bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatic Evaluation of Strephenopodia Based on Plantar Pressure and Machine Learning: A Pilot Study
Authors: Nong Jinjin , Zhou Zikang , Xian Xiaoming , Huang Guowei , Li Peiwen , Xie Longhan
Published: May 2021

Purpose Stroke patients often suffer from strephenopodia because of high muscle tension or muscle spasms, which seriously affect their walking ability and rehabilitation. During the treatment of strephenopodia, there are practical demands for convenient, automatic, and quantitative assessments of the angle of strephenopodia. However, existing strephenopodia detection methods, including traditional clinical gait analysis, gait video analysis and plantar pressure systems, suffer from object obstruction or require complex setups. In this paper, we proposed a novel methodology for automatically predicting the angles of strephenopodia based on a gait analysis system using machine learning methods.Methods Plantar pressure distribution data from thirty healthy participants were recorded during walking on the Zebris FDM-THM instrumented treadmill and were processed to generate 15 gait features. The right ankle angles on the coronal plane were measured by the Vicon system to provide a detailed description and explanation of strephenopodia walking. Three machine learning methods were implemented to build stochastic function mapping from gait features to strephenopodia angles.Results This study showed good reliability and precision prediction of the angle of strephenopodia [determination coefficient (R2)\(\ge\)0.80]. Gaussian process regression (GPR) exhibited the best regression performance [R2 = 0.93, mean root-mean-square error (RMSE) = 0.67].Conclusion The study results showed that this strephenopodia-detection method is not only convenient to implement but also has high accuracy and outperforms previous reports. Measurements derived from the gait analysis system are proper estimators of the angle of strephenopodia and should be considered to improve diagnosis and assessment of the stroke population.
Description of a Novel Fameshifting Site in the 5'UTR of SARS-CoV-2 as a Potential Drug Target
Authors: Garcia-Moran Emilio , Hernandez Marta , Abad David , Eiros Jose Maria
Published: May 2021

SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped positive-sense single-stranded RNA coronavirus that causes COVID-19 whose present outbreak has cost a high number of casualties throughout the world. The aim of this work was to scan the SARS-CoV-2 genome in search for new therapeutic targets. We found a sequence in the 5'UTR (NC 045512:74-130), consisting of a typical heptamer next to a structured region that may cause frameshifting. The potential biological value of this region is shown by its similarity with other coronaviruses related with SARS-CoV and its sequence conservation within isolates from SARS-CoV-2. We have predicted the secondary structure of the region by means of different bioinformatic tools. We have chosen a probable secondary structure to proceed with a 3D reconstruction of the structured segment. We carried out virtual docking on the 3D structure to look for a binding site and then for drug ligands from a database of lead compounds. Several molecules that would probably administered as oral drugs show promising binding affinity within the structured region and so it would be possible interfere the potential regulatory role of our sequence of interest.
Identification of Candidate Biomarkers Associated with Ovarian Cancer Progression and Prognosis by Integrated Microarray Analysis
Authors: Xiaohong Chen , Jiachun Xin , Zhijun Feng , Hui Cai , Shouye Ma , Huifang Wu
Published: May 2021

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common gynecological malignancies, with high mortality and few prognostic biomarkers. This study aimed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) relevant to the prognosis of ovarian cancer. First, we performed differential analysis on GSE38666, GSE14407, GSE27651 and GSE18520 expression profile datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and obtained 638 DEGs using a Venn diagram tool. Second, we constructed a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network with the STRING database and used the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) plugin in Cytoscape software to perform gene cluster analyses for 269 upregulated and 367 downregulated DEGs, respectively. Based on the results of gene cluster analyses, we selected two gene clusters of upregulated DEGs with network scores of > 10 and two gene clusters of downregulated DEGs with scores of > 5 for further functional analysis with the clusterProfiler package. In addition, we analyzed the effect of genes from those clusters on the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of OC patients based on Kaplan–Meier Plotter and PrognoScan databases. The gene clusters of upregulated DEGs are involved mainly in cell division and cell proliferation, and the genes of downregulated DEGs primarily participate in the TGF-β signaling pathway and various metabolic processes. Via cross-validation of survival analysis, we identified four hub genes (AURKA, CDCA5, CEP55 and UBE2C) that correlated with ovarian cancer OS and PFS, which derived from the upregulated DEGs. Patients with these four hub genes trended toward worse OS and PFS than patients with low expression. Unfortunately, no significantly prognosis-related genes were detected among downregulated clusters. The mRNA expression of these four genes were analysed using the Oncomine and GEPIA databases, and the result revealed that the mRNA expression of AURKA,CDCA5,CEP55 and UBE2C was greatly upregulated in OC tissues compare with normal tissues. The gene set/pathway primarily showed alterations in amplification and deep deletion, and correlation analysis indicated significant positive correlations between AURKA, CDCA5, CEP55 and UBE2C. Nevertheless, for clarifying the protein expression levels of the four prognostic genes, the staining of the immunohistochemistry (IHC) were obtained base on the Human Protein Atlas, and was showed the proteins levels of these four genes was significantly elevated in patients with OC. Our results revealed that these four hub genes may mediate ovarian cancer development and have valuable clinical potential as prognostic biomarkers for OC patients.
Diet of the earliest modern humans in East Asia
Authors: Wu Yan , Tao Dawei , Wu Xiujie , Liu Wu
Published: May 2021

