bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation of Transient Receptor Potential Canonical 4 Activity by Phospholipase C-δ1
Authors: Ko Juyeon , Myeong Jongyun , Kwak Misun , So Insuk
Published: November 2020

Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels are non-selective calcium-permeable cation channels. It is suggested that TRPC4β and TRPC5 channels are regulated by phospholipase C (PLC) signaling, and are especially maintained by phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). The PLCδ subtype is the most Ca2+-sensitive form among the isozymes which cleaves phospholipids to respond to the calcium rise. In this study, we investigated the regulation mechanism of TRPC channel by Ca2+, PLCδ1 and PIP2 signaling cascades. The interaction between TRPC4β and PLCδ1 was identified through the Fӧster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). With the electrophysiological experiments, we found that TRPC4β-bound PLCδ1 reduces the overall whole-cell current of channel. The Ca2+-via opened channel promotes the activation of PLCδ1, which subsequently decreases PIP2 level. By comparison TRPC4β activity with or without PLCδ1 using differently [Ca2+]i buffered solution, we demonstrated that PLCδ1 functions in normal condition with physiological calcium range. The negative regulation effect of PLCδ1 on TRPC4β helps to elucidate the roles of each PIP2 binding residues whether they are concerned in channel maintenance or inhibition of channel activity.
Osteoinductive 3D Printed Scaffold Healed 5 cm Segmental Bone Defects in the Ovine Metatarsus
Authors: Yang Yunzhi Peter , Labus Kevin , Gadomski Benjamin , Bruyas Arnaud , Easley Jeremiah , Nelson Brad , Palmer Ross , Mcgilvray Kirk , Regan Daniel , Puttlitz Christian , Stahl Alexander , Maloney William , Gardner Michael
Published: November 2020

Autologous bone grafts are considered the gold standard grafting material for the treatment of nonunion, but in very large bone defects, traditional autograft alone is insufficient to induce repair. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) can stimulate bone regeneration and enhance the healing efficacy of bone grafts. The delivery of rhBMP-2 may even enable engineered synthetic scaffolds to be used in place of autologous bone grafts for the treatment of critical size defects, eliminating risks associated with autologous tissue harvest. We here demonstrate that an osteoinductive scaffold, fabricated by combining a 3D printed rigid polymer/ceramic composite scaffold with an rhBMP-2-eluting collagen sponge can treat extremely large-scale segmental defects in the sheep metatarsus. Bone regeneration after 24 weeks was evaluated by micro-computed tomography, mechanical testing, and histological characterization. Load-bearing cortical bridging was achieved in all animals, with increased bone volume observed in sheep that received osteoinductive scaffolds compared to sheep that received an rhBMP-2-eluting collagen sponge alone.
Does Climate Help Modeling COVID-19 Risk and to What Extent?
Authors: Scabbia Giovanni , Sanfilippo Antonio , Mazzoni Annamaria , Bachour Dunia , Perez-Astudillo Daniel , Benito Veronica Bermudez , Wey Etienne , Marchand-Lasserre Mathilde , Saboret Laurent
Published: November 2020

A growing number of studies has suggested potential impacts of meteorological variables on the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. These impacts are supported by data from similar viral contagions, such as SARS and the 1918 Flu Pandemic, and corroborated by US influenza data relative to the last decade. However, there is still limited understanding about the extent to which meteorology affects COVID-19 transmission rates and how meteorology can be a relevant element to anticipate social and politic measures. This study demonstrates that such an understanding is attainable through the development of regression models that verify the contribution of meteorology to the modeling of COVID-19 transmission, and the use of feature importance techniques assessing the relative weight of meteorological variables compared to epidemiological, socioeconomic, environmental, and global health indicator factors. The study results show that meteorological factors play an important role in regression models of COVID-19 transmission that have low error rates (R2 0.964). These results are corroborated by a panel data fixed-effect model showing that meteorological coefficients are often significantly correlated with COVID-19 transmission rates (R2 0.691-0.746, p<0.01).
Plasma level of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in patients with sickle cell disease and its correlation to myocardial iron overload
Authors: Hassan Tamer , Badr Mohamed , Arafa Mohamed , Rahman Doaa Abdel , Fathy Manar , Elhewala Ahmed , Raafat Nermin , Hanna Diana
Published: November 2020

Cardiac iron overload is secondary to chronic blood transfusion in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Iron overload cardiomyopathy is a restrictive cardiomyopathy associated with systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases responsible for tissue remodeling. Many studies offer strong evidence for the role of MMP-9 in LV remodeling. We aimed to detect plasma levels of MMP-9 in patients with SCD and its correlation to myocardial iron overload. A case control study was carried out on 50 patients with SCD and 50 age and sex matched healthy controls. Assessment of cardiac iron overload in patients by MRI T2* was performed. Plasma MMP-9 levels were measured for patients and controls using ELISA. SCD patients had significantly higher levels of MMP-9 than controls. There was highly significant correlation between plasma levels of MMP-9 and serum ferritin. Patients with vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) > 5/year had significantly higher levels of MMP-9 than those with VOC ≤ 5 /year. No significant correlation was found between MMP-9 and cardiac T2*. MMP-9 seems to be a useful marker in SCD patients. Patients with serum ferritin > 1000 ng/ml, recurrent VOC > 5 /year had significantly higher MMP-9 serum levels than others.
Wind-driven Advection Across Temperature Gradients Supports Phytoplankton Blooms in the Iron-limited Antarctic Polar Front
Authors: Brandini Frederico , Silver Adrienne , Gangopadhyay Avijit
Published: November 2020

