bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severe Psychopathology and Substance Use Disorder Modify the Association between Housing Trajectories and Food Security among Homeless Adults
Authors: Lachaud James , Mejia-Lancheros Cilia , Wang Ri , Liu Michael , Nisenbaum Rosane , Stergiopoulos Vicky , Hwang Stephen Wesley , O'Campo Patricia
Published: May 2020

Background We examined the housing trajectories of homeless people with mental illness over a follow-up period of 6 years, and the association of these trajectories with food security. We then examined the modifying role of psychopathology and alcohol and substance use disorders in this association.Methods We followed 487 homeless adults with mental illness at the Toronto site of the At Home/Chez-Soi project –a randomized trial of Housing First. Housing data were collected every 3 months (Phase I) or 6 months (Phase II) during follow-up. Food security data were collected 7 times during the follow-up period. Psychopathology (Colorado Symptom Index score) and alcohol and substance use disorders were assessed at baseline. Housing trajectories were identified using group-based trajectory modelling. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between housing trajectory groups and food security.Results Three housing trajectory groups were identified: a rapid move to consistent stable housing (34.7%), slow and inconsistent housing (52.1%), and never moved to stable housing (13.2%). Individuals included in the rapid move to consistent housing trajectory group had higher odds of remaining food secure compared to those in the never moved to stable housing trajectory group over the follow-up period [AOR 2.9, 95% CI: 1.3–6.6, P-value: 0.009]. However, when interactions were considered, this association was significant among those with moderate psychopathology but not severe psychopathology. Individuals with substance use disorder and in the group never move to stable house group had the lowest food security status.Conclusion Severe psychopathology and substance use disorders modified the association between housing trajectories and food security. Housing interventions need to focus on long term housing stability as well as food security, especially among those with severe psychopathology and substance use disorder.Ethical considerations The Toronto AH/CS study received approval from the St. Michael’s Hospital Research Ethics Board (Canada), and all participants gave informed written consent to participate in the AH/CS study. The AH/CS study is also registered with the International Standard Randomized Control Trial Number Register (ISRCTN42520374).
Stigma and Lack of Social Support Contribute to Loss-To-Follow-Up in a Cervical Cancer Prevention Program in Western Kenya
Authors: Novak Carissa , Kaiser Bonnie , Park Lawrence , Yvonne Sandra , Ibrahim Saduma , Makhulo Breandan , Huchko Megan
Published: May 2020

Background

While highly preventable, cervical cancer remains a leading contributor to the global burden of cancer among women globally, with disproportionate impacts in Sub-Saharan Africa. Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is a cost-effective screening strategy with the potential to increase screening uptake; however, the two-visit requirement often leads to substantial loss-to-follow-up (LTFU) for treatment. Understanding modifiable factors that contribute to LTFU is essential to ensuring maximal program impact.
Methods

We carried out a mixed-methods study to understand factors related to LTFU following an HPV-based cervical cancer screening campaign in rural Western Kenya. We randomly selected participants among women testing HPV positive as part of an existing intervention study to complete quantitative surveys, seeking equal numbers of treated and LTFU women. A subset of women from both groups was selected for in-depth interviews (IDIs).
Results

Sixty-one treated and 39 LTFU women completed the quantitative survey, and 10 women from each group completed IDIs. Cost of transportation and distance to the hospital were barriers among all women, who often depended on their partners to facilitate this. Among treated women 67% (n = 41) reported that their peers knew their HPV test result, compared to 38% (n = 15) among LTFU women (p = .007). Stigma and lack of partner and peer support emerged as strong barriers among LTFU women. Women proposed peer encouragement, including men in educational sessions, bringing facilities closer, and providing transportation as facilitators to treatment access.
Conclusion

Lack of partner and social support emerged as key barriers to treatment uptake among LTFU women. Future interventions should explore stigma reduction, male involvement, peer support, and alternative transportation options as potential facilitators to treatment seeking.
Unrevealing Model Compounds of Soil Conditioners Impacts on the Wheat Straw Autohydrolysis Efficiency and Enzymatic Hydrolysis
Authors: Wu Xinxing , Tang Wei , Huang Chen , Huang Caoxing , Lai Chenhuan , Yong Qiang
Published: May 2020

Background: Soil-derived exogenous ash (EA) poses a challenge toward lignocellulosics autohydrolysis due to its buffering capacity. Previous works focusing on this phenomenon have failed to also investigate the role that soluble salts, and organic matter plays in this system. Herein, sodium phosphate and sodium humate were employed as model buffering compounds representing soluble salts and organic matter and dosed into a de-ashed wheat straw (DWS) autohydrolysis process to show the potential impacts of WS attached soil conditioners on the WS autohydrolysis efficiency which would further affect the enzymatic digestibility of autohydrolyzed WS.Results: Results showed that with the increasing loadings of sodium phosphate and sodium humate resulted in elevated pH values (from 4.0 to 5.1 and from 4.1 to 4.7, respectively). Meanwhile, the reductions of xylan removal yields from ~ 84.3–61.4% to 72.3–53.0% by loading (1 ~ 30 g/L) sodium phosphate and sodium humate during WS autohydrolysis lead to a significant decrease of cellulose accessibilities which finally lead to a reduction of the enzymatic digestibility of autohydrolyzed WS from ~ 75.4–77.2% to 47.3–57.7%.Conclusion: The existence of different types soil conditioner model compounds result in various component fractions from autohydrolyzed WS in the process of autohydrolysis. A lack of sufficient xylan removal was found to drive the significant decrease in enzymatic accessibility. The results demonstrated the various effects of two typical tested soil conditioners on WS autohydrolysis and enzymatic hydrolysis.
Effect of adding a psychological intervention to routine care of common mental disorders in a specialized mental healthcare facility in Pakistan: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hamdani Syed Usman , Huma Zill-e- , Masood Aqsa , Zhou Kiana , Ahmed Zainab , Nazir Huma , Amin Hania , Akhtar Parveen , Bryant Richard , Dawson Katie , Ommeren Mark van , Wang Duolao , Rahman Atif , Minhas Fareed Aslam
Published: May 2020

