bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Satisfaction with malaria care among pregnant women and mothers of under-five years children in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Oladimeji Kelechi Elizabeth , Tsoka-Gwegweni Joyce Mahlako , Yaya Sanni , Nutor Jerry John , Adeola Abiodun M , Cumber Samuel Nambile , Hyera Francis Leonard Mpotte , Goon Ter Daniel
Published: September 2020

Background Patient satisfaction is as an important measure of program assessment and health system performance. In our study, we assessed patient’s satisfaction with malaria care among pregnant women (PW) and mothers of children less than five years of age (MU5) in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional design, patient satisfaction with malaria care was assessed among 1,373 participants (818 PW and 555 MU5) with the anti-malarial care they received in a comprehensive hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria. Data on patient satisfaction was obtained using a validated eighteen-item questionnaire (PSQ-18) and analyzed using the standard satisfaction scales and quantitative scores. Results Majority of the study respondents were married and within the age group 25-34years. Overall, indecisive satisfaction (mean range of 3.0-3.99) was observed for items 4, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, and 16 in the PSQ-18 tool. From the satisfaction sub-scales derived, lowest mean score reflecting poor satisfaction (mean 2.96) was observed for the domain ‘time spent with doctor’ among the pregnant women, while in mothers of children aged under five years, poor satisfaction (mean 2.95) was observed for the general satisfaction sub-scale. Results of the multivariate analysis showed that pregnant women in the upper socioeconomic class had statistically significant lower odds of satisfaction (OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.10 – 0.84) with the interpersonal way malaria care was provided. Among mothers of children less than five years old, education and socioeconomic status were significant predictors of higher odds of satisfaction with financial aspects of malaria care.Conclusion Socio economic status and one of its indicators, education plays significant roles in mothers’ satisfaction with health care access, level of care received and most importantly their prospective health seeking behaviour. Important aspect, such as patient’s perception of being well treated by the health care provider should be a key consideration for formulate a patients’ centred strategy to improve health care for malaria in malaria endemic settings.
A Mokken Scale Analysis of the Kessler-6 Screening Measure among Chinese Older Population: Findings from a national survey
Authors: Zhang Lisong , Li Zhongquan
Published: September 2020

Background The aging population increases rapidly across the world. Timely and effective screening of their mental-health problems is important to individuals, families, and the whole society. The Kessler-6 screening measure (K6) is a very popular instrument for non-specific psychological distress. However, few studies have focused on the psychometric properties of this instrument in the older population. Methods The present study employed Mokken scale analysis to evaluate its dimensionality and structure. This study also used differential item functioning (DIF) to examine whether the same structure existed across sex in a national representative sample of old Chinese people. Data were drawn from a public data set, the 2010 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS2010), and responses from a total of 6450 participants aged 60 years old and above (3136 males and 3314 females) were included in the final analysis.Results Mokken scale analysis supported the unidimensional structure of the K6. Differential item functioning (DIF) analysis revealed that two of the six items ("Hopeless" and "Everything was an effort") were marked for DIF based on the Chi-square. However, their impacts were negligible in terms of McFadden's pseudo R2.Conclusions The K6 demonstrates adequate psychometric properties in the old Chinese population. The sum of all six items can be used as an indicator of non-specific psychological distress. Differences in the indicator across sex should be considered as a real difference in psychological distress between the female and the male.
The prevalence and mechanism of triclosan resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from urine samples in Wenzhou, China
Authors: Zeng Weiliang , Xu Wenya , Xu Ye , Liao Wenli , Zhao Yajie , Zheng Xiangkuo , Xu Chunquan , Zhou Tieli , Cao Jianming
Published: September 2020

Background: The widespread application of triclosan contributes to its residual deposition in urine, which provides an environment of long-term exposure to triclosan for the intestinal Escherichia coli. We determined the triclosan and antibiotic resistance characteristics of E. coli strains isolated from urine samples and further investigated the resistance mechanism and molecular epidemic characteristics of triclosan-resistant E. coli isolates.

Methods: A total of 200 non-repetitive E. coli strains were isolated from urine samples and then identified. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of triclosan and antibiotics, fabI mutation, efflux pump activity, the expression of 14 efflux pump encoding genes, and epidemiological characteristics were determined by the agar dilution method, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) inhibition test, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for all triclosan-resistant isolates. Furthermore, we also investigated the effect of triclosan exposure in vitro on antibiotic susceptibility and the efflux pump encoding gene expressions of triclosan-susceptible strains via serial passage experiments.

