bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multispectral and X-ray images for characterization of Jatropha curcas L. seed quality
Authors: Bianchini Vitor J , Mascarin Gabriel M , Silva Lúcia CAS , Arthur Valter , Carstensen Jean M , Boelt Birte , Silva Clíssia Barboza da
Published: August 2020

Background: The use of non-destructive methods with less human interference is of great interest in agricultural industry and crop breeding. Modern imaging technologies enable the automatic visualization of multi-parameter for characterization of biological samples, reducing subjectivity and optimizing the analysis process. Furthermore, the combination of two or more imaging techniques has contributed to discovering new physicochemical tools and interpreting datasets in real time.Results: We present a new method for automatic characterization of seed quality based on the combination of multispectral and X-ray imaging technologies. We proposed an approach using X-ray images to investigate internal tissues because seed surface profile can be negatively affected, but without reaching important internal regions of seeds. An oilseed plant (Jatropha curcas) was used as a model species, which also serve as a multi-purposed crop of economic importance worldwide. Our studies included the application of a normalized canonical discriminant analyses (nCDA) algorithm as a supervised transformation building method to obtain spatial and spectral patterns on different seedlots. We developed classification models using reflectance data and X-ray classes based on linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The classification models, individually or combined, showed high accuracy (>0.96) using reflectance at 940 nm and X-ray data to predict quality traits such as normal seedlings, abnormal seedlings and dead seeds. Conclusions: Multispectral and X-ray imaging have a strong relationship with seed physiological performance. Reflectance at 940 nm and X-ray data can efficiently predict seed quality attributes. These techniques can be alternative methods for rapid, efficient, sustainable and non-destructive characterization of seed quality in the future, overcoming the intrinsic subjectivity of the conventional seed quality analysis.
Geriatric Assessment for Older Adults with Sickle Cell Disease: protocol for a prospective cohort pilot study
Authors: Oyedeji Charity I , Hall Katherine , Luciano Alison , Morey Miriam , Strouse John Joseph
Published: August 2020

Background The life expectancy for people with sickle cell disease (SCD) has improved tremendously over the last 50 years. This population experiences hemolysis and vaso-occlusion in multiple organs that lead to complications such as cardiopulmonary disease, strokes, and avascular necrosis. These complications can limit mobility and aerobic endurance, similar to limitations that often occur in geriatric populations. These sickle-cell and age-related events lead to frequent hospitalization, which further increases the risk of functional decline. We have few tools to measure functional decline in people with SCD. The purpose of this paper is to describe a protocol to evaluate the feasibility of sickle cell disease geriatric assessment (SCD-GA). Methods/Design We will enroll 40 adults with SCD (20 age 18-49.99 years and 20 age ≥ 50 years) in a prospective cohort study to assess the feasibility of SCD-GA. The SCD-GA includes validated measures from the oncology geriatric assessment enriched with additional physical and cognitive measures. The SCD-GA will be performed at the first study visit, 10 to 20 days after hospitalization, and at after 12-months (exit visit). With input from a multidisciplinary team of sickle cell specialists, geriatricians, and experts in physical function and physical activity, we selected assessments across 7 domains: functional status (11 measures), comorbid medical conditions (1 measure), psychological state (1 measure), social support (2 measures), weight status (2 measures), cognition (3 measures), and medications (1 measure). We will measure the proportion completing the assessment with feasibility as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include the proportion consenting and completing all study visits, duration of the assessment, acceptability, and adverse events. Discussion We present the protocol and rationale for selection of the measures included in SCD-GA. We also outline the methods to determine feasibility and subsequently to optimize the SCD-GA in preparation for a larger multicenter validation study of the SCD-GA.
An internal cross-linked polymeric nanoparticle with dual sensitivity for combination therapy of muscle-invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Zhu Guanchen , Wang Kaikai , Qin Haixiang , Zhao Xiaozhi , Chen Wei , Xu Linfeng , Cao Wenming , Guo Hongqian
Published: August 2020

Chemotherapy is a standard cancer treatment which uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells. However, chemotherapy has limited therapeutic effects in bladder cancer. One of the reasons of this resistance to chemotherapy is that higher levels of glutathione in invasive bladder cancer cells. We have fabricated nanoparticles that respond to high concentrations of glutathione and near-infrared laser irradiation in order to increase the drug accumulation at the tumor sites and combine chemotherapy with photothermal therapy to overcome the challenges of bladder cancer treatment.Methods:The DOX&IR780@PEG-PCL-SS NPs were prepared by co-precipitation method. We investigated the tumor targeting capability of NPs in vitro and in vivo. The orthotopic bladder cancer model in C57BL/6 mice was established for in vivo study and the photothermal effects and therapeutic efficacy of NPs were evaluated.Results:The DOX&IR780@PEG-PCL-SS NPs were synthesized using internal cross-linking strategy to increase the stability of nanoparticles. Nanoparticles can be ingested by tumor cells in a short time. The DOX&IR780@PEG-PCL-SS NPs have dual sensitivity to high levels of glutathione in bladder cancer cells and near-infrared laser irradiation. Glutathione triggers chemical structural changes of nanoparticles and preliminarily releases drugs, Near-infrared laser irradiation can promote the complete release of the drugs from the nanoparticles and induce a photothermal effect, leading to destroying the tumor cells. Given the excellent tumor-targeting ability and negligible toxicity to normal tissue, DOX&IR780@PEG-PCL-SS NPs can greatly increase the concentration of the anti-cancer drugs in tumor cells. The mice treated with DOX&IR780@PEG-PCL-SS NPs have a significant reduction in tumor volume. The DOX&IR780@PEG-PCL-SS NPs can be tracked by in vivo imaging system and have good tumor targeting ability, to facilitate our assessment during the experiment.Conclusion:A nanoparticle delivery system with dual sensitivity to glutathione and near-infrared laser irradiation was developed for delivering IR780 and DOX. Chemo-photothermal synergistic therapy of both primary bladder cancer and their metastases was achieved using this advanced delivery system.
Targeting high risk forest goers for malaria elimination: A novel approach for investigating forest malaria to inform program intervention in Vietnam
Authors: Canavati Sara E. , Kelly Gerard C. , Quintero Cesia E. , Vo Thuan Huu , Tran Long Khanh , Ngo Thang Duc , Tran Duong Thanh , Edgel Kimberly A. , Martin Nicholas J.
Published: August 2020

