bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The different dietary sugars modulate the composition of the gut microbiota in honeybee during overwintering
Authors: Author) Hongfang Wang(Former Corresponding , Liu Chunlei , Liu Zhenguo , Wang Ying , Ma Lanting , Author) Baohua Xu(New Corresponding
Published: December 2019

Background : The health of honeybee colonies is critical for bee products and agricultural production, and colony health is closely associated with the bacteria in the guts of honeybees. Although colony loss in winter is now the primary restriction in beekeeping, the effects of different sugars as winter food on the health of honeybee colonies are not well understood. Therefore, in this study, the influence of different sugar diets on honeybee gut bacteria during overwintering was examined. Methods: The bacterial communities in honeybee midguts and hindguts before winter and after bees were fed honey, sucrose, and high-fructose syrup as winter-food were determined by targeting the V4 region of 16S rDNA using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Results: The dominant microbiota in honeybee guts were the phyla Proteobacteria (63.17%), Firmicutes (17.61%; Lactobacillus , 15.91%), Actinobacteria (4.06%; Bifidobacterium , 3.34%), and Bacteroidetes (1.72%). The dominant taxa were conserved and not affected by season, type of overwintering sugar, or spatial position in the gut. However, the relative abundance of the dominant taxa was affected by those factors. In the midgut, microbial diversity of the sucrose group was higher than that of the honey and high-fructose syrup groups, but in the hindgut, microbial diversity of the honey and high-fructose groups was higher than that in the sucrose group. Sucrose increased the relative abundance of Actinobacteria (Bifidobacteriales Bifidobacteriaceae ) and Alphaproteobacteria (Rhizobiales and Mitochondria ) of honeybee midgut, and honey enriched the Bacteroidetes and Gammaproteobacteria (Pasteurellales) in honeybee hindgut. High-fructose syrup increased the relative abundance of Betaproteobacteria (Neisseriales: Neisseriaceae ) of the midgut. Conclusion: The type of sugar used as winter food affected the relative abundance of the dominant bacterial communities in honeybee guts, not the taxa, which could affect the health and safety of honeybee colonies during overwintering. The presence of the supernal Alphaproteobacteria, Bifidobacteriales, and Lactobacillaceae in the gut of honeybees fed sucrose and cheaper than honey both indicate that sucrose is very suitable as the overwintering food for honeybees.
Ultrasonography in assessing suspected bone fractures: a cross-sectional survey amongst German general practitioners
Authors: Schmid Gordian Lukas , Kühnast Beatrice , Heise Marcus , Deutsch Tobias , Frese Thomas
Published: December 2019

Background: Over the last two decades, ultrasonography (US) has been shown to be an accurate tool for the diagnosis of suspected bone fractures; however, the integration of this application of US into routine care and outpatient settings needs to be explored. In this study, we surveyed German general practitioners (GPs) to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and utilization of US for the diagnosis of suspected fractures. Methods: Notification of the study, a self-designed questionnaire, and a reminder were mailed to 600 randomly selected GPs in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. Results: The response rate was 47.7% ( n = 286), and respondents did not differ from the population of all GPs in respect to sex and practice type. Among GPs surveyed, 48.6% used an US device in their practice. On average, GPs diagnosed six patients with suspected fractures per month, yet only 39.3% knew about the possibility of ultrasonographic fracture diagnosis, and only 4.3% of GPs using US applied it for this purpose. Among participants, 71.9% believed that US is inferior to conventional X-rays for the diagnosis of bony injuries. Users of US were better informed of and more commonly used US for fracture diagnosis compared to non-users. Conclusion: The need to rule out possible fractures frequently arises in general practice, and US devices are broadly available. Further efforts are needed to improve the knowledge and attitudes of GPs regarding the accuracy of US for fracture diagnosis. Multicenter controlled trials could explore the safety, usefulness, and effectiveness of this still seldom used diagnostic approach for suspected fractures.
Sarcopenia and intramuscular fat deposition are associated with poor survival in Indonesian patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a retrospective study
Authors: Mardian Yan , Yano Yoshihiko , Ratnasari Neneng , Choridah Lina , Wasityastuti Widya , Setyawan Nurhuda Hendra , Hayashi Yoshitake
Published: December 2019

Background: A large-scale Japanese study showed that low skeletal muscle index (SMI) and intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) survival. Here, we evaluated the effects of SMI and IMF on the survival of Indonesian HCC patients, whose characteristics differ from those of Japanese patients. Methods: SMI and mean muscle attenuation (MA) were evaluated using computed tomography images of the third lumbar vertebra (L3) in a prospective cohort of 100 Indonesian HCC patients. Clinical, laboratory and body composition data were analysed using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression model to investigate which factors are associated with prognosis. Results: Of 100 patients, 31 were diagnosed with sarcopenia (L3 SMI value ≤36.2 cm 2 /m 2 for men and ≤29.6 cm 2 /m 2 for women), and 65 had IMF deposition (MA value ≤44.4 HU for men and ≤39.3 HU for women). These groups had shorter median survival than the reference groups (both P <0.0001). In multivariable analysis, sarcopenia (hazard ratio [HR], 1.921; P = 0.016), IMF deposition (HR, 3.580; P <0.001), Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stages C and D (HR: 2.396, P <0.01 and HR: 6.131, P <0.01, respectively), Japan Integrated Staging (JIS) score 4 (HR: 2.067, P = 0.020), and male gender (HR: 3.211, P <0.001) were independently associated with mortality. Conclusion: Sarcopenia and IMF deposition showed superior value in combination with BCLC stage and JIS score for predicting the survival of Indonesian HCC patients. Increased awareness and strategies to prevent or reverse these factors might improve patient outcomes.
Effect of proton pump inhibitor on the movement of Helicobacter pylori across the mucus layer to the gastric lumen
Authors: Author) shanshan Su(Former Corresponding , Author) Guo-qi Zheng(New Corresponding , Liu Ying-ying , Liang Yu-fei , Song Hui , Yin Wen-jie , Zhang Guo-zun
Published: December 2019

