bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of Phototransduction Genes in Lepidoptera
Authors: Macias-Muñoz Aide , Rangel Olguin Aline G , Briscoe Adriana D
Published: July 2019

Vision is underpinned by phototransduction, a signaling cascade that converts light energy into an electrical signal. Among insects, phototransduction is best understood in Drosophila melanogaster. Comparison of D. melanogaster against three insect species found several phototransduction gene gains and losses, however, lepidopterans were not examined. Diurnal butterflies and nocturnal moths occupy different light environments and have distinct eye morphologies, which might impact the expression of their phototransduction genes. Here we investigated: 1) how phototransduction genes vary in gene gain or loss between D. melanogaster and Lepidoptera, and 2) variations in phototransduction genes between moths and butterflies. To test our prediction of phototransduction differences due to distinct visual ecologies, we used insect reference genomes, phylogenetics, and moth and butterfly head RNA-Seq and transcriptome data. As expected, most phototransduction genes were conserved between D. melanogaster and Lepidoptera, with some exceptions. Notably, we found two lepidopteran opsins lacking a D. melanogaster ortholog. Using antibodies we found that one of these opsins, a candidate retinochrome, which we refer to as unclassified opsin (UnRh), is expressed in the crystalline cone cells and the pigment cells of the butterfly, Heliconius melpomene. Our results also show that butterflies express similar amounts of trp and trpl channel mRNAs, whereas moths express ∼50× less trp, a potential adaptation to darkness. Our findings suggest that while many single-copy D. melanogaster phototransduction genes are conserved in lepidopterans, phototransduction gene expression differences exist between moths and butterflies that may be linked to their visual light environment.
Short-Term Disability Fluctuations in Late Life
Authors: Stolz Erwin , Gill Thomas M , Mayerl Hannes , Freidl Wolfgang
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Late-life disability is highly dynamic but within-person short-term fluctuations have not been assessed previously. We analyze how substantial such late-life disability fluctuations are and whether they are associated with time-to-death, long-term disability trajectories, frailty, and sociodemographics.

Methods

Monthly survey data (Precipitating Events Project Study) on activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living (ADL/IADL) disability (0–9) in the last years of life from 642 deceased respondents providing 56,308 observations were analyzed with a two-step approach. Observation-level residuals extracted from a Poisson mixed regression model (first step), which depict vertical short-term fluctuations from individual long-term trajectories, were analyzed with a linear mixed regression model (second step).

Results

Short-term disability fluctuations amounted to about one ADL/IADL limitation, increased in the last 4 years of life, and were closely associated with disability increases. Associations with frailty or sociodemographics characteristics were absent except for living alone.

Discussion

Short-term disability fluctuations in late life were substantial, were linked to mortality-related processes, and represent a concomitant feature of disability increases in late life.
Salvage surgery for lung cancer with tracheo-oesophageal fistula during concurrent chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Watanabe Isamu , Takamochi Kazuya , Oh Shiaki , Suzuki Kenji
Published: July 2019

A 48-year-old man presenting with cough, dysphagia and chest pain was diagnosed with advanced inoperable squamous cell carcinoma located in the right S2 with mediastinal lymph node metastases invading the oesophagus (c-T4N2M0 stage IIIB). Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (66 Gy) was planned, but he developed a tracheo-oesophageal fistula during the chemoradiotherapy course (26 Gy). A right sleeve pneumonectomy with oesophagectomy, cervical oesophagostomy and enterostomy were performed. Although bilateral recurrent nerve palsy occurred, he recovered via enhanced rehabilitation and was discharged 28 days after the salvage surgery. Three months after the initial surgery, staged reconstruction surgery of the stomach was performed. Intensive rehabilitation resulted in restored swallowing ability. He is alive with recurrent disease 12 months after surgery. This is the first report of salvage surgery for advanced lung cancer with tracheo-oesophageal fistula during concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
Cost of Refractory Crohn’s Disease Before and After Ustekinumab Utilization
Authors: Rahme Elham , Nedjar Hacene , Afif Waqqas
Published: July 2019

Background

Crohn’s disease (CD) is associated with major health services utilization and costs. Between 2012 and 2015, ustekinumab was used off-label in Quebec, Canada for treatment of refractory CD.

Aims

We assessed the direct medical cost of adult CD patients in the 1-year pre- and 1-year postustekinumab initiation.

Methods

Data were obtained from the provincial administrative databases. CD patients dispensed subcutaneous ustekinumab in 2012 to 2014 were followed for 1 year from the date of initiation (index-date). Kaplan Meier plots were used to display time to ustekinumab discontinuation and factors associated with discontinuation were identified using multivariate Cox regression models. Direct medical costs and 95% confidence interval (CI) of gastrointestinal-related health services were calculated for the 1-year pre- and 1-year post-index-date.

Results

Thirty-four CD patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 44 ± 14 years, 59% women and 41% with low income) were included. Of these, 14 (41%) discontinued ustekinumab during the postperiod. Discontinuation was less likely among older patients: hazard ratio (95% CI) per 5-year age increase, 0.77 (0.61 to 0.96). The total $CAN direct medical cost (mean, 95% CI) was higher in the post- versus preperiod: $1,681,239 ($49,448; $42,265 to $57,160) versus $880,060 ($25,884; $20,391 to 31,596), while the total costs of GI-related health services were similar: $250,206 ($7359, $3536 to $11,674), versus $213,446 ($6278, $3609 to $9423).

