bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adherence to laboratory monitoring among people taking oral drugs for multiple sclerosis: A Canadian population-based study
Authors: Ng Huah Shin , Kingwell Elaine , Zhu Feng , Zhang Tingting , Marrie Ruth Ann , Carruthers Robert , Tremlett Helen
Published: March 2020

Objective:

To examine laboratory testing adherence by persons initiating an oral disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods:

Population-based health administrative and laboratory data were accessed in British Columbia, Canada, to identify everyone filling their first prescription for dimethyl fumarate (DMF), fingolimod or teriflunomide (2011–2015). The proportion of people adherent to each drug monograph’s recommended laboratory monitoring schedule, pre- and on-DMT, was estimated. The association between patient characteristics and adherence was examined using multivariable logistic regression.

Results:

A total of 1016 people were included (DMF 567, fingolimod 253 and teriflunomide 196). The proportions of people adherent to pre-DMT liver and lymphocyte tests ranged from 88% to 91% and 91% to 94%, respectively, while 77% adhered to pre-DMF urinalysis. Adherence to the first on-DMT liver test was 89% for DMF (within 6 months), 61% for fingolimod (within 3 months) and 40% for teriflunomide (within 1 month). Men were less likely than women to have pre-DMF urinalysis (adjusted odds ratio (aOR); 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40–0.95) or on-DMF liver (aOR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.23–0.95) or lymphocyte (aOR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.22–0.98) tests.

Conclusions:

Adherence to recommended laboratory testing was high (>77%) before oral DMT initiation, but lower once on drug. There is a need to understand the long-term consequences of suboptimal laboratory monitoring and sex differences in the DMT-treated MS population.
Physicians privilege responding to emotional cues in oncologic consultations: A study utilizing Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional Sequences
Authors: Bittencourt Romeiro Fernanda , Felizardo Deivid de Franceschi , Kern de Castro Elisa , Figueiredo-Braga Margarida
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study was to describe emotional cues and concerns expressed by cancer patients and their physicians using video-recorded regular oncology consultations. The consultations were divided into units of analysis and coded according to the Verona Coding Definitions of Emotional Sequences system. The study design was mixed, descriptive, and exploratory. Twelve patients and eight oncologists participated in the study. The patients expressed 349 cues/concerns during the 12 consultations. The majority (68.8%) of the content consisted of non-explicit description of physiological and stress episodes in the disease and treatment. Physicians demonstrated that they recognized fewer underlying cues than those related to physiological complaints.
Sport and UK soft power: The case of Mount Everest
Authors: Woodward Richard
Published: March 2020

Sport is widely acknowledged as an important contributor to the United Kingdom’s soft power resources. This article aims to broaden and deepen our understanding of sport and soft power in the United Kingdom through a case study of British expeditions to, and the eventual conquest of, Mount Everest. Based on original archival research, the article demonstrates that British state institutions intervened systematically and strategically to expedite, and massage the story of, the ascent of Everest to burnish British prestige and present a favourable image to the world. In doing so, the article provides evidence that sport has been intrinsic to the United Kingdom’s diplomatic repertoire and soft power assets for considerably longer than existing accounts discern. Moreover, the Everest case offers important cues for contemporary policymakers. In particular, it demonstrates the need for the United Kingdom to project a clear, credible and consistent image if it is to profit from its soft power resources.
Crowdsourcing human-based computation for medical image analysis: A systematic literature review
Authors: Petrović Nataša , Moyà-Alcover Gabriel , Varona Javier , Jaume-i-Capó Antoni
Published: March 2020

Computer-assisted algorithms for the analysis of medical images require human interactions to achieve satisfying results. Human-based computation and crowdsourcing offer a solution to this problem. We performed a systematic literature review of studies on crowdsourcing human-based computation for medical image analysis based on the guidelines proposed by Kitchenham and Charters. We identified 43 studies relevant to the objective of this research. We determined three primary purposes and problems that crowdsourcing human-based computation systems can solve. We found that the users provided five information types. We compared systems that use pre-, post-evaluation and quality control methods to select and filter the user inputs. We analyzed the metrics used for the evaluation of the crowdsourcing human-based computation system performance. Finally, we identified the most popular crowdsourcing human-based computation platforms with their advantages and disadvantages.Crowdsourcing human-based computation systems can successfully solve medical image analysis problems. However, the application of crowdsourcing human-based computation systems in this research area is still limited and more studies should be conducted to obtain generalizable results. We provided guidelines to practitioners and researchers based on the results obtained in this research.
Using YouTube to share a collaborative ethnography project on artisan chicken in Japan
Authors: Schrager Benjamin
Published: March 2020

