bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A phenomics-based approach for the detection and interpretation of shared genetic influences on 29 biochemical indices in southern Chinese men
Authors: hu yanling , tan aihua , yu lei , hou chenyang , kuang haofa , wu qunying , sun Jinghan , zhou Qingniao , zhu yuanyuan , Zhang Chenqi , wei wei , li Lianfeng , li weidong , huang yuanjie , huang hongli , xie xing , lu tingxi , zhang haiying , yang xiaobo , gao yong , li tianyu , Jiang yonghua , mo zengnan
Published: December 2019

Background: Phenomics provides new technologies and platforms as a systematic phenome-genome approach. However, few studies have reported on the systematic mining of shared genetics among clinical biochemical indices based on phenomics methods, especially in China. This study aimed to apply phenomics to systematically explore shared genetics among 29 biochemical indices based on the Fangchenggang Area Male Health and Examination Survey cohort. Result: A total of 1,999 subjects with 29 biochemical indices and 709,211 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were subjected to phenomics analysis. Three bioinformatics methods, namely, Pearson’s test, Jaccard’s index, and linkage disequilibrium score regression, were used. The results showed that 29 biochemical indices were from a network. IgA, IgG, IgE, IgM, HCY, AFP and B12 were in the central community of 29 biochemical indices. Key genes and loci associated with metabolism traits were further identified, and shared genetics analysis showed that 29 SNPs (P < 10-4) were associated with three or more traits. After integrating the SNPs related to two or more traits with the GWAS catalogue, 31 SNPs were found to be associated with several diseases (P < 10-8). Using ALDH2 as an example to preliminarily explore its biological function, we also confirmed that the rs671 (ALDH2) polymorphism affected multiple traits of osteogenesis and adipogenesis differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Conclusion: All these findings indicated a network of shared genetics and 29 biochemical indices, which will help fully understand the genetics participating in biochemical metabolism.
Increased songbird nest depredation due to Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis) encroachment in Mediterranean shrubland
Authors: Ben-David Asaf , Shamoon Hila , Izhaki Ido , Efronny Roni , Maor Roi , Dayan Tamar
Published: December 2019

Background In recent decades, a decrease of passerine densities was documented in Mediterranean shrublands. At the same time, a widespread encroachment of Aleppo pines ( Pinus halepensis ) to Mediterranean shrubland occurred. Such changes in vegetation structure may affect passerine predator assemblage and densities, and in turn impact passerine densities. Depredation during the nesting season is an important factor to influence passerine population size. Understanding the effects of changes in vegetation structure (pine encroachment) on passerine nesting success is the main objective of this study. We do so by assessing the effects of Aleppo pine encroachment on Sardinian warbler ( Sylvia melanocephala ) nest depredation in Mediterranean shrublands.
Methods We examined direct and indirect predation pressures through a gradients of pine density, using four methods: (1) placing dummy nests; (2) acoustic monitoring of mobbing events; (3) direct observations on nest predation using cameras; and (4) observation of Eurasian jay ( Garrulus glandarius ) behaviour as indirect evidence of predation risk.
Results We found that Aleppo pine encroachment to Mediterranean shrublands increased nest predation by Eurasian jays. Nest predation was highest in mixed shrubland and pines. These areas are suitable for warblers but had high occurrence rate of Eurasian jays.
Conclusions Encroaching pines directly increase activity of Eurasian jays in shrubland habitats, which reduced the nesting success of Sardinian warblers. These findings are supported by multiple methodologies, illustrating different predation pressures along a gradient of pine densities in natural shrublands. Management of Aleppo pine seedlings and removal of unwanted trees in natural shrubland might mitigate arrival and expansion of predators and decrease the predation pressure on passerine nests.
The importance of sex as a risk factor for hospital readmissions due to pulmonary diseases
Authors: Buja Alessandra , De Polo Anna , De Battisti Elisa , Sperotto Milena , Baldovin Tatjana , Cocchio Silvia , Furlan Patrizia , Saia Mario , Scapellato Maria Luisa , Viel Guido , Baldo Vincenzo , Bertoncello Chiara , Ebell Mark
Published: December 2019

Background Pulmonary diseases are a common and costly cause of 30-day readmissions. Few studies have focused on the difference in risk for rehospitalization between men and women in older patients. In this study we analyzed the association between sex and the risk of readmission in a cohort of patients admitted to the hospital for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation and other major pulmonary diseases. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study based on administrative data collected in the Veneto Region in 2016. We included 14,869 hospital admissions among residents aged ≥ 65 years for diagnosis related groups (DRGs) of the most common disorders of the respiratory system: bronchitis and asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, respiratory failure, and COPD. Multilevel logistic regressions were performed to test the association between 30-day hospital readmission and sex, adjusting for confounding factors. Results For bronchitis and asthma, male patients had significantly higher odds of 30-day readmission than female patients (aOR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.11-3.87). The odds of readmission for men were also significantly higher for pneumonia (aOR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.13-1.72), for pulmonary edema and respiratory failure (aOR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.05-1.55), and for COPD (aOR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.00-1.81). Conclusions This study found that male sex is a major risk factors for readmission in patients aged more than 65 years with a primary pulmonary diagnosis. More studies are needed to understand the underlying determinants of this phenomena and to provide targets for future interventions
Alcohol use, pregnancy and associated risk factors: a pilot cross-sectional study of pregnant women attending antenatal care in an urban city
Authors: Moise Imelda K
Published: December 2019

