bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Postoperative Nursing of Patients with Gastric Diseases Based on Nano Gold Biosensor
Authors: Wang Xue , Fang Xuedong
Published: November 2020

During the interventional operation of patients with gastric disease under nano gold biosensor, the nursing staff should have professional nursing knowledge. High quality nursing is a kind of nursing intervention based on holistic nursing and patient-centered. It can make corresponding
nursing measures according to the actual condition of patients, so that patients can feel high-quality nursing services. In this study, high-quality nursing measures were taken for patients with gastric diseases in the interventional treatment of nano gold biosensor. Before the operation,
relevant psychological nursing measures were given to patients, and related knowledge of disease and operation were explained. The skillful movements in operation and the cordial sympathy after operation can appease the patients’ bad psychological state to a certain extent, so as to
effectively reduce the patients’ anxiety, depression and other psychological emotions. High quality nursing intervention for patients with gastric diseases under the intervention of nano gold biosensor can effectively improve the degree of anxiety and depression of patients, the recovery
of bowel sounds and the time of getting out of bed activities, improve the treatment compliance, and promote the early recovery of patients’ health.
Study on the Antiepileptic Effect of Brain Targeting Electric Field on Nano Hydrogel and miR-181
Authors: Wang Min , Liu Jianguo
Published: November 2020

Epilepsy, as a kind of neurological disease, is harmful to human mental health. There are many problems in the corresponding drugs and treatment methods, such as poor targeting, side effects and drug resistance. The conventional treatment of epilepsy is mainly focused on its corresponding
electrophysiological mechanism to limit the discharge of epileptic focus. However, in the clinical and experimental observation process, this method finds that its corresponding target and direction are easily interfered, and its targeting shows poor directionality. Therefore, based on this,
this paper will fully combine the electrophysiological mechanism of epilepsy and brain targeting technology, fully analyze the correlation between miR-181 and epilepsy and other nervous system diseases, and construct the epilepsy cell model to provide new ideas for the target and direction.
Finally, we will construct a nanoscale hydrogel targeting the electric field, which can rapidly suppress the discharge and release the therapeutic drugs in epileptic seizures, so as to achieve effective treatment for epilepsy. The experimental results show that the new targeting technology
proposed in this paper has obvious effect on the treatment of epilepsy.
Application of Nano-Composite Technology for Multi-Empty Carbon Nanotubes in Dressing Change Care
Authors: Zhao Dong , Jing Hongyan , Li Xiaowei , Zhao Wenbo
Published: November 2020

Using good biocompatibility and antibacterial properties, this project synthesized nano-silver-multiempty carbon nanotube composite nano-carriers. The purpose is to improve the water dispersibility of drug particles and enhance their drug selectivity. This approach improves efficiency
and resilience in dressing changes. Two different drugs, nano-silver antibacterial gel and nano-silver-multi-empty carbon nanotube composite anti-bacterial gel, were used to change the wounds by establishing a rat burn wound model. Explore the different effects of these two drugs on burn wound
healing, infection, and tissue inflammation in rats, and provide a reference for clinical wound dressing change. The experimental results show that the nano-silver-multi-empty carbon nanotube composite antibacterial gel has a better anti-infective effect on burn wounds. And can effectively
reduce the number of dressing changes.
Effect of Nanobubble-Based Ultrasound Imaging Technology on the Treatment of Ureteral Stenosis
Authors: Yuan Haibo , Wang Qiang , Yin Xiaosong , Li Ding , Yue Xiao , Yang Bo
Published: November 2020

In order to explore the effect of nanobubble-based ultrasound imaging technology on the treatment of ureteral stenosis, a total of 120 patients, who were confirmed as ureteral stenosis by surgery, pathology or multiple imaging examinations at a designated hospital of the study from
December 2015 to December 2018, were selected as research objects and were divided into three groups of targeted nanobubble (TN) group, blank nanobubble (BN) group and control (CT) group with 40 cases in each group. The TN group utilized the nanobubbles with a particle size of (499.52±72.87)
nm as carriers to compare and analyze patients’ ultrasound images for the predisposition and etiology of ureteral stenosis and the sonogram variations of hydronephrosis, renal pelvis; the BN group utilized the blank nanobubble with a particle size of (446.71±45.36) nm as carriers
to perform ultrasound imaging and diagnostic analysis of ureteral stenosis; the CT group directly conducted ureteral stenosis treatment with ultrasound imaging technology. The results showed that the total coincidence rates of the targeted diagnosis for ureteral stenosis of the TN, BN and
CT group were 94.38%, 87.52%, and 67.94%, respectively; the coincidence rates of different examination methods for different diagnostic parts were different and the diagnostic coincidence rates of TN group for pelvic ureteral transition area, end of ureter, and the area between pelvic ureteral
transition area and end of ureter were 82.91%, 79.66%, and 75.17%, respectively; the diagnostic coincidence rates of BN group for those were 80.32%, 94.77%, respectively and 92.18% and the CT group were 58.66%, 72.14%, and 66.48%, respectively; the diagnosis coincidence rates for ureteral
stenosis etiology of the TN, BN and CT group were 93.81%, 82.66% and 64.57%, respectively. Therefore, it was believed that the nanobubble-based ultrasound examination can accurately diagnose the site of ureteral stenosis through the exploration of hydronephrosis and ureteral dilatation with
the advantages of simplicity, no pain, repeatable examination, and no impact on renal function, and having high clinical value for diagnosing ureteral stenosis.
Surface and Interfacial Waves in a Strongly Stratified Upper Ocean
Authors: Gemmrich Johannes , Monahan Adam
Published: November 2020

