bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decameter-Scale Flow-Unit Classification in Brazilian Presalt Carbonates
Authors: Penna Rodrigo , Lupinacci Wagner Moreira
Published: June 2020

Rock typing into flow units (FUs) plays a pivotal role in constructing static and dynamic models of petroleum reservoirs. Decisions made by asset teams mostly depend on predictions of how fluids will percolate through the subsurface during the reservoir life cycle. In carbonate settings, dealing with rock typing is complex and can generate a large quantity of units because of diagenetic processes such as dissolution, cementation, and silicification. Most rock-typing methods in carbonates successfully classify small-scale flow heterogeneity in well resolution but fail when interpolating those facies further away from the 1D domain, because of the lack of correlation between FUs and spatial data. Seismic data can be used to detect large-scale FUs and assist the interpolation of small-scale FUs in 3D reservoir volume, thus producing more-realistic static and dynamic models.

We propose a modification of the classical rock-typing methods that use permeability (k) vs. porosity (ϕ) plots and electrical properties, with a data set from the Mero Field, part of the giant Libra Field of presalt carbonate reservoirs in offshore Brazil. From the permeability cumulative S-curve analysis, we established major large-scale FUs that maintain part of the carbonate flow heterogeneity and correlate them with the elastic attributes: P-impedance (PI) and S-impedance (SI). In addition, we established a priori PI and SI correlations with the formation-factor (FF) (F) parameter to categorize large-scale FUs using the F vs. k methodology.

With the large-scale FUs mapped in seismic data sets, core-plug-scale FUs can be populated into the 3D static and dynamic models using geostatistics tools, thus creating more-realistic reservoir models and assisting asset teams in the decision-making process.
Study and Pilot Test of Multiple Thermal-Fluid Stimulation in Offshore Nanpu Oilfield
Authors: Han Xiaodong , Zhong Liguo , Liu Yigang , Zou Jian , Wang Qiuxia
Published: June 2020

Heavy-oil resources whose underground oil viscosity is greater than 350 mPa·s is abundant in the Bohai oilfield. Because of the lack of effective exploitation technology, production performance with cold-production methods was not satisfactory. Seeking an effective method of heavy-oil exploitation, the multiple thermal-fluid stimulation was proposed and studied, in which hot water or steam mixed with carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) would be injected into the formation for heating the oil and improving heavy-oil production. Considering the limitation of the offshore platform, a miniaturized multiple thermal-fluid generator was designed and developed. Integrated technologies such as seawater desalinization, heat insulation, and anticorrosion methods were also studied and developed. A pilot test of multiple thermal-fluid stimulation was conducted in Nanpu oilfield, starting in 2008. Until now, the pilot test has lasted for more than 10 years, and a total of 27 cycles of multiple thermal-fluid stimulation have been carried out. The oil-production rate and periodic-oil production amount of the thermal wells were both greatly improved. The cumulative oil produced by multiple thermal-fluid stimulation reached approximately 5.7×105 m3, and the incremental oil production is approximately 2.6×105 m3. The performance of oil production was satisfactory. As the first offshore thermal pilot area, the application experience showed that multiple thermal-fluid stimulation was effective for exploitation of heavy oilfields. With the increase of the stimulation cycles, a gas-channeling problem emerged and resulted in a decrease in the oil-production rate. New methods need to be studied and used for further enhancing oil recovery in Nanpu oilfield at the late stage of multiple thermal-fluid stimulation. Correction Notice: This paper has been updated from its originally published version to change the spelling of "Nanbao" to "Nanpu" throughout. No other changes to the paper were made.
Feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial evaluating a theory-driven group-based complex intervention versus usual physiotherapy to support self-management of osteoarthritis and low back pain (SOLAS)
Authors: Hurley Deirdre , Jeffares Isabelle , Hall Amanda M , Keogh Alison , Toomey Elaine , McArdle Danielle , McDonough Suzanne M , Guerin Suzanne , Segurado Ricardo , Matthews James
Published: June 2020

