bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immediate reactions of newly-diagnosed HIV-positive persons to the initial news of being HIV-positive: Implications for public health
Authors: Owusu Adobea Yaa
Published: July 2020

Background: Ready acceptance of the first news of HIV-positive diagnosis is a known personal and public health safety-net. Its beneficial effects include prompt commencement and sustenance of HIV-positive treatment and care, better management of transmission risk, and disclosure of the HIV-positive status to significant others. Yet, no known study has explored this topic in Ghana; despite Ghana’s generalised HIV/AIDS infection rate. Existing studies have illuminated the effects of such reactions on affected significant others; not the infected.Methods: This paper studied qualitatively the initial reactions of 26 persons living with HIV/AIDS upon receiving the initial news of their diagnosis. Sample selection was combined purposive and random, from two hospitals in a district in Ghana heavily affected by HIV/AIDS. The paper applied the theory of hopelessness.Results: As expected, the vast majority of respondents reacted to the initial announcement of their HIV-positive infection with a myriad of negative psychosocial reactions, including thoughts of committing suicide. A few, however, received the news with resignation. For the vast majority of respondents, having comorbidities from AIDS prior to the diagnosis primarily shaped their initial reactions to it. This was followed by having/having had an HIV-positive spouse/partner, and exposure to health education on HIV/AIDS on TV particularly. Receiving counselling from healthcare workers mostly facilitated their transitioning to self-acceptance of their HIV-positive status.Conclusions: Although the first news of an HIV-positive diagnosis was immobilising to most respondents, the trauma faded, paving the way for beneficial public health actions. The findings do not wholly support earlier propositions of the theory of hopelessness. Rather, results indicate that both internal and external insecurities can trigger hopelessness in persons living with HIV/AIDS. The results imply the critical need for continuous education on HIV/AIDS by public health advocates, using mass media, particularly, TV. This should continuously emphasise the need for voluntary counseling and testing and the fact that once infected, prevention of further transmission, and immediate seeking and adhering to healthcare are important. These can prevent comorbidities and death from HIV infection. Healthcare workers in VCTs should empathise with persons who are informed of their HIV-positive status for the first time.
Differential Architecture Search in Deep Learning for DNA Splice Site Classification
Authors: Moosa Shabir , Amira Abbes , Boughorbel Sabri
Published: July 2020

Background: The data explosion caused by unprecedented advancements in the field of genomics is constantly challenging the conventional methods used in the interpretation of the human genome. The demand for robust algorithms over the recent years has brought huge success in the field of Deep Learning (DL) in solving many difficult tasks in image, speech and natural language processing by automating the manual process of architecture design. This has been fueled through the development of new DL architectures. Yet genomics possesses unique challenges as we expect DL to provide a super human intelligence that easily interprets a human genome.Methods: We adapted a differential architecture search method for the interpretation of biological sequences and applied it to the splice site recognition task on DNA sequences to discover new high-performance convolutional architectures in an automated manner. The discovered architecture was benchmarked on CPU and multiple GPU architectures in terms of computational time and classification performance.Results: Our experimental evaluation demonstrated that the discovered architecture outperformed fixed baseline architectures for classification of splice sites. The benchmarking experiments of execution time and precision on architecture search and evaluation process showed that they performed better on recently available GPU models.Conclusions: We applied differential architecture search mechanism to perform splice site classification on raw DNA sequences, and discovered new models with better performance than major baseline models. The results have shown a potential of using this automated architecture search mechanism for solving various problems in genomics domain.
Correlates of Healthy Eating in Urban Food Desert Communities
Authors: Karpyn Allison , Young Candace R. , Collier Zachary , Glanz Karen
Published: July 2020

Background Understanding the most important elements of nutrition environments that affect eating behaviors can inform public health nutrition policy and programs Conceptual models depict interrelationships between these elements. However, empirical testing of conceptual models of nutrition environments and eating behaviors has been limited. The purpose of this study was to explore which factors in nutrition environments are significantly associated with dietary outcomes in two urban, low-income, and minority food desert communities.Methods This study analyzed cross-sectional baseline data from the Food in Our Neighborhood Study (FIONS). FIONS data were from adults recruited based on a random sample of addresses in neighborhood study areas of Philadelphia, PA and Trenton, NJ that were each three square miles and designated as low supermarket access areas. Study participants were required to live within one of the study areas and be the primary adult food shopper for the household. Study participants responded to a survey with ten domains that included shopping preferences, grocery spending, home food availability, perceived neighborhood nutrition environment, background characteristics, and ASA24® dietary assessments. Store audits were conducted in both study areas to estimate observed nutrition environments. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on over 120 survey items and yielded a model of four factors with 22 items. MIMIC model analyses were performed on these four factors controlling for covariates. Main dietary outcomes were Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores and fruit and vegetable consumption subscores computed from ASA24® assessments.Results The sample included 796 participants (n = 393, Philadelphia, PA; n = 403, Trenton, NJ) with demographics representative of urban, minority and low-income food desert communities: 60% were African-American, 55% had annual household incomes <$30,000, 45% participated in SNAP or WIC, and 58% experienced at least some food insecurity. Among four factors that emerged in EFA, three (My Store’s Quality; Perceptions of Neighborhood Food Availability; and Household Food Challenges) were significantly correlated with vegetable consumption subscores, and one (Household Food Challenges) was significantly associated with HEI scores.Conclusions This research tested and confirmed the importance of perceived nutrition environments and household food challenges in predicting dietary outcomes among residents of two urban, low-income, and minority food desert communities.
Identification of Molecular Mechanisms in Parkinson’s Disease Pathogenesis: Significance of Survival and Inflammation Pathways
Authors: Karaaslan Zerrin , Kahraman Ozlem Timirci , Sanli Elif , Ergen Hayriye Arzu , Bilgic Basar , Yilmaz Vuslat , Tuzun Erdem , Hanagasi Hasmet Ayhan , Kucukali Cem Ismail
Published: July 2020

