bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Institutional Framework for the Development of the Tourism Market
Authors: Toirxonovna Alimova Mashhura , Obloqulovich Umarov Tohir , Tuychiev Inoyatillo Ismatilloyevich
Published: September 2020

The article examines the institutional basis of the tourism market development based on the scientific and theoretical analysis of the essence and content of the concept of «Institute». A brief description of the normative-legal documents and organizations regulating socio-economic relations and processes at the International and national level in the market of tourism have been mentioned. To increase the competitiveness of national tourist organizations in the international tourism market, a proposal was developed for the establishment of non-governmental associations of tourist organizations operating in the region, namely the Union of members of the regional tourist cluster, as well as proposals and recommendations for improving the institutional framework of cooperation in the field of Tourism.
Turbid of Water By Using Fuzzy C- Means and Hard K- Means
Authors: Fawzi Rand Muhaned , Alkanani Iden Hassan
Published: September 2020

In this research two algorithms are applied, the first is Fuzzy C Means (FCM) algorithm and the second is hard K means (HKM) algorithm to know which of them is better than the others these two algorithms are applied on a set of data collected  from the Ministry of Planning on the water turbidity of five areas in Baghdad to know which of these areas are less turbid in clear water to see which months during the year are less turbid in clear water in the specified area.
Voice Identification Using MFCC and Vector Quantization
Authors: Alkhatib Bassel , Kamal Eddin Mohammad Madian Waleed
Published: September 2020

The speaker identification is one of the fundamental problems in speech processing and voice modeling. The speaker identification applications include authentication in critical security systems and the accuracy of the selection. Large-scale voice recognition applications are a major challenge. Quick search in the speaker database requires fast, modern techniques and relies on artificial intelligence to achieve the desired results from the system. Many efforts are made to achieve this through the establishment of variable-based systems and the development of new methodologies for speaker identification. Speaker identification is the process of recognizing who is speaking using the characteristics extracted from the speech's waves like pitch, tone, and frequency. The speaker's models are created and saved in the system environment and used to verify the identity required by people accessing the systems, which allows access to various services that are controlled by voice, speaker identification involves two main parts: the first part is the feature extraction and the second part is the feature matching.
Prevalence and Characterization of Some Colibactin Genes in Clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates from Iraqi Patients
Authors: Hussein Mohammed T. , Al-Qaysi Safaa ahmed S. , Rathi Munther H. , Hussein Qasim I. , Moussa Tarek A.A.
Published: September 2020

The members of the family of Eentrobacteriaceae harbour a gene cluster called polyketide synthase (pks) island. This cluster is responsible for the synthesis of the genotoxin colibactin that might have an important role in the induction of double-strand DNA breaks, leading to promote human colorectal cancer (CRC). Eleven out of the eighty eight isolates (12.5%) were pks+, distributed as 7 (8%) isolates of E. coli, 2 (2.25%) of K. pneumoniae and 2 (2.25%) of E. aerogenes. The cytotoxic effects of selected pks+ isolates (E. coli and E. aerogenes) on HeLa cells were represented by decreasing cell numbers and enlarged cell nuclei in comparison to the untreated cells. Cytological changes were observed when the infected HeLa cells cultures were stained with AO/EBr and visualized under fluorescent microscope. Some changes that happened in the color of the nuclear chromatin were accompanied by DNA condensation and degradation and fragmentation of nuclei. HeLa cells with green unchanged nuclear chromatin were alive while those with orange-dark and bright red nuclei were dead. It was concluded that a proportion of the Entreobacteriaceae isolates from Iraqi patients was pks+, which exerted cytotoxic effects upon using them to kill HeLa cells. In this study the microscopic observation of the cell morphology reveals the cellular response to the genotoxic insult, with reduced numbers, striking giant cells phenotype (megalocytosis) and fragmentation of nuclei due to the cell cycle arrest and cellular senescence
Using geo-spatial analysis for assessing the Risk of Hospital Admissions due to Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Children and its association with socially vulnerable areas (Brazil)
Authors: Pina Juliana Coelho , Alves Luana Seles , Arroyo Luiz Henrique , Arcêncio Ricardo Arcêncio , Gondim Ellen Cristina , Furtado Maria Cândida de Carvalho , de Mello Débora Falleiros
Published: September 2020

