bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ITGA5 is a Prognostic Biomarker and Correlated with Immune Infiltration in Gastrointestinal Cancers
Authors: Zhu Hai , Wang Gang , Zhu Haixing , Xu Aman
Published: October 2020

Background: Integrin Subunit Alpha 5 (ITGA5), belongs to the integrin alpha chain family, is vital for promoting cancer cell invasion, metastasis. However, the correlation between ITGA5 expression and immune infiltration in gastrointestinal (GI) tumors remain unclear.Methods: The expression level of ITGA5 was detected by Oncomine and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER). The association between ITGA5 and prognosis of patients was identified by Kaplan–Meier plotter, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2(GEPIA2) and PrognoScan. We evaluated the correlation between ITGA5 expression and immune infiltrating level via TIMER. Besides, TIMER, immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and western blot were used to explore correlations between ITGA5 expression and markers of immune infiltrates cells. Furthermore, we constructed protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and performed functional enrichment by GeneMANIA and Metascape.Results: ITGA5 was generally overexpressed and correlated with worse prognosis in multiple types of GI tumors. In addition, ITGA5 expression levels was significantly associated with tumor purity and immune infiltration levels of different immune cells in GI tumors. Interestingly, immune markers for monocytes, tumor - associated macrophages (TAMs), macrophages 2 (M2) cells and T-helper 2 (Th2) cells were found to be significantly and positively correlated with ITGA5 expression levels in colon and gastric cancer. Results from IHC staining and western blot further proved that markers of Th2 and M2 cell were significantly increased in gastric cancer patients with high ITGA5 expression levels. Lastly, interaction network and function enrichment analysis revealed ITGA5 was mainly involved in “integrin mediated signaling pathway”, “leukocyte migration”, “cell-substrate adhesion”.Conclutions: Our study demonstrated that ITGA5 may act as an essential regulator of tumor immune cell infiltration and a valuable prognostic biomarker in GI tumors. Additional work is needed to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms behind these observations.
Impact of Galcanezumab on Total Pain Burden: Findings From Phase 3 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Studies in Patients with Episodic or Chronic Migraine (EVOLVE-1, EVOLVE-2, and REGAIN Trials)
Authors: Ailani Jessica , Andrews J Scott , Rettiganti Mallikarjuna , Nicholson Robert A
Published: October 2020

BACKGROUND: Focus on the frequency of migraine pain may undervalue the total burden of migraine as pain duration and severity may present unique, additive burden. A composite measure of total pain burden (TPB; frequency, severity, and duration) may provide a more comprehensive characterization of pain burden and treatment response in patients with episodic migraine (EM) or chronic migraine (CM). The impact of galcanezumab versus placebo on TPB among patients with EM or CM was analyzed.METHODS: Patients from randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled episodic (two 6‑month studies pooled) and chronic migraine (3-month) studies received once-monthly subcutaneous injection of galcanezumab 120 mg or placebo. A post hoc analysis of TPB for a given month was calculated as severity-weighted duration by multiplying duration (hours) and maximum pain severity (0=none, 1=mild, 2=moderate, 3=severe) of migraine for each day and summing these over the days in a month. Least square mean change from baseline in monthly TPB across Months 1-6 (EM, N=444 galcanezumab, N=894 placebo) and Months 1‑3 (CM, N=278 galcanezumab, N=558 placebo) were compared using a mixed-model repeated measures model. Correlation of the Migraine Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQ) and Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) to TPB at baseline was assessed.RESULTS: At baseline, the duration of migraine on a given migraine headache day accounted for the greatest unique proportion of variability (EM, 57.4% and CM, 61.1%) to TPB after adjusting for frequency of migraine headache days and maximum pain severity. The decrease from baseline in monthly TPB was greater with galcanezumab than placebo for patients with EM (68.6 versus 36.2) and CM (102.6 versus 44.4). The average percent reduction of TPB from baseline was significantly greater with galcanezumab compared with placebo in patients with EM (50.8% versus 17.2%) and CM (29.7% versus 11.0%). In patients with EM and CM, TPB correlated with MSQ total score (r=‑0.35 and r=‑0.37) and MIDAS (r=0.34 and r=0.32).CONCLUSIONS: Greater reduction in TPB was seen in patients with EM and CM treated with galcanezumab 120 mg once-monthly injection relative to placebo. Discussing TPB supports patient-centric conversations regarding treatment expectations when clinicians are evaluating options for migraine prevention.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: #NCT02614183 (I5Q-MC-CGAG; EVOLVE-1), #NCT02614196 (I5Q‑MC‑CGAH; EVOLVE-2), and #NCT02614261 (I5Q-MC-CGAI; REGAIN) – all 3 trials were registered on 23 November 2015.
Prevalence of depression, anxiety, delirium, and post-traumatic stress disorder among COVID-19 patients: protocol for a living systematic review
Authors: Shi Jiyuan , Zhao Liang , Li Yuanyuan , Yan Meili , Mingming Niu , Chen Yamin , Song Ziwei , Gao Ya , Zhang Ruixing , Tian Jinhui
Published: October 2020