In an idealized two-layer fluid, surface waves can generate waves at the internal interface through class-3 resonant triads in which all waves are propagating in the same direction. The triads are restricted to wavenumbers above a critical value kcrit that depends on the density ratio R between the two layers and their depths. We perform numerical simulations to analyze the evolution of a surface wave field, initially specified by a Pierson–Moskowitz-type spectrum, for R = 0.97 (representing a realistic lower a bound for oceanic stratification). At high initial steepness and peak wavenumber kp ≪ kcrit, the energy increases in the spectral tail; as a parameterization of resulting wave breaking, at each time step individual waves with a steepness greater than the limiting Stokes steepness are removed. The energy change of the surface wave field is a combination of energy transfer to the interfacial waves, spectral downshift, and wave breaking dissipation. At wavenumbers there is a net loss of energy, with the greatest dissipation at ≈1.3kp. The maximum gain occurs at ≈0.5kp. The onset of the spectral change shows a strong threshold behavior with respect to the initial wave steepness. For steep initial waves the integrated energy dissipation can reach >30% of the initial energy, and only ≈1% of the initial surface wave energy is transferred to the interfacial wave field. The spectral change could be expressed as an additional dissipation source term, and coupled ocean–wave models should include additional mixing associated with the interfacial waves and enhanced wave breaking turbulence.
Demonstration of a Remotely Piloted Atmospheric Measurement and Charge Release Platform for Geoengineering
Authors: Harrison R. Giles , Nicoll Keri A. , Tilley Douglas J. , Marlton Graeme J. , Chindea Stefan , Dingley Gavin P. , Iravani Pejman , Cleaver David J. , du Bois Jonathan L. , Brus David
Published: November 2020

Electric charge is always present in the lower atmosphere. If droplets or aerosols become charged, their behavior changes, influencing collision, evaporation, and deposition. Artificial charge release is an unexplored potential geoengineering technique for modifying fogs, clouds, and rainfall. Central to evaluating these processes experimentally in the atmosphere is establishing an effective method for charge delivery. A small charge-delivering remotely piloted aircraft has been specially developed for this, which is electrically propelled. It carries controllable bipolar charge emitters (nominal emission current ±5 μA) beneath each wing, with optical cloud and meteorological sensors integrated into the airframe. Meteorological and droplet measurements are demonstrated to 2 km altitude by comparison with a radiosonde, including within cloud, and successful charge emission aloft verified by using programmed flight paths above an upward-facing surface electric field mill. This technological approach is readily scalable to provide nonpolluting fleets of charge-releasing aircraft, identifying and targeting droplet regions with their own sensors. Beyond geoengineering, agricultural, and biological aerosol applications, safe ionic propulsion of future electric aircraft also requires detailed investigation of charge effects on natural atmospheric droplet systems.
Age differences in the relationships between risk factors and loss of kidney function: a general population cohort study
Authors: Toyama Tadashi , Kitagawa Kiyoki , Oshima Megumi , Kitajima Shinji , Hara Akinori , Iwata Yasunori , Sakai Norihiko , Shimizu Miho , Hashiba Atsushi , Furuichi Kengo , Wada Takashi
Published: November 2020

Background

Annual decline in kidney function is a widely applied surrogate outcome of renal failure. It is important to understand the relationships between known risk factors and the annual decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) according to baseline age; however, these remain unclear.

Methods

A community-based retrospective cohort study of adults who underwent annual medical examinations between 1999 and 2013 was conducted. The participants were stratified into different age groups (40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and ≥ 80 years) to assess the risk for loss of kidney function. A mixed-effects model was used to estimate the association between risk factors and annual changes in eGFR.

Results

In total, 51,938 participants were included in the analysis. The age group of ≥80 years included 8127 individuals. The mean annual change in eGFR was − 0.39 (95% confidence interval: − 0.41 to − 0.37) mL/min/1.73 m2 per year. Older age was related to faster loss of kidney function. In the older age group, higher systolic blood pressure, proteinuria, and current smoking were related to faster loss of kidney function (p trend < 0.01, 0.03, and < 0.01, respectively). Conversely, each age group showed similar annual loss of kidney function related to lower hemoglobin levels and diabetes mellitus (p trend 0.47 and 0.17, respectively).

