bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical finite element analysis of vertebral column resection and posterior unilateral vertebral resection and reconstruction osteotomy
Authors: Han Ye , Wang Xiaodong , Wu Jincheng , Xu Hanpeng , Zhang Zepei , Li Kepeng , Song Yang , Miao Jun
Published: January 2021

Background

Regarding the repair of vertebral compression fractures, there is a lack of adequate biomechanical verification as to whether only half of the vertebral body and the upper and lower intervertebral discs affect spinal biomechanics; there also remains debate as to the appropriate length of fixation.

Methods

A model of old vertebral compression fractures with kyphosis was established based on CT data. Vertebral column resection (VCR) and posterior unilateral vertebral resection and reconstruction (PUVCR) were performed at T12; long- and short-segment fixation methods were applied, and we analyzed biomechanical changes after surgery.

Results

Range of motion (ROM) decreased in all fixed models, with lumbar VCR decreasing the most and short posterior unilateral vertebral resection and reconstruction (SPUVCR) decreasing the least; in the long posterior unilateral vertebral resection and reconstruction (LPUVCR) model, the internal fixation system produced the maximum VMS stress of 213.25 mPa in a lateral bending motion and minimum stress of 40.22 mPa in a lateral bending motion in the SVCR.

Conclusion

There was little difference in thoracolumbar ROM between PUVCR and VCR models, while thoracolumbar ROM was smaller in long-segment fixation than in short-segment fixation. In all models, the VMS was most significant at the screw-rod junction and greatest at the ribcage–vertebral body interface, partly explaining the high probability of internal fixation failure and prosthesis migration in these two positions.
Experience with periprosthetic infection after limb salvage surgery for patients with osteosarcoma
Authors: Lin Tiao , Jin Qinglin , Mo Xiaolin , Zhao Zhiqiang , Xie Xianbiao , Zou Changye , Huang Gang , Yin Junqiang , Shen Jingnan
Published: January 2021

Background

The rate of postoperative infection developing is higher after limb salvage surgery (LSS) following sarcoma resection compared with conventional arthroplasty. The goal of this study is to summarize our experience in management of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) and the risk factors of early PJI after LSS.

Methods

Between January 2010 and July 2019, 53 patients with osteosarcoma in the lower extremities who encountered periprosthetic infection after segmental tumor endoprosthetic replacement in our center were analyzed. Detailed patient characteristics and therapeutic information were collected from database of our institution or follow-up data and we divided patients according to the interval time between infection and tumor resection (surgery-infection interval) and investigate potential risk factors.

Results

A total of 53 (5.08%) patients were suffered postoperative infection. The average interval between surgery and clinical signs of deep infections are 27.5 days. For the drainage culture, positive results were only presented in 11 patients (20.8%). Almost half of this study’s (47.2%) patients underwent a traditional two-stage revision, that was, after the removal of the infected prosthesis, we applied antibiotic-loaded bone cements as a spacer. The mean blood loss during initial implantation surgery and operation time both correlated with interval period between PJI and initial implantation significantly (P = 0.028, P = 0.046). For several patients which infection marker was hardly back to normal after spacer implantation, we conservatively introduced an improved combination of bone cement and prosthesis for the second-stage surgery (5.6%). There were six patients needing re-operation, of which three were due to the aseptic loosening of the prosthesis, one developed periprosthetic infection again, and two patients encountered local recurrence and underwent amputation. Two patients were dead from distal metastasis.

Conclusions

A two-stage revision strategy remains effective and standardized methods for PJI patients. Total operation time and blood loss during LSS of osteosarcoma are the main risk factors of early PJI. For the patients without confirmed eradiation of microorganisms, an improved combination of bone cement and prosthesis applied in the second-stage surgery could achieve satisfied functional and oncologic results.
A cadaveric study of the location and morphology of the central patellar ridge for bone-patellar tendon-bone graft
Authors: Tanpowpong Thanathep , Itthipanichpong Thun , Huanmanop Thanasil , Jaruthien Nonn , Tangchitcharoen Nattapat
Published: January 2021

Introduction

The central ridge of the patella is the thickest area of patella and varies among patients. This cadaveric study identified the location and thickness of the bone at the central patella ridge for bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) harvesting.

Materials and methods

Fifty cadaveric knees were assessed. First, the morphology, length, width, and location of the central patellar ridge were recorded. Then, we transversely cut the patella 25 mm from the lower pole and measured the thickness of the anterior cortex, cancellous bone, and cartilage from both the mid-patella and the central ridge location. Finally, the depth of the remaining cancellous bone at the mid-patella was compared to the bone at the central ridge.

Results

The location of the central-patellar ridge deviated medially from the mid-patella in 46 samples with an average distance of 4.36 ± 1 mm. Only 4 samples deviated laterally. The mean patella length was 41.19 ± 4.73 mm, and the width was 42.8 ± 5.25 mm. After a transverse cut, the remaining cancellous bone was significantly thicker at the central ridge compared to the bone at the mid-patella.

