bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Local Triamcinolone Injection and Oral Steroid in the Patients with Thyrohyoid Syndrome
Authors: Choi Nayeon , Lee GilJoon
Published: May 2021

Background and Objectives Thyrohyoid syndrome is rare disease characterized by unilateral chronic neck pain on hyoid bone area. Currently, local triamcinolone injection was widely used, but oral steroid treatment was rarely tried. We compared the oral steroid and triamcinolone injection for the thyrohyoid syndrome. Subjects and Method Patients who had unilateral pain and tenderness at thyrohyoid membrane were enrolled while excluding those with other diseases, such as gastroesophageal reflux, by physical exam and history taking. Patients were treated with oral steroid (n=15) and local triamcinolone injection (n=11); pain scores based on the pretreatment and post-treatment numeric rating scale (NRS)-11 were compared between the groups.Results Patients with thyrohyoid syndrome were comorbid with globus (42.3%), sore throat (19.2%), and radiating pain (15.4%). In the oral steroid group, posttreatment pain scores (4.0± 2.2) significantly improved (p=0.001) more than pretreatment pain scores (7.7±1.2). In the triamcinolone injection group, posttreatment pain scores (2.3±1.7) also significantly improved (p=0.003) more than pretreatment scores (7.5±1.4). None of the patients revealed treatment related complications. Pretreatment scores were not significantly different, but post-treatment scores wre significantly better in the triamcinolone injection group than in the oral steroid group (p=0.047).Conclusion Oral steroid treatment could be easily performed and have significant effects for patients with thyrohyoid syndrome. Local triamcinolone injection was more effective than oral steroid treatment.
The developmental changes in mitochondrial DNA content per cell in human cord blood leukocytes during gestation
Authors: Pejznochová M , Tesařová M , Honzík T , Hansíková H , Magner M , Zeman J
Published: May 2021

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) amount in cells as the basis for mitochondrial energy generating system, which produces ATP, plays an important role in the fetal development and postnatal morbidity. Isolated human cord blood leukocytes (HCBL) contribute very little to the overall metabolic turnover, but they may serve as easily available marker cells for the study of the mtDNA amount changes in cord blood during fetal development. The aim of our study was to analyze the mtDNA amount in HCBL. HCBL were isolated from cord blood samples of 107 neonates born between the 25th and 41st week of gestation. The mtDNA amount was analyzed by the real-time PCR method. The significant negative correlations were found between the relative mtDNA amount in HCBL and gestational age (r = -0.54, p<0.01) and birth weight (r = -0.43, p<0.01), respectively. The results revealed that the mtDNA content per cell decreases in HCBL with progressing fetal development. This may be explained by gradual shift of the hematopoiesis from fetal liver to bone marrow during the second half of pregnancy presumably accompanied by decreasing cell volume of HCBL as it was shown similarly in red blood cells.
Different secretory response of pancreatic islets and insulin secreting cell lines INS-1 and INS-1E to osmotic stimuli
Authors: Orečná M , Hafko R , Bačová Z , Podskočová J , Chorvát D , Štrbák V
Published: May 2021

Objective of this study was to characterize osmotically-induced insulin secretion in two tumor cell lines. We compared response of freshly isolated rat pancreatic islets and INS-1 and INS-1E tumor cell lines to high glucose, 30 % hypotonic medium and 20 % hypertonic medium. In Ca(2+)-containing medium glucose induced insulin release in all three cell types. Hypotonicity induced insulin secretion from islets and INS-1 cells but not from INS-1E cells, in which secretion was inhibited despite similar increase in cell volume in both cell types. GdCl(3) (100 micromol/l) did not affect insulin response from INS-1E cells to hypotonic challenge. Hypertonic medium inhibited glucose-induced insulin secretion from islets but not from tumor cells. Noradrenaline (1 micromol/l) inhibited glucose-induced but not swelling-induced insulin secretion from INS-1 cells. Surprisingly, perifusion with Ca(2+)-depleted medium showed distinct secretory response of INS-1E cells to hypotonicity while that of INS-1 cells was partially inhibited. Functioning glucose-induced insulin secretion is not sufficient prerequisite for hypotonicity-induced response in INS-1E cells suggesting that swelling-induced exocytosis is not essential step in the mechanism mediating glucose-induced insulin secretion. Both cell lines are resistant to inhibitory effect of hyperosmolarity on glucose-induced insulin secretion. Response of INS-1E cells to hypotonicity is inhibited by the presence of Ca(2+) in medium.
Retinol-binding protein 4 expression in visceral and subcutaneous fat in human obesity
Authors: Bajzová M , Kováčiková M , Vítková M , Klimčáková E , Polák J , Kováčová Z , Viguerie N , Vedral T , Mikulášek L , Šrámková P , Srp A , Hejnová J , Langin D , Štich V
Published: May 2021

Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) is a novel adipokine which might be involved in the development of insulin resistance. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of RBP4 mRNA in subcutaneous and visceral fat depots and the relationship between RBP4 plasma and mRNA levels relative to indices of adiposity and insulin resistance. In 59 Caucasian women (BMI 20 to 49 kg/m(2)) paired samples of subcutaneous and visceral fat were obtained for RBP4, leptin and GLUT 4 mRNA analysis using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp and computed tomography scans were performed. RBP4 mRNA levels as well as GLUT 4 mRNA and leptin mRNA levels were lower (P<0.001, P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively) in visceral compared to subcutaneous fat. No differences were found in RBP4 mRNA expression in the two fat depots or in RBP4 plasma levels between subgroups of non-obese subjects (n=26), obese subjects without metabolic syndrome (n=17) and with metabolic syndrome (n=16). No correlations between RBP4 mRNA or plasma levels relative to adiposity, glucose disposal rate and GLUT 4 mRNA expression in adipose tissue were found. There was a weak positive correlation between plasma RBP4 and plasma triglycerides (r = 0.30, p<0.05) and between plasma RBP4 and blood glucose (r = 0.26, p<0.05). Regardless of the state of adiposity or insulin resistance, RBP4 expression in humans was lower in visceral than in subcutaneous fat. We found no direct relationship between either RBP4 mRNA or its plasma levels and the adiposity or insulin resistance.
Simultaneous Decrease of Plasma Obestatin and Ghrelin Levels after a High-Carbohydrate Breakfast in Healthy Women
Authors: Sedláčková D , Dostálová I , Hainer V , Beranová L , Kvasničková H , Hill M , Haluzík M , Nedvídková J
Published: May 2021

Ghrelin is a gut peptide produced mainly by stomach, well known to induce appetite stimulatory actions. Obestatin, a recently identified peptide derived from preproghrelin, was initially described to antagonize stimulatory effect of ghrelin on food intake. The postprandial response of obestatin and its relationship with ghrelin in humans remains unknown. We therefore investigated the postprandial response of obestatin and total ghrelin, acyl and desacyl ghrelin and neuropeptide Y (NPY) to a high-carbohydrate breakfast (1 604 kJ) in eight healthy women (age: 24.2+/-0.82 years; BMI 21.6+/-0.61 kg/m(2)). Blood samples were collected before the meal, and 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 min after the breakfast consumption. Postprandial plasma obestatin concentrations significantly decreased compared with preprandial levels as well as total ghrelin concentrations and reached the lowest values 90 and 120 min after the meal consumption, respectively (p<0.05). Plasma acyl and desacyl ghrelin concentrations decreased after the breakfast and reached lowest values in 30 and 60 min, respectively (p<0.05). Plasma NPY concentrations were lower than preprandial levels 90 and 150 min after consuming breakfast (p<0.05). In conclusion, we demonstrated in healthy young women that plasma obestatin concentrations decrease similarly to ghrelin after a high-carbohydrate breakfast.
Plasma Obestatin Levels in Normal Weight, Obese and Anorectic Women
Authors: Zamrazilová H , Hainer V , Sedlačková D , Papežová H , Kunešová M , Bellisle F , Hill M , Nedvídková J
Published: May 2021

Obestatin is a recently discovered peptide produced in the stomach, which was originally described to suppress food intake and decrease body weight in experimental animals. We investigated fasting plasma obestatin levels in normal weight, obese and anorectic women and associations of plasma obestatin levels with anthropometric and hormonal parameters. Hormonal (obestatin, ghrelin, leptin, insulin) and anthropometric parameters and body composition were examined in 15 normal weight, 21 obese and 15 anorectic women. Fasting obestatin levels were significantly lower in obese than in normal weight and anorectic women, whereas ghrelin to obestatin ratio was increased in anorectic women. Compared to leptin, only minor differences in plasma obestatin levels were observed in women who greatly differed in the amount of fat stores. However, a negative correlation of fasting obestatin level with body fat indexes might suggest a certain role of obestatin in the regulation of energy homeostasis. A significant relationship between plasma obestatin and ghrelin levels, independent of anthropometric parameters, supports simultaneous secretion of both hormones from the common precursor. Lower plasma obestatin levels in obese women compared to normal weight and anorectic women as well as increased ghrelin to obestatin ratio in anorectic women might play a role in body weight regulation in these pathologies.
Dehydroepiandrosterone in Relation to Adiposity, Glucose Tolerance and Lipid Spectra in Czech Non-Diabetic Population
Authors: Bendlová B , Vrbíková J , Hill M , Vaňková M , Lukášová P , Včelák J , Vejražková D , Dvořáková K , Hampl R , Vondra K , Stárka L
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to examine relationships between DHEA(S), anthropometric parameters, oral glucose tolerance test derived data and lipid spectra in a Czech non-diabetic population. 380 healthy volunteers both with and without a family history of diabetes type 2 (DM2) were enrolled into the study (women: n=235, age 28.9+/-9.4 years, BMI 22.3+/-4.5 kg/m(2), men: n=145, age 32.3+/-10.0 years, BMI 24.7+/-3.6 kg/m(2)). Spearman's correlations (both without and with the adjustment for age, age and BMI), as well as ANCOVA were used. Non-adjusted data showed many "beneficial" correlations between DHEA(S) and both anthropometric and metabolic variables. Statistical analysis revealed that almost all correlations of DHEA(S) to adiposity and fat distribution in men as well as in women disappeared after the adjustment. There are, however, differences between men and women in the correlation of DHEA(S) to insulin sensitivity and lipid levels. The use of hormonal contraceptives (COC) is also an important factor in this relationship. In men and also in women using COC, DHEA-S after adjustment correlated positively with fasting and stimulated glucose, insulin and C-peptide, and negatively with insulin sensitivity. In this respect, the benefit of DHEA(S) supplementation seems -- at least in terms of its alleged antiobesity and antidiabetogenic effects -- to be more than controversial.
PPAR γ2 Pro12Ala Polymorphism in Relation to Free Fatty Acids Concentration and Composition in Lean Healthy Czech Individuals with and without Family History of Diabetes Type 2
Authors: Bendlová B , Vejražková D , Včelák J , Lukášová P , Burkoňová D , Kunešová M , Vrbíková J , Dvořáková K , Vondra K , Vaňková M
Published: May 2021

