bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
De novo transcriptome sequencing of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) fleshy roots: analysis of major genes involved in the anthocyanin synthesis pathway
Authors: Gao Jian , Li Wen-Bo , Liu Hong-Fang , Chen Fa-Bo
Published: October 2019

Background

The HongXin radish (Raphanus sativus L.), which contains the natural red pigment (red radish pigment), is grown in the Fuling district of Chongqing City. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying anthocyanin synthesis for the formation of natural red pigment in the fleshy roots of HongXin radish are not well studied.

Results

De novo transcriptome of HX-1 radish, as well as that of the advanced inbred lines HX-2 and HX-3 were characterized using next generation sequencing (NGS) technology. In total, approximately 66.22 million paired-end reads comprising 34, 927 unigenes (N50 = 1, 621 bp) were obtained. Based on sequence similarity search with known proteins, total of 30, 127 (about 86.26%) unigenes were identified. Additionally, functional annotation and classification of these unigenes indicated that most of the unigenes were predominantly enriched in the metabolic process-related terms, especially for the biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites. Moreover, majority of the anthocyanin biosynthesis-related genes (ABRGs) involved in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis were identified by targeted search for their annotation. Subsequently, the expression of 15 putative ABRGs involved in the anthocyanin synthesis-related pathways were validated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Of those, RsPAL2, RsCHS-B2, RsDFR1, RsDFR2, RsFLS, RsMT3 and RsUFGT73B2-like were identified significantly associated with anthocyanin biosynthesis. Especially for RsDFR1, RsDFR2 and RsFLS, of those, RsDFR1 and RsDFR2 were highest enriched in the HX-3 and WG-3, but RsFLS were down-regulated in HX-3 and WG-3. We proposed that the transcripts of RsDFR1, RsDFR2 and RsFLS might be act as key regulators in anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway.

Conclusions

The assembled radish transcript sequences were analysed to identify the key ABRGs involved in the regulation of anthocyanin biosynthesis. Additionally, the expression patterns of candidate ABRGs involved in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway were validated by qRT-PCR. We proposed that the transcripts of RsDFR1, RsDFR2 and RsFLS might be acted as key regulators in anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway. This study will enhance our understanding of the biosynthesis and metabolism of anthocyanin in radish.
Correction to: Advancing interdisciplinary research in head and neck cancer through a multicenter longitudinal prospective cohort study: the NETherlands QUality of life and BIomedical Cohort (NET-QUBIC) data warehouse and biobank
Authors: Verdonck-de Leeuw I. M. , Jansen F. , Brakenhoff R. H. , Langendijk J. A. , Takes R. , Terhaard C. H. J. , Baatenburg de Jong R. J. , Smit J. H. , Leemans C. R.
Published: October 2019

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported the name of R.J. Baatenburg de Jong was incorrectly tagged in the HTML version of the article.
Congenital prepubic sinus with dorsal penile curvature: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wang Chuan , Ma Xue
Published: October 2019

Background

Congenital prepubic sinus (CPS) is a rare congenital anomaly and widely thought to be a variant of urethral duplication. Histological examination of this case gives a clue to this theory. CPS with dorsal penile curvature has been reported in previous publications, but their procedures to correct the curvature are different from this case.

Case presentation

A 10-year-old boy complained of the pain in the dorsal base of the penis. Physical examination revealed an accessory meatus located in the midline of the dorsal proximal penis and moderate dorsal penile curvature with deficient dorsal foreskin. Imaging examination showed that the meatus did not communicate with either normal urethra or urinary bladder, and ended blindly at the level of the symphysis pubis. The intact 4-cm-long sinus was completely separated and excised. Penile curvature was corrected after the dorsal proximal fibrous cord was detached. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of urethral duplication.

Conclusions

The histological result of this case supports the theory that CPS is a variant of the dorsal urethra. Moreover, this case indicates that the curvature in patients with CPS may be caused by the dorsal fibrous cord at the beginning and the operation should be conducted at an early age to avoid further development of the curvature during puberty.
A phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, tadalafil, suppresses stromal predominance and inflammation in a rat model of nonbacterial prostatitis
Authors: Sugimoto Mikio , Zhang Xia , Ueda Nobufumi , Tsunemori Hiroyuki , Taoka Rikiya , Hayashida Yusi , Hirama Hiromi , Miyauchi Yasuyuki , Matsuoka Yuki , Naito Hirohito , Osaki Yu , Kekehi Yosiyuki
Published: October 2019

Background

Chronic inflammation is thought to be a major causative factor for the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5-I), which has been used for the treatment of BPH-LUTS in daily practice, is known to act at several urinary organs. In this study, focused on the prostate, we examined the effect of tadalafil on the pathological changes and inflammatory factors in a rat nonbacterial prostatitis (NBP) model.

Methods

Forty ten-month-old male Wistar rats were divided into nonbacterial prostatitis (NBP), NBP with tadalafil treatment (NBP-tadalafil), control, and control treated with tadalafil (control-tadalafil) groups (n = 10 per group). The NBP and NBP-tadalafil groups were castrated and then received daily subcutaneous 17β-estradiol for 30 days. The control-tadalafil and NBP-tadalafil groups were administered daily oral tadalafil for 30 days. All rats were then sacrificed and pathological changes and inflammatory factors were assessed in the prostatic tissues.

