bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Análisis Estadístico de Algoritmos Evolutivos para el problema de Selección de Variables
Authors: Jimenez Victor Adrian , Lizondo Diego Fernando , Will Adrián
Published: May 2020

Durante décadas de investigación en problemas de optimización, se han desarrollado innumerables algoritmos, tanto determinísticos como heurísticos. Aun así, debido a este amplio abanico de posibilidades resulta una tarea compleja determinar cuál de ellos es más adecuado para un problema específico. Se propone en este trabajo una comparativa entre diferentes algoritmos heurísticos de optimización haciendo uso de test estadísticos. Se consideró Simulated Annealing (SA), Algoritmo Genético Simple (sGA), Algoritmos Genético Compacto (cGA) y Deterministic Crowding (DC) aplicados al problema de Selección de Variables para Estimación utilizando Regresión Lineal. Se utilizaron tres casos de prueba, que consisten en la estimación de Radiación Solar, Consumo Eléctrico en la provincia de Tucumán (Argentina), y el tiempo de reaparición de células cancerígenas. Se comprobó que existe suficiente evidencia estadística para afirmar que los algoritmos arrojan resultados significativamente diferentes. Además se concluye que sGA y DC son los algoritmos más apropiados para estos problemas, permitiendo obtener valores de fitness similares siendo sGA ligeramente superior.
Postrzeganie ryzyka transakcji faktoringowych przez bank
Authors: Szturo Marek , Włodarczyk Bogdan
Published: May 2020

Biorąc pod uwagę wrażliwość współczesnych banków na wzrost ryzyka bankowego, można zaobserwować swoistą ucieczkę w kierunku alternatywnych usług finansowych i związanego z nimi ryzyka. W badaniu rozważono następujące problemy badawcze: „Czy transakcja faktoringowa pozwala na ograniczanie ryzyka transakcyjnego przez bank?”, „Czy na rynku usług faktoringowych w Polsce występują zjawiska, które mogą sugerować preferencyjne podejście banków do ryzyka faktoringu w kontekście obsługi klientów korporacyjnych?”. Artykuł stanowi podsumowanie wstępnego etapu badań nad ryzykiem transakcji faktoringowych w działalności bankowej. Celem badania była ocena percepcji ryzyka transakcji faktoringowej przez bank w kontekście wybranych statystyk rynku faktoringowego w Polsce. W badaniu wykorzystano metodę analizy piśmiennictwa, metodę porównań w czasie wybranych danych statystyki rynku faktoringu oraz metodę indukcji w kwestii wnioskowania i ustalenia dalszych kierunków badań. Alternatywne usługi finansowe, do których należy faktoring, dzięki elastycznej formie i zróżnicowaniu oraz możliwości wyłączenia z bilansów bankowych stają się coraz bardziej atrakcyjną formą finansowania klientów korporacyjnych banku – zwłaszcza krótkoterminowego.
Historical geomorphic analysis of Someșul Mic River (NW Romania) channel spatial and temporal behavior, as a background for the assessment of present day morphological state of the river
Authors: PERȘOIU Ioana , HOSU Maria
Published: May 2020

In the context of the increased interest on integrating the complex spatial and temporal response of fluvial systems to human impacts into the process of assessing the ecological state of the rivers and in promoting a sustainable river management European countries have developed a multi–scalar, hierarchical, process based hydro–morphological framework focused on understanding the river functioning and evolution as a basis for interpreting current conditions. In this context, the goal of this paper is to demonstrate the usefulness of systematic historic and present day geomorphic analysis along channel reaches with distinct typologies in order to generate a better image of river morphology as a background for assessing its present morphological state. The historical geomorphic analysis of Someșul Mic River’s channel dynamics during the past 250 years has shown that the main controlling factor is climate through its centennial – decadal scale variations in magnitudes and amplitudes of flood events, while the local geological conditions and hydrotechnical works having subordinate effects. The reference condition in assessing the present day morphological state of the river was defined based on channel typology and dynamics between AD 1860 – AD 1970, reflecting a river state far from a pristine condition, but characterized trough human impacts maintained bellow the river sensitivity to disturbances. The Morphological Quality Index (MQI) was calculated for 17 distinct channel reaches. Its values indicate the high geomorphic degradation of the river induced by hydrotechnical interventions along the channel. Very poor conditions are concentrated mainly along the upper reaches of the river, while further downstream the river is in a dominantly moderate deterioration state. The resulted image has the potential to better identify the critical reaches along this river, and the main disturbatory elements acting on them, in order to support better projections on possible channel trajectories andsubsequently river management actions.
Reducción en la infección por VHB y VHD en dos poblaciones indígenas de la Amazonia peruana después de la vacunación contra la hepatitis B
Authors: Cabezas César , Trujillo Omar , Balbuena Johanna , Terrazas Manuel , Manrique-de Lara Carlos , Marín Luis , Ramírez-Soto Max Carlos
Published: May 2020

