bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Clinical Characteristics of Intestinal Flora Imbalance in Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Construction of Early Warning Model
Authors: Zeng Xue tao , Yang Hong feng , Yang Yan , Gu Xin nan , Ma Xiu qin , Zhu Tao feng
Published: June 2021

Bcackground There is still a lack of predictive models for early identification of intestinal flora imbalance in stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients. We assessed the risk factors related to intestinal flora imbalance in COPD patients, and established a simple predictive model and scoring rules suitable for clinical medical staff in the respiratory department.Methods From January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019, COPD patients (195 cases), who attended the Outpatient Department of Respiratory and Critical Care of Yixing Hospital of Jiangsu University, were collected for a cross-sectional study. The patients were divided into the experimental groups (41 cases) and the control group (154 cases) based on the results of stool examination. By single-factor analysis and logistic regression analysis, the baseline data of two groups were performed to obtain a new prediction model, and then simplified it.Results The five predictive factors including body mass index(BMI), serum albumin(ALB), charlson comorbidity index(CCI), gastrointestinal symptom score(GSRs), and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease(GOLD) classification entered the model. The area under the ROC curve of the model for predicting intestinal flora imbalance in patients with stable COPD is 0.953 [95%CI (0.924, 0.982)], further simplifying the scoring rules, and the area under the ROC curve is 0.767 [95%CI (0.676, 0.858)]. Conclusions In the study, the prediction model can scientifically and effectively predict the risk of intestinal flora imbalance in patients with stable COPD, and then implement early treatment to improve the prognosis. Furthermore, all indicators can be obtained easily and simply.
Nifuroxazide Ameliorates Pulmonary Fibrosis By Blocking Myofibroblast Genesis And Stat3 Activation: A Drug Repurposing Study
Authors: Gan Cailing , Zhang Qianyu , Liu Hongyao , Wang Guan , Wang Liqun , Li Yali , Tan Zui , Yin Wenya , Yao Yuqin , Xie Yongmei , Ouyang Liang , Yu Luoting , Ye Tinghong
Published: June 2021

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lung disease with complex pathogenesis, high mortality. The development of new drugs is time-consuming and laborious, and the research on new use of old drugs can save time and clinical costs and even avoid serious side effects. Nifuroxazide (NIF) was originally used to treat diarrhoea, but in recent years it has been found to have other pharmacological effects such as anti-tumor and inhibiting inflammatory diseases related to diabetic nephropathy. However, there are no reports about its role in pulmonary fibrosis.Methods: The therapeutic effect of NIF on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in vivo was measured by ELISA, hydroxyproline content, H&E and Masson staining, IHC and Western blot. The content of immune cells in lung tissue was analyzed by flow cytometry. NIF cytotoxicity were evaluated in NIH/3T3, Human pulmonary fibroblasts (HPF), A549 and Rat primary lung fibroblasts (RPLF) using MTT assay. Finally, a cell model induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) stimulation and different in vitro experiments (Immunofluorescence, Western blot, Wound migration assay) were conducted to determine the effect of NIF on the activation of fibroblasts and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and migration of epithelial cells.Results: In vivo, intraperitoneal injection of NIF relieved and reversed pulmonary fibrosis caused by BLM bronchial instillation. In addition, nifuroxazide inhibited the expression of a variety of cellular inflammatory factors and immune cells. Furthermore, nifuroxazide suppressed the activation of fibroblasts and the EMT of epithelial cells induced by TGF-β1. Most importantly, we used an analytical docking experiment and thermal shift assay to further verify that nifuroxazide worked in conjunction with Stat3. Moreover, nifuroxazide decreased the expression of p-Stat3 in vitro and in vivo.Conclusion: These results suggest that NIF inhibits and reverses pulmonary fibrosis and support NIF as a viable treatment option that may bring benefits to patients with IPF.
Diatom Species That Characterize Saline Ponds (South of Spain) With The Description of A New Navicula Species
Authors: Moreno David Fernandez , Sánchez-Castillo Pedro M. , Delgado Cristina , Almeida Salomé F.P.
Published: June 2021

The south of the Iberian Peninsula has a high number of saline ponds where electric conductivity (EC) is an important factor that affects directly aquatic organisms, influencing their distribution and abundance. Environmental factors (such as pH, EC and temperature) were measured and diatom assemblages were sampled in 15 saline shallow ponds in the south of Spain along a range of electric conductivity (1.4 mS to 51.6 mS cm-1) between spring of 2004 to early summer of 2006. Three groups of ponds were defined based on conductivity (oligosaline 1.4 to 5.3 mScm-1, mesosaline 10.9 to 17.3 mScm-1 and euhaline 32.3 to 51.6 mScm-1) and diatom assemblages were studied. PERMANOVA analysis showed significant differences in diatom community composition between the three groups of ponds. Multidimensional scaling analysis (nMDS) showed distinct clusters of diatom assemblages in oligosaline and mesosaline ponds. Dominant diatom species in the eusaline ponds were Tryblionella pararostrata, Halamphora cf. petrusa, Halamphora sp.1 and Cocconeis euglypta; in the mesosaline ponds Navicula veneta, Nitzschia elegantula and Planothidium delicatulum were dominant taxa and the oligosaline ponds were dominated by Navicula veneta, Pseudostaurosira brevistriata and Nitzschia inconspicua. A new diatom species was described in ponds with high electric conductivity (32-56 mS cm-1) and named N. maiorpargemina.A detailed description of N. maiorpargemina sp. nov. is presented in this study based on light and scanning electron microscopy after comparison with morphologically and ecologically related taxa.
Environmental Method for Preparation of Higher Color Strength Dyeing Cotton Fabrics with Colored Nanosilica Pigment
Authors: Zhang Jinping , Li Yonghe , Du Peibo , Guo Zhiguang , Cai Zaisheng , Ge Fengyan
Published: June 2021

