bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of left ventricular systolic function by non-invasive pressure-strain loop area in young male strength athletes
Authors: Hua Shaohua , Li Pengge , Zhang Yonggao , Li Lijin , Chen Yingchun , Li Zhen , Liu Songyan
Published: November 2020

BackgroundThe health of athletes has been recognized as a worldwide public concern with more reported sudden cardiac deaths (SCD). Therefore, early detection of abnormal heart function in athletes can help reduce the risk of exercise. A novel valid non-invasive method to evaluate left ventricular (LV) myocardial work (MW) using LV pressure-strain loop (PSL), was used in this paper to explore LV systolic function in young male strength athletes.Methods 36 professional young male strength athletes (the athlete group) and 32 healthy, age-matched young men (the control group) were involved in the study. The LVMW parameters were calculated as the area of PSL by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and peak systolic LV pressure. The differences between two groups of data and the predictive efficacy of MW parameters for LV systolic function were analyzed.Results The athlete group had significantly higher values of global wasted myocardial work (GWW) and peak strain dispersion (PSD) than did the control group (P＜0.05).Global myocardial work index (GWI), global constructive myocardial work (GCW) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were lower in the athlete group than that in the control group, although statistical significance was not reached (P＞0.05). Due to the proportion of GWW and GCW, statistically significant reduction was found in global myocardial work efficiency (GWE) in the athlete group. Conventional echocardiography parameters were well correlated with GWW and GWE (P＜0.05). The best predictor of LV myocardial contractile performance in the athletes using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was GWE, with the area under ROC (AUC) of 0.733, sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 59.4%. ConclusionsSubclinical changes have appeared in the hearts of young male strength athletes after long-term intensive exercise and LVMW parameters by PSL play an important role in the evaluation of athlete’s LV contractile performance.
Assessment of irreducible aspects in developmental hip dysplasia by magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Jia Huihui , Wang Liang , Chang Yan , Song Yongrui , Liu Yuqi , Zhang Fuyong , Feng Jie , Yang Xiaodong , Sheng Mao
Published: November 2020

Background：The developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) can cause a wide range of pathological changes, and often requires surgical treatment. Preoperative evaluation is very important for DDH. We aimed to assess the diagnostic capability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for irreducible aspects preventing hip reduction in DDH. Methods: A total of 39 pediatric patients who received DDH evaluation in pediatric orthopedics from January 2015 to December 2019 were included. The samples included 4 cases of bilateral DDH and 35 cases of unilateral DDH, a total of 43 hip joint samples. All patients underwent surgical treatment, pathological examination and MRI of hip joint.Results: With pathological results or intraoperative findings as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of MRI were 90.3% and 83.3% for the affected labrum, 92% and 83.3% for thickening of the round ligament, 90.0% and 91.3% for atrophy of the iliopsoas muscle, and 100% and 100% for fibrofatty pulvinar tissue and joint effusion, respectively. Conclutions: The MRI showed an extraordinary capability of detecting these irreducible factors and helped surgeon choose the appropriate treatment strategies.
Implementation and factors affecting the nursing process among nurses working in selected government hospital in southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Adasho Zerihun Adraro , Bekele Daniel Mengistu
Published: November 2020

Background: The nursing process was initially adopted from the general system theory, and was developed and implemented in the field of education. There is a demand to implement the nursing process in practical care in every health institution, but the perception remains that it is time-consuming and impractical. If the nursing process is not valued and not used, nurses may continue to intervene on the basis of a medical diagnosis rather than on the basis of a rational nursing Process steps. In any of the steps, oversight or omission can result in less than optimal nursing care. The purpose of this study was to assess implementation and factors affecting the nursing process among nurses working in selected government hospitals in Southwest Ethiopia.Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from March 10 to April 1, 2015 in three hospitals in southwest Ethiopia using self-administered questionnaires. This study included a total of 138 nurses using simple random sampling. Data were classified, coded and entered into epidemiological information version 3.5.3, and exported to the statistical package for social science version 20 for analysis, descriptive statistics were used to describe the variables, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to see the effect of each variable on the dependent variable.Result: The nursing process was found to be 73.9 percent implemented. Compared to a Bachelor of Science nurses’, the likelihood of implementing the nursing process was less likely among diploma nurses. Nurses working in administratively supported hospitals implemented the nursing process more compared to those without administrative support. The nursing process had been implemented higher by trained nurses compared to untrained nurses.Conclusion: The implementation of nursing process was good where; nearly seven in every ten nurses implemented the nursing process. Low educational qualification, lack of training, and non-supportive hospital administration were predictors of the nursing process implementation. The health service management, in collaboration with Ethiopian nursing/professional associations and international governmental and non-governmental organizations should give continuous on the job professional development education, and develop nursing practice guidelines.
Exploring Factors Influencing Retention of Nurses in a Religious Hospital in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Quantitative Study
Authors: Chiao Li-Hua , Wu Chiu-Feng , Tzeng I-Shiang , Teng An-Na , Liao Ru-Wen , Yu Li Ying , Huang Chin Min , Pan Wei-Han , Chen Chu-Yueh , Su Tsai-Tsu
Published: November 2020

