bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Stromal Biglycan Promotes Normalization of the Tumor Microenvironment and Enhances Chemotherapeutic Efficacy
Authors: Cong Li , Maishi Nako , Annan Dorcas A , Young Marian F. , Morimoto Hirofumi , Morimoto Masahiro , Nam Jin-Min , Hida Yasuhiro , Hida Kyoko
Published: January 2021

BackgroundBiglycan is a proteoglycan found in the extracellular matrix. We have previously shown that biglycan is secreted from tumor endothelial cells and induces tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. However, the function of stroma biglycan in breast cancer is still unclear. MethodsBiglycan gene analysis and its prognostic values in human breast cancers were based on TCGA data. E0771 breast cancer cells were injected into WT and Bgn KO mice, respectively. ResultsBreast cancer patients with high biglycan expression had worse distant metastasis-free survival. Furthermore, biglycan expression was higher in the tumor stromal compartment compared to the epithelial compartment. Knockout of biglycan in the stroma (Bgn KO) in E0771 tumor-bearing mice inhibited metastasis to the lung. Bgn KO also impaired tumor angiogenesis and normalized tumor vasculature by repressing tumor necrosis factor-ɑ/angiopoietin 2 signaling. Moreover, fibrosis was suppressed and CD8+ T-cell infiltration was increased in tumor-bearing Bgn KO mice. Furthermore, chemotherapy drug delivery and efficacy were improved in vivo in Bgn KO mice. ConclusionOur results suggest that targeting stromal biglycan may yield a potent and superior anti-cancer effect in breast cancer.
Illicit Drug Use among Adolescents: A Public Perception of Influencing Factors in Owerri, Nigeria
Authors: Ogu Udochukwu Ugochukwu , Ezumah Nkoli , Odii Aloysius , Uguru Nkolika P.
Published: January 2021

BackgroundIllicit drug use among adolescents has become a public health concern which cuts across all social strata. This study explored the public perception of factors that influence illicit drug use among adolescents in Owerri, Nigeria. MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional research design was used. The study adopted a mixed-method approach comprising quantitative and qualitative methods and was carried out in Owerri metropolis of Imo State, Nigeria. The research instruments used for data collection were questionnaires and in-depth interview guide. The target population comprised adults 18 years and above residing in the area of interest at the time of the study. For the qualitative method, a total of 10 communities were selected randomly by balloting and availability sampling was employed in the selection of respondents. Respondents for the qualitative method were purposively selected.ResultsIn the quantitative study, just over half of the respondents, from across the three areas in Owerri metropolis, asserted that peer influence, emotional/relationship problems, wanting to feel ‘high’ are factors influencing adolescent consumption of illicit drugs whereas the qualitative study found family background, ‘unique’ experience such as the death of a loved one etc. as factors influencing adolescents’ illicit drug use. The quantitative results showed that persons with a higher level of education are more likely than those with a lower level of education to perceive a significant difference in drug use between in – school and out – of – school adolescents. ConclusionsPeer influence, emotional/relationship problems and the influence of media (especially the social media), among several other identified reasons, are perceived by the public as factors that influence adolescents’ use of illicit drugs. Some of the factors identified by the public are either not supported by evidence or are against evidence. As a means to curb some of these factors, the communities, schools and universities should formulate contextual policies to prevent drug use and should also hold seminars for parents and families to alert them early to the symptoms of drug use in their children.
Microstructural, Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of Co-extruded Aluminium-titanium Bi-metal Composite
Authors: S Arunkumar , M.S Alphin , Z Edward Kennedy , N Sriraman , N Sathiya Narayanan
Published: January 2021

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Potassium Phosphite Modulated the Soil Microbiome and Enriched the Antagonistic Bacteria Streptomyces Coelicoflavus and Paenibacillus Favisporus to Inhibit the Tomato Pathogen Ralstonia Solanacearum Synergistically
Authors: Su Lv , Mo Xingxia , Sun Juan , Qiu Pengfei , Zhang Ruifu , Kuramae Eiko E. , Shen Biao , Shen Qirong
Published: January 2021

Background: Application of certain agricultural chemicals could modulate the soil microbiome and induce potential antagonistic microbes. However, the specific selective effects of agricultural chemicals on soil bacterial functions and their co-occurrences are not well understood, and no studies have verified that the enriched potential antagonistic microbes could enhance the antagonistic functions of the soil microbiome.Results: Here, the effects of potassium phosphite (KP), an environment-friendly agricultural chemical, on the soil bacterial composition, co-occurrences and antagonistic functions were determined, and the potential antagonistic bacteria against the tomato bacterial wilt pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum were isolated to test their functions and associations among these strains. Our results showed that application of KP enriched Bacillus, Paenibacillus and Streptomyces. The positive links among the OTUs belonging to these genera were increased, and positive associations between these OTUs and predicted genes related to antagonistic substance production were revealed. Two strains, Streptomyces coelicoflavus F13 and Paenibacillus favisporus Y7, were isolated, and they inhibited the growth of R. solanacearum. Genomic sequencing showed that both strains harboured streptomycin synthetic genes, and P. favisporus Y7 also contained surfactin synthetic gene cluster. Synergistic inhibition of R. solanacearum growth by P. favisporus Y7 and S. coelicoflavus F13 was observed in soil. Genome-scale metabolic modelling showed that dextrin and lactic acid were potential cross-feeding metabolites. In addition, the KP-modulated soil microbiome could suppress R. solanacearum growth. Conclusions: Our results highlight that a KP-modulated soil microbiome has considerable potential for biocontrol and indicate a new mechanism for the inhibition of R. solanacearum by KP-enriched soil bacteria.
Reshaping the Gut Microbiome in An Apc-Mutant Genetic Background: Mechanistic Insights From Integrated Multi-Omics
Authors: Chen Ying-Shiuan , Li Jia , Menon Rani , Jayaraman Arul , Lee Kyongbum , Huang Yun , Dashwood Wan Mohaiza , Zhang Ke , Sun Deqiang , Dashwood Roderick
Published: January 2021

