bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and Validation of a Decisional Balance Tool to Assess Perceived Benefits and Barriers of Vegetable Consumption in Adults
Authors: Kawaguchi Yaeko , Somei Junichiro , Kawaguchi Chikana , Suganuma Akiko , Nirengi Shinsuke , Sakane Naoki
Published: June 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a decisional balance tool for assessing the perceived benefits and barriers of vegetable intake in adults. Methods: Our study comprised 379 adults aged 20–70 years (mean age: 30.5 ± 12.6 years; men: 21.4%). Data (demographic parameters, vegetable intake, stage of change) were collected via a web-based survey. The decisional balance score was calculated by subtracting the score for perceived barriers from the score for perceived benefits.Results: The final 24 items in our questionnaire had a two-domain (“pleasure” and “healthy” for perceived benefits) or three-domain (“not attractive,” “low priority,” and “hard to get” for perceived barriers) structure with high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.82, 0.79, 0.82, 0.76, and 0.76, respectively). The intraclass correlation coefficient in a test-retest reliability study was high (0.77). The decisional balance score positively correlated with the number of vegetable servings as the external parameter (Spearman's correlation: 0.461; P <0.001).Conclusions: Our questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the pros and cons of vegetable consumption in adults.
Risk factors of lymph node metastasis in the splenic hilum of gastric cancer patients: A meta-analysis
Authors: Du Jun , Shen Yangchao , Yan Wenwu , Wang Jinguo
Published: June 2020

Background It remains controversial whether splenic hilum lymph nodes (SHLNs) should be excised in radical gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. In this study, we evaluated the role of clinicopathological features in patients with gastric cancer in predicting splenic hilum lymph nodes metastasis.Methods We searched the Medline, Embase, PubMed and Web of Science databases from inception to May 2020 and consulted related references. 15 articles with a total of 4377 patients were included finally. The odds ratios (ORs) of each risk factor and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were determined using Revman 5.3 software. Results Meta-analysis showed that tumor size greater than 5 cm (p < 0.01), tumor localization in the greater curvature (p < 0.01), diffuse type (Lauren’s type) (p < 0.01), Borrman type 3–4 (p < 0.01), poor differentiation and undifferentiation (p < 0.01), depth of invasion T3–T4 (p < 0.01), number of lymph node metastases N2–N3 (p < 0.01), distance metastasis M1 (p < 0.01), TNM stage 3–4 (p < 0.01), vascular invasion (p = 0.01), and lymphatic invasion (p < 0.01) were risk factors of SHLNs metastasis. Moreover, No. 1-, 2-, 3-, 4sa-, 4sb-, 4d-, 6-, 7-, 9-, 11-, and 16-positive lymph node metastasis are strongly associated with splenic hilum lymph nodes metastasis.Conclusions Tumor size, tumor location, Lauren’s type, Borrman type, degree of differentiation, T stage, N stage, M stage, TNM stage, vascular invasion, lymphatic infiltration, and other positive lymph nodes metastasis were risk factors for SHLNs.
A Processing Method for Kinematics Data of Human Knee Joint Obtained by Motion-Capture Measurement
Authors: Wang Jian-ping , Wang Shi-hua , Zhao Xuan , Hu Hai , Wang Yan-qing , Liu Jin-lai , Chen Xu , Li Yu
Published: June 2020

Background: The data obtained by motion capture method is many and complex, so it is the key to find an efficient method to process the data. Therefore, to develop a processing method for kinematics data of human knee joint by programming on MATLAB sofware. Methods: The coordinate data of markers on human lower limb measured by motion capture system were firstly read and repaired through the program. Then the coordinate data of anatomical points in the movement of human lower limb were obtained by program processing. The local coordinate systems of human femur and tibia were established with anatomical points. After that the flexion/extension, abduction/adduction and internal/external rotation of human knee tibiofemoral joint in the movement of lower limb were obtained by coordinate transformation. Lastly, the motion capture and measurement of healthy volunteers were carried out and the MATLAB program was used for data processing.Results: Using the above methods, motion capture measurements and batch data processing were carried out on squatting and ascending stairs of 29 healthy volunteers to obtain the motion characteristics of the knee joint. As follows, the maximum range of internal and external rotation in squatting is 30.5 degrees, and the maximum range of internal and external rotation in climbing stairs is 16.5 degrees, etc., respectively compared with the results processed by other research methods, it is found that their movement results are basically consistent, thus verifying the reliability of our research method.Conclusion: The kinematics data of human knee joint could be processed accurately and effectively with the method by using MATLAB software, and the kinematics characteristics of human knee tibiofemoral joint were obtained. The processing method provides a reference for the designing and optimization of knee prosthesis, and the program can be modified for different purposes. At the same time, it is helpful to study knee joint movement of patients after total knee arthroplasty. Keywords: Knee joint, Motion capture measurement, MATLAB, Kinematics
Refined tumescent liposuction-curettage with pruning in small incisions for treatment of axillary bromhidrosis
Authors: Li Cai-Yun , Wang Xiao-Feng , Zhou Hai-ying , Fang Qing-Qing , Tan Weiqiang
Published: June 2020