Free fatty acids (FFAs) are natural ligands of the PPARgamma2 receptor. FFA plasma concentration and composition may represent one of the factors accounting for high heterogeneity of conclusions concerning the effect of the Pro12Ala on BMI, insulin sensitivity or diabetes type 2 (DM2) susceptibility. Our objective was to investigate the relation and possible interactions between the Pro12Ala polymorphism and FFA status, metabolic markers, and body composition in 324 lean nondiabetic subjects (M/F: 99/225; age 32+/-11 years; BMI 23.9+/-4.0 kg/m(2)) with and without family history of DM2. Family history of DM2 was associated with lower % PUFA and slightly higher % MUFA. The presence of Pro12Ala polymorphism was not associated with fasting plasma FFA concentration or composition, anthropometric or metabolic markers of glucose and lipid metabolism in tested population. However, the interaction of carriership status with FFA levels influenced the basal glucose levels, insulin sensitivity and disposition indices, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and leptin levels, especially in women. The metabolic effects of 12Ala carriership were influenced by FFA levels - the beneficial role of 12Ala was seen only in the presence of low concentration of plasma FFA. Surprisingly, a high PUFA/SFA ratio was associated with lower insulin sensitivity, the protective effect of 12Ala allele was apparent in subjects with family history of DM2. On the basis of our findings and published data we recommend the genotyping of diabetic patients for Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPARgamma2 gene before treatment with thiazolidinediones and education of subjects regarding diet and physical activity, which modulate metabolic outcomes.
Fasting Insulin Pulsatile Secretion in Lean Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Grimmichová T , Vrbíková J , Matucha P , Vondra K , Veldhuis PP , Johnson ML
Published: May 2021

The aim of our study was to evaluate rapid insulin pulses and insulin secretion regularity in fasting state in lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in comparison to lean healthy women. PCOS (n=8) and controls (n=7) underwent every minute blood sampling for 60 min. Insulin pulsatility was assessed by deconvolution and insulin secretion regularity by approximate entropy methodology. PCOS had higher testosterone (p<0.02), prolactin (p<0.05) and lower sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) (p<0.0006) levels than controls. Approximate entropy, insulin pulse frequency, mass, amplitude and interpulse interval did not differ between PCOS and controls. PCOS had broader insulin peaks determined by a common half-duration (p<0.07). Burst mass correlated positively with testosterone (p<0.05) and negatively with SHBG (p 0.0004) and common half-duration correlated positively with prolactin (p<0.008) and cortisol levels (p<0.03). Approximate entropy positively correlated with BMI (p<0.04) and prolactin (p<0.03). Lean PCOS patients tended to have broader insulin peaks in comparison to healthy controls. Prolactin, androgens and cortisol might participate in alteration of insulin secretion in PCOS-affected women. Body weight and prolactin levels could influence insulin secretion regularity.
Chromogranin A, a Member of Neuroendocrine Secretory Proteins as a Selective Marker for Laboratory Diagnosis of Pheochromocytoma.
Authors: Bílek R , Šafařík L , Ciprová V , Vlček P , Lisá L
Published: May 2021

The function of chromogranin A (CGA) is reviewed, and the radioimmunometric determination of plasma CGA was evaluated as a marker of pheochromocytoma using a comparison of pheochromocytoma patients immediately before surgery (group P, n=25, 635+/-451 ng/ml) with other groups of patients, i.e. pheochromocytoma patients approximately 1 year after removal of tumor (group PP, n=13, 69+/-33 ng/ml), medullary thyroid carcinoma patients (group M, n= 22, 106+/-59 ng/ml), congenital adrenal hyperplasy patients (n=33, 65+/-40 ng/ml), and controls (n=31, 66+/-29 ng/ml). A CGA level above cut off value 130 ng/ml was found in 24 of 25 patients in group P, 1 (relapse) of 13 patients in group PP, and 4 of 22 patients in group M. In the group P we found a significant association between the size of the tumors removed and plasma CGA concentrations (p=0.0016), and also a significant (p=0.0016) relationship between plasma CGA concentrations and PASS score rating the malignity of pheochromocytoma. We can conclude that plasma CGA concentration as determined by radioimmunometric assay (which is simple without the necessity of special laboratory equipment) is an effective marker of pheochromocytoma with association to malignity and tumor mass.
Comparison of Total and Salivary Cortisol in a Low-Dose ACTH (Synacthen) Test: Influence of Three-Month Oral Contraceptives Administration to Healthy Women
Authors: Šimůnková K , Stárka L , Hill M , Kříž L , Hampl R , Vondra K
Published: May 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of low-dose combined oral contraception (COC) on basal and stimulated (1 microg ACTH test) levels of serum and salivary cortisol (F), cortisone and on basal serum cortisol binding globulin (CBG), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), dehydroepiadrosterone (DHEA) and calculated free cortisol in healthy young women. Three-month administration of COC resulted in 1) significant increase of basal (454.0+/-125.0 to 860.9+/-179.7 nmol/l) and ACTH-stimulated serum cortisol in 30th min (652.3+/-60.5 to 1374.1+/-240.6 nmol/l); 2) no significant change of basal (15.4+/-7.3 to 18.9+/-8.5 nmol/l) and ACTH-stimulated salivary cortisol at the 30th min (32.4+/-8.8 to 32.9+/-9.0 nmol/l); 3) no significant change of basal serum cortisone (38,8+/-7.68 to 45.2+/-24.2 nmol/l) and ACTH-stimulated cortisone at the 30th (34.8+/-10.9 to 47.0+/-35.7 nmol/l); 4) significant increase of basal ACTH (17.2+/-9.0 to 38.2+/-29.4 ng/l), CBG (991.0+/-161.0 to 2332.0+/-428.0 nmol/l), and 5) no significant change of basal DHEA (24.6+/-15.7 to 22.6+/-11.7 micromol/l) and calculated basal value for free cortisol (22.8+/-14.9 to 19.2+/-6.9 nmol/l). In conclusions, higher basal and ACTH-stimulated serum cortisol were found after three-month administration of COC, while basal and stimulated salivary cortisol were not significantly affected. Therefore, salivary cortisol can be used for assessment of adrenal function in women regularly using COC.
Understanding the Screening process for New Molecules
Authors: Hook James , Kulesza Kamil , Morawiecki Piotr , Wilson R. Eddie
Published: May 2021

