bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TRAIP functions as an oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma via Rb/EZH2/p21 signaling pathway
Authors: Luo Rong-Zhen , Li Qiu-Li , Zhang Mei-Fang , Zhang Peng-Wei , Shen Huimin , Zhang Zhiyi
Published: August 2020

Background The TRAF-interacting protein (TRAIP) has been identified as a master regulator of DNA damage and implicated in the progression of human cancers. Yet the underlying mechanism of TRAIP-mediated malignant phenotype remains unclear. Methods The expression of TRAIP in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was examined by qRT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. The clinical significance of TRAIP was determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analyses. The biological function and the underlying mechanism of TRAIP in HCC progression were investigated, using cellular and molecular biological experiments.Results Here, we show that TRAIP is upregulated in HCC and functions as an oncogene via Rb/EZH2/p21 signaling. Overexpression of TRAIP, at both mRNA and protein levels, is correlated with more aggressive clinicopathological features, and unfavorable overall and disease-free survivals. In vitro experiments demonstrate that ectopic expression of TRAIP enhances, whereas knockdown of TRAIP attenuates HCC cell proliferation. Further data show that TRAIP interacts with SPAG5 in HCC cells, which results in the stabilization of TRAIP protein. TRAIP overexpression suppresses the expression of Rb, subsequently leading to the increase of EZH2 and decrease of p21. Re-expression of Rb and p21 significantly inhibits TRAIP-mediated cell growth. Conclusion Collectively, our findings suggest TRAIP exert oncogenic activity and have prognostic and therapeutic potential in HCC.
Intestinal microbiome composition influences the peripheral inflammatory state during treatment of human tuberculosis
Authors: Wipperman Matthew , Bhattarai Shakti , Vorkas Charles , Maringati Venkata , Taur Ying ,   Laurent Mathurin6, McAulay Katherine , Vilbrun Stalz , Francois Daphie , Bean James , Walsh Kathleen , Nathan Carl , Fitzgerald Daniel , Glickman Michael , Bucci Vanni
Published: August 2020

Although the composition of the intestinal microbiota influences systemic immune responses, the contribution of this relationship to infectious disease pathogenesis and to the resolution of infectious diseases by antibiotic therapy is poorly understood. This question is rarely examined in humans due to the difficulty in dissociating the immunologic effects of antibiotic-induced pathogen clearance and salutary microbiome alteration. To address these questions in the context of Tuberculosis, we analyzed three independent human datasets from Haiti (two longitudinal treatment and one cross-sectional control), a prototypical infection remarkable for chronic inflammation, in which we had measured sputum TB bacterial load, gut microbiota composition, and peripheral blood transcriptomics. Using data from the longitudinal datasets combined with inflammatory pathway enrichment analysis, we determined that antibiotic treatment of TB, despite significantly perturbing the gut microbiota, dampens the proinflammatory signature characteristic of active TB. Contrarily, an investigational TB treatment that failed to clear TB, but that caused similar microbiota perturbations, exacerbated peripheral inflammation. To decouple the effects of antibiotic induced changes in the microbiota from Mtb sterilization as predictors of normalization of TB associated inflammation, we applied random forest regression to the microbiome-transcriptome-sputum data from the two longitudinal datasets. We found inflammatory renormalization is positively affected by both pathogen sterilization and by the abundance of health-associated Cluster IV and Cluster XIa Clostridia. Oppositely, increases in the abundance of commonly known pathobionts such as Bacilli and Proteobacteria clusters predict inflammatory exacerbation. We independently investigated and validated these microbiota-peripheral inflammatory signature associations by applying machine learning to the peripheral gene expression and microbiota profiling in an independent human cohort of 52 healthy control individuals. Together, our findings indicate that antibiotic-induced reduction in pathogen burden and changes in the microbiome are independently associated with treatment-induced changes of the inflammatory response of active TB, and more broadly indicate that response to antibiotic therapy may be a combined effect of pathogen killing and microbiome driven immunomodulation. Our results provide support to the hypothesis that there exists clear links between microbiome composition and host peripheral gene expression in humans that can be biologically elucidated using common and well validated molecular pathway analyses.
“I don't know if We'll Ever Live in Harmony”: Exploring the Unmet Needs of Syrian Adolescent Girls in Protracted Displacement in Lebanon
Authors: Davison Colleen , Watt Hayley , Michael Saja , Bartels Susan
Published: August 2020

