bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of asbestos exposure on differentiation and function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes
Authors: Kumagai-Takei Naoko , Nishimura Yasumitsu , Maeda Megumi , Hayashi Hiroaki , Matsuzaki Hidenori , Lee Suni , Yoshitome Kei , Ito Tatsuo , Otsuki Takemi
Published: October 2020

Asbestos exposure is known to cause malignant mesothelioma, which is associated with poor prognosis. We focused on and examined the effect of asbestos exposure on the differentiation and function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). CTLs have the ability to specifically attack tumor cells after being differentiated from naïve CD8+ T cells following antigen stimulation. Exposure to chrysotile B asbestos suppressed the differentiation of CTLs during the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and was associated with a decrease in proliferation of CD8+ T cells. Additionally, in an effort to investigate the mechanism associated with suppressed CTL differentiation upon exposure to asbestos, we focused on IL-2, a cytokine involved in T cell proliferation. Our findings indicated that insufficient levels of IL-2 are not the main cause for the suppressed induction of CTLs by asbestos exposure, although they suggest potential improvement in the suppressed CTL function. Furthermore, the functional properties of peripheral blood CD8+ lymphocytes from asbestos-exposed individuals with pleural plaque (PP) and patients with malignant mesothelioma (MM) were examined. MM patients showed lower perforin levels in CD8+ lymphocytes following stimulation compared with PP-positive individuals. The production capacity of IFN-γ in the MM group tended to be lower compared with healthy volunteers or PP-positive individuals. In an effort to determine whether chronic and direct asbestos exposure affected the function of CD8+ T cells, cultured human CD8+ T cells were employed as an in vitro model and subjected to long-term exposure to chrysotile (CH) asbestos. This resulted in decreased levels of intracellular perforin and secreted IFN-γ. Those findings underlie the possibility that impaired CD8+ lymphocyte function is caused by asbestos exposure, which fail to suppress the development of MM. Our studies therefore reveal novel effects of asbestos exposure on CTLs, which might contribute towards the development and implementation of an effective strategy for the prevention and cure of malignant mesothelioma.
Genome wide association studies for japonica rice resistance to blast in field and controlled conditions
Authors: Volante Andrea , Tondelli Alessandro , Desiderio Francesca , Abbruscato Pamela , Menin Barbara , Biselli Chiara , Casella Laura , Singh Namrata , McCouch Susan R. , Tharreau Didier , Zampieri Elisa , Cattivelli Luigi , Valè Giampiero
Published: October 2020

Background

Rice blast, caused by the fungusPyricularia oryzae, represents the most damaging fungal disease of rice worldwide. Utilization of rice resistant cultivars represents a practical way to control the disease. Most of the rice varieties cultivated in Europe and several other temperate regions are severely depleted of blast resistance genes, making the identification of resistant sources in genetic background adapted to temperate environments a priority. Given these assumptions, a Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS) for rice blast resistance was undertaken using a panel of 311 temperate/tropicaljaponicaandindicaaccessions adapted to temperate conditions and genotyped with 37,423 SNP markers. The panel was evaluated for blast resistance in field, under the pressure of the natural blast population, and in growth chamber, using a mixture of three different fungal strains.

Results

The parallel screening identified 11 accessions showing high levels of resistance in the two conditions, representing potential donors of resistance sources harbored in rice genotypes adapted to temperate conditions. A general higher resistance level was observed in tropicaljaponicaandindicawith respect to temperatejaponicavarieties. The GWAS identified 14 Marker-Traits Associations (MTAs), 8 of which discovered under field conditions and 6 under growth chamber screening. Three MTAs were identified in both conditions; five MTAs were specifically detected under field conditions while three for the growth chamber inoculation. Comparative analysis of physical/genetic positions of the MTAs showed that most of them were positionally-related with cloned or mapped blast resistance genes or with candidate genes whose functions were compatible for conferring pathogen resistance. However, for three MTAs, indicated as BRF10, BRF11–2 and BRGC11–3, no obvious candidate genes or positional relationships with blast resistance QTLs were identified, raising the possibility that they represent new sources of blast resistance.

Conclusions

We identified 14 MTAs for blast resistance using both field and growth chamber screenings. A total of 11 accessions showing high levels of resistance in both conditions were discovered. Combinations of loci conferring blast resistance were identified in rice accessions adapted to temperate conditions, thus allowing the genetic dissection of affordable resistances present in the panel. The obtained information will provide useful bases for both resistance breeding and further characterization of the highlighted resistance loci.
Optimization of resource demand for passenger services at airports during system failures such as blackouts
Authors: Brause Lisa-Marie , Popa Andrei , Koch Tobias , Deutschmann Andreas , Hellmann Martin
Published: October 2020

Background

In recent years, power outages at airports caused total collapses of terminal operations at the affected airports. These incidents have shown that existing emergency power systems were not sufficient to maintain airport operation. To mitigate the consequences of power outages, it is necessary to improve the management of available resources.