Background
Axillary bromhidrosis is widespread social problem in our society. Various modalities have been developed for destruction or removal of the apocrine sweat glands to eliminate the malodor. But conventional surgical treatments often result in high complication rate and frequent recurrence. In the study, we evaluate the effect of refined tumescent liposuction-curettage with pruning in small incisions in the treatment of axillary bromhidrosis.
Methods
From July of 2013 to April of 2019, 110 patients (75 women and 35 men) with axillary bromhidrosis were treated by refined tumescent liposuction-curettage with pruning. The results of malodor elimination were evaluated by both the patients and doctors as very satisfied (excellent), satisfied (good), some satisfied (fair), and not satisfied (poor). Postoperative complications, including dehiscence, infection, wound contracture, cyst, subcutaneous hydrops, haematoma or seroma were evaluated as well. Preoperative and postoperative histological examinations of axillary tissue were performed in 2 patients.
Results
Among subjective evaluation of the 110 patients, 33 (30.0%) were graded as very satisfed results, 70 (63.6%) were satisfied, and 7 (6.4%) was some satisfied. The objective evaluation showed 43 (39.1%) were graded as excellent results and all the others were good. No serious complications were happened except three showed slightly local subcutaneous hydrops and haematoma. Histologic examinations showed the apocrine glands significant decreased or destroyed after surgery.
Conclusion
Refined tumescent liposuction-curettage with pruning in small incisions is an effective method for treatment of axillary bromhidrosis.
The use of ultrasound to locate a tethered surgical drain: a novel way to achieve fast removal
Authors: Li Hui , Du Yan , Wu Jia-bin , Wang Pan , Yang Jun , Hu Ping , Ai Tao
Published: June 2020

Background
It is rare that drains cannot be removed after surgery, however, this situation cannot be completely avoided, and is also hard to deal with. The main reason for a tethered drain is inadvertent suture fixation. At present, no effective way was published or widely accepted to locate the tethered drain.
Methods
Three cases of orthopedic trauma patients experienced unsuccessful removal of the drain after surgery. The ultrasound was used to locate the sutured site of the drain. Based on the sliding sign and vanishing point which can be detected by the ultrasound, the sutured site of the drain can be clearly identified. Finally, the suture was loosened through a small incision, and the drain was completely removed.
Results
The surgical procedure was very successful in all patients. The tethered drain was quickly and completely removed through a small incision with locating by ultrasound. Intravenous antibiotics were administered within 24 hours after surgery, and no wound or deep infections occurred.
Conclusions
Ultrasound can be used to locate a tethered drain based on the sliding sign. This method can simplify the release procedure and achieve fast removal of the drain. Furthermore, it will help lower the risk of a retained drain and soft tissue complications.
Ureteroscopic lithotripsy combined with stent placement contributed to long-term auto-release of lithangiuria in upper urinary tract after ureterolithotripsy
Authors: Sun Liujing , Zhao Jun
Published: June 2020

Background

To investigate the clinical efficiency of ureterectasis combined with stent placement in the long-term auto-release of lithangiuria in upper urinary tract after ureterolithotripsy.
Methods

In this retrospective analysis, we included the patients (male: 314; female: 49; age: 32–78 yrs; median age: 53 yrs) admitted to our hospital between January 2014 and January 2018 underwent ureterolithotripsy (URS group, n = 178) and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL group, n = 212) for treating lithangiuria in upper urinary tract. All the patients were followed up for 24–59 months after treatment (median: 38 months). Uni-variate and multi-variate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors that could affect the long-term release of lithangiuria in upper urinary tract. Then we compared the short diameter of the ureter surpassing the stenosis of iliac vessels and the long-term auto-release of lithotripsy between the two groups.
Results

Logistic regression analysis indicated that the risk of auto-release of the stones in the upper urinary tract in the URS group was significantly higher than that of the ESWL group (OR = 3.357, 95% CI: 1.234–9.137). Stent placement was an independent risk factor for long-term auto-release of lithotripsy (P < 0.01). The short diameter of the ureter surpassing the stenosis of iliac vessels after URS was significantly longer than that of the baseline level (6.06 ± 1.26 mm vs. 3.63 ± 0.98 mm, t = 20.88, P < 0.01). The short diameter of the ureter surpassing the stenosis of iliac vessels after ESWL showed no statistical differences compared with that of the baseline level (3.67 ± 1.02 mm vs. 3.61 ± 0.94 mm, t=-0.798, P = 0.425). Sixteen cases (2.8%) in the URS group showed auto-release of stones during the follow-up, which was significantly higher than that in the ESWL group with 6 cases (13.5%) presented auto-release of stones (χ2 = 6.895, P = 0.09).
Conclusions

The combination of URS and stent replacement induced obvious ureterctasis, which may contribute to the auto-release of stones in the upper urinary tract in the long-term.
Secondary Primary Lung Cancer After Esophageal Cancer: A Population-Based Study of 44,172 Patients
Authors: Gao Yadong , Qiu Jianwei , Gu Liugen , Yang Yanmei , Kang Haifeng , Zhang Yong , Zhang Yan , Zhang Shenglai , Qian Junbo
Published: June 2020

Background: The present study aimed to assess the incidence, characteristics, and survival of secondary primary lung cancer after primary esophageal cancer (EC-LC). Methods: The patients with esophageal cancer (EC) who developed SPLC and patients with first primary lung cancer (LC-1) were retrospectively reviewed in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 registries covering 2000 to 2016. The risk of secondary primary lung cancer using standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was calculated among patients with EC. Overall survival and characteristics were compared between patients with EC-LC and patients with LC-1.Results: In comparison with the general population, the patients with EC had a higher risk for developing secondary primary lung cancer (SIR =1.86, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.69-2.05). There was a significant difference with regard to the year of diagnosis, sex, grade and stage between the secondary primary lung squamous carcinoma after EC (EC-LUSC) and first primary lung squamous carcinoma (LUSC-1) patients. A statistically significant difference with respect to race, sex, age, year, grade and stage was found between the secondary primary lung adenocarcinoma after EC (EC-LUAD) and first primary lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD-1) patients. A history of EC was found to be an independent risk factor of death for lung squamous carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma patients in localized stage based on multivariate Cox regression analysis, propensity score-matching analysis and multiple imputation.Conclusion: There is a significantly increased risk of secondary primary lung cancer in EC survivors and a history of EC adversely affects overall survival in individuals who subsequently develop localized EC-LUSC and EC-LUAD. Clinicians should moderately strengthen lung tissue protection during the management of EC patients.
Mir-20a-5p Induced WTX Deficiency Promotes Gastric Cancer Progressions Through Regulating PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway
Authors: Li Jian , Ye Danli , Shen Peng , Liu Xiaorong , Zhou Peirong , Zhu Guifang , Xu Yangwei , Fu Yun , Li Xuanqi , Sun Jingbo , Xu Jia , Zhang Qingling
Published: June 2020

Background: The X-linked gene WTX (also called AMER1), has been reported to act as a tumor suppress gene in Wilms tumor. Our previous study reported that WTX expression was significantly reduced in gastric cancer (GC), but the function and mechanism of WTX loss had not been fully elucidated yet. Methods: WTX/miR-20a-5p expression was analyzed in paraffin-embedded archived GC tissues and validated in public databases. KEGG pathway analyses were performed to explore the mechanism of WTX in GC progression. The role of WTX/miR-20a-5p in cell growth, migration, invasion and angiogenesis was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Western blot, immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, luciferase assay, and Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) were used to detect the regulation of WTX and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling by miR-20a-5p.Results: We revealed that WTX served as a tumor suppressor whose loss associated with the aggressive feature of GC by showing hyperproliferation in vitro and high metastasis phenotype in vivo. And WTX expression level was positively correlated with the overall survival of GC patients. Microarray, bioinformatics analysis, and verification experiments showed that WTX loss activated PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, and promoted the proliferation and invasion of GC cells. We also discovered that the miR-20a-5P aberrant upregulation was one of the reasons inducing WTX loss in GC which stimulated PI3K phosphorylation to activate PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, thus promoted GC progression.Conclusions: This study unveiled the mechanism of GC progression which was, at least partially, caused by miR-20a-5p aberrant upregulation which inhibited WTX expression and thus activate PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. It provided a comprehensive understanding of the action of miR-20a-5p/WTX/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in the progression and metastasis of GC.
International Research Collaborations on COVID-19 Amidst Geopolitical Tensions with China
Authors: Lee Jenny J. , Haupt John P.
Published: June 2020

As the threat of COVID-19 and US-China tensions are increasing, this study focused on this intensifying intersection between geopolitics and global science in the midst of a pandemic. This scientometric study compared proportions of international S&E collaborations during and before COVID-19 by countries through the lenses of scientific nationalism and scientific globalism. Social network analyses were also conducted to observe the various ties between countries on S&E COVID-19 publications, with a particular focus on China. While scientific nationalism would assume that the current political rhetoric and protectionist policies would lead to a decrease in international collaboration, our findings showed the reverse. The proportion of international collaborations and extent of multilateralism generally increased. Findings also revealed that despite geopolitical tensions and China’s recently introduced publication evaluation policy, the US and China remain the world’s leading international collaborators, including on S&E COVID-19 research.
Diminished Corticomotor Excitability in Gulf War I Veterans with Chronic Pain Symptoms
Authors: Lei Karen , Kunnel Alphonsa , Metzger-Smith Valerie , Golshan Shahrokh , Javors Jennifer , Wei Jennie , Lee Roland , Vaninetti Michael , Rutledge Thomas , Leung Albert
Published: June 2020

