bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of 8 plant extracts and combinations on post-prandial blood glucose and insulin responses in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mela David J. , Cao Xiu-Zhen , Dobriyal Rajendra , Fowler Mark I. , Lin Li , Joshi Manoj , Mulder Theo J. P. , Murray Peter G. , Peters Harry P. F. , Vermeer Mario A. , Zhang Zhang
Published: July 2020

Background

Lower post-prandial glucose (PPG) and insulin (PPI) responses to foods are associated with reduced diabetes risk and progression. Several plant extracts have been proposed to reduce PPG or PPI by inhibiting enzymes or transporters involved in carbohydrate digestion and uptake. This study evaluates a range of such extracts, consumed with a carbohydrate load, for their effects on PPG, PPI and indicators of (gastrointestinal) tolerance.

Methods

Interventions were extracts of mulberry fruit (MFE, 1.5 g), mulberry leaf (MLE, 1.0 g), white bean (WBE, 3.0 g), apple (AE, 2.0 g), elderberry (EE, 2.0 g), turmeric (TE, 0.18 g), AE + TE, and EE + TE. Each of these 8 individual extracts or combinations were added to a rice porridge containing ~ 50 g available carbohydrate (control). In a within-subject (randomised, balanced incomplete block) design, individual subjects received the control and a subset of 4 of the 8 extracts or combinations. Participants were 72 apparently healthy adults (mean [SD] age 31.2 [5.5] yr, body mass index 22.1 [2.0] kg/m2). The primary outcome was the percentage change in 2-h PPG (positive incremental area under the curve) relative to control. Secondary measures were the 2-h PPI response, 7-h breath hydrogen, measures of gastrointestinal discomfort, and urine glucose.

Results

In the 65 subjects who completed the control and at least one intervention treatment, additions of AE, MFE and MLE produced statistically significant reductions in PPG vs control (p < 0.05; mean effect − 24.1 to − 38.1%). All extracts and combinations except TE and WBE significantly reduced PPI (p < 0.01; mean effect − 17.3% to − 30.4%). Rises in breath hydrogen > 10 ppm were infrequent, but statistically more frequent than control only for MLE (p = 0.02). Scores for gastrointestinal discomfort were extremely low and not different from control for any treatment, and no glucosuria was observed.

Conclusions

Additions of AE, MFE and MLE to rice robustly reduced PPG and PPI. EE significantly reduced only PPI, while TE and WBE showed no significant efficacy for PPG or PPI. Breath hydrogen responses to MLE suggest possible carbohydrate malabsorption at the dose used, but there were no explicit indications of intolerance to any of the extracts.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04258501. Registered 6 February 2020 - Retrospectively registered.
Maternal obesity alters C19MC microRNAs expression profile in fetal umbilical cord blood
Authors: Jing Jia , Wang Yingjin , Quan Yanmei , Wang Zhijie , Liu Yue , Ding Zhide
Published: July 2020

Background

To determine if overweight/obese pregnant women have altered microRNA expression patterns in fetal umbilical cord blood that may affect the development of offspring.

Methods

Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained from the fetuses of 34 overweight/obese and 32 normal-weight women after delivery. Next generation sequencing (NGS) analyzed their miRNA expression patterns. miRanda and TargetScan databases were used to predict the miRNAs’ target genes followed by analyses of Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) to perform function grouping and pathway analyses. qRT-PCR verified the identity of differentially expressed miRNAs that were revealed in the NGS results.

Results

There was a positive correlation between newborn body weight and pregestational BMI of pregnant individuals (r = 0.48, P < 0.001). One hundred and eight miRNAs were differentially expressed between the normal and overweight/obese groups, which target genes were enriched in the metabolic pathway. Five C19MC miRNAs (miR-516a-5p, miR-516b-5p, miR-520a-3p, miR-1323, miR-523-5p) were upregulated in the overweight/obese group. Target enrichment analysis suggests their involvement in post-embryonic development, lipid and glucose homeostasis, T cell differentiation and nervous system development.

Conclusions

C19MC miRNA expression upregulation in the fetal circulation during the gestation of overweight/obese pregnant women may contribute to altered multisystem metabolic pathway development in their offspring.
An in situ approach to characterizing photosynthetic gas exchange of rice panicle
Authors: Chang Tian-Gen , Song Qing-Feng , Zhao Hong-Long , Chang Shuoqi , Xin Changpeng , Qu Mingnan , Zhu Xin-Guang
Published: July 2020

Background

Photosynthesis of reproductive organs in C3 cereals is generally regarded as important to crop yield. Whereas, photosynthetic characteristics of reproductive organs are much less understood as compared to leaf photosynthesis, mainly due to methodological limitations. To date, many indirect methods have been developed to study photosynthesis of reproductive organs and its contribution to grain yield, such as organ shading, application of herbicides and photosynthetic measurement of excised organs or tissues, which might be intrusive and cause biases. Thus, a robust and in situ approach needs to be developed.