Methodology

Therefore, we investigate the possibility to save resources associated to passenger handling processes before departure. For this purpose, we create a simulation model of a generic medium-sized commercial airport. Several simulations with a varying number of service stations at check-in, security and passport control are carried out. Subsequently, we analyze the number of passengers who do not reach their flight due to increased waiting times at the passenger handling services.

Results

The simulations show that a reduction in resources at check-in counters and passport control initially has no effect on the number of passengers who do not reach their flight. The security control represents a bottleneck in passenger handling. In view of a break-even seat load factor the simulation results show, that a reduction of resources at the check-in below 16 counters, at the security check below 21 and at the passport control below 3 service stations should be avoided.

Conclusion

Therefore, the developed methodology is able to provide airport operators with decision support during system failures, as to which and how many service stations can be dispensed within the sub-processes of passenger handling without interrupting flight operations.
Electrophysiological investigation of the contribution of attention to altered pain inhibition processes in patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Rustamov Nabi , Wagenaar-Tison Alice , Doyer Elysa , Piché Mathieu
Published: October 2020

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder associated with chronic abdominal pain and altered pain processing. The aim of this study was to examine whether attentional processes contribute to altered pain inhibition processes in patients with IBS. Nine female patients with IBS and nine age-/sex-matched controls were included in a pain inhibition paradigm using counter-stimulation and distraction with electroencephalography. Patients with IBS showed no inhibition of pain-related brain activity by heterotopic noxious counter-stimulation (HNCS) or selective attention. In the control group, HNCS and selective attention decreased the N100, P260 and high-gamma oscillation power. In addition, pain-related high-gamma power in sensorimotor, anterior cingulate and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was decreased by HNCS and selective attention in the control group, but not in patients with IBS. These results indicate that the central pain inhibition deficit in IBS reflects interactions between several brain processes related to pain and attention.
MSpectraAI: a powerful platform for deciphering proteome profiling of multi-tumor mass spectrometry data by using deep neural networks
Authors: Wang Shisheng , Zhu Hongwen , Zhou Hu , Cheng Jingqiu , Yang Hao
Published: October 2020

Background

Mass spectrometry (MS) has become a promising analytical technique to acquire proteomics information for the characterization of biological samples. Nevertheless, most studies focus on the final proteins identified through a suite of algorithms by using partial MS spectra to compare with the sequence database, while the pattern recognition and classification of raw mass-spectrometric data remain unresolved.

Results

We developed an open-source and comprehensive platform, named MSpectraAI, for analyzing large-scale MS data through deep neural networks (DNNs); this system involves spectral-feature swath extraction, classification, and visualization. Moreover, this platform allows users to create their own DNN model by using Keras. To evaluate this tool, we collected the publicly available proteomics datasets of six tumor types (a total of 7,997,805 mass spectra) from the ProteomeXchange consortium and classified the samples based on the spectra profiling. The results suggest that MSpectraAI can distinguish different types of samples based on the fingerprint spectrum and achieve better prediction accuracy in MS1 level (average 0.967).

Conclusion

This study deciphers proteome profiling of raw mass spectrometry data and broadens the promising application of the classification and prediction of proteomics data from multi-tumor samples using deep learning methods. MSpectraAI also shows a better performance compared to the other classical machine learning approaches.
Application of compound material alleviates saline and alkaline stress in cotton leaves through regulation of the transcriptome
Authors: An Mengjie , Wang Xiaoli , Chang Doudou , Wang Shuai , Hong Dashuang , Fan Hua , Wang Kaiyong
Published: October 2020

Background

Soil salinization and alkalinization are the main factors that affect the agricultural productivity. Evaluating the persistence of the compound material applied in field soils is an important part of the regulation of the responses of cotton to saline and alkaline stresses.

Result

To determine the molecular effects of compound material on the cotton’s responses to saline stress and alkaline stress, cotton was planted in the salinized soil (NaCl 8 g kg− 1) and alkalized soil (Na2CO3 8 g kg− 1) after application of the compound material, and ion content, physiological characteristics, and transcription of new cotton leaves at flowering and boll-forming stage were analyzed. The results showed that compared with saline stress, alkaline stress increased the contents of Na+, K+, SOD, and MDA in leaves. The application of the compound material reduced the content of Na+ but increased the K+/Na+ ratio, the activities of SOD, POD, and CAT, and REC. Transcriptome analysis revealed that after the application of the compound material, the Na+/H+ exchanger gene in cotton leaves was down-regulated, while the K+ transporter, K+ channel, and POD genes were up-regulated. Besides, the down-regulation of genes related to lignin synthesis in phenylalanine biosynthesis pathway had a close relationship with the ion content and physiological characteristics in leaves. The quantitative analysis with PCR proved the reliability of the results of RNA sequencing.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the compound material alleviated saline stress and alkaline stress on cotton leaves by regulating candidate genes in key biological pathways, which improves our understanding of the molecular mechanism of the compound material regulating the responses of cotton to saline stress and alkaline stress.
Fine mapping of a candidate gene for cool-temperature-induced albinism in ornamental kale
Authors: Yan Chenghuan , Peng Liying , Zhang Lei , Qiu Zhengming
Published: October 2020

Background

The symptoms of cool-temperature-induced chlorosis (CTIC) are widely existed in higher plants. Although many studies have shown that the genetic mechanism of CTIC is generally controlled by recessive genes in model plants, the dominant inheritance of albinism has not been reported thus far. Here, two CTIC mutants, Red Kamome and White Kamome, were utilized to analyse the inheritance of the albino trait in ornamental kale. The objective of this investigation is to fine-map the target locus and identify the most likely candidate genes for albinism.