Objetivo. Conocer el resultado de la vacunación contra la hepatitis B en las comunidades hiperendémicas Kandozi y Chapra de la Amazonia Peruana a partir de la prevalencia de infecciones por los virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) y Delta (VHD), ocho años después de iniciada la vacunación. Material y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal en 2 944 pobladores de 67 comunidades indígenas Kandozi y Chapra en abril de 2010. El tamizaje serológico para el antígeno de superficie del VHB (HBsAg), anticuerpos anti-HBc IgM e IgG, anticuerpos anti-HBs y anti-VHD se determinaron mediante pruebas de ELISA. Resultados. Las tasas de prevalencia del HBsAg, anti-HBc IgG, anti-HBs ≥10 mlUI/ml y anti-VHD fueron 2.3, 39.13, 50.95 y 2.11%, respectivamente. La prevalencia del HBsAg en niños <11 años fue cero. Entre los portadores del HBsAg, las tasas de prevalencia de sobreinfeccion por el VHD e infección aguda por el VHB fueron 2.11% (todos fueron >14 años) y 11.94%, respectivamente. Conclusiones. Estos hallazgos muestran la eliminación de portadores de VHB en niños <11 años, ocho años después de iniciada la vacunación contra el VHB.
Diagnostic accuracy of the LAMP assay for Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Fan Shu- Jin , Guo Xu-Guang , Tan Hong-kun , Xu Yu-cheng , Chen Yuan-zhi , Xie Tian-ao , Pan Zhi-yong , Shi-ou Yang , Qin Li , Xiao-Yan Li , Zhen-Xing Li
Published: May 2020

Background Neisseria meningitidis is a major cause of bacterial meningitis, and these infections are associated with a high mortality rate. Rapid and reliable diagnosis of bacterial meningitis is critical in clinical practice. However, this disease often occurs in economically depressed areas, so an inexpensive, easy to use, and accurate technology is needed. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the potential of the recently developed loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for detection of meningococcus. Methods Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched to identify original studies that used the LAMP assay to detect meningococcus. After pooling of data, the sensitivity and specificity were calculated, a summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was determined, and the area under the SROC curve was computed to determine diagnostic accuracy. Publication bias was assessed using Deek's funnel plot. Results We examined 14 studies within 6 publications. The LAMP assay had high sensitivity (94%) and specificity (100%) in the detection of meningococcus in all studies. The area under the SROC curve (0.980) indicated high overall accuracy of the LAMP assay. There was no evidence of publication bias. Conclusion The LAMP assay has accuracy comparable to bacterial culture and PCR for detection of meningococcus, but is less expensive and easier to use. We suggest adoption of the LAMP assay for detect meningococcus, especially in economically depressed areas.
Gender Differences in the Effect of Medical Humanities Program on Medical Students' Empathy: A Prospective Longitudinal Study
Authors: Lwow Michal , Canetti Laura , Muszkat Mordechai
Published: May 2020

Objective Previous studies have suggested that Medical students' empathy declines during medical school, especially during clinical studies. The aim of this study was to examine whether humanities curriculum and admission system affect empathy changes during the first clinical year in medical school. Methods In this prospective longitudinal study, 262 students were assessed during the fourth-year of medical school. Empathy was assessed before and at 4th-year-end, using the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy-Student Version (JSPE-S). The study included three cohorts, differing in humanities curriculum [limited Medical Humanities (MH (lim) ) vs. extended Medical Humanities (MH (ext) )], and in admission system [Personal Interview (PI) vs. multiple mini interviews (MMI)]. Results Among women, but not among men, MH (ext) as compared to MH (lim) was associated with significantly higher JSPE-S at the beginning (118.47±11.43 vs. 110.36±9 .97, p <0.001), and end of 4th-year (117.97±12.86 vs. 111.49±14.42, p <0.001), (p=0.009). Admission system was not associated with JSPE-S at the beginning or at the end of the 4th year. Conclusion Among women, extended MH program had a positive effect on empathy at the beginning of the first clinical year, as compared to the limited program. This effect persisted through that year. However, in men MH program did not affect empathy. Adopting MMI-based admission system had no measurable effect on students’ empathy. Extensive educational program can enhance and sustain empathy in medical students during the first clinical year following the program. Gender differences in response to medical humanities programs requires further study.
Effect of body mass on future long-term care use
Authors: Nizalova Olena , Gousia Katerina , Forder Julien
Published: May 2020

Background: Obesity is a known predictor of disability and functional limitations, and, in turn, of health care use. In this study, we aim to explore whether obesity is also a significant risk factor for future long-term care use, overall and by type of care. Methods: We use multinomial logistic regression analysis on data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) for individuals aged 65 and older between 2002 and 2011. Selection issues are tackled using the rich set of control variables, exploiting the data’s longitudinal structure and accounting for loss to follow-up (including death). Control factors include health-related behaviours (physical activity, alcohol and tobacco consumption), functional limitations (related to ADLs, iADLs and mobility) and specific existing health conditions, notably diabetes, high blood pressure and cardio-vascular diseases. Results: We find that obese older people are 25% (p<0.01) more likely to receive informal or privately paid care in the future, but this does not hold for formal care. This is an additional direct effect after controlling for a wide range of health conditions and functional limitations. We document some evidence that this effect is due to the development of new functional limitations. Sensitivity analyses suggest that the results are robust to controlling for prediabetes, subjective health, depression, or unobserved heterogeneity. Conclusions: This study provides new evidence of a positive direct effect of obesity on the future use of long-term care services. Accordingly, it adds evidence of further economic benefits to any overall evaluation of policies to promote a healthy weight in the population, particularly in the older population.
CT-based radiomics scores predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and survival in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Sun Kai-Yu , Hu Hang-Tong , Chen Shu-Ling , Ye Jin-Ning , Li Guang-Hua , Chen Li-Da , Peng Jian-Jun , Feng Shi-Ting , Yuan Yu-Jie , Hou Xun , Wu Hui , Li Xin , Wu Ting-Fan , Wang Wei , Xu Jian-Bo
Published: May 2020

