bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
WITHDRAWN: Barriers and Facilitators for Cervical Cancer Screening Among Young Women: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kirubarajan Abirami , Leung Shannon , Li Xinglin , Yau Matthew , Sobel Mara
Published: September 2020

Background Though cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally, its incidence is nearly entirely preventable. Young women have been an international priority for screening. However, in both high-income and low-income countries, young women have not been screened appropriately according to country-specific guidelines.The aim of this systematic review was to systematically characterize the existing literature on barriers and facilitators for cervical cancer screening among young women globally.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines of four databases: Medline-OVID, EMBASE, CINAHL, and ClinicalTrials.Gov. Databases were examined from inception until the date of our literature searches (12/03/2020). We only examined original, peer-reviewed literature. Articles were excluded if they did not specifically discuss cervical cancer screening, were not specific to young women, or did not report outcomes or evaluation. All screening, extraction, and synthesis was completed in duplicate with two independent reviewers. Outcomes were summarized descriptively. Risk of bias for individual studies was graded using an adapted rating scale based on the Risk of Bias Instrument for Cross-Sectional Surveys of Attitudes and Practices.ResultsOf the 2177 original database citations, we included 36 studies that met inclusion criteria. Our systematic review found that there are three large categories of barriers for young women: lack of knowledge/awareness, negative perceptions of the test, and practical barriers to testing. Facilitators included stronger relationships with healthcare providers, social norms, support from family, and self-efficacy.Conclusions There are unique barriers and facilitators that affect cervical cancer screening rates in young women. Health systems worldwide should address the challenges for this population.
An Analysis of COVID-19 Clusters in India-Two Case Studies on Nizamuddin and Dharavi.
Authors: Sengupta Pooja , Ganguli Bhaswati , SenRoy Sugata , Chatterjee Aditya
Published: September 2020

Background- With the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc across nations, several research projects are being carried out to study the propagation of the virus. In this study we have made an endeavour to analyse the spread of COVID-19 in the districts of India. Methods- Some districts in India have been much more a ected than the others. A cluster analysis of the worst a ected districts in India provide insight about the similarities between them. The e ects of public health interventions in flattening the curve in their respective states is studied using the individual contact SEIQHRF model. Results - The clustering of hotspot districts in India provide homogeneous clusters of districts that stand out in terms of number of positive COVID-19 cases and covariates like population density and number of COVID-19 special hospitals. The cluster analysis reveal that distribution of number of COVID-19 hospitals in the districts vary from the distribution of con rmed COVID-19 cases. The distribution of hospitals is much less skewed than the population density and COVID-19 cases. From the SEIQHRF model for Nizamuddin we observe in the second phase the number of infected individuals had seen a multitudinous increase in the states where Nizamuddin attendees returned. Thereby, increasing the risk of the disease spread in the respective states. However, the simulations reveal that the administrative interventions, if implemented strictly, flatten the curve of disease spread. In Dharavi however, as claimed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation officials, through tracing, tracking, testing and treating, massive breakout of COVID-19 was also brought under control. Conclusions - The study rounds up with two important case studies on Nizamuddin basti and Dharavi slum to illustrate the growth curve of COVID-19 in two very densely populated regions in India. In the case of Nizamuddin, the attendees of the religious events who went back to their respective states, increased the risk of infection manifold. However, Dharavi was one of the few COVID-19 success stories. Through strict testing, treating, tracking and tracing large-scale COVID-19 infection was brought under control.
The Difference of Contribution of Urban Built Environment Factors to Obesity of Residents: A Case Study from the Shijingshan District of Beijing
Authors: Wang Shanchao , Ma Chao , Wang Jie , Ren Lijian , Yun Yingxia
Published: September 2020

BackgroundThe obesity rate of Beijing residents has been rapidly increasing in the past decades. The incidence rate of diseases caused by obesity is high, and resident health is a concern. According to public data and published studies, obesity may be related to the urban built environment. Methods In this study, a data set of "resident health–urban built environment" based on the data of surveying and mapping in the Shijingshan district of Beijing and the registration data of obesity status from top medical institutions in Beijing is developed. The data of the urban built environment includes five factors: the economic value of location, mixture of land use, facility layout, spatial characteristics of streets, and subjective evaluation data of residents. Additionally, a multi-dimensional judgment matrix of obesity of residents and built environment indicators is established. The random forest algorithm of machine learning is used to classify the data set, and the correlation and contribution of the influence of each environmental factor on the obesity are judged. Results For all communities in the Shijingshan district, the street betweenness and street curvature make the largest contributions to obesity among all spatial characteristics, whereas the number of parks and water-related sceneries in the living environment contributes the least. Conclusions The calculated contributions of different environmental factors to obesity can be directly employed to promote a healthy lifestyle. On the premise of intervention cost-saving, similar effects can be achieved by improving the spatial environment of streets and layout of facilities rather than applying intervention measures of the overall change.
Neonatal Near Misses and Associated Factors Among Mother's Who Give a Live Neonate at Hawassa City Governmental Hospitals, 2019. A Facility Based Cross-Sectional Study Design
Authors: Fikrie Anteneh Tekola , Baye Genet Ake , Amaje Elias Hadona , Tefera Kebede
Published: September 2020