Conclusions

Most of the central patellar ridge deviated medially, approximately 4 mm from the mid-patella. Harvesting the graft from the central ridge would have more remaining bone compared to the mid-patella.
Therapeutic roles of natural remedies in combating hereditary ataxia: A systematic review
Authors: Phang Michael Weng Lok , Lew Sze Yuen , Chung Ivy , Lim William Kiong-Seng , Lim Lee Wei , Wong Kah Hui
Published: January 2021

Background

Hereditary ataxia (HA) represents a group of genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative diseases caused by dysfunction of the cerebellum or disruption of the connection between the cerebellum and other areas of the central nervous system. Phenotypic manifestation of HA includes unsteadiness of stance and gait, dysarthria, nystagmus, dysmetria and complaints of clumsiness. There are no specific treatments for HA. Management strategies provide supportive treatment to reduce symptoms.

Objectives

This systematic review aimed to identify, evaluate and summarise the published literature on the therapeutic roles of natural remedies in the treatment of HA to provide evidence for clinical practice.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Web of Science, PubMed and Science Direct Scopus were thoroughly searched for relevant published articles from June 2007 to July 2020.

Results

Ten pre-clinical and two clinical studies were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. We identified the therapeutic roles of medicinal plants Brassica napus, Gardenia jasminoides, Gastrodia elata, Ginkgo biloba, Glycyrrhiza inflata, Paeonia lactiflora, Pueraria lobata and Rehmannia glutinosa; herbal formulations Shaoyao Gancao Tang and Zhengan Xifeng Tang; and medicinal mushroom Hericium erinaceus in the treatment of HA. In this review, we evaluated the mode of actions contributing to their therapeutic effects, including activation of the ubiquitin–proteasome system, activation of antioxidant pathways, maintenance of intracellular calcium homeostasis and regulation of chaperones. We also briefly highlighted the integral cellular signalling pathways responsible for orchestrating the mode of actions.

Conclusion

We reviewed the therapeutic roles of natural remedies in improving or halting the progression of HA, which warrant further study for applications into clinical practice.
Clinical analysis of chronic active EBV infection with coronary artery dilatation and a matched case–control study
Authors: Wei Ang , Ma Honghao , Zhang Liping , Li Zhigang , Guan Yitong , Zhang Qing , Wang Dong , Lian Hongyun , Zhang Rui , Wang Tianyou
Published: January 2021

Objective

To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment, prognosis and risk factors for chronic active Epstein–Barr Virus infection (CAEBV) associated with coronary artery dilatation (CAD) in children.

Methods

Children with CAEBV associated with CAD hospitalized at Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University from March 2016 to December 2019 were analyzed. Children with CAEBV without CAD were selected as the control group and matched by sex, age, treatment and admission time. The clinical manifestations, laboratory and ultrasound examinations, treatment and prognosis of the children were collected in both groups.

Results

There were 10 children with CAEBV combined with CAD, including 6 males and 4 females, accounting for 8.9% (10/112) of CAEBV patients in the same period, with an onset age of 6.05 (2.8–14.3) years. The median follow-up time was 20 (6–48) months. All the patients had high copies of EBV-DNA in whole blood [1.18 × 107 (1.90 × 105–3.96 × 107) copies/mL] and plasma [1.81 × 104 (1.54 × 103–1.76 × 106) copies/mL], and all biopsy samples (bone marrow, lymph nodes or liver) were all positive for Epstein–Barr virus-encoded small RNA. Among the 10 children, 8 had bilateral CAD, and 2 patients had unilateral CAD. After diagnosis, 7 children were treated with L-DEP chemotherapy in our hospital. After chemotherapy, four patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The others were waiting for HSCT. At the time of the last patients follow up record, the CAD had returned to normal in 3 patients, and the time from the diagnosis of CAD to recovery was 21 (18–68) days. LDH, serum ferritin, TNF-α and IL-10 levels were statistically significantly different between the two groups (P = 0.009, 0.008, 0.026 and 0.030). There were no significant differences in survival rate between the two groups (P = 0.416).

Conclusion

The incidence of CAEBV with CAD was low. CAEBV with CAD did not influence the prognosis. Patients who had high LDH, serum ferritin, TNF-α, and IL-10 levels early in their illness were more likely to develop CAD.
New insight into clinical heterogeneity and inheritance diversity of FBLN5-related cutis laxa
Authors: Gharesouran Jalal , Hosseinzadeh Hassan , Ghafouri-Fard Soudeh , Jabbari Moghadam Yalda , Ahmadian Heris Javad , Jafari-Rouhi Amir Hossein , Taheri Mohammad , Rezazadeh Maryam
Published: January 2021

Background

FBLN5-related cutis laxa (CL) is a rare disorder that involves elastic fiber-enriched tissues and is characterized by lax skin and variable systemic involvement such as pulmonary emphysema, arterial involvement, inguinal hernias, hollow viscus diverticula and pyloric stenosis. This type of CL follows mostly autosomal recessive (AR) and less commonly autosomal dominant patterns of inheritance.

