bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Activity of Daily Living (ADL) subgroups and Health impairment among Chinese elderly:A Latent Profile Analysis
Authors: Zhang Yangchang , Xiong Yang , Yu Qiuhua , Shen Shisi , Chen Li , Lei Xun
Published: August 2020

Background
Disability in aged people became one of the major challenges in China due to the acceleration of population aging, yet appropriate methods are limited to discriminate the degree of combined basic activity of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL).The present study explored an empirical typology of the activity of daily living (ADL) and its association with health status among the elderly in China.
Methods
Data throughout the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) was retrieved and Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted to identify the subgroups of ADL for included elderly subjects. Multinomial regression was performed to detect the effect of identified characteristics with class subgroups, and restricted cubic spine was drawn to show the relationship between ADL disability with age and BMI.
Results
The overall participants (n = 8108) were divided into three ADL classes by LPA - ‘no BADL limitation- IADL impairment’ (Class one, n = 1526, 19%), ‘no BADL limitation-no IADL limitation’ (Class two, n = 6062, 75%) and ‘BADL impairment- IADL impairment’ (Class three, n = 520, 6%). Compared with the participants in Class two, the oldest-old, living without spouse, lacking exercise and social activity, having experience of falls, having comorbidity of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, decreased cognitive function, depression symptom were highly associated with BADL/IADL difficulties in Class one and Class three,. Additionally, malnutrition and asthma were associated with combined ADL/IADL impairment (Class three), and illiteracy only was associated with IADL impairment (Class one). Furthermore, a significant U-shape relation was detected between age and BMI with ADL disability. The elderly with IADL impairment was less likely to evolve combined BADL/IADL impairment aged at 80–90, and the elderly with underweight or obese may have higher risk of combined BADL/IADL impairment.
Conclusion
A novel ADL assessment was explored using LPA, by which elderly people could be defined as three distinct classes of combined ADL/IADL. The predictors identified in the ADL classes could enlighten targeted intervention to address the onset of functional disability and consequent problems with the elderly.
Genome-Wide Identification of GH3 Genes in Brassica Oleracea and Identification of a Promoter Region for Anther-Specific Expression of a GH3 Gene
Authors: Yi Hankuil , Jeong Jiseong , Park Sunhee , Im Jeong Hui
Published: August 2020

Background:The Gretchen Hagen 3 (GH3) genes encode acyl acid amido synthetases, many of which have been shown to modulate the amount of active plant hormones or their precursors. GH3 genes, especially Group Ⅲ subgroup 6 GH3 genes, and their expression patterns in economically important kale-type Brassica oleracea have not been systematically identified. Results:As a first step to understand regulation and molecular functions of Group Ⅲ subgroup 6 GH3 genes, thirty-four GH3 genes including four subgroup 6 genes were identified In B. oleracea var. oleracea, using TO1000. Synteny found around subgroup 6 GH3 genes in TO1000 and Arabidopsis indicated that these genes are evolutionarily related. Although expression of four subgroup 6 GH3 genes in TO1000 is not induced by auxin, gibberellic acid, and jasmonic acid, the genes show different organ-dependent expression patterns. Only one TO1000 subgroup 6 GH3 gene, Bo2g011210, is expressed in anthers when microspores, polarized microspores, and bicellular pollens are present, similar to two out of four syntenic Arabidopsis subgroup 6 GH3 genes. Detailed analyses of promoter activities of Bo2g011210 further showed that Bo2g011210 is expressed in tapetal cells and pollens in anther, and also expressed in leaf primordia and floral abscission zones. Conclusions:Sixty-two base pair (bp) region (-340 ~ -279 bp upstream from start codon) and about 450 bp region (-1489 to -1017 bp) in Bo2g011210 promoter were found to be important for expressions in anther and expressions in leaf primordia and floral abscission zones, respectively. The identified anther-specific promoter region will be useful to develop male sterile transgenic Brassica plants.
A Novel Deep Learning Algorithm for Groundwater Level Prediction based on Spatiotemporal Attention Mechanism
Authors: Chen Chong , Zhou Han , Zhang Hui , Chen Lulu , Yan Zhu , Liang Huaqing
Published: August 2020

Groundwater resources play a vital role in production, human life and economic development. Effective prediction of groundwater levels would support better water resources management. Although machine learning algorithms have been studied and applied in many domains with good enough results, the researches in hydrologic domains are not adequate. This paper proposes a novel deep learning algorithm for groundwater level prediction based on spatiotemporal attention mechanism. Short-term (one month ahead) and long-term (twelve months ahead) prediction of groundwater level are conducted with observed groundwater levels collected from several boreholes in the middle reaches of the Heihe River Basin in northwestern China. Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm and several baseline models (i.e., SVR, Support Vector Regression; FNN, Feedforward Neural Networks; LSTM, Long Short-Term Memory neural network). The results show that the proposed model can effectively improve the prediction accuracy compared to the baseline models with MAE of 0.0754, RMSE of 0.0952 for short-term prediction and MAE of 0.0983, RMSE of 0.1215 for long-term prediction. This study provides a feasible and accurate approach for groundwater prediction which may facilitate decision making for water management.
CircRNA_0000392 Promotes Colorectal Cancer Progression by Sponging miR-193a-5p
Authors: Xu Hanchen , Liu Yujing , Cheng Peiqiu , Wang Chunyan , Liu Yang , Zhou Wenjun , Xu Yangxian , Ji Guang
Published: August 2020

