bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Twin-Chain Polymer Networks Loaded With Nanostructured Fluids for the Selective Removal of a Non-Original Varnish From the Picasso’s “L’atelier” at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice
Authors: Buemi Luciano Pensabene , Petruzzellis Maria Laura , Chelazzi David , Baglioni Michele , Mastrangelo Rosangela , Giorgi Rodorico , Baglioni Piero
Published: July 2020

This paper reports on the evaluation of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) “twin-chain” polymer network (TC-PN) combined with an oil-in-water nanostructured fluid (NSF) for the removal of a polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) varnish. Small Angle X-ray Scattering, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, and Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy showed that the structure of the gel and the NSF are only minimally altered by loading the fluid into the gel. The NSF is partially free to diffuse through the network, but also interacts with the gel walls. During the cleaning, the dynamics of the fluid at the gel-substrate interface are controlled by the osmotic balance taking place among the interconnected pores. These features grant effective and controlled cleaning performances. The case study identified for this research is Pablo Picasso’s The Studio (L’Atelier, 1928), one of the masterpieces in the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice (PGC). In 1969 the oil painting, originally unprotected, was wax-lined and then varnished using a PVAc varnish. Over the years, the white shades of the painting have been compromised by the yellowing of the varnish and soiling of deposits. On painting mock-ups, the NSF-loaded hydrogels allowed the swelling and softening of PVAc varnish and wax layers, which were then removed with gentle mechanical action. Effective varnish and wax removal at the micron scale, and the absence of residues from the cleaning system (gel and NSF), were confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) 2D imaging. The effective and safe removal of the aged PVAc varnish and wax layer from the surface of the painting was then carried out using the same cleaning protocol successfully tested on the mock-ups, setting the NSF-loaded PVA TC-PNs as robust and reliable tools for the cleaning of sensitive works of art.
Treatment of ruptured tiny intracranial aneurysms by electrocoagulation with guidewire manipulation:12 cases report
Authors: Xia Lixia , Hao Zhongfei , Wang Hongjun , Feng Yan , Zhan Yongxuan , Chen Minghui , Xie Peng , Li Qingbin , Li Ruiyan , Liu Yang , Wang Feng , Fang Yuequn , Li Youxiang , Li Yongli
Published: July 2020

Background: Ruptured tiny intracranial aneurysm (RTIA) is particularly rare seen. Treatment of RTIA is more difficult and not under control.Methods: We hereby present twelve rare cases of RTIA that were diagnosed based on DSA. These patients were found due to spontaneous or traumatic SAH, 11 of whom were treated only by electrocoagulation, and one of whom was treated by stent-assisted coiling and electrocoagulation.Results: There were eight patients with aneurysms located in posterior circulation and four patients with aneurysms located in anterior circulation. 11 patients were cured only by electrocoagulation merely: ten patients’ RTIA disappeared completely and immediately and another patient’s RTIA was thrombosed two months later. The twelfth patient was carried out stent-assisted coiling and electrocoagulation. The twelve patients’ average follow-up time was 12.5 months and the outcomes were all surprisingly excellent. No revascularization of aneurysm was found. Conclusions: Electrocoagulation with guidewire manipulation is a suitable method to treat RTIA. While large-scale studies with long-term follow-up are required to validate these promising results.
Effects of Physical and Chemical Factors on Pseudorabies Virus Activity in vitro
Authors: Gong Lang , Deng Qiwei , Xu Runda , Ji Chihai , Wang Heng , Zhang GuiHong
Published: July 2020

Pseudorabies (PR) is latent and can persist in infected sows for a long time, causing convalescent sows to carry the virus throughout life and therefore causing severe economic losses to farmers, as well as posing a tremendous challenge to PR prevention and control. To investigate the biological characteristics of pseudorabies virus (PRV), this study analyzed a variety of physical and chemical factors under controlled conditions. The results showed that higher ambient temperature and drier environments led to faster virus inactivation. PRV had a certain resistance to weakly acidic or alkaline environments and was rapidly inactivated in strongly acidic or alkaline environments. The effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on PRV activity depended mainly on the frequency, intensity, and irradiation time of the UV. Exposure to sunlight inactivated PRV via multiple factors, including temperature, sunlight intensity, UV intensity, and environmental humidity, and any shielding from sunlight strongly lowered the killing effect. Conventional disinfectants had a good disinfection effect on PRV. The disinfection effect was positively correlated with the concentration of each disinfectant. The biological characteristics of different PRV strains are variable. Generally, the activity of PRV is affected by multiple factors, which can show both synergy and antagonism. Real-world conditions should be taken into consideration to guide pork production.
Temperament and character of patients with alcohol toxicity during COVID -19 pandemic
Authors: Estedlal AliReza , Mani Arash , Vardanjani Hossein Molavi , Kamali Mahsa , Zarei Leila , Heydari Seyed Taghi , Lankarani Kamran B
Published: July 2020