As digital media grows increasingly pervasive, cultural geographers continue to engage with new mechanisms for conducting and sharing their research. This article discusses a collaborative ethnography project that I conducted on artisan chicken in Miyazaki prefecture, Japan, and shared as a playlist of six YouTube videos. Although inexperienced with creating film, I found that making these collaborative videos created a mechanism for sharing and recognizing collaborators’ efforts in raising and retailing artisan chicken. To reduce the chance of adverse outcomes, I clarified the project’s goals, sought input from participants at multiple stages, curated the video content, and scrutinized the best website and settings for sharing the project. Even with these precautions, however, the project created tension between my role as a researcher and video blog curator. In conclusion, I reflect on the benefits, tensions, and pitfalls of this project. Despite its challenges, I encourage other scholars to reflexively pursue opportunities presented by digital media.
Dancing from policy to pedagogy in China: Transgressions, surveillance and resistance from students, teachers and institutional leaders
Authors: Rowe Nicholas , Xiong Xi , Tuomeiciren Heyang
Published: March 2020

This article investigates the challenges that tertiary educators face when seeking to implement education-policy reforms in China. Our qualitative study presents the narratives of tertiary dance educators from eight universities who have actively sought to shift their pedagogical practices as acts of transgression. Their stories reveal the ways that teachers experience pressure to perpetuate authoritarian teaching practices, from their students, from other teachers, and from their institutional leaders. Viewing this learning culture through a Foucauldian lens, we critically question how an authoritarian discourse pervades the tertiary dance education system. Through this, we identify how surveillance and a continual sense of comparison (between students, teachers and institutions), sustains authoritarian pedagogies and inhibits individual teachers’ approaches to educational reform.
Adaptive leader election for control of tactical microgrids
Authors: Jane Robert S , Goldsmith Steven Y , Parker Gordon G , Weaver Wayne W , Rizzo Denise M
Published: March 2020

An adaptive leader election protocol (LEP) was developed to control both stationary and mobile generation assets (generators and vehicles), achieved using an energy management system (EMS). The LEP algorithm adapts to changes in both topology and the asset inventory using the longevity criterion (available fuel, future availability), used to compute a desirability index, for election of a leader. The leader then implemented an optimal power flow EMS to ensure sufficient and optimal power flow within the electrical network was maintained in the presence of a complex electrical load, regardless of the asset mix. Both the LEP and EMS algorithms were distributed to the generation assets. This capability supports stationary grid-tied, vehicle-to-grid, and mobile vehicle-to-vehicle-based applications. Simulated case studies illustrate that the adaptive LEP was resistive to deterministic events (maintenance, available fuel), which could yield an inoperable asset, compromising grid stability. The use of the adaptive LEP resulted in a communication complexity of at most [Formula: see text]; in contrast, a fully connected communication system requires [Formula: see text] communications, limiting the scalability of the network. The EMS was optimized, resulting in a computationally efficient and scalable optimal power flow algorithm that can be extended for more general stationary or mobile energy networks.
Clinical and Radiological Correlates of Different Electroencephalographic Pattern in Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Nazish Saima
Published: March 2020

Objective. The present study aimed to determine the clinical and radiological correlates of different electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns in hospitalized patients. Subjects and Methods. In this retrospective study performed at the Neurology Department, King Fahd University Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), data of 374 patients who underwent EEG were reviewed and analyzed. Results. Presence of focal spike and wave or sharp wave (SW) ( P = .00), generalized theta activity ( P = .00), generalized delta activity ( P = .04), persistent focal slow wave activity (SWA) ( P = .003) and asymmetric background ( P = .01) in the EEG record was significantly associated with abnormal imaging findings. Specifically, generalized theta delta activity ( P = .01) and markedly attenuated EEG activity ( P = .007) were associated with presence of cortical lesions; whereas, triphasic waves (TWs) ( P = .009), and generalized theta activity ( P = .001) were found to be related with presence of subcortical lesions. While, generalized delta activity ( P = .01) was the only correlate with extra-axial lesions. Conclusion. At present, certain EEG patterns cannot be precisely correlated with imaging findings, suggesting that intercurrent metabolic, infectious, and/or toxic contributors could be the confounding factors. Nonetheless, when EEG patterns are examined alongside magnetic resonance imaging findings and other clinically relevant data, these might be indicative of a group of diseases in some pertinent situations. Thus, further larger prospective clinical studies that incorporate continuous EEG monitoring, advanced radiology techniques, and laboratory analyses would be beneficial to elucidate their interplay for better firm up the correlations.
Variations of heat transfer mechanism and flow structure in a heat exchanger tube fitted with 30° inclined ring
Authors: Boonloi Amnart , Jedsadaratanachai Withada
Published: March 2020

