bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reproduction des caprins et des ovins Créole de Guadeloupe et de Martinique
Authors: Chemineau P. , Mahieu Maurice , Varo H. , Shitalou Elie , Jégo Y. , Grude Armand , Thimonier J.
Published: January 2021

Les ovins et les caprins locaux de Martinique et de Guadeloupe manifestent une activité sexuelle continue tout au long de l'année : chez la femelle adulte en l'absence de gestation, les ovulations et les chaleurs Se succèdent toute l'année sans interruption; chez le bouc adulte la production de spermatozoïdes et le comportement sexuel ne changent pas avec la saison. Chez la jeune femelle, l'apparition de la puberté est assez précoce, celle-ci ne se déclenche toutefois qu'au cours du dernier semestre de l'année. La reprise de l'activité sexuelle post-partum, bien que dépendante de la saison de mise bas et du nombre de jeunes allaités est assez rapide. Ces caractéristiques permettent aux brebis et aux chèvres Créoles de suivre facilement le rythme de trois gestations en deux ans, en lutte naturelle. Il est nécessaire toutefois que l'organisation des périodes de reproduction soit efficace, notamment par l'utilisation systématique de l'effet mâle et la limite de la durée de ces périodes. La reproduction "plastique" de ces races, alliée à des taux d'ovulation et des prolificités relativement élevées, les classe parmi les meilleures productrices de la zone intertropicale.
Characteristics of patients admitted to an adult PICU as compared to general adult inpatient units: a service evaluation
Authors: Ward Kirsty , Prasad Suveera
Published: January 2021

Background: There is a need to ensure that mental health services adapt to the increasing demand for inpatient beds, particularly within PICUs. This study aims to identify risk factors and assess demographics of patients which may increase the risk of admission or transfer to
a PICU.
 Method: A retrospective analysis of 85 discharges from an adult mental health unit. We collected data on demographics, admission, ICD-10 diagnosis and readmission figures. We compared two cohorts: those who required admission to a PICU and those who did not.

Results: 18 (21.2%) patients were admitted to the PICU. They were younger, more likely to be male, single and unemployed. PICU admissions were more likely to have a forensic history (p = 0.009), substance misuse history (p = 0.074), to require seclusion (p<0.0001), police involvement
(p = 0.443), physical health input in the form of senior medical or surgical advice (p = 0.026) and assessment at an acute hospital (p = 0.015). Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders were less common than substance misuse disorders within the PICU cohort (p = 0.535). They were also more
likely to be discharged to another PICU and to be re-admitted.
 Conclusion: This population demonstrated that F10–19 diagnoses were the most frequent within the PICU cohort which contradicts the previous literature. We identified risk factors for admission to a PICU,
demonstrating the demand for inpatient services to adapt to the needs and demographics of patients and allowing early identification of high risk individuals.
Tuberculose gastrointestinal mimetizando neoplasia de cólon
Authors: Carlos Ingrid de Lima , Galdino Gabriela Studart , Tavares Paulo Roberto de Arruda , Monteiro Ítalo Gustavo Lima , Vieira Lara Andrade , Paz Giovanna Peressin da , Meneses Maria Carolina Nunes Albano de Meneses
Published: January 2021

Introdução: a tuberculose (TB) é uma doença de alta prevalência em todo o mundo. A forma extrapulmonar da doença representa cerca de 20% dos casos de TB, aproximadamente 10% correspondendo a TB abdominal. Apesar disso, o diagnóstico da TB abdominal continua sendo um desafio. Relato: paciente feminina, 49 anos, com lesão em cólon sugestiva de neoplasia, que foi submetida a histopatológico. No resultado, foi evidenciado que a doença, na verdade, tratava-se de uma tuberculose gastrointestinal. Discussão: A TB gastrointestinal tem uma apresentação clínica variada, podendo simular diversas doenças, com muitos diagnósticos tardios, acarretando em elevada morbidade. Os exames diagnósticos são inespecíficos e é necessária alta suspeição clínica. Conclusão: Deve-se sempre considerar a tuberculose como diagnóstico diferencial em nosso meio, devido a sua alta incidência e pela apresentação clínica pouco específica.
Process Engineering of the Acetone-Ethanol-Butanol (ABE) Fermentation in a Linear and Feedback Loop Cascade of Continuous Stirred Tank Reactors: Experiments, Modeling and Optimization
Authors: Karstens Katja , Trippel Sergej , Götz Peter
Published: January 2021

The production of butanol, acetone and ethanol by Clostridium acetobutylicum is a biphasic fer-mentation process. In the first phase the carbohydrate substrate is metabolized to acetic and bu-tyric acid, in the following second phase the product spectrum is shifted towards the economi-cally interesting solvents. Here we present a cascade of six continuous stirred tank reactors (CCSTR), which allows performing the time dependent metabolic phases of an ace-tone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) batch fermentation in a spatial domain. Experimental data of steady states under four operating conditions - with variations of the pH in the first bioreactor between 4.3 and 5.6 as well as the total dilution rate between 0.042 1/h and 0.092 1/h - were used to optimize and validate a corresponding mathematical model. Beyond a residence time distribution representation and substrate, biomass and product kinetics this model also includes the differen-tiation of cells between the metabolic states. Model simulations predict a final butanol product concentration of 8.2 g/L and a butanol productivity of 0.75 g/(L h) in the CCSTR operated at a pH in bioreactor 1 of 4.3 and D = 0.092 1/h, while 31 % of the cells are differentiated to the solventogenic state. Aiming at an enrichment of solvent-producing cells, a feedback loop was introduced into the cascade - sending cells from a later state of the process (bioreactor 4) back to an early stage of the process (bioreactor 2). In agreement with the experimental observations, the model accurately predicted an increase of butanol formation rate in bioreactor stages 2 and 3, resulting in an overall butanol productivity of 0.76 g/(L h) for the feedback loop cascade. The here presented CCSTR and the validated model will serve to investigate further ABE fermentation strategies for a controlled metabolic switch.
Different Distribution of Soil Core Microbiota in two Places of Huabei Plain, Central China
Authors: Wang Luan , Zhang Qian , Mei Hongtao , Cui Xiaohan , Wang Meijie , Zhu Yu , Ji Boyang , Wei Yongjun
Published: January 2021

