bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
VIABILIDADE ECONÔMICA DA COGERAÇÃO DE ENERGIA ELÉTRICA DO BIOGÁS
Authors: Jacobowski Marcelo , Ramos Manoel João , Piacenti Carlos Alberto , Rocha Júnior Weimar Freire da , Silva Christian Luiz da
Published: September 2020

Este estudo tem por finalidade analisar a viabilidade econômica da geração de energia elétrica a partir da produção de biogás no aterro sanitário do município de Toledo, PR. Diante da dificuldade que o país vem passando com sua matriz energética devido a sua dependência de fontes hídricas que vem sendo afetado pela instabilidade climática, o presente estudo se torna relevante por explorar uma alternativa para produção de energia elétrica local. Diante desses fatos, o propósito do trabalho foi identificar a capacidade de geração de biogás para a produção de energia elétrica e verificar a viabilidade econômica dessa atividade. O estudo foi descritivo e usou a técnica de coleta de dados primários pelas entrevistas semi-estruturadas, e também dados secundários, usando levantamentos documentais. Foram entrevistadas duas pessoas que atuam na secretaria do meio ambiente do município de Toledo que são responsáveis pela gestão do aterro sanitário, as mesmas contribuíram com informações que foram utilizadas na análise de viabilidade. As entrevistas ocorreram no período de janeiro a julho do ano de 2018 e as principais conclusões foram que a produção de energia elétrica no aterro por meio do biogás pode ser viável desde que se cumpra com algumas condições para operação do sistema.
Comparative gene expression profiling of mouse ovaries upon stimulation with natural equine chorionic gonadotropin (N-eCG) and tethered recombinant-eCG (R-eCG)
Authors: Min kwan-sik , Park Jong-Ju , Lee So-Yun , Byambaragchaa Munkhzaya , Kang Myung-Hwa
Published: September 2020

Background: Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) induces super-ovulation in laboratory animals. Notwithstanding its extensive usage, limited information is available regarding the differences between the in vivo effects of natural eCG (N-eCG) and recombinant eCG (R-eCG). This study aimed to investigate the gene expression profiles of mouse ovaries upon stimulation with N-eCG and R-eCG produced from CHO-suspension (CHO-S) cells. R-eCG gene was constructed and transfected into CHO-S cells and quantified. Subsequently, we determined the metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of N-eCG and R-eCG up to 24 h after intravenous administration through the mice tail vein and identified differentially expressed genes in both ovarian tissues, via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: R-eCG was markedly expressed initially after transfection and maintained until recovery on day 9. Glycan chains were substantially modified in R-eCG protein produced from CHO-S cells and eliminated through PNGase F treatment. The MCR was slightly lower for R-eCG than for N-eCG, and no significant difference was observed after 60 min. Notwithstanding their low concentrations, R-eCG and N-eCG were detected in the blood at 24h post-injection. Microarray analysis of ovarian tissue revealed that 20 of 12,816 genes assessed therein were significantly up-regulated and 43 genes were down-regulated by >2-fold in the group that received R-eCG (63 [0.49%] differentially regulated genes in total). The microarray results were concurrent with and hence validated by those of RT-PCR, qRT-PCR, and IHC analyses. Conclusions: The present results indicate that R-eCG can be adequately produced through a cell-based expression system through post-translational modification of eCG and can induce ovulation in vivo. These results provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the up- or down-regulation of specific ovarian genes and the production of R-eCG with enhanced biological activity in vivo.
Climatology of Medium-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs) Observed with GPS Networks in the North African Region
Authors: Oluwadare Temitope Seun , Jakowski Norbert , Valladares Cesar E. , Akala Andrew Oke-Ovie , Abe Oladipo E. , Alizadeh Mahdi M. , Schuh Harald
Published: September 2020

We present for the first time the climatology of medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) by using Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver networks on geomagnetically quiet days (Kp ≤ 3) over the North African region during 2008-2016. The ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC) were estimated from the dual-frequency GPS measurements, and the TEC perturbations (dTEC) data were derived from the estimated TEC data. We focused on the TEC perturbations (dTEC) associated MSTIDs and statistically analyzed its characteristics, occurrence rate, diurnal and seasonal behavior as well as the interannual dependence. The results show that MSTID is a local and seasonal dependence. The results also show that MSTIDs predominantly propagates towards the South (equatorward). The daytime and nighttime MSTIDs increase with solar activity, and its event period is (12 ≤ period ≤ 53 mins), while the dominant amplitude is (0.08 ≤ amp ≤ ~1.5 dTECU). The MSTIDs propagation velocity is dominantly higher at the daytime than nighttime. The study also shows that the disturbance occurrence time is more frequent within the hours of (1200 - 1600 LT), and (1000 - 1400 LT) in December solstice at daytime for stations located in the Northwest (NW) and Northeast (NE) part of the African region, respectively. While at the nighttime, the MSTIDs also exhibits variability in disturbance occurrence time around (NW: 2100–0200 LT) and (NE: 1900–0200 LT) in June solstice, but get extended to March equinox during solar maximum (2014). The mean phase velocity in daytime MSTIDs is higher than the nighttime in every season, except during June solstice.
Effectiveness of Interventions on Early Neurodevelopment of Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Aita Marilyn , Clifford-Faugère Gwenaëlle De , Lavallée Andréane , Feeley Nancy , Stremler Robyn , Rioux Emilie , Proulx Marie-Hélène
Published: September 2020