Background
Corona virus pandemic acts as a stressor or trauma that affects both physical health and mental health. People exhibited various reactive behaviors to confront with this stressful situation. Alcohol consumption for coping motive was one of the most common techniques. Personality factors evidently influence alcohol consumption, since they are associated with drinking motives. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between temperament and character and alcohol abuse.
Methods
This cross-section study was conducted on 135 alcohol toxicity patients admitted to emergency room in March 2020 and 255 participants who were randomly selected from public in Shiraz. The questionnaire consisted of TCI (Temperament and character inventory) and several questions about COVID-19 pandemic. It was completed by a trained interviewer using the matched answer technique. Demographic factors were also self-reported.
Results
Among the participants, 216 were males (55.4%) and 174 females (44.6%). The mean age of the participants was 32.88 ± 13.49 years. Alcohol toxicity was mostly observed among the young males (male/female ratio was 6.45). Mean scores of novelty seeking, harm avoidant, and self-transcendent were higher in the alcohol toxicity group than normal population (P < 0.01). Mean scores of reward dependent, cooperativeness, and self-directedness were higher in normal population than the alcohol toxicity group (P < 0.001). The mean score of persistence was not significant in both group (P = 0.718).
Conclusion
Novelty-seeking and self-transcendence scores were higher and reward-dependency score was lower among the alcohol abusers and cooperativeness and self-directedness scores were lower among the alcohol abusers. Higher novelty-seeking was correlated with higher impulsiveness, exploratory excitability, extravagance, and disorderliness, which are included in Cluster B personality disorders and associated with alcohol and drug involvement. Lower self-directedness and lower cooperativeness indicate the higher likelihood of personality disorders. Cluster A personality disorder symptoms (in particular, schizoid personality disorder symptoms) are correlated with low reward-dependence scores.
Is there any difference in the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations between first episode major depressive disorder patients and subclinical depressive subjects?
Authors: Xie Fang , Ruan Xiuhang , Zhang Guoqing , Li Yuting , Li E , Cheng Xiaofang , Du YUcheng , Jiang Xinqing , Zhang Lulu , Wei xinhua
Published: July 2020

Background

To explore the differences in the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) at the whole-brain level between young adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) and those with Subclinical depression (SD).
Methods

Thirty-nine first-episode MDD patients, 30 SD subjects, and 37 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. All participants underwent resting-state fMRI (Rs-fMRI) scans on a 3T MR scanner. We used the fALFF to explore spontaneous neuronal activity between groups.
Results

Significant differences in the fALFF were observed among the three groups. Compared with the HCs, an increased fALFF was found in the left cerebellum in MDD patients. When MDD patients were compared with SD subjects, we observed increased fALFF values in the bilateral fusiform gyrus and decreased fALFF values in the right inferior frontal gyrus, right superior frontal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, left cuneus and right precuneus. Compared with the HCs, the SD group demonstrated increased fALFF values in the precuneus. Additionally, a positive correlated was revealed between the fALFF values and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA)score in the right fusiform gyrus in MDD patients. Moreover, the fALFF value were negatively correlated with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score in the right inferior frontal gyrus and with the age in the left fusiform gyrus in SD subjects.
Conclusions

Our findings suggest that alterations of cognitive and executive networks, default mode networks and visual recognition circuits may contribute to the different neural mechanisms between MDD and SD in young adult subjects.
Cloning and Functional Analysis of pqq Genes Phosphorus Solubilizing From Bacillus Mycoides Gnyt1
Authors: xiaomei yang , Yao Tuo
Published: July 2020

[Background]The pqq genes which encodes phosphorus solubilizing from Bacillus mycoides Gnyt1 has been cloned and characterized. The role of this action on the function of pqq genes were detected. The phosphorus soluble pqq genes can secrete some specific organic activity acids to work but don’t destroy the living environment of plants such as soil. In contrast, this plants containing the pqq genes grew well, even better than other plants with lower phosphorus solubilization, in the phosphorus free medium even though its pqq genes activity and turned out phosphorus ring, while pqq dependent expression was induced.[Results]This reaserch that five pqq genes were cloned from Bacillus mycoides Gnyt1, phylogenetic analysis revealed that pBI-pqqA, pBI-pqqB, pBI-pqqC and pBI-pqqE similarly cluster with Phosphorus-soluble protein. Under the action of five promoters, each coding region of pqqA, pqqB, pqqC and pqqE from Bacillus mycoides Gnyt1 can directly participate in the phosphate solubilization of the strain, directly improving the phosphate solubilizing capacity of the plant, which have strong nitrogenase activity. Interestingly, changes in the phosphate solubilizing gene result in complete loss of the phosphate solubilization of the strain. However, the ability to dissolve the phosphorus ring and to dissolve the phosphorus was also exhibited in the medium having five phosphorus-dissolving genes.[Conclusions]The results indicated that the pqq genes were successfully cloned and a new specific phosphate-dissolving strain was formed. In this research, pqq genes were first cloned from Bacillus mycoides Gnyt1.
Evaluating the long-term efficacy and effectiveness of Viscocanalostomy and combined phacoemulsification with Viscocanalostomy in the treatment of patients with uveitic glaucoma: 5-year follow up data
Authors: Salloukh Adonis El , Ansari Abdus Samad , Chiu Alexander , Mathews Divya
Published: July 2020

