bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic and lifestyle determinants of prevalence of hypertension among the elderly in rural southwest China: a structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Li Xiao , Cai Le , Wang Gui-Yi , Fan Lu-Ming , Cui Wen-Long , Liu Ying-Nan , Shen Jing-Rong , Golden Allison Rabkin
Published: June 2020

Background: This study examines the association between socioeconomic and lifestyle factors and the prevalence of hypertension among the elderly in rural southwest China.Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 4,833 consenting adults aged ≥60 years in rural regions of Yunnan Province, China was conducted in 2017. Data on individual socioeconomic status, sleep quality, physical activity level, and family history of hypertension were collected with a standardized questionnaire. Blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, height, weight, and waist circumference were also measured. An individual socioeconomic position (SEP) index was constructed using principal component analysis. Structure equation modeling (SEM) was applied to analyze the association between socioeconomic and lifestyle factors and the prevalence of hypertension. Results: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 50.6% in the study population. The following associated factors had statistically significant effect on hypertension: body composition, including measures of obesity and central obesity, had the greatest total effect on hypertension (0.21), followed by family history of hypertension (0.14), gender (0.08), sleep quality (-0.07), SEP (-0.06), physical inactivity (0.06), and diabetes (0.06). Body composition, SEP, and family history of hypertension had both direct and indirect effects on hypertension, whereas those of physical inactivity, diabetes, and sleep quality were directly associated with prevalence of hypertension. Gender was indirectly associated with prevalence of hypertension. Conclusion: Individual SEP, body composition, physical inactivity, diabetes, and sleep quality critically influence the prevalence of hypertension. Future interventions to prevent and control hypertension should give increased attention to individuals with low SEP and should focus on controlling diabetes and obesity, increasing physical activity levels, and improving quality of sleep among older adults aged ≥60 years in rural southwest China.
Statistical distribution fitting to the number of COVID-19 deaths in South Africa
Authors: Chikobvu Delson , Sigauke Caston
Published: June 2020

Background: COVID-19 first detected in Wuhan; China in December 2019, is a disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. It has presented the greatest public health challenges globally since the 1918 influenza which was called the “mother” of all pandemics. South Africa and the rest of Africa are yet to experience the devastating effects of COVID-19. Methods: In this paper, the reported COVID-19 number of deaths in South Africa, for the period 27 March 2020 to 20 May 2020, is modeled using four statistical distributions which can be grouped under the Generalised Gamma distribution. This exploratory study also uses simple additive models to capture the underlying COVID-19 death rate. Results: Empirical results show that the Gamma distribution gives the best fit to the data. The hazard rate is still increasing, and the peak number of deaths has not been reached yet despite the lockdown and other measures to try and slow down the progression of the disease. Conclusions: The exploratory data analysis done in this study is simple and meant to complement the detailed and complex modelling done which is useful in informing policy and decision making.
Diet Quality and Mental Health Amongst Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Patients
Authors: Gill Raveena , Tyndall Sean F , Vora Darshini , Hassan Rashedul , Megna James , Leontieva Luba
Published: June 2020

Background: Poor diet quality has been found to be prevalent in people with mental illness [71] and even contribute to mental illness [71]. The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the relationship between diet quality, mental health problems, socioeconomic variables, physical activity level, and body mass index amongst acute psychiatric inpatients.Method: The study sample were 100 adult inpatients. Tools administered were Eating Habit Questionnaires (Dana Farber Institute) and the KIDMed index to assess food compliance in accordance with a Mediterranean diet. The Index marks all individuals as either having an “unhealthy score” or “healthy score”. The study utilized a descriptive correlation research design.Results: The results showed that 75% of the patients displayed an unhealthy score as per the KIDMed index. The findings displayed an inverse relationship of BMI and the KIDMed score. There was a significant positive correlation between the level of education and the KIDMed score. There is a positive correlation towards increased consumption of sugar in schizophrenic patients. There was no statistical significance between age, gender, income and physical activity with regards to the KIDMed score.Conclusion: psychiatric inpatients display unhealthy eating habits which is likely both an effect of and a contributing factor to the various mental illnesses. Prospective interventional randomized controlled studies are necessary for clarification of cause-effect relationships.
The study of non-focus area in the first chest CT of different clinical types of COVID-19 pneumonia: A study on automatic machine learning of Radiomics
Authors: Tan Huibin , Xiong Fei , Jiang Yuanliang , Huang Wencai , Wang Ye , Li Hanhan , You Tao , Fu Tingting , Lu Ran , Peng Biwen
Published: June 2020

