bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carcass characteristics and meat quality of male goat kids supplemented by alternative feed resources: Olive cake and cactus cladodes.
Authors: Otmani Samira El , Chebli Youssef , Chentouf Mouad , Hornick Jean-Luc , Cabaraux Jean-François
Published: March 2020

Background The current study was carried out to evaluate the effect of olive cake and cactus cladodes incorporation on carcass characteristics and meat quality of goat kids.Methods Forty-eight male goat kids were divided into four groups. The control group received a conventional supplementation and the test groups were supplemented with a concentrate containing, on dry matter basis, 35% of olive cake (OC), 30% of cactus cladodes (CC), or 15% OC and 15% CC (OC+CC) respectively. After 3 months, all animals were slaughtered and the carcass quality was characterized. Samples of Longissimus dorsi and Semimembranosus were collected to determine meat quality.Results The diets did not affect final body weight and carcass characteristics, except for muscle index that decreases with 35% OC, and redness and yellowness at tail outline and belly (P < 0.05). The OC incorporation increased yellowness at tail and decreased redness at belly (P < 0.05), while the CC inclusion decreased redness at tail outline (P < 0.01), and redness (P < 0.05) and yellowness at belly (P < 0.01). Meat ultimate pH, color, moisture and tenderness were not affected by diets. In Longissimus dorsi, higher proteins (P < 0.001) and lower fat and ash (P < 0.05) content were observed with CC, and lower proteins content with OC and OC+CC (P < 0.001). In Semimembranosus, a low initial pH (P < 0.05) was observed with OC and high protein content (P < 0.001) with CC and OC+CC. Generally, groups, ratios, and indexes of fatty acids (FA) were similar between groups, except FA profile that was affected by diet, especially for Semimembranosus. In Longissimus dorsi, the OC and CC introduction decreased C16:1, and C20: 3n3 increased with CC and OC+CC (P < 0.05). While in Semimembranosus, OC increased C6, C8, C18:3n3, C20:2 and C22:2, whereas CC incorporation reduced C8, C10, and C15:1, and OC+CC reduced C10 (P < 0.05).Conclusions This study was shown that OC and CC could be introduced in goat kids’ diet, without a negative effect on carcass characteristics and meat quality.
Effects of probiotics and Bidens pilosa on the performance and gut health of chicken during induced E. tenella infection
Authors: Memon Fareed Qamar , Yang Yunqio , Lv Feifei , Soliman A.M. , Chen Yunru , Sun Junying , Wang Yuhan , Zhang Geyin , Li Zheng , Xu Baichang , Gadahi Javaid Ali , Si Hongbin
Published: March 2020

Background

Probiotics and Medicinal plants are widely used as an alternative to treat different kinds of the acute and chronic diseases in all over the world. Bidens pilosa is commonly used as foods and therapeutics against various pathogens including protozoan. In the present study probiotics and Bidens pilosa were used to explore the anticoccidial activity during experimental infection of Eimeria tenella ( E. tenella ) in chicken

Methods

One hundred and fifty one-day-old Chinese yellow breed chickens were divided into five equal groups. Group 1 was kept as control group (CG; un-treated, unchallenged). All other groups were inoculated with E. tenella sporulated oocysts on day 21 of age. Group 2 was kept as positive control (CPG; un-treated, challenged). Group 3 was treated with probiotics (PG) at the rate of 1g/kg of feed. Group 4 was treated with Bidens pilosa (BPG) at the dose of 0.5%/kg of feed. Group 5 was kept as probiotics + Bidens pilosa group (PG + BPG). All birds were weighed initially, day of infection and the final day of experiment. On day 5, 6, 7 and 8 post-infection (PI), bloody diarrhea was scored as normal (0) to sever (1, 2, 3 and 4), at the same time oocysts shedding was quantified by McMaster method. Gross caecal lesion scoring was checked at the final day of experiment. The apoptosis related gene expressions (Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3), anti-oxidant enzymatic expressions (CAT, SOD 1), Peptide transporter 1 (PepT 1), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8) and tight junction proteins expressions (CLDN 1, ZO 1) were checked by real time PCR. All related gene expressions average relative to β-actin was calculated by 2−ΔΔCt method.

Results

Birds treated with probiotics, Bidens pilosa and probiotics + Bidens pilosa slightly increased the body weight gain, significantly reduced oocysts shedding, destructive ratio of ceaca and mortality % than control positive group. CPG birds up-regulated the expressions of Bcl-2 while down-regulated the expressions of Bax and caspase-3 as compared to PG, BPG and PG + BPG groups. Moreover, Eimeria challenged chickens supplemented with probiotics, Bidens pilosa alone and combined showed higher anti-oxidant enzymatic activity than those of challenged un-treated chickens. Additionally, the expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and tight junction related proteins were also up-regulated by the treated challenged than un-treated challenged chickens.

