bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic engineering Saccharomyces cerevisiae for de novo production of the sesquiterpenoid (+)-nootkatone
Authors: Meng Xiangfeng , Liu Hui , Xu Wenqiang , Zhang Weixin , Wang Zheng , Liu Weifeng
Published: February 2020

Background

(+)-Nootkatone is a highly valued sesquiterpenoid compound, exhibiting a typical grapefruit aroma and various desired biological activities for use as aromatics and pharmaceuticals. The high commercial demand of (+)-nootkatone is predominately met by chemical synthesis, which entails the use of environmentally harmful reagents. Efficient synthesis of (+)-nootkatone via biotechnological approaches is thus urgently needed to satisfy its industrial demand. However, there are only a limited number of studies that report the de novo synthesis of (+)-nootkatone from simple carbon sources in microbial cell factories, and with relatively low yield.

Results

As the direct precursor of (+)-nootkatone biosynthesis, (+)-valencene was first produced in large quantities inSaccharomyces cerevisiaeby overexpressing (+)-valencene synthase CnVS ofCallitropsis nootkatensisin combination with various mevalonate pathway (MVA) engineering strategies, including the expression of CnVS and farnesyl diphosphate synthase (ERG20) as a fused protein, overexpression of a truncated form of the rate-limiting enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase (tHMG1), and downregulating the squalene synthase enzyme (ERG9). These approaches altogether brought the production of (+)-valencene to 217.95 mg/L. Secondly, we addressed the (+)-valencene oxidation by overexpressing theHyoscyamus muticuspremnaspirodiene oxygenase (HPO) variant (V482I/A484I) and cytochrome P450 reductase (ATR1) fromArabidopsis thaliana. However, (+)-valencene was predominantly oxidized to β-nootkatol and only minor amounts of (+)-nootkatone (9.66 mg/L) were produced. We further tackled the oxidation of β-nootkatol to (+)-nootkatone by screening various dehydrogenases. Our results showed that the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) superfamily dehydrogenases ZSD1 ofZingiber zerumbetand ABA2 ofCitrus sinensiswere capable of effectively catalyzing β-nootkatol oxidation to (+)-nootkatone. The yield of (+)-nootkatone increased to 59.78 mg/L and 53.48 mg/L by additional overexpression of ZSD1 and ABA2, respectively.

Conclusion

We successfully constructed the (+)-nootaktone biosynthesis pathway inS. cerevisiaeby overexpressing the (+)-valencene synthase CnVS, cytochrome P450 monooxygenase HPO, and SDR family dehydrogenases combined with the MVA pathway engineering, providing a solid basis for the whole-cell production of (+)-nootkatone. The two effective SDR family dehydrogenases tested in this study will serve as valuable enzymatic tools in further optimizing (+)-nootkatone production.
The prognostic value of De Ritis (AST/ALT) ratio in patients after surgery for urothelial carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hu Xu , Yang Wei-Xiao , Wang Yan , Shao Yan-Xiang , Xiong San-Chao , Li Xiang
Published: February 2020

Background

Recently, the De Ritis (AST/ALT) ratio has been considered as a prognostic biomarker for various malignancies. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the prognostic value of preoperative De Ritis ratio in patients after surgery for urothelial carcinoma.

Methods

We searched the online database Embase, PubMed and Cochrane Library up to October 2019. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were extracted from the studies.

Results

A total of 8 studies incorporating 3949 patients were included in the quantitative synthesis. We observed that elevated preoperative De Ritis ratio is associated with inferior OS (HR = 1.97; 95% CI 1.70–2.28; P < 0.001), CSS (HR = 2.40; 95% CI 2.02–2.86; P < 0.001), RFS (HR = 1.31; 95% CI 1.11–1.54; P = 0.001), PFS (HR = 2.07; 95% CI 1.68–2.56; P < 0.001) and MFS (HR = 2.39; 95% CI 1.16–4.91; P = 0.018). Stratified by diseases, the elevated De Ritis ratio also served as an unfavorable factor.

Conclusion

The elevated preoperative De Ritis ratio is an unfavorable factor for patients with urothelial carcinoma. In patients with BC and UTUC, the elevated preoperative De Ritis ratio is also associated with poor prognosis. But De Ritis ratio must be validated in large, independent cohorts before it can be applied widely.
The effect of vitamin D supplementation on hemoglobin concentration: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Arabi Seyed Mostafa , Ranjbar Golnaz , Bahrami Leila Sadat , Vafa Mohammadreza , Norouzy Abdolreza
Published: February 2020

Aims

The purpose of this review was to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplements on hemoglobin concentration in subjects aged 17.5–68 years old; using randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods

Relevant RCT studies were identified from January 2000 to January 2019 by using MeSH terms in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Clinical trials, Scopus databases and gray literature. The studies were reviewed systematically, and quality assessments were evaluated by the guidelines of the Cochrane risk of bias. The effect of vitamin D supplements (n = 14) on hemoglobin concentration was considered as primary outcome, while its effects on the levels of ferritin, transferrin saturation and iron status were derived as secondary outcomes. In total, 1385 subjects with age range of 17.5 to 68 years old were examined for 3 h to 6 months; Mean (standard deviation) or median interquartile changes in the hemoglobin concentration in each treatment group was recorded for meta-analysis.