Dye wastewater into the water system would cause a severe threat to the natural environment. To reduce the dye discharge, it is highly essential to find a clean and green method to color cotton fabrics. Herein, this work has expediently designed the novel pigment with colored nanoparticles to dye cotton fabrics, which was based on the adsorption of dyes from dyes solution with the synthesis of worm-like hydrophilic porous silica (WHMS) and formed colored particles. It could be found that as-prepared WHMS exhibited with the larger surface area of 968.61 m2/g, the average size of 300 nm and the higher electronegativity on the surface of WHMS materials and could be favorable to capture dye to achieve the capacity above 500 mg/g for different cationic and reduce dyes discharge. The colored WHMS applied in dyeing cotton fabrics show the higher stability and stronger color strength by electrostatic attraction compared with original dyes, in which the mass of WHMS-dyes could be retained by above 80% in thermal decomposition, the color depth of WHMS-dyes dying fabrics increased by above1.2 times and the dye residues in the dyeing process were reduced. The high-quality dyeing fabrics can be obtained and nanospheres uniformly fixed on cotton fabrics through the binder to build a layer film, owing to its hydrophobicity and small sizes. The dyeing cotton fabrics exhibited good wet rubbing, washing fastness and hand feel. These results suggest that the WHMS-dyes can be suitable for cotton dyeing textiles as a sustainable coloring process.
Roles of Mannosylerythritol Lipid-B Components In Antimicrobial Activity Against Bovine Mastitis-Causing Staphylococcus Aureus
Authors: Yamauchi Shinya , Furukawa Mutsumi , Kawahara Akio , Sugahara Tomohiro , Yamamoto Shuhei , Kitabayashi Masao , Sogabe Atsushi , Hata Eiji , Watanabe Kouichi , Yoneyama Hiroshi , Aso Hisashi , Nochi Tomonori
Published: June 2021

Mannosylerythritol lipid-B (MEL-B), which comprises ester-bonded hydrophilic ME and hydrophobic fatty acids, is a bio-surfactant with various unique properties, including antimicrobial activity against most gram-positive bacteria. The gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus is a causative pathogen of dairy cattle mastitis, which results in considerable economic loss in dairy industry. Here, we demonstrate the efficacy of MEL-B as a disinfectant against bovine-derived S. aureus and elucidate a mechanism of action of MEL-B in inhibition of bacterial growth. The growth of bovine mastitis causative S. aureus BM1006 was inhibited when cultured with MEL-B above 10 ppm (equivalent to 0.015 mM). The activity of MEL-B required fatty acids (i.e., caprylic and myristoleic acids) as ME, the component of MEL-B lacking fatty acids, did not inhibit the growth of S. aureus even at high concentrations. Importantly, ME-bound fatty acids effectively inhibited the growth of S. aureus when compared with free fatty acids. Specifically, the concentrations of ME-bound fatty acids and free caprylic and myristoleic acids required to inhibit the growth of S. aureus were 0.015, 10, and 1 mM, respectively. The involvement of ME in the antimicrobial activity of MEL-B was confirmed by digestion of MEL-B with lipase, which dissociated ME and fatty acids. These results indicated that a mechanism of action of MEL-B in inhibiting the growth of S. aureus could be explained by the effective transporting of antimicrobial fatty acids to the bacterial surface via hydrophilic ME.
Impact of Ventilatory Disorders on Respiratory Symptoms, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life in Post-Tuberculosis Subjects: A National Database Study in Korea
Authors: Yang Bumhee , Choi Hayoung , Shin Sun Hye , Kim Youlim , Moon Ji-Yong , Park Hye Yun , Lee Hyun
Published: June 2021

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) survivors experience post-TB lung damage and ventilatory function disorders. However, the proportions of obstructive and restrictive ventilatory disorders as well as normal ventilation among post-TB subjects are unknown. In addition, the impacts of ventilatory disorder and its severity on respiratory symptoms, physical activity limitations, and the quality of life in post-TB subjects remain unclear.MethodsSubjects who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2007–2016 were enrolled in this study. We evaluated the impact of each ventilatory disorder and its severity on respiratory symptoms, physical activity limitations, and quality of life (measured by the EuroQoL five dimensions questionnaire [EQ-5D] index values) in post-TB subjects.Results Among 1,466 post-TB subjects, 29% and 16% had obstructive ventilatory disorders and restrictive ventilatory disorders, respectively. Mild and moderate obstructive ventilatory disorders were not associated with respiratory symptoms, physical activity limitation, or EQ-5D index value compared with normal ventilation; however, severe obstructive ventilatory disorders were associated with more respiratory symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 5.82, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.80–12.10), more physical activity limitation (aOR = 92.20, 95% CI = 16.33–520.62), and decreased EQ-5D index (adjusted coefficient = -0.055, 95% CI = -0.096 – -0.013) compared with normal ventilation. Mild restrictive ventilatory disorders were associated with more respiratory symptoms (aOR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.07–3.56) compared with normal ventilation, while moderate (aOR = 9.17, 95% CI = 1.02–82.22) and severe restrictive symptoms (aOR = 9.17, 95% CI = 1.02–82.22) were associated with physical activity limitation compared with normal ventilation.ConclusionAmong post-TB subjects, 29% and 16% developed obstructive and restrictive ventilatory disorders, respectively. Severe obstructive ventilatory disorder was associated with more respiratory symptoms, more physical activity limitation, and poorer quality of life, while severe restrictive ventilatory disorder was associated with more physical activity limitations.
A First Comparison of Microplastics Abundance between Two Whale Shark Feeding Areas of the Gulf of California, Mexico.
Authors: Cardelli Lara Roberta , Pancaldi Francesca , Magaña Felipe Galván , Whitehead Darren Andrew
Published: June 2021