Background: Complex interrelationships govern the dynamic interactions between gut microbes, the host, and exogenous drivers of disease outcome. A multi-omic approach to cancer prevention by spinach was pursued in the polyposis in rat colon (Pirc) model of colorectal cancer. Results: Spinach fed for 26 weeks (10% w/w, freeze-dried in the diet) exhibited significant antitumor efficacy in the Pirc model and, despite the Apc-mutant genetic background, no changes were detected in b-catenin protein expression. To provide mechanistic leads, we performed 16S rRNA sequencing of the gut microbiome and unbiased transcriptomic analyses of colon polyps and matched normal-looking tissues. For dietary spinach intervention groups, increased microbiome diversity coincided with reversal of taxonomic composition in both wild type and Apc-mutant rats. Metagenomic prediction implicated linoleate and butanoate metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and pathways in cancer, which was supported by mechanistic leads from metabolomic analyses. Specifically, anticancer outcomes were linked to several spinach-derived linoleate bioactives with known anti-inflammatory and proapoptotic mechanisms, as well as N-aceto-2-hydroxybutanoate changes that were consistent with altered butanoate metabolism stemming from the increased a-diversity of the gut microbiome. On the other hand, L-glutamate and N-acetylneuraminate were reduced markedly in colon tumors from spinach-fed rats, implicating deregulated mitochondrial energetics and altered cell surface glycans involved in oncogenic signaling networks, immune evasion, and other pathways in cancer.Conclusions: Tumor suppression by dietary spinach was observed for the first time in the Apc-mutant Pirc model, and was independent of the mechanistic targeting of b-catenin. Marked reshaping of the gut microbiome in spinach-fed rats occurred along with changes in host transcriptomics and RNA-miRNA networks. Metabolomics provided mechanistic support for linoleate and butanoate metabolism, which are both strongly linked to anticancer outcomes in the colon. Tumor-associated changes in L-glutamate and N-acetylneuraminate warrant further investigation in the context of synthetic lethality and circumventing deregulated signaling networks in colorectal cancer patients.
Conversation from anti-ferromagnetic Mn­Br2 to ferromagnetic Mn­3Br8 monolayer with large MAE
Authors: Hu Yan , Jin Shuo , Luo Zhifen , Zeng Hanghang , Wang Jiahui , Fan Xiao-Li
Published: January 2021

A pressing need in low energy spintronics is two-dimensional (2D) ferromagnets with Curie temperature above the liquid-Nitrogen temperature (77K), sizeable magnetic anisotropy. We studied Mn3Br8 monolayer which is obtained via inducing Mn vacancy at 1/4 population in MnBr2 monolayer. Such defective configuration is designed to change the coordination structure of the Mn-d5, to achieve ferromagnetism with sizeable magnetic anisotropy energy (MAE). Our calculations show that Mn3Br8 monolayer is a ferromagnetic (FM) half-metal and has Curie temperature of 130K, large MAE of -2.33 meV per formula unit, atomic magnetic moment of 13/3µB. Additionally, Mn3Br8 monolayer maintains to be FM under small biaxial strain, whose Curie temperature under 5% compressive strain is 160K. Additionally, both biaxial strain and carrier doping make the MAE increase, which mainly contributed by the magneto-crystalline anisotropy energy (MCE). Our designed defective structure of MnBr2 monolayer provides a simple but effective way to achieve ferromagnetism with large MAE in 2D materials.
Emergence of DIM-1 and KPC-1 Genes Associated Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolates in Three Major Hospitals in Hanoi, Vietnam (2010-2015)
Authors: Anh Tran Hai , Hoang Tran Huy , Bich Vu Thi Ngoc , Tung Trinh Son , Linh Tran Dieu , My Pham Ha , Hanh Ngo Thi Hong , Thao Nguyen Minh , Duong Tran Nhu , Thai Pham Duy , Anh Dang Duc , Shibayama Keigo , Suzuki Masato , Yoshida Lay-Myint , Trinh Hong Son , Thanh Le Viet , Thom Vu Phuong , Nga Luu Thi Vu , Bañuls Anne-Laure , Linh Trinh Khanh , Anh Tran Van , Doorn H Rogier van
Published: January 2021