Results

Fourteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Current study findings propose that vitamin D supplementation leads to a non-significant reduction in hemoglobin levels in subjects (17.5–68 years old) [std. mean difference (SMD): 0.01; 95% CI: − 0.28, 0.29;P = 0.95], also it has no significant effect on ferritin concentrations [std. mean difference (SMD): -0.01; 95% CI: [− 0.20, 0.18;P = 0.91]. However, vitamin D supplementation demonstrated positive effects on transferrin saturation [mean difference (MD): 1.54; 95% CI: 0.31, 2.76;P = 0.01] and iron status [std. mean difference (SMD): 0.24; 95% CI: − 0.09, 0.39;P = 0.002].

Conclusion

Current review concluded that supplementation with vitamin D had no significant effect on hemoglobin and ferritin levels while positive effects on transferrin saturation and iron status were observed. Further clinical studies are required to determine the actual effect of this intervention on hemoglobin levels.
Gut metabolomics profiling of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients under immunotherapy treatment
Authors: Botticelli Andrea , Vernocchi Pamela , Marini Federico , Quagliariello Andrea , Cerbelli Bruna , Reddel Sofia , Del Chierico Federica , Di Pietro Francesca , Giusti Raffaele , Tomassini Alberta , Giampaoli Ottavia , Miccheli Alfredo , Zizzari Ilaria Grazia , Nuti Marianna , Putignani Lorenza , Marchetti Paolo
Published: February 2020

Background

Despite the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) only the 20–30% of treated patients present long term benefits. The metabolic changes occurring in the gut microbiota metabolome are herein proposed as a factor potentially influencing the response to immunotherapy.

Methods

The metabolomic profiling of gut microbiota was characterized in 11 patients affected by non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with nivolumab in second-line treatment with anti-PD-1 nivolumab. The metabolomics analyses were performed by GC–MS/SPME and 1H-NMR in order to detect volatile and non-volatile metabolites. Metabolomic data were processed by statistical profiling and chemometric analyses.

Results

Four out of 11 patients (36%) presented early progression, while the remaining 7 out of 11 (64%) presented disease progression after 12 months. 2-Pentanone (ketone) and tridecane (alkane) were significantly associated with early progression, and on the contrary short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) (i.e., propionate, butyrate), lysine and nicotinic acid were significantly associated with long-term beneficial effects.

Conclusions

Our preliminary data suggest a significant role of gut microbiota metabolic pathways in affecting response to immunotherapy. The metabolic approach could be a promising strategy to contribute to the personalized management of cancer patients by the identification of microbiota-linked “indicators” of early progressor and long responder patients.
Correction to: Physical activity and health-related quality of life in chronic non-bacterial osteomyelitis
Authors: Nentwich Julia , Ruf Katharina , Girschick Hermann , Holl-Wieden Annette , Morbach Henner , Hebestreit Helge , Hofmann Christine
Published: February 2020

Following publication of the original article [1], we have been notified that the authors’ first names and last names are presented in wrong order. The presentation of names, thus, should be as follows:
Automated quantification of Epstein-Barr virus in whole blood for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders monitoring
Authors: Salmona Maud , Stefic Karl , Mahjoub Nadia , de Fontbrune Flore Sicre , Maylin Sarah , Simon François , Scieux Catherine , Socié Gérard , Mazeron Marie-Christine , LeGoff Jérôme
Published: February 2020

Background

Standardized and sensitive assays for Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) are needed to define universal cutoff for treatment initiation in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells transplant recipients. In a context of accreditation and the availability of EBV international standard, we evaluated the Abbott RealTime EBV (RT) assay for EBV quantification in whole blood.

Methods

The RT assay was compared on 282 prospective clinical samples with the Artus EBV PCR Kit V1 assay (V1) and we analyzed the kinetics of EBV load in 11 patients receiving rituximab treatment.

Results

The estimated limit of detection was 88 IU/mL. The assay was linear (r2 = 0.9974) in the range of all samples tested (100 to 1,000,000 IU/mL). Intra-assay coefficients of variation (CV) ranged between 0.35 and 1.35%, and inter-assay CV between 3.40 and 4.5%. On samples above the limit of quantification, the two assays were strongly correlated. EBV RT values were on average 0.30 log10 IU/mL lower than those measured with the V1 assay. In patients treated with rituximab, the RT assay remained positive in 5 patients at the time it dropped below undetectable levels with the V1 assay.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the RT assay is a reliable assay for EBV load in whole blood. Its sensitivity will enable to estimate the kinetics of EBV load and the impact of treatments to control EBV reactivations.
lncRNA GAS8-AS1 downregulates lncRNA UCA1 to inhibit osteosarcoma cell migration and invasion
Authors: Zha Zhuqing , Han Qingmin , Liu Wenjing , Huo Shaochuan
Published: February 2020

Background

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common type of primary bone tumor that mainly affects adolescents and young adults. The present study explored the role of lncRNA GAS8-AS1 in OS.