Background: The current crisis in Syria has led to unprecedented displacement, with neighbouring Lebanon now hosting more than 1.5 million conflict-affected migrants from Syria. In many situations of displacement, adolescent girls are a vulnerable sub-group. This study explores and describes the self-reported unmet needs of Syrian adolescent girls who migrated to Lebanon between 2011 and 2016. Methods: This qualitative study focusing on the unmet needs of adolescent girls was part of a larger research project on child marriage among Syrian migrants in Lebanon. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling in three field locations in Lebanon by locally trained research assistants. One hundred eighty-eight Syrian adolescent girls chose to tell stories about their own experiences. Using handheld tablets and an application called “Sensemaker” stories were audio-recorded and later transcribed. Participants were asked to then self-interpret their stories by answering specific quantitative survey-type questions. Demographic information was also collected. NVivo was used to undertake deductive coding using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs as an analytic frame. Findings: Among the 188 self-reported stories from adolescent girls, more than half mentioned some form of unmet need. These needs ranged across the five levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy from physiological, safety, belonging, esteem and self-actualization. Nearly two thirds of girls mentioned more than one unmet need and the girls’ expressed needs varied by marital status and time since migration. Unmet esteem needs were expressed in 22% of married, and 72% of unmarried girls. Belongingness needs were expressed by 13% of girls who migrated in the last 1-3 years and 31% of those who migrated in the previous 4-5 years. Interpretation: Many needs of Syrian adolescent girl migrants remain unmet in this situation of now protracted displacement. Girls most commonly expressed needs for love and belonging followed closely by needs for safety and basic resources. The level and type of unmet need differed by marital status and time since displacement. Unmet needs have been associated elsewhere with physical illness, life dissatisfaction, post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and even death. These results can inform integrated interventions and services specifically targeting adolescent girls and their families in the protracted migration situation now facing Lebanon.
An Approach for Measuring Spatial Similarity Among COVID-19 Epicenters
Authors: Charandabi Neda Kaffash , Sadeghi-Niaraki Abolghasem , Choi Soo-Mi
Published: August 2020

The world has been embroiled in a new epidemic known as COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020. Most countries and territories around the world are affected by the disease, and some cities have become known as epicenters due to high outbreak. The similarity of these cities can be examined within the Geographic Information System (GIS), based on various criteria. This study investigated the similarities between the eight cities of Wuhan, Tehran, Bergamo, Madrid, Paris, Daegu, New York, and Berlin in terms of the COVID-19 situation (target) in those locations based on socio-economic factors, weather, and demographic criteria. First, the factor and target layers were prepared in ArcGIS®10.6 software. For socio-economic data (such as: supermarkets, hospitals, metro stations etc.), the distance maps were classified with a fuzzy membership function. Weather and demographic criteria were also stored in the tables after normalization in the range of zero to one. In next step, the similar cities were identified using the similarity model and different distance metrics (Manhattan, Euclidean, Minkowski, Mahalanobis, Chebyshev, and Correlation). The results were aggregated using the Copeland method, due to the different outcomes of each metric. The most similar city was identified for each selected city and its similarity level was determined based on the criteria. Results indicated that pairs of similar cities are: Wuhan-Berlin, Tehran-Berlin, Daegu-Wuhan, Bergamo-Madrid, Paris-Mardid, and New York-Paris with a minimum and maximum similarity rate of 82.85% and 92.36%. For similar cities, the most similar factors among the socio-economic criteria are the distance from bus and metro stations; among weather, criteria are humidity and pressure; and among demographic criteria are male and female population ratios, literacy ratio, death ratio from asthma and cancer with a minimum and maximum difference of 0% and 64.94%.
Comparative Genomic Insights into the Longhorned Tick, Haemaphysalis Longicornis
Authors: Zhang Rui-Ling , Zhang Qian , Zhang Zhong
Published: August 2020

Background: The longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann, is widely distributed across temperate regions. It can parasitize terrestrial vertebrates, including birds and a large number of mammals. They are a concern in human and animal health notably for their potential to transmit infectious agents. Methods: Genome survey was investigated using GenomeScope v1.0.0 with a maximum k-mer coverage cutoff of 1,000. Non-redundant assembly was polished with Illumina short reads using two rounds of NextPolish v1.1.0. Genome completeness was assessed using BUSCO v3.0.2 pipeline analyses against arthropod gene set (n = 1, 066). Ab initio predictions were generated using BRAKER v2.1.5. Transcriptomic reads were mapped to the genome with HISAT2 v2.2.0 and assembled with StringTie v2.1.2. Gene functions were assigned against UniProtKB database using Diamond v0.9.24. Orthogroups of 16 Chelicerata species were inferred using OrthoFinder v2.3.8 and gene family evolution was estimated using CAFÉ v4.2.1. Gene families related to digestion and detoxification, i.e. cytochrome P450 (CYP), carboxyl/cholinesterase (CCE), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter were annotated by searching in the genome assembly. Results: The final genome assembly has a size of 3.12 Gb, a scaffold N50 of 1.09 Mb, and captured 92.4% of the BUSCO gene set (n=1,066). Genome architecture pattern of the longhorned tick resembles another tick, Ixodes scapularis (Say), particularly in large size, highly repetitive DNA (~65%) and protein-coding genes (21,550). We also identified 5,601 non-coding RNAs with a high ratio of tRNAs (4,271). Gene family evolution revealed 350 rapidly evolving gene families. Combining function enrichment analyses of gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway, 255 families experiencing significant expansions mainly involves in cuticle synthesis, digestion and detoxification. Conclusions: The new genome assembly, annotation and comparative genomic analyses provide a valuable resource for insights into parasitic life mode of the longhorned tick.
STAT3 Regulates the Pathogenesis and Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplantation of Spina Bifida Aperta Through Caspase-8
Authors: Jiang mingyu , Dai Ji-cheng , Yin Ming-ying , Ren Ming-yong , Wu Nan , Gao Ying
Published: August 2020