Results: Of the 200 E. coli isolates, 2.5% (n = 5) were found to be resistant to triclosan, and multidrug resistance (MDR) and cross-resistance phenotypes were noted for these triclosan-resistant strains. The triclosan-sensitive strains also exhibited MDR phenotypes, probably because of the high resistance rate to AMP, CIP, LVX, and GEN. Gly79Ala and Ala69Thr amino acid changes were observed in the triclosan-resistant strains, but these changes may not mediate resistance of E. coli to triclosan, because mutations of these two amino acids has also been detected in triclosan-susceptible strains. Moreover, except for DC8603, all other strains enhanced the efflux pumps activity. As compared with ATCC 25922, except for fabI, increased expressions were noted for all efflux pump encoding genes such as ydcV, ydcU, ydcS, ydcT, cysP, yihV, acrB, acrD, and mdfA among the studied strains with varying PFGE patterns and STs types. Unexpectedly, 5 susceptible E. coli isolates showed rapidly increasing triclosan resistance after exposure to triclosan in vitro for only 12 days, while MDR or cross-resistance phenotypes and the overexpression of efflux pump genes were recorded among these triclosan-induced resistant isolates.

Conclusions: This is the first study to report that short-term triclosan exposure in vitro increases triclosan resistance in susceptible E. coli isolates. After acquiring resistance, these strains may present MDR or cross-resistance phenotypes. Moreover, triclosan resistance mainly involves the overexpression of fabI and efflux pumps in E. coli isolates.
Somatic mutation detection efficiency in EGFR: a comparison between High Resolution Melting Analysis and Sanger Sequencing
Authors: Joy Reenu Anne , Thelakkattusserry Sukrishna Kamalasanan , Vikkath Narendranath , Bhaskaran Renjitha , Vasudevan Damodaran , Krishnan Sajitha , Ariyannur Prasanth S.
Published: September 2020

Background: High resolution melting curve analysis is a cost-effective rapid screening method for detection of somatic gene mutation. The performance characteristics of this technique has been explored previously, however, analytical parameters such as limit of detection of mutant allele fraction and total concentration of DNA, have not been addressed. The current study focuses on comparing the mutation detection efficiency of High-Resolution Melt Analysis (HRM) with Sanger Sequencing in somatic mutations of the EGFR gene in non-small cell lung cancer .Methods: The minor allele fraction of somatic mutations was titrated against total DNA concentration using Sanger sequencing and HRM to determine the limit of detection. The mutant and wildtype allele fractions were validated by multiplex allele-specific real-time PCR. Somatic mutation detection efficiency, for exons 19 & 21 of the EGFR gene, was compared in 116 formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumor tissues, after screening 275 tumor tissues by Sanger sequencing.Results: The limit of detection of minor allele fraction of exon 19 mutation was 1% with Sequencing, and 0.25% with HRM, whereas for exon 21 mutation, 0.25% MAF was detected using both methods. Multiplex allele-specific real-time PCR revealed that the wildtype DNA did not impede the amplification of mutant allele in mixed DNA assays. All mutation positive samples detected by Sanger sequencing, were also detected by HRM. About 28% cases in exon 19 and 40% in exon 21, detected as mutated in HRM, were not detected by sequencing. Overall, sensitivity and specificity of HRM were found to be 100% and 67% respectively, and the negative predictive value was 100%, while positive predictive value was 80%. Conclusion: The comparative series study suggests that HRM is a modest initial screening test for somatic mutation detection of EGFR, which must further be confirmed by Sanger sequencing. With the modification of annealing temperature of initial PCR, the limit of detection of Sanger sequencing can be improved.
Accelerated skeletal maturation is associated with overweight and obesity as early as preschool age: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ke DanDan , Lu Dajiang , Cai Guang , Zhang Jing , Wang Xiaofei , Suzuki Koya
Published: September 2020