Background In many low resource settings, the provision of government mental health care services is limited to specialized psychiatry units in urban hospital care facilities, where the most common treatment for common mental disorders (CMDs) is pharmacotherapy, occasionally with adjunct nonspecific psychological support. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of adding a low intensity, psychological intervention, Problem Management Plus (PM+) for CMDs into routine care in a specialized mental health care facility in Pakistan. Methods A two arm, single-blind individual randomized controlled trial (RCT) was carried out with adults (N=192), referred for psychological support by psychiatrists. The study participants were randomized (1:1) to PM+ plus Treatment as Usual (TAU) (n = 96) or TAU only (n = 96). The primary outcomes were symptoms of anxiety and depression, measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and functional impairment as measured by WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS-12) at 20-weeks after baseline. Results The analysis was done on intention-to-treat principle. The linear mixed model analysis showed that at 20-weeks after baseline, there was a significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression (mean [SD], 16.23 [8.81] vs 19.79 [7.77]; AMD, -3.10; 95% CI, −0.26 to −5.76); p =0.03 and improvement in functioning (mean [SD], 22.94 [9.37] vs 27.37 [8.36]; AMD, -4.35; 95% CI, -1.45 to -7.24); p =0.004 in PM+ plus TAU versus TAU group. The follow-up rate was 67% at primary end-point. Conclusions Specialized care facilities in LMICs may consider adding brief, evidence-based psychological treatments for CMDs to their routine care.
Correction of immunosuppression in aged septic rats by human ghrelin and growth hormone through the vagus nerve-dependent inhibition of TGF-β production
Authors: Zhou Mian , Aziz Monowar , Ochani Mahander , Wang Ping
Published: May 2020

Background: Co-administration of human ghrelin and growth hormone (GH) reverse immunesuppression in septic aged animals, but the mechanism remains elusive. Here we hypothesize that ghrelin and GH co-treatment restores immune response in aged septic rats by inhibiting the production of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), an immunoregulatory cytokine through the vagus nerve.Methods: Male aged Fischer rats (22-23-month-old) were made septic by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) with or without dissecting the vagus nerve (vagotomy). Human ghrelin and GH or vehicle (PBS) were administrated subcutaneously at 5 h post CLP. After 20 h of CLP, serum and spleens were harvested.Results: Serum TGF-β levels were increased in septic aged rats, while ghrelin and GH treatment significantly reduced its levels. Expression of TGF-β in the spleen was upregulated after sepsis, while ghrelin and GH treatment significantly inhibited its expression. TNF-α and IL-6 levels were significantly reduced after ex vivo LPS stimulation in splenocytes of CLP rats compared to sham rats, while these levels were significantly higher in splenocytes from ghrelin and GH-treated CLP rats compared to vehicle-treated CLP rats. Ghrelin and GH treatment reduced program death receptor-1 (PD-1) expression increased human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expression, attenuated lymphopenia and cleaved caspase-3 levels in splenocytes in septic aged rats. Vagotomy diminished those beneficial effects of ghrelin and GH treatment to sepsis rats. In vitro addition of ghrelin or GH or ghrelin and GH together had no effect on restoring immune response in splenocytes from CLP rats following LPS stimulation, indicating the requirement of the vagus nerve for ghrelin and GH’s effect.Conclusions: Ghrelin and GH attenuates immunosuppression in aged septic rats through the vagus nerve-dependent inhibition of TGF-β production.
Revision Surgery for Instrumentation Failure after Total En Bloc Spondylectomy: A Retrospective Case Series
Authors: Shinmura Kazuya , Kato Satoshi , Demura Satoru , Yokogawa Noriaki , Yonezawa Noritaka , Shimizu Takaki , Oku Norihiro , Kitagawa Ryo , Handa Makoto , Annen Ryohei , Murakami Hideki , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki
Published: May 2020