Background Previous studies on the impact of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the mental health of the patients has been limited by the lack of relevant data. With the rapid and sustained growth of the publications on COVID-19 research, we will perform a living systematic review (LSR) to provide comprehensive and continuously updated data to explore the prevalence of depression, anxiety, delirium, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among COVID-19 patients.Methods We will perform a comprehensive search of the following databases: Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Chinese Biomedicine Literature to identify relevant studies. We will include peer-reviewed cross-sectional studies published in English and Chinese. Two reviewers will independently assess the methodological quality of included studies using the Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal tool and perform data extraction. In the absence of clinical heterogeneity, the prevalence estimates with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of depression, anxiety, delirium, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will be calculated by using random-effects model to minimize the effect of between-study heterogeneity separately. The literature searches will be updated every three months, we will perform meta-analysis if any new eligible studies or data are obtained and resubmit an updated review when there were relevant changes in the results when outcomes become statistically significant (or not statistically significant anymore) or when heterogeneity becomes significantly (or not significant anymore).Discussion This LSR will provide an in-depth and up-to-date summary of whether the common neuropsychiatric conditions observed in patients hospitalized for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) are also prevalent in a different stage of COVID-19 patients.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42020196610
Estimation of absolute stress in the hypocentral region of the 2019 Ridgecrest, California, earthquakes
Authors: Fialko Yuri
Published: October 2020

Strength of the upper brittle part of the Earth's lithosphere
controls deformation styles in tectonically active regions, surface
topography, seismicity, and the occurrence of plate tectonics, yet it
remains one of the least constrained and most debated quantities in
geophysics. Seismic data (in particular, earthquake focal mechanisms)
have been used to infer orientation of the principal stress axes.
Here I show that the focal mechanism data can be combined with
information from precise earthquake locations to place robust
constraints not only on the orientation, but also on the magnitude of
absolute stress at depth. The proposed method uses machine learning to
identify quasi-linear clusters of seismicity associated with active
faults. A distribution of the relative attitudes of conjugate faults
carries information about the amplitude and spatial heterogeneity of
the deviatoric stress and frictional strength in the seismogenic
zone. The observed diversity of dihedral angles between conjugate
faults in the Ridgecrest (California, USA) area that hosted a recent
sequence of strong earthquakes suggests the effective coefficient of
friction of 0.4-0.6, and depth-averaged shear stresses on the order of
25-40 MPa, intermediate between predictions of the "strong" and
"weak" fault theories.
Novel microfluidic platform accelerates processing of tissue into single cells for molecular analysis and primary culture models
Authors: Lombardo Jeremy , Aliaghaei Marzieh , Nguyen Quy , Kessenbrock Kai , Haun Jered
Published: October 2020

Tissues are composed of highly heterogeneous mixtures of cell subtypes, and this diversity is increasingly being characterized using high-throughput single cell analysis methods. However, these efforts are hindered by the fact that tissues must first be dissociated into single cell suspensions that are viable and still accurately represent phenotypes from the original tissue. Current methods for breaking down tissues are inefficient, labor-intensive, subject to high variability, and potentially biased towards cell subtypes that are easier to release. Here, we present a microfluidic platform consisting of three different tissue processing technologies that can perform the complete tissue to single cell workflow, including digestion, disaggregation, and filtration. First, we developed a new microfluidic digestion device that can be loaded with minced tissue specimens quickly and easily, and then use the combination of proteolytic enzyme activity and fluid shear forces to accelerate tissue breakdown. Next, we integrated dissociation and filter technologies into a single device, which enhanced single cell numbers and fully prepared the sample for single cell analysis. The final multi-device platform was then evaluated using a diverse array of tissue types that exhibited a wide range of properties. For murine kidney and mammary tumor, we found that microfluidic processing produced 2.5-fold more single, viable cells. Single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) further revealed that device processing enriched for endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and basal epithelium, and did not increase stress responses. For murine liver and heart, which are softer tissues containing fragile cell types, processing time could be reduced to 15 min, and even as short as 1 min. We also demonstrated that periodic recovery at defined time intervals produced substantially more hepatocytes and cardiomyocytes than continuous operation, most likely by preventing damage to fragile cell types. In future work, we will seek to integrate additional operations such as upstream tissue preparation and downstream microfluidic cell sorting and detection to create powerful point-of-care single cell diagnostic platforms.
Molecular Engineering towards Efficient White-Light-Emitting Perovskite
Authors: Zhang Mingming , Zhao Lili , Zhang Qian , Yaqoob Najma , Yin Zhengmao , Kaghazchi Payam , Xu Weigao , Wang Lei , Xing Jun
Published: October 2020

