bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Profiles of Immune Cell Infiltration and Immune-Related Genes in the Tumor Microenvironment of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Mingdi , Li Faping , Liu Bin , Jian Yongping , Zhang Dan , Zhou Honglan , Wang Yishu , Xu Zhixiang
Published: December 2020

Backgrounds: As a complex system participating in tumor development and progression, the tumor microenvironment was poorly understood in esophageal cancer especially squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods: ESTIMATE algorithm is used to investigate tumor-infiltrating immune cells and prognostic genes which were associated with the tumor microenvironment in ESCC. Results: Based on the immune and stromal scores, ESCC samples were divided into high and low score groups and 299 overlapping differentially expressed genes were identified. Functional enrichment analysis showed that these genes were mainly involved in muscle-related function. Prognostic genes including COL9A3, GFRA2, and VSIG4 were used to establish a risk prediction model using Cox regression analyses. Then multivariate analysis showed that COL9A3 was an independent discriminator of a better prognosis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the expression of COL9A3 was significantly correlated with the overall survival of ESCC patients. The area under the curve for the risk model in predicting 1- and 3- year survival rates were 0.660 and 0.942, respectively. The risk score was negatively correlated with plasma cells, while positively correlated with the proportions of activated CD4 memory T cells, M1 Macrophages and M2 Macrophages (P<0.001 for each comparison). Gene set enrichment analysis suggested that both immune response and immune system process gene sets were significantly enriched in high-risk group.Conclusions: Our study provided a comprehensive understanding of the TME in ESCC patients. The establishment of the risk model is valuable for the early identification of high-risk patients to facilitate individualized treatment and improve the possibility of immunotherapy response.
FpgMBV1 Alleviates The Pathogenicity of Fusarium Pseudograminearum to Wheat Plants: A Megabirnavirus Case Study
Authors: Xie Yuan , Wang Zhifang , Li Ke , Liu Dongwei , Jia Yifan , Gao Fei , Dai Junli , Zhang Chao , Zhou Lin , Ding Shengli , Zhang Songbai , Zhang Xiaoting , Li Honglian
Published: December 2020

Background: Fusarium pseudograminearum is the predomenant causal agent of devastating crown rot diseases in cereal crops around the world. Mycoviruses have attracted increasing attention as potential biological control agents on plant diseases. The unique mycoviruse isolated from F. pseudograminearum is Fusarium pseudograminearum megabirnavirus 1 (FpgMBV1), which is a new member of the family Megabirnaviridae. To determine the hypovirulence effects of FpgMBV1 on F. pseudograminearum to wheat plants is critical for the potential application of FpgMBV1 in the control of cereal crown rot disease. Methods: Hyphal tip cultures were conducted to obtain a FpgMBV1-free strain, named as FC136-2A-V－. A hyg gene was transformed into a highly virulent virus-negative stain WZ-8A of F. pseudograminearum to obtain the deduced strain WZ-8A-HygR-V－. WZ-8A-HygR-V－ was used in pairing culture with the FpgMBV1-carrying F. pseudograminearum strain FC136-2A to obtain a FpgMBV1-positive strain WZ-8A-HygR-V+. Then the two pairs of strains, FC136-2A-V－/FC136-2A and WZ-8A-HygR-V－/WZ-8A-HygR-V+, were used to determine the potential effect on F. pseudograminearum by the infection of FpgMBV1 through tests on the growth, sensitivity to stress and cellophane penetrating ability in vitro and the pathogenicity to wheat plants.Results: FpgMBV1 could be cured by hyphal tip culture and horizontally transferred between F. pseudograminearum strains through pairing culture. Reduction of FpgMBV1-carrying strains on hyphal growth were found under the treatment of 0.5% SDS. No differences in the growth rates of tested strains in the treatments with 1 M NaCl, 1 M KCl, or 15 mM H2O2. Comparing to virus-negative strains, the In vitro cellophane penetrating ability was lost in FpgMBV1-carrying strains. The disease index of wheat plants inoculated with FC136-2A-V- was significantly higher than that inoculated with FC136-2A, while the pathogenicity of WZ-8A-HygR-V+ reduced significantly comparing to that of WZ-8A-HygR-V－.Conclusions: FpgMBV1 is the causal agent of the low pathogenicity to wheat plants of its original host F. pseudograminearum strain FC136-2A. And FpgMBV1 could be horizontally transferred to another F. pseudograminearum strain and reduce its pathogenicity to wheat plants.
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Metastatic and Recurrent Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: Feng Xiaoyao , Li Jing , Li Aomei , Zhou Han , Zhu Xixu , Wang Zhen
Published: December 2020

BackgroundSoft tissue sarcoma（STS） is a malignant tumor of highly heterogeneous mesenchymal origin. STS has a biologic pattern and clinical transformation with localized invasive growth and susceptibility to hematogenous metastasis. Metastatic and recurrent soft tissue sarcoma may be treated by local therapeutic options, including surgery and radiation therapy. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of SBRT for metastatic and recurrent soft tissue sarcoma.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 37 STS patients with 58 lesions treated with SBRT from 2009-2019 at our institution. We analyze the local control (LC), overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and toxicity rates of the patients.ResultThe median follow-up was 20 months（range 2 to 120 months）. One and two year LC rates were 75.3% and 55.2% [95% confidence interval (CI) 20–25 months]. Median OS was 24 months and the survival rates were 66.6%, 45% and 26.6% at 1, 2 and 3-year after SBRT. Median PFS were 11months (95% CI 8–18 months). No acute or chronic grade ≥ 3 toxicity was observed.Conclusions﻿In patients with metastatic and recurrent STS, LC, OS and PFS were higher than expected. SBRT should be a proper treatment option for STS.
A Study of Natural and Functional Conditions of Poland in the view of the Geothermal Resources Applications in Agriculture
Authors: Skrzypczak Robert , Kępińska Beata , Pająk Leszek , Bujakowski Wiesław
Published: December 2020