Objective: To explore the possibility of predicting the clinical types of Corona-Virus-Disease-2019(COVID-19) pneumonia by analyzing the non-focus area of the lung in the first chest CT image of patients with COVID-19 by using automatic machine learning (Auto-ML).Methods: 136 moderate and 83 severe patients were selected from the patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. The clinical and laboratory data were collected for statistical analysis. The texture features of the Non-focus area of the first chest CT of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were extracted, and then the classification model of the first chest CT of COVID-19 pneumonia was constructed by using these texture features based on the Auto-ML method of radiomics, The area under curve(AUC), true positive rate(TPR), true negative rate(TNR), positive predictive value(PPV) and negative predictive value(NPV) of the operating characteristic curve (ROC) were used to evaluate the accuracy of the first chest CT image classification model in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia.Result: The TPR, TNR, PPV, NPV and AUC of the training cohort and test cohort of the moderate group and the control group, the severe group and the control group, the moderate group and the severe group were all greater than 95% and 0.95 respectively. Conclusion: The non-focus area of the first CT image of COVID-19 pneumonia has obvious difference in different clinical types. The AUTO-ML classification model of Radiomics based on this difference can be used to predict the clinical types of COVID-19 pneumonia.
Clinical Significance of CLDN18.2 Expression in Diffuse-Type Metastatic Gastric Cancer
Authors: KIM SEOREE , Shin Kabsoo , Park Jae Myung , Lee Han Hong , Song Kyo Yong , Lee Sung Hak , Kim Bohyun , Kim Sang-Yeob , Seo Junyoung , Kim Jeong-Oh , Roh Sang-Young , Kim In-Ho
Published: June 2020

Background Isoform 2 of the tight junction protein claudin-18 (CLDN18.2) is a potential target of gastric cancer treatment. A treatment targeting CLDN18.2 has shown promising results in gastric cancer. We investigated the clinical significance of CLDN18.2 and other cell-adherens junction molecules (Rho GTPase-activating protein [RhoGAP] and E-cadherin) in metastatic diffuse-type gastric cancer (mDGC).Methods We evaluated CLDN18.2, RhoGAP, and E-cadherin expression by performing two-plex immunofluorescence and quantitative data analysis of H-scores of 77 consecutive mDGC patients who received first-line, platinum-based chemotherapy between March 2015 and February 2017.Results CLDN18.2 and E-cadherin expression was significantly reduced in patients with peritoneal metastasis (PM) compared with those without PM at the time of diagnosis (P=0.010 and 0.013, respectively), while it was significantly higher in patients who never exhibited PM from diagnosis to death than in those who did (p=0.001 and 0.003, respectively). Meanwhile, CLDN18.2 and E-cadherin were expressed at significantly higher levels in patients with bone metastasis than in those without it (p=0.010 and 0.001, respectively). We identified a positive correlation between the expression of CLDN18.2 and E-cadherin (p < 0.001), RhoGAP and CLDN18.2 (p=0.004), and RhoGAP and E-cadherin (p=0.001). CDLN18.2, RhoGAP, and E-cadherin expression was not associated with chemotherapy response and survival.Conclusions CLDN18.2 expression was reduced in PM but significantly intact in bone metastasis. Furthermore, a positive correlation was identified between the expression of CLDN18.2 and other adherens junction molecules, which has clinical implications for mDGC and PM pathogenesis.
Revenue, Trade and Welfare Effects Of the Comesa Free Trade Agreement on the Democratic Republic Of Congo
Authors: NDUNGO Patrick LUSENGE , Mugano Gift
Published: June 2020

The present research attempts to assess the likely revenue, trade and welfare implications of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on the DRC. The study adopts a partial equilibrium model as the methodological approach. The findings of the research reveal that the COMESA FTA will be beneficial to the DRC in terms of an increase in exports and consumer welfare gain. Moreover, The WITS-SMART simulation results indicate that trade will be created in the DRC as a result of the COMESA FTA. Notwithstanding the fact that trade creation will have a positive effect on welfare, as the Congolese consumers would benefit from lower prices, some local industries in the DRC may be threaten of closure due to the lack of competitiveness. In addition, the simultation results show that the country will experience a huge fiscal revenue loss due to the implementation of zero per cent tarrif rate on imports duty from the COMESA trading partners. Finally, the simultation results indicate that trade will be diverted from more efficient and low cost non-member states to high cost suppliers from the COMESA region. These findings shed light on policy implications.
The Relationship Between Empathic Tendency, Life Satisfaction and Professional Self-esteem Among Turkish Military Health Students
Authors: uzuntarla Yasin , Orhan Fatih
Published: June 2020

Background: This study aims to reveal the relationship among empathic tendencies, life satisfaction and professional self-esteem of the Turkish military students of the school of medicine, nursing and health vocational school. Besides, the study sought to determine whether there was a mediating role of professional self-esteem between the empathetic tendency and life satisfaction of the students receiving health education.Methods: The study is arranged in accordance with the relational screening model. 870 Turkish military health students participated in the study with a survey participation rate of 95.3%. To analyze the hypothesized path model, data were analyzed using SPSS 23 and AMOS 24 programs. Results: 61.3% of participants were male and 38.7% were female. Of the 870 participants, 439 were medicals, 323 were nurses and 108 were vocational school students studying at a military medical academy. Model data fit index values were found to be within acceptable limits.Conclusions: The empathic tendency, life satisfaction and professional self-esteem levels in students receiving health education are high. There is a positive and significant relationship between the variables examined. It was found that professional self-esteem has a partial mediating role in the relationship between empathic tendency and life satisfaction.
A Practical Guide to Incorporating Health Equity Domains in Implementation Frameworks
Authors: Woodward Eva N , Singh Rajinder Sonia , Ndebele-Ngwenya Phiwinhlanhla , Castillo Andrea Melgar , Dickson Kelsey S. , Kirchner JoAnn E
Published: June 2020

