bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Features of serum fatty acids in acute ischaemic stroke patients aged 50 years or older
Authors: Mori Takahisa , Yoshioka Kazuhiro
Published: March 2020

Background

Serum fatty acid (s-FA) compositions and their correlation with serum lipids (s-LPs) such as total cholesterol (T-CHO) and triglycerides (TG) have been reported in healthy young subjects. However, little is known about such features in acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). The aim of our study was to investigate s-FA characteristics and their correlation with AIS in elderly patients.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients aged 50 years or older who were admitted between September 2015 and March 2017 within 24 h of the first AIS onset. We evaluated concentrations and compositions of s-FAs and their association with s-LPs, age, and ischaemic stroke subtypes, including large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA), small-vessel occlusion (SVO), and cardioembolism (CE) or others.

Results

One hundred ninety-one patients met our inclusion criteria. Their average age was 74.4 years, mean T-CHO and median TG were 203.4 and 94.5 mg/dl, respectively, and median or mean concentrations of palmitic acid (PA), oleic acid (OlA), linoleic acid (LiA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were 680.7, 602.5, 795.2, and 136.9 μg/ml, respectively, with mean compositions of 23.7, 21.3, 27.1, and 4.4%, respectively. PA, OlA, and LiA concentrations were weakly negatively associated with age and positively correlated with TG. In LAA or SVO (LAA_SVO) and CE or others (CE_O), mean age was 71.9 and 77.4 years (p < 0.001), mean T-CHO was 213.9 and 191.2 mg/dl (p < 0.0001), median TG was 106.5 and 88.5 mg/dl (p < 0.01), median PA was 717.2 and 648.4 μg/ml (p < 0.01), median OlA was 638.2 and 567.5 μg/ml (p < 0.01), and median LiA was 844.7 and 728.5 μg/ml (p < 0.01), respectively. DHA composition was weakly positively correlated with age. There were no differences in PA, OlA, LiA, and DHA compositions between LAA_SVO and CE_O.

Conclusions

In AIS elderly patients, concentrations, rather than compositions of PA, OlA, and LiA, correlated with age, TG, and ischaemic stroke subtypes. Patients with LAA_SVO were younger and had higher concentrations of PA, OlA, and LiA than those with CE_O. There were no differences in such compositions between LAA_SVO and CE_O.
Comparison of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients’ dietary behaviors
Authors: Kim Seon-Mi , Kang Byung Chin , Kim Hyun-Jung , Kyung Min-Sook , Oh Hyung Jung , Kim Jung-Hyun , Kwon Oran , Ryu Dong-Ryeol
Published: March 2020

Background

Nutritional factors are associated with high mortality and morbidity in dialysis patients, and protein-energy wasting is regarded as an important one. The modality of dialysis may affect patients’ dietary behavior and nutritional status, but no study has compared the dietary behavior, nutrient intake, and nutritional adequacy of hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods

From December 2016 to May 2017, a dietary behavior survey and Semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (Semi-FFQ) were conducted on 30 HD patients and 30 PD patients in Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, and laboratory parameters were obtained. The results of prevalent HD and PD patients were then compared.

Results

The mean age of HD patients was higher than that of PD patients; HD: 58.5 ± 9.1 years, PD: 49.3 ± 9.7 years (p = 0.001). In the dietary behavior survey, HD patients showed more appropriate dietary behavior patterns overall than PD patients. In the dietary intake analysis with the Semi-FFQ, energy intake was significantly lower in the PD group than in the HD group due to the lower intake of carbohydrates, fat, and protein. A comparison of nutrient intake-to-recommended allowance ratio between the HD and PD groups revealed that the HD group showed higher nutrient intake than the PD group. Serum albumin and potassium levels were significantly higher in HD than in PD patients.

Conclusion

According to this study, the dietary behavior and nutritional intake of prevalent PD patients were worse than those of HD patients.
Pseudo-inflammatory manifestations of choroidal lymphoma resembling Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease: case report based on multimodal imaging
Authors: Fukutsu Kanae , Namba Kenichi , Iwata Daiju , Mizuuchi Kazuomi , Kase Satoru , Suzuki Kayo , Shimizu Hiroshi , Shibata Yukiko , Yamawaki Fumihiko , Onozawa Masahiro , Ishida Susumu
Published: March 2020

Background

Hematologic malignancies occasionally cause serous retinal detachment (SRD); however, its pathogenesis remains unclear. Here we present the imaging characteristics of metastatic choroidal lymphoma masquerading as Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease.

Case presentation

A 45-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our clinic because of bilateral SRD with blurred vision. Fluorescein angiography revealed multiple pinpoint leakage followed by pooling OU. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography showed marked choroidal thickening OU. Laser speckle flowgraphy detected choroidal circulation impairment OU. Although these results totally agreed with the inflammatory manifestations of acute VKH disease, indocyanine green angiography demonstrated various sizes of sharply marginated hypofluorescent lesions that seemed atypical for the finding of VKH disease, i.e., vaguely marginated hypofluorescent small dots. Cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis was not detected. Blood tests revealed leukocytosis together with elevation of lactate dehydrogenase and soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels. Corticosteroid pulse therapy did not improve any ocular findings. Bone marrow biopsy was then performed, leading to a definite diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. After starting systemic chemotherapy, both SRD and choroidal thickening resolved rapidly with visual recovery. However, choroidal hypoperfusion persisted, which contrasted distinctly with the inflammatory pattern of VKH disease, i.e., the restoration of choroidal blood flow in parallel with normalization of choroidal thickness.