The agriculture and related sectors present one of the most prospective areas for geothermal energy applications. In many countries they have already been introduced, and new investments in this sector have been also observed. Also Poland has the appropriate resources’ potential – in a wide range of temperatures, for different crops, as well as in the types of applications related to agriculture. The use of this green energy can contribute to sustainable development of agriculture.To achieve this when planning and designing geothermal installations for agriculture, they should be considered from the energy and agricultural points of view, as well as appropriate locations for them shall be selected so that they would be harmoniously incorporated, among others, into existing systems of valuable natural areas (which already play various important functions in the natural environment) and would not interfere with other underground resources of strategic economic importance.The main aspects of such an approach to the sustainable development of the geothermal energy applications in agriculture and related sectors in Poland, as well as natural circumstances, are presented in this article. Also included are basic energy parameters (based on the results of calculations) and technical and economic parameters for greenhouse facilities in one of the selected prospective locations in the Polish Lowlands, which could be supplied by local geothermal resources, contributing to sustainable development of agriculture.
Experimental Study on the Ratio Model of Similar Materials in the Simulation Test of Coal and Gas Outburst
Authors: Sun Peng , Sun Haitao , Lin Fujin , Yang Xuelin , Jiang Wangang , Wu Wenbin , Jia Quanmin
Published: December 2020

In order to obtain similar materials with specific physical and mechanical parameters and adsorption and desorption indexes used in coal and gas outburst simulation tests, pulverized coal was selected as aggregate, sodium humate as cementing agent and river sand as auxiliary materials. Based on this, an orthogonal test with 6 factors and 5 levels was designed, and the tests of weighing, uniaxial compression, firmness and adsorption and desorption were carried out. The parameters such as density, uniaxial compressive strength, elastic modulus, firmness coefficient and adsorption-desorption index of similar materials with different ratios were obtained, and the sensitivity of each factor was analyzed by range analysis. The influence law of various factors on the parameters of similar materials was studied, the ratio model of similar materials was obtained and the reliability of the model was verified, and a complete method for determining the ratio model of similar materials of outburst coal was put forward. The results show that the density of similar materials increases with the increase of river sand content, the uniaxial compressive strength and elastic modulus increase significantly with the increase of pulverized coal ratio and sodium humate content, and the firmness coefficient increases linearly with the increase of pulverized coal ratio. The adsorption constant an increases linearly with the increase of sodium humate content, while the adsorption constant b decreases linearly with the increase of sodium humate content. The initial elution rate △p of similar materials increases at first and then decreases with the increase of sodium humate content.
Grain Yield Performance of Hybrid Rice in Multi-Environment Tests for Thirty-two Years in India
Authors: MURALIDHARAN KALAMBUR , Prasad Gogineni S. V. , Rao Chilukuri S. , Srid Ranganathan , Siddiq Ebrahim A.
Published: December 2020

Background: Hybrid F1genotypes with higher yields or improvement in other traits of economic value due to heterosis as compared to inbred local check varieties (ILCV), are identified and released as hybrid commercial varieties. We analyzed the yield data of 2070 hybrid F1 genotypes with ILCV evaluated over 32 years (1988 to 2019) in 2376 multi-environment experiments executed at 102 locations in the irrigated ecosystem across India. Results: The genetic gain or loss in yield of hybrid F1 genotypes estimated over the test duration was non-significant. Hybrid F1 genotypes produced 10% more grains (728-2588 kg/ha) than ILCV in many experiments at several locations. Our analyses have established that grain yields of 7.0 to 7.9 t/ha, were harvested in hybrid F1 genotypes with early, mid-early and medium maturity duration, and in those with medium slender grains at many locations in 362 experiments. A higher level of rice productivity per day (62 to 63 kg/ha) was recorded with the early maturing and mid-early maturing hybrid F1 genotypes in these tests. The N requirement to produce 8 t/ha of hybrid rice grains was 15 kg N/t as compared with a minimum of 20 kg N/t used in China. Both the hybrids and inbreds in these experiments produced grain yields that were easily attained previously with high yielding (≥10 t/ha) commercial inbreds since 1968. Unless the attainable yields are reached in inbred checks with the proven appropriate crop production practices in an experiment, it is futile to estimate a genetic gain or loss for grain yields in new genotypes developed.Conclusions: Hybrid genotypes bred in India produced yields of 7 to 8 t/ha which matched with reports from China on hybrids and green super rice; these India-bred hybrids showed higher productivity per day and shorter maturity periods than super hybrids of China. Opportunities still exist to breed indica/japonica hybrids to obtain more heterotic early and mid-early maturing hybrids, and develop efficient agronomical practices to realize the potential advantages from hybrids. There is scope for breeders to limit test locations to represent specific target areas to avoid data loss. Focusing on removing obstacles in hybrid seed production is essential to exploit yield heterosis in hybrids, and to make hybrid rice technology profitable to farmers.
Topical Administration of the Kappa Opioid Receptor Agonist Nalfurafine Suppresses Corneal Neovascularization and Inflammation
Authors: Shokirova Hurramhon , Inomata Takenori , Saitoh Tsuyoshi , Zhu Jun , Fujio Kenta , Okumura Yuichi , Yanagawa Ai , Fujimoto Keiichi , Sung Jaemyoung , Eguchi Atsuko , Miura Maria , Nagino Ken , Hirosawa Kunihiko , Kuwahara Mizu , Akasaki Yasutsugu , Nagase Hiroshi , Murakami Akira
Published: December 2020