Background
Alcohol consumption during pregnancy is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preventable alcohol-related developmental disability fetal alcohol syndrome. In Zambia, alcohol use and associated risk factors have not been investigated, and screening in prenatal care is nonexistent. This study determined individual correlates and the prevalence of alcohol use in pregnant women attending prenatal care at two health clinics in Lusaka, Zambia.
Methods
A study adopted a cross-sectional design and recruited 188 pregnant women after seeking their informed consent from July 19 to 31, 2017. Participants aged 18 or over completed the T-ACE (Tolerance, Annoyance, Cut Down and Eye Opener) screening tool and validated alcohol-screening questionnaires on self-reported alcohol use periconceptional and during conception period while at their regular prenatal visit. The T-ACE screening tool assessed the risk of alcohol dependence in four short questions. The questionnaires included demographic questions. Bivariate analyses were performed using the χ2 test for dichotomous variables and the t-test for continuous variables. Mixed-effects linear models were used to evaluate the effect of outcome variables with patient-level variables.
Results
About 40 (21.2%) pregnant women were identified by the T-ACE as at-risk for problem drinking during pregnancy. Except for regular prenatal care and distance, there was no difference in the demographic factors between pregnant women who scored <2 on the T-ACE and those that scored > 2 points (all p’s > 0.05). A small proportional of women at both clinics reported binge drinking during the periconceptional period (12.7% vs. 3.2%, p=0.003) and beyond periconception period. Excluding employed women, no significant relationships were observed between alcohol use and demographic factors.
Conclusion
Alcohol consumption is prevalent in the periconceptional period and during pregnancy in pregnant women attending prenatal care in Zambia. Findings underscore the need for targeted alcohol use screening and intervention for pregnant women.
Moderation effect of emotion regulation on the relationship between social anxiety, drinking motives and alcohol related problems among university students
Authors: Kim Sojung , Kwon Jung-Hye
Published: December 2019

Background: Accumulated evidence suggests that individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) are at particular risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). Yet, little is known about the mechanisms under this high comorbidity. This study aimed to elucidate the process of the development of alcohol related problems among individuals with elevated social anxiety. We examined the moderation effect of difficulties in emotion regulation on the relationship between cognitive-behavioral-physiological symptoms of social anxiety, coping and conformity motives and alcohol related problems.
Methods: In a sample of university students (N = 647) in South Korea, the proposed model in which cognitive (fear of negative evaluation)-behavioral (social avoidance)-physiological symptoms (concerns over physiological symptoms) were supposed to affect alcohol related problems with the mediation of coping and conformity motives was tested. Furthermore, difficulties in emotion regulation were hypothesized to moderate each mediational path.
Results: Results showed that the fear of negative evaluation and concerns over physiological symptoms predicted alcohol related problems with the mediation of conformity and coping motives, respectively. As hypothesized, each path was moderated by difficulties in emotion regulation.
Conclusions: Findings suggest that coping and conformity motives to cope with cognitive and physiological symptoms of social anxiety were related to alcohol related problems. In addition, individuals with high levels of difficulties in emotion regulation were prone to exhibit more alcohol related problems.
The reliability and validity of a slightly revised Chinese version simplified modified Rankin scale questionnaire
Authors: yuan Junliang , wang yunxiao , Hu Wenli , Bruno Askiel
Published: December 2019

Background: The slightly revised English version simplified modified Rankin scale questionnaire smRSq(2011) was shown to be reliable, valid, and useful in scoring the modified Rankin scale (mRS) after stroke. Our aim was to assess the inter-rater reliability and validity of a novel Chinese version smRSq(2011). Methods: The English version smRSq(2011) was translated into Chinese by a standard process. We recruited 300 consecutive hospitalized ischemic stroke patients in the department of neurology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital. Six randomly paired raters scored the conventional mRS, the novel Chinese version smRSq(2011), the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and the Barthel index (BI) in-person. Inter-rater reliability and validity were assessed. Results: Among the 300 ischemic stroke patients, mean age was 64.9±12.1 years, and 220 (73%) were male. For inter-rater reliability of the smRSq(2011), the percent agreement among the paired raters was 87%, the kappa (κ) was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.79-0.88), and the weighted kappa (κw) was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.95-0.98). The percent agreement between the smRSq(2011) scores by the first rater and the conventional mRS scores by the second rater in each pair was 55%, κ=0.47 (95% CI, 0.40-0.54), and κw=0.91 (95% CI, 0.89-0.93). In construct validity testing, the Spearman’s correlation coefficients comparing the smRSq(2011) scores by the first rater with the NIHSS and the BI scores by the second rater were 0.83 (P<0.001) and -0.86 (P<0.001), respectively. Conclusions: Our results suggest usefulness of the novel Chinese version smRSq(2011) in scoring the mRS in Chinese stroke patients. Further validation in other clinical settings, including in communities and by remote methods in China is warranted.
Value of exercise stress electrocardiography for stratification of exercise capacity and left ventricular systolic and diastolic function on coronary slow flow: Case-control study
Authors: Wang Yonghuai , Li Jinyang , Liu Shuang , Mu Lixin , Li Guangyuan , Yu Hang , Yang Jun , Ma Chun-yan
Published: December 2019