Objective: To investigate the influence of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) on spinal cord tissue grafts of rat fetuses with spina bifida aperta. In particular, we wished to determine if STAT3 would be related to the pathogenesis of spina bifida aperta (SBA) and permit increased survival of spinal cord transplants to improve therapeutic efficiency of cellular transplantation from 20-day pregnant (E20) rats. Method: Spina bifida aperta were induced with a single intragastric retinoic acid (140 mg/kg body weight) administration on E10. STAT3 and caspase-8 expression, caspase-8 positive cells by immunofluorescence on 14, 15, 16 and 17 day in spinal cord of rat fetuses with control group and spina bifida aperta group are analysed. The pregnant rats received fetal surgery and microinjection of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) after STAT3 transfection on 16-day pregnant (E16), 17-day pregnant (E17) and 18-day pregnant (E18), P0, P1-6 and to P7-12 of cell passages as well as different injected cell number, then sacrificed on 20-day pregnant (E20) for spine sample collection. The Number of each group was not less than seven. The spinal cord samples were collected directly to detect survival rates of MSCs and caspase-8 expression. Results: The developmental change in caspase-8 expression of spina bifida aperta was notably increased to the top on E15 compared with no SBA fetuses with Retinoic Acid. STAT3 expression in SBA rat fetuses gradually decreased with embryonic development between E14 and E15, E15 dropped down to bottom. Specifically, the number of caspase-8 positive cells on E15 in spinal cord with SBA rat fetuses was the most; and from E16, the positive cells began to decrease. Compared with STAT3 non-transfection group, MSCs combined with STAT3 transfection on E18, P7-12 and medium injection cell number can statistically improve the success rate of transplantation. In addition, caspase-8 mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased in STAT3 transfection transplantation contrast for SBA of cellular culture medium and STAT3 non-transfection transplantation. Conclusions: STAT3 may be associated with the pathogenesis of spina bifida aperta. Furthermore, MSCs transplantation after STAT3 transfection can increase survival rates and reduce apoptosis in the spinal column through caspase-8.
EEG-Based BCI System to Control Prosthesis's Finger Movements
Authors: Gannouni Sofien , Belwafi Kais , Aboalsamh Hatim , Alebdi Basel , Almassad Yousef , AlSamhan Ziyad , Alobaedallah Homoud
Published: August 2020

Background: The advances in assistive technologies will go a long way towards restoring the mobility of paralyzed and/or amputated limbs. In this paper, we propose a system that adopts the brain-computer interface ( BCI ) technology to control prosthetic fingers by thoughts. To predict the movements of each finger, a complex EEG signal processing algorithms should be applied in order to remove the outliers , to extract feature, to discriminate between the fingers and to control prosthesis's finger. The proposed method discriminates between the five human fingers. So a multi -classification problem based on ensemble of one class-classifier is applied where each classifier predicts the intention to move one finger. At the end, an adapted machine learning strategy is proposed to predict movements of multiple fingers at the same time. Results: The sensitive regions of the brain related to finger movements are identified and located. The proposed EEG signal processing chain, based on ensemble of one class-classifier, reach a classification accuracy of 81 \ % for five subjects according to the online approach. Unlike most of the existing prototypes that allow to control only one single finger and to perform only one movement at a time by the dedicated finger, our proposed system will enable multiple fingers to perform movements simultaneously. Despite that the proposed system classifies a five tasks, the obtained accuracy is too high compared to a binary classification system. Conclusion: The proposed system contributes to the advancement of a prosthetic allowing people with severe disabilities to do the daily tasks easily.
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome with concurrent aortic dissection: a case report
Authors: Qiu Fengqi , Li Congcong , Zhou Jianya
Published: August 2020

Background

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is caused by hantaviruses presenting with high fever, hemorrhage, acute kidney injury. Microvascular injury and hemorrhage in mucus was often observed in patients with hantavirus infection. Infection with bacterial and virus related aortic aneurysm or dissection occurs sporadically. We present a previously unreported case of hemorrhagic fever with concurrent Stanford B aortic dissection.
Case presentation:

A 56-year-old man complained of high fever, generalized body ache, with decreased platelet counts of 10 × 10^9/L and acute kidney injury. The ELISA test for Hantaan virus of IgM and IgG antibodies were both positive. During the convalescent period, he complained sudden onset acute chest pain radiating to the back and the CTA revealed an aortic dissection of the descending aorta extending to iliac artery. He was diagnosed with Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and Stanford B aortic dissection. The patient recovered completely after surgery with other support treatments.
Conclusion

We present a case of HFRS complicated with aortic dissection,and no study has reported the association of HFRS with aortic disease. However, we suppose that hantavirus infection not only cause microvascular damage but may be risk factor for acute macrovascular detriment. A causal relationship has yet to be confirmed.
CO2 Gasification Kinetics of Shenhua Bituminous Coal by Isothermal Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis
Authors: Zhang Jinzhi , Wang Zhiqi , Zhao Ruidong , Wu Jinhu
Published: August 2020

