bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extracellular vesicles from deciduous pulp stem cells recover bone loss by regulating telomerase activity in an osteoporosis mouse model
Authors: Sonoda Soichiro , Murata Sara , Nishida Kento , Kato Hiroki , Uehara Norihisa , Kyumoto Yukari N. , Yamaza Haruyoshi , Takahashi Ichiro , Kukita Toshio , Yamaza Takayoshi
Published: June 2020

Background: Systemic transplantation of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) recover bone loss in animal models of osteoporosis; however, the mechanisms underlying this remain unclear. Here, we hypothesized that trophic factors within SHED-releasing extracellular vesicles (SHED-EVs) rescue osteoporotic phenotype. Methods: EVs were isolated from culture supernatant of SHED. SHED-EVs were treated with or without ribonuclease and systemically administrated into ovariectomized mice, followed by the function of recipient bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) including telomerase activity, osteoblast differentiation, and sepmaphorine-3A (SEMA3A) secretion. Subsequently, human BMMSCs were stimulated by SHED-EVs with or without ribonuclease treatment, and then human BMMSCs were examined the function of telomerase activity, osteoblast differentiation, and SEMA3A secretion. Furthermore, SHED-EVs treated human BMMSCs were subcutaneously transplanted into dorsal skin of immunocompromised mice with hydroxyapatite tricalcium phosphate (HA/TCP) careers and analyzed the de novo bone forming ability.Results: We revealed that systemic SHED-EV-infusion recovered bone volume in ovariectomized mice and improved the function of recipient BMMSCs by rescuing the mRNA levels of Tert and telomerase activity, osteoblast differentiation, and SEMA3A secretion. Ribonuclease treatment depleted RNAs, including microRNAs, within SHED-EVs and these RNA-depleted SHED-EVs attenuated SHED-EV-rescued function of recipient BMMSCs in the ovariectomized mice. These findings were supported by in vitro assays using human BMMSCs incubated with SHED-EVs. Conclusion: Collectively, our findings suggest that SHED-secreted RNAs, such as microRNAs, play a crucial role in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis by targeting the telomerase activity of recipient BMMSCs.
Non-specific diagnoses are frequent in patients hospitalized after calling 112 and their mortality is high – a register-based Danish cohort study
Authors: Nielsen Frederikke Vestergaard , Nielsen Mette Rønn , Lorenzen Ida Lund , Amstrup Jesper , Kløjgaard Torben Anders , Færk Emil , Bøggild Henrik , Christensen Erika Frischknecht
Published: June 2020

Background The number of patients calling for an ambulance increases. A considerable number of patients receive a non-specific diagnosis at discharge from the hospital, and this could imply less serious acute conditions, but the mortality has only scarcely been studied. The aim of this study was to examine the most frequent sub-diagnoses among patients with hospital non-specific diagnoses after calling 112 and their subsequent mortality.Methods A historical cohort study of patients brought to the hospital by ambulance after calling 112 in 2007-2014 and diagnosed with a non-specific diagnosis, chapter R or Z, in the International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition (ICD-10). 1-day and 30-day mortality was analyzed by survival analyses and compared by the log-rank test. Results We included 74,847 ambulance runs in 53,937 unique individuals. The most frequent diagnoses were ‘unspecified disease’ (Z039), constituting 47.0 % (n 35,279). In children 0-9 years old, ‘febrile convulsions’ was the most frequent non-specific diagnosis used in 54.3 % (n 1,602). Overall, 1- and 30-day mortality was 2.2 % (n 1,205) and 6.0 % (n 3,258). The highest mortality was in the diagnostic group ‘suspected cardiovascular disease’ (Z035) and ‘unspecified disease’ (Z039) with 1-day mortality 2.6 % (n 43) and 2.4 % (n 589), and 30 day mortality of 6.32 % (n 104) and 8.1 % (n 1,975).Conclusion Among patients calling an ambulance and discharged with non-specific diagnoses the 1- and 30-day mortality, despite modest mortality percentages lead to a high number of deaths.
Automated synthesis of 18F radiolabelled indole containing Oncrasin-like molecules; a comparison of iodonium salts and boronic ester chemistry.
Authors: McDonald Alexander Franklin , Goh Yit Woo , White Jonathan M , Scott Andrew M , Ackermann Uwe
Published: June 2020

Background: Oncrasin-1 is a small molecule which was identified from a screen of KRAS mutant cancer cells and has shown specificity for KRAS mutant cell killing. We aimed to develop a radiolabelled form of Oncrasin-1 to enable in-vivo imaging of mutant KRAS expression in malignant tumours. This work outlines the synthesis of 3 fluorinated derivatives and development of iodonium salt and boronic ester precursors for radiolabelling with the 18F isotope. Results: In our hands, synthesis of iodonium salts were not easily accessible due to the 3-carbaldehyde indole structure being preferentially oxidized by conditions required for iodonium salt formation, rather than benzyl iodide. Synthesis and radiolabelling of boronic acid pinacol ester precursors were successful, with the products being obtained in yields of 10.76% ± 0.96% (n=5), 14.7% ±8.58% (n=3) and 14.92% ±3.9% (n=3) for 18F KAM001, 18F KAM002 and 18F KAM003 respectively, with radiochemical purity of greater than 99%.Conclusions: The successful synthesis of these tracers has been undertaken utilizing boronic ester radio-fluorination methods and will allow for investigation of Oncrasin based molecules as potential diagnostics for cancers expressing mutant KRAS protein.
Non-target screening of organic pollutants and target analysis of halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the atmosphere around metallurgical plants by high-resolution GC/Q-TOF-MS
Authors: Yang Lili , Wu Jiajia , Zheng Minghui , Cao Zhe , Li Cui , Shi Miwei , Liu Guorui
Published: June 2020