Background: Long-term shortages in the nursing workforce and high turnover rates are common in Taiwan medical industry. Little research has investigated the psychological factors associated with retention of nursing staff. However, in practice, religious hospitals often provide education in medicine or the medical humanities to enhance psychological satisfaction. The objective of this study was to explore factors influencing nursing staff’s retention with their work across different levels of demand. A further objective was to investigate whether medical humanities educations were associated with the retention of nursing staff.
Methods: This study used s elf-administrated questionnaires to survey nurses working in northern areas of Taiwan. The questionnaire design was based on the six levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Participation was voluntary and participants signed informed consent documents. Self-administrated questionnaires were administered by contacting a total of 759 participants; 729 questionnaires were returned (response rate 96.04%). A logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the impact of seniority of nursing work on nurses reported intention to stay after adjusting for nurse characteristics (gender and age).
Results: In the Pearson correlation analysis, nurses’ willingness to stay was moderately correlated with “physical needs”, “safety needs”, “love and belonging needs”, and “esteem needs” (r=0.559, P<0.001 ; r=0.533, P<0.001 ; r=0.393, P<0.001 ; r=0.476, P<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, nurses’ willingness to stay was highly correlated with “self-actualization needs”, “behind self-actualization needs” and “medical humanities education relevant” (r=0.707, P<0.001 ; r=0.728, P<0.001 ; r=0.678, P<0.001, respectively). We found that the odds ratio (OR) of retention of nursing staff who worked within 1 year (OR=4.511, P=0.002 ) and 1-3 years (OR=3.248, P=0.003 ) was significantly higher referred to those who worked 5-10 years.
Conclusions: With regard to medical humanities education, we recommend adjusting the training as the compulsory activities under the official programs are inadequate and adjusting the required hours of medical humanities education. Tailoring different educational programs for different groups (especially for the groups of nurses who have worked 3-5 years and 5-10 years in the case study hospital) might improve acceptance by nursing staff
Nothing wrong about change: The adequate choice of the dependent variable and design in prediction of cognitive training success 
Authors: Mattes André , Roheger Mandy
Published: November 2020

BackgroundEven though investigating predictors of intervention success (e.g Cognitive Training, CT) is gaining more and more interest in the light of an individualized medicine, results on specific predictors of intervention success in the overall field are mixed and inconsistent due to different and sometimes inappropriate statistical methods used. Therefore, the present paper gives a guidance on the appropriate use of multiple regression analyses to identify predictors of CT and similar non-pharmacological interventions.MethodsWe simulated data based on a predefined true model and ran a series of different analyses to evaluate their performance in retrieving the true model coefficients. The true model consisted of a 2 (between: experimental vs. control group) x 2 (within: pre- vs. post-treatment) design with two continuous predictors, one of which predicted the success in the intervention group and the other did not. In analyzing the data, we considered four commonly used dependent variables (post-test score, absolute change score, relative change score, residual score), five regression models, eight sample sizes, and four levels of reliability.ResultsOur results indicated that a regression model including the investigated predictor, Group (experimental vs. control), pre-test score, and the interaction between the investigated predictor and the Group as predictors, and the absolute change score as the dependent variable seemed most convenient for the given experimental design. Although the pre-test score should be included as a predictor in the regression model for reasons of statistical power, its coefficient should not be interpreted because even if there is no true relationship, a negative and statistically significant regression coefficient commonly emerges.ConclusionEmploying simulation methods, theoretical reasoning, and mathematical derivations, we were able to derive recommendations regarding the analysis of data in one of the most prevalent experimental designs in research on CT and external predictors of CT success. These insights can contribute to the application of considered data analyses in future studies and facilitate cumulative knowledge gain.
Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio as a Potential Inflammatory Marker Predicting the Effect of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Stage II Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Fu Yu , Chen Xiaowan , Song Yongxi , Huang Xuanzhang , Chen Quan , Lv Xinger , Gao Peng , Wang Zhenning
Published: November 2020

Background: The effect of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) patients has been in controversy for a long time. Our study aimed to find an effective inflammatory marker to predict the effect of chemotherapy.Methods: 708 stage II CRC patients in our institution were included. The subpopulation treatment effect pattern plot (STEPP) analysis was used to determine the optimal inflammatory marker and cut-off value. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance discrepancy between the chemotherapy and non-chemotherapy group. Survival analysis based on overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) was performed using Kaplan-Meier methods with log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression. The restricted mean survival time (RMST) was used to measure treatment effect.Results: Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) was chosen as the optimal marker with a cut-off value of 130 according to STEPP analysis. In overall survival analysis, PLR level was significantly associated with the effect of chemotherapy (interaction p=0.027). In low-PLR subgroup, chemotherapy patients did not have a better OS than non-chemotherapy patients (RMST: 56.0 months vs. 56.0 months, HR: 0.983, 95 % CI: 0.528-1.829). In high-PLR subgroup, chemotherapy patients had a significant better OS than non-chemotherapy patients (RMST: 56.5 months vs. 51.3 months, HR: 0.371, 95% CI: 0.212-0.649). After PSM, PLR level was still associated with the effect of chemotherapy. In cancer-specific survival analysis, PLR level was not significantly associated with the effect of chemotherapy (interaction p=0.116). In low-PLR subgroup, chemotherapy patients did not have a better CSS than non-chemotherapy patients (RMST: 56.0 months vs. 56.0 months, HR: 1.016, 95 % CI: 0.494-2.087). In high-PLR subgroup, chemotherapy patients had a better CSS than non-chemotherapy patients (RMST: 56.5 months vs.51.3 months, HR: 0.371, 95% CI: 0.212-0.649). After PSM, PLR level was not associated with the effect of chemotherapy.Conclusions: PLR is an effective marker to predict the effect of chemotherapy in stage II CRC patients.
Hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy for elderly patients with locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma
Authors: Iwai Takahiro , Yoshimura Michio , Ashida Ryo , Goto Yoko , Kishi Takahiro , Itasaka Satoshi , Shibuya Keiko , Kanai Masashi , Masui Toshihiko , Fukuda Akihisa , Isoda Hiroyoshi , Hiraoka Masahiro , Mizowaki Takashi
Published: November 2020