Background The Self-management of Osteoarthritis (OA) and Low back pain (LBP) through Activity and Skills (SOLAS) theory-driven group-based complex intervention was developed primarily for the evaluation of its acceptability to patients and physiotherapists and the feasibility of trial procedures, to inform the potential for a definitive trial. Methods This assessor-blinded multicentre two-arm parallel cluster randomised controlled feasibility trial compared the SOLAS intervention to usual individual physiotherapy (UP; pragmatic control group). Patients with OA of the hip, knee, lumbar spine and/or chronic LBP were recruited in primary care physiotherapy clinics (i.e. clusters) in Dublin, Ireland between September 2014 and November 2015. The primary feasibility objectives were evaluated using quantitative methods and individual telephone interviews with purposive samples of participants and physiotherapists. A range of secondary outcomes were collected at baseline, 6 weeks (behaviour change only), 2 months and 6 months to explore the preliminary effects of the intervention. Analysis was by intention-to-treat according to participants’ cluster allocation and involved descriptive analysis of the quantitative data and inductive thematic analysis of the qualitative interviews. A linear mixed model was used to contrast change over time in participant secondary outcomes between treatment arms, while adjusting for study waves and clusters. Results 14 clusters were recruited (7 per trial arm), each cluster participated in two waves of recruitment, with the average cluster size below the target of six participants (Intervention: mean (SD) =4.92 (1.31), range 2-7; UP: mean (SD) =5.08 (2.43), range 1-9). 120 participants (83.3% of n=144 expected) were recruited (Intervention n=59; UP n=61), with follow up data obtained from 80.8% (n=97) at 6 weeks, 84.2% (n=101) at 2 months and 71.7% (n=86) at 6 months. Most participants received treatment as allocated (Intervention n=49; UP n=54). The qualitative interviews (12 participants; 10 PTs) found the Intervention and trial procedures acceptable and appropriate, with minimal feasible adaptations required. Linear mixed methods showed improvements in most secondary outcomes at 2 and 6 months with small between group effects. Conclusions While the SOLAS intervention and trial procedures were acceptable to participants and PTs, the recruitment of enough participants is the biggest obstacle to a definitive trial. Trial Registration: ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN49875385, Registered 26 March 2014. https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN49875385
Is age and not antiretroviral therapy the strongest risk factor for chronic pain in HIV-infected population?
Authors: Kowalski Marcin , Horban Andrzej , Rongies Witold , Slomka Bartosz , Shahnazaryan Karen
Published: June 2020

Background. Chronic pain in HIV-infected patients on effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) limits patients’ normal functioning both somatically and psychologically. The current state of knowledge on the topic is insufficient, with the underlying causes of this pain unexplained. Therefore we analyzed the frequency and factors associated with chronic pain in HIV-infected patients on ART.Methods. We conducted a prospective, survey study, including consecutive HIV-infected patients under specialist care at the HIV Outpatient Clinic of the Hospital for Infectious Disease in Warsaw between February 2014 and December 2016. During their routine visit all patients who agreed to participate in the study were surveyed using a study questionnaire. For all patients reporting any pain the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) form andDouleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions form (DN4) were completed. Data on history and current ART and laboratory measurements were obtained from electronical database. Chi-squared and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for group comparison. The potential factors associated with chronic pain were identified via logistic regression models. Results. In total 196 HIV-infected patients were included in the study, 57 (29,1%) of them reported chronic pain. The reported pain was mostly (75%) limited to a single area of the body..In univariate logistic regression model the odds of chronic pain were significantly higher with increasing age (OR 1.36 [95%CI:1.17-1.58]), time under specialist care (OR 2.25 [95%CI:1.42-35.7]), time on ART (OR2.96 [95%CI:1.60-5.49]), previous ART with zidovudine (OR 2.00[95%CI:1.06-1.55]) and previous treatment with ddI, ddC or d4T (OR4.13 [95%CI:1.92-8.91]). Homosexual route of HIV infection as compared to injecting drug use was decreasing the odds of chronic pain (OR0.33 [95%CI: 014-0.75]). In multivariate analyses, adjusting for all above the only factor associated with chronic pain was age (OR1.28 [95%CI:1.06-1.55]).Conclusions. The prevalence of chronic pain in the studied population of HIV-infected Polish patients was high. The only risk factor for chronic pain identified was age. With ageing HIV population it is therefore imperative to develop cooperation protocols for specialist HIV treatment clinics, pain treatment clinics, and rehabilitation units.
Predictors of endoscopic prophylaxis for rebleeding in esophageal varices combined type 2 gastroesophageal varices
Authors: Jiang Mei-Chun , Nie Yuan , Zhang Yue , Wan Si-Zhe , Liu Cong , wang An-jiang , Zhu Xuan
Published: June 2020

Background: Patients with decompensated cirrhosis and esophageal varices (EVs) combined with type 2 gastroesophageal varices (GOV2) are at risk of rebleeding after endoscopic prophylaxis. This study was performed to evaluate the preventive efficacy of endoscopic treatment in patients with EVs combined with GOV2, and to identify the risk factor of rebleeding. Methods: We performed a single-center, observational, retrospective study of hospitalized patients with EVs combined with GOV2. The biochemical examination results, demographics, endoscopic performance measures and treatment methods of patients undergoing endoscopic treatment were collected. All patients were observed for 1-year, or were loss to follow-up. The predictors of rebleeding were analyzed by logistic regression analysis.Results: A total of 124 patients underwent endoscopic treatment, including 2 (1.6%) patients in whom bleeding failed to cease and 19 (15.3%) patients who were lost to follow-up. A total of 103 patients were observed until 1 year, including 11 (10.7%) patients who experienced rebleeding. The results indicated that EVs+GOV2 with GOV1, age, prothrombin time (PT), bilirubin level, platelet count, Child-Pugh grade, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score were associated with rebleeding at 1 year in patients with EVs combined with GOV2. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that age, EVs+GOV2 with GOV1, bilirubin level, and PT were independent risk factors for rebleeding.Conclusion: Endoscopic treatment is effective as a preventive treatment in patients with EVs combined with GOV2. EVs combined with GOV1, older age, coagulation failure, and increased bilirubin levels should be given close attention due to their associations with rebleeding after endoscopic prophylaxis. GOV1 may have a negative effect in patients with EVs +GOV2.
Effects of Robot Viscous Forces on Arm Movements in Chronic Stroke Survivors: A Randomized Crossover Study
Authors: Majeed Yazan Abdel , Awadalla Saria , Patton James
Published: June 2020

