bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning Curve for Minimally Invasive Oesophagectomy of Esophageal Cancer and contrast with Open Oesophagectomy
Authors: Zhao Yunpeng , Zeng Fanshuo , Mou Zongbao , Liang Xuefeng , Cong Bo , Peng Chuanliang , Zhao Xiaogang
Published: March 2020

Purpose: Minimally invasive oesophagectomy is a technically demanding procedure; thus, the learning curve of this procedure should be explored. Then the relatively mature minimally invasive oesophagectomy procedure should be contrasted with the open procedure.
Methods: 214 consecutive patients underwent minimally invasive oesophagectomy were retrospectively reviewed. To evaluate the development of thoracoscopic-laparoscopic oesophagectomy and compare the mature minimally invasive oesophagectomy and open oesophagectomy (OE), we comprehensively studied the clinical and surgical parameters. The cumulative sum (CUSUM) plot was used to study the learning curve for systemic lymphadenectomy. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to evaluate the clinical factors affecting survival.
Results: The bleeding volume, operation time, and postoperative mortality within 3 months significantly decreased after 20 patients. The rise point for the lymph nodes dissection number was visually determined to be at patient 57 in the CUSUM plots. Patients who underwent relatively mature thoracoscopic-laparoscopic oesophagectomy had better surgical data and short-term benefits than patients who underwent an open procedure. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that the maximum diameter of the tumour cross-sectional area and the number of positive nodes had a significant influence on survival.
Conclusions: The short-term benefits of thoracoscopic-laparoscopic oesophagectomy were suggested. There was no evidence that it is associated with a significantly better prognosis for patients with oesophageal cancer.
MicroRNA-1271-5p inhibits the tumorigenesis of ovarian cancer through targeting E2F5 and negatively regulates the mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Li Qin , Shi Junyu , Xu Xiaoli
Published: March 2020

Background: MicroRNA-1271-5p (miR-1271-5p) has been reported to participate in the progression of many human cancers. However, the role of miR-1271-5p still remains unclear in ovarian cancer (OC). Therefore, we explored the effect of miR-1271-5p on the development of OC in present study. Methods: We measured the miR-1271-5p expression via the qRT-PCR assay. Then the function of miR-1271-5p was analyzed through MTT and Transwell assays. The relationship among miR-1271-5p and E2F5 was verified by dual luciferase assay. The protein expression levels were examined through western blot.Results: MiR-1271-5p was downregulated in OC tissues which predicted poor prognosis of OC patients. Moreover, E2F5 was a direct target of miR-1271-5p in OC. And miR-1271-5p suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion in OC through targeting E2F5. Furthermore, E2F5 was upregulated in OC tissues which predicted poor prognosis of OC patients. Besides that, miR-1271-5p suppressed EMT and mTOR pathway in OC. Conclusion: MiR-1271-5p inhibited the tumorigenesis of OC through targeting E2F5 and negatively regulated the mTOR signaling pathway.
Extracellular vesicles produced by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells attenuate renal fibrosis, in part by inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK pathway, in a UUO rat model
Authors: Shi Zhengzhou , Wang Qi , Zhang Youbo , Jiang Dapeng
Published: March 2020

Background Renal interstitial fibrosis is a critical symptom of chronic kidney disease (CKD) that is associated with high incidence. Extracellular vesicles produced by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC-EVs) can play important roles in the repair of injured tissues. However, no reports have investigated the role and mechanism of BMSC-EVs in renal fibrosis. Thus, we hypothesized that BMSC-EVs containing milk fat globule-EGF factor-8 (MFG-E8) could attenuate renal fibrosis by inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK pathway.Methods We investigated whether BMSC-EVs have antifibrotic effects in a rat model of renal fibrosis-rats subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) - as well as in cultured HK2 cells. In vivo, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: Sham group, Sham + EVs group, UUO group, UUO + EVs group, UUO + EVs Ctrl group, and UUO + EVs shMFGE8 group. In vitro, extracellular vesicles from BMSCs were collected and co-cultured with HK2 cells during transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) treatment. Besides, HK2 cells co-cultured with TGF-β1 were also treated with the ROCK inhibitor, Y-27632. Results Compared with the Sham group, UUO rats displayed fibrotic abnormalities, accompanied by increased expression of α-SMA and Fibronectin, and decreased expression of E-cadherin. Both molecular and pathological changes suggested an increased inflammation in damaged kidneys. Oxidative stress, as evidenced by decreased levels of SOD1 and Catalase, was also observed in UUO kidneys. In addition, activation of cleaved caspase-3 and PARP1 and increased apoptosis in the proximal tubules confirmed tubular cell apoptosis in the UUO group. All of these phenotypes exhibited by UUO rats were suppressed by treatment with BMSC-EVs. However, the protective effect of BMSC-EVs was completely abolished by inhibition of MFG-E8. Consistent with the in vivo results, treatment with BMSC-EVs reduced inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and fibrosis in HK-2 cells stimulated with TGF-β1 in vitro . Interestingly, treatment with Y-27632, a ROCK inhibitor, protected HK-2 cells against inflammation and fibrosis, although oxidative stress and apoptosis were unchanged. Conclusions In summary, our results show that BMSC-EVs containing MFG-E8 attenuate renal fibrosis, partly through RhoA/ROCK pathway inhibition.
Relationship between Social Capital and Job Performance among Faculty Members of a Medical University: The Moderating Role of Entrepreneurship Behavior
Authors: Kalhor Roohollah , Neysari Nadia , Shahsavari Saeed , Rafiei Sima
Published: March 2020