This research performed the gasification kinetics of three Shenhua coal under CO2 atmosphere using isothermal thermogravimetry. Results showed that isothermal gasification curves for three different coal samples revealed different gasification behaviour. Among the eleven kinetic models, A2 was the most suitable one to describe the gasification kinetics of three coal samples, because it can reproduce the experimental data very well with reasonable correlation coefficients. The activation energy for sample A, B and C were 95.9, 79.1, and 69.4 kJ mol-1, respectively. The activation energy decreased with the increase of the particle size. The compensation relationship was observed between activation energy and frequency factor, and the mathematical expression was lnA=0.1041 E+0.54028 with the correlation coefficients of 0.999.
Mathematical equations for pressure relief angle of protective seam inclination in outburst coalmine
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Liu Gaofeng , Ren Ting , Booth Patrick , Lv Runsheng , Lin Jia
Published: August 2020

Protective seam mining is one kind of most effective measure to reduce coal and gas outburst risk. The pressure relief angles along inclination (δm) are key parameters for evaluating the effect of protective seam mining. However, the numerical relation between δm and coal seam dip (a) is defined by discrete data and is difficult to determine δm accurately. In this study, the variations of δm with respect to seam dips are analyzed to derive analytical equations that can be used to accurately calculate δm. The relationship between δm and seam dip (a) can be expressed as parabolic or inverted parabolic curves. Mathematical equations for δm are derived by curve fitting technique. Furthermore, polynomial equations are determined as the most appropriate for δm calculation when the polynomial order is selected as 7, 6, 4 and 5 respectively. These derived equations are computationally solved and verified using actual and field test data of δm. with satisfactory consistency and accuracy. The equations are suggested as supplement and improvement for Detailed Rules on Prevention of Coal and Gas Outburst.
Viral dynamic modeling of SARS-CoV-2 in non-human primates
Authors: Gonçalves Antonio , Maisonnasse Pauline , Donati Flora , Albert Mélanie , Behillil Sylvie , Contreras Vanessa , Naninck Thibaut , Marlin Romain , Solas Caroline , Pizzorno Andres , Lemaitre Julien , Kahlaoui Nidhal , Terrier Olivier , Fang Raphael Ho Tsong , Enouf Vincent , Dereuddre-Bosquet Nathalie , Brisbarre Angela , Touret Franck , Chapon Catherine , Hoen Bruno , Lina Bruno , Rosa-Calatrava Manuel , Lamballerie Xavier de , Mentré France , Grand Roger Le , Werf Sylvie van der , Guedj Jeremie
Published: August 2020

Non-human primates infected with SARS-CoV-2 exhibit mild clinical signs. Here we used a mathematical model to characterize in detail the viral dynamics in 31 cynomolgus macaques infected with 106 pfu of SARS-CoV-2 for which nasopharyngeal and tracheal viral load were frequently assessed. We identified that infected cells had a large daily viral production (>104 virus) and a within-host reproductive basic number of 6 and 4 in nasopharyngeal and tracheal compartment, respectively. After peak viral load, infected cells were rapidly cleared with a half-life of 9 hours, with no significant association between cytokine elevation and clearance. Translating our model to the context of human-to-human infection, human mild infection may be characterized by a peak occurring 4 days after infection, a viral shedding of ~11 days and a generation time of 4 days. These results improve the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 viral replication and better understand the infection to SARS-CoV-2 in humans.
The Effect of Structural and Environmental Changes on Litter Decomposition of in Pinus Sylvestris Stands
Authors: Çömez Aydın , Güner Şükrü Teoman , Tolunay Doğanay
Published: August 2020

Background: Decomposition of litter has an important role in primary production with its influence on nutrient release for plant uptake and carbon flux in forest ecosystems. Thus, understanding the effects of the intervention on litter decomposition is crucial for sustainable forest management. In this study, the effect of structural change and facing slope on litter decomposition in Scots pine stands (Pinus sylvestris L.) were investigated.Results: The decomposition rate of litter decreased as the stand age increased. Litter decomposed more rapidly on northern slopes than southern slopes. Cutting caused to accelerate the decomposition at a rate of up to 58% depending on its intensity. The k values were found to fluctuate though the time from 0.189 in moderately dense canopied stands to 0.317 in open canopied over-mature stands. Stand basal area, incubation time, and remaining carbon concentration of the litter accounted for 75% of the variation in the decomposition constant. Conclusions: Cutting-induced stand structural changes affected the litter decomposition process in forest ecosystems due to the micro environmental change as well as the change in litterfall composition and chemistry. Heavy treatments can change the litter decomposition process drastically, while moderate thinning may not have a clear effect in the long run. The stand specific k value should be considered to use in forest carbon models for more accurate estimation. Decomposition constant should be calculated by considering stand structure and incubation time of at least 1050 days. Besides, due to the significant effect of canopy closure on decomposition rate, stand specific or recalculated k constants according to stand basal area, incubation time, and remaining carbon concentration of the litter should be recommended to use in forest carbon models for more accurate carbon budget estimation.
The Functional Characterization of Phosphorylation of Tristetraprolin at C-Terminal NOT1-binding Domain
Authors: Hsieh Hsin-Hui , Chen Yen-An , Chang Yao-Jen , Wang Hsin-Hui , Yu Ya-Han , Lin Sheng-Wei , Huang Yin-Jung , Lin Steven , Chang Ching-Jin
Published: August 2020