Background: Our aim was to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and controls by microarray technology and analysis of related molecular pathways by functional annotation. Methods: Thirty PD patients and 30 controls were enrolled. Agilent Human 8X60 K Oligo Microarray was used for gene level expression identification. Gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses were used for functional annotation of DEGs. Protein-protein interaction analyses were performed with STRING. Expression levels of randomly selected 5 genes among DEGs were quantified by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for validation. Flow cytometry was done to determine frequency of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results: A total of 361 DEGs (143 upregulated and 218 downregulated) were identified after GeneSpring analysis. DEGs were involved in 28 biological processes, 12 cellular components and 26 molecular functions. Pathway analyses demonstrated that upregulated genes mainly enriched in p53 (CASP3, TSC2, ATR, MDM4, CCNG1) and PI3K/Akt (IL2RA, IL4R, TSC2, VEGFA, PKN2, PIK3CA, ITGA4, BCL2L11) signaling pathways. TP53 and PIK3CA were identified as most significant hub proteins. Expression profiles obtained by RT-PCR were consistent with microarray findings. PD patients showed increased proportions of CD49d+ Tregs, which correlated with disability scores. ﻿Discussion: Survival pathway genes were upregulated putatively to compensate neuronal degeneration. Bioinformatics analysis showed an association between survival and inflammation genes. Increased CD49d+ Treg ratios might signify the attempt of the immune system to suppress ongoing inflammation. Conclusion: Altered functions of Tregs might have an important role in PD pathogenesis and CD49d expression could be a prognostic biomarker of PD.
Communication of Pharmacogenomic Test Results and Treatment Plans in Pediatric Oncology: Deliberative Stakeholder Consultations with Parents
Authors: Longo Cristina , Rahimzadeh Vasiliki , Bartlett Gillian
Published: July 2020

Background: Effective communication in support of clinical decision making is central to the pediatric cancer care experience for families. A new laboratory derived pharmacogenetic test (LDT) to diagnose difficult-to-treat brain cancers has been developed to stratify children based on their ability to respond to available treatment, but may hinder effective communication since it can potentially remove the option for curative treatment in those children identified as non-responders, i.e. those with a catastrophic diagnosis.Objective: We solicited the perspectives of parents of children with difficult-to-treat brain cancer on communication preferences surrounding implementation of the LDT in standard care using deliberative stakeholder consultations.Methods: Eight bereaved parents of children who succumbed to difficult-to-treat brain cancer, and four parents of children currently undergoing treatment for similar cancers attended single deliberative consultations. Parents discussed four questions about potential communication issues that may arise with the LDT in practice. Of these, five parents attended a mixed consultation for the purpose of developing concrete recommendations for implementation of the LDT.Results: Explaining the risks, benefits, and accuracy of the LDT were considered essential to parents. Once an LDT-based diagnosis/prognosis can be made, parents valued honesty, empathy, and clarity in communication. Parents also requested that all results and treatment options be presented to them in measured doses, and in an unbiased manner over the course of several meetings. This communication strategy allowed sufficient time to understand and accept the diagnosis/prognosis, particularly if it was catastrophic. Continuous access to the appropriate psychological and social support or counselling at and post-diagnosis was also strongly recommended.Conclusions: Deliberants co-created family-centered recommendations surrounding communication issues of the LDT, providing guidance to pediatric oncologists implementing the test in practice.
A Systematic Review of Active Group-Based Dance, Singing, Music Therapy and Theatrical Interventions for Quality of Life, Functional Communication, Speech, Motor Function and Cognitive Status in People with Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Barnish Maxwell S , Barran Susannah M
Published: July 2020