Background : As preterm infants’ neurodevelopment is shaped by NICU-related factors during their hospitalization, it is essential to evaluate which interventions are more beneficial for their neurodevelopment at this specific time. The primary objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions initiated during NICU hospitalization on preterm infants’ early neurodevelopment during their hospitalization and up to two weeks corrected age (CA). Methods: This systematic review referred to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses [PRISMA] guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42017047072). We searched CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE (OVID), Cochrane Systematic Reviews, CENTRAL, and Web of Science from 2002 to February 2020. Two independent reviewers performed the study selection, data extraction, assessment of risks of bias and quality of evidence. Results: Findings of 12 studies involving 901 preterm infants were synthesized. We combined three studies in a meta-analysis showing that compared to standard care, NIDCAP intervention is effective in improving preterm infants’ neurobehavioral and neurological development at two weeks CA. We also combined two other studies in a meta-analysis indicating that parental participation did not significantly improve preterm infants’ neurobehavioral development during NICU hospitalization. For all other interventions (i.e., developmental care, sensory stimulation, music and physical therapy), the synthesis of results shows that compared to standard care or other types of comparators, the effectiveness was either controversial or partially effective. Conclusions: The overall quality of evidence was rated low to very low. Future studies are needed to identify interventions that are the most effective in promoting preterm infants’ neurodevelopment during NICU hospitalization or close to term age. Interventions should be appropriately designed to allow comparison with previous studies and a combination of different instruments could provide a more global assessment of preterm infants’ neurodevelopment and thus allow for comparisons across studies. Systematic Review Protocol Registration: Prospero CRD42017047072
Toluidine Staining as a Screening Tool for Soft Tissue Margins of Cancerous Oral Lesions
Authors: ali aeman , Sheikh Abdul Hafeez , Farooqui Waqas Ahmed , Fatima Sara
Published: September 2020

Background:As the world is becoming advanced, the number of diseases also seems to be increasing. Mouth cancer and oral lesions are known as dangerous and fatal diseases. The experimentation is in the process. The problem is not new; it has been the cause of deaths of many patients since many decades. The increase in cancer patients has been recorded up to 43% in the last 8.1 years and it has been observed that most of the cancerous cells are malignant at the time of diagnosis and treatment.It is mandatory for the physician or the dental experts to diagnose oral cancer in the early stage and remove the tumor along with safe margins to decrease the chances of reoccurrence of the disease.The objective of the study is to detect the usefulness of the toulidine blue dye as a cost effective, less time consuming and a user-friendly screening tool for the tumor margins intra-operatively.Methods:Fifty patients with biopsy proven oral squamous cell carcinoma who were advised surgical resection as a treatment plan, independent of the grade and stage of the tumor, by the department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery of Dow University of Health Sciences were considered to undergo intra-operative toluidine blue dye staining and the results were compared and confirmed by the frozen biopsy section of the same margin.Results:Total fifty patients were participated in this study involving multiple margins. 86% agreement was present between the dye and the biopsy and the sensitivity of the dye appears to be 74% as 20 cases out of 27 showed true positive results yet specificity of the dye remains 100% as all 23 cases displayed true negative results. Conclusion:Toluidine blue dye has demonstrated to be a safe, convenient and time saving method of screening of the margins as it takes less than 5 minutes in its application and result starts to appear in within 3 to 5 minutes. Yet bigger lesions are yet to be focused as they have chances of giving false results. Moreover there is room for research in this aspect as the screening character of this dye is yet to be proved.
A Retrospective Study of Hemodialysis Treated End-stage Renal Disease Patients With Renal Osteodystrophy-associated Fragility Fractures
Authors: Xie Lihua , Hu Xuantao , Li Wenzhao , Ouyang Zhengxiao
Published: September 2020