Results

In this study, we detected a novel homozygous missense variant in exon 6 of FBLN5 gene (c.G544C, p.A182P) by using whole exome sequencing in a consanguineous Iranian family with two affected members. Our twin patients showed some of the clinical manifestation of FBLN5-related CL but they did not present pulmonary complications, gastrointestinal and genitourinary abnormalities. The notable thing about this monozygotic twin sisters is that only one of them showed ventricular septal defect, suggesting that this type of CL has intrafamilial variability. Co-segregation analysis showed the patients’ parents and relatives were heterozygous for detected variation suggesting AR form of the CL. In silico prediction tools showed that this mutation is pathogenic and 3D modeling of the normal and mutant protein revealed relative structural alteration of fibulin-5 suggesting that the A182P can contribute to the CL phenotype via the combined effect of lack of protein function and partly misfolding-associated toxicity.

Conclusion

We underlined the probable roles and functions of the involved domain of fibulin-5 and proposed some possible mechanisms involved in AR form of FBLN5-related CL. However, further functional studies and subsequent clinical and molecular investigations are needed to confirm our findings.
The miR-1185-2-3p—GOLPH3L pathway promotes glucose metabolism in breast cancer by stabilizing p53-induced SERPINE1
Authors: Xu Youqin , Chen Wancheng , Liang Jing , Zeng Xiaoqi , Ji Kaiyuan , Zhou Jianlong , Liao Shijun , Wu Jiexian , Xing Kongyang , He Zilong , Yang Yang , Liu Qianzhen , Zhu Pingyi , Liu Yuchang , Li Li , Liu Minfeng , Chen Wenxiao , Huang Wenhua
Published: January 2021

Background

Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate-binding protein GOLPH3L is overexpressed in human ductal carcinoma of the breast, and its expression levels correlate with the prognosis of breast cancer patients. However, the roles of GOLPH3L in breast tumorigenesis remain unclear.

Methods

We assessed the expression and biological function of GOLPH3L in breast cancer by combining bioinformatic prediction, metabolomics analysis and RNA-seq to determine the GOLPH3L-related pathways involved in tumorigenesis. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and coimmunoprecipitation (Co-IP) were used to explore the expression regulation mechanism of GOLPH3L.

Results

We demonstrated that knockdown of GOLPH3L in human breast cancer cells significantly suppressed their proliferation, survival, and migration and suppressed tumor growth in vivo, while overexpression of GOLPH3L promoted aggressive tumorigenic activities. We found that miRNA-1185-2-3p, the expression of which is decreased in human breast cancers and is inversely correlated with the prognosis of breast cancer patients, is directly involved in suppressing the expression of GOLPH3L. Metabolomics microarray analysis and transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that GOLPH3L promotes central carbon metabolism in breast cancer by stabilizing the p53 suppressor SERPINE1.

Conclusions

In summary, we discovered a miRNA-GOLPH3L-SERPINE1 pathway that plays important roles in the metabolism of breast cancer and provides new therapeutic targets for human breast cancer.
Utilisation of the 2019 IWGDF diabetic foot infection guidelines to benchmark practice and improve the delivery of care in persons with diabetic foot infections
Authors: Malone Matthew , Erasmus Adriaan , Schwarzer Saskia , Lau Namson S. , Ahmad Mehtab , Dickson Hugh G.
Published: January 2021

Aims

To utilise the 2019 International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) ‐ diabetic foot infection (DFI) guidelines as an audit tool for clinical practice in patients with diabetes attending a High‐Risk Foot Service.

Methods

Data from 93 consecutive patients were collected over a 19‐month period in patients attending a High‐Risk Foot Service. The diagnosis and management of each patient in the sample were compared against the 2019 IWGDF DFI guidelines, grouped into four categories: Diagnosis, Microbiology, Treatment of soft tissue infection, and Surgical treatment and osteomyelitis. Deficits in performance were recorded using the recommendations as a benchmark standard.

Results

There were 109 DFI events. Nineteen (63%) of the recommendations were met, 7 (24%) were partially met, and four (13%) recommendations were not met. Fourteen of the sample had no documented requests for full blood counts. Tissue was obtained for culture in 32 (29%) of the sample. No percutaneous bone biopsies were performed. Only 13 (28%) patients had intraoperative bone specimens sent for culture and sensitivities, with no bone specimens sent for histopathology. Modification of antibiotic therapy following available culture results was low, occurring in 12 out of 63 possible occasions (19%). The duration of antibiotic regimens in PEDIS 2 infections and osteomyelitis was greater than that recommended.

Conclusions

Utilising the IWGDF DFI guidelines to benchmark clinical practice is a useful tool to identify gaps in clinical performance or service delivery and may help to improve patient care.
Patient handover between ambulance crew and healthcare professionals in Icelandic emergency departments: a qualitative study
Authors: Dúason Sveinbjörn , Gunnarsson Björn , Svavarsdóttir Margrét Hrönn
Published: January 2021

Background

Ambulance services play an important role in the healthcare system when it comes to handling accidents or acute illnesses outside of hospitals. At the time of patient handover from emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to the nurses and physicians in emergency departments (EDs), there is a risk that important information will be lost, the consequences of which may adversely affect patient well-being. The study aimed to describe healthcare professionals’ experience of patient handovers between ambulance and ED staff and to identify factors that can affect patient handover quality.

Methods

The Vancouver School’s phenomenological method was used. The participants were selected using purposive sampling from a group of Icelandic EMTs, nurses, and physicians who had experience in patient handovers. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted and were supported by an interview guide. The participants included 17 EMTs, nurses, and physicians. The process of patient handover was described from the participants’ perspectives, including examples of communication breakdown and best practices.