Background: Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) cannot usually be detected in the gastric juice and it is thought that H. pylori may reside under the mucus layer for long term. The mechanisms of action of proton pump inhibitor (PPI)for H. pylori eradication are not entirely clear. Our study aimed to determine the role of PPI on the movement of H. pylori across the mucus layer to the gastric lumen and the mechanism of PPI on H. pylori eradication. Methods: Patients with H. pylori infection were intravenous injected with PPI (intervention group, n=31) or without PPI (control group, n=37). The presence of H. pylori in the gastric juice was evaluated by the rapid urease test (RUT), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and culture methods. Results: The H. pylori positive detection rates were all significantly higher among patients in the intervention group than among patients in the control group by the RUT ( P < 0.0001), PCR ( P < 0.0001), and culturing ( P = 0.0386). Conclusion: H. pylori can penetrate across the mucus layer to the gastric lumen following PPI intervention, and thus it might represent a novel target in the eradication of H. pylori .
Genetic diversity of C4 photosynthesis pathway genes in Sorghum bicolor (L.)
Authors: Tao Yongfu , George-Jaeggli Barbara , Bouteille-Pallas Marie , Tai Shuaishuai , Cruickshank Alan , Jordan David , Mace Emma
Published: December 2019

Background C 4 photosynthesis has evolved in over 60 different plant taxa and is an excellent example of convergent evolution. Plants using the C 4 photosynthetic pathway have an efficiency advantage, particularly in hot and dry environments. They account for 23% of global primary production and include some of our most productive cereals. While previous genetic studies comparing phylogenetically related C 3 and C 4 species have elucidated the genetic diversity underpinning the C 4 photosynthetic pathway, no previous studies have described the genetic diversity of the genes involved in this pathway within a C 4 crop species. Enhanced understanding of the allelic diversity and selection signatures of genes in this pathway may present opportunities to improve photosynthetic efficiency, and ultimately yield, by exploiting natural variation. Results Here, we present the first genetic diversity survey of 8 known C 4 gene families in an important C 4 crop, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench using sequence data of 48 genotypes covering wild and domesticated sorghum accessions. Average nucleotide diversity of C 4 gene families varied more than 20-fold from the NADP-MDH gene family (θπ =0.2×10 -3 ) to the PPDK gene family (θπ = 5.21×10 -3 ). Genetic diversity of C 4 genes was reduced by 22.43% in cultivated sorghum compared to wild and weedy sorghum, indicating that the group of wild and weedy sorghum may constitute an untapped reservoir for alleles related to the C 4 photosynthetic pathway. A SNP-level analysis identified purifying selection signals on C 4 PPDK and CA genes, and balancing selection signals on C 4 PPDK-RP and PEPC genes. Allelic distribution of these C 4 genes was consistent with selection signals detected. Conclusions Domestication of sorghum has reshaped diversity of C 4 pathway. A better understanding of the genetic diversity of this pathway in sorghum paves the way for mining the natural allelic variation for the improvement of photosynthesis.
Prediction of patients with a tumor proportion score >50% who do not respond to first-line monotherapy with pembrolizumab
Authors: Morita Mitsunori , Tamiya Motohiro , Fujimoto Daichi , Tamiya Akihiro , Suzuki Hidekazu , Hirano Katsuya , Fukuda Yasushi , Yokoyama Toshihide , Kominami Ryota , Kanazu Masaki , Uchida Junji , Hara Satoshi , Yamashita Shuji , Tomioka Hiromi
Published: December 2019