Background: Body mass index (BMI) and skeletal age (SA) are important indicators of individual growth and maturation. Although the results have not been unified, most studies indicated that accelerated skeletal maturation is associated with overweight/obesity. However, there have so far been insufficient studies about the association between accelerated skeletal maturation and overweight/obesity in preschoolers, particularly Asian children. A cross-sectional study was conducted on Chinese children to verify the association between accelerated skeletal maturation and overweight/obesity at preschool age.Methods: The study involved 1330 participants aged 3.1-6.6 years old (730 males and 600 females) in Shanghai, China. The skeletal age was determined according to the method of TW3-C RUS. Accelerated skeletal maturation was defined as relative SA (SA minus chronological age [CA]) ≥1.0 years. BMI was classified as thinness, normal weight, overweight, and obesity according to the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) BMI cut-offs. The Chi-square was performed to determine the statistically significant difference in the frequency of accelerated skeletal maturation in BMI and age categories. The logistic regression model analyzed the association between accelerated skeletal maturation and overweight/obesity.Results: The percentage of accelerated skeletal maturation increased with BMI (7.8% of children in thinness group had accelerated skeletal maturation; the percentage increased to 30.8% in obese group. x2 = 89.442, df = 3, P <0.01) and age group (at age 3.5, 3.5% of participants had accelerated skeletal maturation; at age 6.0 years, this increased to 27.8%. x2 = 43.417, df = 5, P <0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that children with overweight and obesity are more likely to have accelerated skeletal maturation than children with normal weight after adjusting for gender and age (Overweight, odds ratio [OR] = 3.27, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.20-4.87; Obese, OR = 4.73, 95% CI: 2.99-7.48). Conclusions: There is an association between accelerated skeletal maturation and overweight/obesity among preschool children. This study suggests that accelerated skeletal maturation might coexist with overweight/obesity in preschool children, and interventions, such as dietary modifications and increasing levels of physical activity, should be employed to prevent both accelerated skeletal maturation and overweight/obesity as early as preschool age.
Determinants of participation in a post-hospitalization physical exercise program for older adults
Authors: Urquiza Miriam , Echeverria Iñaki , Besga Ariadna , Amasene Maria , Labayen Idoia , Rodriguez Ana , Barroso Julia , Aldamiz Mikel , Irazusta Jon
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND: Older patients often experience a decline in physical function and cognitive status after hospitalization. Although interventions involving physical exercise are effective in improving functional performance, participation in physical exercise interventions among older individuals is low. We aimed to identify factors that contribute to exercise refusal among post-hospitalized older patients.METHODS: A cross-sectional study of recruitment data from a randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 495 hospitalized people ≥70 years old. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained from the Basque Public Health System database. We determined physical function with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), nutritional status with the Mini-Nutritional Assessment, frailty according to the Fried phenotype criteria, and cognitive function with the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). Student’s t, Mann-Whitney U, or chi-squared tests were applied for bivariate analysis. Parameters significantly associated with participation were introduced in a logistic multivariate regression model.RESULTS: Among the analyzed patients, 88.8% declined participation in the physical exercise program. Multivariate regression revealed that older age (OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.07 - 1.19), poor nutritional status (OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.69 - 0.95), and reduced home accessibility (OR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.08 - 0.94) were predictors of participation refusal. Moreover, patients who declined participation had worse performance on the SPPB (P < 0.05) and its tests of balance, leg strength, and walking speed (P < 0.05). No differences were found between groups in other variables. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms low participation of older adults in a post-hospitalization physical exercise program. Non-participation was associated with increased age, poor nutritional status, and reduced home accessibility. Our findings support the need for intervention design that accounts for these factors to increase older patient participation in beneficial exercise programs.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12619000093189 (retrospectively registered): Registered January 22, 2019.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Incentives to Improve HIV Prevention Outcomes for Young Females in Eswatini: Sitakhela Likusasa Impact Evaluation Protocol and Baseline Results
Authors: Gorgens Marelize , Longosz Andrew , Ketende Sosthenes , Nkambule Muziwethu , Dlamini Tengetile , Mabuza Mbuso , Sikwibele Kelvin , Tsododo Vimbai , Dlamini Mthokozisi , Dennis-Langa Futhie , Heard Wendy , Low Andrea , Harimurti Pandu , Wilson David , Mabuza Khanya , de Walque Damien
Published: September 2020

Background: Eswatini continues to have the highest prevalence of HIV in the world, and one of the highest HIV incidences among adult populations (aged 15-49). This analysis reports on both key elements of study design/protocol and baseline results from an impact evaluation of an intervention incentivizing (i) initiation, enrolment, attendance or completion of some form of education, and (ii) lower risk sexual behaviour.Methods: The impact evaluation employs a two by two factorial design in which participants are enrolled in either the incentive for education arm (‘education treatment arm’ providing a conditional cash incentive) or the control arm (‘education control arm’). In each of these arms, 50% of participants were randomized to also be eligible for selection – three times a year – to participate in a conditional raffle conditional on testing negative for curable STIs (syphilis and Trichomonas vaginalis ).Results: Baseline recruitment and screening occurred in 2016 when a total of 6,055 individuals were screened of which 4,863 participated in the baseline survey, and 4,819 individuals were randomized into one of the study arms. The baseline prevalence of HIV, Trichomonas vaginalis , and syphilis among adolescent girls and young women 8.20% (397/4,840), 3.31% (150/4,533) and 0.17% (8/4,830) respectively.Conclusions: An educational cash incentive and raffle incentive impact evaluation that addresses adolescent girls and young women who are in-education and out-of-education has the potential to reduce HIV risk in adolescent girls and young women in Eswatini.Name of the registry: Pan African Clinical Trials RegistryTrial registration number: PACTR201811609257043Date of registration: May 11, 2018 ‘Retrospectively registered’URL of trial registry record: https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=4685
Development and validation of oral chemotherapy self-management scale 
Authors: Peng Qi , Wu Wanying
Published: September 2020

Background: With the increase of oral chemotherapy drugs, patients receiving cancer treatment prefer oral chemotherapy versus intravenous, given equal efficacy and toxicity. However, they need to take an active part in their care, which is vital with home-based oral therapy, therefore the self-management is important for patients with oral chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the development of self-management assessment tools for oral chemotherapy still lags behind. Methods: The OCSMS item pool was formulated based on literature review and semi-structured interviews, An initial scale containing 5 dimensions and 38 items was constructed through research seminar, Delphi survey and pilot testing. To assess the validity and reliability, We recruited 261 patients from cancer hospital in China. Results: A 36-item scale was developed with five dimensions identified through factor analysis: daily life management, symptom management, medication management, emotional cognitive management and social support. Cronbach’s coefficient Alpha, split-half coefficient, test-retest reliability and S-CVI/UA scores were 0.929, 0.773, 0.966 and 0.833, respectively, indicating that OCSMS has good reliability and validity.Conclusions: The OCSMS is a valid, reliable measurement method of the self-management ability of patients with oral chemotherapy. The OCSMS shows potential as a tool to ensure the safety of patients with cancer. The OCSMS may help evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to improve the self-management ability of patients.
The impact of growth differentiation factor 15 on the risk of cardiovascular disease: evidence from Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Wang Zhuo , Yang Fangkun , Ma Menghuai , Bao Qinyi , Shen Jinlian , Ye Feiming , xie xiaojie
Published: September 2020