Background:There have been several reports of instrumentation failure after 3-column resections such as total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) for spinal tumours; nevertheless, clinical outcomes of revision surgery for instrumentation failure after TES are seldom reported. Therefore, this study assessed the clinical outcomes of revision surgery for instrumentation failure after TES.Methods:This study employed a retrospective case series in a single centre and included 61 patients with spinal tumours who underwent TES between 2010 and 2015 and followed for >2 years. Instrumentation failure rate, back pain, neurological deterioration, ambulatory status, operation time, blood loss, complications, bone fusion after revision surgery, and re-instrumentation failure were assessed. Data were collected on back pain, neurological deterioration, ambulatory status, and management for patients with instrumentation failure, and we documented radiological bone fusion and re-instrumentation failure in cases followed for >2 years after revision surgery.Results:Of the 61 patients, 26 (42.6%) experienced instrumentation failure at an average of 32 (range, 11−92) months after TES. Of these, 23 underwent revision surgery. The average operation time and intraoperative blood loss were 204 min and 97 ml, respectively. Including the six patients who were unable to walk after instrumentation failure, all patients were able to walk after revision surgery. Perioperative complications of reoperation were surgical site infection (n = 2) and delayed wound healing (n = 1). At the final follow-up, bone fusion was observed in all patients. No re-instrumentation failure was recorded.Conclusion:Bone fusion was achieved by revision surgery using the posterior approach alone.
Deep Learning-Based Question Answering System for Intelligent Humanoid Robot
Authors: Budiharto Widodo , Andreas Vincent , Gunawan Alexander Agung Santoso
Published: May 2020

The development of intelligent Humanoid Robot focuses on question answering systems to be able to interact with people is very rare. In this research, we would like to propose a Humanoid Robot with the self-learning capability for accepting and giving a response from people based on Deep Learning and big data from the internet. This kind of robot can be used widely in hotels, universities and public services. The Humanoid Robot should consider the style of questions and conclude the answer through conversation between robot and user. In our scenario, the robot will detect the user’s face and accept commands from the user to do an action, where the question from the user will be processed using deep learning, and the result will be compared with knowledge on the system. We proposed our deep learning approach, based on use GRU/LSTM, CNN and BiDAF with big data SQuAD as training dataset. Our experiment indicates that using GRU/LSTM encoder with BiDAF gives higher Exact Match and F1 Score, than CNN with the BiDAF model.
Association between lower serum sodium levels and clinical outcomes in insomnia patients
Authors: Bae Eunjin , Lee Tae Won , Jang Ha Nee , Cho Hyun Seop , Chang Se-Ho , Park Dong Jun
Published: May 2020

Background The association of lower serum sodium levels with clinical outcomes in insomnia patients remains unclear. We explored whether lower serum sodium is associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with insomnia. Methods We retrospectively enrolled patients with a diagnosis of insomnia from January 2011 to December 2012. We divided participants into three groups according to initial serum sodium level: tertile 1 (< 138 mmol/L), tertile 2 (138.0–140.9 mmol/L), and tertile 3 (≥ 141.0 mmol/L). To calculate the relative risk of death, hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained using Cox proportional hazard models. Result A total of 412 patients with insomnia were included, of whom 13.6% (n = 56) had hyponatremia. Patients with lower serum sodium concentrations were older and had lower hemoglobin, calcium, phosphorus, and albumin levels. At the median follow-up of 49.4 months, 44 patients had died and 62 experienced acute kidney injury (AKI). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly higher mortality in patients in the lowest tertile for serum sodium. Lowest tertile of serum sodium, AKI, and chronic respiratory disease were associated with all-cause mortality. In addition, lowest tertile of serum sodium was also significantly associated with AKI. Conclusions The lowest tertile of serum sodium was associated with a higher mortality and AKI rate in insomnia patients. Our results suggest serum sodium level could be used one of the prognostic factor in insomniacs and physicians should be careful to take care of them when they present lower sodium level.
Microenvironmental changes by placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells restore the ovarian function in ovariectomized rat via activated PI3K-FOXO3 pathway
Authors: Choi Jong Ho , Seok Jin , Lim Seung Mook , Kim Tae Hee , Kim Gi Jin
Published: May 2020

Background: Translational studies have explored the therapeutic potential and feasibility of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in several degenerative diseases; however, the mechanistic studies of the function of these cells have been insufficient. As ovarian failures cause anovulation as well as ovarian steroid hormonal unbalances, the specific aims of this study were to analyze the therapeutic role of placenta derived MSCs (PD-MSCs) in an ovarian-failure ovariectomy (OVX) rat model and evaluate whether PD-MSCs transplantation (Tx) improved folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation in the injured ovary through PI3K/Akt and FOXO signaling. Methods: Blood and ovary tissue were collected and analyzed after various PD-MSCs Tx treatments in the ovariectomized rat model. Changes in the expression of folliculogenesis and ovary regeneration-related genes due to PD-MSCs treatments were analyzed by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and histological analysis. Results: The levels of hormones related to ovary function were significantly increased in the PD-MSCs Tx groups compared with those of the non-transplantation group (NTx). The follicle numbers in the ovarian tissues were increased along with increased expression of genes related to folliculogenesis for PD-MSCs Tx compared with NTx groups. Furthermore, PD-MSCs Tx induced maturation of follicles by increasing the phosphorylation of GSK3 beta and FOXO3 (p<0.05) and shifting the balance of growth and apoptosis in the oocytes. Conclusions: Taken together, PD-MSCs Tx can restore the ovarian function as well as induce ovarian folliculogenesis via the PI3K/Akt and FOXO signaling pathway.
The psychological impact of COVID-19 on medical care workers in China
Authors: Si Mingyu , Su Xiaoyou , Jiang Yu , Wang Wenjun , Gu Xiao-fen , Ma Li , Li Jing , Zhang Shaokai , Ren Ze-Fang , Liu Yuanli , Qiao Youlin
Published: May 2020