We demonstrate how the wind-driven Ekman transport enhances the advection and mixing of cells from the colder waters of the Surface Antarctic Waters from the south to the warmer waters of the northern Polar Front (PF) belt. This mechanism provides cells a mean ambient temperature near optimum levels for species-specific and, ultimately, community growth rates high enough to develop blooms under non-light limiting, macronutrients and iron conditions. A Lagrangian trajectory model was constructed for tracking plankton cells as tracers forced by winds and surface currents. We argue that wind-driven Ekman drift of surface currents can carry phytoplankton cells into warmer waters and thus increase their growth rates to potentially generate blooms, even under iron-limiting conditions. Depending on the region along the circumpolar front, increased winds can enhance this process, and further accelerate such temperature-controlled growth.
Direct medical costs after surgical or nonsurgical treatment for degenerative lumbar spinal disease: a nationwide matched cohort study with a 10-year follow-up
Authors: Kim Chi Heon , Chung Chun Kee , Choi Yunhee , Lee Juhee , Yang Seung Heon , Lee Chang Hyun , Park Sung Bae , Rhee John , Park Moon Soo
Published: November 2020

Demand for degenerative lumbar spinal disease treatments has been increasing, leading to the increased utilization of medical resources. The present study compared the direct costs between surgical and nonsurgical treatment. The national health insurance service sample cohort was used in a matched cohort study comparing surgical treatment (n=2,698) with nonsurgical treatment (n=2,698). Insurance covers both Western and Asian medicine. First, the overall monthly costs were compared between cohorts. Second, the monthly costs were compared at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after treatment and yearly thereafter for 10 years. The surgery cohort spent $50.84/patient/month, and the nonsurgery cohort spent $29.34/patient/month (p<0.01). Surgery cost more ($2,762) than nonsurgical interventions ($180.4) (p<0.01). Compared with the nonsurgery cohort, the surgery cohort paid $33/month more for the first 3 months, paid less for the first 12 months, and paid approximately the same over the course of 10 years. Surgery initially cost more than nonsurgical interventions, but the costs incurred during the follow-up period were not higher. The results of the present study should be interpreted in light of the costs of medical services, indirect costs, quality of life and societal willingness to pay.
Chemical Oxygen Demand and Ammonia Nitrogen Mycoremediation from Domestic Wastewater Effluent using Ganoderma lucidum in a Batch System.
Authors: Mooralitharan Silambarasi , Hanafiah Zarimah , Manan Teh Sabariah Abd , Hasan Hassimi , Jensen Henritte , Wan-Mohtar Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad , Mohtar Wan Hanna Melini Wan
Published: November 2020

The fungi-based technology, wild-Serbian Ganoderma lucidum (WSGL) as myco-alternative to existing conventional microbial-based wastewater treatment is introduced in this study as a potential alternative treatment. The mycoremediation is highly persistent for its capability to oxidatively breakdown pollutant substrates and widely researched for its medicinal properties. Utilizing the non-hazardous properties and high degradation performance of WSGL, this research aims to find optimum conditions and model the mycoremediation treatment design for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Ammonia Nitrogen (AN) removal in domestic wastewater via response surface methodology (RSM). Combined process variables were temperature (⁰C) (Model 1) and the volume of mycelial pellets (%) (Model 2) against treatment time (hour). Response variables for these two sets of central composite design (CCD) were the removal efficiencies of COD (%) and AN (%). The regression line fitted well with the data with R2 values of 0.9840 (Model 1-COD), 0.9477 (Model 1-AN), 0.9988 (Model 2-COD) and 0.9990 (Model 2-AN). The lack of fit test gives the highest value of Sum of Squares equal to 9494.91 (Model 1- COD), 9701.68 (Model 1-AN), 23786.55 (Model 2-COD) and 13357.02 (Model 2-AN), with probability F values less than 0.05 showing significant models. The optimum conditions were established corresponding to the percentage of COD and AN removal obtained were 95.1% and 96.3%, accordingly at the optimum temperature 25°C at the treatment time of 24 h, meanwhile 0.25% of mycelial pellet with 76.0% and 78.4% COD and AN removal, respectively. The high performance achieved demonstrates that the mycoremediation of G. lucidum is highly potential as part of the wastewater treatment system in treating domestic wastewater of high organic loadings.
Epigenetic Clock Deceleration and Maternal Parity: Associations With Increasing Grey Matter Volume of the Precuneus
Authors: Nishitani Shota , Kasaba Ryoko , Hiraoka Daiki , Shimada Koji , Fujisawa Takashi , Tomoda Akemi
Published: November 2020

