bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum lactate level predicts 6-months mortality in hospitalized patients with decompensated cirrhosis
Authors: Zhang Yue , Nie Yuan , Wan Si-Zhe , Liu Cong , Zhu Xuan
Published: January 2020

The authors have withdrawn this preprint from Research Square
‘There we are failing’ … Infection prevention practices associated factors among nurses working in public and private newborn units in Kenyan hospitals
Authors: Nyikuri Mary M.
Published: January 2020

Background: Small and sick newborns continue to die in low- and middle-income countries as a result of among other causes, infection. Despite the existence of guidelines for infection prevention, little is known on practices and associated factors among nurses working in newborn units in many developing nations. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess nurses’ practices and their perspectives on what influences their ability to adhere to infection prevention and control (IPC) norms in newborn units.Methods This qualitative study used an ethnographic research design to collect data. 150 hours of observations and through purposeful sampling, nurses working in the newborn units in three hospitals in Nairobi were interviewed using an interview guide. The face to face interviews lasted between 45-60 mins and were digitally audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and translated into English where necessary. Data were imported into Nvivo 10 software for management. All data were anonymised and subjected to thematic analysis.Results A total of 10 nurses from public, 11 from private and 8 from faith-based hospitals participated in the study. Structural organization factors such as proper ward layout, adequate staffing, controlled access of visitors on the ward, involvement of a security officer and presence of an isolation room were factors that facilitated nurses’ observance of infection control on the newborn units. On the other hand, overcrowding, absence of isolation room, improper ward layout, absence of hand hygiene resources, and uncontrolled presence of visitors and lack of enforcement of IPC protocol acted as barriers to non-adherence to IPC.Conclusions Knowledge of Infection prevention and control procedures among nurses may be necessary but are unlikely to be sufficient to deliver improved care. A deliberate investment in organization factors to improve the work environment can facilitate nurses’ ability to provide quality newborn care.
Gait Deviations of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Ruptured Patients : A cross-sectional gait analysis study
Authors: Ro Du Hyun , Choi Min-Ho , Kang Taehoon , Yu Cheol Hwan , Lee Joonhee , Han Hyuk-Soo , Lee Myung Chul
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture causes instability and can result gait deviations. The purpose of this study was to find kinetic and kinematic deviations of ACL-ruptured knees by comparing them to their contralateral un-injured knee in the sagittal plane. METHODS Gait analysis was performed on 36 males with acute complete ACL rupture who were functionally classified as non-copers. Kinetic and kinematic data were collected at comfortable gait speed after 3 months of conservative treatment. The average time interval between the injury and gait measurement was 4 months. Data from the ACL-ruptured knee and the contralateral un-injured knee were compared. RESULTS The maximal value (27% smaller, p=0.002) and peak-to-peak amplitude (p<0.001) of the knee extension moment (KEM) were both smaller in the ACL-ruptured knee. Two distinctive kinematic patterns were observed. First, at the initial stance phase, knee flexion angle was smaller in ACL-ruptured knee. Second, during the next mid-to-late stance phase, knee flexion angle was bigger in ACL-ruptured knee (both p<0.001). First pattern was correlated with the maximal KEM and second was correlated with the KEM peak-to-peak amplitude (both p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Two distinct kinematic deviations were found on ACL-ruptured knee and it was associated with the peak and amplitude of KEM. It suggests that kinematic control of knee joint is important gait deviation mechanisms of patients with ACL rupture.
Optimal Partner Wavelength Combination Method Applied to NIR Spectroscopic Analysis of Human Serum Globulin
Authors: Han Yun , Zhong Yun , Zhou Huihui , Kuang Xuesong
Published: January 2020

Human serum globulin (GLB), which contains various antibodies in healthy human serum, is of great significance for clinical trials and disease diagnosis. In this study, the GLB in human serum was rapidly analyzed by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy without chemical reagents. Optimal partner wavelength combination (OPWC) method was employed for selecting discrete information wavelength. For the OPWC, the redundant wavelengths were removed by repeated projection iteration based on binary linear regression, and the result converged to stable number of wavelengths. By the way, the convergence of algorithm was proved theoretically. Moving window partial least squares (MW-PLS), a well-performed wavelength selection method, was also performed for comparison. The optimal models were obtained by the two methods, and the corresponding root-mean-square error of cross validation and correlation coefficient of prediction (SECV, RP,CV) were 0.813 g·L-1 and 0.978 with OPWC combined with PLS (OPWC-PLS), and 0.804 g L-1 and 0.979 with MW-PLS, respectively. The two methods achieved almost the same good results. However, the OPWC only contained 28 wavelengths, so it had obvious lower model complexity. Thus it can be seen that the OPWC-PLS has great prediction performance for GLB and its algorithm is convergent and rapid. The results provide important technical support for the rapid detection of serum.
Early cumulus cell removal reduces available embryo rate while having no negative effect on live-birth and malformation rate in IVF: a propensity score-matched cohort study
Authors: Liu Min Hao , Sun Li Juan , Pan Jia Ping , Liang Shan Shan , Huang Mei Yuan , WU Hai Xia
Published: January 2020