Background：The 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) issued by US Environmental protection agency are a major focus in atmosphere in previous studies. Much more PAH congeners or their substitutes could be produced during combustion or thermal industrial processes and released into the atmosphere. However, a full screening of various organic pollutants in air surrounding important industrial sources have not been conducted. Identifying and characterizing organic pollutants in air is essential to accurate risk assessment. This study conducted non-target screening of organic pollutants and simultaneous target analysis of emerging contaminants including 8 polychlorinated naphthalenes and 30 higher cyclic halogenated PAHs by high-resolution gas chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC/Q-TOF-MS) and applied to the air samples collected surrounding metallurgical plants. Emerging organic chemicals of high toxicity in air were identified.Results：We identified and characterized 187 organic chemicals categorized as PAHs, alkylated polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs), heterocyclic PACs, and aliphatic hydrocarbons in atmosphere around industrial sources. Some of these identified chemicals, such as phthalic acid esters, dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, and hydroquinone with alkane substituents are of potential high toxicities and have not been the focus of previous studies of airborne contaminants. Moreover, hydroquinone with alkane substituents may be critical intermediates and precursors of an emerging contaminant- environmentally persistent free radicals. Thus, the presences of those identified highly toxic chemicals in the air merits attention. Moreover, 38 chlorinated and brominated PAHs as target compounds were accurately quantitated by using isotopic dilution method by application of GC/Q-TOF-MS, and the findings were similar to those of high-resolution magnetic mass spectrometry. Conclusion：In this study, both non-target screening of organic pollutants and target analysis of halogenated PAHs in air were achieved by GC/Q-TOF-MS. The method could be of significance for simultaneous analysis of those trace pollutants containing multiple congeners. Specific pollutants of potential high toxicity in atmosphere around industrial sources were identified. Those knowledge could be helpful for comprehensively recognizing the organic contaminants in air surrounding metallurgical plants and better understanding their potential health risks.
Single-wall Carbon Nanotubes Improve Cell Survival Rate and Reduce Oxidative Injury in Cryopreservation of Agapanthus praecox Embryogenic Callus
Authors: Ren Li , Deng Shan , Chu Yunxia , Zhang Yiying , Zhao Hong , Chen Hairong , Zhang Di
Published: June 2020

Background: Cryopreservation is the best way for long-term in vitro preservation of plant germplasm resources. The preliminary studies found that reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced oxidative stress and ice-induced membrane damage are the fundamental causes of cell death in cryopreserved samples. How to improve plant cryopreservation survival rate is an important scientific issue in the cryobiology field.Results: This study found that the survival rate was significantly improved by adding single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to plant vitrification solution (PVS) in cryopreservation of Agapanthus praecox embryogenic callus (EC), and analyzed the oxidative response of cells during the control and SWCNTs-added cryopreservation protocol. The SWCNTs entered EC at the step of dehydration, and mainly located around the cell wall and in the vesicles, and most of SWCNTs moved out of EC during dilution step. Combination with physiological index and gene quantitative expression results, SWCNTs affect ROS signal transduction and antioxidant system response during plant cryopreservation. The EC treated by SWCNTs had higher antioxidant levels, like POD, CAT and GSH than the control group EC. EC mainly depended on AsA-GSH and GPX cycle to scavenge H2O2 in the control cryopreservation, but depended on CAT in the SWCNTs-added cryopreservation which lead to low levels of H2O2 and MDA. Elevated antioxidant level in dehydration by adding SWCNTs enhanced cells resistance to injury during cryopreservation. The ROS signals of EC were balanced and stable in the SWCNTs-added cryopreservation.Conclusions: SWCNTs regulated oxidative stress responses of EC during the process, and controlled oxidative damages by the maintenance of ROS homeostasis to achieve high survival rate after cryopreservation. This study is the first to systematically describe the role of carbon nanomaterial in the regulation of plant oxidative stress response, and provided a novel insight into the application of nanomaterials in the field of cryobiology.
Gender-specific typologies of older adults’ sedentary behaviors and their associations with health-related and socio-demographic factors: a latent profile analysis
Authors: Compernolle Sofie , De Bourdeaudhuij Ilse , Cardon Greet , Dyck Delfien Van
Published: June 2020