Background
Uveitic glaucoma commonly leads to more intense optic nerve damage than other types of glaucoma, causing glaucomatous optic nerves and visual field defects. Anterior uveitis is the most commonly associated risk factor. Surgical intervention is usually indicated when all medical treatment has failed. We report five-year results for 16 eyes of uveitic glaucoma managed with viscocanalostomy (VC)/Phaco viscocanalostomy (PVC).
Methods
Retrospective analysis on all uveitic glaucoma cases meeting a five-year follow was completed. All patients were managed surgically with either viscocanalostomy (VC) or phacoviscocanalostomy (PVC). Outcomes evaluated included intraocular pressures measurement pre-listing, on day 1, year 1 to year 5. Complete success rate was defined as achieving an intraocular pressure (IOP) lower than 21 mmHg or reduced by 30% without medications, and qualified success was achieved when IOP was lower than 21 mmHg or a reduction in IOP of 30% with topical medical therapy ± Laser goniopinture (LGP). If further surgeries were required to reduce IOP due to glaucoma progression then they were classed as a failure.
Results
A total of 16 patients with uveitic glaucoma were reviewed. Complete Success was seen in 75% of patients at year 1, 50% of patients at year 3 and 19% of patients in year 5. Conversely qualified success was achieved in 94% of patients at year 1, 86% of patients at year 3 and 75% of patients at year 5. In the group of patients requiring further surgery, 50% of patients had previous surgeries, including cataract surgery, trabeculectomy and viscocanalostomy. There was a mean number of 4 pre-operative drops before their primary surgery and a mean drop in eye medications of 1.1 at 5 years follow-up. Success rates were prognostically linked to lower mean number of interventions and lower percentage of previous surgeries.
Conclusion
There remains a significant paucity of information in the utilization of PVC in uveitic glaucoma. The advantage of nonpenetrating glaucoma surgery (NPGS) includes the lack of entry into the anterior chamber and the avoidance of an iridectomy which may reduce intraocular inflammation and postoperative complications. Our study shows that non-penetrating surgery is successful in treating advanced uveitic glaucoma.
A retrospective case series of Fournier’s gangrene: necrotic fasciitis in perineum and crissum
Authors: Zhang Nan , Yu Xin , Zhang Kai , Liu Tongjun
Published: July 2020

BackgroundTo describe the clinical characteristics and management for Fournier’s gangrene. Experience summary and literature references are provided for future treatment improvement.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the cases diagnosed with Fournier’s gangrene in our department from June 2016 to June 2019. Clinical data, including manifestation, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes for Fournier’s gangrene were presented.ResultsThere were 12 patients enrolled in this paper, with the average age of 60 years old. It showed a male predominance with male-to-female ratio of 6:1. The average of LRINEC score of 10.1. Diabetes mellitus was the main predisposing disease. 11 patients received emergency debridement and 1 patient died of sepsis on the 2nd day after admission. The mortality rate was 8.3%. 6 cases developed complications, including sepsis, pneumonia, renal and heart failure. NPWT was applied in 10 cases, while the rest 1 received normal daily dressing changes because of fecal contamination. Flaps were utilized in 2 patients to cover the defect, including one with advancement flap and one with pudendal-thigh flap, while others received secondary suture, secondary healing, skin graft or combined management. No relapse was observed during the follow-up visits.ConclusionsFournier’s gangrene is a life-threatening infection that requires early diagnosis and surgery intervention. The predisposing disease, clinical manifestation and LRINEC score should be taken into comprehensive consideration, which is helpful for timely diagnosis. Moreover, further successful treatment depends on the aggressive debridement, broad-spectrum antibiotics therapy, wound management and closure choice.
Transcriptome Research of Key Modules and Hub Genes Associated with Primary Myelofibrosis by Weighted Co-expression Network Analysis.
Authors: Li Weihang , Yuan Bin , Zhang Shilei , Ding Ziyi , Zhao Yingjing , Zhong Sheng , Gao Guangxun , Yan Ming
Published: July 2020

Background: This study aimed to identify novel targets of diagnosis, therapy as well as prognosis for primary myelofibrosis (PMF).Methods: The gene expression profiles of GSE26049 was obtained from GEO dataset, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was then performed to identify the most related modules with PMF. Subsequently, GO (Gene Ontology), KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia Genes and Genomes), GSEA (Gene Set Enrichment Analysis) and PPI (Protein-Protein Interaction) network were conducted to fully understand the detailed information of the green module.Results: Green module was strongly correlated with PMF disease after WGCNA analysis. 20 genes in green module were identified as hub genes responsible for the progression of PMF. Functional annotation and pathway analysis revealed that these hub genes were primarily enriched in erythrocyte differentiation, transcription factor binding, hemoglobin complex, transcription factor complex and cell cycle et al. Of which, EPB42, CALR, SLC4A1 and MPL had the most correlations with PMF.Conclusions: This study elucidated that genes EPB42, CALR, SLC4A1 and MPL were significantly more highly expressed in PMF samples than in normal samples. These four genes may be considered candidate prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for early stage of PMF. Meanwhile, EPB42 and SLC4A1 were firstly found to be highly correlated with the progression of PMF.
Insight of Transcriptional Regulators reveals the Tolerance Mechanism of Carpet-grass (Axonopus compressus) Against Drought
Authors: Nawaz Mohsin , Li Liao , Azeem Farrukh , Shabbir Samina , Zohaib Ali , Ashraf Umair , Wang Zhiyong , Hubiao Yang
Published: July 2020