Abundance and typology of microplastics (MPs) were measured in 12 water samples collected from two whale sharks feeding areas of the Gulf of California (Bahía de los Angeles (BLA) and Bahia de La Paz (LAP)). The concentration of MPs was 0.47 MPs/ m3 in BLA and 0.63 MPs/ m3 in LAP. Overall, films were the most abundant type of MPs (41%; n = 74) followed by line (37%; n = 68), fragments (20%; n = 36) and pellet (2%; n = 3), with significative differences between the types of microplastics. Theoretical ingestion rate per hour of MPs for the species was determined to be 288.58 and 386.82 in BLA and LAP, respectively. In faecal samples collected directly from animals of LAP (n = 3), 67% of the MPs were films, 25% were fragments, and 8% were lines. Results from this study indicate that MPs are common in the feeding areas of this endangered species and that whale sharks are likely ingesting MPs from filtering the surface water.
Influenza virus infection history drives and shapes antibody responses to influenza vaccination
Authors: Fox Annette , Auladell Maria , Phuong Hoang , Le Mai Quynh , Tseng Yeu-Yang , Carolan Louise , Wilks Sam , Thai Pham , Price David , Duong Nguyen , Hang Nguyen Le Khanh , Thanh Le , Thuong Nguyen , Huong Tran , Nguyen Diep , Bich Vu , Khvorov Arseniy , Hensen Luca , Duong Tran , Kedzierska Katherine , Anh Dang , Boyd Scott , Good-Jacobson Kim , Smith Derek , Barr Ian , Sullivan Sheena , Doorn H. Rogier van
Published: June 2021

Background The controversial hypothesis that recalled immunological memory limits responses to variant virus strains has been revived by recent reports linking poor vaccine effectiveness against A(H3N2) influenza viruses with prior vaccination. The impact of memory induced by prior infection is rarely considered, and is difficult to ascertain because infections are often sub-clinical. This study investigates influenza vaccine immunogenicity among participants who had been monitored for 9 years for clinical influenza infection or seroconversion. Methods In 2007, 269 households from Ha Nam, Viet Nam commenced ongoing monitoring for influenza infection. In 2016, 72 adult participants with documented prior A(H3N2) infection and 28 without infection received trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine for the first time. Serological responses were assessed by hemagglutination inhibition assay against 40 A(H3N2) viruses spanning 1968-2018. Effects of prior infection were determined by comparing geometric mean titres and titre rises. Generalized additive and lowess models were used to fit, and compare, titre landscapes across strains. Findings Participants with documented prior A(H3N2) virus infection had higher pre-vaccine titres against strains circulating since 2004 compared to those without prior infection. Moreover, they had higher titre rises on days 7, 14, 21 and 280 post-vaccination against vaccine and subsequently circulating strains. Accordingly, 1/72 versus 4/28 of vaccinees with and without documented prior infection experienced illness due to A(H3N2) in the season after vaccination (p = 0.021). The range of A(H3N2) virus clades recognized by vaccine-induced antibodies was associated with the clade that last caused infection, indicating that recalled immunity drove antibody production against shared epitopes. Interpretation These results suggest that immunological memory from prior infection drives and shapes antibody production induced by inactivated influenza vaccine, and underpins the capacity for vaccine to induce sufficient antibody for protection.
Lack of Effects On Bumblebee (Bombus Terrestris) Colony Development And Drone And Queen Production Due To The Insecticide Chlorantraniliprole
Authors: Dinter Axel , Klein Olaf , Franke Lea
Published: June 2021