Background: Pembrolizumab is effective as first-line therapy against advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients with programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression levels ≥50%. However, it is not effective in all patients, and the factors predicting responses among this population remain unknown. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with NSCLC and a PD-L1 tumor proportion score (TPS) >50%, who received first-line monotherapy with pembrolizumab from February 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018. The study included 11 hospitals, which participated in the Hanshin Oncology clinical Problem Evaluation group (HOPE). We analyzed the differences between responders and non-responders in terms of age, sex, performance status score, degree of progression, histological type, smoking history, expression of PD-L1, use of steroids prior to treatment, metastasis site, and laboratory data. Results: A total of 205 patients were included in this study. Of those, 108 patients exhibiting complete or partial response were defined as responders. Those exhibiting progressive disease (N=52) were defined as non-responders. In the univariate analysis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score ≥2 (p=0.0832), stage IV disease or recurrence (p=0.0487), PD-L1 TPS 50–89% (p=0.0657), use of steroids prior to the administration of pembrolizumab (p=0.0243), malignant pleural effusion (p=0.0032), and baseline C-reactive protein (CRP) levels >1.0 mg/dL (p=0.0390) were significantly associated with non-response to treatment. In the multivariate analysis, use of steroids prior to the administration of pembrolizumab (odds ratio [OR]: 5.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.32–31.8; p=0.0200), malignant pleural effusion (OR: 2.68; 95% CI: 1.15–6.35; p=0.0228), and baseline CRP >1.0 mg/dL (OR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.03–4.68; p=0.0402) were significantly associated with non-response to treatment. Conclusion: In real-world patients with NSCLC and a PD-L1 TPS ≥50%, use of steroids prior to treatment, malignant pleural effusion, and baseline CRP levels >1.0mg/dL reduced the effectiveness of first-line monotherapy with pembrolizumab.
Predictive Value of Admission D-dimer for Contrast-induced Acute Kidney Injury and Poor Outcomes after Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Lin Kai-Yang , Chen Han-Chuan , Jiang Hui , Wang Sun-Ying , Chen Hong-mei , Wu Zhi-Yong , Jiang Feng , Guo Yan-Song , ZHU PENG-LI
Published: December 2019

Background DD was found to be associated with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and renal insufficiency. However, it is uncertain whether DD is an independent risk factor of CI-AKI in patients undergoing pPCI.Methods We prospectively enrolled 550 consecutive patients with STEMI undergoing pPCI between January 2012 and December 2016. The predictive value of admission DD for CI-AKI was assessed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC) and multivariable logistic regression analysis. CI-AKI was defined as an absolute serum creatinine increase ≥0.3 mg/dl or a relative increase in serum creatinine ≥50% within 48 h of contrast medium exposure.Results Overall, the incidence of CI-AKI was 13.1%. The ROC analysis showed that the cutoff point of DD was 0.69 ug/ml for predicting CI-AKI with a sensitivity of 77.8% and a specificity of 57.3%. The predictive value of DD was similar to the Mehran score for CI-AKI (AUC DD =0.729 vs AUC Mehran =0.722; p =0.8298). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that DD >0.69 ug/ml was an independent predictor of CI-AKI (odds ratio[OR]=3.37,95%CI:1.80-6.33, p <0.0001). Furthermore, DD >0.69 ug/ml was associated with an increased risk of long-term mortality during during a mean follow-up period of 16 months(hazard ratio=3.41, 95%CI:1.4-8.03, p =0.005).Conclusion admission DD >0.69 ug/ml is a significant and independent predictor of CI-AKI and long-term mortality in patients undergoing pPCI.
Prevalence and patterns of birth defects among newborns in Southwestern Ethiopia: Retrospective study
Authors: Geneti Soressa Abebe , Gebru Girmai , Amenu Demisew , Dube Lemessa
Published: December 2019

Background : Intrauterine development can be considered as normal development as well as abnormal development. Abnormal development commonly called birth defects occur because of interference of normal development from genetic disorders, environmental factors and the combination of both genetic and environment factors during the critical period of embryogenesis. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and patterns of birth defects at birth in Southwestern Ethiopia. Methods : Institutions based cross-sectional study design was used. Six hospitals were selected from the existing hospitals in southwestern Ethiopia purposively based on case load. The study was conducted from September 2011 to December 2015 during which 45,951 deliveries were attained. All records of births that were occurred in the selected hospitals during the study period were identified from medical records, to locate the birth defect records. Results : Twenty-one different birth defects were recorded. Of these, 49.6 % of the birth defects recorded were Anencephaly and Hydrocephalus. Five types of birth defects namely: Anencephaly (25.0%), Hydrocephalus (24.6%), Spinal bifida (13.1%), Meningomyelocele (7.1%), and Umbilical hernia (4.8 %) accounted about three-fourth (75%) of all recorded birth defects. The present study revealed that the prevalence of the birth defects at birth was found to be 5.5 per 1000 births. Among twenty one birth defects identified in this study, the neural tube defects were the most frequent with prevalence rate of 4.1 per 1000 birth followed by gastrointestinal defects (0.7 per 1000 births) Conclusions: As compared to other study, the prevalence of birth defect identified in the present study was found to be higher. The neural tube defects were the most prevalent with the frequency of 4.05 cases per 1000.The present study also identified that nearly equal proportions of birth defect occurred among males and females newborns. The majority of the mother who gave birth to birth defects was younger than 35 years old. As the birth defect was found to be a main cases of infant mortality and morbidity, there need to an urgent interventions to control the cases.
Midwives' Perspectives of Respectful Maternity Care during Childbirth: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Moridi Maryam , Pazandeh Farzaneh , Hajian Sepideh , Ebadi Abbas , Potrata Barbara
Published: December 2019