The mathematical modelling of the screening cascade used in the selection of new herbicidal molecules is studied. The challenge in this problem is uncertainty in assessing the efficacy of each molecule in small-scale trials. Three distinct approaches are developed: (a) where a predetermined proportion of the best ranking molecules in each stage are forwarded to the next (analysed by a combination of Monte Carlo and conditional probability methods); (b) an adaptive screening method, which employs Markov Decision Processes that do not require the noise model to be known in advance; and finally (c) the potential use of prediction markets is scoped.
Homeless populations
Authors: Lacey Andrew , Byatt-Smith John , Grinfeld Michael , Llewellyn Smith Stefan , Lowe Tim , Parker David , Parrott Kevin , Please Colin , Smith Warren , Wattis Jonathan
Published: May 2021

Numbers of people on housing waiting lists and the size of the homeless population within a local authority area are modelled by a system of coupled ordinary differential equations. The effects on list sizes and levels of homelessness brought about by changing housing priorities are investigated. The model indicates that reducing the priority given to rehousing the homeless can result in large increase in homeless numbers while producing little benefit in decreasing other waiting lists.
Increasing the Creativity of ENGINO Toy Sets and Generating Automatic Building Instructions
Authors: Araújo A. , Gibali A. , Kyprianou A. , Antoniou E. , Bustamante Miguel D. , Kaminski Y. , Okrasinski W.
Published: May 2021

The ENGINO Toy System introduced two challenging problems. The first was to get bounds on the number of possible models/toys which can be constructed using a given package of building blocks. And the second is to generate automatically the assembly instructions for a given toy. In this report we summarize our insights and provide preliminary results for the two challenges.
Sodium Flux during Haemodialysis
Authors: Tilley B.S.
Published: May 2021

Dialysis removes charged ionic species in the blood that arise from complications in kidney disease. Although the process for the removal of urea and other unwanted charged species is understood, the effect of this removal on the net sodium concentration in the blood after treatment is unclear. In this report, we focus on formulating a fundamentally-based model to address this question. We consider the formulation near the membrane at the pore scale to determine effective jump conditions in ionic concentrations, electric potential and flow rate based on the membrane properties, and to determine whether electroneutrality holds within the pore. Secondly, we consider the local blood-cell concentration within one of the fibres and how this varies axially within the dialysis cartridge. Lastly, we consider a simple one-dimensional model of the charged species problem and conclude advection transport through the membrane is important for sodium transport, but less pertinent in cation species.
African Drought Risk Pay-Out Benchmarking
Authors: Connaughton Colm , Kawabata Emily
Published: May 2021

We analyse rainfall and Water Resource Sufficiency Index (WRSI) data provided by African Risk Capacity (ARC) to assess the predictability of African droughts. We compare historical WRSI benchmarks with the observed WRSI values and conclude that they broadly align. We then compare various linear time series models based on their ability to fit and forecast the WRSI data, concluding that simpler models are more appropriate. We also investigate the use of the SARIMA and TBATS models to forecast the patterns observed in rainfall data, concluding that either can generate structured forecasts that reflect seasonal variability. Attempts to measure the influence of the El Niño -Southern Oscillation on rainfall are inconclusive for the areas studied. Finally, we apply univariate Extreme Value Theory to rainfall data: further investigation is necessary to understand how the Ethiopian famine in the early 1980's would be reflected in the data if it reoccurs today.
Classification of Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography Data
Authors: Croci Matteo , Morawiecki Piotr , Sulzer Valentin , Theil Florian
Published: May 2021

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) is often used for analysing complex chemical samples. DSTL want to be able to use data from GCxGC to attribute samples to a particular region or cultivar. However, the nature of the data means that several difficulties must be overcome before being able to do this. In this report, we investigate several methods to overcome such difficulties, and then classify the data. We are very successful in telling apart blanks from vseeds but obtain limited success when trying to classify between seeds. The method that shows the most promise is k-Nearest Neighbours classification by Wasserstein distance. However, this is still quite sensitive to the noise created by the solvent in the sample. Thus, we suggest that more blank runs be obtained, so that the ‘ground truth’ behaviour of the solvent is better understood, allowing us to remove the effect of the solvent from seed data.
INCIDENCIA DE INFECCIÓN DEL TRACTO URINARIO ASOCIADO A CATÉTER VESICAL
Authors:   Hospital General de Especialidades de las Fuerzas Armadas del Ecuador, Proaño Larrea Carlos Aarón
Published: May 2021

