bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust widely linear beamforming using estimation of extended covariance matrix and steering vector
Authors: Meng Zhen , Zhou Weidong , Gazor Saeed
Published: February 2020

The distribution of the received signals in many array processing applications are noncircular. Although optimal widely linear beamformer (WLB) can provide the best performance for noncircular received signals, its performance degrades severely under model mismatches in practical applications. As a remedy, we propose a robust WLB by using a precise reconstruction of extended interference-plus-noise covariance matrix (EINCM) and low-complexity estimator for the extended desired signal steering vector (EDSSV). We propose to first determine the steering vectors, powers and noncircularity coefficients of all signals and the noise power. In contrast to the previous reconstruction methods using the integration over a wide angular sector, we reconstruct the interference-plus-noise covariance matrix (INCM) and the pseudo INCM accurately according to their definitions. By using INCM and pseudo INCM, we can precisely reconstruct the EINCM. We propose to estimate the EDSSV by intersecting two extended subspaces respectively formed by eigendecomposing the extended sample covariance matrix and the extended desired signal covariance matrix. Unlike the convex optimization programming methods, this estimation of EDSSV does not require any optimization programs and yields to a solution with closed expression with low computational complexity. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed robust WLB provides near optimal performance under several model mismatch cases.
Evaluation of early cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis within 10 days of onset, with arguments based on histopathological findings
Authors: Hayama Satoshi , Fujita Miri , Senmaru Naoto , Hirano Satoshi
Published: February 2020

Background: Histopathological findings would impact the timing of early cholecystectomy, but no reports have yet discussed. The aim of this study is to examine the feasible timing for early cholecystectomy based on both conventional clinicopathological data and histopathological findings. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 127 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis (AC) at in our institutes between 2010 and 2015. Patients were categorized into two groups according to the interval between surgery and symptom onset (early, £96 h; delayed, >96 h) for comparison of clinical results. In addition, both histopathological findings and clinical results were compared between the early group (£96 h) and a sub-delayed subgroup of patients who underwent cholecystectomy at >96 h but ≦240 h. Results: No significant differences in surgical results were seen between the early group and delayed group. In terms of histopathological findings, the sub-delayed subgroup showed significant phase progression of cholecystitis compared to the early group. However, edema in the gallbladder (GB) wall was comparable in all cases operated on within 240 h, mirroring the lack of significant differences in surgical results seen between early and sub-delayed subgroups. Conclusion: Edema in the GB wall with AC is continuous within 10 days from onset, and emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy within this period is safe and feasible.
Classification of Gastrointestinal Symptom Patterns in Young Adults
Authors: Vivier Helize , Ross Emily Jayne , Cassisi Jeffrey
Published: February 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify common GI symptom groups within a large sample of young adults based on Rome IV functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder (FGID) symptom domains using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System - GI symptom scales (PROMIS-GI). The PROMIS-GI is a freely available, adaptable, symptom measurement system that is applicable to most health assessment situations. Methods: Participants were 956 adults between the ages of 18 and 25 who completed the PROMIS-GI as part of ongoing research monitoring physical and psychological health of students at a major southeastern university. GI symptom groups were determined using a latent class analysis (LCA) approach. Homogenous groups of participants (latent classes) were then compared on key psychosocial factors including self-reported mood, anxiety, physical health related quality of life (HRQoL), and diet using MANOVA. Results: Three groups were identified based on GI symptom elevations: Normal (n=649), Mild (n=257), and Moderate (n=50). Self-reported mood and anxiety levels were significantly higher in the mild and moderate GI symptom groups, and physical health HRQoL was significantly lower. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that approximately a third of young adults surveyed were experiencing at least one GI symptom above normative levels. Both the mild and moderate GI groups demonstrated a similar configuration of symptoms with the highest relative elevations in pain, gas/bloating, and nausea/vomiting. Following the Rome IV diagnostic criteria, the configuration of symptoms for the mild and moderate groups were consistent with IBS mixed or unclassified subtypes. Self-reported anxiety and depression increased, and physical functioning decreased with the severity of GI symptoms. Mild to moderate GI symptoms appear to emerge at much earlier ages and are more frequent than previously documented. Based on this study’s findings, it is recommended that health service providers evaluate patterns of GI health when young adults present with anxiety and depression, and conversely, they should assess anxiety and depression when they present with GI complaints.
Health promotion behaviors of pregnant women and spiritual well-being: Mediatory role of pregnancy stress, anxiety, and coping ways
Authors: Faramarzi Mahbobeh , Chehrazi Mohammad , Abdollahi Somayeh , Esfandiari Maria , rizi Shiva Shafie
Published: February 2020