Background: It is important to understand how elderly patients with locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma (LAPC) should be treated, since the number of elderly cancer patients will increase. However, the optimal treatment for elderly patients with LAPC remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with concurrent gemcitabine for elderly patients with LAPC. Methods: We retrospectively analysed the data from LAPC patients aged ≥75 years treated with hypofractionated IMRT (48 Gy in 15 fractions) with concurrent weekly gemcitabine at our institution from February 2013 to December 2018. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional progression-free survival (LRPFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and the pattern of recurrence and toxicity were analysed.Results: Fifteen patients received treatment during the study period. The median age was 78 years (range, 75-86 years), and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of all patients was 0-1. The median survival time (MST) and median PFS were 20.4 (95% confidence interval (CI), 10.3-36.8) and 13.5 (95% CI, 6.4-20.3) months, respectively, and the one-year OS and PFS rates were 80.0% (95% CI, 50-93.1%) and 66.7% (95% CI, 37.5-84.6%), respectively. The median LRPFS and median DMFS were 15.6 (95% CI, 6.4-36.8) and 14.9 (95% CI, 7.0-20.5) months, respectively, and the one-year LRPFS and DMFS rates were 73.3% (95% CI, 43.6-89.1%) and 66.7% (95% CI, 37.5-84.6%), respectively. Non-haematologic grade 3 toxicity was observed in three cases, of which only one was induced by radiotherapy, whereas grade 4-5 non-haematologic acute or late toxicities were not observed.Conclusions: The OS and PFS of elderly patients with LAPC treated using hypofractionated IMRT with concurrent gemcitabine were favourable and without the occurrence of severe toxicity. This treatment strategy is feasible and promising for elderly LAPC patients with good PS.
Bronchoscopist's perception of the quality of the single-use bronchoscope (Ambu aScope4 ™) in selected bronchoscopies. A multicenter study in 21 Spanish pulmonology services
Authors: Aldeyturriaga Javier Flandes , Giraldo Luis , Alfayate Javier , Fernández-Navamuel Iker , Agustí Carlos , Lucena Carmen M. , Rosell Antoni , Andreo Felipe , Centeno Carmen , Montero Carmen , Garcia Iria Vidal , Alfonso Lucia García , Bango Antonio , Ariza Miguel , Dominguez Rocio Gallego , Caamaño Marta Orta , Bello Salvador , Mincholé Elisa , Torrego Alfons , Pajares Virginia , González Hector , Pérez Aurelio Luis Wangüemert , Pérez-Izquierdo Julio , Disdier Carlos , Sanchez Blanca de Vega , Cordovilla Rosa , Cascón Juan , Cruz Antonio , García-López J. Javier , Puente Luis , Benedetti Paola , García-Gallo Cristina L. , Nuevo Gema Díaz , Aguado Silvia , Partida Concepcion , Díaz-Agero Prudencio , Crespo Estefania Luque , Masa Maria Pavón , Paez Francisco , Cases Enrique , Martinez Raquel , Briones Andres , Fernandez Cleofe , Serrano Concepcion Martin , Uribe-Hernandez Ana Maria , Robles Jose
Published: November 2020

Background: The disposable bronchoscope is an excellent alternative to face the problem of SARS-CoV-2 and other cross infections, but the bronchoscopist's perception of its quality has not been evaluated. Methods: To evaluate the quality of the Ambu-aScope4 disposable bronchoscope, we carried out a cross-sectional study in 21 Spanish pulmonology services. We use a standardized questionnaire completed by the bronchoscopists at the end of each bronchoscopy. The variables were described with absolute and relative frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion depending on their nature. The existence of learning curves was evaluated by CUSUM analysis.Results: The most frequent indications in 300 included bronchoscopies was bronchial aspiration in 69.3% and the median duration of these was 9.1 minutes. The route of entry was nasal in 47.2% and oral in 34.1%. The average score for ease of use, image, and aspiration quality was 80/100. All the planned techniques were performed in 94.9% and the bronchoscopist was satisfied in 96.6% of the bronchoscopies. They highlighted the portability and immediacy of the aScope4TM to start the procedure in 99.3%, the possibility of taking and storing images in 99.3%. The CUSUM analysis showed average scores> 70/100 from the first procedure and from the 9th procedure more than 80% of the scores exceeded the 80/100 score. Conclusions: The aScope4 ™ scored well for ease of use, imaging, and aspiration. We found a learning curve with excellent scores from the 9th procedure. Bronchoscopists highlighted its portability, immediacy of use and the possibility of taking and storing images.
Radotinib enhances cytarabine (Ara-C)-induced acute myeloid leukemia cell death
Authors: Heo Sook-Kyoung , Noh Eui-Kyu , Yu Ho-Min , Kim Do Kyoung , Seo Hye Jin , Lee Yoo Jin , Cheon Jaekyung , Koh SuJin , Min Young Joo , Choi Yunsuk , Jo Jae-Cheol
Published: November 2020