Background: The concentration of child morbidity and mortality due to pneumonia in developing countries reflects the social inequities, which lead to greater exposure to risk factors and make access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease more difficult. This study aimed to map and assess the spatial risk for hospitalization due to Community-Acquired Pneumonia in children under 5 years of age and its association with vulnerable areas. Methods: Ecological study, carried out in the city of Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The study population consisted of hospitalized children under the age of five, diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia, in Ribeirão Preto-São Paulo-Brazil, from 2012 to 2013. Data were collected in different databases, by a trained team, between March 2012 and August 2013 and from the 2010 Demographic Census of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The 956 urban census tracts were considered as the units of analysis. The incidence of cases per 10,000 inhabitants was calculated by census tracts during the study period. For the identification of the spatial risk clusters, the Kernel density estimator and the Getis-Ord Gi* technique were measured from the Radius of the distance of 7,589km, with p<.01, found using the Incremental Spatial Autocorrelation tool. Generalized additive models were used to verify the association between areas with social vulnerability and the occurrence of childhood pneumonia. Results: The study included 265 children under the age of five, hospitalized due to community-acquired pneumonia. A concentration of cases was identified in the regions with greater social vulnerability (low income, poor housing conditions and homelessness), as well as a lower occurrence of cases in the most developed and economically privileged area of the city. The majority of the children lived in territories served by traditional primary healthcare units, in which the health surveillance and family and community focus are limited. Conclusions: The results contribute to the comprehension of the social factors involved in child hospitalization due to pneumonia, based on the analysis of the spatial distribution, and address the interface with individual and institutional factors.
MiR-103a-3p promotes tumour glycolysis in colorectal cancer via Hippo/YAP1/HIF1A axis
Authors: Sun Zhenqiang , Zhang Qiuge , Yuan Weitang , Li Xiaoli , Chen Chen , Guo Yaxin , Shao Bo , Dang Qin , Zhou Quanbo , Wang Qisan , Wang Guixian , Liu Jinbo , Kan Quancheng
Published: September 2020

Background: Glycolysis plays an essential role in the growth and metastasis of solid cancer and has received increasing attention in recent years. However, the complex regulatory mechanisms of tumour glycolysis remain elusive. This study aimed to explore the molecular effect and mechanism of the noncoding RNA miR-103a-3p on glycolysis in colorectal cancer (CRC).Methods: We explored the effects of miR-103a-3p on glycolysis and the biological functions of CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we investigated whether miR-103a-3p regulates HIF1A expression through the Hippo/YAP1 pathway, and evaluated the role of the miR-103a-3p-LATS2/SAV1-YAP1-HIF1A axis in promoting glycolysis and angiogenesis in CRC cells and contributed to invasion and metastasis of CRC cells.Results: We found that miR-103a-3p was highly expressed in CRC tissues and cell lines compared with matched controls and the high expression of miR-103a-3p was associated with poor patient prognosis. Under hypoxic conditions, a high level of miR-103a-3p promoted the proliferation, invasion, migration, angiogenesis and glycolysis of CRC cells. Moreover, miR-103a-3p knockdown inhibited the growth, proliferation, and glycolysis of CRC cells and promoted the Hippo-YAP1 signalling pathway in nude mice in a xenograft model. Here, we demonstrated that miR-103a-3p could directly target LATS2 and SAV1. Subsequently, we verified that TEAD1, a transcriptional coactivator of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), directly bound to the HIF1A promoter region and the YAP1 and TEAD1 proteins co-regulated the expression of HIF1A, thus promoting tumour glycolysis.Conclusions: MiR-103a-3p, which is highly expressed in CRC cells, promotes HIF1A expression by targeting the core molecules LATS2 and SAV1 of the Hippo/YAP1 pathway, contributing to enhanced proliferation, invasion, migration, glycolysis and angiogenesis in CRC. Our study revealed the functional mechanisms of miR-103a-3p/YAP1/HIF1A axis in CRC glycolysis, which would provide potential intervention targets for molecular targeted therapy of CRC.
Pseudomonas putida as a potential biocontrol agent against Salmonella Java biofilm formation in the drinking water system of broiler houses
Authors: Maes Sharon , De Reu Koen , Weyenberg Stephanie Van , Lories Bram , Heyndrickx Marc , Steenackers Hans
Published: September 2020

Background: Environmental biofilms can induce attachment and protection of other microorganisms including pathogens, but can also prevent them from invasion and colonization. This opens the possibility for so-called biocontrol strategies, wherein microorganisms are applied to control the presence of other microbes. The potential for both positive and negative interactions between microbes, however, raises the need for in depth characterization of the sociobiology of candidate biocontrol agents (BCAs). The inside of the drinking water system (DWS) of broiler houses is an interesting niche to apply BCAs, because contamination of these systems with pathogens plays an important role in the infection of broiler chickens and consequently humans. In this study, Pseudomonas putida, which is part of the natural microbiota in the DWS of broiler houses, was evaluated as BCA against the broiler pathogen Salmonella Java.Methods: To study the interaction between these species, an in vitro model was developed simulating biofilm formation in the drinking water system of broilers. Mono- and dual-species biofilms were grown in 6-well microtiter plates and quantified based on bacterial counts and social interactions in mixed communities were determined by the cooperation criterion and biodiversity effect.Results: Dual-species biofilms of P. putida strains P1, P2, and P3 with S. Java were characterized by competitive interactions, independent of P. putida strain, S. Java inoculum density and application order. When equal inocula of S. Java and P. putida strains P1 or P3 were simultaneously applied, the interaction was characterized by mutual inhibition, whereas P. putida strain P2 showed an exploitation of S. Java. Lowering the inoculum density of S. Java changed the interaction with P. putida strain P3 also into an exploitation of S. Java. A further increase in S. Java inhibition was established by P. putida strain P3 forming a mature biofilm before applying S. Java.Conclusions: This study provides the first results showing the potential of P. putida as BCA against S. Java in the broiler environment. Future work should include more complex microbial communities residing in the DWS, additional Salmonella strains as well as chemicals typically used to clean and disinfect the system.
Citations and publication rate of preprints on pharmacological interventions for COVID-19: The good, the bad and, the ugly.
Authors: Nicolalde Bryan , Añazco Diego , Mushtaq Mariam , Espinosa Isabel , Gimenez Jimena , Teran Enrique
Published: September 2020

