bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of learning environment among Nursing undergraduates in state universities, Sri Lanka
Authors: Jayaweera Patalee , Thilakarathne Abisheka , Ratnayaka Madushanka , Shashikala Tharangi , Arachchige Rushani , Galgamuwa Lahiru Sandaruwan , Karunathilaka Nimantha , Amarasekara Thamara
Published: August 2020

Background: The learning environment is a vital part of the undergraduate curriculum which enable to deliver quality education in the stipulated time. However, the level of the learning environment is highly context bounded. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the learning environment among BSc. Nursing undergraduates in Sri Lankan state universities.Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among 161 final year BSc. Nursing undergraduates in six state universities. Socio demographic characteristics were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The Dundee Ready Educational Environment Measure (DREEM) questionnaire was used to evaluate the learning environment in Perception of learning (SPL), Perceptions of teaching (SPT), Academic self-perceptions (SASP), Perceptions of the atmosphere (SPA) and Social self-perceptions (SSP). One way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and t test were used to determine the difference in the subscales and the overall scale.Results: The mean age of the students was 24.9 ± 0.9 years. Student’s Perception of learning showed the highest mean score of 31.1 ± 3.9 while the social self-perception showed the lowest score (mean 16.4 ± 3.1). A significant group effect was observed in SPL and SPT subdomains among state universities while no significant group effect was observed in other subdomains. Furthermore, participating in extracurricular activities, travelling time to the faculty and gender were observed as associated factors for learning environment among BSc. Nursing undergraduates in state universities.Conclusions: Although the overall learning environment was within more positive, none of the university reaches to the excellent category. Therefore, remedial actions need to be taken to improve the learning environment in future.
Discovery of exolytic heparinases and their catalytic mechanism and potential application
Authors: Zhang Qingdong , Cao Hai-Yan , Wei Lin , Lu Danrong , Du Min , Yuan Min , Shi Deling , Chen Xiangxue , Wang Peng , Chen Xiu-Lan , Chi Lianli , Zhang Yu-Zhong , Li fuchuan
Published: August 2020

Heparinases are critical tools for the studies of highly heterogeneous heparin (HP)/heparan sulfate (HS). However, the exolytic heparinases urgently needed for the sequencing of HP/HS chains are seemingly inaccessible. Herein, a type of exolytic heparinases (exoHepases) was identified from the genomes of different bacteria. These exoHepases share almost no homology with known Hepases and prefer to digest HP rather than HS chains by sequentially releasing unsaturated disaccharides from their reducing ends. The structural study of an exoHepase (exoHep) shows that an N-terminal conserved DUF4962 superfamily domain is essential to the exolytic activity of these exoHepases, which is involved in the formation of a unique L-shaped catalytic cavity controlling the sequential digestion of substrates through electrostatic interactions. Further, several HP octasaccharides were preliminarily sequenced by using exoHep. Overall, this study fills the research gap of exoHepases and provides urgently needed tools for the structural and functional studies of HP/HS chains.
Identification of stable alloy with giant magnetization via machine learning based autonomous materials search
Authors: Iwasaki Yuma , Sawada Ryohto , Saitoh Eiji , Ishida Masahiko
Published: August 2020

Discovery of new magnets with high magnetization has always been important in human history because it has given birth to powerful motors and memory devices. Currently, the binary alloy Fe3Co1 exhibits the largest magnetization of any stable alloys explained by the Slater-Pauling rule. A multi-element alloy system has been expected to include an alloy with magnetization beyond that of Fe3Co1, but it has been difficult to identify appropriate elements and compositions because of combinatorial explosion in the multi-element system. In this work, we found a new alloy with giant magnetization beyond that of Fe3Co1 via an autonomous materials search system combining machine learning and ab-initio calculation. After autonomous/automated exploration in the large material space of multi-element alloy for six weeks, the system unexpectedly indicated that Ir and/or Pt impurities would enhance the magnetization of FeCo alloys. To confirm this experimentally, we comprehensively synthesized FexCoyIr1-x-y and FexCoyPt1-x-y alloys and found that some of them have magnetization beyond that of Fe3Co1.
Long interspersed nuclear element 1 hypomethylation has novel prognostic value and potential utility in liquid biopsy for oral cavity cancer
Authors: Misawa Kiyoshi , Yamada Satoshi , Mima Masato , Nakagawa Takuya , Kurokawa Tomoya , Imai Atsushi , Mochizuki Daiki , Shinmura Daichi , Yamada Taiki , Kita Junya , Ishikawa Ryuji , Yamaguchi Yuki , Misawa Yuki , Kanazawa Takeharu , Kawasaki Hideya , Mineta Hiroyuki
Published: August 2020