Background Job performance is an important organizational factor that plays a significant role in the success of organizations. This study aims to investigate the moderating role of entrepreneurial behavior in the relationship between social capital and job performance among faculty members of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences. Methods This is a descriptive-analytical study which has been conducted through a structural equation modeling among all university faculty members working in different faculties of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2017. To evaluate the causal relationships between study variables, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) on AMOS software, with the significant level of 0.05 was used. Results Findings indicated that entrepreneurial behaviors and social capital could predict job performance. The direct effect of social capital on job performance (path coefficient: 0.17) and its indirect effect with the moderating role of entrepreneurial behavior (path coefficient: 0.39) were confirmed (P< 0.05). Furthermore, Sobel test affirmed the indirect associations between variables (P< 0.05). Conclusions Strengthening social capital and promoting entrepreneurial behavior can lead to higher levels of performance. Building trust among organizational members and designing new incentive methods which use entrepreneurial indicators for performance evaluation can improve social capital. Therefore, managers can contribute to the improvement of job performance through developing entrepreneurial behavior among their employees.
Meal Replacement in Dietary Management of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Scoping Review Protocol
Authors: Chen Lew Leong , Ludin Arimi Fitri Mat , Shahar Suzana , Manaf Zahara Abdul , Tauhid Noorlaili Mohd
Published: March 2020

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been increasing globally. Without proper management, T2DM can develop into serious complications and even death. Diet modification is one of the most effective tool in managing T2DM patients but it requires knowledge and compliance from the patients. Thus, meal replacement (MR) has gained its popularity as a tool for diet modification to improve glycemic control and also reducing weight in T2DM patients. There are several existing meal replacement studies but not much is known on the general scope and effect of these existing MRs. Hence, this review is aimed to provide an overview of the existing evidences regarding the application of meal replacement on T2DM patients and identify the gaps or limitation in the studies.Methodology: The scoping review will be carried out in six stages. (1) identifying the research question, (2) identifying relevant studies through electronic databases (ie. Pubmed, Scopus, Cochrane Reviews, Google Scholar, EBSCOHOST, Science Direct) and also grey literature, (3) selection of studies to be included based on inclusion criteria. Search and initial screening of studies to be included will be conducted by two independent reviewers. Discrepancies will then be solved through discussion with other reviewers, (4) Chart and categorize extracted data in a pretested data extraction form, (5) collating, summarising and reporting the results and lastly, (6) conducting consultation with stakeholders and experts in diabetes.Discussion: This scoping review protocol is aimed to provide a framework enabling us to map and summarize the findings from existing studies involving meal replacement. It will help researchers to identify research gap and provide recommendations for future meal replacement studies. The results from this scoping review will be useful to various stakeholders in healthcare. It is also part of a research project in which the information obtained will be utilized in clinical trial of a developed meal replacement plan. Dissemination of knowledge will also be done through presentations at T2DM related conferences.
JAK inhibitors impair GM-CSF-mediated signaling in innate immune cells
Authors: Fujita Yuya , Matsuoka Naoki , Temmoku Jumpei , Furuya Makiko Yashiro , Asano Tomoyuki , Sato Shuzo , Matsumoto Haruki , Watanabe Hiroshi , Kozuru Hideko , Yatsuhashi Hiroshi , Kawakami Atsushi , Migita Kiyoshi
Published: March 2020

Background: Innate immune cells play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) via release of cytokines. Small-molecule inhibitors of Janus kinases (JAKi) are clinically efficacious in patients with RA. However, the isoform-specific action of each JAKi is difficult to assess, since JAKs form heterodimeric complexes with cytokine receptors. We assessed the effects of several JAKi on GM-CSF-primed human innate immune cells.Results: Treatment with JAKi (tofacitinib, baricitinib, upadacitinib) prevented GM-CSF-induced JAK2/STAT5 phosphorylation at higher concentrations (400nM) in THP-1 cells. Whereas compared with barcitinib or upadacitinib, the inhibitory effects of tofacitinib on the GM-CSF-induced JAK2/STAT5 phosphorylation were weak at lower concentrations ( < 100nM). All JAKi inhibited GM-CSF-induced IL-1b production by human neutrophils. However, the inhibitory effects of baricitinib on IL-1b production were larger compared to those of tofacitinib or upadacitinib at lower concentrations ( < 100nM). Similarly, all JAKi inhibited GM-CSF-induced caspase-1(p20) production by human neutrophils.Conclusion: We conclude that incubation with JAKi prevents GM-CSF-mediated JAK2/STAT5 activation in human innate immune cells. Although baricitinib and upadacitinib almost completely blocked GM-CSF-mediated JAK2/STAT5 signaling, the inhibitory effects of tofacitinib were weaker at lower concentrations suggesting that variation exists among these JAKi. in the inhibition of JAK2 signaling pathways.
Fecal microbiota transplantation as an effective treatment for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infection in a renal transplant patient
Authors: Wang Junpeng , Li Xin , Wu Xiaoqiang , Wang Zhiwei , Wu Xuan , Jin Gaopeng , Wang Donghao , Yan Tianzhong
Published: March 2020

