bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of sarcomatoid differentiation and rhabdoid differentiation on prognosis for renal cell carcinoma with vena caval tumour thrombus treated surgically
Authors: Yang Bin , Xia Haizhui , Xu Chuxiao , Lu Min , Zhang Shudong , Wang Guoliang , Ma Lulin
Published: February 2020

Background

Sarcomatoid differentiation in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with vena caval tumour thrombus has been shown to be associated with aggressive behaviours and poor prognosis; however, evidence of the impact of rhabdoid differentiation on prognosis is lacking. This study evaluated the impact of sarcomatoid differentiation and rhabdoid differentiation on oncological outcomes for RCC with vena caval tumour thrombus treated surgically.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed patients treated surgically for RCC with vena caval tumour thrombus at our institute from Jan 2015 to Nov 2018. Prognostic variables were evaluated for associations with progression-free survival (PFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) by Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine independent prognostic variables.

Results

We identified 125 patients with RCC and vena caval tumour thrombus, including 17 (13.6%) with sarcomatoid differentiation alone, 8 (6.4%) with rhabdoid differentiation alone and 3 (2.4%) with both sarcomatoid and rhabdoid differentiation. Compared to pure RCC, patients with sarcomatoid differentiation but not rhabdoid differentiation have worse PFS (p = 0.018 and p = 0.095, respectively). The univariate and multivariate analyses both showed sarcomatoid differentiation as a significant predictor of PFS. Compared to pure RCC, patients with sarcomatoid differentiation (p = 0.002) and rhabdoid differentiation (p = 0.001) both had significantly worse CSS. The univariate analysis showed sarcomatoid differentiation, rhabdoid differentiation, metastasis and blood transfusion as significant predictors of CSS (All, p < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, sarcomatoid differentiation (HR 3.90, p = 0.008), rhabdoid differentiation (HR 3.01, p = 0.042), metastasis (HR 3.87, p = 0.004) and blood transfusion (HR 1.34, p = 0.041) all remained independent predictors of CSS.

Conclusions

Sarcomatoid differentiation and rhabdoid differentiation are both independent predictors of poor prognosis in RCC with vena caval tumour thrombus treated surgically.
Prey-switching does not protect a generalist turtle from bioenergetic consequences when its preferred food is scarce
Authors: Petrov Kristen , Spencer Ricky-John , Malkiewicz Natasha , Lewis Jessica , Keitel Claudia , Van Dyke James U.
Published: February 2020

Background

Optimal foraging theory explains how animals make foraging decisions based on the availability, nutritional content, and handling times of different food types. Generalists solve this problem by consuming a variety of food types, and alter their diets with relative ease. Specialists eat few food types, and may starve if those food types are not available. We integrated stable isotope analyses with previously-published stomach contents and environmental data to investigate how the foraging ecologies of three sympatric freshwater turtle species vary across four wetlands that differ in turbidity and primary producer abundance.

Results

We found that the generalist Emydura macquarii consumes a varied diet (but mostly filamentous green algae) when primary producers are available and water is clear, but switches to a more carnivorous diet when the water is turbid and primary producers are scarce, following the predictions of optimal foraging theory. In contrast, two more-specialized carnivorous species, Chelodina expansa and Chelodina longicollis, do not differ in diet across wetlands, and interspecific competition may increase where E. macquarii is carnivorous. When forced to be more carnivorous, E. macquarii exhibits higher rates of empty stomachs, and female turtles have reduced body condition, but neither Chelodina species are affected.

Conclusions

Our results provide support for optimal foraging theory, but also show that the ability to change diet does not protect the generalist from experiencing lower foraging success when its preferred food is rare, with direct consequences for their energy budgets. Our results have conservation implications because wetlands in the Murray–Darling river system are increasingly turbid and have low macrophyte abundance, and all three species are declining.
Investigating the quality of family planning counselling as part of routine antenatal care and its effect on intended postpartum contraceptive method choice among women in Nepal
Authors: Puri Mahesh C. , Moroni Matthew , Pearson Erin , Pradhan Elina , Shah Iqbal H.
Published: February 2020

Background

Though modern contraceptive use among married women in Nepal has increased from 26% in 1996 to 43% in 2016, it remains low among postpartum women. Integration of counselling on family planning (FP) at the time of antenatal care (ANC) and delivery has the potential to increase post-partum contraceptive use. This study investigates the quality of FP counselling services provided during ANC visits and women’s perceptions of its effectiveness in assisting them to make a post-partum family planning (PPFP) decision.

Methods

In-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with 24 pregnant women who had attended at least two ANC visits in one of the six public hospitals that had received an intervention that sought to integrate FP counselling in maternity care services and introduce postpartum intrauterine device insertion in the immediate postpartum period. IDIs data were collected as part of a process evaluation of this intervention. Women were selected using maximum variation sampling to represent different socio-demographic characteristics. IDIs were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim in Nepali, and translated into English. Data were organized using Bruce-Jain quality of care framework and analyzed thematically.