Background: Neonatal near miss is a neonate who nearly died but survived from a severe complication occurred during pregnancy, birth or within 0-28 days of extra-uterine life. However, there is no available data that quantifies the magnitude of neonatal near miss in Ethiopia where there is high prevalence of neonatal mortality. Therefore, this study is designed to provide information about the magnitude and associated factors of neonatal near miss among women who give a live birth at Hawassa City Governmental hospitals, 2019. Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 604 mothers who gave live neonates at Adare General Hospital and Hawassa University Comprehensive and Specialized Hospital from May 9, 2019 to June 7, 2019. Face to face interviewer administered structured questionnaire with a supplementation of maternal and neonatal medical records with checklists were used to collect the data. Data were coded and entered in to Epi data version 3.1 and then exported to the Statistical Package for Social Science IBM version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics was run and the data were presented using frequency tables and figure. The bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the possible factors of neonatal near miss. Finally, Adjusted Odds Ratio and 95% Confidence Intervals were used to declare statsticall significance. Result Among all 604 selected live births an overall proportion of Neonatal Near Misses (NNM) cases, 202 (33.4 %;) (95% CI: 29.7%-37.1%) was obtained. Respiratory distress 158 (94%) and infection or sepsis 138 (84%) were found to be the leading causes of NNM cases in our study. Employed (AOR = 3.05, 95% CI: 1.46- 6.44), Pregnancy induced Hypertension (AOR = 0.43, 95%CI: 0.27-0.69) and Cesarean Section (AOR=0.49; 95%CI: 0.33-0.71) were significantly associated with neonatal near miss. Conclusion: This study revealed relatively high prevalence of neonatal near miss in the study areas. Employed women, pregnancy induced hypertension and cesarean section mode of delivery were found to be independent factors affecting the prevalence of NNM cases. Therefore, HUCSH and Adare general Hospitals should focus on proving quality antenatal care and prevention of occupational related problems among pregnant women.
Association of Life Course Socioeconomic Status and Adult Height With Cognitive Capacity Among Older Adults in India and China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Selvamani Y , Arokiasamy P
Published: September 2020

BackgroundCognitive ability is an important measure of intrinsic capacity. In this study, we examine the association of life course socioeconomic status (SES) and height on cognitive functioning among older adults aged 50 and above for the two middle-income countries of India and China. We further assess the age pattern of cognitive decline with measures of life course socioeconomic status. MethodsCross-sectional comparative analysis was conducted using the WHO’s Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) data for India and China. Multilevel mixed-effect regression analysis was used to predict the association of life course socioeconomic status, height with cognitive functioning. ResultsIn India and China, better childhood socioeconomic status measured as parental education is positively associated with cognitive functioning. The association between adult socioeconomic status and cognitive functioning was positive and highly significant. Height was significantly associated with improved cognitive functioning for India and China. Furthermore, the age-related cognitive decline was faster among older adults whose parents had no schooling, particularly the association between mother’s education and cognitive functioning is stronger in China. The cognitive decline is much faster among less-educated older adults than those with 10+ years of schooling in China. Wealthier older adults in India had higher cognitive functioning in middle age, however, wealth differences narrowed in older ages, suggesting the convergence of cognitive functioning by economic status at older ages. ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest a significant long-term impact of childhood conditions on later-life cognitive functioning in middle-income settings.
Preliminary Study on the Relationship Between LncRNA GAPLINC Expression and Clinical Pathology of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Metastasis Mechanism
Authors: Wang Peng , Yang Song , Dai Shengbin , Ni Qingtao , Liu Huilan , Yu Lei , Lu Kaijin , Han Gaohua , Huang Junxing
Published: September 2020

BackgroundLong non-coding RNA (lncRNA) GAPLINC (gastric adenocarcinoma predictive long intergenic noncoding RNA) plays a carcinogenic role in a variety of different tumor types. It is deserved to explore the biological function of LncRNA GAPLINC in the development of esophageal cancer. MethodsTissues of 40 patients undergoing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) radical surgery were collected, including ESCC tissues and corresponding adjacent normal tissues. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of LncRNA GAPLINC and evaluate the relationship between its expression and ESCC clinicopathology. The expression level of LncRNA GAPLINC in human ESCC cell line (TE11) was detected by qRT-PCR. After specific siRNA interference, the expression of LncRNA GAPLINC was detected. The effects of LncRNA GAPLINC on ESCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion were detected by flow cytometry, cell counting kit-8 (cck-8) and Transwell, respectively.Results1. The expression level of LncRNA GAPLINC in ESCC tissues was significantly higher than that in the corresponding adjacent normal tissues (P<0.05). 2. The high expression of LncRNA GAPLINC in ESCC was correlated with the degree of tumor differentiation of patients (P<0.05), but not age, gender, smoking and alcohol history, tumor location, tumor size and invasion depth (P>0.05). 3. Compared with human esophageal normal epithelial cell lines, the expression of LncRNA GAPLINC was significantly increased in human ESCC cell line (P<0.05). 4. Cck-8 experiment showed that LncRNA GAPLINC overexpression increased the growth rate of cells (P<0.05). Transwell experiment showed that LncRNA GAPLINC overexpression increased the ability of cell migration and invasion compared (P<0.05). Annexin V assay showed that LncRNA GAPLINC silencing made apoptosis increase at the early stage (P<0. 05).Conclusions1. LncRNA GAPLINC was highly expressed in ESCC tissues and human ESCC cell line. LncRNA GAPLINC expression level was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation degree in ESCC. Our results suggested that LncRNA GAPLINC may be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of ESCC. 2. Downregulation of LncRNA GAPLINC in human ESCC cell line could inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of tumor cells. Our study revealed that LncRNA GAPLINC may play a role as an oncogene in ESCC and be a potential therapeutic target.
Elevated expression of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential in patients with coronary endothelial dysfunction is associated with future cardiovascular events
Authors: Ganji Morsaleh , Lasho Terra , Toya Takumi , Akhiyat Nadia , Shi Changxin , Chen Xianfeng , Braggio Esteban , Ahmad Ali , Corban Michel , Stewart A. , Lerman Lilach , Patnaik Mrinal , Lerman Amir
Published: September 2020

