bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comunicação organizacional nas mídias sociais em temos de COVID-19
Authors: Batista Karen , Ana Paula Moura Saran  , Limongi Ricardo , Silva André Luiz Barbosa da , Gomes Alessandra Cristina
Published: June 2020

The context of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in organizational communication. The moment requires companies to adopt a posture of sensitivity to the moment and contribution to society. Thus, in this article, we seek to reflect on how organizations have communicated with their consumers through two examples, Madero and Magazine Luiza. We also discuss how consumers have reacted to the actions of these companies on social networks, and finally, we present suggestions for organizational communication strategies in times of pandemic.
Analysis of the Status Quo of the Elderly’s Demands of medical and elderly care Combination in the Underdeveloped Regions of Western China and Its Influencing Factors: A Case Study of Lanzhou
Authors: Wang Jiancheng , Wang Yunhua , Cai Hui , Zhang Juxia , Pan Bei , Bao Guoxian , Guo Tiankang
Published: June 2020

Background: This study aims to analyse the current demand by senior citizens in Lanzhou, Chin for a combination of medical and elderly care services and to identify the factors influencing their needs.Methods: 7500 participants aged 60 or above living in Lanzhou, China, were recruited, a unified questionnaire concerning elderly people’s demand for a service combining medical and elderly care has been adopted to survey these subjects. The status quo of the demand of the service combining medical and elderly care and its influencing factors were analysed with the single-factor Chi-square test and multi-factor binomial logistic regression method.Results: 3,772 of 7,320 older people have the demand for the service combining medical and elderly care, accounting for 53.15% of survey respondents. Many factors are in play, including gender, marital status, degree of education, occupation before retirement, number of children, monthly income, health self-assessment status, endowment insurance type, medical insurance type, current nursing arrangements, old-age demands, self-care ability and the knowledge of combining medical and elderly care and the willingness to pay for the combination of medical and elderly care have statistical significance (P<0.05) with the elderly’s needs, different ages, living styles and the prevalence of chronic diseases, have no statistical significance (P>0.05) with the elderly’s care needs in Lanzhou. The number of children, type of medical insurance and willingness to pay for a combination of medical treatment and nursing care are major influencing factors among the complex factors influencing the elderly’s demand for the proposed service.Conclusions: The low knowledge rate and demand rate, the number of children, the type of medical insurance, and the willingness to pay for a medical-nursing combination service for the elderly in Lanzhou have a great impact on the elderly’s demand rate for combining medical and elderly care. Meanwhile, relevant government departments should focus more on the promotion of the endowment model of combining medical and elderly care and provide integrated medical care services by integrating multiple resources, and improving social security.
Comparison of the clinical and MRI features of patients with hepatic hemangioma, epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, or angiosarcoma
Authors: Liu Zhuangsheng , Yi Lilei , Chen Junhao , Li Ruqiong , Liang Keming , Chen Xiangmeng , Li Ronggang , Long Wansheng
Published: June 2020

Background Comparisons of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE), hepatic hemangioma, and hepatic angiosarcoma (HAS) have rarely been reported. The purpose of our study was to analyze the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of these conditions. Methods A total of 57 patients (25 with hemangioma, 13 with HEHE, and 19 with HAS) provided hepatic vascular endothelial cell data between June 2006 and May 2017. Results The proportions of cases with circumscribed margins were 88% (22/25), 84.6% (11/3), and 31.6% (6/19) for hemangioma, HEHE, and HAS, respectively (P<0.001). HAS lesions were less likely to have circumscribed margins. The proportions of lesions with hemorrhaging were 4% (1/25), 44.4% (4/13), and 36.8% (7/13) for hemangioma, HEHE, and HAS, respectively (P=0.014). HEHE and HAS cases were more likely to show heterogeneous signals on T1-weighted (T1WI) MRI. HEHE and HAS cases were more likely to show heterogeneous signals on T2-weighted (T2WI) MRI. Centripetal enhancement was the most common pattern in vascular tumors, with proportions of 100%, 46.2% (6/13), and 68.4% (13/19) for hemangioma, HEHE, and HAS, respectively. The difference in enhancement pattern between HEHE and HAS was not significant, but rim enhancement was more common for HEHE (46.2%, 6/13). Conclusions Our study revealed clinical and imaging differences between HEHE and HAS. The platelet count (PLT) and coagulation function of the HAS group decreased, whereas the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level increased. The 5-year survival rate for HAS was significantly lower than that of HEHE. A higher malignancy degree indicated a more blurred lesion margin, easier occurrence of hemorrhaging, and more heterogeneous plain T1WI and T2WI signals.
Hospitalizations for viral respiratory infections in children under 2 years of age: epidemiology and in-hospital complications
Authors: Zurita-Cruz Jessie , Gutierrez-Gonzalez Alejandro , Manuel-Apolinar Leticia , Fernández-Gárate José Esteban , Arellano-Flores María Luisa , Eng Roberto Alejandro Correa Gonzalez , Vazquez-Rosales Guillermo , Sanchez-Armas Rocio , Cisneros Nelly
Published: June 2020