Background New biomarkers are urgently needed to improve personalized treatment approaches for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Global DNA hypomethylation has wide-ranging functions in multistep carcinogenesis, and the hypomethylation of long interspersed nucleotide element-1 (LINE-1) has been generally considered to be related with increased retrotransposon activity and induced genome instability. However, little information is available regarding LINE-1 hypomethylation and its prognostic implications in HNSCC. Methods In this study, we analyzed LINE-1 hypomethylation levels in a well-characterized dataset of 317 matched pairs of HNSCC tissues and oral cavity cancer (OCC) circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) using quantitative real-time methylation and unmethylation PCR. This analysis was performed according to various clinical characteristics and prognostic implications. Results Our results demonstrated that LINE-1 hypomethylation levels were significantly higher in HNSCC tissues than in corresponding normal tissues from the same individuals (P < 0.001). Univariate analysis revealed that high levels of LINE-1 hypomethylation were correlated with poor disease-free survival (DFS; log-rank test, P = 0.038), whereas multivariate analysis demonstrated that it is a significant independent prognostic factor for DFS (hazard ratio: 2.10, 95% confidence interval: 1.02–4.36; P = 0.045). Moreover, patients with high LINE-1 hypomethylation levels exhibited the greatest decrease in 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) levels and increase in tumor-suppressor gene methylation index (P = 0.006 and P < 0.001, respectively). Further ctDNA studies also showed that LINE-1 hypomethylation had high predictive ability for OCC. Conclusions LINE-1 hypomethylation is associated with a higher risk of early OCC relapse, and is hence, a potential predictive biomarker for OCC. Furthermore, 5-hmC levels also exhibited predictive potential in OCC, based on its inverse correlation with LINE-1 hypomethylation levels. LINE-1 hypomethylation analysis, therefore, has applications in determining patient prognosis and real-time surveillance for disease recurrence, and could serve as an alternative method for OCC screening.
Oral Health Matters- Tooth Problem and its Treatment-seeking Behaviour Among Older Adults in India
Authors: Srivast Shobhit , Kumar Pradeep , Sinha Debashree , Mishra Prem Shankar
Published: August 2020

Background: Growing untreated morbidities among the older adults on geriatric issues especially an optimal dental treatment has become an unfinished agenda and a long-neglected area for care and management in many low and middle-income countries. There is a continuous rise in the older population in India and at the same time, the rising of co-morbidities or multi-morbidities in the aging population creates catastrophic challenges at the individuals, household, community, and country levels, and therefore, it is important to address dental health problems and related issues in the aged population in India. The study aims to understand the prevalence of dental health problems and their health-seeking behaviour among older adults in India. Further, the study determines the factors associated with low access and under-coverage of dental health care services among the elderly populations in IndiaMethods: The present research used data from Building a Knowledge Base on Population Aging in India (BKPAI) which was a national level survey and was conducted in 2011, across seven states of India. The effective sample size of this study was 9541 older adults aged 60+ years. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were used to fulfill the study objectives. Additionally, the study employed the Heckprobit selection model which is a two-equation model to understand the determinants of dental health problems.Results: Older adults in the age group of 70-79 years (36.9%) and 80+ years (51.9%) reported higher dental problems compared to 60-69 years (19.9%), older women reported more dental problems (29.2%) and also used more dental aids (12.6%) compared to older men. Older adults in the age group 70-79 and 80+ years were 0.15 times and 0.40 times less likely to use dental aids respectively, as compared to 60-69 years older adults. Moreover, older women were 0.28 times more likely to use dental aids than older men. Education and wealth of older adults have a negative relationship with dental problems.Conclusion: This study clearly emphasized that awareness of smoking-related health problems should be promoted vigorously. Further, a holistic approach is needed to prevent dental diseases that occur because of other co-morbidities. For that, integration of the oral health program with programs dealing with morbidities can act as a solution to the existing problem.
Fabrication and Characterization of Copper Nanoparticles by Green Synthesis Approach Using Plectranthus Amboinicus Leaves Extract
Authors: Parthasarathy Srividya , Jayacumar Sanjana , Chakraborty Sudestna , Soundararajan Prathyusha , Joshi Darshani , Gangwar Kaumudi , Bhattacharjee Astha , Venkatesh M.Pandima Devi
Published: August 2020

The field of nanotechnology is gaining interest among the researchers towards the eco-friendly way of synthesis of nanoparticles. In this project, green synthesis technique was employed to induce the synthesis of copper nanoparticles using Plectranthus amboinicus, i.e. Mexican mint, identified as Coleus amboinicus leaf extract. We report an eco-friendly synthesis of copper nanoparticle using Plectranthus amboinicus leaf extract, which is a simple and an ostentatiously rapid method which produces stable nanoparticles. The copper sulphate solution was naturally employed as a precursor for synthesizing the copper nanoparticles. The extract of the plant Plectranthus amboinicus was found to showcase excellent reducing and stabilizing properties. By using Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy, Zeta Potential, and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) studies, it was confirmed that copper nanoparticles have been synthesized. The UV-Spectrometer analysis shows the characteristic peak indicating the synthesis of copper nanoparticles. The pattern of XRD analysis showed particle size of 16 - 25 nm and it reveals high crystallinity of the copper nanoparticles. Zeta potential was done to find the charge of the nanoparticles and size distribution which showed to have significant stability. This method proves to be cost-effective, can be performed at ease, and it’s also free of pollutants.
High Serum Asprosin Levels Are Associated with Presence of Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Hong Tao , Li Jiao-Yang , Wang Ya-Di , Qi Xiao-Yan , Liao Zhe-Zhen , Bhadel Poonam , Ran Li , Yang Jing , Yan Bin , Liu Jiang-Hua , Xiao Xin-Hua
Published: August 2020