Background: Due to limited systematic integration of health equity and implementation science, it is imperative to provide researchers and practitioners tools to guide implementation in settings where there is inequitable implementation of an intervention. Our prior work documented and piloted the first published adaptation of an existing implementation science framework with health equity determinants to create the Health Equity Implementation Framework. We suggested how others’ might adapt their preferred implementation science frameworks with three health equity domains: 1) cultural factors of recipients, 2) clinical encounter, or patient-provider interaction, and 3) societal influences (including but not limited to social determinants of health). This manuscript is a practical guide to utilize three health equity domains in implementation research and practice.Methods: We describe in greater depth than in our previous publication domains typical in implementation determinants frameworks and three adaptations: domains known to affect health equity. For each domain, we compiled definitions with supporting literature, defined relevant subdomains, showcased an illustrative example, and suggested sample measures, both quantitative and qualitative.Results: We describe how to incorporate the three health equity domains in one’s preferred implementation science framework, or how to use the Health Equity Implementation Framework specifically. Practical guidelines follow ten published recommendations on how to use frameworks in implementation research and practice. We describe a new case study in which the framework guided evaluation.Conclusions: Incorporating health equity domains within implementation frameworks may optimize the scientific yield and equity of implementation efforts by assessing and ideally, addressing, implementation and equity barriers simultaneously. The practical guidance and tools provided can assist implementation scientists and practitioners to concretely address inequity in implementation across populations to capture and analyze information used to assess health outcomes.Contributions to the LiteratureSpecific definitions of implementation and three health equity domains with examples of how they have been applied in published literature and sample measures.Practical tools, including a qualitative interview guide and codebookCase study of how the Health Equity Implementation Framework guided analysis in an implementation study
Fungal Genomes: Suffering with Functional Annotation Errors
Authors: Mohanta Tapan Kumar , Hashem Abeer , Abd_Allah Elsayed Fathi , Harrasi Ahmed AL
Published: June 2020

Background

The genome sequencing data are accumulating at a rapid pace, with the current genome sequence data of more than 5780 species being publicly available at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database alone. However, for the researcher communities to use these data, an error-free functional annotation report is a must.
Results

Analyses of the whole proteome sequence data of 689 fungal species (7.15 million protein sequences) to find the presence of functional annotation error in several species. Hence, calcium dependent protein kinases (CDPKs) and selenoproteins were targeted for the analysis as it is absent all across the fungi kingdom. The analyses revealed the presence of protein with the functional annotation name CDPK. InterproScan analysis revealed that, none of the protein sequences tagged with name “calcium dependent protein kinase” was found to encode calcium binding EF-hands at the regulatory domain. Similarly, none of a protein sequences with annotation name associated with “selenocysteine” was found to encode Sec (U) amino acid.
Conclusion

The presence of naming of such functional annotation errors in the fungal kingdom is raised a great concern and need to address it at the earliest possible time.
Modelling the effect of lockdown on COVID-19 pandemic in 22 countries and cities
Authors: Li Yong , Wu Yan , Wang Ximei , Guo Caihong , Wang Lianwen , Li Jiang , Wang Shengtao
Published: June 2020

Backgrounds: COVID-19 is currently spreading around the world, and the cumulative number of cases worldwide exceeded 5 million on 23 May 2020 (10:00 GMT+2). At present, many countries or cities have implemented lockdown measures. This study evaluated the inhibitory effect of lockdown measures on the pandemic by the use of lockdown or similar lockdown in 22 countries or cities. Methods: An SEIQR epidemiological model was developed to capture the transmission dynamics of COVID-19. With the data related to COVID-19 from 22 countries or cities, the optimal parameters of the model were estimated, respectively.Results: The average basic reproduction numbers of 22 countries or cities were between 1.5286-3.8067. And Russia Federation, Spain, Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Singapore, the United States of New York and the United States of New Jersey were hardest hit by COVID-19. Conclusion: Although the pandemic has not been fundamentally controlled for a short time after lockdown, lockdown was proved to be an extremely effective control measure, which significantly scaled the number of patients down, thereby reduced the harmfulness of the pandemic.
Uncovering the underlying mechanisms of Compound Yuxingcao Mixture in the treatment of COVID-19 based on network pharmacology
Authors: Chen Xiaoyue , Zhang Yongqiang , Yuan Dongbo , Hu Bin , Zhu Guohua , Wang Wei , zhu jianguo
Published: June 2020