La infección del tracto urinario constituye uno de los problemas de salud que con mayor frecuencia se presentan en la práctica médica diaria; uno de sus posibles factores desencadenantes es el uso de catéter vesical. El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar la incidencia de infección del tracto urinario asociado al uso de catéter vesical. Para esto se realizó una investigación básica, descriptiva y explicativa que incluyó a 377 pacientes con infección intrahospitalaria del tracto urinario. Los principales resultados incluyen promedio de edad de 57,63 años, predominio de pacientes femeninas (63,92%) y con comorbilidades asociadas (54,30%). La incidencia de infección del tracto urinario en pacientes con cateterismo vesical fue de 21,24%. Del total de pacientes en el cual se confirmó el proceso infeccioso el 23,61% utilizó catéter vesical y predominaron los pacientes masculinos (36,03%) y con comorbilidades asociadas (32,74%). En pacientes con catéter vesical y diagnóstico de lupus eritematoso sistémico (61,11%), diabetes mellitus (53,33%) y artritis reumatoide (43,75%) fueron en los que en mayor porciento de infección del tracto urinario se identificó. Se concluye que existió una elevada incidencia de infección del tracto urinario en pacientes con catéter vesical. La presencia de comorbilidades y el sexo femenino fueron factores que se identificaron con mayor frecuencia en la totalidad de pacientes con infección del tracto urinario; sin embargo su asociación a cateterismo vesical fue más frecuente en pacientes masculinos.Palabras claves: Artritis reumatoide; Catéter vesical; Diabetes mellitus; Infección tracto urinario; Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico.Recibido: 23 de octubre de 2020Aceptado: 06 de mayo de 2021Publicado como artículo científico en la Revista de Investigación Talentos VIII (1), 84-92
Profile of Patients with Ear, Nose, and Throat Foreign Bodies on Emergency Room, RSUD Dr. Soetomo in 2018
Authors: Ihsanulhaj Raka , Perdana Rizka Fathoni , Mujib Sahudi Abdul , Nugroho Puguh Setyo
Published: May 2021

Foreign bodies in the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) is a common emergency case found in the emergency room. On 2016, it was found that 689 patients admitted to RSUD Dr. Soetomo’s emergency room due to foreign bodies on their ear, nose, or throat. This study aims to determine the profile of patients with foreign bodies on their ear, nose, or throat that admitted to Emergency Room, RSUD Dr. Soetomo in 2018. This type of research was a retrospective study using medical records of patients. The total of patients in this study was 802 patients. It was found that the most common foreign bodies was found on ear with 342 cases (42.64%), followed by nose with 265 cases (33.04%), and lastly throat with 195 cases (24.31%). The most common patients age group was 0-10 years with 376 cases (46.88%), followed by patients with age group more than 50 years with 93 cases (11.60%). There were more males patients with 445 patients (55.49%) rather than women with 357 patients (44.51%). The most common foreign bodies on ear was cotton with 173 cases (50.58%). The most common foreign bodies on nose was bead with 137 cases (51.70%). The most common foreign bodies on throat was fish bone with 166 cases (85.13%). The standard procedure for patients with foreign bodies was with extraction, extra procedure may be needed according to the condition of patients. Most of the patients showed no complication after the treatment.

Keywords: foreign bodies; the ear, nose, and throat (ENT), profile of patients
Natural Biomaterials as Instructive Engineered Microenvironments That Direct Cellular Function in Peripheral Nerve Tissue Engineering
Authors: Powell Rebecca , Eleftheriadou Despoina , Kellaway Simon , Phillips James B.
Published: May 2021

Nerve tissue function and regeneration depend on precise and well-synchronised spatial and temporal control of biological, physical, and chemotactic cues, which are provided by cellular components and the surrounding extracellular matrix. Therefore, natural biomaterials currently used in peripheral nerve tissue engineering are selected on the basis that they can act as instructive extracellular microenvironments. Despite emerging knowledge regarding cell-matrix interactions, the exact mechanisms through which these biomaterials alter the behaviour of the host and implanted cells, including neurons, Schwann cells and immune cells, remain largely unclear. Here, we review some of the physical processes by which natural biomaterials mimic the function of the extracellular matrix and regulate cellular behaviour. We also highlight some representative cases of controllable cell microenvironments developed by combining cell biology and tissue engineering principles.
Assessing Urban Quality of Life: Developing the Criteria for Saudi Cities
Authors: Al-Qawasmi Jamal , Saeed Muhammad , Asfour Omar S. , Aldosary Adel S.
Published: May 2021

Urban quality of life (QOL) is a complex and multidimensional concept. A wide range of urban QOL assessment tools has been developed worldwide to measure and monitor the quality of urban life taking into account the particular conditions of cities/regions and the needs of their residents. This study aims to develop an urban QOL assessment tool appropriate for the context of Saudi Arabia (SA). For this purpose, this study developed and used a structured approach that consists of an in-depth analysis of 21 urban QOL assessment tools in use worldwide, combined with focus group analysis and feedback from a panel of experts. The results revealed that there is a lack of consensus among the existing tools regarding the usage of QOL indicators and domains, and that the majority of the tools demonstrate a lack of proper coverage of QOL subdomains. The results also show wide variations in the number of indicators used and that most of the examined tools are using objective measurable indicators. This study has identified 67 indicators distributed across 13 domains that constitute the core criteria of the proposed QOL assessment tool. The selected indicators and domains cover all the attributes of urban QOL and are evaluated by experts as important criteria to assess/measure QOL. Moreover, the results demonstrate the advantage of the developed framework and comprehensive list of criteria (CLC) as a structured and efficient approach to design better QOL assessment tools.
Fragility Assessment of Beam-Slab Connections for Informing Earthquake-Induced Repairs in Composite-Steel Moment Resisting Frames
Authors: El Jisr Hammad , Lignos Dimitrios G.
Published: May 2021