Background.
The aim of this study was to identify gender-specific typologies of older adults’ sedentary behavior, and to examine their associations with health-related and socio-demographic factors.
Methods.
Cross-sectional data were collected as part of the BEPAS Seniors, and the Busschaert study among 696 Flemish older adults (60+). Typologies of self-reported sedentary behavior were identified using latent profile analysis, and associations with health-related and sociodemographic factors were examined using analyses of variances.
Results.
Five distinct typologies were identified from seven sedentary behaviors (television time, computer time, transport-related sitting time, sitting for reading, sitting for hobbies, sitting for socializing and sitting for meals) in men, and three typologies were identified from six sedentary behaviors (television time, transport-related sitting time, sitting for reading, sitting for hobbies, sitting for socializing and sitting for meals) in women. Typologies that are characterized by high television time seem to be related to more negative health outcomes, like a higher BMI, less grip strength, and a lower physical and mental health-related quality-of-life. Typologies that are represented by high computer time and motorized transport seem to be related to more positive health outcomes, such as a lower BMI, more grip strength and a higher physical and mental health-related quality-of-life.
Conclusions.
Although causal direction between identified typologies and health outcomes remains uncertain, our results suggests that future interventions should better focus on specific types of sedentary behavior (e.g. television time), or patterns of sedentary behavior, rather than on total sedentary behavior.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) alleviates salt damage in tomato by modulating Na+ uptake, the GAD gene, amino acid synthesis and reactive oxygen species metabolism
Authors: Wu Xiaolei , Jia Qiuying , Ji Shengxin , Gong Binbin , Li Jingrui , Lv Guiyun , Gao Hongbo
Published: June 2020

Background
Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), a four-carbon nonprotein ogenic amino acid, is involved in plant abiotic stress resistance. Previous studies have reported that GABA acts as a signal substance or metabolic product by regulating cytoplasmic pH, polyamine biosynthesis and degradation, NO3− reduction and assimilation, and antioxidant responses in a variety of crops under various environmental stresses. The main purpose of our study was to explore the regulatory mechanism by which exogenous GABA enhances salt tolerance in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and its effects on the functions of key enzymes.
Results
Exogenous application of 5 mM GABA significantly reduced the salt damage index and increased the plant height, chlorophyll content and dry and fresh weights of tomato plants treated with 175 mM NaCl. GABA significantly reduced Na+ accumulation in leaves and roots by preventing Na+ influx in roots and transportation to leaves. Cloning of the sequences of four SlGAD genes revealed that SlGAD genes played an important role in enhancing the resistance of tomato plants to NaCl stress with GABA application. Among the SlGAD genes, SlGAD1 was the most sensitive and contributed the most to the increase in GAD activity under salt stress even if the SlGAD2 transcriptional expression was the prominent under normal conditions. GABA increased the GAD activity and amino acid contents in tomato leaves compared with the levels under salt stress alone, especially the levels of GABA and proline. In addition, GABA treatment significantly alleviated the active oxygen-related injury of seedlings under salt stress by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and decreasing the contents of active oxygen species (O2∙ and H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA).
Conclusion
Our data revealed a positive effect of GABA on the resistance of tomato seedlings to salt stress, which was closely associated with GABA's effects on Na+ flux and transportation, the expression and activity of SlGADs, amino acid contents and the metabolism of reactive oxygen species. Exogenous GABA influences NaCl-treated tomato plants by reducing Na+ influx into root and inducing osmotic regulation and antioxidant reactions by increasing SlGAD1 expression and GAD activity, the contents of endogenous GABA and proline and antioxidant enzyme activity.
Selection and Validation of Reference Genes for Measuring Gene Expression in Toona Ciliata under Different Experimental Conditions by Quantitative Real-Time PCR Analysis
Authors: song Huiyun , Mao Wenmai , Duan Zhihao , Que Qingmin , Zhou Wei , Chen Xiaoyang , Li Pei
Published: June 2020

Background: Before studying the gene expression of different organisms, it is important to determine the best reference gene. At present, the most accurate method for detecting gene expression is quantitative real-time PCR(RT-qPCR). By using this method, reference genes that are stable in different biological systems and under different conditions can be obtained. Toona ciliata Roem (T. ciliata). is a valuable and fast-growing timber species. In this study, 20 reference genes were identified through RT-qPCR, as a primary prerequisite for future gene expression analysis. Four different methods, geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RankAggreg were used to evaluate the stability of expression of 20 candidate reference genes in various tissues under different conditions. Results: The experimental results showed that TUB-α was the most stably expressed reference gene across all samples; UBC17 was found to be the most stable in leaves & young stems under Hypsipyla robusta (H. robusta) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment. In addition, under H. robusta treatment, PP2C59 and UBC5B were the best-performing genes in leaves, while HIS1 and ACT7 were the best reference genes in young stems. Under low temperature (4℃) treatment, the two best reference genes were 60S-18 and TUB-α. The expression of HIS6 and MUB1 was the most stable under PEG6000 treatment. The accuracy of the selected reference genes was verified using transcription factor MYB3(TcMYB3) genes. Conclusions: This is the first report to verify the best reference genes for normalizing gene expression in T. ciliata under different conditions, which will facilitate the future elucidation of gene regulations in this species.
Genome-Wide Association of Rice Response to Blast Fungus Identifies Loci for Robust Resistance Under High Nitrogen.
Authors: Frontini Mathias , Boisnard Arnaud , Frouin Julien , Ouikene Malika , Morel Jean-Benoit , Ballini Elsa
Published: June 2020