Results

Genetic analysis revealed that the albinism in the inner leaves of ornamental kale followed semi-dominant inheritance and was controlled by a single locus in two segregating populations. BSR-seq in combination with linkage analysis was employed to fine-map the causal gene, named AK (Albino Kale), to an approximate 60 kb interval on chromosome C03. Transcriptome data from two extreme pools indicated that the differentially expressed gene of Bol015404, which encodes a cytochrome P450 protein, was the candidate gene. The Bol015404 gene was demonstrated to be upregulated in the albino leaves of ornamental kale by qPCR. Additionally, the critical temperature for the albinism was determined between 10 °C and 16 °C by gradient test.

Conclusions

Using two independent segregating populations, the albino mutants were shown to be controlled by one semi-dominant gene, AK, in ornamental kale. The Bol015404 gene was co-segregated with albinism phenotypes, suggesting this unknown function P450 gene as the most likely candidate gene. The albino trait appeared caused by the low temperatures rather than photoperiod. Our results lay a solid foundation on the genetic control of albinism in ornamental kale.
Assessment of high sensitivity C-reactive protein and coronary plaque characteristics by computed tomography in patients with and without diabetes mellitus
Authors: Zhou Hai-Ting , Zhao De-Li , Wang Guo-Kun , Wang Tian-Zuo , Liang Hong-Wei , Zhang Jin-Ling
Published: October 2020

Background

To evaluate the coronary plaque characteristics of coronary arteries using computed tomography angiography (CTA) in order to assess the risk of coronary artery disease and the relevance of high sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM).

Methods

The clinical data of 400 DM patients and 400 non-DM patients from January 2017 to December 2019 were collected, including the results of coronaryCTA. The plasma hs-CRP level of the two groups were divided into three groups: CRP ≤ 1, 1 < CRP ≤ 2, CRP > 2. The correlation of the degree of stenosis, the number of plaques, the nature of plaques and hs-CRP value between the two groups was evaluated.

Results

Compared with non-DM patients, the incidence of coronary artery plaques and lumen stenosis in DM patients was more higher than that in non-DM patients. DM patients were more likely to have more diseased vessels, especially diffuse vascular disease (12.00% vs 1.75%; P < 0.001). Subjects with high hs-CRP levels were more likely to have any plaque compared with individuals showing normal hs-CRP levels (p<0.01). There was no statistical significance in non calcified plaque with high level of hs-CRP, but the occurrence of plaque types in DM group was statistically significant compared with other hs-CRP levels in non DM group. Subjects with high hs-CRP were observed to be at increased risk for the presence of calcified plaque and severe narrowing in the unadjusted values.

Conclusions

Coronary CTA combined with hs-CRP can accurately detect the characteristics of coronary artery stenosis and plaque in DM patients, which has an important clinical value in the risk assessment of coronary heart disease in DM patients.
Association of Dietary Inflammatory Index with cardiovascular disease in Kurdish adults: results of a prospective study on Ravansar non-communicable diseases
Authors: Ayeneh pour Azad , Moradinazar Mehdi , Samadi Mehnoosh , Hamzeh Behrooz , Najafi Farid , Karimi Sheno , Faraji Fakhereh , Darbandi Mitra , Pasdar Yahya
Published: October 2020

Background

Various diets and dietary compounds, through their inflammatory properties, are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases including Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs). Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) can evaluate the inflammatory properties of diet. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between DII and CVDs in participants of the Ravansar Non-Communicable Diseases (RaNCD) cohort study, Kermanshah, Iran.

Materials

The present cross-sectional study was conducted using the recruitment phase data of the RaNCD cohort study on 6369 participants aged 35 to 65 years. The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess diet. The DII scores were calculated using FFQ data. Participants with a history of myocardial infarction, stroke and coronary artery disease, and/or taking medications for the CVDs were considered as the CVDs patients.

Results

Of the 6369 studied participants, 9% (n = 579) had CVDs history. The mean DII score in this study was − 0.84 ± 1.6. Odds ratio (OR) of CVDs in women was 1.6 times higher than in men (CI 95% = 1.3–1.9), which this association was remained after adjusting for confounding variables (OR = 1.5, CI% = 1.2–1.9). The risk of CVDs in the fourth quartile of DII was 1.4 times higher than the first quartile of DII (OR: 1.4, CI 95% = 1.1–1.8). We found that higher adhere to DII was associated with risk of CVDs.