Aims We aimed to test the hypothesis that the presence of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) in peripheral blood cells is associated with coronary endothelial dysfunction, enhanced inflammatory markers, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).Methods and results We compared targeted next generation sequencing (35 CHIP related genes) between patients with coronary endothelial dysfunction (n = 123) and controls (n=65). Coronary endothelial dysfunction was defined by ≥ 20% decrease in coronary artery diameter (CAD) or ≤ 50% increase in coronary blood flow (CBF) in response to acetylcholine injection compared to baseline. Plasma cytokine levels of Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 were also assessed. Patients were subsequently followed for 12.2 ± 4.3 years. Clonal hematopoiesis relevant gene mutations were found in 1 individual in normal endothelial function group (1.5%) and 11 cases in endothelial dysfunction group (9.3%) (p = 0.04). Additionally, CHIP mutations were associated with an increased risk of MACE (OR = 4.08, P = 0.04). Mutations in ASXL1, DNMT3A and TET2 in the endothelial dysfunction group were also associated with increased levels of IL-6 and IL-8 (P = 0.001, P = 0.003; respectively).Conclusion The current study demonstrates a high frequency of CHIP in patients with coronary endothelial dysfunction as well as an association between mutations in three most common epigenetic regulator genes and increased levels of IL-6 and IL-8. Therefore it infers a probable relationship between CHIP, endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular adverse events.
N-glycoproteomic Profiling Revealing New Coronavirus Therapeutic Targets That Maybe Involved in Cepharanthine’s Intervention
Authors: An Wenlin , Tian Fengjuan , Li Jing , Wang Yanglan , Wang Shihui , Fan Huahao , Tong Yigang
Published: September 2020

N-glycosylation is an important post-translational modification involved in protein folding, signal transduction, extracellular matrix organization and immune response. Evidence showed that glycosylated SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein may be a potential target in viral pathogenesis and drug/vaccine design. To investigate the mechanism of coronavirus infestation and drug targets from glycosylation perspective, we constructed a SARS-CoV-2 cellular model using GX_P2V-infected VeroE6 cells to study the effects of GX_P2V on glycoproteins in presence or absence of Cepharanthine (CEP) through N-glycoproteomics profiling. The results showed that coronavirus GX_P2V could cause aberrant protein glycosylation, whereas CEP can partially maintain GX_P2V-induced aberrant glycoproteins at homeostasis. Further study revealed that proteins LAMB1 and FN1 were pivotal in counteracting coronavirus-induced aberrant protein glycosylation by CEP. Furthermore, CEP can dramatically regulate the glycosylation of viral proteins S, M and N. Our results suggest that despite the strong anti-coronavirus effects of CEP, drug combinations need be considered to achieve optimal therapeutic strategies.
A Dexterity Comparison for 6 DOF Hybrid Robots
Authors: Mohammadkhani MohammadAli , Haghighi Ahmad Reza
Published: September 2020

In this paper, new hybrid robots are suggested which divided the task into a position and orientation tasks. The position mechanism controls the position whereas the orientation one manipulates the orientation of the end effector. These robots consist of a translational parallel manipulator and a rotational serial or parallel mechanism. The 3UPU or Tricept parallel manipulator and a three-axis gimbaled system or parallel shoulder manipulator are chosen for translational and rotational movements, respectively. The main goal of this paper is analyzing the development and combination of serial and parallel manipulators in order to increase their features. According to this purpose, serial and parallel mechanisms with three DOF are combined in a way to encompass six DOF space. It is shown hybrid mechanisms with less coupling between their subsystems are capable of increasing robot characteristics.
HIF-1α promotes hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis by regulating angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Yao Min , Wang Li , Chen Xiyu , Chen Ying , Yang Jie , Wang Defeng , Wu Wei , yao dengfu
Published: September 2020

Background

Invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still remain to be hard in medical society. However, little knowledge is known regarding the hypoxia impact in HCC with angiogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The aims of this study were to explore the regulating roles of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in angiogenesis and EMT of HCC.
Methods

The levels of HIF-1α, angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in a cohort of chronic liver diseases were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and their dynamic up-regulations were confirmed in model of rat hepatocyte malignant transformation. After HIF-1α gene transfected with specific miRNA, biological behaviors of HCC cells were analyzed by transwell or invasion assay; angiogenesis and EMT were analyzed at protein level by Western blot or at mRNA by quantitative real-time PCR.
Results