Soils harbor diverse bacteria, and these bacteria play important roles in soil nutrition cycling and carbon storage. Numerous investigations of soil microbiota had been performed, and the core microbiota in different soil or vegetation soil types had been described. However, the complexity of soil environments and relatively limited information of many geographic areas had attracted great attention on comprehensive exploration of soil microbes in enormous types of soil. To reveal the core soil microbiota in Huabei plain, soil samples from metropolis and countryside regions in the Huabei plain were investigated using high-throughput sequencing strategy. The results showed that the most dominant bacteria are Proteobacteria (38.34%), Actinobacteria (20.56%), and Acidobacteria (15.18%). At the genus-level, the most abundant known genera are Gaiella (3.66%), Sphingomonas (3.6%), Acidobacteria Gp6 (2.1%), and Arthrobacter (2%). Moreover, several dominant operational taxanomy units (OTU), such as OTU_3 and OTU_17, were identified to be associated with the soil environment. Microbial distributions of the metropolis samples were different from the countryside samples, which may reflect the environments in the countryside were more diverse than in the metropolis. Microbial diversity and evenness were higher in the metropolis than in the countryside, which might due to the fact that human activity increased the microbial diversity in the metropolis. The soil core microbiota of the Huabei plain were complex, and microbial distributions in the Huabei plain might be mainly affected by the human activity and environmental factors, not by the distance. Our data highlights the soil core microbiota in Huabei Plain, and provides insights for future soil microbiota distribution studies in central China.
Clinical and genetic associations of NO-synthase and arginase gene polymorphisms and gene-gene interactions in children with bronchial asthma
Authors:   Morozov Children's City Hospital of Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow, Russian Federation, Batozhargalova B.Ts. ,   Yu.E.Veltishchev Research Clinical Institute of Pediatrics N.I.Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation, Mizernitsky Yu.L. ,   Yu.E.Veltishchev Research Clinical Institute of Pediatrics N.I.Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation, Dyakova S.E. ,   Yu.E.Veltishchev Research Clinical Institute of Pediatrics N.I.Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation, Petrova N.V. ,   N.P.Bochkov Research Center for Medical Genetics, Moscow, Russian Federation, Zinchenko R.A. ,   N.P.Bochkov Research Center for Medical Genetics, Moscow, Russian Federation
Published: January 2021

Objective. To analyze the association between NOS1, NOS2, NOS3, ARG1, and ARG2 gene polymorphisms and clinical, laboratory, and functional characteristics of bronchial asthma (BA) in children by evaluating gene-gene interactions. Patients and methods. We have evaluated the associations between the NOSs and ARG genes and gene-gene interactions in 107 children with BA. We performed comparative genetic analysis of associations between polymorphic variants of candidate genes in 107 BA patients and clinical manifestations of the disease, laboratory, and functional parameters. Results. We have found an association between the short (S) allele and SS genotype of the NOS1 (AAT)n gene and early disease onset (<5 years), severe BA, and antiinflammatory targeted therapy (with omalizumab and combination inhaled corticosteroids with long-acting β2-agonists). We have also revealed an association between the short (S) allele and SS genotype of the NOS1 (AAT)n gene, as well as long (L) alleles and LL genotypes of the NOS2A (CCTTT)n gene in BA patients and elevated FeNO levels in the exhaled air. The following association have also been identified: between alleles and genotypes containing long (L) tandem repeats in the NOS2A (CCTTT)n gene and reduced FEV1; between AG genotype of the ARG2 gene (rs3742879), alleles and genotypes containing long tandem repeats (L) of the NOS2А (CCTTT)n gene and reduced FEV1/ FVC; between alleles and genotypes containing long tandem repeats (L), combinations of genotypes SL+LL of the NOS2А (CCTTT)n and impaired patency at the level of the middle bronchi FEF50; between allele G, heterozygous genotype AG of the ARG2 (rs3742879) gene with impaired patency at the level of peripheral bronchi FEF75. Conclusion. Our analysis of gene-gene interactions has demonstrated phenotypic characteristics of BA: early BA onset, severe BA, decreased FEV1 and FEF50, increased NO concentration in exhaled air, and presence of fungal and epidermal sensitization. Key words: children, bronchial asthma, NOS and ARG gene polymorphisms, gene-gene interactions
The CARDE-B Scoring System Predicts 30-Day Mortality After Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty
Authors: Raad Micheal , Amin Raj , Puvanesarajah Varun , Musharbash Farah , Rao Sandesh , Best Matthew J. , Amanatullah Derek F.
Published: January 2021

Background:

There exists a substantial risk of having a perioperative complication after revision total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The complex shared decision-making between surgeon and patient would benefit from a high-fidelity tool to identify patients at risk for mortality after revision TJA. Therefore, we developed the CARDE-B score. CARDE-B is an acronym for congestive heart failure, albumin or malnutrition (<3.5 mg/dL), renal failure on dialysis, dependence for daily living, elderly (>65 years of age), and body mass index <25 kg/m2. We developed and validated the CARDE-B score to determine the risk of death within 30 days of a revision TJA.