Conclusion

According to current documents, given the role of diet through inflammatory properties on the risk of CVDs, it is recommended to use DII as an appropriate index to measure the effect of diet on CVDs in Iranian population. In addition, a diet with lower DII may be healthier diet for cardiovascular health.
A Bayesian natural cubic B-spline varying coefficient method for non-ignorable dropout
Authors: Moore Camille M. , MaWhinney Samantha , Carlson Nichole E. , Kreidler Sarah
Published: October 2020

Background

Dropout is a common problem in longitudinal clinical trials and cohort studies, and is of particular concern when dropout occurs for reasons that may be related to the outcome of interest. This paper reviews common parametric models to account for dropout and introduces a Bayesian semi-parametric varying coefficient model for exponential family longitudinal data with non-ignorable dropout.

Methods

To demonstrate these methods, we present results from a simulation study and estimate the impact of drug use on longitudinal CD4+T cell count and viral load suppression in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study. Sensitivity analyses are performed to consider the impact of model assumptions on inference. We compare results between our semi-parametric method and parametric models to account for dropout, including the conditional linear model and a parametric frailty model. We also compare results to analyses that fail to account for dropout.

Results

In simulation studies, we show that semi-parametric methods reduce bias and mean squared error when parametric model assumptions are violated. In analyses of the Women’s Interagency HIV Study data, we find important differences in estimates of changes in CD4+T cell count over time in untreated subjects that report drug use between different models used to account for dropout. We find steeper declines over time using our semi-parametric model, which makes fewer assumptions, compared to parametric models. Failing to account for dropout or to meet parametric assumptions of models to account for dropout could lead to underestimation of the impact of hard drug use on CD4+cell count decline in untreated subjects. In analyses of subjects that initiated highly active anti-retroviral treatment, we find that the estimated probability of viral load suppression is lower in models that account for dropout.

Conclusions

Non-ignorable dropout is an important consideration when analyzing data from longitudinal clinical trials and cohort studies. While methods that account for non-ignorable dropout must make some unavoidable assumptions that cannot be verified from the observed data, many methods make additional parametric assumptions. If these assumptions are not met, inferences can be biased, making more flexible methods with minimal assumptions important.
Paroxysmal hemicrania masquerading as a stroke in an elderly gentleman: case report
Authors: Tan Boon Hian , Suantio Astrid Melani , Koh Yeow Hoay
Published: October 2020

Background

Paroxysmal hemicrania has not been associated with ipsilateral weakness, loss of sensation and Horner’s syndrome. This report is the first of its kind documented in literature.

Case presentation

This was an elderly, sixty-five-year-old Chinese male who presented with a headache fulfilling criteria of paroxysmal hemicrania and was found to have signs of ipsilateral conjunctival injection, Horner’s syndrome, weakness and loss of sensation; with resolution of the patient’s physical signs after relief of the headache. Brain magnetic resonance imaging did not show any strokes or other headache mimics. The patient had a marked response to indomethacin and a decrease of headache intensity and frequency with indomethacin prophylaxis.

Conclusions

Paroxysmal hemicrania has joined the list of stroke chameleons and that it would be one of the differentials in a patient with hemiplegia, hemisensory loss, autonomic signs and severe headache. It suggests that paroxysmal hemicrania in the elderly present atypically.
Estimating the burden of HIV late presentation and its attributable morbidity and mortality across Europe 2010–2016
Authors:   The Late Presentation Working Groups in EuroSIDA and COHERE
Published: October 2020

Background

Late presentation (LP), defined as a CD4 count < 350/mm3 or an AIDS-event at HIV-diagnosis, remains a significant problem across Europe. Linking cohort and surveillance data, we assessed the country-specific burden of LP during 2010–2016 and the occurrence of new AIDS events or deaths within 12 months of HIV-diagnosis believed to be attributable to LP.

Methods

Country-specific percentages of LP and AIDS-events/death rates (assessed with Poisson regression) observed in The Collaboration of Observational HIV Epidemiological Research Europe (COHERE) and EuroSIDA cohorts, were applied to new HIV-diagnoses reported to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The estimated number of LP in the whole population was then calculated, as was the number of excess AIDS-events/deaths in the first 12 months following HIV-diagnosis assumed to be attributable to LP (difference in estimated events between LP and non-LP).

Results

Thirty-nine thousand two hundred four persons were included from the COHERE and EuroSIDA cohorts, of whom 18,967 (48.4%; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 47.9–48.9) were classified as LP, ranging from 36.9% in Estonia (95%CI 25.2–48.7) and Ukraine (95%CI 30.0–43.8) to 64.2% in Poland (95%CI 57.2–71.3). We estimated a total of > 320,000 LP and 12,050 new AIDS-events/deaths attributable to LP during 2010–2016, with the highest estimated numbers of LP and excess AIDS-events/deaths in Eastern Europe. Country-level estimates of excess events ranged from 17 AIDS-events/deaths (95%CI 0–533) in Denmark to 10,357 (95%CI 7768-147,448) in Russia.