Background and objective: The novel coronavirus named COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China in December, 2019 and has spread rapidly in China and around the world. The traditional Chinese medicine Compound Yuxingcao Mixture (CYM) has been recommended in recent editions of the national guideline while the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, we analyzed the effectiveness and potential mechanisms of CYM on COVID-19 based on network pharmacology and molecular docking approach. Methods: The active ingredients and potential targets of CYM were screened using TCMSP and STITCH databases. Genes related severe acute respiratory syndromes (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) were queried on the DisGeNET and MalaCards databases. CYM-COVID-19 common target protein interaction network was established by STRING database. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were conducted to generate the relative pathways based on KOBAS databases. In addition, the possible binding site of screened compounds were also predicted by Autodock vina software. Results: A total of 103 active ingredients and 205 putative targets were screened from CYM, of which 32 overlapped with the targets of COVID-19 and were considered therapeutic targets. The analysis of the network diagram demonstrated that the CYM activity of ingredients of quercetin, luteolin, β-sitosterol and kaempferol may play a crucial role in treating COVID-19 by regulating TNF, IL-6, IL-1β, etc. The analysis of molecular binding energy showed that β-sitosterol had the lowest binding energy with COVID-19 3CLpro (-8.63 kJ/mol). GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that these targets were closely associated with inflammatory responses and immune defense processes. Conclusion: In summary, our study identified the potential mechanisms and targets of CYM for the prevention of COVID-19, providing directions for further clinical research.
Untreated Depressive Symptoms Significantly Worsen Quality of Life of the Elderly and may Lead to the Misdiagnosis of Dementia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Voros Viktor , Fekete Sandor , Tenyi Tamas , Rihmer Zoltan , Szili Ilona , Osvath Peter
Published: June 2020

Background: Several studies demonstrated the role of depressive mood and cognitive impairment in the background of elevated mortality and decreased Quality of Life (QoL) of the elderly.Methods: In the framework of the ICT4Life project self-administered questionnaires and clinical screening tools were used to assess QoL, depressive symptoms and cognitive functions of 60 elderly over the age of 65.Results: Males found to be depressed and cognitively declined more frequently; and had higher scores on the depression and lower on the QoL scales. Depressed elderly had lower cognitive levels and their QoL was significantly poorer than that of the non-depressed subjects. Depressive disorders were detected in a quarter of the elderly, and the majority of them did not receive adequate antidepressant medication.Conclusions: Close correlation between depression and cognitive impairment was confirmed, as well as the key role of depression in the background of QoL decline. Results also highlighted the problems of recognition and adequate treatment of depression and cognitive decline in elderly, which can be further complicated by the common symptoms of depressive pseudo-dementia. Early recognition of depressive symptoms is important not only to treat the underlying mood disorder, but also to improve QoL of the elderly.
Prognosis and treatment results of patients with atrial arrhythmia and thrombus or dense spontaneous echo contrast in left atrial appendage
Authors: Kosmalska Katarzyna , Rzyman Malgorzata , Danilowicz-Szymanowicz Ludmila , Fijałkowski Marcin
Published: June 2020

Introduction. Thrombus or sludge in the left atrial appendage (LAA) are both absolute contraindications for cardioversion; however, further therapeutic guidance has not been discovered. Objectives. This study focused on assessing these patients’ risk, the effectiveness of anticoagulation in thrombus resolution, and the treatment influence on patients’ risk. Patients and methods. Seventy-sevenout of267 (29%) patients with arrhythmia who were scheduled for cardioversion were diagnosed with thrombus or sludge. Of these, 44% had chronic arrhythmia and were prescribed an oral anticoagulant; the other 56% underwent further attempts at cardioversion. The entire sample was analyzed for annual risk of death and stroke in termsof anticoagulation and thrombus resolution. The effectiveness of anticoagulants was also assessed. Finally, sludge was compared to thrombus. Results. The annual mortality in patients with thrombus or sludge was 23%. In the group without thrombus,annual mortality was 1.6%. A total of 17% of patients with thrombus or sludge experienced ischemic stroke. In patients without thrombus, their risk of stroke was 1%. Heparin performed better for thrombus resolution (82%) compared to non-vitamin-K-OAC(44%) and vitamin-K antagonists (43%). Sludge increased mortality and risk of stroke comparedto those without thrombus or sludge LAA: 16% vs. 1.5% and 11% vs. 1%, respectively.Comparison between sludge and thrombus did not reveal differences. This study failed to find a prognosis-improving treatment. Conclusions. Thrombus or sludge in the LAA have a poor pronosis. Heparin is better than oral anticoagulation for dissolving thrombus. None of the analyzed treatment methods significantly decreased the risk of death or stroke.
Development of a Cost-effective Medium for Photorhabdus Temperata Bioinsecticide Production From Wastewater and Exploration of Performance Kinetic
Authors: Keskes Sahar , Jallouli Wafa , Atitallah Imen Ben , Chamkha Mohamed , Tounsi Slim
Published: June 2020

