bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of left ventricular mass by echocardiography compared to cardiac magnet resonance imaging in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Grebe Sören Jendrik , Malzahn Uwe , Donhauser Julian , Liu Dan , Wanner Christoph , Krane Vera , Hammer Fabian
Published: August 2020

Background Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), defined by the left ventricular mass index (LVMI), is highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients and a strong independent predictor of cardiovascular events. Compared to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), echocardiography tends to overestimate the LVMI. Here, we evaluate the diagnostic performance of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) compared to CMR regarding the assessment of LVMI in hemodialysis patients.MethodsTTR and CMR data for 95 hemodialysis patients who participated in the MiREnDa trial were analyzed. The LVMI was calculated by two-dimensional (2D) TTE-guided M-mode measurements employing the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) and Teichholz (Th) formulas, which were compared to the reference method, CMR.ResultsLVH was present in 44% of patients based on LVMI measured by CMR. LVMI measured by echocardiography correlated moderately with CMR, ASE: r=0.44 (0.34-0.62); Th: r=0.44(0.32-0.62). Compared to CMR, both echocardiographic formulas overestimated LVMI (mean ∆LVMI (ASE-CMR): 19.5±19.48 g/m2, p<0.001; mean ∆LVMI (Th-CMR): 15.9±15.89 g/m2, p<0.001). We found greater LVMI overestimation in patients with LVH using the ASE formula compared to the Th formula. Stratification of patients into CMR LVMI quartiles showed a continuous decrease in ∆LVMI with increasing CMR LVMI quartiles for the Th formula (p<0.001) but not for the ASE formula (p=0.772). Bland-Altman analysis showed that the Th formula had a constant bias independent of LVMI. Both methods had good discrimination ability for the detection of LVH (ROC-AUC: 0.819 (0.737-0.901) and 0.808 (0.723-0.892) for Th and ASE, respectively).ConclusionsThe ASE and Th formulas overestimate LVMI in hemodialysis patients. However, the overestimation is less with the Th formula, particularly with increasing LVMI. The results suggest that the Th formula should be preferred for measurement of LVMI in chronic hemodialysis patients.Trial registrationThe data was derived from the following clinical trial: NCT01691053, registered on 19 September 2012 before enrollment of the first participant, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01691053?term=NCT01691053&draw=2&rank=1.
Nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in farm animals and breeders in North of Morocco
Authors: Mourabit Nadira , Arakrak Abdelhay , Bakkali Mohammed , Zian Zeineb , Bakkach Joaira , Laglaoui Amin
Published: August 2020

Background: The objectives of this study were to determine for the first time, in Morocco, the nasal carriage rate, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles and virulence genes of Staphylococcus. aureus isolated from animals and breeders in close contact.Methods: From 2015 to 2016, 421 nasal swab samples were collected from 26 different livestock areas in Tangier. Antimicrobial susceptibility phenotypes were determined by disk diffusion according to EUCAST 2015. The presence of nuc, mecA, mecC, lukS/F-PV, and tst genes were determined by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for all isolates. Results: The overall S. aureus nasal carriage rate was low in animals (9.97%) and high in breeders (60%) with a statistically significant difference, (OR= 13.536; 95% CI = 7.070- 25.912; p< 0.001). In general, S. aureus strains were susceptible to the majority of antibiotics and the highest resistance rates were found against tetracycline (16.7% in animals and 10% in breeders). No Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was detected in animals and breeders. A high rate of tst and lukS/F-PV genes has been recovered only from animals (11.9% and 16.7%, respectively).Conclusion: Despite the lower rate of nasal carriage of S. aureus and the absence of MRSA strains in our study, S. aureus strains harbored a higher frequency of tst and lukS/F-PV virulence genes, which is associated to an increased risk of infection dissemination in humans. This highlights the need for further larger and multi-center studies to better define the transmission of the pathogenic S. aureus between livestock, environment, and humans.
Association of serum uric acid levels with suicide risk in female patients with major depressive disorder: a comparative cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Jing-Xu , Feng Jun-Hui , Zhang Li-Gang , Liu Yan , Yang Fu-De , Wang Shao-Li , Tan Yun-Long , Su Yun-Ai
Published: August 2020

Background: Individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) have a high suicide risk. Some evidence suggests that uric acid (UA) may be involved in the pathophysiology of MDD. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether serum UA levels were associated with suicide risk in MDD patients.Methods: One hundred four female patients with MDD (52 patients with suicide risk and 52 patients without suicide risk) and 52 healthy individuals were included in this study. The suicide risk was evaluated by Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.). Fasting serum levels of UA, as well as glucose, lipid and renal function indicators were measured.Results: Serum UA levels in MDD patients with suicide risk (245.01 ± 55.44 μmol/L) were significantly lower than those in MDD patients without suicide risk (274.17 ± 72.65 μmol/L) (p = 0.017) and healthy controls (271.42 ± 55.25 μmol/L) (p = 0.030). There was no difference in serum UA levels between the MDD patients without suicide risk and healthy controls (p = 0.821). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between suicide risk and decreased serum UA levels (OR = 0.989, p = 0.010) in MDD patients.Conclusion: Decreased serum UA levels were associated with suicide risk in MDD patients. Purinergic system dysfunction may be involved in the neurobiological basis of suicide risk in these patients.
Upregulation of long non-coding RNA LOC284454 may serve as a new serum biomarker for head and neck cancers
Authors: Fan Chunmei , Wang Jinpeng , Tang Yanyan , Zhang Shanshan , Xiong Fang , Guo Can , Zhou Yanhong , Li Zheng , Li Xiaoling , Li Yong , Li Guiyuan , Zeng Zhaoyang , Xiong Wei
Published: August 2020