Corneal neovascularization (CNV) causes higher-order aberrations, corneal edema, ocular inflammation, and corneal transplant rejection, thereby decreasing visual acuity. Here, we investigated the effects of topical administration of the kappa opioid receptor agonist nalfurafine (TRK-820) on CNV. To induce CNV, intrastromal corneal sutures were placed on the corneal stroma of BALB/c mice for 2 weeks. Nalfurafine (0.1 µg/2 μL/eye) was topically administered to the cornea once or twice a day after CNV induction. The CNV score, immune cell infiltration, and mRNA levels of angiogenic and pro-inflammatory factors in neovascularized corneas were evaluated using slit-lamp microscopy, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and polymerase chain reaction. The mRNA expression of the kappa opioid receptor gene Oprk1 was significantly upregulated following CNV induction. Topical administration of nalfurafine twice a day significantly suppressed CNV and lymphangiogenesis, as well as reduced the mRNA levels of angiogenic and pro-inflammatory factors in the neovascularized corneas. Moreover, nalfurafine administration twice a day reduced the numbers of CD45+ infiltrating leukocytes and interferon-γ-producing CD4+ T cells in the neovascularized corneas. Thus, we demonstrated that topical administration of nalfurafine suppressed local CNV in a mouse model along with the activation of KOR. Therefore, nalfurafine may be useful for preventing and controlling CNV in humans.
Single Cell Proteomics Profiling Revealing that Embryo Secreted TNF-α play Critical Role during Embryo Implantation to Endometrium
Authors: Jiao Lv , Xudong Shan , Haoxuan Yang , Yuting Wen , Xueguang Zhang , Hanxiao Chen , Hengli Li , Dongmei Tian , Chiu Wang Chi , Ruizhe Zhang , Chiu Li Tin , Xiaohu Zhang , Xiaomiao Zhao , Yao Lu , Lang Qin , Minghui Zhu , Wenming Xu
Published: December 2020

Problem: Although it has long been known that endometrium secreted cytokines play critical role during embryo implantation, whether cytokines secreted from embryo is relevant to embryo quality and is actively involved in embryo attachment remain unclear.Method of study: The concentration of cytokines in embryo culture medium were tested by a new developed high-sensitive single cell proteomic platform, compared with embryo quality and clinical outcome. The effect of TNF-α on embryo and endometrium Ishikawa cell was investigated using immunofluorescence staining, CCK- 8 assay, TUNEL staining, and RT-qPCR reaction.Results: Of the 10 cytokines measured, only TNF-α concentration is significantly higher in group of embryo implantation failure. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the expression of TNF-α was unevenly distributed in blastocysts, and the expression level was significantly correlated with blastocysts inner cell mass (ICM) quality score. Adding TNF-α caused significant increase of apoptotic cells, which could be inhibited by TNF-α receptor blocker entanecept (ETA). Gene profiling showed that adding TNF-α lead to increased expression of TNFR1 and apoptosis related genes, as well as ion channel genes, including CFTR, ENaCA, AQP3 and CRISP2, and the increase can be inhibited by ETA. Conclusion: In conclusion, our result showed that higher TNF-α level is associated with implantation failure through activation of TNF-α receptor, and TNF-α maybe an independent predictor for pre-transfer assessment of the embryo development potential in IVF patients.
Teleconsultation in the Management of Elective Orthopaedic and Spinal Conditions During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Melian Christina , Frampton Christopher , Wyatt Michael Charles , Kieser David
Published: December 2020

