SNS network platform are optimized, and the improved PSO (particle swarm optimization) is used to optimize the location of SNS network platform nodes. Based on the node distribution model of PSO, the node overlay connectivity graph of the new SNS network platform of college Chinese teaching is reconstructed to realize the network coverage optimization. The experimental results show that the proposed SNS network platform has better performance of resource scheduling and network connectivity.
Microfluidic device for rapid investigation of the deformability of leukocytes in whole blood samples
Authors: Mohd Noor Anas , Masuda Taisuke , Arai Fumihito
Published: January 2020

The mechanical properties of cells, such as leukocytes, in a diseased state differ from those of healthy cells, typically due to their microstructure. The deformability of the cells through a constrictive area is analyzed by the applied stress to the cell. This study investigates the relationship between the sample flow speed and distribution of captured leukocytes based on the cell deformability using a microfluidic device. The device comprises of microfilters that serve as the filtration mechanism. The microfilter gap size gradually decreases from 15 to 3 µm to facilitate the deformability-based separation. Leukocytes have various sizes; hence, they can be separated by microfilters directly from whole blood samples without any cell clogging, and they do not require sample pre-processing such as centrifugation or red blood cell lysis. The distribution of leukocytes captured by the microfilters with respect to the sample flow speed can be analyzed; at higher sample flow speeds of 6 µL/min, small leukocytes with a size of 7 µm could not be captured and they passed through the smallest microfilter gap size of 3 µm. For smaller leukocytes, such as lymphocytes, the distributions are mainly at gap sizes of 4 µm to 8 µm, with most of the lymphocytes captured at the 6 µm microfilter gap size. We conclude that the distribution of the cells captured during the filtration varies depending on the microfilter gap sizes, applied sample flow speed, cell sizes, and the ability of the cells to deform. The deformability imaging profiles of the sample could be developed from the images of the cell distribution, which might be useful for preliminary screening in the clinical applications. This work presents the development of a simple device for the study of cell deformability as the results provide a biophysical marker in high throughput and bulk sample analyses.
Japanese health utilities index mark 3 (HUI3): measurement properties in a community sample
Authors: Noto Shinichi , Uemura Takamoto
Published: January 2020

Background

The McMaster Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) is a generic multi-attribute, preference-based system for assessing health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study describes the translation procedures and cultural adaptation of the Japanese HUI3 and its measurement properties in a community sample.

Methods

The Japanese HUI3 was developed through forward and back translations in cooperation with the developers of the HUI. Acceptability, comprehensibility of questionnaires, and test-retest reliability were assessed. In a community survey of a total of 3860 people (age: 41 ± 14.3, male/female: 2651/1209), the Canadian scoring function was used to calculate utility scores. Construct validity was assessed by examining the relationship between 20 personal characteristics and utility scores.

Results

Linear regression estimates demonstrated a significant negative relation between HUI3 utility score and low education, male gender, poor interpersonal relationships, older age, and a higher number of chronic diseases. Single-attribute utility scores were associated with chronic conditions in the manner expected. The community samples were relatively healthy. More than 90% of the respondents were distributed in levels 1 and 2 in all attributes except cognition. Interpretability of utility score was assessed by estimation of the relationship between visual analogue scale (VAS) and the self-rated health and utility score. Independence of attributes was assessed. For only 3 of the 28 possible cross-comparisons among the 8 attributes were correlations coefficients greater than 0.25.

Conclusion

Translation and adaptation of the HUI3 questionnaire into Japanese was successful, but the sample size and selection bias limit the interpretation of our study conclusions.
Cognitive performance in patients with chronic tension-type headache and its relation to neuroendocrine hormones
Authors: Kotb Mamdouh Ali , Kamal Ahmed M. , Al-Malki Daifallah , Abd El Fatah Aliaa S. , Ahmed Yassmin M.
Published: January 2020

Background

Tension-type headache is the most common headache to be seen in clinical practice. Depression is highly prevalent in chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) patients attending the clinical settings. Cognitive impairment and neuroendocrine dysregulation had been reported in patients with depression and patients with CTTH.