The aim of the study was to investigate the potential impact of the insecticide chlorantraniliprole on queen-right bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) colonies under semi-field conditions in Phacelia tanacetifolia. The P. tanacetifolia crop was grown in soil treated with modelled worst-case 20-year plateau concentration of chlorantraniliprole in the top 20 cm of soil (equivalent to 0.088 mg a.s./kg). Additionally, two chlorantraniliprole spray applications at 60 g a.s./ha were made. In treatment T1 both spray applications took place before P. tanacetifolia flowering at growth stages BBCH 51–55 and BBCH 55–59. In T2 one spray application was conducted before P. tanacetifolia flowering at BBCH 55–59 and one application during P. tanacetifolia flowering and during daily bee flight at BBCH 61–62. The application in the control (C) and reference item treatment (R) (400 g dimethoate a.s./ha) was carried out during full P. tanacetifolia flowering and bumblebee flight. The bumblebee colonies were exposed to the treated flowering P. tanacetifolia crop for 20 days in the tunnels and afterwards the colonies were kept on a monitoring site. Results of this study indicate no significant differences between the chlorantraniliprole groups T1 and T2 and the control regarding all parameters assessed (i.e. adult and larval mortality, flight activity at the hive entrance, colony weight development, condition of the colonies and production of young queens and males). Overall, no effects of chlorantraniliprole on B. terrestris colonies including queen/male production, adult and larval survival, colony development and forager flight activity were found in this worst-case exposure set-up.
Energy Consumption, Economic Growth And Environmental Sustainability Challenges For Belt And Road Countries: A Fresh Insight From “Chinese Going Global Strategy”
Authors: Jalil Abdul , Rauf Abdul , Sikander Waqas , Yonghong Zhang , Tiebang Wang
Published: June 2021

The present study investigated impact of energy and economy related variables on CO2 emissions in 49 countries of belt and road initiative from 1995–2018. The robust type of cross-section dependence and heterogeneity methods were adopted to analyze data set of countries. Energy consumption, foreign direct investment, medium and high-tech industry, and GDP has been found highly unfavorable for the ecological health (CO2 emissions) in 49 nations on BRI panel. However, renewable energy consumption has been found in positive correlation with environmental quality (CO2). Financial development indicator has no significant impact on CO2 emissions in present study. The present outcomes clearly claim strong relationship of economic growth and energy with increased CO2 emissions in 49 nations. Therefore, it is important for policy makers, experts and governments to incentivize and appreciate portfolio investors for sustainable green investments to transform the economic growth into a sustainable and energy efficient development.
Overwintering, Cold Tolerance and Supercooling Capacity Comparison Between Liriomyza Sativae and L. Trifolii, Two Successively Invaded Leafminers in China
Authors: Zhang Qikai , Wu Shengyong , Wang Haihong , Xing Zhonglong , Lei Zhongren
Published: June 2021

Liriomyza sativae Blanchard and Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) are two highly polyphagous pests that successively invaded China in the 1990s and 2000s, respectively, threatening vegetable and horticultural plants. Competitive displacement of L. sativae by L. trifolii occurred during the expansion process of the latter in southern China. However, whether L. trifolii can expand their range to northern China and, if so, how they compete with L. sativae in northern China remains unclear. Overwintering and cold tolerance capacity largely determine the species distribution range and can affect species displacement through overwintering and phenology. In this study, we compared the overwintering potential, cold tolerance and supercooling point (SCP) between these two leafminer species. Our results showed that L. trifolii can overwinter at higher altitudes than L. sativae. In addition, we found that they can both successfully overwinter in greenhouses in northern China, and the overwintering capacity of L. trifolii was higher than that of L. sativae. Moreover, the extreme low-temperature survival of L. trifolii was significantly higher than that of L. sativae, and the SCP of the former was lower than that of the latter. We thus conclude that the overwintering and cold tolerance capacity of L. trifolii is much better than that of L. sativae. Our findings indicate that L. trifolii has the potential to displace L. sativae and expand its range to northern China. Moreover, our results have important implications for predicting overwinter ranges and developing management strategies for invasive leafminers in China.
Abstracts Reporting of Randomized Controlled Trials in Ten Highest-ranking Nursing Journals: Improvement in the Quality Since CONSORT Extension for Abstracts
Authors: Zhang Juxia , RN Wenjing Shan , Ying Yuhuan , Zhang Xiaoli , Zhang Yiyin
Published: June 2021

Background: When evaluating randomized controlled trials(RCTs), nurses usually refer to the abstracts to make an initial assessment of the results and to determine whether a full-text review is required. Aims: To determine whether the publication of Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) for abstracts resulted in an improvement in the abstracts report of nursing RCTs. Methods: This research was a cross-sectional study. Web of Science was searched. 200 RCTs were randomly selected from ten high-impact nursing journals. CONSORT-A checklist was used to assess abstracts. Total score on checklists, comparison on total scores between two periods, and effect factors were analyzed. Results: Mean overall adherence across all abstracts was 8.85±2.18 which significantly improved with the time span. The most poorly reported items were ‘harms’, ‘outcomes in method’, and ‘method of blinding’ which appeared in 0, 8.5% and 16.5% of abstracts, respectively. Recent year of publication(P=0.014), Journal impact factor (P=0.000), multiple center trial (P=0.000), and structured abstract (P=0.008) were associated significantly with a high reporting quality. Conclusions: Although not defined all of abstracts in nursing area, our sample reflect the general trend that there was limited adherence to the CONSORT-A among abstracts in nursing literature. It is necessary to promote and actively apply the CONSORT-A guideline.
The Proteomics Analysis of the Effects of Zhishi Rhubarb Soup on Ischemic Stroke
Authors: ZHANG JING HUA , SHAO YUE JIA , HUI ZHEN , WANG SULEI , HUANG CHI , ZHAO YANG
Published: June 2021