Results

Four main themes and nine subthemes were identified. In the theme of leadership, the participants expressed that it was unclear who was responsible for the patient and when during the process the responsibility was transferred between healthcare professionals. The theme of structured framework described the communication between healthcare professionals before patient’s arrival at the ED, upon ED arrival, and a written patient report. The professional competencies theme covered the participants’ descriptions of professional competences in relation to education and training and attitudes towards other healthcare professions and patients. The collaboration theme included the importance of effective teamwork and positive learning environment.

Conclusions

A lack of structured communication procedures and ambiguity about patient responsibility in patient handovers from EMTs to ED healthcare professionals may compromise patient safety. Promoting accountability, mitigating the diffusion of responsibility, and implementing uniform practices may improve patient handover practices and establish a culture of integrated patient-centered care.
Association between the body mass index and outcomes of patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a prospective multicentre registry study
Authors:   for the Korean Cardiac Arrest Research Consortium (KoCARC) Investigators, Lee Heekyung , Oh Jaehoon , Kang Hyunggoo , Lim Tae Ho , Ko Byuk Sung , Choi Hyuk Joong , Park Seung Min , Jo You Hwan , Lee Jong Suk , Park Yoo Seok , Yoon Young-Hoon , Kim Su Jin , Min Young-Gi
Published: January 2021

Background

The effects of the body mass index (BMI) on outcomes of patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest are controversial. Therefore, the current study investigated the association between the BMI and the favourable neurologic outcomes and survival to discharge of patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).

Methods

This multicentre, prospective, nationwide OHCA registry-based study was conducted using data from the Korean Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation Consortium (KoCARC). We enrolled hospitals willing to collect patient height and weight and included patients who survived to the hospital between October 2015 and June 2018. The included patients were categorised into the underweight (< 18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (≥18.5 to < 25 kg/m2), overweight (≥25 to < 30 kg/m2), and obese groups (≥30 kg/m2) according to the BMI per the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The primary outcome was a favourable neurologic outcome; the secondary outcome was survival to discharge. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to investigate the association between BMI and outcomes.

Results

Nine hospitals were enrolled; finally, 605 patients were included in our analysis and categorised per the WHO BMI classification. Favourable neurologic outcomes were less frequent in the underweight BMI group than in the other groups (p = 0.002); survival to discharge was not significantly different among the BMI groups (p = 0.110). However, the BMI classification was not associated with favourable neurologic outcomes or survival to discharge after adjustment in the multivariate model.

Conclusion

The BMI was not independently associated with favourable neurologic and survival outcomes of patients surviving from OHCA.
Evaluation of a school-based intervention to promote mental health of refugee youth in Sweden (The RefugeesWellSchool Trial): study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Durbeej Natalie , McDiarmid Serena , Sarkadi Anna , Feldman Inna , Punamäki Raija-Leena , Kankaanpää Reeta , Andersen Arnfinn , Hilden Per Kristian , Verelst An , Derluyn Ilse , Osman Fatumo
Published: January 2021

Background

Sweden is home to a large and growing population of refugee youths who may be at risk of mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Thus, there is a need for interventions that address mental health problems in these populations. Schools have been identified as an ideal setting for delivering such interventions as they offer a non-stigmatizing space and are often central to young refugees’ social networks. The RefugeesWellSchool trial in Sweden will investigate an intervention comprising two programmes: Teaching Recovery Techniques (TRT) and In-service Teacher Training (INSETT), delivered in a school setting, among refugee youth. TRT is a group-based programme for children and adolescents, informed by Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). INSETT is a multi-module course for teachers providing information on trauma and the refugee experience to build teachers’ cultural competence and capacity for supporting refugee youths in schools.

Methods

This trial employs a cluster randomized-control design with two arms: (1) the intervention arm in which the TRT and INSETT programmes are offered (n = 350), (2) the wait-list control arm (n = 350) in which services are provided as usual until the TRT and INSETT programmes are offered approximately six months later. Data will be collected prior to the intervention, immediately following the intervention, and at three months post-intervention. Outcomes for the trial arms will be compared using linear mixed models or ANCOVA repeated measures as well as the Reliable Change Index (RCI).

Discussion

This study will provide knowledge about the effectiveness of an intervention comprising two programmes: a group-based programme for youth reporting symptoms of PTSD and a training course for teachers, in order to build their competence and ability to support refugee youths in schools.