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs), an important member of the non-coding RNA family, have been revealed the role in the pathogenic progression of diseases in recent years, particularly in the malignant progression of cancer. With the application of high-throughput sequencing technology, a large number of circRNAs have been found in tumor tissues, and some circRNAs have demonstrated the role as oncogenic genes. In this study, we analyzed the circRNA expression profile in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and normal adjacent tissues by high-throughput sequencing, focusing on the circRNA_0000392, a circRNA with significantly increased expression in colorectal cancer tissues, and further investigating its function in the progression of colorectal cancer.Methods: The expression profile of circRNAs in 6 pairs of CRC tissues and normal adjacent tissues was analyzed by RNA-sequencing. We verified the differential circRNAs with expanded samples by qRT-PCR, focused on circRNA_0000392, and evaluated its associations with clinicopathological features. Then we knocked down circRNA_0000392 in CRC cells and evaluated the effect in vitro and in vivo by functional experiments. The dual luciferase assay and RNA pull-down were performed to further explore the downstream potential molecular mechanisms.Results: CircRNA_0000392 was significantly up-regulated in CRC compared with normal adjacent tissues and cell line. The expression level of circRNA_0000392 was positively correlated with the malignant progression of CRC. Functional studies revealed that reducing the expression of circRNA_0000392 could inhibit the proliferation and invasion of CRC both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circRNA­_0000392 could act as a sponge of miR-193a-5p and regulate the expression of PIK3R3, then affect the activation of the AKT-mTOR pathway in CRC cells.Conclusions: The circRNA_0000392 has the function as an oncogene through miR-193a-5p/PIK3R3-Akt axis in CRC cells, implying that circRNA_0000392 is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of colorectal cancer and a predictive marker for CRC patients.
The Utility of a Three Part Differential Hematology Analyzer with CRP for Assessing Malaria
Authors: Nishimura Jun Ivan , Dharap Parag , Raimbault Sebastien
Published: August 2020

BackgroundHematology analyzers display abnormal hematology parameters during malaria infection providing insightful information for suspecting and assessing malaria infection. The goal of this study is to demonstrate the potential of a three part differential hematology analyzer to assess malaria, provide information about the parasitemia, and discuss the importance of combining CRP with hematology parameters to obtain further information about the malaria infection.MethodsThe present study shows the results of a retrospective study involving comparison of raw instrument data from a three part differential hematology analyzer with CRP measurement and corresponding microscopic findings of samples obtained during the monsoon season of years 2018 and 2019 in Mumbai, India. Mann-Whitney U and Krustal-Wallis tests were applied for obtaining statistical significance of hematology parameters and CRP among P. vivax, P. falciparum, dengue and negative samples. ResultsThe study considers 1008 non-malaria febrile cases, 209 P. vivax, 31 P. falciparum positive malaria samples, five cases of mixed species malaria infection, and three co-infection of malaria and dengue. Median values of WBCs, PLTs, PCT and %LYM were lower in malaria and dengue samples compared to negative ones with statistical difference (p < 0.05). Contrary, medians of MCHC, MPV, PDW, and %MON were higher than negative samples. The greatest difference in the analyzer results of malaria and dengue cases was observed in between their medians of CRP levels, which is evidenced by the values of the first quartiles of P. vivax and P. falciparum cases, and the third quartile of dengue cases being 8.6 and 10.4 mg/L, respectively.The parameters with a statistical difference for different levels of parasitemia were WBC, PLT, %MON and CRP. An interfering abnormal peak was observed in the white blood cell histogram, below 37 fl, in malaria infected samples, especially in P. vivax cases, where the height of that peak showed a strong correlation with red blood cells infected predominantly with larger parasitic forms.ConclusionsA three differential part hematology analyzer has the potential to not only trigger malaria diagnosis confirmation but also assess the severity of the infection when CRP is considered.
Efficacy and safety of apatinib in patients with recurrent or refractory melanoma
Authors: Yuan Shumin , Fu Qiang , Ren Yingkun , Li Zhimeng , Wang Huijuan , Zhang Xiaojie , Huang Hao , Yang Yonghao , Shang Yiman , Gao Quanli , Wang Zibing
Published: August 2020

Background

Prognosis of patients with metastatic malignant melanoma is very poor and partly due to high resistance to conventional chemotherapies. The study’s objectives were to assess the activity and tolerability of apatinib, an oral small molecule anti-angiogenesis inhibitor, in patients with recurrent advanced melanoma.
Methods

This was a single-arm, single-center phase II trial. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) and the secondary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and overall survival (OS). Eligible patients received at least one first-line therapy for advanced melanoma and experienced recurrence. Apatinib (500 mg) was orally administered daily. Trail registration: Clinical Trials, ID: NCT03383237. Registered on 24 December 2017. URL of trail registry record: https://register.clinicaltrials.gov.
Results

Fifteen patients were included in the analysis. The median PFS was 4.0 months. There were two major objective responses, for a 13.33% response rate. Eleven patients had stable disease, with a DCR of 86.67%.The median OS was 12.0 months. The most common clinically significant grade 3 or 4 toxicities included hypertension and canker sore. No treatment-related deaths occurred.
Conclusions