Highlights:1. Axonopus compressus can stand severe drought stress by activating the potential defense mechanism.2. We investigated the differential transcriptome of drought stressed and normal Axonopus compressus plants3. New comers have been identified that involved in the drought response4. Identified drought responsive genes which never known for other stresses.5. The identified genes also respond to stress in Arabidopsis thaliana in different manners.Background: Carpet grass [Axonopus compressus (L.)] is an important warm season perennial grass around the world and is renowned for its adaptability to varied environmental conditions. However, Carpet grass lacks enough data in public data bank, which confined our comprehension of the mechanism of environmental adaptations, gene discovery and development of molecular marker. Methods: In current study, the DEGs (differentially expressed genes) in Axonopus compressus under drought stress (DS) were identified and compared with CK (control) by RNA-Seq. Results: the 263,835 of total unigenes were identified in Axonopus compressus, and 201,303 (also add the numbers of remaining2 data bases) a sequence of unigenes significantly matched in at least one of the seven databases. A total of 153697 (58.25%) unigenes can be classified to 144 KEGG pathways, and 7,444 unigenes were expressed differentially between DS and CK, of which 4,249 were up-regulated and 3,195 were down-regulated unigenes. Of the 50 significantly enriched GO terms, 18, 6 and 14 items were related to BP, CC and MF, respectively. Analysis of KEGG enrichment showed 2569 DEGs involved in 143 different pathways, under drought stress 2,747 DEGs were up-regulated and 2,502 DEGs were down-regulated. Moreover, we identified 352 transcriptor factors (TFs) in Axonopus compressus, of which 270 were differentially expressed between CK and DS. The qRT-PCR validation experiment also support the transcriptional response of Axonopus compressus against drought. Conclusions: The current findings provide the first framework for further investigation for the particular roles of these unigenes in Axonopus compressus in response to droughts.
Gene Expression Patterns Associated with Tumor-Infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells in Invasive Breast Carcinomas
Authors: Wang zhanwei , Xu Jiamin , Yang Xi , Pan Yuefen , Shen Junjun , Liu Jin , Han Shuwen
Published: July 2020

Objective: This study investigated the gene expression patterns associated with tumor-infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in invasive breast carcinomas.Methods: The gene expression data and corresponding clinical phenotype data from the Cancer Genome Atlas Breast Invasive Carcinoma (TCGA-BRCA) were downloaded. The stromal and immune score were calculated using ESTIMATE. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with a high vs. low stromal score and a high vs. low immune score were screened and then functionally enriched. The tumor-infiltrating immune cells were investigated using the Cibersort algorithm, and the CD4+ and CD8+ T cell-related genes were identified using a Spearman correlation test of infiltrating abundance with the DEGs. Moreover, the miRNA-mRNA pairs and lncRNA-miRNA pairs were predicted to construct the competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) network. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival curves were also plotted.Results: In total, 478 DEGs with a high vs. low stromal score and 796 DEGs with a high vs. low immune score were identified. In addition, 39 CD4+ T cell-related genes and 78 CD8+ T cell-related genes were identified; of these, 14 genes were significantly associated with the prognosis of BRCA patients. Moreover, for CD4+ T cell-related genes, the chr22-38_28785274-29006793.1-–miR-34a/c-5p–CAPN6 axis was identified from the ceRNA network, whereas the chr22-38_28785274-29006793.1–miR-494-3p–SLC9A7 axis was identified for CD8+ T cell-related genes.Conclusions: The chr22-38_28785274-29006793.1-–miR-34a/c-5p–CAPN6 axis and the chr22-38_28785274-29006793.1–miR-494-3p–SLC9A7 axis might regulate cellular activities associated with CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration, respectively, in BRCA.
Ultrasound-Guided IV Placement by Emergency Department Nurses versus Hospital IV Insertion Team- A Retrospective Study of Time to Successful Insertion
Authors: LaBond Virginia , Josey Nicholaus , FACEP Roya Caloia D.O. M.P.H. , Hella Jennifer , Barber Kimberly
Published: July 2020

Background IV access in the emergency and acute care settings can often present as a challenge for patient care employees who are tasked with the essential task of placing an IV into a patient’s vein. This study compares time to IV placement by a IV Resource Insertion team compared to trained ER nurses in the skill of ultrasound guided.Methods This was a single site retrospective study which looked at the time to IV placement between a trained team of ER nurses and a formal IV insertion team, both using ultrasound guidance. The primary measure time to IV placement; age, gender, comorbidities and signs of infection were also reported.Results Thirty patients were chosen for each group. There was a statistically significant difference in times to IV placement between the ultrasound guided IV ER nurse team and the formal IV insertion team, with shorter times to IV insertion by the trained ER nurse team.Conclusion This study lends credibility to the notion that Emergency Department personal should be encouraged to learn and utilize US guided IV insertion to better improve patient waiting times for things such as lab results, IV fluids and antibiotics. This will improve patient experience and care. It will also help to decompress resource stressed health systems.
WITHDRAWN: Predictability of Blood Parameters on the Course of Covid-19- a retrospective clinical study
Authors: Çora Ahmet Rıfkı , Çelik Ersin
Published: July 2020