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative condition associated with a wide range of motor and non-motor symptoms. There has been increasing interest in the potential benefit of performing arts as a therapeutic medium in PD. While there have been previous reviews, none have considered all performing arts modalities and most have focused on dance. This systematic review examined the potential benefit of all active group-based performing arts interventions for quality of life, functional communication, speech, motor function and cognitive status. Methods: Searches were conducted in February 2020 on five scholarly databases. Supplementary searches were conducted. Included studies were quantitative in design, and assessed the potential benefit of any active group-based performing arts intervention for quality of life, functional communication, speech, motor function or cognitive status in people with PD. Full text papers were eligible for inclusion, as were conference abstracts since January 2018. Screening, data extraction, narrative synthesis and quality assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers. Quality assessment used the SURE checklists. Results: 56 studies were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review, reported in 67 publications. Published from 1989 to 2020, these studies included a total of 1531 people with PD from 12 countries, and covered four broad performing arts modalities: dance, singing, music therapy and theatre. Dance remains the most commonly studied performing arts modality for PD (38 studies), while there were 12 studies on singing interventions, four on music therapy, and only two on theatrical interventions. There was evidence for a beneficial effect of all four performing arts modalities on at least some outcome domains. Conclusions: This is the first systematic review to assess the potential benefit of all active group-based performing arts interventions in PD. The evidence suggests that performing arts may be a useful therapeutic medium in PD. However, a substantial limitation of the evidence base is that no studies compared interventions from different performing arts modalities. Moreover, not all performing arts modalities were assessed for all outcome domains. Therefore it is not currently possible to determine which performing arts modalities are most beneficial for which specific outcomes.
Ethnobotanical survey of wild edible plants used by Baka Pygmies in southeastern Cameroon.
Authors: Fils Pascal Eric Billong , Nana Natacha Afiong , Betti Jean Lagarde , Njimbam Oumar Farick , Womeni Stéphanie Tientcheu , Martin Eva Ávila , Brull Guillermo Ros , Okale Robert , Fa John E. , Funk Stephan Michael
Published: July 2020

Background Forest inhabitants worldwide, and Indigenous Peoples especially, have depended for generations on plants and animals harvested in these ecosystems. A number of Baka Pygmy populations in south-eastern Cameroon became sedentarised in the 1950s, but still rely on hunting and gathering to meet their basic needs. The use of wild edible plants (WEP) by these communities remains largely undocumented. In this study we document the diversity of WEP used by Baka people in dense rainforests in the Mintom region. The area still contains relatively undisturbed forests areas, just south of the Dja Biosphere Reserve, one of the most important protected areas in the Congo Basin.Methods We conducted two ethnobotanical surveys in 2019 in four villages on the Mintom road. In the first survey, we interviewed a total of 73 individuals to determine WEP usage. In our second survey we specifically quantified WEP harvested and consumed daily in a number of households over a two-week period during the major raining season, when use of forest products is highest. Specimens of all recorded plants were collected and identified at the National Herbarium of Cameroon.Results We documented 88 plant species and 119 unique species/plant organ/recipes in 1,519 different citations. A total of 61 genera and 43 families were recorded. Excluding 14 unidentified wild yam species, 17 WEP species had not been reported in previous ethnobotanical surveys of the Baka. Our results showed that cultivated starchy plant foods make up a significant proportion of their daily nutritional intake.Conclusions A high diversity of WEP are consumed by the studied Baka communities. The study area is likely to be significant in terms of WEP diversity since 18 out of the 30 ‘key’ NTFP in Cameroon were quoted. Documentation of the use of WEP by Indigenous communities is vital to ensure the continuity of traditional knowledge and future food security.
Nicotinamide mononucleotide treatment increases NAD+ levels in an iPSC Model of Parkinson’s Disease but does not impact sirtuin activity
Authors: Fulleylove-Krause Brett , Sison Samantha , Ebert Allison
Published: July 2020

Objectives: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Although the underlying mechanisms of dopaminergic neuron loss is not fully understood, evidence suggests mitochondrial malfunction as a key contributor to disease pathogenesis. We previously found that human PD patient stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons exhibit reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels and reduce activity of sirtuins, a group of NAD+-dependent deacetylase enzymes that participate in the regulation of mitochondrial function, energy production, and cell survival. Thus, here we tested whether treatment of PD stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons with nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), an NAD+ precursor, could increase NAD+ levels and improve sirtuin activity. Results: We treated PD iPSC-derived dopaminergic neurons with NMN and found that NAD+ levels did increase. The deacetylase activity of sirtuin (SIRT) 2 was improved with NMN treatment, but NMN had no impact on deacetylase activity of SIRT 1 or 3. These results suggest that NMN can restore NAD+ levels and SIRT 2 activity, but that additional mechanisms are involved SIRT 1 and 3 dysregulation in PD dopaminergic neurons.
Nutrient-imbalanced Conditions Shift the Interplay Between Zooplankton and Gut Microbiota
Authors: Li Yingdong , Xu Zhimeng , Liu Hongbin
Published: July 2020