Results

Overall, the quality of FP counselling during ANC was unsatisfactory based on patient expectations and experience of interactions with providers, as well as FP methods offered. Despite their interest, most women reported that they did not receive thorough information about FP, and about a third of them said that they did not receive any counselling services on PPFP. Reasons for dissatisfaction with counselling services included very crowded environment, short time with the provider, non-availability of provider, long waiting times, limited number of days for ANC services, and lack of comprehensive FP-related information, education and counselling (IEC) materials. Women visiting hospitals with a dedicated FP counselor reported higher quality of FP counselling.

Conclusions

There is an urgent need to re-visit the format of counselling on PPFP during ANC visits, corresponding IEC materials, counselling setting, and to strengthen availability and interaction with providers in order to improve quality, experience and satisfaction with FP counselling during ANC visits. Improvements in infrastructure and human resources are also needed to adequately meet women’s needs.
Treatment of rats with spinal cord injury using human bone marrow-derived stromal cells prepared by negative selection
Authors: Romero-Ramírez Lorenzo , Wu Siyu , de Munter Johannes , Wolters Erik Ch. , Kramer Boris W. , Mey Jörg
Published: February 2020

Background

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a highly debilitating pathology without curative treatment. One of the most promising disease modifying strategies consists in the implantation of stem cells to reduce inflammation and promote neural regeneration. In the present study we tested a new human bone marrow-derived stromal cell preparation (bmSC) as a therapy of SCI.

Methods

Spinal cord contusion injury was induced in adult male rats at thoracic level T9/T10 using the Infinite Horizon impactor. One hour after lesion the animals were treated with a sub-occipital injection of human bmSC into the cisterna magna. No immune suppression was used. One dose of bmSC consisted, on average, of 2.3 million non-manipulated cells in 100 μL suspension, which was processed out of fresh human bone marrow from the iliac crest of healthy volunteers. Treatment efficacy was compared with intraperitoneal injections of methylprednisolone (MP) and saline. The recovery of motor functions was assessed during a surveillance period of nine weeks. Adverse events as well as general health, weight and urodynamic functions were monitored daily. After this time, the animals were perfused, and the spinal cord tissue was investigated histologically.

Results

Rats treated with bmSC did not reject the human implants and showed no sign of sickness behavior or neuropathic pain. Compared to MP treatment, animals displayed better recovery of their SCI-induced motor deficits. There were no significant differences in the recovery of bladder control between groups. Histological analysis at ten weeks after SCI revealed no differences in tissue sparing and astrogliosis, however, bmSC treatment was accompanied with reduced axonal degeneration in the dorsal ascending fiber tracts, lower Iba1-immunoreactivity (IR) close to the lesion site and reduced apoptosis in the ventral grey matter. Neuroinflammation, as evidenced by CD68-IR, was significantly reduced in the MP-treated group.

Conclusions

Human bmSC that were prepared by negative selection without expansion in culture have neuroprotective properties after SCI. Given the effect size on motor function, implantation in the acute phase was not sufficient to induce spinal cord repair. Due to their immune modulatory properties, allogeneic implants of bmSC can be used in combinatorial therapies of SCI.
Co-expressing GroEL–GroES, Ssa1–Sis1 and Bip–PDI chaperones for enhanced intracellular production and partial-wall breaking improved stability of porcine growth hormone
Authors: Deng Jinbo , Li Jiaoqing , Ma Miaopeng , Zhao Peijing , Ming Feiping , Lu Zhipeng , Shi Juqing , Fan Qin , Liang Qianyi , Jia Junhao , Li Jiayi , Zhang Shuxia , Zhang Linghua
Published: February 2020

Porcine growth hormone (pGH) is a class of peptide hormones secreted from the pituitary gland, which can significantly improve growth and feed utilization of pigs. However, it is unstable and volatile in vitro. It needs to be encapsulated in liposomes when feeding livestock, whose high cost greatly limits its application in pig industry. Therefore we attempted to express pGH as intracellular soluble protein inPichia pastorisand feed these yeasts with partial wall-breaking for swine, which could release directly pGH in intestine tract in case of being degraded in intestinal tract with low cost. In order to improve the intracellular soluble expression of pGH protein inPichia pastorisand stability in vitro, we optimized the pGH gene, and screened molecular chaperones fromE. coliandPichia pastorisrespectively for co-expressing with pGH. In addition, we had also explored conditions of mechanical crushing and fermentation. The results showed that the expression of intracellular soluble pGH protein was significantly increased after gene optimized and co-expressed with Ssa1–Sis1 chaperone fromPichia pastoris.Meanwhile, the optimal conditions of partial wall-breaking and fermentation ofPichia pastoriswere confirmed, the data showed that the intracellular expression of the optimized pGH protein co-expressed with Ssa1–Sis1 could reach 340 mg/L with optimal conditions of partial wall-breaking and fermentation. Animal experiments verified that the optimized pGH protein co-expression with Ssa1–Sis1 had the best promoting effects on the growth of piglets. Our study demonstrated that Ssa1–Sis1 could enhance the intracellular soluble expression of pGH protein inPichia pastorisand that partial wall-breaking of yeast could prevent pGH from degradation in vitro, release targetedly in the intestine and play its biological function effectively. Our study could provide a new idea to cut the cost effectively, establishing a theoretical basis for the clinic application of unstable substances in vitro.
Long noncoding RNA DANCR knockdown inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma by regulating miR-135a-5p/BMI1
Authors: Feng Lei , Lin Tao , Che Haijiang , Wang Xiaoming
Published: February 2020

Background

Glioma is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor with high mortality rate around the world. LncRNAs have been identified to play key roles in tumorigenesis in various cancers, including glioma. However, the precise mechanism of DANCR in progression of glioma remains poorly defined.

