bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding What Influences Community-based Care Coordination Improvement: Interpreting Variation in a Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR)
Authors: Brock Jane , Gass Brianna , Brothersen Alaina , McFall Lacey , Walsh Kati , Goatee Christina , Huebschmann Amy G , Holtrop Jodi Summers
Published: September 2020

BackgroundQuality Improvement Networks Quality Improvement Organizations (QIN-QIOs) developed community coalitions to align care coordination efforts for Medicare beneficiaries in order to reduce readmission rates within geographically defined communities. This CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) funded national quality improvement program worked with 380 coalitions from 2014-2019, facilitating a variety of interventions within each community. Baseline readmission rates among communities, calculated from claims data, varied from 17.7 to 112 readmissions/1000 beneficiaries. Program results ranged from +40.7% (high performance) to -35.8% (low performance) relative improvement.We applied an implementation framework (CFIR) to the QIN-QIO efforts to define common characteristics of interventions, implementation strategies, and contexts in which improvement efforts took place. We identify features associated with successful and unsuccessful intervention implementation, and with changes in readmission rates.MethodsWe selected 22 communities representing a range of relative improvement, geographic characteristics and baseline readmissions rates. We measured the QIN-QIO’s perception of influence of individual CFIR constructs on community readmission rates over time using a written assessment and elicited details and mechanisms through structured interviews. Two independent reviewers qualitatively coded transcribed interviews. Final ratings for the influence of each CFIR construct on community performance were assigned by consensus, ranging from -2 (strong negative influence) to +2 (strong positive influence).Results Some adaptation of the CFIR, such including codes in a coalition domain, and adding constructs to the outer setting domain, such as healthcare market characteristics, helped fit the framework to the QIN-QIO work. The characteristics of individuals domain was less applicable to this study. Several constructs were found to be associated with improvement, or lack of, in readmission rates in communities.ConclusionsThe CFIR is an appropriate taxonomy for understanding implementation of care coordination interventions in the QIN-QIO communities, with constructs from the Outer Setting and Process domains having the most influence on successful implementation. Communities effectively reducing readmissions had coalitions with favorable implementation climates, robust stakeholder engagement strategies, and interventions aligned with local concerns and capabilities. The CFIR can help guide, monitor and evaluate community-based improvement initiatives, although further development some constructs is needed.
The Correlations Between the Expression of SSTR2, SSTR5 Proteins and Clinicopathological Parameters as well as Prognosis of Gastric Neuroendocrine Neoplasms
Authors: Ye Yanwei , Xiao Chuangfeng , Li Yingze , Shan YiMing , Li Jie , Jiang Dongbao , Li Jingjing , Han Chao , Li Wencai
Published: September 2020

Background： Somatostatin receptor 2, 5 (SSTR2, SSTR5) were seldom investigated in gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (G-NENs). The purpose of the study was to elucidate the expression of SSTR2, SSTR5 in G-NENs and related clinical significance.Methods： 66 paraffin-embedded specimens were obtained from The first affiliated hospital of Zhengzhou university. The expression of SSTR2 and SSTR5 was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of SSTR2, SSTR5 and the clinicopathological characteristics, related immunohistochemical molecules and prognosis of gastric neuroendocrine neoplasm were analyzed statistically.Results： The expression rate of SSTR2 protein in G-NENs tissues and normal stomach tissues was 48.5% and 25.0%, respectively (P=0.046); the expression rate of SSTR5 protein in G-NENs tissues and normal stomach tissues was 65.2% and 25.0% , respectively (P=0.018). The expression of SSTR2 was positively correlated with the expression of Ki-67, SSTR5 and tumor grade (P-value was 0.032, 0.002, and 0.005, respectively); the expression of SSTR5 was positively correlated with the expression of SSTR2, Ki-67, CD-56 and tumor grade (P-value was 0.032, 0.011, 0.008, 0.028, respectively). In the SSTR2-positive group, SSTR5, CD-56, Ki-67 were closely related to the prognosis of patients with G-NENs. In the SSTR5-positive group, tumor grade, SSTR2, CD-56, Ki-67 were closely related to the prognosis of patients with G-NENs. Multi-factor analysis showed that SSTR2 and SSTR5 were independent prognostic factors for patients with G-NENs. Conclusion. High expression of SSTR2 and SSTR5 protein was related to the tumorigenesis of G-NENs. SSTR2 and SSTR5 were associated with the prognosis and might improve the prognosis of G-NENs.
Pleural Fluid GSDMD is a Novel Biomarker for the Early Differential Diagnosis of Pleural Effusion
Authors: Li Pu , Shi Jing , Zhou Lijing , Wang Bo , Zhang Lijun , Duan Liang , Hu Qin , Zhou Xiaolan , Yuan Yuan , Li Dandan , Chen Hong , Zhao Qing , Peng Xuemei , Chen Weixian
Published: September 2020