Background: Diminished motor cortical excitability, as a measurement of increased resting motor threshold with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), is known to be associated with chronic pain conditions. Over 175,000 veterans who were deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1990-91 suffer from an unexplained multisymptom illness termed Gulf War Illness (GWI) with chronic headaches and diffuse body pain as the most commonly reported symptoms. This study hypothesized that veterans with Gulf War Illness related pain exhibit diminished corticomotor excitability associated with chronic pain states and aimed to assess the resting motor threshold (RMT) at the primary motor cortex (M1) in veterans with GWI.Methods: Single pulse TMS was administered over the left motor cortex, using anatomical scans of each subject to guide the TMS coil, starting at 25% of maximum stimulator output (MSO) and increasing in steps of 2% until a motor response with a 50 µV peak to peak amplitude, defined as the RMT, was evoked at the flexor pollicis brevis muscle. RMT was then analyzed using Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (RM-ANOVA).Results: Gulf War Veterans (GWV) with chronic headaches and body pain (N=20) had a significantly (P<0.001) higher average resting motor threshold (%± SD) of 77.2%±16.7% compared to age and gender matched GWV Controls (N=20), whose average was 55.6%±8.8%.Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a higher level of stimulation was required to evoke a motor response in veterans with GWI related pain. This diminished corticomotor excitability that suggests a reduced state of supraspinal pain modulatory function. Though further studies will be needed, TMS may provide a means of effectively rectifying this modulatory deficit.
Mortality calculator as a possible prognostic predictor for overall survival after gastrectomy in elderly patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Akaike Hidenori , Kawaguchi Yoshihiko , Maruyama Suguru , Shoda Katsutoshi , Satio Ryo , Furuya Shinji , Hosomura Naohiro , Amemiya Hidetake , Kawaida Hiromichi , Sudoh Makoto , Inoue Shingo , Kohno Hiroshi , Ichikawa Daisuke
Published: June 2020

Background The number of elderly patients with gastric cancer (elderGC) has been increasing. Most of elderly patients were associated with reduced physiological functions, which sometimes constitute an obstacle to safe surgical treatments. The risk calculator of National Clinical Database (NRC), a Japanese surgical big database, provides mortality and morbidity as surgical-related risks. The purpose of this study is to investigate clinical significance of operative mortality calculated by NRC (NRC-mortality) during long-term follow-up after gastrectomy for elderGC.Methods We enrolled 73 patients aged 80 or over who underwent gastrectomy at our institution. Their surgical risk was evaluated based on the NRC-mortality. Several clinicopathological factors including NRC-mortality were selected and analyzed as possible prognostic factors for elderGC after gastrectomy. Statistical analysis was performing using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard model.Results NRC-mortality ranged 0.5 to 10.6%, and median value was 1.7%. Dividing elderGC into high- (1.7% or more, n=38) and low- (less than 1.7%, n=35) mortality groups, high-mortality group showed a significantly poor prognosis in overall survival (OS) than the low-mortality group, whereas there was no difference between the two groups in disease specific survival (DSS). In the analysis of Cox proportional hazard model, multivariate analysis revealed that NRC-mortality was an independent prognostic factor as well as neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and surgical procedure in OS. In contrast, PS and pStage were independent prognostic factors in DSS, but not NRC-mortality.Conclusions The NRC-mortality might be clinical useful for not only predicting surgical mortality but also OS after gastrectomy in elderGC.
The pathological significance of abnormal RON and PD-L1 expression in colorectal cancer
Authors: Liu Yi-Zhi , Han Da-Ting , Shi Dan-Rong , Hong Bo , Qian Yun , Wu Zhi-Gang , Yao Shu-Hao , Tang Tao-Ming , Xu Xiang-Ming , Wang Ming-Hai , Yao Hangping
Published: June 2020

Background: PD-L1 immunotherapy remains poorly efficacious in colorectal cancer. The RON receptor tyrosine kinase plays an important role in regulating tumor immunity. Here, we identify patterns of RON and PD-L1 expression and explore the clinical significance of these patterns in colorectal cancer.
Methods: Gene expression data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO; n = 290) and patients at the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (FAHZUSM; n = 381) and were analyzed to determine the prognostic value of RON and PD-L1 expression within the tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer. Human colorectal cancer cell lines were treated with BMS-777607 to explore the relationship between RON activity and PD-L1 protein expression. Signaling pathways and protein expression perturbed by RON inhibition were evaluated by cellular immunofluorescence and western blot.
Results: In the GEO cohort, cut-off values for RON and PD-L1 expression of 7.70 and 4.30, respectively, were determined. Stratification of patients based on these cutoffs demonstrated that high expression of RON and PD-L1 associated with poor prognosis. In the FAHZUSM cohort, rates of high expression of RON in tumor cells, high PD-L1 expression in tumor cells and in tumor infiltrating monocytes, and both high RON and high PD-L1 expression in the tumor microenvironment were 121 (32%), 43 (11%), 91 (24%), and 51 (13.4%), respectively. High expression of RON and high expression of PD-L1 in the tumor cell compartment was significantly correlated (p < 0.001). High expression of RON and PD-L1 were independent prognostic factors for poorer overall survival. Concurrent high expression of both RON and PD-L1 in the tumor microenvironment was significantly associated with poor prognosis. In vitro , BMS-777607 inhibited the phosphorylation of RON, inhibited PD-L1 expression, and attenuated activation of the ERK1/2 and AKT signaling pathways in colorectal cancer cells.
Conclusions: RON, PD-L1 and the crosstalk between these proteins plays an important role in predicting the prognostic value of colorectal cancer. Moreover, phosphorylation of RON upregulates the expression of PD-L1, which provides a novel approach to immunotherapy in colorectal cancer.
Urban-rural differences in catastrophic health expenditure among households with chronic non-communicable disease patients : evidence from China Family Panel Studies
Authors: Fu Xianzhi , Sun Qi-wei , Sun Chang-qing , Xu Fei , He Jun-jian
Published: June 2020

