bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increase of portal vein pressure gradient after hepatectomy predicts post-operative liver dysfunction
Authors: Xiao Nan , Li Xiao-long , Zhu Xiao-dong , huang Cheng , Shen Ying-hao , Zhou Jian , Fan Jia , Sun Hui-chuan
Published: May 2020

Background
Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity. Whether Child–Pugh A Patients with varying degrees of cirrhosis are good candidates for hepatectomy is disputed. The purpose of this study was to analyse the impact of portal venous pressure gradient (PVPG) variation during surgery on PHLF.
Methods
PVPG, the pressure gradient between the portal vein and central vein, was measured in consecutive patients before and after liver resection. The optimal cut-off of PVGP to predict PHLF was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Risk factors for PHLF were subjected to univariable and multivariable analysis.
Results
Sixty Child-Pugh A patients were recruited. The mean PVPG was increased from 5.17 ± 4.78 millimeters of Mercury (mmHg) to 6.37 ± 4.44 mmHg after liver resection. The optimal cut-off value of PVPG increments to predict PHLF was 1.5 mmHg. Multivariable analysis showed prothrombin time (PT), post-hepatectomy PVPG increments of 1.5 mmHg or greater, and resected liver segments of 3 or more to be independent predictors of PHLF.
Conclusions
Acute PVPG increase after hepatectomy is associated with a higher risk of PHLF in Child-Pugh A patients.
Changes of Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Dogs with Different Stages of Heart Failure
Authors: RUBIO Camila Peres , SARIL Ahmet , KOCATURK Meriç , TANAKA Ryou , KOCH Jorgen , CERON Jose Joaquin , YILMAZ Zeki
Published: May 2020

Background: Heart failure (HF) has been associated with changes in inflammatory and oxidative-stress biomarkers. This study aimed to evaluate the changes of a panel of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarker in dogs with different stages of HF and its relation with the severity of the disease and the echocardiographic changes. Dogs with HF as a result of myxomatous mitral valve degeneration or dilated cardiomyopathy were included. A total of 29 dogs were classified as stage-A (healthy), B (asymptomatic dogs), C (symptomatic dogs) and D (dogs with end-stage-HF) according to the ACVIM-staging-system. Serum cytokines, and inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were evaluated.Results: KC-like as an inflammatory cytokine was significantly increased in dogs of stage-C (P < 0.01) and -D (P < 0.05) compared with stage-A and -B. Stage-D Dogs showed significantly higher serum CRP and Hp (P < 0.05) but lower serum anti-oxidant capacity (PON1, TEAC, CUPRAC, and thiol) compared to stage-A and -B (P < 0.05). After the treatment, serum levels of CRP, Hp and KC-like decreased but serum anti-oxidant levels increased compared to their pre-treatment values. Left ventricular dimension and LA/Ao ratio correlated positively with CRP, MCP-1, and KC-like but negatively with PON1, GM-CSF, IL-7 and antioxidant biomarkers (P < 0.01).Conclusion: our results indicated that dogs with advanced-stages of HF show increases in positive acute-phase proteins and selected inflammatory cytokines (KC-like), and decreases in antioxidant biomarkers, indicating that inflammation and oxidative-stress act as collaborative partners in the pathogenesis of HF. KC-like may be a more useful parameter to monitor disease progression and treatment efficacy of dogs with severe-HF.
Prevalence and characterization of Morganella morganii in beef cattle from Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Tian bin , cai dongjie , liu xiao , zhang yulong , liu jianzhu , Wang Mingshu , Wang Ya , Gou liping , zhong zhijun , Fang Jing , zuo zhicai
Published: May 2020

Background Morganella morganii (M. morganii) is a member of the genera Morganella in the Enterobacteriaceae family.Methods To better understand the prevalence and characterization of M. morganii strains in cattle, 191 nasal swabs samples from beef cattle in Guang'an, Yibin, and Ziyang, Sichuan Province, China were collected. The presence of M. morganii in swabs was determined by PCR. Then positive swabs were processed by using bacterial isolation and identification. The M. morganii isolates were assayed for antimicrobial susceptibility and pathogenicity using a mouse model.Results The prevalence of Morgenella morganii in three cities was 10.5% (20/191). Three M. morganii strains (16GA7, 17GA61.2, and 17YB9) were isolated and identified from positive swabs samples. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the 16S rRNA gene of M. morganii isolates could be clustered with known Genbank M. morganii strains. All three M. morganii strains were sensitive to penicillin-type and quinolone antibiotics, and were resistant to some cephalosporins, carbapenems, macrolide antibiotics and polymyxin B. Lesions in mice inoculated with M. morganii included pulmonary hemorrhage, thickened alveolar walls, and pulmonary inflammatory cell infiltration, although lesions varied by strain.Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to report the prevalence of M. morganii in beef cattle. Through research on the M. morganii in beef cattle, it is found that mice were susceptible to M. morganii isolates, which can cause mice dead. However, the pathogenicity of M. morganii isolates on cattle still needs further study.
Spatial Heterogeneity and Factors Influencing Anemia and Severe Anemia among Under-5 Children in Ethiopia: Spatial and Multilevel Analysis
Authors: Hailu Bayuh Asmamaw , Bogale Getahun Gebre , Miheretu Birhan Asmame , Geremew Bisrat Misiganaw , Beyene Joseph
Published: May 2020