Methods

A total of 48 OS patients were selected from the 82 OS patients admitted by Luoyang Orthopedic Hospital of Henan Province between May 2010 and May 2013. Transient cell transfections, Transwell cell migration and invasion assay, RT-qPCR, and patient follow-up were carried out during the research.

Results

The results showed that GAS8-AS1 was downregulated, while UCA1 was upregulate in cancer tissues in comparison to adjacent non-cancer tissues of OS patients. GAS8-AS1 was not affected by clinical stage. Follow-up study showed that downregulated GAS8-AS1 in cancer tissues was closely correlated with poor survival. GAS8-AS1 and UCA1 were inversely correlated in cancer tissues. Overexpression of UCA1 failed to affect the expression of GAS8-AS1, while overexpression of GAS8-AS1 led to downregulated expression of UCA1 in OS cells, while the molecular mediators between these two lncRNAs are unknown. Overexpression of GAS8-AS1 did not affect OS cell proliferation but significantly inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion. Overexpression of UCA1 promoted the migration and invasion of OS cells and attenuated the effects of overexpressing GAS8-AS1.

Conclusions

Therefore, GAS8-AS1 may inhibit OS cell migration and invasion by downregulating oncogenic UCA1.
The effect of educational intervention based on BASNEF model for reducing internet addiction among female students: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Gholamian Batol , Shahnazi Hossein , Hassanzadeh Akbar
Published: February 2020

Background

Adolescents and students are encountered with a challenge so-called “internet Addiction”. This issue affects both their physical and mental health, as well as their academic, social, and family performance. The aim of the current research is to determine the impact of educational intervention. To achieve this aim, BASNEF is utilized to reduce the excessive use of the internet by students.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study was implemented on 120 high school female students in Shahrekord (west of Iran), which were addicted to the internet. Paticipants was randomly divided into two groups of control and intervention. For data collection before and after the intervention, the standard Yang internet Addiction Questionnaire and BASNEF researcher-developed Questionnaire were used. Educational intervention for mothers was conducted in one session (as the most important subjective norm) and for students in two sessions. This method was based on BASNEF construct. Then, data were analyzed using SPSS-20 and chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, independent t-test, and paired t-test.

Results

After the education intervention, the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and enabling factors in the intervention group were significantly different from the control group (p < 0.001). In Post-test assessment, the intervention group revealed a significant decrease, in terms of using the internet (based on the time). (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The results of this study revealed that BASNEF and its related constructs was a suitable framework to design the educational interventions in order to reduce the extreme use of internet in students. Applying of this model can be a cognitive and intellectual framework that affects students’ internet use behavior.
Non-coding RNAs underlie genetic predisposition to breast cancer
Authors: Moradi Marjaneh Mahdi , Beesley Jonathan , O’Mara Tracy A. , Mukhopadhyay Pamela , Koufariotis Lambros T. , Kazakoff Stephen , Hussein Nehal , Fachal Laura , Bartonicek Nenad , Hillman Kristine M. , Kaufmann Susanne , Sivakumaran Haran , Smart Chanel E. , McCart Reed Amy E. , Ferguson Kaltin , Saunus Jodi M. , Lakhani Sunil R. , Barnes Daniel R. , Antoniou Antonis C. , Dinger Marcel E. , Waddell Nicola , Easton Douglas F. , Dunning Alison M. , Chenevix-Trench Georgia , Edwards Stacey L. , French Juliet D.
Published: February 2020

Background

Genetic variants identified through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are predominantly non-coding and typically attributed to altered regulatory elements such as enhancers and promoters. However, the contribution of non-coding RNAs to complex traits is not clear.

Results

Using targeted RNA sequencing, we systematically annotated multi-exonic non-coding RNA (mencRNA) genes transcribed from 1.5-Mb intervals surrounding 139 breast cancer GWAS signals and assessed their contribution to breast cancer risk. We identify more than 4000 mencRNA genes and show their expression distinguishes normal breast tissue from tumors and different breast cancer subtypes. Importantly, breast cancer risk variants, identified through genetic fine-mapping, are significantly enriched in mencRNA exons, but not the promoters or introns. eQTL analyses identify mencRNAs whose expression is associated with risk variants. Furthermore, chromatin interaction data identify hundreds of mencRNA promoters that loop to regions that contain breast cancer risk variants.