Background: The adoption of respectful maternity care during labour and birth is complex process which needs both scientific and interpersonal skills of providers. In this regard, identifying the potential barriers and applying effective strategies for implementing respectful maternity care are essential. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of Iranian midwives regarding respectful maternity care during labour and childbirth. Methods: This was a qualitative study which was conducted from September-December 2018 in two non-teaching public hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Twenty four semi-structured interviews were conducted with midwives, who had more than one year work experience in labor and childbirth units, through a purposive sampling method. The data was analyzed using conventional content analysis approach and managed by MAX QDA 10 software. Results: Three themes were extracted including showing empathy, women-centered care and protecting rights. Showing empathy reflects that establishing a friendly relationship and being with women. Women-centered care indicated keeping women safe and participating in decision making. Protecting rights reflected a need for safeguarding dignity as well as giving equal care and preparing appropriate environment. Conclusions: Iranian midwives considered respectful maternity care a broader concept rather than preventing mistreatment. Providing supportive care through friendly interaction with women was the first step for providing respectful maternity care. Promoting respectful care also should be through performing safe care by implementing evidence-based care and women’s involvement in their care as well as appropriate environment for women, families and caregivers.
Association of major cardiovascular risk factors, risk factor clustering with cardiovascular diseases from eastern China A population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Yang Hua-Feng , Hong Xin , Wang Wei-Wei , Ye Qing , Wang Zhi-Yong , Qi Sheng-Xiang , Wang Chen-Chen , Zhou Hai-Rong , Li Chao , Qin Zhen-Zhen
Published: December 2019

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are serious public health issues and the burden of CVDs is at alarmingly high level in China. The aim of the current study was to estimate the prevalence of CVDs and modifiable risk factors, and explore the association of risk factors, risk factor clustering with CVDs among Nanjing adults from eastern China. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted by a stratified clustered sampling between June and November 2011. A representative sample of 40,896 residents aged over 18 years was interviewed by face-to-face questionnaire survey, anthropometric measurements and laboratory examinations. The prevalence of CVDs including coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke was determined according to a participant’s self-report. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the relationship between relevant risk factors, their clustering and CVDs. Results: The weighted prevalence of self-reported in the entire population was 1.1% for CHD; and 1.4% for stroke. The weighted prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, overweight or obesity, and current smoking was 25.0%, 6.7%, 29.6%, 35.9% and 24.5%, respectively. In multivariable-adjusted models, higher levels of body mass index, systolic blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose could be associated with increased risks of CHD and stroke, whereas higher level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol could be related to lower risks of CHD. Hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia were likely to be positively associated with self-reported CVDs regardless of genders in multivariable logistic regression models. Participants with CVDs had significant higher proportion of at least two of CVD risk factors than their counterparts without CVDs. Compared to those having no risk factor; adults with one, two, three or more CVD risk factors had possibly gradually increased risks of CHD and stroke in both genders. Conclusion: Higher regional prevalence of CVDs was likely to be synergistic effects of risk factors aggregation. Therefore, multifactorial intervention strategies based on associated risk factors may be available for prevention and control of CVDs in Chinese population. Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases, Risk Factors, Prevalence, Coronary heart disease, Stroke, China
Breast cancer self-examination practice and associated factors among women reproductive age group in southeast Ethiopia
Authors: Mohammed Abduljewad Hussen , Ketaro Musa Kumbi , Wodera Abate Lette , Hajisso Shemsu Nuriye
Published: December 2019

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent and the second cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide especially in developing country. It is considered as a progressive disease with a poor prognosis if detected late. Therefore, its early detection using breast self-examination plays a significant role in reducing morbidity and mortality related to breast cancer. Objective: This study aims to evaluate breast self-examination practice and associated factors among women reproductive age group in southeast Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted on 836 reproductive age group women. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used for quantitative part of the study and supplemented qualitatively using focus group discussions. Data was interred into Epi-info version 3.5.3, and analysed using SPSS version 20. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were done to examine the effect of explanatory variables to the outcome variable. Variables with P. value <0.05 during multivariable logistic regressions were considered as significantly associated with the dependent variable. Result: Out of eight hundred thirty six total participants, 20.7% of them had ever heard about breast self-examination practice. Also only 13.2% of the mothers had practiced breast self-examination. Maternal age, mother’s level of education, and previous history of breast examination by health professionals were major predictors for breast self-examination practice. Conclusion: This study reported lower prevalence of breast self-examination practice. Therefore, enhancing maternal education and coverage of breast examination by health professionals are essential to raise the odds of breast self- examination practice among women reproductive age group.
Development of methods derived from iodine-induced specific cleavage for identification and quantitation of DNA phosphorothioate modifications
Authors: Zhu Sucheng , Zheng Tao , Kong Lingxin , Li Jinli , Cao Bo , Sun Yihua , Chen Ying , Deng Zixin , You Delin
Published: December 2019