Reconstructing diet can offer an improved understanding of the origin and evolution of modern humans. However, the diet of early modern humans in East Asia is poorly understood. Starch analysis of dental calculus is harmless to precious fossil hominins and provides the most direct evidence of plant food sources in early modern human dietary records. In this paper, we examined starch grains in dental calculus from Fuyan Cave hominins in Daoxian (South China), which were the earliest modern humans in East Asia. Our results reveal the earliest direct evidence of a hominin diet made of acorns, roots, tubers, grass seeds, and other yet-unidentified plants in marine isotope stage 5 between 120–80 ka. Our study also provides the earliest evidence that acorns may have played an important role in subsistence strategies. There may have been a long-lasting tradition of using these plants during the Late Pleistocene in China. Plant foods would have been a plentiful source of carbohydrates that greatly increased energy availability to human tissues with high glucose demands, such as the brain, red blood cells, and developing fetuses. Furthermore, a variety of starch grains retrieved from dental calculus revealed that Fuyan cave hominins were able to consume a diet that fulfilled their physiological requirements in the late Middle and early Upper Pleistocene. Our study both provides the earliest direct dietary evidence from modern humans in China and helps elucidate the evolutionary advantages of early modern humans in the late Middle and early Upper Pleistocene.
Comparative Efficacy and Safety of the Moxibustion for the Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Authors: Gao Juan , Zhou Xiujuan , Xie Hongyan , Gao hong , Fu xiaoxu , Peng sihan , Xu guiping , Xie Chunguang
Published: May 2021

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread from its origins to the world and become a pandemic since late 2019. It predominantly damages the lungs and causes diffuse alveolar injury with edema, cellular fibroblasts and hyaline membrane formation, resulting in acute respiratory insufficiency, respiratory failure, sepsis, acute heart injury, heart failure and other severe complications. It is also reported that moxibustion can effectively modify the negative emotions and relieve the symptoms of chest distress and impaired appetite for the patient with COVID-19. The main objective of current research is to make an assessment for effectiveness and safety of the moxibustion as an important complementary and alternative therapeutic method for COVID-19.Methods and analysis Articles for the systematic literature will be located at the MEDLINE, OVID, EMBASE, CNKI, CBM, NTR, Chi CTR databases. With no restriction about language, manual search will be conducted for potential eligible articles as supplements. Any randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with any moxibustion interventions issued by the therapeutic regimen on all patients diagnosed with COVID-19 will be included. We will include the published studies with no restriction about language. All study records of the title and abstract identified by the search strategies will be directly imported and assessed based on the eligibility criteria. Risk of individual studies for the methodological quality of eligible RCTs will be assessed with the tool from the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool.Discussion The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of moxibustion as a complementary and alternative treatment for COVID-19.No studies have investigated whether moxibustion will relieve clinical symptoms and shorten the length of hospitalization time.To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis program designed to update the currently available evidence. Despite the fact of controversial views in using moxibustion, if this study confirms its efficacy and safety, it could provide a better guide for clinical practice around the world.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42020176572.
Measuring Disrespect and Abuse During Childbirth in a High-Resource Country: Development and Validation of a German Self-Report Tool
Authors: Limmer Claudia Maria , Stoll Kathrin , Vedam Saraswathi , Leinweber Julia , Gross Mechthild Maria
Published: May 2021

Background. Increasing evidence on disrespect and abuse during childbirth has led to growing concern about the quality of care childbearing women are experiencing. To provide quantitative evidence of disrespect and abuse during childbirth services in Germany a validated measurement tool is needed.Research Aim. The aim of this research project was the development and psychometric validation of a survey tool in the German language that measures disrespect and abuse of women during childbirth. Methods. A survey tool was created including the following measures: German adaptations of the short and long form of the “Mothers on Respect” (MOR) index (MOR-7 and MOR-G); the “Mothers’ Autonomy in Decision Making” (MADM) scale; a mistreatment-index (MIST-I) comprising indicators of mistreatment during childbirth; and a set of items that measure experiences of discrimination during maternity care. Internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the scales were assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, unweighted least squares factor analysis and non-parametric correlation analysis with a scale that measures a related construct, the Posttraumatic Symptom Scale – Self Report (PSS-SR) scale. We distributed the survey online, recruiting through snowball sampling via social media. The final sample of participants (n=2045) had given birth in Germany between 2009 and 2018.Findings. More than 77% of the study participants reported at least one form of mistreatment with non-consented care being the most commonly reported type of mistreatment, followed by physical violence, violation of physical privacy, verbal abuse and neglect. All included scales showed good psychometric properties with high Cronbach’s alphas (0.95 for both MOR versions and 0.96 for MADM). Factor analysis generated one factor scales with high factor loadings (0.75 to 0.92 for MOR-7; 0.37 to 0.90 for MOR-G and 0.83 to 0.92 for MADM). MOR-7, MOR-G, MADM and MIST-I scores were significantly (p<0.001) correlated with PSS-SR scores (Spearman’s rho -0.70, -0.61 and 0.68 for MOR-G, MADM and the MIST-I, respectively).Conclusions. This study presents a valid and reliable instrument for the quantitative assessment of disrespect and abuse during childbirth in Germany. Childbearing women’s experiences of disrespect and abuse are a relevant phenomenon in German hospital based maternity care. Disrespect and abuse during childbirth appear to contribute to post-traumatic symptoms and may be associated with severe mental health problems postpartum.
"The effect of Exercise during hemodialysis on serum levels of Albumin, calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone: a randomized clinical trial"
Authors: Dashtidehkordi Alireza , Shahgholian Nahid , Sadeghian Jaleh
Published: May 2021