Results

Here we report the development of a custom-built panicle photosynthesis chamber (P-chamber), which can be connected to standard infrared gas analyzers to study photosynthetic/respiratory rate of a rice panicle. With the P-chamber, we measured panicle photosynthetic characteristics of seven high-yielding elite japonica, japonica-indica hybrid and indica rice cultivars. Results show that, (1) rice panicle is photosynthetically active during grain filling, and there are substantial inter-cultivar variations in panicle photosynthetic and respiratory rates, no matter on a whole panicle basis, on an area basis or on a single spikelet basis; (2) among the seven testing cultivars, whole-panicle gross photosynthetic rates are 17–54 nmol s−1 5 days after heading under photon flux density (PFD) of 2000 μmol (photons) m−2 s−1, which represent some 20–38% of that of the corresponding flag leaves; (3) rice panicle photosynthesis has higher apparent CO2 compensation point, light compensation point and apparent CO2 saturation point, as compared to that of a typical leaf; (4) there is a strong and significant positive correlation between gross photosynthetic rate 5 days after heading on a single spikelet basis and grain setting rate at harvest (Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.93, p value < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Rice panicle gross photosynthesis is significant, has great natural variation, and plays an underappreciated role in grain yield formation. The P-Chamber can be used as a tool to study in situ photosynthetic characteristics of irregular non-foliar plant organs, such as ears, culms, leaf sheaths, fruits and branches, which is a relatively less explored area in current cereal breeding community.
Assessment of grip-motion characteristics in carpal tunnel syndrome patients using a novel finger grip dynamometer system
Authors: Sasaki Toru , Makino Koji , Nimura Akimoto , Suzuki Shiro , Kuroiwa Tomoyuki , Koyama Takafumi , Okawa Atsushi , Terada Hidetsugu , Fujita Koji
Published: July 2020

Background

Grip strength measurement is widely used in daily medical practice, and it has been reported that the grip strength decreases in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, conventional grip dynamometers evaluate only the maximum power of total grip strength and cannot measure the time course of grip motion. In this report, we aimed to determine the grip characteristics of CTS patients by measuring the time course of each finger’s grip motion and to analyze the relationship between finger grip strength and subjective symptoms using this new grip system.

Methods

The grip strength of each finger was measured using the new grip system that has four pressure sensors on the grip parts of each finger of the Smedley grip dynamometer. We analyzed the time course of grip motion and relationship between finger grip strength and subjective symptoms in 104 volunteer and 51 CTS hands. The Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand version of the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Instrument (CTSI-JSSH) and the Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (DASH) were used as subjective evaluation scores.

Results

In the CTS group, the grip time with the index, middle, and ring fingers was longer, and the time at which strength was lost after reaching the maximum was earlier. Patients with severe subjective symptoms tended to not use the index and middle fingers during grip motion.

Conclusions

This new system that measures each finger’s grip strength at one time and record the time course of grip motion could quantify a patient’s symptoms easily and objectively, which may contribute to the evaluation of hand function.
Modeling sediment diagenesis processes on riverbed to better quantify aquatic carbon fluxes and stocks in a small watershed of the Mid-Atlantic region
Authors: Qi Junyu , Zhang Xuesong , Lee Sangchul , Wu Yiping , Moglen Glenn E. , McCarty Gregory W.
Published: July 2020

Background

Despite the widely recognized importance of aquatic processes for bridging gaps in the global carbon cycle, there is still a lack of understanding of the role of riverbed processes for carbon flows and stocks in aquatic environments. Here, we added a sediment diagenesis and sediment carbon (C) resuspension module into the SWAT-C model and tested it for simulating both particulate organic C (POC) and dissolved organic C (DOC) fluxes using 4 years of monthly observations (2014–2017) in the Tuckahoe watershed (TW) in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region.

Results

Sensitivity analyses show that parameters that regulate POC deposition in river networks are more sensitive than those that determine C resuspension from sediments. Further analyses indicate that allochthonous contributions to POC and DOC are about 36.6 and 46 kgC ha−1 year−1, respectively, while autochthonous contributions are less than 0.72 kgC ha−1 year−1for both POC and DOC (less than 2% of allochthonous sources). The net deposition of POC on the riverbed (i.e., 11.4 kgC ha−1 year−1) retained ca. 31% of terrestrial inputs of POC. In addition, average annual buried C was 0.34 kgC ha−1 year−1, accounting for only 1% of terrestrial POC inputs or 3% of net POC deposition. The results indicate that about 79% of deposited organic C was converted to inorganic C (CH4and CO2) in the sediment and eventually released into the overlying water column.

Conclusion

This study serves as an exploratory study on estimation of C fluxes from terrestrial to aquatic environments at the watershed scale. We demonstrated capabilities of the SWAT-C model to simulate C cycling from uplands to riverine ecosystems and estimated C sinks and sources in aquatic environments. Overall, the results highlight the importance of including carbon cycle dynamics within the riverbed in order to accurately estimate aquatic carbon fluxes and stocks. The new capabilities of SWAT-C are expected to serve as a useful tool to account for those processes in watershed C balance assessment.
NCSTN promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth and metastasis via β-catenin activation in a Notch1/AKT dependent manner
Authors: Li Hui , Lan Tian , Xu Lin , Liu Hailing , Wang Jinju , Li Jiaxin , Chen Xiangzheng , Huang Jiwei , Li Xuefeng , Yuan Kefei , Zeng Yong , Wu Hong
Published: July 2020

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the third top cause of cancer-related mortalities worldwide. The prognosis of HCC patients remains poor due to rapid progression and high incidence of tumor recurrence. Nicastrin (NCSTN), a core subunit of γ-Secretase, has been reported to play a vital role in tumor progression. However, no study till now has revealed its role in HCC.