Background: Viral respiratory infections (VRIs) are a frequent cause of hospitalization in children under 24 months of age. A history of prematurity or heart disease may be a risk factor for complications in patients hospitalized for VRI. The objective was to describe epidemiological data for children hospitalized for IRV and aged 1 to 24 months and to identify risk factors for the presence of in-hospital complications and mortality over a period of 5 years.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Patients registered with VRI codes B974, J12, J120-J129X, J168, J17, J171, J178, J20, J203-J209, J21, J210, J211, J218, J219 (based on International Classification of Diseases [ICD-10]) from 2013 to 2017 were included. Three subanalyses were performed to compare (1) patients with pathological history (prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia [BPD] and congenital heart disease [CHD]), (2) diagnoses (pneumonia, acute bronchitis, and acute bronchiolitis), and (3) admission to the pediatric intensive care unit. Days of hospital stay, in-hospital complications, invasive medical procedure and mortality were analyzed. Statistical analysis: VRI hospitalization prevalence was described. For comparison between groups, Student's t-test, ANOVA and the Chi2 test were applied. To identify factors related to days of hospital stay, in-hospital complications and mortality, a linear and logistic regression model was performed.Results: A total of 66,304 hospitalizations were reported. The average age was 14.7 weeks; hospitalization events were higher in winter (39%), followed by autumn (27.3%). A total of 371 (0.56%) patients died. A total of 7,068 (10.6%) hospitalized patients with pathological histories were identified. The presence of BPD (coefficient = 1.6), CHD (coefficient = 1.2), diagnosis of pneumonia (coefficient = 1.2), in-hospital complications (coefficient = 2.1) and invasive medical procedures (coefficient = 15.7) were the most common factors that increased the length of hospital stay. Risk factors for in-hospital complications and mortality were invasive medical procedure (OR = 3.3 & 11.7), BPD (OR=1.8 & 1.6), CHD (OR = 4.6 & 3.4) and diagnosis of pneumonia (OR= 1.8 & 4.2).Conclusions: Risk factors for morbidity and mortality in patients hospitalized for VRIs are BPD and CHD, diagnosis of pneumonia and invasive medical procedure.
Access to primary healthcare services and associated factors in urban slums in Nairobi-Kenya
Authors: Otieno Peter O. , Wambiya Elvis Omondi Achach , Mohamed Shukri M , Mutua Martin Kavao , Kibe Peter M , Mwangi Bonventure , Donfouet Hermann Pythagore Pierre
Published: June 2020

Background: Access to primary healthcare is crucial for the delivery of Kenya’s universal health coverage policy. However, disparities in healthcare have proved to be the biggest challenge for implementing primary care in poor-urban resource settings. In this study, we assessed the level of access to primary healthcare services and associated factors in urban slums in Nairobi-Kenya. Methods: The data were drawn from the Lown scholars’ study of 300 randomly selected households in Viwandani slums (Nairobi, Kenya), between June and July 2018. Access to primary care was measured using Penchansky and Thomas’ model. Access index was constructed using principal component analysis and recorded into tertiles with categories labeled as poor, moderate, and highest. Generalized ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with access to primary care. The adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95 percent confidence intervals were used to interpret the strength of associations. Results: The odds of being in the highest access tertile versus the combined categories of lowest and moderate access tertile were 3.5 times higher for males than female-headed households (AOR 3.05 [95% CI 1.47-6.37]; p<.05). Households with an average quarterly out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure of ≥$30 had significantly lower odds of being in the highest versus combined categories of lowest and moderate access tertile compared to those spending ≤ $5.(AOR 0.36 [95% CI 0.18-0.74]; p<.05). Households that sought primary care from private facilities had significantly higher odds of being in the highest versus combined categories of lowest and moderate access tertiles compared to the public facilities (AOR 6.64 [95% CI 3.67-12.01]; p<.001). Conclusion: In Nairobi slums in Kenya, living in a female-headed household, seeking care from a public facility, and paying out of pocket for healthcare are significantly associated with low access to primary care. Therefore, the design of the UHC program in this setting should prioritize quality improvement in public health facilities and focus on policies that encourage economic empowerment of female-headed households to improve access to primary healthcare
Chronic patients’ satisfaction and priorities regarding medical care, information and services and quality of life: a French online patient community survey
Authors: Adé Apolline , Debroucker Frédérique , Delporte Laura , De Monclin Cécile , Fayet Emmanuel , LEGENDRE Pierre , Radoszycki Lise , Chekroun Michael
Published: June 2020