Flow prediction, heat transfer pattern, and thermo-hydraulic efficiency in a heat exchanger tube fitted with vortex generator are chosen for the present research. The 30° inclined ring is opted to develop the performance of the heat exchanger tube. The effects of inclined ring configuration and placement in the heat exchanger tube on the patterns of flow and heat transfer are investigated. The Reynolds number (at the entry zone of the periodic model) in the range of around 100–2000 (laminar flow region) is discussed. The heat transfer ability, pressure loss, and efficiency of the heat exchanger tube fitted with 30° inclined ring are analyzed with the numerical method (finite volume method). The SIMPLE algorithm of the commercial code is picked for the present study. The simulated results in the heat exchanger tube fitted with 30° inclined ring are offered in patterns of streamlines, temperature contour, and Nusselt number contour. From the preliminary result, it is found that the creation model of the heat exchanger tube fitted with 30° inclined ring has sufficient reliance to measure flow and heat transfer profiles. The installment of the 30° inclined ring in the heat exchanger tube leads to greater heat transfer ability and thermo-hydraulic performance because of the creation of the vortex flow and thermal boundary layer disturbance on the heat exchanger tube surface. The heat transfer ability in the heat exchanger tube fitted with 30° inclined ring is found to be around 1.00–10.56 times above the plain circular tube. In addition, the installation of the 30° inclined ring in the heat exchanger tube gives the maximum thermal enhancement factor around 3.18.
Dual VEGF inhibition with sorafenib and bevacizumab as salvage therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer: results of the phase II North Central Cancer Treatment Group study N054C (Alliance)
Authors: Xie Hao , Lafky Jacqueline M. , Morlan Bruce W. , Stella Philip J. , Dakhil Shaker R. , Gross Gerald G. , Loui William S. , Hubbard Joleen M. , Alberts Steven R. , Grothey Axel
Published: March 2020

Background:

Bevacizumab (BEV), a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), is a standard component of medical therapy of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Activation of alternative angiogenesis pathways has been implicated in resistance to BEV. This phase II study examines the activity of combined vertical blockade of VEGF signaling with sorafenib and BEV as salvage therapy in patients with progressive disease (PD) on all standard therapy in mCRC.

Methods:

mCRC patients with documented PD on standard therapy, received sorafenib (200 mg orally twice daily, days 1–5 and 8–12) and BEV (5 mg/kg intravenously, day 1) every 2 weeks. Primary endpoint was 3-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate and secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), response rate (RR), safety, and feasibility.

Results:

Of the 83 patients enrolled, 79 were evaluable. Of these, 42 (53%) were progression-free at 3 months. Median PFS was 3.5 months and median OS was 8.3 months. One patient had a partial response and 50 patients (63.3%) had at least one stable tumor assessment. Of 79 evaluable patients, 54 (68%) experienced grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) at least possibly related to treatment. Most frequent grade 3/4 AEs were: fatigue (24.1%), hypertension (16.5%), elevated lipase (8.9%), hand-foot skin reaction (8.9%), diarrhea (7.6%), and proteinuria (7.6%). Reasons for treatment discontinuation were PD (72%), AEs (18%), patient refusal (8%), physician decision (1%), and death (1%).

Conclusions:

The combination of BEV and sorafenib as salvage therapy in heavily pretreated mCRC patients is tolerable and manageable, with evidence of promising activity.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:

NCT00826540, URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00826540
Stereoselective Reduction of Bisdemethoxycurcumin to (R)-Hexahydrobisdemethoxycurcumin by Cultured Morus bombycis Plant Cells
Authors: Shimoda Kei , Kubota Naoji , Hamada Hiroki , Kawakami Kouki , Nakayama Noriyuki , Hamada Hatsuyuki
Published: March 2020

Biotransformation of bisdemethoxycurcumin was examined using cultured plant cells of Morus bombycis, the Moraceae mulberry family, as biocatalysts. The cultured cells converted bisdemethoxycurcumin into ( R)-hexahydrobisdemethoxycurcumin in 30% yield in 1 day. The ( S)-stereoisomer has been isolated from Betula platyphylla Sukatchev var. japonica.
A potential inflammatory role of IL-31 in psoriatic arthritis: A correlation with Th17 cytokine profile
Authors: Bautista-Herrera LA , De la Cruz-Mosso U , Román-Fernández IV , Parra-Rojas I , Soñanez-Organis JG , Hernández-Bello J , Morales-Zambrano RA , Villanueva-Quintero GD , Muñoz-Valle JF
Published: March 2020

The goals of our study were to determine the possible association of interleukin (IL)-31 with Th17 cytokine profile in serum and to quantify retinoic acid-related orphan receptor C ( RORC) mRNA expression in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 50 patients with PsA and 30 control subjects (CS) matched by age and gender. The cytokine serum levels were quantified by magnetic bead–based assay using the Bio-Plex MAGPIX system, and RORC mRNA expression was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). As a result, significant differences in IL-31 were observed between study groups (77.23 pg/mL in PsA vs 64.4 pg/mL in CS, P < 0.001) and Th17 cytokine profile serum levels (IL-17A: 6.36 pg/mL in PsA vs 2.97 pg/mL in CS, P = 0.02; IL-17F: 44.15 pg/mL in PsA vs 23.36 pg/mL in PsA, P = 0.01; IL-17E: 3.03 pg/mL in PsA vs 0.82 pg/mL in CS, P < 0.001; IL-21: 36.45 pg/mL in PsA vs 12.44 pg/mL in CS, P = 0.02); however, significant differences were not observed for IL-23 (31.2 pg/mL in PsA vs 53.26 pg/mL in CS, P = 0.58). Furthermore, positive correlations between IL-31 and Th17 cytokine profile serum levels were found (IL-17A: rs = 0.64, P < 0.001; IL-17F: rs = 0.73, P < 0.001; IL-17E: rs = 0.70, P < 0.001; IL-21: rs = 0.54, P = 0.002; IL-23: rs = 0.5, P < 0.01). Regarding RORC gene expression, the PsA group showed an increase of 6.85-fold compared to the CS group. We did not find any association between the serum levels of cytokines and RORC gene expression. In conclusion, in PsA, there are increased serum levels of IL-31, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-17E, and IL-21, but not IL-23. Moreover, there was a positive correlation of IL-31 with the Th17 cytokine profile and a high RORC gene expression. Altogether, these findings suggest a proinflammatory contribution of IL-31 in close association with the Th17 cytokine profile in PsA.
Treatment of systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease: Lessons from clinical trials
Authors: Roofeh David , Distler Oliver , Allanore Yannick , Denton Christopher P , Khanna Dinesh
Published: March 2020

Systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease remains a leading cause of mortality. Despite decades of clinical trials, the treatment effects of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs continue to be modest and there remains a great need for therapies that attenuate and hopefully ameliorate parenchymal lung disease. In this review, we highlight the key clinical trials that have shaped the management strategies employed by the authors, providing their strength of recommendation based on level of evidence. We also review lessons learned in more recent years, suggesting a benefit in targeting patients with subclinical interstitial lung disease with high risk for progression early in the disease course, as well as the benefit seen in a large clinical trial leading to the first Food and Drug Administration–approved treatment for systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease. These lessons come in a context of heterogeneity of patient populations and response to therapy, as well as the inherent constraints of time-limited studies to detect meaningful outcomes for patients.
Pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis associated interstitial lung disease
Authors: Nihtyanova Svetlana I , Denton Christopher P
Published: March 2020

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease leading to vasculopathy and fibrosis of skin and internal organs. Despite likely shared pathogenic mechanisms, the patterns of skin and lung fibrosis differ. Pathogenesis of interstitial lung disease, a major cause of death in systemic sclerosis, reflects the intrinsic disease pathobiology and is associated with distinct clinical phenotypes and laboratory characteristics. The commonest histological pattern of systemic sclerosis–interstitial lung disease is non-specific interstitial pneumonia. Systemic sclerosis–interstitial lung disease pathogenesis involves multiple components, including susceptibility and triggering factors, which could be genetic or environmental. The process is amplified likely through ongoing inflammation and the link between inflammatory activity and fibrosis with IL6 emerging as a key mediator. The disease is driven by epithelial injury, reflected by markers in the serum, such as surfactant proteins and KL-6. In addition, mediators that are produced by epithelial cells and that regulate inflammatory cell trafficking may be important, especially CCL2. Other factors, such as CXCL4 and CCL18, point towards immune-mediated damage or injury response. Monocytes and alternatively activated macrophages appear to be important. Transforming growth factor beta appears central to pathogenesis and regulates epithelial repair and fibroblast activation. Understanding pathogenesis may help to unravel the stages of systemic sclerosis–interstitial lung disease, risks of progression and determinants of outcome. With this article, we set out to review the multiple factors, including genetic, environmental, cellular and molecular, that may be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis–interstitial lung disease and the mechanisms leading to sustained fibrosis. We propose a model for the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis–interstitial lung disease, based on the available literature.
PyBSASeq: a simple and effective algorithm for bulked segregant analysis with whole-genome sequencing data
Authors: Zhang Jianbo , Panthee Dilip R.
Published: March 2020

Background

Bulked segregant analysis (BSA), coupled with next-generation sequencing, allows the rapid identification of both qualitative and quantitative trait loci (QTL), and this technique is referred to as BSA-Seq here. The current SNP index method and G-statistic method for BSA-Seq data analysis require relatively high sequencing coverage to detect significant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-trait associations, which leads to high sequencing cost.

Results

We developed a simple and effective algorithm for BSA-Seq data analysis and implemented it in Python; the program was named PyBSASeq. Using PyBSASeq, the significant SNPs (sSNPs), SNPs likely associated with the trait, were identified via Fisher’s exact test, and then the ratio of the sSNPs to total SNPs in a chromosomal interval was used to detect the genomic regions that condition the trait of interest. The results obtained this way are similar to those generated via the current methods, but with more than five times higher sensitivity. This approach was termed the significant SNP method here.

Conclusions

The significant SNP method allows the detection of SNP-trait associations at much lower sequencing coverage than the current methods, leading to ~ 80% lower sequencing cost and making BSA-Seq more accessible to the research community and more applicable to the species with a large genome.
Phenology-dependent cold exposure and thermal performance of Ostrinia nubilalis ecotypes
Authors: Wadsworth Crista B. , Okada Yuta , Dopman Erik B.
Published: March 2020

Background

Understanding adaptation involves establishing connections between selective agents and beneficial population responses. However, relatively little attention has been paid to seasonal adaptation, in part, because it requires complex and integrative knowledge about seasonally fluctuating environmental factors, the effects of variable phenology on exposure to those factors, and evidence for temporal specialization. In the European corn borer moth,Ostrinia nubilalis, sympatric pheromone strains exploit the same host plant (Zea mays) but may genetically differ in phenology and be reproductively “isolated by time.” Z strain populations in eastern North America have been shown to have a prolonged larval diapause and produce one annual mating flight (July), whereas E strain populations complete an earlier (June) and a later (August) mating flight by shortening diapause duration. Here, we find evidence consistent with seasonal “adaptation by time” between these ecotypes.