Background: Identification of effective diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of cancer is necessary for improving precision medicine. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important regulatory role in tumor initiation and progression. The lncRNA LOC284454 is distinctly expressed in various head and neck cancers (HNCs), as demonstrated by our previous bioinformatics analysis. However, the expression levels and functions of LOC284454 in cancer are still unclear.Methods: We investigated the dysregulation of lncRNAs in HNCs using the GEO database and found that LOC284454 was highly expressed in HNCs. Serum samples from 212 patients with HNCs and 121 normal controls were included in this biomarker study. We measured the expression of LOC284454 in the sera of HNC patients and normal controls using RT-qPCR. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis is an important statistical method that is widely used in clinical diagnosis and disease screening. ROC was used to analyze the clinical value of LOC284454 in the early diagnosis of HNCs.Results: LOC284454 was significantly upregulated in the sera of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, oral cancer, and thyroid cancer. LOC284454 upregulation had good clinical diagnostic value in these cancers, as evaluated by area under the ROC curve values of 0.931, 0.698, and 0.834, respectively.Conclusions:LOC284454 may be a valuable serum biomarker for HNCs facilitating the early diagnosis of malignant cancers. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the involvement of LOC284454 in HNCs. This study provides the first evidence that LOC284454 may be a serum biomarker for HNCs.
Longitudinal trajectory of disability in community-dwelling older adults: An observational cohort study in South Korea
Authors: Kim Hae Reong , Lee Hea yon , Seong Yoonje , Lee Eunju , Jung Hee-Won , Park Yu Rang , Jang Il-Young
Published: August 2020

Background

Disability, which is considered a health-related condition, increases care demands and socioeconomic burdens for both families and communities. To confirm the trend of dynamic longitudinal changes in disability, this study aims to explore how disability is divided by the trajectory method, which deals with time-sequenced data. Additionally, this study examines the differences in demographics, geriatric conditions, and time spent at home among the trajectory groups in community-dwelling older adults. Home time is defined as the period during which the participant was not in a hospital or health care facility during their lifetime.

Methods

Records of 786 community-dwelling older participants were analyzed from the Aging Study of PyeongChang Rural Area, a population-based cohort study that took place over three years. Using 7 domains of activities of daily living and 10 domains of instrumental activities of daily living, participants were grouped into no dependency (0 disabled domain), mild (1 disabled domain), and severe (2 or more disabled domains) disability groups. The longitudinal trajectory group of disability was calculated as a trajectory method. Three distinct trajectory groups were calculated over time: a relatively-stable group (78.5 %; n=617), a gradually-aggravated group (16.0 %; n=126), and a rapidly-deteriorated group (5.5 %; n=43).

Results

The average age of 786 participants was 73.3 years (SD: 5.8), and the percentage of females was 52.7%. It was found that 78.5% of participants showed relatively no dependence and 5.5% of older adults in a rural area showed severe dependence. Through applying the trajectory method, it was shown that the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score was 10.2 points in the relatively-stable group and 3.1 points in the rapidly-deteriorating group by the 3 rd year. Additionally, by the trajectory method, the rate of decrease in home time was 3.33% in the rapidly-deteriorated group compared to the relatively-stable group.

Conclusions

This study shows the difference in demographics and geriatric conditions (such as SPPB) through the examination of longitudinal trajectory groups of disability in community-dwelling older adults. Significant differences were also found in the amount of home time among the trajectory groups.
Inhibition of glucose assimilation in Auxenochlorella protothecoides by light
Authors: XIAO YIBO , Guo Jianying , Zhu Huachang , Muhammad Anwar , Deng Haiteng , Hu Zhangli , Wu Qingyu
Published: August 2020

Background: The yield of microalgae biomass is the key to affect the accumulation of fatty acids. A few microalgae can assimilate organic carbon to improve biomass yield. In mixotrophic cultivation, microalgae can use organic carbon source and light energy simultaneously. The preference of the main energy source by microalgae determines the biomass yield. Auxenochlorella protothecoides is an oleaginous mixotrophic microalga that can efficiently assimilate glucose and accumulate a large amount of biomass and fatty acids. The current study focused on the effect of light on the growth and glucose assimilation of A. protothecoides .
Results: In this study, we found that the uptake and metabolism of glucose in A. protothecoides could be inhibited by light, resulting in a reduction of biomass growth and lipid accumulation. We employed comparative proteomics to study the influence of light on the regulation of glucose assimilation in A. protothecoides . Proteomics revealed that proteins involving in gene translation and photosynthesis system were up-regulated in the light, such as ribulose-phosphate 3-epimerase and phosphoribulokinase. Calvin cycle related proteins were also up-regulated, suggesting that light may inhibit glucose metabolism by enhancing the production of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) in the Calvin cycle. In addition, the redox homeostasis-related proteins such as thioredoxin reductase were up-regulated in the light, indicating that light may regulate glucose uptake by changing the redox balance. Moreover, the increase of NADH levels and redox potential of the medium under illumination might inhibit the activity of the glucose transport system and subsequently reduce glucose uptake.
Conclusions: A theoretical model of how glucose assimilation in A. protothecoides is negatively influenced by light was proposed, which will facilitate further studies on the complex mechanisms underlying the transition from autotrophy to heterotrophy for improving biomass accumulation.
Investigating the effect of social networking site use on mental health in an 18-34 year-old general population. A cross-sectional study using the 2016 Scania Public Health Survey.
Authors: Scott Emily Stella , Canivet Catarina A. , Östergren Per-Olof
Published: August 2020

