bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stage-specific Plasmodium falciparum immune responses in afebrile adults and children living in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana
Authors: Acquah Festus K. , Lo Aminata C. , Akyea-Mensah Kwadwo , Abagna Hamza B. , Faye Babacar , Theisen Michael , Gyan Ben A. , Amoah Linda E.
Published: February 2020

Background

Asymptomatic carriage ofPlasmodium falciparumis widespread in adults and children living in malaria-endemic countries. This study identified the prevalence of malaria parasites and the corresponding levels of naturally acquired anti-parasite antibody levels in afebrile adults living in two communities in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

Methods

Two cross-sectional studies conducted in January and February 2016 and repeated in July and August 2016 recruited subjects aged between 6 and 75 years from high parasite prevalence (Obom) and low parasite prevalence (Asutsuare) communities. Whole blood (5 ml) was collected from each volunteer, plasma was aliquoted and frozen until needed. An aliquot (10 µl) of the blood was used to prepare thick and thin blood smears, 100 µl was preserved in Trizol and the rest was separated into plasma and blood cells and each stored at − 20 °C until needed. Anti-MSP3 and Pfs230 antibody levels were measured using ELISA.

Results

Asexual parasite and gametocyte prevalence were higher in Obom than Asutsuare. Antibody (IgG, IgG1, IgG3, IgM) responses against the asexual parasite antigen MSP3 and gametocyte antigen Pfs230 were higher in Obom during the course of the study except for IgM responses against Pfs230, which was higher in Asutsuare than in Obom during the rainy season. Antibody responses in Asutsuare were more significantly associated with age than the responses measured in Obom.

Conclusion

The pattern of antibody responses measured in people living in the high and low malaria transmission setting was similar. All antibody responses measured against the asexual antigen MSP3 increased, however, IgG and IgG1 responses against gametocyte antigen Pfs230 decreased in moving from the dry to the peak season in both sites. Whilst asexual and gametocyte prevalence was similar between the seasons in the low transmission setting, in the high transmission setting asexual parasite prevalence increased but gametocyte prevalence decreased in the rainy season relative to the dry season.
Maternal dietary patterns and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in twin pregnancies: a longitudinal twin pregnancies birth cohort study
Authors: Wen Li , Ge Huisheng , Qiao Juan , Zhang Lan , Chen Xuyang , Kilby Mark D. , Zhou Ying , Gan Jie , Saffery Richard , Yan Jianying , Tong Chao , Qi Hongbo , Baker Philip N.
Published: February 2020

Background

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is correlated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes for both the mother and offspring. Previous research has reported correlations between maternal dietary patterns and GDM, but such evidence for twin pregnancies is lacking. This study aimed to identify maternal dietary patterns in the second trimester and investigate their relationships with the risk of GDM among women who were pregnant with twins in China.

Methods

A longitudinal twin pregnancies birth cohort study of women who were pregnant with twins in China was conducted. Maternal dietary intake in the second trimester was recorded by using a food frequency questionnaire prior to the diagnosis of GDM among participants from the prospective twin pregnancies birth cohort in Chongqing City. GDM was diagnosed with a 75 g 2-h oral glucose tolerance test at 23–26 weeks of gestation. Dietary patterns were identified by principal components analysis, and the correlations between dietary pattern and GDM were examined using multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results

Of the 324 participants, 101 (31.2%) were diagnosed with GDM. Four dietary patterns were identified: a vegetable-based pattern, a poultry-and-fruit-based pattern, a sweet-based pattern and a plant-protein-based pattern. Multivariate analysis showed that none of the dietary patterns were correlated with the risk of GDM among women who were pregnant with twins, but the sweet-based dietary pattern, which was associated with a higher GDM risk for quartile 4 versus quartile 1 (OR 2.69; 95% CI: 1.09, 6.66) among non-overweight women (prepregnancy BMI < 24.0).

Conclusion

Dietary patterns were not correlated with later GDM risk among women who were pregnant with twins in western China, whereas a high intake of sweets was associated with a higher risk for GDM among women who were not overweight prior to pregnancy.

Trial registration

ChiCTR-OOC-16008203. Retrospectively registered on 1 April 2016.
Vitamin D status in early childhood is not associated with cognitive development and linear growth at 6–9 years of age in North Indian children: a cohort study
Authors: Chowdhury Ranadip , Taneja Sunita , Kvestad Ingrid , Hysing Mari , Bhandari Nita , Strand Tor A.
Published: February 2020

Background

Vitamin D is important for brain function and linear growth. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy has been linked with impaired neurodevelopment during early childhood. However, there is limited evidence from population-based studies on the long-term impact of vitamin D deficiency on cognitive development and linear growth. The objective of the current analysis is to examine whether vitamin D deficiency during infancy and early childhood is associated with cognitive development and linear growth measured in school age.