Background: Our previous work showed that speed is linked to the ability torecover in chronic stroke survivors. Participants moving faster on the rst day of a three-week study had greater improvements on the Wolf Motor Function Test.Methods: We examined the eects of three candidate speed-modifying elds in a crossover design: negative viscosity, positive viscosity, and a "breakthrough" force that vanishes after speed exceeds an individualized threshold.Results: Negative viscosity resulted in a signicant speed increase when it was on. No lasting after eects on movement speed were observed from any of these treatments, however, training with negative viscosity led to signicant improvements in movement accuracy and smoothness.Conclusions: Our results suggest that negative viscosity could be used as a treatment to augment the training process while still allowing participants to make their own volitional motions in practice. Trial registration: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards at Northwestern University (STU00206579) and the University of Illinois at Chicago (2018-1251).
Performance of IRS on malaria prevalence and incidence using pirimiphos-methyl in the context of pyrethroids resistance in Koulikoro region, Mali
Authors: Kané Fousseyni , Keïta Moussa , Traoré Boïssé , Diawara Sory Ibrahim , Bane Sidy , Diarra Souleymane , Sogoba Nafomon , Doumbia Seydou
Published: June 2020

Background: Koulikoro Health District is one of three districts of Mali where the indoor residual spray (IRS) has been implemented from 2008 to 2016. With widespread of resistance to pyrothroid, IRS was shifted from pyrethroid to pirimiphos-methyl from 2014 to 2016. We assessed the added value of IRS to LLINs on the prevalence of parasitemia and malaria incidence among children under 10 years old. Methods: A comparative study was carried out to assess the effects of pirimiphos-methyl based IRS on malaria prevalence and incidence among children from 6 months to 10 years old in selected pyrethroid resistance villages of two health districts in Mali: one where IRS was implemented in combination with LLINs (intervention area) and one with LLINs-only (control area). Two cross-sectional surveys were carried out at the beginning (June) and end of the rainy season (October) to assess seasonal changes in malaria parasitemia by microscopy. A passive detection case (PCD) was set-up in each study village for 9 months to estimate the incidence of malaria using RDT. Results: Malaria parasitemia increased by 50% in the control area (14% to 42%) from June to October and by only 17.9% in the IRS area (9.2% to 13.2%). The overall malaria incidence rate was 2.7 per 100 person-months in the IRS area compared with 6.8 per 100 person-month in the control areas. The Log-rank test of Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that children living in IRS area remain much longer free from malaria (Hazard ratio (HR)=0.45, CI 95% = 0.37-0.54) than children of the control area (P < 0.0001).Conclusions: IRS using pirimiphos-methyl has been successful in reducing substantially both the prevalence and the incidence of malaria in children under 10 years old in the area of pyrethroid resistance of Koulikoro, Mali. Pirimiphos-methyl is a better alternative for IRS in areas with widespread of pyrethroid resistance.
Young Medical Doctors’ Perspectives on Professionalism: A Qualitative Study Conducted in Public Hospitals in Pakistan
Authors: Jalil Aisha , Mehmood Qaisar Khalid , Fischer Florian
Published: June 2020

Background: Professionalism is amongst the major dimensions indicating the competence of medical doctors. A low professionalism affects the overall outcome of healthcare services. This study explores the perspectives of young medical doctors on professionalism in Pakistan.Methods: A qualitative study based on in-depth interviews was conducted with 60 young medical doctors, aged less than 40 years, who studied medicine in Pakistani universities, were Pakistani nationals, and were employed at various hierarchal levels from house officer to consultant specialist in public tertiary hospitals in Pakistan. The respondents were identified through a multistage maximum heterogeneity sampling strategy. A semi-structured interview guide was developed based on a previous extensive literature review. Written consent was obtained from the hospitals and study participants. Qualitative thematic analysis was applied to analyse the data. Results: The data analysis revealed that the rigidity of opinions, unacceptability of contrasting perspectives, false pride and perceived superiority over other professions and patients as major components of low medical professionalism. Most of the young doctors believed that there is no need to include professionalism and humanity course modules in the medical curriculum, because topics related to social sciences are deemed irrelevant to medicine and judged as common sense. The doctors recognised high professionalism in themselves, while reporting unprofessional behaviour demonstrated by their colleagues and paramedics. Other factors contributing to low medical professionalism included the use of social media applications during duty hours, ridiculing the patients, substance use such as cigarettes in the office, referrals of complicated cases to other hospitals, freeing up beds before holidays, lack of cooperation from the paramedical staff, inadequate role models and inappropriate salaries. Conclusions: Low medical professionalism among young doctors needs to be addressed by policymakers. Lack of training about professionalism, ethical service delivery, performance monitoring and evaluation mechanisms at public hospitals are contributing to substandard medical practice. There is a need to revisit the medical curriculum to strengthen professionalism. It is essential to develop the qualities of tolerance, teachability and acceptance in the doctors for facilitating interprofessional collaborations and avoiding medical errors.
An unlabelled probe-based real time PCR and modified semi-nested PCR as molecular tools for analysis of chloroquine resistant Plasmodium vivax isolates from Afghanistan
Authors: Mosawi Sayed Hussain , Dalimi Abdolhossein , Safi Najibullah , Fotouhi-Ardakani Reza , Ghaffarifar Fatemeh , Sadraei Javid
Published: June 2020

