bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supplementation of a Lacto-fermented Rapeseed-seaweed Blend Promotes Gut Microbial- and Gut Immune-Modulation in Weaner Piglets
Authors: Hui Yan , Tamez-Hidalgo Paulina , Cieplak Tomasz , Satessa Gizaw Dabessa , Kot Witold , Søren Søren Kjærulff , Nielsen Mette Olaf , Nielsen Dennis Sandris , Krych Lukasz
Published: January 2021

BackgroundThe direct use of medical zinc oxide in feed will be abandoned after 2022 in Europe, leaving an urgent need for substitutes to prevent post-weaning disorders.ResultsThis study assessed whether rapeseed meal added two brown macroalgae species (Saccharina latissima and Ascophylum nodosum) and fermented using lactic acid bacteria (FRS) could improve weaner piglet performance and gut health. From day 28 of life to day 85, the weaned piglets were fed one of three different feeding regimens (n = 230 each) with inclusion of 0%, 2.5% and 5% FRS. The piglets fed with 2.5% FRS manifested superior phenotype with alleviated intraepithelial and stromal lymphocytes infiltration in the gut, enhanced colon mucosa barrier and numerical increase of final body weight. The colon microbiota composition was determined using the V3 and V1-V8 region 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing by Illumina Nextseq and Oxford Nanopore MinION, respectively. The two amplicon sequencing strategies showed high consistence between the detected bacteria. Both sequencing strategies indicated that inclusion of FRS reshaped the colon microbiome of weaner piglets with increased Shannon diversity. Prevotella stercorea was verified by both technologies to be more abundant in the FRS piglets, and its abundance was positively correlated with colon mucosa thickness but negatively correlated with blood concentrations of leucocytes and IgG.ConclusionsFRS supplementation improved the gut health of weaner piglets, and reshaped the gut microbiota composition. Increasing the dietary inclusion of FRS from 2.5% to 5% did not lead to further improvements.
Polypharmacology-based Approach for Screening of Traditional Chinese Medicinal extract and Multi-dimensional Targeting Verification
Authors: Wu Zhiyong , Xia Chunli , Wang Ze , Bao Jiaxin , Li Rui , Ishfaq Muhammad , Li Jichang
Published: January 2021

Background: Natural products and their unique polypharmacology offer significant advantages for finding novel therapeutics particularly for the treatment of complex diseases. Meanwhile, natural products in traditional Chinese medicine possess drug-like properties. In this study, we used the previously established co-infection model of Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Escherichia coli as a representative of complex diseases. The multi-omics joint analysis was used to reverse screen TCMs from the Chinese medicinal database and then targeted verification was conducted from multiple dimensions. Results: The results showed that the Chinese herbal compound screened by the target network played a good therapeutic effect in the case of co-infection. Furthermore, the four methods were performed at gene, protein, and metabolite levels, as well as molecular docking in vitro respectively, which were used to verify the multi-target therapeutic effect. Conclusions: These data suggest that we may provide a new method to validate target combinations of natural products that can be used to optimize their multiple structure-activity relationships to obtain drug-like natural product derivatives. Furthermore, the study could establish a new methodology for the research of Chinese herbal medicinal extract and provide a new multi-target treatment method for the occurrence of co-infection.
Health Anxiety, Perceived Stress, and Coping Styles in the Shadow of the COVID-19
Authors: Garbóczy Szabolcs , Szemán-Nagy Anita , Ahmad Mohamed S. , Harsányi Szilvia , Ocsenás Dorottya , Rekenyi Viktor , Al-Tammemi Ala'a B. , Kolozsvári László Robert
Published: January 2021

Background In the case of people who carry an increased number of anxiety traits due to their maladaptive coping strategies, psychosocial stressors may further increase the level of perceived stress they experience. In our research study, we aimed to examine perceived stress and health anxiety levels as well as coping styles among students at one of the higher education institutions in Hungary, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online-based survey at the University of Debrecen, during the official lockdown in Hungary when dormitories were closed, and teaching was conducted using online platforms. Our questionnaire solicited information using three international scales, namely, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ), and the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI).Results A total of 1320 students have participated in our study, of whom 6 responses were excluded due to incompleteness. Among the remaining 1314 participants, 948 (72.1%) and 366 (27.9%) were Hungarian and international students, respectively. Female students predominated the overall sample with 939 participants (71.5%). In general, there was a statistically significant positive relationship between perceived stress and health anxiety. Health anxiety and perceived stress levels were significantly higher among international students compared to the Hungarian ones. Also, the elevation in perceived stress was significantly greater among students who mostly used emotion-focused coping strategies, both in the Hungarian and in the international student samples. Besides, a higher proportion of international students used emotion-focused coping methods compared to Hungarian students. Concerning health anxiety, female students (Hungarian and international) had significantly higher levels of health anxiety compared to males. Moreover, female students had significantly higher levels of perceived stress compared to males in the international group, however, there was no significant difference in perceived stress between males and females in the Hungarian group. Conclusion People’s elevated perceived stress levels during major life events can be further deepened by disengagement from home by using inadequate coping methods. By following and adhering to international recommendations that primarily convey problem-focused strategies, people’s emotional-focus strategies and the associated higher levels of perceived stress may be mitigated.
PEAK Predicts Gene Regulatory Network Linkages during Sea Urchin Development with High Sensitivity from Gene Expression Data Alone
Authors: Zhang Jingyi , Ibrahim Farhan , Altarawy Doaa , Heath Lenwood S , Tulin Sarah
Published: January 2021

