bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioassay and molecular monitoring of insecticide resistance status in Aedes albopictus populations from Greece, to support evidence-based vector control
Authors: Balaska Sofia , Fotakis Emmanouil Alexandros , Kioulos Ilias , Grigoraki Linda , Mpellou Spyridoula , Chaskopoulou Alexandra , Vontas John
Published: May 2020

Background: Aedes albopictus has a well-established presence in southern European countries, associated with recent disease outbreaks (e.g. Chikungunya). Development of insecticide resistance in the vector is a major concern as its control mainly relies on the use of biocides. Data on the species’ resistance status is essential for efficient and sustainable control. To date the insecticide resistance status of Ae. albopictus populations from Greece against major insecticides used in vector control remains largely unknown. Methods: We investigated the insecticide resistance status of nineteen Ae. albopictus populations from 11 regions of Greece. Bioassays were performed against diflubenzuron (DFB), B. thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti), deltamethrin and malathion. Known insecticide resistance loci were molecularly analysed, i.e. voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) mutations associated with pyrethroid resistance; presence and frequency of carboxylesterases 3 (CCEae3a) and 6 (CCEae6a) gene amplification associated with organophosphate (OP) resistance and; chitin synthase-1 (CHS-1) for the possible presence of DFB resistance mutations. Results: Bioassays showed full susceptibility to DFB, Bti and deltamethrin, but resistance against the OP malathion (range of mortality: 55.30-91.40%). VGSC analysis revealed a widespread distribution of mutations F1534C (in all populations, with allelic frequencies between 6.6% - 68.3%), and I1532T (in 6 populations; allelic frequencies below 22.70%), but absence of V1016G. CCE gene amplifications were recorded in 8 out of 11 populations (overall frequency: 33%). Co-presence of mutation F1534C and CCEae3a amplification was reported in 39 of the 156 samples commonly analysed. No mutations at the CHS-1 locus I1043 were detected. Conclusions: The results indicate: (i) the suitability of larvicides DFB and Bti for Ae. albopictus control in Greece, (ii) possible incipient pyrethroid resistance due to the presence of kdr mutations and (iii) possible reduced efficacy of OPs, in a scenario of re-introducing them for vector control. The study highlights the need for systematic resistance monitoring for developing and implementing appropriate evidence-based control programs.
Alteration of lung tissues proteins in birch pollen induced asthma mice before and after SCIT
Authors: Xie Zhijuan , Sun Haidan , Li Xiaogang , Sun Wei , Yin Jia
Published: May 2020

Subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is a classic form of allergen-specific immunotherapy that is used to treat birch pollen induced allergic asthma. To investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of SCIT, we aimed to profile lung samples to explore changes in the differential proteome before and after SCIT in mice with allergic asthma. Fresh lungs were collected from three groups of mice: 1) control mice, 2) birch pollen-induced allergic mice and 3) birch pollen-induced allergic mice with SCIT. Tandem mass tag (TMT) labelling coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to analyze the lung proteome in the mice. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) and Gene Ontology (GO) classification analysis were applied to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and crucial pathways. The screened DEPs were validated by immunohistochemistry analysis. A total of 317 proteins were upregulated and 184 proteins were downregulated in the asthma group compared to those of the control group. In contrast, 639 DEPs (163 upregulated and 456 downregulated proteins) were identified after SCIT in comparison with those of the asthma group. Among the 639 DEPs, 277 proteins returned to similar levels as those of the relative non-asthma condition. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that the 277 proteins played a significant role in the leukocyte extravasation signaling pathway. Of note, this is the first report that Vav1 (proto-oncogene vav) may serve as a biomarker of birch pollen-specific SCIT in mice. The leukocyte extravasation signaling pathway and related DEPs were of crucial importance in birch pollen SCIT.
CT, US and MRI of Xanthine Urinary Stones: An In-Vitro Analysis
Authors: Shamir Stephanie , Peng Qi , Schoenfeld Alan , Drzewiecki Beth , Liszewski Mark
Published: May 2020

Background: Xanthine urinary stones are a rare entity that may occur in patients with Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome receiving allopurinol. There is little literature describing imaging characteristics of these stones, and the most appropriate approach to imaging these stones is therefore unclear. We performed an in-vitro analysis of xanthine stones using computed tomography (CT) at different energy levels, ultrasound (US), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: Five pure xanthine stones from a boy with Lesch-Nyhan were imaged. CT of the stones was performed at 80kVp, 100kVp, 120kVp and 140kVp and CT numbers of the stones were recorded in Hounsfield units (HU). US of the stones was performed and echogenicity, acoustic shadowing and twinkle artifact were assessed. MRI of the stones was performed and included T2-weighted, ultrashort echo-time (UTE)-weighted and T2/T1-weighted 3D bFFE sequences and signal was assessed.Results: On CT, xanthine stones were radiodense and the average attenuation coefficient did not differ with varying kVp, measuring 331.0+/-51.7HU at 80kVp, 321.4+/-63.4HU at 100kVp, 329.7+/-54.2HU at 120kVp and 328.4+/-61.1HU at 140kVp. On US, xanthine stones where echogenic with acoustic shadowing and twinkle artifact. On MRI, stones lacked signal on all tested sequences.Conclusion: Xanthine stones demonstrate imaging characteristics typical of most urinary stones: dense on CT, echogenic on US, and lack signal on MRI. Therefore, the approach to imaging xanthine urinary stones should identical to the approach with other urinary stones.
High Mortality Rate of Obstetric Critically ILL Patients in Rwanda and Its Predictability
Authors: RUDAKEMWA Alcade , Cassidy Amy Lucille , Twagirumugabe Theogene
Published: May 2020

