bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scanning electron microscopic observations of antennal sensilla, and the cloning and expression of the BiOr816 gene of Bombus ignites from China
Authors: Wang Dandan , Wang Xing , Li Xiao-Hong
Published: July 2020

Odorant receptors play a crucial role in the special recognition of scent molecules in the bumblebee olfactory system. In this study, four types of sensilla were observed on the antennae of worker bees through a scanning electron microscope (SEM), which were mainly distributed with sensillum placodeum sensillum coeloconicum, sensillum trichodeum and sensillum cavity. The odorant receptor 816 gene (BiOr816) from Bombus ignites was cloned, and its expression profiles were examined during different developmental stages and tissues. The phylogenetic tree was divided into four branches: Messor orientalis; Apis cerana ceran, Apis mellifera and Apis dorsat; Bombus lantschouensis, Bombus terrestris and Bombus ignites; and Drosophila melanogaster. The cDNA sequence of BiOr816 was found to be highly similar to BtOr22c (98.2%), which encoded a membrane-coupled protein of 385 amino acids. The BiOr816 protein belongs to the 7-transmembrane_6 receptor superfamily. Accordingly, the results of the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) indicated that BiOr816 was expressed at high levels in worker bee antennae compared to its head, thorax, abdomen, legs and wings. This demonstrated that the antenna played a vital role in the process of olfactory recognition in bumblebees and served as its most important olfactory organ, which was consistent with the corresponding electron microscope photos showing many sensilla on the antennae.
Clinicopathological Characteristics And Prognostic Factors For The Recurrence Of Abdominal Desmoid Tumors: Analysis Of 113 Patients From Two Chinses Hospitals
Authors: Zhou Sicheng , Sun Zhen , Liang Jianwei , Zhou Zhixiang , Wang Xishan
Published: July 2020

Background and purpose: Abdominal desmoid tumors (ADTs) are rare soft-tissue neoplasms that have a relatively high local recurrence rate. The purpose of the present study was to delineate the clinicopathologic features and explore the prognostic factors of ADTs.Methods: From January 2000 to January 2019, patients with ADTs who underwent macroscopically complete resection at the China National Cancer Center were included in the study. The clinicopathologic characteristics and follow-up data were carefully collected and reviewed. Prognostic factors such as age at presentation, sex, tumor location, tumor size and tumor proximity to nerves or vasculature were analyzed, and recurrence-free survival was analyzed with these factors.Results: A total of 113 patients with ADTs were assigned to the abdominal wall group (n = 66) or abdominal cavity group (n = 47) according to the tumor site. Abdominal wall DTs and intra-abdominal DTs demonstrated distinct clinicopathological features and prognoses. During a median 61-month follow-up period, twelve (10.2%) patients had local recurrence. According to the univariate and multivariate analyses, intra-abdominal tumors, large tumors, and positive margins were independent risk factors for poor prognosis.Conclusion: Compared with intra-abdominal DTs, abdominal wall DTs demonstrate different clinicopathological features and a better prognosis. Under the premise of ensuring negative margins during the first surgical procedure, patients with abdominal wall DTs can obtain satisfactory prognoses through radical resection.
Seasonal variation in climate and landcover niches of a migratory bird
Authors: Illan Javier Gutierrez , Wang Guiming , Cunningham Fred L , King Tommy D
Published: July 2020

Background: Resource utilization strategies of avian migrants are a major concern for conservation and management. Consequently, the ability to predict potential shifts in migratory species distribution and migratory behaviour is a pressing challenge for predictive ecology under global changes. There are two main strategies of resource use adopted by migratory birds: niche tracking for similar environmental conditions and niche switching between different environmental conditions between seasons. Our objective was to examine whether the “niche tracker” or “niche switcher” hypothesis would better explain seasonal variations in the ecological niche breadth and overlap of the American White Pelicans (AWPE, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos). We also tested whether recent changes in the non-breeding ground land-use have altered the land-cover niche breadth of AWPE. Methods: We built Maximum Entropy Models (MAXENT) to predict the AWPE breeding and non-breeding ranges using GPS locations, climate variables, and land-cover variables. We then compared the estimated climatic and land-cover niche breadth and the overlap between the breeding and non-breeding grounds. Results: Our climate, land-cover, and combined species distribution models had a good to excellent predictive performance. Our findings supported the hypothesis that AWPE would be climatic niche switchers. American white pelicans showed little climatic niche overlap between nesting and wintering seasons. Migrants on the breeding grounds showed broader climatic niche than both residents and migrants on the non-breeding grounds. Finally, declines in availability of food resources provided by commercial aquaculture on the non-breeding grounds appeared to increase land-cover niche breadth.Conclusions: Climatic niche switching suggests that AWPE may adapt to future climate changes with unexpected spatial distributions under global change. Future declines in wetlands and food resources may restrict AWPE spatial distributions. Future studies need to investigate AWPE demographic consequences of climate and land-use changes.
The Relative Importance and Stability of Disease Burden Causes Over Time: Summarising Regional Trends on Disease Burden for 290 Causes Over 28 Years
Authors: Dyson Henry , Gestel Raf Van , Doorslaer Eddy van
Published: July 2020