Background Plasmodium vivax resistance to chloroquine (CQ) has been reported from many endemic regions in the world. Plasmodium vivax is responsible for 95% of malaria cases in Afghanistan and CQ is the first-line treatment given for treatment of vivax malaria. The pvmdr-1 and pvcrt-o (K10 insertion) genes are possible markers for CQ-resistance in P. vivax isolates. There have been no studies done on the presence or absence of molecular markers for CQ-resistance P. vivax in Afghanistan. The present work aimed to evaluate the frequency of mutations in the pvmdr-1 and K10 insertion in the pvcrt-o genes of P. vivax.Methods Plasmodium vivax isolates were collected from Laghman, Baghlan and Khost provinces. For investigation of polymorphisms of desired regions in pvmdr-1 and pvcrt-o genes, sequencing was applied on the PCR products. A new asymmetric qPCR and melting analysis assay based on unlabelled probe developed for scanning of K10 insertion in pvcrt-o gene. Results The analysis of sequencing data of the pvmdr-1 gene showed wild type Y976 and K997 and mutant M958 and L1076 in 33 isolates from three provinces. Of the 36 samples evaluated for K10 insertion in pvcrt-o, 2/18(11%), 0/10(0%) and 0/8(0%) isolates from Laghman, Baghlan and Khost province, respectively, possessed K10 insertion, confirmed by either sequencing and unlabelled probes.Conclusion Two samples with K10 insertion and 33 samples with pvmdr1 polymorphism, indicating on the possibility of CQ resistance in P. vivax populations in Afghanistan. Furthermore, unlabelled probes are simple and inexpensive alternative tools for screening of P. vivax mutations.
Genetic evidence for imported malaria and local transmission in Richard Toll, Senegal
Authors: Volkman Sarah K. , Sarr Oumar , Steketee Richard W. , Schaffner Stephen F. , Dieye Yakou , Dieng Gnagna , Hainsworth Michael , Fall Fatou B. , Diouf Coumba Ndoffene , Ndiop Medoune , Cissé Moustapha , Gueye Alioune Badara , Guinot Philippe , Daniels Rachel F. , Deme Awa B. , Bei Amy K. , Sy Mouhamad , Thwing Julie , MacInnis Bronwyn , Earle Duncan , Guinovart Caterina , Sene Doudou , Hartl Daniel L. , Ndiaye Daouda , Wirth Dyann F.
Published: June 2020

Background: Malaria elimination efforts can be undermined by imported malaria infections. Imported infections are classified based on travel history. Methods: We applied a genetic strategy to better understand the contribution of imported infections and to test for local transmission in the very low prevalence region of Richard Toll, Senegal. Results: Genetic relatedness analysis, based upon molecular barcode genotyping data derived from diagnostic material, provided evidence for both imported infections and ongoing local transmission in Richard Toll. Evidence for imported malaria included finding that a large proportion of Richard Toll parasites were genetically related to parasites from Thiès, Senegal, a region of moderate transmission with extensive available genotyping data. Evidence for ongoing local transmission included finding parasites of identical genotype that persisted across multiple transmission seasons as well as enrichment of highly related infections within the households of non-travelers compared to travelers. Conclusions: These data indicate that, while a large number of infections may have been imported, there remains ongoing local malaria transmission in Richard Toll. These proof-of-concept findings underscore the value of genetic data to identify parasite relatedness and patterns of transmission to inform optimal intervention selection and placement.
Newborn hearing screening coverage and detection rates of hearing impairment across China from 2008-2016
Authors: Yuan Xuelian , Deng Kui , Zhu Jun , Xiang Liangcheng , Yao Yongna , Li Qi , Li Xiaohong , Liu Hanmin
Published: June 2020

Background: Newborn hearing screening (NHS) can reduce the economic and social burden of hearing impairment. To track the progress of the goal set by the National Program of Action for Child Development (NPACD) and to estimate the detection rates of hearing impairment, the present study examined NHS coverage in 2008-2010 and 2016 and the detection of hearing impairment across China in 2016. Methods: Licensed medical institutions across China were surveyed in 2012 and 2018 by the National Center for Birth Defects Monitoring of China to collect data for the 2008-2010 period and for 2016 on live births, initial screening rates (total and failed), secondary screening rates (total and failed), and rates of hearing impairment diagnosis among infants who failed secondary screening. To calculate universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) coverage, the number of newborns who received NHS within four weeks after birth was divided by the number of live births. The detection rate of hearing impairment was calculated by combining failure rates on primary and secondary screening with the rate of diagnosis. Results: National UNHS coverage increased from 29.9% in 2008 to 86.5% in 2016, with different regions showing different increases. During this period, the number of provinces with UNHS coverage over 90.0% increased from 2 to 17, with UNHS coverage in 2016 being substantially higher in eastern provinces (93.1%) than in western provinces (79.4%). In 2016, the detection rate of hearing impairment across the country was 0.23% (95% CI 0.15-0.25%), and it varied from 0.17% in western provinces to 0.22% in central provinces and 0.28% in eastern provinces. The lowest rate was 0.02% in Heilongjiang Province and the highest rate was 0.63% in Hainan Province. Conclusions: National UNHS coverage increased substantially from 2008 to 2016, although provinces and regions still showed differences. The detection rate of infant hearing impairment in China is comparable to that in other countries. A national individual-level information system is urgently needed in China to facilitate the integration of screening, diagnosis and treatment of infant hearing impairment, which may also lead to a more accurate estimate of the detection rate.
CRISPR-Assisted Detection of RNA-Protein Interactions in Living Cells
Authors: Yi Wenkai , Li Jingyu , Zhu Xiaoxuan , Wang Xi , Fan Ligang , Sun Wenju , Liao Linbu , Zhang Jilin , Li Xiaoyu , Ye Jing , Chen Fulin , Taipale Jussi , Chan Kui Ming , Zhang Liang , Yan Jian
Published: June 2020