Background: The prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) challenges the Chinese health system reform. Little is known for the differences in catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) between urban and rural households with NCD patients. This study aims to measure the differences above and quantify the contribution of each variable in explaining the urban-rural differences.Methods: The second and the fourth waves of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data, conducted in 2012 and 2016, were employed in this cross-sectional study. The techniques of Fairlie nonlinear decomposition and Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition were employed to measure the contribution of each independent variable to the urban-rural differences.Results: The CHE incidence and intensity of households with NCD patients were significantly higher in rural areas than in urban areas. The explained disparity of CHE incidence increased from 3.15% in 2012 to 27.04% in 2016, and the corresponding values of CHE intensity rose from 21.30% in 2012 to 53.37% in 2016. The major contribution to the urban-rural differences in CHE was associated with household economic status, education level, health status and supplementary medical insurance (SMI).Conclusions: Compared with urban households with NCD patients, rural households with NCD patients have higher risk of incurring CHE and heavier economic burden of diseases. Policy interventions should give priority to decreasing the urban-rural disparity in observable characteristics.
The Inhibition of Long Non-Coding RNA CAR10 and The Regulation of miR-203 Expression Suppresses Cell Viability and Induces Cell Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Zhang Liansheng , Chen Yougan , Wang Zhenjie , Xia Qiang
Published: June 2020

Background: Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common malignant tumors. Recently, it has been reported that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in tumor progression. Studies have revealed that long non-coding RNA CAR10 (CAR10) can regulate tumor cell behaviors through sponging miR-203. In this study, we examined the effects of CAR10 in PC cells. Methods: Firstly, real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to explore CAR10 expression in tumor tissues, peripheral blood of PC patients, and PC cells. We used the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay to analyze the relationship between CAR10 and miR-203. Moreover, flow cytometry, MTT assay, and western blot assay were used to determine cell apoptosis, cell viability, and apoptosis-related protein expression. Results: The results showed that CAR10 expression was remarkably higher in PC samples compared with that of control, and CAR10 regulated miR-203 negatively in PC cells. The qRT-PCR results also showed that miR-203 expression was significantly decreased in PC samples. Moreover, knockdown of CAR10 inhibited PC cell viability and promoted cleaved caspase-3 expression but induced PC cell apoptosis and, reduced pro-caspase-3 expression; miR-203 inhibitor reversed these effects. Conclusion: Our study found that CAR10 is a potential oncogene in PC and suggests that CAR10 inhibition could inhibit PC cell viability but promote PC cell apoptosis through regulating miR-203 expression. Our results show that CAR10 is a potential target for the treatment of PC.
Identifying hub genes associated with clinical characteristics in IgA nephropathy by WGCNA
Authors: Yang Chengyu , Li Chenyu , Zhao Long , Zhou Bin , Luo Congjuan , Jiang Wei , Luan Hong , Xu Yan
Published: June 2020

Background

Clinically, IgA nephropathy (IgAN) has a variety of symptoms including paroxysmal gross hematuria, nephritic syndrome and nephrotic syndrome. However, the currently research of IgAN research is not thoroughly enough. This study was aimed at investigating hub genes and genes modulars related to IgAN clinical characteristics.

Results

We collected microarray data from 66 human samples to construct the gene co-expression network by weighted gene co-expression network analysis and identify the hub genes associated with clinical characteristics. The GO-enriched analysis, pathway analysis and protein-protein interaction network were used to study the specific clinically relevant hub genes. The results showed there were 1470 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in IgAN glomeruli, of which 48 hub genes associated with blood pressure (Bp) and enriched in ERK1 and ERK2 cascade and Rap1 signaling pathway, 223 hub genes associated with body Mass Index (BMI) and related to organic acid catabolic process and fatty acid degradation pathway, 136 hub genes associated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) enriched in immune response and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, 82 hub genes associated with proteinuria enriched in extracellular matrix organization and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Moreover, there were 480 DEGs IgAN in tubulointerstitium. Among 480 DEGs, 35 hub genes associated with Bp which enriched in positive regulation of apoptotic process, 87 hub genes associated with GFR which related in negative regulation of macromolecule metabolic process and RNA transport, 33 hub genes associated with proteinuria and enriched in regulation of apoptotic process and FoxO signaling pathway.