Background: Chronic kidney disease is often accompanied by disturbances in the levels of serum electrolytes. Because of electrolyte imbalance and other factors, the patients experience some of the systemic symptoms and physical and mental dysfunction. We aimed determine the impact of exercise during hemodialysis on serum levels of Albumin, calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone.
Methods: In a randomized controlled trial in hemodialysis units of Iran’s two hospital, 60 patients undergoing hemodialysis having required criteria were included and assigned into the exercise group (n = 30) and the control group (n = 30). An exercise program using stationary bicycles were done in the intervention group, 60 minutes/ every session, three times a week, for 8 weeks. The main outcome measures were the serum levels of Albumin, Calcium, Phosphate, and Parathyroid hormone.
Results: The independent t-test results showed no significant difference between the mean serum levels of Albumin, Calcium, Phosphorus and Parathyroid hormone before the intervention (P > 0.05). However, after an eight-week intervention, significant improvements were seen in serum phosphate levels and Parathyroid hormone (P=0.04), while the serum levels of Albumin (P=0.3) and calcium (P = 0. 5) did not change significantly in the intervention group.
Conclusions: An exercise program by stationary bicycles is a safe, effective and complementary clinical intervention in patients with ESRD on hemodialysis.
Identical Shapes Results in a Failed Memory Formation of Location of Dark Surroundings in Planarians
Authors: Huang Kaiyuan , Liu Yufei , Duan Yixi , Chen Kehan , Xiao Ziyun , Zhang Peiao , Zhu Bangqi , Shi Yunhao , Ying Zhengxin , Wang Baoqing
Published: May 2021

Planarians, the first kind of animal to have evolved a brain structure1 yet has not evolved visual sense, was demonstrated to have a capability of spatial learning in the last several decades2, but what does the navigation of planarians depends on is still unknown. Here, we provide an objective, strictly variable-controlled planarian training method using 3D printing techniques3 fabricated mazes. Then we use modifications of the mazes to first demonstrate a learning paradigm that worms can memorize the location of a darkened surrounding through training. However, a memory formation failure was found that in the situation of providing identical shapes in a maze, planarians cannot memorize the location of the darkened surrounding. Thus, this result shows the planarians associated darkness with the crude shape of the objects they have crawled on, which is a kind of spatial learning. This finding provides not only a key insight into spatial learning information that planarians are processing but also an interpretation of the origin of memory formation where higher grades of memory formation might originate from.
LncRNAs Signature Associated with Chemoradiotherapy Response and Prognosis in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer
Authors: Zhang Yiyi , Guan Binjie , Wu Yong , Du Fan , Zhuang Jinfu , Yang Yuanfeng , Liu Xing , Guan Guoxian
Published: May 2021

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cancers. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) is the standard of care for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). However, studies are limited regarding lncRNAs associated NCRT response and prognosis of LARC patients. This study aimed to identify lncRNAs associated with NCRT response and prognosis in CRC patients, and to explore potential mechanisms.
Methods

LncRNA expression profiles from our previous gene chip data basing on the LASSO to identify a four-lncRNA signature that predicted NCRT response and prognosis and further validated in 138 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and 36 LARC patients from our center. A Cox regression model was performed to identify prognostic risk factors. Moreover, we identified the function of the LINC00909 in vivo and in vitro in CRC cell lines.
Results

Four hub lncRNAs (DBET, LINC00909, FLJ33534, and HSD52) were screened by comparing the relative lncRNA expression of NCRT-responsive and non-responsive patients (AUC = 0.68, 0.73, 0.73, and 0.70, respectively, all p < 0.05). A competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was constructed based on the four lncRNAs. Moreover, the four lncRNAs expression was identified by the external data in cancerous and adjacent non-cancerous tissues in CRC patients. The results demonstrated that the expression of the four lncRNAs was lower in the normal tissues than in the cancerous tissues (all p < 0.05), and the COX analysis demonstrated that the DBET, LINC00909 and FLJ33534 were assocaited with the DFS in CRC patients. The four lncRNAs were also identified in the LARC following NCRT patients, and the result demonstrated that LINC00909 and FLJ33534 had powerful ability to predict the NCRT response and prognosis (all p < 0.05). Basing on the multivariate COX analysis, we constructed a risk score and verified in the CRC and LARC patients in predicting NCRT response and prognosis. Moreover, The expression and prognosis of the DBET, LINC00909 and FLJ33534 in the CRC tissues were identified in the R2 platform and Oncomine database. Moreover, the over-expression LINC00909 cell lines demonstrated that over-expressed the LINC00909 increased the cell lines resistance to the 5-FU and radiotherapy in vivo and in vitro.
Conclusion