Background: Multidrug-resistant bacteria including carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa are recognised as an important cause of hospital-acquired infections worldwide. To determine the molecular characterisation and antibiotic resistant genes associated with carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa. Methods: we conducted whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 72 carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa isolated from hospital-acquired infection patients from 2010 to 2015 in three major hospitals in Hanoi, Vietnam. Results: We identified three variants of IMP genes, among which IMP-15 gene was the most frequent (n= 34) in comparison to IMP-26 (n= 2) and IMP-51 (n=12). We observed two isolates with imipenem MIC >128mg/L that co-harboured IMP-15 and DIM-1 genes and seven isolates (imipenem MIC> 128mg/L) with KPC-1 gene from the same hospital. MLST data showed that sequence types (ST) of 72 isolates were classified into 18 STs and phylogenetic tree analysis divided these isolates into nine groups. Conclusion: Our results provide evidence that not only IMP-26, but other variants of IMPs like IMP-15 and IMP-51 genes and several STs (ST235, ST244, ST277, ST310, ST773 and ST3151) have been disseminated in health care settings in Vietnam. Also, we report the first finding in Vietnam that two isolates belonging to ST1240 and ST3340 harboured two important carbapenemase genes (IMP-15 and, DIM-1) and seven isolates belonging to ST3151 of P. aeruginosa carried the KPC-1 gene, which could be a potential cause of seriously restricted available treatment options in healthcare settings.
Slowing deforestation in Indonesia follows declining oil palm expansion and lower oil prices
Authors: Gaveau David , Locatelli Bruno , Salim Mohammad , Husnayaen Husnayaen , Manurung Timer , Descals Adrià , Angelsen Arild , Meijaard Erik , Sheil Douglas
Published: January 2021

Much concern about tropical deforestation focuses on oil palm plantations, but their impacts remain poorly quantified. Using satellites, we estimated annual expansion of large-scale (industrial) and smallholder oil palm plantations and their overlap with forest loss from 2001 to 2019 in Indonesia, the world’s largest palm oil producer.Over nineteen years, the area under oil palm doubled, reaching 16.24 million hectares (Mha) in 2019 (64% industrial; 36% smallholder), more than official estimates of 14.72 Mha. This expansion was responsible for nearly one-third (2.85 Mha) of Indonesia’s loss of old-growth forests (9.79 Mha). Industrial plantations were associated with three times as much forest conversion as smallholder plantings (2.13 Mha vs 0.72 Mha). New plantations peaked in 2009 and 2012 and declined thereafter. Deforestation peaked in 2016 and fell below pre-2004 levels in 2017-2019. Expansion of industrial plantations and forest loss were correlated with palm oil prices. A price decline of 1% was associated with a 1.08% decrease in new industrial plantations and with a 0.68% decrease of forest loss. This slow-down provides an opportunity for the Indonesian government to focus on details of sustainable oil palm management. If prices rise, effective regulations will remain key to minimising deforestation.
Integrated Small RNA Sequencing, Transcriptome, and GWAS Data Reveal miRNA Regulation in Response to Milk Protein Traits in Chinese Holstein Cattle
Authors: Cai Wentao , Li Cong , Li Junya , Song Jiuzhou , Zhang Shengli
Published: January 2021

Background: Milk protein is one of the most important economic traits in the milk industry. Our previous study has revealed some functional genes responsible for milk protein synthesis in mammals. Yet, the miRNA-mediated gene regulatory network for the synthesis of milk protein in mammary is poorly understood. Results: 12 samples from Chinese Holstein Cows with three too high and three low phenotypic values for milk protein percentage in lactation and non-lactating were examined through deep small RNA sequencing. By bioinformatics analysis, we characterized 387 known and 212 novel miRNAs in the mammary gland. Differentially expressed analysis detected 28 miRNAs in lactation and 52 miRNAs in the non-lactating period with a highly significant correlation with milk protein concentration. Target prediction and correlation analysis identified some key miRNAs and their targets potentially involved in the synthesis of milk protein. Using genome-wide association signal (GWAS) enrichment analysis among five milk production traits, we found the differentially expressed targets were significantly related to milk protein traits.Conclusions: This integrated study on the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory profiles between significantly differential phenotype of milk protein concentration provides new insights into the mechanism of milk protein synthesis, which should reveal the regulatory mechanisms of milk secretion.
Numerical Simulation and Experimental Verification of Dry Pressed MgTiO3 Ceramic Body during Pressureless Sintering
Authors: Wang Jiang , Ni Yu , Liu Kai , Du Yanying , Liu Wei , Wang Zijian , Huang Shangyu , Sun Huajun
Published: January 2021

To clarify the densification law of dry pressed MgTiO3 ceramic body during pressureless sintering, SOVS model modified with creep characteristics was embedded into finite element software Abaqus. The selected model can effectively express the grain boundary characteristics and densification mechanism. The change law of relative density, shrinkage rate, sintering stress and grain size of MgTiO3 cylindrical specimens were investigated by the above numerical simulation method. It showed that the average relative density of ceramic body rose from 60% to 97% and the shrinkage rate resepectively reached 17.28% and 11.99% in axial and radial direction. The average grain size increased from 1μm to 6 μm. In order to verify the accuracy of the simulation results, corresponding sintering experiments on cylindrical specimens were carried out to obtain actual sintering densities and shrinkage rates. It showed that the errors of relative density and shrinkage is below 5% and 2%. Grain growth trend was also basically consistent with the simulation results. After that, the above numerical simulation method was applied into the prediction of fabricating MgTiO3 filter with complex structure. Therefore, the present work provided a reliable numerical simulation method to predict the densification behavior of MgTiO3 ceramics during the pressureless sintering process, which was helpful to design and fabricate microwave dielectric products.
Study on Simulation Method of Virtual Material for Modal Characteristics of Steel-BFPC Joint Surface
Authors: Shen Jiaxing , Chen Yu , Xu Ping , Zhang Xing-Yuan , Yu Ying-Hua , Li Xiao-Jing
Published: January 2021