Results

In the NBP group, the stroma-to-epithelium (S/E) ratio in the ventral prostate was significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.001). In the NBP-tadalafil group, the S/E ratio was significantly lower than in the NBP group (P < 0.001). The macrophage levels and the extent of T-cell infiltration in the NBP-tadalafil group were significantly lower than in the NBP group (P < 0.005; P < 0.001, respectively). Compared with the NBP group, tissue concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-8, and interleukin-1β, were significantly downregulated in the NBP-tadalafil group (P < 0.01; P < 0.05; P < 0.005, respectively).

Conclusions

Tadalafil suppressed stromal predominance and showed anti-inflammatory effects in a rat NBP model in association with downregulation of inflammatory cytokines.
Enrichment of superoxide dismutase 2 in glioblastoma confers to acquisition of temozolomide resistance that is associated with tumor-initiating cell subsets
Authors: Chien Chia-Hung , Chuang Jian-Ying , Yang Shun-Tai , Yang Wen-Bin , Chen Pin-Yuan , Hsu Tsung-I , Huang Chih-Yuan , Lo Wei-Lun , Yang Ka-Yen , Liu Ming-Sheng , Chu Jui-Mei , Chung Pei-Hsuan , Liu Jr-Jiun , Chou Shao-Wen , Chen Shang-Hung , Chang Kwang-Yu
Published: October 2019

Background

Intratumor subsets with tumor-initiating features in glioblastoma are likely to survive treatment. Our goal is to identify the key factor in the process by which cells develop temozolomide (TMZ) resistance.

Methods

Resistant cell lines derived from U87MG and A172 were established through long-term co-incubation of TMZ. Primary tumors obtained from patients were maintained as patient-derived xenograft for studies of tumor-initating cell (TIC) features. The cell manifestations were assessed in the gene modulated cells for relevance to drug resistance.

Results

Among the mitochondria-related genes in the gene expression databases, superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) was a significant factor in resistance and patient survival. SOD2 in the resistant cells functionally determined the cell fate by limiting TMZ-stimulated superoxide reaction and cleavage of caspase-3. Genetic inhibition of the protein led to retrieval of drug effect in mouse study. SOD2 was also associated with the TIC features, which enriched in the resistant cells. The CD133+ specific subsets in the resistant cells exhibited superior superoxide regulation and the SOD2-related caspase-3 reaction. Experiments applying SOD2 modulation showed a positive correlation between the TIC features and the protein expression. Finally, co-treatment with TMZ and the SOD inhibitor sodium diethyldithiocarbamate trihydrate in xenograft mouse models with the TMZ-resistant primary tumor resulted in lower tumor proliferation, longer survival, and less CD133, Bmi-1, and SOD2 expression.

Conclusion

SOD2 plays crucial roles in the tumor-initiating features that are related to TMZ resistance. Inhibition of the protein is a potential therapeutic strategy that can be used to enhance the effects of chemotherapy.

Graphical abstract
Advocacy of diagnostic criteria for maxillary incisive canal cysts based on alteration of normal maxillary incisive canals according to aging in Japanese populations
Authors: Ueda Naruhiko , Tanaka Tatsurou , Oda Masafumi , Wakasugi-Sato Nao , Matsumoto-Takeda Shinobu , Miyamura Yuichi , Jyoujima Takaaki , Kiyota Kouichi , Tsutsumi Kensuke , Morimoto Yasuhiro
Published: October 2019

Background

The purpose of the present study was to describe the CT imaging findings of normal incisive canals and incisive canal cysts and propose cut-off values to differentiate between them.

Methods

A total of 220 normal subjects and 40 patients with incisive canal cysts on multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) were retrospectively analyzed. The shapes, sizes, anatomic variations, Hounsfield scale values, and so on of maxillary incisive canals and the sizes and Hounsfield scale values of maxillary incisive canal cysts were analyzed.

Results

A significant difference in sizes of maxillary incisive canals in normal subjects was found between males and females. The sizes of maxillary incisive canals were significantly wider during aging, but shapes, anatomic variations, and Hounsfield scale values in the maxillary incisive canals were not significantly different with aging. A significant difference in sizes but not Hounsfield scale values was found between normal maxillary incisive canals and maxillary incisive canal cysts. Based on a cut-off of over 6 mm in the width of incisive canals, maxillary incisive canal cysts could not be appropriately diagnosed for subjects over 60 years of age. Over 60 years of age, maxillary incisive canal cysts could be appropriately diagnosed based on a cut-off of over 7.1 mm in width of incisive canals. When maxillary incisive canals of the hourglass types were seen on sagittal sections, significantly more patients had maxillary incisive canal cysts than other types.