This study investigates the optimization of culture conditions for enhancing Photorhabdus temperata biopesticide production using wastewater (WS4) as a raw material. Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to evaluate the effect of carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), NaCl concentration and inoculum size on Photorhabdus temperata biomass production and insecticidal activity. Modelling results suggest that the selected variables had contributed significantly to the responses. For enhanced biopesticide production the optimum operation conditions were as follow: inoculum size=4 %; C/N ratio=12.5 and sodium chloride concentration= 4 g/L for two responses. 1.95 and 2.75 folds improvement in oral toxicity and biomass production, respectively, were obtained when using the three variables at their optimum values. From batch fermentations carried out in the cost-effective medium developed in this study (WS4 I) and WS4 used as control, P. temperata kinetic parameters in term of biomass production and substrate consumption were modeled. The obtained results showed that the maximum specific growth rate was of 0.38 h-1 compared to 0.16 h-1 obtained in WS4. In addition, the efficiency of P. temperata to metabolize organic carbon was enhanced by optimizing culture conditions reaching 70 % instead of 47.2 % in the control fermentation. Under the optimized conditions, P. temperata cells showed higher specific consumption rate resulting in P. temperata toxin synthesis improvement.
MicroRNA-124 alone might represent an indicator signifying cholangiocarcinoma prognosis
Authors: Wang Ning , Li Yanni , Zheng Yanfang , Chen Huoming , Wen Xiaolong , Li Zhaoxia
Published: June 2020

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) played a crucial role in various diseases, including cancers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical significance of miR-124 in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA).Methods: The expression pattern of miR-124 was detected in CCA tissues using quantitative reserve transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The correlation of miR-124 expression with clinicopathological features and overall survival of patients were explored using chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox regression analyses.Results: The miR-124 expression level was strong down-regulated in CCA tissues compared with normal para-cancerous tissues (P<0.001). Moreover, aberrant miR-124 expression was significantly associated with differentiation (P=0.045) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.040). In addition, Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test revealed that patients with low miR-124 expression has a poorer overall survival compared with those with high miR-124 expression (P=0.002). Furthermore, multivariate analysis confirmed that miR-124 expression (P=0.006; HR=2.006; 95%CI: 1.224-3.289) was an independent prognostic indicator in CCA.Conclusions: Collectively, our results defined miR-124 expression plays important roles in CCA patients. MiR-124 expression might used as a valuable prognostic biomarker for patients with CCA.
Discovery of Potential Biomarkers Related to Aggressive Progression and Vascular Invasion of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Ding Bisha
Published: June 2020

Background Aggressive progression together with vascular invasion limit the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aim to identify novel candidate targets related to aggressive stage progression and vascular invasion in HCC and explore the underlying molecular mechanism.Results We first found that high expression of VCX3A was significantly associated with aggressive progression and vascular invasion in HCC, and indicated poor prognosis. Subsequently, hsa-miR-664a-3p and TUBA3C was found to be the most potential upstream miRNA and downstream targets of VCX3A, respectively.Conclusions Our research demonstrates that hsa-miR-664a-3p-VCX3A-TUBA3C axis may be a novel pathway linked to stage progression and vascular invasion of HCC, which provides promising prognostic biomarkers and effective therapeutic approaches for HCC.Methods Firstly, RNA sequencing data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Differentially expressed genes with consistency in three comparison sets (normal VS stage I/II; stage I/II VS stage III/IV; none invasion VS invasion) were identified, after which survival analysis was performed. Next, hub gene expression was validated using clinical samples. Then, upstream miRNA was found according to miRNA predication, clinical pathological bioinformatic analysis and expression analysis. Besides, downstream molecular was found in terms of co-expressed analysis, survival analysis and expression analysis.
Exploring an RNA binding proteins-associated prognostic model for Gastric Cancer
Authors: Liu Ming , Xie Jiayi , Luo Xiaobei , Luo Yaxin , Liu Side , Han Zelong
Published: June 2020

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent malignant cancers around the world. Given that abnormal RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are involved in the tumorigenesis, we aimed to explore the potential value of RBPs-associated genes in gastric cancer.Methods: RNA-seq and clinical data were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and differentially expressed RBPs genes were screened. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were implemented to elucidate the roles of RBPs in GC. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of RBPs were carried out, and the hub genes were determined by MCODE built in Cytoscape. The TCGA-STAD dataset was randomly divided into training and testing groups. A prognostic signature including five RBPs was developed within the training cohort after Cox regression and Lasso regression analyses. We used Kaplan–Meier (KM) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to evaluate the capacity of the model in both groups. Then, a nomogram based on hub RBPs expression was established. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis was performed between the high-risk and low-risk group.Results: A total of 166 up-regulated RBPs and 130 down-regulated RBPs were identified. Via Cox regression and Lasso regression analysis within the training group, five hub RBPs (RNASE1, SETD7, BOLL, PPARGC1B, MSI2) were screened and the prognostic model was constructed. The risk score was calculated and gastric cancer patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups. In multivariate analysis, risk score was still an independent prognostic indicator (HR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.45-2.22, P < 0.01). Patients with low risk had favorable survival rate in both training and testing group compared to those at high risk (P < 0.001). The areas under the ROC curves (AUC) of the prognostic model are 0.718 in the training cohort and 0.651 in the testing cohort. The hub RBPs-based nomogram model exhibited excellent ability to predict the OS of GC. GSEA illustrated that several cancer-related signaling pathways were enriched in patients with a high-risk score.Conclusions: This study discovered a five RBPs signature which might provide a potential prognostic value to GC patients.
A formula constituted by arsenic trioxide and dimercaprol enhances sensitivity of pancreatic cancer xenografts to radiotherapy
Authors: Han Jinbin , Wu Ning , Liu Ying , Yu Simin , Zhu Jianmin
Published: June 2020

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of the formula constituted by arsenic trioxide (ATO) and dimercaprol (BAL), BAL-ATO, as a radiosensitizer against pancreatic cancer xenografts.