BackgroundIndividuals that work and sleep in remote forest and farm locations in the Greater Mekong Subregion continue to remain at high risk of both acquiring and transmitting malaria. These difficult-to-access population groups largely fall outside the reach of traditional village-centered interventions, presenting operational challenges for malaria programs. In Vietnam, over 60% of malaria cases are thought to be individuals who sleep in forests or on farms. New malaria elimination strategies are needed in countries where mobile and migrant workers frequently sleep outside of their homes. The aim of this study was to apply targeted surveillance-response based investigative approaches to gather location-specific data on confirmed malaria cases, with an objective to identify associated malaria prevention, treatment and risk behaviors of individuals sleeping in remote forest and farms sites in Vietnam. MethodsA cross-sectional study using novel targeted reactive investigative approaches at remote area sleeping sites was conducted in three mountainous communes in Phu Yen province in 2016. Index cases were defined as individuals routinely sleeping in forests or farms who had tested positive for malaria. Index cases and non-infected neighbors from forest and farm huts within 500m of the established sleeping locations of index cases were interviewed at their remote-area sleeping sites. ResultsA total of 307 participants, 110 index cases and 197 neighbors, were enrolled. Among 93 participants who slept in the forest, index cases were more likely to make >5 trips to the forest per year (prevalence odds ratio (POR) 7.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.66–20.63), sleep in huts without walls (POR 44.00, 95% CI 13.05–148.33), sleep without mosquito nets (POR 2.95, 95% CI 1.26–6.92), and work after dark (POR 5.48, 95% CI 1.84–16.35). Of the 204 farm-based respondents, a significantly higher proportion of index cases were involved in non-farming activities (logging) (POR 2.74, 95% CI 1.27–5.91). ConclusionInvestigative approaches employed in this study allowed for the effective recruitment and characterization of high-priority individuals frequently sleeping in remote forest and farm locations, providing relevant population and site-specific data that decision makers can use to design and implement targeted interventions to support malaria elimination.
Awareness, utilization and influencing factors of social supports for main informal caregivers of schizophrenia patients: a cross-sectional study in primary care settings in Beijing, China
Authors: Wang Meirong , Jin Guanghui , Wei Yun , Wang Feiyue , Pan Zhaolu , Chen Lifen , Lu Xiaoqin
Published: August 2020

Background: Main informal caregivers of schizophrenia patients in Beijing are increasingly called upon to provide home-based care due to the increasing number of schizophrenia patients. This study aims to investigate the further needs of social supports for main informal caregivers of schizophrenia patients and to analyze the influencing factors on awareness and utilization of social supports in Beijing. The results of this study could potentially act as reference for health professionals to implement appropriate and effective support programs.Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used in this study. Individual in-depth interviews with 10 main informal caregivers from the urban districts of Beijing were conducted to identify the caregivers’ perspective on social supports and their further needs. Meanwhile, awareness, utilization and influencing factors of social supports for main informal caregivers were investigated using questionnaires in 6 urban districts in Beijing.Results: Most caregivers in in-depth interviews expressed that they had negative experiences with respect to obtaining social supports, and they emphasized that more support would be needed in terms of financial support, respect, and rehabilitation institutions. Quantitative results showed that although the government provided multi-channel resources for schizophrenia patients and their families, awareness and utilization of the resources such as rehabilitation, employment, and health services were relatively low, which were less than 10.0% and 5.0% respectively. Conclusions: The awareness and utilization of social supports are low for main informal caregivers of schizophrenia patients. More services and improved public attitudes are needed for schizophrenia patients and their caregivers.
Interleukin-8 is not a predictive biomarker for the development of the acute promyelocytic leukemia differentiation syndrome
Authors: de Almeida Luciana Yamamoto , Pereira-Martins Diego Antonio , Lima Ana Sílvia Gouvêa , Baggio Márcia Sueli , Koury Luisa Corrêa de Araujo , Lange Ana Paula , Bassi Sarah Cristina , Scheucher Priscila Santos , Rego Eduardo
Published: August 2020