Conclusions

We have compiled the largest catalog of breast cancer-associated mencRNAs to date and provide evidence that modulation of mencRNAs by GWAS variants may provide an alternative mechanism underlying complex traits.
From reads to insight: a hitchhiker’s guide to ATAC-seq data analysis
Authors: Yan Feng , Powell David R. , Curtis David J. , Wong Nicholas C.
Published: February 2020

Assay of Transposase Accessible Chromatin sequencing (ATAC-seq) is widely used in studying chromatin biology, but a comprehensive review of the analysis tools has not been completed yet. Here, we discuss the major steps in ATAC-seq data analysis, including pre-analysis (quality check and alignment), core analysis (peak calling), and advanced analysis (peak differential analysis and annotation, motif enrichment, footprinting, and nucleosome position analysis). We also review the reconstruction of transcriptional regulatory networks with multiomics data and highlight the current challenges of each step. Finally, we describe the potential of single-cell ATAC-seq and highlight the necessity of developing ATAC-seq specific analysis tools to obtain biologically meaningful insights.
Doll therapy intervention for women with dementia living in nursing homes: a randomized single-blind controlled trial protocol
Authors: Vaccaro Roberta , Ballabio Roberta , Molteni Valentina , Ceppi Laura , Ferrari Benedetta , Cantù Marco , Zaccaria Daniele , Vandoni Carla , Ardito Rita Bianca , Adenzato Mauro , Poletti Barbara , Guaita Antonio , Pezzati Rita
Published: February 2020

Background

Doll therapy is a non-pharmacological intervention for people with dementia aimed to reduce distressing behaviours. Reliable results on the efficacy of Doll therapy for people with dementia are needed. The concept of attachment theorised by Bowlby has been proposed to explain the Doll therapy process, but it has not been proven to influence the response to doll presentation.

Methods/design

This single-blind, randomised controlled trial will involve people with dementia living in nursing homes of the Canton Ticino (Switzerland). Participants will be randomised to one of two interventions: Doll Therapy Intervention or Sham Intervention with a non-anthropomorphic object, using a 1:1 allocation ratio. The two interventions will consist of 30 daily sessions lasting an hour at most, led by a trained nurse for an hour at most. We will enrol 64 participants per group, according to power analysis using an estimated medium effect size (f = 0.25), an alpha level of 0.05, and a power of 0.8. The primary goal is to test the efficacy of the Doll Therapy Intervention versus the Sham Intervention as the net change in the following measures from baseline to 30 days (blinded outcomes): the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home administered by a trained psychologist blinded to group assignment, the professional caregivers’ perceived stress scale of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home, patients’ physiological indices of stress (salivary cortisol, blood pressure and heart rate) and interactive behaviours. The secondary goal is to assess the relationship between attachment styles of people with dementia (detected by means of the Adult Attachment Interview to the patients’ offspring) and their caregiving behaviours shown during the Doll Therapy Intervention.

Discussion

This is the first single-blind, randomised controlled trial on the efficacy of Doll therapy for dementia and an explanatory model of the response of people with dementia to doll presentation.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03224143. Retrospectively registered on 21 July 2017
Financial incentives for hypertension control: rationale and study design
Authors: Zheng Liqiang , Wang Yali , Liu Sitong , Zheng Rui , Pei Dongmei , Sun Yingxian , Sun Zhaoqing
Published: February 2020

Background

Even though the effectiveness of lifestyle modifications and antihypertensive pharmaceutical treatment for the prevention of hypertension and its complications have been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials, the benefits of adhering to these treatments have not been popularized among the general public. Studies suggest that incentive approaches based on behavioral economic concepts can improve patients’ adherence to treatment. Therefore, we aimed to test whether financial incentives will reduce the blood pressure (BP) of hypertensive patients in China.

Methods/Design

This is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms. A total of 400 participants from six cities in the Liaoning and Shanxi provinces of China are block-randomized into intervention and control group with a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the control group will receive interactive management of mobile devices, including patient education and communication. Patients in the intervention group will receive financial incentives in addition to interactive management of mobile devices, conditional on them achieving their antihypertensive goals or hypertension control. Masking the arm allocation will be precluded by the behavioral nature of the intervention and investigators of BP measurement and statistics are masked to clinic assignment. The primary outcome is net change in systolic BP (SBP) from baseline to month 12 between the intervention and control groups. The secondary outcomes are net change in diastolic BP (DBP), BP control, change in medication adherence and lifestyle, and cost-effectiveness.

Discussion

This trial will determine whether financial incentives will improve hypertension control and generate necessary data for controlling hypertension and concomitant cardiovascular diseases among hypertensive patients in China.

Trial registration

ISRCTN13467677. Registered on 16 May 2019.
Aim2Be mHealth intervention for children with overweight and obesity: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Mâsse Louise C. , Vlaar Janae , Macdonald Janice , Bradbury Jennifer , Warshawski Tom , Buckler E. Jean , Hamilton Jill , Ho Josephine , Buchholz Annick , Morrison Katherine M. , Ball Geoff D. C.
Published: February 2020

Background

The prevalence of overweight and obesity remains high in Canada, and the current standard for the treatment of childhood obesity is in-person, family-based, multidisciplinary interventions that target lifestyle behaviors (e.g., diet, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors). These programs are costly to operate, have limited success, and report recruitment and retention challenges. With recent advances in technology, mobile health or mHealth has been presented as a viable alternative to in-person interventions for behavior change, especially with teens.