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a promising treatment option for potential resectable gastric cancer, but patients’ responses vary. We aimed to develop and validate a radiomics score (rad_score) to predict treatment response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and to investigate its efficacy in survival stratification.Methods: A total of 106 patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy before gastrectomy were included (training cohort: n=74; validation cohort: n=32). Radiomics features were extracted from the pre-treatment portal venous-phase CT. After feature reduction, a rad_score was established by Randomised Tree algorithm. A rad_clinical_score was constructed by integrating the rad_score with clinical variables, so was a clinical score by clinical variables only. The three scores were validated regarding their discrimination and clinical usefulness. The patients were stratified into two groups according to the score thresholds (updated with post-operative clinical variables), and their survivals were compared. Results: In the validation cohort, the rad_score demonstrated a good predicting performance in treatment response to the neoadjuvant chemotherapy (AUC [95% CI] =0.82 [0.67, 0.98]), which was better than the clinical score (based on pre-operative clinical variables) without significant difference (0.62 [0.42, 0.83], P=0.09). The rad_clinical_score could not further improve the performance of the rad_score (0.70 [0.51, 0.88], P=0.16). Based on the thresholds of these scores, the high-score groups all achieved better survivals than the low-score groups in the whole cohort (all P<0.001).Conclusion: The rad_score that we developed was effective in predicting treatment response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and in stratifying patients with gastric cancer into different survival groups. Our proposed strategy is useful for individualised treatment planning.
Circulating sex hormone levels in relation to male sperm quality
Authors: Zhao Wei , Jing Jun , Shao Yong , Zeng Rong , Wang Cencen , Hang Dong , Yao Bing
Published: May 2020

Background Although sex hormones play critical roles in spermatogenesis and sperm maturation, it remains inconclusive whether circulating sex hormones can serve as non-invasive biomarkers to improve the assessment of sperm quality. Methods We systematically evaluated the association of various sex hormones in serum with sperm quality among 338 men in subfertile couples. Concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (TT), total estradiol (E2), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were detected by chemiluminescent immunoassay. Free testosterone and estradiol were calculated using a validated algorithm. A generalized liner regression model controlling for lifestyle factors was used to evaluate the associations with sperm count, concentration, motility, and morphology.Results After adjusting for age, body mass index, current smoking and alcohol drinking, LH, FSH, and TT levels were all inversely associated with sperm motility (all P for trend < 0.05); however, in mutual adjustment analysis, only LH remained an inverse association with sperm motility after adjusting for FSH and TT levels (P for trend = 0.04). Higher concentrations of LH were also associated with lower sperm progressive motility (P for trend = 0.04). Moreover, LH and FSH levels were both inversely associated with normal sperm morphology (P for trend = 0.04 and 0.02, respectively). Conclusions Increased levels of LH are associated with poor sperm motility and morphology, suggesting that LH may play a central role in sperm maturation. Future studies are warranted to assess potential clinical utility of LH for risk stratification and tailed prevention of male infertility.
Psychosocial barriers and enablers of exclusive breastfeeding: lived experiences of mothers in low-income townships, North West Province, South Africa
Authors: Witten Chantell Beverley , Claasen Nicole , Kruger Herculina S , Coutsoudis Anna , Grobler Herman
Published: May 2020

Background Despite national efforts to promote exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), South Africa’s EBF rate is only 32%. The aim of this study was to examine the rate of EBF discontinuation and the lived experiences of breastfeeding mothers at postnatal time points 3-14 days, 4-8 weeks, 10-14 weeks and 20-24 weeks. Methods This community-based mixed-methods study collected data within a prospective cohort study on socio-demographics, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) at 6-8 weeks with infant feeding data collected at 4-8, 10-14 and 20-24 weeks from 159 mothers living in low income areas. Six focus groups with 32 mothers with infants aged 6-24 weeks were conducted. Descriptive statistics was used for the quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Results The majority of mothers were unmarried (84.9%), living with family (69.2%) and unemployed (74.2%). EBF decreased from 34% at 4-8 weeks to 9.7% at 20-24 weeks. Mixed feeding with infant formula increased from 17.0% to 30.6% and food feeding from 3.1% to 54.2%. While there were no statistically significant associations between EBF and any of the quantitative socio-demographic variables, in the qualitative data, codes associated with barriers were more than enablers. The themes were Mothers’ attributes (wellbeing, experiences and relationships) with the code mother’s stress the strongest barrier, Mother’s knowledge, attitudes and practices of breastfeeding with the code conventional medicines the strongest barrier , Family environment with the code home setting the strongest barrier, Social environment with public spaces and places a barrier and in Baby cues the code baby stomach ailments the barrier. Within these same themes mother’s positive emotions , benefits of breastfeeding , support in the home , access to information and services from health professionals and baby’s health were strong enabling factors. Conclusions Low EBF, high mixed feeding and a high EPDS score were explained by the barriers identified in the qualitative data. The data suggests that mothers from low-income households would be better supported through interventions that address food insecurity; family relationships and those that build confidence in mothers and resilience in confronting difficult and hostile breastfeeding environments.
Quantitative Phenotype Scan Statistic (QPSS) reveals rare variant associations with Alzheimer’s disease endophenotypes
Authors: Katsumata Yuriko , Fardo David W.
Published: May 2020