Backgound: Tristetraprolin (TTP) family proteins contain conserved tandem CCCH zinc-finger binding to AU-rich elements and C-terminal NOT1-binding domain. TTP is phosphorylated extensively in cells and its mRNA destabilization activity is regulated by protein phosphorylation. Methods: We generated an antibody against phospho-Serine 316 located at C-terminal NOT1-binding site and examined TTP phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Knockout of TTP in RAW264.7 cells using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing was created to explore TTP functions. Results: We demonstrated that Ser316 was phosphorylated by p90 ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (RSK1) and p38-activated protein kinase (MK2), and dephosphorylated by Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Phosphorylation-mimic mutant of S316D resulted in dissociation with CCR4-NOT deadenylase complex through weakening interaction with CNOT1. Furthermore, Ser316 and serines 52 and 178 were independently contributed to CCR4-NOT complex recruitment in the immunoprecipitation assay using phosphor-mimic mutants. In RAW264.7 macrophages, TTP was induced and Ser316 was phosphorylated through RSK1 and MK2 by LPS stimulation. Knockout of TTP resulted in TNFα mRNA increased due to mRNA stabilization. Overexpression of non-phosphorylated S316A TTP mutant can restore TTP activity and lead to TNFα mRNA decreased. GST pull-down and RNA pull-down analyses demonstrated that endogenous TTP with Ser316 phosphorylation decreased the interaction with CNOT1. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the TTP-mediated mRNA stability is modulated by Ser316 phosphorylation to regulate the TTP interaction with CCR4-NOT deadenylase complex.
The Role of Intramedullary Nailing and Arthroplasty in the Treatment of Metastatic Carcinoma of the Proximal Femur: A Propensity Score-Matched Study
Authors: Li Kecheng , Kamar Santosh , Wang Cao , Li Su , Li Kun , Yuan Tao , Yang Yihao , Yang Jifei , Chen Jiahui , Tan Zunxian , Wang Rong , Yin Dezeng , Li Dongqi , Han Lei , Zhang Ya , Liu Shu , Ye Fan , Yang Zuozhang
Published: August 2020

Objectives: To investigate the selection, clinical efficacy and prognosis of surgical treatment for proximal femoral metastases and compare the effectiveness of the intramedullary nail and joint replacement to treat proximal femoral metastases.Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled 60 patients with proximal femur metastases treated from 2006 to January 2016. Outcomes among patients of the two surgical methods by collecting medical records, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, VAS score, MSTS score, ECOG score, postoperative complications, and overall survival time.RESULTS: The amount of bleeding and the average operation time were significantly different in the nailing group and the hip replacement group. The postoperative VAS score, MSTS score, and ECOG score were also significantly different.CONCLUSION: Intramedullary nailing is preferred for patients with a short survival time, and a better quality of life is achieved early in patients with a limited survival time. Hip replacement is appropriate for patients who are expected to have a long survival time.
OsPEX1, a leucine-rich repeat extensin protein, plays an important role in the regulation of caryopsis development in rice
Authors: Liu Shuchun , Ke Shanwen , Tang Guojian , Huang Dahui , Wei Minyi , Zhang Yuexiong , Qin Gang , Zhang Xiang-Qian
Published: August 2020

Rice caryopses are enclosed by the outside glumes. It is long been acknowledged that the size and dimension of the outer glume is the main determinant that dictates the caryopsis size. However, it is unclear whether the development of caryopsis is completely dependent on the size of the glume, or it can grow and expand autonomously in spite of the constraint of glume enclosure. Here we report the identification of a mutant line that produces normal-sized glumes with smaller mature caryopsis that do not fill up the entire glume cavity. The mutant phenotype is caused by ectopic expression of a leucine-rice repeat extensin gene, OsPEX1 . The caryopsis phenotype in pex1 was caused by a reduction in cell size. OsPEX1 is highly expressed in the developing caryopsis. Over expression of the OsPEX1 gene driven by a constitutive promoter recapitulates the mutant phenotype, confirming that the small caryopsis phenotype is caused by ectopic expression of the OsPEX1 gene. Our results suggest that caryopsis development can be genetically uncoupled from maternally controlled glume development.
Value of the Triglyceride Glucose index Combined with Body Mass index in Predicting non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Li Nong , Tan Huiwen , Xie Aixia , Li Cheng , Fu Xuan , Xang Weiting , Kirim Amina , Huang Xuefang
Published: August 2020

Objective: To explore the predictive value of the triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI) in relation to the occurrence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the Chinese population with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: We selected 826 patients with T2D who were hospitalized at the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of Karamay People's Hospital from September 2016 to October 2018 for this research. The height, weight, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, and lipid profiles of the subjects were collected. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, TyG-BMI, and the ratio of the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) to triglyceride high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol at risk for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The curve method was used to analyze its predictive value for non-alcoholic fatty liver. Results Results of the logistic regression analysis showed that the risk ratios of NAFLD were 6.54 (3.70-11.53) and 4.868 (2.576-9.200) for the TyG-BMI before and after correction. The area under the curve (AUC) for TyG-BMI was 0.727 (0.691–0.764), which was the highest among all the other parameters studied. Conclusion Compared with the TyG index, the TG/HDL-C, HOMA-IR, and the TyG-BMI are more effective predictors of NAFLD in T2D.
Rare Cardiac Myxoma with A Hard Texture: A Case Report
Authors: Xu Hongfei , Gu Yanjia , Ma Liang , Ni Yiming , Li Weidong
Published: August 2020