Conclusion

In patients with severe refractory CD on off-label ustekinumab, approximately 60% remained on treatment beyond 1 year. The cost of gastrointestinal services did not increase during that year as compared to that of the year preceding ustekinumab use.
Genomic Signatures of Selection along a Climatic Gradient in the Northern Range Margin of the White-Footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus)
Authors: Garcia-Elfring Alan , Barrett Rowan D H , Millien Virginie
Published: July 2019

Identifying genetic variation involved in thermal adaptation is likely to yield insights into how species adapt to different climates. Physiological and behavioral responses associated with overwintering (e.g., torpor) are thought to serve important functions in climate adaptation. In this study, we use 2 isolated Peromyscus leucopus lineages on the northern margin of the species range to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) showing a strong environmental association and test for evidence of parallel evolution. We found signatures of clinal selection in each lineage, but evidence of parallelism was limited, with only 2 SNPs showing parallel allele frequencies across transects. These parallel SNPs map to a gene involved in protection against iron-dependent oxidative stress (Fxn) and to a gene with unknown function but containing a forkhead-associated domain (Fhad1). Furthermore, within transects, we find significant clinal patterns in genes enriched for functions associated with glycogen homeostasis, synaptic function, intracellular Ca2+ balance, H3 histone modification, as well as the G2/M transition of cell division. Our results are consistent with recent literature on the cellular and molecular basis of climate adaptation in small mammals and provide candidate genomic regions for further study.
Reliability and normative values of common adult radiographic parameters for hip preservation in the developing pelvis
Authors: Whitlock Patrick W , Salari Kamran F , Blumstein Gideon , Zhang Bin , Arkader Alexandre , Choi Paul
Published: July 2019

Anterior–posterior (A/P) radiography of the pelvis is essential to the diagnosis and treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Multiple well-defined parameters of adult hip morphology with good reliability are readily available. The purpose of this study was to determine normative values and observed reliability for 10 common adult hip parameters in the developing pelvis of male and female patients aged 6 months–16 years. One hundred and fifty-eight standardized A/P pelvic radiographs were randomly selected from an existing trauma patient database and stratified into five age groups. Mean values or presence of categorical values and the observed reliability of 10 adult hip parameters (acetabular index/angle, pelvic width index, lateral center edge angle, Tonnis angle, acetabular to femoral head distance, femoral head diameter, coxa profunda/protrusio, ischial spine sign, crossover sign and posterior wall sign) were determined. Minimal differences in all parameters were observed between male and female patients. The observed inter-rater reliability of continuous parameters was 0.77–0.99. The observed intra-rater reliability was 0.7–0.99 with a combined intra-rater reliability of 0.88–0.99. The observed inter-rater reliability of categorical variables was 0.64–1.0. The intra-rater reliability of categorical variables was 0.83–1.0. Normative values for 10 common adult hip parameters were determined for male and female patients in the developing pelvis. Reliable knowledge of these values and their relationship to the age of the patient and/or stage of pelvic development associated may provide additional information to aid the treatment of DDH.
Parent–Child Disagreements About Safety During Preadolescence
Authors: Kane Alexa , Morrongiello Barbara A
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Much research has examined how parents manage safety issues for young children, however, little is known about how they do so in the preadolescent years when children’s demand for autonomy increases. The current study focused on youth in this transition stage (10–13 years) and examined parent–child disagreements about safety, including how parents learn of these, react to these, and resolve these (Aim 1), if the parent–child relationship or sex of the child impacts these processes (Aim 2), and the nature and reasons why children intentionally keep safety-relevant secrets from their parents (Aim 3).

Methods

A short-term longitudinal design was applied. Parents initially completed questionnaires and, with their child, retrospectively recalled safety disagreements. Over the next month, parents tracked safety disagreements and children tracked secrets they withheld from parents.

Results

The findings revealed significant gender differences: Daughters were more likely than sons to spontaneously disclose safety issues to their parents, and parents were more likely to discuss the issue and provide teaching to daughters than sons. Relationship quality emerged as an important factor, particularly for boys: A positive parent–child relationship predicted increased parental teaching in response to a safety-relevant issue for boys only. Children kept secrets from their parents about safety-relevant information in order to maintain their autonomy and independence.

Conclusion

Parent–child disagreements about safety are influenced by the positive nature of the parent–child relationship and differ for sons and daughters.
Who Can You Count On? Understanding The Determinants of Reliability
Authors: Tourangeau Roger , Yan Ting , Sun Hanyu
Published: July 2019