Methods:

A total of 13,118 revision TJAs (40% hip and 60% knee) from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database were analyzed. A simple 1-point scoring system, CARDE-B, was created for predicting 30-day mortality after revision TJA, based on a logistic regression model. The CARDE-B scoring system assigns 1 point to each criterion in the acronym: congestive heart failure, albumin (<3.5 mg/dL), renal failure on dialysis, dependence for daily living, elderly (>65 years of age), and body mass index of <25 kg/m2. The CARDE-B scoring system was compared with 2 commonly utilized scores: American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification and the 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5). The area under the curve (AUC) was used to assess the accuracy of each model. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to assess goodness of fit. Finally, the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used for external validation of the CARDE-B score in 19,153 patients who underwent revision TJA in 2017.

Results:

Eighty-eight patients (0.7%) did not survive 30 days after revision TJA. The AUC for the logistic regression model was 0.88 in both the derivation and internal validation samples using NSQIP. The predicted probability of 30-day mortality after revision TJA increased stepwise from <0.01% for a CARDE-B score of 0 points to 39% for a CARDE-B score of 5 points. The AUC for the CARDE-B score predicting 30-day mortality after revision TJA was 0.85. This was more accurate (p < 0.001) than the ASA physical status classification (AUC, 0.77) and the mFI-5 (AUC, 0.67). The AUC for the CARDE-B score in the NIS external validation set was 0.75. The Hosmer-Lemeshow p value for goodness of fit was 0.34, indicating goodness of fit in the external validation sample.

Conclusions:

The CARDE-B score is a simple system that predicts the risk of death within 30 days of a revision TJA, offering surgeons and patients a valuable and validated risk-stratification tool.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Selective Ultrasound Guided Nerve Blocks to Diagnose Anteromedial Neuropathic Knee Pain
Authors: Popp Sabine , Pivec Christopher , Drlicek Gregor , Gellen Janos , Riegler Georg
Published: January 2021

Purpose: Chronic neuropathic pain, due to injury to the cutaneous nerve branches after knee surgery, is a common postoperative problem. Therefore, the aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the ability of High-resolution Ultrasound (HRUS) to correctly diagnose the cause and origin of neuropathic pain using selective ultrasound-guided diagnostic blocks. Methods: Data were obtained retrospectively (time frame 2011-2019) from a consecutive cohort of patients through a review of electronical medical records. Patients with postoperative neuropathic knee pain and consecutive HRUS-guided selective nerve block were included. The main outcome measure was pain intensity changes (baseline and post-blockade). A block was rated positive if there was ≥50% pain relief. Further, ultrasound findings suggesting nerve damage or involvement were assessed. Results: In 80/116 (69%) performed examinations, the diagnostic block was positive. Sonomorphologic changes were detected in 64/116 cases (55.2%), including neuromas 21/116 (18.1%), nerve thickening 12/116 (10.3%), scar tissue 26/116 (22.4%), and involvement by other structures, e.g., ganglia 5/116 (4.3%).Conclusion: HRUS and selective ultrasound-guided nerve blocks are valuable tools for the diagnosis of neuropathic pain due to cutaneous nerve injury at the anteromedial knee after surgery.
BEMD-3DCNN-Based Method for COVID-19 Detection
Authors: Riahi Ali , Elharrouss Omar , Almaadeed Noor , Al-Maadeed Somaya
Published: January 2021

Coronavirus outbreak continues to spread around the world and none knows when it will stop. Therefore, from the first day of the virus detection in Wuhan, scientists have launched numerous research projects to understand the nature of the virus, how to detect it, and search for the right medicine to help and protect patients. A fast diagnostic and detection system is a priority and should be found to stop COVID-19 from expanding. The purpose of the study is to combine the bi-dimensional empirical mode decomposition (BEMD) technique with 3DCNN to detect COVID-19. BEMD is used to decompose the original images into IMFs and from there built a video then apply the 3DCNN to classify and detect COVID-19 virus. In our experiment we used 6484 X-Ray images, 1802 of them were COVID-19 positive cases, 1910 normal cases, and 2772 pneumonia cases. The experiment results showed that our proposed techniques achieved the desired results on the selected dataset. It reached the accuracy of 100%.
Bacterial Community in Saline Farmland Soil on the Tibetan Plateau: Responding to Salinization While Resisting Extreme Environments
Authors: Li Yiqiang , Wang XUsheng , Chai Yinghui , Huang Liying , Luo Ximing , Qiu Cheng , Liu Qinghai , Guan Xiangyu
Published: January 2021