Low-dimensional organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites have demonstrated excellent performance as efficient white-light emitters. The broadband emission with large Stokes shift originates from self-trapped excitons (STEs). Since the mechanism of STEs formation in perovskites is still not clear, preparation of new low-dimensional white perovskites relies mostly on screening lots of intercalated organic molecules rather than a rational design. Here, we report an atom-substituting strategy to trigger STEs formation in layered perovskites. We applied halogen substituting hydrogen of C-H bond in intercalated organic molecules. The halogen-substituents with high electronegativity will withdraw electrons from the tail -NH3+ in the molecule. This results in a large positive charge accumulation on -NH3+, and thus a stronger attractive Coulomb force in ionic bond NH3+-PbBr3-. This plays an important role in transformation of free excitons (FEs) into STEs. Our designed white perovskites reached a high photoluminescence quantum yield of 32%, high color rendering index of near 90 and excellent Commission International de I’Eclairage coordinates close to the standard white-light (0.33, 0.33). This work provides atomic insights into the STEs formation in low-dimensional perovskites and will benefit tailoring white perovskites with boosting performance.
Microfluidic-assisted 3D-printed eye (MAP-eye): a biomimetic ommatidium array with direct full-colour 3D to 2D panoramic imaging and position tracking
Authors: Dai Bo , Zhang Liang , Zhao Chenglong , Bachman Hunter , Becker Ryan , Mai John , Jiao Ziao , Li Wei , Zheng Lulu , Wan Xinjun , Huang Tony , Zhuang Songlin , Zhang Dawei
Published: October 2020

After half a billion years of evolution, arthropods have developed sophisticated compound eyes with extraordinary visual capabilities that have inspired the development of artificial compound eyes. However, the limited 2D nature of most traditional fabrication techniques makes it challenging to directly replicate these natural systems. This work demonstrates a microfluidic-assisted 3D-printing technique that can be used to replicate a 3D compound eye. The microfluidic-assisted 3D-printed eye (MAP-eye) consists of 522 microlenses on a 5 mm-diameter hemisphere to mimic the 522 ommatidia of a natural compound eye. Each microlens is connected to the bottom planar surface of the MAP-eye via intracorporal refractive-index matched waveguides to mimic the rhabdoms of a natural eye. Full-colour 170º wide-angle panoramic views and position tracking of a point source have been realized by placing the MAP-eye directly on top of a commercial planar imaging sensor; the ability to use the MAP-eye with any commercially available imaging sensors presents numerous advantages including improved scalability, high sensitivity, and high-speed imaging. As a biomimetic analogue to naturally occurring compound eyes, the MAP-eye’s full-colour 3D to 2D mapping capability has the potential to enable a wide variety of applications from improving endoscopic imaging to enhancing machine vision for facilitating human–robot interactions and improving 3D displays.
Effect of Artemisia Absinthium and Malva Sylvestris on Antioxidant Parameters and Abomasal Histopathology in Lambs Experimentally Infected with Haemonchus Contortus
Authors: Mravcakova Dominika , Sobczak-Filipiak Małgorzata , Váradyová Zora , Kucková Katarína , Cobanova Klaudia , Maršík Peter , Tauchen Jan , Vadlejch Jaroslav , Mickiewicz Marcin , Kaba Jaroslaw , Varady Marian
Published: October 2020

Background: Haemonchus contortus is a blood-feeding gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) that parasitizes in the abomasum of ruminants. Infections caused by this nematode possess a serious threat to livestock production worldwide. The influence of medicinal plants using for control of haemonchosis on the local immune response of abomasal mucosae in GIN-infected sheep, however, has not been reported. This study evaluated the effect of Artemisia absinthium and Malva sylvestris as dietary supplements containing bioactive compounds on antioxidant response and histopathological changes in the abomasa of the lambs. Twenty-four lambs were divided into four groups: unsupplemented lambs (UNS), lambs supplemented with A. absinthium (ART), lambs supplemented with M. sylvestris (MAL), and lambs supplemented with both plants (ARTMAL). All lambs were infected orally with approximately 5000 L3 larvae of H. contortus. The experiment was conducted for 75 d, all animals were then slaughtered, and the abomasal tissues were examined for antioxidant parameters and histopathology.Results: Methanolic extracts of wormwood and mallow were separated into four fractions by semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography, which identified saccharides, phenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, polyphenols, esters, fatty acids, lipids, and other substances. The concentration of malondialdehyde in the abomasal mucosa was lower in ARTMAL (P < 0.05), and the total antioxidant capacity was higher in MAL (P < 0.05), than in UNS. Serum antioxidant parameters were not affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). Histopathological changes were mainly detected in the mucosal membrane of the abomasum, with the presence of infiltrates of inflammatory cells in MAL, ART, and ARTMAL. Increase mucus production was observed in the ARTMAL. The number of mast cells was significantly higher in UNS and ART than MAL (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). Plasma cell numbers were higher in ARTMAL than MAL (P < 0.05). Abomasal tissue regenerated more frequently in ARTMAL than the other experimental groups.Conclusions: These results represent the first report of the impact of A. absinthium and M. sylvestris on antioxidant parameters and local immune responses of abomasal mucosa of lambs infected with a GIN parasite. Wormwood and mallow applied as dietary supplements may increase the resistance of lambs to GIN infections.
Regional-Scale Data Assimilation with The Spatially Explicit Individual-Based Dynamic Global Vegetation Model (SEIB-DGVM) Over Siberia
Authors: Arakida Hazuki , Kotsuki Shunji , Otsuka Shigenori , Sawada Yohei , Miyoshi Takemasa
Published: October 2020