Methods

The expression of NCSTN was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining, Western blot, and quantitative real-time PCR. Cell counting kit-8, colony formation and cell cycle assays were used for evaluating cell growth in vitro. Transwell and wound-healing assays were used for evaluating cell migration and invasion capacity. Immunofluorescence, subcellular protein fractionation and co-immunoprecipitation were used for location analysis of β-catenin. The in vivo functions of NCSTN were illustrated by xenograft tumor models.

Results

NCSTN was dramatically overexpressed in HCC compared to normal liver tissues. Elevated NCSTN expression level was significantly correlated to worse overall and recurrence-free survival of HCC patients. Enhanced NCSTN expression promoted HCC cell growth, migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic investigations showed that NCSTN induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process via upregulation of Zeb1. Subsequently, we revealed that NCSTN facilitated nuclear translocation of β-catenin, a positive transcriptional regulator of Zeb1. Using Notch and AKT inhibitors, we revealed that NCSTN promoted β-catenin activation through Notch1 and AKT signaling pathway. NCSTN increased AKT and GSK-3β phosphorylation by cleavage of Notch1, which decreased GSK-3β/β-catenin complex. The inactivation of GSK-3β inhibited the β-catenin degradation and promoted nuclear translocation of β-catenin to initiate transcription of Zeb1, resulting in malignant phenotype.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that NCSTN promoted HCC cell growth and metastasis via β-catenin-mediated upregulation of Zeb1 in a Notch1/AKT dependent manner, suggesting that NCSTN might serve as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for HCC.
The regulatory landscape of early maize inflorescence development
Authors: Parvathaneni Rajiv K. , Bertolini Edoardo , Shamimuzzaman Md , Vera Daniel L. , Lung Pei-Yau , Rice Brian R. , Zhang Jinfeng , Brown Patrick J. , Lipka Alexander E. , Bass Hank W. , Eveland Andrea L.
Published: July 2020

Background

The functional genome of agronomically important plant species remains largely unexplored, yet presents a virtually untapped resource for targeted crop improvement. Functional elements of regulatory DNA revealed through profiles of chromatin accessibility can be harnessed for fine-tuning gene expression to optimal phenotypes in specific environments.

Result

Here, we investigate the non-coding regulatory space in the maize (Zea mays) genome during early reproductive development of pollen- and grain-bearing inflorescences. Using an assay for differential sensitivity of chromatin to micrococcal nuclease (MNase) digestion, we profile accessible chromatin and nucleosome occupancy in these largely undifferentiated tissues and classify at least 1.6% of the genome as accessible, with the majority of MNase hypersensitive sites marking proximal promoters, but also 3′ ends of maize genes. This approach maps regulatory elements to footprint-level resolution. Integration of complementary transcriptome profiles and transcription factor occupancy data are used to annotate regulatory factors, such as combinatorial transcription factor binding motifs and long non-coding RNAs, that potentially contribute to organogenesis, including tissue-specific regulation between male and female inflorescence structures. Finally, genome-wide association studies for inflorescence architecture traits based solely on functional regions delineated by MNase hypersensitivity reveals new SNP-trait associations in known regulators of inflorescence development as well as new candidates.

Conclusions

These analyses provide a comprehensive look into thecis-regulatory landscape during inflorescence differentiation in a major cereal crop, which ultimately shapes architecture and influences yield potential.
Registration of phase 3 crossover trials on ClinicalTrials.gov
Authors: Zeng Lijuan , Qureshi Riaz , Viswanathan Shilpa , Drye Lea , Li Tianjing
Published: July 2020

Background

In a randomized crossover trial, each participant is randomized to a sequence of treatments and treatment effect is estimated based on within-individual difference because each participant serves as his/her own control. This feature makes the design and reporting of randomized crossover trials different from that of parallel trials. Our objective was to characterize phase 3 crossover trials with results reported on ClinicalTrials.gov and identify issues and best practices for reporting.

Methods

We searched ClinicalTrials.gov for phase 3 randomized crossover trials that provided results, registered at least one primary outcome, and included at least one link to a results publication in the record by August 6, 2019. Two reviewers independently assessed the eligibility and extracted information from each record into an electronic form developed and maintained in the Systematic Review Data Repository.

Results

Of the 124 crossover trials analyzed, two thirds were a simple “Intervention A then B” or “Intervention B then A” (AB|BA) design. Most trials (78%, 97/124) provided enough information to understand the participant flow throughout the trial. Baseline characteristics were most often reported for all participants as a single group (52%, 65/124). Primary outcomes and adverse events were most commonly reported “per intervention” (85%, 105/124, and 80%, 99/124, respectively).