Background: Soil salinization caused by irrigation will reduce soil health and crop yields. Soil salinization has become one of the world's soil degradation problems. There are few studies on the response of microbial communities to soil salinization in plateau environments. Here, we applied metagenomics technology to make an exploration on the salinized soil microorganisms of the Tibetan Plateau.Results: The metagenomic data results show that the microbial species diversity and genome diversity of saline soil and non-saline soil have changed significantly. we found that the abundances of chemoautotrophic and acidophilic bacteria comprising Rhodanobacter, Acidobacterium, Candidatus Nitrosotalea, and Candidatus Koribacter were significantly higher in saline soil. and the potential degradation of organic carbon in saline soil. The potential degradation of organic carbon in the saline soil, as well as the production of NO and N2O via denitrification, and the production of sulfate by sulfur oxidation were significantly higher compared with the non-saline soil. Both types of soils were rich in genes encoding resistance to environmental stresses (i.e., cold, ultraviolet light, and hypoxia). The resistance of the soil microbial communities to the saline environment on the Tibetan Plateau is based on the absorption of K+ as the main mechanism, with cross-protection proteins and absorption buffer molecules as auxiliary mechanisms. Network analysis showed that functional group comprising chemoautotrophic and acidophilic bacteria had significant positive correlations with electrical conductivity and total sulfur, and significant negative correlations with the total organic carbon, pH, and available nitrogen. The soil moisture, pH, and electrical conductivity are likely to affect the bacterial carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles.Conclusions: These results indicate that the specific environment of the Tibetan Plateau and salinization jointly shape the structure and function of the soil bacterial community, and that the bacterial communities respond to complex and harsh living conditions. In addition, environmental feedback probably exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions and accelerates the reduction in the soil pH. This study will provide insights into the microbial response to soil salinization and the potential ecological risks for the special plateau environment.
Online Dental Teaching Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey From China
Authors: Jiang Zhiwei , Zhu Danji , Li Jialu , Ren Lingfei , Yang Guoli
Published: January 2021

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in China in December 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic hindered dental education and schools had to be closed. Online dental teaching provided an alternative teaching tool for dental education. However, it is not clear whether online dental teaching is efficient and what students preferred.Aim To investigate the effect of online dental teaching practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.Methods A total of 104 undergraduate dental students and 57 standardized resident physician training students from Zhejiang University were investigated. A 12-item survey was conducted. This investigation included teaching method, frequency of classes, degree of satisfaction, preferred teaching method, whether to participate in a course about COVID-19 prevention, and the effects of teaching. The percentage of the items were then calculated and evaluated.Results A total of 161 students participated in this survey. All students had online dental classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lecture-based learning (LBL), case-based learning (CBL), problem-based learning (PBL), and research-based learning (RBL) were selected as classroom subjects. Students were more satisfied with LBL and CBL than PBL and RBL. The majority of students had more than 4 classes per week. The most selected protective measures were hand washing, wearing masks, and wearing gloves. A total of 46.6% students had courses on COVID-19. After training, the students consciously chose to wear face masks and protective clothing.Conclusions Online dental teaching practices were effective during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students preferred LBL and CBL and were satisfied with the classes. Courses on COVID-19 helped students understand how to prevent COVID-19 in dental clinics.
High-Selective Oxidation of n-Propanol to Propionic Acid Catalysed by Amino-Acid-Based Polyoxometalates
Authors: Liu Minxue , Yu Fengli , Yuan Bing , Xie Congxia , Yu Shitao
Published: January 2021

Background: Propionic acid as a very valuable chemical is in high demand, and it is industrially produced via the oxo-synthesis of ethylene or ethyl alcohol and via the oxidation of propionaldehyde with oxygen. It is urgent to discover a new preparation method for propionic acid via a green route. Recyclable amino-acid-based organic-inorganic heteropolyoxometalates were first used to high-efficiently catalyse the selective oxidation of n-propanol to propionic acid with H2O2 as an oxidant.Result: A series of amino-acid-based heteropoly catalysts using different types of amino acids and heteropoly acids were synthesized, and the experimental results showed proline-based heteropolyphosphatotungstate [ProH]3PW12O40 exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the selective catalytic oxidation of n-propanol to propionic acid owing to its high capacity as an oxygen transfer agent and suitable acidity. Under optimized reaction conditions, the conversion of n-propanol and the selectivity of propionic acid reached 88% and 75%, respectively. Over four cycles, the conversion remained at ˃80%, and the selectivity was ˃60%. [ProH]3PW12O40 was also used to catalyse the oxidations of n-butanol, n-pentanol, n-hexanol, and benzyl alcohol. All the reactions had high conversions, with the corresponding acids being the primary oxidation product.Conclusions: Proline-based heteropolyoxometalate [ProH]3PW12O40 has been successfully used to catalyse the selective oxidation of primary alcohols to the corresponding carboxylic acids with H2O2 as the oxidant. The new developed catalytic oxidation system is mild, high-efficient, and reliable. This study provides a potential green route for the preparation propionic acid.
Chances of Pregnancy After Dropping Out From Infertility Treatments: Evidence From A Social Survey in Japan
Authors: Hirakawa Marie , Usui Emiko , Mitsuyama Nahoko , Oshio Takashi
Published: January 2021