Basalt fiber polymer concrete (BFPC) machine tool has the properties of lightweight and high damping, and the BFPC machine tool has excellent vibration damping and anti-vibration performance, which can improve the processing performance of the machine tool. There are many steel-BFPC jointsurfaces in the machine tool, and thesejoint surfaceshavea key influence on the dynamic performance such as the modal performance of the machine tool. In order to establish a virtual material simulation analysis method for modal characteristics of steel-BFPC joint surface, the detection principle of contact parameters of steel-BFPC joint surface was studied by using forced vibration theory, and the contact parameter detection experiment of steel-BFPC joint surface was designed. The virtual material model of BFPC joint surface was established, and the theoretical formulas of equivalent elastic modulus and equivalent shear modulus were derived based on the identified parameters of the BFPC joint surface. For the correctness of the analysis theory, a BFPC bed was taken as an example to study the modal performance of the BFPC bed by means of experiment and virtual material simulation analysis, respectively. The results of simulation analysis were compared with the experimental results. The results show that the maximum error of thenatural frequency is only 6.23%, and the modes of each order are consistent, which prove the effectiveness and accuracy of the virtual material simulation analysis method.
Strong and tunable anti-CRISPR/Cas9 activity of AcrIIA4 in plants
Authors: Calvache Camilo , Vazquéz-Vilar Marta , Selma Sara , Uranga Mireia , Daròs José-Antonio , Orzáez Diego
Published: January 2021

This study describes the strong anti-CRISPR activity of the bacterial AcrIIA4 protein in Nicotiana benthamiana, a model plant used as molecular farming platform. The results demonstrate that AcrIIA4 abolishes site-directed mutagenesis in leaves when transiently co-expressed with CRISPR/Cas9. We also show that AcrIIA4 represses CRISPR/dCas9-based transcriptional activation (CRISPRa) of both reporter and endogenous genes in a highly efficient, dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the fusion of an auxin degron to AcrIIA4 results in auxin-regulated activation of a downstream reporter gene. The strong anti-Cas9 activity of AcrIIA4 reported here opens new possibilities for customized control of gene editing and gene expression in plants.
Origin of gem-quality barite at Jebel Ouichane district in Nador, Morocco: implications from integrated fluid inclusions, stable isotopes, and geochemistry
Authors: Dumańska-Słowik Magdalena , Beata Naglik , Toboła Tomasz , Powolny Tomasz , Huber Miłosz , Milovska Stanislava , Dobosz Natalia , Guzik Kamil
Published: January 2021

Light-blue barite from Jebel Ouichane in Morocco forms blade-like tabular crystals (up to ca. 10 cm) with superb transparency and lustre. It represents one of the most spectacular gem-quality specimens in the world. The barite is hosted by iron-ore-bearing skarns, developed within Jurassic-Cretaceous limestones, and occurs in close spatial association with calcite. Although it exhibits simple chemical composition, some irregular sectorial zoning, maintained by elevated contents of Sr in various crystal domains, were found. Barite from Ouichane is abundant in one phase (liquid or gas) or two-phase (liquid-gas) fluid inclusions of primary, pseudosecondary, and secondary origin. A combination of fluid inclusion microthermometry and stable isotope data suggest that δ18O value of barite-forming solutions, resulting from mixing of meteoric waters with hydrothermal fluids, could be in the range from -3,5‰ to +2,7 ‰ (VSMOW), whereas the main barite crystallization stage falls in the temperatures range of 160-180 °C. The recorded first ice melting temperatures (-35.9 to -41.5 ºC) indicate the presence of divalent cations, i.e. Ca2+and Mg2+ in addition to NaCl ± KCl in the mineralizing fluid composition. The possible source of SO42- and Ba2+, which gave rise to the barite formation was fluid enriched in Ba, Sr, Ca, Mg, S, and other elements derived from the alteration of carbonate and silicate minerals, being components of sedimentary and igneous rocks found in the surroundings of Nador area. Necessary amounts of sulphur could be in turn provided by weathering of pyrite and/or decomposition of organosulphur compounds. The combination of δ34S and δ18O values of barite (+16.39‰ and 6.71‰, respectively) indicate that its formation occurred in a steam-heated (near-surface) environment.
Honeycomb Wet Scrubber For Acidic Gas Control: Modeling And Long-term Test Results 
Authors: Le Thi-Cuc , Hong Gung-Hwa , Lin Guan-Yu , Li Ziyi , Pui David Y.H. , Liou Yi-Ling , Wang Bing-Tsai , Tsai Chuen-Jinn
Published: January 2021

A laboratory scale, 1.0 CMM wet scrubber packed with water-absorbing honeycomb material (HWS) with a very large geometric surface area of 480 m2 m-3 and a low pressure drop developed in our previous study was shown to achieve a very high removal efficiency for gaseous acidic gases but there were no long-term test data. In this study, the HWS scaled up to operate at 100 CMM flow rate was tested for removing mixed acidic gases at a semiconductor fab for a very long period of 3.5 years. Results showed that the removal efficiency for the mixed gases emitted from the fab always maintained as high as > 95% for HF, CH3COOH, HCl, HNO3, HNO2, and H2SO4 with the inlet concentrations ranging from supper-ppmv to sub-ppmv, respectively, during 3.5-yr period. With water jet cleaning of the honeycomb modules once per year, the pressure drop of the HWS remained to be very low at 0.5-0.8 cmH2O, indicating minimal scaling in the HWS existed. Additionally, the predicted height and removal efficiencies of the HWS were very close to the experimental data. The excellent long-term performance of the HWS warrants its potential applications in many areas in which liquid absorption is the preferred treatment method and the theoretical equations can facilitate the design of the HWS.
How About Effect of Lithium Carbonate on Preventive Switch Induced by Antidepressants in Patients With Depressive Episode? Chinese Data Analysis
Authors: Lv Wangqiang , Hejian Tao , Fengli Sun , Weidong Jin
Published: January 2021