Purpose

The primary aim of this study is to test the efficacy of Aim2Be, a gamified app based on behavior change theory with health coaching to improve weight outcomes (i.e., decrease in standardized body mass index (zBMI)) and lifestyle behaviors (i.e., improve dietary quality, increase fruit and vegetable intake, reduce sugar-sweetened beverage intake, increase physical activity, and reduce screen time) among children 10- to 17-years old with overweight or obesity versus their peers randomized into a waitlist control condition. The secondary aims of this study are to 1) test whether supplementing the Aim2Be program with health coaching increases adherence and 2) examine the mediators and moderators of adherence to the Aim2Be intervention.

Methods

We will employ a randomized controlled trial design and recruit 200 child and parent dyads to participate in the study (2019–2020). Participants will be recruited from Canadian pediatric weight management clinics and through online advertisements. Child participants must be between the ages of 10 and 17 years, have overweight or obesity, be able to read English at least at a grade 5 level, and have a mobile phone or home computer with internet access. Following baseline data collection, participants will be randomized into intervention and waitlist control groups. Intervention participants will receive access to Aim2Be, with access to health coaching. After having their data collected for 3 months, the control group will gain access to Aim2Be, with no access to health coaching. Participants will control their frequency and duration of app usage to promote autonomy.

Discussion

Findings from this study will determine the efficacy of using Aim2Be in improving child weight outcomes and lifestyle behaviors and guide future mHealth interventions for pediatric weight management.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03651284. Registered 29 August 2018.
Curcumin analog A13 alleviates oxidative stress by activating Nrf2/ARE pathway and ameliorates fibrosis in the myocardium of high-fat-diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Xiang Lanting , Zhang Qiongying , Chi Chen , Wu Gu , Lin Zhongmin , Li Jianmin , Gu Qianru , Chen Guorong
Published: February 2020

Background

Diabetes mellitus is an important risk factor for cardiomyopathy. Increasing oxidative stress may be one of the main factors of diabetic cardiomyopathy. A13, a newly synthesized curcumin analog, was proved to be superior to curcumin in biological activity. However, little know about how A13 performed in diabetic models. In this study, we evaluated the ability of curcumin analog A13 to alleviate oxidative stress and ameliorate fibrosis in the myocardium, and explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg in 0.1 M sodium citrate buffer, pH 4.5) induced diabetes in high-fat fed rats. The rats were respectively treated with a daily dose of curcumin or A13 via intragastric intubation for 8 weeks. Myocardial tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin–eosin; oxidative stress was detected by biochemical assays; activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway was detected by Western blot, immunohistochemical staining and RT-qPCR; myocardial fibrosis was identified by Western blot and Masson trichrome staining.

Results

Treatment with curcumin analog A13 reduced the histological lesions of the myocardium in diabetic rats. Curcumin and A13 treatment decreased the malondialdehyde level and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase in the myocardium of diabetic rats. Molecular analysis and immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that dose of 20 mg/kg of A13 could activate the Nrf2/ARE pathway. Molecular analysis and Masson staining showed that curcumin analog A13 treatment significantly ameliorated fibrosis in myocardium of these diabetic rats.

Conclusion

Treatment with curcumin analog A13 protects the morphology of myocardium, restores the MDA levels and SOD activity, activates the Nrf2/ARE pathway and ameliorates myocardial fibrosis in diabetic rats. It may be a useful therapeutic agent for some aspects of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Health literacy and glycemic control in patients with diabetes: a tertiary care center study in Brazil
Authors: Gomes Marilia B. , Muniz Luiza Harcar , Melo Laura Gomes Nunes , Pizarro Marcela Haas , Barros Bianca Senger Vasconcelos , Santos Deborah Conte , Negrato Carlos Antonio
Published: February 2020

Background

The primary objective of our study was to determine which factors influence health literacy (HL) in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), and the secondary one was to evaluate the influence of HL on glycemic control.

Methods

This was an observational, cross-sectional study with 347 patients (144 with T1D and 203 with T2D), conducted between December 2014/December 2017. Data were obtained from medical records and/or questionnaire. The short test of Functional Health Literacy (S-TOFHLA) was used to evaluate HL.

Results

Age and years of school attendance were the most important variables associated with better performance in S-TOFHLA mainly in patients with T1D. A correlation between age and years of school attendance with S-TOFHLA score was observed in both groups of patients. After an unadjusted analysis, more patients with T1D presented adequate HL [119 (82.6%) vs 87 (44.8%, p < 0.001)]. Patients with T1D had higher scores than patients with T2D (84.4 ± 21.4 vs 61.6 ± 26.8 points, p < 0.001), respectively. This difference did not persist after adjustment for age and years of school attendance (73.04 ± 2.14 ± vs 70.04 ± 1.76 points) respectively, p = 0.348). No difference was found in HbA1c levels according to S-TOFHLA. All patients with T1D and HbA1c levels < 7.0% (53 mmol/mol) had adequate HL.