Conclusions

Our detailed multimodal observations highlighted the differential imaging features of choroidal lymphoma despite close resemblance to VKH disease especially at the initial stage. Impaired circulation in the thickened choroid marked the pseudo-inflammatory pathogenesis of SRD due to choroidal involvement with neoplastic, but not inflammatory cells.
Evaluation of pre- and post-surgery reading ability in patients with epiretinal membrane: a prospective observational study
Authors: Mieno Hiroki , Kojima Kentaro , Yoneda Kazuhito , Kinoshita Fumie , Mizuno Rentaro , Nakaji Shinnosuke , Sotozono Chie
Published: March 2020

Background

This study aimed to investigate the pre- and post-surgery reading ability in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) to evaluate whether measurement of reading performance is a helpful test in addition to visual acuity (VA) as an assessment measure.

Methods

This prospective observational study involved 42 eyes of 40 patients with idiopathic ERM. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), reading ability, and metamorphopsia score were evaluated at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-surgery. As the outcome measure, the reading ability of each patient (i.e., overall performance) was examined with MNREAD-J, the Japanese version of the MNREAD reading acuity (RA) charts, to determine RA, critical print size (CPS), and maximum reading speed (MRS). Generally, a difference of 0.2 logMAR or more is considered a significant change in BCVA. Thus, as a subgroup analysis, we additionally evaluated the BCVA and reading ability of the patients with a BCVA difference of 0.1 logMAR or less between at baseline and at 12 months post-surgery.

Results

Relative to their values at baseline, the subjects exhibited significantly improved BCVA, RA, and CPS throughout the post-surgery examination period (P < 0.001) and significantly improved MRS at 12 months post-surgery (P = 0.04). No significant change in the vertical metamorphopsia score was observed throughout the post-surgery follow-up period. However, and compared to the value at baseline, significant improvements in the horizontal metamorphopsia score were observed at 3, 6 (P < 0.05), and 12 months (P < 0.001) post-surgery. In the subgroup analysis of the 23 eyes that exhibited a BCVA improvement of 0.1 logMAR or less, the median BCVA did not change, but the median RA and CPS improved by 0.2 logMAR.

Conclusions

Our findings showed that the surgical removal of ERM improves reading ability, even when the BCVA score does not improve. The measurement of reading performance appears to be a helpful test in addition to VA as a measure for assessing the surgical removal of ERM.
High urban tuberculosis case notification rates can be misleading: evidence from an urban setting in Ethiopia
Authors: Datiko Daniel , Hadgu Ameha , Jerene Degu , Suarez Pedro G.
Published: March 2020

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem. Its magnitude the required interventions are affected by changes in socioeconomic condition and urbanization. Ethiopia is among the thirty high burden countries with increasing effort to end TB. We aimed to describe the case notification rate (CNR) for urban tuberculosis (TB) and estimate the percentage of TB patients who are not from the catchment population.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used data from TB registers from 2014/15 to 2017/18. We calculated the CNR and treatment success rate for the study area.

Results

Of 2892 TB cases registered, 2432 (84%) were from Adama City, while 460 (16%) were from other sites. The total TB CNR (including TB cases from Adama and other sites) was between 153 and 218 per 100,000 population. However, the adjusted TB CNR (excluding cases outside Adama City) was lower, between 135 and 179 per 100,000. Of 1737 TB cases registered, 1652 (95%) were successfully treated. About 16% of TB cases notified contributing to CNR of 32 per 100,000 population is contributed by TB cases coming from outside of Adama city.

The CNR of 32 per 100,000 population (ranging from 18 to 46 per 100,000) for Adama City was from the patients that came from the surrounding rural areas who sought care in the town.

Conclusion

Although the TB CNR in Adama City was higher than the national CNR, about one-fifth of TB cases came from other sites-which led to overestimating the urban CNR and underestimating the CNR of neighboring areas. TB programs should disaggregate urban TB case notification data by place of residence to accurately identify the proportion of missed cases.
Hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with oral antihyperglycemic agents detected by continuous glucose monitoring: a multi-center prospective observational study in Croatia
Authors: Baretić Maja , Bralić Lang Valeria
Published: March 2020

Background

Hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is still unsolved issue. The aim of this study was to investigate hypoglycemia in T2DM in participants treated with oral antihyperglycemic agents using different glucose cut-off values and to explore influence of different therapies.

Methods

This multi-center prospective observational study included participant with T2DM from primary care offices across Croatia treated with antihyperglycemic agents who were monitored using professional continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device (iPro™2). Hypoglycemia was defined as at least 1% of the monitored period spent in the hypoglycemic range and/or area under the curve of glycemia registered ever under the defined cut-off value. The higher upper limit of blood glucose cut-off value was 3.9 mmol/L (70 mg/dL) and the lower one 3.0 mmol/L (54 mg/dL).