BackgroundReasons for obstetric admission in intensive care unit (ICU) vary from a setting to another. Outcomes from ICU and its prediction models are not well explored in Rwanda because of lack of appropriate scores. This study intended to assess profile and accuracy of predictive models for obstetric patients admitted in ICU in the two public tertiary hospitals in Rwanda.MethodsWe prospectively collected data from all obstetric patients admitted in the ICU of public referral hospitals in Rwanda from March 2017 to February 2018 to identify reasons for admissions and factors for prognosis. We analysed the accuracy of mortality prediction by the quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) and Modified Early Obstetric Warning Score (MEOWS). ResultsObstetric patients represented 12.8% of all ICU admissions and 1.8% of all deliveries. Sepsis (31.9%) and haemorrhage (25.5%) were the two commonest reasons of admission. Mortality was 54.3% while the average length of stay was 6.6 days. MEOWS was an independent predictor to mortality (adjusted OR=1.25[1.07-1.46]; p=0.005). Similarly, one point of increase of the qSOFA increased odds of ICU mortality by 181% (adjusted OR=2.81[1.25-6.30]; p=0.012). The Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUROC) for MEOWS was 0.773[0.666-0.880], p=0.0001 and that of the qSOFA was 0.764[0.654-0.873]; p=0.0001.ConclusionSepsis is the most common reason for obstetric admissions to ICU in Rwanda. MEOWS and qSOFA could accurately predict the mortality for those patients but further explorations on a larger sample size are guaranteed.
Prevalence and predictors of HIV-associated Neurocognitive Disorder in Ethiopians
Authors: Salahuddin Mohammed , Manzar Md Dilshad , Hassen Hamid Yimam , Ashuro Mihretu , Unissa Aleem , Mohammed Mohammed Aziz , Hameed Unaise Abdul , Spence David Warren , Pandi-Perumal Seithikurippu R.
Published: May 2020

Background

Modern antiretroviral therapy has extended the life expectancies of people living with HIV; the prevention and treatment of their associated neurocognitive decline has remained a challenge. Consequently, it is desirable to investigate the prevalence and predictors of HIV-associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) to help in targeted screening and disease prevention.
Methods:

Two hundred and forty-four people living with HIV were interviewed in a study using a cross-sectional design and International HIV Dementia scale (IHDS). Additionally, the sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial characteristics of the patients were recorded. Chi-square and binary logistic regression analysis were used to determine the level of significance among the independent risk factors and probable HAND.
Results

The point prevalence of HAND was found to be 39.3%. Participants’ characteristics of being older than 40 years (AOR = 2.81 (95% CI; 1.11–7.15)), having a history of recreational drug use (AOR = 13.67 (95% CI; 6.42–29.13)), and being non-compliant with prescribed medications (AOR = 2.99 (95% CI; 1.01–8.87)) were independent risk factors for HAND.
Conclusion

The identification of predictors, some of which may be more closely related to the Ethiopian people living with HIV, may help in targeted screening of vulnerable groups during cART follow-up visits. This may greatly help in strategizing and implementation of the prevention program, more so, because: (i) HAND is an asymptomatic condition for considerable durations, and (ii) clinical trials of HAND therapies have been unsuccessful.
Relationship between ACL reconstruction and meniscal repair. Quality of life, sports return and meniscal failure rate. 2 to 12 years follow-up
Authors: Rodriguez-Roiz Juan Miguel , Sastre-Solsona Sergi , Popescu Dragos , Montañana-Burillo Jordi , Combalia-Aleu Andres
Published: May 2020

Background few studies approach with long follow up, meniscal repair at amateur level, specially studying variables as quality of life and failure rate. The purpose of this review is study medium to long-term clinical results in patients at amateur spors level, that have required meniscal sutures at our centre, with or without ACL reconstruction. We evaluate the objective function of the knee, as well as the patients’ return to sports activities, quality of life and the rate of failed repair and study the possible reasons.Methods We retrospectively assessed 92 patients who regularly perform amateur sports activities (Tegner 4 to 7), minimum follow-up period of 2 years, divided into 2 groups: group 1 isolated meniscal suture (43 cases), group 2 associated to ACL reconstruction (49 cases).Results high return to amateur sports rate (92%), which was even higher in the isolated reconstruction group in comparison to the group with associated ACL. We have not found statistically significant differences between sports return and: age, gender, injured meniscus, chondral injuries, preoperative Tegner score, or motivation. No significant differences in physical or mental health fields between both groups. Meniscal repair failed in 12 patients (13%). Higher rate of failure in isolated bucket-handle tear injuries (p < 0.0062). We have not found a statistically significant association between the other variables studied.Conclusions good results with 92% of sports return, low rate of complications, and low retear rate, even lower when is associated to ACL reconstruction and in external meniscus repair. High values at SF-12 between 2 groups.
Characteristics and predictors of muscle strength deficit in mechanical ankle instability
Authors: Hou Zong-chen , Miao Xin , Ao Ying-fang , Hu Yue-lin , Jiao Chen , Guo Qin-wei , Xie Xing , Zhao Feng , Pi Yan-bin , Li Nan , Zhang Zhi-yu , Jiang Dong
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Muscle strength training is a common strategy for treating chronic ankle instability (CAI), but the effectiveness decreases for mechanical ankle instability (MAI) patients with initial severe ligament injuries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics and the potential predictors of muscle strength deficit in MAI patients, with a view to proposing a more targeted muscle strength training strategy.