Purpose: Little is known the link between and health promotion behaviors and spiritual well-being in pregnant women. The study aimed to address the existing gap in the context to explore the direct and indirect effect of spirituality on health promotion behaviors with mediatory roles of pregnancy stress, anxiety, and coping ways.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to sampled 200 pregnant women aged above 18 years with gestational age of at least 12 weeks. All participants completed five questionnaires including; Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP), Spiritual Well-Being scale (SWBS), State-Anxiety Inventory (SAI), Prenatal Coping Inventory (Nu-PCI), and Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (NuPDQ). A PLS-SEM model (Partial Least Square Structural Equation) was applied to determine whether spirituality can affect the health promotion behaviors through anxiety, pregnancy stress and coping ways.Results: HPLP were negatively related to state-anxiety (β =-0.36; P<0.001) and positively to planning-preparation coping (β=0.23; P=0.001). Spirituality directly and negatively affected the state-anxiety (β=-0.41; P<0.001) and NuPDQ (β=-0.36; P<0.001), while a direct and positive significant impact on the coping domains including planning-preparation (β=0.36; P<0.001), avoidance (β=0.46; P<0.001), and spiritual-positive coping (β=0.48; P<0.001). Spirituality had a significant indirect effect on HPLP (β = 0.33; P<0.001), mediated through its association with state-anxiety and planning-preparation coping.Conclusion: Spiritual well-being improves promotion healthy behaviors of pregnant women both directly and indirectly by increases planning-preparation copings and decreases the anxiety.
A transcriptomic analysis reveals novel patterns of gene expression during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation
Authors: Sun Wuping , Yu Zhijian , Yang Shaomin , Jiang Changyu , Kou Yanbo , Xiao lizu , Tang Shuo , Zhu Tao
Published: February 2020

Background: Obesity is characterized by increased adipose tissue mass that results from increased fat cell size (hypertrophy) and number (hyperplasia). The molecular mechanisms that govern the regulation and differentiation of adipocytes play a critical role for better understanding of the pathological mechanism of obesity. However, the mechanism of adipocyte differentiation is still unclear. Objective: The present study aims to compare the gene expression changes during adipocyte differentiation in the transcriptomic level, which may help to better understand the mechanism of adipocyte differentiation. Methods: RNA sequencing technology, GO and KEGG analysis and quantitative RT-PCR menthod were used in this study. Results: A lot of genes were up- or down- regulated between each two stages of 3T3-L1 adipocyte. GO and KEGG analysis revealed that lipid metabolism and oxidation-reduction reaction were mainly involved in the whole process of adipocyte differentiation. Moreover, decreased immune response and cell cycle, adhesion were occurred in the late phase of adipocyte differentiation, which were demonstrated by divergent expression pattern analysis. In addition, quantitative RT-PCR results demonstrated that the mRNA expression level of Trpv4 , Trpm4 , Trpm5 and Trpm7 were significantly decreased in the differentiated adipocytes. On the other hand, the mRNA expression level of Trpv1 , Trpv2 , Trpv6 and Trpc1 were significantly increased. Conclusions: These data presents the description of transcription profile changes in adipocyte differentiation and provides an in-depth analysis of the possible mechanisms of adipocyte differentiation. These data offer new insight into the understanding of the mechanisms of adipocyte differentiation.
Predictive value of m5C regulatory gene expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yu Xiao , Zheng Qingyuan , Chen Yabin , Zhang Qiyao , He Yuting , Guo Wenzhi
Published: February 2020

Background Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is the most malignant digestive tumor. The global incidence of pancreatic cancer has been rapidly trending upwards, necessitating an exploration of potential prognostic biomarkers and mechanisms of disease development. One of the most prevalent RNA modifications is 5-methylcytosine (m5C). However, its contribution to PAAD remains unclear. Methods Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, including genes, copy number variations (CNVs), and simple nucleotide variations (SNVs), were obtained in the present study to identify gene signatures and prognostic values for m5C regulators in PAAD. Results Regulatory gene m5C changes were significantly correlated with TP53, BRCA1, CDKN2A, and ATM genes, which play important roles in PAAD pathogenesis. In particular, there was a significant relationship between m5C regulatory gene CNVs, especially in genes encoding epigenetic “writers”. According to m5C-regulated gene expression in clinically graded cases, one m5C-regulated genes, DNMT3A, showed both a strong effect on CNVs and a significant correlation between expression level and clinical grade (p<0.05). Furthermore, low DNMT3A expression was not only associated with poor PAAD patient prognosis but also with the ribosomal processing. The relationship between low DNMT3A expression and poor prognosis was confirmed in an International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) validation dataset. Conclusion m5C regulatory genes in pancreatic cancer patients that correlate with patient prognosis and survival
Spider Venom Components Decrease Glioblastoma Cell Migration and Invasion Through RhoA-ROCK and Na+/K+-ATPase β2: Potential Molecular Entities to Treat Invasive Brain Cancer
Authors: Barreto Natália , Caballero Marcus , Bonfanti Amanda Pires , Rocha‐e‐Silva Thomaz A.A. da , Sutti Rafael , Verinaud Liana , Rapôso Catarina
Published: February 2020