This study examined the regional performance of a data assimilation (DA) system that couples the particle filter and the Spatially Explicit Individual-based Dynamic Global Vegetation Model (SEIB-DGVM). This DA system optimizes model parameters of dormancy and photosynthetic rate, which are sensitive to phenology in the SEIB-DGVM, by assimilating satellite-observed leaf area index (LAI). The experiments without DA overestimated LAIs over Siberia relative to the satellite-observed LAI, whereas the DA system successfully reduced the error. DA provided improved analyses for the LAI and other model variables consistently, with better match with satellite observed LAI and with previous studies for spatial distributions of the estimated tree LAI, gross primary production (GPP), and above ground biomass. Most remarkably, the spatial distribution of tree LAI was estimated separately from undergrowth LAI because the SEIB-DGVM simulated the vertical structure of forest explicitly, and because satellite-observed LAI provided information on the onset and the end of the leaf season of tree and undergrowth, respectively. The DA system also provided the spatial distribution of the model parameters for tree separately from those of undergrowth. DA experiments started dormancy of trees more than a month earlier than the default phenology model and resulted in a decrease of the GPP.
An Explorative Study To Document Challenges Of Virtual Teaching And Learning Due To COVID 19 Among Graduate Students At The SPH, CHS, Addis Ababa University At 2020.
Authors: Yonas Mikiyas , Molla Mitike
Published: October 2020

Due to COVID 19 pandemic, school over the world has been closed. Globally 1.2 billion students are out of the classroom. Virtual learning is usually associated with online courses or online environments, but it has much broader dimensions. The objective of this study was to explore the challenges of virtual teaching and learning among graduate students at the SPH, CHS, Addis Ababa University. Methods: the phenomenological qualitative study was conducted at Addis Ababa University, on graduate students. Participant was selected by Purposive sampling and data collection was in-depth interview and analyzed by using open-code 4.03.Results In this study two participants participated: one student and one teacher. As the student explain the virtual learning and education was new mode to delivery education in Ethiopia and he told that he did not have any experience before. Despite, teacher states that he has an experience on the online learning and teaching. The participants states that virtual learning have an advantage. However, there are many challenges they list, from these: inadequate internet, costly ineffective, inflexible are the majors. Conclusion: based on the finding from the participants, student hasn’t experience of virtual learning. The factor influence to follow virtual learning is that student was beginner for online learning, and teacher was also beginner in giving virtual teaching, connection problem in our country and teacher behavior are the main problem explored by this study. Even though student and teacher feel it is difficult, they suggest the virtual learning have to be trained in Ethiopia for the future.
Motor Cortical Plasticity Induced by Volitional Muscle Activity-Triggered Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Median Nerve Stimulation
Authors: Kariyawasam Pramudika Nirmani , Suzuki Shinya , Yoshida Susumu
Published: October 2020

BackgroundBilateral motor training (BMT) is a useful method to modify the excitability of the corticospinal system. The effects of artificial symmetrical movement on corticospinal excitability through functional electrical stimulation (FES) or transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) have not been reported. Therefore, we compared motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) following TMS over the ipsilateral primary motor cortex (M1) of voluntary movements after conventional BMT and repetitive artificial symmetrical movements generated through FES and TMS.MethodsSurface electromyograms of the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscles were recorded bilaterally in 12 healthy participants. Three sessions with different protocols were conducted: (1) bilateral finger training (BFT) involving bilateral thumb abduction, (2) right APB-triggered TMS of the ipsilateral M1 (APB-triggered i-TMS), and (3) right APB-triggered contralateral median nerve stimulation (APB-triggered c-MNS). Each protocol consisted of 360 trials for 30 min. Resting motor threshold (RMT), MEPs induced by single-pulse TMS, short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), and intracortical facilitation (ICF) induced by paired-pulse TMS were assessed as outcome measures at baseline and at 0, 20, 40, and 60 min after intervention.ResultsRMT showed no significant effect of intervention, time, or interaction. MEP amplitude showed a significant effect with time. MEP amplitude significantly increased at 0, 20, and 40 min post-intervention in BFT; at 0, 20, 40, and 60 min post-intervention in APB-triggered i-TMS; and at 20 and 40 min post-intervention in APB-triggered c-MNS in comparison to the baseline values. SICI was significantly decreased at 0 min post-intervention in the BFT and APB-triggered i-TMS protocols. ICF was significantly increased at 0 min post-intervention in the BFT and at 20 min post-intervention in the APB-triggered c-MNS protocol.ConclusionThe main finding of the present study was the long-lasting increase in MEP amplitude in all three mirror-symmetrical movement protocols. The observed changes are long-lasting and comparatively strong. However, the underlying neural mechanisms seem to be slightly different across the three protocols. Thus, whether voluntarily or artificially caused, repetitive symmetrical mirror movements enhance corticospinal excitability.
Health-Related Quality of Life and Associated Factors Among People Living with HIV Infection at a Comprehensive Hospital in Ethiopia
Authors: Gebremariam Girma Tekle , Bitew Kalikdan Yihenew , Weldeyes Yemisrach Tessema , Fentie Atalay Mulu , Gebretekle Gebremedhin Beedemariam
Published: October 2020