Background: The French healthcare system is evolving to meet the challenges of an aging population, the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, the development of new technologies and the increasing involvement of patients in the management of their disease. The aim of this study is to assess the satisfaction and priorities of chronic patients regarding medical care, information and services and their quality of life.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2018 via the French Carenity platform. Adult patients enrolled in type 1 diabetes, heart failure or obesity communities were invited to answer an online questionnaire. A numeric scale from 0 (meaning not satisfied) to 5 was used to evaluate patients’ satisfaction. Patients’ priorities were assessed using a ranking question. Patients’ satisfaction and priorities have been combined in a matrix to identify patients’ expectations.Results: 67 respondents of each condition answered a questionnaire. The most important and least satisfactory items about medical care are availability and active listening from healthcare providers, as well as access to coordinated and multidisciplinary care. Regarding information and services, respondents mostly expect connected medical devices, in addition to lifestyle and dietary measures. As for the quality of life, respondents fear that their chronic condition will keep impacting their daily mood and ability to do physical activities.Conclusions: This study shows that chronic patients want to be more actively involved in their care pathway. Patient training and therapeutic patient education programs could help them manage their chronic conditions within a patient-centred healthcare system.
Changes in soil microbial communities at Jinsha earthen site are associated with earthen site deterioration
Authors: Li Jing , Zhang Xiaoyue , Xiao Lin , Liu Ke , Li Yue , Zhang Ziwei , Chen Qiang , Ao Xiaolin , Liao Decong , Gu Yunfu , Ma Menggen , Yu Xiumei , Xiang Quanju , Chen Ji , Zhang Xiaoping , Yang Tao , Penttinen Petri , Zhao Ke
Published: June 2020

Background: Earthen sites are immobile cultural relics and an important part of cultural heritage with historical, artistic and scientific values. The deterioration of features in earthen sites result in permanent loss of cultural information, causing immeasurable damage to the study of history and culture. Most research on the deterioration of earthen sites has concentrated on physicochemical factors, and information on microbial communities in earthen sites and their relationship with the earthen site deterioration is scarce. We used high-throughput sequencing to analyze bacterial and fungal communities in soils from earthen walls with different degree of deterioration at Jinsha earthen site to characterize the microbial communities and their correlation with environmental factors, and to compare microbial community structures and the relative abundances of individual taxa associated with different degree of deterioration for identifying possible marker taxa.Results: The relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were higher and that of Actinobacteria lower with higher degree of deterioration. At the genus level, the relative abundances of Rubrobacter were highest in all sample groups except in the most deteriorated samples where that of Bacteroides was highest. The relative abundance of the yeast genus Candida was highest in the severely deteriorated sample group. The bacterial phylum Bacteroidetes and genus Bacteroides, and fungal class Saccharomycetes that includes Candida sp. were specific for the most deteriorated samples. For both bacteria and fungi, the differences in community composition were associated with differences in EC, moisture, pH, and the concentrations of NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and SO42-. Conclusion: The microbial communities in soil with different degree of deterioration were distinctly different, and deterioration was accompanied with bigger changes in the bacterial than in the fungal community. In addition, the deteriorated soil contained higher concentrations of soluble salts. Potentially, the accumulation of Bacteroides and Candida plays an important role in the deterioration of earthen features. Further work is needed to conclude whether controlling the growth of the bacteria and fungi with high relative abundances in the deteriorated samples can be applied to alleviate deterioration.
Is Leishmaniasis adequately notified in Sri Lanka? A survey among doctors from an endemic district, Sri Lanka.
Authors: Hewawasam Chandana , Weerakoon Hema S , Prasanka Kalana , Thilakan Vyshnavi , Lelwala Tishni , Rathnayaka Amila S , Gamage Shanika , Agampodi Suneth
Published: June 2020

Background: Leishmaniasis is a notifiable disease in Sri Lanka since 2008. Previous studies show a gap in the notification of leishmaniasis. Purpose of the present study was to determine the Knowledge, attitudes and practice of medical officers regarding leishmaniasis.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Anuradhapura district which reported the highest case load of leishmaniasis. Medical officers from public and private health care institutes in the area filled a self-administered questionnaire in the presence of the investigators.Results: One hundred and eighty-eight (188) medical officers completed the questionnaire. Of them, 95.7% were aware of leishmaniasis as a parasitic infection and 84.7% correctly identified Leishmania donovani as the causative organism in Sri Lanka. From the respondents, 181 (96.8%) knew that the vector of leishmaniasis is sand fly. Cutaneous leishmaniasis was reported as the most prevalent form of leishmaniasis in the country by 176 (94.1%). Nearly half of the respondents (98, 54.1%) were aware of the fact that the Anuradhapura district has the highest disease burden. Many of them had the idea that leishmaniasis is an emerging disease (155, 84.3%,) and early diagnosis is important in controlling the disease (163, 89.1%). Although about three fourth (123, 73.7 %,) of the participants mentioned that leishmaniasis should be notified at first clinical suspicion, only 74 (42.5%) were aware that it is a legal requirement. Some medical officers (39, 22%) believed that the current notification system in the country is not effective. Unavailability of notification forms (60, 36.8%) heavy workload (85, 50.3%) and inadequate supportive staff (55, 35.1%) were reported as barriers for timely notification. Even though 105 (58.0%) of medical officers had suspected leishmaniasis during last eight years period only 35 (19.4%) had notified.Conclusions: Even though more than 90% of the participants had good theoretical knowledge about leishmaniasis; notification of leishmaniasis is considerably inadequate. This study emphasizes the need for greater efforts to improve the notification of leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka.
CCL2/CCR2 system in neuroepithelial radial glia progenitor cells: Involvement in stimulatory, sexually dimorphic effects of maternal ethanol on embryonic development of hypothalamic peptide neurons
Authors: Chang Guo-Qing , Karatayev Olga , Boo Devi Sai Sri Kavya , Leibowitz Sarah F.
Published: June 2020