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease that frequently relapses after standard chemotherapy. Therefore, there is a need for the development of novel chemotherapeutic agents that could treat AML effectively. Radotinib, an oral BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was developed as a drug for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia. Previously, we reported that radotinib exerts increased cytotoxic effects towards AML cells. However, little is known about the effects of combining radotinib with Ara-C, a conventional chemotherapeutic agent for AML, with respect to cell death in AML cells. Therefore, we investigated combination effects of radotinib and Ara-C on AML in this study. Methods: Synergistic anti-cancer effects of radotinib and Ara-C in AML cells including HL60, HEL92.1.7, THP-1 and bone marrow cells from AML patients have been examined. Diverse cell biological assays such as cell viability assay, Annexin V-positive cells, caspase-3 activity, cell cycle distribution, and related signaling pathway have been performed. Results: The combination of radotinib and Ara-C was found to induce AML cell apoptosis, which involved the mitochondrial pathway. In brief, combined radotinib and Ara-C significantly induced Annexin V-positive cells, cytosolic cytochrome C , and the pro-apoptotic protein Bax in AML cells including HL60, HEL92.1.7, and THP-1. In addition, mitochondrial membrane potential and Bcl-xl protein were markedly decreased by radotinib and Ara-C. Moreover, this combination induced caspase-3 activity. Cleaved caspase-3, 7, and 9 levels were also increased by combined radotinib and Ara-C. Additionally, radotinib and Ara-C co-treatment induced G 0 /G 1 arrest via the induction of CDKIs such as p21 and p27 and the inhibition of CDK2 and cyclin E. Thus, radotinib/Ara-C induces mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis and G 0 /G 1 arrest via the regulation of the CDKI–CDK–cyclin cascade in AML cells. In addition, our results showed that combined treatment with radotinib and Ara-C inhibits AML cell growth, including tumor volumes and weights in vivo . Also, the combination of radotinib and Ara-C can sensitize cells to chemotherapeutic agents such as daunorubicin or idarubicin in AML cells. Conclusions: Therefore, our results can be concluded that radotinib in combination with Ara-C possesses a strong anti-AML activity.
Consolidated bioprocessing of cellulose to itaconic acid by a co-culture of Trichoderma reesei and Ustilago maydis.
Authors: Schlembach Ivan , Tehrani Hamed , Blank Lars Mathias , Büchs Jochen , Wierckx Nick , Regestein Lars , Rosenbaum Miriam
Published: November 2020

Background: Itaconic acid is a bio-derived platform chemical with uses ranging from polymer synthesis to biofuel production. The efficient conversion of cellulosic waste streams into itaconic acid could thus enable the sustainable production of a variety of substitutes for fossil oil based products. However, the realization of such a process is currently hindered by an expensive conversion of cellulose into fermentable sugars. Here, we present the stepwise development of a fully consolidated bioprocess (CBP), which is capable to directly convert recalcitrant cellulose into itaconic acid without the need for separate cellulose hydrolysis including the application of commercial cellulases. The process is based on a synthetic microbial consortium of the cellulase producer Trichoderma reesei and the itaconic acid producing yeast Ustilago maydis. A method for process monitoring was developed to estimate cellulose consumption, itaconic acid formation as well as the actual itaconic acid production yield online during co-cultivation. Results: The efficiency of the process was compared to a simultaneous hydrolysis and fermentation setup (SSF). Because of the additional substrate consumption of T. reesei in the CBP, the itaconic acid yield was significantly lower in the CBP than in the SSF. In order to increase yield and productivity of itaconic acid in the CBP, the population dynamics was manipulated by varying the inoculation delay between T. reesei and U. maydis . Surprisingly, neither inoculation delay nor inoculation density significantly affected the population development or the CBP performance. Instead, the substrate availability was the most important parameter. U. maydis was only able to grow and to produce itaconic acid when the cellulose concentration and thus, the sugar supply rate, was high. Finally, the metabolic processes during fed-batch CBP were analyzed in depth by online respiration measurements. Thereby, substrate availability was again identified as the key factor also controlling itaconic acid yield. In summary, an itaconic acid titer of 34 g/L with a total productivity of up to 0.07 g/L/h and a yield of 0.16 g/g could be reached during fed-batch cultivation. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasibility of consortium based CBP for itaconic acid production and also lays the fundament for the development and improvement of similar microbial consortia for cellulose based organic acid production.
Relationship between blood Lead status and anemia in Ugandan children with malaria infection
Authors: Mukisa Ambrose K , Kasozi Denis M , Aguttu Claire , Vuzi Peter C. , Kyambadde Joseph
Published: November 2020

