bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
E-COURT AS THE PREVENTION EFFORTS AGAINST THE INDONESIA JUDICIAL CORRUPTION
Authors: Susanto Susanto
Published: July 2020

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the use of E-Court to eliminate judicial corruption activities. Actions or policies permitted by law and which are not permitted. Corruption in the administration sector is closely related to the relationship between justice seekers and individual administrative staff. The issues raised in this study are How is the systematic E-Court in Suppressing Judicial Corruption in Case Administration Management in Courts in JABODETABEK and How to Improve Administrative Management of Courts in the Future. This study uses an empirical method approach with descriptive analytical research specifications. This is because this study seeks to describe the facts of the E-Court System Effectiveness in the field of suppressing Corruption in the Court's administrative management sector and the factors faced so that it can finally describe the concept of implementing a clean court management system with technology and improvement efforts. The concept of public services must be well understood by the judiciary, because until now there are still many complaints about legal services originating from the justice seeker community. The functionalization of E-Court is not optimal because there are still many justice seekers who still do not know the existence and use of the system. The E-Court system is expected to support the realization of judicial principles that are fast, simple and inexpensive in managing case administration
Pepsin and Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Carcinomas
Authors: Yin Cheng-Yi , Zhang Sha-Sha , Zhong Jiang-Tao , Zhou Shui-Hong
Published: July 2020

Laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas are common malignant tumors of the head and neck, and the incidence of both is increasing. Laryngopharyngeal reflux refers to the retrograde flow of gastric contents into the larynx, oropharynx, and/or nasopharynx. It remains controversial whether laryngopharyngeal reflux is a risk factor for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. The refluxing substances mainly include hydrochloric acid, pepsin, and occasionally bile acids and bile salts, as well as bacteria that colonize the gastrointestinal tract. Loss of epithelium in the mucous membrane of the larynx and hypopharynx is thought to be caused by pepsin. Here, we review the relationships between laryngopharyngeal reflux and both laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinomas, as well as the significance of pepsin, methods of clinical detection, and the mechanism of carcinogenesis.
Эпидемические проявления COVID-19 на территории Волгоградской области
Authors: Удовиченко Светлана
Published: July 2020

Проведена оценка проявлений эпидемического процесса COVID-19 в Волгоградской области по интенсивности, территориальному распространению, среди различных групп населения (пол, возраст, социальный статус), особенностям клинической форм заболевания. Показано, что отмечается стабильное снижение заболеваемости новой коронавирусной инфекций, проявляющееся сокращением общей и групповой заболеваемости, количества семейных очагов инфекции, числа госпитализированных пациентов. В структуре заболевших наблюдается преобладание лиц женского пола (54,2 %), что сопоставимо с данными по Российской Федерации. Наибольший процент заболевших приходится на возрастные группы 40–49 лет (18,1 %) и 50–59 лет (19,8 %). В клинической картине заболевания преобладают легкие и бессимптомные формы, отмечаемые в примерно равном соотношении (35,4 и 34,5 % соответственно). В Волгоградской области установлена более низкая частота регистрации тяжелых форм и летальных исходов по сравнению с Российский Федерацией в целом. В социальной структуре заболевших наибольшую долю составляют пенсионеры (25,2 %) и рабочие (11,7 %).
An Integrated Linkage Map Of Interspecific Backcross 2 (Bc2) Populations Reveals Qtls Associated With Fatty Acid Composition And Vegetative Parameters Influencing Compactness In Oil Palm
Authors: Yaakub Zulkifli , Kamaruddin Katialisa , Singh Rajinder , Mustafa Suzana , Marjuni Marhalil , Ting Ngoot-Chin , Amiruddin Mohd Din , Leslie Low Eng-Ti , Cheng-Li Ooi Leslie , Sritha Kandha , Nookiah Rajanaidu , Jansen Johannes , Abdullah Meilina Ong
Published: July 2020

Background Molecular breeding has opened new avenues for crop improvement with the potential for faster progress. As oil palm is the major producer of vegetable oil in the world, its improvement, such as developing compact planting materials and altering its oils’ fatty acid composition for wider application, is important. Results This study sought to identify the QTLs associated with fatty acid composition and vegetative traits for compactness in the crop. It integrated two interspecific backcross two (BC2) mapping populations to improve the genetic resolution and evaluate the consistency of the QTLs identified. A total 1,963 markers (1,814 SNPs and 149 SSRs) spanning a total map length of 1793 cM were integrated into a consensus map. For the first time, some QTLs associated with vegetative parameters and carotene content were identified in interspecific hybrids, apart from those associated with fatty acid composition. The analysis identified 8, 3 and 8 genomic loci significantly associated with fatty acids, carotene content and compactness, respectively. Conclusions Major genomic region influencing the traits for compactness and fatty acid composition was identified in the same chromosomal region in the two populations using two methods for QTL detection. Several significant loci influencing compactness, carotene content and FAC were common to both populations, while others were specific to particular genetic backgrounds. It is hoped that the QTLs identified will be useful tools for marker-assisted selection and accelerate the identification of desirable genotypes for breeding.
Building research capacity in musculoskeletal health: qualitative evaluation of a graduate Nurse and Allied Health Professional internship programme
Authors: Wright David , Fry Mary , Adams Jo , Bowen Catherine
Published: July 2020

