bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic changes of D-Dimer and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Count Ratio as prognostic biomarkers in COVID-19
Authors: Ye Wenjing , Chen Guoxi , Li Xiaopan , Lan Xing , Ji Chen , Hou Min , Zhang Di , Zeng Guangwang , Wang Yaling , Xu Cheng , Lu Weiwei , Cui Ruolin , Cai Yuyang , Huang Hai , Yang Ling
Published: June 2020

Background Since December 2019, the outbreak of COVID-19 caused a large number of hospital admissions in China. Many patients with COVID-19 have symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome, even are in danger of death. This is the first study to evaluate dynamic changes of D-Dimer and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Count Ratio (NLR) as a prognostic utility in patients with COVID-19 for clinical use. Methods In a retrospective study, we collected data from 349 hospitalized patients who diagnosed as the infection of the COVID-19 in Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital. We used ROC curves and Cox regression analysis to explore critical value (optimal cut-off point associated with Youden index) and prognostic role of dynamic changes of D-Dimer and NLR. Results 349 participants were enrolled in this study and the mortality rate of the patients with laboratory diagnosed COVID-19 was 14.9%. The initial and peak value of D-Dimer and NLR in deceased patients were higher statistically compared with survivors (P<0.001). There was a more significant upward trend of D-Dimer and NLR during hospitalization in the deceased patients, initial D-Dimer and NLR were lower than the peak tests (MD) -25.23, 95% CI: -31.81- -18.64, P <0.001; (MD) -43.73, 95% CI:-59.28- -31.17, P <0.001. The test showed a stronger correlation between hospitalization days, PCT and peak D-Dimer than initial D-Dimer. The areas under the ROC curves of peak D-Dimer and peak NLR tests were higher than the initial tests (0.94(95%CI: 0.90-0.98) vs. 0.80 (95% CI: 0.73-0.87); 0.93 (95%CI:0.90-0.96) vs. 0.86 (95%CI:0.82-0.91). The critical value of initial D-Dimer, peak D-Dimer, initial NLR and peak NLR was 0.73 mg/L, 3.78 mg/L,7.13 and 14.31 respectively. 35 (10.03%) patients were intubated. In the intubated patients, initial and peak D-Dimer and NLR were much higher than non-intubated patients (P<0.001). The critical value of initial D-Dimer, peak D-Dimer, initial NLR and peak NLR in prognosticate of intubation was 0.73 mg/L, 12.75 mg/L,7.28 and 27.55. The multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that age (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.07, P=0.01), the peak D-Dimer (HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.04, P<0.001) were prognostic factors for COVID-19 patients’death. Conclusions To dynamically observe the ratio of D-Dimer and NLR was more valuable during the prognosis of COVID-19. The rising trend in D-Dimer and NLR, or the test results higher than the critical values may indicate a risk of death for participants with COVID-19.
Use of Resuscitation promoting factors to screen for tuberculosis infection in household-exposed children in The Gambia
Authors: Loon Welmoed Van , Gomez Marie P , Jobe Dawda , Franken Kees CLMC , Ottenhoff Tom HM , Corninx Michael , Kestens Luc , Sutherland Jayne , Kampmann Beate , Djomkam Leopold Tientcheu
Published: June 2020

Background Interferon-γ release assays (IGRA) with Resuscitation promoting factor (Rpf) proteins enhanced tuberculosis (TB) screening and diagnosis in adults but have not been evaluated in children. Children often develop paucibacillary TB and their immune response differs from that of adults, which together affect TB disease diagnostics and immunodiagnostics. We assessed the ability of Rpf to identify infection among household TB-exposed children in The Gambia and investigated their ability to discriminate Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) infection from active TB disease in children.Methods Detailed clinical investigations were done on 93 household TB-exposed Gambian children and a tuberculin skin test (TST) was administered to asymptomatic children. Venous blood was collected for overnight stimulation with ESAT-6/CFP-10-fusion protein (EC), purified protein derivative and RpfA, B, C, D and E. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production was measured by ELISA in supernatants and corrected for the background level. Infection status was defined by IGRA with EC and TB disease by mycobacterial confirmation and/or clinical diagnosis. We compared IFN-γ levels between infected and uninfected children and between infected and TB diseased children using a binomial logistic regression model while correcting for age and sex. A Receiver Operating Characteristics analysis was done to find the best cut-off for IFN-γ level and calculate sensitivity and specificity. Results Interferon gamma production was significantly higher in infected (IGRA+, n=45) than in uninfected (IGRA-, n=20) children after stimulation with RpfA, B, C, and D (P = 0.03; 0.007; 0.03 and 0.003, respectively). Using RpfB and D-specific IFN-γ cut-offs (33.9 pg/mL and 67.0 pg/mL), infection was classified with a sensitivity-specificity combination of 73%-92% and 77%-72% respectively, which was similar to and better than 65%-75% for TST. Moreover, IFN-γ production was higher in infected than in TB diseased children (n=28, 5 bacteriologically confirmed, 23 clinically diagnosed), following RpfB and D stimulation (P = 0.02 and 0.03, respectively). Conclusion RpfB and RpfD show promising results for childhood MTBC infection screening, and both performed similar to and better than the TST in our study population. Additionally, both antigens appear to discriminate between infection and disease in children and thus warrant further investigation as screening and diagnostic antigens for childhood TB.
Functional hyperemia drives fluid exchange in the paravascular space
Authors: Kedarasetti Ravi , Turner Kevin L. , Echagarruga Christina , Gluckman Bruce J. , Drew Patrick J. , Costanzo Francesco
Published: June 2020