Conclusion

Present results revealed that, feed supplementation of probiotics and Bides pilosa induced apoptosis, enhanced anti-oxidant enzymatic activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines as well as tight junction proteins and reduce mortality during E.tenella infection in chickens.
Osteocalcin prevents insulin resistance, hepatic inflammation and autophagy associated with high-fat diet induced fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome in aged laying hens
Authors: Wu Xiaoling , Zou Xinyu , Zhang Mi , Hu Haiqiang , Wei Xueliang , Jin Meilan , Cheng Hengwei , Jiang Sha
Published: March 2020

Background: Osteocalcin (OCN), as an energy-regulating hormone, involves in preventing nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Laying hens have been used as an animal model for investigating liver function and related metabolic disordersas that the synthesis of fat in laying hens is much faster than in mammals with limited adipose tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of OCN on fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) in aged laying hens. Methods: Thirty 68-week-old White Plymouth laying hens were randomly assigned into conventional single-bird cages, and the cages were randomly allocated into one of three treatments: normal diet (ND + vehicle , ND+V), high-fat diet (HFD + vehicle, HFD+V), and HFD + OCN (3 μg/bird, 1 time/2 days, i.m.) for 40 days. At experimental day 30, oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) and insulin tolerance tests (ITT) were performed. At the end of experiment, the hens were euthanized followed blood collection. The plasma aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured using an automatic biochemistry analyzer. Pathological changes in the liver were examined under both light and transmission electron microscopes. The plasma inflammatory factors including interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) were analyzed by ELISA, and the gene expressions of these inflammatory factors in the liver were analyzed by Real-time PCR. And oxidative stress was evaluated using Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) assay kits. Results: The results showed HFD hens had more severe liver haemorrhage and fibrosis than ND hens. The ultra-microstructural examination showed that hepatocytes of HFD hens appeared necrotic pyknosis associated with great intracellular electron, mitochondrial swelling, shrunk nucleus and absence of autolysosomes. OCN mitigated these pathological changes by improved HFD hens’ insulin resistance via alleviating the glucose intolerence and improving insulin sensitivity; inhibited HFD-induced oxidative stress as evidenced by decreased liver concentrations of MDA but increased GSH-Px; and reduced the inflammatory reaction with reducing blood IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations and mRNA expressions. Conclusion: These results suggest a high-fat diet promotes the FLHS development in aged hens, while OCN prevents the FLHS process through inhibiting insulin resistance, inflammatory reaction, oxidative stress and fibrosis, and acting autophagy.
Physical health symptoms among Ethiopian returnees who were trafficked aboard
Authors: Gezie Lemma Derseh , Atinafu Asmamaw
Published: March 2020

Background: There is a growing thought of considering human trafficking as a severe form of violence which usually results in various health outcomes including symptoms of physical health problems. Physical health symptoms could at least compromise victims’ future quality of life and productivity, and to the worst, it might be life threatening to them. This study examined the magnitude of physical health symptoms during the trafficking period and compared it with that of the period prior to the trafficking condition. Methods : A total of 1387 trafficking returnees from abroad via three trafficking corridors of Ethiopia were recruited consecutively. Among socio-demographic and other characteristics, data regarding physical health symptoms such as headaches, stomach pain, memory problems, back pain, tooth pain, injuries, vision problem, loss of appetite that were experienced during and prior to the trafficking period were collected. The proportions of physical health symptoms experienced during and prior to trafficking period were determined and compared using chi-square test. Results: Among all participants, 598 (46.79%) of them experienced weight loss during the trafficking period while it was only 106 (8.28%) before the trafficking period. The 38.50% extra prevalence of the problem that was experienced during the trafficking period was statistically significant (p< 0.0001). Similar significant differences were observed for symptoms such as forgetfulness (p < 0.0001), stomachache (p = 0.0039), gynecological problems (p = 0.041), bone fracture (p < 0.0001), back pain (p < 0.0001), and wound (p < 0.0001); but not significantly different for symptoms such as skin disease (p-value = 0.1944), tooth pain (p-value =0.6587), sight problem (p-value = 0.1306), and breathing problem (p=value = 0.3173). Conclusions: Returnees experienced higher rate of physical health symptoms during the trafficking period than that of pre-departure period confirming that violence and subsequent health problems are signature features of human trafficking. These negative health outcomes need to be investigated using longitudinal studies so that the long-term effects of human trafficking and associated traumatic experiences could be fully understood among the returnees.
Zinc and cobalt nano ferrites and their potential applications in environmental sustainability
Authors: Hublikar Leena V. , Ganachari Sharanabasava V , Yaradoddi Jayachandra S. , Mokashi Aasim U.
Published: March 2020

Fundamental research and industrially applied research, currently depend on magnetic oxide nanoparticles and ferromagnetic oxides due to their extensive applications for electronic, magnetic, optical sensor and absorptive activities. ferromagnetic substances mainly contain different type of Ferrite. Ferrite material constitutes, Iron oxide (Fe2O3) and divalent metal oxides of Transition metals like cobalt, nickel etc. The key objective of this paper is to study the impending applications of nano - ferrites doped with bivalent transition metals with their properties. Low-Temperature Self-Propagating combustion method was used to synthesize the particles. Synthesized Zinc and Cobalt Nano ferrites from the chemical co-precipitation method were found to be of 20 to 90 nm in average size, and comparative study of their properties using the results of Fourier-transform spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) confirms the conception of ferrite nanoparticles with a structure type cubic spinel. Further comparative Sensing studies showed that the sample displays variation in resistance when gases are passed over the surface, and the change in resistance is observed.
Association between severity of COVID-19 and clinical and biochemical characteristics: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wang Dan , Li Rui-Fang , Wang Juan , Jiang Qun-Qun , Gao Chang , Yang Juan , Ge Lin-Tong , Hu Qing
Published: March 2020