Background: Preprints are preliminary reports that have not been peer-reviewed. On December 2019, a novel coronavirus appeared in China, and since then, scientific production, including preprints, has drastically increased. In this study, we intend to evaluate how often preprints regarding pharmacological interventions against COVID-19 were cited, in spite of the fact that some of these preprints remained unpublished.Methods: We conducted a search on medRxiv and bioRxiv to identify preprints related to pharmacological interventions against SARS-CoV-2 from January 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020. We included any study type that addressed or reported data on pharmacological interventions. We gathered metadata on June 26, 2020 of included preprints and identified if they had been published in a scholarly journal. We performed Mann-Whitney U tests to evaluate if published articles had differences in citation counts or metrics, as defined by PDF downloads and abstract reads, when compared to unpublished preprints.Results: Our sample included 97 preprints, of which 23 were published on scholarly journals and 74 remained unpublished (Publication rate of 23,7%). The most common study designs we found among preprints were basic science research and case series. The number of citations in our sample ranged from 0 to 1409 for published articles, and ranged from 0 to 175 citations for unpublished preprints. Published articles had a significantly higher number of citations when compared to unpublished preprints (p=0,000013). We did not find a statistical difference in PDF download (p=0,167) and abstract reads (p= 0,181). In the published articles, the time from posting on a preprint server to publication on a journal ranged from 0 to 98 days (median: 42.0 days). The time period from date of submission to a journal to date of acceptance in our sample ranged from 1 to 228 days (median: 23 days). Almost half of the preprints that were subsequently published (47,8%) had modifications made to the result section after peer-review.Conclusions: The publication rate of the preprints in this sample was low (1 in 4), although review times in scholarly journals seems to be accelerated. However, there was no difference in the number of views or downloads between preprints already published in scholarly journals and those not yet.
TREM-1 Associated Macrophage Polarization Plays a Significant Role in Inducing Insulin Resistance in the Obese Population
Authors: Subramanian Saravanan , Agrawal Swati , Pallati Pradeep K , Sharma Poonam , Agrawal Devendra K , Nandipati Kalyana C
Published: September 2020

Background: TREM-1 acts as an amplifier of inflammation expressed on macrophages. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between TREM-1 and macrophage polarization, and association of TREM-1 and M1 macrophage polarization with insulin resistance (IR) in the obese population compared to the non-obese population.Methods: We enrolled 34 patients after obtaining IRB approval for this study. We evaluated the mRNA and protein expression levels of general macrophage marker (CD68), M1 marker (CD86, CCR7, iNOS, IFNγ, TNF-α, and IL-6,), M2 marker (CD206, CD163, IL-10, IL-4) and chemokine axis (MCP-1, CCR2, and CCR5) along with TREM-1 and TREM-2 in omentum fat, subcutaneous fat, and liver biopsy tissues of non-obese (N=4), obese non-diabetics, (N=16) and obese diabetics (N=14).Results: The results of our study showed over-expression of TREM-1, M1 markers, and down-regulation of TREM-2 and M2 markers in the omentum, subcutaneous and liver biopsies of obese patients (diabetics and non-diabetics) compared to non-obese patients. Overall, the obese diabetic group showed a significant (p<0.05) higher number of patients with overexpression of M1 markers (TREM-1, CD68, CD86, CCR-7, iNOS, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, MCP-1, CCR-2, and CCR-5) and down-regulation of M2 markers (CD206, CD163, IL-10, and IL-4) in liver biopsy compared to obese non-diabetics. Conclusion: TREM-1 expression is significantly increased along with the M1 markers in liver biopsy of obese diabetic (14/14) and obese nondiabetic patients (9/16). Our data suggest that TREM-1 overexpression and M1 macrophage polarization are associated with obesity-induced IR.
Variable Selection from a Feature Representing Protein Sequences: A Case of Classification on Bacterial Type IV Secreted Effectors
Authors: Zhang Jian , Lv Lixin , Lu Donglei , Kong Denan , Al-Alashaari Mohammed Abdoh Ali , Zhao Xudong
Published: September 2020