Apatinib showed antitumor activity as a second or first-line therapy in patients with malignant melanoma. The toxicity was manageable.
CDK12/13 Inhibition Induces Immunogenic Cell Death and Enhances Anti-PD-1 Anticancer Activity in Breast Cancer
Authors: Li Yi , Zhang Hui , Li Qin , Zou Pingjin , Huang Xingxiang , Wu Chihua , Tan Li
Published: August 2020

Background: The T cell response against different tumors is improved by immunogenic cell death (ICD), indicating a role for ICD in augmenting antitumor immunity elicited by the anti-checkpoint antibody anti-programmed death 1 (anti-PD-1). Methods: The effect of SR-4835 on breast cancer was analyzed by cell proliferation and flow cytometry. Calreticulin translocation and HMGB1 and ATP release were detected by flow cytometry, ELISA and luminescence assay, respectively. Immunogenicity in vitro was analyzed by co-culturing of SR-4835 treated cancer cells with bone-marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and rate of maturation of BMDCs and production of IL-6 in the supernatant were measured. The in vivo antitumor effect was analyzed by syngeneic mouse model followed by flow cytometry for TILs.Results: In the present study, we report a synergistic and durable immune-mediated antitumor response elicited by the combined treatment of SR-4835, a CDK12/13 specific inhibitor, with PD-1 blockade in a murine model of 4T1 breast cancer. The developed combination therapy elicited antitumor activity in immunocompetent mouse tumor models. Furthermore, the SR-4835-treated tumor cells exhibited characteristics of ICD, including the release of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and ATP and the translocation of surface calreticulin (CRT). This activity led to a signiﬁcant T-cell dependent regression of tumors. The enhanced infiltration of T cells and dendritic cell (DC) activation in the tumors of mice treated with both SR-4835 and anti-PD-1 indicate that this combination treatment promotes an improved immune response and suggests a potential mechanism involving anti-PD-1 and SR-4835 activity that enhances anti-PD-1 effects. Conclusion: The results of the present study demonstrate the potential of CDK12/13 inhibition combined with checkpoint inhibition in breast cancer treatment.
Four-year Behavioural, Health Related Quality of Life and BMI Outcomes From a Cluster Randomized Whole of Systems Trial of Prevention Strategies for Childhood Obesity (Whostops Childhood Obesity)
Authors: Allender Steven , Orellana Liliana , Crooks Nic , Bolton Kristy , Fraser Penny , Brown Andrew Dwight , Le Ha , Lowe Janette , haye Kayla De La , Millar Lynne , Moodie Marjorie , Swinburn Boyd , Bell Colin , Strugnell Claudia
Published: August 2020

Objectives: To test the effectiveness of the Whole of Systems Trial of Prevention Strategies for Childhood Obesity (WHOSTOPS) for behavioural, health related quality of life and Body Mass Index (BMI) outcomes.Design :Cluster randomized trial of ten communities randomly allocated (1:1) to start intervention in 2015(step one) or in 2019 (after 4-years).Setting:Community based trial in South West Victoria, Australia, including all major health and local council agencies.Participants: Data were collected from 59 participating primary schools April-June of 2015 (73% school participation rate); 2017 (69%), and 2019 (63%). Student participation rates were 80% in 2015 (1,792/2,516 invited), 81% in 2017 (2,411/2,963), and 79% in 2019 (2,177/2,720).Interventions: Local leaders, organisations and community members developed obesity prevention interventions and implementation measures using a five phase process to change existing conditions that lead to childhood obesity.Main outcome measures: Measured height and weight (Grades two, four and six), self-reported behavioural, and health-related quality of life (Grade four and six).Results: There was an intervention by time interaction in both age and sex standardizedBMI (BMIz) (p=0.031)and obesity/overweight prevalence (p=0.006). The control communities remained unchanged whereas BMIz and overweight/obesity prevalence decreased between 2015 and 2017 and increased between 2017 and 2019 in intervention communities. The intervention reduced take away food consumption (p=0.006) and improved physical (p=0.036) and global (p=0.036) health related quality of life. Water consumption increased among girls (p=0.019)as did energy-dense and nutrient poor snack consumption (p=0.015) and take-away food consumption among boys (p= 0.012). BMIz of the grade two cohort steadily increased.Conclusions: WHOSTOPS had a positive impact on takeaway food intake and health-related quality of life.Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): 12616000980437.Registered 26 July 2016 - Retrospectively registered https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/
Repurposing combination therapy of Voacamine with Vincristine for down regulation of HIF-1α/FASN co-axis and PHD2 activation in ER+ mammary neoplasia
Authors: Singh Lakhveer , Singh Manjari , Kumar Dinesh , Ansari Mohd. Nazam , Saeedan Abdulaziz S. , Kaithwas Gaurav
Published: August 2020

Background

The current study was attempted to inquest the role of combination therapy of Voacamine and Vincristine for the prevention of mammary gland carcinoma through prolyl hydroxylase-2 activation. The prolyl hydroxylase‐2 activation leads the downregulation of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α and fatty acid synthase. Over expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α and fatty acid synthase is previously reported in solid tumor of mammary gland.
Methods

After screening a battery of natural compounds which were similar to vincristine, vocamine was selected as a possible prolyl hydroxylase-2 activator and justify its activity using 7, 12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene induced rat model. The combination therapy was evaluated for cardiac toxicity using hemodynamic profile. The angiogenic markers were evaluated using carmine staining. Monotherapy and combination therapy were also evaluated for liver and kidney toxicity through haematoxylin and eosin staining. The combination therapy also delineated the markers of oxidative stress favorably. Afterwards, the disruption of fatty acids was evaluated using gas chromatography.
Results