Our findings showed that DBET, LINC00909, and FLJ33534 could serve as novel biomarkers for prediction of NCRT response and prognosis in CRC patients. And LINC00909 could be a novel therapeutic targets in enhancing the NCRT response.
Cervical ureaplasma colonization affects intraamniotic inflammation in preterm labor with intact membrane: a cohort study
Authors: Bae Jin Gon , Kim Shin , Hwang Il Seon , Park Ji Min , Park Jae Hyun
Published: May 2021

Background: A causative role between cervical ureaplasma colonization and adverse outcomes during pregnancy has remained controversial. We investigated whether cervical ureaplasma colonization affects the biochemically or histologically intraamniotic inflammation in preterm birth.Methods: Amniotic fluid was retrieved during delivery. Various chorioamnionitis-related cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β, -6, -8, -10, and tumor necrosis factor-α) and regulators (matrix metalloproteins (MMP)-8 and MMP-9) were measured with Human Magnetic Luminex screening assay. We tested cervical swab specimens using real-time polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of ureaplasma spp. colonization. Considering the clinical situation that causes intraamniotic infection, we arbitrarily divided into three categories of preterm labor with intact membrane, preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM), and control group with no exposure to preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of membrane.Results: The incidence of cervical ureaplasma colonization was 49.3% (136/276). The incidence of histologic chorioamnionitis was 27.5% (76/200). All differences in cytokines and regulators according to histologic chorioamnionitis were significant. Of the 153 cases that experienced preterm labor with intact membrane, IL-10, MMP-8, and MMP-9 levels in the ureaplasma positive group were significantly higher than those of the ureaplasma negative group. According to logistic regression analysis adjusted to preterm labor with intact membrane, PPROM, and gestational age at delivery, cervical ureaplasma colonization was an independent risk factor of histologic chorioamnionitis (odd ratio: 2.622, 95% confidence interval: 1.443-4.766).Conclusions: Cervical ureaplasma colonization augments biochemically intraamniotic inflammation in preterm labor with intact membrane, and was an independent risk factor of histologic chorioamnionitis.
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Between Cold-Tolerant and Sensitive Brassica Oleracea L. in Response to Low Temperature Stress
Authors: Jiang Shuhan , Xia Dongjian , Dai Qian , Luo Yuxia , Chen Yao , Song Jianghua
Published: May 2021

Background: Brassica oleracea L. occupies an important position in the annual production of vegetables. But during winter Brassica oleracea L. often suffers from low temperatures and even sub-zero temperatures. Through transcriptome analysis and identification, the pathways involved in cold tolerance of Brassica oleracea L. were analyzed and candidate genes related to cold tolerance of Brassica oleracea L. were identified.Results: Under low temperature stress, a large number of significantly different genes were found in Zhonggan1229 (ZG, low temperature tolerance) and Yingchun (YN, low temperature sensitive). There were 3902 significantly up-regulated genes and 5309 significantly down-regulated genes in ZG, and 4253 significantly up-regulated genes and 5938 significantly down-regulated genes in YN. Among them, 1844 different genes are the specific different genes in ZG and 6089 genes are the common different genes to response the low temperature stress. By annotating the specific different genes in ZG, 26 of the top 30 enriched GO terms belonged to biological processes, 4 terms belonged to molecular functions. By annotating the common different genes, 23 GO terms belonged to biological processes, 1 GO term belonged to molecular functions, and 6 GO terms belonged to cellular components. Circadian rhythms of plants and Plant hormone signal transduction were not only significantly enriched in the two analyzed genes, but also the effects of low temperature stress were most significant. Among the unique different genes in ZG, 154 genes were annotated into transcription factor families, and 79 genes were up-regulated and 75 genes were down-regulated, the encoding of MYB-related proteins was the largest group. Among the different genes shared by the two varieties, 516 genes were annotated into corresponding transcription factor families, 211 genes were up-regulated and 296 genes were down-regulated, however, there were 4 genes that were up-regulated in ZG but down-regulated in YN, and 5 genes that were down-regulated in ZG but up-regulated in YN, the largest group was the protein encoding ERF.Conclusions: The results identified important genes, pathways, and transcription factors that respond to low temperature stress, provided cold tolerance gene resources for the subsequent cold tolerance breeding research of Brassica oleracea L..
Single-cell profiling of skeletal muscle reveals a novel senolytic target: CRYAB
Authors: Limbad Chandani , Doi Ryosuke , McGirr Julia , Ciotlos Serban , Perez Kevin , Daya Radha , Campisi Judith , Melov Simon
Published: May 2021