Delineating the protein network associated with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is fundamental to understanding the functional mechanisms of lncRNAs. Current methods to identify lncRNA-binding proteins either rely on crosslinking-mediated complex co-precipitation or require extensive molecular engineering, leading to drawbacks such as loss of cellular context and low capture efficiency. Here we describe a CRISPR-Assisted RNA-Protein Interaction Detection method (CARPID), which leverages CRISPR/CasRx-based RNA targeting and proximity labeling, to rapidly capture binding proteins of specific lncRNAs in their native cellular context followed by LC-MS/MS identification. Applied to a variety of lncRNAs of different lengths and subcellular localizations, CARPID is proven to be a reliable and robust tool to discover the binding proteins of lncRNAs inside living cells.
Preconditioning with rHMGB1 ameliorates lung ischemia–reperfusion injury through inhibiting alveolar macrophages pyroptosis via Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signal pathway
Authors: Fei Lin , Jingyuan Xiao , Fangte Liang , Huijun Dai , Liu Ye , Ren Jing , Jinyuan Lin , Pan Linghui
Published: June 2020

Background: Lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) is a common and complex pathophysiological process that can lead to poor patient outcomes. Inflammasome-dependent macrophage pyroptosis contributes to organ damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Oxidative stress reaction and antioxidant enzymes also play an important role in LIRI. This experiment was conducted to investigate whether preconditioning with rHMGB1 could ameliorate LIRI and explore the mechanisms of its protective effect in a lung I/R mice model. Methods: Adult male mice were anesthetized and the left hilus pulmonis was clamped for 60 min, followed by 120 min of reperfusion. rHMGB1 was performed by intraperitoneal injection at 2 h before anesthesia. Brusatol (Nrf2 antagonist) was given intraperitoneally every other day for a total of five times before surgery. Measurements of pathohistological lung tissue damage, pulmonary wet/dry (W/D) ratios and inflammatory mediators were performed to assess the extent of lung injury after I/R. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) pyroptosis were evaluated by LDH release, caspase-1 expression in flow cytometry, GSDMD expression in immunofluorescent staining. The products of oxidative Stress (ROS, MDA, 15-F2t-Isoprostane) and the antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-PX, CAT) were detected.Results: Preconditioning with rHMGB1 significantly ameliorated I/R-induced lung injury through measuring the morphology, wet/dry weight ratio, the expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, NF-κB and HMGB1 in lung tissue. rHMGB1 preconditioning remarkably alleviated AMs pyroptosis induced by lung I/R. rHMGB1 preconditioning significantly reduced oxidative stress and restored the activity of antioxidative enzymes. In addition, rHMGB1 preconditioning mediated the activity of Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in LIRI. Furthermore, inhibiting Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway through brusatol administration could aggravate lung tissue damage and inflammatory response after lung I/R. And these effects by brusatol administration could be alleviated by rHMGB1 preconditioning in LIRI .Conclusions : rHMGB1 preconditioning protects against LIRI through suppressing AMs pyroptosis. The molecular mechanism could be partially explained by inhibiting oxidative stress and improving the activity of antioxidative enzymes via Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway upon rHMGB1 preconditioning.
iTRAQ protein profile analysis of sugar beet under salt stress: different coping mechanisms in leaves and roots
Authors: Li Junliang , Cui Jie , Cheng Dayou , Dai Cuihong , Liu Tianjiao , Wang Congyu , Luo Chengfei
Published: June 2020

Background: Salinity is one of the most serious threats to world agriculture. An important sugar-yielding crop sugar beet, which shows some tolerance to salt via a mechanism that is poorly understood. Proteomics data can provide important clues that can contribute to finally understand this mechanism.Results: Differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) in sugar beet under salt stress treatment were identified in leaves (70 DAPs) and roots (76 DAPs). Functions of these DAPs were predicted, and included metabolism and cellular, environmental information and genetic information processing. We hypothesize that these processes work in concert to maintain cellular homeostasis. Some DAPs are closely related to salt resistance, such as choline monooxygenase, betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and F-type H+-transporting ATPase. The expression pattern of ten DAPs encoding genes was consistent with the iTRAQ data.Conclusions: During sugar beet adaptation to salt stress, leaves and roots cope using distinct mechanisms of molecular metabolism regulation. This study provides significant insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the response of higher plants to salt stress, and identified some candidate proteins involved in salt stress countermeasures.
Expression and clinical significance of LAG-3, FGL1, PD-L1 and CD8+T cells in hepatocellular carcinoma using Multiplex Quantitative Analysis
Authors: Guo Mengzhou , Yuan Feifei , Qi Feng , Sun Jialei , Rao Qianwen , Zhao Zhiying , Huang Peixin , Fang Tingting , Yang Biwei , jinglin xia
Published: June 2020