Methods

This is a follow-up study of a placebo-controlled trial among 1000 North Indian children 6–30 months of age. We measured growth and neurodevelopment in 791 of these children when they were 6–9 years old. Neurodevelopment was measured using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 4th edition INDIA, the Crichton Verbal Scale, NEPSY-II subtests, and the BRIEF 2. We categorized vitamin D concentrations during infancy and early childhood according to the US Institute of Medicine’s recommendations; serum 25(OH)D < 12 ng/ml as deficient; 12–20 ng/ml as inadequate; > 20 ng/ml as sufficient. In multivariable regression models, adjusting for relevant confounders, we estimated the association between vitamin D status, growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Results

Among the 791 children, baseline vitamin D status was available for 716. Of these, 45.8% were vitamin D deficient, 32.7% were inadequate, and 21.5% were sufficient. Vitamin D status was not associated with any of the cognitive outcomes or linear growth [Adjusted β coefficient for height for age z-score between deficient and sufficient children was − 0.06 (95% CI − 0.24 to 0.11)] at follow up.

Conclusion

Our findings do not support the notion that poor vitamin D status in early childhood is an important limitation for cognitive development and linear growth.

Trial Registration

The trial was first registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00717730 in July, 2008, and at CTRI/2010/091/001090 in August, 2010 and then as CTRI/2016/11/007494 in November 2016.
Socially-assigned race and health: a scoping review with global implications for population health equity
Authors: White Kellee , Lawrence Jourdyn A. , Tchangalova Nedelina , Huang Shuo J. , Cummings Jason L.
Published: February 2020

Self-identified race/ethnicity is largely used to identify, monitor, and examine racial/ethnic inequalities. A growing body of work underscores the need to consider multiple dimensions of race – the social construction of race as a function of appearance, societal interactions, institutional dynamics, stereotypes, and social norms. One such multidimensional measure is socially-assigned race, the perception of one’s race by others, that may serve as the basis for differential or unfair treatment and subsequently lead to deleterious health outcomes. We conducted a scoping review to systematically appraise the socially-assigned race and health literature. A systematic search of the PubMed, Web of Science, 28 EBSCO databases and 24 Proquest databases up to September 2019 was conducted and supplemented by a manual search of reference lists and grey literature. Quantitative and qualitative studies that examined socially-assigned race and health or health-related outcomes were considered for inclusion. Eighteen articles were included in the narrative synthesis. Self-rated health and mental health were among the most frequent outcomes studied. The majority of studies were conducted in the United States, with fewer studies conducted in New Zealand, Canada, and Latin America. While most studies demonstrate a positive association between social assignment as a disadvantaged racial or ethnic group and poorer health, some studies did not document an association. We describe key conceptual and methodological considerations that should be prioritized in future studies examining socially-assigned race and health. Socially-assigned race can provide additional insight into observed differential health outcomes among racial/ethnic groups in racialized societies based upon their lived experiences. Studies incorporating socially-assigned race warrants further investigation and may be leveraged to examine nuanced patterns of racial health advantage and disadvantage.
Menopausal symptoms in relationship to breast cancer-specific quality of life after adjuvant cytotoxic treatment in young breast cancer survivors
Authors: Yeo Winnie , Pang Elizabeth , Liem Giok S. , Suen Joyce J. S. , Ng Rita Y. W. , Yip Christopher C. H. , Li Leung , Yip Claudia H. W. , Mo Frankie K. F.
Published: February 2020

Introductions

For young premenopausal breast cancer patients, adjuvant chemotherapy may cause menstrual disruptions and premature menopause, which may in turn impair their quality of life (QoL). In this study among young breast cancer survivors who have undergone adjuvant chemotherapy, the objectives were to assess post-treatment menopausal symptoms and their associated factors, and to correlate these symptoms with breast cancer-specific QoL.

Methods

The study population included premenopausal young Chinese women with early-stage breast cancer who had undergone adjuvant chemotherapy between 3 and 10 years prior to enrolling into this study. At study entry, patients’ characteristics and clinical features were collected; each patient had detail menstrual history collected and each filled in MENQOL and FACT-B + 4 questionnaires.

Results

Two hundred eighty eligible patients were recruited. For adjuvant chemotherapy, 92% received anthracyclines and 28% received taxanes; 76% received adjuvant tamoxifen. At a median of 5.0 years from initial cancer diagnosis, 49 and 11% had become post- and peri-menopausal respectively. MENQOL at study entry revealed that physical domain score was worse in overweight/obese patients (mean scores for underweight/normal vs overweight/obese: 2.65 vs 2.97, p = 0.0162). Vasomotor domain score was worse in those who received taxanes or tamoxifen (taxane vs non-taxane: 2.91 vs. 2.35, p = 0.0140; tamoxifen vs no tamoxifen: 2.75 vs. 2.34, p = 0.0479). Sexual domain score was worse among those who had become peri/post-menopausal (peri/postmenopausal vs premenopausal: 2.82 vs. 2.29, p = 0.0229). On the other hand, patients who utilized traditional Chinese medicine had significantly worse scores for vasomotor, psychosocial and physical domains. Further, there was a significant association between MENQOL scores and FACT-B + 4 scores; less severe symptoms in the MENQOL domains were associated with better QoL scores in FACT-B + 4 physical, functional, psychosocial and emotional well-being, Breast Cancer Subscale, Arm Subscale and FACT-B total score.

Conclusion

Among premenopausal breast cancer women who had undergone adjuvant chemotherapy, those who had received taxanes or tamoxifen, were overweight/obese and utilized traditional Chinese medicine had more severe menopausal symptoms. Patients who experienced worse menopausal symptoms were found to have worse breast cancer-specific QoL. Interventional studies with an aim to alleviate menopausal symptoms are warranted to assess if overall QoL of these patients could be improved.