Background In December 2019, clusters of patients with pneumonia of an unkown cause were reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province in China. On january 2020, Chinese scientists identified this as a novel coronavirus, temporarily labelled as, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although recent studies investigating predictors of poor prognosis at an early stage identified exact parameters as a predictor for the disease still controversial. Here we study biochemical and hematologic parameters of 197 patients diagnosed as Covid-19 at our hospital for evaluating the value of these biomarkers for predicting the course of Covid-19 disease.Material and Method197 patients who were diagnosed with Covid-19 at our hospital according to World Health Organisation (WHO) interim guidance were screened between march 2020-may 2020 retrospectiveley for the study. Patients selected from the population of service and intensive care unit (ICU). Biochemical and hematologic parameters retrospectively evaluated for predicting the course of Covid-19 disease.ResultsAmong 197 patient population of service and ICU, hematological and biochemical parameters studied. There was a significiant association found between the parameters neurtophile/lymphocyet ratio, white blood cell, eosynophile, monocyte, lymphocyte counts and high sensitive troponin-I levels and ICU admission. ConclusionWe found increased levels of neutrophile/lymphocyte ratio, white blood cell count and high sensitive troponin-I and decreased levels of eosynophile, monocyte and lymphocyte counts among ICU admitted patients. We concluded that these biochemical and hematologic parameters can be used for the predicting the course of Covid-19 disease.
A novel minimally invasive approach for chronic pancreatitis: combination of Frey procedure and laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy
Authors: Saito Kenta , Matsuo Yoichi , Ueda Goro , Omi Kan , Hayashi Yuichi , Imafuji Hiroyuki , Tsuboi Ken , Morimoto Mamoru , Ogawa Ryo , Takahashi Hiroki , Naitoh Itaru , Hayashi Kazuki , Kataoka Hiromi , Takiguchi Shuji
Published: July 2020

Background
The treatment of chronic pancreatitis requires a surgical approach in patients refractory to medical therapy. During surgical treatment, ductal decompression is required, but a pancreatectomy is necessary for some patients, such as those with severe stenosis of the pancreatic duct. Importantly, inadequate procedures lead to recurrent pancreatitis. We used a novel minimally invasive approach for patients with severe stenosis of the pancreatic duct. In this report, we aim to present the feasibility and outcomes of our approach.
Methods
We selected a laparoscopic approach for the distal pancreatectomy because these parts are relatively safe and the effect of reducing the length of the wound is substantial. We selected an open approach for parts of the Frey procedure because complete ductal compression has a high risk for injury to the vessels posterior to the pancreas. We examined operative outcomes, postoperative complications and recurrence of pancreatitis.
Results
Our approach was performed in three patients from January 2018 to December 2018. No intraoperative complications occurred and the postoperative course was uneventful in all patients. There were no recurrence of pancreatitis and no postoperative pain in all patients in the over 18 months follow-up.
Conclusion
Our hybrid method focusing on complete ductal compression with safety and minimal invasiveness is the optimal approach for the surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis which requires a pancreatectomy with the Frey procedure.
Renal Oxygenation in male Metabolic Syndrome as evaluated by Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Li Yongqiang , Zhang Xiaodong , Li Chijian , Li Shisi , Liang Shiyi , Guo YiHao , Qian Ge , Huang Yuxiang , Xv Weicheng
Published: July 2020

Background- Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (BOLD-MRI) provide regional measurements of oxygen content using deoxyhemoglobin paramagnetic characteristics. Metabolic Syndrome (MS) could affect renal oxygenation, which have an impact on the clinical course of the disease. The goal of this study was to evaluate BOLD-MRI findings in kidneys of male patients with MS.Materials and Methods- A total of 24 males patients with MS were collected in the hospital and 24 male volunteers were selected as the control group. All volunteers underwent a renal scan using 3.0T magnet (Philips, Achieva). R2* of the renal cortex and medulla was measured on BOLD images.Results- Medullary R2* (MR2*) and Medulla/Cortex R2* ratio（MCR） were significantly lower in MS patients (MR2*=24.39±2.18 s−1, MCR=1.29±0.14) than in controls (MR2*=28.21±4.70s−1, MCR=1.53±0.28 ) (P<0.01), and cortical R2* (CR2*) values were not significantly different between the two group. Conclusions- The MR2* and MCR were lower in male patients with MS compared to controls. MR2*and MCR were potential imaging biomarkers for prediction of early renal impairment in male MS.
Extended thymectomy with blood vessel resection and reconstruction improves therapeutic outcome for clinical stage III thymic carcinoma patients
Authors: Liu Lei , Zhang Jiaqi , Wang Guige , Guo Chao , Chen Yeye , Huang Cheng , Li Shanqing
Published: July 2020