Methods

The expression levels of DANCR, miR-135a-5p and BMI1 were measured by qRT-PCR in glioma tissues and cells. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were detected by CCK-8 assay and transwell assay, respectively. The possible binding sites of miR-135a-5p and DANCR or BMI1 were predicted by online software and verified using luciferase report assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. Western blot analysis was carried out to detect the protein of BMI1 expression. A xenograft tumor model was established to investigate the functions of DANCR in glioma progression in vivo.

Results

DANCR was upregulated and miR-135a-5p was downregulated in glioma tissues and cells. Knockdown of DANCR inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion in glioma cells. In addition, miR-135a-5p was a direct target of DANCR, and its elevated expression could reverse miR-135a-5p inhibition-mediated progression of glioma. Moreover, miR-135a-5p could specially bind to BMI1, and the expression of BMI1 was obviously elevated in glioma tissues and cells. Furthermore, DANCR acted as a ceRNA to regulate BMI1 expression and BMI1-mediated effects on progression of glioma by sponging miR-135a-5p. Besides, inhibition of DANCR limited tumor growth by regulating miR-135a-5p and BMI1 expression in vivo.

Conclusion

DANCR knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion in glioma cells through regulating miR-135a-5p/BMI1 axis, providing viable therapeutic avenues for treatment of glioma.
A simple monochromatic flow cytometric assay for assessment of intraerythrocytic development of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Kulkeaw Kasem , Ketprasit Nutpakal , Tungtrongchitr Anchalee , Palasuwan Duangdao
Published: February 2020

Background

Gold standard microscopic examination of Plasmodium falciparum intraerythrocytic stage remains an important process for staging and enumerating parasitized erythrocytes in culture; however, microscopy is laborious and its accuracy is dependent upon the skill of the examiner.

Methods

In this study, ViSafe Green (VSG), which is a nucleic acid-binding fluorescent dye, was used for assessing in vitro development of P. falciparum using flow cytometry.

Results

Fluorescence intensity of VSG was found to depend on the developmental stage of parasites. Specifically, multiple-nuclei-containing schizonts were observed in the VSGhigh population, and growing trophozoites and ring-shaped forms were observed in the VSGintermediate and VSGlow populations. The efficacy of VSG-based assay was found to be comparable to the microscopic examination method, and it demonstrated an ability to detect as low as 0.001% of the parasitaemia estimated by Giemsa staining. Moreover, when applying VSG for anti-malarial drug test, it was able to observe the growth inhibitory effect of dihydroartemisinin, the front-line drug for malaria therapy.

Conclusions

Taken together, the results of this study suggest the VSG-based flow cytometric assay to be a simple and reliable assay for assessing P. falciparum malaria development in vitro.
Fertility preservation in BRCA mutation carriers—efficacy and safety issues: a review
Authors: Zhang Xiaofu , Niu Jingxin , Che Tuanjie , Zhu Yibei , Zhang Hongtao , Qu Jing
Published: February 2020

BRCA mutation carriers face various situations that influence their fertility potential. There is still a lack of guideline or expert consensus on Fertility Preservation (FP) in BRCA mutation carriers and the necessity and safety of FP in BRCA mutation carriers is still in dispute. This review aims to focus on the population of BRCA mutation carriers by analyzing the existing FP strategies, comprehensively comparing the pros and cons of each strategy and its applicability.

FP is a suggestion for BRCA mutation carriers with birth planning. Different FP strategies have different characteristics. Considering the particularity of BRCA mutation carriers, multiple factors need to be carefully considered. This review focuses on the applicability of each FP method for carriers under various circumstances. Available FP strategies including oocyte cryopreservation, ovarian tissue cryopreservation, preimplantation genetic diagnosis, and egg/embryo donation are analyzed by comparing existing methods comprehensively. In the attempt to provide an up-to-date decision-making guidance. Conditions taking into consideration were the carrier’s age, the risk of breast and ovarian metastasis, plans for oncotherapy, FP outcome, time available for FP intervention and accessibility.