The immunoblotting analysis validated that combination therapy has a potential to switch on the prolyl hydroxylase-2 activity and thus initiate proteolytic degradation of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α and its consequence effects. The combination therapy also stimulated programmed cell death (apoptosis) in rapidly dividing cancer cells.
Conclusion

The present study explores the role of voacamine in activation of prolyl hydroxylase-2 which can decrease over expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α and fatty acid synthase in cells of mammary gland carcinoma.
Number of Pre-Existing Comorbidities and Prognosis of COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Jing Danrong , Su Juan , Ye Lin , Zhang Yan , Cui Yanhui , Liu Hong , Shen Minxue , Pan Pinhua , Chen Xiang
Published: August 2020

Background: Though many studies have described the association of COVID-19 and different kinds of noncommunicable chronic diseases, information with the combine effects of comorbidities to COVID-19 patients have not been well characterized yet. The aim of this study was to examine the associations of numbers of comorbidities with critical type and death of COVID-19.Methods: This was a single-centered retrospective study among patients with COVID-19. All patients with COVID-19 enrolled in this study were diagnosed according to World Health Organization interim guidance. Six different kinds of noncommunicable chronic diseases were included in this study. The logistic regression model was used to estimate the fixed effect of numbers of comorbidities on critical type or death, adjusting for potential confounders.Results: In total, 475 COVID-19 patients were enrolled in our study, included 234 females and 241 males. Hypertension was the most frequent type (162 [34.1%] of 475 patients). Patients with two or more comorbidities have higher risk of critical type (OR 3.072, 95% CI [1.581, 5.970], p=0.001) and death (OR 5.538, 95% CI [1.577, 19.451], p=0.008) compared to patients without comorbidities. And the results were similar after adjusting for age and gender in critical type (OR 2.021, 95% CI [1.002–4.077], p=0.049) and death (OR 3.653, 95% CI [0.989, 13.494], p=0.052).Conclusions: The number of comorbidities was an independent risk factor for critical type and death in COVID-19 patients.
Differential Effects of Larval and Adult Nutrition on Survival, Fecundity, and Size of the Yellow Fever Mosquito Aedes Aegypti
Authors: Yan Jiayue , Kibech Roumaissa , Stone Chris M.
Published: August 2020

Background: The yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, is the principal vector of multiple infectious pathogens that can cause severe illness such as dengue fever, yellow fever and Zika. Their transmission potential for these arboviruses is largely shaped by their life history traits, such as their survival and fecundity. These life history traits depend on environmental conditions, such as larval and adult nutrition (e.g., nectar availability). Both these types of nutrition are known to affect the energetic reserves and life history traits of adults, but whether and how nutrition obtained during different stages have an interactive influence on mosquito life history traits remains largely unknown. Results: Here, we experimentally manipulated both larval and adult diets to create four nutritional levels, that is, a high amount of larval food plus poor (weak concentration of sucrose) adult food: HL+PA, high larval plus good (normal sucrose concentration) adult food: HL+GA, low larval plus poor adult food: LL+PA and low larval plus good adult food: LL+GA. We then compared the size, survival and fecundity of mosquitoes reared from these nutritional regimes. We found that larval and adult nutrition affected mosquito size and survival, respectively, without interactions, while both larval and adult nutrition synergistically influenced mosquito fecundity. There was a positive relationship between mosquito size and fecundity. In addition, this positive relationship was not affected by nutrition. Conclusions: These findings highlight how larval and adult nutrition differentially influence mosquito life history traits, suggesting that studies evaluating nutritional effects on vectorial capacity traits should account for environmental variation across life stages.
Association Between Motor Skills, Diet, and Lifestyle: a Cross-Sectional Study of First-Grade Schoolchildren in Japan
Authors: Hatta Naoko , Tada Yuki , Furushou Tadasu , Kato Misao , Kanehara Rieko , Hata Toshiki , Hida Azumi , Kawano Yukari
Published: August 2020

Background: Childhood motor skills are important not only for the physical and mental health of children, but also for the prevention of future lifestyle diseases. This study aimed to investigate how motor skills among first-grade children in Japan are associated with dietary and lifestyle habits, after adjustment for various confounding factors.Methods: First-grade children (aged 6-7 years) attending three public elementary schools in Tokyo, Japan (n=884), participated in this cross-sectional study. Homeroom teachers distributed self-administered questionnaires to parents and children. Questionnaires focused on lifestyle habits and required completion of a 1-day dietary record. Motor skills were measured by the New Physical Fitness Test (NPFT). Physique was calculated using Rohrer’s index formula: weight (kg) / height (cm) 3 × 107. Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the association between NPFT score and determinant factors. We also examined the association between NPFT score and the amount of energy derived from a healthy diet versus snacks.Results: NPFT scores were significantly and positively correlated with involvement in exercise lessons (boys, β = 0.131, P = 0.006; girls, β = 0.121P = 0.012), total energy intake (boys, β = 0.096, P = 0.041; girls, β = 0.145, P = 0.003), and outside playtime in boys (β = 0.135), and negatively correlated with Rohrer’s index in girls (β = -0.097, P = 0.047). Moreover, the amount of energy derived from a healthy diet showed positive correlations with NPFT score (boys, β = 0.120, P = 0.011; girls, β = 0.137, P = 0.005).Conclusions: Children’s motor skills were associated with the Rohrer’s index, involvement in sports lessons, outside playtime, and total energy intake, particularly that derived from a healthy diet. These results suggest that a well-balanced diet including grains, vegetables, fish and meat, fruits, and milk, is important for improving children’s motor skills.
“INSIDE” Project on Sexual Health in Spain: The Impact of the Lockdown Caused by COVID-19
Authors: Ballester-Arnal Rafael , Nebot-Garcia Juan E. , Ruiz-Palomino Estefanía , Giménez-García Cristina , Gil-Llario María Dolores
Published: August 2020