Background: Nitrogen fertilization is known to increase disease susceptibility, a phenomenon called Nitrogen-Induced Susceptibility (NIS). In rice, this phenomenon has been observed in infections with the blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. A previous classical genetic study revealed a locus (NIS1) that enhances susceptibility to rice blast under high nitrogen fertilization. In order to further address the underlying genetics of plasticity in susceptibility to rice blast after fertilization, we analyzed NIS under greenhouse-controlled conditions in a panel of 139 temperate japonica rice strains. A genome-wide association analysis was conducted to identify loci potentially involved in NIS by comparing susceptibility loci identified under high and low nitrogen conditions, an approach allowing for the identification of loci validated across different nitrogen environments. We also used a novel NIS Index to identify loci potentially contributing to plasticity in susceptibility under different nitrogen fertilization regimes.Results: A global NIS effect was observed in the population, with the density of lesions increasing by 8%, on average, under high nitrogen fertilization. Three new QTL, other than NIS1, were identified. A rare allele of the RRobN1 locus on chromosome 6 provides robust resistance in high and low nitrogen environments. A frequent allele of the NIS2 locus, on chromosome 5, exacerbates blast susceptibility under the high nitrogen condition. Finally, an allele of NIS3, on chromosome 10, buffers the increase of susceptibility arising from nitrogen fertilization but increases global levels of susceptibility. This allele is almost fixed in temperate japonicas, as a probable consequence of genetic hitchhiking with a locus involved in cold stress adaptation.Conclusions: Our results extend to an entire rice subspecies the initial finding that nitrogen increases rice blast susceptibility. We demonstrate the usefulness of estimating plasticity for the identification of novel loci involved in the response of rice to the blast fungus under different nitrogen regimes.
Identification, Characterization and Functional Analysis of AGAMOUS Subfamily Genes Associated with Floral Organs and Seed Development in Marigold (Tagetes erecta)
Authors: Zhang Chunling , Wei Ludan , Wang Wenjing , Qi Wenquan , Cao Zhe , Li Hang , Bao Manzhu , he yanhong
Published: June 2020

Background: AGAMOUS (AG) subfamily genes regulate the floral organs initiation and development, fruit and seed development. At present, there has been insufficient study to explain the function of the AG subfamily genes in Asteraceae. Marigold (Tagetes erecta), belonging to Asteraceae family, has become an important research target for understanding floral organ development in plants.Results: Four AG subfamily genes of marigold were isolated and phylogenetically grouped into C class (TeAG1 and TeAG2) and D class (TeAGL11-1 and TeAGL11-2) genes according to the ABCDE flower organ development model. And these four genes were highly expressed in reproductive organs of marigold. Subcellular localization analysis suggested that all the four proteins were located in the nucleus. Protein-protein interactions analysis indicated that C class proteins had a wider interaction manner than D class proteins. Function analysis by ectopic expression in Arabidopsis revealed that TeAG1 and TeAGL11-1 displayed a C function specifying the stamen identity and carpel identity, and a D function regulating seed development and petal development, respectively. In addition, overexpression of TeAG1 or TeAGL11-1 also leaded to curling rosette leaf and early flowering in Arabidopsis.Conclusions: Our results provide molecular mechanism of AG subfamily genes for the development of stamens, pistils and ovules in Asteraceae, and technical support for the subsequent manipulate of several floral traits.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the normal dromedary camel tarsus
Authors: Hagag Usama , Almohamad Zakriya Ali , Tawfiek Mohamed Gomaa , Nahas Ayman El
Published: June 2020

Background
The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in veterinary practice continues to grow. MRI is currently the most versatile and informative imaging modality for diagnosis of soft tissue injuries in many animal species; however, veterinary literature describing the MRI of the dromedary camel tarsus is lacking. Our purpose was to describe and compare the MRI images of twelve cadaveric tarsi, examined in 1.5 T MRI scanner, with their corresponding anatomical gross sections. Turbo spin-echo (TSE) T1-weighted (T1), T2-weighted (T2), proton density-weighted (PD) and short tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequences were obtained in 3 planes. Tarsi were sectioned into sagittal, dorsal and transverse planes. Relevant osseous and soft tissue structures on MRI images and corresponding cryosections were identified and labeled.
Results
The overall quality of MRI images was adequate and informative. The soft and osseous tissues of the dromedary camel tarsus corresponded well with the gross anatomic sections. The sagittal and dorsal images were the most valuable for evaluation of articular cartilage and subchondral bone. T1 and PD sequences provided high anatomical details. T2 and STIR images were valuable for evaluation of synovial fluid. Articular cartilage had homogenous intermediate signal intensity. Subchondral and cortical bone had low signal intensity and cancellous bone had heterogeneous signal intensity. Tendons and ligaments had low signal intensity. Synovial fluid had high signal intensity on T2, PD and STIR sequences and intermediate signal intensity on T1 images.
Conclusions
MRI images provided a thorough evaluation of the normal dromedary camel tarsus. Information provided in the current study is anticipated to serve as a basis for interpretation in clinical situations.
Significant Progressive Heterobeltiosis in Banana Crossbreeding
Authors: Batte Michael , Nyine Moses , Uwimana Brigitte , Swennen Rony , Akech Violet , Brown Allan , Hovmalm Helena Persson , Geleta Mulatu , Ortiz Rodomiro
Published: June 2020