Results

We use 12 years of field observation of adult seasonal abundance to estimate phenology of ecotype life cycles and to quantify life-stage specific climatic conditions. We find that the observed reduction of diapause duration in the E strain leads their non-diapausing, active life stages to experience a ~ 4 °C colder environment compared to the equivalent life stages in the Z strain. For a representative pair of populations under controlled laboratory conditions, we compare life-stage specific cold tolerance and find non-diapausing, active life stages in the E strain have as much as a 60% greater capacity to survive rapid cold shock. Enhanced cold hardiness appears unrelated to life-stage specific changes in the temperature at which tissues freeze.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that isolation by time and adaptation by time may both contribute to population divergence, and they argue for expanded study in this species of allochronic populations in nature experiencing the full spectrum of seasonal environments. Cyclical selective pressures are inherent properties of seasonal habitats. Diverse fluctuating selective agents across each year (temperature, predation, competition, precipitation, etc.) may therefore be underappreciated drivers of biological diversity.
Novel heavy metal resistance gene clusters are present in the genome of Cupriavidus neocaledonicus STM 6070, a new species of Mimosa pudica microsymbiont isolated from heavy-metal-rich mining site soil
Authors: Klonowska Agnieszka , Moulin Lionel , Ardley Julie Kaye , Braun Florence , Gollagher Margaret Mary , Zandberg Jaco Daniel , Marinova Dora Vasileva , Huntemann Marcel , Reddy T. B. K. , Varghese Neha Jacob , Woyke Tanja , Ivanova Natalia , Seshadri Rekha , Kyrpides Nikos , Reeve Wayne Gerald
Published: March 2020

Background

Cupriavidus strain STM 6070 was isolated from nickel-rich soil collected near Koniambo massif, New Caledonia, using the invasive legume trap host Mimosa pudica. STM 6070 is a heavy metal-tolerant strain that is highly effective at fixing nitrogen with M. pudica. Here we have provided an updated taxonomy for STM 6070 and described salient features of the annotated genome, focusing on heavy metal resistance (HMR) loci and heavy metal efflux (HME) systems.

Results

The 6,771,773 bp high-quality-draft genome consists of 107 scaffolds containing 6118 protein-coding genes. ANI values show that STM 6070 is a new species of Cupriavidus. The STM 6070 symbiotic region was syntenic with that of the M. pudica-nodulating Cupriavidus taiwanensis LMG 19424T. In contrast to the nickel and zinc sensitivity of C. taiwanensis strains, STM 6070 grew at high Ni2+ and Zn2+ concentrations. The STM 6070 genome contains 55 genes, located in 12 clusters, that encode HMR structural proteins belonging to the RND, MFS, CHR, ARC3, CDF and P-ATPase protein superfamilies. These HMR molecular determinants are putatively involved in arsenic (ars), chromium (chr), cobalt-zinc-cadmium (czc), copper (cop, cup), nickel (nie and nre), and silver and/or copper (sil) resistance. Seven of these HMR clusters were common to symbiotic and non-symbiotic Cupriavidus species, while four clusters were specific to STM 6070, with three of these being associated with insertion sequences. Within the specific STM 6070 HMR clusters, three novel HME-RND systems (nieIC cep nieBA, czcC2B2A2, and hmxB zneAC zneR hmxS) were identified, which constitute new candidate genes for nickel and zinc resistance.

Conclusions

STM 6070 belongs to a new Cupriavidus species, for which we have proposed the name Cupriavidus neocaledonicus sp. nov.. STM6070 harbours a pSym with a high degree of gene conservation to the pSyms of M. pudica-nodulating C. taiwanensis strains, probably as a result of recent horizontal transfer. The presence of specific HMR clusters, associated with transposase genes, suggests that the selection pressure of the New Caledonian ultramafic soils has driven the specific adaptation of STM 6070 to heavy-metal-rich soils via horizontal gene transfer.
Positive staining of the immunoligand B7-H6 in abnormal/transformed keratinocytes consistently accompanies the progression of cervical cancer
Authors: Gutierrez-Silerio Gloria Yareli , Franco-Topete Ramon Antonio , Haramati Jesse , Navarrete-Medina Eduardo Miguel , Gutierrez-Franco Jorge , Bueno-Topete Miriam Ruth , Bastidas-Ramirez Blanca Estela , Ramos-Marquez Martha Eloisa , del Toro-Arreola Susana
Published: March 2020

Background

B7-H6 has been revealed as an endogenous immunoligand expressed in a variety of tumors, but not expressed in healthy tissues. Heretofore, no studies have been reported describing B7-H6 in women with cervical cancer. To investigate this question, our present study was conducted.