Overall, FP is necessary and safe for BRCA mutation carriers. Among all available FP methods, oocyte cryopreservation is the most reliable procedure; ovarian tissue cryopreservation is the only way for preserving both fertility and endocrine function, recommended for pre-pubertal carriers and when time is limited for oocyte stimulation. A clear framework provides frontline clinical practitioners a new thought and eventually benefit thousands of BRCA mutation carriers.
Conceptualising the initiation of researcher and research user partnerships: a meta-narrative review
Authors: Zych Maria Maddalena , Berta Whitney B. , Gagliardi Anna R.
Published: February 2020

Background

Integrated knowledge translation refers to researcher and research user partnerships to co-generate and implement knowledge. This type of partnership may be critical to success in increasing knowledge use and impact, but the conceptualisation of its initiation has not been fully developed. Initiating this type of partnership has proven to be challenging but crucial to its success. The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-narrative review of partnership initiation concepts, processes, enablers, barriers and outcomes in the disciplines of healthcare and social sciences where examples of researcher and research user partnerships were found.

Methods

Seven research traditions were identified. Three were in the discipline of social sciences (including psychology, education and business) and five were in the discipline of healthcare (including medicine, nursing, public health, health services research). Searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ABI Inform, ERIC, PsychInfo and the Cochrane Library on June 9, 2017. Fifty titles and abstracts were screened in triplicate; data were extracted from three records in duplicate. Narratives comprised of study characteristics and conceptual and empirical findings across traditions were tabulated, summarised and compared.

Results

A total of 7779 unique results were identified and 17 reviews published from 1998 to 2017 were eligible. All reviews identified a partnership initiation phase referred to as ‘early’ or ‘developmental’, or more vaguely as ‘fuzzy’, across six traditions – integrated knowledge translation, action research, stakeholder engagement, knowledge transfer, team initiation and shared mental models. The partnership initiation processes, enablers, barriers and outcomes were common to multiple narratives and summarised in a Partnership Initiation Conceptual Framework. Our review revealed limited use or generation of theory in most included reviews, and little empirical evidence testing the links between partnership initiation processes, enablers or barriers, and outcomes for the purpose of describing successful researcher and research user partnership initiation.

Conclusions

Narratives across multiple research traditions revealed similar integrated knowledge translation initiation processes, enablers, barriers and outcomes, which were captured in a conceptual framework that can be employed by researchers and research users to study and launch partnerships. While partnership initiation was recognised, it remains vaguely conceptualised despite lengthy research in several fields of study. Ongoing research of partnership initiation is needed to identify or generate relevant theory, and to empirically establish outcomes and the determinants of those outcomes.
Timely initiation of breastfeeding in Zimbabwe: evidence from the demographic and health surveys 1994–2015
Authors: Yaya Sanni , Bishwajit Ghose , Shibre Gebretsadik , Buh Amos
Published: February 2020

Background

Timely initiation of breastfeeding or breastfeeding within 60 min of birth has been shown to be associated with significantly lower risk of infant mortality. The World Health Organization recommends starting breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, yet many women in sub-Saharan Africa do not observe this recommendation. To date, there is limited evidence of timely initiation of breastfeeding for Zimbabwe. Therefore, we undertook this study with the aim of calculating the trend in timely initiation of breastfeeding and to explore the correlates.

Methods

We used five rounds of Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey data conducted between 1999 and 2015. Participants were 15,923 mothers currently breastfeeding or who had a childbirth within five years preceding the surveys. Outcome variable was self-reported timing of timely breastfeeding for singleton births which was categorized as early (< 60 min), late (≥ 60 min to < 2 4 h) and very late (≥ 24 h).

Results

Prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding was 60.3% (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 57.44, 63.02) in 1999, 66.9% (95% CI 64.32, 69.4) in 2006, 65.8% (95% CI 63.7, 67.8) in 2011 and 58.3% (95% CI 56.3, 60.4) in 2015. It increased by 27 and 22% in 2006 and 2011 compared with that of the 1999 level respectively. We found no socio-economic and gender-based differentials in the prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding. Compared with women aged 15–19 years old, women 25–29 and 30–34 years old had higher odds of practicing timely initiation of breastfeeding. The odds of practicing timely initiation of breastfeeding among Muslim women (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.2, 95% CI 1.07, 1.36) was 20% higher when compared with Christian mothers. Women who wanted to have their last child later (aOR 0.89, 95% CI 0.81, 0.97) had 11% lower odd of practicing timely initiation of breastfeeding when compared with women who wanted children then.

Conclusions

The prevalence of timely initiation of breastfeeding in Zimbabwe was 58.3% in 2015, well over the 50% target recommended by WHO for all countries to attain by 2025.
Association between parity and macrosomia in Shaanxi Province of Northwest China
Authors: Lei Fangliang , Zhang Lili , Shen Yuan , Zhao Yaling , Kang Yijun , Qu Pengfei , Mi Baibing , Dang Shaonong , Yan Hong
Published: February 2020

Objective

To explore the relationship between parity and macrosomia and provide the necessary reference for the maternal and children health service.

Method

A cross-sectional epidemiological survey with the purpose to assess the birth outcomes was conducted in Shaanxi province, China.