Background: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan and has quickly spread across the world. The mortality rate in critically ill patients with COVID-19 is high. This study analyzed clinical and biochemical parameters between mild and severe patients, helping to identify severe or critical patients early.Methods: In this single center, cross-sectional study, 143 patients were included and divided to mild/moderate and sever/critical groups. Correlation between the disease criticality and clinical features and peripheral blood biochemical markers was analyzed. Cut-off values for critically ill patients were speculated through the ROC curve.Results： Significantly, disease severity was associated with age (r = 0.458, P < 0.001) , comorbidities (r = 0.445, P < 0.001) , white cell counts (r = 0.229, P = 0.006) , neutrophil count (r = 0.238, P = 0.004) , lymphocyte count (r = -0.295, P < 0.001) , albumin (r = -0.603, P < 0.001) , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r= -0.362, P < 0.001) , serum potassium (r = -0.237, P = 0.004) , plasma glucose (r = 0.383, P < 0.001) , total bilirubin (r = 0.340, P < 0.001) , serum amyloid A (r = 0.58, P < 0.001) , procalcitonin (r = 0.345, P < 0.001) , C-reactive protein ( r = 0.477, P < 0.001) , lactate dehydrogenase (r = 0.548, P < 0.001) , aspartate aminotransferase (r = 0.342, P < 0.001) , alanine aminotransferase (r = 0.264, P = 0.001) , erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.284, P = 0.001) and D-dimer (r = 0.477, P ＜ 0.001) .Conclusion: With following parameters such as age > 52 years, C-reactive protein > 64.79 mg/L, lactate dehydrogenase > 245 U/L, D-dimer > 0.96 ug/mL, serum amyloid A > 100.02 mg/L, or albumin ＜ 36 g/L, the progress of COVID-19 to critical stage should be closely observed and possibly prevented. Lymphocyte count, serum potassium and procalcitonin may also be a prognostic indicator.
The Associations between Meeting the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines and Adiposity in Asian Adolescents: The Asia-Fit Study
Authors: Hui Stanley , Zhang Ru , Suzuki Koya , Naito Hisashi , Balasekaran Govindasamy , Song Jong-Kook , Park Soo Yeon , Liou Yiing-Mei , Lu Dajiang , Poh Bee Koon , Kijboonchoo Kallaya , Thasanasuwan Wiyada
Published: March 2020

Background: To prevent adolescent obesity, recent research suggests that physical activity (PA), recreational screen-time, and sleep duration are codependent behaviours that being in a movement behaviour continuum in a 24-hour period. Yet, it is unknown about compliance with the 24-hour movement guidelines in Asian adolescents, and how these movement behaviours collectively affect overweight and obesity in adolescents. The purposes of this study were to compare compliance with the 24-movement guidelines in Asian adolescents, as well as to examine the association between meeting the 24-hour movement guidelines and body fat percentage. Methods: A sample of 12,590 adolescents aged 13.63 (± 1.01) years from eight Asian metropolitan cities including Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong SAR, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Seoul (South Korea), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Taipei (Taiwan), and Tokyo (Japan) participated this study. The adolescents were asked to complete an interviewer-administered questionnaire to assess moderate-to-vigorous PA, recreational screen-time, sleep duration, and covariates. Adolescent’s body fat percentage was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis.Results: Findings show that a small proportion of Asian adolescents met the independent or combined guidelines of PA, recreational screen-time, and sleep duration. In addition, number of the guideline being met and combinations of the guidelines being met differed across the eight cities. Adjusting for covariates, we observed a negative association between number of the guidelines being met and body fat percent in Asian adolescents. In addition, meeting only the sleep duration guideline and both the physical activity and sleep duration guidelines had negative associations with body fat percentage compared with no guidelines being met.Conclusions: The current study was the first to evaluate compliance with the 24-hour movement guidelines in Asia-wide adolescents. Given only 1%-3% adolescents met all three movement guidelines, global strategies are needed to promote healthy lifestyles in adolescents. This study also provides primary evidence on the association between compliance with the 24-hour movement guidelines and adiposity in adolescents. Prospective follow-up studies are warranted to gain better insights into the compliance with 24-hour movement guidelines and the related health outcomes to contribute to the growth of evidence in this area.
Tillage practices and residue management manipulate soil bacterial and fungal assembly and co-occurrence network patterns in maize agroecosystem
Authors: Yang Wei , Guan Yupeng , Zhai Cheng , Du Lin , Wu Yanxiang , Wang Jing , Li Yuhang , Yang Jiayu , He Jinxi , Gu Siyu
Published: March 2020