Background: Although mania or hypomania was defined as indispensable for bipolar disorder, depressive episodes are more common and impairing, with proven response to treatments.So the prevention switch was a important affair in clinical psychiatryMethods: We searched CBM, CNKI, WANFANG and CSSCI in Chinese to find literature from July 1 2000 to July 31 2020 related to the study in model of “comparison of switch rate between combination treatment of lithium and antidepressant and monotherapy of antidepressant in patients with depressive episode”, among which results such as comments, letters, reviews and case reports were excluded. The rate of switch between groups was synthesized and discussed. Result: A total of 695 subjects were included in 9 studies. Random effect model is used to account for the data by Revman 5.2. The results showed that the switch rate of lithium carbonate was 8.28%(29/350),switch rate of antidepressant was 25.29%(87/344), which was very different in switch rate(OR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.16–0.39) and also indicated that lithium reduced switch rate was 67.25%(25.29%-8.28%/25.29%). In bipolar depression group, lithium reduced switch rate was 68.11%(25.84%-8.24%/25.84%). In depression group, lithium reduced switch rate was 67.34%(25.29%-8.26%/25.29%). In group of patients treated by SSRI, lithium reduced switch rate was 60.3%(29.85%-11.85%/29.85%).In group of patients treated by TCA, lithium reduced switch rate was 73.14%(22.28%-6.01%/22.28%). Conclusion: As typical mood stabilizer, lithium carbonate can reduced switch rate related to antidepressant in patients with depressive episode.
The Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety Disorders Among Postgraduate Students in an Arabic Sample: a Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Alageel Asem , Alyahya Rayyan Abdullah , Alghamdi Raed A. , Alzaid Ban A. , Alsubaie Aryaf S , Aldrehim Maha , Alrahili Nader , McIntyre Roger S
Published: January 2021

Background: Depression and anxiety are indicators of mental health and quality of life. Studies found a high prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders among specific populations, such as medical students, residents and fellows. However, postgraduate students unarguably suffer from many private and career life stressors. Unfortunately, research about the prevalence of depression and anxiety among postgraduate students are greatly lacking.Methods: A cross-sectional online survey; a self-questionnaire divided into five sections. Socio-demographic characteristics, the Patient Health Questionnaire for Depression (PHQ9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 item (GAD7), insomnia and suicide.Results: The number of participants was 1,005, The prevalence of depression and GAD that warrant treatments are 27.4% and 23.6%, respectively. Most of the participants who screened positive for depression and GAD were not aware of having these disorders. Females were at a higher risk of depression (OR: 1.5, 95% CL: 1.10 to 2.15) and GAD (OR:1.49, 95% CL 1.07 to 2.07). Insomnia is associated significantly with depression (P<0.001) and GAD (P<0.001). Depression increases the risk for active suicide thoughts (OR= 7.453) (P<0.001). Conclusion: We have identified a higher prevalence of depression and GAD among postgraduate students compared with the general population. However, they appear to be underrepresented in mental health literature, so further research is necessary. The limitations of this study were centered on the nature of cross-sectional studies, causal relationships cannot be identified.
A nomogram to predict the risk of low cardiac output syndrome after heart valve replacement in cardiac valvular disease patients
Authors: Qing Qiusha , Wei Xin , Zhen Hong , Wen Zhi , Sun Xiaokang , Yang Junrong , Chen Peirui
Published: January 2021

Background and AimLow cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) is a serious postoperative complication, affecting the prognosis of patients underwent heart valve replacement (HVR). We aim to create a nomogram to predict LCOS after HVR in cardiac valvular disease patients.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of 500 cardiac valvular disease patients underwent HVR from 2016 to 2020 in our department. Univariate analysis evaluated the associations between clinical/echocardiographic parameters and LCOS. Independent t-test or Mann–Whitney U‐test: for continuous variables. Fisher's exact test or χ2 test: for categorical variables. Variables with a P < 0.1 in the univariate analysis were entered into least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression to select factors. Then, multivariable logistic regression was performed to develop the predictive model and a nomogram. The discrimination ability, calibration curve analysis and decision curve analysis (DCA) of the nomogram was evaluated in development and validation group.ResultsOf 500 patients, 92 developed postoperative LCOS (18.4%). The nomogram included the following variables: body mass index (BMI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS). The nomogram showed favorable calibration and favorite performance for LCOS detection with C-index 0.826 in the development group and 0.783 in validation group. The DCA showed that the novel model was clinically useful.ConclusionsWe created a nomogram of predicting postoperative LCOS in cardiac valvular disease patients received HVR. This nomogram could be an important tool of LCOS risk prediction after HVR to guide the therapeutic strategy in cardiac valvular disease patients.
Treatment of Herpangina Patients with Xiyanping Injection: A Retrospective Study Based on the Hospital Electronic Medical Record System
Authors: Geng Hongjiao , Wei Ruili , Wang Zhifei , Xie Yanming , Liu Zhishuai
Published: January 2021