Trial registration

ISRCTN, ISRCTN48178969, Retrospectively registered 20/12/2019.
Polygenic risk scores in the clinic: new perspectives needed on familiar ethical issues
Authors: Lewis Anna C. F. , Green Robert C.
Published: January 2021

Clinical use of polygenic risk scores (PRS) will look very different to the more familiar monogenic testing. Here we argue that despite these differences, most of the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) raised in the monogenic setting, such as the relevance of results to family members, the approach to secondary and incidental findings, and the role of expert mediators, continue to be relevant in the polygenic context, albeit in modified form. In addition, PRS will reanimate other old debates. Their use has been proposed both in the practice of clinical medicine and of public health, two contexts with differing norms. In each of these domains, it is unclear what endpoints clinical use of PRS should aim to maximize and under what constraints. Reducing health disparities is a key value for public health, but clinical use of PRS could exacerbate race-based health disparities owing to differences in predictive power across ancestry groups. Finally, PRS will force a reckoning with pre-existing questions concerning biomarkers, namely the relevance of self-reported race, ethnicity and ancestry, and the relationship of risk factors to disease diagnoses. In this Opinion, we argue that despite the parallels to the monogenic setting, new work is urgently needed to gather data, consider normative implications, and develop best practices around this emerging branch of genomics.
Requirement of splicing factor hnRNP A2B1 for tumorigenesis of melanoma stem cells
Authors: Chu Mengqi , Wan Haitao , Zhang Xiaobo
Published: January 2021

Background

Cancer stem cells play essential roles in tumorigenesis, thus forming an important target for tumor therapy. The hnRNP family proteins are important splicing factors that have been found to be associated with tumor progression. However, the influence of hnRNPs on cancer stem cells has not been extensively explored.

Methods

Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to examine gene expressions. RNA immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to identify the RNAs interacted with hnRNP A2B1. The in vivo assays were performed in nude mice.

Results

In this study, the results showed that out of 19 evaluated hnRNPs, hnRNP A2B1 was significantly upregulated in melanoma stem cells compared with non-stem cells, suggesting an important role of hnRNP A2B1 in cancer stem cells. Silencing of hnRNP A2B1 triggered cell cycle arrest in G2 phase, leading to apoptosis of melanoma stem cells. The results also revealed that hnRNP A2B1 could bind to the precursor mRNAs of pro-apoptosis genes (DAPK1,SYT7, andRNF128) and anti-apoptosis genes (EIF3H,TPPP3, andDOCK2) to regulate the splicing of these 6 genes, thus promoting the expressions of anti-apoptosis genes and suppressing the expressions of pro-apoptosis genes. The in vivo data indicated that hnRNP A2B1 was required for tumorigenesis by affecting the splicing ofTPPP3,DOCK2,EIF3H,RNF128,DAPK1, andSYT7, thus suppressing apoptosis of melanoma stem cells.

Conclusion

Our findings showed the requirement of hnRNP A2B1 for tumorigenesis, thus presenting novel molecular insights into the role of hnRNPs in cancer stem cells.
Analysis of chicken macrophage functions and gene expressions following infectious bronchitis virus M41 infection
Authors: Sun Xiaoqi , Wang Zheng , Shao Changhao , Yu Jia , Liu Haoyun , Chen Huijie , Li Lu , Wang Xiurong , Ren Yudong , Huang Xiaodan , Zhang Ruili , Li Guangxing
Published: January 2021

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a pathogenic coronavirus with high morbidity and mortality in chicken breeding. Macrophages with normal biofunctions are essential for host immune responses. In this study, the HD11 chicken macrophage cell line and chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cell-derived macrophages (PBMCs-Mφ) were infected with IBV at multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10. The dynamic changes of their biofunctions, including cell viability, pathogen elimination function, phagocytic ability, and gene expressions of related proteins/mediators in innate and acquired immunity, inflammation, autophagy and apoptosis were analyzed. Results showed that IBV infection decreased chicken macrophage viability and phagocytic ability, and increased pathogen elimination function. Moreover, IBV augmented the gene expressions of most related proteins in macrophages involved in multiple host bioprocesses, and the dynamic changes of gene expressions had a close relationship with virus replication. Among them, MHCII, Fc receptor, TLR3, IFN-α, CCL4, MIF, IL-1β, IL-6, and iNOS showed significantly higher expressions in IBV-infected cells. However, TLR7, MyD88, MDA5, IFN-γ, MHCII, Fc receptor, MARCO, CD36, MIF, XCL1, CXCL12, TNF-α, iNOS, and IL-10 showed early decreased expressions. Overall, chicken macrophages play an important role in host innate and acquired immune responses to resist IBV infection, despite early damage or suppression. Moreover, the IBV-induced autophagy and apoptosis might participate in the virus-host cell interaction which is attributed to the biological process.
ACTA1 is inhibited by PAX3-FOXO1 through RhoA-MKL1-SRF signaling pathway and impairs cell proliferation, migration and tumor growth in Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Hu Qiande , Zhu Liang , Li Yuan , Zhou Jianjun , Xu Jun
Published: January 2021

Background

Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is a pediatric malignant soft tissue tumor with skeletal muscle phenotype. Little work about skeletal muscle proteins in ARMS was reported. PAX3-FOXO1 is a specific fusion gene generated from the chromosomal translocation t (2;13) (q35; q14) in most ARMS. ACTA1 is the skeletal muscle alpha actin gene whose transcript was detected in ARMS. However, ACTA1 expression and regulation in ARMS have not been well investigated. This work aims to explore the expression, regulation and potential role of ACTA1 in ARMS.

