bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression and clinical significance of miR-4516 and miR-21-5p in serum of patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Jin Xi-Han , Lu Sen , Wang Ai-Fen
Published: March 2020

Background

This study sought to detect the expression and clinical significance of miR-4516 and miR-21-5p in serum of patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods

Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze the expression patterns of miR-4516 and miR-21-5p in colorectal cancer. A total of 80 patients with colorectal cancer, 65 patients with benign colorectal tumors and 50 healthy persons were selected. qRT-PCR was performed to detect the expression levels of serum miR-4516 and miR-21-5p before and after operation or postoperative recurrence. The correlation of miR-4516 and miR-21-5p expression levels with the clinical characteristics and prognosis of colorectal cancer was analyzed, and that with the patient’s survival was further examined by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results

MiR-4516 was poorly expressed in colorectal cancer in the preoperative group, and miR-21-5p was highly expressed. While in the postoperative group, miR-4516 was up-regulated, and miR-21-5p was down-regulated. The low expression of miR-4516 was shown to be related to TNM staging, invasion degree, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis of the patients. Whereas the high expression of miR-21-5p was proved to be correlated with TNM staging and lymph node metastasis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that high expression of miR-4516 or low expression of miR-21-5p could contribute to better overall survival.

Conclusion

Low miR-4516 or high miR-21-5p could be used as an independent risk factor for prognosis of colorectal cancer.
Population-based SEER analysis of survival in colorectal cancer patients with or without resection of lung and liver metastases
Authors: Siebenhüner Alexander R. , Güller Ulrich , Warschkow Rene
Published: March 2020

Background

Approximately one third of all patients with CRC present with, or subsequently develop, colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). The objective of this population-based analysis was to assess the impact of resection of liver only, lung only and liver and lung metastases on survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and resected primary tumor.

Methods

Ten thousand three hundred twenty-five patients diagnosed with mCRC between 2010 and 2015 with resected primary were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Overall, (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were analyzed by Cox regression with multivariable, inverse propensity weight, near far matching and propensity score adjustment.

Results

The majority (79.4%) of patients had only liver metastases, 7.8% only lung metastases and 12.8% metastases of lung and liver. 3-year OS was 44.5 and 27.5% for patients with and without metastasectomy (HR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.58–0.65, P < 0.001). Metastasectomy uniformly improved CSS in patients with liver metastases (HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.67–0.77, P < 0.001) but not in patients with lung metastases (HR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.62–1.12, P = 0.232) and combined liver and lung metastases (HR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.75–1.06, P = 0.196) in multivariable analysis. Adjustment by inverse propensity weight, near far matching and propensity score and analysis of OS yielded similar results.

Conclusions

This is the first SEER analysis assessing the impact of metastasectomy in mCRC patients with removed primary tumor on survival. The analysis provides compelling evidence of a statistically significant and clinically relevant increase in OS and CSS for liver resection but not for metastasectomy of lung or both sites.
Correction to: American foulbrood in a honeybee colony: spore-symptom relationship and feedbacks between disease and colony development
Authors: Stephan Jörg G. , de Miranda Joachim R. , Forsgren Eva
Published: March 2020

Unfortunately, the original version of the article [1] contained an error. The author has brought to our attention that the article title is truncated in the published version. The correct title is American foulbrood in a honeybee colony: spore-symptom relationship and feedbacks between disease and colony development. Instead, it was published inadvertently as American foulbrood in a honeybee colony: spore symptom relationship and feedbacks due to an error occurred during the production process.
Ethical arguments concerning human-animal chimera research: a systematic review
Authors: Kwisda Koko , White Lucie , Hübner Dietmar
Published: March 2020

Background

The burgeoning field of biomedical research involving the mixture of human and animal materials has attracted significant ethical controversy. Due to the many dimensions of potential ethical conflict involved in this type of research, and the wide variety of research projects under discussion, it is difficult to obtain an overview of the ethical debate. This paper attempts to remedy this by providing a systematic review of ethical reasons in academic publications on human-animal chimera research.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of the ethical literature concerning human-animal chimeras based on the research question: “What ethical reasons have been given for or against conducting human-animal chimera research, and how have these reasons been treated in the ongoing debate?” Our search extends until the end of the year 2017, including MEDLINE, Embase, PhilPapers and EthxWeb databases, restricted to peer-reviewed journal publications in English. Papers containing ethical reasons were analyzed, and the reasons were coded according to whether they were endorsed, mentioned or rejected.

Results

Four hundred thirty-one articles were retrieved by our search, and 88 were ultimately included and analyzed. Within these articles, we found 464 passages containing reasons for and against conducting human-animal chimera research. We classified these reasons into five categories and, within these, identified 12 broad and 31 narrow reason types.

15% of the retrieved passages contained reasons in favor of conducting chimera research (Category P), while 85% of the passages contained reasons against it. The reasons against conducting chimera research fell into four further categories: reasons concerning the creation of a chimera (Category A), its treatment (Category B), reasons referring to metaphysical or social issues resulting from its existence (Category C) and to potential downstream effects of chimera research (Category D). A significant proportion of identified passages (46%) fell under Category C.