The brain lacks a conventional lymphatic system to remove metabolic waste. It has been proposed that fluid movement through the arteriolar paravascular space (PVS) promotes metabolite clearance. We performed simulations to understand how arteriolar pulsations and dilations, and brain deformability affect PVS fluid flow. In simulations with compliant brain tissue, arteriolar pulsations did not drive appreciable flows in the PVS. However, when the arteriole dilated as in functional hyperemia, there was a marked movement of fluid. Simulations suggest that functional hyperemia may also serve to increase fluid exchange between the PVS and the subarachnoid space. We measured blood vessels and brain tissue displacement simultaneously in awake, head-fixed mice using two-photon microscopy. These measurements showed that brain deforms in response to pressure changes in PVS, as predicted by simulations. Our results show that the deformability of the brain tissue needs to be accounted for when studying fluid flow and metabolite transport.Acknowledgements: This work was supported by NSF Grant CBET 1705854.
Comparing the differences in three measures of healthy life expectancy among prefectures in Japan.
Authors: TAIRA KAZUYA , Ogata Soshiro , Kamide Kei
Published: June 2020

Objective: An ecological study using secondary open data from Japanese government statistics was conducted. The study aimed to verify differences in three measures of healthy life expectancy (HLE); namely, disability-free life expectancy without activity limitation (DFLE-AL), life expectancy with self-perceived health (LE-SH), and disability-free life expectancy without care need (DFLE-CN).Results: Each HLE from 47 prefectures in 2010, 2013, and 2016 was extended over time. There were strong Cronbach’s coefficient alpha (α) between DFLE-AL and LE-SH (Minimum α; 0.80, Maximum α;0.90) as well as between LE and DFLE-CN (Minimum α; 0.92, Maximum α; 0.99) in both sexes in every data year. However, the other pairs had weaker associations. In regression analysis with each HLE as a dependent variable and aging rate, mortality, the proportion of unhealthy people as independent variables, the subjective unhealthy rate had significant standardized partial regression coefficients (β) in models with DFLE-AL and LE-SH as dependent variables (Minimum β; -0.56, Maximum β; -0.34). Therefore, DFLE-CN tended to differ from the other HLEs. The subjective unhealthy rate had a significant influence on DFLE-AL and LE-SH.
Circ_0084927 promotes cervical carcinogenesis by sponging miR-1179 that suppresses CDK2, a cell cycle-related gene
Authors: Qu Xinhua , Zhu Liumei , Song Linlin , Liu Shaohua
Published: June 2020

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is a highly malignant tumor. Evolving researches on CC have unveiled a concept that circRNA exerts important roles in CC progression. In this study, we mainly explored the role of a novel circRNA, circ_0084927, and its regulatory network in the development of CC. Methods: qRT-PCR was applied to evaluate the expression of circ_0084927, miR-1179 and CDK2 mRNA in CC tissues and cells. Dual-luciferase reporting experiments and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were conducted to validate the target relationship of miR-1179 with circ_0084927 and CDK2 mRNA. CCK-8 and BrdU assay was used to evaluate CC cell proliferation. The adhesion and apoptosis phenotypes of CC cells were measured by cell-matrix adhesion and caspase 3 activation assay. Flow cytometry was employed to detect CC cell cycle. Results: Our results indicated that circ_0084927 was up-regulated in CC tissues and cells, and circ_0084927 silence inhibited CC cell proliferation and adhesion, while facilitating apoptosis as well as triggering cell cycle arrest. On the other hand, miR-1179 down-regulation appeared in CC tissues. Additionally, circ_0084927 abolished miR-1179’s inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and adhesion. Our study showed that CDK2 was up-regulated in CC tissues and played a cancer-promoting role. Furthermore, miR-1179 directly targeted CDK2, thereby inhibiting CDK2’s promotion on the malignant phenotypes of CC cells. circ_0084927 revoked the inhibitory effect of miR-1179 on CDK2 by sponging miR-1179. Conclusion: Circ_0084927 promoted cervical carcinogenesis by sequestering miR-1179 that directly targeted CDK2. Our results shed light on the circ_0084927/miR-1179/CDK2 regulatory network that strengthened CC aggressiveness, providing novel candidate targets for CC treatment.
High-Quality Genome Sequence Assembly of R.A73 Enterococcus faecium Isolated from Freshwater fish mucus Exhibiting high Probiotic Potential
Authors: Jeni Rim El , Ghedira Kais , Bour Monia El , Abdelhak Sonia , Kahla Alia Ben , Bouhaouala-Zahar Balkiss
Published: June 2020