Using reinterview data from the PATH Reliability and Validity (PATH-RV) study, we examine the characteristics of questions and respondents that predict the reliability of the answers. In the PATH-RV study, 524 respondents completed an interview twice, five to twenty-four days apart. We coded a number of question characteristics and used them to predict the gross discrepancy rates (GDRs) and kappas for each question. We also investigated respondent characteristics associated with reliability. Finally, we fitted cross-classified models that simultaneously examined a range of respondent and question characteristics. Although the different models yielded somewhat different conclusions, in general factual questions (especially demographic questions), shorter questions, questions that did not use scales, those with fewer response options, and those that asked about a noncentral topic produced more reliable answers than attitudinal questions, longer questions, questions using ordinal scales, those with more response options, and those asking about a central topic. One surprising finding was that items raising potential social desirability concerns yielded more reliable answers than items that did not raise such concerns. The respondent-level models and cross-classified models indicated that five adult respondent characteristics were associated with giving the same answer in both interviews—education, the Big Five trait of conscientiousness, tobacco use, sex, and income. Hispanic youths and non-Hispanic black youths were less likely to give the same answer in both interviews. The cross-classified model also found that more words were associated with less reliable answers. The results are mostly consistent with earlier findings but are nonetheless important because they are much less model-dependent than the earlier work. In addition, this study is the first to incorporate such personality traits as needed for cognition and the Big Five personality factors and to examine the relationships among reliability, item nonresponse, and response latency.
Compact planetary nebulae: improved IR diagnostic criteria based on classification tree modelling
Authors: Akras Stavros , Guzman-Ramirez Lizette , Gonçalves Denise R
Published: July 2019

Planetary nebulae (PNe) are strong H α line emitters and a lot of new PNe discoveries have been made by the SuperCOSMOS AAO/UKST H α Survey (SHS) and the Isaac Newton Telescope Photometric H α Survey (IPHAS). However, their resulting list of candidates turned out to be heavily contaminated from H α-line mimics like young stellar objects (YSOs) and/or H ii regions. The aim of this work is to find new infrared criteria that can better distinguish compact PNe from their mimics using a machine learning approach and the photometric data from the Two-Micron All-Sky Survey and Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer. Three classification tree models have been developed with the following colour criteria: W1 − W4 ≥ 7.87 and J − H < 1.10; H − W2 ≥ 2.24 and J − H < 0.50; and Ks− W3 ≥ 6.42 and J − H < 1.31 providing a list of candidates, characterized by a high probability to be genuine PNe. The contamination of this list of candidates from H α mimics is low but not negligible. By applying these criteria to the IPHAS list of PN candidates and the entire IPHAS and VPHAS+ DR2 catalogues, we find 141 sources, from which 92 are known PNe, 39 are new very likely compact PNe (without an available classification or uncertain) and 10 are classified as H ii regions, Wolf–Rayet stars, AeBe stars, and YSOs. The occurrence of false-positive identifications in this technique is between 10 and 15 per cent.
On the observational behaviour of the highly polarized Type IIn supernova SN 2017hcc
Authors: Kumar Brajesh , Eswaraiah Chakali , Singh Avinash , Sahu D K , Anupama G C , Kawabata K S , Yamanaka Masayuki , Otsubo Ikki , Pandey S B , Nakaoka Tatsuya , Kawabata Miho , Aryan Amar , Akitaya Hiroshi
Published: July 2019

We present the results based on photometric (Swift UVOT), broad-band polarimetric (V and Rbands) and optical spectroscopic observations of the Type IIn supernova (SN) 2017hcc. Our study is supplemented with spectropolarimetric data available in literature for this event. The post-peak light-curve evolution is slow (∼0.2 mag 100 d−1 in b band). The spectrum of ∼+27 d shows a blue continuum with narrow emission lines, typical of a Type IIn SN. Archival polarization data along with the Gaia DR2 distances have been utilized to evaluate the interstellar polarization (ISP) towards the SN direction which is found to be PISP = 0.17 ± 0.02 per cent and θISP = 140° ± 3°. To extract the intrinsic polarization of SN 2017hcc, both the observed and the literature polarization measurements were corrected for ISP. We noticed a significant decline of ∼3.5 per cent (V band) in the intrinsic level of polarization spanning a period of ∼2 months. In contrast, the intrinsic polarization angles remain nearly constant at all epochs. Our study indicates a substantial variation in the degree of asymmetry in either the ejecta and/or the surrounding medium of SN 2017hcc. We also estimate a mass-loss rate of $\dot{M}$ = 0.12 M⊙ yr−1 (for v$\mathrm{ w}$ = 20 km s−1) which suggests that the progenitor of SN 2017hcc is most likely a luminous blue variable.
Decaying turbulence and magnetic fields in galaxy clusters
Authors: Sur Sharanya
Published: July 2019

We explore the decay of turbulence and magnetic fields generated by fluctuation dynamo action in the context of galaxy clusters where such a decaying phase can occur in the aftermath of a major merger event. Using idealized numerical simulations that start from a kinetically dominated regime we focus on the decay of the steady state rms velocity and the magnetic field for a wide range of conditions that include varying the compressibility of the flow, the forcing wavenumber, and the magnetic Prandtl number. Irrespective of the compressibility of the flow, both the rms velocity and the rms magnetic field decay as a power law in time. In the subsonic case we find that the exponent of the power law is consistent with the −3/5 scaling reported in previous studies. However, in the transonic regime both the rms velocity and the magnetic field initially undergo rapid decay with an ≈t−1.1 scaling with time. This is followed by a phase of slow decay where the decay of the rms velocity exhibits an ≈−3/5 scaling in time, while the rms magnetic field scales as ≈−5/7. Furthermore, analysis of the Faraday rotation measure (RM) reveals that the Faraday RM also decays as a power law in time ≈t−5/7; steeper than the ∼t−2/5 scaling obtained in previous simulations of magnetic field decay in subsonic turbulence. Apart from galaxy clusters, our work can have potential implications in the study of magnetic fields in elliptical galaxies.
Peculiar motion of the Solar system derived from a dipole anisotropy in the redshift distribution of distant quasars
Authors: Singal Ashok K
Published: July 2019