Conclusions

We hope that our results, in revealing the conceptual and argumentative structure of the debate and highlighting some its most notable tendencies and prominent positions, will facilitate continued discussion and provide a basis for the development of relevant policy and legislation.
Demand for community-based care services and its influencing factors among the elderly in affordable housing communities: a case study in Nanjing City
Authors: Gu Tiantian , Yuan Jingfeng , Li Lingzhi , Shao Qiuhu , Zheng Chuanjun
Published: March 2020

Background

Community-based care services refers to the professional services provided at home to the elderly with formally assessed demands. The growth of the elderly population has increased the demand for these services, and this issue is even worse in the affordable housing community (AHC) of China. Understanding of elderly’s demands for different types of community-based care services and its determinations would enable the implementation of appropriate incentive schemes to promote utilization of community-based care services in the AHCs of China.

Methods

Guided by previous studies, a conceptual framework was developed. Then, a questionnaire was designed and a community based survey was conducted from May 10–20, 2018 in Daishan AHC of Nanjing City, China. Four hundred eight participants from 25,650 elderly people were selected by systematic random sampling technique. Binary logistic regression was applied to the data about the elderly’ primary demands for community-based care services in the AHC, to quantify the elderly’s demands and explore related individual-level factors.

Results

The finding indicates that more than 50% of respondents had the demand for an elderly care hotline, building health archives, on-call nursing and doctor visits, medical lectures, regular medical examinations and sporting fitness. The binary logistic regression models revealed that the primary demands of the elderly for community-based care services were influenced by distinct factors.

Conclusions

Our findings help clarify different types of community-based care services and provide fresh information about the demand for community-based care among the elderly in AHCs. Several policy implications are discussed to enhance the efficiency of community-based care service provision.
microRNAs identified in prostate cancer: Correlative studies on response to ionizing radiation
Authors: Labbé Maureen , Hoey Christianne , Ray Jessica , Potiron Vincent , Supiot Stéphane , Liu Stanley K. , Fradin Delphine
Published: March 2020

As the most frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer in men and a leading cause of cancer-related death, understanding the molecular mechanisms that drive treatment resistance in prostate cancer poses a significant clinical need. Radiotherapy is one of the most widely used treatments for prostate cancer, along with surgery, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy. However, inherent radioresistance of tumor cells can reduce local control and ultimately lead to poor patient outcomes, such as recurrence, metastasis and death. The underlying mechanisms of radioresistance have not been fully elucidated, but it has been suggested that miRNAs play a critical role. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression in every signaling pathway of the cell, with one miRNA often having multiple targets. By fine-tuning gene expression, miRNAs are important players in modulating DNA damage response, cell death, tumor aggression and the tumor microenvironment, and can ultimately affect a tumor’s response to radiotherapy. Furthermore, much interest has focused on miRNAs found in biofluids and their potential utility in various clinical applications. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on miRNA deregulation after irradiation and the associated functional outcomes, with a focus on prostate cancer. In addition, we discuss the utility of circulating miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers to diagnose, predict response to treatment, and prognosticate patient outcomes.
Silica nanomaterials induce organ injuries by Ca2+-ROS-initiated disruption of the endothelial barrier and triggering intravascular coagulation
Authors: Wang De-Ping , Wang Zhao-Jun , Zhao Rong , Lin Cai-Xia , Sun Qian-Yu , Yan Cai-Ping , Zhou Xin , Cao Ji-Min
Published: March 2020

Background

The growing use of silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) in many fields raises human toxicity concerns. We studied the toxicity of SiNP-20 (particle diameter 20 nm) and SiNP-100 (100 nm) and the underlying mechanisms with a focus on the endothelium both in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

The study was conducted in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and adult female Balb/c mice using several techniques.

Results

In vitro, both SiNP-20 and SiNP-100 decreased the viability and damaged the plasma membrane of cultured HUVECs. The nanoparticles also inhibited HUVECs migration and tube formation in a concentration-dependent manner. Both SiNPs induced significant calcium mobilization and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased the phosphorylation of vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin at the site of tyrosine 731 residue (pY731-VEC), decreased the expression of VE-cadherin expression, disrupted the junctional VE-cadherin continuity and induced F-actin re-assembly in HUVECs. The injuries were reversed by blocking Ca2+ release activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels with YM58483 or by eliminating ROS with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). In vivo, both SiNP-20 and SiNP-100 (i.v.) induced multiple organ injuries of Balb/c mice in a dose (range 7–35 mg/kg), particle size, and exposure time (4–72 h)-dependent manner. Heart injuries included coronary endothelial damage, erythrocyte adhesion to coronary intima and coronary coagulation. Abdominal aorta injury exhibited intimal neoplasm formation. Lung injuries were smaller pulmonary vein coagulation, bronchiolar epithelial edema and lumen oozing and narrowing. Liver injuries included multifocal necrosis and smaller hepatic vein congestion and coagulation. Kidney injuries involved glomerular congestion and swelling. Macrophage infiltration occurred in all of the observed organ tissues after SiNPs exposure. SiNPs also decreased VE-cadherin expression and altered VE-cadherin spatial distribution in multiple organ tissues in vivo. The largest SiNP (SiNP-100) and longest exposure time exerted the greatest toxicity both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

