bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross-sectional study of associations between normal body weight with central obesity and hyperuricemia in Japan
Authors: Shirasawa Takako , Ochiai Hirotaka , Yoshimoto Takahiko , Nagahama Satsue , Watanabe Akihiro , Yoshida Reika , Kokaze Akatsuki
Published: December 2019

Background

Several studies have shown that normal weight with central obesity (NWCO) is associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes. However, the relationship between NWCO and hyperuricemia has not been studied in detail.

Methods

We investigated the association between NWCO and hyperuricemia among Japanese adults aged 40-64 years who had undergone periodic health examinations between April 2013 and March 2014. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2　and central obesity was determined as a waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) ≥0.5. We classified the participants into the following groups based according to having obesity and central obesity: normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2) without (NW; WHtR <0.5) and with (NWCO) central obesity, and obesity without (OB) and with (OBCO) central obesity. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid >7.0 and ≥6.0 mg/dL in men and women, respectively, or under medical treatment for hyperuricemia. Alcohol intake was classified as yes (daily and occasional consumption) and none (no alcohol consumption). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for hyperuricemia were calculated using a logistic regression model.

Results

We analyzed data derived from 96,863 participants (69,241 men and 27,622 women). The prevalences of hyperuricemia in men and women were respectively, 21.4% and 11.0%, and of participants with NWCO respectively 15.6% and 30.0%. The adjusted OR for hyperuricemia was significantly increased in OBCO compared with NW, regardless of sex (men: OR, 2.12; 95%CI; 2.03-2.21; women: OR, 3.54; 95%CI, 3.21-3.90) and were statistically significant in NWCO compared with NW (men: OR, 1.44; 95%CI, 1.36-1.52; women: OR, 1.41; 95%CI, 1.27-1.57). The results were similar regardless of alcohol consumption.

Conclusions

We found that NWCO and OBCO were associated with hyperuricemia in middle-aged Japanese men and women. Middle-aged Japanese adults with normal weight but having central obesity should be screened using a combination of BMI and WHtR and educated about how to prevent hyperuricemia.
Screening of Cellulolytic Bacteria from Rotten Wood of Qinling (China) for Biomass Degradation and Cloning of Cellulases from Bacillus methylotrophicus
Authors: Ma Lingling , Lu Yingying , Yan Hong , Wang Xin , Yi Yanglei , Shan Yuanyuan , Liu Bianfang , Zhou Yuan , Lv Xin
Published: December 2019

Background
Cellulosic biomass degradation still needs to be paid more attentions as bioenergy is the most likely to replace fossil energy in the future, and more evaluable cellulolytic bacteria isolation will lay a foundation for this filed. Qinling Mountains have unique biodiversity, acting as promising source of cellulose-degrading bacteria exhibiting noteworthy properties. Therefore, the aim of this work was to find potential cellulolytic bacteria and verify the possibility of the cloning of cellulases from the selected powerful bacteria.
Results
In present study, 55 potential cellulolytic bacteria were screened and identified from the rotten wood of Qinling Mountains. Based on the investigation of cellulase activities and degradation effect on different cellulose substrates, Bacillus methylotrophicus 1EJ7, Bacillus subtilis 1AJ3 and Bacillus subtilis 3BJ4 were further applied to hydrolyze wheat straw, corn stover and switchgrass, and the results suggested that B. methylotrophicus 1EJ7 was the most preponderant bacterium, and which also indicated that Bacillus was the main cellulolytic bacteria in rotten wood. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis of micromorphology and crystallinity of wheat straw also verified the significant hydrolyzation. With ascertaining the target sequence of cellulase β-glucosidase (243 aa) and endoglucanase (499 aa) were successfully heterogeneously cloned and expressed from B. methylotrophicus 1EJ7, and which performed a good effect on cellulose degradation with enzyme activity of 1670.15±18.94 U/mL and 0.130±0.002 U/mL, respectively. In addition, based on analysis of amino acid sequence, it found that β-glucosidase were belonged to GH16 family, and endoglucanase was composed of GH5 family catalytic domain and a carbohydrate-binding module of CBM3 family.
Conclusions
Based on the screening, identification and cellulose degradation effect evaluation of cellulolytic bacteria from rotten wood of Qinling Mountains, it found that Bacillus were the predominant species among the isolated strains, and B. methylotrophicus 1EJ7 performed best on cellulose degradation. Meanwhile, the β-glucosidase and endoglucanase were successfully cloned and expressed from B. methylotrophicus for the first time, which provided new materials of both strain and the recombinant enzymes for the study of cellulose degradation and its application in industry.
Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of Papillary Thyroid Cancer: potential biomarkers associated with tumor progression
Authors: Hosseinkhan Nazanin , Honardoost Maryam , Blighe Kevin , Moore C.B. Tara , Khamseh Mohammad Ebrahim
Published: December 2019