Background DNA phosphorothioate (PT) modifications is a novel modification that occurs on the DNA backbone, which refers to a non-bridging phosphate oxygen replaced by sulfur. This exclusive DNA modification widely distributes in bacteria and archaea but has not been found in eukaryotes to date. PT modification renders DNA nuclease tolerance and servers as a constitute element of bacterial restriction-modification (R-M) defensive system and more biological functions are awaiting exploration. Identification and quantification of the bacterial PT modifications are thus critical to better understanding their biological functions.Results In this report, we describe three detailed methods based on PT-specific iodine-induced cleavage and high-throughput next-generation sequencing technologies: an iodine-induced cleavage assay (ICA), a deep sequencing of iodine-induced cleavage at PT site (ICDS) and an iodine-induced cleavage PT sequencing (PT-IC-Seq), for the investigation of PT modifications. Using these approaches, we have identified the presence of PT modifications and quantized the frequency of PT modifications in bacteria. These characterizations contributed to the high-resolution genomic mapping of PT modifications, in which the distribution of PT modification sites on the genome was marked accurately and the frequency of the specific modified sites was reliably obtained.Conclusion Here, we provide time-saving and less labor consuming methods for both of qualitative and quantitative analysis of genomic PT modifications. The application of these methodologies will provide new opportunities for better understanding the biology of the PT modifications and opens door for future further systematically study.
Determinants of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy Completion among People Living with HIV Attended Care and Treatment from 2013 to 2017 in Dar es Salaam Region,Tanzania. A cross-sectional analytical study
Authors: Robert Masanja
Published: December 2019

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) disease is a common opportunistic infection among people living with HIV (PLHIV). WHO recommends at least six months of isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) to reduce the risk of active TB. It is important to monitor completion of IPT, as a suboptimal dose may not protect PLHIV from TB infection. This study determined IPT completion and its determinants among PLHIV aged 15 years or more in Dar es Salaam region, Tanzania. Methods: A Cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using secondary analysis of routine data from 58 care and treatment clinics in Dar es Salaam region. The study recruited clients who screened negative for TB symptoms and initiated IPT between January 2013 and June 2017. Modified Poisson regression model with robust standard errors were used to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for factors associated with IPT completion. Multilevel analysis was used to account the health facility random effects in order to estimate independent factors associated with IPT completion. Results : A total of 29,382 clients were initiated on IPT, with 21,808 (74%) female. Overall 17,092 (58%) completed IPT, increasing from 42% (773/1,857) in year 2013 to 76% (2,929/3,856) in 2017. Multilevel multivariable model accounting for health facility as clusters, found that clients with CD4 counts between 100 to 349 cells/ had 3% lower prevalence of IPT completion as compared to those with 100 cells/ (PR:0.97: 95%CI:0.94-1.01). Patients who were not on ART had 46% lower IPT completion compared to those were on ART (PR: 0.54: 95%CI: 0.45-0.64). There was lower IPT completion among clients who transferred to another clinic compared to those attended the same clinic where they were initiated IPT (PR: 0.63: 95% CI (0.54-0.74). Conclusion: IPT completion is low at care and treatment clinics although it increased over time. Lower IPT completion was seen in PLHIV with CD4 counts between 100 to 349 cells/ , those who transferred to other clinics and those not on ART. Thus it indicates the need for better IPT interventions with greater support PLHIV in those groups. Keywords: IPT completion, HIV, tuberculosis, predictors, Tanzania
Intake, rumen fermentation and apparent digestibility of Aerbasi cashmere goats fed corn stover, caragana and their mixture on the Mongolian plateau
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhou Tianrong , Jia Yushan , Na Suri , Cai Yimin , Ge Gentu
Published: December 2019

Background To effectively use local available feed resources to address the problem of animal feed shortage in winter, the intake, rumen fermentation and apparent digestibility of Aerbasi cashmere goats fed corn stover (CS), caragana (CA) and their mixture were studied on Mongolian plateau.Results Sixty healthy Aerbasi cashmere goats (BW 30 ± 2.35 kg) were used in this experiment and the diet were assigned randomly to one of 5 groups (12 sheep/group) in a completely randomized design. The basal diets contain same ratio of concentrate and premix, but different mixing ratio of dry CS and CA. The treatments were designed as CS, CA, CS 80% + CA 20% (MT1), CS 50% + CA 50% (MT2), and CS 20% + CA 80% (MT3). Statistical analyses of chemical composition, intake, apparent digestibility, particle size distribution and fermentation were performed by one-way ANOVA using the general linear model (GLM) procedure of SAS version 9.1. With an increased mixing ratio of CA, intake of DM, NDF, and half cellulose was decreased ( P <0.05). Meanwhile intake of CP, ADF, and acid detergent lignin (ADL) was increased ( P <0.05). The apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM), and NDF in the CS treatment was higher ( P <0.05) than in the other treatments. Compared to the CS treatment, the proportion of particles ≤ 0.1 mm in size was significantly ( P <0.05) higher in the CA treatment, but this was not the case for particles > 5.0 mm. With an increased mixing ratio of CA, the proportions of 0.5–1.0 and 1.0–5.0 mm particles decreased ( P <0.05), but the proportion of > 5.0 mm particles did not. Meanwhile, the proportions of ≤ 0.1 and 0.1–0.5 mm particles increased ( P <0.05).Conclusion The results confirm that caragana and corn stover can be used as animal feed and their mix ration of 4 to 1 has a good mix ratio for goat feed, based on the DM intake, apparent digestibility and VFA contents, and proportion of particles > 1.0 mm in size..
Heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) modulates adiponectin signaling by stabilizing adiponectin receptor
Authors: Zhang Deling , Liu Hua , Zhang Yemin , Li Junfeng , Fu Yalin , Zheng Yuyang , Wu Jie , Ma Mingke , Wen Zhongyuan , Wang Changhua
Published: December 2019