Background Previous studies of the effect of early cumulus cell removal (ECCR) on clinical outcomes remain controversial. Some studies indicated that ECCR combined early rescue ICSI contributed to avoid total fertilization failure, while the other studies demonstrated that ECCR may be detrimental to early embryo development. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of early cumulus cell removal (ECCR) during human IVF. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed between January 2011 and December 2016. The study enrolled 655 couples who underwent IVF treatments with ECCR. After propensity score matching at a 1:2 ratio, 1310 couples who underwent overnight coincubation of gametes were selected. All data were obtained from the Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital IVF patient database. The main outcome measure was the live birth rate and the secondary outcome measures were the normal fertilization rate, polyspermy rate, available embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate and malformation rate. Results No significant differences were found in the live birth rate (28.55% vs 28.4%; RR of 1.008; 95% CI: 0.869-1.170; p=0.916), clinical pregnancy rate (48.28% vs 45.16%; RR of 1.069; 95% CI: 0.951-1.202; p=0.268), implantation rate (32.67% vs 33%; p=0.896), miscarriage rate (13.33% vs 9.32%; RR of 1.43; 95% CI: 0.916-2.232; p=0.115), neonatal congenital anomalies rate (1.32% vs 1.01%; RR of 1.306; 95% CI: 0.315-5.417; p=0.713) or birthweight between the two groups. The study showed that ECCR was associated with a significantly lower fertilization rate (73.86% vs 80.12%; p=0.000), normal fertilization rate (2PN)(62.76% vs 69%, p=0.000) and available embryo rate (59.62% vs 62.29%, p=0.001). There were no significant differences in the polyspermy rate (11.10% vs 11.11%, p=0.982) and cleavage rate (93.93% vs 93.50%, p=0.279) between the ECCR group and traditional insemination group. Conclusions ECCR tended to confer increased risk of a lower available embryo rate but had no negative effect on the live birth rate or the neonatal malformation rate.
Quantitative Phenotype Scan Statistic (QPSS) reveals rare variant associations with Alzheimer’s disease endophenotypes
Authors: Katsumata Yuriko , Fardo David W.
Published: January 2020

Background: Current sequencing technologies have provided for a more comprehensive genome-wide assessment and have increased genotyping accuracy of rare variants. Scan statistic approaches have previously been adapted to genetic sequencing data. Unlike currently-employed association tests, scan-statistic-based approaches can both localize clusters of disease-related variants and, subsequently, examine the phenotype association within the resulting cluster. In this study, we present a novel Quantitative Phenotype Scan Statistic (QPSS) that extends an approach for dichotomous phenotypes to continuous outcomes in order to identify genomic regions where rare quantitative-phenotype-associated variants cluster. Results: We demonstrate the performance and practicality of QPSS with extensive simulations and an application to a whole-genome sequencing (WGS) study of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Using QPSS, we identify regions of rare variant enrichment associated with levels of AD-related proteins, CSF Aβ 1-42 and p-tau 181P . Conclusions: QPSS is implemented under the assumption that causal variants within a window have the same direction of effect. Typical self-contained tests employ a null hypothesis of no association between the target variant set and the phenotype. Therefore, an advantage of the proposed competitive test is that it is possible to refine a known region of interest to localize disease-associated clusters. The definition of clusters can be easily adapted based on variant function or annotation.
Genetic Variants Associated with Anterior Segment Dysgenesis in South Florida
Authors: Thanikachalam Saradadevi , Hodapp Elizabeth , Chang Ta C. , Swols Dayna Morel , Cengiz Filiz B. , Guo Shengru , Zafeer Mohammad F. , Seyhan Serhat , Bademci Guney , Scott William K. , Grajewski Alana , Tekin Mustafa
Published: January 2020

Background Anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD) comprises a wide spectrum of developmental conditions affecting the cornea, iris, and lens, which may be associated with abnormalities of other organs. Mutations in over 20 genes have been shown to cause ASD. To identify disease-causing variants, we performed exome sequencing in 24 South Florida families with ASD. Results We identified 12 likely causative variants in 10 families (42%), including single nucleotide or small insertion-deletion variants in B3GLCT, BMP4, CYP1B1, FOXC1, FOXE3, GJA1, PXDN, and TP63, and a large copy number variant involving PAX6 . Four variants were novel. Each variant was detected only in one family. Conclusions Presence of rare variants in multiple genes leading to ASD explains its genetic basis in over 40% of patients from South Florida. Exome sequencing for ASD allows us to identify causative variants, thus improving our ability to explain the underlying etiology in more families and to assist them with genetic counseling.
Viral Central Nervous System Infections in Infants <90 Days Old: A Paediatric Investigators’ Collaborative Network on Infections in Canada (PICNIC) Study
Authors: Petel Dara , Barton Michelle , Renaud Christian , Ouchenir Lynda , Brophy Jason , Bowes Jennifer , Khan Sarah , Bitnun Ari , McDonald Jane , Boisvert Andrée-Anne , Ting Joseph , Roberts Ashley , Robinson Joan
Published: January 2020