Background

Social Networking Sites (SNS) are commonly used, especially by young adults. Their impact on mental health is unclear. Moreover, little is known about how social factors, e.g. Perceived Emotional Support (PES), may affect this association. Mental health issues are increasingly burdening the young generation and society as a whole. This study aims to investigate the association between frequency of SNS use and number of SNS contacts with the mental health of a young, Swedish population. Additionally, the potential effect modification of PES will be analysed in regard to these relationships.

Method

This cross-sectional study applied logistic regression analyses to data on 1,341 participants (aged 18-34), retrieved from the Scania Public Health Survey (2016). Analyses were stratified by gender and the GHQ-12 scale assessed poor mental health. A 2-way interaction model was used to test for effect modification by PES regarding the association between SNS use and mental health.

Results

Increased risk for poor mental health were found in women only. Using SNS almost hourly vs. less often resulted in an odds ratio (OR) of 1.66 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16–2.38). The corresponding figures for having ≥600 contacts vs. ≤599 were (1.89; 1.21–2.97). Having low PES and using SNS almost hourly was associated with an OR of 3.12 (CI = 1.69–5.76; synergy index (SI) = 1.25). Low PES and ≥600 contacts resulted in an OR of 6.07 (CI = 1.73–21.33), whereby interaction was detected (SI = 2.88).

Conclusion

Women, but not men, with frequent SNS use and a high number of SNS contacts were more likely to have poor mental health, which was exacerbated in women with low PES. Facilitating PES could be an approach for improving mental health among young adults. Future studies on the use of SNS should focus more on gender analyses.
Rabies virus phosphoprotein P5 binding to BECN1 regulates self-replication by BECN1-mediated autophagy signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Juan , Liao Min , Yan Yan , Yang Hui , Wang Hailong , Zhou Jiyong
Published: August 2020

Background: Rabies virus (RABV) is reported to encode five phosphoproteins (P), which are involved in viral genomic replication, axonal transport, oxidative stress, interferon antagonism, and autophagy induction. However, the functions of the different P proteins are poorly understood. Methods: Immunofluorescence staining and western blot were performed to detect the autophagy activity, the form of ring-like structure, and the colocalization of BECN1 and P. Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to detect the interaction between P and BECN1. QRT-PCR and TCID50 assay were performed to detect the replication level of RABV. Small interfering RNA was used to detect the autophagy signaling pathway. Results: We found that P5 attaches to N-terminal residues 1–139 of BECN1 (beclin1) on the BECN1 ring-like structure through amino acid residues 173–222 of P5. Subsequently, we found that P5-induced autophagosomes did not fuse with lysosomes. Becn1 silencing did not recover P5 overexpression-induced promotion of RABV replication. Mechanistically, RABV protein PΔN82 (P5) induced incomplete autophagy via the BECN1-mediated signaling pathway.Conclusions: Our data indicate that P5 binding to the BECN1 ring benefits RABV replication by inducing BECN1 signaling pathway-dependent incomplete autophagy, which provides a potential target for antiviral drugs against RABV.
Associations between the Quality of life in sarcopenia measured with the SarQoL® and nutritional status
Authors: Kim Yongtaek , Park Ki Soo , Yoo Jun-Il
Published: August 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after adjusting for essential factors of muscle mass, calf circumference, grip strength, and the timed up and go (TUG) test for diagnosis of sarcopenia.Methods: The subjects of this study were those who visited a health care center or a senior welfare center among the aged 65 years or older living in a community in two counties (Jinju, Sacheon), and the survey was conducted from April to August 2019. Among them, those with cardiovascular disease, cognitive disorder, or malignancy were excluded. To determine the nutritional status of the elderly subjects, a questionnaire-based screening tool called DETERMINE was used. Developed as a health-related quality of life tool for sarcopenia, the Sarcopenia-specific Quality of Life (SarQoL) questionnaire was used. For screening of sarcopenia, a rapid questionnaire based on self-reported information about falls, mobility, and strength known as the SARC-F questionnaire was used. Assessment of sarcopenia included skeletal muscle mass, calf circumference, grip strength, and the timed up and go (TUG) test. Results: A total of 324 elderly people living in rural villages who were able to move to senior and welfare centers was surveyed. As a result of evaluating the association between SarQoL and nutritional risk in elderly subjects, the association was statistically significant in the moderate-risk group (B = -5.542, p = 0.001) and in the high-risk group (B= - 8.136, p < 0.001) in comparison to the low-risk group. Significant correlations were found in all seven domains of SarQoL, except the fear domain. Conclusions: This study confirms an association between quality of life dimensions surveyed by the SarQoL questionnaire and nutritional status in elderly subjects. Therefore, appropriate interventions are needed following brief evaluation of sarcopenia and nutritional deficiency among elderly people in communities.
Molecular epidemiology and risk factors of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections in a Chinese teaching hospital
Authors: Duan Zhongliang , Qin Juanxiu , Liu Yao , Li Cui , Ying Chunmei
Published: August 2020