Background: Stroke has always been a big threat around the world, but most severe in China with 2.5 million new stroke cases each year and 7.5 million stroke survivors, which also has laid a heavy burden on social and national healthcare system. The Zhishi Rhubarb Soup (ZRS) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been used clinically for many years in China. In order to explore the potential mechanism of ZRS as the pathogen of stroke. In this study, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was employed to uncover the mechanism underlying the effects of ZRS on stroke.Methods: In this study, the quantitative proteomics method LC-MS was used to analyze the proteomic differences of middle cerebral artery occlusion MCAO between normal and after ZSR treatment. Results: Further liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis could observe a total of 3,5006 peptide were identified, 5160.0 proteins identified, of which 4094.0 can be quantified. Differentially expressed proteins with significance were extracted by data analysis and subject to Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed the overviews of dysregulated proteins in the biological process (BP), cell component (CC), and molecular function (MF) categories. Proteins related to brain repair was found to change significantly, including BDNF, IL-10, IL-6, TGF-β，partly demonstrating the effects of ZRS on improving the tissue injury.Conclusion: ZRS was found to contribute to brain repair caused by ZRS treatment, and this could be partly mediated through the anti-inflammation effect by upregulating the vitamin transport. The results confirmed that ZRS presented a unique protein profile that indicated the adaptive mechanisms in acute stroke.
Weight-Bearing Knee Flexion Angle Better Correlates with Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Than Non-Weight-Bearing Condition in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Three-Dimensional Analysis Study
Authors: Kage Tomofumi , Inui Hiroshi , Tomita Tetsuya , Yamazaki Takaharu , Taketomi Shuji , Yamagami Ryota , Kono Kenichi , Kawaguchi Kohei , Sameshima Shin , Tanaka Sakae
Published: June 2021

Background: This study aims to elucidate and compare the relationship between the knee flexion angle and patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) in both non-weight-bearing (NWB) and weight-bearing (WB) conditions. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 61 knees (47 patients) who underwent total knee arthroplasty. The knee flexion angle was measured by three conditions: NWB in manual goniometer, NWB in fluoroscopic three-dimensional (3D) analysis and WB in the fluoroscopic 3D analysis. The PROM was evaluated by postoperative 2011 Knee Society Score (2011 KSS) and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Correlations between the knee flexion angle and PROM was analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Additionally, whether the angular difference between NWB and WB correlated with the PROM or not was evaluated. Results: The NWB knee flexion angle in a goniometer, NWB in 3D analysis, and WB in 3D analysis were 124.6° ± 8.4°, 118.0° ± 10.5°, and 109.5° ± 13.3°, respectively. The angular difference was 8.5° ± 12.8°. No PROM correlation existed in NWB using a goniometer. Moreover, significant positive correlations in 2011 KSS symptoms (r = 0.35) and 2011 KSS functional activities (r = 0.27) were noted in NWB using 3D analysis. Significant positive correlations existed in 2011 KSS symptoms (r = 0.32), 2011 KSS functional activities (r = 0.57), KOOS pain (r = 0.37), KOOS activity of daily living (ADL; r = 0.45), KOOS sports (r = 0.42), and KOOS quality of life (r = 0.36) in WB using 3D analysis. Significant negative correlations were noted in 2011 KSS functional activities (r = −0.45), KOOS ADL (r = −0.30), and KOOS sports (r = −0.38) in angular difference. Conclusions: The WB knee flexion angle better correlated with PROM compared with NWB by evaluation of 3D analysis. The larger the angular difference existed between NWB and WB, the lower the PROM score.
Prognostic and Predictive Value of Circulating Tumor DNA in Patients with Advanced Colorectal Cancer and Chemotherapy
Authors: Liu Xiu , Xie Yibin , Ou Kai , Zhang Xuan , Lu Chelong , Liu Jun , Yang Lin
Published: June 2021

Background: Advancedcolorectal cancer (CRC) remains a challenging disease requiring a multidisciplinary approach, combining surgery with chemotherapy, yet most cases still has worse outcomes. Molecular variations were considered to be related to the clinical response. Moreover, emerging data suggest that circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) may detect minimal residual disease (MRD) and reflect treatment efficacyacross diverse cancer types. However, most reported ctDNA measurements are based on monitoring a few hotspot mutations and their predictive value in advanced CRCs are still undetermined. Here, we carried out WES sequencing to explore the genomic landscape in CRC patients and developedctDNA fingerprints panelswhich are based on the top somatic mutated genes of each individual to evaluate the early changes of ctDNA fingerprints in chemo-treated advanced CRC patients as a marker of clinical benefits.Methods: We enrolled 122 patients with CRC and analyzed their genetic profilinginclude somatic alterations and copy number variations. Meanwhile, we monitored their ctDNA fingerprints changes along the course of treatment by serial sampling of peripheral blood. Seventy-one of the patients were treated with standard chemotherapy, and theirctDNAfingerprints variations were used to assess the prognosis. We analyzed the correlation between ctDNA fingerprints levels and overall survival (OS) of the patients.Results: Among the 122 enrolled patients,theTP53 (70%), APC (59%) and KRAS (38%) are most frequently mutationsin CRC patients. The AHNAK mutation and HOXB-AS1 amplification are associated with survival times.We monitored the baseline ctDNAvalue and found thatthe ctDNA-high group has a shorter OS than that of the ctDNA-low group (HR, 2.89; CI 95% 1.45-5.79; p = 0.0027). The conclusion stands when only 48of the 122 patients, who had advanced CRC (stage IV) received chemotherapy (HR, 1.60; CI 95% 0.61-4.17; p = 0.037). Moreover, change of ctDNA fingerprints were associated with survival timesduring the course of chemotherapy, a decreased group has a favorable clinical benefit. We compared the performance of ctDNA fingerprints in predicting clinical outcomes with that of imaging-based diagnosis in 34 advanced CRC patients, andfound that 52.9% (18/34) of the patients had consistent outcomes between ctDNA fingerprints and imaging diagnosis.Conclusions: This study analysis the genetic characteristics of CRC patients and explore molecular markers related to the prognosis. It is also confirming the association between baseline levels of ctDNA fingerprints and survival times in CRCs. More importantly, it suggests early change of ctDNA fingerprints level in plasma is a promising biomarker of chemotherapy efficacy and patient prognosis in advanced CRCs.
Comparing The Efficacy of Anti-Infectious Drugs For The Treatment of Mild To Severe COVID-19 Patients: A Protocol For A Systematic Review And Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.
Authors: Debela Dejene Tolossa , Heraro Kidist Digamo , Fekadu Abebaw , Belina Merga , Manyazewal Tsegahun
Published: June 2021