An observer stationary with respect to comoving coordinates of the expanding universe should find the redshift distribution to be isotropic. However, a peculiar motion of the observer would introduce a dipole anisotropy in the observed redshift distribution. Conversely, a dipole anisotropy in observed redshift distribution could be exploited to infer our peculiar motion, or rather of our Solar system. We determine here our peculiar velocity by studying the dipole anisotropy in the redshift distribution of a large sample of quasars. The magnitude of the peculiar velocity thus determined turns out to be 2350 ± 280 km s−1, not only much larger than 370 km s−1 determined from the dipole anisotropy in the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR), but also nearly in an opposite direction. Such large values for peculiar velocity have been found in a couple of radio surveys too, but with a direction along the CMBR dipole. Large genuine differences in the inferred motion, whether in magnitude or direction, are rather disconcerting since a solar peculiar velocity should not depend upon the method of its determination. Such discordant dipoles imply perhaps an anisotropic universe, violating the cosmological principle, a cornerstone of the modern cosmology.
Constraining a black hole companion for M87* through imaging by the Event Horizon Telescope
Authors: Safarzadeh Mohammadtaher , Loeb Abraham , Reid Mark
Published: July 2019

The Event Horizon Telescope, a global very long baseline interferometric array observing at a wavelength of 1.3 mm, detected the first image of the M87 supermassive black hole (SMBH). M87 is a giant elliptical galaxy at the centre of the Virgo cluster, which is expected to have formed through merging of cluster galaxies. Consequently M87* hosted mergers of black holes through dynamical friction and could have one or multiple binary companions with a low mass ratio at large separations. We show that a long-term monitoring of the M87 SMBH image over ∼1 yr with absolute positional accuracy of 1 ≈ $\mu$as could detect such binary companions and exclude a large parameter space in semimajor axis (a0) and mass ratio (q), which is currently not constrained. Moreover, the presence of the accretion disc around M87* excludes a binary companion with a0 ≈ of the order of a milliparsec, as otherwise the accretion disc would have been tidally disrupted.
XPD/ERCC2 mutations interfere in cellular responses to oxidative stress
Authors: Lerner Leticia K , Moreno Natália C , Rocha Clarissa R R , Munford Veridiana , Santos Valquíria , Soltys Daniela T , Garcia Camila C M , Sarasin Alain , Menck Carlos F M
Published: July 2019

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is a conserved, flexible mechanism responsible for the removal of bulky, helix-distorting DNA lesions, like ultraviolet damage or cisplatin adducts, but its role in the repair of lesions generated by oxidative stress is still not clear. The helicase XPD/ERCC2, one of the two helicases of the transcription complex IIH, together with XPB, participates both in NER and in RNA pol II-driven transcription. In this work, we investigated the responses of distinct XPD-mutated cell lines to the oxidative stress generated by photoactivated methylene blue (MB) and KBrO3 treatments. The studied cells are derived from patients with XPD mutations but expressing different clinical phenotypes, including xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), XP and Cockayne syndrome (XP-D/CS) and trichothiodystrophy (TTD). We show by different approaches that all XPD-mutated cell lines tested were sensitive to oxidative stress, with those from TTD patients being the most sensitive. Host cell reactivation (HCR) assays showed that XP-D/CS and TTD cells have severely impaired repair capacity of oxidised lesions in plasmid DNA, and alkaline comet assays demonstrated the induction of significantly higher amounts of DNA strand breaks after treatment with photoactivated MB in these cells compared to wild-type cells. All XPD-mutated cells presented strong S/G2 arrest and persistent γ-H2AX staining after photoactivated MB treatment. Taken together, these results indicate that XPD participates in the repair of lesions induced by the redox process, and that XPD mutations lead to differences in the response to oxidatively induced damage.
Visualization and analysis of RNA-Seq assembly graphs
Authors: Nazarie Fahmi W , Shih Barbara , Angus Tim , Barnett Mark W , Chen Sz-Hau , Summers Kim M , Klein Karsten , Faulkner Geoffrey J , Saini Harpreet K , Watson Mick , Dongen Stijn van , Enright Anton J , Freeman Tom C
Published: July 2019

RNA-Seq is a powerful transcriptome profiling technology enabling transcript discovery and quantification. Whilst most commonly used for gene-level quantification, the data can be used for the analysis of transcript isoforms. However, when the underlying transcript assemblies are complex, current visualization approaches can be limiting, with splicing events a challenge to interpret. Here, we report on the development of a graph-based visualization method as a complementary approach to understanding transcript diversity from short-read RNA-Seq data. Following the mapping of reads to a reference genome, a read-to-read comparison is performed on all reads mapping to a given gene, producing a weighted similarity matrix between reads. This is used to produce an RNA assembly graph, where nodes represent reads and edges similarity scores between them. The resulting graphs are visualized in 3D space to better appreciate their sometimes large and complex topology, with other information being overlaid on to nodes, e.g. transcript models. Here we demonstrate the utility of this approach, including the unusual structure of these graphs and how they can be used to identify issues in assembly, repetitive sequences within transcripts and splice variants. We believe this approach has the potential to significantly improve our understanding of transcript complexity.
Durable superamphiphobic silica aerogel surfaces for the culture of 3D cellular spheroids
Authors: Xu Lianyi , Chen Shuangshuang , Lu Xuemin , Lu Qinghua
Published: July 2019