Skeletal muscle mass and function can decline with aging, resulting in a syndrome known as sarcopenia. This decline is linked to functional alterations in critical cell types within mature muscle, including fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) and satellite cells (SCs), driven in part by cellular senescence. We utilized single-cell RNA sequencing and isolated FAPs and SCs to identify novel targets responsible for senescent cell killing - senolysis. We identified the small alpha-crystalline heat shock protein CRYAB as a novel senolytic target. Using chemical inhibitor screening of CRYAB, we identified 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC), an endogenous metabolite of cholesterol biosynthesis, as a potent senolytic capable of killing senescent cells. We validated 25HC as a senolytic in mouse and human cells in culture and in vivo in mouse skeletal muscle. Thus, 25HC represents a potential new class of senolytics, which may be useful in combating diseases or physiologies in which cellular senescence is a key driver.
Life Cycle based Framework for Urban Solid Waste Management for Local Authorities
Authors: Peiris Mutu Tantrige Osada Vishvajith , Dayarathne Gileemalege Lalithri Navodya
Published: May 2021

This paper explores for an impact based framework in determining the sustainable waste management strategy for local authority level. Application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) based framework predicted the potential negative and positive impacts of each stage of waste management process and compared different future scenarios to identify the integrated SWM strategy. Low-cost and land availability-based waste management methods are known to be ineffective and impact-based sustainable solid waste management (SWM) strategies are limited in the local authorities of Sri Lanka. A frequent debate was seen between incineration and sanitary landfilling as the final disposal method as opinion surveys and cost based approaches have limited focus on scientific evaluation of impacts. This study used Emission Quantification Tool (EQT) to calculate the impacts of waste management process with five (05) future scenarios of waste integration including the Business-As-Usual scenario. Expert opinion survey was conducted in validation the outcomes and prioritization of scenarios. The selected local authority was Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council (DMMC) as the case study. The results were obtained by considering the CO 2 emissions equivalent for one ton of solid waste where BAU scenario had the highest negative impacts with open dumping as the current practice of end disposal. Incineration method as the main disposal method had highest positive impacts while sanitary landfilling at Aruwakkalu (200km away from the source) had moderate positive impacts mainly due to the emissions caused by the transportation and processing. Recycling and Anaerobic Digestion (AD) was considered priority steps to improve the positive impacts of the waste management process. EQT model can be used to compare future scenarios to support decision makers on effective integration of waste management techniques. The study revealed that emissions during transportation and open burning are significant, yet considered less in selecting waste management process. This study can be further developed to compare scientific evaluation methods with financial and resource based criteria to make decisions on SWM.
Progranulin Associates With Rab2 and Is Involved in Autophagosome-Lysosome Fusion in Gaucher Disease
Authors: Zhao Xiangli , Liberti Rossella , Jian Jinlong , Fu Wenyu , Hettinghouse Aubryanna , Sun Ying , Liu Chuan-ju
Published: May 2021

Progranulin (PGRN) is a key regulator of lysosome and its deficiency has been linked to various lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs), including Gaucher disease (GD), one of the most common LSD. Here, we report that PGRN plays a previously unrecognized role in autophagy within the context of GD. PGRN deficiency associated with accumulation of LC3-II and p62 in autophagosomes of GD animal model and patient fibroblasts, resulting from impaired fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes. PGRN physically interacted with Rab2, a critical molecule in autophagosome-lysosome fusion. Additionally, a fragment of PGRN containing the Grn E domain was required and sufficient for binding to Rab2. Further, this fragment significantly ameliorated PGRN-deficiency associated impairment of autophagosome-lysosome fusion and autophagic flux. These findings not only demonstrate that PGRN is a crucial mediator of autophagosome-lysosome fusion, but also provide new evidence indicating PGRN’s candidacy as a molecular target for modulating autophagy in GD and other LSDs in general.
Immunological Analysis of Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Yang Wan-Xia , Wang Fang-Fang , Li Fei-Fei , Xie Jian-Qin , Shi Chong , You Chong-Ge , Pan Yun-Yan
Published: May 2021

Purpose: To explore the pathogenesis of Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and provide bioinformatics basis for the prevention and treatment of PAD.Methods: R software is used to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in PAD patient and control blood samples in GSE27034 and screen for immune differential genes, and then perform GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis for immune differential genes. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by using STRING database, and functional modules were analyzed using Cytoscape software. Coexpedia database was used to analyze the gene co-expression network of immune differential genes. Finally, combined with CIBERSORT database, immune cells were obtained by R software.Results: The 21 immune differential genes screened in PAD were mainly involved in TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, viral protein interaction with cytokines andcytokine receptor signaling pathways, and rheumatoid arthritis. Compared with the normal group, neutrophils were higher in number in the PAD group, while macrophages M0 were significantly lower (P<0.05).Conclusions: TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway and rheumatoid arthritis are most closely related to the occurrence and development of PAD, and immune differential genes may be the key molecules of PAD, which provides a new idea for further exploring the pathogenesis of PAD.
Clinical study on 7 cases of polypoid endometriosis. PEM: a mimic of malignancy, the symptoms of adenomyosis, endometrial polyps and infertility can assist in diagnosis
Authors: Zheng Xiaohua , Xu Ying , chen xianjing , Zheng Qibing , Zhao Rong , Zhuang Lijuan , Lin Chaoqin
Published: May 2021