Objective

To assess the cognitive performance and investigate its possible relations to neuroendocrine levels in patients with CTTH.

Subjects and methods

Patients with CTTH, depression, and control subjects were recruited. CTTH was diagnosed according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Cognitive performance, depression severity, and pain intensity were assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Arabic version, Beck’s Depression Inventory, and McGill Pain Questionnaire respectively. Blood samples were collected in the morning within 60 min after waking up from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. to measure serum levels of basal plasma CRH, ACTH, Cortisol, TSH, FT3, and FT4.

Results

Both patients with CTTH and depression had impaired cognitive performance. Patients with CTTH and patients with depression had altered the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, and pituitary-thyroid axis. The hormonal levels significantly correlated with cognitive function in patient groups, especially patients with CTTH.

Conclusion

Patients with CTTH had cognitive dysfunction which could be related to neuroendocrine hormonal dysregulation.
Wildfire and fire mosaic effects on bird species richness and community composition in south-western Australia
Authors: Wills Allan J. , Liddelow Graeme , Tunsell Verna
Published: January 2020

Background

A fire management strategy of deliberate patch-mosaic burning (PMB) is postulated to promote biodiversity by providing a range of habitat patches with different fire histories, habitat qualities, and vegetation ages at a given scale. We investigated the response of avian fauna to fire, particularly species richness and community composition, in a landscape composed of a diversity of vegetation ages including long-unburned refuges (age 26 years), compared with a landscape of uniform vegetation ages recovering from an extensive and intense fire.

Results

There was no effect of heterogeneity in vegetation age on species richness at whole forest management block (about 6000 ha), or local (2 ha) scales. There were different responses of particular species to vegetation age. Nine species showed responses to vegetation age at local (2 ha) scales, which is presumably a surrogate for availability of key resources and which changes over time. Australian Pipit (Anthus australisVieillot, 1818) were absent from swamp vegetation <3.5 years old, while Spotted Pardalote (Pardalotus punctatusShaw & Nodder, 1792) were only found in forest vegetation <3.5 years old. Year-to-year changes in local assemblages were detected after removing the effect of time since fire. There was no difference in effect of the two fire regimes on assemblage composition or feeding-guild structure.

Conclusions

Mosaics of different vegetation ages had no net benefit for biodiversity, as measured by species richness and assemblage composition, at the forest block management unit scale. Different responses to vegetation age among bird species did not lead to increased bird richness at the scale of forest management block. A potential advantage of mosaics in conservation of avian biodiversity is through preservation of patches of older vegetation ages in the landscape, compared to the periodic extensive loss of older vegetation ages in wildfires. However, the absence of large-scale effects of vegetation age on bird species richness, the tendency for birds to specialize to fuel ages >5.5 years in the landscape studied, and indications of flexible responses of some species at landscape scales allows some flexibility in fuel management strategies and the scale at which they are applied with respect to avifauna.
Persian language health websites on Ebola disease: less credible than you think?
Authors: Ansari Masoumeh , Hamzehei Ronak , Valizadeh-Haghi Saeideh
Published: January 2020

Background

Ebola virus disease is an emergency situation in the area of international public health for which currently, there is no standard treatment. Thus, there is an essential need for awareness of individuals about the Ebola disease and consequently its prevention. Internet and health websites are considered a source of health information about certain diseases. Therefore, in this study, the credibility of Persian-language websites on Ebola is assessed.

Materials and methods

The term “Ebola” was searched using the Yahoo, Google, and Bing search engines. The first 30 websites resulting from each search engine were studied. Persian language was a prerequisite for inclusion. Duplicate and inaccessible websites were excluded and 62 websites were retained for evaluation. These websites were manually assessed by the researchers. The research tool was HONcode official toolbar as well as the checklist set by the researchers based on the HONcode of Conduct tool. The data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 software.

Results

None of the retrieved websites was officially approved by the HONcode of Conduct. Moreover, the manual evaluation showed that none of them had fully considered the eight criteria of HONcode. The results showed that most of the retrieved websites (62%) were commercial. The justifiability criterion had been considered in 89% of the studied websites, but the authority criterion had been considered by only 16% of the websites.