Background: Nephropathy associated metabolic disorder induces high incidence of fragility fracture in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. As the risk factors and prognosis of fragility fracture in ESRD patients are unclear, more research is needed. This study aimed to evaluate various risk factors for ESRD-related fragility fractures, explore factors affecting the prognosis of patients with such fractures, and provide information for prevention and treatment of renal osteopathy to improve the prognosis of patients.Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, the case notes of 521 ESRD patients who received maintenance dialysis for at least 3 months were examined. Finally, 44 patients diagnosed with fragility fractures were assigned to the fragility fracture (FF) group and 192 patients were included in the control group (CG). Demographic information, underlying diseases, nutritional, bone metabolism, and renal function parameters, along with the number and causes of any deaths, were recorded for multiple statistical analysis.Results: The FF group had increased incidences of essential hypertension and diabetes mellitus and higher serum calcium, corrected calcium, alkaline phosphatase, and hemoglobin levels. Immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (iPTH), total cholesterol (TC), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were higher in the CG.Conclusions: Essential hypertension and diabetes, high serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels, and reduced iPTH levels were risk factors for fragility fracture in ESRD patients. Maintaining iPTH and serum TC levels may protect against fragility fractures in them. Fragility fractures may yield poor prognosis and shorter lifespan. The presence of fragility fracture was an independent predictor of all-cause death in ESRD patients.
Development and Validation of an Automated Emergency Department-Based Syndromic Surveillance System for Use at a Mass Gathering Event (2020 Arctic Winter Games, Yukon Canada) During a Global Pandemic: Implications for Lower Resourced and Remote Settings
Authors: Bouchouar Etran , Hetman Benjamin M. , Hanley Brendan
Published: September 2020

Background: Automated syndromic surveillance systems are useful tools for rapidly identifying health risks during times when routine surveillance and follow-up cannot meet the demands of the population. In Yukon, Canada, the Arctic Winter Games were scheduled in March 2020, and were expected to increase the local population beyond the capacity of local public health surveillance. An emergency department-based automated syndromic surveillance system was therefore developed and validated using local hospitalization records for use during the event. Methods: Syndromes of interest were identified in consultation with the local public health authorities. For each syndrome, case definitions were developed using published resources and expert elicitation. Natural language processing algorithms were then written to detect syndromic cases from three different fields (triage notes; chief complaint; discharge diagnosis) using Yukon emergency department case data containing information from 19,082 visits over the period of October 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019. The automatic identification of cases was then manually validated by two raters and results were used to calculate positive predicted values for each syndrome and identify improvements to the detection algorithms. Results: A total of six syndromes were originally identified for the syndromic surveillance system (e.g., Gastrointestinal, Influenza-like-Illness, Mumps, Neurological Infections, Rash, Respiratory), with an additional syndrome added to assist in detecting potential cases of COVID-19. The positive predictive value for the automated detection of each syndrome ranged from 48.8%-89.5% to 62.5%-94.1% after implementing improvements identified during validation. As expected, no records were flagged for COVID-19 from our validation dataset. However, the system was rapidly adapted into an additional surveillance tool for use in the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: Validation is an important step for measuring the accuracy of syndromic surveillance, and ensuring it performs adequately in a local context. Ultimately, the 2020 Arctic Winter Games were cancelled due to the risks associated with mass gatherings during the global pandemic of COVID-19 and could not therefore be tested under a mass gathering scenario. However, the results from our validation study suggest that our surveillance system may be useful for future mass gathering events and proved a timely development for integration into Yukon’s COVID-19 surveillance infrastructure.
Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate With Virtual Basket Mode: Faster and Better Control on Bleeding
Authors: Bozzini Giorgio , Maltagliati Matteo , Besana Umberto , Berti Lorenzo , Calori Alberto , Sighinolfi Maria Chiara , Micali Salvatore , Roche Jean Baptiste , Gozen Ali , Mueller Alexander , Pushkar Dimitry , Liatsikos Evangelos , Boldini Marco , Buizza Carlo , Rocco Bernardo
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND: To compare clinical intra and early postoperative outcomes between conventional Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate with Virtual Basket tool (VB-HoLEP) to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).METHODS: This prospective randomized study enrolled consecutive patients with BPH to HoLEP (n = 100) or VB-HoLEP (n =100). We evaluated all patients preoperatively with particular attention to catheterization time, operative time, blood loss, irrigation volume and hospital stay. We evaluated also the patients at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery with the use of maximum flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).RESULTS: We didn’t see significant difference in preoperative parameters between patients in each study arm. Compared with HoLEP, VB-HoLEP resulted in less hemoglobin decrease (2.54 vs 1.12 g/dL, P = .003) and had a more rapid operative time (57.33±29.71 vs 42.99±18.51 minutes, P = 0.04). HoLEP and VB-HoLEP had same catheterization time (2.2 vs 1.9 days, P = 0.45), irrigation volume (33.3 vs 31.7 L, P = 0.69), and hospital stay (2.8 vs 2.7 days, P = 0.21). During the follow-up of subsequent 12 months, we didn’t demonstrate a significant difference in IPSS, Qmax, PVR, and QOLS.CONCLUSION: HoLEP and VB-HoLEP both are efficient a safe procedure for relieving lower urinary tract symptoms. VB-HoLEP was statistically superior to HoLEP in blood loss and to allow a faster procedure. However, procedures did not differ significantly in catheterization time, hospital stay, operation time and irrigation volume. No differences were demonstrated in QOLF, IPSS, Qmax and PVR through the post-surgery 12 months of follow-up.TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN72879639; date of registration: June 25th, 2015. Retrospectively registred.
Humanistic Care in the Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Hasandoost Fateme , Mohammadi Eesa , Khademi Mojgan , Seddighi Mahyar
Published: September 2020