BackgroundGene regulatory network (GRN) inference can now take advantage of powerful machine learning algorithms to predict the entire landscape of gene-to-gene interactions with the potential to complement traditional experimental methods in building gene networks. However, the dynamical nature of embryonic development -- representing the time-dependent interactions between thousands of transcription factors, signaling molecules, and effector genes -- is one of the most challenging arenas for GRN prediction. ResultsIn this work, we show that successful GRN predictions for developmental systems from gene expression data alone can be obtained with the Priors Enriched Absent Knowledge (PEAK) network inference algorithm. PEAK is a noise-robust method that models gene expression dynamics via ordinary differential equations and selects the best network based on information-theoretic criteria coupled with the machine learning algorithm Elastic net. We test our GRN prediction methodology using two gene expression data sets for the purple sea urchin (S. purpuratus) and cross-check our results against existing GRN models that have been constructed and validated by over 30 years of experimental results. Our results found a remarkably high degree of sensitivity in identifying known gene interactions in the network (maximum 76.32%). We also generated 838 novel predictions for interactions that have not yet been described, which provide a resource for researchers to use to further complete the sea urchin GRN. ConclusionsGRN predictions that match known gene interactions can be produced using gene expression data alone from developmental time series experiments.
Coupling the structure evolution and the oxygen redox electrochemistry in layered transition metal oxides
Authors: Eum Donggun , Kim Byunghoon , Song Jun-Hyuk , Park Hyeokjun , Kim Sung Joo , Cho Sung-Pyo , Jang Ho-Young , Lee Myeong Hwan , Heo Jae Hoon , Ko Youngmin , Park Sung Kwan , Oh Kyungbae , Kim Do-Hoon , Kang Kisuk
Published: January 2021

Lattice oxygen redox activity offers an unexplored way to access the latent superior electrochemical property of transition metal oxides for rechargeable batteries. However, the redox reaction of the lattice oxygen is often accompanied by unfavorable structural transformations and the corresponding degradation of electrochemical performances, precluding its practical application. Herein, we explore the close interplay between the local structural change during the dynamic intercalation process and the solid-state oxygen electrochemistry in the short- or long-term battery operation for layered transition metal oxides. By employing two model systems of the layered Na0.6(Li0.2TixMn0.8−x)O2 with the oxygen redox capability, it is demonstrated that the substantially distinct evolutions in the oxygen redox activity and reversibility are caused by different cation migration mechanisms available in the system during the de/intercalation (i.e. out-of-plane and in-plane migrations of transition metals (TMs)). We show that the π stabilization upon the oxygen oxidation initially aids in the reversibility of the oxygen redox and is predominant in the absence of TM migrations, however, the π-interacting oxygens are gradually replaced by the σ-interacting oxygens that trigger the formation of O–O dimers and the structural destabilization over cycles. More importantly, it is revealed that the distinct TM migration paths available in the respective layered materials govern the conversion from π to σ interactions and its kinetics. It infers that regulating the dynamics of TMs in the layered materials can play a key role in delaying or inhibiting the deterioration of the oxygen redox reversibility. These findings constitute a step forward in unraveling the correlation between the local structural evolution and the reversibility of solid-state oxygen electrochemistry, and provide a guidance for developing oxygen-redox layered electrode materials.
What Motivates Smoking Cessation? A Cross-Sectional Study in a Lower-Middle-Income Country
Authors: Martins Russell , Junaid Muhammad Umer , Khan Muhammad Sharjeel , Aziz Namrah , Fazal Zoha Zahid , Umoodi Mariam , Shah Fatima , Khan Javaid
Published: January 2021

IntroductionOnly one-quarter of smokers in Pakistan attempt to quit smoking, and less than 3% are successful. In the absence of any literature from the country, this study aimed to explore factors motivating and strategies employed in successful smoking cessation attempts in Pakistan, a lower-middle-income country.MethodsA survey was carried out in Karachi, Pakistan, amongst adult (≥ 18 years) former smokers (individuals who had smoked ≥ 100 cigarettes in their lifetime but who had successfully quit smoking for > 1 month at the time of survey). Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for age, gender and monthly family income, was performed with number of quit attempts (single vs. multiple) as the dependent variable.ResultsOut of 330 former smokers, 50.3% quit successfully on their first attempt (50.3%) with 62.1% quitting “cold turkey”. Only 10.9% used a cessation aid (most commonly nicotine replacement therapy; 8.2%). Motivations for quitting included self-health (74.5%), promptings by one’s family (43%), and family’s health (14.8%). Other social pressures included peer-pressure to quit smoking (31.2%) and social avoidance by non-smokers (22.7%). Successful smoking cessation on one’s first attempt was associated with being married (OR: 3.239 [95% CI:1.593-6.585]), employing an abrupt cessation mode of quitting (4.144 [2.512-6.836]), and telling oneself that one has the willpower to quit (1.635 [1.027-2.604]).ConclusionIn Pakistan, smoking cessation is motivated by concern for self-health and family’s health, family’s support, and social pressures. Our results lay a comprehensive foundation for the development of smoking-cessation interventions tailored to the population of the country.
A Novel Nomogram Based on Lipid Metabolism-Related Risk Gene Expression Can Better Predict Overall Survival for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Lu Qiliang , hu linjun , zeng zhi , xiao zunqiang , wang yuyang , liu yang , zhao junjun , shi zhan , tu yifeng , zhu ning , xu qiuran , huang dongsheng
Published: January 2021