Conclusions

Higher systolic blood pressure, proteinuria, and smoking were related to faster loss of kidney function, and a greater effect size was observed in the older participants. More risk assessments for older people are required for personalized care.
Hepatitis C core antigen testing to diagnose active hepatitis C infection among haemodialysis patients
Authors: Wong Xue Zheng , Gan Chye Chung , Mohamed Rosmawati , Yahya Rosnawati , Ganapathy Shubash , Tan Soek Siam , Lim Soo Kun
Published: November 2020

Background

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects more than 71 million people worldwide and chronic HCV infection increases the risk of liver cirrhosis and failure. Haemodialysis (HD) is one of the renal replacement therapies with risk of HCV transmission. Anti-HCV antibodies are the serological screening test for HCV infection that does not detect active phase of infection. Majority HCV infected HD patients in Malaysia do not have further HCV RNA performed due to high cost and thus HCV treatment is less frequently offered. HCV Core Antigen (HCV Ag) can potentially be used to diagnose active HCV infection in HD population in comparison to HCV RNA, at lower cost.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the correlation between HCV Ag and HCV RNA and to identify the prevalence of active HCV infection among HCV seropositive HD patients from dialysis centres across West Malaysia from July 2019 to May 2020. Pre-dialysis blood was taken and tested for both HCV Ag and HCV RNA tests. HCV Ag was tested with Abbott ARCHITECT HCV Ag test.

Results

We recruited 112 seropositive HD patients from 17 centres with mean age of 54.04 ± 11.62 years, HD vintage of 14.1 ± 9.7 years, and male constitute 59.8% (67) of the study population. HCV Ag correlates well with HCV RNA (Spearman test coefficient 0.833, p < 0.001). The sensitivity was 90.7%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) 100%, negative predictive value (NPV) 76.5%, and accuracy 92.9%. For HCV RNA level > 3000 IU/mL, HCV Ag had a higher sensitivity of 95.1% and greater correlation (Spearman test coefficient 0.897, p < 0.001). The prevalence of active HCV infection was 76.8% among HCV seropositive HD patients.

Conclusions

Although HCV Ag is less sensitive, it shows an excellent correlation with HCV RNA and has 100% PPV. HCV Ag can be considered as an alternative diagnostic tool for chronic active HCV infection among HD cohort, who can then be considered for HCV treatment. For seropositive HD patient with negative HCV Ag, we recommend to follow-up with HCV RNA test.
Implementation and evaluation of a quality improvement initiative to reduce late gestation stillbirths in Australia: Safer Baby Bundle study protocol
Authors:   on behalf of the Safer Baby Bundle collaborators, Andrews C. J. , Ellwood D. , Middleton P. F. , Gordon A. , Nicholl M. , Homer C. S. E. , Morris J. , Gardener G. , Coory M. , Davies-Tuck M. , Boyle F. M. , Callander E. , Bauman A. , Flenady V. J.
Published: November 2020

Background

In 2015, the stillbirth rate after 28 weeks (late gestation) in Australia was 35% higher than countries with the lowest rates globally. Reductions in late gestation stillbirth rates have steadily improved in Australia. However, to amplify and sustain reductions, more needs to be done to reduce practice variation and address sub-optimal care. Implementing bundles for maternity care improvement in the UK have been associated with a 20% reduction in stillbirth rates. A similar approach is underway in Australia; the Safer Baby Bundle (SBB) with five elements: 1) supporting women to stop smoking in pregnancy, 2) improving detection and management of fetal growth restriction, 3) raising awareness and improving care for women with decreased fetal movements, 4) improving awareness of maternal safe going-to-sleep position in late pregnancy, 5) improving decision making about the timing of birth for women with risk factors for stillbirth.

Methods

This is a mixed-methods study of maternity services across three Australian states; Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. The study includes evaluation of ‘targeted’ implementer sites (combined total approximately 113,000 births annually, 50% of births in these states) and monitoring of key outcomes state-wide across all maternity services. Progressive implementation over 2.5 years, managed by state Departments of Health, commenced from mid-2019. This study will determine the impact of implementing the SBB on maternity services and perinatal outcomes, specifically for reducing late gestation stillbirth. Comprehensive process, impact, and outcome evaluations will be conducted using routinely collected perinatal data, pre- and post- implementation surveys, clinical audits, focus group discussions and interviews. Evaluations explore the views and experiences of clinicians embedding the SBB into routine practice as well as women’s experience with care and the acceptability of the initiative.

Discussion

This protocol describes the evaluation of the SBB initiative and will provide evidence for the value of a systematic, but pragmatic, approach to strategies to reduce the evidence-practice gaps across maternity services. We hypothesise successful implementation and uptake across three Australian states (amplified nationally) will be effective in reducing late gestation stillbirths to that of the best performing countries globally, equating to at least 150 lives saved annually.

Trial registration

The Safer Baby Bundle Study was retrospectively registered on the ACTRN12619001777189 database, date assigned 16/12/2019
Mental health literacy in a diverse sample of undergraduate students: demographic, psychological, and academic correlates
Authors: Miles Rona , Rabin Laura , Krishnan Anjali , Grandoit Evan , Kloskowski Kamil
Published: November 2020

Background

Investigating variables associated with mental health literacy in the college-age population takes us one step closer to providing intervention for this vulnerable group, where growing rates of psychological disorders are a serious public concern. This study adds to the existing literature by incorporating, within a single model, multi-faceted variables (demographic, psychological, and academic) that contribute to mental health literacy in demographically and ethnically diverse college students.