Methods

A total of 220 MAI patients with confirmed initial lateral ankle ligament rupture and a postinjury duration of more than 6 months were included. All patients underwent a Biodex isokinetic examination of the ankle joints of both the affected and unaffected sides. Then, the associations between the limb symmetry index (LSI) (mean peak torque of the injury side divided by that of the healthy side) and the patients’ sex, body mass index, postinjury duration, presence of intra-articular osteochondral lesions, presence of osteophytes and ligament injury pattern (i.e., isolated anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injury or combined with calcaneofibular ligament injury) were analysed.

Results

There was significantly weaker muscle strength on the affected side than on the unaffected side in all directions ( p <0.05). The LSI in plantar flexion was significantly lower than that in dorsiflexion at 60°/s (0.87 vs 0.98, p <0.001). A lower LSI in eversion was significantly correlated with female sex (0.82 vs 0.94, p =0.016) and isolated ATFL injury (0.86 vs 0.95, p =0.012). No other factors were found to be associated with muscle strength deficits.

Conclusion

MAI patients showed significant muscle strength deficits on the affected side, especially in plantar flexion. There were greater strength deficits in eversion in females and individuals with an isolated ATFL injury. Thus, a muscle strength training programme for MAI patients was proposed that focused more on plantar flexion training and eversion training for females and those with an isolated ATFL injury.
Maternal High Fat Diet and Diabetes Disrupts Transcriptomic Pathways that Regulate Cardiac Metabolism and Cell Fate in Newborn Rat Hearts
Authors: Preston Claudia C. , Larsen Tricia D. , Eclov Julie A. , Louwagie Eli J. , Gandy Tyler C. T. , Faustino Randolph S. , Baack Michelle L.
Published: May 2020

Background

Children born to diabetic or obese mothers have a higher risk of heart disease at birth and later in life. Our previous work using chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing revealed that late-gestation diabetes in combination with maternal high fat (HF) diet cause a distinct fuel-mediated epigenetic reprogramming of rat cardiac tissue during fetal cardiogenesis. The objective of the present study was to investigate the overall transcriptional signature of newborn offspring exposed to the combination of maternal diabetes and maternal HF diet.
Methods

Gene expression profiling from hearts of diabetes exposed, HF diet exposed, combination exposed and control newborn rats was compared for differential transcriptome expression. Functional annotation, pathway and network analysis was performed on statistically significant differentially expressed genes from the combination exposed group compared with controls. Downstream metabolic assessments included measurement of total and phosphorylated AKT2 and GSK3β assays, as well as quantification of glycolytic capacity by extracellular flux analysis and glycogen staining.
Results

Transcriptome analysis of newborn rat hearts showed significant changes in cardiac gene expression following exposure to maternal diabetes or HF diet individually, as well as the combination of diabetes + HF compared with controls. Reactome analyses identified expression changes in two key signaling cascades functionally prioritized in male control and combination exposed offspring hearts. These pathways included downregulation of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) pathway and concomitant downstream PI3K/AKT activation canonically recognized as a regulator of cell metabolism, growth, and development. In contrast, the second pathway exhibited significant upregulation of mitoribosomal signaling that regulates mitochondrial biogenesis, mitophagy and cell fate. Focused bioinformatic analysis on mitochondrial genes enriched in the combination exposed dataset revealed genes associated with diverse aspects of mitochondrial structure, function, and dynamism. Functional biochemical, metabolic, and histochemical assays supported these transcriptome changes, confirming the essential role of mitochondrial energetics in facilitating diabetes- and diet-induced cardiac transcriptome remodeling and phenotype in offspring.
Conclusions

This study provides the first data accounting for the compounding effects of maternal hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia on the developmental cardiac transcriptome, and elucidates nuanced and novel features of maternal diabetes and diet on intergenerational regulation of heart health.
Comprehensive Analysis Reveals A Six-Gene Signature and Associated Drugs in Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Jiang Zhengye , Tan Guowei , Wang Zhanxiang
Published: May 2020

Background: Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by many factors. The essential genes and signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of AD are still unknown. The purpose of our research is to analyze and screen out potential molecular biomarkers and related signaling pathways.Methods: We obtained the gene expression profile of GSE18309 from the gene expression Omnibus website. Then, we used the Limma package in Rstudio to screen out differentially expressed genes (DEGs), followed by the corresponding cell signal pathway enrichment using DAVID analysis. Finally, STRING used to obtain the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and the corresponding hub gene obtained through MCODE of Cytoscape software.Results: The results showed that a total of 119 upregulated genes and 160 downregulated genes were identified, which met the criteria of |log2 changes| ≥2, adjusted P value <0.01. Through the PPI network, the hub gene module we obtained shows that genes such as GNG13, EDNRB, CHRM3, CCKAR, FFAR4 and TRIO are closely related to AD. The signaling pathway is about signal transducer activity, G-protein coupled receptor activity and transmembrane signaling receptor activity. Conclusions: In summary, the above-obtained hub gene and the identified signaling pathway will help explore the pathogenesis of AD; and provide new therapeutic targets and prognostic assessment for AD.
Effect of Different Bacterial Composition of Fermented Cow Milk and Soy Milk on Epidermal Growth Factor and Epidermal Thickness in Female Wistar Rats
Authors: Lesmana Ronny , Adriani Lovita , Haryawan Zahran , Goenawan Hanna , Pratiwi Yuni Susanti , Sylviana Nova , Supratman Unang
Published: May 2020