Methods

Four treatment arms, including the control, radiotherapy (RT), BAL-ATO and RT + BAL-ATO, were examined using mouse models bearing SW 1990 human pancreatic cancer xenografts. Besides survival and tumor volume analysis, living imaging for cell apoptosis in tumor samples, confocal laser microscope observation for hypoxia, western blot and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays were employed to detect the mechanism of BAL-ATO in radiotherapy.

Results

The median survival of the combination (RT + BAL-ATO) group (64.5 days) was significantly longer than those of the control (49.5 days), RT (39 days), and BAL-ATO (48 days) groups ( P < 0.001 ). Compared to the control group, RT + BAL-ATO inhibited the growth of tumors in mice by 73%, which was much higher than the rate of inhibition of RT alone (59%). The further analysis results also showed an improved microenvironment with regard to hypoxia in tumors treated by BAL-ATO alone or RT + BAL-ATO; besides, the suppression of signals, such as CD24, CD44, ALDH1A1, Gli-1 and Nestin, those associating with pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs), were detected in the tumor samples treated by BAL-ATO alone or RT combing with BAL-ATO.

Conclusion

The data suggested that BAL-ATO, a formula constituted by ATO and BAL, could function as a sensitizer to radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer xenografts, and the mechanism might be attributed to hypoxia reduction and inhibition to signal pathways associated with PCSCs.
Identification of potential core genes in atrial fibrillation based on bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Pan Xiaoyu , Zhang Zaiwei
Published: June 2020

OBJECTIVE:Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias, which is caused by a number of minorring disorders caused by the heart owner's guide. It is noted in almost all organic heart disease and can also occur in non-organic heart disease,causing serious complications, such as heart failure and arterial embolism, seriously threaten people's health.Atrial fibrillation can cause serious complications, such as heart failure and arterial embolism, which seriously threaten people's health. Clinically, according to the characteristics of atrial fibrillation, atrial fibrillation is divided into paroxysmal atrial fibrillation,persistent atrial fibrillation, permanent atrial fibrillation (cannot be converted to sinus rhythm).Among them, persistent atrial fibrillation poses the greatest threat to people's health.So the main purpose of this study is to identify the differential genes in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation. MATERIALS AND METHODS:To explore potential differential genes for permanent atrial fibrillation, we analyzed three microarray datasets GSE2240 derived from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We used the“limma”function package of R software to screen differentially expressed genes(DEGs), and used the“pheatmap”function package to construct heatmaps for the screened differential genes.Visualization and Integration Discovery (DAVID) ,Cytoscape ,BMKcloud and String platforms were utilized for Genome Ontology (GO) analysis,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis , PPI(protein-proteinInteraction) network analysis ,module analysis,and identification hub genes based on the selected differential genes.RESULTS:74 DEGs in total were identified, including 41 up- and 33 downregulated genes. These DEGs were mainly enriched in PI3K-Akt signaling pathway ,cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, Focal adhesion, and so on. The module analysis filtered out 12 key genes, including PRL, CREB1, AGO2, NAMPT, IGFBP2, FGF7, ANGPT2, SYT13, NRXN1, AQP4, TCEAL2, and CPLX1. 2 Hub genes were identified, including IGFBP2, and FGF7.CONCLUSIONS:IGFBP2 and FGF7 were identified as Hub genes of AF, which helped us to understand more deeply the pathophysiological mechanism of AF.
Investigation on the effect of vitamin C on growth & biofilm-forming potential of Streptococcus mutans isolated from patients with dental caries
Authors: Eydou Zehdi , Jad Bader Naser , Elsayed Zeyad , Ismail Anas , Magaogao Michael , Hossain Ashfaque
Published: June 2020