Conclusions

The registration and reporting of randomized crossover trials must account for the paired nature of the design. Our observations and recommendations informed the development of guidelines for good reporting practices in the registration and reporting of randomized crossover trials.
Effects of intraoperative individualized PEEP on postoperative atelectasis in obese patients: study protocol for a prospective randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhu Chen , Yao Jing-Wen , An Li-Xin , Bai Ya-Fan , Li Wen-Jing
Published: July 2020

Background

Obese patients undergoing general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation during laparoscopic abdominal surgery commonly have a higher incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), due to factors such as decreasing oxygen reserve, declining functional residual capacity, and reducing lung compliance. Pulmonary atelectasis caused by pneumoperitoneum and mechanical ventilation is further aggravated in obese patients. Recent studies demonstrated that individualized positive end-expiratory pressure (iPEEP) was one of effective lung-protective ventilation strategies. However, there is still no exact method to determine the best iPEEP, especially for obese patients. Here, we will use the best static lung compliance (Cstat) method to determine iPEEP, compared with regular PEEP, by observing the atelectasis area measured by electrical impedance tomography (EIT), and try to prove a better iPEEP setting method for obese patients.

Methods

This study is a single-center, two-arm, prospective, randomized control trial. A total number of 80 obese patients with body mass index ≥ 32.5 kg/m2 scheduled for laparoscopic gastric volume reduction and at medium to high risk for PPCs will be enrolled. They will be randomly assigned to control group (PEEP5 group) and iPEEP group. A PEEP of 5 cmH2O will be used in PEEP5 group, whereas an individualized PEEP value determined by a Cstat-directed PEEP titration procedure will be applied in the iPEEP group. Standard lung-protective ventilation methods such as low tidal volumes (7 ml/kg, predicted body weight, PBW), a fraction of inspired oxygen ≥ 0.5, and recruitment maneuvers (RM) will be applied during and after operation in both groups. Primary endpoints will be postoperative atelectasis measured by chest electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and intraoperative oxygen index. Secondary endpoints will be serum IL-6, TNF-α, procalcitonin (PCT) kinetics during and after surgery, incidence of PPCs, organ dysfunction, length of in-hospital stay, and hospital expense.

Discussion

Although there are several studies about the effect of iPEEP titration on perioperative PPCs in obese patients recently, the iPEEP setting method they used was complex and was not always feasible in routine clinical practice. This trial will assess a possible simple method to determine individualized optimal PEEP in obese patients and try to demonstrate that individualized PEEP with lung-protective ventilation methods is necessary for obese patients undergoing general surgery. The results of this trial will support anesthesiologist a feasible Cstat-directed PEEP titration method during anesthesia for obese patients in attempt to prevent PPCs.

Trial registration

www.chictr.org.cn ChiCTR1900026466. Registered on 11 October 2019
Profiling of IgG antibodies targeting unmodified and corresponding citrullinated autoantigens in a multicenter national cohort of early arthritis in Germany
Authors: Vordenbäumen Stefan , Brinks Ralph , Schriek Patrick , Lueking Angelika , Richter Jutta G. , Budde Petra , Schulz-Knappe Peter , Zucht Hans-Dieter , Callhoff Johanna , Schneider Matthias
Published: July 2020

Objective

To assess the diagnostic potential of IgG antibodies to citrullinated and corresponding native autoantigens in early arthritis.

Methods

IgG autoantibodies to 390 distinct unmodified and corresponding in vitro citrullinated recombinant proteins were measured by a multiplex assay in baseline blood samples from a German multicenter national cohort of 411 early arthritis patients (56.5 ± 14.6 years, 62.8% female). The cohort was randomly split into a training cohort (n = 329, 28.6% ACPA positive) and a validation cohort (n = 82, 32.9% ACPA pos.). The diagnostic properties of candidate antibodies to predict a subsequent diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as opposed to a non-RA diagnosis were assessed by receiver operating characteristics analysis and generalized linear modeling (GLM) with Bonferroni correction in comparison to clinically determined IgM rheumatoid factor (RF) and citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) status.

Results

Of 411 patients, 309 (75.2%) were classified as RA. Detection rates of antibody responses to citrullinated and uncitrullinated forms of the proteins were weakly correlated (Spearman’s r = 0.13 (95% CI 0.029–0.22), p = 0.01). The concentration of 34 autoantibodies (32 to citrullinated and 2 to uncitrullinated antigens) was increased at least 2-fold in RA patients and further assessed. In the training cohort, a significant association of citrullinated “transformer 2 beta homolog” (cTRA2B)-IgG with RA was observed (OR 5.3 × 103, 95% CI 0.8 × 103–3.0 × 106, p = 0.047). Sensitivity and specificity of cTRA2B-IgG (51.0%/82.9%) were comparable to RF (30.8%/91.6%) or ACPA (32.1%/94.7%). Similar results were obtained in the validation cohort. The addition of cTRA2B-IgG to ACPA improved the diagnostic performance over ACPA alone (p = 0.026 by likelihood ratio test).