Background: Anemia is recognized as a significant public health problem in Ethiopia. Method: This secondary analysis, sampling technique and procedures done by DHS. A total of 8482 children aged 6–59 months were included in the study from EDHS 2016. Used tools for spatial heterogeneity analysis are Morans I, Local G*, Heat map, and Kulldorﬀ’s scan statistic, those carried out open source software (QGIS, GeoDa, SaTScan). Multilevel logistic regression analysis was used to identify both individual and household level factors associated with anemia and severe anemia, which measures between household variability using IHHC of the null model and generates 4 models PCV, AIC, and log-likelihood ratio used model selection for a report, which is carried out Stata 14.Result: The highest risk of both anemia and severe anemia regions are Somalia, Afar, DireDawa, and Harari. Specifically, all zones of Somalia, Afar (zone1, and 3), DireDawa, Harari, and Oromia higher risk of anemia and some of them are high risk for severe anemia. The high concentration of the disease showed in DireDawa, Harari, Jigjiga some part of Gambela and Benishangul Afar at the boundary of Amhara and Tigray and Eastern part of Tigray for anemia. Harari, DireDawa, and Afar at the border of Djibouti had high concentrated(density) severe anemia. Children (Younger age, lower preceding birth interval, stunted, underweight); mothers (younger age and anemic); households (poor and denser family number); and children from the highest and the lowest ecological zone are high risk for anemia. Additionally, children from the younger, work less, uneducated, poor, and anemic mother were high risk of a severe anemiaConclusion: Across the country, anemia is high, especially rift value areas highly affected by both anemia and severe anemia like Somalia regions and its neighbors. Those regions are not productive areas, lack of health facility, malaria region, backward for any access. So the concerned body must be tackled to minimize this childhood series problem. Before starting any intervention first must be prioritized according to risk, concentration, and characteristics.
A comparison of the balance skills, personality, and temperament traits between elite sports athletes and football players
Authors: Wojciechowska-Maszkowska Bożena , Borzucka Dorota , Rogowska Aleksandra
Published: May 2020

Background: Although research on balance skills and personality were explored in the field of sports science, little is known about the relationship between the two phenomena. This study aims to investigate the association of postural balance with traits of personality and temperament. The differences between elite athletes, football players, and the control sample will also be examined. Methods: Participants in the case-control study were 73 people, aged between 16 and 30 years old (M = 21.29, SD = 2.47), including 59% of men. Three samples of participants consisted of Elite Athletes (AE, n = 17, 23.29%) of the Polish National Team; Football Players (FP, n = 32, 43.84%); and Control Sample (CS, n = 24, 32.88%). Postural control was assessed on a force platform (Type 9286AA, Kistler Instrument AG, Winterthur, Switzerland) with a sampling frequency of 100 Hz. The center of pressure (COP) parameters was measured during 20 seconds in both conditions eye open, and eye closed, in both directions anterior-posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML). The COP parameters include standard deviation (SD), mean range (RA), mean velocity (MV), and entropy (SE). The NEO-FFI questionnaire was used to assess Big-Five personality traits, whereas the FCB-TI was used to measure temperament traits. Results: One-way ANOVA revealed that the EA and CS groups were more stable in ML direction than the FP group. In the AP direction, the athletes from the EA group were more stable than the CS group. Nor personality, neither temperament did not differentiate the three groups of participants, beside agreeableness, which was significantly lower in both EA and FP groups. Openness to experiences is positively associated with COP parameters, as it was shown in regression analysis. All COP parameters can explain for about 40% of openness variability. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that EA and CS have better stability than footballers in both ML and AP direction. Openness seems to be related to postural balance skills.
Stress Perception Mediates the Relationship between Stress and Quality of Life among Chinese Police Officers
Authors: Zhu Yueping , Jiang Wenchen , Wang Jiayu , Jiao Yongyong , Chen Shulin
Published: May 2020

Background Police officers are known for working under high-stress environment, and it is widely reported that police officers suffer from stress-related ailments which could subsequently impact their life quality. However, there is little direct research that describes the relationship between police officers’ quality of life and stress. Current study aims to investigate police officers’ quality of life and explore the effect of stress on life quality of police officers. Our study also explores the effect of stress perception on the relationship between the stress and quality of life to see whether changing police officers’ stress perception can improve their quality of life.Methods We conduct literature search on police officers’ life quality in China, and compare the result against the general population. We also investigate 914 Chinese police officers, measured their life quality, stress level and stress perception, and analyze the stress’ influence on quality of life.Results The result shows that the life quality of police officers is generally lower than the general population, and many factors, such as age, education level and gender, will influence the quality of life. Police officer’s life quality is negatively correlated with their stress level, and stress perception appears to mediate the relationship between the stress and quality of life.Conclusion Police officers’ quality of life is low, and stress has negative effect on it. And stress would affect the stress perception and then influence mental and physical health of police officers.
A video protocol for rapid dissection of mouse dorsal root ganglia from defined spinal levels
Authors: Sleigh James Nicholas , West Steven J , Schiavo Giampietro
Published: May 2020