Objectives: We examine the therapeutic efficacy of extended thymectomy with blood vessel resection and reconstruction in thymic carcinoma patients with great vessel invasion.Methods: In total 26 patients diagnosed as clinical stage III thymic carcinoma with severe great vessel invasion were enrolled in this retrospective study. Among these patients, 14 cases received adjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy (non-operation subgroup, NOG), the other 12 patients received extended thymectomy with vessel resection and reconstruction followed by the adjuvant treatment (operation subgroup, OG).Results: All surgical procedures went smoothly with no perioperative death. R0 resection was obtained in all surgical cases, and we also observed a lymph node metastasis rate of 38.8%. The overall survival (OS) was 36 months for the whole cohort, 48 and 26 months for the OG and NOG respectively (p = 0.013). The median disease metastasis free survival (DMFS) was 47 months for the OG and 18 months for the NOG (p = 0.019).Conclusion: Extended thymectomy with vessel resection is feasible for patients with clinical stage III thymic carcinoma. Surgery significantly improves the overall survival and the prognosis of clinical stage III thymic carcinoma.
The SARS-CoV-2 RNA with mild lung lesions lasts longer in non-severe COVID-19 patients: a case series study
Authors: Zhang Chi , Li Jiawen , Mu Jing , Zhang Daitao , Wang He , Jin Yunv , Han Yan , Li Haiyang , Zhang Chunxiao , Yu Peng , Guo Rui , Dou Xiangfeng , Chu Yanhui , Wu Zhao , Dong Xiaoqin , Zhao Hong
Published: July 2020

Background COVID-19 has become a new infectious disease in the global pandemic, most of which are non-severe patients. It is particularly important to understand the dynamic changes of the whole disease course of non-severe patients from the onset to the follow-up after discharge.Methods On February 1, 2020, 18 cases of non-severe COVID-19 appeared in a hospital in Beijing. We recorded the clinical information and viral dynamics of these patients from the onset of the disease to one month after discharge.Results Eighteen patients (median age 43) were included, including 14 females. Fever (11/18) and cough (8/18) are the most common symptoms. According to the degree of lung inflammation, 18 patients were divided into two groups (group A imaging score ≤ 10; group B imaging score > 10). The duration of SARS-CoV-2 positive in group A was significantly longer than that in group B (the median was 30 and 13, respectively, P = 0.0025). One month after discharge, almost all patients were followed up for IgM antibody disappearance and IgG antibody production.Conclusion In non-severe COVID-19 patients, the positive duration of the SARS-CoV-2 in patients with mild lung injury was longer than that in patients with severe lung injury. The possible mechanism is that the virus-mediated immune system is not fully activated in mild damaged patients.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 could exploit human transcription factors involved in Interferon-mediated response
Authors: Bari Ighli di , Franzin Rossana , Picerno Angela , Stasi Alessandra , Cimmarusti Maria Teresa , Chiano Mariagiovanna Di , Curci Claudia , Pontrelli Paola , Chironna Maria , Castellano Giuseppe , Gallone Anna , Sabbà Carlo , Gesualdo Loreto , Sallustio Fabio
Published: July 2020

Background The novel SARS-CoV-2 causing the pandemic acute respiratory disease COVID-19 is considered a worldwide emergency since no vaccines or effective antiviral are still available. As virus are dependent on the host transcriptional factors (TFs) to express the viral genes, efforts are required to understand the molecular interplay between virus and host response. Methods By bioinformatic analysis, we investigated human TFs involved in viral transcription. In particular, we analyzed the key role of the TF induced by Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) exploiting the way of antiviral response related to interferon antiviral cytokines released during an infection. We compared SARS-CoV-2 consensus sequence from Italian patients with sequences in Coronaviridae ViPR database, to identify elements and TF binding sites that were present uniquely in the Italian viral sequence.Results Several TFs were induced by IRFs, others were induced by IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 (ISGF3) and by un-phosphorylated ISGF3 that was found to promote the transcription of several viral open reading frame. These data shed light on SARS-CoV2 dependence from the host transcription machinery associated to interferon-related antiviral response. We found binding sites for 11 TF present only in sequence of virus infecting humans and among these IRF8, IRF4, GLIS2, POU4F2 that were expressed in response to the viral infection and induced by interferon. POU4F2 binds in ORF1ab promoter; IRF8, and IRF4 both bind within the ORF1ab gene.Conclusions Our data suggest that SARS-CoV-2 can exploit the interferon-related host response, inducing the expression of genes by host TF involved in the regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II, thus facilitating its own replication cycle.These data strengthen our knowledge about the transcription and replicative activity of the virus and could pave the way for new targets drug design.
Why Do They Do It? A Grounded Theory Study of the Use of Low-value Care Among Primary Health Care Physicians
Authors: Ingvarsson Sara , Augustsson Hanna , Hasson Henna , Nilsen Per , Schwarz Ulrica von Thiele , von Knorring Mia
Published: July 2020