Trial registration

Not applicable.
The relation between mindfulness and the fatigue of women with breast cancer: path analysis
Authors: Ikeuchi Kaori , Ishiguro Hiroshi , Nakamura Yasunori , Izawa Tomoko , Shinkura Nobuhiko , Nin Kazuko
Published: February 2020

Background

Although fatigue is a common and distressing symptom in cancer survivors, the mechanism of fatigue is not fully understood. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relation between the fatigue and mindfulness of breast cancer survivors using anxiety, depression, pain, loneliness, and sleep disturbance as mediators.

Methods

Path analysis was performed to examine direct and indirect associations between mindfulness and fatigue. Participants were breast cancer survivors who visited a breast surgery department at a university hospital in Japan for hormonal therapy or regular check-ups after treatment. The questionnaire measured cancer-related-fatigue, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, pain, loneliness, and sleep disturbance. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected from medical records.

Results

Two-hundred and seventy-nine breast cancer survivors were registered, of which 259 answered the questionnaire. Ten respondents with incomplete questionnaire data were excluded, resulting in 249 participants for the analyses. Our final model fit the data well (goodness of fit index = .993; adjusted goodness of fit index = .966; comparative fit index = .999; root mean square error of approximation = .016). Mindfulness, anxiety, depression, pain, loneliness, and sleep disturbance were related to fatigue, and mindfulness had the most influence on fatigue (β = − .52). Mindfulness affected fatigue not only directly but also indirectly through anxiety, depression, pain, loneliness, and sleep disturbance.

Conclusions

The study model helps to explain the process by which mindfulness affects fatigue. Our results suggest that mindfulness has both direct and indirect effects on the fatigue of breast cancer survivors and that mindfulness can be used to more effectively reduce their fatigue. It also suggests that health care professionals should be aware of factors such as anxiety, depression, pain, loneliness, and sleep disturbance in their care for fatigue of breast cancer survivors.

Trial registration

This study was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN number. 000027720) on June 12, 2017.
Cathelicidin preserves intestinal barrier function in polymicrobial sepsis
Authors: Ho Jeffery , Chan Hung , Liang Yonghao , Liu Xiaodong , Zhang Lin , Li Qing , Zhang Yuchen , Zeng Judeng , Ugwu Felix N. , Ho Idy H. T. , Hu Wei , Yau Johnny C. W. , Wong Sunny H. , Wong Wai Tat , Ling Lowell , Cho Chi H. , Gallo Richard L. , Gin Tony , Tse Gary , Yu Jun , Chan Matthew T. V. , Leung Czarina C. H. , Wu William K. K.
Published: February 2020

Objectives

The intestinal epithelium compartmentalizes the sterile bloodstream and the commensal bacteria in the gut. Accumulating evidence suggests that this barrier is impaired in sepsis, aggravating systemic inflammation. Previous studies reported that cathelicidin is differentially expressed in various tissues in sepsis. However, its role in sepsis-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction has not been investigated.

Design

To examine the role of cathelicidin in polymicrobial sepsis, cathelicidin wild-(Cnlp+/+) and knockout (Cnlp−/−) mice underwent cecal-ligation and puncture (CLP) followed by the assessment of septic mortality and morbidity as well as histological, biochemical, immunological, and transcriptomic analyses in the ileal tissues. We also evaluated the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacies of vitamin D3 (an inducer of endogenous cathelicidin) in the CLP-induced murine polymicrobial sepsis model.

Results

The ileal expression of cathelicidin was increased by three-fold after CLP, peaking at 4 h. Knockout of Cnlp significantly increased 7-day mortality and was associated with a higher murine sepsis score. Alcian-blue staining revealed a reduced number of mucin-positive goblet cells, accompanied by reduced mucin expression. Increased number of apoptotic cells and cleavage of caspase-3 were observed. Cnlp deletion increased intestinal permeability to 4kD fluorescein-labeled dextran and reduced the expression of tight junction proteins claudin-1 and occludin. Notably, circulating bacterial DNA load increased more than two-fold. Transcriptome analysis revealed upregulation of cytokine/inflammatory pathway. Depletion of Cnlp induced more M1 macrophages and neutrophils compared with the wild-type mice after CLP. Mice pre-treated with cholecalciferol (an inactive form of vitamin D3) or treated with 1alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (an active form of VD3) had decreased 7-day mortality and significantly less severe symptoms. Intriguingly, the administration of cholecalciferol after CLP led to worsened 7-day mortality and the associated symptoms.

Conclusions

Endogenous cathelicidin promotes intestinal barrier integrity accompanied by modulating the infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages in polymicrobial sepsis. Our data suggested that 1alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 but not cholecalciferol is a potential therapeutic agent for treating sepsis.
A randomised placebo controlled trial of anakinra for treating pustular psoriasis: statistical analysis plan for stage two of the APRICOT trial
Authors: Cro Suzie , Patel Prakash , Barker Jonathan , Burden David A. , Griffiths Christopher E. M. , Lachmann Helen J. , Reynolds Nick J. , Warren Richard B. , Capon Francesca , Smith Catherine , Cornelius Victoria
Published: February 2020

Background

Current treatment options for Palmoplantar Pustulosis (PPP), a debilitating chronic skin disease which affects the hands and feet, are limited. The Anakinra for Pustular psoriasis: Response in a Controlled Trial (APRICOT) aims to determine the efficacy of anakinra in the treatment of PPP. This article describes the statistical analysis plan for the final analysis of this two-staged trial, which was determined prior to unblinding and database lock. This is an update to the published protocol and stage one analysis plan.