Results

Study included 94 participants. Median hemoglobin A1C levels, age, T2DM duration, body mass index, and CGM use duration were 7 (5.8–11.5) %, 65 (40–86) years, 7 (1–36) years, 30.4 (21.3–41.5) kg/m2 and 6 (1–7) days, respectively. Fifty participants were treated with sulfonylurea, primarily gliclazide (84%). The percentage of participant with hypoglycemia based on the higher cut-off value was 42.6% vs. 16% based on the higher cut-off value. The percentage of participant with nocturnal hypoglycemia (23 PM to 06 AM) was significantly lower among participant with hypoglycemia based on the higher cut-off value compared to lower one (7.8% vs. 22.9%). Sulfonylurea treatment did not influence the occurrence of hypoglycemia. Analysis of the data from participants having hypoglycemia based on the lower cut-off value pointed to other possible risk factors for hypoglycemia like prolonged overnight fasting, physical activity, alcohol consumption, and concomitant therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.

Conclusions

In participant with T2DM treated with oral antihyperglycemic agents hypoglycemia based on the blood glucose cut-off value of 3.9 mmol/L was more prevalent, but with less nocturnal hypoglycemia. Sulfonylurea therapy was not risk factor for hypoglycemia regardless of cut-off value. In participants having hypoglycemia based on the blood glucose cut-off value of 3.0 mmol/L some other possible factors were identified related to concomitant therapy, nutrition and daily habits.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03253237.
High-risk multimorbidity patterns on the road to cardiovascular mortality
Authors: Haug Nina , Deischinger Carola , Gyimesi Michael , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra , Thurner Stefan , Klimek Peter
Published: March 2020

Background

Multimorbidity, the co-occurrence of two or more diseases in one patient, is a frequent phenomenon. Understanding how different diseases condition each other over the lifetime of a patient could significantly contribute to personalised prevention efforts. However, most of our current knowledge on the long-term development of the health of patients (their disease trajectories) is either confined to narrow time spans or specific (sets of) diseases. Here, we aim to identify decisive events that potentially determine the future disease progression of patients.

Methods

Health states of patients are described by algorithmically identified multimorbidity patterns (groups of included or excluded diseases) in a population-wide analysis of 9,000,000 patient histories of hospital diagnoses observed over 17 years. Over time, patients might acquire new diagnoses that change their health state; they describe a disease trajectory. We measure the age- and sex-specific risks for patients that they will acquire certain sets of diseases in the future depending on their current health state.

Results

In the present analysis, the population is described by a set of 132 different multimorbidity patterns. For elderly patients, we find 3 groups of multimorbidity patterns associated with low (yearly in-hospital mortality of 0.2–0.3%), medium (0.3–1%) and high in-hospital mortality (2–11%). We identify combinations of diseases that significantly increase the risk to reach the high-mortality health states in later life. For instance, in men (women) aged 50–59 diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension, the risk for moving into the high-mortality region within 1 year is increased by the factor of 1.96 ± 0.11 (2.60 ± 0.18) compared with all patients of the same age and sex, respectively, and by the factor of 2.09 ± 0.12 (3.04 ± 0.18) if additionally diagnosed with metabolic disorders.

Conclusions

Our approach can be used both to forecast future disease burdens, as well as to identify the critical events in the careers of patients which strongly determine their disease progression, therefore constituting targets for efficient prevention measures. We show that the risk for cardiovascular diseases increases significantly more in females than in males when diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension and metabolic disorders.
Long noncoding RNA and messenger RNA abnormalities in pediatric sepsis: a preliminary study
Authors: Bai Zhenjiang , Li Yiping , Li Yanhong , Pan Jian , Wang Jian , Fang Fang
Published: March 2020

Background

Sepsis represents a complex disease with dysregulated inflammatory response and high mortality rate. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play regulatory roles in a variety of biological processes. However, studies evaluating the function of lncRNAs in pediatric sepsis are scarce, and current knowledge of the role of lncRNAs in pediatric sepsis is still limited. The present study explored the expression patterns of both lncRNAs and mRNAs between pediatric sepsis patients and healthy controls based on a comprehensive microarray analysis.

Methods

LncRNA and mRNA microarray was used to detect the expression of lncRNAs and mRNAs in the septic and control groups. Aberrantly expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs identified were further interpreted by enrichment analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, co-expression network analysis, and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR).

Results

A total of 1488 differetially expressed lncRNAs and 1460 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified. A co-expression network of the identified lncRNAs and mRNAs was constructed. In this network, lncRNA lnc-RP11-1220 K2.2.1–7 is correlated with mRNA CXCR1 and CLEC4D; lncRNA lnc-ANXA3–2 is correlated with mRNA CLEC4D; lncRNA lnc-TRAPPC5–1 is correlated with mRNA DYSF and HLX; lncRNA lnc-ZNF638–1 is correlated with mRNA DYSF and HLX. Significantly different expressions between pediatric sepsis patients and controls were validated by qPCR for the 4 lncRNAs and 4 co-expressed mRNAs, validating the microarray results.