Background: Growth differentiation factor 15(GDF-15) concentration is apparently associated with cardiovascular disease, but whether there is a causal relationship has not been testified. Methods: We utilized Mendelian randomization to assess the function of GDF-15 in incidence of cardiovascular disease. The single-nucleotide polymorphism- GDF-15 association evaluations came from meta-analysis of genome-wide association study (GWAS). Besides inverse-variance weighted, MR-Egger test and weighted median method were applied to examine sensitivity. Results: Based on the instruments, GDF-15 level linked to the increasing risk of cardioembolic stroke (OR 1.09 per SD increase, 95% CI 1.01, 1.19) , atrial fibrillation (OR 1.03 per SD increase, 95% CI 1.0, 1.06), coronary artery disease (OR 0.94 per SD increase, 95% CI 0.89, 0.99) and myocardial infarction (OR 0.94 per SD increase, 95% CI 0.90, 0.98). However, the significant causal relationship between GDF-15 and the other cardiovascular diseases was not found in our study. Conclusions: The result suggested that GDF-15 was causally associated with the risk of cardioembolic stroke,atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction, providing us conceivable strategies to alleviate the burden of cardiovascular disease.
Verifying the feasibility of using Hand-Held X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to analyze Linqing brick: evaluation of the influencing factors and assessing reliability
Authors: Chen Zexuan , Zhang Long , Hou Feng , Xie Jialiang
Published: September 2020

Linqing brick is quite popular in Chinese history. Currently, identifying the origin of Linqing brick is an important issue to be studied in the field of archeology and architectural history in China. Hand-Held X-ray fluorescence (HH-XRF) spectrometry enables the in-situ determination of the main elements in Linqing brick in a rapid non-destructive manner. HH-XRF is important in identifying the origin of Linqing brick. However, HH-XRF could be influenced by certain factors and may be capable of measuring only the element contents of the surface for the bricks in situ. The present study aimed to verify the reliability of HH-XRF and to systematically evaluate the different factors influencing measurement precision and accuracy so that scientific advice could be provided regarding the usage of HH-XRF for this application. Four experiments were performed to determine the influencing factors and assess the reliability through cross-validation using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Finally, the influence of the different studied factors was studied, and the reliability of HH-XRF was ensured. The facts to consider about the measurement time, cross validation, criteria to select points, treat surface and getting final data and how to avoid the effect of rain, while using this method, are provided.
Selection and validation of reference genes for measuring gene expression in Toona ciliata under different experimental conditions by quantitative real-time PCR analysis
Authors: Song Huiyun , Mao Wenmai , Duan Zhihao , Que Qingmin , Zhou Wei , Chen Xiaoyang , Li Pei
Published: September 2020

Background:Before studying gene expression of different organisms, it is important to determine the best reference gene. At present, the most accurate method of detecting gene expression is quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). With this method, reference genes that are stable in different biological systems and under different conditions can be obtained. Toona ciliata Roem ( T. ciliata ). is a valuable and fast-growing timber specie. In this study, 20 reference genes were identified using RT-qPCR, as a primary prerequisite for future gene expression analysis. Four different methods, geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RankAggreg were used to evaluate the expression stability of the 20 candidate reference genes in various tissues under different conditions.Results:The experimental results showed that TUB-α was the most stably expressed reference gene across all samples and UBC17 was the most stable in leaves and young stems under Hypsipyla robusta ( H. robusta ) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatments. In addition, PP2C59 and UBC5B were the best-performing genes in leaves under H. robusta treatment, while HIS1 and ACT7 were the best reference genes in young stems. The two best reference genes were 60S-18 and TUB-α after treatment at 4 °C. The expression of HIS6 and MUB1 was the most stable under PEG6000 treatment. The accuracy of the selected reference genes was verified using the transcription factor MYB3 ( TcMYB3) gene.Conclusions:This is the first report to verify the best reference genes for normalizing gene expression in T. ciliata under different conditions, which will facilitate future elucidation of gene regulations in this species.
Prevalence, Distribution and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Bacterial Isolates from a Tertiary Hospital in Malawi
Authors: Kumwenda Pizga , Adukwu Emmanuel C. , Tabe Ebot S. , Ujor Victor C , Kamudumuli Pocha S. , Ngwira Maono , Wu Joseph Tsung Shu , Chisale Master
Published: September 2020