Background
The use of low-value care (LVC) is widespread and has an impact on both the use of resources and quality of care. However, few studies have thus far studied the factors influencing the use of LVC from the perspective of the practitioners themselves. The aim of this study is to understand why physicians within primary care use LVC.
Methods
Six primary health care centers in the Stockholm Region were purposively selected based on their level of prescription of three low-value lab tests (e.g., erythrocyte sedimentation rate, aspartate transaminase, vitamin D). FGDs were conducted with physicians (n = 31) working in the centers. The discussions were coded inductively using a grounded theory approach.
Results
Three main reasons for performing LVC were identified. Uncertainty and disagreement about what not to do was related to being unaware of the LVC status of a practice, guidelines perceived as conflicting, guidelines perceived to be irrelevant for the target patient population, or a lack of trust in the guidelines. Perceived pressure from others concerned patient pressure, pressure from other physicians, or pressure from the health care system. A desire to do something for the patients was associated with the fact that the visit in itself prompts action, symptoms to relieve, or emotions to calm. The three reasons are interdependent. Uncertainty and disagreement about what not to do have made it more difficult to handle the pressure from others and to refrain from doing something for the patients. The pressure from others and the desire to do something for the patients enhanced the uncertainty and disagreement about what not to do. Furthermore, the pressure from others influenced the desire to do something for the patients.
Conclusions
Three reasons work together to explain primary care physicians’ use of LVC: uncertainty and disagreement about what not to do, perceived pressure from others, and the desire to do something for the patients. The reasons may, in turn, be influenced by the health care system, but the decision nevertheless seemed to be up to the individual physician. The findings suggest that the de-implementation of LVC needs to address the three reasons from a systems perspective.
“I think everybody should take it if they’re doing drugs, doing heroin, or having sex for money”: A qualitative study exploring perceptions of pre-exposure prophylaxis among female participants in an opioid intervention court program
Authors: Przybyla Sarahmona , Cerulli Catherine , Bleasdale Jacob , Wilson Kennethea A. , Hordes Melissa , El-Bassel Nabila , Morse Diane
Published: July 2020

Background: Women’s rise in opioid use disorder has increased their presence in the criminal justice system and related risk behaviors for HIV infection. Although pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective biomedical HIV prevention treatment, uptake among this high-risk population has been particularly low. Considerably little is known about the interplay between justice-involved women with opioid use disorder and HIV prevention. The aim of this study was to explore PrEP knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions for personal and partner use among women participants in the nation’s first ever opiate intervention court program.Methods: The authors conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 31 women recruited from an Opioid Intervention Court, a recent fast-track treatment response to combat overdose deaths. We utilized a consensual qualitative research approach to explore attitudes, perceptions, and preferences about PrEP from women at risk for HIV transmission via sexual and drug-related behavior and used thematic analysis methods to code and interpret the data. Results: PrEP interest and motivation were impacted by various factors influencing the decision to consider PrEP initiation or comfort with partner use. Three primary themes emerged regarding HIV risk perceptions, barriers and facilitators to personal PrEP utilization, and perspectives on PrEP use by sexual partners. Conclusions: Findings suggest courts may provide a venue to offer women PrEP education and HIV risk assessments. Study findings inform public health, substance use, and criminal justice research and practice with justice-involved participants experiencing opioid use disorder on the development of gender-specific PrEP interventions with the ultimate goal of reducing HIV incidence.
Role of FBXL19-AS1 in hepatocellular carcinoma by lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA network analysis and its diagnostic and prognostic value
Authors: He Dingdong , Zhang Xiaokang , Zhu Xinyu , Maharjan Narayani , Wang Yingchao , Luo Ping , Liang Chunzi , Tu Jiancheng
Published: July 2020

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common neoplastic diseases worldwide. Available biomarkers are not sensitive enough for the diagnosis of HCC, seeking new biomarkers of HCC is urgent and challenging. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of F-box and leucine-rich repeat protein 19-antisense RNA 1 (FBXL19-AS1) through competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network and its diagnostic and prognostic value in HCC.Methods: A comprehensive strategy of genomic data mining, bioinformatics and experimental validation was used to evaluate the clinical value of FBXL19-AS1 in the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC and to identify the pathways that FBXL19-AS1 may be involved in.Results: FBXL19-AS1 was up-regulated in HCC, and its high expression was associated with TNM stage and poor prognosis of HCC patients. The combined use of plasma FBXL19-AS1 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) could prominently improve the diagnostic validity for HCC. FBXL19-AS1 might participate in regulating HCC related pathways, including hepatitis C, hepatitis B, microRNAs in cancer, cell cycle, viral carcinogenesis, and proteoglycans in cancer through ceRNA network.Conclusions: Our findings indicated that FBXL19-AS1 not only serves as a potential biomarker for HCC diagnosis and prognosis, but it may be functionally carcinogenic.
Diabetes Risk Status and Physical Activity in Pregnancy: U.S. BRFSS 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017
Authors: Rand Bethany Grace , Johnson Tammie M , Ehrlich Samantha F , Wideman Laurie , Pivarnik James M. , Richardson Michael Ryan , Stone Michelle L , Churilla James R
Published: July 2020