Background: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia ( S. maltophilia ) is an important opportunistic pathogen. With the abuse of broad spectrum antibiotics and invasive surgical devices, the rate of S . maltophilia infections is increasing every year. This study is an epidemiological analysis of the clinical and molecular characteristics of S . maltophilia infections in a Chinese teaching hospital, to obtain a comprehensive understanding of S . maltophilia infection to provide strong epidemiological data for the prevention and treatment of S . maltophilia.Results: A total of 93 isolates were included, in which 62 isolates were from male patients and 81 isolates were isolated from sputum samples. A total of 86 patients had underlying diseases. All of the patients had received antibiotic therapeutics. The multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis indicated that 61 different sequence types (STs) were found, and the MLST did not show significantly dominant STs. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) results showed the 93 isolates could be divided into 73 clusters, and they also showed weak genetic linkage between isolates. The resistant rates to Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) and levofloxacin were 9.7% and 4.3%, respectively, and all of the isolates were susceptible to minocycline. The positive rates of the four virulence genesStmpr1 , Stmpr2 , Smf-1 , and Smlt3773 locus were 79.6%, 91.4%, 94.6%, and 52.7%, respectively. The positive rates of the three biofilm genes rmlA , spgM, and rpfF were 82.8%, 92.5%, and 64.5%, respectively. The mean biofilm forming level of OD 492 was 0.54 ± 0.49, and there was no significant difference between different genders and different age groups. The independent risk factors of those who were infected in the ICU included immunosuppression and the increased of the antibiotics usage.Conclusions: Most of the patients had prior medical usage histories and baseline diseases. The positive rate of virulence genes was high, the drug resistance rate of S . maltophilia was low, and the biofilm formation ability was strong. The increased use of antibiotics was an independent risk factor for S . maltophilia infection, which should receive more attention. No obvious clonal transmission was found in the same department.
Relationship between time-varying status of reflux esophagitis and Helicobacter pylori and progression to long-segment Barrett’s esophagus: time-dependent Cox proportional-hazards analysis
Authors: Usui Genki , Shinozaki Tomohiro , Jinno Toyohisa , Fujibayashi Kazutoshi , Morikawa Teppei , Gunji Toshiaki , Matsuhashi Nobuyuki
Published: August 2020

Background: Reflux esophagitis (RE) and absence of Helicobacter pylori (non-H. pylori) are considered to be associated with the progression to long-segment Barrett’s esophagus (LSBE). However, it is difficult to assess this association because RE and H. pylori status can change during follow-up. Additionally, the association between H. pylori eradication and LSBE remains unclear.Methods: A total of 11,493 asymptomatic Japanese subjects who underwent medical check-ups and were endoscopically diagnosed with short-segment Barrett’s esophagus (SSBE) between May 2006 and December 2015 were enrolled. The hazards of progression to LSBE were compared between time-varying RE and H. pylori infection/eradication by time-dependent multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.Results: A total of 7,637 subjects who underwent additional medical check-ups after being diagnosed with endoscopic SSBE were analyzed. Subjects with RE and without current/past H. pylori infection were strongly associated with a higher rate of progression to LSBE (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 7.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.48-20.73, p<0.001 for RE and non-H. pylori vs. non-RE and H. pylori groups). Subjects with H. pylori had a lower rate of progression to LSBE (adjusted HR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.22-1.07, p=0.07 for H. pylori vs. non-H. pylori). Hazards of progression to LSBE were still lower in the H. pylori eradication group than that of the non-H. pylori group (adjusted HR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.18-1.46, p=0.21).Conclusions: RE and non-H. pylori were associated with the progression to LSBE, considering the changes in exposures. H. pylori infection was associated with the prevention of the development of LSBE irrespective of RE. The environment preventive of the development of LSBE persists for at least a few years after H. pylori eradication.
Survival analysis of patients with stage T2a and T2b perihilar cholangiocarcinoma treated with radical resection
Authors: Zhao Jian , Zhang Wei , Zhang Jun , Zhang Yi , Ma Wenjie , Liu Siyun , Li Fuyu , Song Bin
Published: August 2020