Background: Evidence based practice enhances service planning and delivery, clinical decision making and patient care. However, health professionals often lack the time and opportunity to access or generate evidence. Research capacity building is thus an important mechanism for improving health service delivery. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a UK-wide Nurse and Allied Health Professional musculoskeletal research internship programme in which graduates applied to undertake their internship through one of five Higher Education Institutions. The evaluation explores the experiences of interns and their mentors.Methods: Sixteen new graduates completed the internship programme (September 2015 – August 2018). Twelve interns and thirteen mentors participated in the evaluation. The evaluation used qualitative asynchronous email-based interviews to explore the experiences of interns and mentors. Interpretive phenomenological analysis of coded transcripts identified principal themes.Results: Early research outputs from the interns include three peer reviewed publications and 21 conference abstract presentations. Two interns were in full time research at the time of interview or had a research component in their clinical role. Nine interns in clinical posts disclosed plans to return to research in the near future. Seven themes were identified: the impact on interns’ careers; personal impact (for example, influence on self-confidence); impact on clinical practice; drivers for applying; intervention design (for example, attitudes concerning the timing and duration of the intervention); mentorship and networking (including general support provided and quality of career advice); challenges.Conclusion: The internship programme is an effective model in building research capacity in musculoskeletal research for Nurses and Allied Health Professionals, influencing careers, building confidence and improving clinical practice. The internship programme has the potential to be replicable to other clinical contexts nationally and internationally.
A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Study of a Combination of Simvastatin and Chemotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Alarfi Hiba , Youssef Lama A. , Salamoon Maher
Published: July 2020

Preclinical studies support anticancer activity of statins, however, the existing clinical evidence are inconsistent and not definitive. Our study aimed at evaluating a postulated cancer chemo sensitizing effect of statin (simvastatin) in a cohort of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. We designed a prospective, single-centered, randomized, double blinded, and placebo controlled trial that encompassed MBC patients with an ECOG Performance Status scale ≤2 and scheduled to be treated with a chemotherapy regimen consisting of carboplatin and vinorelbine every 3 weeks at Al-Baironi Hospital, Damascus, Syria. Patients were enrolled between August 2011 and July 2012, and randomly allocated to receive a 15-day course of either simvastatin (40 mg) or placebo seven days prior to the first day of each chemotherapy cycle, and then continued for eight days in each individual cycle. Primary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR) and toxicity, and secondary endpoint was overall survival (OS).Eighty-Two patients met the inclusion criteria and consented. ORR (35% vs. 32.5%) and predominant toxicity; grade≥3 neutropenia (occurred in 30% vs. 40% of the patients) were not significantly different between simvastatin and placebo groups, respectively. Over a median follow-up of 44 months (range, 10-60), median OS was 15 months in simvastatin group and 17 in placebo group (Hazard ratio (HR)=1.16, 95% CI (0.70-1.91), P=0.57). Elevated baseline values of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP >10 mg/l), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH >480 U/L) and chemotherapy being ≥2nd line significantly associated with shorter OS for the total cohort in both Univariate and multivariate analyses. Our data prove a safe profile of simvastatin at 40 mg per day combined with carboplatin and vinorelbine in MBC patients, but without any beneficial increase of tumor sensitivity to chemotherapy. Moreover, we demonstrated a strong clinical advantage of baseline values of hsCRP and LDH as useful prognostic tools in MBC patients.Trial registration: ISRCTN12964275. Retrospectively registered.
Canadian after-school care providers’ perceived role promoting healthy lifestyles: A focused ethnography
Authors: Elias Pierrette H. , Montemurro Genevieve , Sulz Lauren , Torrance Brian , Storey Kate Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND: After-school care programs have garnered interest in recent years as the hours of 3:00–6:00p.m. are an opportune time for children to engage in healthy behaviours, specifically healthy eating and physical activity. Care providers are major influencers within the after-school care setting, impacting health promoting opportunities for children. However, little is known regarding the role care providers play in health promotion interventions in the after-school care setting, specifically those using comprehensive approaches. The purpose of this research was to explore care providers’ role and experience promoting healthy eating and physical activity through the after-school care health promotion intervention School’s Out…Let’s Move (SOLMo). SOLMo was guided by the evidence-based comprehensive school health framework.SOLMo had two main goals: (1) to serve a healthy snack with vegetable or fruit, and milk or water as the drink; (2) to include 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity. The intervention included resources and coaching for care providers to promote healthy eating and physical activity for children and took place in four after-school sites over a six-month period. Three of four sites were located in a school. The primary researcher was engaged with the sites over 22-months.METHODS: This research was guided by the qualitative method focused ethnography. Semi-structured interviews with care providers (n=13) taking part in SOLMo were conducted. Participant observation was included as part of data generation to further understand care provider roles. Latent content analysis was utilized iteratively and concurrently throughout data generation. RESULTS: Overall, care providers were supportive of promoting health behaviours in the after-school setting. Through analysis, five themes and eight subthemes emerged related to care providers’ role and experience promoting healthy eating and physical activity through SOLMo: 1) enhanced awareness; 2) improved programming; 3) strong relationships; 4) collaborative approach; and 5) role tension. CONCLUSIONS: As major influencers, care providers play a crucial role in promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours for children. This research provides valuable insight into this role and the implementation of comprehensive health promotion approaches in the after-school setting. Findings contribute to the implementation knowledge base and help inform the promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviours for children.
Large scale analysis of violent death count in daily newspapers to quantify bias and censorship
Authors: casolino marco
Published: July 2020