Background Bacterial infections are a significant cause of sickness and death in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed at establishing the prevalence, distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of major bacterial isolates from patients accessing medical care at a tertiary hospital in Malawi. Methods We retrospectively reviewed bacteria culture and antimicrobial susceptibility records for 4,617 patients from 2002 to 2014 at Mzuzu Central Hospital (MCH). No inclusion and exclusion criteria were followed. Data was analysed using excel (Microsoft office, USA) and GraphPad prism 7 software programs. Results The most prevalent isolates were S. aureus (34.7%, n = 783), Klebsiella species (17.4%, n = 393) and Proteus species (11.4%, n = 256). Most microorganisms were isolated from adults (88.3%, n = 3889) and pus was the main source (69.3%, n = 1224). S. pneumoniae was predominantly isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (60.3%, n = 44) largely collected from children (88.2%, n = 64). Overall, most bacteria exhibited high resistance to all regularly used antimicrobials excluding ciprofloxacin. Conclusions Our report demonstrates an increase in bacterial infection burden in sites other than blood stream and subsequent increase in prevalence of antimicrobial resistance for all major isolates. Creating an epidemiological survey unit at MCH will be essential to help inform better treatment and management options for patients with bacterial infections.
Metabolic characterization of aggressive breast cancer cells exhibiting invasive phenotype: Impact of non-cytotoxic doses of 2-DG on diminishing invasiveness
Authors: Fujita Mayumi , Imadome Kaori , Somasundaram Veena , Kawanishi Miki , Karasawa Kumiko , Wink David A.
Published: September 2020

BackgroundMetabolic reprogramming is being recognized as a fundamental hallmark of cancer, and efforts to identify drugs that can target cancer metabolism are underway. In this study, we used human breast cancer (BC) cell lines and established their invading phenotype (INV) collected from transwell inserts to compare metabolome differences and evaluate prognostic significance of the metabolome in aggressive BC invasiveness. MethodsThe invasiveness of seven human BC cell lines were compared using the transwell invasion assay. Among these, INV was collected from SUM149, which exhibited the highest invasiveness. Levels of metabolites in INV were compared with those of whole cultured SUM149 cells (WCC) using CE-TOFMS. The impact of glycolysis in INV was determined by glucose uptake assay using fluorescent derivative of glucose (2-NBDG), and significance of glycolysis, or tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) and electron transport chain (ETC) in the invasive process were further determined in aggressive BC cell lines, SUM149, MDA-MB-231, HCC1937, using invasion assays in the presence or absence of inhibitors of glycolysis, TCA cycle or ETC. ResultsSUM149 INV sub-population exhibited a persistent hyperinvasive phenotype. INV were hyper-glycolytic with increased glucose (2-NBDG) uptake; diminished glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) levels but elevated pyruvate and lactate, along with higher expression of phosphorylated-pyruvate dehydrogenase (pPDH) compared to WCC. Notably, inhibiting of glycolysis with lower doses of 2-DG (1 mM), non-cytotoxic to MDA-MB-231 and HCC1937, was effective in diminishing invasiveness of aggressive BC cell lines. In contrast, 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NA), an inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase, the enzyme that oxidizes succinate to fumarate in TCA cycle, and functions as complex II of ETC, had no significant effect on their invasiveness, although levels of TCA metabolites or detection of mitochondrial membrane potential with JC-1 staining, indicated that INV cells originally had functional TCA cycles and membrane potential. ConclusionsHyper-glycolytic phenotype of invading cells caters to rapid energy production required for invasion while TCA cycle/ETC cater to cellular energy needs for sustenance in aggressive BC. Lower, non-cytotoxic doses of 2-DG can hamper invasion and can potentially be used as an adjuvant with other anti-cancer therapies without the usual side-effects associated with cytotoxic doses.
Genome-wide characterization and expression analysis of the heat shock transcription factor family in pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata)
Authors: Shen Changwei , Yuan Jingping
Published: September 2020

Background: Crop quality and yield are affected by abiotic and biotic stresses, and heat shock transcription factors ( Hsfs ) are considered to play important roles in regulating plant tolerance under various stresses. To investigate the response of Cucurbita moschata to abiotic stress, we analyzed the genome of Cucurbita moschata . Results: In this research, a total of 36 Cucurbita moschata Hsf ( CmHsf ) members were identified and classified into three subfamilies (I, II, and III) according to their amino acid sequence identity. The Hsfs of the same subfamily usually exhibit a similar gene structure (intron-exon distribution) and conserved domains (DNA-binding and other functional domains). Chromosome localization analysis showed that the 36 CmHsfs were unevenly distributed on 18 of the 21 chromosomes (except for Cm_Chr00, Cm_Chr08 and Cm_Chr20), among which 18 genes formed 9 duplicated gene pairs that have undergone segmental duplication events. The Ka/Ks ratio showed that the duplicated CmHsfs have mainly experienced strong purifying selection. High-level synteny was observed between Cucurbita moschata and other Cucurbitaceae species . Conclusions: The expression profile of CmHsfs in the roots, stems, cotyledons and true leaves revealed that the CmHsfs exhibit tissue specificity. The analysis of cis -acting elements and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) revealed that some key CmHsf s were activated by cold stress, heat stress, hormones and salicylic acid. This study lays the foundation for revealing the role of CmHsfs in resistance to various stresses, which is of great significance for the selection of stress-tolerant Cucurbita moschata .
Probing afterslip and viscoelastic relaxation following the 2015 Mw 7.8 Gorkha earthquake based on the 3-D Finite Element Model
Authors: Su Lina , Shi Fuqiang , Gan Weijun , Su Xiaoning , Yan Junyi
Published: September 2020