Background
Coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP) is an angiographic entity characterized by delayed coronary opacification in absence of evident obstructive lesion in the epicardial coronary artery. However, whether patients with CSFP exhibit differing responses to exercise is still not known. This study aimed to evaluate results of exercise stress electrocardiography (ExECG) and left ventricular (LV) function during exercise, and study the value of ExECG for stratification of exercise capacity and LV function in patients with CSFP.
Methods
Thirty patients with CSFP and 24 controls were enrolled in the study. Diagnosis of CSFP was made by Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction frame count. ExECG and LV function measured by echocardiography at rest, during exercise and recovery phase were evaluated.
Results
Negative ExECG was found in 24 (80%) patients with CSFP. At rest, LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) decreased and mitral average E/e’ increased in patients with CSFP compared with controls; however, there were no differences in these parameters between CSFP patients with negative ExECG and patients with positive ExECG. During exercise, CSFP patients with negative ExECG and controls had significantly increased LV GLS and decreased mitral average E/e’, but CSFP patients with positive ExECG had significantly decreased LV GLS and increased mitral average E/e’.
Conclusions
About 80% patients with CSFP exhibited negative ExECG. CSFP patients with negative ExECG exhibited improved LV function but CSFP patients with positive ExECG exhibited impaired LV function during exercise. ExECG may aid in the stratification of exercise capacity and LV function in patients with CSFP.
Ischemic stroke in Morocco: A systematic review
Authors: Kharbach Ahmed , Majdouline Obtel , Lahlou Laila , Aasfara Jehanne , Mekaoui Nour , Razine Rachid
Published: December 2019

Background: The aim of this systematic review is to determine; the epidemiological and etiological profiles, the influential factors of the prehospital delay, thrombolysis management, the acute and 3-month mortality rate and the genetic aspect of ischemic stroke in Morocco.Methods: The present work is a systematic review that was conducted according to the recommendations of the "Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis". We used Pubmed, Sciencedirect, Scopus, Clinicalkey, and Google scholar databases for the raking of the gray literature during the period between 2009 and 2018. The protocol of the review was registered in the PROSPERO register (CRD42018115206). These studies were analyzed based on: Age, sex ratio, risk factors, etiological profile according to Trial of ORG classification 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment, prehospital delay average and it’s influential factors, thrombolyzed patients proportion, acute and 3-month mortality and the genetic factors of ischemic stroke in Morocco. Results: Twenty-nine (n = 29) studies were selected. The average age ranged from 49±15.2 to 67.3 ± 9.9 years old. Moreover, we reported male predominance within all ages in 13 studies. High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and heart disease were the four identified main risk factors by these studies. Atherosclerosis and cardioembolic were the main described etiologies of cerebral ischemia, and the average prehospital time ranged from 26 to 61.9 hours. The proportion of thrombolysed patients ranged from 1.8% to 2.9%, the mortality rate varied in the acute phase from 3 to 13%, and the 3-month mortality ranged from 4.3 to 32.5%. It is also important to highlight that most of these studies have a reduced sample size, conducted in hospital environment, and no confidence interval was reported. Conclusions: Ischemic stroke is affecting more likely the young population with male predominance. Moreover, the long prehospital delay and the low proportion of thrombolysed patients are alarming. Indicating, thus, the need to investigate in depth the key factors influencing the access to care for Moroccan patients in order to improve the management of this neurologic deficit in Morocco. Key words: Ischemic stroke, Trial of ORG classification 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment classification, prehospital delay, thrombolysis, Morocco.
Evaluating the effects of an exercise program (Staying UpRight) for older adults in long-term care on rates of falls: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Taylor Lynne , Parsons John , Taylor Denise , Binns Elizabeth , Lord Sue , Edlin Richard , Rochester Lynn , Din Silvia Del , Klenk Jochen , Buckley Christopher , Cavadino Alana , Moyes Simon A , Kerse Ngaire
Published: December 2019