Reproductive effort experiences, such as pregnancy, delivery, and interaction with their children, make female maternal brains optimised for child-rearing. However, extensive studies in non-human species revealed there is a trade-off between reproductive effort and life expectancy. In humans, large demographic studies have shown that this is the case for the most part, but molecular marker studies of aging remain controversial, and there are no studies evaluating the relationship between reproductive effort, aging, and brain structures simultaneously. We examined the associations among the reproductive efforts, DNA methylation age acceleration, and the regional grey matter of structural brain scans by voxel-based morphometry in 27-46-year-old mothers. We found that greater reproductive efforts, including the number of delivery and motherhood periods, were significantly associated with decelerated aging in mothers with 1-4 children. We also found that the precuneus grey matter volume was larger as age deceleration occurred and found a mediation effect of the greater left precuneus grey matter volume on the relationship between parity and age deceleration. Our findings suggest that mothers of early childhood children who have less than four children may benefit from aging via precuneus structural changes.
New-onset focal seizure as a presenting feature of HIV infection⸻a case report and mini review to the challenge in resource-limited settings
Authors: Ayele Biniyam A. , Getu Zemichael , Samuel Amen
Published: November 2020

BackgroundThe frequency of new-onset HIV-associated seizure in the HIV-infected patient is estimated to be between 2% and 11%. Identifying the underlying etiology of new-onset seizure will have a vital impact on the mortality and morbidity of patients living with HIV infection.Case presentationWe report a 34-year old newly diagnosed HIV + male patient presented with abnormal body movement involving his right hemibody associated with loss of consciousness lasting few minutes of two weeks duration. The ABM occurred frequently (> five times per week) and associated with frothy and excessive salivation. He reported headache following each spells. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed bilateral frontal T2 and FLAIR hyperintensity and T1 hypointensity; post contrast study showed bilateral small ring enhancing lesions with perilesional edema, biggest on the left and measure 10 mm; considering patient advanced immunosuppression and underlying HIV infection, the brain MRI findings were consistent with cerebral toxoplasmosis. Bipolar montage electroencephalography (EEG) study showed generalized background slowing, prominent in the left fronto-centeral region. Patient was managed with combination antiretroviral therapy, anti-toxoplasmosis medication, and anticonvulsant. On follow up, the frequency of seizure attack has significantly reduced.ConclusionConsidering the high prevalence of HIV infection and associated seizure among people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, this case fairly highlights on the importance of utilizing advanced imaging techniques such as MRI and EEG in identifying the underlying causes of HIV-associated seizures.
Effects of Short-term Low- to Moderate- Dose Glucocorticoids on Immuno-inflammatory Indicators and Prognosis of Patients With Regular and Severe COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zhang Jing , Kang Yi , Wang Hai-Bo , Liu Hai-Yang , Qi Ya-Nan , Tang Xia , Zhang Xiao-Ju , Qi Yong
Published: November 2020

Background: To explore the effects of short-term low- to moderate- dose glucocorticoids on the immune-inflammatory indicators and 28-d prognoses of patients with regular or severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods: The clinical data and laboratorial examination results of 66 patients with regular or severe type of COVID-19 that treated in Henan Provincial People’s Hospital and Nanyang Central Hospital between January 20 and February 14, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Here, 36 patients that had been treated with glucocorticoids were categorized in the glucocorticoids group (GC group), while the other 30 patients that had not been treated with glucocorticoids were categorized in the control group.Results: The immune-inflammatory indicators and prognoses of the patients in the two groups were compared. The sex, age, clinical types, and complications were not significantly different between the two groups (all P>0.05). After hospitalization, 33.3% and 6.7% of the patients in the GC group and control group were with chest distress, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.019). The duration of fever was also significantly different between the two groups (6.91 ± 4.41 vs. 9.21 ± 4.46 days, P=0.036), but the blood examination results within 24 h after hospitalization were not significantly different between the two groups (all P>0.05). The C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were lower in the GC group than control group on day 7 (P=0.012, P=0.035) but were not significantly different between the two groups on day 14. The CRP and IL-6 levels were significantly reduced after glucocorticoids treatment on day 3, 5 and 7 (all P<0.05) in GC group. The median time of hospital stay, and 28-d prognoses were not significantly different between the two groups (P=0.080, P>0.999).Conclusions: Glucocorticoids could decrease the levels of inflammatory indicators, but did not significantly influence other immune-related indicators and 28-d prognoses.
A Systematic Review of the Evidence for Deprescribing Interventions Among Older People Living With Frailty
Authors: Ibrahim Kinda , Cox Natalie , Stevenson Jennifer M , Lim Stephen , Fraser Simon , Roberts Helen C
Published: November 2020