Background Medical care workers experienced unprecedented levels of workload and pressure since the outbreak of COVID-19 started from the end of 2019. Little is known about its exact impact on medical care workers and related factors in China. This study aims to identify the psychological impact of COVID-19 on medical care workers in China.Methods From February 23th to March 5th, 2020, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 863 medical care workers from 7 provinces in China using standard questionnaires measuring adverse psychological outcomes including Impact of Event Scale-6 (IES-6), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale（DASS）and related psychosocial factors like perceived threat, social support and coping strategies. Exploratory Factor analysis was performed to identify the dimensions of perceived threat by study participants. Multivariate regression was used to examine the determinants of adverse psychological outcomes. Results Posttraumatic stress (PTS) were prevalent in this sample of health care professionals, and 40.2% indicated positive screens for significant posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. The proportion of having mild to extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were 13.6%, 13.9% and 8.6%, respectively. Perceived threat and passive coping strategies were positively correlated to PTS and DASS scores, while perceived social support and active coping strategies were negatively correlated to DASS scores. Nurses were more likely to be anxious than others among medical care workers during the COVID-19 epidemic. Conclusions Adverse psychological symptoms were prevalent among medical care workers in China during the COVID-19 epidemic. Screening for adverse psychological outcomes and developing corresponding preventive measures would be beneficial in decreasing negative psychological outcomes.
Pretreatment Clamping of Pulmonary Artery During Uniportal Thoracoscopic
Authors: Zhang Ruijie , Cai Yixin , Wang Tiffany , Fu Xiangning , Zhang Ni
Published: May 2020

Background
Intraoperative pulmonary artery (PA) hemorrhage is one of the leading reasons for conversion from uniportal VATS to open thoracotomy ,especially for the small incision (≤ 3 cm) uniportal VATS performed by our department. So, We designed a technology called pretreatment clamping of the pulmonary artery,which may be helpful to solve the problem.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of 19 patients who had pulmonary artery bleeding during uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy in which one group had undergone preventive pulmonary artery clamping, the clamping group (n = 11), and one group which did not receive preventive clamping, the non-clamping group (n = 8). We compared the rates of conversion from the uniportal VATS approach to open thoracotomy or multi-incision operation, duration of pulmonary artery repair, blood loss, length of postoperative hospital stay and postoperative complications of the two groups.
Results
Compared to the non-clamping group, the clamping group had lower rates of conversion to open thoracotomy (0% vs 62.5%, p < 0.05) and lower rates of conversion to multi-incision operations (18.2% of non-clamping converted to 2-port approach vs 12.5% of clamping converted to 2-port approach and 12.5% converted to 3-port approach, p < 0.05). Duration of pulmonary artery repair was reduced in the clamping group (10.1 ± 3.2 min vs 18.3 ± 5.5 min, p < 0.05). The clamping group also had decreased blood loss (23.6 ± 11.2 ml vs 47.5 ± 14.9 ml, p༜0.05). There were no significant differences in postoperative hospital stay and postoperative complications between the two groups.
Conclusion
Pretreatment clamping of the pulmonary artery in VATS lobectomy can decrease conversion rates, decrease blood loss, shorten repairing time of the pulmonary artery, and feasibly can be applied in uniportal thoracoscopic lobectomy.
The corticosteroid treatment and response of patients with COVID-19 in Hubei, China: a retrospective, cohort study
Authors: Shang Jin , Du Ronghui , Lu Qiaofa , Wu Jianhong , Xu Shabei , Ke Zhenghua , Cai Zhifang , Gu Yiya , Huang Qian , Zhan Yuan , Yang Jie , Liu Yumei , Hu Yi , Zhang Haiying , Huang Huxiang , Xie Zhibin , Li Xin , Hu Weihua , Gong Jianhua , Ke Wenbing , Shao Zhilin , Liu Zheng , Xie Jungang
Published: May 2020