Background: Tillage practices and residue management are highly important agricultural practices. However, very few studies have examined the influence of tillage practices and residue management on both bacterial and fungal communities and network patterns in consecutive years.
Results: We examined the effects of different tillage practices, including no tillage, rotary tillage, and deep tillage, on the soil bacterial and fungal communities and co-occurrence networks following residue removal and residue retention in 2017 and 2018. This study showed that both bacterial and fungal communities were unaffected by tillage practices in 2017, but they were significantly influenced in 2018. In addition, soil fungal operational taxonomic unit (OTU) richness was significantly enhanced by deep tillage compared with no tillage in 2018, while bacterial OTU richness was unaffected in either year. Tillage practices had differing effects on the soil microbial network patterns, with rotary and deep tillage increasing the complexity of bacterial networks but simplifying fungal networks. However, residue retention only induced a shift in the fungal community in 2018 without an obvious effect in the bacterial community in both years. In addition, residue retention simplified soil bacterial and fungal networks in 2018.
Conclusions: This study highlighted the dissimilar responses of bacterial and fungal networks to tillage practices and emphasized that tillage practice is more important than residue management in shaping soil microbial communities.
Improvement research on the initial solution prediction of the one-step algorithm for bus rollover collision
Authors: Wang Tong
Published: March 2020

To solve the problem that the computational efficiency of the initial solution prediction based on the maximum inertial loading in the original one-step algorithm for bus rollover collision is a bit low, a new initial solution prediction method based on the principle of nodal coordinates interpolation of the standard template of structural deformation is proposed to improve the original one-step algorithm for bus rollover collision. A typical 12-meter bus body section is selected as the research object, and the simulation result of the improved algorithm is compared with the original algorithm. The compare result shows that the computational precision of the improved algorithm is basically kept, and the computational efficiency is greatly improved. The effectiveness of practical engineering application of the proposed initial solution prediction method is verified.
Dynamical Analysis of Flexible Roll-Die Forming Machine
Authors: Li Qiang , Chen Xiao-Yu , Yang Zhen-Feng , Guan Yan-Zhi
Published: March 2020

The dynamical analysis is significant for the design of the flexible roll-die forming machine. A new method for dynamical analysis of electromechanical systems by energy principle is proposed in this paper. The mathematical expression of the energy in each part of the system is presented by theoretical analysis and mathematical deduction. The reaction torque in the process of roll-die forming are extracted by FEM, and the differential equation of the roll-die forming machine is solved by the method of Runge-Kutta. The designed roll-die forming machine with the analytical results performs the feasible experimental verification.
International relevance of Two Measures of Awareness of Age-Related Change (AARC)
Authors: Sabatini Serena , Ukoumunne Obioha C , Ballard Clive , Brothers Allyson , Kaspar Roman , Collins Rachel , Kim Sarang , Corbett Anne , Aarsland Dag , Hampshire Adam , Brooker Helen , Clare Linda
Published: March 2020

Background: A questionnaire assessing awareness of positive and negative age-related changes (AARC gains and losses) was developed in the US and Germany. We validated the short form of the measure (AARC-10 SF) and the cognitive functioning subscale from the 50-item version of the AARC (AARC-50) questionnaire in the UK population aged 50 and over.Methods: Data from 14,797 participants in the “blind for review” cohort were used to explore and confirm the psychometric properties of the AARC measures including: validity of the factor structure; reliability; measurement invariance across males and females and across individuals with and without a university degree; and convergent validity with measures of self-perception of aging and mental, physical, and cognitive health. We also explored the relationship between demographic variables and AARC.Results: We confirmed the two-factor structure (gains and losses) of the AARC-10 SF and the AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale. Both scales showed good reliability and convergent validity. The meaning of AARC gains and losses was the same across males and females and across individuals with and without a university degree. Items composing AARC scales had the same meaning across individuals with and without a university degree. Items composing the AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale had the same meaning across males and females. Two items in the AARC-10 SF had different meaning across males and females. Demographic variables significantly predicted AARC gains and losses.Conclusions: The AARC-10 SF and AARC-50 cognitive functioning subscale can help to identify UK individuals who perceive age-related changes in their mental, physical, and cognitive health.
Comparison of Clinical Features in Octogenarian and Non-octogenarian Adults with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia
Authors: Shu Chang , Liu Xianling , Yu Bilian , Yang Lizhen , Zhang Hong , Huang Guxiang , Tang Liang , Xu Min , Zhou Jienan , Xiao Le , Zhang Lei , Tang Jianjun , Li Xin
Published: March 2020