Introduction: To accurate differential diagnosis of pleural effusion (PE) is still a big challenge. Gasdermin D (GSDMD), controlling pyroptosis in cells, has multiple physiological functions. The diagnostic role of GSDMD in PE remains unknown.Methods: Sandwich ELISA kits that we developed were applied to measure the level of GSDMD for 335 patients with the definite cause of PE, including transudative pleural effusion, tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE), parapneumonic pleural effusion (PPE), and malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Clinical follow up of 40 cases of PPE were conducted and divided into efficacy group and non-efficacy group according to therapeutic outcome. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was conducted to explore the diagnostic and predictive performance of GSDMD. Nucleated cells (NCs) in pleural effusion were isolated and further infected with bacteria to verify the cell source of GSDMD.Results: In this study, there was prominent statistical significance among the concentration of GSDMD in these four groups (all p < 0.0001, except between MPE and PPE). ROC curve indicated that GSDMD can be an efficient biomarker for differential diagnosis of transudative pleural effusion and other groups (all AUC ＞ 0.973). Noteworthily, the highest AUC belonged to tuberculosis diagnosis of 0.990, and the sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 97.53%. The combination of GSDMD, adenosine deaminase (ADA) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) will further improve the diagnostic efficiency especially between TPE and PPE (AUC = 0.968). The AUC of GSDMD change at day 4 could predict the therapeutic effect at an early stage was 0.945 (P < 0.0001). Interestingly, bacterial infection experiments further confirm that the pleural fluid GSDMD was expressed and secreted mainly by the NCs. Conclusion: GSDMD and its combination not only candidate as the potentially novel biomarkers to separate PEs early and effectively, but also monitor disease progression.
7q35q36.3 Deletion and Concomitant 20q13.2q13.33 Duplication in a Newborn: Familiar Case
Authors: Dell'Edera Domenico , Allegretti Arianna , Rosalba Ardea Dell'Edera , Dell'Edera Maria Teresa , Epifania Annunziata Anna , Mercuri Ludovica , Mitidieri Angela , Simone Francesca , Ventura Mario
Published: September 2020

Array-CGH is a powerful tool in identifying and characterizing complex genomic rearrangements when classical cytogenetics approaches are not sensible enough in detecting rearrangements smaller than 5-10 Mb. The use of Array-CGH has increased the detection rate of unbalanced cryptic rearrangements such as deletions and/or duplications of 10-20% We present here the first report of a patient with 7q35q36.3 microdeletion and concomitant 20q13.2q13.33 microduplication detected by array-CGH and confirmed by reiterative FISH experiments associated with dysmorphism, delayed development, Long QT syndrome (LQTS), complex congenital heart disease, pulmonary hypertension, hypotonia, respiratory distress, cognitive deficit. We proved that this unbalanced rearrangement was due to an adjacent-1 segregation inherited by the mother carrier of a balanced translocation between chromosomes 7 and 20.
Evaluating Alteration of Blood Transcriptome Affected by Storage Conditions Using RNA Sequencing
Authors: Koh Eun Jung , Yu So Yeon , Kim Seung Jun , Lee Eun-Il , Hwang Seung Yong
Published: September 2020

BackgroundWhole blood is one of the most widely utilized human samples in biological research and is useful for analysing the mechanisms of diverse bio-molecular phenomena. However, owing to its fluidic properties, whole blood is relatively unstable in the frozen state compared to other biopsy samples. Because RNA is structurally unstable, sample damage can severely affect RNA quality, thereby reducing its usability. This study aimed to assess the quality of RNA prepared from blood stored at different temperatures and times prior to freezing, as well as the effect of freezer storage time. ResultsThe quality of the RNA derived from different blood samples was assessed by determining the RNA integrity number and RNA sequencing to identify genes (|fold-change (FC)| > 1.5, p-value < 0.05, false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05) that were differentially expressed between the differently prepared RNA samples. We found that improper sample handling critically influenced both RNA quality and gene expression patterns. In particular, storing blood at room temperature over 12 h before freezing led to RNA degradation. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that expression of the CXCR1 gene was substantially reduced when using impaired RNA. ConclusionsThis study emphasizes the importance of proper sample management for obtaining reliable downstream application outcomes and suggests the CXCR1 gene as a candidate screening marker for RNA damage caused by improper sample handling.
Relationship between Depressive Symptoms and Stress in individuals with infectious history of COVID-19: Mediating Effect of purpose in life
Authors: Zhang Liang , Kong Lingming , Zhang Feilong , Mi Zhiyong , Wang Yongliang , Yan Tao , Zhou Jintao , Wei Dong
Published: September 2020

Background: Corona Virus Disease 2019 (CVID-19) is spreading across the world and the epidemic is also a great stress event for individuals which may trigger lots of mental health issue. This study aims to investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms and stress in individuals with infectious history of COVID-19 in Wuhan and the mediating effect of purpose in life.Method: A total of 128 individuals with infectious history of COVID-19 who were discharged from designated hospital and furtherly accepted health management of 14-day rehabilitation, isolation and medical observation at Qingshan District Rehabilitation Station in Wuhan were selected for the testing of Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Impact of Event Scale (IES) and purpose-in-life test (PLT).Results: The depressive emotion, somatic symptoms and total score of CES-D in male group were significantly lower than that of in female participants (P＜0.001). The total score of CES-D was negatively correlated with all factors of PLT and positively correlated with all factors in IES (P＜0.05 or 0.01). The feeling of life, life goal, intrusiveness and awareness had significant predictive effects on the total score of CES-D(P＜0.05 or 0.01), which could explain 69.3% of variations in the total score of CES-D. The purpose in life played a partial mediating effect between the stress and depressive symptoms in individuals with infectious history of COVID-19, and the mediating effect accounted for 13.33% of the total effect.Conclusions: The females with infectious history of COVID-19 had more severe symptoms of depression. The stress of COVID-19 infectious history had predictive effect on depressive symptoms and purpose in life was mediator between stress and depressive symptoms.
The acquisition of Multi-drug resistant bacteria in patients admitted to COVID-19 intensive care units: a monocentric retrospective case control study
Authors: Bogossian Elisa Gouvêa , Taccone Fabio Silvio , Izzi Antonio , Yin Nicolas , Garufi Alessandra , Hublet Stephane , Nijmi Hassane , Gohram Julie , Byl Baudoin , Brasseur Alexandre , Hites Maya , Vincent Jean-Louis , Creteur Jacques , Grimaldi David
Published: September 2020