Background Skin aging stimulates higher regression of proliferation and architecture of the skin tissue. Isoflavone has been used for countering aging and shown its effect to alter the progression of skin aging, while probiotics have an ability to boost the absorption of nutrient and also have its own ability to maintain the skin tissue. However, there is limited information about the difference of effect between various formulation of fermented cow milk and soy milk towards the skin regeneration via epidermal growth factor (EGF) signalling.Results Our data showed that there are differences characteristic of stool and its macroscopic appearance after different fermented formula of cow milk and soy milk treatment. Histology results showed that skin epidermal thickness was found thicker in every group tthe same trend as the EGF protein levels.Composition of milk and soy milk fermented by Bifidobacterium bifidum potentially stimulate EGF protein levels. This finding inline withConclusions Milk fermented by Bifidobacterium bifidum showed the greatest effect for the skin tissue regeneration and it might prevent the skin aging process compared to the other formulations. Compared to conventional fermented milk, the composition of soy milk might enhance this positive effect of fermented milk to the skin.
Effects of Dietary N-Carbamylglutamate Supplementation on Milk Production Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Blood Metabolomics of Lactating Holstein Cows Under Heat Stress
Authors: Ma Ning , Li Yan , Ren Liyuan , Hu Linqi , Xu Ruiting , Cao Yufeng , Gao Yanxia , Li Jianguo
Published: May 2020

Background: Heat stress (HS) becomes a serious threat to dairy cow industry in certain circumstances, N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) is a novel feed additive that may be used to alleviate HS. However, the effects and mechanisms of NCG on dairy cows under HS are still unknown. A total of 48 Holstein dairy cows with similar days in milk (154.37±13.56 d), parity (1-3), and body condition score (BCS) were randomly divided into 4 groups of 12 animals each. Under HS, the cows were fed a TMR diet supplemented with 0 (control), 15, 20, 25 g of NCG/d per cow for 60 days. Milk production performance was recorded and serum parameters were examined. Meanwhile, metabolomics study of plasma based on liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was also applied to investigate metabolites and pathways in response to NCG supplementation.Results: Milk yield (MY) was increased but milk urine nitrogen (MUN) was reduced by the NCG treatment. Addition of 15 g of NCG/d increased the milk protein percentage (MPP) compared with the control. No effect of NCG was observed on dry matter intake (DMI), lactose percentage (LP), milk fat percentage (MFP) and somatic cell count (SCC). Serum glucose (GLU) levels in cows fed with 15, 20, 25 g of NCG/d were increased by 14.35%, 19.34% and 18.63% in comparison with the control. Meanwhile, the concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and blood ammonia (BA) were decreased with the addition of NCG. Results for antioxidant capacity and immune function showed beneficial effects of NCG, such as the increases in total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), IgG, IgM and IgA. Clear separations of plasma metabolic profiles between control and NCG groups were observed in the score plots. Sixteen different metabolites involved in metabolisms of amino acids, ketone bodies, butanoate and energy, as well as gut microbiome-derived metabolism were regulated by NCG supplementation.Conclusions: This study found that NCG treatment improved antioxidant capacity, immune function, production performance, and metabolic profile of dairy cows under HS and provided new evidence for the better utilization of NCG.
Mapping Geologic Structures from Gravity and Digital Elevation Model in the Ziway-Shala Lakes Basin; central Main Ethiopian Rift
Authors: Kebede Hailemichael , Alemu Abera , Nedaw Dessie
Published: May 2020

This study attempts to delineate subsurface lineaments for the tectonically and volcanically active region of the Ziway-Shala Lakes basin, central Main Ethiopian rift. Most of the previously mapped subsurface structures in the region under consideration focus on delineating crustal structures thicknesses and Moho depths undulations. Moreover, near-surface structures in the same region were mapped using analysis of Digital Elevation Model image data. On the other hand, there are few studies that have targeted in mapping geologic structures lying at intermediate depth levels between the shallower and deeper Earth. The objective of this research is thus to map the subsurface geologic structures/lineaments to an average depth of 3 km (crystalline basement layer depth) from surface using gravity data. These investigation results are validated by Digital Elevation Model extracted lineaments. Filtering techniques including derivative filters, upward-continuation and line module algorithm of PCI Geomatica are used to extract the gravity and topographic lineaments of the region. Orientation analyses of these subsurface and surface lineaments are made using line direction histogram of the QGIS software. Accordingly, the gravity subsurface lineaments mapped in this study are found to be dominantly oriented in the NNW-SSE to NW-SE and E-W direction on average. These results appear to be contrary to the NNE-SSW to NE-SW trending surface geologic structure mapped on the bases of actual field observation carried out by previous researchers and automatically extracted lineaments based on Digital Elevation Models data considered in this research. The subsurface lineaments mapped using gravity data coincide with the orientation of pre-existing subsurface structures crossing the rift orthogonally. These structural lineaments which are considered to be masked in the subsurface coincide with the orientation of the Mesozoic Ogaden rift as compared to the overlying surface structures which appear to coincide with the orientation of the Cenozoic Main Ethiopian rift.
Prototype of Disc Brake Dynamometer
Authors: Kraisoda Pakkip
Published: May 2020