Background Streptococcus mutans is a major cause of dental caries. Its capacity to produce biofilm is fundamental in the pathogenesis of this ubiquitous condition. As maintaining a healthy dentition is a genuine goal given the contemporary advance in caries control, researchers are striving to achieve a breakthrough in caries therapy. We are taking the anti-cariogenic properties of vitamin C a step-further, considering the well-known evidence of the inversely proportionate relationship between salivary levels of vitamin C and dental caries. The aim of this study was to determine MIC, MBC, minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC), and derivative measures of vitamin C against fresh clinical isolates of S. mutans to evaluate its efficacy as an anti-cariogenic agent.Results Based on the data of four independent experiments done in quadruplicates, we found a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect of vitamin C on all S. mutans strains tested. The average MBC, MIC, and MBIC of vitamin C were found to be 10.16, 9.38, and 5.61 mg/ml, respectively. Spectrophotometric quantitation of crystal violet showed diminished biofilm formation in the presence of vitamin C (p < 0.05). This inhibitory effect was not seen when vitamin C was added 18 hours post-inoculation, proving its inability to detach preformed biofilm. When compared with gentamicin, vitamin C produced a zone of inhibition that was three times as large against the clinical isolates.Conclusion Our results show that vitamin C has a negative effect on S. mutans growth and biofilm formation, which appears to be related to an inhibitory mechanism. Being the first to meticulously utilize MBIC to explore a well-known effect of vitamin C, this report aims to help in the instigation of trials of higher evidence that will ultimately culminate in repurposing vitamin C as a novel anti-cariogenic agent, albeit further studies are required to provide auxiliary evidence in this context.
Incidence and Clinical Significance of Delphian Lymph Node Metastasis in Unilateral Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Wei , Wang Zhenglin , Wang Cong , Ai Zhilong
Published: June 2020

Background: Some studies have reported that Delphian lymph node (DLN) metastasis is associated with a poor prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), but the number of the available studies is limited and the results are inconsistent. The aim of this investigation was to study the incidence and clinical significance of DLN metastasis in patients with unilateral PTC.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study from January 2016 to December 2019. The data were obtained from the department of general surgery in Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University. This study included 522 patients with unilateral PTC and had DLN harvested. The associations between DLN metastasis and the clinical characteristics of the patients, i.e. age, sex, tumor size, multifocality, capsular invasion, extrathyroidal extension, central lymph nodes (CLN) metastasis (excluding DLN), and lateral lymph nodes (LLN) metastasis was analyzed.Results: Among all the 522 patients, 133 (25.5%) patients had metastasized DLN lymph nodes. DLN metastasis was significantly associated with age (p = 0.047), male (p < 0.001), larger tumor size (p < 0.001), capsular invasion (p < 0.001), extrathyroidal extension (p = 0.004), tumor location in upper third (p = 0.003), other CLN metastasis (p < 0.001), number of positive CLN (excluding DLN) (p < 0.001), LLN metastasis (p = 0.036), number of positive LLN (p = 0.004) and number of DLN removed (p = 0.043). No association was found between DLN metastasis and multifocality, number of CLN removed and number of LLN removed.Conclusions: DLN metastasis is associated with some adverse prognostic markers of PTC. If the DLN is positive on intraoperative frozen section, careful dissection of CLN and careful evaluation of LLN are essential, and intensive follow-up should be warranted.
Discrepancies in sex-specific COVID-19 outcomes in South Asia
Authors: Khan Nusrat , Luhar Shammi , Koirala Dinesh Prasad , Tshokey Tshokey , Chowdhury Rajiv
Published: June 2020

Divergent sex and gender norms in South Asia are key determinants of health conditions and healthcare access. However, sex-discrepancies among South Asians in important COVID-19 outcomes are unknown. We report and examine sex-specific patterning of infection, hospitalisation, deaths, case-fatality and recovery in South Asia, and conclude that contrary to trends in many high-income countries, there is a male predominance in the number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalisations, and a comparatively very low men to women case-fatality-ratio. Our findings emphasise the demand for detailed research into reasons for these sex-discrepancies to develop combative strategies in settings with suboptimal health systems infrastructure.
Effects of Reallocating Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviors, and Sleep on Mental Health: A Cross-Sectional Examination of Canadian Adolescents in the COMPASS Study
Authors: Gilchrist Jenna , Battista Kate , Patte Karen A. , Faulkner Guy , Carson Valerie , Leatherdale Scott T.
Published: June 2020

Background: Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep are associated with mental health in adolescents. Mental health may depend not only on the amount of time spent in a specific activity, but also on the activity it displaces. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of reallocating 15 minutes of time spent in one health behavior with 15 minutes in another on adolescent mental health. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the students participating in the COMPASS Study (2018-2019) were analyzed (N = 46,413). Participants self-reported the amount of time they spent engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), doing homework and using screens, and their sleep duration on average each day. Participants also self-reported depressive symptoms, anxiety, and flourishing. Data were analyzed using isotemporal substitution modeling. Results: Non-linear associations were evident between sleep and the mental health outcomes, so analyses were stratified by sleep duration based on whether students reported meeting current guidelines or not. Among adolescents getting less than the recommended amount of sleep, replacing any behaviour with sleep was generally associated with better mental health outcomes. Conversely, among adolescents getting adequate sleep, the findings did not support replacing other behaviors with sleep with the exception of screen time. Replacing homework and MVPA with sleep was associated with less flourishing regardless of sleep duration. Of the two sedentary behaviors assessed, replacing screen time with homework was associated with less depression and greater flourishing. However, replacing any behavior with homework was associated with greater anxiety regardless of whether participants reported adequate sleep or not.Conclusions: Replacing screen time with any behaviour may be better for mental health outcomes. Results provide further support for the critical role of sleep in promoting healthy development during adolescence, though more sleep than is recommended may confer little benefit for mental health. Youth getting adequate sleep may benefit from replacing screen time with homework or MVPA. The findings demonstrate that mental health benefits may be obtainable at intervals as short as 15 minutes.
Histological Differentiation Grade and Surgery Affects Short-Term Mortality in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Kuo Hsuan-Chih , Pan Yi-Ping , Hsu Ting-You , Lin Jui-Ying , Chou Wen-Chi , Lai Chien-Hong , Chang Pei-Hung , Yeh Kun-Yun
Published: June 2020