Methods

APRICOT is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of anakinra versus placebo, with two stages and an adaptive element. Stage one compared treatment arms to ensure proof-of-concept and determined the primary outcome for stage two of the trial. The primary outcome was selected to be the change in Palmoplantar Pustulosis Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PPPASI) at 8 weeks. Secondary outcomes include other investigator-assessed efficacy measures of disease severity, participant-reported measures of efficacy and safety measures. This manuscript describes in detail the outcomes, sample size, general analysis principles, the pre-specified statistical analysis plan for each of the outcomes, the handling of missing outcome data and the planned sensitivity and supplementary analyses for the second stage of the APRICOT trial.

Discussion

This statistical analysis plan was developed in compliance with international trial guidelines and is published to increase transparency of the trial analysis. The results of the trial analysis will indicate whether anakinra has a role in the treatment of PPP.

Trial registration

ISCRTN, ISCRTN13127147. Registered on 1 August 2016. EudraCT Number 2015-003600-23. Registered on 1 April 2016.
Epigenetic silencing of IGFBPL1 promotes esophageal cancer growth by activating PI3K-AKT signaling
Authors: Liu Yingge , Zhang Meiying , He Tao , Yang Weili , Wang Lidong , Zhang Lirong , Guo Mingzhou
Published: February 2020

Background

There are seven insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) that bind insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). IGFBP like protein1 (IGFBPL1) is a new member of this family. The function and mechanism of IGFBPL1 in esophageal cancer remains to be elucidated.

Methods

Eight esophageal cancer cell lines, 114 cases of esophageal dysplasia, and 501 cases of primary esophageal cancer samples were examined in this study. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP), immunohistochemistry, Western blot, flow cytometry, RNA interference assay, and xenograft mouse models were employed.

Results

The expression of IGFBPL1was lost and complete methylation was found in KYSE150 and KYSE410 cells. Reduced expression and partial methylation of IGFBPL1 was found in Bic1, KYSE140, KYSE450, KYSE520, and COLO680N cells. High expression and unmethylation was detected in KYSE510 cells. Restoration of IGFBPL1 expression was found in KYSE150 and KYSE410 cells and the expression of IGFBPL1 was increased in Bic1, KYSE140, KYSE450, KYSE520, and COLO680N cells, after 5-AZA-2′-deoxycytidine treatment. IGFBPL1 was methylated in 47.3% (53/114) of esophageal dysplasia and 49.1% (246/501) of human primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methylation of IGFBPL1 was significantly associated with TNM stage (p = 0.012), and tumor size (p = 0.009). IGFBPL1 inhibited esophageal cancer cell clonal formation and proliferation and induced cell apoptosis and G1/S phase arrest. Further study found that IGFBPL1 is involved in PI3K-AKT signaling and IGFBPL1 suppressed human ESCC xenografts growth in mice.

Conclusion

IGFBPL1 suppresses esophageal cancer cell growth by inhibiting PI3K-AKT signaling in vitro and in vivo. IGFBPL1 is a novel tumor suppressor in human esophageal cancer.
H3K27me3 and EZH2 expression in melanoma: relevance for melanoma progression and response to immune checkpoint blockade
Authors: Hoffmann Friederike , Niebel Dennis , Aymans Pia , Ferring-Schmitt Sandra , Dietrich Dimo , Landsberg Jennifer
Published: February 2020

Background

Upregulation of the histone methyltransferase enzyme EZH2 and its histone modification H3K27me3 has been linked to melanoma progression, metastasis, and resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). In clinical trials, EZH2 inhibitors are currently tested to overcome resistance to ICB. The aim of this study is to evaluate expression patterns and the predictive value of H3K27me3 and EZH2 in metastatic melanoma samples prior to ICB. As H3K27me3 expression has been associated with a dedifferentiated, invasive melanoma phenotype, we also investigated the prognostic value of H3K27me3 expression in primary melanomas.

Results

H3K27me3 and EZH2 expression were evaluated in a cohort of 44 metastatic melanoma samples before ICB using immunohistochemistry (IHC). 29/44 (66%) of melanomas showed H3K27me3 expression, and 6/44 (14%) showed EZH2 expression. No predictive value for therapeutic response to anti-PD-1 therapy could be found for H3K27me3 or EZH2 expression on melanoma cells. To investigate the prognostic significance of H3K27me3, we analyzed H3K27me3 expression in a representative cohort of 136 primary melanomas with known sentinel lymph node status. H3K27me3 expression is associated with increased tumor thickness and nodal involvement. Melanoma metastases showed a higher expression of H3K27me3 in comparison to primary melanomas. In human melanoma cell lines, TNFα and INFγ could not induce H3K27me3 expression.