Background: Primary tumors of the heart are uncommon but not rare. Myxoma comprises 50% of all benign cardiac tumors in adults and 15% of such tumors in children. Cardiac myxoma is usually soft in texture and has a friable or villous surface, which tends to be associated with embolic events. It is also rare for myxoma to be full of calcium and metastatic bone deposits.Case presentation: We herein present a 58-year-old female patient with cardiac space-occupying lesion within the left atrium, and the lesion is lubricous and hard. Her only symptoms were hypertension, dizziness, and chest stuffiness. After surgical resection, we confirmed that the lesion was atrial myxoma by histopathology examination. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged. A 2-year follow-up exam showed no evidence of tumor recurrence.Conclusions: Cardiac myxoma is rare and has various clinical manifestations. It is usually friable and has an irregular surface, making embolic manifestations one of the most common complications. Consequently, immediate surgical excision is suggested upon diagnosis. In our case, the patient had a rare type of cardiac myxoma, which had a hard texture and lubricous surface. In our opinion, this case has a low risk of embolism. We prefer elective surgery rather than emergency surgery to perfect the preoperative examination for this kind of patient.
Predicting the factors for metastasis and determining treatment strategy in patients with 10–20 mm sized rectal neuroendocrine tumor
Authors: Park Byung-Soo , Cho Sung Hwan , Son Gyung Mo , Kim Hyun Sung , Kim Su Jin , Park Su Bum , Choi Cheol Woong , Kim Hyung Wook , Shin Dong Hoon
Published: August 2020

Background: Rectal neuroendocrine tumor (NET) smaller than 10 mm is typically treated with endoscopic resection. Rectal NET larger than 20 mm should be treated with radical surgical resection. However, proper treatment for 10 - 20 mm sized rectal NET is controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the appropriate treatment strategy for 10-20 mm sized rectal NET by verifying factors that can predict metastasis.Methods: A total of 23 patients with 10–20 mm sized NET who were treated at Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital from January 2009 to February 2020 were included. The patients were divided into metastasis group and non-metastasis group and their respective data were analyzed.Results: Six patients had metastasis (26.1%) while 17 patients had no metastasis (73.9%). Tumor size in endorectal ultrasound (EUS) was significantly larger in the metastatic group than in the non-metastatic group (p = 0.036), however pathological tumor size did not show significant difference (p = 0.087). The rate of involvement of muscularis propria was 50% in the metastatic group, which was significantly higher than that in the non-metastatic group (p = 0.040). Lymph node enlargement was observed in a single patient (16.7%) in the metastatic group for each of EUS and computed tomography (CT) imaging. Ki-67 index in the metastatic group was higher than in the non-metastatic group. The two groups also showed a significant difference in the proportion of patients with tumor grade 2 (66.7% vs. 5.9%, p = 0.008). In multivariate analysis, tumor grade was the only independent metastasis-predicting factor (p = 0.010). Conclusions: EUS should be performed to evaluate tumor size, and muscularis propria involvement along with CT imaging to check lymph node enlargement before the treatment of 10–20 mm sized rectal NET. If endoscopic resection was performed, tumor grade should be the most important factor to determine whether additional radical resection is necessary.
Potential long-term consequences of school closures: Lessons from the 2013-2016 Ebola pandemic
Authors: Smith William C.
Published: August 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen an unprecedented shutdown of society. Nearly 1.725 billion children across the globe have been affected as over 95% of countries closed schools as the virus spread in April 2020. Much attention has been given to school closures as non-pharmaceutical mitigation tools to stem the spread of the disease through ensuring social distancing. Within education, focus has been given to keep students connected through remote learning and the immediate needs of schools upon reopening. This study takes a longer-term view. Using Demographic Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys from before and after the 2013-2016 Ebola outbreak in Guinea and Sierra Leone, this study examines changes in enrolment and dropout patterns, with targeted consideration given to traditionally marginalized groups. With schools closed for seven and nine months in the two countries, the length and intensity of the Ebola pandemic is the only health crises in the past century to come close to the school closures being experienced in 2020. Findings suggest that youth in the poorest households see the largest increase in dropout rates post-Ebola and that this impact can persist for years. Two years after being declared Ebola-free an additional 22,000 of the poorest secondary age youth remained out of school than would have been expected based on the pre-outbreak dropout rate. To halt the likely expansion in inequality post-pandemic, these results point to the need for longer term, sustainable planning that includes comprehensive financial support packages to groups most likely to be impacted.
Differential Diagnosis in Patients with HRCT Patterns Suspected for COVID-19 Pneumonia and RT-PCR Negative: A Multidisciplinary Approach for an Appropriate Management
Authors: Renato D'Onofrio , Michela D’Andreta , Cecilia Modolon , Rita Rimondi Maria , Cristina Poggi , Valerio Di Scioscio , Filippo Trapani , Luciano Attard , Stefano Nava , Francesco Monteduro
Published: August 2020