Background: Classification of certain proteins with specific functions is momentous for biological research. Encoding approaches of protein sequences for feature extraction play an important role in protein classification. Many computational methods (namely classifiers) are used for classification on protein sequences according to various encoding approaches. Commonly, protein sequences keep certain labels corresponding to different categories of biological functions (e.g., bacterial type IV secreted effectors or not), which makes protein prediction a fantasy. As to protein prediction, a kernel set of protein sequences keeping certain labels certified by biological experiments should be existent in advance. However, it has been hardly ever seen in prevailing researches. Therefore, unsupervised learning rather than supervised learning (e.g. classification) should be considered. As to protein classification, various classifiers may help to evaluate the effectiveness of different encoding approaches. Besides, variable selection from an encoded feature representing protein sequences is an important issue that also needs to be considered.Results: Focusing on the latter problem, we propose a new method for variable selection from an encoded feature representing protein sequences. Taking a benchmark dataset as a case, experiments are made to identify bacterial type IV secreted effectors from protein sequences, which indicates the effectiveness of our method. Conclusions: Certain variables other than an encoded feature they belong to do work for discrimination between different types of proteins. In addition, ensemble classifiers with an automatic assignment of different base classifiers do achieve a better classification result.
Heme-deficient metabolism and impaired cellular differentiation as an evolutionary trade-off for human infectivity in Trypanosoma brucei gambiense
Authors: Horáková Eva , Lecordier Laurence , Cunha Paula , Sobotka Roman , Changmai Piya , Langedijk Catharina , Abbeele Jan Van Den , Vanhollebeke Benoit , Lukes Julius
Published: September 2020

Resistance to African trypanosomes in humans relies on targeting of a trypanosome lytic factor 1 (TLF1) to trypanosome haptoglobin-hemoglobin receptor (HpHbR). While
TLF1 avoidance by the inactivation of the HpHbR contributes to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense human infectivity, the evolutionary trade-off of this adaptation is unknown.
Both T. b. gambiense with inactive HpHbR, as well as a genetically engineered T.b.brucei HpHbR knock-out show only trace levels of intracellular heme and lack the downstream hemoprotein activities, thereby providing an extraordinary example of aerobic parasite proliferation in the absence of heme. We further show that HpHbR facilitates the developmental progression by inducing PAD-1 expression that is associated with the formation of cell cycle-arrested stumpy forms in T. b.brucei . Accordingly, T. b. gambiense was found to be poorly competent for slender-to-stumpy differentiation unless a functional HpHbR receptor derived from T. b. brucei was
genetically restored.
Landslide Hazard Assessment Using Probabilistic and Statistical Approaches: A Case Study of Chamba Region, Himachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Pandey Desh Deepak , Banshtu Rajeswar Singh , Singh Kanwarpreet , Versain Laxmi Devi
Published: September 2020

Landslides have adversely affected the southern region of Chamba district during past three decades. To minimize the damage to ecology and environment due to such natural calamities, landslide hazard zonation and mitigation measures are essential component to stabilize the natural slopes and other physiographic features. In order to remodeling lopsidedness in study area analytical hierarchy process and information value methods with applications of remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) are utilized to delineate the most recumbent landslide hazard zones. Eleven-factor maps like slope gradient, slope aspect, relative relief, land use/ cover etc., were delineated using different sets of data like satellite images and field investigations etc. Depending upon the severity, landslide hazard maps (LHZ) were further divided based upon information value method and analytical hierarchy process models respectively, into five different categories very low (1.2% and 2.95%), low (5.31% and 4.27%), moderate (24.40% and 20.03%), high (29.26% and 31.03%), and very high (40.30% and 44.2%). These hazard maps obtained through both information value and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) were compared for accuracy using success rate curve (SRC) method. Accuracy of the hazard zonation maps was found to be 78.62% for AHP and 85.17% for Inf. Value models.
Added Value of Diaphragm Myofascial Release on Forward Head Posture and Chest Expansion in Patients With Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Haghighat Farzaneh , Moradi Razieh , Rezaie Mohammadreza , Yarahmadi Nastaran , Ghaffarnejad Farahnaz
Published: September 2020

Background: Despite the increasing use of diaphragm myofascial release technique in clinical practice, there is no study on the effect of this technique on musculoskeletal outcomes of patients with neck pain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the added value of diaphragm myofascial release on forward head posture, chest expansion, and functional disability in patients with neck pain.Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 46 women with neck pain between the age of 18 and 45 years old were randomly allocated to two groups; the intervention group received 4 diaphragm myofascial release techniques once a week, for 4 weeks. Both intervention and control groups received the same neck exercise program 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Forward head posture, chest expansion, and neck functional disability were measured using craniovertebral angle, circometry, and Copenhagen neck functional disability index, respectively, before and one day after treatment.Results: The results of the paired t-test showed significant increases in craniovertebral angle (control and intervention: P<0.001) and chest expansion (control: P=0.001, intervention<0.001) and a significant decrease in the functional disability score (control and intervention: P<0.001) of patients with neck pain in both groups. A significant greater craniovertebral angle (P=0.01) and chest expansion (P=0.03) were also seen in the intervention group compared with the controls.Conclusion: Adding diaphragm myofascial release to neck exercises was associated with significantly greater improvements in forward head posture and chest expansion than neck exercises alone. Therefore, the diaphragm myofascial release could be useful in the management of neck pain patients with FHP. Trial registration: IRCT20191116045461N1 (Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials). Registered 23 December 2019, https://en.irct.ir/trial/43741.
Japonica Array NEO with Increased Genome-Wide Coverage and Abundant Disease Risk SNPs
Authors: Sakurai-Yageta Mika , Kumada Kazuki , Gocho Chinatsu , Makino Satoshi , Uruno Akira , Tadaka Shu , Motoike Ikuko N , Kimura Masae , Ito Shin , Otsuki Akihito , Narita Akira , Kudo Hisaaki , Aoki Yuichi , Danjoh Inaho , Yasuda Jun , Kawame Hiroshi , Minegishi Naoko , Koshiba Seizo , Fuse Nobuo , Tamiya Gen , Yamamoto Masayuki , Kinoshita Kengo
Published: September 2020