Background Since the Global Burden of Disease study (GBD) has become more comprehensive, data for hundreds of causes of disease burden, measured using Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), have become increasingly available for almost every part of the world. However, undergoing any systematic comparative analysis of the trends can be challenging given the quantity of data that must be presented.Methods We use the GBD data to describe trends in cause-specific DALY rates for eight regions. We quantify the extent to which the importance of ‘major’ DALY causes changes relative to ‘minor’ DALY causes over time by decomposing changes in the Gini coefficient into ‘proportionality’ and ‘reranking’ indices.Results The fall in regional DALY rates since 1990 has been accompanied by generally positive proportionality indices and reranking indices of negligible magnitude. However, the rate at which DALY rates have been falling has slowed and, at the same time, proportionality indices have tended towards zero. These findings are clearest where the focus is exclusively upon non-communicable diseases. Notably, large and positive proportionality indices are recorded for sub-Saharan Africa over the last decade. Conclusion The positive proportionality indices show that disease burden has become less concentrated around the leading causes over time, and this trend has become less prominent as the DALY rate decline has slowed. The recent decline in disease burden in sub-Saharan Africa is disproportionally driven by improvements in DALY rates for HIV/AIDS, as well as for malaria, diarrheal diseases, and lower respiratory infections.
Prevalence of Infection With Dirofilaria Immitis in Cats in Townsville, Australia
Authors: Adagra Carl , Squires Richard , Busst Angela , Elliman Jennifer , Constantinoiu Constantin
Published: July 2020

Objective
Dirofilaria immitis commonly infects Australian dogs. Studies on the prevalence of infection by this parasitic helminth in Australia cats are rare and relatively old. Data obtained from other countries would suggest a likely prevalence of 4.7–16%. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of D. immitis in an endemic region of Australia by antigen, antibody and PCR testing.
Methods
172 healthy cats over 6 months of age from the Townsville region of Australia were tested for D. immitis specific antibodies and antigen using a commercially available kit. 50 samples were subsequently retested using a second commercially available antibody kit. 48 of these samples were checked for D. immitis DNA using PCR.
Results
No cat tested positive on any test. The Ausvet Epitools epidemiology calculator was used to calculate prevalences. Maximum antigen (1.27%), antibody (2.1%) and PCR (2.1%) prevalences were calculated.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that the prevalence of heartworm infection in pet cats in this region of Australia is lower than expected based on data from other areas around the world.
A Cross-sectional, Multicenter, Observational Study to Assess the Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism in Lebanese and Jordanian Hospitals
Authors: Hajj Imad , -Masri Mahmoud AL , Bashaireh Kaldoun , Hani Mohammed Bani , Hamouri Shadi , Khouzami Joe , Sabra Nisrine , Fadel Chahine
Published: July 2020

Background
There is a growing body of evidence showing substantial underuse of appropriate venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in patients at risk. In the present study, our goal was to assess the current practices in the use rate of VTE prophylaxis among hospitalized patients in Jordan and Lebanon.
Methods
A cross-sectional, multicenter, observational study was conducted on 40 centers across Lebanon and Jordan. We included patients who were admitted to the participating hospitals for the treatment of a serious medical or surgical illness. The patients’ records were screened for the fulfillment of inclusion/exclusion criteria during a single assessment visit. The proportion of medical and surgical patients who were at risk of VTE and the thrombo-prophylactic measures employed by physicians for these patients were assessed according to the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP 2016) guidelines.
Results
The present study included 704 patients (400 from Jordan and 304 from Lebanon) with a mean age of 54.9 ± 17.5 years. Almost 59% of the patients received prophylaxis treatment in form of pharmacological anticoagulant prophylaxis and/or mechanical prophylaxis. Low molecular weight heparin was the most commonly used anticoagulant for VTE prophylaxis in 366 out of the total 704 (51.9%) patients in the analysis cohort. Two hundred and sixteen patients (52%, 95% confidence interval [47.1% − 56.9%]) received appropriate prophylactic agents out of 415 patients who were eligible for prophylaxis according to the ACCP 2016 guidelines. On the other hand, 199 (72.1%, 95% confidence interval [66.4% – 77.3%) patients received prophylaxis out of 276 ineligible patients.. The rate of compliance to guidelines showed wide variations according to the type of hospital, specialty, and the patients’ age. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that only age was a significant predictor of appropriate VTE prophylaxis (odds ratio [OR] 1.05, P < 0.001).
Conclusion
The rates of the appropriate use of VTE prophylaxis are low in Lebanon and Jordan. There is a lack of compliance to guidelines for VTE prophylaxis use for hospitalized patients in both countries.
Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Uprety Tina , Kunwar Saroj , Gurung Soumya Harsha , Thapa Shraddha , Shrestha Sanjita , Rai Ashim , Karmacharya Prakriti
Published: July 2020

ObjectiveMetabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus concurrently potentiates a number of risk factors, significantly higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Numerous risk factors associated with diabetes gets intensified by the presence of metabolic syndrome. Diabetes and metabolic syndrome together can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by 2 to 4 folds. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of MetS in Type 2 Diabetic patients. Components of metabolic syndrome were measured and compared to determine the prevalence. Hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2019 to December 2019 at Star hospital and Modern Technical College, Sanepa, Nepal. A total number of 353 patients with type 2 diabetes visiting Star Hospital were included in the study. ResultsAmong 353 participants, metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 242 (68.5%) participants using NCEP-ATPIII criteria. The prevalence of MetS was 68.5% among which male were 123 (76.3%) and female were 119 (61.9%). MetS was found to be highest in age group of 50-59 years with 34.2% (83) participants. Dyslipidemia with raised TG 71.4% and reduced HDL 76% was found to be most prevalent component in our study followed by hypertension 73.1%.
Genomic features and evolution of the Parapoxvirus during the past two decades
Authors: Yao Xiaoting , Pang Ming , Wang Tianxing , Chen Xi , Tang Xidian , Chang Jianjun , Chen Dekun , Ma Wentao
Published: July 2020

Parapoxvirus (PPV) has been identified in most mammals and poses a great threat to both the livestock production and public health. However, it is still not fully understood the viral prevalence and evolution of PPV coding sequences. Here, we performed a comparative approach integrating viral genetics, molecular selection pressure and genomic structure to investigate the genomic features and evolution of PPVs. We noticed that although there were significant differences of GC contents between ORFV and other three species of PPVs, all PPVs showed almost identical nucleotide bias, that is GC richness. This reflected a common mechanism which determines GC compositions for virus with similar life cycles. The structural analysis of PPV genomes showed the divergence of different PPV species, which may due to the specific adaptation to their natural hosts. Additionally, we estimated the phylogenetic diversity of segmented genome of PPV. Our results suggested that during the 2010 – 2018 outbreak, the orf virus has been the dominant species under the selective pressure of the optimal gene patterns. Furthermore, we found the mean substitution rates were between 3.56×10-5 to 4.21×10-4 in different PPV segments, and the PPV VIR gene was evolved at the highest substitution rate. In these protein-coding regions, purifying selection was the major evolutionary pressure, while the GIF and VIR genes suffered the greatest positive selection pressure. These results may provide useful knowledge on the virus genetic evolution from a new perspective which could help create prevention and control strategies.
Comparison Of Nutrition And Quality Of Life Of Esophagogastrostomy And The Double-Tract Reconstruction After Laparoscopic Proximal Gastrectomy
Authors: Eom Bang Wool , Park Ji Yeon , Park Ki Bum , Yoon Hong Man , Kwon Oh Kyoung , Ryu Keun Won , Kim Young-Woo
Published: July 2020

Purpose: This study aims to compare the nutritional outcomes and quality of life between patients who underwent esophagogastrostomy (EG) and those who underwent the double-tract reconstruction (DTR) after laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the prospectively established database of 45 patients who underwent EG with anti-reflux procedure and 58 patients who underwent the DTR after laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy between December 2013 and June 2017. Then, we compared the baseline characteristics, clinical outcomes, postoperative nutritional parameters, and quality of life (QOL) using EORTC QLQ STO-22 between the EG and DTR groups. Results: In the postoperative 1-year endoscopic findings, the incidence of esophageal reflux was higher in the EG group (17.8% vs. 3.4%, p=0.041) and there was no significant difference in anastomotic stricture. Nutritional status was assessed via body mass index, serum albumin, protein, hemoglobin, and ferritin; we found no significant differences. The incidences of iron deficiency anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency also showed no significant difference between the two groups. With regards to the quality of life, the difference values between preoperative and postoperative 1-year were evaluated; there was no significant difference between the EG with anti-reflux procedure and DTR groups. Conclusions: EG had higher incidence of esophageal reflux and similar nutritional outcomes and QOL compared with the double-tract reconstruction after laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy. Additional large-scale research is needed to evaluate the long-term functional outcomes of EG and the double-tract reconstruction.
Primary Localized Retroperitoneal Sarcomas: Report from Slovenian Sarcoma Referral Center.
Authors: Novak Marko , Perhavec Andraz , Povsic Milena Kerin , Arnus Matej , Erzen Darja
Published: July 2020

Background: Sarcoma patients should be treated in high volume referral sarcoma centers. Compartmental resection is proposed as best treatment option in retroperitoneal sarcoma patients. Methods: Institute of Oncology Ljubljana is the only referral sarcoma center in Slovenia. Having population of 2.1 million poses a unique situation. We manage all sarcoma patients in the country and operate on patients with soft tissue tumors of extremities, trunk and abdomen. Data for all consecutive patients surgically treated from January 1999 to December 2018 for primary localized retroperitoneal sarcoma was extracted from prospective surgical database. Clinicopathologic variables and the outcome were analyzed.Results: In total 89 patients were included. Mean age was 59.2 years. Dedifferentiated liposarcoma was the most common histology (38.2 %). Mean tumor size was 23.5 cm. Compartmental resection was performed in 47.2 % (42/89). Postoperative complication grade 3a or higher according to Clavien-Dindo classification had 30.3 % (27/89) of patients. The 30-day and 90-day mortality rate was 2.2 % and 5.6 %. Median follow-up was 62.1 months. Corresponding 5-year overall survival was 67.2 %, 5-year disease specific survival was 72.6 % and 5-year local recurrence free survival was 81.5 %, respectively. Conclusion: Results from our institution show that referral sarcoma centers may achieve very good results in management of retroperitoneal sarcoma patients, despite not meeting the criteria for high volume hospitals, as long as they have multidisciplinary team, appropriate facilities and expertise.
Analysis of Deformation Characteristics of AZ31B Friction Heating Incremental Forming
Authors: jiahao Wang , Liuru Zhou , Shiyao Hu
Published: July 2020