Objective: Asprosin, a new adipocytokine, has been reported to be related with glucose release, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance (IR). However, the relationship of asprosin with metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains unknown. This study aims to investigate serum asprosin levels in MetS as well as its association with various metabolic parameters in humans.Methods: The consecutive 131 patients with MetS and age-matched 162 healthy subjects were recruited for this study. Serum asprosin concentrations were determined by ELISA. Lipid profile, glucose, insulin, and inflammatory markers were also measured.Results: Serum asprosin levels were higher in subjects with MetS 23.52 (16.70, 32.05) ng/ml compared to 16.70 (12.87, 22.38) ng/ml in the controls (P < 0.01), and showed an increasing trend with the increased numbers of metabolic components (P for trend < 0.01). In all studied subjects, serum asprosin levels were positive correlated with body mass index, waist circumference, percentage of body fat (%), triglyceride, fasting plasma glucose, 2h plasma glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, interleukin (IL) -6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and negative correlated with HDL cholesterol (P < 0.05). In a multiple linear regression, asprosin was independently and positively correlated with triglyceride and HOMA-IR (P < 0.05). Binary logistic regression revealed that asprosin was independently and positively correlated with the occurrence of MetS and IR even after controlling for anthropometric variables, lipid profiles and inflammatory markers. Conclusion: Asprosin may be a metabolic - related adipokine and related to insulin resistance and MetS. Trial Registration: ChiCTR, ChiCTR1800018347. Registered 12 September 2018, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=31050.
Age Distribution and Associated Factors of Cornea Biochemical Parameter Stress-Strain Index in Chinese Healthy Population
Authors: Liu Guihua , Rong Hua , Pei Ruxia , Du Bei , Jin Nan , Wang Di , Jin Chengcheng , Wei Ruihua
Published: August 2020

Background: To investigate the new cornea biochemical parameter stress-strain index (SSI) in Chinese healthy people and the factors associated with SSIMethods: A total of 175 eyes from 175 participants were recruited in this study. Axial length was measured with the Lenstar LS-900. Pentacam was used to measure curvature of the cornea and ACV and cornea biomechanical properties were measured by corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology (Corvis ST). Student’s t-test, one-way ANOVA, univariate and multivariate linear regression were used in the statistical analysis.Results: The mean (±SD) SSI was 1.14 ± 0.22 (range, 0.66–1.78) in all subjects and affected by age significantly after age of 35 (P < 0.05). In univariate regression models, SSI did not vary with biomechanical intraocular pressure (bIOP) (P=0.989), steepest radius of anterior corneal curvature (RsF) (P=0.984) or central corneal thickness (CCT) (P=0.651). In multivariate regression models, SSI was significantly associated with age (β=0.557, P<0.001), axial length (AL) (β=-0.550, P<0.001), intraocular pressure (IOP) (β=0.377, P<0.001) and flattest radius of anterior corneal curvature (RfF) (β=0.222, P<0.001) but not with anterior chamber volume (ACV).Conclusions: SSI was increased by age after the age of 35. In addition to age, SSI and RfF, IOP is positively correlated and negatively correlated with AL.
Group-level Regional Cerebral Uptake Quantification in Micro PET-CT
Authors: Leatherday Christopher , Lam Virginie , Boucek Jan , Celliers Liesl
Published: August 2020

The lack of soft tissue CT contrast is an impediment to accurate quantification of regional cerebral uptake on micro PET-CT. Co-registration to an atlas can aid with quantitative analysis, particularly when MRI is not available. Methods: A subject CT is cropped to the skull, the brain void is then filled to create a “skull cavity mask”. An MRI mouse brain volumetric template is then co-registered to the skull cavity mask via affine transformation. Each subsequent subject CT is then skull cropped and co-registered to the first, these transformations are then applied to each corresponding PET for group level co-registration. Results: The method was tested on eight mice with each possible registration permutation; resulting in small variations in regional cerebral PET counts. Conclusion: We present a semi-automated method that allows for quantification of regional cerebral PET uptake from micro PET-CT images without subject MRI data.
Increased Risk of Brain Metastases Among Patients with Melanoma and PROM2 Expression in Metastatic Lymph Nodes
Authors: Nguyen Thuy Thi , Gapihan Guillaume , Tetu Pauline , Pamoukdjian Frédéric , Bouchtaoui Morad El , Lebœuf Christophe , Feugeas Jean-Paul , Paris Justine , Baroudjian Barouyr , Delyon Julie , Mourah Samia , Lebbé Céleste , Janin Anne , Bousquet Guilhem , Battistella Maxime
Published: August 2020