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic is becoming a major hazard to public health worldwide. This is causing a significant impact on life and physical health, as well as on the psychological well-being of the general population. Since the emotional distress and the social restrictions caused by this epidemic, it must be expected that its impact will also extend to sexual health. The purpose of this study, the first including a large sample of the Spanish general population, was to analyze sexual behavior during the 99 days of confinement in Spain (INSIDE Project). Method. 1,448 Spanish people, between 18 and 60 years old, were evaluated through an online survey during April 2020. The variables analyzed were the physical and social environment during confinement, sexual desire, type of sexual activity, masturbation, sexual intercourse, online sexual activity, general sexual frequency, sexual fantasies, degree of self-control over sexual drive, sexual abuse, general impact of confinement on sexuality and emotional mood. Results. Confinement has affected the sexual life of half of the Spanish population (47.7%), especially women. Those who reported a worsening of their sexual life are almost three times more (37.9%) than those who reported an improvement (14.4%). Conclusions. Different factors have been significant predictors of the positive or negative valoration about the impact of this confinement on sexual life, such as gender, couple life, privacy, stress level and the perception of confinement as unbearable. Policy Implications. These results have important implications for the public health and more especially sexual health of the Spanish population.
Dietary Behaviours May Modulate the Association Between Common MC4R Genetic Variants and Obesity and Its Comorbidities: The 1000PLUS Cohort Study.
Authors: Adamska-Patruno Edyta , Bauer Witold , Bielska Dorota , Fiedorczuk Joanna , Moroz Monika , Krasowska Urszula , Puckowska Sylwia , Wielogorska Marta , Szczerbinski Lukasz , Lipinska Danuta , Gorska Maria , Kretowski Adam
Published: August 2020

Background: The MC4R gene harbours one of the strongest susceptibility locus for obesity, and its metabolic consequences. The objective of this study was to analyze whether dietary factors may attenuate the MC4R genotypes effects on obesity and its comorbidities.Methods: In 819 adult participants, genotyped for MC4R SNPs (rs17782313, rs12970134, rs633265, rs1350341) the anthropometric measurements, total body fat, visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), blood glucose, insulin, total-, LDL-, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides concentrations were assessed. The daily macronutrient intake was calculated based on the three-day food intake records, and daily physical activity based on the validated questionnaire. The ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used, and multivariate linear regression models were developed to evaluate the effects of diet on obesity and related factors in various genotypes carriers.Results: The CC genotype (rs17782313) carriers, being in the upper quantiles of protein intake, presented significantly higher VAT, VAT/SAT ratio, fasting blood glucose and triglyceride concentrations, and an increase of energy derived from proteins was associated with significantly higher BMI (Est. 5.74, R2=0.12), body fat content (Est. 8.44, R2=0.82), VAT (32.59, R2=0.06), and VAT/SAT ratio (Est. 0.96, R2=0.05). The AA genotype carriers (rs12970134) being in the upper protein intake quantiles presented higher BMI, body fat, SAT and VAT volume, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol concentrations. Individuals carrying the AG and GG genotypes in the upper carbohydrate intake quantile had significantly lower body weight, waist circumference, insulin resistance and fasting insulin levels. An increase of energy derived from proteins by AA carriers was associated with significantly higher VAT (Est. 19.95, R2=0.06) and VAT/SAT ratio (Est. 0.64, R2=0.05).Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence that associations of the common MC4R SNPs with obesity and its comorbidities is modulated by dietary intake, and may be useful for genome-customized diets for obesity prevention.Trial registration. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03792685. Date of registration: 3Jan2019 (retrospectively registered), https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03792685.
Multiscale heterogeneity in gastric adenocarcinoma evolution is an obstacle to precision medicine
Authors: Röcken Christoph , Amallraja Anu , Halske Christine , Opasic Luka , Traulsen Arne , Behrens Hans-Michael , Krüger Sandra , Liu Anne , Haag Jochen , Egberts Jan-Hendrik , Rosenstiel Philip , Meissner Tobias
Published: August 2020