Background: In renal transplant recipients, carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infection is common, and usually associated with severe clinical outcomes due to a lack of effective therapeutics.Case presentation: A 37-year-old female had a CRKP infection one month after the kidney transplantation. Since the effect of the antibiotic therapy was limited, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was performed. FMT resulted in increased richness and diversity of gut microbiota and reduced relative abundance of Klebsiella. After FMT, the infection of the patient caused by CRKP was well controlled without inducing adverse effects.Conclusion: This study demonstrated the therapeutic effect of FMT on CRKP infection, and may shine some light on the treatment of the infections caused by CRKP for the patients after transplantation.
Multi-task offloading scheme for UAV-Enabled Fog Computing networks
Authors: LI Xujie , Zhou Lingjie , Sun Ying
Published: March 2020

In UAV-enabled fog Computing networks, how to efficiently offload multiple tasks to the computing nodes is a challenge combinatorial optimization problem. In this paper, in order to optimize the total delay for the UVA-Enabled Fog Computing networks, a simple scheduling algorithm and a multi-task offloading scheme based on fireworks algorithm (FWA) are proposed. First, the system model of multiple tasks offloading in UVA-Enabled fog computing networks is described in detail. Then, a simple scheduling algorithm is proposed to optimize the delay of the tasks allocated to a single node. Based on the scheduling algorithm, a multi-task offloading scheme for all tasks and all computing nodes is presented. Finally, simulation results show that the performance of proposed scheduling algorithm and offloading strategy outperform than that of genetic algorithm and random algorithm. This result can provide an effective optimization for multi-task offloading in UVA-Enabled Fog Computing networks.
Disruption of gray matter microstructure in Alzheimer’s disease continuum using fiber orientation
Authors: Lee Peter , Kim Hang-Rai , Jeong Yong
Published: March 2020

There have been several MR imaging biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) for early diagnosis. Cortical mean diffusivity (MD) is one of them for the study of the cortical microstructural change in AD. However, several factors may overshadow the feasibility of MD as AD biomarker. Thus, current study investigated feasible gray matter microstructure biomarker with higher sensitivity for early AD detection. With the aim of facilitating the early detection of AD, the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) proposed two stages based on the memory performance: early mild cognitive impairment (EMCI) and late mild cognitive impairment (LMCI). We propose single shell DTI measure, ‘ radiality ’, for early AD biomarker. It is a dot product between cortical surface normal vector and primary diffusion direction, which presumably reflects the fiber orientation within the cortical column.
Here, we gathered images from ADNI phase 2 & 3; 78 cognitive normal, 51 EMCI, 34 LMCI, and 39 AD patients. Then, we evaluated cortical thickness (CTh), MD, amount of amyloid and tau accumulations using PET, which are conventional AD biomarkers. Radiality was projected on gray matter surface to compare and validate the changes along other neuroimage biomarkers.
Results showed decreased radiality primarily in entorhinal, insula, frontal and temporal cortex as disease progress onward. Especially, radiality could delineate the difference between cognitive normal and EMCI group while other biomarkers could not. We looked into the relationship between the radiality and other biomarkers to validate its pathological evidence in AD. Overall, radiality showed high association with conventional biomarkers. Additional ROI analysis exhibit dynamics of AD related changes as stages onward.
In conclusion, radiality in cortical gray matter showed AD specific changes and relevance with other conventional AD biomarkers with higher sensitivity. Besides, it could show group differences in early AD changes from EMCI which show advantage for early diagnosis than using conventional biomarkers. We provide the evidence of structure changes with cognitive impairment and suggest radiality as a sensitive biomarker for early diagnose and progress monitor AD.
Household means of transportation and place of child delivery in Nigeria
Authors: Solanke Lukman Bola , Oluwatope Omolayo Bukola , Adebayo Yinusa Rasheed , Oyeleye Olaoye James , Ilesanmi Benjamin Bukky , Oni Tosin Olajide
Published: March 2020

Background The means of transportation available to pregnant women in households may serve either as a driver or deterrent of institutional delivery. However, how household means of transportation associates with place of delivery has been less explored in Nigeria. Methods This study was based on pooled data of 2008-2013 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. The study analysed a weighted sample size of 6,540 women. The multilevel logistic regression model was applied using STATA 14. Results The study revealed 37% institutional delivery among women in Nigeria. Women whose household mode of transport were cars were twice more likely to have institutional delivery compared to women who had no viable household means of transportation (AOR=2.044, p<0.01; CI=1.781-2.345). Women who live in communities with high proportions of households with no means of transportation were 12.8% less likely to have institutional delivery (AOR=0.872, p=0.01; CI: 0.788-0.967). Women who live in communities with high proportions of household who owned motorcycle compared to those in communities with low proportion were 31.9% more likely to have institutional delivery (AOR=1.319, p<0.05; CI: 1.071-1.625). Women who live in communities with high proportions of households who owned cars compared to those in communities with low proportion were more than three times more likely to have institutional delivery (AOR=3.146, p<0.01; CI: 2.621-3.777).Conclusion Means of transportation significantly explains choice of place of child delivery in urban Nigeria. A public-private transport support programme to reduce transportation burden among pregnant women is imperative in the country.
Feasibility of Using Infant Testing during Immunization to Estimate Mother-to-Child-Transmission Rates in Zambia
Authors: Simbaya Joseph , Funjika Patricia , Moonga Arthur , Mwale John , Kankasa Chipepo
Published: March 2020

