bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial effect of silver nanorings
Authors: González-Fernández Sara , Lozano-Iturbe Víctor , García Beatriz , Andrés Luis J. , Menéndez Mª Fe , Rodríguez David , Vazquez Fernando , Martín Carla , Quiros Luis M
Published: May 2020

Background: The emergence and expansion of antibiotic resistance makes it necessary to have alternative anti-infective agents, among which silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) display especially interesting properties. AgNPs carry out their antibacterial action through various molecular mechanisms, and the magnitude of the observed effect is dependent on multiple, not fully understood, aspects, particle shape being one of the most important. In this article, we conduct a study of the antibacterial effect of a recently described type of AgNP: silver nanorings (AgNRs), making comparisons with other alternative types of AgNP synthesized in parallel using the same methodology.Results: When they act on planktonic forms, AgNRs produce a smaller effect on the viability of different bacteria than nanoparticles with other structures although their effect on growth is more intense over a longer period. When their action on biofilms is analyzed, AgNRs show a greater concentration-dependent effect. In both cases it was observed that the effect on inhibition depends on the microbial species, but not its Gram positive or negative nature. Growth patterns in silver-resistant Salmonella strains suggest that AgNRs work through different mechanisms to other AgNPs. The antibacterial effect is also produced to some extent by the conditioning of culture media or water by contact with AgNPs but, at least over short periods of time, this is not due to the release of Ag ions.Conclusions: AgNRs constitute a new type of AgNP, whose antibacterial properties depend on their shape, and is capable of acting efficiently on both planktonic bacteria and biofilms.
Features of alternative splicing in stomach adenocarcinoma and their clinical implication: A research based on massive sequencing data
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Niu Qian , Han Yun , Liu Xingyu , Jiang Jie , Chen Simiao , Lin Haolong
Published: May 2020

Background: Alternative splicing (AS) offers a main mechanism to form protein polymorphism. A growing body of evidence indicates the correlation between splicing disorders and carcinoma. Nevertheless, an overall analysis of AS signatures in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) is absent and urgently needed.Methods: Within this work, genetic expression and clinical data of STAD were queried from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and profiles of AS events were searched from the SpliceSeq database. Cox regression analysis found survival associated AS events. Finally, the splicing network was constructed to reflect the correlation between survival associated AS events and splicing factors (SF).Results: 2042 splicing events were confirmed as prognostic molecular events. Furthermore, the final prognostic signature constructed by 10 AS events gave good result with an area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve up to 0.902 for 5 years, showing high potency in predicting patient outcome. We built the splicing regulatory network to show the internal regulation mechanism of splicing events in STAD. QKI may play a significant part in the prognosis induced by splicing events.Conclusions: In our study, a high-efficiency prognostic prediction model was built for STAD patients, and the results showed that AS events could become potential prognostic biomarkers for STAD. Meanwhile, QKI may become an important target for drug design in the future.
Disequilibrium evolution of Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase gene family leads to their functional biodiversity in Gossypium species
Authors: Ge Qun , Cūi Yànli , Lǐ Jùnwén , Gōng Jǔwǔ , Lú Quánwěi , Lǐ Péngtāo , Shí Yùzhēn , Shāng Hǎihóng , Liú Àiyīng , Dèng Xiǎoyīng , Pān Jìngtāo , Chén Qúanjiā , Yuan Youlu , Gong Wankui
Published: May 2020

Background: Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP) is a key enzyme in the plant sucrose synthesis pathway, in the Calvin cycle, and plays an important role in photosynthesis regulation in green plants. However, no systemic analysis of FBPs has been reported in Gossypium species.Results: A total of 41 FBP genes from four Gossypium species were identified and analyzed. These FBP genes were sorted into two groups and seven subgroups. Results revealed that FBP family genes were under purifying selection pressure that rendered FBP family members as being conserved evolutionarily, and there was no tandem or fragmental DNA duplication in FBP family genes. Collinearity analysis revealed that a FBP gene was located in a translocated DNA fragment and the whole FBP gene family was under disequilibrium evolution that led to a faster evolutionary progress of the members in G. barbadense and in At subgenome than those in other Gossypium species and in the Dt subgenome, respectively, in this study. Through RNA-seq analyses and qRT-PCR verification, different FBP genes had diversified biological functions in cotton fiber development (two genes in 0 DPA and 1DPA ovules and four genes in 20–25 DPA fibers), in plant responses to Verticillium wilt onset (two genes) and to salt stress (eight genes).Conclusion: The FBP gene family displayed a disequilibrium evolution pattern in Gossypium species, which led to diversified functions affecting not only fiber development, but also responses to Verticillium wilt and salt stress. All of these findings provide the foundation for further study of the function of FBP genes in cotton fiber development and in environmental adaptability.
How practice in plant collection influences interactions with illustrations and written texts on local plants? A case study from Daghestan, North Caucasus
Authors: Kaliszewska Iwona Julia , Kołodziejska Iwa Urszula
Published: May 2020