BackgroundIn Uganda, childhood anemia remains a health challenge and is associated with malaria infection as well as iron deficiency. Iron deficiency is intertwined with nutritional status, age and other comorbidities including helminths and Lead toxicity. Environmental Lead levels accounts for one’s blood Lead (BL) levels. Blood Lead competitively blocks iron absorption, inhibits hemoglobin (Hb) biosynthesis and elevates free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) levels. Lead toxicity’s contribution towards anemia pathogenesis, especially during malaria infection has not been studied. Concomitant exposure to both malaria infection and Lead pollution, exacerbates the anemia status. This study therefore aimed at expounding the anemia status of these Ugandan children aged under 5years who are exposed to both malaria infection and environmental Lead pollution.MethodsBriefly, venous blood samples from 198 children were microscopically assayed for malaria parasite density (PD), and hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations using the cyanmethemoglobin method, while BL and FEP levels were determined by the standard atomic absorption spectrophotometric and fluorometric methods respectively.ResultsOne hundred and fifty-one (76.3%) of the children analyzed had moderate anemia (Hb <10>5 g/dL) with Means of BLL=8.6 µg/dL, Hb =7.5 g/dL, FEP/Hb =8.3 µg/g and PD =3.21×103 parasites / µL, while eight (4%) were severely anemic (<5 g/dL). Regression analysis and statistical correlation between PD and Hb (r = -0.231, R2= 0.15 P-value < 0.001) was negative and weak as compared to that between FEP/Hb and Hb (r = -0.6, R2=0.572 P-value=0.001).ConclusionBased on the study’s findings, we conclude that BL significantly contributes to the pathogenesis of anemia and therefore its co-existence with malaria infection in the host exacerbates the anemia status.Trial registration Not applicable
tRFTar: predicting the targets of tRNA-derived fragments
Authors: Xiao Qiong , Gao Peng , Huang Xuanzhang , Chen Xiaowan , Chen Quan , Lv Xinger , Fu Yu , Song Yongxi , Wang Zhen-Ning
Published: November 2020

Background: tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are 14–40-nucleotide-long, small non-coding RNAs derived from specific tRNA cleavage events with key regulatory functions in many biological processes. Many studies have shown that tRFs are associated with Argonaute (AGO) complexes and inhibit gene expression in the same manner as miRNAs. However, there are currently no tools for accurately predicting tRF target genes. Methods: We used tRF-mRNA pairs identified by crosslinking, ligation, and sequencing of hybrids (CLASH) and covalent ligation of endogenous AGO-bound RNAs (CLEAR)-CLIP to assess features that may participate in tRF targeting, including the sequence context of each site and tRF-mRNA interactions. We applied genetic algorithm (GA) to select key features and support vector machine (SVM) to construct tRF prediction models. Results: We first identified features that globally influenced tRF targeting. Among these features, the most significant were the minimum free folding energy (MFE), position 8 match, number of bases paired in the tRF-mRNA duplex, and length of the tRF, which were consistent with previous findings. Our constructed model yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) = 0.980 (0.977-0.983) in the training process and an AUC = 0.847 (0.83-0.861) in the test process. The model was applied to all the sites with perfect Watson-Crick complementarity to the seed in the 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) of the human genome. Seven of nine target/nontarget genes of tRFs confirmed by reporter assay were predicted. Conclusions: Predictions can be obtained online, tRFTar, freely available at http://trftar.cmuzhenninglab.org:3838/tar/, which is the first tool to predict targets of tRFs in humans with a user-friendly interface.
Pretreatments for enhancing sewage sludge reduction and reuse in lipid production
Authors: Chen Jiaxin , Li Ji , Zhang Xiaolei , Wu Zhaoyang
Published: November 2020

Background: Converting wastewater sludge to lipid is considered as one of the best strategies of sludge management. The current problem of lipid production from wastewater sludge is the low yield (0.10-0.16 g lipid/g dry sludge) due to the low availability of easily uptaken materials (such as soluble monosaccharide and oligosaccharide) in sludge to oleaginous microorganism (Rhodotorula glutini, Trichosporon oleaginosus, Lipomyces starkey). Pretreatments are efficient methods to improve sludge bioavailability. This study is aimed to achieve high lipid production from sludge and high sludge reduction. Results: In this study, it was observed that the soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) had significantly increased after different pretreatment.The SCOD in the supernatant was increased from 32.64 to 180.25 mg/L, 924.16 mg/L, 1029.89mg/L and 3708.31 mg/L after acidic (pH 2 for 2 h), alkaline (pH 12 for 2 h), microwave irradiation (15 min with 5 min interval) and ultrasonication (30 min at 450 W and 20 kHz frequency with 5 s on and 2 s off mode) pretreatment, respectively. Pretreatments have also increased the release in total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) from solids. The sludge after different pretreatments were used as medium for lipid production, and the highest lipid content (36.67% g/g) was obtained in the fermentation with ultrasonication pretreatment sludge, and the sludge reduction was 63.10%. For other pretreatment, the lipid content and sludge reduction were 18.42% and 32.63% in acid pretreatment case, 21.08% and 36.44% in alkaline pretreatment case, and 26.31% and 43.03% in microwave pretreatment case, respectively.Conclusion: It was found that ultrasonication pretreatment was the most efficient way to increase the sludge biodegradability (SCOD) and to release TN and TP from solid phase to liquid phase. Pretreated sludge for lipid production achieved significant improvement in lipid yield and sludge reduction. Lipids produced from pretreated sludge was transesterified to biodiesel and the analysis showed that the biodiesel had similar composition as commercial biodiesel. The study reveals that pretreatment on sludge is a promising method for enhancing biological sludge management efficiency.
Engineering prokaryotic regulator IrrE to enhance stress tolerance in budding yeast
Authors: Wang Li , Wang Xin , He Zhi-Qiang , Zhou Si-Jie , Xu Li , Tan Xiao-Yu , Xu Tao , Li Bing-Zhi , Yuan Ying-Jin
Published: November 2020