Conclusions

A considerable number of patients with either T1D or T2D did not have adequate HL. Overall, age and years of school attendance were the most important variables associated with better performance of S-TOFHLA. Although no difference was found in HbA1c levels according to S-TOFHLA, patients with T1D who self-reported as White, with more years of school attendance, and higher HL score reached more frequently a good glycemic control. Finally, in addition to therapeutic regimens, approaches on diabetes management should also include patients’ HL evaluation along with psychological and social aspects.
Gut microbiota changes in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review
Authors: Ho Lucius Kang Hua , Tong Valerie Jia Wei , Syn Nicholas , Nagarajan Niranjan , Tham Elizabeth Huiwen , Tay Stacey K. , Shorey Shefaly , Tambyah Paul Anantharajah , Law Evelyn Chung Ning
Published: February 2020

Background

As more animal studies start to disentangle pathways linking the gut microbial ecosystem and neurobehavioral traits, human studies have grown rapidly. Many have since investigated the bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system, specifically on the effects of microbial composition on the brain and development.

Methods

Our review at the initial stage aimed to evaluate literature on gut microbial alterations in pediatric neurobehavioral conditions. We searched five literature databases (Embase, PubMed, PsychInfo, Scopus, and Medline) and found 4489 published work. As the mechanisms linking gut microbiota to these conditions are divergent, the scope of this review was narrowed to focus on describing gut dysbiosis in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Results

Among the final 26 articles, there was a lack of consistency in the reported gut microbiome changes across ASD studies, except for distinguishable patterns, within limits, for Prevotella, Firmicutes at the phylum level, Clostridiales clusters including Clostridium perfringens, and Bifidobacterium species.

Conclusions

These results were inadequate to confirm a global microbiome change in children with ASD and causality could not be inferred to explain the etiology of the behaviors associated with ASD. Mechanistic studies are needed to elucidate the specific role of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of ASD.
Reduced nonverbal interpersonal synchrony in autism spectrum disorder independent of partner diagnosis: a motion energy study
Authors: Georgescu A. L. , Koeroglu S. , Hamilton A. F de C , Vogeley K. , Falter-Wagner C. M. , Tschacher W.
Published: February 2020

Background

One of the main diagnostic features of individuals with autism spectrum disorders is nonverbal behaviour difficulties during naturalistic social interactions. The ‘Interactional Heterogeneity Hypothesis’ of ASD proposes that the degree to which individuals share a common ground substantially influences their ability to achieve smooth social interactions.

Methods

To test this hypothesis, we filmed 29 autistic and 29 matched typically developed adults engaged in several conversational tasks. Windowed cross-lagged correlations were computed using the time series of motion energy of both individuals in a dyad. These coefficients were then compared across the three dyad types that were homo- or heterogenous with respect to diagnosis: pairs of two autistic individuals, two typically developed individuals or pairs of one autistic and one typically developed person.

Results

We found that all dyad types achieved above-chance interpersonal synchrony, but that synchrony was more expressed in typical dyads compared to both autistic and mixed dyads.

Limitations

The method presented here provides only one, albeit objective and robust, approach to explore synchrony. The methodological choices as well as the lack of consideration for other communication modalities may limit our interpretation of the findings. Moreover, the sample size is small with respect to exploring associations between synchrony and various outcome and social skill measures.

Conclusions

The present results do not provide support for the Interactional Heterogeneity Hypothesis given that autistic individuals do not coordinate better when interacting with another autistic individual, compared to when interacting with a typical individual.
Enhancement of periodontal tissue regeneration by conditioned media from gingiva-derived or periodontal ligament-derived mesenchymal stem cells: a comparative study in rats
Authors: Qiu Jiling , Wang Xiaotong , Zhou Haowen , Zhang Chunshu , Wang Yijia , Huang Jiahui , Liu Meng , Yang Pishan , Song Aimei
Published: February 2020

Background

Evidence has demonstrated conditioned medium (CM) from periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) improved periodontal regeneration. Gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) have been considered an alternative strategy for regenerative medicine. To determine whether GMSC-CM could promote periodontal wound healing, we compared the effects of GMSC-CM and PDLSC-CM on periodontal regeneration and the underlying mechanisms in rat periodontal defects.

Methods

Cell-free CMs were collected from PDLSCs, GMSCs, and gingival fibroblasts (GFs) using ultracentrifugation (100-fold concentration). Periodontal defects were created on the buccal side of the first molar in the left mandible of 90 rats by a surgical method. Collagen membranes loaded with concentrated CMs (α-MEM, GF-CM, GMSC-CM, PDLSC-CM) were transplanted into periodontal defects. After 1, 2, and 4 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and specimens including the first molar and the surrounding tissues were separated and decalcified. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining were performed to evaluate periodontal regeneration. Immunohistochemical staining for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-10 was conducted to analyze inflammation. Immunohistochemistry of BSP-II and Runx2 was performed to analyze osteoblast differentiation.