Background: Glioblastoma (GB) cells have the ability to migrate and infiltrate the normal parenchyma, leading to the formation of recurrent tumors often adjacent to the surgical extraction site. We recently showed that Phoneutria nigriventer spider venom (PnV) has anticancer effects mainly on the migration of human GB cell lines (NG97 and U-251). The present work aimed to investigate the effects of isolated components from the venom on migration, invasiveness, morphology and adhesion of GB cells. The involvement of RhoA-ROCK signaling and Na+/K+-ATPase β2 (AMOG) was also evaluated.Methods: Human (NG97) GB cells were treated with twelve subfractions (SFs - obtained by HPLC from PnV). Migration and invasion were accessed by scratch wound heling and transwell assays, respectively. Cell morphology and actin cytoskeleton were shown by GFAP and phalloidin labeling. The assay with fibronectin coated well plate was made to evaluate cell adhesion. Western blotting demonstrated ROCK and AMOG levels and a ROCK inhibitor was used to verify the involvement of this pathway.Results: Two (SF1 and SF11) of twelve SFs decreased migration and invasion compared to untreated control cells. Both SFs also altered actin cytoskeleton, changed cell morphology and reduced adhesion. SF1 and SF11 increased ROCK expression and the inhibition of this protein abolished the effects of both subfractions on migration, morphology and adhesion (but not on invasion). SF11 also increased Na+/K+-ATPase β2.Conclusion: All components of the venom were evaluated and two SFs were able to impair human glioblastoma cells. The RhoA effector, ROCK, was shown to be involved in the mechanisms of both PnV components. It is possible that AMOG mediates the effect of SF11 on the invasion. Further investigations to isolate and biochemically characterize the molecules are underway.
Hydrocortisone with Fludrocortisone for Adult Patients with Septic Shock: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: YAMAMOTO RYO , Nahara Isao , Toyosaki Mitsunobu , Fukuda Tatsuma , Masuda Yoshiki , Fujishima Seitaro
Published: February 2020

Background : The efficacy of corticosteroids for patients with septic shock remains controversial. Therefore, evaluating a specific corticosteroid treatment could solve the conflicting results of past studies. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to elucidate the beneficial effects of a dual corticosteroid treatment regime involving administration of both hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone for adult patients with septic shock on mortality.Methods : We searched the Medline, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ICHUSHI databases from inception to April 2019. We included peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials that compared the use of both hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone with either corticosteroid-free or hydrocortisone-only treatments on adult patients with septic shock. Three researchers independently reviewed the studies for design, eligibility criteria of patients, dose of each corticosteroid, and duration of corticosteroid therapy following PRISMA guidelines. The random-effects models and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation were applied to rate the quality of the evidence. Primary outcome was 28-day mortality, and secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, long-term mortality, shock reversal, and adverse events. Results : Among the four studies eligible for data synthesis, we included 2050 patients from three studies for quantitative synthesis. All studies used similar regimens (50 mg intravenous bolus of hydrocortisone every 6 h and 50 μg tablets of fludrocortisone once daily for 7 days without tapering). The 28-day mortality rate was reduced after dual corticosteroid treatment [risk ratio, 0.88; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.78–0.99]. The heterogeneity between the studies was low (I² = 0%). Furthermore, the certainty in the effect estimates was high. Patients that underwent dual corticosteroid treatment had lower long-term mortality rates (RR, 0.90, 95% CI, 0.83–0.98) and higher rate of shock reversal after 28 days (odds ratio, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01–1.12) than control patients. Adverse events (except for hyperglycemia) were similar among the treatment groups.Conclusions : The available evidence suggests that a combination of fludrocortisone and hydrocortisone is more effective than adjunctive therapy and may be recommended for patients with septic shock.
Polygenic risk score for early prediction of sepsis risk in the polytrauma screening cohort
Authors: Lu Hongxiang , Wen Dalin , Sun Jianhui , Du Juan , Qiao Liang , Zhang Huacai , Zeng Ling , Zhang Lianyang , Jiang Jianxin , Zhang Anqiang
Published: February 2020

Background: Increasing genetic variants associated with sepsis have been identified by candidate-gene and genome-wide association studies, but single variant conferred minimal alterations in risk prediction. Our aimed to evaluate whether a weighted genetic risk score (wGRS) that aggregate information from multiple variants could improve risk discrimination of traumatic sepsis . Methods: 64 genetic variants potential relating to sepsis were genotyped in Chinese trauma cohort. Genetic variants with mean decrease accuracy (MDA)>1.0 by random forest algorithms were selected to construct the multilocus wGRS. Area under curve (AUC) and Net reclassification improvement (NRI) were used to evaluate the discriminatory and reclassification ability of wGRS. Results: Seventeen variants were extracted to construct the wGRS in 883 trauma patients. The wGRS was significantly associated with traumatic sepsis (OR=2.19, 95%CI=1.53-3.15, P=2.01×10 -5 ) after adjusted by age, sex, and ISS. Patients with higher wGRS have an increasing incidence of traumatic sepsis (P trend =6.81×10 -8 ), higher SOFA (P trend =5.00×10 -3 ) and APACHEII score (P trend =1.00×10 -3 ). The AUC of risk prediction model incorporating wGRS into the clinical variables was 0.768 (95%CI=0.739-0.796), with an increase of 3.40% (P=8.00×10 -4 ) versus clinical factors-only model. Furthermore, the NRI increased 25.18% (95%CI=17.84-32.51%) (P=6.00×10 -5 ). Conclusions: Our finding indicated that genetic predictors could improve the predictive ability of risk model for sepsis and highlighted the application among trauma populations, indicating that the sepsis risk assessment model will be a promising tool for high risk population screening and prediction.
Duration of antibiotic therapy in critically ill patients: a randomized controlled trial of a C-reactive protein-based protocol versus an evidence-based best practice strategy without biomarkers
Authors: Borges Isabela Nascimento , Carneiro Rafael , Bergo Rafael , Martins Larissa , Colosimo Enrico , Oliveira Carolina , Saturnino Saulo , Andrade Marcus Vinícius , Ravetti Cecília , Nobre Vandack
Published: February 2020