Conclusions

We made a preliminary investigation of the transcriptome of IgAN and identified hub genes and pathways closely related to BMI, GFR and proteinuria in IgAN.
One-Step Heating Strategy for Efficient Solubilization of Recombinant Spider Silk Protein From Inclusion Bodies
Authors: Cai Hui , Chen Gefei , Yu Hairui , Tang Ying , Xiong Sidong , Qi Xingmei
Published: June 2020

Background: Spider silk is a proteinaceous fiber with remarkable mechanical properties spun from spider silk proteins (spidroins). Engineering spidroins have been successfully produced in a variety of heterologous hosts and the most widely used expression system is Escherichia coli (E. coli). So far, recombinantly expressed spidroins often form insoluble inclusion bodies (IBs), which will often be dissolved under extremely harsh conditions in a traditional manner, e.g. either 8 mol/L urea or 6 mol/L guanidine hydrochloride, highly risking to poor recovery of bioactive proteins as well as unexpected precipitations during dialysis process. Results: Here, we present a mild solubilization strategy—one-step heating method to solubilize spidroins from IBs, with combining spidroins’ high thermal stability with low concentration of urea. A 430-aa recombinant protein (designated as NM) derived from the minor ampullate spidroin of Araneus ventricosus was expressed in E. coli, and the recombinant proteins were mainly present in insoluble fraction as IBs. The isolated IBs were solubilized parallelly by both traditional urea-denatured method and one-step heating method, respectively. The solubilization efficiency of NM IBs in Tris-HCl pH 8.0 containing 4 mol/L urea by one-step heating method was already comparable to that of 7 mol/L urea with using traditional urea-denatured method. The effects of buffer, pH and temperature conditions on NM IBs solubilization of one-step heating method were evaluated, respectively, based on which the recommended conditions are: heating temperature 70–90°C for 20 min, pH 7.0–10, urea concentration 2–4 mol/L in normal biological buffers. The recombinant NM generated via the one-step heating method held the potential functions with self-assembling into sphere nanoparticles with smooth morphology.Conclusions: The one-step heating method introduced here efficiently solubilizes IBs under relatively mild conditions compared to the traditional ones, which might be important for the downstream applications. Further, this method can be applied under broad buffer, pH and temperature conditions, conferring the potential to apply to other thermal stable proteins.
Are We Contented in Achieving Universal Health Coverage in Treating Dengue Patients in Sri Lanka?
Authors: Perera Nadeeka , Silva Amala De , Wass Dulshika Amarasinghe , Wijewickrama Ananda , Prathapan Shamini
Published: June 2020

BackgroundAmong infectious diseases, Dengue illness causes a major public health threat in Sri Lanka. The preventive and the curative services place a financial burden on the state health sectorand household cost and out of pocket expenditure also are important cost components embedded with Dengue infection. ObjectiveTo estimate the household costs andout of pocket expenditure incurred due to Dengue infection among adults who received institutional care.MethodsA longitudinal study was conducted from July to December 2018. Fifty patients each from DF and DHF categories were recruited with systematic sampling admitted to an institution in Colombo District, Sri Lanka.Adults residing in Colombo District of Sri Lanka for more than six months prior to Dengue/DHF episode, were recruited based on a systematic sampling method. Details were obtained via an interviewer administered questionnaire. They were interviewed on day of discharge from the hospital and were followed up for two weeks. Unit cost per patient was calculated. The household costs were calculated for three phases; ambulatory cost, costs incurred during hospitalization and post hospitalization costs. These components were described using mean, median, standard deviation and inter-quartile range and out of pocket expenditure were calculatedResultsThe median age in DF group was 38.5 years and in DHF group was 28.5 years.Average household cost was US$127.69(SD=93.32) and US$134.71(SD=94.31) for DF and DHF patients respectively. Among DF patients 98.03% was borne using OOPE and among DHF patients it was 95.57%. In 2016, the average monthly income of a household in Colombo was US$571.82. Thereforenearly 25% of the monthly income had been spent on a single adult with Dengue.Conclusions and RecommendationsIf an adult member is hospitalized with Dengueinfection the Out of pocket expenditure is high, which is nearly 25% of a family’s monthly income.Strengthening the Dengue control programme is the key towards Universal Health Coverage.
Retinal Microvascular Alterations in Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Chua Jacqueline , Hu Qinglan , Ke Mengyuan , Tan Bingyao , Hong Jimmy , Yao Xinwen , Hilal Saima , Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy , Garhöfer Gerhard , Cheung Carol Y. , Wong Tien Yin , Chen Christopher Li-Hsian , Schmetterer Leopold
Published: June 2020