Results

Histological analysis showed the amount of newly formed periodontal tissue was significantly higher in both the GMSC-CM and PDLSC-CM groups than in the other groups, with no significant difference between these two groups. At 1 and 2 weeks, the expression levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly lower in the GMSC-CM and PDLSC-CM groups than in the other three groups, while there was no significant difference between these two groups. IL-10 expression was significantly higher in the GMSC-CM group than in the PDLSC-CM group and the other three groups. At 1, 2, and 4 weeks, BSP-II and Runx2 expressions were significantly higher in the GMSC-CM and PDLSC-CM groups than in the other three groups, with no significant difference between the two groups.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that GMSC-CM transplantation can significantly promote periodontal regeneration in rats and achieve the same effect as PDLSC-CM. The mechanism of periodontal regeneration may involve the regulation of inflammatory factors and the promotion of osteogenic differentiation of bone progenitor cells in the wound region by CMs from MSCs.
A systematic review protocol for crime trends facilitated by synthetic biology
Authors: Elgabry Mariam , Nesbeth Darren , Johnson Shane D.
Published: February 2020

Background

When new technologies are developed, it is common for their crime and security implications to be overlooked or given inadequate attention, which can lead to a ‘crime harvest’. Potential methods for the criminal exploitation of biotechnology need to be understood to assess their impact, evaluate current policies and interventions and inform the allocation of limited resources efficiently. Recent studies have illustrated some of the security implications of biotechnology, with outcomes of misuse ranging from compromised computers using malware stored in synthesised DNA, infringement of intellectual property on biological matter, synthesis of new threatening viruses, ‘genetic genocide,’ and the exploitation of food markets with genetically modified crops. However, there exists no synthesis of this information, and no formal quality assessment of the current evidence. This review therefore aims to establish what current and/or predicted crimes have been reported as a result of biotechnology.

Methods

A systematic review will be conducted to identify relevant literature. ProQuest, Web of Science, MEDLINE and USENIX will be searched utilizing a predefined search string, and Backward and Forward searches. Grey literature will be identified by searching the official UK Government website (www.gov.uk) and the Global database of Dissertations and Theses. The review will be conducted by screening title/abstracts followed by full texts, utilising pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Papers will be managed using Eppi-center Reviewer 4 software, and data will be organised using a data extraction table using a descriptive coding tool. A predefined rating system (speculative, experimental or currently occurring) will be used to sort studies, and a thematic synthesis of the results will be presented.

Discussion

Despite the concerns raised about the misuse of biotechnology, no previous work has been conducted from a Crime Science perspective to collate and assess the literature. This systematic review aims to identify the types of offending activity facilitated by biotechnology, including synthetic biology and genetic engineering. The objective of the review is to examine whether this offending activity can be prevented by assessing the conditions necessary for the crime events to occur. It is anticipated that evidence generated from this review will guide future research in this area and aid relevant stakeholders to prioritise and allocate limited resources to biotechnology crime prevention.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42019131685
Least-squares-based three-term conjugate gradient methods
Authors: Tang Chunming , Li Shuangyu , Cui Zengru
Published: February 2020

In this paper, we first propose a new three-term conjugate gradient (CG) method, which is based on the least-squares technique, to determine the CG parameter, named LSTT. And then, we present two improved variants of the LSTT CG method, aiming to obtain the global convergence property for general nonlinear functions. The least-squares technique used here well combines the advantages of two existing efficient CG methods. The search directions produced by the proposed three methods are sufficient descent directions independent of any line search procedure. Moreover, with the Wolfe–Powell line search, LSTT is proved to be globally convergent for uniformly convex functions, and the two improved variants are globally convergent for general nonlinear functions. Preliminary numerical results are reported to illustrate that our methods are efficient and have advantages over two famous three-term CG methods.
Ground state sign-changing solutions for a class of double-phase problem in bounded domains
Authors: Hou Gangling , Ge Bin , Zhang Beilei , Wang Liyan
Published: February 2020

This paper is concerned with the following double-phase problem:
$$ \textstyle\begin{cases} -\operatorname{div}( \vert \nabla u \vert ^{p-2}\nabla u+a(x) \vert \nabla u \vert ^{q-2}\nabla u)=f(x,u)& \text{in }\varOmega, \\ u=0 &\text{on }\partial\varOmega, \end{cases} $${−div(|∇u|p−2∇u+a(x)|∇u|q−2∇u)=f(x,u)in Ω,u=0on ∂Ω, where $N\geq2$N≥2 and $1< p< q< N$1<p<q<N. Assuming that the primitive of $f(x,u)$f(x,u) is asymptotically q-linear as $|u|\rightarrow\infty$|u|→∞ and a weak version of Nehari-type monotonicity condition that the function $u\mapsto\frac{f(x,u)}{|u|^{q-1}}$u↦f(x,u)|u|q−1 is nondecreasing on $(-\infty,0) \cup(0,\infty)$(−∞,0)∪(0,∞) for a.e. $x\in\varOmega$x∈Ω, we prove the existence of one ground state sign-changing solution via the constraint variational method and quantitative deformation lemma for the equation. Our results improve and generalize some results obtained by Liu and Dai (J. Differ. Equ. 265(9):4311–4334, 2018).
Analyzing transient response of the parallel RCL circuit by using the Caputo–Fabrizio fractional derivative
Authors: Alizadeh Shahram , Baleanu Dumitru , Rezapour Shahram
Published: February 2020