Conclusions

Across countries in Europe, the burden of LP was high, with the highest estimated number of LP and excess AIDS-events/deaths being in Eastern Europe. Effective strategies are needed to reduce LP and the attributable morbidity and mortality that could be potentially avoided.
Adolescent and non-consensual anal sexual debut among Chinese men who have sex with men: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Tang Weiming , Wang Yehua , Huang Wenting , Wu Dan , Yang Fan , Xu Yongshi , Ong Jason J. , Fu Hongyun , Yang Bin , Wang Cheng , Ma Wei , Wei Chongyi , Tucker Joseph D.
Published: October 2020

Background

Adolescent sexual debut and non-consensual sex have been linked to higher sexual risk and STI infection in adulthood among men who have sex with men (MSM) in high-income countries. This study aimed to examine adolescent and non-consensual anal sexual debut among Chinese MSM and to evaluate factors associated with adolescent sexual debut and non-consensual anal sex.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted recently among Chinese men assigned male sex at birth, ≥18 years old, and who had ever engaged in anal sex with a man. Participants answered questions regarding socio-demographics, condomless sex, age at anal sexual debut with a man, and whether the first anal sex was consensual. Factors associated with an adolescent sexual debut (< 18 years old) and non-consensual sex at sexual debut were evaluated. We defined adolescent sexual debut as having anal sex with another man at 17 years old or younger, and the participants were asked whether their first male-to-male anal sex was non-consensual.

Results

Overall, 2031 eligible men completed the survey. The mean age of sexual debut was 20.7 (SD = 4.3) years old. 17.6% (358/2031) of men reported adolescent sexual debut, and 5.0% (101/2031) reported a non-consensual sexual debut. The adolescent sexual debut was associated with having more male sexual partners (adjusted OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.06–1.15) and condomless anal sex in the last three months (AOR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.34–2.18). MSM whose sexual debut was non-consensual were more likely to have condomless anal sex (AOR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.17–2.66), and to have reported an adolescent sexual debut (AOR = 2.72, 95% CI 1.75–4.21).

Conclusions

Many Chinese MSM reported adolescent sexual debut and non-consensual sex, both of which are associated with sexual risk behaviors and drive STI transmission. These findings highlight the need for designing tailored interventions for MSM who experienced adolescent sexual debut and non-consensual sex at debut.
The rise in the number of long-term survivors from different diseases can slow the increase in life expectancy of the total population
Authors: Ebeling Marcus , Meyer Anna C. , Modig Karin
Published: October 2020

Background

Recent improvements in life expectancy in many countries stem from reduced mortality from cardiovascular disease and cancer above the age of 60. This is the combined result of decreased incidence and improved survival among those with disease. The latter has led to a higher proportion in the population of people with a past history of disease. This is a group with higher mortality than the general population. How growing shares of persons with past history of disease and improved survival with disease have affected changes in life expectancy of the total population is the objective of this paper.

Methods

Using register data for the total Swedish population, we stratified the population based on whether individuals have been diagnosed with myocardial infarction, stroke, hip fracture, colon cancer, or breast cancer. Using a novel decomposition approach, we decomposed the changes in life expectancy at age 60 between 1994 and 2016 into contributions from improved survival with disease and from changes in proportion of people with past history of disease.

Results

Improvements in survival from disease resulted in gains of life expectancy for the total population. However, while the contributions to life expectancy improvements from myocardial infarction, stroke and breast cancer were substantial, the contributions from the other diseases were minor. These gains were counteracted, to various degrees, by the increasing proportion of people with raised mortality due to a past history of disease. For instance, the impact on life expectancy by improved survival from breast cancer was almost halved by the increasing share of females with a past history of breast cancer.

Conclusion

Rising numbers of survivors of different diseases can slow the increase in life expectancy. This dynamic may represent the costs associated with successful treatment of diseases, and thus, a potential “failure of success.” This dynamic should be considered when assessing mortality and life expectancy trends. As populations are aging and disease survival continues to improve, this issue is likely to become even more important in the future.
Impact of reducing the duration of antibiotic treatment on the long-term prognosis of community acquired pneumonia
Authors: Uranga Ane , Artaraz Amaia , Bilbao Amaia , Quintana Jose María , Arriaga Ignacio , Intxausti Maider , Lobo Jose Luis , García Julia Amaranta , Camino Jesus , España Pedro Pablo
Published: October 2020

Background

The optimal duration of antibiotic treatment for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is not well established. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of reducing the duration of antibiotic treatment on long-term prognosis in patients hospitalized with CAP.

Methods

This was a multicenter study assessing complications developed during 1 year of patients previously hospitalized with CAP who had been included in a randomized clinical trial concerning the duration of antibiotic treatment. Mortality at 90 days, at 180 days and at 1 year was analyzed, as well as new admissions and cardiovascular complications. A subanalysis was carried out in one of the hospitals by measuring C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and proadrenomedullin (proADM) at admission, at day 5 and at day 30.