Background: Melanoma brain metastases are the main cause of specific death among patients with metastatic melanoma. The biology of melanoma brain metastases remains largely to be deciphered, as there have been only a few genomic studies on brain metastatic samples. In this study, melanoma metastatic lymph nodes were used with the aim to identify biomarkers associated with the occurrence of brain metastases. Methods: Fifty-one patients with melanoma lymph node metastasis and a median follow-up of 48 months were included in the development cohort. Transcriptomic data were obtained from these metastatic lymph nodes and patients who developed brain metastases and those who did not were compared. Recommendations for tumour marker prognostic studies (REMARK recommendations) were followed.Results: From transcriptomic data, we identified PROM2 which was significantly overexpressed in metastatic lymph nodes of patients who developed brain metastases compared to those who did not. Using immunohistochemistry with two different anti-PROM2 antibodies, a PROM2 score was developed for metastatic lymph nodes. Using a cut-off of 5, a PROM2 mean score ≥5 was significantly associated with an increased risk of brain metastases and an increased hazard risk of death by 4.These results were confirmed in an internal validation cohort of 50 additional patients with melanoma lymph node metastases.Conclusions: In this study, we identified PROM2 expression as a biomarker predictive of the occurrence of distant metastases, particularly brain metastases, among patients with stage III melanoma. Our findings open new perspectives to validate PROM2 as a useful biomarker for clinical trials in the adjuvant setting, and as a potential biotarget for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
Understanding the implementation of evidence-informed policies and practices from a policy perspective: a critical interpretive synthesis
Authors: Bullock Heather L , Lavis John N , Wilson Michael G , Mulvale Gillian , Miatello Ashleigh
Published: August 2020

Background: The fields of implementation science and knowledge translation have evolved somewhat independently from the field of policy implementation research, despite calls for better integration. As a result, implementation theory and empirical work do not often reflect the implementation experience from a policy lens nor benefit from the scholarship in all three fields. This means policy-makers, researchers and practitioners may find it challenging to draw from theory that adequately reflects their implementation efforts.Methods: We developed an integrated theoretical framework of the implementation process from a policy perspective by combining findings from these fields using the critical interpretive synthesis method. We began with the compass question: how is policy currently described in implementation theory and processes and what aspects of policy are important for implementation success? We then searched 12 databases as well as grey literature and supplemented these documents with other sources to fill conceptual gaps. Using a grounded and interpretive approach to analysis, we built the framework constructs, drawing largely from the theoretical literature and then tested and refined the framework using empirical literature.Results: A total of 7850 documents were retrieved and assessed for eligibility and 34 additional documents were identified through other sources. Eighty-two unique documents were ultimately included in the analysis. Our findings indicate that policy is described as: 1) the context; 2) a focusing lens; 3) the innovation itself; 4) a lever of influence; 5) an enabler/facilitator or barrier; or 6) an outcome. Policy actors were also identified as important participants or leaders of implementation. Our analysis led to the development of a two-part conceptual framework, including process and determinant components. Conclusions: This framework begins to bridge the divide between disciplines and offers a new way of thinking about implementation processes at the systems level. It offers researchers, policy-makers and implementers with a new way of thinking about implementation and can be used for planning or evaluating implementation efforts.
Discoidin domain-containing receptor 2 is present in human atherosclerotic plaques and involved in the expression and activity of MMP-2
Authors: Qi Yu , Liu Ruihan , Chen Ying , Waqar Ahmed Bilal , Liu Fuqiang , Yang Juan , Lian Ting , Zhang Guangwei , Guan Hua , Cui Yuanyuan , Xu Cangbao
Published: August 2020

Background: DDR2 has been suggested to be involved in atherosclerotic progression, but its pathological role remains unknown. Methods: Using immunochemical staining, we located and compared the expression of DDR2 in the atherosclerotic plaques of humans and various animal models. Then, siRNA was applied to knockdown the expression of DDR2 in smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and the migration, proliferation and collagen I-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were evaluated. Results: We found that an abundance of DDR2 was present in the atherosclerotic plaques of humans and various animal models and was distributed around fatty and necrotic cores. After incubation of ox-LDL, DDR2 was upregulated in VSMCs in response to such a pro-atherosclerotic condition. Next, we found that decreased DDR2 expression in VSMCs inhibited the migration, proliferation and collagen I-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Moreover, we found that DDR2 strongly associated with the protein expression and activity of MMP-2, suggesting that DDR2 might play a role in the etiology of unstable plaques. Conclusion: Considering that DDR2 is present in the atherosclerotic plaques of humans and is associated with collagen I-induced secretion of MMP-2, the clinical role of DDR2 in cardiovascular disease should be elucidated in further experiments.
A Nomogram to Predict Breast Tumor Regression Patterns after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Based on Baseline Characteristics
Authors: Zhuang Xiaosheng , Cheng Minyi , Zhang Liulu , Ji Fei , Zhu Teng , Yang Ciqiu , Yang Mei , Gao Hongfei , Li Jieqing , Wang Kun
Published: August 2020