Conclusions

cTRA2B-IgG has the potential to improve RA diagnosis in conjunction with RF and ACPA in early arthritis.
Network-inspired versus Kozeny–Carman based permeability-porosity relations applied to Biot’s poroelasticity model
Authors: Rahrah Menel , Lopez-Peña Luis A. , Vermolen Fred , Meulenbroek Bernard
Published: July 2020

Water injection in the aquifer induces deformations in the soil. These mechanical deformations give rise to a change in porosity and permeability, which results in non-linearity of the mathematical problem. Assuming that the deformations are very small, the model provided by Biot’s theory of linear poroelasticity is used to determine the local displacement of the skeleton of a porous medium, as well as the fluid flow through the pores. In this continuum scale model, the Kozeny–Carman equation is commonly used to determine the permeability of the porous medium from the porosity. The Kozeny–Carman relation states that flow through the pores is possible at a certain location as long as the porosity is larger than zero at this location in the aquifer. However, from network models it is known that percolation thresholds exist, indicating that the permeability will be equal to zero if the porosity becomes smaller than these thresholds. In this paper, the relationship between permeability and porosity is investigated. A new permeability-porosity relation, based on the percolation theory, is derived and compared with the Kozeny–Carman relation. The strongest feature of the new approach is related to its capability to give a good description of the permeability in case of low porosities. However, with this network-inspired approach small values of the permeability are more likely to occur. Since we show that the solution of Biot’s model converges to the solution of a saddle point problem for small time steps and low permeability, we need stabilisation in the finite element approximation.
Development and validation of a prognostic model incorporating [18F]FDG PET/CT radiomics for patients with minor salivary gland carcinoma
Authors: Cheng Nai-Ming , Hsieh Cheng-En , Fang Yu-Hua Dean , Liao Chun-Ta , Ng Shu-Hang , Wang Hung-Ming , Chou Wen-Chi , Lin Chien-Yu , Yen Tzu-Chen
Published: July 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a prognostic model incorporating [18F]FDG PET/CT radiomics for patients of minor salivary gland carcinoma (MSGC).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the pretreatment [18F]FDG PET/CT images of 75 MSGC patients treated with curative intent. Using a 1.5:1 ratio, the patients were randomly divided into a training and validation group. The main outcome measurements were overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). All of the patients were followed up for at least 30 months or until death. Following segmentation of tumors and lymph nodes on PET images, radiomic features were extracted. The prognostic significance of PET radiomics and clinical parameters in the training group was examined using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Variables showing a significant impact on OS and RFS were entered into multivariable Cox regression models. Recursive partitioning analysis was subsequently implemented to devise a prognostic index, whose performance was examined in the validation group. Finally, the performance of the index was compared with clinical variables in the entire cohort and nomograms for surgically treated cases.

Results

The training and validation groups consisted of 45 and 30 patients, respectively. The median follow-up time in the entire cohort was 59.5 months. Eighteen relapse, 19 dead, and thirteen relapse, eight dead events were found in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. In the training group, two factors were identified as independently associated with poor OS, i.e., (1) tumors with both high maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and discretized intensity entropy and (2) poor performance status or N2c-N3 stage. A prognostic model based on the above factors was devised and showed significant higher concordance index (C-index) for OS than those of AJCC stage and high-risk histology (C-index: 0.83 vs. 0.65, P = 0.005; 0.83 vs. 0.54, P < 0.001, respectively). This index also demonstrated superior performance than nomogram for OS (C-index: 0.88 vs. 0.70, P = 0.017) and that for RFS (C-index: 0.87 vs. 0.72, P = 0.004).

Conclusions

We devised a novel prognostic model that incorporates [18F]FDG PET/CT radiomics and may help refine outcome prediction in patients with MSGC.
Existence and multiplicity of solutions for Schrödinger–Kirchhoff type problems involving the fractional $p(\cdot )$-Laplacian in $\mathbb{R}^{N}$
Authors: Kim In Hyoun , Kim Yun-Ho , Park Kisoeb
Published: July 2020

We are concerned with the following elliptic equations with variable exponents:
$$ M \bigl([u]_{s,p(\cdot,\cdot)} \bigr)\mathcal{L}u(x) +\mathcal {V}(x) \vert u \vert ^{p(x)-2}u =\lambda\rho(x) \vert u \vert ^{r(x)-2}u + h(x,u) \quad \text{in } \mathbb {R}^{N}, $$
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Existence of ground state solutions for quasilinear Schrödinger equations with general Choquard type nonlinearity
Authors: He Yu-bo , Zhou Jue-liang , Lin Xiao-yan
Published: July 2020

In this paper, we study the following Choquard type quasilinear Schrödinger equation:
$$ -\Delta u+u-\Delta \bigl(u^{2}\bigr)u=\bigl(I_{\alpha }*G(u) \bigr)g(u),\quad x\in {\mathbb{R}}^{N}, $$
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, and $I_{\alpha }$