The authors have withdrawn this preprint from Research Square
An integrated intervention for chronic care management in rural Nepal: a type 2 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study
Authors: Schwarz Dan , Dhungana Santosh , Kumar Anirudh , Acharya Bibhav , Agrawal Pawan , Aryal Anu , Baum Aaron , Choudhury Nandini , Citrin David , Dangal Binod , Dhimal Meghnath , Gauchan Bikash , Gupta Tula , Halliday Scott , Karmacharya Biraj , Kishore Sandeep , Koirala Bhagawan , Kshatriya Uday , Levine Erica , Maru Sheela , Rimal Pragya , Sapkota Sabitri , Schwarz Ryan , Shrestha Archana , Thapa Aradhana , Maru Duncan
Published: December 2019

Background In Nepal, the burden of non-communicable, chronic diseases is rapidly rising, and disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Integrated interventions are essential in strengthening primary care systems and addressing the burden of multiple comorbidities. A growing body of literature supports the involvement of frontline providers, namely mid-level practitioners and community health workers, in chronic care management. Important operational questions remain, however, around the digital, training, and supervisory structures to support the implementation of effective, affordable, and equitable chronic care management programs. Methods A twelve-month, population-level, type 2 hybrid effectiveness-implementation study will be conducted in rural Nepal to evaluate an integrated non-communicable disease care management intervention within Nepal’s new municipal governance structure. The intervention will leverage the government’s planned roll-out of the World Health Organization’s Package of Essential Non-communicable disease interventions (WHO-PEN) program in four municipalities in Nepal, with a study population of 80,000. The intervention will leverage both the WHO-PEN and its cardiovascular disease specific technical guidelines, HEARTS, and include three evidence-based components: 1) non-communicable disease care provision using mid-level practitioners and community health workers; 2) digital clinical decision support tools to ensure delivery of evidence-based care; and 3) training and digitally-supported supervision of mid-level practitioners to provide motivational interviewing for modifiable risk factor optimization, with a focus on medication adherence, and tobacco and alcohol use. The study will evaluate effectiveness using a pre-post design with stepped implementation. The primary outcomes will be disease-specific, “at-goal” metrics of chronic care management; secondary outcomes will include alcohol and tobacco consumption levels. Discussion This is the first population-level, hybrid effectiveness-implementation study of an integrated chronic care management intervention in Nepal. As low- and middle-income countries plan for the Sustainable Development Goals and universal health coverage, the results of this pragmatic study will offer insights into policy and programmatic design for non-communicable disease care management in the future.
Dropout risks of medical students
Authors: Pusztai Gabriella , Dinyáné Szabó Marianna , Dinya Elek Dr. , Szemerszki Marianna
Published: December 2019

Background The moderation of student dropout is an important aim in the medical training that requires significant resources from individual and national economy points of view. Hungarian medical training has high quality and strong international attraction, although students are exposed to significant stress in the extremely selective and strict training at the beginning, and their professional identity is being shaped between crises. Learning progress is often hampered by recurring exams and grade retentions. Methods In our Study we are going to examine the dropout behaviour of medical students. During our research, the national higher education statistics are being analysed based on the data base of medical students who started in 2010 (N = 977). The question of research is how the rate of dropout people who has finished or exceeded the 6-year long training is forming and what kind of factors limit the risk of dropout. Results Our results indicate that only half of the applicants get admitted to medical training. Half of the admitted applicants could continue without failing, but 30% of them could not obtain absulotorium after 14 semesters. Dropout students are characterized by the early slow-up of their credit accumulations and by making their status passive, which is the shorter-longer termination of their studies. 83.6% of students started in 2010 has been studying in state financed course, and 8% of them has been studying in a self-financed course. 9.4% of state-financed students were dropped out while this rate was 50% from the self-financed course of students. Conclusion According to our consequences, dropout risk can be increased by low credit numbers, passive semesters and the tuition-based financing forms, although dormitory placement can be an advantage.
Transitional Care for Patients with Cirrhosis: a Multidisciplinary Care Model for Prevention Complications Post-TIPS
Authors: Hou Weiwei , Xu Yin , Wan Qijiang , Fei Xiaoyan , Qian Gui-xiang , Jun Chen , Chen Wang , Liu Jiangwen , Wang Zhongmin , Yang Rumei
Published: December 2019

BACKGROUND To evaluate the efficacy of transitional care interventions of multidisciplinary teams for patients with cirrhosis post-TIPS. METHODS 68 patients undergone TIPS were randomly allocated to control or intervention group. Patients in control group received conventional care, patients in the intervention group received conventional care combined with transitional care. The compliance behavior, incidence of HE and shunt dysfunction, Child-Pugh scores and ammonia of two groups were compared at 1, 3, 6 and 12 month post-TIPS. RESULTS Repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant group effects from 1, 3, 6 and 12 month post-TIPS for compliance behavior scores of the two groups. Intervention group had significant higher compliance behavior scores than control group 1, 3 and 6 month post-TIPS respectively. The incidences of HE the intervention group were significantly lower than control group 12 months after TIPS. The incidences of shunt dysfunction in the intervention group were significantly lower than control group 12 months after TIPS. The group effects, time effects and group*time interaction showed no significant difference in Child-Pugh scores and blood ammonia between the two groups. CONCLUSION Post-TIPS transitional care interventions increase the accessibility of patients to scientifically informed nursing, significantly improve patients’ compliance behavior and health, decrease the incidence of HE and shunt dysfunction. TRIAL REGISTRATION www.clinicaltrials.gov; identifier: NCT02877953(08/23/2016) KEY WORDS Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS); Transitional care; Compliance behaviors; Hepatic function.
A coarse-graining, ultrametric approach to resolve the phylogeny of prokaryotic strains with frequent homologous recombination
Authors: Pang Tin Yau
Published: December 2019