Background: Aged people is more susceptible and vulnerable to COVID-19 pneumonia. As the “super-elderly” group, octogenarian COVID-19 patients is not rare in current world-wide common healthy event.Object: To describe clinical features in octogenarian with severe COVID-19. And try to find out the differences with other non-octogenarian adult patients.Materials and Methods: We studied a small cohort of octogenarian COVID-19 patients at a hospital in Wuhan from 10 February to 15 March. We recorded interested clinical data including chest CT in the octogenarian patients. In order to know the differences of clinical characteristics between octogenarian and other adult patients, we included the number of non-octogenarian patients cohort as ratio of 1:3.Result: For octogenarian patients, the age is 83.33±3.08 and 4 are female (4/6,66.7%). For non-octogenarian patients, the age is 60.72±8.28 years and 5 are female(5/18, 27.8%). and 59% were men. Compared non-octogenarian patients, octogenarian patients’ hospital stay duration is significantly longer (p=0.0052*). WBC is obvious elevated in octogenarian(p=0.0494*). BUN (p=0.0377*) and Cr (p=0.0112*) is with obvious differences between two group patients. No obvious differences in CT findings between two groups.Conclusion: The severe COVID-19 pneumonia octogenarian may have more chance to combined with bacterial infection. Octogenarian has worse baseline kidney function than non-octogenarian. In individual cases, the broader lesion and more lesion types may be found in octogenarian CT image.
Deciphering the metabolism/vascularization regional interlinks in primary NSCLC First-in human simultaneous full kinetic 18F-FDG PET-MRI voxel-wise analysis
Authors: Besson Florent L , Fernandez Brice , Faure Sylvain , Mercier Olaf , Seferian Andrei , Mignard Xavier , Mussot Sacha , Péchoux Cécile le , Caramella Caroline , Botticella Angela , Levy Antonin , Parent Florence , Bulifon Sophie , Montani David , Mitilian Delphine , Fadel Elie , Planchard David , Besse Benjamin , Ghigna-Bellinzoni Maria-Rosa , Comtat Claude , Lebon Vincent , Durand Emmanuel
Published: March 2020

Objectives: To decipher the metabolism/vascularization regional interlinks in NSCLC, by using full dynamic simultaneous 18F-FDG PET-MRI voxel-wise analysis. Material and methods: Fourteen treatment-naïve patients with biopsy proven NSCLC prospectively underwent a one-hour dynamic 18F-FDG thoracic PET-MRI including DCE. The PET and DCE data were normalized to a reference space, and masked semi-automatically. Full kinetic voxelwise parametric maps were computed by fitting the PET and DCE tumor data to state-of-the-art Sokoloff and Extended Tofts models respectively, by using in-house procedures. Spearman correlation coefficients (rs) between all the tumors kinetic parameters were estimated on a voxelwise basis, both at the whole dataset and tumor levels.Results: At the whole dataset level, the estimated K1, k2, k3, MRGlu and vb median values (IQR) were 0.25ml.min-1.ml-1 (0.17-0.33), 0.68 min-1 (0.48-1.02), 0.11 min-1 (0.07-0.2), 0.20 μmol.ml-1.min-1 (0.13-0.29) and 0.08 a.u (0.05-0.10). The estimated Ktrans, ve, Kep and vp median values (IQR) were 0.44 min-1 (0.14-0.92), 0.64 a.u (0.24-1.0), 0.79 min-1 (0.44-1.3), and 0.04 a.u (0.0007-0.19). At the whole dataset level, all the PET/DCE regional interlinks were weak (|rs| <0.4). At the tumor level, high heterogeneity was observed: 8 tumors showed weak (|rs| <0.4) to moderate (0.4≤ |rs| <0.7) PET/DCE regional interlinks, 5 tumors showed weak to strong interlinks, and 1 tumor showed moderate to strong interlinks. Conclusion: Metabolism/vascularization regional interlinks assessed with dynamic 18F-FDG PET-MRI are spatially and individually heterogeneous in NSCLC. In the era of precision medicine, PET-MRI has unique capability to go further insight the individual regional tumor being in NSCLC.
CFTR deficiency causes cardiac dysplasia during zebrafish embryogenesis and is associated with dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Liu Yanyan , Lin Ziyuan , Liu Mingfeng , Liao Huijuan , Chen Yan , Zhang Xiaohu , Chan Hsiao Chang , Zhou Bin , Rao Li , Sun Huaqin
Published: March 2020

Background: Mutations in the CFTR gene cause cystic fibrosis (CF) with myocardial dysfunction. However, it remains unknown whether CF-related heart disease is a secondary effect of pulmonary disease, or an intrinsic primary defect in the CF heart. Results: Here, we used a zebrafish model, which lacks lung tissue, to investigate the role of CFTR in cardiogenesis during embryonic development. Our findings demonstrate that a loss of CFTR impairs cardiac development from the cardiac progenitor stage of heart development, resulting in cardiac looping defects, a dilated atrium, pericardial edema, and a decrease in heart rate. Furthermore, we found that cardiac development is perturbed in wild type embryos treated with a gating speciﬁc Cftr channel inhibitor, CFTRinh-172, at the blastula stage of development, but not with treatment at later stages. Gene expression analysis of blastulas indicated that transcript levels, including mRNAs associated with cardiovascular diseases, were significantly altered in embryos derived from cftr mutants relative to controls. To evaluate the role of CFTR in human heart failure, we performed a genetic association study on individuals with dilated cardiomyopathy and found that CFTR containing I556V mutation, which causes a channel defect, is associated with the disease. Similar to well-studied channel-defective CFTR mutants, CFTR I556V mRNA failed to restore cardiac dysplasia in mutant embryos. Conclusions: The present study reveals an important role for the CFTR ion channel in regulating cardiac development during early embryogenesis, supporting the hypothesis that CF-related heart disease results from an intrinsic primary defect in the CF heart.
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia with negative detection of viral ribonucleic acid from nasopharyngeal swabs: A case report
Authors: Zhang Peiyan , Cai Zhao , Wu Weibo , Peng Ling , Li Yinfeng , Chen Chuming , Chen Li , Li Jianming , Cao Mengli , Feng Shiyan , Jiang Xiao , Yuan Jing , Liu Yingxia , Yang Liang , Wang Fuxiang
Published: March 2020

BackgroundThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak started in Wuhan, Hubei, China since Dec 2019 and cases of infection have been continuously reported in various countries. It is now clear that the COVID-19 coronavirus is transmissible from human to human. Nucleic acid detection is considered as the gold standard for the diagnosis of COVID-19. In this case report, we describe our experience in detection of COVID-19 from a confirmed patient using nucleic acid test of bronchoalveolar-lavage fluid (BALF) samples but not nasopharyngeal swabs.Case presentationWe present a case of severely ill COVID-19 infected 46-year-old man with fever, coughing and chest tightness. We performed viral detection using his BALF samples and imaging method (CT) for confirmation. The patient received combination of interferonalfa-1b and ribavirin, lopinavir and ritonavir for antiviral treatment at different stages. Other medication was also given to him in combination for anti-inflammation, intestinal microbial regulation, phlegm elimination, liver protection and pulmonary fibrosis prevention purposes. We provided oxygen supply to him using BIPAP ventilator and high-flow humidification oxygen therapy instrument to facilitate respiration. The patient was cured and discharged.ConclusionThis case report described an effective supportive medication scheme to treat COVID-19 infected patient and emphasized the necessity of detection of the viral genome using BALF samples and its significance in the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.
Social gradient in health-related quality of life among urban residents in Limassol, Cyprus: Research article
Authors: Ellina Panagiota , Middleton Nicos , Lambrinou Ekaterini , Kouta Christiana
Published: March 2020

Background Social inequalities in health threaten social cohesion and, therefore, their investigation is an important research field. The reasons behind this phenomenon remain unclear. Monitoring the health of the population is necessary to identify health needs, design programs focused in people’s needs and to evaluate the effectiveness of health policies. Methods A descriptive correlation study with cross-sectional comparisons using primary data was applied. The study investigates the size and the extent of social inequalities in quality of life and health behaviours in Limassol, Cyprus. Data collection was done by door-to-door survey, in the form of interviews. The sample consisted of 450 residents aged 45-64 across 45 randomly selected neighbourhoods, that met the selection criteria. The tools used were: Demographic questionnaire, SF 36 Questionnaire - Quality of Life, IPAQ- International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form. Results The social gradient seems to be appeared in all social indicators. As for the physical dimension of health, it seems to show strong relationship between quality of life with the education index. Regarding mental health dimension, the pattern of social gradient seems to be not so strong. Conclusions Exploring social inequalities in quality of life, is a complex state influencing social physical and psychological state of health. It seems that being male, young, highly educated, with high income, working full time and having a mild physical activity, there is significant higher level of quality life in relation to others. Many studies show that gender affects the patterns of risk factors and that this has a different impact on quality of life.
Coverage and effectiveness of hypertension screening in different altitudes of Tibet autonomous region
Authors: Song Ci , Chongsuvivatwong Virasakdi , Wangdui Suolang , Mima Danzeng , Zhuoma Cuoji , Ji De , Luobu Ouzhu , Sripl Hutcha
Published: March 2020

Background: Tibet is an autonomous region in China located around an average altitude of 4,500 meters above sea level. Since 2012 the local government of Tibet has been providing free physical examinations, including screening for hypertension. However, the coverage and effectiveness of this free program have not uncovered. This study aims to assess the coverage and effectiveness of hypertension screening and management program in 3 altitude levels of Tibet, and also the determinants of the success of the screening program. Methods: A stratified cluster survey was conducted among 1,636 residents aged 18 years or over in three different altitude areas in Tibet. We adjusted for age and sex based on national census data and used weighted logistic regression models to find factors associated with hypertension screening. Results: The coverage of the hypertension screening program evaluated by participation rate in the previous screening was 94.9%, while 24.7% (95% CI: 22.1-27.3) of them were diagnosed with hypertension. Females and alcohol drinkers were more likely to be screened. Among those diagnosed with hypertension, 28.7% had it under control. High altitude areas had a high proportion of controlled hypertension. The overall rate of controlled hypertension in high, moderate and low altitude areas was 35.1% (95% CI: 24.8-45.3), 32.7% (95% CI: 22.2-43.2) and 23.7% (95% CI: 14.7-32.6), respectably. Younger aged persons were more likely to have better control of their hypertension. Conclusions: The coverage of hypertension screening in Tibet was high, especially in the low altitude areas. However, the effectiveness of hypertension control was low, indicating a need to improve interventions.
The Psychological Impact of the Ebola epidemic among Survivors in Liberia: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Nyanfor Simmie Segbe , Xiao Shuiyuan
Published: March 2020