Adiponectin, an adipokine produced and secreted by adipocytes, is involved in regulating the development and progression of insulin resistance, diabetes, and diabetic complications. Heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) is a molecular chaperone, most commonly presenting in mitochondria and participating in the maintenance of protein homeostasis. Accumulating studies have demonstrated that the elevated circulating HSP60 and the decreased intracellular HSP60 are closely associated with diabetic complications such as diabetic cardiomyopathy. However, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. In the present study, we reported that HSP60 interacted directly with adiponectin receptors. Its abundance was positively associated with adiponectin action. Furthermore, HSP60 depletion markedly mitigated the protective impacts of adiponectin on high glucose-induced oxidative stress and cell apoptosis in rat cardiac H9c2 cells. In addition, HSP60 knockdown significantly enhanced proteasome activity leading to the degradation of adiponectin receptor 1. Taken together, we showed for the first time that HSP60 interacted with adiponectin receptors and mediated adiponectin signaling through stabilizing adiponectin receptor. This in vitro study also provides an alternative explanation for mechanism by which adiponectin exerts its action.
Incidence and time trends of sarcoma (2000-2013): results from the French Network of Cancer registries (FRANCIM)
Authors: Amadeo Brice , Penel Nicolas , Coindre Jean-Michel , Ray-coquard Isabelle , Ligier Karine , Delafosse Patricia , Bouvier Anne-Marie , Plouvier Sandrine , Gallet Justine , Lacourt Aude , Coureau Gaëlle , Mathoulin-Pélissier Simone , Desandes Emmanuel
Published: December 2019

Background : The exhaustive collection of new sarcoma cases and their second histologic review offer a unique opportunity to study their incidence and time trends in France according to the major subtypes. Methods : Data were collected from population-based cancer registries covering 22% of the French population. Crude and world age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) were estimated according to anatomic, histological and genetic groups, age and sex over the 2010-2013 period. Results: Time trends in incidence were calculated by the annual percent change over the 2000-2013 period. During the most recent period (2010-2013), 3,942 patients with sarcoma were included. The ASR of soft-tissue and bone sarcomas, and gastro-intestinal stromal tumors (GIST) were 2.1, 1.0 and 0.6, respectively. For the four most frequent histological subtypes (unclassified, leiomyosarcoma, GIST and liposarcoma), the ASR ranged from 0.4 to 0.7. ASRs were 1.9 for complex genomic and 1.3 for recurrent translocation sarcomas. The time-trend analysis showed a significant increase of sarcoma incidence rate between 2000 and 2005, which stabilized thereafter. Incidence rates increased for four histological subtypes (GIST, chondrosarcoma, myxofibrosarcoma, solitary fibrous tumors) and decreased for three (leiomyosarcomas, Kaposi sarcoma and fibrosarcoma). Conclusion : To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate sarcoma incidence based on a systematic pathological review of these cancers and on the updated sarcoma classifications. Due to the paucity of literature on sarcomas, future studies using data from population-based cancer registries should consider a standardized inclusion criterion presented in our study to better describe and compare data between countries.
Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Hemiplegic Upper Limb of Stroke Survivors: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Zhang Wenyue , Pei Shuye , Huang Juan , Tang Yao , Hu Huaidong
Published: December 2019

Background: Whether NMES helps the recovery of upper limb function in patients with hemiparesis has not been confirmed. We conducted this meta-analysis to examine the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for upper limb hemiparesis after stroke.Methods: Data sources such as Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane library databases were searched for all relevant studies that were carried out before December 1, 2018.We selected the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which included chronic and acute stroke patients with upper extremity dysfunction. Then the intervention group which applied NMES was compared with a control group without NMES. Results: A total of 16 RCTs involving 691 patients were discerned from 248 searched articles. According to the forest plot ,NMES had a significant benefit on FMA-ue scale(SMD=0.44,95%CI 0.13 to 0.74,P=0.006).Also, NMES was positive for ARAT(SMD=0.31,95%CI 0.05 to 0.58,P=0.019)and MAL-AOU(SMD=0.59,95%CI 0.15 to1.04,P=0.009),but not for wrist MAS(SMD=-0.12,95%CI -0.43 to 0.19,P=0.434) or BI(SMD=0.51,95%CI -0.65 to 1.66,P=0.392).Conclusion: NMES application has beneficial impacts on upper extremity motor function in patients with stroke. This study suggests that NMES ought to be applied as a beneficial rehabilitation means in improving the upper function.
Thymoma-associated nephrotic syndrome: report of seven cases
Authors: He Wei , Peng Zhangzhe , Xu Hui , Xiao Yu
Published: December 2019