Background: Whole-genome sequencing using high throughput technologies has revolutionized and speeded up the scientific investigation of bacterial genetics, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Lactic acid bacteria (LABs) have been extensively used in fermentation and more recently as probiotics in food products that promote health. Genome sequencing and functional genomics investigations of LABs varieties provide rapid and important information about their diversity and their evolution, revealing a significant molecular basis.This study investigates the whole genome sequences of the Enterococcus faecium genome (HG937697), isolated from the mucus of freshwater fish in Tunisian dams. Genomic DNA was extracted using the Quick-GDNA kit (Zymoresearch) and sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq2500 system. Sequences quality assessment was performed using FastQC software. The complete genome annotation was carried out with the RAST web server then NCBI PGAAP. Results: The Enterococcus faecium R.A73 assembled in 28 contigs consisting of 2,935,283 bps. The genome annotation revealed 2,884 genes in total including 2,834 coding sequences and 50 RNAs containing 3 rRNAs (one rRNA 16s, one rRNA 23s and one rRNA 5s) and 47 tRNAs. Twenty-two genes implicated in bacteriocin production are identified within the Enterococcus faecium R.A73 genome.Conclusions: Data obtained provide insights to further investigate the effective strategy for testing this Enterococcus faecium R.A73 strain in the industrial manufacturing process. Studying their metabolism with bioinformatics tools represents the future challenge and contribution to improving the utilization of the multi-purpose bacteria in food.
When altruists cannot help: The influence of altruism on the mental health of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Feng Yi , Zong Min , Yang Zhizun , Gu Wen , Dong Dan , Qiao Zhihong
Published: June 2020

Background: The positive predictive effect of altruism on physical and psychological well-being has been extensively demonstrated in previous studies, but few studies have examined the effect of altruism on negative mental health outcomes when altruists cannot perform altruistic behaviours. This study explored the influence of altruism on negative affect and mental health (anxiety and depressive symptoms) during the COVID-19 pandemic while people self-isolated at home in China.Method: University students were recruited to participate in a cross-sectional online survey during the outbreak of COVID-19 in China. Self-reported perceived risk, altruism, negative affect, anxiety and depressive symptoms were measured using the Self-Report Altruism Scale (SRA scale), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale (PHQ-9). A structural equation model was used to analyse the mediating and moderating effects on mental health. Results: The final sample comprised 1346 Chinese participants (Mage = 19.76 ± 2.23 years, 73% female). Overall, the higher the risk the participants perceived, the more negative affect they exhibited (β = 0.16, p < .001), and thus, the more anxious and depressed they felt (β = 0.134, p < .001); however, this relationship between risk perception and negative affect was moderated by altruism. In contrast to previous studies, the increase in negative affect associated with the increased perceived risk was pronounced among individuals with high altruism (t = 7.68, p < .001). Conclusions: Individuals with high altruism exhibited more negative affect than those with low altruism, which indirectly increased their anxiety and depressive symptoms. These findings enrich theories of altruism and provide valuable insight into the influence of altruism on mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.
A 31-bp Indel in the 5' UTR region of the GNB1L gene is significantly associated with chicken body weight and carcass traits
Authors: Ren Tuanhui , Yang Ying , Lin Wujian , Li Wangyu , Xian Mingjian , Fu Rong , Zhang Zihao , Mo Guodong , Luo Wen , Zhang Xiquan
Published: June 2020

Background: G-protein subunit beta 1 like (GNB1L) can encode a G-protein beta-subunit-like polypeptide, the chicken GNB1L gene is up-regulated in the breast muscle of high-feed efficiency chickens, and its expression is 1.52-fold that of low-feed efficiency chickens. However, there are no reports describing the effects of GNB1L gene Indel on the chicken carcass and growth traits. Results: This study identified a 31-bp Indel in 5' UTR of the GNB1L gene and elucidated the effect of this gene mutation on the carcass and growth traits in chickens. The results showed that the 31-bp Indel was highly significant associations with body weight at 8 different stages, and also significantly correlated with daily gain of 0 to 4 weeks and 4 to 8 weeks. Similarly, the mutation was significantly associated with small intestine length, breast width, breast deep and breast muscle weight in carcass traits. Moreover, DD and ID are inferior genotypes for the growth and carcass traits of chickens. Conclusions: In a word, these results show that the 31-bp Indel of GNB1L gene is significantly affected chicken body weight and carcass traits, and can serve as a candidate molecular marker for chicken genetics and breeding programs.
Enhanced therapeutic effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells after prolonged treatment for HBV-related liver failure and liver cirrhosis
Authors: Jia Yifan , Shu Xin , Yang Xiaoan , sun Haixia , Cao Huijuan , Cao Hong , Zhang Ka , Xu Qihuan , Li Gang , Yang Yang
Published: June 2020