Nutrient stoichiometry of phytoplankton changes frequently with aquatic ambient nutrient concentrations, which is mainly influenced by environmental factors and the dynamics of ecosystems. Consequently, the stoichiometry of phytoplankton can markedly alter the metabolism and growth of zooplankton. However, the effects of nutrient-imbalanced prey on the interplay between zooplankton and their gut microbiota remain unknown. Using metatranscriptome sequencing, neutral community model (NCM), and experimental validation, we investigated the interactions between Daphnia magna and its gut microbiota on nutrient-imbalanced algal diet. Our results showed that in nutrient depleted water, nutrient-enriched zooplankton gut stimulated the accumulation of microbial polyphosphate and the assimilation of ammonia under phosphorus and nitrogen limited diet, respectively. Comparing with nutrient replete group, both N and P limitation had markedly promoted the gene expression of gut microbial for organic matter degradation but repressed that for anaerobic metabolisms. Besides, with N and P limited diet, the gut microbial community exhibited a higher fitting to NCM, suggesting increased ambient-gut exchange process favored by compensatory feeding of D. magna. This process also elevated oxygen level in the gut and explained the repressed anaerobic metabolism of gut microbes. Further axenic grazing experiment revealed that bacteria can still benefit D. magna to achieve a better growth under nutrient-imbalanced diet by enhancing their digestion capability. Together, these results demonstrated that under nutrient-imbalanced diet, the microbes not only benefit themself by absorbing excess nutrients inside zooplankton gut but also benefit zooplankton to achieve a better adaptation.
Geographically extensive larval surveys reveal an unexpected scarcity of primary vector mosquitoes in a region of persistent malaria transmission in western Zambia
Authors: Cross Dónall Eoin , Thomas Chris James , McKeown Niall , Siaziyu Vincent , Healey Amy , Willis Tom , Singini Douglas , Liywali Francis , Silumesi Andrew , Sakala Jacob , Smith Mark , Macklin Mark , Hardy Andy J , Shaw Paul W
Published: July 2020

Background: The Barotse floodplains of the upper Zambezi River and its tributaries are a highly dynamic environment, with seasonal flooding and transhumance presenting a shifting mosaic of potential larval habitat and human and livestock bloodmeals for malaria vector mosquitoes. However, limited entomological surveillance has been undertaken to characterise the vector community in these floodplains and their environs. Such information is necessary as, despite substantial deployment of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) against Anopheles vectors, malaria transmission persists across Barotseland in Zambia’s Western Province.Methods: Geographically extensive larval surveys were undertaken in two health districts along 102 km of transects, at fine spatial resolution, during a dry season and following the peak of the successive wet season. Larvae were sampled within typical Anopheles flight range of human settlements and identified through genetic sequencing of cytochrome c oxidase I and internal transcribed spacer 2 regions of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. This facilitated detailed comparison of taxon-specific abundance patterns between ecological zones differentiated by hydrological controls.Results: An unexpected paucity of primary vectors was revealed, with An. gambiae s.l. and An. funestus representing < 2% of 995 sequenced anophelines. Potential secondary vectors predominated in the vector community, primarily An. coustani group species and An. squamosus. Whilst the distribution of An. gambiae s.l. in the study area was highly clustered, secondary vector species were ubiquitous across the landscape in both dry and wet seasons, with some taxon-specific relationships between abundance and ecological zones by season.Conclusions: Larval survey results imply that residual transmission of malaria in Barotseland is being mediated predominantly by secondary vector species, whose known tendencies for crepuscular and outdoor biting renders them largely insensitive to prevalent vector control methods (ITNs and IRS). Alternative interventions may be required against this vector community to further reduce transmission. Larviciding is one potential supplementary intervention, although it presents a challenge in extensive wetlands such as those found in the Upper Zambezi catchment. However, the combination of advances in remote sensing of habitats, genetic identification of local vectors, and spatial modelling present a potential opportunity to optimise targeting of aerial spraying in these environments.
miR-206 regulates a metabolic switch in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by suppressing HK2 expression
Authors: Luo Chunying , Liu Min , Zhang Jianwei , Su Guoqiang , Wei Zhonghua
Published: July 2020

Background: Many studies have shown that microRNAs play key functions in nasopharyngeal carcinoma proliferation, invasion and metastasis. However, whether the dysregulated level of miRNAs contributes to the metabolic shift in nasopharyngeal carcinoma is not completely understood.Objectives: This study was conducted to explore the expression and function of miR-206 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Methods: miR-206 expression level was examined by real-time PCR. miR-206 inhibitor, mimics, and scrambled control were transiently transfected into nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and their effects on colony formation, glucose uptake, and lactate secretion were observed in vitro. Moreover, the relationship between the levels of miR-206 and HK2 was examined by luciferase reporter and assay western blot.Results: In our study, we reported downregulation of miR-206 expression leads to metabolic change in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. miR-206 controls this function by enhancing HK2 expression. The enhancement of aerobic metabolism activity induced by miR-206 leads to the rapid proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.Conclusions: Our data demonstrated that miR-206 was involved in the regulation of Warburg effect in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by suppressing HK2 expression.
Knowledge, attitude and seropositivity of hepatitis B virus among blood donors in the Bamenda Regional Hospital Blood Bank, Cameroon
Authors: Samje Moses , Sop Sylvain , Tayou Claude Tagny , Mbanya Dora
Published: July 2020

Background

Despite the existence of a preventive vaccine against hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection, approximately 250 million people are infected with the virus worldwide. Considering the burden of this infection, this study aimed at evaluating the level of knowledge, attitude and seropositivity of the disease among apparently healthy, potential blood donors at the blood service of the Bamenda Regional Hospital Blood Bank.
Methods