In this paper, the transient response of the parallel RCL circuit with Caputo–Fabrizio derivative is solved by Laplace transforms. Also, the graphs of the obtained solutions for the different orders of the fractional derivatives are compared with each other and with the usual solutions. Finally, they are compared with practical and laboratory results.
An efficient parallel genetic algorithm solution for vehicle routing problem in cloud implementation of the intelligent transportation systems
Authors: Abbasi Mahdi , Rafiee Milad , Khosravi Mohammad R. , Jolfaei Alireza , Menon Varun G. , Koushyar Javad Mokhtari
Published: February 2020

A novel parallelization method of genetic algorithm (GA) solution of the Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) is presented. The proposed method can considerably accelerate the solution of the equivalent TSP of many complex vehicle routing problems (VRPs) in the cloud implementation of intelligent transportation systems. The solution provides routing information besides all the services required by the autonomous vehicles in vehicular clouds. GA is considered as an important class of evolutionary algorithms that can solve optimization problems in growing intelligent transport systems. But, to meet time criteria in time-constrained problems of intelligent transportation systems like routing and controlling the autonomous vehicles, a highly parallelizable GA is needed. The proposed method parallelizes the GA by designing three concurrent kernels, each of which running some dependent effective operators of GA. It can be straightforwardly adapted to run on many-core and multi-core processors. To best use the valuable resources of such processors in parallel execution of the GA, threads that run any of the triple kernels are synchronized by a low-cost switching mechanism. The proposed method was experimented for parallelizing a GA-based solution of TSP over multi-core and many-core systems. The results confirm the efficiency of the proposed method for parallelizing GAs on many-core as well as on multi-core systems.
Renewable energy for sustainable development in India: current status, future prospects, challenges, employment, and investment opportunities
Authors: Kumar. J Charles Rajesh , Majid M. A.
Published: February 2020

The primary objective for deploying renewable energy in India is to advance economic development, improve energy security, improve access to energy, and mitigate climate change. Sustainable development is possible by use of sustainable energy and by ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for citizens. Strong government support and the increasingly opportune economic situation have pushed India to be one of the top leaders in the world’s most attractive renewable energy markets. The government has designed policies, programs, and a liberal environment to attract foreign investments to ramp up the country in the renewable energy market at a rapid rate. It is anticipated that the renewable energy sector can create a large number of domestic jobs over the following years. This paper aims to present significant achievements, prospects, projections, generation of electricity, as well as challenges and investment and employment opportunities due to the development of renewable energy in India. In this review, we have identified the various obstacles faced by the renewable sector. The recommendations based on the review outcomes will provide useful information for policymakers, innovators, project developers, investors, industries, associated stakeholders and departments, researchers, and scientists.
Current and future predicting potential areas of Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Richard) using MaxEnt model under climate change in Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Gebrewahid Yikunoamlak , Abrehe Selemawi , Meresa Esayas , Eyasu Gebru , Abay Kiros , Gebreab Gebrehiwot , Kidanemariam Kiros , Adissu Gezu , Abreha Gebrekidan , Darcha Girmay
Published: February 2020

Introduction

Climate change will either improve, reduce, or shift its appropriate climatic habitat of a particular species, which could result in shifts from its geographical range. Predicting the potential distribution through MaxEnt modeling has been developed as an appropriate tool for assessing habitat distribution and resource conservation to protect bamboo species.

Methods

Our objective is to model the current and future distribution of Oxytenanthera abyssinica (A. Richard) based on three representative concentration pathways (RCP) (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5) for 2050s and 2070s using a maximum entropy model (MaxEnt) in Northern Ethiopia. For modeling procedure, 77 occurrence records and 11 variables were retained to simulate the current and future distributions of Oxytenanthera abyssinica in Northern Ethiopia. To evaluate the performance of the model, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was used.

Results

All of the AUCs (area under curves) were greater than 0.900, thereby placing these models in the “excellent” category. The jackknife test also showed that precipitation of the coldest quarter (Bio19) and precipitation of the warmest quarter (Bio18) contributed 66.8% and 54.7% to the model. From the area of current distribution, 1367.51 km2 (2.52%), 7226.28 km2 (13.29%), and 5377.26 km2 (9.89%) of the study area were recognized as high, good, and moderate potential habitats of Oxytenanthera abyssinica in Northern Ethiopia, and the high potential area was mainly concentrated in Tanqua Abergele (0.70%), Kola Temben (0.65%), Tselemti (0.60%), and Tsegede (0.31%). Kafta Humera was also the largest good potential area, which accounts for 2.75%. Compared to the current distribution, the total area of the high potential regions and good potential regions for Oxytenanthera abyssinica under the three RCPs (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5) would increase in the 2050s and 2070s. However, the total area of the least potential regions under the three RCPs (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5) in 2050s and 2070s would decrease.

Conclusion

This study can provide vital information for the protection, management, and sustainable use of Oxytenanthera abyssinica, the resource to address the global climate challenges.