Background: Current sequencing technologies have provided for a more comprehensive genome-wide assessment and have increased genotyping accuracy of rare variants. Scan statistic approaches have previously been adapted to genetic sequencing data. Unlike currently-employed association tests, scan-statistic-based approaches can both localize clusters of disease-related variants and, subsequently, examine the phenotype association within the resulting cluster. In this study, we present a novel Quantitative Phenotype Scan Statistic (QPSS) that extends an approach for dichotomous phenotypes to continuous outcomes in order to identify genomic regions where rare quantitative-phenotype-associated variants cluster. Results: We demonstrate the performance and practicality of QPSS with extensive simulations and an application to a whole-genome sequencing (WGS) study of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Using QPSS, we identify regions of rare variant enrichment associated with levels of AD-related proteins, CSF Aβ1-42 and p-tau181P.Conclusions: QPSS is implemented under the assumption that causal variants within a window have the same direction of effect. Typical self-contained tests employ a null hypothesis of no association between the target variant set and the phenotype. Therefore, an advantage of the proposed competitive test is that it is possible to refine a known region of interest to localize disease-associated clusters. The definition of clusters can be easily adapted based on variant function or annotation.
The relationship between cancer and medication exposure in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a nested case-control study
Authors: Guo Jinyan , Ren Zhigang , Li Jianhao , Li Tianfang , Liu Shengyun , Yu Zujiang
Published: May 2020

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with increased risk of cancer and the mechanism remains unclear. Here, we examined the level of auto-antibodies and disease activity index scores in SLE patients with cancers, and analyzed whether medications for SLE management might contribute to the higher cancer risk in SLE patients. Methods: In this retrospective study, we carried out a nested case-control study in a large cohort of SLE patients. We screened 5858 SLE patients to identify the newly diagnosed and yet to be treated cancers. The following clinical features were evaluated: auto-antibodies levels, SLE disease activity index scores and previous medication used for SLE management. Systemic glucocorticoid, cyclophosphamide, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), methotrexate and azathioprine were considered the main medication indices. Results: Our analyses identified 51 SLE patients who also had cancer, and 204 matched control patients who had SLE but not cancer. Of the 51 SLE patients, thyroid cancer (14/51, 27.45%), cervical cancer (10/51, 19.61%) and lung cancer (7/51, 13.73%) were the most common types. Our analyses did not reveal any significant differences in the levels of auto-antibodies in SLE patients with cancers relative to the control group. Further, we observed that disease activity was significantly lower in SLE patients with cancers relative to the matched control SLE group. There was no statistically significant association between the cancer risk and the use of systemic glucocorticoid, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate or azathioprine. Importantly, the administration of HCQ was significantly lower in SLE patients suffering cancers relative to the cancer free matched control group. Conclusions: Our analyses indicate that SLE patients with cancers might have a lower disease activity at the time of cancer diagnosis. HCQ was negatively associated with cancer risk in SLE patients. These findings highlight a potential and novel prevention strategy for SLE.
Self-assessed competence and need for further training among registered nurses in somatic hospital wards in Sweden: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Allvin Renée , Bisholt Birgitta , Blomberg Karin , Bååth Carina , Wangensteen Sigrid
Published: May 2020

Background: Professional competence and continuous professional development is essential for ensuring high quality and safe nursing care, and it might be important for motivating nurses to stay in the profession. Thus, there is a need to identify the developmental process of nursing competency. Assessment of competence and need for further training helps to identify areas for quality improvement, and to design interventions in order to facilitate continuous competence development in different work contexts. The current study aimed to 1) describe registered nurses’ self-assessment of clinical competence as well as the need for further training, and 2) explore possible differences between registered nurses with varying lengths of professional experience as a nurse (≤ 0,5 year, >0,5-5 year, and ≥ 6 year). Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was applied, using the Professional Nurse Self-Assessment Scale of clinical core competencies II. Registered nurses (n=267) working in medical and surgical contexts in hospitals in Sweden responded (response rate 51 %). Independent student t-test and analysis of variance were carried out. Results: Registered nurses assessed their competence highest in statements related to cooperation with other health professionals; taking full responsibility; and acting ethically. They assessed their need for further training most for statements related to assessing patients’ health needs by telephone; giving health promotion advice and recommendations to patients by telephone; as well as improving a creative learning environment for staff at the workplace. For self-assessed competence and need for further training, differences between the groups for 35 and 46 items respectively, out of 50 were statistically significant. Conclusions: Although the registered nurses assessed their competence high for important competence components expected of professionals such as cooperation with other healthcare professionals, it is problematic that knowledge of interactions and side-effects of different types of medication were reported as having the highest need of training. Longitudinal follow up of newly graduated nurses regarding their continuous development of competence as well as further training is needed.
Serine hydroxymethyltransferase localised in the endoplasmic reticulum plays a role in scavenging H2O2 to enhance rice chilling tolerance
Authors: Fang Changxun , Zhang Pengli , Li Lanlan , Yang Luke , Mu Dan , Yan Xue , Li Zhong , Lin Wenxiong
Published: May 2020