Conclusion

In coincidentally diagnosing asymptomatic incisive canal cysts on imaging, we should apply different cut-offs for the size of the maxillary incisive canal for patients over and under 60 years of age. Specifically, the cut-offs for the long axis of maxillary incisive canal cysts were 7.1 mm for patients over 60 years of age and 6.0 mm for those under 60 years of age. In addition, we should pay attention to wider canals with hourglass shapes as indicative of cystic change of maxillary incisive canals.
Mental health and risk behaviors of children in rural China with different patterns of parental migration: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Feng , Lu Jingjing , Lin Leesa , Zhou Xudong
Published: October 2019

Background

One in seven members of China’s population are migrants. There are an estimated 41 million children left behind in rural areas who are living without one or both of their parents. The impact of two- and single-parent migration on child mental health and risk behaviors is unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the mental health and risk behaviors among children whose parents are either both migrating (B-LBC), have one parent migrating (O-LBC) or those whose parents do not migrate (N-LBC).

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire conducted in rural areas with high proportions of left behind children (LBC) in Anhui Province, southeast China. The tools used were the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaires, Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the Young’s Internet Addiction Test for Chinese.

Results

Full data were available for 699 B-LBC, 552 O-LBC and 741 N-LBC. After adjusting for gender, age, grade, number of siblings and self-rated socio-economic status, B-LBC were significantly more likely to have higher emotional symptoms scores (B(SE) = 0.36(0.11), p < 0.01), higher hyperactivity scores (B(SE) = 0.22(0.11), p < 0.01) and higher total difficulties scores (B(SE) = 0.79(0.29), p < 0.01) than N-LBC. B-LBC were also more likely to be an addicted internet user (OR(95%CI) = 1.91(1.33, 2.76), p < 0.01) compared to N-LBC. However, there were no identified differences between O-LBC and N-LBC or between O-LBC and B-LBC in any measures.

Conclusions

Our findings found that living with one parent or both parents was associated with better mental health and fewer risk behaviors than was being separated from both parents. Future research is needed to consider the implications of these findings for policies and programs to protect LBC, especially for those with two migrating parents.
Recombinant baculovirus expressing the FrC-OVA protein induces protective antitumor immunity in an EG7-OVA mouse model
Authors: Kondou Keigo , Suzuki Tomoyuki , Chang Myint Oo , Takaku Hiroshi
Published: October 2019

Background

The baculovirus (BV)Autographa californicamultiple nuclear polyhedrosis virus has been used in numerous protein expression systems because of its ability to infect insect cells and serves as a useful vaccination vector with several benefits, such as its low clinical risks and posttranslational modification ability. We recently reported that dendritic cells (DCs) infected with BV stimulated antitumor immunity. The recombinant BV (rBV) also strongly stimulated peptide-specific T-cells and antitumor immunity. In this study, the stimulation of an immune response against EG7-OVA tumors in mice by a recombinant baculovirus-based combination vaccine expressing fragment C-ovalbumin (FrC-OVA-BV; rBV) was evaluated.

Results

We constructed an rBV expressing fragment C (FrC) of tetanus toxin containing a promiscuous MHC II-binding sequence and a p30-ovalbumin (OVA) peptide that functions in the MHC I pathway. The results showed that rBV activated the CD8+T-cell-mediated response much more efficiently than the wild-type BV (wtBV). Experiments with EG7-OVA tumor mouse models showed that rBV significantly decreased tumor volume and increased survival compared with those in the wild-type BV or FrC-OVA DNA vaccine groups. In addition, a significant antitumor effect of classic prophylactic or therapeutic vaccinations was observed for rBV against EG7-OVA-induced tumors compared with that in the controls.

Conclusion

Our findings showed that FrC-OVA-BV (rBV) induced antitumor immunity, paving the way for its use in BV immunotherapy against malignancies.
Global, regional, and national burden of Hodgkin lymphoma from 1990 to 2017: estimates from the 2017 Global Burden of Disease study
Authors: Zhou Linghui , Deng Yujiao , Li Na , Zheng Yi , Tian Tian , Zhai Zhen , Yang Si , Hao Qian , Wu Ying , Song Dingli , Zhang Dai , Lyu Jun , Dai Zhijun
Published: October 2019

Background

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is an uncommon B cell lymphoma. We assessed the global, regional, and national burden of HL from 1990 to 2017, by gender, age, and social-demographic index (SDI).

Methods

Data on HL, including incidence, mortality, and disability adjusted life-years (DALY), from 1990 to 2017 were obtained from the 2017 Global Burden of Disease study. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were calculated to assess incidence rate, mortality, and DALY trends.

Results

HL incidences increased by 38.66%, from 72,937 in 1990 to 101,133 in 2017, while the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) was relatively stable. ASIR decreased in the low SDI regions (EAPC = − 2.58; 95% CI, from − 2.66 to − 2.49) and was stable in the other four SDI regions. Incidence showed a bimodal distribution with peak values in patients aged 20–39 years and patients aged 60 years or higher. The number of death cases and DALYs were stable. The age-standardized death rate decreased by 2.36% (95% CI, from − 2.43% to − 2.30%) per year. The annual age-standardized DALY rate decreased by 2.29% (95% CI, from − 2.36% to − 2.21%). The incidence and mortality in male subjects was higher than that in female subjects. The incidence in male and female subjects aged 15–30 years old was close, whereas the biggest difference existed in patients aged < 10 years old and 45–75 years old between genders.