Background
Falls are two to four times more frequent amongst long-term care (LTC) than community-dwelling older adults and have deleterious consequences. It is hypothesized that a progressive exercise program targeting balance and strength will reduce falls rates when compared to a seated exercise program and do so cost effectively.
Methods/Design
This is a single blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with blinded assessment of outcome and intention-to-treat analysis. LTC residents (age ≥65 years) will be recruited from LTC facilities in New Zealand. Participants (n= 528 total; with a 1:1 allocation ratio) will be randomly assigned to either a novel exercise program (Staying UpRight), comprising strength and balance exercises designed specifically for LTC and acceptable to people with dementia, (intervention group) or a seated exercise program (control group). The intervention and control group classes will be delivered for 1 hour twice weekly over 1 year. The primary outcome is rate of falls (per 1000 person years) within the intervention period.
Secondary outcomes will be risk of falling (the proportion of fallers per group), falls rate relative to activity exposure, hospitalisation for fall-related injury, change in gait variability, volume and patterns of ambulatory activity and change in physical performance assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Cost effectiveness will be examined using intervention and health service costs.
The trial commenced recruitment on 31 November 2018.
Discussion
This study evaluates the efficacy and cost effectiveness of a progressive strength and balance exercise program for aged-care residents to reduce falls. The outcomes will aid development of evidenced-based exercise programs for this vulnerable population.
Short-term Efficacy and Safety of CalliSpheres Drug-loaded Microsphere Embolization in Primary Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Li Jinpeng , Wang Nan , Shi Congcong , Liu Qingran , Shao Wenbo , Xue Dewen , Song Jinlong
Published: December 2019

Background To evaluate the short-term clinical efficacy, side effects, and risk factors affecting the clinical effectiveness of CalliSpheres drug-loaded bead-transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in the treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods A total of 172 consecutive patients with HCC undergoing DEB-TACE (loaded with doxorubicin) from August 2016 to July 2018 were prospectively enrolled. Short-term local tumor response was evaluated by the modified RECIST criteria. Postoperative complications and liver function disorders were analyzed based on examinations and clinical symptoms.Results The median follow-up period was 310 days. Based on the mRECIST criteria, objective response rates (CR+PR) were 78.7%, 71.6% and 63.2%, and disease control rates (CR+PR+SD) were 95.3%, 92.1% and 85.9% at 2, 4 and 6 months post-treatment, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that nodule number >3, high BCLC stage, vascular leak, and previous cTACE treatment were associated with poor ORR (P<0.05). Post-operation, liver function showed transient changes. Postoperative complications were tolerated and relieved by symptomatic treatment. The average interval of TACE before D-TACE was 43 days, compared with 70 days for average interval of DEB-TACE. The average hospital stay was 1.87 days.Conclusions DEB-TACE has improved short-term efficacy and lower incidence of complications in primary HCC and prolongs the interval of TACE. It significantly increases the ORR, especially in patients with no extra-hepatic metastasis pre-treatment. DEB usage actually improves treatment efficacy and provides more benefits to patients.
ASAP1 promotes tumor progression and angiogenesis and independently predicts poor prognosis and lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer
Authors: Gao Hongyu , Qin Ling , Shi Huawen , Zhang Hongfeng , Li Chunfeng , Ma Yan , Song Haibin , Li Zhiguo , Xue Yingwei , Liu Tianbo
Published: December 2019

Background: Although ArfGAP with SH3 Domain, Ankyrin Repeat and PH Domain 1(ASAP1) is involved in the development of various malignancies, its clinical significance and mechanism in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear.Methods: The effects of ASAP1 on tumor progression, angiogenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition were evaluated in vitro. The effects of ASAP1 on tumor growth and angiogenesis were also explored in vivo. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases were used to gather ASAP1 expression data.Results: It showed that ASAP1 expression strongly correlated with the TNM stage (P < 0.0001) and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analyses indicated that ASAP1 overexpression (P < 0.0001) was an independent predictor for overall survival in patients with GC. Moreover, the results revealed that ASAP1 overexpression was independently related to lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0001). ASAP1 knockdown inhibited tumor cell motility, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis, which was accompanied with the downregulation of metastatic and angiogenic biomarkers. Furthermore, ASAP1 inhibition resulted in the simultaneous downregulation of mesenchymal markers and upregulation of epithelial markers. In addition, ASAP1 promoted tumor growth and angiogenesis in the xenograft mice model. The combined datasets (TCGA and GEO) suggested that ASAP1 was associated with malignant behavior of tumor and tumor invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis.Conclusion: To our knowledge, our study is the first to reveal that ASAP1 promotes tumor progression and angiogenesis, and indicates a prognostic potential in GCs.
Caring for people with dementia in rural Uganda: qualitative study of caregiving burden experienced by informal and formal caregivers
Authors: Ainamani Herbert Elvis , Alele Paul E. , Rukundo Godfrey Z , Maling Samuel , Wakida Edith K. , Obua Celestino , Tsai Alexander C.
Published: December 2019

Background: The rising incidence of Alzheimer’s disease among older-age adults worldwide has been accompanied by an increase in caregiving burden. Limited work has examined the lived experiences of both formal and informal caregivers of people living with dementia in low-income countries. Methods: We conducted one-on-one, in-depth qualitative interviews with a purposive sample of 10 informal caregivers and 5 formal caregivers of people living with dementia. They were interviewed about their experiences caring for people with dementia until data saturation was reached. All interviews were audio taped, transcribed into English, and thematically analysed. Results: Two primary themes emerged from the data: patient factors influencing caregiving burden (problematic behaviours, such as wandering and aggression) and patient physical health and cognitive deterioration (namely, loss of memory and incontinence). Psychosocial and economic aspects of caregiving burden included financial costs, family conflicts, anxiety, stigma, and substance use. Conclusions: Both formal and informal caregivers of people living with dementia experience physical, financial, and psychological stressors. Interventions geared towards reducing these stressors would benefit caregivers as well as improve quality of care for people living with dementia.
Evaluation of Visual LAMP detection of Plasmodium falciparum and non-Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Zhou Shui Mao , Tu Zu-Wu , Yang Yan , Tang Wei Feng , Chen Fang , Jia Xi Shuai
Published: December 2019