Background: This study piloted the feasibility of infant testing in immunization services as a strategy for estimating MTCT rates among the population of HIV exposed infants at national and sub-national levels in Zambia. Methods: The study recruited a cross-sectional nationally representative sample of 8,042 caregiver-baby pairs in 38 high volume immunization sites in 7 towns across 3 provinces of Zambia. All mothers who brought their children below the age of one year for immunization at the study facilities were invited to participate in the study. All consenting mothers were interviewed and blood drawn from their babies for; rapid HIV antibody test to determine exposure and DNA PCR test for samples of all HIV-exposed babies to determine HIV infection. Results: Of 8,042 recruited caregiver-baby pairs, 1,407 (17.5percent of all mothers of HIV exposed infants reported that they attended ANC visits more than two times and facility based deliveries stood at 92 percent. Exclusive breastfeeding among HIV exposed infants reduced with increase in age of infant; it was highest at 6 weeks (82 %) followed by 10 weeks (74 %), 14 weeks (74 %) and 9 months (4 %). MTCT rates were relatively lower than what was reported before in subnational studies and stood at 4.94 percent among Penta 1 seekers, 3.08 percent among Penta 2 seekers, 2.63 percent among Penta 3 seekers and 5.15 percent among Measles vaccination seekers. The overall MTCT rate stood at 4.05 percent. About 46 percent of HIV positive babies were male compared to 54 percent females. Babies of mothers below the age of 25 years accounted almost half (47 %) of all HIV infected babies in the study. Reported exclusive breastfeeding among HIV positive babies was 79 percent for Penta 1 seekers, 78 percent for Penta 2 seekers and 100 percent for Penta 3 seekers. Conclusion: The study succeeded in estimating the MTCT rates using infant testing in immunization services, thereby demonstrating that it is feasible to use routine infant testing in immunization services as a strategy for estimating MTCT rates among the population of HIV-exposed infants in Zambia.
Decoding the RNA viromes of rodent lungs provides new visions into the origin and evolution pattern of rodent-borne diseases in Mainland Southeast Asia
Authors: Wu Zhiqiang , Han Yelin , Liu Bo , Li Hongying , Zhu Guangjian , Latinne Alice , Dong Jie , Sun Lilin , Du Jiang , Zhou Siyu , Chen Mingxing , Kritiyakan Anamika , Jittapalapong Sathaporn , Chaisiri Kittipong , Buchy Phillipe , Duong Veasna , Yang Jian , Jiang Jinyong , Xu Xiang , Zhou Hongning , Yang Fan , Morand Serge , Daszak Peter , Jin Qi
Published: March 2020

BACKGROUND As the largest group of mammalian species widely distributed all over the world, rodents are the natural reservoirs of diverse zoonotic viruses. Comprehensive understanding of the core virome in diverse rodent species could therefore assist efforts to predict and reduce the risk of future emergence or re-emergence of rodent-borne zoonotic pathogens. RESULTS This study aimed to describe the viral range detected in rodent lungs in Mainland Southeast Asia. Lung samples were collected from 3,284 rodents and insectivores of the orders Rodentia , Soricomorpha , Scandentia , and Erinaceomorpha in eighteen provinces of Thailand, Lao PDR, and Cambodia throughout 2006-2018. Meta-transcriptomic analysis was used to outline the unique spectral characteristics of mammalian viruses within lungs and the ecological and genetic imprints of novel viruses. Further analysis revealed that the viral circulation in lungs is vastly different from those of throat and anal swabs reported previously. Many mammal or arthropod related viruses with distinct evolutionary lineages were reported for the first time in these species, and viruses related to known pathogens were characterized for their genetic characters, host species, and locations. CONCLUSIONS These results expand our understanding of the core viromes of rodents and insectivores in Mainland Southeast Asia and suggest that a high diversity of viruses remain undiscovered in this area. These findings, combined with our previous virome data from China, increase our knowledge of the viral community in wildlife and arthropod vectors in emerging disease hotspots of East and Southeast Asia.
Studying the dynamics of the gut microbiota using metabolically stable isotopic labeling and metaproteomics.
Authors: Smyth Patrick , Zhang Xu , Ning Zhibin , Mayne Janice , Moore Jasmine I. , Walker Krystal , Lavallée-Adam Mathieu , Figeys Daniel
Published: March 2020