SiNPs, administrated in vivo, induced multiple organ injuries, including endothelial damage, intravascular coagulation, and secondary inflammation. The injuries are likely caused by upstream Ca2+-ROS signaling and downstream VE-cadherin phosphorylation and destruction and F-actin remodeling. These changes led to endothelial barrier disruption and triggering of the contact coagulation pathway.
Decode-seq: a practical approach to improve differential gene expression analysis
Authors: Li Yingshu , Yang Hang , Zhang Hujun , Liu Yongjie , Shang Hanqiao , Zhao Herong , Zhang Ting , Tu Qiang
Published: March 2020

Many differential gene expression analyses are conducted with an inadequate number of biological replicates. We describe an easy and effective RNA-seq approach using molecular barcoding to enable profiling of a large number of replicates simultaneously. This approach significantly improves the performance of differential gene expression analysis. Using this approach in medaka (Oryzias latipes), we discover novel genes with sexually dimorphic expression and genes necessary for germ cell development. Our results also demonstrate why the common practice of using only three replicates in differential gene expression analysis should be abandoned.
Addressing identification bias in the design and analysis of cluster-randomized pragmatic trials: a case study
Authors: Bobb Jennifer F. , Qiu Hongxiang , Matthews Abigail G. , McCormack Jennifer , Bradley Katharine A.
Published: March 2020

Background

Pragmatic trials provide the opportunity to study the effectiveness of health interventions to improve care in real-world settings. However, use of open-cohort designs with patients becoming eligible after randomization and reliance on electronic health records (EHRs) to identify participants may lead to a form of selection bias referred to as identification bias. This bias can occur when individuals identified as a result of the treatment group assignment are included in analyses.

Methods

To demonstrate the importance of identification bias and how it can be addressed, we consider a motivating case study, the PRimary care Opioid Use Disorders treatment (PROUD) Trial. PROUD is an ongoing pragmatic, cluster-randomized implementation trial in six health systems to evaluate a program for increasing medication treatment of opioid use disorders (OUDs). A main study objective is to evaluate whether the PROUD intervention decreases acute care utilization among patients with OUD (effectiveness aim). Identification bias is a particular concern, because OUD is underdiagnosed in the EHR at baseline, and because the intervention is expected to increase OUD diagnosis among current patients and attract new patients with OUD to the intervention site. We propose a framework for addressing this source of bias in the statistical design and analysis.

Results

The statistical design sought to balance the competing goals of fully capturing intervention effects and mitigating identification bias, while maximizing power. For the primary analysis of the effectiveness aim, identification bias was avoided by defining the study sample using pre-randomization data (pre-trial modeling demonstrated that the optimal approach was to use individuals with a prior OUD diagnosis). To expand generalizability of study findings, secondary analyses were planned that also included patients newly diagnosed post-randomization, with analytic methods to account for identification bias.

Conclusion

As more studies seek to leverage existing data sources, such as EHRs, to make clinical trials more affordable and generalizable and to apply novel open-cohort study designs, the potential for identification bias is likely to become increasingly common. This case study highlights how this bias can be addressed in the statistical study design and analysis.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03407638. Registered on 23 January 2018.
A mindfulness-based intervention for breast cancer patients with cognitive impairment after chemotherapy: study protocol of a three-group randomized controlled trial
Authors: Van der Gucht Katleen , Melis Michelle , Ahmadoun Soumaya , Gebruers Anneleen , Smeets Ann , Vandenbulcke Mathieu , Wildiers Hans , Neven Patrick , Kuppens Peter , Raes Filip , Sunaert Stefan , Deprez Sabine
Published: March 2020

Background

Mindfulness has been applied to improve cancer care by enhancing psychological well-being. However, little is known about its impact on cognitive impairment experienced by cancer patients after chemotherapy. Mindfulness may be relevant in tackling cognitive impairment by decreasing emotional distress and fatigue, by decreasing inflammation, and by strengthening functional brain connectivity. The aim of the present study protocol is to evaluate the efficacy and mechanisms of a mindfulness-based intervention to reduce cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients after chemotherapy.