Background: To detect the DNA of the malaria using Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and evaluate the effect. Method; According to the 18s rRNA sequence of the malaria, the LAMP primer of Plasmodium falciparum and non-Plasmodium falciparum were designed using Primer Explorer V5 software. The method of Visual LAMP detecting malaria was formation. The sensitivity, specificity and amplification efficiency were tested, compared with the Nest-PCR. Result: The filter papers of blood from 47 patients with Plasmodium falciparum and 49 with non-Plasmodium falciparum were detected using Visual LAMP. The patients with Plasmodium falciparum were all positive. In the patients with non-Plasmodium falciparum , false negative rate was 2.1%. In the 10 patients with Leishmaniasis, 8 with Schistosomiasis japonicum, 38 healthy human, none was positive. The results using visual LAMP were consistent with Nest-PCR (Kappa value = 0.956). All of the Tt in Visual LAMP are less than 60 min, especially the Tt of Plasmodium falciparum is 18.2 min. When adding calcium pyridoxine indicator during the Visual LAMP detection, the progress of the reaction to different substes of malaria delayed of about 9-23 min. Conclusion: LAMP is efficient and visible, deserved the prospect of application in the on-site and primary medical institutions.
Bacterial etiology of lower respiratory tract infection in a Chinese large teaching hospital from 2015 to 2019
Authors: Tian Lei , Zhang Zhen , He Feng , sun ziyong
Published: December 2019

Background Sputum is the most common specimen type of lower respiratory tract in China, but its cultivation result is easily confused by the bacteria colonized in the oral cavity and pharynx. And it is very difficult to evaluate the clinical significance of sputum culture results both for clinicians and microbiologists. Bronchoscope alveolus lavage fluid(BALF)is a good specimen, which can accurately reflect the situation of lower respiratory tract infections (LRIs).Methods The accumulated data of BALF culture and antimicrobial susceptibility test in our hospital from January 2015 to October 2019 were reviewed and analyzed.Results The positive rate of BALF culture in our hospital was 18.3% (3467/18935) in 2015-2019. The most common pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.1%, 627/3467), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.9%, 587/3467) and Acinetobacter baumannii (14.0%, 485/3467). For the eight most common pathogens, 40-70 years old was the highest age of distribution, but for Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pneumoniae, 0-5 years old was also the higher age of distribution. The antibiotic resistance rate of K. pneumoniae to imipenem and meropenem was 30.6% and 30.8%, respectively. The sensitivity of P. aeruginosa to antibiotics other than minocycline and ticarcillin clavulanic acid was all more than 60%. However, the resistance rate of A. baumannii to antibiotics other than tegacyclin and minocycline was all more than 80%.Conclusions 40-70 years old was the high incidence age of lower respiratory tract bacterial infection. K. pneumoniae resistant to carbapenems ( CR-K. pneumoniae ) and A. baumannii were a great challenge to clinical treatment and bacterial resistance control.
DKK3 attenuates JNK and AP-1 induced inflammation via Kremen-1 and DVL-1 in mice following intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Xu Yang , Nowrangi Derek , Liang Hui , Wang Tian , Yu Lingyan , Lu Tai , Lu Zhengyang , Zhang John H. , Luo Benyan , Tang Jiping
Published: December 2019

Background Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most devastating stroke subtype, with a poor prognosis and few proven treatments. Neuroinﬂammation is associated with ICH-induced brain injury and unfavorable outcomes. There is growing evidence that dinkkopf (DKK) 3 plays a key role in the adaptive anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective responses following intracerebral hemorrhage. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of DKK3 against brain edema and neuroinflammation in a mice model of ICH.Methods Male, adult CD1 mice were subjected to sham or ICH surgery using a collagenase injection model. ICH animals received either recombinant DKK3, Kremen-1 siRNA, or DVL-1 siRNA. The neurobehavioral deficits were evaluated at 24 h, 72 h, and 28 days after ICH induction. Western blot and immunofluorescence were employed to examine the expression and localization of DKK3, Kremen-1, Dishevelled-1 (DVL-1), c-JUN N-terminal kinase (JNK), Activator protein-1 (AP-1), cleaved caspase-1, NF-κB, and IL-1β in the brain.Results The expression of endogenous DKK3 and DVL-1 was transiently decreased after ICH compared to that in the sham group. Compared to the mice of ICH, exogenous rDKK3 administration reduced the brain water content and affected the neurological functions in ICH mice. Moreover, DKK3 was colocalized with Kremen-1 in microglia. Using a Kremen-1 or DVL-1 siRNA-induced in vivo knockdown approach, we demonstrated that the effects of DKK3 against ICH were mediated, at least partly, by the Kremen-1 and DVL-1 pathways.Conclusions DKK3 improves the neurological outcomes, potentially by decreasing JNK/AP-1 mediated inflammation, thereby ameliorating the short- and long-term sequelae after ICH.
Eimeria tenella Eimeria-specific protein that interacts with apical membrane antigen 1 (EtAMA1) is involved in host cell invasion
Authors: Li Cong , Zhao Qiping , Zhu Shunhai , Wang Qingjie , Wang Haixia , Yu Shuilan , Yu Yu , Liang Shashan , Zhao Huanzhi , Huang Bing , Dong Hui , Han Hongyu
Published: December 2019

Apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1), which is released from micronemes and is conserved across all apicomplexans, plays a central role in the host cell invasion. In this study, we characterized one putative Et AMA1-interacting protein, E. tenella Eimeria -specific protein ( Et Esp). The interaction between Et AMA1 and Et Esp was confirmed with bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) in vivo and by glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein pull-down (GST pull-down) in vitro . We showed that Et Esp is differentially expressed during distinct phases of the parasite life cycle by using qPCR and western blotting. Immunoﬂuorescence analysis showed that the Et Esp protein is mainly distributed on the parasite surface, and that the expression of this protein increases during the development of the parasite in the host cells. Using staurosporine, we showed that Et Esp is a micronemal protein secreted by sporozoites. In inhibition tests, a polyclonal anti-r Et Esp antibody attenuated the capacity of E. tenella to invade host cells in vitro . These data have implications for the use of Et AMA1 or Et AMA1-interacting proteins as targets in intervention strategies against avian coccidiosis.
Hox gene expression during development of the phoronid Phoronopsis harmeri
Authors: Gąsiorowski Ludwik , Hejnol Andreas
Published: December 2019

Background: Phoronida is a small group of marine worm-like suspension feeders, which together with brachiopods and bryozoans form the clade Lophophorata. Although their development is well studied on the morphological level, data regarding gene expression during this process are scarce and restricted to the analysis of relatively few transcription factors. Here we present a description of the expression patterns of Hox genes during the embryonic and larval development of the phoronid Phoronopsis harmeri.Results: We identified sequences of 8 Hox genes in the transcriptome of Ph. harmeri and determined their expression pattern during embryonic and larval development using whole mount in situ hybridization. We found that none of the Hox genes is expressed during embryonic development. Instead their expression is initiated in the later developmental stages, when the larval body is already formed. The Hox genes are expressed in the non-collinear manner in the posterior body of the larvae: in the telotroch and the structures that represent rudiments of the adult worm, which emerges through the process of drastic metamorphosis. Additionally, we found that certain head-specific transcription factors are expressed in the oral hood, apical organ, anterior digestive system and developing larval tentacles, anterior to the Hox-expressing territories.Conclusions: The lack of Hox gene expression during early development of Ph. harmeri indicates that the larval body develops without positional information of the Hox patterning system. Such phenomenon might be a consequence of the evolutionary intercalation of the larval form into an ancestral life cycle of phoronids. The observed Hox gene expression can also be a consequence of the actinotrocha representing a “head larva”, which is composed of the most anterior body region that is devoid of Hox gene expression, which is supported by the expression of head-specific transcription factors. This implies that the Hox patterning system is used for the positional information of the trunk rudiments and is, therefore, delayed to the later larval stages. We propose that a new body form was intercalated to the phoronid life cycle by precocious development of the anterior structures or by delayed development of the trunk rudiment in the ancestral phoronid larva.
The increased recurrence rate of liver abscess caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Chang Zhihui , Ren Yue , Wang Hairui , Liu Zhaoyu
Published: December 2019

Background The pathogenic bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) is the major causative agent of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). But reports about the prognosis of KP-caused PLA (KPLA) are rare. This study aimed to ascertain the recurrence rate of KPLA after initial treatment, and its contributing factors.Methods The medical records data were retrospectively analyzed of KPLA patients who were admitted to Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from January 2012 to January 2018. According to whether or not there was recurrence of KPLA during follow-up, the patients were divided into a ‘recurrence’ and a ‘non-recurrence’ group. The clinical and CT characteristics of patients were compared between the two groups, and those factors related to KPLA recurrence were further analyzed.Results A total of 110 patients who had first-time episodes of KPLA were included into the study. The average follow-up time was 3.65±2.18 years. Twenty (18.18%) KPLA patients experienced recurrence. Those in the recurrence group had a significantly greater incidence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production compared to the non-recurrence group (30.0% vs 8.89%, P=0.018). Diabetes, biliary tract disease, and history of malignancy was not associated with recurrence (all P>0.05). No difference in the CT characteristics of KPLA (including abscess size, location, whether multilocular, gas production of KPLA, and thrombophlebitis) was found between the two groups. Multivariate regression analysis showed that ESBL production (OR, 6.3; 95% CI, 1.02–38.59; P=0.04) was an independent risk factor for the recurrence of KPLA.Conclusions KPLA has a high recurrence rate, and ESBL production is a risk factor for recurrent KPLA.
Identification of Four New Mutations in Chilean Patients with Various Forms of Maple Syrup Urine Disease and Genotype-Phenotype Correlations
Authors: Campanholi Diana Ruffato Resende , Margutti Ana Vitoria Barban , Silva Wilson Araújo , Garcia Daniel Fantozzi , Molfetta Greice Andreotti de , Marques Adriana Aparecida , Schwartz Ida Vanessa Döederlein , Cornejo Veronica , Hamilton Valerie , Castro Gabriela , Borges Ester Simon , Junior José Simon Camelo
Published: December 2019