Conclusion

Globally, incidence of HL was stable, while mortality and DALY rate of HL had been decreasing from 1990 to 2017. Compared with lower and decreasing ASIR in the low SDI region, ASIR in the high SDI region was always high, indicating the need for HL treatment improvement and the establishment of more targeted and specific strategies in high SDI countries to reduce the incidence of HL.
MiRNA-802 suppresses proliferation and migration of epithelial ovarian cancer cells by targeting YWHAZ
Authors: Yang Bo , Sun Li , Liang Lei
Published: October 2019

Background

The imbalance of expression of microRNA-802 may have a significant place in tumor progression. However, the bio-function of epithelial ovarian cancer cells remains unclear. Therefore, we setup this study to explore the pathogenesis of epithelial ovarian cancer based on microRNA-802.

Methods

RT-qPCR analysis was used to measure the expression level of microRNA802 and YWHAZ in epithelial ovarian cancer. CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry and transwell assay were used to detect the effects of microRNA-802 on cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration. Target gene prediction and screening, luciferase reporting experiments were applied to validate the downstream target genes of microRNA-802. The effects of microRNA-802 on the expression of YWHAZ and its biological effects were measured by Western blotting and RT-qPCR.

Results

Compared with normal cell lines and tissues, the expression level of microRNA-802 was obviously down-regulated in cancer related cell lines and tissues. Overexpression of microRNA-802 could obviously inhibit the invasion and proliferation and induce apoptosis. In addition, YWHAZ was the binding target protein of miR-802 for epithelial ovarian cancer cells. YWHAZ was obviously up-regulated in human epithelial ovarian cancer cells, and YWHAZ was negatively correlated with the expression of miR-802. YWHAZ can partly eliminate the inhibitory effect caused by overexpression of miR-802 on growth and metastasis of epithelial ovarian cancer cells.

Conclusion

miR-802 can regulate the occurrence and development of epithelial ovarian cancer by targeting YWHAZ.
Neonatologist performed echocardiography (NPE) in Italian neonatal intensive care units: a national survey
Authors:   On Behalf of Study Group of Neonatal Cardiology of the Italian Society of Neonatology, Corsini Iuri , Ficial Benjamim , Fiocchi Stefano , Schena Federico , Capolupo Irma , Cerbo Rosa Maria , Condò Manuela , Doni Daniela , La Placa Simona , Porzio Salvatore , Rossi Katia , Salvadori Sabrina , Savoia Marilena
Published: October 2019

Background

Neonatologist performed echocardiography (NPE) has increasingly been used to assess the hemodynamic status in neonates. Aim of this survey was to investigate the utilization of NPE in Italian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Methods

We conducted an on-line survey from June to September 2017. A questionnaire was developed by the Italian neonatal cardiology study group and was sent to each Italian NICU.

Results

The response rate was 77%. In 94% of Italian NICUs functional echocardiography was used by neonatologists, cardiologists or both (57, 15 and 28% respectively). All the respondents used NPE in neonates with patent ductus arteriosus and persistent pulmonary hypertension, 93% in neonates with hypotension or shock, 85% in neonates with perinatal asphyxia, 78% in suspicion of cardiac tamponade, and 73% for line positioning.

In 30% of center, there was no NPE protocol. Structural echocardiography in stable and critically ill neonates was performed exclusively by neonatologists in 46 and 36% of center respectively.

Conclusions

NPE is widely used in Italian NICUs by neonatologists. Structural echocardiography is frequently performed by neonatologists. Institutional protocols for NPE are lacking. There is an urgent need of a formal training process and accreditation to standardize the use of NPE.
Biorenewable triblock copolymers consisting of l-lactide and ε-caprolactone for removing organic pollutants from water: a lifecycle neutral solution
Authors: Bernhardt Katrina T. , Collins Haley G. , Balija Amy M.
Published: October 2019

Background

Current methods of removing organic pollutants from water are becoming ineffective as the world population increases. In this study, a series of biorenewable triblock copolymers with hydrophobic poly(ε-caprolactone) block and hydrophilic poly(l-lactide) blocks were synthesized and tested as agents to remove environmental pollutants from an aqueous solution. The percent of pollutant removed and equilibrium inclusion constants were calculated for the polymers. These values were compared to previously known removal agents for their effectiveness.

Results

Triblock copolymer samples removed over 70% of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) phenanthrene from an aqueous solution, with selectivity for the adsorption of phenanthrene over other PAHs tested. The inclusion constant was 7.4 × 105 M−1and adsorption capacity was 5.8 × 10−7mol phenanthrene/g polymer. Rose Bengal was used to further probe the nature of interactions between the copolymers and a small molecule guest. Solid samples of theblock-poly(l-lactide)–block-poly(ε-caprolactone)–block-poly(l-lactide) (PLLA–PCL–PLLA) systems were found to rapidly remove over 90% of Rose Bengal from aqueous solution, resulting in a complete disappearance of the characteristic pink color. Solutions of the copolymers in dichloromethane also removed Rose Bengal from water with a similar level of efficiency. Large inclusion constant values were obtained, ranging from 1.0 × 105to 7.9 × 105 M−1, and the average adsorption capacity value of 6.2 × 10−7 mol/g polymer was determined. Aged polymer samples exhibited different adsorption characteristics and mechanistic theories for the removal of Rose Bengal were determined.