Methods/design

The present study is a three-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with assessments at baseline, 1 to 3 weeks after the intervention and at 3 months’ follow-up. One hundred and twenty breast cancer patients who ended treatment a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 5 years before, and who have cognitive complaints, will be enrolled. They will be randomized into one of the following three study arms: (1) a mindfulness-based intervention group (n = 40), (2) an active control condition based on physical training (n = 40), or (3) a treatment as usual (TAU) control group (n = 40). Both the mindfulness-based intervention and the active control condition consist of four group sessions (3 h for the mindfulness condition and 2 h for the physical training) spread over 8 weeks. The primary outcomes will be cognitive symptoms as measured by the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire and changes in functional brain connectivity in the attention network. Secondary outcomes will be (1) levels of emotional distress, fatigue, mindfulness, quality of life; (2) neurocognitive tests; (3) structural and functional brain changes using MR imaging and (4) measures of inflammation.

Discussion

The study will examine the impact of a mindfulness-based intervention on cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients. If the findings of this study confirm the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based program to reduce cognitive impairment, it will be possible to improve quality of life for ex-cancer patients. We will inform health care providers about the potential use of a mindfulness-based intervention as a non-pharmaceutical, low-threshold mental health intervention to improve cognitive impairment after cancer.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, ID:NCT03736460. Retrospectively registered on 8 November 2018.
Characterization of the chromatin accessibility in an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mouse model
Authors: Wang Yaqi , Zhang Xiaomin , Song Qiao , Hou Yuli , Liu Jing , Sun Yu , Wang Peichang
Published: March 2020

Background

The pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involve alterations in the expression of numerous genes associated with transcriptional levels, which are determined by chromatin accessibility. Here, the landscape of chromatin accessibility was studied to understand the outline of the transcription and expression of AD-associated metabolism genes in an AD mouse model.

Methods

The assay for transposase-accessible chromatin by sequencing (ATAC-seq) was used to investigate the AD-associated chromatin reshaping in the APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mouse model. ATAC-seq data in the hippocampus of 8-month-old APP/PS1 mice were generated, and the relationship between chromatin accessibility and gene expression was analyzed in combination with RNA sequencing. Gene ontology (GO) analysis was applied to elucidate biological processes and signaling pathways altered in APP/PS1 mice. Critical transcription factors were identified; alterations in chromatin accessibility were further confirmed using chromatin immunoprecipitation assays.

Results

We identified 1690 increased AD-associated chromatin-accessible regions in the hippocampal tissues of APP/PS1 mice. These regions were enriched in genes related to diverse signaling pathways, including the PI3K-Akt, Hippo, TGF-β, and Jak-Stat signaling pathways, which play essential roles in regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses. A total of 1003 decreased chromatin-accessible regions were considered to be related with declined AD-associated biological processes including cellular response to hyperoxia and insulin stimulus, synaptic transmission, and positive regulation of autophagy. In the APP/PS1 hippocampus, 1090 genes were found to be upregulated and 1081 downregulated. Interestingly, enhanced ATAC-seq signal was found in approximately 740 genes, with 43 exhibiting upregulated mRNA levels. Several genes involved in AD development were found to have a significantly increased expression in APP/PS1 mice compared to controls, including Sele, Clec7a, Cst7, and Ccr6. The signatures of numerous transcription factors, including Olig2, NeuroD1, TCF4, and NeuroG2, were found enriched in the AD-associated accessible chromatin regions. The transcription-activating marks of H3K4me3 and H3K27ac were also found increased in the promoters of these genes. These results indicate that the mechanism for the upregulation of genes could be attributed to the enrichment of open chromatin regions with transcription factors motifs and the histone marks H3K4me3 and H3K27ac.

Conclusion

Our study reveals that alterations in chromatin accessibility may be an initial mechanism in AD pathogenesis.
Standardized image quality for 68Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT
Authors: Cox Christina P. W. , Segbers Marcel , Graven Laura H. , Brabander Tessa , van Assema Daniëlle M. E.
Published: March 2020

Background

Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with 68Gallium labeled somatostatin analogues (68Ga-DOTA-SSA) plays a key role in neuroendocrine tumor management. The impact of patient size on PET image quality is not well known for PET imaging with 68Ga-DOTA-SSA. The aim of this study is to propose a dose regimen based on patient size that optimizes image quality and yields sufficient image quality for diagnosis.

Methods

Twenty-one patients (12 males, 9 females) were prospectively included for 68Gallium-DOTA-Tyr3-Octreotate (68Ga-DOTA-TATE) PET/CT, which was acquired in whole body list mode using 6 min per bed position (mbp). The list-mode events were randomly sampled to obtain 1 to 6 mbp PET reconstructions. For semi-quantitative assessment of image quality, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was measured in the liver. The SNR normalized (SNRnorm) for administered activity and mbp was correlated with body mass, length, body mass index, body mass/length, and lean body mass. Three experienced nuclear medicine physicians visually graded image quality using a 4-point scale, and categorically scored the number of somatostatin-receptor positive lesions for each reconstruction. To investigate the impact of image quality on lesion quantification, the mean, maximum, and peak standardized uptake values (SUVs) of one abdominal lesion were measured in the 1 to 6 mbp PET reconstructions.