Background: Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive inherited metabolic disease caused by deficient activity of the branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKD) enzymatic complex. BCKD is a mitochondrial complex encoded by four genes: BCKDHA, BCKDHB, DBT, and DLD. MSUD is predominantly caused by mutations in the BCKDHA, BCKDHB, and DBT genes encoding the E1α, E1β, and E2 subunits of the BCKD complex, respectively. The aim of this study was to characterize the genetic basis of MSUD by identifying point mutations in the BCKDHA, BCKDHB, and DBT genes in a cohort of Chilean MSUD patients, and to describe their phenotypic heterogeneity. It is a descriptive cross-sectional study with 18 MSUD patients was carried out using PCR and DNA sequencing. Results: Four new pathogenic mutations were identified in the 18 patients that were analyzed: one in BCKDHA (p.Thr338Ile); two in BCKDHB (p.Gly336Ser e p.Pro240Thr); and one in DBT (p.Gly406Asp). Four additional pathogenic mutations found in the analyzed patients have been described previously. Conclusion: There were no correlations observed between genotypes and phenotypes. Thus, if MSUD is diagnosed more promptly, such as in neonatal screening, it might be possible to establish genotype-phenotype relationships more efficiently. Keywords: inborn errors of metabolism; maple syrup urine disease; branched-chain amino acids; valine; leucine; isoleucine.
Analytical Strategies for Failure Time Data with a Cured Fraction
Authors: An Sheng-li , Huang Fuqiang , Kang Pei , Liu Yingxin
Published: December 2019

Some failure time data come from a population that consists of some subjects who are susceptible to and others who are non-susceptible to the event of interest. The data typically have heavy censoring at the end of the follow-up period, and a traditional survival analysis would not always be appropriate, yet it is commonly seen in literatures. For such kind of data, we carry out simulation studies to compare the performances of the Cox’s PH model with the proportional hazards mixture cure (PHMC) model and the accelerated failure model (AFT model) with the AFT mixture cure (AFTMC) model respectively. Then we apply the models to the datasets of Lung Cancer and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) phase III clinical trial E1684. The conclusions are as follows. The PHMC model and the AFTMC model do not have obvious advantages for time-to-event data without a cured fraction. In this case, it is recommended to use the Cox’s PH model or AFT model for analysis. If some subjects are non-susceptible to the event of interest in the data, it is recommended to use the PHMC model or AFTMC model for analysis, however, which may need a sufficient sample size.
Keywords: Cox’s PH model; PHMC model; AFT model; AFTMC model; cure model
Pneumococcal Carriage and Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns in Mother-Baby Pairs in a rural community in Eastern Uganda
Authors: Akech Gabriel Madut , Naloli Mercy , Sebwami Paul , Kazibwe Patrick , Atwikiriize Maureen , Onyait Julius , Oboth Paul , Nteziyaremye Julius , Nekaka Rebecca , Iramiot Jacob Stanley
Published: December 2019

Objective: This study aimed to estimate pneumococcal carriage and determine antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the pneumococci isolated in the mother-baby pairs in Ngora district after the roll out of the pneumococcal vaccine. We hypothesized that high carriage of S. pneumoniae in mothers leads to carriage in their babies and hence a greater chance of contacting pneumoniae. Results: Consecutive sampling technique was used to select 152 mother-baby pairs from the community visits and those seeking care at the health facility. We collected nasal swabs from both baby and mother for culture and sensitivity using the Kirby-Bauer’s agar disc diffusion method. This study found that there was a low prevalence of pneumococcal carriage in the mother-baby pair in Ngora district. We also observed high rates microbial resistance to Penicillin which is the first-line management of pneumonia in Uganda. The relationship between pneumococcal carriage and immunization status suggest that Pneumococcal vaccine is protective against pneumococcal carriage. Resistance of S. pneumoniae to the commonly used antibiotics was high. Key words: Pneumococcal carriage, mother-baby pair, antibiotic susceptibility pattern, immunization with PCV 10, Eastern Uganda.
The Impact of Internet on the Youth Leadership
Authors: Ahmmed Md. Mortuza , Salim Zahir Raihan
Published: December 2019