Background: Cancer is a somatic evolutionary disease, which adapts to environmental cues based on genetic constraints. Using multiregional exome sequencing, we tested the effect of somatic evolution on intratumoral heterogeneity and its putative clinical implications in adenocarcinomas of the stomach and gastroesophageal junction (GC). Methods: The study comprised a prospective discovery cohort of 9 and a validation cohort of 487 GCs. Multiregional whole-exome sequencing was done using 48 tumor samples (range: 3-10 tumor samples/patient) of the discovery cohort.Results: In total, the discovery cohort harbored 16,537 non-synonymous mutations (mutations/sample: median n=159; mutations/patient: median n=369). Intratumoral heterogeneity of somatic mutations and copy number variants were present in all tumors of the discovery cohort. 53-91% of the non-synonymous mutations were not present in each patient’s sample; 399 genes harbored 2-4 different non-synonymous mutations in the same patient; 175 genes showed copy number variations, the majority being heterogeneous, including CD274 (PD-L1). Phylogenetic analyses provided evidence for branched evolution being the most complex in a microsatellite instable GC. The analysis of the mode of evolution showed a high degree of heterogeneity in deviation from neutrality within each tumor. Studies on the validation cohort showed that the subclonal loss of SMAD4 is an independent predictor for poor patient outcome.Conclusions: Neutral and non-neutral somatic evolution shape the mutational landscape in GC. It leads to complex spatial intratumoral heterogeneity and may have profound effects on patient management. It provides crucial information for an individualized understanding of clinical prognosis and therapeutic options in GC patients.
Modeling COVID-19 with Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cells Reveals Synergistic Effects of Anti-inflammatory Macrophages with ACE2 Inhibition Against SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Duan Fuyu , Guo Liyan , Yang Liuliu , Han Yuling , Thakur Abhimanyu , Nilsson-Payant Benjamin E. , Wang Pengfei , Zhang Zhao , Ma Chui Yan , Zhou Xiaoya , Han Teng , Zhang Tuo , Wang Xing , Xu Dong , Duan Xiaohua , Xiang Jenny , Tse Hung-fat , Liao Can , Luo Weiren , Huang Fang-Ping , Chen Ya-Wen , Evans Todd , Schwartz Robert E. , tenOever Benjamin , Ho David D. , Chen Shuibing , Lian Qizhou , Chen Huanhuan Joyce
Published: August 2020

Dysfunctional immune responses contribute critically to the progression of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) from mild to severe stages including fatality, with pro-inflammatory macrophages as one of the main mediators of lung hyper-inflammation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand the interactions among SARS-CoV-2 permissive cells, macrophage, and the SARS-CoV-2 virus, thereby offering important insights into new therapeutic strategies. Here, we used directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to establish a lung and macrophage co-culture system and model the host-pathogen interaction and immune response caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among the hPSC-derived lung cells, alveolar type II and ciliated cells are the major cell populations expressing the viral receptor ACE2 and co-effector TMPRSS2, and both were highly permissive to viral infection. We found that alternatively polarized macrophages (M2) and classically polarized macrophages (M1) had similar inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, only M1 macrophages significantly up-regulated inflammatory factors including IL-6 and IL-18, inhibiting growth and enhancing apoptosis of lung cells. Inhibiting viral entry into target cells using an ACE2 blocking antibody enhanced the activity of M2 macrophages, resulting in nearly complete clearance of virus and protection of lung cells. These results suggest a potential therapeutic strategy, in that by blocking viral entrance to target cells while boosting anti-inflammatory action of macrophages at an early stage of infection, M2 macrophages can eliminate SARS-CoV-2, while sparing lung cells and suppressing the dysfunctional hyper-inflammatory response mediated by M1 macrophages.
Rechtliches Gehör in Administrativuntersuchungen
Authors: Thurnherr Daniela
Published: August 2020

Im Rahmen der Beurteilung der Rechtmässigkeit der Bearbeitung von Personendaten bzw. eines Informationszugangsgesuchs hatte das Bundesverwaltungsgericht Gelegenheit, sich zur Geltung des verfassungsrechtlichen Gehörsanspruchs (Art. 29 Abs. 2 BV) in Administrativuntersuchungen zu äussern. Mit der Anerkennung eines Gehörsanspruchs zugunsten der von einer Administrativuntersuchung Betroffenen stärkt es deren verfahrensrechtliche Position. Zudem leistet es damit einen Beitrag zur Überwindung des herkömmlichen, auf Verfügungen bzw. Entscheide beschränkten Verfahrensverständnisses.
Evapotranspiration of Urban Landscape Trees and Turfgrass in an Arid Environment: Potential Trade-offs in the Landscape
Authors: Wynne Tamara , Devitt Dale
Published: August 2020

Irrigation in arid urban landscapes can use significant amounts of water. Water conservation must be based on plant species and the ability to meet plant water requirements while minimizing overirrigation. However, actual evapotranspiration (ET) estimates for landscape trees and turfgrass in arid environments are poorly documented, especially direct comparisons to assess potential trade-offs. We conducted research to quantify ET of 10 common landscape tree species grown in southern Nevada and compared these values with the ET of both a warm season and cool season turfgrass species. The trees were grown in a plot with a high-density planting (256 trees/ha). A complete morphological assessment was made on each tree, and monitoring of plant water status was conducted monthly. ET was quantified with a hydrologic balance approach, irrigating based on the previous week’s ET to eliminate a drainage component. Transpiration was estimated with sap-flow sensors, and evaporation was estimated by difference. Although ET in liters revealed no statistical difference based on species, there were many significant differences in tree morphological parameters (P < 0.05), such as found with basal canopy area. When ET was converted to centimeters based on standardizing the ET on a basal canopy area basis, statistically higher ET values (P < 0.05) were generated for three of the trees (Lagerstroemia indica, Gleditsia tricanthos, and Fraxinus velutina ‘Modesto’). A clear separation of all tree ET values (lower ET) with turfgrass ET occurred (P < 0.001), with the exception of L. indica. Backward regression analysis revealed that all morphological and physiological parameters were eliminated with the exception of percent cover in predicting ET (cm, R2 = 0.88, P < 0.001). In addition, a highly curvilinear relationship existed between decreasing percent tree cover and ET on a basal canopy area basis (R2 = 0.96, P < 0.001), revealing that smaller trees located within the plot had significantly higher ET (centimeters). Tree-to-grass water use ratios demonstrated that all species except L. indica had ratios significantly below 1.0, indicating that on the basis of this study, landscapes dominated by mature trees irrigated at ET would have lower water use rates than similar areas planted to turfgrass, with the exception of the smaller L. indica. The results suggest that the smaller trees within the higher planting density plot were partially released from a negative feedback on transpiration that occurred in the larger trees based on reduced canopy atmospheric coupling.
Talpa (poll evil): Description of a case
Authors: BEDNAREK DARIUSZ , KUSY ROLAND , TOMCZYK GRZEGORZ , ZAGAŃCZYK JADWIGA
Published: August 2020