In this work we develop a series of techniques and tools to determine and quantify the presence of bias and censorship in newspapers. These algorithms are tested analyzing the occurrence of keywords ‘killed’ and ‘suicide’ ( ‘morti’, ‘suicidio’ in Italian) and their changes over time, gender and reported location on the complete online archives (42 million records) of the major US newspaper ( The New York Times ) and the three major Italian ones ( Il Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica, La Stampa ). Using these tools, since the Italian language distinguishes between the female and male cases, we find the presence of gender bias in all Italian newspapers, with reported single female deaths to be about one-third of those involving single men. Analyzing the historical trends, we show evidence of censorship in Italian newspapers both during World War 1 and during the Italian Fascist regime. Censorship in all countries during World Wars and in Italy during the Fascist period is a historically ascertained fact, but so far there was no estimate on the amount on censorship in newspaper reporting: in this work we estimate that about 75% of domestic deaths and suicides were not reported. This is also confirmed by statistical analysis of the distribution of the least significant digit of the number of reported deaths. We also find that the distribution function of the number of articles vs. the number of deaths reported in articles follows a power law, which is broken (with fewer articles being written) when reporting on few deaths occurring in foreign countries. The lack of articles is found to grow with geographical distance from the nation where the newspaper is being printed. Whereas the assessment of the truth of a single article or the debunking of what are now called ‘fake news’ requires specific fact-checking and becomes more difficult as time goes by, these methods can be be used in historical analysis and to evaluate quantitatively the amount of bias and censorship present in other printed or online publication and can thus contribute to quantitatively assess the freedom of the press in a given country. Furthermore, they can be applied in wider contexts such as the evaluation of bias toward specific ethnic groups or specific accidents.
Electroacupuncture at the Four Abdominal and Sacral Acupoints for Urinary Retention after Spinal Cord Injury: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Liu Tong , Yu Jiani , Kuang Weichuan , Wang Xiaoyin , Wen Xi , Jiang Ye , Qiu Xiaojia , Zeng Yao , Zhang Guitao , Liu Yue
Published: July 2020

Background：Urinary retention is a general and serious refractory complication after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, effective therapeutic approaches remain limited. Previous clinical and animal research have clarified that acupuncture could be beneficial to the recovery of bladder function, however, most of the previous trials are of low quality and high-quality studies are still necessary.Methods: Here, we conduct a study design and protocol of a randomized, blinded, controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture at the “Four Abdominal and Sacral Acupoints” for urinary retention after SCI. A total of 90 patients with residual urine above 300ml will be recruited in the trial and randomized into treatment group or control group. Patients in the treatment group will receive Electroacupuncture at the “Four Abdominal and Sacral Acupoints” combined with conventional treatment while patients in the control group will receive conventional treatment alone for 4 weeks. The primary outcomes are changes of residual urine volume at baseline, after the final treatment and 4 weeks after the final treatment. The secondary outcome measures will be the proportions of participants with residual urine decline≥50% and efficacy rate after 4 weeks’ treatment, as well as the proportion of patients with catheterization, Short-Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) and the incidence of symptomatic urinary tract infection at baseline, after the final treatment and 4 weeks after the final treatment. The safety will also be assessed by monitoring the incidence of adverse events and changes in vital signs during the study.Discussion：Results from this trial will significantly support the application of electroacupuncture in the recovery of bladder function after SCI. If found to be effective and safe, electroacupuncture will be a valuable complementary option for patients with urinary retention after SCI.Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR 1900022089. Registered on 24 March 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=37161.
Impact of Implementation of a Breech Clinic in a Tertiary Hospital.
Authors: Derisbourg Sara , Costa Elena , De Luca Laura , Amirgholami Soraya , Kamdem Valery Bogne , Vercoutere An , Zhang Wei Hong , Alexander Sophie , Buekens Pierre , Englert Yvon , Pintiaux Axelle , Daelemans Caroline
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND The incidence of breech presentation in single pregnancies at term is between three to five percent. In order to support eligible women in their choice of mode of delivery, a dedicated breech clinic with a care pathway was developed in December 2015 in a tertiary referral centre in Brussels. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the vaginal birth rate before and after the introduction of a dedicated breech clinic. The secondary objective was to compare the early neonatal outcomes before and after the breech clinic was introduced. METHODS This was a single centre retrospective and prospective study. The inclusion criteria were term (from 37 weeks), singleton fetus and breech presentation at delivery. The exclusion criteria were suspected intrauterine growth restriction, severe fetal malformations and intrauterine fetal demise. We used a composite outcome as an indicator of neonatal morbidity and mortality. RESULTS After the introduction of the breech clinic, we observed a significant increase in planned vaginal delivery from 7.4% (12/162) to 53.0% (61/115) (OR: 13.5; 95%CI: 6.7-27.0). The effective vaginal breech delivery rate (planned and unexpected) significantly increased from 4.3% (7/162) pre-implementation of breech clinic to 43.5% (50/115) post-implementation (OR: 17.0; 95%CI: 7.3-39.6). Neonatal outcomes were not statistically different between the before and after periods. CONCLUSION The introduction of a dedicated breech clinic has led to an increase in vaginal deliveries for breech babies without adversely affecting neonatal outcomes .
Changes in bowel sounds of inpatients undergoing general anesthesia
Authors: Wang Guojing , Wang Mingjun , Liu Hongyun , Zhao Suping , Liu Lu , Wang Weidong
Published: July 2020