Results

The incidence of macrosomia in multiparas was higher than that in primiparas. Univariate analysis showed that maternal age < 25 years, peasant/housework, living in rural areas and female infants were the protective factors of macrosomia. The possibility of having a macrosomic infant also increased with gestational age, maternal education level, household wealth index, living in Central Shaanxi and gestational diabetes. The generalized linear mixed models represented the association between parity and macrosomia. After adjusting for statistically significant factors in univariate analysis from model 1 to model 3, the risk of being born macrosomia was 1.26 times higher for a multipara compared to that for a primipara.

Conclusions

Present study indicated parity of two children was associated with increased risk for macrosomic births compared with parity of one child. Compared to primiparas, multiparas should far strengthen the pre-pregnancy education and the guidance during pregnancy to control pre-pregnancy body mass index and pregnancy weight, and keep the appropriate exercise and balanced diet.
Anxiety disorders in acute central nervous system infections
Authors: Bozzola Elena , Spina Giulia , Bergonzini Paola , Bozzola Mauro , Raponi Massimiliano , Villani Alberto
Published: February 2020

Background

Patients affected by acute central nervous system (ACNS) infectionsmay present different complications, including neuropsychological disorders. Nevertheless, psychopathological impairment has been rarely measured by appropriate and validated tests.

Material and methods

Survivors of childhood ACNS infections admitted to the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Rome, Italy, from June 2013 to June 2015 were re-evaluated at follow-up from June 2016 to June 2017. Both patients and their parents underwent a psychological interview and neuropsychological tests (the Leiter International Performance Scale – revised (Leiter-R), the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), the K-SADS-PL test).

Results

Thirty children were included in the study. The mean score of IQ and fluid reasoning was within the normal range. A percentage of 20% of the children enrolled showed criteria for generalized anxiety disorder.

Conclusion

Our study revealed the importance of follow-up evaluations after ACNS infections, in order to prevent mayor psychological sequelae and to perform treatment or rehabilitation.
Defining persistent critical illness based on growth trajectories in patients with sepsis
Authors: Zhang Zhongheng , Ho Kwok M. , Gu Hongqiu , Hong Yucai , Yu Yunsong
Published: February 2020

Background

Persistent critical illness is common in critically ill patients and is associated with vast medical resource use and poor clinical outcomes. This study aimed to define when patients with sepsis would be stabilized and transitioned to persistent critical illness, and whether such transition time varies between latent classes of patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study involving sepsis patients in the eICU Collaborative Research Database. Persistent critical illness was defined at the time when acute physiological characteristics were no longer more predictive of in-hospital mortality (i.e., vital status at hospital discharge) than antecedent characteristics. Latent growth mixture modeling was used to identify distinct trajectory classes by using Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score measured during intensive care unit stay as the outcome, and persistent critical illness transition time was explored in each latent class.

Results

The mortality was 16.7% (3828/22,868) in the study cohort. Acute physiological model was no longer more predictive of in-hospital mortality than antecedent characteristics at 15 days after intensive care unit admission in the overall population. Only a minority of the study subjects (n = 643, 2.8%) developed persistent critical illness, but they accounted for 19% (15,834/83,125) and 10% (19,975/198,833) of the total intensive care unit and hospital bed-days, respectively. Five latent classes were identified. Classes 1 and 2 showed increasing Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score over time and transition to persistent critical illness occurred at 16 and 27 days, respectively. The remaining classes showed a steady decline in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores and the transition to persistent critical illness occurred between 6 and 8 days. Elevated urea-to-creatinine ratio was a good biochemical signature of persistent critical illness.

Conclusions

While persistent critical illness occurred in a minority of patients with sepsis, it consumed vast medical resources. The transition time differs substantially across latent classes, indicating that the allocation of medical resources should be tailored to different classes of patients.
JMJD1B, a novel player in histone H3 and H4 processing to ensure genome stability
Authors: Saavedra Francisco , Gurard-Levin Zachary A. , Rojas-Villalobos Camila , Vassias Isabelle , Quatrini Raquel , Almouzni Geneviève , Loyola Alejandra
Published: February 2020

Background

Maintaining a proper supply of soluble histones throughout the cell cycle is important to ensure chromatin and genome stability. Following their synthesis, histones undergo a series of maturation steps to prepare them for deposition onto chromatin.

Results

Here, we identify the lysine demethylase JMJD1B as a novel player in the maturation cascade that contributes to regulate histone provision. We find that depletion of JMJD1B increases the protein levels of the histone chaperone tNASP leading to an accumulation of newly synthesized histones H3 and H4 at early steps of the histone maturation cascade, which perturbs chromatin assembly. Furthermore, we find a high rate of JMJD1B mutations in cancer patients, and a correlation with genomic instability.

Conclusions

Our data support a role for JMJD1B in fine-tuning histone supply to maintain genome integrity, opening novel avenues for cancer therapeutics.
Imaging findings and classification of the common and uncommon male breast diseases
Authors: Önder Ömer , Azizova Aynur , Durhan Gamze , Elibol Funda Dinç , Akpınar Meltem Gülsün , Demirkazık Figen
Published: February 2020

Male breast hosts various pathological conditions just like “female breast.” However, histo-anatomical diversities with female breast lead to many differences regarding the frequency and presentation of diseases, the radiologic appearance of lesions, the diagnostic algorithm, and malignity features.