Background Since December 2019, COVID-19 has emerged in Wuhan, China and spread globally. As of now, there is still no explicit therapeutic regimen and the use of corticosteroid is also controversial. We aimed to explore the effectiveness of corticosteroid and provide evidence for the rational use of corticosteroid in different patients with COVID-19.Methods In this multi-centered, retrospective study, we extracted the clinical data of 649 cases with COVID-19 with definite outcome (discharged or dead) from 14 hospitals in Hubei province, and evaluated the clinical characteristics, treatment regimens, and their association with outcomes.Results Ninety-five of 649 patients had died. Older male patients with comorbidities had an increased risk of death and more obvious abnormalities in clinical indicators. Corticosteroid, γ-globulin treatment and invasive ventilation were more frequently used in non-survivors. Survivors with corticosteroid treatment had a prolonged hospitalization. The median time duration for temperature restore for non-survivors after corticosteroid treatment was longer than that of both survivors. The lymphocyte count on admission was lower in the patients treated with corticosteroids compared to those without corticosteroid treatment. Lymphocyte count recovered significantly after corticosteroid treatment in survivors, but not in non-survivors.Conclusions The responses to corticosteroid treatment were different in COVID-19 patients with different outcomes. The surviving patients with relatively lower lymphocyte count were more likely to be given corticosteroids. For non-survivors, the lymphocyte count was too low and the effect of corticosteroids was poor. Survivors under corticosteroid treatment had a prolonged hospitalization, but had a recovery of lymphocytes. The recovery of lymphocyte count and temperature after corticosteroid treatment may be used as predictors of prognosis of patients with COVID-19.
Morbidity, mortality, and risk factors of emergency colorectal surgery among older patients in the Acute Care Surgery service.
Authors: Krutsri Chonlada , Sumpritpradit Preeda , Singhatas Pongsasit , Thampongsa Tharin , Phuwapraisirisan Samart , Gesprasert Goragoch , Jirasiritham Jakrapan , Choikrua Pattawia
Published: May 2020

Background: Acute Care Surgery (ACS) is a rapid response system in emergency surgical conditions. Older patients have numerous factors associated with high mortality and morbidity in emergency colorectal surgery. We aimed to identify potentially preventable risk factors, to improve older patients’ outcomes.Methods: A retrospective review of patients over 60 years old undergoing emergency colorectal surgery in the ACS service from 1 August 2017 through 30 November 2019.Results: Data of 92 patients were analyzed, average age 72.41 years. The most common diagnosis was colorectal cancer (76, 83.52%) with locations on the left (37, 41.51%), right (35,39.33%), and rectum (17, 19.10%). Clinical presentations were obstruction without perforation (61, 67.03%), perforation (25, 27.17%), and ischemia (2, 2.17%). Overall mortality was 6.52%. Cause of death included septic shock (3, 50%); respiratory failure (3, 50%); and pulmonary embolism (1, 16.67%). Morbidity from surgical and medical complications were 41.30% and 26.08%, respectively. For all causes, operations included resection with primary anastomosis (62, 71.26%); Hartman procedure (11, 12.64%); loop colostomy (12, 13.79%); and percutaneous drainage with antibiotics (2, 2.3%). Average operative time 159.86 minutes. In emergency colorectal surgery, preexisting heart disease, clinical perforation, and ventilator dependency increased risk of death 7.6-, 16.5-, and 0.08-fold, respectively. Conclusion: Preexisting heart disease and clinical perforation were unmodifiable risk factors for mortality among older patients undergoing emergency colorectal surgery; ventilator dependency is potentially modifiable with advanced surgical critical care. Early, rapid, protocol-driven processes might help reduce mortality in patients with clinical presentation of perforation.
A glycolysis-related gene expression signature in predicting recurrence of breast cancer
Authors: Tang Jianing , Wu Gaosong
Published: May 2020

Background Metabolic change is the hallmark of cancer. Even in the presence of oxygen, cancer cells reprogram their glucose metabolism to enhance glycolysis and reduce oxidative phosphorylation. In the present study, we aimed to develop a glycolysis-related gene signature to predict the prognosis of breast cancer patients.Methods Gene expression profiles and clinical data of breast cancer patients were obtained from the GEO database. Univariate, Lasso-penalized, and multivariate Cox analysis were performed to construct the glycolysis-related gene signature.Results A four-gene based signature (ALDH2, PRKACB, STMN1 and ZNF292) was developed to separate patients into high-risk and low-risk groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that patients in low-risk group had significantly better prognosis than those in the high-risk group. Time-dependent ROC analysis demonstrated that the glycolysis-related gene signature had excellent prognostic accuracy. We further confirmed the expression of the four prognostic genes in breast cancer and paracancerous tissues samples using qRT-PCR analysis. Expression level of PRKACB was higher in paracancerous tissues, while STMN1 and ZNF292 were overexpressed in tumor samples. No difference was found in ALDH2 expression. The same results were observed in the IHC data from the human protein atlas. Global proteome data of 105 TCGA breast cancer samples obtained from the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium were used to evaluate the prognostic value of their protein levels. Consistently, high expression of PRKACB protein level was associated with better prognosis, while high ZNF292 and STMN1 protein expression levels indicated poor prognosis.Conclusions The glycolysis-related gene signature might provide an effective prognostic predictor and a new view for individual treatment of breast cancer patients.
An optimised Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) method for starchy leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana to study histone modifications of an allotetraploid plant
Authors: Ranawaka Buddhini , Tanurdzic Milos , Waterhouse Peter , Naim Fatima
Published: May 2020