Conclusions

Our study contributes to a comprehensive understading of the involvment of lncRNAs and mRNAs in pediatric sepsis, which may guide subsequent experimental research. Furthermore, our study may also provide potential candidate lncRNAs and mRNAs for the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric sepsis.
Empagliflozin improves cardiac function in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction independent of loading conditions
Authors: Liang Bo , Zhao Yu-Xiu , Gu Ning
Published: March 2020

The study regarding load-independent effects of empagliflozin contribute to improved cardiac function in experimental heart failure with reduced ejection fraction is very interesting. But there are a few things we need to pay attention to.
The bifunctional enzyme, GenB4, catalyzes the last step of gentamicin 3′,4′-di-deoxygenation via reduction and transamination activities
Authors: Chen Xiaotang , Zhang Hui , Zhou Shaotong , Bi Mingjun , Qi Shizhou , Gao Huiyuan , Ni Xianpu , Xia Huanzhang
Published: March 2020

Background

New semi-synthetic aminoglycoside antibiotics generally use chemical modifications to avoid inactivity from pathogens. One of the most used modifications is 3′,4′-di-deoxygenation, which imitates the structure of gentamicin. However, the mechanism of di-deoxygenation has not been clearly elucidated.

Results

Here, we report that the bifunctional enzyme, GenB4, catalyzes the last step of gentamicin 3′,4′-di-deoxygenation via reduction and transamination activities. Following disruption of genB4 in wild-type M. echinospora, its products accumulated in 6′-deamino-6′-oxoverdamicin (1), verdamicin C2a (2), and its epimer, verdamicin C2 (3). Following disruption of genB4 in M. echinospora ΔgenK, its products accumulated in sisomicin (4) and 6′-N-methylsisomicin (5, G-52). Following in vitro catalytic reactions, GenB4 transformed sisomicin (4) to gentamicin C1a (9) and transformed verdamicin C2a (2) and its epimer, verdamicin C2 (3), to gentamicin C2a (11) and gentamicin C2 (12), respectively.

Conclusion

This finding indicated that in addition to its transamination activity, GenB4 exhibits specific 4′,5′ double-bond reducing activity and is responsible for the last step of gentamicin 3′,4′-di-deoxygenation. Taken together, we propose three new intermediates that may refine and supplement the specific biosynthetic pathway of gentamicin C components and lay the foundation for the complete elucidation of di-deoxygenation mechanisms.
Effect of DR1558, a Deinococcus radiodurans response regulator, on the production of GABA in the recombinant Escherichia coli under low pH conditions
Authors: Park Sung-ho , Sohn Yu Jung , Park Si Jae , Choi Jong-il
Published: March 2020

Background

Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an important platform chemical, which has been used as a food additive and drug. Additionally, GABA is a precursor of 2-pyrrolidone, which is used in nylon synthesis. GABA is usually synthesized from glutamate in a reaction catalyzed by glutamate decarboxylase (GAD). Currently, there are several reports on GABA production from monosodium glutamate (MSG) or glucose using engineered microbes. However, the optimal pH for GAD activity is 4, which is the limiting factor for the efficient microbial fermentative production of GABA as fermentations are performed at pH 7. Recently, DR1558, a response regulator in the two-component signal transduction system was identified in Deinococcus radiodurans. DR1558 is reported to confer cellular robustness to cells by binding the promoter regions of genes via DNA-binding domains or by binding to the effector molecules, which enable the microorganisms to survive in various environmental stress conditions, such as oxidative stress, high osmotic shock, and low pH.

Results

In this study, the effect of DR1558 in enhancing GABA production was examined using two different strategies: whole-cell bioconversion of GABA from MSG and direct fermentative production of GABA from glucose under acidic culture conditions. In the whole-cell bioconversion, GABA produced by E. coli expressing GadBC and DR1558 (6.52 g/L GABA from 13 g/L MSG·H2O) in shake flask culture at pH 4.5 was 2.2-fold higher than that by E. coli expressing only GadBC (2.97 g/L of GABA from 13 g/L MSG·H2O). In direct fermentative production of GABA from glucose, E. coli ∆gabT expressing isocitrate dehydrogenase (IcdA), glutamate dehydrogenase (GdhA), GadBC, and DR1558 produced 1.7-fold higher GABA (2.8 g/L of GABA from 30 g/L glucose) than E. coli ∆gabT expressing IcdA, GdhA, and GadBC (1.6 g/L of GABA from 30 g/L glucose) in shake flask culture at an initial pH 7.0. The transcriptional analysis of E. coli revealed that DR1558 conferred acid resistance to E. coli during GABA production. The fed-batch fermentation of E. coli expressing IcdA, GdhA, GadBC, and DR1558 performed at pH 5.0 resulted in the final GABA titer of 6.16 g/L by consuming 116.82 g/L of glucose in 38 h.

Conclusion

This is the first report to demonstrate GABA production by acidic fermentation and to provide an engineering strategy for conferring acid resistance to the recombinant E. coli for GABA production.
Addressing overdose risk among unstably housed women in San Francisco, California: an examination of potential fentanyl contamination of multiple substances
Authors: Meacham Meredith C. , Lynch Kara L. , Coffin Phillip O. , Wade Amanda , Wheeler Eliza , Riley Elise D.
Published: March 2020

Background

Numerous reports have led to concerns that fentanyl is added to many street drugs as an adulterant, including to stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamine, and could increase risks for negative health outcomes.