A cross sectional study was carried out from March to May 2019 among 250 blood donors. Following screening for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using the One step HBsAg test strip, information on the level of knowledge and attitude towards the infection was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Responses were graded as adequate knowledge or positive attitude if a cumulative score of > 50% was attained. Data was analyzed using the software IBM SPSS version 21.0. Multiple linear regression analysis was carried out to assess relationships between selected factors and knowledge of Hepatitis B. p-value of 0.05 was considered as statistical significance.
Results

The seropositivity of HBV was 6.4%. Overall, 46.8% of the study participants had adequate knowledge while 76.3% had a positive attitude toward the disease. The highest seropositivity was observed in singles (7.1%), primary school leavers (14.3%), unskilled laborers (14.5%) and replacement donors (9.33%). The risk of being hepatitis B seropositive was higher in males as compared to females [OR: 3.1 (95% CI 0.7–14). Participants with previous blood donation history were more protected [OR:0.4 (95% CI 0.1–1.2), p = 0.130] compared to first time donors.
Conclusion

The prevalence of hepatitis B among blood donors in this blood service is in the high intermediate category. On the whole, the level of knowledge on this infection among these blood donors is average. These findings suggest that health education on HBV infection should be provided to the public as a major strategy to curb the infection.
Plasma Glucose Levels of Asthma Patients Using Inhaled Fluticasone
Authors: Rahman Md. Atikur , Hasan Md. Nazmul , Rahim Md. Abdur , Ahmed Shamim , Munni Salina Parvin , Adhikari Mihir Kanti , Uddin Muhammad Jamal , Saif-Ur-Rahman KM
Published: July 2020

Objective: Inhaled fluticasone is used in asthma for a long duration. However, It’s an adverse effect on glycaemia is debatable. This study explored the effect of inhaled fluticasone in long term asthma patients. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among the adult normoglycaemic asthma patients in Bangladesh between June 2017 to May 2018. The study groups were getting inhaled fluticasone for a minimum of three months whereas comparative group were not on any steroids. Each group had 35 eligible participants. Results: In study group, mean plasma glucose at fasting was 5.27 ± 0.48 mmol/L, 2-hour after 75gm oral glucose was 6.04 ± 1.21 mmol/L and mean of HbA1c was 5.57 ± 0.41 % whereas in comparative group these were 5.17 ± 0.59 mmol/L, 5.69 ± 1.09 mmol/L, 5.47 ± 0.40 % respectively (p= 0.25, 0.20, 0.75 respectively). Duration of inhaled fluticasone use had no specific co-relation with fasting plasma glucose, plasma glucose 2-hour after 75gm oral glucose and HbA1c% (r= 0.016, p= 0.46; r= 0.015, p= 0.47; r= 0.019, p= 0.42 respectively).
Safety and Effectiveness of Intra-articular Corticosteroid Injection Following Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery
Authors: Lu Wen Chen , Wang Ting-jiang , Tang Zhi-hong
Published: July 2020

Background

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of intra-articular corticosteroid injection following arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
Method

PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science and CNKI were retrieved from the inception of electronic databases to June 2020. All analyses were performed using Stata/SE 15.1 version (StataCorp).
Result

6 papers were included in this meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in tear rate (OR = 0.713, 95% CI: 0.450 to 1.129, P = 0.149), constant score (MD = 6.212, 95% CI: 2.552 to 9.971, P = 0.001), rating scale of the American shoulder and elbow surgeons (ASES) score (MD=-0.116, 95% CI: -1.769 to 1.546) and the university of California at Los Angeles shoulder rating (UCLA) score (MD = -1.461, 95% CI: -3.221 to 0.299). The infection rate of patients who received corticosteroid injection within 1 month after operation was significantly higher (P < 0.05), but there was no significant change in the infection rate of patients who received corticosteroid injection within 2–4 months after operation.
Conclusion

The use of corticosteroids after shoulder arthroscopy will not increase the rate of postoperative tears, but the injection of corticosteroid within 1 month will increase the postoperative infection rate.
Processing of progranulin into granulins involves multiple lysosomal proteases and is affected in frontotemporal lobar degeneration
Authors: Mohan Swetha , Sampognaro Paul J. , Argouarch Andrea R. , Maynard Jason C. , Patwardhan Anand , Courtney Emma C. , Mason Amanda , Li Kathy H. , Seeley William W. , Miller Bruce L. , Burlingame Alma , Jacobson Mathew P. , Kao Aimee
Published: July 2020