Background: Clinical and animal studies show that alcohol consumption during pregnancy produces lasting behavioral disturbances in offspring, including increased alcohol drinking, which are linked to inflammation in the brain and disturbances in neurochemical systems that promote these behaviors. These include the neuropeptide, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), which is mostly expressed in the lateral hypothalamus (LH). Maternal ethanol administration at low-to-moderate doses, while stimulating MCH neurons without affecting apoptosis or gliogenesis, increases in LH the density of neurons expressing the inflammatory chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2) and its receptor CCR2 and their colocalization with MCH. These neural effects associated with behavioral changes are reproduced by maternal CCL2 administration, reversed by a CCR2 antagonist, and consistently stronger in females than males. The present study investigates in the embryo the developmental origins of this CCL2/CCR2-mediated stimulatory effect of maternal ethanol exposure on MCH neurons.Methods: Pregnant rats from embryonic day 10 (E10) to E15 during peak neurogenesis were orally administered ethanol at a moderate dose (2 g/kg/day) or peripherally injected with CCL2 or CCR2 antagonist to test this neuroimmune system’s role in ethanol’s actions. Using real-time quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence histochemistry, in situ hybridization, and confocal microscopy, we examined in embryos at E19 the CCL2/CCR2 system and MCH neurons in relation to radial glia progenitor cells in the hypothalamic neuroepithelium where neurons are born and radial glia processes projecting laterally through the medial hypothalamus that provide scaffolds for neuronal migration into LH. Results: We demonstrate that maternal ethanol increases radial glia cell density and their processes while stimulating the CCL2/CCR2 system and these effects are mimicked by maternal administration of CCL2 and blocked by a CCR2 antagonist. While stimulating CCL2 colocalization with radial glia and neurons but not microglia, ethanol increases MCH neuronal number near radial glia cells and making contact along their processes projecting into LH. Further tests identify the CCL2/CCR2 system in NEP as a primary source of ethanol’s sexually dimorphic actions.Conclusions: These findings provide new evidence for how an inflammatory chemokine pathway functions within neuroprogenitor cells to mediate ethanol’s long-lasting, stimulatory effects on peptide neurons linked to adolescent drinking behavior.
Validation of the care providers version of the Rainbow Model of Integrated Care-Measurement Tool in Chinese primary care systems
Authors: Huang Yixiang , Zhu Paiyi , Chen Lijin , Wang Xin , Valentijn Pim
Published: June 2020

Background: The original Rainbow Model of Integrated Care Measurement Tool (RMIC-MT) is based on the Rainbow Model of Integrated Care (RMIC), which provides a comprehensive theoretical framework for integrated care. To translate and adapt the original care provider version of the RMIC-MT and evaluate its psychometric properties by a pilot study in Chinese primary care systems.Methods: The translation and adaptation process were performed in four steps, forward and back-translation, experts review and pre-testing. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 1610 community care professionals in all 79 community health stations in the Nanshan district. We analyzed the distribution of responses to each item to study the psychometric sensitivity. Exploratory factor analysis with principal axis extraction method and promax rotation was used to assess the construct validity. Cronbach’s alpha was utilized to ascertain the internal consistency reliability. Lastly, confirmation factor analysis was used to evaluate the exploratory factor analysis model fit.Results: During the translation and adaptation process, all 48 items were retained with some detailed modifications. No item was found to have psychometric sensitivity problems. Six factors (person- & community-centeredness, care integration, professional integration, organizational integration, cultural competence and technical competence) with 45 items were determined by exploratory factor analysis, accounting for 61.46% of the total variance. A standard Cronbach’s alpha of 0.940 and significant correlation among all items in the scale (>0.4) showed good internal consistency reliability of the tool. And, the model passed the majority of goodness-to-fit test by confirmation factor analysis Conclusions: The results showed initial satisfactory psychometric properties for the validation of the Chinese RMIC-MT provider version. Its application in China will promote the development of people-centered integrated primary care. However, further psychometric testing is needed in multiple primary care settings with both public and private community institutes.
Behavioral Sensitization Induced by Methamphetamine Causes Differential Alterations in Gene Expression and Histone Acetylation of the Prefrontal Cortex in Rats
Authors: Li Hui , Chen Jing-An , Ding Qian-Zhi , Lu Guan-Yi , Wu Ning , Su Rui-Bin , Li Fei , Li Jin
Published: June 2020