Background: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) on HBV-related liver failure and liver cirrhosis and to compare the different efficacies of UCMSCs after different treatment courses. Methods: This was an observational study that retrospectively considered a three-year period during which 513 patients who received stem cell infusion met the criteria of hepatic failure and liver cirrhosis were identified from databases of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Eligible patients were categorized into the liver failure group and liver cirrhosis group. The two groups were divided into different subgroups according to the times of stem cell therapy. In the liver failure group, group A received more than 4 weeks and group B received less than 4 weeks. In the liver cirrhosis group, patients who received more than 4 weeks of stem cell therapy belonged to group C, and group D received less than 4 weeks. The patients were followed up for 24 weeks. The demographics, clinical characteristics, biochemical factors, and MELD scores were recorded and compared among different groups. Results: A total of 64 patients met the criteria of liver failure, and 59 patients met the criteria of liver cirrhosis. After UCMSC treatments, the levels of ALT, AST, and TBIL at all postbaseline time points were significantly lower than those at baseline in the liver failure group and liver cirrhosis group; the PTA and MELD scores only gradually improved in the liver failure group. Four weeks after UCMSC treatment, patients with prolonged treatment with UCMSCs had higher TBIL decline levels than patients who terminated treatment with UCMSCs. After more than 4 weeks of UCMSC treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in the levels of change for ALT, AST, TBIL, PTA value and the MELD score between patients with liver failure with prolonged treatment with UCMSCs and patients with liver cirrhosis with prolonged treatment with UCMSCs at all observation weeks. However, the median decline and cumulative decline in the TBIL level of patients with liver failure with a standard 4-week treatment course were higher than those of patients with liver cirrhosis with a standard 4-week treatment course. Conclusion: Peripheral infusion of UCMSCs showed good therapeutic effects for HBV-related liver failure and liver cirrhosis. Prolonging the treatment course can increase the curative effect of UCMSCs for end-stage liver disease, especially for patients with cirrhosis.
WITHDRAWN: Genome-wide association study on root traits under different cultivation patterns in wheat
Authors: Xu Fengdan , Chen Shulin , Yang Xiwen , Zhou Sumei , Chen Xu , Wang Junsen , Zhang Ziliang , Huang Yuan , Song Miao , Han Shaoyu , Zhan Kehui , He Dexian
Published: June 2020

Background
Roots are critical for water and nutrient acquisition, environmental adaptation and yield formation.
Results
Here, 196 accessions from Yellow and Huai Winter Wheat Region (YHW) of China were collected for investigating the performance of six root traits under three cultivation patterns—Indoor Hydroponic Culture (IHC), Outdoor Hydroponic Culture (OHC) and Outdoor Pot Culture (OPC) at different growth stages—for three consecutive years. In the same growth period, OPC root traits always varied greatly, followed by OHC and IHC. The correlation coefficients between IHC and OPC at stooling stage (SS) were lower (0.016 ~ 0.278) than those between OHC and OPC (0.29 ~ 0.378). Root traits were negatively correlated grain yield (GY), the canonical correlation coefficient between root traits and yield was the highest (0.232) at SS. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) was furtherly conducted by a wheat 660K SNP array. It was revealed that 1105 SNP loci were significantly associated with root traits. A co-localized chromosomal segment regulating total root length (TRL) was detected on chromosome 4A, spanning from 737.85 to 742.00 Mb, under different cultivation patterns at stooling stage. Another co-localization region regulating total root area (TRA) was detected on chromosome 5A, an approximately 6.17 ~ 18.76 Mb region at SS, wintering stage (WT) and jointing stage (JS) under OPC. LD analysis and blast comparison revealed 27 and 31 genes related to root development were found from these two segments, respectively. Among them, TraesCS4A02G493900, TraesCS4A02G494200, TraesCS5A02G021700, TraesCS5A02G021800 and TraesCS5A02G011600 were predicted to be highly expressed in root.
Conclusion
This work could deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of root development under different cultivation patterns in common wheat.
Transcriptome and metabolite profiling reveals the effects of Funneliformis mosseae on the roots of continuously cropped soybeans
Authors: Lu Cheng-Cheng , Guo Na , Yang Chao , Sun Hai-Bing , Cai Baiyan
Published: June 2020

Background
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are the most widely distributed mycorrhizal fungi, which can form mycorrhizal symbionts with plant roots and enhance plant stress resistance by regulating host metabolic activities. In this paper, the RNA sequencing and ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) technologies were used to study the transcriptome and metabolite profiles of the roots of continuously cropped soybeans that were infected with F. mosseae and F. oxysporum. The objective was to explore the effects of F. mosseae treatment on soybean root rot infected with F. oxysporum.
Results
According to the transcriptome profiles, 24285 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and the expression of genes encoding phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), trans-cinnamate monooxygenase (CYP73A), cinnamyl-CoA reductase (CCR), chalcone isomerase (CHI) and coffee-coenzyme o-methyltransferase were upregulated after being infected with F. oxysporum; these changes were key to the induction of the soybean’s defence response. The metabolite results showed that daidzein and 7,4-dihydroxy, 6-methoxy isoflavone (glycine), which are involved in the isoflavone metabolic pathway, were upregulated after the roots were inoculated with F. mosseae. In addition, a substantial alteration in the abundance of amino acids, phenolic and terpene metabolites all led to the synthesis of defence compounds. An integrated analysis of the metabolic and transcriptomic data revealed that substantial alterations in the abundance of most of the intermediate metabolites and enzymes changed substantially under pathogen infection. These changes included the isoflavonoid biosynthesis pathway, which suggests that isoflavonoid biosynthesis plays an important role in the soybean root response.
Conclusion
The results showed that F. mosseae could alleviate the root rot caused by continuous cropping. The increased activity of some disease-resistant genes and disease-resistant metabolites may partly account for the ability of the plants to resist diseases. This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanism by which AMF alleviates soybean root rot, which is important in agriculture.
Full Snapshot Reconstruction in Hybrid Architecture Antenna Arrays
Authors: Trigka Maria , Mavrokefalidis Christos , Berberidis Kostas
Published: June 2020