Background: Differentiation syndrome (DS) is the main life-threatening adverse event that occurs in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). Cytokine imbalances have been reported to play role during the developing of acute promyelocytic leukemia differentiation syndrome (APL-DS). However, the relationship between the plasma cytokine levels and their prognostic value for the prediction of DS developing in patients with APL during the treatment with ATRA and anthracyclines has not been previously reported. Methods: In this study, we followed an APL cohort (n=17) over seven days of ATRA therapy in DS (n=6) and non-DS groups (n=11). Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70 and TNF-α were measured in the peripheral blood plasma from 17 patients with APL and 11 healthy adult controls by using the cytometric bead array method. Results: In non-DS patients, IL-8 plasma levels were significantly reduced in the seventh day of ATRA treatment (34.16; 6.99 to 147.11 pg mL-1 in D0 vs. 10.9; 0 to 26.81 pg mL-1 in D7; p = 0.02) whereas their levels did not discriminate between DS and non-DS development during the entire induction period (all p > 0.05 in D0, D3, and D7). No significant differences were found in IL-6 levels between groups (p > 0.05 in D0-D7). Other cytokines tested were all undetectable in patients with APL or healthy controls. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the modulation of IL-8 following ATRA treatment may occur regardless of the development of DS and, therefore, does not appear to be a predictive biomarker to monitor the APL-DS.
Structural validity of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire and its short version, the 6-Item CTS Symptoms Scale: A Rasch analysis one year after surgery
Authors: Multanen Juhani , Ylinen Jari , Karjalainen Teemu , Ikonen Joona , Häkkinen Arja , Repo Jussi P.
Published: August 2020

Background: The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) and its shorter version, the Six-Item Carpal Tunnel Symptoms Scale (CTS-6), are widely used for assessing function and/or symptoms in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. This study examined the structural validity of the BCTQ and CTS-6 among patients who had undergone surgery for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods: The data for this cross-sectional analysis were obtained from 217 adult patients who had undergone carpal tunnel release surgery one year earlier. All patients completed the CTS-6, Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and Functional Status Scale (FSS) of the BCTQ at 12 months after surgery. The Rasch Measurement Theory (RMT) was applied to investigate the unidimensionality, residual correlation, differential item functioning, scale coverage/targeting, and person separation of the CTS-6, SSS and FSS of the BCTQ.Results: The FSS showed unidimensionality and good scale and item fit. All items showed ordered response category thresholds. Eight of the FSS items displayed differential item functioning favoring age or gender. The multidimensional structure of the CTS-6 was absorbed by creating a testlet for frequency of symptoms or testlets for pain and numbness. The testlets supported unidimensionality in the BCTQ SSS. One item in the CTS-6 and two items in the BCTQ SSS showed differential item functioning favoring age or gender. Four items in the BCTQ SSS and two items in the CTS-6 exhibited disordered response category thresholds. Merging of the relevant response categories led to ordered response category thresholds. The person separation indices were 0.73, 0.86 and 0.77 for the CTS-6, BCTQ SSS and FSS, respectively.Conclusions: Based on the RMT analysis, the CTS-6 has superior psychometric properties compared to the BCTQ SSS in surgically treated patients. The CTS-6 might be more accurate when separated into item sets measuring pain or numbness. The FSS of the BCTQ has acceptable construct validity, although gender differences at some ages were observed in responses.
Factors associated with conducting planning for secondary oral health care services in Brazil
Authors: de Lucena Edson Hilan Gomes , Silva Rênnis Oliveira da , de Lucena Carolina Dantas Rocha Xavier , Mepatia Amalia Issufo , Cavalcanti Yuri Wanderley , de Goes Paulo Savio Angeiras , de Sousa Maria Fátima
Published: August 2020

Background: Planning in health services specifically aims to improve the health status of a given population, guaranteeing access with equity and justice, as well as streamlining the response of the health system to the needs perceived by the community. This research aims to identify the factors associated with planning Specialized Dental Clinics (SDCs). Methods: Secondary data were used from the external evaluation of the database of the first National Program for Access and Quality Improvement of SDCs (NPAQI–SDCs) and the informed Outpatient Information System of the Unified Health System (OIS/UHS), which contains data on the specialized dental procedures performed at SDCs. It consisted of a quantitative study in which Pearson chi-square statistical tests (p ˂ 0.05) and a multivariate logistic regression were applied with odds ratio (OR) estimate. Results: The results indicated that the realization of planning in SDCs was associated with lower coverage of the Oral Health Team of the Familiy Health Strategy in a municipality (OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.0-1.9, p = 0.049), additional training for managers (p = 0.038), the practice of self-assessment (OR = 8.2; 95% CI: 5.8-11.6; p = 0.000) and meeting service production targets (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2-3.2; p = 0.011). Conclusion: The results indicate that the work processes of the SDCs, especially with regard to service management, are essential to the proper functioning of the service and the practice of planning is linked to the technical capacity and commitment of service managers.
LINC00649 underexpression is an adverse prognostic marker in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Guo Chao , Gao Ya-yue , Ju Qian-qian , Zhang Chun-xia , Gong Ming , Li Zhen-ling
Published: August 2020