Purpose: The global adoption of teleconsultation has been expedited as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. By allowing remote communication, teleconsultation may help limit the spread of the virus while maintaining the crucial patient-provider relationship. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the value of teleconsultation compared to in-person visits in the management of elective orthopaedic and spinal procedures.Methods: This was a prospective observational cohort study of 853 patients receiving orthopaedic and spinal care at a private outpatient clinic in New Zealand. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: (1) patients receiving telephone consultation remotely; and (2) patients receiving in-person office consultations at the outpatient clinic. All patients received telephone consultations for four weeks during the mandated COVID-19 lockdown, followed by four weeks of telephone or in-person consultation. Patient preference, satisfaction, and duration of visit were recorded. Comparisons of patient preference between groups, visit type, sex, and location were performed using Chi-square tests; similarly, satisfaction scores and visit durations were compared using a general linear model. Results: We report that 91% of patients in the telephone group preferred teleconsultation over in-person office visits during the COVID-19 lockdown (p=0.000). A combined-group analysis shows that 55.3% of all patients preferred teleconsultation compared to 31.2% who preferred in-person office visits (p=0.000). Patients in the telephone group reported significantly higher satisfaction scores (9.95 +/- 0.04, 95% CI [9.87-10.03]) compared to patients in the in-person group (9.53 +/- 0.04, 95% CI [9.45-9.62]; p=0.000). Additionally, in-person consultations were significantly longer in duration compared to telephone consultations, with a mean visit time of 6.70 min +/-0.18, 95% CI [6.32-7.02] compared to 5.10 min +/-0.17, 95% CI [4.73-5.42], respectively (p=0.000).Conclusion: Patients who utilize telephone consultations are more likely to prefer it over traditional, in-person visits in the future. This increased preference, coupled with higher patient satisfaction scores and shorter duration of visits, suggests that teleconsultation has a role in orthopaedic surgery, which may even extend beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clinical Characteristics and Risk Factors of Intestinal Involvement in Behçet’s Syndrome Patients：A Cross-Sectional Study from a Single Center
Authors: Hou Cheng-cheng , Ye Jing-fen , Ma Hai-fen , Guan Jian-Long
Published: December 2020

Background: Intestinal Behçet’s syndrome (BS) has high morbidity and mortality rates with serious complications. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and laboratory indicators of intestinal BS compared with mucocutaneous BS patients in China and analyzed the risk factors of intestinal complications in BS patients.Methods: A retrospective analysis was used to collect the demographic data and laboratory results from 97 patients newly diagnosed with intestinal BS and 154 patients newly diagnosed with mucocutaneous BS. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the demographic data and laboratory indexes whether a risk factor of intestinal involvement in BS patients.Results: The most common clinical manifestations of first onset in intestinal BS patients were oral ulceration (100.00%), followed by genital ulcers (62.89%) and erythema nodule (28.87%), gastrointestinal lesions (28.87%), pseudofolliculitis (25.77%), fever (17.53%), arthritis (16.49%), ocular involvement (5.15%), while the least common were vascular involvement (2.06%) and blood system involvement (2.06%). The most common intestinal segment involved in intestinal BS patients was terminal ileum (30.9%), followed by ileocecal (18.6%), colon (15.5%). Most intestinal BS patients (89.7%) used ≥ 3 immunosuppressants to control disease while most mucocutaneous BS patients (92.9%) used 1 or 2 immunosuppressant. By univariate logistic regression analysis, we found gender, age at hospitalization, age of disease onset, BDCAF, T-SPOT, fever, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), serum amyloid A (SAA), complement 3 (C3), albumin, total cholesterol(TCH), high-density lipoprotein(HDL) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were all risk factors of intestinal involvement in BS patients (P<0.05 or P=0.00). Additionally, gender (male), BDCAF (≥2), ESR (≥15mm/H), CRP (>10mg/L), HGB (<130g/L) and IL-6 (>7pg/ml) were the independent risk factors of intestinal involvement in BS patients (all P<0.05).Conclusions: More attention should be paid to gender, BDCAF, ESR, CRP, HGB and IL-6 of intestinal involvement in BS patients and therapeutic regiment should be adjusted timely to prevent the occurrence of serious clinical complication in BS patients.
Association of sarcopenic obesity and body composition with metabolically unhealthy overweight/obese phenotypes among Iranian women: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Jibril Aliyu Tijani , Mirzababaei Atieh , Shiraseb Farideh , Rasaei Niloufar , Mirzaei Khadijeh -
Published: December 2020

Background

Obesity is a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome, with its prevalence has increased over the past decade. Major changes in body composition with aging have a significant effect on many clinical outcomes. Sarcopenic obesity consists of both the presence of abnormal adipose tissue with a deficit of muscle mass.
Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 241 overweight/obese women aged between 18–48 years in Tehran, Iran, registered by the use of the multistage cluster random sampling method. Blood samples were taken following standard procedures. Body composition was assessed through a multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer. The metabolic risk was assessed according to Karelis criteria and the subjects were classified as either MHO or MUO phenotypes.
Results

Of the 241 subjects in this study (average age 35.32 years), 176 (73.03%) were classified as MUO phenotype. Based on this study, the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity was 7.88%. We found that high fat-free mass was more strongly and significantly associated with MUO phenotype. Furthermore, we found that individuals with high fat-free mass and high skeletal muscle mass had a significantly low prevalence of MUO phenotype. A significant positive correlation between metabolic phenotypes and sarcopenic obesity was also observed after all potential covariates were adjusted for.
Conclusion

These results of this study suggest that increased adiposity and decreased skeletal muscle mass are associated with unfavorable metabolic traits among overweight and obese Iranian women. SO was also found to be associated with a greater risk of developing MUO phenotype.
How Lived Experience can help Neuroscience Become More Relevant to Mental Health
Authors: Humm Richard , Hanshaw June , Samuels Isaac , Amuda Rosemary , Brandon Claudette , Oliver Ted , Tahir Syeda , Muhxinga Zhenreenah , Thomas Joanne , Perry Sophie , Hugill Cassandra , Barlow Sally , Moutoussis Michael
Published: December 2020