The levels of circulating HIF-1α, VEGF, and Ang-2 in the HCC group (145.6 ± 32.6 µg/L, 458.9 ± 125.3 µg/L, and 42.9 ± 5.1 µg/L) were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those in the LC (79.5 ± 8.4 µg/L, 206.8 ± 56.8 µg/L, and 26.2 ± 6.1 µg/L) or the CH (60.1 ± 18.8 µg/L, 178.1 ± 85.4 µg/L, and 21.8 ± 6.9 µg/L) group, respectively. Dynamic up-regulations of HIF-1α and angiogenic factors have been confirmed by rat model with hepatocyte malignant transformation. There were closely positive correlations (P < 0.001) between them of HIF-1α and VEGF or Ang-2. After HCC cells transfected with specific HIF-1α-miRNA, the levels of HIF-1α, VEGF and Ang-2 expression were significantly down-regulated, with inhibiting infiltration or migration, blockading EMT with increasing E-cadherin and decreasing of snail, twist and vimentin.
Conclusions

These data have highlighted the HIF-1α over-expression could promote the metastasis or invasion of HCC via regulating neovascularization and EMT formation.
Assessment of Economic-Environmental Consequences of Implementing Policies to Exclude and Reform Fossil Fuel Subsidies in the Mena Region up to the Time Horizon by 2100: Experimental Application of RICE Model
Authors: Moayedfar Rozita , Haghshenas Marzieh , Farahmand Shekoofeh , Sharirfi Alimorad
Published: September 2020

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Evaluation of Dip Angles of Active Faults Beneath the Osaka Plain Inferred from a 2D Numerical Analysis of visco-elasto-plastic Models
Authors: Nishiwaki Hayami , Okudaira Takamoto , Ishii Kazuhiko , Mitamura Muneki
Published: September 2020

The geometries (i.e., dip angles) of active faults from the surface to the seismogenic zone are among the most important factors used to evaluate earthquake ground motion, which is crucial to seismic hazard assessments in urban areas. In Osaka, a metropolitan city in Japan, there are several active faults (e.g., the Uemachi and Ikoma faults), which are inferred from the topography, the attitude of active faults in surface trenches, the seismic reflection profile at shallow depths (less than 2 km), and the three-dimensional distribution of the Quaternary sedimentary layers. The Uemachi and Ikoma faults are N–S-striking fault systems with total lengths of 42 km and 38 km, respectively, with the former being located ~12 km west of the latter; however, the geometries of each of the active faults within the seismogenic zone is not clear. In this study, to examine the geometries of the Uemachi and Ikoma faults from the surface to the seismogenic zone, we analyze the development of the geological structures of sedimentary layers based on numerical simulations of a two-dimensional visco-elasto-plastic body under a horizontal compressive stress field, including preexisting linear high-strained weak zones (i.e., faults) and surface sedimentation processes, and evaluate the relationship between the observed geological structures of the Quaternary sediments (i.e., the Osaka Group) in the Osaka Plain and the model results. Based on a comparison between the simulation results and the geological observations/interpretation, we propose geometries of the Uemachi and Ikoma faults from the surface to the seismogenic zone. When the friction coefficient of the faults is ~0.5, the dip angles of the Uemachi and Ikoma faults near the surface are ~30°–40° and the Uemachi fault has a downward convex curve at the bottom of the seismogenic zone but does not converge to the Ikoma fault. Based on the analysis in this study, the dip angle of the Uemachi fault zone is estimated to be approximately 30°–40°, and the downward extension of the Uemachi fault zone nearly coincides with the epicenter of the 2018 northern Osaka earthquake.
Delivery of Functional Exogenous Proteins by Plant Vesicles to Human Cells in Vitro
Authors: Garaeva Luiza , Kamyshinsky Roman , Kil Yury , Varfolomeeva Elena , Garmay Yuri , Landa Sergey , Burdakov Vladimir , Myasnikov Alexander , Kagansky Alexander , Vinnikov Ilya A. , Komarova Elena , Margulis Boris , Guzhova Irina , Konevega Andrey L. , Shtam Tatiana
Published: September 2020

Background: Plant-derived extracellular vesicles increasingly gain attention as promising carriers of exogenous bioactive molecules to the human cells. Due to their various edible sources they are distinctly biocompatible, biodegradable and easily available in significant amounts. Methods: In present work, extracellular vesicles from grapefruit juice were isolated by differential centrifugation and characterized in terms of size, quantity, and morphology by nanoparticle tracking analysis, dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, and cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM). In Cryo-EM experiments we have visualized grapefruit vesicles with average size of 41 ± 13 nm, confirmed their round-shaped morphology and estimated the thickness of their lipid bilayer as 5.3 ± 0.8 nm. Results: Using in vitro cell culture models, we have shown that grapefruit-derived extracellular vesicles (GF-EVs) are highly efﬁcient carriers for the delivery of the exogenous Alexa flour 647 labelled BSA and HSP70 proteins into human colon cancer HCT-116 and DLD1 cells. Both proteins when loaded to plant vesicles were captured by human intestinal cells much more efficiently compare to their free state. Additionally, the functional activity of human recombinant HSP70 delivered by GF-EVs in the tissue culture cells has been confirmed. Conclusions: The results clearly indicate the high potential of native plant vesicles for the safe delivery of therapeutic proteins into human cells. Here, we reported the first demonstration of effective loading of natural plant-derived extracellular nanovesicles with exogenous proteins and their successful delivery into human cells.
Presepsin values and Prognostic Nutritional Index predict mortality in intensive care unit patients with sepsis: a prospective observational study
Authors: Shimoyama Yuichiro , Umegaki Osamu , Kadono Noriko , Minami Toshiaki
Published: September 2020