Background: Progranulin loss-of-function mutations are linked to frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 positive inclusions (FTLD-TDP-Pgrn). Progranulin (PGRN) is an intracellular and secreted pro-protein that is proteolytically cleaved into individual granulin peptides, which are increasingly thought to contribute to FTLD-TDP-Pgrn disease pathophysiology. Intracellular PGRN is processed into granulins in the endo-lysosomal compartments. Therefore, to better understand the conversion of intracellular PGRN into granulins, we systematically tested the ability of different classes of endo-lysosomal proteases at a range of pH setpoints.Results: In vitro cleavage assays identified multiple enzymes that can process human PGRN into multi- and single-granulin fragments in a pH-dependent manner. We confirmed the role of cathepsin B and cathepsin L in PGRN processing and showed that these and several previously unidentified lysosomal proteases (cathepsins E, G, K, S and V) are able to process PGRN in variable, pH-dependent manners. In addition, we have demonstrated a new role for asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) in processing PGRN, with AEP having the unique ability to liberate granulin F from the pro-protein. Brain tissue from individuals with FTLD-TDP-Pgrn show increased PGRN processing to granulin F, correlating with increased activity of AEP, in a region-specific manner. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that multiple lysosomal proteases may work in concert to liberate granulins and implicates both AEP and granulin F in the neurobiology of FTLD-TDP-Pgrn. Modulating progranulin cleavage may represent a new strategy to modulate PGRN and granulin levels in disease.
Hydration Status, Body Composition and Anxiety Status in Aeronautical Military Personnel from Spain: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Carretero-Krug Alejandra , Velasco Carlos , Medina-Font Juan , Laguna Trinidad Trujillo , Varela-Moreiras Gregorio , Úbeda Natalia , Montero Ana
Published: July 2020

Background: An adequate hydration status is critical to ensure efficiency during mental and physical activities. Our goal was to assess the hydration status of a group of aeronautical military men and to determine the association of hydration status with body composition and anxiety. Methods: 188 men were evaluated through a validated hydration questionnaire, anthropometric and biochemical parameters, and an anxiety questionnaire. According to that, criteria of hydration was established. Results: 81% of the total sample met hydration criteria (urine color = Well hydrated, Water Balance ≥ 0 mL, and total water intake/weight ≥ 35 mL/kg) and 19% did not meet hydration criteria (urine color = Not enough hydrated or Dehydrated, Water Balance < 0 mL, and total water intake/weight < 35 mL/kg). Subjects not meeting the hydration criteria had lower urine pH, negative water balance, and lower water intake. The latter also had higher anxiety status (score = 4 vs 3, p = 0.026), weight (84.7 ± 10.5 vs 80.5 ± 10.2 Kg), Body Mass Index (26.3 ± 3.1 vs 25.2 ± 2.8 kg/m2), body fat (22.3 ± 5.6 vs 18.3 ± 6.5%), urine specific gravity and urine color. Furthermore, total water intake/weight was positively correlated with percentage of body water (rho = 0.357, p = 0.000) and negatively with body fat (kg) (rho= -0.427, p = 0.000), percentage of body fat (rho= -0.405, p = 0.000) and waist/hip ratio (rho= -0.223, p = 0.002). Conclusions: All these findings suggest a relationship between hydration status and body composition. These results can be used to improve the hydration status and body composition of military personnel. Trial registration: This study was conducted according to the guidelines laid down in the Declaration of Helsinki and all procedures involving human subjects were approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the CEU San Pablo University (Madrid). The corresponding ethical code was 119/16/08.
The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Isolated Systolic Hypertension Among Elderly Chinese Population
Authors: Zheng QingKun , Rong Pengshun , Huang Xiaobo , Zhang Yang , Liu Jianxiong , Xu Ronghua , Liu Ya , Hu Yongmei , Tu Jiao , Ouyang Lingyun , Wang Tzungdau , Zhao Shuiping
Published: July 2020

Objective
To investigate the prevalence status of the isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) among the elderly Chinese population and analyze risk factors of ISH.
Methods
The survey was conducted from September 2015 to September 2016 enrolling 1269 people aging above 80 in the urban community in Chengdu, China. The participants were recruited by using a stratified cluster sampling method. The average blood pressure of an individual was obtained by using a standardized mercury sphygmomanometer to measure the blood pressure twice after a 10-minute seated rest.
Results
The prevalence of ISH was 53.0% among the elderly population; the ISH was accounted for 82.2% of all hypertension cases. The prevalence of ISH of males and females was 54.7% and 51.5%, respectively, without significant differences (P = 0.25). The prevalence of ISH in the 80–84 group, 85–89 group, and > 90 group were 52.5%, 53.0%, and 60.0%, respectively without significant differences (P for trend = 0.36). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that drinking alcoholic, obesity, and heart rate (HR) > 75 beats/min were all positively correlated to the incident of ISH; however, physical exercise was negatively correlated to the occurrence of ISH.
Conclusion
53.0% of the elderly Chinese population aged above 80 has ISH. The gender and physical exercise are not the independent risk factor of ISH. But drinking alcoholic, obesity and HR > 75 are significantly related to the occurrence of ISH.
Temporal Changes of CT Findings between Non-emergency and Emergency Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Multi-centered, Retrospective, Longitudinal Study
Authors: Dai Meng , Liu Xiaoming , Zhu Xiqi , Liu Tiejun , Xu Cihao , Ye Fang , Yang Lian , Zhang Yu
Published: July 2020