Background: Although we have made tremendous medical advances in recent decades in vaccine and supportive therapies, the treatment of herpangina has not experienced such rapid advancement. Xiyanping injection(XYP) is a Chinese prescription with andrographolide as the main components. XYP shows strong inhibitory effects against enterovirus 71 virus,and existence of dose-response relationships in pharmacology studies. However, herpangina still lack specific therapeutics. The present study aimed to demonstrate the “real-world” experiences of herpangina in China using XYP therapy,to provide a basis for treatment of herpangina in children. Methods: We analyzed data of patients (≤70 years) diagnosed with herpangina and used XYP between October 2006 to October 2016 from the large electronic data warehouse (EDW), a multiple sources including hospital information system（HIS） data of “tertiary grade A hospitals” in China. Statistical analyses were performed by SAS9.2 and R.25 software. We present the following article in accordance with the STROBE Statement reporting checklist. Results: A total of 3423 patients of herpangina were retrieved for the analysis in this study. The mean age of the patient population was 2.66 years. Herpangina patients are often with multiple diagnosis, of which hand-foot-and-mouth disease(HFMD), bronchopneumonia and febrile seizure present a higher probability. Antibiotics were the most prescribed (17.61%) except for XYP, followed by ascorbate (10.40%). Conclusions: This study is the first comprehensive retrospective review of herpangina for XYP that has been used in a clinical setting. The present findings of clinical characteristics are fairly consistent with previous clinical studies. Clinical medication use of herpangina were basically in accordance with Expert Consensus of Herpangina in China(2019).Meanwhile, there are abuse problems of antibiotics and antivirals. Despite the underlying mechanisms in antibacterial and antiviral of XYP, the exact clinical efficacy is yet to be revealed. The efficacy and safety of XYP with Western medicines has not been studied.
Nutrient component analyses of selected wild edible plants from Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh, India: An evaluation for future food
Authors: Bhatti Ram Chand , Kaur Rupinder , Kumar Abhishek , Kumar Viney , Singh Siril , Kumar Pardeep , Sharma Sheenu , Chongtham Nirmala , Singh Anand Narain
Published: January 2021

Background

Indigenous people of any particular region use various wild plants for their food, medicines, and other economic products. Many of these wild plants have been documented for their utilization as future foods and medicines based on these people's information. However, information about the nutrient components of many wild edible plants has yet to be scientifically tested. Therefore, this study evaluated the nutrient components of selected wild edible plants.
Methods

A total of 21 species were selected for nutrient and mineral analyses from a total of 90 wild edible plants reported during the survey of 1720 households. Based on the reported edible use, different plant parts of each species were evaluated for their carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamin, and mineral contents. The obtained data were then analyzed using various quantitative indices to assess the selected wild edible plant's efficacy.
Results

It was found that nutrient content considerably varied among all the selected species. Among the selected plant species, Digera muricata has the richest protein content, the tuber of Dioscorea sp. has plenty of carbohydrate content, and Dioscorea bulbifera has the highest fat content. Similarly, Spondias pinnata and Boerhavia diffusa were rich sources of vitamin C and vitamin E, respectively. Digera muricata was found to be promising future food based on overall nutrient composition.
Conclusions

Several traditionally used wild edible plants can have surprisingly higher nutritional contents. These plants can offer a basis for developing dietary supplements and nutraceuticals on a commercial scale. Thus, scientific evaluation and validation of such underutilized plants and their products may prove an alternative future food for malnutrition people.
De Novo Genome Assembly of a Foxtail Millet Cultivar Huagu11 Uncovered the Genetic Difference to the Cultivar Yugu1, and the Genetic Mechanism of Imazethapyr Tolerance
Authors: Wang Jie , Li Shiming , Lan Lei , Xie Mushan , Cheng Shu , Gan Xiaolong , Huang Gang , Du Guohua , Yu kang , Ni Xuemei , Liu Baolong , Peng Guoxiong
Published: January 2021

Background: Setaria italica is the second-most widely planted species of millets in the world and an important model grain crop for the research of C4 photosynthesis and abiotic stress tolerance. Through three genomes assembly and annotation efforts, all genomes were based on next generation sequencing technology, which limited the genome continuity. Results: Here we report a high-quality whole-genome of new cultivar Huagu11, using single-molecule real-time sequencing and High-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) mapping technologies. The total assembly size of the Huagu11 genome was 408.37 Mb with a scaffold N50 size of 45.89 Mb. Compared with the other three reported millet genomes based on the next generation sequencing technology, the Huagu11 genome had the highest genomic continuity. Intraspecies comparison showed about 94.97% and 94.66% of the Yugu1 and Huagu11 genomes, respectively, were able to be aligned as one-to-one blocks with four chromosome inversion. The Huagu11 genome contained approximately 19.43 Mb Presence/absence Variation (PAV) with 627 protein-coding transcripts, while Yugu1 genomes had 20.53 Mb PAV sequences encoding 737 proteins. Overall, 969,596 Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) and 156,282 insertion-deletion (InDels) were identified between these two genomes. The genome comparison between Huagu11 and Yugu1 should reflect the genetic identity and variation between the cultivars of foxtail millet to a certain extent. The Ser-626-Aln substitution in acetohydroxy acid synthase (AHAS) was found to be relative to the imazethapyr tolerance in Huagu11. Conclusions: A new improved high-quality reference genome sequence of Setaria italica was assembled, and intraspecies genome comparison determined the genetic identity and variation between the cultivars of foxtail millet. Based on the genome sequence, it was found that the Ser-626-Aln substitution in AHAS was responsible for the imazethapyr tolerance in Huagu11. The new improved reference genome of Setaria italica will promote the genic and genomic studies of this species and be beneficial for cultivar improvement.
Mutation Profile of Collagen VI-Related Myopathy in Japan
Authors: Inoue Michio , Saito Yoshihiko , Yonekawa Takahiro , Ogawa Megumu , Iida Aritoshi , Nishino Ichizo , Noguchi Satoru
Published: January 2021