This paper presents the design and test of prototype of Disk Brake Dynamometer of Single-cylinder engine performance standard Brake horsepower with water using the Honda GX-200 four-stroke 196 cm3 gasoline engine, 1-cylinder gasohol 95 fuel. The experiment result showed that the Prototype of Disk brake Dynamometer maximum engine torque was 11.58 N m at 2500 rpm. The maximum power of engine was 3.29 kW at 3000 rpm and maximum thermal efficiency of engine brake was 25.36% at 2500 rpm. When being compared the performance of a standard single-cylinder engine performance test with the all-purpose gasoline engine Honda GX-200 1-stroke 4-stroke 196 cm3 gasohol 95, it was found that Maximum engine torque was less than 5.39%, the maximum engine power was higher than 2.49%, the maximum fuel consumption of the engine was higher than 10% and the maximum thermal efficiency of the engine was higher than 2.39%.
Knockdown of LincRNA PADNA Promotes Bupivacaine-Induced Neurotoxicity by miR-194/FBXW7 Axis
Authors: Yuning Fan , Liang Chen , Tenghuan Wang , Zhenhua Nan , Gong Shengkai
Published: May 2020

The aim of the study was to explore the function and mechanism of lincRNA PADNA in bupivacaine-induced neurotoxicity. Mouse DRG neurons were cultured in vitro and treated with bupivacaine to establish the neurotoxicity model. Caspase3 activity, cell viability, tunel assay were analyzed to assess the role of lincRNA PADNA. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the binding target of lincRNA PANDA. The expression of lincRNA PADNA was significantly increased with the increasing concentration of bupivacaine. Functional analysis revealed that knockdown of lincRNA PADNA accelerated the caspase3 activity and inhibited the cell viability. Western blot showed that knockdown of lincRNA PADNA promoted the occurrence of cleaved-caspase3. We also proved that lincRNA PADNA may bind with miR-194. Overexpression of miR-194 could rescued the function of lincRNA PADNA, suggesting that lincRNA PADNA may sponge miR-194. In addition, we provided new evidences that lincRNA PADNA/miR-194/FBXW7 axis play an important role in the neurotoxicity process. We performed comprehensive experiments to verify the function and mechanism of lincRNA PADNA in bupivacaine-induced neurotoxicity. Our study provided new evidences and clues for prevention of neurotoxicity.
Clinical Characteristics and Survival Associations of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor: Does Age Matter?
Authors: Liu Mengqi , Sun Xiaoyan , Zhang Zheng , Xu Xiaowu , Yu Xianjun , Zhuo Qifeng , Ji Shunrong
Published: May 2020

Background: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) is the second most common epithelial neoplasm of pancreas. As in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, patients with different onset ages display different clinical features and prognosis, we divided pNET patients into early-onset pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (EOpNET) and typical age-at-onset pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (TOpNET) to investigate the effect of onset age on its clinical characteristics and prognosis. Methods: Data were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2004–2015; cohort 1) and Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC) (2005–2018; cohort 2) retrospectively. The clinical characteristics were compared using chi-squared tests. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and overall survival were formulated by Kaplan–Meier curves.Results: In total 5,368 and 330 patients’ data were included from the SEER database and FUSCC. Gender had no effect on survival in EOpNET group. Tumors locating in the tail (HR: 0.721, 95%CI: 0.63-0.83, P < 0.001) and body (HR: 0.712, 95%CI: 0.60-0.85, P = 0.001) had lower risks of death compared to tumors in the head in TOpNET group. The overall survival of EOpNET (136 (3-143) months) was better than TOpNET (85 (3-143) months) ( P < 0.001) in SEER database. The results in FUSCC was similar with SEER cohort. Conclusions: EOpNET group had significantly better overall survival than TOpNET though their clinical characteristics were not significantly different. In the future personalized treatment of pNET, the onset age of patients will become another important factor for guiding the treatment and prognosis.
Cerebrospinal Fluid α-Synuclein Predicts Neurodegeneration and Clinical Progression in Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Li Jie-Qiong , Bi Yan-Lin , Shen Xue-Ning , Wang Hui-Fu , Xu Wei , Tan Chen-Chen , Dong Qiang , Wang Yan-Jiang , Tan Lan , Yu Jin-Tai
Published: May 2020