Results

Of all patient-dependent parameters, body mass showed the strongest correlation (R2 = 0.6) with SNRnorm. Lesion detectability analysis showed no significant difference for 3-5 mbp compared with the complete 6 mbp PET reconstruction. The SUV measurements showed no significant (p > 0.05) differences across the reconstructions. Visual assessment revealed that an SNR of 6.2 results in PET scans with moderate to good image quality. A non-linear expression was derived to calculate the required (dose × acquisition time) product (DTP) for the chosen SNR level of 6.2 that would yield a more constant image quality.

Conclusion

Body mass can be used to predict 68Ga-DOTA-TATE PET image quality. The proposed non-linear dose regimen based on body mass standardizes the image quality while maintaining sufficient image quality for diagnosis.
Design of UAV wireless power transmission system based on coupling coil structure optimization
Authors: Yan Yixin , Shi Wan , Zhang Xiaobing
Published: March 2020

With the development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), it has been used in many fields, such as aerial photography, military, and transportation. However, it is a challenge for charging due to its short battery life. Wireless charging has been considered as a good UAV solution. In this paper, we proposed a wireless power transmission system (WPT) through inductive coupling and analyzed the power efficiency of the inductive coupling. The WPT included a charging station, which can provide energy through an induction coil array, and a portable energy receiving device mounted on the base of the UAV. Moreover, the power efficiency was analyzed though the equivalent circuit of WPT and the mathematical model of the power efficiency was established. The results showed that the WPT can transfer energy to UAV with high power efficiency within a 30 mm lateral displacement range.
Physical therapy interventions for cervicogenic dizziness in a military-aged population: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Hoppes Carrie W. , Romanello Anthony J. , Gaudette Kathryn E. , Herron William K. , McCarthy Anne E. , McHale Catherine J. , Bares Joan , Turner Rose , Whitney Susan L.
Published: March 2020

Background

Traumatic cervicogenic dizziness is dizziness that is temporally associated with neck pain and injury after other causes of dizziness have been excluded. It can lead to activity limitations and participation restrictions that may include lost duty or work days. The objective of this systematic review is to determine which interventions are most effective in decreasing dizziness or vertigo and neck pain in military-aged adults with traumatic cervicogenic dizziness.

Methods

The literature will be systematically searched using the following online databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CENTRAL, Cochrane Methodology Register), CINAHL, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and J-STAGE. The review will include randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including cluster RCTs and controlled (non-randomized) clinical trials or cluster trials, and observational studies (including prospective and retrospective comparative cohort and case–control or nested case–control studies) and determine the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions for the treatment of traumatic cervicogenic dizziness in military-aged adults. Assessment of methodological quality will be performed by two independent, blinded reviewers using the PEDro scale. The level of evidence will be determined using the GRADE scale. The primary outcome measures will be change in dizziness and neck pain and disability from baseline to the last available follow-up, measured using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory and Neck Disability Index. Other relevant outcome measures will include self-reported change in symptoms, time to return to duty or work, and quality of life.

Discussion

This systematic review will identify, evaluate, and integrate the evidence on the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions for cervicogenic dizziness in a military-aged population. We anticipate our findings may inform individual treatment and future research. Clinical recommendations generated from this systematic review may inform military physical therapy treatment of individuals with cervicogenic dizziness.

Systematic review registration

In accordance with the guidelines, our systematic review protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on 21 January 2020 (registration number CRD42020150853). In the event of protocol amendments, the date of each amendment will be accompanied by a description of the change and the rationale.
Square-mean piecewise almost automorphic mild solutions to a class of impulsive stochastic evolution equations
Authors: Liu Junwei , Ren Ruihong , Xie Rui
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we introduce the concept of square-mean piecewise almost automorphic function. By using the theory of semigroups of operators and the contraction mapping principle, the existence of square-mean piecewise almost automorphic mild solutions for linear and nonlinear impulsive stochastic evolution equations is investigated. In addition, the exponential stability of square-mean piecewise almost automorphic mild solutions for nonlinear impulsive stochastic evolution equations is obtained by the generalized Gronwall–Bellman inequality. Finally, we provide an illustrative example to justify the results.
Adverse drug reactions in older adults: a retrospective comparative analysis of spontaneous reports to the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices
Authors: Dubrall Diana , Just Katja S. , Schmid Matthias , Stingl Julia C. , Sachs Bernhardt
Published: March 2020

Background

Older adults are more prone to develop adverse drug reactions (ADRs) since they exhibit numerous risk factors. The first aim was to analyse the number of spontaneous ADR reports regarding older adults (> 65) in the ADR database of the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) and to set them in relation to i) the number of ADR reports concerning younger adults (19–65), and ii) the number of inhabitants and assumed drug-exposed inhabitants. The second aim was to analyse, if reported characteristics occurred more often in older vs. younger adults.