Methods

We collected information regarding recent substance use through self-report and urine toxicology (confirmed with mass spectrometry) once a month for up to 6 monthly study visits from a probability sample of 245 women in San Francisco with a history of housing instability (2016-2019). We compared the presence of fentanyl metabolites with (1) the presence of metabolites for other substances and (2) self-reported past week substance use.

Results

Out of 1050 study visits, fentanyl metabolites were detected 35 times (i.e., at 3% of all study visits and among 19/245, or 8% of all women). In most but not all (91%, or 32/35) of these detected cases, heroin or opioid medication use was self-reported. Among women who reported cocaine or methamphetamine use, but did not use heroin or opioid medication, fentanyl was detected in only 1 of 349 cases (0.3%). In adjusted logistic regression, the presence of fentanyl metabolites was independently associated with (1) presence of opiate, heroin, and benzodiazepine metabolites, and (2) self-reported past week use of heroin and opioid medications. Fentanyl metabolite detection was not independently associated with cocaine or methamphetamine use.

Conclusions

The presence of fentanyl metabolites in this population was almost entirely among women who also reported using heroin or opioid pills. These data do not support the hypothesis that fentanyl is being routinely added to stimulants as an adulterant on a large scale in this region.
Improving accuracy of estimating glomerular filtration rate using artificial neural network: model development and validation
Authors: Li Ningshan , Huang Hui , Qian Han-Zhu , Liu Peijia , Lu Hui , Liu Xun
Published: March 2020

Background

The performance of previously published glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimation equations degrades when directly used in Chinese population. We incorporated more independent variables and using complicated non-linear modeling technology (artificial neural network, ANN) to develop a more accurate GFR estimation model for Chinese population.

Methods

The enrolled participants came from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, China from Jan 2012 to Jun 2016. Participants with age < 18, unstable kidney function, taking trimethoprim or cimetidine, or receiving dialysis were excluded. Among the finally enrolled 1952 participants, 1075 participants (55.07%) from Jan 2012 to Dec 2014 were assigned as the development data whereas 877 participants (44.93%) from Jan 2015 to Jun 2016 as the internal validation data. We in total developed 3 GFR estimation models: a 4-variable revised CKD-EPI (chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration) equation (standardized serum creatinine and cystatin C, age and gender), a 9-variable revised CKD-EPI equation (additional auxiliary variables: body mass index, blood urea nitrogen, albumin, uric acid and hemoglobin), and a 9-variable ANN model.

Results

Compared with the 4-variable equation, the 9-variable equation could not achieve superior performance in the internal validation data (mean of difference: 5.00 [3.82, 6.54] vs 4.67 [3.55, 5.90], P = 0.5; interquartile range (IQR) of difference: 18.91 [17.43, 20.48] vs 20.11 [18.46, 21.80], P = 0.05; P30: 76.6% [73.7%, 79.5%] vs 75.8% [72.9%, 78.6%], P = 0.4), but the 9-variable ANN model significantly improve bias and P30 accuracy (mean of difference: 2.77 [1.82, 4.10], P = 0.007; IQR: 19.33 [17.77, 21.17], P = 0.3; P30: 80.0% [77.4%, 82.7%], P < 0.001).

Conclusions

It is suggested that using complicated non-linear models like ANN could fully utilize the predictive ability of the independent variables, and then finally achieve a superior GFR estimation model.
Metformin effect on gut microbiota: insights for HIV-related inflammation
Authors: Ouyang Jing , Isnard Stéphane , Lin John , Fombuena Brandon , Marette André , Routy Bertrand , Chen Yaokai , Routy Jean-Pierre
Published: March 2020

The gut microbiota is emerging as a prominent player in maintaining health through several metabolic and immune pathways. Dysregulation of gut microbiota composition, also known as dysbiosis, is involved in the clinical outcome of diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, cancer, aging and HIV infection. Gut dysbiosis and inflammation persist in people living with HIV (PLWH) despite receiving antiretroviral therapy, further contributing to non-AIDS comorbidities. Metformin, a widely used antidiabetic agent, has been found to benefit microbiota composition, promote gut barrier integrity and reduce inflammation in human and animal models of diabetes. Inspired by the effect of metformin on diabetes-related gut dysbiosis, we herein critically review the relevance of metformin to control inflammation in PLWH. Metformin may improve gut microbiota composition, in turn reducing inflammation and risk of non-AIDS comorbidities. This review will pave the way towards innovative strategies to counteract dysregulated microbiota and improve the lives of PLWH.
Characterization and a RT-RPA assay for rapid detection of Chilli Veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV) in tobacco
Authors: Jiao Yubing , Xu Chuantao , Li Jialun , Gu Yong , Xia Chun , Xie Qiang , Xie Yunbo , An Mengnan , Xia Zihao , Wu Yuanhua
Published: March 2020

Background

Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV), which belongs to the genus Potyvirus of the family Potyviridae, mainly infects solanaceous plants and has caused serious economic losses in Asia and Africa. Tobacco plants infected with ChiVMV suffered from punctate necrosis of leaves, leaf deformation, systemic necrosis of leaves and stems, and eventually plant death. However, ChiVMV infection could not usually be identified given the lack of rapid and efficient detection assays in tobacco plants. Therefore, an isolate of tobacco-infecting ChiVMV (ChiVMV-LZ) was obtained, and a novel isothermal amplification and detection technique, reverse transcription-recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA), was established to detect ChiVMV in tobacco plants.