Results

This retrospective study comprised a total of 62 paraffinized cervical biopsies, which were distributed in five groups: low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), squamous cervical carcinoma (SCC), uterine cervical adenocarcinoma (UCAC), and a group of cervicitis (as a control for non-abnormal/non-transformed cells). Cervical sections were stained by immunohistochemistry to explore the expression of B7-H6, which was reported according to the immunoreactive score (IRS) system. We observed a complete lack of B7-H6 in LSIL abnormal epithelial cells. Interestingly, B7-H6 began to be seen in HSIL abnormal epithelial cells; more than half of this group had B7-H6 positive cells, with staining characterized by a cytoplasmic and membranous pattern. B7-H6 in the SCC group was also seen in the majority of the sections, showing the same cytoplasmic and membranous pattern. Strong evidence of B7-H6 was notably found in UCAC tumor columnar cells (in 100% of the specimens, also with cytoplasmic and membranous pattern). Moreover, consistent B7-H6 staining was observed in infiltrating plasma cells in all groups.

Conclusions

B7-H6 IRS positively correlated with disease stage in the development of cervical cancer; additionally, B7-H6 scores were found to be even higher in the more aggressive uterine cervical adenocarcinoma, suggesting a possible future therapeutic target for this cancer type.
Influence of exogenous ascorbic acid and glutathione priming on mitochondrial structural and functional systems to alleviate aging damage in oat seeds
Authors: Xia Fangshan , Cheng Hang , Chen Lingling , Zhu Huisen , Mao Peisheng , Wang Mingya
Published: March 2020

Background

Loss of vigor caused by seed aging adversely affects agricultural production under natural conditions. However, priming is an economical and effective method for improving the vigor of aged seeds. The objective of this study was to test the effectiveness of exogenous ascorbic acid (ASC) and glutathione (GSH) priming in the repairing of aged oat (Avena sativa) seeds, and to test the hypothesis that structural and functional systems in mitochondria were involved in this process.

Results

Oat seeds were artificially aged for 20 days at 45 °C, and were primed with solutions (1 mmol L− 1) of ASC, GSH, or ASC + GSH at 20 °C for 0.5 h before or after their aging. Seed germination, antioxidant enzymes in the ASC-GSH cycle, cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (MDH) activities, and the mitochondrial ultrastructures of the embryonic root cells were markedly improved in aged oat seeds through post-priming with ASC, GSH, or ASC + GSH, while their malondialdehyde and H2O2contents decreased significantly (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results suggested that priming with ASC, GSH, or ASC + GSH after aging could effectively alleviate aging damage in oat seeds, and that the role of ASC was more effective than GSH, but positive effects of post-priming with ASC and GSH were not superior to post-priming with ASC in repairing aging damage of aged oat seeds. However, pre-priming with ASC, GSH, or ASC + GSH was not effective in oat seeds, suggesting that pre-priming with ASC, GSH, or ASC + GSH could not inhibit the occurrence of aging damage in oat seeds.
Intestinal flora imbalance affects bile acid metabolism and is associated with gallstone formation
Authors: Wang Qiang , Hao Chenjun , Yao Wenchao , Zhu Defu , Lu Haifeng , Li Long , Ma Biao , Sun Bei , Xue Dongbo , Zhang Weihui
Published: March 2020

Background

The gut microbiota participates in the metabolism of substances and energy, promotes the development and maturation of the immune system, forms the mucosal barrier, and protects the host from pathogen attacks. Although the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstones is still not clear, studies have suggested that gut microbiota dysbiosis plays an important role in their formation.

Methods

Microbial DNA from faeces of normal control patients and those of patients with calculi was subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing to detect gene expression changes in intestinal microbes. ELISA kits were used to measure free bile acids, secondary bile acids and coprostanol according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The relationship between flora and their metabolites was then analysed.

Results

In the gallstone group, the diversity of intestinal bacteria and the abundances of certain phylogroups were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), especiallyFirmicutes(p < 0.05), the largest phylum represented by the gut microbiota. This study found an increase in free bile acids (p < 0.001) and secondary bile acids (p < 0.01) in the enterohepatic circulation. Bile salt hydrolase activity was not related to the abundances of BSH-active bacteria. 7a-dehydroxylating gut bacteria were significantly increased (p < 0.01), whereas cholesterol-lowering bacteria were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). TheRuminococcus gnavusgroup could be used as a biomarker to distinguish the gallstone group from the control group.

Conclusion

We conclude that intestinal flora imbalance affects bile acid and cholesterol metabolism and is associated with gallstone formation.
Pre-frailty factors in community-dwelling 40–75 year olds: opportunities for successful ageing
Authors: Gordon S. J. , Baker N. , Kidd M. , Maeder A. , Grimmer K. A.
Published: March 2020

Background

There is little known about pre-frailty attributes or when changes which contribute to frailty might be detectable and amenable to change. This study explores pre-frailty and frailty in independent community-dwelling adults aged 40–75 years.