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is a Riesz potential. By using the minimization method developed by (Tang and Chen in Adv. Nonlinear Anal. 9:413–437, 2020; Willem in Minimax Theorems, 1996), we establish the existence of ground state solutions with general Choquard type nonlinearity. Our results extend the results obtained by (Chen et al. in Appl. Math. Lett. 102:106141, 2020).
Chinese- and English-speaking adult current smokers’ perspectives on smoking and culturally and linguistically appropriate cessation: a qualitative analysis
Authors: Poureslami Iraj , Shum Jessica , Aran Niloufar , Tregobov Noah
Published: July 2020

Background

A lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate smoking cessation intervention programs exist among Chinese-Canadian communities. Smoking cessation programs that are provided in Canadian mainstream culture and language have shown limited effectiveness in altering smoking behaviours of smokers from these communities. Our study aimed to explore and compare smoking patterns, knowledge, beliefs, and risk perceptions of adult current smokers between Chinese- and English-speaking Canadians participating in a culturally and linguistically tailored smoking cessation program.

Methods and Design

A qualitative study embedded in an effectiveness study using an 8-month quasi-experimental design, was conducted to compare the effects of four one-on-one culturally and linguistically sensitive consultation sessions (intervention group) and three telephone follow-up assessments (control group). All participants were provided take-home educational materials (designed exclusively for this study), and completed study questionnaires at baseline and 6-month post-intervention. An 8-month post-intervention phone assessment was conducted with all participants to assess cessation progress and maintenance.

Participants

70 Chinese- and English-speaking adult (aged 19-80) current smokers (≥ 5 cigarettes per day) residing in the Greater Vancouver Area, Canada, were recruited between May 2018 and April 2019.

Data analysis

Thematic analysis was conducted on self-reported qualitative information from study questionnaires and verbatim transcripts of in-person consultations and telephone follow-ups. Cultural- and demographic-related themes were considered.

Results

Perceptions of smoking patterns, smoking status, triggers, and barriers to smoking cessation were identified. Important elements of smoking cessation program, including facilitator characteristics, duration, procedures, cultural factors, and topics were also identified. Differences in perceptions of smoking were observed between gender and language groups. Stress was a major trigger for smoking in both language groups. An individual’s social network was reported as the largest barrier to successful cessation for Chinese-speaking participants.

Conclusions

Our study provides knowledge and information to further examine the role of risk perception (realization of the possible harms of smoking) in smoking cessation to facilitate the development of future interventions that could more effectively promote smoking cessation among new immigrants and within ethnocultural communities. We found that our program was generally accepted by smokers in both language groups and the participants reported that they were able to apply the strategies learned in the intervention during their quit smoking plan.
Risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission by aerosols, the rational use of masks, and protection of healthcare workers from COVID-19
Authors: Sommerstein Rami , Fux Christoph Andreas , Vuichard-Gysin Danielle , Abbas Mohamed , Marschall Jonas , Balmelli Carlo , Troillet Nicolas , Harbarth Stephan , Schlegel Matthias , Widmer Andreas ,   Swissnoso, Balmelli Carlo , Eisenring Marie-Christine , Harbarth Stephan , Marschall Jonas , Pittet Didier , Sax Hugo , Schlegel Matthias , Schweiger Alexander , Senn Laurence , Troillet Nicolas , Widmer Andreas F. , Zanetti Giorgio
Published: July 2020

Objectives

To determine the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission by aerosols, to provide evidence on the rational use of masks, and to discuss additional measures important for the protection of healthcare workers from COVID-19.

Methods

Literature review and expert opinion.

Short conclusion

SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen causing COVID-19, is considered to be transmitted via droplets rather than aerosols, but droplets with strong directional airflow support may spread further than 2 m. High rates of COVID-19 infections in healthcare-workers (HCWs) have been reported from several countries. Respirators such as filtering face piece (FFP) 2 masks were designed to protect HCWs, while surgical masks were originally intended to protect patients (e.g., during surgery). Nevertheless, high quality standard surgical masks (type II/IIR according to European Norm EN 14683) appear to be as effective as FFP2 masks in preventing droplet-associated viral infections of HCWs as reported from influenza or SARS. So far, no head-to-head trials with these masks have been published for COVID-19. Neither mask type completely prevents transmission, which may be due to inappropriate handling and alternative transmission pathways. Therefore, compliance with a bundle of infection control measures including thorough hand hygiene is key. During high-risk procedures, both droplets and aerosols may be produced, reason why respirators are indicated for these interventions.
Boundaries on Turkish export-oriented industrialization
Authors: Güvercin Deniz
Published: July 2020

This study examines the Turkish experience of export-oriented industrialization by emphasizing its linkage to previous capital accumulation model and developments and by the evolution of political and economic institutions. The study emphasizes that the structural drawbacks in Turkish economy that emerged in the economic development process aggravated in post-1980 period and aims to uncover the political and economic mechanisms leading to its aggravation. The VAR methodology is used to model Turkish economy’s experience of export-oriented industrialization by using the data for the period 2007: Q1–2017: Q4. The impulse response analysis results show that export is responsive to investment and capacity utilization and responsive to interest rate and import in the negative direction. Import is responsive to export, investment and capacity utilization in a positive direction and decreases with interest rate. Investment increases with export, but decreases with imports. Additionally, the debt level increases with export and investment, but decreases with import and import increases the interest rate and export decreases the interest rate.
Changes in the gut microbiota mediate the differential regulatory effects of two glucose oxidases produced by Aspergillus niger and Penicillium amagasakiense on the meat quality and growth performance of broilers
Authors: Wu Shengru , Chen Xiaodong , Li Taohuan , Ren Hao , Zheng Lixin , Yang Xiaojun
Published: July 2020