Background: Previous studies have examined the factors that predict whether a patient will discontinue infertility treatments. However, little is known about a patient’s chances of pregnancy after dropping out.Method: Drawing from a nationwide Internet survey in Japan with 1,930 respondents, we used data from 199 individuals (109 women and 90 men) who had undergone an infertility treatment. Besides conducting a descriptive analysis to examine the probability of pregnancy after the treatment, we estimated linear probability models to investigate the extent to which the probability of pregnancy was affected by dropping out after controlling for a couple’s attributes.Results: Among the 199 respondents who had experienced an infertility treatment, 91 (45.7% of the entire sample) became pregnant during the treatment, and 108 (54.3%) dropped out. Among these 108 dropouts, 66 (33.2%) eventually became pregnant. After controlling for a couple’s attributes, we found that treatment discontinuation reduced the probability of pregnancy by 35.4% (standard error: 5.0%). A relatively limited reduction in the chances of pregnancy was also observed after a patient dropped out of any of the three treatment stages (timed intercourse, artificial insemination with the husband’s semen, and in vitro fertilization).Conclusions: The results suggest that dropping out from infertility treatments does not preclude any chance of a future pregnancy; in fact, the chances remain relatively high. Further analysis of a patient’s chances of pregnancy after dropping out is required to evaluate the effectiveness of infertility treatments appropriately. Additionally, more follow-up attention should be provided to dropout patients.
Saccharated Ferric Oxide Attenuates Haematopoietic Response Induced by Epoetin Beta Pegol in Patients Undergoing Haemodialysis
Authors: Iwasaki Takahide , Nakanishi Takeshi , Okada Shioko , Hanawa Nobuto , Hasuike Yukiko , Kuragano Takahiro , Fujimori Akira
Published: January 2021

Background: Decreased erythropoietin levels and impaired iron metabolism due to excessive hepcidin levels are responsible for renal anaemia in patients undergoing haemodialysis. Recently, erythroferrone (ERFE) has been identified as a factor that regulates hepcidin. In addition, fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), which has been recognized as a phosphorus-regulating hormone, appears to be involved in haematopoietic regulation. Clarification of the detailed mechanism of haematopoiesis could lead to the improvement of renal anaemia treatment.Methods: Epoetin beta pegol (CERA) was administered to patients undergoing haemodialysis at week 0, and the same amount of CERA with saccharated ferric oxide (SFO) was administered at week 4. The changes in haematopoiesis-related biomarkers, including ERFE, intact FGF23 (iFGF23), C-terminal FGF23 (cFGF23), and inflammatory markers, were examined.Results: Administration of CERA increased ERFE levels, decreased hepcidin levels, and stimulated iron usage for haematopoiesis, leading to an increase in reticulocytes (Ret) and haemoglobin (Hb). Simultaneous administration of SFO with CERA (CERA + SFO) significantly attenuated the responses of ERFE, Ret, and Hb compared with CERA alone. Although iFGF23 levels were not affected by either CERA or CERA + SFO, cFGF23 was significantly elevated from baseline after CERA. Since cFGF23 levels were not affected by CERA + SFO, cFGF23 levels after CERA + SFO were significantly lower than those after CERA alone. The ratio of iFGF23 to cFGF23 (i/cFGF23 ratio) was significantly higher after CERA + SFO than that after CERA alone. In addition, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were significantly higher after CERA + SFO than after CERA alone.Conclusion: Administration of SFO suppressed haematopoietic responses induced by CERA. Elevation of i/cFGF23 ratio and hsCRP could account for the inhibitory effects of SFO on haematopoiesis.This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (ID UMIN000016552).
Young Women With Breast Cancer in Brazil: A Population‐Based Study Epidemiology of Breast Cancer in Young Women
Authors: Monte Rebecca Lapenda do , Silva Thais Loyola da , Santos Ythalo Hugo da Silva , Navarro Diana Taissa Marinho , Oliveira Teresa Cristina Andrade de , Petta Tirzah
Published: January 2021

Background: Worldwide, breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in woman. The incidence in young women has been increasing in the last decade, mainly in developing countries. The aim of this study was to report the incidence of breast cancer in young patients (≤ 40 y) from 2007 to 2014 in a poor region of Brazil. Results: There were a total of 660 cases within a period of 8 years, with an average of 82 cases per year, and with median age of 36 years, ranging from 16 to 40 years. The most frequent cases were invasive carcinoma of no special type (87%), stage II (34.2%), positive for the progesterone receptor (PR, 51.6%), and for estrogen receptor (ER, 59.1%) and positive familial history of cancer (44.5%). These patients are mainly from the urban area (90%) and poorly educated (66.6% completed elementary school). Significant differences were observed for overall survival for the independent variables: age group (p = 0.012), clinical staging (p< 0.001), PR (p= 0.003), ER (p= 0.029) and pregnancy (p= 0.021). No significant difference was found between the survival curves of patients HER2+ or HER2-. The standardized rates for age (ASR) per 100,000 was 3.0-5.3%, which is low when compared to the Global Cancer Observatory (ASR 8.3%) or Brazil (ASR 10.8%). Conclusion: although the incidence of young women has increased in the country, especially in the study region, it has remained stable in the population studied in the last 8 years.
Chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA editing in plants
Authors: Kim Jin-Soo , Kang Beum-Chang , Bae Su-Ji , Lee Seonghyun , Lee Jeong Sun , Kim Annie , Lee Hyunji , Baek Gayoung , Seo Huiyun , Kim Jihun
Published: January 2021