Earthquake loss estimation in composite-steel moment resisting frames (MRFs) necessitates a proper estimation of the level of damage in steel beam-to-slab connections. These usually feature welded headed shear studs to ensure the composite action between the concrete slab and the steel beam. In partially composite steel beams, earthquake-induced damage in the shear studs and the surrounding concrete occurs due to shear stud slip demands. Within such a context, this paper proposes shear slip-based fragility functions to estimate the probability of being or exceeding four damage states in steel beam-slab connections. These damage states include cracking and crushing of the concrete slab in the vicinity of the shear studs, as well as damage in the shear studs themselves. The developed fragility functions are obtained from a gathered dataset of 42 cyclic push-out tests. They incorporate uncertainty associated with specimen-to-specimen variability, along with epistemic uncertainty arising from the finite number of available experimental results. An application of the proposed fragility functions is conducted on a six-story building with composite-steel MRFs. It is shown that steel beam-slab connections along the building height only exhibit light cracking (i.e., crack sizes of 0.3 mm or less) at design basis seismic events. At seismic intensities associated with a low probability of occurrence seismic event (i.e., return period of 2475 years) the nonlinear building simulations suggest that the 25% reduction of the shear stud resistance in steel beam-slab connections with beam depths of 500 mm or less is not imperative to maintain the integrity of the shear stud connectors.
Cleavage of Syndecan-1 Promotes the Proliferation of the Basal-Like Breast Cancer Cell Line BT-549 Via Akt SUMOylation
Authors: Nadanaka Satomi , Bai Yaqiang , Kitagawa Hiroshi
Published: May 2021

Basal-like breast cancer is characterized by an aggressive clinical outcome and presence of metastasis, for which effective therapies are unavailable. We have previously shown that chondroitin 4-O-sulfotransferase-1 (C4ST-1) controls the invasive properties of the basal-like breast cancer cell line BT-549 by inducing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression through the N-cadherin/β-catenin pathway. Here we report that C4ST-1 controls the proliferation of BT-549 cells via the MMP-dependent cleavage of syndecan-1. Syndecan-1 is a membrane-bound proteoglycan associated with an aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis in breast cancer. In addition, the cleavage of syndecan-1 at a specific juxtamembrane cleavage site is implicated in the pathophysiological response in breast cancer. Knockout of C4ST-1 remarkably suppressed both the cleavage of syndecan-1 and proliferation of BT-549 cells. Kinases (AKT1, ERK1/2, PI3K, and STAT3) comprising cancer proliferative pathways are phosphorylated in C4ST-1 knockout cells at a level similar to that in parental BT-549 cells, whereas levels of phosphorylated S6 kinase and SUMOylated AKT (hyperactivated AKT observed in breast cancer) decreased in C4ST-1 knockout cells. An MMP inhibitor, GM6001, suppressed the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) modification of AKT, suggesting that cleavage of syndecan-1 by MMPs is involved in the SUMO modification of AKT. Forced expression of the cytoplasmic domain of syndecan-1, which is generated by MMP-dependent cleavage, increased the SUMO modification of AKT and global protein SUMOylation. Furthermore, syndecan-1 C-terminal domain-expressing BT-549 cells were more proliferative and sensitive to a potent SUMOylation inhibitor, tannic acid, compared with BT-549 cells transfected with an empty expression vector. These findings assign new functions to the C-terminal fragment of syndecan-1 generated by MMP-dependent proteolysis, thereby broadening our understanding of their physiological importance and implying that the therapeutic inhibition of syndecan-1 cleavage could affect the progression of basal-like breast cancer.
The Role of Astrocytes in the Neurorepair Process
Authors: Chiareli Raphaela Almeida , Carvalho Gustavo Almeida , Marques Bruno Lemes , Mota Lennia Soares , Oliveira-Lima Onésia Cristina , Gomes Rodrigo Mello , Birbrair Alexander , Gomez Renato Santiago , Simão Fabrício , Klempin Friederike , Leist Marcel , Pinto Mauro Cunha Xavier
Published: May 2021

Astrocytes are highly specialized glial cells responsible for trophic and metabolic support of neurons. They are associated to ionic homeostasis, the regulation of cerebral blood flow and metabolism, the modulation of synaptic activity by capturing and recycle of neurotransmitters and maintenance of the blood-brain barrier. During injuries and infections, astrocytes act in cerebral defense through heterogeneous and progressive changes in their gene expression, morphology, proliferative capacity, and function, which is known as reactive astrocytes. Thus, reactive astrocytes release several signaling molecules that modulates and contributes to the defense against injuries and infection in the central nervous system. Therefore, deciphering the complex signaling pathways of reactive astrocytes after brain damage can contribute to the neuroinflammation control and reveal new molecular targets to stimulate neurorepair process. In this review, we present the current knowledge about the role of astrocytes in brain damage and repair, highlighting the cellular and molecular bases involved in synaptogenesis and neurogenesis. In addition, we present new approaches to modulate the astrocytic activity and potentiates the neurorepair process after brain damage.
The CAGE–MiR-181b-5p–S1PR1 Axis Regulates Anticancer Drug Resistance and Autophagy in Gastric Cancer Cells
Authors: Yeon Minjeong , Kim Youngmi , Pathak Deepak , Kwon Eunju , Kim Dong Young , Jeong Myeong Seon , Jung Hyun Suk , Jeoung Dooil
Published: May 2021