Metabolic reprogramming has been proven to be a hallmark of cancer. The pathogenic factors involved in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lead to an abnormal lipid metabolism that facilitates the malignant transformation of liver cells . However, the association between lipid metabolism and the prognosis of HCC has not been systematically delineated. In this study, the training set comprised 221 patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) based on the gene expression details, whereas 230 patients within the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) comprised the validation set. Ten lipid metabolism-related risk genes were screened; they were found to be significantly related to the prognosis of HCC. The risk score was calculated based on ten screened lipid metabolism-related risk genes and was confirmed to be an independent prognostic factor for HCC even when excluding clinical features. Therefore, a novel nomogram integrating the risk score and other proven clinical attributes was constructed. The results of the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC), C index, and calibration plot supported the better predictive capacity of the nomogram over others. Treatment with metformin significantly positively affected the expression of four out of ten genes; this was beneficial to longer overall survival. The results provide a new insight into accurate prognostic prediction, as well as understanding the carcinogenesis and process of HCC .
2009-2019: A comparative study on CMS of plateau migrants around ten years
Authors: Gao Zhiqi , Xie Shenwei , Gao Wenxiang , Yin Jun , Ni Bing , Gao Yuqi , He Wenjuan , Chen Dewei
Published: January 2021

BackgroundChronic mountain sickness (CMS), is a common disease occurred to people who migrate to plateau. Current CMS studies in different periods or areas have poor comparability due to the inconsistent diagnosis methods. Here we carried out a comparative study of the CMS prevalence in the year 2019 and 2009, to provide evidence for the prevention and diagnosis of CMS. Methods The Qinghai CMS Scoring System (Qinghai standard) was used to investigate the subjects who lived for at least months in the 3300-5400 m altitude area in 2019 and 2009, respectively. Their prevalence and symptom scores were also analyzed and statistically compared.ResultsThe prevalence of CMS in 2019 survey subjects (15.60%) was significantly lower than that in 2009 (31.18%). The prevalence of dyspnea, venous dilatation, paresthesia, headache, tinnitus, and hemoglobin concentration reached 21g/dL or above decreased significantly among the survey subjects in 2019. The scores of cyanosis, venous dilatation, paresthesia, and headache significantly decreased in the 2019 survey subjects. But among the CMS patients, the sleep disturbance scores of the 2019 survey subjects increased significantly. ConclusionCompared to 2009, the health level of high altitude living population in 2019 has been significantly improved, indicating that the sleep research on high-altitude living population and the application of high altitude oxygen therapy has been effective in the past ten years. Among the CMS associated symptoms, sleep disturbance is an important indicator for the prevention and diagnosis of CMS, which deserves special attention.
Application of Extended Finite Element Method in Fracture Propagation Simulation of Plastic Formation
Authors: Hu Yafei , Li Junshi , WU Zhiying , Hou Jianfeng
Published: January 2021

Current hydraulic fracture models are mainly based on elastic theories, which fail to give accurate prediction of fracture parameters in plasticity formation. This paper proposed a fluid–solid coupling model for fracture propagation in elastoplastic formations. The rock plastic deformation in the model satisfied the Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion and plastic strain increment theory. The coupled model is solved by using extended finite-element method(XFEM) and the cohesive zone method (CZM). The accuracy of the model is verified by comparing the calculated results with existing models. The influences of stress difference, friction angle and dilation angle on fracture shape (length, width), injection pressure, plastic deformation, induced stress and pore pressure are investigated. The results indicate that compared with elastic formation, fracture shape in elastoplastic formation is wider and shorter and fracture propagation is more difficult with greater breakdown pressure and extending pressure. Plastic deformation also cause blunt fracture tip. High stress difference or low friction angle formations tend to occur large plastic deformation area and form wide and short fracture. Compared with friction angle, dilation angle is less sensitive to plastic deformation and fracture parameters and geometry. For the formation with high stress difference and friction angle, plasticity effects on fracture propagation should not be ignored.
Predication of the Underlying Protective Effect of Saffron on Parkinson's Disease via Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking
Authors: Gong Junjie , Xu Zijin , Hao Shushu , Chen Boqian , Zhuang Shengcheng , Jiang guojun , Bathaie SZ , wang ping
Published: January 2021