Background The relative contribution of viruses to central nervous system (CNS) infections in young infants is not clear. For viral CNS infections, there are limited data on features that suggest HSV etiology or that are predictors of unfavorable outcome. Methods In this cross-sectional study, the Pediatric Investigators Collaborative Network on Infections in Canada identified infants <90 days of age with CNS infection proven to be due to viruses. Results Of 174 proven CNS infections, viral causes accounted for 111 (64%) including enterovirus (EV) (N=103; 93%), HSV (N=7; 6%) and human parechovirus (HPeV) (N=1; 1%). All HSV cases and 45 (43%) non-HSV cases presented before 21 days of age. HSV cases were more likely to require ICU admission (p=0.010), present with seizures (p=0.031) and have extra-CNS disease (p<0.001). Three HSV cases (43%) did not have seizures while 4 (57%) HSV and 33 (32%) non-HSV cases lacked cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis. Conclusions Viruses account for about half of proven CNS infections in the first 90 days of life. Empiric therapy for HSV should be considered in suspected CNS infections in the first 21 days even in the absence of CSF pleocytosis unless CSF parameters are suggestive of bacterial meningitis.
The effect of metacognitive skills and academic motivation on academic performance
Authors: Eskandari Mehdi , Amini Mitra , Delavari Somayeh , Mokhtarpour Sedigheh , Jaafari Mohammad
Published: January 2020

Objectives: the purpose of present study is investigation the impact of metacognitive strategies and motivation on academic performance of medical learners Results: The findings showed that the mean scores of metacognitive strategies of participants and the success rate and academic performance of clinical students of the medical school were positively and significantly correlated (r = .406, p = 0.001). The results showed a positive and significant correlation between the metacognitive strategies (70.92 ± 6.1) and academic motivation (136.92 ± 23.9), respectively (P = .001 & r = .24). So, we can find the mediatory role of academic motivation in metacognitive strategies and academic performance Keywords: motivation, academic performance, metacognition skills, learning, Academic Motivation Scale (AMS), Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30)
Epidemiologic correlation and drug resistance analysis of pathogenic bacteria in different open limb injury external conditions
Authors: Zhang Bin , Xie Bang-lin , Xu Jia-Qiang , Wan Li-jun , Yang Xiao-wei , Yao Wen-ye , Yi Zhi , Hu Niya , Guo Run-sheng
Published: January 2020

OBJECTIVES To study the epidemiological correlation and drug resistance of external factors of infection caused by open injury of limbs to pathogens.METHODS We retrospective analyzed 2017 strains of pathogenic bacteria in a university hospital from 2012 to 2017.Patients were divided into three groups: I. In-hospital infection of clean limb incision, II. In-hospital infection with open injury, III. Community infection with open injury of the limb. We divided patients into six groups based on injury mechanism to explore the relationship between the main pathogens and damage mechanism, apparent temperature and relative humidity.RESULTS No significant difference was seen in the distribution of pathogens among the three groups. The drug resistance of group III was significantly lower than that of group II and group I. The correlation between the injury mechanism and infection of pathogenic bacteria was not significant. The monthly average apparent temperature and relative humidity were correlated with the infection rate of pathogenic bacteria.CONCLUSION In open injury of extremities, apparent temperature and relative humidity is an important risk factor for infection by pathogenic bacteria.The drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria in out-of-hospital infection was lower than that of hospital infection.
MiR-9-5p promotes rabbit preadipocyte differentiation by suppressing leptin gene expression
Authors: Luo Gang , Hu Shenqiang , Lai Tianfu , Wang Jie , Wang Li , Lai Songjia
Published: January 2020

Background: MicroRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs and participate in the regulation of cell differentiation programs. Previous studies have demonstrated that miR-9-5p play a key role during cancer cell research, but the mechanisms regulating of miR-9-5p in adipogenesis remain poorly understood. This study intended to investigate its significance in rabbits with high quality meat by observing the regulating effect of miR-9-5p in pre-adipocytes and finding related targets. Methods: In this study, a dual luciferase reporter assay was employed to validate the targeting relationship between miR-9-5p and leptin gene. We also utilized quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), western blot, determination of triglyceride and oil red O staining assay to analyze the regulation of miR-9-5p and leptin gene during adipocyte differentiation. Results: The analysis demonstrated that during pre-adipocyte differentiation, miR-9-5p was up-regulated and the fat formation related biomarkers fatty acid-binding protein 4(FABP4), CCAAT-enhancer binding protein α(C/EBPα), and peroxisome proliferator activated receptorγ (PPARγ) were also up-regulated. Meanwhile, the oil red O staining assay revealed that the accumulation of lipid droplets increased. We explored the expression pattern and role of miR-9-5p in adipogenesis using white pre-adipocytes. The results showed that miR-9-5p was up-regulated during pre-adipocyte differentiation and overexpression of miR-9-5P enhanced lipid accumulation. Furthermore, we found overexpression of miR-9-5p significantly up regulated the mRNA levels of marker gene PPARγ, C/EBPα and FABP4, as well as the protein levels of PPARγ and content of triglyceride, the results suggested that miR-9-5p might be involved in the regulation of rabbit pre-adipocyte differentiation. We predicted leptin is a target of miR-9-5p by using bioinformatics tools and the conclusion was validated in a luciferase reporter assay. Finally, we verified inhibition of leptin by si-leptin promoted rabbits pre-adipocyte differentiation. Conclusion: In a word, these results indicate that miR-9-5p promotes rabbits white pre-adipocyte differentiation by targeting leptin .
Differential expression of human papilloma virus 16-, 18-, 52-, and 58-derived transcripts in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Baba Satoshi , Taguchi Ayumi , Kawata Akira , Hara Konan , Eguchi Satoko , Mori Mayuyo , Adachi Katsuyuki , Mori Seiichiro , Iwata Takashi , Mitsuhashi Akira , Maeda Daichi , Komatsu Atsushi , Nagamatsu Takeshi , Oda Katsutoshi , Kukimoto Iwao , Osuga Yutaka , Fujii Tomoyuki , Kawana Kei
Published: January 2020