Background: The retina and brain share many neuronal and vasculature characteristics developmentally and potential biomarkers may be present in the retina. We investigated the retinal microvasculature in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 24 AD participants, 37 MCI participants, and 29 controls were diagnosed according to internationally accepted criteria. OCTA images of the superficial and deep capillary plexus (SCP, DCP) of the retinal microvasculature were obtained using a commercial OCTA system (Zeiss Cirrus HD-5000 with AngioPlex, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA). The main outcome measures were vessel density (VD) and fractal dimension (FD) in the SCP and DCP within a 2.5-mm ring around the fovea were compared between groups. Perfusion density of large vessels and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area were additional outcome parameters.Results: Age, gender and race did not differ among groups. However, there was a significant difference in diabetes status (P=0.039), and systolic blood pressure (P=0.008) among the groups. After adjusting for confounders, AD participants showed significantly decreased VD in SCP and DCP (P = 0.005 and P = 0.016, respectively) and decreased FD in SCP (P = 0.008), compared to controls. MCI participants showed significantly decreased VD and FD only in SCP (P = 0.005 and P < 0.001, respectively) and not the DCP (P > 0.05) compared with controls. There was no difference in the OCTA variables between AD and MCI (P > 0.05). Perfusion density of large vessels and FAZ area did not differ significantly between groups (P > 0.05).Conclusions and relevance: Eyes of patients with AD have significantly reduced macular VD in both plexuses whereas MCI participants only showed reduction in the superficial plexus. Changes in the retinal microvasculature and capillary network may mirror small vessel cerebrovascular changes in AD.
The Impact of A Multi-Domain Intervention on Cerebral Glucose Metabolism: Analysis from the Randomized Ancillary FDG PET MAPT trial
Authors: Delrieu Julien , Voisin Thierry , Saint-Aubert Laure , Carrie Isabelle , Cantet Christelle , Vellas Bruno , Payoux Pierre , Andrieu Sandrine
Published: June 2020

Background: The Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial (MAPT) was designed to assess the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, multidomain intervention (MI), or a combination of both on cognition. Although the MAPT study was negative, an effect of MI in maintaining cognitive functions compared to placebo group was showed in positive amyloid subjects. A FDG PET study (MAPT-NI) was implemented to test the impact of MI on brain glucose metabolism.Methods: MAPT-NI was a randomized, controlled parallel-group single-center study, exploring the effect of MI on brain glucose metabolism. Participants were non-demented, and had memory complaints, limitation in one instrumental activity of daily living, or slow gait. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to « MI group » or « No MI group ». The MI consisted of group sessions focusing on 3 domains: cognitive stimulation, physical activity, nutrition, and a preventive consultation. [18F]FDG PET scans were performed at baseline, 6 months and 12 months, and cerebral Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans at baseline The primary objective was to evaluate the MI effect on brain glucose metabolism assessed by [18F]FDG PET imaging at 6 months. The primary outcome was the quantification of regional metabolism rate for glucose in cerebral regions involved early in Alzheimer disease by relative semi-quantitative SUVr (FDG-based AD biomarker). An exploratory voxel-wise analysis was performed to assess the effect of MI on brain glucose metabolism without anatomical hypothesis.Results: The intention-to-treat population included 67 subjects (34 in the « MI group » and 33 in the « No MI group ». No significant MI effect was observed on primary outcome at 6 and 12 months. In the exploratory voxel-wise analysis, we observed a difference in favor of « MI group » on the change of cerebral glucose metabolism in limbic lobe (right hippocampus, right posterior cingulate, left posterior parahippocampal gyrus) at 6 months.Conclusions: MI failed to show an effect on metabolism in FDG-based AD biomarker, but exploratory analysis suggested positive effect on limbic system metabolism. This finding could suggest a delay effect of MI on AD progression.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier, NCT01513252.
Transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) hysterectomy for uterus weighing ≥ 1kg
Authors: Wang Xiaojuan , LI Junwei , Hua Keqin , Chen Yisong
Published: June 2020

Background: The transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) applied in gynecology has been developed recent years and been evolving. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effect of the transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) hysterectomy for uterus ≥ 1 kilogram (kg). Methods: From January 2019 to March 2020, 39 patients with benign indications in cases of uterus weighing ≥ 1kg, underwent vNOTES hysterectomy were studied retrospectively. The patient demographics, indications for surgery, operation outcomes and patient follow-up details were recorded.Results: The mean age was 48 years (range 42-66); the mean BMI was 24 kg/m 2 (range 18.4-38); the mean operating time was 123.3 minutes (rang 40-400), mean estimated blood loss was 206.7 milliliters (range 10-1300); the mean uterus weight was 1141.8 gram (g) (range 1000-1720). The mean pain assessment was 2.1 (range 0-5). The mean length of stay was 2.4 nights (1-11). 1 patient experienced ureteral injury and was performed ureteral anastomosis. 3 patients were converted to vaginal-assisted trans-umbilicus single-port laparoscopy. The learning curve was analyzed to show that 20 cases were needed to achieve proficiency in vNOTES hysterectomy for large uterus ≥ 1 kg. Conclusion: Our preliminary experience suggested that vNOTES hysterectomy for large uterus weighing ≥ 1kg was feasible and safe, meanwhile this procedure had the advantages of all the minimal invasive approach such as fast recovery and aesthetic advantage.
Global Research Trends at the Intersection of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Traditional, Integrative, and Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Ng Jeremy Y.
Published: June 2020