Background

Sepsis is a major cause of mortality for critically ill patients. This study aimed to determine whether presepsin values can predict mortality in patients with sepsis.
Methods

A total of 83 adult patients diagnosed with sepsis were prospectively examined. Presepsin values were measured immediately after ICU admission and on Days 2, 3, and 5 after ICU admission. Glasgow Prognostic Score, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, platelet to lymphocyte ratio, Prognostic Index, and Prognostic Nutritional Index were also determined at baseline. For category classification, total scores were calculated (hereafter, “inflammation-presepsin scores [iPS]”) as follows: a score of 1 was assigned if the presepsin value and inflammation-based prognostic scores at baseline were above cut-offs determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for 28-day mortality; a score of 0 was assigned if they were below the cut-offs (total score range, 0–2 points). Presepsin values, inflammation-based prognostic scores, and iPS were compared between non-survivors and survivors.
Results

ROC curve analysis, Log-rank test, and multivariate analysis identified presepsin values and Prognostic Nutritional Index as predictors of mortality in sepsis patients. Presepsin value on Day 1 was a predictor of early mortality, i.e., death within 7 days of ICU admission; ROC curve analysis revealed an AUC of 0.84, sensitivity of 89%, and specificity of 77%; multivariate analysis showed an OR of 1.0007, with a 95%CI of 1.0001–1.0013 (p = 0.0320).
Conclusions

Presepsin value was a predictor of mortality in sepsis patients. In particular, the presepsin value on Day 1 is useful for predicting early mortality. In the context of 28-day mortality, Prognostic Nutritional Index was found to predict mortality in sepsis patients.
Factors affecting physicians' dual practice in Iran
Authors: Vejdani Marjan , Kokabisaghi Fatemeh , Moghri Javad
Published: September 2020

Background

One of the most important challenges of the healthcare system in recent years have been physicians' dual practice in the public and private sectors. this study aims to investigate the factors affecting the physicians' dual practice in Iran.
Methods

In this qualitative study 41 stakeholders were selected by purposeful sampling. Data were collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews. The Framework analysis was used to analyze the data.
Results

Factors affecting the physicians' dual practice in Iran were classified into three main themes: "individual motivational factors", "structural factors" and "historical and cultural factors".
Conclusions

Getting a faculty position, the demand for private services and job security, and the continuous and guaranteed income are the most important motivations for physicians to work in the public sector. Greater financial and monetary incentives, more job independence, as well as private offices as a work identity and prestige were the most important motivations for working in the private sector.
Transient Senescence Induces Wound Healing Through SASP Factors: Therapeutic Potentials of Chick Early Amniotic Fluid (ceAF)
Authors: Mashaal Ahmad , Sun Yandi , Zhang Xueyun , Khan Zara Ahmad , Qian Jin , Yan Luo
Published: September 2020

Background

Inflammatory, proliferative and remodelling phases constitute a cutaneous wound healing program. Therapeutic applications/medication are available; however, they commonly comprise fortified preservatives that might prolong the healing process. Chick early amniotic fluids (ceAF) contain native therapeutic factors with balanced chemokines, cytokines and growth-related factors; their origins in principle dictate no existence of harmful agents that would otherwise hamper embryo development. Instead, they possess a spectrum of molecules driving expeditious mitotic divisions and possibly exerting other functions.
Methods

Employing both in vitro and in vivo models, we examined ceAF’s therapeutic potentials in wound healing and found intriguing involvement of transient senescence, known to be intimately intermingled with Senescence Associated Secretory Phenotypes (SASP) that function in addition to or in conjunction with ceAF to facilitate wound healing.
Results

In our in vitro and in vivo cutaneous wound healing models, a low dose of ceAF exhibited the best efficacies; however, higher doses attenuated the wound healing, presumably by inducing p16 expression.
Conclusion

Our studies link an INK4/ARF locus-mediated signalling to cutaneous wound healing, implicate the therapeutic potentials of ceAF exerting functions likely by driving transient senescence and expediting cell proliferation, and conceptualize a homeostatic and/or balanced dosage strategy in medical intervention.
Ecological adaptation of an F1 hybrid cross of carnivorous and herbivorous Cyprinidae fishes
Authors: Gu Haoran , He You , Deng Sihong , He Xingheng , Wu Yi , Xing Kaiyan , Gao Xue , He Xuefu , Wang Zhijian
Published: September 2020

Background

Whether hybridization plays a positive or negative role in speciation remains a controversial issue to date. Genetic factors have been widely studied, but ecological factors also play an important role. Although studies on the ecological adaptation of hybrids between different niche parents have been widely reported, cases of extreme niche parental hybridization have not been documented, which may show more ecological phenomena in the fields of hybrid speciation and ecological species isolation.
Results