In the context of this research work, we study the so-called problem of full snapshot reconstruction in hybrid antenna array structures that are utilized in mmWave communication systems. It enables the recovery of the snapshots that would have been obtained if a conventional (non-hybrid) Uniform Linear Antenna (ULA) array was employed. The problem is considered at the receiver side where the hybrid architecture exploits in a novel way antenna elements of a uniform linear array. To this end, the recommended scheme is properly designed so as to be applicable to overlapping and non-overlapping architectures. Moreover, the full snapshot recoverability is addressed for two cases, namely, for time-varying and constant signal sources. Simulation results are also presented to illustrate the consistency between the theoretically predicted behaviors and the simulated results, and the performance of the proposed scheme in terms Angle-of-Arrival (AoA) estimation, when compared to the conventional MUSIC algorithm and a recently proposed hybrid version of MUSIC (H-MUSIC).
CONUT score is associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19: a retrospective study in Wuhan
Authors: Wang Ruoran , He Min , Yue Jirong , Bai Lang , Liu Dan , Huang Zhixin , Zhu Ting , Kang Yan
Published: June 2020

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, outbreak in Wuhan, China, has led to a global pandemic. The high mortality of COVID-19 patients makes it significant to evaluate possible disease progression. This study was designed to explore the prognostic value of Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score in patients with COVID-19.
Methods

Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 of a single center in Wuhan, China from January 2020 to February 2020 were enrolled in this study. Logistic regression analysis was performed to find independent risk factor of mortality. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the prognostic value of CONUT score.
Results

Among 442 included patients, there were 79 non-survivors with mortality of 17.9%. Compared with survivors, the median age (p < 0.001) and male ratio (p = 0.042) were higher in non-survivors. Non-survivors had higher incidence of comorbidities including hypertension (p < 0.001), chronic lung disease (p = 0.001) and cardiovascular disease (p = 0.005). Complications such as respiratory failure(p < 0.001), acute kidney injury (AKI) (p < 0.001) occurred more frequently in non-survivors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CONUT (p = 0.002), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p < 0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.020) were risk factor of mortality in COVID-19 patients. Area under the ROC curve (AUC) of CONUT and Nutrition risk screening 2002 (NRS2002) score were 0.813 and 0.795, respectively. Comprised of CONUT, LDH, CRP, the constructed prognostic model had higher AUC of 0.923 (Z = 3.5210, p < 0.001).
Conclusion

CONUT is an independent risk factor of mortality in COVID-19 patients. Evaluating CONUT is beneficial for clinicians to predict the progression of COVID-19 patients and strengthen monitoring and management to improve prognosis.
Actin Polymerization State Regulates Osteogenic Differentiation in Human Adipose-derived Stem Cells
Authors: Sun Bing , Jiang Xin , Qu Rongmei , Fan Tingyu , Yang Yuchao , Khan Asmat Ullah , Zhou Zhitao , Ouyang Jun , dai jingxing
Published: June 2020

Background:Actin is an essential cellular protein that assembles into microfilaments and regulates numerous processes such as cell migration, maintenance of cell shape, and material transport. In this study, we explored the effect of actin polymerization state on the osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs). Methods:The hASCs were treated with different concentrations (0, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 nM)of jasplakinolide (JAS), a reagent that directly polymerizes F-actin.The effects ofthe actin polymerization state on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and the maturity of focal adhesion-related proteins were assessed. In addition, western blotting and alizarin red staining assays were performed to assess osteogenic differentiation. Results: These results revealed that cell proliferation and migration in the JAS (0, 1, 5, 10, and 20 nM) groupswashigher than that inthe control group andthe JAS (50 nM) group.The protein expressionof focal adhesion kinase, vinculin, paxillin, and talinwere highest in the JAS (20 nM) group, whilezyxin expression was highestinthe JAS (50 nM) group.Western blottingshowed thatosteogenic differentiation in theJAS (0, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 nM) groupswas enhanced compared with that in thecontrol group, and was strongest inthe JAS (50 nM) group.Conclusions: Our data suggest thatthe actinpolymerization state may promote the osteogenic differentiation of hASCs by regulating the protein expression of focal adhesion-associated proteins in a concentration-dependent manner. Our findings provide valuable information for exploring the mechanism of osteogenic differentiationin hASCs.
Gender Difference Analysis of Xp11.2 Translocation Renal Cell Carcinomas’s Attack Rate
Authors: Zhuang Wenyuan , Liu Ning , Guo Hongqian , Gan Weidong , Zhang Chunni
Published: June 2020