Background:Methamphetamine (METH) is one of the most widely abused illicit substances worldwide; unfortunately, its addiction mechanism remains unclear. Based on accumulating evidence, changes in gene expression and chromatin modifications might be related to the persistent effects of METH on the brain. In the present study, we took advantage of METH-induced behavioral sensitization as an animal model that reflects some aspects of drug addiction and examined the changes in gene expression and histone acetylation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of adult rats.Methods:We conducted mRNA microarray and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) coupled to DNA microarray (ChIP-chip) analyses to screen and identify changes in transcript levels and histone acetylation patterns. Functional enrichment analyses, including Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses, were performed to analyze the differentially expressed genes. We then further identified alterations in ANP32A (acidic leucine-rich nuclear phosphoprotein-32A) and POU3F2 (POU domain, class 3, transcription factor 2) using qPCR and ChIP-PCR assays.Results:In the rat model of METH-induced behavioral sensitization, METH challenge caused 275 differentially expressed genes and a number of hyperacetylated genes (821 genes with H3 acetylation and 10 genes with H4 acetylation). Based on mRNA microarray and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, 24 genes may be involved in METH-induced behavioral sensitization, and 7 were confirmed using qPCR. We further examined the alterations in the levels of the ANP32A and POU3F2 transcripts and histone acetylation at different periods of METH-induced behavioral sensitization. H4 hyperacetylation contributed to the increased levels of ANP32A mRNA and H3/H4 hyperacetylation contributed to the increased levels of POU3F2 mRNA induced by METH challenge-induced behavioral sensitization, but not by acute METH exposure.Conclusions:The present results revealed alterations in transcription and histone acetylation in the rat PFC by METH exposure and provided evidence that modifications of histone acetylation contributed to the alterations in gene expression caused by METH-induced behavioral sensitization.
A member of wheat class III peroxidase gene family, TaPRX-2A, enhanced the tolerance of salt stress
Authors: Su Peisen , Yan Jun , Li Wen , Wang Liang , Zhao Jinxiao , Ma Xin , Li Anfei , Wang Hongwei , Kong Lingrang
Published: June 2020

Background: Salt and drought are the main abiotic stresses that restrict the yield of crops. Peroxidases (PRXs) are involved in various abiotic stress responses. Furthermore, only few wheat PRXs have been characterized in the mechanism of the abiotic stress response.Results: In this study, a novel wheat peroxidase (PRX) gene named TaPRX-2A, a member of wheat class III PRX gene family, was cloned and its response to salt stress was characterized. Based on the identification and evolutionary analysis of class III PRXs in 12 plants, we proposed an evolutionary model for TaPRX-2A, suggesting that occurrence of some exon fusion events during evolution. We also detected the positive selection of PRX domain in 13 PRXs involving our evolutionary model, and found 2 or 6 positively selected sites during TaPRX-2A evolution. Quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (qRT–PCR) results showed that TaPRX-2A exhibited relatively higher expression levels in root tissue than those exhibited in leaf and stem tissues. TaPRX-2A expression was also induced by abiotic stresses and hormone treatments such as polyethylene glycol 6000, NaCl, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), salicylic acid (SA), methyljasmonic acid (MeJA) and abscisic acid (ABA). Transgenic wheat plants with overexpression of TaPRX-2A showed higher tolerance to salt stress than wild-type (WT) plants. Confocal microscopy revealed that TaPRX-2A-eGFP was mainly localized in cell nuclei. Survival rate, relative water content, and shoot length were higher in TaPRX-2A-overexpressing wheat than in the WT wheat, whereas root length was not significantly different. The activities of s superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) were enhanced in TaPRX-2A-overexpressing wheat compared with those in the WT wheat, resulting in the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The expression levels of downstream stress-related genes showed that RD22, TLP4, ABAI, GST22, FeSOD, and CAT exhibited higher expressions in TaPRX-2A-overexpressing wheat than in WT under salt stress.Conclusions: The results show that TaPRX-2A plays a positive role in the response to salt stress by scavenging ROS and regulating stress-related genes.
Cytocompatibility of 3D printed dental materials for temporary restorations on fibroblasts
Authors: Park Jung-Hyun , Lee Hyun , Kim Jong-Woo , Kim Ji-Hwan
Published: June 2020

Background Three-dimensional (3D) printing is widely used in the fabrication of dental prostheses; however, the influence of dental materials used for 3D printing on temporary restoration of fibroblasts in tissues is unclear. Thus, the influence of different dental materials on fibroblasts were investigated. Methods Digital light processing (DLP) type 3D printing was used. Specimens in the control group were fabricated by mixing liquid and powder self-curing resin restoration materials. The temporary resin materials used were Model, Castable, Clear-SG, Tray, and Temporary, and the self-curing resin materials used were Lang dental, Alike, Milky blue, TOKVSO CUREFAST, and UniFast III. Fibroblast cells were cultured on each specimen and subsequently post-treated for analysis. Morphology of the adhered cells were observed using a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results CLSM and SEM cell imaging revealed that the 3D printed material group presented better cell adhesion with well-distributed filopodia compared to that in the conventional resin material group. Cell proliferation was significantly higher in the 3D printing materials. Conclusion Superior cytocompatibility of the specimens fabricated through 3D printing and polishing process was demonstrated with the proof of better cell adhesion and higher cell proliferation.
Cell-penetrating doxorubicin released from Elastin-like polypeptide kills doxorubicin-resistant cancer cells in vitro study
Authors: Ryu Jung Su , Kratz Felix , Raucher Drazen
Published: June 2020