A friction heating incremental forming (FHIF) is proposed, which does not require external heating. By means of orthogonal experimental, finite element analysis and CATIA reverse engineering methods, the forming characteristics of magnesium alloy AZ31B FHIF are studied, such as forming limit angle, dimensional accuracy, thickness distribution, equivalent stress and equivalent strain at different forming stages. The results show that: For the FHIF, the forming limit angle can be up to 76°, and the most obvious way to increase the forming limit angle is to increase the spindle speed. In the FHIF, due to the limitations of the experimental conditions, it will be different from the ideal model. The bending phenomenon first occurs in the early stage of forming, which makes the upper corner part the worst accuracy, and the lower corner part obvious defects. Compared with the theoretically stable thickness, the actual part sidewall is thinned by 11%. The simulation successfully predicts and observes the thickness change and stress-strain change trend of the entire FHIF.
Mathematical Modelling For Decision Making of Lockdown during COVID-19
Authors: Ghosh Ahona , Roy Sandip , Biswas Suparna
Published: July 2020

Due to the recent worldwide outbreak of COVID-19, there has been a huge change in our lifestyle and it has a severe impact in different fields like finance, education, business, travel and tourism, economy in all the affected countries. In this scenario, people have to be careful and cautious about the symptoms and should act accordingly. Accurate predictions of factors, like the end date of the pandemic, duration of lockdown and spreading trend can guide us through the situation and precautions should be taken wisely. Multiple attempts have been made to model the virus transmission, but none of them has investigated it at a global level and concepts like recovery trend analysis in the developed and developing countries have not been discussed ever. The novelty of our proposed work lies here. In this paper, we have analysed the nature of spreading of the said disease using Time Dependent Discrete Susceptible Infected Recovered (TDDSIR) model on the data collected from various platforms and then, fifteen countries from first, second and third world have been considered to have an idea of probable future projections of pandemic. Experimental findings proved that proper social distancing measures during lockdown has been a controller of the disease transmission trend as the basic reproduction number, being actually the transmission rate and not the number of infectives, decreases with the strict lockdown decisions made by different countries. However, people should be more aware of the consequences for quick recovery from the various obstacles of the current situation.
Host-ectoparasite Associations: The Role of Host Traits, Season and Habitat on Parasitism Interactions of the Rodents of Northeastern Iran
Authors: Hamidi Kordiyeh , Bueno-Marí Rubén
Published: July 2020

Background
Rodents play a significant role as reservoirs of zoonotic diseases. Nevertheless, their ectoparasite assemblage and host-ectoparasite associations are poorly known. This study intended to give new insights on the relationships between ectoparasites and rodents in northeastern Iran.
Methods
Rodents were captured using live traps during the year of 2016–2020 and their ectoparasites were collected. Parasitological indices such as infestation rate, prevalence and mean intensity of infestation were analyzed.
Results
A total of 284 rodents, belonging to 17 species, were trapped which infested by 178 ectoparasites from five orders Siphonaptera, Phthiraptera, Ixodida, Mesostigmata and Trombidiformes. Overall infestation rate was 50.3%. Flea Nosopsyllus fasciatus and louse Polyplax asiatica were dominated among all fleas and lice, respectively. Haemaphysalis punctata and Haemolaelaps sp. were recorded as the most abundant tick and mite, respectively. Nosopsyllus fasciatus exhibited low and Polyplax asiatica moderate host specificity. Around 64.2% of ectoparasites shared more than one host and others were singletons. Seasonal fluctuations were found in the occurrence of ectoparasite; fleas and lice were more abundant in spring and winter, respectively. Ticks demonstrated high abundance in spring and summer and mites were more common in autumn. Overall prevalence of ectoparasite on male rodents was greater than females (56.4% vs. 44.4%), while similar mean intensity were detected for both sexes.
Conclusions
This study extend the knowledge on the distribution, seasonality and host choice of four main groups of ectoparasites in associations with rodents. Further studies are needed to can provide deep insight into how relationships and interactions between ectoparasite and rodents are formed, and how they can be applied in epidemiology.
Hybrid prediction method of ECG signals based on VMD, PSR, and RBF neural network
Authors: Huang Fuying , Qin Tuanfa , Wang Limei , Wan Haibin
Published: July 2020