Background: The gut microbiome and its metabolic processes are dynamic systems. Surprisingly, our understanding of gut microbiome dynamics is limited. Here we report a metaproteomic workflow that involves protein stable isotope probing (protein-SIP) and identification and quantification of partially labeled peptides. We also developed a package, which we call MetaProfiler, that corrects for false identifications and performs phylogenetic and time series analysis for the study of gut microbiome functional dynamics. Results: From the stool sample of five mice that were fed with \ensuremath{^{15}}N hydrolysate from \textit{Ralstonia eutropha}, we identified 15,297 non-redundant unlabeled peptides of which 10,839 of their heavy counterparts were quantified. These peptides revealed incorporation profiles over time that were different between and within taxa, as well as between and within clusters of orthologous groups (COGs). Conclusions: Our study helps unravel the complex dynamics of protein synthesis and bacterial dynamics in the mouse microbiome. Availability: MetaProfiler and the bioinformatic pipeline are available at https://github.com/psmyth94/MetaProfiler.git.
Responses of bryophyte diversity, community and Chlorophyll content to rocky desertification succession
Authors: Li Yujie , Cheng Cai , Long Mingzhong , Gao Min , Zhang Yuandong , Li Xiaona
Published: March 2020

Background : bryophytes have great potential for the restoration of rocky desertification. At present, research on the correlation between bryophytes and the rocky desertification environment is in its infancy, and basic questions about the ecological response of bryophytes to rocky desertification, including biodiversity, community succession, interspecific relationships and photosynthetic physiology need to be answered urgently.Results : results showed that significant differences in diversity, interspecific association and chlorophyll characteristics were observed among different degrees of rocky desertification. With the increase of rocky desertification degrees, the biodiversity of bryophytes decreases obviously, and the bryophytes which drought tolerance gradually dominates in communities. The interspecific association tend to be positive in rocky desertification succession, and positive association will be beneficial to the positive development of vegetation communities. Some bryophytes can adapt to the rocky desertification environment by reducing chlorophyll content and increasing chlorophyll a/b ratios that is beneficial to light trapping. Conclusions : With the increase in rocky desertification, the biodiversity of bryophytes decreased obviously, and bryophytes with drought tolerance gradually dominated in the communities. The interspecific association tended to be positive in rocky desertification succession, and a positive association will be beneficial to the positive development of vegetation communities. Some bryophytes adapted to the rocky desertification environment by reducing their chlorophyll content and increasing their chlorophyll a/b ratios, which are beneficial for light trapping. The results of this study are useful for the management of desertified karst ecosystems.
Factors Influencing on Utilization of Primary Health Care for Internal Elderly Migrants in China: The Role of Social Contacts
Authors: Lin Yanwei , Chu Chengjing , Chen Qin , Xiao Junhui , Wan Chonghua
Published: March 2020

Objective: To explore the influencing factors of the utilization of primary health care from the perspective of social contact among internal elderly migrants in China to provide further insights that might promote their utilization of primary health care. Methods: 1544 internal elderly migrants in eight cities participated in the survey. Whether to participate in the free health checkup organized by community health service institutions in the past year was adopted as an indicator of the utilization of primary health care, number of local friends and exercise time per day were measured for social contact. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to understand the association of the variables with the likelihood of using community health services. Results: Internal elderly migrants who had more social contact were more inclined to use primary health care. Conclusion: The role of the community should be expanded, such as creating community-based promotions targeting internal elderly migrants or designing social or sports activities tailored to increase the opportunity for contact between local elders and internal elderly migrants.
An efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst of phosphorous carbon co-doped MOFs
Authors: Du Li , Lv Mengyuan , Liu Dandan , Song Huiyu
Published: March 2020

It is eager to develop high-performance and cheap bifunctional electrochemical catalysts for both of the ORR or OER for the energy crisis and environmental problems. Herein, we report a series of ZIF-derived Co-P-C co-doped polyhedral materials with a well-defined morphology. The optimized catalyst Co/P/MOFs-CNTs-700 exhibited favorable electrochemical activities with the lowest over potential of 420 mV to achieve the current density of 10 mA cm -2 for OER and the half potential of 0.8 V for ORR in 0.1 M NaOH. The performance can be well improved by doping phosphorous resource which greatly changed its morphology. Meanwhile, the doped carbon resources also improve the conductivity, which makes it a promising bifunctional electrochemical catalyst and can be comparable with the commercial electrocatalysts.
Acute and Subacute Effects of Irreversible Electroporation on Normal Common Bile Ducts in a Rabbit Model
Authors: Li Qingshan , Ren Fenggang , Zhang YuChi , Chang Pengkang , Wang Yue , Ma Tao , Hu Liangshuo , Wu Rongqian , Wang Bo , Lv Yi
Published: March 2020

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the acute and subacute effects of irreversible electroporation (IRE) on normal common bile ducts (CBDs) in a rabbit model.

Methods

Cell susceptibility to IRE was assessed in vitro with cholangiocarcinoma and normal cell lines at varying voltages. The distributions of electric field and temperature were evaluated with a two-dimensional simulation model of common bile duct. In vivo bile duct IRE ablation was performed in 28 adult New Zealand rabbits. Liver function assessments and cholangiography were performed post-IRE to evaluate biliary complications. The biliary tract was extracted en bloc and histopathological analyses were performed using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and Masson trichrome (MT) staining, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay.