Background: Both the 7th and 8th editions of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) had the same definition for T2a and T2b. But the value of this classification as prognostic factor remains unclear. Methods: 178 patients with stage T2a or T2b who underwent curative intent resection for pCCA between Jan 2010 and Dec 2018 were enrolled. Relationships between survival and clinicopathological factors including patient demographics and tumor characteristics were evaluated using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. The overall survival (OS) were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method.Results: There was no significant difference in OS between T2a and T2b groups，and the median OS duration were 37 and 31 months (P=0.354). Both the 7th and 8th edition of the AJCC TNM staging demonstrated a poor prognostic predictive performance. High level of preoperative AST (≥85.0IU/L) and CA19-9 (≥1000 U/mL), vascular resection and lower pathological differentiation of the tumor were the independent predictors for poor survival after resection.Conclusion: The newly released 8th edition of AJCC staging system demonstrated a poor ability to discriminate the prognosis of patients with stage T2a and T2b pCCA after resection.
Mitochondrion-mediated iron accumulation promotes carcinogenesis and Warburg effect through reactive oxygen species in osteosarcoma
Authors: Ni Shuo , Kuang Yanbin , Yuan Yin , Yu Baoqing
Published: August 2020

Background: Iron metabolism disorder is closely associated with several malignant tumors, however the mechanisms underlying iron and the carcinogenesis in osteosarcoma are not yet well understood. Methods: Cell proliferation ability of osteosarcoma cell lines was measured by CCK-8, EdU incorporation and colony formation assays. Cell cycle analysis was detected by flow cytometry. The carcinogenesis of osteosarcoma was measured by soft-agar formation, trans-well and Wound healing-scratch assay. Warburg effect was detected by Seahorse respirometry assays. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was measured by Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescent probes. Western blotting was used to measure the expression of mitoferrin 1 (SLC25A37) and mitoferrin 2 (SLC25A28) . Iron level in vitro and vivo was detected by iron assay kit. RNAi stable cell lines was generated using shRNA. Results: Iron promoted proliferation, carcinogenesis and Warburg effect of osteosarcoma cells. Iron-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) played an important role in these processes. Iron accumulated more in mitochondrion than in cytoplasm, suggesting mitochondrion-mediated iron accumulation was involved in the development of osteosarcoma. Moreover, iron upregulated the expression of mitoferrin 1 (SLC25A37) and mitoferrin 2 (SLC25A28) . Knock-down of mitoferrin 1 (SLC25A37) and mitoferrin 2 (SLC25A28) decreased the production of ROS. In addition, iron increased the expression of Warburg key enzymes HK2 and Glut1, and affected AMPK / mTORC1 signaling axis. Conclusions: Mitochondrion-mediated iron accumulation promotes carcinogenesis and Warburg effect of osteosarcoma cells. Meanwhile, iron deprivation might be a novel effective strategy in the treatment of osteosarcoma.
HaRePo (Harm Reduction by Post): An innovative and effective harm reduction program for people who use drugs using email, telephone and post-service.
Authors: Leguizamon Magally Torres , Reynaud Emmanuel G. , Néfau Thomas , Duplessy Catherine
Published: August 2020

Background: Despite multiple Harm Reduction (HR) programs worldwide, there are still an important number of people who use drugs (PWUD) who do not access those services. Their difficulties to obtain HR tools are due to their inability to reach such services (remoteness and/or limited customer service hours), costs, quantitative restrictions, fear of judgment, lack of confidentiality in pharmacy and unfamiliarity with HR programs. We tested an innovative approach using the power of remote online communication and the national postal distribution network to improve HR tools access and counselling. Methods: Based on these observations, SAFE association created HaRePo in 2011, a free and confidential program designed for people who have difficulties accessing HR tools and counselling. PWUD can access the program by phone and/or email. An HR professional delivers HR counselling, HR tools and connects PWUD to other HR services, medical, and social workers. HR tools are prepared and sent according to the person’s needs through the French postal service to consumers across Metropolitan France and overseas territories. Results: Since 2011, 1920 PWUD have benefited from HaRePo: 10,450 parcels were sent accounting for more than 1.7 million syringes and 6 million HR related items. HaRePo receives positive feedback from PWUD who have improved their practices through remote but trusted communication. The percentage of people that, after joining the program, never reuse and/or share HR tools have significantly increased. On average 71.5% of beneficiaries never reuse syringes and 81% do not reuse needles. And they are 98.5% consumers who never share syringes and 99% needles any longer. Between 44% and 80% HaRePo beneficiaries have reported that their drug-related practices (injection, inhalation and snorting) are now safer. Finally, between 39% and 53% HaRePo consumers declared that their overall physical state has improved (e.g., venous condition, the appearance of point of injection, swelling of arms, legs, and hands). Conclusion: HaRePo is an innovative HR program efficient for hard-to-reach PWUD. It shows evidence of a positive feedback loop for PWUD in improving their practices. Finally, HaRePo represents a clear benefit for health authorities in France, who decided to expand the program in 2016.
Effects of different sufentanil target concentrations on the MACBAR of sevoflurane in patients with carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum stimulus
Authors: Guo Yanxia , Wang Dan , Yang Xiao-lin , Jiang Pingping , Xu Juan , Zhang Guoyuan
Published: August 2020