Background

Glucose oxidase (GOD), an aerobic dehydrogenase, has been used as an antibiotic substitute in feed. A study was conducted to evaluate the differential effects of 2 different GODs fermented by Aspergillus niger or Penicillium amagasakiense on caecal microbiota and to further illuminate the potential roles of changes in the gut microbiota in regulating the growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens.

Results

A total of 420 one-day-old healthy Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned to 4 treatments: the control group, the antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) supplementation group, and the GOD-A and GOD-P (GODs produced by A. niger and P. amagasakiense, respectively) groups. As a result, supplementation with GOD produced by P. amagasakiense could significantly improve the average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake of broilers before 21 days of age by significantly increasing the enzymatic activities of jejunal amylase and those of ileal amylase, chymotrypsin, and lipase in 21-day-old broilers and could increase the enzymatic activities of duodenal amylase, jejunal amylase and lipase, and ileal chymotrypsin and lipase in 42-day-old broilers. Meanwhile, compared with AGP treatment, supplementation with GOD produced by P. amagasakiense significantly decreased the L value of 21-day-old broilers and the ΔpH and L* value of 42-day-old broilers, while supplementation with GOD produced by A. niger significantly increased the pH24 h value of 21-day-old and 42-day-old broilers by reducing plasma malondialdehyde content. By using 16S rRNA sequencing, we found that the beneficial bacteria and microbiota in broilers were not disturbed but were improved by GOD supplementation compared with ADP treatment, including the genera Eubacterium and Christensenella and the species uncultured_Eubacterium_sp, Clostridium_asparagiforme, and uncultured_Christensenella_sp, which were positively related to the improved intestinal digestive enzymatic activities, growth performance, and meat quality of broilers.

Conclusion

The altered gut microbiota induced by supplementation with glucose oxidase produced by P. amagasakiense mediate better regulatory effects on the meat quality and growth performance of broilers than that induced by supplementation with glucose oxidase produced by A. niger.
Potential pharmacogenomic targets in bipolar disorder: considerations for current testing and the development of decision support tools to individualize treatment selection
Authors: Cuéllar-Barboza Alfredo B. , McElroy Susan L. , Veldic Marin , Singh Balwinder , Kung Simon , Romo-Nava Francisco , Nunez Nicolas A. , Cabello-Arreola Alejandra , Coombes Brandon J. , Prieto Miguel , Betcher Hannah K. , Moore Katherine M. , Winham Stacey J. , Biernacka Joanna M. , Frye Mark A.
Published: July 2020

Background

Treatment in bipolar disorder (BD) is commonly applied as a multimodal therapy based on decision algorithms that lack an integrative understanding of molecular mechanisms or a biomarker associated clinical outcome measure. Pharmacogenetics/genomics study the individual genetic variation associated with drug response. This selective review of pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenomic testing (PGT) in BD will focus on candidate genes and genome wide association studies of pharmacokinetic drug metabolism and pharmacodynamic drug response/adverse event, and the potential role of decision support tools that incorporate multiple genotype/phenotype drug recommendations.

Main body

We searched PubMed from January 2013 to May 2019, to identify studies reporting on BD and pharmacogenetics, pharmacogenomics and PGT. Studies were selected considering their contribution to the field. We summarize our findings in: targeted candidate genes of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic pathways, genome-wide association studies and, PGT platforms, related to BD treatment. This field has grown from studies of metabolizing enzymes (i.e., pharmacokinetics) and drug transporters (i.e., pharmacodynamics), to untargeted investigations across the entire genome with the potential to merge genomic data with additional biological information.

Conclusions

The complexity of BD genetics and, the heterogeneity in BD drug-related phenotypes, are important considerations for the design and interpretation of BD PGT. The clinical applicability of PGT in psychiatry is in its infancy and is far from reaching the robust impact it has in other medical disciplines. Nonetheless, promising findings are discovered with increasing frequency with remarkable relevance in neuroscience, pharmacology and biology.
Transcatheter drug delivery through bronchial artery for COVID-19: is it fiction or could it come true?
Authors: Zaitoun Mohamed M. A. , Basha Mohammad Abd Alkhalik , Elmokadem Ali Hassan
Published: July 2020