BackgroundStress tolerance is one of the important desired microbial traits for industrial bioprocesses, and global regulatory protein engineering is an efficient approach to improve strain tolerance. In our study, IrrE, a global regulatory protein from the prokaryotic organism Deinococcus radiodurans, was engineered to confer yeast the improved tolerances to the inhibitors in lignocellulose hydrolysates or high temperatures.ResultsThree IrrE mutations were developed through directed evolution, and the expression of these mutants could improve the yeast fermentation rate by 3-fold or more in the presence of multiple inhibitors. Subsequently, the tolerance to multiple inhibitors of single-site mutants based on the mutations from the variants were then evaluated, and eleven mutants, including L65P, I103T, E119V, L160F, P162S, M169V, V204A, R244G, Base 824 Deletion, V299A, and A300V were identified to be critical for the improved representative inhibitors, i.e., furfural, acetic acid and phenol (FAP) tolerance. Further studies indicated that IrrE caused genome-wide transcriptional perturbation in yeast, and the mutant I24 led to the rapid growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by primarily regulating the transcription level of transcription activators/factors, protecting the intracellular environment and enhancing the antioxidant capacity under inhibitor environments, which reflected IrrE plasticity. Meanwhile, we observed that the expression of the wild-type or mutant IrrE could also protect Saccharomyces cerevisiae from the damage caused by thermal stress. The recombinant yeast strains were able to grow with glucose at 42 ºC.ConclusionsIrrE from Deinococcus radiodurans can be engineered as a tolerance-enhancer for Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Systematic research on the regulatory model and mechanism of a prokaryotic global regulatory factor IrrE to increase yeast tolerance provided valuable insights for the improvements in microbial tolerance to complex industrial stress conditions.
De novo assembly and analysis of the transcriptome of the Dermacentor marginatus genes differentially expressed after blood-feeding and long-term starvation
Authors: Hu Ercha , Meng Yuan , Ma Ying , Song Ruiqi , Hu Zhengxiang , Li Min , Hao Yunwei , Fan Xinli , Wei Liting Wei , Fan Shilong , Chen Songqin , Zhai Xuejie , Li Yongchang , Wei Zhang , Zhang Yang , Guo Qingyong , Bayin Chahan
Published: November 2020

Background: The ixodid tick Dermacentor marginatus is a vector of many pathogens wide spread in Eurasia. Studies of gene sequence on many tick species have greatly increased the information on tick protective antigen which might have the potential to function as effective vaccine candidates or drug targets for eco-friendly acaricide development. In the current study, RNA-seq was applied to identify D. marginatus sequences and analyze differentially expressed unigenes.Methods: To obtain a broader picture of gene sequences and changes in expression level, RNA-seq was performed to obtain the whole-body transcriptome data of D. marginatus adult female ticks after engorgement and long-term starvation. Subsequently, the real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was applied to validate the RNA-seq data.Results: RNA-seq produced 30,251 unigenes, of which 32% were annotated. Gene expression was compared among groups that differed by status as newly molted, starved and engorged female adult ticks. Nearly one third of the unigenes in each group were differentially expressed compared to the other two groups, and the most numerous were genes encoding proteins involved in catalytic and binding activities and apoptosis. Selected up-regulated differentially expressed genes in each group were associated to protein, lipids, carbohydrate and chitin metabolism. Blood-feeding and long-term starvation also caused genes differentially expressed in the defense response and antioxidant response. RT-qPCR results indicated 6 differentially expressed transcripts showed similar trends in expression changes with RNA-seq results confirming that the gene expression profiles in transcriptome data is in consistent with RT-qPCR validation.Conclusions: Obtaining the sequence information of D. marginatus and characterizing the expression pattern of the genes involved in blood-feeding and during starvation would be helpful in understanding molecular physiology of D. marginatus and provides data for anti-tick vaccine and drug development for controlling the tick.
Reduced human-biting preferences of the African malaria vectors Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles gambiae in an urban context: Controlled, competitive host-preference experiments in Tanzania
Authors: Mlacha Yeromin P , Chaki Prosper P. , Muhili Athuman , Massue Dennis J. , Tanner Marcel , Majambere Silas , Killen Gerry F , Govella Nicodem J.
Published: November 2020