Background: Nurses working in intensive care units do their main part of the job using medical equipment. Scholars have long debated the impact of technology on nursing. Those on the negative side perceive technologies as obtrusive to comprehensive humanistic care. Up to now, there has been little investigation of the nurses' perceptions of this phenomenon. The aim of the study was, therefore, to explore the perceptions of nurses and attendants of humanistic care in the intensive care unit.Methods: The present study was a qualitative conventional content analysis conducted in an intensive care unit in a hospital in Qazvin, Iran, in 2019. Data was collected using unstructured interviews and field notes and then analyzed using the Elo-Kyngäs method in 2008.Results: Continuous and comparative analysis of the data led to the extraction of 4 main themes as follows: 1) Insufficient understanding of nurses and patients’ families of each other's roles, needs, and expectations; 2) The use of personal and situational reasoning rather than ethical principles; 3) Caring stagnation, and 4) Satisfaction with care.Conclusion: The findings of the study indicated that due to lack of equipment, high workloads, and anxieties, nurses and attendants might not be able to understand each other’s roles and expectations. If it is not resolved properly, this situation will end in conflicts and stagnation in healthcare. Patients admitted to an intensive care unit are usually in critical health conditions. However, nurses feel satisfied with the outcome of their jobs when those patients are discharged from the hospital with a stable health condition. Shedding more light on the humanistic care status in intensive care units in Iran, the results of this research can be applied to health professionals and nursing managers.
Fertility Intentions among HIV-positive and HIV-negative mothers in Zambia: Analysis of 2013-14 and 2018 DHS data
Authors: Mulemena David , Phiri Million , Mutombo Namuunda
Published: September 2020

Background: HIV infection is a strong predictor of fertility as it might influence one’s fertility desire. With advent treatment, HIV-infected mothers are now living longer and healthier just like the HIV-negative mothers. Zambia is among the developing countries in the region with high desire for more children in spite of government efforts to reduce the fertility rate. However, little is known on the influence of HIV status on the desire for children among mothers of reproductive ages in Zambia. Methods: The analyses are based on mothers with linkable information on HIV testing and fertility preferences from the 2013-14 and 2018 Zambia and Demographic Health Survey data, with national representative samples of 16,411 and 13,683 women, respectively. HIV data was merged with each woman’s individual file, which also contained household variables to create an analytical file. Of the total sample; 11,683 mothers in 2013-14 and 9,172 mothers in 2018 were eligible for the study. Cross-tabulations with statistical tests were conducted to ascertain the crude relationship and finally multiple logistic regression analysis were employed to identify the major predictors of fertility intentions among HIV positive and HIV negative mothers using Stata software version 14.0.Results: Findings indicate that fertility intentions among women either HIV-positive or HIV-negative reduced as parity increases. Generally, in both data sets, there is a significant difference between HIV-negative mothers preferring more children compared to HIV-positive mothers. Interestingly, in the 2018 survey, HIV-positive mothers residing in urban areas were 33 percent more likely to prefer more children compared to HIV-negative mothers. Conclusion: According to this study, predictors of fertility intentions among women of reproductive age are different by HIV status. Other significant variables are age, education level, marital status, and parity, which were found to be the major predictors of fertility intentions among HIV-positive. Among the HIV-negatives, age, education level, parity, marital status, employment status, wealth quintile and region explained their fertility intentions. The fact that many HIV-infected mothers expect to have more children has important implications for the prevention of vertical and horizontal transmission of HIV. There is, therefore, the need for comprehensive and continuous expansion of family planning, voluntary counseling, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) and integration of HIV treatment care among HIV-positive mothers to meet diverse reproductive intentions.
Population immunity to measles, rubella, mumps, and varicella among adults in Khanh Hoa province, Socialist Republic of Vietnam; residual sample analysis from multistage cluster sampling survey
Authors: Do Thai Hung , Huynh Kim Mai , Vien Quang Mai , Hoang Tien Thanh , Nguyen Bao Trieu , Le Xuan Huy , Komada Kenichi , Ichimura Yasunori , Miyano Shinsuke , Lee-Yoshimoto Minsoo , Thandar Moe Moe , Mizoue Tetsuya , Mori Yoshio , Takeda Makoto , Hachiya Masahiko
Published: September 2020

Objective: Measles, rubella, mumps, and varicella are currently endemic in Vietnam, but population immunity to the four diseases among the general population has not been well investigated. This study measured specific immunoglobulin (Ig)G in 362 randomly selected adults between 20 and 70 years old, using residual serum samples to evaluate age-specific immunity to the four diseases in Khanh Hoa province.Results: Age-specific anti-measles IgG prevalence was lowest, at 89.3% (95% confidence interval 71.8–97.7%) at 20–24 years old, below the herd immunity threshold of 95% to prevent epidemics. About 71.4–90.3% of women of child-bearing age (20–49 years old) were seropositive for rubella, indicating that a certain proportion of babies are at risk of congenital rubella syndrome. A large proportion of young adults (20–29 years) are susceptible to mumps and varicella, with population immunity of 71.4–78.1% to mumps and 48.8–53.6% to varicella. Population-based seroprevalence surveys of both children and adults are needed to evaluate population immunity and improve current immunization programs by expanding the target ages for immunization and introducing new vaccines.
The Role of Intellectual Property Rights and Access to Medical Products in the WHO African Region: 25 Years After the Trips Agreement
Authors: Motari Marion , Nikiema Jean-Baptiste , Kasilo Ossy Muganga Julius , Kniazkov Stanislav , Loua Andre , Sougou Aissatou , Tumusiime Prosper
Published: September 2020