Objective: To analyze the differences between clinical evaluation and the detailed imaging features in the time course of lung changes in diverse clinical types.Methods: 73 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were retrospectively collected from three institutions in China. Radiographic features, CT score were analyzed and compared between non-emergency group (mild- and common-type) and emergency group (severe- and fatal-type).Results: In non-emergency group, the disease slowly aggravated within the first two weeks, peaked during the 2nd week (median superimposed involvement CT score: 9.5), while in emergency group, the disease peaked in the 2nd week rapidly, and the superimposed involvement CT score(median: 20) was higher than that in non-emergency group. Both two groups began to decline in the 4th week, and persistence of high levels. In emergency group, the residual lung lesions were mostly reticular (median single reticular CT score: 10) and consolidation (median single consolidation CT score:7). By contrast, most residual lung lesions in non-emergency group were GGO (median single GGO CT score: 7) and reticular (median single reticular CT score: 4). In both non-emergency and emergency groups, GGO pattern was dominant in the first week, and the proportion in emergency group was higher [20 (65%) and (18 (72%), respectively], the consolidation pattern peaked in the second week, which were 9 (32%) and 19 (73%), respectively, reticular pattern became dominant in and after 4 weeks (both over 40%).Conclusion: The disease in non-emergency and emergency group peaks in the second week. In the non-emergency group, the residual lesions are dominated by GGO and reticular, while those in the emergency group are mainly reticular and consolidation. The transiently CT manifestations of emergency and non-emergency follow certain patterns at different time points of the disease course.
Development of a Multilevel Intervention to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening in Appalachia
Authors: Kruse-Diehr Aaron J. , Oliveri Jill M. , Vanderpool Robin C. , Katz Mira L. , Reiter Paul L. , Gray Darrell M. , Pennell Michael L. , Young Gregory S. , Huang Bin , Fickle Darla , Cromo Mark , Rogers Melinda , Gross David , Gibson Ashley , Jellison Jeanne , Sarap Michael D. , Bivens Tonia A. , McGuire Tracy D. , McAlearney Ann Scheck , Huerta Timothy R. , Rahurkar Saurabh , Paskett Electra D. , Dignan Mark
Published: July 2020

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates are lower in Appalachian regions of the United States than in non-Appalachian regions. Given the availability of various screening modalities, there is critical need for culturally relevant interventions addressing multiple socioecological levels to reduce the regional CRC burden. In this report, we describe the development and baseline findings from Year One of ‘Accelerating Colorectal Cancer Screening through Implementation Science (ACCSIS) in Appalachia,’ a five-year, National Cancer Institute Cancer MoonshotSM-funded multilevel intervention (MLI) project to increase screening in Appalachian Kentucky and Ohio primary care clinics.Methods: Project development was theory-driven and included the establishment of both an external Scientific Advisory Board and a Community Advisory Board to provide guidance in conducting formative activities in two Appalachian counties: one in Kentucky and one in Ohio. Activities included identifying and describing the study communities and primary care clinics, selecting appropriate evidence-based interventions (EBIs), and conducting a pilot test of MLI strategies addressing patient, provider, clinic, and community needs. Results: Key informant interviews identified multiple barriers to CRC screening, including fear of screening , test results, and financial concerns (patient-level); lack of time and competing priorities (provider-level); lack of reminder or tracking systems and staff burden (clinic-level); and cultural issues, societal norms, and transportation (community-level). With this information, investigators then offered clinics a menu of EBIs and strategies to address barriers at each level. Clinics selected individually tailored MLIs, including improvement of patient education materials, provision of provider education (resulting in increased knowledge, p = .003), enhancement of electronic health record (EHR) systems and development of clinic screening protocols, and implementation of community CRC awareness events. Conclusions: Lessons learned from Year One included increased recognition of variability among the clinics and how they function, appreciation for clinic staff and provider workload, and development of strategies to utilize EHR systems. These findings necessitated a modification of study design for subsequent years.
Observation and Analysis of Case Discussions Using WeChat Groups Among Orthopedists
Authors: Li Yongwei , Hu Shugang , Alkhatatbeh Tariq , Wang Jialin , Song Jidong , Wang Kunzheng , Wang Wei , Ma Rui
Published: July 2020

Background: With the vigorous development of social media networks, an increasing number of orthopedists in China are taking part in case discussions using WeChat groups. The case discussion process using WeChat is quick, convenient and not limited by time or space, but this kind of case discussion is also chaotic and unconstrained. This study is aimed to observe and analyze the purpose, participation, case completeness, opinion consistency of orthopedic case discussions using WeChat groups.Methods: We collected data related to the case discussions of three orthopedic surgeons by taking screenshots of the chat records in the most-used WeChat groups from June to August 2019, and analyzed the purpose, participation, completeness and the opinion consistency between the majority of members and experts in related fields.Results: The common purposes of orthopedic case discussions were showing surgical results and obtaining treatment advice. The number of likes received for cases showing surgical results was significantly higher than those for cases requesting diagnostic advice and obtaining treatment advice. The complete and relatively complete cases attracted more participants and received more effective comments than the incomplete cases. The opinion consistency rate of the complete cases was higher than that of the relatively complete and incomplete cases.Conclusions: The case discussions using WeChat groups among orthopedists was mainly to show surgical results and request for diagnostic advice. Incomplete cases had low discussion participation and low opinion consistency. Online discussions using WeChat groups should be standardized with respect to the completeness of cases.
Evaluation of the safety and comfort of menstrual cup during sport: A prospective cohort study.
Authors: Araujo Maíta Poli de , Chimello Laisa , Brigido Barbara Pelincer , Ejnisman Benno , Pochini Alberto de Castro
Published: July 2020