Conclusion

The triblock copolymer consisting ofl-lactide and ε-caprolactone was effective in removing various organic pollutants in aqueous environments. It is a biorenewable material which leads to minimal waste production during its lifecycle. These polymers were in general more effective in removing organic pollutants than commercially available pollution removal systems.
Physiological phenotyping of mammalian cell lines by enzymatic activity fingerprinting of key carbohydrate metabolic enzymes: a pilot and feasibility study
Authors: Geiger Julian , Doelker Rebecca , Salö Sofia , Roitsch Thomas , Dalgaard Louise T.
Published: October 2019

Objective

Enzymatic fingerprinting of key enzymes of glucose metabolism is a valuable analysis tool in cell physiological phenotyping of plant samples. Yet, a similar approach for mammalian cell line samples is missing. In this study, we applied semi-high throughput enzyme activity assays that were originally designed for plant samples and tested their feasibility in extracts of six frequently used mammalian cell lines (Caco2, HaCaT, C2C12, HEK293, HepG2 and INS-1E).

Results

Enzyme activities for aldolase, hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucoisomerase, phosphoglucomutase, phosphofructokinase could be detected in samples of one or more mammalian cell lines. We characterized effects of sample dilution, assay temperature and repeated freeze–thaw cycles causing potential biases. After careful selection of experimental parameters, the presented semi-high throughput methods could be established as useful tool for physiological phenotyping of cultured mammalian cells.
Chromogenic medium versus PCR–RFLP in the speciation of Candida: a comparative study
Authors: Leena Sankari Sankar , Mahalakshmi Krishnan , Naveen Kumar Venkatesan
Published: October 2019

Objective

Candidaspecies is implicated in a wide array of clinical infections. Speciation of Candida strains is of prime importance in the epidemiological survey and laboratory diagnosis as there is an upswing of antifungal resistance and changing trends in the antifungal resistance pattern amongC. albicansand nonalbicans Candida. Varied phenotypic methods are available for the identification ofCandidaspecies which vary in principles and cost factors. Chromogenic agar medium (HiCromeCandidadifferential agar) is one of the preferred phenotypic methods in limited resource laboratories. Hence, this study was aimed to assess the reliability of HiCromeCandidadifferential agar, M1297A (HiMedia) in the identification ofCandidaspecies compared polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP). OralCandidaisolates (n = 194) were inoculated onto HiCromeCandidadifferential agar and the potential ofCandidadifferential Agar was compared with PCR–RFLP.

Results

The results were not in agreement with PCR–RFLP. Percentage of disagreement was 40.2, 50.0, 100.0 and 25.0 forCandida albicans,Candida krusei, Candida glabrataandCandida tropicalisrespectively. PCR–RFLP demonstrated a very high discriminatory power in the identification ofCandidaspecies compared to agar.
Nematicidal potential of Streptomyces antibioticus strain M7 against Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Sharma Manish , Jasrotia Shivam , Ohri Puja , Manhas Rajesh Kumari
Published: October 2019

Meloidogyne spp. are microscopic, obligatory endoparasites with worldwide distribution which cause severe damage to agricultural crops. The present study revealed the nematicidal activity of Streptomyces antibioticus strain M7 against Meloidogyne incognita. The culture supernatant of the isolate caused 100% J2 mortality after 24 h and inhibited egg hatching (only 3%). In addition, the nematicidal activity of actinomycins V, X2 and D purified from strain M7 was also checked. In vitro studies displayed 97.0–99.0% juvenile mortality and 28.0–44.0% egg hatching after 168 h at 240 µg/ml of actinomycin, with LD50 (lethal dose) values of 28–120 µg/ml. In vivo study further validated the nematicidal activity of strain M7, where nematode infested tomato plants treated with culture supernatant/cells/solvent extract showed reduction in root galls and egg masses per plant by 50.0–62.06% and 53.48–76.74%, respectively, and significantly enhanced the shoot length (54.67–76.39%), root length (36.45–64.88%), shoot fresh weight (111–171.77%), root fresh weight (120–163.33%), shoot dry weight (54.45–145.45%), and root dry weight (100–133.3%) over the nematode infested plants treated with water. Furthermore, tomato plants treated with cells/culture supernatant/extract of strain M7 without nematode infestation also showed significant increase in various plant growth parameters. Thus, the outcome of the study revealed the potential of S. antibioticus strain M7 and actinomycins produced from it to be developed as safe nematicidal agents to control the root knot nematodes, and to increase the crop yield.
Effects of high-flow nasal cannula and non-invasive ventilation on inspiratory effort in hypercapnic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a preliminary study
Authors: Rittayamai Nuttapol , Phuangchoei Prapinpa , Tscheikuna Jamsak , Praphruetkit Nattakarn , Brochard Laurent
Published: October 2019

Background

Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is preferred as the initial ventilatory support to treat acute hypercapnic respiratory failure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) may be an alternative method; however, the effects of HFNC in hypercapnic COPD are not well known. This preliminary study aimed at assessing the physiologic effects of HFNC at different flow rates in hypercapnic COPD and to compare it with NIV.