BackgroundIt is now 25 years since the adoption of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and the same concerns raised during its negotiations such as high prices of medical products, market exclusivity and delayed market entry for generics remain relevant as highlighted recently by Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics. The World Health Organization’s mandate to work on the interface between intellectual property, innovation and access to medicine has been continually reinforced and extended to include providing support to countries on the implementation of TRIPS flexibilities in collaboration with stakeholders. This study analyses the role of intellectual property on innovation and access to medical products in the African Region. Methods:We analyze patent data from the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI) to show trends and to identify the main diseases covered and how they correspond with top causes of morbidity and mortality. We also review legislation to assess how TRIPS flexibilities are implemented in countries.ResultsPatenting was low for African countries. Only South Africa and Cameroon appeared in the list of top ten originator countries for ARIPO and OAPI respectively. Main diseases covered by African patents were HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular diseases, cancers and tumors. 39 countries have applied TRIPS flexibilities, with the most common being compulsory licensing and LDC transition provisions. A third of the compulsory licensing application were not executed following voluntary licensing agreements. No country had legislated on research and regulatory review exceptions and patent term extension.DiscussionThere’s modest alignment between innovation and health challenges. Compulsory licensing applications may have served to encourage voluntary licensing arrangements. Countries have enacted laws that allow them to deploy TRIPS flexibilities for public health needs. ConclusionsThere’s need to develop and strengthen health innovation systems in the region. Opportunities exist for WHO to work with ARIPO and OAPI to support countries in reviewing their legislation to be more responsive to public health needs.
Effects of a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Brief, Student-Nurse Led, Parent-Based Sexual Health Intervention on Parental Protective Factors and HPV Vaccination Uptake
Authors: Maria Diane Santa , Markham Christine , Sanghamitra Misra M. , Coleman Deidra C. , Lyons Mandi , Desormeaux Christina , Cron Stanley , Guilamo-Ramos Vincent
Published: September 2020

Background: Parents play a pivotal role in adolescent sexual health and HPV vaccination. Nurses are on the frontlines of healthcare and play a critical role in promoting HPV vaccination and parent-child sexual health communication. We enhanced the Families Talking Together (FTT) parent-based sexual health curriculum to include adolescent vaccinations herein, FTT+HPV, and trained student nurses to provide a strong HPV vaccination and parent-child sexual health communication endorsement.Methods: Using a randomized attention-controlled trial design, we examined the efficacy of FTT+HPV among 519 parents and their 11-14 year old youth recruited from medically underserved communities between 2015 and 2018. Participants were recruited from 22 after-school programs (e.g., Boys and Girls Clubs) and 19 charter schools. For parents, we examined protective factors including parent-child sexual health communication and parental involvement. For youth, we examined sexual health knowledge, parent-child sexual health communication, and parent-child connectedness. To assess HPV vaccination initiation and completion, we searched IMMTRAC immunization registry records for 85% of youth and used parental report for youth without registry records. Group differences were calculated using the estimated mean difference at one- and six months post-intervention with significance set at the p< 0.05 level.Results: Baseline rates of HPV vaccination were low at 55.7%. No significant difference between the groups was seen in vaccination initiation or completion rates by one-month post-intervention. However, by six-months post intervention, there was a significant difference between the groups with 70.3% of the intervention group initiating the HPV vaccination series vs. 60.6% for the control group (p = 0.02). No difference between the groups was found for HPV series completion at six-months. There were significant differences in condom knowledge (p = 0.04), parent-child connectedness (p = 0.04), and communication frequency (p = 0.001) with greater improvement in the intervention vs. the control group. Rates of sexual activity remained low in both groups throughout the six-month follow-up period.Conclusion: A brief parent-based adolescent sexual health and HPV vaccination intervention delivered by student nurses can improve sexual health outcomes including protective parental factors, adolescent sexual health knowledge, and HPV vaccination initiation rates.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02600884. Registered September 1, 2015. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02600884
THA First: Low Back Pain in Patients with Both Hip Osteoarthritis and Lumbar Degenerative Disease is Relieved after Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Ran Tianfei , Ke Song , Lv Mingrui , Li Jie , Song Xin , Zhang Rui , Zhou Yuanyuan , Wang Min
Published: September 2020