Objective
Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) are heterogeneous assemblies of assorted sensory neuron cell bodies found in bilateral pairs at every level of the spinal column. Unipolar afferent neurons convert external stimuli from the environment into electrical signals that are retrogradely transmitted to the spinal cord dorsal horn. To do this, they extend single axons from their DRG-resident somas that then bifurcate and project both centrally and distally. DRG can be dissected from mice at embryonic stages and any age post-natally, and have been extensively used to study sensory neuron development and function, response to injury, and pathological processes in acquired and genetic diseases. We have previously published a step-by-step dissection method for the rapid isolation of post-natal mouse DRG. Here, the objective is to extend the protocol by providing training videos that showcase the dissection in fine detail and permit the extraction of ganglia from defined spinal levels.
Results
By following this method, the reader will be able to swiftly and accurately isolate specific lumbar, thoracic, and cervical DRG from mice. Dissected ganglia can then be used for RNA/protein analyses, subjected to immunohistochemical examination, and cultured as explants or dissociated primary neurons, for in-depth investigations of sensory neuron biology.
Searching for Programme Theories for a realist evaluation: A case study comparing an academic database search and a simple Google search
Authors: Coleman Susanne , WRIGHT Judith M , NIXON Jane , SCHOONHOVEN Lisette , TWIDDY Maureen , GREENHALGH Joanne
Published: May 2020

Background
Realist methodologies are increasingly being used to evaluate complex interventions in health and social care. Programme theory development (ideas and assumptions of how a particular intervention works) is a key initial step in realist methodology, with literature reviews providing important evidence to support this. Deciding how to search for programme theories is challenging and there is limited guidance available. Using an example of identifying programme theories associated with the use of Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment Instruments in clinical practice, the authors explore and compare several different approaches to literature searching and highlight important methodological considerations for those embarking on similar reviews.
Methods
We compared the performance of an academic database search with a simple Google search and developed an optimised search strategy for the identification primary references (i.e. documents providing the clearest examples of programme theories) associated with the use of Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment Instruments (PU-RAIs). We identified the number of primary references and the total number of references retrieved per source. We then calculated the number needed to read (NNR) expressed as the total number of titles and abstracts screened to identify one relevant reference from each source.
Results
The academic database search (comprising CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, HMIC, Medline) identified 2 /10 primary references with a NNR of 1395.The Google search identified 7/10 primary references with a NNR of 10.1. The combined NNR was 286.3. The optimised search combining Google and CINAHL identified 10/10 primary references with a NNR of 40.2.
Conclusion
The striking difference between the efficiency of the review’s academic database and Google searches in finding relevant references prompted an in-depth comparison of the two types of search. The findings indicate the importance of including grey literature sources such as Google in this programme theory search, while acknowledging the need for transparency of methods. Further research is needed to facilitate improved guidance for programme theory searches to enhance practice in the realist field and to save researcher time and therefore resource.
Mind-body training – a single-arm feasibility study of community-delivered Baduanjin training for frail older adults
Authors: Liu Xiao , Seah Jean Wei Ting , Pang Benedict Wei Jun , Tsao Mary Ann , Gu Falong , Ng Wai Chong , Tay Junie Ying Ru , Ng Tze Pin , Wee Shiou Liang
Published: May 2020

Background Frailty is a common geriatric syndrome, characterized by reduced physiologic reserve and increased vulnerability to stressors, due to cumulative decline in multiple physiological systems. Our study examined the feasibility and effects of a community-delivered BDJ training program among pre-frail/frail community-dwelling older people in preparation for a randomised control implementation study.Methods Our study was a single arm feasibility study in community setting. Eleven participants (aged 77 ± 6 years; 2 frail, 9 prefrail at baseline) completed the program. Sixteen week group BDJ training co-designed and implemented by community-based providers in Singapore. Recruitment, attendance and adverse events were recorded throughout the training. A participants’ survey was also administered after the training program. Effects of the intervention on physical and functional outcomes (hand grip strength, knee extension strength, Time Up and Go (TUG), Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA), 30-second Sit-to-Stand test, 6-meter fast gait speed test), frailty outcomes (frailty score and status), and other outcomes (Maastricht Questionnaire (MQ), Fall Efficacy Scale (FES), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and EQ-5D-5L) were examined before and after the program.Results Of 31 older adults screened to be frail, 15 met inclusion criteria and 3 refused participation resulting in 12 older adults enrolled in the program. One participant was hospitalized (unrelated to BDJ training) and the other 11 completed the program with average overall attendance of 89%. Most (89%) of the 44 training sessions had attendance > 80%. The program received positive feedback with no training-related adverse events. Participants either reversed (n = 2) or maintained (n = 9) their frailty statuses. There were significant within-group post-training improvements in hand grip strength (p = 0.013), knee extension strength (p = 0.048), TUG (p = 0.018), MQ (p = 0.001), FES (p = 0.022), MoCA (p = 0.014), GDS (p = 0.028), EQ-5D-5L index score (p = 0.029). The reduction of frailty score and PPA fall risk score showed moderate-to-large effect size.Conclusions Community-delivered BDJ training program was safe and feasible for prefrail/frail older adults with the potential to improve physical and cognitive function, reduce fall risk, improve psychological well-being, and reverse frailty status.
Therapeutic Effect of Dual CAR-T Therapy Targeting PDL1 and Anti-MUC16 Antigens on Ovarian Cancer cells
Authors: Li Tong , Wang Jiandong
Published: May 2020