Radiological modalities may play an important role in evaluating male breast lesions. Although some imaging findings are non-specific, having knowledge of certain imaging characteristics and radiologic patterns is the key to reduce the number of differential diagnoses or to reach an accurate diagnosis.

Male breast imaging is mostly based on physical examination and is required for the complaints of palpable mass, breast enlargement, tenderness, nipple discharge, and nipple-skin changes. The majority of the male breast lumps are benign and the most common reason is gynecomastia. Although it is difficult to exclude malignancy in some cases, gynecomastia often has distinguishable imaging features. Pseudogynecomastia is another differential diagnosis that may be confused with gynecomastia. The distinction is important for the treatment plan.

Apart from gynecomastia, other male breast lesions form a highly heterogeneous group and can be classified based on “Tissue origin,” “Histopathological type and behavior,” and “Radiologic features” for both simplification and comprehensive understanding.

This article mainly focuses on emphasizing the results of basic histo-anatomical differences of male and female breasts, classifying male breast lesions, covering the spectrum of male breast diseases, and assisting radiologists in recognizing the imaging findings, in interpreting them through a holistic approach, in making a differential diagnosis, and in being a part of proper patient management.
High-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) from Cherry Valley duck mediates signaling pathways and antiviral activity
Authors: Hou Xiaolan , Liu Gen , Zhang Huihui , Hu Xiaofang , Zhang Xinyue , Han Fei , Cui Huizhen , Luo Jinjian , Guo Ru , Li Rong , Li Ning , Wei Liangmeng
Published: February 2020

High-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) shows endogenous damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and is also an early warning protein that activates the body’s innate immune system. Here, the full-length coding sequence of HMGB1 was cloned from the spleen of Cherry Valley duck and analyzed. We find that duck HMGB1(duHMGB1) is mostly located in the nucleus of duck embryo fibroblast (DEF) cells under normal conditions but released into the cytoplasm after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Knocking-down or overexpressing duHMGB1 had no effect on the baseline apoptosis rate of DEF cells. However, overexpression increased weakly apoptosis after LPS activation. In addition, overexpression strongly activated the IFN-I/IRF7 signaling pathway in DEF cells and significantly increased the transcriptional level of numerous pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), IFNs and antiviral molecules (OAS, PKR, Mx) starting from 48 h post-transfection. Overexpression of duHMGB1 strongly impacted duck virus replication, either by inhibiting it from the first stage of infection for novel duck reovirus (NDRV) and at late stage for duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) or duck plague virus (DPV), or promoting replication at early stage for DTMUV and DPV infection. Importantly, data from duHMGB1 overexpression and knockdown experiments, time-dependent DEF cells transcriptional immune responses suggest that duHMGB1 and RIG-I receptor might cooperate to promote the expression of antiviral proteins after NDRV infection, as a potential mechanism of duHMGB1-mediated antiviral activity.
New estimations for the Berezin number inequality
Authors: Bakherad Mojtaba , Yamancı Ulas
Published: February 2020

In this paper, by the definition of Berezin number, we present some inequalities involving the operator geometric mean. For instance, it is shown that if $X, Y, Z\in {\mathcal{L}}(\mathcal{H})$X,Y,Z∈L(H) such that X and Y are positive operators, then $$\begin{aligned} \operatorname{ber}^{r} \bigl( ( X\mathbin{\sharp} Y ) Z \bigr) &\leq \operatorname{ber} \biggl(\frac{ ( Z^{\star }YZ ) ^{\frac{rq}{2}}}{q}+ \frac{X^{ \frac{rp}{2}}}{p} \biggr) -\frac{1}{p}\inf_{\lambda \in \varOmega } \bigl( \bigl[ \widetilde{X} ( \lambda ) \bigr] ^{\frac{rp}{4}}- \bigl[ \widetilde{ \bigl( Z^{\star }YZ \bigr) } ( \lambda ) \bigr] ^{ \frac{rq}{4}} \bigr) ^{2}, \end{aligned}$$ berr((X♯Y)Z)≤ber((Z⋆YZ)rq2q+Xrp2p)−1pinfλ∈Ω([X˜(λ)]rp4−[(Z⋆YZ)˜(λ)]rq4)2, in which $X\mathbin{\sharp} Y=X^{\frac{1}{2}} ( X^{-\frac{1}{2}}YX^{- \frac{1}{2}} ) ^{\frac{1}{2}}X^{\frac{1}{2}}$X♯Y=X12(X−12YX−12)12X12, $p\geq q>1$p≥q>1 such that $r\geq \frac{2}{q}$r≥2q and $\frac{1}{p}+\frac{1}{q}=1$1p+1q=1.
Bivariate Bernstein–Schurer–Stancu type GBS operators in $(p,q)$-analogue
Authors: Mursaleen M. , Ahasan Mohd. , Ansari K. J.
Published: February 2020

The purpose of this paper is to construct a$(p,q)$(p,q)-analogue of Bernstein–Schurer–Stancu type GBS (generalized Boolean sum) operators for approximatingB-continuous andB-differentiable functions. We also establish uniform convergence theorem and estimate the degree of approximation ofB-continuous andB-differentiable functions.
Guided web-based treatment program for reducing cannabis use: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sinadinovic Kristina , Johansson Magnus , Johansson Ann-Sofie , Lundqvist Thomas , Lindner Philip , Hermansson Ulric
Published: February 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a web-based treatment program with therapist guidance for adults and adolescents with regular cannabis use from the general population.