Background: Thymoma is often associated with a series of paraneoplastic syndromes. Among them, thymoma-related nephrotic syndrome is much rare.Methods: This retrospective study collected data from patients with thymoma and renal involvement in Xiangya Hospital, Central South University in a period of 5 years to investigate the clinical characteristics of thymoma-associated nephrotic syndrome.Results: Seven patients were studied (age: 51.1±21.4 years old; male/female ratio: 5/2). Among them, thymic pathology revealed 2 cases of type A and 1 case of type B3, myasthenia gravis (MG) was found in 1 out of 7 cases. Renal pathology showed 2 cases of FSGS and 1 case of IgA nephropathy. 2 out of 7 cases who received combined therapy of steroid and immunosuppressive drugs achieved complete remission. Despite 3 out of 7 cases received surgical excision of thymoma, 2 of them experienced treatment failure in nephrotic syndrome.Conclusions: nephrotic syndrome can be associated with thymoma. The FSGS is the most frequent thymoma-associated glomerular lesion in this study. IgA nephropathy may be another pathological type in thymoma-associated NS. Despite after surgical excision, long treatment periods with high dosage of steroid combined with immunosuppressants were needed to achieve complete remission.
Influence of interleukin-18 polymorphisms on kidney transplantation outcomes: a meta-analysis
Authors: Eiamsitrakoon Thanee , Tharabenjasin Phuntila , Pabalan Noel , Mongkolrob Rungrawee , Bualuang Aporn , Tasanarong Adis
Published: December 2019

Objective: Kidney transplantation (KT) procedures are confronted with adverse outcomes that include allograft failure. Allograft survival are in large part attributed to genetics, which render the recipient susceptible or protected from allograft rejection. The genetics of KT outcomes point to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) where studies have reported the role of cytokines in allograft survival, one of which is interleukin-18 (IL-18). Reported associations of IL-18 with KT outcomes have been inconsistent. This prompted a meta-analysis to obtain more precise estimates. Methods: From four included articles, we posed two hypotheses about IL-18 SNPs: (1) they are either high in patients (hp) /controls (hc) based on genotype distribution (GD) and (2) they either increase or decrease the risks of allograft rejection. To this end, we compared the IL-18 genotypes to estimate odds ratios [ORs] and 95% confidence intervals using standard genetic models (homozygous, recessive, dominant and codominant). Subgrouping was ethnicity-based. Heterogeneous (random-effects) associations were subjected to outlier treatment which split the outcomes as pre- (PRO) and post- (PSO) outlier. Stability and robustness of the outcomes were analyzed by Bonferroni-correction and sensitivity treatment, respectively.Results: Our results revealed two core outcomes based on significance (Pa < 0.05): (1) genotype frequency was hp than hc (OR 1.34, Pa = 0.0007) in the codominant model (PSO) based on stability and robustness and (2) protection from allograft rejection (OR 0.74, Pa = 0.04) in the dominant model (PRO) based on homogeneity. Subgroup analysis showed that Caucasian and Asian outcomes validated the GD and allograft outcomes, respectively. Conclusions: The IL-18 SNPs showed associations (hp) with KT up to 1.3-fold and protected KT recipients from allograft rejection (26%). Subgroup outcomes delineated the Asian and Caucasian effects. Enabled by outlier treatment, these findings were supported by non-heterogeneity. More studies should confirm or counter our findings.
The association between climate, geography and respiratory syncitial virus hospitalizations among children in Ontario, Canada: a population-based study
Authors: Radhakrishnan Dhenuka , Ouedraogo Alexandra , Shariff Salimah Z. , McNally Dayre , Benchimol Eric I. , Clemens Kristin K.
Published: December 2019

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a major cause of hospitalization in young children in Canada, despite routine immunoprophylaxis in those with medical risk factors. We aimed to determine if cold temperatures are associated with RSV hospitalization.Methods: We conducted a population-based nested case–control study of children in Ontario, Canada, using health administrative data. We compared children hospitalized for RSV between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2012 to age and sex matched controls. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify associations between minimum daily temperature and RSV hospitalizations with adjustment for sociodemographic and environmental factors.Results: We identified 1670 children with RSV hospitalizations during the study period and 6680 matched controls. Warmer temperatures (OR=0.94, 95%CI: 0.93, 0.95) were associated with lower odds of RSV hospitalization. Southern ecozone (OR=1.6, 95%CI: 1.2, 2.1), increased ozone concentration (OR=1.03, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.06) and living in a lower income neighbourhood (OR=1.3, 95%CI: 1.1, 1.5) significantly increased the odds of RSV hospitalization, as did living in a household with a larger number of siblings in a sub-cohort of children (OR=1.34, 95%CI: 1.26, 1.41).Conclusions: In Ontario, the likelihood of having an RSV hospitalization is associated with colder temperature exposures and socioeconomic factors.
Evaluation of lateral flow immunochromatographic assay for diagnostic accuracy of cryptococcosis
Authors: Xie Li-Min , Lin Geng-ling , Dong Hao-Neng , Liao Ying-Xia , Liu Ye-Ling , Qin Jian-Feng , Guo Xu-Guang
Published: December 2019

Background : Cryptococcus is a conditional pathogenic fungus causing cryptococcosis, which is one of the most serious fungal diseases faced by humans. Lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFA) is successfully applied to the rapid detection of cryptococcal antigens. Methods : Studies were retrieved systematically from the Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library before July 2019. The quality of the studies was assessed by Review Manager 5.0 based on the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Study guidelines. The extracted data from the included studies were analyzed by Meta-DiSc 1.4. Stata 12.0 software was used to detect the publication bias. Results : A total of 15 articles with 31 fourfold tables were adopted by inclusion and exclusion criteria. The merged sensitivity and specificity in serum were 0.98 and 0.98, respectively, and those in the cerebrospinal fluid were 0.99 and 0.99, respectively. Conclusions : Compared to the urine and other samples, LFA in serum and cerebrospinal fluid is favorable evidence for the diagnosis of cryptococcosis with high specificity and sensitivity.
Rotavirus breakthrough infections responsible for gastroenteritis in vaccinated infants who presented with acute diarrhea at University Teaching Hospitals, Children's Hospital in 2016, in Lusaka Zambia
Authors: Simwaka Julia , Mulundu Gina , Mwenda Jason , Chilengi Roma , Mpabalwani Evans , Munsaka Sody , Kaonga Patrick , Seheri Mapaseka
Published: December 2019