Methods

In this study, the full-length genome of ChiVMV-LZ was obtained using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) assays. The genome sequence of ChiVMV-LZ was characterized by sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. Then, a RT-RPA assay was established for rapid and sensitive detection of ChiVMV-LZ in tobacco. Additionally, the established RT-RPA assay was compared to the RT-PCR assay in aspect of sensitivity and application in field-collected tobacco samples.

Results

ChiVMV-LZ was isolated from diseased tobacco in Luzhou, Sichuan, China. The tobacco plants inoculated with ChiVMV-LZ showed typical symptoms of yellow and round spots on the leaves, and curled and folded leaf margin, similar to those observed on naturally ChiVMV-infected tobacco in the field. The full-length genomic sequence of ChiVMV-LZ was determined to be 9742 nucleotides. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that ChiVMV-LZ was most closely related to ChiVMV-Yp8 isolated from pepper plants in Sichuan province while distantly related to ChiVMV-YN from tobacco in Yunnan province, indicating a possibly geographical differentiation of ChiVMV isolates. Additionally, a RT-RPA assay was established for rapid detection of ChiVMV in tobacco. The RT-RPA has no cross-reaction with other related tobacco viruses and is about 10-fold more sensitive than conventional RT-PCR method.

Conclusion

The characterization of ChiVMV-LZ infecting tobacco was determined, and the established RT-RPA assay provides a reliable and effective method for rapid detection of ChiVMV in tobacco.
Periprosthetic proximal femoral fractures in cemented and uncemented stems according to Vancouver classification: observation of a new fracture pattern
Authors: Karam James , Campbell Paul , Desai Shivang , Hunter Michael
Published: March 2020

Background

Periprosthetic fractures are increasingly encountered in hip arthroplasty. The Vancouver classification system is widely used. Little knowledge exists regarding the association of the Vancouver classification with either cemented or uncemented stems. The aim was to analyse a series of fractures and determine associations.

Methods

A series of consecutive patients over 8 years was identified including only post-operative fractures of primary hip arthroplasties. Baseline and radiographic characteristics were recorded including the type of stem fixation (cemented or uncemented) and Vancouver classification. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the association of the Vancouver classification between cemented and uncemented stems.

Results

A total of 172 patients were identified (84 cemented stems, 88 uncemented stems). There were 30 Vancouver A fractures (12 cemented vs.18 uncemented, p > 0.05), 125 Vancouver B fractures (63 cemented vs. 62 uncemented, p > 0.05) and 17 Vancouver C fractures (9 cemented vs. 8 uncemented, p > 0.05). The Vancouver B2 fracture occurred most frequently (N = 95; 44 cemented vs. 51 uncemented, p > 0.05) and consists of four distinct fracture patterns: the previously described comminuted ‘burst’, clamshell and spiral patterns and the newly observed ‘reverse’ clamshell. The burst and spiral fracture patterns are significantly associated with cemented stems, and the clamshell pattern is significantly associated with uncemented stems.

Conclusions

Vancouver A, B and C fractures occur equally in cemented and uncemented stems. Awareness of four distinct Vancouver B2 fracture patterns, including the newly observed reverse clamshell, will aid surgeons in predicting stem instability.
A new fluorescent technique for pesticide detection by using metal coordination polymer and nanozyme
Authors: Wei Jinchao , Xue Yan , Dong Jiayi , Wang Shuangpeng , Hu Hao , Gao Hao , Li Peng , Wang Yitao
Published: March 2020

Background

Chinese herbs have been widely used for thousands of years. In order to kill or control insects and fungus during the cultivation of herb plants, pesticides have played a significant role. More than 30 kinds of pesticides have been documented in the latest version of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. It is urgent to develop new analytical methods for pesticide detection.

Methods

A fluorescent detection system was established by using Cerium based fluorescent polymer and Sm-CeO2. As a new doped nanozyme, Sm-CeO2 exhibits OPH-like activity to hydrolyze OPP pesticide.

Results

The morphology of the prepared CFP and Sm-CeO2 were characterized. The optimal conditions for CFP synthesis are CeCl3 (16 mmol L−1, 200 μL), ATP (4 mmol L−1, 200 μL) and Tris buffer (5 mmol L−1, 500 μL, pH 8.0). Sm-CeO2 shows the best mimic activity to hydrolyze OPP pesticide at pH = 8.0. The results exhibit good linear relationship between fluorescent quenching effect and MP in the range of 2–50 μmol L−1. Finally, this fluorescent technique was successfully applied in Poria cocos and Semen Coicis sample.