Background: Older people living with frailty are often exposed to polypharmacy and potential harm from medications. Targeted deprescribing in this population represents an important component of optimizing medication. This systematic review aims to summarise the current evidence for deprescribing among older people living with frailty.Methods: The literature was searched using Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library up to May 2020. Studies with any design or setting were included if they reported deprescribing interventions among people aged 65+ who live with frailty identified using reliable measures. The primary outcome was safety of deprescribing; whereas secondary outcomes included clinical outcomes, medication-related outcomes, feasibility, acceptability and cost-related outcomes. Narrative synthesis was used to summarise findings and study quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute checklists.Results: 2322 articles were identified and six (two randomised controlled trials) were included with 53 participants in total (mean age range 79–87 years). Studies were heterogenous in their designs, settings and outcomes. Deprescribing interventions were pharmacist-led (n=3) or multidisciplinary team-led (n=3). Frailty was identified using several measures and deprescribing was implemented using either explicit or implicit tools or both. Three studies reported safety outcomes and showed no significant changes in adverse events, hospitalisation or mortality rates. Three studies reported positive impact on clinical outcomes including depression, mental health status, function and frailty; with mixed findings on falls and cognition; and no significant impact on quality of life. All studies described medication-related outcomes and reported a reduction in potentially inappropriate medications and total number of medications per-patient. Feasibility of deprescribing was reported in four studies which showed that 72-91% of recommendations made were implemented. Two studies evaluated and reported the acceptability of their interventions and further two described cost saving. Conclusion: There is a paucity of research about the impact of deprescribing in older people living with frailty. However, included studies suggest that deprescribing could safe, feasible, well tolerated and can lead to important benefits. Research should now focus on understanding the impact of deprescribing on frailty status in high risk populations. Trial registration: the review was registered on the international prospective register of systematic reviews (PROSPERO) ID number: CRD42019153367.
External axial Stress Induces Rabbit Tibia Fracture Healing via Stimulating the Expression of VEGF, CD34, BMP-2 and TGF-β1
Authors: Huang Lianshui , Zhang Xiaoshan , Huang Zemao , Wang Lei , Xie Wei , Ding Zhenqi , Cheng Weike
Published: November 2020

BackgroundIt is well acknowledged that stress stimulation can promote the healing rate of fracture. However, there were few literature that described the relationship between stress stimulation at the fracture site and the molecular mechanism in fracture healing process. The aim of this study was to investigate whether external axial stress, provided by the stimulator, postoperatively, can accelerate the union of rabbit tibial fracture, and to reveal the possible mechanism.MethodsSeventy-two New Zealand rabbit tibial fracture models were established and randomly divided into two groups. Rabbits in experiment group (n=36) were subjected to external axial stress stimulation for 30 minutes every two days from the eighth day postoperative, but rabbits in control group received no stress stimulation. All rabbits were treated with external plaster for limb immobilization after operation. Lane-Sandhu X-ray evaluation system was used to evaluate the bone healing process at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks postoperative. Specimens were harvested for immunohistochemical test and semi quantitative analysis. They were applied to evaluate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD34, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) at postoperative2,4,6and8weeks,respectively.ResultsThe mean Lane-Sandhu X-ray score of experiment group was significantly higher than control group at 4, 6 and 8 weeks (P<0.05, P<0.01 and P<0.01，respectively). More callus and better calcification were observed in the experiment group. The expression of VEGF (P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.01, respectively) and BMP-2 (P<0.05, P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.01, respectively) at each phase in the experiment group was significantly higher than the control group. The expression of CD34 (P<0.01 and P<0.01, respectively) and TGF-β1(P<0.01, P<0.01, respectively) in experimental group was higher than control group at2and4weeks.ConclusionsPostoperative external axial stress stimulation can facilitate the expression of VEGF, CD34, BMP-2 and TGF-β1, and stimulate the vascularization and ossification of the fracture site, therefore,acceleratethefractureunion.
Association Between Cystatin C, Cystatin C Rangeability and Mortality of COVID-19 Patients With or Without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Opportunistic Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Yang Lei , Xu Dou , Tan Yiqing , Li Bolin , Zhu Dan , Wang Jingbo , Sun Hui , Liu Xinglong , Zheng Xiao-Pu , Zhu Ling , Li Zhongyu
Published: November 2020

Background: Since December of 2019, novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)-induced pneumonia (COVID-19) exploded in Wuhan, and rapidly spread throughout China. Patients with COVID-19 demonstrated quite different appearances and outcomes in clinical manifestations. We aimed to figure out whether risk factors of the cystatin C (CysC) and the CysC rangeability are influencing the prognosis of COVID-19 patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods: 675 T2DM patients and 602 non-T2DM patients were divided into low CysC group, high CysC group and low CysC rangeability group, high CysC rangeability group according to the serum CysC level and the change range of CysC. Demographic characteristics, clinical data and laboratory results of the four groups were collected and analyzed.Results: Our data showed that COVID-19 patients with high CysC level and CysC rangeability had more organic damage and higher mortality rate compared to those with low level or low rangeability of CysC. Furthermore, patients with higher CysC level and CysC rangeability also demonstrated higher blood lymphocytes (lymph), C-reactive protein (CRP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) which may greatly influence disease progression and poor prognosis of COVID-19. After adjusting for possible confounders, multivariate analysis revealed that CysC≤0.93mg/dl as a reference, CysC＞0.93mg/dl were significantly associated with the risk of heart failure (OR=2.401, 95% CI: 1.118–5.156) and all-cause death (OR=2.734, 95% CI: 1.098-6.811); referring to CysC rangeability≤0, CysC rangeability＞0 significantly associated with all-cause death (OR=4.029, 95% CI: 1.864-8.706). Further grouped by T2DM, these associations were stronger in T2DM than in non-T2DM.Conclusions: It suggests that CysC level and CysC rangeability contribute to clinical manifestations and may influence the prognosis of COVID-19. The CysC is considered as a potential risk factor of the prognosis of COVID-19. Special medical care and appropriate intervention should be performed in COVID-19 patients with elevated CysC during hospitalization and later clinical follow-up, especially for those with T2DM.
Synthesis and release behavior of layered double hydroxides – carbamazepine composites
Authors: Peralta Maria , Mendieta Silvia , Scolari Ivana , Granero Gladys , Crivello Monica
Published: November 2020