Background: Elastin-like polypeptide (ELP) undergoes its characteristic of phase transitioning in response to ambient temperature. ELP therefore has been be used as a thermosensitive vector for the delivery of chemotherapy agents since it can be targeted to hyperthermic tumors. This novel strategy introduces unprecedented options for treating cancer, with fewer concerns about side effects. In this study, the ELP system was further modified with an enzyme-cleavable linker in order to release drugs within tumors. This system consists of ELP, a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) substrate, a cell penetrating peptide (CPP), and 6-maleimidocaproyl amide derivative of doxorubicin (Dox). This construct may be initially targeted to the tumor by application of mild heat after administration. Within the hyperthermic tumor, then this construct is cleaved by MMP, releasing CPP-Dox, which can infiltrate tumor tissues and penetrate cell membranes.Methods: We produced the construct in E.coli and examined its cleavage by MMP enzymes in vitro. Flow cytometry and confocal analysis were used to verify the facilitated uptake of the digested cell-penetrating Dox by breast cancer cells and Dox-resistant cells. Cytotoxicity tests further demonstrated improvements in bioavailability of cell-penetrating Dox following the enhanced cellular uptake of the cancer cells. Comparisons with the non-cleavable ELP counterpart were paralleled.Results: This strategy shows up to a 4-fold increase in cell penetration and results in more death in breast cancer cells than the ELP-Dox. Even in doxorubicin-resistant cells (NCI/ADR and MES/ADR), ELP-released, cell-penetrating doxorubicin demonstrated better membrane penetration, leading to at least twice the killing of resistant cells than ELP-Dox and free Dox. Conclusion: MMP-digested CPP-Dox shows better membrane penetration and induces more cancer cell death in vitro. This CPP-complexed Dox released from ELP kills even dox-resistant cells more efficiently than both free doxorubicin and non-cleaved ELP-CPP-Dox.
Chitotriosidase, a biomarker of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis accentuates neurodegeneration in spinal motor neurons through neuroinflammation.
Authors: Varghese Anu Mary , Ghosh Mausam , Bhagat Savita Kumari , Vijayalakshmi K , Preethish-Kumar Veeramani , Vengalil Seena , Chevula Pradeep-Chandra-Reddy , Nashi Saraswati , Polavarapu Kiran , Sharma Meenakshi , Dhaliwal Rupinder Singh , Philip Mariamma , Nalini Atchayaram , Alladi Phalguni Anand , Sathyaprabha Talakad N , Raju Trichur R
Published: June 2020

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis patients (ALS-CSF) induces neurodegenerative changes in motor neurons and gliosis in sporadic ALS models. Search for identification of toxic factor(s) in CSF revealed an enhancement in the level and enzyme activity of chitotriosidase (CHIT-1). Here, we have investigated its upregulation in a large cohort of samples and more importantly its role in ALS pathogenesis in a rat model.Methods: CHIT-1 level in CSF samples from ALS (n=158), non-ALS (n=12) and normal (n=48) subjects were measured using ELISA. Enzyme activity was also assessed (ALS, n=56; non-ALS, n=10 and normal-CSF, n=45). Recombinant CHIT-1 was intrathecally injected into Wistar rat neonates. Lumbar spinal cord sections were stained for Iba1, Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and Choline Acetyl Transferase to identify microglia, astrocytes and motorneurons respectively after 48hrs of injection. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 was measured by ELISA.Findings: CHIT-1 level in ALS-CSF samples was increased by twenty folds and it can distinguish ALS patients with a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 83·3% at a cut off level of 1405·43 pg/ml. Enzyme activity of CHIT-1 was also fifteen folds higher in ALS-CSF and has a sensitivity of 80·4% and specificity of 80% at cut off value of 0·1077989μmol/μl/min. Combining CHIT-1 level and activity together gave a positive predictive value of 97·78% and negative predictive value of 100%. Administration of CHIT-1 increased microglial numbers and astrogliosis in the ventral horn with a concomitant increase in the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Amoeboid shaped microglial and astroglial cells were also present around the central canal. CHIT-1 administration also resulted in the reduction of motorneurons.Conclusions: CHIT-1, an early diagnostic biomarker of sporadic ALS activates glia priming them to attain a toxic phenotype resulting in neuroinflammation leading to motor neuronal death.
Case report on a swift shift in uropathogens from shigella flexneri to escherichia coli: a thin line between bacterial persistence and reinfection.
Authors: Tufon Kukwah Anthony , Yolande Fokam Djike Puepi , Kouanou Youmbi Sylvain , Meriki Henry Dilonga
Published: June 2020

Background

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are mostly caused by bacteria. Urine cultures are usually a definitive measure to select the appropriate antibiotics for the elimination of a uropathogen and recovery from the infection. However, the preferred antibiotics as determined by urine culture and sensitivity may still not eliminate the infection and would require further examination to ascertain the cause of treatment failure which could be unresolved bacteriuria, bacterial persistence, immediate reinfection with a different uropathogen or misdiagnosis.