Methods

A double blinded randomized controlled trial with a parallel group design was conducted (intervention group n = 151, wait-list control group n = 152). Follow-up 12 weeks from treatment commencement of a 13-module intervention. The primary outcome was frequency of cannabis use. Time by group interaction effects were modeled using generalized estimated equations and the instrumental variable approach was used to estimate the effect of intervention adherence.

Results

At follow-up, the intention to treat (ITT) analyses did not show any significant time by group effects. A significant association between intervention adherence and scores on the cannabis abuse screening test (CAST) was found. Secondary analysis excluding participants who had received other professional help revealed time by group effects for secondary outcomes gram cannabis consumed past week, number of dependency criteria and CAST score. Due to methodological limitations, these latter results should be interpreted with caution.

Conclusions

In this study we did not find a web-based treatment program with therapist guidance to be more effective than a waiting-list in reducing frequency of cannabis use.

Trial registration The trial was pre-registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02408640) April 3, 2015
Evaluation of heat stress effects on cellular and transcriptional adaptation of bovine granulosa cells
Authors: Khan Adnan , Dou Jinhuan , Wang Yachun , Jiang Xiaolong , Khan Muhammad Zahoor , Luo Hanpeng , Usman Tahir , Zhu Huabin
Published: February 2020

Background

Heat stress is known to affect follicular dynamics, oocyte maturation, and fertilization by impairing steroidogenic ability and viability of bovine granulosa cell (bGCs). The present study explored the physiological and molecular response of bGCs to different heat stress intensitiesin-vitro. We exposed the primary bGCs to heat stress (HS) at 39 °C, 40 °C and 41 °C along with control samples (38 °C) for 2 h. To evaluate the impact of heat stress on bGCs, severalin vitrocellular parameters including cell apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation andHSP70kinetics were assessed by flow cytometry, florescence microscopy and western blot, respectively. Furthermore, the ELISA was performed to confirm the 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels. In addition, the RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) method was used to get the molecular based response of bGCs to different heat treatments.

Results

Our findings revealed that the HS significantly decreased the cell viability, E2and P4levels in bGCs, whereas, increased the cellular apoptosis and ROS. Moreover, the RNA-Seq experiments showed that all the treatments (39 °C, 40 °C and 41 °C) significantly regulated many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) i.e.BCL2L1, STAR, CYP11A1, CASP3, SOD2, HSPA13, andMAPK8IP1and pathways associated with heat stress, apoptosis, steroidogenesis, and oxidative stress. Conclusively, our data demonstrated that the impact of 40 °C treatment was comparatively detrimental for cell viability, apoptosis and ROS accumulation. Notably, a similar trend of gene expression was reported by RT-qPCR for RNA-seq data.

Conclusions

Our study presented a worthy strategy for the first time to characterize the cellular and transcriptomic adaptation of bGCs to heat stress (39, 40 and 41 °C)in-vitro. The results infer that these genes and pathways reported in present study could be useful candidates/indicators for heat stress research in dairy cattle. Moreover, the established model of bGCs to heat stress in the current study provides an appropriate platform to understand the mechanism of how heat-stressed bGCs can affect the quality of oocytes and developing embryo.
Gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm hemorrhage 1 year after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy: a case report
Authors: Kunitomo Aina , Misawa Kazunari , Sato Yozo , Ito Yuichi , Ito Seiji , Hosoi Takahiro , Okuno Masataka , Higaki Eiji , Oshiro Taihei , Natsume Seiji , Kinoshita Takashi , Senda Yoshiki , Abe Tetsuya , Komori Koji , Inaba Yoshitaka , Shimizu Yasuhiro
Published: February 2020

Background

Postoperative bleeding originating from pseudoaneurysms after radical gastrectomy is not common, but it can be fatal. In particular, delayed bleeding that occurs after the seventh postoperative day is rare.

Case presentation

A 54-year-old man underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy, D2 lymph node dissection, and Roux en-Y reconstruction for duodenal neuroendocrine tumors. Drainage was performed for a postoperative pancreatic fistula and abdominal abscess. On the 28th postoperative day, he passed a large amount of bloody stool; therefore, emergency esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and angiography were performed. However, neither examination demonstrated any bleeding foci or pseudoaneurysm. He was conservatively observed and discharged on the 50th postoperative day. Approximately 1 year after the surgery, he passed a bloody stool and experienced hemorrhagic shock. An EGD revealed exposed blood vessels at the duodenal blind end. His condition was diagnosed as a pseudoaneurysm arising from gastroduodenal artery, which ruptured into the duodenum, based on abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography findings. Emergency angiography was performed, and the pseudoaneurysm and artery were successfully embolized.