Background: General anesthesia can affect intestinal function, but there is no objective, practical and effective indicator to evaluate the inhibition and recovery of intestinal function. The main objectives of this study were to assess whether bowel sounds (BSs) changed before, immediately after and 3 hours after general anesthesia, and whether these changes in BSs are an effective indicator of intestinal function and an accurate guide for post-operative feeding. Methods: We randomly selected 26 inpatients and collected three sets of 5-minute continuous BS data before the operation (Pre-op), immediately after the operation (Pro-op) and three hours after the operation (3h-Pro-op) for each patient. Then the linear and nonlinear characteristic values (CVs) of each effective bowel sound were extracted and paired t-tests and rank-sum tests were used to evaluate the changes in the BSs. Results: The differences in CVs, between Pre-op and Pro-op, as well as between Pro-op and 3h-Pro-op, were statistically significant (p <0.05). However, there is no statistically significant differences between all the CVs between Pre-op and 3h-Pro-op (p >0.05). Conclusion: BSs changes before and after general anesthesia. Furthermore, the BSs are weakened due to general anesthesia and recover to the pre-op state three hours later. Therefore, the BSs can be an indicator of intestinal function under general anesthesia, so as to provide guidance for postoperative feeding, which is of considerable clinical significance.
Inference about Time-dependent Prognostic Accuracy Measures in the Presence of Competing Risks
Authors: Dey Rajib , Sebastiani Giada , Saha-Chaudhuri Paramita
Published: July 2020

Background: Evaluating a candidate marker or developing a model for predicting risk of future conditions is one of the major goals in medicine. However, model development and assessment for a time-to-event outcome may be complicated in the presence of competing risks. In this manuscript, we propose local and global estimators of cause-specific AUC for right-censored survival times in the presence of competing risks. Methods: The local estimator - cause-specific weighted mean rank (cWMR) - is a local average of time-specific observed cause-specific AUCs within a neighborhood of given time t. The global estimator - cause-specific fractional polynomials (cFPL) - is based on modelling the cause-specific AUC as a function of t through fractional polynomials. Results: We investigated the performance of the proposed cWMR and cFPL estimators through simulation studies and real-life data analysis. The estimators perform well in small samples, have minimal bias and appropriate coverage. Conclusions: The local estimator cWMR and the global estimator cFPL will provide computationally efficient options for assessing the prognostic accuracy of markers for time-to-event outcome in the presence of competing risks in many practical settings.
Predictive values of ANGPTL8 on risk of all-cause mortality in diabetic patients: results from the REACTION Study
Authors: Zou Huajie , Xu Yongping , Chen Xi , Yin Ping , Li Danpei , Li Wenjun , Xie Junhui , Shao Shiying , Liu Liegang , Yu Xuefeng
Published: July 2020

Background: ANGPTL8, an important regulator of lipid metabolism, is increased in diabetes and is associated with insulin resistance. However, the role of ANGPTL8 in the outcomes of diabetic patients remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate circulating levels of ANGPTL8 in participants with and without diabetes and its potential associations with clinical outcomes in a 5-year cohort study.Methods: Propensity-matched cohorts of subjects with and without diabetes from the Risk Evaluation of Cancers in Chinese Diabetic Individuals: A longitudinal (REACTION) study were generated on the basis of age, sex and body mass index at baseline. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes were a composite of new-onset major adverse cardiovascular events, hospitalization for heart failure, and renal dysfunction (eGFR <60/min/1.73 m2).Results: We identified 769 matched pairs of diabetic patients and control subjects. Serum ANGPTL8 levels were elevated in patients with diabetes compared to control subjects (618.82 318.08 vs 581.20 299.54 pg/mL, p =0.03). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that elevated ANGPTL8 levels were associated with greater risk ratios (RRs) of death (RR in quartile 4 vs quartile 1, 3.54; 95% CI 1.32 – 9.50) and renal dysfunction (RR in quartile 4 vs quartile 1, 12.43; 95% CI 1.48 – 104.81) only in diabetic patients. Multivariable-adjusted restricted cubic spline analyses revealed a significant, linear relationship between ANGPTL8 and all-cause mortality in diabetic patients (p for nonlinear trend =0.99, p for linear trend =0.01) but not in control subjects (p for nonlinear trend =0.26, p for linear trend =0.80). According to ROC curve analysis, the inclusion of ANGPTL8 in QFrailty score significantly improved its predictive performance for mortality in patients with diabetes. Conclusion: Serum ANGPTL8 levels were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and could be used as a potential biomarker for the prediction of death in patients with diabetes.
Functional characterization of mungbean CONSTANS-LIKE genes reveals a key role for CONSTANS-LIKE 2 in the control of flowering time in A. thaliana under short-day conditions
Authors: Liu Chenyang , Zhang Qianqian , Zhu Hong , Cai Chunmei , Li Shuai
Published: July 2020