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a primary cause of cervical cancer. Although epidemiologic study revealed that carcinogenic risk differs according to HPV genotypes, the expression patterns of HPV-derived transcripts and their dependence on HPV genotypes have not yet been fully elucidated.Methods: In this study, 382 patients with abnormal cervical cytology were enrolled to assess the associations between HPV-derived transcripts and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grades and/or HPV genotypes. Specifically, four HPV-derived transcripts, namely, oncogenes E6 and E6*, E1^E4, and viral capsid protein L1 in four major HPV genotypes—HPV 16, 18, 52, and 58—were investigated.Results: The detection rate of E6/E6* increased with CIN progression, whereas there was no significant change in the detection rate of E1^E4 or L1 among CIN grades. In addition, we found that L1 gene expression was HPV type-dependent. Almost all HPV 52-positive specimens, approximately 50% of HPV 58-positive specimens, around 33% of HPV 16-positive specimens, and only one HPV18-positive specimen expressed L1.Conclusions: We demonstrated that HPV-derived transcripts are HPV genotype-dependent. Especially, expression patterns of L1 gene expression might reflect HPV genotype-dependent patterns of carcinogenesis.
Molecular characterisation of ampeloviruses associated with mealybug wilt of pineapple disease in Ghana
Authors: Asare-Bediako Elvis , Nyarko Joseph , Puije Grace van der , Asare Aaron Tettey
Published: January 2020

Background: Mealybug wilt of pineapple (MWP) is the most destructive viral disease of pineapple worldwide. The disease is caused by pineapple mealybug wilt-associated virus (PMWaV), a member of the family Closteroviridae and the genus Ampelovirus, and transmitted by mealybugs. Methods: In order to understand the association between closteroviruses and MWP in Ghana, 24 pineapple plant samples showing typical symptoms of MWP were collected during a survey of the Central Region in 2019. Three quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays with PMWaV species specific primers were performed to amplify the heatshock protein 70 gene (HSP70) of PMWaV-1,-2 and -3 in the pineapple samples. Purified qRT-PCR products of thirteen isolates which consist of PMWaV-1 (7 isolates), PMWaV-2 (4 isolates) and PMWaV-3 (2 isolates) were sequenced in both directions. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses were then conducted.Results: Three different species of Ampelovirus namely PMWaV-1, PMWaV-2, and PMWaV-3, were detected from the plant samples, with abundance of mixed infections. Sixteen out of the 24 samples (66.7%) were infected with at least one of the three species of Ampelovirus identified. PMWaV-2 had the highest infection rate of 62.5% across the districts; this was followed by PMWaV-1 and PMWaV-3 with infection rates of 33.3% and 8.3% respectively. Purified qRT-PCR products of thirteen isolates which consist of PMWaV-1 (7 isolates), PMWaV-2 (4 isolates) and PMWaV-3 (2 isolates) were sequenced in both directions. Sequence comparison using BlastN showed that all the seven sequences of the Ghanaian PMWaV-1 isolates (GenBank Accession Nos. MN427634 - MN427639 and MN399973) shared 95.2% to 99.7% nucleotide identity with each other and 95.2-100% with sequences of isolates previously published in GenBank. The four sequences of the Ghanaian PMWaV-2 isolates (GenBank Accession Nos. MN427642 - MN427645) shared nucleotide identity of 98.9–100% with each other and 98.2-100% nucleotide identity with sequences of isolates previously published in GenBank. Also, the two sequences of the Ghanaian PMWaV-3 isolates (GenBank Accession Nos. MN427640 and MN427641) shared 98.3% nucleotide identity to each other and 97.5- 99.3% nucleotide identity with sequences of isolates previously published in GenBank. Phylogenetic analyses of the nucleotide sequences of HSP70 gene of the 13 Ghanaian isolates and 24 sequences previously published in GenBank, clustered the PMWaV-1, PMWaV-2 and PMWaV-3 isolates into three distinct genetic groups with > 95% bootstrap support. Conclusion: The present study shows for the first time the occurrence of PMWaV-1, PMWaV-2 and PMWaV-3 in Ghana pineapple fields as well as in Africa.
Transcriptome analysis of the hypothalamus and pituitary of turkey hens with low and high egg production
Authors: Brady Kristen , Liu Hsiao-Ching , Hicks Julie , Long Julie A , Porter Tom E
Published: January 2020