Taking Cyprinidae fish parents (Schizothorax wangchiachii and Percocypris pingi) with extreme ecological niches (herbivorous and carnivorous) and their F1 hybrids as research objects, fish, shrimp, blood worms and periphytic algae were selected as food correspond to four different ecological niches. Morphologically, most external and skeletal traits in the F1 hybrids were balanced between the parents, but digestive traits were closer to those of herbivorous parents. In terms of diet, the F1 hybrids weakly foraged for parental food resources, but can more effectively forage for intermediate food resources. In foraging abilities, the F1 hybrids showed low foraging enthusiasm and abilities for parent resources, although the former was the more important factor. Interestingly, the F1 hybrids showed high foraging enthusiasm and success rates when they first foraged for fish, but then they vomited fish debris as a result of mechanical difficulty in chewing rather than taste, and the reason was a contradiction between the genetic behaviours and intermediate morphology. This behaviour was harmful and was persistent in some individuals, representing a new mechanism in ecological species isolation. However, the F1 hybrids have also shown evidence of new ecological niche formation in favour of hybrid speciation by abandoning foraging parent resources and focusing more on foraging intermediate foods.
Conclusions

(1) Low foraging enthusiasm is an important reason for the fitness decrease of F1 hybrids to parent food. (2) The contradiction between genetic behavior and intermediate traits is reported for the first time. (3) F1 hybrids may form an intermediate ecological niche between parents proved experimentally.
Development and validation of magnetic resonance imaging-based nomograms for patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma after radical resection: Preoperative prediction of survival
Authors: Zhao Jian , Zhang Wei , Zhang Jun , Ma Wen-Jie , Yuan Fang , Liu Si-Yun , Li Fu-Yu , Song Bin
Published: September 2020

BackgroundSurvival status prediction for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) patients is essential for postoperative clinical decision making. This study aimed to develop and validate prediction models for overall survival (OS) evaluation in pCCA patients preoperatively.Materials and MethodsA total of 184 patients who had curative resection for pCCA between January 2010 and December 2018 were enrolled. 110 patients were randomly selected for model development while other 74 patients for model testing. Imaging-derived radiomics signatures were developed. Independent preoperative clinical predictors were involved independently or in combination with radiomics signatures to construct different preoperative models through multivariable Cox proportional hazards method. The nomograms were constructed to predict OS, and the performance of which was evaluated by the discrimination ability, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calibration curve and decision curve.ResultsThe clinical model (Modelclinic) was constructed based on three independent variables including preoperative CEA, cN stage and invasion of hepatic artery in images. The model with best performance (Modelclinic&AP&PVP) was build based on three independent variables, SignatureAP and SignaturePVP. In training and testing cohorts, the concordance indexes (C-indexes) of Modelclinic were 0.846 (95% CI, 0.735-0.957) and 0.755 (95% CI, 0.540-969), and Modelclinic&AP&PVP manifested favorable performance with C-indexes of 0.962 (95% CI, 0.905-1) and 0.814 (95% CI, 0.569-1), and both of them outperformed TNM staging system (C-indexes, 0.616, 95% CI, 0.522-0.711 and 0.599, 95% CI, 0.490-0.708). Good agreement was observed in the calibration curves, and favorable clinical utility was validated using the decision curve analysis both for Modelclinic and Modelclinic&AP&PVP.ConclusionsTwo preoperative nomograms were constructed to predict 1-, 3- and 5-years survival following surgery for individual pCCA patients. Such methods are easy to be performed which have clinical application potential for decision-making and patients stratification in randomized, controlled trials.
2-hexyl-4-pentynoic acid (HPTA), a novel radiosensitizer to breast cancer cells through increasing the instability of DNA repair proteins
Authors: Cai Zuchao , Lim David , Liu Guochao , Ding Wenwen , Wang Zhendong , Tian Zhujun , Peng Junxuan , Dong Chao , Zhang Fengmei , Feng Zhihui
Published: September 2020

Background

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world which is the main cause of cancer death for women. Radiotherapy is the main treatment. Although some drugs have been found to enhance the effect of radiotherapy, there are also obvious deficiencies. Therefore, recent applied clinical research has been focusing on locating a suitable radiosensitizer to breast cancer radiotherapy.
Methods

MTT, clonogenic survival assays, comet assays, immunofluorescence and western blot analyses were used to detect the effect of VPA / HPTA on DNA damage induced by radiotherapy for breast cancer through a variety of cell models( MCF7, EUFA423, HCC1937, DMBA-induced rat breast cancer-derived primary culture cell and DMBA-induced transformed human normal breast cell line). At the same time, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and western blot analyses were used to investigate the effect of VPA / HPTA on DNA damage repair induced by radiation. In vivo experiment, the effect of HPTA as radiosensitizer was investigated by DMBA-induced breast cancer in rats. Finally, the possible mechanism of HPTA acting on target protein was proved by cycloheximide chase experiment.
Results