Conclusion

Our study shows that H3K27me3 expression is more frequent than EZH2 and is associated with a more invasive and metastatic melanoma cell phenotype. We suggest that H3K27me3 expression by IHC might be a suitable method to evaluate the activity of EZH2 inhibitors in clinical trials.
Epigenetic age acceleration of cervical squamous cell carcinoma converged to human papillomavirus 16/18 expression, immunoactivation, and favourable prognosis
Authors: Lu Xiaofan , Zhou Yujie , Meng Jialin , Jiang Liyun , Gao Jun , Fan Xiaole , Chen Yanfeng , Cheng Yu , Wang Yang , Zhang Bing , Yan Hangyu , Yan Fangrong
Published: February 2020

Background

Ageing-associated molecular changes have been assumed to trigger malignant transformations and the epigenetic clock, and the DNA methylation age has been shown to be highly correlated with chronological age. However, the associations between the epigenetic clock and cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) prognosis, other molecular characteristics, and clinicopathological features have not been systematically investigated. To this end, we computed the DNA methylation (DNAm) age of 252 CSCC patients and 200 normal samples from TCGA and three external cohorts by using the Horvath clock model. We characterized the differences in human papillomavirus (HPV) 16/18 expression, pathway activity, genomic alteration, and chemosensitivity between two DNAm age subgroups. We then used Cox proportional hazards regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis to assess the prognostic value of epigenetic acceleration.

Results

DNAm age was significantly associated with chronological age, but it was differentiated between tumour and normal tissue (P < 0.001). Two DNAm age groups, i.e. DNAmAge-ACC and DNAmAge-DEC, were identified; the former had high expression of the E6/E7 oncoproteins of HPV16/18 (P < 0.05), an immunoactive phenotype (all FDRs < 0.05 in enrichment analysis), CpG island hypermethylation (P < 0.001), and lower mutation load (P = 0.011), including for TP53 (P = 0.002). When adjusted for chronological age and tumour stage, every 10-year increase in DNAm age was associated with a 12% decrease in fatality (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.78–0.99, P = 0.03); DNAmAge-ACC had a 41% lower mortality risk and 47% lower progression rate than DNAmAge-DEC and was more likely to benefit from chemotherapy. RCS revealed a positive non-linear association between DNAm age and both mortality and progression risk (both, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

DNAm age is an independent predictor of CSCC prognosis. Better prognosis, overexpression of HPV E6/E7 oncoproteins, and higher enrichment of immune signatures were observed in DNAmAge-ACC tumours.
Myocardial perfusion reserve of kidney transplant patients is well preserved
Authors: Päivärinta Johanna , Metsärinne Kaj , Löyttyniemi Eliisa , Teuho Jarmo , Tolvanen Tuula , Knuuti Juhani , Koivuviita Niina
Published: February 2020

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with endothelial dysfunction and increased cardiovascular mortality. Endothelial dysfunction can be studied measuring myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR). MPR is the ratio of stress and rest myocardial perfusion (MP) and reflects the capacity of vascular bed to increase perfusion and microvascular responsiveness. In this pilot study, our aim was to assess MPR of 19 patients with kidney transplant (CKD stages 2–3) and of ten healthy controls with quantitative [15O]H2O positron emission tomography (PET) method.

Results

Basal MP was statistically significantly higher at rest in the kidney transplant patients than in the healthy controls [1.3 (0.4) ml/min/g and 1.0 (0.2) ml/min/g, respectively, p = 0.0015]. After correction of basal MP by cardiac workload [MPcorr = basal MP/individual rate pressure product (RPP) × average RPP of the healthy controls], the difference between the groups disappeared [0.9 (0.2)  ml/min/g and 1.0 (0.3) ml/min/g, respectively, p = 0.55)]. There was no difference in stress MP between the kidney transplant patients and the healthy subjects [3.8 (1.0) ml/min/g and 4.0 (0.9) ml/min/g, respectively, p = 0.53]. Although MPR was reduced, MPRcorr (stress MP/basal MPcorr) did not differ between the kidney transplant patients and the healthy controls [4.1 (1.1) and 4.3 (1.6), respectively, p = 0.8].

Conclusions

MP during stress is preserved in kidney transplant patients with CKD stage 2–3. The reduced MPR appears to be explained by increased resting MP. This is likely linked with increased cardiac workload due to sympathetic overactivation in kidney transplant patients.
Effects of torrefied wood chip and vermicompost application on vegetation growth and nutrient uptake in the Saemangeum reclaimed land
Authors: Aung Aung , Seo Jeong Min , Han Si Ho , An Ji Young , Dao Huong Thi Thuy , Youn Woo Bin , Park Byung Bae
Published: February 2020

Background

In reclaimed land, the growth environment for plants may be unfavorable and the initial establishment and growth of seedlings could be limited because of low nutrient and water availability. Fertilization and control of understory vegetation that competes with seedlings may be of help in ameliorating soil physical and chemical properties, resulting in better seedling growth and reclamation success. However, the amount of nutrients understory vegetation absorbs in this ecological process has been rarely studied. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effect of soil amendment on biomass production and nutrient uptake by weeds in the nutrient-poor reclaimed area. We applied three levels of torrefied wood chip (TWC; 0, 2.5, and 5 Mg ha−1) and two levels of vermicompost (VC; 0 and 2.7 Mg ha−1) as soil physical improvements and organic soil amendments in reclaimed land in the Republic of Korea, with Populus euramericana used as the crop tree.