Background: Translational neuroscience aims to make discoveries about the brain that will benefit health, especially mental health. Up to now, however, translational neuroscience studies have been designed with very little input from stakeholders who have lived experience of mental health problems. To address this serious gap, stakeholder participation needs to take place at many levels, as it does in service-oriented studies. Methods: We convened a ‘Lived Experience Advisory Panel’ (LEAP) in order to improve the design of a new study about people’s decision to trust in and continue with, or to stop, psychotherapy treatments. Results: The LEAP productively challenged the ecological validity and relevance of the study design, increasing its potential to improve mental health and to attract research funding. It helped determine the place of lived experience experts in multiple roles within the study throughout its duration. It also helped improve relevance by refining the framing of the therapy-like tasks within the study, and by improving the specification of the study population. LEAP discussions informed the pathways to impact first the consultation process itself, and then the new study. The LEAP convened during the COVID-19 lockdown and its remote work process, described here, demonstrates both the potential for greater involvement of stakeholders in research design, but also some difficulties which future collaborations should address.Conclusion: Involvement of relevant stakeholders very early in the process of designing this research study has improved the study design and its potential to bring positive impacts to those stakeholders. This should be considered broadly across research fields and particularly within translational neuroscience, where limited input by stakeholders with lived experience of mental health problems have been sought to date.
The Effect of Transport Stress on Corticosterone Metabolites in Pheasant Droppings
Authors: Volfova Martina , Machovcova Zuzana , Forejtek Pavel , Voslarova Eva , Bedanova Iveta , Vecerek Vladimir
Published: December 2020

BackgroundTransport has been proven to represent a significant stressor for animals. In view of the fact that pheasants are frequently reared in captivity in hatcheries and are then transported for the purpose of their sale or release, it is essential from the viewpoint of welfare and health protection to obtain as much information as possible about their response to this stressor. The aim of this study was to assess changes in corticosterone metabolite (CM) levels related to transport in common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). MethodsSixteen birds aged 17 weeks were crated and transported for 3.5 hours (distance travelled 140 km) to the target customer. Individual droppings were collected during the 2 days prior to transport and 3 days after transport. Concentrations of faecal CMs were determined with a non-commercial EIA (enzyme-immunoassay) kit, cortisone was used as a standard and values were expressed as cortisone equivalents in ng per g of droppings. ResultsTransport represents a major stressor for animals and this was also reflected in increased CM concentrations in the droppings in our study. CM concentrations increased within 24 hours of transport (P < 0.01) as compared to pre-transport levels (533.82 ng/g vs. 228.85 ng/g) and continued to rise for another 24 hours (745.35 ng/g). Three days after transport CM concentrations fell back to baseline levels (297.97 ng/g). ConclusionsThe EIA used in this study proved to be sensitive enough to detect biologically meaningful alterations in the adrenocortical activity of pheasants exposed to procedures related to their transport.
Optimisation of BMI-based Images for Overweight and Obese Patients – Implications on Image Quality, Quantitative Accuracy and Radiation Dose in Whole Body 18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging.
Authors: Bouchareb Yassine , Tag Naima , Sulaiman Hajir , Al-Riyami Khulood , Al-Dhuhli Humoud
Published: December 2020

Background - In PET/CT imaging the amount of 18 F-FDG activity injected to patient is mainly based on the patient body weight (BW) or on body mass index (BMI). Imaging overweight and obese patients using standard protocols results quite often in poor diagnostic images. The purpose of this study was to optimise BMI-based whole body 18 F-FDG PET images obtained from overweight and obese patients and assess the added value in terms of image quality, quantitative accuracy and radiation dose in comparison to BW-based images. Methods - The NEMA-IEC-body phantom was scanned on the mCT 128 slices scanner (Siemens Healthineers). The spheres and background were filed with F-18 activity. Spheres-to-background (2.1kBq/mL) ratio was 4:1. Data was reconstructed using the OSEM-TOF-PSF routine reconstruction (2 iterations, 21 subsets, 3mm Gaussian filter). The optimisation was performed by varying number of iterations, number of subsets, filter’s size and type and matrix size. The phantom images were assessed using contrast recovery coefficients (CRCs). The optimised reconstruction was applied to 17 overweight and obese patients. The optimised BMI-based images and BW-based images were compared visually and using signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), SUVmax and SUVpeak measurements. Results- The visual assessment of the optimised phantom images using 1 iteration, 21 subsets, 3mm Hamming filter showed better image quality and CRC values compared to the routine reconstruction. On patient data, the optimised BMI-based images provided better image quality compared to BW-based images in 87.5% of the overweight cases and 66.7% for obese cases. Compared to BW-based images, the optimised BMI-based images resulted in reduction of 18.6% in SUVmax, 10.6% in SUVpeak and 59% in radiation dose for overweight patients. Similar trends were observed in obese patients. SNR improvement on BMI optimised images over BW images was 55% and 59% on overweight and obese patients, respectively. Conclusions - The optimised BMI-based approach using 1 iteration, 21 subsets, 3mm Hamming filter improves image quality, reduces radiation dose and provides, at least, similar quantitative accuracy compared to the BW-based approach for both overweight and obese patients. These findings are compelling enough support to conducting a full assessment of the approach on a large patient population.
Improvement of Mobility, Strength, Stability and Pain in Soccer Players with Recurrent Ankle Sprains Through Myofascial Release, Strength Exercises and Taping: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Authors: Allois Ruben , Niglia Adriano , Pernice Alessandro , Cuesta-Barriuso Rubén
Published: December 2020