Background: Heterobeltiosis is the phenomenon when the hybrid’s performance is superior to its best performing parent. Banana ( Musa spp. AAA) breeding is a tedious, time-consuming process, taking up to two decades to develop a consumer acceptable hybrid. Exploiting heterobeltiosis in banana breeding will contribute to selecting breeding material with high compatibility, thus increasing banana breeding efficiency. The aim of this study was therefore to determine and document the level of heterobeltiosis of bunch weight and plant stature in the East African highland bananas, in order to identify potential parents that can be used to produce offspring with desired bunch weight and stature after a few crosses. Results: This study found significant progressive heterobeltiosis in cross-bred ‘Matooke’ banana hybrids, also known as NARITAs, when grown together across years with their parents and grandparents in Uganda. All NARITAs exhibited positive heterobeltiosis for bunch weight, whereas half of them had negative heterobeltiosis for stature. NARITA 17 had the highest heterobeltiosis for bunch weight (248.7%), followed by 26666S-1 (229.3%), while the lowest was noted in NARITA 19 (1.2%). Heritability for yield potential and bunch weight were high (0.84 and 0.76 respectively), while that of plant stature was very low (0.0035). There was a positive significant correlation ( P < 0.05) between grandparent heterobeltiosis for bunch weight and genetic distance between NARITAs’ parents (r = 0.39, P = 0.036), bunch weight (r = 0.7, P < 0.001), plant stature (r = 0.38, P = 0.033) and yield potential (r = 0.59, P = 0.0004). Grandparent heterobeltiosis for plant stature was significantly, but negatively, correlated to the genetic distance between NARITA parents (r = -0.6, P = 0.0004). Conclusions: Such significant heterobeltiosis exhibited for bunch weight is to our knowledge the largest among main food crops. Since bananas are vegetatively propagated, the effect of heterobeltiosis is easily fixed in the hybrids and will not be lost over time after the release and further commercialization of these hybrids.
Impact of Combined Training with Different Exercise Intensities on Inflammatory and Lipid Markers in Type 2 Diabetes: A Secondary Analysis from a 1-Year Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Magalhães João P. , Santos Diana A. , Correia Inês R. , Hetherington-Rauth Megan , Ribeiro Rogério , Raposo João F. , Matos Andreia , Bicho Manuel D. , Sardinha Luís B.
Published: June 2020

Background: Exercise is a well-accepted strategy to improve lipid and inflammatory profile in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, the exercise intensity having the most benefits on lipids and inflammatory markers in patients with T2DM remains unclear. We aimed to analyse the impact of a 1-year combined high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with resistance training (RT), and a moderate continuous training (MCT) with RT on inflammatory and lipid profile in individuals with T2DM.Methods: Individuals with T2DM (n=80, aged 59 years) performed a 1-year randomized controlled trial and were randomized into three groups (control, n= 27; HIIT with RT, n=25; MCT with RT, n=28). Exercise sessions were supervised with a frequency of 3 days per week. Inflammatory and lipid profiles were measured at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Changes in inflammatory and lipid markers were assessed using generalized estimating equations. Results: After adjusting for sex, age and baseline moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), circulating levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) decreased for both the MCT with RT (β=-0.70, p=0.034) and HIIT with RT (β=-0.62, p=0.049) groups, whereas, only the HIIT with RT group improved total cholesterol (β=-0.03, p=0.045) and LDL-C (β=-0.03, p=0.034), when compared to control. No effect was observed for C-reactive protein (CRP), cortisol, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), soluble form of the haptoglobin-hemoglobin receptor CD163 (sCD163), triglycerides and HDL-C in both groups (p>0.05).Conclusions: Favorable adaptations on IL-6 were observed in both the HIIT and MCT combined with RT groups following a long-term 1-year exercise intervention in individuals with T2DM. However, the HIIT with RT group improved to a greater extent the values of total cholesterol and LDL-C, when compared to the MCT with RT group. Therefore, in order to encourage exercise participation and improve inflammatory profile, either exercise protocols may be prescribed, however, HIIT with RT may have further benefits on the lipid profile.Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov ID:NCT03144505
The Political Economy of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Taxation in Latin America: Lessons from Mexico, Chile and Colombia
Authors: Carriedo Angela , Koon Adam , Encarnación Luis Manuel , Lee Kelley , Smith Richard , Walls Helen
Published: June 2020