Background: Increasing the power of genome-wide association studies in diverse populations is important for understanding the genetic determinants of disease risks, and large-scale genotype data are collected by genome cohort and biobank projects all over the world. In particular, ethnic-specific SNP arrays are becoming more important because the use of universal SNP arrays has some limitations in terms of cost-effectiveness and throughput. As part of the Tohoku Medical Megabank Project, which integrates prospective genome cohorts into a biobank, we have been developing a series of Japonica Arrays for genotyping participants based on reference panels constructed from whole-genome sequence data of the Japanese population.Results: We designed a novel version of the SNP Array for the Japanese population, called Japonica Array NEO, comprising a total of 666,883 SNPs, including tag SNPs of autosomes and X chromosome with pseudoautosomal regions, SNPs of Y chromosome and mitochondria, and known disease risk SNPs. Among them, 654,246 tag SNPs were selected from an expanded reference panel of 3,552 Japanese using pairwise r2 of linkage disequilibrium measures. Moreover, 28,298 SNPs were included for the evaluation of previously identified disease risk SNPs from the literature and databases, and those present in the Japanese population were extracted using the reference panel. The imputation performance of Japonica Array NEO was assessed by genotyping 286 Japanese samples. We found that the imputation quality r2 and INFO score in the minor allele frequency bin >2.5%–5% were >0.9 and >0.8, respectively, and >12 million markers were imputed with an INFO score >0.8. After verification, Japonica Arrays were used to efficiently genotype cohort participants from the sample selection to perform a quality assessment of the raw data; approximately 130,000 genotyping data of >150,000 participants has already been obtained. Conclusions: Japonica Array NEO is a promising tool for genotyping the Japanese population with genome-wide coverage, contributing to the development of genetic risk scores for this population and further identifying disease risk alleles among individuals of East Asian ancestry.
Clinical Evaluation of Preoperative Embolization, Vertebroplasty, and Decompression in the Treatment of Aggressive Vertebral Hemangiomas
Authors: Xu Derong , Xi Yongming , Zhou Chuanli , Zhu Kai , Ma Xuexiao
Published: September 2020

Background: Symptomatic aggressive vertebral hemangioma often requires clinical treatment; however, there is great controversy over the treatment plan. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different methods including preoperative emobilization, vertebroplasty, decompression and internal fixation in the treatment of aggressive hemangioma.Methods: A retrospective clinical review of patients diagnosed with aggressive vertebral hemangiomas was conducted. All the patients were assigned to 3 groups according to the treatment strategies: patients in Group A underwent embolization before decompression, patients in Group B underwent decompression with vertebroplasty, patients in Group C received all three treatments. Clinical indexes were compared within 3 groups.Results: There were 6 patients received embolization and decompression (Group A), 9 patients underwent decompression with vertebroplasty (Group B) and 6 patients in Group C. The operative duration of patients in group A (198.33±38.43 min) were less than another two groups (P=0.001). The intra-operative blood loss of patients in group C was 713.33±165.13ml, which was significantly less than group A and group B (P=0.045). Patients in group C exhibited the lowest volume of drainage on POD 1 (178.33±66.76ml), which showed significant difference compared with group A (368.33±191.15ml, P=0.01). There was no significant difference of pre-operative and post-operative VAS and JOA score among 3 groups, as well as drainage on POD 2, total volume and hospital duration.Conclusion: The treatment strategy of combined embolization, vertebroplasty and decompression fixation is efficient and safe. For special patients, if such a strategy cannot be adopted, simple embolization plus decompression or vertebroplasty plus decompression is also competent.
Specific serodiagnosis of animal brucellosis based on a recombinant multiepitope protein antigen
Authors: Yin Dehui , Bai Qiongqiong , Li Han , Zhang Jinpeng
Published: September 2020