Background: The rational use of antibiotics is one of the main strategies to limit the development of bacterial resistance . We therefore sought to evaluate the effectiveness of a C reactive protein-based protocol in reducing antibiotic treatment time in critically ill patients.Methods: A randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial conducted in two intensive care units of a university hospital in Brazil. Critically ill infected adult patients were randomly allocated to: i) intervention to receive antibiotics guided by daily monitoring of CRP levels, and ii) control to receive antibiotics according to the best practices for rational use of antibiotics.Results : 130 patients were included in the CRP (n=64) and control (n=66) groups. In the intention to treat analysis, the median duration of antibiotic therapy for the index infectious episode was 7.0 (5.0-8.8) days in the CRP and 7.0 (7.0-11.3) days in the control (p = 0.011) groups. A significant difference in the treatment time between the two groups was identified in the curve of cumulative suspension of antibiotics, with less exposure in the CRP group (p = 0.007). In the per protocol analysis, involving 59 patients in each group, the median duration of antibiotic treatment was 6.0 (5.0-8.0) days for the CRP and 7.0 (7.0- 10.0) days for the control (p = 0.011) groups. Conclusions: Daily monitoring of CRP levels may aid in the reduction of antibiotic treatment time of critically ill patients, even in a scenario of judicious use of antimicrobials. Trial Registry : ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02987790. Registered 09 December 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02987790 .
Cox-maze III Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation during Valve Surgery: A Single Institution Experience
Authors: Wang Changtian , Zhang Lei , Qin Tao , Xi Zhi-long , Sun Lei , Wu Hai-wei , Li De-min
Published: February 2020

Objectives Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia in patients with heart valve disease. Our aim was to summarize our experience and evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Cox maze III procedure combined with valve surgery in patients with AF. Methods A retrospective, observational analysis was performed for all consecutive patients underwent maze III procedure combined with valve surgery between October 2015 and June 2019. Results 66 patients (37 female, 56.1%) with persistent or long-lasting persistent AF associated with valve disease were identified. The mean age was 54.2±8.4 years (range, 30 to 73 years). Overall hospital mortality was 3.0%. The duration of cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross clamping was 175.4±32.9 and 115.6±22.8 minutes respectively. The first 24hours drainage was 488.6±293.3ml. The postoperative hospital stay was 14.8±8.3 days. The postoperative incidence of permanent pacemaker implantation, reoperation for bleeding, renal failure required hemodialysis, and stroke was 4.5%, 1.5%, 4.5% and 0 respectively. The frequency of sinus rhythm was 91.7%, 93.1%, 94.5%, 92.9% and 91.4% at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months respectively. Conclusions The Cox-Maze III procedure is safe in the surgical treatment of AF associated with valve disease, and efficacious for sinus rhythm maintenance, with low morbidity and mortality.
Variability in blood lipid affects the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in patients who have undergone elective percutaneous coronary intervention: A retrospective study
Authors: Zhao Liding , Xu Tian , Li Ya , Luan Yi , Lv Qingbo , Fu Guosheng , Zhang Wenbin
Published: February 2020

Background Atherosclerosis is associated with chronic inflammation and lipid metabolism. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as an indicator of inflammation has been confirmed to be associated with cardiovascular disease prognosis. However, few studies have explored the effects of blood lipid variability on NLR. We aimed to explore the relationship between variability in blood lipid levels and NLR. Methods The association between variability in blood lipids and NLR was assessed with both univariate and multivariate linear regression. Multivariate linear regression was also performed for a subgroup analysis. Results The variability of HDL-C ([ꞵ] 4.008, SE 0.503, p-value<0.001) and LDL-C ([ꞵ] 0.626, SE 0.164, p-value<0.001) were risk factors for the NLR value, although baseline LDL-C and HDL-C were not risk factors for NLR values. Variability of HDL-C ([ꞵ] 4.328, SE 0.578, p-value<0.001) and LDL-C ([ꞵ] 0.660, SE 0.183, p-value<0.001) were risk factors for NLR variability. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the relationship between variability of LDL-C and NLR was consistent with the trend of the total sample for those with or without diabetes mellitus, controlled blood lipid, statins, atorvastatin or rosuvastatin. The relationship between the variability of HDL-C and NLR was consistent with the trend of the total sample in all subgroups. Conclusion The variability of HDL-C and LDL-C are risk factors for the value and variability of NLR, while the relationship between variability of HDL-C and NLR is more stable than the variability of LDL-C in the subgroup analysis.
A novel research method for workshops and co-production of knowledge: using a secret Facebook group
Authors: Buelo Audrey , Kirk Alison , Jepson Ruth
Published: February 2020