We analyzed daily displacement time series from 34 continuous GPS stations in Nepal and 5 continuous GPS stations in South Tibet, China, and extracted the first 4.8 years of postseismic motion after the 2015 Mw7.8 Gorkha earthquake. With the longer duration GPS observations, we find that postseismic displacements mainly exhibit southward and uplift motion. To study the postseismic afterslip and viscoelastic relaxation, we built a 3-D spherical finite element model (FEM) with heterogeneous material properties and surface topography across the Himalayan range, accounting for the strong variations in material properties and surface elevation along central Himalayan arc. On the basis of the FEM, we reveal that the predicted viscoelastic relaxation of cm level moves southward to the north of the Gorkha earthquake rupture, but in an opposite direction to the observed postseismic deformation in the south; the postseismic deformation with viscoelastic relaxation is well explained by afterslip downdip of the coseismic rupture, which is still dominant 4.8 years after the 2015 Mw7.8 Gorkha earthquake. The lack of slip on a shallow portion and western segment of the MHT during and after the 2015 Gorkha earthquake implies continued seismic hazard in the future.
The interplay between host genetics and the gut microbiome reveals common and distinct microbiome features for complex human diseases
Authors: Xu Fengzhe , Fu Yuanqing , Sun Tingyu , Jiang Zengliang , Miao Zelei , Shuai Menglei , Gou Wanglong , Ling Chuwen , Yang Jian , Wang Jun , Chen Yu-ming , Zheng Ju-Sheng
Published: September 2020

Background Interest in the interplay between host genetics and the gut microbiome in complex human diseases is increasing, with prior evidence mainly being derived from animal models. In addition, the shared and distinct microbiome features among complex human diseases remain largely unclear.Results This analysis was based on a Chinese population with 1,475 participants. We estimated the SNP-based heritability, which suggested that Desulfovibrionaceae and Odoribacter had significant heritability estimates (0.456 and 0.476, respectively). We performed a microbiome genome-wide association study to identify host genetic variants associated with the gut microbiome. We then conducted bidirectional Mendelian randomization analyses to examine the potential causal associations between the gut microbiome and complex human diseases. We found that Saccharibacteria could potentially decrease the concentration of serum creatinine and increase the estimated glomerular filtration rate. On the other hand, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease and prostate cancer, as predicted by host genetics, had potential causal effects on the abundance of some specific gut microbiota. For example, atrial fibrillation increased the abundance of Burkholderiales and Alcaligenaceae and decreased the abundance of Lachnobacterium, Bacteroides coprophilus, Barnesiellaceae, an undefined genus in the family Veillonellaceae and Mitsuokella. Further disease-microbiome feature analysis suggested that systemic lupus erythematosus and chronic myeloid leukaemia shared common gut microbiome features. Conclusions These results suggest that different complex human diseases share common and distinct gut microbiome features, which may help reshape our understanding of disease aetiology in humans.
Establishment and verification of the nomogram that predicts the 3-year recurrence risk of epithelial ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Hu Jun , Jiao Xiaobing , Zhu Lirong , Guo Hongyan , Wu Yumei
Published: September 2020

Background As we all know, patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma have poor prognosis and high recurrence rate. It is critical and challenging to screen out the patients with high risk of recurrence. At present, there are some models predicting the overall survival of epithelial ovarian carcinoma, however, there is no widely accepted tool or applicable model predicting the recurrence risk of epithelial ovarian carcinoma patients. The objective of this study was to establish and verify a nomogram to predict the recurrence risk of EOC. Methods We reviewed the clinicopathological and prognostic data of 193 patients with EOC who achieved clinical complete remission after cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy between January 2003 and December 2013 in Peking University First Hospital. The nomogram was established with the risk factors selected by LASSO regression. The medical data of 187 EOC patients with 5-year standard follow-up in Peking University Third Hospital and Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital were used for external validation of the nomogram. AUC curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to evaluate the discrimination and calibration.Results The nomogram for 3-year recurrence risk was established with FIGO stage, histological grade, histological type, lymph node metastasis status and serum CA125 level at diagnosis. The total score can be obtained by adding the grading values of these factors together. The C statistics was 0.828 [95% CI, 0.764-0.884] and the Chi-square value is 3.6 (P=0.731>0.05) with the training group. When the threshold value was set at 198, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and concordance index were 88.8%, 67.0%, 71.8%, 86.3% and 0.558 respectively. In the external validation, the C statistics was 0.803 [95%CI, 0.738-0.867] and the Chi-square value is 11.04 (P=0.135>0.05). With the threshold value of 198, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and concordance index of the nomogram were 75.7%, 77.0%, 83.2%, 67.9%, and 0.52 respectively.Conclusions We established and validated a nomogram to predict 3-year recurrence risk of patients with EOC who achieved clinical complete remission after cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy. This nomogram with good discrimination and calibration might be useful for screening out the patients with high risk of recurrence.
Molecular epidemiology of Plasmodium falciparum by multiplexed amplicon deep sequencing in Senegal
Authors: NDIAYE Tolla , Sy Mouhamad , Gaye Amy , Siddle Katherine J. , Park Daniel J. , Bei Amy K. , Deme Awa B. , Mbaye Aminata , Dieye Baba , Ndiaye Yaye Die , Ndiaye Ibrahima Mbaye , Diallo Mamadou Alpha , Diongue Khadim , Volkman Sarah K. , Badiane Aida Sadikh , Ndiaye Daouda
Published: September 2020