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly reduced mortality and morbidity of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA); however, the nature of infection and treatment associated with adverse drug reactions often adversely affect patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The purpose of this study was to assess the HRQoL and its associated factors among PLWHA in Ethiopia.Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among patients taking HAART at Zewditu Memorial General Hospital in Addis Ababa. A face-to-face interview was performed using the HIV/AIDS targeted quality of Life (HAT-QoL) instrument. Patients who met eligibility criteria were approached consecutively while they came to the pharmacy for a medication refill. Descriptive statistics were used to present patient characteristics and HRQoL profiles. Independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were carried out to identify predictors for HRQoL. All statistical tests considered significant at p-value < 0.05.Results: A total of 300 participants were interviewed. The mean age of patients was 41.47 ± 9.45 years and the majority (63.13% ) were females. More than two-thirds (69.7%) of patients were adherents to their medication. The highest HAT-QoL mean score was observed in the overall function domain (84.96±19.87) followed by life satisfaction (83.02±14.61) and physician trust (80.53±20.79). Moderate mean scores were reported in the domains of health worries (71.90±27.00), medication worries (69.44±21.53) and disclosure worries (63.65±30.94) had moderate mean scores, while HIV mastery (56.94±32.52), financial worries (48.81±44.64), and sexual function (12.57±45.56) recorded lower mean scores. Being female, higher educational status, older age, low household income, taking prophylactic therapy, low CD4+ count, and non-adherence were significantly associated with HAT-QoL domains.Conclusions: Overall, HIV/AIDS patients in Addis Ababa had an average level of HRQoL. This study demonstrated that several sociodemographic and clinical variables contribute to reduced HRQoL. Hence, healthcare providers should be paid attention to associated factors that contributed to reduced HRQoL.
Age-and-Sex Specific Profile of Temporal Fasting Plasma Glucose Variability in a Routine Health Screening Population
Authors: Lartey Agyei Helena , Li Xiaona , Li Zhongqi , Zhang Qun , Wang Jianming
Published: October 2020

BackgroundFasting plasma glucose (FPG) variability is an important predictor of mortality, mainly in patients with a poor glycemic control. This study aims to explore the temporal age-and-sex specific profile of temporal FPG variability in a routine health screening Chinese population and to guide the prevention and control of diabetes for targeted public health intervention.MethodsWe used the general linear model to compare differences of temporal FPG values between gender and across age groups of 101886 Nanjing residents who took part in the routine physical health examination at the Health Management Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University in 2018. Variability of FPG caused by time, age and gender independently or in combination was analyzed.ResultsThe participants included 57455(56.4%) males and 44431(43.6%) females, with the mean age of 42.8±15.0 years. The average FPG level was 5.5±1.1 mmol/L. The monthly variation contributed 22% of the overall FPG variability. A significant main effect for age group was observed (F=7.39, P <0.05), with a good fitting effect (Eta-squared =0.15). Variability of FPG showed gender differences by comparing the percentage differences of coefficient of variation which was higher in males than females. There were significant interaction effects of month*age*gender and day*age*gender.ConclusionsTemporal variability of FPG is obvious in the general Chinese population, which is affected by both age and gender. To avoid complications associated with FPG variability such as hypoglycemia, interventions should be directed at females and males at specific ages for optimal control of FPG variability and reducing the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular outcomes
Trend Dynamics of Thyroid Cancer Incidence among China and the U.S. Adult Population from 1992-2017: A Join-point and Age-Period-Cohort
Authors: Cui Yiran Yi , Mubarik Sumaira , Li Jia Rui , Nawsherwan  , Yu Chuanhua Chuan
Published: October 2020

Purpose: Based on the previously published reports, the incidence of thyroid cancer (TC) has been increasing in the past 25 years, and the reason for the increase is not yet clear. The present study aims to reveal the long-term trends and age–period–cohort effects for the incidence of TC in China and the U.S. from 1992 to 2017.Patients and methods: We examined the trends of TC incidence in the two countries, for the different genders (men/women) in the Global Burden of Disease (GBD 2017). We further used an age-period-cohort model to analyze age-period-cohort effects on TC incidence, and the average annual percentage change (AAPC) of rates was estimated by Join-point regression analysis.Results: TC increased with the age and period. Aging was one of the most influential factors of TC in China. The age eﬀect increased markedly in the U.S. compared with China. The period eﬀect showed an increase in China while that tended to grow steadily during 1992-2017 in the U.S. The cohort eﬀect peaked in 1963-1967 birth cohorts for men and women in China and declined consistently in the birth cohort in the U.S.Conclusion: From 1992 to 2017, due to ionizing radiation and over-diagnosis, age-standardized TC incidence rates in both genders rose in China and the U.S. The standardized incidence rate of women is higher than that of men. It is necessary to provide women with reasonable prevention and protection measures for TC. We need to apply for health services and screening to reduce ionizing radiation.
General and Predictable Synthesis of Ultrahigh-Surface-Area Porous Carbons with Superior Yield via Preferential Removal of sp2-Hybridized Atoms
Authors: Yu Peifeng , Zhang Weicai , Liu Yingliang , Xu Fei , Liang Yeru
Published: October 2020