BackgroundAccumulating reports suggest that α-synuclein is involved in Alzheimer disease (AD) pathogenesis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) α-synuclein could be a potential biomarker of AD. We sought to test whether CSF α-synuclein is associated with other AD biomarkers and could predict neurodegeneration and clinical progression in prodromal AD. MethodsAssociations were investigated between CSF α-synuclein and other AD biomarkers at baseline in prodromal AD stage Chinese elders. The predictive values of CSF α-synuclein in longitudinal change in clinical outcomes and conversion risk of prodromal AD stage subjects were assessed using linear mixed effects models and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models, respectively, in Alzheimer's disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database.ResultsAmong individuals in prodromal AD stage, we detected that CSF α-synuclein levels correlated with AD-specific biomarkers CSF total tau and phosphorylated tau levels in 651 Chinese Han participants (training set). These positive correlations were replicated in ADNI database (validation set). Using a longitudinal cohort from ADNI, CSF α-synuclein concentrations increased with disease severity. CSF α-synuclein had high diagnostic accuracy for AD based on the “ATN” system (A+T+) vs controls (A-T-) (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.84). Moreover, CSF α-synuclein predicted longitudinal hippocampus atrophy and conversion from MCI to AD dementia.ConclusionsCSF α-synuclein is associated with CSF tau levels and could predict neurodegeneration and clinical progression in prodromal AD. This finding indicates CSF α-synuclein is a potentially useful, early biomarker for AD.
Incidence of Huntington disease in a northeastern Spanish region: A 13-year retrospective study at tertiary care centre
Authors: Bailo Paula Sienes , Lahoz Raquel , Marín Juan Pelegrín Sánchez , Álvarez Silvia Izquierdo
Published: May 2020

Background
Despite the progress in the knowledge of Huntington disease (HD) in recent years, the epidemiology continues uncertain, so the study of incidence becomes relevant.
Methods
Descriptive retrospective study with 188 individuals. Incidence of HD was calculated from the ratio of number of symptomatic cases newly diagnosed per million inhabitants per year during the period 2007–2019 in Aragon (Spain).
Results
50 (27.9%) incident cases of HD (CAG repeat length ≥ 36) were identified from a total of 179 persons studied. The remaining 129/179 (73.4%) were HD negative (CAG repeat length < 36). Male to female ratio was 1:1,4; with 29 (58.0%) females and 21 (42.0%) males confirmed HD cases. The overall incidence was 6.48 per million patient-years. 12/50 positive HD cases (24,0%) were identified by performing a predictive test, without clinical symptoms. The minimum number of CAG repeats found was 10 and the most common CAG length among HD negative individuals was 16.
Conclusions
Our incidence lied within the range reported for other Caucasian populations. Implementation of new techniques has allowed to determine the exact number of CAG repeats, which is especially important in patients with triplet expansions in an HD intermediate and/or incomplete penetrance allele, both in diagnostic, predictive and prenatal tests.
Combined forced oscillation and fractional-order modeling in patients with work-related asthma: a case-control study analyzing respiratory biomechanics and diagnostic accuracy
Authors: Tuza Fábio Augusto d´Alegria , de Sá Paula Morisco , Castro Hermano , Lopes Agnaldo José , de Melo Pedro Lopes
Published: May 2020

Background Fractional-order (FrOr) models have a high potential to improve pulmonary science. These models could be useful for biomechanical studies and diagnostic purposes, offering accurate models with an improved ability to describe nature. This paper evaluates the performance of the Forced Oscillation (FO) associated with integer (InOr) and FrOr models in the analysis of respiratory alterations in work-related asthma (WRA). Methods Sixty-two individuals were evaluated: 31 healthy and 31 with WRA with mild obstruction. Patients were analyzed pre and post bronchodilation. The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). To evaluate how well do the studied models correspond to observed data, we analyzed the mean square root of the sum (MSEt) and the relative distance (Rd) of the estimated model values to the measured resistance and reactance measured values. Results and discussion Initially, the use of InOr and FrOr models increased our understanding of the WRA physiopathology, showing increased peripheral resistance, damping, and hysteresivity. The FrOr model (AUC=0.970) outperformed standard FO (AUC=0.929), as well as InOr modeling (AUC=0.838) in the diagnosis of respiratory changes, achieving high accuracy. FrOr improved the curve fitting (MSEt=0.156±0.340; Rd=3.026±1.072) in comparison with the InOr model (MSEt=0.367±0.991; Rd=3.363±1.098). Finally, we demonstrated that the bronchodilator use increased dynamic compliance, as well as reduced damping and peripheral resistance. Conclusions Taken together, these results show clear evidence of the utility of FO associated with fractional-order modeling in patients with WRA, improving our knowledge of the biomechanical abnormalities and the diagnostic accuracy in this disease.
Estimating transmission dynamics and serial interval of the first wave of COVID-19 infections under different control measures: A statistical analysis in Tunisia from February 29 to May 5, 2020
Authors: Talmoudi Khouloud , Safer Mouna , Letaief Hejer , Hchaichi Aicha , Harizi Chahida , Dhaouadi Sonia , Derouiche Sondes , Bouaziz Ilhem , Gharbi Donia , Najar Nourhene , Osman Molka , Cherif Ines , Mlallekh Rym , Ben-Ayed Oumaima , Ayedi Yosr , Bouabid Leila , Bougatef Souha , Ben-Alaya Nissaf Bouafif ép , Chahed Mohamed Kouni
Published: May 2020