Background: Pregnant women without complications are advised to engage in physical activity (PA) to mitigate adverse outcomes. Differences may exist among pregnant women of diverging diabetes status in meeting national PA recommendations. We sought to examine differences in aerobic activity (AA) and muscle strengthening activity (MSA) by diabetes risk status (DRS) among pregnant women in the United States.Methods: The sample (n=9,597) included pregnant women, age 18-44 years, who participated in the 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Levels of DRS were: no diabetes (ND), high risk for diabetes (HRD) due to self-reported gestational diabetes or pre-diabetes, and overt diabetes due to self-reported, clinically diagnosed diabetes (DM). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for meeting PA recommendations were obtained. Covariates included age, race, education, household child count, alcohol consumption, and smoking status.Results: Findings revealed that on average, DM had 46.5 fewer minutes of weekly AA compared to ND. Furthermore, a significantly lower OR (0.39; CI 0.19-0.82) for meeting both recommendations was observed in DM as compared to ND after adjustment.Conclusions: We observed that pregnant women with overt diabetes had a lower odds of engaging in PA, while those at high risk were similar in their PA engagement to ND. Future studies aimed at assessing determinants of PA behavior may help guide efforts to promote exercise in pregnant women with diabetes.
Does Assessing Outcomes in Terms of Capability for Schizophrenic Patients with Depression Provide more Information Than use of the NICE Recommended QALY? - An Empirical Comparison of the OxCAP-MH, ICECAP-A and EQ-5D-5L Instruments
Authors: Helter Timea Mariann , Coast Joanna , Łaszewska Agata , Stamm Tanja , Simon Judit
Published: July 2020

BackgroundThere is increasing evidence that assessing outcomes in terms of capability wellbeing provides information beyond that of health-related quality of life measures for evaluation in mental health research. This paper aims to comprehensively compare the properties of the Oxford CAPabilities questionnaire-Mental Health (OxCAP-MH), the ICECAP-A the EQ-5D-5L descriptive system and EQ-5D VAS in schizophrenic patients with depression.Methods Using trial data for 100 patients from the UK, the properties of the instruments were compared in terms of construct validity, including correlations between the OxCAP-MH, the ICECAP-A, the EQ-5D-5L descriptive system and the EQ-5D VAS scores; and comparative assessment of their sensitivity to change based on external anchors. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) investigated the extent to which the instruments measure complementary or overlapping constructs. The pattern and extent of agreement between all instruments was plotted on Bland-Altman diagrams. ResultsDifferent aspects of the analysis confirmed that the capability instruments had stronger convergent validity with each other than with health-related instruments. The EFA found that while the EQ-5D-5L descriptive system loads onto one factor, the items of the ICECAP-A load onto three factors and the items of the OxCAP-MH spread across four factors. Correlation between the OxCAP-MH and ICECAP-A change scores was moderate (0.389). The ICECAP-A change scores also moderately correlated with change scores of generic health-related scales (0.307-0.357) and disease-specific instruments (0.295-0.468). The OxCAP-MH change scores had low correlation to generic (0.153-0.202) and moderate to high correlation with disease-specific instruments (0.441-0.527). The Bland Altman plots showed small average discrepancy between the four scales. However, the limits of agreement were wider and therefore more ambiguous in the comparison between the EQ-5D-5L descriptive system score and the capabilities instruments than in the direct comparison of OxCAP-MH and ICECAP-A.ConclusionsAssessing outcomes in terms of capability for schizophrenic patients with depression provide more information than use of the NICE recommended QALY. OxCAP-MH and ICECAP-A show similar construct validity in severely ill mental health patients within the capability framework. Future research should extend the comparison of the properties of these instruments to other areas of mental health.
The Relationship Between Health-Related Quality of Life, Acceptance of Illness and Characteristics of Pregnant Women with Hyperglycemia
Authors: Iwanowicz-Palus Grażyna , Zarajczyk Marta , Bień Agnieszka
Published: July 2020

Background: The study was performed to evaluate the association between socio-demographic factors on the one hand, and quality of life and illness acceptance on the other, in pregnant women with hyperglycemia.Methods: The study was performed in the years 2016–2017 in south-eastern Poland. The study included 676 women: 339 pregnant women with hyperglycemia in the case group, and 337 healthy pregnant women in the control group. The research instruments applied included the WHOQOL-BREF quality of life questionnaire, the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS), and a general questionnaire.Results: Factors that affect hyperglycemic women’s quality of life include: relationship status, residence, professional activity, living conditions, number of pregnancies, self-reported knowledge of diabetes treatment and lifestyle and also of the potential pregnancy complications and fetal health impact associated with the disease, as well as the type of diabetes treatment (p < 0.05). The mean illness acceptance score among the patients is near the lower boundary of “moderate”, 31.37 points. Factors with an impact on illness acceptance include: professional activity, living conditions, and self-reported knowledge of diabetes treatment and lifestyle and of the potential pregnancy complications and fetal health impact associated with the disease (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Better overall quality of life, general perceived health, and quality of life in all specific domains was found among healthy pregnant women compared to those with hyperglycemia. A higher level of illness acceptance has a positive effect on overall quality of life, general perceived health, and quality of life in all specific domains.