Background: With the aging of population, the number of patients suffering from hip osteoarthritis complicated with lumbar degenerative disease is increasing. Both diseases may require surgery, however, which is first? the sequence of total hip arthroplasty (THA) and lumbar surgery remains controversial. Methods: The data of our hospital, from 2010 to 2019 were retrieved, and a group of patients who had undergone total hip replacement (THA, n = 153) and also suffered from lumbar degenerative diseases were identified. We studied the improvement of hip joint function and the relief of low back pain (LBP), and also discussed the effect of unilateral and bilateral THA on the relief of LBP. Results: The LBP visual analysis scale (VAS) of 153 patients decreased from (4.13 ± 1.37) preoperatively to (1.90 ± 1.44) postoperatively. The average Harris Hip score (HHS) increased from 45.33 ± 13.23 preoperatively to 86.44 ± 7.59 postoperatively of the latest follow-up. According to Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring system, the proportion of patients with good response to treatment in the clinical results of these 153 patients reached 93.46%. LBP VAS decreased from 4.18 ± 1.38 preoperatively to 1.95 ± 1.49 postoperatively in unilateral group and from 3.94 ± 1.32 preoperatively to 1.73 ± 1.23 postoperatively in bilateral group respectively. These results showed that the lumbar pain was relieved significantly after surgery. Conclusion: THA can relieve LBP while relieve hip pain and restore hip function. And the relief of LBP and recovery of lumbar function in unilateral operation group were better than those in bilateral operation group. These findings can be helpful to surgeons in making decisions. For patients with both hip disease and lumbar degenerative disease, THA first may bring additional benefits to patients.
Transcriptome Analysis Combined With Glutathione S-transferase 1 Gene Family Whole-genome Identification Reveals the Mechanism Underlying the Exogenous Application of 5-aminolevulinic Acid to Alleviate Low Temperature Stress in Solanum Lycopersicum Seedling
Authors: Zhang Zhengda , Liu Tao , Kang Zhen , Xu Jiwen , Yang Shichun , Zhang Yuhui , Wen Yongshuai , Xu Zijian , Yang Jianyu , Li Tianlai , Hu Xiaohui
Published: September 2020

Background: Transcriptome sequencing was conducted to screen out genes that actively respond to exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) induction under low temperature stress. The study used two versions of the tomato genome database to strictly screen and identify tomato glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene families and carried out the related bioinformatics analysis of tomato GST gene family. The expression pattern of SlGST genes induced by exogenous application ALA under low temperature stress was also analysed. Related physiological indicators were determined, and related chemical stains were performed.Results: RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) results showed that the expression of SlGST gene was different under various treatments, and a large number of SlGST genes widely responded to ALA induction under low temperature stress. Sixty-nine full-length GST genes were identified by screening the two versions of tomato genome databases combined with protein domain analysis. Analysis of gene family phylogenetic tree divided the tomato GST gene family into eight subfamilies. Tandem replication of genes is one of the driving forces for the evolution of tomato GST gene family, and a large number of cis-acting elements are related to stress resistance on the promoter of the GST gene family. Exogenous ALA application under low temperature stress induces a broad response of tomato leaf SlGST gene (qRT-PCR verification), increases GST activity and decreases reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation.Conclusions: RNA sequencing results revealed that a large number of tomato GST genes are differentially expressed, and Sixty-nine GSTs are identified in the tomato genome. Tandem replication of genes is the driving force for 68 the evolution of tomato GST family, and the promoter contains a large number of cis-acting elements related to stress resistance. Test results show that exogenous ALA induces the expression of SlGST genes under low temperature stress, thereby increasing GST activity to eliminate the ROS produced under low temperature stress and increase the tomato tolerance.
Human Nuclear Receptors (NRs) Genes Have Prognostic Significance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Sun Guangtao , Sun Kejian , Shen Chao
Published: September 2020

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. Human nuclear receptors (NRs) have been identified to closely related to various cancer. However, the prognostic significance of NRs on HCC patients has not been studied in detail.Method: We downloaded the mRNA profiles and clinical information of 371 HCC patients from TCGA database and analyzed the expression of 48 NRs. The consensus clustering analysis with the mRNA levels of 48 NRs was performed by the "ConsensusClusterPlus". The Univariate cox regression analysis was performed to predict the prognostic significance of NRs on HCC. The risk score was calculated by the prognostic model constructed based on eight optimal NRs which were selected. Then Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine whether the risk score is an independent prognostic signature. Finally, the nomogram based on multiple independent prognostic factors including risk score and TNM Stage was used to predict the long-term survival of HCC patients.Results: NRs could effectively separate HCC samples with different prognosis. The prognostic model constructed based on the eight optimal NRs (NR1H3, ESR1, NR1I2, NR2C1, NR6A1, PPARD, PPARG and VDR) could effectively predict the prognosis of HCC patients as an independent prognostic signature. Moreover, the nomogram was constructed based on multiple independent prognostic factors including risk score and TNM Stage and could better predict the long-term survival for 3- and 5-year of HCC patients.Conclusion: Our results provided novel evidences that NRs could act as the potential prognostic signatures for HCC patients.
Three-dimensional residual channel attention networks denoise and sharpen fluorescence microscopy image volumes
Authors: Chen Jiji , Sasaki Hideki , Lai Hoyin , Su Yijun , Liu Jiamin , Wu Yicong , Zhovmer Alexander , Combs Christian , Rey-Suare Ivan , Chang Hung-Yu , Li Xuesong , Guo Min , Nizambad Srineil , Upadhyaya Arpita , Lee Shih-Jong , Lucas Luciano , Shroff Hari
Published: September 2020