Results

A total of 312 patients were included, 150 in the control group and 162 in the intervention group. Ninety day, 180 day and 1-year mortality in the per-protocol analysis were 8 (2.57%), 10 (3.22%) and 14 (4.50%), respectively. There were no significant differences between both groups in terms of 1-year mortality (p = 0.94), new admissions (p = 0.84) or cardiovascular events (p = 0.33). No differences were observed between biomarker level differences from day 5 to day 30 (CRP p = 0.29; PCT p = 0.44; proADM p = 0.52).

Conclusions

Reducing antibiotic treatment in hospitalized patients with CAP based on clinical stability criteria is safe, without leading to a greater number of long-term complications.
Would patients undergo postoperative follow-up by using a smartphone application?
Authors: Scherer Julian , Keller Frank , Pape Hans-Christoph , Osterhoff Georg
Published: October 2020

Background

eHealth applications have been proposed as an alternative to monitor patients in frequent intervals or over long distances. The aim of this study was to assess whether patients would accept an application on their smartphone to be monitored by their physicians.

Methods

During September 2017 and December 2017 a survey amongst smartphone users was conducted via paper and web-based questionnaires.

Results

More than half of the 962 participants (54%) were older than 55 years of age. The majority of the participants (68.7%) would accept a follow-up by a smartphone application obtaining personal healthcare data. 72.6% of all patients older than 55 years of age would use the application. The most prevalent reason against installing the application was data protection. Patients being currently treated in an orthopaedic practice and pedestrians were more eager to accept a follow-up by a mobile app than participants from social media.

Conclusion

The majority of participants would accept a mobile application, collecting personal health-related data for postoperative follow-up, and saw a direct benefit for the patient in such an application.
Automated cephalometric landmark detection with confidence regions using Bayesian convolutional neural networks
Authors: Lee Jeong-Hoon , Yu Hee-Jin , Kim Min-ji , Kim Jin-Woo , Choi Jongeun
Published: October 2020

Background

Despite the integral role of cephalometric analysis in orthodontics, there have been limitations regarding the reliability, accuracy, etc. of cephalometric landmarks tracing. Attempts on developing automatic plotting systems have continuously been made but they are insufficient for clinical applications due to low reliability of specific landmarks. In this study, we aimed to develop a novel framework for locating cephalometric landmarks with confidence regions using Bayesian Convolutional Neural Networks (BCNN).

Methods

We have trained our model with the dataset from the ISBI 2015 grand challenge in dental X-ray image analysis. The overall algorithm consisted of a region of interest (ROI) extraction of landmarks and landmarks estimation considering uncertainty. Prediction data produced from the Bayesian model has been dealt with post-processing methods with respect to pixel probabilities and uncertainties.

Results

Our framework showed a mean landmark error (LE) of 1.53 ± 1.74 mm and achieved a successful detection rate (SDR) of 82.11, 92.28 and 95.95%, respectively, in the 2, 3, and 4 mm range. Especially, the most erroneous point in preceding studies, Gonion, reduced nearly halves of its error compared to the others. Additionally, our results demonstrated significantly higher performance in identifying anatomical abnormalities. By providing confidence regions (95%) that consider uncertainty, our framework can provide clinical convenience and contribute to making better decisions.

Conclusion

Our framework provides cephalometric landmarks and their confidence regions, which could be used as a computer-aided diagnosis tool and education.
Navigated Antral Bone Expansion (NABE): a prospective study on 35 patients with 4 months of follow-up post implant loading
Authors: Stefanelli Luigi V. , Pranno Nicola , De Angelis Francesca , La Rosa Silvia , Polimeni Antonella , Di Carlo Stefano
Published: October 2020

Background

The insertion of dental implants in the atrophic posterior maxilla can be a challenge. One option is to modify the residual native bone in preparation for proper, prosthetically-driven implant placement. The procedure presented in this study is called Navigated Antral Bone Expansion (N.A.B.E). This procedure employs the use of a navigation system to plan and guide the initial pilot drilling, bone expansion, final site preparation, and implant insertion. The aim of this study was to compare the distance between the alveolar ridge and the sinus floor measured before and after the surgery performed using the N.A.B.E. technique.

Methods

Thirty-seven partially edentulous patients who were candidates for implant supported restoration in the posterior maxilla, with a bone height ranging from 4 to 7 mm were enrolled. The N.A.B.E procedure was used to increase the bone height. Paired-samples t-test evaluated the distance between the alveolar ridge and the sinus floor measured before and after surgery. The occurrence of post-surgical complications, and the angular deviation between the planned osteotomy and the actual placed implant trajectories were evaluated.

Results

Out of the 37 consecutive patients enrolled in the study, 35 were considered in the data analyses. Patients’ bone height after surgery compared to the bone height before surgery showed a statistically significant increase (p < .0005) of 3.96 mm (95% CI, 3.62 mm to 4.30 mm). No post-operative complications were observed in the 35 patients. The mean angular deviation between the planned osteotomy trajectory and the placed implant trajectory ranged between 12.700 to 34.900 (mean 25.170 ± 5.100).