Carbamazepine (CBZ) was incorporated into Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) to be used as controlled drug delivery in solid tumors. CBZ has a formal charge of 0, which implies a challenge to be incorporated in the anionic clay. Aiming to overcome this problem, CBZ was first incorporated in micelles of sodium cholate (SC), a surfactant with negative charge. CBZ in SC micelles and, for comparison, free CBZ were incorporated in LDH by reconstruction method. It was found that resultant nano-composites had similar CBZ encapsulation efficiency, around 75 %, but drug release in simulated body fluid (pH 7.4) and acetate buffer (pH 4.8) was efficient only with the LDH-CBZ sample. CBZ dimensions were measured with Chem3D and, according to the basal spacing obtained from X rays patterns, it can arrange as monolayer with the long axis parallel to the LDH layers. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy confirmed the incorporation of the drug. Thermogravimetric analyses showed and enhanced thermal stability for CBZ. These results have interesting implications since they increase the spectrum of LDH application as controlled drug delivery to a large number of non-ionic drugs, without the addition of other components.
Knee Extensor and Flexor Strength are Related to One-Leg Hop Distances in Three Directions in Patients Six Months After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Aizawa Junya , Hirohata Kenji , Ohji Shunsuke , Ohmi Takehiro , Mitomo Sho , Koga Hideyuki , Yagishita Kazuyoshi
Published: November 2020

Background: When planning rehabilitation and conditioning for performance enhancement and a return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, identifying the elements of physical function associated with one-leg hop is important. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between one-leg hop distances in 3 directions and knee extensor and flexor strengths at 6 months after reconstruction.Methods: Participants were 47 patients taking part in training sessions for sports involving cutting, pivoting, and jump-landing 6 months after reconstruction using a hamstring tendon. Demographics, activity scale score, days before and after reconstruction, and meniscus surgery procedure were analyzed. One-leg hop distances in 3 directions (anterior, lateral, and medial) and isokinetic strengths of knee extension and flexion were measured. Simple regression analyses using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were performed to assess relationships between one-leg hop distances and knee strengths.Results: In the involved limb, correlations between one-leg hop distance in 3 directions and knee strengths were significant and effect sizes ranged from medium to large. Correlation coefficients between all one-leg hop parameters and knee extension/flexion strengths at an angular velocity of 180°/s were greater than those of 60°/s.Conclusions: Knee strength showed moderate to high associations with lateral and medial one-leg hop distances in addition to anterior one-leg hop distance. The results of this study will be useful in planning and teaching conditioning to improve multi-directional one-legged hop skills and improve knee strength for a full-scale return to sports after reconstruction.
Expression Profiling and Functional Analysis of Circular RNAs in Inner Mongolian Cashmere Goats Hair Follicles
Authors: Shang Fangzheng , Wang Yu , Ma Rong , Di Zhengyang , Wu Zhihong , Hai Erhan , Rong Youjun , Pan Jianfeng , Liang Lili , Wang Zhiying , Wang Ruijun , Su Rui , Liu Zhihong , Zhao Yanhong , Wang Zhixin , Li Jinquan , Zhang Yanjun
Published: November 2020

Background:Inner Mongolian cashmere goats have hair of excellent quality and high economic value, and the skin hair follicle traits of cashmere goats have a direct and important effect on cashmere yield and quality.Circular RNA has been studied in a variety of tissues and cells. Result:In this study, high-throughput sequencing was used to obtain the expression profiles of circRNA in the hair follicles of Inner Mongolia cashmere goats at different embryonic stages (45, 55 , 65 and 75 days). A total of 21784 circRNAs were identified. At the same time, the differentially expression circRNA in the six control groups formed in the four stages were: d75vsd45, circRNA up-regulated by 59 and down-regulated by 33; d75vsd55, circRNA up-regulated by 61 and down-regulated by 102; d75vsd65, circRNA up-regulated by 32 and down-regulated by 33; d65vsd55, circRNA up-regulated by 67 and down-regulated by 169; d65vsd45, circRNA up-regulated by 96 and down-regulated by 63; and d55vsd45, circRNA up-regulated by 76 and down-regulated by 42. Six DE circRNA were randomly selected to verify the reliability of the sequencing results by qRT-PCR. Subsequently,the circRNA corresponding host genes were analyzed by GO and the KEGG pathaway. The results showed that the biological processes related to hair follicle growth and development enriched by GO mainly included hair follicle morphogenesis, hair follicle maturation and cell development, and the signal pathways related to hair follicle development included the Notch signaling pathway and NF-kappa B signaling pathway.We combined the DE circRNA of d75vsd45 with miRNA and mRNA databases(unpublished) to construct the co-expression network of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA, and formed a total of 102 pairs of circRNA-miRNA and 126 pairs of miRNA-mRNA interactions. The binding relationship of circRNA3236-chi-miR-27b-3p and circRNA3236-chi-miR-16b-3p was further verified by dual-luciferase reporter assays,and the results showed that circRNA3236 and chi-miR-27b-3p,circRNA3236 and chi-miR-16b-3p have a targeted binding relationship.Conclusion:To summarize, we established the expression profile of circRNA in the fetal skin hair follicles of cashmere goats, and found that the host gene of circRNA may be involved in the development of hair follicles of cashmere goats. The co-expression network of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA that DE circRNA was constructed and preliminary verification was carried out.
The antifungal mechanism of the biogenic antimicrobial Ningnanmycin on Didymella segeticola involves binding to tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase, inhibiting translation
Authors: Dongxue Li , Yin Qiaoxiu , Wang Xue , Jiang Shilong , Dharmasena Dissanayake Saman Pradeep , Wu Xian , Wang Delu , Chen Zhuo
Published: November 2020