Objective: polypoid endometriosis (PEM) is a rare type of endometriosis (EMs), which is easy to be misdiagnosed. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the clinical features and diagnostic methods of PEM. Methods:The clinical data of 7 patients with PEM who were treated at Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children’s Hospital in China within July 2017 to December 2020 period were retrospectively analyzed, and their clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis were summarized. Results: The age of onset was 31-41 (38.00 ± 1.72) years. There were 5 cases with adenomyosis, 4 cases with endometrial polyps and infertility. The clinical manifestations were diverse. Most of them were pelvic mass, compression symptoms and signs, dysmenorrhea and abnormal uterine bleeding, and three of them were similar to malignant tumors. The gross pathological features were cysts, endogenous or exogenous polypoid masses, which were all composed of endometrioid glands and stromal components, but more diverse than ordinary em. All the 7 patients were confirmed by operation and pathology. Conclusion: PEM is often complicated with adenomyosis, endometrial polyps and infertility. Pathological examination is the gold standard for diagnosis. Imaging examination is easy to be misdiagnosed. Abnormal increase of CA125 can assist in diagnosis.
New 4H-SiC Metal Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors with Double Symmetric Step Buried Oxide Layer for High Energy Efficiency Applications
Authors: Zhu Shunwei , Jia Hujun , Dong Mengyu , Wang Xiaowei , Yang Yintang
Published: May 2021

A novel 4H-SiC metal semiconductor field effect transistor (MESFET) device with double symmetric step buried oxide layer is proposed and the mechanism is studied through TCAD simulation. The step buried oxide layer is mainly to reduce the current leakage to the substrate and improve drain current. At the same time, the presence of the oxide layer changes the electric field distribution, reduces the electric field concentration phenomenon, and the breakdown voltage is improved. Due to the presence of the step buried oxide layer, the charge distribution of the device is changed, and the frequency characteristics are improved. When the step buried oxide channel is under the optimized parameter condition, compared with the traditional double-recessed structure 4H-SiC MESFET (DR 4H-SiC MESFET), the direct current (DC) characteristics of the new structure are improved, and the breakdown voltage is increased by 14% to reach 183 V. In radio frequency (RF) characteristics, cut-off frequency is 24.4 GHz, an increase of 11.9 %; maximum operating frequency is 63.9 GHz, an increase of 20.3%; the maximum power added efficiency (PAE) in the L-band and S-band reaches 63.5 %, PAE is 23.7 % higher than the DR structure. At the end of this paper, the new structure is verified for high-energy-efficiency, and the results show that the new structure has great potential in high-frequency applications.
LTBP2 Serves as a Prognostic Biomarker and Correlated with the Immune Infiltration in Stomach and Colon Cancer
Authors: Chen Shuai , Wang Zhihuai , Gong Yu , Liu Hanyang , Yang Haojun , Zhou Yan , Tang Liming
Published: May 2021

Latent transforming growth factor β binding protein 2 (LTBP2) involved in the TGF pathway to induce immunosuppression and immune response. However, the association between the outcome of patients, the infiltrating immune cell and LTBP2 expression is still unclear in human cancers. The LTBP2 expression was analyzed by TIIMER and Oncomine database. Based on the Prognoscan database, the GEPIA database, and the Kaplan-Meier plotter database, the prognostic value was assessed. The immune and stromal score of tumors was calculated through ESTIMATE. We additionally explore the relationship among the LTBP2 expression, the infiltrating immune cells, and its gene markers in the TIMER, TISIDB, and GEPIA database, the enriched KEGG pathways of LTBP2 were evaluated by GSEA. The result showed that LTBP2 expressed differently among the normal and tumor tissues in various sorts of cancer involving stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) and colon adenocarcinoma (COAD), and three cohorts of COAD presented that the LTBP2 high expression was linked with poorer disease-free survival and the elevated LTBP2 expression correlated with progression-free survival and poorer overall survival in STAD. The LTBP2 was correlated with the stromal and immune score in different cancers. The infiltrating immune cells include the CD8+T cells and CD4+T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells were correlated with the LTBP2 expression. Meanwhile, LTBP2 was related to the infiltrating immune cell’s gene markers and enriched immune-related pathways in STAD and COAD. LTBP2 was the potential to be an independent predictor for the prognosis and a new target for immunotherapy in STAD and COAD.
Enhancement of Recombinase-Aided Amplification (Raa) Assay by Betaine and Pullulan
Authors: Wang Jinrong , Song Guowei , Ming Yue , Pan Jing , Zhang Ruiqing , Fan Guohao , Gao Yuan , Shen Xinxin , Ma Xuejun , Li Lixin
Published: May 2021