Background

Molecular epidemiology can provide important information regarding the genetic diversity and transmission of Plasmodium falciparum , which can assist in designing and monitoring elimination efforts. However, malaria molecular epidemiology including understanding the genetic diversity of the parasite and performing molecular surveillance of transmission has been poorly documented in Senegal. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) offers a practical, fast and high-throughput approach to understand malaria population genetics. This study aims to unravel the population structure of P. falciparum and to estimate the allelic diversity, multiplicity of infection (MOI), and evolutionary patterns of the malaria parasite using the NGS platform.

Methods

Multiplex amplicon deep sequencing of merozoite surface protein 1 (PfMSP1) and merozoite surface protein 2 (PfMSP2) genes in fifty-three P. falciparum isolates from two epidemiologically different areas in the South and North of Senegal, was carried out.

Results

A total of 76 Pfmsp1 and 116 Pfmsp2 clones were identified and 135 different alleles were found, 56 and 79 belonged to the pfmsp1 and pfmsp2 genes, respectively. K1 and IC3D7 allelic families were most predominant in both sites. The local haplotype diversity (Hd) and nucleotide diversity (π) were higher in the South than in the North for both genes. For pfmsp1 , a high positive Tajima’s D (TD) value was observed in the South (D=2.0453) while negative TD value was recorded in the North (D=-1.46045) and F-Statistic (Fst) was 0.19505. For pfmsp2 , non-directional selection was found with a highly positive TD test in both areas and Fst was 0.02111. The mean MOI for both genes was 3.07 and 1.76 for the South and the North, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between areas ( p=0.001 ).

Conclusion

This study revealed a high genetic diversity of pfmsp1 and pfmsp2 genes and low genetic differentiation in P. falciparum population in Senegal. The MOI means were significantly different between the Southern and Northern areas. Findings also showed that multiplexed amplicon deep sequencing is a useful technique to investigate genetic diversity and molecular epidemiology of P. falciparum infections.
Towards unravelling Wolbachia global exchange: a contribution from the Bicyclus and Mylothris butterflies in the Afrotropics
Authors: Duplouy Anne , Pranter Robin , Warren-Gash Haydon , Tropek Robert , Wahlberg Niklas
Published: September 2020

Background Phylogenetically closely related strains of maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria are often found in phylogenetically divergent, and geographically distant insect host species. The interspecies transfer of the symbiont Wolbachia has been thought to have occurred repeatedly, facilitating its observed global pandemic. Few ecological interactions have been proposed as potential routes for the horizontal transfer of Wolbachia within natural insect communities. These routes are however likely to act only at the local scale, but how they may support the global distribution of some Wolbachia strains remains unclear. Results Here, we characterize the Wolbachia diversity in butterflies from the tropical forest regions of central Africa to discuss transfer at both local and global scales. We show that numerous species from both the Mylothris (family Pieridae) and Bicyclus (family Nymphalidae) butterfly genera are infected with similar Wolbachia strains, despite only minor interclade contacts across the life cycles of the species within their partially overlapping ecological niches. The phylogenetic distance and differences in resource use between these genera rule out the role of ancestry, hybridization, and shared host-plants in the interspecies transfer of the symbiont. Furthermore, we could not identify any shared ecological factors to explain the presence of the strains in other arthropod species from other habitats, or even ecoregions. Conclusion Only the systematic surveys of the Wolbachia strains from entire species communities may offer the material currently lacking for understanding how Wolbachia may transfer between highly different and unrelated hosts, as well as across environmental scales.
Etiology and antimicrobial resistance of secondary bacterial infections in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Li Jie , Wang Junwei , Yang Yi , Cai Peishan , Cao Jingchao , Cai Xuefeng , Zhang Yu
Published: September 2020