Results

ACTA1 protein was detected in the studied RH30, RH4 and RH41 ARMS cells. ACTA1 was found to be inhibited by PAX3-FOXO1 at transcription and protein levels by employing western blot, luciferase reporter, qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence assays. The activities of ACTA1 gene reporter induced by RhoA, MKL1, SRF, STARS or Cytochalasin D molecule were reduced in the presence of overexpressed PAX3-FOXO1 protein. CCG-1423 is an inhibitor of RhoA-MKL1-SRF signaling, we observed there was a synergistic effect between this inhibitor and PAX3-FOXO1 to suppress ACTA1 reporter activity. Furthermore, PAX3-FOXO1 overexpression decreased ACTA1 protein level and knockdown of PAX3-FOXO1 by siRNA enhanced ACTA1 expression. In addition, both MKL1 and SRF, but not RhoA were also found to be inhibited by PAX3-FOXO1 gene at protein levels and increased once knockdown of PAX3-FOXO1 expression. The association between MKL1 and SRF in cells was decreased accordingly with ectopic expression of PAX3-FOXO1. However, the distribution of MKL1 and SRF in nuclear or cytoplasm fraction was not changed by PAX3-FOXO1 expression. Finally, we showed that ACTA1 overexpression in RH30 cells could inhibit cell proliferation and migration in vitro and impair tumor growth in vivo compared with the control groups.

Conclusions

ACTA1 is inhibited by PAX3-FOXO1 at transcription and protein levels through RhoA-MKL1-SRF signaling pathway and this inhibition may partially contribute to the tumorigenesis and development of ARMS. Our findings improved the understanding of PAX3-FOXO1 in ARMS and provided a potential strategy for the treatment of ARMS in future.
Sparse pursuit and dictionary learning for blind source separation in polyphonic music recordings
Authors: Schulze Sören , King Emily J.
Published: January 2021

We propose an algorithm for the blind separation of single-channel audio signals. It is based on a parametric model that describes the spectral properties of the sounds of musical instruments independently of pitch. We develop a novel sparse pursuit algorithm that can match the discrete frequency spectra from the recorded signal with the continuous spectra delivered by the model. We first use this algorithm to convert an STFT spectrogram from the recording into a novel form of log-frequency spectrogram whose resolution exceeds that of the mel spectrogram. We then make use of the pitch-invariant properties of that representation in order to identify the sounds of the instruments via the same sparse pursuit method. As the model parameters which characterize the musical instruments are not known beforehand, we train a dictionary that contains them, using a modified version of Adam. Applying the algorithm on various audio samples, we find that it is capable of producing high-quality separation results when the model assumptions are satisfied and the instruments are clearly distinguishable, but combinations of instruments with similar spectral characteristics pose a conceptual difficulty. While a key feature of the model is that it explicitly models inharmonicity, its presence can also still impede performance of the sparse pursuit algorithm. In general, due to its pitch-invariance, our method is especially suitable for dealing with spectra from acoustic instruments, requiring only a minimal number of hyperparameters to be preset. Additionally, we demonstrate that the dictionary that is constructed for one recording can be applied to a different recording with similar instruments without additional training.
Upper semicontinuity of attractors for nonclassical diffusion equations with arbitrary polynomial growth
Authors: Xie Yongqin , Li Jun , Zhu Kaixuan
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we mainly investigate upper semicontinuity and regularity of attractors for nonclassical diffusion equations with perturbed parametersνand the nonlinear termfsatisfying the polynomial growth of arbitrary order$p-1$p−1($p \geq 2$p≥2). We extend the asymptotic a priori estimate method (see (Wang et al. in Appl. Math. Comput. 240:51–61, 2014)) to verify asymptotic compactness and upper semicontinuity of a family of semigroups for autonomous dynamical systems (see Theorems 2.2 and 2.3). By using the new operator decomposition method, we construct asymptotic contractive function and obtain the upper semicontinuity for our problem, which generalizes the results obtained in (Wang et al. in Appl. Math. Comput. 240:51–61, 2014). In particular, the regularity of global attractors is obtained, which extends and improves some results in (Xie et al. in J. Funct. Spaces 2016:5340489, 2016; Xie et al. in Nonlinear Anal. 31:23–37, 2016).
An example for nonexistence of minimal foliations
Authors: Miao Xue-Qing
Published: January 2021

For the high-dimensional Frenkel–Kontorova model on lattices, we have concluded that there are heteroclinic connections between neighboring Birkhoff minimizers which are more periodic. This conclusion is based on the existence of neighboring elements, i.e., the existence of gaps. By adding a large enough oscillation to the local potential, I prove that all minimal foliations can be destroyed into minimal laminations, and hence there always exist gaps.
New approximate analytical technique for the solution of time fractional fluid flow models
Authors: Farooq Umar , Khan Hassan , Tchier Fairouz , Hincal Evren , Baleanu Dumitru , Bin Jebreen Haifa
Published: January 2021

In this note, we broaden the utilization of an efficient computational scheme called the approximate analytical method to obtain the solutions of fractional-order Navier–Stokes model. The approximate analytical solution is obtained within Liouville–Caputo operator. The analytical strategy generates the series form solution, with less computational work and fast convergence rate to the exact solutions. The obtained results have shown a simple and useful procedure to analyze complex problems in related areas of science and technology.
Bochner definition of Stepanov-like almost automorphic functions on time scales and an application to cellular neural networks with delays
Authors: Zhang Li-Li , Yang Xu-Dong
Published: January 2021