Background: More favorable treatment against epithelial ovarian cancer(EOC) is urgently needed because of its insidious nature at an early stage and a low rate of five-year survival. The primary treatment, extensive surgery combined with chemotherapy, exhibit few benefits for improving prognosis. Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell technology as novel immunotherapy has made breakthrough progress in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, and there were also benefits in a partial solid tumor in previous research. Therefore, CAR-T cell technology may be a promising candidate as an immunotherapeutic tool against EOC. However, there are some weaknesses in targeting one antigen from the previous preclinical assay, such as on-target off-tumor cytotoxicity. Thus, the more specific dual-target CAR-T cell may be a better choice.Methods: We Constructed tandem PD1-antiMUC16 dual-CAR, PD1 single-CAR, and anti-MUC16 single-CAR fragments by PCR and genetic engineering, followed by preparing CAR-T cells via lentiviral infection. The expression of CAR molecules on single and dual CAR-T cells detected by flow cytometry. The killing ability and activation of CAR-T cells were measured by cytotoxic assays and cytokines release assays in vitro. The therapeutic capacity of CAR-T cells was assessed by tumor-bearing mice model assay in vivo.Results: We successfully constructed CARs lentiviral expression vectors and obtained single and dual CAR-T cells. CAR-T cells demonstrated robust killing ability against OVCAR-3 cells in vitro. Meanwhile, CAR-T cells released plenty of cytokines such as interleukin-2(IL-2), interferon-γ(IFN-γ)，and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Besides, CAR-T cells indicated a therapeutic benefit against OVCAR-3 tumor-bearing mice models and significantly prolonged survival time of mice. Dual CAR-T cells were proved to be two to four times more efficacious single CAR-T cells on survival time. Conclusion: Dual CAR-T cells exhibited a similar ability as single CAR-T cells against OVCAR-3 cells in vitro. However, dual CAR-T cells verified more outstanding capacity against OVCAR-3 cells than single CAR-T cells in vivo. Furthermore, it significantly prolonged the survival time of tumor-bearing mice models. Thus, PD1-antiMUC16 CAR-T cells have more potent antitumor activity than single CAR-T cells in vitro and in vivo, and it could be applied in the treatment of EOC.
Recognition of arthropod species names using bigram-based classification
Authors: Raffington Jennien , Steinke Dirk , Tulpan Dan
Published: May 2020

BackgroundThe task of recognizing species names in scientific articles is a quintessential step for a large number of applications in high-throughput text mining and data analytics, such as species-specific information collection, construction of species food networks and trophic relationship extraction. These tasks become even more important in fast-paced species-discovery areas such as entomology, where an impressive number of new arthropod species are discovered each year. This article explores the use of twocharacter n-grams (bigrams) in machine learning models for arthropod species name recognition. This particular method has been previously applied successfully to the task of language identification [1] but the application to species name identification had yet to be explored.ResultsArthropod species names, regular English words used in scientific publications and person names were collected from the public domain and bigrams were extracted and used as classifier features. A number of learning classifiers spanning 7 algorithmic categories (tree-based, rule-based, artificial neural network, Bayesian, boosting, lazy and kernel-based) were tested and the highest accuracies were consistently obtained with LIBLINEAR [2], Bayesian Logistic Regression [3], the Multilayer Perceptron [4], Random Forest [5], and the LIBSVM [6] classifiers. When compared with dictionary-based external software tools such as GNRD [7] and TaxonFinder [8], our top-3 classifiers were insensitive to words capitalization and were able to correctly classify novel species names that are absent in dictionary-based approaches with accuracies between 88.6% and 91.6%.ConclusionsOur results suggest that character bigram-based classification is a suitable method for distinguishing arthropod species names from regular English words and person names commonly found in scientific literature. Moreover, our method can also be used to reduce the number of false positives produced by dictionary-based methods.
Changes In Self-Reported Sleep Duration With Age - A 36-Year Longitudinal Study of Finnish Adults
Authors: Hublin Christer , Haasio Lassi , Kaprio Jaakko
Published: May 2020

Background: Sleep deprivation is often claimed to be increasingly common, but most studies show small changes in sleep duration over the last decades. Our aim was to analyze long-term patterns in self-reported sleep durationin a population-based cohort.Methods: Members ofthe Older Finnish Twin Cohort have responded to questionnaires in 1975 (N = 30,915 individuals,response rate 89%, mean age 36 years), 1981 (24,506, 84%, 41 years), 1990 (12,502,77%, 44 years), and 2011 (8510, 72%, 60 years).Weibull regression models were used to model the effects of follow-up time and age simultaneously.Results: Sleep duration has decreased in all adult age groups and in both genders.The mean duration was in men 7.57 hours in 1975 and 7.39 in 2011, and in women 7.69 and 7.37, respectively. The decrease was about 0.5minutes in men and 0.9in women per year of follow-up. In the age-group 18-34 years, mean sleep length was 7.69 hours in 1975 and 7.53 in 1990. Among 35-54-year-old it was 7.57 hours in 1975 and 7.34 in 2011, and in the age group of 55+ year olds7.52 and 7.38, correspondingly. The change was largest in middle-aged group: about 23 minutes or about 0.6 minutes per year of follow-up.Conclusions: There has been a slight decrease in mean sleep duration during the 36-year follow-up.Although the sleep duration was longer in 1970s and 1980s, the probablemain cause for the change in this study populationis the effect of aging.
Correlation of Arterial blood gas value in outcome of patient admitted with acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Gautam Santosh , C Shiva Raj K , Sijapati Milesh Jung , Gyawali Purnima , KC Geetika , Gurung Sukh Bahadur
Published: May 2020