Background It is only recently that written sources of local knowledge on plants are not being ignored by scholars as not belonging to “traditional” knowledge. Ethnobotanical texts, however, if they at all focus on knowledge from written sources, hardly ever pay any attention to the actual processes of interaction with written texts and illustrations. During our research, we examined people’s interactions with texts, illustrations and herbarium specimens of plants they collect or are familiar with. We focused on a small community of Shiri people in the mountainous village and in the lowland settlements in the Republic of Daghestan, Russia. In the paper we address the following questions: how do Shiri people interact with illustrations, written text, and herbaria specimens? How is this interaction influenced by the practice of plant collection? What are the methodological implications of the ways people interact with illustrations, texts, and herbaria specimens? Methods Our research was based on long-term ethnographic fieldwork: co-designing of a booklet showing edible plants people collect in Shiri, semi-structured interviews and video-recordings, and observing interactions between people and text/illustrations/voucher specimens.Results We identified three kinds of interactions between individuals and text/illustrations: “text-wayfaring” – predominantly a bodily interaction between an individual and illustrations and text; “fact/spelling checking” – predominantly discursive and information focused; “between wayfaring and fact-checking” – the mix of the two. Using the idea of textual poaching, as well as the knowledge-making approach, we show that the mode of interaction with text/illustrations influences what is acquired, and how. This process influences readers’ LEK. The mere presence of an information in the text available to people does not imply that they will acquire it, make use of it, and change their LEK. Photographs and pressed specimens of locally known plants are often not (or only partly) recognized by the interlocutors. Video-recording is essential for analysing the above mentioned interactions.Conclusions In ethnobotanical research, it is important to pay more attention to people’s interaction with their sources of knowledge, including text and illustrations. The discursive part of LEK is more easily influenced by written sources. The practice of plant collection is not as easily influenced. Ethnobotanists function in a particular context and are embedded in discourses oriented towards conservation of bio-cultural diversity that value heritage as such, so it is important to be aware of one’s positionality. A methodology that relies on showing pressed specimens or photographs to interlocutors may be a very misleading way of collecting ethnobotanical data.
Complete genome of the barotolerant Listeria monocytogenes RO15 strain and comparison with other strains isolated from food and food processing environments
Authors: Duru Ilhan Cem , Andreevskaya Margarita , Laine Pia , Rode Tone Mari , Ylinen Anne , Løvdal Trond , Bar Nadav , Crauwels Peter , Riedel Christian , Bucur Florentina Ionela , Nicolau Anca Ioana , Auvinen Petri
Published: May 2020

Background: High pressure processing (HPP; i.e. 100 - 600 MPa pressure depending on product) is a non-thermal preservation technique adopted by the food industry to decrease significantly foodborne pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, from food. However, susceptibility towards pressure differs among diverse strains of L. monocytogenes and it is unclear if this is related to their genomic content. Here, we tested the barotolerance of 10 different L. monocytogenes strains, from food and food processing environments and widely used reference type strains, to pressure treatments with 400 and 600 MPa. Genome sequencing and genome comparison of the tested L. monocytogenes strains were performed to investigate the relation between genomic profile and pressure tolerance.Results: None of the tested strains were tolerant to 600 MPa. A reduction of more than 5 log10 was observed for all strains after 1 minute 600 MPa pressure treatment. L. monocytogenes strain RO15 showed no significant reduction in viable cell counts after 400 MPa for 1 minute and was therefore defined as barotolerant. Genome analysis of so far unsequenced L. monocytogenes strain RO15, 2HF33, MB5, AB199, AB120, C7, and RO4 allowed us to compare the gene content of all strains tested. This revealed that the three most pressure tolerant strains had more than one CRISPR system with self-targeting spacers. Furthermore, several anti-CRISPR genes were detected in these strains. Pan-genome analysis showed that 10 prophage genes were significantly associated with the three most barotolerant strains.Conclusions: L. monocytogenes strain RO15 was the most pressure tolerant among the selected strains. Genome comparison suggests that there might be a relationship between prophages and pressure tolerance in L. monocytogenes.
VviERF6Ls: an expanded clade in Vitis responds transcriptionally to abiotic and biotic stresses and berry development
Authors: Toups Haley S. , Cochetel Noé , Gray Dennis , Cramer Grant R.
Published: May 2020