Background Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) play a role in leukemogenesis, maintenance, development, and therapeutic resistance of AML. While few studies have focused on the prognostic significance of LINC00649 in AML, which we aim to investigate in this present study.
Methods We compared the expression level of LINC00649 between AML patients and healthy controls. The Kaplan-Meier curves of AML patients expressing high versus low level of LINC00649 was performed. The LINC00649 correlated genes/miRNAs/lncRNAs and methylation CpG sites were screened by Pearson correlation analysis with R (version 3.6.0), using TCGA-LAML database. The LINC00649 associated ceRNA network was established using lncBase 2.0 and miRWalk 2.0 online tools, combining results from correlation analysis. Finally, a prediction model was constructed using LASSO-Cox regression.
Results LINC00649 was underexpressed in bone marrow of AML group than that in healthy control group. The patients of LINC00649-low group have significantly inferior PFS and OS. A total of 154 mRNAs, 31 miRNAs, 28 lncRNAs and 1590 methylated CpG sites were identified to be significantly correlated with LINC00649. Furthermore, the network of ceRNA was established with 6 miRNAs and 122 mRNAs. The Lasso-Cox model fitted OS/PFS to novel prediction models, which integrated clinical factors, ELN risk stratification, mRNA/miRNA expression and methylation profiles. The analysis of time-dependent ROC for our model showed a superior AUC (AUC = 0.916 at 1 year, AUC = 0.916 at 3 years, and AUC = 0.891 at 5 years).
Conclusions Low expression of LINC00649 is a potential unfavorable prognostic marker for AML patients, which requires the further validation. The analysis by LASSO-COX regression identified a novel comprehensive model with a superior diagnostic utility, which integrated clinical and genetic variables.
Effect of Bacillus velezensis to substitute in-feed antibiotics on the production, blood biochemistry and egg quality indices of laying hens
Authors: Ye Miao , Wei Chunjie , Khalid Anam , Hu Qian , Yang Ru , Dai Binghong , Cheng Hengwei , Wang Zaigui
Published: August 2020

Background The excessive use of antibiotics in the livestock feed industry caused inevitable side effects of microbial resistance. Besides this residual antibiotics in animal-derived foodstuff imposed serious health problems for humans. So this study aimed to investigate the potential use of Bacillus velezensis to substitute antibiotics for poultry production. A total of 468, 49-week-old Hy-Line Brown chickens, were randomly divided into four groups; the control group (regular diet), experiment group I (0.1% B. veleznesis), experiment group II (0.2% B. veleznesis), and antibiotic group (50 mg/kg flavomycin), with three replicates per group and trial period consisted on 42 days. Results The results showed that, compared with the control group, the average egg production rate and daily feed intake of experimental groups I and II increased significantly (P < 0.05), while the average egg weight was increased in experimental group II as compared to I. (P < 0.01). The feed conversion ratio was decreased (P > 0.05) in group II. Egg quality parameters such as yolk weight of the experimental group II was increased, but that of the antibiotic group and experiment group I was decreased, neither significant (P > 0.05). Moreover, the eggshell strength, yolk color, albumen height, and Haugh unit were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, probiotic groups can increase the progesterone and motilin (P > 0.05) but decrease the secretin and cholecystokinin in the blood plasma (P > 0.05). Conclusions This study suggested that B. velezensis can substitute in-feed-antibiotics and improved most of the study parameters significantly. Which suggested that B. velezensis has potential future application value to replace the feed antibiotics.
Atherogenic index of plasma is associated with the severity of Hidradenitis Suppurativa: a case-control study
Authors: Hernández José Luis , Baldeón Cristina , López-Sundh Ana Elísabet , Ocejo-Vinyals J Gonzalo , Blanco Ricardo , González-López Marcos Antonio
Published: August 2020

Background. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with several comorbidities and vascular risk factors, such as dyslipidemia. The present study aimed to assess the possible associations between the lipid profile and atherogenic indexes and the severity of HS. Methods . This case-control study enrolled 78 HS patients and 62 healthy controls. Classic lipid profile and lipoprotein ratios, including the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), were evaluated. The severity of HS was measured by the HS Physician Global Assessment (PGA). Results . HS-patients had lower serum total cholesterol and HDL-C levels and higher AIP than the control group. AIP was positively correlated to BMI, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, LDL-C, triglycerides, non-HDL-C, ApoB, HOMA, and hs-CRP and negatively to HDL-C and ApoA1. For the overall lipid profile, only AIP was related to a more severe HS (PGA≥3) after controlling for age, sex, BMI, insulin resistance (IR), active smoking, and statin use (r=0.268; p=0.023). Multiple logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, BMI, IR, smoking status and statin use, showed that AIP≥0.11 was significantly associated with the severity of HS (OR, 4.38; CI 95%, 1.09-17.50; p=0.037). Conclusions . In conclusion, these results showed that AIP is significantly and independently associated with HS severity.
Design, Synthesis, in Vitro Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Antidiabetic Evaluation of New N-Substitutedbenzylidene-5-(4-Formylphenyl)-(3-Hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-Dihydropyrazole-1-Carbothioamide Derivatives
Authors: Singh Sucheta Singh , Tehlan sumit Tehlan , verma prabhakar kumar
Published: August 2020