Background: COVID-19 is a viral infection spreading at a great speed and has quickly caused an extensive burden to individuals, families, countries, and the world. No intervention has yet been proven highly effective for the treatment of COVID-19. Different drugs were being evaluated and reported through randomized clinical trials, and more are currently under trial. This review aimed to compare the efficacy of anti-infectious drugs with a comparator of the standard of care or placebo in patients with COVID-19.Methods: Two independent review authors will extract data and assess a risk of bias using RoB2. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) that evaluate single and/or combined antiviral drugs recommended by WHO latest guideline for the treatment of COVID-19 will be included. We will search for Pub Med, the Cochrane Center for Clinical Trial database (CENTRAL), clinicaltrials.gov, etc. databases for articles published in the English language between December 2019 to April 2021. We will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) involving Network Meta-analysis guidelines to design and report of the results. The primary endpoints will be time to clinical recovery and time to RNA negativity. The certainty of evidence will be evaluated using the GRADE extension of NMA. Data analysis will be performed using the frequentist NMA approach with the netmeta package implemented in R.Discussion: This review will reveal the best antiviral drug treatment for covid-19 and show the hierarchy of those drugs.Systematic review registration: The protocol was registered on PROSPERO with ID number CRD42021230919
Effect of Land Use Change on Soil Carbon Stock and Selected Soil Properties in Gobu Sayyo, Western Ethiopia
Authors: welemariam mengistu , Wako Deginet , Kitila Getahun
Published: June 2021

Background: Land-use change is one of the major factors affecting soil degradation. The pressures of the human population on land resources have increased land-use change with more negative effects on soil carbon storage and soil properties. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of land-use changes on soil organic carbon (SOC) stock and selected soil physicochemical properties in Gobu Sayyo, Western Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from three adjacent land uses i.e., forest land, grazing land, and cultivated lands at 0-20cm and 20cm-40cm soil depths. A total of 36 composite soil samples were collected and the major soil properties and SOC storage of the area were analyzed and computed based on their standard procedures.Results: Soil organic carbon stock was significantly (p<0.05) higher (43.09-81.86 tone ha-1) in forest land and was significantly lower (38.08-43.09 tone ha-1) in cultivated land at the of depth of 0-20cm. SOC stock decreased with dept in all land uses. Changes in land use and soil depth affected the physical and chemical properties of soil. The physical soil property such as bulk density (BD) was higher (1.62 gcm-3) in the cultivated land whereas, the lowest (1.08 gcm-3) was recorded in the forest at 0-20cm depth. Comparatively the moisture content was higher (25.89%) under forest land at the depth of 20-40cm and was lower (11.22%) under cultivated lands. The chemical soil properties like exchangeable Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ were higher in forest lands. Organic carbon, avP, TN, ex.Ca2+, ex.Mg2+, ex.K+, and CEC were lower under cultivated lands. pH increased with depth and was higher under forest land and lower under cultivated land. Soils of the study area are in general acidic to slightly acid with pH value ranging from 4-6-6.02. The pH, SOC, TN, av. Phosphorus and CEC were higher under forest land as compared to cultivated and grazing lands. Conclusion: It can be concluded that soil organic carbon stocks, the physical and chemical properties were affected by land-use change and depth. Therefore, reducing the intensity of cultivation, adopting integrated soil fertility management, and maintaining forest land must be practiced to save the soil of the area from degradation.
Phase II, Non-Randomized Study of Chemo-Chemoradio-Chemo Sequential Therapy Compared With Concomitant Chemoradiotherapy In Magnetic Resonance Imaging Defined, Locally Mid/Low Advanced Rectal Cancer
Authors: Liu Yanlong , Xia Tianyi , Han Peng , Zhang Bomiao , Song Chengxin , Gu Xinyue , Xue Weinan , Wang Yangyang , Cui Binbin
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveThe conventional preoperative CRT provides local tumor control in most LARC patients. However, long-term survival has not obviously improved. Thus, the optimal neoadjuvant treatment is still controversial. Sandwich therapy may be associated with better efficacy.Methods The present study is a single-center, open-label, phase II, non-randomized trial (Clinical trials number: NCT02022852). Pathological diagnosis of eligible patients were as rectal adenocarcinoma and they were clinically confirmed by MRI as cT3-4NxM0, with distal border located＜10cm from anal verge. Hundred and seventy-two patients between July 2013 and July 2015 were enrolled for the trial. The enrolled patients were non-randomly assigned into two treatment types (arm A and arm B). Patients in arm A received capecitabine-based concurrent CRT 25 fractions. In contrast, arm B patients received sequential therapy as induction CapeOx for two cycles, followed by 25 fractions CRT, finally adding one consolidation CapeOx cycle. After preoperative treatment, TME with different adjuvant therapy types were performed in patients.ResultsWith treatment processing, 48 patients were excluded from the trial due to personal reasons and intolerance to treatment toxicities. Finally, there were 61 patients in arm A and 63 patients in arm B (70.9% vs. 73.2%). The 5-years DFS and OS didn’t show significant difference in two arms. However, the postoperative complications of arms A and B were 4.9% and 17.5% (P=0.027).ConclusionsSandwich therapy may lead more postoperative complications than conventional CRT, so that the safety should further research. Compared with conventional CRT, sandwich therapy doesn’t show significant advantage in survival.
Analysis of CircRNA Expression Profile of Pathological Bone Formation in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Wu Juan , Chen Hui , Xie Deng-Hui , Zhang Hai-Yan , Zhao Chang , Zou Yu-cong
Published: June 2021