Background
Xp11.2 translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) is recently recognized. As Xp11.2 tRCC involved gene translocation and fusion in X chromosome and the number of X chromosomes in female is twice of male, we wondered whether the gender difference of attack rate is consistent with the proportion of the X chromosome.
Methods
In the present paper, meta-analysis was performed to find out the difference of morbidity between male and female.
Results
9 studies with 209 cases calculated. Odds ratios (ORs) and ORs with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for attack rate of Xp11.2 RCC with different gender. The result showed that the attack rate of female was higher than that of male with pooled OR of 2.84 (95% CI = 1.48–5.45), while the rate rises even further in adult (OR = 3.37, 95% CI = 2.19–5.18). In other types of common kidney cancer, the OR value is less than 1, which means that the incidence of female is lower than that of male.
Conclusions
The result showed that the incidence rate of female patients is much higher than that of male patients with Xp11.2 tRCC, it was reasonable to indicate that this particular incidence rate is related to the X chromosome.
The Herbst Appliance and its Modifications - Prevalence and Individuality
Authors: Karbach Mareike , Zöller Claudia , Zöller Georg , Wehrbein Heinrich , Erbe Christina
Published: June 2020

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the use of modified, cast splint Herbst appliances for the treatment of skeletal class II and as an alternative to surgical bite correction over a period of five years.Materials and methods: The patient cases all originate from the patients of the Department of Orthodontics at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany and the orthodontic practice Dres. Zöller, Kaiserslautern, Germany. Inclusion criteria were orthodontic treatment with the Herbst appliance and its modifications. The type of modification, number and frequency of the different modifications were determined on the basis of patient files, X-ray documents, photos and models. Results: Of a total of 2881 new admissions over a period of five years, 1751 patients came from the Department of Orthodontics at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and 1130 from the orthodontic practice in Kaiserslautern. A total of 336 patients were treated with a Herbst appliance during the period mentioned. 14 (13 %) of the cases from the Herbst patient collective of the University Medical Center and 45 (19 %) of the cases from the orthodontic practice were classified as modifications. The following modifications could be determined in descending order: University Medical Center Mainz: Herbst for anchoring during space closure (65 %) > distalization (14 %) ≥ Bar construction as a space maintainer (14 %) > Herbst applicance for anchoring for the adjustment of impacted teeth (7 %); orthodontic practice Kaiserslautern: Herbst appliance with quadhelix in the maxilla (42 %) > distalization (27 %) > space closure (15 %) > bar construction as a space maintainer (9 %) > adjustment of impacted teeth (7 %), multiple modifications occurred at 11 %. The combination of quadhelix and Herbst appliance as well as multiple modifications have not yet been used in the University Medical Center Mainz. As an alternative to dysgnathia surgery, 23 adult patients (> 18 years) from the University Medical Center and 22 from the orthodontic practice were treated with a Herbst appliance.Conclusion: Nearly 12 % of Herbst appliances are used in everyday orthodontic practice and almost 18 % of these are used with modification(s). The high anchoring quality and force-effect geometry of the Herbst appliance is suitable for combining and treating various other treatment tasks in addition to the classical treatment task of class II therapy.
Manganese-enhanced MRI depicts a reduction in brain response to nociception by mTOR inhibition in chronic pain rats
Authors: Cha Myeounghoon , Choi Songyeon , Kim Kyeongmin , Lee Bae Hwan
Published: June 2020

Neuropathic pain induced by a nerve injury could lead to chronic pain. Recent studies have reported hyperactive neural activities in the nociceptive-related area of the brain as a result of chronic pain. Although cerebral activities associated with hyperalgesia and allodynia in the chronic pain model were difficult to represent with functional imaging techniques, advances in manganese (Mn)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) could facilitate the visualization of the activation of pain-specific neural responses in the cerebral cortex. In order to investigate the alleviation of pain nociception by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) modulation, we observed the cerebrocortical excitability changes and compared the regional Mn 2+ enhancement after mTOR inhibitions. At day 7 after nerve injury, drugs were applied into the intracortical area, and drug (Vehicle, Torin1 and XL388) effects were compared within groups using MEMRI. In the results, signal intensities of the insular cortex (IC), primary somatosensory cortex of the hind limb region (S1HL), motor cortex 1/2 (M1/2), and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) regions were significantly reduced after application of mTOR inhibitors (Torin1 and XL388). Furthermore, the rostral-caudal analysis of the IC indicated that the rostral region of the IC was more associated with pain perception than caudal region. Our data suggest that MEMRI could present the pain-related signal changes in the brain, and mTOR inhibition is closely correlated with pain modulation in chronic pain rats.
Development and Testing of a 3D-Printable Polylactic Acid Device to Optimize a Water Bioremediation Process
Authors: Marconi Patricia Laura , Trentini Andrea , Zawoznik Myriam , Nadra Carlos , Mercadé Juan Manuel , Novoa Juan Sanchez , Orozco Daniel , Groppa María Daniela
Published: June 2020