Background: Host preference is a critical determinant of human exposure to vector-borne infections and the impact of vector control interventions. Widespread use of long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) across sub-Saharan Africa, which protect humans against mosquitoes, may select for altered host preference traits of malaria vectors over the long term. Here, the host preferences of Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto were experimentally assessed in the field, using direct host-preference assays in two distinct ecological settings in Tanzania.Methods: Eight Ifakara Tent Trap (ITT), four baited with humans and four with bovine calves, were simultaneously used to catch malaria vectors in open field sites in urban and rural Tanzania. The numbers of mosquitoes collected in human-baited traps versus calf-baited traps were used to estimate human feeding preference for each site's vector species.Results: The estimated proportion [95% confidence interval (CI)] of mosquitoes attacking humans rather than cattle was 0.60 [0.40, 0.77] for An. arabiensis in the rural setting and 0.61 [0.32, 0.85] for An. gambiae s.s. in the urban setting, indicating no preference for either host in both cases (P=0.32 and 0.46, respectively) and no difference in preference between the two (Odds Ratio (OR) [95%] = 0.95 [0.30, 3.01], P=0.924). However, only a quarter of An. arabiensis in the urban setting attacked humans (0.25 [0.09, 0.53]), indicating a preference for cattle that approached significance (P=0.08). Indeed, urban An. arabiensis were less likely to attack humans rather than cattle when compared to the same species in the rural setting (OR [95%] = 0.21 [0.05, 0.91], P =0.037).Conclusion. Urban An. arabiensis had a stronger preference for cattle than the rural population and urban An. gambiae s.s. showed no clear preference for either humans or cattle. In the urban setting, both species exhibited stronger tendencies to attack cattle than previous studies of the same species in rural contexts. Cattle keeping may, therefore, particularly limit the impact of human-targeted vector control interventions in Dar es Salaam and perhaps in other African towns and cities.
What is the added value of CT-angiography in patients with transient ischemic attack?
Authors: Herpertz Gerrit U. , Maier Ilko L , Bähr Mathias , Psychiogios Marios-Nikos , Liman Jan
Published: November 2020

BackgroundTransient ischemic attack (TIA) is an important predictor for a pending stroke. Guidelines recommend similar workup for TIA-patients as for stroke patients to directly assess the extra- and intracranial arteries via Computed tomography angiography (CTA) regarding vascular pathologies with direct therapeutic implications. Aim of our study was a systematic analysis of CTA-findings in TIA-patients and evaluate possible predictive TIA scores for ipsilateral vascular pathology. MethodsWe analysed data from TIA patients, admitted to our University Medical Centre, between September 2015 and March 2018, to identify predictors for high-risk vascular pathologies, like high-grade stenosis, dissection, thrombi or occlusion and the for need for an intervention. Following subgroups were identified: 1) no- or low-grade-stenosis (<50%) 2) ipsilateral high-risk vascular pathology and 3) high risk findings needing surgical or interventional treatment. As predictive tools for ipsilateral vascular findings we used the ABCD2-, the ABCD3- and the SPI-II score.ResultsOf 833 patients, 549 (65.9%) underwent initial CTA in the emergency department. In 126 (23.0%) patients, ipsilateral vascular findings were identified from which 40 (7.3%) needed treatment. The ABCD2-, ABCD3- and SPI-II-scores were not predictive for ipsilateral vascular pathologies. We identified coronary heart disease (OR 2.13, 1.35-3.39 95% CI; p=0.001) and short duration of symptoms (OR 0.7, 0.55-0,89 95% CI; p=0.004) as predictors for ipsilateral vascular pathologies. ConclusionMore than every fifth TIA-patient had relevant vascular findings revealed by acute CTA. TIA-scores were not predictive for these findings. Patients with a history of coronary heart disease and short duration of symptoms most likely might benefit from acute CTA to streamline further diagnostics and therapy.
Photomap of the polythenic chromosomes of Drosophila malerkotliana and in situ mapping of the Hsp83 locus
Authors: Felix Pierre Teodosio , Santos José Ferreira dos
Published: November 2020

A photomap of the polythenic chromosomes of D. malerkotliana was constructed to facilitate the identification of the chromosomal arms and their sections, in order to allow the identification of the breaking points of inversions and the location of the bands marked by in situ hybridization. The photomap of the polythenic chromosomes of D. malerkotliana was constructed with the six chromosome arms corresponding to pairs I (chromosome X), II and III, which are submetacentric and pair IV and Y chromosome were not included because they were not visualized in the material examined, probably due to their small size. The in-situ hybridization was performed on polythenic chromosome slides of 3 individuals. Fourteen marks were observed in Sect. 98 of the chromosomal arm IIIR, representing 70% of the markings. Other marks were found in Sect. 91 (2 marks, 10%), 87 (2 marks, 10%) and 85 (1 mark, 5%) of the same arm and in Sect. 25 (1 mark, 5%) of the IIL chromosomal arm. In this work, a photomap was made and mapped by in situ hybridization a physiologically important gene, the first being mapped in D. malerkotliana, representing the beginning of a complete study of the chromosomal evolution of the species, which will also include the induction of poufs by stress or hormones such as ecdysone.
Prevalence and associated factors for Alcohol Use Disorder among tuberculosis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis study.
Authors: Necho Mogesie , Tsehay Mekonnen , Seid Muhammed , Zenebe Yosef , Belete Asmare , Gelaye Habitam , Muche Amare
Published: November 2020