Methods

All spontaneous ADR reports involving older or younger adults within the period 01/01/2000–10/31/2017 were identified in the ADR database. Ratios concerning the number of ADR reports/number of inhabitants and ADR reports/drug-exposed inhabitants were calculated. The reports for older (n = 69,914) and younger adults (n = 111,463) were compared using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

The absolute number of ADR reports involving older adults increased from 1615 (2000) up to 5367 ADR reports (2016). The age groups 76–84 and 70–79 had the highest number of ADR reports with 25 ADR reports per 100,000 inhabitants and 27 ADR reports per 100,000 assumed drug-exposed inhabitants. For both ratios, the number of reports was higher for males (26 and 28 ADR reports) than for females (24 and 26 ADR reports). Fatal outcome was reported almost three times more often in older vs. younger adults. Six out of ten drug substances most frequently suspected were antithrombotics (vs. 1/10 in younger adults). For some drug substances (e.g. rivaroxaban) the ADRs reported most frequently differed between older (epistaxis) and younger adults (menorrhagia).

Conclusions

There is a need to further investigate ADRs in older adults since they occurred more frequently in older vs. younger adults and will likely increase in future. Physicians should be aware of different ADRs being attributed to the same drug substances which may be more prominent in older adults. Regular monitoring of older adults taking antithrombotics is recommended.
Correction to: Bilateral spontaneous thrombosis of the pampiniform plexus mimicking incarcerated inguinal hernia: case report of a rare condition and literature review
Authors: Bakshi Sabyasachi
Published: March 2020

In the original publication of this article [1], there is a correction in Table 2.
Pregabalin for postherpetic itch: a case report
Authors: Shimada Nobuhiro , Niwa Yasunori , Hotta Kunihisa , Igarashi Takashi , Takeuchi Mamoru
Published: March 2020

Background

Postherpetic itch has not commonly received attention as a complication of herpes zoster because pain predominates over itch in most patients with herpes zoster. Most cases of postherpetic itch are mild; however, cases of severe postherpetic itch reducing quality of life are rare.

Case presentation

A 52-year-old woman complained of severe itch in her left pinna and cheek 1 month after the first onset of herpes zoster at the same site. Owing to her scratching, she developed ulcers on her left pinna and cheek. Pregabalin was prescribed, and the itch subsided immediately, with the ulcers disappearing within 1 month.

Discussion

Severe itch was thought to be caused by neural injury from herpes zoster. Pregabalin may be a useful treatment option for neuropathic itch induced by herpes zoster.
Right inferior phrenic artery; Don't miss on MDCT before chemoembolization of hepatic dome HCC
Authors: Abdelgawad Mohamed Saied , Aly Rasha Abdelhafiz
Published: March 2020

Background

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is considered a standard local-regional treatment for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the most common bridging therapy. HCC typically receives its blood supply from the hepatic artery; however, it can recruit a parasitic supply from extrahepatic collateral arteries. The right inferior phrenic artery (RIPA) is considered the most common extrahepatic collateral pathway supplying HCC and so interfere with the therapeutic efficacy of TACE resulting in treatment failure and poor outcome. Imaging by MDCT with angiography has an essential role in depicting the presence or absence of an EHC arterial supply during the pre-TACE evaluation. We analyzed MDCT studies with CT angiography of patients with hepatic dome HCC retrospectively to confirm the diagnosis of HCC and to assess its blood supply. All patients were subjected to a proper assessment by history, clinical examination, as well as routine laboratory investigations

Results

Our study includes 58 cases with hepatic dome HCC. On CT angiography, the extrahepatic collateral from the RIPA supplying hepatic dome HCC was detected in about 33 out of 58 cases (56.9%). The RIPA arose directly from the aorta in 30 cases (90.9%) with only three cases (9.1%) from the celiac trunk. All cases were managed with TACE with about 25 out of 33 cases (75.8%) with extrahepatic RIPA were undergone concomitant embolisation of both RIPA and hepatic artery during TACE procedure.

Conclusion

MDCT assesses well the HCC arterial supply which is fundamental for planning subsequent cannulation and embolization of extrahepatic RIPA supply to hepatic dome HCC.
Sonographic and Doppler predictors of malignancy in ovarian lesions
Authors: Khalaf Lamiaa M. R. , Desoky Hagar H. M. , Seifeldein Gehan S. , Salah Asmaa , Amine Maged Abdelfattah , Hussien Marwa T.
Published: March 2020

Background

To determine the best sonographic (US) and/or Doppler features that the radiologist can use as predictors or risk factors for ovarian malignancy

Results

Among the examined 156 ovarian lesions, there were 53 malignant and 103 benign lesions. Most of the malignant ovarian lesions were noted in older age than in benign lesions p < 0.001. Majority of the malignant lesions had non-hyperechoic solid component (92.5%); it had the highest sensitivity of 92.5%, specificity of 97%, accuracy of 94.8%, positive predictive value of 94%, negative predictive value of 96%, and AUC of 0.94 in discrimination between benign and malignant ovarian lesions. The presence of papillary projection, the absence of wall definitions and thick wall, and thick septation were noted in 83%, 81%, and 53.8% of the malignant ovarian lesions respectively. Color flow Doppler shows neovascularity in 88.7% of the malignant lesions, 73.6% of them has central blood flow. The multivariate regression analysis revealed that the presence of non-hyperechoic solid component, new vascularity with central location of the blood flow, papillary projection, thick septa, and old age were the most significant parameters in predicting ovarian cancer in decreasing order of frequency according to their odds ratio (19.45, 7.55, 4.56, 3.45, and 1.45, respectively).