BackgroundTea [Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze] has been recently cultivated in Guizhou Province, China, where the cultivated area has reached 350,000 hectares, making it the major tea-growing region in world. Tea leaf spot caused by Didymella segeticola can induce the decreases in quality and quantity of tea leaves, which is an important disease in tea plantations at higher altitude, where cold spells occur in late spring. As a promising biogenic antimicrobial agent against crop diseases, Ningnanmycin (NNM) was produced from Streptomyces noursei var. xichangensisn, represented higher field efficiency against fungal, bacterial and viral phytopathogens, lower toxicity and lower residue. However, the action mechanism of NNM against phytopathogens just stays on the stage of anti-viral mechanism, which limits the application of NNM in the management of plant fungal diseases. Here, we studied the action mechanism of NNM against D. segeticola using many methods of transcriptome, ultrastructure, molecular biology and molecular docking.ResultsNNM strongly inhibited the mycelial growth of D. segeticola with the half-maximal effective concentration of 1287.54 U/mL. Optical, fluorescence, scanning and transmission electron microscopy were applied to observe morphological changes of cellular, organelle for D. segeticola treated by NNM. A great number of morphological changes of D. segeticola indicated that NNM could affect the biosynthesis of the phytopathogen. For further, RNA-Seq results showed that NNM treated D. segeticola induced 1,363 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) comparing with the control (P < 0.05). The DEGs were highly enriched in structural component of ribosome, ribosome and translation by Gene Ontology, as well as in ribosome pathway at Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. NNM regulated the mRNA levels of RPS7, RPS9, RPS10b, RPL9, RPL11 and TrpRS, and represent the different regulation mode by the comparative analysis with a classical translation extension inhibitor, cycloheximide. The molecular docking indicated that NNM possessed a marked affinity with TrpRS, with the binding free energy is -101.55 kcal/mol.ConclusionsNNM could potentially affect translation by binding to tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase, thus inhibiting mycelial growth. This study will provide insights for anti-fungal mechanism of NNM and contribute to the control and prevention of tea leaf spot disease.
Building Capacity for Implementation – The KT Challenge
Authors: Black Agnes , Steinberg Marla , Chisholm Amanda , Coldwell Kristi , Hoens Alison , Koh Jiak Chin , LeBlanc Allana , Mackay Martha , Salmon Amy , Snow M Elizabeth
Published: November 2020

Background The KT Challenge program supports health care professionals to effectively implement evidence-based practices. Unlike other knowledge translation (KT) programs, this program is grounded in capacity building, focuses on health care professionals (HCPs), and uses a multi-component intervention. This study presents the evaluation of the KT Challenge program to assess the impact on uptake, KT capacity and practice change. MethodsThe evaluation used a mixed-methods, time-series design involving surveys and review of documents such as teams’ final reports. Online surveys collecting both quantitative and qualitative data were deployed at four time points (after both workshops, six months into implementation, and at the end of the two-year funded projects) to measure KT capacity ( knowledge, skills and confidence), and impact on practice change. Qualitative data was analyzed using a general inductive approach and quantitative data was analysed using non-parametric statistics. ResultsParticipants reported statistically significant increases in knowledge and confidence across both workshops, at the 6-month mark of their projects, and at the end of their projects. In addition, at the 6-month check-in, practitioners reported statistically significant improvements in their ability to implement practice changes. In the first cohort of the program, of the teams who were able to complete their projects, half were able to show demonstrable practice changes. ConclusionsThe KT Challenge was successful in improving the capacity of HCPs to implement evidence-based practice changes and has begun to show demonstrable improvements in a number of practice areas. The program is relevant to a variety of HCPs working in diverse practice settings and is relatively inexpensive to implement. Like all practice improvement programs in health care settings, a number of challenges emerged stemming from the high turnover of staff and the limited capacity of some practitioners to take on anything beyond direct patient care. Efforts to address these challenges have been added to subsequent cohorts of the KT Challenge program and ongoing evaluation will examine if they are successful. The KT Challenge program has continued to garner great interest among practitioners, even in the midst of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, and shows promise for organizations looking for better ways to mobilize knowledge to improve patient care and empower staff. This study contributes to the implementation science literature by providing a description and evaluation of a new model for embedding KT practice skills in health care settings.
A Case of Lipomyelomeningocele causing Equinovarus is Reported
Authors: Zhang Guanghui , han hui , Hou Chengcai
Published: November 2020