The definition of Stepanov-like almost automorphic functions on time scales had been proposed in the literature, but at least one result was incorrect, which involved Bochner transform. In our work, we give the Bochner definition of Stepanov-like almost automorphic functions on time scales, and prove that a function is Stepanov-like almost automorphic if and only if it satisfies Bochner definition of Stepanov-like almost automorphic function on time scales. The Bochner definition of Stepanov-like almost automorphic functions on time scales corrects the faulty result, and perfects the definition of Stepanov-like almost automorphic functions. As applications, we discuss the almost automorphy of a certain dynamic equation and some cellular neural networks with delays on time scales.
Neoteric formulas of the monic orthogonal Chebyshev polynomials of the sixth-kind involving moments and linearization formulas
Authors: Abd-Elhameed Waleed M. , Youssri Youssri H.
Published: January 2021

The principal aim of the current article is to establish new formulas of Chebyshev polynomials of the sixth-kind. Two different approaches are followed to derive new connection formulas between these polynomials and some other orthogonal polynomials. The connection coefficients are expressed in terms of terminating hypergeometric functions of certain arguments; however, they can be reduced in some cases. New moment formulas of the sixth-kind Chebyshev polynomials are also established, and in virtue of such formulas, linearization formulas of these polynomials are developed.
Stability analysis of five-grade Leishmania epidemic model with harmonic mean-type incidence rate
Authors: Khan Karim , Zarin Rahat , Khan Amir , Yusuf Abdullahi , Al-Shomrani Mohammed , Ullah Arif
Published: January 2021

In this paper, we discuss the Anthroponotic Cutaneous Leishmania transmission. In addition, we develop a mathematical model for the Anthroponotic Cutaneous Leishmania transmission and consider its qualitative behavior. We derive the threshold number $R_{0}$

R
0

of the model using the next generation method. In the disease-free case, we carry out the local and global stability under the condition $R_{0}<1$

R
0

<
1
. Moreover, we derive the global stability at the disease-free equilibrium point by utilizing the Castillo-Chavez method. On the other hand, at the endemic equilibrium point, we show the local and global stability to be held under specific conditions and $R_{0}>1$

R
0

>
1
. We also establish the global stability at the endemic equilibrium point with the help of a geometrical approach, which is a generalization of Lyapunov theory, by using a second additive compound matrix. Finally, we take into account the sensitivity analysis of the threshold number with other parameters. We also discuss several graphs of important parameters.
Variability in instructions for performance of nasopharyngeal swabs across Canada in the era of COVID-19 – what type of swab is actually being performed?
Authors: Hiebert Nole M. , Chen Breanna Ashley , Sowerby Leigh J.
Published: January 2021

Background

The primary method of surveillance for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 is with nasopharyngeal swabs. Given the significant demand for nasopharyngeal swabs, a large number of previously untrained and unfamiliar staff are now performing this test. It was noted that there was significant heterogeneity in instructions for performing nasopharyngeal swabs in Canada, in contrast to the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The objective of this study was to review the instructions provided across Canada and contrast them to those of the CDC and PAHO.

Methods

A standard series of steps for nasopharyngeal swab performance was outlined based on the CDC, PAHO, and New England Journal of Medicine instructions. A comprehensive search was performed in August 2020 to identify nasopharyngeal swab guidelines provided by public health in the provinces and territories of Canada. Regional health authority guidance was also collected. Instructions provided were contrasted against the standardized steps.

Results

Instructions were identified for all provinces and territories, and for 81 regional health authorities. From the provincial and territorial guidelines, 10/13 (77%) cleared the nasal passages before swab insertion, 11/13 (85%) tilted the patient's head back slightly, 12/13 (92%) inserted the swab parallel to the palate, but only 3/13 (23%) inserted the swab to at least a depth of two-thirds the distance between the patient's nose and ear. A clear majority (81%) of regional health authority guidelines followed their respective provincial guidelines. For depth of insertion, Quebec provided a pictogram but no distance or technique for estimation. Six provinces and territories - Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island and Alberta - recommended 4 cm or one-half the distance from nostrils to ear. British Columbia and Manitoba recommended a 7 cm depth of insertion. Nova Scotia recommended one-half to two-thirds the distance from nose to ear. Lastly, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and the Yukon recommended an insertion from nose to the external ear canal.

Conclusion

There is significant heterogeneity in guidance for nasopharyngeal swab performance across Canada. The instructions provided by the majority of provinces and territories in Canada would not be effective in reaching the nasopharynx.

Graphical Abstract
Blood clots affect the response of tympanic membrane perforations to gelfoam grafting after ventilation tube insertion
Authors: Lou Zhengcai
Published: January 2021

Chronic tympanic membrane (TM) perforation associated with ventilation tube (VT) insertion was commonly encountered in pediatric patients with chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) treatment and eustachian tube dysfunction. The persistent perforation require surgical closure by myringoplasty. Song JS et al. recently a paper entitled: “Evaluating short and long term outcomes following pediatric myringoplasty with gelfoam graft for tympanic membrane perforation following ventilation tube insertion.” In their study, the authors performed gelfoam myringoplasty to repair the perforations following VT insertion in children and compare the successful TM closure rate among different graft materials. The authors believed that gelfoam alone was superior to hyaluronic acid (HA), tragal cartilage (TC), and gelfoam-plus-temporal fascia (TF). The sample size is unbalanced and incommensurable between gelfoam and other graft materials. In addition, a confounding factor was added in the gelfoam group, thereby affected the assessment of TM closure. Thus, the conclusion is not rigorous and scientific.
A novel approach for learning ontology from relational database: from the construction to the evaluation
Authors: Ben Mahria Bilal , Chaker Ilham , Zahi Azeddine
Published: January 2021