Background: It is significant for doctors and body area networks (BANs) to predict ECG signals accurately. At present, the prediction accuracy of many existing ECG prediction methods is generally low. In order to improve the prediction accuracy of ECG signals in BANs, a hybrid prediction method of ECG signals is proposed in this paper. Methods: The proposed prediction method combines variational mode decomposition (VMD), phase space reconstruction (PSR), and a radial basis function (RBF) neural network. First, the embedding dimension and delay time of PSR are calculated according to the trained set of ECG data. Second, the ECG data are decomposed into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). Third, the phase space of each IMF is reconstructed according to the embedding dimension and the delay time. Fourth, an RBF neural network is established and each IMF is predicted by the network. Finally, the prediction results of all IMFs are added to realize the final prediction result. Results: To evaluate the prediction performance of the proposed method, simulation experiments are carried out on ECG data from the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database. The experimental results show that the prediction index RMSE (root mean square error) of the proposed method is only 10-3 magnitude and that of some traditional prediction methods is 10-2 magnitude.Conclusions: Compared with some traditional prediction methods, the proposed method improves the prediction accuracy of ECG signals obviously.
Simultaneous Rupture on Conjugate Faults During the 2018 Anchorage, Alaska, Intraslab Earthquake (MW 7.1) Inverted from Strong-Motion Waveforms
Authors: Guo Yujia , Miyakoshi Ken , Tsurugi Masato
Published: July 2020

An MW 7.1 intraslab earthquake within the Pacific/Yakutat slab underlying the North American Plate struck Anchorage, southern Alaska, on November 30, 2018. The ground-motion records very close to the source region of the Anchorage earthquake provide an important opportunity to better understand the source characteristics of intraslab earthquakes in this subduction zone. We estimated the kinematic rupture process during this earthquake using a series of strong-motion waveform (0.05–0.4 Hz) inversions. Our inversions clearly indicate that the Anchorage earthquake was a rare intraslab event with simultaneous rupture on two conjugate faults, which are worldwide recognized sometimes for shallow crustal earthquakes but rarely for deep intraslab earthquakes. Interestingly, one of the conjugate faults is located in a zone that had low aftershock activity. This fault extends to great depth and may reflect a deep oceanic Moho or a local low-velocity and high-VP/VS zone within the oceanic mantle. Even though the Anchorage earthquake was a rare event due to the conjugate faults, we found that its kinematic source parameters were not abnormal compared to the average parameters of global intraslab earthquakes. The normal source parameters suggest that the larger low-frequency (0.33-Hz) ground-motion amplitudes than predicted by the ground-motion prediction equation observed in downtown Anchorage were primarily due to site amplification effects associated with a sedimentary basin, not source effects. Because such normality of the source parameters was also found for another large intraslab earthquake in the subducting Pacific/Yakutat slab, this normality is likely an important source characteristic common to this subduction zone.
Doping Practices in International Weightlifting: Analysis of sanctioned athletes/support personnel from 2008-2019 and retesting of samples from the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games
Authors: Kolliari-Turner Alexander , Oliver Brian , Lima Giscard , Mills John P. , Wang Guan , Pitsiladis Yannis , Guppy Fergus M
Published: July 2020

Background The pervasiveness of doping and findings of anti-doping corruption threaten weightlifting’s position at the 2024 Olympics. Analysing the practices of doping weightlifters could identify patterns in doping that assist in future detection.Methods We analysed publicly available data on sanctioned athletes/support personnel from the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) between 2008–2019 and retrospective Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.Results There were 565 sanctions between 2008–2019 of which 82% related to exogenous and endogenous Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS). The distribution of exogenous AAS, endogenous AAS and other detected substances varied by IWF Continental Federation (p ≤ 0.05) with Europe (74%, 11%, 15%) and Asia (70%, 15%, 15%) showing a higher detection of exogenous AAS compared to Pan America (37%, 30%, 33%) and Africa (50%, 17%, 33%). When looking at the 10 most detected substances, the nations with the highest number of sanctions (range 17–35) all had at least one overrepresented substance that accounted for 38–60% of all detected substances. The targeted re-analysis of samples from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics due to the discovery of long-term metabolites for exogenous AAS has to date produced 61 retrospective ADRVs in weightlifting. Of these, 34 were original medallists (9 Gold, 10 Silver and 15 Bronze), the highest of any sport. The exogenous AAS Dehydrochloromethyltestosterone and Stanozolol accounted for 83% of detected substances and were present in 95% of these samples.Conclusion Based on these findings of regional differences in doping practices, weightlifting would benefit from the targeted testing of certain regions and continuing investment in long-term sample storage as the sensitivity and specificity of detection continues to improve.
Prognostic Value of m6A RNA Methylation Modulators and Potential Clinical Application in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Wang Lianzi , Li Huimin , Li Tao , Wang Huihui , Li Xuemei , Xu Enjun , Chen Qiuli , Xu Yuanhong , Zhang shubing
Published: July 2020

Background

m6A is the most prevalent and abundant form of mRNA modification and plays a dual role in cancer development. The high incidence and mortality of pancreatic cancer are critical obstacles worldwide. In this study, we investigated the function of m6A RNA methylation modulators in pancreatic cancer.
Methods