Background. Recurrent ankle sprains are common in soccer players, characterized by restricted range of motion, pain, and decreased proprioception, strength, and postural control. Methods. In this randomized controlled trial over 4 weeks, 36 recreationally active male football players randomly to experimental group (myofascial release applied to the subastragaline joint, eccentric training with an isoinertial device and neuromuscular taping) or control group (same intervention without neuromuscular taping). Outcomes measures were range of motion, strength, stability and perceived pain in the ankle joint. The within-subject effect and group interaction were obtained by means of a repeated measures ANOVA.Results. We found significant differences in range of motion in dorsiflexion (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.31) and plantar flexion (p < 0.01; η2p = 0.23). We also found differences depending on the moment in the strength in dorsiflexion (p = 0.001; η2p = 0.19) and plantar flexion (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.29) and in the intra-subject effect in the variables perceived pain (p = 0.03; η2p = 0.11) and the mean anteroposterior and mid-lateral velocity with eyes open (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.25). No significant changes in group interaction were found in any of the variables (p > 0.05).Conclusion. The combination of fascial therapy and eccentric strength training with an isoinertial device improves ankle mobility, strength and stability in footballers with recurrent ankle sprains. The use of taping techniques failed to provide a greater improvement of the study variables when combined with manual therapy and strength techniques.Trial Registration Number: www.clinicaltrials.gov (id: NCT04257916; Date of registration: 2nd, April, 2020).
Hypersensitive C-reactive Protein to HDL-C Ratio Predicts the Severity of Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Luo Haorou , Kou Tuli , Yin Lixue
Published: December 2020

Background: Lipid and inflammatory molecules play a key role in the development of coronary atherosclerosis. Hypersensitive C-reactive proteins are used as markers of inflammation duration, and HDL-C is used as an anti-atherosclerosis component. However, few studies have combined the two indicators to explore coronary stenosis. We suggested that Hypersensitive C-reactive proteins as a marker of inflammation persistence and HDL-C as an anti-atherosclerosis component should be integrated into a single biomarker , so as to explore the correlation of Hypersensitive C-reactive protein HDL-C ratio with the severity of coronary stenosis and to predict the severity of coronary stenosis in CAD patients.Methods: We examined 360 eligible patients who underwent coronary angiography. Based on the results of coronary angiography, patients with any major coronary arteries (the left anterior descending artery, the left circumflex artery, the left main coronary artery, the right coronary artery) whose lumen diameter reduced by more than 50% were defined as CAD + group (n = 139) .Patients with luminal stenosis but no more than 50% were defined as CAD- group (n = 41), and patients without luminal stenosis (n = 180) were regarded as control group. The relationship between various serum markers and the severity of coronary stenosis was examined by Spearman correlation analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the influencing factors of the severity of coronary artery disease.Results: The modified Gensini score was positively correlated with Hypersensitive C-reactive protein HDL-C ratio . Multiple regression analysis showed that Hypersensitive C-reactive protein HDL-C ratio were significantly associated with CAD. Hypersensitive C-reactive protein HDL-C ratio is an independent predictor of CAD. The ROC analysis provided a cut-off value of 1.17 for Hypersensitive C-reactive protein HDL-C ratio to predict CAD with 83.9% specificity and 0.242 Yoden index, and area under the ROC curve of 0.632 (95%CI 0.571-0.694, P <0.001).At the same time, the area under the ROC curve of Neutrophil HDL-C ratio was 0.620, indicating that Hypersensitive C-reactive protein HDL-C ratio as a predictor of CAD has better diagnostic performance than Neutrophil HDL-C ratio.Conclusion: Hypersensitive C-reactive protein HDL-C ratio is not only closely related to coronary artery stenosis, but also an independent predictor of severe coronary stenosis.
Incidence and Predictors of Hospitalization in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Results from the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry Study
Authors: Dong Zhaojie , Du Xin , Lu Shangxin , Jiang Chao , Xia Shijun , He Liu , Su Xin , Jia Zhaoxu , Long Deyong , Sang Caihua , Tang Ribo , Liu Nian , Bai Rong , Yu Ronghui , Dong Jianzeng , Ma Changsheng
Published: December 2020

Background: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent a high risk of hospitalization, which, however, has not been paid much attention in clinic. Therefore, we aimed to assess the incidence, causes and predictors of hospitalization in AF patients.Methods: From August 2011 to December 2017, 20,172 AF patients from the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry (China-AF) Study were enrolled in this study. We described the incidence, causes of hospitalization according to age and gender categories. The Cox proportional hazards model was employed to identify predictors of first all-cause and first cause-specific hospitalization. Results: After a mean follow-up of 37.3 ± 20.4 months, 7,512 (37.2%) AF patients experienced one or more hospitalizations. The overall incidence of all-cause hospitalization was 24.0 per 100 patient-years. Patients aged < 65 years were predominantly hospitalized for AF (42.1% of the total frequency of hospitalizations); while patients aged 65-74 and ≥ 75 years were mainly hospitalized for non-cardiovascular diseases (43.6% and 49.3%, respectively). Multivariate Cox model analysis verified the higher risk of hospitalization in patients complicated with heart failure (HF)[hazard ratio (HR) 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08-1.24], established coronary artery disease (CAD) (HR 1.26, 95%CI 1.19-1.34), ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) (HR 1.26, 95%CI 1.18-1.33), diabetes (HR 1.16, 95%CI 1.10-1.22), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (HR 1.41, 95%CI 1.13-1.76), gastrointestinal disorder (HR 1.39, 95%CI 1.23-1.58), and renal dysfunction (HR 1.31, 95%CI 1.16-1.48). Conclusions: More than one-third of AF patients included in this study were hospitalized at least once during almost 3 years of follow-up. The main cause for hospitalization among elderly patients (≥65 years) is non-cardiovascular diseases rather than AF. Multidisciplinary management of comorbidities should be advocated as strategies to reduce hospitalization in AF patients.Clinical Trial Registration: URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=5831. Unique identifier: ChiCTR-OCH-13003729.
Effects of Ontogenetic Development on Seedling Regeneration Dynamics of Quercus Acutissima Plantation in Mount Tai
Authors: Guo Longmei , Li Zexiu , Lin Qingzhi , Mao Peili , Cao Banghua , Yu Caiyun , Gao Peng , Dong Jinwei , Zhao Boping
Published: December 2020