Background: A frequent event in the evolution of prokaryotic genomes is homologous recombination, where a foreign DNA stretch replaces a genomic region similar in sequence. Recombination can affect the relative position of two genomes in a phylogenetic reconstruction in two different ways: (i) one genome can recombine with a DNA stretch that is similar to the other genome, thereby reducing their pairwise sequence divergence; (ii) one genome can recombine with a DNA stretch from an outgroup genome, increasing the pairwise divergence. While several recombination-aware phylogenetic algorithms exist, many of these cannot account for both types of recombination; some algorithms can, but do so inefficiently. Moreover, many of them reconstruct the ancestral recombination graph (ARG) to help infer the genome tree, and require that a substantial portion of each genome has not been affected by recombination, a sometimes unrealistic assumption.Results: Here, we propose a coarse-graining approach for phylogenetic reconstruction (CGP), which is recombination-aware but forgoes ARG reconstruction, applicable even if all genomic regions have experienced substantial amounts of recombination, and can be used on both nucleotide and amino acid sequences. CGP considers the local density of substitutions along pairwise genome alignments, fitting a model to the empirical distribution of substitution density to infer the pairwise coalescent time. Given all pairwise coalescent times, CGP reconstructs an ultrametric tree representing vertical inheritance. Based on simulations, we show that the proposed approach can reconstruct ultrametric trees with accurate topology, branch lengths, and root positioning. Applied to a set of E. coli strains, the reconstructed trees are most consistent with gene distributions when inferred from amino acid sequences, a data type that cannot be utilized by many alternative approaches.Conclusions The CGP algorithm is more accurate than alternative recombination-aware methods for ultrametric phylogenetic reconstructions.
The Impact of Educational Intervention by Theory of Planned Behavior for Promoting Physical Activity among Middle-Aged Women Referring to Karaj Health Centers
Authors: Mirzaei Elham , Azar Farbod Ebadi Fard , Ziapour Arash , Azadi Nammam Ali , Qorbani Mostafa , Safari Omid , Mansourian Morteza
Published: December 2019

Aims Physical activity is the most critical determinant of physical health which reduces the health risks during life. This designed study aims to evaluate the effect of educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior on promoting physical activity among middle-aged women attending the health centers in Karaj city during 2017-2018. Methods This research was a quasi-experimental controlled trial, and the study incorporated 140 Middle-Aged Women Referring to Karaj Health Centers assigned randomly to a control and intervention group (70 each group). Participants enrolling in the survey were asked to complete the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and also the theory of planned behavior measures at the baseline and the end of the study. The study applied Nonparametric Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests and ANCOVA to interpret the results. Results The results revealed participants' age range between 30 to 50 years with the mean and standard deviation scores 40.07 (8.750) in training and 45.81 (8.513) at the control group. The intervention improved the theory of planned behavior measures and the physical activities of participants. The results showed a significant difference in the attitude score, the perceived behavioral control score, and the level of subjective norms between two training and non-training groups (P<0.001). The followed-up physical activity score also showed an improvement in the IPAQ score of participants in the training group (p<0.001). Conclusions The findings suggested the effectiveness of training based on the theory of planned behavior in the promotion of physical activity among middle-aged women.
THE KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS PREECLAMPSIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING BANADIR AND MEDINA HOSPITALS IN MOGADISHU-SOMALIA
Authors: jama Abdinasir Abdullahi
Published: December 2019

Background: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys. It occurs as early as 20 weeks of the pregnancyAim the aim of this study was to explore the knowledge and attitude towards preeclampsia among pregnant women attending Banadir and Medina hospitals in Mogadishu-Somalia.Method: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Mogadishu Somalia. Systematic random sampling probability technique was carried out in 2 hospitals to recruited 384 women. Well-structured questionnaires were filled by participants who gave their consent. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences version 21. Descriptive data were generated and statistical inferences tested using the chi-square method with the level of significance set at 5%.Result The age of the respondents was between to14-50 with a mean age of the 32.49±5.9.the found that 54.3% of the participant were don’t know the preeclampsia. The women know poor diet as a cause of the preeclampsia, final the prevalence of preeclampsia in Banadir state, Somalia was 43%.Conclusion: The study recommended to the government of Somalia to generate both health education to the pregnant mother and increase the level of education of mother by offering free education to the women, in Somalia.
Commercial 4-Dimensional Echocardiography for Murine Heart Volumetric Evaluation after Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Rutledge Cody A , Cater George , McMahon Brenda , Guo Lanping , Wu Yijen , Villanueva Flordeliza , Kaufman Brett A
Published: December 2019