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, and responsible for a global pandemic. Despite there being no known vaccines or medicines that prevent or cure COVID-19, many traditional, integrative, complementary and alternative medicines (TICAMs) have been touted as the solution, as well as researched as a potential remedy globally. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of global research trends at the intersection of TICAM and COVID-19. Methods: SCOPUS, MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED and PSYCHINFO databases were searched on June 5, 2020, with results being exported on the same day. All publication types were included, however, articles were only deemed eligible if they made mention of one or more TICAMs for the potential prevention, treatment, and/or management of COVID-19. The following eligible article characteristics were extracted: title; author names, affiliations, and countries; DOI; publication language; publication type; publication year; journal (and whether it is TICAM-focused); impact factor, and TICAMs mentioned. Results: A total of 178 eligible articles were published by 856 unique authors at 541 affiliations across 43 countries. The most common countries associated with author affiliation included China, United States, Italy and India. The vast majority of articles were published in English, followed by Chinese. Eligible articles were published across 100 journals, of which 24 were TICAM-focussed; only 69 journals had a 2018 impact factor, which ranged from 0.672-59.102. A total of 180 TICAMs were mentioned across eligible articles, with the most common ones including: Traditional Chinese Medicine (n=64), vitamin D (n=44), melatonin (n=10), general herbal medicine (n=9), and vitamin C (n=8). Conclusions: This study provides researchers and clinicians with a greater knowledge of the characteristics of articles that been published globally at the intersection of COVID-19 and TICAM to date. At a time where safe and effective vaccines and medicines for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 have yet to be discovered, this study may aid to guide the identification and exploration of understudied TICAM therapies that may hold potential in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic.
Seismoelectric Conversion for the Detection of Porous Medium Interfaces between Wetting and Nonwetting Fluids
Authors: Smeulders D.M.J. , Grobbe N. , Heller H.K.J. , Schakel M.D.
Published: June 2020

We designed and developed an experimental setup in which acoustic to electromagnetic (EM) wave conversions at interfaces can be measured. Theoretical results are obtained with an electrokinetic full‐waveform theoretical model, where use was made of the Sommerfeld approach. Using bimodal samples, different fluid–solid interface effects and saturating fluids were investigated. The contrast between water and water‐saturated porous glass samples is larger than the contrast between water and oil‐saturated porous glass samples. The contrast between water and water‐saturated Fontainebleau sandstone is larger than the contrast between oil and water‐saturated Fontainebleau sandstone.
A Thermodynamic Approach to Effective Stresses in Unsaturated Soils Incorporating the Concept of Partial Pore Deformations
Authors: Dangla Patrick , Pereira Jean-Michel
Published: June 2020

The thermodynamical analysis presented here follows from the work of Coussy et al., who proposed a thermodynamically consistent model for unsaturated soils that is based on a Bishop‐like effective stress to describe the stress–strain relationship while the water saturation (or the capillary pressure) is involved in a saturation‐induced hardening in addition to the mechanical hardening. We extended this model to include the effect of interfaces in the mechanical behavior and we showed that the Bishop‐like stresses involved in the elastic and plastic responses respectively can take different expressions. The Modified Cam–Clay model used for saturated soils is extended to unsaturated soils through the use of these Bishop‐like stresses. This model is compared to some experimental results reported from the literature.
Plasmons in holographic graphene
Authors: Gran Ulf , Tornsö Marcus , Zingg Tobias
Published: June 2020

We demonstrate how self-sourced collective modes – of which the
plasmon is a prominent example due to its relevance in modern
technological applications – are identified in strongly correlated
systems described by holographic Maxwell theories. The characteristic
\omega \propto \sqrt{k}ω∝k
plasmon dispersion for 2D materials, such as graphene, naturally emerges
from this formalism. We also demonstrate this by constructing the first
holographic model containing this feature. This provides new insight
into modeling such systems from a holographic point of view, bottom-up
and top-down alike. Beyond that, this method provides a general
framework to compute the dynamical charge response of strange metals,
which has recently become experimentally accessible due to the novel
technique of momentum-resolved electron energy-loss
spectroscopy (M-EELS). This framework therefore opens up the exciting
possibility of testing holographic models for strange metals against
actual experimental data.
Chinese high-tech foreign direct investments in the EU – trends and policy responses
Authors: Dudas Tomas , Rajnoha Rastislav
Published: June 2020

This paper aims to examine the trends of Chinese high-tech acquisitions in the EU countries, describe the policies that these acquisitions prompted on the level of member states and the EU, and analyze the effects of these policy responses. The results of the research review clearly show an increasing number of takeovers of European companies in the high-tech sectors, especially in the big member states such as Germany, France, or the UK. This created a backlash from the European policymakers that led to an introduction of tighter screening regimes in many EU member states and the creation of a common EU framework for FDI screening and its strategic management. At this point, it is hard to evaluate the complete effect of this new framework, but it must be concluded that 82 percent of the Chinese strategic acquisitions made in 2018 would fall under at least one criterion of the new EU framework. The findings of this paper provide sound recommendations for the EU countries and their public authorities targeting to control Chinese outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) and limit the acquisition of local companies in sensitive industries. On the other hand, the coming recession may put at least a temporary halt on Chinese acquisitions of the European companies.
Acknowledgment This paper is the partial result of the GAAA – Grantová agentura Akademické alliance grant project No. GA/6/2019 – Strategic Performance Management of Companies and Multinational Corporations in the Context of Globalization and Sustainability.