BackgroundReports indicate that saffron originated from Iran then introduced into mainland China through the earlier established trans-Tibet trade routes in ancient China. Based to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, saffron functions by promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, cooling blood and detoxification, as well as relieving depression for tranquilization. Modern medical research has demonstrated several properties of saffron including antitumor, antidepressant, enhancement of immunity, cardioprotection. Notably, recent studies introduce that saffron has a neuroprotective effect, specifically in the treatment of Parkinson's disease in recent years. Nevertheless, the underlying molecular mechanism remains elusive so far. As such, this study aims to predict the underlying mechanism of saffron on Parkinson's disease through network pharmacology and molecular docking.MethodsA functional-based network pharmacology and molecular docking model was constructed for dissecting the underlying mechanism of saffron on Parkinson's disease. Based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology database (TCMSP) and the literature reviews, the putative targets of Saffron were collected. Further, the interaction networks of Drug- candidate compounds targets-Therapeutic targets-Disease were mined using the Cytoscape software. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were conducted and the String database was used to analyze the protein interaction network. Finally, Molecular docking was used to predict the interaction between the components in Saffron and key targets by MOE 2014.09 software.ResultsA total of 9 candidate compounds from saffron corresponding to 52 therapeutic targets of Parkinson's disease were identified. The neuroprotective effect of saffron in the treatment of PD was attributed to the strong binding between crocin (including crocin I and crocin II) as well as key targets including CASP3, IL6, and MAPK8. Additionally, the auxiliary neuroprotective effects might have originated from quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, crocetin, safranal, and picrocrocin because of their slightly weaker binding capacity to the key targets.ConclusionSaffron exhibits a synergistic effect via multiple targets and pathways in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and our systemic pharmacological analysis provides a basis for the clinical application and in-depth study of saffron.
Unilateral Frosted Branch Angiitis in An Immunocompromised Patient With Concurrent Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection
Authors: LIM TSU HONG , WAI Yong Zheng , CHONG Jia Cherng
Published: January 2021

Background Frosted branch angiitis is an uncommon ocular sign with multiple causes. With the advent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, more and more cases of ocular manifestation with COVID-19 has been reported. These poses great challenges to clinicians when handling COVID-19 patients with ocular signs and symptoms. The challenges are even greater when dealing with uncommon disease that co-exists with COVID-19 as both diseases are not well understood. Finding We report the first case of frosted branch angiitis in a patient with coexisting cytomegalovirus and COVID-19 infection. A 33- year-old gentleman with underlying acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who was newly started on highly active antiretroviral therapy, complained of gradual blurring of vision one month after he was diagnosed positive for COVID-19. Upon clinical examination, fundus findings demonstrated extensive perivascular sheathing of both artery and vein, suggestive of frosted branch angiitis of the right eye. Laboratory investigations revealed both nasal swab for COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction and serum cytomegalovirus antibody was positive. The patient was then admitted to COVID-19 ward and treated with intravenous ganciclovir. Conclusion The challenges remain when handling Covid-19 patients with FBA. However, clinicians need to be aware of the possible coexistence of COVID-19 in an immunocompromised patient with frosted branch angiitis.
COVID-19 Associated Coagulopathy Is a Reversible Phenomenon - 3-Month Follow Up Reveals Normalization of Coagulation Status Associated With Complete Venous Recanalization in Patients After Severe COVID-19
Authors: Magomedov Abakar , Zickler Daniel , Karaivanov Stoyan , Kurreck Annika , Münch Frédéric H , Kamhieh-Milz Julian , Kahl Andreas , Piper Sophie K , Eckardt Kai-Uwe , Dörner Thomas , Kruse Jan Matthias
Published: January 2021

Background: COVID 19 is associated with a hypercoagulable state and frequent thromboembolic complications. For how long this acquired abnormality lasts potentially requiring preventive measures, such as anticoagulation remains to be delineated.Methods: We used viscoelastic rotational thrombelastometry (ROTEM) in a single center cohort of 13 critical ill patients and performed follow up examinations three months after discharge from ICU.Results: We found clear signs of a hypercoagulable state due to severe hypofibrinolysis and a high rate of thromboembolic complications during the phase of acute illness. Three month follow up revealed a normalization of the initial coagulation abnormality together without evidence of venous thrombosis in all thirteen patients. Conclusion: In our cohort the coagulation profile was completely normalized three months after COVID-19. It thus appears reasonable that anticoagulation can be discontinued beyond this timepoint in patients with complete venous reperfusion.
Risk Factors for Mortality of Patients with COVID-19 in Korea: A Nationwide Population-based Study
Authors: Park Se Jun , Lee Hyungkook , Youk Tae Mi , Jeon Han Ho
Published: January 2021