Cancer-associated gene (CAGE), a cancer/testis antigen, has been known to promote anticancer drug resistance. Since the underlying mechanisms of CAGE-promoted anticancer drug resistance are poorly understood, we established Anticancer drug-resistant gastric cancer cells (AGSR) to better elucidate possible mechanisms. AGSR showed an increased expression level of CAGE and autophagic flux compared with anticancer drug-sensitive parental gastric cancer cells (AGS cells). AGSR cells showed higher invasion potential, growth rate, tumor spheroid formation, and angiogenic potential than AGS cells. CAGE exerted effects on the response to anticancer drugs and autophagic flux. CAGE was shown to bind to Beclin1, a mediator of autophagy. Overexpression of CAGE increased autophagic flux and invasion potential but inhibited the cleavage of PARP in response to anticancer drugs in CAGE CRISPR–Cas9 cell lines. TargetScan analysis was utilized to predict the binding of miR-302b-5p to the promoter sequences of CAGE, and the results show that miR-302b-5p directly regulated CAGE expression as illustrated by luciferase activity. MiR-302b-5p regulated autophagic flux and the response to anticancer drugs. CAGE was shown to bind the promoter sequences of miR-302b-5p. The culture medium of AGSR cells increased CAGE expression and autophagic flux in AGS cells. ImmunoEM showed CAGE was present in the exosomes of AGSR cells; exosomes of AGSR cells and human recombinant CAGE protein increased CAGE expression, autophagic flux, and resistance to anticancer drugs in AGS cells. MicroRNA array revealed miR-181b-5p as a potential negative regulator of CAGE. MiR-181b-5p inhibitor increased the expression of CAGE and autophagic flux in addition to preventing anticancer drugs from cleaving poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in AGS cells. TargetScan analysis predicted sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 (SIPR1) as a potential target for miR-181b-5p. CAGE showed binding to the promoter sequences of S1PR1. The downregulation or inhibition of S1PR1 led to decreased autophagic flux but enhanced the sensitivity to anticancer drugs in AGSR cells. This study presents a novel role of the CAGE–miR-181b-5p–S1PR1 axis in anticancer drug resistance and autophagy.
Rapamycin Improves the Response of Effector and Memory CD8+ T Cells Induced by Immunization With ASP2 of Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Moraschi Barbara Ferri , Noronha Isaú Henrique , Ferreira Camila Pontes , Cariste Leonardo M. , Monteiro Caroline B. , Denapoli Priscila , Vrechi Talita , Pereira Gustavo J. S. , Gazzinelli Ricardo T. , Lannes-Vieira Joseli , Rodrigues Maurício M. , Bortoluci Karina R. , Vasconcelos José Ronnie C.
Published: May 2021

Deficiency in memory formation and increased immunosenescence are pivotal features of Trypanosoma cruzi infection proposed to play a role in parasite persistence and disease development. The vaccination protocol that consists in a prime with plasmid DNA followed by the boost with a deficient recombinant human adenovirus type 5, both carrying the ASP2 gene of T. cruzi, is a powerful strategy to elicit effector memory CD8+ T-cells against this parasite. In virus infections, the inhibition of mTOR, a kinase involved in several biological processes, improves the response of memory CD8+ T-cells. Therefore, our aim was to assess the role of rapamycin, the pharmacological inhibitor of mTOR, in CD8+ T response against T. cruzi induced by heterologous prime-boost vaccine. For this purpose, C57BL/6 or A/Sn mice were immunized and daily treated with rapamycin for 34 days. CD8+ T-cells response was evaluated by immunophenotyping, intracellular staining, ELISpot assay and in vivo cytotoxicity. In comparison with vehicle-injection, rapamycin administration during immunization enhanced the frequency of ASP2-specific CD8+ T-cells and the percentage of the polyfunctional population, which degranulated (CD107a+) and secreted both interferon gamma (IFNγ) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). The beneficial effects were long-lasting and could be detected 95 days after priming. Moreover, the effects were detected in mice immunized with ten-fold lower doses of plasmid/adenovirus. Additionally, the highly susceptible to T. cruzi infection A/Sn mice, when immunized with low vaccine doses, treated with rapamycin, and challenged with trypomastigote forms of the Y strain showed a survival rate of 100%, compared with 42% in vehicle-injected group. Trying to shed light on the biological mechanisms involved in these beneficial effects on CD8+ T-cells by mTOR inhibition after immunization, we showed that in vivo proliferation was higher after rapamycin treatment compared with vehicle-injected group. Taken together, our data provide a new approach to vaccine development against intracellular parasites, placing the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin as an adjuvant to improve effective CD8+ T-cell response.
Inter-rater Reliability of a 13-Category Arterial Doppler Waveform Classification and Practice of French Vascular Physicians
Authors: Lanéelle Damien , Guillaumat Jérôme , Trihan Jean-Eudes , Pottier Camille , Omarjee Loukman , Mahé Guillaume ,   SFMV PAD Study Group
Published: May 2021

Background: Arterial Doppler Ultrasound waveform (DW) analysis allows the detection and evaluation of lower extremity peripheral artery disease. The high heterogeneity of the reported description of DW is reduced by the use of classification. However, the reliability of these classifications is either unknown or low to moderate and practices of vascular caregivers regarding the use of these classifications remain unknown.