Background: fibrinogen-like protein 1 (FGL1) - Lymphocyte activating gene 3 (LAG-3) pathway is a promising immunotherapeutic target and has synergistic effect with programmed death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1). However, the prognostic significance of FGL1-LAG-3 pathway and the correlation with PD-L1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unknown.Methods: The levels of LAG-3, FGL1, PD-L1 and cytotoxic T (CD8+T) cells in 143 HCC patients were assessed by multiplex immunofluorescence. Associations between the marker’s expression and clinical significances were studied.Results: We found FGL1 and LAG-3 densities were elevated while PD-L1 and CD8 were decreased in HCC tissues compared to adjacent normal liver tissues. High levels of FGL1 were strongly associated with high densities of LAG-3+cells but not PD-L1. CD8+ T cells densities had positive correlation with PD-L1 levels and negative association with FGL1 expression. Elevated densities of LAG-3+cells and low levels of CD8+ T cells were correlated with poor disease outcome. Moreover, LAG-3+cells deteriorated patient stratification based on the abundance of CD8+ T cells. Patients with positive PD-L1 expression on tumor cells (PD-L1 TC+) tended to have an improved survival than that with negative PD-L1 expression on tumor cells (PD-L1 TC-). Furthermore, PD-L1 TC- in combination with high densities of LAG-3+cells showed the worst prognosis, and PD-L1 TC+ patients with low densities of LAG-3+cells had the best prognosis.Conclusions: LAG-3, FGL1, PD-L1 and CD8 have distinct tissue distribution and relationships with each other. High levels of LAG-3+cells and CD8+ T cells represent unfavorable and favorable prognostic biomarkers for HCC respectively.
Survival after Curative Resection for Stage I Colorectal Mucinous Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Huang Liang , Luo Shuangling , Lai Sicong , Cai Yonghua , Liu Zhanzhen , Hu Huanxin , Zeng Ziwei , Xian Cory J , Dong Jianghui , Wang Liping , Kang Liang
Published: June 2020

Background: The prognostic value of the mucinous adenocarcinoma histotype on the early stages especially for stage I colorectal cancer (CRC) is still unclear. This study determined the clinicopathologic characteristics and long-term outcome of stage I colorectal mucinous adenocarcinomas (MAC). Methods: Among the total of 503 patients with stage I CRC (56 having MAC and 447 having non-MAC) who underwent radical resection, the correlation between clinicopathological factors and MAC was analyzed. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine whether mucinous histotype itself was an independent prognostic impact in stage I patients. Results: MACs were observed more frequently located in the colon than rectum (p=0.046), more frequently displayed the microsatellite instability (MSI) phenotype (p=0.023) and had a greater frequency of T2 stage (p=0.001). The rate of recurrence was 13.5% and the cancer-specific mortality was 4.3% among all stage I CRC patients. There was no difference in disease-free survival and overall survival between MACs and non-MACs. On multivariate analysis, older age (p=0.030，hazard ratio: 2.62), rectal cancer (p=0.025, hazard ratio: 5.42), lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (p<0.001, hazard ratio: 9.74), and microsatellite stability (MSS) phenotypes (p=0.023, hazard ratio: 4.21) were independently associated to poor survival of stage I CRC. A high carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (p=0.031, hazard ratio: 1.95), rectal cancer (p=0.045, hazard ratio: 1.64), LVI (p=0.002, hazard ratio: 3.95) and MSS phenotypes (p=0.012, hazard ratio: 2.98) were independently related to short disease-free survival of stage I CRC.Conclusions: Compared with non-MAC, MAC patients had more T2 patients and more MSI phenotypes in stage I CRC at presentation, but the mucinous histology is not a significant predictor of recurrence and prognosis in stage I CRC.
Looking for Paint Mixtures to Glimpse Pictorial Techniques: A Micro -Stratigraphic Physicochemical Approach to the Rock Art From the Oyola’s Caves (Argentina)
Authors: Gheco Lucas Ignacio , Marcos Tascon , Eugenia Ahets Etcheberry , Quesada Marcos Nicolás , Fernando Marte
Published: June 2020