Background
Describing transmission dynamics of the outbreak and impact of intervention measures are critical to planning responses to future outbreaks and providing timely information to guide policy makers decision. We estimate serial interval (SI) and temporal reproduction number (Rt) of SARS-CoV-2 in Tunisia.
Methods
We collected data of investigations and contact tracing between March 1, 2020 and May 5, 2020 as well as illness onset data during the period February 29-May 5, 2020 from National Observatory of New and Emerging Diseases of Tunisia. Maximum likelihood (ML) approach is used to estimate dynamics of Rt.
Results
491 of infector-infectee pairs were involved, with 14.46% reported pre-symptomatic transmission. SI follows Gamma distribution with mean 5.30 days [95% CI 4.66–5.95] and standard deviation 0.26 [95% CI 0.23–0.30]. Also, we estimated large changes in Rt in response to the combined lockdown interventions. The Rt moves from 3.18 [95% CI 2.73–3.69] to 1.77 [95% CI 1.49–2.08] with curfew prevention measure, and under the epidemic threshold (0.89 [95% CI 0.84–0.94]) by national lockdown measure.
Conclusions
Overall, our findings highlight contribution of interventions to interrupt transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Tunisia.
The Prognostic Significance and Tumor-promoting Roles of MED30 in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Liu Liangwen , Han Myoung-Eun , Kim Ji-Young , Kim Ga Hyun , Park Si Young , Kim Yun Hak , Oh Sae-Ock
Published: May 2020

Background: MED30 is an evolutionarily new member of the mediator complex thatcan bridge transcription factors and preinitiation complexfor the transcription. Pancreatic cancer is highly chemo-resistant andis the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Rapid progression and poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer result in shortened survival rate following diagnosis.Methods: Expression of MED30 was investigated by the analysis of TCGA database and immunohistochemistry of patients tissues. Roles of MED30 were investigated by gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies.Results: Analysis of TCGA database and immunohistochemistry provedthe frequentamplification and overexpression of MED30 in the pancreatic cancer tissues compared with the normal pancreatic tissues at the chromosome, mRNA and protein levels. Notably its overexpression was association with poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients in the Kaplan-Meier curve analysis (P=0.00072) and multivariate analysis (P=0.027). Uno’s C-index values in the time-dependent Area Under the Curve (AUC) analysis and AUC valuein the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves showed its good performance as a prognostic marker. To reveal the functional roles of MED30 during the progression of pancreatic cancer, we overexpressed or knocked down MED30 using cDNA or siRNA, respectively. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies showed that MED30 can regulate proliferation, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore overexpression of MED30 promoted tumorigenicity in SCID mice significantly. Conclusions: MED30 is frequently amplified and overexpressed and its overexpression is associated with poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. Moreover it has tumor-promoting roles in proliferation, migration, invasion and in vivo tumorigenicity of pancreatic cancer cells. Thus, MED30 could be a potent diagnostic and therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer.
Sars-Cov-2 Spike 1 protein control Natural killer cells activation via HLA-E/NKG2A pathway.
Authors: Bortolotti Daria , Gentili Valentina , Rizzo Sabrina , Rotola Antonella , Rizzo Roberta
Published: May 2020

Natural killer (NK) cells are important in the control of viral infections. However, the role of NK cells during Sars-Cov-2 infection has previously not been identified. Peripheral blood NK cells from Sars-Cov and Sars-Cov-2 naïve subjects were evaluated for their activation, degranulation, interferon-gamma expression in the presence of Sars-Cov and Sars-Cov-2 spike proteins. K562 and lung epithelial cells were transfected with spike proteins and co-cultured with NK cells. The analysis was performed by flow cytometry and immune-fluorescence. Sars-Cov and Sars-Cov-2 spike proteins did not alter NK cell activation in K562 in vitro model. On the contrary, Sars-Cov-2 spike 1 protein (SP1) intracellular expression by lung epithelial cells resulted in NK cell reduced degranulation. Further experiments revealed a concomitant induction of HLA-E expression on the surface of lung epithelial cells and the recognition of a SP1-derived HLA-E-binding peptide. Simultaneously, there was the up-modulation of the inhibitory receptor NKG2A/CD94 on NK cells when SP1 is expressed in lung epithelial cells. We ruled out GATA3 transcription factor as responsible for HLA-E increased levels and HLA-E/NKG2A interaction as implicate in NK cells exhaustion. We show for the first time that NK cells are affected by SP1 expression in lung epithelial cells via HLA-E/NKG2A interaction. The resulting NK cells exhaustion might contribute to immunopathogenesis in Sars-Cov-2 infection.
PSYCHOLOGICAL PECULIARITIES, PRECONDITIONS AND WAYS OF STRESS STABILITY INCREASE IN ADOLESCENTS
Authors: Hirnyak Halyna
Published: May 2020