Background: This study aimed to examine the relationship between the clinicopathological features, nutritional and inflammatory status, type of treatment, and short-term mortality in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients. Methods: 205 patients with ESCC were included. The following malnutrition and inflammation criteria at the time of diagnosis were applied: body mass index < 18.5 kg/m2, serum albumin level < 3.5 g/dL, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) > 3.5, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) > 17 and C-reactive protein. Clinicopathological features, Malnutrition status, inflammatory condition and the type of treatment were analyzed for 3-month and 6-month mortality rates by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: The 3-month and 6-month mortality rates were 13.2% and 27.3%, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression model after adjustment for clinicopathological variables and comorbid status found that surgery and histological differentiation grade were prognostic factors for short-term mortality. Conclusions: In addition to surgery, histological differentiation grade independently contributes to high short-term mortality of ESCC patients.
Changes of Peripheral Lymphocyte Populations in Patients with Advanced/Recurrent Ovarian Cancer Undergoing Splenectomy During Cytoreductive Surgery
Authors: Chen Wei , Ye Shuang , Wu Yutuan , Pei Xuan , Xiang Libing , Ping Bo , Shan Boer , Yang Huijuan
Published: June 2020

Background: To investigate the change of peripheral lymphocyte subsets after splenectomy during cytoreductive surgery for advanced or recurrent ovarian cancersMethods: We enrolled 83 patients with advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer who underwent cytoreductive surgery between 09/2016 and 01/2019. Twenty patients who also underwent splenectomy were assigned to the splenectomy cohort and the rest to the non-splenectomy cohort. Flow cytometry was used to measure the peripheral lymphocyte subsets consisting of T cells, regulatory T cells, natural killer cells, B cells, and activation antigens before and after surgery.Results: There was not any difference in the number and distribution of peripheral lymphocyte subsets between the two cohorts before surgery. We observed elevated levels of T cells (CD3+, CD3+CD8+) in the splenectomy cohort compared to those in the non-splenectomy cohort after surgery, which achieved statistical significance. The post-operative CD4/CD8 ratio was lower in the splenectomy cohort than in the non-splenectomy cohort (P = 0.048). Regarding the changes of lymphocyte subsets after surgery, CD8+CD28+ T cells had a significant decreasing tendency (P = 0.011) while CD3+/HLA-DR+ T cells were the opposite (P = 0.001) in the splenectomy cohort. In the non-splenectomy cohort, the proportion of Tregs (P = 0.005) and B cells (P < 0.001) including CD3−/HLA-DR+ B cells (P = 0.007) increased after surgery, and the absolute number of T cells and NK cells decreased to different extents (P < 0.001). The post-operative percentage of CD8+CD28+ T cells was less than the pre-operative one (P = 0.022), which was similar to the splenectomy cohort.Conclusions: The changes of peripheral lymphocyte populations were different between patients with splenectomy and without splenectomy during cytoreductive surgery for advanced or recurrent ovarian cancers. T cells were increased and activated in splenectomy cohort, whereas, B cells were increased and activated in non-splenectomy.
Clinical characteristics, outcomes and follow-up of COVID-19 infection in cancer patients
Authors: Fang Minghao , Ling Jianmin , Wu Yanqing , Wang Zhaohua , Yang Le
Published: June 2020

Purpose: The study is to describe the clinical characteristics, outcomes and follow-up of cancer patients with COVID-19. Methods: Clinical records, demographic data, signs and symptoms, laboratory results, cytokine profiles, chest CT scans, comorbidities, treatments, clinical outcomes, and RT-PCR of SARS-CoV-2 after discharge were retrospectively collected for fifty-six cancer patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia who were admitted to Tongji Hospital of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China, from Feb 1 to Apr 1, 2020. Evidence of cytokine profiles were assessed by testing for the IL1β, IL2R, IL6, IL8, IL10, and TNF - α in the peripheral blood of severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected cancer patients. Results: Of 2143 patients with COVID-19, 56 cancer patients were included. The patients were divided into two groups, as cancer survivors, and cancer non-survivors. 12 (21%) patients with lymphopenia (0.5 [0.3-0.7]) had died during hospital stay. In non-survivors, IL2R, IL6, and IL10 were higher. 3(6.8%) cancer survivors with COVID-19 had positive RT-PCR test results again shortly after discharge. Conclusion: The mortality rate of COVID-19 among cancer patients are considerable. Cancer non-survivors are characterized by more severe lymphopenia and a higher levels of cytokines. Recovered cancer survivors still may be virus carriers.