Background Lipomyelomeningocele ( LMM) is a congenital factor that causes clubfoot. This disease often develops into adulthood and often has rigid deformities. This is the most difficult orthopedic and functional reconstruction surgery.Case presentation We reporta case of stiff clubfoot caused by Lipomyelomeningocele（LMM）. Through osteotomy correction and Soft tissue loosening, clubfoot deformity was corrected and good results were achieved.Conclusion The use of osteotomy correction technology combined with Soft tissue loosening to treat adult stiff clubfoot can correct the deformity and restore the shape of the foot and ankle. The effect is definite and it is worthy of popularization and application.
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Correlation with Metabolic Syndrome Parameters in Military Pilots
Authors: Rad Masud Pezeshki , Shahali Hamzeh , Momenzadeh Mahmud , Yarmohammadi Bita
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is one of the important risk factors in increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have shown that increasing the thickness of the intima-medial layer of the carotid artery can be a risk factor associated with metabolic syndrome. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study. All individuals underwent ultrasound of the carotid arteries. In the presence of stenosis, the stenosis caused by the plaque by North American symptomatic carotid endarterectomy trial (NASCET) was considered as a decrease in the diameter of the lumen compared to the diameter of the normal lumbar distal lobe and was expressed as a percentage. Statistical analysis of chi-square tests, independent t-test, ANOVA, and regression analysis were performed. Results: This study was performed on 112 male pilots (average age of 41.3 years, average flight time 2435 hours). There was no statistically significant relationship between the mean thickness of intima media carotid and metabolic syndrome (no versus with metabolic syndrome: 0.62 versus 0.64 mm p = 0.355). The average thickness of the intima media carotid was significantly statistically different between the three groups of flight types (transport aircraft: 01.61 against fighter: 0.70 and helicopter: 0.59 mm p = 0.004). There is also a significant correlation between flight time and carotid thickness (p = 0.001, r = 0.380). In addition, there was a significant correlation between the age of the pilots and the thickness of the carotid artery (p = 0.001, r = 0.033) as well as the age of the pilots and the flight time (p = 0.001, r = 0.713). Conclusion: Based on the results, there was no significant relationship between carotid thickness and metabolic syndrome and metabolic syndrome components in the studied pilots.
Prediction and Effect of Maternal Marginal Zinc Deficiency on Development, Redox Status, and Gene Expression Related to Oxidation and Apoptosis of Embryos
Authors: Gao Wei , Huang Liang , Zhang Xiufen , Zheng Yaohui , Wang Wence , Geng Wei , Liu Chuang , Yang Lin , Zhu Yongwen
Published: November 2020

BackgroundMaternal severe zinc (Zn) deficiency induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in embryos, resulting in growth retardation. Therefore, it is crucial to assess maternal marginal Zn nutritional status for poultry breeders to prevent embryos subjected to severe Zn deficiency. MethodsIn Exp. 1, twelve egg embryos were sampled at incubation day 17 (E17), E20, E23, E26, E29, and E32 (day of hatch) respectively, with 6 replicates of 2 embryo each. The developmental changes of Zn mobilization and Zn transport gene mRNA expression were determined. In Exp. 2, 324 laying duck breeders were randomly allotted into 3 dietary Zn levels (0, 60, and 120 mg Zn/kg diet) with 6 replicates of 18 ducks per replicate. Plasma Zn concentration and erythrocytic Zn metalloenzyme activities in breeders as well as the development, redox status, and gene expression related to oxidation and apoptosis in embryos were measured. Blood samples were collected at the 2th, 4th and 6th weeks of the experiment. ResultsIn Exp. 1, the overall Zn mobilization rates were increased in yolk sac and embryonic liver in response to the increased incubation period, associated with the decreased ZIP10, 13, and 14 mRNA expressions in embryonic liver (P < 0.05). In Exp. 2, with the prolonged dietary Zn depletion, maternal Zn deficiency decreased plasma Zn concentration and erythrocytic alkaline phosphatase activity at the 6th week and inhibited erythrocytic 5'-nucleotidase (5’-NT) activity at 2th week (P < 0.05). On E29 of the maximal rate of Zn mobilization, maternal marginal Zn deficiency increased middle and late embryonic mortality and contents of superoxide anion radical, MDA and PPC, as well as decreasedMT content, CuZnSOD activity, and MT1 mRNA expression in embryonic livers (P < 0.05). Additionally, maternal marginal Zn deficiency increased BCL2-associated X protein and Caspase-9 mRNA expression and decreased B-cell lymphoma-2 mRNA expression in embryonic liver (P < 0.05). ConclusionErythrocytic 5’-NT activity was more rapid and reliable to assess marginal Zn-deficient status in duck breeders. Marginal Zn deficiency impaired hatchability and antioxidant defense system and then induced the oxidative damage and apoptosis in embryonic liver, contributing to the greater loss of embryonic death.
Pathological Features and Mutational Landscapes of Multiple Renal Cell Carcinoma Regions in Patient with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: A Case Report
Authors: Yamamoto Tetsuya , Kato Taigo , Hatano Koji , Kawashima Atsunari , Ujike Takeshi , Fukuhara Shinichiro , Kiuchi Hiroshi , Imamura Ryoichi , Ibuki Naokazu , Kiyotani Kazuma , Kurashige Masako , Morii Eichi , Fujita Kazutoshi , Nonomura Norio , Uemura Motohide
Published: November 2020