Background: VviERF6Ls are an uncharacterized gene clade in Vitis with only distant Arabidopsis orthologs. Preliminary data indicated these transcription factors may play a role in berry development and extreme abiotic stress responses. To better understand this highly duplicated, conserved clade, additional members of the clade were identified in four Vitis genotypes. A meta-data analysis was performed on publicly available microarray and RNA-Seq data (confirmed and expanded with RT-qPCR), and Vitis VviERF6L1 overexpression lines were established and characterized with phenotyping and RNA-Seq. Results: A total of 18 PN40024 VviERF6Ls were identified; additional VviERF6Ls were identified in Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Carménère. The amino acid sequences of VviERF6Ls were found to be highly conserved. VviERF6L transcripts were detected in numerous plant organs and were differentially expressed in response to numerous abiotic stresses including water deficit, salinity, and cold as well as biotic stresses such as red blotch virus, N. parvum , and E. necator . VviERF6Ls were differentially expressed across stages of berry development, peaking in the pre-veraison/veraison stage and retaining conserved expression patterns across different vineyards, years, and Vitis cultivars. Co-expression network analysis identified a scarecrow-like transcription factor and a calmodulin-like gene with highly similar expression profiles to the VviERF6L clade. Overexpression of VviERF6L1 in a Seyval Blanc background did not result in detectable morphological phenotypes. Genes differentially expressed in response to VviERF6L1 overexpression were associated with abiotic and biotic stress responses. Conclusions: VviERF6Ls represent a large and distinct clade of ERF transcription factors in grapevine. The high conservation of protein sequence between these 18 transcription factors may indicate these genes originate from a duplication event in Vitis . Despite high sequence similarity and similar expression patterns, VviERF6Ls demonstrate unique levels of expression supported by similar but heterogeneous promoter sequences. VviERF6L gene expression differed between Vitis species, cultivars and organs including roots, leaves and berries. These genes respond to berry development and abiotic and biotic stresses. VviERF6L1 overexpression in Vitis vinifera results in differential expression of genes related to phytohormone and immune system signaling. Further investigation of this interesting gene family is warranted.
Manuscript title: Prevalence and determinants of undernutrition among under-five children residing in urban slums and rural area, Maharashtra, India: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Murarkar Sujata Kapil , Gothankar Jayashree Sachin , Doke Prakash , Pore Prasad , Lalwani Sanjay , Dhumale Girish , Quraishi Sanjay , Patil Reshma Sudhir , Waghachavare Vivek , Dhobale Randhir , Rasote Kirti , Palkar Sonali , Malshe Nandini
Published: May 2020

Background: Undernutrition among under five children in India is a major public health problem. Despite India’s growth in the economy, the child mortality rate due to undernutrition is still high in both urban and rural areas. Studies that focus on urban slums are scarce. Hence the present study was carried out to assess the prevalence and determinants of undernutrition.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 16 randomly selected clusters in two districts of Maharashtra state, India. Data were collected through the house to house survey by interviewing mothers of under five children. Logistic regression method was used for multivariate analysis to determine the association between the variables like sex of the child, type of family, the income of the family, birth order, exclusive breastfeeding, immunization status, ARI, diarrhea, maternal age, maternal education with outcome variables underweight, stunting and wasting.Results: Total 2929 mothers and their 3,671 under five children were covered. Prevalence of wasting, stunting and underweight were more seen in an urban slum than a rural area.Exclusive breastfeeding up to 6 months was the protective factor against wasting in both rural area (Adj OR=0.35,p<0.001)and urban slum(Adj OR=0.47,p<0.05),Acute diarrhea was associated with wasting in rural area(Adj OR=0.11,p=0.001).Boys were more prone to stunting in the urban slum(Adj OR=1.77,p<0.05). Children with birth order 2 or less than 2 were more affected by stunting in the rural area (Adj OR=.11, p<0.05). The joint family acted as a protective factor against stunting in the urban slum(Adj OR=0.56,p<0.05).Whereas exclusive breastfeeding up to six months of age was seen as a protective factor against underweight in the rural area (Adj OR=0.50,p<0.05). The low income of the family has resulted in underweight children in an urban slum (Adj OR=2.16, p<0.05). Low maternal education was related to underweight in children (Adj OR=0.44, p,0.05)Conclusion: Undernutrition was related to the sex of the child, the economic status of the family, diarrhea (Past 1 month), and maternal education. Improvement of maternal education will improve the nutritional status of the child.The trial registration-This article is part of baseline data of the project, hence not related to trial registration. After baseline data principal investigator had done trial registration retrospectively.
Longitudinal changes in EEG power, sleep cycles and behaviour in a tau model of neurodegeneration.
Authors: Holton Christopher , Hanley Nicola , Shanks Elaine , Oxley Penny , McCarthy Andrew , Eastwood Brian J. , Murray Tracey K. , Nickerson Aidan , Wafford Keith A.
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND: Disturbed sleep is associated with cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The progressive sequence of how neurodegeneration affects aspects of sleep architecture in conjunction with behavioural changes is not well understood. METHODS: We investigated changes in sleep architecture, spectral power and circadian rhythmicity in the tet-off rTg4510 mouse overexpressing human P301L tau within the same subjects over time. Doxycycline-induced transgene-suppressed rTg4510 mice, tTa carriers and wild-type mice were used as comparators. Spectral power and sleep stages were measured from within the home cage environment using EEG electrodes. In addition, locomotor activity and performance during a T-maze task were measured. RESULTS: Spectral power in the delta and theta band showed a time-dependent decrease in rTg4510 mice compared to all other groups. After the initial changes in spectral power, wake during the dark period increased whereas NREM and number of REM sleep bouts decreased in rTg4510 compared to wild-type mice. Home cage locomotor activity in the dark phase significantly increased in rTg4510 compared to wild-type mice by 40 weeks of age. Peak-to-peak circadian rhythm amplitude and performance in the T-maze was impaired throughout the experiment independent of time. At 46 weeks rTG4510 mice had significant degeneration in the hippocampus and cortex whereas doxycycline treated rTG4510 mice were protected. Pathology significantly correlated with sleep and EEG outcomes, in addition to locomotor and cognitive measures. CONCLUSIONS: We show that reduced EEG spectral power precedes reductions in sleep and home-cage locomotor activity in a mouse model of tauopathy. The data shows increasing mutant tau changes sleep architecture, EEG properties, behaviour and cognition; which suggest tau related effects on sleep architecture in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
Efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for sepsis: A meta-analysis of preclinical studies
Authors: sun xueyi , ding xianfei , liang huoyan , zhang xiaojuan , liu shaohua , han bing , duan xiaoguang , sun tongwen
Published: May 2020