Objective: To screen and analyze the function of specific circular RNA involved of pathological bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis. Methods: From September 2019 to October 2020, Ossification capsule of 3 patients with ankylosing spondylitis developed hip joint fusion and capsule of 3 patients with femoral neck fracture were enrolled as the experimental group and the control group, respectively. The circular RNA expressions of hip capsule were analyzed by arraystar circRNA chip, bioinformatics analyses including the circRNA/miRNA/mRNA interaction network, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis.Results: The results showed that there totally were 25 up-regulated and 39 down-regulated differential circRNAs, among these circRNAs,we screened most up-regulated 10 circRNAs and most down-regulated 13 circRNAs in ankylosing spondylitis (FC≥2,P＜0.05). Further analysis demonstrated that two signal ways were most involved and correslated with the different circRNAs-“Focal Adhesion signal pathway” and “Rap1 signal pathway” Conclusion: The circular RNAs involved of pathological bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis were significantly different from that of the control group. These differentially expressed circular RNAs may be closely related to the occurrence and development of pathological bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis. Key words: CircRNA, Ankylosing spondylitis, Gene chip, Pathological bone formation
Injectisome T3SS Subunits As Potential Chaperones In The Extracellular Export of Pectobacterium Carotovorum Subsp. Carotovorum Bacteriocins Carocin S1 And Carocin S3 Secreted Via Flagellar T3SS
Authors: Chen Hang-Cheng , Derilo Reymund C. , Chen Han-Ling , Li Tzu-Rung , Lagitnay Ruchi Briam James S. , Chan Yung-Chieh , Chuang Yutin , Chuang Duen-Yau
Published: June 2021

Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) causes soft-rot disease in a wide variety of plants resulting in economic losses worldwide. It produces various types of bacteriocin to compete against related plant pathogens. Studies on how bacteriocins are extracellularly secreted are conducted to understand the mechanism of interbacterial competition. In this study, the secretion of the low-molecular-weight bacteriocins (LMWB) Carocin S1 and Carocin S3 produced by a multiple-bacteriocin producing strain of Pcc, 89-H-4, was investigated. Tn5 insertional mutagenesis was used to generate a mutant, TH22-6, incapable of LMWBs secretion. Sequence and homology analyses of the gene disrupted by transposon Tn5 insertion revealed that the gene sctT, an essential component of the injectisome type III secretion machinery (T3aSS), is required for the secretion of the bacteriocins. This result raised a question regarding the nature of the secretion mechanism of Pcc bacteriocins which was previously discovered to be secreted via T3bSS, a system that utilizes the bacterial flagellum for extracellular secretions. Our previous report has shown that bacteriocin Carocin S1 cannot be secreted by mutants that are defective of T3bSS-related genes such as flhA, flhC, flhD and fliC. We knocked out several genes making up the significant structural components of both T3aSS and T3bSS. The findings led us to hypothesize the potential roles of the T3aSS-related proteins, SctT, SctU and SctV, as flagellar T3SS chaperones in the secretion of Pcc bacteriocins. This current discovery and the findings of our previous study helped us to conceptualize a unique Type III secretion system for bacteriocin extracellular export which is a hybrid of the injectisome and flagellar secretion systems.
Clinical Outcomes and Ultrasonic Evaluation of Percutaneous Achilles Tendon Repair
Authors: Liu Ben-Mao , Chen Hung-Chou , Liaw Chen-Kun , Chen Chia-Hsien , Chen Chih-Hwa , Tsuang Yang-Hwei , Weng Pei-Wei
Published: June 2021