Introduction: The outcome of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease depends upon the partial pressure of oxygen and carbon dioxide This study was aimed to find the role of arterial blood gas parameters during the length of hospital stay among patients admitted for COPD with acute exacerbation. Materials and Methods: This was an observational study conducted in KIST Medical College Teaching Hospital from February 2017 to August 2019. Patients admitted with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were evaluated. Demographic data as well as SPO2, pulmonary function test, and arterial blood gas analysis were recorded and analyzed. Results: Among 112 patients, the female to male ratio was 1.38: 1 with 84.8% over 60 years of age. One-third of patients (n = 38) had exposure to both tobacco smoking and biomass and of them, 86.8% were females. Mean SpO2 was 75.9% and mean FEV1 was 0.92 L (SD = 0.295) and significant association was found (p < 0.001) between them. Furthermore, 70 (62.5%) patients had type I respiratory failure and 42 patients (37.5%) had type II respiratory failure. Patients with type II respiratory failure and hypercapnic patients had prolonged hospital stay with significant p-value (p < 0.001). Similarly, significance was observed in the p-value for blood pH, which was < 0.05. Conclusions: Increased length of hospital stay is seen in patients with AECOPD with type II respiratory failure. Hence, aggressive early management to correct hypercapnia may lead to decreased hospital stay along with a better outcome. Thus hypercapnia should be considered as one of the important criteria to flag the patient and manage accordingly.
Time-dependent Tsunami Source Following the 2018 Anak Krakatau Volcano Eruption Inferred from Nearby Tsunami Recordings
Authors: Zhu Yifan , An Chao , Wang Teng , Liu Hua
Published: May 2020

The eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano, Indonesia, on 22 December 2018 induced a destructive tsunami (the Sunda Strait tsunami), which was recorded by four nearby tidal gauges. In this study we invert the tsunami records and recover the tsunami generation process. Two tsunami sources are obtained, a static one of instant initial water elevation and a time-dependent one accounting for the continuous evolution of water height. The time-dependent results are found to reproduce the tsunami recordings more satisfactorily. The complete tsunami generation process lasts approximately 9 min and features a two-stage evolution with similar intensity. Each stage lasts about 3.5 min and elevates a water volume of about 0.15 km 3 . The time, duration and volume of the volcano eruption in general agree with seismic records and geomorphological interpretations. We also test different sizes of the potential source region, which lead to different maximum wave height in the source area, but all the results of time-dependent tsunami sources show the robust feature of two stages of wave generation. Our results imply a time-dependent and complex process of tsunami generation during the volcano eruption.
In vitro resynthesis of lichenization reveals the genetic background of symbiosis-specific fungal-algal interaction in Usnea hakonensis.
Authors: Kono Mieko , Kon Yoshiaki , Ohmura Yoshihito , Satta Yoko , Terai Yohey
Published: May 2020

Background Symbiosis often gives organisms the ability to expand ecological niches which are inaccessible as individuals. In lichen symbiosis, mutualistic relationships between lichen-forming fungi and algae and/or cyanobacteria produce unique features that make lichens adaptive to wide range of environments. This study revealed the fungal-algal interaction specific to the symbiosis in lichen using Usnea hakonensis as a model system. Results The whole genome of U. hakonensis, the fungal partner, was sequenced by using the culture isolated from a natural lichen thallus. Isolated cultures of the fungal and the algal partners were co-cultured in vitro for three months, and the thalli were successfully resynthesized into visible protrusions. Transcriptomes of resynthesized and natural thalli (symbiotic states) were compared to that of isolated cultures (non-symbiotic state). Sets of fungal and algal genes up-regulated in both symbiotic states were identified as symbiosis-related genes. Conclusion From the predicted functions of these genes, we identified the genetic background of two main features fundamental to the symbiotic lifestyle in lichen. First is an establishment of fungal symbiotic interface: (a) production of a hydrophobic layer that ensheaths fungal and algal cells; and (b) remodeling of cell walls at fungal-algal contact sites. Second is a symbiosis-specific nutrient flow: (a) the algal supply of photosynthetic product to the fungus; and (b) the fungal supply of phosphorous and nitrogen compounds to the alga. Since both features are widespread among lichens, our result may indicate the genetic basis of lichen symbiosis.
Epigenome-wide association studies of meat traits in Chinese Yorkshire pigs highlights several DNA methylation loci and genes
Authors: Wang Kai , Wu Pingxian , Chen Dejuan , Zhou Jie , Yang Xidi , Shen Linyuan , Jiang Anan , Ma Jideng , Tang Qianzi , Xiao Weihang , Jiang Yanzhi , Zhu Li , Li Xuewei , Tang Guoqing
Published: May 2020