Background: Traditional preclinical echocardiography (ECHO) modalities, including 1-dimensional motion-mode (M-Mode) and 2-dimensional long axis (2D-US), rely on geometric and temporal assumptions about the heart for volumetric measurements. Surgical animal models, such as the mouse coronary artery ligation (CAL) model of myocardial infarction, result in morphologic changes that do not fit these geometric assumptions. New ECHO technology, including 4-dimensional ultrasound (4D-US), improves on these traditional models. This paper aims to compare commercially available 4D-US to M-mode and 2D-US in a mouse model of CAL.Methods: 37 mice underwent CAL surgery, of which 32 survived to a 4 week post-operative time point. ECHO was completed at baseline, 1 week, and 4 weeks after CAL. M-mode, 2D-US, and 4D-US were taken at each time point and evaluated by two separate echocardiographers. At 4 weeks a subset of mice underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging to serve as a reference standard. End systolic volume (ESV), end diastolic volume (EDV), and ejection fraction (EF) were compared between imaging modalities. Hearts were also collected for histologic evaluation of scar size and compared to wall motion severity index (WMSI).Results: 4D-US provides closer agreement of ESV (Bias: -2.55%) and EF (US Bias: 11.23%) 4 weeks after CAL when compared to CMR, outperforming 2D-US and M-mode estimations. 4D-US is also more reliable than other modalities when estimating EDV (r=0.88), ESV (r=0.86) and EF (r=0.74) at 1 week when compared to 4 week imaging. 4D-US also allows for rapid assessment of WMSI, which correlates strongly with infarct size by histology (r=0.77).Conclusion: 4D-US outperforms M-Mode and 2D-US for volumetric analysis 4 weeks after CAL. 4D-US also provides more reliable measurements at 1 week after CAL and has less inter-user variability that other modalities. 4D-US allows for rapid calculation of WMSI, which correlates well with histologic scar size.
Combining visual rating scales of medial temporal lobe atrophy and posterior atrophy to identify amnestic mild cognitive impairment from cognitively normal older adults: evidence based on two datasets
Authors: Sheng Can , Sun Yu , Wang Min , Wang Xiaoni , Liu Yi , Pang Dongqing , Liu Jiaqi , Bi Xiaoxia , Du Wenying , Zhao Mingyan , Li Yuxia , Li Xiaobo , Jiang Jiehui , Han Ying
Published: December 2019

Background: Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based visual rating scales are considered as the primary method for rapid and cost-effective evaluation of regional brain atrophy in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in routine clinical practice. Both medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) and posterior atrophy (PA) visual rating scales have been reported to be useful in AD diagnosis. However, very few existing studies have investigated the efficacy of combined MTA and PA for identification of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) from cognitively normal elderly.Methods: This study included T1-weighted MRI images acquired inXuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China from two different cohorts. In the first cohort, we recruited 73 patients with aMCI and 48 group-matched cognitively normal controls for the training and validation. Visual assessments of MTA and PA, including left MTA, right MTA, mean MTA, left PA, right PA and mean PA, were carried out from each participant. Global gray matter (GM) volume and density was estimated using voxel-based morphometry analysis as the objective reference. Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, we investigated the discriminative power of single visual rating scale and the combination of MTA and PA for successful classification between the two diagnostic groups, respectively, and then compared them to GM measures. The second cohort, consisted of 33 aMCI patients and 45 NCs, was used to verify the reliability of the discriminative power of visual assessments.Results: In the first cohort, visual rating scales of MTA and PA showed different potential to distinguish aMCI from controls. Moreover, the combination of MTA and PA exhibited the best discriminative power, with the AUC of 0.818 ± 0.041, which was similar to the diagnostic accuracy of GM volumetric measures (0.857 ± 0.034). The discriminative power was verified in the second cohort when combining MTA and PA visual rating scales, with the AUC of 0.824 ± 0.058.Conclusion: The combined visual rating scales of MTA and PA demonstrated practical diagnostic values for distinguishing aMCI patients from controls, suggesting its potential to serve as a convenient and reproducible method to assess the degree of atrophy in the clinical setting.
The influence of system settings on positioning accuracy in acoustic telemetry, using the YAPS algorithm.
Authors: Vergeynst Jenna , Baktoft Henrik , Mouton Ans , De Mulder Tom , Nopens Ingmar , Pauwels Ine
Published: December 2019