Background: Collagen VI-related myopathy spans a clinical continuum from severe Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy to milder Bethlem myopathy. This disease is caused by mutations in COL6A1, COL6A2, or COL6A3. Most reported mutations are de novo; therefore, to identify possible associated mutations, comprehensive large cohort studies are required for different ethnicities.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical information, muscle histology, and genetic analyses from 147 Japanese patients representing 130 families, whose samples were sent for diagnosis to the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry between July 1979 and January 2020. Genetic analyses were conducted by gene-based resequencing, targeted panel resequencing, and whole exome sequencing, in combination with cDNA analysis.Results: Of a total of 130 families with 1-5 members with collagen VI-related myopathy, 120 had mono-allelic and 10 had bi-allelic variants of COL6A1, COL6A2, or COL6A3. Among them, 60 variants were in COL6A1, 57 in COL6A2, and 23 in COL6A3, including 37 novel variants. Mono-allelic variants were classified into four groups: missense (69, 58%), splicing (40, 33%), small in-frame deletion (7, 6%), and large genomic deletion (4, 3%). Variants in the triple helical domains accounted for 88% (105/120) of all mono-allelic variants. Conclusions: We report the mutation profile of a large set of Japanese cases of collagen VI-related myopathy. This dataset can be used as a reference to support genetic diagnosis and mutation-specific treatment.
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of integrating the management of depression into routine HIV Care in Uganda (the HIV+D trial): A cluster-randomised trial
Authors: Kinyanda Eugene , Kyohangirwe Leticia , Mpango Richard S. , Tusiime Christine , Ssebunnya Joshua , Katumba Kenneth , Tenywa Patrick , Mugisha James , Taasi Geoffrey , Sentongo Hafsa , Akena Dickens , Laurence Yoko , Muhwezi Wilson , Weiss Helen A , Neuman Melissa , Greco Giulia , Knizek Birthe , Levin Jonathan , Araya Ricardo , Ssembajjwe Wilber , Kaleebu Pontiano , Patel Vikram
Published: January 2021

Background: An estimated 8-30% of people living with HIV (PLWH) have depressive disorders (DD) in sub-Saharan Africa. Of these, the majority are untreated in most of HIV care services. There is evidence from low- and middle- income countries of the effectiveness of both psychological treatments and antidepressant medication for the treatment of DD among PLWH, but no evidence on how these can be integrated into routine HIV care. This protocol describes a cluster-randomised trial to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the HIV+D model for the integration of a collaborative stepped care intervention for DD into routine HIV care, which we have developed and piloted in Uganda.Methods: Forty public health care facilities that provide HIV care in Kalungu, Masaka and Wakiso Districts will be randomly selected to participate in the trial. Each facility will recruit 10-30 eligible PLWH with DD and the total sample size will be 1200. The clusters will be randomised 1:1 to receive Enhanced Usual Care alone (EUC, i.e. HIV clinicians trained in Mental Health Gap Action Programme including guidelines on when and where to refer patients for psychiatric care) or EUC plus HIV+D (psychoeducation, Behavioural Activation, antidepressant medication and referral to a supervising mental health worker, delivered in a collaborative care stepwise approach). Eligibility criteria are PLWH attending the clinic, aged >18 years who screen positive on a depression screening questionnaire (Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ-9≥10). The primary outcome is the mean depressive disorder symptom severity scores (assessed using the PHQ-9) at 3 months post-randomisation, with secondary mental health, disability, HIV and economic outcomes measured at 3 and 12 months. The cost-effectiveness of EUC with HIV+D will be assessed from both the health system and the societal perspectives by collecting health system, patient and productivity costs and mean DD severity scores at 3 months, additional to health and non-health related quality of life measures (EQ-5D-5L and OxCAP-MH).Discussion: The study findings will inform policy makers and practitioners on the cost-effectiveness of a stepped care approach to integrate depression management in routine care for PLWH in low-resource settings. Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN86760765. Registered 07 September 2017, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN86760765
Optimism is a Nonnegligible Factor Associated With Compliance to Urate Lowering Therapy in Patients With Gout: A Prospective Study
Authors: Zhao Wenkai , Huang Zhixiang , Huang Yukai , Huang Qidang , Chen Shuyang , Liu Xiuqi , Zhong Zheng , Liu Yuqi , Li Tianwang
Published: January 2021