Background: CONSTANS-LIKE (COL) genes play important roles in the regulation of plant growth and development, and they have been analyzed in many plant species. However, few investigations have examined COL genes in mungbean (Vigna radiata).Results: In this study, we identified and characterized a total 14 of VrCOL genes from mungbean, which distributed on 7 of the 11 mungbean chromosomes. Based on their conserved domains, VrCOLs were clustered into three groups (I, II and III), which contained 4, 5 and 5 members, respectively. The gene structures and conserved motifs of the VrCOL genes were analyzed, and two duplicated gene pairs, VrCOL1/VrCOL2 and VrCOL8/VrCOL9, were identified. A total of 82 cis-acting elements were found in the VrCOL promoter regions, and the numbers and types of cis-acting elements in each VrCOL promoter region differed. As a result, the expression patterns of VrCOLs varied in different tissues, and under long day and short day conations throughout the day. Among these VrCOL genes, VrCOL2 showed a close phylogenetic relationship with Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) CO and displayed daily oscillations in expression under short day conditions but not long day conditions. In addition, overexpression of VrCOL2 accelerated flowering in A. thaliana under short day conditions by activating the expression of flowering time gene AtFT and AtTSF.Conclusion: Overall, we identified 14 VrCOL genes from mungbean using genome-wide identification. Characteristics and transcription pattern analysis of VrCOL genes revealed their important roles in plant growth and development, and our results suggested that VrCOL2 regulate flowering time under short day conditions in A. thaliana. Our study lays the foundation for further dissection of VrCOL gene functions.
Two Weeks Of Western Diet Disrupts Liver Molecular Markers Of Cholesterol Metabolism In Rat
Authors: St-Amand Roxane , Sock Emilienne T. Ngo , Quinn Samantha , Lavoie Jean-Marc , St-Pierre David H.
Published: July 2020

Background: The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that in the liver, excessive fat accumulation impairs cholesterol metabolism mainly by altering the low-density lipoprotein-receptor (LDL-R) pathway. Method: Young male Wistar rats were fed standard (SD), high fat (HFD; 60% kcal) or Western (WD; 40% fat + 35% sucrose (17.5% fructose)) diets for 2 or 6 weeks. Results: Weight gain (~ 40g) was observed only following 6 weeks of the obesogenic diets (P < 0.01). Compared to the 2-week treatment, obesogenic diets tripled fat pad weight (~ 20 vs 7 g) after 6 weeks. Hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels were greater in response to both the WD and HFD compared to the SD (P < 0.01) at 2 and 6 weeks and their concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in WD than HFD at 2 weeks. Plasma total cholesterol levels were higher (P < 0.05) in animals submitted to WD. After 2 and 6 weeks, liver expression of LDL-R, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSKk9) and sterol regulatory element binding protein 2 (SREBP2), involved in LDL-cholesterol uptake, was lower in animals submitted to WD than in others treated with HFD or SD (P < 0.01). Similarly, low-density lipoprotein-receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) and acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase-2 (ACAT-2) mRNA levels were lower (P < 0.01) among WD compared to SD-fed rats. Expression of the gene coding the main regulator of endogenous cholesterol synthesis, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCoAR) was reduced in response to WD compared to SD and HFD at 2 (P < 0.001) and 6 (P < 0.05) weeks. Being enriched in fructose, the WD strongly promoted the expression of carbohydrate-response element binding protein (ChREBP) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), two key regulators of de novo lipogenesis. Conclusion: These results show that the WD promptly increased TG levels in the liver by potentiating fat storage. This impaired the pathway of hepatic cholesterol uptake via the LDL-R axis, promoting a rapid increase in plasma total cholesterol levels. These results indicate that liver fat content is a factor involved in the regulation of plasma cholesterol.
Metalloproteins and apolipoprotein C: candidate plasma biomarkers of T2DM screened by comparative proteomics and lipidomics in ZDF rats
Authors: Wang Shuai , Lu Zhiyuan , Wang Yuxin , Zhang Tianran , He Xiaodong
Published: July 2020