Background: Rice is a chilling-sensitive crop that would suffer serious damage from low temperatures. Overexpression of the Lsi1 gene (Lsi1-OX) in rice enhances its chilling tolerance. This study revealed that a serine hydroxymethyltransferase (OsSHMT) mainly localised in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is involved in increasing tolerance to chilling. Results: A higher transcription level of OsSHMT was detected in Lsi1-OX rice than in the wild type. Histone H1 and nucleic acid binding protein were found to bind to the promoter region of OsSHMT and regulate its expression, and the transcription levels of these proteins were also up-regulated in the Lsi1-OX rice. Moreover, OsSHMT interacts with ATP synthase subunit α, heat shock protein Hsp70, mitochondrial substrate carrier family protein, ascorbate peroxidase 1 and ATP synthase subunit β. Lsi1-encoded protein OsNIP2;1 also interacts with ATP synthase subunit β, and the coordination of these proteins appears to function in reducing reactive oxygen species, as the H2O2 content of transgenic OsSHMT Arabidopsis thaliana was lower than that of the non-transgenic line under chilling treatment. Conclusions: Our results indicate that ER-localised OsSHMT plays a role in scavenging H2O2 to enhance the chilling tolerance of Lsi1-OX rice and that ATP synthase subunit β is an intermediate junction between OsNIP2;1 and OsSHMT.
Adenovirus infection promotes the formation of glioma stem cells from glioblastoma cells through the TLR9/NEAT1/STAT3 pathway
Authors: Zang Jian , Zheng Min-hua , Cao Xiu-li , Zhang Yi-zhe , Zhang Yu-fei , Gao Xiang-yu , Cao Yuan , Shi Mei , Han Hua , Liang Liang
Published: May 2020

Background Glioma stem cells (GSCs) are glioma cells with stemness and are responsible for a variety of malignant behaviors of glioma. Evidence has shown that signals from tumor microenvironment (TME) enhance stemness of glioma cells. However, identification of the signaling molecules and underlying mechanisms has not been completely elucidated. Methods Human samples and glioma cell lines were cultured in vitro to determine the effects of adenovirus (ADV) infection by sphere formation, RT-qPCR, western blotting, FACS and immunofluorescence. For in vivo analysis, mouse intracranial tumor model was applied. Bioinformatics analysis, gene knockdown by siRNA, RT-qPCR and western blotting were applied for further mechanistic studies. Results Infection of patient-derived glioma cells with ADV increases the formation of tumor spheres. ADV infection upregulated stem cell markers and in turn promoted the capacities of self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation of the infected tumor spheres. These ADV infected tumor spheres had stronger potential to form xenograft tumors in immune-compromised mice. GSCs formation could be promoted by ADV infection via TLR9, because TLR9 was upregulated after ADV infection, and knockdown of TLR9 reduced ADV-induced GSCs. Consistently, MYD88, as well as total STAT3 and phosphorylated (p-)STAT3, were also upregulated in ADV-induced GSCs. Knockdown of MYD88 or pharmaceutical inhibition of STAT3 attenuated stemness of ADV-induced GSCs. Moreover, we found that ADV infection upregulated lncRNA NEAT1. Knockdown of NEAT1 impaired stemness of ADV-induced GSCs. Lastly, HMGB1, a damage associated molecular pattern (DAMP) that triggers TLR signaling, also upregulated stemness markers in glioma cells. Conclusion ADV, which has been developed as vectors for gene therapy and oncolytic virus, promotes the formation of GSCs via TLR9/NEAT1/STAT3 signaling.
iTRAQ protein profile analysis of leaves and roots of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) differing in response to salt stress
Authors: Li Junliang , Cui Jie , Cheng Dayou , Dai Cuihong , Liu Tianjiao , Wang Congyu , Luo Chengfei
Published: May 2020

Background Salinity is one of the most serious threat to agriculture worldwide. Sugar beet is an important sugar-yielding crop and has a certain tolerance to salt. However, the molecular mechanism of salt tolerance in Beta vulgaris are poorly understood. Proteomics can provide a new perspective and deeper understanding for the research of salt-tolerant sugar beet. Results Here, leaves and roots were used to identify the differentially abundant protein species (DAPs) between salt-stress and control conditions in beta vulgaris . As a result, 70 and 76 DAPs were identified in leaves and roots, respectively. The functions were determined for the classification of the DAPs, mainly involved in cellular processes, environmental information processing, genetic information processing and metabolism. These processes can work cooperatively to reconstruct the favorable equilibrium of physiological and cellular homeostasis under salt stress. Some candidate DAPs are closely related to salt resistance such as choline monooxygenase, betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and F-type H + -transporting ATPase. The expressional pattern of 10 DAPs encoding genes were consistent with the iTRAQ data. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that during adaptation of beet to salt stress, leaves and roots have distinct mechanisms of molecular metabolism regulation. This study provided some significative insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the response of higher plant to salt stress, and identified some candidate proteins against salt stress.
The combination of symphysis-fundal height and abdominal circumference as a novel predictor of macrosomia in GDM and normal pregnancy
Authors: Chen Zhi-Guo , Xu Ya-Ting , Ji Lu-Lu , Zhang Xiao-Li , Chen Xiao-Xing , Liu Rui , Wu Chao , Wang Yan-Ling , Hu Han-Yang , Wang Lin
Published: May 2020