Background: Brucellosis is a vital zoonotic infectious disease that will cause important public health problems and endanger the development of animal husbandry in endemic areas, causing huge losses of personal property. Early diagnosis of sick animals is a crucial way to reduce the incidence of brucellosis.Results: In this study, we designed a recombinant multiepitope protein (rMEP) as a serum diagnostic antigen for brucellosis. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess the new rMEP, 159 goat and 153 bovine serum samples were measured, including brucellosis and non-brucellosis. To better observe the effectiveness of rMEP, we performed a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The results of 159 goat serum evaluations showed that the area under the ROC curve(AUC) was 0.9976 and compared with SAT and RBPT, the positive and negative diagnostic accuracy of the ELISA was 98.92%(92/93) and 96.97%(64/66), respectively. 153 bovine serum samples evaluations showed the AUC was 0.9974 and compared with SAT and RBPT, the positive and negative diagnostic accuracy of the ELISA was 98.65%(73/74) and 96.20%(76/79), respectively.Conclusions: The results show that rMEP as a protein antigen can be used to diagnose brucellosis with highly accurate both in goat and bovine.
Training Practices and Injuries in Competitive Adolescent Distance Runners: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study.
Authors: Mann Robert H , McKay Carly D , Clift Bryan C , Williams Craig A , Barker Alan R
Published: September 2020

Background: Distance running is one of the most popular sports around the world. The epidemiology of running-related injuries (RRI) has been examined in adults, but only a few studies have focused on adolescent distance runners. Therefore, the purpose of this study was 1) to examine the training practices (frequency, volume, and intensity) and descriptive epidemiology of RRI (risks, rates, sites, and severity) in competitive adolescent distance runners (13-18 years) in England, and 2) to explore potential correlates (risk factors) of RRI. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Adolescent distance runners (n = 113) were recruited from England Athletics affiliated athletics clubs. Participants voluntarily completed an online questionnaire between April and December 2018. At the point of completion, responses were based on the participant’s previous 12-months of distance running participation. Injury incidence proportions (IP) and incidence rates (IR) were calculated. Potential correlates of RRI were estimated using an odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The injury IP was 122/100 participants/year (95% CI: 113 to 138). The injury IR was 6.3/1000 participation hours (95% CI: 5.3 to 7.4). The most common injury sites were the knee, foot/toes, and lower leg; primarily caused by overuse. Exploratory univariate analyses showed a larger number of training sessions per week (volume) is associated with a lower risk of RRI (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.53 to 0.94), and that a higher level of specialisation is associated with a lower risk of time loss injury (OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.63). Conclusions: Injury is common in adolescent distance runners, aligned with adult-based research. These data provide guidance for the development of appropriate injury prevention interventions.
Copper-oxide impregnated respiratory masks may significantly reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 cross-contamination
Authors: Borkow Gadi , Lustiger Danny , Melamed Eyal , Herrera Vicki , Ackerman Daniel , Reid St. Patrick , Santarpia Joshua
Published: September 2020

The use of protective respiratory face masks has been adopted universally as an important measure in the fight against COVID-19. Masks become contaminated by symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals and the virus can remain viable on the surface of the masks for several days. Although the regular respiratory face masks are single use disposable masks, these masks are being largely reused and not often discarded after use by the general population. Mask touching during use, reuse and disposal occurs frequently, and this can lead to increased risk of infection and further transmission. N95s and regular surgical masks were produced in which the external layers were made with nonwoven fabric impregnated with copper-oxide microparticles. The masks reduced the infectious titers of SARS-CoV-2 by more than 99.9% within 1 minute of contact, as determined by TCID50 assay and serial PCR assays. The use of masks capable of rendering the SARS-CoV-2 non-infectious within minutes, may significantly reduce the risk of viral transmission and infection.
HER2 Gene Assessment in Liquid Biopsy of Gastric and Esophagogastric Junction Cancer Patients Qualified for Surgery
Authors: Grenda Anna , Wojas-Krawczyk Kamila , Skoczylas Tomasz , Krawczyk Paweł , Sierocińska-Sawa Jadwiga , Wallner Grzegorz , Milanowski Janusz
Published: September 2020

Background Amplification of HER2 gene (ERBB2) and overexpression of HER2 protein on cancer cells are found in 10-26% of gastric cancer (GC) and esophagogastric junction cancer (EGJC). Gene copy number variation (CNV) could be detected in these patients in liquid biopsy and in cancer cells. Methods We analysed HER2 gene CNV used qPCR method in 87 sera collected from GC and EGJC patients before surgical treatment and in 40 sera obtained from healthy donors. HER2 gene CNV was also assessed in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue. Furthermore, we assessed the number of HER2 gene copies and HER2 expression in cancer cells using the fluorescent in situ hybridization method (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results We found that the HER2 gene copy number in liquid biopsy was higher in GC and EGJC patients compared to healthy people (p=0.01). Moreover, EGJC patients had higher number of HER2 gene copies than healthy donors (p=0.0016). HER2 CNV examination could distinguish healthy individuals and patients with gastric or esophagogastric junction cancers with sensitivity and specificity of 58% and 98% (AUC=0.707, 95% CI: 0.593-0.821, p=0.004). We found that patients with a high copy number of the HER2 gene in the tumor tissue assessed by qPCR (but not by FISH) have significantly more often a high number of HER2 gene copies in liquid biopsy (p=0.04). Conclusions We suggested that HER2 testing in liquid biopsy could be used as an auxiliary method to analysis of HER2 status in tumor tissue in gastric or esophagogastric junction cancers.
Occupational lifting and risk of hypertension, stratified by use of anti-hypertensives, physical activity and age - a prospective cohort study
Authors: Korshøj Mette , Hannerz Harald , Frikke-Schmidt Ruth , Marott Jacob Louis , Schnohr Peter , Clays Els , Holtermann Andreas
Published: September 2020