Methods

Participants were undergraduate students enrolled at nine different colleges that are part of a large, urban, public university system. A total of 1213 respondents (62.0% female, 73.3% non-white) completed an in-person assessment of mental health literacy and answered questions about demographics, college experience, and mental health experience. Data were analyzed to identify which variables best discriminated between high, mid-level, and low performers on this assessment.

Results

Discriminant correspondence analysis revealed that the difference between high and low performers (accounting for 90.27% of the total variance) was driven by participants who had taken at least one course related to clinical psychology and who typically majored in psychology and applied health science fields. These participants were more likely to report being white, female, between the ages of 28–32, and in the fourth year or later of their undergraduate program. In addition, high performers were more likely to have been diagnosed and/or treated for a psychological disorder, have more experience with psychological disorders through personal, family, or peer history, and have families who are open to discussing mental health issues.

Conclusion

The main contributor to variation in mental health literacy scores was having taken a clinical psychology course, followed by majoring in psychology. Importantly, our findings identified not only the high performers, but also the low performers, for whom an increase in knowledge and awareness of mental health is crucial to overall psychological well-being. These results have important implications for the design of educational interventions aimed at improving mental health literacy at the college level, especially for students who otherwise would not have been exposed to this information from coursework or their major.
“Is there anything good about a water advisory?”: an exploration of the consequences of drinking water advisories in an indigenous community
Authors: Lucier Kayla J. , Schuster-Wallace Corinne J. , Skead Derek , Skead Kathleen , Dickson-Anderson Sarah E.
Published: November 2020

Background

In Ontario, Canada, Indigenous communities experience some of the province’s worst drinking water, with issues ranging from deteriorating water quality to regulatory problems and lack of support. When water is known, or suspected, to be unsafe for human consumption, communities are placed under a Drinking Water Advisory. Between 2004 and 2013, approximately 70% of all on-reserve communities in Ontario were under at least one Drinking Water Advisory. Despite the widespread impact of Drinking Water Advisories on health and wellbeing, little is known about First Nation individuals’ perceptions and experiences living with a Drinking Water Advisory. This study presents information shared by members of a community who have lived with Boil Water Advisories on and off for many years, and a long-term Boil Water Advisory since 2017. The goal of this paper is to unpack and explore the Boil Water Advisories from the perspective of community members and provide considerations for current and future Boil Water Advisory management.

Methods

Methodological choices were driven by the principles of community-based participatory research. Two data collection methodologies were employed: hard copy surveys and interviews.

Results

Forty-four individuals (19.5%) completed a survey. Eight Elders and 16 key informants participated in 20 interviews. Respondents expressed varying degrees of uncertainty regarding protective actions to take while under a Boil Water Advisory. Further, 79% of men but only 46% of women indicated they always adhere to the Boil Water Advisory. Knowledge gaps that could lead to risky behaviours were also identified. Finally, Boil Water Advisories were demonstrated to have physical, financial, and time impacts on the majority of respondents.

Conclusions

A direct outcome was the identification of a critical need to reinforce best practices for health protection through community education and outreach. More broadly, Chief and Council were able to use the findings to successfully advocate for improved drinking water for the community. Additionally, benefits of participatory research and community ownership include enhanced local research capacity, and increased awareness of, and desire for, research to inform decisions.
Optimization of growth regulators on in vitro propagation of Moringa stenopetala from shoot explants
Authors: Adugna Alelegne Yeshamebel , Feyissa Tileye , Tasew Fikresilasie Samuel
Published: November 2020

Background

Moringa stenopetala belongs to the flowering family Moringaceae and genus Moringa. It is often referred to as the East African Moringa tree because it is native only to southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya. The expansion of its cultivation and utilization throughout the world especially in Africa is becoming important. For such expansion, the existing propagation method is limiting, so it needs a good propagation system to supply enough planting material with a uniform genotype. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to optimize an in vitro shoot multiplication protocol for M. stenopetala by using shoot tip as explants.

Results

Shoots were sterilized and cultured on Muraghige and Skoog (MS) medium for in vitro shoot initiation. For multiple shoot induction, the explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of kinetin (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 mg/L) with Indole-3- butyric acid (IBA) or α -naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (0.01, 0.1, 0.5 mg/L) and maintained at 25 ± 2 °C for four weeks. Rooting was achieved by culturing well developed shoots in half-strength MS medium containing IBA (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mg/L), NAA (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mg/L), and 0.5 mg/L IBA with NAA (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mg/L). Statistical analysis revealed that there was a significant difference among all treatments applied in both shoot multiplication and rooting experiments. The maximum number of shoots per explant (3.43 ± 1.41) and 7.97 ± 4.18 leaves per explant were obtained on MS medium containing 0.5 mg/L kinetin with 0.01 mg/LNAA. The highest mean number of roots per shoot (1.63 ± 1.03) and mean root length (0.87 ± 1.22 cm) were obtained on MS medium containing 1.0 mg/LNAA and 0.1 mg/LIBA alone respectively. After acclimatization, 76% of plants were survived in the greenhouse.