Background: Co-production is reliant on good communication and consensus between participants but attending in-person meetings and workshops is hard for time-constrained groups such as new mums, who may be geographically dispersed without reliable transport. Discussions with a lay advisory group resulted in the decision to hold a workshop over a secret Facebook group. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility a secret Facebook group for co-production activities. In the example presented here, the population was women with previous gestational diabetes; the topic was physical inactivity; and the purpose was to develop an acceptable intervention to increase physical activity.Methods: The researchers created a secret Facebook group with content similar to an in-person workshop that sequentially progressed to develop a programme theory for an intervention. The researcher posted 1-2 times per day for 14 days and members of the group were invited to comment and discuss the content. Feasibility and acceptability of the group analysed using Facebook analytics and a post-workshop survey.Results: Twenty-one participants took part. In total, 521 comments were provided in response to 18 posts of varying types (average = 28.9 comments per post). The total word count of participant comments was 21,142 words. The workshop was viewed positively, with 20 of 21 participants saying they liked the workshop ‘somewhat’ or ‘a great deal’, and felt the group was a safe and open environment to share opinions. When asked if they would take part in something like this again, 15 of 21 said “Yes”. Participants mentioned the format was convenient; it allowed them to reflect on their own experiences and they liked helping research progress. Those who say “yes” said it was difficult finding time and depended on what else was going on.Conclusion: Using a secret Facebook group as a method of co-production or as a workshop in the research process is a feasible and acceptable method. Social media holds significant potential for co-production and involvement in research for populations who are geographically dispersed or time-constrained; with an uncommon condition; or in other circumstances where in-person meetings are either not appropriate or not possible.
Translational Outcomes Relevant to Neurodevelopmental Disorders Following Early Life Exposure of Rats to Chlorpyrifos
Authors: Berg Elizabeth L , Ching Tianna M , Bruun Donald A , Rivera Josef K , Careaga Milo , Ellegood Jacob , Lerch Jason P , Wohr Markus , Lein Pamela J , Silverman Jill
Published: February 2020

Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including intellectual disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are pervasive, lifelong disorders for which pharmacological interventions are not readily available. Substantial increases in the prevalence of NDDs over a relatively short period cannot be attributed solely to genetic factors and/or improved diagnostic criteria. There is now a consensus that multiple genetic loci combined with exposure(s) to environmental risk factors during critical periods of neurodevelopment influence NDD susceptibility and symptom severity. Organophosphorus (OP) pesticides have been identified as potential environmental risk factors. Epidemiological studies suggest children exposed prenatally to the OP pesticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) have significant mental and motor delays and strong positive associations for the development of a clinical diagnosis of developmental delay, ADHD, or ASD. Methods: The hypothesis that developmental CPF exposure impairs behavior relevant to NDD phenotypes, i.e., deficits in social communication and repetitive, restricted behavior, is now currently being explored by us and others. To add knowledge in this research area, we exposed male and female rat pups to CPF at 0.1, 1.0, or 3.0 mg/kg (s.c.) from postnatal days 1-4. Results: These CPF doses did not significantly inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity in the blood or brain but significantly impaired pup ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) in both sexes. Social communication in juveniles via positive affiliative 50-kHz USV playback was absent in females exposed to CPF at 0.3 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg. Ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging revealed many neuroanatomical phenotypes in male and female juvenile rats; however, only the females exposed to the 0.3 mg/kg dose passed our strict correction for multiple comparisons. In contrast, this CPF exposure paradigm had no significant effect on gross locomotor abilities or contextual and cued fear memory. Conclusions: This work characterizes a rat model of developmental CPF exposure that exhibits adverse behavioral and widespread anatomical phenotypes resulting from perinatal exposures at levels that did not significantly inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity in brain or blood. These data suggest that current regulations regarding safe levels of CPF need to be reconsidered. Keywords: Animal models, behavior, autism, neurodevelopment, toxicology, pesticides, chlorpyrifos, imaging, social, rat
Nutrition status and functional prognosis among elderly patients with distal radius fracture: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Nagai Takako , Tanimoto Koji , Tomizuka Yoshiaki , Uei Hiroshi , Nagaoka Masahiro
Published: February 2020