In the present work, a remediation bioprocess based on the use of a native isolate of Chlorella vulgaris immobilized in an alginate matrix inside a polylactic acid (PLA) device is proposed. This microalga immobilized in alginate beads was previously shown to be useful for the reduction of several chemical and microbial contaminants present in the highly polluted water from the Matanza-Riachuelo watershed. However, these beads had a relatively short shelf life in the natural environment. To overcome this limitation, a 3D-printed PLA device was designed and tested. PLA is a biocompatible and biodegradable material suitable for biotechnological applications. We used Erlenmeyers and stirred-tank bioreactors fed with Murashige Skoog (MS) culture medium or water from the Cildáñez stream (one of the water bodies of the aforementioned watershed) to estimate the growth kinetics parameters and the bioremediation capacity of immobilized-microalgal cells as an unconfined system (UcS) or a confined system (CfS) inside PLA devices. Although alga’s growth parameters were maximum in the UcS fed with MS medium as substrate, successful bioremediation of the target water was possible using the CfS: all inorganic nitrogen forms and total phosphorus were reduced at least by 90% after 5 days of bioprocess in an agitated bioreactor, whereas aerobic mesophilic bacteria decreased by about 85%. The number of coliforms also decreased. Standardized cytotoxicity tests using Allium cepa seeds confirmed the high degree of decontamination achieved by the use of immobilized microalga confined in a 3D-printable PLA-device.
Trem2 Y38C Mutation and Loss of Trem2 Impairs Neuronal Synapses in Adult Mice
Authors: Jadhav Vaishnavi S. , Lin Peter BC. , Xu Guixiang , Pennington Taylor , Prisco Gonzalo Viana Di , Jannu Asha Jacob , Moutinho Miguel , Zhang Jie , Atwood Brady K. , Puntambekar Shweta S. , Bissel Stephanie J. , Oblak Adrian L. , Landreth Gary E. , Lamb Bruce T
Published: June 2020

Background:Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is expressed in the brain exclusively on microglia and genetic variants are linked to neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and NasuHakola Disease (NHD). The Trem2 variantR47H, confers substantially elevated risk of developing late onset Alzheimer’s disease, while NHD-linkedTrem2 variants like Y38Care associated with development of early onset dementia with white matter pathology. However, it is not known how these Trem2species predispose individuals to presenile dementia.Methods:To investigate if Trem2 Y38C or loss of Trem2 alters neuronal function, we generated a novel mouse model to introduce the NHD Trem2 Y38C variant in murine Trem2 using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Trem2Y38/Y38C and Trem2-/-mice were assessed for Trem2 expression, differentially expressed genes, synaptic protein levels and synaptic plasticity using biochemical, electrophysiological and transcriptomic approaches.Results:While mice harboring Trem2 Y38C exhibited normal expression levels of Trem2, the pathological outcomes phenocopied Trem2-/- miceat 6 months. Transcriptomic analysis revealed altered expression of neuronal and oligodendrocytes/myelin genes. We observed regional decreases in synaptic protein levels, with the most affected synapses in the hippocampus. These alterations were associated with reduced synaptic plasticity. Conclusion:Our findings provide in vivo evidence that Trem2 Y38C disrupts normal TREM2 functions. Trem2Y38C/Y38Cand Trem2-/- mice demonstrated altered gene expression, changes in microglia morphology, loss of synaptic proteins and reduced hippocampal synaptic plasticity at 6 months in absence of any pathological triggers like tau or amyloid. This suggests TREM2 impacts neuronal functions and providesmolecular insights on the predisposition of individuals with TREM2 variants resulting in presenile dementia.
Development of a Superstructure Optimization Framework for the Design of Municipal Solid Waste Facilities
Authors: Puchongkawarin Channarong
Published: June 2020

The main objective of this study is to develop a decision-making tool for the design of the optimal municipal solid waste (MSW) facilities based on superstructure optimization. Currently, the disposal of MSW is a major problem due to the lack of awareness of the negative impacts resulting from dumping MSW into the environment. This poses a challenge for the authorities. MSW valorization such as anaerobic digestion (AD), pyrolysis, gasification etc has been increasingly focused on as an approach when handling MSW to enhance both economic and environmental sustainability. However, with an increasing array of processing technologies, the design of MSW facilities involving the integration of these technologies is becoming tedious and unmanageable. To deal with this problem, superstructure optimization is proposed. It is an effective tool for the design of several chemical processes because it is able to consider all potential process alternatives including the optimal solution using mathematical models based on mass and energy balances. Uncertainty is incorporated into the optimization framework to enhance the robustness of the solution. The proposed methodology was applied in the design process of the MSW facility in Ubon Rathathani province, Thailand, with the objective function of maximizing the profit. The optimization problem was developed as Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) and it was solved using an optimization platform, GAMS, with CPLEX as the solver related to obtaining the optimal solution. The results show there to be as positive profit that is economically viable compared to the use of landfill technology.
Study on the Epidemiological Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Based on Population of Zunyi, China
Authors: Chen Zuyi , Chen Zehui , Xiang Jialin , Huang Jian , Zhou Jie , Zhang Qiang , Zhang Jiao , Min Zongsu , Xiao Daimin , Min Xun
Published: June 2020

BackgroundSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new type of virus that firstly confirmed in Wuhan, China recently. SARS-CoV-2 mainly spread through droplets. Infection characteristics data of SARS-CoV-2 is still limited, especially about asymptomatic infection, familial aggregation infection and infection risk in family member.MethodsFrom 2nd January 2020 to 23th February 2020, we have screened 22,729 throat swab samples from individuals with either have contact history of imported personnel, out-of-city travel or residence history or flu-like symptoms during the past 14 days. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was extracted and detected by real-time PCR. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 19 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). The results were confirmed by the Pearson χ2 test; P ＜ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results35 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients were found, 22 were asymptomatic infection, and 31 were familial aggregation infection. Odds ratio of SARS-CoV-2 infection risk between family aggregated close contacts and overall close contacts was 29.40 (95％ confidence interval: 13.99 - 62.205, χ2 = 140.23, P ＜ 0.001); odds ratio of SARS-CoV-2 infection risk between family aggregated close contacts and non-family aggregated close contacts was 703.50 （95％ confidence interval: 89.53 - 5527.95, χ2 = 282.659, P ＜ 0.001). One SARS-CoV-2 positive patient infected 2.08 (25/12) people on average under social control without separate isolation.ConclusionsSocial control is effective in SARS-CoV-2 inhibition, but self-isolation and screening should be added as supplementary means to avoid familial aggregation infection and find out asymptomatic patients.
Genetic Risk-Factors for Anxiety in Healthy Individuals: Polymorphisms in Genes Important for the HPA Axis
Authors: Lindholm Heléne , Morrison India , Krettek Alexandra , Malm Dan , Novembre Giovanni , Handlin Linda
Published: June 2020

Background: Two important aspects for the development of anxiety disorders are genetic predisposition and alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In order to identify genetic risk-factors for anxiety, the aim of this exploratory study was to investigate possible relationships between genetic polymorphisms in genes important for the regulation and activity of the HPA axis and self-assessed anxiety in healthy individuals.Methods: DNA from 72 healthy participants, 37 women and 35 men, were included in the analyses. Their DNA was extracted and analysed for the following Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP)s: rs41423247 in the NR3C1 gene, rs1360780 in the FKBP5 gene, rs53576 in the OXTR gene, 5-HTTLPR in SLC6A4 gene and rs6295 in the HTR1A gene. Self-assessed anxiety was measured by the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) questionnaire.Results: Self-assessed measure of both STAI-S and STAI-T were significantly higher in female than in male participants (p=0.030 and p=0.036, respectively). For SNP rs41423247 in the gene NR3C1, there was a significant difference in females in the score for STAI-S, where carriers of the G allele had higher scores compared to the females that were homozygous for the C allele (p<0.01). For the SNP rs53576 in the gene OXTR, there was a significant difference in males, where carriers of the A allele had higher scores in STAI-T compared to the males that were homozygous for the G allele (p<0.01). Conclusion: This study shows that SNP rs41423247 in the NR3C1gene and SNP rs53576 in the OXTR gene are associated with self-assessed anxiety in healthy individuals in a gender-specific manner. This suggests that these SNP candidates are possible genetic risk-factors for anxiety.
Positive Feedback Regulation Between USP15 and ERK2 Promotes Cartilage Repair in Experimental Osteoarthritis
Authors: Wang Wenjuan , Zhu Yanhui , Sun Zhenyu , Jin Chen , Wang Xiang
Published: June 2020

Background.The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway plays an essential role in maintaining homeostasis in joints affected by osteoarthritis (OA). Determine the specific relationship between non-SMAD and classical SMAD signaling pathways.Methods.First,we found from human cartilage tissue specimens positive expressions of TGF-β1 and USP15between normal andosteoarthritiscartilage tissueby immunohistochemical.Then, overexpressing and knocking out USP15 or ERK2 followed bythe latest gene editing technology Crispr/Cas9 supported the studyinvitro.And we established rat knee OAmodelsthrough anterior cruciate ligament transection in combination with partial medial meniscectomy (ACLT+pMMx)after 8 weeksand conducted the corresponding Adeno-associated virus (AAV) intraarticular injections. Next, experimental data including immunohistochemical staining,HE/Safranin-O fast green staining,histological evidence analysis,relevant Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoresand expressions of molecules in cartilage anabolismindicated that the relationship betweenERK2 and USP15 throughTGF-β signaling pathway in vivo.Finally, we observed the specific mechanismof USP15 on ERK2 throughco-immunoprecipitation,deubiquitination assay, immunofluorescence and nuclear plasma separation.Results.Here, we detected that ERK2 of non-SMAD signaling can maintain the cartilage phenotype by activating the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway throughincreasing USP15 in vitro and in vivo. Most importantly, USP15 is required during this process and can form a complex with ERK2 to regulate ubiquitination of ERK2.Specifically,USP15, instead of USP15 C269S, deubiquitinates and activates ERK2, followed by translocation of phosphorylated ERK2 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Correspondingly, the level of phosphorylated ERK2 was increased by injecting AAV-mediated overexpressing USP15 into the rat OA model. Conclusion.Taken together, our study revealed a positive feedback regulation between USP15 and ERK2, which plays a critical role in the interaction of SMAD and non-SMAD signaling pathways to promote cartilage repair in experimental OA.