Results

TWC did not influence weed biomass, but 2.7 Mg ha−1 VC significantly increased weed biomass by 21% compared to 0 Mg ha−1 VC treatments. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sodium (Na) concentrations in weeds were the highest in control, but there was no statistical difference among treatments. However, VC treatment did marginally increase nutrient uptake in weeds, especially P, K, Ca, and Na. No treatments influenced crop tree height.

Conclusion

We conclude that VC can be used as an organic source of nutrients in reclaimed soil and that weed management is necessary to increase treatment effects on crop trees in this salt-affected reclaimed land.
Flexural Behavior of Circular Hollow RC Piers with Reduced Amounts of Inner Hoops
Authors: Li Zhong-Xian , Du Chun-yu , Liang Xiao , Zhao Bo
Published: February 2020

Reversed cyclic loading tests of two circular hollow RC piers were conducted in this study to investigate the effect of different amounts of inner and outer circular hoops on their flexural behavior. The test results showed that the column with a smaller amount of inner circular hoops presented better flexural response than the as-built column with an equal amount of inner and outer circular hoops. Also, the demand developed on the inner circular hoops was smaller than the outer one within the plastic hinge regions, which verified that using a smaller amount of inner circular hoops was reasonable and effective. By examining the confining stress experienced by the concrete in the radial and circumferential directions based on a detailed theoretical analysis, a modeling approach was proposed to take the confinement effect in circular hollow RC piers into consideration. The proposed modeling approach was validated through comparisons with the experimental study and satisfactory agreement was found.
Circulating basophil count as a prognostic marker of tumor aggressiveness and survival outcomes in colorectal cancer
Authors: Liu Qi , Luo Dakui , Cai Sanjun , Li Qingguo , Li Xinxiang
Published: February 2020

Background

Accumulating evidence demonstrated immune/inflammation‐related implications of basophils in affecting tissue microenvironment that surrounded a tumor, and this study aimed to elucidate the clinical value of serum basophil count level.

Methods

Between December 2007 and September 2013, 1029 patients diagnosed with stage I–III CRC in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center meeting the essential criteria were identified. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to construct the survival curves. Several Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to assess the prognostic factors. A simple predictor (CB classifier) was generated by combining serum basophil count and serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level which had long been accepted as the most important and reliable prognostic factor in CRC.

Results

The preoperative basophils count < 0.025*109/L was strongly associated with higher T stage, higher N stage, venous invasion, perineural invasion, elevated serum CEA level, and thus poor survival (P < 0.05). Moreover, multivariate Cox analysis showed that patients with low level of preoperative basophils count had an evidently poorer DFS [Hazard ratio (HR) = 2.197, 95% CI 1.868–2.585].

Conclusions

As a common immune/inflammation‐related biomarker available from the blood routine examination, low level of preoperative serum basophil count was associated with aggressive biology and indicated evidently poor survival. Preoperative serum basophil count would be a useful and simple marker for the management of CRC patients.
Glycated hemoglobin and glycated albumin in patients with diabetes undergoing hemodiafiltration
Authors: Kitajima Yukie , Urabe Shunichiro , Hosono Takashi , Yoshikawa Satoshi , Sato Yuzuru , Hyodo Toru
Published: February 2020

Background

Online hemodiafiltration (OHDF), which results in high albumin leakage, is now widely used in Japan for dialysis, since the national insurance system began reimbursing its costs in 2012. Glycated albumin (GA) levels are affected by albumin leakage into effluent dialysate fluid. Therefore, GA levels in patients requiring diabetes-related dialysis undergoing OHDF require monitoring. However, there have been no previous reports on glycemic control indicators of patients with diabetes undergoing OHDF. We aimed to develop a glycemic control index for patients requiring diabetes-related dialysis undergoing OHDF.

Methods

This study comprised 133 diabetic patients undergoing OHDF. We examined the correlation between GA and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. We analyzed effluent dialysate fluid samples from 41 patients classified into 3 groups, namely, group A, non-protein-leaking OHDF (n = 20); group B, protein-leaking OHDF (n = 14); and group C, highly efficient protein-leaking OHDF (n = 7). We examined the association between GA and HbA1c levels in each group and among patients.

Results

A significant positive correlation was observed between GA and HbA1c levels (r = 0.562, p < 0.0001). There was no significant correlation between pre-dialysis blood glucose levels and HbA1c or GA levels as observed on regular blood tests performed under non-fasting conditions. Patients were classified into 2 groups based on their mean albumin levels (3.4 g/dL cutoff). The correlation between HbA1c and GA levels was found to be weaker in the 51 patients with mean albumin levels < 3.4 g/dL (r = 0.399, p = 0.0037) than in the 82 patients with mean albumin levels ≥ 3.4 g/dL (r = 0.674, p < 0.0001). When the hemodiafilter performance was assessed, no correlation was observed between HbA1c and GA levels in group C patients.

Conclusions

GA levels may be underestimated in patients undergoing OHDF because of the effect of albumin leakage into the effluent dialysate fluid. If a stable hemoglobin value can be maintained during OHDF therapy, then GA and HbA1c levels should be used as a glycemic control index for patients requiring diabetes-related dialysis, considering the dialysis treatment method and protein permeability of the dialyzers and hemodiafilters.
Breast ultrasound: automated or hand-held? Exploring patients’ experience and preference
Authors: Mussetto Ilaria , Gristina Licia , Schiaffino Simone , Tosto Simona , Raviola Edoardo , Calabrese Massimo
Published: February 2020

Background

Our aim was to compare women’s experience with automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) versus breast hand-held ultrasound (HHUS) and to evaluate their acceptance rate.