The 3D multicellular spheroids with intact cell–cell junctions have major roles in biological research by virtue of their unique advantage of mimicking the cellular physiological environments. In this work, a durable superamphiphobic silica aerogel surface (SSAS) has been fabricated for the upward culture of 3D multicellular spheroids. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was first electrodeposited on a conductive steel mesh as a first template for porous silica coating. Soot particles were then applied as a second template to construct a cauliflower-like silica aerogel nanostructure. After fluorination, a hierarchical structure with re-entrant curvature was finally fabricated as a durable superamphiphobic surface. This superamphiphobic surface also presented excellent antifouling towards biomacromolecules and cells, which has been demonstrated by the successful upward culture of cell spheroids. The upward culture makes the observation of cellular behavior in situ possible, holding great potential for 3D cellular evaluation in vitro.
Automated sleep stage scoring of the Sleep Heart Health Study using deep neural networks
Authors: Zhang Linda , Fabbri Daniel , Upender Raghu , Kent David
Published: July 2019

Study Objectives

Polysomnography (PSG) scoring is labor intensive and suffers from variability in inter- and intra-rater reliability. Automated PSG scoring has the potential to reduce the human labor costs and the variability inherent to this task. Deep learning is a form of machine learning that uses neural networks to recognize data patterns by inspecting many examples rather than by following explicit programming.

Methods

A sleep staging classifier trained using deep learning methods scored PSG data from the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS). The training set was composed of 42 560 hours of PSG data from 5213 patients. To capture higher-order data, spectrograms were generated from electroencephalography, electrooculography, and electromyography data and then passed to the neural network. A holdout set of 580 PSGs not included in the training set was used to assess model accuracy and discrimination via weighted F1-score, per-stage accuracy, and Cohen’s kappa (K).

Results

The optimal neural network model was composed of spectrograms in the input layer feeding into convolutional neural network layers and a long short-term memory layer to achieve a weighted F1-score of 0.87 and K = 0.82.

Conclusions

The deep learning sleep stage classifier demonstrates excellent accuracy and agreement with expert sleep stage scoring, outperforming human agreement on sleep staging. It achieves comparable or better F1-scores, accuracy, and Cohen’s kappa compared to literature for automated sleep stage scoring of PSG epochs. Accurate automated scoring of other PSG events may eventually allow for fully automated PSG scoring.
Ticagrelor Reduces Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Through the NF-κB–Dependent Pathway in Rats
Authors: Liu Xiaogang , Wang Yuting , Zhang Mingjing , Liu Yufeng , Hu Liqun , Gu Ye
Published: July 2019

We recently showed that ticagrelor reduced myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and downregulated galectin-3 in the ischemic myocardium. This study tested the hypothesis that ticagrelor could reduce IRI through the NF-κB pathway. Rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, placebo group (gastric administration of saline after IRI), ticagrelor group (gastric administration of ticagrelor after left anterior descending artery ligation), dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) group (DSS was added to drinking water 7 days before IRI), and DSS + ticagrelor group (DSS was added to drinking water 7 days before IRI and gastric administration of ticagrelor after left anterior descending artery ligation). Ticagrelor significantly reduced the infarct size and plasma cTnI at 3 and 7 days after IRI, significantly downregulated protein and mRNA expressions of NF-κB and galectin-3, and mRNA expressions of IL-6 and TNF-α in the ischemic area at 24 hours, 3 and 7 days after IRI. Ticagrelor also significantly decreased plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and NT-proBNP levels at 24 hours and 3 days after IRI. Furthermore, pretreatment with DSS blocked the beneficial effects of ticagrelor. Our study indicates that the cardioprotective effect of ticagrelor might be partly mediated by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway in this rat model of IRI.
Physcion 8-O-β-Glucopyranoside Alleviates Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein-Induced Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell Injury by Inducing Autophagy Through AMPK/SIRT1 Signaling[RETRACTED]
Authors: Yang Xiuli , Yin Guotian , Sun Haiyan , Zhao Guoan
Published: July 2019

Aim:

Vascular endothelial cell dysfunction plays a crucial role in the initiation and development of atherosclerosis. Physcion 8-O-β-glucopyranoside (PG), an anthraquinone extracted from Polygonum cuspidatum, has a number of pharmacological functions. The aim of this study was to elucidate the protective effects of PG against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) in VECs.

Methods and Materials:

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used as the in vitro model. Cell viability and apoptosis were, respectively, assessed by CCK-8 assay and Annexin-V/PI staining. Formation of autophagosomes was visualized by acridine orange staining, and the autophagy flux was tracked after infecting the cells with the mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus. The expression levels of various apoptosis and autophagy-associated marker proteins were detected by Western blotting.

Results:

Pretreatment with PG protected the HUVECs from ox-LDL–induced apoptosis. In addition, PG promoted autophagy in HUVECs, which was responsible for its antiapoptotic effects. Finally, activation of AMPK/SIRT1 signaling was upstream of PG-induced autophagy.