Since 11th March 2020, the World Health Organization has declared that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 is a pandemic and a global public health emergency. One of the main problems related to the rapid spread of the pandemic was the low sensitivity of the swabs that were used, resulting in high false negative rates, and the inability of HRCT to distinguish COVID-19 pneumonia from other types of pneumonia, resulting in diagnostic delays and increased infections in the hospital units. To deal with this problem, a multidisciplinary team has been created at the Sant'Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital in Bologna, with the aim of integrating the data of each patient framed as a "COVID suspect" and to get to a correct diagnosis. We analysed some exemplary cases of patients with negative swab but highly suggestive clinical and radiological characteristics for COVID-19 that, thanks to this multidisciplinary team, were then framed as other forms of pneumonia and successfully treated.
An Artificial Intelligence powered Digital Inline Holographic Microscopy and Characterization Scheme
Authors: Vaghashiya Rajkumar , Chauhan Varun , Kapadiya Kaushal , Sanghavi Smit , Nandwani Ishita , Basumatary Jeanie , Thakore Riya , Seo Dongmin , Seo Sungkyu , Roy Mohendra
Published: August 2020

Digital Inline Holography (DIH) based microscopy is a well-established technique for the characterization of nano and microparticles, such as biological cells, artificial microparticles, quantum dots, etc. Due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, various practical solutions such as auto characterization of complete blood count (CBC), cell viability test, and 3D cell tomography have been developed. In our previous work, we demonstrated the feasibility of this system to perform complete blood count along with the auto characterization of cell-lines as well as shape and size characterization of the microparticles. However, its performance suffered due to the weak signals from some of the cells owing to their poor signatures and the presence of background noise. The auto characterization technique therein was based on the parameters determined from our empirical findings, which limit the system in terms of its cellline recognition power. In this work, we try to address these issues by leveraging an artificial intelligence-powered auto signal enhancing scheme as well as adaptive cell characterization technique. The performance comparison of our proposed method with the existing analytical model shows an increase in accuracy to >98% along with the signal enhancement of >5 dB for most cell types like Red Blood Cell (RBC) and White Blood Cell (WBC), except the cancer cells (HepG2 and MCF-7) for which the accuracy is about 84%.
tspex: a tissue-specificity calculator for gene expression data
Authors: Camargo Antonio P. , Vasconcelos Adrielle A. , Fiamenghi Mateus B. , Pereira Gonçalo A. G. , Carazzolle Marcelo F.
Published: August 2020

When comparing gene expression data of different tissues it is often interesting to identify tissue-specific genes or transcripts. Even though there are several metrics to measure tissue-specificity, a user-friendly tool that facilitates this analysis is not available yet. We present tspex, a software that allows easy computation of a comprehensive set of different tissue-specificity metrics from gene expression data. tspex can be used through a web interface, command-line or the Python API. Its package version also provides visualization functions that facilitate inspection of results. The documentation and the source code of tspex are available at https://apcamargo.github.io/tspex/ and the web application can be accessed at https://tspex.lge.ibi.unicamp.br/
Conspiracy in the Time of Corona: Automatic detection of Emerging Covid-19 Conspiracy Theories in Social Media and the News
Authors: Shahsavari Shadi , Holur Pavan , Wang Tianyi , Tangherlini Timothy R. , Roychowdhury Vwani
Published: August 2020

Rumors and conspiracy theories thrive in environments of low confi- dence and low trust. Consequently, it is not surprising that ones related to the Covid-19 pandemic are proliferating given the lack of scientific consensus on the virus’s spread and containment, or on the long term social and economic ramifications of the pandemic. Among the stories currently circulating are ones suggesting that the 5G telecommunication network activates the virus, that the pandemic is a hoax perpetrated by a global cabal, that the virus is a bio-weapon released deliberately by the Chinese, or that Bill Gates is using it as cover to launch a broad vaccination program to facilitate a global surveillance regime. While some may be quick to dismiss these stories as having little impact on real-world behavior, recent events including the destruction of cell phone towers, racially fueled attacks against Asian Americans, demonstrations espousing resistance to public health orders, and wide-scale defiance of scientifically sound public mandates such as those to wear masks and practice social distancing, countermand such conclusions. Inspired by narrative theory, we crawl social media sites and news reports and, through the application of automated machine-learning methods, discover the underlying narrative frame- works supporting the generation of rumors and conspiracy theories. We show how the various narrative frameworks fueling these stories rely on the alignment of otherwise disparate domains of knowledge, and consider how they attach to the broader reporting on the pandemic. These alignments and attachments, which can be monitored in near real-time, may be useful for identifying areas in the news that are particularly vulnerable to reinterpretation by conspiracy theorists. Understanding the dynamics of storytelling on social media and the narrative frameworks that provide the generative basis for these stories may also be helpful for devising methods to disrupt their spread.
The Effect of Angiotensin II Infusion on Markers of Organ Function in Invasively Ventilated COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Zangrillo Alberto , Colombo Sergio , Scandroglio Anna Mara , Fominskiy Evgeny , Pieri Marina , Calabrò Maria G , Beccaria Paolo F , Pasculli Nicola , Guzzo Francesca , Calvi Maria R , Cipriani Antonella , Sartini Chiara , Nardelli Pasquale , Ortalda Alessandro , Lombardi Gaetano , Sartorelli Mariana , Monti Giacomo , Assanelli Andrea , Tresoldi Moreno , Dagna Lorenzo , Franchini Stefano , Neto Ary Serpa , Bellomo Rinaldo , Landoni Giovanni
Published: August 2020