Methods

After ethical approval, from October 2017 to March 2018, 79 consecutive patients were enrolled in this prospective study. On the same day, patients underwent HHUS followed by ABUS. Each patient’s experience was assessed using the modified testing morbidities index (TMI) (the lower the score, the better is the experience). Nine items were assessed for both techniques: seven directly related to the examination technique (pain or discomfort immediately before (preparation), during and after testing, fear or anxiety immediately before (preparation) and during testing, physical and mental function after testing) and two indirectly related to the examination technique (embarrassment during testing and overall satisfaction). Finally, we asked patients to choose between the two techniques for a potential next breast examination. Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used.

Results

The median TMI score for the seven items was found to be significantly better for HHUS (8, interquartile range [IQR] 7–11) compared to ABUS (9, IQR 8–12) (p = 0.003). The item ‘pain/discomfort during the test’ (p < 0.001) was significantly higher for ABUS compared to HHUS. Instead, the item ‘fear/anxiety before the test’ was higher for HHUS (p = 0.001). Overall, 40.5% of the patients chose HHUS, 29.1% chose ABUS, and 30.4% were unable to choose.

Conclusions

ABUS and HHUS exams were well tolerated and accepted. However, HHUS was perceived to be less painful than ABUS.
The prevalence and the adding value of fetal MRI imaging in midline cerebral anomalies
Authors: Raafat Rehab M. E. , Abdelrahman Tamer M. , Hafez Mona A. F.
Published: February 2020

Background

Foetal MR imaging is widely accepted as an adjunct to foetal ultrasonography; however, there are many controversies regarding its importance and indications. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate foetuses with different midline cerebral abnormalities, to determine the prevalence of these anomalies, to define the role of foetal MRI, and to compare MRI and ultrasound (US) result with postnatal MRI findings. Seventy-eight pregnant women who had foetuses with CNS abnormalities detected by sonogram were included. Foetuses with midline anomalies were selected and evaluated by anomaly scan foetal US, pre- and postnatal MRI.

Results

Midline brain anomalies were found in 47.4% of foetuses with brain anomalies. Holoprosencephaly was found in 24.3% of midline anomaly foetuses, corpus callosum abnormalities (ACC) were detected in 40.5%, midline intracranial mass lesions in 2.7%, and midline posterior fossa anomalies in 32.4%. An agreement between MRI and US in the main diagnosis was in 56.76% of cases; MRI added information to US findings in 43.2% of cases, and US added information to MRI findings in 8.1% of cases.

Conclusion

In evaluating midline cerebral anomalies, US and MRI are complementary techniques. US is the primary survey, and MRI can add additional information and/or change the main diagnosis.
Dynamic economic dispatch using hybrid metaheuristics
Authors: Santra Dipankar , Mukherjee Anirban , Sarker Krishna , Mondal Subrata
Published: February 2020

Dynamic economic dispatch problem or DED is an extension of static economic dispatch problem or SED which is used to determine the generation schedule of the committed units so as to meet the predicted load demand over a time horizon at minimum operating cost under ramp rate constraints and other constraints. This work presents an efficient hybrid method based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) and termite colony optimization (TCO) for solving DED problem. The hybrid method employs PSO for global search and TCO for local search in an interleaved mode towards finding the optimal solution. After the first round iteration of local search by TCO, the best local solutions are considered by PSO to update the schedules globally. In the next round, TCO performs local search around each solution found by PSO. This paper reports the methodology and result of application of PSO–TCO hybrid to 5-unit, 10-unit and 30-unit power dispatch problems; the result shows that the PSO–TCO (HPSTCO) gives improved solution compared to PSO or TCO (when applied separately) and also other hybrid methods.
An implicit stabilization strategy for Q-compensated reverse time migration
Authors: Chen Hanming , Zhou Hui , Rao Ying
Published: February 2020

Reverse time migration with [Formula: see text] compensation ([Formula: see text]-RTM) is an effective approach to enhance the resolution of seismic images because it retrieves the amplitude loss and phase distortion induced by the viscosity of media. According to the crosscorrelation imaging condition, [Formula: see text]-RTM requires compensation for the amplitude loss in the propagation paths of source and receiver wavefields, which can be realized by solving an amplitude-boosted wave equation. However, the amplitude-boosted simulations suffer from numerical instability due to the amplification of high-frequency noise. We have developed a robust stabilization strategy for [Formula: see text]-RTM by incorporating a time-variant filter into the amplitude-boosted wavefield extrapolation step. We modify the Fourier spectrum of the operator that controls the amplitude compensation to be time variant, and we add to the spectrum a stabilization factor. Doing so, we integrate the time-variant filter into the viscoacoustic wave propagator implicitly, and we avoid any explicit filtering operation in [Formula: see text]-RTM. We verify the robustness of this stabilized [Formula: see text]-RTM with two synthetic data examples. We also apply this technique to a field data set to demonstrate the imaging improvements compared to an acoustic RTM and a more traditional [Formula: see text]-RTM method.
Seismic surveying and imaging at the laboratory scale: A framework to cross-validate experiments and simulations for a salt-body environment
Authors: Solymosi Bence , Favretto-Cristini Nathalie , Monteiller Vadim , Cristini Paul , Ursin Bjørn , Komatitsch Dimitri
Published: February 2020