Background: DNA methylation is a key epigenetic mechanism. Most of epigenetic studies of pigs to date have focused on differential methylation analysis. However, few studies have conducted association study between DNA methylation and phenotypic traits. Thus, it is critical to link DNA methylation and phenotypic traits in order to understand the molecular mechanism on epigenomes. In this study, we aimed to identified CpG sites at which DNA methylation levels are associated with meat quality traits in 140 Yorkshire pigs, including pH at 45min (pH45min), pH at 24h (pH24h), drip loss (DL), meat redness value (a*), yellowness (b*) and lightness (L*).Results: Genome-wide methylation levels were measured in muscular tissue using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). Associations between DNA methylation levels and meat quality traits were examined using linear mixed-effect models that were adjusted for gender, year, month and body weight. A Bonferroni-corrected P value lower than was considered statistically significant threshold. Eight CpG sites were associated with DL, including CpG sites annotated to RBM14 gene (cpg301054, cpg301055, cpg301058, cpg301059, cpg301066, cpg301072 and cpg301073) and NCAM1 gene (cpg1802985). Two CpG sites were associated with b*, including RNFT1 and MED13 (cpg2272837) and TRIM37 gene (cpg2270611). Five CpG sites were associated with L*, including GSDMA and LRRC3C gene (cpg2252750) and ENSSSCG00000043539 and IRX1 gene (cpg2820178, cpg2820179, cpg2820181 and cpg2820182). No significant associations were observed with pH45min, pH24h or a*.Conclusion: We reported associations of meat quality traits with DNA methylation and identified some candidate genes associated with these traits, such as NCAM1, MED13 and TRIM37 gene. These results provide new insight into the epigenetic molecular mechanisms of meat quality traits in pigs.
The role of cyadox and recombinant growth hormone (rGH) on the promotion of growth through epigenetics
Authors: Liu Aimei , Zhu Feng , Zhu Xiaohui , Wang Yulian , Ihsan Awais , Liu Zhenli , Dai Menghong , Wang Xu
Published: May 2020

Background: Cyadox is an effective growth-promoting antibiotic, which is similar to the role of recombinant growth hormone (rGH). Current studies have shown that cyadox can promote animal growth through altering intestinal microflora, improving protein utilization and increasing protein synthesis. Increasing evidence suggests that epigenetics are also closely related to growth. However, the potential role of epigenetics in the cyadox for growth has not been explored. Results: Here, we used recombinant growth hormone (rGH) and cyadox to study the relationship between growth and changes in epigenetics including DNA methylation, histone modification and chromatin structure. Bisulfite DNA sequencing (BSP) assay suggested that cyadox and rGH treatments increased IGF-1 expression partially by hypomethylation at CpG sites within the promoter region of IGF-1, which was regulated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). We also observed an enrichment of H3K4me3 and H3K27ac at the promoter regions of IGF-1 by ChIP-qPCR assay, which contributed to an increase in IGF-1 transcription. In addition, immunofluorometric assay displayed cellular accessible chromatin structure following the treatment of cyadox and rGH, facilitating the combination of transcription factors and DNA and thus enhancing gene transcription. Conclusions: Taken together, our findings indicated that cyadox and rGH promote cell growth partially through epigenetic changes, providing a prospect for the development of animal growth-promoting drugs in the future.
Dynamic alterations in rumen bacterial community and metabolome characteristics in response to feed nutrient levels of cashmere goats
Authors: Wang Yaoyue , Tang Peng , Xiao Yafei , Liu Jianming , Chen Yulin , Yang Yuxin
Published: May 2020

Background: Dietary energy and protein play important roles in rumen fermentation. However, the comprehensive impacts of dietary energy and protein on rumen bacterial composition and ruminal metabolites were largely unknown. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to investigate the changes in rumen bacterial community and metabolites in response to the diets with simultaneous changes of dietary energy and protein levels in Shaanbei white cashmere goats (SWCG). Methods: A total of 12 ruminal samples were collected from SWCG, which were divided into two groups, including high-energy and high-protein (Group H; crude protein, CP: 9.37% in dry matter; metabolic energy, ME: 9.24 MJ/kg) or control (Group C; CP: 8.73%; ME:8.60 MJ/kg) groups. The experiment lasted for 65 days, including 10 days for adaptation. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were performed to identify the rumen bacterial community. Metabolomics analysis was done to investigate the rumen metabolites and the related metabolic pathways in Groups C and H. Results: The study observed 539 genera belonging to 30 phyla, which were distributed throughout the rumen samples. The high-energy and high-protein diets increased the relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes and genera Prevotella_1 and Succiniclasticum, while decreased the number of phylum Proteobacteria (p<0.05). Among the 24 differential metabolites (VIP>1.0, p<0.05) detected in this study, the dominant differential metabolites were amino acids, peptides and analogs. Tyrosine metabolism played an important role among the 9 main metabolic pathways. Correlation analysis revealed that Prevotella_1 showed strong positive correlation with 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid (r=0.601, p<0.05) and catechol (r=0.608, p<0.05). Succiniclasticum was positively correlated with 2-ketoadipate (r=0.741, p<0.01). Conclusions: Our findings revealed that the diets with high energy and protein in Group H significantly altered the composition of ruminal bacteria and metabolites, which could help to improve the dietary energy and protein use efficiency in goats.
Association of MTHFR C677T polymorphism with severity and localization of chronic atrophic gastritis: a case control study
Authors: Kong Siya , Ye Feng , Dang Yini , Hua Yifei , Zhang Guoxin
Published: May 2020