Background: Whether the risk of multidrug resistant bacteria (MDRB) acquisition in the intensive care unit (ICU) is increased during the COVID-19 crisis is unknown. Our aim was to measure the rate of MDRB acquisition in patients admitted in COVID-19 ICU and to compare it with pre-COVID-19 controls.Methods: This single center case control study included adult patients admitted to COVID-19 ICUs for more than 48h. Patients were screen twice a week for MDRB carriage during ICU stay. We compared the rate of MDRB acquisition of COVID-19 patients with a cohort of patients admitted for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and matched on length of ICU stay using a competing risk analysis.Results: Among 72 patients admitted to the COVID-19 ICUs, 24 (33%) patients acquired 31 MDRB during ICU stay. The rate of MDRB acquisition was 30/1000 patient-days. Patients that acquired MDRB had received more antimicrobial therapy [22 (92%) vs 34 (78%, p=0.05] and had a longer exposure time [12 days (8-18) vs 5 days (2-18), p=0.02]. The rate of MDRB acquisition in matched SAH patients was 18/1000 patient-days. When compared to SAH retrospective cohort, being admitted to a COVID-19 ICU was associated with a numerically higher proportion of MDRB acquisition. This association did not reach statistical significance in the multivariable competing risk analysis (sHR 1.71 (CI 95% 0.93-3.21).Conclusion: Acquisition of MDRB was frequent during the COVID-19 first wave in ICU patients. Despite physical isolation, it was similar to patients admitted to the same ICU in previous years.
Development of a risk scoring system for prognostication in HIV-related toxoplasma encephalitis
Authors: Li Yao , Zeng Yanming , Liu Min , Lu Yanqiu , Liu Xueyan , Zhang Yulin , Jiang Zhongsheng , Yang Tongtong , Sun Yan , Lan Ke , Chen Yaokai
Published: September 2020

Objective: This study aims to evaluate specific risk factors influencing prognosis of HIV-infected patients with toxoplasma encephalitis (TE) in order to develop a prognostic risk scoring system for them. Methods: This is a six-center retrospective study of hospitalized HIV/TE patients. Data including six-week mortality after diagnosis, baseline characteristics, clinical features, laboratory tests and radiological characteristics of eligible patients were assimilated for risk model establishing.Results: In this study, the six-week mortality among 94 retrospective cases was 11.7% (11/94). Seven specific risk factors, viz. time from symptom onset to presentation, fever, dizziness, CD4+ T-cell counts, memory deficits, patchy brain lesions, and disorders of consciousness were calculated to be statistically associated with mortality. A criterion value of ‘9’ was selected as the optimal cut-off value of the established model. The AUC of the ROC curve of this scoring model was 0.976 (p<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the risk scoring model was 100.0% and 86.9%, respectively, which were 81.8% and 94.1% of this scoring model in the verification cohort, respectively. Conclusions: The developed scoring system was established with simple risk factors, which also allows expeditious implementation of accurate prognostication, and appropriate therapeutic interventions in HIV-infected patients with TE.
Implementation of Medicine Take-back Concept at Community Level in Nepal: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Sapkota Binaya , Giri Anil , Bhatta Bigyan , Awasthi Krishna , Bhurtyal Kiran , Joshi Bimala , Joshi Khem Raj
Published: September 2020

Background: Medications are not always completely consumed as purchased from pharmacy due to lack of awareness, forgetfulness. So, most households may have leftover, unwanted, unused and expired (UUE) medicines. They may lead to health hazards and environment pollution. The present study was aimed to analyze feasibility of implementation of medicine take-back in select communities of Nepal.Methods: Exploratory study was conducted among adults (total 400) in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Kaski, Kanchanpur and Kailali districts from July 2017 to January 2018. Study sites and participants were selected by simple random sampling and respondents were interviewed about their awareness about medicine disposal techniques, possible hazards and their willingness to support take-back program using semi-structured questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the relationship of various take-back related outcomes with the predictors. The p-value less than 0.05 was statistically significant at 95% confidence level. Results: The multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that there was significant relationship of health hazards (rashes and diarrhea) among the farmers, engineers, nurse and lawyers (p value <0.01 in each). Land pollution and effect on health of children was significantly related with the inappropriate disposal of medicines such as site of disposal (p value <0.01), river (p value 0.02), garbage (p value 0.04), and dumping site (p value 0.01). The analysis of the willingness to follow take-back program with the techniques of support showed significant relationship with the establishment of collection center and participation on seminar (p value <0.01). Conclusions: Most participants kept UUE medicines in home, disposed with household rubbish and flushed down the sink. They were interested to support take-back, if implemented in their community but the main constraint was the budget. Hence, take-back concept could be initiated and implemented on government funding or other external sources.
USP14 Haploinsufficiency Ameliorates Alzheimer’s Disease-Like Pathology in APP/PS1 Mice
Authors: Xu Hua , Wu Xueheng , Liang Lu , Chen Haoyu , Xu Jia , Hu Wanyan , Li Xinci , Liu Qin , Wang Xuejun , Zhang Chang-E , liu jinbao
Published: September 2020