A grand challenge in the state-of-the-art porous carbons is the lack of reliable synthesis strategy for achieving ultrahigh surface areas while maintaining a high carbonization yield. Ultrahigh surface area generally depends on trial and error activation with poor understanding of structural information in the starting carbonaceous matter to predict the ultrahigh porosity. Meanwhile, excessive development of porosity (> 3500 m2 g− 1) will undoubtedly give rise to low carbonization yield (< 10%), thus far restricting cost-effective applications. Here, we report a general and predictable protocol via constructing nitrogen-doped sp2-hybridized carbon atoms in the carbonaceous matter, which guides the pore-creating agents (e.g., KOH) to preferentially etch over sp2- rather than sp3-hybridized atoms, thus greatly increasing the activation reaction efficiency to simultaneously accomplish ultrahigh porosity without sacrificing carbonization yield, a critical paradox in producing carbons. A highest surface area (4482 m2 g− 1) with 10 wt.% carbonization yield and 3500 m2 g− 1 with an unparalleled yield of 35% are achieved so far, which enables great potential in adsorptive-related applications as exemplified by their record-high gas adsorption and supercapacitve performances. Our findings reveal important insights on directed synthesis of ultrahigh-surface-area carbons and provide an impetus for their on-demand applications.
ABCDEF Bundle and Supportive ICU Care Practices for patients with COVID-19 infection: An international point prevalence study ~The ISIIC Study~
Authors: Liu Keibun , Nakamura Kensuke , Katsukawa Hajime , Elhadi Muhammed , Nydahl Peter , Ely Eugene Wesley , Kudchadkar Sapna R , Takahashi Kunihiko , Inoue Shigeaki , Lefor Alan Kawarai , Kesecioglu Jozef , Nishida Osamu
Published: October 2020

BackgroundAlthough the number of patients with COVID-19 infection is increasing and concerns for their long-term disabilities are increasing, there is a lack of data about the delivery of the ABCDEF-bundle and supportive care in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The aim of this study is to investigate the implementation of the ABCDEF-bundle and supportive care provided to patients with COVID-19 infections in ICUs. MethodsThis was a world-wide two-day point prevalence study, on June 3 and July 1, 2020. A total of 212 ICUs in 38 countries (166 ICUs on Day 1 and 212 on Day 2) participated. Clinicians in each participating ICU completed web-based online surveys. The implementation rate for elements of the ABCDEF-bundle, other supportive ICU care measures and implementation associated structures were investigated.RESULTSData for 262 patients was collected during the two-day study. Of patients included, 124 (47.3%) underwent mechanical ventilation (MV) and 12 (4.6%) patients were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). The proportion of patients with implementation of each element was: Element A (regular pain assessment) 45%; B (both spontaneous awakening and breathing trials) 28%; C (regular sedation assessment) 52%; D (regular delirium assessment) 38%; E (early mobility and exercise) 47%; and F (family engagement and empowerment) 16%. The implementation of element E for patients on MV was 16% and ECMO was 17%. Supportive care, such as providing protein throughout the ICU stay (under 1.2g/kg for more than 50% of the patients) and introduction of an ICU diary (25%) was inadequate. A higher implementation rate of elements A and D were recognized in ICUs with specific protocols for ICU care and lower numbers of ICU beds exclusively for patients with COVID-19 infection. Element E was implemented at a higher rate in ICUs with more ICU beds for patients with COVID-19 infection.CONCLUSIONSThis worldwide two-day point prevalence study found low implementation of the ABCDEF-bundle. Specific protocols and the number of ICU beds reserved for patients with COVID-19 infections might be key factors to deliver appropriate supportive care.Trial registration: UMIN, UMIN000040405. Registered 14 May 2020, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000046103
Safety of Early Norepinephrine Infusion Through Peripheral Vascular Access During Transport of Critically ill Children
Authors: CHARBEL Ramy , OLLIER Vincent , JULLIAND Sebastien , JOURDAIN Gilles , LODE Noëlla , TISSIERES Pierre , MORIN Luc
Published: October 2020