Results

Different cells showed different susceptibility to the effect of IRE, cancer cell line HUCC-T1 was the least sensitive to IRE. Simulations predicted the distributions of electric field and temperature during IRE process, and the maximum temperature of tissue was below 43°C. In all animals, biliary dilatation and stricture were observed in 4/28 animals respectively by postoperative days 7, 14, and 28. H&E staining revealed complete cell death with inflammatory infiltration, edema, and hemorrhage. Bile duct epithelial recovery was completed between post-IRE days 7–28.

Conclusions

The normal CBD retains the lumen wall integrity and function following IRE with immediate periductal placement of the electrode. However, the parameters of cholangiocarcinoma IRE ablation need to be determined more precisely to ensure the treatment efficacy and reduce the risk of collateral damage.
The protective role of Deferoxamine in the prevention of hepatic fibrosis in children treated with Doxorubicin: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Bordbar Mohammadreza , Fathpour Gholamreza , Dehghani Seyed Mohsen , Haghpanah Sezaneh , Vardanjani Hossein Molavi , Fattahi Mohammadreza , Shahriari Mahdi , Shakibazad Nader
Published: March 2020

Background: Hepatic fibrosis is an ominous sign which may follow treatment with Doxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy. The aim of this study was investigating the protective effect of Deferoxamine (DFO) against hepatic fibrosis in treatment-naïve pediatric cancer patients. Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 61 treatment-naïve children (2-18 years) with different types of cancer who referred to a tertiary teaching hospital in South of Iran were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to 3 groups; group 1 (control, n=21), group 2 (DFO 10 times DOX dose, n=20), group 3 (DFO 50mg/kg, n=20). DFO was administered as an 8-hour continuous intravenous infusion during and after DOX infusion in each chemotherapy cycle. Non-invasive serum markers of liver fibrosis including APRI, FIB-4 score and Fibro Test were measured in each individual. Besides, hepatic Fibro Scan was used after the last course of chemotherapy to estimate fibrosis degree. Results: Fifty-six patients were analyzed. Alanine aminotransferase was mildly increased in the treatment groups compared to pre-treatment. Treatment with DFO 10 times DOX dose was associated with significant decline in post-treatment APRI (adjusted odds ratio 0.17; 95% confidence interval 0.03- 0.84). METAVIR fibro scores were in the F0-F1 zone in all participants, and the results were comparable in the study groups. No adverse drug effect was reported in the treatment groups. Conclusion: DOX may not lead to severe liver fibrosis if the maximum allowed cumulative dose is not exceeded. DFO at the dose of 10 times of DOX dose may have a potential protective role against liver fibrosis. Larger multi-center studies with longer follow up are warranted to further assess this issue.
Clinical outcomes after total pancreatectomy for malignant neoplasms; a single center retrospective study of 26 cases
Authors: Hayama Satoshi , Ambo Yoshiyasu , Takeuchi Shintaro , Takada Minoru , Nakamura Fumitaka , Kashimura Nobuichi , Hirano Satoshi
Published: March 2020

Background: Total pancreatectomy (TP) used to be applied for pancreatic cancer to obtain better oncological clearance or to avoid pancreatic fistulae, but indications have changed. The aim of this study was to clarify recent disease indications and outcomes for this procedure. Methods: A total of 26 patients who underwent one-stage surgery (n=11) or two-stage surgery (n=15) were analyzed retrospectively. Results: The postoperative morbidity rate was 26.9%, but no postoperative mortality was encountered. Twenty-two patients had multiple diseases, including intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) -associated tumors in 12 and de novo pancreatic ductal carcinoma (PDAC) in 5. Significantly more T3/T4 and stage III/IV tumors were included in the de novo PDAC group than in the IPMN-associated tumor group (T3/T4: 70% vs. 16.7%, p=0.002; stage III/IV: 100% vs. 33.3%, p=0.012). Two-year survival rates were lower in the de novo PDAC group (20%) than in the IPMN-associated tumor group (68.8%, p=0.041). Conclusions: TP can be performed safely with low mortality and acceptable morbidity. Our study revealed that the most frequent indication for TP was multiple diseases, and the two main cohorts involved different malignancies: IPMN-associated tumors; and de novo PDAC.
The Influence of Male Erectile Function on Female Sexual Function: A Cross-Sectional Study in Chinese Infertile Couples
Authors: Tang Dongdong , Wang Qiushuang , Jin Zonglan , Xu Chuan , Geng Hao , Zhang Xiansheng , Cao Yunxia
Published: March 2020