Background: This study aims to observe the effects of different target controlled plasma sufentanil concentrations on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane for blocking adrenergic response (BAR) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum stimulation.Methods: Eighty-five patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, aged 30-65 years, with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ-Ⅱ, were enrolled in this study. All the patients were randomly divided into 5 groups (S0, S1, S2, S3, S4) with different sufentanil plasma target concentration (0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 ng ml-1). Anesthesia was induced by inhalation of 8% sevoflurane in 100% oxygen, and 0.6 mg kg-1 of rocuronium was intravenously injected to facilitate the insertion of laryngeal mask airway. The end-tidal sevoflurane concentration and sufentanil plasma target concentration were adjusted according to respective preset value in each group. The hemodynamic response to pneumoperitoneum stimulus was observed after the end-tidal sevoflurane concentration had been maintained stable at least for 15 min. The MACBAR of sevoflurane was measured by a sequential method. Meanwhile, epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) concentrations in the blood were also determined before and after pneumoperitoneum stimulus in each group.Results: When the method of independent paired reversals was used, the MACBAR of sevoflurane in groups S0, S1, S2, S3, S4 was 5.333% (confidence interval [CI] 95%: 5.197-5.469%), 4.533% (95% CI:4.451-4.616%), 2.861% (95% CI:2.752-2.981%), 2.233% (95% CI:2.142-2.324%) and 2.139% (95% CI:2.057-2.219%), respectively. Meanwhile, when the isotonic regression analysis was used, the MACBAR of sevoflurane in groups S0, S1, S2, S3, S4 was 5.329% (95% CI:5.321-5.343%), 4.557% (95% CI:4.552-4.568%), 2.900% (95% CI:2.894-2.911%), 2.216% (95% CI:2.173-2.223%) and 2.171% (95%CI:2.165-2.183%), respectively. The MACBAR had no significant difference between group S3 and group S4 when using 0.5 and 0.7 ng ml-1 of sufentanil plasma target concentrations. No significant difference was found in the change of E or NE concentration between before and after pneumoperitoneum stimulation in each group.Conclusions: The MACBAR of sevoflurane can be decreased with increasing sufentanil plasma target concentrations. A capping effect of the decrease occurred at a sufentanil plasma target concentration of 0.5 ng ml-1. When the sympathetic adrenergic response was inhibited in half patients to pneumoperitoneum stimulation in each group, the changes of E and NE concentrations showed no significant differences.Trial registration: The study was registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR1800015819, 23, April, 2018).
Comparison of overall survival of gastric neoplasms containing neuroendocrine carcinoma components with gastric adenocarcinoma: a propensity score matching study
Authors: Chen Jiahui , Wang Anqiang , Ji Ke , Bu Zhaode , Ji Jiafu
Published: August 2020

BackgroundGastric neoplasms containing neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) components are rare malignancies with highly aggressive behavior and a poor prognosis and include pure NEC and mixed tumors containing NEC components. We aimed to investigate whether there is a distinct difference in overall survival (OS) between gastric neoplasms containing NEC components and gastric adenocarcinoma.MethodsSurgically resected gastric neoplasms containing NEC components (n=180) and gastric adenocarcinomas (n=785) from January 2013 to December 2019 at Peking University Cancer Hospital were retrospectively analysed. Patients were categorized into a surgical group and a neoadjuvant group and adjusted using propensity score matching. In the two groups, gastric neoplasms containing NEC components were divided into pure NEC and mixed tumors with less than 30% (<30% G-HMiNEN), between 30% and 70% (G-HMiNEN) and more than 70% (>70% G-HMiNEN) neuroendocrine carcinoma components. OS was compared between these groups and the gastric adenocarcinoma group.ResultsThe OS of gastric neoplasms containing neuroendocrine NEC components was poorer than that of gastric adenocarcinomas in the surgical group, regardless of whether the percentage of neuroendocrine cancer components was less than 30%, between 30% and 70%, more than 70% or 100%. Cox multivariable regression analysis suggested that tumor category (neoplasms containing NEC components or gastric adenocarcinoma) was an independent risk factor for prognosis. Interestingly, among patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy, the difference was not significant.ConclusionsGastric neoplasms containing any proportion of NEC components had poorer overall survival than gastric adenocarcinoma in patients treated with surgery directly, indicating a higher degree of malignancy than gastric adenocarcinoma. Among the patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy, the difference in overall survival was not significant, which was in sharp contrast with the results of the surgery group, suggesting that neoadjuvant therapy may have a good effect in the treatment of these neoplasms.
Implications of ABO blood group in hypertensive patients with covid-19
Authors: Sardu Celestino , Marfella Raffaele , Maggi Paolo , Messina Vincenzo , Cirillo Paolo , Codella Vinicio , Gambardella Jessica , Sardu Antonio , Gatta Gianluca , Santulli Gaetano , Paolisso Giuseppe
Published: August 2020