Background : Distal radius fractures (DRF) are common in the elderly and are typical of hand fractures during falls. Malnutrition has also been identified as a poor prognostic factor in elderly patients with fractures. However, the relationship between nutritional status and subsequent falls and functional prognosis for DRF in the elderly is not clear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between nutritional status and functional prognosis in elderly patients with DRF. Methods : Study participants included 229 outpatients who required surgical treatment for DRF. The patients’ clinical information, including age, sex, body mass index, bone mineral density, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), total number of drugs being treated with on admission, use of drugs for osteoporosis, comorbidity severity, the Barthel Index (BI), presence of subsequent falls, fracture type, postoperative follow-up period, and Mayo wrist score was reviewed. Subjects were further divided into two groups according to their GNRI: the malnutrition group and the normal group. Propensity score matching was used to confirm factors affecting the BI and subsequent falls. Results: Thirty-one patients (13.5%) presented with malnutrition before surgery for DRF. According to multiple liner regression analysis, the GNRI positively affected the efficiency of the BI (β = 0.392, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.001 to 0.351, p = 0.039). Furthermore, on logistic regression analysis, subsequent falls were associated with serum albumin levels (odds ratio = 0.033, 95% CI, 0.002 to 0.477, p = 0.012). Conclusion : Malnutrition impaired improvement of activities of daily living (ADL) and increased the incidence of subsequent falls. Improvement of nutritional status before DRF surgery may further improve ADL and prevent falls.
Operative Treatment of Isolated Split Greater Tuberosity Fracture (mutch type II) of Proximal Humerus with Modified PHILOS
Authors: Liu Gang , Zhang Baolu , Guo Xiaoguang , Zeng Shengqiang , Deng Kai , Wang Guoyou , Fu Shijie
Published: February 2020

Background: The greater tuberosity (GT) of the proximal humerus is the attachment point of the rotator cuff, which plays a role in the movement of the shoulder joint and is the core of the entire shoulder joint. Material and Methods: In our current study, 40 patients with isolated split GT fracture (mutch type II) from july 2017 to January 2019, which was typed by J.Mutch professor, Canada in 2014, were employed in the study. They were divided into two groups: the Modified PHILOS plate group (group A, n=20) and the Hollow Screw group (group B, n=20). The functional scores Constant‑Murley Score (CMS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), The University of California at Los Angeles shoulder rating scale (UCLA) and Visual Analogue Score (VAS) were recorded in both pre-op and post-op last follow. Results: Compared with last-follow, all shoulder scores (CMS, ASES, and UCLA) of group A was significantly better than group B (P<0.05), but VAS (P>0.05). Moreover, in post-op complications, there were one GT malunion and one shoulder pain in group A, but in group B, there were seven GT disappear (35%), three GT malunion and two patients with repeated shoulder pain. Conclusion: The Modified PHILOS plate in treating isolated split GT fracture (mutch type II) was found to be effective than hollow screw in the short term follow. However, there are still some post-op complications in both groups. Keywords : Isolated Split GT Fracture; Modified PHILOS Plate; Hollow Screw
Error analysis of a robot positioning system based on biplanar navigation technology
Authors: Du Hailong , Hu Ning , Yu Guoxin , Liu Hongsheng , Zhang Shuwei , Zhang Gongzi , Zhang Jian , Tan Jindong , Tang Peifu , Zhang Lihai
Published: February 2020

Background: Some problems have been found in the clinical application of biplanar navigation technology. In particular, conical distortions caused by the X-ray image intensifier and deleterious effects on the navigation image caused by respiratory motion are occasionally ignored by surgeons. This paper discusses possible errors in the practical application of biplanar navigation technology and performs an analysis of the experimental correction for the conical distortion caused by X-rays.Methods: Five patients with unstable fractures of the pelvic posterior ring were included in this study. In four of these cases, the patient received a sacroiliac screw placement using biplanar navigation technology, while one received a respiratory motion test. The standard pelvic inlet and outlet positions were used for positioning precision verification. Using the images and manual tests, the point positioning error was measured and analyzed, and the image distortion was corrected by means of a geometric transformation mapping. A circle was fitted to the corrected lines, and the radius of this circle was used to evaluate the correction. Results: The preoperative planning agreed with the sacroiliac screw placement performed using biplanar navigation technology (representing precise positioning) in only one of the four cases. The other three cases presented deviations. Because of the possibility to cut out the nailing channel, the positioning operation was converted to a manual method. The breathing motion test showed that the pelvis can vibrate back and forth with breathing movement, especially the sacral promontory, with a maximum amplitude above 5 mm. The positioning error of the points in space with the biplanar technology was within 2 mm (entrance point, 1.60±0.28 mm; exit point, 1.28±0.43 mm). The corrected image curvature was significantly reduced, and the error can be greatly reduced. Conclusions: Conical distortion error and respiratory motion can affect the accuracy of biplanar navigation systems.
Expression profiles of glutathione S-transferases genes in semi-engorged Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) exposed to Cymbopogon citratus essential oil
Authors: Agwunobi Desmond Onyeka , Pei Tingwei , Wang Xiaoshuang , Yu Zhijun , Liu Jing-Ze
Published: February 2020