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that N.A.B.E. technique is able to provide a significant bone increase, and could be considered an alternative method to the management of the atrophic posterior maxilla with a minimally invasive approach.
Evaluation of root and canal morphology of maxillary permanent first molars in an Emirati population; a cone-beam computed tomography study
Authors: Al Mheiri Eman , Chaudhry Jahanzeb , Abdo Salma , El Abed Rashid , Khamis Amar Hasan , Jamal Mohamed
Published: October 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to analyze the root and canal morphology of the maxillary permanent first molars in an Emirati population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods

Two hundred and sixty-one CBCT scans were acquired. The data were extracted and anonymized to remove all patient identifiers. Two observers (an endodontic resident and an endodontist) evaluated all scans on diagnostic quality monitors.

Results

The prevalence of a second mesiobuccal canal (MB2) was 80.1% in all examined samples. Type II Vertucci classification, was the most common canal configuration (59%) in the mesiobuccal root, followed by Types I (19.9%) and IV (15.3%), while Type III was the least common (5.7%). Types I, II, and IV were significantly more common in the 21–40-year age group (P < 0.001), while Type III was observed significantly more often in the < 20-year age group (P < 0.001). No significant effect of gender on the prevalence of Vertucci classification in the mesiobuccal root of maxillary first molars (P = 0.74) was found. Analysis of bilateral symmetry showed that 80% teeth had perfect bilateral symmetry, whereas 20% were asymmetrical. Type II canal configuration showed the highest prevalence of bilateral symmetry (48.7%), followed by Type I (15%) and Type IV (10%), while Type III showed the least prevalence of symmetry (3%).

Conclusions

This was the first study to analyze the prevalence of MB2 canal in an Emirati population. Our results indicate high prevalence of MB2 (80.1%) and emphasize the importance of using advanced techniques to locate the MB2 canal.
Leveraging hybrid biomarkers in clinical endpoint prediction
Authors: Saad Maliazurina , Lee Ik Hyun
Published: October 2020

Background

Clinical endpoint prediction remains challenging for health providers. Although predictors such as age, gender, and disease staging are of considerable predictive value, the accuracy often ranges between 60 and 80%. An accurate prognosis assessment is required for making effective clinical decisions.

Methods

We proposed an extended prognostic model based on clinical covariates with adjustment for additional variables that were radio-graphically induced, termed imaging biomarkers. Eight imaging biomarkers were introduced and investigated in a cohort of 68 non-small cell lung cancer subjects with tumor internal characteristic. The subjects comprised of 40 males and 28 females with mean age at 68.7 years. The imaging biomarkers used to quantify the solid component and non-solid component of a tumor. The extended model comprises of additional frameworks that correlate these markers to the survival ends through uni- and multi-variable analysis to determine the most informative predictors, before combining them with existing clinical predictors. Performance was compared between traditional and extended approaches using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, Area under the ROC curves (AUC), Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves, Cox Proportional Hazard, and log-rank tests (p-value).

Results

The proposed hybrid model exhibited an impressive boosting pattern over the traditional approach of prognostic modelling in the survival prediction (AUC ranging from 77 to 97%). Four developed imaging markers were found to be significant in distinguishing between subjects having more and less dense components: (P = 0.002–0.006). The correlation to survival analysis revealed that patients with denser composition of tumor (solid dominant) lived 1.6–2.2 years longer (mean survival) and 0.5–2.0 years longer (median survival), than those with less dense composition (non-solid dominant).

Conclusion

The present study provides crucial evidence that there is an added value for incorporating additional image-based predictors while predicting clinical endpoints. Though the hypotheses were confirmed in a customized case study, we believe the proposed model is easily adapted to various clinical cases, such as predictions of complications, treatment response, and disease evolution.
Molecular detection and genetic characterization of Anaplasma marginale and Anaplasma platys-like (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) in water buffalo from eight provinces of Thailand
Authors: Nguyen Anh H. L. , Tiawsirisup Sonthaya , Kaewthamasorn Morakot
Published: October 2020

Background

Anaplasmosis, an animal disease caused by rickettsial bacteria in the genus Anaplasma, is of considerable economic importance in livestock animals in many countries worldwide. The objectives of this study were to determine the identity, prevalence, and geographic distribution of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma in naturally infected water buffalo in Thailand using PCR amplification and sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA and heat shock protein groEL genes. A total of 456 buffalo blood samples from Thailand were investigated. Species identification and genetic differentiation of intra-population and inter-population with the global isolates were conducted based on nucleotide sequences. Interplay between the infection and host factors was also assessed.