In this research, nucleic acid amplification enhancers suitable for recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) assay were studied for the first time, and amplification of a long-fragment (509 bp) by the RAA assay was initially explored. Using recombinant plasmids and clinical samples, RAA fluorescence and basic methods were used to evaluate the efficacy. The fluorescence method was evaluated by threshold time (TT) and fluorescence value, and the basic method was interpreted by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. Taking a previously established RAA assay for HPV18 as an example, we demonstrated that the addition of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 M betaine and 10% pullulan could enhance RAA. The new RAA assays with betaine and pullulan were called B-RAA and P-RAA, respectively. In the B-RAA and P-RAA fluorescence methods, TT values could be shortened by 1.72–2.32 and 2.60 minutes, respectively, and fluorescence values could be enhanced by 8847.25–9094.37 and 5250 mv, respectively. In the basic method, sensitivity could be increased by 10-fold. We successfully amplified a long-fragment of 509 bp in a P-RAA assay with a sensitivity of 102 copies/μL (compared with 103 copies/μL in the RAA assay). We thus conclude that betaine and pullulan are effective additives to enhance RAA assays.
High expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) associates with favourable responsiveness to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Xiong Kai , Ye Yunfei , Li Jian , Lei Lin , Xiao He , Yang Xueqin
Published: May 2021

Background: The responsiveness to preoperative neoadjuvant therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is significantly related to the surgical effect and long-term prognosis of patients. Biomarkers for predicting the effect of preoperative neoadjuvant therapy of ESCC are urgently needed in clinical practice. M2 macrophage in the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been confirmed to have a definite correlation with neoadjuvant therapy. However, the research on the potential functional genes of M2 macrophage has not been carried out. The purpose of this study is to systematically screen the potential functional genes of M2 macrophages and verify the correlation between the expression of screened genes and responsiveness to neoadjuvant therapy in ESCC.Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to screen the potential functional genes of M2 macrophages systematically. The correlation between the screened genes and responsiveness to neoadjuvant therapy in ESCC was analyzed in the training set GSE45670 and the validation set GSE104958. The correlation of the screened genes was confirmed in a cohort of 27 patients using immunohistochemistry (IHC).Results: A total of 11 M2 macrophage potential functional genes were screened out. The suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) and ORAI calcium release-activated calcium modulator 3 (ORAI3) were selected for subsequent verification. The expression of SOCS1 and ORAI3 in 27 cases of ESCC was evaluated by the H-score system. The result showed that the high expression of SOCS1 was significantly correlated with favourable responsiveness to preoperative neoadjuvant therapy (AUC = 0.830, 95% CI: 0.647-1, P = 0.006). No significant correlation was found between the expression of ORAI3 and neoadjuvant therapy in ESCC (AUC=0.688, 95% CI: 0.478-0.899, P=0.117).Conclusion: The high expression of SOCS1 in the local tumor microenvironment is significantly correlated with favourable responsiveness to neoadjuvant therapy in patients with ESCC, which can be used as a biomarker to predict the responsiveness to neoadjuvant therapy, and has certain clinical value.
Religion and Desire for Additional Children in a Son-preference and Low Fertility Society: Evidence From Vietnam
Authors: Yen Nguyen Thi Hai , Dang Truc Ngoc Hoang , Sukontamarn Pataporn
Published: May 2021

Background: The association between religion and desire for additional children has remained controversial and varies depending on the social context of the study. This study empirically investigates the relationship between religion and desire for additional children in Vietnam, a society characterized by son preference and low fertility. Methods: Using nationally representative data from the 2014 Vietnam Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, the study employs Probit regression analysis to investigate the relationship between religion and desire for additional children among women of reproductive age (15-49). The sample consists of 5,585 women across all six economic regions. Results: Religion has a strong impact on the desire to have an additional child, and the relationship differs across economic regions. In three out of six regions, Christians have higher fertility desire compared to non-religious people. Fertility desire of Buddhists differs from fertility desire of non-religious people in two out of six regions, namely Northern Midlands and Mekong River. Fertility desire of those belonging to other religions is different from that of non-religious people only in Mekong River. Conclusions: Identifying the impact of religion on desire for additional children can help promote appropriate family planning policies. The study also demonstrates that son preference exists in all regions of Vietnam, with the level increasing from the South, towards the Central and peaks in the North, especially in the regions bordering China.
The Difficulty of Severe Post-liposuction Infragluteal Deformity Correction by Autologous Fat Transplantation: A Case Report
Authors: Yang Mingzi , Gu Yunpeng , Sun Jingjing , Lv Qianwen , Qi Yue , Jin Ji , Liu Zhenjun , Qi Zuoliang , Ma Guie
Published: May 2021

Background: Overaggressive liposuction of the infragluteal region can lead to iatrogenic infragluteal fold deformity and result in aesthetic defect of gluteal contour.Case presentation: We report a case of using autologous fat transplantation to correct severe post-liposuction infragluteal fold deformity. In the process of reconstruction, the patient experienced fat graft over absorbed, fat graft translocation and gluteal ptosis aggravation. Despite multiple operations, the effect of fat transplantation is limit.Conclusions: Severe post-liposuction infragluteal deformity is very difficult to correct. We suggest that the infragluteal region should be reserved as possible during liposuction to avoid deformity.
Individualized Prediction of Stage I Colorectal Cancer Recurrence Using a Nomogram
Authors: Zhuang Aobo , Zhu Dexiang , Lin Qi , Xu Pingping , He Guodong , Ren Li , Wei Ye , Xu Jianmin
Published: May 2021