Background
All flowering plants have evolved through multiple rounds of polyploidy throughout the evolutionary process. Intergenomic interactions between subgenomes in polyploid plants are predicted to induce chromatin modifications such as histone modifications to regulate expression of gene homoeologs. Nicotiana benthamiana is an ancient allotetraploid plant with ecotypes collected from climatically diverse regions of Australia. Studying the differences in chromatin landscape of this unique collection will shed light on the importance of chromatin modifications in gene regulation in polyploids as well its implications in adaptation of plants in environmentally diverse conditions. N.benthamiana is also an important biotechnological tool and it is widely used in virological research and functional genomics. Chromatin Immunoprecipitation and high throughput DNA sequencing (ChIP-seq) is well established technique used to study histone modifications. However, due to the starchy nature of mature N.benthamiana leaves, previously published protocols were unsuitable. The aim of this study was to optimise ChIP protocol for N.benthamiana leaves to facilitate comparison of chromatin modifications in two closely related ecotypes.
Results
Several steps of ChIP were optimised including tissue harvesting, nuclei isolation, nuclei storage, DNA shearing and DNA recovery. The higher amounts of starch in mature N.benthamiana leaves that co-precipitated with nuclei using previously published protocols, hindered chromatin shearing and resulted in low recovery of ChIP DNA. The optimised method reduced starch contamination and resulted in isolation of high quality nuclei suitable for next generation sequencing. Commonly available antibodies targeting histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) and histone 3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) histone modifications were used and success of ChIP was confirmed by PCR and next generation sequencing.
Conclusions
An optimised ChIP method for mature leaves of N.benthamiana is described. It is relatively less laborious than previously published protocols and allows extraction of high quality nuclear genomic DNA from N.benthamiana. It is also the first comprehensive ChIP method for starchy leaves of N.benthamiana suitable for preparation of ChIP libraries for next generation sequencing.
Short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic organ-sparing resection for pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms
Authors: Zhang Ren-Chao , Ma Jun , mou yiping , Zhou Yu-Cheng , Jin Wei-Wei , Lu Chao
Published: May 2020

Background Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs) are rare neoplasm with long life expectancy. In this setting, patients may benefit from laparoscopic organ-sparing resection. There are few reports of laparoscopic organ-sparing resection for PNENs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic organ-sparing resection for PNENs. Methods A retrospective study was performed for patients with PNENs who underwent laparoscopic organ-sparing pancreatectomy between March 2005 and May 2018. The patients’ demographic data, operative results, pathological reports, hospital courses, morbidity and mortality, and follow-up data (including pancreatic function, till August 2018) was analyzed. Results Thirty-five patients were identified. There were 9 male and 26 female patients, with a median age of 46 years (range, 25-75 years). The mean BMI was 24.6±3.3kg/m 2 . Nine patients received laparoscopic enucleation, 20 received laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy, and 6 received laparoscopic central pancreatectomy. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, transfusion rate, postoperative hospital stay were 186.4±60.2min, 165±73.0ml, 0, 9d(range, 5-23d), respectively. The morbidity rate, ≥Grade III complication rate and ≥grade B pancreatic fistula rate were 34.2%, 11.4%, 8.7%, respectively, with no mortality. The rate of follow-up was 94.3%, and the median follow-up time was 55 months (range, 3-158months). One patients had diabetes after laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy, no patient had symptom of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. One patient developed recurrence 36 months after laparoscopic enucleation and was managed with surgical resection. The other patients survived without metastases or recurrence during the follow-up. Conclusions Laparoscopic organ-sparing resection for selected cases of PNENs is safe and feasible, and have favorable short- and long-term outcome.
Nucleic Acids in Inclusion Bodies obtained from E. coli Cells Expressing Human Interferon-Gamma
Authors: Krachmarova Elena , Ivanov Ivan , Nacheva Genoveva
Published: May 2020

Background Inclusion bodies (IBs) are protein aggregates in recombinant bacterial cells containing mainly the target recombinant protein. Although it has been shown that IBs contain functional proteins along with protein aggregates, their direct application as pharmaceuticals is hindered by their heterogeneity and hazardous contaminants with bacterial origin. Therefore, together with the production of soluble species, IBs remain the main source for manufacture of recombinant proteins with medical application. The quality and composition of the IBs affect the refolding yield and further purification of the recombinant protein. The knowledge whether nucleic acids are genuine components or concomitant impurities of the IBs is a prerequisite for the understanding of the IBs formation and for development of optimized protocols for recombinant protein refolding and purification. IBs isolated from Escherichia coli overexpressing human interferon-gamma (hIFNγ), a protein with therapeutic application, were used as a model. Results IBs were isolated from Escherichia coli LE392 cells transformed with a hIFNγ expressing plasmid under standard conditions and further purified by centrifugation on a sucrose cushion, followed by several steps of sonication and washings with non-denaturing concentrations of urea. The efficiency of the purification was estimated by SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis and parallel microbiological testing for the presence of residual intact bacteria. Phenol/chloroform extraction showed that the highly purified IBs contain both DNA and RNA. The latter were studied by UV spectroscopy and agarose gel electrophoresis combined with enzymatic treatment and hybridization. DNA was observed as a diffuse fraction mainly in the range of 250 to 1000 bp. RNA isolated by TRIzol® also demonstrated a substantial molecular heterogeneity. Hybridization with 32 P-labelled oligonucleotides showed that the IBs contain rRNA and are enriched of hIFNγ mRNA. Conclusions The results presented in this study indicate that the nucleic acids are intrinsic components rather than co-precipitated impurities in the IBs. We assume that the nucleic acids are active participants in the aggregation of recombinant proteins and formation of the IBs that originate from the transcription and translation machinery of the microbial cell factory.
Topical application of adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) reduced cerebral edema in experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI)- a preliminary study
Authors: MA Hui , Cui Lian Xu , Lam Ping Kuen , Tong Cindy SW , Lo Kin KY , Wong George KC , Poon Wai Sang
Published: May 2020