Background Infertility has a negative effect on sexual function in involuntarily childless couples, but the influence of male erectile function on their partner’s sexual function in this special population was unclear. Therefore, we conducted this study to explore the influence of male erectile function on their partner’s sexual function in Chinese infertile couples. Methods This cross-sectional research was conducted at the first affiliated hospital of Anhui Medical University (Hefei, China) between January and December in 2019. 324 consecutive couples with infertility attending the Reproductive Medicine Center and 326 female-age-matched couples without infertility from the Physical Examination Center were enrolled in this study. The sexual function of the female was assessed by sexual history and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), etc. And their partners’ sexual function was assessed by sexual history, International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15), self-reported intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT), etc. Demographics (age, educational status, smoking, drinking, monthly income, type of infertility, etc.) and status of depression assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) were also recorded. Results Infertile women have a higher proportion of sexual dysfunction than females without infertility (58.6% vs. 50.3%, χ 2 =4.552, P=0.033). Sexual frequency, depression status and partner’s erectile dysfunction (ED) are independent risk factors for FSD (ED: β =0.909; OR=2.481;95% CI [1.361–4.526]; P = 0.003). Furthermore, the total score of FSFI is positively correlated to the IIEF-15 score of partners ( r =0.347, P <0.001). The majority of six domains of FSFI are also correlated to the five domains of the IIEF-15 ( P <0.05). Conclusions Male’s erectile function is closely related to his partner’s sexual function in Chinese infertile couples. So it is important to assess sexual dysfunction in infertile couples as a whole, and sexual concerns of couples should be assessed and addressed in this special population.
Initiation and persistence of health risk behaviors through adolescence: longitudinal findings from urban South Africa
Authors: Kowalski Alysse , Addo O. Yaw , Kramer Michael R , Martorell Reynaldo , Norris Shane A , Waford Rachel N , Richter Linda M , Stein Aryeh
Published: March 2020

Background: Little is known about longitudinal patterns of adolescent health risk behavior initiation and persistence in low- and middle-income countries. Methods: Birth to Twenty Plus is a longitudinal birth cohort in Soweto-Johannesburg, South Africa. We used reports from Black African participants on smoking, alcohol, cannabis, illicit drugs, and sexual activity and on adolescent pregnancy collected over 7 study visits between ages 11 and 18 y. We fit Kaplan-Meier curves to estimate behavior initiation or adolescent pregnancy, examined current behavior at age 18 y by age of initiation, and performed a clustering analysis to identify patterns of initiation and their sociodemographic predictors. Results: By age 13 y, cumulative incidence of smoking and alcohol initiation were each >21%, while the cumulative incidence of other behaviors and adolescent pregnancy were <5%. By age 18 y, smoking, alcohol, and sexual activity initiation estimates were each >65%, cannabis (age 15 y) and illicit drug initiation were each >16%; adolescent pregnancy was 31%. At both ages, rates of initiation were higher among males. At age 18 y, current risk behavior activity was lower than lifetime activity and generally unrelated to age of initiation. We identified three clusters reflecting low, moderate, and high-risk patterns of risk behavior initiation. One-third of males and 17% of females were assigned to the high-risk cluster. Sociodemographic factors were not associated with cluster membership. Conclusions: Among urban dwelling Black South Africans, risk behavior experimentation across adolescence is common and clusters into distinct initiation patterns unrelated to the sociodemographic factors assessed. Understanding patterns of risk behavior initiation has implications for the timing of primary and secondary public health interventions and supports integrated prevention efforts that consider multiple behaviors simultaneously.
Acupuncture improves white matter perfusion and white matter integrity in vascular dementia rats: an MRI-based imaging study
Authors: Ma Siming , Wang Lu , Su Xin-Tong , Huang Jin , Lin Lu-Lu , Shao Jia-Kai , Yang Jing-Wen , Liu Cun-Zhi
Published: March 2020

Background: White matter lesions induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) are common pathological changes, and are associated with cognitive impairment in vascular dementia (VaD). It has been reported that acupuncture can improve cognitive deficits of VaD rats through increasing cortical cerebral blood flow and attenuating neuroinflammation. However, the effects of acupuncture on white matter perfusion and white matter structural integrity have been not investigated. Methods: VaD was induced by bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (BCCAO) in Wistar rats. Morris water maze (MWM) was used to evaluated the spatial learning and memory of rats. Arterial spin labeling imaging (ASL) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were performed to measure the cerebral blood flow and white matter integrity in corpus callosum, external capsule, internal capsule, optic nerve and optic tract. Pathological staining was also applied to detect the myelin loss and neuroinflammation. Results: BCCAO rats with declined cerebral blood flow exhibited significant worse MWM performance, and altered DTI parameters including decreased fractional anisotropy, elevated radial diffusivity and axial diffusivity in white matter regions. After acupuncture treatment at GV20 and ST36, cognitive dysfunction, disruption of white matter perfusion and integrity were reversed. Pathological results supported that acupuncture could attenuate the loss of myelin sheath and microglia activation. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that acupuncture treatment protects cognitive impairment of BCCAO rats through increasing subcortical white matter perfusion and improving white matter lesions. Keywords: Acupuncture; ASL; DTI; cerebral blood flow; white matter; microglia activation
Anti-NMDAR encephalitis induced in mice by active immunization with peptides of the amino-terminal domain of the GluN1 subunit
Authors: Ding Yuewen , Zhou Zheye , Chen Jinyu , Peng Yu , Wang Haitao , Qiu Wei , Xie Wei , Zhang Jun , Wang Honghao
Published: March 2020