Background: Tuberous sclerosis complex is a genetic disorder characterized by facial angiofibromas, intellectual disability, epilepsy, and tumor formation in multiple organs, including the kidney. Renal cell carcinoma occurs in 2%–4% of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex, often developing multiply and bilaterally. Renal cell carcinoma associated with this genetic disorder may include complex tumor heterogeneity caused by the spatially different mutational landscape. Herein, we report the case of a female patient with tuberous sclerosis complex who developed multiple renal tumors.Case presentation: A 44-year-old female patient with tuberous sclerosis complex developed three different histological types of tumor—angiomyolipoma, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and papillary renal cell carcinoma—in the left kidney at first renal cell carcinoma recurrence. The papillary renal cell carcinoma was morphologically atypical, indicating that its occurrence was associated with the genetic disorder. Furthermore, whole-exome sequencing revealed distinct patterns of somatic mutation in the three tumor types, and the atypical papillary renal cell carcinoma possessed a different mutational landscape than that of typical papillary renal cell carcinomas.Conclusion: Our findings indicate that tumors associated with tuberous sclerosis complex may be diagnosed with careful pathological examination. Furthermore, somatic mutation profiles of these tumors revealed their unique features, providing important information for further understanding the mechanism of multiple tumor development in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex.
Abnormal p16 Expression and Prognostic Significance in Chinese Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Xue , Chen Weijie , Zhang Xiaolei , Xu Lei , Gao Feng , Huang Yufeng , Gu Wenyi , Jiang Dongxian , Hou Yingyong
Published: November 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to analysis p16 expression status and evaluate whether abnormal p16 expression was associated with prognosis in a large-scale Chinese esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated p16 expression status of 525 ESCC samples using immunohistochemistry. Associations between abnormal p16 expression and survival were analyzed. Results: P16 negative, focal expression and overexpression were found in 87.6%, 6.9% and 5.5% of ESCC patients. No significant association was observed between abnormal p16 expression and age, sex, tumor site and location, differentiation, vessel and nerve invasion, T stage and lymph node metastasis. In all patients, the survival of p16 focal expression group tended to be better compared with negative group (disease free survival/DFS P=0.040 and overall survival/OS P=0.052) and overexpression group (DFS P=0.201 and OS P=0.258), and there was no survival difference between negative group and overexpression group. The multivariate analysis for OS and DFS only found clinical stage was a significantly independent prognostic factor (P<0.001). When patients were divided into I-II stage (n=290) and III-IVa stage (n=235), the survival of focal expression group was better compared with negative group (DFS P=0.015 and OS P=0.019), tended to be better compared with overexpression group (DFS P=0.405 and OS P=0.432) in I-II stage ESCC, which was not found in III-IVa stage ESCC.Conclusion: P16 overexpression or negative tend to be associated with unfavorable outcomes, especially in I-II stage ESCC. Our study will help to identify a subgroup of ESCC patients with excellent prognosis after surgical therapy.
Sufentanil EC50 for Endotracheal Intubation with Aerosol Inhalation of Lidocaine
Authors: Xu Qiaoqiao , Zhou Zhiqiang , Ai Ling , Liu Jieqiong , Tian Xuebi
Published: November 2020

Background: Nebulized lidocaine combined with opioid drugs was a classical implementation for awake intubation or rigid bronchoscopy. In this study, aerosol inhalation of carbonated lidocaine combined with sufentanil was accomplished prior to induction of anesthesia, to dig out whether the dosage of sufentanil could less or not, and the sufentanil EC50 for endotracheal intubation under these drugs combination.Methods: Intravenous injection of sufentanil starting at 0.5 μg/kg. Then sufentanil dosages were increased/decreased (step-size 0.05 μg/kg for sufentanil) using Dixon and Massey up and down method in the next patient depending upon previous patient's response within 3 min after intubation. The observation was terminated after 8 reflexes. The hemodynamic indexes were recorded.Results: The EC50 and EC95 of sufentanil with aerosol inhalation of lidocaine for endotracheal intubation was found to be 0.232 μg/kg (95% CI: 0.187-0.270 μg/kg) and 0.447 μg/kg (95% CI: 0.364-0.703 μg/kg). 55.88% out of 34 patients showed hemodynamic index change <20% of baseline during endotracheal intubation.Conclusion: Aerosol inhalation of lidocaine could reduce the dosage of sufentanil for endotracheal intubation. The advantages in lidocaine inhalation for airway anesthesia by ultrasonic atomizer could be recommended in patients who need more stable hemodynamic changes.Trial registration: Chinese Registry of Central Trial, ChiCTR-IOR-17014198. Registered 28 December 2017, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=22301