In the conditions of digitalization of economy, acceleration of information technologies, automation of industrial processes Internet serves as one of the most powerful and effective tool for successful business activity. The active introduction of communication, information and other services form the prerequisites for the society transition from traditional ways of development to innovations, which are based on the active use of information technologies. One of the areas undergoing digital transformation is the academic life. The use of the Internet for educational purposes is seen as the key to facilitating the learning process, the formation of general and special competences of graduates, their ability to self-discipline, responsibility, autonomy and leadership. The main aim of the research is to analyze the role of information technologies in the formation of leadership qualities of young people, to study the relationship between the students’ academic performance and their leadership qualities. The analysis of literary sources and approaches to solving the issue of leadership among the young generation shows that the problem of increasing the academic performance of students in Bangladesh public and private universities through the prism of developing their leadership qualities is of great relevance. The main hypothesis of the work is the connection between the level of academic performance of a student and his/her leadership qualities. The subject of study is students of higher education institutions in Bangladesh. Methodical tools of the study were methods of data analysis and synthesis, regression method, Pearson chi-square test, methods of qualitative and quantitative analysis. Analyses were done using data collected from 609 students of several departments of International University of Business Agriculture and Technology (IUBAT), a private university located in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. The statistical association between academic performance and several explanatory variables was checked. Variables like age, depression, part-time job, internet for movies and/or music, relationship status and hours spend (daily) on the internet for studying were found to impact the academic performance level significantly. The study empirically confirms and theoretically proves that having leadership qualities is one of the key determinants of a student’s success, his/her ability to quickly acquire new knowledge and skills. The existence of significant influence of leadership on the level of graduates’ employment and the success of their career are substantiated. The findings of this study would help students, teachers and corresponding authority of the institution to comprehend the factors impacting the academic performance of the students and take further actions accordingly.
Keywords: leadership, academic performance, CGPA, internet, chi-square test, logistic regression analysis, social networking.
CYCLOIDAL GAIT WITH DOUBLE SUPPORT PHASE FOR THE NAO HUMANOID ROBOT
Authors: Fierro P. Jesus E. , Pamanes G. J. Alfonso , De-Leon-Gomez Victor
Published: December 2019

The commercial Nao humanoid robot has 11 DOF in legs. Even if these legs include 12 revolute joints, only 11 actuators are employed to control the walking of the robot. Under such conditions, the mobility of the pelvis and that of the oscillating foot are mutually constrained at each step. Besides, the original gait provided by the manufacturer company of the Nao employs only single support phases during the walking. Because of both issues, the reduced mobility in legs and the use of only single support phases, the stability of the walking is affected. To contribute to improving such stability, in this paper an approach is proposed that incorporates a double support phase and a gait based on cycloidal time functions for motions of the pelvis and those of the oscillating foot. To assess the stability of the walking an index is applied, which is based on the notion of zero-moment point (ZMP) of the static foot at each step. Results of experimental tests show that the proposed gait enhances the stability of the robot during the walking.
SCRATCH LANGUAGE OF PROGRAMMING VS ENGLISH LANGUAGE: COMPARING MATHEMATICAL AND LINGUISTIC FEATURES
Authors: Lazebna Nataliia , Fedorova Yuliya , Kuznetsova Mariia
Published: December 2019

This paper focuses on Scratch language of programming and traces its math and linguistic features. From a complex consideration about Scratch language programming in linguistic paradigm, focusing on structural, semantic and syntactic features and logic of its narration, this research attempts to clarify specifics of the language and correlate it with the English language features. Global integration of ideas and sciences underline the crucial importance of programming and language conglomerate. Human-computer interfaces, software systems, and development of various programming languages depend on well-balanced structure, shape, logic, and appearance of the actual code. Dynamic characteristics of the Scratch programming environment sustain the creation of interactive and media-rich projects. Ad expansion of Scratch for mediation of animated stories, music videos, science projects, tutorials, and other contents necessitates multifaceted analysis of this programming environment and evokes the interest of researching Scratch from the math and linguistic perspective as one possible projection on various aspects of the considered programming language.
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE LEVEL OF FUTURE TEACHERS OF FINE ART OF THE ZAPORIZHZHIA REGION IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE CONCEPT OF A NEW UKRAINIAN SCHOOL
Authors: Davydova Svitlana
Published: December 2019

The article is devoted to the study of the problem of training future teachers of fine art in the context of the implementation of the Concept of the New Ukrainian School in order to comparatively analyze the existing level of their professional training in accordance with the new requirements and needs of society, where project technology is the basis of training as a condition for the development of a successful person.
The author identifies issues related to the training of teachers of fine art in higher education institutions that require scientific research in order to update the process of preparing future teachers of fine art to work in the New Ukrainian School, clarifies the essence of the concept of professional competence of a teacher of fine art, its structure and criteria for assessing the levels of formation given competency. In the process of research, the advantages of teaching with the help of creative design, its capabilities in the training of fine art teachers are revealed and substantiated.
During the ascertaining experiment, which was conducted with the participation of students of the Municipal institution of higher education “Khortytsia National Training and Rehabilitation Academy” of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Council, it was established and justified the need to update the process of professional training of teachers of fine art and the possibility of increasing the existing level of professional competence formation using creative design as an effective means of formation. The relationship between the level of formation of professional competence and the motivational sphere has been practically established, the need to use the visual art of creative design in the training of teachers is logically substantiated.