Conclusions

The non-hyperechoic solid component, new vascularity with central location of the blood flow, papillary projection, and thick septa were the most significant and consistent US and Doppler predictors of ovarian malignancy in addition to one clinical feature which is the old age ≥ 52 years.
A survey on the influence of intense rainfall induced by climate warming on operation safety and service life of urban asphalt pavement
Authors: Wang Wentao , Wang Linbing , Miao Yinghao , Cheng Chunru , Chen Shiwu
Published: March 2020

Intense rainfall induced by climate warming is causing more common extreme meteorological events such as urban waterlogging in recent years. The urban waterlogging often has a wide-ranged severe impact on urban traffic. General intense rainfall weather makes urban transportation frequently be served in an environment with abundant water, which not only affects its operation safety but also challenges the service life of urban asphalt pavement. This paper presents a comprehensive survey on the influence of intense rainfall on urban transportation. The characteristics of meteorological phenomena such as climate warming, intense typhoon and rainfall, and urban waterlogging are firstly discussed. Then, Shenzhen, the city in south China, is chosen to analyze its historical meteorological variation in recent years, which was recently affected by a typhoon name Ewiniar in 2018 and caused severe waterlogging throughout entire city. Further, the operation safety of urban traffic is investigated with an increasing depth of surface runoff in intense rainfall weather, followed by the service life of asphalt pavement related to the moisture damage induced by dynamic pore water pressure. Finally, a series of measures to alleviate the effects of intense rainfall induced by climate warming on urban waterlogging and long service life of asphalt pavement are recommended.
Efficacy of a dementia intensive support (DIS) service at preventing admissions to medical and psychiatric wards: qualitative and quantitative evaluation
Authors: Rubinsztein Judy S. , Hatfield Catherine , High Liam , Krishnan Ramesh , Arnaoutoglou Nikitas A. , Goulia Panagiota , Dudas Robert , Ruhi Shamim , Wildschut Karel , Chouliaras Leonidas , Underwood Benjamin R.
Published: March 2020

Aims and method

To establish whether a dementia intensive support (DIS) service that is part of a crisis resolution and home treatment team for older people is preventing admissions to acute hospital and psychiatric wards. The number of referrals in 2017 to the DIS service was established and those admitted to hospital ascertained. Senior doctors examined 30 sets of notes in detail and reached a conclusion on whether DIS had contributed to admission prevention. This information was then re-examined in two meetings with at least eight senior psychiatrists present. A consensus opinion was then reached as to whether DIS had contributed to admission prevention in each case.

Results

Over 12 months, 30/171 patients (18%) referred were admitted to hospital. For the subset of 30 referrals examined in detail, DIS contributed to admission avoidance in 21 cases (70%).

Clinical implications

Our evaluation demonstrates that the DIS service is an effective way of preventing admission.
Human recreation decreases antibody titres in bird nestlings: an overlooked transgenerational effect of disturbance
Authors: Bötsch Yves , Tablado Zulima , Almasi Bettina , Jenni Lukas
Published: March 2020

Outdoor recreational activities are booming and most animals perceive humans as predators, which trigger behavioural and/or physiological reactions (e.g. heart rate increase, activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis). Physiological stress reactions have been shown to affect the immune system of an animal and therefore may also affect the amount of maternal antibodies a female transmits to her offspring. A few studies revealed that the presence of predators affects the amount of maternal antibodies deposited into eggs of birds. In this study, using Eurasian blue and great tit offspring (Cyanistes caeruleus and Parus major) as model species, we experimentally tested whether human recreation induces changes in the amount of circulating antibodies in young nestlings and whether this effect is modulated by habitat and competition. Moreover, we investigated whether these variations in antibody titres have, in turn, an impact on hatching success and offspring growth. Nestlings of great tit females, which had been disturbed by experimental human recreation during egg-laying, had lower antibody titres compared to control nestlings. Antibody titres of nestling blue tits showed a negative correlation with the presence of great tits, rather than with human disturbance. The hatching success was positively correlated with the average amount of antibodies in great tit nestlings, independent of the treatment. Antibody titres in the first days of life in both species were positively correlated with body mass, but this relationship disappeared at fledging and was independent of the treatment. We suggest that human recreation may have caused a stress-driven activation of the HPA-axis in breeding females, chronically increasing their circulating corticosterone, which is known to have an immunosuppressive function. Therefore lower amounts of antibodies can be transmitted to nestlings or impaired transfer mechanisms lead to lower amounts of immunoglobulins in the eggs. Human disturbance could, therefore, have negative effects on nestling survival at early life-stages, when nestlings are heavily relying on maternal antibodies, and in turn lead to lower breeding success and parents’ fitness. This is a so far overlooked effect of disturbance on early life in birds.
Shift in worker physiology and gene expression pattern from reproductive to diapause-like with colony age in the bumble bee Bombus impatiens
Authors: Treanore Erin D. , Kiner Jacklyn M. , Kerner Mackenzie E. , Amsalem Etya
Published: March 2020

Insects maximize their fitness by exhibiting predictable and adaptive seasonal patterns in response to changing environmental conditions. These seasonal patterns are often expressed even when insects are kept in captivity, suggesting they are functionally and evolutionary important.