The aim of converting relational database into Ontology is to provide applications that are based on the semantic representation of the data. Whereas, representing the data using ontologies has shown to be a useful mechanism for managing and exchanging data. This is the reason why bridging the gap between relational databases and ontologies has attracted the interest of the ontology community from early years, and it is commonly referred to as the database-to-ontology mapping problem. In this paper, we: (1) propose a new life cycle for ontology learning from RDBs based on the software engineering requirements; (2) describe a new method for building ontology from Relational database based on the predefined life cycle; (3) add three new semantics that can be extracted from RDB; (4) we suggest an evaluation process based on two categories of metrics: (i) conceptual ontology (TBox) evaluation metrics; (ii) factual ontology (ABox) evaluation metrics.
Predisposing factors’ effects on mortality of oak (Quercus) and hickory (Carya) species in mature forests undergoing mesophication in Appalachian Ohio
Authors: Radcliffe Don C. , Hix David M. , Matthews Stephen N.
Published: January 2021

Background

Mature oak (Quercus spp.) and hickory (Carya spp.) trees are gradually being replaced by more shade-tolerant tree species across the eastern U.S., likely due to fire suppression and increased precipitation. Oaks and hickories are highly valuable to wildlife; therefore, studying their mortality patterns can provide information on the longevity of habitat quality for many animal species. Oak mortality has most often been studied following large oak decline events, but background mortality rates in forests with aging oak and hickory canopies warrant equal attention, especially in the context of widespread oak and hickory regeneration failure.

Methods

We studied background mortality rates of five oak and one hickory species over a 23–25 year time period (1993–1995 to 2018), using 82 1/20th hectare permanent plots on the Marietta Unit of the Wayne National Forest in southeastern Ohio. We calculated mortality rates based on remeasurement of individual trees for white oak (Quercus alba), chestnut oak (Quercus montana), northern red oak (Quercus rubra), black oak (Quercus velutina), scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea), and pignut hickory (Carya glabra). For each of these species other than scarlet oak, we also modeled the relationships of mortality probability with a priori topographic, soil, stand structural, and individual tree covariates, using a mixed-effects logistic regression framework.

Results

The species with the highest mortality rate was scarlet oak (61.3%), followed by northern red oak (41.4%), black oak (26.7%), pignut hickory (23.9%), white oak (23.4%), and chestnut oak (19.1%). In our models, northern red oak mortality was associated with more mesic slope positions, shallower solums, more acidic soils, and older stand ages. Pignut hickory and chestnut oak mortality rates were associated with higher basal areas on the plot, while white oak mortality showed the opposite pattern.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that red oak subgenus trees in mature forests of our area will become increasingly uncommon relative to white oak subgenus trees, as the result of higher mortality rates likely related to the shorter lifespans of these species. Particularly vulnerable areas may include more mesic topographic positions, shallower or more acidic soil, and older stands. Since maintaining oak subgenus diversity is beneficial to wildlife diversity in the eastern U.S., managers in areas with extensive mature mixed-oak forests could choose to favor the red oak subgenus when conducting silvicultural treatments.
Macrofauna community patterns in a Chiloe Island channel used intensely for aquaculture: the ecological status of its benthic environment
Authors: Hernández-Miranda Eduardo , Estrada Romina , Strange Poliana , Veas Rodrigo , Krautz M. Cristina , Quiñones Renato A.
Published: January 2021

Background

It is known that aquaculture may produce negative environmental effects on marine ecosystems. Southern Chile is one of the most important salmon and mussel-producing areas in the world. Here we assess the ecological status of benthic communities near farming centers in Caucahue Channel, Chiloe, which has been used intensely for salmon and mussel production for 30 years.

Methods

The macrofauna, sediments and water column were characterized at distances of 5 to 100 m from three salmon and three mussel-producing centers. Information was also obtained from reference sites 500 to 3000 m from these aquaculture farms. The macrofauna and environmental conditions during winter were analyzed using uni- and multivariate analysis and the AZTI Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) as an indicator of benthic community condition.

Results

(i) There is a high degree of spatial dissimilarity in macrofauna and environmental variables among sampling sites and types of environments (far from or near farming centers) and between the northern and southern areas of the channel; (ii) sediment structure (mean grain size and percentage of total organic matter) correlated with the observed dissimilarities in macrofauna communities; and (iii) the level of perturbation according to AMBI was heterogeneous, with sites in the undisturbed/normal range to moderately disturbed/polluted.

Conclusions

We found a high spatial dissimilarity in benthic macrofauna and environmental variables among sampling sites, environmental types and between the northern and southern areas of the channel. AMBI and multivariate community-environment analysis are useful tools to define the level of perturbation of a geographic area at different spatial scales, using all the ecological information from each sample and replicates.