Background Rotavirus has continued to affect under five children despite the introduction of the vaccine. This study aimed at characterizing the rotavirus genotypes responsible for diarrhoea infections in vaccinated infants aged 2 to 12 months and determined the relationship between rotavirus strains and the severity of diarrhoea in 2016. Materials and Methods We tested stool for group A rotavirus P6 antigen using an ELISA kit (ProSpecT TM , Oxford, UK). All positive specimens with enough sample were genotyped using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A 20-point Vesikari clinical score was used to determine the severity of acute diarrhoea. Diarrhoea scores between 1-5 were considered as mild, 6-10 scores were considered as moderate and scores greater or equal to 11 considered as severe. Results 153/424 (36%, 95% CI 31.5% to 40.9%) were positive for VP6 rotavirus antigen. The age specific rotavirus infections decreased significantly (p = 0.041) from 2 - 4 months 32.0%,followed by a 38.8% infection rate in the 5-8 months category and subsequently dropped in the infants aged 9-12 months with a positivity rate of 27.2%. 12.3% received a single dose of rotarix vaccine, 77.8% received 2 doses, and 9.9% were not vaccinated. 38.5% of those who received a single dose, 34.5% of those who received a complete dose and 45.2% of the unvaccinated tested positive for rotavirus. Infants who tested positive differed significantly from those who tested negative in terms of fever (p = 0.010).The predominant rotavirus genotypes were, G2P[6] 36%, G1P[8] 32%, mixed infections 19%, G2P[4] 6%, G1P[6] 4% and G9P[6] 3%. Infants who were infected with G1P8 and G2P[6] had a median Vesikari score of 6, while those who were infected with G1P[6] and mixed infections had a median score of 7 and those with infections due to G2P[4] and G9P[6] had median scores of 4 and 8 respectively. Discussion and Conclusion The breakthrough infection of heterotypic strains (G2P[6] (36%), homotypic, G1P[8] (32%) and mixed infections (19%) raises concerns about the effects of the vaccination on the rotavirus diversity, considering the selective pressure that rotavirus vaccines could exert on viral populations.
CCL2/CCR2 system in neuroepithelial radial glia progenitor cells: Involvement in stimulatory, sexually dimorphic effects of maternal ethanol on embryonic development of hypothalamic peptide neurons
Authors: Chang Guo-Qing , Karatayev Olga , Boo Devi Sai Sri Kavya , Leibowitz Sarah F.
Published: December 2019

Background: Clinical and animal studies show that alcohol consumption during pregnancy produces lasting behavioral disturbances in offspring, including increased alcohol drinking, which are linked to inflammation in the brain and disturbances in neurochemical systems that promote these behaviors. These include the neuropeptide, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), which is mostly expressed in the lateral hypothalamus (LH). Maternal ethanol administration at low-to-moderate doses, while stimulating MCH neurons without affecting apoptosis or gliogenesis, increases in LH the density of neurons expressing the inflammatory chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2) and its receptor CCR2 and their colocalization with MCH. These neural effects associated with behavioral changes are reproduced by maternal CCL2 administration, reversed by a CCR2 antagonist, and consistently stronger in females than males. The present study investigates in the embryo the developmental origins of this CCL2/CCR2-mediated stimulatory effect of maternal ethanol exposure on MCH neurons. Methods : Pregnant rats from embryonic day 10 (E10) to E15 during peak neurogenesis were orally administered ethanol at a moderate dose (2 g/kg/day) or peripherally injected with CCL2 or CCR2 antagonist to test this neuroimmune system’s role in ethanol’s actions. Using real-time quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence histochemistry, in situ hybridization, and confocal microscopy, we examined in embryos at E19 the CCL2/CCR2 system and MCH neurons in relation to radial glia progenitor cells in the hypothalamic neuroepithelium where neurons are born and radial glia processes projecting laterally through the medial hypothalamus that provide scaffolds for neuronal migration into LH. Results: We demonstrate that maternal ethanol increases radial glia cell density and their processes while stimulating the CCL2/CCR2 system and these effects are mimicked by maternal administration of CCL2 and blocked by a CCR2 antagonist. While stimulating CCL2 colocalization with radial glia and neurons but not microglia, ethanol increases MCH neuronal number near radial glia cells and making contact along their processes projecting into LH. Further tests identify the CCL2/CCR2 system in NEP as a primary source of ethanol’s sexually dimorphic actions. Conclusions: These findings provide new evidence for how an inflammatory chemokine pathway functions within neuroprogenitor cells to mediate ethanol’s long-lasting, stimulatory effects on peptide neurons linked to adolescent drinking behavior.