Talpa (poll evil) is a traditional term for an inflammatory illness of horses that manifests itself in a characteristic swelling on the top of the neck and the back of the horse’s head between the ears, which is caused by infection of the bursa (bursitis) in the neck and progresses to a large abscess at the poll. It starts as an inflamed bursa at the anterior end of the neck between vertebrae and the nuchal ligament, and swells until it presents as a characteristic swelling at the poll. The swelling can increase until it ruptures and drains. There are several causes of talpa, such as injury, irritation of the skin, or a puncture wound, but the most common cause is infection by various bacteria, including but not limited to Brucella abortus accompanied with Actinomyces bovis, as well as Bacteroides fragilis, Corynebacterium spp., Escherichia coli, Pasteurella spp., Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus equi, Streptococcus zooepidemicus and even some parasites, such as Onchocerca cervicalis or O. reticulata. Because of the modern efforts to reduce the incidence of brucellosis in livestock, horses are less exposed to Brucella abortus, and hence modern cases of poll evil usually arise from skin trauma due to the horse striking its head against poorly designed or lowclearance structures, or to improper use of equipment, particularly leaving a badly-chosen halter on the horse around the clock. Poll evil is difficult to treat because of the deep-seated nature of the infection. If the bacterial infection of the bursa and nuchal ligament has spread, and purulent discharge is present, antibiotic therapy will be necessary along with hot packs and, possibly, surgery to remove infected and devitalized tissue. The paper presents the aetiopathogenetic background of poll evil and then describes in detail a field case reported in veterinary practice.
Protective effects of hydrogen on oxidative stress and liver function during CO2 pneumoperitoneum in dogs
Authors: ZHANG JIANTAO , ZHENG XIAOYAN , JIANG LIHONG , ZE TAO , LIU TAO
Published: August 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of hydrogen reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury during CO2 pneumoperitoneum on oxidative stress and liver function. Eighteen healthy Beagle dogs were divided into three groups. Dogs in the control group were subjected only to anesthesia for 90 min. The pneumoperitoneum group was subjected to the pressure of CO2 pneumoperitoneum with 12 mmHg intraabdominal pressure for 90 min. The hydrogen group was subjected to the pressure of CO2 pneumoperitoneum with 12 mmHg intra-abdominal pressure for 90 min after a subcutaneous injection of hydrogen gas (0.2 mL/kg) for 10 min. Blood samples were collected before the induction of pneumoperitoneum, as well as 2 h and 6 h after deflation, to evaluate oxidative stress and liver function in serum. Liver tissue samples were taken 6 h after deflation for histopathological examination. In comparison with group P, a milder histopathological change was found in group H2, and the levels of hepatic function and anti-oxidation in group H2 were higher. Hydrogen gas reduced liver ischemia-reperfusion injury due to CO2 pneumoperitoneum by reducing oxidative stress and improving liver function. Hydrogen gas therapy can be considered as a way to reduce liver ischemiareperfusion injury in laparoscopic surgery.
Quality and safety of agricultural products in the Shuchinsk-Burabay Resort Zone. Fish
Authors: MAIKANOV BALGABAY S. , AUTELEYEVA LAURA T. , ISMAGULOVA GULZHIKHAN T. , WIŚNIEWSKI JAN , BEŁKOT ZBIGNIEW , ANUSZ KRZYSZTOF
Published: August 2020

The aim of the study was to determine the nutritional value (content of endogenous and exogenous amino acids) and safety (content of metals and radionuclides) of the muscle tissue of fish obtained in the Shuchinsk- Burabay recreation area (Kazakhstan). Analytical methods involving mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma and liquid chromatography were used. The content of exogenous amino acids in fish protein was similar to their level in the meat of cattle, pigs, and poultry obtained in the same leisure zone. The ratio of the sum of exogenous amino acids to the sum of endogenous amino acids in fish meat protein ranged from 0.29 to 0.39. In all samples, it ranged from 45.45 to 33.33% of the norm. Samples of fish meat from some lakes diverged from the norm in the amount of exogenous and endogenous amino acids by 2.01-3%. Valine was a limiting amino acid in the meat of fish from all lakes; its amount ranged from 21.6 to 27.8%. The second most important limiting amino acid was isoleucine, which ranged from 72.1 to 77.25%. The contents of heavy metal salts were up to 0.0590 mg/kg for arsenic, 0.0050 mg/kg for cadmium, and 0.0350 mg/kg for lead, which did not exceed the norms of the maximum allowable concentration of these metals. Only the mercury content in perch muscle tissue, which was 0.0385 mg/kg, exceeded the maximum permissible concentration by 28%. The level of other metals was in line with the standards. Fish from the lakes of the Shuchinsk-Burabay recreation area are slightly contaminated with heavy metal salts, but these pollutants generally do not exceed the maximum permissible concentration. The concentration of radionuclides in fish samples did not exceed the maximum permissible level.
Preparation of multilayer polyelectrolyte ceramic membrane for water disinfection
Authors: Boussemghoune Mohamed , Mustapha Chikhi , Ozay Yasin , Dizge Nadir
Published: August 2020