In this study, a derivative of valproic acid (VPA), 2-hexyl-4-pentynoic acid (HPTA), was demonstrated for the first time that low concentration of HPTA (15 µM) has radiosensitizing properties to breast cancer cells by multiple working models of breast cancer cell lines (in vivo), equivalent to a high concentration of VPA (500 µM). Mechanistic investigations revealed that HPTA induced radiosensitivity through inhibiting the BRCA1-Rad51-mediated homologous recombination pathway. These results were further manifested in breast cancer animal model (in vitro). Most importantly, our study found that HPTA influenced the stability of BRCA1 and Rad51 proteins via shorting their half-life.
Conclusions

Our findings support the proposition HPTA as an alternate, safe and effective radiosensitizer to tumor cells. Targeting BRCA1-Rad51-mediated homologous recombination pathway through HPTA may be a rational strategy to improve the radiotherapeutic efficacy of breast cancer.
Therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Mali, 2015–2016
Authors: Diarra Youssouf , Koné Oumar , Sangaré Lansana , Doumbia Lassina , Haidara Dade Bouye Ben , Diallo Mouctar , Maiga Ababacar , Sango Hammadoun Aly , Sidibé Halidou , Mihigo Jules , Nace Douglas , Ljolje Dragan , Talundzic Eldin , Udhayakumar Venkatachalam , Eckert Erin , Woodfill Celia Jane , Moriarty Leah F. , Lim Pharath , Krogstad Donald John , Halsey Eric S. , Lucchi Naomi W. , Koita Ousmane
Published: September 2020

Background

The current first-line treatments for uncomplicated malaria recommended by the National Malaria Control Program in Mali are artemether–lumefantrine (AL) and artesunate–amodiaquine (ASAQ). From 2015–2016, we conducted an in vivo study to assess the clinical and parasitological responses to AL and ASAQ in Sélingué, Mali.
Methods

Children between 6 and 59 months of age with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infection and 2,000–200,000 asexual parasites/µL of blood were enrolled, randomly assigned to either AL or ASAQ, and followed up for 42 days. Uncorrected and PCR-corrected efficacy results at days 28 and 42 were calculated. Known markers of resistance in the Pfk13, Pfmdr1, and Pfcrt genes were assessed using Sanger sequencing.
Results

A total of 449 patients were enrolled: 225 in the AL group and 224 in the ASAQ group. Uncorrected efficacy at day 28 was 83.4% (95% CI: 78.5–88.4%) in the AL arm and 93.1% (95% CI: 89.7–96.5%) in the ASAQ arm. The per protocol PCR-corrected efficacy at day 28 was 91.0% (86.0–95.9%) in the AL arm and 97.1% (93.6–100%) in the ASAQ arm. ASAQ was significantly (p < 0.05) better than AL for each of the aforementioned efficacy outcomes. No mutations associated with artemisinin resistance were identified in the Pfk13 gene. Overall, for Pfmdr1, the N86 allele and the NFD haplotype were the most common. The NFD haplotype was significantly more prevalent in the post-treatment than in the pre-treatment isolates in the AL arm (p < 0.01) but not in the ASAQ arm. For Pfcrt, the CVIET haplotype was the most common.
Conclusions

Our findings indicate that both AL and ASAQ remain effective for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in Sélingué, Mali.
Reparation of lung tissue in newly detected pulmonary tuberculosis as genetically determined process
Authors: Samsonov K. Yu. , Mordyk A. V. , Аroyan A. R. , Batischeva T. L. , Ivanova O. G.
Published: September 2020

The objective of the study is to assess the effect of rs6707530 polymorphism of the FN1 gene and rs1150754 polymorphism of the TNXB gene on the healing of lung tissue destruction in patients with newly detected pulmonary tuberculosis.

Subjects and methods. 82 patients older 18 years with newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis with destruction were enrolled in the study. X-ray data were assessed on the 2nd, 4th and 6th months of the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the efficacy of chemotherapy intensive phase.

Results. In the group of patients with an effective course of chemotherapy, the frequency of carriers of G allele (p < 0.001) and T/G genotype (p = 0.01) in rs6707530 locus of the FN1 gene was higher. While T/T genotype (p = 0.002) and T allele (p < 0.001) prevailed among the patients with persisting destruction of lung tissue after the intensive phase of chemotherapy.
Olivine from aillikites in the Tarim large igneous province as a window into mantle metasomatism and multi-stage magma evolution
Authors: Wang Changhong , Zhang Zhaochong , Xie Qiuhong , Cheng Zhiguo , Kong Weiliang , Liu Bingxiang , Santosh M. , Jin Shengkai
Published: September 2020