Background: Multiple studies have reported that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has beneficial effects in experimental models of sepsis. However, this finding remains inconclusive. This study was performed to systematically determine the connection between MSC therapy and mortality in sepsis animal models by pooling and analyzing data from newly published studies. Methods: A detailed search of related studies from 2009 to 2019 was conducted in four databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. After browsing and filtering out articles that met the inclusion criteria for statistical analysis, the inverse variance method of the fixed effects model was used to calculate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Twenty-nine animal studies, including 1,266 animals, were identified. None of the studies were judged to have a low risk of bias. The meta-analysis demonstrated that MSC therapy was related to a significantly lower mortality rate (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.22–0.38, P <0.001). Subgroup analyses performed based on the MSC injection dose (<1.0 × 10 6 cells, OR=0.33, 95% CI 0.20–0.56, P <0.001; 1.0 × 10 6 cells, OR=0.24, 95% CI 0.16–0.35, P <0.001) and injection time (<1 hour, OR=0.24, 95% CI 0.13–0.45, P <0.001; 1 hour, OR=0.28, 95% CI 0.17–0.46, P <0.001) demonstrated that treatment with MSCs significantly reduced the mortality rate of animals with sepsis. Conclusion: This up-to-date meta-analysis showed a connection between MSC therapy and lower mortality in sepsis animal models, supporting the potential therapeutic effect of MSC treatment in future clinical trials. The results in this study contradict a previous meta-analysis with regards to the ideal dose of MSC therapy. Thus, further research is required to support these findings.
Microbial succession during the transition from active to inactive stages of deep-sea hydrothermal vent sulfide chimneys
Authors: Hou Jialin , Sievert Stefan M. , Wang Yinzhao , Seewald Jeff S. , Natarajan Vengadesh Perumal , Wang Fengping , Xiao Xiang
Published: May 2020

Background: Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are highly productive biodiversity hotspots in the deep ocean supported by chemosynthetic microorganisms. Prominent features of these systems are sulfide chimneys emanating high temperature hydrothermal fluids. While several studies have investigated the microbial diversity in both active and inactive sulfide chimneys that have been extinct for up to thousands of years, little is known about chimneys that have ceased activity more recently, as well as the microbial succession occurring during the transition from active to inactive chimneys. Results: Genome-resolved metagenomics was applied to an active and a recently extinct (~7 years) sulfide chimney from the 9°-10°N hydrothermal vent field on the East Pacific Rise. Full-length 16S rRNA gene and a total of 173 high quality metagenome assembled genomes (MAGs) were retrieved for comparative analysis. In the active chimney (L-vent), sulfide- and/or hydrogen-oxidizing Campylobacteria and Aquificae with the potential for denitrification were identified as the dominant community members and primary producers, fixing carbon through the reductive tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycle. In contrast, the microbiome of the recently extinct chimney (M-vent) was largely composed of heterotrophs from various bacterial phyla, including Delta -/ Beta -/ Alphaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes . Gammaproteobacteria were identified as the main primary producers, using the oxidation of metal sulfides and/or iron oxidation coupled to nitrate reduction to fix carbon through the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle. Further analysis revealed a phylogenetically distinct Nitrospirae cluster that has the potential to oxidize sulfide minerals coupled to oxygen and/or nitrite reduction, as well as for sulfate reduction, and that might serve as an indicator for the early stages of chimneys after venting has ceased. Conclusions: This study sheds light on the composition, metabolic functions, and succession of microbial communities inhabiting deep-sea hydrothermal vent sulfide chimneys. Collectively, microbial succession during the life span of a chimney could be described to proceed from a “fluid-shaped” microbial community in newly formed and actively venting chimneys supported by the oxidation of reductants in the hydrothermal fluid to a “mineral-shaped” community supported by the oxidation of minerals after hydrothermal activity has ceased. Remarkably, the transition appears to occur within the first few years, after which the communities stay stable for thousands of years.
High-flow nasal cannula versus standard oxygen therapy assisting sedation during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in high risk cases (OTHER): study protocol of a randomised multicentric trial
Authors: Thiruvenkatarajan Venkatesan , Dharmalingam Ashok , Arenas Gilberto , Wahba Medhat , Steiner Reinhard , Kadam Vasanth Rao , Tran Andre , Currie John , Wijk Roelof Van , Quail Anthony , Ludbrook Guy
Published: May 2020