Background Breast cancers show different regression patterns after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Certain regression patterns are associated with more reliable margins in breast-conserving surgery. Our study aims to establish a nomogram based on clinicopathological factors and laboratory indicators to predict regression patterns in breast cancer patients.Methods We retrospectively reviewed 320 patients with stage II-III breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and had definitive surgery in our center from January 2016 to December 2019. Tumor regression patterns were categorized as type 1 (concentric regression + pCR) and type 2 (multifocal residues + SD + PD) based on mass pathological results. A multivariate logistic regression model was applied to distinguish predictive factors for tumor regression patterns. A nomogram was built based on five predictive factors from the multivariate logistic regression model.Results Molecular subtypes were not significantly associated with tumor regression patterns. Multivariate analysis identified five independent indicators: menopausal status, estrogen receptor status, T stage, N stage and lymphocyte to monocyte ratio. The nomogram yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.70 (95% confidence interval 0.62-0.78) based on these factors. The calibration plot accompanied by the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness-of-fit (GOF) test (p-value =0.9) showed good consistency between the estimated probabilities and the actual rate of type 1 cases.Conclusion HR+/HER2- breast cancers are more likely to have type 2 regression after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Five baseline factors, including clinicopathological factors and laboratory indexes, were incorporated to establish a nomogram, which exhibited a satisfactory discriminatory ability for predicting different patterns of tumor regression.
Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Peritoneal Metastasis from Breast Cancer: A Preliminary Report on 4 Cases
Authors: Yu Jun-Hui , Feng Yu , Li Xin-Bao , Zhang Cheng-Yan , Shi Feng , An Song-Lin , Liu Gang , Zhang Yan-Bin , Zhang Kai , Ji Zhong-He , Li Bing , Yan Guo-Jun , Li Yan-Ping , Li Yan
Published: August 2020

Background: Breast cancer (BC) has the highest morbidity and the fifth mortality rate among women in China. Peritoneal metastases from BC is a rare disease and no guideline or international consensus for it. Objective: To summarise our experiences in cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to treat breast cancer peritoneal carcinomatosis (BC PC).Methods: 4 BC PC patients underwent CRS+HIPEC were enrolled in this study. The clinic-pathologic characteristics and overall survival (OS) were collected and analysed.Result: The average age at CRS+HIPEC was 59.8 years. The average time of CRS+HIPEC was 8.8 h. The median number of resected organ areas was 7. OS from CRS+HIPEC were 31, 28, 16 and 52 months. There were no serious adverse events (SAEs) during the perioperative period.Conclusions: The 4 cases provided evidence that integrated therapy with CRS+HIPEC may be a promising strategy to improve the outcome for BC PC patients.
Upregulation of Bag3 Exacerbates Cervical Cancer Progression by Impairing Immune Response and Inhibiting Cell Ferroptosis
Authors: Zhang Yan , Zhang Jun , Jiang Yanping , Zhao Yuzi , Tan Aili , Wang Lu , Wang Shujun , Pi Jie , Mao Lin , Li Xing
Published: August 2020

Background: Cervical cancer remains a serious threat to women worldwide. Thus, effective strategies to treat cervical cancer are urgently needed. Bcl-2-associated athanogene 3 (Bag3) has been shown to be increased in several malignant neoplasms. However, little is known about the function of Bag3 in cervical cancer. We aimed to evaluate the function of Bag3 in cervical cancer progression.Method: qRT-PCR was carried out to test mRNA expression of Bag3, SLC7A11 and SLC3A2. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect protein expression of Bag3, SLC7A11 and SLC3A2. Cell proliferation was assessed using CCK-8, EdU and Colony formation assay. Flow cytometry assay was used to determine the frequency of IFN-γ- or TNF-α-producing CD8+ T cells. Transwell migration and invasion assay were carried out to detect cell migration and invasion capacity. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out to assess Bag3 and CD3 expressionResults: Bag3 was obviously elevated in cervical cancer tissues than in the adjacent normal tissues. Bag3 mRNA was upregulated in different cervical cancer cells (SiHa, C-33A, HT-3, and HeLa cells). SiHa cell proliferation, colony formation, and migration/invasion capacity were enhanced by Bag3 overexpression. Bag3 inhibited the immune response in cervical cancer. After C57BL6 mice were injected with Bag3-overexpressing SiHa cells, infiltrating CD3+ T cells around tumors were reduced. IFN-γ- and TNF-α-producing CD8+ T cells in tumor sections were remarkably inhibited by Bag3. Moreover, Ki-67+‑ and CD107a-producing CD8+ T cells were also suppressed. Bag3 repressed SiHa cell ferroptosis. Bag3 deletion inhibited cervical cancer development by improving the immune response and inducing ferroptosis. Conclusions: Taken together, these results indicated that Bag3 contributes to cervical cancer progression by impairing immune response and repressing cell ferroptosis.
Wnt/β-catenin Inhibitor ICG-001 Enhances the Antitumor Efficacy of Radiotherapy by Increasing Radiation-induced DNA Damage and Improving Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Huang Yan , Sheng Hailong , Xiao Yazhi , Zhang Zhihong , Chen Yiyao , Zhu Zhenru , Cao Chuanhui , Sun Jingyuan
Published: August 2020