Background Prevalence of hypertension varies across occupations, maybe due to differences in exposure to occupational lifting. This study investigated associations between occupational lifting and hypertension, stratified by use of anti-hypertensives, leisure time physical activity (LTPA), occupational physical activity (OPA) and age.Methods Data from the Copenhagen General Population Study were included. The Copenhagen General Population Study was approved by the local ethical committee (H-KF-01-144/01), and all participation were conducted in accordance with the declaration of Helsinki. Multivariable logistic regression models, adjusted for sex, age, BMI, smoking, school education, mental stress and baseline blood pressure (BP), were applied to estimate: the (i) cross-sectional association (n=67,363) between occupational lifting and hypertension (using anti-hypertensives or BP ≥140/≥90 mmHg), (ii) prospective association (n=7,020) between occupational lifting and risk of an above median change in systolic BP (baseline to follow-up) and/or a shift from no use to use of anti-hypertensives, among the included population and stratified by use of anti-hypertensives, LTPA, OPA and age.Results Cross-sectionally, heavy occupational lifting lowered hypertension risk. Mean baseline BP, showed that the higher the level of LTPA the lower mean BP across all levels of OPA were, but only among those not using anti-hypertensives. The prospective analysis showed occupational lifting to increase the risk of hypertension, among workers aged ≥ 50 years, or reporting light to moderate LTPA. Conclusions This study finds positive associations between occupational lifting and risk for hypertension among workers aged ≥ 50 years. Further research on the association between occupational lifting and precursors of cardiovascular disease are needed before recommendations for occupational lifting and cardiovascular health can be established.
Designing Headquarters General Competency Model for The Health Sector
Authors: Fattahi Hamed , Gorji Hasan Abolghasem , Bayat Mahboubeh , Fattahi Arash , Seproo Faezeh Ghasemi
Published: September 2020

Background An effective health headquarters has behaviors, knowledge, skills, and motivations that are behavioral, technical, and motivational prerequisites for successful performance in a job. This study aims to identify the general competencies of health headquarters to meet the needs of the health system.Methods To facilitate a consensus-building process on the development of public competencies, a multi-step approach was used. First, to identify the dimensions and components of general competencies in attracting health headquarters, the systematic review and meta-synthesis were used. Then, using a purposive critical case sampling, twenty-six participants were interviewed and the information was analyzed. In the third stage, the health headquarters were classified into three levels. To present the initial model of competencies, the Mini Delphi method was used. Finally, in the fourth step, to validate and finalize the pattern, the three-step Delphi method was used.Results The six dimensions of competency have been developed, which are (1) leadership and management (12 components), (2) analysis, interpretation, and reporting (6 components), (3) interpersonal relationships (4 components), (4) individual competencies (7 components), (5) cultural and community competencies (5 components), (6), and Administrative competencies (4 components). The leadership and management dimension, in both the first and second stages of this research, had the highest number of codes (42 and 25% of the total codes). Conclusion Since health headquarters play a major role in supervising and directing human resources and promoting the efficiency and effectiveness of the activities of health-related organizations, they should have a high level of management and leadership skills. It is important to pay attention to the competency level of the health headquarters, their classification, and the use of different competencies to attract each group of these headquarters. Also, due to the effective nature of the duties of third-level headquarters who are recruited to work at the highest headquarter level, these headquarters must have a high level of all competencies. Finally, using the competency model of health headquarters can help health organizations in achieving high visions, goals, and self-help strategies.
Construction of A Bivalent Vaccine Against Anthrax and Smallpox Using The Attenuated Vaccinia Virus KVAC103
Authors: Park Deok Bum , Ahn Bo-Eun , Son Ho Sun , Lee Young-Ran , Kim Yu-Ri , Jo Su Kyoung , Chun Jeong-Hoon , Yu Jae-Yon , Choi Myung-Min , Rhie Gi-Eun
Published: September 2020