Methods

A prospective physiologic study enrolled 12 hypercapnic COPD patients who had initially required NIV, and were ventilated with HFNC at flow rates increasing from 10 to 50 L/min for 15 min in each step. The primary outcome was the effort to breathe estimated by a simplified esophageal pressure–time product (sPTPes). The other studied variables were respiratory rate, oxygen saturation (SpO2), and transcutaneous CO2 pressure (PtcCO2).

Results

Before NIV initiation, the median [interquartile range] pH was 7.36 [7.28–7.37] with a PaCO2 of 51 [42–60] mmHg. sPTPes per minute was significantly lower with HFNC at 30 L/min than 10 and 20 L/min (p < 0.001), and did not significantly differ with NIV (median inspiratory/expiratory positive airway pressure of 11 [10–12] and [5–5] cmH2O, respectively). At 50 L/min, sPTPes per minute increased compared to 30 L/min half of the patients. Respiratory rate was lower (p = 0.003) and SpO2 was higher (p = 0.028) with higher flows (30–50 L/min) compared to flow rate of 10 L/min and not different than with NIV. No significant differences in PtcCO2 between NIV and HFNC at different flow rates were observed (p = 0.335).

Conclusions

Applying HFNC at 30 L/min for a short duration reduces inspiratory effort in comparison to 10 and 20 L/min, and resulted in similar effect than NIV delivered at modest levels of pressure support in hypercapnic COPD with mild to moderate exacerbation. Higher flow rates reduce respiratory rate but sometimes increase the effort to breathe. Using HFNC at 30 L/min in hypercapnic COPD patients should be further evaluated. Trial registration Thai Clinical Trials Registry, TCTR20160902001. Registered 31 August 2016, http://www.clinicaltrials.in.th/index.php?tp=regtrials&menu=trialsearch&smenu=fulltext&task=search&task2=view1&id=2008.
A microheater on polyimide substrate for hand-held realtime microfluidic polymerase chain reaction amplification
Authors: Lee Dae-Sik , Choi Ok Ran , Seo Yujin
Published: October 2019

The development of a DNA microfluidic device with a high speed, low power, and low reagent volume is very critical for real-time genotyping and diagnosis in point-of-care applications. This paper reports a polymer-based thermal cycler for a handheld and battery-powered polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system using a polyimide (PI) film-based micro-fabricated heater module and polymer film microfluidic chambers of 10 μL, with a handheld and low power consumption, compared to state of the art. It took 21 min for 40 thermal cycling for DNA amplification and a maximum power consumption of 0.6 W. The microheater on PI film substrate fabricated and real-time quantification of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) using the heater in hand-held sizes experimentally shown here. The device would be applicable for on-site molecular diagnostics.
Phase separation of multiphase droplets in a digital microfluidic device
Authors: Nahar Mun Mun , Moon Hyejin
Published: October 2019

This study reports the first comprehensive investigation of separation of the immiscible phases of multiphase droplets in digital microfluidics (DMF) platform. Electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) actuation has been used to mechanically separate the phases. Phase separation performance in terms of percentage residue of one phase into another phase has been quantified. It was conceived that the residue formation can be controlled by controlling the deformation of the phases. The larger capillary number of the neck forming phase is associated with the larger amount of deformation as well as more residue. In this study, we propose two different ways to control the deformation of the phases. In the first method, we applied different EWOD operation voltages on two phases to maintain equal capillary numbers during phase separation. In the second method, while keeping the applied voltages same on both sides, we tested the phase separation performance by varying the actuation schemes. Less than 2% of residue was achieved by both methods, which is almost 90% improvement compared to the phase separation by the conventional droplet splitting technique in EWOD DMF platform, where the residue percentage can go up to 20%.
Characterization of the micro-contaminants from the inner-body of Kraak porcelain excavated from the “Nan’ao I” shipwreck, the South China Sea
Authors: Du Jingnan , Luo Wugan , Li Naisheng , Wang Changsui
Published: October 2019

In this paper, optical microscopy, SEM–EDS, Raman and FT-IR analyses were used to investigate different types of corrosion product between layers of glaze and body of Kraak porcelain objects that were excavated from “Nan’ao I” shipwreck, the South China Sea. Several contaminants including NaCl, CaSO4·2H2O, FeOOH and FeS2, were found in many of the pores and cracks of the porcelain objects from Jingdezhen Kiln and Zhangzhou Kiln, even after conservation. While compared with the sample of Jingdezhen Kiln, the contaminants in the sample of Zhangzhou Kilns much more severely. The research pointed out that these contaminants were formed due to the marine environment influence and cross-contamination with other metal relics located in the shipwreck, and more contaminants formed in porous structure, hence reduce the porcelain quality. As regards to conservation, the fragility of ceramic objects from underwater contexts are likely to be caused by various kinds of insoluble ferrous salts and its phase transition pressure. Previous studies on this kind of remains tend to focus on the macro-insoluble salts on the enamel surface. In this paper, preliminary investigations were performed for the first time on different kinds of inner micro-corrosion product in China.
Stratified membership: health care access for urban refugees in Turkey
Authors: Spahl Wanda , Österle August
Published: October 2019