Background: Acoustic positioning telemetry allows to collect large amounts of data on the movement of aquatic animals by use of autonomous receiver stations. Essential in this process is the conversion from raw signal detections to reliable positions. A new advancement in the domain is YAPS (Yet Another Positioning Solver), which combines the detection data on the hydrophones with a model of animal movement. This transparent, flexible and on-line available positioning algorithm overcomes problems related to traditional point-by-point positioning and filtering techniques. However, its performance has only been tested on data from one telemetry system, providing transmitters with stable burst interval. To investigate the performance of YAPS on different system parameters and settings, we conducted a simulation study.Results: This paper discusses the effect of varying burst types, burst intervals, number of observations, reflectivity levels of the environment, levels of out-of-array positioning and temporal hydrophone resolution on positioning accuracy. We found that a hydrophone resolution better than 1~ms is required for accurate fine-scale positioning. The positioning accuracy of YAPS increases with decreasing burst intervals, especially when the number of observations is low, when reflectivity is high or when information out-of-array is used. However, when the burst interval is stable, large burst intervals (in the order of 1 to 2 minutes) can be chosen without strongly hampering the accuracy (although this results in information loss). With random burst intervals, the accuracy can be much improved if the random sequence is known.Conclusions: As it turns out, the key to accurate positioning is the burst type. If a stable burst interval is not possible, the availability of the random sequence improves the positioning of random burst interval data significantly.
Determination and Identification of Important and Influential Nodes Involved in the Pathology of Escherichia Coli Using Improved TOPSIS Method
Authors: minaei zohreh
Published: December 2019

Various disciplines are trying to solve one of the most noteworthy queries and broadly used concepts in biology, essentiality. Centrality is a primary index and a promising method for identifying essential nodes, particularly in biological networks. Thus, important nodes of the network can be identified by analyzing some of the centrality extracted from the network. In this paper, we aim to identify the important proteins in the Escherichia Coli (E.Coli) network based on extraction of centralities. During these operations, centralities such as degree of centrality, betweeness, laplacian and closeness, are considered as node's important indicators. Finally the important nodes will be determined based on the centrality and Technique for order performance by similarity (TOPSIS) method. After performing the weighted TOPSIS simulation and obtaining the output result, it was found that the proposed hybrid system is able to place 74 and 99 important nodes between the top 100 and 150 nodes, respectively. Finally, the results of this study are compared with other similar studies.
Emotional Intelligence and Quality of Life in Elderly Diabetic Patients
Authors: Moradi Farideh , Tourani Sogan , Ziapour Arash , Abbas Jaffar , hematti Maryam , Moghadam Elham Jamshidi , Aghili Amin , Ali Soroush
Published: December 2019

Background: Coordination of various physical and mental aspects of individuals, including the ability to control difficult conditions and situations has an effect in the prevention and development of various diseases, such as diabetes, and the improvement of the quality of life. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the effect of emotional intelligence on the quality of life of elderly diabetic patients. Methods: The statistical population in this cross-sectional study consisted of elderly people referred to the health centers of Kermanshah province in western Iran, who were divided via available sampling into two groups with diabetes and without diabetes. Data gathering tools were a couple of LIPAD Quality of Life and Shrink Emotional Intelligence standard questionnaires. The Data was analysed using software SPSS, 23 th version. Results: The studied persons were divided into two groups of diabetic with 63 people (8.48%) and non-diabetic with 66 people (2.51%). Most of them were male and the mean age of the patients was 65/01 ± 6.08 years old and married. The quality of life score in diabetics and non-diabetics was respectively 51.9 and 50.37 with a standard deviation of 17.73 and 20.54. The mean total score of emotional intelligence in the elderly with diabetes was 99.42 with a standard deviation of 10.37 and non-diabetic subjects were 97.18 with a standard deviation of 18.49. Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the mean scores of quality of life (.652) and emotional intelligence (.421) in diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. But, the emotional intelligence has an effect on the quality of life of the elderly people.
High-throughput three-dimensional visualization of root system architecture of rice using X-ray computed tomography
Authors: Teramoto Shota , Takayasu Satoko , Kitomi Yuka , Arai-Sanoh Yumiko , Tanabata Takanari , Uga Yusaku
Published: December 2019

Background: Plants adjust their root system architecture (RSA) against changing environments to optimize their growth. Nondestructive phenotyping of roots beneath the soil not only reveal the response of RSA against environmental stimuli but also allow for designing an ideal RSA for crop cultivation. Generally, roots beneath the soil surface are three-dimensionally visualized using X-ray computed tomography (CT). However, root isolation from X-ray CT images involves a longer time; in addition, CT scanning and reconstruction processes require longer periods. For large-scale root phenotyping, a shorter image acquisition time is required. Thus, the objective of this study is to develop a high-throughput pipeline to visualize rice RSA consisting of radicle and crown roots in the soil, from X-ray CT images.Results: We performed the following three processes to develop the pipeline. First, we used calcined clay with uniform soil particle size as the soil substrate. The size of voids between the soil particles was less than the scanning resolution, resulting in a clear root shape in the CT images. Second, we optimized the parameters for rapid X-ray CT scanning. Higher tube voltage and current produced the highest root-to-soil contrast images. Third, we used a 3-D median filter to reduce noise, and an edge detection alogism to isolate the root segments. The detection limits of the root diameters of the pots of diameters 16 cm and 20 cm were 0.2 mm and 0.3 mm, respectively. Because the crown root diameter of rice is generally higher than 0.2 mm, almost all crown roots could be visualized. Our condition allows for simultaneously performing CT scanning and reconstruction by a high-performance computing technology. Consequently, our pipeline visualizes rice RSA in the soil, requiring less than 10 min (33 s, if a rough image is acceptable) for CT scanning and reconstruction, and 2 min for image processing to visualize rice RSA. We scanned the roots of the upland rice (considered in this study) daily, and our pipeline successfully visualized the root development dynamics over three weeks. Conclusions: We developed a rapid three-dimensional visualization method to visualize rice RSA in the soil using X-ray CT and a fully automated-image processing method known as RSAvis3D. Our methodology allows for high-throughput measuring and requires no manual operators in image processing, thereby providing a potentially efficient large-scale root phenotyping.
Deciphering the genetics basis of lodging resistance in wild rice O. longistaminata
Authors: Long Weixiong , Dan Dong , Yuan Zhengqing , Chen Yunping , Jin Jie , Yang Weilong , Zhang Zhihong , Li Nengwu , Li Shaoqing
Published: December 2019