Could not be possible that rock paintings with similar hues and morphologies were the result of different paint preparations inside a cave but distanced in time? Is there any archaeometric approach that allow us to evidence these subtle differences? Aiming to address these inquires, in this work are presented the potentials of new physicochemical lines of evidence for characterization and differentiation of paint mixtures. This will improve the understanding of the technical heterogeneity and temporal complexity of painting sets executed in a particular archaeological site. In order to explore these points, the results obtained in the micro-stratigraphic studies of samples taken from the painted walls of Oyola, an archaeological site located in the northwest of Argentina, are presented. These samples have been analyzed by micro-Raman spectroscopy (mRS) and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDS). The differences found by cross-section chemical studies could be explained as a consequence of two situations: 1- differences in the painting’s chemical components, either in the pigments involved or additives used; and, 2- differences in the physical properties of the mixtures such as stratum thickness and/or particle size. Also, in this article are explained each of the hypothesis, presenting the limits of these interpretations and pointing out future research challenges. As we discussed, it could be possible that the chemical and physical differences found between paint mixtures were the material expression of varied types of pictorial techniques.
Minimum 3.5-year outcomes of operative treatment for Achilles tendon partial tears in the midportion and retrocalcaneal area
Authors: Lohrer Heinz
Published: June 2020

Background: Achilles tendon partial tears are not easy to diagnose and to manage. Most frequently, they are located in the midportion and insertional area. These entities result from different pathologic pathways and different treatment strategies are applied. The outcome is rarely investigated.

Methods: This study includes patients who underwent surgery for partial tears in the midportion or retrocalcaneal Achilles tendon area between the years 2009 and 2015 by a single surgeon. Patients were prospectively assessed preoperatively and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, using the VISA-A-G questionnaire. The final retrospective follow-up was performed after a minimum of 3.5 years postoperatively. Forty-eight Achilles tendon partial tears at the level of the retrocalcaneal bursa (impingement lesions) and 27 midportion Achilles tendon partial tears were identified. After applying rigorous exclusion criteria, 21 and 16 cases, respectively, remained for the final follow-up. Results were analysed by inferential and descriptive statistics.

Results: The VISA-A-G outcome scores improved significantly from preoperative to six months, 12 months, and final postoperative assessment. Preoperatively, the average VISA-A-G score was 42.1 (range, 18-73) for patients operated for Achilles tendon partial tears at the level of the retrocalcaneal bursa and 44.6 (range, 10-73) for the midportion Achilles tendon partial tear group, respectively. At final follow-up 88.8 (range, 15 to 100) and 96.9 (range, 71 to 100) were scored in the respective treatment groups.A repeated measures ANOVA determined that mean performance levels showed a statistically significant difference between measurements (p < 0.001). There was no systematic effect found between groups (p = 0.836).

Conclusions: In Achilles tendon partial tears recalcitrant to conservative treatment, operative intervention is highly successful in most cases, irrespective of the level of the injury. Results were statistically equal when comparing the midportion and retrocalcaneal Achilles tendon partial tear groups.
Methodological reporting quality of randomized controlled trials in three leading sports medicine journals over 10 years
Authors: Chen Qian , Zhou Qirong , Pan Sihua , Zhi Xin , Li Xiaoqun , Jiang Hao , Wang Yajun , Fang Chao , Zhuang Xinchen , Hu Yan , Cao Liehu , Cui Jin
Published: June 2020

Background

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard scientific testing for medical interventions. However, low-quality RCTs may provide misleading evidence. This research elucidated the methodological reporting quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in three sports medicine journals over 10 years following the CONSORT statement.
Methods and Findings

In this study, we evaluated the methodological reporting quality of RCTs in three major sports medicine journals, including Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, British Journal of Sports Medicine and Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine from 2008 to 2017. The methodological reporting quality, including the allocation sequence generation, allocation concealment, blinding, type of analysis, handling of dropouts were revealed. Number of patients, funding source, type of intervention and country were retrieved. The methodological reporting quality was descriptively reported. A total of 475 trials were involved and 166 (34.9%) trials reported adequate allocation generation, 124 (26.1%) trials reported adequate allocation concealment, 262(55.2%) trials reported adequate blinding, 122 (25.7%) trials reported type of analysis and 100 (21.1%) trials reported handling of dropouts.
Conclusions

This study shows that the methodological reporting quality of RCTs in the three major sports medicine journals were unsatisfactory and it can be further improved.
Laboratory investigation of earthquake lightning due to landslide
Authors: Enomoto Yuji , Yamabe Tsuneaki , Mizuhara Kazuyuki , Sugiura Shigeki , Kondo Hiroshi
Published: June 2020

Several laboratory experimental studies of photoemission characteristics of rocks as they fracture have been conducted to elucidate the mechanism of earthquake lightning (EQL). In most of these studies, granite, which exhibits remarkable photoemission, is widely used to explain the mechanism attributed to the piezoelectric effect or piezo-induced effect of quartz, a constituent mineral of granite. Photoemission induced by rock fracturing has been observed prominently during landslides caused by earthquakes. According to the literature on historical earthquakes, landslide-induced EQL was witnessed even at locations where quartz was not present. In this study, we therefore studied the physicochemical characteristics of photoemissions associated with impact shear fractures in various rocks, selected based on historical earthquake records of landslide EQL. As a result, we could highlight various physicochemical processes associated with the frictional heating generated during shear impacts between rocks.
Plasmodium falciparum genetic factors rather than the hosts' are likely to drive resistance to ACTs in Ghana
Authors: Hodoameda Peter , Duah-Quashie Nancy Odurowah , Hagan Charles Oheneba , Matrevi Sena , Abuaku Benjamin , Koram Kwadwo A , Quashie Neils B
Published: June 2020