A series of N-substitutedbenzylidene-5-(4-formylphenyl)-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydropyrazole-1-carbothioamide derivatives was designed, synthesized and examined for their therapeutical potential against prooxidant (oxidative stress), inflammation and diabetes. Biological results showed antioxidant activity with IC50 value 37.68 mol/L, anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 value 26.40 mol/L and antidiabetic activity with IC50 value 17.12 mol/L. The results of antioxidant activity showed that compounds Y9 and Y17 exhibited excellent antioxidant activity with IC50 values 17.43 mol/L and 18.98 mol/L, results of anti-inflammatory activity showed that compounds Y2, Y3 and Y7 exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory activity with IC50 values 23.23 mol/L, 22.09 mol/L and 19.05 mol/L respectively and results of antidiabetic activity showed that compounds Y1, Y5and Y6 exhibited excellent antidiabetic activity with IC50 values 17.08 mol/L, 8.36 mol/L and 13.50 mol/L. When compared with ascorbic acid, aspirin and acarbose as standard drug respectively. Heterocyclic compounds have diversity in their structure which makes them broad and economical therapeutic agents. Pyrazole is a five membered ring containing three carbon and two neighboring nitrogen atoms. Pyrazole and its derivatives have various biological as well as clinical potential thus considered for further research. Due to wide range of therapeutical activities pyrazole makes interest among researcher to explore it further for more activities. Pyrazole is present in various biological moieties eg. antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, anticonvulsant, anticancer, anti-HIVand anti-tuberculosis agents.
WITHDRAWN: Landslides Articulation in Wadi Hof Area Southeast of Cairo, Egypt, Based on Geological and Geophysical Investigations
Authors: El-Gawad Ahmed M Abd
Published: August 2020

Detailed field geological, geoelectrical, hydrochemical, and microbiological studies were executed in Wadi Hof area, southeastern Cairo, Egypt to delineate the causes of landslides along the train pathway between the eastern Wadi Hof camp and the western clay quarry. The area under consideration is of low relief and gentle slope from east to west, the rock sloping is unstable and represent potential areas of rock failure in several locations. The Eocene limestone rocks constitute the most common outcrops. Structurally, the investigated area was affected by faulting. Geophysically, vertical electrical soundings in addition to horizontal profiling techniques were surveyed to know the shallow subsurface implications. Moreover, Hydrochemical and microbiological investigations in the form of water samples analysis east and west to the train pathway. The integrated interpretations exhibited that, the study area consists of three main units; surface marl; calcareous sand, and finally clay to sandy clay units. The water originates from the Eocene limestone aquifer east of the train route directed to the clay quarry west of the train path. Added, the landslides are resulted due to the clay swelling followed by railway destruction in a short time due to the large clay thicknesses.
NOX5 is Expressed Aberrantly but Not a Critical Pathogenetic Gene in Hirschsprung Disease
Authors: Wang Jing , Xiao Jun , Meng Xinyao , Chu Xufeng , Zhuansun DiDi , Xiong Bo , Feng Jiexiong
Published: August 2020

Background:Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a congenital disorder characterized by the absence of intramural ganglion cells in the distal gastrointestinal tract (GI), which results in tonic contraction of the aganglionic gut segment and functional intestinal obstruction. Recent studies have suggested NADPH oxidase 5 (NOX5) as a candidate risk gene for HSCR. In this study, we examined the function of NOX5 to verify its role in the development of enteric nervous system (ENS).Methods: HSCR tissue specimens (n = 10) were collected at the time of pull-through surgery and control specimens (n = 10) were obtained at the time of colostomy closure in patients. The NOX5 expression in aganglionic and ganglionic segments of HSCR colon and normal colon were analyzed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), western blot and RT-qPCR. The gene expression levels and spatiotemporal expression spectrum of NOX5 in different development stages of zebrafish embryo were investigated using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and in-situ hybridization (ISH). The enteric nervous system in NOX5 Morpholino (MO) knockdown and wild type (WT) zebrafish embryo was analyzed by whole-mount immunofluorescence (IF). Intestinal transit assay was performed to analyze the gastrointestinal motility in NOX5 knockdown and control larvae.ResultsNOX5 is strongly expressed in the ganglion cells in the proximal segment of HSCR colons and all segments of normal colons. Moreover, the expression of NOX5 is markedly decreased in the aganglionic segment of HSCR colon compared to the ganglionic segment. In zebrafish, NOX5 mRNA level is the highest in one cell stage embryos and it is decreased by the development of the embryos. Interestingly, the expression of NOX5 appears to be enriched in the nervous system. However, the number of neurons in the GI tract and the GI motility were not affected upon NOX5 knockdown.ConclusionsNOX5 may play a role in the early development of zebrafish embryo, but not required for the ENS development and loss of NOX5 didn’t affect the GI motility in zebrafish. Nevertheless, we demonstrated that NOX5 specifically expressed in the ganglionic cell in colon tissue and markedly decreased in the aganglionic segment.
Retrospective accuracy analysis of MRI based lesion size measurement in neuroblastic tumors: which sequence should we choose?
Authors: Gassenmaier Sebastian , Tsiflikas Ilias , Maennlin Simon , Urla Cristian , Warmann Steven W. , Schaefer Juergen F.
Published: August 2020