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing major global health crisis caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The outcomes of COVID-19 in patients remain unclear. We aimed to identify risk factors for the mortality of COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea without health system disruption.Methods: The data of confirmed COVID-19 patients were retrieved from Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) dataset between January 3 and June 1, 2020. We used multivariable logistic regression models to identify risk factors for mortality in patients with COVID-19.Results: We identified 7,333 COVID-19 patients, of whom 227 (3.1%) died. Hypertension was the most common (26%), followed by diabetes mellitus (23.0%). In multivariate analysis, male (OR: 1.92, P <0.0001), elderly (age >65) (OR: 11.00, P < 0.0001), living in a large outbreak area (OR: 2.61, P < 0.0001), Medical Aid beneficiaries (OR: 1.54, P = 0.0282), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score ≥3 (OR: 3.25, P = 0.029), hypertension (OR: 1.90, P = 0.0013), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR: 1.61, P = 0.0374), congestive heart failure (CHF) (OR: 2.14, P = 0.0001), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (OR: 5.69, P = 0.0090) were independent risk factors associated with mortality in COVID-19 patients. However, diabetes mellitus, liver cirrhosis, and inflammatory bowel disease were not risk factors for mortality.Conclusion: Male, elderly patients ˃65 years old, Medical Aid beneficiaries, higher CCI (≥3), and living in a large outbreak area might have a greater risk of mortality and comorbidities such as hypertension, COPD, CHF, and ESRD could also greatly affect the mortality in COVID-19 patients.
Towards the Upscaling of School Nutrition Programs in Dubai: an Exploratory Study
Authors: Algurg Reem , Mahfouz Nour Abu , Otaki Farah , Alameddine Mohamad
Published: January 2021

BackgroundSchool nutrition programs impact the intellectual, social, and emotional development of school children, as well as their future risk of developing Non-Communicable Diseases. While many stakeholders are involved in the development, implementation, and evaluation of school nutrition programs in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, little is known about the complementarity among those stakeholders, and the means to upscale school nutrition programs while ensuring effective, efficient, and equitable implementation. Accordingly, this study aims at exploring the perceptions of a diverse group of stakeholders, positioned at differing levels of the public health and education ecosystems in the United Arab Emirates, in relation to current guidelines and practices around the planning, implementation, and evaluation of school nutrition programs in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.MethodsThe study relied on a qualitative design, based on semi-structured key informant interviews. A total of 29 interviews were carried-out. Those interviewees included leaders and directors from different institutions, decision- and policy- makers, nutritionists, school nurses and nurse managers, and school principals and vice principals. All stakeholders were interviewed by the research team. Data was transcribed, and then thematically analyzed using the health systems’ model as an analytic framework.ResultsThe thematic analysis of interview data identified five interrelated themes. The first theme relates to the limited coordination across regulatory local and federal entities, and the multiplicity of guidelines issued by the different stakeholders. The challenges around the human and financial resourcing of school nutrition programs constituted the second theme. The third theme was the weakly coordinated implementation efforts. The fourth theme was the need for better performance measurement, and the fifth theme flagged the need for improved inclusiveness for health needs and cultural preferences of the diverse student body in Dubai.ConclusionThis study emphasizes that all the involved stakeholders need to better collaborate to upscale the school nutrition program in Dubai. This will require the formation of a unified governing body, which would identify and develop a single stream of resources, and sets in place a reliable, all encapsulating and equitable implementation plan along with an overarching monitoring and evaluation framework.
Gentamicin Sponge for Anti-infection, a Controversial Old Topic and Preliminary Exploration of the Solution, in Vitro and in Vivo Experiments
Authors: Li Yongduo , Wang Dong , Zhou Junlin
Published: January 2021

Purpose: Our study was to construct drug-loading and drug-release quantitative equation of gentamicin sponge, in addition, obtain the wound infection prevented and treated scheme of gentamicin sponge. Methods: Sterile sponge was cut into 1×1×0.5cm size and immersed into 40mg/ml, 16mg/ml, 8mg/ml, 4mg/ml, 1.6mg/ml, 0.8mg/ml or 0mg/ml gentamicin solution for 12h, 24h, 48h, 96h or 120h to evaluate gentamicin-loading of sponge. Sponge was immersed in gentamicin solution of different concentrations for 48h and then air-dried. Air-dried sponge was immersed into 10ml 0.9% physiological saline to evaluated gentamicin-release. Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) were used to explore infection prevented scheme of gentamicin sponge. Besides, femur fractured with wound infection rat model was used to discuss the infection treated scheme.Results: The equation of gentamicin-loading of sponge was: z=(0.03718±0.01672)x+(-4.578e-4±0.06253)y+(-2.50935e-4±1.47521e-4)x2+(0.00303±0.00149)y2+(0.00408±3.52827e-4)xy (R2 was 0.97) and drug-release equation was z=(4.37205±1.18048)x+(-7.05921±3.09628)y+(-0.04596±0.01287)x2+(0.3309±0.07912)y2+(0.31559±0.02754)xy (R2 was 0.95). The antibacterial zone sizes of sponges immersed in 40mg/ml, 16mg/ml, 8mg/ml, 4mg/ml, 1.6mg/ml, 0.8mg/ml gentamicin solution were larger than 0mg/ml air-dried sponge, and the difference had statistically significant (p<0.01). Rats of groups of 40mg/ml air-dried sponge, 16mg/ml air-dried sponge, 8mg/ml air-dried sponge had no wound suppuration in both MSSA and P. aeruginosa infection rat model.Conclusions: The quantified equation of gentamicin-loading and release of sponge was with high accuracy. 1.6 mg/ml air-dried sponge and 0.8mg/ml air-dried sponge were enough to prevent wound infection. Besides, if wound were confirmed to be sensitive bacteria infected, we recommended to use 40mg/ml air-dried sponge, 16mg/ml air-dried sponge or 8mg/ml air-dried sponge to treat.
CircRNA_100290 Promotes GC Cell Proliferation And Invasion Via miR-29b-3p/ITGA11 Axis And Is Regulated By EIF4A3
Authors: Wang Gang , Sun Dan , Li Wenhui , Xin Yan
Published: January 2021