Background: Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) partner drugs, currently used in Ghana are lumefantrine, amodiaquine, and piperaquine. Plasmodium falciparum isolates with reduced susceptibility to these partner drugs may affect treatment outcome. Mutations in Pfmdr1 gene is linked to reduced parasite susceptibility to amodiaquine and lumefantrine. In addition, the potency of the partner drugs in vivo depends on the metabolism by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme in the host. Mutations in the CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 genes are linked to reduced metabolism of amodiaquine and lumefantrine respectively in vitro. This study investigated the host and parasite genetic factors affecting the susceptibility of the malaria parasite to ACT partner drugs.Methods: Archived samples from 240 patients aged ≤9years participating in antimalarial drug resistance survey in of Ghana and given AL or AA were selected and analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by Sanger sequencing was used to determine the polymorphisms in CYP2C8, CYP3A4, and Pfmdr1 genes. Results: For CYP3A4, all had wild type alleles suggesting that the hosts are good metabolizers of lumefantrine. For CYP2C8 60% had wild type alleles, 35% heterozygous and 5% homozygous recessive alleles suggesting efficient metabolism of amodiaquine by the hosts. For Pfmdr1 gene, at codon 86, 95% were wild type (N86) and 5% mutant (Y86). For codon 184, 36% were wild type (Y184) and 64% mutant (F184) while for codons 1034, 1042 and 1246, 100% (all) were wild type. The high prevalence of N86-F184-D1246 haplotype (NFD) suggest presence of parasites with reduced susceptibility to lumefantrine and not amodiaquine. Delayed clearance was observed in individuals with mutations in the Pfmdr1 gene and not Cytochrome 450 gene. Both synonymous and nonsynonymous mutations were observed in the Pfmdr1 at low prevalence. Conclusion: The outcome of this study indicates that parasite's genetic factors rather than the hosts' are likely to drive resistance to ACTs in Ghana.
Proteomic investigation of protein adsorption to cerebral microdialysis membranes in surgically treated intracerebral hemorrhage patients - a pilot study
Authors: Tobieson Lovisa , Czifra Zita , Wåhlén Karin , Marklund Niklas , Ghafouri Bijar
Published: June 2020

Background: Cerebral microdialysis (CMD) is a minimally invasive technique for sampling the interstitial fluid in human brain tissue. CMD allows monitoring the metabolic state of tissue, as well as sampling macromolecules such as proteins and peptides. Recovery of proteins or peptides can be hampered by their adsorption to the CMD membrane as has been previously shown in-vitro, however, protein adsorption to CMD membranes has not been characterized following implantation in human brain tissue. Methods: In this paper, we describe the pattern of proteins adsorbed to CMD membranes compared to that of the microdialysate and of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We retrieved CMD membranes from three surgically treated intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients, and analyzed protein adsorption to the membranes using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) in combination with nano-liquid mass spectrometry. We compared the proteome profile of three compartments; the CMD membrane, the microdialysate and ventricular CSF collected at time of CMD removal. Results: We found unique protein patterns in the molecular weight range of 10-35 kDa for each of the three compartments. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of analyzing the membranes in addition to the microdialysate when using CMD to sample proteins for biomarker investigation.
Optimal Timing of Single-Stage Retrograde Endoscopic Common Bile Duct Stone Removal in Mild and Moderate Acute Cholangitis: A Prospective Trial
Authors: Liang Chih-Ming , Chiu Yi-Chun , Lu Lung-Sheng , Wu Cheng-Kun , Sou Fai-Meng , Huang Pao-Yuan , Ma Te-Ling , Kuo Chung-Huang , Chuah Seng-Kee , Kuo Chung-Mou
Published: June 2020

Background: In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of removing a single-stage, retrograde, endoscopic common bile duct stone in patients with mild and moderate acute cholangitis associated with choledocholithiasis.Methods: We enrolled 196 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-naïve patients diagnosed with acute cholangitis and choledocholithiasis between September 2018 and February 2020 at a single hospital. For eligible patients, single-stage treatment involved stone removal at initial ERCP. Early ERCP was defined as ERCP performed ≤ 72 hours following diagnosis in the emergency room.Results: The final analysis included 138 patients. The success rate of complete stone extraction was similar in patients with mild and moderate cholangitis (88.5% vs. 91.7%; p = 0. 536). Complication rates were also comparable between the two groups. In the moderate cholangitis group, the length of hospitalization declined significantly among patients who underwent early single-stage ERCP (10.6 ± 6.1 vs. 18.7 ± 12.5 days; p = 0.001) compared with patients treated with delayed ERCP. In the multivariate analysis, early ERCP indicated shorter hospitalization times (≤ 10 days) (odds ratio (OR), 7.689; p = 0.030), while endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage, for acute cholangitis only, indicated longer hospitalization times (OR, 0.358; p = 0.030). A stone size larger than 1.5 cm was an independent risk factor for stone extraction failure (OR, 24.507; p = 0.009).Conclusions: Single-stage, retrograde, endoscopic common bile duct stone removal may be safe and effective for patients with mild and moderate cholangitis. The benefit of early single-stage ERCP (≤ 72 hours) was reflected mainly by reduced hospitalization time and costs.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03754491.