Background Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an increasingly common intervention in the treatment of pancreatico-biliary disorders. Patients are often elderly with complex co-morbidities. While monitored anaesthesia care with sedation is commonly used for most cases, few would require general anaesthesia with an endotracheal tube. Both low flow and high flow nasal cannulas (HFNC) are established ways of delivering supplemental oxygen, but it is unclear whether one technique is better than the other. HFNC seems a promising tool for advanced procedures but evidence to support its application in high-risk ERCP cases is limited. The rate of oxygen desaturation during endoscopy has been reported to be as high as 11-50%, and the method of oxygen delivery for ERCP merits further study. Methods/design This is a prospective, randomised, multi-centre trial comparing the efficacy of oxygen supplementation through high flow nasal cannula versus low flow nasal cannula during ERCP, in a cohort of patients at risk of adverse respiratory events. A total of 132 patients will be recruited across three sites and randomly assigned to either the low flow or the HFNC group. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients experiencing hypoxia, defined by any event of SpO2 <90%. The secondary outcomes include parameters centred on oxygenation, requirement of airway manoeuvres, successful completion of procedure, perioperative complications, patient satisfaction, and cost analysis of the consumables. An intention-to-treat principle will be applied while analysing. Discussion The demand for ERCPs is likely to increase in the future with the aging population. Our study results may lead to improved outcomes and reduce airway related complications in patients undergoing ERCPs. The results will be presented at national and international meetings and published in per-reviewed journals.
The effect of graded activity and pain education (GAPE) - an early post-surgical rehabilitation programme after lumbar spinal fusion: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tegner Heidi , Esbensen Bente Appel , Henriksen Marius , Bech-Azeddine Rachid , Lundberg Mari , Nielsen Louise , Rolving Nanna
Published: May 2020

BackgroundPatients with chronic low back pain undergoing lumbar spinal fusion (LSF) are physically inactive and thereby at risk of poor health. Barriers to being physically active need to be acknowledged in post-surgical rehabilitation. The primary objective of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to examine the effect of an early active intervention consisting of graded activity and pain education (GAPE) on sedentary behaviour in a population of patients undergoing LSF. The secondary objectives are to examine the effect of GAPE on, respectively, disability, pain, fear of movement, self-efficacy for exercise and health-related quality of life.MethodsThe study is an RCT planned to include 144 patients undergoing LSF at 1-2 levels for low back pain caused by degeneration of the lumbar spine. The patients will be randomly assigned to receive either usual care or usual care plus GAPE. GAPE consists of nine individual physiotherapist-guided sessions over a 10-week period. The overall purpose is to reduce sedentary behaviour, by educating the patient about pain and, based on a cognitive behavioural perspective, gradually strengthen the patient’s self-efficacy to be physically active and reduce fear of movement. The physiotherapist will plan the intervention in collaboration with the patient. Based on a semi-structured interview and observations of the patient in their home, they will set individually functional goals. The primary outcome will be reduction in sedentary behaviour, measured by an accelerometer at baseline (pre-surgery), and at three and 12 months post-surgery. Secondary outcomes will include disability, pain, fear of movement, self-efficacy for exercise, and quality of life. Secondary outcome data will be collected at baseline (pre-surgery), and at three, six, and 12 months post-surgery. DiscussionWe hypothesize that, compared with the “usual care group”, GAPE will primarily lead to a significantly reduction in sedentary behaviour, and secondarily a reduction in disability, pain intensity, and fear of movement; further, it will increase the patient’s self-efficacy for exercise and quality of life. Trial registration: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04103970), 24 September 2019
Therapeutic effect of combined acupuncture and moxibustion for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bo Huajun , Peng Jisheng , Zhuang Minzhi , Qiu Wenchao , Yu Qianqian , Yao Quanbao , Liang Huazheng
Published: May 2020

Background

Combined acupuncture and moxibustion have shown benefits for a variety of illnesses. However, few studies have reported the therapeutic effect of this combined therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Here, we report the study protocol of a randomized controlled clinical trial investigating the therapeutic effect of this combined therapy by comparing with the effect of conventional medical treatments.
Methods