Background The 2013- 2016 West Africa Ebola epidemic resulted in an unprecedented number of survivors. The outbreak has contributed to many survivors, who have shown to have suffered from physical and mental sequelae – sigma, physical violence, diminished quality of life, ostracism, and isolation. The goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Ebola virus disease and long-term psychological problems among Ebola survivors in Liberia. Method In January 2019, quantitative data from 232 respondents (EVD survivors, n = 116; non-survivors, n = 116) were gathered by structured face-to-face interviews. We used Davidson Trauma Scale for PTSD (DTS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) to assess anxiety, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to assess depression, and the Suicide Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) to assess suicidality of both the survivors and their controls. Data were analyzed by linear regression analyses, chi-square, or t-tests to determine the prevalence, Ebola virus infection, and factors associated with long term psychological problems among EVD survivors and non-survivors. Results We have identified 116 survivors of EVD and 116 non-Ebola survivors. Of the 116 people who survived, 76 (66%) recorded posttraumatic stress disorder, 61 (53%) depression, 43 (37%) anxiety, and 39 (34%) attempted suicide. Relative to EVD survivors, the non-survivors had very significantly lower levels of posttraumatic stress disorder, 7(6%), depression, 5 (4%), anxiety, 5 (4%), and 2 (2%) attempted suicide reported three years after the outbreak. In a logistic regression analysis, EVD survivors had higher odds of observing posttraumatic stress disorder ( β =3.39, OR, 29.59 [95% Cl 2.53, 4.24]; p<.001), depression ( β = 3.20 OR, 24.62 [95% Cl 2.24, 4.17]; p <.001); anxiety ( β = 2.57, OR, 13.08 [95% Cl 1.60, 3.54]; p <.001), and suicidality (β = 3.36, OR, 28.87 [95% Cl 1.91, 4.81], p <.001) three years after the outbreak. Conclusion Three years after the outbreak, EVD survivors still had persistently high levels of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and suicide attempt. The long-term psychological implications of infectious diseases should not be ignored. The results underscore the need for Mental Health services on a national scale for the EVD survivors.
Design and research of a smart monitoring system for 2019-nCoV infection-contact isolated people based on blockchain and Internet of things technology
Authors: Zheng Ling , Xiao Chunjian , Chen Fei , Xiao Yonghong
Published: March 2020

Objective: In order to cope with a sudden outbreak of new coronavirus infection, a large number of potential infected persons need to be isolated. A new smart monitoring system which integrates Internet of things and blockchain technology to monitor isolated people in real time was design and studied.Methods: A internet of things devices will collects the location and physical data of isolated people, the data will be sent to master devices which will integrate and format those data and transfer to a smart contract. A smart contract compares and analyses the data with the threshold which is predefined. When the data exceed the threshold, the smart contract will alert the master device, which will notify the isolated person and center for disease control and prevention, the event will be stored in the consortium blockchain. The blockchain does not store the isolated people's details, which are stored in electronic health records linked to the blockchain to guarantee the data safety.Results: This system realizes the effective real-time monitoring of isolators including their physical condition and geographical position on the premise of protecting their privacy and security.Conclusion: By the system, the center for disease control and prevention can respond quickly according to their alerts. It has the advantages of good integrity, tamper-proof, and transparency to isolators.
Modified FOLFIRINOX as a second-line therapy following gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel therapy in metastatic pancreatic cancer
Authors: Sawada Masashi , Kasuga Akiyoshi , Mie Takafumi , Furukawa Takaaki , Taniguchi Takanobu , Takeda Tsuyoshi , Kanata Ryo , Matsuyama Masato , Sasaki Takashi , Ozaka Masato , Sasahira Naoki
Published: March 2020

Purpose There is no established second-line treatment after failure of gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GnP) therapy for metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the modified FOLFIRINOX (mFFX) as a second-line therapy for MPC and investigate prognostic factors for survival.Methods From 2015–2019, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients receiving mFFX for MPC after failure of GnP therapy. Patients were treated every 2 weeks with mFFX (intravenous oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2, intravenous irinotecan 150 mg/m2, and continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil 2,400 mg/m2 for 46 hours without bolus infusion) until disease progression, patient refusal, or unacceptable toxicity.Results In total, 104 patients received mFFX. The median overall survival (OS) was 7.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.2-9.8) and the progression-free survival (PFS) 3.9 months (95% CI 2.8-5.0). The objective response rate was 10.6% and the disease control rate 56.7%. The median relative dose intensities of oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and infusional 5-FU were 80.0% (range 21.5-100%), 77.2% (range 38.1-100%), and 85.9% (range 36.9-100%), respectively. Grade 3-4 toxicities were reported in 57 patients (54.8%), including neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia, febrile neutropenia, and peripheral sensory neuropathy. Glasgow prognostic score and carcinoembryonic antigen level were independently associated with survival. Our prognostic model using these parameters could classify the patients into good (n = 38), intermediate (n = 47), and poor (n = 19) prognostic groups. The median OS and PFS time was 14.7 (95% CI 7.6-16.3) and 7.6 months (95% CI 4.1-10.5) for the good prognostic factors, 6.5 (95% CI 5.5-10.0) and 3.6 months (95% CI 2.7-4.8) for the intermediate prognostic factors and 5.0 (95% CI 2.9-6.6) and 1.7 months (95% CI 0.9-4.3) for the poor prognostic factors, respectively.Conclusions The mFFX showed to be a tolerable second-line treatment for MPC after GnP failure. Our prognostic model might be useful for deciding whether mFFX is indicated in this setting.
Excised host tissues weight: New Indicators of Total Knee Arthroplasty Worthy of Attention
Authors: Zhu Zhengya , Ruan Ruxin , Bai Chaowen , Yi Linhong , Zhang Le , Pan Sheng , Huang Chaoran , Sun Ziqian , Zheng Xin , Guo Kaijin
Published: March 2020