Background: Alcohol use disorders (AUD) in tuberculosis patients are complicated with poor compliance to anti-tuberculosis treatment and poor tuberculosis treatment outcomes. However, aggregate data concerning this problem is not available. Therefore, this review aimed to fill the above gap by generating an average prevalence of AUD in tuberculosis patients.Method: Our electronic search for original articles was conducted in the databases of Scopus, PubMed, and EMBASE, African Index Medicus, and psych-info. Besides, the reference list of selected articles was looked at manually to have further eligible articles for the prevalence and associated factors of AUD in tuberculosis patients. The random-effects model was employed during the analysis. MS-Excel was used to extract data and stata-11 to determine the average prevalence of AUD among tuberculosis patients. A sub-group analysis and sensitivity analysis were also run. A visual inspection of the funnel plots and an Eggers publication bias plot test were checked for the presence of publication bias.Result: A search of the electronic and manual system resulted in 1970 articles. However, after removing duplicates and unoriginal articles, only 28 articles that studied 30854 tuberculosis patients met the inclusion criteria. The average estimated prevalence of AUD in tuberculosis patients was 30% (95% CI: 24.00, 35.00). This was with a slight heterogeneity (I2 = 57%, p-value < 0.001). The prevalence of AUD in tuberculosis patients was higher in Asia and Europe; 37% than the prevalence in the US and Africa; 24%. Besides, the average prevalence of AUD was 39%, 30%, 30%, and 20% in studies with case-control, cohort, cross-sectional and experimental in design respectively. Also, the prevalence of AUD was higher in studies with the assessment tool not reported (36%) than studies assessed with AUDIT. AUD was also relatively higher in studies with a mean age of ≥ 40 years (42%) than studies with a mean age < 40 years (24%) and mean age not reported (27%). Based on a qualitative review; the male gender, older age, being single, unemployment, low level of education and income from socio-demographic variables, retreatment and treatment failure patients, stigma, and medication non-adherence from clinical variables were among the associated factors for AUD. Conclusion: This review study obtained a high average prevalence of AUD in tuberculosis patients and this varies across continents, design of studies, mean age of the participants, and assessment tool used. This implied the need for early screening and management of AUD in tuberculosis patients.
Favorable outcome of COVID-19 infection in a patient with congenital myasthenic syndrome
Authors: Bonanno Silvia , Maggi Lorenzo
Published: November 2020

Patients affected by neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) are theoretically at higher risk for severe illness from SARS-CoV2 due to respiratory and swallowing muscle weakness 1. Here we describe the first case of congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) who was infected with COVID-19 and showed a positive outcome.
Urea-Extracted Sericin is Potentially Better Than Kojic Acid in the Inhibition of Melanogenesis Through Increased ROS Generation
Authors: Cherdchom Sarocha , Sereemasoun Amornpun , Aramwit Pornanong
Published: November 2020

Background: Hyperpigmentation is a skin disorder, which is caused by an excess production of melanin. The reduction in melanin content without causing undesirable effects is required for the treatment of hyperpigmentation. Sericin is increasingly used as a hyperpigmentation treatment because of its antityrosinase activity. However, the various methods of sericin extraction have an effect on the composition and biological properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and anti-melanogenic properties of sericin using different extraction methods including acid, base, heat, and urea extraction. Methods: The chemical properties of extracted sericin were assessed in terms of amino acid components, thermal behavior, and UV-vis absorption. The inhibitory effects of sericin on melanogenesis were explored by determining the melanin content and cellular tyrosinase activity in B16F10 cells.Results: Sericin from urea extraction provided different properties when compared with the other extraction methods. Our results indicate that urea-extracted sericin reduced the melanin content and cellular tyrosinase activity more effectively than the other extraction methods. Interestingly, the potential anti-melanogenic activity was more effective than kojic acid, a depigmenting agent used to treat hyperpigmentation.Conclusions: Our results present the potential inhibitory effect of urea-extracted sericin on melanogenesis. Our results support the therapeutic potential of urea-extracted sericin in the treatment of hyperpigmentation and its complications.
Ionic contrast across a lipid membrane for Debye length extension: towards an ultimate bioelectronics transducer
Authors: Lee Donggeun , Lee Suho , Yu Eui-Sang , Lee Taikjin , Kim Jae Hun , Song Hyun Seok , Lee Kwan Hyi , Lee Seok , Han Sang-Kook , Choi Myung Chul , Ryu Yong-Sang , Kim Chulki
Published: November 2020

Despite technological advances in biomolecule detections, evaluation of molecular interactions via potentiometric devices under ion-enriched solutions has remained a long-standing problem. To avoid severe performance degradation of bioelectronics by ionic screening effects, we cover probe surfaces of field effect transistors (FETs) with a single film of the supported lipid bilayer (SLB), and realize outstanding potentiometric signals from receptor-ligand bindings irrespective of ionic strength of bulky solutions by placing an ion-free water layer underneath the SLB. High-energy X-ray reflectometry together with the circuit analysis discovered biochemical findings that effective electrical signals dominantly originated from the sub-nanoscale conformational change of lipids in the course of receptor-ligand bindings. Beyond thorough analysis on the underlying mechanism at the molecular level, the proposed SLB-FET platform ensures the world-record level of sensitivity in molecular detection with excellent reproducibility regardless of molecular charges and environmental ionic conditions.