The abuse of fertilizer results in tall rice plants that are susceptible to lodging and reduced plant yield. Hence, it is important to identify and utilize the QTLs/genes for lodging resistance breeding. O. longistaminata exhibited a strong stem and high biomass productively, which could be the candidate gene pool for cultivars lodging resistance improvement. However, most of previous studies have focused on cultivated rice and few reports on wild rice. Here, a set of 152 BC 2 F 20 lines derived from a cross between 93-11 and O. longistaminata were evaluated for lodging resistance. QTL mapping analysis combined with SNP marker derived from high-throughput sequencing identified 12 QTLs for stem diameter (SD), 11 QTLs for stem length (SL) and 3 QTLs for breaking strength (BS). Of which, 14 QTLs were firstly identified from O. longistaminata. A major QTL, qLR1 which was delimited to a region about 80 Kb on chromosome 1, increased stem diameter, stem length and breaking strength. And another major QTL, qLR8 that was delimited in an interval about 100 Kb on chromosome 8, significantly enhanced the breaking strength. These results provide evidence that the O. longistaminata can be exploited to develop lodging resistant rice lines.
SiRNA in MSCs-Derived Exosomes Silences Ctgf Gene for Corticospinal Axon Regeneration and Locomotor Recovery in Spinal Cord Injury Rats
Authors: Huang Wei , Qu Mingjia , Li Lu , Liu Tao , Duan Ruimeng , Lin Miaoman , Yuan Yashuai , Zhang Meng , Gao Junxiao , Yu Xiaobing
Published: December 2019

As RNA interference (RNAi) received solicitous attention by many for its promising performance in gene therapy recently, and how to obtain a choice small interfering RNA (siRNA) vector has become a moot point at this moment. Exosomes (Exo) show advantages of long survival time in vivo, high transmission efficiency and easy penetration across the blood-brain/spinal cord barrier, renowned as excellent carriers of bioactive substances. Previous studies have confirmed the detrimental effect of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI) via stimulating the unrestricted growth of glial scars. In this study, we applied mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived Exo as the delivery of synthesized siRNA, which were extracted from rat bone marrow. We constructed exosome-siRNA (Exo-siRNA) that could specifically silence Ctgf gene in the injury sites by electroporation.During the administration, we injected Exo-siRNAs into the tail vein of SCI rats, and their distribution and accumulation in the spinal cord were visualized by in vivo fluorescence imaging. Relevant in vivo and in vitro experiments in this study showed that Exo-siRNA not only effectively inhibited the expressions of Ctgf gene and glial scar formation related proteins, such as GFAP, vimentin fibronectin and laminin, in the injured spinal cord segments, but quenched inflammation, and thwarted neuronal apoptosis and reactive astrocytes and glial scar formation. Besides, it significantly up-regulated several neurotrophic factors and anti-inflammatory factors (e.g., TGF-β1), acting as a facilitator of axon regeneration of nerve-injured motor neurons. Thus, the motor function of SCI rats were remarkably promoted.In conclusion, this study has combined the thoroughness of gene therapy and the excellent drug-loading characteristics of Exo for the precise treatment of SCI, which will shed new light on the drug-loading field of Exo.
Screening of febrile cows using infrared thermography
Authors: Bleul Ulrich , Hässig Michael , Kluser Fabienne
Published: December 2019