Background: In Latin America, diet-related non-communicable diseases and sales of sugar-sweetened beverages continue to rise at an alarming rate. Calls for action suggest "multi-sector" and "multi-stakeholder" approaches involving civil society and the private sector, including transnational corporations. While the focus has often been on forming “partnerships” of public and private sectors, ensuring the primacy of public health goals remains a significant governance challenge. This paper analyses this governance challenge using the experiences of Chile, Mexico and Colombia in the adoption of taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages. The three countries offer useful comparisons given their similar political and economic systems, institutional arrangements and regulatory instruments. We conducted a qualitative synthesis of the existing empirical evidence applying a political economy analysis to identify successes and failures during the policy process to adopt and implement the tax.Results: The findings suggest that a major constraint was the political influence of transnational corporations in the policy process and on stakeholders. Intergovernmental support was critical to frame the sugary drinks beverages (SSBs) tax aims, mechanisms and its benefits, and for countries to adopt the measures. Coalitions for and against the tax were critical for the policy debates, and a lack of transparency throughout the agenda setting was diluted by powerful TNCs presences in the countries studied.Conclusion: Governance arrangements involving partnerships with private sector actors should recognize the asymmetry of power among them and address it. Such arrangements should adopt clear mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability of all partners, and avoid the undue influence of unhealthy commodity industries. Support of several governmental entities simultaneously, grassroots groups, and civil society groups in NCD prevention policies is also needed.
The association of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus based on propensity score matching: a retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Dong Buyuan , Ji Ziwei , He Leye , Chen Hao , Chen Mengxia , Feng Qian , Hu Sunkuan , Jin Rong
Published: June 2020

Background: Previous studies reported that gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) may play an important role in the development of diabetes. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that GGT is an independent risk factor for diabetes and to explore whether the association between GGT and the incidence of diabetes is affected by age and gender in the general Japanese population.Methods: This study is a retrospective observational cohort study. The study included 15464 men and women with an average age of 43.71 years from the Japanese health checkup program at Murakami Memorial Hospital from 2004 to 2015. The serum gamma-glutamyl transferase was stratified by quintiles. Patients were stratified by gender and age.Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, each additional standard deviation (SD) of GGT increases the risk of diabetes by 6%. The hazard ratio (HR) is 1.06 and the confidence interval (CI) is (1.02, 1.16). Participants in the fourth to fifth quintiles (Q4-5, ≥16U / L) had a higher risk of diabetes than the third quintile of GGT (Q1-3) (HR: 1.40, 95 % CI: 1.05-1.86). Compared with the GGT of Q1-3, among men and women aged 40 to 50, the GGT of Q4-5 increased the odds of diabetes by 31% and 13%.Conclusions: GGT is positively correlated with the incidence of diabetes in the Japanese population. Especially in people aged 40-50y, the higher the GGT, the higher the risk of developing diabetes.
Integrated Pathways to Healthy Ageing (PHA): A Conceptual Ecosystem
Authors: Vindigni Dein , Jones Sandra
Published: June 2020

Background Ageing is commonly accompanied by an associated increase in the prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal, metabolic and mental health conditions that affects physical capacity and overall decline in quality of life. To date, most health interventions have been monodisciplinary and monomodal, with a relatively narrow focus and loci of impact. What is now being advocated is more interdisciplinary health promotion measures for the attainment of healthy ageing. This paper reports on an empirical intervention designed to integrate chiropractic and osteopathic services with medical and physiotherapy services in an Australian Residential Aged Care facility. It replaces the traditional cause-effect linear focus with a conceptual ecosystem and identifies an action framework to underpin the design of effective actions to facilitate Integrated Pathways to Healthy Ageing. Methods A qualitative multi-method research approach was chosen that included a case study of a real-time intervention, utilising a modified action research methodology combined with interpretive data analysis. This enabled the experience of change to be planned and actioned while, at the same time, being observed and reflected by a project team established for this purpose. The interpretive analysis by the project team members was based on a conceptual ecosystem based on six tenets of a distributed leadership, collaborative and participative, leadership approach. Results The findings confirmed the applicability of the six tenets of the conceptual ecosystem for an integrated approach to aged health care. This led to the formulation of a holistic approach termed a Conceptual Ecosystem of Integrated Pathways to Healthy Ageing together with a conceptual Ecosystem Action Framework.Conclusions The paper concludes that the conceptual Ecosystem can be used to effectively integrate chiropractic and osteopathic services with medical and physiotherapy services to action more holistic, synergistic Integrated Pathways to Healthy Ageing. While further research is required, the authors propose that the conceptual ecosystem and associated action framework can form the basis of actions needed to develop more collaborative approaches to integrate a greater range of health services into multi-disciplinary, multi modal pathways to healthy ageing.
A Longitudinal Survey of Postgraduate Residency Hospital Type and Career Paths in Japan (1996–2016)
Authors: Ishikawa Masatoshi
Published: June 2020

Background: Postgraduate clinical training—a two-year residency program after graduation—became compulsory in Japan in 2004, prompting a shift in residency site preference for new graduates from university to non-university hospitals. Methods: Starting from the hypothesis that shortages of residents at university hospitals continue to be a problem in Japan, a longitudinal study was conducted based on secondary data collected from a biannual national physician survey. The career paths for physicians by residency hospital type were analyzed. The attributes of two physician cohorts were examined a decade after their registration, in 1996 and 2004 respectively, to understand how having carried out their residency at university or non-university hospitals affected their careers.Results: Around 40% of residents were training at university hospitals in their first year of registration at the time of the 2004 reform. In contrast, physicians working at university hospitals in their third year of registration rose to around 40%. Physicians who had not worked at university hospitals during their first ten years increased from 12% in 2004 to 18% in 2014.Conclusions: Since the introduction of mandatory postgraduate clinical training, residents’ career paths have changed based on the type of hospital where they attended residency. Resident shortages at university hospitals remain a challenge in Japan.
Development and usability of educational material about workplace particulate matter exposure
Authors: Stege Thomas , Bolte John F. B. , Claassen Liesbeth , Timmermans Danielle R. M.
Published: June 2020