Conclusion and recommendations

Regarding the poor reliability of Persian websites on the Ebola disease, and considering that Persian language people prefer to read the information in their native language, it is recommended that the authorized health organizations introduce reliable health websites in the Persian language. This will help them to take part in active healthcare decision-making and disease prevention. Moreover, it is necessary to educate people especially Persian language ones about the website evaluation tools, which can be used to assess the credibility of health websites before consuming the information on those websites.
Prevalence and associated factors of internet addiction among young adults in Bangladesh
Authors: Hassan Tubayesha , Alam Mohammad Morshad , Wahab Abrar , Hawlader Mohammad Delwer
Published: January 2020

Background

In the last decades, the use of internet has increased many folds, and internet addiction has become a severe public health issue around the world. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of internet addiction among young adults (19–35 years) in Bangladesh and to identify factors associated with it.

Methods

A total of 454 participants were selected from three administrative divisions of Bangladesh using multistage cluster sampling for this cross-sectional study. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data which included Young’s 20 items internet addiction test to assess internet addiction.

Results

The overall prevalence of internet addiction was 27.1%. Addiction rate was 28.6% in the subgroup 19–24 years and 23.5% among 25–35 years old. In both chi-square and logistic regression analyses, internet addiction was significantly associated with living setup, time spent daily on the internet, a detached family relationship, physical activity, and smoking habit (p < 0.05). Spending time on social media websites was the most common online activity among the participants.

Conclusion

Our study revealed a relatively high prevalence of internet addiction among younger participants. A detached family relationship and living away from the family were significant determinants along other factors. Therefore, it is important to raise awareness among young generation and their parents towards predictors of internet addiction.
A comprehensive review on indoor air quality monitoring systems for enhanced public health
Authors: Saini Jagriti , Dutta Maitreyee , Marques Gonçalo
Published: January 2020

Indoor air pollution (IAP) is a relevant area of concern for most developing countries as it has a direct impact on mortality and morbidity. Around 3 billion people throughout the world use coal and biomass (crop residues, wood, dung, and charcoal) as the primary source of domestic energy. Moreover, humans spend 80–90% of their routine time indoors, so indoor air quality (IAQ) leaves a direct impact on overall health and work efficiency. In this paper, the authors described the relationship between IAP exposure and associated risks. The main idea is to discuss the use of wireless technologies for the development of cyber-physical systems for real-time monitoring. Furthermore, it provides a critical review of microcontrollers used for system designing and challenges in the development of real-time monitoring systems. This paper also presents some new ideas and scopes in the field of IAQ monitoring for the researchers.
A gradient boosting decision tree algorithm combining synthetic minority oversampling technique for lithology identification
Authors: Zhou Kaibo , Zhang Jianyu , Ren Yusong , Huang Zhen , Zhao Luanxiao
Published: January 2020

Lithology identification based on conventional well-logging data is of great importance for geologic features characterization and reservoir quality evaluation in the exploration and production development of petroleum reservoirs. However, there are some limitations in the traditional lithology identification process: (1) It is very time consuming to build a model so that it cannot realize real-time lithology identification during well drilling, (2) it must be modeled by experienced geologists, which consumes a lot of manpower and material resources, and (3) the imbalance of labeled data in well-log data may reduce the classification performance of the model. We have developed a gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT) algorithm combining synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) to realize fast and automatic lithology identification. First, the raw well-log data are normalized by maximum and minimum normalization algorithm. Then, SMOTE is adopted to balance the number of samples in each class in training process. Next, a lithology identification model is built by GBDT to fit the preprocessed training data set. Finally, the built model is verified with the testing data set. The experimental results indicate that the proposed approach improves the lithology identification performance compared with other machine-learning approaches.
Using a Quitline to Deliver Opt-Out Smoking Cessation for Cancer Patients
Authors: Notier Anna E. , Hager Polly , Brown Karen S. , Petersen Laura , Bedard Louise , Warren Graham W.
Published: January 2020

PURPOSE:

Although smoking by patients with cancer and survivors causes adverse outcomes, many patients with cancer do not receive access to evidence-based tobacco use treatment. The purpose of this article is to report on delivery of tobacco use treatment to patients with cancer using a state-supported Quitline.