In this study we examined whether workers of the eusocial bumble bee Bombus impatiens maintained a seasonal signature when kept in captivity. We used an integrative approach and compared worker egg-laying, ovarian activation, body size and mass, lipid content in the fat body, cold tolerance and expression of genes related to cold tolerance, metabolism, and stress throughout colony development.

We found that bumble bee worker physiology and gene expression patterns shift from reproductive-like to diapause-like as the colony ages. Workers eclosing early in the colony cycle had increased egg-laying and ovarian activation, and reduced cold tolerance, body size, mass, and lipid content in the fat body, in line with a reproductive-like profile, while late-eclosing workers exhibited the opposite characteristics. Furthermore, expression patterns of genes associated with reproduction and diapause differed between early- and late-eclosing workers, partially following the physiological patterns.

We suggest that a seasonal signature, innate to individual workers, the queen or the colony is used by workers as a social cue determining the phenology of the colony and discuss possible implications for understanding reproductive division of labor in bumble bee colonies and the evolutionary divergence of female castes in the genus Bombus.
Neat and clean
Authors: Aydin H. , Nestelbacher R. , Joubert I.A. , Geppert M. , Himly M.
Published: March 2020

Surfactants are a common component of many cleaning products and detergents. However, the production of these surfactants often requires the use of petroleum. In nature we can find plants, such as the lotus flower, whise leaves have developer a self-cleaning mechanism. Due to nano-sized hyedrophobic wax nubs on the surface of the leaf, water droplets have only a very samll contact area. The water's surface tension subsequently leads to the droplet rolling off the leaf, taking dirt partcles with it.
Active drug targeting
Authors: Erian J. , Duerrauer V. , Rainer L. , Geppert M. , Joubert I. A. , Himly M.
Published: March 2020

Over 100 years ago, Paul Ehrlich first proposed the side-chain theory to explain how living cells mount an immune response in reaction to an infection. His theory stated that upon the encounter of a threat, cells express side-chains to bind dangerous toxins. These side-chains,cwhich he later named receptors, can break off the cell and circulate throughout the body (i.e. antibodies). Specific antibodies link to particular antigens in the same way that Emil Fischer proposed enzymes bind to their receptors, “as lock and key”. Ehrlich described these so-called “keys” or antibodies as “magic bullets”, which target toxins without harming the body. In recent years, research has focused on using antibodies not only for detection of infection, but also as aids for drug targeting. Thereby, antibodies are bound to the surface of carriers (e.g. nanoparticles) and facilitate a directed transport to a specific organ or site in the body. Aptamer- peptide- or folic acid-doped carriers furthermore have been shown to specifically target cancer cells. By using hydrophilic structures as carriers (e.g. polyethylene glycol), negative side effects esulting from the accumulation of innate proteins can be prevented. Currently, there are drug carriers in the pre-clinical development phase for the treatment of bowel cancer. Thereby, nano polymer capsules coated with a specific antibody are used to target a glycoprotein expressed on bowel cancer cells. The polymers have a size of approximately 500 nm and are produced with a so-called “layer-by-layer” procedure. Once the carrier has reached its target site, the drug needs to be released in a controlled manner. This can be facilitated, for example, by applying a magnetic field in the case of iron oxide particles. Once these particles are taken up by the cells, magnetic radiation can be used to excite the particles, resulting in the rupture of the cell and subsequent cell death.
Toxicity of azo-dyes combined with TiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Kroath M. , Punz E. , Joubert I.A. , Himly M. , Geppert M.
Published: March 2020

Azo-dyes are organices compounds frequesntly used for food colring for example in sweets. A characteristic feature of az-=dyes is the axo-group (-N=N)  as part of the chromophore. In parallel, nanoparticles (NPs) are more and more used as food additives and this, the encoubter of NPs with azo-dyes is highly likely. In particular, TiO2 NPs are inciroporated into foods under the tearm E171.
Nano-bio Interactions
Authors: Reichenfelser R. , Punz E. , Joubert I.A. , Geppert M. , Himly M.
Published: March 2020

Due to theri extremely small size, nanoparticles display a unique set of characteristics, which  differ significantly form bigger moieties. These characterstics also shape their interaction with biological entities. Theri large surface-to-volum area, for instance, makes paritcles in the nano- and micro-range very reactive. Clubmoss spores are an example of naturally occuring microparticles.