Background: Radiotherapy has a promising anti-tumor effect in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), depending on the its regulatory effects on both cancer cells and tumor immune microenvironment (TME). Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activation, which is one of the most common alterations in HCC patients, has been reported to induce radioresistance, and also create immunosuppressive TME. However, it is unclear whether inhibition of wnt/β-catenin pathway could enhance the treatment efficacy of radiotherapy. In this study, we aim to explore the effect of wnt/β-catenin inhibitor ICG-001 in combination with radiotherapy and the underlying mechanism in HCC.Methods: C57BL/6 and nude mouse subcutaneous tumor models were used to evaluate the efficacy of different treatment regimens in tumor growth control, tumor recurrence inhibition and survival improvement. Flow cytometry was performed to assess the alterations of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Radioresistance was investigated by clone formation assay and γ-H2AX measurements. Wnt/β-catenin and cGAS/STING pathway activation was detected by immunoblotting. Results: The addition of ICG-001 to radiotherapy exhibited better anti-tumor control efficacy in tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mice than nude mice, which suggested that ICG-001 had a critical role in activating TME. The comprehensive analysis of TILs revealed that compared with radiotherapy alone, the combination of ICG-001 with radiotherapy boosted the infiltration and IFN-γ production ability of TIL CD8+ T cells, meanwhile reduced the number of TIL Tregs. Moreover, mechanism study demonstrated that ICG-001 exerted a radiosensitizing effect on HCC cells, thus leading to stronger activation of cGAS/STING signaling pathway upon radiotherapy in vitro and in vivo. Utilization of STING inhibitor, C-176, significantly impaired the synergetic effect of ICG-001 with radiotherapy on tumor control and TME activation. Furthermore, combination therapy led to a stronger immunologic memory and lasting anti-tumor immunity than radiotherapy, thus preventing tumor relapse in HCC tumor-bearing mice.Conclusion: Our findings showed that ICG-001 increased radioresistance and improved TME upon radiotherapy in HCC. Compared with radiotherapy alone, the combination of ICG-001 with radiotherapy displayed better therapeutic efficacy in inhibiting tumor growth, prolonging survival, and preventing recurrence in tumor-bearing mice. These data indicated that ICG-001 might be a potential synergetic treatment for radiotherapy and radioimmunotherapy in HCC.
A Joint Optimization Scheme of Resource Allocation in Downlink NOMA with Statistical Channel State Information
Authors: Xu Lei , Yao Jing Yi , Cai Jing , Fang Yu Hong , Li Hui Xiao
Published: August 2020

In a real communication scenario, it is very difficult to obtain the real-time Channel State Information(CSI) accurately, so the communication systems with statistical CSI have been researched. In order to maximize the throughput of the downlink Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) system with statistical CSI, the formula of system throughput is derived at first. Then, according to the combinatorial characteristics of the original optimization problem, it is divided into two subproblems, that is user grouping and power allocation. At last, a joint optimization scheme is proposed. In which, Genetic algorithm is introduced to solve the subproblem of power allocation, and Hungarian algorithm is introduced to solve the subproblem of user grouping. By comparing the ergodic date rate of NOMA users with statistical CSI and perfect CSI, the effectiveness of the statistical CSI sorting is verified. Compared with the Orthogonal Multiple Access (OMA) scheme, the NOMA scheme with the fixed user grouping scheme and the random user grouping scheme, the proposed scheme can effectively improve the system throughput.
Burden of Aflatoxin in Poultry Feeds in Selected Chicken Rearing Villages of Bishoftu-ethiopia
Authors: Megerssa Yoseph Cherinet , Kassaw Tadesse Sisay , Woldemariyam Fanos Tadesse
Published: August 2020

Background: Aflatoxins are major contaminants of feed used in poultry industry that negatively affect animal and human health. In Ethiopia, previous studies on aflatoxins mainly considered cattle feed and milk, but scarce information exists for poultry feeds.Method: The aim of this study was to determine the burden of aflatoxin in poultry feed in bishoftu.Cross sectional study was conducted from December, 2018 to May, 2019and 33 compound poultry feed samples were randomly collected from chicken rearing villages of Bishoftuand analyzed for G2, G1, B2 , B1 and total aflatoxins using HPLC.Results: The result indicated thatfrom a total of 33 samples 31(94%) samples were contaminated with aflatoxin. The mean level of aflatoxin G2, G1, B2, B1 and total aflatoxinswere 18.00 µg/g, 88.5499 µg/g, 13.50µg/g, 70.11µg/g and 190.18µg/g respectively. This study curtained the level of aflatoxinin 25 (72.75%) samples for AFT and 22 (66.67%) samples for AFB1 were above the limit of FDA regulatory levels of 20µg/g for poultry feed. Conclusion: The study showed the high contamination of aflatoxins in poultry feed. The study warrants the need for preventive strategies of aflatoxin contamination including implementation of regulatory legislation in poultry feeds in Bishoftu.
Single Pick Cutting Rock Load Identification Based on Improved Regularization Method
Authors: Dong Lei , Zhai Siyu , Wang Bukang , Dong Liang , Wang Junyuan , Shi Ruimin
Published: August 2020

To explore the relationship between the cutting vibration and the cutting load of a single pick, this paper studied a new method for a single pick cutting rock load identification. This paper improved the low accuracy problem of the regularization method in the inverse process of frequency response function in the traditional load identification method by introducing a filter operator. By combining the inverse pseudo excitation method and the improved regularization method, the identification of the load dependent on the vibration signal was realized. A single pick cutting rock test equipment was built, which could simulate the actual working conditions of pick cutting rock in underground or tunnel. By changing cutting speed, cutting angle, cutting line spacing and cutting depth of the single pick, the change trends of real cutting load and identification load were obtained. The load identification method proposed in this paper was consistent with the change trend of the real load under the single pick cutting state. Therefore, the method had good recognition accuracy and the maximum load recognition error was 17.35%. Compared with the traditional load identification method, the identification error was reduced by a maximum of 1.98%. This method can identify the cutting load of single pick and modify the morbidity problem of frequency response function matrix. The method has a better recognition effect on the cutting load of the pick than the traditional recognition method. The research could benefit for the design of the cutting system and the arrangement of the pick on the coal mine or tunneling machinery.
Lymphocyte May Be a Reference Index of the Outcome of Cancer Patients in COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Yuan Xun , Gao Yuan , Chu Qian
Published: August 2020