Case presentation

A 2-years 7 months-old female was admitted in the Regional hospital of Buea following persistent fever. An auto medication with amoxicillin was reported. Urinalysis was done on the first day and the sediment of the cloudy urine revealed many bacteria and few pus cells. Ceftriaxone was prescribed as empirical treatment and a request for urine and blood culture was made. Three days after admission, the temperature and CRP were 39.0°c and 96 mg/l respectively. The urine culture results (>105 CFU/ml of Shigella flexneri sensitive to ofloxacin) were presented to the doctor on the 4th day of admission. Patient was put on ofloxacin. Three days after, the temperature (38.5°c) and CRP (24mg/l) were still elevated. The blood culture result came out negative. A second urine culture was requested which came back positive (>105 CFU/ml of Escherichia coli resistant to ofloxacin and sensitive to meropenem and amikacin). Ofloxacin was discontinued and the patient put on meropenem and amikacin. The third urine culture recorded no significant growth after 48 hours of incubation. The patient was discharged looking healthy once more with a normal body temperature.

Conclusion

Antibiotics tailored towards the elimination of a particular bacterial species may as well provide a favorable environment for other bacterial species that are resistant to it in the course of treating a UTI episode. This apparent treatment failure may first of all require a second urine culture for confirmation rather than considering the possibilities of a misdiagnosis.
Dietary inflammatory index, risk of incident hypertension, and effect modification from BMI
Authors: MacDonald Conor-James , Laouali Nasser , Madika Anne-Laure , Mancini Francesca Romana , Boutron-Ruault Marie-Christine
Published: June 2020

Introduction: Previous studies have identified a positive association between the inflammatory potential of the diet and hypertension. It is not known if BMI is an effect modifier for this association, nor if the association is dose-respondent. This study aimed to assess the association between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and the risk of hypertension, and assess any effect modification from BMI.Methods: Data from the E3N cohort study, a French prospective population-based study initiated in 1990 was used. From the women in the study, we included those who completed a detailed diet history questionnaire, and who did not have prevalent hypertension or cardiovascular disease at baseline, resulting in 46,652 women. The adapted DII was assessed with data from the dietary questionnaire. Hypertension cases were self-reported and verified through a drug-reimbursement database. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate hazard ratios. Spline regression was used to determine any dose-respondent relationship.Results: During 884,267 person-years, 13,183 cases of incident hypertension were identified. The median DII in the population was slightly pro-inflammatory (DII = + 0.44). A highly pro-inflammatory diet (DII > 3.0) was associated with a slight increase in hypertension risk (HRQ1-Q5 = 1.07 [1.02: 1.13]). Evidence was observed for effect modification from BMI, with associations strongest amongst women in the 18.5 - 21.0 BMI range (HRQ1-Q5 = 1.17 [1.06: 1.29]). A weak dose-respondent relationship was observed.Conclusion: Evidence for a weak association between DII and hypertension was observed. Associations were stronger amongst healthy-lean women.
Glucose transporter GLUT1 influences Plasmodium berghei infection in Anopheles stephensi
Authors: Wang Mengfei , Wang Jingwen
Published: June 2020

Background: Sugar-feeding provides energy for mosquitoes. Facilitated glucose transporters (GLUTs) are responsible for the uptake of glucose in animals. However, knowledge of GLUTs function in Anopheles spp. is limited. Methods: Phylogenetic analysis of GLUTs in Anopheles stephensi was performed by the maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods. The spatial and temporal expression patterns of four Asteglut genes were analyzed by qPCR. The function of Asteglut1 was examined using a dsRNA-mediated RNA interference method. Transcriptome analysis was used to investigate the global influence of Asteglut1 on mosquito physiology.Results: We identified 4 glut genes, Asteglut1, Asteglutx, Asteglut3 and Asteglut4 in An. stephensi. Asteglut1, Asteglut3 and Asteglut4 were mainly expressed in the midgut. Plasmodium berghei infection differentially regulated the expression of Asteglut genes with significant downregulation of Asteglut1 and Asteglut4, while upregulation of Asteglutx. Only knocking-down Asteglut1 facilitated Plasmodium berghei infection in An. stephensi. This might be due to the accumulation of glucose prior to blood-feeding in dsAsteglut1-treated mosquitoes. Our transcriptome analysis revealed that knockdown of Asteglut1 differentially regulated expression of genes associated with multiple functional clusters, especially those related to detoxification and immunity. The dysregulation of multiple pathways might contribute to the increased P. berghei infection. Conclusions: Our study shows that Asteglut1 participates in defense against P. berghei in An. stephensi. The regulation of Asteglut1 on vector competence might through modulating multiple biological processes, such as detoxification and immunity.
Establishing the criterion validity of the interRAI Check-Up Self-Report instrument
Authors: Geffen Leon Neville , Kelly Gabrielle , Morris John N , Hogeveen Sophie , Hirdes John
Published: June 2020