Background Macrosomia is a major adverse pregnancy outcome of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Although BMI, symphysis-fundal height (SFH) and abdominal circumference (AC) are associated with fetal weight, there are some limitations to their use, especially for the prediction of macrosomia. This study aimed to identify a novel predictive methodology to improve the prediction of high-risk macrosomia.Methods Clinical information was collected from 3730 patients. The association between the ISFHAC (the index of SFH algorithm multiplied by the square of AC) and fetal weight was performed and validated. A new index, the ISFHAC, was evaluated by area under the curve (AUC) analysis.Results A total of 1087 GDM and 657 normal singleton pregnancies were analyzed. ISFHAC was positively correlated with fetal weight in GDM pregnancies and normal pregnancies (NPs). The AUCs of the ISFHAC were 0.815 in the GDM group and 0.804 in the NP group, which were higher than BMI, SFH, AC and GA. The ISFHAC cutoff points were 41.7 and 37 in the GDM and NP groups, respectively. The sensitivity values for the prediction of macrosomia with high ISFHAC were 75.9% and 81.3% in the GDM and NP groups, respectively, which were higher than that for the prediction of BMI. Regarding the validation data, the sensitivity values for prediction with a high ISFHAC were 78.9% (559 GDM pregnancies) and 78.3% (1427 NPs).Conclusions The ISFHAC can be regarded as a new predictor and risk factor for macrosomia in GDM pregnancy and NP.
Graphene oxide nanofilm and the addition of L-glutamine can promote development of embryonic muscle cells
Authors: Zielińska-Górska Marlena , Hotowy Anna , Wierzbicki Mateusz , Bałaban Jaśmina , Sosnowska Malwina , Jaworski Sławomir , Strojny Barbara , Chwalibog Andrè , Sawosz Ewa
Published: May 2020

Background: Formation of muscular pseudo-tissue depends on muscle precursor cells, the extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking structure and factors stimulating cell differentiation. These three things cooperate and can create a tissue-like structure, however, their interrelationships are relatively unknown. The objective was to study the interaction between surface properties, culture medium composition and heterogeneous cell culture. We would like to demonstrate that changing the surface properties by coating with graphene oxide nanofilm (nGO) can affect cell behaviour and especially their need for the key amino acid L-glutamine (L-Glu).Results: Chicken embryo muscle cells and their precursors, cultured in vitro, were used as the experimental model. The mesenchymal stem cell, collected from the hind limb of the chicken embryo at day 8 were divided into 4 groups; the control group and groups treated with nGO, L-Glu and nGO supplied with L-Glu (nGOxL-Glu). The roughness of the surface of the plastic plate covered with nGO was much lower than a standard plate. The test of nGO biocompatibility demonstrated that the cells were willing to settle on the nGO without any toxic effects. Moreover, nGO by increasing hydrophilicity and reducing roughness and presumably through chemical bonds available on the GO surface stimulated the colonisation of primary stromal cells that promote embryonic satellite cells. The viability significantly increased in cells cultured on nGOxL-Glu. Observations of cell morphology showed that the most mature state of myogenesis was characteristic for the group nGOxL-Glu. This result was confirmed by increasing the expression of MYF5 genes at mRNA and protein levels. nGO also increased the expression of MYF5 and also very strongly the expression of PAX7 at mRNA and protein levels. However, when analysing the expression of PAX7, a positive link was observed between the nGO surface and the addition of L-Glu.Conclusions: The use of nGO and L-Glu supplement may improve myogenesis and also the myogenic potential of myocytes and their precursors by promoting the formation of satellite cells. Studies have, for the first time, demonstrated positive cooperation between surface properties nGO and L-Glu supplementation to the culture medium regarding the myogenic potential of cells involved in muscle formation.
Electrically stimulable indium tin oxide plate for long-term in vitro cardiomyocyte culture
Authors: Moon Sung-Hwan , Cho Young-Woo , Shim Hye-Eun , Choi Jae-Hak , Jung Chan-Hee , Hwang In-Tae , Kang Sun-Woong
Published: May 2020