Plant organelles, including mitochondria and chloroplasts, contain their own genomes, which encode hundreds of genes essential for respiration and photosynthesis, respectively. Gene editing in plant organelles, an unmet need for plant genetics and biotechnology, has been hampered by the lack of appropriate tools for targeting DNA in these organelles. In this study, we developed a Golden Gate cloning system, composed of 16 expression plasmids (8 for delivery of the resulting protein to mitochondria and the other 8 for delivery to chloroplasts) and 424 TALE sub-array plasmids, to assemble DddA-derived cytosine base editor (DdCBE) plasmids and used the resulting DdCBEs to promote point mutagenesis in mitochondria and chloroplasts efficiently. Our DdCBEs induced base editing in lettuce or rapeseed calli at frequencies of up to 25% (mitochondria) and 38% (chloroplasts). We also showed DNA-free base editing in chloroplasts by delivering DdCBE mRNA to lettuce protoplasts. Furthermore, we generated lettuce calli resistant to streptomycin, an antibiotic that binds to 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) irreversibly, leading to inhibition of protein synthesis, by introducing a point mutation in the chloroplast 16S rRNA gene.
Bacterial F-type ATP synthases follow a well-choreographed assembly pathway
Authors: Huu Khanh Vu , Zangl René , Hoffmann Jan , Morgner Nina
Published: January 2021

F-type ATP synthases are multiprotein complexes composed of two separate coupled motors (F1 and FO) generating adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as the universal major energy source in a variety of relevant biological processes in mitochondria, bacteria and chloroplasts. In the past decades, ATP synthases have become a subject of high interest, as a target for therapeutic use in the treatment of a variety of diseases. While the structure of many ATPases is solved today, the precise assembly pathway of F1FO-ATP synthases is mostly still unclear. To probe the bacterial F1 assembly of Acetobacterium woodii, we studied the self-assembly of purified proteins under different environments. We report assembly requirements, important assembly intermediates in vitro and in vivo, the crucial role of nucleotide binding (as opposed to ATP hydrolysis) and correlate results with complex activity. Finally, we propose a model for the assembly pathway for the formation of a functional F1 complex.
Static And Dynamic Pupillometric Changes With Silodosin; Selective α1 Adrenoceptor Blocker
Authors: Karaca Umut , Kaya Engin , Ayyildiz Onder , Ozge Gokhan , Kucukevcilioglu Murat , Mutlu Fatih
Published: January 2021

Backround: Intraoperative floopy iris syndrome is a variant of the small pupil syndrome that has been observed during cataract surgery in some patients currently or previously treated with the α1 adrenergic blockers. It is important for cataract surgeons to predict the probable complications, preoperatively. The aim of our study is to evaluate the static and dynamic pupil characteristics of patients treated with silodosin –a selective α1 adrenergic blocker- for Benign Prostate Hypertrophy (BPH) and to compare these values with healthy subjects using an automatic quantitative pupillometry system.Methods: A total of 74 BPH patients treated with silodosin for six months (group 1) and 30 healthy subjects (group 2) were enrolled in this prospective multidisciplinary cross-sectional study. Static and dynamic pupillometric measurements were obtained under optimized conditions and the results were compared between the two groups.Results: Seventy four male patients with a mean age of 63,35±7,21 (46-77) years with BPH treated with silodosin and 30 normal male subjects with a mean age of 63,07±4,73 (52-71) years were analyzed. There were statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to scotopic pupil diameter (PD), high photopic PD, and low photopic PD (p<0.001, for each one). Patient group has statistically significant higher values of amplitude and velocity of pupil contraction and lower values of duration of pupil contraction and latency, duration and velocity of pupil dilation.Conclusion: Static and dynamic pupil characteristics of subjects treated with silodosin for BPH is different from healthy eyes. In addition, our results may have shed light on understanding the risk for IFIS before cataract surgery and thus surgeons can be on the alert and take precautions.
Two-stage Prediction Model for in-hospital Mortality of Patients With Influenza Infection
Authors: Cheong Chan-Wa , Chen Chien-Lin , Li Chih-Huang , Seak Chen-June , Tseng Hsiao-Jung , Hsu Kuang-Hung , Ng Chip-Jin , Chien Cheng-Yu
Published: January 2021

Background: Infleunza is a challenging issue in public health. The mortality and morbidity associated with epidemic and pandemic influenza puts a heavy burden on health care system. Most patients with influenza can be treated on an outpatient basis but some required critical care. It is crucial for frontline physicians to stratify influenza patients by level of risk. Therefore, this study aimed to create a prediction model for critical care and in-hospital mortality.Methods: This retrospective cohort study extracted data from the Chang Gung Research Database. This study included the patients who were diagnosed with influenza between 2010 and 2016. The primary outcome of this study was critical illness. The secondary analysis was to predict in-hospital mortality. A two-stage-modeling method was developed to predict hospital mortality. We constructed a multiple logistic regression model to predict the outcome of critical illness in the first stage, then S1 score were calculated. In the second stage, we used the S1 score and other data to construct a backward multiple logistic regression model. The area under the receiver operating curve was used to assess the predictive value of the model.Results: In the present study, 1,680 patients met the inclusion criteria. The overall ICU admission and in-hospital mortality was 10.36% (174 patients) and 4.29% (72 patients), respectively. In stage I analysis, hypothermia (OR = 1.92), tachypnea (OR = 4.94), lower systolic blood pressure (OR = 2.35), diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.87), leukocytosis (OR = 2.22), leukopenia (OR = 2.70), and a high percentage of segmented neutrophils (OR = 2.10) were associated with ICU admission. Bandemia had the highest odds ratio in the Stage I model (OR = 5.43). In stage II analysis, C-reactive protein (OR = 1.01), blood urea nitrogen (OR = 1.02) and stage I model’s S1 score were assocaited with in-hospital mortality. The area under the curve for the stage I and II model was 0.889 and 0.766, respectively.Conclusions: The two-stage model is a efficient risk-stratification tool for predicting critical illness and mortailty. The model may be an optional tool other than qSOFA and SIRS criteria.
Proteomic Characterisation of Serum Proteins From Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) With Cardiomyopathy Syndrome (CMS)
Authors: Costa Janina , Thompson Kim , Pozo Jorge del , McLean Kevin , Inglis Neil , Sourd Philippe , Bordeianu Andrei
Published: January 2021

Cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS), caused by piscine myocarditis virus (PMCV), is a serious challenge to Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) aquaculture. Regrettably, husbandry techniques are the only tool to manage CMS outbreaks, and no prophylactic measures are available at present. Early diagnosis of CMS is therefore desirable, preferably with non-lethal diagnostic methods, such as serum biomarkers. To identify candidate biomarkers for CMS, the protein content of pools of sera (4 fish/pool) from salmon with CMS (4 pools) and from clinically healthy salmon (3 pools) were compared using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Overall, seven proteins were uniquely identified in the sera of clinically healthy salmon, while twenty seven proteins were unique to the sera of CMS salmon. Of the latter, 24 have been associated with cardiac disease in humans. These were grouped as leakage enzymes (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, glycogen phosphorylase and carbonic anhydrase); host reaction proteins (acute phase response proteins - haptoglobin, fibrinogen, α2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin; and complement-related proteins); and regeneration/remodelling proteins (fibronectin, lumican and retinol). Clinical evaluation of the suitability of these proteins as biomarkers of CMS, either individually or as part of a panel, is a logical next step for the development of early diagnostic tools for CMS.
Restoration and Risk Reduction of Lead Mining Waste by Phosphate-Enriched Biosolid Amendments
Authors: Li Na , Tang Xi , Yang John , Sun Zhanxiang
Published: January 2021

Lead (Pb) contamination in environment has been identified as a threat to human health and ecosystems. In an effort to reduce the health and ecological risks associated with Pb mining wastes, a field study was conducted to stabilize Pb using phosphate (P)-enriched biosolid amendments in contaminated mining wastes (average of 1004 mg Pb kg-1) located within the Jasper County Superfund Site, southwest Missouri. Experiments consisted of six treatments, including Mizzou Doo (MD); Spent mushroom compost (SMC); Turkey litter compost (TLC); Composted chicken litter (CCL); Composed sewage sludge (CSS); and Triple superphosphate (TSP). Tall fescue seeds were planted following treatments and soil and plant samples collected and analyzed 8-10 years post treatment. Results indicated that all biosolid treatments resulted in effective reductions of bioaccessible, leachable and phytoavailable Pb in the treated waste. The treatments had no toxicological effect to soil microbial community. Analysis of the Pb fractionation revealed that the Pb risk reduction was acomplished by transforming labile Pb to relatively stable species through chemical stabilization reactions as induced by treatments. The solid-phase microprobe analysis confirmed the formation of pyromorphite or pyromorphite-like minerals after treatment. Among the six amendments examined, SMC and MD treatments were shown most effective in context of Pb stabilization and risk reduction. This study demonstrated that the efficacy of Pb stabilization and risk reduction by P-enriched biosolid amendments was long-term and environmental-sound, which could be potentially applied as a cost-effective remedial technology to restore contaminated mining site and safeguard human health and ecosystems from Pb contamination.
Experimental Infection of Asian House Geckos (Hemidactylus Frenatus) With Enterococcus Lacertideformus Demonstrates Multiple Routes of Disease Transmission and The Relative in-Vivo Efficacy of Antibiotic Treatments
Authors: Agius Jessica , Rose Karrie , Emery Jon-Paul , Phalen David
Published: January 2021

The disease caused by Enterococcus lacertideformus is multisystemic and ultimately fatal. Since its emergence, the disease has significantly impacted the captive breeding programs of the Extinct in the Wild Christmas Island Lister’s gecko (Lepidodactylus listeri) and blue-tailed skink (Cryptoblepharus egeriae). The bacterium’s pathogenicity, inability to grow in-vitro, and occurrence beyond the confines of Christmas Island necessitated the development of an experimental infection and treatment model. Asian house geckos (Hemidactylus frenatus) were challenged with a single dose of E. lacertideformus either by mouth, application to mucosal abrasion or skin laceration, subcutaneous injection, coelomic injection, or via co-housing with an infected gecko. Five healthy geckos acted as controls. Each transmission route resulted in disease in at least 40% (n = 2) geckos, expanding to 100% (n = 5 groups) when E. lacertideformus was applied to skin laceration and mucosal abrasion groups. Incubation periods post-infection ranged between 54 and 102 days. To determine the efficacy of antibiotic treatment, infected geckos were divided into six groups (enrofloxacin 10mg/kg, PO, q24, amoxicillin clavulanic acid 10 mg/kg, PO, q24, enrofloxacin 10mg/kg combined with amoxicillin clavulanic acid 10 mg/kg, PO, q24, rifampicin 15mg/kg, PO, q24, clarithromycin 15mg/kg, PO, q24, and untreated controls) for 21 days. Response to treatment was assessed by change in lesion size, bacterial dissemination, and histological evidence of a host immune response. Irrespective of the antibiotic given, histology revealed that geckos inoculated by skin laceration were observed to have more extensive disease spread compared to other inoculation routes. The reduction in the average surface area of gross lesions was 83.6% for geckos treated with enrofloxacin, followed by the combination therapy amoxicillin clavulanic acid and enrofloxacin (62.4%), amoxicillin clavulanic acid (58.2%), rifampicin (45.5%), and clarithromycin (26.5%). Lesions in geckos untreated with antibiotics increased in size between 100% to 300%. In summary, enrofloxacin and amoxicillin clavulanic acid show promising properties for the treatment of E. lacertideformus infection in geckos. The Asian house gecko E. lacertideformus infection model therefore provides foundational findings critical to the development of effective therapeutic and prophylactic treatment protocols aimed at conserving the health of infected and at-risk reptiles.
Anthropogenic Nitrate Pollution in Groundwater and Its Health Risks in The View of Background Concentration in a Semi-Arid Area of Rajasthan
Authors: Rahman Abdur , Mondal N.C. , Tiwari K.K.
Published: January 2021