Turkey hosts more refugees than any other country in the world. Incoming numbers have increased steadily since the outbreak of the Syrian war in 2011. This raises enormous challenges for the host country, not least with regard to the provision of healthcare. This article examines the developments in the light of stratified membership theories. More specifically, it asks how far the healthcare system in Turkey can be categorised as a system of stratified membership for different groups of urban refugees, focusing on refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Following a theoretical debate about stratification in the provision of social rights, 16 semi-structured interviews with experts and active participants were carried out in Ankara to understand the situation of urban refugees in need of healthcare. The results confirm assumptions of stratified membership theories which understand citizenship in a broad sense as comprising the interconnected dynamics between social rights, legal status and identity requirements. Next to ethnic categories of origin defining the status in Turkey, factors such as language skills or the individual economic situation also play crucial roles for stratified membership both as an empirical fact and as a constructed practice.
Attitude of physiotherapists toward electronic health record in Croatia
Authors: Filipec Manuela , Brumini Gordana
Published: October 2019

Background

Electronic health record can facilitate everyday clinical practice of physiotherapists. The aim of this study is to determine attitude of physiotherapists towards implementation of information technology in their work and the differences in attitude in relation to gender, age, level of education and type of health institutions.

Methods

This study is a cross-sectional survey of Croatian physiotherapists. The questionnaire ″Attitude of physiotherapists towards implementation of electronic health record included 12 items scored on a Likert-type scale from 1 to 5 and presented the award values as “Disagree”, “Neither agree nor disagree” and “Agree”. Croatian physiotherapists were (n = 267) recruited from 13 health care institutions. For analysis chi square test, t-test, one-way analysis of variance and as a post-hoc Tukey test were used.

Results

Explanatory factorial analysis confirmed two factors: Satisfaction in the work of physiotherapists using computers (SAT) and Necessity of computers in the work of physiotherapists (NEC). Most physiotherapists agree on (SAT) (47.9%) and on (NEC) (51.3%). Male physiotherapists were significantly more likely to disagree with statements related to SAT (p < 0.001) and NEC (p = 0.035) than female physiotherapists. Physiotherapists aged between 46 and 55 years were significantly more like to disagree on NEC in comparison to all the other groups of participants (p < 0.001). Physiotherapists with secondary school degree were significantly more like to disagree on NEC as compared with participants with bachelor’s degree (p = 0.009), as well as in comparison with physiotherapists with a university degree (p = 0.002). Most of the physiotherapists who are employed in Clinical hospitals and in the Speciality hospital agree with that statement (all p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The attitude of Croatian physiotherapists towards electronic health record differs according to the age, gender, level of education and type of health care institutions. This finding can facilitate implementation of electronic health record in physiotherapy.

Trial registration

Not applicable.
Forming effective relationships between academia and the medical devices industry with a focus on launching a smart heart valve prosthesis for pediatric patients
Authors: Liberski Albert R. , Butcher Jonathan T. , Nawrat Zbigniew , Golesworthy Tal , Al Thani Dena Ahmed
Published: October 2019

Background

This article presents examples of how to utilize the research output, to initiate academia-industry interaction, with the ultimate task of launching a new product: a smart heart valve prosthesis for pediatric patients. The article summarizes our efforts in a way that may also be informative to researchers working in fields other than medical devices development. Our task is not to provide a step-by-step guide, but rather to create inspiration, also by describing differences in expectations of business and academic entities.

Methods

We analyzed market reports, surveyed the scientific literature and conducted interviews with the key players in the field of medical devices. We also obtained a feedback from clinicians, academia and industry-related researchers, technology transfer centres, representatives of public organization and the creators of legislation.

Results

We have obtained and reported the definitive answers that together constitute a critical review of strategies that should be used by researchers who seek to commercialize the outputs of their research.

Conclusion

As a result of our investigation, we discovered that the commercialization of research is a complex process, which in some critical aspects does not depend solely on the researcher himself. The most promising ideas, supported by strong experimental evidence, can simply be overlooked by industry representatives, without the proper support of institutions such as a technology transfer centre. Besides, the involvement of scientists in a business project takes them, at least temporarily, outside the regular academic environment, which may cause discomfort and pose a risk to the career path. The limitation to be addressed is the reluctance to report the unsuccessful attempts, which should be considered a legitimate educational experience that ultimately leads to improvement.
Navigating with peripheral field loss in a museum: learning impairments due to environmental complexity
Authors: Barhorst-Cates Erica M. , Rand Kristina M. , Creem-Regehr Sarah H.
Published: October 2019

Background

Previous research has found that spatial learning while navigating in novel spaces is impaired with extreme restricted peripheral field of view (FOV) (remaining FOV of 4°, but not of 10°) in an indoor environment with long hallways and mostly orthogonal turns. Here we tested effects of restricted peripheral field on a similar real-world spatial learning task in an art museum, a more challenging environment for navigation because of valuable obstacles and unpredictable paths, in which participants were guided along paths through the museum and learned the locations of pieces of art. At the end of each path, participants pointed to the remembered landmarks. Throughout the spatial learning task, participants completed a concurrent auditory reaction time task to measure cognitive load.

Results

Unlike the previous study in a typical hallway environment, spatial learning was impaired with a simulated 10° FOV compared to a wider 60° FOV, as indicated by greater average pointing error with restricted FOV. Reaction time to the secondary task also revealed slower responses, suggesting increased attentional demands.