Methods

Participants were recruited through local council networks, a national bank and one university in Adelaide, Australia. Fried frailty phenotype scores were calculated from measures of unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity levels, poor hand grip strength and slow walking speed. Participants were identified as not frail (no phenotypes), pre-frail (one or two phenotypes) or frail (three or more phenotypes). Factor analysis was applied to binary forms of 25 published frailty measures Differences were tested in mean factor scores between the three Fried frailty phenotypes and ROC curves estimated predictive capacity of factors.

Results

Of 656 participants (67% female; mean age 59.9 years, SD 10.6) 59.2% were classified as not frail, 39.0% pre-frail and 1.8% frail. There were no gender or age differences. Seven frailty factors were identified, incorporating all 25 frailty measures. Factors 1 and 7 significantly predicted progression from not-frail to pre-frail (Factor 1 AUC 0.64 (95%CI 0.60–0.68, combined dynamic trunk stability and lower limb functional strength, balance, foot sensation, hearing, lean muscle mass and low BMI; Factor 7 AUC 0.55 (95%CI 0.52–0.59) comprising continence and nutrition. Factors 3 and 4 significantly predicted progression from pre-frail to frail (Factor 3 AUC 0.65 (95% CI 0.59–0.70)), combining living alone, sleep quality, depression and anxiety, and lung function; Factor 4 AUC 0.60 (95%CI 0.54–0.66) comprising perceived exertion on exercise, and falls history.

Conclusions

This research identified pre-frailty and frailty states in people aged in their 40s and 50s. Pre-frailty in body systems performance can be detected by a range of mutable measures, and interventions to prevent progression to frailty could be commenced from the fourth decade of life.
Epidemiological changes in measles infections in southern China between 2009 and 2016: a retrospective database analysis
Authors: Zheng Huizhen , Jia Katherine Min , Sun Riyang , Hu Pui , Wang Maggie Haitian , Zee Benny Chung-Ying , Liang Wenjia , Chong Ka Chun
Published: March 2020

Background

The incidence rate of measles in China reached a nadir in 2012 after 2 supplementary immunization activities (SIAs) were undertaken in 2009 and 2010. However, the disease began re-emerging in 2013, with a high prevalence rate observed in 2013–2014 in the southern province of Guangdong. In this study, we assessed the changes that occurred in measles epidemiology during 2009–2016, particularly between 2009 and 2011 (when the influence of the SIAs were in full effect) and between 2012 and 2016 (when this influence subsided).

Methods

Data from 22,362 patients with measles diagnosed between 2009 and 2016, and whose diagnoses were confirmed clinically and/or with laboratory testing, were extracted from the National Infectious Disease Monitoring Information System. Descriptive analyses were performed, and changes in epidemiological characteristics between 2009 and 2011 and 2012–2016 were compared.

Results

There was a substantial surge in 0–8-month-old patients after 2012; the incidence rate increased from 4.0 per 100,000 population in 2011 (10.3% of the total) to 280 per 100,000 population in 2013 (32.8% of the total). Patients aged 0–6 years represented 73.4% of the total increase between 2011 and 2013. Compared with 2009–2011, adults aged ≥25 years accounted for a higher proportion of patients in 2013 and after (p < 0.01), and were highest in 2016 (31% of the patient total).

Conclusion

Despite the remarkable results achieved by SIAs in terms of providing herd immunity, the 2013 resurgence of measles revealed insufficient immunization coverage among children. Therefore routine immunization programs should be strengthened, and supplementary vaccinations targeting adults should also be contemplated.
Evaluation of post-exposure prophylaxis practices to improve the cost-effectiveness of rabies control in human cases potentially exposed to rabies in southern Bhutan
Authors: Penjor Kinley , Marquetoux Nelly , Dorji Chendu , Penjor Kinley , Dorjee Sithar , Dorjee Chencho , Jolly P. D. , Morris R. S. , McKenzie J. S.
Published: March 2020

Background

Rabies is endemic in southern Bhutan, associated with 1–2 human deaths and high post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) costs annually. Evaluation of clinicians’ management of human cases potentially exposed to rabies could contribute to improving PEP prescribing practices to both reduce unnecessary costs associated with PEP and reach the target of zero human deaths due to rabies by 2023.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of 50 clinicians’ management of human cases potentially exposed to rabies was conducted in 13 health centers in high-rabies-risk areas of Bhutan during February–March 2016.

Results

Data were collected on clinicians’ management of 273 human cases potentially exposed to rabies. The 50 clinicians comprised health assistants or clinical officers (55%) and medical doctors (45%) with a respective median of 19, 21 and 2 years’ experience. There was poor agreement between clinicians’ rabies risk assessment compared with an independent assessment for each case based on criteria in the National Rabies Management Guidelines (NRMG). Of the 194 cases for which clinicians recorded a rabies risk category, only 53% were correctly classified when compared with the NRMG. Clinicians were more likely to underestimate the risk of exposure to rabies and appeared to prescribe PEP independently of their risk classification.. Male health assistants performed the most accurate risk assessments while female health assistants performed the least accurate. Clinicians in Basic Health Units performed less accurate risk assessments compared with those in hospitals.