Background
Previous reports indicate that the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C > T polymorphism plays a role in gastric cancer. However, whether it influences the development and progression of atrophic gastritis remains unclear. We aim to determine the possible association between the MTHFR 677C > T polymorphism and the severity of atrophic gastritis.
Methods
A total 128 patients with atrophic gastritis were included in the study. The presence and severity of gastric atrophy was assessed by histology using OLGA and OLGIM Gastritis Staging System. MTHFR 677C > T genotyping was performed by digital fluorescence molecular hybridization. Categorical variables were analyzed by percentages using the χ2 test.
Results
In this study, the TT genotype was significantly more frequent among patients aged ≤ 44 years (age ≤ 44 years vs. >44 years, P = 0.039). Patients with the TT genotype showed a higher ratio of incisura with atrophy or intestinal metaplasia (TT vs. CC + CT, P = 0.02). Furthermore, the TT genotype was associated with more severe lesions compared with the CC + CT genotypes (TT vs. CC + CT for atrophy: odds ratio [OR] = 2.18, P = 0.07; for intestinal metaplasia: OR = 3.39, P = 0.02; for moderate-to-severe lesions: OR = 3.84, P = 0.02). OLGA and OLGIM stages III-IV were observed more frequently in patients with the TT genotype compared with the CC + CT genotypes (for OLGA: OR = 3.98, P = 0.004; for OLGIM: OR = 2.45, P = 0.04).
Conclusions
The MTHFR 677C > T TT genotype showed an increased risk of moderate-to-severe lesions by OLGA and OLGIM stages, and these results suggest that the MTHFR C677T polymorphism may serve as a predictive marker for precancerous gastric lesions, especially in patients aged ≤ 44 years.
Signals of adverse drug reactions communicated by pharmacovigilance stakeholders: protocol for a scoping review of the global literature
Authors: Sartori Daniele , Aronson Jeffrey , Onakpoya Igho
Published: May 2020

Background: Signals of adverse drug reactions are the basis of some regulatory risk-minimization actions in pharmacovigilance, such as changes to the section of undesirable effects in Summaries of Products Characteristics (SmPCs). Reviews of the evidence of signals have highlighted that these are mostly supported by reports of adverse drug reactions or multiple types of evidence, but have so far been limited to specific medicinal products, time intervals, groups of adverse drug reactions and specific countries. The time that elapses between a report of a suspected adverse drug reaction and the communication of a signal has not been systematically investigated. Furthermore, difficulties in causally linking medicinal products to adverse events have been highlighted, but the elements of reports of suspected ADRs that authors used to support putative causal relationships have been rarely characterized.Methods: We plan a scoping review to chart the evidence underpinning signals in pharmacovigilance and the time that it takes to communicate a signal. We shall retrieve records from electronic databases, without language or publication restrictions; we shall apply backward and forward citation to adjust for variations in database indexing. We shall also hand-search the websites of 35 regulatory agencies/authorities, restricted publications from Uppsala Monitoring Centre, and drug bulletins in the list of International Society of Drug Bulletins. If websites do not report signals, signals will be requested from the competent stakeholder. We shall use the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence to chart and summarize evidence. We shall use VigiBase, the World Health Organization’s Global Individual Case Safety Report database, to determine the date of reporting for reports of adverse drug reactions. Plots, or pictograms (if appropriate), will be used to represent the time from the first report of a suspected adverse drug reaction to a signal.Discussion: We expect that the findings from this exploratory investigation will be useful in better understanding global patterns of similarities or differences in regulatory decision-making in terms of evidence and timing of communications, and in identifying relevant research questions for future systematic reviews.Scoping review registration: osf.io/jtv38
The effectiveness of supplemental oxygen during exercise training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who show sever exercise-induced desaturation: a protocol for a meta-regression analysis and systematic review
Authors: Kawachi Shohei , Yamamoto Shuhei , Nishie Kenichi , Yamaga Takayoshi , Shibuya Manaka , Sakai Yasunari , Fujimoto Keisaku
Published: May 2020

Background: Supplemental oxygen during exercise training has been used to prevent hypoxemia or allow toleration of higher intensity training in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who show exercise-induced desaturation. Although some meta-analyses examined the efficacy of supplemental oxygen during exercise training, these studies concluded that it does not further improve exercise tolerance compared to exercise training alone. However, supplemental oxygen during exercise training may be effective to improve exercise tolerance in COPD patients with severe desaturation during exercise under breathing room air or compressed air. Therefore, this study will be performed to elucidate the efficacy of supplemental oxygen during exercise training and the relationship between its efficacy and severity of desaturation during exercise at baseline.Methods: We will first assess the effectiveness of supplemental oxygen during exercise training in COPD. The main outcome is the change in exercise tolerance before and after the intervention, indicated by 6-minute walking distance or shuttle walking distance, and analyzed as the standardized mean difference (SMD). The quality and risk of bias in individual studies will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system and risk-of-bias tool (RoB ver.2). If statistical heterogeneity in effectiveness of exercise tolerance is shown, we will conduct meta-regression analyses to examine the association between efficacy of exercise training with supplemental oxygen and severity of desaturation at baseline.Discussion: One strength of this study is that it is a systematic review with meta-regression analysis to elucidate the effectiveness of supplemental oxygen during exercise training in patients with COPD who show sever exercise-induced desaturation. However, the quality and number of studies included meta-analysis may be low.Systematic review registration: Registration number, UMIN000039960.
Adipose-derived stem cells regulate fibrosis by altering CD4+ T-cell immune responses in fat grafting in a mouse model
Authors: Chen Xinyao , Chen Yunzi , Wang Zijue , Dong Ziqing , Yao Yao , Li Ye , Xia Jing , Guan Jingyan , Wang Xinhui , Sun Rongcun , Lu Feng , Hao Lijun , Luo Sai
Published: May 2020