Background: High egg producing hens (HEPH) show increased hypothalamic and pituitary gene expression related to hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis stimulation as well as increased in vitro responsiveness to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation in the pituitary when compared to low egg producing hens (LEPH). Transcriptome analysis was performed on hypothalamus and pituitary samples from LEPH and HEPH to identify novel regulators of HPG axis function. Results: In the hypothalamus and pituitary, 4644 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between LEPH and HEPH, with 2021 genes up-regulated in LEPH and 2623 genes up-regulated in HEPH. In LEPH, up-regulated genes showed enrichment of the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. Beta-estradiol was identified as an upstream regulator regardless of tissue. When LEPH and HEPH samples were compared, beta-estradiol was activated in HEPH in 3 of the 4 comparisons, which correlated to the number of beta-estradiol target genes up-regulated in HEPH. In in vitro pituitary cell cultures from LEPH and HEPH, thyroid hormone pretreatment negatively impacted gonadotropin subunit mRNA levels in cells from both LEPH and HEPH, with the effect being more prominent in HEPH cells. Additionally, the effect of estradiol pretreatment on gonadotropin subunit mRNA levels in HEPH cells was negative, whereas estradiol pretreatment increased gonadotropin subunit mRNA levels in LEPH cells.Conclusions: Up-regulation of the HPT axis in LEPH and upstream beta-estradiol activation in HEPH may play a role in regulating HPG axis function, and ultimately ovulation rates. Furthermore, thyroid hormone and estradiol pretreatment impacted gonadotropin mRNA levels following GnRH stimulation, with the inhibitory effects of thyroid hormone being more detrimental in HEPH and estradiol stimulatory effects being more prominent in LEPH. Differential responsiveness to thyroid hormone and estradiol pretreatment may be due to desensitization of target genes to thyroid hormone and estradiol in LEPH and HEPH, respectively, in response general up-regulation of the HPT axis in LEPH and of the HPG axis in HEPH. Further studies will be necessary to identify possible target gene desensitization mechanisms and elicit the full role that the HPT axis and beta-estradiol upstream regulation play in egg production rates in turkey hens.
Genome-wide investigation of CCCH zinc finger family in longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour): characteristic identification and expression profiles in longan somatic embryo
Authors: Su Liyao , Jiang Mengqi , Huang Shuqi , Xue Xiaodong , Li Xue , Lai Zhongxiong , Lin Yuling
Published: January 2020

Background: CCCH Zinc finger ( Znf ) transcription factors ( TF ), as a novel type Znf genes, regulate genes expression by binding on their mRNA and play important roles in plant abiotic stress, growth and development. However, no overall genome-wide analysis or expression profiling of CCCH ( C3H ) gene family in Dimocarpous longan , especially during the early stages of somatic embryo in longan has been studied. Longan is a tropical/subtropical fruit tree of great economic importance in Southeast Asia,and longan embryogenesis is the main factor affecting fruit quality and yield. Results: In this study, a comprehensive analysis of longan C3H （ DlC3H ）gene family was carried out. 49 DlC3H genes were identified from longan genome database,which divided into 3 clades. Besides, genes characteristics, phylogenetic tree, gene structure, motif composition were comprehensively analyzed. The analysis of alternative splicing events (AS) suggested that AS events of DlC3H genes were related to longan non-embryonic and embryonic callus transformation. Promoter analysis indicted that most of DlC3H genes included cis -elements associated with hormones and stress response. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis indicated that 26 DlC3Hs ,which possess MeJA and ABA responsive cis -elements, showed different expression patterns and may involved into ABA and MeJA signaling pathway. The expression profiles of 17 DlC3Hs were performed in four stages of longan, the results showed that only DlC3H01/07/14/16/38 was consistent with the data in the transcriptome. DlC3H 07/14/16/36/49 were highly expressed in EC and only DlC3H 04/38 was in GE , suggesting that they have different functions in embryonic development. Finally, sRNAs were verified involved into regulating 6 DlC3Hs . Conclusion: This study provides the first systematic analysis of CCCH protein in longan somatic embryo. Particularly, CCCH genes may be involved in hormone and stress respond, and somatic embryogenesis. Our results presented here may provide a insight into the characteristics and functions of this family in somatic embryogenesis.
Correlation between the size of the maxillary sinus and vertical growth patterns: a 3-dimensional cone-beam computed tomographic study
Authors: Yili Xu , Yingyi Huang , Jiaqian Fan , Fan Liu , Lei Yonghua
Published: January 2020