Conclusions:

PG has potential pharmacological effects against oxidative damage–induced HUVEC injury through inducing AMPK/SIRT1-mediated autophagy.
miR-3188 (rs7247237-C>T) Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism Is Associated With the Incidence of Vascular Complications in Chinese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Wu Bin , Liu Guojing , He Fazhong , Liu Rong , Wang Zhenmin , Wang Youhong , Zhou Honghao , Zhang Wei
Published: July 2019

miR-3188, one of the earliest discovered microRNAs, is involved in regulating the mTOR-p-PI3K/AKT pathway, thus affecting the progression of diabetic complications. In this study, we observed that the miR-3188 (rs7247237-C>T) polymorphism not only affected the production of nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells, but also significantly associated with the incidence of vascular complications in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. Mechanistic analyses indicate that miR-3188 (rs7247237-T) polymorphism inhibited its own expression and upregulated the expression of gstm1 and trib3, which impairs NO production in human endothelial cells through inactivating AKT/eNOS signal transduction pathway. In addition, our clinical retrospective study indicated that, compared with patients with the CC genotype (n = 351), patients with rs7247237 TT + CT genotypes (n = 580) exhibited an increased risk of major vascular events during intensive glucose control treatment (hazard ratio = 1.560; 95% CI: 1.055–2.307, P = 0.025). Simultaneously, the risk of major vascular events was marginally decreased in patients with the CC genotype during intensive glucose control treatment compared with standard treatment (hazard ratio = 0.666; 95% CI: 0.433–1.016, P = 0.053). Our findings indicate that the miR-3188 (rs7247237-C>T) polymorphism is associated with the incidence of vascular complications in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes, likely due to its remarkable effect on miR-3188 expression.
Duodenal obstruction due to chronic pancreatitis of the pancreas tail treated by surgical intervention
Authors: Tomioka Atsushi , Shimizu Tetsunosuke , Asakuma Mitsuhiro , Inoue Yoshihiro , Taniguchi Kohei , Hirokawa Fumitoshi , Hayashi Michihiro , Uchiyama Kazuhisa
Published: July 2019

Rationale:

Duodenal obstruction (DO) sometimes induces the groove pancreatitis. However, the case of DO due to chronic pancreatitis in pancreas tail (CPPT) is extremely rare. Therefore, the managements of DO caused by CPPT have not been established yet.

Patient concerns:

A 68-year-old man, who was under the treatment of chronic pancreatitis, presented to our hospital with nausea and abdominal pain. He was diagnosed as DO caused by CPPT. The Conservative treatment, including the nasogastric aspiration and intravenous infusion under the absence of food, was performed. The drainage fluid from naso-gastric tube had been more than 2000 ml per a day although continuing treatment for 14 days. Hence, we decided that the conservative therapy was failed and the surgical intervention was required.

Diagnosis:

Computed tomography showed gastroduodenal expansion due to stenosis at the horizontal portion of the duodenum with increasing pancreatic pseudocyst. The contrast radiography of the duodenum showed severe stenosis around Treitz ligament. His pre-surgical diagnosis was DO due to CPPT through exclusion of other etiologies for DO such as annular pancreas, SMA syndrome, duodenal diaphragm and Crohn disease.

Intervention:

Spleen preserving distal pancreatectomy (Warshaw operation) was performed with gastrojejunostomy. During surgery, marked redness and thickness of the mesenteric serosa around Treiz ligament were observed. His surgical findings were supported our preoperative prediction.

Outcomes:

The patient was successfully treated and discharged uneventfully after postoperative day 14. At the 9 months follow-up visit, the patient is still doing well without any symptoms.

Conclusion:

Combination of gastrojejunostomy and Warshaw operation is one of the ideal surgical procedures for patients of DO due to CPPT.
Preventing deoxygenation with high flow nasal cannula oxygen during induction of general anesthesia for rigid bronchoscopy
Authors: Min Ji Young , Jo Haedeun , Roh Kyungmoon , Chung Mee Young
Published: July 2019

Rationale:

Rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia enables performing diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures in the tracheobronchial tree. As most patients undergoing rigid bronchoscopy have moderate to severe respiratory disease or central airway obstruction, the operators often face the risk of hypoxemia when inserting the rigid bronchoscope into the patients’ airway. Applying high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy before the insertion of the bronchoscope allows to maintain high fractional inspired oxygen (FiO2) and thus leading to maximizing apnea time before desaturation.

Patient concerns and diagnosis:

Case 1: A 70-year-old female patient was diagnosed with lung cancer in the left lower lobe and a tracheal mass of about 2.6 cm ∗ 0.8 cm in size.

Case 2: A male patient, 77 years old, 55.7 kg and 157.3 cm in height, had been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and was scheduled for the bronchoscopic volume reduction surgery upon exacerbation of his symptoms of dyspnea and cough with sputum.

Interventions:

Preoxygenation was performed with HFNC (Fisher&Paykel Optiflow ThriveTM, New Zealand) for 3 minutes before the administration of anesthetic medications. The oxygen flow was set at 50 L/min and the FiO2 at 1.0. SpO2 increased to 100%.

Outcomes:

The HFNC oxygen has shown its effectiveness in safely maintaining the patients’ SpO2 during the prolonged apneic period of inserting bronchoscope.