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is a recently discovered autoimmune syndrome associated with psychosis, dyskinesias, and seizures. Ectopic expression of NMDA receptors associated with ovarian teratoma is thought to mediate the initial autoimmune response against NMDA receptor encephalitis. Due to the lack of suitable animal models, the underlying mechanism of the disease remains unclear. This study described a new mice model of active immunization against the NMDA receptor with amino-terminal domain (ATD) peptides. After 12 weeks of immunization, mice were showed significant behavioral disorders and memory loss. Antibodies from CSF of immunized mice decreased surface NMDAR cluster density on hippocampus neurons. It also impaired the LTP induced at the Schaffer collateral to CA1 synapse and reduced NMDA receptors-induced calcium influx. The new model may help further research into the pathogenesis of the disease and the development of potential new therapies.
AKT inhibitor SC66 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human glioblastoma through down-regulating AKT/β-catenin pathway
Authors: Gao Lun , Liu Junhui , Xu Pengfei , Deng Gang , Liu Baohui , Yuan Fanen , Tan Yinqiu , Sun Qing , Xu Yang , Zhang Huikai , Qi Yangzhi , Han Shoumeng , Yang Kun , Geng Rongxin , Jiang Hongxiang , Chen Qianxue
Published: March 2020

Background ： Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and deadliest type of primary malignant tumor in the adult central nervous system. Temozolomide (TMZ) has limited effectiveness on glioblastoma, so it is urgent to develop new drugs to improve the prognosis of patients. SC66, a novel AKT inhibitor, was reported to exert antiproliferative activity in many types of cancer cells. However, it remains unclear whether SC66 has antitumor effects in GBM. Methods : Cell count kits-8(CCK8) assay, EdU-DNA incorporation assay and colony formation assay were used to evaluate cell proliferation of U87 and U251 cells.Wound -healing assay and transwell assay were used to detect migration and invasion. The cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Finally, xenograft mouse model was established to demonstrate the antitumor effect of SC66 in vitro. Results :SC66 obviously suppressed U87 and U251 cells proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, SC66 treatment was found to significantly inhibit the invasion and migration of GBM cells as detected by Transwell invasion and wound healing assays. Moreover, treatment of SC66 induced GBM cells apoptosis through up-regulating BAX, Cleaved -caspase3 and down-regulating Bcl-2. SC66 also could arrested cell cycle in G0/G1 phase by decreasing cyclin D1.Furthermore, the results of western blot showed that SC66 significantly reduced level of phosphorylation of AKT, p-GSK-3β and β-catenin, while no change was observed in level of AKT and GSK3β.Then a GSK3-inhibitor,IM-12 was used and IM-12 could significantly restored proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells treated with SC66.Meanwhile, SC66 showed significantly suppressed the tumorigenicity compared to the control group in the xenograft mouse model. Conclusion : AKT inhibitor SC66 exerted powerful antitumor activity via down-regulating AKT/β-catenin pathways in vitro and in vivo. It might be as a potential chemotherapy drug to improve the therapeutic efficacy of GBM treatments.
FABP7 is a potential biomarker to predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer
Authors: Xie Qin , XIAO Ying-sheng , JIA Shi-cheng , ZHENG Jie-xuan , DU Zhen-chao , CHEN Yi-chun , CHEN Mu-tong , LIANG Yuan-ke , LIN Hao-yu , zeng de
Published: March 2020

Background Early prediction of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is critical in choosing appropriate chemotherapeutic regimen for patients with locally advanced breast cancer. Herein, we sought to identify potential biomarkers that could predict the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer patients. Methods Three genomic profiles acquired by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from subjects with or without residual tumors after NAC that downloaded from the GEO database were used to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). An array of public databases, including ONCOMINE, cBioportal, Breast Cancer Gene Expression Miner v4.0, and the Kaplan Meir-plotter, etc., were used to evaluate the potential functions, related signaling pathway, as well as prognostic values of FABP7 in breast cancer. Anti-cancer drug sensitivity assay, real-time PCR, ﬂow cytometry and western-blotting assays were used to confirm the function of FABP7 in BC cells and examine the relevant mechanism. Results Two differentially expressed genes, including FABP7 and ESR1, were identified to be potential indicators of response to anthracycline and taxanes chemotherapy for breast cancer. FABP7 is associated with better chemotherapeutic response, while ESR1 was associated with poorer chemotherapeutic effectiveness. Generally, the expression of FABP7 was significantly lower in breast cancer than normal tissue samples. FABP7 mainly high expressed in ER-negative breast tumor and might regulate cell cycle to enhance chemosensitivity. Moreover, elevated FABP7 expression increased the percentage of cells at both S and G2/M phase in MDA-MB-231-ADR cells, and decreased the percentage of cells at GO/G1 phase, as compared to control group. Western-blotting results showed that elevated FABP7 expression could increase Skp2 expression, while decrease CDH1 and p27kip1 expression in MDA-MB-231-ADR cells. In addition, FABP7 was correlated to longer recurrence-free survival (RFS) in BC patients with ER-negative subtype of BC treated with chemotherapy. Conclusion FABP7 is a potential favorable biomarker and predicts better response to NAC in breast cancer patients. Future study on the predictive value and detail molecular mechanisms of FABP7 in contribution to chemosensitivity in breast cancer is warranted.