Aims: This study aims to assess the inter-observer reliability of the Saint-Bonnet classification, a 13-category DW classification. The secondary objective was to determine the utilization rate of the most common classifications and the ability of these classifications to describe DW.

Methods: A national survey was conducted among all vascular physicians of French society of vascular medicine. They were invited by email to describe on a website 20 DW without and with the display of the Saint-Bonnet classification. The reliability of this classification was estimated by Fleiss' Kappa expressed with [95% confidence interval]. A semantic analysis allowed us to classify the physicians' responses according to the terms used. Finally we have evaluated for each classification the rate of misuse, i.e., the addition of a complementary term to the defined categories.

Results: One hundred and ten physicians participated and only 5% of these were familiar with Saint-Bonnet classification. Fifty-four percent of vascular physicians used no classification at all. Vascular physicians used the Spronk (four-category), Descotes (five-category) and Saint-Bonnet (13-category) classifications for respectively, 31, 10, and 5%. Kappa coefficient of Fleiss (κ) was 0.546 [0.544–0.547] (p < 0.001). Reliability by category ranges from κ of 0.075 to 0.864. In multivariate analysis, the use of a classification was associated with fewer years of experience and was dependent on geographic location. Misuse rate by classification was 88, 82, and 5% using Spronk, Descotes and Saint-Bonnet classifications respectively.

Conclusion: The reliability of Saint-Bonnet classification is weak to moderate by vascular physicians who are not familiar with its use. However, unlike the other classifications, it seems to be sufficiently precise so that the user does not need to complete its description. There is a significant heterogeneity in the use of arterial Doppler classifications in France.
Diet Rich in Lard Promotes a Metabolic Environment Favorable to Trypanosoma cruzi Growth
Authors: Souza Débora Maria Soares de , Silva Maria Cláudia , Farias Silvia Elvira Barros , Menezes Ana Paula de J. , Milanezi Cristiane Maria , Lúcio Karine de P. , Paiva Nívia Carolina N. , Abreu Paula Melo de , Costa Daniela Caldeira , Pinto Kelerson Mauro de Castro , Costa Guilherme de Paula , Silva João Santana , Talvani André
Published: May 2021

Background:Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite that causes Chagas disease and affects 6–7 million people mainly in Latin America and worldwide. Here, we investigated the effects of hyperlipidic diets, mainly composed of olive oil or lard on experimental T. cruzi infection. C57BL/6 mice were fed two different dietary types in which the main sources of fatty acids were either monounsaturated (olive oil diet) or saturated (lard diet).

Methods: After 60 days on the diet, mice were infected with 50 trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi Colombian strain. We evaluated the systemic and tissue parasitism, tissue inflammation, and the redox status of mice after 30 days of infection.

Results: Lipid levels in the liver of mice fed with the lard diet increased compared with that of the mice fed with olive oil or normolipidic diets. The lard diet group presented with an increased parasitic load in the heart and adipose tissues following infection as well as an increased expression of Tlr2 and Tlr9 in the heart. However, no changes were seen in the survival rates across the dietary groups. Infected mice receiving all diets presented comparable levels of recruited inflammatory cells at 30 days post-infection but, at this time, we observed lard diet inducing an overproduction of CCL2 in the cardiac tissue and its inhibition in the adipose tissue. T. cruzi infection altered liver antioxidant levels in mice, with the lard diet group demonstrating decreased catalase (CAT) activity compared with that of other dietary groups.

Conclusions: Our data demonstrated that T. cruzi growth is more favorable on tissue of mice subjected to the lard diet. Our findings supported our hypothesis of a relationship between the source of dietary lipids and parasite-induced immunopathology.
A Detailed Paleoclimate Proxy Record for the Middle Danube Basin Over the Last 430 kyr: A Rock Magnetic and Colorimetric Study of the Zemun Loess-Paleosol Sequence
Authors: Laag Christian , Hambach Ulrich , Zeeden Christian , Lagroix France , Guyodo Yohan , Veres Daniel , Jovanović Mladjen , Marković Slobodan B.
Published: May 2021

In mid-latitude Eurasia, loess-paleosol sequences (LPS) provide the most widespread sedimentary records of Quaternary paleoenvironmental evolution. In the Middle Danube Basin (MDB), these archives cover at least the last million years of climate history, and occasionally contain archeological findings. The studied Zemun LPS is located on the right bank of the Danube in Northern Serbia. The site was declared as a protected site, based on Paleolithic artifacts found on the riverbank and stemming from unknown stratigraphic levels of the loess cliffs exposed along the Danube. The present study aims to provide a stratigraphic, paleoenvironmental, and temporal context for the Zemun LPS by means of environmental magnetic and colorimetric methods. Our investigations result in a chronostratigraphic scheme allowing direct comparison with other well-established reference records in the MDB and elsewhere. Two potential tephra layers tentatively assigned to the so-called L2 and Bag tephras, which are both widespread in the MDB and beyond were investigated for their bulk magnetic properties. The resulting integrated age model suggests that the Zemun LPS records a detailed history of a quasi-continuous accumulation of mineral dust from Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 11–5a (c. 430–60 ka). The outcome of our integrative approach indicates a continuous aridification over the last four interglacial/glacial cycles and we discuss potential changes in seasonality over time.