Conclusions

It is the first report on OPP detection by using CFP and doped nanozyme. The successful application in real sample indicates this method is a rapid, reliable strategy to detect OPP in Chinese herbs.
Genetic and pharmacological targeting of A2a receptor improves function of anti-mesothelin CAR T cells
Authors: Masoumi Elham , Jafarzadeh Leila , Mirzaei Hamid Reza , Alishah Khadijeh , Fallah-Mehrjardi Keyvan , Rostamian Hosein , Khakpoor-Koosheh Mohammad , Meshkani Reza , Noorbakhsh Farshid , Hadjati Jamshid
Published: March 2020

Background

CAR T cell-based therapies have shown promising results in hematological malignancies. Results of CAR T cell projects in solid tumors have been less impressive, and factors including lack of targetable antigens and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) have been suggested as culprits. Adenosine, a metabolite which is highly produced in TME, is known to mediate the suppression of anti-tumor T cell responses via binding and signaling through adenosine 2a receptor (A2aR).

Methods

In this study, the expression of A2aR and the effects of its activation on the function of fully human anti-mesothelin CAR T cells (MSLN-CAR T), were analyzed. Afterwards, the molecular and pharmacological means to overcome the inhibitory effects of A2aR signaling on CAR T cell function were used. This was performed by targeting A2aR expression in MSLN-CAR T cells using various anti-A2aR shRNA sequences embedded in the CAR vector and an A2aR pharmacological antagonist, SCH-58261. Statistical analyses were performed Prism 7 software.

Results

Our experiments showed significant A2aR upregulation on T cells during the CAR T cell production procedure (cell activation and transduction). Activation of adenosine signaling using adenosine analog led to the suppression of all major anti-tumor functions in MSLN-CAR T cells. Interestingly, CAR T cells that carried the anti-A2aR shRNA sequences were resistant to the inhibitory effects of adenosine signaling. Pharmacological inhibition of A2aR reversed the reduction in CAR T cell proliferation and cytokine response caused by the adenosine analog; however, it failed to rescue the cytotoxic function of the cells.

Conclusion

Altogether, our results indicate that mitigating A2aR signaling by genetic targeting of the receptor might be a promising approach in improving CAR T cell function in an unreceptive microenvironment and could potentially improve the outcome of treatment in clinical settings.
Fine-mapping and transcriptome analysis of a candidate gene controlling plant height in Brassica napus L.
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Zheng Ming , Liu Hongfang , Zhang Liang , Chen Feng , Zhang Wei , Fan Shihang , Peng Menlu , Hu Maolong , Wang Hanzhong , Zhang Jiefu , Hua Wei
Published: March 2020

Background

Brassica napus provides approximately 13–16% of global vegetable oil for human consumption and biodiesel production. Plant height (PH) is a key trait that affects plant architecture, seed yield and harvest index. However, the genetic mechanism of PH in B. napus is poorly understood.

Results

A dwarf mutant df59 was isolated from a large-scale screening of an ethyl methanesulphonate-mutagenized rapeseed variety Ningyou 18. A genetic analysis showed that the dwarfism phenotype was controlled by one semi-dominant gene, which was mapped on C9 chromosome by quantitative trait loci sequencing analysis and designated as BnaDwf.C9. To fine-map BnaDwf.C9, two F2 populations were constructed from crosses between conventional rapeseed cultivars (Zhongshuang 11 and Holly) and df59. BnaDwf.C9 was fine-mapped to the region between single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers M14 and M4, corresponding to a 120.87-kb interval of the B. napus ‘Darmor-bzh’ genome. Within this interval, seven, eight and nine annotated or predicted genes were identified in “Darmor-bzh”, “Ningyou 7” and “Zhongshuang 11” reference genomes, respectively. In addition, a comparative transcriptome analysis was performed using stem tips from Ningyou 18 and df59 at the stem elongation stage. In total, 3995 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Among them, 118 DEGs were clustered in plant hormone-related signal transduction pathways, including 81 DEGs were enriched in auxin signal transduction. Combining the results of fine-mapping and transcriptome analyses, BnaC09g20450D was considered a candidate gene for BnaDwf.C9, which contains a SNP that co-segregated in 4746 individuals. Finally, a PCR-based marker was developed based on the SNP in BnaC09g20450D.

Conclusions

The combination of quantitative trait loci sequencing, fine-mapping and genome-wide transcriptomic analysis revealed one candidate gene located within the confidence interval of 120.87-kb region. This study provides a new genetic resource for semi-dwarf breeding and new insights into understanding the genetic architecture of PH in B. napus.
Inverse associations between serum urate and glycemic status in a general population and in persons with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Wakabayashi Ichiro
Published: March 2020

Background

Results of previous studies regarding the relationship between blood urate level and diabetes are conflicting. The aim of this study was to clarify the relations of urate with glycemic status and metabolic syndrome in a general population and in patients with diabetes.

Methods

The participants were 12,528 men receiving health-checkup examinations (29–70 years old) and they were divided into four quartile groups for serum urate levels. Relationships of urate with metabolic syndrome and its components were investigated after adjustment for age and lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol drinking and regular exercise.

Results

In the overall participants and the participants with diabetes (n = 802), hemoglobin A1c levels were significantly lower in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quartiles for urate than in the 1st quartile and the levels tended to be lower with an increase in the quartile. In the overall participants, the adjusted odds ratios for diabetes vs. the 1st quartile of urate were significantly lower in the 2nd quartile (0.71 [0.59–0.87])), 3rd quartile (0.51 [0.41–0.63]) and 4th quartile [0.35 (0.28–0.44)) than the reference level and the odds ratio tended to be lower with an increase in the quartile. A high urate level was positively associated with visceral obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia (high triglycerides and/or low HDL cholesterol) and metabolic syndrome, and these associations were less prominent in the diabetes group than in the overall participants.