Laboratory experiments have been recently reintroduced into the ideas-to-applications pipeline for geophysical applications. Benefiting from recent technological advances, we believe that in the coming years, laboratory experiments can play a major role in supporting field experiments and numerical modeling, to explore some of the current challenges of seismic imaging in terms of, for instance, acquisition design or benchmarking of new imaging techniques at a low cost and in an agile way. But having confidence in the quality and accuracy of the experimental data obtained in a complex configuration, which mimics at a reduced scale a real geologic environment, is an essential prerequisite. This requires a robust framework regardless of the configuration studied. Our goal is to provide a global overview of this framework in the context of offshore seismics. To illustrate it, a reduced-scale model is used to represent a 3D complex-shaped salt body buried in sedimentary layers with curved surfaces. Zero-offset and offset reflection data are collected in a water tank, using a conventional pulse-echo technique. Then, a cross-validation approach is applied, which allows us, through comparison between experimental data and the numerical simulation, to point out some necessary future improvements of the laboratory setup to increase the accuracy of the experimental data, and the limitations of the numerical implementation that must also be tackled. Due to this approach, a hierarchical list of points can be collected, to which particular attention should be paid to make laboratory experiments an efficient tool in seismic exploration. Finally, the quality of the complex reduced-scale model and the global framework is successfully validated by applying reverse time migration to the laboratory data.
The Rheb-TORC1 signaling axis functions as a developmental checkpoint
Authors: Duong Tam , Rasmussen Neal R. , Ballato Elliot , Mote F. Sefakor , Reiner David J.
Published: February 2020

In many eukaryotes, the small GTPase Rheb functions as a switch to toggle activity of TOR complex 1 (TORC1) between anabolism and catabolism, thus controlling lifespan, development and autophagy. Our CRISPR-generated, fluorescently tagged endogenous Caenorhabditis elegans RHEB-1 and DAF-15/Raptor are expressed ubiquitously and localize to lysosomes. LET-363/TOR and DAF-15/Raptor are required for development beyond the third larval stage (L3). We observed that deletion of RHEB-1 similarly conferred L3 arrest. Unexpectedly, robust RNAi-mediated depletion of TORC1 components caused arrest at stages prior to L3. Accordingly, conditional depletion of endogenous DAF-15/Raptor in the soma revealed that TORC1 is required at each stage of the life cycle to progress to the next stage. Reversal of DAF-15 depletion permits arrested animals to recover to continue development. Our results are consistent with TORC1 functioning as a developmental checkpoint that governs the decision of the animal to progress through development.
Oxidative stress regulates progenitor behavior and cortical neurogenesis
Authors: Chui Angela , Zhang Qiangqiang , Dai Qi , Shi Song-Hai
Published: February 2020

Orderly division of radial glial progenitors (RGPs) in the developing mammalian cerebral cortex generates deep and superficial layer neurons progressively. However, the mechanisms that control RGP behavior and precise neuronal output remain elusive. Here, we show that the oxidative stress level progressively increases in the developing mouse cortex and regulates RGP behavior and neurogenesis. As development proceeds, numerous gene pathways linked to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress exhibit drastic changes in RGPs. Selective removal of PRDM16, a transcriptional regulator highly expressed in RGPs, elevates ROS level and induces expression of oxidative stress-responsive genes. Coinciding with an enhanced level of oxidative stress, RGP behavior was altered, leading to abnormal deep and superficial layer neuron generation. Simultaneous expression of mitochondrially targeted catalase to reduce cellular ROS levels significantly suppresses cortical defects caused by PRDM16 removal. Together, these findings suggest that oxidative stress actively regulates RGP behavior to ensure proper neurogenesis in the mammalian cortex.
Rnd3 interacts with TAO kinases and contributes to mitotic cell rounding and spindle positioning
Authors: Garg Ritu , Koo Chuay-Yeng , Infante Elvira , Giacomini Caterina , Ridley Anne J. , Morris Jonathan D. H.
Published: February 2020

Rnd3 is an atypical Rho family protein that is constitutively GTP bound, and acts on membranes to induce loss of actin stress fibers and cell rounding. Phosphorylation of Rnd3 promotes 14-3-3 binding and its relocation to the cytosol. Here, we show that Rnd3 binds to the thousand-and-one amino acid kinases TAOK1 and TAOK2 in vitro and in cells. TAOK1 and TAOK2 can phosphorylate serine residues 210, 218 and 240 near the C-terminus of Rnd3, and induce Rnd3 translocation from the plasma membrane to the cytosol. TAOKs are activated catalytically during mitosis and Rnd3 phosphorylation on serine 210 increases in dividing cells. Rnd3 depletion by RNAi inhibits mitotic cell rounding and spindle centralization, and delays breakdown of the intercellular bridge between two daughter cells. Our results show that TAOKs bind, phosphorylate and relocate Rnd3 to the cytosol and that Rnd3 contributes to mitotic cell rounding, spindle positioning and cytokinesis. Rnd3 can therefore participate in the regulation of early and late mitosis and may also act downstream of TAOKs to affect the cytoskeleton.