Background: The tick Haemaphysalis longicornis is well known as vector of several zoonotic pathogens responsible for various clinical conditions, increasingly threatens the veterinary and public health. It is mainly distributed in East Asia, New Zealand, Australia, and several Pacific islands, and has been expanded rapidly in United States since its first founding on a nonimported domestic sheep in New Jersey. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are phase II detoxification enzymes, which function via combining with pesticidal molecules and catalyzing the conjugation of molecules by thiol of glutathione, so as to protect tissues from oxidative stress damage. In the tick H. longicornis, glutathione S-transferases (HlGST and HlGST2) have been previously identified. However, the relationship between the expression of glutathione S-transferases and the essential oil treatment in ticks remains unexplored. Hence, in the present study, the expression profiles of HlGST and HlGST2 mRNAs were evaluated in H. longicornis after exposure to Cymbopogon citratus essential oil. Results: At 24 h post-exposure of H. longicornis to different sublethal concentrations of C. citratus essential oil, ANOVA results revealed significant difference (F2,6 = 55.94, P = 0.0001) in the expression of HlGST. Tukey’s test showed that HlGST was significantly induced after treatment with 1% C. citratus essential oil (P = 0.0002); whereas no significant difference (P = 0.3551) was detected after treated by 2% C. citratus essential oil. No significant difference (F2,6 = 0.8990, P = 0.4555) in the expression of HlGST2 between the treatment and the control group of 50% ethanol. Nevertheless, the under-expression of HlGST2 in the treatment groups versus the untreated control group was not significant (F3,8 = 2.643, P = 0.1208). Conclusion: The results implied that GST mRNA is a potential molecular target for C. citratus essential oil in H. longicornis. Further understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the GST at the molecular level could contribute to develop effective control measures for ticks and tick-borne diseases.
Controlling Human And Animal African Trypanosomiasis Using Insecticide Treated Cattle: What Are The Costs And Benefits?
Authors: Okelo Walter O. , MacLeod Ewan T. , Muhanguzi Dennis , Shaw Alexandra , Welburn Susan C.
Published: February 2020

Background The tsetse-transmitted African trypanosomiases affect humans and animals. Trypanosoma. brucei rhodesiense sleeping sickness, or human African trypanosomiasis is a zoonosis, for which cattle are the main reservoir of infection in south-eastern Uganda. Transmission of human and animal infective trypanosomes can be reduced by the application of deltamethrin insecticide to the belly and legs of cattle, thus reducing tsetse fly populations. Alongside an epidemiological study in southeastern Uganda, a farm level assessment was done to calculate the average and incremental benefit-cost ratios of spraying different proportions of the village cattle population using this restricted application protocol.Method A study comprising 2,400 semi-structured interviews was undertaken over a period of 18 months. Financial data on household income and expenditure on cattle provided the basis for the marginal analyses. The benefit of RAP to farmers was assessed using gross margin analysis whereas the costs were obtained from expenses incurred by farmers in participating in the RAP intervention. Subsequently, the RAP intervention villages were compared with a control village to determine the average and incremental benefit-cost ratio across all households.Results The benefit-cost analysis of spraying 25%, 50% and 75% of the cattle population yielded benefit-cost ratios of 6.22, 5.56 and 4.46. The incremental benefit-cost ratios from spraying each additional 25% of the population cattle were 14.32, 3.97 and 0.79 respectively, showing a very high return on investment in spraying 25% of the population, with returns reducing thereafter.Conclusion Comparing the gross margins per bovine of applying RAP to different proportions of the cattle population to a pre-intervention situation and a control, the study found that increasing the proportion of cattle sprayed yielded increasing benefits to farmers, but that these benefits were subject to diminishing returns. Given the high proportion of draft males in the cattle population (37%) their important contribution to livestock output and farmers’ preference for treating these animals, from a practical viewpoint this study recommends spraying only draft cattle to control trypanosomiasis in this area, although in areas or households with a lower proportion of draft males, farmers could be advised to also include cows.
Development of a clinical prediction rule for sepsis in primary care: protocol of the TeSD-IT study
Authors: Loots Feike J. , Hopstaken Rogier , Jenniskens Kevin , Frederix Geert W.J. , de Pol Alma C. van , Bruel Ann Van den , Oosterheert Jan Jelrik , Zanten Arthur R.H. van , Smits Marleen , Verheij Theo J.M.
Published: February 2020