Conclusions

Blood urate level is inversely associated with glycemic status in both a general population and patients with diabetes. Positive associations of urate with metabolic syndrome and its components except for diabetes are confounded in the presence of diabetes.
Designing human-centric software artifacts with future users: a case study
Authors: Roccetti Marco , Prandi Catia , Mirri Silvia , Salomoni Paola
Published: March 2020

The quality and quantity of participation supplied by human beings during the different phases of the design and development of a software artifact are central to studies in human-centered computing. With this paper, we have investigated on what kind of experienced people should be engaged to design a new computational artifact, when a participatory approach is adopted. We compared two approaches: the former including only future users (i.e., novices) in the design process, and the latter enlarging the community to expert users. We experimented with the design of a large software artifact, in use at the University of Bologna, engaging almost 1500 users. Statistical methodologies were employed to validate our findings. Our analysis has provided mounting evidence that expert users have contributed to the design of the artifact only by a small amount. Instead, most of the innovative initiatives have come from future users, thus surpassing some traditional limitations that tend to exclude future users from this kind of processes. We here challenge the traditional opinion that expert users provide typically a more reliable contribution in a participatory software design process, demonstrating instead that future users would be often better suited. Along this line of sense, this is the first paper, in the field of human-centric computing, that discusses the relevant question to offer to future users a larger design space, intended as a higher level of freedom given in a software design situation, demarcated by precise design constraints. In this sense, the outcome has been positive.
An overview of recent distributed algorithms for learning fuzzy models in Big Data classification
Authors: Ducange Pietro , Fazzolari Michela , Marcelloni Francesco
Published: March 2020

Nowadays, a huge amount of data are generated, often in very short time intervals and in various formats, by a number of different heterogeneous sources such as social networks and media, mobile devices, internet transactions, networked devices and sensors. These data, identified as Big Data in the literature, are characterized by the popularVs features, such as Value, Veracity, Variety, Velocity and Volume. In particular, Value focuses on the useful knowledge that may be mined from data. Thus, in the last years, a number of data mining and machine learning algorithms have been proposed to extract knowledge from Big Data. These algorithms have been generally implemented by using ad-hoc programming paradigms, such as MapReduce, on specific distributed computing frameworks, such as Apache Hadoop and Apache Spark. In the context of Big Data, fuzzy models are currently playing a significant role, thanks to their capability of handling vague and imprecise data and their innate characteristic to be interpretable. In this work, we give an overview of the most recent distributed learning algorithms for generating fuzzy classification models for Big Data. In particular, we first show some design and implementation details of these learning algorithms. Thereafter, we compare them in terms of accuracy and interpretability. Finally, we argue about their scalability.
Selective Soxhlets extraction to enhance solubility of newly-synthesized poly(indoloindole-selenophene vinylene selenophene) donor for photovoltaic applications
Authors: Lim Jihyun , Kim Na Yeong , Jang Woongsik , An Un Su , Kyaw Aung Ko Ko , Kim Yun-Hi , Wang Dong Hwan
Published: March 2020

An electron-rich fused indoloindole-based poly(indoloindole-selenophene vinylene selenophene) was synthesized and characterized. Soxhlet can be obtained by continuously purifying the product with a specific solvent and obtaining a pure polymer with a high concentration. Molecular weight is affected by the vapor pressure of marginal solvent, and the polymer was fractionated using tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, and chlorobenzene. Solubility is closely related to the morphology of bulk heterojunction and device parameters. In the solution process of fabricating the organic solar cell, securement of solubility has a great effect on the performance of the device, because morphology and orientation of a photo-active layer which significantly affect charge transport in the device. Since tetrahydrofuran (THF) Soxhlet solvents have high vapor pressure and appropriate solubility parameters, THF induced the best solubility of P-IDI-SVS materials for organic solvents. And through additive optimization, the performance of the device based on P-IDI-SVS from THF-Soxhlet extraction was enhanced. This is expected to be a meaningful study because the effect on solubility of Soxhlet solvent suggests factors to be considered in the solution process in organic solar cell research. In addition, surface modified bulk heterojunction was observed using atomic force microscopy, photoluminescence, time-correlated single photon counting and Raman spectroscopy analysis.
Research and trends in STEM education: a systematic review of journal publications
Authors: Li Yeping , Wang Ke , Xiao Yu , Froyd Jeffrey E.
Published: March 2020

With the rapid increase in the number of scholarly publications on STEM education in recent years, reviews of the status and trends in STEM education research internationally support the development of the field. For this review, we conducted a systematic analysis of 798 articles in STEM education published between 2000 and the end of 2018 in 36 journals to get an overview about developments in STEM education scholarship. We examined those selected journal publications both quantitatively and qualitatively, including the number of articles published, journals in which the articles were published, authorship nationality, and research topic and methods over the years. The results show that research in STEM education is increasing in importance internationally and that the identity of STEM education journals is becoming clearer over time.