Background

Autologous fat grafting is becoming increasingly common worldly. However, the long-term retention of fat grafting is still unpredictable due to the inevitable fibrosis that arises during tissue repair. Fibrosis may be regulated by T-cell immune responses that are influenced by adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). Accordingly, we hypothesized that overly abundant ASCs might promote fibrosis by promoting T-cell immune responses to adipose tissue.
Methods

We performed 0.3 ml fat grafts with 104/ml, 106/ml and 108/ml ASCs and control group in C57 BL/6 mice in vivo. We observed retention, fibrosis, T-cell immunity, and macrophage infiltration over 12 weeks. In addition, CD4 + T-helper 1 (Th1) cells and T-helper 2 (Th2) cells were co-cultured with ASCs or ASCs conditioned media (CM) in vitro. We detected the ratio of Th2%/Th1% after 24 and 48 hours.
Results

In vivo, the retention rate was higher in the 104 group, while even lower in the 108 group with significantly increased inflammation and fibrosis than the control group at week 12. There was no significance between control group and the 106 group. Also, the 108 group increased infiltration of M2 macrophages, CD4 + T-cells and Th2/Th1 ratio. In vitro, the ratio of Th2%/Th1% induced by the ASCs-transwell group was higher than the ASCs-CM group and showed concentration-dependent.
Conclusions

High concentrations of ASCs in adipose tissue can promote Th1–Th2 shifting, and the excess of Th2 cells might promote the persistence of M2 macrophages and increase the level of fibrosis which lead to a decrease in the long-term retention of fat grafts. In addition, we found that ASCs promoted Th1–Th2 shifting in vitro.
Accelerated skeletal maturation is associated with overweight and obesity as early as preschool age: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ke DanDan , Lu Dajiang , Cai Guang , Zhang Jing , Wang Xiaofei , Suzuki Koya
Published: May 2020

Background: Body mass index and skeletal age are important indicators of individual growth and maturation. The recognition of their association could contribute to the prevention of childhood obesity and accelerated skeletal maturation. This study aimed to examine the effects of overweight and obesity on accelerated skeletal maturation in preschool children. Methods: Participants included 1330 children aged 3.1-6.6 years. The main outcomes were skeletal age assessed by left hand-wrist radiograph, and body mass index classified as thinness, normal weight, overweight and obesity. Results: The percentage of accelerated skeletal maturation increased with body mass index ( x 2 = 89.442, df = 3, P <0.01) and age group ( x 2 = 43.417, df = 5, P <0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed a higher risk of accelerated skeletal maturation in children with overweight and obesity than children with normal weight after adjusting for gender and age (Overweight, OR = 3.27, 95% CI : 2.20-4.87; Obese, OR = 4.73, 95% CI : 2.99-7.48). Conclusions: Accelerated skeletal maturation was associated with overweight and obesity in preschool children, and its prevalence increased with age. These findings suggest that parents and child-health managers should be aware of an existing risk of accelerated skeletal maturation in preschool children with overweight and obesity.
P2X7R promotes angiogenesis and tumor-associated macrophage recruitment by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway in colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Yang Chunhui , shi shuang , Su Ying , tong jingshan , Li Liangjun
Published: May 2020

Background

Overexpression of P2 × 7R has been observed in several tumors and is related to cancer advancement and metastasis. However, the role of P2 × 7R in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is not well understood.
Methods

In the current study, overexpression of P2 × 7R and the effects at the molecular and functional levels in CRC were assessed in a mouse orthotopic model. Functional assays, such as the CCK-8 assay, wound healing and transwell assay, were used to determine the biological role of P2 × 7R in CRC cells. CSC-related genes and properties were detected via sphere formation and real-time PCR assays. The underlying mechanisms were explored by Western blotting, real-time PCR and Flow cytometry.
Results

In this study, we found that overexpression of P2 × 7R increase in the in vivo growth of tumors. P2 × 7R overexpression also increased CD31, VEGF and concurrent angiogenesis. P2 × 7R upregulates aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 (ALDH1) and CSC characteristics. Transplanted tumor cells with P2 × 7R overexpression stimulated cytokines to recruit TAMs to increase the growth of tumors. We also found that the NF-κB signaling pathway is involved in P2 × 7R-induced cytokine upregulation.
Conclusion

P2 × 7R promotes NF-κB-dependent cytokine induction, which leads to tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) recruitment to control tumor growth and advancement and remodeling of the stroma. Our findings demonstrate that P2 × 7R plays a key role in TAM recruitment, which may be a therapeutic target for CRC patients.