Background: Our previous studies showed that topical application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) improved functional recovery in rat traumatic brain injury (TBI) model, and hypoxic precondition further enhanced the therapeutic effects of MSCs. There was no previous study on the attenuation of cerebral edema by MSCs. Objective: We investigated whether topical application of normoxic and hypoxic MSCs could reduce cerebral edema in an experimental TBI model. Methods: 2 million normoxic (N=24) and hypoxic (N=24) MSCs were applied topically to exposed cerebral cortex in a controlled cortical impact (CCI) model. The MSCs were fixed in position with fibrin glue. No treatment was given to control animals (TBI only: n=24). After surgery, four animals in each group were sacrificed daily (day 1 to day 6) for edema evaluation. Normal animals without TBI were used as reference (n=4). The expressions of GFAP, AQP4 and MMP9 were also investigated by immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR at day 3. Results: The edema peaked within 3 days after TBI. Compared with the control, hypoxic MSCs reduced brain water content significantly (p<0.05). Both hypoxic and normoxic MSCs downregulated the expression of MMP9 and normalized AQP4 distribution to astrocytes end feet. Conclusion: Our preliminary study showed that topical application of hypoxic MSCs suppressed both vasogenic and cytotoxic edema formation. Keywords: topical, MSCs, cerebral edema, TBI
Modeling analysis reveals the transmission trend of COVID-19 and control efficiency of human intervention
Authors: Cheng Chaoyuan , Wan Xinru , Zhang Zhibin
Published: May 2020

Background: A novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has caused huge damage to public health around the world. Revealing the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 and control efficiency is important for containing the spread of the virus.Methods: By using a logistic growth model, we estimated the transmission parameters of COVID-19 in China and six other countries (Republic of Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, France and Germany). The transmission parameters represent the maximum daily increase rate in the early stages of the epidemic and the control efficiency under human intervention. The control efficiency was determined by the significant decrease of the daily increase rate in time and cumulative cases. Results: We found the daily increase rate of cumulative cases of COVID-19 decreased significantly in both time and cumulative cases in all countries, but the decreasing trend was not further reduced in other countries except for China and Republic of Korea. The response of the daily increase rate to control measures was much earlier than the number of new cases.Conclusions: Our results suggested that lockdown at the epicenter and social distancing effectively reduced the spread of COVID-19 in the early stage, but identification and isolation of patients, suspected cases and people with close contact at a community level is essential in further reduction of the daily increase rate of COVID-19.
O PROBLEMA DA IMPARCIALIDADE DO JUIZ NO SISTEMA PENAL BRASILEIRO: análise comparativa entre Brasil e Itália
Authors: CARDOSO Maitê Luiza
Published: May 2020

O presente estudo surge a partir da inquietação a respeito dos fatores que consubstanciam a imparcialidade. É certo que para que a jurisdição seja justa, deva ser imparcial, mas o sistema penal pátrio é de fato capaz de tutelar a imparcialidade? Este trabalho visa contribuir ao mundo jurídico, de forma a examinar os elementos críticos da imparcialidade e seus aspectos, e assim contribuir para a formulação de uma jurisdição mais consciente de suas limitações.
The chlorine-isotopic composition of lunar KREEP from magnesian-suite troctolite 76535
Authors: McCubbin Francis M. , Barnes Jessica J.
Published: May 2020

We conducted in situ Cl isotopic measurements of apatite within intercumulus regions and within a holocrystalline olivine-hosted melt inclusion in magnesian-suite troctolite 76535 from Apollo 17. These data were collected to place constraints on the Cl-isotopic composition of the last liquid to crystallize from the lunar magma ocean (i.e., urKREEP, named after its enrichments in incompatible lithophile trace elements like potassium, rare earth elements, and phosphorus). The apatite in the olivine-hosted melt inclusion and within the intercumulus regions of the sample yielded Cl-isotopic compositions of 28.3 ± 0.9‰ (2σ) and 30.3 ± 1.1‰ (2σ), respectively. The concordance of these values from both textural regimes we analyzed indicates that the Cl-isotopic composition of apatites in 76535 likely represents the Cl-isotopic composition of the KREEP-rich magnesian-suite magmas. Based on the age of 76535, these results imply that the KREEP reservoir attained a Cl-isotopic composition of 28–30‰ by at least 4.31 Ga, consistent with the onset of Cl-isotopic fractionation at the time of lunar magma ocean crystallization or shortly thereafter. Moreover, lunar samples that yield Cl-isotopic compositions higher than the value for KREEP are likely affected by secondary processes such as impacts and/or magmatic degassing. The presence of KREEP-rich olivine-hosted melt inclusions within one of the most pristine and ancient KREEP-rich rocks from the Moon provides a new opportunity to characterize the geochemistry of KREEP. In particular, a broader analysis of stable isotopic compositions of highly and moderately volatile elements could provide an unprecedented advancement in our characterization of the geochemical composition of the KREEP reservoir and of volatile-depletion processes during magma ocean crystallization, more broadly.
Genomic and Molecular Perspectives of Host-pathogen Interaction and Resistance Strategies against White Rust in Oilseed Mustard
Authors: Anupriya Chatterjee , Shradha Nirwan , Prasun Bandyopadhyay , Abha Agnihotri , Pankaj Sharma , Abdin Malik Zainul , Neeraj Shrivastava
Published: May 2020