BackgroundAchilles tendon rupture remains one of the most common tendon injuries in adult population. At present, randomized studies have failed to demonstrate the optimal management of Achilles tendon rupture. Wound complications have been significantly minimized since the emergence of percutaneous repairs when compared to traditional open methods. However, some studies suggested a higher incidence of rerupture rates and iatrogenic sural nerve injuries. The goal of this study was to present the clinical outcomes and ultrasonic evaluation of percutaneous Achilles tendon repair.MethodsBetween August 2015 and May 2018, 36 patients with an acute Achilles tendon rupture, treated in percutaneous repair, were studied retrospectively. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and the 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain questionnaires were sent to assess the clinical and functional outcomes. Ultrasonic evaluation was recorded using Möller grading system as an objective measurement.ResultsThe 25 male and 11 female (mean age 47.03 years) were clinically followed-up for a minimum of 12 months (average 28.97 months). No wound complications or reruptures occurred. Four(11.1%) patients reported sural nerve hypoesthesia and one of them required additional treatment. The mean AOFAS and VAS score was 92.6 and 1.8 respectively at the 12th postoperative month. Ultrasonic evaluation was performed at the average follow-up of 18.3 months and the mean points were 1.8. All treated tendons were healthily recovered and all patients were able to return to previous work or activities.ConclusionPercutaneous Achilles tendon repair offers good clinical outcome and no apparent increased risk of reruptures. The risk of iatrogenic sural nerve injury, however, remains the most occurred complication. Ultrasound can be used to visualize and examine the repaired tendon, which demonstrated satisfying healing process.
Research of Ergonomic Comprehensive Evaluation For Suit Production Operation Based On Hybrid Method With IAHP And Gray Entropy
Authors: Du Laihong , Chen Hua , Fang Yadong
Published: June 2021

To solve the problem of ergonomic evaluation of suit production system, a Hybrid method with IAHP and gray entropy theory is proposed. Firstly, literature review about ergonomics evaluation tools and technology is introduced. Furthermore, the ergonomic evaluation index system of suit operation is established according to production practice. Besides, comprehensive evaluation model process with gray entropy and IAHP is introduced. Finally, detailed evaluation process of suit sewing, ironing and clipping operation is introduced by an example, and the results show that the evaluation method in the paper is helpful to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the operation system improvement demonstration.
SET Improved Oocyte Maturation by PP2A and Inhibited Oocyte Apoptosis in Mouse Oocytes
Authors: Gao Lingling , Wang Siying , Xu Jianbo , Lu Dan , Cui Yugui
Published: June 2021

Background: SET is a multifunctional protein involved in a variety of molecular processes such as transcription control, chromatin remodeling, cell apoptosis, and cell-cycle regulation. In ovaries SET is predominantly expressed in theca cells and oocytes. And in PCOS patients the expression of SET was increased than normal people. The current study was designed to determine whether SET play a role in oocyte maturation and apoptosis, which may provide clues for the underlying pathological mechanism of follicular development in PCOS patients.Methods: Oocytes at GV stage were collected from 6-week-old female ICR mice. 20-25 oocytes per group were placed in M16 medium. Then these oocytes were randomly divided into control group or treatment group for further study. Normal distribution was assessed by the Shapiro-Wilk test, and the student t test was used to compare the mRNA and protein levels. Chi-square analysis was used to compare the ratios of oocytes.Results: SET overexpression improved oocyte maturation whereas SET knockdown inhibited oocyte maturation. Moreover, SET negatively regulated PP2A activity in oocytes. Treatment with PP2A inhibitor okadaic acid (OA) promoted oocyte maturation. Furthermore, PP2A knockdown confirmed the key role of PP2A in oocyte maturation, and OA was able to block the AdH1-SiRNA/SET-mediated inhibition on oocyte maturation. The central role of PP2A in SET-mediated regulation of oocyte maturation was confirmed by the finding that SET increased the expression of BMP15 and GDF9 and PP2A inhibited their expression. Besides, SET inhibited oocyte apoptosis through decreased the expression of caspase 3 and caspases 8, while PP2A had no effect on oocyte apoptosis. Conclusions: SET promoted oocyte maturation by inhibiting PP2A activity and inhibited oocyte apoptosis in mouse in-vitro cultured oocytes, which may provide a pathologic pathway leading to oocyte development disorder in PCOS.
Ferrostatin-1 Attenuates Mechanical Hypersensitivity in Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes by Inhibiting Spinal Ferroptosis
Authors: Li Xiang , Deng Yifan , Xiang Ping , Du Jingyi , Liang Jianfen
Published: June 2021

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is a highly prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) without effective treatments. The present study aimed to explore the effects of ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) on mechanical hypersensitivity and spinal ferroptosis in rats with DM induced with streptozotocin (STZ). One week after STZ injection, the DM rats intraperitoneally received Fer-1 (2 μmol/kg) or a vehicle (1% DMSO) once daily for consecutive two weeks. The paw mechanical withdrawal thresholds (PMWT) were assessed weekly to investigate the nociceptive threshold. Biochemical and morphological alterations associated with spinal ferroptosis, including iron content, lipid peroxidation assays, the activities of anti-acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and mitochondrial morphology, were also evaluated. Decreased PMWT and significant changes in ferroptosis-associated markers, such as iron overload, lipid peroxidation, increased expression levels of ACSL4 and decreased expression levels of GPX4, and disrupted morphological features in mitochondria were found in rats with STZ-induced DM. These effects were significantly attenuated via intraperitoneal administration of the ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1. Our findings indicated the involvement of iron-dependent ferroptosis in the spinal cords of rats with STZ-induced DM, and highlighted the effect of continuous administration of ferroptosis inhibitors such as Fer-1 on hypersensitivity in DM rats. These results suggest that inhibition of ferroptosis might be a potential therapeutic strategy in DNP treatment.