More than 1,200 active or recruiting clinical trials for novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatments and vaccines are registered. Many drugs have shown promise for treatment of COVID-19. Nevertheless, up to date, no drugs have been confirmed as a definitive treatment for COVID-19. Trials such as the SOLIDARITY and RECOVERY are ongoing, and first results were announced in favour of therapy with dexamethasone with a significant trend showing greatest benefit among those patients requiring ventilation. The drawbacks of these trials include exposing the patients to drugs with well-documented systemic adverse effects or unknown complications of novel therapies without proof of clinical benefit. We present here the hypothesis that bronchial artery infusion could be an alternative for systemic drug infusion in COVID-19 trials with superadded benefits of high drug concentration and low systemic adverse effects. The concept of this idea has many uncertainties and no current clinical data to support. Perhaps, the technique should be first applied in animal models to determine its safety and calculate the effective dose of the drugs. Guidelines and reviews of pharmacotherapy for COVID-19 should be implemented for this fiction to come true.
Basal ganglia hemorrhage secondary to scorpion sting: a fatal presentation
Authors: Majumdar Avirup , Atam Virendra , Ansari Shahnawaz Ali , Kumar Satish , Bhardwaj Akriti
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Cerebrovascular manifestations are uncommon presentations of scorpion sting in the Indian subcontinent. Encephalopathy, cerebral edema, subarachnoid hemorrhage, non-hemorrhagic strokes, and cortical necrosis are a few CNS complications described in the medical literature due to scorpion envenomation.

Case description

We report a rare case of scorpion envenomation in a 40-year old, non-hypertensive farmer, who presented in an unconscious state. Non-contrast CT head revealed intracerebral hemorrhages in left temporoparietal lobe extending into left basal ganglia with intraventricular extension.

Discussion and evaluation

Toxin-induced autonomic storm is mostly responsible for the acute hypertensive crisis in affected individuals leading to stroke (commonly cerebral infarct) as a CNS complication.

Conclusion

Basal ganglia bleed following scorpion sting is an extremely rare scenario which is usually fatal as was in our case. Early suspicion and prompt institution of treatment (prazosin) is crucial in the management of intracranial bleed secondary to scorpion sting.
Post-stroke depression: frequency, risk factors, and impact on quality of life among 103 stroke patients—hospital-based study
Authors: Khedr Eman M. , Abdelrahman Ahmed A. , Desoky Tarek , Zaki Ahmed Fathi , Gamea Ayman
Published: July 2020

Background

Post-stroke depression (PSD) has worse functional outcomes and quality of life. Despite the extensive literature on this topic, there is no agreement on the frequency or risk factors for post-stroke depression.

Objectives

To establish the frequency and risk factors of post-stroke depression and its impact on quality of life.

Patients and methods

One hundred three stroke patients were recruited from the out-patient clinic of Qena University Hospital who satisfied the WHO definition for stroke, together with a control group of 50 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. A complete history, neurological examination, and CT brain were obtained for each patient. DSM-IV TR criteria were used for diagnosis of depressive disorders which was scored with the Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D); Barthel Index (BI), and quality of life were also measured.

Results

Thirty-eight (36.9%) stroke patients had PSD which was significantly higher than in the normal population (control group 12%). Statistically significant risk factors for PSD included low educational level, low socioeconomic status, smoking, and post-stroke functional impairment. Post-stroke depression has an impact on quality of life.

Conclusion

Post-stroke depression is a relatively common complication of stroke and can affect the quality of life. Low educational level and socioeconomic status, as well as smoking and functional impairments, were considered as risk factors for the occurrence of post-stroke depression. Early detection of predictors of post-stroke depression may improve the outcome of stroke and prevent the psychiatric consequences.
Essential tremor: what is beyond the oscillatory monosymptomatic illness?
Authors: Elhassanien Mahmoud Ebrahim Mostafa , Rashed Khaled Hussein , Bahnasy Wafik Said , El-Heneedy Yasser Abo Elfotoh , El-Seidy Ehab Ahmed Shawky , Tomoum Mohamed Osama , Ramadan Kareem Mohammed , Kotait Mona Ahmed , Amer Reham Abdel Rahman , ELAhwal Shereen Ahmed
Published: July 2020

Background

Essential tremor (ET) is now considered as a slowly progressive neurodegenerative disorder with a variety of motor and non-motor manifestations. The objectives of this work were to study the existence of cognitive, mood, olfactory, and balance dysfunctions in ET patients and their relation to tremor severity as well as patients’ activity of daily livings.

Methods

This study was performed on 36 ET patients and 24 healthy controls subjects (HCS) submitted to The Essential Tremor Rating Assessment Scale (TETRAS), advanced activity of daily living scale (AADLs), Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA), Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), auditory mismatch negativity (MMN), Sniffin’ Sticks test (SST), computerized dynamic posturography (CDP), and brain MRI diffusion tensor tractography (DTT).

Results

ET patients showed significant decrease in AADLs, MoCA, SST (threshold, identification, and discrimination subscales) as well as visual and vestibular ratios of CDP compared to HCS. Auditory MMN showed significant reduction in the amplitude and prolongation of latencies while corticospinal tracts, thalamo-cortical connectivity, and middle cerebellar peduncles DTT revealed reduced fractional anisotropy in ET patients with normal tracts densities.

Conclusion

ET patients exhibit a wide variety of non-motor manifestations including cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, hyposmia, and increased risk of falls with consecutive reduced activity of daily living beyond the deleterious effects of the kinetic tremor.