We demonstrate residual channel attention networks (RCAN) for restoring and enhancing volumetric time-lapse (4D) fluorescence microscopy data. First, we modify RCAN to handle image volumes, showing that our network enables denoising competitive with three other state-of-the-art neural networks. We use RCAN to restore noisy 4D super-resolution data, enabling image capture over tens of thousands of images (thousands of volumes) without apparent photobleaching. Second, using simulations we show that RCAN enables class-leading resolution enhancement, superior to other networks. Third, we exploit RCAN for denoising and resolution improvement in confocal microscopy, enabling ~2.5-fold lateral resolution enhancement using stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy ground truth. Fourth, we develop methods to improve spatial resolution in structured illumination microscopy using expansion microscopy ground truth, achieving improvements of ~1.4-fold laterally and ~3.4-fold axially. Finally, we characterize the limits of denoising and resolution enhancement, suggesting practical benchmarks for evaluating and further enhancing network performance.
Highly Stable Nanoparticle Supercrystals Formed by Aldol Reaction in Conjunction with Slow Solvent Evaporation
Authors: Kim Jiwhan , Dey Jahar , Umar Aminah , Ha Jae-Min , Lee Sang-Jo , Choi Sung-Min
Published: September 2020

The nanoparticle supercrystals (NPSCs) have been of great interests for their collective emergent properties. While various NPSCs have been successfully fabricated using intermolecular forces, the limited structural stability of NPSCs due to the weak nature of the intermolecular forces still remains a major hurdle for practical applications. Herein, we report a new method to fabricate highly stable three-dimensional NPSCs by using aldol reaction, a model covalent bond forming reaction, in conjunction with slow solvent evaporation. Gold nanoparticles functionalized with thiol poly-ethylene glycol formyl are linked to each other by carbon-carbon covalent bonds formed by aldol reaction as the particle dispersion in aqueous NaOH solution is slowly evaporated, resulting in highly faceted three-dimensional NPSCs. As-synthesized NPSCs show excellent structural stability in solvents of different polartities as well as the dried condition and at temperature up to 160 °C, which is far superior to NPSCs stabilized by intermolecular forces such as hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions. The new covalent bonding appraoch opens up new opportunities in the synthesis of NPSCs and their applications.
Variation rs9929218 and Risk of the Colorectal Cancer and Adenomas: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Huiyan , Gu Dongying , Yu Miao , Hu Yanjun , Chen Zhe , Huo Xinying , Yu Tao , Chen Jinfei , Zheng Yang
Published: September 2020

Backgrounds: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identiﬁed multiple common CRC-related (colorectal cancer) SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) including the Cadherin 1(CDH1) rs9929218 may act by increasing the risk of colorectal cancer, colorectal adenoma, or both. These studies, however, reported inconsistent associations. Methods: To derive a more accurate approximation of the connection, we carried out a meta-analysis of 12 published pieces of research including 11,590 controls and 8,192 cases. We used odds ratios (ORs) and 95% conﬁdence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the associations' strength.Results: Meta-analysis implied considerable association between CRC and rs9929218 (OR = 1.21, 95%CI 1.04-1.42 for GG versus AA; OR = 1.22, 95%CI 1.05-1.42 for GG/AG versus AA).In the subgroup analyses, significantly increased risks were found among Europeans.Conclusions: In summary, our meta-analysis studies in different populations confirmed that SNP rs9929218 is significantly associated with CRC risk and that this variant may have a greater impact on Europeans.
A US population health survey on the impact of COVID-19 using the EQ-5D-5L
Authors: Hay Joel W. , Gong PharmD Cynthia L. , Jiao Xiayu , Zawadzki  , Pickard A. Simon , Xie Feng , Crawford  , Gu Ning Yan
Published: September 2020