Background: Early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is still difficult. Screening of plasma biomarkers has great significance of optimizing diagnosis and predicting the complications of T2DM.Methods: We used a special diet, Purina #5008, to induce diabetes in Zucker leptin receptor gene-deficient rats (fa/fa) to establish Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats, simulating the early stage of T2DM. The differentially expressed proteins (DEP) and lipids (DEL), as potential biomarkers, were screened to compare the plasma expression levels in ZDF rats and their basic diet-fed wild-type controls (fa/+) by Tandem Mass Tags (TMT) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.Results: These two groups had different plasma proteins and lipids profiles consisting of 84 DEPs and, 179 DELs identified in the positive ion mode and 178 DELs in the negative ion mode, respectively. Enrichment analysis of these different indicators showed that oxidative stress, insulin resistance and metabolic disorders of glycan and lipid played an important role in generating the difference. Some markers can be used as candidate biomarkers in prediction and treatments of T2DM, such as ceruloplasmin, apolipoprotein C-I, apolipoprotein C-II, apolipoprotein C-IV.Conclusion: These plasma differences help to optimize the diagnosis and predict the complications of T2DM, although this remains to be verified in the crowd. Trace elements related-metalloproteins, such as ceruloplasmin, and lipid metabolism and transport-related apolipoprotein C are expected to be candidate biomarkers of T2DM and should be given more attention.
Genome-wide association study and Mendelian randomization analysis provide insights for improving rice yield potential
Authors: Su Jing , Xu Kai , Wu Chao , Li Zirong , Hu Zhongli , Zheng Xingfei , Song Shufeng , Tang Wenbang , Tang Zhonghai , Li Lanzhi
Published: July 2020

Background: Rice yield has a complex genetic architecture, which mainly determined by its three component traits: the number of grains per panicle (GPP), kilo-grain weight (KGW) and tillers per plant (TP). Exploring ideotype breeding based on selection for genetically less complex component traits is an alternative route for further improving rice production. Thus, it is important that studying the genetic basis of relationship between rice yield and component traits and selecting the component traits to improve the rice production. Main text: In this study, we carried out meta-analyses of genome-wide association study (Meta-GWAS) with two populations (575 + 1495 F1) in different environments for yield and its three component traits in rice. 3589 significant loci for three components traits were detected, while only 3 significant loci for yield were detected. It indicated that rice yield is mainly controlled by minor-effect loci and hardly to be identified. Selecting quantitative trait locus (QTL)/gene affected component traits to further enhance yield is recommended. Mendelian randomization (MR) design was adopted to investigate the genetic effects of loci on yield through component traits and estimate the genetic relationship between rice yield and its component traits by these loci. The loci for GPP or TP mainly had a positive genetic effect on yield, but the loci for KGW with different direction of effects (positive effect or negative effect). Additionally, TP (Beta=1.865) has a greater effect on yield than KGW (Beta=1.016) and GPP (Beta=0.086). Five significant loci for component traits with indirect effect on yield were identified. Pyramiding superior alleles of the five loci revealed improved yield. A combination of direct and indirect effects may better contribute to the yield potential of rice.Conclusions: Our findings provided a rationale for using component traits as indirect indices to enhanced rice yield, which will be helpful for further understanding the genetic basis of yield, and provide valuable information for improving rice yield potential.
Transcriptomic profiling of germinating seeds under cold stress and characterization of the cold-tolerant gene LTG5 in rice
Authors: Pan Yinghua , Liang Haifu , Gao Lijun , Dai Gaoxing , Chen Weiwei , Yang Xinghai , Qing Dongjin , Gao Ju , Wu Hao , Huang Juan , Zhou Weiyong , Huang Chengcui , Liang Yuntao , Deng Guofu
Published: July 2020

Background: Low temperature is a limiting factor of rice productivity and geographical distribution. Wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.) is an important germplasm resource for rice improvement. It has superior tolerance to many abiotic stresses, including cold stress, but little is known about the mechanism underlying its resistance to cold. Results: This study elucidated the molecular genetic mechanisms of wild rice in tolerating low temperature. Comprehensive transcriptome profiles of two rice genotypes (cold-sensitive ce 253 and cold-tolerant Y12-4) at the germinating stage under cold stress were comparatively analyzed. A total of 42.44–68.71 million readings were obtained, resulting in the alignment of 29 128 and 30 131 genes in genotypes 253 and Y12-4, respectively. Many common and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed in the cold-sensitive and cold-tolerant genotypes. Results showed more upregulated DEGs in the cold-tolerant genotype than in the cold-sensitive genotype at four stages under cold stress. Gene ontology enrichment analyses based on cellular process, metabolic process, response stimulus, membrane part, and catalytic activity indicated more upregulated genes than downregulated ones in the cold-tolerant genotype than in the cold-sensitive genotype. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed on seven randomly selected DEGs to confirm the RNA Sequencing (RNA-seq) data. These genes showed similar expression patterns corresponding with the RNA-Seq method. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis（WGCNA）revealed Y12-4 showed more positive genes than 253 under cold stress. We also explored the cold tolerance gene LTG5 (Low Temperature Growth 5) encoding a UDP-glucosyltransferase. The overexpression of the LTG5 gene conferred cold tolerance to indica rice. Conclusion: Gene resources related to cold stress from wild rice can be valuable for improving the cold tolerance of crops.
Malaria outbreak in Riaba district, Bioko Island – Lessons learned
Authors: Guerra Carlos A , Fuseini Godwin , Donfack Oliver Tresor , Smith Jordan M , Mifumu Teresa Ayingono Ondo , Akadiri Gninoussa , Eyang Delicias Esono Mba , Eburi Consuelo Oki , Vaz Liberato Motobe , Micha Víctor Mba , Okenve Leonor Ada , Janes Christopher R , Andeme Ramona Mba , Rivas Matilde Riloha , Phiri Wonder P , Slotman Michel A , Smith Dave L , García Guillermo Alberto
Published: July 2020