Background: Circular RNA (circRNA) has been reported as an important regulator in the development and progression of various carcinomas. However, the role of circRNA_100290 in gastric cancer (GC) is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of circRNA_100290 in GC invasion and metastasis and its possible mechanism.Methods: The expression of circRNA_100290 in GC cells and tissues were examined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The role of circRNA_100290 in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion was evaluated on AGS and HGC-27 cell lines in vitro. Bioinformatics tools, dual-luciferase reporter assay, Western blot assay and qRT-PCR were used to explore the downstream pathways of circRNA_100290. The mechanism underlying the regulation of the expression of circRNA_100290 was explored using RNA immunoprecipitation, qRT-PCR, and Western blot assays.Results: The expression of circRNA_100290 was found significantly upregulated in GC cells and 102 GC tissues, high expression of circRNA_100290 in GC was closely related to Borrmann’s types, lymph node metastasis and tumor-node-metastasis staging. In vitro, knockdown of circRNA_100290 in AGS and HGC-27 cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed a direct binding between circRNA_100290 and miR-29b-3p, which targets ITGA11, an oncogene which is closely related to epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition, EIF4A3, one of RNA binding proteins (RBPs), could inhibit the formation of circRNA_100290 via enriching flanking sites of circRNA_100290. Low expression of EIF4A3 in GC was related to a worse prognosis.Conclusions: Elevated circRNA_100290 in GC promotes cell proliferation, invasion and EMT via miR-29b-3p/ITGA11 axi and might be regulated by EIF4A3. CircRNA_100290 might be a promising biomarker and target for GC therapy.
MiR-190 Promotes Malignant Transformation and Progression of Human Urothelial Cells through CDKN1B Inhibition
Authors: Huang Shirui , Hua Xiaohui , Kuang Mengjiao , Zhu Junlan , Mu Haiqi , Tian Zhongxian , Zheng Xiaoqun , Xie Qipeng
Published: January 2021

BackgroundAlthough miR-190 has been reported to be related to human diseases, especially in the development and progression of cancer, its expression in human bladder cancer (BC) and potential contribution to BC remain unexplored. MethodsqRT-PCR was used to verify the expression level of miR-190 and CDKN1B. Flow cytometry (FCM) assays were performed to detect cell cycle. Soft agar assay was used to measure anchorage-independent growth ability. Methylation-Specific PCR, Dual-luciferase reporter assay and Western blotting were used to elucidate the potential mechanisms involved. ResultsOur studies revealed that downregulation of the CDKN1B/p27 protein is an important event related to miR-190, promoting the malignant transformation of bladder epithelial cells. miR-190 binds directly to CDKN1B 3’-UTR and destabilizes CDKN1B mRNA. Moreover, miR-190 downregulates TET1 by binding to the TET1 CDS region, which mediates hypermethylation of the CDKN1B promoter, thereby resulting in the downregulation of CDKN1B mRNA. These two aspects led to miR-190 inhibition of p27 protein expression in human BC cells. However, the increased expression of miR-190 in BC and its upstream regulatory mechanism remain unclear. A more in-depth mechanistic study showed that c-Jun promotes the transcription of Talin2, the host gene of miR-190, thus upregulating the expression of miR-190 in human BC cells. ConclusionIn this study, we found that miR-190 plays an important role in the development of BC. Taken together, these findings indicate that miR-190 may promote the malignant transformation of human urothelial cells by downregulating CDKN1B, which strengthens our understanding of miR-190 in regulating BC cell transformation.
Healthcare Workers Awareness And Knowledge of Covid-19 Infection Control Precautions and Waste Management: Saudi Arabia Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Aleanizy Fadilah Sfouq , Alqahtani Fulwah Yahya
Published: January 2021

Objective

Healthcare workers (HWs) perform a critical role not only in the clinical management and organization of patients but also in providing adequate infection control and prevention measures and waste management to be implemented in health care facilities. It is important therefore for HWs to have adequate and correct knowledge and awareness towards any pandemic. The aim of this study is to evaluate HWs awareness and knowledge of COVID-19 infection control precautions and waste management in Saudi Arabia hospitals.
Methods

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Information on knowledge, awareness and practice of HWs of infection control and waste management were obtained with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.
Results

Our findings of assessing the Saudi HWs awareness and knowledge of COVID-19 infection control precautions and waste management during COVID-19 pandemic indicate that most study participants were knowledgeable and achieved a mean of 78.3%. About (92.5%) were aware of the infection control precautions, and 90.3% knew waste management during COVID-19 and 91.7% knew of all the infection control supplies availability. The knowledge of HW regarding waste procedure in their facility correlate significantly with gender (p = 0.0001), education (p = 0.024), and working experience (p = 0.029). The knowledge of infection control precaution correlate with gender (p = 0.0003), education (p = 0.043) and working experience (p = 0.009).
Conclusion