Background The maxillary sinus has been considered as an important factor that affects the development of craniomaxillofacial bone. However, the correlation between the maxillary sinus and skeletal malocclusion is controversial. This study aimed to compare the dimensions of the maxillary sinus in patients with different vertical growth patterns and investigated the correlation between the maxillary sinus and craniofacial parameters.Methods This descriptive study included 90 patients from age 15 to 20 years old. According to the vertical growth patterns that were classified by MP-FH (angle between the mandibular plane and Frankfort horizontal plane), they were equally divided into three groups: high-, low- and normal-angle, and the gender ratio was 1:1. Cephalometric tracings were conducted from CBCT images, which were also used to measure the dimensions and volume of the maxillary sinus. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple comparison LSD.Results The variables of the maxillary sinus, including the volume, length, and width, among different groups, were significant(p<0.05). The variables of mandibular body length were significantly correlated with the volume of the maxillary sinus (p<0.01), and the coefficient was 0.425.Conclusions The maxillary sinus volume, length, and width were larger in low-angle patients. The mandibular body length had a significantly positive correlation with the maxillary sinus volume.
Levofloxacin-ceftazidime administration regimens combat Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the hollow-fiber infection model simulating abnormal renal function in critically ill patients
Authors: Zhao Lei , Li Xiaobing , He Xiaojing , Jian Lingyan
Published: January 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the bactericidal effects of levofloxacin and ceftazidime as monotherapy and in combination, and to determine their effects on resistance suppression in patients with normal and abnormal (Ccr:16–20 mL/min) renal function. Common clinical administration regimens to provide reference values were also evaluated. Methods: The 7-d hollow-fiber infection model was used to inject the Pseudomonas aeruginosa standard strain (ATCC27853). This simulated common clinical administration regimens for patients with different renal function. Ten regimens were stratified into 2 categories based on renal function, and each category contained 3 monotherapy regimens and 2 combination therapy regimens. The total and resistant populations were quantified. Drug concentrations were determined by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Monotherapy regimens resulted in about 0.5-log-CFU/mL bacterial kill in the total population at 6 or 8h, whilst combination regimens resulted in 2- to 3-log-CFU/mL within 2 days. For levofloxacin monotherapy regimens in patients with normal renal function, resistance emergence was seen after 6h, and was seen at 0h in the ceftazidime monotherapy regimen, as well as in all regimens of patients with abnormal renal function. Although resistant subpopulation in combination regimens with abnormal renal function began to increase at 0h, there was a certain downward trend after 8h, while resistant population in the normal renal function group increased after 16h. Conclusions: Combination therapy had greater bactericidal efficacy and resistance inhibition compared with monotherapy. Studying combination regimens in randomized clinical trials is warranted.
The elevated risk of sight-threatening cataract in diabetes with retinopathy: a cohort study
Authors: Nien Chan-Wei , Lee Chia-Yi , Chen Hung-Chi , Chao Shih-Chun , Hsu Hung-Jui , Tzeng Shih-Hao , Huang Jing-Yang , Miao Hsin-Fong , Lin Hung-Yu , Yang Shun-Fa
Published: January 2020

Background To survey the effect of diabetic retinopathy (DR) on the development of sight-threatening cataract via National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan.Methods Patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) and DR were enrolled in the study group. The age and gender-matched DM individuals without DR and patients without DM served as the DM control group and non-DM control group, both with 1:4 ratios. The outcome was set as the performance of cataract surgery. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to calculate the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of DR with considering multiple factors of cataract formation.Results A total of 3,297 DR patients, 13,188 DM control patients and 13,188 non-DM controls were enrolled. There were 919 events (27.87 percent) of sight-threatening cataract in the study group while another 1,108 events (8.40 percent) in the DM control group and 957 events (7.26 percent) in the non-DM control group. After multivariable analysis, the study group showed a higher aHR of cataract surgery (2.93, 95% CI: 2.60-3.30) and a higher cumulative probability of cataract surgery compared to both the DM control and non-DM control groups (both Log rank P<0.001). Besides, both the proliferative DR (3.90, 95% CI: 3.42-4.45) and non-proliferative DR (2.35, 95% CI: 2.08-2.65) subgroups showed a higher aHR of cataract surgery than the DM control group.Conclusion The presence of DR will increase the risk for development of sight-threatening cataract that surgery is warranted, and the effect is prominent in both the proliferative DR and non-proliferative DR.
How Does Neighborhood Engagement Affect the Association of Living Alone with Mental Disorder Risks in Older People?
Authors: Gyasi Razak M , Abass Kabila , Adu-Gyamfi Samuel
Published: January 2020

Background: Social isolation has been increasingly recognized as a strong risk factor for health-related outcomes, yet, there is limited knowledge about the pathways linking living alone to later life psychological disorders. This study examines the influence of living alone on older people’s psychological disorders and explores the protective role of neighborhood engagement such as social participation and physical activity. Methods: We used cross-sectional data from a 2016/2017 Aging, Health, Psychological Wellbeing and Health-seeking Behavior Survey involving nationally representative sample of 1200 adults aged 50+ years in Ghana. The study focused on a latent measure of Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and on the General Practice Physical Activity Scale. Ordinary Least Squares models assessed the effect of living alone interactively with neighborhood characteristics on the indicator of mental disorder. Results: The results showed that living alone was independent predictor of poor mental disorder in the overall sample, among females, urban dwellers and all age groups. However, physical activity and social participation significantly buffered against these associations. In the stratified analysis, physical activity moderated the association for males, rural-dwellers and those 65+ years whilst social participation modified the association for females, urban-dwellers and those 50-64 years. Conclusions: Neighborhood characteristics strongly attenuate the positive association of living alone with mental disorders. These findings may inform intervention initiatives targeted at improving mental health of older people living alone.
Prevalence of Substance Use among Psychiatric Patients with Psychosis and Determining its Strongest Predictor
Authors: sharhani Asaad , Higgs Peter , Piri Negar , Sadri Ensieh , Pourghasem Matina , Fakhari Sanaz Jafarzadeh , Noroozi Mehdi , Miladinia Mojtaba , Mousavi S. Bentolhoda
Published: January 2020