Conclusions

This study highlights important discrepancies between clinicians’ management of human cases potentially exposed to rabies and recommendations in the NRMG. In particular, clinicians were not accurately assessing rabies risk in potentially exposed cases and were not basing their PEP treatment on the basis of their risk assessment. This has significant implications for achieving the national goal of eliminating dog-mediated human rabies by 2030 and may result in unnecessary costs associated with PEP. Recommendations to improve clinician’s management of human cases potentially exposed to rabies include: reviewing and updating the NRMG, providing clinicians with regular and appropriately targeted training about rabies risk assessment and PEP prescription, and regularly reviewing clinicians’ practices.
Correction to: Screening and computational analysis of colorectal associated non-synonymous polymorphism in CTNNB1 gene in Pakistani population
Authors: Razak S. , Bibi N. , Dar J. A. , Afsar T. , Almajwal A. , Parveen Z. , Jahan S.
Published: March 2020

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors have flagged that the article has published with an error in the order of the affiliations.
Furosemide stress test and interstitial fibrosis in kidney biopsies in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Rivero Jesús , Rodríguez Francisco , Soto Virgilia , Macedo Etienne , Chawla Lakhmir S. , Mehta Ravindra L. , Vaingankar Sucheta , Garimella Pranav S. , Garza Carlos , Madero Magdalena
Published: March 2020

Background

Interstitial fibrosis (IF) on kidney biopsy is one of the most potent risk factors for kidney disease progression. The furosemide stress test (FST) is a validated tool that predicts the severity of acute kidney injury (especially at 2 h) in critically ill patients. Since furosemide is secreted through the kidney tubules, the response to FST represents the tubular secretory capacity. To our knowledge there is no data on the correlation between functional tubular capacity assessed by the FST with IF on kidney biopsies from patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of this study was to determine the association between urine output (UO), Furosemide Excreted Mass (FEM) and IF on kidney biopsies after a FST.

Methods

This study included 84 patients who underwent kidney biopsy for clinical indications and a FST. The percentage of fibrosis was determined by morphometry technique and reviewed by a nephropathologist. All patients underwent a FST prior to the biopsy. Urine volume and urinary sodium were measured in addition to urine concentrations of furosemide at different times (2, 4 and 6 h). We used an established equation to determine the FEM. Values were expressed as mean, standard deviation or percentage and Pearson Correlation.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 38 years and 44% were male. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and diuretic use was significantly higher with more advanced degree of fibrosis. Nephrotic syndrome and acute kidney graft dysfunction were the most frequent indications for biopsy. eGFR was inversely related to the degree of fibrosis. Subjects with the highest degree of fibrosis (grade 3) showed a significant lower UO at first hour of the FST when compared to lower degrees of fibrosis (p = 0.015). Likewise, the total UO and the FEM was progressively lower with higher degrees of fibrosis. An inversely linear correlation between FEM and the degree of fibrosis (r = − 0.245, p = 0.02) was observed.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that interstitial fibrosis correlates with total urine output and FEM. Further studies are needed to determine if UO and FST could be a non-invasive tool to evaluate interstitial fibrosis.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02417883.
The association between symptoms of depression during pregnancy and low birth weight: a prospective study
Authors: Li Xiuxiu , Gao Rui , Dai Xiaowei , Liu Hong , Zhang Jinxin , Liu Xuemei , Si Dongmei , Deng Te , Xia Wei
Published: March 2020

Background

Most studies have showed that maternal depression is associated with pregnancy complications. However, there were limited evidences in Chinese population. We examined the associations of antenatal depression symptoms with pregnancy outcomes, especially for low birth weight.

Methods

A total of 1377 singleton pregnant women were recruited from Nanshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital of Shenzhen in this prospective cohort study. Depression symptoms were assessed by the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) questionnaire in the second trimester of gestation; cut-points for the indication of antenatal depression were ≧12 scores in this study. Socio-demographic data, life-style and pregnancy outcomes were collected through Shenzhen Maternity & Child Healthcare database. The risks of adverse outcomes in pregnant women with antenatal depression were determined by multivariate logistic regression and represented as odds ratio(OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Of the 1377 subjects, the prevalence of antenatal depression was 19.1%. The EPDS scores were 13.8 ± 2.0 and 6.5 ± 2.9 (P < 0.001) in subjects with and without antenatal depression, respectively. After adjustment for maternal age, education, parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), residential area, fetal gender, an EPDS score ≥ 12 (versus. < 12) was associated with an increased risk for low birth weight (odds ratio: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.12–4.64), but not for preterm birth, large for gestational age, small for gestational age or macrosomia.

Conclusion

Pregnant women presenting antenatal depressive symptoms are at elevated risk of low birth weight. Mental health problems of pregnancy should be addressed for the prevention of low birth weight.