Background: We investigated whether electrical stimulation via indium tin oxide (ITO) could enhance the in vitro culture of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs), which are important in vitro models for studying the mechanisms underlying many aspects of cardiology.Methods: Cardiomyocytes were obtained from 1-day-old neonatal rat heart ventricles. To evaluate function of NRVMs cultured on ITO with electrical stimulation, the cell viability, change of cell morphology, immunochemistry using cardiac-specific antibodies, and gene expression were tested.Results: Defined sarcomeric structure, cell enlargement, and increased distribution of NRVMs appeared in the presence of electrical stimulation. These characteristics were absent in NRVMs cultured under standard culture conditions. In addition, the expression levels of cardiomyocyte-specific and ion channel markers were higher in NRVMs seeded on ITO-coated dishes than in the control group at 14 days after seeding. ITO-coated dishes could effectively provide electrical cues to support the in vitro culture of NRVMs.Conclusions: These results provide supporting evidence that electrical stimulation via ITO can be effectively used to maintain culture and enhance function of cardiomyocytes in vitro.
Multimorbidity patterns, polypharmacy and their association with liver and kidney abnormalities in people over 65 years of age: a longitudinal study
Authors: Villén Noemí , Guisado-Clavero Marina , Fernández-Bertolín Sergio , Troncoso Amelia , Foguet-Boreu Quinti , Amado Ester , Pons-Vigues Mariona , Roso-Llorach Albert , Violán Concepción
Published: May 2020

Background: The implementation of individual clinical practice guidelines in patients with multimorbidity often results in polypharmacy. Our aim was to analyse medication use according to longitudinal multimorbidity patterns (MP) and determine during a 5-year period (2012-16) which MP are associated with abnormal liver and kidney function in primary care patients over 65 years of age living in Catalonia.Methods: Design: Longitudinal study (years 2012 to 2016) based on the electronic health records contained in Information System for Research in Primary Care database of the Catalan Institute of Health (SIDIAP). Variables: age, sex, MP, medication and polypharmacy (drug exposure obtained from the Pharmacy Invoice Registry). Medicines were classified in accordance with the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (ATC). Glomerular filtration rate was used to determine abnormal kidney function, and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were used to diagnose abnormal liver function. Statistics: For medication use in MP, we calculated annual mean packages of each drug in each MP, and observed/expected ratios were obtained by dividing mean packages in the cluster by mean packages of the same drug in the overall population. Logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the association between MP at baseline and abnormal kidney and liver function tests during follow up.Results: 916,619 patients were included, and 743,827 completed the follow up. We identified one polypharmacy profile per MP, and concluded that the most prescribed drugs in each pattern corresponded to the diseases overrepresented in that specific MP. The median of drugs ranged from 3 (Cluster 1 - Non-Specific) to 8 (Cluster 10 - Multisystem Pattern). Abnormal kidney function was most commonly observed in the Cluster 4 - Cardio-Circulatory and Renal (Odds Ratio [OR] 2.19; Confidence interval [CI] 95% 2.15-2.23) and Cluster 3 - Minority Metabolic Autoimmune-Inflammatory (OR 2.16; CI 95% 2.12-2.20) MP. A higher risk of abnormal liver function was observed in the Cluster 8 - Digestive (OR 3.39; CI 95% 3.30-3.49), and Cluster 4 - Cardio-Circulatory and Renal (OR 1.96; CI 95% 1.91-2.02) MP.Conclusions: A higher risk of abnormal kidney and liver function was observed in specific MP. The long-term characterisation of MP and polypharmacy illustrates the burden of chronic multimorbidity and polypharmacy in the elderly population.
How Can Technology Support Quality Improvement? Lessons Learned from the adoption of an analytics tool for advanced performance measurement in a hospital unit.
Authors: Tolf Sara , Mesterton Johan , Söderberg Daniel , Amer-Wåhlin Isis , Mazzocato Pamela
Published: May 2020

Background
Technology for timely feedback of data has the potential to support quality improvement (QI) in health care. However, such technology may pose difficulties stemming from the complex interaction with the setting in which it is implemented. To enable professionals to use data in QI there is a need to better understand of how to handle this complexity. This study aims to explore factors that influence the adoption of a technology-supported QI programme in an obstetric unit through a complexity informed framework .
Methods
This qualitative study, based on focus group interviews, was conducted at a Swedish university hospital’s obstetric unit, which used an analytics tool for advanced performance measurement that gave timely and case mix adjusted feedback of performance data to support QI. Data was collected through three focus group interviews conducted with 16 managers and staff. The Nonadoption, Abandonment, Scale-up, Spread, and Sustainability (NASSS) framework guided the data collection and analysis.
Results
Staff and managers deemed the technology to effectively support ongoing QI efforts by providing timely access to reliable data. The value of the technology was associated with a clear need to make better use of existing data in QI. The data and the methodology in the analytics tool reflected the complexity of the clinical conditions treated but was presented through an interface that was easy to access and user friendly. However, prior understanding of statistics was helpful to be able to fully grasp the presented data. The tool was adapted to the needs and the organizational conditions of the local setting through a collaborative approach between the technology supplier and the adopters.
Conclusions
Technology has the potential to enable systematic QI through motivating professionals by providing timely and adequate feedback of performance. The adoption of such technology is complex and requires openness for gradual learning and improvement.
Prevalence and Association of Daytime Sleepiness among Commercial Vehicle Drivers in Southwestern Ethiopia: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Berhanu Hiwot , - Amare Abera , . Wondu Reta , . Moyeta Bariso , . Elias Mulat , . Chala Kenenisa , . Wondwossen Debebe , . Arefayne Alenko , . Kumale Tolesa , Mekonnen Zeleke Mekonen , . Daniel Geleta
Published: May 2020