Background

Though the prognosis of stage l colorectal cancer (CRC) is suitable, some patients still recurrence and have a poor prognosis. Few prognostic risk models have been proposed. Therefore, we aimed to identify factors affecting the recurrence in patients with stage I CRC and develop a predictive nomogram.
Methods

The nomogram was based on a retrospective study on patients who underwent radical surgery for stage I CRC at Zhongshan Hospital (Shanghai, China) between August 2008 and December 2016. Predictive factors for recurrence were determined and a nomogram predicting recurrence-free survival was constructed based on Cox regression. This model was internally validated, and performance was evaluated through calibration plots.
Results

A total of 1,359 patients who underwent curative surgery for stage I CRC were enrolled. With the 62.0 months median follow-up time,71 (5.2%) experienced recurrence. The median time to recurrence was 24 months, 70% was diagnosed within three years after curative resection and 80% within 5 years. The 5-year cumulative recurrence rate was 5.0%, and the 10-year recurrence rate was 6.6%. In multivariate Cox analysis, age, preoperative serum CEA concentration, preoperative serum CA19-9 concentration, preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, primary tumor location and lymphovascular invasion were the independent predictors of recurrence. A nomogram based on eight factors for recurrence-free survival was developed and internally validated. The concordance index of the nomogram was 0.716.
Conclusions

For stage I CRC, more than one in every twenty people may experience recurrence within 10 years after radical surgery. The nomogram we developed and internally validated might be helpfulhelpful in postoperative stage I CRC surveillance.
Sake yeast induces the sleep-promoting effects under the stress-induced acute insomnia in mice
Authors: Nishimon Shohei , Sakai Noriaki , Nishino Seiji
Published: May 2021

Sleep deprivation induces adverse effects on the health, productivity, and performance. The individuals who could not get enough sleep temporarily experience the symptoms of an induced acute insomnia. This study investigated the efficacy of sake yeast in treatment of acute insomnia in mice. The results of this study showed that sake yeast induced a significant dose-dependent wake reduction, a rapid eye movement (REM) and a non-REM (NREM) sleep enhancement during the first 6 h after the oral administration of sake yeast with locomotor activity and core body temperature decreases under the stressful environment in a new cage. In fact, the wake amounts at 3 h and 6 h were significantly reduced after the oral administration of sake yeast compared with the vehicle. The NREM sleep amounts at 3 h and 6 h significantly increased after the administration of sake yeast compared with the vehicle. The REM amount at 6 h significantly increased after the administration of sake yeast compared with the vehicle, but not at 3 h. The previous study suggested that the sleep-promoting effects of sake yeast could be referred from the activating effect of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR). In conclusion, the sake yeast is a potential therapeutic agent for acute insomnia, being a A2AR agonist with stress-reducing and anti-anxiety properties, constituting a promising adjuvant treatment strategy for acute insomnia to traditional pharmacotherapy.
Mass Screening Using Saliva Samples and Pooled Testing Strategy For SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR Detection in Latvia
Authors: Gavars Didzis , Gavars Mikus , Perminov Dmitry , Stasulans Janis , Stana Justine , Metla Zane , Pavare Jana , Tauckels Eriks , Dumpis Uga , Gulbis Egils
Published: May 2021

BackgroundThe number of COVID-19 cases is increasing globally and there is an urgency for a simple non-invasive method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Our study aimed to demonstrate that saliva can be used as a specimen for SARS-CoV-2 detection notably for the screening of extensive population groups via pooling. MethodsWe performed 36 serial measurements of 8 SARS-CoV-2 positive saliva samples to confirm the stability of the specimen and completed 37 pools of saliva samples by adding one positive specimen per pool. We collected paired nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal swabs (NPS) and saliva specimens and processed them within 24 hours of collection. To demonstrate that saliva is an appropriate specimen for SARS-CoV-2 detection a field study including 3,660 participants was performed between September 29 and October 1, 2020. A new solution for distribution and collection of self-sampled saliva was designed, produced and installed. All methods were performed in accordance with the relevant guidelines and regulations.ResultsSaliva specimens were stable for testing for up to 24 hours. The results of saliva samples were consistent with those obtained from NPS from the same patient with 90% sensitivity (95% CI 68.3%-98.7%) and 100% specificity during the first two weeks after the onset of symptoms. Using pooling strategy 796 RT-PCR tests were performed. All pools showed 100% positivity in different pooling proportions. Overall, 44 saliva samples (1.2%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the field study. In total, between September 29 and April 10, 415 673 RT-PCR saliva tests were performed. The contactless self-service terminals were placed in hospitals, factories and municipalities as an additional way to submit self-collected saliva for testing.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that saliva is an appropriate specimen for pooling and SARS-CoV-2 screening with accurate diagnostic performance. Patient-performed simple specimen collection allows testing an extensive number of people rapidly, obtaining results of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and allowing authorities to take timely measures. Automated sample distribution and collection points are accessible 24/7 allowing safe, contactless and more efficient way to submit various kind of samples for testing.