Conclusion

In general, using NAA with kinetin for shoot multiplication was effective than kinetin with IBA. On the other hand, the application of 1.0 mg/L NAA alone and 1.0 mg/L NAA with 0.5 mg/L IBA were more effective for root induction.
Family matters: skin microbiome reflects the social group and spatial proximity in wild zebra finches
Authors: Engel Kathrin , Pankoke Helga , Jünemann Sebastian , Brandl Hanja B. , Sauer Jan , Griffith Simon C. , Kalinowski Jörn , Caspers Barbara A.
Published: November 2020

Background

So far, large numbers of studies investigating the microbiome have focused on gut microbiota and less have addressed the microbiome of the skin. Especially in avian taxa our understanding of the ecology and function of these bacteria remains incomplete. The involvement of skin bacteria in intra-specific communication has recently received attention, and has highlighted the need to understand what information is potentially being encoded in bacterial communities. Using next generation sequencing techniques, we characterised the skin microbiome of wild zebra finches, aiming to understand the impact of sex, age and group composition on skin bacteria communities. For this purpose, we sampled skin swabs from both sexes and two age classes (adults and nestlings) of 12 different zebra finch families and analysed the bacterial communities.

Results

Using 16S rRNA sequencing we found no effect of age, sex and family on bacterial diversity (alpha diversity). However, when comparing the composition (beta diversity), we found that animals of social groups (families) harbour highly similar bacterial communities on their skin with respect to community composition. Within families, closely related individuals shared significantly more bacterial taxa than non-related animals. In addition, we found that age (adults vs. nestlings) affected bacterial composition. Finally, we found that spatial proximity of nest sites, and therefore individuals, correlated with the skin microbiota similarity.

Conclusions

Birds harbour very diverse and complex bacterial assemblages on their skin. These bacterial communities are distinguishable and characteristic for intraspecific social groups. Our findings are indicative for a family-specific skin microbiome in wild zebra finches. Genetics and the (social) environment seem to be the influential factors shaping the complex bacterial communities. Bacterial communities associated with the skin have a potential to emit volatiles and therefore these communities may play a role in intraspecific social communication, e.g. via signalling social group membership.
Impact of general medicine rotation training on the in-training examination scores of 11, 244 Japanese resident physicians: a Nationwide multi-center cross-sectional study
Authors: Nishizaki Yuji , Shimizu Taro , Shinozaki Tomohiro , Okubo Tomoya , Yamamoto Yu , Konishi Ryota , Tokuda Yasuharu
Published: November 2020

Background

Although general medicine (GM) faculty in Japanese medical schools have an important role in educating medical students, the importance of residents’ rotation training in GM in postgraduate education has not been sufficiently recognized in Japan. To evaluate the relationship between the rotation of resident physicians in the GM department and their In-Training Examination score.

Methods

This study is a nationwide multi-center cross-sectional study in Japan. Participants of this study are Japanese junior resident physicians [postgraduate year (PGY)-1 and PGY-2] who took the General Medicine In-Training Examination (GM-ITE) in fiscal years 2016 to 2018 at least once (n = 11,244). The numbers of participating hospitals in the GM-ITE were 381, 459, and 503 in 2016, 2017, and 2018.The GM-ITE score consisted of four categories (medical interview/professionalism, symptomatology/clinical reasoning, physical examination/procedure, and disease knowledge). We evaluated relationship between educational environment (including hospital information) and the GM-ITE score.

Results

A total of 4464 (39.7%) residents experienced GM department rotation training. Residents who rotated had higher total scores than residents who did not rotate (38.1 ± 12.1, 36.8 ± 11.7, and 36.5 ± 11.5 for residents who experienced GM rotation training, those who did not experience this training in hospitals with a GM department, and those who did not experience GM rotation training in hospitals without a GM department,p = 0.0038). The association between GM rotation and competency remained after multivariable adjustment in the multilevel model: the score difference between GM rotation training residents and non-GM rotation residents in hospitals without a GM department was estimated as 1.18 (standard error, 0.30,p = 0.0001), which was approximately half of the standard deviation of random effects due to hospital variation (estimated as 2.00).

Conclusions

GM rotation training improved the GM-ITE score of residents and should be considered mandatory for junior residents in Japan.
Different transcriptional responses of haploid and diploid S. cerevisiae strains to changes in cofactor preference of XR
Authors: Xie Cai-Yun , Yang Bai-Xue , Song Qing-Ran , Xia Zi-Yuan , Gou Min , Tang Yue-Qin
Published: November 2020

Background

Xylitol accumulation is a major barrier for efficient ethanol production through heterologous xylose reductase-xylitol dehydrogenase (XR-XDH) pathway in recombinantSaccharomyces cerevisiae. Mutated NADH-preferring XR is usually employed to alleviate xylitol accumulation. However, it remains unclear how mutated XR affects the metabolic network for xylose metabolism. In this study, haploid and diploid strains were employed to investigate the transcriptional responses to changes in cofactor preference of XR through RNA-seq analysis during xylose fermentation.