Background. Particulate matter (PM) exposure is an important health risk, both in daily life and in the workplace. It causes respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and results in 800,000 premature deaths per year worldwide. In earlier research, we assessed workers’ information needs regarding workplace PM exposure, the properties and effects of PM, and the rationale behind various means of protection. We also concluded that workers do not always receive appropriate risk communication tools with regards to PM, and that their PM knowledge appears to be fragmented and incomplete. Methods. We considered several concepts for use as an educational material based on evaluation criteria: ease of use, costs, appropriateness for target audiences and goals, interactivity, implementation issues, novelty, and speed. We decided to develop an educational folder, which can be used to inform employees about the properties, effects and prevention methods concerning PM. Furthermore, we decided on a test setup of a more interactive way of visualisation of exposure to PM by means of exposimeters. For the development of the folder, we based the information needs on our earlier mental models-based research. We adjusted the folder based on the results of ten semi-structured interviews evaluating its usability. Results. The semi-structured interviews yielded commentaries and suggestions for further improvement, which resulted in a number of alterations to the folder. However, in most cases the folder was deemed satisfactory. Conclusion. Based on this study, the folder we developed is suitable for a larger-scale experiment and a practical test. Further research is needed to investigate the efficacy of the folder and the application of the exposimeter in a PM risk communication system.
Energy-Optimal Braking Control Using a Double-Layer Scheme for Trajectory Planning and Tracking of Connected Electric Vehicles
Authors: Dong Hao-xuan , Zhuang Wei-chao , Yin Guo-dong , Xu Li-wei , Wang Yan , Wang Fa-an , Lu Yan-bo
Published: June 2020

To improve the energy efficiency of electric vehicles (EVs), this paper presents an energy-optimal braking strategy (EOBS) considering shared braking intention. First, a double-layer control scheme is formulated. In the upper-layer, an energy-optimal braking problem with braking intention is formulated and solved by distance-based dynamic programming, which could derive the energy-optimal braking trajectory. In the lower-layer, a linear time-varying model predictive (LTV-MPC) controller is designed to track the desired trajectory while ensuring braking comfort and safety. Second, several simulations are conducted to demonstrate the regeneration energy efficiency improvement of proposed EOBS. Finally, the energy-optimal braking mechanism of EVs is investigated based on the analysis of braking deceleration, battery charging power, and motor efficiency.
Risk assessment to curb COVID-19 contagion: A preliminary study using remote sensing and GIS
Authors: Kanga Shruti , Meraj Gowhar , Sudhanshu  , Farooq Majid , Nathawat M. S. , Singh Suraj Kumar
Published: June 2020

Globally, COVID-19 pandemic has become a threat to humans and to the socio-economic systems they have developed since the industrial revolution. Hence, governments and stakeholders are calling for strategies that could help to restore the normalcy while dealing with this pandemic effectively. Since, till now, the disease is yet to have a cure; therefore, only risk-based decision-making can help governments to achieve a solution that is sustainable in the long term. To help the decision-makers to explore viable actions, we here propose a risk assessment framework for analyzing COVID-19 risk to areas, using integrated hazard and vulnerability components associated with this pandemic for effective risk mitigation. The study is carried on a region administrated by Jaipur municipal corporation (JMC), India. Based on the current understanding of this disease, we hypothesized different COVID-19 risk indices (C19Ri) of the wards of JMC such as proximity to hotspots, total population, population density, availability of clean water and associated land use/ land cover, are related with COVID-19 contagion and calculated them in a GIS-based multi-criteria risk reduction method. The results showed disparateness in COVID-19 risk areas with higher risk in north-eastern and south-eastern zone wards within the boundary of JMC. We proposed to prioritize wards that are under higher risk zones for intelligent decision-making regarding COVID-19 risk reduction through appropriate management of resources-related policy consequences. This study aims to serve as a baseline study to be replicated in other parts of the country or world to eradicate the threat of COVID-19 effectively.
Repositioning Therapeutics for COVID-19: Virtual Screening of the Potent Synthetic and Natural Compounds as SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro Inhibitors
Authors: Sattari Ahmad , Ramazani Ali , Aghahosseini Hamideh
Published: June 2020