Background: Optimism has different effects on patients with chronic rheumatic disease. Gout is an increasingly prevalent disorder around the world, while the compliance to urate lowering therapy (ULT) of gout patients is poor. The objective of this study was to assess the optimism of gout patients. Contributors to optimism and poor compliance were also explored.Methods: A total of 530 gout patients, 174 ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients, 60 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and 324 healthy volunteers were included. Optimism, anxiety, and depression were measured by the life orientation test-revised (LOT-R), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS). Demographic and disease characteristic were recorded, including education, residence, disease duration, etc. Severity of pain in the involved joints was assessed by the visual analog scale (VAS). Concentration of serum uric acid (SUA) was collected at baseline and the last examination within the follow-up. Compliance to ULT was investigated by the medication possession ratio (MPR) in 3 months. The contributors to optimism and poor compliance were detected by the multivariate and binary logistic regression analysis.Results: The LOT-R score of gout patients was higher than AS and RA patients, but there was no statistical difference between gout patients and healthy controls. The SAS and SDS score of gout patients were lower than AS and RA patients, while the SDS score of gout patients was higher than healthy controls. The mean disease duration and VAS score were 5.0 (2.0-7.3) years and 2.0 (0.0-4.0). Percentage of gout patients with an MPR<0.8 was 55.1%. Insufficient education contributed to optimism in gout patients. Insufficient education, living in countryside, higher concentration of SUA and higher LOT-R score led to poor compliance to ULT.Conclusion. The optimism of gout patients is greater compared with AS and RA patients. The compliance to ULT is poor, which ascribes to optimism. Furthermore, the optimism of gout patients may attribute to insufficient education.
Association of Stromal Cell-derived Factor-1 With Diabetic Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Lu Chunfeng , Ma Jianhua , Wang Xueqin , Liu Wangshu , Ge Xiaoqin
Published: January 2021

Background: The present study was designed to explore whether serum stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) levels were associated with albuminuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and detect which clinical parameters might affect serum SDF-1 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Methods: Serum SDF-1 levels were measured by sandwich ELISA. Patients with an eGFR < 60ml/min/1.73m2 and/or a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥ 30mg/g who presented with diabetic retinopathy were identified as having DKD.Results: Serum SDF-1 levels in T2D patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (p < 0.05). Urinary albumin and UACR were positively correlated with serum SDF-1 levels (r = 0.216 and = 0.276, respectively, p < 0.01), and eGFR was inversely related with serum SDF-1 levels (r = -0.368, p < 0.001). Moreover, after adjusting for other clinical covariates by multiple linear regression analyses, the serum SDF-1 levels were independently associated with urinary albumin (β = 0.071, t = 2.185, p < 0.05), UACR (β = 0.071, t = 2.077, p < 0.05) and eGFR (β = -3.975, t = -3.375, p < 0.01). Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated that the optimal SDF-1 cutoff value for predicting macroalbuminuria was 5.735 ng/mL (its corresponding sensitivity was 50.00% and specificity was 81.46%), for predicting abnormal albuminuria was 4.321 ng/mL (its corresponding sensitivity was 58.46% and specificity was 70.78%) and for predicting DKD was 3.505 ng/mL (its corresponding sensitivity was 83.33% and specificity was 42.86%).Conclusions: The serum SDF-1 levels were positively associated with urinary albumin, UACR and cystatin C, and negatively associated with eGFR, which indicate that SDF-1 may play a critical role in the onset and progression of DKD.
Quality of Life and Health Status of Adults With Congenital Heart Disease in Vietnam: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Truong Thanh Huong , Kim Ngoc Thanh , Nguyen Mai Ngoc Thi , Do Doan Loi , Nguyen Hong Thi , Le Thanh Tung , Le Hong An
Published: January 2021

Background: Little is known about the quality of life (QOL) and health status of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) in developing countries. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the QOL and health status of adults with CHD and investigate the association between QOL and biological and social characteristics of these patients in Vietnam.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among 109 adults with CHD, hospitalised in the Vietnam National Heart Institute, between June 2019 and December 2019. Validated instruments to assess QOL and health status describing patient-reported outcomes were used, including the EuroQOL-5 Dimensions-5 Level, Satisfaction with Life Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The data of QOL and health status were analysed using univariable and multivariable logistic regressions.Results: The overall mean scores on the EuroQOL-descriptive system (EQ-DS) and the EuroQOL visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) were 79.2 (SD = 12.2, 95% confidence interval, CI: 76.9–81.5) and 66.3 (SD = 12.5, 95% CI: 63.9–68.7), respectively. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were common among adults with CHD (18.7%, n = 20 and 11%, n = 12; respectively). Stratified multivariate logistic regression revealed: poor QOL using the EQ-DS, and that anxiety related to suffering from a complex CHD or pulmonary artery hypertension (OR = 4.55; 95% CI: 1.26–16.4; p = 0.021 and OR = 4.19, 95% CI: 1.2–14.56; p = 0.024; respectively); poor QOL using the EQ-VAS and that anxiety and depression related to being unemployed or having an unstable employment (OR = 4.16, 95% CI: 1.64–10.56, p = 0.003; OR = 3.63, 95% CI: 1.23–10.72, p = 0.02 and OR = 7.68, 95% CI: 2.09–28.25, p = 0.002; respectively); and life dissatisfaction related to being unmarried (OR = 4.63; 95% CI: 1.2–17.86; p = 0.026).Conclusions: Adults with CHD in Vietnam experienced low QOL, and high levels of anxiety and depression. Poor QOL and psychological problems were related to being female, being unmarried, having low educational level, being unemployed or unstably employed, and having complex CHD or pulmonary artery hypertension.