Results

For the haploid strains, genes involved in xylose-assimilation (XYL1,XYL2,XKS1), glycolysis, and alcohol fermentation had higher transcript levels in response to mutated XR, which was consistent with the improved xylose consumption rate and ethanol yield. For the diploid strains, genes related to protein biosynthesis were upregulated while genes involved in glyoxylate shunt were downregulated in response to mutated XR, which might contribute to the improved yields of biomass and ethanol. When comparing the diploids with the haploids, genes involved in glycolysis and MAPK signaling pathway were significantly downregulated, while oxidative stress related transcription factors (TFs) were significantly upregulated, irrespective of the cofactor preference of XR.

Conclusions

Our results not only revealed the differences in transcriptional responses of the diploid and haploid strains to mutated XR, but also provided underlying basis for better understanding the differences in xylose metabolism between the diploid and haploid strains.
Deep phenotyping meets big data: the Geoscience and hEalth Cohort COnsortium (GECCO) data to enable exposome studies in The Netherlands
Authors:   GECCO Consortium, Lakerveld Jeroen , Wagtendonk Alfred , Vaartjes Ilonca , Karssenberg Derek
Published: November 2020

Environmental exposures are increasingly investigated as possible drivers of health behaviours and disease outcomes. So-called exposome studies that aim to identify and better understand the effects of exposures on behaviours and disease risk across the life course require high-quality environmental exposure data. The Netherlands has a great variety of environmental data available, including high spatial and often temporal resolution information on urban infrastructure, physico-chemical exposures, presence and availability of community services, and others. Until recently, these environmental data were scattered and measured at varying spatial scales, impeding linkage to individual-level (cohort) data as they were not operationalised as personal exposures, that is, the exposure to a certain environmental characteristic specific for a person. Within the Geoscience and hEalth Cohort COnsortium (GECCO) and with support of the Global Geo Health Data Center (GGHDC), a platform has been set up in The Netherlands where environmental variables are centralised, operationalised as personal exposures, and used to enrich 23 cohort studies and provided to researchers upon request. We here present and detail a series of personal exposure data sets that are available within GECCO to date, covering personal exposures of all residents of The Netherlands (currently about 17 M) over the full land surface of the country, and discuss challenges and opportunities for its use now and in the near future.
Correction to: Oncolytic Newcastle disease virus delivered by Mesenchymal stem cells-engineered system enhances the therapeutic effects altering tumor microenvironment
Authors: Keshavarz Mohsen , Ebrahimzadeh Mir Saeed , Miri Seyed Mohammad , Dianat-Moghadam Hassan , Ghorbanhosseini Seyedeh Sara , Mohebbi Seyed Reza , Keyvani Hossein , Ghaemi Amir
Published: November 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy for elderly patients with locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma
Authors: Iwai Takahiro , Yoshimura Michio , Ashida Ryo , Goto Yoko , Kishi Takahiro , Itasaka Satoshi , Shibuya Keiko , Kanai Masashi , Masui Toshihiko , Fukuda Akihisa , Isoda Hiroyoshi , Hiraoka Masahiro , Mizowaki Takashi
Published: November 2020

Background

It is important to understand how elderly patients with locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma (LAPC) should be treated, since the number of elderly cancer patients will increase. However, the optimal treatment for elderly patients with LAPC remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with concurrent gemcitabine for elderly patients with LAPC.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the data from LAPC patients aged ≥ 75 years treated with hypofractionated IMRT (48 Gy in 15 fractions) with concurrent weekly gemcitabine at our institution from February 2013 to December 2018. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional progression-free survival (LRPFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and the pattern of recurrence and toxicity were analysed.

Results

Fifteen patients received treatment during the study period. The median age was 78 years (range 75–86 years), and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of all patients was 0–1. The median survival time (MST) and median PFS were 20.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) 10.3–36.8] and 13.5 (95% CI 6.4–20.3) months, respectively, and the 1-year OS and PFS rates were 80.0% (95% CI 50–93.1%) and 66.7% (95% CI 37.5–84.6%), respectively. The median LRPFS and median DMFS were 15.6 (95% CI 6.4–36.8) and 14.9 (95% CI 7.0–20.5) months, respectively, and the 1-year LRPFS and DMFS rates were 73.3% (95% CI 43.6–89.1%) and 66.7% (95% CI 37.5–84.6%), respectively. Non-haematologic grade 3 toxicity was observed in three cases, of which only one was induced by radiotherapy, whereas grade 4–5 non-haematologic acute or late toxicities were not observed.

Conclusions

The OS and PFS of elderly patients with LAPC treated using hypofractionated IMRT with concurrent gemcitabine were favourable and without the occurrence of severe toxicity. This treatment strategy is feasible and promising for elderly LAPC patients with good PS.
Compound heterozygous inheritance of two novel COQ2 variants results in familial coenzyme Q deficiency
Authors: Abdelhakim Aliaa H. , Dharmadhikari Avinash V. , Ragi Sara D. , de Carvalho Jose Ronaldo Lima , Xu Christine L. , Thomas Amanda L. , Buchovecky Christie M. , Mansukhani Mahesh M. , Naini Ali B. , Liao Jun , Jobanputra Vaidehi , Maumenee Irene H. , Tsang Stephen H.
Published: November 2020

Background

Primary coenzyme Q10 deficiency is a rare disease that results in diverse and variable clinical manifestations. Nephropathy, myopathy and neurologic involvement are commonly associated, however retinopathy has also been observed with certain pathogenic variants of genes in the coenzyme Q biosynthesis pathway. In this report, we describe a novel presentation of the disease that includes nephropathy and retinopathy without neurological involvement, and which is the result of a compound heterozygous state arising from the inheritance of two recessive potentially pathogenic variants, previously not described.