Background: Natural regeneration is critically important for the sustainable management of artificial forests. Studies have been investigated for the effects of seedlings height distribution and ontogenetic adaptability in a 60-year-old Quercus acutissima artificial pure forest in Mount Tai. Results: The results showed that the height distribution of seedlings under the forest was pyramidal-shape from the year 2010 to 2017. In 2017, the density of seedlings under the forest was only 61.63% of that in 2010, and the number of individuals at each height class was lower than that in 2010, especially the individuals at 20-40cm height class only 32% of that in 2010. With the increase of seedling height under the forest, seedling biomass (SB), ground diameter (GD), root mass ratio (RMR), total root length (TRL), root volume (RV), root average diameter (RAD) and nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC) increased significantly, but leaf mass ratio (LMR), leaf area ratio (LAR), photosynthetic/non-photosynthetic tissue ratio (P/NP), specific root length (SRL) and specific root surface area (SRA) decreased significantly. Correlation analysis showed that SB was negatively correlated with LMR, LAR, P/NP, SRL and SRA, and positively correlated with RMR, TRL, RV, RAD and NSC. NSC was negatively correlated with LMR, LAR, P/NP, SRL and SRA. Conclusions: Therefore, with the increase of seedlings height, the increased carbon storage was helpful for the seedlings of Q. acutissima to survive under the forest for a long time, but the reduced ability of light interception, photosynthetic tissue ratio, water and nutrient absorption capacity contributed to their low survival ratio under the forest.
pH Dependent Delivery of Chlorhexidine From PLGA Grafted Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles at Resin-Dentin Interface
Authors: Akram Zohaib , Aati Sultan , Ngo Hein , Fawzy Amr
Published: December 2020

Background: A low pH environment is created due to the production of acids by oral biofilms that further leads to the dissolution of hydroxyapatite crystal in the tooth structure significantly altering the equilibrium. Although the overall bacterial counts may not be eradicated completely from the oral cavity, however, synthesis of engineered anti-bacterial materials are warranted in order to reduce the pathogenic impact of the oral biofilms. The purpose of this study was to synthesize and characterize chlorhexidine-loaded mesoporous silica nanoaprticles (MSN) grafted with poly-L-glycolic acid (PLGA) and to test the in vitro drug release in various pH environments, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial capacity. In addition, to investigate the delivery of CHX-loaded/MSN-PLGA through dentin tubules of demineralized dentin substrates and the interaction of these nanoparticles with commercial dentin adhesive after applying it on demineralized substrates for potential clinical application.Results: Characterization using SEM/TEM and EDX confirmed the synthesis of CHX-loaded/MSN-PLGA. An increase in the percentage of drug encapsulation efficiency from 81% to 85% in CHX loaded/MSN and 92% to 95% in CHX loaded/MSN-PLGA proportionately increased with increasing the amount of CHX during the fabrication of nanoparticles. For both time-periods (24 h or 30 Days), the relative microbial viability significantly decreased by increasing the CHX content (P<0.001). Generally, the cell viability percentage of DPSCs exposed to MSN-PLGA/Blank, CHX-loaded/MSN, and CHX-loaded/MSN-PLGA, respectively was >80% indicating low cytotoxicity profiles of experimental nanoparticles. After 9 months in artificial saliva (pH 7.4), significantly highest micro-tensile bond strength value was recorded for 25:50 CHX/MSN and 25:50:50 CHX/MSN-PLGA. A homogenous and widely distributed 50:50:50 CHX-loaded/MSN-PLGA nanoparticles exhibited excellent bonding with the application of commercially available dentin adhesive.Conclusions: A pH sensitive CHX release response was noted when loaded in MSN grafted PLGA nanoparticles. The formulated drug loaded nanocarrier demonstrated excellent physicochemical, spectral, and biological characteristics. Showing considerable capacity to penetrate effectively inside dentinal tubules and having high antibacterial efficacy, this system could be potentially used in adhesive and restorative dentistry.
One World Project's Wheelchair Skills Training Camp in Morocco – Effects of a Community Peer-Based Programme
Authors: Tasiemski Tomasz , Wilski Maciej , Urbański Piotr
Published: December 2020