Background: A considerable proportion of patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) acquired secondary bacterial infections (SBIs). The etiology and antimicrobial resistance of bacteria were reported and used to provide a theoretical basis for appropriate infection therapy.Methods: This retrospective study reviewed electronic medical records of all the patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in the Wuhan Union Hospital between January 27 and March 17, 2020. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, patients who acquired SBIs were enrolled. Demographic, clinical course, etiology, and antimicrobial resistance data of the SBIs were collected. Outcomes were also compared between patients who were classified as severe and critical on admission.Results: Among 1495 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, 102 (6.8%) patients had acquired SBIs, and almost half of them (49.0%, 50/102) died during hospitalization. Compared with severe patients, critical patients had a higher chance of SBIs. Among the 159 strains of bacteria isolated from the SBIs, 136 strains (85.5%) were Gram-negative bacteria. The top three bacteria of SBIs were A. baumannii (35.8%, 57/159), K. pneumoniae (30.8%, 49/159), and S. maltophilia (6.3%, 10/159). The isolation rates of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae were 91.2% and 75.5%, respectively. Meticillin resistance was present in 100% of Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase negative staphylococci, and vancomycin resistance was not found.Conclusions: SBIs may occur in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and lead to high mortality. The incidence of SBIs was associated with the severity of illness on admission. Gram-negative bacteria, especially A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae, were the main bacteria, and the resistance rates of the major isolated bacteria were generally high. This was a single-center study; thus, our results should be externally examined when applied in other institutions.
The relationship between intraoperative cerebral oximetry and postoperative delirium in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a retrospective study
Authors: Lim Leerang , Nam Karam , Lee Seohee , Cho Youn Joung , Yeom Chan-Woo , Jung Sang Hyup , Moon Jung Yoon , Jeon Yunseok
Published: September 2020

Background Cerebral oximetry has been widely used to measure regional oxygen saturation in brain tissue, especially during cardiac surgery. Despite its popularity, there have been inconsistent results on the use of cerebral oximetry during cardiac surgery, and few studies have evaluated cerebral oximetry during off pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OPCAB). Methods To evaluate the relationship between intraoperative cerebral oximetry and postoperative delirium in patients who underwent OPCAB, we included 1,439 patients who underwent OPCAB between October 2004 and December 2016 and among them, 815 patients with sufficient data on regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) were enrolled in this study. We retrospectively analysed perioperative variables and the reduction in rSO2 below cut-off values of 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 40%, and 35%. Furthermore, we evaluated the relationship between the reduction in rSO2 and postoperative delirium. Results Delirium occurred in 105 of 815 patients. In both univariable and multivariable analyses, the duration of rSO2 reduction was significantly longer in patients with delirium at cut-offs of <50% and 45% (for every 5 min, adjusted odds ratio(OR) 1.007 [95% Confidence interval (CI) 1.001 to 1.014] and adjusted OR 1.012 [1.003 to 1.021]; p=0.024 and 0.011, respectively). The proportion of patients with an rSO2 reduction <45% was significantly higher among those with delirium (adjusted OR 1.737[1.064 to 2.836], p=0.027). Conclusions In patients undergoing OPCAB, intraoperative rSO2 reduction was associated with postoperative delirium. Duration of rSO2 less than 50% was 40% longer in the patients with postoperative delirium. The cut-off value of intraoperative rSO2 that associated with postoperative delirium was 50% for the total patient population and 55% for the patients younger than 68 years.
Transcatheter arterial embolization is efficient and safe for paediatric blunt torso trauma: a case-control study
Authors: Gakumazawa Masayasu , Toida Chiaki , Muguruma Takashi , Yogo Naoki , Shinohara Mafumi , Takeuchi Ichiro
Published: September 2020

Background: It remains unclear whether transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is as safe and effective for paediatric patients with blunt torso trauma as it is for adults in Japan, owing to few trauma cases and sporadic case reports. The study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of TAE in paediatric patients (age ≤ 15 years) with blunt torso trauma to those of TAE in adult patients. Methods: This was a single-centre, retrospective chart review study that included blunt torso trauma patients who underwent TAE in the trauma centre from 2012 to 2017. The comparative study was carried out between a “paediatric patient group” and an “adult patient group”.The outcome measures for TAE were the success of haemorrhage control and complications and standardised mortality ratio (SMR).Results: A total of 504 patients with blunt torso trauma were transported to the trauma centre. Among them, 23% (N=114) of patients with blunt torso trauma underwent TAE, including 15 paediatric and 99 adult patients. There was no significant difference between the use of TAE in paediatric and adult patients with blunt torso trauma (29% vs. 22%, P=.221). The median age was 11 (IQR 7–14) years for paediatric patients. The predicted mortality (PMR) rate and SMR for paediatric patients were lower than that for adult patients (18.3% vs. 25.9%, P =.026, and 0.37 vs. 0.54). The rate of effective haemorrhage control without repeated TAE or additional surgical intervention was 93% in paediatric patients, which was similar to that in adult patients (88%). There were no complications in the paediatric patients at our centre. There were no significant differences in the proportion of paediatric patients that underwent surgery before TAE or urgent blood transfusion (33% vs. 26%, P =.566, or 67% vs. 85%, P =.084).Conclusions: It is possible to provide an equal level of care related to TAE for both paediatric and adult patients as it relates to TAE for blunt torso trauma with haemorrhage in the trauma centre. We should prepare alternative haemorrhage control procedures as soon as possible whenever the patients reach a hemodynamic unstable state.