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia; its main pathological features are neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) consisting of hyperphosphorylated microtubule-associated protein (Tau) in the cell and extracellular beta-amyloid protein (Aβ)-based senile plaques (SP). The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is the main pathway for protein degradation in cells. Proteasome malfunction exists in AD patients and may promote the progression of the disease. USP14 is a deubiquitinating enzyme associated with the 19S proteasome. Functional inhibition of USP14 was shown to enhance proteasome proteolytic function, but no reported study has investigated the impact of genetic inhibition of USP14 on AD.Methods: Mice with heterozygous knockout of the Usp14 gene (USP14+/-) were generated and cross-bred with the APP/PS1 transgenic mice, the resultant offspring littermates were subjected to basal survival and growth analyses, and comparison of AD-like pathologies as detected with biochemical and histopathological methods and of cognitive function as assessed with the Morris water maze tests. Results:USP14 mRNA and protein levels in USP14+/- mice were decreased by ~50% compared with USP14+/+mice. The increases of total, K48 or K63 linked ubiquitinated proteins in APP/PS1 mouse brains were abolished in APP/PS1::USP14+/- mice. The increases in Aβ deposition and AD-associated phosphorylated Tau, senile plagues and neurofibrillary tangles, as well as spatial learning and memory decline induced by APP/PS1 were significantly attenuated in APP/PS1 mice. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that global knocking down USP14 protein expression by 50% is tolerable by mice and exhibits marked protection against AD-like pathologies in a widely used AD mouse model, favoring the exploration of moderate inhibition ofUSP14 as a potentially novel and viable therapy against AD.
Sirt2-SUMOylation is essential for its tumor-suppressor function in neuroblastoma
Authors: Lu Wenmei , Wang Qian , Xu Ci , Yuan Haihua , Fan Qiang , Chen Biying , Cai Renjie , Wu Danhong , Xu Ming
Published: September 2020

Background

SUMOylation is an important post-translational modification and participates in a variety of cellular physiological and pathological processes in eukaryotic cells. Sirt2, as a NAD+-dependent deacetylase, usually exerts tumor-suppressor function. However, its SUMOylation roles in cancer cells have not been illustrated.
Methods

Ni2+-NTA, GST-pull down and immunoprecipitation in vitro and in vivo were used for the Sirt2-SUMOylation or P38-Acetylation assay. Immunofluorescence and Nuclear/Cytosol Fractionation Kit were performed to identify the localization of Sirt2 with or without SUMOylation. The proliferation, soft-agar colony formation, migration and invasion were performed to detect the phenotypes of neuroblastoma cells in vitro, and the xenograft tumor model was conducted to verify Sirt2-SUMOylation role in tumorigenesis in vivo. R2 online database were used for the clinical analysis, including expression, survival curve and pathology stage.
Results

SUMOylation can occur in Sirt2 protein at both lysine 183 and lysine 340 sites. SUMOylation of Sirt2 does not affect its localization or stability, but involves in the P38-mTORC2-AKT cellular signal transduction via the direct deacetylation on P38. SUMOylation-deficient Sirt2 losses the capability of suppressing tumor processes and neuroblastoma cell shows a resistance to Sirt2-specific inhibitor AK-7.
Conclusion

We revealed an important function of SUMOylation on Sirt2, which is closely associated with the cellular signal transduction and is essential for suppressing the tumorigenesis in neuroblastoma.
Corporate Ownership and Firm Value: A Gmm-Based Dynamic Panel Data Approach
Authors: PANDEY KRISHNA DAYAL , SAHU TARAK NATH
Published: September 2020

To establish the relationship between corporate ownership and firm value, static as well as Arellano-Bond dynamic panel model based on Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) are applied on a set of panel data consisting 112 Indian manufacturing firms listed in BSE 200 Index of Bombay Stock Exchange for the period of 2011-18. A significant and positive effect of domestic promoters, foreign promoters and institutional ownership on Tobin’s Q is established. Regarding ownership concentration, a U-shaped relationship between ownership of large shareholders and ownership of largest shareholder and firm value is evidenced. At lower level of concentration, the effect on firm value is found to be negative indicating joint effect of ‘expropriation of minority shareholders’ and ‘misaligned interests’ of majority owners with the firm. For ownership concentration by large owners and the largest one owner, the effect on firm value is found to be positive after a threshold of 70 and 52 percent respectively. This signifies improved alignment of interests and efficient monitoring of managerial opportunistic behaviour and dismantling of owners-managers agency problem at higher level of concentration. Stricter external regulatory mechanism is suggested as a complimentary force to internal governance to ensure protection of minority shareholders’ interest and improved firm valuation.
Cerebaral Hyperperfusion in General Paralysis Patients
Authors: Wu Yali , li jingjing , wu wenqing
Published: September 2020