At the beginning of 2019, a sudden surge of malaria cases was observed in the district of Riaba, Bioko Island. Between January and April, confirmed malaria cases increased 3.8-fold compared to the same period in 2018. Concurrently, anopheline human biting rate (HBR) increased 2.1-fold. During the outbreak, 82.2% of the district population was tested for malaria with a rapid diagnostic test; 37.2% of those tested had a detectable infection and were treated according to national guidelines. Vector control interventions, including indoor residual spraying and larval source management were scaled-up. After the interventions, the number of confirmed cases decreased by 70% and the overall parasite prevalence in the communities by 43.8%. Observed prevalence in a follow up malaria indicator survey, however, was significantly higher than elsewhere on the island, and higher than in previous years. There was no significant reduction in HBR, which remained high for the rest of the year. The surge was attributed to various factors, chiefly increased rainfall and a large number of anthropogenic anopheline breeding sites created by construction works. This case study highlights the need for sustained vector control interventions and multi-sector participation, particularly in malaria control and elimination settings with persistently high local malaria receptivity.
Hill-based dissimilarity indices and null models for analysis of microbial community assembly
Authors: Modin Oskar , Liébana Raquel , Saheb-Alam Soroush , Wilén Britt-Marie , Suarez Carolina , Hermansson Malte , Persson Frank
Published: July 2020

Background: High-throughput amplicon sequencing of marker genes, such as the 16S rRNA gene in Bacteria and Archaea, provides a wealth of information about the composition of microbial communities. To quantify differences between samples and draw conclusions about factors affecting community assembly, dissimilarity indices are typically used. However, results are subject to several biases and data interpretation can be challenging. The Jaccard and Bray-Curtis indices, which are often used to quantify taxonomic dissimilarity, are not necessarily the most logical choices. Instead, we argue that Hill-based indices, which make it possible to systematically investigate the impact of relative abundance on dissimilarity, should be used for robust analysis of data. In combination with a null model, mechanisms of microbial community assembly can be analyzed. Here, we also introduce a new software, qdiv, which enables rapid calculations of Hill-based dissimilarity indices in combination with null models.Results: Using amplicon sequencing data from two experimental systems, aerobic granular sludge (AGS) reactors and microbial fuel cells (MFC), we show that the choice of dissimilarity index can have considerable impact on results and conclusions. High dissimilarity between replicates because of random sampling effects make incidence-based indices less suited for identifying differences between groups of samples. Determining a consensus table based on count tables generated with different bioinformatic pipelines reduced the number of low-abundant, potentially spurious amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in the data sets, which led to lower dissimilarity between replicates. Analysis with a combination of Hill-based indices and a null model allowed us to show that different ecological mechanisms acted on different fractions of the microbial communities in the experimental systems.Conclusions: Hill-based indices provide a rational framework for analysis of dissimilarity between microbial community samples. In combination with a null model, the effects of deterministic and stochastic community assembly factors on taxa of different relative abundances can be systematically investigated. Calculations of Hill-based dissimilarity indices in combination with a null model can be done in qdiv, which is freely available as a Python package (https://github.com/omvatten/qdiv). In qdiv, a consensus table can also be determined from several count tables generated with different bioinformatic pipelines.
Deciphering the archaeal communities in tree rhizosphere of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhang Mengjun , Chai Liwei , Huang Muke , Jia Weiqian , Guo Jiabao , Huang Yi
Published: July 2020

Background: The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau represents one of the most important component of the terrestrial ecosystem and a particularly vulnerable region, which harbouring complex and diverse microbiota. The knowledge about their underground microorganisms have largely been studied, but the characteristics of rhizosphere microbiota, particularly archaeal communities remains unclear.Results: High-throughput Illumina sequencing was used to investigate the rhizosphere archaeal communities of two native alpine trees (Picea crassifolia and Populus szechuanica) living on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The archaeal community structure in rhizospheres significantly differed from that in bulk soil. Thaumarchaeota was the dominant archaeal phylum in all soils tested (92.46-98.01%), while its relative abundance in rhizospheres were significantly higher than that in bulk soil. Ammonium nitrogen, soil organic matter, available phosphorus and pH were significantly correlated with the archaeal community structure, and the deterministic processes dominated the assembly of archaeal communities across all soils. In addition, the network structures of the archaeal community in the rhizosphere were less complex than they were in the bulk soil, and an unclassified archaeal group (Unclassified_k_norank) was identified as the keystone species in all archaeal networks. Conclusions: Overall, the structure, assembly and co-occurrence patterns of archaeal communities are significantly affected by the presence of roots of alpine trees living on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. This study provides new insights into our understanding of archaeal communities in vulnerable ecosystems.
Analysis for sizing of the stand-alone solar photovoltaic thermal system for the residential house at Sultanpur
Authors: Singh Shweta , Singh Rakesh Kumar , Tiwari Gopal Nath
Published: July 2020