Background: The use of angiotensin II (ANGII) in invasively ventilated COVID-19 patients is controversial. Its effect on markers of organ function is unknown.Methods: We used ANGII either as rescue vasopressor agent or as low dose vasopressor support. Patients treated before ANGII availability or in an adjacent COVID-19 ICU served as controls. For data analysis, we applied Bayesian modelling as appropriate. We assessed the effects of ANG on markers of organ function.Results: We compared 46 ANGII patients with 53 controls. Compared with controls, ANGII increased MAP (median difference, 9.05 mmHg [95% confidence interval, 1.87 to 16.22]; p = 0.013) and PaO2/FiO2 ratio (median difference, 23.17 [95% confidence interval, 3.46 to 42.88]; p = 0.021). ANGII had no effect on lactate, urinary output, serum creatinine, C-Reactive protein, platelet count, or thromboembolic complications. However, it significantly decreased the odd ratio of liver dysfunction (odds ratio: 0.32; 0.09 to 0.94) and, on Bayesian modelling, in patients with abnormal baseline serum creatinine, ANGII carried a 95.7% probability of decreasing renal replacement therapy use. Conclusions: In ventilated COVID-19 patients, ANGII therapy was associated with increased blood pressure and PaO2/FiO2 ratios, decreased odds ratio of liver dysfunction, and a high probability of decreasing renal replacement therapy use in patients with abnormal baseline serum creatinine.
First detection and evaluation of ivermectin resistance in Haemonchus contortus from sheep in Zhaosu, Xinjiang, China
Authors: Tuersong Waresi , Yan Xingrun , Zhou Caixian , Wang Chunqun , Di Wenda , Chen Jian , Zhou Yanqin , Hu Min
Published: August 2020

Background: In 2017 in Zhaosu, Xinjiang, China, a series of sheep death suspected to have reduced the potency of ivermectin (IVM) have raised the vigilance of herdsmen. At the same time, veterinary practitioners warned of the potential risk of the lack of efficacy of IVM in the treatment of Haemonchus contortus. Methods: In this study, the efficacy of IVM against H. contortus was assessed under controlled experimental conditions by using larval developmental assay (LDA) and faecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) to determine whether the reduced efficacy in sheep in Zhaosu was caused by IVM resistance. Results: In total, 1560 adult worms were isolated from the abomasum of post mortem examination of dead sheep which received recent IVM (0.2 mg/kg) treatment before death and eggs were collected from female worms for usage in LDA. The LDA result revealed that significant difference in resistance ratio (RR) was detected between the IVM-susceptible and -resistant isolates (6.09 for Zhaosu strain) of H. contortus. The Zhaosu strain was maintained in laboratory for FECRT, which showed that the efficacy of IVM was 0% at 1, 2 and 3 times dose, but at 4.8 times dose, it reached 87.5% at 14 days post-treatment. Conclusion: The findings suggested that controlling H. contortus of small ruminants in Zhaosu requires an integrated parasite management strategy that should include monitoring of infection and anthelmintic resistance, and increasing the awareness of herdsmen on the importance of using the appropriate drug usage to improve nematode control in sheep.
The clinicopathological features of epithelioid undifferentiated sarcoma with TFE3 amplification: one case report and literature review
Authors: Lang Yuejiao , Li Xiaojuan , Chen Shaoyu , Xiang Pei , Han Anjia
Published: August 2020

Background: Strong nuclear expression of TFE3 protein resulting from gene fusion has been reported in some neoplasms. TFE3 amplification has been proven to be a novel mechanism leading to increased protein level only in several cases of perivascular epithelioid cell tumor and renal cell carcinoma. Such rare genetic alteration might be associated with poor prognosis or aggressive course. Herein, we first reported a case of undifferentiated sarcoma with epithelioid features harboring TFE3 amplification. Case presentation: A 66-year-old woman with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and chemotherapy presented with a 4 cm palpable nodule in the left lower leg. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an oval juxtacortical lesion to the anterolateral left tibia. Microscopically, the large epithelioid cells with marked pleomorphism and the small round cells intermingled with each other in a diffuse sheet or a hemangiopericytoma-like vascular growth pattern. Myxoid stromal change was evident focally, imparting a hypocellular appearance. Atypical mitotic figures and lymph node metastasis were identified while tumor necrosis was absent. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was positive for vimentin, TFE3, CD68 and CD34. TFE3 gene amplification was identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Surgical resection was performed. The patient was alive without recurrence 8 month after surgery.Conclusions: The present case might represent a novel entity. Our report expands the scope of tumors carrying TFE3 amplification, and raises more attention to this rare genetic alteration and its association with potential aggressive behavior of the tumor.