Background As dairy herds increase in size, close monitoring of health becomes a necessity, but this is expensive and labour-intensive. Early detection of febrile diseases is essential for economical and welfare reasons and to prevent the spread of disease. The goal of this study was therefore to evaluate a mobile, non-invasive technique for measuring the body temperature of cows that precludes the need for restraint of the animals. An infrared thermographic imaging camera installed on a smart phone was used to measure the surface temperature of cows. In experiment 1, a metal block heated to defined temperatures was used to obtain infrared thermographic measurements. The accuracy of measurements made at different distances from the block and at two different ambient temperatures was determined. In experiment 2, non-febrile cows in a tie-stall barn underwent infrared thermographic imaging, and the body regions with the highest correlations between thermographic and rectal temperature were identified. In experiment 3, thermographic measurements were made in febrile and neighbouring non-febrile cows.Results In experiment 1, the thermographic and true temperatures of the block had the strongest relationships at 0.5 and 1.0 m (r = 0.98). In addition to distance, the ambient temperature had a significant effect on the measurements. In experiment 2, the thermographic measurements at the muzzle (r = 0.28), the eye (r = 0.37) and the medial canthus (r = 0.27) had the strongest relationships with the rectal temperature in non-febrile cows. After correcting the thermographic measurements with the mean difference between thermographic and rectal temperatures of the non-febrile cows, sensitivities of 88, 90 and 82%, respectively, were calculated for thermographic measurements at the muzzle, eye and medial canthus in febrile cows in experiment 3. The corresponding specificities were 6, 23 and 32%.Conclusions Based on the low specificities of the infrared thermographic measurements, the thermographic imaging camera has limited usefulness for the mass screening of dairy cows for febrile conditions. Cattle falsely identified as febrile need to be separated, caught and re-examined, which causes unnecessary stress to the animal and increases labour input.
Validation Study of the Indonesian Internet Addiction Test among Adolescents
Authors: Siste Kristiana - , Suwartono Christiany , Nasrun Martina Wiwie , Bardosono Saptawati , Sekartini Rini , Pandelaki Jacub , Sarasvita Riza , Murtani Belinda Julivia , Damayanti Reza , Wiguna Tjhin
Published: December 2019

Background: Internet addiction is a serious problem that can negatively impact both the physical and mental health of individuals. The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) is the most common and worldwide used instrument to screen internet addiction. This study sought to investigate the psychometric properties of an Indonesian version of the IAT.Methods: A total of 643 high school students participated in the study. The IAT questionnaire was made the focus of forward translation, expert panel discussions, back translation, a face validity study, a pilot study, and a psychometric properties evaluation. Factor structure was analysed by exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor (CFA) analyses, whereas reliability was measured with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient.Results: The factor analysis revealed that a three-factor model of the Indonesian version of the IAT identified in the EFA displays better psychometric properties than a one-factor model of the same. The Cronbach’s alpha score is 0.855. A significant association was also observed between the level of internet addiction with gender (p = 0.027) and the duration of internet use per day (p = 0.001).Conclusion: The Indonesian version of the IAT provides good validity and reliability in a three-dimensional model. Therefore, it can be utilised as a tool for screening internet addiction in the Indonesian population.
In vitro mimicking of therapeutic soft tissue stimulation regulates pro-inflammatory cytokines
Authors: Anloague Aric , Mahoney Aaron , Ogunbekun Oladipupo , Thompson William R. , Larsen Bryan , Hum Julia , Lowery Jonathan Wayne
Published: December 2019

Objective Soft tissue manual therapies such as massage and myofascial release are commonly utilized by osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, physical therapists and massage therapists. These techniques are predicated on subjecting tissues to biophysical mechanical stimulation but the cellular and molecular mechanism(s) mediating these effects are poorly understood. A series of studies established an in vitro model system for mimicking therapeutic soft tissue stimulation of dermal fibroblasts and established that injury-like strain induces the secretion of numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, mechanical strain replicating soft tissue manual therapy reduces strain-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Here, we sought to partially confirm and extend these reports and provide independent corroboration of prior results. Results Using cultures of primary human dermal fibroblasts, we confirm mechanical force profiles intended to mimic repetitive motion strain increases levels of IL-6 in conditioned media. And, we confirm that mechanical strain intended to mimic therapeutic soft tissue stimulation reduces IL-6 levels. We also extend the prior work, reporting that therapy-like mechanical stimulation reduces levels of IL-8. Collectively, these findings provide supportive evidence that therapeutic soft tissue massage may reduce inflammation. Future work is required to address these open questions and advance the mechanistic understanding of therapeutic mechanical stimulation of soft tissues.
Green Coffee Extract Modifies Body Weight, Serum Lipids and TNF-α in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats
Authors: Fitri Fajar , Rofinda Zelly Dia , Reza Mohamad , Ilmiawati Cimi
Published: December 2019

Objective: Currently there are many efforts to find functional nutrients for obesity management and green coffee extract is a potential candidate. This study aimed to examine the effect of green coffee extract on body weight, serum lipids and TNF-α level in obese rats. Results: Administration of green coffee extract to high-fat diet-induced male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) reduced body weight, serum total cholesterol, and triglyceride at the dose of 2, 4, and 8 mg/kgBW/day; lowered LDL-cholesterol and TNF-α at the dose of 4 mg/kgBW/day (p<0.05), in a dose–dependent manner. The effective dose to decrease serum TNF-α level was 4 mg/kgBW/day, while the effective dose to improve the lipid profile was 2 mg/kgBW/day. These results supported the potential use of green coffee extract as a functional nutrient in the management of obesity.
Imaging study of coronal structural matching of the distal radius in normal adults
Authors: Zhang Xin , Yuan Feng , Yin Yong , Fan Jian
Published: December 2019