Today, finding potential therapeutics for COVID-19 caused by the widespread transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has become a global challenge. Molecular docking investigation of the therapeutic potential of marketed drugs is a fast and cost effective approach to provide a solution to this problem. In this study, docking simulations performed on the reported structure of the virus main protease, 3CLpro, to identify potential inhibitors. Accordingly, a database of 50 synthetic compounds including approved drugs and those undergoing clinical trials, and 40 natural compounds particularly those employed in traditional Iranian medicine was constructed. The results indicated that the anti-inflammatory drugs, Licofelone acyl glucuronide and delta-bilirubin, and natural compounds such as kappa-carrageenan conformer and beta-D-galactopyranosyl with minimal side-effects, according to in-vitro studies, are good candidates to block the enzymatic activity of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro. Moreover, the compound 1 could be a potential drug candidate for COVID-19 due to its favorable interactions with the 3CLpro.
Deciphering the Transcriptional Changes in Escherichia Coli Strains C41(DE3) and C43(DE3) That Makes Them A Superior Choice for Membrane Protein Production.
Authors: Webb Chaille Teresa , Lithgow Trevor
Published: June 2020

Background: The overproduction of membrane proteins for functional and structural protein analysis remains a bottleneck in the continuing quest for understanding biological systems. For recombinant membrane proteins, the Walker strains C41(DE3) and C43(DE3) are a valuable tool because they are capable of producing levels of functional protein that would otherwise be toxic to the cell. At the genome level, amongst only a handful of genetic changes, mutations in the lac UV5 promoter region upstream from the bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase gene distinguish these strains from BL21(DE3) but do not inform on how the strains have adapted for superior production of recombinant membrane proteins. Results: Comparative transcriptomic analyses revealed a moderate change in gene expression in C41(DE3) and C43(DE3) compared to their parent strain BL21(DE3) under standard growth conditions. However, under the conditions used for membrane protein production (with plasmid carriage and addition of IPTG), the differential response of C41(DE3) and C43(DE3) compared to their parent strain BL21(DE3) was striking. Over 2000 genes were differentially expressed in C41(DE3) with a two-fold change and false discover rate < 0.01 and 1700 genes differentially expressed in C43(DE3) compared to their parent strain BL21(DE3). Conclusion : These results illuminate the cellular adaptations occurring in the Walker strains to alleviate the toxic effects that can occur during membrane protein production whilst providing changes in metabolism pathways required for membrane protein biogenesis. The BL21(DE3) derivatives strains C41(DE3) and C43(DE3), are adept to the process of membrane biogenesis in E. coli , making them superior to their parent strain for the expression of membrane proteins and potentially other toxic proteins.
Bidirectional Association between Tooth Loss and Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Hu Nan , Xu Ke , Gong Chao , Xu Xizhen
Published: June 2020

Background: To investigate the bidirectional association between tooth loss and hypertensionMethods: PubMed, EMBASE, OVID were searched through May, 2020. Longitudinal and cross-sectional studies reporting the association between tooth loss and hypertension were included. We quantitatively analyzed the basic framework and study characteristics, and then pooled estimate effects with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of outcomes of each included studies using random-effects meta-analysis.Results: This systematic review included sixteen studies involving about 188,000 participants. Quantitatively summarized results suggested, compared to individuals who have lost fewer than ten teeth, there was no significantly difference in the incidence of hypertension among participants who lost more than ten teeth (OR: 1.09, 95%CI: 0.93,1.28). Besides, there is no significant difference of incident hypertension between individuals who ever lost teeth and never lost teeth (OR:1.03, 95% CI: 0.85,1.25). There was a significant association between hypertension and incidence of tooth loss (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.04,1.70). Subgroup analysis by study design, age, gender ratio and religion showed statistically significant association between hypertension and incidence of tooth loss in specific subgroups.Conclusions: This meta-analysis identified hypertension as a significantly risk factor of tooth loss while tooth loss was not an efficient predictor for incident hypertension. Considering the limited number of available researches and drawback of cross-sectional studies, more high-quality prospective studies of large sample sizes are needed to understand details of this bidirectional association. Since both tooth loss and hypertension are worldwide problems, our study provides new and comprehensive evidence for the prevention in oral complication of hypertensive patients.
Exploration in the mechanism of fucosterol for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer based on network pharmacology and molecular docking
Authors: Li Xiaoling , Lin Baixin , Lin Zhiping , Wang Qu , Zheng Yushi , Cui Liao , Luo Hui , Luo Lianxiang
Published: June 2020

Background It has been demonstrated that fucosterol induces a therapeutic effect on cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of fucosterol in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer are still unclear.Methods In this study, pharmMapper and GeneCards databases were utilized to gather the prediction of fucosterol targets and NSCLC-related targets. The mechanisms of fucosterol against NSCLC were identified in DAVID6.8 by enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG, and protein-protein interaction data was obtained from Sting Database. Molecular docking was used to predict the docking of GRB2. Moreover, the relationship of GRB2 expression and immune infiltrates was analyzed by TIMER database.Results The results suggest that fucosterol acts against by candidate targets, such as MAPK1, EGFR, GRB2, IGF2, MAPK8 and SRC, which regulate biological processes including negative regulation of apoptotic process, peptidyl-tyrosine phosphorylation, positive regulation of cell proliferation. The Raf / MEK / ERK signaling pathway initiated by GRB2 maybe the most significant pathway for fucosterol to treat NSCLC.Conclusions These results show that GRB2 is the key target for fucosterol in the treatment of NSCLC, which laying a theoretical foundation for further research and providing scientific support for the development of new drugs.