Most participants appreciated the importance of their role in infection control, surveillance and monitoring the ongoing safety of their patients themselves and their facility and community. Saudi Ministry of health initiatives to improve education and provide training to HW during COVID-19 pandemic has facilitated to expand HW knowledge.
“What Is Life?”: Open Quantum Systems Approach
Authors: Khrennikov Andrei , Basieva Irina
Published: January 2021

Recently the quantum formalism and methodology started to be applied to modeling of information processing in biosystems, mainly to the process of decision making and psychological behavior (but some applications to microbiology and genetics are considered as well). Since a living system is fundamentally open (an isolated biosystem is dead), the theory of open quantum systems is the most powerful tool for life-modeling. In this paper, we turn to the famous Schrödinger book “What is life?” and reformulate his speculations in terms of this theory. Schrödinger pointed toorder preservation as one of the main distinguishing features of biosystems. Entropy is the basic quantitative measure of order. In physical systems, entropy has the tendency to increase (Second Law of Thermodynamics for isolated classical systems and dissipation in open classical and quantum systems). Schrödinger emphasized the ability of biosystems to beat this tendency. We demonstrate that systems processing information in the quantum-like way can preservethe order-structure expressed by the quantum (von Neumann or linear) entropy. We emphasize the role of the special class of quantum dynamics and initial states generating the camel-like graphs for entropy-evolution in the process of interaction with a new environment ℰ: 1) entropy (disorder) increasing in the process of adaptation to the specific features of ℰ; 2) entropy decreasing (order increasing) resulting from adaptation; 3) the restoration of order or even its increase for limiting steady state. In the latter case the steady state entropy can be even lower than the entropy of the initial state.
Increased Proportion of TH17, TH22 and TC22 Cells and Correlations to IL-22, IL-10 and Clinical Parameters in a Cohort of Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis From Northern Sweden.
Authors: Lejon Kristina , Hellman Urban , Do Lan , Kumar Anjani , d'Elia Helena Forsblad
Published: January 2021

Background Increased levels of TH17 and TH22 as well as TC17 and TC22 cells and their related cytokines have previously been associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). However, the status of these inflammatory cells in a well characterized AS cohort from northern Sweden has not been studied.Objectives The aim of this study was to confirm the increased presence of inflammatory T cell subsets in peripheral blood of patients with AS and controls from northern Sweden and explore the association with clinically relevant parameters with the level of the inflammatory T cell subset(s) and related cytokines.Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a cohort of 50 patients (66% men) with AS from Region Västerbotten (age 52.1±9.0 years, 100% HLA-B27+) and 50 pairwise sex- and age-matched blood donor controls (66% men, mean age 54.6±9.1 years) were stained for CD45, CD3, CD4, CD8, intracellular IL-17 and IL-22 and analyzed by flow cytometry. In addition, levels of IL-17, IL-22 and IL-10 in plasma were determined. The patients with AS were assessed for mSASSS, hsCRP, ESR, BASMI, BASFI, ASDAS-hsCRP and BASDAI.Results Pairwise comparisons of AS patients and controls showed a 1,5x to 2-fold increase of TH17, TH22 and TC22 cells among CD45+CD3+ lymphocytes in PBMCs in male patients (p=0.013, p=0.003 and p=0.024 respectively). Levels of IL-22 in plasma and proportion of TC17 correlated in male patients (Rs=0.499 p=0.003) and plasma levels of IL-10 showed an inverse correlation to TC17 in all patients (Rs=-0.276 p=0.05). In addition, male patients with ≥ 1 syndesmophyte showed significantly higher proportion of TH17 cells (p=0.038). In female AS patients there was a negative correlation between TC22 and hsCRP (Rs= -0.573, p=0.016). Conclusions We confirm an increased proportion of TH17, TH22 and TC22 cells in blood in AS male patients from northern Sweden. A positive correlation with the proinflammatory cytokine IL-22 and reverse correlation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in relation to TC17 corroborate the influence of these cells. In addition, a role of TH17 in the pathogenesis process is supported by the correlation between TH17 proportions and the presence of ≥ 1 syndesmophyte.
Can a Virtual Microbiology Laboratory Simulation be as Effective as the Traditional Wetlab for Pharmacy Student Education?
Authors: Birkbeck Lyndsee Baumann , Anoopkumar-Dukie Shailendra , Khan Sohil A , Cheesman Matthew J , O’Donoghue Margaret , Grant Gary Dean
Published: January 2021