Background: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19)–infected pneumonia is an international concern as it spreads through human populations and across national and international borders.Methods: In this retrospective study, we consecutively included all cancer cases who had been identified as having a nucleic acid-confirmed COVID-19 infection from two designated hospitals in Wuhan, China. Non-cancer patients were also enrolled for comparison. The clinical data were gathered from the medical recordsfrom Jan 14 to March 12.Results: Among the 117 cancer patients infected with COVID19, the median age was 63 years and 48.7% were male. Male, hematologic cancer, dyspnea on admission, and anti-cancer therapy significantly increased the risk of death. The amounts of cytokines and immune cells were correlated with the outcomeofcancer patients infected with COVIP-19. However, high level of TNF-a, IL-2R, IL-6, IL-8 did not increase the risk of death in non-cancer patients. Moreover, IL-2R and IL-6 markedly decreased in cancer patients recovered from COVID-19.Conclusions: Cancer patients with COVID-19 were associated with high mortality (23.9%).The amounts of cytokines and lymphocytes could be utilized as the reference index in predicting the survival outcome of cancer patients with COVID-19.
Role of misfolded tau in the onset and progression of brain toxicity after trauma
Authors: Diomede Luisa , Zanier Elisa R. , Barzago Maria Monica , Vegliante Gloria , Romeo Margherita , Bertani Ilaria , Natale Carmina , Colnaghi Luca , Colombo Laura , Russo Luca , Micotti Edoardo , Fioriti Luana , Chiesa Roberto
Published: August 2020

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with widespread tau pathology in about thirty percent of patients surviving late after injury. We previously found that TBI in mice induces a transmissible tau pathology (tauTBI), with late cognitive decline and synaptic dysfunction. However, it is not clear whether tauTBI is a marker of ongoing neurodegeneration or a driver of functional decline. We employed the nematode C. elegans, which can recognize pathogenic forms of misfolded proteins, to investigate whether tauTBI is the primary toxic culprit in post-TBI neurodegeneration.
Methods

We developed an original approach involving the administration of brain homogenates from TBI mice to C. elegans, a valuable model for rapidly investigating the pathogenic effects of misfolded proteins in vivo. Brain homogenates from transgenic mice overexpressing tau P301L, a tauopathy mouse model, as well as pre-aggregated recombinant tau were employed to test whether abnormal tau conformers play a causal role in driving toxicity in TBI.
Results

Worms given brain homogenates from chronic but not acute TBI mice, or from mice in which tauTBI had been transmitted by intracerebral inoculation, had impaired motility and neuromuscular synaptic transmission. Results were similar when worms were exposed to brain homogenates from transgenic mice overexpressing tau P301L, a tauopathy mouse model, suggesting that TBI-induced and mutant tau have similar toxic properties. Harsh protease digestion to eliminate the protein component of the homogenates or pre-incubation with anti-tau antibodies abolished the toxicity. Homogenates of chronic TBI brains from tau knock-out mice were not toxic to C. elegans, whereas pre-aggregated recombinant tau was sufficient to impair their motility.
Conclusions

These results support a vital role of abnormal tau species in chronic neurodegeneration after TBI supporting the idea that targeting pathological tau may point to a therapeutic opportunity in trauma, and set the groundwork for the development of a C. elegans-based platform for screening anti-tau compounds.
Incidence and determinants of newborn mortality in the first three days of delivery in Northwestern Ethiopia: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Worke Mulugeta Dile , Mekonnen Afework Tadele , Limenih Simachew Kassa
Published: August 2020

Background: Addressing, the target of sustainable development goals of reducing perinatal mortality, was still a global challenge, and the magnitude of newborn death in the first three days of life takes a significant role in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study planned to determine the incidence and determinants of neonatal mortality in the first three days among babies delivered in referral hospitals of Amhara Regional State, North-Western Ethiopia. Method: A hospital-based prospective cohort study design was conducted among 810 early neonates in the first three days of delivery between March 1 and August 30, 2018. The neonates were followed, starting from the time of admission to 72 hours. An interviewer-administered questionnaire and medical record review were conducted for data collection. Data were entered into Epi-data manager version 4.4 and analyzed using STATA™ version 16.0 for the analysis. Cox-Proportional hazard model was used to determine the survival time of the newborns. Results: The overall incidence of newborn mortality in this study was 151/1,000 births. Neonatal mortality was significantly high among newborns whose mothers came between 17 and 28 weeks of gestation for the first visit [AHR=1.67;95% CI: 1.02, 2.73], among those whose mothers labor was not monitored with a partograph [AHR=2.66; 95% CI: 1.70, 4.15], mothers experience postpartum hemorrhage [AHR 2.88; 95% CI: 1.69, 4.89], develop fistula in the first 24 hours [AHR=3.75; 95% CI: 1.23, 11.43], and experience obstructed labor [AHR=2.14; 95% CI: 1.35, 3.38]. However, it was 39% less risky among newborns whose mothers were directly admitted, and whose mothers had visited health facilities in less than 1-hour, both [AHR=0.61; 95% CI: 0.38, 0.97]. Conclusion: This study revealed that about 1 in 7 newborns died in the early three days of life. The timing of the first antenatal visit, quality of labor monitoring, maternal complications, and delay in seeking the care were found to be the determinants. Thus, scaling-up of evidence-based interventions, and harmonized efforts aimed to improve the quality of antenatal care, promote institutional deliveries, provide optimal essential and emergency obstetric care, and ensure immediate postnatal care may improve neonatal survival.
Project PROPHET : Brief report of preliminary results
Authors: Garyfallos Alexander
Published: August 2020