Expression of 13 m6A RNA methylation modulators and clinical data from patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma were obtained from TCGA database. Differences in the expression of 13 m6A RNA methylation modulators between tumour (n = 178) and healthy (n = 4) samples were compared by Wilcoxon test. LASSO Cox regression was used to select m6A RNA methylation modulators for analysis of the relationship between expression and clinical characteristics by univariate and multivariate regression. The pathways of the m6A RNA methylation modulators were examined by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and we found enrichment in chemokine, ribosome, and mTOR signalling pathways.
Results

WTAP had a low expression in tumour samples compared with healthy samples. Furthermore, our analyses revealed that the m6A RNA methylation modulators YTHDF1, ALKBH5, METTL3, METTL14, and KIAA1429 correlated with high-risk patients, resulting in an elevated risk score and a lower overall survival. High-risk score correlated with clinical characteristic and was an independent prognostic indicator for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The pathways involved were identified by GSEA to explore the potential mechanism of action.
Conclusion

Modulators involved in m6A RNA methylation were associated with the development of pancreatic cancer. A risk score based on the expression of YTHDF1, ALKBH5, METTL3, METTL14, and KIAA1429 may be an independent prognostic indicator.
Pre-clinical medical student cardiac point-of-care ultrasound curriculum based on the American Society of Echocardiography recommendations: a pilot and feasibility study
Authors: Jujo Satoshi , Lee-Jayaram Jannet J , Sakka Brandan I , Nakahira Atsushi , Kataoka Akihisa , Izumo Masaki , Kusunose Kenya , Athinartrattanapong Natsinee , Oikawa-Miyoshi Sayaka , Berg Benjamin W
Published: July 2020

Background Cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) training has been integrated into medical school curricula. However, there is no standardized cardiac POCUS training method for medical students. To address this issue, the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) proposed a framework for medical student cardiac POCUS training. The objective of this pilot study was to develop a medical student cardiac POCUS curriculum with test scoring systems and test the curriculum feasibility for a future definitive study.Methods Based on the ASE-recommended framework, we developed a cardiac POCUS curriculum consisting of a pre-training online module and hands-on training with a hand-held ultrasound (Butterfly iQ). The curriculum learning effects were assessed with a 10-point maximum skill test and a 40-point maximum knowledge test at pre-, immediate post-, and 8-week post-training. To determine the curriculum feasibility, we planned to recruit 6 pre-clinical medical students. We semi-quantitatively evaluated the curriculum feasibility in terms of recruitment rate, follow-up rate 8 weeks after training, instructional design of the curriculum, the effect size (ES) of the test score improvements, and participant satisfaction. Discriminatory ability of the test scoring systems were assessed by comparing the scores of the medical students, medical interns, and experts.Results Six pre-clinical medical students participated in the curriculum. The recruitment rate was 100% (6/6 students) and the follow-up rate 8 weeks after training was 100% (6/6). ESs of skill and knowledge test score differences between pre- and immediate post-, and between pre- and 8-week post-training were large. The students reported high satisfaction with the curriculum. The test scoring systems demonstrated excellent discriminatory ability between the 3 different performance levels.Conclusions This pilot study confirmed the curriculum design as feasible with instructional design modifications including the hands-on training group size, content of the cardiac POCUS lecture, hands-on teaching instructions, and hand-held ultrasound usage. Based on the pilot study findings, we plan to conduct the definitive study with the primary outcome of long-term skill retention 8 weeks after initial training. The definitive study has been registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04083924).
The Costs of Using Volunteers in a COVID-19 pandemic Response Program in Iran
Authors: Seddighi Hamed , Salmani Ibrahim , sedeh Mehrab sharifi
Published: July 2020

An intervention that Iran implemented to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic was to screen passengers during the Iranian New Year holidays (17 March to 3 April 2020). The purpose of this study is to examine the costs and benefits of using volunteers in this program for the Iranian government. Using the cost-benefit analysis method, the national data of the screening program were analyzed. A total of 83,810 volunteers worked on the project for 17 days, which cost $ 27,7811. If the Iranian government had hired permanent employees instead of using volunteers, it would have cost $ 558733 more. It is used wage replacement method for calculating cost of voluntary work using the minimum wage of workers in Iran in 2020. Volunteer Investment and Value Audit (VIVA) rate also showed that $ 2 was saved for every dollar the Iranian government spent. It can be concluded that the use of volunteers, especially in volunteer-oriented programs in times of disaster, including epidemics, can be economically beneficial to the government. At the same time, it should be noted that the use of volunteers is also costly, and the government must identify the optimal number of volunteers before implementation. Moreover, if there are several plans on the table to intervene, the Viva rate can be a measure of cost-effectiveness.
Misdiagnosis of Primary Hepatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Li Jiangbin , He Li , Luo Nian-An , Xu Yan , Chen Ya-Feng , Dong Rui
Published: July 2020