Background Early recognition and treatment of sepsis is crucial to prevent detrimental outcomes. General practitioners (GPs) are often the first healthcare providers to encounter seriously-ill patients. The aim of this study is to assess the value of clinical information and additional tests to develop a clinical prediction rule (CPR) to support early diagnosis and management of sepsis by GPs.Methods We will perform a diagnostic study in the setting of out-of-hours home visits in four GP cooperatives in the Netherlands. Acutely ill adult patients suspected of a serious infection are screened for eligibility by the GP. The following candidate predictors are prospectively recorded: 1) age; 2) body temperature; 3) systolic blood pressure; 4) heart rate; 5) respiratory rate; 6) peripheral oxygen saturation; 7) altered mental status; 8) rigors and 9) rapid illness progression. After the clinical assessment of the GP, blood samples are collected in all patients to measure C-reactive protein, lactate and procalcitonin. All patients receive care as usual. The primary outcome is presence or absence of sepsis within 72 hours of inclusion, according to an expert panel. The need for hospital treatment for any indication will be assessed by the expert panel as a secondary outcome. Multivariable logistic regression is used to design an optimal prediction model first, and subsequently derive a simplified CPR that enhances feasibility of using the model in daily clinical practice. Bootstrapping will be performed for internal validation of both the optimal model and simplified CPR. Performance of both models will be compared to existing CPRs for sepsis.Discussion This study will enable us to develop a CPR for the recognition of sepsis in a high-risk primary care setting to aid in the decision which patients have to be immediately referred to a hospital and who can be safely treated at home. As clinical signs and blood samples will be retrieved prospectively in all participants, near complete data will be available for analyses. External validation is needed before the CPR is implemented in routine care and to determine in which pre-hospital settings care can be improved using the CPR.Trial registration The study is registered in the Netherlands Trial Registry (registration number NTR7026).
Efficient reaction deletion algorithms for redesign of constraint-based metabolic networks for metabolite production with weak coupling
Authors: Tamura Takeyuki
Published: February 2020

Background: Metabolic network analysis through flux balance is an established method for the computational redesign of production strains in metabolic engineering. The computational redesign is often based on reaction deletions from the original wild type networks. A key principle often used in this method is the production of target metabolites as by-products of cell growth. From a viewpoint of bioinformatics, it is very important to prepare a set of algorithms that can determine reaction deletions that achieve growth coupling whatever network topologies, target metabolites and parameter values will be considered in the future. Recently, the strong coupling-based method was used to demonstrate that the coupling of growth and production is possible for nearly all metabolites through reaction deletions in genome-scale metabolic models of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae under aerobic conditions. However, when growing S. cerevisiae under anaerobic conditions, deletion strategies using the strong coupling-based method were possible for only 3.9% of all metabolites. Therefore, it is necessary to develop algorithms that can achieve growth coupling by reaction deletions for the conditions that the strong coupling-based method was not efficient.
Results: We developed an algorithm that could calculate the reaction deletions that achieve the coupling of growth and production for 91.3% metabolites in genome-scale models of S. cerevisiae under anaerobic conditions. This analysis was conducted for the worst-case scenario using flux variability analysis. To demonstrate the feasibility of the coupling, we derived appropriate reaction deletions using the new algorithm for target production in which the search space was divided into small cubes (CubeProd).
Conclusions: We developed a novel algorithm, CubeProd, to demonstrate that growth coupling is possible for most metabolites in S.cerevisiae under anaerobic conditions. This may imply that growth coupling is possible by reaction deletions for most target metabolites in any genome-scale constraint-based metabolic networks. The developed software, CubeProd, implemented in MATLAB, and the obtained reaction deletion strategies are freely available.
The association of water supply, sanitation and hygiene interventions and childhood malnutrition in Kersa and Omo Nada districts of Jimma Zone, Ethiopia: A case-control study
Authors: Soboksa Negasa Eshete , Gari Sirak Robele , Hailu Abebe Beyene , Alemu Bezatu Mengistie
Published: February 2020

Background: Malnutrition is the widely known nutritional disorder and one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children in developing countries like Ethiopia. About 50% of under-nutrition around the world is associated with infections caused by unsafe water, inadequate sanitation or insufficient hygiene. However, there are limited available data which associate water supply, sanitation and hygiene practices and childhood malnutrition in Ethiopia particularly in the study area. Therefore, the objective of this study was designed to examine the association of water supply, sanitation and hygiene interventions and childhood malnutrition.Methods: Case-control study design was conducted from December 2018 to January 2019 Kersa and Omo Nada districts of Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Randomly 126 cases and 252 controls were selected from the malnourished children and normal children, respectively. A pretested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify the study variables associated with childhood malnutrition and to adjust for confounders. The crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval was calculated to assess the level of significance and reported for each confounding variable.Results: The results of this study showed that children living with mothers/caregivers lack of formal education were found to have 57% times less likely developed malnourished, compared to those living with mother/caregiver who attended secondary and above (AOR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.26-1.24). The odds of having malnutrition were increased among children who were breastfed after one hour of birth (AOR=2.60; 95% CI: 1.02-6.65) and children who had diarrhea (AOR=9.50; 95% CI: 5.19-17.36).Collecting water from a distance of less than/equal to one kilometer (AOR=2.52; 95% CI: 0.56-11.39), defecating in open pit(AOR=1.33; 95% CI: 0.62-2.83),under-five children open field defecation practices (AOR=1.17; 95% CI: 0.42-3.23) and lack of hand washing at critical times (AOR=2.38; 95% CI: 1.07-5.29) were positively associated with childhood malnutrition. Conclusion: We conclude that improvement in the initiation of breastfeeding within one hour, diarrhea prevention, use of improved latrine and hand washing at critical times is needed to improve the nutritional status of children.