Background: Low and middle-income countries have growing older populations and could benefit from the use of multi-domain geriatric assessments in overcoming the challenge of providing quality health services to older persons. This paper reports on the outcomes of a study carried out in Cape Town, South Africa on the validity of the interRAI Check-Up Self-Report instrument, a multi-domain assessment instrument designed to screen older persons in primary health settings. This is the first criterion validity study of the instrument. The instrument is designed to identify specific health problems and needs, including psychosocial or cognition problems and issues related to functional decline. The interRAI Check-Up Self-Report is designed to be compatible with the clinician administered instruments in the interRAI suite of assessments, but the validity of the instrument against clinician ratings has not yet been established. We therefore sought to establish whether community health workers, rather than trained healthcare professionals could reliably administer the self-report instrument to older persons.Methods: We evaluated the criterion validity of the self-report instrument through comparison to assessments completed by a clinician assessor. A total of 112 participants, aged 60 or older were recruited from 7 seniors clubs in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. Each participant was assessed by one of two previously untrained, non-healthcare personnel using the Check-Up Self-report version and again by a trained assessor using the clinician version of the interRAI Check-Up within 48 hours. Our analyses focused on the degree of agreement between the self-reported and clinician-rated versions of the Check-Up based on the simple or weighted kappa values for the two types of ratings. Binary variables used simple kappas, and ordinal variables with three or more levels were examined using weighted kappas with Fleiss-Cohen weights.Results: Based on Cohen’s Kappa values, we were able to establish that high levels of agreement existed between clinical assessors and lay interviewers, indicating that the instrument can be validly administered by community health workers without formal healthcare training. 13% of items had kappa values ranging between 0.10 and 0.39; 51% of items had kappa values between 0.4 and 0.69; and 36% of items had values of between 0.70 and 1.00Conclusion: Our findings indicate that there is potential for the Check-Up Self-Report instrument to be implemented in under-resourced health systems such as South Africa’s.
What do we know about physical activity interventions in vocational education and training? A systematic review
Authors: Grüne Eva , Popp Johanna , Carl Johannes , Pfeifer Klaus
Published: June 2020

Background: Although the health benefits of physical activity (PA) are well known, young people’s level of PA is often insufficient and tends to decline in adolescence. Numerous studies have investigated the effectiveness of PA-promoting interventions among young people, but none have reviewed the effectiveness of PA interventions in the vocational education and training (VET) setting. This systematic review aims to (1) synthesize and review the available literature on PA-promoting interventions in VET and (2) examine the effects of these interventions on PA-related outcomes such as PA level, physical fitness, physiological parameters, or psychological factors. Methods: Five electronic databases were searched for studies involving adolescents aged 15 to 20 years that took place in VET settings and evaluated the effects of interventions with a PA component on PA-related outcomes such as PA level, physical fitness, physiological parameters, or psychological factors. The screening process and the quality assessment were conducted by two independent reviewers; data extraction was conducted by one reviewer and verified by another. Results: The literature search identified 18,959 articles and 11,282 unique records. After the screening process, nine studies, all coming from European or Asian countries, met the pre-defined eligibility criteria and were included in qualitative analyses. All but two studies reported significant improvements for at least one PA-related outcome. The interventions substantially differed in their development approaches (top-down vs. bottom-up approaches), complexity (multi- vs. single-component), and addressed behavior (multi-behavioral vs. single-behavioral). The most conspicuous finding was that bottom-up approaches tend to improve outcomes at the psychological level and top-down approaches at the physical level. Regarding the interventions’ complexity and addressed behavior, we did not reveal any conclusive results.Conclusion: This systematic review highlights the varying effects of PA-promoting interventions in VET. Nevertheless, heterogeneous effects, overall weak study quality and availability of studies only from two continents limited our ability to draw clear conclusions about the potentially most effective intervention strategies. Therefore, future research should focus on high-quality studies with long-term follow-ups to make recommendations for practical use. Trial registration: PROSPERO CRD42018109845
A Surgical Reduction Technique for Posterior Cruciate Ligament Avulsion Fracture in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Comparison Study
Authors: Lin Wei , Niu Jinghui , Dai Yike , Zhang Huaxing , Zhu Jing , Wang Fei
Published: June 2020

Background: Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion fracture of tibia is an uncommon but serious complication during primary cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The first objective of this report was to conduct a retrospective cohort study to investigate the incidence and potential risk factors of PCL avulsion fracture in primary cruciate-retaining TKA. The second objective was to assess the functional outcomes of the knee after reduction of PCL avulsion fracture.Methods: From January 2014 to January 2016, 56 patients who experienced PCL avulsion fracture of tibia in primary cruciate-retaining TKA were included in study group. Patients in this group underwent reduction of avulsion fracture. In this period, we selected 224 patients (control group) for comparison. Patients in this group also underwent the same TKA but no PCL avulsion fracture occurred. Range of motion of the knee and Knee Society Scores were assessed. The forgotten joint score was used to analyze the ability to forget the joint. Differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.Results: In our series, the incidence of PCL avulsion fracture was 4.6%. There was no significant differences (p > 0.05) with regard to preoperative or postoperative range of motion of the knee, final 4 year mean clinical score in study and control groups 92.4 ± 2.7 and 93.6 ± 1.9, respectively, and mean functional scores of 85.1 ± 1.8 and 87.1 ± 1.2, respectively.Conclusions: The incidence of PCL avulsion fracture of tibia is relatively high. Older age and female gender were two risk factors of fracture in primary cruciate-retaining TKA. Reduction of PCL avulsion fracture with high-strength line can achieve good stability and function of the knee.