Background: Primary hepatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (PHNEC) is relatively rare and has high malignancy and poor prognosis, but the rate of clinical diagnosis is low. The clinical symptoms, signs, and ultrasound images are not specific. Diagnosis is mainly based on pathological manifestations and immunophenotyping analysis. Here, we present a case of PHNEC with rectal adenoma.Case presentation: A 63-year-old male patient complained of dull pain and discomfort in his right upper abdomen that had persisted for over 1 month. This individual was initially diagnosed with rectal cancer with liver metastasis because of unclear and inconclusive imaging examination results. The biopsy of rectal polyps indicated tubular villous adenoma, and the liver biopsy and immunohistochemical examinations suggested PHNEC.Conclusions: When a patient has not been diagnosed with hepatitis or cirrhosis, the AFP value is not high, and imaging shows solid space-occupying lesions, liquefaction, and clear liver tumor boundaries, we can exclude tumors of non-hepatic origin using gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and PET-CT, and other tests. We can then consider Primary hepatic neuroendocrine tumor and confirm this with pathological examinations and immunophenotyping.
Presymptomatic Transmission and Diverse Progression of Familial Clustering Covid-19 Cases in Zhoushan, China
Authors: Liu Miao , Liu Leijie , Li Ping , Ding Yibo , Wu Ting , Tang Weina , Wang Zhongfa , Cao Guangwen
Published: July 2020

Background

Novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-caused emerging infectious disease, firstly identified in Wuhan (Hubei, China), is pandemic. However, data concerning presymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 transmission and disease diversity among family members are limited. Herein, We investigated the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of presymptomatic transmission-caused familial clustering cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Zhoushan island, China.
Methods

All family members were tested for SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA by quantitative reverse transcription PCR in 3 different samples and serum antibody immunoglobin M (IgM) and IgG against SARS-CoV-2. Exposure identification, laboratory test, and imaging were performed according to the national guideline of COVID-19 (7th edition, China).
Results

Of the 6 cases, index case who ever met his relative with COVID-19 from Xianning, Hubei on January 26–31, 2020, transmitted SARS-CoV-2 to his family members in Zhoushan via visiting family during January 31 and February 3, 2020. The index was identified as common-type COVID-19 on February 6, 2020. All 5 family members were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Of those, a 7-year-old girl was an asymptomatic carrier whereas her grandparents, especially her grandfather, were very sick. Case 6 (grandfather) remained positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in his sputum specimen in subsequent 2 months. Case 2 (mother) tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in all samples but positive for IgM and IgG to SARS-CoV-2 since February 9, 2020.
Conclusions

Presymptomatic transmission of SARS-CoV-2 causes familial cluster of COVID-19. Exposed to the same source of infection, family members present their differences in disease severity and viral clearance.
TNF inhibitors exert a “hidden” beneficial effect in the cardiovascular lipoprotein profile of RA patients
Authors: Alén Jaime Calvo , Lavín Bernardo Alio , Aurrecoechea Elena , Ruiz Armando Raul Guerra , Taboada Víctor Martínez , Gerique Juan Gómez
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND: Higher cardiovascular risk has been largely described in rheumatoid arthritis as well as different effects of biologic agents in theses patients. The aim of present study is to analyze the effects of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) in the lipoprotein profile of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients using a broad laboratory assessment including a large number of no routine testsMETHODS: RA patients treated with and without TNFi were cross-sectionally compared regarding a broad spectrum of lipoprotein tests including serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and VLDL cholesterol, lipoprotein A (LpA), apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A) and B100 (Apo B), HDL, LDL and VLDL proteins, triglycerides and phospholipids, HDL Apo A, LDL and VLDL Apo B and paraoxonase 1 (PON 1), HDL, LDL and VLDL masses and number of particles of LDL and VLDL. Univariate and multivariate analyses of the different variables were performedRESULTS: Patients on treatment with TNFi showed a trend to be younger and had a longer disease duration. Regarding to the lipoprotein analyses, borderline significant higher levels of serum Apo A were detected and an independent association with lower HDL mass, LDL triglyceride, VLDL cholesterol, VLDL Apo B, VLDL mass, number of VLDL cholesterol molecules and number of particles of VLDL was clearly observed.CONCLUSIONS: TNFi treatment was associated with beneficial atherogenic effects at the lipoprotein level especially centered in VLDL related parameters consistent with a reduction of the remnant atherogenic risk.
5-Fluorouracil enhances the chemosensitivity of gastric cancer to TRAIL via inhibition of the MAPK pathway
Authors: Li Hui , Lv Jing , Guo Jing , Wang Shasha , Liu Shihai , Ma Yingji , Liang Zhiwei , Wang Yunyun , Qi Weiwei , Qiu Wensheng
Published: July 2020