Objective This study aimed to identify the cerebral blood flow (CBF) in patients with general paralysis (GP). Methods Three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (3D-pCASL) imaging was performed to measure the CBF in twenty patients with GP and twenty healthy subjects(NC). CBF was normalized to reduce variations among subjects. CBF was compared between the groups. Results Compared with the healthy subjects, the patients with GP exhibited increased CBF in the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, insular lobe, limbic lobe, and parietal lobe(all P<0.05). There was no difference in CBF of the occipital lobe between the GP group and the NC group(all P>0.05). Conclusions Our results suggest that the patients with GP may exhibit regional increased CBF, which may be one of the pathogenesis of general paralysis.
Models for Predicting Bulinids Species Habitats in Southwestern Nigeria Using Geographic Information System
Authors: Oso Opeyemi G. , Odaibo Alex
Published: September 2020

Background: Schistosomiasis prevalence is high in southwestern Nigeria and planorbids of the genus Bulinus had been implicated in the transmission of the disease in the area. The knowledge of species distribution in relation to environmental variables will be auspicious in planning control strategies. Methods: Satellite imagery and geographic information system (GIS) were used to develop models for predicting the habitats suitable for bulinid species. Monthly snail sample collection was done in twenty-three randomly selected water contact sites using standard method for a period of two years. Remotely sensed variables such as Land Surface Temperature (LST), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were extracted from Landsat TM, ETM+; Slope and Elevation were obtained from digital elevation model (DEM) while Rainfall was retrieved from European Meteorology Research Program. These environmental factors and snail species were integrated into GIS to predict the potential habitats of different bulinid species using exploratory regression models. Results: The following environmental variables: flat-moderate slope (0.01-15.83), LST (21.1oC-23.4oC), NDVI (0.19-0.52), spatial rainfall (> 1,569.34 mm) and elevation (1-278 meters) all contributed to the model used in predicting habitat suitable for bulinids snail intermediate hosts. Exploratory regression models showed that LST, NDVI and slope were predictors of B. globosus and B. jousseaumei; elevation, LST, Rainfall and slope were predictors of B. camerunensis; spatial rainfall, NDVI and slope were predictors of B. senegalensis while NDVI and slope were predictors of B. forskalii in the area. Bulinids in the forskalii group showed clustering in middle belt and south. The predictive risk map of B. jousseaumei was similar to the pattern described for B. globosus, but with a high R-square value of 81%. Conclusion: The predictive risk models of bulinid species in this study provided a robust output for the study area which could be used as base-line for other areas in that ecological zone. It will be useful in appropriate allocation of scares resources in the control of schistosomiasis in that environment.
Detection of circulating genetically abnormal cells using 4-color fluorescence in situ hybridization for the early detection of lung cancer
Authors: Feng Mingxiang , Ye Xin , Lin Miao , Zhou Haining , Huang Meng , Chen Yanci , Zhu Yunhe , Xiao Botao , Chen Baishen , Huang Chuoji , Zhang Juncheng , Katz Ruth L. , Bai Chunxue
Published: September 2020

Background
Available biomarkers lack sensitivity for early lung cancer. Circulating genetically abnormal cells (CACs) occur early in tumorigenesis. To determine the diagnostic value of CACs in blood detected by 4-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for lung cancer.
Methods
This was a prospective study of patients with pulmonary nodules ≤ 30 mm detected between 10/2019 and 01/2020 at four tertiary hospitals in China. All patients underwent a pathological examination of lung nodules found by imaging and were grouped as malignant and benign. CACs were detected by 4-color FISH. Patients were divided into the training and validation cohorts. Receiver operating characteristics analysis was used to analyze the diagnosis value of CACs.
Results
A total of 205 participants were enrolled. Using a cut-off value of ≥ 3, blood CACs achieved areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.887, 0.823, and 0.823 for lung cancer in the training and validation cohorts, and all patients, respectively. CACs had high diagnostic values across all tumor sizes and imaging lesion types. CACs were decreased after surgery (median, 4 vs. 1, P < 0.001) in the validation set. The CAC status between blood and tissues was highly consistent (kappa = 0.909, P < 0.001). The AUC of CAC (0.823) was higher than that of CEA (0.478), SCC (0.516), NSE (0.506), ProGRP (0.519), and CYFRA21-1 (0.535) (all P < 0.001).
Conclusions
CACs might have a high value for the early diagnosis of lung cancer. These findings might need to be validated in future studies. Evidence suggested homology in genetic aberrations between the CACs and the tumor cells.
STOML2 Interacts with PHB through Activating MAPK Signaling Pathway to Promote Colorectal Cancer Proliferation.
Authors: Ma Wenhui , Chen Yuehong , Li Wenyi , Xu Zhuoluo , Wei Zhigang , Mou Tingyu , Wu Zhaokun , Cheng Mingzhen , Zou Yini , Zhu Yu , Zhou Weijie , Geng Yan
Published: September 2020