A single-center, two-arm designed, randomized controlled clinical trial will commence in Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, China. Two hundred participants with moderate to severe benign prostatic hyperplasia will be recruited and assigned to the combined therapy group and the conventional western medicine group in a ratio of 1:1. They will be treated for 18 weeks and assessed after 8- and 18-weeks treatment. The primary outcome is the International prostate symptom score (IPSS), the Aging Male Symptoms score (AMS); secondary outcomes include constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ), post-voiding residual urine volume, maximum flow rate (Qmax) and average flow rate (Qave), voided volume (VV), voiding time and time to maximum flow, the change of urgency/24 h, the change of voiding frequency/24 h, the change of nocturnal frequency/24 h, the change of urge urinary incontinence frequency/24 h.
Discussion

The result of this trial will confirm whether combined acupuncture and moxibustion is effective in managing benign prostatic hyperplasia as well as the superiority of inferiority of this therapy to conventional medical treatments.
Trial registration:

chictr.org.cn, ID: ChiCTR2000030504/ChiMCTR2000003082.
Seasonal and Temporal Assessment of Surface Water Quality in Saguling Reservoir Indonesia Using Water Quality Index
Authors: Marselina Mariana , Sabar Arwin , Fahimah Nurul
Published: May 2020

Developments in agriculture, industry, and urban activities have caused deterioration of water resources such as rivers and reservoirs in terms of quality and also quantity. This includes the Saguling Reservoir, which is located in Citarum basin, Indonesia. A review of previous studies reveals that Water Quality Index (WQI) is efficient for the identification of pollution sources as well as for the understanding of temporal and spatial variations in reservoir water quality. The NSFWQI (The National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index) is one of the calculation methods of WQI. NSFWQI is commonly used as an indicator of surface water quality is based on Nitrate, Phosphate, Turbidity, Temperature, Fecal coliform, pH, DO, TSS, and BOD parameters. The average index of NSFWQI was determined to be 48.42 during the dry season, 43.97 during the normal season, and 45.82 during the wet season. A calculation of the WQI classified the water quality in the Saguling Reservoir as “bad” in condition. This study reveals that the strongest and most significant correlation between the concentration parameters and the WQI score is the turbidity concentration fecal coli, which is used to determine the required parameters for the calculation of WQI with reduced parameters if needed. This research also conducted nitrate concentration distribution analysis around Saguling Reservoir using the Inverse Distance Weighted method.
Impact of prematurity and the CTG repeat length on outcomes in congenital myotonic dystrophy
Authors: Saito Yu , Matsumura Kenta , Kageyama Misao , Kato Yuichi , Ohta Eiji , Sumi Kiyoaki , Futatani Takeshi , Yoshida Taketoshi
Published: May 2020

Objective: Patients with congenital myotonic dystrophy (CDM) tend to be born preterm. Although the CDM severity generally depends on the CTG repeat length, prematurity may also affect the prognosis in patients with CDM. Given that preterm birth is expected to increase the risk of CDM in newborns, we investigated the outcomes of newborns with CDM according to gestational age to assess prematurity and the CTG repeat length for predicting prognosis. Results: We assessed the outcomes of 54 infants with CDM using data collected from our hospitals and previously published studies. The patients were divided into mild and severe groups based on clinical outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for CDM prognosis according to gestational age and the CTG repeat length and to construct a predictive model. Logistic regression analysis showed both the CTG repeat and gestational age were significantly associated with severe outcomes in patients with CDM (OR:150.24, 95% CI: 5.97–3778.14; p = .0023 and OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58–0.93; p = .0094, respectively). This predictive model for CDM prognosis exhibited good sensitivity (63%) and specificity (86%). Both prematurity and the CTG repeat length were significantly associated with the CDM severity.
A novel prognostic predictor for clear cell renal cell carcinoma constructed by weighted gene co-expression correlation network analysis
Authors: Li Feng , Jin Yi , Guo Peng , Wang Zhiyu
Published: May 2020

Background

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) accounts the largest proportion of all types of renal tumor, it is highly invasive leading to shorter survival time of patients suffer from tumor. This study aims at constructing a new prognostic signature to provide a new reference for clinic work to adjust treatment protocols.
Material and Methods

Comprehensive gene expression profiles of ccRCC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), a genome-wide profiling analysis, was applied to investigate key genes associated with clinical traits. Cox regression analysis was conducted to screen prognostic gene in ccRCC. LASSO analysis was used to enhance the robust of correlated genes. Then, a prognostic signature was developed as an independent factor to predict outcomes of ccRCC patients.
Results

The co-expression network was constructed by WGCNA, 26 modules were identified in total, including a module (grey) showed no significance. By associating the features with clinic features, we selected three modules (pink, purple and turquoise) significantly associated with the overall survival(OS) of ccRCC patients. Univariate Cox analysis for genes from each module separately and then we used LASSO regression to screen the significant genes for selecting potential prognosis element-genes. 8 genes (CAPRIN2, IFI44, LTV1, ZNF320, MTHFR, XPOT, BCL3 and PAX2) finally reserved by multivariate COX regression. ScoreW was defined as a prognosis modelestablished by the final potential prognosis 8 genes. Multivariate regression suggested the ScoreW was an independent prognosis predicting element. ROC curve method was performed and the AUC value of ScoreW showed satisfied and attractive clinical prognosis importance.
Conclusion