BackgroundReversal of hypotension is a priority in the management of a collapsed child. The pediatric Surviving Sepsis Campaign advocates for the rapid use of epinephrine or norepinephrine for sepsis related myocardial or vascular dysfunction following 40-60ml/kg of fluid resuscitation. Vasoactive drugs should be started within the first hour after sepsis recognition in a patient with shock. In such a short delay, central venous access can be difficult to obtain, and infusion may be initially started through a peripheral catheter. Hereby, we reported the safety of norepinephrine infusion through a peripheral catheter in retrieved shocked patients.MethodsMulticentric retrospective analysis of medical pediatric retrieval teams experience of vasopressors infusion through a peripheral vascular access. Medical pediatric retrieval teams (SMUR) and Pediatric Intensive care units (PICU) of the Paris urban region. Children 0 to 18 years necessitating norepinephrine infusion during retrieval. Modalities of infusion (drip concentration, duration, site of infusion), incidence of complication and outcome at PICU discharge were reviewed.ResultsThirty-seven children in shock received a norepinephrine infusion for a median time of 4 hours. No local adverse event was noted. One patient had transient blanching of the skin which improved after appropriate care. The overall mortality was 10.8% with one death (2.7%) during transport and 3 (8.1%) in PICU. ConclusionsDuring transport of critically ill patients requiring vasopressor infusion by a specialized pediatric retrieval team, the use of norepinephrine on a non-central catheter was safe among all patients.
Risk Perceptions, Attitude and Preventive Practices of Egyptians towards COVID-19
Authors: Hassan Nadira Mansour , Shalaby Safynaz El Saied , EL-Feky Asmaa Ali , Younis Eman Ali , Attalla Asmaa Omar
Published: October 2020

Background: COVID-19 is the latest global pandemic. To date, no antiviral treatment or vaccine has been explicitly recommended for it. Therefore, applying preventive measures to control its spread is the most critical intervention. Perceived risk and attitude determines population’s reaction.Objectives: study perceptions, attitude and practices towards COVID-19 among EgyptiansMethods: The study was cross-sectional using a snowball nonrandom sample from public population of Egyptian Community. They were asked to fulfill predesigned online questionnaire that was available from 16th to 24th March 2020.Results: The study included 1663 participants from all governorates of Egypt. More than half were at age group 21-30 years, 64.3% females and 85.1% students. Main source of information was social media (46.4%). Most of Participants had positive attitude and moderate degree of fear. Only 25.4% of students satisfied with distance learning, 41.4% of participants believe that they are susceptible to infection and 61% believe in seriousness of the disease. About half of participants reported that they follow preventive precautions. Majority of participants (81.3%) believe in effectiveness of these precautions. Participant’s practices were relatively satisfactory except for wearing protective masks, movement of families outside home, reducing touch of nose and eyes, and getting enough sleeping hours. Binary logistic regression identified that significant predictors of good practice were female sex, belief in susceptibility, seriousness, and effectiveness of precautions.On conclusion: Obligatory wearing of masks was an important governmental necessary step and to improve population reaction to control COVID-19, we need to promote realistic risk perceptions and effective attitudes.
What makes children learn how to swim? – Health, lifestyle and environmental factors associated with swimming ability among children in the city of Malmö, Sweden
Authors: Lõhmus Mare , Osooli Mehdi , Pilgaard Frida I H , Östergren Per-Olof , Olin Anna , Kling Stefan , Albin Maria , Björk Jonas
Published: October 2020

BackgroundSwimming ability among children in the city of Malmö, Sweden is strongly affected by socioeconomic differences. We investigated to what extent mediating health and lifestyle factors, such as children’s eating, sleeping and physical activity habits, as well as the characteristics of the social and working environment at both school and home, could explain the socioeconomic gradient in swimming ability. MethodsOur study population included children who started their first-grade school-year in 2012 or 2013 at any of the public primary schools of Malmö, Sweden. Cross-sectional, self-reported questionnaire-based data about health status and swimming ability in the fourth grade (age 10) were included from the Pupil Health Database (ELSA) for 3,468 children. ResultsChildren’s self-reported swimming ability was strongly associated with both individual- and school-based sociodemographic variables. Nine health, lifestyle and environmental variables were identified as potential mediators and included in the final model. Four of these variables, “Activity”, “Outdoor time”, “Social relationships at home and on the free time”, and “Positivity about future”, were significantly and positively associated with children’s ability to swim. ConclusionsSocial support, optimism for the future and an active lifestyle were positively associated with children’s swimming skills; however, compared to the socioeconomic factors, these health- and lifestyle factors contributed very little. It is possible, that interventions concerning children’s swimming ability in lower socioeconomic neighbourhoods, should in addition to children’s swimming lessons, target the whole families with the goal of increasing their possibilities for socialising and engaging in different kinds of recreational activities.
Midwives’ Experiences With a Handover Checklist: A Grounded Theory Study
Authors: Myre Marte Østenfor , Vik Eline Skirnisdottir , Nilsen Anne Britt Vika , Aasekjær Katrine
Published: October 2020