Materials and methods

Retrospective report, with complete ophthalmic examination, multimodal imaging, electroretinography, and whole exome sequencing performed on a family with three affected siblings.

Results

We show that affected individuals in the described family inherited two heterozygous variants of the COQ2 gene, resulting in a frameshift variant in one allele, and a predicted deleterious missense variant in the second allele (c.288dupC,p.(Ala97Argfs*56) and c.376C > G,p.(Arg126Gly) respectively). Electroretinography results were consistent with rod-cone dystrophy in the affected individuals. All affected individuals in the family exhibited the characteristic retinopathy as well as end-stage nephropathy, without evidence of any neurological involvement.

Conclusions

We identified two novel compound heterozygous variants of the COQ2 gene that result in primary coenzyme Q deficiency. Targeted sequencing of coenzyme Q biosynthetic pathway genes may be useful in diagnosing oculorenal clinical presentations syndromes not explained by more well known syndromes (e.g., Senior-Loken and Bardet-Biedl syndromes).
Cytogenetic and genomic analysis of a patient with turner syndrome and t(2;12): a case report
Authors: Leone Paola E. , Yumiceba Verónica , Jijón-Vergara Ariana , Pérez-Villa Andy , Armendáriz-Castillo Isaac , García-Cárdenas Jennyfer M. , Guerrero Santiago , Guevara-Ramírez Patricia , López-Cortés Andrés , Zambrano Ana K. , Hernández-Rivas Jesús M. , García Juan Luis , Paz-y-Miño César
Published: November 2020

Background

Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects women. It is caused by an absent or incomplete X chromosome, which can be presented in mosaicism or not. There are 12 cases of Turner syndrome patients who present structural alterations in autosomal chromosomes.

Case presentation

The present case report describes a patient with a reciprocal, maternally inherited translocation between chromosomes 2 and 12 with a mosaicism of X monosomy 45,X,t(2;12)(p13;q24)[95]/46,XX,t(2;12)(p13;q24)[5]. Through genetic mapping arrays, altered genes in the patient were determined within the 23 chromosome pairs. These genes were associated with the patient’s clinical features using a bioinformatics tool.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first case in which a translocation (2;12) is reported in a patient with Turner syndrome and confirmed by conventional cytogenetics, FISH and molecular genetics. Clinical features of our patient are closely related with the loss of one X chromosome, however mild intellectual disability can be likely explained by autosomal genes. The presence of familial translocations was a common finding, thus emphasizing the need for familiar testing for further genetic counselling.
The BEACON study: protocol for a cohort study as part of an evaluation of the effectiveness of smartphone-assisted problem-solving therapy in men who present with intentional self-harm to emergency departments in Ontario
Authors: Hatcher Simon , Heisel Marnin , Ayonrinde Oyedeji , Campbell Julie K. , Colman Ian , Corsi Daniel J. , Edgar Nicole E. , Gillett Lindsay , Kennedy Sidney H. , Hunt Sophia Lakatoo , Links Paul , MacLean Sarah , Mehta Viraj , Mushquash Christopher , Raimundo Alicia , Rizvi Sakina J. , Saskin Refik , Schaffer Ayal , Sidahmed Alaaddin , Sinyor Mark , Soares Claudio , Taljaard Monica , Testa Valerie , Thavorn Kednapa , Thiruganasambandamoorthy Venkatesh , Vaillancourt Christian
Published: November 2020

Background

Patients who present to emergency departments after intentional self-harm are at an increased risk of dying by suicide. This applies particularly to men, who represent nearly two-thirds of those who die by suicide in Ontario. One way of potentially addressing this gap is to offer a course of blended problem-solving therapy, comprised of a brief course of evidence-based psychotherapy for individuals at risk for suicide, facilitated by the use of a patient-facing smartphone application and a clinician-facing “dashboard.” This approach has the potential to combine the benefits of face-to-face therapy and technology to create a novel intervention.

Methods

This is a cohort study nested within a larger pragmatic multicentre pre- and post-design cluster randomised trial. Suicidal ideation assessed by the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation is the primary outcome variable. Secondary outcome measures include depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale), post-traumatic stress disorder (Primary Care PTSD Screen), health-related quality of life (EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level questionnaire), meaning in life (Experienced Meaning in Life Scale), perceived social supports (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), alcohol use (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), drug use (Drug Abuse Screening Test Short Form 10), problem-solving skills (Social Problem-Solving Inventory–Revised Short Form), and self-reported healthcare costs, as well as health service use measured using Ontario administrative health data. A process evaluation will also be conducted following study completion.