Our findings provided the framework of co-expression gene modules of ccRCC and identified valuable prognostic method might be detection for ccRCC patients.
Biogenic Synthesis of Silver Chloride Nanoparticles from Padina gymnospora and their Evaluation of Antimicrobial, Larvicidal, Hemolytic and Anticancer Activities.
Authors: Rajagopal Gopalan , Manivannan Nandhagopal , Mahalingam Sundararajan , Anand Krishnan , Senthilkumar Samuthirarajan , Mathivanan Narayanasamy , Katari Naresh Kumar , Mashele Samson Sitheni , Saravanan Muthupandian , Ilango Sakkanan
Published: May 2020

In the current study, silver chloride nanoparticles (AgClNPs) have been synthesized using the aqueous extract of Padina gymnospora and further characterized by Uv-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy and Atomic force microscopy. The synthesized silver chloride nanoparticles were found to be mono-dispersed and spherical with an average size between 11.5 to 32.86 nm. The particles also showed a cytotoxic effect in a dose-dependent manner against MCF 7 cells (IC50 = 31.37 µg/mL). Besides, it showed the larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti at a lower dose (3.92 µg/ml) than that of the aqueous extract (13.01 µg/ml). It also exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against selected bacterial and fungal pathogens. The synthesized silver chloride nanoparticles showed the best minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 8 mg/L in Canadian Albicans, followed by vancomycin resistance Enterococcus feacasli (VREF) 32 mg/L. Furthermore, the toxicity assessment by haemolytic assay revealed that AgClNPs could be safe and also used for further investigation. Therefore, the synthesized silver chloride nanoparticles may be used as a therapeutic agent for breast cancer, antimicrobial agent and also to control the dengue vector as attributed to the presence of bioactive components.
Accuracy of predictive equations for evaluation of resting energy expenditure in Brazilian patients with type 2 diabetes.
Authors: Grassi Thaiciane , Boeno Francesco Pinto , Freitas Mauren Minuzzo de , Paula Tatiana Pedroso de , Viana Luciana Vercoza , Oliveira Alvaro Reischak de , Steemburgo Thais
Published: May 2020

Background Evaluation of the resting energy expenditure (REE) is essential to ensure an appropriate dietary prescription for patients with type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of predictive equations for REE estimation in patients with type 2 diabetes, considering indirect calorimetry (IC) as the reference method.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 62 patients (31 men and 31 women) with type 2 diabetes. Clinical and laboratory variables were evaluated, as well as body composition by electrical bioimpedance. The REE was measured by IC (QUARK RMR, Cosmed, Rome, Italy) and estimated by predictive equations. Data were analyzed using Bland–Altman plots, paired t-tests, and Pearson’s correlation coefficients.Results Patients in the sample had a mean age of 63.1 ± 5.2 years, median diabetes duration of 11 (1–36) years, and mean A1C of 7.6 ± 1.2%. Body composition analysis revealed a mean fat free mass of 35.2 ± 11.8 kg and fat mass of 29.1 ± 8.8 kg. There was wide variation in the accuracy of REE values predicted by equations when compared to those measured by IC. For women, the FAO/WHO/UNO equation provided the best REE prediction in comparison to measured REE (-1.8% difference). For men, the Oxford equation yielded values closest to those measured by IC (-1.3% difference).Conclusions In this sample of the patients with type 2 diabetes, the best predictive equations to estimate REE were FAO/WHO/UNO and Oxford for women and men, respectively.
Time-restricted feeding reduces the detrimental effects of a high-fat diet, possibly by modulating the circadian rhythm of hepatic lipid metabolism and gut microbiota
Authors: Ye Yuqian , Xu Haopeng , Xie Zhibo , Wang Lun , Sun Yuning , Yang Huayu , Hu Dandan , Mao Yilei
Published: May 2020