Background: MR imaging of neuroblastic tumors is widely used for assessing the effect of chemotherapy on tumor size. However, there are some concerns that MRI might falsely estimate lesion diameters due to calcification and fibrosis. Therefore, the aim of our study was to compare neuroblastic tumor size based on MRI measurements to histopathology measurements of the resected specimens as standard of reference.Methods: Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of a neuroblastic tumor, MR imaging within 100 days to surgery and gross total resection without fragmentation of the tumor between 2008-2019. Lesion diameters were measured by two radiologists according to RECIST 1.1 in axial plane in T2w turbo spin echo (TSE), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and in T1w pre- and postcontrast sequences. Furthermore, the largest lesion size in three-dimensions was noted. The largest diameter of histopathology measurements of each specimen was used for comparison with MRI.Results: Thirty-seven patients (mean age: 5±4 years) with 38 lesions (neuroblastoma: n=17; ganglioneuroblastoma: n=11; ganglioneuroma: n=10) were included in this retrospective study. There was excellent intra-class correlation coefficient between both readers for all sequences (>0.9) Tumor dimensions of reader 1 based on axial MRI measurements were significantly smaller with the following median differences (cm): T1w precontrast -1.4 (interquartile range (IQR): 1.8 ), T1w postcontrast -1.0 (IQR: 1.9), T2w TSE: -1.0 (IQR: 1.6), and DWI -1.3 (IQR: 2.2) (p<0.001 for all sequences). However, the evaluation revealed no significant differences between the three-dimensional measurements and histopathology measurements of the resected specimens regardless of the applied MRI sequence.Conclusions: Axial MRI based lesion size measurements are significantly smaller than histopathological measurements. However, there was no significant difference between three-dimensional measurements and histopathology measurements of the resected specimens. T2w TSE and T1w postcontrast images provided the lowest deviation and might consequently be preferred for measurements.
LncRNA HOTAIR Increases Inflammatory Responses by Activating NF-κB Pathway in LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Huang XiaoMei , Mo ZeXun , Li YuJun , He Hua , Wang KangWei , Xu NingNing , Guo WeiHong , Tang WanNa , Wei Shuquan
Published: August 2020

Background Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) activation increased the expression of cytokines and further lead to lung injury was considered the main mechanism of acute lung injury (ALI). Here, we focus on exploring the potential regulatory mechanism between long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) and NF-κB on LPS-induced ALI. Methods A549 cells were then divided into 4 groups: HOTAIR group, NC group, si-HOTAIR group and si-NC group. These 4 groups were then treated with 1μg/mL lipopolysaccharides (LPS) or without LPS at 37°C for 24 h. The expression level of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6) and LncRNA HOTAIR were evaluated by quantitative Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western Blot analysis was adopted for evaluating the level of p-IκBα/IκBα and p-p65/p65. Nuclear translocation of p65 was observed by immunofluorescence staining. Results qRT-PCR and ELISA assay showed that the expression of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) and inflammatory gene HOTAIR was remarkably increased with LPS treatment (p < 0.01). Over-expression of HOTAIR significantly increased the expression of cytokines (including IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) and NF-κB pathway associated proteins (including p-IκBα/IκBα and p-p65/p65), while knockdown of HOTAIR had the opposite effect (p < 0.01). The immunofluorescence assay showed that the level of p65 in the nucleus was significantly higher in the HOTAIR group and significantly lowers in the si-HOTAIR group (p < 0.01). Conclusion HOTAIR may play a pro-inflammatory response through NF-κB pathway in LPS-induced ALI, which may provide a perspective for further understanding the pathogenic mechanism of ALI.
Dictionary-based Classification of Tweets About Environment
Authors: Cameletti Michela , Fabris Silvia , Schlosser Stephan , Toninelli Daniele
Published: August 2020

In the era of social media, the huge availability of digital data (e.g. posts sent through social networks or unstructured data scraped from websites) allows to develop new types of research in a wide range of fields. These types of data are characterized by some advantages such as reduced collection costs, short retrieval times and production of almost real-time outputs. Nevertheless, their collection and analysis can be challenging. For example, particular approaches are required for the selection of posts related to specific topics; moreover, retrieving the information we are interested in inside Twitter posts can be a difficult task.The main aim of this paper is to propose an unsupervised dictionary-based method to filter tweets related to a specific topic, i.e. environment. We start from the tweets sent by a selection of Official Social Accounts clearly linked with the subject of interest. Then, a list of keywords is identified in order to set a topic-oriented dictionary. We test the performance of our method by applying the dictionary to more than 54 million geolocated tweets posted in Great Britain between January and May 2019.
Magnitude of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and associated factors among adult diabetic patients attending Madda Walabu University Goba referral hospital, south east Ethiopia, 2019
Authors: Gemechu Tadele Regasa , Baye Minale Fekadie , Awgichew Gesese Bogale , Chekole Behonegn Birhan , Gemechu Zegeye Regassa , Mulugeta Habtamu Gezehagn , Shiferaw Damtew Solomon , Damtew Tesaka Wondimnew
Published: August 2020