Discussion

The cohort study will test whether better adherence to the intervention results in better outcomes. The value of the cohort study design is that we can examine in more detail certain subgroups or other variables that are not available in the larger cluster randomised trial. This trial will aim to improve standards by informing best practice in management of men who self-harm and present to hospitals in Ontario.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03473535. Registered on March 22, 2018.
A study protocol for HEalth-Related quality of life-intervention in survivors of Breast and other cancers experiencing cancer-related fatigue using TraditionAL Chinese Medicine: the HERBAL trial
Authors: Yap Ning Yi , Loo Wei Sheng , Zheng Huang Fang , Tan Quan Ming , Tan Tze Kiat , Quek Leona Yan Peng , Tan Chia Jie , Toh Yi Long , Ng Chiu Chin , Ang Seng Kok , Tan Veronique Kiak Mien , Ho Han Kiat , Chew Lita , Loh Kiley Wei-Jen , Tan Tira Jing Ying , Chan Alexandre
Published: November 2020

Background

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a debilitating condition which commonly affects cancer survivors. The management of CRF remains a challenge due to the lack of effective pharmacological interventions. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) could be a potential therapeutic option for CRF. The modified Xiang Bei Yang Rong Tang (XBYRT) is a TCM herbal decoction, formulated to improve fatigue symptoms in cancer survivors. This clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of XBYRT in improving CRF and quality of life (QOL) of cancer survivors.

Methods

This is a single centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel trial. Eighty cancer survivors will be recruited and randomized to receive the XBYRT or placebo decoction, in a ratio of 1:1. Participants will consume the XBYRT/placebo decoction daily for 8 weeks and undergo assessments at baseline and 4, 8 and 10 weeks after baseline. The participants will be assessed for patient-reported outcomes (PRO), blood biomarkers and adverse events at each time point. The primary outcome is the overall health and QOL status, at 8 weeks follow-up. The secondary outcomes are the effects of XBYRT on fatigue levels, cancer-related cognitive impairment and QOL, as assessed by PRO. The incidence of adverse events and the effects of the XBYRT decoction on blood biomarkers associated with CRF will also be evaluated.

Discussion

Efficacy and safety outcomes from this trial will provide important clinical data to guide future large-scale randomized controlled trials, and the evaluation of the objective blood biomarkers can help to delineate the biological mechanisms of CRF.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.govNCT04104113. Registered on 26 September 2019
Differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into erythroid cells
Authors: Ebrahimi Mohsen , Forouzesh Mehdi , Raoufi Setareh , Ramazii Mohammad , Ghaedrahmati Farhoodeh , Farzaneh Maryam
Published: November 2020

During the last years, several strategies have been made to obtain mature erythrocytes or red blood cells (RBC) from the bone marrow or umbilical cord blood (UCB). However, UCB-derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are a limited source and in vitro large-scale expansion of RBC from HSC remains problematic. One promising alternative can be human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) that provide an unlimited source of cells. Human PSCs, including embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), are self-renewing progenitors that can be differentiated to lineages of ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. Several previous studies have revealed that human ESCs can differentiate into functional oxygen-carrying erythrocytes; however, the ex vivo expansion of human ESC-derived RBC is subjected to ethical concerns. Human iPSCs can be a suitable therapeutic choice for the in vitro/ex vivo manufacture of RBCs. Reprogramming of human somatic cells through the ectopic expression of the transcription factors (OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, c-MYC, LIN28, and NANOG) has provided a new avenue for disease modeling and regenerative medicine. Various techniques have been developed to generate enucleated RBCs from human iPSCs. The in vitro production of human iPSC-derived RBCs can be an alternative treatment option for patients with blood disorders. In this review, we focused on the generation of human iPSC-derived erythrocytes to present an overview of the current status and applications of this field.
Microenvironmental changes induced by placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells restore ovarian function in ovariectomized rats via activation of the PI3K-FOXO3 pathway
Authors: Choi Jong Ho , Seok Jin , Lim Seung Mook , Kim Tae Hee , Kim Gi Jin
Published: November 2020

Background

Translational studies have explored the therapeutic potential and feasibility of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in several degenerative diseases; however, mechanistic studies of the function of these cells have been insufficient. As ovarian failure causes anovulation as well as ovarian steroid hormonal imbalances, the specific aims of this study were to analyze the therapeutic role of placenta-derived MSCs (PD-MSCs) in an ovarian failure ovariectomy (OVX) rat model and evaluate whether PD-MSC transplantation (Tx) improved folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation in the injured ovary through PI3K/Akt and FOXO signaling.

Methods

Blood and ovary tissue were collected and analyzed after various PD-MSC Tx treatments in an ovariectomized rat model. Changes in the expression of folliculogenesis- and ovary regeneration-related genes induced by PD-MSC treatments were analyzed by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and histological analysis.

Results

The levels of hormones related to ovary function were significantly increased in the PD-MSC Tx groups compared with those in the nontransplantation group (NTx). The follicle numbers in the ovarian tissues were increased along with the increased expression of genes related to folliculogenesis in the PD-MSC Tx groups compared with the NTx groups. Furthermore, Tx PD-MSCs induced follicle maturation by increasing the phosphorylation of GSK3 beta and FOXO3 (p < 0.05) and shifting the balance of growth and apoptosis in oocytes.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results show that PD-MSC Tx can restore ovarian function and induce ovarian folliculogenesis via the PI3K/Akt and FOXO signaling pathway.