Background: In this article, the potential applications of the solar photovoltaic thermal system have been discussed. The increasing cost and rapid depletion of conventional energy, researchers are optimizing the use of solar energy in residential and commercial purposes—the scope of solar energy, providing an alternative for residential and commercial power requirements. The average power requirement of a residential house is calculated with the help of power ratings. Hourly, daily, and monthly power requirement is calculated for designing the optimum size of solar photo voltaic thermal.Results: A stand-alone solar photovoltaic thermal system has been designed. For the sizing of the solar photovoltaic thermal system, meteorological data are collected through Synergy Enviro and PVWatts Calculator. The mathematical calculation and simulation study has been performed to estimate the expected power generation from the PVT. The cash flow and payback period of PVT are calculated. The total cost of installation was rupees 114450/- and the payback period was 9 years approximately.Conclusions: The forecasted output of solar photovoltaic thermal has been calculated based on solar radiation value obtained from different sources. The significant finding of the present study are: The maximum and the minimum electrical load was approximately 7.7 kWh per day in summer and about 2.5 kWh per day in winter. The maximum and minimum solar radiation at the installed site was 7.08 kWh / m 2 / day and 3.32 kWh / m 2 / day. The maximum electrical power calculated by installed solar module is 2466 kWh per year.
CompLement C5 Antibodies for decreasing brain injury after aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (CLASH): study protocol for a randomized controlled phase II clinical trial
Authors: Koopman Inez , Rinkel Gabriel J.E. , Vergouwen Mervyn D.I.
Published: July 2020

BackgroundThe inflammatory response after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) has been associated with early brain injury, delayed cerebral ischemia, poor functional outcome, and case-fatality. In experimental SAH studies, complement C5 antibodies administered shortly after SAH reduce brain injury with approximately 40%. Complement component C5 may be a new therapeutic target to reduce brain injury and hereby improve outcome after aSAH. We aim to investigate the pharmacodynamic efficacy and safety of eculizumab (complement C5 antibody) in patients with aSAH.MethodsA randomized, controlled, open-label, phase II clinical trial with blinded outcome assessment. Eculizumab (1200 mg) is administered intravenously <12 hours, on day 3 and on day 7 after ictus. Patients in the intervention group receive prophylactic antibiotics for 4 weeks, and those with a central line or an external ventricular shunt and a positive fungal or yeast culture also receive prophylactic antifungal therapy for 4 weeks. The primary outcome is C5a concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on day 3 after ictus. Secondary outcomes include the occurrence of adverse events, inflammatory parameters in blood and CSF, cerebral infarction on magnetic resonance imaging, and clinical- and cognitive outcomes. We aim to evaluate 26 patients with CSF assessments, 13 in the intervention group and 13 in the control group. To compensate for early case fatality and inability to obtain CSF, we will include 20 patients per group.DiscussionThe CLASH trial is the first trial to investigate the pharmacodynamic efficacy and safety of eculizumab in the early phase after aSAH.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register: NTR6752, https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6579. Registered on 27 October 2017. European Clinical Trials Database: EudraCT 2017-004307-51.
Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Anxiety in Rheumatology Patients Taking Immunosuppressive Drugs
Authors: Duran Tugba Izci , Acikgoz Seyyid Bilal , Gurbuz Cemal , Ucar Aysegul , Yavuzbilge Gokhan , Ozgen Metin
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a public health emergency that is causing international concern. Patients with medical comorbidities are more likely to be infected and have a worse prognosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of anxiety due to COVID-19 pandemic in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) who used immunosuppressive drugs during the initial stage of the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the risk and protective factors that cause anxiety.Methods: A total of 145 patients with RMDs aged ≥18 years who used regular immunosuppressive drugs and 95 healthy controls were included in the study. An anonymous survey comprising questions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic was used, and the Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) was used to measure the anxiety levels of participants. Additional information was collected such as demographic data, current RMDs, immunosuppressive drugs used, information and concerns about COVID-19, and the source of information about COVID-19.Results: About 42.1% patients reported that the epidemic caused concern due to the drug they were using, and 33.8% rated their concerns as moderate and severe. The BAI scores of patients and healthy controls were 4 (0-52) and 3 (0-18) respectively. According to the BAI scores, 16.5% patients had moderate to severe anxiety symptoms; and comparison of the groups showed that the anxiety level of the patient group was significantly higher (38.6% vs. 18.9%, p=0.001). Female had more anxiety symptoms in both groups (p<0.005). In addition, anxiety was lower in patients with higher education levels (p=0.039).Conclusion: It should be ensured that patients in the high-risk group are not provided false information, the patients are individually informed, and they trust the treatment team. Providing online or smartphone-based psychoeducation and psychological interventions may be considered for these patients with high anxiety levels.