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders which is characterized by increased blood glucose level. It causes a lot of systemic complications including pancreatic atrophy that leads to pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. It is more common among type 1 diabetic than type 2 diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to assess magnitude of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and associated factors among diabetic patients attending Madda Walabu University Goba referral hospital, 2019.Materials and method: An institution based cross sectional study was conducted on 286 diabetic patients during study period. The study participants were selected by systematic random sampling technique among diabetic patients attending Madda Walabu University Goba referral hospital internal medicine department. The demographic data of the study participants were collected by face to face interview. Serum and urine samples were collected from each patient and analyzed to check pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and factors associated with it. The raw data were entered in to Epi Data V 3.0.2 and exported in to SPSS V 25 for analysis. Descriptive analysis and multiple logistic regression was done and variables with 95% confidence interval and p-value less than 0.05 were used to declare statistical significance. Results: The study participants were 250 (87.4%) type 2 diabetic and 36 (12.6%) type 1 diabetic patients. Among them 21.3% suffered from pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Amylase insufficiency found in 44.4% of type 1 and 16.0% in type 2 diabetics. But, lipase insufficiency was seen in 41.7% of type 1 and 16.0% in type 2 diabetics. The pancreatic exocrine insufficiency was higher among type 1 (44.44%) than type 2 (18.0%). Smoking habit, alcohol consumption, duration of disease, usage of hypoglycemic agents, ketosuria and type of diabetics were significantly associated with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Conclusion: There was an alteration of pancreatic exocrine enzyme secretion among both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. The habit of alcohol consumption, smoking and increase in the duration of the disease intensify the pancreatic insufficiency.
Anastrozole and Levonorgrestrel-Releasing Intrauterine Device in the Treatment of Endometriosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
Authors: Acién Pedro , Velasco Irene , Acién Maribel
Published: August 2020

Background: To study the effectiveness of an aromatase inhibitor (Anastrozole) associated to levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD, Mirena®) in the treatment of endometriosis.Methods: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. Setting: University Hospital (single center). Elegibility criteria: Endometriomas >3×4 cm, CA-125>35 U/mL and endometriosis symptoms. Patients: Thirty-one women randomized to anastrozole+Mirena®+Conservative Surgery(CS) (n=8), anastrozole+Mirena®+transvaginal ultrasound-guided puncture-aspiration (TUGPA) (n=7), Mirena®+CS (n=9), or Mirena®+TUGPA (n=7). Interventions: Anastrozole 1 mg/day and/or only Mirena® for 6 months; CS (ovarian and fertility-sparing) or TUGPA of endometriomas one month after starting medical treatment. Main Outcome Measures: Visual analogic scale for symptoms, CA-125 levels, ultrasound findings of endometriomas and recurrences.Results: A significant improvement in symptoms during the treatment (difference of 43%, 95% CI 29.9-56.2) occurred, which was maintained at 1 and 2 years. It was more significant in patients treated with anastrozole (51%, 95% CI 33.3-68.7). For CA-125, the most significant decrease was observed without anastrozole (73.8%, 95% CI 64.2-83.4 vs. 53.8%, 95% CI 25.7-81.6 under Mirena®+anastrozole). After CS for endometriosis, a reduction of findings of endometriomas and long-term recurrences occurred, with or without anastrozole. At 4,2±1,7 years (95% CI 3,57-4,85), 88% of the patients who underwent CS were asymptomatic, without medication or reoperation, compared to only 21% if TUGPA was performed, with or without anastrozole (p=0.019).Conclusions: Dosing anastrozole for 6 months, starting one month before CS of endometriosis, reduces more significantly the painful symptoms and delays recurrences, but has no other significant advantages over the single insertion of LNG-IUD (Mirena®) during the same time.Details of trial registration: Eudra CT System of the European Medicines Agency (London, 29-Sept-2008) Nº EudraCT: 2008-005744-17 (07/11/2008). Date of enrolment of first patient: 15/01/2009.
Body mass index and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome by diabetic status: Korean cohort study
Authors: Park Se-Jun , Ha Kyoung Hwa , Kim Dae Jung
Published: August 2020

Background: The “obesity paradox” has not been elucidated in the long-term outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Therefore, we investigated the association between obesity and cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in ACS patients with and without diabetes.Methods: We identified 6,978 patients with ACS aged 40–79 years from the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort between 2003 and 2015. Baseline body mass index (BMI) was categorized as underweight (<18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (18.5–22.9 kg/m2), overweight (23.0–24.9 kg/m2), obese class I (25.0–29.9 kg/m2), and obese class II (≥30.0 kg/m2). The primary outcome was major adverse CV events (MACE)—CV death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke. The secondary outcomes were the individual components of MACE, hospitalization for heart failure (HHF), and all-cause death. Results: The study included 3,989 patients with and 2,989 without diabetes. Compared to normal-weight patients without diabetes (reference group), those with diabetes had a higher risk of MACE (hazard ratio [HR], 1.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07–1.56). Obese patients without diabetes had a lower risk of MACE (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.62–0.97) than those with diabetes (HR, 0.95; 95% CI 0.78–1.14). In patients without diabetes, obese BMI decreased the risk of HHF (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.42–0.92) and stroke (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.42–0.88), but not in those with diabetes. Conclusion: Among patients with ACS, obesity had rather protective effect on CV outcomes compared to normal weight, while this was not evident in patients with diabetes.
Strength and Size of Phosphorus-Rich Patches Determine the Foraging Strategy of Neyraudia reynaudiana
Authors: Cai Liping , Wang Yuzhen , Tigabu Mulualem , Hou Xiaolong , Wu Pengfei , Zhou Chuifan , Ma Xiangqing , Cai Liping
Published: August 2020