Background. Access to health services was found to be a major problem for over half of persons with disabilities in Morocco. This has created the need to increase opportunities for community-based rehabilitation activities in this country.The aim of this study was to assess wheelchairs skills of persons with physical disabilities attending the first Wheelchair Skills and Empowerment Camp in Morocco, and their satisfaction with the manual wheelchairs available during the camp activities. Methods. 19 persons (13 male and 6 female) with physical disabilities took part in the project. Mean years since injury or illness was 24 years. The following measures have been used: the Queensland Evaluation of Wheelchair Skills test, and the Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with assistive Technology. Results. Study participants improved their overall wheelchair mobility skills (p=0.002; d=0.20), especially the ability to ascend and descend a ramp (p=0.012; d=0.67). The participants were significantly larger satisfied with the new provided wheelchairs in comparison to their own wheelchairs with regard to five of the satisfaction items i.e. ease in adjusting (p=0.011; d=0.96), safety and security (p=0.014; d=0.97), durability (p=0.037; d=0.81), ease to use (p=0.045; d=0.87), and comfort (p=0.006; d=1.03). Conclusions. Findings of this study suggest that there is a need for structured wheelchair skills training and better-quality wheelchairs for persons with physical disabilities in Morocco. The study also confirmed that community peer-based programmes in low-resource countries can play an important role in rehabilitation in persons with physical disabilities, even many years since their injury or illness.
Completeness of Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health in Electronic Health Records: A case study on the Patient-Provided Information from a minority cohort with sexually transmitted diseases
Authors: Kshatriya Bhavani Singh Agnikula , Balls-Berry Joyce E , Freeman William D , Zhang Rui , Wang Yanshan
Published: December 2020

IntroductionRacially and ethnically diverse minorities often experience the disease burden of sexually transmitted infections or diseases (STD) more often than their White counterparts. Yet, little is known about the connection of STD systematic discrimination, racism, and social and behavioral determinants. Plus, little to no details exists related to how this information is recorded in their Electronic Health Records (EHRs). The objective of this study is to assess the completeness of social and behavioral determinants of health (SDOH) data in the EHRs of a minority cohort with STD.Materials and Methods2,993 minority patients diagnosed with a STD at the Mayo Clinic were identified for this study. A natural language processing (NLP) algorithm was applied on the Patient-Provided Information (PPI) in their EHRs to extract SDOH information in six domains that are associated with STD, namely alcohol use, substance use, sexual activity, sexual orientation, housing status, and employment status. The completeness of SDOH was assessed in terms of documentation, breadth, and density.ResultsOur study indicates that nearly half of 2,993 patients did not have SDOH-related PPI records in their EHRs whereas the patients who had SDOH-related PPI records had well-documented records for five out of six SDOH domains, including alcohol use, substance use, sexual activity, housing status, and employment status, except for sexual orientation. A total of 1,504 patients had PPI in their EHRs for at least one of six SDOH domains, which is about 50.3% of the study cohort. Most SDOH domains have a short time span of 1 year, with up to 18 years of record data. Our analysis also indicated that education and age have a significant impact on the recording of SDOH-related PPI records. Patients that are female, older, and higher educated tend to have more SDOH information available in their records.Discussion and ConclusionWe assessed the completeness of SDOH information recorded in the PPI from patients’ EHRs. Due to large amounts of missing SDOH information in the PPI, future research is needed to integrate accurate and robust SDOH related data for downstream research and the impact of systematic discrimination on how this information is collected and interpreted in the EHRs.
Study Rationale and Design of a Study of Empagliflozin’s Effects in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary ARtery Disease: The EMPA-CARD Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Gohari Sepehr , Reshadmanesh Tara , Khodabandehloo Hadi , Fathi Mojtaba , Ahangar Hassan , Arsang-Jang Shahram , Ismail-Beigi Faramarz , Ghanbari Samin , Dadashi Mohsen , Muhammadi Muhammad Javad , Gohari Sheida , Ghaffari Saeid
Published: December 2020

Background: Recent trials have revealed that sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2-i) are effective against hyperglycemia and also reduce micro- and macro-vascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Most of the beneficial cardiovascular effects have been investigated in patients with heart failure and coronary artery disease (CAD). Yet, no human study has been conducted to investigate the mechanisms underlying these clinically beneficial effects in patients with CAD. Accordingly, the EMPA-CARD trial was designed to focus on the molecular effects of empagliflozin in patients with T2DM and CAD.Methods: In this multicenter, triple-blind randomized controlled trial, patients with documented known T2DM and CAD will be recruited. They will be randomized on a 1:1 ratio and assigned into two groups of empagliflozin 10 mg/daily and placebo. The primary endpoint is the effect of empagliflozin on changes of plasma interleukin 6 (IL-6) after 26 weeks of treatment. The secondary endpoints will consist of changes in other inflammatory biomarkers (Interleukin 1-beta and high-sensitive C-reactive protein), markers of oxidative stress, platelet function, and glycemic status. Discussion: The EMPA-CARD trial mainly tests the hypothesis that SGLT2 inhibition by empagliflozin may improve inflammatory status measured as reduction in inflammatory biomarkers in patients with T2DM and CAD. The results will provide information about the underlying mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibition that mediate the beneficial effects of this medication on clinical outcomes.Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials. www.IRCT.ir, Identifier: IRCT20190412043247N2. Registration Date: 6/13/2020. Registration timing: prospective