METHODS:

Statewide agencies in Michigan partnered with the Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium to develop and implement a clinical quality improvement initiative with the goal of addressing tobacco use by patients with cancer across Michigan oncology practices. The collaborative designed an opt-out approach for identifying tobacco users and referring them to the Michigan Tobacco Quitline (hereafter known as Quitline) within participating practices. As the initiative progressed, patients with cancer who were not referred through the initiative also became eligible for enrollment in the Quitline program.

RESULTS:

A total of 4,347 patients with cancer enrolled in the Quitline between 2012 and 2017, and annual referrals from oncology practices increased from 364 (5% of Quitline participants) to 876 (17% of Quitline participants). The 2013-2016 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System also demonstrated an increase from 60% to 80% of cancer survivors receiving smoking cessation resources. Of 3,892 patients with cancer who had Quitline follow-up data through 2017, 79% completed one or more counseling calls. The 6-month self-reported quit rate for patients with cancer assessed between 2013 and 2016 was 26%.

CONCLUSION:

Using statewide resources to increase access to evidence-based smoking cessation assistance to patients with cancer is achievable. In an increasingly cost-conscious health care environment, collaborative initiatives that use or enhance existing resources should be considered and refined to deliver effective evidence-based care.
Jewish Citizens of an Imperial Nation-State
Authors: Katz Ethan B.
Published: January 2020

This article draws on the work of recent years on Jews and Algeria to map a French-Algerian frame as a new approach to French Jewish history. The article thinks through the implications of two key ideas from the “new colonial history” for the history of Jews in France and Algeria and posits that Jews in French Algeria can profitably be understood as colonial citizens. After focusing briefly on the French-Algerian War and decolonization, a period for which recent scholarship has developed robustly in suggestive ways, the article turns to a case study from a different era: World War II and the Holocaust. It addresses the history of the majority-Jewish resistance movement in Algiers that paved the way for the success of Operation Torch. Finally, the article considers how this French-Algerian framework might reshape our thinking about certain basic issues in the field of French Jewish history.

Cet article s'appuie sur les travaux des dernières années sur les juifs et l'Algérie pour tracer un modèle franco-algérien comme nouvelle approche de l'histoire des juifs en France. L'article examine les implications de deux idées clés de la « nouvelle histoire coloniale » pour l'histoire des juifs en France et en Algérie, et pose comme principe que les juifs de l'Algérie française peuvent à juste titre être compris comme des « citoyens coloniaux ». Cet article commence par aborder brièvement une période que l'historiographie récente a développé de manière suggestive—la guerre franco-algérienne et la décolonisation—avant de passer à l'étude d'une autre époque, la Deuxième Guerre mondiale et l'Holocauste. L'article analyse l'histoire du mouvement de résistance à majorité juive qui a ouvert la voie au succès de l'opération Torch. Enfin, l'article discute de la manière dont ce cadre franco-algérien pourrait modifier notre réflexion sur certaines questions fondamentales pour l'histoire des juifs en France.
Melting Muscles
Authors: Corfman S. Brook
Published: January 2020

This essay considers transmasculine performance artist Cassils's durational piece Tiresias (2010–13) in light of questions around the connections between affect, embodied knowledge, and the capacity of particular forms. Considering the multiple relationships between Cassils and the ice torso that make up Tiresias in its various media, this essay proposes heat as a bodily knowing that is also a specific affective intake, arguing that inquiry into affect should follow the specific pathways of its generation rather than reducing it to a generalized sensation or an always “unexpressed” or “unactualized” potential beyond the scope of particularity. Such a proposal takes an approach both speculative and material to what bodily knowledge might mean for trans studies without reifying a Cartesian dichotomy. In particular, following temperature in Tiresias delimits the tension between the possibility of shifting, in Susan Stryker's words, “the signs of the flesh that discourse fastens upon to situate the body” through the extreme exercise of a body's gestural capabilities and the temporal nature of a body's always shifting form.