Background: Anthrax and smallpox are high-risk infectious diseases, and considered as potential agents for bioterrorism. To develop an effective countermeasure for these diseases, we constructed a bivalent vaccine against both anthrax and smallpox by integrating a gene encoding protective antigen (PA) of Bacillus anthracis to the genome of the attenuated vaccinia virus strain, KVAC103. Results: Immunization with this bivalent vaccine induced antibodies against both PA and vaccinia virus in a mouse model. We also observed that the efficacy of this vaccine can be enhanced by combined immunization with immunoadjuvant-expressing KVAC103. Mice groups co-immunized with PA-expressing KVAC103 and either interleukin-15 (IL-15) or cholera toxin subunit A (CTA1)-expressing KVAC103 showed increased anti-PA IgG titer and survival rate against B. anthracis spore challenge compared to the group immunized with PA-expressing KVAC103 alone. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the attenuated smallpox vaccine KVAC103 is an available platform for a multivalent vaccine and co-immunization of immunoadjuvants can improve vaccine performance.
Combination Therapies with Thiazolidinediones are Associated with a Lower Risk of Acute Exacerbations in New-Onset COPD Patients with Advanced Diabetic Mellitus: A Nested Case-Control Study
Authors: Chen Kuan-Yuan , Wu Sheng-Ming , Tseng Chien-Hua , Lee Kang-Yun , Lin Yu-Huei , Liu Hung-Yi , Chien Li-Nien
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND: The effects of oral antihyperglycemic drugs (OADs) for T2DM on outcomes of co-existing COPD patients have been less concerned. We examined the association of combinational OADs and risk of AECOPD in T2DM patients with co-existing COPDMETHODS: A nested case-control study was conducted using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. Among new-onset COPD-T2DM patients, 65,370 were prescribed with metformin and 2nd line OADs before the date of COPD onset. Each AECOPD case was matched to 4 randomly selected controls according to the propensity score estimated by patient’s baseline characteristics. Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between AECOPD risk and OADs use. RESULTS: Among COPD-T2DM patients, 3,355 AECOPD cases and 13,420 matched controls were selected. All COPD-T2DM patients with a double combination of oral OADs (n=12,916), AECOPD patients were less likely to be exposed to SU and thiazolidinediones (TZD) compared to the patients received metformin (MET) and sulfonylurea (SU), with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.51–0.94, P=0.02). Of the patients with a triple combination of oral OADs (n=3,859), we found that MET, SU and TZD had a lower risk of AECOPD (adjusted OR=0.81 (0.68-0.96, P=0.01) compared to a combination of MET, SU and a-glucosidase inhibitors (AGI) regardless the level of COPD complexity. CONCLUSION: Combination therapies with TZD were associated with reducing risk of AECOPD in advanced T2DM patients with co-existing COPD.
Identification of key genes and long non-coding RNA related to bone metastasis in breast cancer by bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Teng Xu , Huang Wei , Yang Tianshu , Li Weishi , Zhou Lin , Wang Zihang , Feng Yajuan , Zhang Jingyao , Yin Xin , Wang Pei , Li Gen , Yu Hefen , Chen Zhongqiang , Fan Dongwei
Published: September 2020

BackgroundThe molecular mechanism of bone metastasis in breast cancer is largely unknown. We aimed to find key genes and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) related to the bone metastasis of breast cancer using a bioinformatic approach. MethodsWe downloaded breast cancer bone metastasis gene expression data (GSE66206) and probe annotation files from the public database Gene Expression Omnibus. Then, we analyzed the network nodes to find core driver genes. Weighted correlation network analysis was performed on the gene expression profile of breast cancer bone metastasis to identify potential pathogenic modules. We performed function and pathway enrichment analyses of the genes and lncRNAs in the breast cancer bone metastasis-related modules. ResultsBased on our results, we constructed a differentially expressed lncRNA–mRNA network related to bone metastases in breast cancer and identified core driver genes, including BNIP3 and RP11-317-J19.1. ConclusionsOur findings provide a theoretical foundation for explaining the intrinsic molecular mechanism of breast cancer bone metastasis.
Return to work a bumpy road: A qualitative study on experiences of work ability and work situation in individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorders
Authors: Peolsson Anneli , Hermansen Anna , Peterson Gunnel , Strid Emma Nilsing
Published: September 2020

Background: Work resumption is a big challenge in the rehabilitation process for individuals with whiplash-associated disorders (WAD). To better meet the needs of individuals with WAD in their return to work process, more knowledge on their experiences and perspectives is needed. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of work ability and the work situation of individuals who participated in a neck-specific exercise programme for chronic WAD. Methods: This qualitative study has an exploratory and descriptive design based on data collected through open-ended interviews with 17 individuals with chronic WAD. Data were analysed inductively using conventional content analysis. Results: Analysis of the data yielded the following five categories related to the participants’ narratives on their experiences of work ability and their work situation: Return to work – a process of setbacks and bureaucracy; The need to be understood by health care, and to receive a treatment plan; Individual resources are important for work ability; The consequences of reduced work ability; and Working conditions are important for work ability. Conclusion: Individuals with chronic WAD often struggle to return to work. Emotional and practical support from stakeholders is imperative and needs to be strengthened. Participating in a neck-specific exercise programme, including being acknowledged and receiving information about WAD, could positively affect the work ability of WAD sufferers. This study has provided management strategies to improve the ability to work for individuals with chronic WAD, and highlights the need to incorporate a healthy and sustainable return to work in the rehabilitation of individuals with WAD, thereby making their return to work a success.