A multilayer polyelectrolyte ceramic membrane using LbL was assembled to test the performance of water disinfection capability. The natural raw clay material (kaolin) was used as the main ceramic membrane (CM) support. The impact of the number of polyelectrolyte bilayers (2, 4, 6) on the retention of Escherichia coli was systematically investigated. Test results showed the water permeability coefficients (Lp) were 85.3 L/m2.h.bar and 69.5, 28.3, 50.1 L/m2.h.bar for pristine (CM0) and ceramic membranes with two bilayers (CM2), four bilayers (CM4), and six bilayers (CM6), respectively. Complete retention of E. coli was achieved by the multilayer polyelectrolyte ceramic membrane with four bilayers. The surface morphology of the multilayer polyelectrolyte ceramic membrane was identified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the multilayer polyelectrolyte ceramic membrane can be safely applied in providing water disinfection.
Analysing consequences of infiltration and inflow water (I/I-water) using cost-benefit analyses
Authors: Sola Kristin Jenssen , Bjerkholt Jarle T. , Lindholm Oddvar G. , Ratnaweera Harsha
Published: August 2020

The Municipality of Asker (Norway) is at risk of not meeting the water quality targets set by the European Union Water Framework Directive within the stipulated timeframe. While there are multiple factors negatively impacting water quality in the municipality, wastewater is likely to be a major contributor. Infiltration and inflow water (I/I-water) leads to a number of unwanted consequences, of which direct discharge of untreated wastewater through overflow points is particularly important. In Aker municipality the portion of I/I-water is about 63%, while the goal is to achieve a level of about 30%. This study utilises a socio-economic cost-effectiveness analysis of measures to prevent sewer overflows into waterbodies. The most effective alternative identified in the analysis is a complete renovation of old pipes in combination with troubleshooting for faulty stormwater connections, when compared to alternatives considering upsizing/retention. I/I-water cost the municipality of Asker NOK34 million in 2017, when using a price of NOK16,434 for each kg of total phosphorus (Tot-P) let into the recipient water bodies. If the phosphorus cost is equal to or less than NOK17,806/kg Tot-P, then it will not be socio-economically justified to reduce I/I-water.
Memória de afetos
Authors: Spinelli Lindoso José Antônio
Published: August 2020

Esse artigo é uma reflexão instigada por uma obra que recria o massacre de um grupo de militantes de esquerda (geração 68) que optaram pela luta armada contra a ditadura brasileira. Não se trata de um registro testemunhal. Aqui a memória estabelece seus direitos sob a modalidade da linguagem ficcional. A obra é uma espécie de escrita de si, uma memória de afetos, um relato ficcional com suportes no real, permeado pelo imaginário de uma geração, por seus valores, visões de mundo, escolhas éticas, estéticas, experiências sensíveis. Privilegio a análise literária, a reflexão sobre a memória e o exame da autocracia ditatorial que condiciona a ação.
Antimicrobial, Antitumor and Side Effects Assessment of a Newly Synthesized Tamoxifen Analog
Authors: Abdmouleh Fatma , El Arbi Mehdi , Saad Hajer Ben , Jellali Karim , Ketata Emna , Amara Ibtissem Ben , Pigeon Pascal , Hassen Hanen Ben , Top Siden , Jaouen Gérard , Hammami Riadh , Ali Mamdouh Ben , Gupta Girish Kumar
Published: August 2020

Background:

Tamoxifen citrate is a very prevalent drug marketed under several trade names
like Apo-Tamox, Nolvadex, Tamec, Tamizam, and Tamoplex. This molecule is approved by the FDA
for breast cancer treatment. Some studies have shown that tamoxifen has anti-tuberculosis and antiparasitic
activities. Like any drug, tamoxifen possesses side effects, more or less dangerous.

Aims:

Basically, this work is a comparative study that aims to: primarily compare the antimicrobial and
antitumor activities of tamoxifen and a newly synthesized tamoxifen analog; and to determine the molecule
with lesser side effects.

Methods:

Three groups of mice were injected with tamoxifen citrate and compound 2(1,1-bis[4-(3-
dimethylaminopropoxy)phenyl]-2-phenyl-but-1-ene dihydrochloride) at doses corresponding to C1
(1/10), C2 (1/50), and C3 (1/100) to compound 2 lethal dose (LD50 = 75 mg/kg) administered to adult
mice. A group of noninjected mice served as a study control.

Results:

Experimental results suggest that compound 2 has better antitumor and antimicrobial activity
than tamoxifen citrate besides its lower toxicity effects.

Conclusion:

The results obtained from the present study confirmed the antitumor and antimicrobial
effect of tamoxifen citrate and its hematological side effects. Compound 2 seems to be more effective
than tamoxifen citrate for antitumor and antimicrobial treatment while having less hematological side
effects and less disruption of the blood biochemical parameters. These findings encourage us to perform
further studies on compound 2 and test it for other therapeutic uses for which tamoxifen was found effective.