BackgroundOverexpression of STOML2 has been widely reported in a variety of cancer, yet few has detailed its function and regulatory mechanism. This study aims to reveal the clinicopathologic significance and oncologic function of STOML2 in colorectal cancer, explore its specific mechanism by means of yeast two-hybrid assay and bioinformatics.MethodsExpression level of STOML2 in normal colon and CRC tissue from biobank in Nanfang Hospital was detected by pathologic methods. The malignant proliferation of CRC induced by STOML2 was validated via gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments, with novel techniques applied, such as organoid culture, orthotopic model and endoscopy monitoring. Yeast two-hybrid assay was conducted to screen interacting proteins of STOML2, followed by bioinformatics to predict biological process and signaling pathway of candidate proteins. Target protein with most functional similarity to STOML2 was validated with co-immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence were conducted to co-localize STOML2 and PHB. Pathway regulated by STOML2 was detected with immunoblotting, and subsequent experimental therapy was conducted with RAF inhibitor Sorafenib.ResultsSTOML2 was significantly overexpressed in colorectal cancer and its elevation was associated with unfavorable prognosis. Knockdown of STOML2 suppressed proliferation of colorectal cancer, thus attenuated subcutaneous and orthotopic tumor growth, while overexpressed STOML2 promoted proliferation in cell lines and organoids. A list of 13 interacting proteins was screened out by yeast two-hybrid assay. DTYMK and PHB were identified to be most similar to STOML2 according to bioinformatics in terms of biological process and signaling pathways; however, co-immunoprecipitation confirmed interaction between STOML2 and PHB, rather than DTYMK, despite its highest rank in previous analysis. Co-localization between STOML2 and PHB was confirmed in cell lines and tissue level. Furthermore, knockdown of STOML2 downregulated phosphorylation of RAF1, MEK1/2, ERK1/2 and ELK1 on the MAPK signaling pathway, indicating common pathway activated by STOML2 and PHB in colorectal cancer proliferation.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that in colorectal cancer, STOML2 expression is elevated and interacts with PHB through activating MAPK signaling pathway, to promote proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, combination of screening assay and bioinformatics marks great significance in methodology to explore regulatory mechanism of protein of interest.
A Modified Shuffling Method to Reduce Decoding Complexity of QC-LDPC Codes
Authors: Hasani Alireza , Lopacinski Lukasz , Kraemer Rolf
Published: September 2020

Layered decoding (LD) of Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) codes is a decoding schedule that facilitates partially parallel architectures for performing Belief Propagation (BP)-based iterative algorithms. It has reduced implementation complexity and memory overhead compared to fully parallel architectures and higher convergence speed compared to both serial and parallel architectures. In this paper, we introduce a modified form of shuffling of the Parity-Check Matrices (PCMs) of Quasi-Cyclic LDPC (QC-LDPC) codes, which is basically an interleaving operation of the rows of the PCM. The modified shuffling method just like the conventional shuffling method results in a PCM in which each layer can be produced by the circulation of its above layer one symbol to the right. However, it additionally guarantees the weights of the columns in each layer to be either zero or one. Then, we show that due to these two properties, the number of occupied Look-Up Tables (LUTs) on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is reduced by about 93% and consumed on-chip power by nearly 80%. Nevertheless, shuffling doesn’t degrade Bit Error Rate (BER) performance compared with the non-shuffled case. Additionally, decoding throughput is not sacrificed for low SNR values and its degradation is negligible until the BER of 1e-6.
A QoS-driven Service Selection Optimization Algorithm for Internet of Things
Authors: Zhang Xiaofei , Geng Juncheng , Ma Jianwei , Liu Hao , Niu Shuangxia
Published: September 2020

Currently, the smart devices have been widely deployed in Internet of Things (IoT). With the scale of IoT continues to increase, it brings big challenges for service composition in a large-scale IoT. For solving this problem, a QoS-driven service selection method based on the enhanced Genetic algorithm (EGS ~ QoS) is proposed in this paper. To decrease the scale of service composition, we use the lexicographic optimization approach and QoS constraint relaxation technique to find the candidate service with height QoS. Then, the IoT service composition problem is transformed into a single-objective optimization problem adopting a simple weighting method, and the final composite service meeting the user's QoS needs is found from the candidate service. Compared with the related algorithm, the simulation results show that EGS ~ QoS can efficiently and quickly select a composite service satisfying user's QoS needs, and is more suitable for solving the service composite problem in large-scale IoT services.
Insecticide Treated Net Ownership, Utilization and Knowledge of Malaria in Children Residing in Batoke-Limbe, Mount Cameroon Area: Effect on Malariometric and Haematological Indices
Authors: Teh Rene Ning , Sumbele Irene Ule Ngole , Meduke Derick Ndelle , Nkeudem Gillian Asoba , Ojong Samuel Takang , Teh Akwa Exodus , Kimbi Helen Kuokuo
Published: September 2020