Background: Under natural conditions, soil nutrients are heterogeneously distributed, and plants have developed adaptation strategies, such as root morphological plasticity and/or physiological plasticity, to efficiently forage patchily distributed nutrient. Most previous studies examined either patch strength or patch size separately and focused mainly on root morphological plasticity, thus the effects of both patch strength and size on morphological and physiological plasticity are not well understood. In this study, we examined the foraging strategy of Neyraudia reynaudiana (Kunth) Keng ex Hithc, a pioneer grass colonizing degraded sites, with respect to patch strength and size in heterogeneously distributed phosphorus (P), and how foraging patchily distributed P affects total plant biomass. Plants were grown in sand-culture pots divided into ½, ¼, 1/6 compartments and full size and supplied with 0 + 0/30, 0 + 7.5/30 and 7.5 + 0/30 mg P/kg dry soil as KH2PO4 or 0 + 15/15, 0 + 18.5/ 18.5, 7.5 + 15/15 mg kg−1 in the homogenous treatment. The first amount was the P concentration in the central region, and that the second amount was the P concentration in the outer parts of the pot. Results: After 3 months of growth under experimental conditions, significantly (p < 0.05) high root elongation, root surface area, root volume and average root diameter was observed in large patches with high patch strength. Roots absorbed significantly more P in P-replete than P-deficient patches. Whole plant biomass was significantly higher in larger patches with high patch strength than small patches and homogeneous P distribution. Conclusion: The result demonstrates that root morphological and physiological plasticity are important adaptive strategies for foraging patchily distributed P and the former is largely determined by patch strength and size. The results also establish that foraging patchily distributed P resulted in increased total plant biomass compared to homogeneous P distribution.
Current situation of medication errors in Saudi Arabia: a nationwide observational study
Authors: Alshammari Thamir M , Alenzi Khalidah A. , Alatawi Yasser M , Almordi Afnan S. , Altebainawi Ali F.
Published: August 2020

BackgroundMedication process complexity could cause confusion among healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients and lead to medication errors. This nationwide study aimed to characterize the types of medication errors and determine the error occurs in different stages of the medication process.MethodsThis was a retrospective observational study of medication errors reported by 265 government hospitals and primary care centers during the period of March 2018 to June 2019. The reported information include several aspects of medication errors, including patient information, medication information, error information, and the level of staff reporting and causing the error. The medication use process was categorized into ordering/prescribing, transcribing, dispensing, administering, and monitoring. ResultsA total of 71,332 medication error reports were reported between March 2018 and June 2019. The reported errors involved patients aged <10 (12,1312; 17.3%) and >60 (8,857; 12.4%) years, and the medication error rate was estimated to be 0.15%. Errors were frequently made by physicians 63120 (88.5%) and frequently detected by pharmacists (75.9%). The majority of errors were detected at the prescribing stage (84.8%), followed by the transcribing (5.8%) and dispensing (5.7%) stages. A total of 4,182 (5.8%) errors reached the patient. Work overload of staff was associated with one-third of the reported errors (31.6%), and 22.7% of the errors were due to a lack of experience among HCPs.ConclusionsThe study highlights the concern regarding medication errors occurrence during different medication use process. Despite all efforts, prescribing stage is still a big concern as source of harm to the patients.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as a risk factor for severity of acute cholangitis
Authors: Mahmud Mahamid , Fteiha Bashar , Adi Nubani , Goldin Eran , Nseir Wiliam
Published: August 2020

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent chronic liver disorders worldwide. Acute cholangitis (AC) is a serious and life-threatening illness. We aimed to determine whether NAFLD is a risk factor for severity of AC.Methods: We retrospectively studied hospitalized patients with diagnosis of AC over the span of 5 years. Subjects were divided into a NAFLD group and Non NAFLD group. We compared between the two groups in terms of demographic characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory data, and severity of AC (including Charlson Comorbidity index and Tokyo Consensus meeting criteria). Results: 298 of 419 patients who had AC and were hospitalized met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Of them, 73/298 (24.5%) were included in NAFLD group. NAFLD group patients were younger, diabetic and more obese than non NAFLD group. Subjects in the NAFLD presented with higher serum C-reactive protein and higher liver enzymes (p<0.05, for each parameter) and suffered more events of organ dysfunction(p<0.001) and bacteremia (p<0.005). Regarding the severity of AC according to Tokyo classification, among the NAFLD group more subjects presented with Grade II (39.7 Vs 33.3%, p <0.001) and Grade III (23.3 vs 18.3, p<0.001) cholangitis, as opposed more Grade I cholangitis among the non-NAFLD group (48.4 vs 37%, p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NAFLD is independently associated with severe AC, grade III (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.65-6.45, p=0.038). Conclusions: NAFLD is as an independent risk factor for severity of AC.