An increased nitrate (NO3-) concentration in groundwater has been a rising issue on a global scale in recent years. Through different consumption mechanisms, it clearly illustrates the adverse effects on human health. The goal of this present study is to assess the natural and anthropogenic NO3- concentration in groundwater and its related risks to human health in the different groups of ages such as children, males, and females. Groundwater samples (n=101) were obtained and analysed for their physicochemical components, along with the nitrate concentration in a semi-arid area of Rajasthan. The results show that most of the samples were influenced by anthropogenic activities. The background and anthropogenic levels had been estimated and marked as 7.2 mg/L and 13.3 mg/L for the background and anthropogenic concentrations, respectively. About 83% of nitrate samples were exceeded the background limit, while 28% of the samples were beyond the permissible limit of 45 mg/L as stated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Nitrate health risks were also measured by oral intake and dermal contact sources for the residents in this area. The oral exposure of nitrate was very high as compare to dermal contact. With regards to the non-carcinogenic health risk, the total Heath Index (HITotal) values of groundwater nitrate in the study area varied from 0.045 to 3.153 with an average of 0.964 for males, 0.053 to 3.726 with an average of 1.139 for females, and 0.061 to 4.278 with an average of 1.308 for children. The nitrate health risk assessment shows that about 38%, 46%, and 49% of groundwater samples constitute the non-carcinogenic health risk to males, females, and children, respectively.
Pulmonary Nocardia infection in child with idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis: case report and literature review
Authors: Lu Qin , Zhang Feizhou , Tao Xiaofen , Tang Lanfang
Published: January 2021

BackgroundIdiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH) encompasses a rare and agnogenic group of diffuse alveolar capillary hemorrhagic diseases. Corticosteroid treatment is the globally preferred therapeutic strategy for IPH. However, its long-term administration can cause immunodeficiency. Nocardia infection often occurs in immunocompromised patients and primarily involves the pleura and lungs. Herein, we describe a case of pediatric pulmonary Nocardia infection complicated by IPH.Case presentationA 7-year-old girl presented with chief complaints of pale complexion persisting for 1 year and a cough for 20 days. Abundant hemosiderin-laden macrophages were detected in the gastric juice during the last hospitalization. Uninterrupted small doses of corticosteroids (1–2 mg/kg/day) were administered to the patient to treat the IPH. After nearly two months of corticosteroids therapy, the children began to cough. Next-generation sequencing of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) sample revealed the presence of Nocardia abscessus (N. abscessus) DNA and confirmed IPH again. Linezolid was administered to treat the N. abscessus infection. She recovered well and was discharged after 18 days of hospitalization. After 1 month of follow-up, her pulmonary lesions exhibited gradual resorption, the iron deficiency anemia had resolved, and the IPH appeared to be well-controlled.ConclusionsThis pediatric case of N. abscessus infection complicated by IPH, including the nonspecific clinical manifestations, time-consuming diagnosis, and timely adjusted treatment, provided considerable clinical experience and enlightenment.
Development and Design of a Nursing Intervention Following a Theory and Evidence-Based Approach to Promote Maternal Sensitivity and Preterm Infant Neurodevelopment in the NICU
Authors: Lavallée Andréane , Aita Marilyn , Côté José , Bell Linda , Grou Bénédicte
Published: January 2021

Background: Maternal sensitivity is an important predictor of long-term mother-infant attachment and infant development. Considering the behavioral specificities of preterm infants that may impede the development of maternal sensitivity, it is essential to promote these outcomes soon after a preterm birth. A systematic review showed that current evidence on the effectiveness of parent-infant intervention promoting parental sensitivity in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is of low to very low quality. The aim of this project was to develop and design a novel nursing intervention to enhance maternal sensitivity and preterm infant neurodevelopment in the NICU. Methods: The Medical Research Council’s guidance to develop and evaluate complex health interventions, that is an evidence and theory-based approach, was used for this study. Thus, based on the MRC framework, three main steps were conducted: 1- Identifying existing empirical evidence; 2- Identifying and developing theory; 3- Modeling processes and outcomes.Results: We developed a guided participation intervention for mothers to participate in their preterm infant’s care and positioning (GP_Posit). GP_Posit is based upon the Attachment theory, the Guided participation theory as well as the Synactive theory of development. Conclusion: This novel intervention is being tested in a pilot randomized controlled trial (NCT03677752).