:

Oilseed brassicas stand as the second most valuable source of vegetable oil and the third
most traded one across the globe. However, the yield can be severely affected by infections caused by
phytopathogens. White rust is a major oomycete disease of oilseed brassicas resulting in up to 60%
yield loss globally. So far, success in the development of oomycete resistant Brassicas through conventional
breeding has been limited. Hence, there is an imperative need to blend conventional and
frontier biotechnological means to breed for improved crop protection and yield.

:

This review provides a deep insight into the white rust disease and explains the oomycete-plant molecular
events with special reference to Albugo candida describing the role of effector molecules, A.
candida secretome, and disease response mechanism along with nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat
receptor (NLR) signaling. Based on these facts, we further discussed the recent progress and future
scopes of genomic approaches to transfer white rust resistance in the susceptible varieties of
oilseed brassicas, while elucidating the role of resistance and susceptibility genes. Novel genomic
technologies have been widely used in crop sustainability by deploying resistance in the host. Enrichment
of NLR repertoire, over-expression of R genes, silencing of avirulent and disease susceptibility
genes through RNA interference and CRSPR-Cas are technologies which have been successfully applied
against pathogen-resistance mechanism. The article provides new insight into Albugo and Brassica
genomics which could be useful for producing high yielding and WR resistant oilseed cultivars
across the globe.
Infantile Hemangioma: An Updated Review
Authors: Leung Alexander K.C. , Lam Joseph M. , Leong Kin F. , Hon Kam L.
Published: May 2020

Background:

Infantile hemangiomas are the most common vascular tumors of infancy,
affecting up to 12% of infants by the first year of life.

Objective:

To familiarize physicians with the natural history, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and
management of infantile hemangiomas.

Methods:

A Pubmed search was conducted in November 2019 in Clinical Queries using the key
term "infantile hemangioma". The search strategy included meta-analyses, randomized controlled
trials, clinical trials, observational studies, and reviews published within the past 20 years. Only
papers published in the English literature were included in this review. The information retrieved
from the above search was used in the compilation of the present article.

Results:

The majority of infantile hemangiomas are not present at birth. They often appear in the
first few weeks of life as areas of pallor, followed by telangiectatic or faint red patches. Then, they
grow rapidly in the first 3 to 6 months of life. Superficial lesions are bright red, protuberant, bosselated,
or with a smooth surface, and sharply demarcated. Deep lesions are bluish and dome-shaped.
Infantile hemangiomas continue to grow until 9 to 12 months of age, at which time the growth rate
slows down to parallel the growth of the child. Involution typically begins by the time the child is a
year old. Approximately 50% of infantile hemangiomas will show complete involution by the time
a child reaches age 5; 70% will have disappeared by age 7; and 95% will have regressed by 10 to
12 years of age. The majority of infantile hemangiomas require no treatment. Treatment options
include oral propranolol, topical timolol, and oral corticosteroids. Indications for active intervention
include hemorrhage unresponsive to treatment, impending ulceration in areas where serious
complications might ensue, interference with vital structures, life- or function-threatening complications,
and significant disfigurement.

Conclusion:

Treatment should be individualized, depending upon the size, rate of growth, morphology,
number, and location of the lesion (s), existing or potential complications, benefits and
adverse events associated with the treatment, age of the patient, level of parental concern, and the
physician's comfort level with the various treatment options. Currently, oral propranolol is the
treatment of choice for high-risk and complicated infantile hemangiomas. Topical timolol may be
considered for superficial infantile hemangiomas that need to be treated and for complicated infantile
hemangiomas in patients at risk for severe adverse events from oral administration of propranolol.
The Anti-Tumor Activity of Afatinib in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Cells
Authors: Ye Zhenyu , Li Yecheng , Xie Jiaming , Feng Zhenyu , Yang Xiaodong , Wu Yong , Zhao Kui , Pu Yuwei , Xu Xiangrong , Zhu Zhaobi , Li Wei , Pan Jun , Chen Wei , Xing Chungen
Published: May 2020

Background:

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common form of pancreatic
cancer and leading causes of pancreatic cancer death because of most PDAC patients with advanced unresectable
disease at that time, which is remarkably resistant to all forms of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Objective:

PDAC increases the social and patient's family burden. However, the PDAC pathogenesis is not
identified. We are trying to uncover the underlying mechanism in the future.

Methods:

In our research, the drug-resistant cell line was successfully induced in the vitro by progressive concentrations
of Afatinib, which we named it as BxPC3-AR.

Results:

It has been observed that the effect of autophagy was on the resistance of BxPC3-AR to Afatinib.

Conclusion:

It has been confirmed that autophagy plays a certain role in BxPC3-AR resistance to Afatinib. Our
findings provide a new perspective on the role of autophagy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.