Background: Sleepiness, the most frequent sub-type of sleep disorders, is an excessive daytime sleepiness which commonly affects commercial drivers than the general population. It contributes to the high prevalence of Road Traffic due to its impact related to psychological stress, decreased productivity and increased risk of accidents both in & out of Ethiopia. Therefore, the current study was designed to elucidate the level of daytime sleepiness and its attributes to contribute to the prevention actions of country’s strategy. Objective: To describe the prevalence and associated factors of daytime sleepiness among commercial vehicle drivers in EthiopiaMethods: Data were collected from 398 randomly selected participants using a validated and pretested questionnaire to assess socio-demographic characteristics and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), which assesses daytime sleepiness prevalence. All data were entered into EpiData and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22 software whereby measurements of central tendencies and logistic regressions were used to report the results.Results: Overall, 398 public drivers were enrolled into the study making 99% response rate with the mean age of 32.1 years (SD ± 9.1) and 20-29 year modal class. The driving years of the majority (47%) were reported in 0-4 year class. The prevalence of the daytime sleepiness was 21.7% among the study subjects. In final model of logistic regression drivers’ work experience (AOR=13.96, CI=1.18, 11.1, p=0.04), substance users like Tobacco (AOR=2.9, CI=1.1, 7.6, p=0.03) & Alcohol (AOR=6.12, 95% CI=2.32, 6.12, P=0.00), and drivers’ monthly income (AOR=2.49, 95%CI=1.02, 6.06, P=0.04) were demonstrated an association with day time sleepiness.Conclusions: The prevalence of day time sleepiness was relatively high in the studied population group, and factors linked to the problem are driving experiences, substance use and middle level of monthly income. Therefore, we recommend further studies on impacts of day time sleepiness and strategic action on the reduction of the relation.
Photocatalytic degradation of trace CHCl3 in drinking water by nano TiO2
Authors: Hsiung T.-L. , Wei L.-W. , Huang H.-L. , Wang H. Paul
Published: May 2020

Toxic disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes (CHCl3) are frequently found after chlorination for drinking water. Nano TiO2 which has been widely used for photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in wastewater, however, has relatively low effectiveness in the treatments of trace CHCl3. To engineer capable TiO2 photocatalysts, an understanding of their photoactive sites is of great importance and interest. By in situ X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy, photoactive sites such as A1 (4969 eV), A2 (4971 eV) and A3 (4972 eV) can be distinguished asfour-, five-, and six- coordinated Ti species, respectively in the nano-TiO2 (8.5 and 4.6 nm for TiO2 on SBA-15), TiO2 clusters (TiO2-SiO2), and highly atomic dispersed Ti (Ti-MCM-41) photocatalysts. It appears that the reactivity for the photocatalytic degradation of trace CHCl3 in drinking water lacks an expected relationship with the crystalline phase, band gap absorption edge, nor the particle size of the TiO2-based photocatalysts. Notably, the A2 sites being the main photocatalytic active species of the TiO2 may be accountable for the main (about 95%) photocatalytic degradation of trace CHCl3 in drinking water (7.2 ppm CHCl3/gTiO2∙hr). This work reveals that the A2 active sites of a TiO2-based photocatalyst are responsible for the photocatalytic reactivity, especially in photocatalytic degradation of CHCl3 in drinking water.
Relationship of T1 Slope with Sagittal Alignment Parameters of the Upper and Subaxial Cervical Spine in Patients with Cervical Lordotic and Kyphotic Curvature
Authors: Sun Dong , Liu Peng , Wang Zhaolin , Cheng Jie , Mou Jianhui , Wang Yipeng , Tian Fenghua , Liu Shuang , Bao Hongmei , Sun Na
Published: May 2020

Background To identify the relationship between T1 slope and the sagittal alignment parameters of the upper and subaxial cervical spine in patients with cervical lordosis and kyphosis.Methods Relevant sagittal radiographic parameters pertaining to patients with non-specific neck pain but with no associated neurogenic symptoms were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized into lordotic alignment and kyphotic alignment groups based on the C2-C7 Cobb. Correlation among radiographic variables was assessed with the Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. Between-group differences with respect to cervical alignment parameters were assessed with One-way Analysis of Variance.Results Intra-observer and inter-observer agreement (two independent observers) was rated as excellent (kappa: 0.91–0.93). Inter-observer agreement for the two independent observers was rated as and substantial (kappa: 0.79–0.80), respectively. Significant between-group differences were observed with respect to C0-C1 angle, C1-C2 angle, C0-C2 angle, C2-C7 SVA (sagittal vertical axis) and TS-CL (T1 slope minus cervical lordosis) (P < 0.01 for all), but not with respect to T1S (T1 slope) (P = 0.367). In both groups, C2-C7 SVA showed a significant linear correlation with T1S (r2 = 0.712 vs. r2 = 0.467) and TS-CL (r2 = 0.810 vs. r2 = 0.248).Conclusion This study showed that the two cervical alignment types (lordosis and kyphosis) have different angular variation in upper and subaxial cervical spine. With the increase in T1 slope, the upper cervical C0-C2 Cobb angle and the C2-7 SVA in the lordotic group were significantly higher than that of the kyphotic group. TS-CL mismatch may significantly impact lordotic cervical alignment in patients with lordosis.