BackgroundQuality of care and patient safety is highly recognised and a priority within health services globally. Healthcare services in Norway are among the best in the world. Nevertheless, there is still a need for quality improvement and evaluation of the services. In healthcare, checklists have proven to reduce unwanted variation by standardising processes, which in turn contribute to increased quality in care. However, a poorly handled handover situation may be a potential threat to patient safety. To improve the quality of care, a checklist was implemented at a large maternity clinic in Norway. In the present study we explored midwives’ experiences with the use of a checklist implemented to improve the quality of the handover of mother and baby between wards and hospital shifts from birth until mother and baby are discharged from the hospital. MethodWe conducted a grounded theory (GT) study, performing one focus group interview and 13 individual interviews, including altogether 16 midwives. Years of experience as a midwife ranged from 1 to 30 years. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using open, selective and theoretical coding. ResultsThe main concern faced by the midwives was distilled down to no common understanding of the purpose of the checklist nor consensus on how to use the checklist. The generated grounded theory, individual interpretation of the checklist, involved the following three strategies that all seemed to explain how the midwives solved their main concern: following the system, evaluating the system and distancing themselves from the system. The only condition that seemed to influence a change in the use of the checklist was if a midwife experienced an adverse outcome in mother or baby, which could be related to the use of the checklist.ConclusionThe findings in this study indicate that a general lack of common understanding and consensus on the rationale for implementing a checklist resulted in an individual use of the checklist and was therefore a potential hazard to patient safety. This individual use of the checklist might have resulted in an attitude towards the checklist more as an individual tool and less as a quality improvement initiative. Findings also emphasise the importance of a clear implementation strategy supervised by the management. Further research should explore the understanding of organisational and cultural context when implementing a checklist to clinical practice.
A Preparedness Model for Mother-Baby Linked Longitudinal Surveillance for Emerging Threats
Authors: Woodworth Kate R , Reynolds Megan R , Burkel Veronica , Gates Cymone , Eckert Valorie , McDermott Catherine , Barton Jerusha , Wilburn Amanda , Halai Umme-Aiman , Brown Catherine M. , Bocour Angelica , Longcore Nicole , Orkis Lauren , Lopez Camille Delgado , Sizemore Lindsey , Ellis Esther M , Schillie Sarah , Gupta Neil , Bowen Virginia B , Torrone Elizabeth , Ellington Sascha R , Delaney Augustina , Olson Samantha M , Roth Nicole M , Whitehill Florence , Zambrano Laura D , Meaney-Delman Dana , Fehrenbach Nicole , Honein Margaret A , Tong Van T , Gilboa Suzanne M
Published: October 2020

Introduction Public health responses often lack the infrastructure to capture the impact of public health emergencies on pregnant women and infants, with limited mechanisms for linking pregnant women with their infants nationally to monitor long-term effects. In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in close collaboration with state, local, and territorial health departments, began a five-year initiative to establish population-based mother-baby linked longitudinal surveillance, the Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies Network (SET-NET).Objectives The objective of this report is to describe an expanded surveillance approach that leverages and modernizes existing surveillance systems to address the impact of emerging health threats during pregnancy on pregnant women and their infants.Methods Mother-baby pairs are identified prospectively during pregnancy and/or retrospectively after birth of the infant. All data are obtained from existing data sources (e.g., electronic medical records, vital statistics, laboratory reports, and health department investigations and case reporting).Results Variables were selected for inclusion to address key surveillance questions proposed by CDC and health department subject matter experts. General variables include maternal demographics and health history, pregnancy and infant outcomes, maternal and infant laboratory results, and child health outcomes up to the second birthday. Exposure-specific modular variables are included for hepatitis C, syphilis, and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The system is structured into four relational datasets (maternal, pregnancy outcomes and birth, infant/child follow-up, and laboratory testing).Discussion SET-NET provides a population-based mother-baby linked longitudinal surveillance approach and has demonstrated rapid adaptation for use during COVID-19. This innovative approach leverages existing data sources and rapidly collects data to inform clinical guidance and practice. These data can help to reduce exposure risk and adverse outcomes among pregnant women and their infants, direct public health action, and strengthen public health systems.
METTL3-Mediated m6A mRNA Modification of FBXW7 Suppresses Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wu Yingtong , Chang Ning , Zhang Yong , Zhang Xinxin , Xu Leidi , Che Yinggang , Qiao Tianyun , Wu Bin , Zhou Ying , Jiang Jun , Xiong Jie , Zhang Jian , Zhang Jian
Published: October 2020

BackgroundFBXW7 m6A modification plays an important role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) progression; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.MethodsThe correlation between FBXW7 and various genes related to m6A modification was analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The regulatory effects of METTL3 on FBXW7 mRNA m6A modification were examined in a cell model, and the underlying mechanism was determined by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter, and mutagenesis assays. In vitro experiments were performed to further explore the biological effects of METTL3-mediated FBXW7 m6A modification on LUAD development.ResultsDecreased FBXW7 expression was accompanied by downregulated METTL3 expression in human LUAD tissues and was associated with a worse prognosis for LUAD in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. m6A was highly enriched in METTL3-mediated FBXW7 transcripts, and increased m6A modification in the coding sequence region increased its translation. Functionally, METTL3 overexpression or knockdown affected the apoptosis and proliferation phenotype of LUAD cells by regulating FBXW7 m6A modification and expression. Furthermore, FBXW7 overexpression in METTL3-depleted cells partially restored the suppression of LUAD cells in vitro and in vivo.ConclusionsOur findings reveal that METTL3 positively regulates FBXW7 expression and confirm the tumor-suppressive role of m6A-modiﬁed FBXW7, thus providing insight into its epigenetic regulatory mechanisms in LUAD initiation and development.