Background: Hypertension is the most frequent co-morbidity in patients with covid-19 infection, and we might speculate that a specific blood group could play a key role in the clinical outcome of hypertensive patients with covid-19.Methods: In this prospective study, we compared 0 vs. non-0 blood group in hypertensive patients with covid-19 infection. In these patients, we evaluated inflammatory and thrombotic status, cardiac injury, and death events.Results: Patients in non-0 (n=92) vs. 0 blood group (n=72) had significantly different values of activated pro-thrombin time, D-dimer, and thrombotic indexes as Von Willebrand factor and Factor VIII (p<0.05). Furthermore, patients in non-0 vs. 0 blood group had higher rate of cardiac injury (10 (13.9%) vs. 27 (29.3%)) and death, (6 (8.3%) vs. 18 (19.6%)), (p <0.05). At the multivariate analysis, Interleukin-6 (1.118, CI 95% 1.067-1.171) and non-0 blood group (2.574, CI 95% 1.207-5.490) were independent predictors of cardiac injury in hypertensive patients with covid-19. D-dimer (1.082, CI 95% 1.027-1.140), Interleukin-6 (1.216, CI 95% 1.082-1.367) and non-0 blood group (3.706, CI 95% 1.223-11.235) were independent predictors of deaths events in hypertensive patients with covid-19. Conclusions: Taken together, our data indicate that non-0 covid-19 hypertensive patients have significantly higher values of pro-thrombotic indexes, as well as higher rate of cardiac injury and deaths compared to 0 patients. Moreover, AB0 blood type influences worse prognosis in hypertensive patients with covid-19 infection.
Atherogenic index of plasma predicts cerebrovascular accident occurrence in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis
Authors: Ahn Sung Soo , Lee Lucy Eunju , Pyo Jung Yoon , Song Jason Jungsik , Park Yong-Beom , Lee Sang-Won
Published: August 2020

Background: To investigate whether atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) at diagnosis is associated with the occurrence of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or coronary artery disease (CAD) in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV).

Methods: The medical records of 167 AAV patients on initial diagnosis was reviewed, and 300 healthy controls were included. AIP was calculated using the following equation: AIP = Log (triglyceride [mg/dL] / high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [mg/dL]). AAV patients were divided into two groups according to the AIP cut-off of 0.11. The event of stroke, transient ischemic attack, and cerebral hemorrhage was recorded as CVA, and CAD events consisted of either myocardial infarction and angina pectoris. CVA- and CAD- free survival rate between those with AIP ≥ 0.11 and < 0.11 were compared by the Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox hazard analysis was conducted to identify predictors of CVA.

Results: The median age of AAV patients were 59.0 years, and 54 (32.3%) patients were male. One-hundred and fifteen (68.9%) patients had AIP < 0.11 and 52 (31.1%) had AIP ≥ 0.11. The mean Birmingham vasculitis activity score in AAV patients with AIP < 0.11 was lower than that seen in patients with AIP ≥ 0.11 (12.0 vs. 14.0, P = 0.041). AAV patients had a significantly higher AIP compared to controls (mean -0.01 vs. -0.10, P < 0.001). During follow-up, the occurrence of CVA and CAD was observed in 16 (9.6%) and 14 (8.4%) patients, respectively. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, AAV patients with AIP ≥ 0.11 had significantly lower CVA-free survival rates than in those with AIP < 0.11 (P = 0.027), whereas there was no difference in CAD according to AIP (P = 0.390). Multivariable Cox analysis indicated that AIP ≥ 0.11 at diagnosis was the sole predictor of CVA (Hazard ratio 3.392, 95% confidence interval 1.076, 10.696, P = 0.037).

Conclusions: AIP is significantly higher in AAV patients than in healthy controls, and AIP ≥ 0.11 at diagnosis is a significant predictor of CVA during follow-up. Stringent surveillance should be provided in AAV patients with AIP ≥ 0.11 regarding the occurrence of CVA.
Self-similar stochastic slip distributions on a non-planar fault for tsunami scenarios for megathrust earthquakes
Authors: Nakano Masaru , Murphy Shane , Agata Ryoichiro , Igarashi Yasuhiko , Okada Masato , Hori Takane
Published: August 2020

Megathrust earthquakes that occur repeatedly along the plate interface of subduction zones can cause severe damage due to strong ground motion and the destructive tsunamis they can generate. We developed a set of scenario earthquakes to evaluate tsunami hazards and tsunami early warning systems for such devastating earthquakes. Although it is known that the slip distribution on a fault strongly affects the tsunami height distribution in near-field coastal areas, the slip distribution of future earthquakes cannot be exactly predicted. One way to resolve this difficulty is to create a set of scenario earthquakes in which a set of heterogeneous slip distributions on the source fault is stochastically generated based on a given slip probability density function (SPDF). The slip distributions generated in this manner differ from event to event, but their average over a large ensemble of models converges to a predefined SPDF resembling the long-term average of ruptures on the target fault zone. We created a set of SPDF-based scenario earthquakes for an expected future M w 8.2 Tonankai earthquake in the eastern half of the Nankai trough, off southwest Japan, and computed the ensuing tsunamis. We found that the estimated peak coastal amplitudes among the ensemble of tsunamis along the near-field coast differed by factors of 3 to 9 and the earliest and latest arrivals at each observation site differed by 400 to 700 s. The variations in both peak tsunami amplitude and arrival time at each site were well approximated by a Gaussian distribution. For cases in which the slip distribution is unknown, the average and standard deviation of these scenario datasets can provide first approximations of forecast tsunami height and arrival time and their uncertainties, respectively. At most coastal observation sites, tsunamis modelled similarly but using a uniform slip distribution underpredicted tsunami amplitudes but gave earlier arrival times than those modeled with a heterogeneous slip distribution. Use of these earlier arrival times may be useful for providing conservative early warnings of tsunami arrivals. Therefore, tsunami computations for both heterogeneous and uniform slip distributions are important for tsunami disaster mitigation.
The Correlation of Time of Cervical Flexion with Cervical Symptoms in Office Workers: A Cohort Study
Authors: Jinlong Zhang , Yunyun Fang , Lijie Gao , Jian Chen , Cheng Wang , Hongchen He , Qinglu Luo
Published: August 2020