Aillikites are carbonate-rich ultramafic lamprophyres, and although they are volumetrically minor components of large igneous province (LIP), these rocks provide important clues to melting and meta-somatism in the deep mantle domain during the initial stages of LIPs. In this study, we investigate the Wajilitag “kimberlites” in the northwestern part of the Tarim LIP that we redefine as hypabyssal aillikites based on the following features: (1) micro-phenocrystic clinopyroxene and Ti-rich andradite garnet occurring in abundance in the carbonate-rich matrix; (2) Cr-spinel exhibiting typical Fe-Ti enrichment trend also known as titanomagnetite trend; and (3) olivine showing dominantly low Mg values (Fo < 90). To constrain the magma source and evolution, the major, minor, and trace element abundance in olivine grains from these rocks were analyzed using electron microprobe and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Olivine in the aillikites occurs as two textural types: (1) groundmass olivines, as sub-rounded grains in matrix, and (2) macrocrysts, as euhedral-anhedral crystals in nodules. The groundmass olivines show varying Mg (Fo89–80) with high-Ni (1606–3418 ppm) and Mn (1424–2860 ppm) and low-Ca (571–896 ppm) contents. In contrast, the macrocrysts exhibit a restricted Fo range but a wide range in Ni and Mn. The former occurs as phenocrysts, whereas the latter are cognate cumulates that formed from earlier, evolved aillikite melt. The two olivine populations can be further divided into sub-groups, indicating a multi-stage crystallization history of the aillikite melt. The crystallization temperatures of groundmass olivines and macrocrysts in dunite nodules as computed from the spinel-olivine thermometers are 1005–1136 and 906–1041 °C, respectively. The coupled enrichment of Ca and Ti and lack of correlation between Ni and Sc and Co in the olivine grains suggest a carbonate-silicate metasomatized mantle source. Moreover, the high 100·Mn/Fe (average 1.67) at high Ni (up to 3418 ppm), overlapping with OIB olivine, and the 100·Ni/Mg (~1) of primitive Mg-Ni-rich groundmass olivines suggest a mixed source that involved phlogopite- and carbonate-rich metasomatic veins within mantle peridotite.
Povijesni diskurs stručnog usavršavanja i trajne izobrazbe nastavnika
Authors: Lukaš Mirko
Published: September 2020

Usporednom analizom odabranih povijesnih i suvremenih pedagoških dokumenata stručno usavršavanje se prepoznaje kao trajna i neodvojiva komponenta nastavničke profesije. Trajno usavršavanje odgojnoobrazovnih djelatnika nepravedno se pripisuje tek vremenu paradigme cjeloživotnog obrazovanja. Pedagoški teoretičari nastavničkoj profesiji od njezinih početaka i pokušaja zakonske regulative te njezina društvenog etabliranja propisuju trajnu potrebu stručnog usavršavanja u svrhu profesionalnog razvitka i karijernog napredovanja, kao i obvezu neprestanog učenja. Već u prvom zakonskom dokumentu iz 1874. godine propisano je individualno i produžno obrazovanje svih učitelja. Time stručno usavršavanje postaje ključna sastavnica učiteljske profesije, a kasnije i svih odgojno obrazovnih djelatnika. Analizom povijesnih dokumenata utvrđena je sto pedeset godišnja zakonska i propisima regulirana trajna obveza stručnog usavršavanja nastavnika koja u praksi često nije ostvarena. Nakon dosegnute sveučilišne razine inicijalnog obrazovanja svih nastavnika i učitelja, potrebno je stvoriti uvjete za njihovo sustavno i učinkovito stručno usavršavanje.
What is Good Station-Area Planning? Lessons from Experts and Case Studies
Authors: Loukaitou-Sideris Anastasia , Peters Deike
Published: September 2020

As both scholarly literature and experience on the ground indicates, good station-area planning is a very important prerequisite for the eventual successful operation of a high-speed rail (HSR) station. In addition to facilitating the mobility of travellers, good station-area planning
can also trigger opportunities for economic development in the station-area and the station-city. This study seeks to: 1. understand the elements of good station-area planning for HSR stations; 2. document what experts consider as prerequisites for good station-area planning; 3. document the
elements of good station-area planning in four case studies of successful European stations: Euralille and Lyon Part-Dieu in France, and Ro erdam Centraal and Utrecht Centraal in the Netherlands; and 4. extract lessons and recommendations for new HSR stations. To achieve this we draw from
a literature review of station-area planning, a survey of HSR experts from Europe and the US, and visits to the four case study stations.
Understanding the Role of Corona Virus based on Current Scientific Evidence - A Review with Emerging Importance in Pandemic
Authors: Ray Suman K. , Mukherjee Sukhes
Published: September 2020

:

Coronavirus disease is a potentially deadly disease and of significant
apprehension for global communal health because of its lethality. Vaccines and
antiviral medications are still under trial to prevent or treat human coronavirus
(HCoV) till date. The virus HCoV originated in 2003, SARS-CoV, which causes
respiratory syndrome having distinctive pathogenesis and infections of the respiratory
tract. A mechanism was projected for the evolution of SARS virus, and a
handy association with bats was found. When this virus reaches the respective
host system, the infection starts with spike protein binding to its complementary
receptor of the host cell. The coronavirus spike protein’s association with its host
cell receptor complement is crucial in deciding the virus infectivity, tissue
tropism and species variety. Recent studies show that SARS Coronavirus 2 or
COVID-19 requires protease to get into cells, offering a new therapeutic target.
Distinctive attention and exertions should be given to defending or reducing
transmission in vulnerable populaces, including those directly associated with
caregiving and treatment and also aged one. Researchers are planning to develop
a vaccine for COVID-19, and in this approach are also considered developing a
vaccine that sensitizes our immune system preventing from this pandemic. The
present review focuses on the role of S-spike protein in COVID-19, which helps
the virus intruding the enzyme ACE2 (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2). Passive
antibody therapy is an additional alternative to use blood donors from hale
and hearty people who have already recovered from COVID-19 and therapeutic
advancement in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.