Results

Overall, 41% of water buffalo were found to be infected with rickettsial organisms in the family Anaplasmataceae, but Ehrlichia spp., Neorickettsia spp., and Wolbachia spp. were not found in any of the sequenced samples in this study. Female buffalo were more frequently infected with bacteria in the family Anaplasmataceae than males [71 out of 176 females (40.3%) versus 11 out of 47 males (23.4%)]. The Odds Ratio value indicated that the risk of infection for female buffalo was 2.2-fold higher than that for males (p < 0.05). We detected three haplotypes of A. marginale 16S rRNA gene and they were placed in a clade that was closely related to the A. marginale in buffalo in China; and cattle in Thailand, Uganda, and China. Homology searching of groEL sequences against the GenBank™ database using the BLASTn algorithm revealed that the obtained sequences had a high percentage similarity (98.36–99.62%) to A. platys sequences. The groEL sequences of three A. platys-like isolates were clustered in the same clade as the A. platys from the tick Rhipicephalus microplus in China.

Conclusions

Our data showed that the apparently healthy buffalo were naturally infected by bacteria in the family Anaplasmataceae at a relatively high prevalence. We also report the finding of A. platys-like infections in water buffalo in Thailand for the first time. Water buffalo serving as the reservoir host of anaplasmosis is of concern for managing the disease control and prevention in ruminants.
The impact of therapeutic-dose induced intestinal enrofloxacin concentrations in healthy pigs on fecal Escherichia coli populations
Authors: De Smet Joren , Boyen Filip , Croubels Siska , Rasschaert Geertrui , Haesebrouck Freddy , Temmerman Robin , Rutjens Sofie , De Backer Patrick , Devreese Mathias
Published: October 2020

Background

Knowledge of therapy-induced intestinal tract concentrations of antimicrobials allows for interpretation and prediction of antimicrobial resistance selection within the intestinal microbiota. This study describes the impact of three different doses of enrofloxacin (ENR) and two different administration routes on the intestinal concentration of ENR and on the fecal Escherichia coli populations in pigs. Enrofloxacin was administered on three consecutive days to four different treatment groups. The groups either received an oral bolus administration of ENR (conventional or half dose) or an intramuscular administration (conventional or double dose).

Results

Quantitative analysis of fecal samples showed high ENR concentrations in all groups, ranging from 5.114 ± 1.272 μg/g up to 39.54 ± 10.43 μg/g at the end of the treatment period. In addition, analysis of the luminal intestinal content revealed an increase of ENR concentration from the proximal to the distal intestinal tract segments, with no significant effect of administration route. Fecal samples were also screened for resistance in E. coli isolates against ENR. Wild-type (MIC≤0.125 μg/mL) and non-wild-type (0.125 < MIC≤2 μg/mL) E. coli isolates were found at time 0 h. At the end of treatment (3 days) only non-wild-type isolates (MIC≥32 μg/mL) were found.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the observed intestinal ENR concentrations in all groups showed to be both theoretically (based on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles) and effectively (in vivo measurement) capable of significantly reducing the intestinal E. coli wild-type population.
Impact of combined training with different exercise intensities on inflammatory and lipid markers in type 2 diabetes: a secondary analysis from a 1-year randomized controlled trial
Authors: Magalhães João P. , Santos Diana A. , Correia Inês R. , Hetherington-Rauth Megan , Ribeiro Rogério , Raposo João F. , Matos Andreia , Bicho Manuel D. , Sardinha Luís B.
Published: October 2020

Background

Exercise is a well-accepted strategy to improve lipid and inflammatory profile in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, the exercise intensity having the most benefits on lipids and inflammatory markers in patients with T2DM remains unclear. We aimed to analyse the impact of a 1-year combined high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with resistance training (RT), and a moderate continuous training (MCT) with RT on inflammatory and lipid profile in individuals with T2DM.

Methods

Individuals with T2DM (n = 80, aged 59 years) performed a 1-year randomized controlled trial and were randomized into three groups (control, n = 27; HIIT with RT, n = 25; MCT with RT, n = 28). Exercise sessions were supervised with a frequency of 3 days per week. Inflammatory and lipid profiles were measured at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Changes in inflammatory and lipid markers were assessed using generalized estimating equations.

Results

After adjusting for sex, age and baseline moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), we observed a time-by-group interaction for Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in both the MCT with RT (β = − 0.70, p = 0.034) and HIIT with RT (β = − 0.62, p = 0.049) groups, whereas, only the HIIT with RT group improved total cholesterol (β = − 0.03, p = 0.045) and LDL-C (β = − 0.03, p = 0.034), when compared to control. No effect was observed for C-reactive protein (CRP), cortisol, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), soluble form of the haptoglobin-hemoglobin receptor CD163 (sCD163), triglycerides and HDL-C in both groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Favorable adaptations on IL-6 were observed in both the HIIT and MCT combined with RT groups following a long-term 1-year exercise intervention in individuals with T2DM. However, only the HIIT with RT prevented further derangement of total cholesterol and LDL-C, when compared to the control group. Therefore, in order to encourage exercise participation and improve inflammatory profile, either exercise protocols may be prescribed, however, HIIT with RT may have further benefits on the lipid profile.

Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT03144505