Based on theoretical-methodological principles of cognition, the categorical-notion analysis of main terms (“stress”, “distress”, “stress stability”) that form the subject area of the considered problem is carried out in the paper. The study systematically generalizes main types of stress (informational, emotional, communicative) and its deployment phases (anxiety, resistance, exhaustion) and also outlines stress stability signs and its age formation peculiarities in adolescence. Stress stability is considered as a complicated integral feature of a person, mutually connected with a system of intellectual, cognitive, emotional, personal (motivational, character and other) features, providing his/her possibility to endure essential intellectual, physical, willing and emotional loads, keeping functioning efficiency at that. A level of stress stability is in the first turn conditioned by such factors as emotional stability, stress-resistance, frustration tolerance and so on. The study argues an idea that most effective ways of overcoming the destructive influence of stress of a person are: 1) objective elimination or lowering of the influence intensity of a cause/factor that conditioned the stress status; 2) internal adaptation to a stressor by transforming just an attitude to it in the subjective reality of a person (change of subjective interpretation frames); 3) acceptance of a problem as a given fact and conciliation with its irreversible results; 4) complex way as a combinatorics of the three previous variants with observance of their most optimal balance-proportion according to the psychosocial specificity of each concrete case and individual-typological features of a client. It has been empirically established, that the psychological profile of stress-stable persons is characterized by the high level of steadiness, emotional-willing self-control, self-confidence and low level of stress-sensitivity, personal and situation anxiety. It has been also explained in the research, that the most effective formation of stress stability takes place through the psychological mechanism of self-regulation that provides the synthesis of its structural components (personal, social and behavioral) and provides an adequate reaction on stress-generating factors.
Deslocamento e reconfiguração de espaço no cinema brasileiro: o caso de Linha de passe e Que horas ela volta?
Authors: Mooney Angela Rodríguez
Published: May 2020

In the present article, I examine Daniela Thomas and Walter Salles's Linha de passe (2008) and Anna Muylaert's Que horas ela volta? (2015). I argue that these films create new representational possibilities for subjects withincontemporary Brazilian culture by breaking with the dominant model of the favela as a predominantly masculine space that is essentially "out of control." This renegotiation brings with it a valorization of the subjectivity of women who work in the city. I argue that this valorization takes place in both films through the physical displacement of those who traditionally do not enjoy subject status and yet dare to enter territories previously denied to them.
The effect of glycated hemoglobin variability on the development of microvascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Bolotskaya L. L. , Golubkina Yu. Yu. , Tolkacheva A. A. , Nikankina L. N.
Published: May 2020

Introduction. The results of a 25-year observational program to assess the effect of glycated hemoglobin variability on the development of microvascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus are presented.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) variability on the development of microvascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) and disease duration of 25 years.

Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of the database of patients with DM1 was performed from the moment of the disease manifestation until the time of the last visit. Determination of HbA1c level is carried out using parameters certified in accordance with the National Standard for Glycohemoglobin Standardization (NGSP) or the International Federation of Clinical Chemists (IFCC). HbA1c variability was determinated by average current HbA1c, average of longitudinal HbA1c (from the manifestation to the last visit – 2019), median and maximum of difference in changes of HbA1c (median and max∆HbA1c). Statistical analysis was performed by IBM SPSS Statistics ver.22. A statistically significant difference is the value p < 0.05.

Results. A total of 88 patients were enrolled in this study, they were divided in 3 groups depending on the registered microvascular complications (MVC): without MVC (n = 38), isolated MVC (retinopathy or nephropathy) (n = 25) and multiple MVC (retinopathy and nephropathy) (n = 25). Clinical characteristics [median (25; 75 percentile)]: age of manifestation of DM1 is 9 years (5; 12), age of patients at the time of the last visit is 33 years (29; 35), duration of DM1 is 24 years (20; 27), body mass index 24 kg/m2 (21; 25). Medication: basal-bolus insulin therapy (n = 82) or pump insulin therapy (n = 6). The average level of longitudinal HbA1c for the three groups was: 8% (7.6; 8.9), 8.5% (7.9; 8.9), 8.6% (7.8; 10), p = 0.2. Average of current (at the time of the last visit) HbA1c – 8.2% (7.2; 9.0), 8.1% (7.5; 9.0), 8.4% (7.3; 9.7), p = 0.4. Statistically significant differences were determined in the group without complications and in the group with multiple complications between the levels of maxΔ HbA1c 2.3% (1.8; 2.8) vs 4.7% (3.2; 5.6), p < 0.0001 and median Δ HbA1c 0.7% (0.6; 0.9) vs 1.4% (1; 1.7), р < 0.0001. There were no statistically significant relationships between the maximum and medianΔ HbA1c in the groups without complications and in the group with isolated complications.

Conclusions: Longitudinal HbA1c and current HbA1c are not associated with the development of microvascular complications. The potential role in the development of microvascular complications was determined for the maximum and median Δ HbA1c.
Determinants in detecting fraud triangle of financial statements on companies registered in Jakarta Islamic Index (JII) period 2012-2018
Authors: Budiyono Iwan , Arum Melati Sari Dewi
Published: May 2020

Purpose - The purpose of study was to examine the effect financial statement fraud based on the fraud triangle with a number of variables such as financial stability, external pressure, financial target, personal financial needs, opportunity and rasionalization in companies listed in Jakarta Islamic Index (JII) period 2012-2018.

Method - The population are all companies listed in JII period 2012-2018. The sample is 6 companies that were feasible to analyze. The data used in this research is secondary data obtained from the annual report. The data analysis model applied multiple linier regression data panel  using SPSS 25.

Result - The results showed that the fraud triangle in the categories of financial stability, external pressure, financial targets, personal financial needs, opportunity and rationalization simultaneously affect the fraudulent financial statements. Furthermore financial stability, personal financial needs and opportunity partially negatively related and had no significant effect on financial statement fraud; while external pressures, financial targets and rationalization have positive and significant effects on financial statement fraud on companies listed in JII period 2012-2018.

Implication - Companies Registered in JII are suggested to improve the financial performance in accordance with sharia principles.
Originality - This research is the first study using multiple linier regression data panel.