Lessons:

HFNC oxygen is an effective tool in oxygenating the patients during the induction of rigid bronchoscopy, and that it may be a superior alternative to the conventional method of preoxygenation.
IMP3 is a biomarker for non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder associated with an aggressive phenotype
Authors: Yang Feiya , Zhou Qiang , Meng Lingquan , Xing Nianzeng
Published: July 2019

Bladder cancer is one of the most common malignancies of urinary tract. The current study aimed to investigate the role of insulin-like growth factor II messenger RNA binding protein 3 (IMP3) expression in the prognostic evaluation of non-muscle- invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was carried out to examine IMP3 protein expression in specimens from 183 cases of non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma, 20 cases of muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma and 20 benign tissues adjacent to cancer tissue.

The expression of IMP3 was not detected in the adjacent benign tissues. The expression intensity of IMP3 in muscle-invasive samples was significantly higher than that in non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma specimens (P = .008). IMP3 expression was significantly related with advanced tumor stage (P < .001), advanced tumor grade (P = .004), and tumor recurrence (P < .001) in non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinomas. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that IMP3-positive patients had much lower disease-free (P < .001), progression-free (P = .002) and metastasis-free (P = .019) survival rates compared with those with IMP3-negative tumors. By multivariable Cox analysis, we also found that IMP3 expression in non-muscle- invasive urothelial carcinomas proved to be an independent unfavorable prognostic factor of disease-free survival (HR: 2.52; 95% CI, 1.39–4.56; P = .002), progression- free survival (HR: 5.19; 95% CI, 1.54–17.46; P = .008) and metastasis-free survival (HR: 4.87; 95% CI, 1.08–22.02; P = .040).

Our results demonstrate that the expression of IMP3 in non-muscle- invasive bladder cancer can serve as an independent predictor that will help recognize the subgroup of patients with a high ability to relapse, progress, and metastasize and who might get the maximum benefit from an early and more aggressive treatment strategy.
Efficacy of different probiotic protocols in irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Liang Ding , Longgui Ning , Guoqiang Xu
Published: July 2019

Background:

Probiotics is a prevalence therapeutic method for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but there is lack of comparison in different protocols. We aim to differentiate the reasonable protocols by assessing the efficacy and safety through the combined way of traditional and network meta-analysis.

Method:

PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched from January 2006 to April 2019. The relative risk (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to combine dichotomous data of responders.

Result:

Among 14 studies included 1695 patients were identified as suitable for inclusion. The proportion of responders was associated with the administration of multispecies probiotics (RR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.19–1.61) and the dose of 109∼1010(RR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.59–2.71). In network meta-analysis, the protocol of DUO had a significant effect for diarrhea type of IBS compared with placebo (RR: 7.46; 95% CI: 2.00–32.23). In the rest of 4 protocols, no significant difference was found in each other except F19 which appears inferior when compared with Pro (RR: 0.16; 95% CI: 0.03–0.88). Meanwhile, Pro showed a superior effect for undifferentiated-type IBS compared with placebo (RR: 7.16; 95% CI: 1.72–29.89). No probiotics-associated severe adverse event was reported in included studies.

Conclusion:

Probiotics is a safety choice to improve the overall symptoms for IBS patient. The protocols with suitable dose combined ofLactobacillusandBifidobacteriumcan have prepotent effects compared with single species or over-dosage protocols. Network meta-analysis shows that DUO may be the first recommendation for diarrhea-type IBS. In the remaining 4 regimes of this study, Pro has a high rank for undifferentiated-type IBS.
In vitro susceptibility test of Xiao’er Feire Kechuan Oral Solution to Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Authors: Wei Ran , Dou Haiwei , Wang Liangyu , Li Dan , Tian Xiujun , Li Jingyi , Li Shaogang , Xin Deli
Published: July 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of antibiotics and Xiao’er Feire Kechuan Oral Solution on Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) clinical isolates.

Twenty clinical isolates containing A-to-G transition at position 2063 and 10 clinical isolates without mutations in 23S rRNA V regions were randomly selected. The international standard strain FH was chosen as control strain. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of macrolide, quinolones, tetracycline, and Xiao’er Feire Kechuan Oral Solution to MP clinical isolates were performed using broth microdilution method.

In vitro antibiotic susceptibility test of MP clinical isolates showed that MP showed high resistance to macrolide antibiotics (erythromycin and azithromycin); MIC of both were more than 64 μg/mL. The MICs of erythromycin and azithromycin for clinical isolates without mutations in 23S rRNA V regions were ≤0.5 μg/mL. The MICs of tetracycline and levofloxacin for all clinical isolated strains were ≤2.0 μg/mL and ≤1.0 μg/mL, respectively. The MIC of Xiao’er Feire Kechuan Oral Solution was 13.828∼6.914 mg/mL.

In vitro, the drug resistance of MP to macrolide antibiotics is higher, MP clinical isolates are sensitive to tetracycline and levofloxacin, and Xiao’er Feire Kechuan Oral Solution also has a certain inhibitory effect on the macrolide-resistant MP.
Association between homocysteine level and blood pressure traits among Tibetans
Authors: Sun Pengfei , Wang Qianqian , Zhang Yan , Huo Yong , Nima Nima , Fan Jun
Published: July 2019

Studies on hypertension (HTN) in Tibetans who live in high altitude areas are less and whether total homocysteine level (tHcy) is associated with blood pressure (BP) levels or HTN status in Tibetans is unknown.

A total of 1486 Tibetans with complete information from a cross-sectional survey conducted in Lhasa Chengguan County of Tibet were included in this study. Demographic data, self-reported history of disease, and life styles were collected using a questionnaire. Blood tHcy, creatinine, fasting plasma-glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and BP were measured with equipment.