Forecasting forthcoming "health events" is an extremely challenging task for the Remote Patient Monitoring systems (RPM systems) sector, which relies in real time information and communication technologies. Remote patient monitoring is a medical service which includes following and observing patients that are not in the same location with their health care provider. In general, the patient is equipped with a “smart” monitoring device, and the recorded data (vital signs) are securely transmitted via telecommunication networks to the health care provider. Modern remote patient monitoring devices are small, discrete and easy to wear, allowing "bearers" to move freely and with comfort. In this framework, MOKAAL pc has developed the IFS_RPM service (Integrated Facilitation Services for Remote Patient Monitoring) supplying the necessary ICT infrastructure, which is necessary for the provision of the RPM services. Following the completion of IFS_RPM project, MOKAAL pc launched a research project under the code name "PROPHETTM" .PROPHETTM main objective is to investigate the possibilities of introducing a real time predicting model based on remotely collected vital signs, that would utilize time series of metric data in conjunction with the information stored in the Electronic Health Records (EHR) of the "bearer", attempting to predict in real time, the probability of a "health event" occurring in the near future.To meet this objective, the PROPHETTM project team designed an evolutionary prototype of the "health event" forecasting model, which was developed and tested in a laboratory environment and it will be upgraded to a working prototype to be tested in real conditions, in order to be incorporated into the IFS_RPM system, after reaching its maturity state.
NeoLISA - A new method of surfactant administration developed based on in situ simulation 
Authors: Kalane Shilpa , Rajhans Arti , Joshi Rajan
Published: August 2020

Background: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) caused by surfactant deficiency is the major cause of respiratory distress in preterm neonates. Despite the advances in preventive interventions, RDS may still develop and be associated with acute and or chronic complications. Exogenous surfactant therapy is effective in reducing RDS related mortality and morbidity. Due to the complications of surfactant administration, minimal or less invasive administration techniques have been developed and appear promising. Objective: To address the knowledge gaps in less invasive surfactant administration technique at the level of the health care worker (HCW). Methodology: Four simulation-training sessions were conducted in April 2020, two before and two after the NeoLISA technique was developed. The neonatal clinical team consisted of neonatology specialists and neonatal nurses. Results: Each simulation session lasted for around 30 minutes including debriefing. The learnings during this process were discussed and the new technique of NeoLISA was developed. The key change was the development to confirm the catheter position.Conclusion: A new method for surfactant administration was developed. An innovative bedside clinical method confirming catheter position into the trachea has been developed.
Exploring Network Security Using Vigenere Multiplicative Cipher Encryption and Implementation
Authors: Biswas Milon , Sakeef Nazmus , Siddique Hisham
Published: August 2020

Various types of encryption technologies have been used for many years to protect information. The purpose of this article is to create a new method called Vigenere-Multiplicative cipher. Here we develop an algorithm and its algebraic description. In addition, it provides frequency analysis for this method. In addition, a brief description of the method implementation, security attacks, and comparisons between specific ciphers and the most common ciphers.
Association Between Blood Lipid Profile and the Incident CKD in the General Chinese Population: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Liu Jian , Yu Geping , Yu Xialian , Liu Yunzi , Wang Weiming
Published: August 2020

Background: Prevalence of dyslipidemia in china is rising and the pattern of dyslipidemia in china is different from western countries. Our study aimed to investigate the association between hyperlipidemia and chronic kidney disease in the general population.Methods: We conducted a retrospective, longitudinal cohort study of a health examination center database in China. Subjects who had at least three visits from 2011 to 2018 with normal baseline eGFR were enrolled. We evaluated the association of the lipid parameters with the incident chronic kidney diseases. Results: Totally, 8087 participants without kidney damage were identified. After the mean 5.51 years follow-up, 211 participants developed chronic kidney disease. Compared to non-CKD, participants developing CKD had lower baseline HDL-c (1.35±0.36 vs 1.24±0.36 mmol/L, p<0.001) and higher Lg(triglyceride) (0.15±0.27 vs 0.19±0.24, p=0.037). There was no difference of LDL-c (2.72±0.72 vs 2.72±0.71 mmol/L, p= 0.971) and total cholesterol (4.86±0.92 vs 4.80±0.89 mmol/L, p= 0.329) in two groups. Multi-variable logistic analysis showed that lower HDL-c was an independent risk of incident CKD (OR [95%] =1.61[1.02, 2.55], P=0.04) in participants.Conclusion: A lower HDL-c affects incident CKD in Chinese general population.