Background As an important anatomical basis, coronal structural position matching of the distal radius has long been lacking in terms of a quantitative understanding, and such matching is correlated with the postoperative functional recovery of patients with distal radius fracture. The purpose of this study was to explore the degree of coronal structural matching of the distal radius in a normal population and to improve the detailed anatomical knowledge of the distal radius.Methods Thin-film CT images of the wrist joint in 80 normal adults were randomly selected, and detailed parameters were recorded. The reconstructed 3D data were analysed using 3-matic research software, and the coronal structural matching of the distal radius was studied from two aspects: 1) self-matching of the distal radius; and 2) matching between the distal radius and ulna (i.e., the joint space of the distal radioulnar joint). Specific research methods: 1) The relative position of the medial wall of the distal radius with respect to the lunate was determined as the percentage (%) of the vertical distance from the medial wall of the radius to the most prominent ulnar point of the lunate in the corresponding plane from the ulna to the radius. 2) A total of 9 sets of data were collected for evaluating the palmar lateral spacing, median spacing, and dorsal lateral spacing at the distal, middle, and proximal levels of the radius.Results Data of coronal bone structural matching of distal radius in 80 normal adults were obtained. The joint space of the radioulnar joint on the middle plane was 0.88 mm ± 0.59 mm. The structural compatibility of the distal radius itself, that is, matching of the axial line of the medial wall of the distal radius relative to the lunate, was 45.0%±16.2%. Conclusions There was no significant correlation between distal radius self-matching and matching of the distal radioulnar joint in the normal population. The degree of coronal self-matching of the distal radius was more accurate by 3D reconstruction than traditional X-ray measurement, and the normal range was 45.0±16.2%.
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of renal cell carcinoma with spinal bone metastases
Authors: Zhai Jianpo , Liu Ning , Wang Hai , Wang Haidong , Huang Guanglin , Man Libo
Published: December 2019

Background: The prognosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with spinal bone metastasis (sBM) varies greatly. To define the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of RCC with spinal bone metastasis (sBM) in our center. Methods: The clinical and medical records of RCC patients with sBMs were collected. The gender, age, time of BM, the extent of BM, the number of BMs, the presence or absence of visceral metastasis and the pathological type of BM were investigated. All patients were followed up regularly. OS was calculated from the date of BMs diagnosis to death or last follow-up using Kaplan-Meier method and modelled with Cox regression analysis. Results: 22 RCC patients with sBM were collected. sBM was found synchronously in 15 patients (68.2%) and metachronously in 7 patients (31.8%) . The median survival time was 30 months in 7 patients (31.8%) with solitary sBM and 19 months in 15 patients (68.2%) with multiple sBMs. Visceral metastasis occurred in 6 patients (27.3%)with the median survival time of 17 months, while the other 16 patients (72.7%) had no visceral metastasis with the median survival time of 29 months ( P =0.006). Enblock resection was done in 7 patients with median survival time of 34 months. Non-Enblock resection were done in 15 patients with median survival time of 18 months( P =0.006). Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that visceral metastasis and Enblock resection are the independent prognostic factors of RCC with sBM. Conclusions: No visceral metastasis, En-block resection are good prognostic factors for RCC with sBM. Therefore En-block resection of sBM is recommended for RCC without visceral metastasis.
Presynaptic feedback system of oxytocinergic neurons in the hypothalamus of a rat model of adjuvant arthritis
Authors: Fujitani Teruaki , Matsuura Takanori , Kawasaki Makoto , Suzuki Hitoshi , Nishimura Haruki , Baba Kazuhiko , Yamanaka Yoshiaki , Ohnishi Hideo , Ueta Yoichi , Sakai Akinori
Published: December 2019

The neurohypophysial hormone oxytocin (OXT) is synthesized in the hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei (PVN and SON, respectively). Recently, some studies have considered that OXT is important in sensory modulation, and that OXT protein is upregulated by acute and chronic nociception. However, the mechanism by which OXT is upregulated in neurons is unknown. In the present study, we examined the excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in OXT-ergic neurons in the PVN in an adjuvant arthritis (AA) rat model, a model of chronic inflammation, using whole cell patch clamping. Transgenic rats expressed OXT and the monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 (mRFP1) fusion gene to visualize the OXT-ergic neurons, and the OXT-mRFP1 transgenic rat model of AA was developed by injection of the heat-killed Mycobacterium butyricum . Furthermore, the feedback system of synthesized OXT was also examined using the OXT receptor antagonist (L-368,899). We found that the frequency of miniature (m) EPSCs and spontaneous (s) EPSCs in OXT-mRFP1 neurons in the PVN were significantly increased in AA rats. Furthermore, L-368,899 dose-dependently increased the frequency of mEPSCs and sEPSCs in OXT-ergic neurons. Following bath application of the GABA A receptor antagonist picrotoxin and cannabinoid receptor 1 antagonist AM 251, L-368,899 still increased the frequency of mEPSCs. However, following the bath application of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor (L-NAME), L-368,899 did not alter the mEPSC frequency. Thus, it is suggested that OXT-ergic neuron activity is upregulated via an increase in glutamate release, and the upregulated OXT neurons have a feedback system with released OXT. It is possible that NO but not GABA may contribute to the feedback system of OXT neurons in chronic inflammation.