Background
Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has the ability to selectively trigger cancer cell apoptosis and can be used as a target for tumor therapy. However, gastric cancer cells are usually insensitive to TRAIL so reducing this drug resistance may improve the treatment of gastric cancer.
Methods
In this study, we used Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) experiments to determine the effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and TRAIL on the proliferation of gastric cancer cells. An Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining experiment was used to detect apoptosis, and Western blotting was used to analyze the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway proteins. The antitumor effects of 5-FU and TRAIL were verified in vivo using a nude mouse tumorigenesis experiment, and a TUNEL assay was performed to evaluate apoptosis in tumor tissue from the nude mice.
Results
The combination of 5-FU and TRAIL had a greater inhibitory effect on the proliferation of gastric cancer cells than 5-FU or TRAIL alone both in vivo and in vitro. 5-FU enhanced TRAIL-induced gastric cancer cell apoptosis by inactivating the MAPK pathway.
Conclusion
Overall, our analysis provided new insights into the role of 5-FU in increasing sensitivity to TRAIL. 5-FU can be used as a sensitizer for TRAIL, and its administration is a potential strategy for the treatment of gastric cancer.
How did the COVID-19 pandemic change the practice of Paediatric Endoscopists in Europe?
Authors: Athiana Ilektra , Légeret Corinne , Bontems Patrick , Dall'Oglio Luigi , Angelis Paola De , Dias Jorge Amil , Hauser Bruno , Homan Matjaz , Narula Priya , Norsa Lorenzo , Oliva Salvatore , Papadopoulou Alexandra , Romano Claudio , Thomson Mike , Vila-Miravet Victor , Furlano Raoul
Published: July 2020

Background: As endoscopists are at risk to get infected by the novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 during endoscopic procedures, the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) published recommendations regarding protection for the paediatric endoscopist and endoscopy suite staff. The aim of this survey was to investigate whether European paediatric gastroenterology centres applied the recommendations and how this extraordinary situation was handled by the different centres.Results: Twelve Paediatric European gastroenterology centers (from Belgium, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and United Kingdom) participated. Nine centres (75%) screened their patients for a possible COVID-19 infection before the procedure, the same amount of hospitals changed their practice based on the ESPGHAN recommendations. 67% of the centres reduced the staff in the endoscopy suite, 83% of the units used FFP2/3 masks and protective goggles during the procedure and 75% wore waterproof gowns.Conclusion: The global situation caused by COVID-19 changed so rapidly, and hospitals had to react immediately to protect staff and patients and could not wait for guidelines to be published. Furthermore, uniform guidelines could not be applied by all European hospitals at a certain time point of the viral spread, as different regions of Europe were not only affected differently by COVID-19, but also had different access to personal protective equipment.
Endogenous estrogen exposure and chronic kidney disease; A 15-year prospective cohort study
Authors: Farahmand Maryam , Tehrani Fahimeh Ramezani , Khalili Davood , Cheraghi Leila , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: July 2020

Background: Despite strong evidence demonstrating the role of estrogen as a protective factor for kidney function in women, limited data are available regarding the influence of endogenous estrogen exposure (EEE) on chronic kidney disease (CKD). The present study aimed to assess the incidence of CKD in women with various levels of EEE.Methods: In a prospective population-based study over a 15-year follow-up, a total of 3043 eligible women aged 30-70 years, participating in Tehran-Lipid and Glucose-Study were recruited and divided in two groups(EEE <11 and EEE≥11 years). Cox’s proportional hazards model was applied to estimate the hazard ratio of CKD between the study groups, after adjusting for confounders.Results: The total cumulative incidence rate of CKD at the median follow-up time of approximately 15.6 years was 50.1 per 1000 person years; 95% CI: 47.7–52.6); this was 53.9 per 1000 person years (CI, 50.2–57.8) and 47.1 per 1000 person years (CI, 44.0–50.4) in women with EEE<11 and EEE≥ 11 years, respectively. The multivariate Cox model adjusted for age, BMI, smoking, hypertension and diabetes showed that the HR of developing CKD in women with EEE<11 years was significantly higher than in those with ≥ 11 years (HR: 4.0; 95% CI: 2.5, 6.3).Conclusion: This study shows a higher hazard ratio of CKD progression in women with low EEE levels in their later life. Our results suggest that the early diagnosis and management of subsequent kidney diseases in these women may potentially prevent the complications of this disease.
Baidu Jieduan Granule in the Treatment of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19): Study Protocol for an Open-Label Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Zhang Wen , Xie Qin , Xu Xiaoming , Sun Shuting , Fan Tian , Wu Xinxin , Qu Yao , Che Jinhua , Jiang Chao , Fang Bangjiang , Zhou Shuang , Huang Ting-rong , Li Hua-cheng , Zheng You
Published: July 2020

Background: Currently, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is continuously and rapidly circulating, resulting in serious and extensive impact on human health. Due to the absence of antiviral medicine for COVID-19 thus far, it is desperately need to develop the effective medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely applied in the treatment of epidemic diseases in China, hoping to produce clinical efficacy and decrease the use of antibiotics and glucocorticoid. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Baidu Jieduan Granule in curing COVID-19. Methods/design: This multicenter, open-label randomized controlled trial is conducted 300 cases with COVID-19. The patients will be randomly (1:1) divided into treatment group or control group. All cases will receive standard therapy at the same time. The experiment group will receive Baidu Jieduan Granule treatment twice a day for 14 days. The outcomes are assessed at baseline and at 3, 5, 7, 14 days after treatment initiation. The primary outcome is the rate of symptom (fever, fatigue, and coughing) recovery. Adverse events will be monitored throughout the trial.Discussion: The study will provide a high-quality clinical evidence to support the efficacy and safety of Baidu Jieduan Granule in treatment of severe COVID-19, and also enrich the theory and practice of TCM in treating COVID-19. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000029869. Registered on 15 February 2020