Conclusions

We suggest that the presence of a spatial learning deficit in the current experiment with this level of FOV restriction is due to the complex and unpredictable paths traveled in the museum environment. Our results also convey the importance of the study of low-vision spatial cognition in irregularly structured environments that are representative of many real-world settings, which may increase the difficulty of spatial learning while navigating.
Genomics and epidemiology for gastric adenocarcinomas (GE4GAC): a Brazilian initiative to study gastric cancer
Authors:   GE4GAC group, Bartelli Thais F. , Senda de Abrantes Lais L. , Freitas Helano C. , Thomas Andrew M. , Silva Jordana M. , Albuquerque Gabriela E. , Araújo Luiza F. , Branco Gabriela P. , de Amorim Maria G. , Serpa Marianna S. , Takenaka Isabella K. T. M. , Souza Deborah T. , Monção Lucas O. , Moda Bruno S. , Valieris Renan , Defelicibus Alexandre , Borges Rodrigo , Drummond Rodrigo D. , Alves Francisco I. A. , Santos Monize N. P. , Bobrovnitchaia Irina G. , Elhaik Eran , Coelho Luiz G. V. , Khayat André , Demachki Samia , Assumpção Paulo P. , Santiago Karina M. , Torrezan Giovana T. , Carraro Dirce M. , Peres Stela V. , Calsavara Vinícius F. , Burbano Rommel , Nóbrega Calebe R. , Baladão Graziela P. P. , Pereira Ana C. C. , Gatti Camila M. , Fagundes Marcela A. , Araújo Marília S. , Miranda Tayana V. , Barbosa Monica S. , Cardoso Daniela M. M. , Carneiro Lilian C. , Brito Alexandre M. , Ramos Amanda F. P. L. , Silva Lucas L. L. , Pontes Jaqueline C. , Tiengo Tatiane , Arantes Paola E. , Santana Vilma , Cordeiro Milena , Sant’Ana Rosane O. , Andrade Hanna B. , Anaissi Ana K. M. , Sampaio Sara V. , Abdallah Emne A. , Chinen Ludmilla T. D. , Braun Alexcia C. , Flores Bianca C. T. , Mello Celso A. L. , Claro Laura C. L. , Sztokfisz Claudia Z. , Altamirano Carlos C. , Carter David R. F. , Jesus Victor H. F. , Riechelmann Rachel , Medina Tiago , Gollob Kenneth J. , Martins Vilma R. , Setúbal João C. , Pelosof Adriane G. , Coimbra Felipe J. , Costa-Jr Wilson L. , Silva Israel T. , Nunes Diana N. , Curado Maria P. , Dias-Neto Emmanuel
Published: October 2019

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common type of cancer worldwide with high incidences in Asia, Central, and South American countries. This patchy distribution means that GC studies are neglected by large research centers from developed countries. The need for further understanding of this complex disease, including the local importance of epidemiological factors and the rich ancestral admixture found in Brazil, stimulated the implementation of the GE4GAC project. GE4GAC aims to embrace epidemiological, clinical, molecular and microbiological data from Brazilian controls and patients with malignant and pre-malignant gastric disease. In this letter, we summarize the main goals of the project, including subject and sample accrual and current findings.
Efficacy and hepatic complications of three endovascular treatment approaches for delayed postpancreatectomy hemorrhage: evolution over 15 years
Authors: Chang Yu-Chien , Liu Kao-Lang , Huang Yu-Cheng , Chen Po-Ting , Tien Yu-Wen , Lin Yen-Heng , Chang Yeun-Chung
Published: October 2019

Background

Delayed postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) is a fatal complication caused by arterial erosion. This study reports a single-center experience of managing delayed PPH with different endovascular treatment approaches.

Methods

We reviewed the data of patients who had delayed PPH due to hepatic artery or gastroduodenal artery stump perforation and underwent endovascular treatment between 2003 and 2018. We categorized endovascular treatment approaches involving hepatic artery sacrifice, superselective pseudoaneurysm embolization with hepatic artery preservation, and covered stent placement. Technical success rates, hemorrhage recurrence rates, major and minor hepatic complication rates, and 30-day and 1-year mortality rates were assessed.

Results

A total of 18 patients were reviewed; 11 (61%), 4 (22%), and 3 (17%) delayed PPH cases were managed through hepatic artery sacrifice, superselective pseudoaneurysm embolization, and hepatic artery stenting, respectively. Multidetector computed tomography was performed in 14 (78%) patients. The technical success rate was 100%. The overall hemorrhage recurrence rate was 39%, with superselective pseudoaneurysm embolization having a 100% hemorrhage recurrence rate—much higher than that of hepatic artery sacrifice or stent graft placement. The overall major and minor hepatic complication rates were 56% and 83%, respectively. The overall 30-day and 1-year mortality rates were 11% and 25%, respectively. The 30-day and 1-year mortality rates and minor and major hepatic complication rates were similar in each group.

Conclusion

Hepatic artery sacrifice is more effective than superselective pseudoaneurysm embolization in the management of delayed PPH. Covered stent placement may be a reasonable alternative treatment to hepatic artery sacrifice.