Background: Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) are the most widely used interventions for malaria control in Africa. The aim of this study was to assess the ownership and utilization of ITNs and the knowledge of malaria and their effects on malariometric and haematological indices in children living in the Mount Cameroon area.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study involving a total of 405 children aged between 6 months and 14 years living in Batoke-Limbe was carried out between July and October 2017. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to document demographic status, knowledge on malaria and ITN ownership and usage. Venous blood sample was collected from each child to determine the prevalence and intensity of malaria parasitaemia by Giemsa-stained microscopy and full blood count by auto haematology analysis to obtain white blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) counts, haemoglobin (Hb) level, haematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC). A multilinear regression model was used to determine the relationship between haematological parameter as dependent variable and the independent variables. Results: The overall prevalence of malaria parasitaemia (MP), anaemia, knowledge about malaria, ITN ownership, usage and effective usage was 46.7%, 54.7%, 40.7%, 78.8%, 50.9% and 29.9% respectively. The prevalence of MP was significantly higher (P<0.001) in children who ineffectively utilized ITNs (54.9%) than effective users (27.3%). Having knowledge of malaria, negatively correlated with WBC counts (P = 0.005) but positively correlated with Hb levels (P < 0.001), RBC counts (P < 0.001), Hct (P < 0.001), MCV (P < 0.001) and MCH (P < 0.001). ITN use positively correlated with WBC counts (P = 0.005) but negatively with Hb levels (P = 0.004), RBC counts (P = 0.006), and MCH (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, MP negatively correlated with Hb levels (P = 0.004), RBC counts (P = 0.01), Hct (P = 0.04) and MCHC (P = 0.015). Conclusion: There is need for more sensitization on the benefits of using the ITNs to meet up with the intended and expected impact of the free distribution of ITNs.
Analysis of Technical Efficiency and Its Potential Determinants among Smallholder Tomato Farmers in Siltie Zone, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: chefebo Derebe Ermias , Tefera Gosaye Eshetu , Tefera Gosaye Eshetu
Published: September 2020

Background: In developing world including Ethiopia, agricultural productivity was very low; especially where production is common on fragile lands and characterized by smallholder subsistence farming. One of the main reasons for low productivity is the inability of farmers to fully exploit available technologies and production techniques. Considering this in to account, this study analyzes the technical efficiency and its possible source of inefficiency in smallholder tomato farming in Siltie Zone Southern Ethiopia. Methods: By using three stage sampling, 175 randomly selected smallholder tomato farmers were sampled and stochastic frontier Cobb Douglas production model was applied. Results and Conclusion: The results indicate that the mean technical efficiency among smallholder tomato farmers is 81.7%, implying a potential to increase tomato production by 19.3% with the current level of resources and technology. The study further revealed that output responds positively to increases in technological factors of production. According to estimates of the inefficiency model among various factors sex of household head, frequency of weeding, diseases incidence and type of variety used were found to significantly affect the level of technical efficiency of tomato crop producers. Thus, development policies in the tomato sub sector might focus more on empowering women in resource allocation, adoption of high-yielding and disease-resistant tomato varieties and better management of tomato plantations might reduce technical inefficiency among tomato farmers in the study area.
GW4064 Enhances the Chemosensitivity of Colorectal Cancer to Oxaliplatin by Inducing Pyroptosis
Authors: Guo Jing , Zheng Jianbao , Xu Zhengshui , Zhao Chenye , Yang Kui , Sun Xuejun , Yu Junhui
Published: September 2020

Background Repeated and long-term oxaliplatin therapy leads to drug resistance and severe adverse events, which limit its clinical use. These difficulties highlight the importance of identifying potent and specific drug combinations to enhance the antitumor effects of oxaliplatin. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) deficiency in colorectal cancer (CRC) suggests that restoring FXR function might be a promising strategy for CRC treatment.Methods A series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to assess the antitumor effect of the combination of oxaliplatin and FXR agonist GW4064 in CRC. The synergistic mechanism involved was explored.Results A drug combination study showed that the GW4064 acted synergistically with oxaliplatin in colon cancer cells. The combination of oxaliplatin plus GW4064 inhibited cell growth and colony formation, induced apoptosis and pyroptosis in vitro, and slowed tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, GW4064 enhanced the chemosensitivity of cells to oxaliplatin by inducing BAX/caspase-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Furthermore, the combination of oxaliplatin and GW4064 synergistically inhibited STAT3 signaling by restoring SHP expression.Conclusions Our study revealed that GW4064 could enhance the antitumor effects of oxaliplatin against CRC, which provides a novel therapeutic strategy based on a combinational approach for CRC treatment.
Estimating Malaria Incidence From Routine Health Facility-Based Surveillance Data in Uganda
Authors: Epstein Adrienne , Namuganga Jane Frances , Kamya Emmanuel Victor , Nankabirwa Joaniter I , Bhatt Samir , Rodriguez-Barraquer Isabel , Staedke Sarah G , Kamya Moses R , Dorsey Grant , Greenhouse Bryan
Published: September 2020

Background. Accurate measures of malaria incidence are essential to track progress and target high-risk populations. While health management information system (HMIS) data provide counts of malaria cases, quantifying the denominator for incidence using these data is challenging because catchment areas and care-seeking behaviors are not well defined. This study’s aim was to estimate malaria incidence using HMIS data by adjusting the population denominator accounting for travel time to the health facility.Methods. Outpatient data from two public health facilities in Uganda (Kihihi and Nagongera) over a three year period (2011-2014) were used to model the relationship between travel time from patient village of residence (available for each individual) to the facility and the relative probability of attendance using Poisson generalized additive models. Outputs from the model were used to generate a weighted population denominator for each health facility and estimate malaria incidence. Among children aged 6 months to 11 years, monthly HMIS-derived incidence estimates, with and without population denominators weighted by probability of attendance, were compared with gold standard measures of malaria incidence measured in prospective cohorts. Results. A total of 48,898 outpatient visits were recorded across the two sites over the study period. HMIS incidence correlated with cohort incidence over time at both study sites (correlation in Kihihi = 0.64, p < 0.001; correlation in Nagongera = 0.34, p = 0.045). HMIS incidence measures with denominators unweighted by probability of attendance underestimated cohort incidence aggregated over the three years in Kihihi (0.5 cases per person-year [PPY] versus 1.7 cases PPY) and Nagongera (0.3 cases PPY versus 3.0 cases PPY). HMIS incidence measures with denominators weighted by probability of attendance were closer to cohort incidence, but remained underestimates (1.1 cases PPY in Kihihi and 1.4 cases PPY in Nagongera).Conclusions. Although malaria incidence measured using HMIS underestimated incidence measured in cohorts, even when adjusting for probability of attendance, HMIS surveillance data are a promising and scalable source for tracking relative changes in malaria incidence over time, particularly when the population denominator can be estimated by incorporating information on village of residence.
Effects of HMGA2 on the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-Related Genes in ACHN Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells-Derived Xenografts in Nude Mice
Authors: Lv Guangyao , Song Lingling , Gong Guanyu , Chen Qian , Li Kai , Liu Xianfeng , Ding Yan , Liu Ying
Published: September 2020