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a crippling disease and affects many people around the world. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an effective way to treat this disease. The objectaives of this study to compare the weight of the total knee arthroplasty implants and the weight of the natural knee in different groups and also to analyze facts which may affect the weight of surgical host excision. Methods: In total, 105 consecutive TKAs were enrolled in this prospective cohort study with three different brands of knee prostheses. Patients meeting the criterion were divided into the normal bone mass group, the osteopenia group or the osteoporosis group according to the results of preoperative bone density examination. The removal of bone and soft tissues that were collected during TKA operations of each group were weighed and compared with the total weight of the knee prosthesis (including implanted bone cement). Multivariate logistic stepwise regression analysis was conducted to identify indicators affecting host removal weight.Results: The average host removal weight was (132.56±36.88)g for normal bone mass group, (112.86±23.65)g for osteopenia group and (103.74±20.66)g for osteoporosis group. There were statically differences among the three groups. There was a significant difference between the normal bone mass group and the osteopenia group (P=0.003), while no difference between the osteopenia group and the osteoporosis group (P=0.154). No differences were found in the TKA components weight, bone cement weight and knee joint weight gained after TKA among all groups. Stepwise multiple regression analysis using the weight of excised host tissues as a dependent variable and BMD level, gender, age and other available indicators as independent variables revealed that BMD level(B=9.057, p=0.008), gender(B=21.692, p<0.001), Kellgren-Lawrence grade(B=13.790, p=0.003) are significant factors affecting excised host tissues weight. Conclusion: There is a positive correlation between the weight of the host removals of TKA and the patient's bone density. BMD level, gender and K-L stage of KOA were the main factors affecting the weight of the host removal.
Seasonal and Climatic Variation in the Incidence of Adult Acute Appendicitis: A Seven Year Longitudinal Analysis
Authors: York Thomas
Published: March 2020

Introduction Acute appendicitis represents an extremely common surgical emergency, yet its aetiology remains uncertain. A multifactorial understanding of its causation has emerged along with increasing evidence of seasonal variation. This study seeks to find evidence for such a circannual trend within the UK, and further assess key meteorological indicators which may be causative of any such variation. Methods The patient records of a region health body in the North East of England were retrospectively assessed over a 7-year period. Incidence of acute appendicitis was recorded and averaged by month before undergoing statistical analysis for variation and correlation with average temperature, sunlight hours, and rainfall. Results The incidence of acute appendicitis revealed significant seasonal variation with only 38 total cases in the months of January compared to 73 in July, a 92.1% increase. Only a weak correlation was seen between incidence and average sunlight hours/rainfall, however a significant, positive correlation was found between incidence and average temperature ( r=0.58, p=0.48 ). Conclusion Compelling evidence is found to support the existence of a circannual trend for acute appendicitis. Data suggests a seasonal peak in the month of July, accompanied by a low in January, a finding that develops the understanding of this trend from previously equivocal research in the UK.
Assessment of muscular perfusion after oral intake of pre-workout nitric-oxide stimulating supplements by Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS). Study protocol for a placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over trial in healthy young males
Authors: Doll Julian , Bürkle Franziska , Neide Arndt , Tsitlakidis Stefanos , Bruckner Thomas , Schmidmaier Gerhard , Fischer Christian
Published: March 2020

Background The market for dietary supplements in the sports sector has been growing rapidly for several years, though there is still lacking evidence regarding their claimed benefits. One group is that of nitric oxide increasing supplements, so-called "NO-boosters", which are claimed to improve the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the muscle by enhancing vasodilation. The aim of this study was to investigate three of these supplements in healthy male athletes for their muscle perfusion-enhancing potential using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).Methods This placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized cross-over trial will be carried out at the Center for Orthopedics, Trauma Surgery and Spinal Cord Injury of the University Hospital Heidelberg. Three commercial NO enhancing products including 300 mg of the specific green tea extract VASO6™ and a combination of 8 g L-citrulline malate and 3 g L-arginine hydrochloride will be examined for their potential to increase muscular perfusion in 30 male athletes between 18 and 40 years and will be compared with a placebo. On each of the three appointments CEUS of the dominant biceps muscle will be performed at rest and after a standardized resistance training. Every athlete receives each of the three supplements once after a wash-out period of at least one week. Perfusion will be quantified via VueBox® quantification software. The results of CEUS perfusion measurements will be compared intra- and interindividually and correlated with clinical parameters.Discussion The results of this study may help to establish CEUS as a suitable imaging modality for the evaluation of potentially vasodilatory drugs in the field of sports. Other supplements could also be evaluated in this way to verify the content of their advertising claims.Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), ID: DRKS00016972, registered on 25.03.2019.