Background Time-restricted feeding, also known as intermittent fasting, can confer various beneficial effects, especially protecting against obesity and related metabolic disorders, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the effects of time-restricted feeding on the circadian rhythm of gut microbiota and hepatic metabolism.Methods Eight-week-old male Kunming mice received either a normal diet ad libitum, a high-fat diet ad libitum, or a high-fat diet restricted to an 8-h temporal window per day for an experimental period of 8 weeks. Weight gain and calorie intake were measured weekly. Serum metabolites, hepatic sections and lipid metabolites, gut microbiota and the hepatic expression of Per1, Cry1, Bmal1, SIRT1, SREBP and PPARα were measured at the end of the experimental period. The composition of gut microbiota and the expression of hepatic genes were compared between four timepoints.Results Mice that received a time-restricted high-fat diet had less weight gain, milder liver steatosis, and lower hepatic levels of triglycerides than mice that received a high-fat diet ad libitum (p < 0.05). The numbers of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes differed between mice that received a time-restricted high-fat diet and mice that received a high-fat diet ad libitum (p < 0.05). Mice fed a time-restricted high-fat diet showed distinct circadian rhythms of hepatic expression of SIRT1, SREBP and PPARα compared with mice fed a normal diet ad libitum, as well as the circadian rhythm of the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes.Conclusions Time-restricted feeding is associated with better metabolic conditions, perhaps owing to alterations in gut microbiota and the circadian pattern of molecules related to hepatic lipid metabolism, which were first to report.
Influences on Contraceptive Method Choice Among Adolescent Women across Urban Centers in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Sanchez Elynn Kann , McGuire Courtney , Calhoun Lisa M. , Hainsworth Gwyn , Speizer Ilene S.
Published: May 2020

Background: Reducing unintended pregnancies among adolescents and youth ages 15-24 would lower global maternal mortality rates and improve health and well-being opportunities for young women. Despite calls to increase contraceptive use among this population, large gaps still exist, creating an unmet need for family planning. Past research has focused on barriers to seeking a method. There is less understanding of the types of methods young women want and who and what influences these decisions. This study examines what method characteristics young Nigerian women prioritize when choosing a method to inform future family planning programming. Methods: In 2018, eight focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted in the Nigerian cities of Ilorin and Jos with 83 young women ages 15-24. The discussion guide utilized a vignette structure to understand the participants’ perceptions of social norms on contraceptive behavior. The FGDs were undertaken by members of the University of Ibadan Centre for Population and Reproductive Health (CPRH) and analyzed by researchers at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill’s Carolina Population Center. A thematic analysis was performed on the transcripts with the objective of identifying what and who influence the type of contraceptive methods young women are choosing.Results: The method characteristics associated with young women’s contraceptive decisions include: side effects, reliability, length of coverage, privacy, cost, and accessibility. Side effects, reliability, and privacy were described as negatively linked to short-acting methods whereas easy accessibility and low cost were positive characteristics of these methods. Long-acting methods were generally viewed as positive. That said, the results find that the characteristics prioritized by individuals change throughout their adolescence. Providers, peers, parents, and partners were all found to have an influence over method choice in different ways. The role of these influencers also changes over the adolescent years. \Conclusion: This study demonstrates that programs should prioritize expanding method choice to increase the number of available options to ensure all young women can access a method that fits their desired method characteristics. Programming should ensure that medically accurate information is widely distributed to harness providers, peers, parents and partners as a resource for information about specific methods.
TXNIP regulates age-associated neuroinflammation: Implication in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Ismael Saifudeen , Nasoohi Sanaz , Yoo Arum , Li Lexiao , Aslam Khurram , Khan Mohammad Moshahid , Sakata Kazuko , El-Remessy Azza , Liao Francesca-Fang , McDonald Michael P. , Ishrat Tauheed
Published: May 2020

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Drivers of molecular and morphometric variation in Triatoma brasiliensis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae): the resolution of geometric morphometrics for populational structuring in micro-geographic scale
Authors: Kamimura Edgard , Viana Maria Carolina , Lilioso Mauricio , Fontes Fernanda , Pires-Silva Dayane , Valença-Barbosa Carolina , Fuente Ana , Folly-Ramos Elaine , Solferini Vera Nisaka , Thyssen Patricia J , Costa Jane , Almeida Carlos Eduardo
Published: May 2020

Background The protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi circulates in semiarid areas of the northeastern of Brazil in distinct ecotopes (sylvatic, peridomestic and domestic) where Triatoma brasiliensis is the most important Chagas disease vector.Methods We sampled populations of T. brasiliensis from distinct ecotypic and geographic sites in the Rio Grande do Norte (RN) and Paraíba (PB) States to compare the results of morphometric and genetic variations. The geometric morphometry was carried out with 13 landmarks on the right wings ( N =698) and the genetic structure was assessed by sequencing a region of cytochrome B mitochondrial gene ( N =221). Mahalanobis distance (DM) and molecular differentiation coefficient (Φ ST ) were calculated among all pairs of populations.Results The results of comparisons generated MD and Φ ST dendrograms, and graphics of canonical variate analysis (CVA). Little structure was observed for both markers for macro-geographic scales. Mantel tests comparing geographic, morphometric and genetic matrices showed low correlation (all R 2 <0.35). The factorial graphics built with the CVA evidenced population delimitation for the morphometric data at micro-geographic-scales.Conclusions We believe that T. brasiliensis carries in its genotype a source of information to allow the phenotypical plasticity across its whole distribution for shaping populations, which may have caused a lack of population delimitation for CVAs in morphometric analysis for macro-geographic scale analysis when populations are grouped. On the other hand, the pattern of morphometric results in micro-geographic scales highlights the potential of this tool to infer the source for infestation.