The median tHcy level of the whole population was 14.60 (13.17–16.50) μmol/L, and the prevalence of HTN was 26.99%. Regression models, adjusted for possible covariates, showed that an average increase of 1 lnHcy (log transformation of tHcy level) was associated with an increase of 3.78 mmHg of systolic BP (SBP, P = .011) and 3.02 mmHg of diastolic BP (DBP, P = .003). The prevalence of HTN, levels of SBP and DBP in the third (OR for HTN: 1.60, P = .026; β for SBP: 3.41, P = .004; β for DBP: 2.57, P = .002) and fourth (OR for HTN: 2.19, P < .001; β for SBP: 5.08, P < .001; β for DBP: 3.09, P < .001) quartile of tHcy level were higher than those in the first quartile.

THcy is associated with BP levels and HTN status among Tibetans. Both HTN management and tHcy level should be paid more attention in Tibetans.
Differentiation of postoperative changes and residual tumors in dynamic contrast-enhanced sella MRI after transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenoma
Authors: Kim Ha Youn , Kim Sung Tae , Kim Hyung-Jin , Jeon Pyoung , Byun Hong Sik , Kim Yi Kyung , Cha Jihoon , Park Gyeong Min , Nam Do-Hyun , Kong Doo-Sik
Published: July 2019

To establish magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features that differentiate residual tumors from postoperative surgical changes following the transsphenoidal approach of a pituitary adenoma.

We analyzed residual enhancements at the tumor bed in 52 patients who underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced sella MRI within 48 hours after surgery and at 6 to 28 months. Patients were divided into 2 groups defined by either peripheral or nodular enhancement patterns. For each group, we measured the maximum thickness of the residual enhancing portion and compared differences in the residual tumor and postoperative changes.

Among the tumors examined in the 52 patients, 19 residual tumors showed nodular (n = 16) and peripheral (n = 3) enhancement patterns, and 33 postoperative changes showed nodular (n = 3) and peripheral (n = 30) enhancement patterns. The mean residual tumor thickness was 7.1 mm (range, 2.9–16.8 mm) and 1.9 mm (range, 1.0–7.4 mm) in the postoperative change. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that a 3.9-mm thickness was associated with 89% sensitivity, 97% specificity, and 94% accuracy for diagnosis of residual tumor.

On immediate postoperative MRI, residual enhancement with greater than 3.9-mm thickness and nodular pattern suggest residual pituitary adenoma tumor.
Acetabular reconstruction for primary and revision total hip arthroplasty using Kerboull-type acetabular reinforcement devices—case–control study with factors related to poor outcomes of surgery
Authors: Masumoto Yoshinobu , Fukunishi Shigeo , Fukui Tomokazu , Takeda Yu , Nishio Shoji , Fujihara Yuki , Okahisa Shohei , Okada Taishi , Yoshiya Shinichi
Published: July 2019

Kerboull-type acetabular support rings (KT) and allogenic bone graft were used for severe periacetabular bone loss with primary and revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this case–control study is to evaluate the risk factors related to poor outcomes of surgery.

Sixty patients underwent primary THA and revision THA using allogenic bone graft with KT for large acetabular deficiency. These patients were retrospectively evaluated postoperatively and followed-up by radiograph. The minimum follow-up period was 4 years and averaged 7 years. A radiological failure was defined by the following criteria:

Expected risk factors were defined as female, age >75 years, body mass index (BMI) >25%, medical history of hypertension, renal failure, liver steatosis, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cardiac infarction, smoking, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery (AAOS) classification III or IV, bleeding>500 mL, time of surgery >3hours, high hip center-type KT, inclination of KT >45 degrees, screw angle >25 degrees, morselized bone graft, Kawanabe's classification stage 3 or 4 and revision surgery. Nineteen hips (31.6%) revealed radiological failure according to our criteria, and revision THA was performed in 2 hips (3.3%). In the statistical analysis, morselized bone graft and high hip center-type KT were identified as factors of poor outcomes of surgery.
The efficacy of ketamine supplementation on pain management for knee arthroscopy
Authors: Pan Linlin , Shen Yawen , Ma Teng , Xue Huiqin
Published: July 2019

Introduction:

The efficacy of ketamine supplementation on pain management for knee arthroscopy remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of ketamine supplementation for knee arthroscopy.

Methods:

We search PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through October 2018 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of ketamine supplementation on pain control for knee arthroscopy. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model.

Results:

Seven RCTs involving 300 patients are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group for knee arthroscopy, ketamine supplementation reveals favorable impact on pain scores (mean difference [MD] = –2.95; 95% confidence interval [CI] = –3.36 to –2.54; P < .00001), analgesic consumption (standard mean difference [Std. MD] = –1.03; 95% CI = –1.70 to –0.36; P = .002), time to first analgesic requirement (Std. MD = 1.21; 95% CI = 0.45–1.96; P = .002) and malondialdehyde (Std. MD = –0.63; 95% CI = –1.05 to 3.10; P = –.20), and shows no increase in nausea and vomiting (RR = 1.87; 95% CI = 0.65–3.10; P = .003).

Conclusions:

Ketamine supplementation benefits to pain management and may reduce ischemia reperfusion injury in patients with knee arthroscopy.