Background Although comorbidity of substance use and psychotic disorders can lead to increase in morbidity and mortality, less is known about the prevalence and predictors. Patients with psychosis tend to be overlooked during clinical assessment, therefore, the possibility of a missed or undertreated condition such as substance use increases. This study aims to measure the prevalence of substance use in patients with psychosis and to assess the strongest predictors.Method In a 1 year observational study (October 2017- November 2018), 311 patients with psychosis who were admitted to Razi Psychiatry Hospital; Tehran; Iran were surveyed through The Structured Interview Based on DSM-5 (SCID) for diagnostic confirmation as well as questions assessing prevalence and possible predictors of substance use.Results Prevalence of Substance Use among Psychiatric Patients with Psychosis was 37.9%. In bivariate analysis, several variables were identified as factors correlated with drug abuse among the participants. These included younger age, male gender, being currently homeless, having family history of drug use, and a history of imprisonment. The most powerful predictor of substance use, however, were male gender, Family history of drug use and being currently homelessness.Conclusion The prevalence of substance use was high among all psychotic disorders, therefore, it is suggested that professionals note the importance of substance use among psychotic patients. The most powerful predictors were male gender, history of imprisonment, and family history of drug use. Active investigation and comprehensive preventive plans are suggested in all patients with psychosis especially among high risk population.
Psychometric Evaluation of Persian Version of the Prenatal Health Behavior Scale
Authors: Ghiasvand Malihe , Ozgoli Giti , kariman Nourossadat
Published: January 2020

Objective: Prenatal behavior, including nutrition, exercise, drug use and smoking, affects health of a pregnant woman and her fetus. Psychometric evaluation of the Prenatal Health Behavior Scale (PHBS) is important for developing research on measurement of such this behavior during pregnancy.Methods: The present descriptive study was conducted in 2018. The original version was in English, and was then translated into Persian after obtaining permission from tool designer and using Backward-Forward translation.The final Persian version included 240 pregnant mothers who were selected using random cluster sampling from hospitals affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran. The factor analysis methods (exploratory and confirmatory), Pearson correlation, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient by SPSSV19 and LISRELV8.80 were used to analyze research findings.Results: Content validity and face validity were assessed by survey of 10 experts and 20 pregnant mothers.In general, the CVI was 94%.The confirmatory factor analysis indicated that all factor loadings were appropriate and significant in the initial model. Furthermore, coefficient alpha was 0.932 for prenatal health promoting behavior and 0.935 for Health-impairing behaviors. The values were acceptable and indicated the high validity of tool in the Iranian sample.Conclusion: The research findings indicated that the Prenatal Health Behavior Scale (PHBS) had acceptable psychometric properties among Iranian pregnant women and could be used as a valid tool for assessing prenatal health behavior in Iran.
“I don’t know how to explain it” Narratives on contraceptives among young men and women in Kwale County, Kenya
Authors: Mwaisaka Jefferson , Gonsalves Lianne , Thiongo Mary , Waithaka Michael , Sidha Hellen , Agwanda Alfred , Mukiira Carol , Gichangi Peter
Published: January 2020

BackgroundMyths and misconceptions around modern contraceptives have been associated with low contraceptive uptake. Nearly all the research on the link between contraceptives’ misconceptions and low contraceptive prevalence comes mostly from women with little focus on men. This qualitative study therefore sought to explore and understand both young men’s and young women’s knowledge of modern contraception and to identify key concerns regarding modern pregnancy prevention methods.MethodsWe used focus group discussions (FGD) with vignette and writing activities to explore key myths and misconceptions around the use of contraceptives. Six FGDs (three for young men and three for young women) were conducted with a total of 28 young women and 30 young men from Kwale County, Kenya. We included 10 discussants aged 18-24 per FGD, one FGD had 8 participants.ResultsBoth men and women participants reported basic awareness of contraceptives. A mixture of biological and social misconceptions around contraception were discussed, they included jeopardizing future fertility, prolonged menstrual bleeding, problems conceiving, birth defects, promiscuity, against religion and perceived to be un-African including denying couples their sexual freedom. Compared to female respondents in the study, men appeared to be strong believers of the perceived socio-cultural effects of contraceptives. Results are presented under three key themes namely (i) Awareness of contraception (ii) Myths and misconceptions around contraception and (iii) Males’ contraceptive narratives. Conclusions Improved sexual and reproductive health (SRH) literacy to address contraceptives’ fears through appropriate and gender specific interventions to reach out to young men and women with factual SRH information may contribute to increased uptake of SRH services including modern contraceptive methods.
Patient-Reported Satisfaction and Associated Changes in Health and Behavior Pre- and Post- Project INSPIRE: a Comprehensive Hepatitis C Care Coordination Program
Authors: Deming Regan , Mageras Anna , Davidson Caroline , Bresnahan Marie , Reyonoso Sheila , Wyatt Brooke , Laraque Fabienne
Published: January 2020