Background: An increasing number of office workers complain of neck pain after extended smart phone use. We conducted this study to examine the correlation between the time of cervical flexion (CFI) during smart phone use and cervical symptoms of office workers in China.Methods: In this cohort study, 1791 individuals responded to an on line questionnaire. For our study, we included responses of 498 [27.8%] office workers. Excluded from the study were 1293 [72.9%] individuals including building workers, students, non-office workers, and those who did not complete the questionnaire. Participants completed an online questionnaire survey from May 29, 2019 to April 10, 2020. The (Neck Disability Index) NDI was used to evaluate cervical symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression, threshold saturation effect analysis, t-test, and Pearson’s chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. Results: We analyzed questionnaire results of the 498 office workers. The t-test showed no significant differences among the gender groups for age, working age, and NDI scores (P>0.05). Compared with other activities, smart phone use had no positive correlation with NDI scores (P>0.05), while low back pain had a strong correlation with NDI scores (P<0.05). When adjusting for age, working age, and low back pain covariates, CFI had a positive correlation with NDI scores. In addition, CFI had a curve line correlation with NDI-a monotone increasing relationship; the fold point was 6 (P<0.05).Conclusions: CFI had a positive curve line correlation with the NDI suggesting that office workers should limit CFI to a maximum of 6 hours to decrease cervical symptoms.
A Covariance Matrix-based Spectrum Sensing Technology Exploiting Stochastic Resonance and Filters
Authors: Lu Jin , Huang Ming , Yang Jingjing
Published: August 2020

Cognitive radio (CR) is designed to implement dynamical spectrum sharing and reduce the negative effect of spectrum scarcity caused by the exponential increase in the number of wireless devices. CR requires that spectrum sensing should detect licenced signals quickly and accurately and enable coexistence between primary and secondary users without interference. However, spectrum sensing with a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is still a challenge in CR systems. This paper proposes a novel covariance matrix-based spectrum sensing method by using stochastic resonance (SR) and filters. SR is implemented to enforce the detection signal of multiple antennas in low SNR conditions. The filters are equipped in the receiver to reduce the interference segment of noise frequency. Then, two test statistics computed by the likelihood ratio test (LRT) or the maximum eigenvalues detector (MED) are constructed by the sample covariance matrix of the processed signals. The simulation results exhibit the spectrum sensing performance of the proposed algorithms under various channel conditions, namely, additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and Rayleigh fading channels. The energy detector (ED) is also compared with LRT and MED. The simulation results demonstrate that SR and filter implementation can achieve a considerable improvement in spectrum sensing performance under a strong noise background.
Bioelectronics-on-a-chip for cardio myoblast proliferation enhancement using electric field stimulation.
Authors: Aragon Angel , Cebro-Márquez María , Perez Eliseo , Pazos Antonio , Lage Ricardo , González-Juanatey José Ramón , Moscoso Isabel , Bao-Varela Carmen , Nieto Daniel
Published: August 2020

Background: Cardio myoblast generation from conventional approaches is laborious and time-consuming. We present a bioelectronics on-a-chip for stimulating cells cardio myoblast proliferation during culture. Method: The bioelectronics chip fabrication methodology involves two different process. In the first step, an aluminum layer of 200 nm is deposited over a soda-lime glass substrate using physical vapor deposition and selectively removed using a Q-switched Nd:YVO4 laser to create the electric tracks. To perform the experiments, we developed a biochip composed of a cell culture chamber fabricated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with a glass coverslip or a cell culture dish placed over the electric circuit tracks. By using such a glass cover slip or cell culture dish we avoid any toxic reactions caused by electrodes in the culture or may be degraded by electrochemical reactions with the cell medium, which is crucial to determine the effective cell-device coupling. Results: The chip was used to study the effect of electric field stimulation of Rat ventricular cardiomyoblasts cells (H9c2). Results shows a remarkable increase in the number of H9c2 cells for the stimulated samples, where after 72 hours the cell density double the cell density of control samples. Conclusions: Cell proliferation of Rat ventricular cardiomyoblasts cells (H9c2) using the bioelectronics-on-a-chip was enhanced upon the electrical stimulation. The dependence on the geometrical characteristics of the electric circuit on the peak value and homogeneity of the electric field generated are analyzed and proper parameters to ensure a homogeneous electric field at the cell culture chamber are obtained. It can also be observed a high dependence of the electric field on the geometry of the electrostimulator circuit tracks and envisage the potential applications on electrophysiology studies, monitoring and modulate cellular behavior through the application of electric fields