Background: In addition to health and economic consequences, the COVID-19 pandemic has likely affected population health-related quality of life (HRQoL).Objective: To assess the impact of COVID-19 on US population health using the EQ-5D-5L.Design: We surveyed respondents on health status, employment, and anxiety/depression. We collected information on demographics, brief medical history, socioeconomic status, current COVID-19 status, sleep, dietary, and financial spending changes. Results were compared to US population norms. Predictors of EQ-5D-5L utility were analyzed using post-Lasso OLS regression, a machine learning algorithm designed to enhance prediction accuracy by avoiding overfitting. Robustness of regression coefficients were analyzed with E-Values to quantify unmeasured confounding.Participants: Amazon MTurk users.Main Measures: EQ-5D-5L utility score by age group.Key Results: Survey respondents (n=2776) reported significantly worse mean (SD) HRQoL utility as captured by the EQ-5D-5L among 18-24 year olds, 0.752 (0.281) vs. online, 0.844 (0.184) (p=0.001) and face-to-face norms, 0.919 (0.127) (p<0.001). Among ages 25-34, utility was worse compared to face-to-face norms only (0.825 (0.235) vs. 0.911 (0.111), p<0.001). Among ages 35-64, utility values were higher during-pandemic but only vs. online norms (0.845 (0.195) vs. 0.794 (0.247), p<0.001). At age 65+, utility values (0.827 (0.213)) were similar across all samples. Increasing age and income were correlated with increased utility, while Hawaiian/Pacific islander race, Hispanic ethnicity, married, living alone, history of chronic illness, fear of COVID-19’s impact on health, and having a family member diagnosed with COVID-19 were associated with worse utility scores. Results were relatively robust to unmeasured confounding.Conclusions: HRQoL has decreased during the pandemic compared to US population norms, especially for ages 18-24. The mental health impact of COVID-19 is significant, and falls primarily on younger adults whose health outcomes have been discounted relative to the elderly based on policy initiatives to date.
Marine Sediments Harbor Diverse Archaea and Bacteria With Potentials for Anaerobic Hydrocarbon Degradation via Fumarate Addition
Authors: Zhang Chuwen , Meckenstock Rainer U. , Weng Shengze , Wei Guangshan , Hubert Casey R.J. , Wang Jiang-Hai , Dong Xiyang
Published: September 2020

Background: Marine sediments can contain large amounts of alkanes and methylated aromatic hydrocarbons that are introduced by natural processes or anthropogenic activities. These compounds can be biodegraded by anaerobic microorganisms via enzymatic addition of fumarate. Previous gene- and genome-based surveys have detected ubiquitous and novel fumarate-adding enzymes (FAE), but these were neither confirmed as occurring within full degradation pathways nor affiliated with known organisms. The identity and ecological roles of a significant fraction of anaerobic hydrocarbon degraders in marine sediments therefore remains unknown.Results: By combining phylogenetic reconstructions, protein homolog modelling, and functional profiling of publicly available and newly sequenced metagenomes and genomes, 61 draft bacterial and archaeal genomes encoding anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation via fumarate addition were obtained. Besides Deltaproteobacteria that are well-known to catalyze these reactions, Chloroflexi are dominant FAE-encoding bacteria in hydrocarbon-impacted sediments, potentially coupling sulfate reduction or fermentation to anaerobic hydrocarbon degradation. Among Archaea, besides Archaeoglobi previously shown to have this capability, genomes of Heimdallarchaeota, Lokiarchaeota, Thorarchaeota and Thermoplasmata also suggest fermentative hydrocarbon degradation using archaea-type FAE. The biogeography survey reveals these bacterial and archaeal hydrocarbon degraders occur in a wide range of marine sediments, including high abundances of FAE-encoding Asgard archaea associated with natural seeps and subseafloor ecosystems.Conclusions: Our results expand the knowledge of novel microbial lineages engaged in anaerobic degradation of alkanes and methylated aromatic hydrocarbons, and shed new light on the importance of marine sedimentary archaea in hydrocarbon degradation.
Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitors Have Adverse Effects in Anti-angiogenesis Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Su , Cao Man Qing , Hou Zhen Yu , Gu Xiao Ying , Chen Yong Zi , Chen Lu , Luo Yi , Chen Li Wei , Liu Dong Ming , Zhou Hong Yuan , Zhu Ke Yun , Wang Zhi Wei , Zhang Xi Hao , Zhu Xiao Lin , Cui Yun Long , Li Hui Kai , Guo Hua , Zhang Ti
Published: September 2020

Background: Currently, most clinicians prescribe angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) to alleviate proteinuria caused by anti-angiogenic drugs (AADs) according to diabetic nephropathy guidelines or expert recommendations. However, the efficacy ACEIs and potential cancer promoting effect are controversial. This study aimed at confirming whether ACEIs are beneficial in anti-angiogenesis therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods: In clinic, we observed the impact of ACEIs on AADs during the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Next, we established different tumor-bearing mouse models to confirm that whether ACEIs have any effect on the anti-cancer efficacy and proteinuria side effects of AADs. Further, we confirmed the relevant mechanism in vivo.Results: Our clinical data have shown that some hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients experienced tumor progression by ACEIs administration for the treatment of hypertension or proteinuria caused by AADs. We have confirmed that in different tumor-bearing mouse models, ACEIs did not delay the appearance of proteinuria or alleviate proteinuria caused by AADs but compromised the anticancer efficacy of AADs. This effect is unrelated to a change in the VEGF signaling pathway. Our data showed that the combination of ACEIs and AADs flared the production of kidney-derived erythropoietin (EPO). In turn, EPO compromises the anti-angiogenic effects of AADs and decreases antitumor activity. Conclusions: For the treatment of proteinuria caused by AADs, ACEIs have no efficacy but promote drug resistance. Kidney-derived EPO is mainly responsible for ACEIs induced anti-angiogenesis resistance.