Objectives: to evaluate the the acceptability of menstrual cup during sport. Design: prospective cohort study. Setting: São Paulo, Brazil. Participants: a total of 49 female handball players with a mean age of 22 ± 2 years. Intervention: participants were inveted to use Softcup® disposable menstrual during three menstrual cycles. Main outcome measures: Overall satisfaction; secondary outcomes included ease of insertion and removal of the device, pain, discomfort in sexual intercourse, blood leakage and / or loss of the menstrual cup during sport.Results: The degree of overall satisfaction during sport was high (82%). The insertion and removal of the menstrual cup was considered easy by most users, and the degree of satisfaction increased in subsequent cycles. The complaint of menstrual flow leakage during sport occurred in 63.3% of the athletes in the first cycle and fell to 42.9% in the last cycle (p> 0.05). There was loss of the device during exercise in 36.7% of the athletes in the first cycle, 30.6% in the second and 26.5% in the third cycle (p> 0.05). Of the athletes who had sexual intercourse with the collector, 90.9% of them had no discomfort. Conclusion: although the leakage and loss of the device may occur during the sport, the acceptability of the menstrual cup was high among the female athletes.
Consistency Study of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Targeting in Targeted Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Xu Zhen , Li Xiao-Dong , Fu Lu , Yu Yong-Hua
Published: July 2020

Background: To compare the difference of location by computed tomography (CT) and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) on the target delineation and volume for organs at risk (OARs) among patients with prostate cancer. Methods: T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), and CT were performed among 11 patients who received radiotherapy for prostate cancer at our center between August 2018 and December 2019. The target areas were delineated using the Eclipse system, and the radiotherapy plans were made based on the treatment planning system (TPS) to compare target volume and dose-volume histogram (DVH) relative to rectum and bladder. Results: The clinical target volume (CTV) of T1WI and T2WI decreased by 18.8% (P=0.001) and 22.72% (P=0.003), respectively, compared with CT. The planning target volume (PTV) on T1WI and T2WI were 20.45% (P=0.015) and 22.31% (P= 0.008) smaller than that defined by CT. There was no significant difference in either CTV or PTV between the areas outlined on T1WI and T2WI. The DVH resulting from CT and MRI comparisons showed that the rectum and bladder dose levels were lower with MRI images compared with CT. It should be noted that at the lateral directions, the range of outlining on T2WI sequence were significantly smaller than others. Conclusion: Target planning based on mpMRI (T1WI, T2WI) is more precise than CT, which can significantly reduce the range of the target area and the volume of rectum and bladder exposed to high levels of radiation, improve the fitness and radiographic accuracy of the target area, especially on T2WI.
Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies in the Treatment of Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria in Cameroon: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis from Individual Patient Data (2004-2020)
Authors: Nji Akindeh M. , Niba Peter Thelma Ngwa , Netongo Palmer Masumbe , Ali Innocent M. , Ngwafor Randolph , Moyeh Marcel N. , Mbu'u Cyrille Mbanwi , Fosah Dorothy A. , Atogho-Tiedeu Barbara , Evehe Marie-Solange , Dadjeu Rosine , Chedjou Jean Paul Kengne , Bigoga Jude D. , Ajua Anthony , Achidi Eric , Tallah Esther , Leke Rose G. F. , Tourgordi Alexis , Ringwald Pascal , Mbacham Wilfred F.
Published: July 2020

Background: Cameroon remains a high malaria endemic country. The rapid emergence and spread of Plasmodium falciparum resistant parasites compelled the World Health Organisation (WHO) to recommend the change from monotherapies to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of artemisinin-based combination therapies in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Cameroon from 2004 to 2020.Methods: The preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement were adopted for the selection of studies. The heterogeneity of the included studies was determined using Cochrane Q and the I2. The random effects model was used as standard to combine studies showing heterogeneity of Cochrane Q with P < 0.10 and I2 > 50.Results: Out of the 4,920 articles and unpublished datasets screened, 16 records with a sample size of 3,737 participants on 8 generic ACTs fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The per protocol (PP) analysis pooled efficacy of the ACTs was 97.9 % (95 % CI, 97.2-98.7, P<0.01). Sub-group analyses were performed for ASAQ, AL and DHAP. The aggregated efficacies of ASAQ, AL and DHAP were 97.5 % (95 % CI, 96.3-98.8, P<0.01), 99.4 % (95 % CI, 98.6-100.0, P=0.39), 98.0 % (95 % CI, 96.3-99.7, P=0.28) respectively. The pooled efficacies were above the WHO minimum benchmark of 90.0%. The ACTs are well tolerated and common adverse events reported were asthenia, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, headache and dizziness.Conclusion: This study reported a high pooled efficacy for all ACTs. AL and DHAP were found to have higher cumulative efficacies than ASAQ. The ACTs are still efficacious and well tolerated for the treatment of malaria in Cameroon. However, there is need for continuous monitoring of efficacy of ACTs despite the high cure rates as resistance seems inevitable.