Conclusions

This case illustrates that there is a possibility of delayed bleeding even 1 year after gastrectomy. Such cases may be serious and require immediate and careful management.
Licensing Requirement for the Presence of an Educational Organization in the State or the Involvement of Teachers on Another Legal Basis
Authors: Feklin S.
Published: February 2020

In accordance with Article 46 of the Federal Law of December 29, 2012 No. 273-FZ (as amended on December 2, 2019) “On Education in the Russian Federation”, persons with secondary vocational or higher education and meeting qualification requirements are entitled to engage in pedagogical activities, indicated in the qualification handbooks, and (or) professional standards. Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of October 28, 2013 No. 966 (as amended on November 29, 2018) “On the licensing of educational activities” established that in the implementation of educational activities, an educational organization should have in staff or engage teachers with professional education on other legal grounds with appropriate qualifications, with the work experience necessary for the implementation of educational activities under the implemented educational programs, and relevant the requirements of Article 46 of the Federal Law “On Education in the Russian Federation”, as well as the requirements of federal state educational standards, federal state requirements and (or) educational standards. The article describes the legal framework for the application of professional standards at the level of an educational organization and examines life situations regarding the application of qualification requirements.
Theory of Cost Approach to Industrial Enterprise Management
Authors: Maevskaya Elena
Published: February 2020

The article discusses the theoretical aspects of managing the value of industrial enterprises based on models that have become as wide-spread as possible, such as economic value added — EVA (Economic Value Added), MVA (Market Value Added), Equity value added — SVA (Shareholder Value Added), monetary value added — CVA (Cash Value Added), RCF (Resident Cash Flow) and Balanced Scorecard (BSC). The given models were chosen from a large number of proposed instruments in the works of domestic and foreign scientists, as the later concepts only developed the theory of their application. The purpose of the article was to share the determinants of the increase in the cost of industrial enterprises. The study is based on the theory of VBM (Value-Based Management) — valuebased management. The formation of this theory and the above-mentioned models in the historical aspect taking into account the factors of their occurrence are considered. The characteristic features of each model in terms of their application to cost management of modern domestic industrial enterprises were assessed. On the basis of the conducted study, the determinants of the increase in the cost of industrial enterprises and the methodology of their management have been determined.
Medical Services Market of Krasnodar Region: State Support and Assessment of the Competitive Environment
Authors: Davydovich Anna , Vorobey E. , Savel'eva N.
Published: February 2020

The article considers the institutional and legal instruments of state support for competition in the market of medical services in the Krasnodar region. The assessment of the state of the competitive environment in the market of medical services of the region by business entities in order to identify administrative and economic barriers that limit healthy competition in the market of medical services, offers to eliminate restrictions. The purpose of the study is to assess the state of the competitive environment in the market of medical services of the Krasnodar region by business entities in order to identify administrative and economic barriers that limit healthy competition in the market of medical services, to present proposals for their elimination of restrictions. To achieve this goal it is necessary to solve the following tasks: • to consider the institutional mechanisms that stimulate the development of competition in the market of medical services in the Krasnodar region; • to assess the state of the competitive environment in the market of medical services in the region based on the results of surveys of business entities; • identify administrative and economic barriers that limit healthy competition in the market of medical services in the region; • submit proposals to eliminate restrictions on the market of medical services in the Krasnodar region. When compiling a review of literature sources on the research topic, the method of content analysis was used. Analytical results of monitoring the state of the competitive environment in the market of medical services in the Krasnodar region were obtained using statistical and sociological research methods-a survey and survey of entrepreneurs. The results obtained during the research will be useful in the development of strategic documents and initiatives in the field of state support for competition in the market of medical services in the Krasnodar region.
Fatal poisoning with 2,4-Dinitrophenol: learning via case study
Authors: Newport Matthew Dominic , Said Tarek
Published: February 2020

2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) is an industrial chemical. It is illegal to sell it for human consumption in countries including the UK and the US. However, as DNP is available illegally online, accidental or deliberate DNP poisoning may be seen in people using it for weight loss or bodybuilding. Aggressive, multidisciplinary medical management is required to manage the ensuing hyperthermia, respiratory failure, cardiovascular collapse and multi-organ failure; there is a high risk of cardiac arrest. Emergency services should be vigilant in both initiating prompt treatment and alerting the receiving emergency department as well as taking precautions to minimise their own exposure. This case report concerns a deliberate, fatal DNP poisoning and considers DNP's history, resurgence and toxicity management.
Eigenvalue continuity and Gersgorin's theorem
Authors: Li Chi-Kwong , Zhang Fuzhen
Published: February 2020

Two types of eigenvalue continuity are commonly used in the literature. However, their meanings and the conditions under which continuities are used are not always stated clearly. This can lead to some confusion and needs to be addressed.  In this note, the Geršgorin disk theorem is revisited and the issue concerning the proofs of the theorem by continuity is clarified.