Background: The architectural transcriptional regulator high-mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) is an oncofetal protein which has been reported to be ectopically expressed in a variety of cancers. A high expression of HMGA2 in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is related with tumor invasiveness and poor prognosis. In the in vitro studies, HMGA2 knockdown was found to lead to decreased cell proliferation, decreased migration and changes in gene expression related with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Methods: In order to understand HMGA2’s effect in vivo , HMGA2 expression was knocked-down in ACHN cells using small hairpin RNA (shRNA). The HMGA2-deficient ACHN cells were xenografted into the BALB/c nude mice. The tumor growth was monitored and the expression of EMT-related genes was analyzed. Results: HMGA2 expression was confirmed to be knocked-down in the cultured and xenografted ACHN cells. The xenograft tumor of HMGA2-deficient cells demonstrated a retarded growth pattern compared with control. The expression of E-cadherin was increased, whereas N-cadherin and Snail were decreased in the HMGA2-deficient xenograft tumors. Conclusions: The present study suggested that the epigenetic regulation of EMT-related gene expression by HMGA2 exists both in the in vitro and in vivo conditions. It is likely that through this mechanism, HMGA2 regulates the cell growth in renal cell carcinoma.
Cynaropicrin Shows Antitumor Progression Potential in Colorectal Cancer through Mediation of the LIFR/STATs Axis
Authors: Zheng Dandan , Zhu Yu , Xiang Youqun , Dai Xuanxuan , Hu Wanle , Zhou Bin , Liu Zhiguo , Zhao Haiyang , Zhao Chengguang , Huang Xiaoying , Wang Liangxiang
Published: September 2020

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second deadliest malignant disease in the world, with a large number of new cases being reported every year. The leukemia inhibitory factor receptor/signal transducers and activators of transcriptions (LIFR/STATs) signaling axis plays an important role in the molecular biology of CRC. The inactivation of STATs is a promising anticancer strategy. Cynaropicrin is a sesquiterpene lactone with a variety of pharmacological functions, which may be used as a potential targeted cancer drug for the prevention or treatment of human CRC. Methods: Cell function tests were performed to observe the inhibitory effect of Cynaropicrin on human CRC cells (RKO, HCT116 and DLD1). Expression levels of LIFR, P-STAT3, P-STAT4 and apoptotic proteins were detected by Western blotting. Immunoprecipitation confirmed the presence of LIFR/STAT3/STAT4 complex. Cell immunofluorescence assay was used to observe the subcellular localization of STAT3 and STAT4. In vivo efficacy of Cynaropicrin was evaluated by a xenotransplantation model in nude mice.Results: Cynaropicrin significantly reduced the survival ability of human CRC cells and promoted apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting results suggested that the antitumor effects of cynaropicrin might be mediated by inhibition of the LIFR/STATs axis. Cynaropicrin reduced the formation of STAT3/STAT4 heterodimers and blocked their entry into the nucleus. Cynaropicrin also suppressed tumor growth in the HCT116 xenograft model.Conclusion: The above experimental results showed that cynaropicrin exerted a strong inhibitory effect on CRC in vitro and in vivo. Our study concluded that cynaropicrin has potential application prospects in the field of anti-CRC therapy.
Adenomyoepithelioma with malignant transformation and repeated local recurrence: A case report
Authors: Oda Goshi , Nakagawa Tsuyoshi , Sugimoto Hitoshi , Mio Mori , Fujioka Tomoyuki , Onishi Iichiroh , Uetake Hiroyuki
Published: September 2020

Background Adenomyoepithelioma (AME) is a rare type of benign breast tumor. Many AMEs have demonstrated benign behavior, but very few cases of malignant AME have been reported. Case presentation A 53-year-old woman visited our hospital with a 16-mm, palpable mass in the right breast. Core needle biopsy was performed. The pathological diagnosis was AME. Partial mastectomy was performed. Two years later, local recurrence developed, and the patient again underwent partial mastectomy. The pathology showed malignant AME, and the margin was negative. Eight months later, local recurrence developed again in the same location, and total mastectomy was performed. The pathological diagnosis was malignant AME. The patient has remained recurrence-free without adjuvant therapy.Conclusions A very rare case of AME with repeated local recurrences and malignant transformation was reported.