Background: Pharmacy practice education requires the development of proficiencies and an understanding of clinical microbiology. Learning in this area could be delivered using practical laboratory exercises, or potentially, simulation-based education. The current global climate due to COVID-19 has further highlighted the important role of technology-enhanced learning in delivering outcomes that meet the requisite learning objectives of a course. The aim of the present study was to compare the impact of a commercially available virtual microbiology simulation (VUMIE™) with a traditional wet laboratory (wetlab) on learner engagement and learning outcomes in a second-year integrated pharmacotherapeutics course for Bachelor of Pharmacy students. Methods: A randomised, controlled, crossover study was employed to determine whether the simulation intervention (VUMIE™) improves learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and confidence) of pharmacy students, when compared to a traditional wetlab intervention. Each student completed three 1-2 hour length sessions, for both the wetlab and VUMIE™ interventions (6 sessions total). Data was collected using surveys deployed at baseline (pre-interventions), post-intervention (VUMIE™ or wetlab) and endpoint (post-interventions). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics 25 and Instat™ software. Results: Both interventions produced statistically significant differences for mean scores compared to baseline (pre-VUMIE™ and wetlab) across the domains of knowledge, skills and confidence. VUMIE™ produced higher post-intervention mean scores for knowledge, skills and confidence compared to post-intervention mean scores for the wetlab, however there was no statistical significance between the mean score for the two interventions, thus the VUMIE™ activity produced learning outcomes comparable to the wetlab activity. Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that VUMIE™ was just as effective as traditional wetlab activities for student learning outcomes. The simulation’s implementation was not cost-prohibitive, provided students with a physically and psychologically safe learning environment, and the benefit of being able to repeat activities, supporting deliberate practice.
Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure could Cause Chronic Abnormalities in Transcriptomic Pattern; an Extended Follow-up Cohort Study
Authors: Haghighatfard Arvin , Seifollahi Soha , Rajabi Pegah , Rahmani Niloofar , zadeh Rojin Ghannad
Published: January 2021

BackgroundThe high rate of methamphetamine abuse among young adults and women of childbearing age makes it imperative to clarify the long-term effects of Methamphetamine exposure on the offspring. Behavioral and cognitive problems had reported in children with parental Methamphetamine exposure (PME). The present study aimed to assess the acute and chronic effects of PME in molecular regulations and gene expression profiles of children during their first years of life.ResultsAll subjects were recruited before birth, and sampling was conducted from the first ten days of birth, twelve months, twenty months and thirty-six months of age. Finally, 2658 children with PME and 3573 normal children had been finished the follow-up. RNA extraction was operated from blood samples and gene expression profiling was conducted by using the Affymetrix GeneChip Human Genome U133 plus 2.0 Array Platform. Gene expression data were confirmed by Real-time PCR. Gene expression profiling during thirty-six months showed several constant mRNA level alterations in children with PME compared with normal. These genes are involved in several gene ontology and pathways involved with the immune system, neuronal functions and bioenergetic metabolism. It seems that Methamphetamine abuse before and during the pregnancy period may affect the expression profile of children, and these changes could be remain years after birth. Affected genes have some similarities to the gene expression patterns of addiction, psychiatric disorders, neurodevelopmental disabilities and immune deficiencies. ConclusionFindings may shed light on the molecular effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure and may lead to new psychological and somatic caring protocols for these children based on their potential abnormalities.
Testing The Effect of an Integrated-Intervention To Promote Access to Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare and Rights Among Women With Disabilities In Ghana: A Quasi-Experimental Study Protocol
Authors: Ganle John K. , Ofori Charlotte , Dery Samuel
Published: January 2021

Background: There is evidence that women with disabilities (WWDs) experience the most difficulty accessing and using sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHRs) services and information worldwide. However, there are currently no workable interventions to reach WWDs with essential SRHR services. This study aims to test the effect of an integrated health facility and individual-level intervention on access to SRHRs information and services among sexually active WWDs aged 15-49years in Ghana. Methods: A quasi-experimental study design with four arms will be implemented in four districts in the Northern region of Ghana to test the effect of three inter-related interventions. The inventions are (1) capacity building in disability-centred SRHRs information and service delivery for healthcare providers, (2) support for WWDs to access disability-unfriendly healthcare infrastructure, and (3) one-on-one regular SRHRs education, information provision, and referral. The first two interventions are at the health-facility level while the third one is at the individual/family level. The first arm of the experiment will expose eligible WWDs to all three interventions. In the second arm, WWDs will be exposed to only the two-health facility-level interventions. The third arm will expose WWDs to only the individual level intervention. The forth arm will constitute the control group. A total of 680 (170 in each arm) sexually active women with physical disability and visual impairments will take part in the study over a period of 12months. To assess the effect of the interventions on key study outcomes (i.e. awareness about, and use of modern contraceptive, ANC attendance, and skilled delivery among parous women), pre- and post-intervention surveys will be conducted. Difference-in-Difference analysis will be used to examine the effect of each intervention in comparison to the control group, while controlling for effect modifiers. Cost-effectiveness analyses will also be conducted on the three-intervention arms vis a vis changes in key outcome measures to identify which of the three interventions is likely to yield greater impact with lower costs. Discussion: Lack of access to SRHRs information and services for WWDs is not only a violation of their right to appropriate and quality SRH care but could also undermine efforts to achieve equitable healthcare access as envisaged under SDG 3. This research is expected to generate evidence to inform local health programmes to increase access to SRHRs among WWDs by strengthening local health system capacity to provide disability-sensitive SRHRs services.