Background Individuals infected with hepatitis C (HCV) often present with co-morbidities and complex socio-behavioral risk factors. Project INSPIRE was a care coordination and telementoring demonstration project which aimed to treat and cure HCV-infected patients while providing them with services and education to improve overall health outcomes and self-sufficiency. We examined changes in HCV-related health and behavior associated with completion of Project INSPIRE (the “intervention”). Methods Patients were enrolled into Project INSPIRE at clinical sites where they received HCV clinical care paired with care coordination services. Baseline and post-intervention surveys were distributed to participants in-person at a clinical site and/or via mail at two time-points, one before and one after the intervention. Surveys were mailed back to the researchers by participants, and participant-identifying information was used to link survey responses to clinical data for each respondent. Logistic models using generalized estimating equations to account for partially overlapping observations examined the association between intervention participation and changes in self-reported overall health, emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations in the past 6 months, drug and alcohol use in the past 6 months, HCV knowledge, and general self-efficacy, adjusting for potential demographic and sociobehavioral confounding variables. Results The response rates for complete and partial surveys were 14.0% of 883 for baseline and 9.9% of 1,552 for post-intervention. In multivariable analyses (N=269, of which 50 were paired and 219 were unpaired), INSPIRE intervention participation was associated with a decreased odds of self-reported ED visits (OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.20–0.57), hospitalizations (OR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.16–0.57), alcohol use (OR: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.18–0.69), and injection drug use (OR: 0.09, 95% CI: 0.02–0.34), and a 6.8% (CI: 1.6-12.2%) increase in reported self-efficacy (p=0.01). Conclusions Survey results suggest that INSPIRE successfully improved participant health behavior and self-efficacy, indicating the intervention’s value to patients, providers, and insurance companies beyond the immediate benefits of HCV treatment and cure. Participants also had a generally positive experience working with their care teams, indicating that further research should explore how an individualized care team can improve retention and patient referral rates compared with the HCV standard of care.
The bacteriostatic effect and mechanism of berberine on Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in vitro
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhou Fangfang , Xu Minyi , Lu Pei , Lin Ming , Zhu Xueyuan , Gong Wei , Ji Shuiying
Published: January 2020

Background: To observe the bacteriostatic effect of berberine (BBR) and BBR combined with gentamicin (GEN), levofloxacin (LEV) and amikacin (AMI) on Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), while also exploring the bacteriostatic mechanism of BBR on MRSA. Methods: The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of BBR, GEN, LEV and AMI on 26 clinical MRSA strains was determined by broth microdilution, while the MICs of BBR combined with GEN, LEV and AMI against MRSA were determined using a microdilution checkerboard. Time-killing curves were used to determine the kinetics of BBR combined with antibiotics for MRSA. We used conductivity tests to assess the changes in membrane permeability in response to BBR on MRSA, while also investigating the changes in MRSA morphology by transmission electron microscopy. RNA-sequencing was used to analyze the expression of differentially expressed genes in reference strain USA300 after its treatment with BBR at different concentrations.Results: The MICs range of BBR on 26 strains of MRSA was 32-256 µg/mL. BBR combined with GEN, LEV and AMI had obvious bacteriostatic effect on MASA. After co-culturing MRSA with BBR at 512 ug/mL, 64 ug/mL and 8 ug/mL, respectively, the electrical conductivity increased, compared with the control group, by 8.14%, 13.08% and 12.01%, respectively. Using transmission electron microscopy, we found that low concentration of BBR (8 ug/mL) had no significant effect on MRSA structure (keeping intact), medium concentration of BBR (64 ug/mL) thinned the cell wall of MRSA, while high concentration of BBR (512 ug/mL) induced the destruction and dissolution of MRSA cell wall structure and the leakage of bacterial contents, leading to bacterial lysis. RNA-sequencing results showed that there were 754 differentially expressed genes in the high concentration group compared with the normal control group. Compared with the low concentration group, there were 590 differentially expressed genes in the high concentration group. Compared with the control group, only 19 genes were differentially expressed in the low concentration group. The up-regulated genes are mainly related to the cell wall hydrolysis regulatory genes, while the down-regulated genes are mainly related to the serine protease family.Conclusions: BBR displayed an excellent bacteriostatic effect on MRSA. BBR combined with GEN and AMI significantly enhanced the bacteriostatic effect on MRSA, while BBR combined with LEV showed no significant change in the bacteriostatic effect on MRSA. BBR inhibited bacteria by destroying and dissolving the structure of MRSA cell wall. RNA-sequencing results further demonstrated that the expression of cell wall hydrolysis genes ssaA, lytM and virulence factor serine protease genes were significantly differentially expressed when high concentration BBR treated on MRSA.
Specific course of tuberculosis in elderly and senile patients
Authors: Savonenkova L. N. , Ruzov V. I. , Asanov R. B. , Midlenko O. V. , Asanov B. M. , Anisimova S. V.
Published: January 2020

The objective: to identify specific features of the clinical course of tuberculosis in elderly and senile patients under the current epidemic situation.

The specific clinical course of tuberculosis was analyzed in 54 patients at the age of 61 years and older and compared with the course of 234 patients at the age from 18 to 39 years selected by the continuous sampling of all 472 patients discharged from hospital in 2018. The following features were found to be typical of patients of 61 years and older: more frequent chronic forms of the disease (37.0%) and complications (35.2%), the major complication was chronic cor pulmonale (33.3%); more frequent concurrent chronic nonspecific lung diseases (13.0%) and coronary heart disease/arterial hypertension (14.8%); more frequent deaths (31.5%), mainly due to pulmonary heart disease; less frequent generalization of tuberculosis (5.5%) and concurrent HIV infection (7.4%).
Epidemiology of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in a big city
Authors: Zuban O. N. , Belilovsky E. M. , Grabarnik A. E. , Chotchaev R. M. , Rodchenkov A. V.
Published: January 2020

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